Cao Cao deployed on the front line of Wancheng to guard against Liu Biao's troops, totaling about 8,000 people.
In the previous campaign, Yan Liang defeated more than 4,000 Cao Hong's troops, leaving Cao's army in Wancheng with only 4,000 to 5,000 troops commanded by Xiahou Yuan.
Now Xia Houyuan led 3,000 men to rush to Guandu, which meant that Cao's army on the front line of Wancheng was no more than 2,000.
Wancheng is the core of Chongnanyang and is the key to Cao Cao's defense against Jingzhou. Now Cao Cao did not hesitate to take away most of Wancheng's troops. This can only show that Cao Cao was in an extremely critical state in the Battle of Guandu, forcing him to have no choice but to
Do not mobilize Nanyang's troops.
Although Yan Liang was in Xinye, he paid close attention to the Battle of Guandu. As soon as he heard this information, he immediately made this judgment.
The conclusion of the Battle of Guandu means that the pattern of the entire north will undergo major changes, and changes in the situation in the Central Plains will inevitably affect Jingzhou and the fate of everyone here.
Great changes are happening before our eyes, and opportunities are right in front of us. How can we not be excited?
"Xing Ba, you just asked how to make up for the shortcomings of your strategy, and now the opportunity has arrived." Yan Liang said calmly.
Gan Ning was stunned for a moment, and suddenly realized something.
Without thinking too much, he hurriedly said: "General, I understand. Wancheng is empty now. Should we take advantage of the situation and send troops north to capture Nanyang and drive a nail into the Central Plains?"
As soon as Gan Ning said this, everyone agreed.
Although Nanyang County belongs to Jingzhou, it has a closer connection with the Central Plains. It borders Luoyang to the north, Xudu to the east, and can be reached by walking through Wuguan to the west. These three places are truly the hinterland of the Central Plains.
This means that as long as Yan Liang occupies Nanyang, he can easily launch an attack on the hinterland of the Central Plains.
Yan Liang realized the importance of Nanyang because of his foresight, and Gan Ning was able to realize this step with just a few reminders, which is really commendable.
Yan Liang felt pleased, but smiled slightly and said: "I must take Wancheng, but at this juncture, there are more important things to do."
Everyone's eyes couldn't help but show a bit of confusion, and they couldn't figure out what could be more important than taking Wancheng and expanding their territory right now.
Yan Liang looked far away to the north, his eyes gradually became colder, and he said loudly: "Pass this general's order, and prepare the entire army. I will defeat the Japanese and send troops to Xudu."
Three days later, Yan Liang led five thousand elite cavalry and set foot on the road north to Xudu.
In order to prevent Liu Biao from causing trouble in the future, Yan Liang left Xu You, Wenpin, Yiji, Manchong and Liu Pi behind, leading an army of ten thousand to guard the new territory. He only brought two powerful generals, Gan Ning and Zhou Cang, with him.
The reason why Yan Liang dared to enter Xudu with only 5,000 soldiers was because he did not want to seize the city, but just wanted to take advantage of the troubled waters and make a fortune.
According to his judgment, once Cao Cao was defeated in the Battle of Guandu, Xudu would definitely be in chaos. At that time, there would be many civil servants and generals who fled in all directions because of the chaos. These talents were exactly what Yan Liang was short of, and he could just use them to recruit him.
For own use.
The most ideal route is to attack Xudu from Jingzhou to the north, send troops from Wancheng, and march along the main road.
In order to achieve the effect of surprise and speed, Yan Liang chose to go east from Xinye, pass Biyang City, then turn north and take the mountain road straight to the south of Xudu.
According to Siwen Cao's original intelligence, in order to prevent Liu Biao from attacking Xudu via this route, Cao Cao had deployed a considerable number of troops and horses along the way. However, Yan Liang's trip went smoothly and he encountered almost no decent resistance.
The weaker the resistance of Cao Jun was, the more Yan Liang had a premonition of Cao Cao's danger in Guandu, so he sent an order to the whole army to speed up the march.
Yan Liang knew that he had to arrive before Yuan Shao captured Xudu, otherwise he would not be able to make any profit.
A few days later, in the early morning, after crossing the last mountain ridge, Yan Liang and his five thousand horsemen finally entered the plains.
Xudu is a hundred miles away due north.
Just when Yan Liang took a breath and was about to take a break, a cavalry scout Jue Chen came.
"General, Yuan Shao's army has defeated Cao Jun's main camp, and all Cao Jun camps in Guandu have collapsed."
After hearing this, the colors of all the troops present changed slightly.
Yan Liang stood up straight before he sat down.
He looked far to the north with a solemn expression and said: "I didn't expect Cao Cao to be defeated so quickly. We can't wait any longer. We ordered the entire army to stop resting and speed up towards Xudu immediately."
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North of Xudu.
On the main road, countless soldiers were running in panic.
The broken flags with the word "Cao" in them were constantly abandoned and trampled under the feet of the soldiers who fled in a hurry.
The army was defeated like a mountain.
Cao Cao, wrapped in a red robe, ran in a hurry under the protection of Xu Chu and other close troops.
