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

Hongnong Prefecture, Shanxian County.

The main force of the 150,000-strong Chu army had already arrived at the city ahead of time.

Passing through Shanxian County and heading west for less than 150 li, you will reach Tongguan, the eastern gateway to Guanzhong.

Inside the central command tent, Liu Bei was listening to Lu Xun's report on the military situation.

"The troops from Puyang, Gaotang, Cangting and other places who boarded the ships have been advancing westward up the river in succession. The total number of troops is about 170,000. They have passed the Luoyang waters and are heading towards Shanxian."

"From Baima, Hao Bodao just sent an urgent report, saying that Cao Cao mobilized his main force three days ago and headed west towards Hanoi. He probably intends to enter Hedong through Jiguan Pass and then enter Guanzhong through Puban Ferry."

"At Liyang, Cao Cao left Cao Ren to continue garrisoning the area, with approximately 30,000 troops..."

Upon hearing Lu Xun's report, the generals in the tent gradually became more excited.

Liu Bei smiled and looked at Xiao He, saying happily:

"Bowen, Cao Cao's main force has left Liyang. It seems your plan to lure the tiger away from the mountain has succeeded!"

Xiao He merely smiled faintly, cupped his hands, and said:
"The tiger Cao has been transferred away, leaving only the sick dog Cao Ren in Liyang, making him much easier to deal with."

"Your Majesty, let us proceed according to plan and quickly order Hao Bodao to cross the river and seize a foothold on the north bank."

Without hesitation, Liu Bei immediately dispatched a messenger on horseback to Baima to deliver an imperial edict to Hao Zhao.

At the same time, Deng Ai was ordered to lead three thousand iron cavalry, take a boat ahead and sail eastward back to Liyang.

Then he ordered Lu Su and Huang Zhong to continue pretending to lead the army westward under his banner, pressing towards Tongguan.

Liu Bei then personally led the main force of the army, immediately changed direction, took a boat by waterway, followed Deng Ai, and headed straight for Liyang downstream to launch a surprise attack.

...

Baima Ferry.

At dawn, tens of thousands of Chu soldiers marched out of Baima City and reached the ferry.

Thousands of Chu soldiers began boarding ships one after another, preparing to cross the Yellow River and storm the north bank.

The Wei army had a dense network of spies along the Baima line. This sudden movement by the Chu army naturally alerted the Wei spies, who immediately sent the intelligence to the other side.

North bank, Liyang City.

On the city tower, Cao Ren had just summoned his subordinates, including Yue Jin, Chang Diao, Jia Kui, and Cheng Wu, to prepare for their routine morning meeting.

The spies from the south bank delivered news that Hao Zhao had assembled the Chu army and was preparing to cross the river.

"That traitor Hao Zhao is going to cross the river?"

Cao Ren immediately became alert and hurriedly asked:
"How many soldiers does he have? Where did they come from?"

Zuo Youlejin and the others also became nervous.

"Reporting to General Flying Cavalry, the assembled Chu army numbers over ten thousand, all of whom are Chu troops stationed at Baima City."

Cao Ren breathed a slight sigh of relief, but his eyes showed even greater suspicion.

The main force of the Chu army, numbering over 100,000, had already passed through the Liyang waterway several days earlier and headed upstream to Luoyang, intending to capture Tongguan.

On the south bank, only Hao Zhao, a traitorous general, led 10,000 troops to guard Baima City.

At this moment, Hao Zhao suddenly gathered his troops and made it appear as if he was about to cross the river.

What does he want to do?
Could it be that you intend to cross the river and attack his Liyang with only 10,000 troops?
are you crazy?
Cao Ren frowned deeply, a series of questions churning in his mind.

"General of the Flying Cavalry, that traitor has only ten thousand troops. If he dares to cross the river, we can attack him while he is halfway across, which will not only severely damage the Chu army but also eliminate the traitor Hao Zhao in one fell swoop!"

The strategist Cheng Wu immediately offered a plan.

As Cheng Yu's eldest son, Cao Cao made him inherit Cheng Yu's title after his father was killed by Liu Bei.

Cheng Wu was determined to avenge his father and was also quite intelligent, so Cao Cao transferred him to Cao Ren's command to assist him in defending Liyang City.

Cao Ren clenched his fists suddenly, his eyes turning red instantly.

