Rolling logs, boulders, and hot oil were carried out in an orderly manner, and Cao Jun could not climb the city tower at all.

After a few waves of tentative attacks, Xu Huang ordered Mingjin to withdraw his troops with a gloomy face, and retreated to camp in Wuli.

The handsome tent was built, Xu Huang and Cheng Yu couldn't wait to enter and discuss how to break the city.

After some testing, it can be seen that if you storm the city, you may have to suffer heavy losses, and even if you occupy the city, you will not be able to face the next counterattack.

As soon as Xu Huang sat down, he asked with a sad face: "Sir, is there a way to break the city?" ”

Cheng Yu said: "This guard has some skills, I'm afraid it will be a little difficult to break the city, it's better to pretend to be an army tomorrow and wave his troops to carve the Yin City and lure him out of the city." ”

The three small cities of Diaoyin, Qiyuan, and Dingyang are the three-point defense line of Shangjun to prevent Cao's army in Hedong, and it is also a favorable situation to take down one at will.

Xu Huang said: "This method is good, but what if the guards don't go out of the city?" ”

Cheng Yu said: "If he doesn't come out, then turn to the second best thing and really attack Diaoyin." ”

Diaoyin can't cooperate with Cao Cao's army, but it is better to be able to insert a foot in the state than to return without success.

Xu Huang said: "Okay, that's all there is to it now, I hope Diaoyin is defenseless." ”

After some discussion, the two went to prepare, and Xu Huang personally arranged for the soldiers to patrol, confirmed that there was no source, and returned to the tent to rest with peace of mind.

Early the next morning, Xu Huang set off to Diaoyin with great fanfare, trying to lure the defenders in the city to pursue.

But Hao Zhao knew his strengths and weaknesses, that is, he didn't go out of the city, as for Diaoyin, he had already sent someone to inform him, and he should also defend heavily at this time.

Seeing that the defenders in the city had no intention of moving, Xu Huang could only send someone to investigate the situation in Diaoyin, and learned that there were also heavy guards, so he reluctantly led the army back to Dingyang.

Since the two cities are going to be attacked, the attack on Dingyang will naturally be more effective.

Cao's army besieged the city with four gates, but it was hard for several days, and the losses were heavy, and even the city tower was not climbed, and everything was several times more difficult than Xu Huang imagined.

After a long attack, Xu Huang also had the intention of retreating, and ordered someone to pass the news to Cao Cao, asking if he could withdraw from the army.

When Cao Cao got the news, he was also sad, his army contained Gao Shun's main force, and he wanted Xu Huang to succeed, but he was also hindered.

There is no way to break the enemy, and if he stays any longer, it will be a waste of grain and grass, so Cao Cao had no choice but to summon Xun You to discuss staying and staying.

Knowing the summons, Xun Yu knew his intentions, and knew that Cao Cao had retreated, but it was difficult to say it clearly.

Entering Cao Cao's tent, Xun Yu sat down and said first: "Lord, now that we are about to enter the new year, the soldiers are anxious, why don't you retire from the army and fight again next year?" ”

Seeing that Xun Yu knew his intentions, Cao Cao acted as a relief: "But if you return in vain, Your Majesty will probably blame you." ”

Xun You said: "Don't worry, the lord, General Xu has nothing to do, I think Your Majesty will understand." ”

The relationship between Xu Huang and Liu Xie, Cao Cao had already learned from his secret henchmen, but he didn't say it.

At this time, seeing Xun You using Xu Huang as a metaphor, and also understood the meaning, Cao Cao rubbed his head and said: "Okay, I have a headache, and you have full authority to deal with the withdrawal of the army." ”

Tens of thousands of troops were dispatched, but they did not make an inch, and Cao Cao did not want to personally order the withdrawal of the army, so he could only hand it over to Xun You.

The news of the retreat reached Xu Huang in Dingyang, and Xu Huang immediately gathered his troops and horses to prepare to retreat.

However, at this time, another news did come, which made him suspend the withdrawal of troops.

