Chapter 60: Zhou Yu goes to Hefei, Liu Wu takes over the three states
Outside Wancheng, there was a sudden deafening shout of killing, which startled the Cao army that had been resting.

“what happened?”

Almost at the moment when the shouts of killing rang out, Cao Cao jumped up from the bed and shouted loudly in shock and anger.

Ever since Cao Cao was attacked by various princes and even the emperor Liu Xie was rescued by “Liu Bei”, he had no choice but to give up the Guandong area. Cao Cao seemed to have aged ten years overnight and had difficulty sleeping at night.

Cao Cao could be said to be one of the first people in Cao’s army to be startled when they suddenly heard the shouts and screams.

Just as Cao Cao put on his clothes and rushed out of the tent with his sword in hand, the messenger had not yet come to report what had happened.

but.

Under the cover of night, Cao Cao could see clearly from afar that in the southeast and northwest directions of Cao’s camp, there were deafening shouts of killing and flames illuminating the night sky.

“Damn it! Liu Biao and Liu Bei actually sent troops to attack our camp at night.”

Cao Cao cursed angrily.

At this time, Guo Jia, Xun You, Jia Xu, Cheng Yu, Cao Hong, Cao Chun, Cao Xiu, Xiahou Shang and other civil and military officials came in a hurry, dressed in their clothes.

Le Jin, covered in blood, rode up on horseback and reported to Cao Cao:

“Sikong, Wen Pin and Zhang Fei are leading the army to attack the southeast and northwest camps at night. Jun Yi is leading the army to resist. Since Jun Yi had already taken precautions against the enemy’s night attacks, there is no big problem.”

Le Jin’s words made Cao Cao, Guo Jia, Xun You and others obviously relieved.

Cao Cao still trusted Zhang He very much, and his military skills were enough to make him a famous general.

Therefore, he gave the night watch task to Zhang He.

“Okay, immediately dispatch troops to repel Wen Pin and Zhang Fei’s army. Remember, just repel them, don’t pursue them to avoid being ambushed by the enemy.”

Cao Cao took a deep breath and said.

Although he wished to defeat the armies of Liu Biao and Liu Bei, Cao Cao understood that not only were Guan Yu and Wen Pin, the generals under Liu Bei extraordinary, but even the current situation in the world would not allow him to fight to the death with the armies of Liu Biao and Liu Bei.

That is meaningless. The most urgent task is to withdraw all the troops, manpower and material resources in Guandong to Guanzhong as much as possible. Their next war will be in Guanzhong.

“Yes!” Le Jin did not dare to be negligent and bowed hurriedly.

Under the cover of night, a large war broke out outside Wancheng. The shouts and cries of killing shook the sky, and all attention was drawn to the Cao army camp.

Even when Cao’s scouts were cleared out by the Loyal and Brave Guards, no one cared. Cao’s army thought that they were cleared out by the Wancheng Army and Wen Pin’s army during a night raid. Neither Wen Pin nor Cao Cao knew that Wancheng was already empty. Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, and Gan Ning had already left Wancheng with their troops, heading towards the important cities of Xuzhou, Yuzhou, and Yanzhou.

Under the cover of night, as more and more Cao troops were mobilized, Zhang He and Le Jin joined forces to quickly repel the troops led by Zhang Fei and Wen Pin.

After repelling the night attack, Zhang He and Le Jin, following Cao Cao’s orders, did not pursue them.

Early the next morning.

Cao’s army camp.

The Chinese military tent.

Cao Cao sat in the main seat.

In the big tent, civil officials and military generals including Guo Jia, Xun You, Jia Xu, Cheng Yu, Cao Hong, Cao Chun, and Cao Xiu gathered.

Le Jin reports:

“Report to the Minister of Works, the scouts report that Wen Pin’s army and Zhang Fei’s army have each set up a large camp outside Wancheng, forming a pincer attack with Wancheng.”

Cao Cao listened to Le Jin’s words, his face turned ugly, and he said angrily:
“Liu Bei and Liu Biao, you little brats, how dare you bully me like this? I will make you pay back tenfold in the future!”

Cao Cao was filled with unspeakable anger.

Wen Pin and Zhang Fei openly set up camp outside the city, which was clearly a provocation to Cao Cao in his view.

At this time, Cheng Yu smiled and said:

“Sikong, there is no need to be so angry. Wen Pin and Zhang Fei’s camping outside the city is a provocation to Sikong, but it also reveals that Liu Bei and Wen Pin probably don’t want to fight with us.”

“After all, this pincer movement is more like a defensive one. Since Liu Bei and Wen Pin are on the defensive, it is enough to show that they will not engage in a fierce battle with us.”

Cheng Yu’s words made Cao Cao, who was very angry just now, less angry.

It can be said that the Wancheng line is very critical because of the armies of Liu Biao and Liu Bei. Therefore, although they have decided on a strategy to withdraw to Guanzhong, they still need to suppress the armies of Liu Bei and Liu Biao here.

