In May of the third year of Jian'an.

Cao Cao issued an edict to the world, and on the pretext of punishing the rebels, Cao Cao mounted more than 20,000 troops, claiming to be an army of 200,000. He even personally led the three armies to attack Shouchun.

At the same time, he sent Xia Houyuan and Li Dian to lead 5,000 troops, known as an army of 50,000, to unite with the Taishan generals in the north and take Xuzhou directly.

For a time, all the princes in the world turned their attention!

————

Cao Jun marched in a hurry,

Leaving Chen State and entering the territory of Runan,

Shouchun then learned the news and hurriedly sent a message.

————

Niuzhu Jiangbei,

Lu Su looked at the urgent message from Shouchun with a gloomy brow. His worries had finally come to light. He guessed that Sun Ce would definitely ask for help after his defeat.

I just didn't expect Cao Cao to be so decisive.

The arrival of Cao Cao means that the Chu army must return to defense. Danyang and Kuaiji could have been annexed unscrupulously, but now they must shrink.

All previous efforts have been wasted, all previous efforts have been wasted!

Even after Cao Cao's soldiers invaded, Chu Feng had to come back for reinforcements. After all, almost all the elite soldiers were taken away by Chu Feng, and most of the remaining soldiers were miscellaneous soldiers. How could they be the opponents of the Qingzhou soldiers?

When Chu Feng returns to help, Sun Ce will definitely take over Wu County and regain the lost territory again!

Thinking of this, Lu Su closed his eyes and meditated.

After a long time, he wrote several letters in succession, and immediately called the messenger, and sent one to Lu Bu, asking him to send troops to attack Cao Cao's rear.

A letter was sent to Liu Biao, informing him that Xuchang was empty and asking him to attack.

Another letter was sent to Yuan Shao, explaining the pros and cons and informing him that there would eventually be a battle with Cao Cao. He could divide his troops and go south in advance to force Cao Cao to retreat.

The remaining two letters were sent to Ji Ling and Chu Feng respectively, explaining the situation and asking them to quickly lead their troops to return reinforcements.

As for himself, he immediately left his generals to guard the camp and let them fly more of his own flag.

And he took the remaining ships and thousands of troops northward along the Chaohu Lake system.

Simply pour water and dredge the Fei River, and the warships can reach the Huaihe River. Lu Su must find a way to lead his troops to stop Cao Cao in the north of Huaihe.

Otherwise, when Cao Cao crosses the Huaihe River, the people of Shouchun will surely suffer. After all, Cao Cao treats the people of other princes too cruelly.

————

Summer, mid-May.

Lu Su led 3,000 troops to station in the water village in the north of Huai River, while Qiao Rui led 5,000 troops to guard Shouchun, thus forming a rivalry to assist each other.

It's just that the troops are limited and the effect is bound to be average.

As for Ji Ling, Zhang Xun, and Le were waiting, Zhang Xun was left to guard Wanling in Danyang County, while Ji Lingle led his five thousand troops back to aid Shouchun.

Even so, the number of troops is still too small.

Excluding the garrison forces in Niuzhu, Danyang and other places, there were only 3,000 Lu Su's troops, 5,000 Qiao Rui, and 5,000 Ji Ling. The key point is that the combat strength of these more than 10,000 people is definitely not as good as Cao's army.

You must know that Qingzhou soldiers are on the field all year round. On the other hand, Yuan Shu is always arrogant and extravagant, and his soldiers also indulge in excessive sexual activities, and there is limited time for rectification.

In terms of combat power, there is no way to compare.

————

Jingzhou, Xiangyang.

After Liu Biao heard what the messenger said, he chuckled and said, "Come, please come and rest!"

After speaking, Liu Biao looked at everyone.

"Everyone, you must have heard just now that Cao Cao sent troops to Shouchun, and Chu Feng wanted me to send troops to assist. What do you think?"

Gu cooking

"My Lord, Chu Feng has only given a hundred pieces of the cloth armor he promised years ago. Isn't this deliberately deceiving us?

What's more, Sun Ce has been defeated in a row. If Chu Feng is allowed to occupy the six counties of Yangzhou, who should he target next? Cao Cao? Or the lord?

If he wants to capture Jingzhou, I ask you, who can compete with him? Will Jingzhou not be able to take control of Jingzhou by then? Liang thought that he would not be able to support him."

