"Cheng Zhongde is confused!" After Cao Cao received the report of the great victory of Wei County and Yangping County, his face did not show any joy, but he was furious and said: "What are the benefits of these two counties for our Cao clan, and what is the use of them except for attracting Yuan Shao's army?!" ”

When Xun Yu heard this, his face couldn't help but hurt, he had long expected that there would be today's events. It's just that I never expected that this matter would come so suddenly, and it seemed to be as if it had been designed by others - Cao Jun had just pacified Xuzhou, and he was still in a stalemate with Yuan Shu. And Yuan Tan in Qingzhou also regrouped and put on a posture of a shameful battle before the snow. Today's Cao Jun is just like a mouse trapped in a bellows, and he has a hard time at both ends.

In Xuyi, Cao Cao left Xiahou with an army of 50,000 and confronted Zhang Xun, a general under Yuan Shu. On the Yingchuan side, there are also Li Dian's 30,000 troops, saying that they are guarding against Liu Biao, but in fact, everyone knows that they are afraid that Ma Chao will suddenly counterattack. And to deal with Qingzhou Yuan Tan no matter what, it will also require an army of 50,000. Since the beginning of the campaign, Cao Cao's forces have been divided again and again. After several battles, there were many casualties. Now Cao Cao has more than 20,000 available soldiers.

It is said that there are 300,000 Qingzhou troops, which is true. However, at this time, it was the beginning of summer, and Bingtun was seriously understaffed. Cao Cao could not cut off the roots of the Cao clan for the sake of the great plan of the war, which affected the Tuntian strategy of Yan and Yuzhou this year. Besides, if the more than 200,000 reserve troops are transferred to the front line, what should we do if those Yellow Turban Liukou, who have already enjoyed peace, lose control on the battlefield again?

Therefore, at this time, Cheng Yu attacked Wei County and Yangping County, and almost roasted Cao Cao on the fire. As a result, Xun Yu pondered for a moment before he spoke: "Ming Gong, it's no wonder that Cheng Yu is at fault for this matter, it's you and me." After saying this, Xun Yu bowed down and bowed: "You and I both know that Cheng Zhongde is strong and decisive, and his temperament is as impatient as fire, but he still makes him guard the middle line, which is caused by the improper use of people by you and me." ”

"Not bad." Hearing this, Cao Cao restrained his angry demeanor and nodded, "Zhongde has extraordinary talents, if it weren't for his fierce and heroic spirit, it would be impossible to resist Yuan Shao's ferocity with seven hundred people. Every time he thinks of that moment, Cao is still impressed by Zhongde's demeanor at that time. ”

Cao Cao said that this matter was when Yuan Shao issued the "Discussion of Cao Xuanwen" and had not yet opened up the western front. The two families were preparing fortifications in Guandu at that time, and Cao Cao, who got the news, was still preparing soldiers and horses in Xudu at that time, but he only sent Cheng Yu to enter Zhencheng to defend first.

Zhencheng in the east of the central line is the outpost of the Cao army, and as soon as Yuan Shao's main force moves, it is very likely that he will take this first. Zhencheng also had more than 10,000 soldiers at that time, but in order to support the Yanjin ferry at the forefront of the frontline, Cheng Yu transferred all the soldiers in Zhencheng to Yu Ban. There are not even seven hundred people left in the entire Zhen City, and it is not enough to be a snack.

At that time, Cao Cao sent someone to ask if he wanted reinforcements, and Cheng Yu actually replied, no! His reason was that Yuan Shao's main army had gathered 100,000 people, and if it really came over, it would be useless for Cao Gong to reinforce him, and he would not be able to stop the 100,000 army if he moved all his belongings. Yuan Shao has always thought very highly of himself, and when he sees that I have few soldiers and horses, he will feel that this place is a small dish, not important, and must not be taken seriously; You sent someone to reinforce it, but he paid attention to it, and it was likely to lure the wolf into the house!

Sure enough, after Yuan Shao learned that Zhencheng was guarded by Cheng Yu, he knew that it was quite difficult to fight down, and it was not very important strategically, since Cao Cao didn't pay attention to it anymore, he didn't care what he did about it! Therefore, it was decided not to attack Zhencheng and directly cross the river to the south. After Cao Cao learned of this result, he couldn't help but sigh that there are really not many people with the courage and foresight of Cheng Yu!

Later, Yuan Shao crossed the river to the south, but was again restrained by the ban. After several times of embarrassment, under the advice of the strategist, he opened up the western front and attacked Cao Cao on three sides. As a result, the Ma family was attracted to send troops to the Tiger Prison, which opened the prelude to the chaotic battle of the three families on both sides of the Yellow River.

