At the beginning of August in the autumn of 193 AD, it was the fourth year of the first peace of Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty.

Cao Cao personally led 35,000 soldiers and horses to enter Xuzhou from the territory of Xiapi, and everywhere he passed, the people of the counties and counties along the way were all slaughtered by him, so that Xuzhou, which had been peaceful for many years, became a purgatory on earth full of sorrow.

In late August, Cao Cao's army arrived at the outskirts of Tancheng, set up camps for several miles along two corners in the southeast of Tancheng, and launched a siege of the East China Sea.

Although Cao Cao's momentum is very strong, Cao Cao is no longer a threat to the defenders in Donghai City at this moment, because there are nearly 300,000 people in the city at this moment, more than 40,000 strong men, and nearly 60,000 soldiers and horses, among which the Red Flame Army under Han Lie is the most elite, followed by the 8,000 Danyang soldiers of Tao Qian's core army, as well as more than 20,000 men and horses stationed in various city defenses in the city, and Mi Zhu's 5,000 personal troops dedicated to Han Lie.

In terms of food, after Chen Qi and Mi Zhu's inventory, it was enough for the people of the city to eat for three months, the city was strong, the food was sufficient, and the soldiers were wide, even in the face of Cao Cao, Han Lie was also full of confidence.

This is only Han Lie's strength in Tancheng, and in the Eastern Siege, Han Lie has secretly mastered an army at this time, and this army of more than 10,000 people is the department of Sun Guan, one of the Taishan Qunkou.

It turned out that as early as when Han Lie annihilated Wu Dun, Sun Guan sent his cousin Sun Tao to start contact with Wang Ling in Licheng, Sun Tao and Wang Ling were of the same age, because Sun Tao was injured and captured in Beihai, and became a prisoner under Han Lie's account, and then stayed under Han Lie's account to recuperate, and Wang Ling became acquainted and became friends, and then Sun Tao was redeemed by Sun Guan, and they broke off contact with each other.

But as Han Lie's reputation in Xuzhou rose, Sun Guan realized that Han Lie's rise, although it was a threat, but it may also be an opportunity for himself to get ahead, so he sent Sun Tao to contact Wang Ling again, and after that, Sun Tao stayed in Licheng as a businessman, and ran a business, building a bridge of communication between Sun Guan and Han Lie. And Wang Ling reported this matter to Han Lie as soon as Sun Tao contacted him, and he had a vague impression of Sun Guan Han Lie's memory, but Zang Ba, one of the Taishan group of Koukou, he had some impressions, and through understanding, Han Lie also found that this person was a general.

For this reason, Han Lie asked Wang Ling to maintain secret contact with Sun Tao, and has been doing Sun Guan's work, hoping that he can abandon the darkness and join the camp of content, and Han Lie also promised that he would not blame the past.

This time Cao Cao attacked Xuzhou, Han Lie reiterated his claim again through Wang Ling, and made it clear that after the end of this battle, he and Zang Ba could choose any of the county guards of Taishan, Pengcheng, and Xiapi.

Under such a heavy reward, Sun Guan finally relented, saying that he would send troops when necessary, and persuaded Zang Ba to join forces and fight against Cao Cao together, but until Cao Cao's soldiers came to the city, Zang Ba did not let go, Han Lie regretted this, and also included Zang Ba as the next enemy who must be eliminated.

However, Sun Guan's army can only be used as a surprise soldier, and it will definitely not be useful for the time being, but Han Lie arranged for Wang Ling to be in his army, and he is not worried that Sun Guan will backtrack at a critical moment.

Cao Cao's soldiers and horses under Tancheng City only rested for one night, and then sent soldiers and horses to fight.

The city wall of Tancheng is ten zhang high, there is a moat outside, there is no ladder, the siege vehicle, it can't get close at all, Cao Cao's army came on an expedition, the siege equipment is obviously lacking, for this reason, Cao Cao ordered the generals to ban, Li Dian, Le Jin and other commanders to lead the soldiers and horses to build siege equipment, and on the other hand, let Xiahou Xuan, Xiahou Yuan and other generals come to the city to fight, in order to test the reality of the city.

