During the day of the next day, neither Cao Zhang's army nor Li Jue's army took any action, and both sides chose to rest and recuperate in a tacit understanding.
Time flies quickly, the sun sets, and it is almost dark.
The lights were already on in Cao Zhangjun's central tent.
Zhong Yao walked in from the outside and said to Cao Zhang, who was sitting in the middle: "Sir, the emperor's honor guard is ready and can set off."
Xia Houshang and Xia Houru came forward and said to Cao Zhang: "Brother Ziwen, we will see you off!"
"Thank you, two worthy brothers!" Cao Zhang said to the two of them with a smile, "However, it is not you who are giving me a gift today, but I am giving it to you!"
Xia Houshang and Xia Houru were stunned: "Brother, what do you mean?"
"Last night, I calmly thought about the words of the two worthy brothers and everyone, and I think what you said makes sense. I am the commander-in-chief of the three armies. I really shouldn't take risks and go to Tianshui with only a hundred guards."
"But recruiting Ma Teng and Han Sui is urgent. We must send capable people who can represent my sincerity to follow Zhong Shizhong. After thinking about it, I feel that these two worthy brothers are the most suitable."
"The relationship between the Xiahou family and the Cao family is well known to the world. You are going there on my behalf, and you have the same status. Moreover, the two worthy brothers are both civil and military, and have excellent eloquence. I believe that if you go, you will be able to understand and move things. Convince Ma Teng and Han Sui with love." Cao Zhang explained to the two of them and also praised them.
"Brother has sent us the mission. We and I are bound to do our best. Please wait here for the good news!" Xia Houshang agreed without hesitation.
"Thank you for your help, two worthy brothers." Cao Zhang nodded happily, and then called to Li Jin behind him, "Season!"
Li Jin hurriedly stepped forward, bowed his hands and saluted, waiting for Cao Zhang's order.
"You lead a hundred-man personal guard and follow the two Xiahou masters. Remember, you must protect the safety of them and Special Envoy Zhong with all your strength!" Cao Zhang ordered Li Jin.
Li Jin immediately nodded and accepted the order.
"Brother, Captain Li and the hundred-man bodyguard are your personal bodyguards. They should stay with you to protect you. How can you leave casually? We appreciate your brother's love, so let them stay!" Xia Houru hurriedly declined. .
"You two dear brothers are going to see Ma Teng on my behalf. The future is difficult and dangerous. How can I not try my best to protect you? My dear brothers, please don't refuse. Just listen to my arrangements!" Cao Zhang's attitude was very firm.
When the Xiahou brothers saw Cao Zhang's persistence, they could only thank him and no longer refuse.
Cao Zhang sent several people to the gate of the camp and watched them go away.
Seeing them slowly disappearing from sight, Xu Shu stepped forward and whispered: "Since Master arranged for them to go on your behalf, why did you send Ji Ji to protect them?!"
"After all, they are members of the Xiahou family. Although they are suspected of colluding with Cao Pi, how can we watch them die in vain? What's more, if we don't arrange to bring personal guards during the season, how can we lure Li Jue's troops to intercept and kill them? Acting You have to do the whole thing!" Cao Zhang explained to Xu Shu.
Xu Shu nodded: "Young Master has thought carefully, and my subordinates have been taught a lesson!"
"The two of them are just facing a small force sent by Li Jue to intercept and kill them. What we are facing is a tough battle!" Cao Zhang said to Xu Shu with a smile.
Cao Zhang's heart is now full of expectations, and he only hopes that everything will proceed smoothly according to his plan.
When Duan Xuan failed to attack the city, Cao Zhang realized that if he wanted to defeat Li Jue, he still had to use a strategy. Because using tactics means that both sides are fighting with their brains and calculations. As long as they can use tactics to make Li Jue fall into the trap, there is a possibility of winning or losing in one battle. After all, time is the most important thing to Cao Zhang.
So he deliberately said in front of the Xiahou brothers that he was going to see Ma Teng and Han Sui in person, knowing that the news would be passed to Li Jue through them.
Li Jin secretly monitored the camp of the Xiahou brothers, and sure enough he discovered Shi A secretly going to Chang'an. This proved that Cao Zhang's conjecture was correct, and the first step of the plan was successful.
Cao Zhang deliberately arranged for the Xiahou brothers to go to see Ma Teng on his behalf. This actually had two purposes.
The first is that tonight's action is crucial to prevent them from passing on the message again, so they are sent away in advance.
The second purpose is to teach them some lessons and let them know that there will be no good results in helping Cao Pi pass the news.
Now that the plan is progressing smoothly, he will return to the big tent immediately and start arranging the following actions.
Cao Zhang and Xu Shu returned to the Chinese army's tent. Xu Huang and Duan Xuan were already waiting here, but Xiahou Ba was not there.
"Master Ziwen, why did you suddenly change your mind and let the two Xiahou Masters go to Liangzhou instead of you?" Duan Yan asked doubtfully.
