The front door is a jackal, the back door is a hungry wolf, the jackal at the front door is still a bit of a human surname, can negotiate, but the hungry wolf at the back door is to bite anyone, or as long as there is a chance to bite unceremoniously and there is no room for negotiation at all, the smart Cao Lao Nature made a smart choice, and gambled the last hope on Deputy Director Tao's consistent good reputation.

When the Cao army, which was almost all old and weak and wounded, withdrew from Xuchang City, not only countless Xuzhou soldiers asked Deputy Director Tao to order an attack, but even the Han civil and military officials in Xuchang City, there were many people headed by Guozhang Fuwan, and asked Deputy Director Tao to immediately launch an attack, annihilate the remnants of the Cao army, which had basically no power to resist, and avenge the living crimes suffered by Emperor Han Xian in the past five years. In order to make up his mind to Deputy Director Tao, Fu Wan also said that he could come forward to persuade Emperor Han Xian to repent, and issued an edict ordering the Xuzhou army to take action and share the infamy for Deputy Director Tao.

"If a person does not believe in it, he will never go back on what I promised!" This was the only reply given by Deputy Director Tao, and then no matter how everyone persuaded him, Deputy Director Tao immediately issued a military order, ordering all the officers and men of the army not to take the initiative to hurt or attack the Cao army team out of the city, and those who violated the order would be beheaded by the whole family!

In order to ensure that his orders were carried out, Deputy Director Tao also arranged for Xu Chu to lead the army to assist Shi Yi to supervise the army, and clearly drew the forbidden area, but anyone who approached the Cao army's camp within 300 steps without permission, no matter who it was, would be killed immediately! At the same time, he also asked the Cao army team to also enforce its own ban, and those who went out of the camp for 300 steps, no matter who it was, would also be killed immediately! When the order was issued, the whole army of Xuzhou was shocked, and the hundred officials of the Han family were helpless, but the beneficiary Cao Boss did not appreciate it, and said in front of Jiang Gan, the envoy of Xuzhou who came to announce the order: "Go back and tell the pottery thief, congratulations that he can win the trust of the world, and it will be easier to cheat and deceive in the future." ”

Of course, Deputy Director Tao didn't care about Cao Boss's ingratitude, first, there was no need, and second, there was no time, after leading the army into Xuchang City, Deputy Director Tao was immediately surrounded by the Han family and military in Xuchang City, and he had to salute his brother Tao Shang in front of him, greet his sister-in-law and nephew, and go into the palace to kowtow to Emperor Han Xian, greet Emperor Han Xian and Empress Fu Dong Guifei, who didn't know how she looked, and at the same time arrange for the army to take over the defense of Xuchang City and protect the imperial city, and rectify the law and order in Xuchang City. To prevent the discordant elements from taking advantage of the fire to rob, put up notices to appease the people in the city, and arrange for people to transport the promised grain out of the city and hand it over to Boss Cao, who was so busy that his feet did not touch the ground, and he didn't sleep for another night, and he even forgot about the big thing of achieving good things with Guo Huan immediately after entering the city, so he still had time to pay attention to the wailing of Boss Cao's defeated dog?

In the troubled times, the military came first, and while he was busy with these cumbersome government affairs, Deputy Director Tao had to take time to discuss with a staff officer how to pack up his own dry food and come to fish in troubled waters. Originally, the strategists, including Jia Lao's poison, suggested that Deputy Director Tao resolutely fight back, and lead the army to reinforce the division to fight against Uncle Liu Huang's arrogance, so that Nanyang's new neighbors did not dare to peep into the eyes of the Xuzhou army, but Deputy Director Tao ordered after repeated calculations, but ordered: "Order Xu Huang's team, let them withdraw to Xuchang and join the main force on all fronts, let Zhao Yun lead the army to the rear of the palace, and the distance between the team and the main force shall not exceed ten miles, and slowly withdraw to Xuchang, beware of the sneak attack of the big-eared thieves." ”

