Chapter 352 The serial plan
Xudu, autumn is about to begin.

It was a cold night, and Cao Cao sat on the couch wearing a cloak, picking between his toes with his right hand.

I felt comfortable buttoning and felt relieved. Most of the inexplicable or known pressure was gone.

The military intelligence sent by Man Chong was placed on the table in front of him, along with the military intelligence about Xu Huang's rebellion in Chenliu.

He knew without much thought that if Xu Huang's rebellion was not quickly put down, the counties of Chenliu would follow suit and rebel.

Previously, Cao Ren's massacre of Yang Zhai put an end to the trend of large-scale defection, and now Xu Huang will reignite this trend.

If the entire Chenliu County rebelled, the other counties in Yanzhou would also be lost.

With Yanzhou in chaos, how could the core counties and kingdoms of Yuzhou be immune?

It's like a dam breaking, and we can't let this trend go unchecked.

But the problem is also obvious. If the troops stationed around Xudu are transferred...without the deterrence of the main camp, will the transferred troops rebel halfway?

The harm caused by military rebellion is more serious than that caused by county rebellion.

While Cao Cao was scratching his toes in thought, Xu Chu's footsteps were heard outside the door: "Mingsir, Mr. Wenhe is here."

"I'll meet him in the side hall."

Cao Cao jumped off the bed. He had been under a lot of mental stress in the past few months. He ate little and had become noticeably thinner.

He washed his hands in the water vat in front of the door, dried them on his cloak, and went to the side hall in the front yard.

Inside the house, there are large chest-high water tanks in every suitable place where they can be placed.

The large water tanks that were suddenly placed here certainly had a purpose. In addition to putting out fires, the stored water could also save lives.

In the side hall of the front yard, Jia Xu was using a wooden splinter to poke the oil lamp to make the room brighter.

Cao Cao entered from the side door. Jia Xu put down the wooden thorn, stepped back a few steps and bowed: "Mingsir."

"Mr. Wenhe has come so late at night, he must have some teachings to give, please take a seat."

Cao Cao extended his arms to invite him, and Jia Xu did not refuse. He sat down at the head of the table with Cao Cao.

Xu Chu brought in a candlestick, and the upper area became much brighter.

After the servants served the simple dishes and left, Jia Xu said, "Mingsir, the war in the East China Sea should have changed."

"That's what I expected, sir, what's your plan?"

"There is no magic trick. All strategies must be implemented according to the circumstances."

Jia Xu said calmly, "In my opinion, we can mobilize the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry to sail down to the East China Sea at night. The East China Sea army must implement two secret plans."

Cao Cao thought for a moment: "Two secret plans? One is to withdraw the troops, and the other is to set an ambush to attack Chang Xi's pursuers?"

"Exactly."

Jia Xu's face was expressionless. "Now the morale of the army is difficult to control, and we need a victory urgently. It is difficult to keep secret how the soldiers of Donghai carry out their strategies. Therefore, we will withdraw the troops secretly first, and then set up an ambush with foreign troops. This cannot be hidden from Chang Xi. Chang Xi admires Liu Xuande and has always been a strong man. He will naturally send troops to pursue in order to expand the victory."

When the ambush tactics are exposed and the ambushes are attacked, they will inevitably be very vulnerable.

When Chang Xi attacked the ambush, his formation was also dispersed; at this time, Cao Chun's Tiger and Leopard Cavalry arrived and were able to launch a fatal blow.

Whether it is inflicting heavy damage to Chang Xi or killing him in battle or capturing him, it can intimidate Qing Xu for a period of time.

Xiahou Yuan's troops will have greater cohesion and morale because of this victory. If such an army goes to Chenliu, at least the probability of mutiny or collapse along the way will be lower.

As long as the Xudu army is as stable as Mount Tai, the morale of the external armies can be maintained at a certain level.

Therefore, the troops stationed in Xudu could not move unless it was the most critical moment.

This army can only be mobilized when the decisive battle comes.

As for when is the right time for the decisive battle?

We have to wait until late August, when the Qinling Mountains will most likely be plagued by autumn rains, making the transportation of materials and troop mobilization much more difficult.

After repeatedly confirming this news, it would be mid-September when the decisive battle breaks out. In mid-September, Cao's army, which is mainly infantry and has relatively sufficient armor reserves, will gain many battlefield advantages.

