The Western Liang army has been defeated again and again, and has been greatly reduced, and since the battle of Hanzhong, there has been no real regular army. The troops used by Ma Chao back to Xiliang were all cobbled together by foreign races and the Xiliang local army, and their combat effectiveness was far inferior to that of the previous Xiliang army. In the face of several times the Cao army, and then Jia Xu and Sima Yi, the Xiliang army was obviously in a weak position.

"It's not good, I have to quickly meet with Ma Chao and discuss countermeasures." Yuan Xi retracted his mind, and finally glanced at the giant python that was burned to ashes, and flew towards Ji County.

................

................

Ji County.

As time passed, the Xiliang army and the Cao army all gathered outside the city of Ji County, some camped in the north and some in the south. Some control mountain roads and official roads, and some occupy the commanding heights, which is very lively.

Ma Chao and Cao Cao were not far away, and Sima Yi was also beside them, but neither of them acted rashly.

Until Yuan Xi suggested to Ma Chao: "Meng Qi, let's withdraw the army." ”

"Huh?"

Ma Chao didn't expect that after meeting with Yuan Xi, Yuan Xi's first sentence turned out to be to ask him to withdraw the army.

Ma Chao asked anxiously, "Why?" We still have more than 30,000 cavalry, and we are definitely capable of fighting Cao Jun. As long as the lord gives the order, I promise to defeat Cao's army within three days! ”

"I understand your feelings, this is your home, the place where you have lived for decades, and you are reluctant to leave. But you must know that Cao Cao has an army of nearly 100,000 troops, and his strength is stronger than ours. If we can't win this battle, we will be in a very difficult situation, and we will not even be able to withdraw to Hebei. I can't bear you, I can't bear this bit of blood of the Xiliang Army. ”

"My lord..."

Ma Chao walked up to Yuan Xi, knelt down, and said, "Please give the last general another chance to fight to the death with Cao Jun." If you really can't win, it's not too late to retreat. ”

"Lord, you can promise your brother." Ma Yunlu also said.

All the generals of Xiliang also looked at Yuan Xi with blank eyes.

"You all want to fight this battle?" Yuan Xi motioned for Ma Chao to get up, and his eyes swept over all the generals.

"Yes..."

The congregation will answer.

Ma Chao got up slowly: "Our Xiliang army has been crisscrossing Xiliang for many years, and there are few defeats, except for fighting Cao Cao. This time, I can't even keep my home. If we don't even have the courage to fight to the death, then what face do we have? When you get to Hebei, you will also be laughed at by other generals. The last general would rather be defeated than retreat. ”

"I'd rather fight to the death!"

"I'd rather fight to the death!"

........

The rest of the generals, including the leaders of the Qiang, Di, and Rong tribes, all roared with Ma Chao.

"Good!"

Yuan Xi saw that their morale was high, and it was not easy to refuse again, and said: "I support you to fight this battle, and I very much hope that you can fight this battle well." If you win, you will not only be able to recover Xiliang, but also wipe out Cao Cao here. Of course, Cao's army is strong, and the possibility of our army's defeat is also very high. But I assure you that even if there is one person left in the Xiliang army, I will take him to Hebei, which will be your new home. If I have a bite to eat, there will be a bite to eat from you. ”

"Okay..." The generals replied loudly.

Ma Chao took out the map and hung it on the wall behind him: "My lord, please see, Sima Yi's camp is set up on the key road crossing in the north, and Cao Cao in the south forms a corner." He can not only deal with Cao Cao, but also prevent our army from moving to Hebei. The last general's insistence on fighting this battle just now is also with this in mind. The last general suggested that the whole army fight Sima Yi and block Cao Cao's reinforcements. ”

Yuan Xi turned around and looked at the map and said, "Your suggestion is very good. Sima Yi is a tough bone to gnaw, and his camp is entrenched on some dangerous crossings, blocking our way to Lu, Hebei. He must be defeated before the Xiliang army has a glimmer of life. Moreover, from Sima Yi's promise to Cao Cao's camp, it was all open land, suitable for cavalry combat. I don't think Cao Cao will dare to go to the rescue. ”

"If he dares to come, I will make him die without a place to be buried!" Ma Chao clenched his fists.

"You are always so confident, you can know that the number of soldiers in the Cao army is three times that of yours, Jia Xu and Sima Yi are not idle people, you are really sure that you can defeat the Cao army?" Yuan Xi asked.

Compared with Ma Chao, Yuan Xi is not sure at all.

The reason why he supported the Western Liang army to attack Cao Cao was also to break through Sima Yi's blockade, break through from the north to Longxi, and then transfer to Hebei.

"Does the lord know how many troops there are in Ji County?"

"Twenty thousand?"

Ma Chao arched his hand and said: "The lord is wise, Ji County does only have 20,000 troops. It was all pieced together by the brothers of the Qiang, Di, and Rong tribes. Compared with the regular army of Xiliang, the combat effectiveness is weaker. But... We have recently captured 3,000 combat vehicles, and I have arranged to go to people for training, and we have already formed a combat effectiveness. As soon as the battle starts, I will let these tanks.... ”

"What? Do you have a chariot? ”

Yuan Xi had a happy look on his face.

"Yes, when Cao Cao first arrived in Ji County, he fought an encounter with me, and his three thousand chariots were all captured by me, all of which were brand new, and they could be used when ridden." Ma Chaodao.

"Great..." Yuan Xi took a deep breath and said: "With the cooperation of the chariot and the cavalry, it only takes five thousand to completely separate Cao Cao and Sima Yi, and it is absolutely impossible for Cao Cao to rescue Sima Yi." ”

"yes, that's what the Admiral thinks." Ma Chao said excitedly: "With a chariot, you can restrain Cao Cao's cavalry, and his infantry is restrained by our cavalry." As long as he fought in the field, Cao Cao had almost no chance of winning. And we, on the other hand, can make full use of our mobile forces and annihilate the enemy in motion.... ”

"Tell me about your specific plans?"

"Yes."

Ma Chao said: "According to the last general's investigation, Sima Yi's camp also has weak points. Just to the southeast, there's a huge open field. There are a lot of rejection horses. Obviously, Sima Yi also knows that it is easy to attack and difficult to defend, so... He wanted to stop our cavalry with his horseback, possibly pits, traps, and ambushes. The last general is ready to break his horse with iron chains, and then smash in from the southeast.... ”

"It's a pity..." Yuan Xi said suddenly.

"The lord said it was a pity?"

"Hmm. It's a pity that my big snake was burned by Sima Yi's design, and if it is still there, with just a tail sweep, his rejection of horses will be wiped out. Yuan Xi looked at Ma Chao and said, "Meng Qi, I can't help you in this battle, it all depends on your wisdom and bravery." ”

Ma Chao responded: "Please rest assured, the lord will not be disgraced in the end!" ”

............

At this time, Cao Cao's camp was also making pre-war arrangements.

Unlike Yuan Xi and Ma Chao, Jia Xu's strategy for Cao Cao was to attract the Xiliang army to attack and fight to the death in the wild. Because Cao Jun is about to run out of food, if he delays any longer, he will definitely die.

The only way out is for them to fight against the odds.

Sima Yi came from Beiying to attend the meeting.

Cao Cao praised him fiercely and said: "Zhong Da's elimination of Yuan Xi's python is equivalent to cutting off the spear of the Xiliang army, I firmly believe that this battle will be won!" ”