Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1323 The army besieges Dingtao, striking a chord to intimidate the enemy.

Ma Chao's army of 100,000 men, like a galloping dragon, swept into the territory of Jiyin County. The counties and prefectures along the way surrendered without resistance. The soldiers were disciplined and did not commit any offenses. The people watched from afar and, seeing that although the army was imposing, it did not disturb their lives, gradually calmed down. Some even bravely offered tea and stood by the roadside to welcome them.

Speaking of Jiyin Commandery, it has quite a history with the Cao family. Since Yuan Shang declared himself emperor in Ji Province last year, incurring the wrath of the people, Cao Cao seized the opportunity to march north and take over this fertile land in one fell swoop. He then hurriedly returned to his capital and became embroiled in a fierce battle with Liu Bei in Jing Province. Until this year, the Cao and Liu families ceased hostilities and made peace. However, due to years of warfare, Cao Cao's health fluctuated, and his ambition for expansion temporarily subsided. He entrusted the important task of guarding Yan Province to Cao Ren, ordering him to firmly defend the two commanderies of Chenliu and Jiyin as a bridgehead for Yan Province.

On the Xiliang side, although Xu Huang was ordered by Ma Chao to wipe out the remaining enemy forces in Yanzhou, he remained inactive in the two commanderies of Jiyin and Chenliu. Firstly, he dared not use force without Ma Chao's personal orders; secondly, Cao Ang was, after all, Ma Chao's brother-in-law, and this kinship acted as an invisible shackle, forcing him to think twice before acting in Cao's territory. As a result, the two sides remained at peace for several months.

This peace was eventually shattered by the army personally led by Ma Chao.

Outside Dingtao City, the capital of Jiyin Commandery, scouts repeatedly reported the movements of the Xiliang army to the commandery governor's office. Upon hearing that Ma Chao had personally arrived and that an army of 100,000 was pressing on the border, Cao Ren's expression instantly turned grave. He knew that although he had 30,000 soldiers under his command, most of them were new recruits and were no match for the seasoned elite of the Xiliang army.

"Quickly!" Cao Ren stood up abruptly, his sword slicing across the table with a piercing sound. "Prepare the horses! Order Anmin to proceed to Qiao County immediately and request reinforcements from our lord!"

Cao Anmin dared not delay. He cracked his whip and, with a few guards, rushed out of the city gate, galloping along the official road towards Qiao County. In the dust kicked up by the horses' hooves, the outline of Dingtao City grew smaller and smaller. Cao Anmin glanced back, his mind filled with only one thought: he had to see his lord as soon as possible; he feared that Jiyin County could not be held.

Meanwhile, outside Dingtao City, Ma Chao's army had already set up camp ten miles away. Inside the central command tent, Ma Chao was looking at a map with Zhou Yu and others. Zhou Yu pointed to the location of Chenliu County: "Cao Ren will definitely go to seek reinforcements. If Cao Cao comes, we can wipe them all out in one fell swoop; if he doesn't come, the two counties of Jiyin and Chenliu will be ours for the taking."

Ma Chao smiled slightly: "Cao Cao is currently unwell and may not come in person. But Cao Ren is his cousin, and he certainly won't stand idly by. Send down the order to fortify the camp and extend the scouts a hundred li outwards. If there is any movement of Cao's troops, report it immediately."

Xu Huang spoke up, "Why bother Your Majesty with all this trouble? When I pacified Yanzhou, I wanted to test my skills against Cao Ren. Now, with this army of 100,000 here, why bother with all this trouble? Why not just take Jiyin directly and use it as a warning to others?"

No sooner had the words been spoken than two loud responses rang out from below the tent. Taishi Ci and Gan Ning, who had long served in Jiangdong and had recently returned to Xiliang, were eager to distinguish themselves and demonstrate their abilities. At this moment, they both stepped forward, clasped their fists, and volunteered for battle: "This humble general is willing to lead our troops as the vanguard, to take Dingtao City directly, and clear the way for Your Majesty!"

