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Text Chapter 440 Brothers in distress

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    Song Kai returned to the Xuzhou camp very smoothly and reported the results of the mission to Cao's army to Deputy Director Tao. Deputy Director Tao was not surprised at all that Cao Boss agreed to reschedule the decisive battle - the strength of the Xuzhou army  Put it here, even if Boss Cao refuses to agree, he is destined to be helpless against Deputy Director Tao.  Deputy Director Tao was most concerned about Boss Cao's physical condition, so after Song Kai reported Boss Cao's reply, Deputy Director Tao immediately asked Song Kai: "What did Thief Cao do after he read the autographed letter I gave him?"  reaction?"

    Song Kai answered truthfully: "My lord, after reading your letter, Thief Cao stayed for about half a cup of tea, and then asked the villain with a strange expression, why is your writing style so similar to his? Later, the villain  The person answered him like this again, and then Cao Cao said that he admired you very much, my lord, and said that he lost at your hands, and he was convinced, and finally agreed to fight tomorrow."

    "You are convinced that you lost to me?" Deputy Director Tao was a little surprised and said with a smile: "This traitor even said such words. Could it be that he also knew that his time was approaching and gave his last words?"

    Jia Lao Duwu, Liu Ye and others next to him all laughed and agreed with Deputy Director Tao's judgment. Only Xun Chen, who had suffered great losses at the hands of Boss Cao, reminded: "Master, please be careful. Cao is treacherous and wants to  To prevent him from pretending to be discouraged and desperate, he secretly reveals his surprise troops."

    Deputy Director Tao nodded, and like Xun Chen, he did not dare to take Boss Cao lightly, but Song Kai suddenly spoke again: "My lord. Forgive me for speaking frankly, Cao Cao's end may really be coming this time, so he asked the villain to  The words of admiration he brings to you should also be words from his heart."

    "How do you know?" Deputy Director Tao asked.

    "I only saw Thief Cao once yesterday afternoon." Song Kai replied respectfully: "When I saw Thief Cao again this morning, I found that he had not seen Thief Cao for just one night. It seemed that Thief Cao's condition had become much worse.  The villain has been coughing in pain when he spoke, his voice is weak, his expression is very weak and haggard, and his hands are trembling involuntarily. Although the villain does not understand medical skills, he feels that this condition does not seem to be fake. "

    "Have you ever heard of the story about pretending to be sick to make money from Cao Shuang?" Deputy Director Tao sneered and blurted out and used the wrong allusion. After discovering this mistake, Deputy Director Tao quickly changed the subject, waved to Song Kai and said: "Okay. You  Cao Cao's team has done well during the two missions. Go down and receive the reward. Don't publicize Cao Cao's serious illness in the military camp, lest our soldiers underestimate the enemy and relax."

    Song Kai saluted and thanked him, and hurriedly said goodbye and left the Chinese army's tent.  Only then did Mr. Jia Poison ask Deputy Director Tao: "My lord, the traitor Cao promised to fight tomorrow. I wonder if my lord intends to keep the promise and fight, or to find another way to defeat the enemy?"

    "Soldiers never tire of deceit. Our enemy is not just Cao Cao." Deputy Director Tao said calmly: "After defeating Cao Cao's main force outside the pass, we also attacked Hangu Pass, Hongnong City, Tongguan and Chang'an City. When we were at Tongguan, we also attacked  It is most likely the decisive battle between us and the Cao Liu coalition. Although our army is several times larger than the enemy, it is a good thing to lose fewer soldiers."

