Han Xiang

Chapter 397

"Well, let's talk about it in the city."

Cao Cao signaled Yu Jin to lead the way, and at the same time turned around and told Xia Houyuan: "Miaocai, you lead a thousand horses to Ye County, first explore the reality of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, and remember not to fight them recklessly."

"only."

After Xia Houyuan said that, he took his orders and left with fists in his hands.

Guan Yu implemented Liu Ye's strategy of plundering the people in several counties in the north of Nanyang, and adopted the twelve-character policy of "reconnaissance first, then attack, multiple frequency, and reserve strength".

Originally, frying slowly over low heat would not attract Xu Du's attention.

At this time, it was not in Liu Bei's interest to provoke Cao Cao to attack, but when Guan Yu launched the plundering operation, it was the season when the wheat was ripe and harvesting, and many young and strong were taken away in the wheat fields.

The three counties of Bowang, Zhixian, and Duyang have lost their main labor force to harvest wheat, which will rot in the fields after the season is over.

Guan Yu thought that the newly arrived people needed food to settle down, and Liu Biao was unlikely to increase the supply of military supplies, so he mobilized the garrison in Wancheng to protect the harvest, and brought all the wheat from the captive people back to Wancheng.

Tens of thousands of troops were active, led by tens of thousands of enemies like Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. The defenders of the three counties did not dare to go out of the city to stop them, so they could only warn Ye County and Ji County in the rear.

Xun Yu was worried that Yingchuan would be affected, so he asked Yu Jin to station his troops in Kunyang to watch.

Guan Yu learned that Yu Jin had arrived in Kunyang, and knew that he had gone too far this time, but the matter was irreparable, so he sent multiple teams of scouts to the vicinity of Ye County and Ji County to monitor.

In fact, when Xia Houyuan went to inquire about information, it was already past the grain harvest season, and the main forces of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei had retreated to Wancheng and Xi'e, and only a few scouts were scattered outside.

When Xia Houyuan led his cavalry into the Ye County area, Wancheng's scouts retreated decisively to the rear, and Cao Jun chased them all the way to Bowang before stopping.

Guan Yu mistakenly thought that Cao Jun was stimulated. While actively preparing for the battle in Wancheng, he sent someone to Xiangyang to ask Liu Ye for advice, and Xia Houyuan returned to Kunyang with relevant information.

Knowing that Guan Yu did not attack Bowang and other cities, and only hundreds of scouts were wandering around Ye County, Yu Jin, who was stationed in Kunyang, felt his face burn.

Yu Jin only brought [-] soldiers and horses this time, mainly to monitor whether Guan Yu would invade Yingchuan, so he did not go deep into Nanyang to investigate carefully, and it is not yet known whether Guan Yu's main force will return to the city.

At that time Cao Cao led the main force outside, Xun Yu did not dare to fight Guan Yu rashly, and even planned to abandon the counties of Nanyang.

Last year, when Cao Cao went north to Cangting, Sun Quan led his army to attack Shouchun, and the two-line battle put a huge pressure on logistics.

Xun Yu would rather be passive in the face of Guan Yu than engage in another two-front battle.

Cao Cao understood Yu Jin's difficulties, and did not blame him for his inability to inquire. Instead, he looked at Xia Houyuan and asked, "So Guan Yu worked hard to mobilize all the troops to harvest the wheat in those counties?"

Xia Houyuan nodded and replied: "The last general asked several county guards and saw many wheat fields in person. The result seems to be like this. Don't forget that he kidnapped many people."

"I have been fighting for more than ten years, and I have never seen a case of leading troops to cut grain. Could it be that there is something wrong with the grain and grass in Wancheng?" Cao Cao said to himself with half-closed eyes.

Xia Houyuan clasped his fists and asked for instructions: "My lord, if Wancheng is really short of food and grass, should we take the opportunity to fight there? At this time Liu Bei and Liu Ye are not there, maybe it will be the same as the fight against Xuzhou before Guandu, and take the city easily."

Cao Cao glanced at Xia Houyuan, and then showed a bitter face.

