Three Kingdoms: I, Liu Feng, do not want to die

Just as Cao Pi was cursing, a sudden shout rang out from the Tiger Guards.

"The Han army is attacking again!"

Cao Pi looked in astonishment toward the direction of the commotion, only to see the Yan King's banner appear once again.

"That scoundrel Liu Feng, does he think there's no one left in my Great Wei?"

Cao Pi was so angry that it seemed as if black smoke was billowing from his head.

This is within the territory of the Great Wei, yet Liu Feng led his cavalry as if they were in an empty field?

Qi returns to Qi.

Cao Pi had to admit that when a general of Liu Feng's caliber commanded cavalry and adopted the "seizing enemy supplies" combat tactic, their mobility was terrifying.

Just like Cao Ren once led his cavalry to rampage through Xuzhou without hindrance.

In addition, Liu Feng was well-versed in the sixteen-character mantra: "When the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy camps, we harass; when the enemy is tired, we attack; when the enemy retreats, we pursue."

They no longer showed the same benevolence and righteousness towards the powerful families within the territory of Cao Wei.

If we run out of food supplies, we can just take what we need and use it.

Moral kidnapping?

Why should the powerful clans of the pseudo-Wei regime morally blackmail Liu Feng?
what?
Should we return to Han?
Since they have submitted to the Han dynasty, shouldn't they support Liu Feng?
Compared to Cao Cao, who killed people, robbed grain, and desecrated ancestral graves, Liu Feng, aside from targeting the Sima clan, only took grain and did not harm people, which was already quite moral.

"Escort! Escort!"

Cao Pi's eyes were filled with fear as he watched Liu Feng charge towards him.

"Xu Yi, protect His Majesty and retreat to Yanzhou immediately! I will hold off Liu Feng myself!"

Cao Zhen, spear in hand, led his cavalry straight at Liu Feng.

Liu Feng did not engage Cao Zhen in a prolonged battle. His cavalrymen moved like flowing water, sometimes dispersing and sometimes converging, and soon separated Cao Zhen's cavalry.

Liu Feng bypassed Cao Zhen and led his troops straight to pursue Cao Pi.

Liu Feng was quite happy to do things like kicking a dog when it's down.

"You treacherous bastard, your ghost will never leave you."

Cao Pi was furious and helpless, so he could only spur his horse and gallop away.

The mighty Emperor of Wei was being chased and forced to flee in disarray within his own territory; Cao Pi felt as if he were living in a dream.

however.

Cao Pi's current predicament is entirely his own fault.

If you're going to move the capital, then move the capital. Why do you have to burn Luoyang and forcibly relocate the people?

Liu Feng's ability to conceal his whereabouts was actually related to the public resentment caused by Cao Pi's burning of Luoyang and forced relocation of people.

In other words, there were many people who wanted to see Cao Pi make a fool of himself.

If Liu Feng had been able to cross the checkpoints and fly into Luoyang, Cao Pi wouldn't have had a chance to reach the old site of Guandu. He would have been intercepted by Liu Feng in Luoyang with the help of disgruntled officials and commoners.

Although he missed the best opportunity, Cao Pi lost his advantage of having a strategic pass once he reached the old site of Guandu.

With his cavalry, Liu Feng could easily catch up with Cao Pi.

"Cao Pi, don't run away, it's me who's here!"

Liu Feng spurred his horse forward and shouted, his words full of sarcasm and provocation.

Cao Pi dared not actually stay; he simply spurred his horse and fled.

During the chase.

Liu Feng relayed the order to his troops: "The one wearing the yellow robe is Cao Pi!"

A thunderous shout arose as the soldiers cried out, "The one in the yellow robe is Cao Pi!"

Cao Pi was greatly alarmed and threw off his yellow robe as he spurred his horse.

Seeing the yellow robe trampled by warhorses, Liu Feng ordered his troops: "The one with the long beard is Cao Pi!"

Upon hearing the order, the soldiers shouted in unison, "The one with the long beard is Cao Pi!"

Hearing these strangely familiar lines, Cao Pi became even more furious and couldn't help but secretly suspect that Liu Feng was doing this on purpose.

Without any choice.

Cao Pi could only cut off his long beard.

It wasn't until nightfall that Cao Pi managed to shake off Liu Feng's pursuit.

"I will not rest until this grudge is avenged!"

Hungry Cao Pi ordered Xu Yi to prepare a meal quickly.