    The notoriously vicious Jia Lao Poison immediately nodded and agreed with Deputy Director Tao's treachery - in fact, it was not considered treachery. The Xuzhou Army did not promise not to attack Cao's army before the agreed decisive time. At the same time, the Xuzhou Army's decision-makers also  It is extremely doubtful that Cao's army will launch a sneak attack at night and catch Xuzhou's army by surprise.  After finalizing the decision to use tactics to defeat the enemy, Jia Laohu suggested: "Since the lord has made up his mind, it is best to set the time for our army to send troops before the third watch, so that even Cao Mengde can send troops to sneak attack our army.  We can also strike first and gain the upper hand.¡±

    Deputy Director Tao nodded, and immediately asked the guards to blow the trumpet and raise the tent, summoned the generals to announce the decision to attack at night, and asked all armies and battalions to prepare for night battles. He arranged for Jia Laohu, Xu Huang, Song Xian and other generals to stay at the camp to guard against Cao's troops.  Taking the opportunity to rob the camp, he decided to personally lead Xu Chu, Zhao Yun and Wei Yan to attack with a main force of 40,000. The troops were divided into four groups to attack the enemy camp at night, and stormed the Cao army's unsteady camp head-on. At the same time, Deputy Director Tao gave Wei Yan another difficult task.  The mission was to order Wei Yan's troops to lead the army directly into the Hangu Pass and completely cut off the return route of Cao's army.

    The attack time was set by Deputy Director Tao at the second quarter of the first update. It was decided that the army would leave the camp after the second quarter of the first update. It took an hour to arrive in front of Cao's camp and launch an attack on Cao's camp before the third quarter of the second update to prevent Boss Cao from also attacking.  Come and send troops to rob the camp.  After explaining the time for the battle, Deputy Director Tao said to his generals: "Generals, let me tell you that Cao Cao is treacherous. Military Advisor Jia and I cannot judge whether Cao Cao can predict our army's troops to rob the camp tonight.  If Thief Cao guesses this move of our army, then his army must be prepared, and we will face a fierce battle."

    "But nothing?.  "Deputy Director Tao added: "Our army's attack strength is more than three times the enemy's total strength, and its combat effectiveness is far higher than the enemy's. Therefore, even if the enemy is prepared and even lays out a dragnet to wait for our army, as long as our army does  After being mentally prepared to fight hard to the end, the winner of this decisive battle must be us!  "

    "Please rest assured, my lord, I will definitely kill the enemy bravely to repay my lord's great kindness!" Xuzhou generals answered with clasped fists in unison.

    Deputy Director Tao nodded with satisfaction, called Zhao Yun and Wei Yan, and told them: "Zilong, you are the vanguard, Wen Chang, your task is to cut off the enemy's return. If Cao's team has an ambush, your team will  You will be the first to bear the brunt, and you will know what to do when the time comes, right?"

    "I know!" Zhao Yun and Wei Yan replied in unison: "Fight to the end and never retreat! Wait for the lord's rear army to arrive, and join hands with the lord to defeat the enemy!"

    "Very good!" Deputy Director Tao nodded happily, patted the table and said, "After all the accounts, go down and get some rest and preparation, waiting for the battle to defeat Cao tonight!"

    The order for the night attack was conveyed, and more than 70,000 Xuzhou soldiers immediately took action. The Xuzhou soldiers who were preparing to leave the camp for the decisive battle sharpened their swords and guns, checked their bows, crossbows, arrows, dry food, and prepared enough torches, kerosene, flying muskets and other necessary lighting for night battles.  Take the time to rest and replenish your physical strength.  Prepare for a hard fight at night.  The Xuzhou soldiers who stayed behind in the camp dug deep trenches and planted deer antlers, arranged double numbers of scouts to detect horses and light and dark observation posts, and determined the teams of generals guarding the camp gates, granaries, horse corridors, and Chinese military tents and other key places, and assigned them to guard each section of the village.  Zha's arrangement orders were directly issued to the Qutun establishment, and the entire Xuzhou camp was enveloped in an atmosphere of tense preparations for war.

