In the Battle of Kunyang, Cao's army suffered more than 30,000 casualties, the general Le Jin was captured, and Zhang Liao retreated to Xuchang. When the news spread, the Central Plains was shocked.
Jia Xu returned to the city to apologize to Zhang Liao. Zhuge Liang was more clever. He left empty camps on both sides and went straight to Kunyang. However, he used a fire plan to burn 20,000 elite soldiers, resulting in heavy losses.
Zhang Liao also felt powerless in this battle. He personally led his troops to attack the camp twice, but failed once and came close to success the other time. He was unable to use his strength and was quite afraid of Zhuge Liang.
After pacifying Jia Xu, Zhang Liao said, "Crouching Dragon and Phoenix are indeed good at making plans. Liu Qi can rise in Jingzhou only with the help of these two. If Zhuge Liang is not removed, the Central Plains may be in danger. I want to send an assassin to kill him. What do you think, military advisor?"
Jia Xu shook his head and said, "Since Wolong has such a strategy, how could he put himself in danger? If he had not used a trick to defeat his army and captured him in the camp and city, the assassin would have just walked into his own trap."
Zhang Liao frowned and said, "Kunyang has been lost, and Guan Yu can advance northwards in several directions. What should we do?"
Jia Xu said: "If there is no Dongwu to hold us back, we can mobilize troops from Xuzhou to fight Guan Yu now. There is also a fierce battle in Huainan now. We have to mobilize troops from Hebei. Xingyang and Runan need to be heavily guarded. We must not let them enter. Wait for the troops to rest for a while before fighting the enemy."
Zhang Liao had no choice but to ask Jia Xu to meet Cao Pi to discuss the troop deployment. He led his troops to patrol the city and gather military intelligence. At this time, there was only one general, Zhu Ling, left in the camp, and he felt inexplicably sad.
When Jia Xu arrived at the palace, Cao Pi was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot, and asked hurriedly: "Sir, what is the current military situation?"
Jia Xu knelt down and apologized, "I am incompetent and was tricked by Zhuge Liang. I have failed the Prime Minister's trust. I am ashamed to plan for the Crown Prince again. I am willing to resign and return home. I hope the Crown Prince will grant my approval."
"Sir?" Cao Pi was shocked and hurriedly supported Jia Xu: "Victory and defeat are common in the military. Sir, you almost captured Zhuge Liang and seriously injured Guan Yu, which is a great achievement. Why do you have to do this?"
Jia Xu sighed, "This great defeat is all because of my incomplete thinking, which has implicated the three armies. If I retreat without punishing them, I am afraid that all the soldiers in the camp will not obey."
"This..." Although Cao Pi was also very intelligent, he was new to military and political affairs and lacked experience. Without Jia Xu's assistance, he would not know how to deal with it.
Jia Xu added: "When the Prime Minister uses troops, he always rewards and punishes clearly, so that he can be invincible in battle and conquer every enemy. The Crown Prince should put the overall situation first. If he is partial to others, people will talk about him."
Cao Pi panicked and cried, "Sir, you are my teacher. If you resign, who else can help me? The Central Plains is in danger, and my father's life's hard work may be wasted."
Jia Xu clasped his fists and said, "Don't worry, my prince. When the Prime Minister went to the north, he asked Chen Changwen and Chen Jibi to assist in the administration. These two people can take charge of internal and external affairs. Although I have resigned and retired, I will not ignore the military and political affairs. You can stay in the palace as a guest of the emperor and assist the prince."
"So that's it!" Cao Pi finally understood Jia Xu's good intentions. He let out a long sigh, invited Jia Xu to take a seat, and asked for his advice on the next troop deployment.
On that day, an order was issued, because Jia Xu's plan was unfavorable and Kunyang was lost, he was relieved of his post as military advisor and replaced by Chen Jiao as a military officer, leading the military affairs of Yuzhou together with Zhang Liao to defend the territory.
Jia Xu returned to his mansion and ordered his family and others to move to the imperial palace and vacate the Taiwei Mansion. There was a lot of complaints from everyone in the mansion.
The eldest son Jia Mu was indignant and complained: "Father worked hard for state affairs and exhausted all his energy, but Cao Pi dismissed him just to establish his authority. How can this be justified?"
Jia Xu twirled his beard and said calmly: "Don't talk about other people's right and wrong in front of or behind the scenes. Especially those in high positions should be more cautious to avoid causing disaster."
