In July of the twenty-fourth year of Jian'an, Jincheng Taishou Huang Quan pacified Wuwei and other four counties, and sent envoys to Hanzhong to report to Liu Bei.

When the envoy saw Liu Bei, he sent good news, and Liu Bei took it and looked at it, only to see that the number of people who killed the enemy and surrendered and the list of meritorious personnel were written on it.

After reading it, Liu Bei asked the envoy, "Do you have anything to say when Gongheng sent you?" ”

The messenger said: "Huang Taishou sent me to report to the lord that Wuwei and other four counties were all pacified. ”

Liu Bei nodded and said: "Gongheng really lived up to my expectations, but it's only been four months, how to calm down, let's listen carefully." ”

The envoy said: "Huang Taishou thought from the beginning that Yan Jun and the others seemed to be loyal on the outside, but they had evil intentions. Yan Jun, Huang Hua and others took advantage of the chaos to dare to call themselves generals and guards.

Even if we didn't attack Liangzhou, they would have raised an army, and responding to us was just taking advantage of the situation. In pacifying Jincheng, Cao Jun was still in Longyou, so it was inconvenient to do it.

Cao Jun retreated and plotted to get rid of them. Detective Huang Taishou heard that Yan Jun and He Luan had a conflict. Taking advantage of the contradiction between them, Yan Jun pretended to write a letter, saying that He Luan was plotting against him, and that he was suspected of disobeying orders, and that he was willing to send troops to seek peace with Luan, and deliberately leaked it to He Luan.

He Luan really hit the plan, on the one hand, he sent people to Jincheng to accuse Yan Jun of plotting a rebellion, and on the other hand, he sent troops to attack Yan Jun, but Yan Jun could not resist it, and sent a messenger to send his mother and son to Jincheng as hostages to ask for assistance.

Huang Taishou pretended to agree, but in fact he delayed, sat on the mountain and watched the tiger fight, waiting for both of them to lose.

Two months later, He Luan broke the city and killed Yan Jun, and the original Cao of Wuwei County took the opportunity to lead his troops to kill He Luan, preparing to occupy Wuwei County and resist.

Huang Taishou took the opportunity to move, captured the king's secret alive, and pacified Wuwei County.

Zhang Jin of Zhangye County occupied Zhangye, echoed with Huang Hua and Lu Yan and sent a messenger to tell Huang Taishou that the county was stable and there were no thieves, so he asked the lord to lead the army back.

Huang Taishou shouted and beheaded Zhang Jin and said that Zhang Jin used troops without authorization and did not obey orders, but he was a traitor and led troops to attack Zhang Jin.

After hearing about it, the koji performance of Xiping County pretended to respond and led 3,000 horsemen to help in the battle. Huang Taishou deliberately pretended to be trusting, and personally led 500 people to meet him before meeting with the koji performance.

Lu Yan saw that Huang Taishou had few people, so he took it lightly. After Huang Taishou approached him, he took advantage of the fact that when Lu Yan stepped forward to pay a visit, the left and right wrestlers stepped forward to pull him off his horse and capture him.

Huang Taishou betrayed the party by fornicating with the party, conspired to cause chaos, and ordered to be beheaded on the spot, and none of the 3,000 people and horses of the koji actor dared to move, and all surrendered.

Huang Taishou gathered his troops and entered the siege of Zhang Jin, Zhang Jin couldn't stop it at all, and was killed by Huang Taishou, Zhang Jin and his branch party all surrendered.

Huang Hua was lonely and couldn't speak, and he was frightened, so he surrendered directly, and all the four counties were pacified. Collect as many as 10,000 troops. ”

Liu Bei was overjoyed when he heard this: "Liangzhou is guarded by Huang Gongheng, what do I have to worry about!" ”

ordered Huang Quan and meritorious soldiers to be rewarded, and even the envoys were rewarded. Ordered Huang Quan to seize the time to get married, ask Liu Chan, Mi Zhu, Jiang Wan and others how they were doing, and urge them to organize a cavalry as soon as possible.

After Cao Cao returned to Xuchang, he began to repair the soldiers and horses of the campaign, and replenished the dead soldiers and horses. Tens of thousands of soldiers and horses from Hebei were transferred to come and train in Xuchang.

Prepare food and grass, build siege equipment, and prepare for battle.

Soon, Runan Manzhong sent several previously captured Cao soldiers to Xuchang, and brought a letter.

The letter said: Liu Bei invited people to buy people's hearts, coaxed the captured soldiers and horses to plough the fields, dig mountains and build roads, and build weapons. Redeem yourself with the work they have done, these are the captives who have been sent back!

