Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

The arguments were finally calmed down when Cao Cao raised his hand.

"Perhaps this is the reason why the Han army has changed its past behavior."

After Cao Cao handed the intelligence sent back about Youzhou to his generals for circulation, he spoke.

"I think Zikun has been putting pressure on our army slowly and steadily, mostly killing and wounding soldiers, and has not forcibly attacked the city or captured the stronghold. His purpose is to contain and consume our troops, create a good opportunity for Gongsun Zan to move south, and prevent our army from taking care of both ends."

"Until our army is forced to withdraw to Jizhou due to the threat of Gongsun Zan, we will continue to pursue and kill them to secure victory."

"But now that the Wuhuan have rebelled, Gongsun Zan is unable to move south. Obviously, Zikun can no longer count on Gongsun Zan in Youzhou, so he is naturally a little anxious."

As soon as these words were spoken, many civil and military officials in the military tent showed joy on their faces.

It is true that the Han army still has the upper hand in the current situation at Guandu, but in the direction of Xingyang, the Han army is only barely able to contain Lu Bu and the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry.

Once Lu Bu is free to lead the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry to force their way south and cut off one of the main food supply routes of the Northern Expedition Han Army, the Northern Expedition Han Army would be put in a passive position.

This news also greatly boosted the morale of Cao Wei's civil and military officials, who understood that the more anxious the Han army was, the closer the situation was to changing.

Under Cao Cao's arrangement, the defense line was further strengthened to resist the Han army's attack that was beginning to disregard casualties, and at the same time, an urgent message was sent to Lu Bu.

When Lu Bu, who had been annoyed by Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei during this period, received the message, a rare look of joy appeared on his face.

Immediately, Lu Bu looked up at Xi Zhicai who came as a messenger and spoke.

"Besides what's said in the letter about the Han army, does Meng De have anything else to say?"

"Then ask the King of Zhao to inflict heavy damage on the Han cavalry as soon as possible. Otherwise, Guandu may not be able to hold out for too long under the fierce attack of the Han army regardless of casualties."

After Xi Zhicai said this, he couldn't help coughing, and then he described in detail the situation faced by Cao's army on the north bank of Guandu. It seemed that Guandu could be completely breached by the Han army at any time.

Of course, there is some exaggeration in this statement.

As long as Cao Cao was determined to fight to the death, even if the Han army attacked fiercely without caring about casualties, it would not be a problem for Cao's army to hold out at Guandu for another month or two.

The number of 700,000 Han troops in the Northern Expedition was naturally astonishing.

But Cao Cao also had more than 300,000 troops at his disposal, and they were no paper-made troops.

However, Cao Cao was also worried that Lu Bu intended to allow both the Cao army and the Han army to suffer losses, so he undoubtedly sent Xi Zhicai to supervise the battle.

Lu Bu, who had personally experienced the Han army's offensive at Guandu, did not doubt what Xi Zhicai said, nor did he have any intention of deliberately slowing down the offensive.

"It's not that I have no intention of going south, it's just that Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei are too annoying."

"I have a plan that may be able to help King Zhao." Xi Zhicai said.

Upon hearing this, Lu Bu subconsciously glanced at Chen Gong and asked.

"Huh? But it doesn't matter."

"That is... turning the tables."

Xi Zhicai coughed lightly and explained in detail.

"It is true that the Han cavalry have repeatedly harassed Xingyang and it is difficult to trap and kill them. In this case, why doesn't the King of Zhao lead his army to attack Zhongmou County where the Han army is storing grain, so that Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei will have to lead their troops back to provide assistance, and naturally they will have no time to harass Xingyang."

When Lu Bu heard this, he was cheered up, slammed the table and shouted.

"Good plan, good plan..." After a pause, Lu Bu looked at Chen Gong and frowned.

"Why couldn't Gongtai come up with such a plan to break the impasse? As a result, I had to chase Zhao Yun in Xingyang for a long time."

Chen Gong was stunned. He never thought that this could be blamed on himself.

However, before Chen Gong could open his mouth to explain, Xi Zhicai took the initiative to help him out.

"King Zhao has misunderstood! Before this, when the Han army still had some strength to spare, even if King Zhao led his army to attack Zhongmu directly, Li Ji could calmly send an army back to support Zhongmu from Guandu and stay there for a long time. It would be of little use, so Gongtai naturally would not propose it."

"But now the Han army is eager to break through Guandu. At this moment, the King of Zhao is attacking Zhongmou again. If Li Ji does not want to slow down the offensive against Guandu, he can only dispatch Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei to return to support. He also has to take care of both sides at the same time. The situation is very different."

While Lu Bu couldn't help nodding, he looked at Xi Zhicai with a look of admiration and spoke.

"I see. But it also shows that you are a resourceful person, unlike those good-for-nothings under my command who have no plan at all."

This indirect remark made Chen Gong's face look a little ugly. He understood that Lu Bu was venting his dissatisfaction with the fact that he had repeatedly asked Chen Gong for advice but to no avail.

But Chen Gong asked himself if he had a clear conscience and had tried his best. If his plan did not work, then it should not be his fault...

"Ugh……"

Chen Gong bowed his hands with a slightly gloomy expression. "I am incompetent. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Seeing Chen Gong's attitude, Lu Bu, who was originally a little dissatisfied, softened his heart and waved his hand.

"Since you know your fault, you should be more careful in the future. I will forgive you the punishment."

Seeing this scene, Xi Zhicai couldn't help but twitch his mouth...

Compared with Cao Cao's ability to control his subordinates, Chen Gong could only tolerate a lord like Lu Bu.

Lu Bu decided to adopt Xi Zhicai's suggestion and immediately reorganized his army. He left Zhang Xiu in Xingyang and led 70,000 cavalrymen from the Wei-Zhao coalition forces to march straight to Zhongmou.

When Lu Bu was halfway through his journey, he learned the latest movements of Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei who were wandering around Xingyang, and he also quickly rushed back to Zhongmou.

This made Lu Bu very happy. He valued Xi Zhicai even more and continued to advance towards Zhongmu.

When Lu Bu led his army to Zhongmou County, the city gates had already been closed and the camp outside the city looked as if they were facing a powerful enemy.

The feeling of changing one's offense and defense made Lu Bu feel refreshed in this hot summer.

Of course, Lu Bu was leading cavalry, and it was wishful thinking for him to break through Zhongmu County, which was well prepared, in a short period of time.

Moreover, a forceful attack on Zhongmou County would easily provoke the Han army to return for reinforcements at all costs, which was something Lu Bu did not want to see.

The original intention of Lu Bu's troops advancing into Zhongmou County was to force the Han cavalry to confront him head-on.

Therefore, after arriving in Zhongmu County, Lu Bu continued to harass the Han army's food supply routes around Zhongmu County by relying on the mobility of his cavalry.

When the Han army mobilized some of the Han army's infantry near Zhongmou County to turn back and fight the enemy with infantry and cavalry formations, Lu Bu also imitated Zhao Yun's previous move and moved away to harass the grain routes in other directions.

The two sides fought back and forth like this for about ten days. Seeing that the Guandu offensive was about to be affected, Cao Cao bought a chance to catch his breath.

The Han army could not help but mobilize the main force of cavalry to confront Lu Bu head-on, intending to use cavalry to contain Lu Bu and buy time for the Han army's infantry to join the war.

This was exactly what Lu Bu was aiming for, to take this opportunity to really inflict heavy damage on the Han cavalry. (End of this chapter)