Cao Ren led his army to secretly continue south, preparing to ambush Guan Yu. Cao Jun deliberately blockaded, and the news of the fall of Nanyang had not yet reached Guan Yu. Guan Yu has recently felt that the strength of Cao's army has decreased, and the cavalry galloping across the country has been reduced by half.

Guan Yu judged that it might be that Nanyang's attack was unfavorable or that Liu Bei broke through the defense and recruited a part of Cao's army to come to help.

Guan Yu sent people to contact Liu Bei about the battle situation. Ling Guan Ping, Liao Hua and Cao Jun fought, and the two armies fought a small battle, regardless of victory or defeat.

Next, the two armies fought several times, and the last time Guan Ping won a small victory, killing hundreds of people. Xu Huang retreated to Sizukatun and held on for several days.

Guan Yu explored the four mounds, and made it clear that there was no danger in the surrounding area, so he led troops to surround the four mounds.

Cao Ren, Cao Xiu and others stationed troops thirty miles north of Yancheng, and scouts reported the movements of the Han army. After everyone listened, Cao Hong asked: "Did the general ask General Xu to retreat and lure Guan Yu!" ”

Cao Ren said: "If you don't retreat, Guan Yu will be suspicious, hold on for a few days!"

Cao Ren instructed: "Send more ranger messengers, take what I wrote for Xu Huang to hold on, the siege is difficult, and a new army is needed, so temporarily send troops and horses to reinforce." After taking Nanyang City, you will personally support!

Let the messenger wander back and forth, and he must be intercepted by Guan Yu. Xu Huang also had to write a reply, so he wandered back and forth until Guan Yu intercepted it, and Guan Yu saw that Nanyang was frustrated in our siege, and the soldiers and horses were tired. We will definitely go deep into the army to support, and when the time comes, Xu Huang will be defeated and lure Guan Yu to go deep into the north, and we will press the army and go down with a drum! Also, sending this person must be reliable. ”

Cao Xiu said: "Understood! Cao Ren ordered the repair to be repaired for three days. Everyone promised.

Guan Yu couldn't tell whether Xu Huang's soldiers and horses were really divided into support, or whether he was lured to take the bait. Consult with Xu Shu.

Xu Shu thought about it again and again, but didn't dare to make a decision, but persuaded Guan Yu: "The matter is man-made, Nanyang is strong, and it is unknown if something happens." Besides, Sun Quan also participated in the war, and Cao Cao needed to divide his troops to deal with it! ”

Guan Yu said: "Nanyang has been attacked for several months, and there are no reinforcements, so it can't help but make people worry!" ”

Guan Yu sent several times scouts to investigate the situation in Nanyang and attacked Sizuntun himself.

A few days later, the Han army escorted Cao Jun's messenger to Guan Yu's camp, and someone came to report: "Jun Jun Hou..., the little man is arrested.... Go to Cao Jun's messenger, search for the letter, and let the small one come. Then he handed over the letter.

After Guan Yu took it, he couldn't help but wonder: The scout should be articulate, this person can't speak clearly, doesn't he delay things?

Guan Yu's face was still the same, and he said kindly: "Okay, good job." ”

Guan Yu read the letter and pointed to Cao Jun's messenger and said, "Say, who are you?" ”

The messenger of Cao Jun scolded: "You are a traitor of the imperial court. ”

Guan Yu said: "Cao Cao is a thief of the Han Dynasty, Gaozu once beheaded the white horse and said that he could not be crowned king if he was not surnamed Liu, Cao Cao called himself the king of Wei, and the foundation of the Han Dynasty was about to be destroyed in his hands." I beg the thief, how can I be a traitor! ”

Cao Jun's messenger said: "You dare to rob and kill the court messenger, it's not a traitor." ”

Guan Yu said with a smile: "Whether Cao Cao has the final say in the court or my Han Emperor has the final say, no one in the world knows, you are still here in the name of the imperial court."

Come on, give me forty slaps first, let him know and know, and see if he dares to talk nonsense with red mouth and white teeth in the future. "Someone on the left and right dragged the messenger of Cao Jun down.

Cao Jun's messenger hurriedly said: "I am a member of the imperial court, you can't do this!" ”

Guan Yu waved his hand. The people took the messenger down!

