It is really hard for Cao Cao to imagine that Zhang He, who has not been seen for a few years, will actually improve his force by leaps and bounds, and he is not the Zhang He in Cao Cao's mind at all. was so strong that even Xu Huang, one of the best generals under his account, was defeated by him, and he was defeated in his twenties.

Three battles, two deaths and one defeat seriously dealt a blow to Cao Cao's confidence, and what made Cao Cao even more worried was that his army had seriously affected the morale of the sergeants after this incident.

Zhang He's 100,000 army attacked White Horse City, Cao Cao came in a hurry to help, and his current army horses were originally only 60,000 or 70,000 people. He is not ready for a decisive battle with Zhang He for the time being, if the fighting will win, it is easy to say, at that time, Cao Cao can coerce the sharp spirit of the general, wave the army out of battle with Zhang He's 100,000 military horses, if, as long as Zhang He's 100,000 military horses are defeated, Cao Cao can severely defeat the sharp spirit of Yuan Shao's army, which can make Yuan Shao's momentum of attacking himself be suppressed, making it difficult for Yuan Shao to kill his own territory.

However, Cao Cao had no choice, the morale of his army had been demoralized, and now he would definitely lose to Zhang He's 100,000 army with high morale.

Cao Cao now, he only stood still, even if he saw Zhang He retreating and camping for several miles, Cao Cao did not dare to wave his army to fight.

Cao Cao could only wait for his military horses to arrive one after another, and then fight Yuan Shao to the death.

For Cao Cao, the key to fighting Yuan Shao was to see if White Horse City could be defended.

Because White Horse City is not only about this large area of land between the main road of the Yellow River and the Qinghe River, but also about the safety of the whole Yanzhou and even Xudu. It is related to the tranquility of Cao Cao's entire powerful territory.

Cao Cao is now in a similar situation to Liu Yi at the beginning. At the beginning of the New Han Dynasty, it was not easy to establish a court. It was not easy to manage the people in the territory of the powerful territory and sort out all kinds of problems among the people.

For Cao Cao, the Qinghe River is equivalent to his Cao Cao's national border, which is equivalent to the Great Wall in the northwest of the New Han Dynasty. It's the power of the alien race.

The Qinghe defense line was too long, and Cao Cao wanted to hold it, and it was unlikely that Yuan Shao's army would not cross the Qinghe. But not being able to keep it doesn't mean that Cao Cao doesn't want to keep it. In any case, Cao Cao did not want to let the interior of his powerful territory become a battlefield for him to fight against Yuan Shao. Therefore, he will let Cao Ren leave heavy troops to guard the main road of the Yellow River. And then. Let the area between the main road of the Yellow River and the Qing River become the battlefield of his decisive battle with Yuan Shao's army.

Put the main battlefield here, Cao Cao has no choice, you must know that from Xudu to Puyang City, it is only four or five hundred miles, and from White Horse City to Xudu, it is only more than three hundred miles, and it is closer to Chen Liu. Less than two hundred miles. From this, it can be seen that if White Horse City is lost. That is not only a matter of losing Puyang City and this large area, but will allow Yuan Shao to directly attack Chenliu, attack Dongjun, and attack Jinan, anyway, if Yuan Shao seizes this area between the main road of the Yellow River and the Qing River, then Cao Cao will be completely in a passive situation, and at that time, Yuan Shao can fight him as much as he wants.

At the beginning, Lu Bu attacked Yanzhou, and that was it, as soon as Lu Bu's army entered Yanzhou, it made the entire Yanzhou look like a stripped virgin, and let others ravage it casually.

Therefore, Cao Cao must hold the White Horse City, if he can't hold it, his military horses will be defeated and retreated, and Cao Cao's main battlefield will be ceded to Yuan Shao, so as to introduce the war into the interior of his own powerful territory.

Yuan Shao is not Lu Bu, Lu Bu was only 30,000 military horses at the beginning, which had already made Cao Cao exhausted to deal with, and the entire Yanzhou was equivalent to being harmed by Lu Bu. Now, Yuan Shao has dispatched an army of 700,000 or 800,000 troops, known as a million army, and so many military horses have poured into the inner areas of Cao Cao's powerful territory, and when the time comes, it is unlikely that Cao Cao wants to drive Yuan Shao's army away or purge it.

In the past, Liu Yi also suffered damage to the powerful territory he ruled, so Liu Yi spent so much effort to destroy Dong Zhuo at the same time, but also to obtain the area around Shangdang, and then he did not hesitate to go on an expedition of thousands of miles to destroy the Huns outside the Saiwai. The purpose of this is to make the borders of the New Han Dynasty more stable, and there will be no more worries about foreign invasions.

