Choose Liu Bei at the start, I am the only one who knows the plot of the Three Kingdoms

Upon hearing this, the deputy general was even more confused.

Didn't they come here to capture Pingyang City? Why hasn't it been used yet?

"General, what do you mean?"

"What we want is to guard the food route, not just Pingyang City. Isn't it enough as long as the food route is safe?"

After saying this, Zhang He immediately opened up a new food route from a small road, and sent people to watch Pingyang City day and night. Once the city gate was opened, he would use bows and arrows to force back the people who were ready to come out.

Zhuge Liang's method is truly unique.

With just two thousand men, they were able to keep a close eye on Xiahou Dun's four thousand men. Even if Xiahou Dun rushed out with all his might, Zhang He could bypass the main force of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, quickly attack the city, and capture Pingyang City.

Once Zhang He was left to defend the city, Xiahou Dun would still not be able to capture the city with only the 4,000 men under his command, and would also attract reinforcements from Gu Rubing.

So when Gan Ning arrived, he faced the Blue Mountain City which was well prepared.

There were no famous generals defending Blue Mountain City, so even with preparations, it was only a matter of time before the city was captured.

However, Zhang Ren had already arrived behind Gan Ning's army at this time.

The special troops under Gu Rubing's command had already been sent out, and Zhang Ren could only bring out 10,000 Taishan tiger bandits.

Gan Ning only brought 5,000 Jiaozhou cavalry.

The moment the two sides came into contact, the Jiaozhou cavalry showed signs of defeat.

Facing a truly special force, the Taishan Tiger Bandits might be somewhat at a disadvantage, but facing a group of ordinary cavalry, with their greater numbers than the enemy, the two sides are completely not on the same level.

Gan Ning knew that he had lost this sneak attack, but he was unwilling to accept it. He gave up attacking the city and instead rushed towards Zhang Ren.

All the Taishan tiger bandits who tried to block Gan Ning on the road were chopped into two pieces by the ancient ingot knife in Gan Ning's hand.

Zhang Ren held two guns and faced Gan Ning directly.

The two fought for several rounds, and with the help of dual-gun techniques, Gan Ning became a little flustered for a while.

But soon, eighteen black shadows appeared and instantly helped Gan Ning turn the situation around.

Zhang Ren was also completely suppressed by Gan Ning.

However, the two fought for less than an hour.

Gan Ning saw that he was surrounded by Taishan tiger bandits, and the 5,000 Jiaozhou cavalrymen he brought with him were now all turned into corpses.

Even though Gan Ning was in a superior position, he knew that now was not the time to fight. Once the stalemate continued, even if he defeated Zhang Ren in the end, he would not be able to break out from the encirclement of 10,000 Taishan tiger bandits.

"Zhang Ren, we'll fight again later!"

After saying this, Gan Ning swung his sword to force Zhang Ren back, then he found a gap and rushed out while the Taishan tiger bandits' encirclement was not yet complete.

Zhang Ren did not chase after him, but entered Lanshan City and prepared for defense.

Pingyang City.

After Xiahou Dun learned of Zhang He's arrangement, he realized that it was completely meaningless for him to stay in Pingyang City.

All he could get in the end was the food and fodder stored in Pingyang City.

But these food supplies were not enough to force Gu Rubing to retreat.

Thinking of this, Xiahou Dun burned the food and grass and evacuated Pingyang City with the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry.

Following Zhuge Liang's instructions, Zhang He did not pursue the enemy, but instead defended the city.

This time, Surena's siege plan completely failed because of the appearance of Wei Yi.

But their failure does not mean that Zhang Liao will also fail.

Even because of the disguise, when the coalition forces learned that Gaoyao City was lost, Zhang Liao had already hijacked three waves of food and fodder shipments.

Surena was very dissatisfied with this result.

Looking at Gan Ning and Xiahou Dun who had returned, his face was gloomy.

"How could you fail? I calculated all the circumstances and even had the people you brought disguised as refugee caravans, all kinds of people, to deceive Liu Bei. I put in so much effort, and you said you would fail?"

In response to this, Xiahou Dun and Gan Ning looked at Surena with gritted teeth. They were unwilling to accept this. After all, there was no problem with the plan, and there was no problem with their implementation. But who could have thought that Wei Xi would suddenly appear and cause the plan to be completely exposed.

