Luoyang Palace, Jiafu Palace

Cao Rong put on his court clothes, equipped with the sword of the Son of Heaven, and surrounded by a large group of eunuchs and close ministers, he looked anxious and drove to the Jiafu Palace.

Cao Rong hurriedly ascended the throne, and before he could sit down, he was suddenly awakened by a rush of footsteps, and turned his head in shock, only to see that the palace door was open, and the generals Cao Zhen, Sikong Chen Qun, Taifu Zhong Xuan and Taiwei Hua Xin had already rushed into the palace in a hurry.

Before he had time to salute, Taiwei Hua Xin hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, the front line is urgent, and the Shu thieves have fallen out of the Meridian Valley and Chang'an." The Anxi general Xiahou Nan was captured, the general Jia Xu died in state affairs, and the Yongzhou assassin Guo Huai and the general Dai Ning retreated to Liangzhou due to poor troops. ”

Hua Xin said this, and said eagerly: "The military situation on the front line is very critical, and the minister implores His Majesty to immediately send troops to attack the thieves and recover Chang'an!" ”

"Alas!" Cao Rong sighed and said with hatred: "Emperor Wen loves Xiahou Nan for a long time, so he has lived on the Western Front for a long time, but he actually has no talent, I should have been replaced!" ”

At this time, the general Cao Zhen pointed to the hairpin and said: "Your Majesty, the matter has come to this, don't regret it." The minister is not talented, and he is willing to raise the army to enter the customs and break the thieves and recover Chang'an. ”

Cao Rong also knew that Chang'an had fallen and the Central Plains had resounded, which was bound to be the biggest political and military crisis he had encountered since his accession to the throne.

Cao Rong nodded and ordered: "Pass on my order: General Guo Huai Jianwei, the assassin of Jiayong Prefecture, control the generals of Liangzhou, and protect the border!" ”

"Another order: General Zuo Zhang He led 30,000 cavalry from Nanyang County to Wuguan, and rushed to the aid of Guanzhong!"

In the end, Cao Rong cast a heavy gaze on Cao Zhen, "Spread the edict: with the general Cao Zhen to supervise the military of Yong and Liang, and immediately levy Luoyang and Xuchang troops to march 100,000 people to the west to fight the thieves!" ”

The order was issued, Cao Rong stepped down from the throne, walked in front of Cao Zhen, pulled up Cao Zhen's hand and said: "When the Yang Ganghou (Zhang Liao) of the former Jin Dynasty was ill for a long time, Emperor Wen drove in person, held the hand of the Ganghou, and gave the decoction. Ganghou then healed a little, and then broke Sun Quan, now I hold my hand to say goodbye, hoping that the general will think deeply of the country and break the Shu thief! ”

"The general took the lead, and then I personally led the army to support the general. I still don't believe it, Shu Yuer thief, he can really swallow an elephant with a snake's heart! ”

Seeing the high hopes of the lord and the true feelings, Cao Zhen, as a member of the clan, couldn't help but feel a heavy responsibility, he bowed slightly to Cao Rong and said solemnly: "Minister...... Obey the Divine Commandment! ”

Immediately, Cao Zhen took two steps back, bowed solemnly to Cao Rong again, and then strode out of the hall.

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When Deng Ai and Wang Ping rode their horses into Tongguan, the sky was already bright.

Deng Ai patted the broken gate of Tongguan, and said with emotion: "General Wang, Tongguan is a great man in the world, but after all, our army still captured it, haha." ”

Wang Ping also slammed the festival and praised: "I am a big Han iron armor, there is no Xiongguan that cannot be broken!" ”

Deng Ai nodded silently, then turned over and dismounted with Wang Ping, and stepped on the juncture step by step along the horse road.

Walking all the way up along the horse road, I saw the corpses lying on the ground everywhere, most of them were Wei soldiers, but there were also many corpses of Han soldiers, especially when Deng Ai and Wang Ping stepped on the city, they saw Wei Chang with a vultures on the gate at a glance.

Deng Ai couldn't help but sigh, he didn't want Wei Chang to die here.

Wang Ping also had a look on his face, and immediately ordered the soldiers behind him to collect Wei Chang's body for transportation back to Nanzheng for burial in the future.

"What's so troublesome, the soldiers will be shrouded in horse leather and die on the battlefield. My Wei Yan's son is not so delicate! A majestic voice sounded, but it was Wei Yan who strode over.

Wei Yan's eyes were a little red and swollen, his helmet didn't know where it went, and his beard was even more disorganized.

Walking in front of Deng Ai and Wang Ping, Wei Yan was pestled for a moment, and his tone was a little sad: "Wei Chang, let's be buried at the foot of Tongguan, and buried with our robes that died in battle......"

After arranging his son's funeral, Wei Yan turned his head and shouted, "Where is Deng Ai?" ”

Deng Ai hurriedly took two steps forward and said, "Deng Ai is here." ”

Wei Yan waved his hand and said loudly: "Register the names of all the soldiers, whether they are alive or have died in battle, they will all be promoted to the first level!" Wei Yan's promise was actually just a blank check, because he was only a front-line general, and he didn't have the right to be rewarded by soldiers.

However, no one doubted Wei Yan's promise, because the ancients were very faithful. Since Wei Yan said it, then he has to do everything he can!

When Wei Yanhong's bright voice instantly spread throughout the wall with the cold morning breeze, the soldiers of the Han army who were cleaning up the battlefield under the gate raised their heads one after another, but they all showed excitement, and it could be seen that this blank check came in time.

After the two battles of Chang'an and Tongguan, the Han army has suffered more than half of the casualties, and every soldier of the Han army, both physically and psychologically, is tired. But Wei Yan knew that it was far from the time to rest.

After the soldiers cleaned up the pass, Wei Yan convened the generals again.

Inside, Wei Yan looked around at the generals and said in a deep voice: "Although Tongguan was taken by us, the prime minister's army has not arrived for a day, and we can't take it lightly for a day." Or do it according to a predetermined plan. ”

"Yes, I order: Gao Xiang led an army of 1,000 men to the Pubanjin ferry, burned the ferry and boats, and prevented the Wei army from crossing the river from the east of the river to attack; Wang Ping and Deng Ai led an army of 2,000 people to the south of Wuguan, blocking the road with stones and rolling logs along the way, delaying the enemy who came to Wuguan! ”

When Gao Xiang and Wang Ping heard the order, they got up one after another and bowed: "Promise! ”

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Yi County

After days of marching, the carriage and horses were tired, Zhuge Liang rubbed his temples, and his expression was a little tired.

Suddenly, the prime minister joined the army, and Ma Tan shouted excitedly outside the car: "Prime minister! Good news, good news! ”

Good news? Presumably Wei Yanbu has news

Zhuge Liang's expression moved, and he hurriedly ordered: "Youchang, come in!" ”

Ma Tan entered the carriage and said with joy on his face: "Prime Minister, General Wei Yan sent an envoy to the army, and said that Chang'an has been released." His troops are working hard and continue to march to Tongguan! ”

"Oh? Wen Chang is really brave! Zhuge Liang smiled with relief and said: "Since Chang'an can go down, Tongguan is not difficult." ”

Immediately, Zhuge Liang asked Ma Tan again: "How long do we have to arrive in Chang'an?" ”

"It is estimated that in two days, the army will be able to spend the night in Chang'an!" Ma Tan replied.

"Hmm." Zhuge Liang nodded and replied: "Youchang immediately sent an envoy back to Chengdu to inform His Majesty and the imperial court, and said that the front line was a great victory and Chang'an had fallen!" ”

Ma Jian arched his hand and said, "Go and do it immediately." ”