Xu Huang panicked upon hearing this and quickly waved his hand, "Hey, Ziyi, Xingba, I was the one who came up with this idea first, so logically I should go first!" As he spoke, he turned to Ma Chao, his eyes full of earnestness, "Your Majesty, I am familiar with the terrain of Yanzhou, and my soldiers have fought against Cao Cao's troops. This task is perfect for me!"

The generals inside the tent stared intently at Ma Chao, each one itching for battle, eager to lead their troops into battle immediately. Ma Chao looked at the excited scene before him, tapped his fingers lightly on the table for a moment, and slowly nodded: "Very well."

He stood up, walked to the map, and glanced at the mountains and cities of Jiyin County: "This time, we are coming to Yanzhou for two reasons. First, we want to show the Cao family the strength of our army. Second, we want to break through the barrier of Xudu. Now that we have embarked on this path, there is no reason to retreat."

“Then let’s first clear out the surrounding counties of Jiyin County, and then besiege Dingtao.” Ma Chao drew an arc on the map with his fingertip. “You can divide into three routes: Xu Huang will lead one route, advance westward along the north bank of the Ji River, and take Chengyang and Yuanju counties; Taishi Ci will lead another route, advance south to take Juyang and Chengshi; and Gan Ning will lead another route, advance eastward to sweep away Danfu and Jishi. Within three days, you must clear out the outer perimeter and join forces at the walls of Dingtao.”

The three generals received the order and replied in unison, "Your humble servants obey!"

Ma Chao changed the subject, looking at Zhou Yu with a more deliberate tone: "Gongjin, you and Zixiu (Cao Ang's courtesy name) have been neighbors for many years and have a close relationship. Now that we have decided to march on Jiyin, you might as well go to Xuzhou first and explain the situation to him in person."

He paused, his gaze becoming serious: "See what he's thinking. If he's willing to abandon the darkness and join us, that would be best; if he's still concerned about Cao Cao's safety, then you should first explain the situation to him—after all, we're family, so don't let differences in stance ruin our past friendship, and certainly don't let it come to the point of fighting each other."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu smiled and said, "Brother, your consideration is indeed thorough. In that case, I will set off now and return soon." After saying this, he turned around and pointed to the two generals, Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai, "You two will come with me, and a thousand light cavalry will be enough."

The two generals accepted the order and soon prepared the horses and equipment. Zhou Yu and Ma Chao bowed in farewell, mounted their horses, and cracked his whip, saying, "Brother, I await good news here!" Before he finished speaking, he had already led a thousand cavalrymen galloping off, the dust kicked up by their hooves leaving a long trail on the road as they headed towards Xuzhou.

Inside the tent, Ma Chao watched Zhou Yu's departing figure, then looked towards Dingtao City, and slowly exhaled. Cao Ang was his brother-in-law, a relationship that was ultimately an inescapable entanglement. It would be best to avoid conflict, but if things didn't go as planned... He tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, a hint of determination in his eyes.

At this moment, the bugle call sounded again in the camp, more urgent than before. Xu Huang, Taishi Ci, and Gan Ning's three armies had broken out of their camps in succession. Banners fluttered in the wind, and the cold glint of armor and the sharpness of weapons intertwined, forming an unstoppable torrent that marched towards the various county towns of Jiyin County.

Outside the central command tent, Ma Chao stood with his hands behind his back, gazing in the direction where the three armies had departed. He could almost hear the sounds of battle ahead. The battle at Jiyin, the maneuvering in Xuzhou, Cao Cao's response... all sorts of thoughts intertwined in his mind, but ultimately coalesced into a firm belief: the world was about to change.

Inside Dingtao City, Cao Ren's mansion was brightly lit every night, yet it couldn't dispel the worry clouding his brow. Urgent reports from various counties poured in like snowflakes: Chengyang had fallen, Yuanju had been solved, Juyang was in dire straits… Each report was like a heavy hammer, striking his already taut nerves. His personal guards, seeing the new gray hairs at their commander's temples, fell silent, even their breathing becoming slightly softer.

