Deng Ai escaped into the mountains, chose a steep place to trim it slightly, and then ordered the soldiers to cut down trees, make ladders, guard on all sides, and send scouts to find Guan Ping.

At the end of the day, the scout led Guan Ping to rendezvous. Deng Ai connected to Guan Ping and said: "Tanzhi, I'm so happy to see you!" ”

Guan Ping dismounted and said with a wry smile: "I am really happy to meet today, but I couldn't delay Cao's army for three days to buy time for the army to retreat."

Our troops and horses lost eighty percent in the first battle last night, and the situation is too unfavorable! ”

Deng Ai glanced at the remnants of the defeated soldiers behind Guan Ping and said: "It's all my fault, frankly, I was overconfident because of my small victory over Cao Jun during the day, and I thought I had confused Cao Ren."

I never thought that Cao Ren would launch an attack overnight without warning and break through our army's barracks. I didn't warn Tan Zhi as soon as possible, and you didn't have time to react? ”

Guan Ping shook his head and said: "Otherwise, what really defeated me was the arrangement of Yu Ban in advance, there was a fire in the direction of Lu Hun, and I judged that something might happen and ordered to abandon the village and retreat."

Yu Ban also saw the firelight, chasing after me, I retreated fast enough, threw off the distance, and confronted Yu Ban could not pose a threat at all.

To my surprise, Yu Ban had arranged hundreds of cavalry behind our army camp in advance, and Cao's army suddenly attacked and intercepted the waist, I was caught off guard and the retreat slowed down.

Yu Ban caught up, flanking our army and routing, fortunately in the dark night Cao's army was slow to arrange, can not be exhaustive, the left and right guards saw that the situation was not good to protect me to break through as soon as possible, only to get out of trouble.

The loss of 2,000 soldiers and horses was less than 500 people, and the reduction of soldiers and horses made Yu Ban doubt the reality of our army, and secretly sent cavalry around the back of our army, I don't know if Yu Ban's original purpose was to ambush our army's messenger or to attack our army's camp at night, these are not important.

Even if Cao Ren didn't see through Shizai's fiction and reality, there would be flaws in me. So my defeat is not your reason, but I am glad that you can withdraw in time! ”

Deng Ai said gratefully: "I gave you too few soldiers and horses to cause this!" ”

Guan Ping said in a depressed tone: "Yu Ban is only 10,000 people, Cao Ren is 60,000 or 70,000 people, and the ratio of soldiers and horses is very reasonable." Speaking of which, this is the first time I left my father (Guan Yu) to lead the troops alone, but I didn't expect to be like this!

Cao Jun will soon get the information that my soldiers and horses are broken, and the situation is too unfavorable for us! ”

Deng Ai said: "Tanzhi, don't show frustration in front of the soldiers, if you are stable, your morale will be strong, if you are weak, your morale will be exhausted, can we return safely to see your spirit of Tanzhi, you are the support of the soldiers!" ”

Guan Ping was shocked when he heard this: "Yes, yes! I understand that I won't admit defeat if I don't fight to the end! ”

Deng Aixi said: "Okay, Tanzhi, you can rest for the time being, tonight we will rush to attack the new city!" ”

Guan Pingqi said: "What do you mean? The new city is strong, it is the grain land of Cao's army, and Aneng has no army to garrison.

Besides, Cao Jun will not sit idly by and ignore our existence, it is difficult for us to deal with the pursuing soldiers, how can we talk about attacking? ”

Deng Ai said calmly: "Cao Jun is also your idea!" Frankly, when I withdrew, Cao Jun led the cavalry to chase after me, but immediately retreated.

Why, because the main purpose of the Cao army is the main force of the prince and the marquis, rather than our thousands of broken soldiers and horses, you can also feel that Yu Ban did not bite you to death, otherwise the remnants of the defeated soldiers can retreat.

The prince retreated for a day and two nights, and Cao's army was in a hurry to catch up, so he would inevitably give priority to the south, and most of our remnants would be ignored for the time being. Our army is newly defeated, and Cao's army would never have thought that we would dare to attack the city with weak troops. ”

While speaking, Captain Li Mao reported in the tent: "General, the fine soil you asked me to prepare has been prepared, and the grinding is very fine. You let the wild duck you are looking for also find it, and you are ordered to catch it in the open net! ”

Deng Ai was overjoyed and said: "Okay, send more people, remember to catch more, you have to live!" Li Mao took the order.

