The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 44 Talking about Cao Cao, Cao Cao arrives

As Zhuge Liang said this, he subconsciously recalled Guan Yu's Battle of Xiangfan.

The victory in the Battle of Hanzhong brought Liu Bei's prestige to its peak, while the defeat in the Battle of Xiangfan caused him to plummet from that peak.

While the reasons are complex and multifaceted, one thing is certain:
Cao Cao's strategy at the time was neither to want Guan Yu to win nor lose, but to have Guan Yu return to confront Sun Quan in order to maintain the balance of power in the tripartite division of Jingzhou between Cao Cao, Sun Quan, and Liu Bei.

Therefore, Cao Cao secretly sent Xu Huang to persuade Guan Yu to return to his army, and even directly sold Guan Yu Sun Quan's plan to launch a surprise attack on Nan Commandery.

Unexpectedly, Guan Yu, confident in the fortified cities of Jiangling and Gong'an, which were easy to defend and difficult to attack, and believing that Mi Fang and Fu Shiren, who had long served Liu Bei, would not abandon the city and flee like Liao Li, chose to refuse to return to his army.

Driven by wishful thinking, Guan Yu decided to stall for time.

If Guan Yu can hold out until Cao Ren abandons Fancheng first, he can become the biggest winner of the Battle of Xiangfan.

Unexpectedly, the person least likely to surrender surrendered, completely stunning Guan Yu and Cao Cao on the other side.

Despite all our calculations, we never anticipated that Guan Yu's rear would offer no resistance!
Ultimately, the struggle between Cao Cao and Liu Bei resulted in Sun Quan becoming the one who profited.

If it weren't for the fact that Mi Zhu and Lady Mi were wholeheartedly devoted to Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang would never have tolerated the existence of Mi Zhu's younger brother.

Even so, Zhuge Liang was secretly using methods to completely marginalize Mi Zhu's younger brother.

With Madam Mi managing the household affairs and Mi Zhu holding a high position, Mi Zhu's younger brother could simply be a wealthy man.

As long as he didn't cause trouble, Zhuge Liang didn't want to waste his energy on Mi Zhu's younger brother.

Zhuge Liang's words made Guan Yu fall into deep thought.

Guan Yu knew of Xiahou Yuan and Cao Ren's abilities.

One of them was known as "traveling 500 li in three days and 1,000 li in six days," and was most skilled at long-distance raids.

He followed Cao Cao in campaigns against Tao Qian, Lü Bu, Zhang Xiu, and Sui Gu, and was always in charge of the cavalry, achieving victory after victory.

If these two were to launch a surprise attack on Xiaopei, given Xiaopei's current military strength, they would have no choice but to flee!

As for the even worse scenario of Cao Cao personally arriving, Guan Yu didn't even dare to think about it.

If Cao Cao had come in person, there might not even have been a chance to escape!

It wasn't that Guan Yu boosted Cao Cao's morale and diminished his own.

Cao Cao earned his prestige through a series of victories!
Guan Yu, who was not yet fully developed, was not qualified to fight Cao Cao.

Mind this.

Guan Yu broke out in a cold sweat.

After defeating two generals in a single battle despite being outnumbered, Guan Yu became somewhat arrogant and complacent over the next ten days.

I almost forgot that Cao Cao was a great military strategist, a fan of Sun Tzu's Art of War, and a master of using cunning tactics.

If it were Yuan Shao, even if Zhuge Liang stayed in Xiaopei for half a year, he wouldn't see a single soldier of Yuan Shao's.

But the opponent is Cao Cao; you might run into Cao Cao just by going out for a stroll.

Historical records state that after Liu Bei captured Xiaopei, he concluded that Cao Cao would not launch an eastern expedition to prevent Yuan Shao from doing so. However, Cao Cao unexpectedly employed a feint attack, confusing Yuan Shao while personally leading an expedition against Liu Bei. Within a month, Liu Bei was forced to flee in disarray, and Guan Yu and Liu Bei's family were captured alive.

It can be seen.

"It was Guan's carelessness."

Guan Yu bowed and admitted his mistake, showing even greater respect for Zhuge Liang.

Although he used the harshest words to strike at Guan Yu's arrogance, Zhuge Liang still appeared calm and composed, as if he had everything under control.

The situation was entirely within expectations, and it was not enough to cause Zhuge Liang to panic or be afraid.

The military order was issued quickly.

Xiahou Bo led three hundred able-bodied men to escort weapons, armor, provisions, and other supplies ahead, while Guan Yu led two hundred White Feather Soldiers to protect Zhuge Liang behind him.

