Chapter 33 Fire Attack

In early November of the winter of the 16th year of Jian'an, Cao Chong led 3,000 elite troops to Wulin again.

Yan Yan stayed in Wulin for more than two months. While he was practicing the navy, he also cut down all the dead trees in Wulin's forest that were burned to death as firewood. So when Cao Chong arrived, he saw that it was still a lush forest. Although the trees inside were not as thick as they were in the past and not as high as they were in the past, they were also full of vitality and a different atmosphere.

Cao Chong was deeply moved and remembered Huan Wen’s famous saying: “The tree is still like this, how can a person be able to do it.”

Zhang Song and Jiang Gan knew that he was thinking of the fire three years ago and were a little moved. Zhang Song thought for a while and laughed: "Why should you be sad? The old tree is burning, and the new tree is growing again, and it is endless. This is a good thing."

Cao Chong smiled and did not answer Zhang Song's words. He knew what Zhang Song meant. To be honest, if Cao had not been burned by that fire in Chibi, he might not have had the chance to take charge in just three years. In this sense, he seemed to be grateful to Zhou Yu. Now that he had made him a Weiwei, one of the nine ministers, was a reward for his kindness.

"Governor Yan, the navy has been practicing for a month. Can we fight?" Cao Chong said to Yan Yan with a smile.

Yan Yan smiled and stroked the white beard under his jaw and said, "The general has installed a sharp stick, a thunderbolt, a city guard crossbow and other powerful weapons for a month. The general has served wine and meat, and he specially found two thousand navy soldiers as a sparring training. If he can't practice it, I will be too embarrassed. Don't worry, my Yizhou navy has not fought for many years, but there are 10,000 people here, and there is enough advantage in the number of people. As long as Zhang Fei stayed in Chanling, I can defeat Xiang Chong at most one day and send the general to Luo County."

Cao Chong nodded with satisfaction. Yan Yan's performance is good here. No matter what, the military appearance has improved. From a hardware perspective, the Yizhou Navy still has a slight advantage. All that is missing is the combat experience and confidence of the soldiers. During this period, Yan Yan has been entangled with Xiang Chong, the opponent in order to test the effectiveness of the training. Although he has not done his best to harm his opponent, the purpose of training is to achieve it.

"General, please rest for a day. At this time tomorrow, I will send the general across the river." Yan Yan looked at the sky and said with confidence.

Cao Chong looked at Yan Yan unexpectedly, without asking much questions, just nodded, and took his entourage to rest and discuss the tactical arrangements after crossing the river. Yan Yan did not participate, and he wanted to arrange tomorrow's war. Hao Zhao, Dianman, Wang Su, Ma Zhong, Huang Chong, Zhang Song, Jiang Gan and the newly affiliated Ma Su, all of them concentrated on discussing the matter.

Everyone sat down, Cao Chong winked at Huang Chong and nodded to start. Huang Chong stood up, walked to the wooden frame with the map of Changsha County, pointed at Luo County with the slender Jingzhu in his hand, and said without any rush: "Everyone, you have heard what Governor Yan said. We have rested here for a day, and we will cross the river tomorrow, and then go deep into the south of the Yangtze River. After crossing the river, our army has no back. The grain obtained by General Huang and Zhang in Yiyang is probably almost consumed, so it is impossible to have any remaining grain to help us. The navy here is dealt with by Governor Yan. After we get ashore, our primary task is to take down Luo County. Luo County is Xiang Lang's old nest. He has been operating there for a long time. Eighty miles north is Xiang Chong's naval camp, so we only have a short time..."

Everyone had no objection to taking Luo County, but they had controversy over the movements after taking Luo County. Ma Su believed that after taking Luo County, he should go straight south, join Zhang He's troops to capture Linxiang, and first cut off Zhang Fei's retreat. Then he encircled three sides and killed Zhang Fei in Changsha County. Ma Zhong, Huang Chong and others believed that this plan was too risky. Although Zhang Fei was in trouble, he still had more than 10,000 troops in his hands. Once he had no way out and resisted desperately, Cao's army would definitely be very injured. Moreover, Zhang Fei had such a good relationship with Liu Bei, and killed Zhang Fei.

