Han Xiang

Chapter 59

"Meng De, the Huainan army suddenly dispersed, is there any conspiracy?" Xiahou Dun looked curious.

Cao Cao shook his head and replied, "We've been battling each other for several times, which shows that Yuan Shu's soldiers lacked training. Using such a mob is doomed to failure, and it's useless to use tricks."

Xiahou Dun asked again: "To chase or not to chase?"

"It's still the old rule. I will lead the main force to continue eastward, blocking Zhang Xun and Qiao Rui's escape route to the south, and the rest of the ministries will try their best to drive them away. After running for a few days, the other side's food will be exhausted, and it will be time to wipe out the enemy."

"I'll arrange it right away."

Cao Cao drives away the Huainan army like a shepherd. He wants to use the least cost to win the most perfect victory.

Thinking about it, I feel comfortable. Although there is a little difference from the original plan, the whole is within Cao Cao's control.

Guo Jia, the military commander, accompanied the army, and he participated in the formulation of the battle plan throughout the process.

After listening to the conversation between Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun, Guo Jia came forward to remind him:

"My lord, there is nothing to be afraid of Zhang Xun's division of troops, but we must prevent them from going east. If these tens of thousands of people go north with all their eggs in one basket, they will be in the hinterland of the Central Plains when they leave Runan, and their lives will be ruined."

According to the pre-war plan, Cao Jun wanted to drive the Huainan Army to the northeast of Runan to annihilate it.

The villages in this area are scattered and sparsely populated. It is a strategic buffer zone for the Yuan and Cao families, and it is also the burial place for Zhang Xun.

"What Feng Xiao said is true."

Cao Cao took it very seriously, and immediately called the guard Han Hao to order: "Quickly pass on my general order to Zixiao (Cao Ren), and let him lead the cavalry of the headquarters to go around to the north of Zhang Xun immediately, and try our best to prevent the bandits from escaping from the north. South, let all the cavalry gather into an army, ready to support Zixiao at any time."

"Wei." Han Hao took the order and left.

After Cao Cao's simple deployment, he continued to lead his troops eastward.

On the way, he asked Guo Jia curiously: "Feng Xiao, you are familiar with the art of war. Do you know what kind of tactics Zhang Xun uses? Clenching your five fingers into a fist is enough for a fight, but if you separate them, you have no chance. I don't know what Zhang Xun thinks."

Guo Jia replied: "Zhang Xun's five fingers are powerless even if they are clenched into a fist. He is now divided into dozens of troops. If he really has any strange ideas, he will definitely pass them on to every general. My lord, it is better to cut off one of the fingers. Naturally. Knowing the opponent's plot."

"I actually forgot to catch prisoners and ask for advice. Feng Xiaozhen is a wise man."

"My lord, Miao Zan, that Zhang Xun is not a general. This time, he fell into the trap of the lord. It was too late to find out at this time. It is estimated that he went to the doctor in a hurry and let everyone disperse and run for their lives."

"It's not impossible, but this guy is so reckless, but he can find a way out. I can't let me wipe out all the bandits. It's a pity."

"Even if such mobs escape back to Huainan by chance, it will still be a waste of Yuan Shu's food."

"Haha, Feng Xiao is really understanding"

There was smoke and dust in the northeast of Runan, and all the soldiers of Cao Jun looked happy.

Cao Jun decapitates thousands of levels every day, and almost everyone can earn military merits. Naturally, rewards are indispensable for returning Xu, so he doesn't feel tired if he keeps running.

Cao Cao set up camp every night and received a summary of the battle reports from each battalion. He was satisfied with the progress of the encirclement and suppression until a few days later Dongdu crossed the water (now Guohe, Anhui) to camp, and Xiahouyuan's troops captured a lieutenant general.

After being tortured and interrogated overnight, they learned of Zhang Xun's plan to disperse and escape, and join Qi county.

Cao Cao and Guo Jia looked at each other, and laughed at themselves: "I thought Zhang Xun was a mediocre man, but I didn't expect this guy to have a conspiracy, but he still underestimated me, Cao Cao. Although Qi County is controlled by Yuan Shu, can't we take it down by the way?"

