The current situation was crystal clear...
Baima City Fort was about to be surrounded by Yuan Shao's vanguard general Yan Liang's army, while Yuan Shao's main force was advancing towards Liyang City on the northern bank of the Yellow River!
In response...
Xun You and Lu Yu had arrived at the same conclusion. Yuan Shao had more troops, while Cao Cao had fewer. Therefore, to achieve local victories, Yuan Shao's forces had to be dispersed to avoid being overwhelmed.
Saving Baima was certainly feasible!
However, in reality, according to Lu Yu and Xun You's plan, it would be better to... lead the main force to Yan Jin and make preparations to cross the Yellow River to attack Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao, fearing his rear would be captured, would inevitably contract his defenses!
And when Yuan Shao's army contracted, Yan Liang, who was besieging Baima City Fort, would become an isolated force.
Just at this moment, the eight hundred elite cavalry of the Long Xiao Camp would transform into the sharpest blade, advancing lightly and rapidly... straight into the heart of this isolated force, delivering a surprise attack that would surely catch Yan Liang off guard.
Lu Yu's deployment was extremely subtle... and exceptionally subtle!
Cao Cao did not understand, nor did Xun Yu, but it did not escape Xun You's eyes...
It could be said that Lu Yu's plan perfectly coincided with his original strategy!
At this moment, Cao Cao's eyes met those of Xun Yu and Xun You.
Especially Xun You, a big question surfaced in his gaze.
This strategy had a fatal flaw...
Others could not see it, but Xun You was perfectly aware of it.
"Cao Sikong, Xun Lingjun... Situ Lu's plan is ingenious, but its execution is extremely difficult..."
Xun You frankly laid out all his concerns.
"Firstly, this is a gamble, gambling on Yuan Shao's suspicious nature to mass his troops to prevent Cao's army from crossing north. But... if Yuan Shao does not concentrate his troops, then Yan Liang's vanguard army will not be an isolated force, and the effect of the surprise attack will be greatly diminished!"
"Secondly, even if Yuan Shao falls for the ploy, the eight hundred Long Xiao cavalry's surprise raid to rescue Baima must be timed with extreme precision. If they attack Baima even a moment too early, Yuan's army will see through the plan! If they are too late, Baima City Fort will fall! It can be said that... although this plan is excellent, not a single step can afford any error, and ordinary armies simply cannot achieve it!"
There was this layer to it as well?
Upon hearing this, Cao Cao's eyes narrowed once more!
After Xun You presented this chess game and analysis, he finally understood what Yu'er intended to do.
This was... a dangerous gamble!
However... looking back, in all of Yu'er's previous strategies, had they not all been about pulling back from the brink of death?
Risk... heh heh, was always proportional to reward.
Thinking this, Cao Cao seemed to have made a decision.
"Zhong Kang, where are you!"
"Your subordinate is here!" Hearing Cao Cao's call, Xu Chu entered.
"Send someone to deliver a pigeon message to Zixiao and Zilian in Yan Jin!" Cao Cao's tone was stern. "Until I arrive at the front lines, obey all of Situ Lu's commands. Those who disobey will be executed!"
"Yes!" Xu Chu agreed and went to make arrangements!
Upon hearing this, Xun You looked up at Cao Cao, a little surprised, but in an instant, he felt it was only natural...
Was this the unconditional trust a father had in his son?
Even if it was a dangerous gamble!
Even if... it was a gamble laid out by his son!
Thinking this, Xun You's expression became much more complicated.
Precisely... this expression was seen by Cao Cao.
"Hahaha..." Cao Cao smiled and patted Xun You's shoulder. "Gongda, your analysis is excellent. Situ Lu's move is indeed a dangerous gamble, a gamble. But Gongda, don't forget, Situ Lu mentioned... he had planted a spy near Yuan Shao, and this spy would guide Yuan Shao step by step into the trap!"
"Hahaha..."
Speaking of which, Cao Cao burst into laughter again. As a father, he was not worried at all about Xun You's concerns!
His gaze, through the window, looked out into the void towards the northeast.
As he looked, he sighed with emotion, "Yuan Benchu will definitely cooperate with Yu'er, he definitely will!"
With this thought, he nodded with a smile, then shook his head with a smile, and finally... his eyes settled.
