As a result, all the princes in Guanzhong once again sent out troops with great courage.
Unexpectedly, Yuan Jun retreated mysteriously when he saw Ma Chao. When he saw the other Guanzhong Allied Forces, they immediately resurrected in different places as if they had been beaten to death! They defended the camp and refused to let the Guanzhong Army take a step forward. They only defeated the Guanzhong Army and fled back to the camp in embarrassment.
Once the Guanzhong Army was defeated, it was Ma Chao's turn to take action again.
The Xiliang Army has now pinpointed Yuan Jun's veins, and there is no need to fight at all. They just walked around in front of Yuan Jun's camp one by one. As soon as Yuan Jun saw the Ma family's flag, he immediately ran away and slithered away. Qi Liu was like a mouse, and he was so stunned that Ma Chao was able to get into another camp without any blood.
This happened five times in the past few days.
As soon as Ma Chao's troops and horses wandered away, Yuan Jun immediately closed the door and let the dogs go, hiding their faces and fleeing; as soon as the troops and horses of the Guanzhong princes came out, Yuan Jun became as arrogant as if they had been beaten to death, and everyone turned to the sky.
*********************
A few days later, a short poem written by an unknown person began to be widely circulated in the Hedong area and the camps of the Guanzhong princes. The description was quite apt...
Yuan Xi of Hebei gave orders to the world. No one dares to disobey. If Ma Chao cannot come out, who can compete with him?
There were so many comings and goings, not to mention that the princes in Guanzhong were angry, even Chen Gong felt more and more wrong. He felt that there was something fishy in it, but he couldn't figure out what it was that made him I spent every day meditating in the camp without eating or sleeping.
The feudal lords in Guanzhong and Ma Chao are becoming more and more distant from each other, and the doubts in their hearts are getting heavier and heavier. They don't say anything, but they are guessing in their hearts day by day.
However, at this juncture, Yuan Xi, who had already lost six strongholds in a row, finally received a letter from Sima Yi!
Hongnong thief Changtun has been convinced! Just waiting for Yuan Xi’s next instructions!
Changtun of Hongnong and Liu Xiongming, the big thief at Wuguan Pass, agreed to surrender, which immediately reversed the situation. Yuan Xi immediately gave an order to Sima Yi, asking Changtun and Liu Xiongming to gather their troops and surrender before returning to Hebei. Go do something big.
Although it was a big deal, it was actually relatively simple for the two of them. It was just to harass the territories behind the feudal lords in Guanzhong!
They don't want to attack the city or draw firepower from the bottom of the cauldron, as long as they make a fuss about it and everyone knows it, and let their rear area not stop, it is enough to create a momentum of fire in the rear area.
But there is only one premise in this matter, which is that you are absolutely not allowed to attack the territories of Ma Chao and Chen Gong. The territories of other princes are up to you, and you can pick them however you want.
The news was quickly passed back to Guanzhong through the secret guards. After learning the news, Changtun and Liu Xiongming, although they did not understand its meaning, still followed Yuan Xi's order and began to send troops to stir up trouble in the backyards of the princes in Guanzhong.
Changtun has lived in Hongnong for a long time, and he is well aware of the reality of the Guanzhong area. He can easily capture the territories that are causing trouble to the princes, and it can be regarded as a declaration of surrender to Yuan Xi.
Chang Tun and Liu Xiongming are both well-known super bandits. It's hard to say how good they are in fighting, but they are equally good at instigating other people's backyards to cause destruction in their backyards.
At that time, all the grain and wheat in the territory of Duan Chuan, the prince of Guanzhong, was cut off.
Then all the horse farms in Yang Qiu's territory were looted.
Immediately afterwards, the city belonging to the prince Li Kan was attacked, and the courtyard of the prefecture was looted and burned by the thieves.
A few days later, the bad news from the back of Guanzhong spread to Hedong. When all the princes learned that their backyards had been robbed, they were all shocked.
Although Sima Yi, Chang Tun and others did not leave their names after the meddling, most people's first thought was that this matter was done by the Yuan family in Hebei!
But how did Yuan's troops appear in Guanzhong, and how did Hebei's soldiers sneak into Guanzhong past the eyes and ears of the princes?
After thinking about it carefully, everyone felt relieved. The Yuan family dominated the four states and looked at the world. The amount of soldiers, horses, money and food was unparalleled in the world. It was not impossible to install a few ghost armies in Guanzhong.
However, one thing is like Ding Zi, deeply imprinted in the hearts of all the princes in Guanzhong!
The disruptive army deployed by the Yuan family in Guanzhong harassed all the princes from house to house, but why did they not touch Chen Gong and Ma Chao alone?
Logically speaking, Chen Gong is a subordinate of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao and the Yuan family are sworn enemies. Ma Chao has now even joined the six villages of the Bingzhou Army, and is he and Yuan's army as close as fire and water? Why didn't Yuan Jun attack these two important enemies alone?