Just as Cao Pi was about to eat, he heard the sound of horses' hooves again. Startled, Cao Pi threw down his rice bowl and tried to mount his horse and flee.

"Your Majesty, do not be alarmed, they are not enemy soldiers."

Xu Yi, with his sharp eyes, spotted Cao Zhen riding towards them and quickly grabbed Cao Pi.

Cao Pi looked closely and, after confirming Cao Zhen's identity, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Fortunately, His Majesty is unharmed!"

Cao Zhen also breathed a long sigh of relief.

He also mentioned encountering Liu Feng on the road. Liu Feng was carrying a head that he had found somewhere and claimed to be the head of Cao Pi, which instantly enraged Cao Zhen.

Enraged, Cao Zhen fought Liu Feng, but neither gained the upper hand.

After calming down, Cao Zhen realized his mistake and dared not continue fighting Liu Feng, so he hurriedly went to find Cao Pi.

Cao Pi exclaimed in surprise: "You mean Liu Feng took a head and claimed it was my head?"

Cao Zhen was stunned for a moment, and his expression changed drastically. He hurriedly sent scouts to find out what was going on.

Because it was dark.

The scouts did not return.

The next day arrived.

The scout hurriedly returned, saying that there were rumors that "Cao Pi has been killed by Liu Feng."

"Liu Feng, you treacherous dog, is up to his old tricks again!"

While rumors may stop with the wise, not all of the hundreds of thousands of people forcibly relocated from Luoyang were wise.

The more people there are, the easier it is to be swayed by rumors.

"Your Majesty, now is not the time to deal with rumors. Quickly raise your banners in Yanzhou, and the rumors will fall apart on their own! Liu Feng's actions are merely an attempt to delay Your Majesty's journey to Yanzhou." Cao Zhen calmly analyzed the current situation.

Cao Pi fiercely drew his sword and slashed at the air: "This humiliation and disgrace will be avenged in the future!"

After making those harsh words, Cao Pi dared not linger any longer, fearing that Liu Feng would follow him again.

During the turmoil in the Luoyang area.

Liu Shan in Jiangling also received the intelligence.

"I never imagined that Cao Pi would burn down Luoyang. My brother is truly brave and unparalleled in this era." Liu Shan's tone was not filled with jealousy, but only with excitement and pride.

If it weren't for the need to maintain composure in front of his ministers, Liu Shan would have wanted to shout like a boy from an ordinary family, "Look, that's my brother! That's my brother!"

The Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Fa Zheng, keenly sensed an opportunity: "The Crown Prince may immediately issue orders to the troops in Nanyang, Jiangxia, Huainan and other places, granting them the authority to act as they see fit, and to attack Yu and Xu."

Liu Shan was taken aback: "Attacking Yu and Xu? Isn't that too hasty? Military strategy says: 'An army must move its supplies before it can move its troops,' and our supplies are not yet ready."

Fa Zheng said solemnly, "That's why we must grant him the power to act expediently on the spot. Now that Cao Pi has burned Luoyang and fled in panic, he will definitely not go to Xuchang, but will go to Yanzhou."

The people of the puppet Wei state are in a state of panic, which presents an excellent opportunity to attack Yu and Xu provinces. If Cao Pi waits until he has established a firm foothold in Yan province before attempting to attack Yu and Xu, the opportunity will be lost.

Ma Liang, Li Yan, and other civil and military officials also echoed this sentiment.

Compared to the centralized system implemented by Cao Pi.

Although Liu Bei's current political system may seem disorganized, it also grants him more autonomy.

Liu Feng could act with impunity.

Liu Shan could also act with impunity.

The authority of the regent prince was many times greater than that of Cao Rui, who was a full-fledged crown prince.

Immediately.

Liu Shan no longer hesitated and adopted Fa Zheng's suggestion. He sent orders to the troops in Nanyang, Jiangxia, Huainan and other places, and ordered the allocation of grain and fodder to these places as reinforcements.

In Shouchun.

Lu Xun also received intelligence that Cao Pi was burning Luoyang.

Before Liu Shan's military order arrived, Lu Xun issued the order to send troops.

Xu Shengxin was worried: "The commander-in-chief has rashly sent out troops without waiting for the crown prince's order. I fear that the commander-in-chief will be impeached by villains in the future."

Lu Xun didn't take it to heart: "Since he's a villain, what's there to fear?"