"That's right..." Cao Cao said loudly, "I almost forgot the main business!"
Ah... the main business?
This sudden remark stunned Xun Yu and Xun You. What main business?
"Cao Sikong... this..."
Before Xun Yu could ask, Cao Cao's words already blurted out. "It has nothing to do with the war..."
At this point, Cao Cao paused, a pleased smile curving his lips, and continued with emotion, "But it has something to do with romance!"
He turned and asked the Tiger Guards.
"Go and find out if Guan Yunchang has departed with the Long Xiao cavalry! Once he is far away, report back to me immediately!"
"Also, investigate the preferences of Lady Gan and Lady Mi... those two wives of Liu!"
These words blurted out...
Xun Yu's eyes flickered. He seemed to understand. Yes... with his sharp eyesight, he was naturally very familiar with Cao Cao's habits. Cao Sikong did not favor ordinary women; he preferred married women!
Who would have thought...
Xun Yu's gaze settled, and he mused, who would have thought... that Situ Lu specifically invited Guan Yu to fight and earn merit at Baima City Fort, and that there was this deeper meaning behind it!
Heh heh... Xun Yu just chuckled!
Guan Yu's Green Dragon Crescent Moon Blade might stain the battlefield red...
But how could he have imagined that Cao Sikong's blade... would soon stain that secluded courtyard!
What a scheme, what a scheme...
At this moment, Xun Yu felt... even in the end, he felt he had understood all "five layers," but Lu Yu... no, Yin Lin was still in the sixth layer, always one step ahead of him!
...
...
Long Xiao Camp, Central Army Tent.
The mobilization meeting had concluded...
Of course, while there was mobilization, many specific plans and strategies could not be discussed openly...
Conspiracies and stratagems... these must be deployed in secret!
At this moment, Lu Yu stood with his hands behind his back. On the table behind him was a military map...
On the map, Lu Yu had marked several key areas.
These were all battlefields for the decisive battle between Cao and Yuan.
From Liyang City north of the Yellow River, to Yan Jin and Baima south of the Yellow River... and then to Guandu and Xuchang!
It was worth noting that Guandu was located upstream of the Hong Canal, on the banks of the Bian River, and served as a barrier to the northeast of Xuchang.
In this line of battle, if Yuan Shao wanted to capture Xuchang, then whether it was through army group operations or surprise raids, Guandu... was a crucial position he could not avoid!
It could be said that once Guandu was lost, Cao's army would be routed, disintegrating in an instant!
"Your subordinate Cao Xiu greets Commander Lu..."
"Your subordinate Zhang Liao greets Commander Lu!"
As the voices sounded, Lu Yu turned around... He first summoned Zhang Liao and Cao Xiu.
As the two cavalry units were about to set off, Lu Yu had some words to impart.
"Are you all ready?" Lu Yu asked with a smile...
"The brothers have assembled. As soon as Commander Lu gives the order, we can set off immediately..." Zhang Liao replied.
Lu Yu nodded and asked with a smile, "I heard Yan Liang has fifty thousand men, and the defenders of Baima City are only seven thousand... and you only have eight hundred cavalry? Can you win this battle?"
This...
As Lu Yu's words left his mouth, Zhang Liao and Cao Xiu exchanged glances. Zhang Liao, however, was not afraid.
"If it's a surprise attack, even if it's not a complete victory, at least... it can wound the Yuan army's vanguard's bones!"
Compared to Zhang Liao...
Cao Xiu's eyes flickered. It seemed he had heard some deeper meaning in Lu Yu's words!
"Commander Lu must have his reasons for this arrangement. I hope you will enlighten us..."
Hearing this, Lu Yu beckoned and said, "You two, lean closer, and I will tell you how to fight this battle."
As he spoke, Zhang Liao and Cao Xiu stepped forward!
"xxx, xxx, xxx!"
In less than half an hour, a series of extremely low and faint whispers reached Zhang Liao and Cao Xiu's ears.
Zhang Liao and Cao Xiu's eyes gradually widened, until finally, both of them uttered three words in unison.
"It's... timing!"
"That's right..." Lu Yu nodded. "The key to victory in this battle is timing, timing, and damn it, timing!"
