Chapter 231 Red Cliff (Five)

The north wind whistled, blowing the main flag of Cao Camp's gate. In the middle of winter, the cold and coldness penetrated into the soldiers' armor, making the Cao army tremble.

"Lord, if this continues, the soldiers will be unacceptable to the local conditions and may cause an epidemic..." Cheng Yu said softly. Epidemics are fatal to an army. Once there is a plague in the army, the soldiers' physical fitness, combat effectiveness, and morale will be greatly weakened.

"Zhongde, please quickly pass on my order and summon all the generals to discuss matters!"

Sometimes life is a bet, and it’s nothing to lose. What I fear most is that I lose my fighting spirit before I even go into battle. Cao Cao is naturally clear about the consequences of gains and losses, so he made the decision to move the offensive target westward and Jiangling.

Cai Mao was defeated by Sanjiangkou, Cao Ren's 5,000 elite troops were wiped out, and there was also a possible epidemic. All of this made Cao Cao understand that if he continued to get involved with Gao Chong, he would only encounter greater trouble than he is now. Therefore, he decided to make every effort. Once he made up his mind, Cao Cao's plan became bolder, and he actually decided to throw the elite troops of Wulin camp into attack Jiangling City.

The importance of Jiangling City is self-evident for both sides of the war. For Gao Chong, leaving a corner of Jiangling on the north bank of the Yangtze River is not only about supporting reinforcements from Bashu, but also about casting an important chess piece in Cao Cao's hinterland. As long as the time is right, this chess piece embedded in the enemy formation may be resurrected at any time.

For Cao Cao, the Zhou Yu army in Jiangling directly threatened the safety of Wulin Camp, which was like lying next to the couch, so how safe it was to sleep. Since the plan to defeat Gao Chong's main force could not be realized, then removing Zhou Yu's strength as much as possible would become the first choice. Therefore, regardless of whether Zhou Yu had hit Xun You or Cheng Yu's plan, attacking Jiangling was inevitable for Cao Cao.

Even if it is a poisonous bait, as long as the fish that eats is strong enough, it can completely break the fishing line and move away. On the contrary, if there is no capital to resist, the final result of waiting cannot escape the fate of defeat and death. Battlefield struggles and power struggles are one aspect, and strength plays a fundamental role.

"There is no hero at that time, so the prince became famous!" Cao Cao sighed in his heart. Faced with the unfavorable situation of constant setbacks, he had no choice. While the morale is still there and the soldiers are still energetic, he must fight quickly.

"Zi Lian, you lead 20,000 Qingzhou soldiers to take charge of the main force of the attack!"

"The tiger and leopard cavalry will follow me to fight!"

While personally storming Jiangling, Cao Hong and Cao Chun's nearly 40,000 elite cavalrymen were dispatched, which was the greatest possibility for Cao Cao. In this way, less than 50,000 soldiers left behind in Wulin Camp.

"Gongming, stay and guard the camp." After the generals who received the order left one by one, Cao Cao left Xu Huang alone. He slowly untied the cloaked cloak and put it on Xu Huang's body.

"Prime Minister..." Xu Huang's voice choked, and his eyes were red at this moment. Cao Cao did not hand over the important task of staying in the camp to his clan's brother Cao Hong, but to himself, which was enough to see his trust in him.

"Gongming, after I leave, Gao Chong will definitely raise troops to invade. You and Yu Jin, generals, Zhang Xiu, must put the overall situation first and work together to ensure the safety of the camp." Cao Cao reminded in a deep voice.

"If you don't break the favor, the army will not return!" When Xu Du vowed, his bold words were still harsh.

The major strategic change of commanding 40,000 infantry and cavalry to attack Jiangling was neither necessary nor reasonable for Cao Cao. The successive blows made Cao Cao wake up from his blind optimistic mood, and the facts made him understand that defeating Gao Chong was by no means easy.

On January 4, the 12th year of Jian'an (the third year of Wude in the New Xia Dynasty), a sudden heavy snow fell on both sides of the Yangtze River. The snow falling all over the sky was like pure white cotton, blooming in a wilderness.

Late at night on that day, Cao Cao led 40,000 elite troops to quietly leave the camp in Wulin and advance along the post road towards Jiangling.

At dawn on the second day, on the river outside the Red Cliff, Gao Chong, wearing silver-white armored armor, accompanied by Xu Shu, He Qia and other advisers, stood on the deck of the tall building ship to patrol the movements of the north shore. The sunlight behind the snow was faint, without any warmth, but there was a slight and loneliness before the war. Standing on the river with wind and snow, Gao Chong's mood was like a warship shaking against the wind and waves under his feet, gaining confidence and glory to win as he advanced again and again.

