My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Chapter 219: Can you, my Qilin, defeat a god? Cao Cao will be defeated, the Wei Kingdom will perish, I will switch sides with Liu Bei!

Zhang He shuddered.

Cao Cao's excited expression and tone made him a little confused. Was he shocked by Xiao He's "omnipotence" or questioning the absurdity of what he said?

After all, there is no connection between counselors and military craftsmen.

Xiao He was the Minister of the State of Chu and Liu Bei's strategist!

With such status and position, would he have nothing better to do than hang out with those lowly weapon smiths and learn how to make weapons?

Who would believe it if I told you...

Zhang He rolled his eyes several times and could only answer:
"I also found this ridiculous, so I tortured the prisoner and confirmed that he was not lying. He absolutely believed what he said."

"As for whether what he knows is true or false, I have no way to verify it."

Zhang He had no choice but to play tricks and give Cao Cao an ambiguous answer so that Cao Cao could not find any fault with him.

"Hiss~~"

Cao Cao took a deep breath, as if he was standing in an icy abyss, and instantly felt cold from head to toe.

He believed it.

If it were any other strategist, what Zhang He said would have seemed absurd and ridiculous to him.

But when it came to Xiao He, he had no choice but to believe it.

It even made him feel that it was very reasonable.

After all, the demon he mentioned was actually the most extraordinary person in the world who was hidden.

It seems reasonable that such a mysterious and extraordinary person would be proficient in weapon manufacturing and be able to create such a magical weapon as the Mo Dao.

What really made Cao Cao feel horrified was the rumor that Xiao He was a disciple of an immortal.

The Mo Dao can kill both men and horses, and it is a sharp weapon to destroy cavalry!
Such an unprecedented sword is not only a thing from this world, but also seems like a divine weapon from the immortals.

Unless he is a disciple of an immortal, how could he create such a magical weapon?

If this is the case, then the rumors are true, and Xiao He is indeed a god descended to the world!

Liu Bei has the support of immortals and gods, how can I be his opponent?
Such a voice was buzzing in Cao Cao's mind, making his scalp numb and his feet cold.

Xun You, Zang Ba and other Wei counselors and generals were all shocked and terrified.

Yang Xiu looked dazed, and couldn't help but recall the scene when Xiao He performed "The Goddess of Luo River" that day.

His shock that day was no less than that of Cao Cao and his ministers today when they learned that Xiao He had forged the Mo Dao.

"This man is as wise as a ghost or god, his literary talent is unrivaled in ancient and modern times, and now he has created such a magical weapon. How many other inhuman abilities does he have?"

"Could it be that this person is really a descendant of an immortal family as the rumors say?"

"If that's the case, how can we ordinary mortals defeat him?"

"It seems that Master Zijian was right to dissuade Duke Wei from the southern expedition. Perhaps he was the only one who saw that Duke Wei was no match for Liu Bei."

"If one day, Duke Wei loses Henan, my Yang family, though a vassal of Wei, is rooted in Hongnong, what will become of our future?"

Yang Xiu's thoughts were surging, and the more he thought about it, the colder he felt on his back, and he couldn't help but fall into deep worry.

While the rulers and ministers of Cao Wei were still immersed in the devastating defeat and shock, the victorious army of 60,000 led by Liu Bei had already marched to the city of Xiaxiang in a mighty force.

The Chu army forced the city to retreat, creating a threatening situation for Xiaxiang City.

The offensive and defensive situation was reversed.

After the battle, 40,000 soldiers were killed. It is not an exaggeration to say that the army suffered heavy losses.

According to common sense, the war had reached this point, which meant that Cao Cao's southern expedition strategy had failed, and all troops should retreat north.

The Eastern Army commanded by Cao Cao should also retreat to Xia Pi honestly and wait for Liu Bei to retreat to Huainan before returning to Yecheng.

At this time, the rulers and ministers of Cao Wei had not yet realized Liu Bei's desire to recover the Central Plains, and thought that Liu Bei was only conducting a tactical defensive counterattack.

As long as they retreated to Xia Pi, Liu Bei would naturally retreat to Huainan.