That's Hao Zhao!
It was he who strongly recommended him that led Cao Cao to entrust him with the important task of guarding Luoyang.

The result was a great disappointment to him. In less than half a month, Luoyang fell and he was captured by Xiao He.

Enraged, Cao Cao suspected Hao Zhao of surrendering to Chu and exterminated Hao Zhao's entire clan.

Subsequently, Hao Zhao openly surrendered to the State of Chu and was given an important position by Liu Bei, guarding the Baima City fortress.

Whether forced or intentional, Hao Zhao's surrender to Chu is a fact, and it is also a fact that it has brought shame upon their leader.

Cao Ren was naturally restless, day and night, not wanting to kill Hao Zhao and eliminate this scoundrel who had brought shame upon him.

Today, Hao Zhao is leading his army to cross the river and attack Liyang. How could he not be excited about this opportunity that has come to him?

"General of the Flying Cavalry, Zi Lie is right. This is a golden opportunity to attack the enemy while they are crossing the river and severely damage the Chu army."

"Please give the order, General. Our entire army will be mobilized, and three times the strength of our troops will be enough to annihilate the Chu invaders who have landed!"

Right General Yue Jin's eyes were bloodshot, and he was also excitedly requesting to fight.

The generals all volunteered for battle.

"Hao Zhao is a traitor; today I will rid the country of this villain!"

Cao Ren slammed his hand on the table and stood up angrily.

Just as he was about to order the troops to march, Jia Kui spoke first:

"General of the Flying Cavalry, I believe you should not act rashly, lest the Chu army devise a trap!"

Cao Ren swallowed his words and turned sharply to look at the strategist from Hedong.

This man was skilled in both literature and martial arts, and was also a newly promoted strategist by Cao Cao. He stayed behind with Cheng Wu to assist him in defending Liyang.

"Liu Bei is leading an army of over 300,000 men straight towards our Tongguan City. Logically, the task of the Chu troops left behind in Baima, Cangting, and Gaotang should only be to defend the city and prevent our army from crossing the river to harass the Henan region."

"Now, this Hao Zhao is going against the grain and wants to lead his army to attack my Liyang. Doesn't the General of Chariots and Cavalry find this suspicious?"

Jia Kui's thoughts were clearly much more meticulous, and he pointed out the suspicious aspects in just a few words.

Cao Ren felt a chill run down his spine, sat back down, and calmed down.

“Liang Dao is right. Hao Zhao’s traitorous actions are indeed quite suspicious.” Cao Ren nodded slightly and quickly asked:

"In your opinion, what cunning trickery is behind this traitor's actions?"

Jia Kui rolled his eyes a few times, then cupped his hands and said:
"Kui is worried that this might be a trap set by the Chu army to lure the enemy!"

"The General of the Flying Cavalry has mobilized all the troops of Liyang to leave the city and intercept the Chu army that has landed, which will inevitably leave Liyang with few troops."

"What if the Chu army has another surprise force that crosses the river from another location, advances lightly and swiftly to evade our detection, and then takes advantage of our weakness to launch a surprise attack on Liyang?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Ren gasped and broke out in a cold sweat.

It's not impossible.

After all, Xiao and Su were cunning and their military tactics were unpredictable.

If this is indeed Xiao He's plan, and they manage to capture Liyang in one fell swoop, then the gateway to Hebei will be wide open instantly.

Liu Bei could have completely abandoned his strategy of attacking Guanzhong from the west, and instead turned his army back to Liyang, where hundreds of thousands of troops could easily cross the river and take Ye City directly.

At that time, Liyang fell, and there were no defensible terrain south of Yecheng. The Chu army marched deep into the heart of Jizhou. Wouldn't the Wei state be in grave danger?

"Your reminder is absolutely right. If Liyang falls, I will be a sinner against the Great Wei."

Cao Ren slammed his fist on the table, his face showing lingering fear.

Cheng Wu frowned slightly.

Unlike his father's experience and composure, as a second-generation member of the Cao Wei group, he naturally possessed a certain degree of arrogance.

Seeing that his suggestion was rejected by Jia Kui, Cheng Wu was somewhat displeased.

Furthermore, driven by his eagerness to severely damage the Chu army and avenge his father, he rolled his eyes a few times before bowing respectfully:

"Jia Liangdao's concerns are not without merit. The General of Chariots and Cavalry should indeed prioritize the defense of Liyang, but..."

