Cao Jun's camp was brightly lit at night.
In the Chinese army's tent, Cao Zhang sat in the middle, looking solemnly at Chang'an City on the sand table in front of him.
Today's strong attack by Duan Xuan has proved that their previous expectations were correct. The city of Chang'an is solid and cannot be easily captured by a strong attack. Especially under the premise that their military strength is weaker than Li Jue's Xiliang army.
"Young master, don't worry. I will lead the troops to attack the city again tomorrow. If I don't capture Chang'an this time, I will never withdraw my troops!" Duan Yan saw Cao Zhang's worries and asked for battle again.
"Ziwen, I am willing to lead troops to help General Duan attack the city together!" Xiahou Ba also stood up and asked for a fight together.
Cao Zhang looked at the two of them but shook his head slightly: "General Duan, Zhong Quan, in today's battle, we should all be very clear that our troops are insufficient and we cannot defeat Chang'an with our strength alone. I think we still need to join forces. Ma Teng, Han Sui and many warlords in Liangzhou must jointly attack to have any hope of defeating Li Jue."
After hearing Cao Zhang's words, Xu Shu first nodded in agreement: "Young Master's words are extremely reasonable. It is definitely not a good idea to continue to attack forcefully now. It is better to try to get external help as much as possible."
Although Duan Yan was unwilling to give in, he also understood that Cao Zhang's words made sense: "Sir, even so, Ma Teng and Han Sui have already rejected the recruitment of messengers sent by Zhong Shizhong. How can we make them accept the recruitment now?!"
"It was obviously not solemn enough to send a messenger to summon them to Chang'an before. This may also be the reason why they are worried. So now we must show enough sincerity to convince them! Zhong Shizhong, I have decided to go to see Ma in person with you. Teng and Han Sui, read the imperial edict in person, use the greatest sincerity to influence them and win their support." Cao Zhang's voice was firm, and a trace of determination flashed in his eyes.
Zhong Yao nodded slightly. He agreed with Cao Zhang's decision. Only by expressing sincerity in this way can he hope to impress the princes of Guanxi and win the battle against Li Jue.
"Okay, how many troops and horses should we bring? I will prepare now!" Xiahou Ba asked Cao Zhang.
"Whatever troops and horses you want to bring, just me and Zhong Shizhong, bring the envoy honor guard, and let Ji Ji follow me with a bodyguard of 100 people." Cao Zhang rejected Xiahou Ba's proposal to lead troops.
Xu Shu and others next to him heard that Cao Zhang was setting off without troops, and they all expressed concern in unison.
"Sir, Ma Teng and Han Sui have already expressed their hostility to the imperial court. It is too dangerous for you to go with such a small number of people!" Xu Shu advised.
"Yes, Ziwen, these two are capricious and profit-seeking villains. You can't take risks like this." Xia Houshang also persuaded.
"Sir, you are the commander-in-chief of the three armies. How can you take risks easily? You must lead at least five thousand soldiers to ensure safety!" Duan Xuan also persuaded Cao Zhang.
"Yes, actually you don't have to go there in person, I can do this myself." Zhong Yao also tried to dissuade Cao Zhang.
Cao Zhang, however, acted very calmly and said resolutely: "Everyone, I understand your concerns, but in order to show our sincerity, I must go in person. And the fewer people who go, the more it will appear that we are not hostile, and the more You can make Ma Teng and Han Sui believe it."
"What's more, we don't have much time left. If we mobilize troops and horses to move forward, not to mention delaying time, it will be more dangerous if the army goes deep alone and lacks food and grass supplies?! Just listen to my arrangements!" Cao Zhang told his story Reason, insist on going alone.
"But..." Xiahou Ba wanted to say something else, but Cao Zhang raised his hand to stop him.
"I have decided, you don't need to say anything anymore. It's already late today. Everyone go back and prepare well. After dark tomorrow, I and Zhong Shizhong will set off." Cao Zhang announced his order firmly.
"Why do you have to wait until dark before setting off?!" Xiahou Ba asked incomprehensively.
"Master Zhongquan, we have not surrounded Chang'an City on all sides now, and the two armies are fighting. Do you think Li Jue will not send out scouts and spies to find out the news? If the master sets out in broad daylight and is discovered by their scouts, and they go out of the city to intercept and kill him, the master But it's dangerous. Only by setting out quietly at night can you ensure safety." Xu Shu explained to Xiahou Ba.
Xiahou Ba suddenly nodded and stopped talking.
"General Duan, please, please, Gong Ming and Zhong Quan lead the troops to garrison the camp. You must not attack the city rashly. We will wait until I come back!" Cao Zhang made the final arrangement.