Cao Pi thought that burning Luoyang would stop the Yong and Liang troops from advancing eastward, but he did not know that once Luoyang was burned, it would cause the people of various counties to waver.

How could someone so foolish as to dare to usurp the Han throne and establish their own dynasty?

It is my duty to report to the Crown Prince and repent, but it is your responsibility to obey orders and send troops.

Xu Sheng, don't you want to go back to your hometown to pay respects to your ancestors?

You will be the vanguard in this attack on Xuzhou!

The phrase "returning to my hometown to pay respects to my ancestors" immediately made Xu Sheng blush.

If the world weren't so chaotic, who would want to abandon their ancestral heritage and leave for another place?

"The last general takes command!"

Xu Sheng's tone was excited.

Since Lu Xun was prepared, then we should obey his orders.

Just before Xu Sheng had organized his troops and ships to set out, Liu Shan's military order arrived by fast ship.

"The Crown Prince reacted so quickly?"

Xu Sheng no longer had any doubts and had even greater confidence.

Lu Xun also laughed loudly: "Although the Crown Prince is not as good at fighting as the Prince of Yan, there are strategists in the court who can plan great things, and the Crown Prince is also able to humbly listen to advice. With such a good opportunity, how can I sit and wait in Shouchun!"

With Liu Shan's military orders, Lu Xun was able to act more freely.

At first, Xu Sheng was simply sent as the vanguard to seize Xuzhou when the opportunity arose.

just now.

Lu Xun was confident he could capture Xuzhou!
Of Liu Bei's three important military directions, Yongliang is the most lacking in food, while Jiangdong is the least lacking in food.

The reason why Jiangdong's fighting strength seems low is mainly because Jiangdong is full of powerful clans who prefer stability to progress.

Therefore, in the Battle of Hefei, Liu Feng took 300,000 bolts of Shu brocade to reward his troops.

In the Battle of Shouchun, Liu Feng used himself as bait to enter Shouchun, which aroused the fighting spirit of the Jiangdong soldiers.

And this time.

Lu Xun wanted to seek change.

Jiangdong can also launch a northern expedition!
With the power to act expediently, Lu Xun was able to do even more.

All of a sudden.

Banners fluttered in Jingyang, and war broke out in Yu and Xu.

Perhaps the burning of Luoyang boosted the morale of the Han army.

Or perhaps the favorable momentum of striking a defeated foe made the Han army see military merit beckoning.

The Han army's offensive this time was exceptionally fierce.

Whether in Yuzhou or Xuzhou, the morale of the soldiers of the puppet Wei was low because of Cao Pi's burning of Luoyang and relocation of the capital.

Although Cao Pi's stated reason was to move the capital to avoid the enemy's advance and burn Luoyang to prevent Liu Bei from benefiting, Cao Pi could promote the Han army in a positive light or in a negative light.

The Han army's propaganda was that Cao Pi, imitating Dong Zhuo, burned Luoyang and moved the capital to Ye City out of fear, abandoning the area south of the Yellow River.

Since Cao Pi has already abandoned them, why should they continue to defend Yuzhou and Xuzhou for him?

Lu Xun mocked Cao Pi for this very reason: if you don't have the ability, don't play the scorched earth game; if you don't play it well, you're shaking the foundation of the country.

Aside from Zhao Yun's difficult resistance from Xu Huang in Luyang, Zhu Huan and Sun Huan of Pingchun and Yiyang advanced into Runan with unstoppable momentum; Lu Xun of Shouchun divided his forces to take Guangling, Xiapi, and Xiaopei, also with unstoppable momentum.

Less than two months.

The Han army swept through most of the counties in Yu and Xu.

Xu Huang retreated to Xu County, while Zang Ba held out to the death in Pengcheng.

Zhu Huan and Sun Huan fought their way all the way to the outskirts of Qiao County.

On the western route.

Having run out of food, Xiahou Ru abandoned Hangu Pass and hastily fled to Yanzhou.

In the seventh year of Zhangwu (227), in May.

Liu Bei finally set foot in Luoyang.

Looking at the ruins of Luoyang, Liu Bei felt both anger and regret. However, these feelings did not last long.

After entering Luoyang.

Liu Bei also made contact with Zhao Yun, who was attacking Xu County.

When Liu Bei learned that Liu Shan had ordered the two provinces of Jing and Yang to send troops to Yu and Xu, he was filled with joy.

"The Crown Prince has grown up, and I am very pleased."

