On the official road from Yanzhou to Xuzhou, Xiapi City was five li ahead!
Here... flying sand and rolling stones, dust and smoke filled the sky...
Over a hundred thousand troops on forced march were striding with resolute steps, ferociously heading towards Xiapi City in Xuzhou.
And at the same time, within a five-horse carriage, bold poems were recited, giving a somewhat spirited singing flavor.
"In Guandong, there are righteous men, rising in arms to punish the wicked."
"At the start, they met at Mengjin, their hearts set on Xianyang."
"Their armies gathered, but their strength was not unified, they hesitated and marched in formation."
"Profit and power made them contend, later they turned to slaughtering each other, hahaha... hahahaha..."
As the poem was recited, Cao Cao's devilish laughter resounded along the official road.
Accompanying him, Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai, having heard the poem, felt a ripple of emotion within their hearts.
Xun Yu sighed, "Does Cao Sikong recall the scene of the eighteen lords attacking Dong?"
"In a way! Haha..." Cao Cao seemed to be in quite good spirits. "In the past, I issued a proclamation calling upon eighteen lords to attack Dong. Today, Liu Bei issues a proclamation calling upon the lords to attack me, Cao Cao? A very familiar story, but the ending is destined to be different!"
After some reflection...
Beside him, Xi Zhicai's eyes flickered continuously, his mood appearing rather complicated. "A good general advances without hesitation... a good strategist looks ahead and behind. This expedition, Cao Sikong has deployed almost all his elite forces, leaving Yanzhou and Sili almost like empty cities! According to scouts, Yuan Shao's army of three hundred thousand is already stationed north of the Yellow River, ready to cross south at any moment. This is eyeing Yanzhou and Sili!"
"If Yuan Shao is wise, he would send tens of thousands of feigned troops to tie us down on the front, while personally leading his elite force to launch a swift attack on our rear. Then Xudu would be in grave danger. If Xudu falls, we would have nowhere to retreat, losing our base! This move, for Yuan Shao, wouldn't it be the best strategy?"
As Xi Zhicai's analysis was uttered.
Xun Yu smiled and shook his head. "Zhicai's analysis is good. This strategy is indeed a top-tier one, but... for Yuan Shao, that's not necessarily the case! Yuan Shao is a man of suspicion and indecisiveness. If he sees a chance, he fears; if he sees no chance, he covets profit. When facing an enemy, if he has fifty percent certainty, he won't fight; even with seventy percent certainty, he still won't fight. Only when he has a hundred percent certainty will he fight with all his might!"
"But armies have no constant formation, and water has no constant shape. Military opportunities change in an instant... Where will there be a hundred percent certainty! Moreover, Cao Sikong has arranged feigned formations by Xu Huang and Cao Hong south of the Yellow River. If Yuan Shao truly orders a crossing, it will likely be ten or twenty days later. In this time, can we not conquer a mere Xiapi City?"
Cao Cao listened with great interest to the conversation between Xi Zhicai and Xun Yu, not interrupting. Long journeys were quite tedious... He cupped his chin and continued to listen with keen interest.
Indeed...
Xi Zhicai's voice was heard again. "Lingjun Xun, are you perhaps too confident this time? Liu Bei is not like Yuan Shu or Lu Bu. The bravery of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei is by no means comparable to Lu Bu's Eight Valiant Generals, or Yuan Shu's subordinates like Ji Ling and Zhang Xun! Coupled with Xiapi City's strong defenses, which are difficult to attack but easy to defend, ten days, twenty days... it's not guaranteed that it can be taken."
At this point, Xi Zhicai paused.
"Furthermore, Yuan Shao is indecisive, but he has no shortage of wise advisors around him. Ju Shou, Tian Feng, Xu You, and others? Will they not see the opportunity for victory? Will they not advise Yuan Shao to attack Yanzhou swiftly and surprise Xudu City?"
This...
Hearing this, Xun Yu waved his hand and smiled in reply, "Then it can only depend on two points!"
"Two points?" Xi Zhicai retorted.
"Firstly, it depends on whether our garrison in Yanzhou can hold out until Cao Sikong's army returns victorious. If they can hold until Xiapi City is breached and the army returns to reinforce us, then we will have victory on both fronts. If not... then we can only look at the second point..."
Xun Yu teased him.
This made Xi Zhicai anxious. "Lingjun Xun, it's not proper to speak halfway!"
"Hahaha..." Xun Yu replied with a laugh. "Isn't Situ Lu still in Xudu City? The Dragon Soaring Camp is also still there. This is an invincible force, and Situ Lu's reputation is renowned. Will Yuan Shao not fear it by three parts? If he fears it, perhaps... he will hesitate again, thus gaining at least ten days out of nowhere... haha!"