Everyone looked at each other in confusion. Although they felt uneasy, they could only accept Cao Zhang's order: "Here!"
Everyone slowly exited the Chinese army's tent and went back to prepare. Only Cao Zhang and Li Jin, who was responsible for personal guarding him, were left in the Chinese army's tent.
Cao Zhang made a gesture to Li Jin, and Li Jin immediately understood and quickly walked out of the Chinese army's tent.
After Xiahou Shang and Xia Houru left the Chinese army's tent, they talked in low voices all the way back to Xiahou Shang's sleeping tent.
"Brother, do you think Brother Ziwen's insistence on meeting Ma Teng and Han Sui in person is too risky?" Xia Houru asked Xia Houchang worriedly.
"Of course there is danger, but what brother Ziwen said makes sense. If you want to recruit them now, you must show the greatest sincerity. You also saw today's siege battle. General Duan's troops were so strong that he fought for a whole Even one day has no effect. Without Ma Teng and Han Sui joining us, it is indeed difficult for us to win." Xia Houshang explained to Xia Houru.
"But Brother Ziwen has been here for at least ten days, and the agreed deadline is even closer. What if Ma Teng and Han Sui still refuse to accept the recruitment, then what should we do?" Xia Houru raised his concerns.
"But now this is the only chance. Do you have any other feasible methods?" Xia Houshang asked Xia Houru.
Xia Houru was speechless, and both of them fell into silence.
After Xia Houru pondered for a moment, he suddenly thought of something and said: "Brother Boyan, we almost forgot what brother Zihuan told us before leaving. Now that the army has encountered unprecedented difficulties, should we Regarding the situation, as well as Brother Ziwen’s current arrangements, who will arrange for someone to report to Brother Zihuan?”
Xia Houshang's eyes lit up and he nodded and said: "You are reminding us. We will report the current situation in Chang'an and the news that Zi Wenming is going to see Ma Teng and Han Sui on the day of the starry night to Xu Du. Brother Zihuan can be found The clan uncles should work together to find a way to get reinforcements from Sikong. This is also the best way to help us defeat Li Jue."
"Yes, please, brother, please write a letter to brother Zihuan immediately. I will go find Shi A and ask him to send the letter back to Xudu immediately." Xiahou Ru suggested to Xiahou Shang.
"Okay, go quickly." Xiahou Shang agreed, walked to the desk, picked up a pen and started writing, while Xiahou Ru hurried to find Shi A.
After a while, Xiahou Ru returned with Shi A, and Xiahou Shang had already written a letter to Cao Pi.
"Send this letter back to Xudu quickly and hand it into the hands of brother Zihuan. Report to him the situation here in detail and ask him to quickly find a way to help us defeat the enemy. If you have the news, report it as soon as possible!" I gave the letter to Shi A and gave him instructions.
"You two gentlemen, please rest assured. I will set off soon and will definitely not delay the important event!" Shi A saluted the two of them and walked out quickly.
Xia Houshang and Xia Houru looked at Shi A's leaving figure and let out a sigh of relief.
Shi A took advantage of the darkness and quietly led a horse out of Cao Jun's camp.
He first pretended to run eastward for more than a mile, then stopped, looked around and found that there was no movement, immediately turned the horse's head, took a circuitous route north, and rushed to Chang'an.
A few days ago, when Cao Pi sent an urgent letter to Li Jue in the name of Dong Cheng, he also gave Shi A new instructions: once he grasps the new movements of Cao Zhang's army, he should go to Chang'an as soon as possible and, as Dong Cheng's family, , provided the information to Li Jue, and asked Li Jue to respond in advance to avoid Xu Huang's surprise attack on Luoyang from happening again.
Shi A knew that the letters between Xia Houshang and Xia Houru involved Cao Zhang's latest arrangements, so he naturally did not dare to neglect, and immediately went to Chang'an to report the news to Li Jue.
Shi A hurried all the way to the gate of Chang'an City and shouted loudly: "People in the city, listen, I am a family member of General Dong Cheng. I have the latest military information of Cao Zhangjun to report to General Li Jue. Please open the door quickly and let me in." city!"
The soldiers of the Xiliang Army on duty in the city heard Shi'a's shouting and did not dare to neglect. They lowered a large hanging basket from the city, let Shi'a sit in the basket, and hung him up the city wall.
Shi A didn't notice at all. In the dark wilderness outside Chang'an City, there was a pair of eyes staring at him. He was Li Jin.
After Li Jin watched Shi A enter Chang'an City, he quickly turned around and quietly returned to Cao Zhangjun's camp under the cover of night...