    At the same time, Deputy Director Tao naturally had to arrange elite scouts to closely monitor the movements of Cao Jun's camp. What made Deputy Director Tao sneer repeatedly was that Cao Jun's camp was indeed closed and on tight alert, and a large number of scout sentries were arranged to protect the surrounding areas of the camp.  , not giving the Xuzhou Army's scouts a chance to approach Cao's army's camp to detect the enemy's situation.  A Xuzhou team tried to approach Cao Jun's camp under the cover of bushes and rocks.  He was also chased by hundreds of Cao Jun's scouts and was driven out nearly ten miles away.  The news was sent to Deputy Director Tao. Deputy Director Tao suddenly sneered loudly and said: "Master Yue Zhang, it seems that you are really planning to attack and rob the camp at night. Come on. Let's see who of us can do it the fastest!"

    The autumn sun finally sets below the horizon, and the sky gradually begins to darken, just after the third quarter of the first watch.  The 20,000 troops of Zhao Yun and Wei Yan were the first to leave the camp. With the last remaining light, they gathered outside the camp. After saying goodbye to each other, the two generals Zhao Yun and Wei Yan immediately raised their troops and marched in the direction of Cao Jun's camp.  As soon as the two forward teams left, Deputy Director Tao, Xu Chu, Ma Yan and other generals also immediately led the 20,000 rear troops out of the camp. After gathering outside the camp with torches, Deputy Director Tao also met with Jia Laodu, who stayed behind in the camp, and others.  The people said goodbye to each other, and then ordered in a deep voice, "Let's go."

    The distance of twenty miles is only equivalent to about eight kilometers today, which is not too far. In order to preserve the strength of the soldiers, the four front and rear groups of the Xuzhou Army marched westward at a normal walking speed, and no one was involved.  The horse's hooves were bound, just to make as little noise as possible to prevent Cao's troops from discovering his army's whereabouts prematurely.  At the same time, in order to be wary of Cao Jun's troops, they also chose to attack early. Deputy Director Tao had no choice but to send a large number of elite scouts to scout the front and both sides of the road, and sneaked into Cao Jun's camp carefully.

    Deputy Director Tao's arrangement was an absolutely unexpected gain. When they were halfway through the road, several Xuzhou scouts escorted a Cao Army soldier in front of Deputy Director Tao and played for the leader: "Your Majesty, Xiao  We encountered this Cao soldier on the south path, but what was strange was that he not only did not run away, but also took the initiative to greet our army, asking the villain to bring him to see you immediately, saying that he had something important to report to us.  You. The chief thought it was strange, so he sent some villains to escort him here."

    "Is there such a thing?"

    Deputy Director Tao also felt a little strange and immediately ordered the guards to escort the Cao soldier in front of him and ask him face to face. However, the Cao soldier first begged: "Please let me move my left hand, Captain."

    "What?!" Deputy Director Tao was shocked and shouted quickly: "Let go of his left hand!"

    The guard followed the order. After the Cao Jun's left hand was moved, he immediately pressed his ring finger and tail finger with his left thumb, straightened his index finger and middle finger, pinched out a sword finger, and then used the sword finger to tap his eyebrows, forehead and  Heart, finally reached into his arms, took out a small iron plate from his body, showed the word Tao on the iron plate, and played in a low voice: "The king of heaven covers the tiger of the earth, the pagoda suppresses the river demon. The second team of the inner guard  Gu Dashi, the captain of the third team, is paying homage to the lord, but he is unable to pay his respects. Please forgive me. The villain is responsible for contacting our army on behalf of Brother Ayi under the order of General Cao Hong. He has been lurking in Cao's army for seven years."

    "Let him go, he is one of our own." Seeing that the code and token were correct, Deputy Director Tao was overjoyed and quickly asked the guards to let him go.Cao Hong placed the secret agent guard in Cao's army for himself, and then asked impatiently: "Brother A Yi sent you here, right? What happened?"

    "My lord, yes." Gu Dashi nodded and said with a smile: "Congratulations, lord, congratulations, lord, Cao Cao is no longer alive. The medical officers in Cao's army think that Cao Cao will probably not survive tonight."

