My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Chapter 21 Why not follow the script? Is this still Liu Bei?

"What did you say? Liu Bei captured Xiangyang?"

Cao Cao snatched the silk letter from the scout's hand and couldn't wait to open it and take a closer look.

Liu Bei attacked the Fancheng water camp at night, seized boats and crossed the river to attack Xiangyang. Wei Yan, acting as a traitor, killed Cai He and seized the gate, allowing Liu Bei's army to enter the city. Kuai Yue and Cai Mao took Liu Cong hostage and fled south...

The dramatic changes in Xiangyang were clearly recorded in black and white.

"This Liu Bei is surprisingly so decisive. Is this the Liu Bei I know?"

Cao Cao was very surprised and showed the silk letter to his advisers.

At this time, Cheng Yu, Liu Ye and other counselors were also shocked, and everyone hurriedly took the silk book and looked at it.

There was a sudden uproar.

"Although Liu Bei has the appearance of a hero, he is too cautious about his reputation and is hesitant when faced with difficulties."

"To think that he is not afraid of being talked about for stealing his nephew's inheritance and that he can launch such a swift and decisive surprise attack on Xiangyang is truly unexpected."

"And the plan of attacking Xiangyang by surprise with external forces is truly brilliant. It must have been the work of a brilliant strategist."

Cheng Yu was amazed.

"A man of extraordinary plans?"

Cao Cao glanced at the blue-robed counselor in the corner, a hint of disapproval crossed his lips:

"Yuan Zhi has now surrendered to me. Liu Bei's advisors are no more than Sun Qian, Jian Yong, and Mi Zhu."

"These few people can barely be called talented, but can they also be called men of extraordinary strategy?"

Cheng Yu's eyes turned a few times, and suddenly he guessed:

"Jingzhou is a land of outstanding people and hidden talents. Could it be that Liu Bei has found some other expert to assist him?"

An expert?

Cao Cao's eyes flashed with vigilance, and he turned around and asked Xu Shu:

"Yuanzhi, you've lived in Jingzhou for a long time. Do you know if there are any other people with such extraordinary strategies as Liu Bei could have captured Xiangyang overnight?"

In the corner, the counselor who had said nothing and did not participate in the discussion had to come out reluctantly in response to Cao Cao's direct questioning.

"If my guess is correct, Lord Xuande must have invited Zhuge Kongming to come out of seclusion to assist him."

"This man is called Crouching Dragon. He has a talent that can rule the world, and his wisdom is ten times greater than that of ordinary people."

"This surprise attack on Xiangyang must have been orchestrated by this person."

Xu Shu highly recommended Zhuge Liang in his words, and there was even some excitement in his eyes, as if he was secretly happy that Liu Bei had captured Xiangyang.

"Zhuge Kongming?"

Cao Cao had a slight impression in his mind and turned to look at Cheng Yu:

"Zhongde, this Zhuge Kongming, could it be that person you mentioned to me earlier?"

Cheng Yu nodded slightly and said:
"It is this Zhuge Liang. He was originally from Xuzhou. After the Prime Minister attacked Xuzhou for the second time, he followed his uncle Zhuge Xuan to Jingzhou for refuge."

"After Zhuge Xuan's death, this man went to Longzhong to farm and study, and became a disciple of Sima Hui, earning the nickname Wolong."

"As Xu Yuanzhi said, we also have spies reporting that Liu Bei has appointed a new military advisor, perhaps this Zhuge Liang."

Cheng Yu reported the little information he knew.

“So he’s from Xuzhou…”

Cao Cao frowned slightly, a hint of disgust flashing across his eyes.

He naturally knew all the good things he had done in Xuzhou back then.

Zhuge Liang was probably forced to leave his hometown and take refuge in Jingzhou because his hometown was massacred.

It is no wonder that such a person would defect to his mortal enemy Liu Bei.

"Just a country bumpkin."

Cao Cao snorted coldly and looked at Xu Shu questioningly:
"Yuanzhi, is this Zhuge Cunfu's wisdom really as amazing as you say? Are you exaggerating?"

Seeing Cao Cao look down on Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu's lips curled up with a playful smile.

The smile flashed away, and Xu Shu said calmly:
"This is just my personal opinion. If you believe it, then believe it. If you don't, then forget it."

"but……"

Xu Shu hesitated to speak.

"But what?"

Cao Cao heard that Xu Shu had something else to say.

Xu Shu hesitated for a moment, then said:

"But as far as we know, the strategy of attacking Xiangyang by combining internal and external forces was most likely the work of Kong Ming."

"But based on my understanding of Lord Xuande, he's concerned about his relationship with Liu Biao and would rather go south to seize Jiangling or go to Jiangxia to join Liu Qi than attack Xiangyang."

"Even Kong Ming may not be able to convince Lord Xuande."

