August, Lantian

Liu Bei exchanged news with Lu Xun, divided the army into three parts, and ordered Zhang Fei to lead the heavy grain and grass to withdraw first, leading the Chinese army in the middle, and Feng Xi and Fu Wei led the elite soldiers and horses to the rear.

When the army withdrew, it was known to the villagers of Lantian because of its huge momentum. The old man led the villagers to stop Liu Bei's car, and held the wine in the middle of the road.

The attendant galloped over on horseback and said: "When the people of Lantian heard that His Majesty had withdrawn his army, they held the wine and served it in the road, and there was a meaning of meeting His Majesty in their words. ”

Fei Guan suggested: "Your Majesty, the soldiers and horses will be withdrawn today, and it is not appropriate to cause another incident, so it is better to send troops to disperse the people in the road." ”

"No!"

Liu Bei raised his hand to stop it and said: "Although the military situation is urgent today, the people are holding the cattle and serving wine, which is a good move for the people, and sending troops to disperse will not hurt the hearts of the people?" ”

As he spoke, Liu Beiyang spurred his horse away and said, "The army continues to move forward, and Rong Zhen will go to see it." ”

As soon as the words fell, Liu Bei led hundreds of armored knights to go first.

Today, the people of Lantian are protected by the Han army's foot soldiers, among which three old men and women are in front, and dozens of men and women are either holding cattle or holding wine.

Seeing Liu Bei coming on horseback, the old man immediately led everyone to kneel on the ground and shouted, "Greetings to Your Majesty!" ”

"You are an old man, you don't need to make such a big gift!"

Liu Bei turned over and dismounted, and hurriedly supported the three elders, helping the men, women and children behind him.

The old man who was helped up asked, "Your Majesty, but you are going to withdraw the army?" ”

Looking back at the marching queue, Liu Bei said truthfully: "This autumn is approaching, and it is difficult for grain and grass to reach Lantian, so the army can only withdraw." Don't know if you can give advice? ”

The old man sighed and said, "I haven't seen Wang Jun for more than ten years, and I thought that there would be no goodbye in the end. However, I am fortunate to see Your Majesty today, and the king master has left him, and the servant is sad! ”

Liu Bei glanced at the people who were sent away, sighed with feeling, and said: "The day when Master Wang will finally recover Guanzhong, you will live and resume your business in peace." ”

The old man bowed his hand and said: "Your Majesty is benevolent and courteous to the people, and the servants have nothing to reciprocate, so they will serve the cattle wine for the officials and soldiers to enjoy." Although the ceremony is not heavy, it is a piece of heart for servants. ”

"Your Majesty, enjoy!" The crowd shouted.

"No!"

"Never!"

Seeing this, Liu Bei immediately refused and said: "I led my troops into the customs, but it was useless to you, how dare I accept this courtesy?" ”

Saying that, Liu Bei asked the sergeant to return the cow wine to the people, and resolutely refused to accept it.

"All the gentlemen will live and resume their business in peace, and the king will finally have the day when he recovers Guanzhong!"

Liu Bei rejected the old man's kindness, turned over on his horse, and said goodbye to the horse.

"Your Majesty~"

In the call of the people, Liu Bei spurred his horse and led the soldiers of the Han army to return south.

When he was about to travel far, Liu Bei couldn't help but look back at the people of Lantian, and said sadly: "This trip to the south, I am afraid that there will be no day when I will see Guanzhong again." ”

On the same day, Liu Bei led the army to withdraw, and Feng Xi and Fu Wei burned the camp and blocked the road on Liu Bei's order to prevent Sima Yi from pursuing.

When Sima Yi and Cao Zhangsaw that the Han army had withdrawn, they immediately led the army across Bashui and marched to Lantian.

Looking at the camp where the flames rose into the sky, Sima Yi laughed happily and said, "As expected, Lao Ge withdrew his army due to the lack of food. If you chase it now, even if you can't defeat it, you can also severely defeat its troops and horses. ”

Cao Zhang came over in armor and said: "Lantian is more than 100 miles from Shangluo, and it is for Liuguan Road. This road is rugged and difficult to travel, and the thief army marches through the Liuguan Road, and its subordinates are difficult to deal with. The lonely desire rate elite foot ride chased him, and Liu Bei should not be let go of the south. ”

Sima Yi was overjoyed and said: "Lao Ge is cunning and treacherous, and there will be an elite arrangement in the back today, I hope His Highness will use troops carefully." Yi led the army behind and responded to His Highness. ”

"Good!"

Cao Zhang turned over his horse and ordered 5,000 elite riders. Led the army over the mountains of Vietnam, and intercepted the Han army by taking a small road.

——

Between Lantian and Shangluo Baili, the road is narrow and rugged. Liu Bei, who had been in a hundred battles for many years, was prepared for the pursuit of the Wei army, and ordered Feng Xi and Fu Wei to lead the elite soldiers to the palace, cutting down forests and blocking the road along the way, and trying to block the pursuit of the Wei army.

