Most of the Chang'an defenders were new soldiers. When they saw the flames outside the city forming a sea of fire that stretched for more than ten miles, they were already panicked. When they saw Xia Houmao escaping, they immediately dropped their weapons and dispersed.
Someone stopped Xia Houmao and said, "The governor is gone, where can we receive the reward?"
Xiahou Mao was so anxious that he jumped up and waved his hand: "Follow me."
Du Xi was shocked and turned pale. He hurriedly ordered the defenders to retreat to the inner city and defend the city, but no one listened and they all followed Xia Houmao.
"If you come for profit, you will leave for profit." Du Xi sighed and retreated to the inner city with his officers.
The Han army had entered from the north gate. The gates of the inner city were in chaos and unguarded. They had been invaded by Wang Ping and Li Hu. Wei Yan divided his troops to take over the three gates of the outer city, leaving only the east gate for the defenders to escape.
Seeing that the situation was over and there was nothing he could do, Du Xi sent someone to report to Dianman and order a retreat. Most of the officers were from Chang'an and did not want to flee, so they went to Fu Ya Lai to surrender.
At dawn, Wei Yan had occupied Chang'an and came out to pacify the people. The people were all happy and rushed to tell each other that the Han army entered Chang'an and Liu Qi returned to the old capital, indicating that the Han Dynasty had hope for rejuvenation.
Dianman was supervising the battle at Lantian Pass. He was making meals at five o'clock and attacking at dawn. He was eating in the camp when the news from Chang'an came and there was an uproar in the camp.
Dianman was surprised and said: "Zhang Fei is still at Lantian Pass, where did Wei Yan come from?"
Joining the army said: "Wei Yan must have crossed the Qinling Mountains. The army is facing a confrontation on the Xiegu Road. The only way to go is the Ziwu Road."
Dianman threw down his bowls and chopsticks and ordered: "Retreat immediately. Once the flag is given, the camp will not move rashly. The troops and horses will leave lightly from the rear camp."
At this time, the sky was dim and bright, and the valley was filled with clouds and mist in the early spring morning. Cao Jun abandoned his baggage and quietly left the camp.
Xiahou Mao fled to Tongguan and learned that Liu Qi had sent people to burn down the plank road and trapped Xiahou Yuan in Jigu. Instead, he felt happy and said to Du Xi: "This governor had already expected that Liu Qi had a plot. As expected, if he hadn't made a decisive decision, we would all Trapped in the city!"
At this point, Du Xi also knew that the situation in Guanzhong was over, so he advised Xiahou Mao to stay in Dianman to guard Tongguan and return to Luoyang early to prepare.
When Xia Houyuan's troops arrived in Xianyang, they heard that Chang'an had been lost. Zhang Fei led the army from Lantian Pass to the city. He was shocked and quickly led his troops to Wuzhangyuan to meet Xu Huang.
He also heard that Xia Houyuan was trapped in the inclined valley. He was frightened and angry, and he screamed and fell off his horse. Xu Huang ordered people to rescue him and sent someone to report to Chencang guard Hao Zhao that Guanzhong was no longer safe. He could only retreat to the east of the river from the north bank of the Weishui River and make a long-term plan. .
At this time, the news in Liangzhou was also extremely unfavorable to Cao's army. Wei Kang was trapped in Jicheng, and Han Hao came out of Longshan to rescue him. He was attacked by Zhang He's troops. The troops were defeated, lost the street pavilion, and escaped alone.
Instead of waiting for reinforcements, Wei Kang and others, Ma Chao pacified Xiliang and led one hundred thousand elite cavalry to help in the battle. Longyou's various places were dismayed and had no choice but to surrender in Kaicheng.
Pang Tong personally received Wei Kang, Yang Fu and other officials. Seeing that they were managing the people well, he comforted them and continued to take charge of Liangzhou affairs temporarily.
…
The situation in Guanzhong changed overnight. Before the news reached the Central Plains, people in the country were already panicking.
Guan Yu conquered Kunyang and shocked China. Heroes from all over the Funiu Mountains and Dabie Mountains responded. Some people even took the opportunity to respond in Taihang and Wangwu Mountains in Hanoi and Hedong. The territory was in turmoil.
Guan Yu threatened Xuchang, divided his troops to capture Yingchuan and Xingyang, and went straight to Hulao Pass. Cao Pi, who was in his early twenties, was so anxious that he chanted Cao Cao's name every day, but it was a pity that Cao Cao could not come.
At this time, Xuzhou and Qingzhou reported urgently one after another. The Jiangdong navy moved north along the coast and actually crossed the sea to Qingzhou. They invaded with Liaodong soldiers and horses. Zhou Yu took Beihai and Liu Yi attacked Donglai. They lost more than ten cities in a few days.
