Chapter 27 1. Cao Cao looked north in a hurry

On December 24th, Cao Cao led 60,000 to 70,000 northern infantry and hurriedly withdrew from Huarong Road to Jiangling City through the muddy road. Prior to this, in the early morning of the 22nd, when Cao Ren and Xun You received the news of Cao Jun's defeat at Chibi, they immediately organized the 30,000 strong soldiers left behind in Jiangling City to come to meet Cao Cao, and at the same time attack the various strategic passes from the land. Blocked.Gan Ning, Cheng Pu and others led the Jiangdong army to pursue the vicinity of Yunmengze, but they were resisted by Cao Jun's new main force from Jiangling, and could no longer move forward.Even though Liu Bei rushed over from Xiakou City with 10,000 horses to help, they didn't get much from Cao Jun's cavalry.Indeed, in terms of land warfare, neither Jiangdong's pawns nor Liu Bei's strong troops are enough to compete with Cao Jun's Qingxu Hunbing.

However, because Cao Jun's navy was almost wiped out in the Battle of Chibi, Cao Cao completely lost control of the Yangtze River.From now on, the Jiangdong navy can roam freely on the river, and can choose any point to land at will, and attack the cities and counties occupied by Cao Jun.Cao Zhizhi was unwilling, so he had to look at the river and sigh. Back in Jiangling City, he personally took stock of the results of the campaign.Cao Jun lost a total of 40,000 sailors and more than 10,000 troops in the Battle of Chibi. Among the remaining 70,000 to 80,000 northern Qingxu Buqi, 20,000 to 30,000 were almost injured and sick.Cao Cao had to admit that he suffered the biggest defeat since the first year of Jian'an.The "myth" that Cao Jun was invincible was broken in one fell swoop.

On December 26th, Cao Cao issued an emergency order, ordering Zhang Liao, Xu Huang and other northern troops to stop their eastward campaign against Xiakou, and immediately return from Mianyang to Xiangyang to hold on. Repeatedly. On December 28th, in order to cooperate with Zhou Yu and Lu Su's actions, Sun Quan, Zhang Zhao, and Sun Shao led 30,000 troops from Wancheng to surround Hefei City where Zang Ba, Chen Jiao and others were stationed. All caused great shocks.They even played the resounding banner of "welcome the emperor to cross the river, and wipe out the Cao thief An Han", which also won the response of some scholars and people in Xuzhou and Yangzhou.

On the morning of December 29, after the military meeting of the Jiangling shogunate, Cao Cao specially left Jia Xu for a secret talk. "Wenhe, Truth has really lost in Chibi this time, and it is an unprecedented defeat for Truth." Cao Cao said in a deep voice, his voice was so heavy that each word was as if it was made of lead and iron. "I'm afraid that Fu Wan, Yang Biao, and Wei Xi will be so happy when they hear it behind Xudu..." Jia Xu adhered to the inscription "It is better to be silent than a hundred words", with a reserved expression, keeping her mouth tightly shut.

"Wenhe, let's help the truth to analyze it carefully today. Where did the truth fail in this southern expedition to Jingzhou?" Cao Cao's tone suddenly became very slow and very clear. "This... the prime minister's southern expedition was not due to the loss of a battle, but an unexpected encounter. The navy was infected with the epidemic, a series of boats, and the east wind suddenly came... In Xu's opinion, all of these are just small things. Flaws. As long as you learn from the pain, check for omissions and fill in the gaps, you will be able to make a comeback in the future and gain the upper hand."

"Wenhe, why bother to cover up the truth?" Cao Cao smiled lightly when he heard it, pointed to his heart, and said deeply, "Wenhe, the truth is actually very clear, I am not defeated by the water." Not defeated by Lianhuanzhou's clumsy plan, not defeated by the sudden arrival of the east wind—it's the truth that this place is in chaos." He pressed his fingers hard on his heart, "That's it Let the truth be defeated in the battle of Chibi... "Because this place is in chaos, I didn't forge ahead when I should have been tenacious. At Hanjinkou that day, if I had listened to your policy of 'the poor must be chased', I would have gritted my teeth and dispatched an army along the Hanshui River. Going eastward, chasing and fighting fiercely, holding on tightly, flattening Xiakou City in one fell swoop, and sealing the "Eastern Gate" from Zhou Yu, Lu Su and others going west, how did today's defeat come about?

"Because this place is in chaos, I didn't flexibly evade when I should have been flexible. When I was in a stalemate with Zhou Yu in Chibi that day, if I had listened to your strategy of 'advancing eastward', I would have stayed in the forbidden area. 、Mao Jie was stationed in Wulin Water Village to practice the navy, while he personally led 80,000 cavalry to sweep across Xiakou. Although he could not wipe out all the rebels in one fell swoop, it was enough to wipe out the entire Jiangbei area of ​​Jingzhou and lay a deep foundation for himself in Jingzhou—— , but in the end, Truth got into an emotional dispute, and had to bet face-to-face with Zhou Yu there to win or lose. In the end, Truth still fell into a big fight. Alas... In the end, Truth still fought because of his own victory. I played too much, and I became a bit addicted to it...

