Super Cultivation System of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 724: Divide Xuzhou
Cao Cao almost fell down due to the pain, and Cao's army was naturally panicked.

Cheng Yu made a prompt decision: "Sound the horn to withdraw the troops and retreat to Pengcheng!"

Cao's army had been well-trained in the past. As the sound of the gong sounded, tens of thousands of soldiers and horses retreated quickly and orderly.

Zhang Fei was so excited that he raised his Zhangba Snake Spear and rushed forward: "Ha, Cao's army has retreated. If we don't chase them now, when will we chase them?"

"Third brother, you can't do that!" Jiang Huan grabbed him.

"Cao's army retreated in such an orderly manner. We are exhausted after a long battle and have suffered heavy losses. Moreover, our soldiers are hungry and thirsty. If we pursue them blindly, we will surely be defeated. We should follow the plan and withdraw to Chengyang and make further plans."

"But..." Zhang Fei was obviously unwilling.

Liu Bei frowned and scolded: "Yide, don't make trouble. This is not the time to show off your courage."

Zhang Fei then gave up in disappointment.

At this time, Tao Qian got off the carriage with the help of Chen Deng and Mi Zhu.

"This time, I was able to escape death thanks to Lord Xuande and General Zhengxi's help, and even more thanks to your majesty's divine power and foresight."

Liu Bei bowed and said, "Your Excellency is too polite. I am a relative of the Han Dynasty. How can I allow the traitor to run rampant? This is just a matter within my own family. It is not worth mentioning. Moreover, I am really incompetent. I failed to stop Cao's army, which led to the fall of Xuzhou. I am really ashamed."

Then, he looked at Ye Xiang and said, "If it weren't for the help from General Zhengxi, we would have lost our lives. General, you are indeed the best archer in the Han Dynasty. Even if Li Guang were resurrected or Yang Youji were reborn, they might not be as good as you. I admire you very much. Please come to Chengyang to have a chat with me."

"Very good, very good. It is rare to see the golden face of the General of the Western Expedition. I should thank him well. By the way, who are these four..."

Tao Qian also pointed at the four men in black.

However, the four did not speak, and Ye Xiang spoke for them: "They are loyal and brave men who have been secretly trained by your majesty for many years. As for their identities and names, they cannot be revealed to outsiders. Please forgive me. As for Chengyang, this general will not go. Your majesty has ordered that we will return to the capital immediately after the matter here is settled. Now that Cao Cao has rebelled, Cao Song should be taken to Luoyang and handed over to the emperor for punishment. I cannot delay."

After hearing this, several people couldn't help feeling disappointed.

Taishi Ci mustered up his courage and stepped forward: "I have heard that the General of the Western Expedition is an extraordinary archer. I am very lucky to see him today. If there is a chance in the future, I would like to ask the general for some advice. I will be very grateful."

Liu Bei smiled and said, "General Ye, this lady is..."

"Taishi Ziyi, right?" Without waiting for Liu Bei to introduce him, Ye Xiang said Taishi Ci's name.

"Huh? General, you know me?" Taishi Ci was very surprised.

Ye Xiang shook his head slightly: "I don't know him, but I have heard your majesty mention him. Taishi Ci of Donglai is both loyal and filial, and is a rare righteous man."

Taishi Ci was flattered: "I am a humble man, but I have been accepted by the emperor. I feel extremely honored and favored."

Zhang Fei stepped forward and patted Taishi Ci: "Haha, good job, Ziyi."

Ye Xiang said, "The most important thing in archery is eyesight. I see that you have extraordinary physical strength, and your arms are very steady when you bend the bow. If you want to make archery more exquisite, you have to improve your eyesight. In the early years, when my master, that is, your majesty, taught me archery, I aimed the arrow at the small insects in the distance. When you can see the small insects clearly in your eyes, then practice archery, and you will get twice the result with half the effort." Taishi Ci was overjoyed when he heard this, and bowed to Ye Xiang: "Thank you for your teachings, General. I am very grateful!"

Ye Xiang nodded and said, "Okay, everyone, please do as you please. I have to hurry back to Luoyang, so I will go ahead."

