Ji Han Liu Zhang

When Baima City was under siege, Cao Cao looked at Guo Jia for advice. He pondered for a moment and said, "Yuan Benchu ​​sent Wuhuan as the vanguard to besiege Baima City. His original intention was to use Baima City as bait to lure our army forward, and then take advantage of the battle between Wuhuan and our army to attack our army. Our army will be attacked from both sides and will be defeated."

"That's why." Guo Jia said slowly, "We must lead away the Yuan army's light cavalry before we can advance. Otherwise, once we engage the Wuhuan army, we won't be able to defeat them for a while, and if the Yuan army's light cavalry arrives, the situation will be very grim."

"How to lure away Yuan's light cavalry?" Xiahou Yuan asked.

"We can make a feint to the east and attack in the west." Guo Jia suggested a plan: "Most of Yuan's troops are now gathered in Liyang on the north bank. We can lead our troops to Yanjin first, pretending to cross the river and attack the rear of Yuan's army. In this way, Yuan Benchu ​​will most likely send light cavalry to guard Yanjin, while we will turn to Baima and take advantage of the opportunity to break through Nanlou and Supuyan."

"Excellent, excellent." Cao Cao clapped his hands in praise. He followed suit and immediately led his army to attack Yanjin.

It was only a few dozen miles from Kuangting to Yanjin. Cao Cao's vanguards were all brave and sharp, and they arrived at Yanjin in just one day. After a short rest, they began to build a pontoon bridge at the Yanjin ferry the next day, pretending to cross the river.

The scouts under Yuan Shao would naturally not miss the opportunity to monitor the Yanjin ferry. They quickly delivered the news to Liyang and placed it on the desk in front of Yuan Shao.

"Yanjin?" Yuan Shao looked confused. He didn't understand why Cao Cao didn't go to break the siege of Bai Ma, but instead rushed to Yanjin. It seemed that he was going to lead his troops across the river. This abnormal behavior really made it difficult for him to understand.

The counselor Xun Chen's eyes suddenly lit up, and he said, "Mingsir, Cao Mengde is planning to cross Yanjin and harass our army. We should send light cavalry to stop Cao's army from crossing the river."

Guo Tu's eyes lit up, and he added: "Mingsir, what Xun Jun said is very true. Cao Mengde has evil intentions. He intends to take advantage of our army's siege of Bai Ma to send a surprise force from Yanjin to harass our army."

Yuan Shao couldn't help but nodded, as if he agreed with the suggestions of Xun Chen and Guo Tu.

At this time, Xu You spoke up: "Mingsir, no matter what Cao Mengde's intentions are, our army cannot let Cao's army cross Yanjin. We should quickly send light cavalry to intercept Cao's army."

All the counselors agreed to act cautiously and suggested blocking Cao's army from crossing the river. Yuan Shao did not hesitate. With no other options, he issued an order: "Take my tiger seal and order Generals Yan Liang and Wen Chou to lead the light cavalry to Yanjin. Do not allow a single soldier of Cao's army to cross the river."

As soon as Yuan Shao gave the order, Yan Liang and Wen Chou set out immediately, deployed light cavalry, swept out of the camp and headed for Yanjin.

Yan Liang and Wen Chou led the light cavalry out of the camp, and the dust on the road was raised. Tian Feng, who was arranging the baggage and fodder and collecting food for the men and horses, saw it. He called a lieutenant and asked, "Why did Yan Liang and Wen Chou leave the camp and take the light cavalry with them?"

"Reporting to the deputy driver, I heard that Cao's army built a pontoon bridge at Yanjin Ferry, and Generals Yan Liang and Wen Chou went there to stop Cao's army." The captain answered honestly.

"Yanjin?" Tian Feng looked confused. He saw that the captain didn't seem to know much information, so he waved his hand to let him retreat, and then he walked towards the central army with his staff.

