Chapter 57: A Strange Plan Breaks the Stalemate

  Huang Fu did not rush to answer Wang Xu's inquiry, and after exchanging a smile with Zhu Jun, he turned to ask: "Wang Xu, when the two armies are facing each other, if you want to win with fewer troops, what do you think should be done?"

  "Huh?"

  Wang Xu furrowed his brow, although he was somewhat perplexed by the sudden question in his heart, but still quickly replied: "This is more complicated, and according to different actual situations, there are naturally different countermeasures. But roughly speaking, it's nothing more than the four characters of Qi, Guai, Xian, and Kuai, and it's best to match them with the power of nature like water and fire."

  As soon as the words fell, the two burst out laughing. Zhu Jun even carefully scrutinized Wang Xu for a moment, and sighed in admiration: "I often hear Brother Yizhen say how great you are, but I'm quite skeptical. Today, I really gained insight! What a strange, cunning, dangerous, and swift move. You're young yet already deeply understand the essence of military strategy; if honed further, your future prospects will be boundless indeed!"

  "Haha! General Zhu is overpraising me."

  He waved his hand, and Zhu Jun also didn't entangle with Wang Xu on this issue. After glancing at Huang Fu Song, he asked again: "Then which character do you think we should use to break the Yellow Turbans?"

  Seeing the two of them like this, Wang Xu finally confirmed that they had thought of the famous fire-burning plan in history.

  "Heh heh! We've already been completely exposed, so it's impossible to use the word 'qi'. Only Cao Mengde, who has reinforcements, can use this word. Judging from the current situation, we also cannot afford to suffer too great a loss, so winning by taking risks is also out of the question. As for that 'kuai' word, there's no opportunity to implement it at all. Therefore, our only option is to use 'gui'!"

  Huangfu Song's eyes lit up instantly upon hearing this, and he was greatly astonished. "Oh? Since you see things so clearly, do you have a plan to defeat the enemy?"

  "It's just a bit of an idea, but it can't be considered a plan, it's just a little suggestion for now."

  With that, Wang Xu smiled slightly and organized his thoughts before slowly expressing what was on his mind.

  "We are now besieged in this solitary city, and the only reinforcements we have are the troops brought by General Cao's cavalry commander. Unfortunately, our military strength is limited, so there are very few feasible plans! However, from my observation, the surroundings of Changsha are lush with grass and trees, while Huang Zu's troops are foolishly camping in the open fields, which will lead to their own downfall. Therefore, we can think of a plan based on this!"

  The two of them heard this and suddenly opened their eyes wide, staring at Wang Xu in surprise. Huang Fu also couldn't help but ask: "What makes you say that?"

  "Heh heh! This winter's weather is quite warm, and since that small snowfall half a month ago, the temperature has risen rapidly. The little snow on the ground has already melted. And now it's just the beginning of late winter and early spring, the air is dry, plus the clear sky that has lasted for many days, so the grass and trees are all dry! At this time, as long as the north wind blows, we set fire to burn them, won't those Yellow Turbans who are camping in the south of the city..."

  "Hasn't it become a mere chicken and dog, unable to withstand even one blow! Haha...!" Before Wang Xu could finish speaking, Zhu Jun had already excitedly burst into laughter and snatched the conversation away!

  Huangfu Song also looked at Wang Xu with a joyful expression and sighed, "I really didn't expect you to think of this plan too. Gong Wei and I had discussed it many times before we came up with this strategy!"

  "However, this plan also has two difficulties, which is why you were summoned!"

  "What's the difficulty?"

  Jian Wang Xu had some doubts, and Huangfu Song did not hide it. He immediately smiled and said: "One of them needs a wise and brave person to lead the brave soldiers in the army to sneak into the vicinity of the Yellow Turban's big account, wait for the opportunity to set fire and make a noise, we can only shake as a response, and the plan will also have the possibility of being implemented."

  "Next, General Cao Cao has led his troops to rush here and will arrive in a few days. Therefore, it is necessary to inform him of this plan, so that he can take advantage of the chaos caused by the Yellow Turbans to launch a surprise attack and achieve greater results!"

  By the time he heard this, Wang Xu had already understood what the two of them meant by calling him over. In his heart, he couldn't help but secretly sigh with wry amusement - why did he always get entangled in such dangerous affairs? Not to mention last time when he took the initiative to ask for it, but how did they think of him again this time?

