C164

"What day is it today?" Cao Cao Cao asked without turning his head as he stood on the city wall with his hands behind his back, staring at the Youzhou Army who was slowly walking out of the army camp.

Behind Cao Cao, stood the Xiahou brothers and the Xun's brothers. Sima Yi stood at the back, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

Everyone fell silent, even the rash and impulsive Xiahou Dun did not speak. Currently, Gongsun Xu's army was surrounding the city, his military strength was more than three times that of Cao Cao Cao's side. It was simply impossible to defeat Gongsun Xu within seven days.

Cao Cao seemed to know that no one was answering this question, his mouth revealed a wry smile, pointing towards the siege attack equipment that was slowly coming out from the military camp ahead, he asked: "Everyone tell me, will Gongsun Xu launch his main attack from here today?"

Xiahou Yuan was the first to answer: "Master, I just went to the west of the city to patrol around the north and south side of the city and discovered that the enemy troops on three sides had also brought out siege equipment. It seems like Gongsun Xu is deceiving us as a young master, wanting to attack from all sides at the same time!"

Xiahou Dun punched onto the city wall and bellowed: Gongsun kid is truly hateful! "If we have a huge army of one hundred thousand, we will go out of the city and kill them all!"

Cao Cao Cao ignored Xiahou Dun's grumbling, he looked straight at Xiahou Dun and asked: "Wen Ruo, what do you think?"

Xun Yu muttered to himself for a while, and said respectfully: "This subordinate thinks that Gongsun Xu setting up the siege equipment on all four sides is most likely just a trap, he has at least sixty to seventy thousand troops, so it is obvious that he does not have enough people to attack from all four sides at the same time!"

Cao Cao frowned, "Really?" If Gongsun Xu were to attack from all sides, wouldn't we lose the opportunity to fight? "

"Don't worry, sir! This subordinate agrees with Big Brother's words. " Xun You continued to speak: "Although Gongsun Xu is young, he is already an experienced general who has been in battle for a long time. He wouldn't rashly launch an attack from all sides at the same time! But Subordinate thinks that we still need to draw out a sufficient number of troops to prepare, if Gongsun Xu can fake it and turn one of our feints into a main attack, we can help him in time! "

Cao Cao Cao stroked his beard, turned his head and asked: "Zhong Da, you know Henei County like the back of your hand, do you have any brilliant ideas?"

Sima Yi bowed and said, "Master, from this subordinate's point of view, the eastern part of the city is rather high and flat. It should be the direction Gongsun Xu is heading in! However, this subordinate also agree with Mr. Gong Da, Gongsun Xu has the advantage and could transform the other three sides of the fake attack into a main attack at any time! Therefore, the army that our lord has set aside should be at least seven or eight thousand men! "

"Seven or eight thousand people." Cao Cao said with a wry smile, "Where did this old man get so many men?" If we reserve seven or eight thousand men, the defense of the city will be too weak! Even with the county soldier in the city and the people that I borrowed from the various families, I still have less than thirty thousand men in my hands. This amount of troops is spread out on all sides, and I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to defend against Gongsun Xu's fierce attack! "

Last night, Cao Cao Cao and Sima Fang had reached a preliminary agreement, and Sima Fang had agreed to let Sima Yi follow by Cao Cao's side to advise on what to do. More importantly, Sima Fang had paid a visit to several other great clans overnight and borrowed over three thousand strong men from them to hand them over to Cao Cao Cao on the spot. Cao Cao Cao was endlessly grateful for this. He promised that if he could successfully repel the army of Youzhou, Yuan Shao would also be safe and sound, and he would ensure that Sima Yi would become the prefecture chief of the Henei County. This condition was the same as what Gongsun Xu had stated, but now that Gongsun Xu had the advantage and Cao Cao was a guest who came from afar, it was impossible for him to completely control the Henei County. Even if Sima Yi hadn't sided with Gongsun Xu, he would still make the same choice after considering his options.

"Master!" Xiahou Yuan looked at Sima Yi and said hesitantly, "Those people that Mr. Sima borrowed last night were indeed very vigorous. However, they are extremely loose and can fight on their own. Time is too tight and it's too late to train them. How about we put all of them into the reserve troops? "

"That makes sense!" Cao Cao Cao nodded his head: "Just as Miao Cai had said, those people have not gone through strict drills, so they are not suitable to carry out the cruel city wall attack and defense battles! In addition, they were very familiar with the situation inside the city. As a reserve army, it was very suitable for them to rescue him at any time! Zhong Da, what do you think? "

Sima Yi said softly, "This subordinate agrees with General Miao Cai's words. In this way, Master can allocate a portion of his troops from the Yanzhou Army s and county soldier s respectively, so that he can reserve sufficient strength. "For the time being, I don't need to go to the city to kill the enemy. I can just train them a little. No matter what, they will still improve a bit."

After hearing this, Cao Cao had already made a decision in his heart, but he still asked Xun Yu out of habit, "Does Wen Ruo think that this is feasible?"

