Shu Han Confucian General of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 280 A Heavy Loss and a Feather

"Zhang Liao is here!"

"Eat me with a knife!"

Accompanied by these two shouts, Zhang Liao's silver spear and Gao Lan's broadsword slashed at Xu Huang who was leading the charge.Unexpectedly, the latter didn't seem to care, and directly swung the big ax in a circle towards Zhang Gao and Zhang Gao, but ignored the weapons they handed to him.Zhang Liao and Gao Lan were shocked, but it was obviously not the time to die with Xu Huang, so they crossed their weapons to block the move.

Xu Huang didn't bring many people, and generally there were no more than ten thousand people.After touching Zhang Liao and Gao Lan and leaving, Xu Huang hurriedly led the men he brought across the battlefield, rushing to Zhang Jaw by the Luoshui River.Zhang Liao and Gao Lan hurriedly stopped them, but their army formation stretched wide from north to south, but weak from east to west.As a result, the two were unable to stop immediately.

"Junyi, something is wrong. General Cao has already been defeated and returned to Hulao Pass. If we don't meet up with him as soon as possible, I'm afraid we will be outflanked and wiped out by Liu Bei!" news told him.Zhang Jaw was also very surprised when he heard it, but then he looked at Xu Huang and exclaimed: "Why Gongming, you only have so few people left?"

"I'll talk about this matter later, right now I'd better find a way to get back to Hulao Pass!" Xu Huang gritted his teeth, and while commanding the army to cross the river, they stopped Zhao Feng, Zhang Liao and others by themselves.At this time, Zhang Jai and Xu Huang joined forces, and there were more than 5 troops.Zhao Feng, Zhang Liao and others brought only about 8 people.Although he has a slight advantage, it is still difficult to completely crush his opponent.However, they seem to have no ambition here, but strive to eliminate Cao Jun's vital forces as much as possible.And after Zhang Jaw and Xu Huang himself crossed the river, Cao Jun's fighting spirit was clearly vented. There were more than 5 Cao troops, and only less than [-] people crossed the river with the two of them.

"Why did Xu Huang come here?" After the battle, Gao Lan also asked hastily.After everyone looked at each other, Zhao Feng said speculatively: "I think it's probably because Xu Huang sent scouts to detect Cao Hong's fiasco, so he came up to meet Zhang Jaw and retreat back to Hulao Pass. It's a pity that Cao Hong was stopped, but not Xu Huang. Otherwise, neither of these two can escape."

"General, why should you blame yourself? This battle has annihilated nearly 8000 Cao's troops, which is already a great victory." Zhang Liao comforted.What they don't know yet is that Xu Huang also broke his wrist this time.After hearing the news of Cao Hong's defeat, Xu Huang immediately understood that he was in a very dangerous situation, so he could only gather more than 2 soldiers who were still able to move normally, and then went west to meet and retreat to Hulao Pass.And the remaining more than [-] soldiers who were top-heavy with diarrhea were all regarded as abandoned sons by him and left in Dazhai, Songshan.Wang Ping didn't expect Xu Huang to be so decisive, and it was too late when he ordered the pursuit.Xu Huang and Zhang Jai withdrew through Luoshui, and then went all the way north until they met Cao Hong at Hulao Pass.Adding up the soldiers and horses of the three families, there are only about [-] left.

"Now nearly half of the soldiers and horses are casualties, and Liu Bei's army is overwhelming. I think it's better to stick to the pass first and wait for King Wei's instructions!" Seeing such a situation, Cao Hong was also speechless.At this time, Tanma had already inquired clearly, and Liu Bei had basically settled the interior, so he concentrated his efforts on dealing with their troops in Henan.Cao Hong had no choice but to ask Cao Cao what to do next.Fortunately, Liu Bei did not attack with his army.He, who had just escaped from birth, was also exhausted after the battle with Xu Huang, and was forced to temporarily retreat to Xuchang to recuperate.

"The 30 Northern Expeditionary Army now has less than 20 left, and some of them are under the control of Liu Shuye and Pang Shiyuan, entrenched in Jingnan. It is estimated that after the rebellion of the two is suppressed, the loss of this attack will reach 2. Fortunately, It was Xu Huang who abandoned more than 3 people in Songshan, and captured more than [-] prisoners in the last two battles with Cao Hong and Zhang Jai. Finally, he can add a little bit. In addition, Hanzhong has been captured by Sima Yi's subordinate Guo Huai Occupied, the three counties of Longxi were also lost. General Wen Chang was in Qingzhou. Due to insufficient troops, Cao Jun captured Linzi City, and now he has retreated to Beihai. Pang Shiyuan and Liu Shuye have [-] to [-] troops, entrenched between Jingnan and Bajun There is no news about Shi Guangyuan, the governor of Jiaozhou."

