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In the Lu'an prisoner-of-war camp, Cao Cao, accompanied by Xu Huang and other generals, was inspecting the captured Han army prisoners. During the counter-ambush battle, Xu Huang's army cut off the retreat of the Han army, leaving about 6,000 Han soldiers with no way to retreat, and eventually became Cao's prisoners of war.

Cao Cao highly praised Xu Huang for his victory in this battle. This victory became particularly important after Cao's army was defeated in Nanyang, which greatly boosted the morale of Cao's army. Cao Cao immediately praised Xu Huang and appointed him as the Marquis of the Paxiang and promoted him to the right general.

Cao Cao rode a horse to patrol the prisoner-of-war camp. Seeing that the tents in the prisoner-of-war camp were neat, the Han soldiers were not in chaos due to being captured, and still walked in rows, with high and low ranks on the upper and lower levels. Cao Cao couldn't help but nodded secretly. The Han army was indeed a powerful brigade, and it became a prisoner of war and was still so neat and orderly.

Thinking of this, Cao Cao turned around and asked Xu Huang, "Gongming thinks, how should he deal with these prisoners of war?"

Xu Huang bowed immediately and said, "Most of these Han soldiers are from Jingzhou, and their parents, wives and children are in Jingzhou. It is not realistic to incorporate them into the Cao army. He thought that these prisoners of war could be used as bargaining chips to exchange for more benefits from Liu Jing."

Cao Cao smiled, "But most of these prisoners of war are good at water battles, and it's a pity to let them be the boatman."

Xu Huang pondered for a moment and said, "I heard that the Han army first used the captured Cao army as miners, and those who were willing to surrender one year later were then incorporated into the Han army. This is to prevent the Cao army from turning against each other in the last minute. If the Prime Minister really wanted to use them as boatmen, he had to sharpen them for a year before he could break his opposition, otherwise they would become a hidden danger."

Cao Cao nodded, "You are right. Judging from their current situation, it is better to make them surrender to our army to a great price and not worth the loss. It is better to exchange for benefits from Liu Jing."

Cao Cao turned around and said to Xu Huang: "You can know that Liu Jing's army has arrived in Wankou."

Xu Huang was shocked, "I don't know when this happened."

Cao Cao sighed softly, "Two days ago, Liu Jing personally led a thousand warships to fight. He also gave his all to this Hefei battle."

Xu Huang was silent. He followed Cao Cao for many years. From Cao Cao's sigh just now, he felt that his lord's lack of confidence was definitely not a good sign. Thinking of this, Xu Huang said in a deep voice: "The Han army launched a large-scale eastern expedition, and Jingzhou will inevitably be empty. I am willing to lead an army to attack Qichun County, and the troops will be suppressed by Jiangxia, making it difficult for Liu Jingwei to take care of and disrupt his plan for the eastern expedition."

Cao Cao was slightly stunned. Xu Huang's plan was similar to the Jiangdong expedition in the past, but the Jiangdong strategy failed, which really made Cao Cao feel unconfident.

Xu Huang also said: "The Han Dynasty has a large territory, which will inevitably lead to their scattered troops. The focus of their defense is on the front line of Nanyang. The hinterland of Jiangxia will be empty. There is no need to lead more troops at a low position. Only 5,000 elite troops are enough. If the sneak attack on Jiangxia successfully, it may be able to resolve the danger in Hefei."

Cao Cao pondered for a moment and said, "Although Gongming's strategy has no loopholes, it is also related to the overall situation. Let me think about it again and I will give you a reply later."

"As long as you follow the lord's orders."

At this moment, a soldier rushed over and knelt down on one knee to report: "Report to Duke Wei, General Xu, the Han army envoy has arrived outside the camp and asked to see General Xu."

Cao Cao smiled, "I don't want us to negotiate with him, they will come first. Gong Mingke will go to meet him and report to me later."

"Abide by the order"

Xu Huang turned his horse's head and urged his horse to run towards the military camp. Cao Cao no longer inspected the prisoner-of-war camp and returned directly to Lu'an County.

About half an hour later, Xu Huang met Cao Cao again. At this time, Cao Cao was standing in front of the sand table to discuss military information. Xu Huang stepped forward and bowed and said, "Report to Duke Wei, I have met the Han army envoy."

"Who is the Han army envoy?" Cao Cao asked lightly.

"It was Pang Tong who was engaged in Wen Jin."

Cao Cao sneered, "Liu Jing actually sent such a low-level minor official to negotiate, which is really a deceptive person."

Chen Qun next to him hurriedly said: "Duke Wei and Liu Jing sent low-level officials. Bei Zhi believes that he wants to deal with this matter in a low-key manner, not intentionally bullying. They are asking for us and should not be arrogant."

Cao Cao nodded, thinking about it, the same is true. Exchange of prisoners of war will become the norm in the future, and contact at high levels will make things complicated. Cao Cao's anger calmed down slightly and asked again: "What does the other party mean?"

"Reported to Duke Wei, the other party said that he was willing to exchange the prisoners of war in Nanyang County for one person, and for another person, and in addition, the other party agreed to release Jia Kui."

Cao Cao heard that the other party was willing to release Jia Kui, and his dissatisfaction was completely eliminated. He smiled at everyone and said, "What qualifications does Pang Tong have to release Jia Kui? Of course, this is Liu Jing's arrangement. He actually sent a minor official to negotiate. Liu Jing is teasing me."

Mao Jie said on the side: "Report to Duke Wei, since Liu Jing's army has arrived, he will not be stationed in Ankou for a long time. Beizhi believes that the Han army will inevitably launch a large-scale attack on Ruxukou and break the deadlock in Ruxukou. Our navy forces are far inferior to the other side. I suggest that Zhang Liao's army retreat north immediately."

