Let's not talk about Li Jing first, and then go back to Wancheng.

After the first confrontation, Cao Cao and Wang Kai also fought fiercely again on the second day, but the result ended in a draw, after all, the strength of the two sides was basically equal, and Cao Cao's weakness was not immediately apparent.

In the next few days, Cao Cao and Wang Kai also fought a few more battles, but the result still ended in a draw.

The fifteenth day of the confrontation between King Cao.

When Cao Cao had a premonition that his military inferiority was about to be exposed, he immediately closed his camp and made a complete truce.

Wang Kai saw that Cao Jun was closed, and he could only stand still in Wancheng.

Besides, after Cao Cao avoided the battle, he immediately summoned his subordinates and said: "Everyone, after these few days of repeated battles, I am afraid that the inferiority of our army is about to be exposed, and it is very unwise to continue to fight Wang Kai, do you have a plan to divide Wang Kai's army?" ”

Hearing this, the generals didn't have anything to say, only Xun You and Cheng Yu thought about it.

After a while, Xun Yu said to Cao Cao: "Lord, the minister has a plan. ”

"Gongda, come on!"

"Lord, isn't Wang Kai boasting of helping Liu Biao? And Zhang Xiu nominally belongs to Liu Biao, as long as we let Zhang Xiu get out of Liu Biao, then Wang Kai's name is not right, and if the name is not right, there is no reason to stay, and our army can attack Zhang Xiu and take Wancheng. ”

"Gong Da is counting this in seconds! But there is still a little bit left, I can use the edict of the Son of Heaven to ask Liu Biao to send troops to assist our army, and allow Liu Biao to take over Wancheng, so that Wang Kai will retreat. ”

Xun You listened to Cao Cao's supplement and praised it greatly.

The plan was decided, and Cao Cao immediately sent someone to Xu Du to seek the edict of the Son of Heaven.

At this time, Wang Kai was completely ignorant of the crisis.

A few days later.

Cao Cao's envoys entered Xudu and immediately found Cao Ang and Xun Yu and conveyed Cao Cao's will to them.

When Xun Yu learned that Cao Cao sought the Son of Heaven to give Liu Biao an edict, he understood the deep meaning of Cao Cao's move after a little thought.

Subsequently, Xun Yu immediately made a statement to Cao Ang and asked him to meet the Son of Heaven immediately.

When Cao Ang met the Son of Heaven, he immediately said to Liu Xie: "Your Majesty, my father asks Your Majesty to issue an edict ordering Jingzhou Mu Liu Biao to go north to attack Zhang Xiu. ”

Because Liu Xie didn't know that Wang Kai was fighting Cao Cao in Wancheng, he thought about it and felt that there was nothing wrong with it, so he immediately issued an edict.

Cao Ang, who received the edict, immediately sent an envoy to Xiangyang.

Another few days.

When Liu Biao in Xiangyang City received the edict from the Son of Heaven, he couldn't calm down for a long time with the edict, because the content of the edict hit his weakness, and it was just an expedient measure for him to recruit Zhang Xiu, after all, the Jingzhou soldiers shot Zhang Xiu's uncle Zhang Ji, and he didn't have to send food to Zhang Xiu anymore if he could get Cao Cao's help.

Subsequently, Liu Biao immediately summoned the ministers and told the contents of the edict of the Son of Heaven.

The ministers were all very excited when they heard this, but Kuai Liang was worried, because he had already realized that this edict of the Son of Heaven was a trick by Cao Cao.

Although Kuai Liang saw through it, he didn't dare to say it in front of the ministers, because what Liu Biao held was the edict of the Son of Heaven after all, so he could only meet Liu Biao alone and then persuade him.

Besides, after Liu Biao read the edict of the Son of Heaven to the ministers, he decided to act in accordance with the edict.

After hearing this, the ministers also agreed, but Kuai Liang was the only one who did not speak.

When Liu Biao saw Kuai Liang's melancholy face and did not say a word, his joy suddenly diluted a little, after all, Kuai Liang was his right-hand man, and Kuai Liang's opinion was very important.

Immediately after, Liu Biao announced the adjournment of the meeting and left Kuai Liang alone.

After only Liu Biao and Kuai Liang were left in the lobby of the State Pastoral Mansion, Liu Biao asked: "Zirou, why did you look sad just now?" ”

"My lord, this edict of the Son of Heaven is a poisonous plan of Cao Cao's envoy."

Suddenly hearing Kuai Liang say this, Liu Biao was also startled.

