On the fourth day of the ninth month, when the heads of Sun Ce, Cao Hong, Le Jin, Li Jin, Gao Gan, Zhang Chao, and Dong Xi were sent to the front line of Guandu by fast horses, there was a fierce battle there.

Of course, the battle of Wuchao five days ago naturally brought a certain hope of ending the battle on the Guandu battlefield. Therefore, from the previous day, the Yan army continued to attack.

On the other hand, the Central Plains Coalition Army has obviously lost its ability to hold each other in the past, and its morale and the number of units that can be used have dropped to a certain extent.

In this regard, Gongsun Xun adopted an extremely damning strategy to assist the frontal battlefield - every time there is a change of battle line on the front line, no matter who advances and who retreats, the Yan army will inevitably give a gift to the southern army.

In just two days, the southern army has received six gifts, namely Huang Gai, who was so seriously injured that he was unconscious and could only wait for death; Xu Sheng's head; Zhou Tai was cleaned and sewn on the coffin of the head; Chen Wu's General Flag; The general flag of the Mao Rank...... The sixth part is actually Cao Cao's confidant and favorite general who chose to surrender after escaping into the black nest, Yingchuan Du attacked Du Zixu himself!

God knows how Cao Mengde felt when he received these prisoners of war, flags, and corpses, but it had been a long time since he had appeared on the front line to boost morale.

In fact, the only successful counterattack of Cao Jun's so-called six advances and retreats was completed by Cao Ren's bravery...... Just the day before, on the third day of the ninth lunar month, during the day, after the Southern Army lost three lines of defense in a row, in the evening, Cao Zixiao retreated back to the camp in embarrassment, but found that a battalion of hundreds of soldiers did not have time to receive the order to retreat, and was trapped on the front line by the whole battalion.

Under the shame and indignation, Cao Ren personally led his own soldiers to attack and rescue at night for hundreds of nights, but the whole army shook and followed, so that the southern army successfully rescued his subordinates and actually caught the Yan army off guard and directly recaptured a line of defense.

On the second day, that is, on the fourth day of the ninth month, Cheng Pu regained his steady and steady movement, mobilizing including the dismounted Yan cavalry, with an absolute superiority of troops, and took turns to move forward, and the Cao army was not half in the afternoon, and then lost two horizontal directions, directly exposing the battalion in front of him.

At this time, Cao Mengde still did not show up.

So, Gongsun Xun sent six of the seven heads in one go, plus Huang Zhong's general flag, all in one go.

However, unexpectedly, in the almost empty Cao army camp, several people in charge of the Southern Army in Guandu, namely Cao Cao, Cao Ren and Liu Ye, were still able to maintain calm and some apparent calmness and bearing, which is a little admirable.

"Cao Gong!"

Seeing that several people in the tent were looking at the heads of the six people with different shapes, as the person who gave the heads, Sima Yi, who couldn't even be called a messenger, explained stubbornly. "My grandfather Yan must tell me a little later...... Among them, Ling's son-in-law Sun Bofu was in the Huangze mud on the way to escape alone, so it was quite muddy; And General Le died at the head of the city with Guo Duwei of our army, and before he died, he knocked over the brazier, so he was burned by the fire; As for the Huiji Commander Dong Xian, he was trampled to death by Ye Xiajia's cavalry, so the shape was miserable; There is also Li Huizhi, my Yan Gong said that although he is stupid, he is his old general, and he will deal with it...... All in all, our army did not deliberately insult or hide the corpse, and asked Cao Gong to learn from it. ”

"I see." Cao Cao, who was sitting on the top, withdrew his gaze from the six heads, and his tone was calm. "The messenger has worked hard, thank Yan Gong for me."

In addition, "the more calm Cao Mengde is, the more cautious Sima Yi becomes." "Ling Gongzi Cao Ang was sent back by Ling Gongzi before crossing the river, and it should have been sent to the Xiahou Governor overnight, although our army had broken through the three cities of Puyang, Lihu and Juyang the day before yesterday, but did not capture Cao Gongzi...... My Yan Gong said, please don't worry too much, don't worry, just rest assured. ”

"I see." Cao Cao sighed slightly, but it was still the same sentence.

