Upon learning that Cao Ren was captured again, Cao Hong was shocked. He retreated his troops ten miles and set up camp, and discussed with Cheng Yu how to rescue him.
Cheng Yu said: "General Cao has a strong character. He has been captured for the second time. Even if he is redeemed, he will not be able to see the Prime Minister again. Only by rescuing him can we persuade him to change his mind."
Cao Hong agreed with this and frowned, saying, "Liu Qi has stationed his troops outside the city to support the garrison. What should we do?"
Cheng Yu stroked his beard and said, "Liu Qi has gathered his elite troops to defend Bowang, and he also has powerful generals like Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. We cannot rush to attack them. We can only wait for the right opportunity and wait for Prime Minister Hou's army to arrive before engaging them."
Cao Hong was also helpless. He could not fight against Guan and Zhang alone, so he had to set up camp, using Ye County as a place to store food, and wait for Cao Cao's army.
The two armies confronted each other for several days, and before they knew it, April had passed. The weather turned hot, spring and summer alternated, and it was cloudy and rainy. When Cao Cao's troops arrived, it was already early May.
In Bowang City, the generals not only trained their troops but also competed in martial arts. Zhang Fei and Gan Ning were the most intense, as they were both combative people. Together with Wei Yan, the military camp was very lively every day.
Liu Qi collected intelligence with Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu and discussed military strategies. Under their guidance, he gained a deeper understanding of combat in the cold weapon era. Combined with his own historical experience, he made rapid progress.
One day, a scout reported that Cao Cao's army had arrived and was heading towards Bowang. Liu Qi took a deep breath and said, "Cao Cao is finally here!"
Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "Sun Tzu said: Those who arrive at the battlefield first and wait for the enemy are at ease, while those who arrive at the battlefield later and rush into battle are exhausted. Although Cao's army is powerful, I am at ease waiting for the enemy to tire. I have the right time, place, and people, and I am already invincible!"
Xu Shu nodded and said, "We are well prepared. This battle will surely stabilize Nanyang."
Liu Qi was also full of confidence in this battle. Looking at the gloomy sky, he said loudly: "Let the storm come even harder!"
Zhuge Liang went out, gently fanned himself with a feather fan and looked up at the sky, feeling the cold wind blowing on his face. After a moment, he said, "The sky will be clear tomorrow, and you can order people to transport grain from Wancheng starting today, once every three days, without fail."
“Uh…” Liu Qi thought that Zhuge Liang, who was known as a wise prime minister, was too short-sighted to dare to undermine his lord
After secretly complaining about this, he ordered Kou Feng and Fu Rong to be responsible for transporting food and obey Zhuge Liang's orders, while the rest of the generals waited for Cao's army to come and fight.
In Cao's army camp, Cao Hong, Han Hao and others knelt on the ground and reported to Cao Cao the course of the battle. The front army had lost more than half of its troops and had also lost Cao Ren, so the morale was extremely low.
Cao Cao sighed lightly and ordered a few people to rest in the rear camp. He ordered Xu Huang to reorganize the troops and command the front army, and Xiahou Dun to supervise the central army, preparing to raise an army for revenge.
Military advisor Xun You said: "Liu Qi has the assistance of powerful generals such as Guan Zhang, and Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu as his advisors. His defense is impeccable. Bowang City is surrounded by mountains and rivers, so it is not suitable for a strong attack. We should use a surprising strategy."
Cao Cao stroked his beard and sneered, "Zi Lian and Zi Xiao are both short-sighted and warlike. They underestimated the enemy and fell into their trap. Although our army has been defeated many times and lost 100,000 soldiers and horses, I am just a superficial fighter! Liu Qi has just taken over Jingzhou and has won several battles in a row. Young people must be arrogant. How can arrogant soldiers not be defeated?"
Xun You nodded and said, "What the Prime Minister said is very true. We can be arrogant and wait for an opportunity to defeat the enemy."
As expected, the weather cleared up the next day, with the sun shining brightly in the sky. A large group of Cao's troops arrived at Bowang. The two armies deployed their battle formations, and Cao Cao called Liu Qi to answer the question.
Liu Qi stepped out, clasped his fists and said, "The Prime Minister summoned me. Could it be that he wants to redeem Cao Ren?"
Although Cao Cao was a little short in stature, he had an elegant demeanor. As he had been in a high position for a long time, he had a profound and majestic aura. His eyes were long and narrow, giving people a deep feeling.
