Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny
Chapter 67: Hit with one punch to avoid the punch coming
Chapter 67: One Punch to Avoid a Hundred
Cao Yan felt a little relieved when he saw the young and strong men from Qingzhou who were eager to join the army in the camp.
The process of screening new recruits and compiling military households lasted for three full days, and ultimately a total of 24,000 new soldiers were recruited.
In fact, there were still many people who wanted to join the army, but Cao Yan did not blindly expand enrollment.
Cao Cao was recruiting soldiers from Yangzhou, but his camp was bombed halfway, which left Cao Yan with lingering fears.
The quality of soldiers is more important than their quantity. Only by developing them steadily can you gain points steadily.
The next morning, Cao Cao summoned all his advisers to the hall to discuss matters.
Cao Cao first asked his chief advisor Xi Zhicai, "Zhicai, have you gotten any information about Yuan Shu's troops?"
"Cough cough..." Xi Zhicai was about to speak, but suddenly he felt that he couldn't breathe and couldn't help coughing violently.
For several months, Xi Zhicai has been fighting with the army and making suggestions. The living conditions are difficult, and coupled with excessive brain work, his already weak body is becoming increasingly unable to support it.
Cao Cao felt very distressed when he saw this.
While patting Xi Zhicai on the back, he said, "Zhicai, I will let Fengxiao be my military advisor for this expedition. You just stay in the city and take care of your health."
Xi Zhicai was not the kind of person who sought credit for others' success, and Guo Jia was also his good friend, so he nodded and said, "Thank you for your concern, my lord... Feng Xiao has always been a man of cunning strategies, and I can rest assured that he will be able to offer you advice."
Although Guo Jia is not a decent person in his daily life, he is still very reliable when it comes to such critical issues of right and wrong.
Seeing Cao Cao looking towards him, Guo Jia bowed and said, "I will definitely live up to my lord's expectations!"
After Guo Jia finished responding, Xi Zhicai began to discuss the military intelligence he had gathered. "My lord, our spies report that Yuan Shu's army has marched out in full force from Yingchuan County towards Chenliu County. They are expected to enter Chenliu County in three to five days. From what he's said, he seems to be planning to abandon Nanyang and focus on capturing Yanzhou."
"Has Zhang Mengzhuo made any moves?" Cao Cao still had a glimmer of hope for Zhang Miao, which made Cao Yan couldn't help but shake his head secretly.
Cao Cao didn't know that Zhang Miao received the secret letter from Chen Gong almost at the same time as Yuan Shu.
In the letter, Chen Gong advised Zhang Miao not to stop Yuan Shu's army, and even hoped that he would turn against Yuan Shu and help him attack Cao Cao.
However, Zhang Miao still did not trust the Yuan family, especially the Yuan brothers, so he finally chose to keep his troops in place and did not choose to directly rebel against Cao Cao.
Xi Zhicai replied, "Zhang Mengzhuo has his troops stationed in Yongqiu, and there are no signs of him mobilizing his forces. I think he wants to stay out of this and not help either side."
Cao Cao's heart sank, and he pondered to himself, "Could it be true, as Zi'an said, that Zhang Mengzhuo and I have become estranged?"
Lao Cao felt a little uncomfortable.
When he first started his rebellion in Chenliu, Zhang Miao gave him a lot of help.
The two who were once as close as brothers and could be trusted with their families have now gradually become strangers.
"Forget it, as long as he doesn't rebel openly, let him go." Cao Cao still remembered their old friendship.
Xi Zhicai continued, "News has come from Dunqiu that the Black Mountain army led by Bai Rao and Sui Gu, along with the Southern Xiongnu, have bypassed Liyangjin, crossed the river, and headed south. They must be planning to join forces with Yuan Shu and capture Yanzhou."
The Black Mountain Army and the Southern Xiongnu were previously defeated by Cao Cao in Dongjun, but due to Cao Cao's insufficient military strength, he was unable to completely wipe them out.
In the past year, Dongjun has been trying every possible way to seduce the people of the Black Mountain Army, making the leaders of the Black Mountain Army hate Cao Cao even more.
As soon as they heard that Yuan Shu was going to attack Cao Cao, the Black Mountain Army immediately clung to Yuan Shu and attempted to take revenge.
"Yuan Shu, Tao Qian, the Black Mountain Army, the Southern Xiongnu... the situation is becoming increasingly unfavorable to me." Cao Cao pondered for a moment, then turned to Cao Yan and asked, "Zi'an, how many soldiers have you recruited in the prisoner camp?"
"A total of more than 24,000 people were recruited. Excluding those who were pessimistic about our army's victory and those without families, it was not easy to get more than 20,000 people." Cao Yan replied.
