NOVPUB"If that’s the case, I’ll lead the night raid, and you and Zijian will act as the rear army to provide support," Liu Bei directly made the choice Jia Xu had anticipated.
"All right. If there is no result within an hour, Zijian and I will lead the troops out from the camp to rescue," Jia Xu said with his head bowed, perhaps to Liu Bei, this level of risking one’s self was negligible. Moreover, with Xu Chu and Wuu Anguo protecting Liu Bei, even if the night raid ended in a disastrous defeat, he would emerge unscathed. And, in Liu Bei’s view, a defeat was unlikely.
[Taking a risk with one’s person, ah, Lord Xuande may truly encounter some danger this time. You are a Feudal Lord who started from scratch, possessing your own formidable spirit. Although we are certain to win, I am entrusting you with the greatest glory. Your spirit will decide the direction of this war!] Jia Xu bowed his head, carefully pondering every move Liu Bei made.
Liu Bei ordered the entire army to rest. All the soldiers knew that a battle was inevitable that night, so after lunch, they all retreated to their camps to rest.
"Gong Da, will Liu Xuande come tonight?" Cao Cao paced back and forth in his own tent. Although he was certain Liu Xuande would return, he had grown somewhat restless after Liu Bei had crossed the Jig River.
"He will come. Whether it’s Liu Xuande himself, or his group of strategists planning for what comes next, tonight’s battle is inevitable. Whether we can defeat Liu Bei with minimal losses depends on tonight," Xun Youi said with a wooden expression.
"I presume the Liu Xuande side is also prepared to launch a fierce attack on our army. But this time, not only must we crush the night assault army with the force of a thunderbolt, but the entire army must also press forward. Even at the cost of losing thousands, we must capture Liu Bei’s main camp in a single strike. The outcome must be decided before they reach the Jig River," Xun Youi stated indifferently.
"A back-to-water battle?" Cao Cao furrowed his brow. "Considering Liu Xuande’s treatment of his soldiers, if Liu Xuande is willing to fight to the death, a back-to-water battle is highly possible. At that time, we would be at a disadvantage."
"It’s nothing to worry about. If the situation you mentioned arises after we are nearing the Jig River, then we can retreat. In the chaos of night, with our superior numbers, the rear army can become the vanguard. Withdrawing while fighting won’t be difficult, and even if we can’t crush Liu Xuande, we will still deal him a heavy blow," Xun Youi said calmly. 𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑝𝘶𝘣.𝑐𝘰𝘮
As for Liu Bei camping with his back to the Jig River, Xun Youi had conjectured it as well. That kind of battle, where victory and defeat hang by a thread, was the most difficult to control. It was possible that one moment our side could rout the enemy, but after reaching the Jig River, with Liu Bei’s army fighting for survival and exploding with a will to live, an oversight could easily turn the tables.
In light of the possibility of the battle turning against them, Xun You would rather avoid it. To him, if they hadn’t dealt with Liu Bei before reaching the Jig River, then tonight’s battle would at best be a minor victory.
"That’s true. With the enemy and us unclear in a night battle, retreating directly upon reaching the Jig River might also be wise. However, I fear Liu Xuande might pursue," Cao Cao sighed.
"Then let’s leave a squad near the Jig River to intercept them. If Liu Xuande remains obstinate, we’ll strike him head-on," Xun Youi said coldly.
"Good, that’s exactly what we should do. Victory or defeat will be decided tonight! If Liu Bei sends reinforcements, then at that time, Zhongde will lead his troops out from Pengcheng for a pincer attack with me!" Cao Cao commanded Cheng Yu.
"Understood!" Cheng Yu saluted with a fist. He was a strategist capable of being a general, and his martial force from Qi Refining to Gang was not to be taken lightly.
"Is there any progress with the Danyang Troops?" Cao Cao changed the subject to inquire about the matter being handled by Cheng Yu.
"Although they have surrendered to our army, it’s clear that the enthusiasm and morale of the vast majority of the Danyang Troops aren’t high. At present, only about five thousand have reluctantly joined our forces," Cheng Yu sighed.
"Five thousand is five thousand. Take it slow," Cao Cao sighed.
As the setting sun dipped below the horizon and darkness fell, Zhang Fei and Wei Yan, who were supposed to be in Liu Bei’s camp according to Cao Army intelligence, sneakily crossed the Jig River with five thousand infantry and cavalry under the lead of Guo Jia. Li Youu led Zhao Yun and Chen Dao in crossing the Yellow River with the same strength of forces under the cover of dusk. Then, Liu Ye took Gan Ning and Taishi Ci with an equal number of soldiers across the Wen River, and finally, Guan Yu led Guan Ping towards the outskirts of Pengcheng.
"Military Advisor Guo, where are we heading?" Zhang Fei handed his wine flask to Guo Jia and quietly asked.
"We’re going to finish off Cao Cao. The crux of this plan lies in the back-to-water battle and the coordination between the generals. Only a handful of us can grasp the proper timing. As for the back-to-water battle, Jia Wenhe has calculated that the enemy definitely does not wish to bet on our overturning the situation. Thus, the core of this battle lies in whether we can coordinate well," Guo Jia drank the wine in one gulp, and spoke with rare solemnity.
[Cao Mengde should have no way out. It’s a pity Zichuan had to deal with the epidemic in the rear. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been necessary to keep Yunchang stationed outside Pengcheng.] On the other hand, Li Youu quietly calculated the positions, ordering Zhao Yun and Chen Dao to conceal their troops in the darkness.
[Infantry and cavalry, the cavalry intercepting and the infantry slaying. After forming the back-to-water Formation, we will ambush them from all sides, save for the direction guarded by the White Horse Righteous Followers. Besides that, every division of our army still has the river at their back. It’s impossible for Cao Mengde to escape even if he breaks through. The only chance for survival is to defeat the Lord leading the back-to-water battle. Unfortunately for Cao Mengde, Xun Gongda and Cheng Zhongde are both geniuses of the age; they would never gamble against our Lord at that moment.]