In terms of the previous military achievements, Liu Feng was basically deliberately giving the credit to Liu Shan.

The recapture of most of the counties in Yuzhou and Xuzhou was the first major decision made by Liu Shan without relying on Liu Feng.

Although Fazheng was there to assist him, it was Liu Shan, not Liu Feng, who made the final decision.

"The Prince of Yan invites Your Majesty to pass through Mengjin and enter Wen County."

A few days later.

A rider arrived in a flash.

It was Liu Feng who sent the messenger after hearing that Xiahou Ru had abandoned Hangu Pass.

After pursuing Cao Pi at Guandu, Liu Feng returned to Wen County.

Wen County has abundant grain and forage.

In addition, after Liu Feng slaughtered the Sima clan, he intimidated many powerful families in Hanoi. Although some of these families fled, most of them remained in Hanoi.

Not everyone is willing to give up their foundation in Hanoi.

For powerful and influential families, switching sides is not a matter of being wronged or losing face.

The key issue is whether Liu Bei's camp is willing to accept them.

Liu Feng did not make things difficult for the group of prominent Hanoi families who remained, but instead chose to appease them.

Cao Pi had already fled to Yanzhou, and the Han armies in Jingzhou and Yangzhou were attacking Yuzhou and Xuzhou. At this time, appeasing the powerful clans in Hanoi was more valuable than directly imposing harsh measures.

Most importantly, now that Luoyang has been burned down by Cao Pi, Liu Feng needs to find a base near Luoyang that can temporarily replace Luoyang to support and station the troops from Yong and Liang.

Hanoi is a nice place.

Just as Xun Yu said: In the past, Emperor Gaozu occupied Guanzhong and Emperor Guangwu occupied Henan. Both of them had deep roots and solid foundations to control the world. They were able to advance and defeat the enemy, and retreat and defend their positions. Therefore, even if they encountered difficulties, they eventually achieved great success.

Hanoi is a good place to settle down.

After lamenting the desolation of Luoyang, Liu Bei led his troops across Mengjin.

Liu Feng had already sent people to prepare boats in Mengjin, and even went to the other side of the river to welcome Liu Bei's arrival.

"With the Emperor's arrival at the former site of Emperor Guangwu, the trend of the Han Dynasty's restoration is irreversible."

Liu Feng laughed loudly, his words elevating Liu Bei to the same level as Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu.

Although Liu Bei also declared himself emperor, Cao Wei had not yet been destroyed, and Liu Bei's achievements could not compare to those of Liu Xiu.

but.

This did not prevent Liu Feng from praising Liu Bei.

Liu Bei was very pleased to hear this and humbly said, "My son, you flatter me. The false Wei dynasty has not yet been destroyed, so how can I be compared to Emperor Guangwu?"

Taking advantage of the situation, Liu Feng said, "As long as Father Emperor can enjoy his old age and live as long as General Huang, he will surely see the downfall of the pseudo-Wei."

Your son will, under Your Majesty's command, just as the generals of Yuntai assisted Emperor Guangwu in conquering all directions, fight against the puppet Wei dynasty and help Your Majesty unify the world!

Liu Feng is good at talking, and he's also good at making empty promises.

In Hanoi, the story of Emperor Guangwu (Liu Xiu) was used to inspire Liu Bei, urging him to take care of his health and not waste his energy in order to live another ten years.

The cake was big and fragrant, which greatly appealed to Liu Bei.

While personally leading troops into battle may provide temporary thrills, it pales in comparison to unifying the world.

In fact, Liu Bei wanted to personally lead the expedition because he felt that there was no hope of unifying the world, so he hoped to take Luoyang before he died, hence his eagerness to personally lead the expedition.

But now.

Because of Cao Pi's questionable actions, he chose to abandon Luoyang out of fear, and even imitated Dong Zhuo by burning Luoyang, causing all the contradictions that Cao Wei had been forcibly suppressing to surface all at once.

Especially in the Yuzhou region.

There were too many people who migrated from Jingzhou to settle and cultivate land.

In the past, naturally no one could oppose this.

But now that Cao Wei is weak, the garrison farmers have become the biggest hidden danger.

Whether it was Zhao Yun who conquered Xu County or Zhu Huan and Sun Huan who conquered Qiao County, the reason why they were able to do so so smoothly was closely related to the garrison farmers.

When the fellow sees the fellow, tears well up.

