Seeing Cao Cao get ashore, the group quickly disappeared into the dusk, Sun Ce sighed.

A big fish just ran away like this, it's all fate.

Although he was sorry, he had no choice. Even if he wanted to chase him, it was dark and dark, he didn't know that the water here was deep and shallow. If the horse stumbled and drowned, it would be a joke. Sun Ce turned his horse's head, returned to the shore, and returned to the camp in a bad mood. As soon as he sat down, Huang Zhong came in, looking ashamed. Sun Ce knew what he was thinking, waved his hand and signaled him to take his seat.

"Okay, don't blame yourself. Cao Cao is a treacherous hero, be careful. I blame me for this. I am determined to kill all the people. I am so stupid that I actually used infantry to surround the cavalry. If you were to go alone, maybe the problem would be solved with one arrow."

"The captain is right. Cao Cao is indeed too cautious. They have many cavalrymen. They are discovered before we get close to each other and have been shot and injured two of them." Huang Zhong sighed regretfully. "If Han Yigong is here, he will definitely succeed."

Sun Ce held his cheek and said nothing. This was an accident. It was not planned, but it exposed a problem: the southern army dominated by infantry was at a disadvantage when encountering the northern army with cavalry advantages. Not to mention anything else, the strength of the scouts was very different. The northern knights who were good at riding and shooting were both mobility and personal combat power, were enough to crush the southern infantry. Even archery masters like Huang Zhong could only passively counterattack and it was difficult to catch up with the other side.

"All scouts are ordered to act in groups of five people, and they are not allowed to be single, and they are equipped with a three-stone crossbow and two hand crossbows."

Huang Zhong responded. "But this way, the range we can reconnaissance is very limited."

"Cao Cao has arrived in front of him. What's the difference between reconnaissance and reconnaissance? Just don't give them a chance to attack."

Sun Ce rubbed his hands and turned to look at the map. Cao Cao had arrived, and the main force should not be far away, at most thirty or fifty miles. He was not afraid of Yuan Shu intercepting his retreat? Wancheng has an army of 20,000 to 30,000 troops. Although his combat effectiveness is average, it should not be a problem to cut off Cao Cao's retreat. If Yuan Shu ordered people to leave the city, how would Cao Cao deal with it?

Sun Ce stared at the map for a long time, but still couldn't figure out what Cao Cao was planning. He talked about his worries to Huang Zhong, and Huang Zhong felt puzzled. The more Sun Ce thought about it, the more uneasy he became, and sent someone to invite Huang Gai. After listening to Sun Ce's analysis, Huang Gai also felt that Cao Cao's behavior was abnormal and was not suitable for common sense in using military service. However, he was not as uneasy as Sun Ce.

"It is common for the lieutenant to be fooled by the army. It is common for them to deceive each other. However, no matter how much they cheat, the strength of both sides cannot be reversed. As long as we guard ourselves strictly and do not let Cao Cao grasp the flaws, what can he do to me? The current situation is beneficial to us and is not good for Cao Cao. We can keep a close eye on the door, send more scouts, and wait for the general to catch up, attack forward and backward, and then see how Cao Cao deals with it."

Sun Ce repeatedly weighed the pros and cons, feeling that this was the only way. He sent someone to send a letter to Sun Jian, reminding him to be careful of Cao Cao's sneak attacks, and he kept the camps tight and ordered the battalions to strengthen their vigilance and strictly prevent Cao Cao from attacking the camp. He did not dare to be careless about this opponent who had not yet shined.

——

Cao Cao returned to Xinye Camp, turned over and dismounted, strode into the central army's tent, and called Xiahou Dun, the Zhechong school captain who was responsible for the central army affairs.

"Yuan Rang, check it immediately. After I leave the camp, who will be in and out of the central army?"

