Under the moon, Xiahou Yuan patrolled and deployed along the rammed city wall. But when I saw the place where I passed, the guards were guarding the village and the cats were under the female wall, or closing to recuperate, or hiding from the cold wind. Xiahou Yuan did not blame these soldiers for their untidy appearance because of this. In fact, Xiahou Yuan's current dignity is not much better than these soldiers. After six consecutive days of fierce fighting, there were only 1,000 remnants left around Xiahou Yuan, and the grain and grass in the village had been exhausted the day before yesterday. Now the soldiers in the village can only wrap their stomachs on grass roots, tree bark and horse carcasses. Outside the village, Gao Yan still stared at the black nest and refused to relax. If it weren't for the fact that this team of soldiers and horses was Cao Cao's elite song, I am afraid that the village would have surrendered at this moment.

For letting his subordinates fall into such a predicament, Xiahou Yuan felt a little guilty in his heart. In his opinion, instead of fighting as a trapped beast like now, it was better to rush out directly at the beginning. However, there is no medicine called regret in this world. Compared with the fact that he was trapped in the black nest, Xiahou Yuan was more concerned about the situation in the outside world. Does the lord know about the defeat of the Black Nest? Did Xu Huang return to Cao Ying? Will Yuan Shao use this to invite the lord? Has even the lord given up his vote? However, what happened in the outside world, Xiahou Yuan still didn't know after all. But no matter how entangled he was in his heart, he didn't put any negative feelings on his face. Instead, he repeatedly cheered up his subordinates, telling them that Xu Huang had returned to Cao Ying to ask for help, so that the soldiers believed that the lord would eventually send reinforcements to rescue them.

And just as Xiahou Yuan was thinking about how to cheer up his subordinates, an orange light suddenly illuminated his side face. Xiahou Yuan was stunned at first, and then he saw that the soldiers who had been behind the female wall stood up and looked out of the village. Xiahou Yuan, who came back to his senses, also turned his head, only to see the firelight in the sky illuminating the eastern sky. Not only the Cao army in the village, but even the Gao Lan army outside the village was frightened by this sudden fire. Xiahou Yuan, who was standing on the city wall, could easily see the appearance of Gao Lanjun on the opposite side in a hurry in the wall.

But the lord sent reinforcements? Or Xu Huang? No, it won't be Xu Huang. Xu Huang only had eight hundred scouts around him, and it was impossible for him to hit a stone with an egg. Could it be that Gao Ran's trick is to lure him out of the city? Is it to take advantage of the chaos to get out of the village? Or wait and see? In an instant, the choice between life and death was once again placed in front of Xiahou Yuan.

"Cai Jun is coming!"

"Yan Liang is dead!"

"Cao Jun is coming!"

Just when Xiahou Yuan was thinking about whether to take advantage of the chaos to break through. On the other side, there was a different chaotic scene in the military camp. In the firelight, all kinds of exclamations came and went, and the figures of the soldiers scurrying around in the panic deepened everyone's panic. It was as if the battalion had been surrounded by several times the enemy army, as the exclamation had been announced.

"What are you waiting for the soldiers to do when you run to the big tent of the Chinese army!" Gao Ran strode out of the camp and scolded his subordinates who were in turmoil. At this time, he was not yet armoured, only a sword pinned to his waist, apparently just getting up from the bed.

When the generals saw Gao Ran's appearance, they hurriedly stepped forward to report. "General, it's not good! Cai Jun is coming! "Definitely! It's Cao Jun coming! "Obviously, Cai Ji killed Yan Liang and led the troops to attack and kill!"

In the face of the general's gossip report. Gao Ran, whose face was pale, immediately burst out, "Bastard! Cao Cao is being surrounded by His Majesty in Guandu, how can he come to Cao's army! Cai Anzhen is far away in Qingzhou. Where to Cai Jun! ”

Intimidated by the majesty of the high view. Most of the generals obediently closed their mouths, but there were still those who didn't have the eyesight to mutter, "General Yan Liang has indeed beheaded Cai Jun's ......."

