Based on Cheng Gongying's description, Liu Zhang guessed that Ma Chao and Fazheng had most likely forcibly escaped into the depths of the desert in order to avoid being surrounded.
Liu Zhang didn't know the scale of the Western Desert at this time, but he knew very well how terrifying the Western Desert would be in later generations.
It was a nightmare zone that could accommodate several levels.
Once they go too deep, Ma Chao and Fazheng, who have no experience, will immediately lose their way.
Being lost in the desert is almost a death sentence.
The water source problem alone is enough to kill 10,000 troops!
If you can’t find an oasis in the desert, you will soon die of thirst!
Liu Zhang never expected that he just wanted to give Ma Chao and Fa Zhi a good training, but he didn't expect to push them into hell with his own hands!
In history, Ma Chao managed to kill Cao Cao to the point where he abandoned his helmet, cut off his beard and robe, and Fazheng even killed Xia Houyuan in the battle of Hanzhong, which shocked the world.
Could it be that after following him, he would end up tragically dying in the Western Regions?
It's a pity that Liu Zhang was completely helpless about the difficulties Ma Chao and Fazheng were experiencing.
Even if there is no Allied Forces of the Four Nations outside Yumen Pass, they cannot be found in the desert.
The eight states of You, Bing, Ji, Qing, Yan, Yu, Xu, and Si together may not be as big as the deserts of the Western Regions.
How did Liu Zhang find this?
A hundred thousand troops would go in, but it would be a drop in the bucket.
When millions of troops go in, they are still trying to find a needle in a haystack!
Whether Ma Chao and Fazheng can survive, except for God's fault, they can only rely on themselves.
Just when Liu Zhang was silent because of the sadness in his heart, Shangshu Ling Jia Xu finally stood up.
"The battle between Qin Gong, Cao Cao, and Yuan Shao is getting more and more intense. It is estimated that the winner will be determined soon."
"For the benefit of our Qin State, Guanzhong must maintain a certain military strength at all times."
"I ask Duke Qin to think twice and not to use weapons out of anger."
Jia Xu is a man of martial prowess, and now all the Guanlong clan looks up to Jia Xu as their leader.
After Jia Xu expressed his stance, these officials immediately advised Liu Zhang.
"Please Qin Gong think twice!"
Everyone in the court knew the current situation of Qin State, and they all understood that there was no time to send troops.
He didn't take the initiative to speak out because he didn't want to bear Liu Zhang's anger.
Since Jia Xu, Xun You, and the Guanlong sect have all admonished him one after another, the Yizhou family naturally cannot be content with others.
Under the leadership of Yang Hong and Zhang Su, everyone also asked Liu Zhang to think twice.
This step was indeed sufficient, and Liu Zhang had no reason to continue carrying it.
"I am not a willful person. Since everyone is against it, let's stop sending troops!"
"Send an order to Lu Su, the governor of Liangzhou, to mobilize Liangzhou soldiers and horses to support Yumen Pass, and be sure to stop the thieves outside the pass!"
"Qin Gong is wise!"
Seeing the surprisingly unanimous compliments from all the ministers, a few words suddenly popped into Liu Zhang's mind.
Life is like a play, it all depends on acting!
"Call Cheng Gongying and ask him not to give up the search for Fazheng and Ma Chao. As soon as there is news, report it immediately!"
After considering the unsolved crisis at Yumen Pass, this matter could only be dismissed.
As for the disappearance of Ma Chao and Fazheng, Liu Zhang was more worried than helpless.
Now that things have come to this, I can only pray for them silently in my heart.
"Wen He, what did you say about the Hebei battlefield?"
It was rare for so many civil and military ministers to gather together, and Liu Zhang discussed this matter without preparation.
This kind of court meeting was very similar to the previous court meeting during Liu Hong's period, and Liu Zhang also enjoyed this feeling very much.
"Informing Duke Qin, Yuan Shao's two partial armies are currently confronting Cao Cao's partial armies in Pingyuan County and Wei County respectively."
