Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Shu, Loyal Officials of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 310 Xiahou Ba, Your Uncle Was Actually a Spy in Cao Cao's Camp
"An army of 830,000?"

Cao Cao looked at his ministers and sneered, "Gentlemen, don't be intimidated by him. If Yuan Gonglu really has such military might, not to mention you, even I would bow down and submit to him. What's wrong with that?"

But is that even possible?

As he spoke, he gestured to Yang Xiu, who was the person he liked the most. Yang Xiu understood immediately and quickly explained the situation to everyone.

"The King of Han gathered Liu Biao's swarming army and called Lü Bu a fickle traitor. Even if there were several million of them, they would not be a threat. How could the number claimed be taken seriously?"
When the officials saw the proclamation from the emperor, which claimed that the army consisted of 830,000 men by land and sea, they became suspicious and fearful, and no longer considered whether it was true or not!

In reality, his army in Huainan numbered no more than 100,000, and was already exhausted from countless battles.

The number of troops they captured from Liu Biao was only about 100,000, and many of them were still suspicious and had not yet submitted.

With the addition of troops from Jiangdong, another 100,000 were added. However, these soldiers, who were from remote and comfortable areas, were skilled in naval warfare but not in land warfare.

With exhausted troops and a bewildered army, they led the southern barbarians against the Central Plains!

Although their numbers are numerous, they are not to be feared; although their strength is formidable, they are difficult to adapt to the local climate and water conditions.

Cao Xiang only needs to send 50,000 troops to guard the Wuguan and Huanyuan Pass gates. If they hold out for a long time without being breached, the enemy will break through on their own.

As for Lü Bu of Xuzhou, he dared to presume to call himself king. He was a fickle and treacherous man, a traitor who betrayed his master.

Those who are greedy and forget righteousness will surely harbor treacherous intentions. They may turn against you if you offer them even a small benefit. There is nothing to fear.

I urge you gentlemen not to worry about the King of Han. Prime Minister Cao has long been preparing for this battle, recruiting soldiers and procuring provisions. At present, we have well-trained troops and sufficient provisions, ready to fight at any moment. Moreover, we have the strategic advantage of the eight passes to secure the Central Plains, and the dignity of the Emperor to govern the nine provinces.

He still wanted to live in constant fear, abandoning the majesty of the Han Dynasty, and offering himself to the traitor Yuan, making Cao Cao follow the example of Chao Cuo. How could he allow the world to laugh at him?

You must know that in the present world, the only person the King of Han fears is Chancellor Cao. If you gentlemen were to speak lightly of offering Cao to the King because of past grievances, wouldn't that cause pain to your friends and joy to your enemies, and make the King of Han laugh to death?
Therefore, the Han army is nothing to fear. Even if 830,000 enemy troops come, Cao Cao should personally lead the army; he can easily handle them!

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao felt that Yang Xiu's final words, "I will personally lead the army and shoulder all the responsibilities," seemed to imply that he was being put on a pedestal.

But after looking around at the assembled officials, he also felt that Yang Xiu was quite right.

After all, Yuan Shu mobilized the entire nation's army to march north, and apart from those personally leading the campaign, there were no generals present who could command their armies to fight a national war against Yuan Shu.

If we really had to pick a leader, it would be Liu Bei, covered in mud as if he had just come from a vegetable garden, with his head down and eyes downcast.

However, the decisive battle that Yuan Shu's main forces were to meet at was at Huanyuan Pass, where Liu Bei's former elite troops and his second brother Guan Yu were located.

If Liu Bei were sent there, it might be like throwing a meat bun to a dog—he might never return.

Thinking of this, Cao Cao nodded.

"Since I returned to the capital, I have been recruiting soldiers and raising grain, and implementing the military system for more than half a year."

Although the bandit Yuan is now heading north, Cao Ren at Wuguan Pass is enough to counter the rabble of Jingzhou.

But just in case, where is Cao Hong?

Cao Hong quickly stepped forward and answered.

"The general is here!"

"I hereby order you to lead three hundred Tiger and Leopard Cavalry and three thousand infantry to provide support."

"Your subordinate obeys!"

The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry under Cao Hong's command were created by Cao Cao after his previous major defeat, in order to rival the heavy cavalry under Yuan Shu.

The original plan was to make 800 sets, but unfortunately Yuan Shu attacked too quickly, and only 300 sets were made in time.