When the Han army surged in, any of the bravest among these farmers would surely rise up in rebellion.

Just like when Guan Yu flooded the seven armies, many "bandits" in Yuzhou responded. Most of those who could become "bandits" in Cao Wei territory were people who couldn't survive, including many who were farmers.

Pulled around and moved the whole body.

The unexpectedly large-scale victory was something Liu Bei had not anticipated.

That's why.

Only then did Liu Bei begin to have expectations for the pie in Liu Feng's eyes.

If they had lived a few more years, Cao Wei might have collapsed due to internal strife, just like the once powerful Yuan Shao regime.

After Yuan Shao's death, the internal organization fell apart.

Now, the one who holds the reins of power is no longer Cao Pi, but Liu Bei!

"My son, should we continue our attack on Yanzhou, or temporarily cease hostilities and wait for an opportune moment?" Liu Bei asked the crucial question.

With the armies of Jing and Yang provinces already in Yuzhou and Xuzhou, there is no need for Liu Feng to intervene.

Hanoi is adjacent to Yanzhou, making it an ideal location for Liu Feng to wage war.

“Now that the war has begun, it cannot be easily ended. Hanoi has plenty of money and grain, which can be used to replenish the military’s supplies,” Liu Feng said firmly.

Yanzhou is a place we absolutely must take.

If Cao Pi doesn't attack Yanzhou, he will have the energy to support Yuzhou and Xuzhou.

Liu Feng wanted to extinguish Cao Pi's ambitions and take the opportunity to completely drive Cao Pi north of the Yellow River.

Since Cao Pi abandoned Luoyang and wanted to move the capital, then he might as well give up everything south of the Yellow River!
Liu Feng now has troops and soldiers.

The wealthy families of Hanoi will provide the money and provisions.

This is a golden opportunity.

If we don't take this opportunity, we'll be wasting it.

Liu Bei praised his ambition, saying, "My son has the ambition to make progress, which greatly pleases me. However, Yanzhou is also a strategic location in the country and should not be underestimated."

Liu Feng laughed and said, "Cao Pi is just a defeated bandit. How can he talk about bravery? Once my army goes there, we will surely make him flee in panic!"

Speed ​​is of the essence in war. Now that Father has arrived in Hanoi, I need not concern myself with the affairs of Hanoi any longer. I humbly request Father to appease the powerful clans of Hanoi and to gather provisions and military supplies.

Your son can also focus on advancing the army into Yanzhou.

If Zhuge Liang were alive, it would be best for him to handle the collection of grain and military supplies.

However, Zhuge Liang is still in Chang'an and cannot come to Hanoi for the time being, so the important task of raising grain and military supplies can only be handled by Liu Bei.

After Liu Bei accepted Liu Feng's promises, he abandoned his idea of ​​personally leading the expedition and also agreed to the division of labor for pacifying the powerful clans in Hanoi and raising grain.

"My son, you can go without worry. As long as I am in Hanoi, you will not lack provisions and military supplies." Liu Bei gently patted Liu Feng's shoulder and added, "Be careful on your journey."

Subsequently.

Liu Feng first ordered Wang Ping to join forces with the flying troops at Yique Pass to take Chenliu, while Liu Feng himself led five thousand cavalrymen, including generals Li Ping, Deng Ai, and Shi Bao, to Dongjun.

After Cao Pi withdrew from Guandu, he originally stayed in Chenliu.

Seeing that the wars in Yuzhou and Xuzhou were also going badly, he fled directly to Dongjun.

Although Cao Pi still had a considerable number of troops in Yan, Xu and Yu, their morale was low and they lacked capable generals, making them no match for the Han army.

The effects of Liu Feng's successive killings of Cao Wei generals gradually became apparent.

If Cao Wei generals such as Man Chong, Zhang He, Cao Zhang, and Xiahou Shang were still alive, the Han army would not have been able to advance into Yu and Xu so quickly.

There are no "what ifs" in reality.

Lacking a general to command the troops, the Wei army had no choice but to temporarily avoid the Han army's overwhelming strength.

Even Cao Pi burned Luoyang to temporarily avoid the Han army's advance. Apart from Xu Huang and Zang Ba, who among the civil and military officials of Yu and Xu dared to resist the Han army's advance?
"What? Liu Feng has invaded Dongjun?"

Upon hearing that Liu Feng had once again advanced his troops, Cao Pi was alarmed and rose up.

