Chapter 306 The Butcher Ma is the biggest weakness of the Liangzhou Legion

In October, Xuchang was already cold and dripping water turned into ice. Teams of Cao army soldiers were slowly driving out from Xuchang City in the cold and heading towards the north. In the queue, Cao Cao slowly turned back from the horse's back and looked at Xuchang City behind him. Xuchang City seemed quiet and peaceful under the illumination of the winter sun, and there was no trace of the breath of knives and weapons in the air.

"Lord, Guo Jia said goodbye to you."

A hoarse and powerless voice sounded behind him, and a haze flashed through Cao Cao's eyes. He turned his head and Guo Jia's pale face instantly came into Cao Cao's eyes. Guo Jia was covered with thick brocade fur, but even so, it seemed that he could not resist the severe cold of the middle of winter.

Guo Jia was huddled on the soft couch, and his weak body made him unable to ride a horse.

"Fengxiao." Cao Cao stared at Guo Jia with a complicated expression, and after a while, he said, "You must take care of yourself."

Guo Jia smiled faintly. Although his condition was heavy, his eyebrows still showed a free and easy aura, and said to Cao Cao: "As the saying goes, life and death are fate, wealth and honor are in heaven. Although horse butcher is cruel, and Jia Dushi is insidious, their lives are not so easy. I am still waiting to return to Xu Du to drink the lord's celebration wine, hahaha..."

"With filial piety, then just a word!" Cao Cao's eyes were slightly wet, and there was a hint of sob in his tone, "When he defeated Yuan Shao and Ma Butcher, he would hold a big banquet in the prime minister's house and drink with you..."

Guo Jia coughed violently, his face suddenly turned red, and he barely raised his hand to arch towards Cao Cao, and then he raised his head and headed towards the west official road without looking back. Cao's army, which was slowly moving north, also divided into two groups. One team continued north along the straight official road, but the other team followed Guo Jia to the west and headed towards Hulao Pass.

Cao Cao stood in the wind, watching Guo Jia disappear on the vast horizon.

Staff Cheng Yu and Xun You rode their horses up and whispered to Cao Cao: "Lord, Feng Xiao has gone far away. The situation of Yanjin White Horse is urgent, and it is time for us to set off."

Cao Cao nodded silently and rode his horse back.

The wind roared and the sand rolled. Thirty thousand elite troops of Cao gathered into a stream of golden swords and iron, rolling towards Guandu.

Nanyang, on the banks of Yushui River.

Ma Chao was wearing a worn-out battle robe, with two rusty iron armor tied with hemp ropes on his chest and back. There was no helmet on his head, allowing his black hair to scatter down. With the howling wind undulates like waves, it actually adds a bit of elegance, wildness, and a bit of courage.

Behind Ma Chao, Fa Zheng was wearing a thick cotton jacket, looking bloated, and a fox fur hat on his head. He was a whole Kanto vendor who traveled to and from the northwest.

In front of Ma Chao, eight hundred cavalry had already assembled.

No matter how many Shandan horses were, no matter how many black iron armor, nor were there any sharp sabers and sharp long-handled guns. Looking around, the banks of the Yushui River were messy. This was not a well-equipped Xiliang iron cavalry, but just a group of horse thieves traveling back and forth, traiting thousands of miles away.

Ma Chao took a deep breath of air conditioning and shouted sternly: "This expedition is a lonely army. We will face the desperate situation of no supplies, no reinforcements, and no retreat. This is a hopeless expedition! Perhaps... everyone, including this general, will die in the battlefield. Anyone who does not want to go out can now leave the list."

"No one wants to die, everyone has the right to choose to survive. This general will never force others to do anything, and no one will look down on you because of this. You are still the brave Xiliang Iron Cavalry, the most brave and warlike soldier in the world!"

The north wind yelled, and the Yushui River bank was silent.

Ma Chao's eyes were like a torch, and he swept across the eight hundred soldiers, shouting again: "I will give you one last chance. If you don't want to go to war, leave now!"

Finally, a Liang army pawn couldn't help it and immediately stepped forward to Ma Chao and said, "General, what are you lined up in front of you are a group of Guanzhong men, not a group of Guandong women!"

