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

Chapter 352 Taking Advantage
After much thought, Cao Hong could only come up with this one possibility.

He was filled with shock and anger.

But I wasn't surprised by Miwei's wild idea.

To be honest, he's fought so many battles in his life, what kind of bizarre and outlandish tactics hasn't he seen?

This is just the same old tactic of attacking cities and filling in trenches!

However, today's attack is not a siege, but a cavalry campaign.

What truly surprised Cao Hong was...

If Miwei had planned this move long ago.

Why didn't you let Ju Fu retreat directly south and then go forward to meet him?
Wouldn't this reduce unnecessary losses and allow Ju Fu to still participate in the battle in time, preventing a temporary cavalry disadvantage?
Why did we insist on having the cavalry attack through the narrow gaps on both flanks earlier, allowing an excellent cavalry general like Niu Jin to seize the brief opening when the Han cavalry turned?
even.

Why didn't we use this tactic to launch a counterattack when our offensive faltered and we showed signs of weakness at the end of the last battle?

Why wait until today to use it?
A barrage of questions instantly filled Cao Hong's mind.

Ultimately, it pointed to the most likely answer.

Miwei was deliberately luring him into attacking.

They lured him to the south side of the tunnel, leaving him with no chance of turning back, before launching their final attack.

And this final blow.

It must happen today.

Or every day from this day forward.

As for why...

Before Cao Hong could think any further, the Han cavalry had already launched a high-speed attack from the flank.

Specifically, they attacked from the flank and rear of the Wei army at an angle.

This would reduce the risk of lateral collisions while quickly establishing a pursuit and killing posture against the Wei army.

Although the Wei army appears to have a numerical advantage.

However, because it was charging at full speed and had already "overshot the mark".

Slowing down and turning around is too late and not advisable.

They could only watch helplessly as the Han army cavalry pursued them and slaughtered them.

Just like they had previously pursued and killed Ju Fu.

Now the tables have turned.

The Han army had the advantage of surprise and its numbers had reached a certain scale.

The lethal effect is naturally more significant.

In just a short time, several hundred Wei cavalrymen fell from their horses and died.

Few people actually ran away—because there was nowhere left to escape to.

The only option left is to keep pushing forward.

Another moment passed.

Cao Hong finally arrived at the western wing of the battlefield, a relatively open area that had been filled in with ditches.

But at this point, the Wei cavalry completely lost their momentum because they had lost their target.

Ahead of them were only the Xiang Chong cavalry, who were locked in a fierce battle with Niu Jin, and the Ju Fu tribe's routed soldiers, who had completely broken away from the fight.

The former should not be rushed.

There's no need for the latter to rush.

Or it's not worth sending all your cavalry to charge.

In contrast, the three thousand Han cavalrymen were still fighting bravely in the rear, trying to inflict as many casualties as possible before the Wei army turned around.

The momentum and morale of the two sides have been reversed.

"General, should we turn south or turn around and head east?"

Wang Ling rode up to Cao Hong's side and asked in a hoarse voice.

Cao Hong subconsciously looked south.

The Han infantry has completed the encirclement of their own infantry on three sides, and victory is imminent.

However, the officers and soldiers of the Han army's front-line infantry were probably still observing the outcome of the cavalry battle behind them.

Therefore, the process is proceeding very cautiously, and the outcome has not yet been determined.

This was entirely within Cao Hong's expectations, so there's nothing to say about it.

He had no intention of going to his aid.

So he raised his whip and pointed north:
"Go around to the back from that side!"

Wang Ling looked in the direction he was pointing and immediately understood.

To the north is the direction of the passageway.

It was the direction from which the Han cavalry charged south.

It is also the location of the command platform of Mi Wei, the commander-in-chief of the Han army.

Cao Hong intended to startle the enemy general while turning around to fight back.

Perhaps a miracle can be created. The battlefield situation changes in an instant, and cavalry combat is one of the most rapidly changing.