"Because this place is in chaos, the truth was not calmed down when it was supposed to be calmed down. The 13,000 or so seriously ill soldiers in the navy are certainly worrying, but the morale of the navy is more stable. Important. As a result, in order to save worry and trouble, Truth came up with a "cutting the chaos with a sharp knife", but it became more and more chaotic, cutting off the loyalty and fighting spirit of the sailors... So, Truth Lost, the defeat is so pathetic!" At this point, Cao Cao sighed deeply.In fact, he still has the second half of what he said, which is hard to say—Jia Xu may want to ask in his heart: How could your "place" be in chaos?Of course, Cao Cao himself knew the answer.Since the first half of this year, after he was promoted to the position of prime minister and monopolized the power, his "that place" began to be chaotic-greedy, eager for success, impetuous, busy in the Han Dynasty...even beheading Kong Rong's "faint tricks" were all used.Especially when he knew that Xun Lingjun, the chief think tank that he had always relied on like a tortoise, made it clear that he would no longer support him in foreign conquests, he lacked enough confidence in whether he could persevere to the moment of final victory with the strength of his clan. confidence... In the end, without Wen Ruo's support, I really fled after being defeated in the Battle of Chibi...

Thinking of this, he raised his head and stared at Jia Xu, and slowly said: "Ah... this big defeat, it is our Cao family's foundation for thousands of years, and it is also Zhang Liangzhixun of your Jia Junshi. I'm sorry for you!" Hearing his heartfelt words, Jia Xu couldn't help being so moved that his eyes felt sour and hot, and she burst into tears, choked up and said: "Prime... Your Excellency, why are you so sobbing? Today the world is full of disputes, every day is looking for war, There are countless chances to come, how can they be exhausted? If you can take this as a warning and stay calm, you will surely have blessings in the future, and the current defeat of Chibi is not enough to be hated!"

"Well said! Well said!" Cao Cao's mood suddenly brightened, he couldn't help beating the mat with his fists and cheering again and again, "Thank you Wen He for your enlightenment, the heart of the truth is hereby determined!" He picked up the pen and wrote in a On Zhang Juanbo, he wrote a short poem "Shu Shua Shua", stroked his beard and chanted: "The mind is like a green sword, and the heart is like a pearl. Always work hard, and the brilliance will surpass the sky! - What do you think of this poem?" When Jia Xu heard this, he felt that Cao Cao, the all-powerful and mighty lord of the previous generation, had finally regained his spirits.After licking the blood from his wound, he stood up fearlessly and indomitably.Thinking of this, Jia Xu couldn't help applauding and sighed: "Good poetry! Good poetry! The majestic rhyme is sonorous and full of heroism! You can't help but resonate with it after listening to it!"

After Cao Cao heard this, he quickly waved his hands and thanked him.After a while, after his thoughts became clear, he asked Jia Xu: "By the way, Wen He, I often have a strange dream recently. In the dream, there are three horses standing side by side, gorging themselves in a big stone trough. Nibbling on fodder... I always feel that this strange dream is a bit unlucky, but I just don't quite understand its meaning. Can you help me explain it?" "The strange dream of 'Three Horses Sinking Trough'?" Jia Xu slowly stroked his beard, frowned, and pondered deeply, "The dreamer is a celestial phenomenon that warns people... According to Xu, the 'trough' The meaning of "horse" refers to the foundation of your Cao family, Prime Minister; and "horse" refers to some people whose surnames contain the word "horse". This dream is a metaphor for sinister and treacherous people who intend to invade you Cao's foundation?" "What? A sinister and treacherous person whose surname contains the word 'horse'?" Cao Cao was taken aback, and grabbed the edge of the couch with his right hand, "Who could they be? Wenhe, explain the truth to me In more detail..." Jia Xu thought a little bit, looked at the entrance of the hall, and saw that no one seemed to be paying attention to the situation inside, so he said seriously: "Mr. The disciples are likely to be lurking in..." "My lord, Mr. Cao Pi, the commander-in-chief of Xu Du, has sent you an urgent military intelligence report." At this moment, Sima Yi, the military officer in charge of the army, happened to step over to the entrance of the meeting hall and said urgently. As soon as Jia Xu heard his voice, her heart trembled suddenly, and she couldn't help but stop talking for a moment, and turned her head to look at him hastily. "Submit it in quickly!" Cao Cao didn't care about listening to Jia Xu's interpretation of his dream, and turned his head towards the hall door and shouted loudly. As soon as he finished speaking, Sima Yi rushed in with a volume of silk script in his arms, and handed it to Cao Cao.During this time, he seemed to glance to the left unintentionally, and met Jia Xu's stern eyes, like a sword clash, as if sparks were flying, and they separated again. "Oh! Jia Junshi! You are really a master of predicting things like a god!" Cao Cao read the silk book, and suddenly slammed his palm on the book case with a "boom", "Pi'er is here to report urgently, Weiwei Ma Teng and His eldest son, Ma Chao, and second son, Ma Xiu, colluded with each other, cooperating internally and externally, in an attempt to raise troops in Chang'an and Xudu at the same time, and hold His Majesty and all the officials of the Han court to move the capital to Luoyang... It turns out that the surname you mentioned contains "horse" The insidious and treacherous people in the word are Ma Teng and his son..." When Jia Xu heard this, a little embarrassment appeared on his slightly red face.He secretly glanced at Sima Yi, but saw that his face was as calm as the deep, as if he had heard nothing or seen anything.Jia Xu had no choice but to smile bitterly: "This... what the prime minister said is true - Ma Teng and his son are extremely fierce, and Xiliang's iron cavalry are extremely fierce. Since they have such a conspiracy, they really should not be taken lightly." "Hey! Pi'er and the others must not be able to suppress these three 'Hummers'." Cao Cao put down the silk book in his hand and murmured, "That's it! That's it! That's it! Sima Yi, I'm planning to go down, Xiangyang, Nanyang and other ministries The whole army of northern cavalry is on alert, ready to go at any time, and return north to Xudu with the truth."