When everyone was at a loss what to do, Yun Chuban said: "My lord, there is a way, which may temporarily solve the urgent need..."
Wen Yuan asked hurriedly: "Zilong has any good ideas, please tell me quickly."
Zhao Yun said: "My lord, there are still 300,000 hu of grain stored in Hulao Pass, which can meet the army's half-month needs. Hulao Pass is not far from here. The army might as well station at Hulao Pass temporarily until the army grain arrives, and then A plan to advance the army,"
Wen Yuan's eyes lit up and he nodded: "This is a good idea." Hulao Pass was the gateway to Yanzhou under Wen Yuan's rule. Because of its importance, a lot of food, grass and weapons were stored. The army arrived at Hulao Pass. Food at the pass can indeed solve the current crisis of the army being out of food. When the food and grass are delivered from Hebei in a month, they can compete with Cao Cao in Guandu.
Seeing that everyone had no objections, Wen Yuan immediately ordered Zhao Yun to rush to Hulao Pass to prepare for the garrison of the army. He ordered Lu Bu, Yue Xi, and Yan Liang, three tiger generals, to lead five thousand elite troops each to break up the rear to prevent Cao Jun from pursuing. He also ordered Lu Meng to He led his troops to retreat to Baima to ensure smooth supply routes. After making some arrangements, Wen Yuan immediately ordered the army to break out of the camp and meander towards Hulao Pass.
"Lord, the Hebei army has retreated," General Tanma spread the news of the Hebei army's retreat to Cao's camp. All the generals in the camp were excited, because the sadness of General Dian Wei's death in battle was diluted a bit, especially Cai Mao of Jingzhou, who He came all the way from Jingzhou, but before he could fight, the Hebei Army had already retreated. Zhang Liao, who had always been supported by Zhang Liao, and the Hebei Army, which was known as the strongest army in the world, now seemed to him that it was just a wasted reputation. That's all.
Cai Mao said: "Cao Gong burned Wuchao, and the Hebei army retreated without food. The army must be frightened. Our army can take advantage of the situation to pursue it. If the Hebei army retreats completely, if it comes back again in the future, there will be endless troubles."
Cai Mao's words were not unreasonable. Cao Cao was immediately moved after hearing this. Although the Hebei Army lost a large amount of food and grass in the battle of Wuchao, the troops and horses were still there. If he was allowed to retreat safely, he might not be able to come back next time. Blocking the Hebei Army's revenge battle, taking advantage of the fact that the Jingzhou soldiers are now there, if we can pursue and kill the Hebei Army and severely injure the Hebei Army, then Zhang Liao will not have anything to worry about in the future.
Cao Cao was about to give the order when suddenly someone in the tent shouted: "No," Cao Cao looked at him and saw a young scribe behind Liu Bei holding a folding fan and wearing a turban on his head.
Cao Cao said: "Who is this?" Cao Cao and Liu Bei have had the most contact in recent years. There are almost no people under Liu Bei who he doesn't know. This young man looks familiar. He thinks he is a new recruit, maybe Wuchao. The victory made Cao Cao less afraid of Zhang Liao, or the idea of severely injuring Zhang Liao was too tempting. Seeing that this man was only around 20 years old, Cao Cao couldn't help but feel a little contempt in his eyes.
"This gentleman is my new military advisor, Zhuge Liang of Nanyang." Liu Bei was still very good at protecting Zhuge Liang. Seeing Cao Cao's unkind expression, he hurriedly stood up and said, the key is that Zhuge Liang is his hope to achieve great things, how can Liu Bei let Zhuge Liang suffer? Wronged.
Cao Cao still wanted to give Liu Bei some face. Hearing this, his face softened slightly and he said, "Tell me why you can't pursue him."
Zhuge Liang gently shook his folding fan and said: "The art of war says that when you return to the army, don't cover yourself up, and don't pursue the poor enemy. I see that Zhang Liao has always been strict in his military use. At this time, even if the army runs out of food and retreats, he will still have elite troops and strong generals to break up the rear. If Ming Gong goes, he will most likely be defeated." You're going to suffer a loss..." There were all those who knew how to fight. When he said this, everyone nodded in approval.