Following on the left and right, there were Zhang Liao, Xu Huang, Yu Jin generals, and counselors such as Xun You and Guo Jia. The troops they led were only a few thousand. The rest of the civil and military troops on the Guandu front line were all lost in the complete rout.
.
While running, Cao Cao looked back in the direction of Guandu, only to see that the fire was still raging in the sky, and Yuan Jun's thundering shouts of killing seemed to still be echoing in his ears.
"After a whole year of hard fighting, we still can't stop Yuan Shao. Could it be that God really wants to kill me, Cao Cao?"
Heartbroken, Cao Cao reined in his mount.
The left and right people also stopped one after another.
Zhang Liao, who was covered in blood, drove his horse forward and said loudly: "Prime Minister, Yuan Shao's pursuers are still behind. Xu Du is not far ahead, why do you have to stop?"
Cao Cao gave a bitter smile and sighed: "Tens of thousands of elite troops were wiped out in ashes. Even if they escape back to Xudu, they will be dead."
Cao Cao, who has always been confident, said such desperate words for the first time.
The civil and military officials on the left and right all bowed their heads sadly.
Cao Cao looked around at his subordinates, with bitter tears in his eyes, and sighed.
"You are all talented people in this world. Cao really can't bear to have you accompany Cao on the road to death. Yuan Shao hasn't caught up with him yet. If you want to find a clear path for yourself, go ahead."
Cao Cao's words were full of sadness.
Hearing this, the generals couldn't help but shed tears. Xu Chu, the commander of the army, said with emotion: "We will follow the prime minister to the death and have no regrets even if we die."
"Follow the Prime Minister to the death and have no regrets even if you die!"
The civil and military officials on the left and right echoed in unison, all with excited expressions.
Hearing the words of appreciation from his subordinates, Cao Cao felt a lot relieved, but the sadness on his face continued unabated.
Even though these subordinates would never leave him, but now that Guandu failed and the situation was over, what could he do?
Just when there was no way out, the dust was flying in front, and a group of soldiers and horses came in a hurry. The scouts came to report that it was Shangshu who ordered Xun Yu to escort Han Emperor Liu Xie and Cao Cao's family members.
Hearing that Xun Yu had arrived, Cao Cao calmed down a little and rushed forward to meet him.
When Cao Cao saw the first counselor with white beard and hair and an elegant look, a trace of shame suddenly appeared on his dark face.
"Wen Ruo, I told you that the battle at Guandu was still lost." Cao Cao's words were full of helplessness.
Xun Yu slightly raised his hand and said calmly: "Victory and defeat are common matters for military officers. If it's not just losing a battle, why should the Prime Minister be discouraged?"
He spoke in an understatement, as if there was no sense of despair that the situation was over.
Xun Yu's calmness gradually rekindled Cao Cao's courage, and he couldn't help but ask: "Now that Guandu has been lost and Xu Du is undefeated, does Wen Ruo still have a plan to recover?"
"Although Yuan Shao won, there are many internal disputes. Even if he temporarily gains control of the Central Plains, he will fall apart sooner or later. What the prime minister has to do now is to regroup and wait for the internal strife in the Yuan family, and then make a comeback."
Xun Yu stroked his white beard with his hand and said unhurriedly.
"If the Central Plains is lost, how can we start to regroup?" Cao Cao's expression gradually became brighter, but he was still doubtful.
Xun Yu smiled and pointed to the west, "For the current plan, the Prime Minister will follow the Han Emperor to move westward to Guanzhong, imitating the old things of Han Emperor Gaozu. When the time is right, and then send troops out of the Pass, we will be able to conquer the Central Plains in one fell swoop."
Everyone present was shocked when they heard the words "Migrate westward to Guanzhong".
Cao Cao was really excited for a moment, but then he became worried: "Guanzhong is in ruins, and there are many Xiliang princes such as Ma Han and others. These people nominally submitted to the imperial court, but in fact they did not submit sincerely. It is difficult to stand in such a situation.
How to resist Yuan Shao's attack."
Cao Cao's words also expressed the thoughts of others, and everyone nodded.
"The Prime Minister is overly worried. Those Xiliang princes are most afraid of Yuan Shao. They are afraid that Yuan Shao will threaten them after he attacks the Central Plains. Even if they do not fully support the Prime Minister to resist Yuan Shao, they will not prevent the Prime Minister from entering Guanzhong."
The person who spoke was none other than Guo Jia.
"As long as the prime minister can successfully retreat into Guanzhong, inform the Xiliang princes of their interests and appease them well, and rely on the four fortresses in Guanzhong, he will be able to block Yuan Shao's attack. Moreover, the fierce fighting at Guandu lasted for ten months, and Yuan's army was already
At the end of Qiangnu, Yuan Shao is a man who is always scheming, and he may not be eager to send troops to the west in a short time. As long as the prime minister can get some breathing space, there is no need to worry about not having a chance to make a comeback."
After listening to Guo Jia's words, the worry on Cao Cao's face disappeared, and the extinguished fighting spirit was rekindled.
