Xu Shu did not stop him. If there was such a big commotion, the enemy troops at the foot of the mountain would come soon. Ma Chao from Wuquan Mountain was nowhere to be seen. No one could guess who did it.
At this time, we are out of the heavy siege. Leaving a message can also deter the enemy, making them frightened and restless, but it can also relieve their hatred.
Everyone collected weapons and equipment in the tent, while Ma Chao and others changed into Qiang clothes, took food supplies, and immediately left Shichengguan and went down the mountain to Taoshui.
At dawn, everyone rested in a mountain col. Xu Shu said: "Cao's army will soon learn the news. Anticipating our retreat to the south, they will increase their troops from various places and fortify themselves nearby. Today they must cross the Tao River and enter the territory of Panhan. The army will Then you can’t catch up.”
Ma Chao frowned and said, "To go to Taoshui from here, you have to pass through Madi Pass. I'm afraid it's difficult to pass."
Ma Dai asked: "Can we take a detour?"
Ma Chao shook his head and said: "These mountains are rugged with strange rocks, with cut-off valleys and cliffs. They are overgrown with thorns and poisonous insects and beasts. It is difficult for horses to move even an inch. Even the Qiang people dare not enter easily and cannot take risks."
Xu Shu said: "If you take a detour, you will be overtaken by the pursuers again and fall into siege. The only way is to pretend to be reinforcements and sneak into the pass."
Ma Chao looked down at his outfit and said in surprise: "It turns out that sir has a plan!"
Xu Shu nodded and said: "Look for a hiding place after coming down the mountain. Rest for half a day. Someone will go to report the news. We will go later and we will be able to get through."
Pang De frowned and said, "With less than a hundred reinforcements, are they too few?"
"There are only more than 300 people at Shicheng Pass!" Xu Shu took out a Cao Jun token and said with a smile: "We only call them outpost scouts, as long as they can enter the city."
Everyone was relieved and praised Xu Shu for taking precautions. After taking a short rest, they went down the mountain. When they arrived at a flat land, one person and two horses changed horses and galloped. After approaching Horseshoe Bay, they recharged their energy again.
The Tao River flows from south to north and flows into the Yellow River. Here it turns to the northwest and forms a large bay shaped like a horseshoe. The Horseshoe Pass is built on the bank, and the Qiang Hu territory is on the opposite bank.
The banks of the Taoshui River are wide and the water is fierce. Only Horseshoe Bay has gentle water. If you want to cross the river, you can only pass through here. There were merchants coming and going first, and over time, a pass was formed.
When I arrived at Horseshoe Bay in the evening, I saw a gate with repaired earthen walls, enclosing Horseshoe Bay in an arc. There were three sentry towers on the wall, mainly to deal with attacks by Qiang and bandits.
Everyone stopped more than ten feet away, and the garrison had already noticed it. Seeing that it was Cao Jun in disguise, they were not too nervous.
Ma Chao and others were already familiar with the habits of the Qiang people. When they changed their clothes, they couldn't tell the difference from a distance. Xu Shu and others were still wearing Cao's army armor, and they were a mixture of Han and Hu, similar to the recent patrol team.
Ma Le took the sheepskin book and went to the gate first and shouted: "We are ordered to come to support, open and close the door quickly."
A black-faced guard stood behind the door and asked, "Whose subordinates are you? Do you have the token documents?"
"We are subordinates of General Yan!" Ma Le raised his token and shouted: "General Yan ordered us to report first, and the army will arrive soon. He told you to get ready, why don't you open the door?"
The guard general heard that he was from Yan Xing's tribe. He was Han Sui's son-in-law, so he didn't dare to neglect him. But he had just received an order from General Han Sui. Why? "Just now, General Han sent an order. Ma Chao has escaped from Jincheng and is heading south. He may pass by Horseshoe Bay, we are told to strictly defend, no one is allowed to pass without General Han's order."
Ma Le said angrily: "You bastard, General Han was worried about Ma Chao escaping to Horseshoe Bay, so he ordered General Yan to come and guard him personally. Can you bear the neglect of General Yan?"
