"Moreover, if I’m not mistaken, Sun Ce will definitely launch a full-scale attack on Jingzhou State soon."
Zhuge Liang suddenly spoke again.
Upon hearing this, Guan Yu finally showed interest, his eyes imdiately sharp as he left: "That re peddler courting death, failing multiple tis yet not learning a lesson, dares to invade again?"
"General." Zhuge Liang shook his head slowly, and said earnestly: "Currently, the battlefields at Yingchuan and Runan are in a stalemate."
"For Sun Ce."
"If he can achieve a great victory at this ti, it will surely boost the morale of his troops from all directions."
"Based on my understanding of Zhou Yu."
"He will certainly advise Sun Ce to launch an invasion!"
Upon hearing this, Guan Yu remained silent for a mont before slowly nodding his head.
Then he cupped his hands towards Zhuge Liang and said, "Please devise a plan, strategist. I will ensure that the invading enemy will never return ho!"
Things unfolded just as Zhuge Liang had predicted.
How could Zhou Yu give up such an opportunity?
Just a few days later.
Sun Ce led his army again, following Zhou Yu’s strategy.
He sent Lv ng with three thousand skilled swimrs to dive underwater and sink the Jingzhou patrol ships, seize control of the Hanjin Ferry pontoon bridge, re-enter Jingzhou State, and directly assault the Yunng Marsh granary, cutting off Zhuge Liang’s supply routes.
The great battle resud between both sides.
Zhuge Liang remained completely unshaken, rerouting the supply lines to the ancient road of Jing Mountain, stabilizing the troops’ morale.
Then, both sides clashed again throughout the entire Jiangling region.
This ti, Sun Ce was clearly determined.
He brought almost all his elite forces along.
And most crucially—
The impact of Gu Chen being obstructed in Xuchang was indeed significant.
It even provided a certain boost to the soldiers under Sun Ce, making their combat effectiveness extraordinary.
On the other hand, looking at Zhuge Liang’s side.
Although Liu Bei left behind a considerable number of troops, there weren’t many true elites among them.
This was destined to affect the overall occupation.
Although Zhuge Liang repeatedly ca up with strategies to disrupt Sun Ce’s offensive, he ultimately couldn’t push Sun Ce back to Jiangdong completely.
The news spread continuously.
The changes in the three parties’ battles completely altered the situation.
The once worrying prospect for Cao Cao was now gradually stabilizing the army’s morale.
Yet Cao Cao still dared not be complacent.
He always felt that with Gu Chen’s capabilities, it was impossible for him to be so incompetent.
If he could truly be blocked like this.
How could he have moved the capital previously?
Nurous tis, Cao Cao dispatched ssengers to warn Cao Ren not to let his guard down.
Cao Ren heeded Cao Cao’s words diligently, continually sending scouts to gather intelligence.
But who could have thought that during this bitter winter month, Gu Chen would choose to dig tunnels?
This was the essence of a clever plan.
It ant doing what others wouldn’t dare to imagine.
Gu Chen paid no attention to the warfare on all sides, proceeding with his plan in an orderly manner.
He pinpointed the outlets of the tunnels at the Cao army’s granary, arsenal, and stables.
This was the information he ticulously gathered over ti.
Gu Chen never engaged in pointless attacks.
Nor would he miss any opportunity.
And it was in the eleventh year of Jian’an, February;
The tunnel was finally completely opened. .....
....
Xuchang.
The night was as dark as lacquer, the moon hidden from sight.
Listening to the sound of exclamations ringing in his ears, Cao Ren couldn’t help but wake up from his dream.
An unnad fire instantly surged.
He exploded angrily: "What happened?"
Cao Ren hadn’t rested properly for days, only able to sleep soundly recently after thinking Gu Chen had exhausted his tricks.
Being disturbed like this, how could he not be furious?
As soon as he finished speaking.
Soone rushed in directly from outside the door, kneeling in front of Cao Ren with a look of panic: "General!"
"We’re on fire, our granary, arsenal, and stables are all on fire!"
This sentence resonated like a thunderbolt in Cao Ren’s ear.
He was completely stunned.
A bit slow to react.
But the next mont, his expression changed dramatically, and without thinking, he rushed outside.
It would be better not to go outside...
At the very mont he stepped outside, he saw the flas like a raging sun.
The originally dark and lightless night sky was completely illuminated by the fire.
The most ferocious of these—
Was his granary.
As the forr capital set by Cao Cao, countless supplies had been stockpiled in Xuchang city.
Although Cao Cao later redirected so of it.
For this battle, however, tens of thousands of stone grains were still stored within Xuchang’s granary, enough to sustain the army for several years.
And to prevent Gu Chen from severing the Xuchang supply lines and besieging the city.
Cao Ren had brought all the supplies into the city.
Now, these grains had beco the most "helpful accomplices" in the fire.
Cao Ren was utterly stupefied.
The light of the fire reflecting in his eyes.
Vaguely, it seed he saw the scene of Xuchang city being breached.
Saw Gu Chen marching north again, completely shattering their Cao Clan’s dream to inherit the Celestial Mandate.
Accompanied by the constant shouts in his ears and the sound of startled warhorses galloping, all these scenes felt so real!
The next mont, he suddenly regained his composure.
Without a mont’s hesitation.
Cao Ren imdiately assembled his troops and redistributed the "Five Stone Powder."
Gu Chen was definitely coming to besiege the city.
Under no circumstances could he allow Gu Chen to enter Xuchang city easily.
Cao Ren’s thoughts were crystal clear at this mont.
He understood that Xuchang city was no longer defensible.
But he needed to bring the army back!
In this crisis situation, a general’s capability beca fully evident.
At this mont, Cao Ren couldn’t openly reveal his intention to retreat.
Yet he had to prepare for retreat.
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