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

"Well said! It seems that retreating to Xiutu City is indeed the wisest and best course of action at present!"

Cao Pi nodded slightly, his eyes revealing his approval of Cheng Gongying's suggestion.

As soon as he finished speaking, a look of regret appeared on Cao Pi's face, and his brows furrowed.

"However, I am truly unwilling to abandon these two prefectures without a fight!"

After saying that, he gritted his teeth, and resentment flashed in his eyes.

After all, Liangbei was his last territory.

If we abandon one prefecture, we will lose one prefecture.

How could he not be heartbroken at the thought of being forced to surrender without a fight?
Besides, Zhang Fei's army hasn't even arrived yet, and he's already forced to flee in panic. What a disgrace that would be for him.

"Your Majesty, a true hero is one who can bend and stretch!"

Seeing this, Cheng Gongying quickly cupped his hands and advised:

"Today's sacrifice is merely a temporary measure of forbearance. In the future, Your Majesty will surely lead my soldiers to reclaim everything that has been lost!"

"I firmly believe that Your Majesty will be able to weigh the pros and cons and make the wisest choice!"

Cheng Gongying's words gradually suppressed the resentment in his heart.

Cao Pi remained silent for a moment, weighing the pros and cons, and finally sighed deeply:
"Enough. Send the order: abandon the city tonight and retreat north with the entire army!"

At this point, Cao Pi was utterly exhausted and helpless.

Cheng Gongying breathed a sigh of relief, a relaxed expression appearing on her face.

With the decision made, the ministers' tense nerves finally relaxed.

In the dead of night, when all is quiet.

The west gate of Jincheng slowly opened, the heavy gate creaking loudly.

Clad in armor and riding a tall warhorse, Cao Pi, leading 20,000 troops, silently abandoned Jincheng County and embarked on his northward retreat…

The next day, at dawn, the east began to lighten with the pale glow of dawn.

Thirty thousand Han troops surged out of their camp like a tidal wave, gathered at the east gate of Jincheng, and launched an offensive.

"Commanders!"

Under the central command flag, Zhang Fei's voice boomed like a bell:

"In three days, it will be His Majesty's birthday. Today, let us conquer this Golden City and present it to His Majesty as a birthday gift!"

Upon hearing this, the generals responded enthusiastically, their voices resounding through the heavens:

"We are willing to obey the general's orders, capture Jincheng, and celebrate His Majesty's birthday!"

In an instant, the fighting spirit of the three armies surged like a raging fire.

Zhang Fei took a deep breath, preparing to order the attack on the city.

Just then, a glint of light flashed in Xiao He's eyes, and he pointed towards the city wall, saying:
"General of the Cavalry, Cao Pi has fled, and Jincheng is empty. We don't need to attack anymore."

Zhang Fei was taken aback, a look of confusion on his face, and asked:

"Bowen, how can you be so sure that the enemy city is empty?"

Xiao He smiled slightly, confidently saying:
"When our army attacks a city, we always use the Divine Thunder Cannon to bombard it first. In order to avoid the bombardment, the Wei army will hide under the city."

“But right now, the Wei troops on the city wall show no signs of retreating. I’m sure they’re all straw men in disguise.”

Upon hearing what Xiao He said, Zhang Fei suddenly realized what was happening, slapped his forehead, and understood.

"I knew that Cao Pi knew our army was coming to attack, that he could not hold Jincheng, and that there was no hope, so he abandoned the city and fled!"

"Yide, this city is ours!"

Xiao He sneered.

After realizing his mistake, Zhang Fei immediately ordered his army to storm the city.

As Xiao He had predicted, the Wei army on the city wall neither fired arrows nor threw stones, making it seem like an empty city.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the Han army surged onto the city wall like a tidal wave, opened the city gates, cut down the drawbridge, and even more Han soldiers poured into the city like a flood bursting its banks.

