Facing the nearly 70,000 army of my second brother and I, and launched a fierce attack from both east and west, Cao Ren and Cao Hong jointly carried out an unusual tenacity in resisting.

Liang County covers a vast area and is the largest in Yanzhou. Its area extends from the north of the Huai River to the Mangdang Mountain area. Its strategic location is extremely important. It is not only the gateway of Yanzhou, but also directly penetrates into the central hinterland of Yan and Henan provinces.

From Liang County to the northeast are Jiyin, Shanyang, Dongping, and Rencheng counties; to the northwest are Chenliu, Qiao County, Chenguo and other places.

If you can take down Liangjun, it is tantamount to inserting a sharp knife into Cao Fang's heart.

At the same time, for our army nowadays, conquering Liang County can also complete the formation of Jing and Yang armies, and connect the three prefectures and counties captured by our army, Yu, Yan and Xu.

It is precisely because Liang County is so important that the offensive and defensive battle between the two sides becomes extremely fierce.

Cao Ren lives in the east to face his second brother, and Cao Hong lives in the west to face me. Cao's army concentrated its troops and supplies on several cities with strong defenses, and implemented a strong defense in a very resolute manner, creating Liang County like an iron-backed turtle.

In addition, Xu Huang's cavalry was responsible for supporting Cao Ren and Cao Hong.

It should be said that this strategy is quite good——playing one's strengths and avoiding one's weaknesses, which largely offset the weakness of Cao Jun's low morale.

.

On July 14, after conquering Ping'a, our leader encountered more resolute resistance in Long Kang and was in a stalemate for a while. At the same time, my second brother's army was blocked by Cao Ren in Dang County after conquering Xiao County.

The Feng Cavalry led by Zhao Yun and Xu Huang Cavalry fought fiercely at the beginning. Both sides suffered hundreds of casualties. Seeing that they could not gain any advantage, both chose to avoid the unnecessary war of attrition.

In sharp contrast to the temporary stalemate of Liang County, Wei Yan's attack on Qingzhou was very smooth. With the cooperation of Ganning, Wei Yan conquered the Beihai and Donglai counties where the people migrated without bloodshed. Xiahou Dun, who retreated northward.

He directly gave up Beihai and Donglai and relied on Qi County to launch defense. There was no direct conflict with Wei Yan yet.

.

As the sun sets, the evening breeze drifts into the distance with a strong smell of blood.

The offensive and defensive battle surrounding Long Kang came to an end. The soldiers on both sides of the city and outside the city quietly restrained their companions' bodies and cleared the city and the battlefield.

Long Kang Camp, in the tent of the Central Army Commander

"General. Cao Hong's defense is really tough..." Pang Tong sorted out the situation of today's siege and sent Jian Shu to me, saying with a smile.

I quickly browsed Jianshu and nodded and replied: "Yes! If you want to defeat Long Kang by force, I may have to accompany all our 20,000 people in."

"After more than five months of continuous battle, the army was exhausted, and only 100% of the combat power could be exerted by about 90%. And at least 20% of them were supported by high morale.

"Pang Tong sighed and said, "The lord's decision to end the first phase of the Northern Expedition in early September is indeed very correct..."

"I have fought until now, and I have to fight for perseverance and food..." I put down Jianshu in my hand and nodded.

"Cao Cao's approach to strengthening the walls and clearing the fields in Xuzhou is not only vicious, but also has a very good effect..." I mentioned food and grass.

Pang Tong frowned slightly and said, "Before the war, our army's grain reserves could at least maintain the Northern Expedition until Friday and June next year. I didn't expect Cao Cao to do this. He couldn't even hold on to August this year.

Otherwise, even if we continue to waste this, we can drag Cao Cao down..."

I deeply agree with Pang Tong's dialect.

Cao Cao's military use has always been decisive, bold and ruthless. This is vividly reflected in his plan to strengthen the walls and clear the fields with the entire Xuzhou and Qingzhou counties. Yiqing and Xu's more than 600,000 people dragged their second brother's army to Xuzhou for three months without any movement, and even consumed our army's land, food and grass.

The final result is that our army's Northern Expedition had to end in the middle of the way.

Fortunately, my second brother and I resisted the counterattack of Cao's army, which prevented the situation from developing in the direction Cao Cao expected.

In this way, although Cao Cao slowed down our attack, he had to swallow the bitter fruit that would inevitably be caused by using such a decisive plan.

"The Lord and us are not up to words, and Lu Boyan has also started to counterattack. The only thing that is worrying about at the moment is Xiliang..." Pang Tong stared at the map and sighed softly. "Come on.

It's almost a month and a half, and it's almost time for news!"

"Is there any movement there?"

"It probably hasn't been there yet. Otherwise, news would have come from Huang Hansheng!" Pang Tong shook his head and said.

In fact, Ma Dai and Sima Yi's trip to Xiliang has always touched my heart. It was an extremely risky thing to let Ma Dai and the others secretly sneak back to Xiliang.

But if this adventure is successful, it will greatly change the power balance between elder brother and Cao Cao.

Although Xiliang was not in a prosperous population and barren land, it was the largest horse-producing land of the Han Dynasty. Taking possession of Xiliang means that a huge cavalry belonging to our army could be formed, which would be of great help to continue the Northern Expedition in the future.

The deeper the Northern Expedition, the less the help the navy can provide, and the greater the role the cavalry can play.

