binnovel Chapter 1018: Playing the Rat with a Fearless Hand
Chapter 1018: Playing the Rat with a Fearless Hand
Liu Bei and his companions watched from afar in the main camp. They saw Cao Ang actually turn around and lead his army backwards, as if he were about to rejoin Lü Bu. Liu Bei's heart tightened, and he turned to Pang Tong and said, "Sir, it's a good thing we didn't pursue him rashly. Cao Ang's deployment in the front was probably a tactic to lure the enemy. If we had pursued him and rashly engaged in battle, and Ma Chao had led his troops as they had suggested, we would have been attacked from both sides, and would have suffered heavy losses."
Pang Tong nodded solemnly and said, "My lord, you are absolutely right. Cao Ang is quite cunning, and this battle shows how cunning he is. Now that Cao Cao has made preparations, our army should proceed with caution. The most urgent task is to hold our camp firmly and advance steadily. We must not impulsively put ourselves in danger."
Liu Bei agreed, fully aware of the gravity of the situation. He immediately summoned Guan Yu and Zhang Fei and sternly addressed them, "Second and third brothers, Cao Cao's forces are well-prepared, and Cao Ang is scheming. For the time being, you two must hasten to reinforce the camp and strengthen our defenses. Do not slack off for a moment, as we may be attacked by the enemy."
Guan Yu nodded slightly, his eyes showing calmness and determination, and said, "Don't worry, big brother, I will arrange it right away, and will not let the enemy have a chance to take advantage." Zhang Fei also nodded vigorously and said loudly, "I, Zhang, will go and defend the camp as solid as a rock, and see who dares to invade!" After that, the two turned around and left in a hurry, each going to arrange the reinforcement of the camp.
Lü Bu's expression shifted to a state of uncertainty as he watched Cao Ang lead his troops forward. Wang Yun, observing this, quickly said, "Fengxian, look at how confident Cao Ang is. It seems he truly has the support of his troops. It's a good thing we didn't pursue him just now, otherwise we might have fallen into his trap. Seeing how well-organized their army is, we should focus on defending Xudu first."
Lu Bu snorted coldly and said, "Why would I be afraid of Cao Cao?" However, despite his tough words, the expression on his face kept changing. He was obviously weighing the pros and cons in his heart, and ultimately did not rashly order a withdrawal.
Cao Ang led his army in a furious march towards Lü Bu. Arriving before the battle line, he shouted, "Lü Bu, you've been tricked by my strategy. Why aren't you giving chase?" Lü Bu, upon hearing this, also turned his horse forward, laughing disdainfully, "Boy, you think I, Lü Bu, can't see through your clumsy plan of luring the enemy deep inside? How ridiculous!"
After saying this, Cao Ang showed no sign of retreating. Instead, he immediately deployed his troops, preparing to attack immediately. This action only deepened Wang Yun's suspicions. Wang Yun anxiously advised again, "Fengxian, the safety of Xudu is paramount. I'm afraid Cao Ang has come with ill intentions and may be plotting something bigger."
Lü Bu pondered for a moment, then finally said, "Okay," agreeing to a gradual withdrawal. Seeing Lü Bu's intention to retreat, Cao Ang refused to give in, continuing to deploy his troops, pretending to pursue. This behavior only strengthened Lü Bu's confidence in his judgment. Secretly wary, he ordered his troops to maintain their formation and retreat slowly, wary of any sudden attack by Cao Ang.
In this way, under the "intimidation" of Cao Ang, Lu Bu's army slowly retreated.
Cao Ang, on the other hand, appeared aggressive, as if he was about to launch a fierce attack on Lü Bu's army at any moment, but in reality, his eyes never left Lü Bu, secretly observing his every move. When he saw Lü Bu actually start to order a withdrawal, and the army retreated in an orderly manner, Cao Ang's heart moved, and he ordered his own troops to follow closely.
At this time, Liu Bei and others were watching from a distance. Seeing this scene, although they felt unwilling, they were wary of the unclear situation, especially the fear that Cao Ang and Lu Bu had set a trap, so they did not dare to pursue rashly.
Lü Bu led his army in a retreat towards Xudu, while Cao Ang and his troops followed at a leisurely pace, creating the appearance of pursuit. After pursuing for a while, Cao Ang realized his goal had been achieved. Confirming that Lü Bu would not return to attack, and with Liu Bei showing no signs of catching up, he decisively ordered his horses to turn around. He knew that his most urgent priority was to reunite with his family and ensure their safety.
Cao Ang then gave the order, and the army quickly changed direction, galloping towards the agreed rendezvous point with his family. Along the way, Cao Ang silently prayed for their safety, and at the same time felt grateful for the near-miss. He understood that this successful response to the threats from various forces was a stroke of luck, and that he would have to be even more cautious in the future.
Madam Ding and Cao Cao's concubines and children had been living in constant fear. They waited anxiously for news, each moment feeling like an eternity. But when they saw Cao Ang approaching with his army, their hearts finally settled.