Without any hesitation, Cao Pi chose to cross the river and return to Ye City.

block?
Although Yanzhou is strategically located at the confluence of the Yellow River and the Ji River, Cao Pi, currently in Dongjun, is unable to effectively counterbalance Liu Feng.

Having lost his courage, Cao Pi had no confidence in defending Dongjun.

Apart from that.

Intelligence also indicates that Ji Province is unstable.

This made Cao Pi even more hesitant to stay in Dongjun, and he subconsciously thought of Qian Zhao and Tian Yu.

Although Qian Zhao and Tian Yu, among others, had guarded the frontier for Cao Wei for many years, these two had a close relationship with Liu Bei.

When Cao Wei was powerful, it naturally had no worries about the two rebelling.

Now that Liu Bei is powerful, Cao Pi dares not be sure whether these two will directly rebel.

At that time, Liu Bei was in the south and the rebel army was in the north, so Cao Pi was completely surrounded and trapped.

Plus.

Liu Feng had entered Bingzhou and besieged Qian Zhao at Xuanweng Mountain before retreating. Cao Pi did not believe that the two had not discussed terms in private.

Ever since.

After instructing the governor of Dongjun to defend Dongjun to the death, Cao Pi led Cao Zhen and others directly across the river to Ye City.

Whether the area south of the Yellow River can be defended is the responsibility of all the governors and civil and military officials; if it is lost, those responsible can be held accountable.

North of the Yellow River, Cao Pi had to personally oversee the area to ensure that the generals there would not rebel upon hearing the news, and even if they did rebel, he could send troops to suppress them.

only.

Without Cao Pi overseeing and coordinating operations in Dongjun, the three provinces south of the Yellow River—Yan, Yu, and Xu—were practically fighting their own battles.

Although the three routes of the Han army were basically fighting independently, the morale of the two sides was incomparable.

September arrived.

Zhu Huan and Sun Huan captured Qiao County and joined forces with Xu Sheng and Ding Feng to attack Pengcheng.

Although Zang Ba was brave, he was old and had lost the upper hand. In the end, the city fell and he died.

October.

Xu Huang also died of illness in Xu County due to old age and physical weakness. Taking advantage of the panic in the army in Xu County after Xu Huang's death, Zhao Yun captured Xu County in one fell swoop.

The army was defeated like a mountain.

After Cao Wei's military forces in Yuzhou and Xuzhou were successively destroyed, Jia Kui, the governor of Yanzhou, and Wang Ling, the governor of Yuzhou, who retreated to Yanzhou, were terrified.

Originally, the two intended to rely on the geographical advantage of Yanzhou to hold their ground, but they faced the arrival of several armies led by Liu Feng, Zhao Yun, and Lu Xun in Yanzhou.

Jia Kui and Wang Ling no longer had the will to resist.

If the green hills are left, there is no need to worry about no firewood.

Even if they would be held accountable by Cao Pi if they went back, the two of them did not want to stay in Yanzhou and wait to die.

not to mention.

Cao Pi ran away first!

If Cao Pi hadn't burned Luoyang, shaking the morale of the army, how could so many concurrent consequences have occurred?

Jia Kui and Wang Ling also harbored many grievances.

An incompetent general can lead to the downfall of an entire army.

Cao Pi's incompetence led to the deaths of his many ministers.

With the retreat of Jia Kui and Wang Ling, Cao Wei's power south of the Yellow River was essentially destroyed.

Upon hearing the news in Ye City, Cao Pi felt dizzy and lightheaded, and then vomited blood and collapsed.

One year.

Just one year.

I only ordered Cao Zhang to join forces with the Xianbei to attack Chang'an, but Liu Bei counterattacked all the way and took over the area south of the Yellow River?
Cao Pi couldn't understand: Why had the situation changed so drastically?

What I can't understand is: why would Liu Bei's forces, which had always been steady and gradually eroded, suddenly launch such an unstoppable offensive?
What Cao Pi didn't know was that if Liu Bei's forces were to launch a normal attack, not to mention their overwhelming momentum, even the civil and military officials of Jiangdong wouldn't dare to cross the Huai River.

However, if they encounter a favorable situation where they can take advantage of a downfall, the fighting power of Jiangdong's civil and military officials will skyrocket.

Ultimately, the seeds of disaster were sown from the moment Cao Pi plotted against Cao Zhang. He only had himself to blame; he had no one else to blame but himself. (End of Chapter)