Chapter Nine: Ingeniously Breaking Through Rencheng

At this moment, Cao Ang rode alone to the center of the two opposing armies. Looking at Cao Mao and Cao Huan in the distance, he shouted loudly: "Uncle Cao Mao, you and my father are relatives. Today, your nephew does not wish to make things difficult for you two elders. I only ask to have a moment of conversation with Uncle Cao Mao before the battle begins"

As he approached, Cao Mao suddenly reined in his horse and looked at Cao Ang with disdain, saying: "Cao Ang, although you are my kin, today we are sworn enemies. Do you have anything else to say to me?"

Upon hearing Cao Mao's words, Cao Huan could not help but smile wryly: "I do not know either, but the fact remains that the enemy forces are already outside the city."

He did not pay much attention, and Cao Mao said strangely: "Oh... this is a letter sent by Cao Ang..."

In no time, a sudden sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the house. Cao Mao focused his gaze and was surprised to see his own deputy, Cao Huan.

The scout, seeing Cao Ang in a bit of a hurry, did not hesitate and immediately spoke the truth.

Could it be that Cao Ang mistakenly sent the draft paper?

As the words fell, Cao Mao was momentarily taken aback, looking at the vice general Cao Huan, and had already sensed the situation, angrily saying: "What do you mean by this? Do you think I would still ally myself with Cao Cao?"

However, Cao Mao truly did not lie, and this is precisely the outcome that Cao Anmin most desired to see

At this time, on the Rencheng side

Report: A mutiny has occurred in Rencheng. The defending general, Cao Mao, has been killed by his deputy, Cao Huan. Currently, Cao Huan has led the remaining troops in the city to surrender and has presented the head of Cao He to us

With a slight furrow of his brow, Cao Mao also wore a look of helplessness at that moment, and thus asked, "How many people did the other party bring?"

Outside Rencheng City

Xuzhou Border

"All is well, all is well..." Listening to Cao Ang's series of inexplicable remarks, Cao Mao was momentarily at a loss, feeling puzzled in his heart, yet he couldn't help but echo in agreement from behind.

Suddenly hearing Cao Huan's words, the former was taken aback, but thought to himself about the other party's intentions. He then turned to Deputy General Cao Huan and said, "Is it possible that Cao Cao intends to entice us with benefits?"

Seeing Cao Mao so close at hand, Cao Ang felt a great joy in his heart. Looking at the other party, he couldn't help but burst into laughter from time to time, "Is Uncle Cao's family, wife and children, still well?"

Cao Ang did not say much; he merely inquired about the health of the family and some trivial matters.

For Cao Mao and Cao Huan, their rebellion was merely a result of feeling undervalued within the Cao army. Although both were cousins of Cao Cao, there exists a distinction in the closeness of familial ties, and these two belonged to the more distant branch. Consequently, when Cao Ang temporarily took on the role of governor of Rencheng, these two men in their thirties could not bear to be commanded by a seventeen-year-old boy, which ultimately led to their decision to rebel

One hour later, within the city of Rencheng

Hehe, how has your uncle been doing lately

Elder brother, we have finally arrived in Xuzhou. Which route should we take now

Upon hearing this, Cao Mao instead burst into hearty laughter and said, "A mere Cao Ang, how could I possibly fear him? Since he has come, let us see what tricks he has up his sleeve. You need not say more." With that, he fiercely struck his thigh and rode forth alone towards Cao Ang.

General! Urgent military situation, according to reports from the scouts, Cao Ang's army has already arrived outside our Rencheng city.

On the other hand

Cao Huan immediately expressed his suspicion, saying: "General, what do you mean by this?"

As he continued to pace back and forth, Cao Mao suddenly did not understand the enemy's intentions. While walking back and forth, he murmured softly, "I had thought that Cao Cao would send at least five thousand troops with Cao Ang. I did not expect there to be only eight hundred cavalry. Is it possible that this young Cao Ang truly does not understand military strategy?"

Cao Mao opened it at that moment, but thought whether he should wait for Cao Huan to open it together. However, after just this thought, he still decided to open it by himself.

No!" With a wave of his hand, he disregarded Cao Huan's suggestion. Cao Mao then said decisively: "I must go; I want to see what kind of words that young Cao Ang can utter."

At noon, the sun is particularly dazzling, making people feel somewhat dazed

However, upon opening the letter, Cao was astonished to find that it was filled with indistinct ink blots, all jumbled together, and the characters were difficult to distinguish, which left him feeling quite perplexed

General, Cao Ang is still outside the city, requesting to have a discussion with you in front of both armies.