The two made their decision and, without further thought, quickly carried it out.

Soon, the remaining Wei cavalry followed the banners of Cao and Wang's generals and turned north, heading straight for the tunnel.

If they were unaware earlier that the tunnel was already "open," then...

At this point, after paying a heavy price, there is naturally no doubt.

However, it was only a hundred or two steps south of the passageway that they arrived.

The two were astonished to find that the burly general on the platform continued to beat the drum as before, showing no intention of moving or calling for reinforcements.

Even the two or three thousand remaining guards in front of the platform were all lined up in perfect formation, as immovable as mountains.

They were not startled at all by the sudden turn of the Wei cavalry.

Although it was expected, the two were still somewhat disappointed.

At this point, there's nothing more to say except to continue the turning maneuver.

Although the passageway was "unobstructed," it was only relatively so, and noticeable pauses could still occur.

With the Han cavalry close behind, any pause would be foolish and fatal.

The best solution is to turn around and face the enemy head-on.

This difficult turn resulted in the Wei army suffering hundreds of casualties.

If we combine the previous losses, the casualties would exceed a thousand.

The advantage that the Wei army had previously gained through its rich experience has been wiped out by the Han army in a surprise attack.

Next, they could only engage in slow, chaotic battles, which were the most frustrating, agonizing, and costly for the cavalry.

This battle lasted for more than half an hour.

Both sides, whether generals or soldiers, were covered in blood as long as they were still on horseback.

Cao Hong himself was even more unfortunately struck in the arm by a stray arrow.

Even so, he continued to charge back and forth with his spear, seemingly trying to turn the tide of the war single-handedly.

Thanks to this, although the Wei cavalry suffered heavy losses, they seemed to gradually turn the tide under Cao Hong's fearless spirit.

"General, the Wei army's infantry formation is about to collapse. Should we send some infantry north to provide support?"

"Furthermore, Ju Fu just reported that his cavalry has regrouped and still has more than 1,300 riders. Should we let him return to participate in the battle?"

Zhuge Qiao stepped forward to ask Mi Wei for instructions.

By this time, the latter's hands were already sore from beating the drum.

He simply handed the drumsticks to the strongman beside him and turned around to say:

“Bosong, you said this morning that Cao Hong’s command over a distance of several miles or tens of miles was ingenious, and I wholeheartedly agree.”

"I have always believed that in terms of the art of battle and the combined use of infantry and cavalry, I am inferior to Cao Hong, and far inferior to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei."

"But no one is perfect, whether they are a person or a general. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses."

"The winner simply plays to his strengths and avoids his weaknesses."

"Just like right here and now."

"It took me months of planning and strategizing to be able to counter Cao Hong's expertise in formation tactics."

"Why would we now use our weaknesses to attack the enemy's strengths?"

"The only solution is to continue to capitalize on our strengths."

As he spoke, Mi Wei suddenly curled his lips and asked:
Do you know what I'm good at?

Before Zhuge Qiao could respond, Mi Wei had already stepped down from the platform and arrived among the personal guards of the central army below.

Then, the war drums sounded again.

That banner bearing the character "麋" (mí) had stood on the platform for most of the day, or rather, quite some time.

The first move south.

The personal guards of his central army.

Han army cavalry on the south side of the passageway.

Further south, the Han army infantry line.

Witnessing this scene, everyone became agitated.

Those who haven't yet fought are eager for battle.

Those who were locked in a stalemate rallied their spirits.

Those who gain power relentlessly pursue and kill.

At this moment, the Han soldiers scattered across the battlefield were all greatly encouraged as the general's flag was openly added to the battle.

At this moment, Mi Wei had only one thought in his mind.

The proud maternal uncle (Guan Yu) actually declared himself a renowned general under heaven at the gates of Luoyang.

Standing before the canal at Guandu, he praised his own military strategy, saying it was unique and renowned throughout the country.

It's not entirely an overestimation.

(End of this chapter)