"And ......" Sima Yi was apprehensive and continued to bow his head. My grandfather Yan also asked me to tell Gong Cao...... said that Puyang raided the battle of Yexia, not because he was lucky to notice, on the contrary, it was because Cao Gong was lucky, but he didn't need to be lucky. At this time, back to the roots, it is the icing on the cake that the Yingzhou soldiers and the Liaodong soldiers belong to, it is okay to go to Xuzhou a few days early, and it is okay to go to Xuzhou a few days later, but at that time, Cao Gong couldn't wait, so there will be this result! The general trend is clear, the strength and weakness are clear, and I ask Cao Gong not to disagree. ”

"I see." Cao Cao laughed for a moment, but turned to the opposite again. "The words are appropriate, I don't know the origin of the name, can you not hesitate to give advice?"

"Sima Yi of Wen County, Hanoi, the word Zhongda, is a pawn in front of the formation, and he doesn't dare to take the initiative to sign up." Sima Yi was still careful.

"Sima Zhongda, how can I not know?" Cao Cao was stunned for a moment. "The genius in Yexia University is famous in Hebei, and he is the queen of the old man...... I think back then, when I first entered the official career, I was appointed as the lieutenant of the northern part of Luoyang, or I respected my father, and my father was still Antai, where do I serve now? ”

"My father is in good health, and since Dong Zhuo's chaos, he has been farming at home, educating a few younger brothers by the way, and he has not become a monk."

"It's natural, and it's a good thing." Cao Cao sighed for a while, there was some meaning of private conversation between elders and juniors. "After all, Father Zun is an old minister of the Han family, and he is an upright person, so it is right not to be a servant, but this behavior will inevitably affect your brothers...... I'm not saying that at this time, at your age, it doesn't matter what you do, but it can be seen that your Yan Gong's dedication is adjusted, I mean the great future in the future, if Zhongda wants to ask for a big source in the future, your family will inevitably be a little involved. ”

Sima Yi looked up blankly, not knowing how to reply for a while.

"That's right, although your Sima clan has an old relationship with Gongsun Wenqi, but first, after all, it is several generations of Hanchen; Second, after all, it is a century-old family that has become a type...... Needless to say, the former is the most taboo for Gongsun Wenqi. Cao Cao smiled when he saw this, but he became more and more kind. It must be known that between Han and Yan, there is not only a difference between one family and one surname, but also a fundamental difference in the system. Although the former has been suppressing Haoqiang and suppressing the Shi, it is difficult to get rid of the two fundamentally, so the Shizu and Haoqiang are the foundation of the country here in the Han family after all; And Gongsun Wenqi and even me, Cao Cao, and Liu Xuande, the reason why we have raised troops here is that when we were young, we saw the decline of the Han family, and felt that the strong and powerful people were not enough to support the world anymore, so we had the heart to clear the outline and establish a more systematic ......"

Sima Zhongda's heart moved slightly, but his face became more and more dazed.

"Still don't understand?" Cao Cao also became more and more earnest and natural, but in the deserted Chinese army tent, there were still six heads between the two, which inevitably made people feel empty. "Actually, if you want to understand Gongsun Wenqi's thoughts, Liu Xuande and his people may be closer to Gongsun Wenqi, but it is just a daily immersion and natural habit. I have to talk about politics in general, but I know more about your Yangong. And after you are my old friend again, I will say a few words bluntly, and you will listen to ......."

"The kid doesn't dare." Sima Yi immediately bowed down.

And Cao Cao didn't pay attention to it, but pointed at himself: "If I am on the side of your Yan Gong, then even if you Sima Zhongda has outstanding talents and a clear resume, all the merits and qualifications in the future will come naturally, but just with your Sima family, you will never let someone like you become the prime minister!" It's even ruthless, and I won't even do it for you in the left and right phases, at most it's just one of the lower four phases. Even when I die, I have to leave a last word to my son, so that he doesn't need you! How so? Because in the future, Dayan's world defense will be you, the clans that have lasted for a hundred years! In fact, looking back now, when Gongsun Wenqi first gathered talents, he naturally had some considerations in this regard, which is where I am inferior to him. Of course, it is also possible that he was really looked down upon by the children of the world at that time......"

Hearing this, Sima Yi, who was still vigilant, still did not move on his face, but his heart finally shook beyond measure, as if he also remembered the origins of the current Xiangguo...... Although there was a lot of discussion about Ye Xia before, and there was also some discussion because of the background of these seven, but considering the qualifications and merits of these people, they did not play too much.

But now that he thought about it according to Cao Cao's reminder, Sima Zhongda woke up like seeing a cloud and a fog - yes, the phases of Lu, Lou, Han, and Wang are certainly taken for granted, although they can't have doubts because of their origins, but why are the first few Yuan Congs of Yan Gong to be this identity?