Guan Ping said: "Shizai, if you want to catch wild ducks for military rations, forget it!" Wild ducks are all bones, not top! ”

Deng Ai touched his chin and said, "Can you break the new city tonight and rely on them!" ”

In Luhun City, Xie Tong gathered the grain and grass from the villages that were forcibly requisitioned, sent soldiers and horses to set up cards on large and small paths, monitored the appearance of Deng Ai's soldiers and horses, and found their whereabouts so that they could deal with the conquest as soon as possible.

Luoyang Xinbi was ordered to hold the festival, and rushed to Luhun non-stop, because Cao Ren was in front of the order, and the Cao generals had already carried enough grain and grass for more than 100,000 troops to drive south.

Xin Bi did not catch up with the main force of the Cao army, when the sky was getting dark, Xin Bi refused Xie Tong's kindness and said: "Your Majesty remembers the hard work of the soldiers, and specially rewards the army, boosts the morale of the three armies, and kills the thieves with good service to the country. ”

Simbi carried the reward and did not stop and chased south.

Deng Ai ordered his troops and horses, carried the ladders that had been prepared, carried the fine soil and one hundred and fifty wild ducks captured during the day, tied his beaks and accompanied him, and the whole army went to Xincheng to kill.

On winter nights, the northwest wind howled, and the Han army marched with the wind and high morale. The scout found out that there was a sentry post on Cao Jun's road to report to Deng Ai, and Guan Ping said to Deng Ai: "Shizai, it seems that Cao Jun is guarding us!" ”

Deng Ai muttered, "No surprise! ”

Instead, he asked the scout: "Is there a high platform or dry firewood near Cao Jun?" ”

The scout replied, "Not yet!" ”

Deng Ai said: "Don't scruple, open the way with cavalry, and rush straight over when you encounter the path where Cao's army is stationed." According to the escaped Cao army, part of the cavalry was sent to chase after him!

We are two-legged, and so is the Cao army who fled, we take the nearest path, the speed is faster, and the Cao army will definitely not be able to outrun us if he panics.

The whole army attacked quickly, I didn't believe that we couldn't outrun the Cao army, so we rushed straight to Xincheng in one go, taking it by surprise and attacking it unprepared! ”

Deng Ai swaggered and attacked, breaking several road blocks in a row, the Cao army fled in panic, and the Han cavalry gave priority to killing the Cao army with horses, and chased and killed without horses.

The Han army ran along the flat path, forcibly marched for three hours, and killed the new city at the end of the day.

Deng Ai inspired the people: "We are now short of food and grass, the enemy army is heavy, the people are completely ignorant of their backs, and they are trapped in a desperate situation. Only by taking this city can we have food to eat, and we must break the crisis, and all the soldiers must do their best! ”

In less than an hour, the sky will dawn, and Deng Ai has already sent cavalry to cut off the path of Xincheng to Luhun and Yiju, preventing Cao's army from asking for help, and the Han army crawling forward and quietly approaching Xincheng.

Deng Ai arranged 2,000 crossbowmen to cover, 1,000 athletes were selected as the first to climb, Deng Ai and Guan Ping selected 100 people such as Wu Chang, Shi Chang, and Du Wei to build a cloud ladder to attack the city, in order to prevent sound, but also to reduce weight and quickly climb the city, they did not wear armor, carried a shield, bit a short blade in their mouths, and could climb the cloud ladder with both hands.

Then 900 men followed the siege with each man carrying fine soil on his back, with armor-piercing blades. Guan Ping strongly asked to be a general in the city, but Deng Ai couldn't resist him, so he had to agree.

Deng Ai led 200 soldiers and horses with wild ducks to stand on the side. The arrangement was in place, Deng Ai ordered softly, the moment the Han army erected the ladder, Deng Ai untied the rope on the wild duck's beak, and the sound of the wild duck successfully covered the sound of the ladder, and the Han army quickly landed in the city.

Cao Jun in the city heard the sound and listened attentively, and Cao Jun, who mistakenly thought that the wild ducks were making noise, complained: "It's really strange, wild ducks are mostly in the reeds, how can there be a group of wild ducks in our city, it's not that these beasts can't distinguish the direction of flying in the night!" ”

As he spoke, Cao Jun saw that there was a faint light under the city, which was the arrows of the archers of the Han army, and the overwhelming arrows were shot over, and the Cao Jun who was attracted by the ducks was shot down half before he could react, and the rest of the Cao Jun first reacted to lie behind the battlements, shouting a warning of enemy attack.

