Chapter 81 Three thousand becomes eight thousand? Cao Ren is stunned! The southeast has changed dramatically, Cao Cao has no time to fight us to the death!
Military Advisor Xiao?
Could he be the mysterious military advisor of Liu Bei as rumored?
Could it be that he had anticipated that Cao Sikong would use Guo Jia's strategy and attack Ye County with a light army?

So Liu Bei ordered Zhang Fei to go to Ye County and wait in advance?
Niu Jin's face was distorted in astonishment, and countless shocking thoughts flooded his mind.

"If this is true, there must be a fraud in this city!"

"No, I fell into a trap!"

Niu Jin suddenly woke up, turned around and shouted:

"All troops, listen up and withdraw from Ye County immediately—"

The Cao army soldiers who were rushing forward were caught off guard by Niu Jin's sudden order to withdraw. They were confused and huddled together for a moment.

It's too late.

Zhang Fei sneered and raised his snake spear:
"What are you waiting for? Send out all the ambush troops!"

The order was given and the war drums suddenly sounded.

Thousands of Liu's troops suddenly emerged from the streets and alleys on both sides of the main street and attacked Cao's army from both wings.

The ambush is launched!

In an instant, Cao's army was caught in a situation where it was attacked from both sides.

Rear Army Department.

Cao Ren had just entered the city and had no idea that Zhang Fei was blocking the way ahead, nor did he know that Niu Jin had ordered his troops to withdraw.

Seeing Liu Jun's ambush suddenly, he was not afraid at all. Instead, a hint of expected sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"Don't panic, the enemy has at most 3,000 men and horses, there is nothing to be afraid of!"

"The sword and shield soldiers guard both wings, the spear and halberd soldiers are in the front, keep pushing forward!"

"Crossbowmen, suppress the enemy's crossbows!"

Cao Ren remained calm, blocked the incoming arrows with his sword, and issued several orders.

After a brief panic, Cao's army quickly stabilized its morale.

The troops entering the city lined up along the main street like a long snake, and the swordsmen and shieldmen on both wings protected the flanks like the scales on a snake's body.

In a blink of an eye, Liu Jun's ambush troops rushed in.

The sounds of shields cracking, weapons breaking, and soldiers screaming suddenly became louder.

Cao Ren slashed left and right with his long sword, chopping down Liu Jun's rushing troops in large numbers.

After fighting for a while, he realized something was wrong.

There should be only Liu Pi and three thousand defenders in the city, and the power of the ambush is limited.

But now, Liu Jun's ambush troops are increasing in number, and the number must be at least six or seven thousand!
There are twice as many enemies in Ye County out of nowhere?
Even though Cao's army was elite, they were no match for the overwhelming force and were soon overwhelmed.

"Why are there suddenly so many more soldiers and horses in Ye County?"

Cao Ren's face gradually became filled with surprise and suspicion, and an ominous premonition came over him.

At this time.

The retreating front army collided with the rear army and were caught in a collision and crowding with each other.

Liu's army took advantage of the situation and launched a fierce charge, finally cutting Cao's army in half.

The front army and the rear army were thus separated.

"General Zixiao, there is an enemy general Zhang Fei blocking our way ahead, claiming that Military Advisor Xiao has predicted that we are going to launch a surprise attack on Ye County!"

"My front troops have been cut off by the enemy!"

A lieutenant colonel who managed to rush back shouted at Cao Ren in a trembling voice.

Cao Ren's expression suddenly changed.

At that moment, he was so shocked that he seemed to have heard the most bizarre thing in his life.

"That Xiao Fang predicted that Meng De would attack Ye County?"

"Zhang Fei should be in the south of Nanyang, so why did he suddenly appear in Ye County, the northernmost part of the country?"

"The three thousand defenders in the city became six thousand overnight?"

"Could it be..."

Cao Ren's eyes suddenly widened and he shuddered.

With his wisdom and intelligence, he could connect all the doubts together and figure out the mystery.

It must be Liu Bei's military advisor Xiao Fang who predicted that Cao Cao would send troops to intervene in the battle of Nanyang at this time.