When he heard the deafening drums outside the city, Han Lie smiled faintly, and said to Guo Jia, Chen Qi, and Mi Zhu on the left and right: "Let's go, let's go and see if Cao Mengde is preparing to fight or attack the city." ”

As soon as the four of them walked to the female wall battlement of the city tower, Dian Wei hurried over and said, "Lord, the Cao army has sent people to fight, please allow the last general to kill their sharp spirit." ”

"Don't worry, let me see who is here." Han Lie smiled, raised his eyes and looked down, a thousand steps outside the city, a team of soldiers and horses stood in formation, about 3,000 people, led by the generals, although they couldn't see their faces clearly, but from the font number on the banner, Han Lie roughly guessed who the person was.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please see, Xiahou Qi and Cao Ziqi, it can basically be concluded that it is Xiahou Xuan, Xiahou Yuan brothers, Cao Zi should be Cao Ren Cao Hong brothers, these four people are Cao Cao's heart, they are the children of the clan, but these four people are brave and brave, enough to be worthy of great responsibilities, but they are rare generals." When Han Lie withdrew his gaze, he pointed to the flag to express his appreciation for these generals.

"Although Brother Xiahou is brave, how can he lag behind others under the lord's account?" Guo Jia said proudly: "I think letting General Dian and General Zilong go to war is enough to destroy his prestige and demoralize him." ”

"The generals are fighting, in case there is an injury, the gains outweigh the losses, and it is indispensable." When Chen Qi heard this, he couldn't help frowning and objecting.

In his opinion, the battle in front of the army is obviously meaningless for the whole campaign, on the contrary, if there is any damage, the loss will be greater, especially at this time, when Xuzhou is fully armed, send the general to fight, the victory is not enough to boost the morale of the army, and the defeat will damage the military prestige.

"Lord Chen, to avoid old age." Seeing Chen Jue's objection, Dian Wei sneered and said: "It's still a military advisor who understands people, and the last general takes orders." ”

In the face of Dian Wei's collision, although Chen Qi was a little unhappy, he didn't show it, just glanced at Han Lie sideways, and then stopped speaking.

Chen Qi is old and sophisticated, although he has only been with Han Lie for a short time, but he found that Han Lie is extremely generous to his subordinates, never formal, and respectful to himself, so Chen Qi also sincerely respects Han Lie.

The reason why he opposed it just now was also Lao Cheng's serious method, he believed that Han Lie had his own comments on right and wrong, and he couldn't afford to argue with Dian Wei.

And Chen Qi also knows that compared to himself, Han Lie's treatment of several generals under his subordinates is not just used as subordinates, but really treated as brothers, as the so-called intimate relatives, if he says too much at this time, not only will not win Han Lie's approval, but will cause these generals to be dissatisfied with themselves, after all, martial artists have the pride of martial artists.

When Dian Wei Zhao Yun was ordered to go out of the city, Han Lie, who was quite itchy, said: "Fengxiao, Han Yugong sits at the head of the city, I will go to meet Cao Mengde, in the past in front of the Tiger Prison, I fought side by side with it, and now I don't realize that it has been several years, and now the old man is in front, and it should be narrated." ”

"If the lord insists on going out of the city, then Rong Jia will go as soon as he arrives." Guo Jia did not persuade him, but made a request, because Guo Jia knew Han Lie, if he decided something, he was afraid that it would be useless to persuade him, then the only way was to put himself in danger and make Han Lie unable to do whatever he wanted.

"Since Feng Xiao can't trust me, then I will go." Han Lie smiled bitterly, and then agreed.

Guo Jia led Ling Tong to his own troops, and informed him with the order of our army: "General Gongming, General Ziyi guards the city gate, and there must be no slack, and General Youping leads his troops to come to guard." ”

"Whoa." When Ling Tong heard this, he ran down with joy and went into battle, which was the goal he had always longed for.

At this time, Chen Qi and Mi Zhu saw the other side of Guo Jia again, and also deeply felt Han Lie's firm belief in Guo Jia.

Under the supervision of Zhou Tai's right battalion, as well as Zhu Huan's men and horses, and Guo Jia's supervision, Han Lie galloped out of the Dongcheng Gate with swords, and when Han Lie rushed to the front of the battlefield, Dian Wei was fighting with Xiahou Xuan.