In a moment, a light boat covered with snow, with the help of the north wind, quickly approached Gao Chong's fleet from the north shore.

"Quickly report to the general, Jiang Qin has important military information!" Before he could get close, a strong man stood up from the light boat, and before he could wait for the boat to lean on, he jumped onto the stairs.

"People coach, a army suddenly escaped from Cao's camp last night and drove to the west." Jiang Qin said without time to breathe.

"How many people are there?" Gao Chong asked. After achieving the results of annihilation of 10,000 elite soldiers in Cao Ren, Gao Chong kept ordering He Qi, and Lu Fan led his troops to chase and annihilate the scattered Yu Kou, and deployed along the river to guard against Cao's troops crossing the river again; on the other hand, he actively gathered elite soldiers and prepared to plan to siege Cao Cao's camp.

Only by knowing oneself and the enemy can one be defeated in a hundred battles. Jiang Qin, who was a proficient in water, naturally became the first candidate to spy on the enemy's situation. Of course, in addition to him, there were also a group of well-versed water-oriented troops to assist.

Jiang Qin lowered his head and said, "It was dark and the wind was high, and the scattered scouts could not tell the number of enemy troops. However, after that, the lights of Cao's camp were not turned off all night, and there were many more soldiers patrolling than before, and the defense seemed quite strict."

"Dong Yi means that Cao's camp is open and open, and there is no interruption?" When hearing Jiang Qin's report, the military advisor Xu Shu's eyes lit up and he stepped forward and asked in a hurry.

Jiang Qin's bronze face showed a hint of determination. He nodded calmly and said, "At dawn, I went around the back of Cao's camp to spy on it, and the situation is indeed."

"Don't Gong Yi noticed how many military tents were rising in Cao's camp this morning?" Gao Chong, who had been silently looking at Jiangbei, suddenly asked. The smoke was a signal for the soldiers in Cao's camp to open breakfast. To judge the number of enemies, smoke and dust were a reference basis.

Jiang Qin was stunned, thought for a while and bowed and said, "I have been watching the show in the morning, but there seems to be no continuous smoke pillars appearing."

Gao Chong turned around and stared at Jiang Qin and said, "Does Cao's troops have put down more dirty things on the Yangtze River than before?"

"This subordinate didn't pay attention to it." Jiang Qin's face turned red. He didn't expect Gao Chong to be as careful as he could, and he would use the method of checking the feces and other dirt transported by Cao Ying to determine the number of people in the enemy camp.

"Dung Yi, please go back quickly and explore again, no mistakes should be made." Gao Chong ordered.

"Pampered coach, if the information sent back by Jiang Qin is reliable, there is only one possibility for Cao's camp to be clear all night, that is, it is to make a bluff. Cao Cao's real main force may have left Wulin." Xu Shu cleared his throat when he watched Jiang Qin's back drive away, and said confidently.

Gao Chong smiled slightly, held the window edge of the building ship and said, "It's still impossible to hide it from the military advisor. With Cao Cao's suspicious and cunning temperament, if it is pitch black in the camp, there will be a deception. On the contrary, if the lights are bright, it will show guilt. Therefore, once Gong Yi proves that the information is reliable, the opportunity for our attack is right in front of us, and we must not miss it."

Xu Shu said: "People's coach, since Cao Cao is not in Wulin, then he must have gone to Jiangling. Gong Jin's war is probably urgent. Should we send a reinforcement to reinforce just in case?"

Gao Chong pondered for a moment and shook his head and said, "Since Cao Cao personally attacked, he must have brought enough troops. Even if you and I reinforce, we will be able to get a backhand. The most urgent task is to eliminate Jiangling's threat as soon as possible, there is only one way."

"Take the empty opportunity of the enemy camp to defeat the enemy in Wulin?" Xu Shu's voice trembled slightly. Although he could think of this intention, it was another matter to make a decision.

Seeing Gao Chong nodding and acquiescent, Xu Shu advised: "But Cao Cao's army gathered in the army. Although we succeeded in the two battles, we only rely on the advantage of water battles. Now we are fighting with the enemy on the shore. Which is difficult to predict the outcome?"

"Ha, although the military advisor's words make sense, it is a blessing for Tong to confront Cao Mengde again. If he winces in fear, wouldn't he let this snow be disappointed?" Gao Chong laughed loudly, and his passionate fighting spirit filled his chest, as if he was about to gush out.

