On the day of the war, Cao Hong and Xin Ping left the city to see him off, and the Dangqu clan also sent representatives to see him off, toasting Cao Cao, wishing him a great victory.

After Feng Luan's mouth, the Dangqu clans all knew the practice of depriving the large clans of land in the new policy of the Wu Kingdom. Brazil has many mountains and few lands, and food has always been in short supply. The land in their hands is the foundation of their existence. No matter how much money there is, it is a waste of food, so no one is willing to give up the land in his hands and take his destiny into the hands of others.

Whether Cao Cao can defend Yizhou and how long can he protect it is related to their vital interests.

Cao Cao drank Zhu Jie wine, looked at the gentry in front of him, the soldiers behind him, and thought about the tragic warriors he was about to face, and was deeply moved. He wrote a poem, lamenting the difficult situation, the sun and the moon were hanging upside down, and the Han Dynasty overturned, expressing his ambition to sacrifice and take it as his mission to restore the Han Dynasty.

Everyone felt a little depressed when they heard this, and a few even shed tears.

After drinking, Cao Cao led his troops to set off, walked north along the Bucao River for less than a few miles, turned east, and arrived at Gunlongpo.

As Feng Luan said, Gulongpo is a river channel formed by the mountains that are not connected by water to cut off north-south directions. The beaches on both sides of the valley that can be used for people to walk are only a few feet wide, and the narrowest part is even a few feet, barely able to support supplies to pass by. There are several paths on the hillside. In summer and autumn, the water level is high, and people cannot be used in the river valley, so the business trips that come and go can only walk around those paths.

Accompanied by Feng Luan, Cao Cao took Peng Li, Hu Du and others up the mountain, compared the map in his hand and carefully observed the terrain.

"It's indeed a veritable and dangerous place. When the water rises, I'm afraid the dragon will roll down."

Feng Luan stroked her beard and smiled slightly reservedly.

"If you don't pass by here, can you go south?"

"There is, there are, but the road is extremely difficult to walk, and it can't walk a few miles a day. Snakes and insects can appear, and they may not be able to get out if they can enter."

Cao Cao nodded and pondered for a moment. "Brother Yuanfeng, can you arrange a few subordinates who are familiar with the terrain and take the scouts to take a look."

"Is this necessary?"

Cao Cao sighed: "The Wu army was originally skilled in mountain warfare, but now they have been fighting in Hanzhong for several years. As long as there is a front-line opportunity, they may reverse the situation. The gains and losses of the Dangqu are related to the entire Yizhou, so there should be no carelessness."

Although Feng Luan didn't take it seriously, he still agreed to Cao Cao's request and sent someone to call two groups familiar with the terrain. Cao Cao called Huang Quan and asked him to lead a team of scouts.

Huang Quan responded and turned around. Feng Luan looked at Huang Quan's back and suddenly said, "Is this the Huang Quan from the Huang family in Langzhong?"

Cao Cao smiled. "Yuanfeng knows it too?"

"I've heard of it." Feng Luan stroked her beard and a trace of anxiety flashed between her eyebrows.

Langzhong is full of talents and is very strong among the counties of Ba County. Its popularity has been hidden from the original Ba County and county capital Jiangzhou (Chongqing). After the division of Ba County, Langzhong became the governor of Ba County, which made the people of Dangqu very jealous. Whether it could become the governor of the county has a great impact on the development of a place. When his grandfather Feng Huan and his father Feng Fu were alive, Dangqu produced several high-ranking officials and scholars, and they also saw some hope, but the descendants were unable to continue and were soon abandoned. Now, a rising star in Langzhong like Huang Quan has entered the curtain of the King of Shu, how can he be respected by the King of Shu? In the future, the future is even more comparable to that of Dangqu people.