Seeing Ma Le's arrogant words, the guard leaned out to observe carefully, but still couldn't see clearly, so he ordered someone to put down the bamboo basket and asked him to put the token inside for inspection.
Ma's heart sank. This token belonged to the Xiliang Governor's Department. Just now, in order to bluff, he pretended to be a subordinate of Yan Xing. If he were to take it up, wouldn't it reveal his secret?
"Grandma, you're blind, wait!" Ma Le shouted, before retreating to discuss with Xu Shu and others.
Xu Shu said: "There is no way out at this time. I handed over the token first and said that for the convenience of dispatch, I changed the Liangzhou governor's token. If it doesn't work... General Ma shoots the man first to intimidate the defenders to open the door." .”
The two brothers took the order, dismounted and walked towards the city. Everyone looked nervous and tightened their grip gradually. Ma Chao even held the long bow tightly, followed Ma Le and stared at the people on the city.
At this moment, drums suddenly sounded from the Guanqiang Archery Tower. Everyone looked back and saw a large army coming quickly along the river. Sand and dust were rolling along the river. Countless birds were frightened and circling. It was Cao's army and horses.
Pang De's expression changed drastically, he clenched his sword and said in a deep voice: "Reinforcements have arrived, we can only fight to the death."
Xu Shu's eyes were slightly gleaming, and he signaled everyone not to act rashly. He urged his horse to the city, and shouted: "General Yan has arrived. If you don't open the door, you may not be able to eat and walk around."
Seeing that the reinforcements were coming, the guard general had no doubts anymore. Knowing that Yan Xing was ruthless, he hurriedly shouted: "Quick, open the door, open the door!"
Squeaky--
The heavy wooden door slowly opened. Ma Chao and Ma Le took a deep breath and turned around immediately.
Xu Shu shouted in a low voice: "The plan has changed, seize the level immediately!"
The two got on their horses and called on everyone to urge the horses into the city. Ma Chao and Pang De were the first to open the way, while Ma Dai and Xu Shu broke off and guarded the door.
The guard was running down the wall in a hurry, preparing to greet Ma Le and say something nice, so that Yan Xing wouldn't suffer if he said a few words when he came to the city later.
As soon as they got off the tower, they saw Ma Chao rushing towards him. The tiger-headed gun shook, and with the sound of breaking wind, he pierced his chest and threw it up. He still had a flattering smile on his face before he died.
The defenders in the pass were completely stunned. Before they could react, Pang De had already led his troops in and charged back and forth in the pass. A big knife flew left and right, and there was no enemy in sight.
Pang De and others suddenly launched an attack, and the defenders were caught off guard. They didn't even have time to pick up weapons to resist. In front of the two wolf-like generals, it didn't make much difference whether they had weapons or not.
At this time, the army was only one mile away from the pass. Ma Dai, who was behind him, closed the door tightly and led ten people to charge up the pass wall, killing the defenders and causing them to run away in panic.
Xu Shu directed the remaining people to shout: "Move the corpses and debris and block the door!"
Ma Dai led his men to guard the critical moment, while Xu Shu ordered the soldiers to carry the corpses and debris, pile them all into the corridor, and block the door tightly.
Xu Shu quickly ran to the port behind the pass. Suddenly his feet stopped and he frowned: "The ship has been sailed away!"
Ma Chao was coming from behind to kill the scattered defenders and shouted: "Where is the boat?"
Several trembling soldiers at the port replied: "Today we sent an order to increase the number of defenders. The ship will go to the other side to transport grain and we will not return until tomorrow."
Xu Shu asked anxiously: "Is there a boat?"
Those people shook their heads. Ma Chao was furious, jumped off his horse, drew his sword and hacked all of them to death.
Rumble——
The sound of horse hooves was like muffled thunder, the ground trembled, and reinforcements were approaching the city.
Ma Chao mounted his horse again, pointed his gun and shouted: "I'll fight them!"