Wuba in Xitong and Yunmeng in the east. Jiangling City, which was once the capital of Chu in the old days, looks particularly tall in the twilight. The city walls built with bluestones are like an insurmountable natural chasm that blocks all living beings trying to enter.

The winter day is always so short, the sun is setting, and the dusk makes the wilderness outside Jiangling City even more hazy. The soil decorated with snow occasionally reveals its head, like beating elves. If the snow falls last year, the people living in Jingxiang will be happy and have a good harvest, but this year's situation makes them feel sad.

In the chaotic family and country, the fields that were once crowded with people were already deserted, leaving only a few jackdaws on the roof of the house without smoke, screaming hoarsely and refusing to leave.

The sound of horse hooves suddenly rang out, and an army advanced from east to west towards Jiangling.

The tall and green horse, leather armored sabre, and red helmet tassels, except for the most elite tiger and leopard cavalry under Cao Cao, no other cavalry has such neat and majestic momentum. The central army's large flags are tall, and the four large characters inlaid with yellow ears of "Han Prime Minister Cao" appear extremely eye-catching under the night.

Twenty years of war, the army was in a trance and arrived in a blink of an eye.

"You guys can expose your strength and achieve the achievements of destroying the rebellious party!" In the flames of Changshe, the young Cao Cao was full of passion.

Now Cao Cao is no longer the cunning boy who calls eagles and drinks dogs on the streets of Chang'an. As the actual ruler of the Han Dynasty,

Cao Cao enjoyed the gazes that countless people admired.

Dong Zhuo, Wang Yun, Lu Bu, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Liu Biao, when the powerful men fell one after another, Cao Cao could always look down on the changes in the world as a winner, but this time, his heart was out of control.

While Gao Chong was actively planning to attack Wulin, Cao Cao also led his main force to arrive outside Jiangling City.

Jiangling is close to the north bank of the Yangtze River, facing water on three sides, and only one corner north leads to Xiangyi. The easy-to-defense and difficult-to-attack terrain makes this place a must-fight for military strategists. When Gao Chong pacified Jingxiang, the general Wen Pin led his troops to defend this place, forcing Gao Chong to give up his attempt to attack. In the end, Xu Shu personally persuaded Wen Pin to surrender and took Jiangling.

Now, the city in front of Cao Cao is majestic, like a great wall that cannot be crossed, tightly stalking the iron cavalry's rushing pace. After sweeping over Jingxiang, Jiangling, as Gao Chong, stayed at the last stronghold on the north bank. Advance can be used as a vanguard, retreat can be used as a restraint, and Cao Cao is like a thorn in his throat.

"Zhongde, what are the movements of Zhou Yu in the city?" Sitting steadily on Huang Feidian, Cao Cao's eyes were sharp, his voice was hoarse and cold, with a hint of determination, and a little bit of majesty and tragic.

The scene in front of him reminded Cheng Yu of the eighteen princes of Guandong who conquered Dong Zhuo. At that time, Cao Cao was also determined to do so, and also made the soldiers who followed him look up.

"Lord, the enemy in Jiangling City sneaked out three days ago and was unknown whereabouts. According to the expected inference, it might be heading towards Baling." Zhang Fan, a staff officer in the army, said.

"Zhou Yu is not so easy to be fooled. If it were not unexpected, would Zhou Yu really hide somewhere waiting for us to be fooled?" Cheng Yu glanced at Zhang Fan and mocked.

Racing onto a high slope, Cao Cao turned his attention to Jiangling North City not far away. On the front of the city was an open wilderness, which was just suitable for cavalry to advance. Zhou Yu did not have the opportunity to set up an ambush in this place.

"Zhou Gongjin, Cao is about to understand his skills!" Cao Cao laughed at the horse.

He still walked towards the mountain even though he knew there was a tiger. Not everyone had such courage. It was not surprising that Cao Cao's wisdom and talent guessed Zhou Yu's movements, but he still decided to fight hard and pour an elite army into attacking Jiangling. Such courage was enough to make a group of mediocre people ashamed.

Those who become heroes cannot be regarded as brave and beautiful.

Gao Chong was like this, and Cao Cao was naturally like this.

"Zi Lian, Ru Li led the elite troops of Qingzhou to attack the city along the northern city, and the rest of the soldiers followed me to support the attack and support." Cao Cao's order was short and powerful.

"Lord, what should we do?" Cao Chun and Cao Xiu said in unison.

A smile flashed across Cao Cao's face. He slowly turned his gaze to the side of the Yangtze River, and said thoughtfully: "Don't worry, there is your battle to fight."

The horn whimpered.
Chapter completed!