Jia Lao Poison and Liu Ye and the others looked at each other, and then Liu Ye asked cautiously: "Lord, the Jingzhou army is far inferior to the elite and good at fighting the Cao army, even if there are 100,000, it is not enough to be afraid, Liu Bei only has thousands of soldiers in his hands, I don't know why the lord is so vigilant and careful?" It seems that they are still worried about General Komeito and they will lose the battle again. ”

"I'm really worried." Deputy Director Tao nodded calmly, and said with a gloomy face: "A more dangerous and despicable enemy than the Cao thief is coming, you must be careful, be careful of a person named Zhuge Liang next to the big-eared thief, just in terms of talent and strategy, he is never under you, nor is he under the Cao thief's advisers Xun Yu and Guo Jia, especially good at taking advantage of the enemy's psychological weaknesses to fight him, I have to be careful, you must also be cautious." ”

Jia Lao Poison, Liu Ye and Shi Yi who were present all gasped, because it was the first time they had seen Deputy Director Tao so vigilant against an enemy since they had been calling Deputy Director Tao as an accomplice lackey, but Jia Lao Poison and others also knew that Deputy Director Tao was extremely accurate and never played child's time in military affairs, so they did not dare to oppose Deputy Director Tao's cautious decision, and hurriedly followed the order, and at the same time kept Zhuge Liang's name in mind and did not mention it.

The night passed quickly, and in the early morning of the next day, in view of the many injuries and illnesses in the team and a large number of women's families, Boss Cao did not evacuate Xuchang immediately, but only sent Mao Jue into the city to negotiate with Deputy Director Tao, asking for another day of rest outside Xuchang City and then withdrawing, and at the same time asked Deputy Director Tao for a batch of treatment drugs, Deputy Director Tao agreed. In this regard, the generals in Xuzhou were worried that Deputy Director Tao was a legacy of raising tigers, and they were even more worried that Boss Cao was playing tricks, wanting to drag until Liu Bei's reinforcements arrived, and then work together to recapture Xuchang City, but Deputy Director Tao explained for Boss Cao: "If Cao Thief wants to wait for the arrival of reinforcements from the big-eared thief, then he will not withdraw from Xuchang, and it is safer to hide in the city than outside the city." ”

Trouble soon came, in the evening, Xu Huang, who was still in retreat, suddenly sent a messenger back to Xuchang, and reported an astonishing event to Deputy Director Tao - when the Xuzhou army retreated in the morning, Uncle Liu led the army to catch up with Zhao Yun's team behind the palace, but the two armies not only did not fight, Uncle Liu also whispered with Zhao Yun alone on the battlefield for a long time, and then led the army to withdraw, for the death of the brother of Lu Yi Lu Myanmar was furious, Xu Huang who received the news was also shocked, and quickly led the army back to the division to question Zhao Yun in person, Zhao Yun insisted that he and Uncle Liu Huang were only talking about the past and did not involve the military situation, and Xu Huang, who was suspicious in his heart, did not dare to take it lightly, so he hurriedly sent a messenger back to report and ask Deputy Director Tao to make a decision.

After listening to this report, Deputy Director Tao suddenly smiled bitterly and said, "Sure enough, it's here." I also blame me for not thinking about it carefully, just thinking that Zilong's surname is stable, and it is not easy for the queen of the palace to be tricked, but I forgot that the big-eared thief still has this hand, and took advantage of the opportunity of the old friend Zilong to divide the palace and destroy the internal unity of our army. ”

"Are you sure this is just a big-eared thief?" Liu Ye didn't dare to take it lightly, and reminded: "Don't forget, the lord and Zilong are old friends, and they were once as close as siblings, it is rumored that the three brothers Liu Guan and Zhang once called Zhao Yun the fourth brother, and the relationship is so close, the lord is not afraid that Zhao Yun will have a different heart?" ”

"Zilong is not that kind of person!" Deputy Director Tao shook his head resolutely, and said: "Zilong is not greedy for money, not lustful, he is virtuous, it is impossible to do something sorry for me, I can conclude that this matter must be a trick of Zhuge Villager, and its purpose is nothing more than to make our army suspicious of Zhao Yun, if our army takes precautions, the big-eared thief will have a chance." ”

