In the evening, three thousand Cao's troops suddenly came from the direction of Kunyang. Without any explanation, they rushed into Ye County, defeated the security forces stationed by Liu Qi, and took control of the city.
The caravan didn't know what was going on, and people who usually had evil intentions took the opportunity to plunder. The city was in chaos, and many people fled in a panic.
Xia Houmao brought Cao Tai into the government office and said with a smile: "Ziming, I will help you win Ye County this time, so you owe me another favor."
Cao Tai frowned and said: "Although our two armies have not agreed to a truce, Liu Qi gave up Ye County. There are many people from aristocratic families here who rush in and they may be blamed."
Xia Houmao sneered and said: "When the two countries are fighting, the soldiers are always deceitful. Liu Qi is already attacking Liangzhou, so what favors can be left? Ye County is the throat of the Central Plains. Only by taking this city can we secure Xuchang."
Cao Tai said angrily: "You first said that there were enemy troops seizing the city, and then I led the troops. Doesn't this make me infamous? Where are the enemy troops?"
Xia Houmao advised: "Ziming, please be patient. My news in Jingzhou is always correct. Guan Yu is indeed here."
Cao Tai snorted slightly. If Xia Houmao hadn't provided important information several times before, he would never have sent out troops. This time, he risked sending troops without asking for orders.
If Jingzhou did not send troops, it would not only violate military orders, but also get poked in the back. People of all kinds gathered in Ye County, including children of aristocratic families and even people in the court.
Destroying this place will cut off everyone's financial resources and will also trigger war. Who would dare to act rashly unless it is absolutely necessary?
While he was talking, suddenly the defenders called out urgently, and Guan Yu indeed led his troops to the city.
"Look, I'm really here. How could I lie to you?" Xia Houmao had a bit of joy on his face.
However, Cao Tai looked solemn and immediately sent someone to report to Zhang Liao for help. Guan Yu personally sent troops, most likely to invade the Central Plains.
The two of them quickly came to the city and saw a group of people standing under the sunset. There were only five hundred people. Guan Yu stood up with his sword drawn, his three-foot-long beard fluttering in the evening wind, and looked sideways at the defenders on the city.
Seeing the generals appearing on the city, Guan Ping stepped forward and shouted: "Xiahou Mao, if you dare to insult my father, come down to the city and die immediately."
Xiahou Mao laughed and said, "After I am Xiahou Ying, am I still not worthy of your sister? It was you and my son who deceived me first, I am just reciprocating!"
Guan Ping raised his sword and cursed: "Xiahou Mao, do you dare to go out of the city to fight?"
Xia Houmao held on to the city wall and said coldly: "I don't dare, what can you do to me?"
Guan Ping was furious, urged his horse to circle twice, and asked, "Who in the city dares to attack Ye County?"
Cao Tai cupped his fists and said, "General Guan, are you okay?"
"Cao Tai?" Guan Ping said coldly: "When the three of you arrived in Xiangyang, how kind did Mr. Liu treat us? In order to facilitate the exchange of people between the two places, we specially gave way to Ye County. Why did you send troops to attack?"
Cao Tai clasped his fists and said, "General Guan is coming to raise his troops. How can we not be prepared?"
Guan Pingyan said: "Xiahou Mao made arrogant remarks. I will only seek to settle accounts with him today. Hand over this son if you are wise and withdraw your troops as soon as possible!"
Xia Houmao shouted: "Guan Ping, you and your son are here to station in Ye County. Stop talking sweet words. We are not three-year-olds."
Guan Yu suddenly rode his horse to the bottom of the city and said in a deep voice: "Mr. land!"
Seeing Guan Yu's murderous intent, Xia Houmao was frightened and took half a step back. He forced a smile and said, "You came to settle accounts with me. Why did you bring so many soldiers?"
Guan Yu stroked his beard and sneered: "These five hundred school swordsmen are a certain bodyguard. They will not take action."
Xia Houmao shouted: "Guan Yunchang, don't say more, we just took Ye County, what can you do to me?"
