PDLP Chapter 34: Xu Rong, as the rearguard, is about to encounter Cao Cao?
Chapter 34: Xu Rong, as the rearguard, is about to encounter Cao Cao?
"Report to the leader!"
"Dong Zhuo's army in the direction of Sishui Pass has also retreated."
"Yuan, the military supervisor, planned to lead his troops in pursuit, but they fell into an ambush set by the enemy general Xu Rong, losing thousands of soldiers."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Shao almost burst out laughing.
The "Yuan Jianjun" refers to Yuan Shu, of course.
When the troops were divided, Yuan Shu was given the command of the Sishui Pass.
With Sun Jian and Tao Qian by his side, Yuan Shu's fighting strength was not weak.
Despite the previous conflict between Sun Jian and Yuan Shu over provisions, it's clear that Sun Jian was not immune to the consequences.
However, Sun Jian's army did not engage in production and had little surplus grain. At least until the coalition officially disbanded, they still had to maintain relations with Yuan Shu.
After the coalition disbanded, Sun Jian would most likely not completely turn against Yuan Shu.
There was no other way; their target was Liu Biao in Jingzhou.
Even if they secretly despise each other, they must maintain their plastic alliance even if they share the same strategic direction.
It's like the Shu Han and Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period.
Within Shu Han, people naturally looked down on Eastern Wu.
They betrayed their ally and launched a surprise attack on Jingzhou.
This hatred was etched in the hearts of the Shu Han people.
However, during Zhuge Liang's administration, diplomatic relations with Eastern Wu were restored and an alliance was formed again.
Ultimately, with a formidable enemy at hand and everyone's strategic goals closely aligned, other grievances can be set aside for now.
But what if Cao Wei is defeated?
Needless to say, Shu Han and Eastern Wu will soon be locked in a life-or-death struggle!
Now, upon hearing the news of Yuan Shu's defeat, Yuan Shao, while mocking him, couldn't help but feel somewhat puzzled.
"When did Xu Rong go to Sishui Pass?"
“This man is skilled in battle, but he is not a direct descendant of Xiliang, so he should not have been valued by Dong Zhuo.”
Not only Yuan Shao was puzzled, but the other warlords were equally baffled.
Who is Xu Rong?
He was the leader of the Luoyang Imperial Guards.
The nature of the Luoyang Imperial Guard has already been mentioned earlier.
To put it nicely, they were called the Imperial Guard.
To put it bluntly, it was a reorganization of a local army that was impoverished but brave and skilled in battle.
Compared to the Western Garden Army in Luoyang, the Imperial Guards of Luoyang were far inferior in terms of both treatment and equipment.
Already neglected by his father and mother, his status and treatment declined even further after Dong Zhuo entered the capital.
But no matter what, the Luoyang Imperial Guards were still a fighting force.
Dong Zhuo led his main force to Hulao Pass.
As for the Sishui Pass, Xu Rong was ordered to lead troops to provide support and assist Zhao Cen, Hu Zhen, Li Su, and others in their defense.
You can question the judgments of Zhao Cen, Hu Zhen, Li Su, and others, but you cannot question Xu Rong's abilities.
Don't be fooled by the fact that Xu Rong was killed by Xiahou Dun with a single spear thrust in the novel.
In reality, however, Xu Rong was exceptionally fierce.
Liang Dong defeated Sun Jian!
Cao Cao was defeated at the Bian River!
Both of the great warlords at the end of the Han Dynasty had been taught a lesson by Xu Rong in history.
This time, Xu Rong took advantage of the retreat of the garrison at Sishui Pass to give Yuan Shu a hard time.
but.
Mocking Yuan Shu is one thing, but mocking Yuan Shu is another.
Upon hearing the news that Cao Cao had led his troops straight to Hulao Pass, Yuan Shao quickly set off with various warlords, ostensibly to support Cao Cao.
……
Hulao Pass
The once heavily guarded and extremely fortified Hulao Pass is now an empty pass.
Although Dong Zhuo left several thousand ragtag troops to garrison the area, it was of little use.
The ragtag army wasn't stupid; Dong Zhuo was clearly leaving them to die.
If we don't run away now, when will we?
Based on this assessment, Su Yu decisively advised Cao Cao to lead his troops into Hulao Pass first.
