It is said that Cao Cao raised 100,000 troops to invade Xuzhou.

Lu Bu's distress letter was quickly delivered to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei immediately raised 25,000 troops and went all the way north to Huaiyin.

The army was reorganized for one day, leaving Chen Zhi and Buqi, leading 5,000 men and horses to garrison Huaiyin, and the remaining 20,000 troops continued to go north, towards Ling County and Xiaxiang.

Before leaving, Zhao Chen told Bu Qi: "Huaiyin is the rear of our army, so I will hand it over to you." Be careful of Yuan Shu and guard Huaiyin City, which is the first achievement of this trip. ”

Bu Qi made a promise: "Please rest assured that Huaiyin is Qiu's hometown, and no one who is not from our army will be allowed to step into half a step." ”

Zhao Chen nodded with satisfaction.

As soon as the army passed the lower phase, the outpost came to report, Cao Cao's army divided into two routes, attacking Pengcheng and Fuyang, and Lü Bu sent Zhang Liao and Gao Shun to the rescue, which was repelled by Cao Cao. Now Cao Cao's army is heading towards Xiapi City.

"Can you find out which generals Cao Cao brought? How many soldiers did they lead? ”

"Back to the military division, Pengcheng all the way, Cao Cao led Dian Wei, Xiahou Yuan, Yu Ban, Guo Jia, and led 50,000 troops; All the way to Fuyang, Cao Ren led Xiahoudun, Cao Hong, and Cheng Yu, leading 50,000 troops. ”

"Got it, keep an eye on Cao Jun's movements."

Zhao Chen frowned, Cao Cao almost dispatched the most powerful generals and strategists, and quickly broke through the two important points with lightning speed, and there was a great situation.

Pengcheng was once the seat of Xuzhou, when Cao Cao attacked Tao Qian, he never easily conquered Pengcheng, how did he get to Lu Bu but only five days later lost these two such important cities.

It stands to reason that with the ability of Zhang Liao and Gao Shun to lead the army, they should be able to resist Cao Cao for a while, and no matter how bad it is, it can be delayed for a few days, how can it be so vulnerable.

As soon as Pengcheng and Fu Yang were broken, there was no danger to defend on the northwest side of Xiapi City, which was equivalent to giving up the city gate to Cao Cao, and Xiapi City was in danger.

Divide the troops into two roads and break through the two cities in a hurry, presumably this plan must be from Guo Jia's hands.

Who is Guo Jia?

Just one sentence: if Guo Jia does not die, there will be no Three Kingdoms!

Cao Cao regarded him as a chizo and praised him for his political and military knowledge beyond his peers. In the third year of Jian'an, Cao Cao also set up a special position of military advisor sacrificial wine, which was held by Guo Jia.

Chairman Mao also praised him and praised Guo Jia for his "outstanding intelligence, resourcefulness, advice, and outstanding achievements". It can be said that in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, he was a leading figure among the resourceful.

The most famous is naturally the theory of "ten wins and ten defeats", which helped Cao Cao break through Yuan Shao in one fell swoop and win Guandu.

With such a character, Zhao Chen naturally has to be careful.

Liu Bei looked at Zhao Chen anxiously, once the city of Pi was broken, let alone recovering Xuzhou, it would be difficult to rescue Liu Bei's family in the city.

"Cao Cao's offensive is fierce, and he has taken down several cities in just a few days, and Lu Bu's troops are unfavorable, so I am afraid that he will not be able to resist for a few days."

Jian Yong was also worried: "If our army can't catch up with the rescue, and Xiapi City is broken by Cao's army, then our army will have no city to defend, and I'm afraid it will not be the opponent of Cao Cao's 100,000 army." ”

Zhang Fei interjected: "Cao Cao'er, I'm afraid of what he will do!" My old Zhang must let him have no return. ”

Guan Yu persuaded for the first time: "Third brother, don't be careless, there are still capable people under Cao Cao's account." ”

Liu Bei glanced at Guan Yu in surprise, and thought, this Zhao Chen is really powerful, the second brother Guan Yu has always looked down on people, and it didn't work for him to persuade him as the eldest brother, but he was actually submissive by Zhao Chen, and now he has begun to pay attention to the other party.

That's a good sign!

Sun Shao spoke in Liu Bei's army for the first time: "As Master Jian said, if Cao Cao arrives in Xiapi City first, perhaps the best choice for our army is to return to Huaiyin." ”

Everyone is a little irritable when you say anything to me.

The current situation is in a dilemma, just like the last time Cao Cao sent troops to Xuzhou, he was forced back by Zhao Chen.

