binnovel Chapter 139 Foster Father
Chapter 139 Foster Father
Chapter 139 Foster Father
"What a great talent!"
Guo Jia's expression remained unchanged, and he was even more satisfied with Cao Cao. He actually knew that Cao Cao had already ordered the troops to go, and at this time, "changing orders every day" would most likely cause a backlash from the soldiers and severely damage Cao Cao's prestige.
Cao Cao was able to judge the situation, not hesitate to use his prestige, and be brave in making decisions. This is the character of a man who accomplishes great things!
As Guo Jia expected, forcibly gathering the soldiers still caused dissatisfaction among the soldiers. Cao Cao took drastic measures and executed more than 30 people. Only then was the rebellion barely suppressed. He only left 500 people to guard Changyi and took 5,000 people to quickly attack Puyang.
The soldiers were very tired and dissatisfied, so they walked very slowly.
Cao Cao tried every means to appease them, and even hinted that they could act freely in Puyang, which encouraged the soldiers to speed up.
Cao Cao was 35 years old and could hardly cope with such a marching speed.
He sat on his horse, looking at Guo Jia, who had not drunk any wine these days and looked listless, and said, "Fengxiao, why don't you attack the rebels in Dingtao and join forces with Envoy Ding? Wouldn't it be more efficient to put down the rebellion in Qiaomao?"
Guo Jia understood Cao Cao's intention to ask for advice, and said with all his strength, "General, are you worried that Dingtao will be lost and we will be isolated?"
If Ding Yuan of Dingtao could not defend it, the land of Yanzhou would fall into the hands of Qiao Mao and others, and Cao Cao's several thousand men would really become an isolated force deep in the enemy's territory.
Cao Cao sat on his horse, looked towards Dingtao, and said, "It's not that I'm afraid of death and can't take risks. I'm worried about the Eastern Capital."
Guo Jia understood and said, "If General Ding cannot hold on, the rebels will march straight into Chenliu and threaten Luoyang. This will really terrify the whole country. The court will definitely not tolerate the general any more. However, in my opinion, General Ding can hold on for another ten days without any problem. By then, the general will have captured Puyang."
Cao Cao heard this and said, "What if Qiao Mao and his men risk everything and head straight for Luoyang?"
Guo Jia smiled and said, "Your Majesty, if you don't know the general's plan, how can you not be prepared?"
Cao Cao frowned secretly, said nothing more, and continued marching.
Guo Jia seemed to be aware of this and looked at Cao Cao's thin profile without saying anything.
Cao Cao had a very bad reputation in the court. If Cao Cao allowed the rebels to defeat Ding Yuan and advance into Luoyang, even if he had the credit for capturing Puyang, he would not be able to match the merits of the clerks in Luoyang city.
But Cao Cao said nothing and continued to move north.
"I really chose the right person!" Guo Jia's gloomy expression became more excited.
At this moment, Xiahou Dun had just arrived in Chenliu with his "20,000 troops". He ignored Ding Yuan's constant letters urging him.
Jiyin Dingtao.
On the top of the city wall, Ding Yuan watched the rebels retreat like the tide again, without a trace of joy on his face.
He was short, with a high nose, protruding cheeks and a sparse beard, giving him a greasy and cunning look.
At this time, a tall and handsome man in his early thirties with a fierce face, bright eyes and murderous aura came up from the city.
"Foster father, why don't you let me hunt down those rebels!?" Lu Bu asked loudly as he came up.
Ding Yuan looked at him with an angry expression, and said, "How could I dare to let you go if Cao Cao didn't come? Qiao Mao and others underestimated me. Did they really think I couldn't see the ambush in the forest?"
Lu Bu was startled, and then his expression became grim. He said in a cold voice: "Foster father, Cao Cao is holding his troops back, which shows that he wants to kill you!"
Hatred flashed across Ding Yuan's eyes, and he turned to look outside the city.
The rebels were not far away, and their strongholds were like clouds, stretching endlessly. It seemed that there were as many as 60,000 to 70,000 people!
