Super Cultivation System of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 715 Jiang Huan Counterattacks
Early the next morning, Cao's army began to attack the four gates of Pengcheng simultaneously.

Tao Qian's old illness relapsed and he could only recuperate in his mansion. The defense of the city gate was temporarily entrusted to Liu Bei.

"Uncle Liu, Cao's army's offensive today was obviously stronger than yesterday. It was obvious that he was deliberately showing weakness yesterday."

Mi Zhu said with some worry.

Liu Bei nodded slightly: "This Cao Cao is really a master at using troops. In the early years when we were in Shangdang, I discussed the princes of the world with the then-general Emperor. Your Majesty once said that the best military officer in the world is Cao Mengde. I didn't realize it at that time, but now it seems that Your Majesty is really as wise as a torch and enlightened."

Chen Deng also agreed immediately: "Siege warfare, especially for a strong city like Pengcheng, is extremely time-consuming. We have sufficient food and grass in our city, so we can fight for a long time. As long as it drags on for a few to ten days, the enemy's morale will be lazy and the soldiers will be tired. But Cao Cao has made good arrangements. He divided the siege soldiers outside each city gate into three groups, and they took turns to go back and forth. What's more rare is that they cooperated so well with each other, and there was no confusion at all when they changed formations and soldiers in the battle. Even the famous generals in ancient times were no better than this."

"Why are you still praising me?" Zhang Fei looked unhappy.

"If you ask me, we should charge out. Even if we can't kill Cao, at least we can break through and stop Xiahou Dun. Otherwise, if we let him charge into Donglai County, wouldn't the territory that Big Brother worked so hard to obtain be taken away again? This is very bad."

Jiang Huan said, "I don't think Donglai County will be lost. This county has been managed by my three brothers for many years, and all the cities have been fortified. In addition, my eldest brother is kind and benevolent, and the people are loyal to him. There are also two gentlemen, Tian Yuanhao and Shen Zhengnan, who command 25,000 soldiers and horses to guard it. Xiahou Dun, a mere warrior, will never be able to capture it."

Liu Bei looked calm, looking forward. After hearing Jiang Huan's words, he said, "Not only that. Cao Cao sent troops this time in the name of revenge for his father. My three brothers have nothing to do with this matter. He entered Chengyang County to cut off our retreat, which is already the limit. If he forcibly attacks Donglai County, it will be an excuse for the court to send troops. Cao Cao is so smart that he will definitely understand this."

"Then I have to fight my way out. Hiding in the city is too cowardly. I, Zhang, can't fight such a battle."

Zhang Fei was holding the Zhangba Snake Spear, looking impatient.

Liu Bei was about to dissuade him, but Jiang Huan spoke first: "Brother, I think it would not be a bad idea to let my third brother go out of the city to fight for a while."

"Haha, second brother really understands me." Zhang Fei hugged Jiang Huan.

Liu Bei was stunned: "What does this mean?"

Jiang Huan patiently explained, "There are four gates in the city. The North Gate has the most enemy troops, about 40,000. The East and West Gates have about 30,000. Only the South Gate has the least enemy troops, about 20,000. I guess Cao Cao wants to forcefully attack the North Gate to attract the main force in the city to concentrate on defense here. When Cao De's troops arrive from Xia Pi, they will launch a fierce attack on the South Gate, and the city will be broken in a blink of an eye."

Chen Deng said with some appreciation: "General Wude is indeed resourceful and thoughtful. I also think so."

Jiang Huan said to Chen Deng, "I had not thought of this at first, but I realized it last night when I was discussing countermeasures with you, sir."

Chen Deng exclaimed in amazement: "General, you are so insightful. I admire you."

Jiang Huan clasped his fists in return and continued, "At noon yesterday, Cao De attacked Xia Pi and will surely speed up his march. I predict that his army will arrive south of Pengcheng before dusk today. By then, it will be dark and Cao's army will pretend to withdraw. When our army relaxes, Cao De will suddenly attack and Cao's army will strike back."

Liu Bei still didn't understand: "What does this have to do with letting my third brother leave the city?" Jian Yong seemed to have thought of something: "Does the second general want the third general to lead the army out of the south gate?"

Jiang Huan nodded, "That's right. But it's not your responsibility to annihilate Cao's army at the South Gate. Firstly, it's difficult to do. Secondly, even if you succeed, Cao Cao will immediately send troops to help, which will be useless. Moreover, if you want to annihilate them, the battle will inevitably drag on for a long time. Once Cao De's army falls, we will be in danger."

Zhang Fei asked hurriedly, "What do you want me to do, brother? Just let me go out of the city to kill the enemy. No matter what the mission is, just give me your orders."

Jiang Huan smiled and said, "Third brother and Ziyi, gather our army and Xuzhou's 5,000 cavalry together, and then..."

Not long after, a soldier came to report that Zhang Fei and Taishi Ci, leading 5,000 cavalry, rushed out of the south gate, but did not want to fight, but was determined to break out. The south gate general Yu Jin was unable to stop them, and they escaped.

"Hmm? Pengcheng doesn't have enough troops to begin with, and they're dividing their forces to break out. What's the meaning of this?"

Cao Cao was a little surprised.

Cheng Yu walked up and said, "Cavalrymen are not good at defending a city. Zhang Fei and Taishi Ci are two of the most powerful generals in the city. I think Tao Qian and Liu Bei ordered them to break out and look for reinforcements. Tao Qian and the governor of Yangzhou, Liu Yao, have frequent contacts. It only takes two days for light cavalry to travel to Jianye. If Liu Yao sends troops to help, it would be unexpected."

Cao Cao didn't care when he heard this. "Well, in Yangzhou, only Sun Ce has some strength. Liu Yao is not worth mentioning. As long as my second brother's troops arrive and launch a surprise attack, we can break the city tonight. Even if Liu Yao comes, it will be too late."

"My Lord, please understand."

After Cheng Yu said this, he returned to his seat and sat down again.

Cao Cao saw that Guo Jia looked thoughtful, so he asked, "Feng Xiao, do you think there is something strange about this?"

Guo Jia stood up and said, "My lord, I think about this. Liu Bei is a contemporary hero, not comparable to Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu and other mediocre people. And Chen Yuanlong of Xuzhou is well-known for his talent. Could it be that the two of them would fall into the trap so easily?"

Cao Cao immediately sat up straight: "Hmm? Did Fengxiao find anything?"

Guo Jia bowed and said, "I dare not say what I have found, but Zhang Fei and Taishi Ci were both first-rate generals at the time. Zhang Fei could fight against Lu Bu in the past. He was a rookie at that time, and he had just entered the battlefield. Now he is a battle-hardened general, and his martial arts must be even better than before. Taishi Ci is also an excellent martial artist, and his archery skills are outstanding. If they stay in the city, they will be of great use. Even if the city is broken, they can protect Tao Qian and Liu Bei from escaping. Now that they are allowed to break out of the city at the same time, there must be something more important than protecting Liu Bei's life, so they must be allowed to go out together to ensure the success of the breakout."

"As for going to Yangzhou for help, it is illusory and whether it will succeed is still unknown. Liu Bei should not let the two of them leave his side together. Therefore, I suspect that they left the city for other purposes."

"Another purpose?" Cao Cao muttered to himself for a while, and then he suddenly perked up and looked horrified.

"Oh no, my second brother is in danger!"

(End of this chapter)