Liu Ye was still a little suspicious, but Jia Lao Poison next to him sighed: "The lord really has the wisdom to know people, and this Mr. Zhuge also has a very accurate grasp of the enemy's thoughts, General Zilong's matter, although we believe in General Zilong's character, but we are a little suspicious of everything in our hearts, and our lord is wise and magnanimous, if it is replaced by someone else, this matter is likely to cause a catastrophe." ”

Deputy Director Tao nodded, admitting that Jia Lao's poison was true, if Zhuge Liang's trick was used on others, for example, on Yuan Sangong, then Zhao Yun would basically only have two ways to go, forced to defect or innocent death.

"My lord, the enemy is so cunning, it is better for our army to be cautious." Shi Yi suggested: "Fenqiu is only eighty miles away from Xuchang, just in case, Cao Yinglai can no longer be allowed to leave under Xuchang City, Ming said that if Cao Ying sends a messenger to plead for grace, the lord must not agree, and must ask Cao Ying to withdraw immediately, so as not to give Liu Bei a chance." ”

"Mr. Ziyu's words are wrong." Deputy Director Tao shook his head and said with a smile: "I agreed to give Cao Thief a batch of treatment drugs when he was evacuated, and Mr. thought I was really a woman's kindness?" Random overtures? ”

"Could it be that the lord has other purposes?" Shi Yi Yileng, after thinking about it again, Shi Yi immediately came to his senses, and said in surprise: "Could it be that the lord wants to use Cao Jun to lure the enemy, so that Liu Bei and Cai Mao feel that there is still a chance to join forces with Cao Ying to break through Xuchang, so they continue to march to the city of Xuchang to fight a decisive battle with our army?" ”

Deputy Director Tao smiled, Jia Lao Poison and Liu Ye, who had already guessed Deputy Director Tao's true purpose, also laughed, and then Liu Ye also smiled and asked: "Mr. Ziyu, why don't you want to think about it, our army has taken over Xuchang Jiancheng and is invincible, why don't you want to lure the big-eared thief to the city for a decisive battle?" The big-eared thief teamed up with Cai Mao and Han Fu to kill General Lu Yi and kill more than 3,000 soldiers of our army. ”

Shi Yi suddenly realized, stroked his forehead and scolded himself for being confused, how could he suspect that his cunning lord had made a mistake and made a mistake? In the end, Shi Yi, who was good at conspiracy, also suggested: "Since this is the case, Cao Ying refuses to believe Liu Bei, so the lord may wish to take the initiative to send a messenger to contact Cao Ying, under the pretext of sympathizing with Cao's soldiers, many injuries and illnesses, and allow Cao Ying to stay outside Xuchang City for a while, and then withdraw the day after tomorrow." In this way, Liu Bei can rest assured that as long as Liu Bei crosses the water, our army will be regarded as having achieved the goal of luring the enemy. ”

"Take the initiative to allow Cao Thief to stay for a little longer, with Cao Thief's deception, wouldn't you immediately understand our military intentions?" Deputy Director Tao asked suspiciously.

"It doesn't matter, Yi dares to conclude that after Cao Ying understands our army's intentions, not only will he not destroy our army's plan, but he will also take the initiative to cooperate with our army's plan." Shi Yi replied with a smile: "Have you forgotten that after Cao Ying retreated to Runan, if he wants to make a comeback, who is the first target?" Is it our army in Xuzhou, which is strong in soldiers and horses, or the army in Jingzhou, which is weak in foot? ”

Deputy Director Tao laughed and hurriedly ordered: "Mr. Ziyu, then you will lie down and negotiate with Cao Thief in person, and say that this envoy is merciful, and for the sake of his Cao Apu's pity, he will be allowed to rest for another day, and then withdraw to Runan." "It's Yi Singnuo, hurry up and take the order to act.