Feng Luan glanced at the young man beside Cao Cao, and saw a few familiar faces. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Cao Cao saw it and pretended not to know. These were all arranged by him. Zhang Su brought more than a dozen Langzhong people to welcome him. Almost all of him entrusted him with important tasks, just to stimulate the Dangqu clan and make them compare. Don’t look forward to it and go both sides of the rat.

Huang Quan is just one of them.

Of course, Huang Quan is indeed talented, and is vigilant and versatile, proficient in military tactics, and good at martial arts. More importantly, he is calm and does not have the ostentatiousness of his peers at all. Cao Cao was relieved to send him to investigate the surrounding terrain.

After checking the terrain near Gunlongpo, Cao Cao immediately decided to establish a defense line here. He personally deployed and ordered Shi Huan to be responsible for the matter, with Xuan'an cooperated. He repeatedly cared for Shi Huan and must build this place into a solid defense line and not be indifferent to the enemy.

Shi Huan, Xuan'an bowed to accept the order.

After arranging Gunlongpo's defense, Cao Cao set off again to catch up with the striker led by Zhang Ren.

That night, they camped in a village called Sanxia. Cao Cao invited Feng Luan to live with him. After dinner, the two of them talked about it in the tent. They could not drink alcohol in the army, so Cao Cao prepared a pot of green tea and two plates of snacks, and talked with Feng Luan while eating.

Without outsiders, Feng Luan couldn't help but ask Cao Cao a question: Although he had an advantage in military strength and had the friendship of a landlord, why are he so cautious? Is he not confident enough to win?

Cao Cao picked up a salt bean and put it in his mouth, chewing it slowly, and glanced at Feng Luan from time to time with a smile. Feng Luan was uneasy when he saw it, but he was embarrassed to retreat, so he had to smile forcibly and wait for Cao Cao to answer.

Cao Cao took a sip of tea, swallowed the beans that had been chewed in his mouth, and wiped his mouth again. "Brother Yuanfeng, did you have dated Benchu ​​when you were in Luoyang?"

"Not many, I'm just a friend." Feng Luan snorted. "Who is Yuan Benchu? The three masters of four generations, and the leader of the party. Not to mention that I am a little doctor, even my father is not in his eyes."

Cao Cao laughed. "Yuan Benchu ​​laughed at the world, and he was defeated by Sun Ce. How dare Gu be careless? What's more, in the battle of Nanyang, Gu and Sun Ce had several confrontations, first defeated the general Xiahou Yuan, and later was forced to break through the encirclement by Sun Ce, rescued Yuan Highway, and almost defeated the general Xiahou Dun. In that battle..." Cao Cao patted his thigh and sighed. "Even if it is ten years later, Gu still feels lingering fear every time he thinks of it."

"Sun Ce is good at fighting, and everyone in the world knows. If he comes in person, it is OK for the king to be careful. But now the commander is Huang Zhong. The king is like this... isn't he a little too cautious?"

"Do you think Huang Zhong is not among the five governors, which is not a problem?"

Feng Luan didn't say anything, but she was obviously like this.

"Do you still remember the former Grand Marshal Huang Wan and Huang Gongyan?"

"Remember."

"He was defeated by Huang Zhong and was captured in one battle."

Feng Luan was stunned, stared at Cao Cao, and said for a long time: "Do you... take it seriously?"

“It’s true.”

Feng Luan opened his mouth and didn't say anything. He really didn't know that Huang Zhong had such military achievements. Huang Zhong had such military achievements but failed to be ranked as the fifth governor. Wouldn't Zhou Yu, Lu Su, Taishi Ci and others be stronger? It's not easy for Yizhou to support it until now.

"Yizhou is exhausted, isn't it a false statement?" Cao Cao rubbed his thighs, picked up a few salt beans, and threw them into his mouth. He didn't look at Feng Luan, but the light from the corner of his eyes could clearly see the change in Feng Luan's face. He knew that Feng Luan was a little panicked, but he was just embarrassed to say it.

