Xiahoudun led an army of 50,000 to Chenliu, and seeing that Chenliu had not fallen, he entered the city to inquire about Yuan's army. Chen Liushou reported that Xiahoudun Yuan's army's army, Zhang Jaw, did not attack the city, and was stationed not far from Chenliu's vicinity, and often sent people to monitor the situation of our army.

Zhangjaw's approach, Xiahoudun was a little puzzled, it stands to reason that Zhangjaw has an army of 50,000, and he should capture Chen Liucai before his Yuan army arrives. Cao Xiu, as the leader of the second generation of the Cao family, is a very insightful general, and Xiahoudun also deliberately took him with him to experience it. Cao Xiu saw Xiahoudun bowing his head and pondering, and reminded Xiahoudun that "Uncle, the appearance of the open jaw is suspicious, I am afraid that his purpose is not to attack Chen Liu!" ”

Isn't it attacking Chen Liu? Xiahoudun had a bad premonition, could it be that Zhang Jaw's target was Xuchang, and now most of Xuchang's men and horses have been brought over by himself, once he is entangled with Zhang Jaw, Yuan Xi can lead the army to attack Xuchang.

Just when Xiahoudun didn't know how to decide, Mao Jie spoke: "I think Zhang Jaw is also deliberately delaying time and trapping our army in Chenliu, his real purpose is to cover Yuan Xi, and it is very likely to capture Xuzhou." ”

Cao Hong didn't like these people to use their brains, and said loudly: "It doesn't matter what he wants to do with his jaw open, let's kill him first!" When did Yuan Rang become such a mother-in-law? Cao Hong's words were very simple, but they were very useful, and Xiahoudun was also stimulated with a bloody nature, since he was captured by Yuan Xi, he was a little timid, and only in the decisive battle on the battlefield could he regain his self-confidence, so he ordered the whole army to attack and fight against Zhang Jaw.

Zhang Jaw had been preparing for a long time, and when he saw Cao Jun coming to attack, he was not afraid at all, and the two armies suffered mutual damage from the confrontation. A few days later, Xiahoudun received that Yuan Xi personally led the army to attack Xuzhou, and had already connected Xiaopei, Xiabil, and Pengcheng, and the situation was extremely unfavorable to Cao's army. In order for you to break through Zhangjaw's defense line as soon as possible, Xiahoudun personally commanded Cao's army to attack Zhangjaw's camp.

Seeing that Cao's army was fighting more and more fiercely, Sima Yi said worriedly: "General Zhang, Xiahoudun must have known the news that the general led the army to attack Xuzhou, so he was eager to attack our army and wanted to unite with Cao Ren to encircle and suppress the general!" Cao's army has been attacking for days and is exhausted, and it is the right time to kill at this time. ”

Zhang Jaw also realized that blindly sticking to it would only make Cao Jun's morale even higher, and he did not participate in the battle of Guandu, so it seems that he was underestimated by Xiahoudun! Zhang Jaw said to Sima Yi: "Zhongda is guarding the camp here, and I will personally lead the army to fight with Xiahoudun and give him a long memory." ”

As the most powerful infantry army in Hebei, the Euphorbia made its reputation inconspicuous because of its weakness against cavalry. Xiahoudun is also an infantry army dominated by Qingzhou soldiers, and the heavily armed halberds are like ironclad harvesters, and the spears and bows of the Cao army cannot cause much damage to the halberds, but the halberds are constantly harvesting the lives of the Cao army. Seeing that the situation was not good, Xiahoudun ordered a retreat back to Chenliu. Zhang Jaw won a small victory, did not chase, packed up Cao Jun's baggage, and continued to return to the camp.

Xiahoudun returned to Chenliu and discussed with the generals how to defeat Zhang Jaw. Mao Jiedao: "The intention of opening the jaw is to cover Yuan Xi, and it will not attack Chen Liu." In the next thought, the top priority is to welcome the prime minister back to Xuchang first, and General Xiahou can lead the army to attack Zhao Yun before and after. ”

Cao Hong has always been at odds with Cao Pi, and he is also very suspicious of Cao Pi's ability, so he immediately supported Mao Jiedao: "What Mr. said is extremely true, only the prime minister can deal with Yuan Xi!" Although Xiahoudun thought that Zhao Yun could not resist Cao Cao for a long time, he only led a large army to the rescue, one disobeyed Cao Pi's order, and the other once Chen Liu was lost, I am afraid it would be difficult to explain to Cao Cao.

