Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

"Please, Shi Yuan, elaborate," Wei Yan said, his heart tightening as he earnestly sought guidance.

Pang Tong rose and walked with Wei Yan to the topographical map hanging in the tent, raising his hand to trace a route from Pixiang, where they were currently stationed, to Linzi.

No matter how the route was drawn, it was necessary to head north and capture Zhuxu City before seeking an opportunity to advance westward, penetrate into the territory of Qi, and seize Linzi City.

From Zhuxu to Linzi City, there were still several routes to choose from.

Zhuxu City, however, was the only way to go on the eastern route and was also one of the cities that Cao Ren had repeatedly repaired.

"Wen Chang must know that General Jianwu has already led a large army into the Beihai Commandery, which will inevitably force Cao Ren to gather the garrison troops from all over Qingzhou in the Beihai Commandery."

"Cao Ren excels at defense and is naturally cautious. Even if we hide in Pixiang and remain inactive for the time being, the strength of Zhuxu's forces will probably not decrease at all. Cao Ren might even increase his troops around Zhuxu."

"To entrust whether the eastern line is easy to advance to Cao Ren's carelessness or the pressure exerted by General Jianwu is a poor strategy."

After carefully analyzing the situation, Pang Tong continued.

"Therefore, we should do the opposite."

"Our army should create the illusion of a large army of fifty to sixty thousand advancing on Zhuxu, but after arriving at Zhuxu and setting up camp, only three to five thousand soldiers should appear each time, and the siege should only be a feint."

"In this way, Cao Ren will surely think that our army is a feint on the flank, in order to attract Cao Ren to send more reinforcements to Zhuxu, so as to reduce the troops dispatched to Anqiu and Chang'an."

"Patiently waiting for five to ten days will be enough for Cao Ren, who is underestimating us in the Zhuxu direction, to complete the deployment of troops. Our army will then recuperate and seize the opportunity to take Zhuxu with lightning speed, break through the gateway, and take advantage of Cao Ren's inability to return to aid in time, advancing straight into the Qi kingdom."

"What does Wen Chang think?"

Wei Yan's face was filled with elation, and he clapped his hands in praise.

"Wonderful! Wonderful! As expected of one of the Three Worthies under the Prime Minister, crowned with the title of 'Phoenix Chick' by the Prime Minister, this plan is truly brilliant."

Under the Northern Expedition offensive, the troops that Cao Ren could mobilize were already stretched thin.

For some uncertain defense lines, Cao Ren might even send reinforcements based on caution.

But once Cao Ren judges that the troops outside Zhuxu City are a feint, then, under the pressure faced by the remaining defense lines, he will definitely not make a redundant move.

"Shi Yuan's brilliant plan will surely work!"

Immediately, Wei Yan made a decision without any hesitation. The troops, who were already prepared for marching, immediately set off towards the north.

Moreover, according to Pang Tong's plan, Wei Yan also ordered the army to set up more flags. In addition to making a big show, he also secretly began to make more straw men, preparing to confuse Cao Jun's scouts after arriving at Zhuxu and setting up camp.

Just as the four armies under Li Ji launched a full-scale attack, intending to swallow Qingzhou, and the North-South War kicked off.

Cao Ren's urgent message, traveling eight hundred li, was also delivered to Ye City day and night.

This caused Cao Cao, who had just taken a beautiful woman from the Zhen family, a wealthy merchant from Hebei, as a concubine, and was preparing to have a good chat with her about how cavalry could penetrate enemy formations, to rush out in disheveled clothes after hearing the news.

"Why would an urgent message of eight hundred li be sent from Qingzhou?!"

Cao Cao's almost devouring gaze issued a question.

After Cao Cao read the secret report sent by Cao Ren, his face changed drastically.

If Cao Ren still had some doubts about the Northern Expedition, then Cao Cao almost immediately reacted.

"Liu Da'er, Cao… Cao… Cao has fallen for your trick!"

