"Mengde, the Huainan army suddenly dispersed, is there any conspiracy?" Xiahou Dun looked curious.

Cao Cao shook his head and replied: "We have been vulnerable in several battles. It shows that Yuan Shu's soldiers lack training. Using such a ragtag group is doomed to failure. Even playing tricks will not help."

Xiahou Dun asked again: "To pursue or not to pursue?"

"It's still the same old rule. I will lead the main force to continue eastward and block Zhang Xun and Qiao Rui's escape route to the south. The other troops will try their best to drive them away. After running for a few days, the food on the other side will be exhausted, and it will be time to wipe out the enemy."

"I'll make arrangements right away."

Cao Cao drove the Huainan army like a shepherd. He wanted to achieve the most perfect victory at the lowest cost.

Thinking about it makes me feel relaxed. Although it is a little different from the original plan, the whole situation is within Cao Cao's control.

Military advisor Guo Jia accompanied the army, and he participated in the formulation of the battle plan throughout the process.

After listening to the conversation between Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun, Guo Jia approached and reminded:

"My Lord, there is nothing to be afraid of when Zhang Xun divides his troops, but we must prevent them from going east. If these tens of thousands of people make a desperate move and go north, they will reach the hinterland of the Central Plains beyond Runan, and then all life will be in ruins..."

According to the pre-war plan, Cao Jun wanted to drive the Huainan Army to the northeast of Runan and annihilate it.

The villages in this area are scattered and sparsely populated. It is a strategic buffer zone for the Yuan and Cao families, and it is also the burial place chosen for Zhang Xun.

"What Fengxiao said is true."

Cao Cao was convinced, and immediately called the guard Han Hao and ordered: "Quickly pass my order to Zixiao (Cao Ren), and ask him to lead his cavalry, immediately go around to the north of Zhang Xun, and do your best to prevent the rebel army from escaping northward from you.

South, and let all the cavalry units assemble into an army, ready to support Zixiao at any time."

"Wei." Han Hao took the order and left.

After Cao Cao made a simple deployment, he continued to lead his troops eastward.

On the way, he curiously asked Guo Jia: "Fengxiao, you are familiar with the art of war, do you know what kind of tactics Zhang Xun used? It's enough to fight with the five fingers clenched into a fist, but if they are separated, there is no chance. I don't know what Zhang Xun thinks."

..”

Guo Jia replied: "Zhang Xun's five fingers are powerless even if they are made into a fist. He is now divided into dozens of groups. If he really has any fantastic ideas, he will definitely convey them to every general. My lord, why not cut off one of his fingers? Naturally,

Know the other side’s plans.”

"I actually forgot about capturing prisoners and questioning them. Fengxiao is really a wise and knowledgeable person..."

"My lord is ridiculous, that Zhang Xun is not a general. He fell into my lord's trap this time. I found out it was too late at this time. I guess he was ill and sought medical treatment, so everyone dispersed and fled for their lives."

"It's not impossible, but this guy is so messy, but he can find a way out, and he can't let me wipe out all the thieves. It's a pity..."

"Even if such a mob is lucky enough to escape to Huainan, it will be a waste of Yuan Shu's food."

"Haha, Fengxiao is really considerate..."

Smoke and dust billowed out in the northeastern part of Runan, and all the officers and men of Cao's army looked happy.

Cao's army beheaded thousands of people every day, and almost everyone could get military merit. Naturally, they would be rewarded when they returned to Xudu, so they didn't feel tired even if they kept running.

Every night when Cao Cao set up camp, he would receive a summary of the battle reports from each battalion. He was originally satisfied with the progress of the siege, until a few days later, when he crossed the river east to camp (now Guohe, Anhui), Xia Houyuan's troops captured a general.

After being tortured and interrogated all night long, they learned of Zhang Xun's plan to disperse and escape and rendezvous in Qixian County.

Cao Cao and Guo Jia looked at each other and laughed at themselves: "I thought Zhang Xun was just a common man, but I didn't expect that this guy actually had a plan. But he underestimated me, Cao Cao. Although Qixian County is controlled by Yuan Shu, can't he take it down by the way?"

