Leping is just a small county, and although Cao Cao was defeated, his strength was not greatly damaged. Of course, more than 20,000 troops and horses cannot enter the city all at once. Even if it can accommodate so many people, the food and grass in the city will not last long.
, after all, this is not a military key point.
Only the Chinese army entered the city with Cao Cao, and the rest of the troops were divided into four groups and set up camps outside the four gates respectively as a shield for the city gate to avoid being completely surrounded by the Qingzhou army in the city and cutting off the food routes.
This arrangement has many advantages. If Wang Yu sends his troops to attack, the troops outside the city can rely on the city to fight. With the help of long-range firepower on the city wall, even if they are ultimately defeated, they can still cause considerable damage to the enemy.
In addition, soldiers and horses in the city can also go out for rescue. When they come out of the city gate in battle, they can carry out rotation operations, and those who maintain the battle are fresh troops; if the enemy fails to surround other city gates, the reinforcements in the city can still fight with the troops outside the city.
Join together and launch a surprise attack on the enemy troops attacking the city.
Of course, the morale of the troops outside the city is also a factor that needs to be considered. After all, after the new defeat, the morale of the entire army has dropped to an extreme. If the troops cannot be garrisoned with reliable troops, the camp will be easily lost.
Because of this, the fact that the entire Jizhou army of the Lu brothers entered the city is not surprising at all.
Although he escaped this disaster, Lu Xiang was not happy at all. At this moment, his heart was full of fear and uneasiness. Today's defeat was largely caused by the collapse of his brother's right wing. It is difficult to say
Will Cao Cao be angry because of this and stab his brother to establish his authority?
In the past, of course he would not have had such worries. It is true that he was just a subordinate of Yuan Shao, but his status was not necessarily lower than that of a vassal like Cao Cao. That is to say, Cao Cao had a good status and had a certain scale of power, otherwise
Lu Xiang could have treated him coldly.
This point is clearly demonstrated by Liu Bei who lives under the military fence in Youzhou.
Although Liu Bei was self-proclaimed and had a close personal relationship with Gongsun Zan, his status in Gongsun Zan's army was very low. Yan Gang, who was above the top, and his acrimonious monojing, all made Liu Bei look bad. In other words, Tian Kai had a rough and arrogant temper.
, did not pay attention to small details, and treated Liu Bei with some kindness, but others regarded him as a poor relative who was just trying to make ends meet.
Therefore, Liu Beicai always stayed with Tian Kai.
If you have no strength and are vassal to others, you have no status!
Cao Cao and Liu Bei are similar. When they started to attack Yanzhou, they only had more than 3,000 people. Compared with Yuan Shao, who was sitting in Jizhou, the strength gap was even greater than that between Liu Bei and Gongsun Zan. The battle between Dongjun and Heishan was even more dramatic.
With the help of Zhang Zha, he won the final victory. For this, he paid the price of sending his son to Yecheng as a hostage.
However, the Lu Xiang brothers were generals in Jizhou and came from a famous family in Dongping. Even Yuan Shao treated them with courtesy and tried their best to win over them. Their status in Jizhou was not necessarily lower than that of Yan Gang, Shan Jing and others.
Facing Cao Cao, the Lu brothers have a great psychological advantage.
But today is different from the past. After the series of battles in the Central Plains and Hebei, the forces of Yuan and Cao have undergone major changes. Yuan Shao was counterattacked by Gongsun Zan and Wang Yu, and most of Jizhou's territory was lost. It seemed to be in turmoil.
It’s both dizzying and saddening to watch.
On the other hand, Cao Cao had already swept through Yan and Yu. He had many soldiers and generals, and Yuan Shu, who was so powerful, was so powerful that he even lost his home base of Runan to Zhou Ang. He fled all the way to Yangzhou.
The situation reversed, and now it was Yuan Shao who asked Cao Cao for help. For Cao Cao's dispatch of troops, Yuan Shao took the initiative to release the protons, and also accepted Liu Dai's proposal to let Cao Cao integrate the Jizhou soldiers and horses in Yangping as the deputy commander on the eastern front.
.
With Yuan Shao's always high profile, doing this is already considered groveling. How can Lu Xiang have the confidence to show a condescending attitude towards Cao Cao? He is just worried that Cao Cao will take advantage of his defeat to take advantage of his brother.
Sacrifice the flag and annex these thousands of soldiers and horses.