In Xuchang City, Chen Qun, who had just arrived, spoke eloquently, and finally described Liu Bei's current embarrassment in detail.Lao Liu can be regarded as a person who has experienced a lot of troubles, and now he is speechless for a long time after seeing such a serious loss.The loss of Hanzhong, Longxi and half of Qingzhou made Lao Liu feel a little overwhelmed.Not only him, Zhao Feng was also extremely upset: I just left Chengdu, and you lost half of Yizhou to me.Zhuge Liang, Lu Xun, what are you eating?Anyway, I still left them about [-] troops, plus the county soldiers, why did people do it so badly so quickly?
"Since Jingnan and Berkshire are still occupied by the rebel party, and it is still in the period of national mourning, I have decided to withdraw the troops as soon as possible, first mourn for His Majesty, and wipe out the remnants of the rebels!" Liu Bei was stunned for a long time, and finally proposed this opinion.Everyone was silent when they heard the words, and there was nothing they could do about it.

A few days later in Xuchang, Liu Bei held a grand sacrificial ceremony for Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, and built a tomb for Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty.To Zhao Feng's surprise, what was buried in this tomb was the pocket blood edict brought to Liu Bei by the imperial physician Ji Ping back then.This made the funeral even more shocking.At the funeral, Liu Bei denounced Cao Cao for arbitrarily seeking power and killing the emperor.Speaking of the emotional part, Liu Bei couldn't help crying, and the soldiers and civilians who were watching also burst into tears.At the same time, news from other places also came one after another.After being convinced that Liu Bei had escaped from birth, Pang Tong and Liu Pan took the young Liu Yong and his mother Zhuge Ying hostage, and led more than [-] remnants to flee from Jingnan to Bajun. Shi Guangyuan of Jiaozhou took a boat in person Go north to see Liu Bei to plead guilty.Liu Bei demoted him to three ranks, and demoted him to Xiapi Juncheng, and Wu Ju, the former Cangwu prefect who was familiar with Jiaozhou, took over as Jiaozhou Mu.In addition, Liu Bei issued a decree, declaring that except for the six chief criminals including Pang Tong and Liu Pan, the rest of the traitors would not be questioned as long as they surrendered immediately.Under such a multi-directional and three-dimensional offensive, Liao Li, the prefect of the South China Sea, and Cui Zhouping, the prefect of Kuaiji, who were still on the sidelines, also surrendered one after another.In this way, only Pang Tong, Liu Pan and Ma Liang were left as the leaders of the rebel army.

"Right now, Pang Shiyuan is leading his army into Berkshire. I'm afraid he wants to take advantage of the emptiness in Xichuan and seize Chengdu. My lord, it's not too late. I'm afraid I have to rush back to Xichuan as soon as possible!" After Zhao Feng figured out the situation, he immediately asked Liu Bei asked for instructions.Liu Bei also knew that the situation was urgent, so before the national funeral was over, he asked Zhao Feng to lead the [-] Sichuan Army back to the army first.

Since Hanzhong was lost, Zhao Yun's troops stayed in Xuchang to assist Li Yan in guarding Yanzhou.The 6 people that Zhao Feng took away were all troops directly related to Xichuan.Excluding the battle damage, all the Sichuan troops who went out this time are already here.Before leaving, even though it was still the period of national mourning, Liu Bei personally led people to send people twenty miles outside Xuchang City. 6 horses left Xuchang, first returned to Jingxiang, and then entered Xichuan via Fuling.

Liu Bei has stabilized his heels a little now, but Cao Cao's place is still full of chicken feathers.Originally, the situation was very good, and Liu Bei had been trapped to death in Xingyang, but it was no coincidence that at this time, the emperor was suddenly killed in the outskirts of Yecheng, and he was a scapegoat that could not be taken off.And the riots and uprisings in various places have never stopped in the past month.Faced with this situation, Cao Cao had no choice but to use both kindness and power. On the one hand, he severely cracked down, and on the other hand, he comforted people.

After holding a grand funeral for the emperor, Cao Cao sent Xiahou Dun generals to quell the rebellion in Hebei, and at the same time summoned the clan ministers to prepare for the new emperor.At Cao Cao's insistence, the nine-year-old Feng Fear King Liu Shu was established as the new king, and he could ascend the throne on a good day and auspicious day.In addition, Cao Cao signaled General Xia Houdun, and Chief Secretary Nong Xunyou successively set up government offices, successively enlisted dozens of children from Hebei aristocratic families to serve as officials, and finally temporarily stabilized their positions.

However, all of this is almost nothing compared to the loss of Guanzhong and Xiahouyuan's death.Next, Cao Hong led his army back to Hebei and told him that Liu Bei had escaped from Xingyang.One after another, Cao Cao was unable to react, and finally fell ill.

After being treated by the imperial physician, Cao Cao had only rested for two days before calling everyone to discuss matters.When Cao Hong, Cao Xiu, Jia Xu and other civil and military personnel saw Cao Cao, they couldn't help being shocked.Under the blow of successive changes and failures in the past few days, Cao Cao suddenly aged a lot.What used to be just some gray hair is now almost half white.

With a smile, he signaled that everyone should not be nervous. After listening to Jia Xu's explanation of the current situation, Cao Cao also had a general understanding of the current situation. "In other words, Guanzhong has already been occupied by that kid Sima Yi?" Cao Cao said without any emotion after hearing the latest news.

