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Cao Cao's heart sank. Did something happen in Nanyang? He said anxiously: "Come in and report it."

A guard came in and submitted an urgent letter from Nanyang. This was an urgent military report sent by Nanyang's chief general Cao Hong. Cao Cao opened the letter and felt a little cold. Sure enough, the army of Xiangyang was attacking Nanyang. Cao Hong's army could not resist and had lost two consecutive battles. Now he retreated to Wancheng, and the situation was very critical.

This news made Cao Cao extremely irritable. The war on the Western Front was unfavorable. Something happened on the front line of Xiangyang again. He paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back. It was impossible for him to not save him from helping him. He was worried that his reinforcements would be killed, and Wancheng had been lost. This quick letter came, at least the sky had passed.

After repeated consideration, he could only use cavalry to rescue him. He immediately ordered: "Let Cao Chun come to see me."

Soon, Cao Chun hurried into the room, bowed and said, "See the Prime Minister."

Cao Chun is a brother of the Cao Cao clan. He is about forty years old. He is tall and strong, with both martial arts and no expression of joy or anger. He is especially good at leading cavalry and is the main general of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. It is because he is low-key and never shows his personality that he has gained Cao Cao's trust. Cao Cao's trust in him even exceeds Cao Ren and Cao Hong.

Cao Cao turned around and said to him: "The situation in Nanyang is critical. Cao Hong is unfavorable in the battle. He has lost two consecutive games. Now he is trapped in Wancheng. I suspect he will be unable to support him. He Ke leads 5,000 cavalry to Nanyang day and night to rescue."

"After the order" Cao Chun bowed and bowed, "I'll go now."

"It's already snowing outside. Wuguan can replenish supplies, so you can be careful."

Cao Chun nodded and left quickly. Cao Cao breathed a little relieved. Cao Chun rushed to rescue, which really made him feel a little relieved. At this moment, Cao Cao suddenly remembered Xun Yu. Xun Yu was now in Wancheng. If he was captured by the Han army, would he become Jia Xu's second place?

Moreover, if Xun Yu was willing to give advice, Cao Hong would never lose two consecutive games. This shows that Xun Yu was simply out of the matter. Regardless of Nanyang's life or death, Cao Cao's murderous intent suddenly burst out in his heart. But he also knew that Cao Hong and Xun Yu were relatives, and Cao Hong would never kill Xun Yu. Even if he sent a pigeon letter to order him, he would not take action, and he could only give an order in person.

Cao Cao pondered for a moment, took out a gold medal, handed it to a confidant guard and said, "You should hurry to Wancheng immediately with my gold medal and tell Cao Hong that no matter what method is used, Xun Yu must commit suicide. If Cao Hong dares to disobey orders, let himself come to see me."

The guard took the gold medal and bowed slowly, and rushed to Nanyang. At this time, Cao Cao walked to the window and stared at the heavy snow outside the window for a long time. After a long time, he said to himself coldly: "If you are forcing me, don't blame me for being ruthless."

The situation in Nanyang was indeed very critical. In order to restrain Cao Cao's army in Guanzhong, Liu Jing issued an order to attack Nanyang. He hired Cai Jin to lead 5,000 troops to defend Xiangyang, and asked Gan Ning to send a thousand naval troops to block the Han River.

He then led 20,000 people north to Xinye and joined forces with Pang De. He ordered Pang De to be the vanguard and led 5,000 troops to advance, while he himself led 20,000 troops to go north.

Pang De lived up to his expectations and defeated the 5,000 troops of Cao Hong's general Yan Ming in Jingyang County and occupied Jingyang. The Han army used Jingyang as the foundation and recruited Pang De to join forces to the north and defeated Cao Hong's 15,000 main troops south of Wancheng. Cao Hong was defeated and returned to Wancheng, with less than 8,000 troops left. He was afraid that Wancheng would be out of protection, so he rushed to Cao Cao for help.

