Cao Ren was defeated, and the fire caused Xiahou Shang, who was stationed at the north gate. Cao Ren's original intention was to strictly guard the south, because the south was close to Jingzhou, to prevent Hou Yin from fleeing south.

The north is mainly Cao Cao's territory, and he is not afraid of Hou Yin escaping, so only Xiahou Shang led 6,000 soldiers and horses from his headquarters to guard it.

That night, Xiahou Shang received a report from his subordinates that the south gate camp was in flames.

Xiahou Shang said disappreliantly: "It's okay, didn't you say it?" Hou Yin sent people to attack the camp, but it has been annihilated, and there is a big fuss! ”

The subordinate said, "General, no. The fire was so bright that it looked like it was burning! ”

Xiahou Shang said: "Connected? Let's go, go out and have a look! ”

Xiahou Shang climbed high to watch, and couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. He said to the attendant guards: "Call all the generals to my big tent." Fast. The guards hurried forward.

Xiahou Shang said again: "Pass the order, collect the arrows of the whole battalion." And now let's start making torches and soak them all in oil! ”

The guard next to him hesitated and said, "General, who organized!" ”

Xiahou Shang glanced at it, untied his sword and said, "You take my sword and do it, who will disobey the order and kill!" Go ahead, I'll kill you if I smash it! The guard hurriedly took his sword and stepped forward.

Xiahou Shang ordered the scouts to start scattering to see if any enemy soldiers were attacking the camp.

Fortunately, Guan Yu had fewer soldiers and horses than Cao's army, and the attack was aimed at the main force Cao Renbu as the first target, so Xiahou had not yet attacked the camp by the Han army.

Xiahou Shang gathered all the generals and said: "Now I don't talk nonsense, just take the order of what I say!" ”

After a pause, he said: "General Zhu Yuan listens to the order, you lead 4,000 soldiers and horses, and there is a gentle slope about ten miles northeast of here, so you immediately take all the arrows and go forward."

Dig trenches on both sides of the gentle slope, and then lead the troops to lie in ambush there. I'll pass from there then.

After I passed, there were thieves behind me, and as soon as they came to your place, you shot me arrows, and shot all the arrows, understand? ”

Zhu Yuan promised: "The last general understands." ”

Xiahou Shang said again: "Captain Wang Chan, you take three hundred people from the headquarters, bring torches, and go to the main road ten miles away from Zhu Yuan to line up every three torches, and swing along the main road, the farther the better."

I'll tell you to light it, and you'll be sure to light it at the same time. I have sent for the making of torches, and there is oil on them, and they will be lit at a moment's notice. "The king is commanded.

Xiahou Shang said: "Captain Gordon, you lead five hundred people to bring the marching drum and flag." You plant your flag on a hill or on a high place.

Also, you can go to the nearby villages and recruit some people to join you, and after the king lights the torches, you start beating the marching drum, understand! "Gordon commanded.

Xiahou Shang said: "The rest of the soldiers and horses are divided into four teams with me, and they are divided into four troops on the road with torches, and they cross the left and right to march into the army, each with two torches."

The light of the fire at General Cao's camp may have changed. We need to be prepared. A false alarm is best. If not, it is better to respond in time to avoid the annihilation of the whole army. Let's go our separate ways! ”

The generals took the order and left. Xiahou Shang completed the division of troops. He led 1,200 men to meet Cao Ren's camp, and increased the number of scouts along the road tenfold.

The scouts quickly found out the exact news of the Han army's division of troops to attack the camp and reported it to Xiahou Shang for information. Xiahou Shang sighed and urged the troops to come.

Due to the delay of too much time in the division of troops, it was just in time for Cao Ren to be defeated. Xiahou Shang led the troops to take Cao Ren. Cao Ren said: "Boren, I don't know what's going on, Guan Yu who went back to save Jingzhou and returned, we have been tricked!" ”

Xiahou Shang said: "General, I have already placed ambush soldiers in the northeast, you go first, and I will break the back." Cao Ren agreed and rode away.

After Xiahou Shang broke off, he suddenly lit a torch. Ma Chao, who was chasing after him, couldn't help but be shocked when he saw the torch lit, and the torch was lit in the dark night. Don't think much about it, and kill the horses.

After Xiahou Shang lit the torch, he immediately ran. Ma Chao chased closely. While chasing and shooting arrows, Xiahou Shang's soldiers and horses were shot down by as many as 100 people. Xiahou Shang didn't pay attention to it, just ran, and extinguished the torch after walking for a while.

Ma Chao saw that the torch was extinguished, and he was a little puzzled! Suddenly, the torches on the west side were lit. Ma Chao is a general in the army, judging by the torches that there are probably less than 1,000 people, and he is running in his direction.

But with more than 5,000 cavalry, Ma Chao was not afraid. Keep catching up. After a while, the torches on the west side were extinguished. Xiahou Shang lit the torch again.

