My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Chapter 216 I will show the power of the royal army! Northern troops versus northern troops, who is the mule and who is the horse, will be decided in this battle!
A dignified army defeated it!

Hearing these words, Liu Bei's blood instantly boiled.

From Xuzhou to Jingzhou, from Cao's army to Wei's army, he had lost count of how many times he had fought against Cao Cao's army.

Even though they had not suffered any defeat since the surprise attack on Xiangyang, it was largely due to Xiao He's ingenious strategies and tactics.

There has never been a single victory in a head-on confrontation.

He understood Xiao He's profound meaning.

At this time, as the Duke of Chu, he was ordered by the emperor to punish the rebellious and led his troops to the north to recover the Central Plains. He represented the orthodoxy and his subordinates were the royal army.

A royal army must have the spirit of a royal army, the confidence to defeat the enemy in a head-on confrontation, and display the majesty that a royal army should have.

It is not enough to rely on clever strategies and tricks. We must rely on hard power to win a beautiful victory in order to convince the people of the world and make the people in the north fear the power of the royal army.

"Lord Chu, I also think that what Military Advisor Bo Wen said is absolutely right."

"Although our army is smaller than the enemy's, our Northern Army soldiers are fierce warriors inspired by the dual systems. Their fighting spirit and bravery are unmatched by the pseudo-Wei soldiers."

"I believe that with 60,000 against 100,000, we still have a chance of winning!"

Pang Tong also understood Xiao He's profound meaning and immediately expressed his support.

Huang Zhong and other generals were all so excited that they eagerly asked for battle.

Liu Bei's worries were swept away, and he waved his hand proudly:

"Okay, I will follow Bowen's plan and use the 60,000 Northern Army to defeat the 100,000 Cao troops and show the power of our army!"

The decision has been made, and all the generals are rubbing their hands, eager to fight.

"Lord Chu, our Northern Army is an elite division. We are certainly not afraid of the Wei Army in a head-on confrontation."

"However, even if our army has an advantage in infantry combat, cavalry is always our weakness. I believe we must be on guard."

Amidst the high morale of the fight, Zhang Liao stepped forward and gave a reminder.

As a former general of Cao Wei and the best commander of cavalry, Zhang Liao naturally knew the cavalry strength of Wei.

After hearing this, Liu Bei couldn't help but frown.

As a native of Youzhou, and having suffered losses from Cao Cao's cavalry many times, how could he not know the power of cavalry?
No matter how elite your Northern Army soldiers are, or how high their fighting spirit is, they are still made of flesh and blood after all.

But how can any flesh and blood body withstand the charge of iron cavalry?
"Bo Wen, Wenyuan reminded me correctly. According to our scouts, Xiahou Dun brought at least 5,000 cavalry with him on this journey south."

"The cavalry commander is a Hebei general like Zhang He."

"Over 5,000 cavalrymen, if used properly, can defeat a million-strong infantry!"

"I think we must make some plans and take precautions."

There was a hint of fear in Liu Bei's eyes as he looked at Xiao He.

Xiao He put away his ambition and smiled:
"Lord Chu, do you remember that several months ago, I asked you to summon the artisans for the weapon we secretly crafted? Now is the time to put it to use."

"If Xiahou Dun dares to use cavalry, we will use that weapon to kill him by surprise!"

The secret weapon?

Liu Bei's eyes moved slightly, and he suddenly remembered and said in surprise:
"Bo Wen, could it be that when you presented me with that weapon, it was out of foresight, solely for today's Northern Expedition to deal with Cao Wei's cavalry?"

Xiao He smiled and said lightly:
"In fact, it can't be called a far-sighted plan. The Northern Army's advantage lies in cavalry, and our Southern Army's advantage lies in navy. This is a well-known fact."

"I believe that if we march north to seize the Central Plains, we will have to overcome the cavalry of the pseudo-Wei."

"The best strategy for dealing with cavalry is naturally to counter cavalry with cavalry. However, it is a fact that we in the south are short of horses. It is unrealistic to want to form a cavalry corps that can compete with the Wei cavalry."

"Since we can't counter cavalry with cavalry, we can only find another way and make up for it from other directions."

