plumnovel Chapter 70 A weapon for winning with fewer troops? And you're selling it to me?
Chapter 70 A weapon for winning with fewer troops? And you're selling it to me?
Chapter 70 A weapon for winning with fewer troops? And you're selling it to me?
as predicted.
This eldest son of the Cao family has come to ask me for advice again.
"With Xun Yu and Guo Jia as strategists, Cao Cao must have already devised a plan to deal with Yuan Shao. Young Master, there's no need to ask this country bumpkin anymore."
Gu Cheng said self-deprecatingly.
Cao Cao and Cao Ang, father and son, exchanged a secret glance.
The decisive battle between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao was a matter of life and death. Cao Cao had already discussed strategies with Xun Yu and others half a year prior. However, at this moment, Cao Cao urgently wanted to hear Gu Cheng's opinion to confirm the feasibility of his strategies. Cao Cao then subtly signaled to Cao Ang to continue asking questions. Cao Ang understood and said, "Xun Yu and Guo Jing are indeed exceptionally resourceful, but they are still slightly inferior to Brother Gu. This matter concerns the life and death of the Cao family; I hope Brother Gu will consider our friendship and offer his guidance."
Gu Cheng sighed inwardly.
Cao Ang had put it this way, and out of friendship, he couldn't ignore it. Besides, he had already offended Yuan Shao, and if Cao Cao were to lose this battle and Yuan Shao gained control of the Central Plains, it would be detrimental to him in every way.
For both public and private reasons, he had to offer Cao Ang some guidance. "Since that's the case, then I'll offer some of my humble opinions," Gu Cheng could only nod.
Cao Ang was overjoyed and immediately pricked up his ears to listen.
"Before I speak, I'd like to ask you, young master, how many troops does Cao Cao have to fight Yuan Shao in this battle?" Gu Cheng asked first.
Cao Ang glanced at Cao Cao before saying, "My Cao family controls the four provinces of Chong, Yu, Xu, and Si. We have at least 100,000 troops capable of fighting Yuan Shao!"
"One hundred thousand?" A cold smile flashed in Gu Cheng's eyes. "Young Master, you're being dishonest. If the Cao family had an army of one hundred thousand, would you, Young Master Cao, need to consult me?"
Cao Ang, looking ashamed, could only ask in return, "Then, in Brother Gu's opinion, how many troops does my Cao family have to deal with Yuan Shao?" "At most forty thousand," Gu Cheng said, holding up four fingers with certainty. Cao Cao and his son's expressions changed slightly, and they couldn't help but exchange glances with Cao Ang again, asking curiously, "How did Brother Gu calculate that my Cao family can only muster forty thousand troops to deal with Yuan Shao?" "Although Lord Cao also controls four provinces, his population is far less than that of the four provinces in Hebei controlled by Yuan Shao." "Moreover, Yuan Shao has no worries about his rear, while Lord Cao has to guard against Liu Biao of Jingzhou and Sun Ce of Jiangdong, and must allocate a large force for defense. "In that case, Yuan Shao can muster an army of one hundred thousand to march south, while Lord Cao has absolutely no chance of having the same number of troops to fight him." "At my best, it's already quite difficult for Lord Cao to muster forty thousand troops to resist Yuan Shao's army." "Young Master, I wonder if what I said is right or wrong."
Gu Cheng sipped his tea, unhurriedly and effortlessly exposing Cao Cao's true intentions and weaknesses. The father and son exchanged glances, their eyes filled with deep astonishment.
"Brother Gu is indeed insightful. The entire wealth of my Cao family is in your grasp. To be honest, my father can only mobilize 37,000 troops for this battle." Cao Ang had no choice but to admit the truth.
Gu Cheng smiled and called Zhou Tai to bring the map and hang it in the main hall. He rose and descended the steps, pointing lightly at the map.
"Yuan Shao's army is twice the size of Cao Cao's, and there are many places to cross the Yellow River. If Cao Cao insists on blocking Yuan Shao along the Yellow River, he will have to divide his troops to guard the area, making his already inferior forces even more dispersed."
"In this way, we will not be able to hold the Yellow River defense line, and Yuan Shao will defeat us one by one with his superior forces." "Therefore, what Cao Cao should do is concentrate his forces, guard the key passes, set up strong defenses, wait for the enemy to tire themselves out, and then seize the opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to Yuan Shao."
