Yuan Xi said: "The Xiliang Army is indeed extremely brave, and I have seen it today." If it continues like this, it is still very promising to recover Xiliang, and Meng Qi has contributed a lot. ”

"Thank you, Lord." Ma Chao arched his hand and said: "Actually, this battle is the most gratifying... It wasn't Cao's casualties, it was we who turned the tide of the battle. Cao Cao's army was defeated, the turtle retreated to Jincheng, his spirit was exhausted, and he no longer dared to covet Longxi, while we could take advantage of the situation to collect all parts of Xiliang. There are also Qiang, Di, and Rong people scattered in various counties... When they get the news of our victory, they will also come to join us. Cao Cao will only get weaker and weaker, and we will become stronger and stronger, and victory will eventually belong to us. ”

"Hahaha..."

The generals laughed happily.

Yuan Xi asked, "Meng Qi, what are you going to do next?" ”

"Back to my lord, our army has just experienced a big battle, and the soldiers are tired, so it is not suitable to go out again. I want everyone to rest for two days, and when there is news of the Qiang people, I will rush to meet them, and then go straight to Jincheng. Ma Chao said.

"Okay...."

Yuan Xi's heart was very entangled and hesitant.

On the one hand, he wanted to stick to the original decision, let the Xiliang army recover Xiliang by himself, and give Cao Cao a blow by the way.

On the other hand, he wanted to fight a big battle, mobilize troops from Hebei and the Central Plains, march to Yanzhou and Jingzhou, and completely cripple Cao Cao. As it stands, this is not impossible.

Maybe...

Cao Cao was wiped out like this?

But if you think about it carefully, Cao Cao has discovered oil fields in Luoyang and has been mining them for more than a year, so there must be plenty of oil. If you really want to fight, you may not be able to eat Yanzhou and Jingzhou.

In addition, the Chang'an and Luoyang areas are mostly strong checkpoints in the city, and Cao Cao can advance or retreat. And the Xiliang army could not participate in the battle in the Central Plains, and it was unlikely to win.

So, Yuan Xi gave up.

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

The Xiliang army rested in Longxi for a few days, and then Ma Yunlu defended the city, and Ma Chao personally led 15,000 iron horsemen to Ji County. It is the only way to Jincheng, and it is also the main road to meet the Qiang people in the south of Xiliang. Ma Chao planned to stay there for a few days, and then rush to Jincheng after there was news of the Qiang people.

Yuan Xi was with Ma Chao to explore the way for him to prevent Cao Cao from being ambushed.

Soon arrived in Ji County.

I didn't expect a branch of the Qiang to be here. This branch is called Xian Lingqiang, which once caused chaos in Xiliang, and was successively suppressed by the imperial court, Dong Zhuo, Li Dao, and Guo Yan, and then Ma Teng rose and was completely subdued by Ma Chao.

The day before yesterday, Cao Cao's army was defeated, and the leader of Xian Lingqiang made a decisive attack and occupied Ji County.

The arrival of Ma Chao greatly boosted the morale of Xian Lingqiang.

Ling Qiang led Ling Ganyun and asked Ma Chao: "General, how many soldiers and horses have you brought?" ”

"Fifteen thousand."

"So little.... Xian Lingganyun said subconsciously, but immediately changed his words: "Of course... The general is invincible and can win even with fewer troops. But... As far as I know, although Cao Cao was defeated, he still had an army of 100,000. ”

Ma Chao snorted: "What's wrong with 100,000? In the battle of Longxi the day before yesterday, I defeated Cao Cao's 150,000 troops with 5,000 fine cavalry. ”

"That's... The general shot and was invincible. Xian Ling Ganyun thought for a while and said: "Our four thousand iron horsemen are willing to obey the general's dispatch and drive Cao Cao out of Xiliang." ”

"Okay."

Ma Chao replied: "When the other Qiang tribes arrive, we will immediately send troops to Jincheng." ”

........

After Yuan Xi's exploration, there were only more than 70,000 Cao troops in Jincheng.

Sima Yi was not there.

In other words, after Sima Yi's defeat, he had not yet joined Cao Cao.

This news was revealed to Ma Chao, who was very happy at first, because Cao Cao's troops were reduced, and he was more sure of winning. But on second thought, where did Sima Yi go?

Sima Yi did not appear, and it was ultimately an unstable factor.

"Lord, have you found any trace of Sima Yi?" That night, Ma Chao was worried about something and found Yuan Xi.

"Are you worried about Longxi City?" Yuan Xi asked.

"Yes. So many days have passed, and Sima Yi has not yet joined Cao Cao, which means that he has not gone to the west at all. If we hide in the territory of Longxi, and when we are engaged in the battle with Cao Cao, he suddenly attacks the city of Longxi, then our army will be defeated. Ma Chao said.

"I'm glad you think of that." Yuan Xi didn't expect that Ma Chao was thick and fine, and he could smell the breath of danger from the unusual battle situation.

"That's what the lord thinks too?"

"Hmm."

Yuan Xi got up and put on his clothes, walked outside the tent, and sighed: "This battle is extremely unfavorable to Cao Cao, and his only chance to win is to send out the cavalry and cut off our rear road." And the most important place is Longxi City, once controlled by Cao Cao, he will be able to get reinforcements from Chang'an. Therefore, I conclude that... Sima Yi must be in Longxi. ”

"What then?"

Ma Chao hurriedly said: "Won't I go to Jincheng?" ”

Yuan Xi said: "Jincheng is a must, if you don't go to Jincheng, how can you defeat Cao Cao?" But we have to make two preparations, you first lead the army to Jincheng, camp outside the city, and contain Cao Cao's main force. I returned to Longxi and packed up Sima Yi. After I meet you, I will fight Cao Cao to the death. ”

"It's a good arrangement. But.... Ma Chao seems to have something to say.

"What's wrong?"

Ma Chao sneered: "The lord doesn't know anything. My little sister has a reckless temperament and is so brave and ruthless, I am worried that she will fall for Sima Yi's tricks... Please take care of the little sister, I will be grateful. ”

Yuan Xi replied with a smile: "This is nature. Your sister is my sister, and I will take care of her. ”

"Thank you, Lord."

With Yuan Xi's words, Ma Chao was relieved.

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

After the main force of the Xiliang Army left Longxi and arrived in Ji County, Ma Yunlu led 6,000 cavalry to garrison Longxi City. Originally, this was not too difficult a task, because Cao's army was all repulsed, and they were all in the Jincheng area. Ma Yunlu is stationed like this, that is, to recuperate, waiting for Ma Chao to triumph. But she didn't expect that not long after Ma Chao left, Longxi City was surrounded by Cao's army again.

The commander of this Cao army was Cao Cao's military advisor Sima Yi.

He first attacked Xicheng with 20,000 infantry troops, attracting most of the Xiliang army in the city. Then he led 5,000 elites to attack the eastern city, and only used the cloud ladder to break through the city.

Ma Yunlu did not hold Longxi, and led the soldiers in the city to flee to the south.

Fortunately, all of her subordinates are cavalry, and they move fast, and Sima Yi can't catch up if he wants to. It's just a pity that Longxi City was occupied by Sima Yi and opened up the main road to Chang'an.

Yuan Xi arrived in Longxi the next day and was surprised to find that Longxi City had changed owners.

"It's still a step too late..." Thinking of Ma Chao's entrustment, Yuan Xi didn't dare to delay, and explored around Longxi City, wanting to find out Ma Yunlu's traces.

Of course, before that, he sneaked into the city first, inquired about Ma Yunlu's news, and knew that she had fled.