Dark clouds covered the moon, and the mountains were dim and dim.

Meng Huo lurked on the mountains, motionless.

There is a saying in the "Military Form Chapter" of "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu: "A good defender hides under the Nine Earths; a good attacker moves above the Nine Heavens." Wang Ping used it as a blessing for the unworthy flying army.

Ming. Since Wang Ping took charge of the Wudang Fei Army, it has become more like a special army with strict military discipline.

About three o'clock in the morning, I suddenly heard the sound of rustling coming from the bottom of the mountain.

Wu Dun led his troops to pursue Li Qi this time, so the sergeants did not even carry torches except halberds or swords and shields, so they had no choice but to move forward in the dark.

In fact, this also has an advantage, that is, you will not expose yourself prematurely.

Wu Dun led the horse on a walk on the rugged path. Suddenly his feet sank and he felt the road surface was a little soft and there was a "squeaking" sound, as if he had stepped on a thick haystack.

He leaned down and grabbed a handful with his hands. They were all covered with broken grass, and his hands were still a little slippery.

Wu Dun put his finger to the tip of his nose, smelled it, and shouted, "No, it's ointment."

When Meng Huo heard the noise, he ordered his sergeant to light a torch and throw it down the mountain.

The dense firelight, accompanied by the whistling wind, flew across the sky like fireflies and meteors, illuminating the mountainside as if it were daytime, and Wu Dun's army was completely exposed in the light.

At the same time, another unworthy flying army led by Zhu Rong had already filled up their serial crossbows, and took advantage of the firelight to understand the position of Cao's army. Then there was a burst of wild shots, and a wailing sound soon sounded from the mountain.

Voice.

Wu Dun quickly ordered the troops to retreat, but the fire quickly spread with the help of oil and firewood, leaving pits of fire wherever they fled.

Most of those Cao soldiers, whether alive or dead, turned into burning men. Meng Huo also had to save some crossbow bolts and just watched quietly on the ridge. Even if Cao soldiers escaped by chance, they wanted to return to Chang'an.

, after all, we still have to cross the Tomb Leading Mountain, and the nearly ten miles of the main road of the Tomb Leading Mountain are guarded by Wudang Feijun, making it impossible for Cao's army to escape.

Xiahou Dun had already seen the fire at the foot of the mountain from a distance.

He only said two words: "Detour."

There is a gap between the northernmost position of Zhongling Mountain and Luoshui. After passing this gap, Zheng County is to the north. From Zheng County to the west, passing through Weinan and left Fengyi, you can also circle back to Chang'an. But this route only requires

The time spent is several times that of a normal climb up the Tomb Ling Mountain.

Therefore, when Li Qi set up camp more than thirty miles outside Chang'an City, Xiahou Dun was still far away.

Cao Pi had already received the Tang newspaper and was discussing with Sima Yi, Zhang He, Gao Lan and other generals whether to send reinforcements to Chang'an.

While talking, another letter came from the west.

Cao Pi took it apart and looked at it. Zhang He and others were staring at Cao Pi's face, worried that there might be some big move at Chencang Fortress, but they still couldn't see any emotion on Cao Pi's face.

After a while, Cao Pi showed this letter to everyone and said: "The Qiang King Cheliji intends to attack the border of Liangzhou and asked Prime Minister Yadan to go to Chencang Fortress to lead the Qiang rebellion. I hope we can cooperate and drive Zhuge Liang's army away.

Go back to Hanzhong and divide Liangzhou equally."

Zhang Hedao: "Qiang King Cheliji and Li Qi have always been on good terms. It can be said that Li Qi was able to conquer Liangzhou because of the Qiang forces. How could they suddenly rebel?"

Wang Ling said: "Every bustle is for profit, and everything is for profit. This may be true. However, Cheriji did not explain the reason for his rebellion in the letter. It may also be that he is afraid that we will find flaws in it, so

This thing may also be fake.”

