Vol 2 Chapter 2807: Cao Cao’s choice, the Five Tigers of New Liangshan

Chapter 2807 Cao Cao’s choice, the New Liangshan Five Tigers

Chapter 2803: Cao Cao’s choice, the New Liangshan Five Tigers

Whether it is official history or romance, Xiahou Dun's status in Cao Cao's heart is a very special existence.

 In official history, as long as Cao Cao leads the army, Xiahou Dun will always exist among those who guard the rear area for him.

In the novel, Xiahou Dun's record is really hard to describe, but he didn't win a few battles and was not punished, but he never stopped being promoted, which is simply outrageous.

This shows that in Cao Cao's heart, Xiahou Dun is a cousin on the surface, but in fact he is closer than a full brother.

So now that he learned that Xiahou Dun died in battle, how could Cao Cao not be devastated.

After crying for a while, Cao Cao suppressed the grief in his heart and asked: "How did Yuan Rang die? There are obviously no strong generals in the Qin army. Why did the four of you join forces and still be defeated by the Qin army?"

 After hearing this, the three generals Tantaiyu, Cao Chun, and Xia Houyuan told Cao Cao their experiences in the Wuchao War.

When he learned that among the 30,000 Qin army pursuing troops, in addition to Zhang Dingbian and Qin Wu, there were actually more than a dozen generals, and even Zhang Liao later pursued him personally, even Cao Cao, who was used to being thick and dark, couldn't bear it. He yelled: "Shameless".

Zhang Liao knew that the lineup of Qin army generals was not as good as that of Wei army in terms of high-end combat power, so he used quantity to make up for quality.

He just said that his own Tantaiyu alone could stop Zhang Dingbian and Qin Wu. Who could the Qin army send to resist Xiahou Dun and Kagutu? It turned out that they relied on numbers to fight in groups.

Xiahou Dun was beaten by four generals: Xu Huang, Zhang He, Yu Jin, and Gao Shun before he finally died under Zhang Liao's sword.

As for Kagutu, it was even worse. He was besieged by five generals: Lu Junyi, Lin Chong, Guan Sheng, Qin Ming, and Huyanzhuo. Although he took Huyanzhuo as his back before he died, how could he be compared with the God of War, who was a mere junior general? .

However, Kagutu at least had someone as a backer, and Tantaiyu and Xiahouyuan also had records of killing generals. Only Xiahoudun only killed Qin soldiers at all levels until his death, and only wounded Xu Huang. His record is really a bit disappointing for his status as the God of War.

However, Cao Cao naturally didn't care about this. All he cared about was his cousin Xiahou Dun. Even though his arm was cut off, he still fought to the end, preferring to die in battle rather than be captured, and was finally killed.

　　Why didn’t Xiahou Dun want to be captured alive? Naturally, he didn't want to become a bargaining chip for Da Qin to blackmail Cao Cao.

 After realizing this, Cao Cao cried even more sadly.

"Yuan Rang, why are you so stupid? You died for me, Cao Cao..."

Seeing that Cao Cao was getting more and more sad as he cried, Cao Chun, Xia Houyuan, and Cao Hong on one side all burst into tears.

After crying, Cao Cao's scarlet eyes were full of hatred. He stood up and walked out, shouting orders: "Come here, order the whole army to assemble. I will fight Zhang Liao to the death to avenge Yuan Rang."

As soon as these words came out, not only the two great counselors Fan Li and Cheng Yu, but also Xia Houyuan and Cao Chun changed their faces. It was obvious that they all knew that the Wei army had just abandoned their official residence. A decisive battle with the Qin army at this time was tantamount to seeking death.

"Lord, please be more sensible. The decisive battle is still open to discussion."

 “I am very sensible now.”

“But my lord, a decisive battle now is like hitting an egg against a stone.”

“With the blessing of the spirit of Yuan Rang in the sky, this battle will be won.”

 “Lord…”

Fan Li, Xiahou Yuan and others all came forward to persuade Cao Cao, hoping that Cao Cao could take back his life. However, because of Xiahou Dun's death, Cao Cao had lost his mind and would not listen to these words.

"That's enough. I have made up my mind. I will fight Zhang Liao to the death tomorrow..."

Before he could say the word "war", Cao Cao received a knife blow on his neck, and then he fainted.

