It is said that Zhao Chen ordered someone to quickly send eight words, and those eight words were a plan.

The messenger informed Cheng Yu of the withdrawal of the 10,000-strong army to Yingling City, and Cheng Yu immediately understood what Zhao Chen meant.

Use a part of the men and horses to attract Yuan Tan's attention, and then the cavalry raided and broke the army of 10,000 people evacuated from Linzi.

Cheng Yu pinched the time to lead the army to the city of Yingling to challenge.

Yuan Tan just stood at the head of the city wall and mocked, and even insulted "Zhao Chen" for not knowing how to use soldiers.

Cheng Yu saw that Yuan Tan was still hiding in Yingling City and didn't come out, and his heart was also happy.

Thousands of arrows fell from the sky and landed in front of Cheng Yu's horse, Cheng Yu just smiled slightly, waved his hand and prepared to retreat.

As long as Yuan Tan is confirmed, his task is complete.

Yuan Tan also smiled when he saw Cheng Yu leading the army to evacuate: "This Zhao Chen still wants to trick me out of the city, and he is a fool." As long as he is in the city, it is impossible to fall for Zhao Chen's tricks. ”

Before coming, Xin Ping once warned Yuan Tan that he must not confront Zhao Chen head-on, Zhao Chen was far-sighted, and our army was probably not an opponent.

Zhao Chen's previous plan had spread throughout the Central Plains, and many strategists admired it.

Yuan Tan remembered Xin Ping's words.

But Yuan Tan didn't know that the person in front of him was not Zhao Chen at all.

It is said that Zhao Chen broke through the city gate of Linzi, and there were about 3,000 soldiers in the city, plus his original 4,000 people, a total of 7,000.

The next step is to continue to go north and take the country of Le'an.

In this way, the communication channels between Yuan Tan and Yuan Shao can be completely cut off, and Yuan Tan will be locked up on the Shandong Peninsula.

The key to this plan is that Zhao Chen's whereabouts are not known to Yuan Tan and the surrounding counties.

Two words, confidentiality!

Therefore, Zhao Chen asked Cheng Yu to do his best to prevent Gao Gan and recruiting 10,000 troops to join Yuan Tan, in order to block the news that Linzi had been breached.

If the news leaks and the defenders of several surrounding counties surround it, Zhao Chen may not be able to resist it with his only strength.

No matter how good the secrecy work is, there is a possibility of leakage.

On the evening of the second day after the letter to Cheng Yu was sent, several soldiers were surrendered and quietly climbed over the wall and went out of the city.

When Xu Sheng found out, those people had already run away.

He crossed the horse with a knife and chased after him for dozens of miles.

Xu Sheng knew in his heart that he had to chase it back no matter what.

But it backfired, he was not familiar with the surrounding terrain at all, and halfway through the chase, the trace of those people disappeared.

The surrounding area is either mountains or trees, and Xu Sheng has nowhere to chase.

Resentfully, Xu Sheng slashed the tree on the side.

But the facts could not be changed, so he had no choice but to return to Linzi and take the initiative to receive the punishment from Zhao Chen.

When Zhao Chen heard about the situation, he got up from the ground and asked, "Zixiang, which direction did they flee to?" ”

Xu Sheng recalled: "They all ran to the west. This incident was all caused by Sheng's failure to manage the surrender of troops, and the military division was asked to punish him. ”

Zhao Chen nodded silently: "It has happened, there is no need to say it again." It is very likely that these few escapees will go to Yuan Shao in the west, and the whereabouts of our army may have been exposed. ”

Seeing that Zhao Chen was not punished, Xu Sheng was quite surprised.

Previously, in Xiao Jian's military camp, as long as he made any mistake, he would be punished, no matter how big or small.

Now that he has made such a big mistake, Zhao Chen did not pursue it, and Xu Sheng's gratitude was beyond words.

He said: "Strategist, how should we deal with it, Sheng will definitely do his best." ”

Although Zhao Chen did not pursue it, Xu Sheng was still like a child who made mistakes, and hurriedly tried to correct his mistakes.