Doesn't that just illustrate the problem?

As for what the children of the clan look down on? Sima Yi felt ridiculous.

All in all, at the thought of this, Sima Yi's heart was almost shaken.

"You don't have to think too much about it." Cao Cao didn't know if he could see that the other party was moved, but he smiled again. "It's just a layer of background, if you can make a special honor like Zhenzhengnan, and think about Gongsun Wenqi's generosity, I will also look up to you...... In the final analysis, it still depends on merit and personal morality. ”

Sima Yi hurriedly leaned over again and claimed to be taught.

"I'm tired, let's go back, and greet your Yan Gong and Lingzun for me." Seeing this, Cao Mengde no longer said more, but waved his hand.

Sima Zhongda didn't dare to stay longer, so he hurriedly said goodbye, and then turned back to the Yan army camp with a lot of heart.

However, just after Sima Yi left, Cao Mengde, who had just been warm for a while, suddenly became sad and covered his face with his forehead...... To put it bluntly, Cao Mengde's performance just now was the real gaffe, and in the face of the complete defeat in the decisive battle, he had to use such boring words and topics to cover his emotions and send the messenger.

Because, just now, he really didn't know how to deal with the intimidation of the head level and Gongsun Xun in front of him!

There was silence in the tent for a while, and finally Cao Ren, who was covered in smoke and blood, broke the silence with a knife: "This battle has been lost, our army has no chance of victory, brother go quickly!" If you don't leave, it's too late. ”

"Where are you going?" Cao Cao suddenly raised his head.

"According to Xun Wenruo's words, take our last people and go to Huainan or Jingzhou to protect the Son of Heaven...... and even Jiangnan. Cao Ren glanced at Liu Ye beside him, without any scruples. Now, what else can you do if you don't do that? Can you still surrender? ”

Hearing this, Cao Mengde almost instinctively looked at those heads again.

The one covered in mud was his son-in-law and son-in-law; It was the first general with a foreign surname under his command who was burned by the fire, and he followed his henchmen from the time he was the county magistrate; In addition, even Cao Hong and Cao Zilian, who were the most discordant with him in the clan, committed suicide calmly, and their heads appeared here; and Li Huizhi, who could have surrendered, but still adhered to his courtiers...... Coupled with the previous Xiahou Yuan, Cao Chun, Cao Xiu, Xu Chu, Wang Bi, and Mao Jie, one by one, lives are here, as Cao Ren said, how could he Cao Mengde surrender?

So far, it's just a matter of going or dying!

Of course, this kind of thing should be avoided as much as possible unless it is absolutely necessary, because no one knows what will happen in the future, and no one can guarantee that there will be a glimmer of life...... Gongsun Xun didn't get carried away by the advantage this time, what about next time?

This time, because the Son of Heaven was young and impulsive, he lost the hearts of the old ministers of the Han family, and the next time the Han family is really going to be destroyed, it is impossible to say that the people's hearts will gather, right?

Not to mention, the more people die, the more the living should cherish themselves......

It's not that you can't die!

As a last resort, Cao Mengde will definitely die calmly, but he can't be coerced to death by Gongsun Xun with this kind of clumsy trick!

That's not him Cao Cao!

"If I leave, what will happen to you and Yuanrang?" Cao Cao thought for a while, then gritted his teeth and made up his mind, there is really no need to hold on to it now.

"Brother Yuan Rang and Zixiu must retreat immediately!" Cao Ren replied seriously. "Puyang, Lihu, and Juyang are all lost, and the Yingzhou soldiers and Liaodong soldiers gathered in Neihuang should immediately go south along this passage, and if they don't go there, they will only be surrounded in vain, and the situation is useless. But here in Guandu, I have to leave a special support for one or two...... Because since you want to flee south to send people under the fence, the only foothold is on the Son of Heaven, if the official crossing is vacant, I am afraid that you will not even be able to rush over Wancheng, and you will be caught up by the cavalry behind you. ”

This is a very rational answer, Cao Cao can only bow slightly, but then look at Liu Ye, who has not said a word.

Liu Ziyang immediately understood: "Don't worry, Gong Cao, after all, we are dependent on each other, I will naturally stay here to continue to assist General Zixiao, and there are some auxiliaries in the battalion, and I will not withdraw again." But Lu Zijing is a rare soldier and horse under the command of my lord Liu Yuzhou, and he must withdraw to Pengcheng immediately. Even here in Guandu, I still want to bring back some people as much as possible, so please don't hesitate to pick up the ......Son of Heaven as soon as possible."