"Lingjun Xun, these are all ideal scenarios!" Xi Zhicai spread his hands... "What if, even after a month, we still haven't taken Xiapi City? Then... Yanzhou and Xudu City will truly be in peril."
As these words were spoken...
Xun Yu remained unconcerned, his tone firm and loud. "To use troops is to take risks. Without risk, there is no victory! Young Master Lu said something very fitting: Yuan Shao, though powerful, is narrow-minded. Liu Bei, though small in power, is broad-minded. If Cao Sikong does not seize this opportunity to annihilate Liu Bei as a hidden danger, then... in the future, when Cao Sikong engages Yuan Shao in a decisive battle, Liu Bei will surely attack from the rear! The danger in the future far outweighs the danger today!"
"Alright... haha..." Cao Cao had heard enough. He waved his hand and sighed, "Zhicai has strategy, and Wenruo has insight! I have benefited greatly from both of your words!"
"Do you know? Back then, when the eighteen lords attacked Dong, Yuan Shao, as the alliance leader, was timid and hesitant to advance, which made me anxious. It was at that time that I decided, if I were to lead troops in the future, I would never be as hesitant and irresolute as Yuan Shao!"
"Hahaha, as Lingjun Xun said, if everyone waits for complete certainty? Then... where is the plan to break the stalemate?"
"But..." Xi Zhicai still wanted to persuade him.
He wasn't questioning Cao Cao's move of deploying all his elites to attack Liu Bei, but rather felt it was unnecessary.
The recent defeat in Jiangdong... the situation had eased, even developing in a favorable direction.
In such circumstances, was there still a need to take such a risky gamble?
It was strange to say, but Xi Zhicai, who usually liked to take risks, was now conservative, while Xun Yu, who was consistently known for his prudence and rigor, was now more audacious.
"Zhicai... lean your ear over here."
Seeing Xi Zhicai still looking worried, Cao Cao beckoned him.
Xi Zhicai blinked slightly, then extended his ear.
Immediately after... Cao Cao whispered his words, very low and faint, causing Xi Zhicai's expression to change drastically?
"What?"
In his astonishment, he blurted out, "When did Situ Lu deploy five armies behind Yuan's camp? These... these five armies? Which five armies are they?"
Now... Xi Zhicai understood everything. No wonder Cao Sikong and Lingjun Xun were so confident and fearless. It turned out... the fool was himself!
He, Xi Zhicai, was just worrying unnecessarily!
It turned out... Young Master Lu had already made arrangements, with five armies attacking Cao? Hehe... the main theme from now on would be five armies attacking Yuan, right?
Under this premise, if Yuan Shao dared to cross the Yellow River, Xi Zhicai would dare to wash his hair while standing on his head!
However, five armies? Which five armies?
Xi Zhicai's eyes darted...
Gongsun Zan, Yang Xiu... at most, that's only two armies. The other three armies... which three armies?
Instantly, Xi Zhicai, who had just emerged from one shock, fell into another great doubt.
...
...
In Bingzhou, at the border between Changshan and Zhaojun.
On the mountains here, a large mountain stronghold rose from the ground. At the entrance of the stronghold, in addition to two tiger heads hanging, there were the three characters "Black Mountain Stronghold".
One should know...
Not many dared to call themselves Black Mountain Stronghold in the northern regions.
This was a force named the Black Mountain Army, led by Zhang Yan, who had gathered rebels from Changshan, Zhaojun, Zhongshan, Shangdang, and Henei.
Under the leadership of Zhang Yan, at its largest scale, this Black Mountain Army numbered up to a million men, rivaling the White Wave Army!
It could be said that... the counties and prefectures north of the Yellow River had all been harassed by them, and the court was powerless to send troops to suppress them. Yes, over a million men? Who the heck could suppress them?
Hoo...
A long sigh of breath.
A middle-aged man looked up at the plaque of "Black Mountain Stronghold". He had also learned through extensive inquiries that Zhang Yan was currently hiding in this stronghold.
He was Cheng Yu, sent by Lu Yu to persuade them to surrender... or rather, to pacify the Black Mountain Army. He carried the Emperor's decree, representing the court.
Speaking of which...
The Black Mountain Army was also not having an easy time these days. Consecutive battle losses had repeatedly compressed their area of operation.
To be precise, the Black Mountain Army's first defeat was in a major battle with Cao Cao in the second year of Zhongping. At that time, Cao Cao was still Yuan Shao's subordinate, and he defeated the Black Mountain Army on Yuan Shao's behalf, thus establishing his position in Dong Commandery.
The second time was during the period when Lu Bu briefly defected to Yuan Shao. Under Lu Bu's ferocity, the Black Mountain Army suffered repeated defeats. It could be said that one battle brought the morale of the Black Mountain Army to its lowest point.