Now, Cao Cao's power territory is not as stable as the New Han Dynasty, and his power around the territory is not as ingenious as the New Han Dynasty's power around the territory, if there is a force that dares to challenge Cao Cao, he can attack Cao Cao's power territory from multiple directions and places at any time. It just depends on whether anyone dares to challenge Cao Cao.

Therefore, Cao Cao placed the main battlefield in the area between the Qing River and the Yellow River, and resolutely did not allow Yuan Shao to lead his army deep into his territory.

If he wanted to prevent Yuan Shao's army from entering his own territory and destroying it, then Cao Cao had to gain a foothold in White Horse City, and if the Puyang area between the Qing River and the Yellow River was occupied by Yuan Shao, then it would be impossible to put the main battlefield here.

Cao Cao felt that he had to be nailed to White Horse City.

But the problem is that, depending on the situation, it should be that Yuan Shao's army will reach White Horse City one step earlier, and his military horses may not be able to mobilize to this White Horse City in a short period of time to fight Yuan Shao.

At the moment, his military morale was frustrated, Cao Cao was worried, worried that as soon as Yuan Shao led the army to arrive, Zhang He would immediately attack him, and when the time came, before his reinforcements arrived, I am afraid it would be difficult to hold White Horse City again.

Therefore, Cao Cao must take advantage of Yuan Shao's army to defeat Zhang He, make Zhang He retreat, delay Yuan Shao's attack, and make his army and horses arrive in time to White Horse City.

But Zhang He is so strong, under his own account, I am afraid that no one is Zhang He's enemy.

Now, the Xiahou brothers are not here, and the strongest general that Cao Cao can send is Xu Huang. However, looking at Xu Huang, he was already cowardly, and let him go out to fight Zhang He again, I was afraid that it would also be a loss.

Cao Cao wanted to send Zhang Liao to fight, but Zhang Liao and Xu Huang. I'm afraid that it is not up or down, let Zhang Liao fight, I am afraid it may not be Zhang He's enemy.

Well. In other words, Cao Cao can send two generals to fight at the same time. Hehe, that's impossible, who would be as stupid as Lu Bu? How many times will you fight at the same time? Don't say that Zhang He already knows his own catties, if he knows each other a little, I'm afraid he won't even be able to defeat Xu Huang. If Cao Cao sent two or more generals to challenge Zhang He at the same time, it would be strange for Zhang He to ignore it.

It's okay to have a group fight. For Zhang He, now his military spirit is greatly boosted, and the most hope is that Cao Cao will fight. There is no need to talk about fighting with each other, and the army is directly facing off. If Cao Cao dared to send multiple generals to challenge Zhang He at the same time, Zhang He would definitely shoot back with arrows. If Cao Cao dares to lead the army into battle, then he will be in the middle of it. Then. Zhang He was able to use the advantage of his own forces to defeat Cao Cao.

There wasn't much time left for Cao Cao, and the more Cao Cao thought about it, the more he felt that if he couldn't defeat Zhang He before Yuan Shao's army reached White Horse City, and frustrate his army's morale, he was afraid that he would not be able to hold White Horse City.

The spies reported that Yuan Shaojun would only need half a day at most to cross the Qinghe River and rush to White Horse City.

For a while, Cao Cao was full of sadness.

At this time, Cheng Yu, a military division with the army. Seeing Cao Cao's sad look, he guessed what Cao Cao was thinking. Knowing what Cao Cao was worried about.

Now, the fighting generals can't fight, and it's even more disadvantageous to lead the army to fight, if you defend it, if Yuan Shao's army arrives, it won't be able to defend it.

Cheng Yu said to Cao Cao: "My lord, Zhang He is the number one general under Yuan Shao's account, a bit similar to Ji Ling, the general of Yuan Shu at the beginning. In other words, Zhang He is the backbone and soul of Yuan Shaojun. It is Yuan Shaojun's strongest point. At present, we are fighting in a group, and the strength is not as good as Zhang He's 100,000 military horses, which is not advisable, especially when the army's morale is frustrated now. Therefore, we can only continue to fight with Zhang He and send a big battle to challenge Zhang He. If Zhang He can be defeated, he can defeat his 100,000 troops and horses and defeat Yuan Shao for a while. ”

"Zhongde, Cao Mou knows how to do it......" Cao Cao said to Cheng Yu, "How can Cao Mou not know in his heart that as long as Zhang He is defeated, he can win first?" The question is, now under Cao's account, who else can compete with Zhang He? ”

Cheng Yu smiled and reminded Cao Cao: "Lord, one person can be the enemy of Zhang He." ”

"Oh?" Cao Cao hurriedly asked who it was.

