Cao Cao laughed and said, "I am not laughing at others, but at Xu Shu's lack of strategy, Zhuge Liang's lack of wisdom, and Liu Qi's inability to command troops. They burned the food and grass, but did not send troops to take advantage of the victory. They missed the opportunity. If they had ambushed an army here, wouldn't we..."
Before he could finish his words, there was a sudden sound of drums on the hillside and countless torches lit up, blocking the entrance to the valley. Cao Cao was so frightened that he almost fell off his horse.
I saw a general standing on his horse with a spear across his body, looking like a diamond, and shouting in a deep voice: "Zhang Yide from Yan is here, where are you going, Cao thief!"
Xu Chu raised his sword and shouted, "Prime Minister, follow me!"
With a deep shout, Xu Chu led three thousand armored soldiers and rushed forward like a torrent of steel with terrifying momentum.
Although Zhang Fei was not afraid of Xu Chu, these armored soldiers were difficult to deal with. He separated the soldiers into two sides and stared at Cao Cao with spears raised.
Xu Chu was worried that Cao Cao would be attacked by Zhang Fei, so he ordered his soldiers to charge forward to clear the way and urged their horses to fight Zhang Fei. The two fought on the grass beside the road, while Cao Chun protected Cao Cao and moved forward.
The soldiers on the mountain fired arrows at them. Although the armored army was able to pass through safely, they were unable to go up the mountain to kill the enemy. However, the Cao army behind them suffered countless casualties.
Cao Cao lay on his horse's back, and the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry held up their shields to block them as they advanced towards the valley entrance. Suddenly, shouts of killing rang out from both sides, and more ambushes came out from behind the hillside and surrounded them from behind.
"Protect the Prime Minister and go first!" Cao Chun shouted and led 500 soldiers to cover the rear.
Although the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry were not as invulnerable as the Iron Armored Army, they were well-equipped and powerful. Cao Chun blocked the pursuers and protected Cao Cao as he retreated into the valley.
"Zhongkang, retreat quickly!" Cao Chun urged his horse to help Xu Chu. The two of them worked together to force Zhang Fei to retreat, fighting while they retreated.
Zhang Fei led his troops to pursue and kill Cao's soldiers, and countless of them were killed or wounded. The elite troops had retreated into the valley, and although there were fires flickering in the distance, they did not dare to rush in.
Leaving 500 soldiers behind to set fire at the entrance of the valley to bluff, Zhang Fei led his troops straight to Cao's camp and launched a surprise attack from behind.
At this time, torches stretched for nearly ten miles on both sides of the Baihe River, illuminating the river surface as bright as day. Corpses piled up like mountains in the river, blocking the river. Cao's army was launching a fierce attack.
Cheng Yu had planned it in advance. He took out all the wood and equipment in the camp, ordered the Hebei army to charge first, and then ordered the central army to force a crossing of the river.
The central army consisted of Cao's elite troops. When they were asked to charge into the battle line despite being shot at by arrows, the other troops had no more complaints and each fought hard forward.
The other Cao troops did not know that these elite troops charging forward were the soldiers who killed people in broad daylight. Cheng Yu ordered them to charge first, both to consume the elite troops and to silence the witnesses and cover up the matter completely.
After several fierce attacks, fifty to sixty thousand Cao's troops poured into the river, and with the addition of many sandbags, wooden stakes, etc., they finally blocked the Baihe River. The Cao's troops crossed the river by stepping on the corpses of their companions.
At this time, Cao's army had become completely bloodthirsty. Every man was like a mad beast, only paying attention to the enemy in front of them. They rushed forward to kill. Once they stopped, they would be trampled to death by their companions behind them.
The Jingzhou army defending on the opposite bank did not fight them head-on. When they saw Cao's army rushing across the river, all the camps quickly retreated.
The morale of Cao's army increased greatly, and they rushed across the river and chased the enemy all over the mountains. Under the hazy moonlight, they saw a black shadow crossing the hills like a flood.
Cheng Yu stood at the only stone bridge. The corpses on the bridge were trampled into meat paste. There was a thick layer of bones and the stench was unbearable.
But he remained unmoved, looking into the distance with his hands behind his back. This time the entire army was fighting to the death, which was a heroic act. It not only consumed excess manpower, but also attacked Wancheng with all its might. The outcome depended entirely on God's will.
The five armies of Zhang He, Gao Lan, Zhai Yuan, Lu Chang and Han Hao were dispatched at the same time and finally forced the Jingzhou army to retreat. The initial plan was successfully completed.