Immediately after, Liu Biao hurriedly asked: "Zirou, where did you start with this?" ”

"Lord, the Son of Heaven doesn't know that Wang Zhenxi is in Wancheng, but don't we know yet? Cao Cao pretended to let my Jingzhou army go to recover Wancheng in the name of the Son of Heaven, firstly, so that Wang Zhenxi had no reason to garrison Wancheng, and secondly, he also tied my Jingzhou army to the chariot of Cao's army. ”

After hearing Kuai Liang's words, Liu Biao suddenly replied: "Zirou, I only realized that I was fooled after listening to your words, but after all, Cao Cao was pretending to be an edict issued by the Son of Heaven, if I don't obey, I am afraid that Cao Cao will definitely charge me with rebellion." ”

"My lord, now that you have received the edict, we now only have two choices."

"Which two options?"

"First, to completely join the Cao army's camp to fight against Wang Zhenxi, the advantage is that there is a chance to take Wancheng to protect the gateway of Jingzhou, and the disadvantage is that it completely breaks with Wang Zhenxi, and I am afraid that the things of the next two transactions will not be obtained."

"Second, when he sent troops to Wancheng, he secretly reported to Wang Zhenxi, the advantage is that he can continue to make friends with Wang Zhenxi, and the latter two transactions can be carried out as usual, and the disadvantage is that he is suspected of disobeying orders and offending Cao Cao."

After hearing this, Liu Biao was immediately in a dilemma and said: "This... Isn't there the best of both worlds? No matter if I offend Wang Zhenxi or Cao Sikong, I don't want to. ”

"Lord, since you have received the edict, there is no way to retreat, either join the Cao army camp, or befriend Wang Zhenxi, you have no other choice."

After hearing this, Liu Biao was immediately entangled to death, because no matter which party he offended, he was very uncomfortable.

Kuai Liang saw that Liu Biao was entangled, and he couldn't help it, after all, Liu Biao received the holy decree, if he didn't take it, there was still room for Zhou Xuan, and he could only choose one of the two.

After Liu Biao was entangled for a long time, he suddenly said: "Zirou, after all, Cao Cao represents the Han court, and I can only be sorry for Wang Zhenxi." ”

"Lord, since you have made a decision, then we must immediately join forces with Cao Sikong to seize Wancheng."

"Zirou, now that the soldiers and horses of Nanjun have basically been dispatched, and the remaining 20,000 elites still need to protect Xiangyang, what should I do to send troops?"

"Lord, there are still 50,000 elites in Chaoyang County, we can send a general to lead 30,000 troops from the waterway north to Wancheng, and at the same time, we will transfer the troops from Jingnan to Chaoyang to station."

"Zirou, dispatch Chaoyang soldiers and horses, what about Ji Lingjun in Huyang County?"

"My lord, Ji Ling has lost the ability to continue to forge ahead after a defeat in Chaoyang, and Chaoyang's 20,000 soldiers and horses are enough to resist a period of Jingnan's troops to go north."

"Let me think again! If the rising sun is lost, then Xiangyang is not guaranteed. ”

"Lord, if it's too late, it will change!"

Seeing Kuai Liang say this, Liu Biao thought for a while and finally made up his mind and said, "Zirou, in your opinion, who stays in Chaoyang?" Who led the troops north? ”

"The lord can send Liu Pangongzi, General Huang Zhong and my brother to the north, and there are General Cai Mao, General Zhang Yun and General Wen Ping in Chaoyang County, which is enough to resist the siege of Ji Ling's army."

Liu Biao thought about it carefully and finally agreed.

Then, Liu Biao immediately sent a letter to Chaoyang County.

As Cai Mao and others received Liu Biao's letter, Liu Pan immediately reorganized his army and took Huang Zhong, Kuai Yue and 30,000 soldiers and horses to the north by boat.

As for Cai Mao, he also ordered Wen Ping to strengthen the city defense of Chaoyang County, after all, he was a little weak with only 20,000 soldiers and horses left.

When the Jingzhou army was dispatched, Ji Ling also found Yang Hong and said to him: "Yang Changshi, now that Wancheng is in battle, I intend to go north to seize Wuyin County and wait for the opportunity. ”

"General Ji, what about Huyang County?"

"Huyang can be handed over to Zhang Liao and Gao Shun to lead 10,000 soldiers and horses to garrison."

Yang Hong thought about Ji Ling's proposal and finally agreed.

Subsequently, Ji Ling left Zhang Liao, Gao Shun and 10,000 soldiers and horses to garrison Huyang, while he took Lu Bu, Wei Yue and more than 20,000 soldiers and horses to Wuyin County in the north.