"Exactly, because General Miaocai was killed in battle, Zhong Yao surrendered to the enemy, Sima Yi raised troops in Guanzhong, and now the heroes of Guanlong responded one after another. Not only that, because Zhao Botao was not in Xichuan, Hanzhong was empty, Sima Yi took the opportunity to pacify Hanzhong. Now this man Gathering the Guanzhong soldiers and horses and the Montenegro army, there are more than [-] soldiers, just like a prince!" Jia Xu said indifferently, listening carefully, there seemed to be a trace of disdain in his tone.

"Sima Yi, I underestimated him. I didn't expect him to use His Majesty's death to make a fuss." Xun You also sighed.With Xun You's wisdom and Sima Yi's reaction before and after the incident, he naturally wanted to understand the key.Cao and Liu fought a decisive battle with more than 60 troops, and each suffered heavy losses in the end, but Sima Yi took the opportunity to pacify Guanlong and Hanzhong.It is not an exaggeration to say that these two powerful men of the world were both used as guns by Sima Yi.

Unexpectedly, Cao Cao smiled when he heard the words: "With Sima Zhongda's intelligence, it is still possible to engage in conspiracies and tricks. But if you want to sit on the side and select talents and appoint talents, he is far inferior to me and Liu Bei!"

"My lord's words are true. Sima Yi just took advantage of the fact that General Xiahou sent troops to Hanzhong, and my lord fought fiercely with Liu Bei in Henan, and Zhao Botao was not even there. Now that Zhao Botao's troops are returning to Xichuan, I'm afraid he can't do anything anymore! " Jia Xu also praised.Cao Cao nodded, and immediately began to discuss a series of matters such as the succession of the new king.

In the following days, Cao Cao exploded with amazing energy.The new king succeeds to the throne, reorganizes the armament, provides for the people's livelihood, and everything is implemented in an orderly manner. "Although there is a slight drought in Hebei this year, it has nothing to do with the overall situation, so there is plenty of food and grass. It's just that in the battle of Henan, more than [-] soldiers and horses were lost. I intend to recruit [-] new recruits for the time being to replenish the soldiers' bravery."

"The newly acquired land in Qingzhou is not fertile and it is adjacent to the front line, so Yuan Rang can be ordered to develop military settlements to supplement military use!" Pointing to the area of ​​Qingzhou on the map, Cao Cao continued.

"Sili used to be the foundation of the Sima clan. Although Sima Yi is currently in Guanzhong, his foundation is still shallow. I have ordered Wen Lie to march into Hedong County and wipe out the foundation of the Sima clan!" Another place where he announces his decisions.Jia Xu and others who were listening just nodded in agreement, and asked Cao Cao if there was anything they didn't understand.

"It's just that my lord, the previous battle has consumed a lot of food and grass saved in Hebei. Now that Guanlong has been lost, there will be no food and grass in the future. What can I do?" After Cao Cao finished speaking, the chief minister Xunyou asked.The problem of food and grass has now become a new problem.

"Since the year before last, Yuan Rang has launched military settlements in Liaodong, which must be enough to solve part of the food and grass problem. Moreover, at the end of last year, Fuyu and Sanhan repeatedly violated our border. I intend to send people to attack these two places next year to solve the food and grass problem. Question." Cao Cao said without thinking.The people who were listening to the order also nodded quickly when they heard the words.

"In this battle in Henan, Liu Bei will only suffer more losses than me. But I lost Guanzhong, and Liu Bei only lost the land of Hanzhong. If this confrontation continues for a long time, Liu Bei can still restore people's livelihood, but I am beyond my power. Therefore, we need to find another way." With such a passage as a conclusion, Cao Cao also suspended his plan.At this time, the watchmen outside the door had already knocked for the first watch, and Cao Cao also asked everyone to go back to rest.

"Husband, the night is already deep. Tomorrow is the grand ceremony for the enthronement of the new king. Let's rest early!" Seeing that after everyone left, Cao Cao was still checking the latest military newspapers. Cai Wenji also felt a little distressed.

"It's okay, Wen Ji. The current situation is a bit unstable, and I still need to make all preparations. You should rest first, and I will come right away." Cao Cao laughed.Cao Cao at this time, although his hair was graying a lot, his face was very ruddy and he was full of energy, he didn't look like an old man of half a century at all.Cao Hong and the others were also very surprised at Cao Cao's good physical strength, but then they were genuinely excited.In their view, a healthy Cao Cao is enough to lead them to solve any problem.Even, the reappearance of Cao Cao's vitality means that God has favored them again.If this is the case, then everything is hoped for.

After sending Cai Wenji away, Cao Cao settled all the recent affairs, and then went to bed with a bowl of calming soup.Not long after, the sleeping Cao Cao snored.What he didn't know was that after he fell asleep, Cai Wenji beside him opened her eyes and stared at his old face with distress and worry in her eyes.

(End of this chapter)