458. Cao Cao Look Outwards

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They planned to increase the amount of medical supplies and asked Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjin for more skilled physicians to treat the wounded. Diplomatic assignments were outlined, with messenger being sent to influential figures across the central plains, to solidify and negotiate trade agreements and enhance their relationship with Lie Fan. As for logistics, Bu Zhi himself took the task of optimizing their supply management system, routes choosing, and securing additional resources.

The meeting lasted around three hours before Lie Fan ended it. During this time, they formulated an excellent plan to proceed with for now in developing their newly acquired lands.

As for who would become the Governor of the four major towns he had taken, Lie Fan and his advisors agreed to use influential officials who supported Lie Fan for now. They would make a final decision on this when they returned to Xiapi and held a council with the rest of Lie Fan's trusted advisors.

With that, Lie Fan's meeting in Xuchang concluded, meanwhile, Taishi Ci and Ji Ling's brigades had reached the crossing port near Puyang. After consulting with Chen Deng and Liu Ba, they immediately headed to Xuchang to merge with the rest of Lie Fan's army there.

Their arrival brought much-needed manpower to further consolidate Lie Fan's hold on the region and signify that the ceasefire with Cao Cao truly takes effect now.

Unlike Lie Fan, whose losses were manageable compared with the gains he yielded, Cao Cao was facing a grim situation as he held a council meeting in Luoyang he held after the battle at Hulao Pass ended.

Reports of the losses he had incurred as the losing side in the Central Plains war against Lie Fan were pouring in. Xun Yu was the first to present his report, outlining the dire consequences of their defeat.

"The loss of the four major towns in the Central Plains and their surrounding territories has significantly cut off our revenue from taxes and crops, my lord." Xun Yu began, his tone somber as he made his opening remarks for his report.

"However, there is a silver lining. With the recent capture of the entirety of Liang Province and the ongoing progress of incorporating Zhang Yan's domain to the north, we have managed to recoup around 70% of the revenue lost due to the Central Plains' fall." As Xun Yu said so, Zhang He, Gao Lan, Zhang Yan, Tian Feng, and Xu You heaved a sigh of relief and swore inwardly to fasten the progress silently without Yuan Shao noticing.

Cao Cao listened silently, his face was masked with determination as his head ached. "Even if we managed to recoup around 70%, it's still much less than what we produced in the past. Ensure that our integration process in Zhang Yan's domain remains unknown to Yuan Shao, we can't afford another war."

"Yes, my lord. I have ensured that it will remain hidden from Yuan Shao and his advisor's eyes, Master Tian Feng and Master Xu You were helping me ensure it is hidden." Xun Yu replied to Cao Cao's words, as his hand directed toward Tian Feng and Xu You.

Hearing their names mentioned by Xun Yu, both Tian Feng and Xu You cupped their hands and bowed toward Cao Cao to acknowledge Xun Yu's words. Cao Cao nodded his head toward the two of them before asking for the next report.

Guo Jia stepped forward, his expression serious as he began to outline the military losses Cao Cao's forces had suffered during the war for the central plains against Lie Fan.

"My lord, during the recent conflict, we have lost approximately 125,000 men, with an additional 150,000 wounded, a combination of both light and severe injuries, my lord." Guo Jia reported, with a heavy tone. "This is a significant blow to our manpower and combat capability, making it one of the heaviest losses we have ever faced."

Cao Cao's face showed signs of bitterness as he absorbed the gravity of the numbers. This loss, as Guo Jia had pointed out, was unprecedented in his career. He took a deep breath, steeling himself before asking, "What plans do you and the others have to improve the situation?"

Guo Jia glanced at Xi Zhicai, who gave a slight nod of encouragement. Turning back to Cao Cao, Guo Jia made a bold suggestion. "My lord, we propose pacifying the lands beyond the Great Wall. By expanding our territories into these regions, we can take many prisoners and integrate them into our forces, thereby reinforcing our manpower and combat power as soon as possible creating a prisoner army."

The suggestion left the hall stunned. The idea of expanding into the harsh, often hostile lands beyond the Great Wall was audacious, to say the least, with how many and hostile the Outlander tribes were especially the Xiongnus.

Many of the people in the hall exchanged glances, recognizing the risks involved in this matter. However, the necessity of replenishing their ranks and strengthening their position was undeniable.

Cao Cao remained impassive, his eyes fixed on Guo Jia as he considered the proposal. After a moment of silence, he spoke. "Your suggestion is bold, Fengxiao. Pacifying the lands beyond the Great Wall would indeed provide us with the manpower we desperately need."

With Cao Cao saying so, everyone took a deep breath as they knew Cao Cao was thinking about whether to accept this plan or not. "However, this endeavor was very risky, especially as it needed us to redirect our army to the north, which needed careful planning so no one would take advantage of our situation."