Cao Ang, anxious, tightened the reins and spurred his horse forward. Madam Ding had already risen to greet him. Though her face showed joy at having survived, a trace of fear remained. Seeing this, Cao Ang felt a pang of pain in his heart. He quickly approached Madam Ding and, without hesitation, dismounted. He fell to his knees with a thud, his face filled with guilt. "Mother, I'm late, and I frightened you. It's all my fault," he said.
When Mrs. Ding saw Cao Ang kneeling in front of her safe and sound, she could no longer suppress her inner emotions. She hugged Cao Ang and burst into tears. Her voice trembled and she said, "Ang'er, you are finally back. My heart is almost torn out. I was afraid that something would happen to you. If something happened to you, how could I live..." As she spoke, Mrs. Ding cried even more sadly. Her tears could not stop flowing, wetting Cao Ang's shoulders.
Cao Ang gently patted Mrs. Ding's back and whispered soothingly, "Don't be sad, mother. I'm back safely. It's all my fault for making you worry."
The concubines and children beside them all burst into tears when they saw this scene. They knew that the situation was dangerous and that Cao Ang's safe return was a blessing.
After a long while, Mrs. Ding finally calmed down. She loosened her arms, gently wiping away tears with her sleeves. She said with a worried look on her face, "Ang'er, now that Xudu has been destroyed, what should we do next?" Cao Ang looked at Mrs. Ding with a calm expression and a firm gaze. He said, "Mother, the situation in Yuzhou is in chaos now. I'm afraid we can't stay here any longer. In my opinion, we should go to Yanzhou to reunite with father. Only by reuniting with father will we be safe and better able to deal with the situation that lies ahead."
Mrs. Ding was just an ordinary woman, and faced with such a sudden change, she was already at a loss. She looked at Cao Ang as if she had grasped the last straw and said, "Ang'er, your father is gone. Now that we have a family, everything will be up to you. I trust you."
Cao Ang nodded, fully aware of the weight of his responsibility. After a moment's thought, he said, "Don't worry, mother. I have a plan. We will first go to Xia Pi to join Cao Hong and his men. General Cao Hong has a considerable force under his command. Joining them will greatly increase our strength, and we will be able to travel to Yanzhou more safely to find father."
Cao Ang then quickly arranged for his men to pack up and prepare to set off for Xia Pi. After everything was arranged, Cao Ang personally escorted Lady Ding and Cao Cao's concubines and children on the road to Xia Pi.
Along the way, Cao Ang dared not slack off. He arranged for his troops to scout the way ahead and for elite cavalry to stand guard on both sides of the column, ensuring the safety of the marching troops. Lady Ding and her concubines and children, though still somewhat worried, gradually felt reassured by Cao Ang's methodical arrangements.
Upon returning to Xudu, Lü Bu, fully aware of the threat posed by Cao Ang and Liu Bei, dared not slack off. He immediately ordered his entire army to a state of alert, ready to fight at any moment, awaiting the arrival of Cao Ang's army. On the city walls, soldiers held weapons in hand, their gazes warily fixed on the horizon. The city gates were tightly closed, their heavy wooden doors acting as an impenetrable barrier. Inside, patrols crisscrossed the streets, maintaining a state of constant alert.
However, by evening, there was no sign of Cao Ang. Lü Bu paced anxiously on the city wall, secretly speculating on Cao Ang's intentions: "What is Cao Ang up to? Why hasn't he come yet? Is he plotting something?" He gazed into the darkness, trying to catch a glimpse of enemy movement in the night.
The same was true for Liu Bei. Ever since that day's confrontation with Cao Ang, Liu Bei was well aware of the complex situation and dared not take it lightly. He ordered his entire army to a state of high alert, and the soldiers remained at their posts day and night, not daring to relax for a moment. Around the camp, antlers were fortified, and chevaux de frise were neatly arranged, like a solid line of defense.
Two days passed like this, with Liu Bei and Lü Bu both on high alert. Lü Bu watched from the city walls each day, anticipating a decisive battle with Cao Ang to demonstrate his prowess and consolidate his power in Xudu. Liu Bei conferred with Pang Tong day and night, anticipating Cao Cao's next move, trying to find a way out and take a solid step toward restoring the Han Dynasty.
However, their inaction, waiting for Cao Ang to attack, made them miss the best opportunity to act. While they were concentrating on staring ahead, guarding against the enemy who might appear at any time, Cao Ang had already quietly left with his family.
For several days, Liu Bei's camp remained silent, with no sign of enemy activity. Beneath this surface of calm lay an unbearable unease. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he summoned Guan Yu and sternly addressed him, "Brother, there's been no enemy activity these past few days. This is truly strange. Lead some troops and go forward to gather information. Be extremely cautious and do not let your guard down."
Guan Yu clasped his fists and accepted the order, "Don't worry, brother. I will fulfill my mission." With that, he assembled his troops and cautiously advanced. Along the way, Guan Yu's expression was solemn, his gaze sharp, not missing a single possible clue. He led his soldiers in a careful search along the direction of their previous standoff with Cao Ang, but they saw no sign of the enemy.
Guan Yu's suspicions grew, and he sped up his horse, continuing his search. When he caught sight of the outline of Xudu in the distance, he looked far ahead, but still saw no sign of a large army stationed there. Guan Yu frowned, bewildered, "What on earth could this mean? Could the enemy have simply vanished?"