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

Chapter 231 The strategist is truly a god among soldiers! Killing his wife and children? It's over, our Lord Wei has been driven mad by Liu Bei's arrow!

Cao Cao let out a painful cry and nearly fell off his horse.

He turned his head and was shocked to find that he had been shot in the buttocks.

Cao Cao instinctively reached back to pull out the arrow, but the touch sent a shiver of pain through his body, and he involuntarily tried to stand up.

"Duke Wei!"

Xu Chu was taken aback and spurred his horse closer, wanting to take Cao Cao's place.

"Don't touch it, ignore it for now, let's go!"

Cao Cao dismissed Xu Chu, disregarded his injured backside, and fled on horseback, enduring the pain.

Left with no other option, Xu Chu could only parry the arrows with his sword while protecting Cao Cao as they fled north at top speed…

As the last rays of sunlight sank behind the mountains, the killing outside the camp finally came to an end.

After leaving behind countless corpses and warhorses, Cao Cao fled in disarray with arrow wounds and his remaining troops.

Zhang Liao, who had returned with his troops, had joined forces with the three thousand infantrymen under Deng Ai's command and began to clean up the battlefield.

Only then did tens of thousands of Chu soldiers withdraw from Pengcheng and gradually return to their camp.

The tens of thousands of Northern Army soldiers, who were mentally prepared to retake the camp, were all dumbfounded by the scene before them.

The main camp was intact.

Outside the camp, however, lay the bones of Wei soldiers.

Clearly, the Wei army's surprise attack ended in a crushing defeat.

Excitement and discussion quickly filled the camp.

"Bowen, didn't you report that Cao Cao launched a surprise attack on my main camp with tens of thousands of cavalry? Then this..."

Liu Bei pointed his whip at the mess outside the camp, looking at Xiao He with a mixture of surprise and confusion.

Xiao He smiled and was about to reply when Zhang Liao and Deng Ai returned on horseback.

"Reporting to Lord Chu, in this battle our army killed 7,000 enemies, captured 6,000, and seized nearly 5,000 warhorses, as well as countless weapons, flags, and drums!"

Zhang Liao excitedly reported the results of the battle.

Liu Bei gasped, his surprise mixed with overwhelming joy.

Good heavens, this battle wiped out more than 15,000 Wei cavalry!

They also seized more than 5,000 fine horses.

With so many warhorses, the Chu army's current cavalry force could be doubled!

An unprecedented victory! What a windfall!

“Bowen, there are only three thousand infantrymen in the camp. Even if we add the two thousand cavalrymen that Wen Yuan has brought, there are only five thousand infantrymen and cavalrymen.”

"With such a small force, it's already a miracle that you managed to hold the camp. How did you manage to inflict such heavy damage on Cao Cao?"

Liu Bei was overjoyed but also surprised and puzzled, and asked.

Xiao He was about to speak when Deng Ai interrupted:

"Reporting to Lord Chu, Military Advisor Xiao used a fire...fire ox formation, with eight hundred fire oxen...to utterly defeat the Wei army!"

Fire Bull Formation!
These words shocked everyone present.

Liu Bei looked bewildered and didn't react for a moment.

Pang Tong glanced outside the camp, and his eyes lit up. He was the first to realize something.

"When the five states attacked Qi, Qi was almost destroyed. Later, its famous general Tian Dan used the fire ox formation to defeat the Yan cavalry and restored the country in one fell swoop."

"Lord Chu, strategist Bowen used Tian Dan's fire ox formation strategy to defeat the Wei cavalry that came to launch a surprise attack!"

Pang Tong was well-versed in both ancient and modern times and had studied military strategy thoroughly. He immediately grasped the secret behind it.

Although Liu Bei was not as learned as Pang Tong, he had heard of the story of the Fire Ox Formation, and he immediately recalled Pang Tong's suggestion.

"Isn't that a formation from hundreds of years ago? I've heard it's been lost for centuries. Bowen, you actually used it to deal with the Wei army?"

Liu Bei looked at Xiao He in disbelief.