Isn't it too weird? I'm afraid there must be something fishy in it!
With this question, all the princes in Guanzhong had a haze in their hearts, and they were all thinking about it but could not figure it out. The more they couldn't figure it out, the deeper their doubts became!
At this critical moment, Yuan Xi also began to take action. More than a dozen capable secret guards, carrying Yuan Xi's handwritten letters, set off in separate directions and went to the commander-in-chief's tents of the princes to explain their interests. , began to use provocative tactics.
After Yuan Xi's various messengers completed their operations, that night, seven princes including Duan Xuan, Li Kan, Candidate, Ma Wan, Yang Qiu, Zhang Heng, and Liang Xing secretly met in Duan Xuan's handsome tent and began to secretly discuss this matter.
The starry sky outside the tent was dotted with stars, but the atmosphere deep inside the tent was as cold as frost.
"Everyone, we brothers are gathered here today. We are all family members. There is no need to pretend to be confused. I just want to ask, have you all received the letter sent by the Yuan family?" Duan Xuan's tone. Neither plain nor bland, neither cold nor hot, it didn't sound like talking about major military matters at all, but more like chatting about everyday things.
Among the others, you looked at me and I looked at you. Although they didn't say anything, they all nodded slightly in an instant.
Duan Xuan paused for a moment, then continued: "General, I don't know what Yuan said in his letter to you, but what he wrote to me stated that the Guanzhong Allied Forces went north to fight. In fact, it was just Ma Chao and Cao Cao. The two sides of the clan have united to reduce our power and to integrate all the lands in Guanzhong."
Everyone's faces turned dark when they heard this, but they heard Li Kan speak slowly: "The content of Yuan's letter to Duke Duan is almost the same as..." It said, "The place in Guanzhong" , the feudal lords have been separated for a long time, and have been in trouble in the west of the Central Plains. Cao Cao has long wanted to unify, but he has been fighting with Hebei and has been unable to make a move. This time he united with us to go north to Hedong, which is an opportunity to weaken our forces. Yuan Xi of Hebei Province seems to have been involved in the planning."
Ma Wan raised the corner of his mouth slightly and said curiously: "The content written in the official letter is roughly the same as a certain person, but this statement is full of loopholes and many strange things. Just imagine that the Ma family and Cao Cao are uniting, how can there be Yuan ’s participation? You must know that what we are attacking now is the territory of Hebei overlord Yuan Xi! How can any of my own people plot their own territory? It’s simply ridiculous!”
Duan Yan sighed and said: "I also asked the envoy who came to my tent for this reason. He said that Cao Cao had secretly communicated with Yuan before sending troops. He said that if Yuan was willing to pretend to be the opposite, Instead of jointly weakening the power of the princes in Guanzhong like us, both sides not only temporarily put aside their past grudges, but stopped fighting for three years."
Li Kan couldn't help but snorted coldly when he heard this, and said: "No wonder Yuan Jun resisted to the death and defended the camp as soon as we sent out troops, but as soon as Ma Chao sent out troops, he abandoned his helmets and armor and fled, but there is such a fishy layer in it. .....It’s just that since the Yuan family was involved in it, why did they break their covenant and inform us? What kind of calculation is this? It’s very suspicious!”
Liang Xing thought for a while and said: "This statement is full of loopholes. I suspect it is Yuan Jun's plan to divorce!"
Yang Qiu rolled his eyes and said thoughtfully: "That's not necessarily true. What kind of person is Cao Cao? He is a treacherous man in this world! Trading with him is like seeking the skin of a tiger, and the Yuan family and him are inherently incompatible. The great hatred of annihilation! It is reasonable to wake up this time."
Zhang Heng thought for a while and said: "Everyone, I have an idea. According to the previous news, a group of soldiers suddenly appeared in Guanzhong and caused trouble everywhere in our jurisdiction. Everyone said that it was arranged by the Yuan family. We But I don’t take it seriously! Just imagine, even if the Yuan family is so great! How can he send an army to Guanzhong under our noses? It’s just a joke, and this army just keeps harming us, and has never harassed us at all. Chen Gong and Ma Teng belong to the territory, and their behavior is suspicious, could it be..."
"Is it possible that these soldiers and horses are not members of the Yuan family at all, but are actually soldiers and horses sent by Chen Gong and the Ma family in disguise! But they put a shit basin on the Yuan family for no reason?" However, some candidates from the princes opened their mouths. He said what Zhang Heng wanted to say.
"Of course!"
“…..”
All the princes were talking about it. You guessed it, I said something, rambling here and there. One moment they said it was Yuan's plan to alienate them, and the next moment they thought Ma Chao and Chen Gong had created some stumbling block in the middle to harm them. After discussing it for a long time, no one came up with the reason.
Everyone was tired from chattering and noisy, and finally focused their attention on Duan Xuan.
