When the two armies were fighting in Jigu, Zhang Yi led his troops into Taibaidao. As a precaution, Liu Qi sent Chen Shi as his deputy to follow him.
The two entered the valley and walked along the way. They saw cliffs and cut off roads. In some places, they could only cross the river valley. It would be difficult to pass unless it was frozen in winter.
After entering the valley for more than ten miles, Zhang Yi found traces of people trampling on them, and the footprints became newer and newer. Zhang Yi saw that the valley ahead was winding and dense with pines and cypresses.
Discussed with Chen Shi: "The terrain ahead is difficult and there are many trees. An ambush may be here. You need to be careful. I will explore the road ahead and the general will follow up."
Chen Shi nodded and said: "If you encounter an ambush, the general will charge and kill them for a while and then leave. Act according to your plan."
The two of them had discussed and decided to divide their soldiers and horses into two teams. They walked carefully forward and backward, turned around two valleys, and were crossing the river on the ice. Suddenly, drums sounded loudly on the cliff, and arrows were fired.
Cao Jun's ambush appeared, and a general laughed and said: "You want to take advantage of the situation, but you don't know the clever plan of our military advisor. You will not be able to escape today."
Chen Shi hurriedly ordered his soldiers to retreat, and Zhang Yi led troops from the front to rescue. However, Cao's army was tightly deployed and arrows were fired from high places. The Han army could not withstand it and was isolated on both sides of the river valley, unable to save each other.
Xia Houwei marched in the valley for a long time and chose this place to set up an ambush on the advice of several veterans. As expected, he succeeded and won for the first time. He couldn't help but be happy.
Zhang Yi shouted: "The rats only know how to sneak attack, but do they dare to fight me?"
Xia Houwei was furious and wanted to go down the mountain to fight, but was persuaded by his own soldiers to stop him. He only fired arrows from a high place and threw down rocks. It was not until the enemy army was defeated and fled that they rushed down the hillside.
At this time, Chen Shi saw that the situation was not good and had already led the remaining troops back to the original route. Zhang Yi fought for a while and fled deeper into the valley with only a few hundred people.
Xia Houwei still wanted to pursue him, but his soldiers advised him: "Hundreds of people have fled, and there are still wild beasts along the way. Even if they get to Chencang, it will be useless. Don't risk chasing them."
Along the way into the mountains, several pathfinding soldiers were killed. Xia Houwei knew that the road was dangerous and was eager to go back to show his merit, so he sent an order to retreat.
This battle was a complete victory, and everyone in Cao's army was happy, chatting and laughing all the way. Xia Houwei was also high-spirited, thinking that he would be able to lead the army alone this time and share his father's worries.
When they were about to leave the valley, they saw countless large trees cut down on the cliff path ahead, along with boulders and sand blocking the way.
Xia Houwei sneered and said: "This must have been the moment when our troops entered the valley to prevent the pursuers from blocking the road. Little did we know that we got there first and cut off our retreat."
So just as he was sending people forward to clear the obstacles, a veteran suddenly exclaimed: "No, if the way is blocked, why don't we see those deserters just now?"
Xia Houwei was startled, and before he could react, suddenly wood and rocks fell from the cliff, and arrows were fired. Countless people were hit by arrows and fell. There was actually an ambush hidden here.
Cao Jun hid in the corner of the cliff. Xia Houwei drew his sword and shouted: "Where are the rats?"
"Hahaha, that's not what you said during the ambush earlier!" A burst of laughter came from behind.
When Xia Houwei hurriedly turned around, he saw the person he had just stolen following him on the way. The way forward was cut off, and he gritted his teeth and yelled: "Kill back!"
Seeing that there was no way forward, Cao's army rushed to break out of the encirclement. Xia Houwei took the lead and fought hard. There were only more than 300 pursuers who were intercepted. They could break through by killing them.
When the two sides were fighting to the death, Chen Shi led the ambush troops to attack from behind. Cao's army was attacked from both sides and was completely in chaos.
Zhang Yi had a strong figure in the mountains, leaping and leaping among the rocks. He came to Xia Houwei and slashed at him several times. He was so frightened that he retreated backwards and accidentally stepped on a crack in the rocks and fell.
"Don't even move!" Zhang Yi put the knife on Xia Houwei's neck and shouted sharply.