"The enemy Zhang He, it must be Guan Yu!" Cheng Yu said directly.

"Guan Yu ......" Cao Cao said in difficulty: "Zhongde, you won't know the way, right?" Liu Bei must have voted for Yuan Shao, if Guan Yu is allowed to fight, what if Guan Yu knows where Liu Bei is going, he will immediately take his sister-in-law to find Liu Bei? Although Guan Yu swore that he would return, who can say for sure what is going on in the world? ”

Cao Cao has done everything he can to Guan Yu, giving him silver, and he is a beautiful woman or something, but he only gave Guan Yu a red rabbit horse to let Guan Yu thank him, and Guan Yu didn't say anything about it. Guan Yu's cold attitude towards him Cao Cao made Cao Cao panic, for fear that this fierce general, who had finally arrived, would leave before he could cover his heat.

Therefore, Cao Cao, although he did not restrict Guan Yu too much freedom in life, he never let Guan Yu inquire about some outside things. The people that Guan Yu came into contact with every day were deliberately arranged by him Cao Cao, in short, when Guan Yu did not formally surrender to him for a day, Cao Cao did not plan to use Guan Yu.

Guan Yu is actually in his army at this moment.

This, when Cao Cao got the news of Yuan Shao's army attacking and set off from Xudu, Guan Yu begged to see him, saying that he hoped to go on the expedition with Cao Cao, so that he could find out the news of his brother Liu Bei.

Cao Cao refused Guan Yu and did not let Guan Yu come with the army. However, Guan Yu didn't care about him at all, just one person and one horse to protect his sister-in-law, following behind his military horse. There was no way, so Guan Yu agreed to Guan Yu's request and asked Guan Yu to bring his sister-in-law to White Horse City.

Hehe, Cao Cao doesn't know what to do, in fact, Guan Yu's heart is like a mirror, he naturally knows that Liu Bei is voting for Yuan Shao, he just keeps pretending to be confused. Following Cao Cao's army to White Horse City, Guan Yu just wanted to find an opportunity to bring his sister-in-law to Liu Bei. In this way, he could use the excuse to make it clear to Liu Bei, saying that in order to protect his sister-in-law, he had to make an agreement with Cao Cao in three chapters, saying that after saving his sister-in-law, he would return to the Han court. When the time comes, Guan Yu can clearly say that there is an appointment in advance, and he can't fail to obey it. But Cao Cao and his eldest brother Liu Bei are enemies, and he can no longer vote for Cao Cao and his brother as enemies, fortunately, the return to Han who made an appointment with Cao Cao did not explicitly say that it was the "Han" that belonged to Cao Cao, but referred to the court of the New Han Dynasty.

Anyway. Guan Yu had already made up his mind, as long as Liang Lan was returned to Liu Bei, he would have a showdown with Liu Bei. From then on, he officially separated from Liu Bei's brothers and joined Liu Yi of the New Han Dynasty. Of course, if he can, Guan Yu still wants to make the last effort, and after making it clear with Liu Bei, he invited Liu Bei to join the New Han Dynasty, anyway, Liu Bei has no good place to go now. If you take refuge in Yuan Shao, it is better to take refuge in Liu Yi of the New Han Dynasty.

Well, Cao Cao didn't know what Guan Yu really thought in his heart. Cheng Yu didn't know what Lu Dao was worried about, Cheng Yu only knew what Lu Dao Cao Cao was worried about now, but Cheng Yu knew better. Now Cao Cao. Except for the fighting generals to defeat Zhang He's 100,000 military horses in one fell swoop, there is no way to stop the loss of the white horse.

Early tomorrow morning, Yuan Shao's army will march towards White Horse City, and Zhang He will definitely make preparations to attack White Horse City, just wait for Yuan Shao's army to arrive, Zhang He will attack him Cao Cao. When the time comes, will Cao Cao still be able to resist the enemy?

So. The current situation is forcing Cao Cao to fight with Zhang He. When Guan Yu defeats Zhang He, and Cao Cao attacks again, then he will definitely be able to defeat Zhang He's army and deter Yuan Shao's entire army.

Therefore, Cheng Yu knows that the current Cao Cao has nothing to choose.

