When Xun You saw Xia Houyuan returning to camp with a sad face, he hurriedly asked: "Is it possible that Liu Qi refuses to let him go?"

Xia Houyuan smiled bitterly and said: "This son loves money as much as his life, so why shouldn't he be released? It's just that he didn't act as the military advisor expected, so I'm afraid the plan will fail."

Xun You asked: "What are Liu Qi's conditions?"

Xia Houyuan told Liu Qi's words again. He was worried about gains and losses for a while, not knowing whether to be happy or disappointed.

After Xun You heard this, he stroked his beard and smiled and said: "General, don't worry. Although Liu Qi did not act according to my plan, in fact, he has different approaches but similar results. These so-called heroes have the same ideas!"

Xia Houyuan said in astonishment: "He only wanted two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and he didn't threaten me to withdraw my troops. How can we agree?"

Xun You said: "Since the last grain shipment in the twelfth lunar month, the total amount of money and grain left in the army is about three million. Liu Qi happened to bring this up with the intention of asking us to withdraw."

"Oh?" Xia Houyuan suddenly became energetic, cupped his fists and said, "I would like to hear the details."

Xun You said: "Liu Qi exchanged money and food for people. It looked like he was asking for money, but in fact he was forcing the general to retreat. The deadline was only one day. If the general wanted to deliver the goods on time, he could only send all the money and food. If there was no food and grass, how could he survive in Jigu?

To station troops? And leave 500,000 grains and fodder, just enough for our army to retreat. It allows the general to redeem people without forcing too much, which is just right."

"So that's it!" Xia Houyuan turned from worry to joy and suddenly frowned: "How does Liu Qi know the precise amount of food and grass for our army?"

Xun You sighed: "There are many enemy troops. My nephew went to Taibaidao to ambush, and Liu Qi got the news. I expected that this plan had been set up at that time. It is really hard to guard against."

"Investigation must be carried out by the whole army, and the military affairs must not be ruined because of this."

Xia Houyuan was shocked and angry, and ordered the whole army to investigate again, asking Xun You to prepare money and food to transport to the foot of the mountain, and exchange hostages with Liu Qi.

Xun You left the tent, but secretly sighed in his heart. Liu Qi knew the exact amount of money and food, but he was afraid that it would be leaked from Xia Houwei's mouth.

However, this played into his own ambitions, making Liu Qi think he had a plan, so he could use it to turn defeat into victory in one fell swoop and reverse the situation of the war.

After loading the money and grain into the truck, Xun You mobilized 50,000 logistics troops and horses to exit Jigu, making a move to withdraw his troops.

The next day, Xia Houyuan carried money and grain up the mountain, and met Liu Qi in the valley. After checking the amount of grain and grass, calculating the money, he took Xia Houwei back.

Xia Houwei's face was filled with shame, and he knelt in the Chinese army's tent, begging for punishment, and even risked his own life to clarify his will.

Xun You advised: "Victory and defeat are common matters for military officers. This matter is entirely due to my lack of precautions and leaking information. It has nothing to do with the young general."

Xia Houwei said: "But all the money and food were taken away by Liu Qi. There is no food in the army, and it is too late to transport it. Father cannot miss the important national affairs because of me."

"My son is really a man!" Xia Houyuan was very satisfied with his son's integrity and said with emotion: "As the saying goes, a gentleman's revenge is never too late in ten years. It's okay not to mention this matter. I retreat first. I have my own countermeasures as a father. I'll tell you before the snow comes.

shame."

The grain and grass had been delivered in full, and it was useless to talk more. Xia Houwei sighed, shamefully exited the tent, and hid in the back camp without seeing anyone.

On that day, Xia Houyuan sent an order to break camp and return to Jigu Dazhai, and another batch of troops retreated. The next day, the entire army broke camp and retreated from Jigu one by one, leaving only 5,000 elite soldiers to guard Chiya Pavilion Road to prevent Liu Qi from pursuing him.

Sure enough, as Xun You expected, as soon as Cao's army retreated, Liu Qi couldn't wait to go down the mountain and set up camp in Jigu. On the one hand, he divided his troops to capture Chiya in Xiegu, and on the other hand, he marched towards Taibaidao to prepare to contact Zhao Yun.

