"When I am enlightened and blinded, I may not reflect for a while, but retreat to the real world and meditate. After a long time, I will gain some understanding."
However, it was said that after Zhang Kai and his party ran for several miles, they were sure that there were no more pursuers behind them, so they sent people to search for the defeated troops. With great difficulty, they managed to capture hundreds of infantry who had thrown away their armor, and the army was barely able to see through.
Zhang Kai then led hundreds of people along the river to search for boats. It was not until he boarded the boat and crossed into the river that his tense heartstrings relaxed.
He remembered that he had been fighting in Xuzhou for many years, and had climbed up to the position of captain step by step by relying on the enemy's heads. How had he ever suffered such a disastrous defeat? He was not unjust when he lost to Cao Cao, who had just defeated a million Yellow Turbans, but just now
But he was chased by Cao Cao's son like a lost dog.
With this evil spirit brewing in his chest, Zhang Kai angrily slapped the side of the boat and swore: "My son, Cao family, you'd better not fall into my hands!"
Fagan outside the city.
As soon as Cao Ang arrived at Cao Jun's camp, he jumped off his horse impatiently, waited for the report, and then opened the tent and entered.
In the tent, Cao Cao was discussing military affairs with Xun Yu, Xi Zhicai and others. When he saw Cao Ang coming in, Cao Cao suddenly changed his face and scolded: "You kid, how dare you chase Zhang Kai with so few cavalry under your command? Do you know?"
I know that Zhang Kai is a veteran general in Xuzhou and is quite brave. If he hadn't been so discouraged this time, how could he have been chased by you all the way?"
There was blame in Cao Cao's words, but he couldn't help showing appreciation in his tone. His eldest son was smart, humble, and courageous. In time, he would become a general of his Cao family.
"Aweng taught you a lesson!" Cao Ang accepted the criticism generously, and then said: "This man knew that there was an ambush in the south, but he actually went in the opposite direction, which can be regarded as being smart."
Xi Zhicai couldn't help but twitch his brows and looked at Cao Cao with a hint of teasing in his eyes.
Cao Cao coughed dryly and said without blushing: "I thought someone would catch me."
After hearing this, Cao Ang immediately reacted. He walked to the empty seat next to Cao Cao and sat down: "Ah Weng! Since you have thought about it, I will chase you, why don't you just give me a military order?"
Everyone knew that Cao Cao intended to cultivate his son, so he asked Cao Chun, who knew military strategy and was brave, to follow him with his fine cavalry, in order to protect Cao Ang and help Cao Ang achieve military exploits.
The reason why Cao Cao did not directly issue military orders was because he was worried that blatantly giving such great achievements to his son would make generals with different surnames think that he was nepotistic, which was not conducive to the image of fairness he had created and was not conducive to the unity of the army;
Secondly, it is because he has no confidence in Cao Ang. Cao Ang is only seventeen years old now. Even with Cao Chun's help, he may not be able to capture Zhang Kai. If Cao Ang fails after issuing the military order, then not only him, but also Cao Cao himself will be embarrassed.
It doesn't look good either.
So he could only use this method of taking advantage of the situation to induce Cao Chun and Cao Ang to take the initiative and capture Zhang Kai afterwards. Cao Cao could use this to promote him, and the others would naturally have nothing to say. If he didn't get the full result, there would be no loss. After all,
There was no military order for this.
The generals below were a little confused, but Cao Cao's little move could not be concealed from Xi Zhicai, who was personally in charge of the planning. Xun Yu and others saw Xi Zhicai teasingly laughing at themselves. Cao Cao turned a blind eye and glanced at Cao Ang sideways.
, said in a deep voice: "I think you are usually smart, why do you say such stupid things?"
He added: "Don't ride my 'Jueying' into battle again, otherwise something like today will happen again. How can I explain this to your mother?"
"Ah?" Cao Ang put aside the lingering confusion in his heart and immediately said: "Then what will my son ride in the future?"
"Whatever other people ride, you ride accordingly."
Xiahou Dun, who was sitting at the bottom, said at this time: "Zixiu, Mengde, this is for your own good. If you are in the enemy's formation in the future, the enemy will know that you are an extraordinary person by looking at your horse, and they will naturally choose to besiege you. Instead of If you are going to put yourself at a disadvantage, it is better to keep a low profile first. The horses that the generals ride on are not good horses, but they can still kill the enemy and make meritorious deeds. You should do the same."
Cao Cao nodded and said: "Don't worry about him, Yuan Rang, go on, how did Liu Gong and Angel get into danger?"
