Three Kingdoms: Domination of the World

Suo Chao led his army like an unstoppable torrent of steel, galloping across the borders of the states. With a sharp gaze and steady command, he reinforced every line of defense.

Thanks to meticulous planning, the crisis, once like a taut bowstring, gradually melted away like ice and snow under the warm sun. Border troops from various states gained valuable time to adjust and deploy their forces.

Xuzhou, a crucial battleground, was now shrouded in the smoke and flames of war. Cao's army had hoped to capture it, but failed in the struggle.

What made Cao Cao even more anxious was that his old nest was in a precarious situation, like an isolated island crumbling in a storm.

"Damn it! Suo Chao is going too far!" Cao Cao stood up suddenly, his face flushed red with anger, and his eyes seemed to be spewing fire.

He grabbed the bamboo slips from the table and hurled them far away. They scattered through the air, making a crackling sound that echoed the fury and chaos of his current state of mind. The air in the tent seemed to be ignited by this rage, becoming scorching and oppressive.

Since the loss of the three important cities of Zhongshan, Dongping and Jiyin, the surrounding counties have been in danger of overturning like dominoes.

"Prime Minister, please calm down!" Xun Yu hurried forward, bowed slightly, and advised with a serious face.

Cao Cao frowned, his eyes full of jealousy, and said with gritted teeth:

"Wen Ruo, I'm Qi Suochao. How could he be so lucky? He's like a hands-off boss, yet he's able to manage the northern states in perfect order. How can I swallow this!"

"Suo Chao's army has arrived, and we have lost our chance to fight. The current situation is unfavorable, and I hope the Prime Minister will remain calm." Xun Yu analyzed.

"Forget it, there are capable people in Xuzhou! Lu Bu seems to be assisted by God." Cao Cao sighed.

Xun Yu said calmly:

"Prime Minister, those who have achieved great things since ancient times should not fight for the victory of a single city. Let us first stabilize our position and then unite with Jiangdong to launch a joint attack. The fate of the world is still unknown. Don't let the anger of the moment make you lose your composure now."

Cao Cao took a deep breath, tried to calm himself down, and said slowly:

"Alas! We still have hundreds of thousands of troops left in our army, and the people in the four states are relatively stable. We will be able to win a great victory when we prepare for war in the future." He clenched his fists, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes.

Sun Bin's plan of "Besieging Wei to Save Zhao" was a stroke of genius, cleverly awaiting the support of Suo Chao. Suo Chao's army descended like a heavenly force, instantly destroying Cao Cao's carefully planned battle plan.

Cao Cao frowned, weighing his options again and again. He had no choice but to reluctantly give up Xuzhou, the piece of fat meat he had long coveted. With a wave of his hand, he divided his troops between Wu Qi and Wei Qing, while he himself rushed back to support Yanzhou, which was his base and could not be lost.

As for Runan County, he could only leave it to Cao Ren and Sima Yi to guard. Before leaving, he held their hands tightly, his eyes filled with both trust and worry. Thousands of words turned into one sentence:

"The safety of this county is in the hands of you two!"

"Don't worry, Prime Minister! We're here! The city is here!" Cao Ren's voice was resounding, like the resounding sound of a huge bell. Those resolute words echoed in the air, carrying with them a determination to face death head-on.

"My lord, I will do my best to assist General Cao Ren." Sima Yi bowed slightly, a barely perceptible light flashed in his eyes, and his tone was calm and respectful.

In order to recapture Dongping, Cao Cao traveled day and night from the front lines of Yuzhou. Along the way, he was extremely anxious, and various strategic deployments kept emerging in his mind.

......

On the Yanzhou front, in Cao Cao’s military camp.

After returning to Yanzhou, Cao Cao, despite his fatigue, summoned his generals and advisors to discuss matters overnight. Among them were his general Wu Qi, as well as military advisors Xun Yu and Cheng Yu.

Liu Ye took a step forward, clasped his fists and said:

"Prime Minister, the artillery and firearms of Suo Chao's army are extremely powerful, and our city is difficult to defend. However, I have discovered the manufacturing formulas of cement and artillery, and the army has developed a number of finished products." Liu Ye's face was calm, and there was a hint of confidence in his eyes.

Liu Ye, a descendant of Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu and Guo Shengtong, had a troubled family. Guo Shengtong and Princess Biyang were both oppressed by the imperial family, and his own lineage was repeatedly implicated, leading to the family's decline. Over these long years, he witnessed the rise and fall of the Han Dynasty and had long lost interest in supporting it.

Cao Cao raised Liu Ye from humble beginnings when his family was in decline. Liu Ye, deeply grateful for this recognition, worked diligently and diligently, never slacking off. Knowing that the northern region's advanced military equipment posed a significant threat to Cao's forces, he racked his brains and, through various channels, finally acquired the manufacturing formulas and blueprints for many core technologies.

"Zi Yang! Great! You're my Lu Ban." Cao Cao's eyes suddenly lit up, and the gloom on his face vanished. He quickly ran over to Liu Ye, tightly grasped Liu Ye's hands, and shook them vigorously, his eyes full of surprise and anticipation, as if he saw hope of turning the tide of the battle.

Liu Ye was flattered and bowed quickly, saying:

"Thank you, Prime Minister! This is my responsibility."

Cao Cao laughed loudly towards the sky:

"Hahaha, when our army's equipment is upgraded, I will make that kid Suo Chao suffer!" His laughter echoed in the tent, full of confidence and pride.

Xun Yu frowned slightly and stepped forward to advise:

"Prime Minister, the most urgent thing right now is to expedite the construction of fortifications to prevent Suo Chao's attack."

Cao Cao nodded slightly, his expression becoming serious:

"Well, Wen Ruo is right." He turned to look at Liu Ye, with a commanding look in his eyes, and said loudly:

"Zi Yang, this matter is now your responsibility. Make sure it's completed as soon as possible!"

Liu Ye clasped his fists and accepted the order with a firm look:

"I obey my orders!"

A few days later, the new fortifications were completed. Cao Cao stood on the top of the city wall, facing the breeze, his hands behind his back, his eyes scanning the impregnable city before him.

The tall, thick city walls looked exceptionally strong in the sunlight, their new defensive installations neatly arranged across them. His lips curled up slightly, his eyes gleaming with confidence, his heart filled with anticipation for the future battle, as if he could already see Suo Chao's army returning in defeat before this fortified city.

Suo Chao was unaware of Cao Wei's military reforms. He was sailing the Mayflower and landing on Yizhou, the treasure island that future generations have longed for.