After that, Liu Bei would inevitably counterattack. At that time, the troops were insufficient, and he was afraid that he might not be able to defend Changsha County. So he would first meet Zhang He, Huang Zhong, and Le Jin to defeat Zhang Fei with his superior forces, and then use the cavalry's speed advantage to pursue him for a long distance, killing the opponent during the pursuit. In this way, although Zhang Fei might run away, his more than 10,000 troops could be brought back. The biggest advantage is that the losses on this side are small, and whether it is attacking or defending, there will be no shortage of troops, and he is more confident of occupying Changsha County for a long time.

Ma Su is coming soon. Although he tried his best to kill Zhang Fei to vent his resentment towards Zhuge Liang, he did not dare to offend people like Ma Zhong and Huang Chong, for fear that his future life would not be easy. Seeing that he did not speak, Huang Chong raised another question. Zhang Fei still had five thousand naval troops in Chanling. If Zhang Fei did not go south but instead went north, and joined the navy and attacked Jiangling, or swept the Yangtze River, although he could not avoid the end of destruction, it might cause great danger to Nanjun. Nanjun is another bumper year. If Zhang Fei went ashore, the consequences would be unimaginable. What's even more terrifying is that if Liu Bei and Guan Yu had already rushed north to support him before killing Zhang Fei, the battle would be in vain.

Cao Chong thought for a long time. Although he wanted to kill Zhang Fei in Changsha County, after all, he was still a little afraid of this enemy of ten thousand people. Although he had an advantage, his advantage was not that great. If Zhang Fei struggled to death, he would have suffered too much and the surrendered soldiers would be shaken again, it would be really troublesome. Ma Su's plan was obviously a bit eager to achieve success and was not safe enough.

"It's better to be safer." Cao Chong made the final decision: "After crossing the river, we will immediately join the generals to fight Zhang Yide, and then use cavalry to pursue him and expand the results of the battle."

Although Ma Su was unwilling to accept his wish, he had no choice but to bow down and obey the order.

At the end of Yin in the early morning the next morning, it was the darkest time before dawn. Yan Yan called Cao Chong and asked him to board the handsome ship. The handsome ship was tall and the north wind whistled, which immediately made Cao Chong's warm-up that had just emerged from the quilt cold. Sun Shangxiang beside him couldn't help but tighten the brocade battle robe on his body, and rushed over to cover Cao Chong with a cloak.

"What a strong wind." Cao Chong blurted out.

"It's the good wind." Yan Yan smiled and said, "General came by coincidence. I have been waiting for this wind for half a month. Finally, I have let me wait. It's still the time when the general wants to cross the river."

Yan Yan was talking and laughing, while waving the order flag. The commander hung a signal in the box car hanging in the air. Several lamps made of silk in different colors conveyed the order to attack. Then lanterns also rose from the warship in the distance. The vanguard warship sailed out of the water camp and quietly advanced towards Xiang Chongshui Village on the other side.

The wind became more and more rapid, and the sails were ripping, and the big ship rode the wind and waves, hitting the river water, making a rustling sound. Cao Chong stood on the high-level handsome platform, looking at the three thousand elite soldiers standing up on several large ships that were specially linked below, and his heart was surging. Three years ago, he was a child standing beside Cao Cao, but now he is the supreme commander of this heroic soldier.

"The governor also connects the big ship together, aren't you afraid of fire attack?" Cao Chong suddenly laughed.

He was watching Yan Yan in front of him and turned his head to look at Cao Chong and smiled: "General, I am just going to attack Xiangpeng today. These ships are specially used to transport the general's men and horses. Then they will go straight into Dongting Lake. The general's cavalry can rush straight to Luo County from the warship. When the time comes, they are full of energy and will definitely be able to successfully take Luo County."