Seeing that Cao Cao still trusted the meritorious ministers, Xun Yu's heart couldn't help but drop a little, and he opened his mouth and said: "Duke Ming, at this moment, I have probably guessed what Cheng Zhongde is thinking. Although we have an alliance with the Ma family, Wei County and Yangping County do not border with the Ma family at all. Let's not talk about whether Hanoi County belongs to the Ma family now, even if the Ma family captures Hanoi County in the future, the west of Wei County, which is closest to the Ma family, is also hindered by Chaoge County. Even if the Ma family asks us to fulfill the covenant, will he be able to accept it? ”

"That's right," Cao Cao closed his eyes, pondered deeply about the ins and outs of the whole incident, and couldn't help but move in his eyes: "However, I think that all this is probably planned by Ma Mengqi." Although he could not get the two counties of Wei and Yangping, he could transfer Yuan Shao's main force to the middle line and calmly withdraw from the battle. After all, a person like him who knows the time of the day will definitely think of turning the tide when he knows that the situation is impossible. In this way, retreating is advancing, which just puts my Cao family on the cusp. ”

"The lord is saying that Ma Chao deliberately withdrew from Hanoi County just for this?" Although Xun Yu's sentence is a question sentence, the tone is affirmative.

"Not only that, but the incident of Weijun Li Fu is also too strange. I have only seen such a method of stirring up the general trend of the world with trivial things, and I have only seen it in two people and two special institutions. ”

"The shadow of the Ma family and His Majesty's snake camp?" Xun Yu's eyebrows moved, and this sentence was still in an affirmative tone.

Cao Cao was silent, at this time, he had to jump out of all the mindsets, stand on the outside peak, and overlook the entire complicated situation of the princes. Identify the weakest points and make decisions sharply and decisively. Otherwise, once there is any difference in it, the entire game of Cao's big chess will be swept to the ground, and it will never be recovered.

"Cheng Yu's offensive is as fast as fire, and the defense is even more indomitable. Moreover, he almost took Wei County and Yangping County without bloodshed, and with his means, there must have been more than 60,000 troops. According to the city, if there is no major mistake, there should be no major problem; ”

"Xuzhou Yuanrang, although Zhang Xun has an army of 100,000, he is far from Yuanrang's opponent, so he doesn't have to worry too much. What's more, Sun Ce is like a lion, and under the huge mouth, Yuan Shu will definitely let Zhang Xun come to his aid. Yuan Rang's place, not only is there nothing to do, but there is also a big victory to be expected; ”

"Although the Ma family uses all kinds of tricks, both sides know what the bottom line is, so Li Dian can send 20,000 troops to come. For today's plan, there only needs to be one more big victory to completely disperse the morale that Yuan Tan has built up so hard, and Qingzhou can also be ruled by the Cao family! ”

Cao Cao pointed at the map in front of him, and directly explained the general trend of the Cao clan in all directions. Then, he turned around and opened his mouth to order: "Come on, let Le Jin quickly transfer Li Dian's 20,000 troops to Taishan County." and Cao Zhen of Xudu, who also asked him to bring 20,000 Qingzhou soldiers over. This time, I'm going to fight another battle like thunder and lightning. ”

"As long as Qingzhou is captured again, then the Cao clan will have completely risen. At that time, Yuan Shao really wants to fight, how can I, Cao Mengde, be half afraid? ! Cao Cao threw down two orders in a row, and the majestic and heroic spirit came out, which made Xun Yu on the side impressed: Cao Cao has such a charm, calm as water, and planning as an abyss, but the final decision is like a fire burning the forest, and there is no retreat!

Unexpectedly, Cao Cao's strategy today, under the subsequent announcement, really had to retreat.

"Report! Lord Sikong, the hussar general has come to ask for a meeting! ”

"What?" Cao Cao frowned: At this time, Ma Chao came again, which is by no means a good sign.

"The envoy is holding two covenants, saying that you have not ceded Yingchuan County, Lord Sikong, and you have not informed the Ma family about the capture of Wei County and Yangping, and you want to tear up the covenant with the Cao family!"

"What?!" When Cao Cao heard this, he was dizzy and almost fell headlong. It was easy to stand firm on the desk, and muttered: "Ma Mengqi, play a scoundrel, I am really not your opponent....... Wenruo, it seems that Qingzhou will not be able to fall into the hands of the Cao family for the time being." ”