Can I get to the other side?.

Chapter 327 Jiangdong rats, Lu Meng committed suicide

After hearing Xu You's words, Cao Cao frowned.

Gather troops and block the ferry.

Doing so would be tantamount to giving up all the land in Yuzhou and Jiangbei, and directly starting the plan of defending Jiangdong by relying on the natural barrier of the Yangtze River.

But...is it necessary to be so fast?

Zhang Liao had not yet started attacking Huainan County, and Sun Quan was unable to attack for the time being, so he still had some time to relocate the people.

Thinking of this, Cao Cao looked at Xu You, narrowed his eyes and asked: "You are so eager for me to block the ferry and stop the migration of people. Are you worried that I will move all the people here?"

If he moved all the people to Jiangdong, it would not be a good thing for the court and the emperor, so he was so suspicious.

After all, Xu You was loyal to the emperor.

Xu You laughed angrily when he heard this: "I analyzed the situation and gave you some suggestions, but you suspected that I was trying to harm you."

"If that's the case, then why do you need to ask me?"

Although Xu You knew that Cao Cao was suspicious, he still couldn't help feeling annoyed. If he doubted him, he might as well not ask him for advice.

Cao Cao snorted coldly: "I originally trusted you, but you betrayed my trust, so how can I not doubt you? However..."

“My Lord——!”

Before Cao Cao could finish his words, an anxious voice was heard outside the room, and Xun You rushed into the room.

Without even taking a breath, he anxiously said to Cao Cao: "My lord, Tongling Ferry has been attacked, our troops have been completely defeated, and the ferry has been lost!"

"What did you say?"

This sudden news made Cao Cao's expression change drastically. He stood up from the ground in shock, staring at Xun You and asked in a stern voice: "Who attacked Tongling Ferry, and where did the troops come from?!"

He did not deploy many troops at Tongling Ferry because he occupied all the counties on both sides of the river. If he discovered the enemy, he would receive the news at the first time and could send troops to provide support at any time.

But now we have not received any news of enemy troops crossing the river, so how could an army suddenly appear and attack Tongling Ferry?
"We don't know at this moment."

Xun You shook his head and said bitterly: "According to the report from the soldiers who escaped back, they were suddenly attacked by the enemy in the early morning of the day before yesterday. There were thousands of people. I don't know whose army they were, but they were all well-equipped and well-trained elites!"

"The enemy attacked at night and burned the camp. Our army suffered heavy casualties and was almost wiped out. Only less than a hundred people escaped!"

After hearing this, Cao Cao felt a chill down his spine.

Thousands of people, fully equipped with armor, this is obviously a regular army, either Sun Quan's troops or the imperial court's troops!

But all the major ferry crossings were controlled by him. How did so many people cross the Yangtze River quietly without being discovered by him?
Could it be that it flew over here?
Xu You saw through Cao Cao's thoughts and said slowly, "The only way to cross the river is by ferry, but now all the major ferry crossings are controlled by you, and only the boats carrying the people are traveling back and forth."

"If my guess is correct, they mixed in with the people, secretly crossed the Yangtze River with the help of your boat, and then launched an attack on the ferry."

"It is impossible for the imperial court to do such a despicable thing. It should be Sun Quan who did it... Cao Mengde, you are still a step too late."

The generals and soldiers disguised themselves as civilians and crossed the Yangtze River.

This behavior is simply shameless.

The imperial court cares about its reputation and would never do such a thing that would bring disgrace; since it was not the imperial court's army, it is self-evident who did it.

“My Lord——!”

As soon as Xu You finished speaking, Le Jin hurried into the wing room and reported to Cao Cao: "The scouts have sent news that Sun Quan's troops are fully mobilized and are rushing to Tongling Ferry by boat!"

Hearing this, Xu You looked at Cao Cao.

A playful look appeared on his face.

Cao Cao's face had turned livid. He kicked over the table in front of him and shouted angrily, "Sun Quan! How could you do such a cowardly thing?"

"I swear to kill you!!"

Crossing the river in white clothes was even more despicable than his act of stealing Jiangdong. Because he only broke the covenant, but Sun Quan directly violated the bottom line that had been agreed upon since ancient times!
"Pass on my military order, have all the major ferry crossings along the river send out warships to stop Sun Quan's fleet!"

"At the same time, mobilize the ships of all the major families to transport troops to Tongling Ferry day and night, by land and sea! We must arrive before Sun Quan and recapture the ferry at all costs!"

"I will lead the troops myself this time!"

Cao Cao spoke through gritted teeth; every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, filled with deep hatred and anger.

The gap in Tonglingdu must not be opened.

If the ferry could not be recaptured in time, Sun Quan's army would cross the Yangtze River and return to Jiangdong.