"The strength of Yuan Shao's partial division is twice that of Cao Cao's partial division, but Yuan's army has been guarding the dangerous point and did not dare to fight Cao's army."
"Yuan Shao personally led a main force of 100,000 to confront Cao Cao's 100,000 main force near Handan. At present, Yuan Shao seems to have some advantages relying on Wuhuan cavalry."
This situation was somewhat beyond Liu Zhang's expectations.
The partial division with the superior strength could not retreat, but Yuan Shao, who did not have any superiority in military strength, took the initiative.
When it comes to the Wuhuan cavalry, Liu Zhang had to lament the power of the butterfly effect.
If he hadn't defeated the Xianbei army in one battle and triggered a great internal struggle in Xianbei, how could Tadun dare to lead a heavy army south to help Yuan Shao?
Liu Zhang felt that if he were Yuan Shao, he must thank himself!
"Wenhe, why did you say before that Yuan Shao and Cao Cao would be able to decide the winner soon?"
"Do you think Yuan Shao can defeat Cao Cao this time?"
If Yuan Shao wins, it will be great fun!
Although Cao Cao will not be completely wiped out, the land north of the Yellow River will have to be given away obediently.
Maybe when Cao Cao completely takes over Hebei, he will have to return to the wheel of history.
Liu Zhang was naturally happy to see this!
In this way, after five years, all the initiative will be in Liu Zhang's hands.
Not to mention attacking Jingxiang, Liu Zhang can be more ruthless and advance in two directions!
The Eastern Army marched eastward to Jingzhou, the Northern Army left Wuguan, Liu Zhang personally led the Chinese Army, and the Imperial Guard attacked the Central Plains!
If the three roads advance together and cooperate with each other, the world may be decided by just one battle!
Especially the duel between Pang Tong and Zhuge Liang was something Liu Zhang was looking forward to.
The Eastern Army was the stage that Liu Zhang personally set up for Pang Tong!
"Informing the Duke of Qin, the veteran speculates that the final winner should be Cao Cao."
Just when Liu Zhang was thinking a lot, Jia Xu's voice came again.
"Oh? Didn't you say that Yuan Shao has the advantage?"
Liu Zhang felt a little disappointed, although he knew that Cao Cao's victory was the correct course.
"Yuan Shao loves great achievements. Once he gains an advantage, he will fall into blind arrogance."
"Therefore, I concluded that the greater Yuan Shao's advantage at this time, the faster Yuan's army will be defeated."
Liu Zhang nodded helplessly. If Cao Cao won, he would really have no way to interfere.
He couldn't even beat a drowned dog, let alone interfere with the victorious Cao Cao?
"Wen He, what's going on with Xu Huang? Is there anything unusual in Cao's army in Gucheng?"
Xu Huang has been acting for a long time and has successfully attracted a large number of the main force of Cao's army to go south.
Liu Zhang thought it was enough in return for Yuan Shao giving Zhen Mi to him.
After all, he was going deep alone. If General Cao's army reacted, Xu Huang himself would still be in danger.
"Informing the Duke of Qin, Cao's army is still stationed in Gucheng in Yin, Henan, and the commander-in-chief is still Cao Hong."
"But I heard that Cao Cao re-activated Sima Yi."
Liu Zhang was shocked and suddenly became nervous.
Perhaps the current Sima Yi is far from reaching his peak level due to his age, but it still scares Liu Zhang.
This insidious and cunning man is too dangerous!
"Send an order to Xu Huang, tell him to bluff, prepare to attack, and then withdraw his troops overnight!"
"Let him move quickly and retreat to Huayin to rest!"
The ministers were a little puzzled. Why did Liu Zhang change so quickly?
Even Xun You was surprised by Liu Zhang's nervousness.
It's just Sima Yi, so is that so?
At this moment, soldiers suddenly reported outside the hall.
"For Duke Qin, Yizhou is a hundred and eighty miles away and we are waiting outside the palace!"
