Looking at his army, battered by losses of soldiers and generals, Cao Cao could barely find tears to cry.
Had the Western Liang Army not been busy fleeing for its life, he really would have met his downfall here.
He had finally scraped together some resources in Yanzhou, only to lose them on the road to victory.
Dust-covered and bedraggled, Xiahou Dun rode over and asked the equally disheveled Cao Cao, "Brother, are we returning to Yanzhou?"
After the failed pursuit, Cao Cao's overheated mind was extraordinarily clear. He swiftly sorted through the situation in his head, then turned his gaze toward Luoyang.
He gripped Xiahou Dun's arm and said gravely, "Yuanrang, although the Western Liang Generals won, they certainly won't dare remain in Shandong. They will probably occupy the territory west of Hangu Pass.
"Yuan Shao has returned to Jizhou to fight Gongsun Zan. He won't be able to extricate himself anytime soon.
"Bu Cai and the other Imperial Guards commanders have no great ambitions. They wander through Henan accomplishing nothing. Isn't this Heaven bestowing Henan and Luoyang upon me, Cao Cao?
"If you refuse what Heaven grants, you suffer its punishment instead!
"Isn't that what the ancient Sages and Worthies taught?
"Although we have suffered some losses, I want you to lead five thousand infantry and cavalry to occupy Luoyang, then take control of Henan. Yuanrang, are you willing to shoulder this heavy responsibility?"
It truly was a heavy responsibility!
Luoyang was the land of the Eight Passes, with Hangu Pass leading toward East of the Passes and the Great River crossings leading toward Henei. This meant Luoyang would face pressure from every direction.
Cao Cao held Chenliu Commandery in Yanzhou, but he would still have to face pressure from Guanzhong, Hedong, Henei, Nanyang, and Yingchuan simultaneously.
Cao