20demayo Chapter 7 Supplies
Chapter 7 Supplies
The order quickly spread throughout Zhang Xiu's army camp.
The camp gates suddenly swung open.
Tens of thousands of Liangzhou cavalry surged out of the camp like a tidal wave, taking advantage of the terrain of the northern highlands, and charged towards Cao Cao's camp like tigers descending the mountain.
Outside the central command tent of Cao Cao's camp.
Cao Cao stood quietly in front of the tent with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed solemnly on the north.
The night sky to the north was already dyed crimson by raging fire, and the deafening shouts of battle rolled in like thunder.
"Report—"
A scout rode up on a fast horse, covered in blood, dismounted, and knelt on the ground: "Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, Zhang Xiu has led his entire army in a night attack on our camp!"
"Most of our soldiers were still drunk and unable to organize an effective resistance in the rush, and they were simply no match for the rebels' fierce attack!"
"The rebel army has breached the northwest wall of the camp, and Hu Che'er is leading his personal guard towards the central command tent!"
Scouts kept bringing up one bad report after another.
Cao Cao clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white, and his brows furrowed deeper and deeper.
A long time passed.
He slowly loosened his fist, a look of self-reproach on his face, and sighed, "Alas, in the end, I was too impatient and rushed things, which forced Zhang Xiu to rebel."
Xi Zhicai stood aside, bowing with a face full of guilt, and said, "Minister Sikong, this is all my fault. Young Master Gu clearly reminded me long ago, but I failed to report this to you in time. It was my dereliction of duty. Please punish me, Minister Sikong!"
"It's none of your business."
Cao Cao waved his hand and sighed, "Only Gu Cheng could have predicted so accurately that Zhang Xiu would surrender and then rebel again. If it were me, I probably wouldn't have believed the words of a complete stranger."
A rapid sound of hooves approached from afar, and Cao Ang galloped towards them on horseback.
"Father, the rebels have breached many sections of the camp walls, and the camp can no longer be held. What should we do now?"
He dismounted, quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, his tone revealing a hint of barely concealed panic.
Cao Cao scoffed dismissively, "Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. It's just a small battle we lost; it's nothing to worry about. Issue the order: the entire army must immediately abandon the main camp and retreat towards Ye County!"
"promise!"
Cao Ang accepted the order, turned around and quickly left, passing on the order to retreat.
Tens of thousands of Cao Cao's soldiers immediately abandoned their supplies and provisions in the camp and retreated hastily towards Ye County.
...
Three days later.
In the southern suburbs of Ye County, there is a quiet house nestled against the mountains and beside the water.
Gu Cheng was leisurely lying on a rocking chair in the courtyard, holding a cup of warm rice wine in his hand, basking in the warm afternoon sun.
Diao Chan quietly served him from the side, occasionally refilling his wine cup or gently massaging his shoulders.
Just then, a commotion of footsteps and voices came from outside the courtyard gate.
Not long after.
Zhou Tai strode in, cupped his hands, and said, "Liheng, two wounded Cao army officers have arrived outside. They say they retreated from Wancheng. One of them is seriously injured and is about to collapse. They want to come into the manor for treatment. Do you think we should let them in?"
Before Gu Cheng could speak, Diao Chan's expression suddenly changed, and she abruptly stood up.
She looked at Gu Cheng excitedly, her voice trembling slightly: "Young Master, you were right again! Cao Cao's army really did suffer a crushing defeat at Wancheng!"
"Oh dear, I wouldn't have realized it if Miss Diao Chan hadn't mentioned it!"
Zhou Tai suddenly slapped his forehead, exclaiming in realization, "Brother Liheng, you are truly Zhang Liang reincarnated! Zhang Xiu surrendered without a fight, then rebelled again—you foresaw all of this!"
Their gazes both fell on Gu Cheng, filled with admiration and amazement.
"Please invite those two Cao army officers in."
Gu Cheng remained calm and composed, simply waving his hand dismissively.
"Liheng, are you really going to save them?"
Zhou Tai leaned forward and asked in a low voice, his face full of confusion.
Gu Cheng smiled faintly and said, "We made so much money and grain from Cao Mengde before, so rescuing two of his men is just repaying a favor. There's nothing wrong with that."
Zhou Tai nodded, turned around, and strode towards the gate of the mansion.
Outside the mansion gate.
Cao Anmin was struggling to support Cao Ang, who was wounded by an arrow, as they sat on the cold stone steps, panting heavily.
In the Battle of Wancheng, Cao's army suffered a major defeat. Cao Ang was hit in the shoulder by a stray arrow in the chaos of battle, the arrowhead penetrating deep into his flesh. Fortunately, his cousin Cao Anmin risked his life to save him, and he managed to break through the encirclement.