This muttering can be regarded as the real reason for the chaos in the Gao Reading Department at this moment. It turned out that the news of Yan Liang's death had already spread to Wuchao, although Gao Ran strictly forbade talking about this matter in the camp, but the news that the head of the Four Courtyard Pillars in Hebei was beheaded was not something that could be suppressed if you wanted to. Although the soldiers did not dare to talk about this matter due to military law, all kinds of rumors had already spread throughout the camp in secret. Therefore, when the fire ignited, the shouts of "Yan Liang is dead, Cai Jun is coming" immediately resonated with most people. Although Yan Liang is indeed dead. But Gao Ran, as the commander-in-chief, was reluctant to talk about this matter at such a sensitive moment.

"Shut up! Those who rebel against the hearts of the army have such a flag! After saying that, Gao Ran pulled out his long sword, cut off the banner beside him with a sword, and then glanced coldly at the one in front of him. This fire will be set by thieves who want to confuse others. Summoned to the army. Sit still if you are not a rebel! ”

But who knew that as soon as Gao Ran's voice fell, there was another shout from the direction of Wuchao Village, and I saw a pawn hurriedly come to report, "General! Not good! The Cao army in the village broke through also! ”

In the firelight, as the gate of Wuchao Village suddenly opened, Xiahou Yuan, who was holding a spear, jumped out of the village first, and the blood mist splashed, and the Yuan soldiers who were so caught off guard turned over on their backs. And the Cao soldiers who followed closely behind scattered the anxiety and anger that had accumulated for several days on the enemy soldiers, and after a short time, the Yuan army that was guarding in front of the village was completely killed. At this time, Xiahou Yuan no longer cared about whether there were traps. Since staying in the village is also a dead end, it is better to give it a go.

It is true that the sudden fire caused the Gao Reading Department to be confused for a while. However, under the command of Gao Lan, Yuan's army still organized a certain number of troops to block the Cao army that broke through. However, Gao Lan's camp was set up in formation, and it was difficult for ordinary people and others to find a way out in the dark night. As more and more Yuan troops besieged him, Xiahou Yuan's subordinates gradually became scarce. Rushing left and right, Xiahou Yuan, who was covered in blood, only felt that there were similar camps everywhere as far as his eyes could see, and there was no sign of leaving the camp, and the originally boiling blood gradually turned into cold despair.

"Xiahou Yuanxiu is gone!"

In the firelight, Gao Ran's horse jumped in front of Xiahou Yuan, and before the other party could respond, the long sword in Gao Lan's hand unceremoniously beckoned. Xiahou Yuan naturally wouldn't be stupid to let Gao Ran cut it somewhere. Seeing that he raised his spear to block Gao Lan's fatal sword, he immediately glanced at the other party and asked, "Gao Lan?" ”

"It's Gao! Xiahou Yuan is here! Gao Ran slashed Xiahou Yuan's throat with a backhand.

Xiahou Yuan dodged the blade of the sword slightly sideways, separating the long sword path with the barrel of the gun, "This is what Yuan said." ”

"Hmph, take it and see who can take whom's head today!" Xiahou Yuan snorted coldly, and waved his spear to attack Gao Ran. In his opinion, since he has no hope of breaking through, it is not bad to pull a cushion on his death.

Gao Ran is by no means an idle person, although he is not wearing battle armor, he does not fall behind at all, and a long sword dances in his hand like a whirlwind of clouds. Xiahou Yuan was pressed back again and again. Suddenly, the sword light reversed its trajectory and slashed the flying arrow into two ends in midair. Xiahou Yuan, who was able to breathe, immediately distanced himself from Gao Ran. Gao Ran cast a sharp eye on the newly emerging opponent.

The archer was Xu Huang, and I saw him riding a horse, holding a bow in his left hand and an arrow in his right hand. I was about to shoot the second arrow at Takan. But at this moment, Yuan Jun, who rushed to the rescue, shot a rain of arrows at Xu Huang, so that he had to give up sniping and shout to Xiahou Yuan instead. "General Miaocai, go this way!"