"You also want to attack with fire?" Cao Chong was a little surprised.

"Such a good wind and such a good opportunity, what kind of tactics are better than fire attack?" Yan Yan smiled and waved his hand gently: "Please see, General."

Cao Chong looked forward along his hand, and saw dozens of fire points suddenly lit up in the vanguard fleet, instantly turning into fire friends. Then these fire dragons rushed out of the queue, bulged their sails, and rushed towards the gathering Xiangpeng Shui Master two miles away. In the dark night, it was like a meteor crossing the night sky.

"While they put out the fire, I will send the general to Dongting Lake." Yan Yan smiled proudly.

Xiang Chong heard the newspaper that Yan Yan came to challenge again in the middle of the night and had already been ready. He thought Yan Yan wanted to use him as a sparring training this time to train his wars to compete with the Yizhou Navy, who was running faster than anyone else. However, there were a little more people, so he transferred all the navy out and lined up in a month and a half to put the Yizhou Navy inside, and then followed him to chase after him with the upper hand, so that the Yizhou Navy could not escape if he wanted to run. Unexpectedly, Yan Yan's forward did not rush up to fight the battle as foolishly as before, and released the fireboat two miles away.

Seeing dozens of fire boats that were deformed by the wind, Xiang Chong was sweating profusely and stayed there for a while. Only then did he realize that Old Man Yan, opposite these days, had been teasing him, just thinking about playing with him a bit hard today.

Just as Xiang Chong ordered him to take over the fireboat, he could not let him rush into the fleet, nor could the fireboat burn into the land camp on the shore. Hundreds of large ships in the Yizhou Navy left the Yangtze River and entered Dongting Lake, and left smoothly. Xiang Chong was even more shocked. He did not dare to delay any longer and handed the red-burning naval master to his younger brother Xiang Chong. He immediately left the navy with his men and rushed to Luo County from the shore. He knew that Yan Yan would not go to pick up Zhang He and Huang Zhong this time to pick up Zhang He and Huang Zhong, but he sent people across the river again. The only one who could work Yan Yan personally picked up Yan Yan.

As soon as Xiang Chong left, the navy was defeated and was burned into a mess. Then six or seven thousand Yizhou navy rushed up and beat the dog in pain. In less than half a day, two thousand Jingzhou navy troops were wiped out.

Before the fire of the Jingzhou naval army was extinguished, Cao Chong climbed the shore north of Luo County. Yan Yan and two thousand navy soldiers set up a blocking formation on the banks of the Miluo River. When the defenders of Luo County heard that the fire in the north was on fire, Cao's army suddenly appeared in the north of the city and set up a formation on the side of the Miluo River. Knowing that something was wrong, these Cao's army must have blocked Xiang Chong who had defeated Hui. They immediately left the city and wanted to attack Xiang Chong. But they had just left the city, and they were caught by the two thousand iron cavalry ambushed aside and killed a fallen water. Then Hao Zhao brought the eight hundred iron armored troops, Dianman and two hundred tiger soldiers, and worked together to attack the city gate. A quarter of an hour later, Luo County was defeated. At this time, Xiang Chong's order to order the Luo County garrison to not leave the city had just arrived.

Cao Chong stood at the head of Luo County, knocked on the battlements with the bamboo slip written with Xiang Chong's military order, and said to Yan Yan with a smile: "Governor Yan, your fire today not only allowed our army to easily take Luo County, relieve their worries, but also reported the regrets of the Prime Minister three years ago. After I return to the army, I will definitely ask for merit for you. But now you should solve Xiang Chong who came to help first, and then go to Shuixin to deal with Zhang Fei's 5,000 navy. The combat power of the 5,000 people should not be underestimated. If necessary, you can ask Prefect Wen to come and fight."

Yan Yan smiled and said, "General, don't worry, Xiang Chong's thousand men ran for dozens of miles. Whether he could stand firm here is a question. I can easily take him down. If these two thousand navy troops are gone, my confidence in defending the Yangtze River will be even more secure. General, please go south with peace of mind. The battles there are much more difficult than those here in my place."