Cao Cao gathered everyone and met with Cao's prisoners, and Cao Cao ordered Yu to ban questioning. Yu Ban asked, "Whose soldiers and horses are you?" What did Liu Bei ask you to do? How did you get back! ”

Cao Jun replied: "We were captured by the attack camp under the city of Nanyang. It was the soldiers and horses under the command of General Cao Hong. We are cultivating land in Yizhou, and they last counted us doing a good job! Give us money and food and let us come back! ”

Yu Ban looked at Cao Cao. Cao Cao sneered: "So Yizhou's cultivated land and other affairs have not been delayed? didn't come to a halt because Liu Bei had exhausted Yizhou's strength! The people of Yizhou did not bear too heavy a burden because of the war. ”

Cao Jun didn't know what to say and didn't dare to make a sound. Yu Ban shouted: "You don't know whether you are dead or alive, but you dare to help the thief!" ”

Cao Jun kowtowed and said: "We don't know, the general spares his life, we just work hard and come back as soon as possible!" ”

Cao Cao said: "Let them go to Tuntian, don't they like to plough the land?" "The subordinates took Cao Jun down.

The atmosphere in the council hall was cold, and Cao Cao exhaled and said: "I can't wait, I originally estimated that Liu Bei would cause the people's livelihood to wither because of this battle, and the follow-up would be weak." After a while, civil strife broke out in Yizhou, and Liu Bei was tired of running for us to attack.

On the contrary, Liu Bei is probably replanning his forces. Originally, I wanted to raise soldiers and horses after the autumn harvest for half a year, but now it seems that it is absolutely impossible!

Half a year later, Liu Bei will stabilize the land he has occupied, gather food, build weapons, and replenish soldiers and horses, and it will be difficult for us to recover Nanyang and Longyou.

Go, go to Chang'an to recall Miaocai, and the armies are stepping up preparations for a big battle. Prepare to go south in the near future, and take advantage of Liu Bei's slack now. ”

In August, Cao Cao and his generals discussed raising troops to regain the lost territory. Jiang Ji, Jia Xu, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Cao Xiu, Xiahou Shang, Xu Huang and others were all present.

After everyone finished saluting, Cao Cao said: "I think everyone knows, three months ago, we lost the strategic places of Nanyang, Xiangyang, Longyou, and Liangzhou, and it is time to take them back, what do you think!" ”

Chen Qun came out and said worriedly: "King Wei, Wei Wei and other scholars who originally surrendered in Jingzhou planned to rebel in Yecheng, but fortunately, the prince noticed it and quickly suppressed it. The political situation is turbulent, is it to suspend the use of troops? ”

Cao Hong immediately came out and said: "What Mr. said, Wei Wei rebelled, did not cause much movement, but cleared the people with two hearts, internal stability, just the use of soldiers, how to postpone it." ”

Cao Cao said: "Yes, that's exactly what I meant. Wei is a scholar, he has no talent, he can't see the situation clearly, and he rebels indiscriminately, so he is not afraid! Chen Qun retreated.

Cao Cao didn't have any worries in his heart, but he felt that he couldn't afford to wait, and his body knew it. Liu Bei is a difficult opponent, Cao Cao is of course very clear, because of this, he understands that his son is not an absolute advantage, it may be difficult to suppress Liu Bei, he wants to leave a stable place for his son Cao Pi as much as possible.

He can't afford to wait, he can only fight quickly, and the first thing is to uproot Nanyang, the threat of the Central Plains.

Everyone began to discuss, and when they were discussing, Xiahou Shang came out and said: "King, there will be an idea in the end, I don't know if it is feasible!" ”

Cao Cao was overjoyed, his juniors were talented, and he was naturally happy, but Xiahou Yuan hurriedly said: "Don't talk nonsense, Mr. Jiang, they didn't speak, you started to use tricks, I really don't know how thick the sky is." ”

Cao Cao said: "Miao Cai's words, how can he be a child, Boren is covering Zilian and their retreat when the army was attacked by Guan Yu!" ”

Xiahou Yuan said: "King, I won't be like this on weekdays, but this time the use of troops is very important, so be cautious, I'm afraid that he will mislead the king and gentlemen, and ruin the overall situation!" ”

Cao Cao said: "Don't worry, the famous general will play it to put it bluntly!" Just say it! We're here to take a closer look! ”

Xiahou Shang said: "King Xie! The last general thought that Nanyang was the first choice for this use of troops. Nanyang is close to Luoyang and Xuchang, threatening the Central Plains, on the contrary, we have Nanyang, which can contain the enemy advancing north.

