Cao's army was defeated, Zhao Yun urged the army to advance quickly, pursued by victory, and broke Xiahou Yu Ying.

If it weren't for Xiahoujie and Xiahouen who came with reinforcements when they heard the news, I am afraid that Xiahoudun would not even have a chance to live.

In the next few days, Xiahoudun's army did not move at all, but only entrenched in the area of Ruyin and Shenxian, and occasionally a few men and horses came to call for battle, and they were quickly killed and retreated by Zhao Yun.

After holding out for another seven or eight days, Yingshangcheng was still safe, and even the expected battle did not happen. Zhao Yun's heart couldn't help but be suspicious, the shouting enemies were not terrible, the terrible ones were those who were calm on the surface, but secretly did strange tricks. The tranquility of Yingshang City shows more and more the tranquility before the storm. Zhao Yun began to worry.

At this time, Zhu Huan hurriedly came in, and he didn't even salute the military salute, and said: "General, just got the news from the scouts, the Cao army has obtained the area of Yuanlu and Fubo, and is now rapidly approaching my Yingshang along the east direction of Huai. ”

Zhao Yun's face changed slightly, while Ling Yun lost color and said, "What's the matter?" Yuan Lu and Fu Bo were both heavily guarded by Xu Huang, how could they miss without any news in advance? The two places are lost, and Ying is attacked by the enemy on the back of the abdomen, and the situation is extremely bad. ”

Zhu Huan's face was solemn and said: "Because Cao Ying sent Sima Lang as a general and led 50,000 soldiers to march into Runan, and most of Xu Huang's army had been pinned down by Lejin, in desperation, the troops of Yuan Lu and Fubo were evacuated, so this terrain was the same as nothing, and it was easily taken by Cao's army." ”

Ling Ying scolded loudly, "Why didn't you talk to us about such a big matter until now?" ”

Zhu Huan said with annoyance: "My subordinates have just received news from General Xu Huang, and he wants us to pay more attention to protecting the situation of the original deer, but in the blink of an eye, this place has been captured." I really didn't expect that Cao Jun's hands and feet would be so sharp, and even General Xu Huang's mobilization of troops and horses in these two places is also being calculated, it seems that this battle will be very difficult. ”

Ling Ying's expression was a little impatient and said: "Yuanlu and Fubo are lost, and our army is attacked by the enemy, how should this be good?" ”

Zhu Huan seemed to feel that the matter was not big enough, and added: "There are even worse things." ”

Zhao Yun interrupted Zhu Huan's words and said lightly: "What could be worse?" If it weren't for the loss of Xia Cai and the threat of Shouchun, everything would not have been so bad for us that it could not be saved. ”

Zhu Huan smiled bitterly and said: "Although Xia Cai has not been lost yet, it is almost there." ”

Zhao Yun was extremely surprised and said, "What? Cao Jun besieged Cai? ”

Zhu Huan took a deep breath and said, "Exactly." It has been besieged for more than half a decade, and the Tibetan tyrant is struggling to support it. ”

Zhao Yun asked, "What are the instructions of Lord Xu Shu?" ”

Zhu Huan said: "Lord Xu has already brought people to support Xia Cai, but Shouchun himself does not have many troops, and he has to maintain the situation, so Lord Xu only brought 10,000 horses to the battle." He asked people to bring words: on the one hand, let the general mobilize An Fengjin's troops to support Xia Cai. On the other hand, the general was also required to cut off Cao's army's grain route to Xia Cai no matter what. If these two points cannot be achieved, Xia Cai will inevitably lose. ”

Ling Ying gasped and said, "The Cao army of Yuanlu and Fubo has already rushed forward, and Ying Shang is being attacked on both sides, and it is a problem if he can't withstand it." Now it is necessary to divide the troops to Xia Cai, and at the same time attack Shen County, the connection point between Cao Jun Ruyin and Xia Cai, which is no longer difficult to ascend to the sky. ”

Zhao Yun said categorically: "This is the only hope for victory." ”

Zhu Huan looked at Zhao Yun, seeing that his resolute face was still as calm as water, he couldn't help but calm down in his heart, but he still asked anxiously: "General, what should I do now?" ”

It is impossible for Zhao Yun not to know the worries of Ling Ying and Zhu Huan, but as the chief general of the three armies, he must not mess up the formation first, otherwise the confidence of his subordinates will collapse faster. Although Zhao Yun was also anxious, he was still able to keep calm and said: "This matter is very important, if you don't do it, it will be a situation where you will lose everything, we have to discuss it carefully, so as to think of a perfect plan." ”