Sun Li smiled and said: "Aren't you talking nonsense? You have said everything true and false."

Wang Ling said: "What I mean is that it doesn't matter whether it's true or false. It depends on the actual actions of the Qiang soldiers. We only do things that are icing on the cake and beneficial to ourselves. We will never use troops against Chencang without permission just because of a letter from him."

.Even if he really wants to rebel against Li Qi, there is no need for us to do anything for them without knowing the danger."

Sima Yi said: "I agree with Brother Yanyun's opinion. The eldest son can reply to Cheriji and agree to their request first, and then wait and see what happens."

However, it was said that after Li Qi camped outside Chang'an City, Meng Huo, who returned from Zhongling Mountain, reported: "We did kill a group of Cao soldiers at Zhongling Mountain, but when we cleaned the battlefield afterwards, we found that the number was not very large, and Xiahou Dun was not there.

Lie. We suspect that he went around the tomb and led the mountain towards Zheng County."

Li Qi stood up, looked at the map, and calculated the places Xiahou Dun might pass by.

"His circle is not very close," Li Qi said.

"Via Weinan, left Fengyi, went to Baling, and finally returned to Chang'an. I don't know if there is enough time." Pang Tong said.

The so-called "there is not enough time" does not mean whether Xiahou Dun can rush back to Chang'an in time, but that Zhuge Liang's plan involves a relatively large scale, and I don't know if it can be completed before Xiahou Dun rushes back to Chang'an.

If it can be completed before Xiahou Dun rushes back to Chang'an, then Cao Pi will inevitably send more troops to Chang'an, which will give Xiwu an opportunity to take advantage of. Otherwise, Pang Tong believes that Zhuge Liang's plan is only a high probability event, but it is not inevitable.

Li Qidao: "How about we send a force to attack Ba Ling? If Xia Houyuan sends troops from Chang'an to rescue Ba Ling, we will attack Chang'an directly; if Xia Houyuan does not send troops to rescue Ba Ling, we will capture Ba Ling and block it.

Xiahou Dun's way back to Chang'an."

Pang Tong said: "We don't have many soldiers and horses. If we send out another force, we might not be able to take care of the defense line in the Ziwu Valley. If Cao's army is allowed to infiltrate into the Ziwu Valley, our food route will be cut off."

Li Qidao: "Our food and grass can still last for more than half a year, so there is no need to worry about this. Of course, the entrance to Ziwu Valley must be fortified. It doesn't matter if we have fewer troops here. Xiahou Yuan does not dare to attack our camp anyway.

.”

Pang Tong asked: "My lord, are you sure? It won't be too arrogant, right?"

Zhao Yun said: "My lord and the military advisor have their own valid ideas. To ensure that nothing goes wrong, Yun only needs three thousand soldiers and horses to capture Ba Ling."

Li Qi waved his hand and said: "Three thousand soldiers and horses are too few. If Xia Houyuan is wrong and really goes to support Ba Ling, Zilong will be attacked from both sides."

Zhao Yundao said: "If Xia Houyuan really led his troops out of the city, wouldn't my lord just attack Chang'an? That's what you just said."

Li Qidao: "I didn't just say that I would only give you three thousand soldiers and horses. You have to bring eight thousand troops with you anyway. If you are attacked by Xia Houyuan, you will be able to escape."

Zhao Yun said: "But our current troops and horses are limited, and the camp where the lord is located is more important. If we can capture Chang'an, even if Zhao Yun cannot come back, what's the point of defense?"

Li Qidao: "Nonsense. If General Zilong can't come back, what will I do to Chang'an?"

Zhao Yun: "..."

Li Qidao said: "When Zilong and I met before we got up, he helped me conquer Shangyong, pacify Yizhou, and conquer Jingzhou. We only wait for the world to be stable. We can share the wealth together. How can we die midway?"

"Hang up..." Meng Huo burst out laughing.

"Why are you laughing? You are not allowed to die in the middle."

Pang Tong said: "Can I die?"