Cao Yan's approach was indeed more prudent. After all, the painful lesson of Cao's near death in the chaos of the army when his camp was blown up halfway was still fresh in his mind.
Cao Cao nodded slightly and said, "It's indeed not easy, but those who are single but want to join our army cannot be turned away."
Having said that, Cao Cao looked at Xun Yu and said, "Wenruo, you should arrange these single people to Dongyu, Dongwuyang and other places, and integrate them into the various armies." "My lord, I understand!" Xun Yu accepted the order.
Those who have families to care about will not easily rebel for the sake of their families, and their cohesion will naturally be stronger.
Singles were mixed into other armies, and with so few people they naturally couldn't cause any trouble.
"Since the Black Mountain Army wants to join forces with Yuan Shu, there must be a point where they meet." Cao Cao looked at the map and asked everyone, "Where do you think Yuan Shu will station his troops?"
Cao Yan blurted out immediately: "Fengqiu!"
"Fengqiu?" Cao Cao looked at the map, pondered for a moment, then nodded. "This place is backed by the Grand Canal and faces the Pu River to the south. Relying on the waterway hub of Junyi (later Kaifeng), it can quickly transport and store food and fodder. It's indeed a good place for a garrison."
Xi Zhicai added, "Fengqiu, Suanzao, and Kuangcheng! These three places should be where the Black Mountain Army and Yuan Shu's army are stationed."
Xun Yu also said at this time: "Yuan Shu chose to attack during the autumn harvest season, hoping to harvest grain locally and replenish the baggage. Therefore, we cannot allow Yuan Shu's army to enter Dongjun. We must defeat him in Chenliu County."
"Yuan Shu has sent all his troops here, obviously he wants to abandon Nanyang which is surrounded on all sides. Then why don't we store our forces in Puyang and Dingtao and trap him to death in Chenliu." Bao Xin, however, insisted on avoiding the enemy's attack and delaying Yuan Shu to death.
Bao Xin's advice is also mature and prudent.
Cao Cao stood up and paced back and forth, seemingly lost in thought.
At this moment, Cao Yan suddenly said, "There's something I want to say, but I don't know whether I should say it or not..."
Cao Cao looked at him and said with a smile, "What tricks do you have?"
Cao Yan said, "A great man once said, 'Strike the first blow to prevent a hundred blows.' If we don't demonstrate a certain level of resolve and skill, and instead simply defend and avoid battle, who knows how many will think we're easy prey and attack us!"
"Well said!" Guo Jia clapped his hands in praise.
"Zi'an has grasped the essence of military strategy!" Xi Zhicai also nodded in approval.
"Haven't you always advocated being as steady as an old dog? Why are you suddenly going against your usual behavior and wanting to use drastic measures?" Cao Cao asked curiously.
"I am adapting to local conditions and making clever military moves!" Cao Yan defended.
"That's right!" Xun Yu also said, "If we hide in front of Yuan Shu, Yuan Benchu will also regard us as mediocre and cowardly. Xuzhou's Tao Qian will also think that Yanzhou is profitable. The people who surrender to us may also worry about their future and surrender and then rebel again!"
"This battle must be fought with lightning speed! Not only must we crush their morale, but we must also make sure those around them no longer dare to covet Yanzhou!"
"What's the plan?" Cao Cao looked at Cao Yan and asked.
Cao Yan pointed to Kuangcheng and said, "Yuan Shu is coming with a large army, so he must think we dare not fight.
As the art of war says, attack the enemy unexpectedly and where they are least prepared!
We will do the opposite and strike first!"
Cao Cao's eyes were blazing as he said, "Excellent! I will personally lead the troops and command the central army! Who dares to serve as the vanguard?"
Before he finished speaking, Zhao Yun stepped forward and said, "My lord, I am willing to be the vanguard."
Although Zhao Yun was only seventeen years old, he had a strong body and an imposing appearance. In addition, he had superb martial arts skills and had become the most powerful general in Cao's camp!
Since he joined, Cao Cao has never had to worry about killing generals and breaking formations on the battlefield.
Cao Cao not only gave the best war horses to Zhao Yun, but also gave priority to making excellent armor and weapons for the Flying Dragon Cavalry.
Cao Cao's preference for Zhao Yun was obvious to all, which made clan generals such as Cao Ren and Cao Chun jealous.
The Flying Dragon Cavalry has the best equipment and war horses in Cao Ying.
Coupled with Zhao Yun's outstanding cavalry leadership and strong personal strength,
They have become Cao Cao's most invincible weapon on the battlefield!
"With Zilong charging forward to break through the formation, I have no worries!"
(End of this chapter)
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