Chapter 1584

As soon as Gu Yi's voice fell, a whisper sounded in the tent, and the generals expressed their own opinions, the atmosphere tense and enthusiastic.

Deputy General Zhang Liao stood up, his voice firm: "I think we should take the initiative to attack. Although Cao Cao has many troops and generals, he is not invincible. If we defend blindly, it will only make morale decline day by day and give Cao Cao a breathing space, allowing him the opportunity to gather more troops. Taking the initiative to attack can not only disrupt Cao Cao's deployment but also boost our army's morale, letting the soldiers see the hope of victory."

Another advisor, Xu Shu, shook his head gently, expressing opposition: "General Zhang is incomparably brave, but taking the initiative to attack carries huge risks. Cao Cao is good at using military strategy, and his advisor group is deep in wisdom; if we act rashly, I fear we will fall into his trap. In my opinion, it is better to strengthen defense while dispatching spies to infiltrate the Cao camp, probe the truth, find flaws, and then make a decision."

Hearing this, Gu Yi's gaze swept across everyone's faces, and he already had a plan in his heart. He said slowly: "Xu Shu's plan is steady, and Zhang Liao's bravery is commendable. However, in the current situation, seeking victory in stability is certainly important, but the courage to break the situation is also needed. I intend that we can adopt a two-pronged strategy. On one hand, strengthen city defense, train soldiers, and increase vigilance to prevent Cao Cao's surprise attack; on the other hand, dispatch elite small teams to infiltrate the Cao camp, disrupt their rear, and at the same time look for opportunities to carry out decapitation operations against Cao Cao's key figures to dampen their spirit."

Once these words were spoken, everyone in the tent was shocked, and then they nodded in agreement one after another. Gu Yi's strategy considered the current actual situation and also took into account the long-term strategic layout, which could be called a strategy of killing two birds with one stone.

"As for the candidates for the spies," Gu Yi changed the subject, his gaze falling on a thin, cold-faced man sitting in the corner, "it will be you, Zhao Yun, leading an elite small team to execute this mission. You are highly skilled in martial arts, wise and brave; this matter is yours alone."

Zhao Yun stood up, cupped his hands in salute, his voice cold and firm: "The subordinate accepts the order and will definitely not fail the trust."

After the meeting ended, Gu Yi remained in the tent alone, staring at the map on the table with mixed feelings. He knew that this battle not only related to the belonging of Jingzhou but even more so to the life and death of countless people. He had to act cautiously and could not have the slightest mistake.

On the other side, Cao Cao had already summoned the generals and laid out Guo Jia's plan. After listening, the generals discussed one after another; some agreed, and some had doubts. But Cao Cao's mind was made up, and he decided to act according to Guo Jia's plan, gathering elite troops to prepare for the encirclement and killing of the people around Gu Yi.

A few days later, the night was like ink, and Zhao Yun led an elite small team, taking advantage of the cover of night, and quietly infiltrated the Cao camp. They acted quickly, silently, shuttling through the Cao camp like ghosts, looking for their targets.

At the same time, Cao Cao also dispatched multiple patrol teams to strengthen the camp's vigilance. However, Zhao Yun and others were agile and avoided the patrol teams' searches multiple times, gradually approaching Cao Cao's personal guard camp.

Just as Zhao Yun was preparing to take action, suddenly, fire blazed to the sky all around the camp, and the sound of shouting and killing shook the sky. It turned out that Cao Cao had long expected that Gu Yi might send people to infiltrate and had set up an ambush in advance. A sudden battle broke out, and Zhao Yun and others fell into a bitter struggle.

On the other side, Gu Yi learned that Zhao Yun and others were in danger and immediately dispatched reinforcements, attempting to rescue them. However, the Cao camp was heavily guarded, and it was difficult for the reinforcements to break through for a while. Gu Yi was anxious but could only watch helplessly as Zhao Yun and others fought in the enemy camp.

The battle lasted for several hours; finally, Zhao Yun and others, relying on their superior martial arts and wisdom, successfully broke out of the encirclement, but the casualties were heavy. And although Cao Cao's encirclement and killing plan did not fully succeed, it also caused no small blow to Gu Yi's forces.

After this battle, both sides fell into an even more tense confrontation. Cao Cao and Gu Yi both understood that the real decisive battle was about to arrive, and the outcome of this decisive battle would determine the future of Jingzhou.

In the following days, both sides were preparing intensively. Cao Cao strengthened the army's training while dispatching envoys to various places to seek support from allies; while Gu Yi strengthened city defense while actively looking for strategies to defeat the enemy.

Finally, on a beautiful day, the great armies of both sides unfolded a fierce clash outside Jingzhou City. The battle was exceptionally tragic, and the generals and soldiers of both sides fought with all their might. However, because Cao Cao occupied the advantage in troop strength and utilized tactics appropriately, Gu Yi's army gradually fell into a disadvantage.

Just at this critical moment, Gu Yi suddenly thought of a bold strategy. He ordered a portion of the army to pretend to retreat, luring Cao Cao's army to pursue, and then utilized the terrain advantage to set up an ambush and counterattack.

Seeing Gu Yi's army retreat, Cao Cao thought victory was in his grasp and ordered the great army to pursue. However, when they entered the ambush circle, Gu Yi's army suddenly rushed out, catching Cao Cao off guard. For a time, the Cao army was in chaos, with countless deaths and injuries.

Seeing the situation was not good, Cao Cao hurriedly ordered a retreat. However, Gu Yi's army pursued relentlessly, with the momentum of splitting bamboo. Finally, under Gu Yi's ingenious layout and the heroic struggle of the generals and soldiers, Cao Cao's great army was forced into a dangerous valley. This valley was narrow, with cliffs on both sides like cut, easy to defend but difficult to attack, which was precisely the decisive battle site carefully selected by Gu Yi.

"My lord, this place is not suitable for staying long; we need to retreat quickly!" Guo Jia reminded Cao Cao urgently; he knew deeply that if they were completely blocked at the exit by Gu Yi's army, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Cao Cao stared at the dense enemy troops in front, a trace of resolution flashing in his eyes: "Retreat? When have I, Cao Cao, ever retreated? Today, let Gu Yi witness the true strength of my Cao army!"

After finishing, Cao Cao waved his sword and shouted: "The entire army, listen to my command! Follow me to charge; the moment to break the enemy is now!"

Inspired by Cao Cao, the Cao army generals and soldiers had their morale greatly boosted, shouting and responding one after another, charging toward Gu Yi's army like a tide. The two armies unfolded a life-and-death struggle in the valley, with blades and shadows, flesh and blood flying, and the battle situation was unprecedentedly intense.

Gu Yi stood on a high place, watching this melee coldly, but calculating deeper strategies in his heart. He knew deeply that relying only on head-on collision, it was difficult to completely defeat Cao Cao; he must utilize terrain and strategy to deal Cao Cao a fatal blow.

Thus, Gu Yi quietly dispatched an elite small team, carrying fire oil, gunpowder, and other items, quietly circling to the rear of the Cao army, preparing to implement a fire attack. This small team acted quickly, silently approaching the rear camp of the Cao army, igniting the fire oil, and suddenly fire blazed to the sky, with thick smoke rolling.