"Mengde, attacking a city is not as good as fighting in the field. Although Zhang Xun's troops have been damaged, there are still many who survived. We didn't bring siege equipment, right..." Xiahou Dun tactfully dissuaded.

"It's just a small town in Qixian County. How difficult is it to capture it? The more people Zhang Xun flees, the more food in the city..."

Cao Cao suddenly burst out laughing in the middle of his words: "Hahaha..."

"Mengde?" Xiahou Dun looked confused.

Cao Cao nodded lightly and said happily: "That's fine, Qixian is a good burial ground. Zhang Xun and Qiao Rui are good at choosing places..."

Xiahou Dun looked around in confusion. Suddenly Cao Cao ordered Han Hao:

"I am ordering all armies to pursue but not kill the Huainan rebels starting tomorrow, and let them escape to Qixian smoothly. I want to catch the turtle in the jar."

"Wei." Han Hao stood up and clasped his fists.

Cao Cao then looked at Xia Houyuan: "Miaocai, this battle will be extended. You personally take people to Qiao County, Ku County and other places to allocate grain and grass. Whether by water or land, they must be sent to Qi County as soon as possible."

"General, I will obey." Xia Houyuan accepted the order and left.

Xiahou Dun suddenly understood, looked at Cao Cao and murmured: "Mengde, if you don't attack the city, do you plan to besiege it but not attack it, and let it chaos?"

"Yuan Rang understands? You can see how stupid Zhang Xun and Qiao Rui must be. They thought they couldn't catch them all, but they ended up falling into a trap, haha..."

Cao Cao's heartfelt laughter made others laugh along with him, except Xiahou Dun who was a little embarrassed.

Meng De was praising me just now? Why does it feel weird?

In early September, more than 30,000 survivors from Zhang Xun, Qiao Rui and other tribes arrived in Qixian. Although there were some losses in each battalion and various troops, all 160 people from Long Xiangqu's tribe survived.

When entering the city to rest, Qiao Rui couldn't help but sigh to Li Tun:

"Everyone looked down on Long Yunqi before, but now they all envy his music department. His marching speed is really fast..."

"I heard that they are training to run in the winter. It is normal for the others to not be able to run."

Li Tun was noncommittal, and then asked: "We have arrived in Qixian County, should it be safe?"

Qiao Rui nodded and affirmed: "Well, we have been marching for more than ten days in a row. We are tired and Cao Cao's army is tired. Now with the Qixian city as a barrier, it would be naive for Cao Cao to attack by force. General Zhang and I decided to rest for a few days and wait for Cao Cao to withdraw his troops and return to Xu.

After the capital, we will slowly retreat to Shouchun."

"I don't know if His Majesty will punish him..." Li Tun hesitated.

"Who knows?"

Qiao Rui first shook his head and smiled bitterly, and then added: "Let it be up to fate. You have worked hard these days, so go down and rest first..."

"Okay, I'm going to take a nap and then come back on duty in the middle of the night."

Li Tun clasped his fists and turned around.

Qiao Rui then took off his clothes and found a comfortable position and just lay down when he heard rapid footsteps coming from outside the door.

Qiao Rui shook his head, sat up with his palms on the bed, and saw Li Tun and Long Xiang coming in front of him.

"Is something wrong with Yunqi?" Qiaorui half-squinted his eyes.

Long Xiang cupped his fists and said: "Cao's army's offensive has weakened in the past two days, and there should be a bigger plot. The general believes that Qixian is not a place to stay for a long time, so he should continue on his way after taking a short rest."

Qiao Rui waved his hand in confusion: "Yun Qi's plan to divide the troops has been completed. When I return to Shouchun, I will naturally ask for credit for you. However, all the soldiers in the army are tired. If they don't take a complete rest, I'm afraid they won't have the energy to continue. The same goes for Cao Bing."

People can also get tired..."

"Cao Cao must have prepared a backup plan if he did not attack the siege. If we relax, we will fall into the trap..."

Long Xiang's face was full of sorrow. He thought that if he didn't flee to the south of the Huai River, Cao Cao might not be able to stop.

"Have you got a plan? Tell us in detail."
Chapter completed!