Zhang He's army was short of food and grass for several days, and the soldiers in the camp began to eat half of each meal.
Zhang He sent several memorials to Cao Cao in Xingyang to explain the situation and asked Cao Cao to decide on the next strategy.
But got no reply.
He had no choice but to go to Xingyang to meet Cao Cao in person in order to find out Cao Cao's intentions face to face.
After Zhang He arrived in Xingyang after traveling all day and night, he realized that Cao Cao had been bedridden for many days.
The frowning Zhang He was about to leave when he was stopped by the Huangmen servant in the palace, saying that Cao Cao wanted to meet him.
Zhang He came to Cao Cao's bedside and could no longer recognize the haggard Cao Cao.
Not long after, Xun Yu and other counselors who accompanied Cao Cao on the expedition were also summoned here.
At this time, a Huangmen chamberlain hurriedly came to report: "Hussian General Xiahou Dun is back.
He absconded all the way from Xiaoshan to Bishui Pass."
For Cao Cao, this was rare good news in many days.
He quickly ordered Huangmen to summon Xiahou Dun.
Xiahou Dun took some soldiers with him and crossed Mount Lu, traveling day and night, disguised.
When they arrived at Sishui, only the ragged Xiahou Dun was left.
Fortunately, the guard at Sishui Pass recognized Xiahou Dun, otherwise no one would have believed him.
Waiting for all the officials, including Xiahou Dun, to gather in Cao Cao's bedroom.
Only then did Cao Cao weakly say slowly: "My lords, my life is not long."
When everyone heard what Cao Cao said, they all cried bitterly.
When the crying became quieter, Cao Cao continued.
"Now, the main force of our Wei Dynasty is in Xingyang, Xudu is in trouble, and the way back to the north across the river has been blocked.
We can only move east to Qingzhou.
When we get to the west of Qingzhou and Yanzhou, we will see the situation and either cross north or station on the spot. .
But I am worried that once we leave Xingyang and Xudu, Lu Bu will launch a pursuit."
Your Highness, the ministers whispered to each other.
Xun Yu said: "In this way, only by leaving part of the army to fight to the death can the safe transfer of the main force be guaranteed."
Cao Cao nodded: "I have the same idea.
I will leave 30,000 people to garrison in Xingyang and Sishui.
I just want to leave one general behind.
This is a mission that will never come back.
Who among you is willing to take on this responsibility?"
His Highness was silent for a moment, and a deep voice echoed in the hall: "Your Majesty, I am willing to take on this responsibility."
Everyone looked at the source of the voice, and it turned out to be Xiahou Dun.
Cao Cao shook his head and said, "You and Zhang He have other important responsibilities.
Let Cao Zhang take on this responsibility."
Xun Yu hesitated to speak in front of Cao Cao's bed, and Cao Cao saw it.
Looking directly at him, he asked: "But I would like to ask who will inherit the throne after my death."
Xun Yu nodded awkwardly.
Cao Cao then said: "To be honest, I haven't thought about this yet.
But there are only two candidates, one is Cao Pi who is stationed in Yecheng, Jizhou, and the other is Cao Zhi who is stationed in Linzi, Qingzhou.
Let me think about it again, and wait for the army to set off.
Let me tell you on this occasion.”
The ministers did not wait for the answer, because Cao Cao died later.
There were sounds of wailing and crying in the dormitory, and the Wei army wore sackcloth and mourning.
Because there was not enough supplies and there was not enough white silk, everyone just wore white stripes on their heads.
Xiahou Dun led Cao Zhang's 20,000 Wei troops in the northern camp of Xudu back to Xingyang, escorting Cao Cao's coffin and began to move eastward.
Free novels bring you joy and joy ---> storyskyline.net
Zhang He also led 80,000 Wei troops to follow him towards Qingzhou.
The Han army's scouts and cavalry immediately discovered the Wei army's movements and quickly reported the military situation to Lu Bu and Zhang Liao.