Once we invade Hebei, our army will face not only the Cao army, but also the Xianbei and Xiongnu nomadic peoples. If there were no powerful cavalry, the war would definitely go very hard.

Seeing that I looked a little solemn, Pang Tong smiled and said, "General, I wonder how the lord and Hua Xin are talking about?"

"It's better to let Cao Cao retreat to Hebei..." I replied with some joke.

"Haha..." Pang Tongfu laughed...

………………………………………………………………

Shouchun, inside the side hall of the county magistrate's office

"Mr. Sun, don't joke about state affairs!" Cao Cao's envoy to discuss peace talks, and the consul of the Sikong military affairs officer Hua Xin stood up and said with a pride, "The cedes of Beihai and Donglai counties are enough to show Prime Minister Cao's sincerity in discussing peace talks.

You actually want Qi County, Jinan and Le'an? If you are cutting off these three counties, wouldn’t it be equivalent to giving up the entire Qingzhou? (There are a total of six counties in Qingzhou, except Beihai, Donglai, Qi County, Jinan and Le'an.

There is also a plain county north of the Yellow River)

Liang County is the gateway to Yanzhou, Qiao County is adjacent to Xuchang, and Hanzhong is..."

Hua Xin's fair face showed a strange flush and said angrily: "Your request for such a false one clearly has no sincerity in peace.

Duke Chu (Liu Bei) has always established himself as a loyal and righteous person. Since he agreed to peace talks, why did he make things difficult for such a request? If it spreads it out, wouldn’t it make people all over the world laugh at me?"

The Grand Grand Grand Son smiled dryly. He was neither angry nor anxious to refute, but waved his hand: "Mr. Hua, don't be angry, please sit down and discuss slowly!"

Hua Xin's face changed a lot. He sighed and sat down helplessly, spread his hands and said, "Mr. Sun, we can only give up Beihai and Donglai at most. As for the six counties you request, please forgive Hua Xin for not being able to agree."

"Master Hua may not know yet..." Sun Gan calmed down his smile, took out a silk book from his sleeve and handed it to Hua Xin, and said seriously, "The so-called Beihai and Donglai counties that Cao Gong said were to be cede.

Four days ago, we were captured by General Wei Yan of our family, and now we are here. This is the good news I received yesterday afternoon. If Lord Hua still doesn't believe it, he can send someone back to Yanzhou to verify it.

We should use our place as a condition to discuss peace. Doesn’t Lord Hua find it too ridiculous?”

"This is impossible!" Hua Xin took the silk book, browsed it roughly, and retorted loudly.

"Gan has stated before that if Lord Hua doesn't believe it, you can verify it!" Sun Gan said calmly, "In addition, the conditions for our peace agreement are actually not harsh. Among the six counties mentioned earlier, you can just cut out four counties.

As for which four counties are, it can be decided by your own party!”

Sun Gan's voice was respectful and gentle, but the meaning in his words was unquestionable.

After thinking for a long time, Hua Xin still did not give any answer. Finally, he said eagerly: "Mr. Sun, can you let Hua discuss this matter face to face with Mr. Chu?"

"My main business has gone to Linhuai to visit the southbound refugees, and then I will go to Guangling to inspect the resettlement of refugees. I will not return to Shouchun for the time being. Please forgive me, Lord Hua!" Sun Gan said in a little surprised.

"Did Lord Hua be dissatisfied with Cong or think he could not decide on peace talks? Before leaving Shouchun, our Lord has entrusted the peace talks to Cong!

Hua Xin was helpless, explained a few words, and bowed to Sun Gan and said goodbye to him.

However, his steps seemed a little slow. Hua Xin was not as shocked as the loss of Beihai and Donglai on the surface. In fact, he had known that these two counties were simply not guarded.

Originally, he wanted to use these two counties to conquer Sun Gan and take the opportunity to reach a peace talks, but he did not expect that his opponent was smarter than he expected.

.

After Hua Xin left, a hearty laughter came from the side door. Liu Bei and Lu Su stepped into the hall.

"Huaziyu really thinks we are ignorant and can be bullied..." Liu Bei, who had been listening secretly, laughed.

"Hua Xin has always been a good person and eloquent person. When she met Mr. Sun this time, she could be considered an opponent!" Lu Su and Hua Xin knew each other very early and were quite familiar with him.

"Zi Jingmi praised me!" Sun smiled and waved his hand, "In fact, it was because of the successive victory of Junhou and the general in front that I was full of confidence in speaking.

I remembered that I had been sent to Cao Fang ten years ago under the order of my lord, and the person I received was Hua Xin. At that time, he was domineering. This time, I finally let out a bad breath!"

"Haha..." Sun Gan deliberately showed a strong grudge against him, which made Liu Bei and Lu Su laugh.

"Zijing, what step do you think Cao Cao would give in?" After gradually restraining his laughter, Liu Bei asked Lu Su seriously.

"The four counties should not be a problem. If you want more, it may not be practical. The key is which four counties are there." Lu Su said in a pondering manner, "If Cao Cao was willing to give up Hanzhong, only one Hanzhong would be worth three counties.

I'm afraid that Cao Cao will not give up.

However, if Xiliang can change the weather, it may not be possible!"

"Yeah..." Liu Bei nodded.

…………………………………………………………………….
Chapter completed!