The two became separated from the main force during their escape and could only stumble and stagger their way back towards Ye County.
Cao Ang's injuries worsened, and he was too weak to walk. Cao Anmin happened to discover the house and quickly helped him to seek help.
"Squeak!"
The heavy wooden door slowly opened.
Zhou Tai stepped out and whispered to the two men, "Generals, please come in with me."
Cao Anmin was overjoyed and quickly helped Cao Ang up. With Zhou Tai's help, they staggered into the courtyard.
"Help this general to the couch in the east wing."
Gu Cheng stood up and gave the instructions.
Cao Anmin quickly cupped his hands and said, "Young master, my brother's injuries are serious. Please send someone to Ye County to fetch a skilled physician to treat him. I will reward you handsomely afterward!"
Gu Cheng said calmly, "No need. I have some medical knowledge. I can take care of this general's injuries."
"you?"
Cao Anmin looked Gu Cheng up and down, his eyes full of suspicion.
"Ye County is fifteen li away from here. Even if we rush to fetch a doctor now, by the time he arrives, your brother will probably have already bled to death. What are you waiting for? Quickly help him inside!"
Zhou Tai glared at Cao Anmin and, without saying a word, helped Cao Ang into the east wing.
"Alas, at this point, we have no choice but to try anything. I just wonder how skilled this young master is at medicine, given his young age."
"Brother, you must hold on!"
Cao Anmin felt a sense of helplessness, but he had no choice but to follow Cao Ang into the side room and carefully help him onto the bed.
"Cicada, go and get my medicine box."
Gu Cheng carefully examined Cao Ang's arrow wound while giving instructions.
Diao Chan quickly responded and turned around to fetch an exquisite wooden medicine box.
The medicine box was opened, and inside were neatly arranged gleaming scalpels, clean white gauze bandages, disinfectant alcohol, several bottles of anti-inflammatory drugs, and syringes.
These items were naturally rewards Gu Cheng received after completing the system's seclusion mission; they were simply unheard-of wonders in this era.
"You...you're going to use these strange things to heal my brother's injuries?"
Cao Anmin pointed at the contents of the medicine box, his eyes wide with astonishment and disbelief.
"Youping, please ask this general to leave. Don't disturb me here."
Gu Cheng was too lazy to explain to him, and simply said indifferently.
Zhou Tai nodded, then stepped forward and dragged Cao Anmin out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Cao Anmin could only pace anxiously outside the door, peeking through the crack every now and then, his heart pounding with anxiety and restlessness.
Half an hour later.
The door to the side room finally opened.
Cao Anmin rushed in and asked anxiously, "Young Master, how is my brother? Is he alright?"
"He only suffered external injuries; the arrowhead did not damage his internal organs or bones. I have stitched up his wounds and given him a tetanus shot. He will recover after a few days of rest."
Gu Cheng washed his hands with water as he spoke casually.
"Tetanus vaccine...?"
Cao Anmin was completely confused and stammered, asking a question with a blank expression on his face.
But when he turned to look at Cao Ang on the bed, he saw that his face had regained color and his breathing had become steady and strong, and his heart finally settled down.
present.
Gu Cheng then instructed Diao Chan to have some light meals prepared and sent over so that Cao Ang and Cao Anmin could rest in the mansion for the time being.
After arranging everything, Gu Cheng turned and walked out of the room.
As soon as you go out.
He then instructed Zhou Tai, "Youping, Cao Cao will surely lead his entire army to retreat to Ye County. He lost all his grain and supplies in Wancheng, and his army will soon run out of food. The grain we stockpiled in Ye County will soon come in very handy."
Zhou Tai was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized, slapping his thigh and saying, "I finally understand! So you had already foreseen that Cao Cao would be defeated and run out of food, which is why you stockpiled so much grain in Ye County in advance! Li Heng, I'm truly impressed!"
Zhou Tai praised Gu Cheng highly and gave him a thumbs up.
"Alright, stop flattering me. Go to Ye County right now and tell the grain shop manager to prepare the grain and fodder, ready to sell at any time."
Gu Cheng smiled faintly, then turned and left.
...
The following evening.
Gu Cheng was leisurely feeding the fish by the pond in the backyard.
Footsteps came from behind. It turned out that Cao Ang had woken up and, supported by Cao Anmin, came to thank Gu Cheng.
"Thank you so much for saving my life, young master! Please accept my bow!"
As Cao Ang spoke, he bowed with difficulty.
Gu Cheng quickly stepped forward and gently helped him up, saying lightly, "It was nothing, General, there's no need for such formality."
"I was seriously injured and bleeding profusely. I thought I was going to die, but I never expected to be saved by you, young master!"