Guan Yu asked the scout who was escorting Cao Jun's messenger, "What is your name, where are you from?" ”

Come to the human: "The villain Deng Ai Ai Ai Ai, a new savage, went to Jiangxia with the lord, and was later placed in the public security by An An, and was later recruited into the army. ”

Guan Yu nodded and said, "Yes, Deng Ai, I remembered it, and I will give you credit!" I'm sorry for you, go down and have a good rest. ”

Deng Ai arched his hand and was about to leave, when he suddenly turned around and said nervously: "Junjun Junhou, can the villain say a few words?" ”

Guan Yu couldn't help but say, "Okay, you have something to say!" ”

Deng Ai said: "Thank you, thank you." ”

Deng Ai fixed his mind and said, "Junhou, there may be something wrong with that messenger just now!" ”

Guan Yu looked up at him. Deng Ai continued: "First, Cao Ren has been in battle for a long time, and the messenger who delivered the message carried the army's direction to secret, we found the Cao Jun messenger when we were patrolling the main road, the messenger would be intercepted so easily, how could Cao Ren be so careless.

Second, that person just said that he was a messenger of the imperial court, but he obviously had military information, and he disguised it so poorly, and there was a hint of begging for mercy in his words, how could this seem to be the reaction of serving as a messenger for a long time to transmit secrets.

The third is the content of the letter, in order to confirm that he read it privately, the villain also asked the prince to atone for his sins! The villain knew that Xu Huang's soldiers and horses had become fewer, but the Cao army had cavalry, and the cavalry had little effect on the siege, so why did he also withdraw.

Even if there may be a situation, it will not leave only a thousand cavalry, Cao Jun wants to cut us off, no more, five thousand cavalry is also a big threat, and now it is obviously a big flaw!

After Xu Huang transferred the troops, the cowardice he showed was too obvious, which did not conform to Xu Huang's brave and resourceful identity, this is by no means the behavior of a generation of famous generals, even if he retreats, he must not show cowardice, which is in line with military common sense! Cao Jun is so strange! ”

Guan Yu thought for a while and said, "Maybe Xu Huang is waiting for a reply before taking action, otherwise it is likely to ruin Cao Cao's overall situation of taking Nanyang." ”

Deng Ai said: "Junhou, the appearance of our reinforcements in Nanyang will ruin the overall situation of besieging Nanyang, close to Nanyang, the soldiers and the people see hope, the more difficult it is to defend the city, but it is not good for the project!"

These days, our scouts can't even get close to the periphery of Nanyang City, the situation in Nanyang City is unknown, and we can't find out anything! The most dangerous.

I would venture to guess that Xu Huang would not defend Sizuntun in a few days, because they would probably let us go deeper, and then the army would suddenly come to engage us, and we would be far away from Fancheng and unable to retreat.

Cao's army has several times the number of our army, and there is no need for any strategy. We've already lost a head-to-head battle! The strict blockade of Nanyang proves that the Cao army is strong, and it will never reach the point of drawing out reinforcements! We have too few troops, and even if we rush to help, it won't help! ”

Xu Shu nodded and said, "That makes sense." Well, it's not simple, it's well said, Cao Jun will not use us to see death and not save us and calculate us! Fair and reasonable! ”

Guan Yu said: "What official position are you now?" ”

Deng Ai said: "The villain is currently the head of ten people. He was promoted during the previous Battle of Nanyang. ”

Guan Yu said: "Okay, I see that you are only in your early twenties, do you have a table?" ”

Deng Ai said: "The villain is twenty-three years old, and the word is written. ”

Guan Yu said: "When this battle is over, you come to me as a guard!" Deng Ai was overjoyed and retreated.

After Deng Ai left, Xu Shu said, "What do you think of Yun Chang." ”

Guan Yu said: "It's very reasonable, we have too much disadvantage to take risks." ”

Xu Shu said: "Wait and see what Xu Huang has done in the past few days." ”

His subordinates reported that the messenger of Cao Jun had fainted by a fan. Guan Yu ordered to be taken down first, and then interrogated when he woke up to see what information could be obtained.

Xu Huang's actions verified Deng Ai's words, and the Han army attacked for ten days, and Xu Huang broke through the siege at night and retreated into Yancheng.