Ma Chao stared at the Liang army's young man like a hungry wolf, and said in a sequel: "Very good, what's your name?"

The young soldier of Liang army clasped his fists on the horse's back and responded with a loud bang: "Liar Han De, please forgive me for being in the body of armor and armor. Please forgive me for being punished!"

"Han De, I remember you! I hope your performance can be as beautiful as you said. If you can return to Guanzhong this time, I will definitely ask you for merit from Lianghou for you and directly promote you to general." Ma Chao said this and turned to the other eight hundred generals and said, "The same is true for you! As long as you can return to Guanzhong alive, you will all become generals!"

"Aoah..."

As Ma Chao finished speaking, eight hundred soldiers suddenly howled like wild wolf.

A burning atmosphere permeates the school ground, General... This is a great temptation for an ordinary soldier. General not only represents a lofty status, but also means wealth and wealth, and also means good fields and beautiful houses and beautiful wives and concubines. Who in the world is unwilling to live such a life?

“Hululu…”

Ma Chao slammed the reins of the horse, and the war horse under his crotch gasped for two heavy breaths and released his four hooves and galloped eastward. With the sound of howling like the cracks of the landslide, eight hundred iron cavalry gathered in the scenery and followed Ma Chao and rolled far away towards the eastern sky. In less than a moment, it disappeared on the vast horizon. Only a faint smoke and dust gradually rose by the Yushui River and finally drifted away with the wind.

Lujiang, Wan County.

The hall of Sun Jian’s residence was full of people. Sun Ce, Taishi Ci, Pan Zhang, Huang Gai, Xu Shu, Zhang Zhao, Gu Yong, Bu Zhi, Yu Fan, Zhang Hong and other Jiangdong civil and military officials had gathered together. After Sun Jian was at the high position, he looked out of the front door from time to time, as if he was still waiting for some people.

When Sun Jian was waiting anxiously, the personal soldiers outside the tent suddenly shouted: "The Grand Commander of the Navy, Zhou Yu, will arrive with Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin!"

"Here, finally."

"Gong Jin has arrived."

"Now, we're all here, we can start."

The civil and military officials in the hall breathed a sigh of relief, showing a look of relief.

The rapid footsteps sounded from outside the door, and the figure flashed, with a gentle expression and a chic demeanor, Zhou Yu was already surrounded by Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin and two tiger generals. Today, Zhou Yu was wearing military uniform and looked even more heroic and powerful, which was simply enviable, jealous, and was worthy of the beauty of Zhou Lang.

Zhou Yu, Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin three generals stood firm in the hall, held their fists and bowed to Sun Jian, and said loudly: "See the lord."

Sun Jian said anxiously: "Donald, Youping, Duke Yi Kuai is exempted from gifts."

"Thank you lord."

Zhou Yusan bowed and then turned around and retreated to the right.

Sun Jian glanced at everyone and said loudly: "I will invite you to the mansion today. There are important matters to discuss. Now Yuan Shao and Cao Cao are about to start the battle, and the horse butcher in the north will also intervene. This will surely be a tragic melee. Gu wants to take this opportunity to march west to attack Liu Biao. You might as well talk about how to fight this battle?"

"Lord, no." As soon as Sun Jian finished speaking, his adviser Zhang Zhao made a list and said, "Now that Lujiang has just settled, people are determined. It is the time to work hard to govern and recuperate with the people. How can we start the war easily?"

Zhang Hong came out and agreed: "What Brother Zibu said is very true. In recent years, the Wu army has successively attacked Yuan Shu, Liu Yao, Wang Lang, Xu Gong, Liu Xun and other separatist warlords. Although they have expanded the territory for thousands of miles, they are exhausted, the soldiers are tired of war, and the treasury is exhausted, and the treasury has been exhausted. If the war starts rashly, if the war is not going well and the war cannot be ended in a short period of time, the consequences will be unimaginable."

"Yes, there can't be a war now."

"You should rest and recuperate."

"There are so cruel masters of the Northwest Horse Butcher. Are you resting now?"