Zhu Huan suddenly asked: "There is something that the general's subordinates have always been unable to understand. Cao Ying suddenly withdrew a few months ago, and then marched again less than twenty years later, this is a big contradiction, now think about it, is it related to the siege of Cai? ”

Zhao Yun had been confused about this issue for a long time, and he had never thought of it, but at this time, as soon as Zhu Huan prompted him, the whole train of thought suddenly had a feeling of openness and cheerfulness, he waved his hand vigorously, and said excitedly: "I understand." ”

Zhu Huan and Ling Huan asked in unison, "What do you understand?" ”

Zhao Yun was a little excited and said: "The reason why Cao Ying retreated was because we did a very good job in defending Anfengjin, so they couldn't attack for a long time. In this case, if we can't mobilize our army out of the city, then the storming of Anfengjin is undoubtedly asking for a dead end. Therefore, Cao Ying wants to retreat as an advance, and his purpose is to indirectly reduce the strength of Ruo'an Fengjin from the new garrison. And the siege of Xia Cai confirmed this idea, Xia Cai is an important stronghold of our army, there is a strong fortress, and all defensive measures are quite complete. Anyone with a little common sense knows that for such a fortified city, it is impossible to attack it like this, and even if it can be taken, the losses and casualties are incalculable. But Cao Jun just kept silent and continued to besiege and capture Cai, what was his purpose? Are they really so confident that they will take it? Ben General didn't think so, they created momentum like this, just to create more pressure on Xia Cai, and let us support the past. If I am not mistaken, Xia Cai's current situation is far from being as serious as Vice General Zhu said. But the subsequent development is unpredictable. ”

Ling Ying was a little puzzled: "If this is the case, then why did they still sneak attack the Plains Deer and Fubo Lands, and then rush straight towards me?" In this way, didn't we firmly nail our army to Ying again, and didn't dare to send troops to support Xia Cai? Besides, if the form is not so bad, why does Lord Xu still let us support Xia Cai? ”

Zhao Yun said confidently: "Lord Xu is far away in Shouchun, and he is not very clear about Xia Cai's situation, if I guess correctly, a messenger will soon come over to tell the new situation." And the reason why Cao Jun wants to take Yuanlu and Fubo, think about it, which of these two places is more helpful to Yingshang and An Fengjin? ”

Ling Ying exclaimed in surprise and said, "Yes, whether it is for Ying Shang or He'an Fengjin, these two places can form a great protection effect. For Yingshang, it is the place where Ximen will rush, protecting the safety of Yingshang's flanks. And for An Fengjin, it also has the same effect, as long as they follow the Huai Shui, they can go straight down to An Fengjin without any obstacles. ”

Zhao Yun nodded and said, "That's right." ”

Zhu Huan pondered: "Then why did Cao Jun do this? Although what the general said is reasonable, with the two enemy forces of Yuanlu and Fubo, it is a sure thing that our army does not dare to come out. Although they can threaten An Fengjin by doing so, they are far from their ultimate goal. Don't forget, if Xia Cai's form is as the general said, then it is tantamount to adding to the snake, and this is an extra move. ”

Zhao Yun said with a smile: "If you are the main general, if Xia Cai is in danger, will you defend Ying first, or go straight to Xia Cai?" ”

Zhu Huan didn't want to think about it: "If Xia Cai is lost, Shouchun will not be guaranteed." Of course, the subordinates tried their best to protect Cai first. ”

Zhao Yun said tightly: "How to protect?" ”

Zhu Huan said: "Of course, it is to mobilize An Fengjin's troops. ”

Zhao Yun nodded and said, "If it were General Ben, he would do the same." But this fell into Cao Jun's trap. ”

Zhu Huan was surprised: "Why? ”

Zhao Yun explained: "Once An Fengjin's troops are mobilized, the Cao army of Yuan Lu and Fubo will immediately unite with Ruyin's men and horses to rush down, not to mention that Ying Shang can't keep it, even An Fengjin can't withstand it because of the lack of troops." And Cao Ying came prepared, and he would inevitably set up an ambush to help, so it would be equivalent to An Fengjin being lost, and Xia Cai would also not be able to keep it. ”

Zhu Huan was a little confused and said: "Didn't the general just say that Xia Cai has no form, and it is not serious?" ”

Zhao Yun said lightly: "That's just for our army not to act, once our army really supports Xia Cai, I'm afraid that Cao Jun will immediately adjust, not only to increase the attack on Xia Cai, but also to attack An Fengjin at the same time." ”

Ling Ying listened for a long time, and was still a little confused: "What if I don't move?" ”

Zhao Yun said: "That's better, their fake attack has become a real fight, and they can attack Cai without any scruples." ”

