In the sixth year of Jian'an,

Autumn, early July.

Yangzhou, Jiujiang, Shouchun.

Shouchun was originally the place where Yuan Shu founded his capital. Later, Chu Feng moved the capital to Hefei. Shouchun is less prosperous than before, but it is much more lively than many cities.

No matter what, it was Chu Feng's original base camp, and all business travelers traveling there and back had to pass through Shouchun. It was a good place to control the north and south.

Earlier, after the Chu army retreated across the board, Chu Feng set Shouchun as the largest capital before the war, preparing to defend Cao Yuan's march south, and at the same time prepare a counterattack.

As a result, martial law was imposed throughout Shouchun both inside and outside the city.

The streets and alleys are full of soldiers patrolling back and forth. They are heavily guarded. Except for the people who originally lived in the city, all other people coming and going are strictly investigated.

Just at the city gate, we checked one by one and everything was detailed to prevent anyone from sneaking into Shouchun.

At this moment, inside the general's mansion in the city.

Chu Feng was studying the art of war. As for the earlier withdrawal, he did not take it to heart. How could the general care about the gains and losses of a city or a place, let alone the devastated Central Plains.

They avoided the edge for a while, just to take down the entire Han Dynasty in one go. But the facts proved that Wuhuan's hometown suffered heavy losses, and almost all the Xiongnu's hometown was occupied.

It can be said that Wuhuan of the Xiongnu has become useless, but Kirby Neng, due to these two waves of blood-sucking, has grown stronger and stronger on the grassland and has become the strongest lineage of Xianbei.

On the left and right sides, Tian Fengju, Jia Xu and other great talents of the time were handling government affairs.

"Lord, urgent news from Yizhou!"

Fa Zheng came quickly, showing a dignified expression

"Yizhou? Cao's army has taken another step forward?" Chu Feng slowly put down the military book in his hand and asked in surprise, because he had just received news recently that Cao's army had occupied Fucheng and defeated Liu Zhang's reinforcements.

At that time, Chu Feng was a little surprised, because Cao Cao was indeed not slow, so he had to send an order to Xu Shu to look at Yizhou.

Fazheng shook his head, clenched his fists and said, "Cao Cao sacrificed the lives of the people of Yizhou to force Liu Zhang. Liu Zhang was forced to jump off a building and die. The entire Yizhou fell into Cao Cao's hands."

As he finished speaking, Chu Feng's brows furrowed slightly.

"What? Cao Cao captured the entire Yizhou so quickly?" Chu Feng's voice was a bit angry: "Damn it, this Liu Jiyu is really a useless person."

"There are at least 100,000 elite soldiers in Yizhou, but Cao Cao completely captured it in less than a month? Even if there are 100,000 pigs, it won't be like this!"

Chu Feng was furious and shouted angrily.

Mainly because he hated Liu Zhang for failing to live up to his expectations. He had asked him to go north with him earlier, so that he could cope with it easily. If he had not listened, he would have deserved what he ended up with today.

"Lord, this is definitely not good news!"

"There are 100,000 soldiers and millions of people in Yizhou. Cao Cao's taking this place is like adding more wings to a tiger. Moreover, the land of Sichuan and Shu is the same as the land of the Four Passes. It is easy to defend but difficult to attack."

"Right now, Cao Cao only needs to station troops at Yufu Pass, Wuguan, and Tongguan. He can march eastward or southward at any time. On the other hand, our army can only defend passively!"

Jia Xu's eyebrows were gloomy and he said solemnly.

Mainly, he didn't expect Cao Cao to capture Yizhou so quickly. You know, Xu Shu had already advanced towards Yizhou and was ready to take control of Yizhou at any time.

Chu Feng frowned and thought deeply. Historically, it took Liu Bei and his men several years to capture Yizhou, but Cao Cao was so quick. Although Cao Cao's army was strong and he had the emperor as a bargaining chip.

But the speed was unexpected.

"Since we have lost, there is no need to overthink it!" Chu Feng raised his hand, and then said in a deep voice: "The new occupation of Yizhou is unstable, we can use it, and also send an order to Xu Shu to station troops in the west to prevent Cao's army from advancing eastward."

