Free Web NovelChapter 298: The Charismatic Personality of Cao Cao
Xun Yu and Cheng Yu set their gaze on the southern horizon.
They saw an endless sea of troops, a dark mass slowly approaching.
Black armor, spears gleaming with cold light, and an overwhelming murderous aura swept over them like a storm.
At the front of this army, a few strong men held flags, with a large black character "Cao" written on them!
"My lord!!"
"Our lord has returned!!!"
Many of the soldiers on the wall, upon seeing that familiar banner, and the familiar face of the long-bearded man in a black robe, couldn’t help but shed tears.
They had suffered too much!
It was too miserable!!
Since their lord Cao Cao had gone on an expedition to Xuzhou, Yanzhou had faced an unprecedentedly strong enemy — the demon Lü Bu!
In terms of martial prowess, not just all of Yanzhou, but throughout all of China, there was no one who could rival him!
Originally, they could at least rely on strategy, but somehow a frail military advisor had suddenly appeared at Lü Bu’s side, who could always see through their strategies.
They were beaten soundly, with soldiers dead and wounded, a sight too tragic to bear!
But now things were different.
Their lord had returned.
Their pillar of support had returned.
Everyone puffed out their chests and smiled, welcoming Cao Cao back.
Contrary to their joy, Cao Cao did not look pleased.
Riding on the black horse Jueying, Cao Cao’s face was grim as he turned to Cao Ren and said:
"Zixiao, I thought the situation in Yanzhou was already dire, but upon my return, I find it to be an absolute disaster!!"
Cao Ren didn’t know how to respond, so he clasped his fists and said with enthusiasm:
"But now that you have returned, my lord, the battle in Yanzhou will change drastically, and that three-family slave will be driven away!"
"Hahaha!!"
Cao Cao leaned back and let out a hearty laugh.
"Indeed!! Now that I am back, let’s see how long Lü Bu can remain arrogant!!"
As he spoke the last sentence, Cao Cao’s eyes gleamed with intense sharpness.
That evening.
In the administrative hall of Zhencheng.
Cao Cao sat at the head, with his civil and military officers seated on either side.
Tonight’s banquet was held to welcome Cao Cao, so the table was filled with an array of dishes.
Cao Cao ate the food in his bowl and looked around at the simple and shabby decorations, and couldn’t help but feel sorrow well up in his heart.
His original plan was to capture Xuzhou, return triumphantly, and host a grand banquet for his officials in Xudu to celebrate his achievements.
Alas...
It seemed now that such a scene could only be dreamed of at night.
Cao Cao shook his head vigorously, waking himself up with a silent realization:
"No! When did I, Cao Mengde, become so easily defeated?!"
"If even I lose the confidence to persist, how can I inspire my troops to follow me!?"
Cao Cao glanced at the civil and military officers in the hall, seeing the exhaustion on their faces and the confusion about what path to take next.
Suddenly, Cao Cao slammed his bowl on the table, stood up straight, and shouted to everyone:
"What is this posture?! Ah?!"
The generals, hearing his words, felt a sense of shame. They had indeed been frightened by Long Chen.
In single combat, they couldn’t match his generals, such as Zhao Yun, Lü Bu, Xu Chu, and Dian Wei.
In terms of strategy, they were often outmatched.
It was inevitable that they felt disheartened and dispirited. ƒrēewebnovel.com
But Cao Cao’s voice didn’t stop. With a tone full of passion, he continued:
"Failure is not frightening! What’s frightening is being knocked down by one failure!!"
"If that were the case, I, Cao Mengde, would have been defeated long ago, never to rise again! But I didn’t!!"
