The Three Kingdoms: Rise to Power Starting with Intercepting Liu Bei

Just two days after Qin Xuan finished assigning the task of stockpiling grain and preparing for war, Cao Cao, who had escaped, led Cao Ren's army, which they had encountered on the way, back to Xin County.

If he doesn't conquer Nanyang County and eliminate Zhang Xiu this time, he won't be able to quell his hatred.

But when the army arrived outside Xinxian City, the scene before him surprised him slightly.

The city gates were tightly shut, and the soldiers on the city walls were on high alert, as if they had known all along that he would bring a large army back to fight. Moreover, they were flying Liu Biao's banners, with no sign of Zhang Xiu's army. This aroused Cao Cao's suspicion.

Could it be that Zhang Xiu has already defected to Liu Biao, and that Liu Biao orchestrated all of this behind the scenes?

"Cao Ren, haven't our scouts discovered that this place has already been occupied by Liu Biao?"

Cao Cao turned to Cao Ren beside him and asked, "Ever before the army set off, Cao Cao had sent out a large number of scouts to scout out the situation at breakneck speed, for fear that Zhang Xiu and his men would escape."

"I don't know, my lord. Our scouts haven't returned yet. I think they must have been wiped out by them."

It wasn't until Cao Cao inquired about the situation that Cao Ren realized that none of the scouts he had sent out had returned.

"What? Not a single one came back?"

Cao Cao's eyes widened in disbelief. It was a dereliction of duty that such an important situation had only been discovered now.

Cao Cao was so angry that he was about to scold Cao Ren.

"My lord, there's something going on on the city wall!" Cao Ren suddenly exclaimed, pointing at the city wall of Xin County, thus diverting Cao Cao's attention.

A general holding a long spear appeared on the city wall; it was none other than Cai Mao, sent by Liu Biao.

"Lord Cao, I am Cai Mao, a general of Jingzhou. Zhang Xiu has disappeared, and Nanyang County has returned to the jurisdiction of Governor Liu. I hope you will withdraw your troops quickly, or don't blame us for being impolite."

"As long as Cao Cao retreats ten miles, we will immediately deliver the coffins of Cao Cao's subordinates who died in battle not long ago."

Cao Cao, who was below the city, was furious when he heard this. He had already guessed that Liu Biao was behind this. Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that Zhang Xiu could just disappear like that? He must have been hidden by Liu Biao.

"Cai Mao, if you know what's good for you, hand over Zhang Xiu right now, or don't blame me for launching an attack on the city!"

"All troops, listen up! Prepare!"

Seeing that Cao Cao was about to blindly order an attack on the city, Cao Ren, who was standing nearby, quickly advised him:

"My lord, please reconsider! We haven't prepared siege equipment yet, and the enemy has been waiting in ambush and is already well-prepared for defense. If we attack rashly, we will suffer heavy losses!"

"Cao Ren, prepare to attack!"

However, Cao Cao ignored him and roared angrily at Cao Ren, still ordering the entire army to attack the city.

"Here you go!"

Seeing that Cao Cao was blinded by anger, Cao Ren had no choice but to hide his grievances and carry out Cao Cao's military orders.

"All troops, listen to my command: Attack!"

Cao Ren drew his long sword and pointed it forward with all his might, giving the order to attack the city.

"Waaaaah!"

As the bugle calls for attack sounded, large numbers of infantrymen carrying makeshift ladders charged forward under the cover of shield bearers, while countless archers unleashed a barrage of arrows, providing fire support for the infantry's assault on the city.

When Cai Mao on the city wall saw that Cao Cao had ordered an attack on the city without any hesitation, he immediately ordered the defending soldiers to counterattack.

In an instant, the air in Xin County was filled with the deafening sounds of battle as soldiers from both sides clashed over this inconspicuous little town!

The fierce battle lasted for two hours. Seeing the heavy casualties of his soldiers due to the lack of large siege equipment, Cao Cao ordered his army to retreat ten miles to set up camp and quickly manufacture siege equipment using materials found on the spot.

The brief peace lasted until nightfall. The military tent was brightly lit by candlelight, but Cao Cao sat at his desk deep in thought, showing no signs of drowsiness.

Cao Ren lifted the tent flap and walked in, only to find that Cao Cao hadn't rested yet. He couldn't help but ask:

"My lord, it's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?"

"Cao Ren, pass on the order: the army will attack the city at dawn!"

