Cao Cao stood on the city tower, looking at Lu Xuan's retreating figure, and said nothing for a long time. Until Lu Xuan's figure had disappeared from sight, Cao Cao remained silent.
Veins popped up on his forehead, his eyes were bloodshot, and the expression on his face was even more grim. His body was trembling slightly, and he was holding on to the city wall with both hands, enduring the waves of pain in his mind.
Guo Jia stood aside and sighed in his heart.
He did not disturb or comfort him. He knew very well the nature of his king. Especially when Cao Cao's headache recurred, Cao Cao could only bear the pain and digest it, and no outsiders could interfere.
Phew! Phew!!
Cao Cao was panting heavily, his breathing was rapid, and his chest was rising and falling.
His body was very uncomfortable.
However, he remained unmoved, resisting the waves of pain. After less than half an hour, Cao Cao's trembling body gradually regained his composure. He took a deep breath and exhaled long and hard.
After taking a breath, his tense body relaxed, and then he slowly relaxed.
At this moment, Cao Cao was sweating profusely and his clothes were completely wet.
His forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat.
The whole person seemed to have been washed away by the rain.
The pain in Cao Cao's mind disappeared and he recovered. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and said in a deep voice: "Feng Xiao, the situation in Yanzhou is not good. In addition, Lu Xuan said that he will incite the situation in Luoyang. What do you say?
response?"
Guo Jia said without thinking: "Under normal circumstances, I suggest giving up Hanzhong and taking the Ziwu Road to retreat to Guanzhong and stick to it."
Cao Cao was sober and rational as never before and asked: "What about the abnormal situation?"
Guo Jia said: "Continue to defend Nanzheng."
"Hahaha……"
After Cao Cao heard this, he couldn't help laughing.
He raised his fist and beat the city wall hard. He stared at the direction Lu Xuan left with his red eyes and said loudly: "Those who know me are filial piety."
Guo Jia smiled slightly and said calmly: "As the king mentioned, no matter how difficult the situation in Luoyang is, there will be no problems with Shangshu Xun in charge. I always believe that Shangshu Xun is worthy of entrustment and trust.
"
Cao Cao nodded and said, "That's the truth."
Guo Jia continued: "Although Zhou Yu captured Chen State, Liang State and Yingchuan, it was only the area where Yuzhou once was. The entire territory of Yanzhou is still there, and Yanzhou's troops are still there. Xiahou Dun withdrew into Chenliu and could still recruit troops.
Resist and guard Yanzhou."
"The situation in Yanzhou seems to be more dangerous, but in fact it is not a big problem. It is still possible to hold on. To evacuate Hanzhong because of Xiahou Dun's problem is to give up all the previous efforts."
"Xia Houyuan and Cao Ren died in vain."
"So, we can't retreat."
"The most important thing is that the news from Yuan Shao has not come yet. Yuan Shao has elite soldiers and generals under his command, and Yuan Tan is not weak either, so we can wait for the follow-up results before making arrangements."
Guo Jia said: "We still have a chance in this battle."
"No, this is far from enough."
Cao Cao shook his head.
He stroked his long beard under his chin, his eyes were brighter than ever before, and his mind was calmer than ever before. After the severe pain, he did not feel confused. Instead, he felt relaxed and relaxed by the cool breeze after the rain.
wide awake.
Guo Jia said seriously: "What did the king think about it?"
Cao Cao quickly said: "We are guarding Nanzheng. The situation cannot be opened. We must break it."
Guo Jia had a curious look in his eyes and asked, "How does the king plan to break the situation?"
Cao Cao said: "The checkpoint leading to Ziwu Road is still guarded by our troops. We did not consider the military strength of Ziwu Road before, and Lu Xuan did not go there. Now, I will allocate some forces to strengthen the defense at the Ziwu Road location.
"
"Lu Xuan noticed our movements and will definitely mobilize his troops to attack Ziwu Road and cut off our retreat."
"Lu Xuan mobilized troops to Ziwu Road. The strength of his camp was reduced, so we went straight to Lu Xuan's camp. On the surface, we wanted to strengthen Ziwu Road, but in fact, our real target was Lu Xuan's camp."
"This is the strategy of seizing the east and attacking the west."
Cao Cao's eyes were dark and he asked: "Feng Xiao, do you think this strategy can be successful?"
Without waiting for Guo Jia's answer, Cao Cao continued: "Because Lu Xuan spread the news of Xiahou Dun's defeat, he thought that our hearts were unstable and we would definitely consider retreating. Therefore, it is logical that my king will strengthen the arrangements for Ziwu Road. I will not
Make Lu Xuan suspicious."
Guo Jia was also thinking in his heart.
The plan looks good. It's just that it's very risky because Cao Cao is in Nanzheng.
This is the most dangerous.
After Guo Jia thought for a while, he said in a deep voice: "The king's strategy is feasible, but I think further adjustments should be made to take the worst-case scenario into consideration to ensure the success of the war."