He also predicted that Cao Cao would use Guo Jia's strategy and use a light army to take a shortcut to launch a surprise attack on Ye County.

So he offered a plan to Liu Bei, ordering Zhang Fei to lead reinforcements to the north secretly and enter Ye County first.

Then use the empty city plan to make him mistakenly think that the defenders in the city are bluffing, and lure him into charging into the city.

Then an ambush force twice as large as his size suddenly rushed out and killed him by surprise!
"This Xiao Fang, can he be so smart? Is our every move under his control?"

"How can a humble scholar have such a wise plan?"

Cao Ren suddenly woke up and took a breath of cold air.

"Woooooo~~"

Just as Cao Ren was distracted, a horn sounded outside the city.

More than a thousand soldiers of Liu's army suddenly went around from the north gate to the east gate and attacked the rear of Cao's army.

Liu Pi rode his horse and rushed forward with a sword in hand.

"This military advisor Xiao is far away in Yuyang, yet he knows everything about Cao's army's movements!"

"My lord, with such a great man assisting you, you will surely achieve great things in the future. It seems that we made the right choice by joining my lord..."

Liu Pi was deeply impressed. He then raised his sword and led a thousand infantrymen to attack the rear of Cao's army.

The front and rear of Cao's army were cut off, the rear was outflanked by Liu's army, and the two wings were overwhelmed by the numerically superior Liu's army.

at last.

The morale of this elite Cao army collapsed and they began to flee out of the city.

Looking at the fleeing Cao army, Cao Ren gritted his teeth, his face filled with shame and anger.

When the two of them conquered Xuzhou, Liu Bei was suppressed the whole time and had to hide in the city and did not dare to engage in a head-on confrontation.

Now, after a year, he fought again. He was the number one general of the Cao family, but he was defeated so miserably by Liu Bei's subordinates without Liu Bei having to do anything himself.

What's the face?

"Meng De is right. After Liu Bei got Xiao Fang, he is indeed completely different now..."

Cao Ren was annoyed for a while, but finally he had to accept reality.

After a long sigh, he could only turn his horse and shout:
"Order, the entire army withdraws to Xuchang——"

As soon as the main general withdrew, the morale of Cao's army collapsed and they fled in panic.

Main street.

Zhang Fei was so excited that his eyes were bloodshot and the snake spear in his hand was crackling.

"Liu Pi, you see now, I told you before, just trust the military advisor!"

Zhang Fei smiled triumphantly, and then his murderous intent was burning in his heart.

With a roar, he rode his horse and held spear in hand, and crashed into the fleeing Cao army like a black whirlwind.

Hand up, spear down, hand up, spear down...

Countless Cao's soldiers were chopped to the ground like ants.

Suddenly, a Cao general in front of him appeared in Zhang Fei's bloodshot eyes.

He has a horse and armor, and is accompanied by personal guards carrying the general's flag. He must be General Cao, the commander of the army.

No matter who he is, just kill him first.

"Cao family henchmen, leave your heads for me!"

Zhang Fei's eyes widened, he roared, and rushed forward on his horse as fast as the wind.

Niu Jin, who was running away, was suddenly shocked and his scalp went numb.

Looking back suddenly, I saw Zhang Fei coming towards me like a god of death.

The road ahead was blocked by the fleeing soldiers. He had nowhere to escape and could only fight!
"If we kill Zhang Fei, the enemy's morale will collapse. We might be able to turn defeat into victory and turn the tide!"

Such a bold idea immediately popped up in Niu Jin's mind.

As soon as this thought came to his mind, Niu Jin turned his horse around and shouted angrily:
"How dare you, a butcher, act so arrogantly in front of me? I'll kill you!"

He boasted of his extraordinary martial arts skills and did not take Zhang Fei seriously. He rode his horse and drew his sword to fight him.

In an instant, Zhang Fei rushed to the front.

The snake spear in his hand was as powerful as thunder and as fast as lightning, and it stabbed out quickly.