The person who knocked him unconscious was the eldest son Cao Ang, and the reason he knew how to do it was actually because of Fan Li.

Seeing that he could not persuade Cao Cao, Fan Li winked at Cao Ang. After Cao Ang understood, he knocked out his father to stop his irrational behavior.

After Cao Ang caught the fainted Cao Cao, he said to everyone: "Uncles, because of the death of uncle Xiahou, my father lost his mind, so he did this. Please forgive me."

Cao Cao was sometimes swayed by his emotions and did things that even he regretted, such as killing Lu Boshe's family, massacre of Xuzhou, forcibly marrying the Zou family, and killing Hua Tuo.

After Cao Cao regained his senses, even if he felt extremely regretful, he would only acknowledge his mistakes and correct them, but he would never admit them.

This is naturally a shortcoming for ordinary people, but it is a bright spot for Cao Cao, a hero of his generation. It shows that he learned a lesson and grew up from this last mistake, and will not make the same mistake again. Somersaulted.

 Cao Cao in the original history had a weak opponent and a deep foundation, so he naturally had the capital of trial and error.

 But today's Cao Cao has an extremely powerful opponent and his own foundation is extremely shallow. He only has ten counties in Yanzhou, so he naturally has no capital for trial and error.

Now that the three-pronged Qin army is attacking Wei, a slightly bigger mistake could put Cao Cao in danger, let alone a direct decisive battle with Zhang Liao, which would be such a fatal mistake.

Seeing this, everyone felt relieved. After all, there is a difference between king and minister. Even if the lord loses his mind and gives random orders, they, as ministers, must obey them. But if the person who knocked out the lord and stopped him is the eldest son, then he will be the same as the eldest son. They don't matter anymore.

Half a day later, Cao Cao woke up, and Cao Ang immediately apologized. However, Cao Cao, who regained his senses, did not blame him. After all, he was indeed not rational at the time, and his son was right to knock him out.

After Cao Cao woke up, he immediately summoned Fan Li and Cheng Yu to discuss what to do next. Looking at Cao Cao who looked calm on the surface, but still had hatred in his eyes, Fan Li knew that Cao Cao had regained his senses and at least he would not mess up again.

"It seems that the lord already has a choice in his mind." Fan Li said with a sigh.

"Yes."

Cao Cao nodded, then shook his head and said: "No, I should have made my choice a long time ago, but I kept escaping, thinking that there was still a way out.

Ke Yuan Rang's death made me completely wake up. There is no way out at all. It's just that I am deceiving myself. "

It’s not that Cao Cao didn’t know how big the gap between Qin and Wei was, and it’s not that he didn’t know that surrender was the best choice for him and the Cao family, but he just couldn’t let go of the power in his hands, nor the ambition in his heart. This was also why he The ultimate expression of selfishness in character.

 Therefore, in terms of resisting Qin, he deliberately did not do anything absolutely so that some people would think that there was room for relaxation between Qin and Wei.

 Qin and Wei were related by marriage. Cao Cao and the Qin Emperor were sworn brothers, and they were also Ying Hao's father-in-law.

So, as long as Cao Cao doesn't do everything right and surrenders, Ying Hao will definitely leave him a way to survive, and as long as Cao Cao doesn't die, everything is possible.

It is precisely with this idea that there are obviously a large number of surrender factions in Wei State, but they do not dare to be too obvious and radical. After all, it is possible to be a minister with Cao Cao in the future, in case Cao Cao is offended. If he dies, what will happen if he holds grudges and takes revenge on himself in the future?

 But in fact, this was just Cao Cao's strategy. He never considered surrendering to Da Qin at all.

 This is Cao Cao, a selfish and shrewd hero.

Until he was truly cornered, Cao Cao would never consider surrendering, but if he was truly cornered, it would be too late for him to consider surrendering.

Cao Cao just wanted to use this method of boiling frogs in warm water to ease internal conflicts, but Xiahou Dun's death completely woke him up and made him understand that although Da Qin gave him two ways, there was always only one way for him. , he can no longer deceive himself.

In fact, when Cao Shuang, Cao De, Cao Yin, Xiahou Feng and others died in the battle, Cao Cao should have understood this truth, but he still chose to deceive himself and others, until Xiahou Dun, who had the best relationship, died in the battle, that heartbreaking feeling, Only then did he finally wake up.

