Chapter 135 Chapter Twenty-One

One, two, five arrows are on the string, and they have to be fired. Cao Mengde's intelligence battle was also well fought.Yecheng, Yecheng, which has been quiet for a very short period of time, will brew another storm of war. Xun Yu said in Xu Du's secret letter to Cao Mengde: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We should quickly move the army to the south and take small roads from Wanxian and Yexian counties. I will kill him by surprise." Encouraged by Xun You and Xun Yu, Cao Mengde decided to take a very bold military action.He sent Yu Jin and Li Dian to cooperate with Xun You to guard the newly conquered four northern states. Xiahou Dun's army cooperated with Xun Yu to guard Yanzhou and Xudu. Xuzhou was still managed by Zang Ba. Wei Wei, whose son Ma Chao is a partial general.

The formation of the South Army Corps is as follows: Chief of Staff: Jia Xu Participation? Shake plan: Tian Chou, Lou Gui Cao Yaoren: Lead the 20,000 directly subordinate army as the main force Zhang Liao and Xu Huang: led a total of more than 10,000 directly subordinate legions called vanguard troops The Yuan family organized about 130,000 soldiers in the army, forming the army of General Li Feng Cao Hong, the army of General Fenwu Cheng Yu, and the army of General Yue Jin Runan prefect Manchong is in charge of food supply Xia Houyuan is in charge of logistics and administrative work

From this deployment, it can be seen that many advisers and generals in Cao Ying did not accompany this Southern Expedition Army, but the number of troops invested was the most in Cao Mengde's previous battles. At the end of July, Cao Mengde's army quickly advanced in two routes from Wancheng and Yecheng. At the beginning of August, they received a secret report of Liu Biao's death. Invaded the territory of Jingzhou and arrived at Fancheng, an important military town. Liu Cong thought that he and Liu Bei were both descendants of the emperor, and Liu Bei's reputation for benevolence spread far and wide, so he advocated alliance with Liu Bei and planned to deploy in Xiangyang City to resist Cao's army.But Cai Mao and Kuai Yue strongly opposed it.

Kuai Yue never paid attention to the weak and incompetent Liu Cong. As soon as he heard Liu Cong's proposition, he opened his eyes angrily and said in a rough voice: "Cao Cao dispatched his army on the order of the court, and a million troops marched south. The momentum is like the autumn wind sweeping away Fallen leaves, it is better to flatter him." Hearing Kuai Yue's vivid narration, Liu Cong's expression changed like a thunderbolt from a clear sky. Cai Hao added fuel to the fire and said: "Yuan Shao is quite majestic. The 700,000 army fought against Cao Cao's 70,000 troops, and the result was the end of the country's destruction. Even the daughter-in-law was taken over by Cao Cao's second son. What can we do?" ?”

Liu Cong seemed to see that Cao Mengde had flattened Jingzhou, was cutting off soldiers' noses, and was robbing his wife and children. He really didn't dare to think about it. So Liu Cong immediately sent envoys to negotiate with Cao Mengde without telling Liu Bei and Liu Qi, and ordered all counties and army leaders in Jingzhou to surrender unconditionally to Cao Mengde.Cao Mengde settled Liu Cong without a single arrow. He sneered and said, "Unexpectedly, Liu Jingsheng's foundation for several generations fell in the hands of a worthless son." From the bottom of his heart, he wanted to compete with the hero of Jingzhou.Now that Jingzhou has been obtained so cheaply, I feel a little regretful, like two roosters fighting, one crowing, eager to try, but the other dare not fight, it is a bit disappointing.From the bottom of his heart, Cao Mengde absolutely doesn't like a man like Liu Cong who has no backbone and no blood. Fortunately, he is still a descendant of Liu Jingsheng.When he heard the news of Liu Cong's surrender without a fight, he just snorted contemptuously in his nostrils, and did not show much joy or pride.

After all, Liu Cong is a symbol of local power in Jingzhou and a descendant of Liu Biao.Based on this idea, Cao Mengde appointed Liu Cong as the governor of Qingzhou to keep him away from the original forces in Jingzhou.Cao Mengde took a fancy to Cai Hao and Zhang Yun's 80,000 Jingzhou navy, so he let them join his Southern Expedition Army and act with the army. A thousand miles of Jiangling is returned in one day. Cao Mengde crossed Jingzhou and went straight down to Jiangling. Liu Bei's army stationed in Xinye, after hearing that Cao's army was going south, the whole army entered Fancheng to prepare for the battle, and urgently reported the military situation to Liu Biao in Xiangyang City.Liu Bei was very puzzled because he had not received any response from Liu Biao.So he repeatedly sent envoys to Xiangyang City to ask for instructions.Liu Cong had no choice but to order his subordinate Song Zhong to inform Liu Bei of his father's death and his decision to surrender the entire army to Cao Cao.

Cao Jun has arrived at Wancheng, less than three hundred miles away from Fancheng.For the arrival of Cao Mengde's army, Liu Bei adopted the tactics of fighting and running.He decided to retreat to the south first, intending to capture Jiangling, an important military town on the north bank of the Yangtze River. With Jiangling's military resources and fortifications, combined with the main force of Jiangxia prefect Liu Qi, it may be possible to effectively defend the southern half of Jingzhou. In mid-August, 126, Sun Quan, who was guarding Jiangdong, also learned of the urgent military situation of Cao Jun's southward movement and Liu Biao's death, so he immediately sent Lu Su to Jiangdong to inquire about Liu Qi and Liu Bei's attitude.

At the beginning, when Lu Su heard the news of Liu Biao's death, he said to Sun Quan: "Jingzhou is adjacent to us. The mountains and rivers are dangerous and easy to defend and difficult to attack. The land is fertile and vast, and the people are rich. The foundation has been laid. Now Liu Biao has just died, and his two sons are not united. The generals of the army, some are attached to one, and some are toward the other. Liu Bei is a hero in the world. He has conflicts with Cao Cao and temporarily lives in Liu Biao. Liu Biao was jealous of his talent and did not use him. If Liu Bei and Liu Biao's sons and generals work together and work together, then we should comfort them and form an alliance with them. If they have internal strife and fight with each other, we should try to deal with it They will accomplish our great cause." Sun Quan was moved by Lu Su's words.Lu Su also said: "I request to go to Jingzhou to condolence Liu Biao's two sons and those in power in their army. By the way, I persuade Liu Bei to appease Liu Biao's troops and unite with one mind to fight against Cao Cao. Liu Bei will definitely fight against Cao Cao." Be happy, and follow my advice, if you can succeed, the situation in the world can be determined."

When Lu Su arrived in Xiakou, he heard that Cao Mengde had marched to Jingzhou. He traveled day and night, and when he arrived in Nanjun, he got the news that Liu Cong had surrendered to Cao Mengde. He heard that Liu Bei had fled south. Lu Su has realized the heavy burden on his shoulders and decided to go south to catch up with Liu Bei. Liu Bei led his troops across the Han River in a hurry, and many soldiers and civilians in the northern Jingzhou area voluntarily followed Liu Bei to flee south.When passing through Xiangyang City, Liu Bei stopped his horse and called Liu Cong into the city to answer.Liu Cong poked his head out from the top of the city to take a peek and then retracted.Liu Bei scolded: "You are a descendant of the royal family in vain. Before Cao's army of thieves arrived, you were frightened and humiliated your ancestors!"

Although Liu Cong didn't answer, he was really unconvinced and wanted to say, Uncle Emperor, didn't you also surrender to Cao Cao? Aren't you running away now?