Chapter 26: Liu Bei has been reborn? Cao Cao: Check! Check it out for me!

"Fengxiao, are you serious about what you said?"

Cao Cao suppressed his surprise and tried to confirm it again.

"It is absolutely true. This is the news that has just arrived. Please take a look, Sikong."

Guo Jia presented the silk book in his hand with a serious expression.

Cao Cao immediately stood up and walked forward, taking it without waiting for Guo Jia to bring it to the table.

Xun Yu also stood up and moved closer.

The silk book clearly records the events of the battle of Chengfu.

There is also a description of Liu Bei sailing out from Haixi into the Huai River, seizing Yuan Shu's food and grass at Xutai, and killing his son Yuan Yao.

After reading it, Cao Cao took a long breath, turned his head and looked at Xun Yu.

At this moment, a strange look flashed across Xun Yu's face.

He actually miscalculated!

Liu Bei did not follow the script he had imagined and surrender to Lu Bu, becoming Lu Bu's minion in his fight against Yuan Shu.

Instead, he used a trick to escape successfully and fled Xuzhou to Runan.

He even used only 3,000 soldiers and horses to almost wipe out 6,000 pursuing troops from Yuan and Lu, and entered Runan with the momentum of a great victory!
"Liu Xuande actually made such a strange move. I really didn't expect it!"

Xun Yu came back to his senses and couldn't help but marvel at it.

"I have to say, this strange move of his is indeed a brilliant move that puts one's life at risk and then saves one's life!"

Guo Jia was also deeply moved, and his words were full of appreciation.

Cao Cao picked up the silk book again and read it carefully.

Then the look of surprise faded, replaced by a deep appreciation.

"Take advantage of Cao Bao and Li Feng's underestimation of the enemy and their arrogance, and use the bait of abandoning baggage and feigning defeat to lure the two generals into reckless pursuit."

"Then we can use the terrain to our advantage, set up an ambush, and defeat the enemy with a smaller force."

"Well, I have to say that Liu Bei's grasp of the enemy's mentality and use of the terrain are indeed just right."

"After three days of absence, Liu Bei has made people look at him with new eyes."

Cao Cao stroked his thin beard, nodded slightly, and an expression of approval appeared on his face.

Guo Jia smiled meaningfully and asked:
"Just one month ago, Liu Bei lost Xuzhou and suffered two disastrous defeats, almost forcing him into a desperate situation."

"Does Sikong really believe that Liu Bei's wisdom and military strategy can be completely transformed in the blink of an eye?"

Cao Cao was stunned and looked at Guo Jia in confusion, unable to understand what was going on for a while.

Xun Yu heard the hidden meaning behind Guo Jia's words and said:

"Sikong, Fengxiao's words make sense. Liu Bei's wisdom and military strategy cannot be so different before and after."

"His series of brilliant moves must have been planned by someone."

Cao Cao finally realized what was happening, but his face turned even more strange:

"Liu Bei's advisers are nothing more than Sun Qian and Jian Yong, and now there is also Mi Zhu."

"These people are just mediocre people. How can they come up with such a brilliant plan for Liu Bei?"

This question stumped both Xun Yu and Guo Jia.

The two were immediately speechless.

"Or maybe Liu Bei has a new adviser who is far more intelligent than Sun Qian and his companions?"

Guo Jia's eyes flickered as he suddenly made this guess.

As soon as he finished speaking, Xun Yu shook his head and said:
"In the area of ​​Xuzhou and Huainan, there are only a few people who can come up with such a wise plan."

"The most likely person is Chen Deng and Chen Yuanlong."

"But this man is a descendant of the Chen family. He did not follow Liu Bei and fled far away. It is obvious that he wanted to stay in Xuzhou and submit to Lu Bu in order to protect the power of the Chen family."

"Besides this, I am ignorant and cannot think of any other famous scholar who could make these two brilliant moves for Liu Bei."

The suspicion in Cao Cao's eyes grew stronger.

Xun Yu was so knowledgeable and had so many connections among the scholars that even he couldn't guess who this person was, let alone others.

"Fengxiao, quickly order the Ministry of Information to send more spies to find out whether Liu Bei has recently acquired any talented people."

"Or find out if there really is such a person."

Cao Cao immediately explained to Guo Jia.

"promise!"

Guo Jia accepted the order, but changed the subject:
"The question now is, Liu Bei has entered Runan, what is his intention?" "Does he want to take advantage of Runan's lack of a ruler and occupy it in order to make a comeback?"