Unexpectedly, Cao Cao shook his head and smiled and said: "I have been familiar with military books since I was a child. How could I not know what you are talking about? Sun Tzu said that it was taken in chaos. Hebei's army has run out of food and retreated. The morale of the army is in chaos. We can take advantage of the situation to attack it and defeat the enemy today. "
Cao Cao asked Tan Ma which direction the Hebei army was retreating. Tan Ma reported that he was going to Hulao Pass. Cao Cao was shocked and said, "This must be because Zhang Liao is determined to destroy me and wants to stay in Hulao temporarily. He will come back soon." ," At that moment, Cao Cao no longer listened to Zhuge Liang's words, and immediately ordered 50,000 troops with Cai Mao, and quickly rushed out of the camp to cover up the Hebei army. He also adopted Xun You's plan and ordered Xiahou Dun and Le Jin to each lead 20,000 troops. They made noise all the way north and threatened to attack Ye County. Li Yang, in order to distract Zhang Liao's attention and disrupt his military morale.
Because there were grain carts and baggage that needed to be transported, the Hebei Army was not moving very fast. Cao Cao led his troops to attack for more than 20 miles, and was catching up with the rear of the Hebei Army. He was about to rush his troops forward to cover up the kill, when he suddenly heard a burst of fire on the side of the road. When the cannon sounded, three elite troops from Lu Bu, Yan Liang, and Yue Xi rushed out together. Cao's army was immediately in chaos. These three soldiers had been lying on the roadside from morning to noon to recharge their batteries, while Cao's army marched for more than 20 miles, hungry and After being thirsty for a long time without food or water, 15,000 soldiers from Hebei rushed into Cao's army. They were like tigers rushing into a flock of sheep. The corpses of Cao's soldiers who were directly killed were strewn across the field, and blood flowed into rivers.
Yue Xi bumped into Cai Mao in the chaos of the army. Seeing Yue Xi's bravery, Cai Hao hurriedly slapped his horse and ran away. General Deng Long came up to meet him, but he was stabbed under the horse by Yue Xi with only a halberd.
Lu Bu was heading straight for Cao Cao, and he was invincible against those who stood in his way. When Cao Cao saw Lu Bu coming, he no longer dared to command his troops to fight, so he moved his horses to avoid him. Xu Chu stepped forward to resist with all his strength. After fifty rounds of fighting, his swordsmanship gradually became scattered. He blended into the rebel army and fled.
Cao Cao was disgraced and frightened and fled back to Guandu to gather his defeated troops. This time, instead of severely injuring the Hebei army, he lost nearly 20,000 soldiers and horses. At this time, Cao Cao regretted that he had refused to listen to Zhuge Liang's advice, while the other Xiahou Dun were happy to advance in two directions. When the troops heard that their lord was defeated, they were afraid that they might encounter an ambush if they headed north, so they retreated within twenty miles of the camp.
After this defeat, Cao's army was depressed for a while. Cai Mao lost the arrogance that he had previously regarded the Hebei army as nothing more. More importantly, Tan Ma came to report that the Hebei army had safely retreated into Hulao Pass. Lu Meng also led an army to occupy Baima. Tianjin.
Baima is located in the south of the river, and its position is very important. It is the only place where the Hebei army transports grain, grass and baggage to Henan. Cao Cao immediately left Cao Ren, and Liu Bei led 30,000 troops to guard Guandu. Important areas occupied by the Hebei Army.
When Cao Cao sent out troops, it was already mid-winter in November, and it was the coldest weather. However, in order to recapture the important bridgehead of Baima before Zhang Liao could get a breather, and expel all the forces of the Hebei Army out of Yanzhou, even though it was somewhat difficult. It must also be overcome.
This dispatch of troops can be said to be Cao Cao's first major counterattack after the stalemate in Guandu. Cao Cao can be said to be determined to win this battle. In addition to his own 50,000 troops, there are also 30,000 Jingzhou troops led by Cai Mao. It is said that there are only more than 10,000 troops in the attack. There shouldn't be much of a problem with the white horse guarded by people.
But when Cao Cao ambitiously sent troops to Baima to regain his hometown of Yanzhou, Liu Bei in Cao's camp was not doing well.