Cao Cao agreed with Mao Jie's analysis and immediately ordered: "So quickly pass my urgent order, and Zhang Liao's army retreated north immediately, and there is no delay for a moment."

At this time, Cao Cao said to Xu Huang again: "Although Gongming's suggestions were good in the morning, the way back to Nanyang and Yiyang was cut off by the Han army. Even if Jiangxia was disturbed for a while, it would be difficult to return. I don't want Gongming's army to be wiped out by the Han army in the end, so I decided not to adopt Gongming's suggestions, please understand."

Xu Huang was sad, and Duke Wei finally refused his plan. Of course, he also knew that the final result of a sneak attack on Jingzhou was to go but never return. After all, Duke Wei did not want to become a prisoner of war in the Han army. Xu Huang nodded silently. He understood Duke Wei's painstaking efforts.

At this time, Cao Cao said slowly to Xu Huang: "Although I will not let Gongming go to Jingzhou to take risks, I still have to give Gongming an important task, that is, to be fully responsible for Lu's defense and strictly prevent Huang Zhong's army from breaking through from Lu. How can Gongming really not defend the Lu line? Then, my minimum requirement is to keep the passage between Shouchun and Hefei."

"I understand the humble rank and will never disappoint Mr. Wei."

After Liu Jing's army took a short rest at the Ankou, thousands of warships continued to march eastward. On the river, the fleet stretched for dozens of miles, and thousands of sails competed for a magnificent.

At this time, Liu Jing made another army adjustment, extracting tens of Jingzhou soldiers who were good at water battles from Huang Zhong's 40,000 troops, and handing over Pang De's 7,000 cavalry to Huang Zhong, so that the main force of the Han army reached more than 80,000. Although Huang Zhong's army reduced its strength, its combat power was correspondingly enhanced.

The main force of the Han army advanced towards Ruxukou without hesitation, which made Liu Jing's tactics very clear, and he used the advantages of the navy to occupy Ruxukou in one fell swoop, breaking the deadlock from Ruxukou.

Cao Cao also took back his focus from Shuxian and Lu'an County, handed over Lu's defense to Xu Huang, and ordered Zhang Liao to return to Hefei to prepare for the Han army's breakthrough in Ruxukou.

Cao Cao and Liu Jing have been fighting for more than ten years and have known each other very well. This is like a master playing chess, focusing on the overall situation, not caring about the gains and losses of one city and one region. Liu Jing opened up the Nanxiang Pass and blocked the loopholes on the western front. Cao Cao helped Sun Quan conquer Wujun, unify Jiangdong, and increase support in the southeast direction. Both sides made their own arrangements. Now at the final decisive moment, the way to win or lose depends on who has a better layout and more profound layout.

Ruxukou was the focus of the battle between the Sun and Cao families in China, and its strategic position was its importance. It was the outlet of the Ruxu River and the entrance to Chaohu Lake and even Hefei. It was an indispensable strategic fulcrum for the Jiangdong Army, which had the advantage of the navy, and the Han Army.

For the Han army, seizing Ruxukou means gaining a foothold in the Hefei War and becoming the logistics base for the Han army to head north. Cao Cao also knew this well, so after seizing Ruxukou, he built a large number of fortifications in Ruxukou. He had a large number of heavy trenchers alone, with 10,000 troops stationed, commanded by general Zhang He.

Zhang He stood on the military city viewing tower, looking out at the river with a grim expression. Zhang Liao's ten thousand troops had retreated to Hefei two days ago. He received an emergency order from Duke Wei yesterday. The main force of the Han army had arrived at Wankou a few days ago and is now heading towards Ruxukou, so that he must strengthen his defense.

At this time, Deputy General Ding Rong walked up and said, "Bizhi believes that the Han army will not attack Ruxukou immediately. They must have pulled out the threat of Wuhu first, otherwise they will be attacked from behind by the Jiangdong army."

Wuhu has 5,000 garrisons in Jiangdong and two warships, led by general Ling, which is a force that cannot be ignored. More importantly, Ling Tong has received Sun Quan's order and will fully cooperate with Cao's army to prevent the Han army from occupying Ruxukou.

Zhang He nodded. His deputy general said it was right. The first wave of attacks by the Han army would not be aimed at Ruxukou, but Wuhu. Thinking of this, Zhang He immediately ordered: "Send a pigeon letter to inform Wuhu, telling them that the main force of the Han army is about to arrive."

Wuhu is located about 80 miles away from the Yangtze River diagonally across the Ruxukou. Wuhu is invisible from the viewing tower at Ruxukou, but the facts are completely consistent with Zhang He's concerns. The 5,000 vanguard naval forces of the Han army have arrived in Wuhu, and 250 Han army warships are one mile away from the dock, waiting for the opportunity to attack.

The vanguard general of the Han army was Shen Mi. He was known as the number one general in the water battle in Jingzhou. He had rich experience in water battles and strong water battle strength. Shen Mi had been promoted to a general in a relatively small way. As he grew older and his position increased, he also became mature and calm.

At first, Shen Mi wanted to attack Wuhu at night, but his exploration found that Wuhu Water Village was very relaxed, as if they could let them go in and out, which made Shen Mi feel alert. He realized that this was a trap of the Jiangdong Army. Once he entered the Jiangdong Army Water Village, he would be trapped in the water village by the enemy. More importantly, it was rumored that the Jiangdong Army also had turbulent oil, so it would be relatively easier to deal with them.

Shen Mi gave up his plan to attack the night and instead fought against the Jiangdong Navy during the day. He was not in a hurry to start. His mission was not to annihilate the Jiangdong Navy, but to keep an eye on the other side and not allow them to support the Cao army in Ruxukou.
Chapter completed!