The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 341 Sudden Advances and Retreats
After that, Cao Hong changed his approach from slow to urgent.

He personally led a cavalry unit to cross the river first, and competed with the Han cavalry for the granaries along the Ying River.

The two sides soon clashed head-on in Ruyin, a key town on the Ying River.

It is worth mentioning that Runan Commandery was divided into two during the middle of Cao Pi's reign.

among them.

The area south of the Ru River was roughly designated as Runan Commandery, which is quite fitting.

This area has now been almost entirely devoured by the Ji Han Fangcheng Legion.

The county towns along both banks of the Ying River on the north bank were known as Ruyin Prefecture.

The county seat was called Ruyin.

After Luoyang changed hands, the Ying River basin became the only lifeline for Huainan to support Xuchang.

As for why Ruyin County was located on the north bank of the Ru River and even bordered the Ying River.

Then all I can say is that you shouldn't concern yourself with the river course changes in the Yellow River flood zone.

Hundreds of years ago, who among those rivers and ditches didn't have an affair?
In short, this encounter was inevitable and premeditated, and neither side was caught off guard.

But it did produce results in a very short time.

On the Wei side, General Cao Hong led from the front and, with the advantage of fighting on home ground, successfully defended the important town of Ruyin.

When the Han army first arrived, Kou Feng, one of the main generals, was also at the forefront of the battle, but unfortunately he was wounded by a stray arrow in the first charge and almost fell off his horse and died.

They were able to escape unscathed only because Wang Ping crossed the river to help them.

However, with the arrival of Cao Hong's troops, the Han cavalry's rapid southward offensive came to a halt.

After that, Cao Hong pressed his advantage and pursued the enemy. Generals Kou and Wang fought and retreated, suffering more defeats than victories.

Eventually, Xiang County, located in the middle reaches of the Ying River, was completely overtaken by Cao Hong's troops.

The surviving Han cavalry could not escape and had no choice but to retreat into Xiangcheng.

At the same time, the Baichi Weir outside the city was breached, and water was released to flood the flat land outside the city.

Cao Hong's cavalry thus came to a halt.

"The general marched a hundred miles and won several battles, which can be described as divine bravery."

"However, the Han army breached the dam in an instant, which shows that it was premeditated."

"We must be wary of the enemy general luring us deep into their territory."

Upon hearing Xin Pi's reminder, Cao Hong said solemnly:

"What Master Xin thought coincided with my own."

"I also realized long ago that Mi Wei's two cavalry units were ostensibly raiding the supply lines, but in reality, they were luring me north."

"I've been chasing him all this way, just to see what he's really up to."

"We originally planned to stop and observe when we reached the vicinity of Chen County, but we never expected that the other side would retreat to Xiang County and then stop."

"That's fine then."

"The key question is why he breached the Baichi Weir on the east side of Xiang County, instead of the Ying River embankment on the west side?"

"Is it just to slow down my march north to Yanzhou?"

Upon hearing this question, Xinpi glanced at the flat land ahead, which wasn't flooded too deeply, and was momentarily puzzled.

Let’s talk about it.

The name Baichiyan comes from Baichigou, where it is located.

Baichigou is a tributary of the upstream Langdang Canal (Shashui) branching off in Chen County.

This canal flows into the main branch of the Ying River south of Xiangcheng.

The Baichi Weir was built on the east side of the confluence of the canal and the river, where there was a lake for water storage.

in short.

From Cao Hong's current perspective, he could continue upstream along the main Ying River, heading straight to Xuchang in the northwest.

That is, the place where Wang Ling, the governor of Yuzhou, was located.

Alternatively, one could travel along the Baichigou and Langdangqu lines to the east, passing through Chenjun and Chenxian counties before entering Yanzhou to the due north.

That is, the place where Guanqiu Jian, the governor of Yanzhou, was located.

Now that the Han army has breached the Baichi Dam, it seems on the surface that they intend to prevent Cao Hong's army from quickly entering Yanzhou.

However, considering that the small lake at Baichiyan has a small water storage capacity, even in this rainy summer, it can only submerge a ring of flat land around Xiangcheng.

This kind of obstruction seems rather weak.

And more importantly.

Cao Hong's rescue of Yanzhou did not mean he was going directly to Yanzhou, did it?
Just as Mi Wei rescued Yangzhou, he turned around and attacked the neighboring Yanzhou.