Cao Chong laughed and handed Luo County to Yan Yan. He led his men and horses to travel south quickly. At the same time, he sent a quick horse to inform Le Jin and Huang Zhong to prepare. After Cao Chong left, Yan Yan ambushed in the city. In the afternoon, Xiang Chong led his people to the outside of the city. When he saw that his flag was still hanging on the top of the city, he breathed a sigh of relief. He hurried into the city. Halfway through the city gate, the ambushed soldiers were everywhere, and Yan Yan appeared at the top of the city. The battle was over soon, Xiang Chong was captured. Then Yan Yan sent someone to take Xiang Chong's seal and trick Xiang Chong to Luo County, and repeated the closing of the door and beating the dog.

Xiang Chong looked at Yan Yan, whose hair and beard were white, and was ashamed of shame. He always felt that Yan Yan was a useless old man, who was called a famous general in Yizhou. When he met him, he could still beat ten thousand naval masters with two thousand naval masters so that he dared not go out. Unexpectedly, Yan Yan was burned to pieces today, and his brothers were captured alive by others.

Two days later, Cao Chong rushed to Lanni Lake, set up camp by the lake, and had a rest. Zhang He sent Zhang Xiong to report to him about the recent situation in Yiyang. Zhang Fei has not yet received the news that Luo County was lost and the navy was missing. He is still besieging Yiyang. It is estimated that the news will be obtained in one or two days. If you want to surround Zhang Fei, you must take action in these two days. Le Jin has set out from Longyang and arrived in the west of Yiyang City. He was afraid that Zhang Fei would run away nervously, so he did not dare to force him too much. He was thirty miles away from the city waiting for Cao Chong's order.

Cao Chong nodded and did not answer immediately. He first asked about Yin Wen, who had accompanied Zhang Xiong.

"Yu Zhang, you have made great contributions this time. If you can kill Zhang Fei, you will be the first contribution." Cao Chong said to Yin Wen politely: "What position do you hold under Zhang Yide?"

Yin Wen didn't expect Cao Chong to be so polite to him, a surrendered general, and his face turned red with excitement. He quickly bowed and replied, "Report to General, the last general is originally the Central Army General under Zhang Fei."

Cao Chong nodded, looked at Yin Wen and said, "Yu Zhang must know that the rule in our army is to reward merits and reward merits. If you have merits, I will submit a letter to you to be awarded a title. Those who have to wait for approval from the emperor and the Prime Minister's Office, may be slower. I can promise you that you are yes to reward you with a million yuan first, you won't think it's too little."

"Not a lot." Yin Wen was so happy that he smiled. Not only did he have a title, but he also had money. Although a million yuan was not a huge sum of money, it was also a considerable amount of money. He quickly turned over and knelt down: "Thank you, General."

"Haha, get up." Cao Chong quickly helped Yin Wen up: "Follow General Pingdi to fight hard, and make military achievements in the future, and also make a general."

"No." Yin Wen responded loudly, stood up proudly, and squeezed his eyes at Zhang Xiong. Zhang Xiong burst out laughing. Of course he knew what Cao Chong meant. Yin Wen was his deputy general. He could be a general, of course he could do it. This was Cao Chong's statement to him. Last time he was snatched by Cao Chong to teach the elliptical soldiers, and later he was asked back by his father. He was always a little unhappy. Especially when he saw Le Jin defeating Jiangdong Army with Wei Yan at Xiling City and being promoted to General Li, he felt even more unhappy and muttered to Zhang He several times. This time Zhang He sent him to Cao Chong, but he was afraid of being nagged, so he simply told him to get out. But after all, he was Zhang He's eldest son, so Zhang He was still willing to spend a lot of money and handed over the five hundred iron cavalry he trained to Zhang Xiong.

Cao Chong rested in Lanni Lake for a day, then slowly rushed towards Yiyang with his men. At the same time, Le Jin also led his army to force him from the west and surrounded Zhang Fei under Yiyang City.