  However, Wang Xu also understood that it was precisely because of his outstanding performance that the two would entrust him with this heavy responsibility. If they really defeated the Yellow Turbans according to plan, then apart from the two principals, he would be the greatest contributor!

  Although Wang Xu had complaints in his heart, he wouldn't shirk and immediately promised: "Don't worry, Generals! I can handle this!"

  "With you going ahead, I can rest assured!"

  Nodding in agreement with Wang Xu's trusted location, Huang Fu said again: "The matter should not be delayed, I'm afraid that if time passes too long, the weather will change. So this evening I will lead the troops to launch a frontal attack once, to attract the enemy's attention for you. At that time, you can take advantage of the situation and quietly rush out from another city gate, waiting for an opportunity to act! As long as your side starts a fire, I'll immediately lead the soldiers to break out!"

  "Hmm! You two generals can rest assured, I will definitely burn down the Yellow Turban's large camp and leave no chicken or dog behind!"

  "Heh heh! Alright, so how many brave warriors will you need for this trip?"

  Upon hearing this, Wang Xu quickly calculated in his mind. He immediately replied: "This time it's just a covert arson attack, too many people would be inconvenient for action. The general only needs to allocate 50 more loyal and brave warriors to me, plus the people under Gao Shun's account, which is enough!"

  When Wang Xu said that, Zhu Jun immediately spoke loudly: "Good! Since that's the case, then you can choose fifty people from my personal bodyguards. They are more suitable than ordinary soldiers in terms of loyalty, cleverness and bravery!"

  Considering the importance of the matter, Wang Xu also nodded in agreement. Seeing that the fire burning at Chang She had already been settled, he knew he should mention the unexpected cavalry that shouldn't have appeared!

  After a brief pause, Wang Xu had already prepared his words in his mind and his expression also turned serious.

  "Two generals, I won't hide it from you! Actually, this fire attack plan, I had thought of it long ago. The reason why I didn't tell the two generals is that there's another reason!"

  "Huh? What reason?" Huang Fu heard this and was taken aback for a moment, looking at Wang Xu with doubt.

  "Earlier, when I was rushing to Yingying, I heard some rumors from the people that the Yellow Turbans were not only gathering in Yingying, but also had a considerable number heading towards Changsha. At that time, I was very suspicious and took a detour to Changsha. By tracking a small group of Yellow Turban bandits, I discovered their large camp hidden in a mountain valley dozens of miles west of Changsha, with nearly 20,000 people!"

  "I didn't understand why it was arranged like this before, so I didn't pay attention to it. But after our army retreated from Changsha, it became a concern in my heart! The reason I didn't report to the two generals immediately is that I couldn't confirm whether the other party was still in that place or not! I'm afraid of misleading the actions of the two generals!"

  What Wang Xu said is almost all true, but he didn't actively propose the plan to burn down the place because he was afraid of unexpected consequences, and he couldn't bear the responsibility of defeat!

  "What's going on here!" As soon as Wang Xu's words fell, Huang Fu and Zhu Jun stood up in surprise.

  "This is going to be difficult. If we were to take advantage of the fire and attack Bao Zhen's troops, but this army were to emerge from the side, the consequences would be unthinkable!" As he spoke, Huangfu Song was already showing a worried expression, with his hands clasped behind his back, pacing back and forth in the room.

  Zhu Huan was also extremely surprised, and without any consideration, he said bluntly: "No matter whether this army is still there or not, we must send a team to ambush outside. If the Yellow Turbans come out, immediately intercept them halfway and delay as much time as possible. After we defeat the main force of Bo Cai, we will deal with him again!"

  "I also know, but where can we hide so many people now. If we send a messenger to let Cao Cao complete the blocking task, then there will be a lack of powerful raiders on this side. If we can't defeat Baozi's army in one fell swoop and let them recover, the consequences will be equally severe!"

  Seeing Huangfu Song's anxiety, Wang Xu's face relaxed and he smiled as he revealed a plan he had thought of long ago.

  "Huangfu General, this matter is not difficult either. Anyway, today we will make a feint attack, and when the time comes, another general with both wisdom and bravery will lead troops to rush out from the north gate!"

  "How easy is it! The whole army of soldiers and horses rushed out, and Bo Zhong would not have been able to escape, they will definitely send troops to pursue!"

  "What's the big deal? Let him chase if he wants to, the more people he sends after us the better! Who knows, we might even get a chance to ambush them first!"

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