As the haystacks increased, the tiger and leopard riders were completely surrounded.

No matter how much they rushed, they couldn't rush out.

As far as the eye can see, there are stacks of hay.

Outside the Chinese army's books.

Huang Zhong burst into tears: "Prepare the rocket.... ”

More than 200 soldiers took out their bows and arrows and dipped them in fire.

"Wait." At this time, Zhuge Liang walked out of the tent.

Huang Zhong said excitedly: "Sir, please see, Cao Chun's tiger and leopard riding has fallen into a big formation, we have put a lot of fire oil in the haystack, as long as it is ignited, the tiger and leopard riding will be wiped out." ”

Zhuge Liang said: "The tiger and leopard rider is Cao Cao's elite, and Cao Chun is Cao Ren's brother, if we die here, is it still possible for us to negotiate with Xiahou Yuan?" If Xiahou Yuan killed our captives in order to vent his anger... That's all our ministers of civil and military affairs, all the family members, including the lord's wife, isn't this price too great? ”

"This..." Huang Zhong's wife and children were also in Linxiang City, and they didn't say anything for a while.

Zhuge Liang took out a letter from his cuff and handed it to Huang Zhong: "Send someone to send this letter outside the camp, Xiahou Yuan's army must be there to prepare to receive Cao Chun." ”

"The soldiers who ordered me to drill the formation, throw all the bows, arrows, and spears, and then disperse the formation, and let Cao Chun leave."

"No."

Huang Zhong was unwilling.

This is the best opportunity to eliminate the tiger and leopard riders, as long as the fire oil is ignited, the tigers and leopards will be killed and injured in most of the casualties, and then there will be a comprehensive kill, and the tigers and leopards will definitely be wiped out.

However, Zhuge Liang's concerns are not unreasonable, in order to negotiate with Xiahou Yuan and rescue the captured people, he can't go too far.

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

Huang Zhong sent someone to send Zhuge Liang's letter outside the camp and handed it to Xiahou Yuan in person.

Originally, Xiahou Yuan was going to lead the army to rescue the tiger and leopard cavalry, but when he saw the letter sent by Zhuge Liang, he dispelled the idea of sending troops. Zhuge Liang made it clear in the letter that at this time, Cao Chun's tiger and leopard rider was under siege, and as long as there was a spark, the tiger and leopard rider would be burned to ashes. In other words, the fate of the tiger and leopard ride is already in the hands of Zhuge Liang. But in order to sell Xiahou Yuan a face, Zhuge Liang was not ready to completely destroy the tiger and leopard, on the condition that the captured people were returned, of course, Zhuge Liang also promised to release the Cao army in Hunan and retreat to Jiangxia County.

Xiahou Yuan thought about it again and again, and said: "Back to Zhuge Liang, let him release General Cao Chun first, and I will keep my promise later." Return all those who were captured. ”

"Yes."

The soldiers who had come to deliver the letter returned the same way.

Report to Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang motioned to Huang Zhong: "Han Sheng..." ”

"Yes."

According to the previous plan, Huang Zhong split a hole in the big array and let Cao Chun's tiger and leopard ride away. But after the battle just now, more than half of the tiger and leopard riders have been killed and wounded, and Cao Chun has also been injured.

This not only greatly weakened the strength of Linxiang City, but also sounded the alarm for Xiahou Yuan and Cao Chun. Even if Xiahou Yuan did not keep his promise, Zhuge Liang was sure to win.

Soon.

The battle is over.

Cao Chun led the defeated army and Xiahou Yuan back to Linxiang City.

Zhuge Liang also sent people to clean up the battlefield and re-encamp.

Linxiang City.

Cao Chun bandaged his wound and came to the meeting. This time, he was no longer rampant, and he no longer mentioned the matter of facing Zhuge Liang, everything was decided by Xiahou Yuan.

Xiahou Yuan said: "Zhuge Liang's military strength is indeed inferior to ours, we still occupy Linxiang and capture the old and young wives and concubines of Liu Bei's subordinate martial arts, but Zhuge Liang is clever, we..." ”

"Does the general really want to return all the prisoners?" Liu Xun asked.