"Because I know that Li Jue already knows the news that I only took a hundred guards to follow the emperor's envoy to Tianshui. He will definitely send troops to intercept and kill him, so why should I die?" Cao Zhang explained to Duan Xuan with a smile.
After all, Duan Xuan is also a famous general who has experienced hundreds of battles. When Cao Zhang said this, he immediately understood: "So the young master said this yesterday, deliberately spreading false news to lure Li Jue out of the city?"
"Yes, I believe Li Jue will not miss this opportunity to kill me, and will definitely send a troop to try to intercept me!" Cao Zhang nodded in response.
Duan Yan suddenly realized: "So we can use the trick and arrange a troop to ambush the Xiliang army who is trying to intercept the emperor's envoy."
"Sir, please leave this task to me!" Duan Yan immediately took the initiative to ask for help.
Cao Zhang smiled and shook his head: "General Duan, no need, I have arranged for Zhong Quan to lead five hundred soldiers!"
"Five hundred?! Isn't there too few people? If Li Jue sends people to intercept and kill him, I estimate that he will have to mobilize at least 5,000 people! Although Young Master Zhong Quan is very brave, but one against ten is still extremely risky!" Duan Xuan responded with some surprise, obviously unable to understand that Cao Zhang only arranged for Xiahou Ba to lead an ambush with 500 soldiers.
"Five hundred is already a lot!" Cao Zhang said with a smile. Then he stood up and pointed to the sand table in the middle of the tent and explained: "To the west of Chang'an are the Feng River and the Lao River. I have arranged for Zhong Shizhong and the others to move along the Feng River. It is early summer now. , there is enough rain, and the Fenghe and Laohe rivers are enough to serve as tens of thousands of elite soldiers!"
Duan Yan looked at the sand table and suddenly realized: "Master, this is a clever move. If this plan is successful, it will definitely severely damage Li Jue's troops who are trying to intercept the emperor's messenger!"
Cao Zhang smiled: "I have tried so hard not just to deal with this small group of soldiers!"
Xu Huang looked at Cao Zhang doubtfully: "Does the young master have other arrangements?"
"Gongming, if you were Li Jue and had already sent troops out of the city, would you simply intercept and kill them without taking other actions?!" Cao Zhang asked with a smile.
"Other actions?" Xu Huang frowned slightly, and then realized: "Is it possible that Li Jue is planning to launch a sneak attack on our camp?"
Cao Zhang looked at Xu Huang and nodded in approval. His mind was indeed good enough. He was worthy of being one of the five good generals. He was even evaluated by Cao Cao as being comparable to the famous general "Zhou Yafu". He immediately realized what Li Jue might do.
"Li Jue has more troops than us. If he has the opportunity to kill me in one fell swoop, he will definitely not let it go in order to reverse the situation of the war."
"Since he wants to trick me, then I will accompany him to trick him! Let's see who has a better strategy and a more meticulous arrangement!" A smile appeared on Cao Zhang's face.
"Gongming!" Cao Zhang greeted loudly.
"The general is here!" Xu Huang responded.
"I order you to lead eight thousand soldiers to ambush to the left side of the camp. When you see a red lantern rising in the camp, lead your troops in and beat the enemy! Remember, no action is allowed until the red lantern rises!" Cao Zhang ordered Xu Huang .
Although Xu Huang was a little confused, he still accepted the instruction: "Here!"
"General Duan, please lead your troops to ambush to the right side of the camp. Only when you see the red lanterns flying in the camp do you rush out. Do not act in advance!" Cao Zhang explained to Duan Yan again.
"Don't worry, young master, as long as Li Jue's soldiers and horses come, I will not let them go, and I will beat them hard!" Duan Xuan bowed his hands and saluted, making a promise to Cao Zhang.
"Yuan Zhi!" Cao Zhang finally gave Xu Shu his instructions.
"Here, sir, please give me your orders!" Xu Shu responded quickly.
"I have ordered people to transport most of our food, grass and supplies to the center of the camp in advance. You take five hundred soldiers and stay here. No matter what the fighting situation is in other parts of the camp, they cannot be moved. Only the food and grass for the guards are needed. Don't let the enemy soldiers burn or rob them!" Cao Zhang told Xu Shu in a serious manner.
"Sir, we have all been assigned. You only have a thousand soldiers by your side. Do you want to guard the camp personally?" Xu Shu noticed Cao Zhang's intention and hurriedly asked.
"Yes, since Li Jue wants to come to our camp, if I don't give him hope, how can he be willing to lead all the soldiers into our ambush. If you don't put scented bait, you can't catch the golden turtle! I will make the bait myself. Wait for him!" Cao Zhang responded confidently.
"Master, this is too dangerous. Why don't you keep more soldiers around you to ensure safety." Xu Huang also wanted to persuade Cao Zhang.
"You don't need to say any more, I have already made arrangements. If you all follow my instructions, we will definitely defeat the Xiliang army tonight!" Cao Zhang said firmly.
Seeing that Cao Zhang was so confident, everyone said no more and followed his deployment and began to mobilize troops and horses to prepare.
