Chapter 401

If Cao Cao were very rational.

The best choice at this moment would be to take the remaining army and leave Yanzhou immediately.

Instead of exhausting his troops and bearing the risk of being caught in a pincer attack by Gu Yi, Lu Bu, and Zhao Yun, only to continue returning to attack Chen Liu.

……

Xuzhou

Xiaopei City

With the retreat of the Cao army, the strategic town of Xiaopei was recaptured.

But at this moment, the flags hanging on the walls of Xiaopei City were the great banners of 'Zhao' and 'Lu'.

When Gu Yi attacked Yuzhou and fought against Xia Houyuan.

He had ordered Lu Bu and Zhao Yun to lead a portion of the cavalry to break through Yuzhou first and rush to Xuzhou to support Tao Shang.

But because the military campaign went too smoothly.

Gu Yi not only defeated Xia Houyuan but even planned to continue north to attack Chen Liu in Yanzhou.

This resulted in Lu Bu and Zhao Yun not having had the chance to reach Peng Cheng to engage the Cao army.

Cao Cao had already led his army to withdraw from Xuzhou.

Afterward.

Zhao Yun and Lu Bu officially joined forces with the Xuzhou army led by Cao Bao, Chen Deng, and Mi Zhu.

Although Peng Cheng was still left to Chen Deng and the other two to garrison.

As for the gateway to Peng Cheng, the strategic military town of Xiaopei, Zhao Yun and Lu Bu took over its command without hesitation.

At this time.

The two were discussing the next operational plan.

"Zilong, why don't you and I just pursue that scoundrel Cao Mengde directly, and perform a pincer attack with Linzhi, how about that?"

Lu Bu pointed at the map on the table and said to Zhao Yun with high spirits.

Ever since the military reform, Lu Bu was no longer the leader of the Bingzhou faction of Dong Zhuo's army.

His status had transformed into General Who Conquers the North and commander of the ten thousand Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry!

But Lu Bu was actually enjoying this transformation.

He was never the type of person cut out to be a lord.

As a military general, fighting on the battlefield and living a life of gratification—this was what Lu Bu had dreamed of.

Moreover.

Gu Yi had fulfilled his promise to Lu Bu.

Whether it was Zhang Liao and Gao Shun of the Bingzhou faction, or Cao Xing and Hao Meng and the others.

After the military reform, their status and the degree to which they were valued had greatly improved compared to before.

The ordinary soldiers of the Bingzhou faction also received fair treatment.

They no longer faced discrimination from the Xiliang loyalists because of their Bingzhou origins.

As the saying goes.

When a person encounters happy events, their spirit is refreshed.

Although Lu Bu had long passed the age of thirty.

He was happy every single day.

He did not worry about all sorts of trivial matters.

Instead, he lived younger and healthier as time went on.

Even his martial arts had achieved a certain degree of refinement.

And Zhao Yun, who was sitting beside Lu Bu.

Compared to the greenness he had five years ago when he first met Gu Yi, he had long since transformed into a majestic general in silver armor!

Because both were from Hebei and both were cavalry commanders.

Plus, their martial arts were the most top-tier existence under Gu Yi's command.

The friendship between Lu Bu and Zhao Yun was quite good; they could be considered quite compatible.

At this moment.

Hearing Lu Bu's proposal, Zhao Yun shook his head and smiled:

"General Fengxian, one cannot become fat in a single mouthful."

"If Mr. Linzhi really captures Chen Liu."

"I believe it is unlikely that Cao Mengde will continue to go back and fight Mr. Linzhi for Chen Liu; instead, he will likely head north to lean toward Qingzhou."

Compared to the impulsive Lu Bu, Zhao Yun clearly had a higher degree of control over the situation.

At this time, the two of them had not yet received the news that Gu Yi had captured Chen Liu.

But based on Zhao Yun's understanding of Gu Yi, it was impossible for Gu Yi to fight a battle without certainty.

Therefore, in Zhao Yun's eyes, it was almost certain that Chen Liu City would soon become Gu Yi's possession.

If Cao Cao learned the news that Chen Liu had fallen.

He should not go back to fight for Chen Liu.

Instead, he would change to another base to preserve the effective strength in his hands.

"Sigh, sigh, sigh, Zilong, then what do you say we should do?"

Lu Bu touched the back of his head and asked Zhao Yun.

Lu Bu's personality had shown a huge difference compared to the original history.

Now, he was no longer so arrogant and stubborn.

He could humbly accept suggestions from others.

Lu Bu also knew that Zhao Yun had more brains than him.

Therefore, although in terms of official rank, Lu Bu's General Who Conquers the North was slightly superior to Zhao Yun's General Who Pacifies the South.

But for this military operation, Lu Bu took Zhao Yun as the leader.

"General Fengxian, you and I hold the most elite cavalry in our hands."

"Since that is the case, why not rush ahead to the only path Cao Mengde must take to reach Qingzhou?"

"By then, even if Cao Mengde still has over a hundred thousand troops in his hands, they will lose their combat effectiveness due to the fatigue of the march."

"If you and I wait for the opportunity to lead our troops out, we will surely achieve a miraculous feat!"

Hearing Zhao Yun say this, Lu Bu was instantly tempted.

Although cavalry units were not so convenient for sieging cities, they were invincible in field battles.

At this stage, Cao Cao had lost his lair, Yanzhou, and his greatest reliance was the remnants of those armies.

If he lost these armies, no matter how capable Cao Cao was personally.

The only choice left for him would likely be to head north and defect to Yuan Shao.

After all.

The Yanzhou aristocratic families led by Xun Yu had exhausted their 'mana bar' after Gu Yi's repeated blows.

The help they could provide Cao Cao next would become very limited compared to before.

No sooner said than done.

After setting the combat strategy.

Lu Bu and Zhao Yun led the Xiliang Iron Cavalry and the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry north, rushing to the border between the Qing and Xu provinces.

……

At the same time

Yanzhou border

Cao Cao met Xun Yu, Cao Ang, and others who had fled in a sorry state from the direction of Chen Liu.

Seeing Xun Yu come to Cao Cao's side, he said with a face full of guilt:

"My lord, this subordinate has failed in his duties."

"Gu Linzhi obtained the help of Chen Gongtai, and with internal and external cooperation, captured Chen Liu."

From Xun Yu's mouth, Cao Cao learned the news that Chen Liu had been lost.

Upon hearing this, his eyes went black.

The pain brought by his migraine also swept through his entire body in this instant.