Cao Zhangzi led 5,000 people to chase on foot, with locals as guides, and rode day and night.

In three days, he intercepted the road and pursued, and fought fiercely with Feng Xi and Fu Wei several times. Because of his own courage and good fighting, coupled with the Wei army's pursuit of the Han army, Cao Zhang's victory was victorious, and the Han army suffered thousands of casualties.

In the narrow part of the Liushan Road, the road gradually widened, and the Han army was gradually able to exert its strength.

Feng Xi and Fu Wei gathered a group of soldiers to fight with Cao Zhang, and the two sides fought at the mountain pass. In two fierce battles in one day, Cao Zhang led the cavalry into battle, Feng Xi and Fu Wei were defeated in the battle, but fortunately the white horse general Pang De came to the aid and temporarily repelled Cao Zhang.

Cao Zhang led the troops to retreat a little and gathered the soldiers under the tent.

At that time, Fei Yao arrived with his troops and joined Cao Zhang's two armies. Cao Zhang, who received reinforcements from the rear, did not let go of the Han army at all, and led his troops and horses to continue the pursuit.

Feng Xi, Fu Wei, and Pang De fought against Cao Zhang and Fei Yao.

On the road, swords and guns intersected, and flesh and blood flew sideways.

Cao Zhang led the cavalry to assault and dented the loose Han army's infantry formation. Behind him, Wei soldiers marched bravely, trying to widen the gap and completely chisel the Han army's formation.

"Those who dare to retreat will be killed!"

Fu Wei led dozens of horsemen to arrive from the gap between the formations, and several Han soldiers who retreated in fear of battle were immediately beheaded by him and threw their bloody heads to the ground.

The soldiers of the Han army were intimidated by military discipline and resisted the fierce god Cao Zhang. The two sides fought desperately and fell one after another amid screams. In the end, Fu Wei really couldn't stop Cao Zhang's fight, and led the vanguard cavalry to withdraw from the two flanks of the military formation, and Feng Xi's troops took over.

However, the Wei army did not end well, and Feng Xi attacked with an overwhelming rain of arrows, shooting the Wei pawns who rushed to the ground to the ground.

"Isn't Cao Zhang crazy?"

Fu Wei scolded and said, "From Lantian to here, I am really not afraid of death." ”

Since the withdrawal of the army from Lantian, Cao Zhang has been chasing them for four or five days, and he has been holding on to the death when the Han army retreats, fighting extremely fiercely, trying to defeat them and poke into Liu Bei's army.

After several battles, Cao Zhang almost personally went into battle to fight, charging tirelessly, really like a madman, and the more he fought, the more courageous he became. Fu Wei has not fought with Cao Zhang, but Cao Zhang's huge force is not at all something that ordinary soldiers can stop.

Of course, there are many Han soldiers, and it is not that they cannot defeat the Wei army. It was only Feng Xi and Fu Wei who were afraid of fighting with Cao Zhang for too long, causing the Wei army to catch up and be surrounded by the Wei army.

Taking advantage of Pang De's cavalry pressure, Fu Wei gathered soldiers and was able to join Feng Xi. And Cao Zhang didn't dare to pursue too much, so he had to gather Wei pawns and prepare for a follow-up pursuit.

Cao Zhang sat under the tree, eating Hu cakes and taking a break.

Fei Yao got off the horse and said, "Your Highness, stop the soldiers today!" ”

Cao Zhang finished eating the Hu cake in two or three bites, and said dissatisfiedly: "Liu Bei burned the camp and left in a hurry, how can he give it up now?" ”

Seeing that Cao Zhang had no intention of quitting the army, Fei Yao hesitated a little and said: "Your Highness, according to the art of war, the siege of the city should be a way out, and the returning army should not be chased in a hurry. His Royal Highness is pursuing too much, I am afraid that the Han army will fight to the death, and it will not be good for our army! ”

Hearing this, Cao Zhang said sharply: "Lead the teacher to go, where the mercenary is, the thief is not far away, and the chase will be broken." If the enemy leaves today, it is not a good general! ”

"If there is a person who retreats today, cut it off!"

"No!"

Fei Yao touched his nose, and because of Cao Zhang's identity and status, he had to be ordered to do it.

Cao Chang insisted on pursuing, and the three generals of the Han army probably knew that Cao Chang would not give up the pursuit easily, so he reported the news to the Chinese army.

Wuguan Road was opened on the north side of the Danshui Valley, the Han army was in a queue of more than ten miles, the flag was raised in the wind, the sergeant held a spear and a sword, and the chariots and horses were sparkling.

Due to the long journey, Fa Zheng's condition became more and more serious, and he is now being carried in a carriage. However, the bumpy road conditions tortured Fa Zheng even more.

Liu Bei was relieved not to obey Fazheng, and led the cavalry to march on Fazheng's side, so as to facilitate the correct view.