These three hundred sets were made after the imperial court, under Cao Cao's leadership, implemented a military system and forcibly confiscated ironware from the people to rush-produce military equipment. They only needed to be reforged, saving a lot of time in smelting iron ore.

Since the numbers did not meet expectations, they are unlikely to have a significant effect on the main battlefield against Yuan Shu's main force of hundreds of thousands.

Moreover, Yuan Shu also has his main force of heavy cavalry, which is estimated to be more numerous and better equipped than his own.

If we were to meet on the battlefield, and both of us were to send out heavily armored troops, the clash between us might result in us not only failing to achieve any merit but also suffering heavy losses.

That would be a loss for nothing.

Therefore, Cao Cao decided to use the strategy of Tian Ji's horse racing, since Yuan Shu's main force had better heavy cavalry, and his own heavy cavalry could not defeat them.

Why not send our own heavy cavalry to Wuguan Pass to cooperate with Cao Ren in attacking the Jingzhou army?

With the support of these three hundred heavy cavalry, it would be enough to deter the rabble of Jingzhou and help Cao Ren defend the pass.

In this way, he would no longer need to send more troops to defend against that detachment from Jingzhou, and could concentrate all his forces to fight Yuan Shu in a decisive battle at Huanyuan Pass.

Besides, with Yuan Shu's army so powerful, even if I go there, my main task will be to defend the city. If I can delay Yuan Shu's retreat, that would be a strategic victory.

Even if we bring heavy cavalry, there won't be much room for them to make a difference.

Thinking of this, Cao Cao continued with the matter of Anpai at Huanyuan Pass. His gaze was deep and unfathomable as he looked at Liu Bei, who stood almost invisible behind the crowd, and said to him:
"Now that Guan Yu, Xuande's second brother, is guarding Huanyuan Pass, I am at ease."

I also request that Xuande send a letter instructing him not to launch an attack rashly, but to wait until I lead the main force to join forces with him before discussing the matter of defeating Yuan Shao.”

Liu Bei knew that Cao Cao was worried that his second brother was too arrogant and would be provoked by enemy generals to go out of the city to fight in the open field, thus losing the pass.

He hastily adopted a look of trepidation and replied:

"Please rest assured, Prime Minister Cao, I will definitely write to my second brother, instructing him to do his utmost to assist the Prime Minister and protect our nation's destiny."

Cao Cao was quite satisfied with his attitude, and then spoke.

"The traitor Yuan is waging war with the entire nation at full force!"

Fortunately, this large-scale recruitment resulted in the training of 50,000 new soldiers. We were to lead them, along with ministers such as Xiahou Yuan, Yu Jin, Cao Chun, Yang Xiu, and Xun You, and 20,000 troops under Wei Yan's command, all to Huanyuan Pass.

There was nothing that could be done about it; Yuan Shu had already mobilized the entire nation's resources to attack, and his side included Ji Ling, Zhang Xun, Sun Ce, Taishi Ci, Chen Dao, Jia Xu, Lu Xun, and Zhou Yu.
Wait a minute, there are truly countless fierce generals and strategists.

If I don't also commit all my troops and the core group of Cao Cao's camp to the battlefield, I simply won't be able to withstand it.

However, this left only the 50,000-strong Western Garden Army, nominally commanded by Liu Bei, which had already filled its vacancies, and Xu Huang, the Commander of the Imperial Guard.

This is inappropriate, inappropriate.

Cao Cao pondered for a moment, then gave another order.

"The current dynasty is in grave danger, and the Han dynasty is on the verge of collapse."

Xu Huang, you have received the Emperor's great favor; will you now serve him to the death?

Xu Huang simply stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and remained silent.

"I hereby order you to lead 30,000 troops from the Western Garden Army, to join me in bringing the total force to 100,000, to face the national crisis together and punish the traitor Yuan."

Xu Huang did not answer Cao Cao, but instead looked at the empty dragon throne on the imperial steps, cupped his hands and said:

"My lord, take your orders!"

Actually, for Cao Cao, he could have transferred either Xu Huang or Liu Bei, but the reason he didn't take Liu Bei to Huanyuan Pass was the same as before.

Guan Yu was there, and Liu Bei's old subordinates were there too!
At that time, I will be busy fighting Yuan Shu, and I will inevitably assign him tasks. What if he reconnects with his old subordinates and kidnaps my Guan Yu?

In contrast, it was different for him. Guan Yu had been separated from Liu Bei for so long, and now they were fighting side by side for the greater good of the Han Dynasty, facing difficulties and desperate situations together.