The terrain around Nanyang is flat, and the cavalry can make contributions. Liu Bei had just taken it, but he could take Nanyang while it was not yet stable, and he could use it as bait to kill and injure Liu Bei's soldiers and horses and consume his combat effectiveness. ”

Cao Cao nodded and said, "Yes, but what if Liu Bei's army comes to help?" ”

Xiahou Shang said categorically: "Break through Shangyong and block Liu Bei." ”

Cao Cao said: "But the high road to Yongshan is dangerous, and Liu Bei has soldiers and horses to garrison, I'm afraid it won't be broken easily!" ”

Xiahou Shang said: "The kings think so, let alone Liu Bei, they definitely wouldn't think that we would dare to sneak attack, so they gave us a chance."

Surprise and attack unprepared. Our army can first take the mountain road from Wuguan to Shangyong, and then cooperate with the cavalry to take down Shangyong to stabilize the defense line and block Liu Bei's reinforcements in Hanzhong! ”

Cao Cao was overjoyed and said, "That's a good point." It seems that you said it after a lot of thought! What do you think? ”

Jiang Ji said: "King, Boren's words are reasonable!" It's just that there is one thing to note, the so-called surprise is a quick word! How fast, elite soldiers lightly advance.

And Shangyong needs to resist Liu Bei's Liangchuan soldiers and horses, so after the attack is broken, the first thing is our support. So time has to be tightened. Wuguan Mountain Road, unable to convey the news of the march in the first place! So we have to calculate the time well, otherwise Beren will be in danger. ”

Cao Cao said: "Reasonable, let's discuss how to act!" "They took counsel together, and it was decided.

Xiahou Yuan opened his mouth and said: "King, if the army goes smoothly, Nanyang will not have to worry about it. But what about Longyou and Liangzhou? ”

Cao Cao said: "We can only let it go first, it is too risky to fight on two fronts, and Liu Bei must not relax his guard against us." Take Nanyang first, contain Jingzhou, and the battlefield will be transferred to Guanzhong. Moreover, Miaocai wants to delay Liu Bei and prevent him from surviving Wei to save Zhao, the burden is not light. ”

Xiahou Yuan said with a straight face: "Liu Bei dares to come, and the last general will definitely give him a head-on blow and send him back to Hanzhong." ”

Cao Cao laughed and said: "Very good, Miao has this ambition, I am relieved." ”

Sima Yi said: "King, should we send someone to contact Sun Quan and ask him to send troops to Jingzhou, lest he sneak attack Hefei and Shouchun." ”

Cao Cao pondered for a while and said, "Sun Quan, yes." We have to guard against him, but he and Liu Bei have already torn their faces, may they be our enemies again? Would Sun Quan do such a stupid thing? ”

Sima Yi said: "It stands to reason that it won't, but I'm afraid that Sun Quan will take the initiative to restore relations with Liu Bei, Sun Quan came to ask for surrender when the king went south to conquer him several times, it can be seen that Sun Quan doesn't care about false names, and wants practical benefits."

On the other hand, Liu Bei, although he was hateful to be tricked, he actually didn't lose anything, after all, Liu Bei is a hero, and he will distinguish between the important and the serious. Liu Bei is not strong enough to resist the attack of the king and Sun Quan at the same time, as long as Sun Quan gives a step, Liu Bei pushes the boat down the river, and maybe agrees.

Of course, it is not ruled out that Liu Bei took the initiative to reunite, the possibility is very small, no matter how Sun Quan almost made him lose Jingzhou. ”

Cao Cao said: "It's okay, just in case, send someone to Sun Quan to tell him, bring three hundred war horses, one thousand taels of gold." ”

Sima Yi arched his hand and said, "The king is wise." ”

A few days later, Cao Cao led an army of 100,000 from Xuchang to the south, sending troops to Nanyang, and 60,000 soldiers and horses besieged Nanyang.

Since Pang De was ordered to guard Nanyang, he did not dare to slack off at all, knowing that this was Liu Bei's attention to himself and his feelings.

You must know that there are only seven or eight people in Liu Bei's army who led 10,000 troops alone, and he was promoted in just a few years, which is similar to his original Sima Chao, and he is grateful.

Pound repaired the city wall in Nanyang, stockpiling wood, cannon stones, and fire oil. Craft arrows, craft spears, count the population, and more.

