novelSusiti Chapter 48 The Romantic Hero Cao Mengde
Chapter 48 The Romantic Hero Cao Mengde
Upon hearing Zhang Fei's words, Liu Bei rose from his seat, stroking the table.
Has Cao Cao arrived?
Since his time travel, he had imagined countless times how he would meet Cao Cao and what the scene would be like.
I never imagined this day would come so soon!
He couldn't help but ponder: Had Cao Cao actually accompanied Huangfu Song in the northern campaign against the Yellow Turbans in Ji Province? Or was it the result of his own instigation and influence?
Regardless, his arrival at the camp is an exciting event.
He immediately said to Zhang Fei, "Don't talk nonsense, quickly invite him inside."
As for killing him now, Liu Bei certainly wouldn't do that.
The Cao Cao of today is not the cruel and ruthless warlord who harmed the people. Now he is upright and righteous, refusing to flatter the powerful and wealthy. He has set up five-colored rods in Luoyang, ordering the capital to keep quiet and no one dares to violate the law.
Therefore, he was highly praised by scholars, who said: "His talent and strategy are unparalleled, and he can unite heroes to quell chaos and bring order to the world."
If Liu Bei kills him now, he will lose the hope of the world.
A moment later, the tent flap was lifted, and a general who looked to be about thirty years old entered with his head held high.
This man is short and stocky, not known for his imposing stature, but his demeanor exudes a heroic and sharp spirit.
Dressed in a crimson military uniform with a ring-pommel sword at his waist, he entered the tent with unhurried steps. His gaze swept across the room before settling on Liu Bei. He then bowed respectfully, his voice hearty: "Commander Liu, I have long admired your illustrious name. How fortunate I am to meet you today!"
Liu Bei immediately returned the greeting with a cupped hand, and then carefully examined this Wei Emperor Wu, who would later be remembered in history, his heart filled with emotion.
At this time, Cao Cao was just a newly emerging cavalry commander, who had not yet experienced the magnificent battles and political intrigues that would follow. Although his brows already showed some sharpness, he still carried the spiritedness unique to young people.
He returned the greeting with a cupped hand and asked, "Brother Mengde's personal arrival is an honor to our humble abode. May I ask what military orders General Huangfu has?"
Cao Cao was an unconventional and humorous man who could quickly build rapport with people. After taking his seat, he laughed and said, "There is a military order. Ah, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat sent a letter to the army, praising Liu Lang's talent as unparalleled in the world, a genius of his time. He personally recommended him before the Emperor to assist General Huangfu in the campaign against the rebels."
"Huangfu Zhonglang didn't believe it at first, but he said that when I saw Mengde, I thought he was an extraordinary hero. Is there any hero in the world who can surpass Mengde?"
Cao Cao was also itching to meet him. He said to Huangfu Zhonglang, "If we don't meet such a hero, wouldn't we have wasted our lives?"
"We must see for ourselves whether Liu Lang has three heads and six arms, or is three zhang tall, to be able to defeat Zhang Jiao's 100,000 troops with only two thousand righteous soldiers, capture Zhang Liang at the Zhang River, and shake Hebei with his might, his heroic talent surpassing all in Hebei?"
Liu Bei chuckled and asked, "I am but an ordinary man. Mengde, are you disappointed to see me?"
Cao Cao laughed and teased, "Now that I see Xuande, although his ears reach his shoulders and he can hear from afar, and he will be able to rule by doing nothing in the future, he is still not entirely the same as the rumors. But it's good that way. If he were really like the strong man beside you, nine feet tall, majestic and powerful, with unparalleled divine might."
"If we go to the front lines together in the future, and Cao Cao stands beside you, won't he be mistaken for a mere foot soldier?"
Upon hearing this, all the generals in the tent burst into laughter.
Guan Yu, in particular, stroked his beard, his face showing pride and satisfaction.
It seems Cao Cao truly admired Guan Yu to the core. Even a single meeting was enough to instantly captivate him.
Could it be because he was short and stocky, and therefore had a particular fondness for mighty and powerful generals?
Liu Bei cupped his hands and said, "However, Mengde's talent and spirit are truly extraordinary, making him a hero of the world."
"Having received the order, Bei immediately mustered his troops and marched to Xiaquyang to join forces with General Huangfu and attack the bandits."
Cao Cao acted swiftly and decisively. He immediately stood up, threw his head back and laughed loudly, saying, "Very well, then I shall take my leave. I look forward to working together with Xuande to defeat the traitors and restore the Han dynasty."
