Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

Compared with the jubilation of the Han army on the south bank who had won a great victory, the Cao army camp on the north bank was filled with gloom and sorrow.

Not only was the defeat a great defeat, but even the highly respected general Xiahou Yuan in the army was killed, which was a huge blow to Cao's army.

When the news reached Lu Bu's ears, he was so angry that he laughed.

After putting out fires everywhere and barely repelling the Han army's harassment and attacks that had lasted for most of the day, Lu Bu, who was becoming more and more furious, broke into Cao Cao's central military tent again.

Lu Bu swept his fierce eyes around, ignoring the frowning faces of Cao Wei's civil and military officials, and questioned Cao Cao angrily.

"That's it?"

"Cao Mengde, you promised me to wait for a few more days to attract the Han army's strong attack, so that you would severely damage the Han army when you found the right opportunity. In the end, you returned with a huge defeat like this?"

After these words were spoken, Cao Cao's already unhappy expression became even gloomier.

After a moment, Cao Cao forced a smile and said soothingly, "Victory and defeat are common in the military, why should Fengxian be so anxious?"

"For a while?!"

Lu Bu said angrily.

"I have resisted the fierce attacks of nearly 400,000 Han troops with an army of over 100,000 for nearly half a month, and lost more than 50,000 soldiers. This is only temporary. Do you think that you, Cao Mengde, will attack with all your strength only when my troops are completely destroyed?"

"Fengxian, calm down. Our army has suffered heavy losses after being ambushed by the Han army. The morale of the army is low..."

After a pause, Cao Cao raised three fingers and said.

"Three days. We will reorganize our army for three days. After we regain morale, we will attack the Han army with all our strength to relieve the pressure on Fengxian."

"no!"

Lu Bu was also very anxious at this moment, and he rejected Cao Cao's suggestion without hesitation.

There is no other reason, it is just that Lu Bu's military losses are increasing day by day.

After several days of fierce fighting, coupled with the fact that the Han army carried a considerable number of powerful crossbows, Lu Bu, who was already at an absolute disadvantage, suffered heavy losses in his infantry.

If Lu Bu had not controlled a large Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry, the west side of Guandu would have been breached by the Han army long ago.

Especially after the news of Cao Cao's defeat came today, Chen Gong took the opportunity to make suggestions, which also made Lu Bu have great doubts about Cao Cao's intentions and abilities, and he said in a cold voice.

"Either you send out your troops tomorrow, or... I will lead my troops back to Hulao Pass immediately."

After these words were spoken, Cao Cao couldn't help but change his expression slightly.

"Lü Bu would never have expected such words..."

Cao Cao's eyes darkened and he looked at Chen Gong who was standing behind Lu Bu, realizing that this must be Chen Gong's work.

If Lu Bu really retreated to Hulao Pass and completely abandoned Yanzhou, then it is true that Lu Bu would become a dry bone in the tomb.

However, thanks to the strength of Hulao Pass, they could hold out for a long time even if they were to resist a million-strong army head-on.

In this case, Li Ji would definitely not fight to the death at Hulao Pass, but would choose to defeat Cao Wei first and then slowly wear down Hulao Pass.

This remark hit Cao Cao's sore spot.

However, after only a few breaths, Cao Cao's originally gloomy face changed and he suddenly burst into tears.

"Alas, for our great cause, I have lost my brother Xiahou Miaocai. I didn't expect Fengxian to doubt my intentions and want to abandon me in this critical moment..."

Moral kidnapping may not be effective against Lu Bu.

But kidnapping by personal feelings is the easiest way to hold Lu Bu back.

Listening to what Cao Cao said, Lu Bu, who was originally full of anger, gradually calmed down and asked in surprise. "Did Xiahou Miaocai die in the battle?" Cao Cao answered with tears in his eyes. "He died at the hands of thieves. He was hit by three crossbow arrows. His face was unrecognizable and his body was mutilated..."

All of a sudden, Lu Bu's anger completely dissipated, and he instead felt that he had unreasonably doubted Cao Cao's intentions.

Even Xiahou Yuan died in the battle, so how could Cao Cao secretly sit back and watch the fire from the other side of the river as Chen Gong said?

Thinking of this, Lu Bu couldn't help but glare at Chen Gong, and then he comforted Cao Cao with some awkward words...

It is true that he had lost 50,000 soldiers, but what Cao Cao had lost was his brother Xiahou Yuan!

In such a comparison, Lu Bu felt that Cao Cao suffered the greater loss, so naturally he could not say anything more. He just reminded Cao Cao to send troops as soon as possible and then left in a hurry.

Seeing this scene, Chen Gong couldn't help but sigh...

How could Cao Cao, who said “I would rather let the world betray me than let the world betray me”, be so heartbroken over the death of Xiahou Yuan?

Only Lu Bu believed it. Chen Gong felt that Cao Cao was truly treacherous and hypocritical, but he could do nothing about it.

After Lu Bu left, Cao Cao raised his hand to wipe away his tears, his expression turned solemn and he spoke.

"The dead are gone, there is no point in grieving, the only way is to find a way to avenge them as soon as possible..."

After a pause, Cao Cao glanced at the civil and military officials below and spoke.

"Gentlemen, do you have any good ideas to help me defeat the bandits?"

Before Lu Bu broke in, the current situation of the Han army and the Wei-Zhao coalition had been analyzed in the big tent. Cao Cao's question undoubtedly hit the nail on the head.

Just like the Battle of Red Cliffs in the original trajectory, the allied forces of Sun and Liu were stationed in strategic locations to resist Cao's army instead of joining forces.

No matter how close the Wei-Zhao coalition was, they all had their own aspirations. If they joined forces, there would be many hidden dangers. The only way out was to support each other.

But the problem now is that while the main force of the Han army was fiercely attacking the weaker Lu Bu, Li Ji also personally led an army of 300,000 to confront Cao Cao across the river.

If there were any other options, Cao Cao would not be willing to send a large army to attack the Han army on the south bank in order to relieve Lu Bu's pressure.

Not only was the military strength of the two sides almost the same, but Li Ji was also in charge. Cao Cao knew very well how difficult it would be to defeat Li Ji.

However, it was also a fact that Lu Bu could not hold out for long against the fierce attacks from ten Han armies totaling nearly 400,000 men.

If Lu Bu was really defeated and retreated, it would be even more difficult for Cao Cao to continue to control Guandu and block the Han army.

The counselors sitting under the tent were also aware of this, and felt it was extremely difficult.

After Cao Cao asked this question, no one spoke for a long time. It was only then that Xi Zhi, whose face was becoming increasingly paler, spoke with a cough.

"Your Majesty, if we really take the initiative to attack the Han army on the south bank as Lu Bu requested, it will only cause more losses and will be useless. Our army cannot afford to waste time with the Han army..."

"Cough cough cough..."

"The only solution now is to shrink the defense line and let Lu Bu lead his troops to withdraw to the west side of Guandu for rest and recuperation. Then our army will take over the defense of the north bank to resist the Han army."

In response, Cao Cao nodded slightly, but couldn't help frowning.

This answer was obviously not what Cao Cao wanted to hear.

Letting Lu Bu retreat to preserve his strength while he bears the pressure from the Han army, isn't this harming oneself and benefiting others?
Of course, Wei and Zhao are still an allied force on the surface. In order to prevent certain words from being leaked out, Cao Cao would naturally not say out loud the words that were kept in his heart and would affect unity.

But how could Xi Zhicai not understand Cao Cao?

Therefore, Xi Zhicai paused for a moment and then continued, "My king, please listen to me. I have a plan to defeat the Han army..." (End of this chapter)