Super Cultivation System of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 686 His Way
Several people walked into a hall in the training ground, and Xizhong immediately began to report.

"My lord, the plan of sending four armies to disrupt the border that day has now failed in three directions."

As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked.

"It's only been a short time. How could the court resolve the three rebellions so quickly? It's impossible."

Cao Ren opened his mouth wide.

Cao Cao was also somewhat surprised and angry. "Yes, I have never heard of Luoyang sending out a large army. On the contrary, a few days ago, several places reported victory. Han Sui sent 80,000 troops to attack Guanzhong, the Xiongnu successfully plundered Beidi County, the Shanyue also succeeded in Yuzhang County, and Miaocai and Zhongde successfully led their troops into the territory of Donghai County. With these four armies to contain and consume the energy of the court, we can not only buy time for our army, but also seize Xuzhou. How can we repel them without Luoyang moving a single soldier?"

"Yes, could it be that the imperial army can fly and hide underground? Otherwise, how could they appear in various places without anyone noticing and quell rebellions?"

Cao Hong was also confused.

Xi Zhong said, "The court did not send a large army."

When he said this, everyone was even more surprised.

"No troops were sent? Then how can we put down the three rebellions?"

Speaking of this, Xizhong also looked a little solemn.

"During the Shanyue Rebellion in Yangzhou, the imperial court appointed Sun Jian as the General of Peace in the South and promoted his eldest son, Sun Ce, who had just turned 19, to the position of Yuzhang Commandery. As soon as the imperial edict arrived, Sun Jian and his son led 30,000 troops to attack Yuzhang County. They quickly defeated the Shanyue rebels, killing more than 20,000 enemies. All the major leaders of the rebellion were beheaded, and none escaped."

Cao Cao was a little surprised, but he soon figured it out.

"Sun Jian claims to be a descendant of the military saint Sun Wu, and he is indeed very brave. When the alliance against Dong Zhuo was formed, he served as a pioneer and made many military achievements. The emperor actually thought of using him to deal with the Shanyue people."

Guo Jia also said: "After Sun Jian left Yuan Shu, he helped to quell rebellions in various places in Yangzhou for many years. He had dealt with the Shanyue people before, so he was naturally adept at dealing with them. However, although he had made great contributions, he was unable to grow stronger in this chaotic world. In the past few years, he actually occupied only Lujiang County. Yuzhang County borders Lujiang County, so when he was appointed, he would naturally lead his troops to conquer this territory for his eldest son."

Cao Cao nodded and said, "Although Sun Jian has some abilities, he is too weak after all. I actually overlooked him and ended up failing at the last moment. It's such a pity."

"My lord, don't blame yourself. There are so many princes in the world, and Sun Jian has always been ambitious. Last year, the emperor summoned the princes to the capital for congratulations, but he made many excuses and did not go. I didn't expect that Liu He would use his disloyalty to the court with just a letter of imperial edict to eliminate the great threat of Shanyue. It was really unexpected."

Cao Cao did not continue to dwell on this question: "What about the other two places?"

Xi Zhong said: "As for the Xiongnu Chanyu, he did send the Right Wise King to plunder Beidi County, and then they led the cavalry to invade the newly built Yunhai County of the court. As a result, they were ambushed and defeated. Even the Right Wise King followed the footsteps of the Left Wise King and died in the desert."

"How is it possible? The Right Wise King led 50,000 to 60,000 Xiongnu cavalry. Although Yunhai County is heavily guarded, the distance between the cities is far, and each city has only a few thousand soldiers. How can they defeat the enemy? Is there really some secret reinforcement going there?"

Cao Cao was extremely confused.

Xi Zhong raised a finger: "The court only sent one person with a thousand soldiers to reinforce."

"What? Even Guan Yu's heavy cavalry can't possibly have only 1,000 of them against 50,000 or 60,000. It's impossible."

Cao Cao didn't believe it at all.

"My lord, it is true. This man is not a famous general like Guan Yu, but a deputy general under Ye Xiang of the Divine Machine Battalion, named Qu Hang. He only brought a thousand soldiers of the Divine Machine Battalion to reinforce, and shot and killed the Xiongnu cavalry on the city wall to dampen their spirit. Later, the Xianbei leader Budugen led a large group of cavalry to attack. When the Xiongnu Right Xian King hurried back to fight the enemy, Qu Hang and the city garrison led troops out of the city to attack from both sides. After a day and a night of fighting, the entire Xiongnu army was annihilated, and no one escaped."

"Xianbei!"

Everyone, including Cao Cao, was shocked.

"This is even more unexpected than using Sun Jian to deal with the Shanyue. The Xianbei have been subservient for many years, and we have only had trade with the Hu City, and no military connection. We almost forgot the existence of the Xianbei tribe."

Guo Jia sighed.

Cao Cao's face darkened: "What a good way to control the barbarians with the barbarians. It is indeed a wise move."