Changing the subject, Cheng Wu added:

"Hao Zhao is a traitor to our Great Wei, and he was recommended by the General of the Flying Cavalry. If we allow him to land on our north bank and ignore him, I am afraid it will damage the reputation of the General of the Flying Cavalry."

Wu believed that the General of the Flying Cavalry should not send out the entire army. He could leave half of the troops to guard Liyang and send the other half to the north bank to block the Chu invaders.

"The rebel army numbered only a little over ten thousand. Our army attacked them while they were crossing the river. Sending half of our troops would be enough to defeat them!"

Cheng Wu's words struck a nerve with Cao Ren.

The person you recommended has become a traitor, making you a laughingstock throughout Cao Wei.

This traitor is now commanding the Chu army, swaggering across the river, showing off his power right under your nose, and you're still cowering and afraid to fight?

Wouldn't you become a laughingstock?
Cao Ren's face immediately darkened, and he said sternly:
"Cheng Zilie is absolutely right. If I were to fear those traitors like tigers and cower in Liyang City, watching them land on the north bank, where would my dignity be?"

"Following Cheng Zilie's plan, I must not only defend Liyang, but also attack the rebels while they are crossing the river, eliminate the traitor Hao Zhao for the country!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Ren was clearly determined to go into battle.

Jia Kui couldn't figure out what flaws Cheng Wu's plan had, so he kept quiet and stopped opposing it.

then.

Cao Ren then ordered Yue Jin to lead more than 10,000 infantrymen and Chang Diao to lead more than 3,000 cavalrymen to march south from Liyang and attack the ferry crossing on the north bank to block the Chu army.

He himself led 17,000 troops to continue to garrison Liyang City, guarding against the Chu army's cavalry taking advantage of the situation to launch a surprise attack on Liyang.

Generals Yue Jin and Chang Diao immediately led 13,000 infantry and cavalry in a grand and imposing attack out of Liyang.

Cao Ren stood at the south gate, watching Yue Chang and his two generals leave the city.

His gaze traveled across the ferry crossing, across the Yellow River, and looked toward Baima Ferry on the opposite bank.

Although the ferry crossing was not clearly visible, one could vaguely see the image of sails hoisted high and warships gathered together.

Cao Ren knew that the traitorous general he had recommended was standing there, directing the Chu army to board the ships.

"Hao Zhao, you ungrateful wretch! I valued you so much, promoting you from an unknown soldier to the garrison commander of Luoyang, yet you repay me by betraying the Great Wei."

"You actually dare to lead the Chu army across the Yellow River today, trying to show off your power in front of me?"

"good very good!"

"I hope Le Jin and his men can capture you alive. I will personally behead you to vent my hatred..."

Cao Ren pounded his fist on the battlements, gritting his teeth inwardly.

Across the Yellow River.

On the bow deck, Hao Zhao was also gritting his teeth, gazing towards Liyang on the north bank.

In his bloodshot eyes, the flames of vengeance burned fiercely.

When Luoyang fell, it was not Cao Cao's fault for refusing to fight to the death, but rather that he had lost the hearts of the people in Henan, which led to the soldiers turning against him.

After being captured by the Chu army, he did not choose to abandon Wei and surrender to Chu immediately when Xiao He offered him a chance to do so.

Shortly afterward, devastating news arrived:
Cao Ren attributed the fall of Luoyang entirely to Cao Ren's long-held intention to surrender to Chu and his unwillingness to fight to the death.

Enraged, Cao Cao exterminated Cao Cao's entire clan in Wei.

Out of grief and indignation, he resolutely chose to surrender to Chu.

Cao Ren, one of the main culprits whose three clans were exterminated, was just across the river.

At this moment, Hao Zhao could no longer contain his rage for revenge and wished he could fly to the other side immediately.

"General Hao, my entire army has boarded the ships. Please give the order!"

The deputy general's voice sounded from behind.

Hao Zhao's thoughts returned to reality, and his murderous gaze shot towards the opposite bank.

"Cao Ren, I, Hao Zhao, have returned! I will make you pay for the massacre of your clan with your blood..."

Taking a deep breath, Hao Zhao waved his hand and shouted sharply:
"All troops, listen to my command, cross the river!" (End of Chapter)