Cheng Yu spoke so optimistically that Guo Jia, Jia Xu and Xun You in the hall frowned slightly. They felt vaguely that something seemed to be wrong, but they didn’t feel what was wrong specifically.

The reason they felt something was wrong was that the other party was too cooperative.

They don’t want the other side to attack.

Now, the other side has really formed a horn and is confronting them?

However, Guo Jia, Jia Xu and Xun You vaguely felt that something was wrong.

But in the end, I didn’t feel that there was anything wrong, so I didn’t pursue it.

The reason is that as long as they are here they can suppress the armies of Liu Biao and Liu Bei.

Let each state’s military, human and material resources be withdrawn to Guanzhong as much as possible.

For the next three days, Wen Pin’s army and Zhang Fei’s army remained motionless outside Wancheng, still on the defensive, wasting time with Cao Cao’s army.

Cao Cao breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Wen Pin and Kuai Liang became suspicious.

They did not attack Cao Cao because they did not want to use Jingzhou’s troops to help Liu Bei.

However, Cao Cao did not attack them, which made them suspicious.

However, Cao Cao did not move, Zhang Fei did not move, and even Wancheng was very peaceful. Although Wen Pin and Kuai Liang were surprised and confused, they could do nothing about it.

Time flies, and another half a month has passed.

This half month was a turbulent time for Cao Cao’s sphere of influence in Xuzhou, Yuzhou, Yanzhou and northern Yangzhou.

Cao’s army had quietly blocked an area of ​​more than 100 miles north of Wancheng.

And blocked the borders between Yanzhou and Jizhou, and between Xuzhou and Qingzhou.

Cao Cao’s sphere of influence in the middle caused a sensation.

Cao Cao actually wanted to move his forces to Guanzhong.

Although Cao Cao announced to the outside world that he would move the emperor to Luoyang.

However, many noble families in Yuzhou, Yanzhou, Xuzhou, Yangzhou and other places were still shocked and puzzled.

In fact, even if Cao Cao wanted to take the emperor to Luoyang, there was no need to do so. Shouldn’t he let them all move to Luoyang?

With such a large-scale migration, would it be impossible to abandon Yangzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Yuzhou and other places?

Many aristocratic families who were pro-Cao simply felt that the emperor’s trip to Luoyang should be a new opportunity, so they packed up their belongings and followed the large group to Luoyang.

However, there were also many aristocratic families who felt that something was not right. In addition, previous news had said that Sun Quan had an army of 100,000 to attack Hefei, Liu Biao had an army of 100,000 to support Wancheng, and there were even princes in Guanzhong who were against Cao Cao.

These noble families and powerful clans were relatively sober and did not listen to the nonsense of officials from Cao Cao’s faction. They felt reluctant to leave their hometown and did not follow the team to Luoyang.

The local officials did not say much about these aristocratic families who were unwilling to leave together.

The truth is, Cao Cao’s strategy of abandoning the Guandong area as a whole was not publicized, and no one else knew about it except a few high-ranking officials in various states.

This strategy cannot be publicized yet. If it were publicized, I am afraid that those who were originally willing to go to Guanzhong would not be willing to go.

The troops of Xudu were also retreating to Guanzhong in large numbers. The official roads in other places were crowded with people.

Among all the princes, Liu Wu was the first to notice it, and the second was Zhou Yu who was attacking Hefei.

Hefei.

On the city wall, shouts of killing were deafening. Xiahou Dun and Zhang Liao commanded the army to repel the attack of the Jiangdong army once again.

“General Xiahou, news has come from the north that the evacuation is almost complete. We can also withdraw.”

Zhang Liao came to Xiahou Dun and said to him.

“Damn it! Such a great city and such great land were actually handed over to Sun Quan and Zhou Yu. I really can’t accept this.”

Holding a blood-stained sword, Xiahou Dun listened to Zhang Liao’s report, looked at the fertile fields in the distance, and said unwillingly.

“General Xiahou, there is no need to be so regretful. Since Sikong and his advisers have decided on a strategy, then this must have been Sikong’s consideration. Perhaps one day we can fight back.”

Zhang Liao said to Xiahou Dun comfortingly.

Zhang Liao indeed thought so. When he received Cao Cao’s order, he was also shocked because it was too unbelievable. Giving up three or four states of territory was tantamount to cutting off one’s own arm.

However, considering the current situation in the world, Zhang Liao vaguely understood Cao Cao’s strategic intentions, but even so, he was shocked by Cao Cao’s courage.

“Well, I hope so. Tell the soldiers to bury the pots and cook, and retreat at night.”

Xiahou Dun gave the order with a sad face.

“promise!”

Zhang Liao bowed and left.

Xiahou Dun was still holding onto the city wall, his heart aching and bleeding.

As night fell, the world became quiet.

It was also quiet on the Hefei city wall, except for the burning torches.

Zhou Yu’s army outside the city did not realize that the army in the city had disappeared in the second half of the night.

In the early morning, the sound of war drums rang out. After breakfast, the Jiangdong army gathered again outside the city of Hefei.

