Han officials

Chapter 297 Guan Yu vs. Qin Qiong

After Cao Cao's defeat at Gaixia and his suicide at the Huai River, the Cao army in Yanzhou learned of this immediately.

However, just as Sun Quan immediately took over the throne after Sun Ce's unexpected death, Cao Ang also took up the banner of Cao's army at the first opportunity.

Since Cao Cao's body could not be retrieved, Cao Ang had to temporarily place him in his official robes and hat before the coffin and assume the position of successor before the spirit tablet.

Even after Xun Yu intervened to persuade many cities to surrender, Cao Ang did not admit defeat.

From Shanyang Commandery and Jiyin Commandery to Chenliu Commandery, Cao Ang's army fought a fierce and stubborn resistance.

To paraphrase the oath Cao Ang swore when he ascended the throne, his father was able to turn the tide and reclaim the entire Yanzhou when he only had three counties left. Now that they still have half a province, how can they give it up so easily?
This makes one realize that even after his death, Cao Cao still left behind a great legacy for his descendants.

Perhaps it is precisely because Cao Cao truly achieved such a stunning reversal back then that the Cao army now chooses to believe in Cao Ang.

Unfortunately, Cao Ang was not Cao Cao, and Wei Zhe was not Liu Bei.

Even without his personal intervention, the two Wei armies led by Zhang Liao and Xu Rong were not something Cao Ang could handle.

Under the overwhelming force of 40,000 Wei troops, Cao Cao's army only lasted three months before losing the other half of Yan Province.

Cao Ang had no choice but to lead the remnants of his army into Yingchuan County to eke out a living.

In order to resist the pursuit of the Wei army, he even desperately submitted to Runan Commandery in order to seek help.

However, how could Yuan Shu possibly pay any attention to him?
Putting aside whether Yuan Shu had the ability, the fact that Yingchuan Commandery was taken from him by Cao Cao alone is a testament to the fact that he was capable of it!

Seeing Cao Ang asking for help, Yuan Shu immediately told him to return Yingchuan County first.

Logically speaking, this request wasn't too unreasonable, but the problem was that Yuan Shu had a very poor reputation.

Cao Ang was willing to give up Yingchuan Commandery, but he dared not believe that Yuan Shu would keep his promise to protect them.

Therefore, on the advice of Zao Zhi, the Agricultural Commandant, Cao Ang decisively led several thousand remaining soldiers and their families to Luoyang, offering Yingchuan County as a gift to the Han army in Luoyang.

Faced with the sudden surrender of the remnants of Cao Cao's army, Sun Rui, a strategist in Luoyang, was in a dilemma.

However, he eventually succumbed to the persuasion of his son Shi Sunmeng and Lü Bu, and accepted Cao Cao's surrender. He not only settled the Cao family in Jinyong City, but also appointed Cao Ang as the General of the Five Offices, allowing him to continue commanding the remnants of Cao Cao's army.

This arrangement allowed Cao Ang, who was exhausted both physically and mentally, to finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Cao Ang was relieved, but the Wei army in Yanzhou was in for a headache.

Although Yanzhou was captured, Cao Ang was left behind, which naturally displeased Zhang Liao and Xu Rong.

However, the two were undecided about whether to attack Yingchuan County.

After all, the Han army in Luoyang was not like other local forces; they had some degree of kinship with their lord.

From Liu Yu to Shi Sunrui, the Han army in Luoyang basically always stood on the side of the Wei army as allies.

Even the birth of the Han army in Luoyang can be said to have been facilitated by Wei Zhe.

It was he who charged into battle and drove away Dong Jun, and it was he who handed over the territory of Henan Yin to Liu Yu.

This is how the Han army in Luoyang came to be.

After much deliberation, the two decided to honestly report the problem to Wei Zhe and let him make the decision.

……

"Luoyang..."

Upon seeing this word in the report, Wei Zhe couldn't help but frown slightly.

After a moment's hesitation, he said coldly, "Order Zhang Liao to advance his troops into Sili and capture Hanoi County."

This can be seen as a warning to Shi Sunrui, making him realize his own limitations.

However, a map of Sili suddenly flashed through Wei Zhe's mind, and he immediately remembered a place that had almost been overlooked.

So he immediately added:
"Let Wen Yuan wipe out the White Wave Army while he's at it, and take over Hedong County as well."

"I've heard that there's a good guy named Xu Huang in the White Wave Army. Tell him to keep an eye on him."

In this way, there will be no other power north of the Yellow River.

After saying this, Wei Zhe stamped the document that Zhou Yu had quickly drafted, and Bu Zhi took it and immediately turned and galloped away.

