Chapter 112: Tao Xuzhou is extremely happy and sad, Cao Mengde is dark cloud over the city
Xuzhou, Xiapi City.
When Tao Qian's eldest son, Tao Shang, came to visit his father, he was surprised to find that his father, who had been ill for several days, was enjoying flowers and feeding fish in the courtyard today...
There is no trace of illness on his face, but his whole mood seems to be in good condition.
"Is your father recovered?" The pottery merchant stepped forward and stood beside Tao Qian.
"Haha..." Tao Qian smiled lightly and did not answer. After feeding the fish in his hand, he turned around, patted the potter's shoulder, and said with a smile: "It is said that people feel refreshed when happy events happen, even if they are not well.
, but there is a happy event coming... These legs and hands can't be idle, they want to go out for a walk."
happy event?
Tao Shang's eyes rolled. During this period, Cao Cao aggressively suppressed the situation and broke through three cities in a row. Pengcheng was about to be captured. The next one... was the turn of Xiapi City? How could there be any happy events?
If we really talk about it, the biggest happy event is...Pingyuan Liu Bei brought Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun to help in the battle, but in fact, they only had a thousand soldiers, which was a drop in the bucket. How could they stop Cao Cao?
"I don't know, what is the happy event that my father mentioned?" the pottery merchant asked curiously...
"Haha..." Tao Qian waved his hand and motioned for the servants to step back. Only the father and son were left in front of the waterside pavilion.
Until then, Tao Qian deliberately lowered his voice and said with a smile, "Cao Cao is about to retreat..."
Ah...retreat?
Tao Shang was stunned. Today, Cao Cao's army is extremely powerful. Not only can they defeat Pengcheng, but also attack Xiapi and seize Xuzhou in one go? Retreat... Unless Cao Cao's head is kicked by a donkey, how can they possibly retreat?
"Father, this..."
Before the potter could ask, Tao Qian's words came out first.
"Shang'er, my father received an urgent message from Yanzhou five days ago. It came from the detailed work we set up in Yanzhou..." The corners of Tao Qian's mouth were always raised, with a slight smile in his words.
When he mentioned the key point, he emphasized his tone. "Lü Bu led the Bingzhou wolf cavalry to attack Yanzhou unexpectedly. The whole Yanzhou was in chaos. I heard that Chen Gong under Lu Bu united with the local clans in Yanzhou and even asked Guo Gong, the governor of Yuzhou, to lead an army of 100,000.
Yanzhou, hahaha... Yanzhou today is upright and chaotic, how can Cao Cao not withdraw his troops?"
What... The pottery merchant was startled, this happened?
"Father...since the letter was written five days ago? Why are you telling the child now..."
"Haha..." Tao Qian shook his sleeves. "I just wanted to see how many people in Xuzhou have people with heads and two ends..." As he spoke, Tao Qian took out a bamboo slip from his arms and handed it to the pottery merchant.
The pottery merchant opened it and saw that many names were recorded on it, as well as the time of correspondence between them and Cao Cao. These names were not unfamiliar to him, and most of them were officials in Xuzhou.
Huh... Tao Shangchang exhaled, he didn't expect his father to have calculated this, so... he was pretending to be sick?
"Father, it turns out...you are not sick!"
"...Some people are sick. We have to wait for Cao Cao to retreat and give them a good treatment." Tao Qian's eyes narrowed slightly.
It is true that he was not an outstanding military strategist, but he had unique insights into governing states and counties and understanding people's hearts.
Since the last urgent message was sent back five days ago, Tao Qian was certain that Cao Cao would definitely return reinforcements.
As for his return of reinforcements, not only the siege of Pengcheng was solved, but the cities that had already been captured could also be easily recaptured.
What's more, he, Tao Qian, and the three brothers Liu, Guan, and Zhang suddenly made the situation in Xuzhou much clearer.
"Hahahaha..." Tao Qian disappeared again. "I predict that Cao Cao will retreat in these two days. Shang'er is going to hold a banquet to celebrate our Danyang soldiers, Liu, Guan, and Zhang!"
Laughing with integrity…
"...Ming Gong, there is a letter from Yanzhou!" A voice came from outside the waterside pavilion. This voice was no stranger to Tao Qian and the pottery merchants. It was Chen Deng and Chen Yuanlong, a Diannong school captain promoted by Tao Qian, in charge of Yizhou.
of agricultural production.
In addition to this status, he is also the leader of the Xuzhou Celebrity Sect.