In Wancheng, the 25,000 Han army's army had already confronted Cao's army on the city. The Han army was stationed on the east bank of the Qingshui River, patiently waiting for the arrival of the siege weapons. That afternoon, the Han army fleet finally sent five siege ladders and other siege equipment to the Han army camp.

He stood on the shore and watched the soldiers move ladders off the ship. He had been waiting for this battle for many years, or he had endured it for many years.

Since the early years of Jian'an, he has been waiting for this day. Nanyang was originally the sphere of influence of Jingzhou and the jurisdiction of his resident. Since Liu Biao assigned it to Zhang Xiu, Nanyang has been separated from Jingzhou since then. Until today, the army of Jingzhou has stepped onto this land again, which makes Pin feel infinitely moved.

At this time, Pang Tong slowly walked to him and smiled at Pin: "Does the general think Cao Cao will send reinforcements to rescue Nanyang?"

Pin nodded, "Nanyang is the gateway to the north to the Central Plains and enter Guanzhong. Its strategic position is important. Cao Cao will definitely send reinforcements, and it is the fastest reinforcement to ensure that Wancheng will not fall into our hands."

"The Governor means cavalry"

"If I were Cao Cao, I would definitely send cavalry. Didn't Cao Cao lead 20,000 tiger and leopard cavalry to Guanzhong? It should be this cavalry that came directly from Wuguan Road."

Pang De agreed with the judgment of recruitment, "The governor is right. Only cavalry walks on Wuguan Road is the fastest way to rescue. If it keeps going day and night, then it will be killed to Nanyang County tomorrow morning at the latest."

"We have a very tight time. We must seize Wancheng by dawn tomorrow at the latest. Otherwise, if the Cao cavalry arrives, we will be defeated."

Pin looked at Wancheng not far away and his fists slowly clenched.

At this time, Pang De bowed and smiled and said, "Sun Yun, if you attack and you must take it, you will attack what you do not defend. I have a plan to seize Wancheng."

Wancheng is the largest city in Nanyang and the gateway city of Jingzhou. The city is wide and tall and strong. Moreover, the moat is connected with the pure water, which is more than ten feet wide. Even if it is boarded, it is difficult to spread over it. Generally, soil is used to fill the moat. For example, when Cao Cao attacked Wancheng, more than 100,000 troops filled the moat overnight.

But the Han army could not take the method of filling the moat. First, the troops were insufficient, and secondly, there was too little time. For the army in Jingzhou, they had another way to cross the moat. That night, ships entered the moat silently. Several of these ships lined up and built temporary floating bridges.

At this time, the Cao army on the top of the city also discovered that the Han army ships were sailing into the moat. The sound of the news rang quickly. The rapid bells spread across the city. Thousands of soldiers guarding the city rushed to the battlements, and pointed their bows and arrows at the ships under the city.

A soldier had already gone to report to the chief general Cao Hong, but Cao Hong was visiting Xun Yu at this time. The Xun family in Yingchuan and the Deng family in Nanyang were in-laws and had a good relationship. Xun Yu lived in the Deng family's mansion in Nanyang.

Because of the Fuwan incident in Yedu, Xun Yu was forcibly stayed in Nanyang by Cao Cao, serving as a military advisor and general, assisting Cao Hong in defending the city. However, Xun Yu never participated in military affairs on the grounds of being sick. Cao Hong and Xun Yu were relatives. Knowing Xun Yu's difficulties, he did not force Xun Yu.

But this time Cao Hong was nervous. He was worried that the city would not be able to be kept, so he rushed to Xun Yu to discuss and ask Xun Yu for help as his in-laws, hoping that he could point him a clear idea.

In the study, Xun Yu could not stand his in-laws. He slowly drank a glass of wine and said lightly: "Lian should make preparations. One is to wait for the Prime Minister's reinforcements, and the second is to prepare for withdrawal. However, I guess Pin will understand that Chang'an reinforcements are coming, and he will increase his strength to attack the city. In fact, I don't have great hope if Lian can defend Wancheng."