Zhu Huan gasped, and his whole body shuddered: "What a vicious plan." According to the general's intentions, the Xia Cai form is only temporary, and no matter how our army adjusts, they will inevitably attack with all their strength and strive to take it. ”

Ling Ying couldn't believe it: "General Zhao, you also said that if the Cao army attacked Cai like this, the loss to them would be very serious, did Cao Ying let these soldiers die in vain?" ”

Zhao Yun said: "Cao Ying doesn't lack anything, does he still care about the surnames of some soldiers?" Winning Cai is the last word. ”

Ling Ying said indignantly: "Then what should I do now? ”

Zhao Yun looked into the distance, as if he had been pondering for a long time, before he said slowly: "Bingfa Shen County." ”

Zhu Heng was taken aback and said loudly: "No." Our army is now in the middle of a flanking attack, and if we divide our troops to fight, we are afraid that Yingshang will not be able to protect them. ”

Zhao Yun said lightly: "This is also a way in the middle of nowhere." Compared with Yingshang, Xia Cai is more important. Moreover, the two people of Yuan Lu and Fu Bo also have a hidden surname, which is to suppress my Yingshang and An Fengjin's troops, and they don't want us to move. Why is this happening? If I guessed correctly, there were not as many troops in Shenxian and Ruyin as we thought. Cao Jun has completely shifted his focus to Xia Cai. Zhao Yun swallowed a mouthful of water, moistened his dry lips, and continued: "Although Cao Ying's intentions are unpredictable, they are not traceless. As long as we handle it properly, it's not entirely out of the question. Cut off their supply lines and make it difficult for them to continue their supplies, so that the Xia Cai problem will be solved. ”

Zhu Huan volunteered: "Since the general has this intention, then let the last general lead the troops to Shen County." ”

Zhao Yun shook his head and said, "No, this trip would have been carried out in person." ”

Ling Ying and Zhu Huan stopped at the same time, Zhu Huan said anxiously: "Don't do it, go to Shen County, the vicious path is uncertain, the general is the commander of the three armies, you can't take risks lightly, it is safer for the last general to go to this matter." The general rest assured that the last general was willing to make a military order, and if he could not complete the task, Zhu Huan would not come back. ”

Zhao Yun said resolutely: "I have made up my mind, you don't have to fight anymore." ”

Ling Ying and Zhu Huan glanced at each other, with anxious expressions.

Zhao Yun didn't care about their worried expressions, and assigned the task: "After I go to Shen County, the defense of Ying Shangcheng will be handed over to Ling Ying. If the Cao army of Yuanlu and Fubo comes to attack with the army of Xiahou, you can decide according to the situation, and if necessary, it is not necessary to give up Yingshang, and retain the strength to retreat to Anfengjin. If An Fengjin can't hold it, then you must block the enemy army in Yangquan City. Cao Jun must not be allowed to go any further, otherwise the Huai River defense line that the lord has painstakingly managed will inevitably be burned. ”

Zhao Yun's earnest words made Ling Ying feel pressured, and at the same time, he also felt that deep trust. He said excitedly: "General rest assured, even if he dies in battle, he will not let Cao Jun cross the thunder pool by half a step." ”

Zhao Yun just looked at this iron-clad lieutenant with a worried face, and his heart was full of sadness. Soon, Zhao went to sweep away the depressed thoughts, and said, "Deputy Ling reassures you, if you can hold off the enemy army for a while, I believe that Huang Xu's task force will be able to come up soon." Then the pressure will be greatly reduced. ”

Ling Ying said: "The general can rest assured. ”

Zhao Yun said to Zhu Huan heavily: "The 100,000 troops of the Cao army besieged Xia Cai, and Lord Xu alone could not resist it, and you still need to Hugh Mu Your martial courage and courage, so after the general set off, you will bring 10,000 horses and horses to support Xia Cai." On the way, you must be more careful, and you must not fall into an ambush of the enemy. ”

Zhu Huan's expression was a little gloomy, and his heart was pantothenic. After Zhao Yun angrily beheaded Zhu Yi, he was not very friendly to Zhao Yun at times, but at this time, Zhu Heng had to admire Zhao Yun's courage and pride, every time he carried the most dangerous and things on his back, and let his subordinates do some relatively easy things, his voice trembled a little and said: "The last general understands, general, you must be more careful." ”

Zhao Yun patted the shoulders of the two, and the cold expression showed a smile, making people feel as bright as the sun.

Zhao Yun smiled and said, "Then you go and prepare." I have my own arrangements. ”

Zhu Huan and Ling Ying nodded at the same time and went out to prepare.

And Zhao Yun stood on the city wall, facing the wind, steady as a statue, and the lonely figure stretched long and long under the sunset.

(To be continued)