The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 489 Desperate Situation
In Wu County, Qin Shou put down the victory report in his hand and looked at the city in the distance with excitement on his face. Seeing that the powerful enemy was about to be defeated by him, this feeling was hard to describe in words.

"I don't know what Cao Cao is thinking at this moment?"

Qin Shou's sight seemed to be able to penetrate through the space and land on Wu County.

"My lord, I have sent people to pass the news of the recovery of Jiangxia to the city. I believe Cao Cao must be anxious at this time." Zhang Liao said with a little pride.

"He has no way to retreat, but it is not easy to make him surrender." Qin Shou knew Cao Cao's character and knew that he would never surrender.

"Pity."

Qin Shou looked bleak, and it was unclear whether he was feeling regretful for not being able to persuade Cao Cao to surrender, or sad because Cao Cao was about to die.

On the city wall of Wu County, several miles away from Qin Shou, Cao Cao stood on the wall and looked towards Jiangxia.

Guo Jia died of illness, Zhou Yu was captured, Jiangxia was lost, and a series of bad news reached Cao Cao's ears.

Cao Cao stood on the wall of Wu County, looking solemnly in the direction of Jiangxia. The wind blew up his robe, bringing a hint of coolness, but his heart was like a burning fire. The series of blows made him feel unprecedented pressure.

"My lord, Jiangxia has been lost and our army's morale is low. If we don't adjust our strategy in time, I'm afraid..." Cheng Yu stood behind Cao Cao, his tone filled with worry.

Cao Cao was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "Zhongde, do you think we still have a way out?"

Xun Yu frowned slightly, thought for a moment and then replied: "My lord, although Wu County is small, the terrain is strategic. If we can hold on, we may be able to delay the war. However... we are short of food and grass, so I am afraid we will not be able to hold on for long."

Cao Cao nodded, still looking into the distance, as if he was thinking about something. After a moment, he suddenly turned around, with a flash of determination in his eyes: "Pass the order down, the whole army prepares for battle, prepare to break out!"

Cheng Yu was stunned and hurriedly advised: "My lord, it is very risky to break out at this time. Qin Shou's army is approaching. If our army acts rashly, we may be surrounded."

Cao Cao sneered and said, "It is better to give it a try than to sit and wait for death. Although Qin Shou has a strong army, he may not expect us to take the initiative to attack. As long as we catch him by surprise, there may be a glimmer of hope."

Seeing that Cao Cao had made up his mind, Cheng Yu could only nod and say, "If that's the case, I'll make the arrangements right away."

Cao Cao waved his hand, signaling Cheng Yu to withdraw. He stood alone on the city wall, looking at the distant sky, with a lot of thoughts in his mind. He knew that this battle might be his last chance, and if he won, he would live, but if he lost, he would die.

At the same time, in Qin Shou’s military camp.

"My lord, Cao Cao doesn't seem to have any intention of surrendering. Should we attack Wu County by force?" Zhang Liao stood beside Qin Shou, his tone carrying a hint of urgency.

Qin Shou shook his head and said calmly, "Cao Cao will never surrender easily. Although a strong attack can win, the cost is too high. We might as well wait and see how he responds."

Cai Mao was somewhat puzzled: "My Lord, if Cao Cao breaks through, won't we miss the opportunity?"

Qin Shou smiled slightly, with a sly look in his eyes: "If he breaks out, it will be just what I want. I have already laid a net around Wu County. If he dares to come out, he will be unable to escape."

When Cai Mao heard this, he suddenly realized what was going on and said with a smile, "My lord is wise!"

Qin Shou said nothing more, and looked towards Wu County again. He knew that Cao Cao would never sit still and wait for death, and he had already made all the preparations. The outcome of this battle was already decided.

As the night deepened, Wu County was completely silent. Cao Cao stood on the city wall, looking at the Qin army camp in the distance, thinking secretly in his heart. He knew that tonight would be his last chance.

"Pass the order down, the entire army is ready to break out at midnight!" Cao Cao whispered the order, with unquestionable determination in his voice.

As the order was issued, Cao's army in Wu County began to gather quietly. Everyone knew that tonight would be a life-and-death battle. At midnight, the gate of Wu County quietly opened, and Cao Cao led his elite troops, quietly left the city, and rushed in the opposite direction of the Qin army camp.

However, shortly after they left Wu County, countless torches suddenly lit up around them, and Qin Shou's army had already ambushed there.

"Meng De, you finally chose to break through." Qin Shou's voice came from the darkness with a hint of sarcasm.

Cao Cao's heart sank, knowing that he was ambushed, but he did not panic. Instead, he sneered: "Qin Shou, do you think you can trap me like this?"

Qin Shou smiled faintly: "You will know if you can stand it if you try."

Before he finished speaking, the Qin army from all around had already swarmed forward and started a fierce fight with Cao's army. Cao Cao brandished his sword and personally went into battle, trying to fight his way out.

However, the Qin army was much stronger than his, and Cao's army gradually fell into disadvantage. Seeing that there was no hope of breaking out, Cao Cao couldn't help but feel a little desperate.

At this moment, a horn sounded suddenly in the distance, and then a cavalry unit rushed out from the flank and charged straight into the Qin army camp.

"Father, retreat quickly."

The general shouted loudly.

"Yellow Beard!"

When Cao Cao saw the person coming, he immediately shouted loudly.

Then he laughed: "God will not kill me!"

He immediately led the remaining troops to retreat.

Qin Shou frowned slightly when he saw this, but soon regained his composure: "Send the order to wipe out the remaining enemies and force him to return to the city!"

Cai Mao was a little puzzled: "My lord, why don't you take advantage of the situation to pursue?"

Qin Shou shook his head: "Don't be anxious, wipe out his remaining troops first, let him go for now, and we can fight again tomorrow."

Qin Shou stood on a high place, watching Cao Cao go away with the help of Cao Zhang, with a smile on his face. He did not order the whole army to pursue, but raised his hand to signal all the troops to stop attacking and let the remaining troops of Cao Cao withdraw.

"My lord, why don't you take this opportunity to wipe out Cao Cao in one fell swoop?" Gan Ning rode his horse to Qin Shou's side, his tone filled with confusion and anxiety.

Qin Shou smiled calmly, still looking at the direction where Cao Cao was going, and said slowly: "Although Cao Cao was defeated, he still has some strength left. If you push him too hard, it will arouse his determination to fight to the death. Cao Cao should not be forced. Letting him go today is just to let him breathe a little longer."

Gan Ning frowned when he heard this, and after thinking for a moment, he nodded and said, "My lord, you are far-sighted. I admire you."

Qin Shou waved his hand, and said confidently: "Cao Cao is already at the end of his strength. Wu County is isolated and without help, and he is short of food and grass. He won't be able to hold out for long. We just need to advance steadily and press forward step by step, and he will naturally collapse without a fight."

Who is Cao Cao? He would not surrender even a single soldier, but would fight hard instead.

"My lord is wise." Gan Ning and other generals responded.

At the same time, Cao Cao, escorted by Cao Zhang, finally escaped the pursuit of the Qin army and retreated back to Wu County. However, at this time, the people of Wu County were already in panic, the soldiers were exhausted, and there was little food and grass left.

(End of this chapter)