Since the main force in Guanzhong did not participate in the war, Cao Cao and his soldiers actually had the confidence to defeat Liu Bei.

This kind of confidence is very fulfilling.

After Jia Xu finished speaking, Cao Cao closed his eyes and thought, concentrating on deducing this tactic.

The only way to curb the negative influence of Xu Huang's betrayal is to transfer Xiahou Yuan.

Directly transferring Xiahou Yuan away would cause the situation in Qingxu to deteriorate, and Zang Ba might even tear off his mask of loyalty.

Therefore, by taking advantage of the need to mobilize Xiahou Yuan, Chang Xi was made to believe that Xiahou Yuan was really going to withdraw his troops; the ambush was only to enhance the authenticity of the withdrawal information, so that Chang Xi would firmly believe it and go out of the city to attack in a very fanatical and rash manner.

Then it was simple. Use Chang Xi's head to stabilize the situation in Qingxu and enhance the morale of Xiahou Yuan's army.

Given Chang Xi's character, he might not believe you if you simply withdraw your troops; if Jia Xu dispatches the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry to act as assassins, then this fatal blow will be something Chang Xi will not be able to withstand.

Chang Xi has an intelligent side, a brave and tenacious side, and also a strange sense of responsibility.

Those who followed Liu Bei all had similar character traits.

Therefore, Cao Cao became more and more certain that Chang Xi was doomed.

If it were Zang Ba, he wouldn't care whether you withdraw your troops or not, he would just keep his head down and take care of his own business.

Chang Xi would help Liu Bei consider the overall situation, so Chang Xi dared to take the lead in rebelling after the summer harvest.

Cao Cao was certain that Chang Xi would die, as he was well aware of the destructive power of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry when they charged.

Even if Lu Bu were resurrected, he would be hit and trampled to death by the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry.

As long as Chang Xi appeared on the battlefield, under the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry's charge tactics, Chang Xi would be trampled to death in the chaos by the Tiger Cavalry no matter if he resisted or fled, or if he was lucky he could keep his head intact.

Or they would be chased and killed by the Leopard Cavalry while fleeing.

For some reason, Cao Cao felt a little sorry for Chang Xi, but this thought flashed through his mind and then disappeared without a trace.

Not to mention Chang Xi, even if Guan Yu stood in front of him, he would want to chop him to death in order to cut off Liu Bei's arm.

Cao Cao's thoughts gradually came to a head, and he asked, "The East China Sea is far away. If something changes in an instant, how can you and I, who are far away in the imperial court, respond?"

"My Lord, do you mean that I and Zihe will travel together?"

"Yes, Mr. Wenhe's plan is a sure win. But if you can go to the front line yourself, it will be absolutely safe."

As Cao Cao spoke, he raised the wine cup and gestured, Jia Xu also raised the wine cup, and the two of them drank from the same cup.

At this time, Xu Chu stepped forward and knelt on one knee to add more wine for the two of them.

Cao Cao continued: "First we should fight in Donghai, then in Chenliu. If we win these two battles, the people's hearts will be firmly established, and we can confront Liu Bei calmly."

Cao Ren was besieged in Xiangcheng. Not to mention a few months, with Xiangcheng's grain reserves, Cao Ren could only hold out until next autumn!

Not to mention next year, with Liu Bei's poor logistics, if he can't get supplies locally, this winter will be difficult to endure.

Liu Bei is just difficult to deal with, not invincible.

The real factor that made Cao's army fearful, their fighting spirit collapsed, and they each sought a way to retreat was the soldiers from Guanzhong; as long as they could drag the army to Huainan and wash away the bad influence of their own killing of the emperor, the mental burden of all levels would be lifted by more than half, and the long-term low and collapsed morale would return to normal.

By that time, even if the general wanted to turn against his own side, it would be difficult for him to bring down the entire army.

As long as it drags on, their advantage will only grow.

After being able to repel Liu Bei, all parties united would naturally not be afraid of the Guanzhong troops.

If the troops from Guanzhong dare to attack the Central Plains, then Jingzhou and Hebei will send troops to harass them.

Yuan Shang and Liu Biao, father and son, had no choice but to contribute as they were interdependent.

(End of this chapter)