What is Yangmou? Yang Mou is to let you know that it is a trap, and you have to jump into the trap yourself! After Shiyi rushed to Cao Ying on behalf of Deputy Director Tao to negotiate with Cao Boss in person, Cao Boss was surprised, and quickly understood Deputy Director Tao's vicious intentions, but after scolding Deputy Director Tao for destroying the thief in front of Shi Yi, Cao Boss still hummed and instructed Shi Yi: "Go back and tell Tao Thief, for the sake of him doing this, I will help him do this, but whether the big-eared thief will fall for the trick, I can't guarantee it." ”

"Thank you, Gong Meng." Shi Yi arched his hand and said: "As long as Meng Degong is not in a hurry to send someone to contact General Han Fu and ask General Han Fu to cancel the alliance he had privately concluded with the big-eared thief, Yi thinks that the big-eared thief should be tricked." ”

"Wordy, our army camp is surrounded by you, can my messenger get out?" Boss Cao snorted impatiently, "Also, I have a word in advance, once it is confirmed that the big-eared thief has crossed the water, our army will withdraw immediately, and he must also fulfill his promise to cover the retreat of our army." ”

"Of course, the promise made by my lord has always been a promise." It was Yi who gave his hand, and then said goodbye and went back to report the news.

On the morning of the next day, Xu Huang and Xun Chen led the partial division to withdraw to the city of Xuchang, and Deputy Director Tao personally went out of the city to greet him, and comforted the generals who had suffered defeat, saying that some victories and defeats were common things in soldiers, and it was not terrible to lose a battle, but it was terrible to lose confidence and other good obedient words. Zhao Yun, who knew that he had caused a big disaster, also knelt down in front of Deputy Director Tao to plead guilty, admitting that he was negligent for a while and fell for Uncle Liu's tricks, causing instability in the army's morale and destroying the unity of the Xuzhou army, but Deputy Director Tao laughed and said: "You can't go unpunished, Zilong, I punish you for not being allowed to enter Xuchang City, stationed in the camp outside the city, and stationed in my Chinese army camp as a punishment, what do you think?" ”

What else could Zhao Yun say? I can only hurry up to thank Deputy Director Tao for his magnanimity, but also thank Deputy Director Tao for his trust. When the generals of Xuzhou saw that Deputy Director Tao had handed over his safety to Zhao Yun, they also understood that Deputy Director Tao did not have the slightest suspicion about Zhao Yun, but they were also very envious of Zhao Yun's trust and favor. After dealing with this matter, Deputy Director Tao immediately called Xun Chen in front of him again and asked in a low voice, "Where is the team of big-eared thieves?" ”

"I didn't dare to cross the river at Yingyin Ferry." Xun Chen replied.

"It's cunning." Deputy Director Tao scolded and asked, "Have you ever found out the grain and grass of the big-eared thief?" ”

"Nope." Xun Chen shook his head and explained: "After the old general was killed, the sentinels of our army had no chance to cross Rushui one step, so it is impossible to judge the amount of grain and grass in him, but it stands to reason that the grain road from Wancheng to Xuchang is more than 400 miles, and there is only a short distance to transport grain by water on the way, and the grain and grass of the big-eared thief should not be too sufficient." ”

Deputy Director Tao nodded, agreeing with Xun Chen's point of view, and said in a deep voice: "In this way, as long as there are no accidents, whether this battle can be fought or not, there will be results in three or two days, and whether our army can avenge the old general will depend on the big-eared thief." ”

"The lord is so resourceful, can't he think of a way to lure the big-eared thief through the water for a decisive battle?" Xun Chen asked suspiciously: "Besides, our army is more than one step superior to the big-eared thief in terms of strength and combat strength, why doesn't the lord try to cut off the grain route and return route of the big-eared thief, and encircle the team of the big-eared thief?" ”

"Don't underestimate the enemy, be careful." Deputy Director Tao shook his head and said with a smile: "In front of Zhuge Villager, it is best for our army to stand on the defensive, wait for Zhuge Villageman to strike first, and then strike later." Fortunately, we don't need to be in a hurry about this matter, the people who are in a hurry will only be Cai Mao and the big-eared thief. ”

After saying this, Deputy Director Tao naturally also remembered Zhuge Cunfu's lifelong rival Sima Lao Thief, this time Cao Jun withdrew from Xuchang, Sima Lang and Sima Yi brothers also followed Cao Boss out of the city, although it is not clear for the time being whether this is the willingness of Sima Brothers, or the compulsion of Cao Boss, but Deputy Director Tao still regrets in his heart, if he can get Sima Yi in his hands as soon as possible, he will have an extra bargaining chip that is enough to compete with Zhuge Liang and Cao Boss head-on - of course, it is also troublesome if the tail is not lost.