Gu Cheng easily pointed out the strengths and weaknesses of Yuan Shao and Cao Cao. Cao Cao stroked his long beard and nodded slightly.
Cao Ang then asked, "In Brother Gu's opinion, if we don't defend the natural barrier of the Yellow River, where should we defend?" "Guandu!"
Gu Cheng pointed to an inconspicuous dot on the map. "Guandu!" Cao Cao and his son were startled, as if a nerve had been touched. Before Cao Ang could speak, Cao Cao preemptively asked, "Why Guandu?" "Guandu is located upstream of the Honggou Canal, bordering the Bian River, serving as a natural barrier to the north of Xuchang." North of Guandu, "north of Guandu is a flat plain, offering no natural defenses."
"The flat terrain shrinks to a narrow area of less than ten miles from east to west at Guandu, which is perfect for building cities and fortifications and holding strategic positions."
"Moreover, Guandu is close to Xudu, and there are large areas of farmland near Xudu, which is also conducive to our army transporting grain nearby." Gu Cheng then listed Guandu's terrain advantages as if he knew them by heart.
"Therefore, what Cao Cao needs to do is fight and retreat, leading Yuan Shao's army to the Guandu line, where the two armies will be in a stalemate. Yuan Shao's internal morale is low, so a quick battle is advantageous. Once a stalemate is reached, internal strife is inevitable." "At that time, Cao Cao can find a good opportunity to launch a surprise attack and deliver a fatal blow to Yuan Shao." "Even with a million-strong army, Yuan Shao will undoubtedly be defeated!" Gu Cheng finally pointed out Cao Cao's strategy for defending against the enemy.
Cao Cao and his son Cao Ang were now filled with excitement, their eyes brimming with anticipation. The strategy Gu Cheng spoke of was precisely the strategy they had devised to defend against the enemy.
However, Cao Cao's strategy was formulated after half a year of careful discussion with his advisors, including Xun Yu and Guo Jia. This strategy, a culmination of everyone's wisdom, was easily deciphered by Gu Cheng in just a few words!
"My son-in-law truly lives up to his reputation as a reincarnation of a strategist. All my strategists combined cannot match his wisdom alone!" Cao Cao thought to himself in amazement, his eyes filled with admiration.
"Young Master, in fact, Cao Cao has many strategists under his command. What I can think of, they can surely think of as well." "If I am not mistaken, Cao Cao should have secretly built a fortress in Guandu several months ago, and made preparations for the decisive battle at Guandu."
Gu Cheng took a sip of tea and smiled slightly. Upon hearing this...
Cao Cao and Cao Ang's expressions changed again.
As early as three months ago, Cao Cao had already mobilized his troops and built a fortified wall in the Guandu area.
However, this matter was carried out in secret, and only a handful of people in Cao Cao's camp knew about it. Unexpectedly, such a confidential matter was easily revealed by Gu Cheng. "Indeed, nothing in this world can escape the calculations of my son-in-law—" Cao Cao thought to himself, quickly giving Cao Ang a meaningful look. Cao Ang took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Gu Cheng.
"My father has indeed built a city at Guandu, preparing for a decisive battle with Yuan Shao, but he is not confident in defeating Yuan Shao." "I once again earnestly request Brother Gu to come out of seclusion and help my father achieve victory against the odds and defeat Yuan Shao's army of 100,000!" This time, Gu Cheng did not refuse on the spot.
He tapped his fingers on the table, his eyes shifting, as if weighing some kind of decision. Cao Cao, however, was prepared; if his son-in-law still refused, he would reveal his identity and personally invite him. "I can come out of seclusion," Gu Cheng suddenly said, relaxing. These few words filled Cao Cao and his son with immense joy, as if they had misheard. Cao Ang was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "Brother Gu, you really—" "Young Master, don't be hasty," Gu Cheng interrupted him, saying calmly, "Young Master can ask me to come out of seclusion, but I have a small condition."
"Whatever Brother Gu wants, I'll grant it to you." Cao Ang agreed without hesitation.
Gu Cheng was taken aback and asked, "Young Master, aren't you going to ask what my conditions are?"