Caught up with Liu Bei from the side of the road, and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, Cao Zhang is in hot pursuit!" ”

"Didn't I send Lingming to help?"

Liu Bei pulled the reins and said suspiciously: "Could it be that Ling Ming is invincible to Cao Zhang?" ”

"Your Majesty, Cao Zhang's courage is abnormal, with the help of Wei General Fei Yao, he led the army to chase after him, and our army seems to have the idea of breaking our army." Said from the ride. "General Feng is afraid that General Sima Yi's troops will not be far away, so he does not dare to lead his troops to fight with him, so he can only fight and retreat."

Liu Bei frowned, waved his hand, and signaled to retreat from the horse.

Looking at the carriage moving in front of him, Liu Bei hesitated for a moment, stepped forward, grabbed the soldier who was taking care of Fazheng, and asked, "How is Lingjun's condition today?" ”

The soldier shook his head and said, "Due to the rush of the labor army, the law king's condition has worsened!" ”

As soon as the words fell, Fa Zhengze beat his spirits, and a voice came out of the car, asking, "Your Majesty, is it difficult to retreat from the chasing army?" ”

Seeing that Fa Zheng heard his voice, Liu Bei did not hesitate, shouted to stop the carriage, and lifted the curtain. Fa Zheng was lying on the carriage, his face sallow and his body thin.

Seeing Liu Bei, Fa Zheng opened his mouth and asked, "But the thief army will not retreat?" ”

Liu Bei didn't dare to hide it, and said truthfully: "My army retreated from Lantian, Cao Zhang's troops chased after him, and the three generals Feng Xi, Pang De, and Fu Wei couldn't stop it. In the future, the army is worried about this, and I will report to me. ”

Saying that, Liu Bei sighed and said: "When I first came to Xuchang in the past, Cao Zhangshang was a child, and now I have been chasing me here, and the father of the tiger has no dogs!" ”

Fa Zheng struggled to get up from the car board, coughed and asked, "Your Majesty does you have a strategy to retreat from the enemy?" ”

Liu Bei hesitated for a moment and said, "I want to return with a drum to meet Cao Zhang." Break the army first, and then lead the army back south! ”

"Ahem!"

Fa Zheng wanted to say something, but he was stuck with the phlegm in his throat and coughed repeatedly.

Seeing this, Liu Bei stroked Fa Zheng's back, held his hand, couldn't bear it, and said: "It's better to be filial than to recuperate, and then discuss the matter of retreating from the enemy." ”

Fa Zheng coughed a few times, waved his hand, and said: "Si has a number, if you get God's blessing, you will not die." If heaven wants me to die, then Bian Que is alive and cannot be saved. ”

In the middle of his words, Fa Zheng took a few deep breaths and said: "Your Majesty is returning with a drum, and if you want to fight Cao Zhang, I am afraid that it will be Sima Yi's strategy." As expected, Sima Yizheng led his troops to follow, if our army was entangled with Cao Zhang, he was afraid that he would be surrounded by thieves and be in danger of defeat. ”

"What then?"

Liu Bei thought for a while, and said, "How about setting up an ambush for Cao Zhang?" ”

"Although Cao Zhang is brave, he is not without strategy. Without a perfect solution, it is difficult to set up an ambush. Fa Zheng said.

As he spoke, Fa Zheng's voice became weaker and weaker, and Liu Bei needed to get closer to listen.

"Your Majesty, you can do ...... like this"

Liu Bei listened carefully to Fa Zheng's words, his brows gradually soothed, and he praised: "Filial piety is a wonderful plan!" ”

Fa Zheng squeezed out a smile and smiled reluctantly at Liu Bei.

Liu Bei saw that Fa Zheng was tortured by illness, but he still did not forget the state affairs, and he couldn't help but feel sour at the tip of his nose, and said: "In ancient times, I heard that beard can cure diseases, and now I wish to cut my beard to cure diseases." ”

At that moment, Liu Bei took out the dagger at his waist and cut off most of his already small beard.

"Your Majesty!"

Fa Zheng's eyes were full of enthusiasm, and he opened his mouth and shouted softly.

Liu Bei patted Fa Zheng's shoulder and said, "Today's great cause has not been accomplished, I hope you will have a good life and recuperate." After me, no king is impossible! ”

In order not to be sad, Liu Bei left from the carriage of Fazheng and handed over the beard in his hand to the doctor.

Immediately afterwards, Liu Bei summoned Huang Quan to discuss the matter, and wanted to hand over the retreat from the enemy to Huang Quan.

Huang Quan supervised the troops as a general in Zhenbei, and since he entered the Hongnong Mountain Boundary, he has been the flank of Liu Bei's army. When Liu Bei confronted the Wei army, Huang Quan led his troops to repel the Wei army that wanted to attack and disturb Wuguan Dao from the intermediate road. Since the Northern Expedition, Huang Quan's outstanding performance has made Liu Bei more and more important.

(End of chapter)