Zhang Fei led his army to Pengcheng, and there was no sign of attacking the city for three consecutive days.

At the head of the city, Sima Yi looked at the enemy camp without the slightest expression on his face.

"General!" A lieutenant came behind him, clasped his fists and said, "I just got the news that after Zhang Fei came to Pengcheng, he drank in the barracks all day long, and he never thought about attacking the city. ”

"They don't have much time." Sima Yi furrowed his brows and said, "What is Zhang Fei going to do?" ”

"General Sima!" A partial general on the side said: "Taking advantage of Zhang Fei's drunkenness all day long, do you want to send troops to beat him?" ”

"Don't!" Sima Yi said: "Zhang Fei didn't attack the city, it must be Liu Bei who explained something to him in advance. Drinking in the army all day long is precisely to paralyze our army. Once our army opens the gates, we must fight him to the end. ”

"What are you afraid of him?" The general said: "Although our army is not as large as the enemy's army, it has half of them. And the officers and men in the army are all elite, unlike all of them who are old, weak, sick and disabled. ”

"That's right." Sima Yi finally smiled: "But still don't." ”

"Why?" The general was stunned and asked, "I know that I might win......

"It's just that it may win, but it's not an absolute win." Sima Yi said: "Since it is a war, you must be 100% sure, and now is not the time. ”

"And when will we be able to send troops?" The general asked.

"Wait until Gongzi orders the army to enter Xuzhou." Sima Yi said: "Once the army enters Xiapi, Liu Bei will definitely order Zhang Fei to come back to help, and when the time comes, our army will kill it in one fell swoop, which will be much stronger than fighting with him outside the city now." ”

Sima Yi's decision is undoubtedly the safest.

The general hugged his fists and said no more.

Zhang Fei led his army to Pengcheng, and the news had reached Cao Shuo.

Pang Tong had also returned to Shouchun with his troops at this time.

In Cao Shuo's study, Pang Tong and Lu Bu, who had just returned to Shouchun, sat opposite him.

"Sima Zhongda attacked Pengcheng a few days ago, and Liu Bei sent Zhang Fei to lead 20,000 soldiers and horses in an attempt to recapture Pengcheng." Cao Shuo said: "The two sides confronted each other in Pengcheng, and there was no sign of sending troops to each other. What do you two think? ”

Lu Bu looked at Pang Tong.

Pang Tong said: "Our army has 10,000 soldiers and horses left in Lujiang, and Sima Zhongda has 10,000 soldiers and horses. What is available today is only the more than 10,000 people I brought back. Although they are all warriors, most of them were captured by the former sons, and there are not many veterans. If you start a frontal war with Liu Xuande, if the number is too small, it will be difficult to protect morale. ”

Cao Shuo nodded.

His command, which originally numbered less than 20,000 soldiers, had now grown to 30,000, many of whom were former prisoners.

The captive-turned-soldiers were of course less loyal to him than those who had followed him in the first place.

On the battlefield, once the situation is a little wrong, it is really difficult to say whether these people will defect to the battlefield.

"What is Shi Yuan going to do?" Cao Shuo asked.

"The two generals, Wei Wenyuan and Ji Ling, were left in Lujiang by me." Pang Tong said: "The only one who came back with me was General Lu, and I plan to relieve the siege of Pengcheng first, and then try to go down after joining forces with Zhong Da." ”

"That's what I mean, too." Cao Shuo said: "This time, the three battalions of Flying Bear, Dragon Pattern and Broken Formation will all accompany the army, Shiyuan is in Shouchun, and I will personally lead the troops to crusade against Liu Bei." ”

"Liu Bei is no better than Zhang Xiu and others, Gongzi has to be cautious when he sends troops this time." Pang Tong said with his fists clenched.

Looking at Lu Bu, Cao Shuo asked, "If General Lu meets Zhang Fei, what are the chances of winning?" ”

"Ten percent." Lu Bu said without thinking: "Zhang Fei is just a reckless man who sells meat, what skills do you need to fight with him?" ”

"Since General Lu is ten percent sure of defeating Zhang Fei, the heavy task of relieving the siege of Pengcheng will be handed over to the general!" Cao Shuo said: "Early tomorrow morning, the general will lead 5,000 troops to Pengcheng. ”

Lu Bu stood up, clasped his fists and said to Cao Shuo: "Don't worry, Childe, I will definitely take Zhang Fei's head and dedicate it to Childe!" ”

"It's up to General Lu!" Cao Shuo returned the salute.

He then shouted to Cai Ji, who was waiting outside the door, "Invite the three generals Zhao Yun, Chen Dao, and Gao Shun." ”

Cai Ji's response came from the door.

Pang Tong said to Cao Shuo: "The broken camp has only been established for a short time, does the prince want to bring them to the battlefield too." ”

"It's just a school practice, and they can't be completely coordinated at any time." Cao Shuo said: "Since it is an army, it must be baptized on the battlefield. Although many people may die, there is no reason why there are immortals in war. ”

"Childe is right." Pang Tong said: "After all, Liu Xuande has 60,000 soldiers and horses, and if you bring more people, the chances of winning will always be greater." ”

"I can only leave you a thousand people." Cao Shuo said to Pang Tong: "Shouchun can be handed over to you." ”

"Shouchun City is high and deep, and a thousand people are enough." Pang Tong said: "Gongzi is going on this expedition, Liu Bei may not have the opportunity to send troops here, but Gongzi needs to be careful in everything!" ”

Seeing off Pang Tong and Lu Bu, after a while, Zhao Yun and others arrived.

Several people saluted, and Cao Shuo said, "Sit down and talk." ”

When they sat down, Cao Shuo asked Gao Shun, "General Gao, how is the broken camp now?" Can you go into battle? ”

"Originally, he was a veteran, and after these days of training, although he is still not very proficient in tactics, there should be nothing wrong with going into battle." Gao Shun asked, "Is Gongzi going to crusade against Liu Bei?" ”

"Liu Bei originally planned to send troops to Shouchun, but Sima Zhongda occupied Pengcheng one step ahead of him." Cao Shuo said: "He had to focus on Pengcheng and delayed the opportunity to enter Shouchun. I want to take advantage of Liu Bei's lack of march to Huainan and advance the battlefield to Xuzhou. ”

"I heard that Guan Yunchang led a group of soldiers and horses to Xu County." Zhao Yun said: "In this way, it is to block the route of our army into Xuzhou." ”

"Guan Yunchang is a fierce general, but it's a tricky trouble." Cao Shuo said: "But I don't plan to entangle with him, I have already ordered General Lu to lead 5,000 soldiers and horses to gallop to Pengcheng early tomorrow morning." ”

"In this way, there are not many soldiers around Childe." Chen Zhi said: "In case Guan Yunchang and Liu Bei attack the Chinese army together......"

"Later, I will send someone to deliver a letter to Sima Zhongda." Cao Shuo said: "Let him be ready, once General Lu arrives in Pengcheng, he will go to meet him immediately." As for us, I also intend to bypass Xu County and garrison between Pengcheng and Xiapi. ”

"Childe's arrangement is very likely to cause the Chinese army to fall into the enemy's encirclement." Chen Zhi said again: "Although it is dangerous, it is indeed too risky. ”

"I can't bear the wolf with the child, and I can't catch the hooligan with the woman." Cao Shuo said: "In this way, although I will fall into a trap, but with you by my side, there must only be no danger." ”

"We will not be afraid of life and death to protect the son!" The servant got up and clenched his fists and said to Cao Shuo.

(End of chapter)