Chapter 226 Cao Cao Attacks Hulao Pass Again

October thirteenth.

Cao Cao escaped death and rushed to the allied forces' camp, but eight or nine out of ten of his men were killed, leaving less than two thousand men.

Battle of Hulao Pass.

Two princes were killed in the battle, and the loss of the 80,000-strong army was as high as 50,000!
Of course, not all soldiers were killed in battle. Many surrendered or got lost and separated from the main force.

Yanzhou Governor Liu Dai and Jibei Prime Minister Bao Xin were ambushed and killed.

Wang Kuang, the governor of Henei, escaped with only 300 of his trusted followers; his crossbow troops were almost completely wiped out, with only 200 or so remaining.

Shanyang prefect Yuan Yi was slightly better off. With the help of Yuan Shao, he broke out with more than 5,000 remnants.

There were also lost soldiers returning to the camp one after another. Overall, the casualties were heavy and the morale of the coalition forces was greatly reduced.

The coalition camp and the meeting tent.

Yuan Shao realized that the problem this time was with himself, but he absolutely could not admit it, otherwise he would lose all his prestige, so he gave a look to his cousin Yuan Yi.

The latter understood what he meant and sighed, "If it weren't for Jibei Xiang Bao Xin's reckless advance, how could we have suffered such a disastrous defeat?"

In order to shirk his own responsibility, Wang Kuang, who was afraid of death, quickly echoed: "Although Jibei Xiang Bao Xin was reckless, he died a worthy death. The most hateful person is Cao Cao!"

"Leader! I want to sue Cao Cao for undermining the righteousness of the coalition. Please punish him!"

With Wang Kuang's reminder, Yuan Yi also remembered what Cao Cao did in Hulao Pass.

However, Yuan Yi saw further, he understood that what Cao Cao did was right. Later it was proved that if Cao Cao had not done so, not only Hulao Pass, but the entire coalition force would have been crushed by the fleeing soldiers.

but!

Yuan Shao was looking for a scapegoat, so Yuan Yi said against his conscience: "Alliance leader, Cao Cao is indeed guilty!"

Now that Cao Cao's life or death is uncertain, Yuan Yi, based on the belief that the dead cannot speak, puts all the blame on Cao Cao.

Yuan Shao's face was full of disappointment: "I didn't expect Cao Mengde to betray my trust again."

"But the dead are gone, and there is no longer any accountability for their wrongdoings."

"There are more important things right now!"

If Cao Cao had really died, these words would have perfectly demonstrated Yuan Shao's image of being generous and kind. Even Gongsun Zan, who had always been unhappy with Yuan Shao, would have been unable to say anything.

Things are unpredictable.

Cao Cao actually escaped death and came back alive!
And come back just at this time!
"Report!"

"Captain Cao Cao of the Cavalry is leading the remnants of his army back!"

Looking at the messenger lying on his knees, Yuan Shao wished he could kill him. He had tried so hard to show off, but failed.

"Bring Cao Cao in!"

Yuan Shao's tone was somewhat personal: "I want to see how he explains it."

In fact, he was worried that if Cao Cao revealed the truth, Yuan Shao would have no place to save his face.

Soon, Cao Cao walked into the tent with a dirty face.

"Captain Cao Cao pays respect to the leader of the alliance."

Yuan Shao shouted, "Cao Cao! You are deserting the battlefield. Do you know your crime?"

This was a preemptive move, and it was used skillfully.

Cao Cao glanced at Yuan Yi and Wang Kuang, and seeing their slightly guilty expressions, he understood what was going on.

In order to save Yuan Shao's face, Cao Cao came up with the most unwise solution.

"I am the last one left, what's my crime?"

What this means is that if we all know the crime, we should all be punished together. I am not the only one who escaped. If we really talk about it, he has made the greatest contribution.

Yuan Shao felt relieved. Cao Cao was a good younger brother who knew how to save his boss's face.

But he did not relax and said, "Henei Governor, Shanyang Governor, do you two have anything else to say?"