The stab was so fast that when Niu Jin's long sword was still halfway, the spear tip was already hitting his chest.

"What a fast move!"

"Not good!" Niu Jin's face suddenly changed color, and he realized that Zhang Fei's martial arts was far superior to his. The arrogance on his face instantly turned into horror.

It's too late to regret.

He saw a sudden burst of cold light before his eyes, and the snake spear had pierced his heart.

The blood spear stabbed and retracted.

With a wail, Niu Jin fell off his horse.

"A clay chicken and a clay dog, so vulnerable!"

Zhang Fei snorted disdainfully and cut off Niu Jin's head and tied it up.

Then there was a thunderous roar, and he charged towards the terrified Cao army again with the bloody spear in his hand.

Blood flowed like a river and corpses were everywhere.

Zhang Fei and Liu Pi joined forces and chased the enemy for more than ten miles before withdrawing their troops and returning to the city.

at dusk.

The two generals have already climbed up to the city wall and are looking down at the results of the battle.

From inside the city to outside the city, the bloody road extends far to the east, with no end in sight.

The ground was littered with corpses of Cao's army, as well as countless abandoned armor, flags and drums.

"General Yide, it turns out that the person leading the army is Cao Ren!"

"This man is the best general of the Cao family. If we defeat him, we will be able to severely damage the reputation of the Cao army!"

Liu Pi shouted with joy and excitement.

Zhang Fei laughed loudly and waved his hand:

"Send a quick report to Yuyang and tell my brother that the military advisor's plan has worked!"

"We have already defeated Cao Cao, so let him relax and focus on dealing with Liu Biao!"

A messenger rode south on horseback, bearing news of a great victory.

...

Yuyang City, inside the government hall.

A square-faced military officer has stepped into the hall and is half-kneeling in front of the steps.

"General Wen Pin pays respect to Envoy Liu!"

"If Envoy Liu can put aside our past grudges, I am willing to serve you at your service and do your best to serve you!"

Wen Pin expressed his intention to submit with respect and gratitude on his face.

Liu Bei's face was filled with joy and admiration as he looked back at Xiao Fang beside him.

As Xiao Fang expected, after Wen Pin was no longer tied down by his family, he came from Bainiu Town and surrendered to him.

Wen Pin is the number one military general in northern Jingzhou, and also the most prestigious and high-ranking hero who has come to Jingzhou to submit to him so far.

How could Liu Bei not be extremely happy at this time?

"Ahem, congratulations, my lord, you have gained a great general."

Xiao Fang beside him smiled and bowed to remind him.

Liu Bei then came to his senses, hurriedly stood up, went down the stairs, and helped Wen Pin up.

"If I can get Zhongye, Jingzhou can be conquered!"

"Come here, bring some wine. I want to drink a thousand cups with Zhongye!"

Liu Bei patted Wen Pin on the shoulder as if he had found a treasure.

Fine wine is served.

Liu Bei personally poured a cup and handed it to Wen Pin, then said with a generous smile:
"Come on, Wenpin, let's drink this cup to the full!"

"The past is all in this wine. From now on, we will fight side by side and revive the Han Dynasty!"

Liu Bei raised his head and drank it all in one gulp.

At this time, Wen Pin was also moved by Liu Bei's magnanimity and respect, and the worries in his heart disappeared.

The words "fight side by side and revive the Han Dynasty" seemed to awaken some long-buried belief deep in his heart.

As a minister of the Han Dynasty, I have a sincere heart to serve my country.

However, since Liu Biao took control of Jingzhou, he has been only focused on guarding this small piece of land, and has no ambition to support the Han Dynasty and rebuild the country.

In Wen Pin's heart, the passion to support the country had to be put aside.

Today, the new master before him has rekindled his long-dormant ambition.

"This Liu Xuande is different from Liu Biao and his vassal lords..."

Such thoughts emerged in Wen Ping's mind.

Then he drank the wine in the glass, clasped his fists and said:

"I finally met a wise master today. I will go through fire and water for him and never refuse!"