Xun You and other counselors also tried to persuade Cao Cao to retreat to Xia Pi.

Of course, Cao Cao also knew that the rational choice was to retreat.

But if the grand southern expedition ended in such a disastrous defeat, where would the reputation of the Duke of Wei be?

Retreating would be a loss of face, but he was not sure of defeating Liu Bei, so Cao Cao was caught in a dilemma.

So the 60,000 Wei troops camped in Xiaxiang City, forming a stalemate with the Chu army that was forcing the city to take up camp.

...

The day is dusk.

It was time for dinner, and the table was filled with wine and meat.

Cao Cao, however, had no appetite. He was staring blankly at the food, holding a bowl of rice in his hand and a piece of chicken ribs on his chopsticks.

Footsteps sounded.

Yang Xiu stepped into the hall cautiously, bowed and asked:
"My Lord, it's time to change the night pass. Please give me the pass."

Cao Cao came back from his trance, glanced down at the chicken ribs on his chopsticks, and replied casually: "Chicken ribs!"

“Chicken…chicken ribs?”

Yang Xiu was stunned.

Using such a useless thing as a passphrase is a bit too casual.

Just imagine a serious strategist like Xun You who was always serious. When he was asked for a password by a soldier during a march, he said the word "chicken ribs" with a serious face. Isn't the picture funny?

Yang Xiu was so smart that he rolled his eyes a few times and immediately guessed Cao Cao's mood at the moment.

Chicken ribs, tasteless to eat, a pity to throw away...

Just like Cao Cao's situation at the time, it was not right for him to retreat back to Xia Pi, nor was it right for him to continue to defend Xia Xiang and stalemate with Liu Bei.

"It seems that the Duke of Wei is planning to withdraw his troops. I should go back and pack up my belongings and make preparations in advance..."

The corners of Yang Xiu's mouth curled up secretly, and he was secretly proud of himself for easily figuring out Cao Cao's inner subconscious.

So after sighing inwardly, Yang Xiu accepted the order and took his leave.

Just as he turned around, he suddenly remembered something and his face changed drastically.

"Master Yang, listen to my sincere advice."

"If one day Cao Cao uses chicken ribs as a passcode, don't be too clever and tell everyone that chicken ribs are tasteless and a pity to throw away, and then speculate that Cao Cao is going to withdraw his troops."

"Otherwise, you will bring disaster upon yourself by speaking out of your mouth..."

In Yang Xiu's mind, he recalled what Xiao He said to him before they left in Shouchun that day when Liu Bei allowed him to take Cao Zhi back north.

At that time, he felt confused and didn't take it seriously at all. He put it out of his mind as soon as he got on the boat.

It was not until this moment that Yang Xiu suddenly recalled and was horrified to find that Xiao He's prediction had come true!

Cao Cao actually used chicken ribs as a passcode!

He actually guessed that it was tasteless to eat but a pity to throw away, and guessed that Cao Cao intended to withdraw his troops!
It's really creepy that he can be so smart!

No, this can no longer be called a brilliant plan.

This is simply like using the world as chess, and all of them are chess pieces on the board!

And Xiao He is like the person playing chess.

Their every move, every word and action was controlled by Xiao He, the chess player.

"That Xiao He must be a god descended to the world!"

"It must be that the ancestors of the Han Dynasty have expressed their spirits in heaven and sent down a god like Xiao He to assist Duke Chu in restoring the Han Dynasty."

"Yes, it must be so, it must be so..."

Yang Xiu completely forgot the teachings of saints to keep away from ghosts and gods. His head was buzzing, his body was stiff and trembling, and in a blink of an eye he broke out in a cold sweat.

Cao Cao noticed that something was wrong with Yang Xiu, and when he was about to ask him a question, the tent curtain was lifted and Cao Chong stepped into the tent.

"Father, I have been ordered to escort the grain and fodder from Yecheng. The 100,000 hu of grain and fodder have been delivered. I am reporting to you." Cao Chong bowed and stepped forward to pay his respects.