Suddenly, Zhao Chen raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.

What Jian Yong said makes sense, Cao Cao has a long-distance attack, and the soldiers are fast, and he strives to fight quickly. On the one hand, because there is still Yuan Shao in the rear, he is afraid that if he sends troops to Yanzhou, then Cao Cao's hometown will be gone, and on the other hand, Guo Jia must have expected that Lu Bu would ask for help from our army, and Cao Cao's army wants to win easily, so it is necessary to capture Xiapi City before our army's rescue arrives.

So it is Cao Cao who should be anxious now, not Liu Bei.

He thought for a moment, then burst out laughing.

This laugh amused Zhang Fei too: "Don't worry, the military advisor can still laugh, there must be a way." ”

Zhao Chen was a little surprised, looked at Zhao Fei and asked, "Yide is so sure that I have a strategy to break Cao Cao?" ”

Zhang Fei smiled: "That is, the military advisors are not panicking, what are we afraid of?" When is it not that as soon as the military advisor speaks, he will lead our army to victory. ”

Huang Gai, Tai Shici and Sun Shao at the scene all participated in the war for the first time after joining Liu Bei's account, and they were shocked by Zhang Fei's words.

And Liu Bei, Guan Yu and others did not question Zhang Fei's words at all, it seemed that Zhang Fei was telling the truth.

Where is this Zhao Chen, who is sacred, can decide victory between words.

I only heard Zhao Chen say: "Since Yide said so, then Chen has to ask, does Yide have the courage to go to Cao Ying?" ”

Zhang Fei immediately patted his chest and replied: "Go to Cao Ying, what's the big deal, I'm still afraid that he Cao Cao won't succeed!" ”

"Good! Obey the order! ”

As soon as they heard Zhao Chen say this, everyone came to the spirit, and it seemed that victory was ahead.

"According to the speed of Cao's army's march, we will be able to reach the west and north of Xiapi City twenty miles this afternoon, and set up camp. Yide and Ziyi each led a thousand elite cavalry, set off quickly, first went to Cao Cao's camp in the west of Xiapi City, entered from the south, killed from the north, and went straight to Cao Ren's camp in the north of Xiapi City. After arriving at Cao Ren's camp, he entered from the west, fought out from the east, and then returned to the east of Xiapi City. In this way, the city was attacked and killed three times, and finally bypassed the east gate to converge with the army, and the Cao army would be chaotic. ”

"Zhang Fei obeys!"

"Tai Shi Ci obeys!"

"Remember, this trip is not about breaking the enemy. The two of you must not fall in love with each other, and no one will dismount, and you will not stop for a moment. There are strong generals in Cao Cao's army, if they are right, turn around and leave. The intention of this battle was to slow down Cao Cao's march and wait for the army to arrive and resist together. ”

The two nodded and took the order.

Liu Bei was very puzzled, Cao Cao had an army of 100,000, and Yide and Ziyi only had 2,000 cavalry, how could they hold it.

Zhao Chen explained: "Sun Tzu's Art of War has a cloud: all those who fight, with the right fit, with the odd victory. Lord, the strength of our army is far inferior to Cao's army, and only surprise can win. Now that Cao Cao's army is closer to Xiapi City, if our army marches in a hurry, we may have the opportunity to reach Xiapi City before Cao Cao, but the grain and grass cannot keep up, and it is useless, but it will be passive. Therefore, Chen can only delay the speed of Cao's forbidden army through stratagem. ”

"Now that our army is more than 100 miles away from Cao's army, select two brave and resolute generals to lead the most advantageous cavalry to raid for 100 miles and disrupt Cao's army's position, which can effectively delay the speed of Cao's army's march. And our army will be able to take the opportunity to enter Xiapi City. ”

In Liu Bei's army, the only cavalry equipped with stirrups was able to surpass Cao Cao's combat power.

Historically, Xuzhou has been an important strategic place connecting the north and the south, which is equivalent to the gateway of Yangzhou.

The whole Xuzhou terrain is flat, especially north of the Huai River, near Xiapi City, and it is an endless flat land.

Such terrain is most suitable for cavalry to wander, coming and going without a trace, and the infantry cannot catch up at all.

Cao Cao's tiger and leopard cavalry was also slowly established after the capture of Xuzhou, and at this time, there was no powerful cavalry in Cao Cao's army.

Zhao Chen took advantage of this advantage and smashed Huang Long with the speed of a hundred-mile raid.

After listening to Zhao Chen's explanation, everyone's brows tightened and slowly stretched.

"The military division uses soldiers, it is really unpredictable, Cao Cao has Guo Jia, and I have Zhao Houde!"