Yuan Yi didn't want to get involved in these things, so he bowed first and said, "I'll leave it to the leader to deal with."

Wang Kuang wanted revenge very much, but this time he had no choice but to bow his head and said, "I will let the leader deal with you."

In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, Yuan Shao said: "Since this is your first offense, I will remember it and give you another chance to make up for your crime and make meritorious service."

Cao Cao and his two other companions thanked them.

Gongsun Zan spoke with disdain, causing people around him to look at him sideways.

Seeing Yuan Shao looking over, Gongsun Zan bowed and asked, "I wonder what the leader has to say next?"

"There has to be an explanation for whether to advance or retreat, otherwise I won't be able to explain it to my subordinates."

Henei Governor Qiao Mao was Yuan Shao's own man.

Chenliu Prefect Zhang Miao and former Guangling Prefect Zhang Chao were defeated by Jin Mao and had little say.

Xuzhou Governor Tao Qian does have some power, but he is cunning and will not speak out unless there is some benefit.

Kong Rong, the governor of Beihai, was a bookworm, and debate was his specialty.

Han Fu, the governor of Jizhou, is the strongest. Among the twelve remaining princes present, he should be the first.

However, Han Fu did not dare to steal Yuan Shao's limelight and would not speak casually.

In other words, among the people present, apart from Cao Cao who was knowledgeable about military affairs, only Gongsun Zan's men were capable of making some moves.

The scene of Cao Cao’s last advice was still vivid in his mind. Gongsun Zan was not Yuan Shao’s younger brother and had no obligation to play role-playing games with these people.

After having made a mistake, Yuan Shao did not dare to speak casually again and threw the question about Gongsun Zan to Cao Cao.

"Meng De is as good as a god. Tell me, what should we do next?"

Yuan Shao also said very generously: "No matter what you say this time, I will listen to your opinions."

Seeing Yuan Shao being so indecisive, Gongsun Zan looked away with disdain.

Cao Cao did not have a different mentality due to the heavy losses suffered by his subordinates. He stood up happily and began to give orders about the country.

"Don't panic, Dong Zhuo is just a brave man, not worth mentioning!"

"We failed because we were unaware of Dong Zhuo's military strategy."

"Now that we have fought once, Dong Zhuo will surely be defeated next time!"

Everyone present was a seasoned man, none of them could be instigated by a few words, and those who did agree were weak.

Gongsun Zan even openly sang a different tune: "I heard that the Cavalry Captain was once the Cavalry Commander when the Yellow Turban Ant Bandits were being wiped out."

"I remember that Dong Zhuo was only a lieutenant at that time. Later, my teacher General Lu Zhi was framed by the eunuchs, and he was promoted to general through connections."

"How could Captain Cao not know that Dong Zhuo was cunning?"

Gongsun Zan smiled and said, "Even a person like me who lives in a remote place knows that Dong Zhuo is good at cavalry warfare."

"Captain Cao, I don't need to explain what is the most important thing about cavalry warfare, right?"

These words were not a slap to Cao Cao's face, but a slap to Yuan Shao's face!

Victory and defeat are common in the military. Cao Cao was born as a cavalry commander, so how could he not understand the essentials of cavalry?
The one who really doesn't understand is Yuan Shao, who has read a few military books and thinks that leading troops to fight is just that simple.

Gongsun Zan was mocking Yuan Shao for his ignorance of military affairs, yet he was able to become the leader of the Guandong coalition. At the same time, he was also slightly expressing the contradiction between the ancient literature school and the modern literature school.

Lu Zhi is the representative of the Ancient Literature School. Gongsun Zan, as Lu Zhi's student, is of course from the same school. The other people present are all representatives of the Modern Literature School.

Even Kong Rong is the same!

Yuan Shao knew the whole story. Gongsun Zan just wanted to gain fame by stepping on his name.

"What the governor of Beiping said is absolutely right."

Without Cao Cao asking, Yuan Shao took the initiative to attack Gongsun Zan: "May I ask if the governor of Beiping has any good advice for me?"