"As long as I can persuade Brother Gu to come out of seclusion and help my father achieve great things, even if Brother Gu asks me to die, I, Cao Ang, will not blink an eye."
Cao Ang said with a sigh.
Hearing his son's words, Cao Cao was moved and nodded slightly. "Young Master, you flatter me. I would never dare to send you to your death," Gu Cheng said with a faint smile. "My condition is simply that I will not serve as an official, will not meet with Lord Cao, and will only accompany you on your campaign as your friend, to do my humble best."
Upon hearing the terms, Cao Cao couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself.
In the end, he still had to avoid his son-in-law, fearing that once he took up an official post, he would have no choice but to retire. If he could only be a friend and offer advice to Cao Ang, then he would be free from the burden of official position, able to come and go as he pleased without any responsibilities.
"That Liheng kid is really shrewd—" Cao Cao sighed, then winked at Cao Ang, signaling him to quickly agree. Gu Cheng's willingness to come out of seclusion to advise was already a great joy; how could he dare to ask for more?
Cao Ang understood and hurriedly said, "I agree to Brother Gu's conditions. As long as Brother Gu is willing to come out of seclusion, anything is fine." Gu Cheng nodded slightly and then said, "I expect that Lord Cao's army is already assembling and will soon set off for Guandu. Young Master, you should also hurry up and prepare. I will go to Guandu to meet you then."
Cao Ang was overjoyed and immediately rose to take his leave. "My dear son-in-law, I'll see the eldest son off." Cao Cao also rose to take his leave and departed in high spirits.
After leaving the Gu residence, the father and son exchanged a glance and burst into laughter as if relieved. "Father, although my brother-in-law has agreed to come out of seclusion, he still refuses to take office and is unwilling to meet you. It's still a bit of a pity," Cao Ang sighed.
"Your brother-in-law's willingness to lend a hand and help us win this decisive battle against Yuan Shao is already a blessing from heaven for the Cao family. How can we be too greedy!" "Besides, his willingness to come out of seclusion this time is already a great step forward. We can find another opportunity to persuade him to take up an official post in the future." Cao Cao stroked his long beard, but there was not a trace of regret on his face. "Father is right." Cao Ang nodded and smiled, "He is, after all, my brother-in-law, one of our own in the Cao family. Are we afraid he will run away?" Cao Cao laughed heartily, whipped his horse, and galloped away.
Three days later.
The emperor issued an edict rebuking Yuan Shao as a traitor to the country and ordering Cao Cao, the Minister of Works, to lead a large army north to punish the traitor.
Cao Cao then set up an altar north of Xuchang to offer sacrifices to Heaven and announced his oath to march north. Nearly 40,000 Cao troops marched north in a grand procession to meet Yuan Shao's army at the Yellow River. The army soon arrived at Guandu.
At this time, a sturdy fortified city had risen from the ground and been completed at Guandu. Cao Cao's army entered Guandu, and Cao Cao sent scouts north to spy on the movements of Yuan Shao's army. (Cao Ang's camp.)
Gu Cheng, accompanied by Lü Lingqi, Xu Chu, and a hundred Gu family guards, arrived at Guandu as agreed. Inside the main tent.
Cao Ang hosted a banquet in his honor.
"Brother Gu is indeed a man of his word, coming as promised. I toast you with this cup of wine." Cao Ang raised his cup with delight. Gu Cheng smiled, and they drank together. After setting the cup down, Gu Cheng asked, "Young Master, Yuan Shao's vanguard army should have already crossed the river at Baima and besieged Baima City, right?" This question startled Cao Ang.
He had just returned from Cao Cao's camp, and the battle report from the direction of Baima City wouldn't arrive until tomorrow at the earliest. Therefore, he had no way of knowing the current movements of Yuan's army.
"We haven't received any news yet, Brother Gu. How do you know that Yuan Shao is going to send Yan Liang's troops to besiege Baima City?" Cao Ang asked curiously.
"Haven't received any news yet?" A hint of surprise flashed in Gu Cheng's eyes, and he asked Cao Ang to bring him a map. "Yuan Shao's 100,000-strong army must have already assembled at Liyang on the north bank, preparing to cross the Yellow River to the south."
"And the two most important ferry crossings on the south bank are Baima and Yanjin." "Baima is closest to Liyang, so Yuan Shao will definitely not go the long way around and will cross the river at Baima." Gu Cheng gestured with his hand on the map.
