Chapter 31: Blitzkrieg (Part 2)

  Two days later,

  With Zhang Liao leading the 5,000 cavalry stationed in Wuyan City, Gao Shun's 1,000 vanguard and 4,000 cavalry occupied Luzhou, while Lü Bu's 17,000 troops in Rencheng, Chenliu and Yangyi counties could be mutually supportive.

  However, when Cao Xin killed Hou Cheng's 5,000 cavalry and took Chenliu with this, the seemingly solid defense line was thoroughly broken.

  At the same time, what appeared in front of Cao Xin was a siege circle with 20,000 remaining troops. Every step that followed seemed especially crucial.

  Obviously, for Cao Xing, not only Lü Bu but also Chen Gong had some contempt for him. Or it can be said that they attached great importance to Xiahou Dun and Xun Yu, but often ignored a most terrible enemy.

  At the age of seventeen or eighteen, he single-handedly surrendered two thousand rebel troops and used these people to defeat Hou Cheng's five thousand cavalry without any effort, breaking through Chenliu.

  The situation that was unfolding before Lü Bu and Chen Gong's eyes suddenly took on a completely different complexion due to the actions of an insignificant person.

  For the past three days, Zhang Liao and Gao Shun have been holding back their troops, waiting for Lü Bu to join forces and attack Puyang. However, at this moment, Lü Bu had no choice but to lead his army to conquer Chenliu first.

  A mighty army of 10,000 troops swept across the borders of Ren City, leaving Ren City a day's journey away. Lü Bu led his army of 10,000 on a personal campaign against Chenliu. At this moment, he wanted to see what kind of person Cao Xin was, who had annihilated his own 5,000 elite cavalry.

  For Lü Bu, the initial attack on Puyang did not take too much effort, but at this time, his own army was repeatedly ridiculed by Cao Xing, and for the first time, a situation of losing the city and suffering a disastrous defeat appeared.

  Gazing coldly at the road ahead, he felt an indescribable anger in his heart. Looking back at the ten thousand cavalrymen behind him, Lü Bu immediately asked Chen Gong beside him: "Gongtai, what do you think of Cao Xing?"

  Upon hearing this, Chen Gong also let out a sigh, as if he had been asked to his heart's content. Even Chen Gong wanted to ask where this Cao Xin came from. However, thinking about it, he said: "Looking at how easily this person took over Chenliu, it can be seen that Cao Xin is cunning and unpredictable in using troops. First, he blasted open the gates of Chenliu City, but when that didn't work, he spread rumors that Chenliu had already been breached, luring our army to go and attack, and finally, those 5,000 troops who went to attack... ended up becoming the handle for Cao Xin's second blast at Chenliu City. This is a clever plan within a plan, it's simply unbelievable. The way this person uses troops is not like that of an ordinary general, I had no idea Cao Cao had someone like this under his command..."

  As soon as this remark was made, Lü Bu immediately raised the corner of his mouth and smiled coldly: "Then in your opinion, Gongtai, who is stronger between me and Cao Zhen?"

  "This..." Just now seemed to have been choked back, Chen Gong was originally subconsciously analyzing, but brought about Lv Bu's inquiry, yet remained silent on the spot.

  At this time, Lü Bu sneered: "What is there to fear about a mere Cao Xin? I, Lü Bu, have fought in over a hundred battles big and small, and have yet to meet my match. Although Cao Xin has achieved some minor victories, my army still outnumbers his several times over. Just watch, General! Once we reach Chenliu, no matter how capable this man is, I will be able to capture the city in one day and execute him on the spot."

  Upon hearing this, Chen Gong shook his head, but seemed to have thought of something and regretfully said: "If Cao Xing were not Cao Cao's nephew, we could try to persuade him to surrender... What a pity to lose such a talented person..."

  "Hahaha... I have a public platform anyway, what's the harm in just one Cao Xueqin?"