He said to Cao Cao: "Lord, in fact, we all know that Liu Bei must have voted for Yuan Shao." But have you thought about it, lord? If we send Guan Yu to fight and let Guan Yu defeat Zhang He for us, it is best to kill Zhang He and let Guan Yu defeat Zhang He's 100,000 army for us, so ...... Hehe, Yuan Shao is suspicious, if he knows that it was Liu Bei's second brother Guan Yu who defeated his vanguard army, then with Yuan Shao's temperament, he will definitely misunderstand that Liu Bei is harming him, and if Yuan Shao is angry, he will kill Liu Bei...... So, Liu Bei is dead, where can Guan Yu take his sister-in-law to? At that time, Guan Yu can truly become the lord and your general. ”

When Cao Cao heard this, he felt that what Cheng Yu said was very reasonable. Because Cao Cao always felt in his heart that the reason why Guan Yu was not moved by himself and gave him everything he could give, he was unwilling to really use it for himself and refused to submit to himself, and the reason for this was probably that Guan Yu was Liu Bei's brother. Guan Yu wants to be loyal to the name of righteousness, so in his heart, no matter when and where, his heart will be towards Liu Bei. If Liu Bei died, then the situation would be different, Guan Yu, who had become an ownerless general, at this time, who else could he use if he didn't use it for himself?

"So what are you waiting for? Hurry up and invite Yun Chang here! Cao Cao shouted to the people on the left and right.

Cao Cao knew that if Guan Yu was invited to fight against Zhang He, things might take a turn for the better, and he didn't believe that Zhang He could be compared to Lu Bu, and he didn't believe that even Guan Yu could be no match for Zhang He.

Cao Cao was overjoyed, scratched his head, and said to Cheng Yu as if he was a little complaining: "Zhongde, you should have known that if we can make Yuan Shao kill Liu Bei, we can really get Guan Yu, why didn't you say it earlier?" I've been worried about it for a long time. Earlier, when Xu Huang came back from defeat, how good would it be to invite Guan Yu to fight? That way, our sergeants will not be frustrated and their morale will plummet. ”

"Lord, it's not the right time just now." Cheng Yu shook his head and said to Cao Cao: "Lord, our purpose is not to defeat the enemy, but to defeat the 100,000 troops and horses of Zhang He. Earlier, Zhang He had already set up a battle formation, and if our side went to war, I am afraid that not only would we not be able to defeat Zhang He, but we would also lose our troops. Therefore, when Guan Yu came in a while, the lord asked him to fight in front of Zhang He's camp tomorrow morning, no matter what, Zhang He could no longer have the opportunity to set up a battle formation like today. Our military horses, mobilized overnight tonight, ambushed around Zhang He's military camp, no matter whether Guan Yu and Zhang He's battle is won or defeated, we will lead the army to attack, victory, naturally the best, if we can't defeat Zhang He's 100,000 army in one fell swoop, we can only withdraw the whole army to White Horse City to hold on, waiting for the follow-up military horses to come and then find a decisive battle with Yuan Shao's army. ”

"Hmm...... Wonderful! It's not a military advisor, Zhong De is right, a single fighting general can't determine the outcome of the war, everything, we still have to find opportunities to fight, tomorrow, may be our best and most late opportunity. Had to take a risk. Cao Cao's heart was like lightning, and he suddenly understood what Cheng Yu meant.

"The lord is wise!" Cheng Yu bowed: "Our overall strength is not as good as Yuan Shao's, so we can only use any opportunity that can defeat Yuan Shao's army and weaken Yuan Shao's army, and we can consume as many troops as Yuan Shao's troops as we can." As long as we survive the most difficult period now, it will be easy in the future. ”

"Okay, then according to Zhongde's words." Cao Cao nodded.

After a while, Guan Yu, who was in Cao Cao's army, was invited over.

Guan Yu has always protected his sister-in-law Liang Lan in Cao Cao's army, so although he heard the noise of gongs and drums and the shouts of the sergeants, he didn't know the situation carefully. And Cao Cao's soldiers will not tell Guan Yu about the military formation. Guan Yu didn't bother to ask.

Seeing Cao Cao, Guan Yu asked Cao Cao why he invited him to come, and after listening to Cao Cao's story, Guan Yu thought about it, and then agreed, and promised Cao Cao to fight Zhang He tomorrow.

Cao Cao invited Guan Yu to fight Zhang He, which did not violate Guan Yu's intentions. Anyway, after he voted for Cao Cao, Cao Cao really had nothing to say to him, at least, his sister-in-law is still doing well, if it weren't for Cao Cao valuing him, he Guan Yu was afraid that he would really not be able to protect his sister-in-law.

Whether it is to join the Han or Cao, to fight for Cao Cao can be regarded as repaying Cao Cao's attention to him. Guan Yu attaches great importance to affection, and others treat him well, even if he knows that Cao Cao wants him to sincerely serve him, but good is good, and if he has the opportunity to repay him, it can be regarded as a little thought in Guan Yu's heart.

Cao Cao explained some more precautions, and Guan Yu retreated, just waiting for tomorrow to come. (To be continued......)