Duan Xuan was from a famous family, and his army, horses, and territory were more prosperous than those of other princes. Therefore, he had the vague appearance of a leader among the people.
But Duan Xuan thought for a long time, and finally slammed the table and said: "Everyone, according to Duan's wishes, it doesn't matter whether this is Yuan's divorce plan or not. The important thing is! Now Ma Chao has fought many times. Repeated victories, repeated victories, and strong appreciation, deeply appreciated by Chen Gong! However, I sent out troops several times, but we lost our troops and generals. Instead, we ended up with a thankless end. If this continues, sooner or later, the elite in our hands will be defeated. Use up..."
Liang Xing was stunned when he heard this and said, "What does Mr. Duan mean?"
"No matter whether the Yuan family is true or not, whether it is a estrangement or a sincere persuasion, this battle is meaningless to us! There is no benefit at all. We might as well just sit back and watch. On the one hand, we send people to ask for peace with the Yuan family. On the other hand, Adhere to the garrison and deal with Chen Gong hypocritically and treacherously. Neither helps nor offends both. Preserving one's own strength is the right way! Between Yuan Jun and Chen Gong, Ma Chao, whoever loves him will win, and whoever loves him will win. Anyway, it is with us. It doesn’t matter anymore! Let them fight like tigers and wolves!”
The candidate nodded his head loudly when he heard this and said: "Mr. Duan's words are very good! It doesn't matter whether the wolf eats the tiger or the tiger eats the wolf, whoever eats it gets it!"
"Yes! Just do it!"
"I agree!"
"Damn, after fighting so many battles, there is no benefit at all! Just losing troops and generals will completely drain my family fortune!"
"According to what you said, I don't care about this battle!"
Yuan Jun's stronghold is in command.
Yuan Xi looked at Zhang Liao, Zhao Yun and Xu Chu with a smile, and asked: "Have all the letters been sent out?"
Hearing this, Zhang Liao cupped his hands and said: "I have given away everything that should be given away, but this countermeasure may not be effective. Those princes are all the masters of one party anyway, and they may not be able to do so just because of these few words from the Lord." Turn against us..."
Yuan Xi waved his hand and said without hesitation: "Wrong, it's not a counter-insurgency plan, it's a provocative plan! Each of these princes is selfish. It's impossible for them to abandon Cao Cao and join us. , the biggest effect of my move is to create a fog for them, making them jealous of Chen Gong and Ma Chao, and adopt the strategy of sitting on the sidelines and not helping each other. This is enough."
Didn’t you see that during the Korean War, when Marshal Peng Dehuai attacked Rhee Syngman, didn’t the United Nations Army do the same thing?
After saying that, Yuan Xi looked up at the three of them and said: "As I expected, Chen Gong will definitely send horses to fight again tomorrow. This horse has already defeated six of our army's camps without a single blow. I must be very proud of it." It's very good. But now that the princes have been alienated, we should fight back appropriately. We can't let the boy named Ma be too arrogant and spoil the child easily."
Zhang Liao woke up immediately after hearing this and said hurriedly: "What do you mean, my lord?"
"Tomorrow Ma Chao will attack. We will fight with all our strength... Including the Xianden Camp, Guards Camp, and Xiaoqi Camp in the hands of the three of you. How capable you are! Give me all of Ma Chao's Xiliang cavalry. Put it down!"
Zhao Yun, Zhang Liao, and Xu Chu are all bloody people. They have been bullied by the Xiliang army many times in the past few days. They have already suppressed the evil fire. Now when they heard Yuan Xi's words, they were overjoyed.
However, Gao Rou knew Yuan Xi well and thought for a while and said: "My lord, you have spent so much effort and now you are willing to let us use all our strength to deal with Ma Chao. I'm afraid you have some back-up plan? Anyway, let's get down to business." Now that we’ve reached this point, you might as well speak up and listen!”
"Haha." Yuan Xi chuckled and said: "It's not a dirty trick, it's just a battle in the future. If we defeat the Xiliang cavalry, they will definitely ask Chen Gong and the rest of the Guanzhong coalition for help. Now the Guanzhong princes If I had to provoke him, if nothing unexpected happened, he would definitely sit back and watch, no matter how dark the sky was and the blood flowed like rivers, he would not be moved... Just imagine that with Ma Chao's temperament, he would lose the battle and still not get the support of his allies. How can we just give up and give up? I guess I will have to fight with the princes of Guanzhong when I turn around!"
Some people think that Chen Gong suddenly became mentally retarded, which does not match his intelligence. Yes, that is true, but Chen Gong is suitable to be a counselor, but now that he has become a feudal official and commander-in-chief, his judgment has deteriorated. Being disturbed by other things, this is the situation.
Some people are suitable for counselors, some are suitable for commanders, some are suitable for lords, and some are suitable for generals. However, after their positions suddenly change, not everyone can control the new role.