From the perspective of the battle, it is obvious that Dian Wei has the upper hand, although Xiahou Dun is brave, but compared to Dian Wei, it is obviously inferior, and behind the Cao army camp, this will also rush out of a cavalry, the banner headed by is a big Cao character, it is obvious that Cao Cao learned that Han Lie went out of the city, worried that the generals would lose, and came to help.

As soon as Cao Cao arrived on the battlefield here, the sound of gold sounded in front of Cao's army, apparently Cao Cao saw that Xiahoudun was defeated by Dian Wei, so he sounded the retreat gong to avoid Xiahoudun from losing.

"Mingjin retreats." When Han Lie saw Cao Jun Mingjin, he was worried that Dian Wei's reckless bull would chase and kill him, so he ordered Mingjin to stop the battle.

"Xiahoudun is nothing more than that, why didn't the lord let someone take advantage of the situation to take the life of this thief?" Dian Wei galloped back, with an unfinished attitude.

"Brother's martial arts, how can Lie not know, but Cao Mengde is here, how can you take risks easily?" Han Lie appeased, and then said, "Please ask Cao Mengde to come out and answer." ”

"My lord asks General Cao to speak." Zhou Tai, the first on the right, rode out and shouted loudly, shaking the three armies.

"Zhou Youping is really a fierce general." Zhao Yun, who was at the bottom, saw the sword swinging and galloping, and the momentum shocked the three armies Zhou Taixiong, and he couldn't help but nod his head and praise.

In front of Cao Cao's military formation, Cao Cao, who was squinting his thin eyes, raised his eyes to look at Han Lie's neat and tight military formation, and he drove forward, but he couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "Han Ziyang's climate has been established, and it is difficult to shake it." ”

"Brother Ziyang, I haven't seen you for many years, and your demeanor is better than in the past." Cao Cao drove his horse fifty steps away from Han Lie and shouted loudly.

"Brother Meng De, it's a pity to be subdued today. Originally, you and I met today, and we should have had a good time, but I didn't want to meet each other, which was really not what I wanted. As for the culprit who killed your father, how about I capture him with my own hands and send it to Brother Meng De to deal with? Han Lie was also looking at Cao Cao, although Cao Cao was dressed in a silk suit at the moment, he could still see Qi Nei, and he was also wearing a set of gold armor, which showed that he was still quite defensive against Han Lie.

"Ziyang's words are wrong, the hatred of killing his father is not shared, Tao Qian Lao'er is not dead, my father can be safe, if you really want me to quit the army, it is not impossible, Tie Tao Qian Lao'er to our army, and after I kill this thief to pay tribute to my father, I will immediately withdraw from the army." Cao Cao replied coldly with an expressionless face.

"It seems that Meng De has made up his mind, this matter has been revealed, Tao Gongzu treats me kindly, and I also ask for forgiveness for not being able to agree to Meng De's request, it seems that for today's plan, there is only a decisive victory on the battlefield, as the so-called life and death are in peace, I hope that there will be a chance in the future, and I can drink and talk with Meng De." When Han Lie came to meet Cao Cao today, he didn't think that he could convince Cao Cao with his words.

The meeting is just because of the feelings of fighting side by side in the past, in fact, several robes who fought side by side under the tiger prison in the past are now dead and scattered, and it is obviously difficult to predict whether they can meet again.

Next, Han Lie and Cao Cao put aside political and hostile factors, calmly chatted about some past events, and both sighed with each other, until the third pole of the day, the two sides stopped and returned to the camp.

This time, Cao Cao went to Xuzhou, because he did not win the support of the military advisor Xi Zhicai, as well as many strategists in Yingchuan, such as Xun Yu Xun Yu and other strategists, so he did not lead them to go out with the army, but only brought Cheng Yu Counselor military aircraft, and engaged in Dong Zhao and Liu Ye were responsible for military affairs.

It can be said that Cao Cao's attack on Xuzhou this time, many of his advisers are not optimistic, the reason is mainly that Tao Qian is quite popular in Xuzhou, and secondly, Cao Cao is attacked by the enemy, after all, Yuan Shao in the north, Yuan Shu in Huainan, Kong Rong in Beihai, and Tiankai, the newly arrived assassin in Qingzhou, are not much and good to Cao Cao.

