Chapter 386 Battle of Xiapi – Part 6 (1/2)
Chapter 386 – Battle of Xiapi – Part 6
After promotion, Xiahou Yuan obtained all the authorities to maneuver all troops at his disposal. Nobody could command him other than Yuan Shao.
As such, Xiahou Yuan appointed Xu Chu as his vice commander and Guo Jia as the strategist of the entire army.
As soon as Guo Jia had the command token from Xiahou Yuan, he reorganized Yuan Shao's battalions. Instead of trying to break out of the city, Guo Jia suggested a plan that they stay in the city, so they could send their spies to burn or smuggle out Yuan Shao's supplies slowly.
Guo Jia's goal was to distract the soldiers in the city not to move out, so Cao Cao could begin his plan, ambushing and destroying Tian Feng Army in the north. Once that time arrived, Xiahou Yuan would get an easier time to kill Yuan Shao and everybody in his clan.
Afterward, Cao Cao could enter the city and distribute their resources to the locals, the townsmen would worship Cao Cao as their hero, boosting his reputation as a righteous lord. Then, their lord would have no problem dealing with the insurgents, rebels, Yuan Shao's remnants, and potential Tong's allies.
.
The next day morning, Xiahou Yuan took the plan and reported to Yuan Shao, requesting his authorization for the adjustment.
”Denied.”
Yuan Shao flatted out, rejecting Xiahou Yuan's proposal.
”My lord, we're not going to defend the city? How about we regroup with Sir Tian Feng and reorganize.”
Yuan Shao sneered at Xiahou Yuan, ”It's my fault that I haven't shared my secret plan with you yet. In my plan, I want to pretend that we lose this battle. Then, we will draw Cao Cao into the city, and Tian Feng will flood everyone at the end of this month. By that time, winter will be around the corner, and Cao Cao's soldiers will die from the cold and diseases.”
Xiahou Yuan's eyes sharpened when he heard that Yuan Shao revealed his secret.
”Alright. We will defend the city as it is. When will we break out, my lord?”
”Tomorrow at the latest.”
Yuan Shao rearranged all troops, sending 10,000 men to defend each wall. As for the leftover, they remained inside the city as a reserve force.
.
As usual, Xiahou Yuan reported all movements to Cao Cao.
Xiahou Yuan: ”What do you think?”
Cao Cao: ”Putin, how is Tian Feng Army?”
Pu Jing: ”Still quiet. They are still not moving from the river.”
Cao Cao: ”Okay. That's an interesting scheme. Benchu actually dares to kill his civilians for the sake of trapping me in the city. This version is not bad at all. At least his decision here is better than at the Guandu.”
Xiahou Yuan: ”What's wrong with Guandu, Mengde?”
Cao Cao: ”Never mind that. Miaocai, disobey Yuan Shao's command and attack Pu Jing to the north. Pu Jing, pretend to lose and withdraw to the west. Regroup with Sun Jian.”
Pu Jing acknowledged the command. However, he kept staring at the sentence, ”At least his decision here is better than at the Guandu” with a frown.
Cao Cao had already heard about the Battle of Guandu's result and briefed details from Pu Jing. However, he sounded like he knew every aspect of that historic battle. Furthermore, Cao Cao seemed confident with his ploys and Guo Jia.
'Something's wrong with him.'
.
Today, Pu Jing had already moved his cannons and siege weaponry away from the battlefield ahead of time since Xiahou Yuan would be coming out to fight him.
As ordered, he withdrew most of his supplies, reserve troops, and all belongings to the west, heading to Sun Jian Army.
5,000 Footmen remained on the north as rearguards.
9 AM.
Xiahou Yuan violated Yuan Shao's order as expected. The north gate opened, and his troops rushed out to fight against Pu Jing's rearguards. Since Xiahou Yuan did not want to harm Pu Jing's men, he did not use archers and cavalries to chase them.
Meanwhile, Pu Jing had his men fought against the oncoming troops for a few minutes. Once both sides began dying, the former premier sent his signals.
”Withdraw! Full retreat!”
Everyone retreated in order.
Xiahou Yuan also shouted, ”Withdraw, do not pursue, or you'll be trapped by the enemies!”
His force reentered the city while the remaining garrison soldiers cheered, believing that this general led them to victory.
Meanwhile, Huang Gai and Cao Cao lifted the siege and marched to the west wall, gathering with Sun Jian.
On the other hand, Sun Jian did not attack the city. His army kept staring at the soldiers on the wall, intimidating them with their glare.
Yuan Shao also noticed the oddness of today's battle. He left the palace and came to the west wall to observe the situation.
Confused and baffled by Cao Cao's maneuvering, he turned to Shen Pei and Guo Tu, ”What are they doing? Why didn't they attack?”
”M-My lord. Sir Miao Cai sortied and repelled the enemies in the north. Afterward, all Cao Cao's troops gathered here instead of surrounding us.”
”What? He won?”
”Y-Yes, my lord.”
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”Drag Miao Cai here. I want to know why he disobeyed my order!”
An hour later, Xiahou Yuan arrived.
”Why did you sortie? I told you to defend the city.”
”My lord, I noticed that the enemies were retreating, so I attacked them, hoping to obtain their supplies and inflicted damages to their soldiers.”