When the Cao army took the initiative to seek retreat, it was only a natural thing to seize Runan. The cities were basically gone without fighting, and our army suffered very few casualties. Of course, because of avoiding war, the Cao army's damage was minimal.

According to the scout's investigation, the remaining Cao and Han soldiers and horses after the Wufang Battle were finally divided into two groups, retreating northward to Yingchuan, and the other to eastward to Liangjun.

I have to admit Cao Cao's courage——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Seeing this, Cao Cao had the style of a hero who cut off his arm. He almost did not hesitate and decisively abandoned the largest county in Yuzhou (referring to the territory) Runan.

However, the negative effects of this retreat were also obvious. Xuchang, as the capital of Huangwu's pseudo-in-law, was directly exposed to the military's front.

Although the same scene happened in the fifth year of Jian'an, it is no longer the same now. Seven years ago, Cao Cao had just won the Guandu Victory and was very strong. Our army had only one Runan County, which had neither strategic depth nor enough to compete with the Cao army's military strength. Even though Xuchang was close at hand, he could only sigh; but seven years later, our army could already compete with Cao Cao in terms of strength, and even enough to win.

Under such circumstances, in the face of the powerful threat from our army, there will definitely be a great turmoil within Xuchang. What I have to do is to aggravate this turmoil and completely disintegrate the people and the morale of the army under Cao Cao's rule.

.

On the fifth day of July of the second year of Zhanghe, the plum rain that had been lingering for 13 days finally stopped. Fortunately.

Except for the heavy rain on the first day of plum blossoms, although the rain continued during the rest of the days, the precipitation was not surprising, which was completely incomparable to the heavy flood last year.

God finally gave mercy on the world and did not continue to make things worse.

In addition, because our army buried the dead soldiers in time and appropriately, the plague that was likely to recur after the war and the plum rain was avoided.

However, the people of Runan were destined to be unable to escape the shadows brought by this war. When Cao's army retreated, they harvested all the green millet (millet, also known as millet or millet) that would take at least two months to mature.

After this, Cao Cao not only raised some food and grass for himself (the immature green millet can be eaten. And he was so hungry that he could eat anything, haha), but also threw a heavy burden to us.

The crops were robbed and cut. It almost meant that the hope of the people in Runan was eliminated.

The hunger that has been hungry for more than half a year is waiting for this year's autumn harvest. Now this hope has turned into a vain. The desperate people are likely to do some extreme things. If it cannot be handled properly, it will not be easy for our army to take over Runan.

However, fortunately, this happened in Runan. If it were elsewhere, it would be really annoying——Seven years ago, our army lost Runan.

But my elder brother has already established an excellent impression in the minds of the people of Runan, which is our local political advantage.

With the help of my elder brother's reputation, it is not difficult to appease the people's hearts in a short period of time. As long as the grain in Jing and Yang states can be provided, it is only a matter of time before the situation in Runan is stabilized.

On the sixth day of the seventh month, Zhangling Prefect Jiang Wan rushed to Runan City and officially took over as the prefect of Runan. Four days ago, Deng Zhi, the prefect of Nanjun, rushed to Wancheng and took over as the prefect of Nanyang.

Jiang Wan's courtesy name is Gongyan. He is from Lingling County, Jingzhou. He is famous for his talent for his young age. He served as the magistrate of Jiujiang County and the prefect of Zhangling. He is proficient in government affairs and has outstanding political achievements. He is especially good at appeaseing the hearts of the people. It is really appropriate for him to take over Runan County.

Deng Zhi is a talented person who is proficient in government affairs and military strategies. He served as the prefect of Nanyang County between Hanzhong, Yingchuan and Luoyang. It is also the only one who has the fullest talents.

After July, the battle situation in Xuzhou became clearer and clearer. Xiahou Dun, who was defeated in Fei County, was not only chased by his second brother, but also faced a dilemma of scarcity. His troops almost collapsed and were rescued by Cao Ren at the most critical moment.

After a fierce battle with Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun, the second brother, saw that he could not defeat the Cao army, which had the advantage in numbers, temporarily gave up the pursuit. Afterwards, Xiahou Dun led his army to retreat towards Qingzhou, and Cao Ren led his army to Yanzhou.

In response to Cao's army's actions, the second brother discussed with Zhuge Liang and divided his troops into two groups. The second brother led the main army to attack Yanzhou eastward, and Wei Yan led the army northward. With the cooperation of Gan Ning, the attack and defense were weak and the people basically fled the two counties of Qingzhou Beihai and Donglai.

After receiving the letter from my second brother, I stopped the army's rest and immediately led the army to cooperate with my second brother to attack Yanzhou.

On the seventh day of the seventh month, Huang Zhong commanded ten thousand troops, holding my battle flag, and came out of Runan to feint to attack Yingchuan, and his troops suppressed Xuchang.

At the same time, I myself commanded more than 25,000 troops to attack Liang County from the east.

……………………………………………………………………….

Xuchang has been solemnly filled with panic.

Once the news of Cao Cao's defeat in Runan was returned, the court officials and the great gentry members felt that it was not good.