    "What? Thief Cao may die tonight?!"

    Deputy Director Tao was shocked and hurriedly asked Gu Dashi for details. Gu Dashi reported the truth. Only then did Deputy Director Tao know that after sending away the Xuzhou Army envoy Song Kai this morning, Boss Cao vomited blood and fell into a coma on the way back to the camp.  In the past, after being rescued and returned to the camp, the unconscious Boss Cao had his throat blocked by thick phlegm several times and almost died. When Dian Wei and others induced the phlegm for Boss Cao, all the phlegm they aspirated was bloody and thick. Cao Jun's medical officer  At his wits' end, Sima Lang personally checked Boss Cao's pulse and confirmed that Boss Cao's weak pulse was not a pretense. He also heard that the medical officer concluded that Boss Cao would not survive the night.  Sima Lang found an excuse to arrange for Gu Dashi to return to Hangu Pass, and asked Gu Dashi to take the opportunity to sneak out of the valley road halfway and return to Xuzhou Military Camp to report to Deputy Director Tao.  As a result, Gu Dashi climbed up the cliff from the valley road, then took a circuitous path in the mountain to the east, and accidentally ran into the reconnaissance scout of the Xuzhou Army.

    "Lord, this is a good opportunity given to us by God to defeat the enemy!" Liu Ye, who was standing next to him, said with great joy: "The thief Cao was seriously ill and was about to die. Our army took the opportunity to attack. Not only did the thief Cao die suddenly, but our army could also take advantage of Cao Cao.  The thief's team is leaderless, so take the opportunity to wipe out his main force out of the seclusion! Ye suggested. Our army should speed up immediately. Let the soldiers beat the drums and shout to attack the enemy camp, and we will win a complete victory!"

    The opportunity to defeat the enemy in one fell swoop was right in front of him, but Deputy Director Tao hesitated and thought about it for a moment.  Deputy Director Tao suddenly ordered Ma Zhong: "Ma Zhong, you personally take my order. Riding a fast horse to chase Zhao Yun and Wei Yan's team, tell Zhao Yun and Wei Yan that tonight's camp robbery operation is cancelled. Let their team stop advancing.  , form an array on the spot, light more torches, and wait for my rear army to go and meet them!"

    "My lord, what are you doing?" Ma Zhong and Liu Ye both screamed.

    ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense, go right away!¡± Deputy Director Tao shouted with a straight face.

    It was rare to see Deputy Director Tao look harsh on him, so Ma Zhong did not dare to say anything. He quickly took Deputy Director Tao's order and rode a fast horse to chase Zhao Yun and Wei Yan's team. Deputy Director Tao immediately ordered the entire army  He picked up a torch and quickly chased Zhao Yun and Wei Yan's team. At the same time, Deputy Director Tao issued an order to the entire army. No general was allowed to lead an army to attack Cao's camp without his own orders. Anyone who disobeyed the order would be executed on the spot!  The generals of the Xuzhou army were shocked when they heard the order, but they did not dare not listen. They could only quickly order to light the torches and follow Deputy Director Tao to quickly chase the vanguard.

    When Ma Zhong caught up with Wei Yan and Zhao Yun's troops, Wei Yan and Zhao Yun's troops were already only three miles away from Cao Jun's camp. The sparse lights in Cao Jun's camp could already be seen. After receiving Ma Zhong's order, Zhao Yun and Wei Yan returned to Deputy Tao.  The director discovered that the enemy was ambush and quickly ordered the entire army to stop advancing. However, Zhao Yun and Wei Yan were a little confused about Deputy Director Tao's order to light torches for his own troops, and both asked Ma Zhong: "Ma Zhong  General, did you convey the wrong order? If the enemy is ambushing us and we light up the torches, wouldn¡¯t we immediately expose our position?"

