Late Han Zhao Tang

Because generals Huang Zhong and Huang Zu moved their camps south, they lured Cao Cao's troops to surrender. Seeing that the morale of the army was unstable, Zhou Yu and Cao Hong led their troops to attack, intending to first besiege and break through Huang Zhong's forces and prevent the Tang army from stationing its troops on the south bank.

On April 18th, Zhou Yu led his troops to besiege Huang Zhong, while Cao Hong defeated Huang Zu and pursued him for several miles. Hao Zhao then led his troops across the river. To defeat Cao Hong, Hao Zhao set up an ambush in the forest, employing a strategy of attacking from all sides. Pang De led his cavalry to break through the encirclement, driving the routed soldiers like cattle and sheep. In this way, he successively defeated the forces of Song Qian and Chen Wu.

Upon seeing reinforcements arrive, Huang Zhong's troops were greatly encouraged. He led his men in a charge, joining forces with Pang De and Wang Wei to attack Zhou Yu's army from both sides. Under Hao Zhao's organization, Huang Zu rallied the defeated soldiers, taking advantage of the momentum of the victory, and cheered for Generals Wang and Pang.

Cao Hong, who had previously suffered a defeat, was inspired by Zhou Yu's words to fight to the death. He led his defeated troops and followers, taking the lead in fighting against the elite Tang army.

Cao Hong, determined to die for his cause, distinguished himself in the battle. Under the protection of his troops, he killed more than ten riders, making the Tang cavalry very wary.

Seeing this, Pang De spurred his horse and charged into the chaotic army. With his personal bravery, he beheaded Cao Hong. Cao's soldiers and officers were greatly terrified, and their hearts were filled with fear.

Taking advantage of the moment of disarray, Pang De led his cavalry in a three-pronged attack. To support Pang De, Huang Zhong took the lead, leading his cavalry to break through the enemy lines. Under the charge of the two cavalry forces, Cao Cao's army was thrown into chaos, and the soldiers fled in disarray.

As the army retreated in disarray, General Zhu Huan led his 500 men to find Zhou Yu and tried to escape with him.

"The fate of the world is predetermined, and the Protector General cannot stop it. Now that our army has suffered a great defeat, why not flee with Huan?" Zhu Huan said.

Zhou Yu lamented, “Xiu Mu, today’s defeat is my death day. When I returned to my hometown in the east, I was promoted and given important responsibilities by the Prime Minister. In times of crisis, the Prime Minister listened to my plan and gave me a large army to block the enemy. I have always wanted to repay the lord with my life, so as not to fail my lifelong reputation for virtue.”

"Now that we have suffered a crushing defeat, if I do not sacrifice myself for the country, how will I face the Prime Minister in the future?"

Seeing that he couldn't pull Zhou Yu away, Zhu Huan had no choice but to give up and fled with his men into the defeated army. But Zhu Huan hadn't gone a hundred paces when Zhou Yu was killed by the swarming Tang soldiers, dying a violent death on the battlefield, and his attendants scattered like birds and beasts.

On that day, Hao Zhao and Huang Zhong inflicted a great defeat on Cao Cao's army, beheading more than 4,000. Generals such as Cao Hong, Zhou Yu, and Chen Wu were killed in battle, and tens of thousands of soldiers were captured.

The following day, Zhang Liao moved his camp to Chaisang and ordered his troops to persuade the three commanderies of Yuzhang, Luling, and Poyang to surrender, as well as the remaining members of the Cao family who had fled. He also sent the heads of the rebel leaders Cao Hong and Zhou Yu to Chang'an.

Within a few days, under Zhang Liao's persuasion, tens of thousands of defeated soldiers, including Song Qian and Zhu Huan, successively surrendered to the Tang army. Zhang Liao maintained the old order, providing rations for those who wished to return home, allowing the surrendered Cao army soldiers to return to their hometowns.

For a time, the surrendered soldiers were filled with gratitude and spread the word of the Tang army's benevolent policies throughout the counties of Jiangdong.

Inside the main tent, the generals chatted and laughed, comparing their achievements and rejoicing at the current situation.