After Cao's army gave up Runan and retreated to Yingchuan, this uneasiness grew even at an astonishing speed, and many people were even ready to move out of their families.

However, when they were waiting to take action, they were shocked to find that there was nothing they could do.

The three states of Yan, Yu and Qing were naturally unable to go, and as Gongsun Kang began to attack western Liaoning, Hebei, Ji, You and the three states of Hebei also became unsafe.

Gongsun Kangjun has always been notorious. Once it falls into their hands, it is probably worse than death. Compared with Liu Bei's army, although he is the number one enemy, he will at least not kill innocent people without killing them.

With the danger of Hulao Pass, the Sili Department and Yongzhou seem to be safer, but the Jingzhou army, which has already controlled Nanyang County, may send troops to cut off the road to Luoyang.

The inability to find a way out has further aggravated the chaos in Xuchang.

Under such circumstances, Xun Yu and Cao Pi were even more afraid to spread the news that Cao Cao fell ill. Fortunately, Jia Xu had already expected this situation in advance.

On that day, he secretly arranged for Cao Cao to return to Xuchang to recuperate at night, but he himself stayed in Linying, pretending to be with Tian Yu and Han Sui to plan to defend Yingchuan in the name of Cao Cao.

With Xun Yu's efforts to appease, the hearts of the people in Xuchang had just been a little stable. The news came from the Jingzhou army's large-scale attack on the north, but Xun Yu's efforts were shattered.

.

Xuchang imperial court

Some court officials, including General Liu Fang, General of the Right Guard, Wang Lang, and General of the Secretariat, were strongly advocated moving the court to Jizhou and temporarily avoiding the leading position of the Jingzhou army.

The emperor was young and had been influenced by court officials for many days. He was extremely afraid of the war that was about to spread to Xuchang, so he almost agreed to the request to move the capital.

Xun Yu, Dong Zhao, Chen Qun and others tried their best to persuade them, and expressed their various dangers of moving the capital. They bluntly stated that once the court was moved to Hebei, the entire Central Plains would completely fall into the hands of Liu Bei's army, and even the Sili Department, Yongzhou, and Liangzhou would be lost.

At that time, even if the imperial court can block the enemy based on the natural dangers of the Yellow River, it will not be able to compete with Liu Bei, the land of rapid growth in strength, and it will only be a matter of time before it will be destroyed.

Xun Yu also comforted the emperor and the court officials, Daojing and Yang, the enemy troops on the two sides had more than April to expedition, and the food was consumed greatly, and the army was exhausted after a long battle. He could no longer hold on.

What the two armies are competing now is not just the amount of military strength or morale, but more importantly, it depends on who can last until the end.

In the end, it was Dong Zhao who took a small threat to the emperor and the court officials, and barely calmed down the storm of moving the capital. However, undercurrents were already surging within Xuchang.

.

Prime Minister's Mansion, in the bedroom

After hearing Xun Yu report the latest situation inside and outside the court, Cao Cao nodded slightly, wearing a fur robe and sitting on the soft couch: "Wenruo, thank you for your hard work."

Although the doctor advised Cao Cao to rest for two months and to put less effort into physical strength during this period, in critical situations, how could Cao Cao really rest freely?

Although the specific matters were entrusted to Xun Yu, Chen Qun, Zhong Yao and others, Cao Cao still asked to grasp the latest major events as soon as possible.

Xun Yu's handsome appearance in the past no longer exists. Due to excessive labor, he looks much thinner, his eyes are covered with blood, and there are also many white hairs on the temples: "Jing, Yang and the two enemy troops will not be able to fight for a day, so Xuchang will be unable to be truly peaceful.

”

"Although Jing and Yang's enemy is in full swing, there are problems. It should not be able to last for a long time." Cao Cao said in a deep voice. "The hateful thing is that guy Gongsun Kang. Wen Ruo, what's the matter?"

"Don't worry, Prime Minister!" Xun Yu nodded. "The Wuhuan and the Xiongnu tribes have sent people to lobby, and the matter of inciting the rebellion of the Three Koreans is also being arranged, and we should be 70% sure of accomplishing things.

As long as Zang Xuangao can persevere until the end of August, he will definitely force Gongsun Kang to withdraw his troops."

"If the situation can be stabilized this time, this guy will be killed!" Cao Cao said in a grudge.

"Prime Minister, can you send envoys to discuss peace with Liu Bei?" After hesitating for a moment, Xun Yu suddenly made a suggestion.

"Party discussion?" Cao Cao looked at Xun Yu in a slight shock.

"Jing, Yang's enemy troops are exhausted, and the food and grass should not be so abundant. As the Prime Minister said, Liu Bei may not last long in this battle. If he could promise certain conditions, he might be able to quit with him for a while.

"Xun Yu analyzed, "Liu Bei is a man of faith. As long as he agrees to negotiate peace, he will naturally not invade easily during the truce. Of course, he will not agree to a truce for too long, but as long as there is only half a year, it will be enough for our army to make a turnaround.

Although it will pay some price, as long as I can delay this year, I will take the opportunity to harvest food, restore military strength, and stabilize the people's morale. At the same time, I will free up my hands to deal with the affairs of Liaodong."
Chapter completed!