Jia Mu said angrily: "Since the prince has dismissed my father from his post, he pretends to keep him as a guest. This is simply too much."
Jia Xu smiled and said, "This is my father's intention. You don't have to complain. Go and prepare quickly!"
Jia Mu was startled and asked, "Why is father like this?"
Jia Xu sighed, "I used a plan this time to get rid of Guan Yu and Zhuge Liang in one fell swoop, and to relieve the Prime Minister of his worries. Who knew that Kong Ming was more skilled and we lost Kunyang instead."
Jia Mu was puzzled and said, "Even a wise man can make mistakes. Since you have made a mistake, you should regroup and fight him again. Why admit defeat?"
Jia Xu said: "Guan Yu has a very high reputation and is highly respected among the bandits. Now he has been poisoned and his life or death is uncertain. My plan is too cruel and will surely anger the people. I am afraid someone will come to assassinate him. We must be on guard!"
Jia Mu was shocked and dared not persuade him anymore. He obediently ordered his people to pack up their luggage and move to the palace.
Since the emperor moved the capital to Yecheng, the Cao family has lived in the imperial palace in Xuchang. It was deployed by Cao Cao himself and had strict defenses. Not to mention an assassin, even a bird flying in could be detected in time.
…
When Cao's army redeployed its defense line, Gan Ning led his troops from Lushan to launch a surprise attack on Luyang, occupying the city and connecting it with Kunyang in the east and west.
Going north, he could take Yingchuan and Xingyang, and going west, he could threaten Luoyang. When various princes were fighting against Dong Zhuo, Sun Jian stationed his troops here, posing a great threat to Dong Zhuo.
The troops crossed the mountain and arrived in Luyang. Gan Ning led his troops to observe the enemy situation and saw that the city was heavily guarded and patrolled.
The commander of Luyang was none other than Zhang Quan, the son of Zhang Xiu. When Cao Cao pacified Hebei, Zhang Xiu made great contributions in defeating Yuan Tan and was awarded an additional thousand households, with his territory being in Luyang.
Gan Ning said, "Cao's army has indeed sent out orders to strengthen defenses in all places. This battle is intended to capture Zhang Quan alive. We can only win by wits and not make any mistakes."
Su Fei asked, "Do we have to wait until dark to attack?"
Gan Ning smiled and said, "Even if we succeed in taking the city at night, I'm afraid Zhang Quan will take advantage of the chaos to escape. The military advisor has a brilliant plan, so there's no need for us to worry."
He then ordered the soldiers to rest on the spot and wait until dusk to take the city.
In Luyang city, Zhang Quan was mourning for Zhang Xiu, but because the body could not be retrieved, only the empty coffin was left in the courtyard.
Zhang Chen, a cousin, advised: "Brother, you must take care of yourself before your great revenge is avenged. The soldiers from Jingzhou have entered Kunyang. I will lead some men to sneak behind Mobei in the next few days and will definitely retrieve your uncle's body."
"Gan Ning, I will not be a human being if I don't kill this villain!" Zhang Quan's eyes were bloodshot and he roared with clenched fists.
Since surrendering to Cao, Cao Cao has been kind to him and his son. His eldest sister married Cao Xiong and became related to the Cao family, and he lived a stable life in Luyang.
He thought he could live out his life in peace, which was a great blessing compared to other old Xiliang generals such as Li Jue and Guo Si. However, he eventually died in the chaos of war and his body was left in the wilderness.
After much persuasion, Zhang Chen finally brought Zhang Quan to the mansion. After a quick meal, he was about to go back to rest when the garrison suddenly reported that enemy troops had entered the country.
Zhang Chen was shocked, and the two of them hurried to the top of the city to watch. They saw a general in brocade robe and golden armor, with a domineering look, showing off his power at the foot of the city, and shouting at Zhang Quan to leave the city and be killed.
Zhang Quan asked in a deep voice: "Who is coming?"
Zhang Chen replied: "This is Jin Gan Ning!"
"Jinfan thief, I swear to kill you!" Zhang Quan was furious and was about to go out of the city to fight.
Zhang Chen hurriedly advised: "Zhuge Liang is full of tricks. Gan Ning only brought a few hundred people. I'm afraid there is a trick. Brother, don't fall into it."
"The hatred for killing my father is irreconcilable!" Zhang Quan shouted, "We are men of Xiliang. We must avenge our grudges. If we don't fight, won't we be laughed at by the world? How can I face my ancestors?"