    "Don't worry, general, there is no mistake in the transmission." Ma Zhong helplessly replied to Zhao Yun and Wei Yan: "My lord not only requires you to light torches, but also requires you to light more torches." After hearing Ma Zhong's clear order, Zhao Yun and Wei Yan  They were all confused and could only quickly order the troops to form a formation and use more torches to show off the lineup.

    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­

    After nearly 20,000 torches appeared in the darkness to the east, Cao Jun's camp, which had not noticed the approaching Xuzhou army until now, suddenly fell into chaos. All the troops in each battalion rushed out of their tents to assemble, rushed to the village fence to prepare for the battle, and at the same time flew  Reported to the Chinese military camp where Boss Cao was.  After hearing the news, the faces of Guo Jia, Dian Wei, Cheng Yu, Zhang Liao and other civil and military officials who were guarding the marquis next to Cao Cao's sickbed suddenly changed, and they cursed together, "Traitor! We agreed to fight tomorrow, but we came tonight.  Robbery of the camp! Extremely shameless!"

    "My lords, you stay here to guard my lord, I will lead the troops out to fight against the Tao thieves!" Dian Wei roared: "Even if I die, I will hold on to the camp and drive back the enemy!"

    Perhaps because he was awakened by Dian Wei's loud voice, at this moment, Boss Cao, who had been unconscious for six or seven hours, suddenly made a little noise. Dian Wei, Guo Jia and others heard this and quickly turned to see Cao.  When the boss was in trouble, he saw that Mr. Cao had slowly opened his eyes, and there was still a gurgling sound in his throat. Dian Wei quickly sucked out the bloody phlegm for Mr. Cao. Mr. Cao took a few breaths, and then asked with difficulty  He said: "What happened? Why is there so much noise outside the tent?"

    No one dared to answer Boss Cao¡¯s question, but the sound of Cao¡¯s soldiers running and gathering outside the tent and shouting to prepare for war could be heard clearly.?Chuchu told Boss Cao that the danger had arrived.  Boss Cao thought about it for a moment, then asked in a weak voice: "Is it night now? Is the traitor Tao Ying coming to rob the camp at night?"

    Guo Jia nodded and said with a choked voice: "Lord, please rest assured, our soldiers have noticed that Tao's team has robbed the camp and are strengthening the camp's defense. Tao's team will not have a chance to enter our camp."

    "Traitors." Boss Cao sighed, his voice a little louder. After listening carefully to the movement outside the tent, Boss Cao suddenly discovered something strange and asked hurriedly: "Since Tao's team came to rob the camp, what's the matter?  Why didn¡¯t you hear the shouting of killing?¡±

    Being reminded by Boss Cao, all the civil and military personnel in Cao's army were dizzy and confused.  Then I suddenly discovered this strange thing - when the Xuzhou army was approaching Cao Jun's camp, they did not even launch an attack on Cao Jun's camp. They allowed Cao Jun's troops to strengthen the camp's defense and watch the sneak attack opportunity slip away!  Surprised, Cheng Yu simply blurted out: "What the hell is Thief Tao doing? Why don't you attack?"

    "Send some people to check out the situation and report back to me." Boss Cao ordered with difficulty while coughing.

    Dian Wei quickly sent his guards out of the tent. After a while, the guards rushed back to the tent, knelt down in front of Cao Cao's bed and said, "This is my lord. The Tao bandits are only arrayed three miles away from our camp. But I don't know why.  They did not launch an attack on our army. Furthermore, our army¡¯s scouts also discovered that Tao Ying¡¯s traitor¡¯s flag also appeared in the enemy¡¯s formation.¡±

    "The traitor Tao Ying came in person?" Boss Cao was even more confused.  He said: "Then why didn't he attack? Our army was in a hurry to meet the enemy. It was impossible to hide it from his scouts?"

    No one can answer Boss Cao¡¯s question.  Boss Cao closed his eyes and thought for a moment, then suddenly said: "Does Thief Tao know that I'm going to die? So he doesn't want to take advantage of me?"

