Zhang Lu sent Yang Song, the great wine-winner, to gather reinforcements, and ordered his younger brother Zhang Wei to go to Yangping Pass to resist the enemy.
At the same time, official documents were sent to various counties to recruit soldiers, horses, food and grass, and various charity houses issued edicts to summon believers and lay people to fight against the Xiliang army in an all-round way.
Since Dong Zhuo's chaos in Guanzhong, many people have fled to Hanzhong to avoid the chaos. Zhang Lu has influenced everyone with his teachings, and the people are happy.
After finally living a stable life, when they heard that the enemy was invading, everyone was angry and responded to resist the enemy. Within half a month, 50,000 people gathered.
Zhang Lu ordered General Yang Ang to select 10,000 strong men and send them to Yangping Pass. He also selected 20,000 soldiers to be trained in Baozhong and Mianyang. The remaining candidates were organized into logistics and were responsible for transporting grain and patrolling, and actively preparing for war.
Zhang Wei led his troops to Yangping Pass and set up more than a dozen camps on the mountains on both sides of the pass, close to the mountains and forests, to support each other and prepare to face the Xiliang army.
When the camp was established, the Xiliang army was still not coming. Zhang Wei was confused and sent scouts along the mountain to investigate, but they reported that the Xiliang army was moving slowly, only traveling four or five miles a day, and they were grazing along the mountain, cutting grass and feeding their horses.
Deputy General Yang Ren laughed and said: "I heard that Cao Cao ordered Ma Teng to attack Hanzhong last year, but it has been delayed until now because of insufficient food and grass. Even though Chang'an shipped a batch of food and grass, it may not be of any use. The Xiliang army actually went on the road to feed the horses. It is not a worry."
Zhang Weiyan said: "Soldiers never tire of deceit. Be careful that Ma Teng does it deliberately. We will strengthen inspections in each village to make sure there are no mistakes."
Two days later, the detective horse came to report that no one was seen on the mountain road, and the Xiliang army retreated to disperse.
Zhang Wei became more and more frightened and doubted, "Could it be that Ma Teng retreated when he saw the danger of Yangping Pass?"
Yang Ren sneered coldly: "Is it possible that the troops and horses have not arrived but the food and grass have been exhausted? This Ma Teng is also a man who has been fighting for a long time. He made such a big mistake. Wouldn't the world laugh at him?"
"Could it be?" Zhang Wei's face changed slightly and he said in a deep voice: "General, do you still remember that on the day when the troops were dispatched, a large wine and incense were burned in the city to worship? Could it be that the master showed his power and frightened the Xiliang army back?"
"This..." Yang Ren frowned. He did not dare to comment on this kind of thing, and sighed: "If this is true, Hanzhong will be a pure land in troubled times!"
Zhang Wei was refreshed and immediately ordered people to report the news to Zhang Lu. At the same time, he sent scouts along the mountain to inquire about the news and closely monitored the movements of the Xiliang army.
In fact, Ma Teng had already withdrawn his troops when Hanzhong was fully preparing for war. Some of his elite troops were hidden in Sanguan, and some of them returned to Chencang overnight to recharge their batteries and wait for news from Chang'an.
The soldiers and horses on Chencang Road were all old and weak remnants and some old horses and foals. The soldiers were bluffing and seemed to be marching, but in fact they were no different from herding animals in ordinary times.
On this day, it was discovered that Cao Hong had captured Taohuayi and was about to attack Wuguan. Ma Teng knew that the time had come. The father and son organized the three armies after dark and were well fed and ready.
Wait until the third watch, imitate the Qiang cavalry tactics, one person and two horses, alternately advance forward, and go straight to Chang'an to kill.
From the east of Chencang to Chang'an, there is a vast plain. Across Fufeng is Huaili, Ma Teng's fiefdom. Someone has been secretly assisting him for a long time. After a short rest, the troops divided into three groups to surround the city of Chang'an.
Until this time, it was not yet completely dark, and the garrison on the city was drowsy. They were awakened by the sudden sound of horse hooves and hurriedly beat the drums.
Zhong Yao is working hard in the house. He is nearly sixty years old and has no children. It is really stressful.
A few days ago, I just found a strange recipe from the Taoist Master of Zhongnan Mountain. I tried it with two maids. I was shocked when I heard the sound of the drum and almost collapsed.
He hurriedly put on his clothes and went out, only to see his own soldiers coming to report that the Xiliang army had arrived. Zhong Yao staggered and realized that the situation was extremely serious.