Liu Bei agreed with this and said happily, "

"With this powerful weapon against cavalry, I can rest easy."

"Pass the order down, the army will leave Xuyi and march north to fight a decisive battle with the pseudo-Wei!"

Seeing that Liu Bei was as confident as iron, Pang Tong, Zhang Liao and others were kept in the dark and looked suspicious.

The "conspiracy" between Xiao He and Liu Bei was obviously carried out in secret without anyone knowing.

Everyone was full of curiosity, wondering when their wise military advisor Xiao had transformed into a master of weapons and presented Liu Bei with a secret weapon that could actually restrain Cao Wei's cavalry?
Seeing that Liu Bei refused to reveal anything, everyone had to suppress their suspicions and follow his orders.

So after resting for a day in Xuyi, the 60,000 Northern Army soldiers marched north along the east bank of the Si River the next day to meet the Wei army in a mighty force.

...

North of Xuyi is Weiying.

Inside the central military tent, a map of Huainan was hung high in the tent.

"According to my spies, Liu Bei has led 60,000 pseudo-Chu troops out of Yingkou and marched north to meet General Qian's troops."

"According to scouts, the pseudo-Chu troops stationed in Xuyi are the so-called Northern Army commanded by Zhang Fei, numbering approximately 60,000."

"According to current intelligence reports, Master Cang Shu's strategy of making a feint to the east and attacking in the west has indeed been effective. Liu Bei was unaware that it was the Duke of Wei who personally led our eastern army to attack Xuyi, and he only ordered Zhang Fei to lead the troops to stop it."

Xun You pointed at the map and reported the latest information.

In order to suppress the power of the Xun family, Cao Cao left Xun You in Jizhou as early as after pacifying Hebei, and transferred him out of the decision-making level of advisers.

After Xun Yu was forced to resign and return home, Xun You seized the opportunity to cut ties with Xun Yu and took the initiative to submit a petition to support Cao Cao's promotion to the rank of duke, which greatly pleased Cao Cao.

In order to make up for the dissatisfaction of the Xun family, Cao Cao transferred Xun You back to the decision-making circle, and Xun You was also the chief military advisor during this southern expedition.

Cao Cao nodded slightly, stroked his beard and sighed with a smile:

"The big-eared thief is nepotistic. Zhang Fei, though brave, is just a reckless man with courage but no strategy. He can be easily defeated."

"It seems that the first achievement in retaking Huainan must go to Cang Shu."

"On the day of my triumphant return, I should appoint him as heir as a reward."

Xun You and other ministers' expressions changed.

This was the first time that Cao Cao publicly stated in front of all his ministers that he wanted to make Cao Chong the crown prince and the heir to the throne of Cao Wei!
It seems that the dispute over the Cao family's succession is finally coming to an end.

Xun You, Le Jin, Zhang He and other counselors and generals, all of whom were shrewd men, hurried along and flattered Cao Chong. Only Yang Xiu, however, turned pale and felt a chill run down his spine.

"Let's stop here with the matter of establishing a crown prince."

Cao Cao returned the topic, his gaze returning to the map, and sneered:

"Although Zhang Fei is a reckless man, he should know that we are outnumbered and the enemy is few. He will probably stay in Xuyi and not leave."

"Gongda, let's discuss how I can take Xuyi."

Xun You seemed to have a plan in mind, so he smiled and said:

"Zhang Fei has 60,000 soldiers and horses. If he defends Xuyi to the death, our army will naturally find it difficult to attack."

"In my opinion, we should use the strategy of luring the snake out of its hole and try every possible means to lure it out of Xuyi City and destroy it."

"After that, attacking Xuyi will be as easy as pie."

Cao Cao agreed with this and asked:

"Does Gongda have a clever plan to lure Zhang Fei away—"

Before he could finish his words, the Tiger Guards rushed in.

"Your Excellency, Lord Chu, my scouts report that 60,000 pseudo-Chu troops have left Xuyi and are marching north along the Si River to meet our army!"

Cao Cao stood up suddenly.

Xun You and other ministers all looked delighted and delighted.

Without them having to use any tricks, Zhang Fei actually came to their door on his own?
When you feel sleepy, someone will hand you a pillow.