Yang Xiu finally came to his senses and hurriedly bowed to Cao Chong.

When Cao Cao saw his son arrive, he put Yang Xiu aside and smiled, calling his son to come over and sit down.

"Cang Shu, I'm sure you've heard about the Sishui battle. What's the sentiment among the people in Yecheng?"

Cao Cao asked impatiently without waiting for Cao Chong to sit down.

"Reporting to Father, the people of Yecheng are indeed shaken, but it will not affect the overall situation. Father, please rest assured."

After hearing Cao Chong's answer, Cao Cao finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Cang Shu, your plan of making a feint to the east and attacking in the west was indeed brilliant, but it was unfortunately seen through by that big-eared thief, who personally led his army to Xuyi to fight against me."

"But even so, if it weren't for the magical weapon, the Mo Dao, that demon Xiao He forged for the Big Ear Bandits, your father would have already defeated the Big Ear Bandits and razed Xuyi to the ground~~"

Cao Cao gritted his teeth, a look of unwillingness appearing on his face again.

"I've heard a little about the Mo Dao. In my opinion, although it's powerful, it's just a sword after all, and it can't be considered a magical weapon."

"Liu Bei possessed this powerful weapon, yet he only forged a little over two thousand. I suspect this sword must be extremely expensive, and Liu Bei's national strength would prevent him from producing more."

"In this case, even though Liu Bei has this sword, it still cannot change the overall situation that I am strong and the enemy is weak."

Cao Chong analyzed it eloquently, then bowed:

"So, I believe that father must not become discouraged and give up the southern expedition because of this defeat."

Cao Cao was greatly encouraged by this.

He had originally intended to withdraw his troops, but after hearing Cao Chong's analysis and encouragement, he suddenly became enlightened and all his thoughts of retreat were gone.

"Okay, okay, Cang Shu is right!"

"I am strong and the enemy is weak. The advantage still belongs to Wei. How can I retreat?"

"I will obey you and continue the southern expedition. I will not stop until Huainan is recovered!"

Cao Cao laughed heartily, confidence rekindled on his face.

Seeing this, Cao Chong took advantage of the situation and said:

"On my way to Xia Pi, I came up with a plan that might help you annihilate the 60,000 Chu troops in one fell swoop!"

Cao Cao was overjoyed and asked Cao Chong what brilliant plan he had.

Cao Chong asked for a map and pointed at it slowly, saying:
"Didn't the Big Ear Bandit use this strategy to break through Huainan? Then we will fight back. Father, can you send a general to lead the army..."

Cao Chong revealed his plan in full.

Cao Cao's face gradually brightened with joy, and he patted the map and praised it:
"What a great tit-for-tat strategy, Cang Shu! This plan of yours truly reflects Feng Xiao's clever strategy of achieving a surprise victory!"

Cao Chong just smiled faintly.

Cao Cao immediately became excited and ordered Xun You, Jia Xu and other advisers to come and discuss the matter.

The big tent soon became lively.

All the counselors were amazed and praised Cao Chong's plan as imaginative and ingenious.

"Duke Wei, Master Cangshu's plan can indeed catch Liu Bei off guard. If successful, it will cut off Liu Bei's retreat and annihilate his 60,000 troops in one fell swoop!"

Xun You first praised him highly, but then changed the subject:
"But Master Cangshu's plan requires a navy to transport troops, and the ships needed must be seagoing vessels."

"Where did we get here in this short period of time?"

Cao Cao's face was filled with excitement at the sudden news, his brows furrowed, and he looked anxiously at Cao Chong.

Cao Chong had expected this and just smiled faintly:
"I remember that when Gongsun Du dominated Liaodong, he sent troops across the sea to land on the Donglai Peninsula, seized several counties, and established Yingzhou."

"After my father defeated Yuan Tan and recovered Qingzhou, he also recovered the counties of Donglai that Gongsun Du had captured."

"After his son Gongsun Kang inherited Liaodong, he presented tribute to his father and pledged his loyalty, requesting that his father assign the two counties of Dongmu and Changyang, which belonged to Donglai, to him to facilitate maritime trade with the Central Plains."