"No!" Jia Xu nodded in agreement.

"My lord, I have something unclear. The autumn harvest is about to begin, but Yuan Shao and the Wuhuan Xiongnu still did not retreat. You must know that both the Wuhuan Xiongnu suffered heavy losses."

"They are still stationed in Puyang. You know, more than 100,000 war horses cost a lot of money every day, but Yuan Shao is willing to keep them. I'm worried that they are trying to do something!"

Jushou stroked his beard at this moment and said in a deep voice.

He had stayed under Yuan Shao for a long time and knew Yuan Shao well. It was definitely not a good idea for him to retain the Wuhuan Xiongnu at this moment.

Hearing Ju Suo's words, Jia Xu also looked solemn. He was also confused. Yuan Shao had neither warships nor naval officers. Why did he station troops in Puyang?

"Yuan Shaoqiu is just a grasshopper! I'm afraid he is unwilling to let the Wuhuan Xiongnu go back, because once they go back, it will be difficult for these two troops to come back!"

"What's more, even if he wants to take action, our army relies on the Huaihe River and there are naval forces running rampant. Yuan's army cannot cross the river at all, so there is no need to panic!"

Chu Feng waved his hand and didn't think much about it.

Several people nodded. It is true that it is difficult for Yuan's army to cross the river. The soldiers will block the water and cover up the soil. Even if they have the ability to cross the river, Chu's army will not be afraid.

"Okay, the most urgent task now is the autumn harvest."

"Keep an eye on officials from various places to ensure that the autumn grain harvest is stable. In addition, we have to find ways to further stimulate the economy." Chu Feng waved his hand. Although he felt unhappy after losing Yizhou, the deal was already done and there was no point in being angry.

"No!" Tian Feng, Jia Xu and others all nodded in agreement.

"By the way, my lord, according to Chang'an's detailed reply, Guishan's 200,000 reinforcements have still arrived in Chang'an and are still being organized. Among them are about 100,000 cavalry and 100,000 infantry. In addition, Cao Jun seems to be cutting down wood, bamboo and other materials everywhere along the Yellow River.

, seems to be used to build boats, I doubt they have anything else that I haven't thought of!" Jia Xu elaborated with a somewhat puzzled expression.

"Build a boat?" Chu Feng was stunned for a moment,

He knew that Cao Cao was a man and could not build a boat for no reason. In combination with Yuan's army, he had not retreated yet, which not only made Chu Feng wary.

Immediately he strode to the map on the side, pointed his finger at Chang'an, and then squinted at the Yellow River water system. There were countless branches along the way. However, Chu Feng looked at several water systems such as Honggou and couldn't help but shrink his pupils. Tian Feng and others next to him also shrank.

His brows furrowed slightly, and he obviously saw the place Chu Feng pointed at, the chasm. It was said to be the place where the overlord Xiang Yu drew his bow and shot Liu Bang.

Chu Feng pointed his fingers at the gap,

"What a great Cao Cao. No wonder Yuan Shao still hasn't retreated. No wonder Guishang still came to Chang'an after our army withdrew from the Central Plains. It seems that he wants to gather a large number of troops and fight me to the death!" Chu Feng's voice was cold, Huang He could

It enters Honggou, and Honggou can turn into Langtang Canal, and Langtang Canal can merge into Huaihe River like Yingshui River. It is completely a waterway.

"My lord, Cao Cao only has a small naval force, is it possible that he still expects to come by boat? Our navy will not be killed by him then?" Xu Chu raised his eyebrows, somewhat not understanding what Chu Feng meant.

"No, this waterway is used to transport food and grass. Otherwise, Cao Cao's base camp Chang'an is thousands of miles away, and logistics would be absolutely impossible. Therefore, he can only supply food and grass to the army through the waterway." On the side, Jia Xu stroked his beard.

He answered and nodded in approval. Otherwise, it would not be possible to explain why Yuan Shao still persisted. He must have been working in cahoots with Cao Cao.

"So, Cao and Yuan's coalition forces will come to kill again?" Xu Chu frowned.