In the tent, Xu Huang looked at the soldiers who came to deliver the letter and asked, "You said that General Cao Chun occupies Gao Nu, but is it true?" ”

The soldier said: "It's true, General Cao sent a villain, hoping that the general can respond and expand the results of the battle." ”

Xu Huang handed the letter in his hand to Cheng Yu on the side, his eyes narrowed slightly, thinking about the truth of the matter.

Cheng Yu looked at it for a while and said: "There is a tiger and leopard riding seal on the letter, and it is a letter written by Cao Chun himself, so it must not be wrong." ”

Xu Huang said: "Gao Nu is in the middle of Shangjun, even if he occupies it, he is still under siege, and Huang does not approve of sending troops." ”

What Xu Huang said was also reasonable, but he didn't think about it, Cao Chun's department was Cao Cao's heart and a close confidant.

If he led the army to leave and did not go to the rescue, he was afraid that Cao Cao would be furious when he learned about it.

Cheng Yu said: "What General Xu said is reasonable, but I don't go to support, I'm afraid that the main guild will blame me, or I will lead the army first, and if the situation is not right, I will immediately break out." ”

Xu Huang was puzzled: "Now that Master Hou has decided to withdraw the army, Gao Nu is like a chicken rib, how could Mr. propose so?" ”

Cheng Yu smiled: "Looking at the siege of the city these days, the defenders have only been able to defend it, and it can be known that these armies definitely have no experience in facing outside the city." ”

"Therefore, the soldiers and horses of Shangjun should not be afraid, and Gao Shun should still be withdrawing at this time, and it is impossible to come quickly."

"If you can occupy Gaonu and defend it, it will quite cut off the retreat route of Dingyang and other places, and when Hedong sends troops, you can take the three cities in one fell swoop, open up the connection with Gaonu, and occupy half of Shangjun."

Cheng Yu did not explain the truth, but analyzed the benefits, because Xu Huang has not really taken refuge in Cao Cao at present.

Hearing Cheng Yu's suggestion, Xu Huang said: "The lone army is deep, food is a big problem, in case the situation is unfavorable, the army will be unstable, and it will be a problem to break through at that time." ”

The two were constantly arguing, each holding their own opinions, and no one could convince anyone for a while, so they could only convene the generals under their command and listen to everyone's opinions.

It is conceivable that Xu Huang is newly invested, and Cheng Yu is Cao Cao's confidant, so everyone naturally supports sending troops.

Seeing that all his subordinates agreed to send troops, Xu Huang was also helpless, so he could only let them go and lead the army to Gaonu.

Cao Chun was able to occupy the high slaves, completely by surprise.

It is said that Cao Chun led the army into Shangjun, and learned that Xu Huang led his troops to attack Dingyang, and immediately wanted to go to support.

But thinking that the tiger and leopard riding on the front could not play the greatest role, so he changed his route and secretly lurked in Gaonu.

The battle ahead is urgent, but there is not much change in the rear, and Gao Nu has only increased the number of guards at the city gate.

After some investigation, Cao Chun decided to let people sneak into the city secretly, control the treasury and other important places, and cooperate with him to seize the city.

Gaonu County Commander did not expect that Cao Jun would come to seize the city.

Unsuspecting, Cao Chun easily took the city.

But then a series of problems followed, and the people in the city, unlike the cities that had conquered the princes in the past, chose to submit indifferently.

Instead, he looked hostile to Cao Jun, the shops were closed, and the people stayed at home, so that Gao Nu was paralyzed.

Cao Chun had no choice but to ask some families in the city for help, but he didn't even see him.

But the city that was finally occupied, Cao Chun didn't want to give up easily, in order to gain a foothold, he could only ask Xu Huang for some soldiers and horses to control the situation.

Although the tiger and leopard cavalry is elite, the number is not much, and Cao Chun does not dare to make many moves, for fear that the people will rebel, so he can only wait for reinforcements.

And the news of the loss of Gao Nu also reached Hao Zhao's ears when his colleagues arrived, these militias in the city were more than enough to defend the city, if they attacked the city, they were afraid that they would suffer heavy losses, and they might not be able to recapture the city.

According to some reasoning, Hao Zhao came to the conclusion that this Cao army that suddenly appeared must be a tiger and leopard rider lurking in Taiyuan County.