You know, Xuzhou is not as simple as it seems on the surface. The factions here are complicated. The core is divided into three factions, the celebrity faction headed by Chen Deng, the common people faction headed by Mi Zhu and Mi Fang, and Cao Bao, the general from Tao Qian's hometown.
The Danyang sect headed by.
Tao Qian valued the celebrity sect and the Danyang sect most highly, but on the contrary, he was somewhat indifferent to the commoner sect...
As for Chen Deng, because he is quite knowledgeable, Tao Qian arranged for him to be by his side during these troubled times, so that he could discuss anything personally.
"Letter from Yanzhou?" Tao Qian paused slightly, then greeted Chen Deng to step into the waterside pavilion.
Chen Deng hurriedly handed over the letter, but Tao Qian said no to him and asked him to read it out directly... There were no outsiders here, so Tao Qian didn't need to hide it.
Besides, he could probably guess that this letter was written about how chaotic Yanzhou is today?
How many other cities have the surname Cao? How many cities have changed their surname to Lu? How many cities have the surname Guo?
Of course, these are things Tao Qian likes to hear and see...
Chen Deng did not hesitate, immediately unfolded the bamboo slips, and read slowly: "Ming Gong, I have obtained the information of Yanzhou. Lu Bu united with the Yanzhou clan to sneak attack Chenliu County, and fought at the south gate of Chenliu County. Lu Bu was ambushed, and more than half of the Bingzhou soldiers were injured. He was in a panic.
Run away!"
What…
When these words came out of his mouth, Tao Qian suspected that his ears had heard wrongly.
A sneak attack... and a combination of internal and external coordination. Didn't even a small Chenliu County fall?
Tao Qian's expression froze, and he felt like his head was a little dazed... He had a feeling that he couldn't figure out the situation.
The potter had an ominous premonition in his heart, and then he felt a heavy hammer hit his heart.
It hurts...it doesn't hurt yet, I just feel a little inexplicable worry and fear.
Chen Deng's words continued. "The Bingzhou soldiers launched a five-pronged attack on the counties and counties in the hinterland of Yanzhou. They were blocked in Fan County and Dong'a. Cao's army was well prepared. The Bingzhou soldiers were defeated! All the counties and counties in the hinterland of Yanzhou are safe..."
The hinterland of Yanzhou is also... not in danger?
As soon as he said this, Tao Qian's legs became weak. He was old and had poor bones. He knelt down on one leg with a "pop" sound.
But he forced himself to stand up with support on the wall, and after slurring his mouth, he found that his throat was blocked and he could not make a sound. An indescribable emotion emerged in his mind.
The potter frowned heavily, he thought this was too weird...
It’s fine that Chenliu County was not captured. All the counties in the hinterland of Yanzhou were defended. Wasn’t it a surprise attack? Wasn’t it a sneak attack? What kind of attack was this?
Besides, Cao Cao used all his strength to attack Xuzhou, but it seems that he didn’t have many troops left behind in Yanzhou?
The potter was especially in disbelief. He shook his head as if to say, this is fake, this is all fake.
Chen Deng's words continued. This time, not only did Tao Qian and the potter's faces look ugly, but Chen Deng's words also became stumbling.
"Guo Gong raised an army of 100,000 troops to Juancheng. Xun Yu, who was stationed in Juancheng, went down to the city in person to have a detailed chat with Guo Gong. The 100,000 Yuzhou soldiers immediately...withdrew...and retreated...back to Yuzhou, and actually had no trouble with Yanzhou Qiu!
"
ah…
The potter felt like he was about to urinate.
What's going on? One hundred thousand troops came to the city... and just retreated without any trouble? He felt that Guo Gong was a trap, and he felt that one hundred thousand Yuzhou soldiers were even more traps... It was like a huge pit in the abyss!
At this moment, Tao Qian was stunned. He was thinking further, if... Chenliu County was okay, Juancheng was okay, those counties were okay... Where would Cao Cao need to retreat?
If Cao Cao does not need to retreat... then... then... isn't the fall of Pengcheng a certainty?
The fall of Xiapi City seems to be only a matter of time.
Tao Qian's eyes widened, and his eyes lost their expression at this moment. It was very warm in the waterside pavilion, but it seemed that this warm current was completely unable to dissipate the coldness in his heart.
Because of the great reversal of the situation... because he expected the fall of Xuzhou, Tao Qian could no longer hold back his tears, falling down like beads with broken strings.
He felt that his heart was bleeding, and he felt that his heart was being scraped off one by one by Cao Cao...
Finally, Tao Qian, who could not bear such a blow, spat out a mouthful of blood with a "pop" sound, and he fell to the ground like a puddle of soft mud.