As Cao Cao's words died down, everyone nodded in agreement. They understood the gravity of their military losses and the necessity of careful planning. One misstep could easily be exploited by the other warlords. Xi Zhicai took a step forward, supporting Guo Jia's proposal.

"My lord," Xi Zhicai began, "Guo Jia and I have already started surveying the regions beyond the Great Wall. With the right preparations and strategy, we can pacify many of these regions and capture numerous able bodied Outlanders to replenish our manpower. Importantly, we don't need to utilize our main army stationed at Luoyang. Instead, we can deploy Ma Teng and Han Sui's forces to carry out this task."

This proposal brought a noticeable shift in the hall. The idea of using Ma Teng and Han Sui's armies meant that the main forces of Cao Cao's domain would remain intact and secure.

Moreover, allowing Ma Teng to expand outward would provide them with the benefits of increased manpower without directly risking their own troops, which results in Cao Cao adhering to his promise of allowing Ma Teng to expand outward as his vassal.

As Cao Cao pondered the plan, Jia Kui and Cheng Yu stepped forward to express their support. "My lord," Jia Kui said, "this plan is feasible. By using Ma Teng and Han Sui's armies, we mitigate the risks to our core forces while achieving our objective of replenishing our manpower."

Cheng Yu nodded in agreement. "Indeed, my lord. This approach not only strengthens our position but also ensures that our domain remains secure from potential threats. It is a necessary step to restore our military power swiftly."

Cao Cao considered their words carefully, weighing the benefits and risks. The plan was bold but offered a pragmatic solution to their current predicament. After a moment, he nodded. "Very well. Begin the detailed planning for this campaign. Ensure that Ma Teng and Han Sui are fully briefed and understand the importance of this mission. We must execute this flawlessly."

Gaining Cao Cao's approval, Gou Jia and Xi Zhicai thanked Cao Cao for the trust. After that, Cao Cao issued orders to strengthen defenses and enhance training regimens for his existing troops.

He also intensified diplomatic efforts with Liu Zhang and Zhang Ku to the south, sending envoys to improve the relations between the two forces, ensuring their southern border after Xun Yu suggested it.

With that Cao Cao ended the council meeting and all of the participants began to do the assignment they had. Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai took the lead, coordinating with Ma Teng and Han Sui's representatives that was sent to Luoyang by the two to represent them, to ensure a smooth operation.

Detailed maps were spread across the tables, and discussions on supply routes, troop movements, and potential obstacles filled the room. Both Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai also asked Ma Teng and Han Sui representatives for their general to come to Luoyang in person, for a better discussion between them.

Xun Yu, Jia Kui, and Cheng Yu, on the other hand, oversaw the tasks that Cao Cao had ordered, with Xun Yu handling the diplomatic efforts and Jia Kui and Cheng Yu focusing on military matters alongside Cao Cao's generals.

One week passed in the blink of an eye, and Cao Cao's forces were recuperating smoothly. During the passing week, Ma Teng and Han Sui convened at Chang'an for a meeting with Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai, after Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai felt it was better to coordinate near Liang Province with Cao Cao's approval.

When Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai presented their attack plan, Ma Teng and Han Sui found nothing to change or protest, so they gave their immediate approval to the plan without a second thought.

As Cao Cao prepared for an outward expansion to gain manpower, to the southeast at Taipei, the invasion against the Tono Tribes Separatists reached its climax. After winning the first confrontation, Ling Cao, Li Feng, and Gan Ning led their army and navy to press the attack on the Tono Separatists.

They continuously won each confrontation due to their superiority in manpower, experience, and strategy. One by one, the Tono Separatist leadership fell in each confrontation, leaving only Aching and his father to command what was left of the separatists.

The battle currently ensuing was being called the last battle by Lie Fan's men, seeing as the Tono Separatists had nowhere left to go and were fighting with exhaustion. The remaining separatists, though fierce, were outnumbered and outmatched.

Gan Ning, commanding the naval forces, coordinated a precise strike against the separatists' makeshift defenses along the coastline. Ling Cao, leading a contingent of elite troops, flanked the enemy, cutting off their retreat and forcing them into a corner.

As for Li Feng, he oversaw the main assault and directed his troops with calculated precision. His leadership prowess shone through as he exploited the weaknesses in the separatists' formation.

The once mighty Tono Separatists that was thought to be a big threat crumbled under the relentless pressure. Aching and his father, the last remnants of their leadership, led their men and fought valiantly alongside them but were eventually surrounded. In a final, desperate stand, they made one last charge against Lie Fan's forces hoping to create an opening to allow them to leave the area.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu

Age: 31 (198 AD)

Level: 16

Next Level: 462,000

Renown: 825

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 1,121,700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 936 (+20)

VIT: 598 (+20)

AGI: 583 (+10)

INT: 587

CHR: 96

WIS: 509

WILL: 397

ATR Points: 0