Cao Ren said before that he said: Nanyang rebelled, stubbornly resisted and did not surrender, and the city was broken and slaughtered! When Liu Bei retreated, two-thirds of the people of Nanyang asked to go to Xiangyang and Jiangling to prevent Cao's army from coming again and being retaliated again! Now only one-third of the people in Nanyang are nostalgic for their homeland, and they are still in the city!

After Cao Cao's army arrived to besiege the city, he knew that Pang De was guarding the city, so he personally rushed to ask him to talk. Pound was neatly draped and came to the city.

Cao Cao said: "Ling Ming, when the state was merged, it has been more than ten years in the blink of an eye, and it has always been good." ”

Pang De bowed down and said: "Lao Jun is worried, it's good to be down!" ”

Cao Cao said: "I think back then, the general was brave, slashed Guo Yuan, made contributions to the imperial court, the people admired it, and everyone praised it at the time. ”

Pound said: "It's just a fluke, not enough to worry about." ”

Cao Cao said: "The general has not changed, he is still not arrogant, and the imperial court needs people like the general to regain his strength." The marquis of thousands of families is prepared for the general, didn't the general see this sincerity? ”

Pang De laughed and said: "Gong Cao, thank you for your appreciation, I am very grateful, but I am afraid that a person who betrays the master will not regain his majesty!" It will only chill Zhongliang's heart. ”

Cao Cao said: "Ling Ming, what is the reason for returning to the imperial court?" ”

Pang De said: "Cao Gong, just a pawn in the next place, the lord will not give up, to be reused, the grace of the encounter, the spring reciprocates, as for the rest, it is not my martial arts to manage." Cao Gong, please go back! With that, he turned and went down to the city.

Xu Chu Weng, who was beside Cao Cao, said angrily: "This guy is rude, don't care what he does." ”

Cao Cao sighed: "Liu Bei's employment is really powerful. I'm afraid that we will have to spend some time trying to get down to this Nanyang, and go back to prepare for the siege. ”

In the afternoon of the same day, Cao Cao commanded his troops and horses to attack. Cao Cao watched the battle from a distance, after a thunderbolt bombardment. Cao Jun's ladder, rushing car, and Jing Lanthanum went into battle together.

Pound used quilts and cowhide to reduce the impact of the stones, and then held a large knife and urged the soldiers and horses to resist.

Cao Cao attacked for more than ten days without progress. Cao Cao had a headache, of course Cao Cao, who was strong in Nanyang, knew that Pang De had also been reinforced, and he had made a lot of preparations to defend the city.

The people of Nanyang also helped the Han army transport wood, stones, and fire oil, and carried the wounded soldiers down for treatment.

Cao Cao vaguely saw the people and said, "Why do the people of Nanyang help Pang De so much? ”

Jiang Ji next to him whispered: "I'm afraid of being slaughtered!" ”

Cao Cao looked at Jiang Ji and said, "Where do you start with this?" I did go a little too far to avenge my father, and then I learned that I didn't massacre people on a large scale! ”

Jiang Jidao: "In the Nanyang Rebellion, many people in the people's families were coerced to participate, and these became traitors. General Cao Ren let go of cruel words before, if he didn't surrender, the city was broken and slaughtered! Didn't Nanyang not surrender? The people naturally think that the city is broken and the city is slaughtered! ”

Cao Cao's brows furrowed. A horse galloped and reported to Cao Cao: "Xiahou Shang and Zhu Ling led 8,000 soldiers and horses, passed through Wuguan, dug the mountain and marched, and approached Nanxiang.

Xiahou Shang asked Zhu Ling to defend the city, and quickly attacked Fangling, Fangling Taishou is Shen Yi's brother Shen Tan, Xiahou Shang took Shen Yi as the vanguard, pretended to be a thief army, and took Fangling, Shen Tan didn't know what was going on at first, and he also resisted according to the Taishou Mansion, and was persuaded to surrender by his brother.

Then the old plan was repeated, and Shangyong was defeated, and Meng Da was defeated and fled, and returned to Hanzhong to ask Liu Bei for help, and Xiahou Shang won Shangyong and other three counties and nine counties in one fell swoop.

The 10,000 soldiers and horses led by General Yu Ban have already joined General Xiahou. Now taking advantage of the fact that the thief army did not react, they attacked some small county towns, seized grain and grass, and prepared to jam Shangyong. ”

Cao Cao was overjoyed when he heard this: "Boren did not live up to my expectations, and he came to divide another 3,000 troops and escort grain and grass to help Xiahou Shang." The heralds took the order and left.

After Cao Cao finished his order, a guide Yang said: "Increase the siege of the city, spread the news to the city, issue a pardon order, as long as you don't help the thief, no matter who has done what, you will not be blamed in the past." From now on, if you help the thieves again, the city will be destroyed! "Left and right.

