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Pin's face turned pale in an instant. He also realized that something happened in Yicheng County. Yicheng County had weak defenses, and there were less than a thousand defenders, so he could not defend the county town at all. However, where did Cao's army cross the river ship come from.

Pin was extremely nervous and turned around and asked Jia Xu, "Military advisor, something must have happened in Yicheng, how did Cao's army cross the river?"

Jia Xu was calmer than hiring. He thought quickly for a moment and said in a deep voice: "Now don't care about how Cao's army crossed the river for now. Once Cao's army crossed the river, the number of people will never be less than 10,000. Therefore, the most urgent task now is to intercept Cao's army north to Xiangyang."

Pin nodded and calmed his mind. He immediately ordered: "Tell me my order, and make Huang Xin's army must intercept Cao's army to go north."

The Han army had a military camp ten miles north of Yicheng County, with a thousand troops stationed. They were commanded by the general Huang Xin of Ya. Although the number was not large, it could slightly delay the time Cao's army went north.

At this moment, Gan Ning and the guard Cai Yan and others arrived one after another. Gan Ning had already understood the situation. He was the naval commander of the Han army. He was responsible for the defense of the Han River. Gan Ning knew the current defense of the Han River. Gan Ning had realized what the problem was. It must be that Cao's army had drilled into the Han River patrol patrols with too long space and crossed the river from Yicheng County. There was a crossing point in the middle section of the Han River, and Yicheng County was the first.

Gan Ning suddenly burst into a cold sweat. What he thought of was not Xiangyang, but Jiangxia. Currently, Jiangxia only has 15,000 troops, distributed in Wuchang, Chaisang and Hankou. Once Cao's army attacked Jiangxia, the consequences would be unimaginable.

He hurriedly stepped forward and said to Jia Xu: "Jiangxia is in danger. Beiye must immediately lead the navy to go south to destroy all the warships of Cao's army and the floating bridges crossing the river. Please order the military advisor."

Jia Xu pondered for a moment and said, "There are also a naval army left in Fancheng. Only some warships need to rush to Yicheng County and destroy the pontoon bridge of Cao's army crossing the river. In addition, General Gan can order all Jiangxia naval army to enter the wartime state and patrol the river surface at any time."

"But I am very worried that Cao's army will attack Jiangxia. Jiangxia is our place to raise an army, and its defense is weaker than Xiangyang, if so,"

Before Gan Ning finished speaking, Jia Xu smiled and said, "If Cao's army wants to attack Jiangxia, it will be another battle in Red Cliffs. Don't worry, they won't attack Jiangxia this time. They will definitely attack Xiangyang. General Gan doesn't have to worry."

"I understand it"

Gan Ning bowed his fists and said, "I will lead the warship to Yicheng County."

Gan Ning hurried down to the city. At this time, Jia Xu said to Cai Yan again: "Cao's army should have just arrived in Yicheng County, and at least not until tomorrow afternoon. Please transfer the refugees and villagers outside the city to the city immediately. It should be fast, discard the debris, and saving lives is the most important thing."

Cai Yan nodded, turned around and rushed outside the city with Dong Yun. Jia Xu said to Pin again: "If General Gan can destroy Cao's army's floating bridge across the river in time, the problem may not be serious, but no matter what, we must make the worst plan. Pin general can deploy city defense immediately, and send some troops out of the city to assist refugees outside the city to withdraw into the city. Try to withdraw the materials that can be taken away."

Jia Xu sighed deeply. They all underestimated the enemy to Cao Cao, resulting in such serious consequences. Jia Xu had to bear the main responsibility. Thinking of this, Jia Xu said to Pin again: "I will report this to the provincial governor and take all the responsibility. General, please do your best."

Pin Momo nodded. He also had the responsibility for this matter, and Gan Ning also had the responsibility. But Pin didn't say much, and immediately turned around and went to the city to deploy defense.

At this time, all tens of thousands of defenders in Xiangyang City were mobilized, and the alarm bells in Xiangyang City sounded loudly. Teams of soldiers ran up the top of the city. Twenty thousand troops quickly responded to emergency and deployed at various defense points.

The south city gate was also opened, and thousands of refugees swarmed in from outside the city in horror. Most of their belongings were thrown into the big tent. Many people only held a package in their hands, calling their children and wives, screaming and crying sounded. The scene at the city gate was very chaotic, and even the soldiers who maintained order were washed and furious.

On the river outside the city, the warships were loaded with two thousand navy troops and left the Xiangyang River. The warships pulled up their sails and drove quickly towards Yicheng.

At the Fancheng Wharf in Jiangbei, Cao Cao stood on a high platform with his hands behind his back, watching the changes in the situation on the other side of the river. At this time, he had already seen the alarm fire on the beacon towers along the river, and also faintly heard the alarm bells coming from Xiangyang City. Cao Cao's mouth showed a sneer. The Han army thought the problem simply. Can't we cross the small Han River without warships? This is not the Yangtze River.

Cao Zhang beside him whispered: "Father, my son thinks that if you attack Jiangxia, you may gain a little more. After all, Xiangyang City is tall and strong, and there are 20,000 troops stationed, so it is not easy to break it."

Cao Cao shook his head, "I have considered this issue for my father. We can break through Xiakou and even capture Wuchang. The harvest is quite good, but after all, Jiangxia is no longer Liu Jing's military and political center, and its status is not as good as Xiangyang. Once the situation in Xiangyang is critical, the Han army will return to rescue no matter what, and the army goes deep into Jiangxia. If we don't have the support of the navy, we may lose it. It is better to be able to help us in Xiangyang."

In fact, Cao Cao had nothing to say, but this time the attack on Jingxiang was relatively hasty, and he was far from ready. Zhang Liao's tens of thousands of troops could not conquer the entire Jingzhou, not to mention that his purpose of this battle was only to restrain the Han army on the Western Front.