Feng Luan was a famous general, but he had no generals himself, and even his talents were just a master. Otherwise, he would not have had such a difficult career in his career. His father Feng Fu was appointed as General of the Cheqi and Cavalry and Jiuqing, and was only one step away from becoming the third duke. He had a good reputation in the scholars. With such a background, as long as he had a little strength, he could pick up two thousand stones.

But Feng Luan served as a doctor for many years and did not even get the opportunity to be released.

Of course, he could hide Feng Luan for a moment and make Feng Luan believe that he could defeat the Wu army, but that was just a temporary measure and could not last long. Once the two armies fought, Feng Luan would be foolish, and he knew that the strength of the two sides was too far apart, so he might be shaken. If you explain it at that time, Feng Luan would not believe him.

Rather than doing this, it is better to put difficulties ahead.

This is also his real purpose for inviting Feng Luan to live with him today. The battle is imminent, and he must adapt to the situation at any time and chat.

Sure enough, Feng Luan was panicked and sweat bursts emerged from her forehead.

Cao Cao pretended to disappear, but just threw salt beans into his mouth and took a sip of tea from time to time.

Feng Luan finally couldn't hold on anymore and asked in a trembling voice: "King, since that's the case, why not wait for the hard work and wait for the city of Dangqu, but take the initiative to fight. The labor soldiers? Is it because the king has a plan to win?"

Cao Cao laughed, clapped his hands, and squeezed his eyes. "Yuan Feng didn't know anything, so he took the initiative to fight, not seeking victory, but seeking defeat."

"Please lose?"

Cao Cao nodded, hugged his knees with his hands, shaking his body, his voice was light and his spirit was flying, and he couldn't hear any frustration. "Huang Zhong was originally a confidant general of Sun Ce, but he lost the position of Grand Commander because he had no achievements in Hanzhong for a long time. He watched a group of young people come from behind. Gu originally wanted to lure him into Hanzhong, so he ordered Wu Yi and Zhang Lu to surrender and abandon the Xicheng. Huang Zhong was cautious, for fear of being under the strong city, so he abandoned Hanzhong and took Brazil, and wanted to win with a surprise soldier. But he didn't know that Gu was waiting for this moment."

"Wu Yi, is Zhang Lu pretending to surrender?" Feng Luan was surprised again and couldn't help but interrupt Cao Cao.

"Of course. Wu Yi's sister is the queen, and Zhang Lu's brother is still in Chengdu. If he is not Gu Zhi's order, how could they give the West City without a single arrow?"

Feng Luan suddenly realized. After learning that Xicheng was lost and Wu Yi and Zhang Lu surrendered, they also found it incredible. Now that Cao Cao said, this explanation made sense. He then thought that since all this was planned by Cao Cao, he was naturally confident in this battle, and his heart that was beating wildly was finally calm.

"Huang Zhong crossed Daba Mountain and entered Brazil County. The journey was mountainous and it was not easy to march. However, Huang Zhong was cautious and elite Wu army. Once he found that our army was ready for battle, he would hesitate and even voluntarily retreat to Xicheng. In this way, the meaning of abandoning Xicheng would be gone."

Cao Cao paused and strengthened his tone. "So, we must not only tempt him, but also keep him, so that he feels hope of victory and cannot stop. He will fight in Dangqu. If he can severely damage Huang Zhong's troops, it will not only boost morale, but also turn defense into offense, regain Xicheng, follow the Han River, and go straight to Nanyang."

Cao Cao looked at Feng Luan and said, "Brother Yuanfeng, this battle is related to the gains and losses of Yizhou, and also to the rise and fall of the Han Dynasty. As a Han minister and a famous minister, you must help me with your help. If you can restore the Han Dynasty, the court will not let you down."

Feng Luan turned worries into joy, patted her chest, passionately.

——

The next morning, Cao Cao received a message from Zhang Ren before he even set off.