Xiahou Yuan originally planned to die with Gao Lan, but at this moment, he saw Xu Huang appear. When even a kick in the horse's belly rushed with him into the sea of fire. Gao Ran wanted to lead his troops to catch up. But the fire was too big, and after the battle just now. Gao Ran knew that he alone could not face Xiahou Yuan and Xu Huang at the same time, so he gave up the pursuit. However, looking at Xiahou Yuan and Xu Huang, who had jumped all the way across the sea of fire, Gao Ran realized that he was in big trouble this time.

Xiahou Yuan followed Xu Huang all the way out of Yuan's camp. Xu Huangbu, who had been waiting outside for a long time, immediately surrounded him and escorted the two generals to flee in the southeast direction. Xiahou Yuan, who had just walked away from the Ghost Gate, couldn't help but thank Xu Huang from the bottom of his heart, "Thank you Gongming for coming to the rescue." Is it the Lord who ordered you to come to the rescue of Yuanhu? ”

"General Miaocai doesn't have to be polite." After Xu Huang humbly excused himself, he sighed and said frankly to Xiahou Yuan, "The lord has been besieged by Yuan Shao for more than five days in Guandu. ”

"What!" Xiahou Yuan pulled the reins and reined in shock.

Xu Huang also stopped and explained to Xiahou Yuan. "Don't hide it from General Miaocai, after Jun was trapped in the black nest, Huang led his troops back to Guandu for help. But he never thought that as soon as he arrived in Guandu, Yuan Shao launched a large army to besiege Cao Ying. In desperation, Huang had to return to the black nest and wait for the opportunity. Fortunately, halfway to Wuchao, I heard that Cai Anzhen killed Yan Liang in Qingzhou. He wanted to disturb the morale of the Gao Lan troops with the news of Yan Liang's death. Help the general break through. I never thought that the Gao Reading Department was really like a frightened bird. It's a mess. ”

"Eight hundred men under your command?" Xiahou Yuan said strangely.

Xu Huang nodded and said, "Just rely on eight hundred brothers." ”

Xiahou Yuan stared at Xu Huang for a long time, and finally said convincingly, "The Lord is honest and does not deceive me, Gongming is really a capable person who uses soldiers." ”

"General Miaocai has won the award. I wonder what the general is planning? Xu Huang asked.

Xiahou Yuan replied without thinking, "What else can I plan." Naturally, he rushed to Guandu to rescue the lord. ”

In the face of Xiahou Yuan's suggestion, Xu Huang pointed out bluntly, "General Miaocai, forgive Huang for being blunt." How many soldiers and horses are there around the general to rescue the lord? ”

After Xu Huang reminded him, Xiahou Yuan realized that almost all of the five thousand elites who attacked the Black Nest were lost in the Black Nest. Except for the 800 cavalry led by Xu Huang, he didn't have a single soldier to deploy at this time, let alone rescue Cao Cao. Xiahou Yuan, who realized this, hurriedly changed his words, "Then let's go to Xudu for help, and if it doesn't work, we will go to Wancheng to find the eldest prince." ”

"Xu Du's soldiers and horses are already limited. The eldest prince is afraid that the water will not be able to dissolve the fire from afar. Xu Huang shook his head again and said, "Yi Huang sees that instead of going south to ask for help, the general should rush to Qingzhou to find Cai Anzhen for help." ”

"Looking for Cai Anzhen?" Xu Huang's construction was obviously unexpected by Xiahou Yuan.

But Xu Huang didn't feel that there was anything wrong with his suggestion, but he saw him further to Xiahou Yuan, "Cao Cai has already been allied, and the second son has a marriage contract with him, so it makes sense that Cai Anzhen has to come to the rescue of the lord." Since Cai Jun can kill Yan Liang, I believe that his combat power is very good. ”

Xiahou Yuan listened to what Xu Huang said, and thought to himself, yes, Xu Du was already short of major generals. And once Cao Ang and Cao Hong leave Wancheng to rush to the aid of Guandu, they will inevitably be exploited by Liu Biao, who is eyeing him. In fact, even if Cao Ang and Cao Hong led their troops north despite Liu Biao, the soldiers and horses they could bring were very limited. After all, in order to block Yuan Shao's southward movement, Cao Cao placed almost all his belongings in Guandu. If Cai Jibu is really as good at fighting as Xu Huang said, then asking for help from Qingzhou is indeed the most effective plan. After thinking about this, Xiahou Yuan no longer hesitated, and immediately nodded to Xu Huang and said, "Let's go to Qingzhou." ”