As the two words fell, Gu Yong, Bu Zhi, Yu Fan and other civil servants agreed, and the remarks in the hall were one after another. Almost all civil servants opposed the war with Liu Biao. To be honest, most of the gentry in Jiangdong were more capable than to be successful and lacked in progress, and lacked sufficient external ambitions.

Sun Jian's brows gradually frowned. The decision to attack Liu Biao had already been made. The water and land army in Jiangdong had already gathered in Lujiang and Chaisang on standby. The food and supplies needed were also being prepared in full swing. He summoned the ministers today not to discuss whether to beat Liu Biao, but to discuss how to beat Liu Biao!

But Zhang Zhao, Zhang Hong and others tried to make their final efforts, trying to persuade Sun Jian to attack Liu Biao.

But who is Sun Jian? How could he be influenced by Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong? He said coldly at that time: "Zibu, Zigang, I am summoning you to discuss how to attack Liu Biao, rather than whether to attack Liu Biao. Gu's determination is made, so you don't have to persuade him anymore."

Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong bowed and retreated silently.

Sun Jian said to Xu Shu: "Yuan Zhi, let me tell you about the situation in the north first."

Xu Shu bowed to Sun Jian, then walked to the screen erected in the hall, and pointed to the military topographic map hanging on the screen and said to everyone in the hall: "Please look, this is Li Yang. Yuan Shao has gathered 700,000 troops here, and Guandu is Guandu is across the Yellow River to the south. Cao Cao has also gathered 70,000 troops in Guandu. Due to the severe drought in the Central Plains, the Yellow River has been cut off. Both Yuan and Cao can cross the Yellow River on foot, so there is no natural barrier between the two major forces."

"According to inaccurate information, Ma Butcher gathered no less than 30,000 troops in Hedong County and Nanyang County. Among them, the 20,000 troops gathered in Nanyang County are among the elite elites of the Liangzhou Army, and have a large number of cavalry! However, Cao Cao also gathered heavy troops in Luoyang and Yingchuan areas."

"Ma Butcher Ma and Cao Cao have a deep grudge, and they both fear each other, and they both believe that the other party is their own confidant. Once there is a chance to kill the other party, the two will never let it go easily. Therefore, Ma Butcher Ma will likely take advantage of the stalemate of Cao's army and Yuan army, and attack Xuchang from behind and give Cao Cao a fatal blow!"

"Of course, Cao Cao would not sit still and wait for death, and he would definitely find a way to counter the butcher Ma."

"Combining the intelligence of all parties, there are three possible results for the melee in the Central Plains: First, Cao Cao was completely defeated, Ma butcher Ma made wedding clothes for others, and Yuan Shao entered the Central Plains; second, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao both suffered losses, and Ma butcher Ma went into the Central Plains; third, Cao Cao retreated strategically, Ma butcher and Yuan Shao became furious because of the battle for territory, and Cao Cao retreated in a corner, and he was harsh and hungry."

[From Xu Shu's strategic analysis, it can be seen that the Jiangdong Military Group is completely unfavorable to Cao Cao's future in this Central Plains melee, and believes that Cao Cao's most ideal result can only be to shrink a corner, delay the harshness, and this possibility is very small. However, whether Xu Shu's analysis is accurate depends on facts to comment on.]

"For the three possible results on the battlefield of the Central Plains, our army must be prepared accordingly. This time the lord summons everyone to come here just to hear everyone's opinions. When three different results on the battlefield of the Central Plains, how should our army deal with them to seek the greatest benefit."

Sun Jian turned his eyes to Zhou Yu and asked, "Gong Jin, tell me what you think."

Zhou Yu smiled casually and said, "Yu is young and knowledgeable, and is a little wise and neglected in politics. He really dares not speak nonsense. The lord still needs to ask Mr. Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong."

Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong were so charming when he heard this, he was very helpful in his heart.

The elders and gentry in Jiangdong have always been quite slight for Sun Jian's so value of Zhou Yu, a young boy, who believed that Zhou Yu was not only beautiful but also a little clever, but was simply boasting and useless. Zhou Yu's ability to speak like this today at least means that he still has some self-knowledge.

Wancheng, Ma Yue’s military tent.