This is the perfect opportunity to seize the moment and obtain Guan Yu's heart.

Thinking this, Cao Cao's gaze towards Liu Bei softened considerably. He stepped forward, grasped Liu Bei's hand tightly, and said emotionally:
"Xuande, with this departure, the safety of Luoyang and the Emperor are all in your hands. Do not fail my expectations."

Liu Bei smiled bitterly to himself. That was just a nice way of putting it. In reality, although he nominally commanded 20,000 troops in the Western Garden Army, the real control of the army was in the hands of his deputy, Che Zhou.

Che Zhou was one of Cao Cao's trusted confidants!
If I dare to take any rash action in Luoyang while Cao Cao is away, I'm afraid this Western Garden Army will march right into my vegetable garden.

Fortunately, his time spent growing vegetables was not entirely fruitless. Now that Yuan Shu had mobilized the entire nation's army, Cao Cao's entire focus was tied up, which might be his chance to break free from his cage.

With thoughts racing through his mind, Liu Bei naturally clasped Cao Cao's hands tightly, a tear even streaming down his face, and replied:
"The survival of the Han Dynasty now rests entirely on the shoulders of the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, take care!"

"Xuande!!!"

"Prime Minister!!!"

With all these arrangements made, Cao Cao also urgently dispatched troops to Huanyuan Pass to provide reinforcements.

Yang Xiu then volunteered to go to Qi to mediate an alliance between Cao Cao and Lü Bu to resist Yuan Shu's overwhelming army.

Cao Cao agreed and handed him the imperial edict appointing Lü Bu as King of Qi.

Hopefully, he can make Lü Bu understand the principle of mutual dependence and stop being fickle. He desperately hopes to persuade him to come to Lü Bu's aid as soon as possible.

From then on, Cao Cao mobilized the elite troops of the Han court, leading a main force of 100,000 (claimed to be 300,000), and rushed to Huanyuan Pass, seemingly intending to fight Yuan Shu to the death.

Before his troops arrived, the proclamation was sent first. Cao Cao seized control of the Han court, issued an imperial edict, and commanded the world!
The edict said:

It is said that the great principles of loyalty between ruler and subject are the foundation of a nation; and the principles of loyalty and filial piety are the norms of conduct in the world.

Shu's family had held high office for four generations, and he had received numerous titles and stipends from the Han dynasty. He had long been protected by the emperor's grace and should have been loyal and devoted to serving the country.

Little did they know that he harbored malicious intentions, had long harbored ambitions to become emperor, and his wolfish ambitions were common knowledge.

I have heard that this technique disregards the will of Heaven, defies human ethics, usurps the title of king, and establishes a state and system.

They wanted to follow in the footsteps of Chen and Chu, and follow in the footsteps of Wang Mang.

They drove their troops north, coveting the emperor, plotting in secret to overthrow the Han Dynasty!
His actions are like rotten wood and decaying grass, no different from a rebellious thief; his heart is like a snake, scorpion, jackal, and leopard, no different from a scourge to the country!

I, with my limited virtue, have inherited the throne from Heaven, and with the spirit of the ancestral temple and the strength of all the officials, I have been able to proclaim the Han dynasty and worship the virtue of fire.

Now, loyal and righteous men should raise the banner of righteousness, gather at Huanyuan Pass, and jointly punish this traitor.

Anyone who can capture and behead a demon will be enfeoffed as a marquis with ten thousand households and rewarded with a thousand pieces of gold; anyone who dares to associate with the rebels and aid the wicked will have their nine generations of relatives exterminated and never be pardoned.

Announce it to the world, and the envoys will hear about it.

On the day this edict is issued, all must remain loyal and faithful, and not fail my will!

When the news arrived, the local officials caught between the two armies in a decisive battle felt a headache coming on as they looked at the two imperial edicts that arrived one after the other.

The previous proclamation from the King of Han claimed that Luoyang was a forged edict and that those who received it were traitors.

Another imperial edict arrived, denouncing the King of Han as a traitor and declaring that anyone who disobeyed the edict would have their entire family executed.

good good!
The magistrate of a certain township held an imperial edict in each hand, and he laughed in exasperation.

This world is a mess!

Are they even letting these people who are caught in the middle live?

The magistrate looked at his subordinates and said:
"Whether I obey the imperial decree or not, I will die anyway; death is inevitable!"

Is it feasible to launch a major plan?

The officials were also completely bewildered and all said:
"I am willing to follow the county magistrate's words."