  "We've been rushing day and night, I'm afraid Cao's army must have made preparations to defend the city. It would be better if we could contact General Wei Xu and surround Chenliu earlier."

  Lü Bu's cold face flashed a hint of approval, but he calmly said: "What Gongtai said is reasonable, however... what if this Cao Xin leaves Chenliu again?"

  He shook his head and said, "Anyone who understands the art of war will not leave Chenliu. The city of Chenliu is high and deep, like a golden soup, it is the first barrier for our army to enter Yanzhou, and it is also our only retreat route. Cao Xin must know this, and he will definitely fight to the death to defend it until Cao Cao returns, otherwise he won't leave Chenliu half a step..."

  He nodded at the same time, Lü Bu stroked the horse's mane and smiled: "It's still Gongtai who thinks more thoroughly..." As he spoke, he looked up at the sky and said: "I'm afraid we won't make it to Chenliu today. I estimate that we should be able to arrive by tomorrow morning. Why don't our army set up camp nearby for now?"

  He also felt that the sky was already late, Chen Gong nodded immediately, and suddenly saw a thread of smoke in the distance. "Fengxian, do you think there are civilians living there?"

  Following Chen Gong's pointing direction, Lü Bu suddenly saw a wisp of smoke and fire at the foot of a distant mountain valley, with a small stream in between.

  "That should be the border of Yu Province."

  Nodding, Chen Gong agreed: "That's right, that direction is indeed the border of Yu Province. If we head east from here, it will be Chenliu, and if we head west, it will be the border of Yuzhou's Qiao County. Let's rest at Qiao County for a night first, and then rush east at dawn tomorrow."

  A gleam of joy flashed across his eyes, and Lü Bu burst out laughing, saying: "Excellent! Let's follow your advice, General. We'll rest our troops there today, and also guard against the enemy's surprise attack."

  As he spoke, no one paid attention, and he immediately slapped his horse, Red Hare, and galloped towards the distant smoke from cooking.

  "Offer sacrifices! Don't disturb the people......" Seeing the large army follow Lü Bu and leave, Chen Gong, who was left behind, let out a sigh and shook his head.

  Ke Chen Gong may never have imagined that, compared to worrying about Lü Bu in front of him, there was an even more severe situation waiting for him.

  In Rencheng just three hours ago.

  At this time, when Lü Bu had just led his army out of Rencheng for a short while.

  Three miles outside the city, there was an unidentified army slowly closing in...

  Two thousand cavalrymen, standing uniformly in the wind, with a young commander at the forefront, standing calmly outside the city of Rencheng not far away, and behind him, two thousand horses and men were eager to try.

  "This Lü Bu has indeed made his move, Zi Xiang you see, at this moment the city of Ren is empty and weak, it's the perfect opportunity for us to attack Ren City." A sly smile flashed across his face, Cao Xin coldly gazed at the distant city gate with lax defenses, and couldn't help but laugh.

  At this time, Liu Yi on the side finally understood Cao Xin's intention and also had nothing to say. He was shocked and said: "The general's military strategy... is really unpredictable..."

  At this moment, Cao Xing suddenly laughed lightly and looked at Ren Cheng again. Then he shouted in a cold voice: "Dian Wei, Zhou Cang!"

  "The end is near!"

  Two giants among the cavalrymen responded like cranes standing out from a flock of chickens, and they were precisely Cao Xin's two lieutenants, Dian Wei and Zhou Cang.

  At this moment, both of them were wearing silver helmets and iron armor, their faces even more stern and solemn, but after that massacre, these two people became even more bloodthirsty than before.

  Satisfied, he nodded and Cao Xin said immediately:

  "You two quickly lead the 500 troops from our headquarters to attack the south and north gates of Ren City, I will lead a thousand troops to attack the east gate. At this moment, the military strength of Ren City is empty, it is necessary to solve the battle within half an hour, whoever climbs up the city wall first will be the first to achieve success!"