Chapter 409

With Zang Ba surrendering and Cao Chun being captured.

The sixty thousand troops of the Cao camp had very few escapees.

From Zang Ba's mouth, Lu Bu learned the news that Cao Cao had taken several advisors and other generals of the Cao camp to take the small path to Qingzhou.

Regarding this, Lu Bu attempted to continue the pursuit.

But Zhao Yun stopped Lu Bu in time.

According to the time, Cao Cao had likely already arrived in Qingzhou with the army taking the small path.

If he continued to pursue, I'm afraid it would be a futile return.

In general.

This annihilation of the sixty thousand troops of the Cao camp was equivalent to destroying half of the effective strength in Cao Cao's hands.

For Cao Cao, it was no different from a devastating blow.

After this.

Zhao Yun and Lu Bu led the army and prisoners back to the strategic military town of Xiaopei in Xuzhou.

Waiting near Xiaopei for Gu Yi to come and receive the prisoners.

This time, the reason Gu Yi sent troops against Cao Cao.

The initial purpose was precisely to rescue Mi Zhu, Chen Deng, Cao Bao, and others who sought help from him.

Therefore.

Taking Xuzhou was also an imperative matter.

Of course, when Chen Deng, Cao Bao, and Mi Zhu sent Sun Qian as an envoy to seek help from Gu Yi.

It actually already meant that Xuzhou was already in Gu Yi's pocket.

Gu Yi rushing to Xuzhou, to put it bluntly, was to go through the process and re-divide the cake of Xuzhou.

……

Qingzhou

Near Beihai City

Ever since the second failure of the coalition of lords to crusade against Dong Zhuo.

The largest force occupying Qingzhou, Kong Rong, had already become a prisoner in Gu Yi's hands.

Therefore, on the land of Qingzhou, the rest were all miscellaneous fish characters led by mountain bandits and wandering bandits.

The three forces of Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, and Gongsun Zan all quickly set their sights on Qingzhou.

But because of various external factors.

They could only send a small number of troops to Qingzhou.

Hoping to occupy this land first.

This time, the entire north, besides Jizhou, Bingzhou, and Youzhou, Qingzhou was already Cao Cao's final destination.

After learning the news that Cao Cao led his army to Qingzhou.

The small number of troops left by Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao in Qingzhou very tacitly withdrew from Qingzhou.

Avoiding a head-on conflict with the aggressive Cao Cao.

Never underestimate a person's explosive power in a desperate situation.

Qingzhou was already Cao Cao's final place of refuge.

If Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan were unwilling to withdraw the troops garrisoned in Qingzhou.

Cao Cao would definitely turn against them on the spot and slaughter the small number of troops they left in Qingzhou.

Just like this, Cao Cao successfully entered Beihai City.

And quickly dispatched Cao Ren, Li Dian, Li Tong, Lü Qian, and others to occupy the surrounding cities.

However.

What made Cao Cao feel very worried was.

According to reason.

Zang Ba and Cao Chun, who led the sixty thousand Cao troops on the main road, should have led the army to arrive here one step ahead of him long ago.