Cao Cao didn't say anything, but looked at the map in front of him.

Now the plan to sneak attack on Gu Rubing's food supply has failed, and Gu Rubing only lost a part of the food supply. On his side, he lost a city and a lot of food supply. No matter how you look at it, he is the one who suffered the loss.

"Surena, what should we do next?"

Cao Cao did not intend to blame anyone for the failure of the plan. After all, even Cao Cao did not expect that someone from the Wei family would appear in that place and witness their sneak attack.

"Caozhou Mu, we have already lost a round, and now we can only bring the situation back to a draw, that is, Gaoyao City, we must take it back."

Cao Cao nodded, and when he was about to issue an order, a battle report came in.

Fuchuan City was lost. The attackers were Wei Yan, who was under Gu Rubing, and the White Tiger Sun-Devouring Guards he led.

Cao Cao did not expect that in just a few days, he had lost another important town for grain and fodder. Now there is only one important town left, which is Guangxin City.

"It seems that Zhuge Liang has already guessed your grain and grass layout, Caozhou Mu. I advise you to quickly transfer the grain and grass in Guangxin City and re-plan the grain and grass layout."

After Surena finished speaking, he looked at the map and an idea came to his mind.

"Caozhou Mu, have you ever considered placing the food and fodder near the army instead of in the city?"

"Near the army?"

Cao Cao looked at Surena.

It is not impossible to build a food and forage camp near the army, but the risk is a little greater, as it is equivalent to completely exposing the location of one's own food and forage to the enemy.

Just when Cao Cao hesitated, Surena just laughed.

"why are you laughing?"

Cao Cao was somewhat dissatisfied with Surena.

"Caozhou Mu, if you are worried about the location of the grain and grass being exposed, I think you don't have to worry about it at all. Facing a man like Zhuge Liang, your grain and grass layout is just a decoration in his eyes. Instead of hiding it and still being discovered by him, why don't we display it openly for them to see, but defend it heavily so that they can't do anything about it."

Surena's words awakened Cao Cao.

Yes, there is no way to hide it from Zhuge Liang. Instead of doing that, it is better to just put it out there so that Zhuge Liang can only watch but not eat it, making him greedy to death!

Soon, the soldiers in Guangxin City received the news from Cao Cao and left Guangxin City overnight with food and fodder.

When Zhang Liao and his men arrived, there was only an empty city.

In desperation, Zhang Liao evacuated.

However, Zhang Liao did not leave completely, but occupied Gaoyao City himself, while Wei Yan continued to guard Fuchuan City.

No matter what, these two cities are the rear of the coalition forces. Once the coalition forces take any action against the front line, Zhang Liao and Wei Yan can also provide timely support to the front line. If Cao Cao attacks them, they can also evacuate quickly and enter the mountains.

But if Cao Cao wanted to take back the two cities, he would need to send at least 20,000 people. In that case, Gu Rubing only needed to go out of the city for a decisive battle, and Cao Cao would definitely lose.

Cao Cao did not expect that less than ten days after the war started, he would find himself in a dilemma.

Now there are only two things Cao Cao can do. On the one hand, he should mobilize food and grass to the front line and set up a food and grass camp. On the other hand, he should assemble a second army in the rear to recapture the lost city.

While Cao Cao was doing these two things, Gu Rubing, Zhao Yun and Guan Yu came to Cao Cao's camp.

The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!

All the members of the coalition army looked at Gu Rubing warily.

Under the protection of two legendary generals, Gu Rubing was not afraid at all.

Seeing this, Cao Cao also walked out of the camp.

"King Lie, you are really brave. You actually dare to come to our coalition camp like this."

"Haha, I believe that Caozhou Mu will not attack me. Otherwise, I believe that you will go down to accompany me soon!"

Cao Cao frowned. He knew that Gu Rubing was not joking anymore. Once the coalition forces were attacked from both sides, he would not be sure of escaping even if he wanted to.

"King Lie, please!"

Cao Cao brought Gu Rubing into his tent.

Gu Rubing looked around and leisurely sat in the center.

That's the position of the commander-in-chief.

But if we exclude the hostile elements, Gu Rubing was King Lie and Cao Cao was just a governor. When Gu Rubing was around, Cao Cao was indeed not qualified to sit in the position of commander-in-chief.