Cao Pi was completely panicked. Jiang Ji, Chen Qun and others were at a loss what to do. They hurriedly sent someone to invite Jia Xu, but they reported that Jia Xu had gone to Beiman Mountain to pay homage to Zhang Xiu and disappeared without a trace, leaving only a letter.
There was only one line left in the letter: "Zhuge Kongming, ghosts and gods are unpredictable, reality is illusion, illusion is reality, the Central Plains is in crisis, beware of Wenpin."
After seeing this, Cao Pi's face turned pale and he murmured: "Mr. Wenhe, you protected Zhang Xiu's life, why did you abandon me?"
Jia Xu only expected the situation in the Central Plains, but he did not expect Zhou Yu's unexpected troops. The Soochow soldiers and horses entered Qingzhou from the North Sea. The defense on the eastern front was empty, and the Central Plains was already in danger.
Cao Pi had no choice but to send Xia Houdun to the north to fight the enemy at Mount Tai. He was writing a letter to Cao Cao to complain and ask him to return to the Central Plains to take charge of important affairs. Chang'an rushed to report it. He was so surprised that the pen dropped to the ground and he hurriedly asked Jiang Ji and Chen Qun to discuss the matter. .
Chen Qun said angrily: "Xiahou Mao retreated before fighting. He is actually the chief culprit. He should be escorted back to the city that day and beheaded to enforce military law."
"The situation in Guanzhong has long been over. What does it have to do with Xiahou Mao?" Cao Pi knew very well that Xiahou Mao had secretly contributed a lot and could not bear to be punished. He said: "The most urgent task is to retreat from the enemy, not to cut off my own arm. Regarding Zilin, I will take care of myself." There is discretion.”
Chen Qun sighed secretly and stopped talking. He really couldn't understand why Xiahou Mao was so popular with Cao Cao and his son when he was clearly useless.
Jiang Ji said: "Chang'an has been lost, Xiliang cannot be defended, and the soldiers and horses in Guanzhong are like duckweeds in the water. Xu Gongming is a strong general. He will retreat to the east of the river in time. He can be ordered to return to Luoyang from Mengjin."
Cao Pi said: "General Xiahou and Mr. Xun are trapped in Jigu, and their lives and deaths are unknown. How can we ignore them?"
Jiang Ji sighed: "The plank road has been burned. Even if there are soldiers and horses, they are beyond the reach of the whip. Liu Qi has never surrendered without killing. I don't think the lives of the two of them are in danger. We can send people to Hanzhong to find out the news, and we can use money and food to redeem the soldiers."
The more Cao Pi listened, the more confused he became. Looking at the urgent reports on the table, he suddenly became angry and swept them down. He shouted: "I can't take this responsibility. Call Cao Zijian quickly. I'm willing to give up my position!"
Chen Qun hurriedly advised: "Today a powerful enemy is attacking, the territory is shaken, the prime minister is in a hurry and cannot return, and the prince is responsible for the great responsibility of the country, so he should not act on his own initiative. Liu Qi has taken Guanzhong, and it still takes time to organize the troops and horses, and appease people's hearts. He will not be able to return within two or three years." Will send troops again, Zhang Wenyuan is equal to Guan Yu, and can protect the Central Plains. The only person Soochow relies on is Zhou Yu'er. Someone has a plan to make Zhou Yu die in the north. If Zhou Yu dies, the Wu army will panic and retreat. Wait for Xuzhou to settle down. It’s not too late to fight Liu Qi again.”
Cao Pi asked hurriedly: "What's the plan?"
Chen Qun said: "Since Gongsun came to Liaodong, he always wanted to be independent. Now, although Gongsun Kang has established himself as the pastor of Pingzhou, he has not received an imperial edict. Why not show his power and make him the Marquis of Liaodong? Liu Yi will be the governor of Yingzhou and order him to care for the town. Beihai, attack and destroy the Wu soldiers. When the two armies are fighting, General Xiahou will take the opportunity to attack them. He will first destroy Zhou Yu and then attack Liu Yi. Then Qingzhou can be secured!"
"Congratulations, sir!" Cao Pi was overjoyed and immediately sent someone to see Liu Yi in Donglai and ordered him to send the edict to Gongsun Kang.
Jiang Ji said: "The army in Jingzhou is huge, and the Central Plains will be a place of long-term fighting. Dongwu suddenly attacked Qingzhou and Hebei was shaken. The prince can no longer stay in Xudu. He will return to Wei County early to calm people's hearts and take charge of everything."
"The doctor's words are exactly what I want." Cao Pi then ordered Zhang Liao to be the general of the town army, governor of the Central Plains military, and moved to Wei County with all the civil and military officials.
Ever since Guan Yu came to Xuchang, he had been frightened every day. This red-faced man had glared at him in Xuchang. Since then, he has often had nightmares, and his palms get sweaty just thinking about it.