The two armies are arrayed against each other, with one side consisting of soldiers from the city of hetushucom.com. The other side, although slightly inferior in numbers, is composed entirely of cavalry, which appears imposing from a distance and should not be underestimated

At the same time, he was taken aback, not understanding what Cao Huan truly meant. Cao Mao, in astonishment, said: "It must be... that Cao Ang mistakenly sent the draft paper he wrote."

Cao Ang, what exactly do you want to say

Before the other party finished speaking, Cao Mao exclaimed in surprise: "What!? Didn't the scouts say yesterday that Cao Ang's army was mostly infantry? How could they arrive so quickly?"

What? A mere eight hundred people, like attacking a city? Or are they the cavalry that is not skilled in siege warfare?

His body suddenly trembled. Cao Anmin's face instantly turned extremely bitter, and it seemed as if he was chewing wax, struggling to utter these few words.

With another cold laugh, Cao Huan said in a chilling tone: "Oh? Hmph, then I must ask the general, why does Cao Ang dare to attack my Rencheng with merely eight hundred men? Anyone who understands military law knows that cavalry is not suited for besieging cities; it is only suitable for battlefield combat. What does it mean for Cao Ang to lead a mere eight hundred cavalry to attack my Rencheng? General! You have yet to tell me." Anyone who understands military law knows that cavalry is not suited for besieging cities; it is only suitable for battlefield combat. What does it mean for Cao Ang to lead a mere eight hundred cavalry to attack my Rencheng? General! You have yet to tell me.

However, now Cao Mao is truly curious to see what his distant nephew wants to say to him

Just as Cao Ang finished speaking, a scout suddenly shouted loudly from outside the tent, quickly running towards the tent.

General, this is ... ...

A small army of eight hundred men was stationed on the flat ground not far from the Rencheng Buhu Library, and at this moment, Cao Ang was also waiting for something in the central military tent

Having said that, without waiting for Cao Mao to say anything further, he snorted coldly and strode away, leaving Cao Mao alone, utterly at a loss.

Cao Mao was anxiously pacing back and forth in the room, his hands occasionally rubbing together. He looked at the pile of military reports on the desk, which had accumulated like a mountain. This was not the first time today, and at that moment, he seemed to be waiting for something.

"Speak quickly! What is it?" Cao Ang hurriedly waved his hand and said

At this moment, Cao Anmin was sitting on his warhorse. From a distance, he suddenly spotted an unknown fortress, and the more he looked, the more uneasy he became. However, upon observing the fortress's guards, who were all vigilant and on high alert, it seemed as if they were waiting for some formidable enemy to attack. Upon realizing this, Cao Anmin's heart sank to the depths.

At this moment, a cold smile appeared, and the anger on Cao Huan's face intensified as he coldly said: "In that case! I, Cao Huan, shall take my leave!"

This... I advise the general not to go, to be wary of the enemy's tricks

However, not long after, Cao Mao suddenly reined in his horse and returned to the formation. But when Cao Huan asked what the former had said, he only heard Cao Mao stammering and hesitating to respond

Cao Mao saw the opponent approaching alone, yet he noticed that there was not the slightest hint of suspicion among the enemy troops, so he immediately decided to ride forward.

Cao Ang's army, camp.

There is no need to go anymore... the old man... has already passed away

What?

Just as Cao Mao was behaving strangely, at that moment, Cao Huan walked in. Upon seeing Cao Mao holding a letter, he immediately approached him.

However, before setting off, he was instead called to a halt by Cao Huan beside him, "General, please wait. We have 3,000 defending troops; as long as we hold the city, Cao Ang's 800 cavalry will have no means to act. Why bother conversing with him?"

Report

Oh? Out of curiosity, I took it from the straw hat's hand, but upon closer inspection, it was not a letter at all; it appeared to have been deliberately smeared by someone.

The general also finds it strange

Eight hundred cavalry

Inside Rencheng City. General's Residence

Hmm? What do you mean by this?

However, from a distance, Cao Huan found this somewhat suspicious. Although he could not hear what the two were discussing, seeing Cao Ang laugh heartily time and again and Cao seemingly engaged in a pleasant conversation made Cao Huan increasingly uneasy.

Hahaha, is my father well at my uncle's house?

"Why is this letter slowly covered in ink? Does the general not want me to see the contents of the book?" As he spoke, he continued to sneer.

A report! A letter from the enemy's envoy, addressed to the general. In the general's residence, a scout approached with a letter in hand, kneeling on the ground as he spoke.

However, such a response only heightened Cao Huan's suspicions

At this moment, Cao Anmin and Zhou Fang traveled day and night, covering more than 100 miles each day, and arrived at Xuzhou, where they came to a fork in the road. Zhou Fang then inquired.

As the elder brother anticipated, it should be soon...