Indeed, Dong Zhuo had already left, as had the Xiliang and Bingzhou armies inside Hulao Pass.
In his haste, Dong Zhuo abandoned a number of spare armors and, to avoid suspicion, did not set fire to Hulao Pass.
These suits of armor were nothing to the wealthy and powerful Dong Zhuo.
But for Cao Cao, the meaning was completely different.
With these armors, Cao Cao could recruit more soldiers to serve him after returning to Yanzhou.
Looking at the numerous armored figures before him, Cao Cao's eyes almost squinted into the shape of coins.
"Yuanrang, Miaocai, Zixiao, what are you all standing there for?"
"Why aren't you moving these armors away right now?"
Behind Cao Cao, the generals in his camp were also overjoyed.
"Ziyi, come quickly and take a look. Is this armor suitable for me?"
Cao Cao beckoned to Su Yu.
Su Yu smiled and said:
"My lord is so handsome and dashing, he looks good in anything."
Su Yu's words were truly against his conscience.
Was Cao Cao handsome?
By modern standards, Cao Cao was definitely not handsome.
He was in his thirties, but looked like a dark-skinned middle-aged man who was about 1.6 meters tall.
However, by the standards of the late Han Dynasty, Cao Cao was considered to have a "dignified" appearance.
Bao Zheng also possessed a dignified presence.
Dignity does not necessarily equate to handsomeness.
"My lord, hurry up and take stock of the spoils of war."
"Then, we'll have to go to Luoyang."
Su Yu's eyes were sharp and piercing, like those of an eagle.
As a time traveler, he knew in his heart that Dong Zhuo would soon burn Luoyang.
It was virtually impossible for Cao Cao's army of a few thousand soldiers to stop Dong Zhuo from setting fires.
However, if Cao Cao could seize the absolute opportunity, he could intercept a considerable portion of the supplies that Dong Zhuo took with him when he moved the capital to Chang'an!
Upon hearing Su Yu's words, Cao Cao sighed:
"It's a pity that I, Cao, am not strong enough, otherwise I would definitely have been able to defeat Dong Zhuo in one battle!"
"But Cao firmly believes that if given a few more years, the Guandong region and even the entire northern region will be completely transformed!"
Su Yu and Cao Cao exchanged a smile.
This was a tacit understanding unique to them, the ruler and his subject.
After being influenced by Su Yu day and night, some of Cao Cao's naive ideas had vanished.
For example, in the original history, Cao Cao pursued Dong Zhuo in order to rescue Emperor Liu Xie.
But now, it's all for the purpose of expanding and strengthening their own power!
Don't underestimate the differences caused by different purposes.
If it is the former, it means that Cao Cao still harbored illusions about the Liu Han imperial family.
The latter is completely different!
Cao Cao's path to becoming a powerful warlord will be even smoother in the future!
In just the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, Cao's army had finished preparing and was ready to continue their march towards Luoyang.
……
at the same time
Outside Luoyang City
Dong Zhuo and his main army had already left Luoyang and traveled dozens of miles.
At this moment, those still remaining outside Luoyang City were Fan Chou's troops and Xu Rong's troops.
Xu Rong's troops had come from afar from Sishui Pass, hoping to get some rest, but they were immediately incorporated into the rearguard.
Xu Rong didn't say it, but his resentment had reached its peak!
"Plop plop!"
The city of Luoyang was engulfed by wave after wave of fire.
A sinister smile crept across Fan Chou's lips.
This feeling of destruction is actually quite exhilarating.
However, burning down Luoyang was only the first step.
Next, Fan Chou and Xu Rong will also be responsible for any potential pursuing forces.
"General Xu, what are your thoughts?"
Fan Chou passed the ball to Xu Rong.
In any case, given his status as a confidant of Dong Zhuo and a direct descendant of the Xiliang faction, he would not be held accountable even if he deserted in the face of battle.
The arduous task of fighting the Allied forces to the death was naturally assigned to Xu Rong.
Xu Rong's veins bulged, and his fists clenched tightly.
But his long-term patience gradually calmed his anger.
He sent someone to fetch a map of Sizhou and placed his finger on one corner of the map.
That place name is Xingyang!
……