At this thought, Cao Cao's heart changed. He knew that doing so was extremely selfish and irresponsible, and would even be opposed by many blood relatives, but he had no choice.

I have to say that although Cao Cao regained his sanity, Xiahou Dun's death still had a great impact on him, and he was completely on the road of no return because he had not made up his mind because of fear.

Cao Cao looked at the map of Yanzhou hanging on the wall and said in a deep voice: "Two military advisors, should our army rely on Chen Liu and continue to defend? Or should we abandon the west and retreat to the east?"

Fan Li and Cheng Yu looked at each other, and Cheng Yu said: "Whether we rely on Chen Liu to continue our defense, or we abandon Chen Liu and retreat to the east, there are pros and cons for us, the Wei Dynasty."

Afterwards, Fan Li talked about the advantages and disadvantages respectively. It was nothing more than defending Chenliu. Although it could continue to consume the Qin army, it would have certain risks. While abandoning Chenliu and retreating to the east was safe, it would greatly reduce the power of the Wei army. War potential.

Taken together, each has its own pros and cons. As for how to choose, Cao Cao needs to make the decision himself.

If the losses of Chen Liu's Qin army were too great, Cao Cao would definitely abandon Chen Liu without hesitation, because the troops were too weak, even if they could continue to defend the fortified city, they would not achieve the purpose of consuming the Qin army.

But because Cao Cao voluntarily abandoned Guandu, and although the Wei army lost 7,500 troops due to the cutoff, as well as the two generals Xiahou Dun and Kagutu, the losses to the main army were not significant.

In addition, although Baima City in Dongjun was lost, Puyang City is still strong, and there is no risk of falling for the time being.

Furthermore, as Cao Cao abandoned Guandu, the Wei army's defense line completely shrank back. Even if Puyang City was lost, Cao Cao could respond in time, and he would not be unable to react in time if he was cut off.

 So, after weighing the pros and cons, Cao Cao was still reluctant to give up Chenliu and decided to continue to defend Chenliu first. If Puyang was really going to fall, it would not be too late for him to abandon Chenliu and retreat to the eastern region.

It has to be said that Jia Xu's control over people's hearts has reached a terrifying level, and Cao Cao's choice was completely expected by him.

 Cao Cao obviously knows that it is impossible to win by relying on defense alone. Now, under the fierce attack of the Qin Dynasty, it is difficult for the Wei State to even protect itself. New forces must be introduced to relieve the pressure on Cao Wei. At present, only the Demon Sect in the Central Plains has this strength.

“Military advisor, the Demon Sect still doesn’t want to end, will you join our Three Kingdoms Alliance to fight against Qin?” Cao Cao asked.

Fan Li shook his head and said: "The demon sects are all people who don't see rabbits and don't let go of hawks. You can't impress them just by relying on invisible and intangible promises."

“These short-sighted guys, don’t they know that once the Three Kingdoms Alliance collapses and allows Great Qin to occupy the Central Plains, they will be expelled from the Central Plains sooner or later, and everything they have in the Central Plains will not be preserved?” Cao Cao gritted his teeth and said bitterly.

Fan Li did not respond this time. After all, if the Demon Sect has an overall view and a long-term vision, is it still a Demon Sect?

“Well, since inducements don’t work, let’s think of a way or set up a trap to drag the Demon Sect into the water.

 When they really fall into the quagmire of the Central Plains, they will not be able to get out if they want to.

By the way, Shen Gongbao, the national advisor of the Song Dynasty, and Niu Hong, the son of Niu Mowang, are two good entry points. Perhaps through these two people, the Demon Sect can be dragged into the water. "

Cao Cao said with a sneer, and Fan Li nodded after thinking for a moment.

 At the same time, Yingchuan County, Yingyin County, and the Qin Army’s camp.

Ying Hao has already received the news that Cao Cao voluntarily abandoned Guandu and retreated eastward, as well as the news that two of the Liangshan Five Tigers were killed in the battle of Wuchao, and that Yang Xiong and Yang Zhi were also injured.

The number of high-end generals in the middle route army is not large, and the Liangshan Five Tigers are missing two more, which will undoubtedly affect the overall combat strength, so replacement generals must be selected as soon as possible.

 (End of this chapter)