Guan Yu looked in the direction of Nanyang, and suddenly said to Xu Shu: "Yuanzhi, I feel that Nanyang has fallen!" ”

Xu Shu said: "I also feel this way!" Cao's army is luring us north, annihilating us, and going south to Xiangfan in one go! ”

Guan Yu thought for a while and said: "Let's retreat, wait for five days, dangle for a while, see how Cao Jun reacts, and make the next move!" ”

Xu Shu approvingly: "Very good, retreat is advance!" Nanyang can't hold it, not in these days! ”

Guan Yu ordered Guan Ping to lead 3,000 soldiers and horses to follow Xu Huang as a vanguard, and led his troops back to Fancheng. Cao Ren was very happy to learn that Guan Ping had arrived, and he was ready to send troops.

Unexpectedly, Guan Ping retreated, and Cao Ren sent someone to inquire and learned that Guan Yu had retreated to Fancheng.

Cao Ren was disappointed and returned to Cao Cao. After Cao Cao listened to Cao Ren's report, he felt that maybe Guan Yu had noticed that the battle in Hefei was fierce and could not be delayed for too long, so he released the news to Liu Bei. After Liu Bei learned of Pang De's news, he sent Qin Mi as an envoy.

Liu Bei's envoy Qin Mi arrived at the Cao army camp, Cao Ren reported to Cao Cao, Cao Cao heard that he packed up and stopped, wearing a big hat, carrying a sword at his waist, and sitting in a big tent to meet Qin Mi.

Qin Mi stepped forward to give the salute, and Cao Ren shouted: "Why don't you kneel down and worship Dali when you see King Wei." ”

Qin Mi said loudly: "Gaozu once beheaded the White Horse League and the bridge, and he was not allowed to be crowned king unless he was surnamed Liu. Duke Cao has already paid homage to the prime minister, sealed the Duke of Wei, a very popular minister, and the courtesy is like Xiao He. How to be a king, can you have the heart of a king? Loyal to the Son of Heaven below, begging for traitors below. Although your Excellency has a king, in my eyes you are a suspicious person! ”

Cao Ren was furious, and Cao Cao waved his hand to stop: "Since I am such an unbearable person, do we still need to negotiate?" ”

Qin Mi said: "I'm just a messenger, I'm here to tell Duke Wei that dozens of people such as Nanyang Taishou Dongligon and Haozhou are fine, but my lord is a little impatient." ”

Cao Cao listened and said: "I know what you mean, five days later, Fangling City." There you go! ”

Qin Mi gave a salute and turned over and walked out of the big tent. Cao Cao watched Qin Mi leave, there was neither anger nor murder in his heart, and some of them were just like water.

Cao Cao had some feelings in his heart: what happened to him, why couldn't he touch his heart with anything! Is this what it feels like to see through life and death? How did you come up with this?

Cao Ren watched Cao Cao call the king, Cao Cao turned his head to look at Cao Ren and said: "Zixiao, in five days, pick up the tiger and leopard ride, take Pang De, go to Fangling City, and change these generals back." ”

Cao Ren wanted to speak and stopped, but Cao Cao saw it and said, "Zixiao, if you have something to say, just say it." ”

Cao Ren said: "King, Pang De may be more threatening than those people!" ”

Cao Cao laughed and said, "I, Cao Mengde, am no one!" If you can catch Pound once, you can catch him a second time, and the next time you cut it, it's over. You can't let the captured loyal ministers chill their hearts! A reckless man for dozens of people, no loss! Cao Ren took the order.

Cao Cao seemed to say it to Cao Ren, and seemed to mutter, "It's time to meet the old rival Liu Bei." ”

Five days later, Cao Cao led Cao Ren, Xu Zhu and others to appear in front of Liu Bei's camp, and Liu Bei came out of the camp to meet him. Cao Cao urged the horse to go out, Xu Chu accompanied him, Liu Bei also went out, and Chen Zhi accompanied him.

The two of them were only four or five steps apart and stopped, and Cao Cao said, "Xuande, don't come unharmed." ”

Liu Bei said: "It's good, it's good, it's just that the years are not forgiving, and it's already the year of Benhuajia." How is Meng De? ”

Cao Cao said: "Very good, but the limit is coming!" ”

Liu Bei laughed and said: "You Cao Mengde would still say such a thing, I think you are probably holding your strength to fight me!" ”

Cao Cao also laughed and said, "Not bad. ”

After a pause, Cao Cao said: "Xuande, why do you want to be my enemy!" ”

Liu Bei asked rhetorically: "Isn't Meng De also my enemy?" ”

Cao Cao said: "Yes, but I, Cao Cao, am a thief for the Son of Heaven and a soldier for your Liu family." If it weren't for me, the world would have been full of emperors, and the Han Dynasty would have collapsed, would it have lasted for more than 20 years?