Liu Bei smiled proudly, then pulled Wen Pin to sit down and held a banquet to welcome him.

After the banquet was set up, Wen Pin couldn't help but ask:
"My lord, who is Xiao Jinglue, the military advisor?"

At this moment, he naturally couldn't wait to meet the legendary figure who was so resourceful that he could fool Kuai Yue, the number one strategist in Jingzhou.

"This is Xiao Jinglue."

Liu Bei smiled and raised his hand and pointed at Xiao Fang.

Wen Pin looked Xiao Fang up and down and couldn't help but show surprise, as he didn't expect that the legendary military advisor Xiao would be so young.

"Ping has lived in Nanyang for a long time, but he didn't know that there is a man like Xiao Junshi in Yiyang who can assist the king. He is really blind!"

"Jingzhou has a rare talent like Military Advisor Xiao, but Liu Jingsheng doesn't know how to use him. How can he not be defeated?"

Wen Pin sighed in admiration and then raised his glass in a toast.

Xiao Fang raised his glass in greeting, but smiled modestly:
"During the battle of Yuyang, Fang Lue used a strategy of sowing discord, causing General Zhongye to suffer injustice. Don't blame me."

Wen Pin was shocked, and only then did he understand that Zhang Yun's false accusation against him that day was actually Xiao Fang's trick.

"Military Advisor Xiao has come up with so many ingenious ideas that I am truly impressed."

"If it weren't for the military advisor's plan, how could Ping Yan have come to his senses and how could he have had the chance to submit to such a wise leader as the Lord."

"It's Military Advisor Xie who should be hired. How dare I blame him?"

After learning the truth, Wen Pin not only had no complaints, but was extremely grateful to Xiao Fang.

After talking it out, everyone put aside their past grudges and no longer had any grudges.

Next, Xiao Fang proposed that Wen Pin persuade Deng Ji to surrender, and that Liu Bei should take over Xinye with the help of both internal and external forces.

Wen Pin naturally agreed immediately. He wrote a letter on the spot and sent his confidant to Xinye to meet Deng Ji.

The plan to capture Xinye is now complete.

"My Lord, good news from Ye County!"

"General Zhang used the military advisor's strategy in Ye County to defeat Cao Ren and killed his general Niu Jin in battle!"

Just at this moment, Chen Dao rushed into the hall excitedly and delivered a piece of good news.

The already heated atmosphere in the lobby immediately reached its peak.

Everyone's surprised eyes turned to Xiao Fang.

"Cao Cao really did send troops to attack Nanyang, and he really did send Cao Ren to lead a light army to attack!"

"The military advisor's strategy of using an empty city to lure the enemy is truly a stroke of genius!"

After reading the detailed battle report, Liu Bei exclaimed in admiration and looked at Xiao Fang with joy.

Xiao Fangze remained calm as usual, and just smiled faintly:
"There is no threat in the north for now. Deng Ji has made his move. Now you can focus on taking Xinye and drinking from the Han River."

Liu Bei was greatly encouraged.

The counselors and generals in the hall were also greatly encouraged and the atmosphere was exciting.

"Military Advisor Xiao is truly a brilliant thinker. His plan to defeat Cao Ren is also brilliant."

After reading the detailed battle report, Wen Pin was impressed.

The forward then changed the subject, but his face showed some worry:
"However, Cao Cao only lost 5,000 soldiers and horses, and was not seriously injured. Will he really be frightened and give up on invading Nanyang?"

Inside the mansion hall, everyone's excited mood could not help but calm down.

Liu Bei also calmed down, frowned slightly, and turned to Xiao Fang:

"Jinglue, what Zhongye said makes sense. Cao Cao is still stronger than Liu Biao. Can the loss of only 5,000 soldiers really make him give up invading Nanyang?"

Everyone's eyes were focused on Xiao Fang again.

Xiao Fang pointed his wine glass towards the east and sneered:
"My lord, don't worry. If Fang's calculations are correct, there will be a dramatic change in the southeast, and Cao Cao will have no time to look south!"

(End of this chapter)