lcionline Chapter 603 Cao Xiang's Analysis
Chapter 603 Cao Xiang's Analysis
"The Yan army didn't move, so who are the ones attacking you?!"
Cao De was so angry that he kicked the scout to the ground.
The scout said with tears in his eyes,
“I don’t know, Your Majesty. The commander-in-chief said that the Yan army appeared suddenly, as if it had fallen from the sky.
Your Majesty, there are still tens of thousands of people surrounded and fighting bravely. Please send troops to rescue them. If it’s too late, they will be completely wiped out.”
Cao De took a few deep breaths and said,
"Come here, quickly summon the Three Dukes and Cao Xiang to the audience, and have them come immediately!"
"As ordered!"
Cao De certainly couldn't make a decision on such a big thing on a whim. The 300,000 troops in Luoyang City were the last remaining force. If they were to move rashly, they would be doomed.
The Great Wei can no longer withstand the slightest rain, snow, wind or frost.
The scout sat aside and reported the news, and the guards gave him some water and food.
Cao De entered the imperial study.
A moment later, a beautiful woman came out hurriedly, wrapped her clothes tightly, and walked quickly towards the harem.
That woman is so pretty, with rosy complexion, watery eyes and a little messy hair.
She is worthy of being the emperor's concubine. She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life.
For some reason, the scout suddenly felt like looking forward to the Yan army's attack.
If the Yan army invaded, the emperor would be killed and these beautiful women would be raped by the Yan army, who, like him, were ordinary civilians.
The scout felt a little excited when he thought about such a noble woman being humiliated by peasants like them.
Suddenly, a guard beside him kicked him lightly and gave him a warning look, telling him not to look around.
Anyone who knows too much about what goes on in the palace will be killed, not to mention that you, an outsider, dare to look at it this way.
If the scout hadn't looked so pitiful as he rushed out of the battlefield, the guards wouldn't have been so kind as to remind him.
After a full quarter of an hour, the three ministers, Cao Xiang and the other three hurriedly arrived at the door of the imperial study in a carriage or on horseback.
The four of them walked over quickly, glanced at the scout at the door, and then asked to see him in unison.
The scout sighed. It’s already this fucking time, and there are still so many rules. Go and save people quickly.
"Everyone come in, and let the scout outside come in too!"
The guard extended his hand and made a gesture of invitation.
The four of them walked in immediately, and the scout followed carefully and knelt on the ground.
He looked carefully at the imperial study, which was magnificent and luxurious.
Cao De sat on the dragon throne and said in a cold voice,
"Just now, this scout came over with an urgent battle report, saying that the camp in the north has been breached by the Yan army. The Yan army is slaughtering our troops wantonly. Our army is surrounded by the enemy. My dear ministers, please tell me whether we should send troops to rescue them.
Gao Xiang, how many troops can Luoyang City mobilize to provide rescue?
Cao Xiang is the son of a prince and is a cousin of Cao De. They have had a good relationship since childhood. Later, Cao Xiang joined the army and made great contributions in rescuing the emperor, which earned him the trust of Cao De. Now he is the commander-in-chief of the entire Luoyang City, commanding an army of 300,000.
Cao Xiang was a man of great stature and a resolute face. He thought for a moment and said,
"That shouldn't be the case. I've been to the Northern Army camp and inspected the northern defense line. It's impregnable, with more than 200 warships in the river.
According to the intelligence this morning, the Yan army hasn't started crossing the river yet. Even if they start building the bridge at noon and it's unobstructed, it will still take two or three days, right? Furthermore, there are warships and defense lines blocking the way. How did the enemy come here to surround our army?
Cao De glanced at the scout and said,
"Tell me, tell San Gong and everyone what's going on."
The scout said anxiously,
"My Lords and Generals, the Yan army really came from nowhere. They suddenly appeared to our west, as if they had fallen from the sky.
Then they launched a surprise attack on us. Now our army has been badly defeated, but there are still 60,000 to 80,000 people surrounded. Your Majesty, please send troops to rescue us as soon as possible."
After hearing this, Cao Xiang frowned and said,
"You mean, the Yan army is coming from the west?"
"Yes."
Cao Xiang nodded and said to Cao De,
"Your Majesty, the Yan army is likely to have its main force on the north bank to confuse our army, and then send hundreds of thousands of troops to cross the river from the west to attack us.
We have scouts all the way to the north of Mang Mountain to the west, which means the Yan army must have come from further west.
The most suitable place is undoubtedly the junction of Weishui and Luoshui and its downstream. After they sneak over, they hide in Beimang Mountain or on the west side.
But I am more inclined to believe that it is in Beimang Mountain. If it is on the west side, more than 100,000 people are enough for the people on the mountain to discover it.
Now the people on the mountain haven't reported anything, so it's very likely that they've been completely wiped out."
"What did you say? Beimang Mountain? Isn't that where our ancestors' imperial mausoleum is located?"
Cao De said in shock.
Cao Xiang's face also turned pale. He and Cao De were brothers, and Cao De's ancestors were also his ancestors.
Cao De's face turned pale and he said,
"If that's the case, then wouldn't our imperial mausoleum have also been attacked? However... the Yan army arrived in such a hurry, they probably didn't have time to attack the imperial mausoleum, right?"
Cao Xiang glanced at him without saying anything, unable to bear to attack Cao De.
The Yan army has always had the habit of digging up imperial tombs. The tombs of Kun and Qi have been dug up. If nothing unexpected happens, the imperial tombs of their Wei may also have been dug up.
But now is not the time to discuss this. We should discuss how to fight the enemy.
The general sighed,
"Your Majesty, let's talk about providing support. It's been so long, and I'm afraid these armies have been completely wiped out. Do you think it's still necessary to provide support?"
After thinking for a while, Cao De asked,
"Cao Xiang, what do you think?"
Cao Xiang immediately clasped his hands and said,
"Your Majesty, I believe that he must be rescued.
I have been in the army for many years and have experienced many battles, big and small. If we talk about encirclement and annihilation battles, it would take at least one or two days for the besieged side to kill tens of thousands of people if they put up a desperate resistance.
There is no such thing as a quick war of annihilation. It is easy to defeat the enemy, but it is difficult to annihilate all the enemies.
Because when being surrounded, the defenders will often burst out with determination and fight to the death, while the attackers, because they need to surround the enemy and their combat forces are dispersed, often cannot exert much combat effectiveness.
They were able to hold out for a day or two before being annihilated, but that was only because the people inside were too hungry and had no strength, while the besieging party had food supplies.
Furthermore, the northern defense line cannot be lost. We must defeat this Yan army, recapture the defense line, and continue to rely on Luoshui to resist the Yan army.
Otherwise, once the main force of the Yan army crosses the river, with the Yan army's artillery and combat effectiveness, Luoyang City will be difficult to defend."