Cao Hong could have continued along the main Ying River route, first relieving the siege of Xuchang, and then joining forces with Wang Ling to bolster their power.

They might then continue upstream, challenge Xuanyuan Pass, and threaten Luoyang.

Or, to be more conservative, they could change course and head towards Yanling and Weishi, then plunder Miwei's grain supply routes.

Both are viable options. Who doesn't understand the principle of "besieging Wei to rescue Zhao"?
Kou Feng and Wang Ping only blocked one side of the road, but not the other.

It gives off a perfunctory vibe, like they're only doing half the job.

Could it be that Xuchang has already laid a trap, just waiting for Cao Hong to walk right into it?

Then the logic of luring the enemy deep into our territory does hold true.

However, for a seasoned general like Cao Hong, it seemed a bit too deliberate.

After thinking for a moment, Sinpi cautiously suggested:
"Since we cannot proceed quickly to Yanzhou for the time being, why not stop temporarily and turn back to repair the grain supply route?"

"As we traveled north, the granaries along the Ying River were looted by enemy cavalry, and many were left in ruins."

“I wish to secure the rear for the general.”

"General, you should send out more scouts to gather intelligence on the enemy. It is not too late to advance north after the floodwaters recede."

In any case, securing the supply lines is always the right thing to do.

Cao Hong naturally had no objections.

sidewalk:

“Repairing the water tanks alone is not enough.”

"Previously, half of the military rations from Shouchun had been transferred south for the southern expedition."

“If we continue to requisition surplus grain to the north, unrest is bound to break out in the region.”

"Why doesn't Lord Xin secretly intercept some of the military rations that should have been sent south while transporting them north, in case of unforeseen circumstances?"

Sinpi immediately narrowed his eyes:

“Zang Ba is also a veteran general. Sooner or later he will notice that the military rations do not match the accounts. What should we do if he investigates?”

Cao Hong snorted:
"I've already given up the credit for Jiangdong, so why should I care whether they pursue it or not?"

"If he has any complaints, let him come to see me in person. I have plenty of ways to deal with him, and I will never implicate Master Xin!"

Xinpi thought for a moment and then said nothing more.

After that, Cao Hong besieged Xiangcheng and sent more scouts north to explore and make contact, etc., which will not be mentioned.

Two days later, Han spies once again unexpectedly destroyed a lake.

It is Laopi, located in the western suburbs of Chen County in the north.

As the name suggests, this lake is a reservoir with a certain capacity for flood control and drainage.

This is actually true.

There are irrigation canals on both the east and west sides of this embankment.

It connects to Baichigou on one side and Weishui, a tributary of Yingshui, on the other.

The current water storage capacity far exceeds that of the current Baichi Weir.

This decision effectively blocked most of Cao Hong's other route northward.

Now Cao Hong has even less reason to rush north.

Although I still don't quite understand Miwei's intentions.

But after several days of investigation, he had roughly figured out the situation of both sides.

Cao Hong himself temporarily assembled more than 20,000 soldiers at Xiangcheng, a strong and well-equipped force.

In the northwest, although Wang Ling was trapped in Xuchang, he was not short of food and manpower for the time being, and could continue to hold out.

To the due north, Puyang, the capital of Dongjun, has not yet fallen despite Guan Ping's siege.

However, Guanqiu Jian, the governor of Yanzhou, did not go to Dongjun to fight Guan Ping to the death.

On the contrary, after learning that Cao Hong's army was heading north, they immediately assembled their troops and went to Dingtao County in Jiyin Commandery, which is further south.

It seems they intend to get closer to Cao Hong so that they can support each other.

In this way, Cao Wei's three armies formed a subtle counter-encirclement of the Han army that had entered Chenliu (county).

What else could Cao Hong possibly worry about?

Of course, this is from the perspective of the Han army's rescue of Jiangdong.

Since Cao Hong has already ventured deep into the north and even intends to siphon off some of Zang Ba's military provisions, he has at least achieved his initial goal.

Perhaps this is the reason why Wang Pingkou was stationed in Xiang County?

Since the objective has been largely achieved, there is no intention to continue wasting troops with Cao Hong. It is better to keep a distance and live peacefully on our own.

Cao Hong had no objection to this.

Xiang County is not far from Xuchang and Yanzhou.

Even if he stays here and refuses to leave, that would be enough to explain to Yecheng.

Let them drag it out if they want.

Who is afraid of who?

(End of this chapter)