The magistrate said:
"If that is so, all of you, open the city gates and follow me to welcome the Heavenly Master of the Han Kingdom."

Everyone exclaimed, "Excellent!"

Is it that hard to choose?

830,000 on each side!
The other side only has 300,000!
Upon hearing the comparison of the two sides' military strength and the lineup of famous generals and strategists under their command, the governors of the surrounding counties and prefectures either avoided the Han army's advance or secretly sent envoys to make peace with them. None dared to obey the emperor's edict and confront them head-on.

Even Cao Cao's generals, though intimidated by his imposing presence at the previous court assembly, were not deterred.

However, as the army drew closer to Huanyuan Pass, they were all filled with trepidation, fearing that the future was uncertain.

Since the King of Han left Shouchun, he has been invincible in every battle and has never suffered a defeat. I am afraid that Prime Minister Cao will be no match for him, and the world will be settled in one battle.

For a time, the King of Han's power was at its zenith, and wherever his army went north from the Yangtze River, none dared to disobey.

The people of the Central Plains were filled with fear and unease; it was truly a case of "paying homage to the emperor to summon the ruler, and wielding a powerful army to seize power."

Meanwhile, below Huanyuan Pass.

At this moment, the armies of Yingchuan and Runan, commanded by General Xiahou Dun, and the army of Lianglu, commanded by General Yue Jin, have joined forces here.

With a total of 60,000 troops, the meeting between the two sides left Yue Jin and Xiahou Dun with mixed feelings.

"Are you here too?"

"Yeah, what a coincidence."

As Xiahou Dun moved about, he was always accompanied by Chen Dao and Xu Sheng, who were constantly on guard with their hands on their swords. It seemed that if "someone" dared to utter even half a word that was meant to be hurt, their head would be on the spot.

Unlike Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Ba, as the fourth adopted son of the King of Han, had a great deal of freedom of action.

At this moment, he approached Xiahou Dun with an excited expression and asked for his command:
"Excellent! Killing Cao Cao will allow my uncle to advance further in the rankings. This is the moment."

This time, I must also bring my father here to serve the King of Han, in order to secure my position as the Star Lord!

Xiahou Dun: "."

Over the years, he had wanted to get rid of that unlucky kid Xiahou Ba all the time.

However, Xiahou Dun never dared to tell him the truth. After all, if he did, Xiahou Ba would inevitably fall into the same predicament as him, where his life and death were in his own hands, and he would lose his head if he said the wrong thing.

It would be better to keep him ignorant of the truth and let him live in a fantasy, so that at least he can enjoy a lifetime of wealth and honor as the adopted son of the King of Han.

However, to Xiahou Dun's utter surprise, this secret he had kept hidden from Xiahou Ba until now was actually exposed by Yang Hong at this very moment.

Inside the council tent, Yang Hong and Lu Xun, who had just met today after the two armies joined forces, were discussing something when they suddenly looked at each other and smiled.

Yang Hong said to Xiahou Ba:
"Young Master Ba, there is a secret that I can no longer keep from you."

My lord, you may not know this, but your uncle is actually a loyal and devoted minister of Cao Cao's camp.

He never truly surrendered to the Han, and has been biding his time for years, solely to gain the trust of the King of Han, so that he can unleash unprecedented power on this crucial battlefield and turn the tide of the war.

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Ba was stunned!
"How is this possible?!"

My family has held high office for four generations, and the Yuan family has always been loyal and virtuous. How dare the strategist utter such slanderous words against my uncle?

Xiahou Dun: "."

Xiahou Dun's heart skipped a beat. Oh no, how did he know?

Seeing that Yuan Shu has brought the entire army of his country, I fear that Cao Cao will not be able to resist him. I am looking for an opportunity to fight to the death.

I haven't even done anything, and I only had the idea, and it's already been discovered?

Or do they intend to eliminate me, this potential threat, without distinguishing right from wrong, before the war even begins?
Just as Xiahou Dun was filled with anxiety and Xiahou Ba was incredulous, Lu Xun smiled.

"Master Yang, why frighten the child?"

He looked at Xiahou Ba and said:
"Of course not. General Zhenbei has repeatedly made military achievements, is loyal to the country, and is listed among the Heavenly Star Lords. How could he do such a thing as betraying the King of Han and giving up his own glory and wealth?"
"Did you remember? What Yang Gong just said is what you're supposed to tell Cao Cao's army."

Xiahou Ba: "."

Xiahou Dun: “???”

(End of this chapter)