After all the supplies had left the city, Zhuge Liang left a letter for Xue Liang, a bandit leader in Xiaopei, saying: If any general from the Cao or Xiahou clan arrives in Xiaopei, deliver this letter and you will be able to save your life by performing meritorious service.

Originally, Zhuge Liang intended to have Xiaopei Ling deliver it.

However, when the magistrate of Xiaopei heard that Zhuge Liang was leaving, and that Zhuge Liang had deduced that a general from the Cao or Xiahou clan was about to arrive in Xiaopei, he was shocked.

Terrified, the magistrate of Xiaopei fled south with his wife and children overnight, seeking refuge with Yuan Huan, the Southern Commandant of Pei State. The traitorous official Xue Liang, unwilling to leave with Zhuge Liang yet eager for advancement, volunteered to take on this "important task."

As expected.

Just three days after Zhuge Liang and his entourage left Xiaopei, a cavalry force arrived at the city walls of Xiaopei.

The leader, a burly man with piercing eyes, was none other than Cao Ren, Cao Cao's most valued and skilled cavalry general!

Upon hearing the news, the bandit Cao Xueliang hurriedly led his officials out of the city to greet them.

"Where is the magistrate of Xiaopei?"

Cao Renwei's gaze swept across the crowd, and the heavy aura of menace made even the most timid tremble.

"The magistrate of Xiaopei abandoned the city and fled three days ago."

Eager to advance his career, Xue Liang didn't hesitate to tell the magistrate of Xiaopei that he had abandoned the city and fled.

"Who are you?"

Cao Ren's fierce eyes swept over Xue Liang, and his unquestionable question sent chills down Xue Liang's spine.

Xue Liang dared not be negligent and hurriedly took out Zhuge Liang's letter, presenting it with both hands: "I am Xue Liang, the bandit from Xiaopei, and I have a letter from Zhuge Liang, the military advisor and general under the Left General."

Zhuge Liang?
Cao Ren's expression changed.

A few days ago.

Liu Dai, the Chief Clerk of the Minister of Works, returned to Xuchang and brought Cao Cao a letter from Zhuge Liang, signed "[Zhuge Liang, Military Advisor and General of the Left]".

Cao Ren still remembers.

After reading Zhuge Liang's letter, Cao Cao immediately berated Liu Dai, saying, "You are as stupid as a pig. How could I have appointed you as my chief secretary?" He then dismissed Liu Dai from his position as chief secretary of the Ministry of Works and ordered him to go home and reflect on his actions.

Cao Cao simply did not believe that Liu Bei had arrived in Hebei!

As for the "unjustly accused and forced to travel north" and "Yuan Shao's treacherous scheme," Cao Cao didn't believe a single word of it.

As long as Liu Bei remained active in the Qingxu area, Cao Cao could face the danger of fighting on two fronts at any time.

Cao Cao had no doubt about Liu Bei's abilities!

The best way to resolve the danger of fighting on two fronts once and for all is to defeat Liu Bei swiftly and decisively.

If we could capture him alive, that would be even better.

Cao Cao had coveted Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, two warriors capable of defeating ten thousand men, more than once.

Subsequently.

Cao Cao ordered his generals to hold Guandu and the ferry crossing on the south bank of the Yellow River, while Cao Ren led the cavalry as the vanguard to raid Xiaopei. He also overruled the objections of others and personally led his elite troops to follow behind.

Cao Ren dared not be careless and opened the letter to read it.

The next moment, Cao Ren's expression changed drastically.

The letter contained only one sentence: Yuan Shao secretly dispatched Guo Tu, Chunyu Qiong, and Yan Liang to attack Baima.

"Did Zhuge Liang actually know Yuan Shao's strategic plans?"

Cao Ren was deeply shocked, torn between thinking it was Zhuge Liang's nonsense and worrying that Zhuge Liang might actually know Yuan Shao's strategic plans.

If it is true as the letter says, how could Liu Yan, the governor of Dongjun stationed at Baima, possibly stop the army of Guo Tu, Chunyu Qiong and Yan Liang?

"Xue Liang, come with me to see Sikong."

Cao Ren put the letter away and looked at Xue Liang with his tiger-like eyes again.

Xue Liang was overjoyed.

Zhuge Liang was right; I've saved my life by performing a meritorious service.

Not wanting to waste time, Cao Ren immediately gave Xue Liang a warhorse and they rushed to the rear army day and night.

Regardless of whether Zhuge Liang's intelligence was true or false, Cao Ren had to deliver the letter to Cao Cao first and ask Cao Cao to make a decision!
　At the beginning of the month, I'm asking for monthly votes. [My book dropped off the new book chart, I'm heartbroken.]

　　
　
(End of this chapter)