Thinking of this, Cao Cao glanced at Er again, and saw that his eyes were full of desire to fight, Cao Cao patted him on the shoulder and smiled: "One day, we will sweep the south and unify the world, but it is not now. I hope that on that day, you can conquer the city and village for your father, defeat the main force of the Han army, and make great achievements."

Cao Zhang understood his father's meaning and refused to let him participate in this battle. He felt very disappointed and had to nod, "My son also hopes that that day will come soon."

After Zhang Liao led the Wan Cao army to cross the Han River, he conquered Yicheng County with almost no effort and seized 20,000 stones of grain stored in the county warehouse.

Zhang Liao used Yicheng County as the foundation for this attack on Xiangyang, and ordered his deputy general Yu Jin to lead 5,000 people to station in Yicheng County, while he personally led 25,000 people to continue heading north.

At this time, the sky was just dawn, and Cao's army, which was about ten miles long, marched quickly towards Xiangyang on the official road north of Yicheng County. On both sides were endless wheat fields, and new sprouts had grown from the wheat fields. Many farmers worked in the wheat fields before dawn.

The passage of the Cao army brigade caused these farmers to put down their hoes and stare at the sudden emergence of the army in fear. They obviously did not look like the Han army, but people never expected that the Cao army would appear in the hinterland of Jingzhou.

However, some clever farmers left their hoes and ran towards their homes.

Not far ahead there was a village with about ten families named Jiang Li. Most of them were from Jiang's family. At this time, a cavalry rushed to Zhang Liao and whispered a few words.

Zhang Liao was stunned, and anger appeared on his face. He urged his horse to run towards the village, and Yu Ming's personal guards followed him closely.

In front of a family next to the village, dozens of Cao army soldiers surrounded the gate, and five Cao army soldiers knelt among them, with their hands tied up and their heads hanging down, all of them were panic.

At this time, a soldier whispered: "The general is here."

Cao's army went away one after another, Zhang Liao urged his horse to come, he turned over and got off the horse, walked into the courtyard with a gloomy face. This was a wealthy family, with a barn and two cows.

There were five corpses lying in the yard, an old man, a middle-aged couple, and two young girls. It can be seen that the two young girls were abused and strangled to death, and the middle-aged woman also had signs of being insulted.

The room was chaotic, covered with large pieces of blood, and valuable things were wrapped.

Zhang Liao turned around and walked quickly towards the gate. Five Cao soldiers arrived first, led by a garrison leader. They passed through this family and had evil intentions.

Zhang Liao said nothing, and waved his whip to the faces of the five of them, and thrust them hard, which scared the five of them so much that they kowtowed desperately, "General, let us go, you will never dare to do it again."

He kowtowed to the governor and said, "General, I am a fellow general Lian. Please forgive me for this time for General Lian."

General Lian is Cao Hong. Zhang Liao was even more annoyed when he saw him moving out Cao Hong to suppress him. At this time, Deputy General Li Dian also arrived. He quickly gave Zhang Liao a wink, but Zhang Liao ignored him and turned around and ordered his personal soldiers: "Behead these five people, and send orders to the army. Those who dare to plunder the people's wealth and rape women will use this as a warning."

"God of life, please spare me."

Five soldiers begged for mercy, and the personal soldiers dragged the five of them down like wolves and tigers. At this time, Cao's soldiers brought the village chief and more than a dozen old men in this area.

The village head was a middle-aged man in his forties. He lowered his head and said nothing. The dozen old men behind him bowed their heads and said nothing, but their eyes were full of resentment.

Zhang Liao sighed in his heart and bowed to the crowd, "Please forgive me, Zhang Liao's army was incompetent, and such a tragic incident happened. I have ordered the five murderers to behead me. Please rest assured that Cao's army will not invade civilians again."

Soon, the heads of five Cao army soldiers were sent up. Zhang Liao ordered people to show them to the local villagers. He turned over and urged the horse to go to the official road.

Li Dian also urged the horse to rush to Zhang Liao and sighed: "Since the officer has already said it, why did Yuan kill him? Isn't this offending someone for nothing? You know, that person is very difficult to talk to."

Li Dian did not mention Cao Hong's name. He believed that Zhang Liao understood what he meant. Zhang Liao held the war horse and said coldly: "Liu Jingshang knew to put more than 100,000 soldiers back and buy the hearts of the northern people. Can we ministers destroy the reputation of the prime minister at will?"

After saying that, he ignored Li Dian and urged his horse to run towards the front of the team. Li Dian looked at his back as he ran away and couldn't help but shake his head. It was so unwise that he was far from being too serious about offending Cao Hong for a trivial matter.

Cao's army continued to go north, and soon they encountered the first obstacle, an army stationed in Ping'an Town about ten miles north of Yicheng County.

Ping'an Town is from Xiangyang, and it is the intersection of two official roads. One official road goes to Jiangxia, and the other official road leads to Nanjun. It is the important geographical location that the Han army stationed a thousand people here.

The military camp is a military camp covering an area of ​​about two acres, two meters high and very strongly built. The chief general Huang Xin is a nephew of the Huang Zhong clan. He was about ten years old. Like his uncle Huang Zhong, he used a golden-backed tiger-toothed sword to fight bravely and was quite famous in the Han army.

He had received the urgent order from the recruitment and ordered him to defend the camp to the death, be sure to hold Cao's army and try his best to win time for the preparations for Xiangyang.

Huang Xin stood on the village building with a knife handle in his hand. He had seen the Cao army coming from afar. He beat the knife handle heavily and shouted loudly: "A real man died on the battlefield. Why are you so sad? The guys and the others will fight Cao army with me and never take a step back."
Chapter completed!