"Meng Qi, Yunlu, you two brothers and sisters must not be careless. If Yang Ling can become Cao Cao's chief adviser, he is by no means an ordinary person."
Ma Teng warned with a solemn expression.
"I understand, Father."
Ma Chao and Ma Yunlu responded in unison.
It's just that the two of them looked quite nonchalant, and they didn't seem to take Ma Teng's words to heart.
Ma Teng sighed helplessly and turned to look at Gao Gan, Hu Chuquan, and Han Sui.
"No matter what Yang Ling's plot is, since we have sent troops, there is no reason to retreat."
"Everyone should be careful on the next journey!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Under the leadership of Ma Teng and others, the coalition soldiers successfully passed through Jiguan and entered the boundary of Hanoi County.
After only two days of marching, Ma Teng, Gao Gan and others noticed something was wrong.
They didn't even see a ghost along the way, and the cities and villages along the way were also deserted.
When the coalition forces arrived at a county town and found the city empty again, Ma Teng's expression became solemn.
"Come here, give me the order to camp in the city tonight."
"Here!"
Ma Teng's general Pang De took the order and left.
After he left, Ma Teng invited everyone to sit down in the county government lobby.
"Judging from Cao Jun's actions, Yang Ling plans to use the method of strengthening the wall and clearing the field to deal with us."
Everyone looked at each other with serious expressions.
They mobilized a total of 100,000 troops this time, and their daily requirements for food and grass were astronomical.
However, Gao Gan, Hu Chuquan and others sent their troops from Bingzhou, while Ma Teng, Han Sui and others sent their troops from Guanzhong.
The two places are far away from Hanoi County, and it is extremely difficult to transport food there.
When they attacked Hedong County before, they adopted the strategy of supporting war with war.
Whenever a city is captured, the grain and grass in it will be used for military purposes.
Originally, Ma Teng planned to use the same method to attack Hanoi County this time.
But he didn't expect that Yang Ling would actually use the skill of strengthening the wall and clearing the field.
No wonder he gave up on Jiguan so easily. It turned out that was his intention!
"I don't believe it anymore. Yang Ling has the ability to move all the people in Hanoi County!"
The Xiongnu Chanyu Huchuquan sneered and said,
"How about I lead the troops and search around? What does the leader think?"
He followed the high officials to attack Cao Cao. Firstly, he wanted to make friends with the Yuan family, and secondly, he wanted to plunder the big man.
Now I entered Hanoi County, but I was empty-handed.
How could Huchuquan be willing to do so?
He offered to search for food and fodder, with the purpose of taking advantage of the opportunity to loot and plunder.
Ma Teng was also well aware of Hu Chuquan's thoughts.
He pondered for a moment, nodded and said,
"Okay, let Shanyu lead the search. But remember, be careful and don't be careless!"
"Please rest assured, leader!"
Huchuquan said with great joy.
The Allied troops camped in the city and rested for the night.
Early the next morning, Huchuquan ordered five thousand Xiongnu elite cavalry and roared out of the county.
He first sent out several reconnaissance cavalry to search in Hanoi County.
It was not until noon that the reconnaissance cavalry sent out returned.
But according to what they said, all the villages they encountered were empty.
"Damn, these Chinese dogs are really cunning!"
Huchuquan cursed.
Guo Yuan, who was appointed as the governor of Hedong County by Yuan Shang, looked a little embarrassed when he heard this.
Aren't you the one who pointed at the monk and called the thief bald?
Hu Chuquan noticed Guo Yuan's expression, then he realized and said with a smile,
"Prefect Guo, I'm not scolding you, don't take it personally!"
Although the Southern Huns have lived in the Han Dynasty for a long time, they have not changed their habits and are no different from barbarians.
Guo Yuan knew it well, so he didn't bother to argue with Hu Chuquan.
He looked around, frowned and said,
"Although Hanoi County is not a big county, it still has more than 200,000 households."
"Even if Yangling can move all the population away in a short period of time, Huai County cannot bear such a large population."
Hu Chuquan scratched his bald forehead and said doubtfully,
"What exactly does Governor Guo want to say?"
"I want to say that those people might not have been moved away."
Guo Yuan explained patiently.
"If they hadn't been transferred, where would they be?"
Guo Yuan did not answer, but looked thoughtfully at the mountains not far away.
"Maybe they hid in the mountains. Please send troops to search along the mountains and forests immediately!"
Huchuquan just woke up from a dream.
That's right, he sent people to search the towns and counties along the way, and he didn't search into the mountains at all.
"Come here, quickly follow what Governor Guo said and search the mountains and forests!"
After resting, the Huns cavalry immediately sent out several teams of reconnaissance cavalry again and began to search the surrounding mountains and forests.
This search didn't matter, they really made a discovery.
After a while, a reconnaissance team returned.
"Report to Shanyu and Governor Guo that we found a Han Chinese in a forest!"
Hu Chuquan and Guo Yuan were overjoyed and hurriedly asked them to bring the people up.
Soon a Han man dressed as an ordinary citizen was brought to the two of them!
"Who are you?"
Guo Yuan asked in a deep voice.
The Han man did not dare to raise his head and said shiveringly,
"Return...report to the general, the common man's name is Wang Yousheng...from Chenjiayu..."
Chenjiayu is not far away.
Hearing his words, Hu Chuquan on the side became more and more excited and asked quickly,
"If you answer me honestly, I will spare your life!"
"Where have all the people from Chenjiayu and nearby counties gone?"
Wang Yousheng said cautiously,
"Two days ago, the government said that there was an enemy attack, so they organized us all and hid in the Calabash Valley not far away."
Huchuquan was overjoyed and turned to Guo Yuan and said,
"Prefect Guo, what are we waiting for? Hurry over there quickly?"
People from nearby villages and counties have been gathered in Calabash Valley. How much food, grass and money should be there?
Just thinking about it makes Huchuquan salivate!
But Guo Yuan was not in a hurry, but thought for a moment, stared at Wang Yousheng, and said sternly,
"In that case, why did you act alone?"
Wang Yousheng was so frightened that he trembled and said quickly,
"Reporting to the general, the villain's mother-in-law has a high fever, so she came back to get medicine because she had no choice."
As he spoke, he opened the bag around his waist, revealing several medicinal plants inside.
Seeing this situation, Guo Yuan was completely relieved.
"Prefect Guo, things will change if things are too late. We can't wait any longer!"
Huchuquan urged.
"Okay, let's rush there right away!"
Guo Yuan finally made up his mind.
Five thousand Huns cavalry immediately gathered together and galloped towards the Hulu Valley according to the direction pointed by Wang Yousheng.
In less than a cup of tea, they arrived at a dense mountain forest.
"It's such a hidden place, no wonder we haven't discovered it yet!"
Huchuquan nodded.
The valley was covered by lush mountains and forests. If Wang Yousheng hadn't pointed it out to them, they might not have been able to find the entrance for a while.