Gongsun Zan happily stepped out and clasped his fists, saying, "I have a plan that can defeat Dong Zhuo's army of 100,000!"

Unexpectedly, the other party actually had a plan. Yuan Shao asked calmly, "What's the plan?"

Gongsun Zan pointed to the south and said, "Yuzhou Governor Sun Jian is attacking Dagu Pass. We can send an envoy to check it out."

"If Sun Yuzhou captures Dagu Pass, Hulao Pass will fall without a fight."

"Even if Sun Yuzhou didn't take Dagu Pass, based on my understanding of him, he would definitely attack it fiercely."

"If Dong Zhuo loses Dagu Pass, Luoyang will be within reach. We only need to make a concerted effort to capture Luoyang!"

This strategy is quite conventional, but it works!
Cao Cao couldn't help but stand up and agree.

Unexpectedly, Yuan Shao sneered and said, "Is this your plan?"

"You want me to wait for the twelve princes to wait for good news from a common man in Jiangdong?" "Beiping prefect, you are not that good."

These words immediately caused the princes to burst into laughter.

Gongsun Zan was so angry that his face turned red and his neck became thick, and he left in anger.

Cao Cao wanted to stand up and persuade him to stay, but was forcibly held down by Yuan Shao.

When the meeting was over and Cao Cao went to look for Gongsun Zan, he was nowhere to be found.

Gongsun Zan brought a total of 5,000 cavalry, no infantry, and could come and go freely.

Although Hulao Pass is far away from Beiping County, the road is very flat and according to the speed of the cavalry, it will arrive within ten days.

Ten days' rations are enough for a single soldier to carry, and this is also Gongsun Zan's confidence.

There is no place to stay here.

Despite the ridicule, I won’t serve you anymore!

"Ugh."

Cao Cao couldn't help but sigh. The most powerful team of the entire coalition had also left.

The future is worrying.

Cao Cao really couldn't figure out how the coalition forces with their existing 100,000-plus troops could defeat Dong Zhuo's 150,000-strong army.

Even though the number of people on both sides is similar, the fighting part of the coalition forces is almost all buried inside Hulao Pass, and none of the remaining ones can fight!
Dong Zhuo was different. At the very least he was at the level of the Five Schools of the Northern Army or the Eight Schools of the Western Garden. If the elite troops of Bing and Liang were fully deployed, Cao Cao really had no idea how to resist them.

October 15th.

A shocking news came!

Sun Jian, the governor of Yuzhou, led an army of 10,000 men and defeated the 50,000-man vanguard force that came to support Dagu Pass.

The Grand Protector Hu Zhen was killed in battle by Sun Jian!

Cavalry Commander Lu Bu was defeated by Sun Jian and fled back to Luoyang!

Only less than 10,000 of Dong Zhuo's 50,000 troops escaped back to Luoyang, and the rest were either killed or captured.

The Kanto coalition forces were shocked.

No one expected that Sun Jian was such a good fighter.

Cao Cao immediately found Yuan Shao and asked him to send troops to attack Hulao Pass.

At this time, Yuan Shao was drinking and having fun with the princes, and he was preparing for the future.

"A God-sent opportunity!"

Cao Cao ignored the surprised looks of the people present and said directly: "Leader, the fall of Hulao Pass is just around the corner!"

Yuan Shao was drunk and was having a good time. He was disturbed by Cao Cao and could not help but complain, "Meng De, don't be so presumptuous."

"How can I put my face down if I send out those defeated soldiers in your hands?"

"Everyone in the world will say that I am heartless and disloyal. Isn't that putting me in an unjust position?"

Cao Cao was anxious: "League leader, please mobilize all the princes' armies!"

"Hulao Pass will fall without a fight!"

This time Yuan Shao heard it clearly, but so what.

If he really did what Cao Cao said, wouldn't that be admitting that Gongsun Zan was right, and in disguised form slapping Yuan Shao in the face?

So we must never send troops!

"Meng De, I know you are eager to fight, but don't be impatient."

"War is a matter of great importance to a country. How can it be decided by a single word?"