"20,000 of Cao Cao's troops surrendered. Apart from the officers and elite soldiers who remained in the army, the rest of the soldiers returned to their hometowns. Our navy has entered Pengze and incorporated Cao Cao's ships." Sun Zi summarized the situation and reported: "However, due to the distribution of rations to the surrendered soldiers and the long standoff with the enemy, the army now only has seven days' worth of rations left, and the subsequent supply convoys are still en route."

Zhang Liao smiled and said, "Zhou Yu and Cao Hong have been beheaded, Pengze is now in our hands, and there are no strong troops west of Jinling. I will now send an envoy to Cao Cao to see if we can persuade the Cao family to surrender and avoid further fighting. As for supplies, the army will temporarily stay in the three counties of Poyang to eat and wait for the remaining grain to arrive."

"The commander-in-chief is benevolent!" Sun Zi complimented.

Zhang Liao waved his hand and said with emotion, "Before the expedition, His Majesty repeatedly instructed us that although Jiangdong was an enemy of China, the people were innocent and the blame lay solely with Cao Cao. Now, with the 30,000 troops led by Zhou Yu and Cao Hong wiped out, Cao Cao only has tens of thousands of troops at his disposal, which is no match for our army. If Cao Cao could be sensible enough to surrender and spare Jiangdong from the ravages of war, would His Majesty not allow him to live a life of wealth and comfort?"

"Select astute individuals for the mission!"

As he spoke, Zhang Liao subconsciously looked at Jia Xu and asked, "What are your thoughts, Protector General?"

Jia Xu smiled and said, "The commander-in-chief has taken Jingzhou, beheaded Zhou Yu, and his power has shaken the Jiangdong region. Apart from Cao Cao, there is no other strong army available in Jiangdong. We might as well follow your plan and proceed first. If Cao Cao refuses to surrender, then we might as well join forces with Generals Gongming and Bosong to attack Cao Cao's troops, or we can use the troops according to His Majesty's decree."

"good!"

Zhang Liao nodded slightly, understanding the meaning behind Jia Xu's words. He had accumulated the most merits since the start of this campaign, and now that they had captured Jinling in the east, he might as well share the spoils with the two generals. After all, Xu Huang and Li Song had devoted considerable effort to the southern campaign; for example, Xu Huang's ingenious plan to attack Jiangdong, and Li Song's timely support.

Not to mention that after defeating the 30,000 troops led by Cao and Zhou, Zhang Liao temporarily rested in Yuzhang County due to insufficient food supplies. With the running of messengers and scouts, the Tang and Cao armies, who were facing each other in Jiangdong, all knew that Zhang Liao had captured Chaisang and moved into Pengze.

Inside the central command tent of Cao Cao's army camp in Jiangcheng.

Cao Cao's expression was gloomy and unpleasant. His civil and military officials were silent. The ceramic teacups on the carpet in the tent were shattered, and hot water was splashed all over the floor.

"Prime Minister, Zhang Liao has sent an envoy abroad with a letter urging us to surrender!"

Lu Su braced himself and presented the letter.

Cao Cao raised an eyelid slightly and said without hesitation, "Drag the envoy down and behead him!"

"Prime Minister~"

Seeing that Cao Cao didn't even read the letter, Lu Su hesitated, as if he wanted to speak. Cao Cao, with a cold expression, asked, "What do you wish to say, Zijing?"

"Prime Minister, Generals Gongjin and Zilian sacrificed their lives for the country, with their 30,000 troops wiped out. Our army has less than 50,000 troops available, while the Tang invaders number over 200,000, with fewer than five counties remaining. The disparity in strength between the two is enormous, and we lack the natural barrier of the Yangtze River. In my opinion..." Lu Su said.

"No need!"

Cao Cao interrupted, saying, "I know you gentlemen are worried about the vast disparity in numbers, but the world is not yet at peace, and the outcome is still uncertain. I absolutely do not wish to surrender to Zhang Yu, so my gentlemen should not say any more!"

"Yes, sir!" Lu Su retreated reluctantly.

Having solidified his ambition to become a figure like Tian Heng or Gongsun Shu, Cao Cao rejected the idea of ​​surrender. He could not accept going from a high-ranking ruler to a wealthy man being bullied by the Tang people. Therefore, for Cao Cao, it was either to establish his own independent regime or to die and have his kingdom destroyed.

If Lu Su were not a strategist he valued, Cao Cao would likely have made an example of him and severely punished those who dared to speak of surrender.