This is not impossible. As long as Cao Cao is willing to sell the Eastern Front to Wang Yu, retreat secretly, and sell Liu Dai to Wang Yu at the same time, he can reap the benefits.
There are currently only two major forces in Yanzhou, Cao Cao and Liu Dai. If Liu Dai dies, there is no reason for the governor of Yanzhou to fall into the hands of others. And Yuan Shao's main force is still there. Even if the eastern front collapses, at most he will lose the advantage of encircling Wang Yu.
, the combat power is still superior to Wang Yu's lone army.
At that time, the war in Hebei continued, and Cao Cao saved his strength and returned to Yanzhou, while integrating Yanzhou's forces and recharging his strength; while waiting for the opportunity, when both sides of the Hebei war were exhausted, and another mantis stalked the cicada and the oriole followed, then...
To do all this, annexing his brother's troops is undoubtedly a landmark signal!
What to do? What to do now?
Lu Xiang frightened himself so much that he ignored the movement around him and completely failed to notice that the target he was waiting for outside the courtyard gate had appeared.
"Zisheng, didn't you say that General Cao gathered the generals to discuss matters? If you don't go to the Central Army to obey orders, what are you doing here?"
Lu Xiang suddenly raised his head and saw that it was his brother Lu Kuang. He immediately had a backbone: "Brother, are you okay?"
"What can happen?" Lu Kuang's face flashed with hatred in his eyes, and he snorted coldly: "Although Wang Yu is strong, if he wants to keep someone, it's not that easy!"
"That's good, that's good." Lu Xiang looked his brother up and down. After running away, Lu Kuang's clothes and armor were a little scattered, and he looked quite embarrassed, but there was no blood on him and he was obviously not injured.
Xiang immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
"What's there to worry about? Will someone eat me up? Let's go to the Central Army. General Cao's military orders are very strict. If you don't come even once, even you and I will have to eat military sticks."
The brother's concern warmed Lu Kuang's heart. He patted his brother's shoulder, smiled and comforted him a few words, and then walked towards the Chinese army's camp.
After walking a few steps, he realized that Lu Xiang had not followed. Lu Kuang stopped, turned around and asked, "Why are you standing here stupidly if you don't leave yet?"
"Brother, let's just go there like this?" Lu Xiang walked a few steps quickly, got close to his brother, and asked in a low voice.
"How else could we get there?" Lu Kuang blinked, looking confused.
"Oh, my eldest brother, what do you want me to say about you!" Lu Xiang was worried for a long time, but Lu Kuang, who was involved, acted as if nothing was wrong. He was so anxious that he stamped his feet. He looked around to see if he had seen anything.
When people noticed, he dragged his brother to an inconspicuous corner and asked in a hoarse voice: "Brother, did we win or lose today?"
Lu Kuang slapped his brother's hand away and said angrily: "You and I are already in Leping City. It doesn't look like we have won the battle."
"It's true that we lost, right?" He disagreed, but Lu Xiang looked solemn and asked a series of questions: "Then tell me, why did you lose this battle today? How will you explain it to General Cao later?
If he punishes you with military orders, how will I deal with myself?"
"Well..." Lu Kuang hesitated slightly, as if he had reacted belatedly. Seeing this, Lu Xiang took advantage of the heat and said: "We have just suffered a defeat, and we are going to hold a military meeting. No matter how you look at it, there is no way.
It’s like a good plan, maybe it’s the Hongmen Banquet aimed at you and me!”
"What?" Lu Kuang was startled by his younger brother's expression and tone, and he stammered: "It's not that serious, right? With General Cao's current situation, does it need to be so troublesome to deal with our brothers?"
"Why not? Brother, listen to me..."
Lu Xiang stared, his face livid, and after expressing all his worries, he concluded: "Although the right wing has been repeatedly repelled today, the left wing is still intact, but it is just a little weak. You have been practicing formations these days.
Don’t you know the several variations of the Yoke Formation? General Cao has plenty of energy to spare! Then think about it, why did he withdraw his troops when he said they would?”
"I can't tell, Zisheng, you have made great progress these days, and you can actually express such insights. Yes, yes." Lu Kuang nodded repeatedly and asked with a smile: "Tell me, why did he withdraw his troops?
"
"Fake defeat!" Lu Xiang said decisively: "It's true that he faked defeat. His goal is to put the responsibility for the defeat on you. Anyway, your right wing was the first to collapse. Even General Yuan couldn't say no.