"Since Tian Dan used this fire ox formation, no one has used it for hundreds of years. It is truly amazing that the strategist was able to come up with this plan to defeat the enemy."

Pang Tong first clicked his tongue in admiration, then asked with doubt:

"But this fire ox formation requires yellow oxen to activate. The Wei army arrived so quickly, how did the strategist manage to gather enough yellow oxen in such a short time?"

This question struck a chord with everyone, and Liu Bei and his generals looked at Xiao He with confusion.

“Shiyuan, don’t you remember? The strategist had previously instructed the rear to switch to using oxcarts to transport grain and fodder.”

"Military Advisor Xiao must have anticipated that Cao Cao wanted to emulate the Battle of Pengcheng, where Xiang Yu broke Gaozu's plan by using cavalry to flank and attack our camp from the rear of Pengcheng. Therefore, he took advantage of the grain transport opportunity to collect enough yellow cattle in advance."

"That's why, even though the Wei army's arrival today was sudden, Military Advisor Xiao was well-prepared and immediately used the fire ox formation to break them."

On his way back, Zhang Liao had already learned everything from Deng Ai, and now he immediately relayed it to Xiao He.

Pang Tong suddenly realized what was happening, gasped in shock, and looked at Xiao He in astonishment:
"So, it turns out that strategist Bowen saw through Cao Cao's pretense of illness long ago, just to use Yang Xiu to spread false information and lure us into launching a full-scale attack on Pengcheng."

"Cao Cao secretly amassed a large number of cavalry and led light cavalry south from Taishan County into Xuzhou, taking advantage of our army's rear to launch a surprise attack while our main camp was weak?"

"So, strategist Bowen, you took advantage of the grain transport to prepare enough oxen in advance, just waiting for the Wei cavalry to arrive so you could launch a head-on attack?"

Pang Tong deduced the entire cause and effect in one breath.

Xiao He coughed lightly a few times, then smiled and said:

"I wouldn't say I predicted it all along, but I just felt that the battle went too smoothly, so I made two preparations."

"I didn't expect my intuition to be so accurate. These hundreds of old oxen really came in handy."

Xiao He spoke from the bottom of his heart, admitting that luck certainly played a part in their victory.

However, in the eyes of Pang Tong and others, it was merely Xiao Junshi's humility.

Pang Tong bowed deeply to Xiao He with a respectful expression:
"The strategist Bowen's ability to anticipate the enemy's moves is truly divine among military strategists, far surpassing that of the generals!"

Liu Bei then stepped forward and patted Xiao He on the shoulder, sighing with lingering fear:
"Bowen, fortunately you are a man of great wisdom and resourcefulness, able to see through Cao Cao's treacherous plot and prepare in advance."

"If this had not happened, and the Wei cavalry had breached our camp today, the morale of our 80,000 troops would have collapsed, and the consequences would have been unimaginable!"

Faced with the praise from everyone, Xiao He could only smile and ignore it.

Immediately, exclamations of praise and admiration rose and fell.

"Military Advisor Xiao's plan has greatly defeated the Wei army. Although it was a great victory, it also proves that Cao Cao is not bedridden and is still lively and capable of taking charge of the overall situation."

"In this way, although we have won a great victory, it will not be easy to take Pengcheng with the momentum."

While veteran Huang Zhong was overjoyed, he also showed some concern.

The atmosphere of excitement and surprise finally cooled down a bit after Huang Zhong's reminder.

"Hansheng is right."

"Our relentless attacks over the past few days have been aimed at taking advantage of Cao Cao's illness, the Wei army's leaderlessness, and the wavering morale of the troops to capture Pengcheng in one fell swoop."

"Now that Cao Cao is in good health and can personally command the army, it will not be easy for us to easily break through Pengcheng again."

Liu Bei stroked his fine beard and nodded slightly.

"That's not necessarily true..."

Xiao He suddenly spoke, his tone carrying a hidden meaning.

Liu Bei's eyes lit up, and he quickly looked at Xiao He.

“Since Cao Cao was feigning illness, it proves that Yang Xiu’s secret report was false. I suspect that his secret communication with our army was leaked, and he has been captured by Cao Cao and confessed under severe torture.”

