Three Kingdoms: Wolong's brother-in-law, tricking Liu Bei into seizing Jingzhou

Chapter 431: What a loneliness! Yang Xiu, you smart fool, you have ruined my plan!
Cao Ren was laughing wildly.

On the high ground, more than 20,000 Qin soldiers finally understood the strategy of their General Cao Ren.

Asking them to move to high ground was originally intended to divert the Fen River and Zhaoyu Lake and flood the Han army.

Now the torrent is surging and Zishi City has obviously been submerged, which means that Cao Ren's strategy has been successful.

One hundred thousand Han troops were reduced to ashes!
The crisis in Bingzhou has been turned into safety!
All the Qin soldiers were ecstatic and cheered with joy. Their cheers shook the earth and echoed throughout the heights.

Cao Ren was in a very good mood. He even asked for a cup of warm wine. He sat there sipping the wine and continued to appreciate the beautiful scene of the flood destroying the Han army.

Before I knew it, it was almost evening.

The water level gradually receded, the flood was coming to an end, and the water level dropped to knee-high.

Cao Ren drank the last glass of wine, stood up and said:
"Pass the order down, all troops get on the rafts and follow me to clean up the mess."

The command flag was waved and the order was passed down.

The Qin soldiers on the various high ground began to board the rafts prepared in advance one after another, intending to go into the water to clear out the remaining Han troops.

The Qin soldiers were all in a relaxed mood, talking and laughing, as if they were not going to fight but to pick up heads.

After all, in this flood, most of the 100,000 Han troops were washed away, and it would be a miracle if there were 10,000 or 20,000 survivors.

Even the surviving Han soldiers were now soaked in water and struggling to survive. How could they have the strength to fight?

All they had to do was to ride the raft downstream and deliver a final blow to the surviving Han army.

One raft after another sailed out of the high ground and headed towards Zi City.

When passing through Zishi City, the Qin army gasped.

The walls of this small county town have been in disrepair for many years and cannot withstand the impact of the flood. Now they have collapsed on all sides and the entire city has been flooded.

The surviving civilians, with their families, could only huddle on the roofs, wailing for help from the passing Qin army.

"General Huqi, should we allocate some troops to rescue the surviving villagers of the Zi clan?"

Guo Huai caught up with Cao Ren and asked across the raft.

Cao Ren didn't even look at Zishicheng, and said coldly:
"Our army is limited in number. Where can we spare any troops to rescue them?"

"The most important thing now is to concentrate our forces to wipe out the remaining Han troops. How can we divide our forces?"

Guo Huai was retorted and had to shut up silently.

Cao Ren ignored the people in the city's cries for help and continued to urge the rafts to head south.

After driving for several miles, Cao Ren suddenly realized that something was wrong.

The Han army has 100,000 troops.

Even if all the bodies were washed away, there should be some remaining flags, drums and weapons floating around.

But at a glance, there was neither a single Han soldier’s corpse nor any floating flags or drums or other military equipment to be seen.

Looking around, there was no sign of the Han army except the corpses of the civilians.

Not to mention the surviving Han soldiers, there was not even a single sign of them struggling or calling for help in the water.

"How strange... How strange indeed!"

"With such a severe flood, could it be possible that Liu Bei and his 100,000-man army managed to escape in time?"

Cao Hong was full of doubts, and this guess suddenly popped up in his mind.

But the situation at that time was that the Han army was coming with great momentum, with dust and fog covering the sky. It was clear that an army of 100,000 was approaching Zi's.

The flood came so quickly that even if Liu Bei retreated, he could only withdraw the cavalry at most. How could it be possible for all 100,000 infantry to retreat in time?
This is not scientific...

Gradually, an ominous premonition came to Cao Ren's heart.

Just as he was suspicious and guessing, a patrol boat roared from the south and approached Cao Ren's raft.

"Reporting to the General of Cavalry, the Han army coming here is not the main force, there are only 10,000 cavalry!"