Cao Ang nodded repeatedly, thinking that his brother-in-law's analysis was exactly the same as that of Guo Jia and Xun Yu before. "Since Yuan Shao's main army has already gathered at Liyang, why not send the entire army across the river to besiege Baima, instead of only sending Yan Liang to lead the vanguard across the river?"
Cao Ang nodded, noticing the suspicion.
"Yuan Shao is Yuan Shao after all. He has a strategist like Ju Shou under his command. His military tactics are never that simple." "Yan Liang's siege of Baima is merely bait. His aim is simply to lure Cao Cao's entire army there so that they can engage in a decisive battle at Baima!"
Gu Cheng pointed to the characters for "White Horse" with his fingertip, coldly revealing Yuan Shao's intentions. Cao Ang shivered, carefully examining the map, pondering Gu Cheng's words. After a long while, Cao Ang suddenly realized, nodding emphatically: "Brother Gu is absolutely right. What Yuan Shao fears most is our army holding strategic positions and refusing to fight. What he most wants to see is a direct confrontation between Father and him!"
Gu Cheng sat down again and took a sip of wine.
"But Brother Gu, how did you deduce that Yuan Shao would definitely order Yan Liang to lead the army to besiege Baima?" Cao Ang sat down and asked curiously.
"Yuan Shao wanted to lure Cao Cao into a trap, so he naturally had to lay out a big bait."
"Yan Liang is the fiercest general in Hebei. If we can kill him, it will severely damage the morale of Yuan's army. Besides him, who else among the generals of Hebei is more suitable to be used as bait?"
Gu Cheng countered with this question.
Cao Ang then realized what was going on and hurriedly asked, "If Yuan Shao really sets up such a plan, Father, how will you counter it?" "That's simple." Gu Cheng picked up his wine cup, stood up, and returned to the map.
"Yuan Shao wanted to use Baima City and Yan Liang as bait to lure Cao Cao to Baima for a decisive battle. Cao Cao naturally did the opposite and did not come to Baima's aid. Instead, he led his army straight to Yanjin."
Gu Cheng's fingertip traced the Yellow River westward, landing on Yanjin Ferry. "Straight to Yanjin?" Cao Ang's eyes were blank, not immediately understanding. "That's right."
"Cao Cao led his main force to Yanjin, pretending to cross the river there, and then launched a surprise attack on Yuan Shao's rear."
"Upon hearing the news, Yuan Shao will surely lead a large army westward in an attempt to intercept Cao Cao's army."
"At this time, Cao Cao sent a detachment to Baima. Taking advantage of Yan Liang's lack of reinforcements, he defeated him in one fell swoop, and the siege of Baima was naturally lifted."
Gu Cheng calmly explained his plan. Cao Ang stared at the map, his thoughts racing, and remained silent in thought. "Brother Gu's feint attack is indeed ingenious," Cao Ang nodded slightly, but then said, "However, I think there is another concern about this plan." "What is your concern, Young Master? Tell me," Gu Cheng said.
"If Father wants to lure Yuan Shao to Yan Jin, he must lead the majority of his troops. Therefore, the detachment used to attack Yan Liang must be very small."
"But Yan Liang is the fiercest general in Hebei. If this flanking force is too small, I'm afraid it might not be able to defeat him," Cao Ang said, expressing his concerns.
"I knew that the young master would have such concerns, so I prepared in advance a powerful weapon for the young master to defeat the enemy with fewer troops."
Gu Cheng smiled mysteriously and said to Xu Chu, "Zhongkang, pick up that thing and let the young master see it." Xu Chu understood and went outside the tent, bringing in an object and placing it in front of Cao Ang. "This thing looks like a crossbow, but it's not quite. Brother Gu, what is it?" Cao Ang looked the object up and down, his eyes full of curiosity and confusion.
Gu Cheng sipped his wine, speaking unhurriedly, "This item is called the Gu Family Repeating Crossbow, a powerful weapon I'm giving to the eldest young master to defeat the enemy." But before he could finish, Gu Cheng quickly added, "I misspoke. It's not a gift to the eldest young master, it should be sold to him." "The Gu Family Repeating Crossbow?" "Sold to me?" Cao Ang's eyes widened in confusion.