And Cao Cao issued a massacre crusade before the battle, which was even more unpopular, in this case, it was not a wise plan to raise the country's troops to crusade against Xuzhou, in the eyes of Xi Zhicai, Xun Yu, Xun Yu and others.

However, although Cao Cao was wise, he also had a sense of oppression due to threats from all sides, which forced him to go against everyone's opposition and brazenly launch a crusade against Xuzhou.

The crusade against Xuzhou, for Cao Cao, at least in his opinion, is very necessary, first of all, Xuzhou's geographical location is important, and secondly, it is a place of ointment, and Tao Qian is weak, the world knows that at this time, the surrounding strong enemies look around, do not pick up a soft persimmon pinch, do you still want to send troops to Yuan Shao?

Just like at the beginning of the year, it was clear that Yuan Shu coveted the land of Xuchang, and as a result, there was a big battle, although he won in the end, but as a result, he got nothing except the loss of troops and generals, the reason was that Nanyang was reoccupied by Liu Biao, and Yuan Shu was just transferred from Nanyang to the richer Shouchun, and stretched out his hand to Yangzhou.

Huainan is close to Xuzhou, with Cao Cao's understanding of Yuan Shu, as long as Yuan Shu stands firm, he will inevitably launch an attack on Xuzhou, if Yuan Shu really occupies Xuzhou, then the territory of Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu two brothers will be connected, and Yanzhou, which is surrounded by the two Yuans, will inevitably become a thorn in their eyes.

Although the brothers of Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu are not harmonious, but as the saying goes, they are brothers who break bones and tendons, once he Cao Cao really becomes a stumbling block for them to compete for the world, then he will inevitably become the first and fastest object of Er Yuan.

Therefore, Cao Cao certainly has the intention of coveting the territory of Xuzhou, but why not because of the living space that forced him to go his own way?

In today's Han region, Yanzhou, located in the Central Plains, is not only a place of four wars, but also a place that has been baptized by war, after experiencing nearly 50 years of natural disasters and man-made disasters in the Eastern Han Dynasty, Yanzhou, which originally had a population of up to 4 million, now has a population of less than 800,000, if it were not for the Qingzhou crusade against the Yellow Turban, the population of 500,000 was gathered, and some displaced people in Xuchang, Yingchuan and other places, he Cao Mengde, the history of Yanzhou's assassination, the people in his hands are not even 1.5 million people.

Compared with the population of Yanzhou at its peak, he, the Yanzhou pastor, is purely a joke. It is also the reason why Cao Cao is sensitive to the importance of population, so Cao Cao slaughtered in his own territory while encouraging production while being in the enemy's forces.

Because he understands a truth, the enemy's population is the capital, is the cornerstone of their survival, and if you want to defeat these enemies, the best way is naturally to capture the city, destroy their army, and then kill their population, plunder their wealth, this is the typical mentality of going your own way and letting others have no way.

However, as a hero, he should have the kind of ambition to slaughter all enemies who dare to resist.

But with today's meeting with Han Lie, after nightfall, Cao Cao began to toss and turn and couldn't sleep, and the boring sound of him walking back and forth in the tent naturally attracted the attention of Cao Hong, the general of the guard outside the tent: "Is the lord hungry?" "It's hot and stuffy." Cao Cao lifted the curtain and walked out, looking up at the starry sky, but he couldn't help sighing. "Why don't I ask someone to bring some wine to the lord?" Cao Hong asked hesitantly. "Forget it, during the mourning period, it should not be like this." Cao Cao shook his head, turned around and returned to the big tent again. "Alas, the lord must be in a depressed mood at this time, if he can find a wonderful woman to accompany the lord at this time, it should relieve the lord of some worries." Cao Hong listened to the footsteps in the tent, but he couldn't help but sigh lightly and muttered to himself in distress.

(Digression: Although there is only one chapter a day, it seems that the number of words is more than 4,000 words, which is relatively 2,000 words and 2 chapters.) And I think I'm still a real person, and I usually try to write as many words as possible in each chapter, often more than 4,000 words. Well, don't say much, I'm afraid of exceeding the number of words, thank you for your support, and thank you to the two brothers who voted for the monthly ticket, I am grateful. (To be continued.) )