Cao Xiu saw Xiahoudun hesitating, speculated about Xiahoudun's thoughts and admonished: "Uncle, at this time, it is the time of life and death for our army, and I hope that my uncle will put the overall situation first, and welcome the prime minister back to Xuchang first, and we will swear to guard Chen Liu." ”

Seeing that everyone agreed to Mao Jie's proposal, Xiahoudun did not hesitate any longer, and led an army of 30,000 troops to Wuguan to attack Zhao Yun.

The battle on this side of Chang'an is far more fierce than that of the Central Plains, although there is not much difference in the number of the two armies, but this Cao army is Cao Cao's elite in a hundred battles, and there is Cao Jun's ace tiger and leopard horseman, and the combat effectiveness is extremely strong. Although Zhao Yun had elite cavalry like Bai Ma Yicong on his side, the Luoyang soldiers did not have much combat experience, and the gap between them and the Cao army was too big, so they relied on the bravery of Zhao Yun, Zhang Xiu and Ma Teng to block the Cao army's attacks again and again.

For a month, Cao Cao had not broken through Zhao Yun's defense line, and began to worry about the situation in Xuchang: "I wonder if Zihuan can hold on?" I can't be relieved that I haven't sent troops yet! Zhao Yun is determined to fight to the death with our army again, I wonder if there is still a trail to return to Xuchang? ”

Xun You knew that Cao Cao already had the idea of retreating, and once he returned to Chang'an, he was afraid that his efforts would be wasted, so he anxiously advised: "The lord can't, Zhao Yun is already at the end of the crossbow, even if there are no reinforcements, he won't be able to last a few days!" The eldest prince is wise and will definitely be able to deal with Yuan Xi. ”

"Chang'an can return to Xuchang through the Meridian Valley Rao Wancheng, in order to return to Xuchang, not to mention the Meridian Valley road is rugged, extremely difficult to walk, and the road is far away is not as convenient as defeating Zhao Yun, I hope the lord will think twice." Guo Jia was also helpless, Pang Tong on the opposite side saw through his intentions several times, except for fighting to the death, there was no way to break through Zhao Yun's defense line, but in the face of absolute strength, no matter how high the strategy was, it was useless, and Yuan Jun couldn't hold out for a long time, so he also suggested that Cao Cao should not give up.

Just as Cao Cao was still hesitating, Xu Huang excitedly walked into the Chinese army's tent and reported to Cao Cao that Zhao Yun had retreated in the direction of Hangu Pass. Cao Cao was in a good mood and ordered Xiahou Yuan to continue to guard Chang'an against Zhao Yun, and led the army back to Xuchang himself.

Zhao Yun listened to Pang Tong's suggestion and retreated into Hangu Pass to rest his army, and after seeing that Cao's army went to Xuchang, he was a little worried about Yuan Xi. Pang Tong explained: "I think with the ability of the general, Xuzhou can be pacified within a month, and General Zhao does not have to worry." Next, we should take the opportunity to unite with General Meng Qi, defeat Han Sui and Xiahou Yuan, and seize the land of Guanzhong. ”

This idea is Ma Teng's favorite, although Zhao Yun is Yuan Xi's general, but also his son-in-law, once he joins forces with Ma Chao to win Liangzhou and Guanzhong, his own power will be one step closer. Zhang Xiu didn't think about it so much, although Ma Teng and Ma Chao's father and son were not the general's cronies, but the main general Zhao Yun was the first general under the general, so he naturally didn't care, even if Liangzhou returned to the Ma family, the general also got Guanzhong, and he didn't feel inappropriate. As for whether they can capture Liangzhou and Guanzhong, neither of them doubts that with Pang Tong's wit and Zhao Yun and Ma Chao's bravery, how can Han Sui and Xiahou Yuan resist!

When Cao Cao returned to Xuchang through Wuguan, he met the Xiahoudun army that rushed to support, and after inquiring that Yuan Xi had invaded Xuzhou and captured the three cities, Cao Cao understood that Yuan Xi's goal was not Xuchang, but Xuzhou, and what he wanted was not to eliminate himself at one time and slowly erode his territory.

Xiahoudun didn't have Cao Cao's comprehension ability, so he held his breath during this time, and suggested to Cao Cao: "Prime Minister, don't say that it's Yuan Xi when you're away, even if you don't put our army in your eyes, you will camp your troops near Chenliu, send people to monitor the activities of our army all day long, and don't send troops to attack, and when the prime minister's army arrives, you will clean up your jaw first!" ”

Yuan Xi's purpose was obvious, that is, to use Cao Cao's expedition to cut off Cao Cao's route back to Xuchang, Zhao Yun was, and so was Zhang Jaw, to give himself the opportunity to seize Xuzhou. Guo Jia thought of this, and made a move: "Lord, it is too late to rescue Xuzhou at this time, why don't our army follow Yuan Xi and directly capture Yecheng?" ”