Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 108 Cao Ren, when you see my flag, why don’t you surrender quickly!

In the middle of June in the fourth year of Chuping (193 AD).

Cao Cao personally led an army of 50,000, claiming to have 200,000 troops. He marched from Juancheng in a mighty force, marching southward and heading straight for the northern part of Xuzhou.

When Cao Cao's army passed through Taishan County,

By the way, they swept away the remaining Yellow Turban remnants, mountain bandits, and Ying Shao's remnants along the way, helping Zhuge Xuan to quickly take control of Taishan County.

Afterwards, Cao's army moved south along the Sishui River Valley, heading directly for Xuzhou and Pengcheng.

Now Taishan County is firmly under Zhuge Xuan's control, and Cao Cao's logistical supply line is also effectively guaranteed.

At the same time, in the Xia Pi governor's mansion.

When Tao Qian learned that Cao Cao's "200,000" army was coming to attack Xuzhou, he was struck by lightning and panicked in an instant.

He knew very well that Cao Cao was coming with great force this time and would not give up, and Xuzhou was probably in danger.

Tao Qian hurriedly summoned all his advisers and generals to discuss urgent countermeasures.

Tao Qian frowned, his skinny fingers tightly gripping the armrest, his knuckles turning white.

The thirty or so civil and military officials in the hall were all silent, with only the candlelight flickering in the draft, just like the uneasy mood of everyone at the moment.

"Zhang Kai..." It was Mi Zhu, the assistant historian, who broke the silence first. "The lord treated him well, yet he did something so outrageous and immoral, inviting the fierce tiger Cao Cao!"

"Yes, it's really hateful that Zhang Kai made such a big mistake!" Everyone echoed, and for a while, curses against Zhang Kai were heard one after another.

"What's the point of pursuing Zhang Kai now?" Cao Bao sneered. "Although Cao Cao boasts an army of 200,000, he only has 50,000 at most. We have a 100,000-man garrison in Xuzhou, and Pengcheng is impregnable. Why should we be afraid of him?"

"Cao's army had only 50,000 soldiers, but they once defeated Yuan Shu's army of 200,000. How does General Cao Bao compare to Yuan Shu?" Chen Deng said indifferently, which choked Cao Bao so much that he almost rolled his eyes.

"You..." Cao Bao slammed the table and stood up, his eyes wide open as he shouted at Chen Deng, "Chen Yuanlong, then tell me what good plan you have?"

Now is not the time for internal strife.

Someone quickly stood up, interrupting the argument between Chen Deng and Cao Bao, and said, "My lord, Cao Cao is raising an army this time on the pretext that his father's convoy was robbed and his brothers were killed.

In my opinion, we should send someone to Cao's camp to communicate with him and explain that this matter has nothing to do with the lord, and it was done by the traitor Zhang Kai on his own.

We also expressed our willingness to assist him in capturing and killing Zhang Kai as an apology for his crime, which might persuade Cao Cao to withdraw his troops."

Tao Qian shook his head slightly after hearing this and said, "Cao Cao is extremely ambitious and only covets Xuzhou. How could he withdraw his troops just because of such words?"

At this time, another general stood up and shouted, "Cao Cao is too bullying, but we in Xuzhou are not to be trifled with! My lord, I am willing to lead my men and fight Cao Cao to the death!"

"Don't be reckless," another counselor hurriedly advised. "Cao Cao has a strong army and powerful generals. Our army cannot rush into a head-on confrontation with him. We must take a long-term view and find a good strategy."

Everyone argued endlessly, but they could not come up with a perfect plan that would satisfy Tao Qian.

Tao Qian was terribly anxious. He paced back and forth in the hall, secretly complaining, "What should I do? If I can't stop Cao Cao, my Xuzhou will be devastated... Zhang Kai, that bastard, is really causing me trouble!"

After thinking for a long time,

Tao Qian decided to send someone to Cao Cao's army to try to communicate. Even if communication failed, it would be a good idea to buy time.

At the same time, Tao Qian also sent several envoys to various princes to ask for help.

He himself led 30,000 elite soldiers from Danyang and 70,000 ordinary soldiers to Pengcheng to resist the enemy.