If you want to revive the Han family, why do you want to be my enemy, isn't it better for us to join hands? ”

Liu Bei said in a deep voice: "Meng De, I can't deny your merits, and I also admire your cultural strategy, but do you dare to say that you are dedicated to being a man from the beginning to the end?"

Will the next day still welcome my Liu family as the emperor after the division is swept away? Even if you don't have this heart, what about your subordinates, what about your son? ”

Cao Cao said: "Xuande understands this very well, it seems that you and I have the same heart." You're not something in the pool either. Your heart is the same as mine! ”

Glancing slightly behind him, Chen Zhi was a few feet away from him, staring at Xu Chu intently. Liu Bei didn't say anything more and said: "Yes, I am worse than you, but I also have a heart that is not willing to be lonely." ”

Cao Cao said: "I didn't expect you to be very honest. ”

Liu Bei said: "The heroes of the world are only Cao and Jun'er, I don't need to hide it from you, you know me very well, just like I know you as much as I can." The two looked at each other and smiled.

Cao Cao said: "We can be regarded as confidants!" ”

Liu Bei said: "Half of it, I can't understand you!" I don't think anyone can understand you Cao Cao, I think we are heroes. ”

Cao Cao laughed and said: "Well said, no one in the world can understand me Cao Cao, and I will not let others understand me Cao Cao." ”

Liu Bei said: "Probably! ”

After being silent for a while, Liu Bei said: "I, Liu Bei, have something that I am very unwilling. ”

Cao Cao said: "Yes! I'd like to hear about it. ”

Liu Bei said: "Since I, Liu Bei, fought with you, it seems that I have not won you alone and completely. It's infuriating! ”

Cao Cao smiled: "I'm not reconciled, I win against you every time, but you just don't like Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, who will be completely wiped out in a few battles." The harder I hit, the faster you protrude, isn't that more hateful? ”

Liu Bei said: "I am quite happy in my heart when you say this." The two laughed.

Liu Bei said: "Your people are very loyal, I can't persuade them to surrender." Great hospitality! ”

Cao Cao said: "The same is true for Pound, and I didn't slow down. You and my subordinates are a bit of the same! ”

Liu Bei arched his hand with a solemn face: "Meng De, I know you, fortunately!" ”

Cao Cao also arched his hand and said: "With you Liu Xuande as an opponent, although it is bad, it is also fast!" ”

The two of them returned to their own formations. Soon Liu Beijun sent Dongligon and others, each with a horse, back. Cao Cao's army was also sent back by Pang De on a horse, and the two sides released their own people, and after everyone returned to their own formations, they collected their troops.

After Cao Cao returned to the camp, he was sweating profusely, and Cao Ren, Xu Chu and others hurriedly helped him back to the collapse to rest.

After Cao Cao lay down, he said to Cao Ren: "I've been very sick these days. Today, I deliberately talked to Liu Bei, just to make him think that I was in good health, and he didn't dare to act rashly.

Now that he has formed an alliance with Sun Quan, it is a bit tricky to advance and retreat together. I expected that Liu Bei would definitely contain me here, so I couldn't show weakness. Now that Liu Bei is bluffed, we won't move, and Liu Bei won't move.

The next thing is to deal with Sun Quan. Cao Ren, you hand over the rest of the cavalry to Cao Hong, let him secretly rush to Hefei, and Cao Zhen, send people to Zhang Liao and Zang Ba in Hefei City, and say that I am seriously ill and unable to command the army, Zhang Liao pretends that the army is unstable and wants to give up Hefei.

Zang Ba pretended to withdraw his troops and lured Sun Quan into fighting with us, and when the time came, Cao Hong and Cao Zhen's cavalry completely defeated Sun Quan and eliminated this scourge. As soon as Sun Quan retreated, Liu Bei would retreat. Zhang Liao and Zang Ba want to tell them the truth. ”

Cao Ren was stunned for a moment, knelt down and said, "The king can't, you must not do this." ”

Cao Cao laughed, causing a violent cough, and said slowly: "It's nothing, don't worry, my life is unpredictable, even if I am sick, I have to let Sun Quan and Liu Bei be in the clouds." Don't think about it, go ahead and do it, a big victory is a good medicine, and my illness may be cured. ”

Cao Ren agreed, and Cao Cao said again: "Tell Zhang Liao and Zang Ba to grasp it well, and don't make a mess." Cao Ren promised.