The most poisonous person in the Three Kingdoms, Boss Cao advised me to calm down!

Chapter 377: Aim to Solve the Problem Once and For All

Upon hearing this, Cao Hong also stepped forward, but was not in a hurry to speak.

Instead, he signaled his attendants to unfold a topographic map of Chaohu Lake and slowly spread it out before everyone.

In the picture, the rivers and mountains appear vividly on the paper.

It can be seen that the details are very exquisite.

At this time, Cao Hong also spoke in a low and solemn voice:
"My lord, since our vanguard entered Chaohu territory."

"We have fought with the Eastern Wu navy nine times."

"At that time, the enemy saw that our army was unstoppable and many of them retreated to the Rushu River."

"They want to use the geographical advantage to delay the time."

"For this reason, I will not hesitate to lead a large army to attack Ruxu River."

Speaking of this, Cao Hong's face darkened slightly.

There was helplessness and anxiety between his brows as he said:

"Although our army is invincible, we have penetrated deep into Ruxu."

"But we were repeatedly surrounded by the enemy's pincer attack, so we had to retreat."

"As soon as our army retreats, the Jiangdong navy will turn back and pursue us."

"When the enemy retreats, I advance; when I retreat, the enemy pursues me, and this cycle repeats endlessly."

"So, until the lord arrives with his army."

"All I saw was our troops facing each other across the lake, in a stalemate."

Following Cao Hong's guidance, everyone looked at the map one by one.

Suddenly my mind became clear, yet I couldn't help but marvel inwardly.

Chao Lake is located to the north, and the Rushu River winds from north to south.

It is like a natural barrier, connecting Chaohu Lake in the south and the Yangtze River in the north.

What's more troublesome is that the river mouth is narrow and surrounded by two mountains.

Just like the gate of heaven is tightly closed, if you defend, nothing can leak out, but if you attack, you will be surrounded by dangers.

There is Han Mountain on the east and Kou Mountain on the west, with the two peaks sandwiched between them.

The Ruxu River flows through it, forming a natural fortress.

Cao Cao stared at the map, a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes, but his heart was filled with mixed feelings.

This Rushu River may seem ordinary, but it is actually extremely dangerous.

A waterway has to pass through the gates of two mountains. If you are not careful, you will be attacked from both sides.

If we attack, we may be attacked from both sides; if we retreat, we may be in a desperate situation.

Once the Eastern Wu navy in Ruxu Fort came out in full force.

Those who go too deep may be doomed.

This situation made the expressions of everyone present look even more complicated.

Even Sima De looked doubtful at this moment.

I muttered to myself: This Rushu River is simply a natural defensive wonder.

If the Jiangdong side defends Ruxuwu to the death.

Wouldn’t it become an unsinkable aircraft carrier on the battlefield?
But if Cao's army could really capture this strategic location.

For Sun Quan, this was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue!

For a moment, the air was filled with tension and confusion.

A contest of wisdom and courage quietly unfolds in this small cabin.

Everyone understands every decision that comes next.

All of these will affect the direction of the war and even the general situation in the world.

However, facing the inherent geographical advantage of Ruxukou.

Even Sima De had to admit it deep in his heart.

This is indeed a dangerous place bestowed by God on Jiangdong.

Not to mention that it is easy to defend but difficult to attack, but it must be indestructible!

So it’s not Cao Hong’s fault.

This situation would happen if Guan Yu, the mighty Guan Yu, were in another time and space.

I'm afraid we can only remain in a stalemate with the Jiangdong army here and cannot take any further action.

As for the strategic idea of ​​taking Ruxu Ferry in one fell swoop, or dividing the troops to attack both sides of Hanshan and Koushan.

This is nothing short of a fantasy.

Although Cao Cao now has an army of 200,000, Sun Quan also has 100,000 elite soldiers.

It's not a situation where there is a huge disparity in military strength.

Just attacking the mountains on both sides would require several times the number of troops.

The Jiangdong army was in a commanding position, while the Cao army attacked from above.

What a huge price to pay to get it.

Furthermore, Hanshan and Koushan are extraordinary mountains.

The water source cannot be cut off easily, unlike the incident where Ma Su lost Jieting.