What's going on! I'm sure I won't stand by if he punishes you. Just like that, he can kill all our brothers and take away our troops!"
"Haha, Zisheng, actually you are thinking too much. Don't worry, listen to me first..." Lu Kuang smiled mysteriously and said: "There is nothing wrong with your thoughts. When General Cao withdrew his troops,
, it is true that he has not yet reached the end of his rope, and he faked defeat and returned to Yanzhou, which indeed has the benefits you mentioned. But I am sure that his purpose is definitely different from what you think!"
"...How can you see it?" Lu Kuang's tone was also quite certain, which made Lu Xiang, who always admired his brother, also be confused.
"First of all, Wang Yu is a major threat to all the heroes in the world. There are many people who want to kill him! If you think about it, you will know that those who are friends with him are short-sighted and have no great ambition to conquer the world.
, anyone who has such ambitions will regard him as a life-or-death enemy! General Cao is a little unlucky, but his ambition is extraordinary. Think about it, would he give up such a good opportunity so easily? "
"Brother, what you mean is..." Lu Xiang frowned and thought for a moment, then hesitated and said, "Did General Cao really lose today?"
"Then I don't know." Lu Kuang shook his head: "General Cao is so smart that he always has some plan, right? Anyway, you just need to know that he will not ignore the overall situation and let Wang Yu occupy Jizhou.
As for annexing our brothers' troops, hehe, he may have this plan, but he will definitely not adopt this method at this time."
"Why?" Lu Xiang bulged his eyes, confused.
"Think about my lord's temperament. If General Cao really did this, would he swallow this breath, pretend that nothing happened, and then fight Wang Yu desperately?" Lu Kuang's voice was extremely low, almost faint.
Not audible.
"This..." Lu Xiang subconsciously wanted to retort that no matter what, Yuan Shao would regain the lost ground first, but when the words came to his lips, he couldn't say them out.
Taking the overall situation into consideration is not Yuan Shao's style. Although people from famous families often talk about this sentence, it is usually used to ask others. Let others take care of his overall situation. This is his style, this order
But never turn it upside down.
If Cao Cao really annexes his own troops, it's hard to say what kind of response Yuan Shao will make. Continuing to fight Wang Yu and settling the score with Cao Cao later is only one of the possibilities; give up the lost ground, shake hands with Wang Yu and make peace, and cross the river to make peace with Cao Cao.
The fight for Yanzhou is not impossible; the possibility of turning enemies into friends with Wang Yu and attacking Cao Cao together also exists!
In the decades since the late Emperor's reign, have there been fewer similar battles and changes in the court? Even though they are allies now, if someone tries to back them down, or an enemy falls, they will draw their swords against each other in the next moment!
From the death of Emperor Ling to Dong Zhuo's entry into the capital, a series of changes that occurred before and after perfectly verified this truth.
Cao Cao will definitely have his own plans, but if he does it blatantly, he must be prepared to turn against Yuan Shao. Thinking of this, Lu Xiang breathed a long sigh of relief, and his heart finally fell back into his stomach.
Lu Kuang said with unfinished content: "In addition, if you think about it again, if he really made up his mind to marry you and me, why would he have to use a knife or a gun? Just say no?"
"Ah?" Lu Xiang was stunned.
"Ah what? Isn't this an obvious truth?"
Lu Kuang chuckled and said: "As the saying goes: good birds choose trees to roost in. Our brothers are not like Yuan Shao, so why do we have to hang ourselves on his tree? These are troubled times! We don't have the ability to rule the roost, but
Don’t you still have the right to choose your master? After today’s defeat, General Cao can certainly use me to show his authority, but thinking about it on the other hand, he can also show his favor, right?”
"This..." This theory was not profound, but Lu Xiang still frowned and thought for a while before he completely turned around.
"After this battle, regardless of winning or losing, Jizhou's vitality has been severely damaged. The Wuhuan people suffered countless losses at the hands of Gongsun Zan. A hundred thousand troops marching south may be just a bluff. Even if they really come, see you.
When Gongsun Zan's flag is raised, most likely it will be gone. At that time, Qingzhou and Youzhou can still communicate with each other and support each other, and the war in Hebei will continue for a long time."