However, what surprised Zhou Yu, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Taishi Ci and others was that there was no one on the city wall. Where were Cao’s soldiers?

“Report to the Grand Commander~”

“Our scouts in the north of the city were killed, and a large number of footprints were found.”

When the scout came to report, Zhou Yu frowned and looked at the city wall in front of him where no Cao army was standing.

“Attack!”

As Zhou Yu’s orders were issued, voices rang out one after another, and the army in the front suddenly shouted and launched a fierce attack on the wall of Hefei, with ladders and other weapons set up one after another.

However, the imagined arrows and rolling logs did not appear, and the attackers climbed up the city wall easily.

Zhou Yu, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai and Taishi Ci, who were watching the battle from a distance, looked at this scene in disbelief.

“Report to the Grand Commander, the city is empty and Cao’s army has retreated.”

Soon, the messenger came quickly to Zhou Yu, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Taishi Ci and others to report.

“What? Cao’s army retreated? How is that possible? Have you searched the entire city? Are there any Cao’s troops hiding?”

Zhou Yu asked the messenger with a look of shock on his face.

“Reporting to the commander-in-chief, the city has been searched. Apart from the civilians, there are no Cao troops.” The messenger said with certainty.

“This……”

Now, Zhou Yu, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Taishi Ci and others were helpless. They had attacked the important city of Hefei for two months but there was no response. Did Cao’s army give up?

“Since there are no Cao troops in the city, let the army enter the city!” Zhou Yu reacted quickly and shouted.

“promise!”

When the generals heard this, they also reacted and became excited. Hefei was an important town for them to enter the Central Plains. If they took Hefei, they could go north.

No matter what conspiracies and tricks Cao’s army has, they want Hefei.

The Jiangdong army quickly entered Hefei city, stationed troops in various places in Hefei, and took over the city gates. At this time, Zhou Yu, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Taishi Ci and others discovered that Cao’s army had really withdrawn.

“This is the important town of Hefei. Why did Cao’s army withdraw?”

Cheng Pu was surprised, and asked his own questions with full of doubt.

Zhou Yu was also puzzled, but he knew what he should do next, so he ordered:
“No matter what Cao’s army plans, Hefei is already in our hands. Send a letter to the Marquis of Wu immediately to report the situation in Hefei.”

“Also, send out all the scouts to search for traces of Cao’s army.”

Zhou Yu’s words made all the generals nod their heads.

A day later, the scouts came back to report the news.

He brought back a piece of news that shocked Zhou Yu, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Taishi Ci and others.

The Cao army in Jiujiang County, Shouchun and other places all retreated, and even many noble families followed the Cao army.

This news left Zhou Yu stunned for a long time.

The next day, 20,000 soldiers were left behind to guard Hefei, and the rest of the army headed north to Shouchun. Zhou Yu moved very cautiously, fearing that he would fall into an ambush by Cao Cao’s isolated army.

However, the important town of Shouchun was almost undefended, with only some chaotic rioters taking over Shouchun City smoothly. Zhou Yu and other Jiangdong generals felt like they were living in a dream.

There was no ambush by Cao’s army, and not even any resistance from Cao’s army.

But soon, Zhou Yu, Cheng Pu, Taishi Ci and others were all excited.

Zhou Yu left a part of his men to guard Shouchun, and led his troops directly to Jiujiang County.

Cao Cao’s troops in Jiujiang County had all withdrawn, and Zhou Yu successfully captured Jiujiang County without bloodshed.

At this time, Zhou Yu also vaguely understood Cao Cao’s strategy and was very excited.

Immediately send another large army to prepare to continue marching north to Xuzhou.

However, just when Yangzhou was occupied by Zhou Yu’s troops, Cao’s troops from all over Xuzhou also evacuated one after another.

Just as Cao’s army retreated, Guan Yu’s troops appeared in important cities across Xuzhou and took over directly.

The same scene also appeared in the important cities of Yanzhou and Yuzhou. Zhao Yun led his troops to take over the cities of Yanzhou, and Gan Ning led his troops to take over the cities of Yuzhou.

Whether it was Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, Gan Ning or others, they had never felt that it would be so easy to take over a city one day, and they only hated that they had few soldiers under their command.

Sometimes a big city can only accommodate a thousand or even hundreds of people.

They could only recruit local young and strong men and occupy the city by bluffing.

Zhou Yu sensed something and immediately sent troops towards Guangling County in the south of Xuzhou.

However, as soon as he arrived at the city of Guangling, Zhou Yu discovered that flags were flying on the city walls of Guangling.

A big “Guan” character swayed in the wind.

On the city wall, Guan Ping appeared, looked at Zhou Yu’s army below the city, and shouted loudly:
“Is that the Grand Commander of Jiangdong, Zhou Gongjin, under the city? I am Guan Ping, the son of Guan Yu, the Marquis of Han Shou Ting. I have met him before, but Yangzhou has now been given to you, Marquis Wu. What are you doing in Xuzhou?”

(End of this chapter)