"It's possible!" Xun Yu nodded in agreement, "But who would you like to have as your lord's general? The three forces will definitely not submit to anyone. If the main general is not able to control them, I am afraid there will be many hidden dangers on the battlefield! "

Although Xun Yu looked like he was talking about the three forces, he was actually talking about the people that he borrowed from the few great clans in the city. They had pretty good martial skills, normally, relying on their master's power, no one dared to offend them. If a general who could not convince the masses were to command this army, there would likely be internal strife before they could even enter the battlefield.

"This candidate is indeed hard to find." Cao Cao hesitated for a moment before asking, "Everyone, tell me, who would be the commander in chief for this army?"

This was an important matter, so no one dared to speak of it lightly. Thus, Cao Cao Cao turned his head and looked at Xun Yu.

Xun Yu coughed lightly, cupped his hands, and said: "Master, this subordinate has recommended Sima Zhongda as the main general and Xu Huang and Gao Gang as the vice generals.

Cao Cao's eyes lit up, he admired what Xun Yu had said. Since the three parties did not approve of each other, they had to each send one of their own. Sima Yi was from a well-known local family, and was well-known in the city, so it was not difficult for him to restrain and control the strong men of the large clans, and those county soldier s did not dare to act impudently in front of Sima Yi. Xu Huang was a person that Cao Cao trusted and valued, and he was open-minded, ambitious, and had the respect and love of the warriors under his command. With him around, the Yanzhou Army generals he selected would definitely not come here recklessly.

With these three people around, the reserve force could be completely controlled and not reduced to a pile of loose sand. Only at the most critical moment would it become a sharp blade in Cao Cao's hand. Not only did Sima Yi possess control over the youths of the great clans, he was also renowned amongst the county soldier s. He was indeed the most suitable candidate to be the general that would be assigned to them.

Cao Cao let out a breath of relief as he looked at Sima Yi and asked with a smile, "Zhong Da, are you willing to be the general that sets aside the troops?"

Sima Yi cupped his fist and said with a sonorous voice, "It is your subordinate's duty to help Master resolve this problem! Rest assured my lord, as long as I, Sima Yi, still have a breath in me, I will absolutely not let anything happen to the team.

Cao Cao had always held Sima Yi in high regard, but now that he heard his firm tone of voice, he was even more pleased that he had found another talent that could help him. He immediately began to praise Sima Yi as well as Sima Fang.

Sima Yi hurriedly said modestly, "My lord, you are flattering me. This subordinate and father do not dare to disappoint you!" This subordinate will look for General Xu Huang and General Gao Gang right now. At dusk, this subordinate will definitely organize this troop! "

"Alright!" Cao Cao Cao shouted with his palms, praising: "Zhong Da is really swift and decisive! Since that's the case, you can go and find Xu Huang now, and then ask him to bring you to the prefecture chief mansion to meet Gao Gang. As for the details, the three of you can discuss it on your own, but if you encounter any problems that you can't solve, just come to this old man! Wen Ruo, give Zhong Da your order badge! "

Xun Yu nodded his head in agreement before taking out a copper token from a cloth pouch at his waist and handing it over to Sima Yi.

Sima Yi first bowed to express his gratitude to Cao Cao Cao, then to Xun Yu, he received the command medallion with both hands before turning around and leaving in large strides.

Cao Cao watched as Sima Yi steered his horse into the distance before softly shouting, "Miao Cai!"

Xiahou Yuan asked solemnly: "What orders does Master have?"

Cao Cao Cao lowered his voice, and said with a cold tone: "Find a few reliable people, make them keep an eye on Sima Zhongda!"

Xun Yu frowned when he heard this. He had originally wanted to advise Cao Cao Cao to use his skills without a doubt, but when he thought about it, he felt that the Xun's and his family did not have any relationship. Furthermore, he did not understand Sima Yi at all, so there was no need to oppose Cao Cao Cao.

Xiahou Yuan was surprised, and asked in shock: "Could it be that Master suspects that the Sima Family has evil intentions?"

"What?" Only then did Xiahou Dun understand Cao Cao's meaning, and he cried out with his eyes wide open: "Sima Zhongda, you actually have an ulterior motive? My lord, why didn't you just tell this lowly general to leave?

"Shut up!" Cao Cao Cao shouted angrily, and immediately interrupted Xiahou Dun, "This old man is only taking precautions, and does not trust Sima Zhongda! Do not bring up what you just said, and do not display any hostility towards Sima Zhongda, or else you will be heavily punished! "

Xiahou Dun rarely saw Cao Cao being strict with himself, so he quickly cupped his fists and said: "Rest assured lord, this general will definitely not speak carelessly!"

Although Xiahou Dun was impulsive and reckless, he would definitely do what he said. Thus, he did not say anything else and once again cast his gaze towards the enemy camp outside the city.

At this time, around twenty engineering vehicles and stone-throwing vehicles were pushed to the front of the camp, and then they heard the sound of war drums from Youzhou Army's camp, the wide and heavy wooden fence door was slowly pushed open, and Gongsun Xu's Flying Horse Flag appeared in front of them.