Guan Ping led the Han army to the top of the city, and Guan Pingwu opened the knife method and rushed down the city tower. Cao Jun's city gate captain had to report to stop him, but he was not Guan Ping's opponent and was severely injured.

Duan Zhao had just taken over the garrison of the new city, Duan Zhao knew that the stakes were important, so he acted cautiously, the city gate was fully prepared, and the veterans of the Cao army were the majority, and the Han army led by Guan Ping fought on the stairs leading to the city to prevent the Han army from grabbing the city gate.

Guan Ping took the long knife handed by his subordinates, but the killing efficiency was very limited, and the torches were faintly flying in the distance, and it should be the reinforcements of the Cao army coming.

Deng Ai also climbed the city tower and ordered the people carrying the fine soil to prepare, and a strong wind blew, the Han army lifted the fine soil out, the wind and sand blew, and the view of the windward Cao army was blocked.

Deng Ai shouted to Li Mao: "That's it, constantly taking advantage of the wind to raise the soil, we are leeward, and the impact is not great!" After saying that, he took the gun and went down the stairs from the other side to kill.

Cao Jun was blown by the wind and sand and couldn't open his eyes, Guan Ping and Deng Ai led the elite athletes to fight Cao Jun, killed to the city gate, cut off Cao Jun, Guan Ping blocked Cao Jun from moving forward, Deng Ai attacked the city gate hole, killed Cao Jun and opened the city gate.

The Han army shouted and entered, Deng Aifei got on the horse and shouted: "Our food, grass, and cold clothes and armor are all in the city, if you don't want to starve to death and freeze to death, you have to fight with your life!" Hearing this, the Han army rushed to the city desperately.

Deng Ai sent Li Mao and Yuan Long to the other two gates separately to hold back the defenders of the two gates, so that Cao's army could not concentrate all its forces.

Deng Ai and Guan Ping led the Han army to attack, and met Duan Zhao who rushed to meet them, because of the restrictions of the city wall, the Cao army and the Han army had nowhere to play their strategies, and the rest was face-to-face fighting.

Duan Zhao shook the spear in his hand, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead and said: "If this city is lost, I will definitely die, so I can only sacrifice my life, kill me, and drive the thief army out!" ”

Deng Ai in the Han army looked at Cao Jun and said: "Tanzhi, Cao Jun is going to fight hard, success or failure is in one move!" ”

Guan Ping said with a horizontal knife: "On plotting I Guan Ping don't dare to be reckless, but on the battle to kill the generals, even if Cao Ren is in me, I am not afraid, Shizai, look at my contributions!" ”

Guan Ping rushed into the Cao army with a knife, where the horse's hooves stepped on, the Cao army hurriedly dodged, the knife light swept by, and the Cao army fell down one after another. Duan Zhao led his troops and horses to come, but he was defeated by Guan Ping and was forced to retreat again and again.

Deng Ai shouted in the back: "General Cao can't defeat us, see that General Cao wants to run for his life, but the major general won't let him escape, the young general is like a prince here, invincible, follow the young general to rush in, rush, kill the Cao army!" ”

The morale of the Han army was uplifted, Duan Zhao was impatient, his hand was slow, he was slashed in the shoulder by Guan Ping, and he abandoned his gun and walked away.

The Han army shouted and defeated the Cao army with the help of the tailwind. Duan Zhao panted in the saddle and ordered: "Hurry up and burn down all the warehouses, wait, go to the nearest warehouses to the West Gate first, hurry, don't let the grain, grass, clothes, etc. fall into the hands of thieves, go quickly!" ”

Duan Zhao wanted to burn down all the warehouses, but he was reluctant to do so, so he temporarily changed his words, and there was still a trace of luck in his heart to turn defeat into victory, and his subordinates hurriedly rushed there.

Duan Zhao gasped and said: "Concentrate the troops and horses to fight again, the thief army attacked the city overnight, I am tired, I burned the warehouse, I will have the illusion that the thief army wants to retreat, while the thief is relaxed, we will try our best to fight again, or we can turn defeat into victory." ”

The Han army killed Cao Jun and fled, Guan Ping wiped the blood on his face and said to Deng Ai: "Shizai, what should I do, do you want to chase separately?" ”

Deng Ai stopped: "The truth in the city is not yet known, our army is not good to disperse, and there are many Cao troops, so we must prevent them from counterattacking."

