Chapter 306 Setbacks of Cao Cao (1/2)
Chapter 306 – Setbacks of Cao Cao
While Tong and his men were eying on Xiongnu's movements, Cao Cao was in a bad mood.
Cao Cao, Cheng Yu, and Pu Jing utilized modern warfare tactics, deploying explosive bombardment, ambushes, guerilla warfare, and ranged infantries. Unfortunately, they could not keep up with Khan's massive army.
For every five men that they killed, one of Cao Cao's soldiers fell. This trend lasted for a month before the fall of Luo Yang.
Cheng Yu stared at the direction of Luo Yang while he stood on the Hulao Gate. He lamented, ”We have been cheated by Heaven! Those endless troopers are not fair at all!”
Standing by Cheng Yu's side, Pu Jing shook his head, ”All is fair in wars. Only this time, they possess a better skill and have the number advantage. If we look at the performance of our soldiers and our officers, we have the advantage in the prolonged war.”
”How so? If they have infinite troops, how can we have the advantage?”
”Nothing in this world is free. For using such skill, the user will have to pay many lifespans in exchange for power. Recently, the goddess of this world forced a great restriction on us, immortals. It forces us to limit our skill to once a day, and the upkeeps of maintaining our power are getting more burdensome. I'm sure that Xiongnu King is also suffering many setbacks, and he has to take a period of resting to replenish his lifespans.”
”The lifespans … seriously, I would have been satisfied with 100 years of extra lifespans, but you all are using them like water. But still, we don't have that luxurious time. They will reach Xuchang before we can extend the war.”
”We can force them to rest for 6-months if we manage to sabotage Khan's men one more time.”
Cao Cao, who was pacing back and forth, interjected, ”If we can prolong the war, do you think we can get rid of Xiongnu?”
Cheng Yu mockingly chuckled, ”Impossible.”
Pu Jing snorted, ”Zero percent chance for victory. Well, if we fight them alone, that is.”
Cao Cao frowned. He pulled up a letter that he received from Tong.
”I've received an invitation to a meeting to discuss about forming a coalition against the Xiongnu. Zhang Tong says in the letter that he has sent other similar letters to pretty much every governor and nobles in our country. What do you think about this?”
Pu Jing grinned, ”Of course, we'll accept it.”
Cheng Yu also laughed, ”Why hesitate? Just accept it!”
”You two … you didn't even think!”
Cheng Yu laughed, ”My foolish lord, do you have a better idea? Do you think you can manipulate other forces to square against them with us at our current condition? There's a lot of differences between being flexible and being stiff because of your restriction. You have been getting too comfortable leading everyone so far, it won't hurt if you play as a follower sometimes.”
”Agreed. Let's say we manage to convince either Liu Biao or Yuan Shao to help us, those foxes will demand payment and remuneration for their troubles. Now that Zhang Tong is taking the lead. Let's follow him for once, and let him take the brunt for us. I've been cultivating angelic power, and I've discovered that being shameless is also a virtue! Don't hesitate to take opportunities, my stupid lord.”
Hearing his two wicked advisors, Cao Cao massaged his temples.
”I wish you two can be less frank like Xun You.”
”Being frank means we're being honest. Holding back is a sign of being unfaithful!”
”But you both are calling me foolish and stupid.”
”It's a fact!”
”We are paid to speak about facts.”
The face of Cao Cao darkened. Talking to these men giving him more white hairs.
”Fine. We'll not waste our resources and continue fighting. We'll swiftly retreat from Hulao Gate to Xuchang and recuperate. If the Xiongnu persists on attacking us, we'll drag Zhang Tong into our fight.”
”Of course.”
Cao Cao raised his hand as he had more ideas, ”Before I forget. Draft me a reply letter and extort them some supplies. Make them vomit out their sulfur, coal, saltpeter, and steel as a payment to join the coalition.”
Cheng Yu laughed again, ”That's a given.”
…
August 10th, 185 A.D.
Cao Cao withdrew all his forces from Hulao Gate back to Xuchang to save his troops from the unwinnable war.
Though it was vexing for Cao Cao, he still had hope as his weapons and technologies far surpassed Khan Army. As long as they could mass-produce Pu Jing's 13th-century cannons, they would not fear anyone.
.
August 30th.
Cao Cao returned to Xuchang, but he was welcomed by Xun You, who stared at Cao Cao with a grave expression.
”What happened, Gongda?”
Staring at the face of Cao Cao, Xun You had a conflicted feeling. He had exchanged letters with Xun Yu and learned many things about Tong's forces and his domestic policy development. It was confirmed that Tong was a talented lord worthy of respect.