On the city wall, the Han flag fluttered in the wind, announcing the change of ownership of the city. A moment later, Zhang Fei ascended the city wall.

He glanced around and saw that the Wei soldiers along the city were indeed straw figures; it would be difficult to distinguish them without careful observation.

Then, after questioning the people in the city, he learned that Cao Pi had led his troops away from the city the night before and had disappeared without a trace.

"Bowen was right, Cao Pi did indeed escape!"

Zhang Fei looked at Xiao He, a hint of regret on his face:

"Jincheng fell without a fight, and Cao Pi fled. It's hardly a great achievement!"

After all, for Zhang Fei, killing Cao Pi would be the real achievement.

What's so great about capturing an empty city?
"Father, Cao Pi only fled last night. Why don't we pursue him immediately and wipe out the remaining members of the Cao family!"

Suddenly, his son Zhang Bao's voice rang out from behind him.

Reminded by him, Zhang Fei immediately became excited:
"That's right, Cao Pi just ran away. If we chase after him now, we'll definitely make it in time!"

Xiao He looked up and gazed north, then sneered:

"I suspect that Cao Pi's northward escape was an attempt to lengthen our supply lines and force us to abandon the pursuit. However, Cao Pi only fled last night. If we can catch up with him in time, we may be able to kill him."

Zhang Fei, his fighting spirit blazing, waved his hand and shouted:
"Then what are we waiting for? Order the entire army to march north immediately and pursue Cao Pi, that traitor!"

Zhang Fei was already impatient, so he immediately led 30,000 vanguard troops ahead of the main force to relentlessly pursue Cao Pi's troops.

...

Phoenix City.

Twenty thousand Wei soldiers were entering the city one after another, their steps weary, but their eyes revealed a hint of relief.

The city was filled with the aroma of food, a fragrance that made one's mouth water.

When Prefect Hu Zun learned of Cao Pi's arrival, he prepared a sumptuous meal in advance.

Inside the mansion, a welcoming banquet had been prepared.

The table was laden with all sorts of delicious dishes, including steaming stewed meat, fragrant roasted chicken, and fine wine.

Outside the mansion, the 20,000 Wei soldiers had also eaten and drunk their fill, and their morale was gradually recovering.

After a hearty meal, Cao Pi and the others began to burp, their fatigue gradually fading.

"I have just arrived, so prepare wine and meat to reward the soldiers."

Cao Pi looked at Hu Zun with a satisfied smile and praised him:

"Indeed, Minister Hu, you are indeed a loyal subject of our Great Wei."

"Your Majesty, you flatter me."

Hu Zun chuckled self-deprecatingly and said:

"I heard that Ji County has fallen, and I expect that Your Majesty will eventually retreat to Luan Bird City, so I prepared provisions in advance."

Cao Pi's eyes lit up, and he asked curiously:
How can you be so sure that I would retreat north to your location?

Cheng Gongying also looked at Hu Zun with curiosity.

Hu Zun smiled and said unhurriedly:

"I suspect that, in order to prevent Your Majesty from establishing a stronghold in Liangbei, Zhang Fei is determined to kill Your Majesty completely."

"If that's the case, I predict that Zhang Fei will lead his troops north to attack Jincheng. Your Majesty will most likely abandon Jincheng and retreat north, relying on extending the Han army's supply lines to force Zhang Fei and Xiao He to abandon their pursuit."

"Therefore, your subject has prepared provisions in advance to prepare for Your Majesty."

Cao Pi understood, a look of approval flashed across his face, and he nodded slightly, saying:
"Minister Hu is indeed meticulous. I never expected that my Great Wei would still have such a wise minister as you in this state."

"Our Great Wei still has hope, there is still hope!"

Cao Pi was overjoyed.

He originally thought that with his advisors and generals either surrendering or rebelling, he had very few people left who could be of use.

Unexpectedly, Cao Pi encountered such a talented individual as Hu Zun in this small city of Luan Birds. How could he not be delighted? (End of Chapter)