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

Chapter 238 Xiao He's military tactics are like those of a ghost or a god! Cao Cao: Is this what it feels like to lose both your wife and your army?
Xu Chu's thought process was obviously much slower; his tiger-like eyes darted around for a while, but he still couldn't figure it out.

“Zhongkang, if the big-eared thief sends his navy north by sea, he will surely choose the port closest to Xuzhou to pick them up and board the ship.”

"The closest place to Xuzhou is Jiaoxian Port, located south of the Jiaodong Peninsula. This city is located more than a hundred miles east of Dongwu City."

“Our Duke Wei is a man of great foresight. He has already ordered General Zidan to lead the troops eastward to Jiaoxian to intercept them. He will surely be able to stop the Fourth Prince and his men in one fell swoop.”

"In addition, the big-eared bandit should send at least four or five thousand naval troops to land and attack Jiaoxian Port to support the Fourth Prince. General Zidan can also set up an ambush on the shore to annihilate the enemy who landed in one fell swoop."

"It can not only intercept the Fourth Prince and his wife, but also severely damage the Chu army and greatly boost our morale."

"Lord Wei's plan is a brilliant scheme to kill two birds with one stone!"

Lü Qian, whose wisdom surpassed Xu Chu's, excitedly revealed Cao Cao's true intentions.

Xu Chu suddenly realized, and looked at Cao Cao with admiration:

"Now I understand. It turns out that you, Lord Wei, had planned this all along, making me worry for nothing."

"Now that's great! The Fourth Young Master and his men have nowhere to escape, and we can at least deal a heavy blow to that big-eared thief and vent our anger over the defeat in Xuzhou!"

"That felt great, so great! Haha—"

Xu Chu was overjoyed and burst into loud, excited laughter.

"The escape of that wretched woman and her rebellious son may not necessarily be a bad thing."

"The big-eared bandit thinks I've switched from offense to defense. I might as well take advantage of his moment of weakness and use this opportunity to attack Xuzhou from Qingzhou."

"If we can recapture Langya in one fell swoop, I can plant a thorn in Xuzhou again, hanging a sharp sword over the head of that big-eared scoundrel, so that even if he eats Xuzhou, he won't be able to swallow it!"

Cao Cao stroked his short beard, gazing in the direction of Xuzhou, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

...

Qingzhou, Jiaoxian Port.

Cao Zhen stood on the dock, his brows furrowed, gazing at the calm sea.

"General Zidan, if Liu Bei wants to support Prince Zijian and his men, he will surely seize Jiaoxian Port in advance. However, we have led our troops here for several days, so why have we not seen any Chu troops?"

"This humble general is worried; could it be that Lord Wei's judgment is flawed..."

A young military officer behind him cautiously offered a reminder.

Cao Zhen frowned slightly.

Behind him, the entire port and dock appeared to consist of only about two hundred Wei soldiers scattered around, but in reality, there were nearly ten thousand hidden behind the tents.

Several days ago, he received a secret edict from Cao Cao, which was delivered by fast horse at a speed of 800 li. At the same time, he personally led a troop to intercept Lady Bian and her son at Jiaoxian Port.

Upon receiving the imperial edict, he immediately ordered Sun Li to lead 7,000 elite troops to guard Dongwu City, while he himself led 10,000 soldiers to Jiaoxian Port to set up an ambush.

However, after waiting for three days, neither Lady Bian and her son came, nor did the Chu navy land at sea.

Not to mention Guo Huai behind him, even he himself was starting to have doubts.

"Lord Wei is so insightful, how could his judgment be wrong?"

"Let's wait a few more days. The Chu army might launch a night attack tonight. We must not let our guard down."

Cao Zhen was suspicious, but outwardly he believed Cao Cao wholeheartedly.

Guo Huai dared not say anything more and immediately turned to pass on the order.

The sound of hooves rang out at that moment, and a rider galloped up, dismounting from his saddle.

"Reporting to General Zidan, an urgent report from the north!"

"Two days ago, Chu warships appeared in the Bohai Sea, and nearly 5,000 enemy troops suddenly landed and unexpectedly captured my city of Xia Mi!"

Cao Zhen was greatly alarmed and abruptly turned to look in the north.

Instead of attacking Jiaoxian, which was right in front of them, the Chu army bypassed the entire Jiaodong Peninsula and landed in the Bohai Sea to launch a surprise attack on Xiami City.

What kind of magical operation is this?
For a moment, Cao Zhen was stunned and fell into a brief state of confusion.

"General Zidan, we've fallen into a trap!"