After saying this, he and the four men in black, taking Cao Song with them, quickly disappeared into the darkness. Tao Qian and the others did not linger for long and also left quickly.

In the Luoyang Imperial Palace, in the emperor's study, several hearty laughs were heard.

"Haha, Yuanqing has followed your majesty for more than ten years. The contributions you have made this time are greater than any other time before. Your majesty really didn't make a mistake in accepting you as his disciple back then."

Cui Jun stroked his beard and gave a sincere compliment.

Although Ye Xiang was nearly thirty years old, he was still like a child in front of Liu He. He felt a little embarrassed when Cui Jun praised him like that.

"Military Advisor Cui, you are overpraising me. This time, it was all thanks to your Majesty and the three military advisors. Your Majesty also transferred the chief and deputy commanders of the Flying Eagle Guard to assist me. If I cannot succeed, how can Xiang return to see your Majesty?"

Liu He nodded slightly. He was very satisfied with Ye Xiang's expression this time.

"Currently, Xuzhou is divided into the north and south by Donghai County. Cao Cao has Yu Jin guarding Guangling, Li Dian guarding Xiapi, Cao Ren guarding Pengcheng, Liu Bei and Zhang Fei personally stationed in Donghai, Jiang Huan and Taishi Ci stationed in Langya, and Xuzhou Governor Tao Qian and others are recuperating in Chengyang County. Cao Cao recalled Xiahou Dun's army, joined his own troops, and rushed back to Chenliu. His plan was nothing more than to kill Zhang Miao and retake Chenliu."

"Yes, Your Majesty only sent the General of the Western Expedition and four Flying Eagle Guards to change the situation in Xuzhou. Now Xuzhou is like two tigers fighting each other, which is very beneficial to the court. Your Majesty can take this opportunity to train your troops and wait for both sides to be defeated, and then seize Qingzhou and Xuzhou in one fell swoop. Then, you can march south on a large scale, and within a few years, you can rule the world again."

Cui Jun's tone was inevitably a little excited when he spoke. Anyone would feel the same way if he was able to participate in this moment that would go down in history.

Liu He couldn't help but begin to yearn for it.

"At first, Gongda suggested that I pay more attention to Zhang Miao and keep in touch with him secretly. Now it has really come in handy. However, I have also issued a personal edict in the past, asking him to completely submit to the court, but he was always vague. This time, before I even said a word, he suddenly took the initiative to betray Cao Cao. I don't know why."

Not only was Cao Cao extremely surprised when Zhang Miao rebelled against Yanzhou, even Liu He was a little surprised when he got the news, as this was not part of his plan.

Xun Yu said: "The reason is not important. Zhang Miao is not strong enough to withstand Cao Cao's return attack. Therefore, there is only one way for him now, that is to ask the court for help. At this time, Cao Cao has completely broken with the court, and the court has a legitimate reason to attack him. Therefore, Your Majesty can send a general to lead troops to station in Chenliu. On the one hand, it can show the world your determination to protect loyal ministers, and on the other hand, it can also gain a foothold in Yanzhou. When the situation is favorable, you can attack Yanzhou and Yuzhou at any time."

"That's a very good idea. I wonder if Wen Ruo has any candidates for the person going to Chenliu?"

When Liu He asked, Xun Yu immediately answered: "I think that this matter can only be handled by General Zhengnan. General Zhengnan has a calm and patient character. If it were any other general, they would inevitably be unable to endure the stalemate, which would be detrimental to Your Majesty's plan."

"Hmm..." Liu He nodded slightly. "Wen Ruo is right. Gao Boping's ability to train and command troops is unrivaled among the three armies. Although he is taciturn and does not show his emotions, he has a good grasp of the overall situation and is calm and measured. In this respect, he is better than my second brother and the others. He is indeed the best candidate."

"Your Majesty is wise." Everyone said in unison.

"I will announce this matter at the court meeting tomorrow. Regardless of whether Zhang Miao sends someone to ask for help or not, I will go to Chenliu to take it!"

Liu He's eyes were particularly determined.

(End of this chapter)