The third time, it was the Vanguard Camp of Qu Yi that heavily wounded the Black Mountain Army again, driving them to the Changshan and Zhaojun line, which was extremely barren, and Yuan Shao was too lazy to bother with them further.
In summary, the Black Mountain Army had lost to Yuan Shao three times. Out of a million troops, only over a hundred thousand remained... It could be said that they had been beaten into submission by Yuan Shao, and naturally... they harbored deep hatred for Yuan Shao!
Yet...
They were having trouble protecting themselves now, let alone seeking trouble with Yuan Shao again!
"Dong... dong!"
It was not other sounds, but... heartbeats. For a moment, Cheng Yu could feel his own heartbeat. He felt... this attempt at pacification was very dangerous!
Going alone to persuade a group of bandits.
Good heavens...
It was the most formidable group of bandits after the Yellow Turban Rebellion. It was inevitable that he would feel a bit nervous.
But... thankfully.
After all, he had seen great storms, crawled out of piles of dead bodies, and infiltrated enemy lines under their tight guard. Moreover... Young Master Lu's praise for him, that is - persuading enemy generals amidst thousands of troops is as easy as picking something from a pocket!
This sentence, for Cheng Yu... was very flashy!
"Cough, cough..."
With a light cough, Cheng Yu collected himself. This was not the first time he had undertaken such a task of "betting his life on his trousers". He needed to be calm, maintain a poker face, and be composed!
"Ta! Ta!"
Lifting his steps, Cheng Yu continued to walk, moving towards the stone steps, towards the entrance of the Black Mountain Stronghold!
Indeed.
Not long after... numerous men in black emerged from all around. Some held bows and arrows, others held sabers. Cheng Yu even saw a man in black comically holding two sheep bones.
Could these also be weapons? How poor must the Black Mountain Army be?
This thought popped into his mind!
On the surface, Cheng Yu respectfully cupped his hands and said, "I am an imperial envoy from the court. You should quickly inform your general. If you delay your general's enfeoffment? Can you bear the responsibility?"
His hoarse voice, yet his words were extremely resolute...
Speaking of which, Cheng Yu's usual opening remarks when persuading enemy generals were often, "I am Cheng Yu, Sima of the Dragon Soaring Camp..." This time, he changed it to "imperial envoy of the court" because Lu Yu had specifically emphasized... when facing the Black Mountain Army, it must be said this way!
Cheng Yu didn't understand why.
However, he still complied, as the precedent was set. Ultimately... he would do as Situ Lu arranged.
It had always been like this, he was accustomed to it.
Indeed...
When the words "imperial envoy of the court" were heard, the expressions of the Black Mountain Army soldiers changed. The previous indifference disappeared, and the bows and arrows, swords and spears that were held were retracted.
Their tone became much more respectful.
"Sir, please wait a moment, allow us to report to our general!"
Heh...
The change in attitude surprised Cheng Yu slightly.
For the first time, he felt that the title of "imperial envoy of the court" was so useful, much more useful than the title of Sima of the Dragon Soaring Camp!
Of course, Cheng Yu had no idea...
During the reign of Emperor Ling of Han, the Black Mountain Army had already sent envoys to the capital Luoyang, submitting a petition to the court requesting surrender. Emperor Ling had even appointed Zhang Yan as "General Who Pacifies Difficulty" and entrusted him with the administration and security of the mountainous regions north of the Yellow River. He could recommend "filial and incorrupt" candidates annually and send clerks to report to Luoyang.
It could be said that the Black Mountain Army had been legitimized in the past...
Unfortunately, as soon as Emperor Ling's decree reached Zhang Yan's hands, Emperor Ling passed away. Following that were the struggles between the Ten Eunuchs and the imperial relatives, and then Dong Zhuo's entry into the capital...
This hard-won legitimation was thus shelved. For this reason, both Zhang Yan and the entire Black Mountain Army felt great regret!
But... if they wanted to reconnect with the court and seek pacification...
Who knew when that would be?
Therefore...
Cheng Yu's arrival, Cheng Yu's identity as an "imperial envoy of the court," was like a "father" in the Black Mountain Stronghold. Not just a "father," but a "great father"!
...
...
In Xuzhou, below Xiapi City!
Over a hundred thousand Cao troops were in battle formation. Cao Cao did not rush to order the attack on the city but instead, riding his horse Jueying, escorted by Xu Chu, the two of them rode to the front of Xiapi City.
The implication was clear: they wanted Liu Bei to come out of the city to have a talk.
"Gacha..."
A mechanical sound echoed out.
The drawbridge was lowered, and the large gate of Xiapi City opened. Liu Bei, protected by Guan Yu, also rode out on his horse Dilu.
Cao Cao continued forward, and Liu Bei also moved forward... until they stopped their warhorses ten paces apart.
"Cao Cao, did you see the leeks in the plum grove outside Xudu City? I specifically left them for you!"
