Chapter 704: Responsible General in Front of the Formation

When Cao Ren first arrived, he was high-spirited and his two thousand cavalry were mighty and powerful. However, now that they had broken out of the enemy's formation, three-quarters of them had been lost, leaving only more than 600 cavalry.

He looked back and saw that the remaining 600 riders were all bruised and exhausted, and he couldn't help but sigh.

"It's all my fault for causing harm to all my brothers."

Niu Jin said: "Cao Lifeng, there is no one who can't die on the battlefield. Cao Lifeng has always been kind to his brothers, and I have no regrets in dying for him today."

Cao Ren pondered for a while, and then ordered: "After a certain person returned, he sold his property and paid heavily to the fallen soldiers. The commanders, commanders, and chiefs of each army must personally hand over the pensions to the fallen soldiers."

"If anyone dares to embezzle the martyrs' pension, he will be killed!"

Cao Ren turned around and said coldly: "Do you hear me clearly?"

The remaining six hundred or so knights showed gratitude. Being able to serve such a general, even if they died, their families would be safe, so naturally everyone was willing to die for him.

When Cao Ren saw more than 600 cavalry standing out from the formation, Cao Chun breathed a sigh of relief.

"Zi Dan."

Cao Zhence immediately stepped forward and agreed, "Please give me your instructions."

Cao Chun frowned: "Zidan, there are only superiors and subordinates in the army, how can there be evil uncles and nephews?"

Cao Zhen looked stern and said, "Please give me the instructions from the Cavalry Superintendent."

Cao Chun nodded with satisfaction and ordered: "You will lead two hundred cavalry to help Zi Xiao's army return to the formation."

"promise!"

Cao Zhen was in high spirits and agreed. As soon as he waved his hand, two hundred leopards galloped out of the formation, following Cao Zhen and galloping forward.

Tap tap tap!

Nearly a hundred steps away, Cao Zhen couldn't wait to shout: "Uncle Zixiao, are you okay?"

Cao Zhen galloped more than ten steps in front of him, reined in the reins and stopped. Cao Ren nodded and said with relief: "Zidan, I'm fine."

Cao Zhenchi could not help but frown as he rushed to the front of the formation. He saw that the more than 600 cavalry in front of him, from ordinary soldiers to generals such as Cao Ren and Shi Huan, were all covered with cuts and bruises, with arrows hanging all over their bodies, and covered in blood. A strong smell of blood floated over, causing Cao Zhen's nose to wrinkle.

Just by seeing the miserable state of the six hundred cavalry in front of them, one can imagine how tragic the previous battle was.

"Uncle Zixiao, you are injured!" Cao Zhen exclaimed.

"It doesn't matter. Is there any one of the brave knights under his command who is not injured?"

Cao Ren waved his hand, then turned around and said, "Gong Liu, you and your cavalry should rest for the time being while I go and apologize to the Prime Minister."

"Brother Zixiao, the battle is not going well and we have lost soldiers. I am also guilty. We should go with Brother Zixiao to collect our guilt." Shi Huan said seriously.

Seeing this, Niu Jin opened his mouth and said: "Cao Lifeng, so I, Niu Jin, am also guilty. I, together with Cao Lifeng and Shi Sima, will plead guilty to the Prime Minister."

"Okay, Niu Jin, take the brothers down to rest and clean up your injuries."

Cao Ren shouted loudly, and then said to Shi Huan: "Brother Gong Liu, let's go."

After saying that, Cao Ren and Shi Huan clamped their legs on the horse's belly, spurred the horse out at the same time, and galloped towards Cao Cao's army. The large banner with the word Cao gradually appeared in front of them. Cao Cao was surrounded by thousands of troops and horses. Following Yiwen and Wuwu were Cheng Yu and Dian Wei.

"The guilty general Cao Ren pays homage to the prime minister!"

Without saying a word, Cao Ren jumped off his horse, fell to the ground, and touched his head to the ground, making a sound. Shi Huan, on the other hand, showed no pretense as he dismounted and knelt on the ground.