"Meng De, siege is no better than a field battle. Although Zhang Xun's troops were damaged, many survived. We didn't carry siege equipment, did we?" Xiahou Dun tactfully discouraged.

"How difficult is it to capture a small town in Qi County? The more people Zhang Xun flees, the more food there will be in the city."

Cao Cao burst out laughing in the middle of his words: "Hahaha"

"Meng De?" Xia Houdun looked bewildered.

Cao Cao nodded lightly, and said happily, "Alright, Qi County is a good burial place. Zhang Xun and Qiao Rui are very good at choosing places."

Xiahou Dun looked around in confusion, and suddenly Cao Cao said to Han Hao:
"Order all the troops to pursue the Huainan rebels from tomorrow onwards, but not kill them, and let them escape to Qi County smoothly. I want to catch the turtle."

"Wei." Han Hao stood up and cupped his fists.

Cao Cao then looked at Xia Houyuan: "Miaocai, this battle will last longer. You personally take people to Qiaoxian County, Kuxian County and other places to allocate food and grass. Whether it is by water or land, you must send it to Qixian County as soon as possible."

"The general obeys orders." Xia Houyuan took the order and left.

Xiahou Dun suddenly realized, looked at Cao Cao and murmured: "Meng De, if you don't attack the city, you intend to encircle it instead of attacking it, and let it mess itself up?"

"Yuan Rang understand? It can be seen how stupid Zhang Xun and Qiao Rui must be. They thought they couldn't catch them all in one go, but in the end they threw themselves into the trap, haha."

Cao Cao's heartfelt laughter caused others to laugh along with him, except Xiahou Dun who was a little embarrassed.

Meng De was praising me just now?Why do you feel weird?

In early September, more than 160 survivors from Zhang Xun, Qiao Rui and other ministries arrived in Qi County. Although all battalions and ministries suffered some losses, all [-] people from the Longxiang Qu Division survived.

When entering the city to rest, Qiao Rui couldn't help sighing with Li Tun:

"In the past, everyone looked down on Long Yunqi, but now they all envy his music department. The marching speed is really fast."

"I heard that they train and run in winter, and it's normal for the rest of them to be unable to run."

Li Tun was noncommittal, and then asked: "We have arrived in Qi County, should it be safe?"

Qiao Rui nodded in affirmation: "Well, we have been marching continuously for more than ten days. We are tired and Cao Jun is also tired. Now that Qi County city is used as a barrier, Cao Cao is naive to attack by force. General Zhang and I decided to rest for a few days until Cao Cao withdrew his troops and returned to Xu. After the capital, slowly retreat back to Shouchun."

"I don't know if His Majesty will punish you." Li Tun hesitated to speak.

"Who knows?"

Qiao Rui shook his head and smiled wryly, then added: "Resign yourself to fate, you have worked hard these days, go down and rest first."

"Okay, I will go to take a nap in the end, and I will be on duty in the middle of the night."

Li Tun clasped his fists and turned away.

Qiao Rui then took off his armor and found a comfortable position to lie down when he heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

Qiao Rui shook his head, sat up with his palms on the bed, and saw Li Tun leading Long Xiang to the front.

"What's wrong with Yunqi?" Qiao Rui half-closed his eyes.

Long Xiang clasped his fists and said, "Cao Jun's offensive has weakened in the past two days, and there should be bigger plans. The general thinks that Qi County is not a place to stay for a long time, and he should continue on his way after a short rest."

Qiao Rui waved his hands in a daze, "Yunqi's plan to divide the troops has been completed, and I will naturally ask for credit for you when I return to Shouchun, but the whole army is exhausted. If I don't take a complete rest, I'm afraid I won't have the energy to continue, and so will Cao Bing." People will also be tired."

"Cao Cao besieged but did not attack. He must have prepared a backhand. If we relax, we will fall into the trap."

Long Xiang's face was full of sadness. He thought that if he didn't escape to the south of the Huai River, Cao Cao might not give up.

"A plan? Tell me in detail."

Qiao Rui rubbed her eyes, forcing herself to wake up.

(End of this chapter)