"If Wancheng is lost, how can I explain to the Prime Minister?" Cao Hong sighed.

Xun Yu smiled slightly, "Don't worry, the Prime Minister will not punish you. In fact, he is mentally prepared for losing Nanyang."

Cao Hong was stunned, "Why is this?"

"It's very simple. He tore up the armistice agreement and attacked Fancheng and Xiangyang, and he had already planted the bitter fruit of today. If he wanted to save Nanyang, he would have to station at least 50,000 troops in Nanyang, just like that time, but he only stationed 20,000 troops, and it was not the most elite army. Most of them were Hebei prisoners of war captured last year. They had poor combat effectiveness, so how could they be able to protect Nanyang Lian? He knew that if you couldn't defend Nanyang, it was as expected."

Xun Yu's analysis made Cao Hong feel a little more open. He sighed and said, "Now I hope that the cavalry in Chang'an will arrive tomorrow, so that Wancheng will be saved."

Xun Yu shook his head, "Although you think well, hiring may not give you a chance. If I was not wrong, the Han army will attack the city tonight."

As soon as Xun Yu finished speaking, rapid footsteps came from outside, and soldiers reported nervously: "Report to General, there is a news report from the city, and the Han army may have begun to attack the city."

Cao Hongteng stood up, his face changed drastically, and his voice changed with nervousness, "What should I do if Mr. Xun?"

Xun Yu waved his hand and smiled, "Lian doesn't have to be nervous, do his best and be prepared to retreat, keep the green mountains there, and don't be afraid of burning firewood."

Cao Hong was in a mess and did not ask Xun Yu about his plans. He bowed and hurried away. Xun Yu slowly drank another glass of wine and said to himself: "Lian, the Prime Minister will no longer tolerate me, take care of yourself."

At this time, a young man appeared at the door, who was Deng Yi's nephew, named Deng Dating. He bowed and said, "Uncle Xun Shi, my uncle said that the city was broken may not be safe, so please follow me to avoid it."

"Hehe, thank you nephew, Han Jun will not hurt me."

Deng Dating said seriously: "Uncle Shi, I'm afraid it's not the Han army, I'm worried that Cao Cao would not let his deceased uncle go."

Xun Yu pondered for a moment, finally nodded, stood up and said, "Then I'll thank you for your kindness."

At night, the dark twilight enveloped the land of Nanyang, but the defenders at the top of Wancheng were extremely nervous, and everyone's eyes were full of tension and uneasiness.

The vast wilderness outside the city was covered with fire, forming an extremely huge oval, spreading on the ground outside the city, as if it had gathered into a sea of ​​torches, extending more than ten miles away. And behind the oval, a bright stream of fire continued to inject into this ocean of fire.

This was at least an army of more than 100,000 people. Almost all Cao's army realized that it must be the arrival of Xiangyang reinforcements.

At this time, Cao Hong hurried to the top of the city, and he was also frightened by the spectacular scene under the city and gasped. The chief of the army next to him said, "General Lian, this is not a real army, it must be the enemy's void plan, it is just a torch."

Cao Hong suddenly woke up and shouted, "There are no reinforcements, they are fake troops, they only have 20,000 people."

Although Cao Hong refuted the rumors again, the soldiers were still nervous because these torches were moving. Even if one person took two torches, there were at least 60,000 to 70,000, or more than 20,000.

Seeing that all the torches were moving, Cao Hong had no idea. It was obvious that the Han army was going to attack from Nancheng.

At this time, Cao Hong saw that the Han army's flat-bottomed tugboat had sailed into the moat. Five ships were lined up together. After laying wooden boards, a floating bridge was formed, which was about a few miles long.

Cao Hong shouted: "Put down the tincture and burn these ships."

Cao's soldiers immediately threw several barrels of turmeric oil, and ignited the turmeric oil with rockets. The ships on the moat suddenly started to burn. The fire became more and more fierce, and gradually became connected. Cao's army in the city immediately cheered.
Chapter completed!