When Cao Cao saw Gu Rubing's look, he felt unhappy, but he did not show it.

"King Lie, now that our relationship has come to this, I think there is nothing left for us to talk about, right?"

"Well, indeed, there is no need for any negotiation."

Gu Rubing smiled, picked up the teacup in front of him and started drinking.

"Since there is nothing to discuss, I wonder what brings you here, King Lie?"

"Let Surena come out."

Gu Rubing said this while drinking tea.

After Cao Cao learned that Gu Rubing was coming, he let Surena hide. After all, Surena was the trump card in his hand. As long as Surena was there, he might still have the strength to fight.

But he didn't expect that Gu Rubing wanted to see Surena as soon as he arrived, and it was obvious that he had already known about Surena's existence.

After hesitating for a moment, Cao Cao could only nod.

Soon, Surena walked in under the protection of Dian Wei and others.

"Meet King Lie."

After Surena bowed to Gu Rubing, he stood straight behind Cao Cao. The meaning was very clear: he was Cao Cao's man.

"The Prime Minister said that with Zhou Yu's ability, it is impossible for him to see where he stored the grain and grass, let alone enter my rear under my strict surveillance and bring thousands of soldiers. At present, you are the only one who can do this."

Hearing this, Surena smiled and said nothing.

This time, Gu Rubing came, not only to discuss the matter of making Cao Cao a king, but also to confirm whether Surena was really here. After all, if making Cao Cao a king could not make him withdraw his troops, the battle would still have to be fought. It would also be a good thing for Zhuge Liang to find out the opponent's military advisor before fighting.

"Cao Cao, you have been the governor for a long time, right? Liu Xie wanted to make you a king, but before the order was issued and the ceremony was held, you fled Xudu. Now, three of the four great princes have been made kings, and you are the only one left. Are you anxious?"

"King Lie, do you mean to make me a king?"

It would be a lie to say that he was not anxious. Of course Cao Cao was anxious, seeing that both Liu Zhang and Sun Jian had been granted the title of king, while he was still a governor of a province.

When he sat with Liu Zhang and Sun Jian, he felt a little awkward. He was obviously the strongest prince under Liu Bei, but he didn't even have the title of king.

"It is indeed possible to make him a king, but whether or not to continue the war depends on what Caozhou Mu thinks."

"Liu Bei, you dare to threaten my father. Don't forget where this place is."

"Oh? Cao Zhang is so brave that he dares to talk to me like this. Of course I know where this place is, but I also know that if I want you to die, it will only take a word from me!"

“Put…”

Cao Zhang was about to say something, but Cao Cao glared back at him.

Gu Rubing didn't care about this at all. He was waiting. After the grain was harvested, it would be time for him to fight back.

"Caozhou Mu, you should know clearly that you are under attack from both sides. Once I attack you, you won't be able to hold out for long. With the protection of these legendary generals, you won't die, but your 100,000-man coalition army, no, now there are only 70,000 left. I wonder how many of these 70,000 coalition troops you can take away?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao couldn't help but twitch his mouth.

During this period, there was almost no peace, and the fighting continued non-stop.

All the troops that he brought into Xu Du have been used up, and now he only has troops from Yizhou left.

This also caused Cao Cao, who initially had 300,000 soldiers and horses, to be reduced to only about 100,000 soldiers and horses.

After all, the maximum number of soldiers that Yizhou can recruit is no more than 100,000.

This time, Yizhou also dispatched 50,000 troops, which is almost half of Yizhou’s total military force. If they are all thrown here and want to replenish the troops, it is not known when they can form combat effectiveness, and Gu Rubing will not give him that time.

"You want me to withdraw my troops just because I've been crowned a king? Isn't this a joke?"

"I don't care. I don't have anything to lose. If you continue to want to fight, I will launch a general attack tomorrow morning. You only have one night to prepare."

After saying that, Gu Rubing stood up, shook his sleeves, and prepared to leave.

Looking at Gu Rubing's back, Cao Cao hesitated for a moment and hurriedly called him.

"Wait a minute, I agree with you!"

Surena didn't expect that Cao Cao actually decided to withdraw his troops. Wouldn't that mean that his purpose of coming here would be lost? (End of this chapter)