…………………… As Deputy Director Tao guessed, because of the retreat strategy adopted by the Xuzhou army, our Uncle Liu Huang will indeed be so anxious that his head is about to smoke, Zhuge Xuan recommended Zhuge Liang who served as a strategist to Uncle Liu Huang, judged that the Xuzhou army's initiative to retreat was to lure the enemy, and wanted to lure the Cai and Liu coalition forces to the decisive battle outside Xuchang City, which was the most beneficial to the Xuzhou army, and the Cao army team that took the initiative to abandon Xuchang City did not have the strength and courage to counterattack, so it was suggested that Uncle Liu Huang should not cross the water, immediately withdraw to Nanyang, and attack Xuchang again when the opportunity is ripe.

Uncle Liu Huang, who was born with Zhuge Liang's eight characters, of course believed in Zhuge Liang's judgment, but it was a pity that the Cai and Liu coalition forces were not led by Uncle Liu, but by General Cai Mao. After successfully defeating the Xuzhou Division, Cai Mao did not take the Xuzhou army very seriously, and learned that the main force of Xuzhou was damaged a lot in the battle of the Cao army, and the remnants of the Cao army who were forced to give up the Xuchang city did not withdraw, General Cai Mao was inevitably more confident, insisting on taking advantage of the situation to take Xuchang, and taking advantage of the fire to rob and kill the Xuzhou army that dared to support Liu Qi and make it difficult for him, so no matter how Liu Huangshu persuaded and analyzed, General Cai Mao just refused to withdraw his troops and insisted on crossing the water and fighting a decisive battle with the Xuzhou army.

In the end, Cai Mao, who was not very good-tempered, simply lost his temper with Uncle Liu Huang and roared angrily: "It was you who persuaded me to take Xuchang by taking advantage of the situation, and now our army is only forty miles away from Xuchang, and you are the one who persuaded me to withdraw my troops!" Are you the commander of the Northern Expedition? Or am I the manager? Don't forget! Before our army set out on the expedition, my brother-in-law had an explanation, so that you should listen to my orders! ”

"Yes, Uncle Huang, I really don't know what you have to worry about?" The little general who made a comeback also said: "The Xuzhou thief army is nothing to be afraid of except for a villain army that is shameless to the extreme? Moreover, the remnants of the Cao thief have not yet been withdrawn from Xuchang, the Cao thief hates the Tao thief to the bone, our army attacked the Xuzhou thief army, how can he not take the opportunity to fall into the well? Find a pottery thief to settle accounts and take revenge? ”

"Although the virtuous nephew is reasonable, I'm afraid that Cao Thief doesn't have the courage and ability." Uncle Liu Huang said with a wry smile: "Although our army has not found out the specific details, it has also been confirmed that the Cao thief took the initiative to give up Xuchang in exchange for the Tao thief to let him lead the remnants to leave, which shows that the Cao thief has no courage and strength to fight with the Tao thief again. ”

"With the support of our army, Cao Thief will become bold if he doesn't have the guts!" Cai Mao stood up a few times and shouted: "I have made up my mind, the army will cross the river and camp on the east bank of the river, ready to fight the pottery thief!" Then send someone to sneak to the Cao thief camp overnight, and contact the Cao thief to attack the pottery thief's soldiers and horses! ”

"Cai Dudu......." Uncle Liu Huang was a little bitter, but Cai Mao flicked his sleeves and said coldly: "Those who violate the order will be killed!" ”

(To be continued)