"The cavalry relied on their speed and escaped before our torrent reached them!"

"Not a single soldier of the Han army was drowned by the flood!"

Boom!

It was like a bolt from the blue, mercilessly hitting Cao Ren's head.

In an instant, Cao Ren's face turned pale with horror, his mind went blank, and he froze in place.

Only ten thousand cavalry?
The 100,000-strong army has not arrived yet?

Was not a single soldier drowned by the Han River?
Countless questions popped up in Cao Ren’s blank mind.

The beautiful fantasy of overwhelming the 100,000 Han troops and turning the tide was shattered at this moment.

"Liu Bei's 100,000-man army didn't come? He only sent 10,000 cavalry?"

"How can this be?"

"If Liu Bei wants to attack Jinyang, he must take the Fenshui Avenue. How could he send only cavalry?"

"Could it be that…"

Cao Ren muttered to himself, his thoughts churning like the tide, countless guesses racing through his mind.

Suddenly.

His expression changed drastically, his body shook violently, and he exclaimed:
"The big thing is bad!"

Cao Ren suddenly turned around, his face ferocious and urgent, and urged his guards to take out the map and spread it out in front of him.

East of Zhaoyaze, Qi County, Zhongdu, Daliang... His eyes swept across these cities and finally landed on Pingtao City.

"So that's how it is, so that's how it is, I've fallen into a trap!"

Cao Ren shuddered, his hands trembled, and the map slipped out of his hands and fell into the torrent.

He got it.

Liu Bei calculated that he would break the Fen River and flood Zishi County, so he took advantage of the situation and ordered 10,000 cavalrymen to pretend to be the main force.

As soon as you release the floodwaters, his cavalry, relying on their speed, will get ahead and escape without a trace.

You struggled for a long time, but the flood washed away all your loneliness.

At this time, Liu Bei was leading the main army, heading north along the eastern routes, directly attacking Pingtao and cutting off your retreat!
This is Liu Bei's plan to take advantage of the enemy's tactics and conceal the truth!

"Yang Xiu, you are so clever. You have made a big mistake. You have made a big mistake for me—"

Cao Ren complained with gritted teeth.

The previous praise for Yang Xiu, the evaluation of "the world's genius", was now thrown out of his mind. "The whole army quickly retreats north, quickly retreats to Pingtao City--"

Cao Ren turned around and shouted at the soldiers, his voice hoarse and urgent to the point of trembling.

Liang Xing and other Qin army soldiers were all confused and had to turn the raft around and head north.

When it was dark, all the rafts landed on the flat ground.

Cao Ren did not care about the darkness and urged his 20,000 soldiers to gallop northward without stopping.

...

Pingtao City.

Early in the morning, on the South Gate Tower.

Cao Zhi, Xun You, and Yang Xiu were standing on the top of the city wall, staring towards the south.

They were waiting for the outcome of the battle against the Zi family.

According to calculations, the Han army had already reached Zishi yesterday, and Cao Ren's water attack would also have been launched yesterday.

The result should have been out by last night at the latest, and the good news should have reached Zi City in the early morning.

Cao Zhi and others who stayed behind could not wait and rushed to the top of the city wall early in the morning, eager to know the result.

"It's almost noon, why haven't we heard back from Uncle Zixiao about his victory?"

Cao Zhi looked up at the sun rising higher and higher, muttering to himself, unable to conceal the anxiety on his face.

Of all the people, he is naturally the most anxious person.

After all, the situation in Bingzhou fell into such an unfavorable situation because of his strategic misjudgment.

If Bingzhou were to fall, even if he escaped back to Guanzhong safely, he would not be able to compete with Cao Pi for the position of crown prince.

The Qin Dynasty had only four states, and it lost one state because of your mistake. After making such a big mistake, how dare Cao Cao make you the crown prince?

Who in the Qin Dynasty will obey you?

His brother Cao Pi did nothing and won without any effort.

