Chapter 1281: Prepared in advance

"Furthermore, Cao Hong can only mobilize an army of over fifty thousand to hunt us down; the other thirty thousand are merely the vanguard he dispatched. I had long guessed that Cao Hong would do this," Gu Yi said with a cold snort.

Hearing Gu Yi's words, the deputy general was astonished: "So that's how it is. So Cao Hong was prepared long ago. No wonder Cao Hong's army is so formidable, and no wonder he could break through our military formation so easily. It turns out Cao Hong had anticipated we would do this, so he prepared accordingly. It seems we are truly going to lose."

"No, impossible. Cao Hong's army will absolutely not win," Gu Yi said coldly.

"But, my lord, we have already been surrounded by Cao Hong's army. The current situation is extremely critical. If we do not retreat now, I fear we shall all be lost here," the deputy general said with concern.

"No, not this time. We absolutely cannot be defeated," Gu Yi shouted.

Gu Yi's expression grew increasingly ugly.

At this moment, Cao Hong's army was continuously charging at Gu Yi's forces, launching relentless attacks against them.

Soon, Gu Yi's army was overtaken by Cao Hong's, and Cao Hong's forces launched a fierce assault.

Seeing this, Gu Yi's expression turned even uglier, and he cursed loudly: "Damn it, this is truly despicable and shameless! To think Cao Hong would use such methods to deal with me; it is truly shameless."

"No, I absolutely cannot let such a thing happen. I cannot lose, I cannot be defeated, absolutely not," Gu Yi roared.

"Gu Yi, let's see where you can run to now!" Cao Hong shouted loudly at this moment.

Gu Yi launched a fierce counterattack, and his army, unwilling to show weakness, resisted violently.

"Kill!"

Soon, Cao Hong's army had completely surrounded Gu Yi's forces.

Gu Yi was trapped in the center.

"Cao Hong, I will not be defeated, I will not admit defeat! We will fight to the death, using every last ounce of our strength, and we will surely be victorious!" Gu Yi shouted angrily.

"Hmph, you think you can contend with me with just this many men? It is nothing but wishful thinking. Today, I will make all of you be buried with me," Cao Hong shouted back.

"Kill!"

"Kill them!"

At this moment, Cao Hong's army brandished their weapons and launched a fierce attack on Gu Yi's forces.

Soon, Gu Yi's army was beaten back step by step by Cao Hong's forces.

Gu Yi was now plunged into an extreme crisis; if he could not defeat Cao Hong's army, his own forces would be completely wiped out.

Seeing his army surrounded, Gu Yi's expression became even more grim.

"No, I must find a way, otherwise we are truly finished. I cannot just sit here and wait for death," Gu Yi shouted.

"Report..."

Just at this moment, a soldier came sprinting over and knelt on the ground.

"Report to the General, Cao Hong's army has already surrounded our forces for over five hundred li."

"What? Cao Hong's army has actually surrounded us for over five hundred li? It seems Cao Hong was fully prepared," Gu Yi said, knitting his brows.

"Report!"

"General, Cao Hong's army has already broken through two of our cities and has now occupied them."

"What? How could Cao Hong's army have such capability?" Gu Yi was shocked.

Gu Yi soon reacted and roared: "Pass the order down: the entire army is to retreat."

"Yes!"

Gu Yi immediately began to retreat.

Gu Yi's army began to retreat in succession, attempting to flee the area.

However, Cao Hong's army was unwilling to let Gu Yi's forces go and pursued them relentlessly.

Soon, Gu Yi's army retreated to the mountains not far from his main camp.

"Report, General, our forces have retreated into the mountains, and Cao Hong's army can no longer catch up." At this moment, one of Cao Hong's generals respectfully reported to him.

"Hmm, very good. This time Cao Hong truly wants to kill me; we must defend against Cao Hong's army," Cao Hong said with a smile.

At this moment, Cao Hong laughed loudly: "Hahaha, Gu Yi, don't even think about running this time. Your army has been surrounded by me; let's see what methods you have left to resist me!"

Cao Hong laughed heartily.

"Hmph, Cao Hong, do not get carried away. I do not believe your army can break through my camp," Gu Yi shouted loudly.

"Heh, I am not getting carried away. I, Cao Hong, have never forgotten the purpose of this trip. I am here to wipe out your army; what can you do to me?" Cao Hong said dismissively.

Gu Yi led his remaining army in a hurried retreat back to Chen Liu, where the city gates were shut tight, and a tense atmosphere permeated the entire city. Gu Yi looked down from the city tower at Cao Hong's pursuing troops, his heart filled with endless anger and determination.

He calmly issued orders to evacuate the city's civilians to a safe place while preparing to reinforce and defend the city. Gu Yi knew that Cao Hong would not give up so easily, and they had to conserve their strength and wait for the right moment to counterattack.

The military camp inside Chen Liu was a hive of activity, with soldiers engaged in various combat preparations. Gu Yi personally inspected every detail to ensure the city's defense system was flawless. He ordered the troops to undergo rigorous training and drills to boost morale and combat effectiveness.

Inside the city, Gu Yi also organized a series of strategic meetings to discuss the next course of action with his generals. They plotted how to gain a strategic advantage against Cao Hong's offensive. Gu Yi knew well that only with full preparation could they remain invincible when facing Cao Hong's powerful army.

Gu Yi also specifically dispatched scouts to infiltrate Cao Hong's camp to gather intelligence and understand the enemy's deployment and weaknesses. Whenever the intelligence brought back by the scouts was delivered to Gu Yi, he would study it carefully, analyze the enemy's strategic intentions, and make corresponding adjustments and plans.

During this time, Gu Yi did not forget to boost the soldiers' morale; he often climbed the city walls personally to encourage them not to fear the powerful enemy and to hold their ground. He told them that as long as they were united and held Chen Liu, they would surely be able to withstand Cao Hong's attack.

During this period, Gu Yi continuously adjusted his strategy and formulated a series of plans and tactics. He believed that as long as they could strike at the appropriate moment, they would be able to turn the tide of the war and defeat Cao Hong's army. ===== CHAPTER 1282 =====