"General, perhaps... we should send troops to rescue them? The garrison commander of Chengshi County is your nephew!" the lieutenant couldn't help but suggest, his voice filled with anxiety.

Cao Ren slammed his hand on the table, knocking over the teacup and soaking the military report with tea: "Send troops? Where to? Xu Huang is eyeing us from the north bank of the Ji River, and Taishi Ci and Gan Ning are supporting us from the east and west. If we take a single step out of the city, we'll be devoured by the Xiliang army, leaving not even bones behind!" He was panting heavily, his eyes bloodshot. "There's still no news of reinforcements for our lord. We can only defend, defend to the death!"

Even so, listening to the faint sounds of fighting outside the city every night and feeling the growing panic within, Cao Ren's heart felt like it was being boiled in water, unbearably tormented. In just four or five days, the counties under the jurisdiction of Jiyin Commandery had fallen one after another. The three armies of the Xiliang army swept away the barriers surrounding Dingtao like autumn leaves in the wind. The soldiers defending the city, seeing the Xiliang camp drawing ever closer, had their morale plummet to rock bottom; even their patrols were slow and deliberate.

On the morning of the sixth day, a sentry on the city wall suddenly cried out in alarm. Cao Ren, clad in armor, ascended the wall and looked out. He saw that on the open field outside Dingtao City, the dark mass of Xiliang troops had formed an encirclement. The 100,000-strong army stretched for dozens of miles, their banners obscuring the sun, their armor gleaming menacingly in the rising sunlight. Xu Huang, Taishi Ci, and Gan Ning's three armies had already joined forces and were methodically setting up siege ladders and constructing siege weapons. The air was thick with the oppressive feeling of an impending great battle.

"It's over..." the adjutant beside him muttered to himself, his face ashen.

Cao Ren gripped the sword at his waist tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. He knew that Jiyin County had fallen entirely, and Dingtao was now a truly isolated city. Outside the city stood a hundred thousand fierce soldiers, inside were thirty thousand anxious and fearful defenders, and there was still no news of his lord's reinforcements.

Beneath the city walls, a deafening shout rang out from the Xiliang army ranks: "Open the city gates and surrender! We'll spare your lives!"

The shouts were like a raging storm, crashing against the walls of Dingtao and pounding on the hearts of every defender. Cao Ren looked down at the endless army below and felt a wave of dizziness. If his personal guards hadn't caught him in time, he would have nearly collapsed on the city wall. He knew that the idea of ​​holding out for reinforcements was probably going to fail him.

Although the Xiliang army outside Dingtao City had completed the encirclement, they had not yet launched an attack. Ma Chao was deep in thought, looking at the map in his central command tent. The wind outside the tent carried the faint sound of clashing swords in the distance, but it could not dispel the caution in his eyes.

He had his own considerations. There was still no news from Zhou Yu's visit to Cao Ang in Xuzhou; this kinship was like a scale hanging over his head, its weight uncertain, and he was unwilling to easily disrupt the balance. Cao Ren was, after all, Cao Cao's cousin; if he were to lose his life here, the future entanglements with the Cao family would likely be difficult to resolve amicably—even if they were to clash sooner or later, there was no need to rush things now.

Furthermore, Dingtao, as the capital of Jiyin Commandery, boasts high city walls, a deep and wide moat, and fortified defenses built of brick and stone. Although only 30,000 troops remain to defend the city, they are all loyal followers of the Cao family, and when pushed to the brink, they are bound to fight to the death. If a direct assault is launched, even if the Xiliang army manages to capture the city, it will inevitably suffer heavy losses, and the civilians within will also suffer. Ma Chao has always disliked unnecessary casualties, and especially does not want the flames of war to affect the innocent.

Moreover, the purpose of making a show of force had already been achieved. With the entire Jiyin Commandery fallen and Dingtao isolated, Cao Cao couldn't possibly have been unaware of the situation. Now, deploying troops beneath the city was both a form of pressure and a means of waiting—waiting for Zhou Yu to bring back Cao Ang's attitude, waiting for Cao Cao's response, and waiting for an opportunity to resolve the issue without bloodshed.