Ma Yue pulled the charcoal fire in the brazier a little more vigorously. Jia Xu and Li Su shrank their hands and came over to cook the fire together. Especially Jia Xu, the New Year is about to be fifty-two. This was already considered "older" in ancient times. Most people have to prepare for death at any time when they reach this age. Maybe one day they will not be able to get up again if they lie down.

Ma Yue picked up the pot roasted pot on the brazier and said to Jia Xu: "Wenhe, drink it while it's hot."

Jia Xu said in surprise: "Lord, this is the first soup for the thousand-year-old ginseng!"

Ma Yue said impatiently: "What are you talking about? Just drink it if you want to drink it."

"Thank you, lord." A trace of warmth flashed through Jia Xu's eyes. He took the pot and poured it into his mouth. After thinking about it, he handed the pot to Li Su beside him, and said, "Ziyan, you can have a few more sips."

Li Su shook his head anxiously and said, "No, no, I'm young and angry, so I don't need to take it. It's better to drink it with the military advisor."

Ma Yue frowned and said, "Ziyan, you can take a few sips."

"Thank you lord."

Li Su naturally did not dare to disobey the words of Ma Butcher Ma. He hurriedly picked up the pot and drank two big sips, and then handed them back to Jia Xu. Ma Yue then breathed a sigh of relief and asked Jia Xu, "Wenhe, if Cao Cao wanted to attack instead of defending and take the initiative to attack, where is the most likely attack? Also, is Cao Cao personally leading the army, or is he only sending one general to lead the army?"

Jia Xu said: "The Cao army took the initiative to attack, and our army can provide its attacks with little to no risk. Guanzhong is blocked by natural barriers. Even if Cao Cao personally leads the army to attack, it may not be able to take it down, so Cao army cannot take this risk."

"Hedong is close to Hetao and is also a strategic location. However, Xu Huang's eight thousand elite troops are guarding him. Moreover, General Xu Huang is good at defending him. When Cao's army spent all his might to attack Hedong, our army should have taken advantage of the situation and attacked Xuchang, so Cao Cao could not attack Hedong. Apart from Tongguan and Hedong, Cao's army could only attack Nanyang."

Li Su suddenly asked, "If Cao's army wants to attack Nanyang, I wonder if it will go south from Luoyang or west from Yingchuan?"

"The attack from which direction is not the key," Ma Yue said, "The key is who leads the army? If Cao Cao and Guo Jia arrive in person, then the outcome of this battle will be unpredictable!"

Jia Xu thought for a while and said, "It is unlikely that Cao Cao will come in person, but it is hard to say whether Guo Jia will come!"

Ma Yue said: "Wenhe means that Cao Cao and Guo Jia may be separated this time?"

Jia Xu said: "When the 23rd Kanto Alliance Army attacked Guanzhong, the situation forced the lord to separate from Zaixia for a long time?"

"Well, it makes sense." Ma Yue said, "If Guo Jia came in person, we don't have to spend any tricks or tricks, so as not to backfire, and instead be taken advantage of by Cao's army."

Speaking of playing with conspiracies, Ma Butcher really has no confidence that he can play with Guo Jia.

Since Cao Cao appointed Guo Jia as his military advisor, the Ma Butcher Ma has been at a clear disadvantage in several confrontations with Cao Cao. If it weren't for his good luck, the Ma Butcher Ma would not have known how many times he had died! Therefore, when encountering an opponent like Cao Cao and Guo Jia, there is no need to be lucky. The only thing Ma Butcher Ma can do is to force the opponent into a desperate situation step by step with his absolute strength, and there is no other way to do this.

Jia Xu said: "Our army doesn't have to take the initiative. We can defend Nanyang and wait for Cao's army to come and attack. Anyway, the battle of Guandu has just begun, and Yuan Shao and Cao Cao cannot decide the winner so quickly. We have time! Let's see who can't waste who in the end?"

Ma Yue said: "In addition, let Gao Shun, Xu Huang and Fang Yue, who were left in Guanzhong, Ma Dai be prepared. When the time is right, he will raise an army to attack Hangu and Luoyang. No matter how powerful Guo Jia is, he is not three heads and six arms. He is alone and wants to see how Cao's army resists the fierce attack of 50,000 troops in the north, west and south directions!"
To be continued...