Rejuvenation of the Han Dynasty in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 427
Cao Jun's envoys came to the Han camp to inquire about the ransom of Xia Houyuan and the captives. This surprised Cheng Pu, but he was relieved immediately. After all, Liu He had learned from the past, and it was reasonable for Cao Cao to think so.

But he couldn't make the decision on this matter, and he had to wait for Liu He to arrive in the army to make a decision. The messenger had no choice but to report back.

Cao Cao was also helpless when he heard the news. As long as they don't kill the prisoners, Xia Houyuan can still save his life. Any price is worth paying.

While discussing the next step, news came from Taishan County that Lu Qian was defeated in Ying County, and Xiahou Dun was harassed by Taishan bandits and could not be rescued in time. Guan Yu led his troops across Taishan and was confronting Xiahoudun's army.

Cao Cao got more and more headaches when he heard the report, and he lay on the bed for half a day before he concentrated on deploying the war. He returned his soldiers and horses to Rencheng for defense, and transferred Cao Ren back to Jibei to replace Xia Houyuan, so that he could cooperate with the navy.

Cao Chun asked in shock, "I transferred Zixiao away from Jibei. I'm afraid that the Hebei army will take advantage of it. Who can take over his position?"

Cao Cao sighed helplessly: "Now Liu He sent troops to attack Xuzhou in three ways, but he only ignored Jibei. It is because of this that there is no big threat. Now that Guan Yu has sent troops to Fenggao, it is useless to defend Jibei to defend Qingzhou. It is better to withdraw our troops and return to the defense, and only by concentrating our forces can we fight Liu He."

Cao Chun also knew that Xuzhou's military strength could not be compared with that of the Hebei army, not to mention that Liu He also occupied Yuzhou and Yanzhou. Leaving aside Yuan Shu's troops and horses, the [-] Xiliang soldiers brought by Lu Bu were enough to double the pressure on Xuzhou.

When the news of Cao Bing's retreat came, Cheng Pu hurriedly asked Jia Xu to discuss it, saying: "Now that Cao Cao is retreating to defend Rencheng and has transferred Cao Ren to come to sit in the town, should we press harder?"

Jia Xu said: "Cao Bing lost the first battle, morale was low, and Cao Cao retreated, it must be General Guan who won the victory in Taishan County. Now Rencheng and the defenders of Weishan Lake are taking care of each other. , to make an offensive from afar, but divide the troops to take Rencheng, first pacify Yanzhou, and avoid worries about the future, before we can fully advance."

Cheng Pu thought so, and immediately ordered the troops to enter Fangyu, and sent Gao Shun to lead the troops to take Jibei, so that they could connect with Qingzhou soldiers and horses, and form a siege of Xuzhou.

Not a day after Liu He rushed to Shanyang County, Cheng Pu and the generals entered the city and reported the battle between the two armies. At this time, Gao Shun had already captured Jibei, echoing with Guan Yu's army on Mount Tai, and facing Feng Gao's army. pose a great threat.

Liu He naturally knew how powerful the poisoner was, so he clasped his fists and said, "Sir, he predicted the enemy first, and it really is Zhuge... Oh, this, this Zhang Liang is reborn!"

When I got excited just now, I almost said that Zhuge was reborn, Xiao Liangliang is still learning the art of war in Fanyang at this time!

Jia Xu returned the favor with a faint smile. He knew that there were many wise men in Liu He's army and he would never steal everyone's limelight. It was best to do his own thing well.

Cheng Pu asked again: "Xia Houyuan is still imprisoned in the city, what should I do?"

Liu He had long told him not to kill captives indiscriminately unless it was absolutely necessary, but keeping such an important person in the army was really worrying.

Liu He said with a smile: "Cao Cao gave up Qiao County and retreated to Xiaopei because he didn't want to lead the war to his hometown. Since he cares about his folks so much, he should send General Xiahou back to his hometown!"

Cheng Pu was a little surprised: "This...doesn't need to be exchanged for food?"

"Am I the one who sees money?" Liu He said seriously: "Besides, Xia Houyuan is also a hero today. How can his worth be measured by money? This is an insult to him, and a gentleman will not do it!"

Guo Jia curled his lips aside. He knew that Liu He would never let the threatening enemy go, so he said such high-sounding words. I wonder if Xia Houyuan would thank Liu He after hearing it?

At this time, Cao Cao had already retreated to Xiaopei, and Liu He ordered Cheng Pu to continue to deal with Cao Ren here to contain the troops of the Cao army in the north. He and Guo Jia went to Dang County. Pi can only be decided in one battle.

Cao Cao stationed troops in Xiaopei and Pengcheng to protect Xuzhou. The current situation is more difficult than the battle of Guandu back then. Coupled with the weakening of troops, counselors and generals, and prestige, it is actually impossible to recover.

In fact, it was the Battle of Guandu. As long as Yuan Shu adopted the suggestions of Tian Feng and Ju Shou, Cao Cao would have difficulty contending. Only when there was a problem with the core people, Cao Cao had a chance to reverse. No.

Moreover, in the battle of Guandu, Cao Cao once retreated. He had Xun Yu, Guo Jia and others to plan for him, and he had the help of an insider like Xu You. All kinds of conditions were indispensable.

Now he can only rely on his Cao family army, without resources and support, no matter how strong a hero is, he will be unable to support him alone!

In fact, only relying on the superiority of troops and resources, Liu He dispatched troops in an all-round way. Generals such as Guan Yu, Cheng Pu, Zhao Yun, Tai Shici, and Zhang Liao each led a team.

But this is not the situation he wants. He doesn't want Xuzhou, which has just come back to life, to suffer another war, and he doesn't want to fight Cao Cao again. If he can win and lose in one battle like Lu Bu, let Cao Cao know the current affairs and become his autobiography As said in the book, to be a general of Han Zhengxi is the most satisfactory ending.

The current situation is moving towards the situation that Liu He wanted. Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren were restrained, Xiahou Yuan was captured, and Cao Cao's generals were already stretched. If he could manage to beat him into a polished commander, he would not accept his fate if he didn't believe in Cao Cao.

As the so-called altitude determines vision, people's ambitions are constantly changing with the increase of status and power. Cao Cao's personality has actually changed many times in his life.

The murder of the eunuch, the assassination of Dong Zhuo, and the alliance against Dong are all direct manifestations of a passionate young man's patriotism. As a warlord, Tu Xuzhou was decisive in killing, but also seemed too impulsive.

However, after welcoming Emperor Xian and holding the emperor in command of the princes, as his status continued to rise, he became unpredictable. From surrendering the Qingzhou soldiers to implementing the farming system, it can be seen that Cao Cao also began to realize the importance of people's livelihood.

In the end, the power is high and the enemy is surrounded by enemies. In fact, he is no longer able to control it alone. No matter whether he is himself, his family, or even those loyal subordinates, pushing him will push him to a position of last resort.

After all, at this stage, Cao Cao has not yet entered the central government. He is just a prince, and he still has the Han Dynasty in mind. He has no intention of independent rebellion. He just works hard to build a foundation and refuses to accept his fate!

When Liu He came to Mangdang, Zhang Fei and others had already waited impatiently. Cheng Pu and Guan Yu had won big victories. If Cheng Yu hadn't been steady and suppressed them, they would have wanted to kill Pengcheng a long time ago.

At this time, the more we can't underestimate the enemy's carelessness, Liu He first calmed down the emotions of the generals, told them to continue to train their troops, and called Cheng Yu and others to the government office to discuss the strategy against the enemy.

(End of this chapter)