Even if Cao's army wanted to cut off the water supply, they were powerless.

The Jiangdong army, relying on Ruxu Fort, had abundant water resources.

And they can continue to get support from the reinforcements behind them, which can be said to be as solid as a rock. Even if Cao Cao spares no cost, Cao's soldiers will die bravely.

After a bloody battle, we finally got the two mountains.

But by then, how many troops would be left under Cao Cao's command?

After such a severe blow, the outcome was nothing more than a return to a confrontation.

A delicate balance was formed with the Jiangdong Army, which suffered less damage.

It is even more ridiculous to want to take advantage of the situation to advance deep into the heart of Jiangdong.

Unless, they can be like Guan Yu in another time and space.

There was a continuous torrential rain.

This caused the Yangtze River to begin to flood, and the water level submerged Ruxu Ferry.

Then the two sides will have another fair water fight.

There will be a chance to bypass this difficult fortress in front of you.

However, if this is really the case.

The Jiangdong Army on the opposite side also has a strong advantage on water.

After thinking about it, Sima De suddenly realized.

Why did Cao Cao in history cross Chaohu Lake for the second time to attack Jiangdong?

In the end, it ended up being a lot of noise but little results.

Faced with a letter from Sun Quan requesting withdrawal.

When the water level rose in the spring of the following year, they hastily withdrew their troops and returned north.

His thoughts were brought back to reality.

After listening to Cao Hong's report, Cao Cao's expression became increasingly gloomy.

Sima De was also curious when he saw this.

Faced with the current predicament, what choice will Lao Cao make today?
At this moment, Cao Cao was also full of worries.

Sima De was able to see the fortification of Ruxukou from the map.

How could Cao Mengde, a contemporary master of military strategy, not know this?
But if he were allowed to stay on Chaohu Lake, he would be entangled with Sun Quan endlessly.

In the end, it will be a lose-lose situation.

Faced with this result, Cao Cao was naturally unwilling.

His purpose in going south this time was to end the problem once and for all.

Even if he failed to annex Jiangdong, he would still inflict heavy damage on Sun Quan.

From now on, I will no longer be able to lay my hands on Jingzhou, let alone go north!

Only in this way could Cao Cao take advantage of the fact that Sun Quan's strength was weakened and he had no time to cause trouble.

He led the Central Plains army westward to Hanzhong and took over the land of Xichuan.

After all, Cao Cao knew very well that Liu Bei was now hiding in southern Jing.

But I have always been thinking about Yizhou, this land of abundance.

Wait until this big-eared thief opens the road into Sichuan.

The governor of Yizhou, Liu Zhang, was no match for Liu Bei.

The soldiers in Sichuan found it even more difficult to resist Liu Bei's troops.

Once Liu Bei gains control of West Sichuan, he will inevitably lay his hands on Hanzhong.

By then, the crisis Cao Cao faces will not just be Sun Quan.

What’s more, there was Liu Bei who threatened Guanzhong at that time!

Thinking of this, Cao Cao turned his gaze to the field.

Xun You, Cheng Yu and other military advisors were sitting upright.

"Gongda, do the military advisors have any good ideas?"

"Besides Ruxukou, is there any other way for our army?"

"Can we bypass this dangerous area, defeat Sun Quan's army, and then attack Jiangdong?"

Chief military strategist Xun You also responded at this time.

He walked to the geographical map that Cao Hong had hung up, pointed at it and said:
"My lord, there are indeed two feasible ways."

"First, our army is operating secretly along the eastern front."

"Go south through the Chushui River east of Chaohu Lake."

"Then we will capture Zhaoguan and Fuling cities controlled by the Jiangdong Army along the way."

“You can reach the bank of the Yangtze River directly.”

"And on the other side is the Jianye Stone City newly built by Sun Quan."

At this moment, everyone's eyes were searching the map along the path described by Xun You.

Sima De just took a look and immediately rejected this plan.

This is because although the Chushui River is connected to the Yangtze River, its river channel is narrow.

Small civilian boats might be feasible, but Cao's large warships could not carry it.

Without the simultaneous follow-up of the navy.

Even if the army can capture Zhaoguan, Fuling and other places.

The Yangtze River still separated the army from the hinterland of Jiangdong.

(End of this chapter)