Chapter 35: Night Raid on Pengcheng · Breaking the City
"Governor Zhou, something is terribly wrong! The southern and northern parts of the city have been breached by Cao's army, and they are now heading towards the Imperial Chancellor's residence!"
"What!" After hearing the news from his personal guard for less than half a minute, Tao Qian, who had just been caught in the rain and was lying on the couch in the National Uncle's mansion, was shocked and lost his color. "Cough cough" Excitedly, Tao Qian coughed repeatedly, and after a while, he asked: "Where is Cao Bao? Where is he?"
"According to reports from people on the west side of the city, General Cao disappeared within a short period of time and seems to have escaped!"
"Scoundrel!" Hearing Cao Jiao escape, Tao Qian was so excited that he slammed his fist on the bed. "Cough, cough", but this excitement made him choke and start coughing continuously. Seeing Tao Qian's condition, his personal guards looked worried, they really didn't have confidence in safely escorting the sick old man out of the city amidst the chaos.
Just then, a shout came from outside, and Tao Qian heard someone yelling: "General Mi, General Mi!"
Before long, I saw Mei Fang rushing in, covered in blood and mud all over her body. She was soaked from head to toe, with a faint red liquid dripping down, it was unclear whether it was rainwater or blood.
However, when Tao Qian saw him, instead of blaming him, he smiled and said: "Zi Fang, you've come?"
Cao Fang simply nodded and, without saying a word, went forward to support Emperor Xian, saying: "Your Majesty, Pengcheng is no longer tenable. My elder brother instructed me before he left that I must ensure Your Majesty's safety; please follow Zi Fang and leave quickly."
Tao Qian also knew the situation was urgent, and after hearing Mei Fang's words, he didn't even bother to look for Cao Jiao anymore. He nodded repeatedly. Several bodyguards came forward to support Tao Qian and were about to leave. However, Tao Qian's body was really too weak, and after walking a few steps, he became breathless and couldn't move anymore.
Miao Fang furrowed his brow, made a fist at Tao Qian and said: "Sir, I'm sorry!" After that, he waved to his personal guards and shouted: "You all work together, carry the sir on your shoulders and leave!"
The guards didn't hesitate, and together they lifted Cao Zhen onto the carriage, following Mi Fang out of the prime minister's residence. At this time, the carriages outside were already prepared, and Mi Fang ordered someone to put Cao Zhen on the carriage, while he himself jumped up front to drive the horses. The two men's personal guards then mounted several scattered warhorses, protecting the carriage from all sides. Those who didn't manage to grab a horse could only follow on foot. Fortunately, Cao Zhen had always been popular with his troops, and these soldiers were willing to follow him to the death.
Meng Fang didn't dare to delay, his left hand grasped the whip and fiercely lashed it at the horse, driving the carriage towards the east of the city. Just then, a weak voice came from inside the carriage, "Zi Fang, head for the south gate!"
"South Gate?" Hearing Tao Qian's words, Zou Fang was shocked beyond measure.
Cao's army is making a big show of attacking the west city, but it's just a ruse to lure our troops into supporting them, and then they'll suddenly attack from the north and south. This is a classic case of "making a sound in the east while striking in the west". The fact that they're not attacking the eastern front means there must be an ambush waiting for us there. With the heavy rain making the roads muddy, if we head east, we'll definitely fall into their trap. You were just defending the southwest corner, and now you have the best chance of breaking out from the south gate... Cough cough...
At this point, Tao Qian coughed violently again. Mei Fang had already understood what Tao Qian meant and advised: "Mei understands, sir, please don't say any more! Let's go!" After finishing speaking, Mei Fang turned the horse's head around, controlling the carriage to rush out of the city in a southerly direction.
……
On Cao Jun's side, the fastest progress was made by Yue Jin. Yu Jin's side was a bit slower, but not far behind. In the west of the city, Cao Bao heard the sounds of fighting had already entered the city, and the southwest and northwest corners were gradually being suppressed by the Cao army. Knowing that the situation was hopeless and that Pengcheng could no longer be defended, he led several bodyguards and hastily abandoned the city.
Cao Jue left, and the Xuzhou army on the west side of the city had already lost the will to defend. Either they knelt down to surrender or dispersed in all directions. After another half a moment, Cao's army, which had gradually emptied the western wall of the city, finally opened the western gate and let Xiahou Dun's large army enter. At this point, it can be said that the overall situation has been decided.
The Imperial Chancellor's Office, Tao Qian had just left for a short while, Le Jin led a large group of soldiers to rush in. However, the Imperial Chancellor's Office was already empty at this time, and Le Jin, who was covered with blood and rainwater, stood in the hall with a gloomy face. Soon, several wolf-like soldiers came in, pressing down on a servant-like person.
Lei Jin saw him and directly placed the war knife on his neck, with a terrifying expression, he loudly asked: "Speak! Where is old man Tao Qian?"
The servant knelt on the ground, trembling with fear, and seeing the murderous intent in Le Jin's eyes, he actually let out a stream of water, followed by a foul odor that filled the entire hall.
The surrounding soldiers and men all cast him a look of disdain. Yue Jin merely furrowed his brow, then sheathed the bloody sword in front of him, tapping it lightly with his hand.
Hum...
The war knife lightly tapped, emitting a clear ring. Le Jin stared at the servant, trying to slow down his tone, half-closing his eyes and saying: "Speak quickly, who is Tao Qian Lao Er! If you speak well, I can spare your dog life, if not... Hmph!" The last cold hum, Le Jin's originally half-closed eyes suddenly widened, and the killing intent pressed towards the servant.
That servant was forced by Le Jin's murderous aura and trembled as he said: "S...s...say something..."
"Cut the nonsense and speak quickly!" Le Jin was somewhat impatient, his war knife once again pressed against the servant's neck.
The man felt the chill of the blade and suddenly became calm, saying clearly: "Governor Zhou and General Mi have driven their chariots to break through the siege in the south of the city."
"South of the city?" Upon hearing this servant's words, Le Jin's heart skipped a beat. Then, gripping his knife tightly, he sternly asked: "Is what you say true?"
"A thousand truths! A thousand truths! Petty people dare not conceal..."
Hehe...
The words had not been spoken yet, when suddenly a flash of blood light appeared in the great hall, and a head with an incredulous expression flew high into the air, followed by a loud "crash" as it fell to the wooden floor of the great hall, casting a layer of crimson slaughter over the originally magnificent and majestic National Preceptor's mansion.
Completely ignoring the corpse that was still spewing out scorching hot blood, Yue Jin gritted his teeth and said: "Damn it, Tao Laoer is so cunning!" After finishing speaking, Yue Jin beckoned with one hand and shouted: "Leave a few people to inform General Xia Hou and General Yu, the rest follow me back to the south of the city to chase after Tao Laoer!"
"Promise..."
With a loud shout of approval, Le Jin led the Cao army soldiers who had just arrived from the south of the city and hastily returned to the original road, chasing towards the south.
When Xiahou Dun and Yu Jin arrived at the Imperial Chancellor's mansion, the soldiers left behind by Yue Jin reported to them. Xiahou Dun frowned and glanced at Yu Jin, saying in a low voice: "This old scoundrel can actually see through the arrangements of the elder brother and several gentlemen?"