Guo Huai's eyes darted around, his expression suddenly changed, and he cried out urgently:
"Liu Bei must have anticipated that we would ambush us near Jiaoxian Port, which is why his navy did not attack Jiaoxian, but instead bypassed the Jiaodong Peninsula and launched a surprise attack on our Xiami from the Bohai Sea!"

"Madam and the Fourth Young Master don't intend to escape from Jiaoxian; they intend to escape from Xiami to Hainan Island!"

Cao Zhen's eyes widened, and he suddenly felt a chill.

Logically, if the Chu army wanted to support Lady Bian and her son, they would have chosen Jiaoxian Port, which is closest to Xuzhou, as their landing point.

But the Chu army did not play by the rules. They bypassed the Jiaodong Peninsula and traveled hundreds of miles by sea before landing at Xia Mi!
As Guo Huai said, someone in the Chu army must have anticipated that Cao Cao would order him to lead his troops to intercept Cao Cao at Jiaoxian!

Xiao He.

This must be Xiao He's doing again!

"That fiend~~"

Cao Zhen gritted his teeth, stamped his foot, and shouted urgently:
"Issue my order: the entire army shall immediately march north, traveling day and night to Xiami, and we must rescue the Lady and the Fourth Prince from the Chu army!"

Guo Huai stepped forward to stop Cao Zhen and said in a deep voice:
"General Zidan, calm down. Your wife and the others must have already joined up with the Chu army. They may have retreated to the sea and are being sent to Xuzhou by the Chu army. It will be too late for us to rush to Xiami."

"What I'm worried about is what will happen if the Chu army advances south along the Wei River and takes Gaomi City first, cutting off our army's food supplies?"

"When the food supplies of Sun Li's troops in Dongwu are cut off, their morale will be thrown into chaos. If the Chu army takes advantage of the situation and marches north from Langya, then the southern gates of our Qingzhou will be wide open."

"The Chu army will then be able to advance unimpeded and invade the heart of my Qingzhou. Beihai, Donglai, and Qi County will all be lost!"

Cao Zhen felt a chill run down his spine.

Dongwu is located at the junction of Qingzhou and Xuzhou, serving as the southern gateway to Qingzhou. Thirty miles to the south lies Zhucheng, which belongs to Xuzhou.

Gan Ning is currently leading an army of over 10,000 men, stationed in Zhucheng, showing signs of invading Qingzhou.

That is why he dared not lead his entire army to intercept them in Jiaoxian, leaving Sun Li with 7,000 elite troops to guard Dongwu City.

The Wei River flows from south to north, connecting various counties, including Dongwu, Gaomi, and Xiami, before finally emptying into the sea.

The grain and fodder for Dongwu City were all transported from Gaomi, and then transported south along the Wei River to Dongwu.

Once the Chu army lands at Xiami, it can advance south along the Wei River and capture Gaomi, which would be tantamount to seizing his grain depot.

With supplies cut off at the Dongwu front, Gan Ning seized the opportunity to launch an attack, and Sun Li's troops were no match for him.
"General Zidan, I believe that the chances of intercepting the Lady and the Fourth Prince are slim. The most important thing for you now is to protect Qingzhou."

"To protect Qingzhou, we must ensure that Dongwu City is not lost; and to ensure that Dongwu City is not lost, we must ensure that Gaomi is not lost and that our supply lines are uninterrupted!"

Guo Huai continued to explain the advantages and disadvantages, his tone becoming even more forceful.

After pondering for a long time, Cao Zhen gritted his teeth and stamped his foot: "You are right to remind me. My primary duty is to defend Qingzhou for the Duke of Wei!"

"By my order, the entire army shall set off immediately and head straight for Gaomi City."

"Send an order to Sun Li, instructing him to be on high alert to prevent the Chu army from taking advantage of the situation to attack Dongwu."

"Also, immediately send someone on horseback to inform Lord Wei!"

Guo Huai breathed a sigh of relief and quickly accepted the order.

Cao Zhen then led more than 10,000 Wei troops and set off immediately, heading west straight for Gaomi City.

...

Two days later.

On the east bank of the Wei River lies Gaomi City.

On the main road to the east, a cloud of dust shot into the sky, sweeping towards Gaomi City.

"We absolutely must make it in time! If we lose Gaomi, the Beihai Kingdom and Donglai County will both be lost. How can I live up to the trust that Duke Wei placed in me..."

As Cao Zhen galloped on his horse, he secretly made a wish.

Although he was Cao Cao's adopted son, he was too young and had far too little experience compared to seasoned veterans like Yue Jin.

Therefore, when he was appointed military commander of Qingzhou, there was still considerable opposition within the Wei army.