"What I'm curious about is, who on earth was it and what words could persuade Lord Xuande to go against common sense and attack Xiangyang?" It would have been fine if Xu Shu hadn't mentioned it, but after he did, suspicion arose in Cao Cao's eyes again.

He knew his old enemy Liu Bei too well.

Ever since Xuzhou took Lu Bu in, he knew that although this man was a hero, he would find it difficult to accomplish great things.

The heart is too soft, not cruel enough, and is burdened by benevolence and righteousness.

In a peaceful and prosperous era, one can be a benevolent ruler, but this is a chaotic era after all.

Therefore, when he went south this time, he believed that he had seen through Liu Bei and had already written a script for him in advance.

Or go east to Jiangxia and join Liu Qi.

Or go south across Xiangyang to seize Jiangling.

The script never considered that Liu Bei would seize Xiangyang from Liu Cong.

But Liu Bei did not follow the script and actually attacked his nephew and seized Xiangyang.

"Liu Bei, Liu Bei, who or what has caused you to change your usual behavior and become so decisive and resolute..."

Cao Cao twirled his thin beard and muttered to himself.

The counselors were speculating constantly.

"Prime Minister, why bother about whether he is some kind of Zhuge villager or someone else who is giving advice to the big-eared thief?"

"Even if Liu Bei seized Xiangyang, he would only have 10,000 or 20,000 soldiers and horses. Compared to my 150,000-man army, he is still a mantis trying to stop a chariot!"

"Ren believes that if the Prime Minister continues to lead his army south, he will surely be able to first capture Fancheng with overwhelming force, then take Xiangyang, and annihilate the big-eared bandits at Xiangpan!"

A domineering and arrogant voice interrupted the discussion.

The person who spoke was Cao Ren, the most powerful general of the Cao family.

Cao Cao's eyes narrowed, and the suspicion in them instantly turned into a murderous intent.

"Zixiao's words make sense. I have a million-strong army. Even if Liu Bei takes Xiangyang, what good will it do?"

Cao Cao's domineering spirit flared up, and he waved his hand and pointed southward:
"Pass the order, the army continues south, flatten Fancheng and Xiangyang, and capture Liu Bei alive!"

The spirit of Cao's camp was rekindled.

One hundred and fifty thousand Cao's infantry and cavalry marched south from Xinye and headed straight for Fancheng.

Two days later, the main force of Cao's army arrived at the city of Fancheng one after another.

at this time.

Huo Jun had already led 5,000 elite troops into Fancheng, fully equipped with bows and crossbows, ready for battle.

On the Han River, Guan Yu commanded 5,000 naval forces and 100 warships patrolling the river.

Liu Bei personally led tens of thousands of elite soldiers and stationed them in Xiangyang.

Liu Jun's entire army was ready to fight.

Because Fancheng was surrounded by water on three sides and only the north side was open, Cao Cao's 150,000 troops forced the city to set up camp north of Fancheng.

When Cao Cao learned that the general defending the city was named Huo Jun and had only 5,000 soldiers, he immediately felt contempt and ordered an attack on the city.

The 150,000 Cao troops launched an unprecedentedly fierce attack on Fancheng day and night.

After ten days of continuous attack, Cao's army used all its means and suffered nearly three thousand casualties.

Fancheng, however, remains as strong as a solid wall of steel and stands firm.

In fact, not a single soldier of Cao's army was able to climb the city wall.

...

It's dusk.

Under the blood-red setting sun, Cao's army retreated again after leaving behind eight hundred corpses.

"A mere Huo Jun, with only 5,000 soldiers, can hold off a 150,000-man army for ten days!"

"Liu Bei, where on earth did you find such a talented city defender?"

Looking at the general flag with the word "Huo" on it on the top of the city wall, Cao Cao gritted his teeth secretly, his annoyed eyes mixed with deep confusion.

Behind.

After Cheng Yu pondered for a long time, he bowed and said:

"It was beyond our expectation that Liu Bei would have a general as skilled in defense as Huo Jun."

"Prime Minister, it is not wise for us to continue to attack like this. We must resort to other means."

Cao Cao glanced at Cheng Yu and waved his whip lightly to signal him to continue.

Cheng Yu took a deep breath and pointed southward:
"Yu believes that the Prime Minister should first send someone to Liu Cong to order him to lead his troops north from Jiangling and cooperate with our army to attack Xiangfan from the south."

"On the other hand, the Prime Minister should also send an envoy with imperial seals to Jiangdong, ordering Sun Quan to lead the Jiangdong troops to capture Jiangxia and kill Liu Qi, thereby cutting off Liu Bei's arm."

"Only by combining these two approaches and attacking from three sides can we encircle and annihilate Liu Bei in Xiangfan!"

(End of this chapter)