Upon hearing Cao Ren's voice, Cao Cao uttered a cold remark that surprised the other party.

I love Niuwogu says: Read this book!

"My lord, this may not be a good idea. The brothers are exhausted after a long march and a daytime siege. If we attack at night, their morale may waver!"

Cao Ren cautiously advised that fighting while exhausted is a major taboo in military strategy. Soldiers who do not get proper rest may cause a mutiny. Moreover, night raids are fraught with difficulties and could even result in friendly fire incidents.

Large-scale nighttime sieges will not occur unless absolutely necessary.

"Cao Ren, I know what you're saying, but we must act quickly. If we wait for Liu Biao's reinforcements to arrive, it will be too late."

"Tell the soldiers that after we capture Xinxian, I will let them enjoy themselves for two days and two nights, and everything in the city will be theirs!"

A cruel smile crept across Cao Cao's lips.

Typically, after a city falls, the commander will issue an order for his soldiers to burn, kill, and plunder indiscriminately within the city. This is to relieve the stress on the tense soldiers and also serves as a form of motivation, inspiring their high morale.

"Here you go!"

Cao Ren immediately bowed in agreement and quickly withdrew from Cao Cao's military tent.

Time quickly passed to the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), the night was at its darkest, and there was not a trace of moonlight in the sky. Cao Cao's army moved silently in the darkness, and the huge army formation did not make the slightest sound. In order to prevent the armor from making noise during the movement, Cao Cao also ordered everyone to remove their armor and go into battle lightly equipped.

As the army slowly moved to within 500 meters of the city, Liu Biao's soldiers on the city wall failed to notice anything unusual.

"Cao Ren, order the attack! We must capture Xin County before dawn!"

"Here you go!"

Subsequently, a large number of boulders were continuously hurled at the city walls by catapults. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Cao Ren led a large number of troops to launch a fierce attack, quickly setting up siege ladders to climb and fight.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Huge boulders crashed down on the city walls, killing many soldiers who were still sound asleep before they could even understand what was happening. A few others, seeing the boulders falling from the sky, were awakened and scattered to escape, forgetting to resist.

In less than a minute, more and more Cao army soldiers climbed up the siege ladders. The defending soldiers then realized that it was a night attack by Cao Cao's army and had no time to organize an effective counterattack. As more Cao army reinforcements arrived, the city walls of Xinxian had already been captured by Cao Cao's army.

Within minutes, the heavy city gates of Xinxian were opened from the inside by Cao Cao's soldiers.

"Charge!"

Seeing the gates of Xin County wide open, Cao Cao was overjoyed and led his troops into Xin County.

Cai Mao, who was still asleep, was awakened by the sudden shouts of battle. He knew that Cao Cao's army must be attacking the city at night. Without saying a word, he led the few dozen personal guards who were still in the county government office and fled Xin County on horseback through the north gate, which had not yet been occupied, and rushed to Wancheng overnight.

After all, that was the capital of Nanyang, with high walls and thick walls, and a much larger army stationed there than in Xinxian.

When Cao Cao arrived at the Xin County government office with his men, Cai Mao had already fled with his men, leaving only four coffins on the open ground in front of the government office.

Cao Cao stared blankly at the four coffins in front of him, his face filled with unspeakable grief, his eyes already brimming with tears. He slowly walked to the coffins and reached out his trembling hand to stroke the cold coffins, his heart filled with endless guilt and sorrow.

"Fengxiao, Ang'er, it's all my fault. Rest in peace, I will definitely avenge you!"

Cao Cao spoke slowly, his voice trembling with emotion.

If he hadn't been so overconfident and trusting of Zhang Xiu, and hadn't failed to bring enough guards to the banquet, the current situation wouldn't have arisen.

Cao Ren, who was standing to the side, was already in tears. When he saw Cao Cao's appearance, he felt a pang of pain in his heart and couldn't help but say, "My lord, please accept my condolences."

Cao Cao nodded, his voice choked with emotion, but tears still streamed down his face.

He stood before the coffin, and after what seemed like an eternity, he slowly wiped away his tears. Forcing back his grief, he said to Cao Ren, "Cao Ren, transport their coffins back to Chang'an. We will hold a grand funeral when we return!"

Cao Ren nodded and said, "Yes, my lord."

Cao Cao then added, "At the same time, he ordered Xun Yu to send a large army to Nanyang as quickly as possible."

"I will use the blood of the people of Nanyang to appease their spirits in heaven!"