By then, the situation that he had managed to stabilize with great difficulty would fall into turmoil again, and the major families that had already surrendered might even turn to Sun Quan again!

These aristocratic families are fence-sitters. He relies on coercion by force and the temptation of benefits. Their roots in Jiangdong are far less deep than those of the Sun family.

"promise!"

Li Dian and Le Jin accepted the order and withdrew.

Cao Cao stood up and strode out of the wing room. Seeing this, Xu You said anxiously, "Cao Mengde! You promised to restore my freedom. Are you going to break your promise?"

He had just suggested to Cao Cao that he gather his forces to guard all the ferry crossings, and not covet the people and supplies that had not yet migrated, so as not to give Sun Quan any chance.

It turned out that his advice was absolutely correct.

Cao Cao stopped, glanced back at him, and said expressionlessly: "Wait until I come back!"

After saying this, he strode away, leaving the furious Xu You cursing in the side room.

……

Tongling Ferry.

Although the battle had been going on for several days, the ferry was still full of traces of burning flames and dried dark red blood stains on the ground, which looked shocking.

As soon as Lu Meng captured the ferry, he sent people to clear the boats at the ferry in preparation for the arrival of the subsequent army.

"Wen Xiang, how many days will it take for our fleet to arrive?"

In the cabin of one of the ferries, Lu Meng asked Xu Sheng beside him, his brows full of anxiety.

But this time they were alone and the main army was not on the other side of the river. They needed to take a boat from other places to reach Tongling Ferry, which would take some time.

He was very worried that Cao's army would attack back before the fleet arrived.

Because they had only 2,000 men in total, and more than 300 men were killed in the previous attack. If Cao's army came, it would be difficult for them to defend the ferry with such a small number of troops.

"It will probably take about a day."

Xu Sheng estimated and replied, "Ziming, don't worry. Our fleet was dispatched at the first opportunity. No matter how fast Cao's reaction is, it is not as fast as ours."

"By the time Cao's troops come, our army will have already arrived at Tongling Ferry, and we will be able to launch a counterattack against them."

Lu Meng felt relieved after hearing this.

But after thinking for a while, he said to Xu Sheng: "Wen Xiang, send people to the nearby area to recruit a group of young and strong men, equip them with the weapons and equipment left by the Cao army who died in the battle, and then fill them into the army." Xu Sheng asked doubtfully: "What's the use of this? Even if you give them weapons and equipment, they are just a mob."

Just having weapons and equipment doesn’t make you a soldier.

Soldiers need to be trained. At least they need to be able to understand commands and basic formations and combat skills. This requires a month or even longer of training.

Without this training, they would just be a group of ordinary people with weapons and equipment, and would be defeated instantly when they come into conflict with a real army.

But where do they have time to train their troops now?
Lu Meng sighed, "I have been feeling a little nervous these past two days. I always feel that this time the army's crossing of the river will not be so smooth."

"If Cao's army arrives before our fleet, we must defend Tongling Ferry no matter what, so try to recruit as many people as possible in case of emergency."

Xu Sheng nodded and left the cabin.

But he soon returned and said to Lu Meng excitedly: "Ziming! Go out and have a look! Our fleet is coming!"

"What? So fast?"

Lu Meng was startled and hurried to the deck.

Then he looked up at the river in the distance, and sure enough, he saw one warship after another lying across the river, marching towards Tongling Ferry in a mighty manner. It looked extremely spectacular!

Seeing this scene, Lu Meng could no longer hold back his excitement and said to Xu Sheng: "Quick, go and prepare to welcome the fleet!"

Once the fleet arrived at Tongling Ferry, he no longer had to worry about a counterattack by Cao's army. This crossing of the river was a complete success!

However, his happiness did not last long.

Because as the fleet in the distance approached, he gradually saw clearly that the flags flying on the warships were not flags with the word "Sun" in them, but flags with the word "Cao" in them.

This is actually Cao Cao’s fleet!

Seeing this, Lu Meng's face suddenly changed, and he screamed in shock: "How is this possible! How could Cao's fleet arrive first?!"

He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

But no matter how he rubbed his eyes, the flags on the warships did not change. This was Cao Cao's army!
"Ziming, what should we do?"

Xu Sheng came back to his senses from his shock at this time, and with the sword in his hand, he cast an inquiring look at Lu Meng.

There are two choices before them now.

Either abandon Tongling Ferry immediately and escape to the other side by boat; or defend Tongling Ferry to the death and delay time until their army arrives to provide assistance.

The former may survive, but the latter is in danger of death.

Lu Meng stared at the Cao army fleet not far away, and finally punched the railing and said fiercely: "Fight! We may not lose if we occupy the ferry. Notify the whole army to prepare for battle!"