"Young master, you are so young, yet you possess such superb medical skills; truly a rare find in this world!"
Cao Ang looked at Gu Cheng with eyes full of admiration and gratitude.
"It's nothing but trivial skills."
Gu Cheng poured him a cup of tea and asked, "I heard that Zhang Xiu had already surrendered the city to Cao Sikong. I wonder why you suffered such a defeat, General?"
Upon hearing this, Cao Ang sighed heavily and recounted in detail how Zhang Xiu feigned surrender, secretly plotted a rebellion, and launched a night raid on Cao's camp. His words were filled with resentment and unwillingness.
Gu Cheng held his teacup, leisurely sipping the fragrant tea, his face remaining completely expressionless.
He asked the question knowing the answer already, simply to confirm his previous judgment.
"We thought victory was assured in this battle, but we never expected to fall into Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu's treacherous trap, suffering such a crushing defeat. It's truly hateful!"
Cao Ang slammed his fist on the stone table, his eyes filled with resentment.
"In fact, although Cao Sikong has suffered a temporary defeat, he may still have a chance to turn the tide."
Gu Cheng put down his teacup and said casually.
"Turning defeat into victory?"
Upon hearing this, Cao Ang's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly asked, "Is what you say true, sir? How can we turn defeat into victory? Please enlighten us, sir!"
"When Cao Sikong led his army to retreat to Ye County, he lost all his food supplies. Zhang Xiu would surely think that Cao Sikong had no food and could only retreat to Xuchang."
"If Cao Sikong were to launch a surprise attack at this time, leading his elite light cavalry south from Ye County and turning back to Wancheng, he would surely catch Zhang Xiu off guard."
"Perhaps, Wancheng can be regained."
Gu Cheng picked up his teacup and spoke slowly.
Cao Ang was initially full of expectations, but after listening, a hint of disappointment flashed across his eyes.
"My lord, you are unaware of the situation. Our army lost all its provisions at Wancheng, and the remaining grain in Ye County is only enough for a few days. The soldiers are not even getting enough to eat, so how can they possibly have the strength to march south and counterattack Wancheng?"
Cao Ang said with a wry smile.
"That's not necessarily true."
Gu Cheng smiled slightly, his tone carrying a deeper meaning.
Cao Ang didn't grasp the hidden meaning in his words, taking it as a casual remark and not paying it any mind. Thinking he needed to get to Ye County as soon as possible to meet Cao Cao, he rose to bid farewell to Gu Cheng.
At the time of parting.
Cao Ang cupped his hands and asked, "Young master, you saved my life. I still don't know your honorable name?"
"I dare not accept such a name. My name is Gu Cheng, courtesy name Liheng."
Gu Cheng readily gave his name.
"Gu Cheng, Gu Liheng... I've remembered them. I will definitely come in person one day to repay your life-saving grace."
Goodbye.
After Cao Ang finished speaking, he mounted his horse and rode with Cao Anmin towards Ye County.
...
Ye County Government Office.
Tens of thousands of defeated Cao Cao soldiers have gradually arrived here to join him, and the momentum of Cao Cao's army is gradually being restored.
Inside the main hall of the county government office.
Cao Cao sat high in the hall, listening solemnly to the reports of losses from his generals.
"Our army lost more than 3,000 men in this battle, most of whom were killed by the rebels while drunk, so it can not be considered a major blow to our strength."
"However, all the provisions and supplies we prepared for this southern expedition have been lost in Wancheng. Now, the grain reserves in Ye County are only enough to sustain the army for three days."
"Minister, in my humble opinion, we must retreat to Xuchang as soon as possible, otherwise our army will collapse without a fight once our supplies run out."
Cao Ren stood below the hall and spoke in a deep voice.
Cao Cao took a deep breath, a helpless look on his face, and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, issue the order that the entire army rest for a day and withdraw to Xuchang early tomorrow morning."
The voice just fell.
Xi Zhicai suddenly burst in, his face beaming with excitement, shouting, "Lord Sikong! We have grain! We have grain!"
Cao Cao's spirits lifted, and he abruptly stood up, urgently asking, "Zhicai! Where did the provisions come from?"
Xi Zhicai, panting heavily, cupped his hands and said, "Minister, there is a large grain shop in Ye County that has stockpiled a full five thousand bushels of grain, enough for our army for half a month!"
"Five thousand bushels?"
Cao Cao was both surprised and delighted, and quickly asked, "How could someone in a mere Ye County hoard so much grain? Who owns this grain shop?"
"Master, this grain shop belongs to the Gu family of Xu County. The person who hoarded this grain is none other than Gu Cheng!"
Xi Zhicai said excitedly.
"Gu Cheng?"
Upon hearing this, Cao Cao was startled and stood frozen in place, speechless for a long time.