In addition to the 30,000 Chinese troops that have been recruited, the imperial court has recruited more than 70,000 people including Sanhe County soldiers, making up the number of 100,000, and setting out on the expedition.

Cao Shuang's original intention was to let Xiahou Xuan withdraw, after all, Xiahou Xuan and the Sima family have a grudge, and if they work with the army, it will inevitably cause some contradictions and conflicts, and in the front-line army, it is far less than in Luoyang City, even if Cao Shuang has the heart to take care of it, it is beyond the reach of the whip, so for the sake of safety, Cao Shuang does not recommend that Xiahou Xuan go with the army.

However, Xiahou Xuan refused to quit easily, he finally climbed to the position of general Zhengnan, how could he easily quit because the coach was Sima Yi.

It is true that he has a grudge against the Sima family, but Xiahou Xuan does not believe that Sima Yi dares to openly plot against himself, after all, in the Southern Army, as Sima Yi's deputy, it is also under one person, above ten thousand, Sima Yi wants to move him, without a suitable and legitimate reason, it is absolutely impossible.

What's more, he is not a bare-bones general, the original 30,000 Chinese troops, but they are all his subordinates, if Sima Yi has bad intentions and wants to murder him, Xiahou Xuan is completely likely to lead his troops to resist, although Sima Yi is modest, and has the right to kill officials below 2,000 stone in wartime, but with Xiahou Xuan's identity, he can't move lightly, even if Xiahou Xuan is guilty, he needs to be escorted back to Luoyang and handed over to Tingwei for trial, even if Sima Yi is the governor of Pingnan, he has no right to decide his life and death.

What's more, at the moment of the great enemy, Xiahou Xuan thinks that Sima Yi is also a person who knows the depth and knows how to advance and retreat, so as long as he is careful about this trip, there must be no big problem.

And if Xiahou Xuan gives up this opportunity, not only will he be criticized, but the road to promotion will also be blocked.

Therefore, Xiahou Xuan wants to fight for his future.

Cao Shuang couldn't resist him, so he had to agree.

In fact, Sima Yi went on an expedition, Cao Shuang would definitely not be completely at ease, and he would inevitably install a cronie of his own by Sima Yi's side, either as a deputy or as a supervisor, frankly speaking, he was here to monitor Sima Yi, in case he had two hearts.

100,000 troops are in the hands of Sima Yi, can Cao Shuangyan feel at ease?

Xiahou Xuan insisted on refusing to quit, so that Cao Shuang had to find another person to spy on Sima Yi, and it was only suitable for Xiahou Xuan to be the nail beside Sima Yi.

Cao Shuang gave Xiahou Xuan a secret order, if Sima Yi had the intention of collaborating with the enemy and treason or self-reliance, Xiahou Xuan could cut it first and then play it, without having to report it to the imperial court.

Xiahou Xuan returned to the military camp in the south of the city in a high-profile manner, summoned the generals, and announced the decision of the imperial court.

All the generals were silent, in the blink of an eye, Xiahou Xuan changed from the main general to the deputy general, although he still commanded the battalions of soldiers and horses, but the person in charge became Sima Yi, Xiahou Xuan had to look up to people, not to mention them?

Xiahou Xuan didn't care, this expedition, whether he was the main general or the deputy general, in short, it was to contribute to the court and serve the country, he asked the generals to continue to carry out military orders, maintain high morale, make all preparations, and go out at any time.

Now there is gossip flying all over the army in Zhengnan, and most of the rumors are saying that Xiahou Xuan will be dismissed and no longer serve as the general of Zhengnan. Xiahou Xuan's return to the barracks was equivalent to giving the generals a reassurance, and also made those rumors come to an abrupt end.

When the generals left the Chinese military tent, Xiahou Xuan stopped Cao Liang alone.

"Ziming, you must have heard that Sima Yi will be appointed as the governor of Pingnan, right?" Xiahou Xuan first mentioned the matter.

Cao Liang nodded, this news is not a secret matter, it has already spread in the army.

Xiahou Xuan said: "In this way, I will arrange for you to leave the southern army, and ensure that no one dares to investigate you for the crime of escaping." ”

Now Cao Liang's identity is already the general of Zhengnan to join the army, not the gate governor of the Yulin army, if Cao Liang does not go out with the army, then he will soon be convicted of the crime of escaping from the battle, according to Wei Law, escaping from the battle is a serious crime, once caught, it will be beheaded.

The relationship between Cao Liang and the Sima family, Xiahou Xuan knows better than anyone, this time Sima Yi is in charge of the handsome seal, if Cao Liang remains in the army, then it will be very dangerous, Xiahou Xuan decided to arrange for Cao Liang to withdraw from the southern army for his safety.

Cao Liang smiled and said, "Why? ”

Xiahou Xuan frowned, Cao Liang obviously asked a little knowingly, but he still said patiently: "Ziming, the contradiction between you and the Sima family is already irresolvable, this time Sima Yi is the governor of Pingnan, in charge of the army, and has the right to take life and death, and Sima Shi will also go out with the army and join the army as the governor of Pingnan, with my understanding of Sima Shi, he will be repaid, if you continue to stay in the army, you may be persecuted by the Sima family, so if possible, I suggest that you leave the military camp as soon as possible, Avoid the calamity of innocence. ”

Cao Liang was indifferent, and said with an indifferent smile: "Brother Tai Chu, really speaking, the person Sima Shi hates the most is not me but you, so why do you insist on staying in the military camp of Zhengnan and not thinking of retreating?" ”

Xiahou Xuan was speechless, but he quickly said: "Although I have some grudges with Sima Shi, I also have the name of General Zhengnan, and Sima Yi can kill officials below 2,000 stones, but he can't help me." And you are different, just a thousand stones to join the army, Sima Yi wants to kill you, it is easier than strangling an ant, you and I have a relationship, I can't let you have an accident with me no matter what. ”

Xiahou Xuan's meaning is actually very simple, because his status is high enough, Sima Yi's power to kill people will not threaten him, and Cao Liang's low position, Sima Yi can easily punish him with capital as long as he finds an excuse and a suitable reason. Xiahou Xuan is now taking care of himself, and he doesn't dare to let Cao Liang stay in the military camp to take risks.

Of course, Cao Liang will also consider the stakes, with Xiahou Xuan's arrangement, it is not difficult to quit the southern army without being held accountable, but from now on, Cao Liang will inevitably suffer a reputation for escaping, and will even be ridiculed as a coward, in this era of great reputation, it is likely that Cao Liang will not be able to raise his head.

This is not what Cao Liang wants to see, if he retreats as soon as he encounters difficulties, and retreats when he sees the people of the Sima family, then how can he fight with the people of the Sima family in the future?

"No, no matter what, I'm not leaving!" Cao Liang is categorical.