"Well, but..." Xiahou Yuan said: "Prime Minister ordered us to disrupt Liu Bei's rear and force Liu Bei to withdraw his troops. We must complete the task, even if we can't force Liu Bei back to Linxiang, we must drag Zhuge Liang's army. Therefore, I ostensibly promised Zhuge Liang to return the captives and retreat to Jiangxia County. However, I will not do this until the Battle of Xiangyang is won. ”

"From now on, we must hold the city firmly and beware of Zhuge Liang's sneak attack..."

"General Cao Chun."

Cao Chun heard Xiahou Yuan call him, covered the wound on his arm, and responded, "Yes." ”

Xiahou Yuan said: "Although the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry was defeated, there are still more than 600 people, and the combat effectiveness cannot be ignored. You take good care of your injuries first, and after your injuries are healed, attack Lingling and Changsha counties to create some trouble for Zhuge Liang. and snatch food to sustain the livelihood of our army. ”

"Yes."

Xiahou Yuan clearly promised Zhuge Liang, but repeatedly delayed time.

And Zhuge Liang, in order to protect the captive, did not dare to act rashly, so he was in a stalemate with Cao Jun.

Meantime.

Cao Cao, who was in Fancheng, under Jia Xu's planning, conquered the Neijiang defense line in one fell swoop.

The Neijiang River was Liu Bei's barrier against Cao Cao, and with the help of the Jiangfang moat, he tried to intercept Cao Cao in the north and could not enter Jingxiang. But now it has been conquered by Cao Cao, and the army has crossed the Neijiang River and marched towards Xiangyang. And until now, Liu Bei has not captured Xiangyang City. Xu Huang and Zhang Liao, who were stationed in Xiangyang, were brave and brave, led the remaining remnants of the army, and launched several bloody battles with Liu Bei, not giving an inch.

Liu Bei's troops were insufficient and were repulsed again and again.

this day.

Cao Cao's army was fifteen miles away from Xiangyang City.

Liu Bei had to temporarily abandon the siege and turn to face Cao Cao.

The two armies confronted each other.

Cao Cao rode out of the battle alone and shouted to the opposite side: "Xuande, since you are here, why don't you see it?" ”

Liu Bei also came out of the battle, stopped more than ten meters away from Cao Cao, and said coldly: "What does Meng De have to say?" ”

"The Son of Heaven has an order to let you return to Jingnan, why are you still in Xiangyang? Is it to resist the decree? ”

"Do you also have the face to mention the word Son of Heaven?" Liu Bei gritted his teeth: "As early as many years ago, the Son of Heaven had already issued a blood edict to edict the princes of the world to crusade against you." Liu Bei is the uncle of the Han Emperor, and he was ordered to beg for thieves. ”

"Cao Mengde, aren't you going to be arrested?"

"Hahaha..." Cao Cao stroked his palms and laughed.

He didn't plan to rely on the name of the Son of Heaven to scare Liu Bei away, he just wanted to test it and see how Liu Bei reacted.

Cao Cao waved his hand and said: "Xuande, you see behind me, there are 70,000 elites, if you don't retreat, I will be in an instant... I can take your head! I advise you to take the initiative to retreat, for my sake, I will never hunt you down. ”

In fact, Cao Cao no longer had 70,000 elites, and behind him, there were less than 50,000 troops. The rest were stationed on the banks of the river and in the important town of Fancheng. This is also the reason why he persuaded Liu Bei to withdraw from the army.

It's just that Liu Bei dared to come here, of course he wouldn't retreat easily.

He glanced at Cao Cao's military formation and sneered: "This battle will decide the ownership of Jingzhou, how can I retreat?" Cao Mengde, between you and me, sooner or later there will be a war, instead of delaying, why not fight now? ”

"You're not afraid?"

"Prepare for the edict to punish the thief, and have already put life and death out of the way, so why be afraid?" Liu Bei slowly turned the horse's head and said, "I just want to learn you the style of tiger and leopard riding, Cao Mengde, you can make a move." ”

"Good. You'll definitely regret it! Cao steered his horse and ran back to the military formation.