Three Kingdoms: Heir of Wolong, my father-in-law is Guan Gong

Chapter 244: Be cautious and Cao Ren first settles down [16]

April of the third year of Zhangwu (223).

General Guan Yu of the Han Dynasty vowed to fight for the Northern Expedition in Xiangyang, nicknamed the Hundred Thousand Army.

Liu Feng, the king of Lingling, the vanguard of the Han Dynasty, led 60 large and small warships and sailed north along the river, spreading messages along the way.

Guan Xing, the prefect of Xiangyang, the vanguard of the Han Dynasty, led five thousand troops to the north of Fancheng to seize the new field.

Like a boulder falling into the water, it stirred up thousands of water splashes.

Cao Ren, Cao Xiu, Xia Houshang from Wancheng, and Xu Huang from Nanxiang were all horrified.

No one expected that Guan Yu would send troops at this time!
To know.

The battle in Guanzhong ended not long ago!
"Didn't they just burn some supplies? As for such a massive revenge?" Xia Houshang murmured.

Cao Xiu frowned: "No, this has nothing to do with me and others burning supplies."

"Guan Yu should have been preparing to raise troops a long time ago, otherwise the army would not have been able to go out so quickly."

"Although these 100,000 troops are just a bluff, Guan Yu has at least 30,000 troops at his disposal in Jingzhou."

"The food, fodder, and weapons for the 30,000-strong army will be transported to Xiangyang. It cannot be prepared in three to five days."

“You and I went to burn supplies, it just happened to be the right time.”

Xiahou still couldn't understand: "When he raises troops every year, doesn't Liu Bei worry about rebellion within his territory?"

Cao Xiu snorted coldly: "Liu Bei does use troops every year, but he doesn't use troops in Jingzhou every year."

"Liu Bei and Guan Yu are going to play a wheel battle!"

"I can only hate that trash Meng Da for ruining something big."

"If Meng Da hadn't been defeated at Longyou, how could Liu Bei have easily obtained the land in Guanzhong."

"Bo Ren, you told me before that Meng Da has a spirit of joy and determination, and is a rare genius in the world."

"In the future, you should avoid associating with people like this who like to brag. Not everyone can compare with Le Yi."

Both Mengda and Xiahou Shang had been Cao Pi's regular attendants, and they had a good relationship. Naturally, they often talked to each other.

As a result, Mengda was so defeated in Longyou that he lost all his trousers and everyone was captured and chopped alive.

If Longyou had not been lost, Guanzhong would not have been so difficult to defend; if Guanzhong had not been lost, Guan Yu would not have sent troops to Jingzhou the second year after Liu Bei captured Chang'an.

This was because he didn't want Cao Pi to have a moment to breathe.

Xiahou Shang looked ashamed.

He used to call Meng Da a close friend, but now Xia Houshang only feels that it is a shame to befriend Meng Da.

While they were chatting, it was reported that Cao Ren was gathering generals in the government office.

Cao Xiu and Xia Houshang looked at each other and rode their horses to the government office.

In the government office.

Cao Ren sat quietly in the main seat.

Jiang Ji, Zhao Yan, Xu Shang, Lu Jian, Chang Diao, Zhuge Qian, Cao Tai, Xia Houxian and other civil and military officials were divided into left and right groups.

Xia Houshang and Cao Xiu were the last two to arrive.

Seeing that all the generals were arriving, Xia Houshang and Cao Xiu were also frightened and quickly joined the ranks.

When Cao Ren saw Xia Houshang and Cao Xiu in place, he slowly said: "You must have heard that the traitor Guan Yu has rebelled again in Xiangyang."

"Guan Yu claimed to have 100,000 men, and the main army divided into two groups to capture Nanxiang County and Nanyang County."

"There are also rebels in Nanxiang County and Nanyang County who respond to the traitor Guan Yu."

"We are following the emperor's order to station troops in the two counties, and we will never let the traitor Guan Yu get what he wants."

"If any of you are afraid of Guan Yu, you can resign and leave Wancheng now. I will not blame you."

"I will not leave anyone under my command who is greedy for life and afraid of death."

All the civil and military officials looked at each other in shock, but no one said a word to resign.

Who dares to resign?
If he resigns, he will probably be known as a coward. Although his life is saved, his career will be over.