Zhang Liao followed Lu Bu's edict and launched an all-out general attack on the 30,000 Wei troops left behind in Sishui and Xingyang.
Lu Bu left 8,000 men to garrison Xudu, and led more than 30,000 troops to pursue Zhang He's 80,000 main force.
In front of Sishui Pass, huge stones were blasted by five to six hundred counterweight trebuchets.
In just an hour, a long section of the city wall was destroyed.
The Han army covered them up like a tide.
The hungry and demoralized Wei army was almost vulnerable after breaking the city, and the Han army had not yet reached it.
Taking advantage of the momentum of the Han army, they began to disperse in all directions, and were killed by the chasing Han cavalry.
After defeating Sishui Pass, Zhang Liao only left 20,000 soldiers and siege equipment to besiege Xingyang, and the rest of the main force accompanied him to continue chasing the Wei army eastward along the Yellow River.
At the same time, he sent scouts to get in touch with the Han army on the other side of the river, asking them to continue using tiger and horse cavalry to defeat the Wei army's attempt to cross the river.
Soon Zhang Liao caught up with Lu Bu's headquarters.
The Wei army, numbering less than 100,000, escorted Cao Cao's coffin.
They were pursued and intercepted by the Han army and fled eastward.
The further I ran, the fewer people there were and the speed became slower and slower.
Lu Bu gathered all the cavalry in his headquarters, including five Huben cavalry brigades and 3,000 ordinary county soldiers and cavalry, to launch a roundabout interception against the Wei army.
In several such surprise attacks, he recorded more than 30,000 Wei army heads.
On the way of pursuit, all the counties and counties along the way that were still under the nominal control of the Wei army surrendered, and even the governors of distant counties and counties sent envoys to surrender.
When the Wei army rushed to Heze, there were only less than 50,000 hungry and tired soldiers left.
Zhang He and Xiahou Dun discussed it, and Zhang He was responsible for guarding the pursuers, while Xiahou Dun went to the county ahead to borrow food.
At this moment, the sound of thundering horse hooves came from behind again, and Zhang He knew that the Han army's cavalry was coming to kill again.
Immediately afterwards, the same sound of thousands of horses galloping came from the south and north.
More than 10,000 Han army cavalry from Li Su's tribe in Huai River and 20,000 Tiger and Ben troops from Hebei also arrived at the same time.
Zhang He and Xiahou Dun looked at the tens of thousands of Han cavalry coming from three sides, and their faces turned gray.
They knew that it was impossible for the remaining 50,000 main Wei army to escape.
Zhang He said to Xiahou Dun with a tragic face: "Brother, you can take my lord's coffin and go eastward.
Leave this place to me."
Xiahou Dun was silent for a moment, clasped his fists and said to Zhang He: "Take care, brother, we will see you in the next life."
After that, he led more than a hundred horsemen, took Cao Cao's body out of the coffin, wrapped it in cloth, placed it on his horse, and rode eastward.
Zhang He had just put about 50,000 Wei troops into formation.
Tens of thousands of Han cavalry on three sides have already arrived.
Most of the 50,000 Wei soldiers were frightened.
Facing the thunderous cavalry of the Han army, they had no courage to fight the enemy.
Under Zhang He's high pressure, they reluctantly organized a formation.
After the Han cavalry approached, many people turned around and ran away no matter how the generals shouted.
The supervisory team commanded by Zhang He personally cut off many heads to no avail.
More and more people fled, and it soon turned into a complete rout.
In the end, only Zhang He, some generals loyal to Cao Wei and their soldiers were left to resist the Han army.
In front of tens of thousands of iron cavalry, these people were like a mantis acting as a chariot, and were soon crushed to pieces by the torrent of steel from the Han army.
Zhang He was also hit by several arrows and fell from his horse.
His belly was trampled by iron hoofs and his intestines were broken and he died.
Since this battle, Cao Wei has lost all its main troops.
Only a few remnants were entrenched in Qingzhou and the northwest area of Jizhou, ruled by Cao Zhi and Cao Pi
.
: