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

Chapter 271 On Extraordinary Skills, Grand Commandant Xiao is Unrivaled! Liu Bei: The strongest father-in-law and son-in-law in the world, joining forces, are invincible!
The general of Chu, no longer concerned with urging his son-in-law and daughter to have children, readily accepted the good news presented by his son.

The details of the Battle of Xinzheng, in which the Wei army was intercepted and Xu Huang was seriously wounded, are clearly described.

Guan Yu handed the news of victory to Xiao He and laughed loudly:

"Bowen, you are indeed as shrewd as ever. This strategy of besieging Wei to rescue Zhao has indeed succeeded again."

"The main force of the Wei bandits in Yingchuan has been annihilated. Only 20,000 Wei bandits remain in Xuchang City. The commander is none other than Cao Chun, a scoundrel who sells his head for a living. He is not worth worrying about at all!"

Xiao He took the report of victory and examined it carefully. He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and a smile appeared on his face.

"Zhao Zilong of Changshan truly deserves to be called an ever-victorious general."

"General, the obstacles to our recapture of Xuchang have been cleared. We should not delay any longer and should immediately turn back north and besiege Xuchang."

Guan Yu stroked his beard and laughed heartily, then raised his whip:
"By my order, the army shall immediately change course and head north, to take Xuchang directly!"

Upon hearing the news of the great victory at Xinzheng, the 70,000 Chu soldiers were immediately invigorated and their morale soared.

Thus, the 70,000 soldiers, like 70,000 tigers and wolves, swept towards Xuchang in a mighty force.

...

Xuchang City.

On the city wall, Cao Chun, Dong Zhao, and Chen Qun reunited.

“Gongming hasn’t reported that he’s safe for two days. I’m a little worried. Gongren, Changwen, do you think something might have happened?”

Cao Chun frowned, his eyes and tone revealing his unease.

As previously agreed, after Xu Huang led his troops out of Xudu, he was required to send a report to Xuchang at least once a day to let them know that he was safe.

Meanwhile, Xu Chang was constantly sending updates on the movements of Guan Yu's troops to Xu Huang.

Xu Huang's letters to let people know he was safe arrived on time a couple of days ago, but this latest one has been almost two days and still hasn't arrived.

Cao Chun couldn't help but feel worried.

"Judging from the distance, the former general should have already passed Xinzheng. Further north, there are mountain roads, which may have caused the messenger to be delayed."

"General of Chariots and Cavalry, do not worry too much. Wait patiently, and the letter may arrive tonight."

Chen Qun remained calm and composed, offering words of comfort with a smile.

Dong Zhao stroked his fine beard and looked south, saying:

"We have deployed countless scouts and spies between Jia County and Liang County to monitor the movements of Guan Yu's army at all times."

"According to the latest intelligence, Guan Yu is currently on his way to Liang County, and there has been no large-scale unusual mobilization of his main force."

"Since the main force of the Chu army has not moved, it is impossible for them to send troops to intercept our army. The 40,000 troops under the former general should be safe."

Dong Zhao also gave a lengthy analysis.

Cao Chun finally breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

He toyed with the teacup in his hand, turned his gaze south, and sneered:
"Guan Yu, when your army arrives at the gates of Luoyang, you will find that Gongming has already led my army to take up a position and is ready for battle."

"I'd really like to see how furious and frustrated you'll be when your scheme fails."

"Hehe~~"

Just as Cao Chun began to laugh, a guard came to report that Xu Huang had sent a messenger back with news.

Cao Chun's spirits lifted, and he looked at Chen Qun and Dong Zhao, instantly feeling at ease.

"As you two predicted, I was overthinking it."

Cao Chun chuckled self-deprecatingly and then ordered the messenger to be brought in.

A moment later, a messenger hurriedly climbed up the city wall and knelt down in front of the three men.

"Reporting to the General of Chariots and Cavalry, our army was ambushed by Chu cavalry at Xinzheng, and our 40,000 troops suffered heavy casualties."

"General Xiahou was killed by Chu general Zhao Yun, and General Xu was seriously wounded. He led less than 10,000 remaining soldiers to retreat east of the Wei River."

"General Xu has specially sent me at the risk of his life to deliver this message: he is no longer able to lead his remaining troops back to Xuchang. He requests that the General of Chariots and Cavalry immediately request reinforcements from the King, as Guan Yu's army may march back to Xuchang at any time!"