"It's nature." Cao Cao sighed. "But how long will you be able to hold out if I'm gone?"

"Three or four days, right?" Liu Ye glanced at Cao Ren, who didn't speak, and said sincerely. "In three or four days at most, Guandu will not be able to hold on, and General Zixiao and I should turn back to chase Cao Gong......"

"At that time, I want to take a break from the rest." Cao Cao also glanced at Cao Ren when he heard this, and then said something quite unusual to Liu Ye. "Our Cao clan and Xiahou clan are almost one, in the current situation, Zixiao has no reason to surrender, once he is trapped, there is only a dead end, but the foot can be surrendered. Because your family Liu Yuzhou still has two counties in the south of the Yangtze River, maybe the four counties are enough to gain a foothold, and you can still talk to Gongsun Wenqi. ”

Liu Ziyang was silent for a while, but he bowed his head slightly and reluctantly agreed.

"Zixiao." Cao Cao Fu stared at Cao Ren, who was speechless, again, and was serious. "Brother Wei knows that you have a depressed anger in your heart, as early as before the war, Gongsun Wenqi was unhappy when he only regarded you as a horse, and after Miaocai and Zihe went, you even had the intention of dying and breaking the net, and would rather die than give Gongsun Wenqi a good look...... But have you thought about it, since Zihe, Miaocai, and Zilian are all gone, if you go again, of course, it will be a moment of joy, how should I deal with myself? The dead are gone, what is the living worth? Promise to be a brother, unless you have to, you must save your useful body! ”

Cao Ren was finally moved, and then his eyes were red, but he gritted his teeth and made a promise.

"I'll leave on the second watch tonight, and after I leave, you will have people come and pack up Zilian's head and send it to Peiguo for burial...... Someone to send some lime lately, don't bother me before. Seeing Cao Ren nodding, Cao Cao, who was relieved in his heart, waved his hand again, but he had nothing to say at all.

Cao Ren and Liu Ye knew that Cao Cao was going to personally clean up the faces of Cao Hong, Le Jin, Sun Ce and others, and then save them with lime, so they had nothing to say and could only leave.

In this way, until the second watch in the evening of this day, Cao Cao, who understood that there was no turning point in this battle, or that the Central Plains belonged to Cao Cao, who had been decided, sent the only few guards to escort Cao Hong and others to the southeast to Peiguo for burial, and then only took three or four thousand old and disabled soldiers out of the camp to Yingchuan and Nanyang in the southwest.

However, his people were only three or four miles out of the camp, and Cao Ren, who saw him off, had just turned around, and the Guandu camp behind him suddenly made a noise, and the fire was shining!

This is only the second watch, such a large-scale night attack has been launched, it is obvious that Gongsun Xun has calculated that Cao Cao's ambition has been lost, so he will take the night to seize the camp without stopping!

Cao Mengde looked back at the fire behind him, speechless for a while, and was just about to give the order to turn back to save him, but he was suddenly stunned on the horse, and then couldn't make a sound for a moment...... It turned out that as the fire in the north rose, Cao Cao suddenly recognized that a frightened white-haired old man beside him was actually quite similar to the grain transporter who carried blisters for his grandson that day, and he didn't know if it was the same person.

That's about 20 days, right?

After a moment, Cao Cao sighed, turned and struck his horse south, never looking back.

————I'm the dividing line that never looks back————

“…… Sima Yifang was weak, so that Cao Ying returned, and he was interested in Taizu, and his ambition was lost, and the soldiers were brave, and they could take the night to attack. Everyone is suspicious. Taizu also hesitated slightly: 'How does the kid know? Yi said: "Your Highness is benevolent, and the head of the enemy's general and the banner of Fan Qi will be returned for two days and nights." When the minister heard it, he counted six times before, and he was mourned by the head, and he didn't ask to make it. Now the ministers are gone, and they don't look at the head, but when they ask the origin of the ministers, why did the ministers enter the office, you can know that they are already overwhelmed! Taizu smiled and accepted it, and promoted Yi to be the Marquis of Qu Army, and the second army attacked Cao Ying at night. - "New Yanshu". Volume Seventy-Six. Biography XXVI

PS: Thank you to the 122nd Moe LEONYU, and thank you for recording the blessing video in Antarctica...... Thank you all for your care and love.

By the way, Happy Second Day of Mid-Autumn Festival!