Cao Pi was not a kind master!
Seeing everyone's silence, Cao Ren put his hands on his hands and laughed: "Very good! You are all loyal ministers and good generals of the Wei Dynasty. When Guan Yu retreats, I will show your merits." "Although Guan Yu claims to have a hundred thousand soldiers, I don't expect him to be useful." The number of soldiers and horses will never exceed 50,000."

"A hundred thousand people are just bluffing."

"But our army is in Nanyang and Nanxiang. There are really 100,000 troops!"

"With the enemy outnumbered and the city's geographical location advantageous, as long as we hold on to the dangerous points at various checkpoints, there's no need to fear Guan Yu!"

"When its food is exhausted, it will naturally retreat."

Before Jingzhou, even though he was outnumbered and outnumbered, Cao Ren would dare to fight boldly.

After meeting Guan Yu, Cao Ren did not dare to speak so boldly, especially since he was blocked by Guan Yu in Fancheng three years ago, which made Cao Ren deeply afraid of Guan Yu.

If it weren't for Man's favor and the oath of Baima, Cao Ren would have abandoned the city and fled.

Therefore.

Only today did Cao Ren reveal his conservative defensive strategy.

When Cao Xiu saw that Cao Ren was preparing to defend, he felt angry:

"Why does the general enhance the ambition of others and destroy his own prestige?"

"There is a saying in the art of war: Anyone who cannot defend himself against the enemy cannot be considered a good defender."

"If we defend the city without fighting, won't it make Guan Yu think that we are afraid of him?"

"I am willing to lead troops to capture the new country, take Guan Xing's head and offer it to my tent."

Cao Ren's face turned dark instantly.

Explain, explain, what does it mean: Anyone who cannot defend against external enemies cannot be considered a good defender?
Seeing this, Jiang Ji quickly came out to smooth things over: "Military and state affairs must be decided with caution. General Zhengdong, please be patient and don't be impatient."

"General, the general who conquered the east was brave and brave, and he should set an example for the three armies."

Jiang Ji cannot offend both sides.

He not only praised Cao Ren for his prudence, but also praised Cao Xiu for his bravery.

Cao Xiu was praised by Jiang Ji, and his next words were choked in his throat.

If you continue to oppose Cao Ren, aren't you falling into the trap of "I am a reckless man"?
Cao Ren looked at Jiang Ji's face and said, "Cao Xiu, I'm going to Luoyang to report to your majesty Guan Yu's Northern Expedition."

"This battle needs to be decided by Your Majesty."

"There are some secrets that I can't tell you. You will know them when you meet His Majesty."

Abandoning Hefei and coming to Wancheng, the expected conflict between Liu Bei and Sun Quan did not occur.

Guan Yu not only captured Jiangxia County, but also launched an expedition to the north.

Jia Xu, who claims to have a perfect plan, made a mistake!
Cao Ren originally wanted Jiang Ji to go to Luoyang to deliver the battle report, but Cao Xiu's opposition made Cao Ren sense a crisis.

Cao Xiu was proud of his merits and disobeyed military orders.

The last time they went to Fancheng with Xiahou Shang under the guise of inspection, although they burned Fancheng's supplies, they also lost troops and generals.

This made Cao Ren very angry.

Punish them, they are all meritorious generals of the clan.

Without punishment, the generals in the army cannot be restrained.

In the end, Cao Ren only punished the two with minor punishments and severe admonitions.

But I never thought that Cao Xiu was not only ungrateful, but also wanted to go to war against the order today, and even sarcastically concealed his words.

After weighing the pros and cons, Cao Ren decided to transfer Cao Xiu to Luoyang to deliver the battle report.

The first step is to secure the internal situation before fighting against the outside world. Cao Ren has been using troops for many years and has learned this principle well.

Cao Xiu refused to accept it, and when he was about to speak, he was stopped by Jiang Ji: "General Zhengdong, this matter is urgent, and it is exactly when your bravery is needed."

"There are many rebels in the territory, and ordinary couriers lack wisdom and courage. If there is any mistake in the battle report on the way, it will be a big sin for us!"

Jiang Ji, who once served as the chief secretary of Prime Minister Cao Cao, has a high reputation and qualifications.

Jiang Ji's persuasion made Cao Xiu suppress his resentment and agreed to go to Luoyang to deliver the battle report.

(End of this chapter)