The messenger, still shaken, delivered the terrible news.

Cao Chun's smile froze, his face frozen in a moment of stunned disbelief.

The smiles on Dong Zhao and Chen Qun's faces vanished, replaced by expressions of utter horror.

Instead of receiving a message to let them know they were safe, they received devastating news of Xu Huang's crushing defeat!
The three of them were shocked and momentarily stunned, thinking they had misheard.

"What did you say? Say it to me again!"

Cao Chun suddenly erupted, grabbed the messenger, and roared hysterically.

The messenger had no choice but to repeat the whole story with a mournful face.

Cao Chun released the messenger and said in astonishment:
"How could this be? My spies in the south haven't reported any unusual movements by the Chu army, so why would Zhao Yun appear in Xinzheng to ambush Xu Gongming?"

"This doesn't make sense, it just doesn't make sense!"

Cao Chun turned his gaze to Dong Zhao and Chen Qun.

Chen Qun was quite adept at governing, but his weakness lay in military strategy and tactics. He was utterly bewildered and terrified, unable to comprehend the situation.

Dong Zhao suddenly shivered and exclaimed:
"Where are there cavalry in Guan Yu's army? Zhao Yun should be in Chenliu, not under Guan Yu's command."

"It must have been Liu Bei who sent Zhao Yun south in secret, leading a light cavalry force along a back road. Relying on their speed advantage, they evaded our army's notice and then set up an ambush in Xinzheng!"

"From the very beginning, Guan Yu's goal was to lure our main force out of Xuchang so that he could intercept them halfway!"

"We've miscalculated, General of Chariots and Cavalry! We've fallen into Guan Yu's trap of relieving Zhao from Wei's siege!"

"From beginning to end, his aim was Xuchang, not Luoyang!"

Dong Zhao stamped his feet and cried out, revealing the secret with deep regret.

Cao Chun's mind went blank for a moment, he staggered back half a step, gasped repeatedly, and quickly processed what Dong Zhao had said.

After a while.

Cao Chun suddenly came to his senses and glared angrily at Dong Zhao:
"It wasn't our miscalculation, Dong Gongren, it was yours!"

"Why didn't you realize that this was Guan Yu's strategy of 'besieging Wei to rescue Zhao,' luring the snake out of its hole?"

"If you hadn't believed that Guan Yu intended to attack Luoyang, why would I have ordered Xu Gongming to lead the main force north to relieve Luoyang, resulting in this predicament?"

"Dong Gongren, you've ruined the country!" Cao Chun, known for his fiery temper, unleashed a torrent of complaints against Dong Zhao in his haste.

Dong Zhao's face flushed red, his expression ashamed, and he could only sigh helplessly:

"This was indeed Zhao's miscalculation. I really didn't expect that Liu Bei would actually transfer cavalry from Chenliu to the south to cooperate with Guan Yu in setting up such a big scheme."

"This scheme is flawless, so cunning, it's truly—"

At this point, Dong Zhao suddenly shuddered:

"The cunning of this plan is not the work of Xu Shu and Fa Zheng, but rather resembles the military style of Xiao He."

"Could it be that Xiao He is no longer in Chenliu and has secretly gone south to meet up with Guan Yu?"

"From beginning to end, this was all Xiao He's doing?"

Xiao He!

Upon hearing the name, Cao Chun shuddered, and the resentment on his face instantly turned into fear.

He was terrified.

Throughout Cao Wei, who hasn't suffered losses due to Xiao He's ingenious schemes?
Not to mention top strategists like Dong Zhao, Xun You, Liu Ye, and Cheng Yu, who have all been tricked by Xiao He countless times.

If Xiao He was indeed behind the scheme, then Dong Zhao's defeat was entirely justified.

What reason would he have to complain about Dong Zhao?

"That's it! It must be that Xiao and that sorcerer have arrived in Yingchuan. The big-eared thief's main attack is no longer Chenliu, but our Xudu!"

"What should we do? What should we do..."

Cao Chun's face was as pale as paper, cold sweat poured down his forehead, and he had completely lost his composure.

Dong Zhao sighed helplessly and could only cup his hands and say:
"Things have come to this point. Our main force has suffered heavy losses, and General Xu is unable to return. Guan Yu will surely lead a large army to besiege the city soon."