Liu Bei shouted first...
It was better if leeks weren't mentioned. As soon as leeks were mentioned, Cao Cao's anger flared up instantly.
"Liu Bei, how dare you! You were originally my possession, a fish in my pond. It was only due to my momentary negligence that you slipped out of Xudu and stole Xiapi City! And now you speak so boastfully..."
"Boastfully? Ridiculous, ridiculous!" Liu Bei changed his usual humility when facing Cao Cao. Both in expression and speech, he was confrontational, essentially saying: "I'm not pretending anymore, I'm laying my cards on the table!"
"Cao Cao, you claim to support the Son of Heaven, but in reality, you hold him hostage. The five regional lords are advancing into the Central Plains. Liu Bei and the lords of the world are acting under imperial decree to punish the rebel. We will surely kill you!"
Kill me?
Hearing these two words, Cao Cao laughed. He shouted with laughter, "There are many people in the world who want to kill me, but unfortunately, they have all become dust in their graves. You... with your Xiapi City? With these few tens of thousands of soldiers? Hehe... you are no match for me! Hurry and surrender the city. I will give you a piece of land to continue growing your leeks, otherwise, when the city falls, not a single soul will be spared!"
"Then let's try!" Liu Bei's lips curled into a smile, and he sighed, "Although our army is not comparable to yours, Cao Cao, our soldiers are elite and our generals are brave. Though your soldiers are numerous, they cannot breach the walls of Xiapi City. Moreover... Yuan Shao has already marched his army of three hundred thousand south, Liu Biao has mobilized seventy thousand troops north, and Han Sui and Ma Teng's forces will also leave Guanzhong soon, all of them will attack your rear. In just over a month, surely one of the regional lords will be able to capture Xudu City! I, Liu Bei, am untalented, but I dare to guarantee that you will not be able to conquer my Xiapi City within a month!"
At this point, Liu Bei paused and continued, "At that time, with your rear cut off, will you consider entering the Yellow Springs or descending to the Nine Netherworlds?"
Liu Bei's intention was clear, how could he not understand?
To put it bluntly, Liu Bei intended to defend and not engage, to wear down Cao Cao... As long as they could hold out for over a month, with Cao's rear in chaos, the attack would naturally break down on its own!
However...
Hehe...
Hearing this, Cao Cao chuckled!
"Liu Bei, Liu Bei, you have overestimated Yuan Shao, Liu Biao, Han Sui, and Ma Teng, haven't you?"
"It is I who have overestimated you." Liu Bei's tone became increasingly serious and resolute. "I originally thought that no matter how wicked your heart was, you would still have a trace of humanity. You wouldn't kill the imperial uncle, then kill the imperial concubine, and harm the imperial heirs. I didn't expect... you would leave no one alive, not even showing any respect to the Son of Heaven or the Han court! This shows... you are worse than beasts! Today, the heroes of the world rise up to attack you. It is your own doing! Cao Cao... you are finished, your great momentum is gone!"
As these words were spoken, Liu Bei's eyes widened, and he pointed at Cao Cao with anger...
As if to emphatically declare - Cao Cao's funeral and final chapter!
"Hahahaha..."
Unexpectedly, Cao Cao's devilish laughter erupted again. The angrier Liu Bei became, the happier he felt!
"Hahaha, Liu Bei, Liu Bei, Situ Lu always tells me a saying, which I particularly want to tell you today."
"Speak your mind!" Liu Bei retorted.
"Hahaha..." Cao Cao first burst into laughter, then pointed at Liu Bei and said with a smile, "Liu Bei... you should know, it's not the opponent who is divine, but the teammate who is like a pig!"
- "This saying of Situ Lu, I, Cao Cao, share it with you, haha... hahahaha!"
- "Thirty days? Let alone thirty days, even if you have another thirty days, you will not escape death! You cannot escape this fate!"
With these words...
Liu Bei's eyes narrowed tightly. "If you want to fight, then let's fight. I, Liu Bei, await you, Cao Cao. I, Liu Bei, will surely fight until the very end!"
With these words...
Cao Cao and Liu Bei both turned and retreated. Guan Yu and Xu Chu, however, remained motionless. They were there to prevent sneak attacks from the opposing side.
As Cao Cao retreated to Cao Ren's side, he softly uttered.
- "Attack the city! Attack the city immediately!"
- "Shatter the glimmer of hope in Liu Bei's heart with thunderous force!"
With these words...
Boom, boom, boom...
The entire Cao army moved, and the siege engines were brought out one after another.
"Kill... kill!"
Over a hundred thousand Cao troops surged towards Xiapi City like hungry wolves. The blood-red setting sun filled the sky, about to dye this bloody battlefield crimson.
At this moment...
The entire earth trembled. At this moment, the entire Xiapi City was filled with the sound of wind and birds!
...
...