It was Cao Cao who overruled serious objections, which is why he now holds the position of leading an army and overseeing a province.

If Dongwu falls and the Chu army invades Qingzhou, how can we live up to Cao Cao's high regard for us?
As my thoughts raced, the outline of Gaomi City came into view.

Looking into the distance, one can see that the Wei flag still hangs on the city wall.

"Luckily, I arrived in time. Gao Mi is still there. It seems Guo Huai was worrying unnecessarily..."

Cao Zhen breathed a sigh of relief; a huge weight had finally been lifted from his heart.

The more than 10,000 Wei soldiers slowed their march slightly, allowing them to catch their breath.

Before sunset, the army reached the east side of the city.

Cao Zhen stood on his horse below the city wall, cracking his whip and shouting:
"I am Cao Zhen! Open the city gates immediately and welcome me into the city!"

The hundreds of Wei soldiers on the city wall remained silent, coldly watching him and his army.

That look in his eyes was as if he were staring at prey that had been delivered to his mouth.

Something's not right...

Cao Zhen became wary.

Just as they were about to shout again, a familiar face appeared on the city wall.

He was a middle-aged military officer with a square face.

The man smiled sarcastically and said:

"Cao Zidan, I have been waiting for you here for a long time on the orders of the strategist. Why are you so late?"

Cao Zhen's expression changed, and he quickly focused his gaze on the man.

When he recognized that face, his expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed in shock:
"Zhang Liao?"

The Wei army waiting to enter the city were greatly alarmed and filled with fear upon hearing the name Zhang Liao.

On the city wall, Zhang Liao waved his hand.

The city wall, which originally had fewer than a hundred people, suddenly swarmed with over a thousand men, as if divine soldiers had descended from the heavens.

Flags bearing the character "Chu" fluttered in the air.

Cao Zhen was greatly alarmed.

Gaomi City has already been captured by Zhang Liao?
However, the distance between Xiami City and Gaomi is at least 170 li, and the Wei River is shallow, which is not conducive to the navigation of warships. How could Zhang Liao possibly have arrived in Gaomi before him?
“General Zidan, the Chu army that landed at Xiami is not only composed of infantry, but must also include cavalry.”

"It was precisely because of the speed of his cavalry that Zhang Liao was able to seize Gaomi ahead of our army!"

Guo Huai shouted from behind, his voice trembling.

Cao Zhen suddenly woke up.

In other words, when the Chu army set sail, their objective was not only to rescue Bian and her son, but also to attack and capture Gaomi, cutting off the supply lines to the Dongwu front.

From the very beginning, Liu Bei intended to seize Qingzhou!
He planned every step of the way with perfect clarity, seizing every opportunity.

Without a doubt, it must be Xiao He's scheme!
Cao Zhen was drenched in cold sweat, momentarily terrified and completely disoriented.

"Military Advisor Xiao's military tactics are like those of a ghost or a god; he is truly like a reincarnation of a military genius..."

Zhang Liao, standing atop the city wall, sighed with emotion, then shouted:

"Archers, fire your arrows and kill the Wei invaders!"

The Chu archers immediately drew their bows and fired wildly at the chaotic Wei army below the city.

In an instant, screams filled the air as large numbers of Wei soldiers were nailed to the ground.

"General Zidan, the fall of Gaomi is inevitable. Quickly cross the Wei River and retreat westward."

"Dongwu City's supply lines have been cut off, and it certainly cannot be defended. Immediately order General Sun to abandon the city and retreat west of the Wei River to urgently report to the Governor of Wei!"

Guo Huai blocked the rain of arrows while shouting.

Cao Zhen's face turned ashen, and he gritted his teeth in resentment.

Once Dongwu is abandoned, the area east of the Wei River will fall entirely into the hands of the Chu army.

How could Cao Zhen have his face if the Chu army had so easily invaded Qingzhou and captured two counties without losing a single soldier?

How could he live up to Cao Cao's high regard for him?
While Cao Zhen hesitated and struggled with his decision, the tightly closed east gate of Gaomi suddenly burst open.

The moment the drawbridge was lowered, Zhang Liao spurred his horse, drew his sword, and was the first to charge out of Gaomi City.

More than three thousand elite Chu cavalry surged out like a tidal wave, rushing towards the chaotic Wei army.

The iron cavalry rolled in, and how could his 10,000 infantrymen, whose morale was wavering, possibly resist before they could even form ranks?
Cao Zhen's inner turmoil shattered in an instant, and she screamed in alarm:

"Retreat! The entire army retreats!"

(End of this chapter)