"One moment, another moment. Liu Bei was isolated and helpless at the time, and Yuan Benchu ​​didn't send troops to contain it in time, so he was able to put down Xuzhou in one go. Now Liu Bei belongs to live in Wancheng. If we really fight over, Liu Biao will not be indifferent."

"then we"

Seeing that Xia Houyuan hesitated to speak, Cao Cao tapped lightly on the table, and said in a deep voice, "Since Guan Yunchang is just a captive to harvest wheat, we will ignore him for the time being and leave more scouts to monitor his movements. We should clean up and return to Xudu as soon as possible."

"Ah? We just arrived." Xia Houyuan showed a puzzled expression.

Cao Cao reminded Xia Houyuan: "At this stage, our enemy is Yuan Shao. People who jump the beam like Sun Quan and Liu Bei should be patient. Otherwise, when will we take Hebei? What's more, once the troops are mobilized, they will need money and food. There is a lot of pressure on Wen Ruo."

Xia Houyuan nodded: "I feel that Liu Bei is stronger than Sun Quan, and I will worry about Liu Bei's success in the end. Guan Yu is the captain of the northern part of Nanyang. If we ignore it, all counties in Bowang may fall."

"Miaocai's worry, why don't I know? So I can't let Liu Bei stop, and I have to use tricks."

Cao Cao got up in the middle of speaking, and suddenly got up and gave orders to the generals: "Everyone rest overnight and return to Xudu tomorrow, Wen Ze, you also withdraw."

"only."

Looking at the backs of the crowd, Xia Houyuan continued to ask questions: "The lord is leaving so soon? And there is no garrison left? You are not worried about Guan Yu's comeback?"

Cao Cao sneered coldly: "If Yun Chang really dares to do this, why not let him build a few cities? Liu Bei's troops are only over ten thousand. As long as he divides his troops and defends them, he will be passive. At that time, if he attracts more troops to attack him, the battle will be settled." .”

"So it is." Xia Houyuan suddenly realized.

Cao Cao reminded: "Now take advantage of the high autumn weather, train your soldiers well, and wait until the spring is warm next year, and continue to attack Yuan Shao. I have other ways to deal with Liu Bei."

"Oh." Xia Houyuan nodded.

Cao Cao's so-called other method is to use Guo Jia and Jia Xu's strategy to let Liu Bei help Liu Biao to conquer all directions, so that he will be exhausted and unable to grow.

It seems that the situation is not ideal now, so Cao Cao plans to add another fire to make Guan Yu in Wancheng busy.

Back in Xudu, Cao Cao sent people to Xiangyang to meet Cai Mao, and at the same time summoned counselors such as Xun Yu, Xun You, Guo Jia, and Jia Xu, intending to find something for Liu Biao and Liu Bei to do.

Only by stabilizing the two major forces of Jingzhou and Jiangdong at the same time, can Cao Cao fight Yuan Shao without any worries.

After listening to Cao Cao's introduction of the situation in Nanyang, Guo Jia saw that Xun Yu hadn't expressed his opinion, so he cupped his hands and spoke first.

"Whether it's Guan Yu's lack of food, or the intentional plundering of the people to expand, it shows that Liu Bei's ambitions are not limited to Wancheng, and the ordinary bandits in Jingzhou may find it difficult to restrain his hands and feet. Why didn't Minggong write a letter to Cai Degui and ask him to suggest that Liu Biao attack Jiangdong? As long as Jingzhou , Jiangdong fight, and our rear will be safe."

"Two or three years ago, Sun Ce defeated Huang Zu. Not only did he lose his troops, but he also lost thousands of warships. It is only a short period of time now. Huang Zu should not have recovered. I am afraid that Liu Jingsheng will not agree to go east." Cao Cao stroked his beard. The face hesitated.

Guo Jia replied with a smile: "It is true that Huang Zu lost troops and ships, but Sun Quan also lost troops and lost a lot of ships in the Huainan battlefield this year. So Jingzhou is not only not inferior, but even has some advantages compared with it."

Cao Cao tried to ask: "Is Feng Xiao talking about Liu Bei?"

"Liu Bei is only an internal cause of Jingzhou, or an external cause of Jiangdong." Guo Jia stroked his beard with confidence.

(End of this chapter)