"Besides that, what I've emphasized, you must remember. Give 'him' some credit, and also... absolutely do not take that person's head!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Liao and Cao Xiu cupped their hands and said in unison, "We will not fail our mission!"
...
An hour later, after Zhang Liao and Cao Xiu left the tent, they immediately assembled their troops and prepared to set off.
And at the moment of assembling troops...
Guan Yu entered the central army tent of the Long Xiao Camp.
"Guan pays respects to the Great Han Situ!"
Guan Yu deliberately uttered the words 'Great Han' as if to declare his stance of surrendering to Han, not Cao!
Seeing Guan Yu, Lu Yu behaved very courteously...
"I heard that General Guan submitted 'requests for battle' to Cao Sikong several times, but Cao Sikong refused, saying... why use a butcher's knife to kill a chicken! But this mission is extremely dangerous, and the enemy general is the esteemed general Yan Liang of Hebei. I suspect... General Guan might not be able to handle it if he doesn't fight."
"A mere Yan Liang, a fellow who sticks labels on a post, nothing more!" Guan Yu stroked his beard. It seemed the name Yan Liang wasn't enough to make his stoic face twitch even slightly.
"I must thank Situ Lu." Guan Yu's eyes lifted and gazed at Lu Yu. "If it weren't for Situ Lu mentioning my name, I fear I wouldn't have been able to enter this battlefield and earn such merit!"
In his words, Guan Yu's expression softened slightly... as if expressing his gratitude to Lu Yu.
Lu Yu walked a few steps closer to Guan Yu.
The following words, however, carried a hint of deeper meaning.
"General Guan's loyalty and righteousness, I greatly admire. However... please do not blame Cao Sikong, Cao Sikong also has his difficulties!"
Lu Yu said this intentionally.
His purpose was to get Guan Yu to shed his prejudice against Old Cao.
As expected... Guan Yu lowered his head slightly.
Lu Yu's words continued to flow.
"Cao Sikong has treated General Guan well. A few days ago, when General Guan was drinking with Wen Yuan, he mentioned that he was determined to earn merit before leaving! Cao Sikong did not want you to leave, which is why he rejected your request for battle. In this world, there is no one else like General Guan who makes Cao Sikong reluctant to let go, yet also reluctant to kill!"
Speaking to this point, Lu Yu paused... as if his emotions were stirred. "But... I thought about it, and this is not good for Cao Sikong, nor for General Guan! So I went to persuade Cao Sikong, saying that General Guan is in Cao's camp but his heart is with Han. Even if he stays, what significance is there? Moreover, doesn't Cao Sikong admire General Guan's loyalty and righteousness! It is precisely because of this that Cao Sikong agreed to let General Guan accompany the Long Xiao Camp on this expedition!"
Lu Yu spoke a long string of words... of course, it was all fabricated... fabricating was exhausting!
He had to make this story logically consistent, otherwise... Guan Yu would be suspicious. Did Cao Cao not want me before, and suddenly wants me to go to the battlefield? Is there some trickery?
Of course, Old Cao would have trickery, wouldn't he?
This was luring the tiger away from its mountain, and then... the plum blossoms in your elder brother's backyard would bloom over the wall.
"Cough cough"... Thinking this, Lu Yu coughed lightly. For Old Cao's big brother... he, Lu Yu, was really going all out this time!
In any case... Lu Yu had already paved the way for Guan Yu to earn merit and then leave.
Whether Old Cao could successfully capture Lady Gan and Lady Mi in these few months, and whether one of these ladies would leave with a "bun in the oven"... that would depend on Old Cao's ability.
Of course...
As someone who had fathered twenty-five sons and seven daughters in his lifetime, Old Cao, although he couldn't compare to the "baby-making expert," the "Guinness World Record holder for childbirth," Prince Jing of Zhongshan, Liu Sheng, but... as long as Old Cao was willing to work hard, there was still a chance.
It was just a "bun," wasn't it!
Of course... for Lu Yu, this was not the main point. The main point was that Guan Yu still had to thank him!
As expected...
While Lu Yu was still contemplating, Guan Yu cupped his hands and said, "Young Master Lu has taken great pains. Guan will remember this kindness! I will repay it another day!"
Look at that...
Being used, and still helping them count the money!
