Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

"If I had a cavalry force in hand, why would I be so constrained everywhere?"

Cao Cao sighed, understanding that his setbacks in Donghai Commandery stemmed from his carelessness in allowing Li Ji to destroy his cavalry, leading to a complete loss of initiative.

Now, facing the "escort" of a large number of Yangzhou cavalry, Cao Cao had no way to counter it.

"Cavalry! Cavalry! Without cavalry, how can I secure the Central Plains?!"

At this moment, Cao Cao's determination to implement Xun You's plan grew stronger, and he kept urging the army to speed up its march.

… …

Meanwhile, as Liu Bei led his army back, heading straight for Pengcheng to provide support, he also closely monitored Cao Cao's movements.

However, the situation developed even more smoothly than expected.

Cao Cao retreated hastily, allowing Sun Ce's detachment to continuously recover lost territory, without any intention of deliberately delaying or seeking another opportunity to move south.

As military reports were sent back, everyone realized this fact.

'Cao Cao really retreated… …'

If Cao Cao still had designs on Xuzhou and was planning a feigned retreat to later move south, he should have marched slowly to delay.

But Cao Cao's hasty retreat, as if being chased, meant that even if he wanted to turn back after moving a certain distance from Xiapi State, it would take a lot of effort.

… …

In the large camp near the border of Pengcheng State, where Liu Bei's army was temporarily stationed for rest, Liu Bei reviewed the intelligence sent back by Sun Ce's messengers and said with a complex expression.

"This Cao thief's actions are truly unpredictable."

Wei Yan, upon hearing this, said with admiration, "Lord, you are probably overthinking it. What's so unpredictable?

Our Yangzhou soldiers are strong and well-equipped, and our generals are brave and skilled in battle. Moreover, that Cao thief suffered a defeat under the Governor's command. It's only natural that he would retreat from Xuzhou in fear."

Although these words had a hint of flattery towards Li Ji, Li Ji's reputation was so great that it garnered the approval of many present.

Even Liu Bei felt that what Wei Yan said seemed reasonable, and said.

"That's true. That Cao thief has always valued Zikun extremely. Now that he has suffered a setback at Zikun's hands, he knows that the situation is hopeless and is unwilling to exhaust his remaining forces. It's understandable that he would want to retreat."

"Lord, you are too kind."

Li Ji repeatedly begged for pardon, revealing a bit of a wry smile.

If others were frightened away by his reputation, Li Ji would believe it.

But Li Ji could despise Cao Cao's extreme self-interest and moral standards, but he had to respect Cao Cao's abilities and courage.

If capturing Xuzhou was Cao Cao's only way out, then Li Ji believed that Cao Cao would not lack the determination to fight to the death.

Therefore, Li Ji almost certainly concluded that Cao Cao's retreat meant that he had changed his strategic plan, abandoning Xuzhou to take another place in order to solve the dilemma in Qingzhou.

However… Li Ji could not immediately determine what specific strategy Cao Cao had changed to.

However…

Li Ji looked at the map of Pengcheng State hanging in the tent at this moment, a meaningful glint in his eyes.

Regardless, in order to successfully withdraw from Xuzhou, Cao Cao undoubtedly betrayed his ally Yuan Shu.

Therefore, after further confirming that the possibility of Cao Cao returning to Xuzhou was very slim, Li Ji said.

"Lord, although the Cao thief has fled, he has given us a great opportunity."

Liu Bei, who was still regretting not being able to kill Cao Cao, came back to his senses and asked.

"Oh? How so?"

Unless it was intentional, Li Ji never had the habit of mystifying things, and said directly.

"A great opportunity to swallow Yuan Shu's army in one fell swoop."

Immediately, Li Ji stood up, walked to the map hanging in the tent, first marked Pengcheng and the current location of Liu Bei's army simply, and then continued.

"Currently, our army is near Wuyuan City, about one hundred and fifty to two hundred miles away from Pengcheng."

"The four thousand cavalry led by Yide have already arrived in Pengcheng, and the letter sent back indicates that the crisis in Pengcheng has been temporarily alleviated, and Ji Ling has become somewhat suspicious."

"Moreover, Yide has also made contact with Zang Ba, who has been holding Pengcheng for about ten days. He has almost been captured several times but has not surrendered, which shows that his heart is not with Yuan."

"Therefore, with the arrival of the cavalry led by Yide in Pengcheng, it is enough to ensure that Pengcheng will be safe for ten days."

No one questioned this series of judgments.

The role of four thousand cavalry in defending the city may be limited, but the impact on morale is undoubtedly enormous.

Not to mention that the defending side will be hopeful and morale will be greatly boosted upon confirming the arrival of reinforcements;

Ji Ling, on the attacking side, will also become somewhat suspicious, worrying whether there are more troops supporting Pengcheng.

Liu Bei nodded repeatedly, signaling Li Ji to continue.

Li Ji paused slightly, glanced around the tent, mainly focusing on the four disciples accompanying the army, observing their reactions, and continued.

"The opportunity that Ji is talking about lies in the fact that although Cao Cao has fled, he relied on Yuan Shu's army to contain us, so that he could lead his remnant army to retreat from Xuzhou."

"In this situation, Cao Cao will definitely not inform Yuan Shu of the real situation. Ji Ling may even still be judging that our main force is still fighting Cao Cao in Donghai Commandery."

"And this is where the great opportunity that Ji just mentioned lies, perhaps we can take this opportunity to swallow Yuan Shu's 100,000 troops in one fell swoop, and then… march west to take Yuzhou."

Speaking of this, Li Ji's eyes revealed a sharpness and greed that he usually did not have.

When there is no certainty, Li Ji will always remain calm;

But when there is really a great opportunity in front of him, Li Ji is also full of greed.

Qingzhou is too far away from Jing and Yang, which are Liu Bei's base, and it is extremely barren. It is both risky and has limited benefits to cross the entire undecided Xuzhou to take Qingzhou.

But Yuzhou is different. Yuzhou is adjacent to the five states of Sili, Yanzhou, Xuzhou, Jingzhou, and Yangzhou at the same time. It is the real heart of the Central Plains.

If Jingzhou and Yangzhou want to go north to the Central Plains, Yuzhou is actually the one standing in front.

Li Ji's original plan for the Northern Expedition to the Central Plains was also to have Jing and Yang send troops from two routes to attack Yuzhou at the same time.

Therefore, Yuzhou has always been under the fangs that Li Ji wanted to open.

Now Cao Cao has betrayed Yuan Shu, inducing Yuan Shu's 100,000 troops to enter Pengcheng, and he himself has patted his butt and left.

But in Li Ji's view, this is tantamount to Yuzhou, which was originally on guard against Jing and Yang, actively opening its legs and opening a door for a long drive straight in.

As long as the 100,000 Yuan troops entering Pengcheng are wiped out, then what is the difference between Yuzhou, which was originally like a hedgehog, and only a few pieces of close-fitting underwear?

(End of this chapter)