My Three Kingdoms is not right

How can such a sorry state, with one defeat after another, not be considered a loss?

Lu Bu turned to look at Chen Gong, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.

Chen Gong said, "Cao Cao only managed to hold off your charge today because of her superior numbers and dense formation. Think about it, if she were confident of defeating you, why didn't she pursue? Why did she just watch our army retreat back into the city?"

"Because she can't catch up." Her voice was confident. "Our army is mostly cavalry, swift as the wind. Even if we suffer a minor setback, it won't be a serious injury."

"They may seem to have suffered heavy losses today, but in fact, they are less than 30% injured, and most of them are just minor injuries. They can still play after rest and treatment."

Lu Bu nodded slowly: "Gongtai is right."

"General, you are wise," Chen Gong said. "Today, our army charged six times, and Cao Cao's army could only hold their ground. This is because Cao Cao knew that once they broke formation to pursue, they might be overwhelmed by our counterattack."

"Indeed, she's afraid of me!" The confusion in Lu Bu's eyes gradually faded, replaced by a renewed gleam.

Chen Gong pressed his advantage: "Moreover, our army's real advantage has never been in open field battles."

She pointed to her feet: "The city of Xiapi is twelve zhang high and the moat is three zhang deep. The city walls are all built of bluestone. The granaries inside the city are full—General, do you still remember that after last year's autumn harvest, I strongly urged you to transport all the surplus grain from Pengcheng, Guangling and other places to Xiapi?"

Lü Bu nodded.

Chen Gong smiled calmly and said, "The grain stored in Xiapi is enough to feed the army in the city for two years. Cao Cao transported the grain from Xudu to here, a long and arduous journey. For every shi of grain transported to the front line, 30% is lost along the way."

"She can't afford to wait."

Hearing these words, the dejection of the generals behind him gradually subsided.

"Well said!" Lü Bu exclaimed, beaming with joy. "As long as we hold our ground, we can defeat Cao Cao!"

"Defend, but not just defend." Chen Gong shook his head. "If we are only trapped in an isolated city, we will be too passive."

"Cao Cao may not be able to conquer the fortified city, but he can divide his forces to sweep through the counties of Xuzhou, cutting off our external support. Over time, the morale in the city will inevitably decline."

"What should we do then?"

"We must take the initiative to prevent her from launching a full-scale attack on the city." Chen Gong had clearly planned this before even going up to the city walls.

"The general led an elite force to set up a camp outside the city, forming a defensive triangle with Xiapi City."

"If Cao Cao attacks the city, General, you should send troops from the camp to attack his rear. If Cao Cao attacks the camp, I will send troops from the city to support you. In this way, no matter which side Cao Cao's army wants to attack, they will risk being attacked from both sides. Although she has many troops, she will not be able to exert her full strength."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Liao couldn't help but clap his hands: "Brilliant plan!"

Other generals, including Gao Shun and Hou Cheng, nodded in agreement, showing their approval.

Lü Bu's eyes lit up, but she immediately frowned and asked, "If we set up camp outside the city, how will we manage our food supplies? Wouldn't it be dangerous if we were besieged by Cao Cao's army?"

"General's concerns are very valid." Chen Gong nodded. "Therefore, the troops sent out of the city should not be too large, but should mainly consist of elite cavalry. This way, the consumption of food supplies will be limited. Moreover, cavalry are quick and mobile, making it easy to forage in all directions."

"Not only that," a sharp glint flashed in her eyes, "our army can also take the opportunity to raid Cao Cao's supply lines."

"Cao Cao's supply lines stretched for hundreds of miles from Xuchang to Xiapi. The scattered forces protecting the supplies made them perfect prey for our cavalry."

"One successful raid can supply our army for half a month; two raids will cause Cao Cao's army to run out of food at the front!"

After he finished speaking, the generals who had gathered around him suddenly had hope rekindled in their eyes.

"Officer Chen's plan is brilliant!"

"This humble general is willing to lead his troops out of the city and establish a fortified camp!"

"The general is also willing to go!"