By the time he was dressed neatly and rushed from the government office to the west gate in a sedan, it was already dark. Zhang Ji, Zhong Jin and others were all on the city, and the defenders looked panicked.
When Zhang saw Zhong Yao coming, he cursed: "Ma Teng is a thief who turned back and wanted to take Chang'an. He is really feeding an unfamiliar white-eyed wolf."
Zhong Yao came to the top of the city to watch, and saw the mighty Xiliang army, with restless cavalry all over the mountains and plains, and the neighing of war horses rising and falling like river waves.
Zhong Yao said loudly: "General Ma, I have appointed you as the prefect of Hanzhong. If you don't go out and take up the post now, I will attack Chang'an instead. What do you mean?"
Ma Teng immediately raised his gun and cursed: "Old thief Zhong Yao, you are determined to harm me. Ma Mou vows to take revenge. If you open the city quickly, you may avoid death. If I kill you in the city, you will not die." Don’t leave any armor behind.”
Zhong Yao sighed and said, "General Ma, there must be a misunderstanding here. Can you temporarily withdraw your troops and horses? I will send someone to the camp to meet and discuss it carefully?"
"Fart!" Ma Teng said angrily: "You and Zhang Ji have repeatedly planned to harm me. They first tricked me into going to Beijing to meet the saint, and they wanted to be a hostage. When the plan failed, they also used a borrowed knife to kill people. They really thought that Ma was three years old. Not a child?"
Zhong Yao advised: "Since the general is loyal and good, he should be as determined as the prime minister to fight against rebellion and protect the emperor. But now he has rebelled. Don't ruin your reputation for a lifetime just because of a momentary mood."
"Hahaha, Cao Cao, a thief who oppresses the emperor, is different from Dong Zhuo?" Ma Teng laughed up to the sky and yelled: "Since I received the clothes and belt order, I have sworn to punish the thief. Unfortunately, Dong Cheng has died, Xuande has been killed, and the world's Qinwang I am the only one here, Ma Teng. I am just trying to show my ancestor's ambition and kill you and other rebellious ministers and traitors. Don't talk too much, and quickly open the city."
Seeing that his persuasion to retreat was fruitless, Zhong Yao turned around and asked, "Is there anyone who can fight?"
Zhang Ji sighed: "All the men and horses have been transferred away by General Cao. Ma Teng must have found out the news and came prepared. I have ordered people to report the news to General Cao, but I am afraid..."
Zhong Yao looked solemnly, pointed at the enemy troops under the city, looked at Zhong Jin, and cursed: "The dog has really misled me. You previously inquired about the reality of the Xiliang army and said that Ma Teng and his son were grateful. How can you explain this?"
Zhong Jin was already confused at this time, and he hid behind the city wall with a guilty conscience and did not dare to answer.
Zhang Ji said: "Ma Teng is an old wolf who treats us kindly, but harbors evil intentions. It is not entirely his fault that General Zhong was deceived by him. The top priority is to discuss how to resist the enemy."
Zhong Yao took a deep breath and said: "Although no one can go out to fight against the enemy, Chang'an is the imperial capital. The city walls are strong and the trenches are deep. Ma Teng leads the cavalry to attack at a gallop and cannot attack the city. There are enough grain, grass and equipment in the city, and they can be summoned With all the officers and soldiers and able-bodied people guarding the city, General Cao will be able to rush back in three or two days. Ma Teng will retreat if he is attacked from both sides."
Zhang Ji immediately ordered the entire army to defend the city, carry equipment, and prepare arrows and other supplies. Across the wide moat, the Xiliang army was helpless and could only wander and shout in the distance.
Ma Teng and his son each surrounded a gate, leaving only the east gate for the defenders to escape. Unexpectedly, after waiting all morning, they found that the city gate was tightly closed and motionless.
Ma Teng ordered his cavalry to fire arrows, but to no avail. When it got dark, they could not even touch the gate of Chang'an City. After a brief panic, the defenders gradually calmed down.
Ma Teng summoned his two sons to discuss: "We attacked Chang'an by surprise and took the city by surprise. However, Zhong Yao's thieves are as stable as an old dog and cannot be attacked in a hurry. Cao's army will arrive in ten days. What should we do?"
The three of them were at a loss when Ma Xiu suddenly said: "When Sun Qian left, he left his father a bag of tips. Why not open it and take a look."
Ma Teng could no longer care about face at this time and hurriedly said: "Take it out quickly!"
Ma Xiu took out the brocade bag, and Ma Teng grabbed it and opened it. He glanced at it, patted his thigh and said with a smile, "I see, Chang'an will definitely belong to me!"