Zhang Fei sat steadily under Yiyang City, as if he had not seen the surrounding army. Xiang Lang was already anxious and jumped up. He was still as stable as Mount Tai, but he stopped drinking and was lying on the map every day to watch. The scouts kept sending messages back from all directions like meteors.

"General, let's retreat quickly. Cao Cangshu himself has come to Jiangnan. Luo County has been lost. Now they have nearly 18,000 troops, and we only have over 10,000 troops. The combat power of the soldiers is too different. We are not opponents at all. At this time, while they are not connected, we still have a chance to rush out. If we delay further, we will die." Xianglang's forehead was sweating and he advised with great heart.

"Retreat? How to withdraw?" Zhang Fei raised his head from the map, looked at Xiang Lang thoughtfully, raised his legs and took off his combat boots. A smelly big foot hung over the top of the brazier. In the blink of an eye, a foul smell filled the entire tent.

Xiang Lang was gone even to frown. Luo County was lost, two thousand navy troops were lost, and his nephew was not aware of life and death. Cao's army rushed over from three sides, and he was about to get together. He was already red in his eyes when he was still so peaceful. He intuitively thought that Zhang Fei was crazy, or he had just woken up.

"The general led 6,000 elite veterans to the west. Although there were 5,000 Lejin, three thousand were surrendered soldiers. They were frightened by the general's reputation and would not dare to do their best. After breaking west and going south, they could turn to Linxiang and Liao Taishou to meet, or go directly to Lingling to meet Zhuge Military Advisor. The counties along the way are still in our hands. The general can be supplemented and revitalized. After joining the military advisor and lord, they can make a comeback and seize Yiyang."

"Then... what should I do if I do, sir?" Zhang Fei raised his eyelids and looked at his steaming feet calmly.

"I brought more than 4,000 new soldiers here to disguise themselves as an army, attracting the attention of Cao Chong and others, and buying time for the general to break through." Xiang Lang thought Zhang Fei was moved by him, so he quickly responded.

Zhang Fei pulled the corner of his mouth and smiled silently, glanced at Xiang Lang, but did not answer. He was pondering Xiang Lang's words, but not the feasibility of Xiang Lang's plan, but Xiang Lang's intentions. He heard the news of Luo County's loss and the news of the destruction of the navy, but did not hear the news of Xiang Chong and his younger brother Xiang Chong's death. He suspected that these two people had surrendered, and Xiang Lang might not be thinking about him now. It is hard to say that he did not want to surrender to Cao Chong with the remaining troops as soon as he left.

Xiang Lang is also a great clan in Xiangyang.

"Sir, don't panic." Zhang Fei said calmly: "Although Cao Cangshu has a lot of troops, he may not be able to trap me. His people are truly trustworthy, but there are only 14,000 troops and more than 4,000 surrendered soldiers. If you really fight, he may not dare to use these 4,000 people, and maybe you have to be careful. Besides, his 18,000 troops are divided into three groups, and more than 10,000 of us are one group. As long as we work together, it is not a big problem to break through."

He paused and said, "Don't forget that I still have 5,000 navy troops that have not moved. They are all elites brought by Yun Chang, and they are real elites. Since the Yangtze River has been lost, it is meaningless to stay in Chanling. I have ordered them to go ashore, so that we will have 15,000 people, and the troops are not much different, which is enough to fight."

When Xiang Lang heard this, he immediately shut up. Zhang Fei is a general, and he is also a general. Speaking of which, eight thousand of the more than 10,000 people are his people, but because Zhang Fei is Liu Bei's confidant, he handed over the command to Zhang Fei, and he was willing to be his deputy. Now Zhang Fei has mobilized the navy, but has not discussed it with him, and he has not told him the direction of the navy's action until now, so it is obvious that he can't trust him. Thinking of this, his suggestion just now seems ulterior motives and has no good intentions.
Chapter completed!