Lu Yu forced a smile, putting on a look of reluctance to part with Guan Yu.
"General Guan, take care..."
"If this battle is a great victory, wherever General Guan wishes to go, he may go? Even if Cao Sikong obstructs, I, Lu Yu, will definitely persuade Cao Sikong to let General Guan come and go with dignity!"
Hoo...
Guan Yu let out a sigh.
For a moment, he suddenly understood why Lu Yu was not from the Yingchuan scholars' faction, nor from the Qiao Pei martial artists' faction, yet almost everyone in Cao's camp praised him.
What's more... many generals called him brother!
With just a few words, it could be seen... Lu Yu possessed a unique charisma!
If it weren't for the difference in factions, Guan Yu would also like to have a deep conversation with him, or even become sworn brothers!
"Farewell..."
Guan Yu was not one to reveal his inner thoughts. His eyes narrowed slightly as he bowed and took his leave...
Then he strode out of the army tent!
Mounting his horse, he chased after the Long Xiao cavalry corps that had already set off.
To aid Baima and earn merit... this gave Guan Yu a reason to leave!
This was the urgent matter at hand...
Watching Guan Yu's retreating back...
Lu Yu smacked his lips.
He mused... this meeting was very effective, and the outcome was delightful and as expected!
Yun Chang... your elder brother's hair is going to turn green!
...
...
Jizhou, Ye City!
"Dong dong dong..."
The drums sounded like thunder. Outside Ye City... fifty thousand Yuan army soldiers stood in formation. Yuan Shao's three sons, Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, and Yuan Shang, each mobilized troops from Qingzhou, Youzhou, and Jizhou to rush to the scene.
Coupled with Zhang He, Gao Lan, and Wen Chou's cavalry...
The three armies converged, far exceeding fifty thousand in number.
The time had come. Yuan Shao, who had been boasting about marching south for a long time, was finally... his main army was going to set out today!
"Tapa..."
"Tapa..."
The solid footsteps resounded. Yuan Shao walked step by step onto the high platform.
He picked up the dagger on the high platform, cut his index finger, and let the blood drip, drop by drop, into the three cups of wine before him.
Yuan Shao picked up the first cup of wine.
-- "Your subject, Yuan Shao, Grand General of all armies, respectfully informs the heavens, that the Cao usurper has gone against heaven and usurped the Han, poisoned the people, and brought chaos to the world! Your subject Shao, by the mandate of heaven, leads the royal army, with fifty-five thousand troops, to conquer Cao and eliminate the rebel, to pacify the universe. May the heavenly spirits protect and help Shao achieve a swift victory! Your subject Shao, sacrifices with blood!"
The first cup of blood wine, a sacrifice to heaven, Yuan Shao drank it all in one gulp...
"Victory..."
"Victory..."
"Victory!"
Amidst the earth-shattering cheers of "Victory" from the three armies, Yuan Shao picked up the second cup of blood wine.
-- "Your subject, Yuan Shao, Grand General of all armies, respectfully informs Mother Earth, that the Cao usurper has gone against heaven and usurped the Han, poisoned the world, causing all things to wither and the people to live in misery... Your subject Shao, bows to the ground and lives by the earth, as the epitome of all things, taking the spirit of life, vows to eliminate the Cao rebel, and restore prosperity to the land! Your subject Shao, sacrifices with blood!"
The second cup of blood wine, a sacrifice to the earth, Yuan Shao drank it all in one gulp...
"Victory..."
"Victory..."
"Victory!"
Amidst the mountain-like roar of "Victory," Yuan Shao raised the third cup of wine.
-- "Shao, Grand General of all armies, respectfully informs the ancestors and revered spirits, that the Cao usurper has gone against heaven and usurped the Han, poisoned the spirits of the ancestors, causing the ancestral temples to collapse and the social order to be destroyed, making the spirits restless! Furthermore, the demon Lu Yu aids the tyrant and harms the nation! Today, Shao weeps with hatred and vows to eliminate the demon... to present the heads of the Cao rebel and the Lu demon before the ancestral spirits, hoping for the protection of the ancestral spirits, and to help Shao achieve a great victory and return! Yuan Shao sacrifices with blood..."
-- "Soldiers of the three armies, set forth immediately!"