After he left, Guan Yu stroked his beard and said, "This man has quite a bearing; no wonder my elder brother often mentions him."
Even Zhang Fei exclaimed in admiration: "This Cao Mengde is indeed unlike the descendant of a eunuch. His magnanimity, open-mindedness, and unrestrained spirit far surpass those of ordinary noble families."
He paused, then added, "In terms of heroic talent, in my opinion, he is only slightly inferior to my elder brother!"
While Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were praising the scene, outside the camp, Cao Cao and a dozen or so riders were also discussing the people in Liu Bei's tent.
Especially Xiahou Dun, who was following Cao Cao, had not yet achieved the feat of being invincible with one eye closed.
He followed Cao Cao and said, "Mengde, no wonder you specially requested to come and deliver the order. Liu Bei truly deserves to be called a hero who commands respect throughout Youzhou. His subordinates are full of talented people and should not be underestimated."
Cao Cao stroked his beard and nodded slightly, saying, "I have heard that he possesses extraordinary talent, not only as a brilliant strategist but also as far-sighted as the future. If it weren't for the Ten Attendants' chaos in the court, which led to the devastation in Hebei, he would have already followed Lu Zhonglang to conquer Quyang, take the heads of Zhang Jiao and Zhang Liang, and send them to the capital. Why would we need to rush to Hebei without rest?"
"Now that we are besieging Quyang together, we can observe their military tactics and learn from their superior strategies. As the Book of Poetry says, 'Stones from other mountains can be used to polish jade.' If we can grasp the essentials of their military tactics, it will be better than reading military books for ten years."
Liu Bei was unaware of Cao Cao's high praise and sighs at this time. After ordering the army to set off immediately, he found Tian Feng and asked him for advice.
"Sir, the imperial court has now ordered General Huangfu to lead troops north to suppress the Emei rebels. We are now under his command, unlike when my esteemed teacher was alive."
"Huangfu Zhonglang is a renowned general with a wealth of talented subordinates. Although I have been appointed by the Emperor as the Acting Commandant of the Martial Guard, I am ultimately a foreign general. If I cannot gain his favor, I fear I will have little opportunity to offer advice and strategies. How should I act to distinguish myself under his command and thus influence military affairs?"
Upon hearing this, Tian Feng stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "I have long considered what you, Lord Liu, are worried about. I previously advised you to keep a low profile and wait for the day when the world would yearn for a worthy man. Now that Huangfu Yizhen is leading the northern expedition against the Eren bandits and the war in Hebei has resumed, it is precisely the time for you, Lord Liu, to rise up as a hero."
Then, he led Liu Bei out of the tent, pointed to the gleaming armor and elite infantry and cavalry gathering in the camp, and said in a generous tone: "The reason why Lord Liu was famous throughout Hebei was for nothing more than two things."
"Firstly, even before the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, he was able to discern the wicked and anticipate the enemy's moves; secondly, within a few months, he repeatedly defeated the Yellow Turbans with fewer troops, killing and capturing tens of thousands."
"General Huangfu has just arrived in Hebei and is not yet familiar with the local situation or the true nature of the enemy. If you do not seek recognition from outsiders, you should make your name known through your military achievements."
"Therefore, we should righteously and militarily rise up, eliminate the villains, and show the world that when Liu Jun came, he defeated Zhang Jiao and captured Zhang Liang, and the Yellow Turban rebels were terrified; when Liu Jun left, the Yellow Turbans became rampant again, and the royal army suffered a defeat."
"If we can defeat the Yellow Turbans again, we will be able to demonstrate our ability as a pillar of strength."
"When Huangfu Zhonglang meets with him, he will surely be able to display his might and martial prowess, overcome difficulties, and save the situation from collapse. Why should he not be valued? At that time, there will be no need for Liu Jun to recommend himself. General Huangfu will personally inquire about his strategies and rely on him as an assistant."
Liu Bei immediately cupped his hands and said, "This battle is crucial to restoring our territory, stabilizing Hebei, and ending the chaos caused by the E'er bandits in one fell swoop. I have many fierce generals under my command, but only you, sir, can strategize and anticipate the enemy's moves."
"In the previous battle of Xiaquyang, we fought alone and lost many good generals, a memory that still pains me. This time, as we return to the battlefield, I earnestly request that you accompany me to advise on military strategy and prepare for any unforeseen circumstances."