    "Does Thief Tao have such good intentions?" Guo Jia, Cheng Yu, Dian Wei and others looked at each other, feeling that Boss Cao's judgment was simply ridiculous.

    Boss Cao smiled hard.  He didn't speak, just closed his eyes and listened to the movement outside the tent.

    I don¡¯t know how long it took, but Xiahouba rushed into the sleeping tent excitedly and shouted to everyone in the tent: "My lords, I'm very happy, the Tao thief has retreated! I don't know why, but the Tao thief's team suddenly retreated to the west.  !¡±

    "Retreating? How is that possible?" Cheng Yu, Guo Jia and others all shouted in disbelief.

    Boss Cao also opened his eyes and said in a weak voice: "Tao Ying, there may be a messenger or a letter. Go and have a look. If there is one, send the messenger or letter directly to me without any mistakes.  "

    As Boss Cao expected, not long after, messengers rushed to the outside of the tent to report that the Xuzhou army had sent a messenger to deliver a letter after retreating.  Boss Cao was overjoyed when he heard this and hurriedly ordered the guards to present the letter to him. However, after the letter arrived, Boss Cao no longer had the strength to hold the letter. His eyes were dim and everything he saw was blurry. Boss Cao  He had no choice but to give the order with difficulty: "Read it to me, right now. Don't miss a word."

    Guo Jia took the letter, opened it and took a rough look at the content. Guo Jia couldn't help but sigh and said, "My lord, Tao Ying only wrote one sentence in the letter."

    "That sentence? Read it quickly." Boss Cao urged.

    Guo Jia cleared his throat and read: "The merits and demerits of right and wrong will be judged by future generations. In my heart, you are a hero."

    After reading it, Guo Jia added: "Lord, at the end of Tao Ying's letter, there is another paragraph for the minister. He said that by the time the letter arrives, if you have already, please ask us to cremate the letter before you."  Before the spirit."

    Boss Cao looked melancholy, and after a while he murmured: "In my heart, you are also a good son-in-law."

    After sighing, Boss Cao, who could no longer see anything, murmured instructions: "After my death, the army will be temporarily in charge of Zhang Liao, with Jun Ming and Jun Yi as deputy, Guo Jia and Cheng Yu as assistants, abandon Hangu Pass and Jiguan, and withdraw.  , retreat to Tongguan, and listen to the orders of my eldest son Cao Ang. Remember, remember, don't, don't avenge me"

    After saying this, there was no movement from Cao Cao. Guo Jia and others hurriedly looked forward and were surprised to see that Cao Cao had no breath and was already dead.

    Almost at the same time that Cao Cao died, Deputy Director Tao, who was leading the army to retreat along the way, suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable in his chest, as if he had been hit by a heavy object. He couldn't help but look back at where Cao Jun's camp was.  Direction, my heart is full of melancholy.

    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­

    When the news of Cao Cao's death reached Xuchang, Yuan Shao's fourteen-year-old son Yuan Mai heard the news. He immediately rushed back to his home and rushed to the bedside of Yuan Shao, who had been paralyzed by a stroke for nearly six years, crying.  He wanted to report the good news to Yuan Shao, and told Yuan Shao, who deeply hated Cao Cao, that his brother-in-law had finally applied for official position on behalf of Yuan Shao.The hatred of Du saved the hatred of Xuchang.

    Contrary to what the young Yuan Mai expected, after hearing the news that his rival Cao Cao was finally dead, Yuan Shao, who once hated Cao Cao to the core, not only did not show any joy, but his eyes were full of loss and dejection.  After a long time, Yuan Shao, who had not been able to speak for nearly six years, suddenly said something vaguely, "Meng De, you and I are really like brothers."

    After saying that, Yuan Shao spurted a blood arrow from his mouth, tilted his head, and died on the spot. The time difference between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao's death was less than a month.  (To be continued)
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