Cao Cao's troops were also assembled at Chaoguandu.

Yuan Xi sent the Fengshen Wing Dragon to the front line of Guandu to investigate the enemy's situation.

With its intelligence, it can completely do silent investigation and truthfully report back the situation on the front line. There are times when animals are more reliable than people, they have no scheming, no other purpose but loyalty to their owners.

The Aeolian pterosaur flew to Guandu, where it stayed for a few days, taking in all the surrounding terrain.

Cao Cao's troops were also in full view of him.

Five days later.

Yuan Xi's army arrived in Puyang and joined Gao Lan's army.

Fengshen pterosaur also investigated the situation of Guandu clearly and made a detailed report to Yuan Xi.

Puyang Mansion.

As soon as Yuan Xi arrived, he convened the civil and military personnel to discuss the matter.

Behind him hung more than a dozen maps, one of which was dedicated to the terrain of Guandu.

Yuan Xi pointed to a mountain range on the map: "According to the information I received, Cao Cao has 20,000 troops stationed here. This location is very crucial, and it is the main road from Guandu to Xuzhou. To be precise, it is the main road from west to east, leading to Xuzhou. Cao Cao occupied this place, not only could he get the support of soldiers and horses, money and grain from Xu and Yangzhou, but also galloped to the aid of Xuzhou or Yangzhou. It can be seen that Cao Cao has made sufficient preparations, and as soon as he comes, he occupies this place, and is ready to fight a protracted war. ”

Fu Zhi stepped forward and stared at the terrain of Guandu for a while, and said with a chuckle: "Cao Cao's eyes are very poisonous, find such a critical place." ”

"Yes, he occupies this mountain range and makes it more difficult for us to attack Xuzhou." Guo Tudao.

Zhang Jaw arched his hand and said: "Can we send cavalry to occupy this place and cut off Cao Cao's grain route." ”

"I've thought about that too, but...." Yuan Xi shook his head and said, "According to the information I have learned, around Guandu, within a radius of 100 miles, there are only less than 100,000 Cao troops. Don't you think it's too little? After Cao Cao won Jingxiang, he had more than 500,000 troops, and he took the initiative to provoke a war, how could he bring a mere 100,000 people to die? ”

"The lord is suspicious... Cao Cao hid his troops? Gao Ran asked.

"Hmm. Those who make good use of soldiers must first learn to hide them. Cao Cao, Guo Jia, Xun You, etc., are all masters of using soldiers, and they will never expose all their strength at the beginning. If you think about the last battle of Guandu, isn't it the same? Cao Cao hid hundreds of thousands of troops, and at the most critical time, he gave us a thunderous blow. Often this style of play, even if the early stage is very difficult, but the appearance of ambushes will turn defeat into victory and turn the overall situation around. What's more... This time it put pressure on us and made us not dare to attack boldly. ”

Yuan Xi's analysis is extremely accurate and clear.

"My lord is right." Gao Ran thought so.

"Therefore, we cannot act rashly. Let's figure out the situation in Puyang first, and then it's not too late to fight... When Yuan Xi said this, he bowed his hand and said: "The minister still suggests sending a cavalry to occupy the main roads of Jibei and Mount Tai to solve the war in Qingzhou." Didn't the lord already agree to do this, why didn't he send troops? ”

Yuan Xi said: "Our army is too conspicuous. I'm worried... Before he arrived in Jibei, he was discovered by Yuan Tan. Besides, until now, I don't know where Yuan Tan's tens of thousands of troops are. In case of an ambush, it is quite troublesome. The best way to go... It is to lure out all the troops of Cao Cao and Yuan Tan first, and then carry out a targeted attack. ”

He suddenly realized and replied: "The minister understands, does the lord want to feint to attack Guandu and attack Jibei by surprise?" ”

"It's worthy of a gentleman, it's a little bit thorough." Yuan Xi smiled and said: "I have already sent Le Jin, leading three thousand sailors and warships, to the lower reaches of the Yellow River, in the area of Dongpingling. As long as we fight in the Central Plains and Yuan Tan's army appears, they will look for the right time to land. At the same time, I will also send a cavalry to march north along Zhencheng to Jibei... ”

"Gao Guan."

"Yes."

Yuan Xi sat down and said, "You have been in Puyang for a while, but you know how Cao Cao's Xuzhou army is fighting?" How many troops are there? Where are they stationed? In this battle of Guandu, did the Xuzhou army advance to Guandu? ”

Gao Ran said ashamedly: "The lord forgives sins, and the end general is not clear." ”

"I don't know? So what are you doing in Puyang? Don't be war-ready? ”

Gao Ran said: "Cao Cao's military strength in Xuzhou has always been very vague. When Zhou Yu attacked Yangzhou before, more than 60,000 troops appeared. Then... In order to lure Cao Zhen, I pretended to attack Xuzhou, and found that there were 30,000 more. Recently, Cao Cao released the text of the Son of Heaven, and the last general immediately contacted Xuzhou's detailed work to find out the specific situation of Xuzhou, but I didn't expect that Xuzhou had 30,000 troops left, and they were still stationed in various places, and Xuzhou was almost empty. But... The last general is very sure that there are at least 80,000 soldiers in Xuzhou! I just don't know where they are, and none of them can find out. ”

Yuan Xi said: "According to what you say... Have we not become blind? ”

Gao Ran said: "The last general agrees with what the lord said just now, you can feint to attack Guandu or Xuzhou and beat the enemy's forces." I believe... When it hurts them, they are immediately exposed. ”

"Hmm."

Yuan Xi continued to look at the map.

"Cao Cao is worthy of being battle-hardened and experienced, and Guo Jia is also one of the rare top strategists, they clearly know that if it comes to a head-to-head battle, it is definitely not our enemy, therefore, setting up such a maze array, so that we have no place to use our strength, and we are frightened and dare not send troops."

"But...."

"They still underestimate the strength of our Hebei Army, we are not only good at field battles and tough battles, but also can seek a way to survive in desperate situations. The battle in front of him is confusing, and if he is a general, his decision is the same, that is, to stay on top of his troops and find out the enemy's situation first. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that, at least it's a safe way to play, and I agree with that. But... If we want to take the initiative and win in this war, we must show our courage. We can be loose on the surface, stationed in Puyang and on standby, but secretly, we give them the most ferocious blow. As long as we can fight the first battle well and force out their ambushes, we can take the initiative on the battlefield. ”

"Now I command...."

Yuan Xi slowly stood up.

Everyone was shocked.

Yuan Xi shouted: "I chose two goals. One is the mountain range leading from Guandu to Xuzhou, in the east of it, about 20 miles away, there is a city, called Cage City, led by Zhang Jaw vanguard battalion, light cavalry 30,000, occupy here. See how Cao Cao reacted. ”

"No." Jaw open.

"I must warn you that until I have given a formal written order, you are not allowed to go anywhere else, let alone attack the mountains thirty miles away. There are tens of thousands of Cao Cao's ambush soldiers there, and your task is to monitor them and contain them until I give a new battle order. ”