Pengcheng is connected to Qi and Lu in the north, Jianghuai in the south, Central Plains in the west, and the Yellow Sea in the east. It is a vital throat for north-south transportation and one of the important gateways to Xuzhou.

Moreover, Pengcheng has high walls and deep moats, and there are countless grain stores. As long as we defend this place, Cao's army will not dare to advance alone.

Cao Cao's army entered Xuzhou along the Sishui River, with Lieutenant Cao Ren as the vanguard, and headed straight for Pengcheng.

Tao Qian's envoy traveled day and night and finally arrived outside Cao Cao's tent.

Cao Cao received Tao Qian's envoy in the camp.

The messenger respectfully presented Tao Qian's letter and then said earnestly, "General Cao, my master is deeply terrified when he learns that you are raising an army.

However, Zhang Kai's robbery and killing of Old Master Cao's convoy was an act of the traitor Zhang Kai on his own initiative, and my lord was not aware of it.

My master is willing to fully assist the general in capturing and killing Zhang Kai to atone for his mistake. I also hope that the general will show mercy and withdraw his troops."

Cao Cao took the letter, glanced at it hastily, and snorted coldly, "Does Tao Qian really think that he can fool me, Cao Mengde, with these words?

I have come here with an army, and I will not withdraw until I have achieved justice for my father and my second brother!"

Seeing Cao Cao's firm attitude and no room for negotiation, the envoy felt that something was wrong.

But he still refused to give up and continued to plead, "General Cao, please reconsider. If you insist on attacking Xuzhou, Tao Xuzhou will certainly fight to the death. It will be a disaster for both sides. I hope you can consider the lives of the people and soldiers in Xuzhou and calm down for now."

Cao Cao waved his hand impatiently and shouted, "Stop making such noise! ​​Go back and tell Tao Qian to prepare himself for the wrath of Cao Mengde!"
If he had been sensible and opened the city and surrendered early, I might have spared his life.

If you dare to resist stubbornly, the day the city falls, that will be the day Tao Qian dies!"

The envoy had no choice but to retreat sadly and return to Pengcheng with Cao Cao's reply.

The messenger told Tao Qian everything Cao Cao had said.

When Tao Qian heard that Cao Cao refused to listen to his explanation and was determined to attack Xuzhou, he was so angry that he trembled all over. "Cao Cao, I, Tao Qian, have no grudge against you in the past or in the present, yet you are forcing me so hard!"

At this time, Cao Bao, Xu Dan, Lü You and other generals stood up and shouted angrily: "My lord, Cao Cao is unreasonable, so let's fight him!"

Just at this moment, a scout came hurriedly to report that he had discovered the whereabouts of Cao Ren, the vanguard of Cao's army.

The Cao army's advancing front was pressing forward, which actually aroused Tao Qian's heroic spirit.

You have to know that Tao Qian is not a "soft persimmon" that can be bullied by anyone.

He also followed Huangfu Song to quell the Qiang rebellion.

He also single-handedly suppressed the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Xuzhou and laid this huge foundation.

Now, although he is old, an old tiger still has two fangs. How can he allow the monkey to provoke him again and again?
He thought that in the many battles that Yanzhou had fought before, Cao Ren did not seem to have made any noteworthy achievements, so he thought that Cao Ren might just be an ordinary son of the Cao family.

So, Tao Qian, with anger and heroism rushing to his head, immediately ordered Lu You to lead his troops to intercept Cao Ren.

Lu You took the order, assembled his troops, and quickly left the city, heading towards Cao Ren's troops.

Cao Ren led the vanguard troops and advanced rapidly towards Pengcheng with great momentum.

Suddenly, scouts from the front came to report that Tao Qian had sent a general to stop them.

Cao Ren's lips curled up slightly, revealing a hint of a sneer. "Old Tao Qian has finally decided to send his troops out. Pass the order down, speed up the march, and show Tao Qian the power of our Cao army!"

Not long after, Lu You's troops met Cao Ren.

Both sides took up their positions.

Lü You urged his horse forward, pointed at Cao Ren, and shouted, "Cao Ren, since you've seen my banners, why don't you surrender immediately?"

(End of this chapter)