"The Book of Poetry says, 'How can we say we have no clothes? We share the same robes.' Although I hold a humble position, I dare not presume to be your sovereign. I only wish to work together with you, sir, to overcome the national crisis. When the rebels are quelled and the world is at peace, I will drink a celebratory cup with you, sir, and live up to our aspirations of today."
Moved by Liu Bei's words of aspiration, Tian Feng immediately helped him up and said with great emotion, "Lord Liu treats me as a national hero, how could I not repay him as a national hero? This battle concerns the salvation of the royal family, and I should stay by your side and do my best to help you achieve great success."
Liu Bei was overjoyed, for with Tian Feng's words, the matter was settled.
He successfully recruited this strategist to assist him in achieving great things!
As long as I don't suffer a major defeat and treat him with courtesy, he will most likely follow me even if I take up a post in another state in the future.
Encouraged by this, Liu Bei ordered two thousand elite infantry and cavalry to march north immediately, leaving only the Gengshi Camp in Quzhou for training and managing the official fields.
In the final battle against the Yellow Turbans, they, as surrendered Yellow Turban soldiers, were not fit to fight.
When the army arrived at the city of Xiaquyang, Liu Bei led his troops directly to the camp of Guo Dian, the governor of Julu.
At this point, the war had deteriorated to its most critical stage.
In June of that year, Dong Zhuo arrived at Xiaquyang and ordered the abandonment of all of Lu Zhi's plans, launching a fierce attack on the city.
At that time, Guo Dian suggested building a fortified trench to trap the enemy, but Dong Zhuo refused. The two argued fiercely and a conflict arose.
Dong Zhuo thus disliked him, and ordered all his generals to garrison the east side of the city, while he alone ordered Guo Dian to garrison the west side of the city.
Guo Dian, upright and outspoken, angrily replied, "I have been ordered to suppress the rebels; I am prepared to die."
He then led his troops alone to the west of the city, where they were attacked by the enemy day and night.
As a result, because he built a moat, his camp was not lost, while Dong Zhuo's reckless advance led to his defeat.
People at the time composed a folk song: "Lord Guo besieged the trench, General Dong refused, almost turning foxes into jackals and tigers. Thanks to Lord Guo, who was not afraid of the powerful, the wise and benevolent Lord Guo preserved the territory."
The fox was transformed into a jackal and tiger, and his words were incredibly vivid, perfectly illustrating the current situation.
Dong Zhuo was taken away in a prison cart. Zong Yuan, the deputy general of the Han army and the general of the Wuhuan, was even less capable than Dong Zhuo. He led his troops back more than ten miles, only trying to protect himself and wait for Huangfu Song to come and take care of the situation.
As a result, Guo Dian's western camp was almost entirely besieged by more than 100,000 Yellow Turbans. The situation was so critical that it was hanging by a thread, and there was a risk of annihilation at any moment.
Upon learning of Liu Bei's return, Guo Dian personally went out of the camp to greet him, took his hand, and sighed, "Lord Xuande, you braved the perilous situation and rushed to my aid. I am now safe! It is only a pity that the situation that General Lu fought so hard for months has now been completely lost!"
Liu Bei, filled with righteous indignation, said, "Although my mentor was unjustly dismissed from his post, I, as his disciple, should continue his will and restore our land."
"Now that the Yellow Turbans are rampant, attacking day and night, this is the time for me, Liu Bei, to rise up in righteousness and martial prowess. I am willing to strike a decisive blow and defeat the enemy, thus restoring order to the situation!"
Guo Dian, also a straightforward and outspoken man, was inspired by this and immediately said, "Xuande has lofty ambitions, and I should assist him. The Yellow Turbans are rampant now, and the bandits are numerous. How do you intend to defeat them?"
Liu Bei then looked at Tian Feng, who calmly said, "Duan Gui is ashamed to remain on the front lines and has returned to the capital. Dong Zhuo is also imprisoned in a cage and cannot cause any harm. The court has ordered Huangfu Zhonglang to lead a northern expedition, and appointed Liu Jun as Wu Meng Duwei to assist him, giving him full authority over the suppression of the rebels."
"Therefore, we are now in a time of national prosperity and strength."
"The bandits, having long not heard of Zhang Jiao's name, were arrogant and complacent after their victory. Just as one can know the coldness of the world by seeing the water frozen in a bottle, and know the taste of the cauldron by tasting a piece of meat."
"Now the rebels rely on their arrogance, thinking that the state is powerless to reach them and that they have been lenient for a long time. But they do not know that the times and the people are changing. If we take them by surprise and attack them when they are unprepared, the arrival of our army will surely cause them to be terrified and flee in panic."