In Dingtao City, there were only about 10,000 defeated soldiers at most, and it was not easy for them to hold out until today.
Lu Bu looked at Ding Yuan's face and understood what was going on. He said, "Foster father, the military rations in the city will not last more than three days."
Ding Yuan naturally knew this, and hated Cao Cao even more, but he had no way to deal with it.
Seeing Ding Yuan remained silent, Lü Bu took a step forward and whispered, "Foster father, the rebels sent another letter of surrender, saying that you can be made a high official... I have killed the person who sent it."
Ding Yuan nodded. He was determined not to surrender to the rebels. He snorted coldly and said, "How can I sell out my master for glory when I am fed by the emperor? Good job!"
Lu Bu nodded heavily, he thought so too.
At night, Ding Yuan patrolled the city again, wearing armor. He looked at the flames of the rebel camp not far away, illuminating half the sky, and felt heavy in his heart.
"Foster father, the rebels seem to be about to break camp!" said the much taller Lu Bu suddenly.
Ding Yuan suddenly stood on tiptoe and looked carefully.
I saw the torches suddenly moving around like fire dragons, and seemed to be moving away.
"Are you trying to lure me out of the city?" Ding Yuan looked suspicious.
Lu Bu was also confused and said, "Foster father, I will go out of the city to investigate!"
Ding Yuan grabbed him, thought again and again, and said, "Be careful!"
Seeing that Ding Yuan cared about him so much, Lu Bu nodded heavily, took a few people down the basket, and went straight to the rebel camp to investigate.
Half an hour later, Lu Bu returned in great joy and said, "Foster father, Cao Cao has raided Shanyang County and has captured Changyi. According to the rebel prisoners, Cao Cao has sent troops to Dongjun. Qiao Mao and others have no choice but to return to defend!"
Ding Yuan was not happy, but even more suspicious. He said, "An army of 20,000 people, a surprise attack on Changyi... It is impossible for them to do it without making any noise, considering the distance. Most likely, the rebels want to lure me to pursue them and ambush me!"
Lu Bu just thought about it and said, "Father, you are wise!"
An army of 20,000 men hid the truth from everyone, bypassed Chenliu and Jiyin, attacked Shanyang County, and successfully captured Changyi. This was impossible no matter how you looked at it!
Ding Yuan sneered and said, "Order all soldiers to be on high alert. No one is allowed to rest today!"
"Yes, sir!" Lu Bu said loudly.
Ding Yuan stood on the top of the city wall, looking at the rebels' torches flying in disorder and gradually moving away. He sneered in his heart and stood there motionless.
On the other side, Cao Cao was unstoppable. He captured Chengyang, bypassed Lei Ze, and marched straight to the gateway to Puyang - Xiancheng.
As an ordinary small county town.
Xu Si, who had just taken office as county magistrate, had no time to do anything before he faced Cao Cao's army approaching the city.
On the top of the city wall, all the county magistrates and officials beside Xu Si were terrified.
It is rumored that Cao Cao is still in Chenliu, but he has quietly killed his way from Shanyang County to Dong County!
Cao Cao rode his horse and stood not far from the city. He pointed at Xu Si and cursed him, saying, "Xu Si, you are a Han minister, but you betrayed your master and committed treason. You are despised by the world! Today, Cao Cao has been ordered to fight against the enemy. Are you willing to turn from darkness to light and atone for your sins?"
Xu Si's face turned slightly pale. Seeing that Cao's army was boundless and Xiancheng would be difficult to defend, he raised his hand and said loudly, "General Cao, I have not plotted rebellion, but was coerced by the rebels. If you open the gate today, are you willing to take us in?"
Cao Cao's narrow eyes flashed with murderous intent, and he shouted: "If you have not rebelled, Cao Cao should accept you. My army is still short of a military officer, are you willing to take the position?"
Xu Si raised his hand and said, "Xu Si believes in General Cao, but the officials and people in the city are worried. I ask General Cao to swear in public that he will not kill any soldier or civilian in Xiancheng."
Cao Cao's murderous intent grew stronger, but he remained calm and swore an oath in public.