Arriving near the central army, after a report, Tian Feng was called into the tent and met Yuan Shao who was sitting in the upper seat. He bowed and asked Yuan Shao: "Mingsir, Feng saw our army's light cavalry out outside, is there anything urgent?" Guo Tu showed a smug look and answered for Yuan Shao: "Tian Biejia, just now a scout reported that Cao's army intended to cross the Yanjin Ferry. We have agreed that this is a trick used by Cao Mengde. He wants to take advantage of our army's siege on Baima and its attention to Baima City to harass our army and cut off our retreat."

"So, my lord, please send Generals Yan Liang and Wen Chou to lead light cavalry to Yanjin to intercept Cao's army and prevent a single soldier from crossing the river."

Tian Feng frowned upon hearing this. He asked in return, "Yanjin Ferry is an important road. Cao Mengde should know that Yanjin must be under the surveillance of our scouts. Any movement will be known to our army."

"Even if that is the case, why would Cao Mengde lead his troops across Yanjin and harass our army? Mr. Guo said that this was a brilliant strategy of Cao Mengde, but there is no such thing as a brilliant strategy in the world. Isn't this a joke and a laughing stock to the world?"

Guo Tu's smug look faded. He was too cowardly to respond to Tian Feng's words. After a long while, he managed to utter, "No matter what Cao Mengde's intentions are, as long as Cao Mengde has any intentions, our army will stop them and prevent Cao Mengde from using his fists and feet."

"Humph." Faced with Guo Tu's protest, Tian Feng's upright character was aroused. He snorted coldly at first, and then said: "Baima City was besieged by our army's Wuhuan Hu cavalry. Cao Mengde should have made it his top priority to break the siege of Baima. Why would he turn to Yanjin and ignore the safety of Baima City?"

"Feng Yi." Tian Feng bowed and said to Yuan Shao, "This is Cao Mengde's strategy of making a feint to the east and attacking the west. He wants to use this to divert our light cavalry and then take the opportunity to defeat the Wuhuan Hu cavalry that is besieging Baima City. In this way, even if our army wants to send troops to rescue Nanlou and Su Puyan, sending infantry to rush there will not be much help for the time being. It is difficult to meet the right opportunity."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shao looked hesitant. He was worried that, as Tian Feng said, this was Cao Cao's strategy of making a feint to the east and attacking in the west. By that time, Nanlou and Su Puyan would be defeated by Cao Cao. Losing the fighting power of the two Wuhuan tribes would be a small matter, but a small setback in the first battle and damage to the morale of the army would be a big deal.

Guo Tu saw Yuan Shao's hesitation and was annoyed by Tian Feng's words. He turned his thoughts and pointed out the flaw in Tian Feng's words: "Why does Tian Biejia underestimate Nanlou and Su Puyan? They are Wuhuan masters who have been on the battlefield for a long time and are accustomed to fighting. Even if Cao Mengde transferred our light cavalry, it would be difficult to defeat Nanlou and Su Puyan during this period."

"What's more, Nanlou and Su Puyan are both Wuhuan elite cavalrymen, so it's hard to say who will win or lose. Even if Nanlou and Su Puyan are defeated, they can gather their cavalry and retreat. How will Cao Mengde stop them?"

After saying this, Guo Tu showed a slightly smug look on his face, and he waited quietly for Tian Feng's reply.

Tian Feng leaned on his staff and sighed helplessly, "Cao's army is brave and their officers are loyal to their mission. The Wuhuan led by Nanlou and Su Puyan are good at riding and shooting, but they are always undisciplined. How can they be a match for Cao Mengde in battle? They will definitely be defeated by Cao Mengde."

"Mingsir, we should quickly send people to recall Yan Liang and Wen Chou, and then go south across the river to Bai Ma."

Before Yuan Shao could reply, Guo Tu said, "Sir, if you recall Yan Liang and Wen Chou and allow Cao's army to cross Yanjin, the situation will be critical."

'This.' Seeing Tian Feng and Guo Tu fighting, Yuan Shao was at a loss for a moment and could not make a decision. (End of this chapter)