Chapter 373

"This subordinate lost Pengcheng; please, my lord, forgive my crime."

Cao Cao waved his hand.

"No matter. Pengcheng couldn't be defended; I should even commend you for your decisiveness."

He looked around.

"Everyone, Liu Bei has now taken Xu Province and most of Yan Province and is heading to Dingtao. Tell me, what should we do?"

Everyone looked at each other.

Cheng Yu cupped his fists.

"My lord, Liu Bei occupies Jiyin Commandery and connects it with Chenliu. The southern commanderies like Runan are in danger."

Everyone sighed. It was truly a defeat like a collapsing mountain. Liu Bei was swallowing the entire Central Plains with the momentum of thunder, but they had just been defeated and couldn't do anything.

Military Sima Yi bowed.

"My lord, our army has just been defeated and it is difficult to compete with Liu Bei in the Central Plains. I suggest abandoning the heart of the Central Plains and shrinking the defensive line."

Cao Cao's face was very ugly.

"Are you asking me to abandon the entire Central Plains?!"

"My lord, our army can send troops to guard Puyang City and keep Dong Commandery to compete with Liu Bei. My lord can reorganize in Hebei and strive to occupy the Central Plains again."

Zhong Yao and Cheng Yu had the same intention. It wasn't that they didn't want to defend, but in the current situation, it couldn't be defended.

Cao Cao frowned.

"Who can guard Puyang City south of the Yellow River?"

Cao Pi stepped out.

"Father, I am willing to guard Puyang for you and will never retreat!"

Cao Cao looked at Cao Pi, then looked at Military Sima Yi.

"My son has grown up and has his own opinions. Good, I will leave you and Military Sima Yi and the others to guard Puyang City."

Cao Cao looked at the map.

"Let Xia Xia Houyuan lead troops to retreat to Pingyuan State and defend strictly."

Although the area of South Qing Province was large, Pingyuan State had a population of over a million, which was more important.

Cao Cao looked at Xuxian again.

"Xuxian is a trouble, with Zhuge Zhang Liang in the south and Guan Yu and Lu Xun in the north."

"Think of a way for me."

At this time, even if he didn't want to abandon it, he had no choice!

Military Sima Yi cupped his fists.

"My lord, you can let Xia Xia Hou Dun, Cao Xiu, and others split into several routes and lead elite troops to retreat."

Cao Cao sighed.

"Very well, let's save as many as we can."

Xuxian had become an isolated city. Even if it could hold for half a year, it would eventually be broken, so it was better to let the great generals retreat.

Cao Cao suddenly remembered.

"My Chong'er and Jie'er are still in Xuxian!"

Cao Pi sighed secretly. His father really valued Cao Chong a lot. He felt he had no chance in Ye City, so he listened to Military Sima Yi's suggestion and asked to guard Puyang, controlling tens of thousands of troops in his hands.

Military Sima Yi cupped his fists.

"My lord, do not worry. With Xia Xia Hou Dun and Cao Xiu there, they will surely bring the young master and young lady back to Ye City safely."

Cao Cao's worry was useless; he could only do this.

He felt emotional. Fortunately, he listened to Xun Yu's suggestion and moved the families of the civil and military officials of Xuxian to Ye City.

Although he lost the Central Plains, he had brought most of the talents of the Central Plains to Hebei, which was the fortunate thing in the midst of misfortune.

Xun Yu sent word that after this great defeat, Hebei was unstable.

Cao Cao left 30,000 troops for Cao Pi, totaling 60,000, and also left great generals like Wen Chou to him, telling him to guard the bridgehead of Puyang well, while he himself led men back to Ye City.

In Xuxian,

It was in chaos.

Xia Xia Hou Dun frowned.

697

"Young Lady, don't be stubborn, let's go with us."

Cao Jie shook her head firmly.

"Chong is seriously ill and cannot withstand the bumps, and we might be pursued by the army."

Cao Xiu also advised,

"Young Lady, if you stay, you will be captured by Liu Bei as hostages."

Both were in a dilemma. If Cao Chong were to have any trouble on the way to escape, it would be hard to explain.

Cao Cao loved this prodigy Cao Chong very much.

But staying here would inevitably make them Liu Bei's prisoners.

Cao Jie said in a clear voice,

"My medical skills are not bad; I know Chong's condition clearly. Liu Bei is benevolent and righteous; he will definitely not make things difficult for us two siblings."

Seeing that although Cao Jie was young, she was very opinionated and what she said made sense, they could only do this.

Man Chong also said,

"Liu Bei has always promoted benevolence and righteousness, and his medical skills are brilliant. Perhaps he can even help Young Master Chong cure his serious illness."

Cao Jie's beautiful eyes flowed, and her dark pupils turned.

This could really work!

The famous physicians in Xuxian had no way; perhaps Liu Bei had a way.

If Liu Bei knew that this daughter of Cao Cao was not only not afraid of him but also wanted to sponge off his medical skills and had designs on him, he wouldn't know what to think...

That night,

Xia Xia Hou Dun, Man Chong, and Cao Xiu fled from Xuxian in three routes.

Zhuge Zhang Liang naturally sent troops to pursue, and also set up ambushes in the north in advance.

Xia Xia Hou Dun was crushed, and only 2,000 of his 10,000 troops escaped, suffering another great loss under Zhuge Zhang Liang.

Cao Xiu was beaten by Lu Xun in Chenliu, also losing soldiers and generals.

Only Man Chong turned to Zhang Liang State and then headed north, returning to Dong Commandery safely with 8,000 elite troops, performing brilliantly.