On top of Xiancheng, Xu Si and others were delighted to see this and shouted, "General Cao, please wait a moment. We will open the gate immediately."
Cao Cao sat still on his horse, watching Xu Si go down the city wall.
Guo Jia stepped forward and asked, "General, what are you going to do?"
Cao Cao turned around and said, "My original intention was to use their words to find out the truth about Dongjun and Qiao Mao and others. What do you think, Fengxiao?"
Guo Jia looked even more haggard than before, his face pale, and said, "I think Qiao Mao has already returned. General, we cannot stay here."
Cao Cao hummed, turned around and looked at the soldiers he brought with him, his heart heavy.
It was fine for him as he was riding a horse, but the soldiers were running all the way, and many of them had their shoes worn out. Many soldiers even fell asleep while walking on the road.
Soon, the gate of Xiancheng was opened, and Xu Si welcomed Cao Cao into the city.
Cao Cao immediately rode his horse and came closer. While ordering his soldiers to enter the city, he greeted Xu Si with a smile on his face and in a courteous manner.
Xu Si still looked uneasy. He raised his hand and forced a smile, saying, "I was originally visiting a friend in Dongjun, and didn't want to be taken hostage by the rebels. I believe that the general would not abandon us and take us in. Please accept our respect for your kindness in giving us a new life."
Led by Xu Si, more than ten officials of all ranks in the county knelt down on the ground.
Cao Cao waited for them to bow down, then he hurried forward, helped Xu Si up, and said, "Sir, you are a famous scholar in Jingzhou. How could Cao Cao really believe that you are plotting a rebellion? Please stand up!"
Xu Si and the others felt a little relieved and smiled along.
"General, please enter the city." Xu Si said.
Cao Cao had a solemn expression on his face, but also a hint of a smile, as he entered the city with Xu Si.
In just one stick of incense, Cao Cao completely controlled the county, collected all the money and grain, and had a "relaxed" chat with Xu Si.
"What, there are 40,000 to 50,000 people in Puyang?"
Cao Cao looked at Xu Si with a shocked expression.
Guo Jia, who was standing by, stared at Xu Si and said, "Qiao Mao only has 20,000 troops in Dongjun. Even if he gathers other rebels, he will have no more than 50,000 troops. He will attack Dingtao with 30,000 troops, Shanyang with 10,000 troops, Taishan County with 10,000 troops, and Puyang with no more than 3,000 troops. How can he have so many troops?"
Xu Si looked at Guo Jia with some surprise, and seeing Cao Cao's eyes looking like he wanted to eat someone, he quickly said, "That's right, General, you don't know, these people are from Jizhou."
"Jizhou!"
Cao Cao and Guo Jia looked at each other, both of them with the same shock in their eyes.
Seeing this, Xu Si did not wait for Cao Cao to ask, and then explained: "Some of them are the gold bandits that Qiao Mao had been connected with for a long time, and some of them were expelled from Jizhou because they opposed Ying Shijun, so they had to go to Qiao Mao. It was not that Jizhou participated in the rebellion."
Cao Cao's expression did not relax at all. He looked at Guo Jia with a sullen face and remained silent.
They rushed all the way, expecting that Puyang would not have many troops, but now there are 40,000 to 50,000 more soldiers, which completely disrupted their plans!
With forty or fifty thousand men, it was impossible for them to take the city with their exhausted army of six or seven thousand men!
Qiao Mao is retreating and unable to capture Puyang. They have no way to advance or retreat and can only face defeat!
"Don't worry, General Cao,"
Xu Si looked at the tense atmosphere and suddenly said, "As far as I know, General Ying has led 10,000 troops and is not far from Guantao."
Guo Jia's eyes lit up, and he said to Cao Cao, "General, don't worry!"
Guantao is located in the north of Dongjun. The current situation has become that Cao Cao and Ying Shao are attacking Dongjun from both sides!
Cao Cao's expression changed, and he laughed calmly and said, "I will immediately write to General Ding, asking him to lead his troops north to join forces with us to capture Puyang, wipe out the Qiaomao rebels, and pacify Yanzhou!"
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