"We have less than 20,000 troops left, and we can only let Guan Yu surround the city from all sides and be trapped to death in Xuchang."

"General of Chariots and Cavalry, we must quickly request aid from the King and ask him to send reinforcements to Xuchang!"

Cao Chun suddenly woke up with a start and nodded repeatedly:
“That’s right, you’re right. How can we possibly defend Xuchang on our own? We must immediately send someone to ask the King for help.”

Chen Qun's eyes darted around, and he quickly said:

"General of Chariots and Cavalry, I urge you to immediately head north and personally go to Chenliu to seek aid from the King."

Cao Chun was about to agree, but swallowed his words and glanced at Chen Qun with suspicion.

You, Chen Qunguan, are serving as Attendant-in-Ordinary. You came to Xuchang to preside over the "government affairs" on Cao Cao's orders. Even if you wanted to ask Cao Cao for help, would you need someone of your rank?

You little rascal, you see that the situation in Xuchang is not good, and you're afraid of being besieged by Guan Yu, so you're trying to take this opportunity to escape.

How could I let you escape? If we're going to die, we'll die together...

Cao Chun's eyes darted around, then he shook his head and said:

"With Guan Yu about to besiege the city, I am to lead the troops to defend it. Dong Taichang needs to come up with strategies to appease the people in the city, and you, Chen Changwen, are in charge of the administration."

"You cannot leave. I will send someone else to request reinforcements."

Chen Qun's heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but secretly groan.

Cao Chun is determined to drag him down with her, to live and die together...

Since their reasons were valid, he had no way to refute them and could only accept them helplessly.

Cao Chun immediately dispatched a messenger to travel north to Chenliu overnight to inform Cao Cao and request assistance.

At the same time, he ordered that all the grain and fodder stored in the surrounding villages and counties be looted and brought into Xudu, and urged the soldiers to reinforce the city walls overnight in preparation for a long siege.

...

East of Chenliu City, the Chu camp.

Liu Bei stood with his hands behind his back, his brows furrowed as he stared at the sand table.

Their gaze was not fixed on Chenliu, but on Xudu, hundreds of miles away.

"I must say, when it comes to winning by surprise, Grand Commandant Xiao is truly unparalleled in the world, leaving us ministers far behind."

"This feigned attack on Luoyang, a strategy of besieging Wei to rescue Zhao, seems unremarkable, but when combined with the General of Chariots and Cavalry's 7,000 cavalrymen who secretly marched south, it becomes a stroke of genius."

"I suspect that General Guan's report of victory is already on its way to the camp."

Lu Xun, standing beside him, pointed at the sand table and sighed in admiration.

Liu Bei nodded slightly, agreeing wholeheartedly. Just as he was about to speak, the tent flap was lifted, and Chen Dao rushed in excitedly.

"Your Majesty, the General's victory report has arrived!"

Liu Bei's spirits lifted, and all the ministers in the tent became excited and stood up.

"Snap!"

Liu Bei suppressed his surprise and waved his hand.

Chen Dao then unfolded the report of victory and announced loudly:

"I followed Bowen's plan and ordered Zilong to defeat the main force of the Wei army at Xinzheng, annihilating the enemy and capturing more than 30,000 people."

"Xu Huang was seriously wounded by Zilong and has led less than 10,000 remaining soldiers to retreat towards Luoyang."

"Your Majesty, I am leading a large army north to besiege Xuchang. I urge Your Majesty to quickly mobilize a large army to attack Chenliu, so that Cao Cao will not have time to spare troops to relieve Xuchang!"

Just as Lu Xun had predicted.

Inside the large tent, an uproar immediately broke out.

Liu Bei took the victory report, read it carefully several times, and laughed loudly:

"When Yun Chang and Bo Wen, this father-in-law and son-in-law duo, take action, they are indeed invincible and unbeatable."

"If we win this battle, Cao Cao will be powerless, and Xuchang and even Yuzhou will surely be mine!"

Liu Bei put down the report of victory, smiled at his ministers, and said boldly:

"Send the order: begin an immediate attack on Chenliu today!"

"I will keep that traitor Cao here and prevent him from sending a single soldier to aid Xuchang!"

(End of this chapter)