Jiang Ji said: "King, look at the herald in the distance, look at the direction, it should be that General Xu Huang also has news." ”

Cao Cao saw that a horse was galloping from afar, only from the south. Cao Cao laughed and said, "It seems that Komeito has also brought good news." He's a guy who never lets me down. ”

Someone came to the front and dismounted to report: "General Xu has broken Yancheng!" ”

Cao Cao laughed and said, "Gongming did a good job. I see, there you go! ”

Cao Cao besieged Nanyang, and Xu Huang was ordered to block the reinforcements of Xiangfan Guan Yu. Xu Huang led 10,000 cavalry and 20,000 infantry to Yanglingpo and stationed.

Guan Yu built several fortifications as a barrier between Xiangyang and Fancheng, connecting the key points of Nanyang.

Xu Huang had already found out clearly, and naturally understood that in order to cut off Xiangfan and Nanyang, he first had to take these fortifications. Xu Huang ordered Xu Shang and Lü Jian to lead infantry to attack Yancheng, Liao Huatun defended Yancheng, and Xu Shang pretended to dig a trench around Yancheng outside.

Liao Hua was shocked, this was to trap himself. The envoy rushed out to report to Guan Yu. Guan Yu received the news of Cao's attack, ordered his troops and horses, and was about to raise troops.

Guan Yu judged that Cao Jun wanted to cut off his connection with Nanyang. As soon as Yancheng is lost, Cao's army will take Yancheng as the center and press towards Fancheng. Guan Yu came to help in person, Xu Huang found out the news, and he was already ready to lead the cavalry to meet the attack.

Guan Yu saw that Cao soldiers had nearly 10,000 cavalry, and he was not prepared, Xu Huang personally attacked, Guan Yu fought and left, losing more than 2,000 soldiers and horses, before retreating into Weitoutun, Cao's cavalry galloped around Tun, and it was difficult for Guan Yu to rush out.

Xu Huang fought back at Yancheng, took out the captured banner of Guan Yujun, and then personally braved arrows and gravel to impact Yancheng, Liao Hua was defeated, and the city was broken three days later, and Liao Hua only took a few people to escape. Xu Huang entered Yancheng, camped on both sides, and approached Fancheng.

Guan Yu garrisoned Wai Tou Tun. After taking Yancheng, Xu Huang ordered Xu Shang and Lu Jian to attack Weitou with great fanfare. But he unexpectedly raided the four mounds. Guan Yu was afraid that the four mounds would be lost, so he led 10,000 people to fight.

Xu Huang supervised the army and fought again, Guan Yu was already prepared, took advantage of the night to come out, formed a tight formation, the cavalry of the Cao army rushed over, and the three thousand crossbowmen in Guan Yu's army greeted together.

Xu Huang ordered the Cao army's infantry to fight Guan Yu regardless of casualties, with only one purpose, to scatter Guan Yu's formation and turn the two armies into a melee.

Guan Yu led five hundred sword and axe hands, and once there was a gap, he immediately filled it in, and retreated as he went.

Xu Huang personally went out to invite the battle and said: "Yun Chang, you and I haven't fought for a long time, can you fight with me?" ”

Guan Yu happily ordered to ignore him. Xu Huang flaunted his martial arts and loudly scolded Guan Yu for having a false name, being old, greedy for life and afraid of death.

Guan Yu's subordinates have many resentful people who want to fight hard with Xu Huang. Although Guan Yu was angry in his heart, he was very calm, and shouted loudly: "I, Guan Yu, have been fighting for more than 30 years, how can I ever be cowardly, even if there are millions of people, what am I afraid of?"

It's just that as soon as I go out into battle, Xu Huang will immediately entangle me and desperately impact the formation of our army, Cao Jun has cavalry, and our army has very few cavalry, how can I match it?

Compared with your life, I think your life is more important, now give me a good one, step by step, into the four mounds. All the soldiers were grateful, their morale was greatly boosted, and they fought while walking.

Xu Huang saw that Guan Yu was not successful, so he divided the 10,000 cavalry into ten teams, took turns to consume Guan Yu's soldiers and horses to retreat, and set up obstacles on the road.

Guan Yu led the troops step by step, and the soldiers and horses on the left and right advanced and retreated neatly, and the command of the Han army was very convenient. The Han army used bows and crossbows and spears against the cavalry to clear the obstacles.

However, in the end, the infantry suffered a loss to the cavalry, and the soldiers fought for a day and a night.