"Dad, dad..."
The potter rushed to help...
Chen Deng also planned to help, but he saw the last message on the bamboo slips, to be precise, it was the only "good" message.
But it seems…
Even this piece of good news cannot make up for the sadness caused by the previous three pieces of bad news! It can't even reverse the situation!
It is true that Lu Bu captured Puyang City...
However, the generals and soldiers originally stationed by Cao's army did not suffer any serious damage. In other words, Cao's army's strength in Yanzhou is now well preserved.
On the contrary, Lu Bu... suffered repeated defeats, lost troops and generals, and the withdrawal of Guo Gong made him fight alone, and all he gained was nothing more than a city...
Who wins and who loses? It’s clear at a glance…
The situation in Yanzhou has miraculously stabilized!
"Someone...come..."
"Quickly, call the medical officer quickly, call the medical officer quickly!" Potter was still shouting, shouting at the top of his lungs.
Tao Qian tried his best to open his eyes, and used his last strength to command: "Quickly...send envoys...quickly...then...then ask Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Liu Biao, and Gongsun Zan to rescue Xuzhou."
"They...they all...all covet Xuzhou, and they will definitely...will not watch Cao Cao capture Xuzhou and remain indifferent!"
The sound was as thin as a gossamer, and only his son, the potter, could hear it.
"well…"
"Oh...good...good!" He lamented repeatedly, and the potter agreed on the surface, but in fact, he knew very well in his heart.
Those who should send envoys have already sent envoys, and those who should come have already arrived.
What's more, Cao Cao wanted to avenge his father, and he had no offense against Minqiu. Morality... Morality was on his side...
Now... there will be no reinforcements... Xuzhou is finished!
Here, Tao Qian and his son burst into tears...
On the contrary, Chen Deng narrowed his eyes tightly.
He is a smart man, and his father, Pei Guoxiang Chen Gui, is also a smart man. Now Tao Qian can be said to be over, and Xuzhou's alien master is a certainty.
At this time, it is very important for the Chen family. It is time to choose a new master...
"Cao Cao..."
Chen Deng murmured in his heart...
It's not easy for Yanzhou to turn a corner in an extremely unfavorable situation. Crouching tigers, hidden dragons in Cao Ying's camp... Maybe it's time to contact Cao Ying?
With this in mind, Chen Deng slowly raised his eyes and looked through the window towards Pengcheng to the west.
Presumably, Pengcheng will change his surname to "Cao"?
…
…
Five miles outside Pengcheng, Cao's army has now retreated five miles to the camp. All the soldiers are ready to go. As long as the order is given, they will immediately abandon Xuzhou and return to Yanzhou.
This was Cao Cao's complete preparation. Before this, he had received two letters from Xun Yu. In the first letter written by Xun Yu, many sentences appeared in Cao Cao's mind from time to time.
——In the past, Emperor Gaozu protected Guanzhong and Guangwu occupied Hanoi. They both had deep roots and consolidated their bases to control the world. They advanced enough to defeat the enemy and retreated enough to hold on. Therefore, although there were difficulties and defeats, they finally achieved great success!
——The general originally took Yanzhou as the first task to quell the difficulties in Shandong, and the people all returned and were convinced. Qihe, Ji, is an important place in the world. Although it is ruined, it is especially easy to protect oneself. This is also the general's Guanzhong, Hanoi, and cannot be
No return support.
Regardless of the formality, in fact, what Xun Yu wanted to express in his first letter was - the situation in Yanzhou is unclear, Lao Cao, you have to prepare for the worst, abandon Xuzhou, and come back to rescue Yanzhou!
… Yanzhou is your base camp and an important transportation area. Even if you give up Xuzhou, you must stabilize your rear area, only in this way can you achieve great success!
Cao Cao originally planned to do this, and had already ordered his troops and horses to abandon Xuzhou and return to Yanzhou.
But...just a few days ago, he received Xun Yu's second letter. When he opened it, he saw that Chen Liu's situation was stable, and Lu Yu was planning to defeat Lu Bu.
The most exaggerated thing is that when Cheng Yu, who was robbing tombs, heard that the situation had changed, he immediately killed a county magistrate, persuaded a county magistrate, and established an iron-blooded defense line. For a time, the entire hinterland of Yanzhou was as solid as a rock!
Most of Yanzhou is stable, which also buys Cao Cao more time...Cao Cao couldn't help but sigh, Lu Yu, Cheng Yu, Cao Chun...Long Xiaoqi all made great achievements this time...
Xun Yu's letter also pointed out his latest point of view - wait and see what happens!