Cao Cao frowned and had many doubts in his mind.

At this time, Runan was already in ruins after the locusts swarmed over by Yuan Shu, and there was not much money to be made from it.

Therefore, he only occupied the northern part of Runan, and Yuan Shu only occupied the cities in the eastern part of Runan.

Most of the southwestern part of Runan is now a no-man's land, occupied and sucked dry by various Runan Yellow Turbans.

Liu Bei went to great lengths to escape from Xuzhou, just to eat such a piece of chicken ribs?
"Liu Bei probably had no other way to go. He took advantage of the fact that Runan had no ruler, so he led the remaining troops there."

"Given the ruins of Runan, even if Liu Bei went there, he would probably be unable to accomplish anything. For the time being, there is no need to worry about it."

"Sikong's strategy does not need to be affected by this. He should still focus on Nanyang first, then go east to take Xuzhou, and when he finally goes south to destroy Yuan Shu, it won't be too late to destroy Liu Bei."

Xun Yu had come back to his senses from Liu Bei's episode and was now back in control of the situation.

Guo Jia also nodded heavily and said:
"Wancheng is too close to Xudu. If we don't take Wancheng, the south of Xudu will always be in turmoil."

"Liu Bei should focus on surveillance, and Sikong should really focus on Zhang Ji's uncle and nephew first."

The two counselors agreed.

Cao Cao no longer hesitated and said happily:
"Okay, let's follow Wen Ruo and Feng Xiao's plan."

"We will first gather food and military supplies. After I settle the emperor, we will immediately go south to destroy Zhang Ji's uncle and nephew and take over Nanyang!"

Changing the subject, Cao Cao looked towards the south with the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

"As for Liu Bei, let him go and gnaw on that piece of chicken ribs in Runan first..."

...

Runan County, east of Xiang County.

Liu Bei was leading 3,000 troops and hundreds of carts loaded with food and military supplies, marching westward along the highway.

"A few miles ahead is the Ying River, and after crossing the Ying River you will reach Xiang County."

"This city is currently occupied by the Yellow Turban leader Liu Pi. My lord, you can first send people across the river to Xiang County to express your intention to recruit him, and then make a decision based on Liu Pi's attitude."

"If it goes as I expected, Liu Pi will most likely cross the river in person to welcome the Lord into Xiang County."

Xiao Fang, riding side by side with Liu Bei, pointed his whip at the distance and described the strengths and weaknesses of Xiang County to Liu Bei as if he knew them all by heart.

Liu Bei nodded slightly and said with emotion:

"Jinglue, you really know the situation in Runan very well. We will do as you say."

Liu Bei immediately planned to send a messenger to Xiang County first.

at this time.

Guan Yu's phoenix eyes suddenly opened, and he looked forward alertly:
"Brother, please slow down your march. There seems to be a battle going on ahead!"

Liu Bei immediately became alert, reined in his horse and looked into the distance.

really.

On the east bank of the Yingshui River, one could vaguely see flags flying, figures moving about, and arrows flashing across the sky from time to time.

It was obvious that a fierce battle was going on.

Liu Bei immediately ordered to stop advancing, deployed 3,000 soldiers to be on alert, and sent out scouts to find out the actual situation.

After a while.

Several scouts came back at a gallop and dismounted from their horses.

"My lord, there are thousands of Yellow Turban soldiers on the river ahead, besieging a merchant caravan of about 800 people."

"The Yellow Turbans are flying the flag with the word 'Liu' on it, and the merchant caravan is flying the flag with the word 'Xu' on it!"

"The Yellow Turban Army has been unable to capture the city for a long time, and the two armies are in a stalemate."

Liu Bei's eyes flashed and a strange look appeared on his face.

The Yellow Turban Army was carrying a flag with the word "Liu" on it, and this place was close to Xiangcheng, so they should be Liu Pi's troops.

The besieged caravan consisted of only 800 people, but they were able to hold out against thousands of Yellow Turban soldiers. They were truly powerful.

"Xu Ziqi... I wonder which hero with the surname Xu has such a talent!"

Liu Bei muttered to himself, his eyes full of speculation and curiosity.

Xiao Fang's eyes turned slightly, but he smiled meaningfully:
"My lord, don't you want to find me a loyal and brave man to be the leader of my guards?"

"It seems that I am lucky. I don't need to look for him anymore. Look, the loyal and brave man came to my door by himself."

Liu Bei was stunned and looked at Xiao Fang with a blank look.

(End of this chapter)