Before Li Qi could answer, Meng Huo said first, "What do you think? There is a mountain in Shu called Luofengpo, do you know?"

Pang Tong was shocked when he heard this: My name is Fengchu, is this Luofengpo...

"I don't know." Pang Tong said.

"It's okay if you don't know. When my lord heard that Mr. Kong Ming was going to Jiangdong to recruit you, he asked people to go to the top of the mountain to shovel the word 'Luo' on the Luofengpo monument. He was afraid that you would be unhappy after seeing it. But he also asked

The local government changed the name of the place to 'Fengpo'. If you don't believe it, I will accompany you to walk there sometime. The broken monument is still there." Meng Huo said.

Pang Tong knelt down with a "pop", cupped his hands and said: "My lord doesn't say anything with his mouth... In his heart, the concern for his subordinates is really..." In fact, the same is true for Lao Pang. Over the years, he has spoken no matter how big or small, and his respect for the lord has been...

In my heart."

I thought it was all in the wine.

Li Qi asked Pang Tong to stand up and continue to discuss whether to attack Ba Ling.

Pang Tong said: "I suddenly thought of a plan just now. It is possible to attack Ba Ling. General Zilong only needs three thousand soldiers and horses. And I also guarantee that Xiahou Yuan will not dare to pursue General Zilong."

Li Qi asked: "How can you ensure that Xia Houyuan does not dare to pursue General Zilong?"

Pang Tong said: "It's very simple. Let General Zilong bring all the siege equipment and walk slowly. Originally, we can reach Baling in two days, but General Zilong must arrive in five days."

Meng Huo was stunned: "Old Pang, when you say this, you have completely confused me."

Pang Tong said: "Why are you confused? I'm not asking you to attack Ba Ling."

Meng Huo said: "Recently, Wang Zijun has been instilling military theory knowledge into our Wudang Feijun. The most important one is that 'soldiers are more important than speed'. You'd better go slowly, Zilong, for fear that Xia Houyuan won't come out."

.”

Zhao Yun said: "Yes, I don't quite understand. Originally, Xia Houyuan was stationed in Chang'an, and whether he could get out was something that troubled him. If I had marched faster, I would have arrived at Ba before he had made up his mind.

Isn’t the mausoleum better?”

Pang Tong said: "Soldiers are also deceitful. The emphasis is on change and understanding people's hearts, rather than copying them all. Xia Houyuan is not an indecisive person. No matter how entangled he is, he cannot be entangled for two days. If he once decides

If you are going out to pursue General Zilong, can you outrun Xia Houyuan with your siege equipment? Now you are deliberately slowing down, just like Meng Huo said, for fear that Xia Houyuan will not come out. Xia Houyuan must think that you are

Lure him out of the city to keep Chang safe, so he really doesn't dare to come out."

Zhao Yun suddenly understood and accepted the order decisively.

When Li Qi handed the token to Zhao Yun, he added: "If, by any chance, Xia Houyuan is wrong and really rushes out of Chang'an to chase you, you can discard the siege equipment to ensure that you have enough strength.

as top priority.”

Zhao Yun took the token: "I obey."

Less than half a day after Zhao Yun led his army away from the stronghold, Xia Houyuan of Chang'an received the news.

Zhong Yao said: "Zhao Yun led his army to Baling to block General Xiahou Dun's return. Should we send troops to clear it out?"

Xia Houyuan said: "Zhao Yun only led 3,000 people to Baling. The main force is still in the camp thirty miles outside Chang'an City. If I pursue it rashly, I am afraid that Chang'an will be lost. But I don't want to go, and I am worried that Yuan will be too late.

The delay in returning to Chang'an will make Chang'an lonely."

General Yin Li said: "The troops led by Zhao Yun are all siege troops, and they have a lot of weapons and equipment. There is no need for General Xiahou to go out personally. I am willing to lead 2,000 troops to pursue Zhao Yun."
To be continued...