"Victory..."
"Victory..."
"Victory!"
The three armies roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens and echoing through the clouds!
The civil and military officials of the Yuan camp were all greatly encouraged, shouting loudly... only Liu Bei, who was below the platform, appeared somewhat dejected and solitary.
His eyes were distant, and he shook his head helplessly, sighing with emotion.
"It was said to be an immediate departure... but this 'immediate' has been delayed for fifteen days... I'm afraid that by now, everyone in the world knows that Yuan Shao is going to march south, right? Then... how could Cao Cao not be prepared? Hesitation, indecisiveness, vacillation, acting like this? How can you talk about eliminating Cao Cao..."
The more Liu Bei thought about it, the more uneasy he felt...
According to Yuan Shao's deployment, when the vanguard Yan Liang set out, his main army should have marched south to attack Liyang...
But what about now?
Yan Liang had probably already arrived at Baima City Fort, but Yuan Shao's main army had not moved an inch out of the city!
Waiting... Yuan Shao insisted on waiting until the entire army was assembled. By the time this moment arrived, the opportunity would have been lost.
"Alas..."
Liu Bei sighed helplessly!
At this point, he had also suggested to Yuan Shao that marching south did not require such a grand display...
A surprise attack, or bypassing Cao Cao's defensive lines and directly striking Xuchang... wouldn't that have a greater chance of victory?
However...
How could Yuan Shao listen to him? The pride of being from a four-generation noble family... did not allow him to use such trivial, sneaky tactics. He wanted to use his absolute strength, witnessed by everyone in the world, to crush Cao Cao, this former subordinate and now formidable enemy, completely!
To warn the world, who was the king in this chaotic era!
How ridiculous...
Yuan Shao's state of mind... in Liu Bei's eyes, was incredibly ridiculous!
However, one point Yuan Shao was correct about was that the demon Lu Yu aided the tyrant.
Only those who had clashed with Lu Yu could appreciate his terrifying aspects...
In Liu Bei's heart, Lu Yu was not just Yin Lin, but also a demon!
The saying goes—his intelligence was like a demon's!
Just as Liu Bei was lost in thought.
-- "Report..."
A scout weaved through the layers of armored soldiers and quickly approached the foot of the high platform.
-- "Urgent report from the front lines!"
-- "Read it!" Yuan Shao turned around and immediately ordered.
The scout, without even dismounting, unfolded the bamboo slip on his horse.
-- "Urgent report from the front lines, Cao's army at Liyang City north of the Yellow River fled without a fight! Our army captured Liyang without shedding blood!"
-- "Urgent report from the front lines, General Yan Liang successfully crossed the Yellow River and has completely surrounded Baima City Fort, cutting off all its supplies and reinforcements. It will take fifteen days to capture the city!"
It was very clear...
This was something Yuan Shao had arranged beforehand, to have the scout report this "excellent situation" in front of the fifty thousand armored soldiers.
"Haha... hahaha..." Yuan Shao laughed heartily. "Listen, everyone, he, Cao Cao, is afraid. He is afraid... hahaha!"
On the high platform, Yuan Shao laughed heartily, his laughter filled with contempt for Cao Cao!
It also contained his innate pride!
For a time...
The entire army began to discuss, and a commotion erupted!
Yuan Shao, however, waved his hand, signaling everyone to quiet down.
"Soldiers of the three armies, listen to my words. He, Cao Aman, is afraid. He, Cao Aman, dares not fight me, Yuan Shao, head-on!"
"Haha, the victory is already decided before the battle even begins. Soldiers of the three armies, listen well, this battle is your opportunity to achieve unparalleled military achievements! This battle is destined to ensure the eternal prosperity of my Yuan clan. This battle... also determines the course of history for the next five hundred years! It determines the final ownership of the dynasty and the realm! In a word, survival and destruction, fortune and disgrace, the imperial realm... all will be decided in this battle!"
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
"Victory..."
"Victory!"
"Victory..."
Amidst the thunderous shouts, the prelude to the Battle of Guandu was officially unveiled.
It could be foreseen that a great battle was imminent!
-- It was the desolate battlefield illuminated by the bloody setting sun...
-- It was the roar of the strong...
-- It was also the cry of the weak...
...
...