"Yang Xiu not only leaked information to us during the Battle of Xuyi, but also, during the Battle of Huainan, in order to save Cao Zhi, he first revealed to us that Xiahou Mao was going to attack Yingkou, and then persuaded Cao Ren to drive out the people of Shouchun, giving us the opportunity to flood Shouchun."

"And behind these two events, it was all at the behest of Bian."

"If Cao Cao finds out about this, Yang Xiu will die, and Bian Shi and Cao Zhi will likely face the same fate." "Think about it, Lord Chu. Bian Shi was willing to betray Cao Cao to save her son. Now that she knows the truth has been revealed and Cao Cao wants to kill her and her son, will she just sit and wait to die?"

Xiao He coldly revealed the reason.

Liu Bei seemed to understand but not quite.

Pang Tong's eyes lit up, and he said:

"Does Strategist Bowen mean that Lady Bian would risk everything to save his and his child's lives and even resort to desperate measures?"

"In this way, chaos will break out in the rear of the pseudo-Wei regime, and Cao Cao will be too busy to defend Pengcheng, giving us an opportunity to take advantage of the situation?"

Xiao He smiled and said:

"That's roughly the idea, but I'm just guessing. I can't say for sure whether such a situation will actually occur."

"However, we can give Bian and Cao Zhi a push to turn the possibility into a certainty."

Xiao He abruptly changed the subject, a strange glint in his eyes:
“We can immediately order our spies in Ye City to spread rumors that Cao Cao has imprisoned Yang Xiu, and that Yang Xiu, unable to withstand the torture, has confessed to all his betrayals of Cao Cao.”

“Bian must have her own spies in the Wei army, and she must have found out some information. With these rumors fueling the fire, I don’t believe she won’t take the risk.”

Liu Bei suddenly realized, and then happily said:
"Alright, let's follow Bowen's plan. Let's wait patiently for a few days and wait for the puppet Wei regime to cause trouble in the rear!"

...

Pengcheng.

In the dimly lit bedroom, Cao Cao lay face down on the couch, awkwardly receiving treatment from the healer.

Remove the sword, clean the wound, apply medicine...

Throughout the entire process, Cao Cao's face turned red as he suppressed the humiliation in his heart.

The location where that arrow struck was truly awkward.

Cao Cao could even imagine how amused his soldiers would be when they learned that their Lord Wei had been shot in the buttocks by an arrow.

He could also imagine how he would become the subject of ridicule and gossip for everyone once this got out.

Finally, the medicine was applied, the wound was bandaged, and the blanket was put on, and the embarrassment was finally over.

Cao Cao breathed a sigh of relief before ordering Cao Chong and the others to enter.

A moment later, Cao Chong, Cao Chun, Jia Xu, Zhang He, and other officials filed in.

Jia Xu, who usually stayed in the background, made an exception this time and stood at the front. As soon as he entered, he knelt down and begged Cao Cao for forgiveness.

Cao Chong also knelt down, feeling ashamed and uneasy, and begged Cao Cao for forgiveness.

Cao Cao glared at the two men, naturally feeling angry.

If it weren't for their miscalculation in offering their advice, I wouldn't have lost more than 10,000 precious cavalrymen, nor would I have been injured by the Chu army.
He was injured in such a shameful place that it won't be long before he becomes a laughingstock to the world.

It would be a lie to say I'm not angry.

"It's not that you're incompetent, it's that Xiao He is too cunning!"

"You are not to blame for this defeat. Get up."

Cao Cao eventually suppressed his anger and waved his hand weakly.

Cao Chong and Jia Xu breathed a sigh of relief and then stood up.

"What about that traitor Yang Xiu? Has he confessed to any new acts of treason?"

Cao Cao desperately needed someone to vent his anger on, so he thought of Yang Xiu.

"Reporting to Father, while you were away these past few days, Yang Xiu did indeed make a new confession, but... but..."

Cao Chong hesitated, as if he wanted to speak.

Cao Cao's eyes widened, and he shouted, "What is it? Speak quickly!"

Cao Chong knelt down abruptly, looking troubled.

