Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 693 - 534: Taking on 100,000 with 5,000, the ambition must be grand.

Chapter 693: Chapter 534: Taking on 100,000 with 5,000, the ambition must be grand.

And the rest of the people also left the Ye City Taishou Residence one after another.

As for the recent events, Wang Yang did not at all take them to heart.

Following behind Xiahou Dun, they arrived at the military camp outside Ye City.

Under Cao Cao’s military orders, five thousand Qingzhou troops quickly assembled.

Wang Yang mounted his warhorse and said with a cupped fist salute to Xiahou Dun, "General Yuanrang, until we meet again!"

After speaking, he led five thousand cavalry, leaving Ye City majestically and departed for Shouchun. This was his first battle in the Three Kingdoms and also his best opportunity to prove himself.

Five thousand Qingzhou cavalry were enough for Wang Yang to take Shouchun.

"Zi Yi, Zi Yi!"

No sooner had Wang Yang left than Dian Wei caught up with him.

However, by the time he reached the camp, only Xiahou Dun was still there, which caused Dian Wei to sigh repeatedly.

"General Dian Wei, why seek out that minor General of the Household of the Central Court? Come, join me in my tent for a drink!"

Xiahou Dun, after seeing Dian Wei arrive, laughed heartily and pulled Dian Wei’s hand, intending to walk into the great tent.

As for the parting words Wang Yang had said, Xiahou Dun had already cast them from his mind.

"General Xiahou, let’s forgo the drinking. The Prime Minister orders you to lead one hundred thousand Qingzhou troops to return to Xuchang and keep a close watch on Liu Bei and his group. You must depart immediately without error!"

Knowing it was hopeless to catch up with Wang Yang, Dian Wei relayed the orders to Xiahou Dun.

Upon hearing this military order, Xiahou Dun was completely stunned on the spot.

They had gone straight to the camp after leaving the Taishou’s residence and had no idea what had happened there after they left.

...

Time rewound to half an hour earlier. Just after Wang Yang and Xiahou Dun had left the Taishou Residence, Guo Jia was asked to stay by Cao Cao.

The two men sat face to face, like old friends who hadn’t met for years, without any distinction of rank or status.

It can be said that Cao Cao’s early success was entirely due to the help of Guo Jia, known as a genius.

Even if Guo Jia hadn’t died young, it’s likely that the situation of a divided Three Kingdoms would never have arisen.

For this reason, Cao Cao mourned Guo Jia for the rest of his life, even though he was also surrounded by numerous counselors.

At this moment, Cao Cao’s trust in Guo Jia was even greater, appointing him as Military Advisor and Libationer. Within Cao Cao’s camp, Guo Jia’s words, to a certain degree, were as good as Cao Cao’s own.

In fact, most of the time, even Cao Cao would seriously consider Guo Jia’s advice.

Now the two were sitting in the Taishou Residence, deliberating on the words Wang Yang had just spoken.

"Fengxiao, what do you think of Wang Yang?"

Cao Cao tucked his hands into his sleeves, as it was just past February and still somewhat cold.

"My lord, how much do you know about this man?"

Guo Jia, dressed in white robes, had an extraordinary demeanor. He could be considered a top-tier handsome man anywhere he went.

His manner of speaking to Cao Cao was not excessively polite. Usually, he didn’t answer Cao Cao’s questions but responded with questions of his own.

Moreover, he didn’t address Cao Cao as Prime Minister but as "my lord" directly.

Since Liu Xian had entered Xuchang and Cao Cao had been conferred the title of Prime Minister, Cao Cao had demanded his subordinates to refer to him as Prime Minister, signifying the Prime Minister of the Han dynasty.

But Guo Jia had always called him "my lord," which Cao Cao did not mind.

"This man is from the same hometown as Dian Wei. Xu Chu checked him out. His background is clean; his father was in the military, died in battle, and passed away early, leaving him the sole survivor."

Cao Cao spoke without frivolity, but neither was he overly solemn.

In Cao Cao’s mind, Wang Yang was merely bold and arrogant.

Regarding the several suggestions Wang Yang had made, Cao Cao had some thoughts but was unsure.

If Wang Yang returned from this battle and confirmed everything he had said, Cao Cao might truly start seeing him in a new light. But if there was any discrepancy, Wang Yang would still be deemed useless by Cao Cao.

"Since there is no problem with his background, then congratulations to my lord, your camp has gained another great general, a talented individual."

Guo Jia said to Cao Cao with a smile.

"How so?"

Cao Cao was confused and did not understand the meaning of Guo Jia’s words.

"If General Li takes Shouchun and makes meritorious deeds in a single battle, he would undoubtedly be a great modern general, unparalleled in charging into the fray!"

Guo Jia said with a smile, "As for the talent, it is because what this person said, Fengxiao also highly agrees."

"I am ashamed to say that I have not considered the Jingzhun area, nor did I think of Liu Bei residing in Xuchang."

"Both matters seem illogical at first, and what Wang Yang said seems to have no basis or reason. But only after he explained did the subtleties become apparent."

"Such strategic planning and execution, Fengxiao is humbled by comparison!"

Guo Jia did not harbor the contempt that some literati have for their peers and wouldn’t suppress Wang Yang just because he stood out.

There was no way around it—Cao Cao was very successful in winning people’s hearts, and all of Guo Jia’s planning was for Cao Cao, not for himself.

"Let Cao Ren lead the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry to garrison Jingzhun. This will both prevent Yuanshu from fleeing and guard against Jiangdong from the south, thereby bringing the entire region north of the Jianghuai under control."

"With the fertile land of Jianghuai, our army’s provisions would be greatly assured. To hold this position, it’s essential to station thirty thousand troops, and they should be Tiger and Leopard Cavalry."

"This is something I did not consider before."

Guo Jia began to analyze Wang Yang’s words for Cao Cao, and his thoughts were almost identical to Wang Yang’s. The only difference was that Cao Cao would listen to what Guo Jia said, whereas he would not take Wang Yang’s words seriously.

"And keeping an eye on Liu Bei and his people seems to be disadvantageous to my lord, damaging my lord’s reputation for benevolence."

"However, it is actually out of consideration for my lord, to eliminate a great enemy! Liu Bei is a man with deep intentions. If allowed to leave freely, he will surely become a significant concern for my lord!"

"As for assigning General Yu Jin to lead thirty thousand Tiger Guard Army to follow ten miles behind, it shows that this man is confident about this battle. If all goes as expected, within ten days, these five thousand Qingzhou cavalry will surely break into Shouchun City!"