"Cao Ren was careless and tried to defeat Jiangdong's army in one battle. Instead, he was surrounded by Zhou Yu and suffered heavy losses. He failed the prime minister's trust. Please punish him!" Cao Ren said in a low voice.

"Cao Ren, how many Jiangdong troops did you defeat? How many cavalry did you lose?" Cao Cao asked.

"Reporting to the Prime Minister, Ren led his army to defeat about 3,000 people from the Jiangdong Army Han Dang's troops, and attacked the enemy Xu Sheng's troops, killing about 1,000 people and injuring 1,400 cavalry. In addition, Gong Liu once advised Ren not to break in alone and wait for the Prime Minister Ren refused to listen to the reinforcements, which led to this defeat. Gong Liu also led 500 cavalry as a support, and asked the prime minister to punish Ren alone." Cao Ren said loudly.

Shi Huan, however, did not shirk his responsibility and also said: "As a deputy general, Huan failed to admonish the general, which resulted in the loss of troops and generals. Huan is also guilty. Please punish the prime minister. Our army suffered heavy casualties, and Cao Lifeng was determined to spend all his wealth to support the martyrs. , please Prime Minister punish him as appropriate."

Cao Cao didn't speak, he just kept silent, appearing even deeper. The surrounding Cao soldiers felt that the atmosphere was oppressive, as if Cao Cao was preparing to punish Cao Ren severely.

Cheng Yu pondered for a while, then cupped his hands and said: "Prime Minister, victory or defeat is a common thing for military officers. Besides, although Cao Lifeng was defeated, it was because he was outnumbered. The Prime Minister can just give him a little punishment."

Cao Cao glanced at Cao Ren and Shi Huan and suddenly laughed heartily.

"Hahahaha, Zixiao, Gong Liu, please get up."

Cao Cao smiled and said: "Zi Xiao was extremely loyal and brave. He killed and injured nearly four thousand Jiangdong troops. He also spent all his family wealth to provide pensions for the martyrs. A certain society ordered gold and silver to be allocated from the treasury to provide pensions for the martyrs."

"Gong Liu advised Zi Xiao to be filial. Although Zi Xiao did not listen, he had fulfilled his duties as a lieutenant general and was exempted from punishment."

"As for Cao Ren, if he kills his soldiers, he will be exempted from death penalty, but he will not be able to escape the punishment of living."

Cao Cao's expression suddenly became serious: "Cao Ren will be removed from the position of Lieutenant Li Feng, and in order to become Colonel Lieutenant Li Feng, he will be fined half a year's salary and severely punished with twenty army sticks!"

"Execution immediately!"

"promise!"

Two guards with big muscles and round waists had already rushed out, pushed Cao Ren to the ground, and then picked up wooden sticks and beat him left and right. Cao Ren was exhausted after a bloody battle, but the two guards were merciless when they hit him with their military sticks. The beatings left Cao Ren's skin and flesh torn, but he was also a tough guy. He gritted his teeth, grunted a few times, and said nothing. .

Snapped! Snapped! Snapped!

The twenty army sticks were beaten quickly, and blood oozed from Cao Ren's buttocks. The pain made him sweat profusely, but he gritted his teeth and said, "Thank you, Prime Minister, for punishing me."

"Yes." Cao Cao ordered: "Hel Zixiao to the back and give him medicine."

Apart from these twenty army sticks, Cao Ren actually received no punishment, and his half-year salary was not much. He was Cao Cao's general, so he would not starve to death. As for Colonel Li Feng being demoted to Colonel Li Feng, it won't take long for him to be reinstated.

After sending Cao Ren, Shi Huan and others to the back, Cao Cao waved his hand and said: "Continue to march."

"promise!"

"Keep marching!"

Forty thousand Cao's troops continued to advance, as if a sea wave was rushing towards Shu County with a fierce momentum.

Seeing Cao's army keep coming, Jiangdong's army couldn't help but become nervous. They had just gone through a battle, and Cao's army was recharging its strength. Moreover, Cao's army was far more numerous than them. It is conceivable that they would face a battle next. Fight hard.