Seeing everyone bowing their heads in silence, Cao Cao rose from his seat and said calmly, "Last night, I asked a fortune teller to divine the stars, and he said that by September, the enemy would surely be defeated and flee to the southeast. Although the enemy's troops are numerous, most of them are northerners who are unfamiliar with the southeastern climate. With the rain and dampness, many will surely fall ill with disease."

"Nanjing is fortified by Zhongshan Mountain outside and dangerous by Hechi inside, making it a city that is difficult for military strategists to capture!"

Cao Cao paced back and forth, saying in a deep voice, "I have tens of thousands of soldiers, gathered amidst mountains and rivers, fighting the enemy for mountain fortifications and earthen ramparts. This is enough to hold out for another five months. As for supplies and provisions, I have already ordered Commander Xun to gather a million bushels of grain in the city. We will fight the Tang invaders to the death!"

Cao Cao chose Jinling as his capital because he valued its strategic importance. Over the years, he not only developed Jinling into the political and economic center of the southeast, but also an important military base. All grain and taxes from the southeast were first stored in Jinling and then distributed by Xun Yu.

Now that Cao Cao is determined not to surrender, his only way out is to rely on the strategic advantage of Jinling to put up a stubborn resistance and withstand the Tang army's siege for the next few months. Only when the Tang army suffers from disease due to the rainy season will it be Cao Cao's chance to turn the tide. In order to keep everyone believing in him, Cao Cao can only use the prophecy to deceive his civil and military officials into holding out for another six months.

Seeing Cao Cao's resolute tone, Liu Ye pondered for a moment and said, "Cao Zhen is holding Hefei firmly, and is now isolated on the north bank of the Yangtze River. It would be better to persuade him to abandon Hefei and head southeast to join our army in defending Nanjing, so as to avoid being isolated and helpless, and to avoid another story of the city falling and soldiers dying!"

Cao Cao pondered for a while and then said, "I will follow your advice. Today we will break camp and head west to defend Jinling. We will mobilize the elderly, the weak, and the common people to build the city day and night."

"promise!"

After chatting for a few more minutes, Cao Jun's officers and soldiers took their leave after fulfilling their duties.

As the generals took their leave, Cao Cao looked at the letter of surrender sent by Zhang Liao and gradually revealed his sorrow. He sighed, "Gongjin (Zhang Liao) has treated me as a national hero, but I have not been able to treat him as such. If I had known Gongjin's heart, would I have entrusted Jingzhou to Zixiao when the Tang invaders attacked?"

As he spoke, Cao Cao thought of Cheng Yu, Cao Hong, and Cao Ren, who had died in battle, as well as Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Shang, whose fates were unknown, and he couldn't help but lower his head and shed tears.

Although Cao Cao was harsh and severe, he was not a heartless man. In front of others, he could probably control his emotions. But now, alone, especially thinking of the deaths of so many of his trusted confidants in battle, Cao Cao was overcome with grief and wept.

However, fearing that outsiders would see his vulnerable side, Cao Cao bit his lip, forcing himself not to cry out. Among all the things he lamented, Cao Cao felt the most regret for Zhou Yu, regretting that he had not been bold enough to appoint Zhou Yu to guard Jingzhou.

Dian Wei, who was outside the tent, had keen ears. He heard a sound coming from inside the tent, secretly lifted the tent flap and peeked out. He saw Cao Cao covering his face and weeping. Knowing that Cao Cao was sad, he carefully lowered the tent flap and then personally guarded the tent.

"I have important matters to report to the Prime Minister. I wonder if you, Lord Dian, may inform him?" Xiahou Yuan asked.

Dian Wei shook his head and said, "The Prime Minister is unavailable. Please come back later, General!"

"How dare you stop me?" Xiahou Yuan said angrily, raising his eyebrows.

Who's outside the tent?

Cao Cao's voice remained normal as he inquired.

“Prime Minister, it is General Xiahou Miaocai!” Dian Wei said.

"Let Miao Cai enter the tent!"

"promise!"

"Humph!"

Xiahou Yuan, unconvinced, glanced sideways at Dian Wei. In Xiahou Yuan's mind, with the capture or death of the various generals, his position in the army was second only to Cao Cao. (End of Chapter)