Kuai Liang bowed and said loudly.

After the words came out, both the civil and military officials discussed carefully, and they all agreed with Kuai Liang's words. After all, Chu Feng had great ambitions. How could he really take over the six counties of Yangzhou?

Wouldn't Jingzhou be in danger then?

Liu Biao raised his eyebrows. He knew even more clearly that he just wanted to sit firmly on the Diaoyutai. As for whether Chu Feng lived or died, it had nothing to do with him. Otherwise, when Chu Feng came to attack, he would die without a burial place.

"My lord, I think that if Cao Cao attacks this time, my lord might as well take the opportunity to march directly to Yuzhang. If the Shouchun crisis comes, Yuzhang's defense will be empty."

Another fierce general immediately suggested.

"No, this is absolutely impossible. Chu Feng and I are allies. Although we cannot assist him, if we attack his territory from behind, how will the people in the world view me, Liu Jingsheng?"

Liu Biao immediately objected. He didn't have to help, but he definitely didn't want to get involved. Of course, the most important thing is that this general is a member of the Cai family.

The Cai family suggested that Yuzhang should not be taken for a day or two. Obviously, they want to continue to expand their influence. By then, they will only become more passive.

"In this way, sending someone to send 300 crossbows and 500 swords to Yuzhang will be regarded as assistance. And there is really nothing I can do."

"Now Zhang Xian in Changsha is rebelling and self-reliant. I still need to put down the rebellion and don't have the extra troops to go north." Liu Biao felt a little hurt when he mentioned this.

Changsha Zhang Xian has high prestige in Jingnan, and he has no control over Jingnan. This time Zhang Xian rebelled, and Jingnan responded one after another.

————

Wujun, in Piling City.

It had been some time since Sun Ce withdrew his troops, and Chu Feng had only one idea at the moment: to take root in Wu County and wait for Ji Ling, Zhang Xun, Lu Su and others to encircle him.

By then, after eating away at Danyang, Kuaiji, and the isolated city of Wu County, there will naturally be no way to defend it, and he will be able to take over Yangzhou.

When the time comes to build warships, they can go directly out of the Huai River to seize the Central Plains, or they can counterattack Jingzhou and seize the eight counties of Jingxiang. When retreating, they can occupy the natural chasm of the Yangtze River and defend along the river.

This is the strategy he and Lu Su jointly decided on.

But at this moment, Liu Ye rushed over and shouted: "Lord, trouble has happened!"

Hearing the sound, Chu Feng frowned, put down the book in his hand and said in a deep voice: "Zi Yang, why are you so anxious?"

"My lord, there is a letter from Zijing. Cao Cao, Cao Cao has raised an army to invade. He has led tens of thousands of elite troops. It won't be long before the army arrives in Shouchun."

Liu Ye looked nervous,

He discussed with Chu Feng and thought about Cao Cao's invasion, but in order to capture Wu County, he chose to take a gamble, but he didn't expect Cao Cao to come so quickly.

Chu Feng’s brows stood up,

Although there were not many surprises, I could not help but feel a little angry in my heart. Cao Cao still came. Logically speaking, he should be preparing to capture Xuzhou.

"We're here after all, what do you say Zijing?" Chu Feng's voice was cold and a little irritable.

"Zijing said that Shouchun was empty and the defenders were mostly new soldiers. However, Cao Cao's Qingzhou soldiers were all elite and good at attacking fortresses, so he asked us to return to the army."

Liu Ye said in a deep voice.

"Return to the army?" Chu Feng raised his eyebrows, "What do you think?"

"My lord, Shouchun is my foundation. If Shouchun is lost, how can my lord talk about hegemony? Ye thinks that he can order a general to garrison Qu'a and return to Shouchun temporarily."

"When Cao's army retreats, our army will be in Tuwu County. This is a safe strategy!" Liu Ye cupped his fists and suggested.

"You also think we should withdraw from the army?" Chu Feng frowned.

"Lord, this is a big deal, Shouchun must not let anything go wrong." After hearing Chu Feng's words, Liu Ye was obviously a little unwilling and hurriedly persuaded him.

"Haha!" Chu Feng narrowed his eyes and sneered.
Chapter completed!