But... news came again that Lu Bu had attacked Puyang City and Guo Gong, the governor of Yuzhou, had sent 100,000 troops to Juan City. This once again cast a shadow over Cao Cao, who had been breathing heavily.
Puyang, Juancheng...if these two cities are lost, Yanzhou will fall into chaos again.
If Xun Yu hadn't vowed to "wait and see what happens", Cao Cao would have given up on Xuzhou long ago and led his army back for reinforcements...
Pengcheng is important, and Xuzhou, which is within easy reach, is also important, but... as Xun Yu said, Yanzhou is the rear area and the key, and cannot be missed.
finally…
Yanzhou's messenger appeared at the end of the official road, and Cao Ren reported to Cao Cao immediately.
Cao Cao couldn't wait to go out to greet him in person. From a distance, Cao Cao saw clearly the appearance of the messenger. This time, it was none other than his nephew Cao Anmin.
This time Xun Yu sent Cao Anmin to deliver the letter, so he expected it to have a profound meaning, and this letter must be extremely urgent!
"Nephew Anmin, can Wenruo bring you a letter?"
Cao Cao personally helped Cao Anmin lead the horse...Cao Anmin got off his horse and hurriedly took out the bamboo slip from his arms and handed it to Cao Cao, "Here's the letter..."
Cao Cao hurriedly opened it...
Cao Hong on the side was impatient, but didn't know many words, so he simply asked: "Anmin, how is the situation in Yanzhou?"
"The situation is stable... Guo Gong, the governor of Yuzhou, retreated with his 100,000-strong army. Lu Bu captured Puyang City, but his troops lost their troops. The remaining cities and counties are still in our hands. There is no need to worry about Lu Bu's invasion in the short term." Cao Anmin shouted as loudly as possible.
Some, although tired...but he knows that the news from Yanzhou can boost the morale here!
"What about...Yuan Rang?" After hearing that Puyang City had fallen, Xia Houyuan asked hurriedly, with worry on his brows.
"General Xiahou is fine..." Cao Anmin replied truthfully. "Before, he fell into a trap and lost Puyang City, and was kidnapped by Lu Bu's men due to carelessness. It was Master Lu Yu who rescued him. Now...General Xiahou and Qingzhou Military Capital
Stationed in Juancheng, there were no casualties!"
call…
As soon as these words came out, Xia Houyuan, Cao Ren, and Cao Hong felt relieved.
They could accept the loss of a city due to Lu Bu's surprise attack, but...if Xiahou Dun had some shortcomings, it would not be something they could bear.
Over here... you guys, I will ask Cao Anmin...
On the other side, Cao Cao had read the entire bamboo slip.
When he read the last word, Cao Cao's dark-clouded cheeks suddenly cleared out the clouds, and his long-lost devilish laughter reappeared.
"Hahahaha...hahahaha..."
As soon as the laughter broke out, Xi Zhicai asked again and again, "Why is Mr. Ming laughing?"
Cao Cao laughed while replying: "Lü Bu's son wanted to plot against me in Yanzhou, but he didn't want me to leave Wen Ruo and Lu Yu in Yanzhou. Haha, Lü Bu's son's traps were exhausted, and the loss of troops and generals was enough to conquer a city."
!”
Cao Cao laughed sadly, his voice getting louder and louder...
Losing a Puyang city was considered a blessing among misfortunes, and Cao Cao could accept it... Moreover, Lu Bu's army lost troops and generals, so they must not be having an easy time now.
This time... in addition to Xiahou Dun, Xun Yu, Cao Chun, and especially Lu Yu have made another series of contributions... Okay, okay!
Cao Cao's fists suddenly clenched, and his eyes looked in vain on the other side in the direction of Pengcheng.
With a stable rear and no worries, Cao Cao is terrifying. He can concentrate on dealing with Pengcheng in front of him... With a "swish" sound, the Yitian Sword on his waist came out of its shell.
"Send the order to the three armies to make food immediately. After three hours, we will surround three and one is missing, and attack Pengcheng in general!"
"Here!" As soon as these words came out, all the generals raised their hands in response. They were so worried every day that they forgot that there was still a precarious Pengcheng in front of them.
hehe…
It's finally time to attack Pengcheng...
In this battle, the morale of Cao's army was like a rainbow. In this battle, the hearts of Pengcheng were scattered. This was a battle that was destined to end before it even started. Pengcheng and even Xuzhou would definitely fall!
…
"Kill..."
Dark clouds are over the city, and this time the hunting party is changed to Cao Cao!
In Cao Cao's view, this was the long-awaited dawn.