Zhao Chen comforted: "The more difficult it is, the more calm you must be, and you can't be rash." ”

He thought for a moment and said, "Once the news leaks, it won't take many days for it to reach Yuan Tan." Yuan Tan knew that the army outside the city was not led by me, and it was very likely that he would raise troops to attack. Today, Yide, Shuzhi, Zhongde, Zishan, and Ziyu only have 5,000 men and horses, and they can't resist the 30,000 army at all. So I must go and meet quickly, and don't let this happen. ”

At this time, Zhang Liao came in and reported: "Military Division, Mr. Zhongde replied that he has been arranged according to the intention of the military division, and he will fight with an army of 10,000 outside Pingshou County tonight." ”

When Zhao Chen heard this, he instantly gained confidence.

He told Zhang Liao in detail about the escape of the troops from the city, and then said: "For today's plan, the troops can only be divided into two ways." Along the way, Wen Yuan and I led a thousand cavalry, and we will go to Yingling early tomorrow morning to join Yide and others to prevent Yuan Tan from raiding. All the way, Wen Xiang led the army, assisted by Bo Yan, and led the rest of the army to hold Linzi. ”

Lu Xun glanced at Zhao Chen's arm and said with concern: "The wound on Mr.'s arm has not yet healed, and it is easy to worsen the wound after a long journey, so it is better to stay in the city and go to Yingling with General Wenyuan?" ”

Zhao Chen shook his head and said, "Bo Yan, this trip to Yingling is very dangerous, facing Yuan Tan's 30,000 army, I must go in person." ”

Lu Xun couldn't persuade him, so he had to agree.

Zhang Liao and Xu Sheng also responded in unison: "Yes!" ”

In the early morning of the next day, Zhao Chen changed the bandage of his arm, endured the pain, wrapped his arm in cloth and fixed it on his body, and rode a horse with only his right hand.

Seeing this, Zhang Liao asked softly: "Strategist, is it okay?" ”

Zhao Chen smiled: "How can a man say no?!" ”

Before leaving, Zhao Chen told Xu Sheng: "Linzi City must not be lost until it is absolutely necessary, if the neighboring counties raise troops to attack, usually there are no more than 10,000 soldiers, you only need to defend it, 6,000 people defend the city and 10,000 people attack the city, and you will be able to defend it." If Yuan Shao leads the army to come, you should quickly abandon the city and leave, and come to Yingling to join me. Remember, remember! ”

Xu Sheng replied again and again: "Don't worry, the military advisor, Sheng remembers." ”

Zhao Chen left with his heart.

It is only one hundred and eighty miles from Linzi to Yingling, and a thousand cavalry can reach it in just one day and night.

Zhao Chen no longer conceals his whereabouts, it is meaningless to cover up at this time, the key is a fast word.

He had to rush back to Zhang Fei and Cheng Yu's camp before Yuan Tan sent his troops.

Fortunately, there were stirrups, and Zhao Chen did not feel very difficult to ride a horse with one hand.

On the other side, Zhang Fei and Chen Zhi successfully took down the 10,000 troops of Zhao and Gao Gan, and 6,000 soldiers surrendered.

This made the two very difficult.

Before leaving, each person only brought two days' rations, and the food of the army of Qianzhao and Gaogan was damaged in the battle and was no longer edible.

Whether it is a matter of food or integration, it is very difficult for Zhang Fei and Chen Zhi, who only have 2,000 cavalry.

Zhang Fei even suggested that he give up the 6,000 troops and lead his cavalry back to the camp first.

Chen Zhi said: "At this moment, we need to use troops, and it is a pity that the six thousand soldiers have given up." ”

The two were helpless for a while, and could only ensure that there was no chaos in the army.

In the afternoon, the sun was shining.

The soldiers in the army were hungry and thirsty, and they complained one after another, and some small troops rose up to resist and rushed out of the defense line of Chen Zhi's cavalry.

Seeing this, the rest of the troops followed suit, and for a time there were about a thousand people, breaking free from the shackles, breaking through the defense line, and scattering in all directions.

Chen Zhi immediately led the troops in pursuit, but those who escaped fled in all directions, and the cavalry had to divide their troops to chase after them.

And the original driving force was instantly weakened, and Anfen's troops began to move.

Zhang Fei couldn't pull out to appease at all, so he could only ride back and forth on horseback, suppressing the spearheads one by one.

It is a pity that there are still fish that have slipped through the net, and it is very difficult for 2,000 people to detain 6,000 people.

Just when Zhang Fei and Chen Zhi were helpless, suddenly, a team of people came not far away.

Everyone was vigilant for a while, and Zhang Fei and Chen Zhi immediately organized men and horses to prepare to meet the enemy.