Ma Chao began to wonder in his heart: "What is Cao Jun doing?" It's like trying to seduce yourself. But he had no reason to be afraid of this group of defeated soldiers. "Urge the horse to continue the pursuit.

Then the torch of Xiahou Shang was extinguished, and the torch of the east was lit, and there were less than a thousand people. The torch was lit and extinguished, and between alternations, Ma Chao unconsciously slowed down. Don't dare to chase after the horse like at the beginning. At the same time, cavalry was sent to explore the road in all directions.

In this way, the march unconsciously rushed to Xiahou Shang's ambush. Xiahou Shang lit a torch and walked over, and Cao Jun on both sides of the hillside could see clearly. Xiahou Shang walked over. Ma Chao arrived, and four thousand Cao troops shot arrows together.

In the dark night, Ma Chao's cavalry couldn't see the arrows clearly at all, and they couldn't block them at all, while Cao Jun only needed to shoot arrows blindly.

Ma Chao was already shocked when he suddenly encountered an ambush: there was really an ambush. Hurriedly commanded the retreat. Then the torches in the distance began to light at the same time, and the torches spread for miles, not only how many soldiers and horses.

The sound of drums can be faintly heard. Ma Chao shouted in his heart that it was not good, and withdrew his troops and retreated.

Ma Chao's defeat and retreat coincided with Chen Dao's arrival, Ma Chao said: "Uncle Zhi, I encountered an ambush, there are countless torches in the distance, and I heard the sound of drums, it should be Cao Jun to answer the soldiers and horses." In the dark night, the enemy and I are unknown, so it is better to retreat. Chen Zhi didn't dare to take risks, and the two retreated together.

Ma Chao returned to the camp to inform Guan Yu and Xu Shu, Guan Yu was shocked: "How can the defeated army still have this ability, it seems that reinforcements may have arrived!" ”

Xu Shu said: "Meng Qi, Shuzhi, you did the right thing. We now have no more than 30,000 troops and horses, so we must not march at risk. What we have to do now is to hold Nanyang and force the Cao army back. Meng Qi, can you still fight? ”

Ma Chao said: "Why can't you? ”

Xu Shu said: "Meng Qi and Shu Zhi, you two lead troops to attack the soldiers and horses of the Cao Army's northern camp." The Cao army of the western camp rushed to the aid of Cao Ren, but was defeated by Yun Chang and beheaded by Cao's army. The soldiers and horses of the eastern camp were attacked by us at the same time, and they were also routed.

Only the north camp remained, and I heard that the surrendered soldiers said that Xiahou was still stationed. You two beware, there may be ghosts in this camp if there is no movement! Ma Chao and Chen Zhi agreed to lead the troops.

After dawn, Ma Chao sent someone to report that the north camp was empty and no one was there!

Xu Shu said strangely: "Where are the soldiers and horses in the camp?" Could it be that the soldiers and horses of the North Battalion were ambushed last night? ”

Xu Shu said to Guan Yu: "Yun Chang, send a scout to inquire about Cao Ren's news, if he doesn't advance and retreat, it will prove that there are no reinforcements, and they were all suspicious soldiers last night!" Guan Yu sent scouts to listen.

Cao Ren and Yu Ban retreated thirty miles to the camp under the response of Xiahou Shang. Cao Hong also rushed to meet Cao Ren, Yu Ban and others, and Cao Hong entered the account to ask for guilt.

Cao Ren said: "Brother doesn't have to ask for guilt, I will lose even worse." ”

Cao Hong hurriedly asked, "How?" ”

Cao Ren informed Guan Yu and Ma Chao of the attack. Cao Ren sighed: "If it weren't for Beren's calm and clever arrangement, I'm afraid the whole army would have been gone." ”

Cao Hong sighed when he heard this, and told him about his ambush.

Cao Ren suddenly got up and said: "The king entrusted me with such a big event, but I took it lightly, not to mention the loss of Nanyang and Xiangfan, there are only 20,000 of the 60,000 soldiers and horses left, and the land and army are lost, how can I see the king!" ”

For a while, his blood surged, and he drew his sword and wanted to kill himself. Yu Ban hurriedly grabbed it next to him and said: "Why did the general say this, victory and defeat are a common thing in soldiers, temporary gains and losses, how can we care, we are all at fault in today's situation, Guan Yushi's famous general, we look down on him too much, and blame me for the crime of negligence in Yu Ban!" ”

Cao Ren said: "Gong once advised me to forge ahead slowly, first take Nanyang in the south, I don't listen to the public opinion, only today's defeat, Gong doesn't have to excuse me." ”

Xiahou Shang said: "General, suicide is useless, be the king of Ming, and then make a decision!" ”

Yu Ban and Cao Hong both agreed. Cao Ren put away his sword and sent someone to plead guilty. At the same time, please take credit for Xiahou Shang.