Cao Cao looked expectantly and asked, "What did Fengxiao think about?"
Guo Jia replied: "The war has progressed so far that it is no longer appropriate for the king to stay in Nanzheng. I suggest that the king lead an elite force to the direction of Ziwu Road to be responsible for the safety and guarding of Ziwu Road."
"If Lu Xuan sends people to attack and the king personally guards Ziwu Road, the garrison can go all out to resist Lu Xuan's army. Even if it cannot be stopped, the king will quickly retreat into Ziwu Road."
"Due to the special nature of Ziwu Road, Lu Xuan's army cannot enter Ziwu Road in large numbers to pursue them. Therefore, it is difficult for Lu Xuan to pursue them. Your Majesty can calmly take Ziwu Road north and return to Guanzhong."
Guo Jia said: "Arrange another general to guard Nanzheng City. If Lu Xuan really divides his troops to deal with Ziwu Road, let the general lead the troops to attack Lu Xuan's camp. If the attack on Lu Xuan's camp fails, turn around and go to Ziwu.
Dao, join up with the king and abandon Nanzheng."
Cao Cao frowned and said: "This arrangement is equivalent to losing Nanzheng's defensive advantage."
Guo Jia said: "If you defend for a long time, you will lose. If you defend for a long time, it is impossible to stabilize the situation forever. Moreover, the news that Lu Xuan destroyed Yangping Pass has been reported by soldiers who have escaped these days."
"It is indeed Lu Xuan who cast a spell outside Yangping Pass, summoning a big ball that fell from the sky, and a golden armored magic weapon possessed Lu Xuan's soldiers."
"I don't understand the matter of Lu Xuan summoning the magic soldiers. Although I don't believe it, it is still somewhat dangerous. So I think it is the best arrangement for the king to leave Nanzheng."
After hearing this, Cao Cao also fell into deep thought.
Guo Jia's words also reminded him that there must be a certain reason why Lu Xuan did not cast spells during this period.
Cao Cao didn't believe in the theory of gods and ghosts.
It must be Lu Xuan's method. It just needs certain conditions to be implemented.
Cao Cao pondered for a long time and said: "I agree with Fengxiao's arrangement. It's just the candidates who stay in Nanzheng. Who does Fengxiao think is the most suitable?"
Guo Jia chuckled and said: "Your Majesty, whoever has the greatest hatred against Lu Xuan and whoever is most distant from us will be allowed to stay behind."
"Liu Bei?"
Cao Cao blurted out his words.
Guo Jia said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, Shengming, Liu Bei is the emperor's uncle recognized by the emperor, and has been included in the genealogy. Xuzhou, which Liu Bei once occupied, was captured by Lu Xuan. Liu Bei's second brother Guan Yu was forcibly poached by Lu Xuan using a trick."
"The hatred between Liu Bei and Lu Xuan is no less than the hatred between the king and Lu Xuan."
"Therefore, it is impossible for Liu Bei to surrender to Lu Xuan."
Guo Jia chuckled and said: "What's more, Liu Bei's direct troops are not ours, and their loss will have no impact on us. Letting Liu Biao lead troops to guard Nanzheng is the most appropriate arrangement."
A smile also appeared on Cao Cao's face, and he praised: "Fengxiao is right, but Liu Bei seems to be honest, but in fact he is a traitor and a loyal man, and he has a lot of secrets. He can judge the situation, and he must be willing to stay.
OK."
Guo Jia said confidently: "I think this matter will not be difficult for the king."
After thinking for a while, Cao Cao came up with a plan and said: "I have a way to arrange Liu Bei."
When he mentioned Liu Bei, an idea suddenly flashed in his mind, and he further said: "Feng Xiao, until now we have been fighting with Lu Xuan, but one force has been missing. Next, we need to mobilize other forces."
Guo Jia said: "Please make it clear, Your Majesty."
A flash of light flashed across Cao Cao's eyes, and he said: "My king is mostly on guard against the Qiang people in Wudu County, as well as the Qiang and Di people in Liangzhou, and has not made any arrangements. In fact, I can promise heavy profits and use our strength to fight."
"Ma Teng and Han Sui are the leaders of the Qiang and Di people. It will be easier if I use my interests to mobilize these forces from Liangzhou and let them participate in the battle of Hanzhong."
Cao Cao said: "Before, we all thought that the strength was sufficient and there was no need to mobilize Ma Teng and Han Sui. Now, we must make arrangements."
Guo Jia is also an extremely smart person. With Cao Cao's prompting, Guo Jia also came up with an idea and said, "Your Majesty, Sheng Ming, I think Ma Teng and Han Sui will be easy to handle. Moreover, this time in the Battle of Hanzhong, we can further plot against them."
Cao Cao's smile became brighter and brighter. Guo Jia was worthy of being his confidant. He could tell at a glance and could think of deeper plans. He asked expectantly: "What is Feng Xiao's plan?"