Xiahou Dun was shocked and asked what happened. Cao Cao told him about the encounter with Sun Ce and Sun Ce. Sun Ce called Po Xingzang again. Xiahou Dun's eyes shrank slightly. "I will send someone to investigate immediately. However, Meng De and Zhao Chong were wiped out. He is unknown in his life and death, so it is normal for someone to know you."

Cao Cao shook his head. "I know Zhao Chong knows me, but Sun Ce is not many people, so there should be only personal guards. Do you think Sun Ce will keep the person who just surrendered to him by his side as personal guards? Yuan Rang, be prepared for any trouble, it is always good for you to check it out."

Xiahou Dun said nothing and turned around and went out.

Cao Cao spread out the map, but was a little absent-minded. He always recalled the passing of the river between Sun Ce and looked across the river. The more he thought about it, the more frightened he felt. If there was really a traitor, wouldn’t he have walked in the gates of hell? Thanks to Sun Ce’s few cavalry, otherwise he might not be able to return safely.

"Ahon." Cao Ang's voice rang outside the tent.

Cao Cao was startled, came to his senses, and quickly asked Cao Ang to come in. Cao Ang entered the tent, glanced at Cao Cao, and carefully closed the door. "Ah Weng, it's late at night, why haven't you rested yet, be careful to catch a cold."

Cao Cao glanced at Cao Ang and showed a gratified smile. "Zi Xiu, sit here." Cao Cao waved his hand and pulled Cao Ang to his side, untied his cloak tie, and tied it again. "Why haven't you been asleep yet?"

"Aweng went out to camp to reconnaissance himself. I was very worried and dared not sleep."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Cao Cao laughed, but he was a little reluctant. "Zi Xiu, the battlefield is dangerous. Uncle Miao Cai has just died in battle again. Are you a little scared?"

Cao Ang was silent for a moment. "Aweng, I am not worried about my own safety, I am worried about your safety. You are the commander of the first army. If there are any mistakes, it is difficult for our lonely army to maintain and may collapse at any time. Aweng, I shouldn't have said it, but I must not say that it is too risky for you to do this. If Ahweng knew about it, she would definitely not agree."

Cao Cao blinked and smiled. "Your mother is a good woman, but she has a bad temper and doesn't know how to use military force. Don't learn from her. By the way, I met Sun Ce. He is about the same age as you, but he has already led the troops to fight."

Cao Ang lowered his head. "My son is incompetent, which disappoints Ah Weng."

"Huh--" Cao Cao rebuked: "Zi Xiu, you have to be more confident and don't always feel inferior to others. Sun Ce was able to command troops just seventeen, not because he was strong, but because his father was willing to let go. I think his camp deployment was also very average, not better than you. Speaking of which, it was because I was too strict with you and didn't let you try. This is my responsibility, not your responsibility."

Cao Ang stared at Cao Cao in surprise, his heartbeat accelerated. "Aweng, is this true?"

"Of course it's true. However, Sun Ce's knowledge is superior. I think his treatment of the powerful people in Xiangyang makes sense. But..." Cao Cao paused for a moment and shook his head again. "It's just too anxious. I'm worried that even if he takes Xiangyang, he will still be a wedding dress for others. Alas, the family has deep roots and is not so easy to deal with."

At this time, Cao Chun rushed in. "General, Yuan Shu personally led an army of 10,000 and had already chased him to Jingyang, less than twenty miles away from our army."

Cao Ang was startled and stood up. "So fast?"

Cao Cao raised his eyebrows. "Good come!" He laughed. "Yuan Gaolu is indeed a waste. If he doesn't leave the city, I really can't do anything to him. Since he is here, don't blame me for being rude." He got up, walked back and forth twice, and turned around to look at Cao Ang.

"Zi Xiu, you will meet Sun Ce on my behalf tomorrow, don't embarrass me."

Cao Ang raised his chest and responded. Cao Cao said to Cao Chun again: "Zihe, add scouts, make sure that Sun Ce cannot see or hear, and know nothing about our army's movements."

"Here."

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Chapter completed!