Huang Zhong's vanguard had already walked out of Daba Mountain. The general who commanded the troops was Xu Huang. There were about two thousand people who were heading towards Xuanhan. The speed was very fast. It seemed that he was planning to enter Xuanhan.

Xu Huang was the governor of Xiangyang and led more than 2,000 troops. Therefore, Zhang Ren thought it was a fraud and was worried that Xu Huang would take Xuan Han as a false alarm and that it was a true force for division of troops to encircle him. He sent someone to remind Cao Cao to be careful of the ambushing troops.

Zhang Ren had already arrived at Qidaoyan and established a blocking position. However, he was also worried that Xu Huang would seize his retreat and did not intend to stick to it. He was ready to retreat after a little resistance.

Cao Cao and Feng Luan discussed whether to continue to advance to Qidaoyan or rest on the spot?

Feng Luan had no idea. After thinking seriously for a while, he felt that it would be better to roll back to Longpo and wait for the enemy. Instead of rushing to Qidaoyan and then retreating, it would be better to prepare for the battle in Gulongpo and do his best to make Gulongpo's defense stronger.

Cao Cao was like a stream of good deeds and praised Feng Luan for being calm and polite, which made Feng Luan a little fluttering.

Cao Cao ordered Zhang Ren to act on camera and not to take on the fight easily. He also ordered Shi Huan to hurry up and build fortifications. He himself stayed in Sanxia Village to survey the terrain and was preparing to meet Zhang Ren who had retreated from Qidaoyan. He was only more than 30 miles away from Zhang Ren, a day away. If Xu Huang really sent troops to surround Zhang Ren's retreat, he could step forward in time to reinforce, tear through Xu Huang's siege, and support Zhang Ren out of the siege.

The order was issued, and the originally calm village became nervous. Cao Cao asked Feng Luan to go to the village to pass an order, requiring all the people to gather together, hide in the mountains, and take away all the food, poultry, and livestock, so as not to fall into the hands of the Wu army.

These things did not fall into the hands of the Wu army, and most of them were brought back to the camp by Feng Luan, including several beautiful village women. As Cao Cao's old friend, Feng Luan knew Cao Cao's temper. Although these mountain village women were not as well-educated and polite as women of large clans, they were more wild and natural.

Cao Cao laughed and scolded Feng Luan, and accepted it with a smile.

The news came continuously, but Xu Huang did not come for a long time. After entering Xuanhan, Xu Huang stopped moving forward and just sent scouts to inquire about the news. The scouts of both sides had already contacted, but the main forces were always far apart.

Zhang Ren was unhappy with his intentions, and his scouts could not find out any news. Under the strong suppression of the Wu army scouts, the activities of the Shu army scouts were compressed within a range of less than ten miles, and there were considerable casualties every day. Zhang Ren was worried that the captured scouts would leak the news, so he simply reduced the scout's mission.

Cao Cao couldn't understand Xu Huang's intentions until several Ba people who escaped from the mountains near Xuanhan rushed to the camp and told him that the Wu army was clearing out the tribes along the coast of Bucao Shui. Then he suddenly realized, surprised and happy.

Xu Huang is robbing the Baren tribe. Needless to say, he must be collecting food. It seems that Huang Zhong is about to lose food.

Feng Luan was anxious and asked Cao Cao to send troops to support the Baren tribe. Most of the Baren tribes in the mountains had contacts with them. Those who were on the New Year and the Festival had to send some mountain goods, and some had marriages. Now that Baren people are in trouble, they cannot stand by death and refuse to save them.

Cao Cao was filled with righteous indignation and agreed immediately, and ordered Zhang Ren to send troops to respond, but in fact he asked Zhang Ren to be serious and not to act rashly. He knew very well that the Ba people's life was not prosperous, and the food that Xu Huang could collect was limited. Instead, he had a blood feud with the brave and fighting Ba people, which was equivalent to stabbing a hornet's nest. It was an unexpected joy for him and was just right.
Chapter completed!