With Tian Feng's astute assessment of the enemy's situation, Guo Dian's confidence soared. He smiled and said, "Although Yuan Hao is naturally gifted but cannot wield a bow and spear, his ambition surpasses that of a hundred thousand soldiers!"
"With your words, I will act boldly!"
Having said that, he turned to look at Liu Bei and said, "Tomorrow I will dig a trench in the encirclement, remove the barricades in front of the camp, and open the camp gates wide to let the bandits swarm in. The bandits have been arrogant for days, and when they see our camp walls collapse on their own, they will surely think that a great victory is about to be achieved, and they will rush in, abandoning their ranks."
"Once half of them have poured in, and night is falling, the enemy's morale will be low and their troops exhausted after a day of siege. At that time, Xuande will lead his elite cavalry to attack from the flank, cutting off their retreat, while I will lead my elite troops in a counterattack from within the camp. With this pincer attack, we will surely defeat the enemy in one battle!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei was greatly encouraged.
Guo Dian was using himself as bait, dismantling the camp walls to make it appear as if they had been breached, thus luring more bandits out of the city to provide support.
This is tantamount to throwing oneself into a death trap.
When the county garrison falls, tens of thousands of Yellow Turban rebels will pour into the camp and launch a fierce attack.
But if there is any mishap, the county soldiers will be defeated and killed, and there will be no one like them.
It can be said that Guo Dian bet all his chances of winning on Liu Bei's strong army and his ability to decisively defeat the enemy!
Liu Bei immediately clasped his hands in greeting and declared with great spirit, "You have entrusted your life to me, Lord Liu. How could I not repay you with my life? Tomorrow at dusk, I will surely lead my iron cavalry to crush the enemy's formation and live up to your trust!"
Guo Dian was straightforward, fierce, and authoritative; once he made up his mind, he would not hesitate.
The next morning, he ordered several breaches in the city walls to be breached and the camp gates to be opened wide.
He personally led his elite troops to repair the barricades at the camp, as if the moat had indeed collapsed at night due to the passage of time.
The Yellow Turban scouts on the city wall saw the Han army's camp wall collapse on its own and were initially surprised and uncertain.
Several young commanders climbed to a high point to observe, and saw that the Han army's camp gate was wide open, the barricades in front of the camp were scattered, and the deer antlers were crooked.
One of them was overjoyed and scrambled down the city wall to report to Zhang Bao: "Thanks to the Heavenly General's protection, the Han rebels' camp has collapsed on its own!"
Since Dong Zhuo's defeat and Zong Yuan's retreat, Zhang Bao has won a series of victories and no longer takes the Han army seriously.
Upon hearing the news, he laughed loudly and immediately ordered his troops to leave the city and launch a counterattack.
Tens of thousands of Yellow Turban rebels poured out of the city gates and swept across the mountains and plains towards the Han camp in the west of the city.
Guo Dian personally supervised several hundred elite soldiers to repair the deer antlers, precisely for this purpose. He went to the front lines to encourage the soldiers, lest they be terrified, panicked, and flee.
Liu Bei even arranged for Zhao Yun to personally lead over a hundred armored soldiers to protect the safety of this Lord Guo.
Although Zhao Yun had a majestic appearance, he did not have the striking looks of Guan Yu or Zhang Fei, so he would not be recognized by the Moth Bandits.
Therefore, the moth thieves were completely unaware of anything amiss and launched a frenzied attack on the camp.
The Han army held out in a crescent-shaped formation, raining down arrows and stones, and forming a wall of spears, managing to hold off several thousand of the Yellow Turban main force.
The two sides fought fiercely from dawn until midday.
This fierce battle, far from frustrating Zhang Bao, filled him with joy. It confirmed that the Han army's fortifications had indeed collapsed and they were attempting a desperate defense.
So, in the afternoon, he decisively dispatched another well-rested force from the city. These thousands of strongmen were his elite troops, the most valiant and courageous warriors.
The moment these strongmen joined the battlefield, the situation changed dramatically. In less than half an hour, the enemy army stormed into the camp.
At this time, the main force of the Yellow Turbans attacked the east of the camp, and tens of thousands of bandits surged in. Yellow Turban warriors attacked the north of the camp, cutting off the retreat of the Han army's armored soldiers and almost seizing the Han army's banner.
Guo Dian personally led his elite troops in a counterattack, sustaining numerous wounds, yet he could not withstand the onslaught of this newly emerging elite force.