Cao Cao was speechless. He didn't say this before. Who was it that was so eager to attack? Why didn't he say this then?

Helplessly, Cao Cao could only lead less than two thousand remaining soldiers of his own army to Hulao Pass to check the enemy situation.

"Report!"

"The cavalry captain led his men out of the camp."

In the military tent in the main camp, Yuan Shao sobered up instantly. If what Cao Cao said was true, then his second credit had been taken away by someone else.

"Cao Cao! How dare you ruin my plans!"

Yuan Shao stood up in a hurry and ordered: "Come here! Put on armor for me."

It can be said that he is worried that his brothers will not have enough to eat, and he is also worried that his brothers will outshine him.

As Yuan Shao was being helped into putting on his armor, he complained, "If Cao Cao returns without success, I will punish him for disobeying military orders!"

the other side.

When Cao Cao arrived at Hulao Pass, he saw flags covering the sky with all kinds of words on them, and he couldn't help but become suspicious.

"Am I really being overly suspicious?"

"Didn't Dong Zhuo send troops to support Dagu Pass?"

Cao Cao shook his head vigorously to drive away all the inappropriate thoughts.

"Cao Hong! Prepare to attack the city!"

Whether it is true or false, you will know it clearly after a fight.

Soon, Cao Hong prepared a siege ladder, a battering ram and an arrow tower, which he had picked up from the coalition forces.

Although Cao's army only had such a small number of troops left, those who were able to escape were all elite soldiers, and they were able to obey orders without any problem.

In just a cup of tea, all the troops were doing their jobs.

"kill!"

Cao Cao drew the Qingguang sword from his waist and pointed it forward.

Nearly two thousand Cao troops advanced in an orderly manner.

At the front were naturally the shield soldiers, holding wooden and iron shields, trying their best to prevent the soldiers from being injured by crossbows.

Dozens of muscular men pushed the team forward at the foot of the arrow tower, while twenty of the most skilled archers stood on the top of the arrow tower.

As soon as they entered the range of 300 steps, the arrow tower on Cao Cao's side started shooting at the city gate.

"Buzz buzz buzz", the powerful crossbow began to exert its power.

However, the defeated soldiers of Cao's army picked up powerful crossbows during the chaos and brought them back to the camp. Arrows were easy to deal with. Cao Cao only needed to say hello to Yuan Shao and he would get a lot of them.

There was no response from Hulao Pass, not because the defenders did not fire back with arrows, but because they did not have powerful crossbows from three hundred steps away to fire back.

After repeated battles, there was no complete defense at Hulao Pass left. It was filled with baggage that Dong’s army had spent a lot of effort to move up.

Cao Cao immediately gave the order and the arrow tower fired from a distance of 200 steps, just out of the range of bows and arrows.

It was not until the infantry was within a hundred steps that Hulao Pass fired a few sparse arrows.

Cao Cao became even more certain that there was either a trap inside the pass, or Dong Zhuo had mobilized a large number of troops to support Dagu Pass, leaving the defense inside the pass unattended.

at this time!

Cao Cao heard a lot of horse hooves sounds behind him and turned around to look.

A big flag with the word "Yuan" on it fluttered in the wind.

Yuan Shao is here!

Cao Cao understood everything in an instant. He didn't care about the credit, but the arrow was on the string and had to be shot. Now that the siege had begun, there was no reason to retreat.

Continue the siege!

This behavior was tantamount to a slap in the face in Yuan Shao's eyes, but Yuan Shao also knew that giving orders rashly would only lead to a great defeat.

Fortunately, Hulao Pass had a mile-long city wall, and Cao's army only occupied half of it, leaving the other half empty.

"Somebody come!"

Yuan Shao refused to be outdone and immediately ordered his troops to attack the city from the other half.

"The first person to reach the summit will be awarded the tenth level of nobility and a reward of a thousand gold coins!"

Under the reward, there must be a brave man.

The first time Yuan's army participated in the battle, their offensive was extremely fierce.

(End of this chapter)