Let's spend more time slowly emptying the Cao army, interrogating the prisoners first, and seizing the nearest warehouse! ”

Guan Ping did as he said, and after a while, a fire broke out in the city, and Cao Jun burned the warehouse.

Deng Ai and Guan Ping saw that they couldn't grab the warehouse, so they led the Han army to the east gate, Cao Jun was dealing with Yuan Long, who was clamoring outside, and the Han army was killed, Cao Jun saw that he was flanked by the front and back, and he had no fighting spirit, Guan Ping was shocked for a while, and Cao Jun either surrendered or fled.

When Yuan Long entered the city, Cao Jun saw that it was only three hundred people, and he regretted it. Duan Zhao concentrated the remaining two Cao troops, joined the remnants of the army, and learned that the Han army was heading to the east gate, so he must go to the south gate to meet the Han army outside the city to enter the city.

Duan Zhao knew that he was defeated by Guan Ping, so he set up an ambush in the private house leading to the south gate and sent 300 soldiers and horses to lure the enemy.

However, Duan Zhaoxiao obviously looked at Deng Ai, Deng Ai did not choose to go to the south gate, but went straight to the warehouse that Cao Jun had not yet burned down.

Deng Ai and Guan Ping said side by side: "I have photographed scouts at all gates outside the new city, and until now I have not received any news that Xie Tong abandoned the city and fled.

Through interrogation of the Cao army prisoners, it was learned that there were 5,000 soldiers and horses in the city to defend the city, and there were at least half of the soldiers and horses in the city of the Cao army in repeated battles, and at the moment I don't know where the Cao army's soldiers and horses were! ”

Guan Ping said: "I have an idea, instead of wandering around the city, it is better to find a warehouse to light a fire to cook a full meal, the soldiers fought all night, they are hungry, and when the dawn is clear, they are slowly searching!" ”

Deng Ai smiled: "Good idea! ”

The pathfinders in front reported that Cao's army appeared, and the number was about 300 people.

Deng Ai said coldly: "Just drive them away, let's go and seize the warehouse first!" ”

The soldiers and horses of the Han army found the warehouse in the city, moved out the wine, meat, rice and noodles, and began to make a fire to cook. The three hundred soldiers and horses of the Cao army went back and forth several times, but the Han army just ignored them.

Cao Jun's return made Duan Zhao feel anxious, and the pain of the wound made him crazy, and he saw the dense smoke floating up from a distance.

After learning that it was the Han army who was lighting a fire and cooking, he said angrily: "The thief army deceived me, it's really arrogant, do you think that our army has no power to fight back?" Gather all your troops and attack the thieves! ”

Duan Zhao led his troops to kill the Han army, getting closer and closer to the Han army, but the former army of the Cao army reported that the Han army had no signs of fighting.

Duan Zhao wondered in his heart, how could the thief army ignore his approach, there was deception, he glanced at the soldiers and horses behind him and said: "This is the only chance left, I have already sent people to Yi Ju and Lu Hun for help, but once they come and go for help, Lu Hun needs an hour and a half, and it will take at least three hours for Yi Ju's reinforcements to arrive."

And according to the past, the thief army will inevitably block the road, and reinforcements are far away.

The Han army will attack immediately when it is full of food and drink, and its own soldiers and horses will not have time to eat and rest at all, their morale will decline, and defeat is inevitable. I can't afford to wait, and I can't afford to lose my life in Xincheng, let alone leave a large amount of grain, grass and materials to the thief army. ”

Duan Zhao regretted that he couldn't destroy the warehouse immediately, he was ruthless, endured the pain on his body and whispered: "Put it to death and then live, fight!" ”

Duan Zhao loudly boosted the morale of Cao's army and killed the Han army. Turning a street, a large number of arrows were suddenly shot from the houses on both sides.

Duan Zhao was shocked, he was ambushed, hurriedly reined in his horse, and then several arrows came, and his injured shoulder made him ineffective, and he was shot by the arrows.

Duan Zhao's death made the Cao army chaotic, unable to resist, the sky was bright, Guan Ping, Yuan Long, and Li Mao searched and killed the remnants of the Cao army in the city, and the overall situation of the new city was decided.