……

Seeing her generals regain their spirits, Lü Bu's last shred of gloom dissipated. She laughed loudly, "With Gongtai's plan, I have nothing to worry about!"

"Gongtai, tell me, where should this stockade be built?"

Chen Gong took out a scroll map from his sleeve and spread it out on the crenellations of the city tower. He pointed to the southwest of Xiapi City and emphasized, "General, please take a look."

Lu Bu leaned down to look, and the other generals also gathered around.

It was a small hill about fifteen li outside the city, on the north bank of the Yi River. The map marked it with two small characters: Tangshan.

"There are three reasons," Chen Gong explained confidently. "First, the distance is just right. Fifteen li from the city, it's neither too close to be easily surrounded by Cao Cao's army, nor too far to be unable to provide timely mutual support."

"Secondly, it is close to a water source. Tangshan is south of the Yi River, making it easy to obtain water, so we are not afraid that Cao Cao's army will cut off our water supply."

"Thirdly, the terrain is advantageous. Although this mountain is not high, its slope is gentle and the view is wide. Cavalry stationed here can attack or defend. If Cao Cao's army comes to attack, they will have to attack uphill, and our army has a complete advantage in terrain."

The generals nodded repeatedly, their eyes filled with admiration as they looked at Chen Gong.

This strategist, who always offered advice and tirelessly analyzed the pros and cons, had actually calculated everything perfectly beforehand.

"Excellent!" Lü Bu clapped his hands and laughed, regaining his former magnanimity: "All units return to camp to rest and reorganize, and take stock of their troops. Five days later, I will personally lead five thousand iron cavalry out of the city and establish a camp at Tangshan!"

"Yes, sir!" the generals responded in unison.

But Chen Gong shook his head: "General, five days is too late."

"Um?"

"Cao Cao was most adept at seizing opportunities when waging war." Chen Gong said solemnly, "Our army has just suffered a defeat today, and she certainly did not expect us to leave the city and set up camp immediately. Moreover, Cao Cao's army is new to the area and has not yet fully grasped the surrounding geography, and the siege deployment is not yet complete."

"Tomorrow is the perfect time to strike."

She paused, then emphasized, "If we give Cao Cao three to five days, he will surely fortify the key roads outside the city and discover the strategic importance of Tangshan. At that point, if we try to lead a large army out of the city, we will likely have to pay a price."

"Moreover, building a camp in Tangshan will take time. The key is to be fast! We must complete the initial establishment of the camp before Cao Cao can react and mobilize a large army to seize it."

Lü Bu nodded: "Gongtai's words make sense."

She looked at her generals and said, "Send word that we shall eat our fill and rest well tonight. At dawn tomorrow, I will personally lead the army out of the south gate and head straight for Tangshan!"

……

at the same time,

Liu Xun, wearing an outer robe, was patrolling the Imperial Guard camp at night with Xu Huang.

The camp was set up on a gentle hill, with the gate, antlers, and moats arranged meticulously. The patrolling soldiers came and went in shifts, their steps orderly.

Liu Xun enjoyed a very high reputation in the Imperial Guard. Occasionally, he would chat with the soldiers on night duty, asking about their backgrounds and offering them care and encouragement, which would make them blush with excitement.

When they reached the vicinity of the central army, they encountered Zhao Yun instructing the Sun sisters on how to set up camp, so they approached with a smile and greeted him.

The three turned and bowed. Zhao Yun said to Xu Huang with approval, "Gongming has chosen a very good place to set up camp."

Liu Xun nodded slightly; he now understood some military tactics.

Although the hill is not high, it is enough to overlook the surrounding plains for miles. The mountains behind it can block the north wind, and the river in front not only solves the problem of drinking water, but also forms a natural barrier.

Xu Huang smiled and nodded to Zhao Yun: "You flatter me."

"General Xu," Sun Shangxiang asked curiously, pointing to the small hill at their feet, "does this place have a name?"

Xu Huang nodded: "When we set up camp during the day, I asked the farmers in the vicinity."

"This hill is called 'Tangshan'."