Cao Ren asked, "What about Han Sui? He has 80,000 soldiers and they are all brave warriors who have fought at the border of Xiliang for a long time. How could he fail so soon after he set out?"
Without waiting for Xi Zhong to answer, Cao Cao sighed and said, "Need I say more? After Budugen, the Xianbei, with tens of thousands of cavalrymen, swept away the Right Xian King of the Xiongnu, they rushed southwards on the grasslands and reached Guanzhong in a few days. Han Sui was originally attacking the city and was stuck in a stalemate. Budugen used the same trick again. How could Han Sui not be defeated? He did not repeat the mistakes of the Right Xian King, which was already a sign of some ability.

Xi Zhong said respectfully: "My lord, it is true. Han Sui lost about 20,000 soldiers and fled back to Xiliang in panic." For a moment, the hall fell into silence.

After a long time, Cao Cao sighed and said, "Well, although the emperor is resourceful and has easily resolved this disaster, our army has already entered Xuzhou. Once we occupy Donghai County and divide Xuzhou into two, the entire territory of Xuzhou will be within our grasp."

"Yes, as long as you occupy Xuzhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou, you will be able to compete with the Luoyang court. After they fight to the death with Liu Yan of Yizhou and are seriously injured, our army will attack Luoyang in the name of serving the king and punishing the traitors. In this way, great things can be accomplished."

Guo Jia's words made Cao Cao smile, and he seemed to be in a much better mood.

And just at this moment, a soldier ran in.

"My lord, General Xiahou Yuan is reporting..."

Cao Cao raised his head instantly, then stood up, took a step forward, and personally took the report from the man's hand.

Seeing his face getting darker and darker, everyone knew that the report must contain bad news.

Guo Jia stepped forward and asked, "My lord, I wonder if General Xiahou..."

Cao Cao glanced at him and said, "Three days ago, he led his army to Lanling County, Donghai Commandery, and received food and grass sent by Tao Qian, so he was able to stay in the city to rest."

"This is a good thing. With Lanling County as the foundation, we can gradually expand outwards. It won't be long before we can take over all the counties in Donghai County. Why is Meng De so worried?"

Cao Ren was very puzzled.

Guo Jia said, "I'm afraid the letter doesn't go that far, does it?"

Cao Cao nodded and said, "Our army just camped in the city. On the same day, Liu Bei of Donglai County suddenly led 40,000 troops and took a detour to Cheng County to camp."

"This is bad!" Guo Jia and Xi Zhong's faces changed at the same time.

Cao Hong was still puzzled: "Why is it so bad?"

Xi Zhong explained: "Cheng County is just west of Lanling County. If you want to go to Lanling County from Yanzhou or Yuzhou, you must pass through Cheng County."

Cao Cao said in a deep voice: "I didn't expect him to use his own method to deal with me. Our army wanted to cut off Tao Qian's communication with the court, but the court cut off Miao Cai's communication with us first."

"Oh, this is troublesome. Now Miao Cai's retreat has been blocked by Liu Bei. If Tao Qian cuts off his food supplies, won't tens of thousands of soldiers starve to death?"

When Cao Ren thought of this, his face turned pale.

Xi Zhong frowned and said, "But according to the intelligence I got back, Liu Bei has been in Donglai County for nearly two years. Including the bandits he recruited and surrendered, he only has more than 60,000 soldiers. How could he be willing to send out 40,000 troops all the way to Donghai County? It seems that as a relative of the royal family, he is really loyal to the Han Dynasty."

Cao Cao shook his head and said, "That's not entirely true. The court appointed Liu Bei as General of the Left, and appointed his sworn brother Jiang Huan as the governor of Chengyang, and his third brother Zhang Fei as the governor of Donghai. That's why he traveled all the way south from Donglai County, passing through Chengyang County, and arrived at Donghai County."

"This is indeed troublesome. They have been appointed by the court, and Liu Bei and Tao Qian have always had many contacts. It is reasonable for them to take over with troops. In this way, General Xiahou's army will be put in an awkward situation."

Xi Zhong's words made everyone look worried.

"Report...Xuzhou Governor Tao Qian sent a letter..."

Cao Cao was startled, then suddenly realized, "Needless to say, Tao Qian must not want to have a grudge against our army, so he came to Yanzhou to give way. The content of the letter must be something like thanking me for sending troops to help him suppress the rebellion, and he is willing to offer a lot of money and food, reward the three armies, and then ask Miao Cai to withdraw his troops."

"How can this be done? We have finally entered Donghai County. The worst that can happen is that we will fight Liu Bei. Please ask Meng De to send me 20,000 troops. I will march from Yuzhou and attack from both sides with Miaocai. First, kill Liu Bei's weaver and shoe seller, then go south to Pengcheng and seize Xuzhou!"

Cao Ren asked for his order.

Cao Cao waved his hand and said, "No. Now is not the time to turn against the court. Otherwise, all the efforts made before will be wasted. Just withdraw the troops. Fortunately, we still have a trick up our sleeve. Liu He, Liu He, give someone a taste of his own medicine. You are not the only one who can do this..."

(End of this chapter)