Even if they escape to the other side now, there is a high possibility that they will be caught up. It is better for them to fight to the death and guard the ferry to prevent Cao's ships from docking.

"it is good!"

Xu Sheng didn't say much and went straight to mobilize the troops.

At this time, on the largest warship of Cao’s army.

Cao Cao, with a tired face, stood on the deck, looking at the Tongling Ferry which was already within reach, with murderous intent in his eyes almost overflowing.

In the past few days, he first led the army to march day and night on land to the Wuhu ferry, and then took a boat from the Wuhu ferry. He did not dare to stop for a moment.

Now we have finally arrived at Tongling Ferry!
Although Cao Cao was exhausted physically and mentally after running around for several days, he still forced himself to cheer up and ordered: "Stop the river and don't let these rats escape!"

He knew that the enemy occupied the ferry and it would be difficult for him to reach the shore, so he adopted a strategy of advancing by both water and land.

Before he led his fleet to Tongling Ferry, he ordered Le Jin and Li Dian to lead their troops off the boats, outflank the enemy from the rear, and completely block the enemy's retreat!
"My lord, they don't seem to be planning to escape."

Cheng Yu also came along on this trip. After observing the movements on the shore, he said to Cao Cao with some surprise.

Cao Cao couldn't help but sneer when he heard this.

Of course he knew why the enemy did not run away. They simply wanted to wait for reinforcements to arrive, but how could he not have anticipated this?
As early as when he learned that Sun Quan's fleet was setting out, he immediately ordered all the ferry crossings to block the river and prevent Sun Quan's fleet from passing at all costs.

Therefore, Sun Quan could only reach the other side of Tongling Ferry by marching on land, but how could marching on land be faster than marching by water?
Moreover, even if he reached the other side, he would not give Sun Quan the opportunity to cross the river, otherwise wouldn't he have brought so many warships in vain?
He had already made all the preparations!
"Pull the boat over!"

Following Cao Cao's order, the fleet began to change its formation and moved in a semicircle to encircle Tongling Ferry.

At the same time, Li Dian and Le Jin also led an army of 10,000 to the ferry from the rear and launched a frontal attack without saying a word!

"kill--!"

Countless Cao's soldiers rushed towards the camp.

Behind Sun's soldiers was the Yangtze River, and on the river there was a blockade by Cao's fleet. They had no way to retreat and could only choose to fight.

However, they are all elite soldiers selected from various armies. Now facing the desperate situation of a fight with their backs to the river, the morale of the soldiers has not only not decreased, but has become even higher!
"Let's fight this bunch of treacherous rats!"

"kill!!"

"Don't bring down the prestige of us Jiangdong disciples!"

"Defend the ferry to the death!"

After a wave of arrows were fired at each other by both sides, many soldiers of Sun's army rushed to the Cao's army with red eyes, and a fierce hand-to-hand combat broke out instantly!

However, even though their resistance was very tenacious, the gap in numbers between the two sides was too huge, and the defense line they built was soon broken through by Cao's army.

Seeing this, Lu Meng and Xu Sheng both chose to join the battlefield and led their soldiers to fight against Cao's army.

Soldiers kept falling, and their blood flowed into the Yangtze River, dyeing the water on the shore red. The air was filled with the smell of blood.

There is no suspense about the outcome of this battle.

The resistance of Sun's army lasted only half an hour. More than 1,700 soldiers of Sun's army were either killed in battle or collapsed and fled in all directions. Only a dozen personal guards were left by Lu Meng.

"Put down your weapons and I will spare your life!"

Le Jin led his troops to force Lu Meng and other remnants of the army to the bank of the Yangtze River. With the long sword in his hand dripping with blood, he spoke murderously.

At this time, Lu Meng's armor was broken, and there were seven or eight wounds of varying sizes on his body. He was almost covered in blood.

But after hearing what Le Jin said, he laughed loudly and said with a fierce smile: "There is no Jiangdong disciple who is afraid of death! If you want to fight, then fight. I am not afraid of you!"

Le Jin sneered, "You even resorted to such a despicable trick as crossing the river in white clothes. Why are you pretending to be heroes? You are nothing but a bunch of shameless rats!"

"shut up!"

Lü Meng's eyes widened with anger, staring at Le Jin and saying, "Cao Cao betrayed us and broke the alliance. You are the real rats!"

"You have no right to kill me. I will never die at the hands of villains like you!"

After Lü Meng finished his angry curse, he looked at the sword in his hand that had been broken into countless pieces, and said bitterly: "My plan failed, it is fate!"

After saying that, he slashed his throat with a knife!

(End of this chapter)