Therefore, for Cao Zhi, the success or failure of Cao Ren in this battle is directly related to whether Bingzhou can be defended, and more importantly, whether he still has the opportunity to continue to maintain his qualifications to compete with Cao Pi for the throne.

Can he not be anxious...

"Don't be anxious, Your Highness. I expect the news of the victory from the General of the Cavalry will arrive soon."

"Even if this battle fails to wipe out the 100,000 Han troops, it will certainly inflict heavy damage on Liu Bei. In short, the situation in Bingzhou can be completely reversed."

"Instead of waiting here, Your Highness should write a victory report in advance and send it to Puban Pass to reassure Your Majesty."

Yang Xiu smiled in comfort, his brows filled with confidence that he had won, and he kept blinking to hint.

Cao Zhi understood the situation.

By reporting the victory to Cao Cao first, he could exaggerate the importance of both his master and his minister in this battle, and in one fell swoop clear up Cao Cao's disappointment and dissatisfaction with Cao Zhi due to his previous strategic misjudgment.

"Dezu's words make sense. I will go write the victory report now!"

Cao Zhi's anxiety was swept away, and he turned around and was about to leave the city.

"Cough cough."

"Your Highness, the outcome of this battle is still undecided. I think it is too early to write a victory report now."

"If something unexpected happens, Your Highness cannot take back this victory report, and it ends up in His Majesty's hands, wouldn't that be deceiving the emperor?"

Xun You coughed a few times and poured a bucket of cold water on Cao Zhi's head.

Cao Zhi was slightly shocked and stopped involuntarily, looking back at Yang Xiu.

The corners of Yang Xiu's mouth twitched slightly, and there was a hint of displeasure in his eyes.

Xun You's words clearly implied that his plan might fail, and he was trying to persuade Cao Zhi to remain calm.

"What Xun Lingjun reminded us is reasonable. It is indeed a little early to send out the victory report now."

"Your Highness, please write the victory report first. Once the news of the victory of the General of the Cavalry comes back, it will not be too late to send the victory report to Your Majesty then."

Yang Xiu took a step back.

But this good news still needs to be written in advance, it’s just a matter of whether to send it first or later.

Such words naturally showed his absolute confidence, and his belief that his plan was flawless and would definitely win.

Looking at this confident young rising star strategist, Xun You didn't know what to say and could only remain silent.

Cao Zhi's worries disappeared, and he smiled:

"I think you are worrying too much, Lord Xun. This plan of Emperor Dezu is beyond the comprehension of ghosts and gods. Even if Liu Bei has a million troops, it will be difficult to resist. This plan will surely win—"

He had only said half of the word "victory".

Dust and fog rolled in from the direction of the southern avenue.

Cao Ren, leading an army of 20,000, was rushing towards Pingtao City in a hurry.

"Uncle Zixiao has returned triumphantly!"

"Quick, open the city gate quickly. I want to personally welcome him back victorious!"

Cao Zhi was so excited that he didn't even bother to write any more news of victory. He immediately rushed down the city.

Yang Xiu was also in high spirits and followed him down the city with a smile.

Only Xun You, looking at the returning Qin army, suddenly had a bad premonition in his heart.

The city gates opened and the drawbridge was lowered.

Cao Zhi smiled so much that he couldn't stop, and went to the city gate to welcome Cao Ren's return.

Soon, Cao Ren appeared, riding his horse straight towards the city gate.

Cao Zhi rode forward, smiled and bowed:

"Congratulations, Uncle Zixiao, for defeating Liu Bei and severely damaging the Han army. You have turned the tide in one fell swoop and enhanced the prestige of our Great Qin!"

Cao Ren suddenly reined in his horse, and with a sullen face he shouted at him:

"What's the point of defeating Liu Bei? We fell into the trap set by the big-eared thief!"

"Quickly evacuate Pingtao and retreat to Jinyang. If we are any later, we will all die here!"

The smile on Cao Zhi's face froze.

(End of this chapter)