"Of course, it will be soon, otherwise they wouldn't have kept the Kushan Wuhuan and other troops." Fazheng also nodded and narrowed his eyes.

"After the autumn harvest." Chu Feng suddenly spoke and judged: "Cao Cao is waiting for the autumn grain. It is estimated that after the autumn grain is harvested, he should launch this round of attacks."

"Hey, when the soldiers come, they will cover up the water and the earth. What's more, our army's naval divisions are crossing the rivers and lakes. Even if Cao's army comes to kill, they can only stare at it, and then they will only lose money and food." Xu Chu scratched his head with a careless expression.

As soon as these words came out, everyone hesitated again.

Xu Chu is right. Why are they coming again? Is it just that they have more money and food?

But then, several people tensed up and shouted in unison: "Is Cao Cao waiting for the dry season?"

Chu Feng nodded and said in a deep voice: "It should be so. The dry season starts every autumn and ends before the following summer. During this period, the water flow in lakes and rivers is the smallest. I think Cao Cao is preparing to use the dry season to complete a wave of attacks, and he

The purpose of the attack is probably Hefei."

Everyone nodded, a little shocked.

Unexpectedly, Cao Cao actually planned to capture Hefei.

You must know that across the Huaihe River is Shouchun, and to the south is Hefei. Chu Feng's economic lifeline is almost all between the Huaihe River and the Yangtze River Basin. If it is destroyed, it will be like cutting off an arm.

"Damn it, this old boy Cao Cao is so vicious that he actually wants to capture Hefei?" Xu Chu cursed, a little annoyed.

"My lord, Cao Cao's newly captured Yizhou is a victorious army, and his power has expanded. I am afraid that he has no less than 250,000 soldiers and horses. In addition to Guishang's 200,000 soldiers and horses, Cao Cao's side alone has

More than 400,000 troops and horses,

There are more than 200,000 troops on Yuan Shao's side plus the Wu-Huan Xiongnu coalition. Add the two sides together, and the number is no less than 700,000 troops." Fazheng swallowed and said in a deep voice.

Tian Feng also nodded and said: "Lord, it doesn't matter if we only have an army of 700,000, but Cao Cao can send troops from Yizhou to capture Nanjun, or he can send troops from Wuguan to capture the hinterland of Nanyang.

Or we can send troops from Tongguan south to capture the northern part of Nanyang, or we can directly mass the army in the Huaihe River Basin. Our army needs to be fortified everywhere, and our troops are stretched thin!"

"My lord, Tian Feng is right. There are too many points that our army needs to fortify. I suggest that Lu Su and others can retreat from Yecheng and garrison and fortify at Wancheng to prevent Cao's army from making a surprise attack at Wuguan.

At the same time, you can send a general to Wu County, Yiling and other places to set up defenses to prevent Cao's army from coming from Yizhou. On the eastern front, let Huang Zhong guard Xiapi, and our army will use all its strength to guard the Huaihe River."

Jia Xu also suggested solemnly.

Listening to Tian Feng Jia Xu's suggestion, Chu Feng frowned slightly. As a result, he was indeed somewhat passive, and once he crossed the river to attack Hefei during the dry season, his foundation would be damaged.

Thinking of this, Chu Feng said gloomily: "Cao Cao's plan is really good. He uses the dry season to force our army to fight them decisively, otherwise Hefei will not be safe once we cross the river!"

"If we use the Huaihe River Divine Punishment, our army will need to invest a lot of troops, and the gain will outweigh the losses." As he spoke, Chu Feng clenched his iron fists tightly.

"My lord, what do you think?"

Jia Xu stroked his beard, looked at Chu Feng and asked.

After all, the situation is not optimistic at the moment. I thought that we could break the situation by retreating in order to advance. Unexpectedly, Cao Cao teamed up with Yuan Shao to prepare to pursue the victory.

I really don’t know whether to live or die.

Chu Feng frowned and did not speak, but fell into deep thought.

On the side, Fazheng hesitated slightly and said: "Lord, the coalition army is mighty, with millions of soldiers and horses, but each has its own agenda. We might as well try a divorce plan!"

"How to separate?" Chu Feng asked with raised eyebrows.
To be continued...