"Father, this matter concerns Mother and Fourth Brother, I dare not speak of it!"

Although Cao Chong's birth mother was Lady Huan, Lady Bian was still respectfully addressed as "Mother."

Cao Cao's expression changed slightly, and he shouted urgently:
"What exactly did Yang Xiu confess to? What did your mother and fourth brother do behind my back? Tell me quickly!"

Cao Chong stammered, still not daring to speak.

The more he hesitated, the more anxious Cao Cao became, and he struggled to get up to ask Yang Xiu himself.

"Father's health is of utmost importance, and you must not move around lightly. I will tell you."

Cao Chong quickly held Cao Cao down, tears welling in his eyes, and said:

"That traitor Yang Xiu said that in order to save my fourth brother's life, my mother did not hesitate to send Yang Xiu to the Chu camp to betray our army's information about the raid on Yingkou in exchange for Liu Bei not killing my fourth brother."

Yang Xiu also confessed that Liu Bei was willing to release his fourth brother because Xiao He ordered him to enter the city and offer a plan to his uncle, Zixiao, to bring back the people of Shouchun...

Cao Chong, choking back tears, recounted everything.

Cao Cao froze on the couch, his expression one of shock and disbelief, as if he had been struck by a heavy blow and his soul had been ripped out.

Bian, his bedmate, his legal wife…

He secretly colluded with Liu Bei behind his back, leaking secrets and causing his son-in-law Xiahou Mao and several years of soldiers to perish at Yingkou.
Even the fall of Shouchun and the annihilation of tens of thousands of soldiers were related to the fact that Lady Bian instructed Yang Xiu to secretly frame Cao Ren.
He betrayed him and committed so many acts of treason that harmed the country, all just to get back his good-for-nothing son, Cao Zhi.

Cao Cao was shocked.

The ministers, including Cao Chun, were all horrified.

"what--"

Cao Cao suddenly clutched his chest, a sharp pain shooting through him, and anger rose to his throat.

"Father~~"

Cao Chong hurriedly held Cao Cao down, weeping as he comforted him:
"Your subject believes that Mother was also anxious to save her son. In order to save Fourth Brother's life, she made these mistakes in a moment of confusion."

"Please, Father, calm down and don't punish Mother and Fourth Brother anymore."

Cao Chong knelt before her, pleading earnestly for Bian Shi and Cao Zhi.

"Don't plead for that vile woman! To save her good-for-nothing son, she betrayed me, causing tens of thousands of soldiers to perish at the hands of the enemy and handing Huainan over to that big-eared thief! How can I forgive her!"

Cao Cao, however, was enraged and roared with a ferocious expression:
"Zihe, you must immediately take my imperial edict back to Ye City and have Lady Bian and Cao Zhi, mother and son, strangled by me. I want them dead, I want them dead—"

Cao Chun was terrified and knelt on the ground, sweating profusely and unable to accept the order.

"Zhongkang!"

Cao Cao's gaze then fell upon Xu Chu, and he shouted:

"He dares not go. You immediately lead a squad of Tiger Guards back to Ye City and kill Lady Bian and that rebellious son Cao Zhi for me!"

Xu Chu's face turned pale, and he was so frightened that he knelt down, not daring to accept the order.

Xu Chu obeyed Cao Cao's orders without question; whoever Cao Cao commanded him to kill, he would kill.

But this time, Cao Cao ordered him to kill his own wife and son!

What if you're so angry right now that you're shouting for violence, but then you regret it later after you calm down?
I killed your wife and your son. How can I work under you now?

Xu Chu was a reckless man, but he wasn't a fool.

Cao Chun was certainly not stupid, and he dared not accept Cao Cao's order, which was given in a fit of rage.

Seeing that no one obeyed his orders, Cao Cao was filled with rage and roared:

"Very well, so you all dare to disobey my orders. Do you all intend to betray me and rebel?"

Before he could even utter the word "rebel," Cao Cao felt a mouthful of blood rise to his throat and spit it out with a "whoosh."

Then everything went black, and he collapsed onto the couch, fainting from anger.

(End of this chapter)