Just as Xiahou Yuan and Xu Huang were galloping side by side on the wasteland, Yuan Shao, who was far away in Guandu, had already received a big gift from Cai Ji - Yan Liang's head. Looking at the head pickled with beeswax in the brocade box, not only Yuan Shao's face was gloomy as water, but the military generals under him were also full of sadness. First Wen Chou, then Yan Liang, Yuan Shao has lost two generals in a row since the start of the Guandu War, which is undoubtedly a heavy blow to the morale of Yuan Shao's army. The successive fall of the counties of Qingzhou is the best proof.

"Father, sons, let's gather troops and horses to recapture Qingzhou for my father!" Yuan Tan broke his silence and asked Yuan Shao to fight. As a Qingzhou pastor, Yuan Tan has now become an empty joke in the eyes of the outside world. What's more, Yuan Tan was named the king of the plains, if he even lost the plains in the end, what would be the taste of him as the king. Therefore, whether it was for his own reputation or for his own territory, Yuan Tan could not tolerate Qingzhou being taken into the pocket by Cai Ji so lightly.

"The minister is willing to lead a thousand Qubu to go on the expedition with the eldest prince." The person who said this was the former Donglai Juncheng, and the current King of the Plains was engaged in governance. At the beginning, the ruler abandoned his wife and fled all the way to Plains County. However, because it was Guan Tong who recommended Cai Ji to Yuan Shao in the first place, Yuan Tan has always refused to reuse him. However, this did not affect Guan Tong's loyalty to Yuan Tan, and after dispersing his family wealth, Guan Tong recruited a 1,000-strong Qu Department to follow Yuan Tan to the north and south. In his opinion, this battle with Cai Ji was an opportunity to prove his loyalty to the Yuan family.

However, to the surprise of Yuan Tan and Guan Tong, Yuan Shao did not agree to their invitation to fight. But after seeing Yuan Shao on the dragon couch muttering for a while, he shook his head and said, "Now that the war in Guandu is tight, it is not appropriate to divide the troops at this time." I only need to take Cao Cao, and Cai Ji will also be self-defeating. ”

"Father! If Cai Ji attacked all the way west into Yanzhou and went straight down to the white horse to cut off the retreat of our army, what would it be. While arguing with reason, Yuan Tan repeatedly glanced at his mastermind Guo Tu and asked him to help him. However, Guo Tu watched as if he hadn't seen anything. Let Yuan Tan, who jumped on his feet, not be depressed.

"Rudu Dao, Cai Ji threatened that Baima needs to pass through Yanzhou first. I have a heavy garrison in Yanzhou, and before Cai Ji breaks through the layers of checkpoints in Yanzhou, I will first capture Guandu! Yuan Shao said confidently. Obviously, in Yuan Shao's eyes, nothing compares to the glory of defeating Cao Cao.

However, in this way, even if he was frustrated, he couldn't stand Yuan Shao's stubbornness, and then said to him, "Your Majesty, Yan Liang's death is quite a blow to morale. The minister thought that it was better to send a general to defend Yanzhou. ”

Fortunately, Yuan Shao finally listened to the words of the frustrated teacher, but he raised his eyebrows and asked, "Who is the candidate for Guangping?" ”

"I think General Gao Lan is up to the task." Frustrated and tied.

"Gao Yan?" Yuan Shao pursed the corners of his lips and said, "It went to Yanzhou, who will attack Wuchao?" ”

"Back to Your Majesty, the Wuchao Cao Army has become a turtle in the urn, and anyone can be sent to surround it." He replied.

"That's it, just do what Guangping says. It's just that it's not allowed to transfer troops from Guandu. Yuan Shao said, glanced at Cao Ying, who was on fire opposite, and said proudly, "Cao Mengde can't last a few days." (To be continued)