After two hours of fierce fighting, the Han army was clearly in a state of disarray. In order to prevent the elite troops at the front line from being trapped in an encirclement, Guo Dian had no choice but to order Zhao Yun's troops to retreat.
This retreat marked the beginning of the Han army's collapse. From the city walls, one could see smoke and fire billowing into the sky above Guo Dian's camp, with Han soldiers in disarray, retreating in disarray. Meanwhile, the Yellow Turban army surged forward, encircling the Han army from three sides and trapping them in a corner on the western side of the camp.
The Han army's banner fell in the camp, and countless Yellow Turban soldiers trampled over it.
Zhang Bao was overjoyed! Although the battle had raged until dusk, tens of thousands of soldiers were crammed into the narrow spaces of the camp, unable to advance or retreat.
But he knew in his heart that the situation was already decided. Before nightfall, he would be able to completely defeat the Han traitor. The Han traitor, having fought fiercely all day, was exhausted and thirsty, and had no strength left to continue.
But just as the setting sun was turning blood red, a mournful bugle call suddenly rang out from the south of the city, followed by a great chorus of drums and horns that resounded throughout the heavens and earth.
Countless bandits engaged in battle looked south in terror, only to see countless Han cavalry slowly approaching like a forest, their ranks filling the distant horizon as the sun set.
These Han soldiers were all heavily armored, their horses were all clad in iron armor, their crimson banners fluttered in the sky, their black armor gleamed in the sun, and their long spears and heavy halberds gleamed coldly in the afterglow.
What terrified the bandits even more was the inscription on the banner of this Han army!
Martial and Mighty Captain Liu!
It was Liu Bei, who was renowned throughout Hebei!
Countless soldiers were immediately terrified. After all, in the battles of Zhangshui and Xiaquyang, Liu Bei, under Lu Zhi's command, had repeatedly defeated the Yellow Turbans, resulting in countless deaths and injuries. Even the virtuous and capable teacher had barely escaped with his life, and General Zhang Liang had been captured.
Among these moth thieves, countless people had narrowly escaped death before his army's advance, barely managing to save their lives.
The next moment, a Han soldier took the lead, confirming the thoughts of the bandits.
Guan Yu, clad in a green robe, his phoenix eyes blazing with fury, raised his right arm and shouted, pointing his spear forward: "Iron Cavalry of Jingse—follow me into battle!"
After he finished speaking, the forty-nine Jingsai Iron Cavalrymen all brandished their spears, shouted excitedly, and charged out.
Before the iron cavalry even got close, arrows rained down, and in an instant, the outer bandits suffered heavy losses.
Then the iron cavalry charged directly into the enemy ranks! More than ten of them were heavily armored, impervious to the enemy's arrows and spears, and were routed. Meanwhile, the Jingse iron cavalry attacked from all sides, and those who met them suffered heavy casualties.
The bandits were finally terrified and fled in panic: "It's definitely the Jingse Army! Run!"
"Liu Bei's army has arrived! We have always been no match for them. Do not throw your lives away!"
Even Zhang Bao was shocked. He never expected Liu Bei to return to the battlefield. Wasn't he escorting Lu Zhi to Luoyang? How could he be here!
He led his troops back; could it be that Lu Zhi also took command of the troops again?
With this in mind, he decisively ordered a retreat. After all, he knew Lu Zhi's prowess well; in several battles, the Yellow Turbans had suffered crushing defeats and heavy losses.
However, it was too late for him to give the order. When the bandits saw the Han army approaching, their armor gleaming in the sun, they were already terrified and collapsed, fleeing in panic.
However, with tens of thousands of troops crowded in the camp, there was simply no time to evacuate in time.
Meanwhile, the Han cavalry launched a fierce attack on the flanks. Wherever they passed, dust filled the sky, shouts shook the earth, and banners shone brightly. The enemy felt as if they were surrounded!
They shared Zhang Bao's misunderstanding, believing it to be the sudden arrival of the royal army's main force, and thus all collapsed. Zhang Bao, in particular, was terrified, fearing an ambush, and dared not send reinforcements to their aid.
As a result, the bandits who went out of the city suffered a great defeat, with more than 3,000 killed in battle, thousands more collapsing into each other's graves, and more than 20,000 captured.
In this battle, the Yellow Turbans suffered nearly 40,000 casualties, and their situation declined accordingly.
Liu Bei and Guo Dian then joined forces and attacked the city the following day, continuing their assault day and night.
Zhang Bao, therefore, remained in the city and dared not venture out.