Xiahou Dun was the captain of Zhechong at this time, leading the prefect of Dongjun, and guarding the rear when Cao Cao went out to fight the Yellow Turbans. Dongjun was close to Jizhou, and Tian Fen was also in Yanzhou at this time, so he could know the news about Hebei at the first time.
It turned out that after a brief mutiny in Youzhou, after Tian Chou, Gao You and others negotiated with emotion and reason, Gongsun Zan borrowed the donkey from the slope and readily accepted the mediation of the angel Pei Mao, and officially became the emperor of the imperial court. The imperially appointed Youzhou Mu. not only quickly stabilized the situation in Youzhou, but also sent Bai Mayi to escort Liu Yu and others out of the country.
This was a happy situation for everyone. Unexpectedly, as soon as Liu Yu and others arrived at the junction of Zhongshan Kingdom, Changshan Kingdom, and Julu County, a sudden change occurred. In the past, these envoys escorted by regular troops were all bandits who retreated. Suddenly, like a wild dog that had been starved for a long time and suddenly found fat, thousands of people desperately gathered to try to hijack the mission.
Fortunately, there were 300 warriors sent by Zhu Jun to accompany the mission, a hundred cavalry led by Tian Chou himself, and some accompanying county soldiers. They barely withstood several attacks by the bandits. Before the reinforcements arrived, there was no danger. defeated the bandits.
The bandits came and went like the wind, leaving hundreds of corpses behind and then fled without a trace.
Although Pei Mao, Liu Yu and others were not injured, the impact of this incident was enough to shock the whole of Hebei. The angel of the imperial court and the new governor of Bingzhou were in danger. As a local governor, Yuan Shao, the shepherd of Jizhou, had a A responsibility that cannot be shied away from.
After learning about this incident, Sun Zan, the shepherd of Youzhou, immediately circulated a message, accusing Yuan Shao of being unyielding, and in his words, he even falsely accused Yuan Shao of being the mastermind behind it. Yuan Shao was not to be outdone, and immediately claimed that most of the bandits were cavalry. , and also said that Gongsun Zan had always had a quarrel with Liu Yu, and this time he killed someone with a borrowed knife to vent his personal anger.
Everyone on both sides is suspected, and no one can criticize the other. Even Gongsun Zan is still at a disadvantage in this public opinion war. After all, with his past misdeeds and violent personality, he does seem like someone who would do such a thing.
This made Gongsun Zan even more angry. If he had not just taken over Youzhou and had not completely digested the tens of thousands of troops left by Liu Yu, the foundation was not stable. Otherwise, there would be no need to argue with Yuan Shao when such a thing happened. I have already sent my troops south to fight with him.
Although the frontal battlefield could not be fought, in order to vent his anger, Gongsun Zan still ordered his own private governor of Yanzhou, Shanjing, to station in Pingyuan, and Pingyuan's prime minister, Liu Bei, to station in Gaotang. He also contacted his ally, Tao Qian, the governor of Xuzhou, and asked him to send troops to control the villages. .
Not only that, even Yuan Shu in Nanyang was eager to try. He helped his family and prepared to send envoys to Youzhou to discuss a north-south pincer attack.
Facing the sudden battle, Yuan Shao rarely showed his decisive side. First, he sent Zang Hong, the governor of Qingzhou, and his generals to attack the plains with 20,000 troops. He also ordered Cao Cao to lead troops north to attack Fagan.
A proxy war began without warning.
Captain Zhang Kai, who was stationed in Fagan, was no match for Cao Cao and soon suffered a disastrous defeat. Now that Cao Cao has led his troops to station in Fagan, the next step is obviously to go north to support Zang Hong and help him deal with Liu Bei.
However, after listening to the quarrel between Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao and analyzing the current situation, Cao Cao suddenly did not want to proceed as planned.
Xiahou Dun said: "Tian Shijun urged us several times to order us to go north early. If we stop and don't move forward, I'm afraid we will be criticized."
"He cannot see the situation clearly. Has Yuan Benchu ever urged me?" Cao Cao asked.
Xiahou Dun said: "I haven't."
"That's it." Cao Cao waved his hand, disapprovingly, and said: "Right now, Zang Ziyuan is fighting with Liu Bei and others in the plains, confronting each other. If I leave, it will inevitably trigger a war. The main reason why Yuan Benchu did not urge me to march is mainly
Still waiting for the court’s attitude.”
"The court's attitude?" Cao Ang was puzzled and couldn't help but say from the side.
"Yes, it's not just Yuan Benchu, but also Gongsun Zan. Even if they argue a lot, our group of people are also fighting hard." Cao Cao glanced at Cao Ang and explained: "But they haven't really taken action yet.
, in fact, we are just waiting for the court’s final conclusion on this matter.”