"But on General Cao's side..." Lu Xiang wanted to say that with all the heroes in Cao's army gathered together, with their abilities, there was no place for them to stand.
"Isn't that just right?"
Lu Kuang said with lingering fear: "Wang Yu has unpredictable abilities in his military use. Even if he has the advantage, just one oversight can completely turn him around. Even a fierce general like Qu Yi or Zhang Jha is no match for him."
, not to mention you and me? Now that he has completely set his sights on Hebei, it’s really hard to say whether General Yuan can preserve Jizhou’s foundation.”
"That's it." Lu Xiang understood.
The elder brother's intention is to leave a way out. He has little confidence in Yuan Shao and is worried that there will be no eggs in the nest. In addition, it is too dangerous to fight against Wang Yu. Cao's army has so many powerful generals that if they are in
Since he is serving in Cao's army, he doesn't have to worry about being dragged out to fight with Wang Yu.
"However, people's hearts are separated from each other, and Cao Gong's thoughts..."
Lu Kuang waved his hand carelessly and said with a smile: "You will know when you get to the Chinese Army? Don't worry."
The two brothers made peace with each other. Although all their doubts had not dissipated, Lu Xiang was finally no longer as anxious as before. So the two of them entered the camp gate and headed towards the central army.
Although Cao's army was stronger, it was a guest army after all. The Jizhou army's performance today was very poor, but the generals did not show any face to the Lu brothers, let alone give them trouble.
The two of them arrived at the military camp that had been transformed from the county government office. They were still far away when they heard a roar like thunder.
"After so many battles, today's battle is the most useless one to lose! Isn't it because those losers in Jizhou can't hold on? What's so scary? Just change the formation according to the plan, just in time for them to fake defeat and lure the enemy.
After being lured here, Zixiao and the Chinese army attacked from both sides. Are they still afraid of him? Why did they suddenly win the gold? How many people died along the way? Even if we really lose, that's all!"
The Lu family brothers looked at each other.
It is not without reason that Cao Cao has won many battles. He is very strict in managing his army. Although Jizhou has a large number of soldiers and horses, but they only follow orders and prohibitions, there are only a handful of troops that can rival Cao Cao's army, or even beat them.
In such an army, the rules should be very strict. How could a general question or even yell loudly in front of the Chinese army?
"Miaocai is a bit impatient, but I can't blame him. The withdrawal of troops today was a bit hasty. Our army only suffered hundreds of casualties in the frontal conflict, but we were chased down all the way, and only the elite troops were cut off from behind.
We lost more than a thousand! In addition, Meng De, the right wing who suffered more than half of the casualties, this battle is a huge defeat!"
It was then that the Lu brothers suddenly realized that the person who roared loudly turned out to be Xia Houyuan. No wonder he broke the etiquette and did not make Cao Cao angry.
Xia Houyuan has been fighting at the front line today. The right wing collapsed before retreating halfway. Of the 5,000 people who set off, only a little over a thousand escaped into Leping; while the left wing has maintained a complete formation, behind the army.
, building a solid barrier was the biggest highlight of Cao's army in today's battle.
With such great achievements and bravery, it is nothing to have a bad temper.
Of course, what is more important than military exploits is that the Xiahou brothers are relatives of Cao Cao! In troubled times, the relationship of blood connection is the most reliable.
That day, Cao Cao suffered a defeat in Xingyang, and almost his entire army was wiped out. Fortunately, Xiahou Chun recruited a thousand Danyang soldiers, and Cao Ren also brought more than a thousand private soldiers to join him. Only then did he get through the most difficult stage. Without these two lines of reinforcements,
, how could Yuan Shao, who has his eyes above his head, put Cao Cao in his eyes? There are conditions for being a vassal!
A loyal and heroic general;
Brothers who are connected by blood and help each other with all their resources;
This dual identity is the best protective umbrella. Even Cao Cao, who was strict in running the army, could only turn a blind eye.
Sure enough, Cao Cao's voice sounded, his tone was low, but there was no anger, but what he said was a bit surprising.
"Miaocai, please calm down. I know you are very unwilling, but there is nothing we can do. If we don't retreat in time, I am afraid that instead of losing five or six thousand people today, the entire army will be destroyed!"
"How is it possible?" More than one or two people exclaimed in surprise. All the generals had doubts and suppressed them till now. How could they not be surprised when Cao Cao said this? (To be continued. Please search for Piaotian Literature and Novels.