Cao Cao was startled at first, then burst into laughter:

"Zhang Fei is indeed a conceited and reckless man. He didn't even defend Xuyi, but came to us to die."

"God is helping me, God is helping me!"

"Hahaha--"

All the ministers laughed excitedly.

Xun You showed sarcasm and sneered:
"I've heard that Zhang Fei is always arrogant and self-reliant on his bravery. Now it seems to be true."

"Since he has abandoned his strong city and dared to attack us, we can defeat his 60,000 Chu troops in one battle."

"Xuyi is within easy reach!"

Cao Cao stopped laughing, his face full of confidence, and he waved his hand and shouted:
"Pass on my order, the army will immediately move south."

"In this battle, I will annihilate all 60,000 Chu soldiers, capture Xuyi in one fell swoop, and kick open the eastern gate of Huainan!"

When the order was passed down, all the generals were excited and eager to fight.

It seemed like the first victory in the southern expedition, a great achievement was just around the corner.

There was only one person in the corner, stroking his white beard, standing still like a mountain, with no emotion on his face.

"Wenhe, if you have any objections, speak up!"

Cao Cao looked at Jia Xu with a hint of vigilance in his eyes.

Recalling the two previous disastrous defeats in the southern expeditions, this poisonous scholar had actually given him warnings, but he did not take them seriously at the time.

Now seeing Jia Xu's expression, he couldn't help but become alert.

Since Cao Cao asked, Jia Xu could only cough a few times and said:
"I simply feel that although Zhang Fei is a common man, he is not entirely a reckless man with courage but no strategy."

"Besides, Liu Bei has always been good at employing people. If he knew Zhang Fei was a reckless man, he would have assigned wise men to offer him advice. How could he dare to let him lead an army alone?"

"If that's the case, Zhang Fei, knowing full well that the enemy outnumbers us, still had the audacity to march north to Xuyi to meet the enemy. Could it be that he was confident in his actions?"

As soon as these words were spoken, a chill quietly passed through Cao Cao's back.

Xiao He!

This name, which made him hate it to the point of gnashing his teeth and yet was also deeply fearful of it, instantly flashed through his mind.

What if Liu Bei arranged Xiao He to assist Zhang Fei?
That’s Xiao He.

The wisdom of one person is worth a hundred thousand soldiers!

It was not the first time Liu Bei had done this kind of thing. He confronted him himself, but secretly sent Xiao He to launch a surprise attack.

Isn’t the loss of Wancheng a lesson for us?
Cao Cao paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, pondering deeply.

Xun You and other counselors did not dare to say a word, and did not dare to instigate Cao Cao to fight or not.

Jia Xu’s reminder was correct. In the same army, the combat effectiveness would be completely different with or without Xiao He.

Who among them dares to guarantee that Xiao He is not in Zhang Fei's army?
Who could have guessed what tricks and schemes Xiao He would have come up with if he were in Zhang Fei's army to make Zhang Fei feel safe and secure?

As Cao Cao paced, his mind was rapidly calculating various possibilities.

The number of Chu troops, the terrain on the east bank of the Si River, the possible movements of the Chu navy...

After going through everything, Cao Cao really couldn't think of any strategy that could allow Zhang Fei to defeat the strong with the weak in a head-on confrontation on such a flat plain?

One hundred thousand versus sixty thousand, a full forty thousand troop advantage.

What's more, his Wei army still has nearly 5,000 cavalry!

His soldiers are all elite and brave men from the north!
In terms of military strength, military types, and the combat effectiveness of the soldiers, our army has an overwhelming advantage, but it can be said that it has a huge advantage.

In this situation, what kind of strategy can turn the tide?
After weighing the pros and cons for a long time, Cao Cao suddenly stopped. The fear on his face had disappeared, leaving only domineering confidence.

"One hundred thousand versus sixty thousand, the advantage is mine!"

"Even if Xiao He, that demon, is here, I don't believe he can use conspiracy and trickery to turn the tide in the face of my absolute strength!"

"My orders remain unchanged. One hundred thousand troops will break camp and march south. I will defeat Zhang Fei and flatten Xuyi in one fell swoop!"

(End of this chapter)