"If I redeem Cao Ren, I will be endangering his life!" Cao Cao looked at Liu Qi with a squint on his horse, secretly amazed.
I thought he was a sickly and thin man, but I saw that he was full of energy and handsome, and his demeanor was very similar to Liu Biao in Luoyang back then. When I thought of the poem he wrote, I was surprised and confused.
Could it be that I was really wrong? This boy was learning from Goujian who slept on firewood and tasted gall. His cunningness far exceeds that of his peers.
After thinking for a while, he said in a deep voice: "Liu Qi, instead of helping your father to defend Jingzhou, you dared to attack my troops. Are you planning to rebel?"
Liu Qi laughed and said, "Prime Minister, you also know that my father is the ruler of Jingzhou? But how can you explain why you don't know that he stationed troops in Nanyang and was spying on Xiangyang?"
Cao Cao said coldly: "Nanyang belongs to Zhang Xiu. Now he has surrendered to the court and offered it to the country. What's wrong with me sending troops to take over?"
Liu Qi laughed and said, "When Zhang Xiu was desperate, my father lent him Wancheng. What right did Zhang Xiu have to give it away? Since I am in charge of Jingzhou, I should take it back. What's wrong with that?"
"Young man, don't be too excited!"
Cao Cao glared at Liu Qi and said in a deep voice: "Do you know that the whole world belongs to the king? I am here to suppress the rebellion under the order of the emperor. As a descendant of the royal family, do you dare to resist the heavenly army?"
“Hahaha!” Liu Qi laughed up to the sky, pointed at Cao Cao and cursed, “Cao Cao, everyone knows that you are a traitor to the country, bullying the emperor and harming your colleagues. How is it different from Dong Zhuo? I am a relative of the Han Dynasty, and I should follow the righteousness to purge the emperor and get rid of the traitors. Traitors like you dare to claim the mandate of heaven. I have never seen such a shameless person!”
"How dare you!" Cao Cao was scolded by Liu Qi in front of him. He was so angry that his hair and beard stood up. He shouted: "Where is Xu Zhongkang?"
"Liu Qi, you little bastard, prepare to die!" Behind Cao Cao, a sturdy general rode out on his horse and went straight for Liu Qi.
Liu Qi stared straight at Cao Cao, completely unmoved, as if he was indifferent to Xu Chu's thundering attack.
"Don't hurt my lord!" With a loud shout, a white shadow came flying. It was Zhao Yun riding a horse to support.
Xu Chu held a thick-backed machete and roared, smashing it hard at Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun's silver spear shook, and instantly burst out with thousands of cold rays, dazzling the eyes.
Ding Dong Dong—
There was a series of deafening sounds of weapons colliding, as dense as raindrops, which actually forced Xu Chu to retreat, and a corner of his battle robe was blown away.
There was a cry of surprise among Cao's army. Xu Chu was the bravest general in the army, but he was stopped by this young general in white robe in just a moment.
Cao Cao's eyes suddenly widened and he exclaimed, "Whose general is this?"
Xiahou Dun replied, "This man is Zhao Yun from Changshan. He first served Gongsun Zan, and later followed Liu Bei to various places, but never became famous."
Cao Cao stared at Zhao Yun, frowned and asked: "How come the big-eared thief can always get good generals?"
Zhao Yun's spear was like a spirit snake coming out of a cave, killing Xu Chu so badly that he roared in anger, panicked and full of envy.
While he was observing, he caught a glimpse of Guan Yu in front of the opposite army, stroking his three-foot-long beard, holding a sword and looking sideways at him. The Red Hare had its ears erect, paws pawed, and its tail was wagging, ready to go. He was startled and retreated back to the formation.
Liu Qi raised his eyebrows and smiled, then rode his horse slowly back to the formation. In this confrontation alone, he had won in terms of momentum.
Even if Cao Cao had Xu Chu, it would be in vain. His current lineup is stronger than the Five Tiger Generals. If they want to fight against generals, it will be just what he wants!
The two men were fighting fiercely in the field. Although Zhao Yun's spear skills were exquisite, Xu Chu was extremely strong. Although his moves were slow, he was able to forcefully deflect the bright silver spear, and many of his killing moves were forcibly blocked.
The two fought for more than thirty rounds. Xu Chu looked embarrassed as Zhao Yun surrounded him and attacked him fiercely, but he showed no signs of defeat and his defense was impenetrable.
Like a reef in the raging sea, it remains motionless despite the impact of the wind and waves.