"Guan has always convinced people with virtue. He is polite before fighting. Don't regret it." Guan Yu glanced at Cao's army on the city with cold eyes and led his men away.
Xia Houmao pointed at the men and horses who disappeared into the night, laughed and said: "Fortunately, Ziming arrived in time, Guan Yu's treacherous plan failed to succeed, and he returned home in vain."
"How can war be a child's play?" Cao Tai frowned and said, "Now the people in Runan dare not act rashly, they must be wary. If you two provoke a war in the Central Plains because of your personal grudges, and General Zhang rushes to meet the enemy, wouldn't you and I be immortal? sinner?"
"Don't you hear that those who strike first will control others?" Xiahou Mao said with a smile: "Our army has taken the advantage in this battle. When Guan Yu goes back to mobilize his troops, General Zhang's troops have already captured Ye County. This battle will happen sooner or later. If we want to fight, if we can attack Nanyang in one fell swoop, Ziming will be the first to win!"
Cao Tai felt a little reckless at this time, but the war had already begun and there was no way out, so he had to order soldiers to guard the city and wait for reinforcements.
Arrangements were made for An Hou to come to Xia Houmao to discuss matters, but they saw that his house was in a mess. The servants and maids were all busy packing their things, packing large and small bags in the car, as if they were moving.
Cao Tai hurried to the hall and saw Xia Houmao ordering someone to put a huge stone into a box. He was surprised and said: "Zilin, what are you doing?"
Xia Houmao dusted off the dust, pointed at the huge courtyard and said with a smile: "My dear brother, I came at the right time. I specially set aside this place for you to use!"
"You want to leave?" Cao Tai's eyes widened.
Xiahou Mao sighed: "My dear brother is a general. He has the power to lead troops and make achievements. Now I am just a white man. What's the use of staying here?"
Cao Tai said displeased: "This matter happened because of you, but you left overnight. How can I report it to General Zhang?"
"The war is about to start, and I can no longer participate in it!" Xia Houmao picked up an envelope on the table and handed it over: "This is a one-million-dollar ticket from Hanyuan Bank. Keep it well..."
"What do I need the money for?" Cao Tai was furious, knocked the envelope on the ground, and shouted: "You are not allowed to leave. This matter must be explained to General Zhang first."
"There are still people who don't like money?" Xia Houmao shook his head and sighed, leaning over to pick up the envelope.
Before I even got up, I heard someone outside shouting that there was a fire. He went to the door and cursed: "Which bastard is so careless? I have ebony furniture here from South Vietnam. Can you afford to pay for it if it's burned?"
Dangdangdang——
Not only were there shouts in the backyard, but the sound of gongs also sounded in the streets. People shouted to put out the fire. In the blink of an eye, the sky turned red and fires broke out everywhere.
The two people hurriedly went out and saw chaos on the street. After dark, some people started to smear people, set fire to them, and take advantage of the chaos to rob.
"Quickly, send troops to Hanyuan Bank!" Xia Houmao urged Cao Tai with two flames in his eyes: "There are a lot of money tickets there, grab them and we'll give them away, hahaha——"
Cao Tai pushed Xiahou Mao away and issued an order: "Seal all streets immediately and no fire fighting is allowed. Anyone who dares to make trouble and run away will be killed without mercy!"
Cao's army immediately mobilized to maintain order on the street. Xia Houmao rushed over, pointed at the tallest building and cried: "Put out the fire, put out the fire quickly, that's my building!"
Cao Tai couldn't care about this. People of all colors from the three religions and nine streams gathered in the city, just waiting to take advantage of this chaos. If it was not stopped in time, it would definitely lead to chaos.
"Report——" At this moment, the defenders came to report: "General, something bad happened. Someone escaped and opened the west gate, and Guan Yu came in."
"What? Guan Guan Guan..." Xia Houmao's expression changed drastically and he sat down on the ground.
"What's the use of closing the door? Get out quickly!" Cao Tai was shocked and retreated without saying a word to greet his troops.