After the Battle of Gaixia, Sun Ce, Zhou Yu, Bu Zhi, and Lu Su were all taken into Wei Zhe's personal guard and appointed as colonels and commanders. This was partly to observe their character and abilities, and partly to cultivate the relationship between the ruler and his subjects.

It's well known that Wei Zhe always placed great importance on emotional investment, and the winter training at the military academy had never stopped over the years. Each year, the most outstanding trainees would be summoned to serve as his personal guards for a period, ranging from three months to half a year. After that time, they would be transferred to various military units, promoted one rank, and given command of troops and training.
Subsequent events proved that the officers and generals promoted by Wei Zhe were indeed extraordinary.

Over time, Wei Zhe's prestige in the army had become almost divine.

It was through this kind of daily and yearly emphasis that Wei Zhe was able to keep the army in his hands and not lose control of it despite the continuous expansion of the army.

Of course, Zhou Yu and the others were unaware of these things.

However, they were all intelligent people and understood the benefits of this favor.

Bu Zhi even privately remarked to his younger brother that he wouldn't trade being able to serve as a halberd by the Lord's side for a county magistrate position.

Although Sun Ce understood this principle, his warlike nature made him restless upon hearing the news.

He looked just like a monkey listening to the teachings in front of the Bodhi Patriarch, so restless and uneasy.

Seeing this, Wei Zhe chuckled and tapped him:

"You haven't been on the field for just a few days, and you can't wait any longer?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Ce could no longer contain himself and immediately grinned, saying:

"I apologize for making a fool of myself, my lord. However... I've heard that Lu Bu is known as the Flying General, and is incredibly brave. Is that true?"

Upon hearing Sun Ce mention Lü Bu, Wei Zhe recalled their encounter at Sishui Pass and nodded slightly.

"Although this man possesses only the courage of a commoner, he is indeed a peerless warrior, a rare talent in this era."

Wei Zhe sighed softly, with a hint of emotion in his voice:
"Back then, even the combined efforts of Zilong, Huchen, and Ziyi failed to defeat him, which shows how strong he was."

Although if Lü Bu had held out a little longer, he would most likely have been defeated by Zhao Yun and his two companions, they ultimately failed.

Upon hearing Wei Zhe's words, Sun Ce became even more itchy to fight.

Seeing Sun Ce's eager expression, Wei Zhe couldn't help but shake his head with a smile.

Sure enough, this guy is not cut out to be a ruler at all.

Compared to being a regional warlord, he was better suited to simply being a general who fought on the battlefield.

However, just as Wei Zhe was about to reprimand him, he suddenly froze.

Wei Zhe suddenly remembered a very interesting topic from later generations: who was stronger, Lü Bu or Xiang Yu?

Of course, in terms of military achievements, Lü Bu could not compare with Xiang Yu.

However, if we only compare individual combat strength, it becomes quite intriguing to see who is stronger between the two.

After all, after Xiang Yu's death, "the bravery of a hegemon" became the highest praise for personal martial prowess.

With Lü Bu dead, everyone possessed the courage to rival him.

The two men's circumstances were remarkably similar.

Although Xiang Yu's bones had long since rotted away, the Little Conqueror of Jiangdong was still a conqueror.

At least on that day when Sun Ce was pursuing Cao Cao at Gaixia, he did indeed display some of the qualities of a hegemon.

Thinking of this, Wei Zhe became interested.

"Very well, since that's the case, I won't keep you in check. You might as well go and visit Zhang Liao's troops."

Upon hearing this, Sun Ce was overjoyed and immediately dismounted to thank him.

"Thank you for your kindness, my lord!" he said, patting his chest confidently and promising, "Rest assured, I will not let you down on this mission!"

Wei Zhe simply waved his hand dismissively, shooing away the impatient monkey.

Meanwhile, as turmoil was raging in the Central Plains, changes were also quietly taking place in Jingxiang...
-
I apologize, but I only realized I made a very stupid mistake after I finished writing the second half. It was also a common-sense error.

It turns out that Pang Tong was born two years earlier than Zhuge Liang, and is only fifteen years old now, still very young... This is terrible, I only realized this problem after I finished writing it.

A strategist at the age of fifteen—even historical novels wouldn't dare to portray him like that!

At this point, even if Pang Tong were a god descended to earth, Liu Bei probably wouldn't dare to use him.

Sigh, this whole little plot point is completely scrapped. I even went through all that trouble writing a completely unrecognizable version of the "Longzhong Dialogue" o(╥﹏╥)o
I want to die!!! Let me rethink my approach.

(End of this chapter)