When the scout reported the news, Xun You said: "Zhao Yun has broken through Sanguan and is besieging Chencang. Liu Qi has no worries at this time and will definitely attack the Chiya Plank Road. He will use his plan tomorrow to catch him off guard."

Xia Houyuan's face was filled with excitement, and he clenched his fists and said: "Liu Qi, my son, always prides himself on being resourceful and scheming, and playing tricks on his opponents. How could he have expected that this time he is the one in my game?"

After suppressing it for a long time, Xun You couldn't help but get excited and said: "Liu Qi has stationed grain and grass on Baxiantai. He only needs to burn down the camp and recapture the mountains to replenish the grain and grass. The enemy has no grain and will retreat to Hanzhong. The general marched in with all his strength.

This is all the way to turn the tide of the war, and the Prime Minister will be very happy when he hears the news."

Xia Houyuan cupped his fists and said, "It all depends on the military master's clever plan."

Xun You sighed: "I was too cautious before. If the general had not insisted on sending troops to attack at the foot of the mountain and injure Huang Zhong, how could we be in today's situation?"

Xia Houyuan immediately sent the order, and the battalions who were temporarily stationed in various places in the Xiegong were ready. As soon as the fire broke out in the Xiegong, they moved forward one by one, turned back and fought back to Jigu, and bravely moved forward to counterattack with all their strength.

Xiahou Wei was eating in the camp. He was shocked when he heard the general's order. The generals in the camp were also confused and thought that the general's order was wrong. They hurriedly asked Xiahou Yuan for questioning.

Xia Houyuan laughed and said: "How could my son know his father's clever plan? It's ridiculous that Liu Qi's child is so self-righteous. This time I will definitely ruin his reputation and make you avenge your shame. If you can capture and kill this son, when the prime minister returns from the northern expedition, he will rule the world."

What’s next?”

The camp was re-erected in Jigu, and the valley was full of tents. Han army flags were flying, and people and horses came and went in an endless stream every day.

On the high mountains in the distance, a few pairs of eyes were watching the movement in the valley. Feng Kai was ordered to ambush in the remote mountains on the left and right, preparing to attack the camp.

Xiahou Yuan retained Captain Guo Huai to assist in the battle. Although he was still young, he was well versed in military matters.

Feng Kai saw Liu Qi sending another army into Taibai Road and said worriedly: "Liu Qi has been sending troops to Chencang for the past two days. It is very likely that Zhao Yun is already attacking the city. If Hao Zhao cannot defend it, all our previous efforts will be in vain!"

Guo Huai said with a smile: "General, you are too worried. Hao Zhao is good at guarding. There are 30,000 defenders in Chencang, which is enough to equal the 100,000 army. The enemy's defense has been lax in the past two days. As long as you and I attack the city, kill Liu Qi, and take Hanzhong directly.

Zhao Yun had to retreat."

"What Bo Ji said is absolutely true!" Feng Kai nodded, patted Guo Huai on the shoulder and laughed: "Hao Zhao is from the same hometown as you, and you recommended him to General Xiahou. This attack and defense have made great achievements, and the young man has a bright future.

"

Guo Huai clasped his fists and said, "I'm very grateful to General Xiahou. I'd also like to thank General Feng for his support."

Feng Kai was very satisfied with this young man who was neither arrogant nor impetuous. The two of them went down the mountain and spread the news to all places. They ordered the ambush troops to rest early, make food at the third watch, and meet together at Jigu at the fourth watch.

It was after the third watch at night, the moon was dim and the night wind was still cold. Cao Jun was already ready to go. He followed Feng Kai and Guo Huai quietly down the mountain and divided into five teams to approach Jigu.

After Cao's army retreated, as long as they guarded the two mountain passes, no more enemy troops would invade. The Han army relaxed its vigilance and only patrolled with a group of men and horses at night, mainly to prevent fires.

Feng Kai knew that this battle was important and did not dare to be careless. He personally sneaked outside the camp to investigate. As expected, the Han army had already fallen asleep and was completely defenseless. He couldn't help but said with great joy: "Prime Minister Hongfu, God is really helping me!"
Chapter completed!