"Father, why don't you borrow the Liaodong merchant ships from Donglai and Lai counties to transport our troops south and implement my plan?"

Cao Cao's frown suddenly relaxed, and his eyes opened wide in an instant, as if he had discovered a new world.

Xun You and other counselors all looked surprised.

Even Jia Xu, who usually kept his emotions to himself, stroked his white beard and nodded slightly, with a rare look of admiration in his eyes.

"I never imagined that there was Gongsun Kang who could be of use to the Duke of Wei. Master Cang Shu's vision and perspective are beyond our reach."

Xun You was amazed and looked at Cao Chong with admiration.

Cao Cao's face was filled with joy, and he laughed heartily:
"I have a son like Cang Shu. It is truly a blessing from heaven for Cao Cao and for the Great Wei!"

"Big-eared thief, ah, big-eared thief, you have Xiao He, but I have Cang Shu. You are no match for me after all!"

"Hahaha--"

Cao Cao's loud laughter echoed in the hall.

At that moment, Cao Cao made a decision and used Cao Chong's plan, ordering all his counselors and generals to act according to the plan.

Everyone was in high spirits, the gloom of the defeat at Si Shui was swept away, and they all took their leave.

Everyone was in high spirits, with the exception of Yang Xiu.

When he stepped out of the hall, he quietly turned his head to glance at Cao Chong, but a trace of deep fear flashed in his eyes.

"If Cao Chong succeeds in this plan, then he will undoubtedly be credited with the greatest achievement in Duke Wei's southern expedition, and his position as crown prince will be unchallenged."

"He will inherit the throne in the future. As the advisor to Master Zijian, will the Yang family and I still have a good life?"

"Besides, Xiao He is a living immortal. His plan may not be able to escape Xiao He's divine eyes."

"In this case, why don't I find a way out for myself and my Yang family?"

Yang Xiu's thoughts raced for a long time, and his hesitant look gradually turned into determination.

...

Three days later, they went to the Chu camp south of Xiaxiang City.

Inside the central army tent, a Xuzhou sand table has been set up.

"The key to Xuzhou lies in Xiapi. If we take Xiapi, Xuzhou will be secure!"

"Xiaxiang City is the only barrier south of Xiapi."

"As long as our army captures this city, our 60,000-man army will be able to advance unhindered to the city of Xia Pi..."

Pang Tong pointed at the sand table and analyzed the next strategy.

Liu Bei nodded repeatedly.

No one knows how important Xia Pi and Xiaxiangcheng are better than him, the former lord of Xuzhou.

Similarly, he naturally knew how strong Xiaxiang City was.

"In the battle of Sishui, although we killed 40,000 enemies, Cao Cao still had 60,000 of his defeated troops."

"Although the enemy and our forces are equal in strength, our army's morale and combat effectiveness far surpass Cao's army. In terms of overall strength, our army has the upper hand."

Pang Tong changed the subject and continued:
"But now Cao Cao has switched from offense to defense. It's obvious that he doesn't dare to fight. He plans to hold his ground and not come out, hoping to wear out our army."

"How to capture Xiaxiang and defeat the 60,000-strong Wei army? I think we need some strategies."

Liu Bei agreed with this and looked at Xiao and Pang Tong, about to ask them what good strategies they had.

At this time.

Chen Dao entered the tent and claimed that when the scouts were patrolling the perimeter of Xiaxiang, someone shot down an arrow from the city wall, which contained a letter that was to be presented to the Duke of Chu.

As he said this, Chen Dao presented the silk book.

Liu Bei looked at everyone, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, and then he asked Chen Dao to read it out in public.

Chen Dao unfolded the silk book and said loudly:

"The Duke of Wei has adopted Cao Chong's plan and ordered Sun Guan to lead 8,000 elite troops and Gongsun Gong to lead the Liaodong merchant ships south. They will enter the Huai River from the sea and launch a surprise attack on Xuyi, cutting off the Duke of Chu's retreat in one fell swoop. Please prepare for it!"

(End of this chapter)