Cao Xiu was also very excited at this time: "Although tens of thousands of soldiers and horses were lost, if we can besiege Liu Qi in Wancheng, this battle will be worth it."
Cheng Yu stroked his beard and said, "As the saying goes: One general's success is the result of the sacrifice of thousands of soldiers. Most of these soldiers joined the army for food. Since they are receiving the king's salary, they should repay the king's kindness. If they can turn defeat into victory in this battle, they will die for a good cause!"
"General, look!" Suddenly the personal soldier pointed in the direction of Bowangpo and shouted in surprise.
The two men looked back and saw a fire raging into the sky, burning the entire valley entrance.
"Oh no! There are ambushes at Bowangpo to intercept the Prime Minister." Cao Xiu said in shock and was about to send troops to support them.
Cheng Yu said, "General, please be patient. The Prime Minister has the Ironclad Army and the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry to escort him, so he will be able to pass safely. When I replied to the letter this morning, I asked General Cao Hong to send troops to support him. Dong Heng and Dong Chao have already stationed troops at the strategic location of Bowangpo, so they can ensure... "
Before he finished speaking, he saw flames rising into the sky from the direction of the central army and heard the faint sound of drums.
"Not good!" Cheng Yu was shocked. "General, go and help quickly. Don't let anyone see the pit."
Although there were not many supplies left in the camp, the huge pit where the murders took place had not been covered up yet. If it were discovered, the consequences would be disastrous.
Moreover, the attack on the old camp would affect the morale of the army, so Cao Xiu hurriedly led his troops to provide support.
Cheng Yu stood by the river and hesitated for a moment, but finally led his soldiers across the river and rushed to Wancheng. Now the only way to turn defeat into victory was to burn his boats and cross the river, otherwise all his previous efforts would be wasted.
At this time, the five armies of Cao had already reached Wancheng. The defenders on the city wall were already on high alert, with the suspension bridge pulled high, archers drawing their bows and arrows, and the moat was surging.
As an important town in Nanyang, Wancheng occupies a geographical advantage and is even more solid than Xiangyang. The Baihe River is used as a moat, and the city is high and the moat is deep, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack.
When Cao Cao conquered Zhang Xiu, he was helpless against this fortified city. Later, Cao Ren personally repaired it and it became as strong as a rock.
Cao's army surrounded Wancheng, but they could only watch helplessly as they looked at the tall and sturdy city, like a pack of wolves encountering a hedgehog, with nowhere to strike.
Zhang He discussed with other generals and decided to trap Liu Qi in the city, divide the troops to guard each gate and wait for Cao Xiu's decision. If they wanted to break the city, they had to reallocate military equipment.
While they were discussing, Cheng Yu arrived with his troops. By then, it was already dawn in the east. After a fierce battle, Cao's army had lost most of their fighting spirit, but as they were at the gates of the city, their morale was still acceptable.
Zhang He said: "Wancheng is dangerous and strong. We came lightly and have no strength to attack the city. It is better to divide our forces to capture the surrounding cities. Liu Qi will be trapped in the city alone and will die sooner or later."
Cheng Yu stroked his beard and looked at the fully armed defenders on the city wall with a serious expression. He saw that Cao's army did not take advantage of the situation to rush into the city.
He failed at the last moment and couldn't help but sigh inwardly, God really didn't help Cao Gong!
The prerequisite Zhang He mentioned was that there must be sufficient food and equipment, but he didn't know that last night was Cao's army's dinner, and 90% of it was human flesh.
In order to force their way across the Baihe River, all the arrows and weapons had been used up. Now all the Cao army had in reserve was what they had on them.
Just now, an ambush attacked the main camp. I don't know if Cao Xiu can stop it. Although the existence of the main camp has nothing to do with success or failure, once the news comes, the army will be in chaos.
The east was bright with rosy clouds and the sun was about to rise, but Cheng Yu's heart was filled with gloom. He tried his best to calm himself down and think about how to retreat.
At this moment, a man suddenly appeared on the top of the city wall and shouted, "Old thief Cheng Yu, you are cruel to the people, killing innocent people indiscriminately, and using human flesh as military rations. You are simply insane!"
Cheng Yu's heart sank. He looked up and saw that the man was very imposing. He guessed that it was Liu Qi and said calmly, "Liu Qi, you are already trapped in a jar. Don't try to seduce us with words and disrupt the morale of our army."
"You dare to be stubborn, old man?" Liu Qi waved his hand, and a string of bloody heads hung on the city wall. "Look at what this is?"