"What Liu and Li breaking up, what the Shouchun Rebellion, are all fake, all fake…"

The proclamation released by Liu Bei is the real one!

The Northern Expedition army led by Li Zikun has already invaded the border, and the first target is likely to be Qingzhou.

At this moment, various thoughts kept湧上心头, but were quickly suppressed by Cao Cao, realizing that the top priority was no longer the time to haggle over other matters.

If Li Ji came with the strength of the entire country, the Qingzhou garrison alone would not be able to resist for long, and reinforcements should be sent quickly to the south to support Qingzhou.

It's just that…

This Northern Expedition army came so suddenly that Cao Cao didn't have time to mobilize troops in advance, and even if he immediately reorganized the army, it would still take a certain amount of time.

Cao Cao said urgently. "Order all the ministers and generals to come to discuss matters immediately."

The close attendant who was originally guarding outside the door heard this and considerately suggested.

"Your Majesty, it is already late at night, and Your Majesty is already preparing to go to bed. Why not summon the ministers tomorrow morning…"

Before the close attendant could finish speaking, Cao Cao suddenly pulled out the precious sword from his waist and waved it towards the close attendant's neck, shouting.

"Disturbing my decision, you deserve to die."

A bright and shining cut appeared on the close attendant's neck, and blood gushed out wildly. The face that had lost its vitality still had a look of shock.

The remaining close attendants on the left and right were greatly horrified when they saw this, and quickly knelt down to beg for forgiveness.

Cao Cao said coldly.

"What are you still waiting for?"

Immediately, a group of close attendants rushed to convey Cao Cao's orders, fearing that being one step slower would also cost them their lives.

Almost that night, military orders were constantly issued with Ye City as the center, and Cao generals in Ye City were also rushing to various places day and night.

At the same time, there were also three independent messengers carrying the same secret letter to Luoyang, asking Lu Bu to send troops.

In fact, before Cao Cao's messengers arrived in Luoyang, Lu Bu had already seen the 《Proclamation for the Northern Expedition to Punish the Traitors》 sent by Chen Gong and began to respond.

At present, Cao Cao and Lu Bu cannot be considered enemies, and Chen Gong even has unresolved personal grievances with Cao Cao.

However, the Wei and Zhao kingdoms are undoubtedly in a relationship of interdependence. Once one of them is destroyed, the other will definitely not be able to survive for long.

Therefore, under Chen Qun's strong persuasion, Lu Bu also ordered the various places under his rule to prepare for war. Lu Bu also set off to Chenliu to observe the situation, preparing to personally lead a large army to attack Yuzhou.

For a time, with the spread of a 《Proclamation for the Northern Expedition to Punish the Traitors》, soldiers and weapons arose everywhere.

While Cao Cao and Lu Bu were each beginning to respond, Xu Sheng was discussing with Tian Feng about blocking Cao Jun's reinforcements.

Anqiu and Chang'an must be captured to open the door to Beihai Commandery, and Anqiu and Chang'an must be captured as soon as possible to put enough pressure on Cao Ren.

After experiencing a full two days of fierce attacks regardless of casualties, Anqiu and Chang'an were already on the verge of collapse. With one more day, Xu Sheng was confident that he could capture them no matter what.

Therefore, after receiving Li Ji's reminder about the cavalry, Xu Sheng discussed countermeasures with Tian Feng.

"If it is just ordinary cavalry, it is still easy to block for a while, but if it is the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, which is quite famous in Cao Wei, even if there are only three thousand of them, I am afraid that they are enough to rival nearly ten thousand ordinary cavalry."

Xu Sheng said with a worried look.

"But if we ignore this Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, even if they don't enter the city, they are enough to greatly boost the morale of the Anqiu and Chang'an garrison, and with such a brave cavalry eyeing us from the side, we will not dare to attack the city with all our strength."

Tian Feng, who was middle-aged but showed signs of aging, thought for a moment, then cupped his hands and said.

"I have a plan to offer to the general, please accept it."

(End of this chapter)