Cao's troops were all shocked when they saw this, and stopped in the valley one after another. Chen Shi led his troops to surround them.
Zhang Yi sneered and said: "You set up an ambush here first, thinking you had a plan, but unexpectedly, my lord had already learned the news and deliberately sent us here to fake defeat, just to capture Xia Houwei."
Xia Houwei was shocked and angry, and shouted: "Who leaked the news?"
Zhang Yi laughed and said: "Yanfeng camp is pervasive and omnipresent. Every move you make is under the control of Mr. Liu."
Xia Houwei was shocked and said: "Impossible, this is absolutely impossible!"
Zhang Yi smiled coldly, glanced at Cao Jun and said: "My lord has always been merciful and did not kill the prisoners because you are also the subjects of the Han Dynasty. Today, I will release you to the stronghold and send a message to Xiahou Yuan to tell him to be aware of the current affairs. You can no longer help Zhou to do evil, so that you can do it yourself!"
Cao Jun looked at each other, not knowing whether to be happy or worried for a moment. Thanking him was obviously inappropriate. He wanted to save people but was unable to do anything. They were all stunned.
Xiahou Wei shouted angrily: "A scholar can be killed but not humiliated. I, a descendant of Xiahou, will never be afraid of death. If you have the ability, you can kill me."
"Young man, don't be too arrogant!" Zhang Yi waved his hand, and the soldiers came forward to tie him up, covered his mouth and held him aside.
Chen Shi ordered Cao's troops to put down their weapons and remove obstacles on the road. Zhang Yi escorted Xia Houwei away first and stayed until dusk before quickly retreating.
Cao Jun was still in shock. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the enemy did not kill them. At this time, all their weapons and armor were taken away, and there was nothing they could do, so they had to return to the camp overnight to report the news.
The defeated army fled back to Jigu and reported what happened to Taibaidao. Xun You was shocked, only to realize that Liu Qi had already made a plan to use hostages as threats. He rushed to the front camp overnight to discuss with Xia Houyuan.
Xia Houyuan was worried about attacking the mountain stronghold these days. Liu Qi did not come to rob the camp, but the defense on the mountain was impregnable, so there was nothing he could do.
I was inspecting the camp at night and had just fallen asleep when I heard that Xun You was coming to see me. I hurriedly put on my clothes and came to the tent. When I heard the news, I felt as if I had been struck by thunder. I stood there motionless.
Xun You sighed: "I blame my carelessness for not expecting Liu Qi to take advantage of his plan and make a big mistake. Fortunately, Liu Qi has always been kind to his captives. He just loves money. I will definitely try my best to redeem the young master."
Having learned from Cao Ren, Xiahou Dun and others, although Xun You was nervous, he was not too worried. As long as problems could be solved with money, they were not big problems.
Xia Houyuan stood for a long time, then suddenly looked up to the sky and laughed, which shocked all the generals.
Xiahou Shang thought he was suffering from heart failure and asked with concern: "Why is uncle laughing?"
Xia Houyuan said in a deep voice: "Wei'er was captured because of someone's improper hiring, and it has nothing to do with you. However, it can be seen that Liu Qi's strategy is nothing more than this, and I have nothing to worry about!"
The trace of doubt in Xun You's heart disappeared, but he sighed: "I am afraid that Liu Qi will use the young master as a hostage, and the general will have a hard time making a choice."
Xia Houyuan snorted coldly and said loudly: "I serve my country and know how to distinguish between public and private affairs. If Liu Qi wants to use this clumsy trick, then he has made a wrong calculation."
Xun You was already thinking about countermeasures along the way, and said: "I expect that Liu Qi will use the young master as a threat, why not use his plan to lure the snake out of the cave?"
Xia Houyuan took a deep breath to stabilize his mind, cupped his fists and said, "What do you think the military advisor has to say?"
Xun You said: "Liu Qi also knew that the general was staunch, and it was unreasonable to threaten us to surrender. He would definitely ask the general to retreat, so he deployed an ambush in a remote mountain overnight and pretended to retreat. After rescuing the third son, the entire army counterattacked, and we could win a complete victory. .”
"This plan is a brilliant one!" Xia Houyuan's eyes lit up and he clapped his hands. His robe slipped unconsciously and he laughed loudly: "The military advisor's plan is even more wonderful than my 'wonderful talent'!"
