Cao Cao and Liu Bei had faced off from early March to late April. Yet the news of Qin Tian dispatching troops was what broke the deadlock.
Long before Cao Cao received the news, Liu Bei had already received a letter Qin Tian had sent from Xiangyang.
Seeing that Qin Tian intended to tie down the enemy in Nanyang and have Guan Yu open up the situation in the Central Plains, Liu Bei summoned everyone to discuss matters:
"When we first came to this place, our aim was to seize Hanzhong, hold Cao Cao here, and take the chance to launch a northern campaign against the territories under Cao Cao's command."
"Now General Huang has slain Xiahou Yuan, Wu Yi has advanced into Nanzheng, and Hanzhong is entirely in our grasp."
"My only concern is that, having lost two battles, Cao Cao may withdraw his army. If we let him leave so easily, the Central Plains may become difficult to take!"
The true military strategy behind this northern campaign had been highly confidential. Only Liu Ye, Pang Tong, and a few others knew of it.
The other senior generals had all been unaware. Upon hearing this, they were greatly shocked, while Fa Zheng had merely guessed Qin Tian's scheme.
Now, seeing that Liu Bei's strategy was not far from what he had expected, Fa Zheng offered Liu Bei a plan.
"If my lord wishes to prevent Cao Cao from withdrawing, it would be best to quietly move north and pitch camp with the Han River at our backs."
"I have heard that Cao Cao is suspicious by nature. Once he hears this, he will surely think our army intends to pursue him and will not dare withdraw lightly."
"Then send another thousand or so troops north, to the north of