Chapter 363 Guo Jias First Move - Part 1 (1/2)

Chapter 363 – Guo Jia's First Move - Part 1

August, 188 A.D.

Changes occurred on the central plain. Cao Cao launched a lightning attack Chenliu, Puyang, and Qiao, which all governors surrendered their territories without a fight.

Chen Gong, who was an old acquaintance, joined forces with Cao Cao along with his friends afterward.

This person was also a talented historical figure. In history, he joined the anti-Dong Zhuo coalition in the year 190, which he served Cao Cao Army.

However, when Cao Cao launched a campaign against Tao Qian in 194, Chen Gong colluded with Zhang Miao and Lu Bu, which they stole Puyang and Chenliu from the hands of Cao Cao.

Cao Cao reclaimed his territories later, which he drove Lu Bu and Chen Gong to Xu Province. At the time, Liu Bei inherited Tao Qian's legacy and became a new governor of the province. Liu Bei then sheltered Lu Bu Army in Xiaopei as a buffer against Cao Cao.

In 198, Cao Cao planted spies into Lu Bu's ranks, sowing discord between Lu Bu, Chen Gong, and Liu Bei, which they advised Lu Bu to take action against Xiapi.

Chen Gong was against the move, but Lu Bu did not listen to him, which led to the historical betrayal as a result.

Later on, Cao Cao mobilized to Pengcheng County, getting ready to siege Xiapi. Chen Gong advised Lu Bu to take the initiative to strike Cao Cao's forces as an offense was better than being on the defensive. Unfortunately, Lu Bu listened to the pleas of his wives, telling him not to act. Again, Lu Bu ignored Chen Gong's critical suggestion.

After Cao Cao began sieging the city and Lu Bu's plan to break the siege failed, Lu Bu intended to surrender to Cao Cao. Unfortunately, Chen Gong and others, who betrayed Cao Cao in the previous incidents, were afraid of Cao Cao's retaliation against traitors. They dissuaded Lu Bu and forced him to fight.

After two months of intense siege by Cao Cao, Lu Bu's subordinates captured Chen Gong and led their troops to attack Lu Bu from the inside, which ended their journey in this chaotic civil war.

Both Lu Bu and Chen Gong were executed in the aftermath.

In the 14th-century novel, Chen Gong was portrayed as a righteous magistrate. He met with Cao Cao when the latter escaped from the failed assassination attempt in Luoyang.

Chen Gong was impressed by Cao Cao's loyalty and sacrifice. He quit his job to follow Cao Cao to rescue the emperor from Dong Zhuo. Along with way, they rested in a resident of an acquaintance.

By mistake, they misunderstood the hosting family that they tried to kill them, which Cao Cao and Chen Gong murdered the entire family. Afterward, they realized that they were planning to kill an animal for their welcome feast, which ashamed them. Both left the house in a hurry.

When another family member of the slaughtered residents returned, Cao Cao murdered the person, claiming that it was better than letting him see their dead family.

Chen Gong was disgusted by the murder. He parted way with Cao Cao and joined Lu Bu in later years.

In this world, everything changed because of all otherworlders.

Chen Gong did not meet Lu Bu, and the family slaughtering incident did not happen. As such, Chen Gong joined forces with Cao Cao as a royal retainer.

With the addition of Chen Gong's brain, the expansion in the central plain was quick and efficient. Not only they took all territories from minor lords, but they also marched to Jibei, a county south of Pingyuan, and claimed it as their border city.

Cao Family and Xiahou Family spread their wings, becoming governors of the territories by self-proclaiming. All Cao and Xiahou became dominant families within months, and other members of the family reached out to Cao Cao, pledging him that they wanted a piece of cake as well.

With Pu Jing, Cheng Yu, Chen Gong, and Cao Cao's propaganda in the territories, more talented officers flocked to them. Many officers, who disliked Tong's strict government system, also joined Cao Cao's forces and spread their insider knowledge to the others.

By increasing from two commanderies to seven and the expansion of civil officers, Cao Cao became another powerhouse, weaker to only Tong and Khan.

Now, Cao Cao set his sight in the east, where Yuan Shao had stolen from Tao Qian.

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Qiao Commandery, the former city of Kong Zhou

Cao Cao, Pu Jing, Chen Gong, and all strategists gathered in the main hall, discussing their next moves.

A giant strategic map laid on the 3x5 meter table. All army tokens had been placed on all territories, including the northern plain where Tong's lands located.

All details were on the map.

Cao Ren, Yue Jin, and Zhu Ling, with 20,000-man-army, were protecting Jibei from Tong's 30,000 soldiers of Dong Bai's Demon Legion in Pingyuan and Kong Rong's 20,000 men from Beihai.

Gongsun Du, who had once resided in Puyang, was also in Jibei at the moment, conscripting peasants into his army. He slowly resupplied his provision and soldiers as they journeyed east toward the eastern coast. Their number increased back to 5,000.

Cao Hong, Li Dian, and Yu Jin with 15,000-man-army watched the border between Puyang and Ganling. Zhang Liao's Monster Legion located on the opposite side of the Yellow River, housing 30,000 soldiers.

Army from Chenliu, led by Xiahou Dun, Cao Xiu, and Cao Chun, garrisoned 20,000 soldiers in the commandery. They were guarding the borders and Port Baima from Zhang He's overwhelming 60,000 men in Henei and Tong's capital city of Ye with unknown troops.

In their capital city of Xuchang, Cheng Yu, Dian Wei, and Cao Ang stayed behind. At the west, Sun Jian Army of 50,000 soldiers guarded Hulao Gate and Luoyang.

And Qiao City, where Cao Cao resided, housed 30,000 soldiers. Here, he did not have many leading generals. Xiahou Yuan and Xu Chu were the only commanders, but Cao Cao did not mind it.

On the east, Yuan Shao's forces of 50,000 soldiers fortified in Xiaopei. Another backup army of 20,000 soldiers hid in Pengcheng, Xiapi, and Langye, ready to support Xiaopei at any time.

No matter how the officers analyzed the map, Cao Cao's forces were outnumbered. Yet, their expression was dignified as if they were not intimidated by the challenge.

Chen Gong arranged the tokens and began criticizing the arrangement.