"Meng Qi!"
"Meet the General!"
In Dingjun Mountain, Ma Chao led five thousand elite soldiers to join Yang Ling and others.
After the two parties exchanged greetings, Yang Ling smiled and said,
"Meng Qi, aren't you in Nanzheng with General Wenyuan? Why did you lead the troops here in person?"
"General Wen Yuan was afraid that the general would make a mistake, so he specially ordered me to bring five thousand soldiers and horses to support him."
As Ma Chao said this, he explained the matter of Liu Bei giving up his favor and gathering troops at Yangping Pass.
"I see, General Wen Yuan is very considerate."
Yang Ling nodded slightly.
Since Liu Bei gathered his troops and retreated to Yangping Pass, he most likely planned to break out from the Jinniu Road.
Although the Golden Bull Road is dangerous, it is really difficult to intercept Liu Bei's tens of thousands of troops with only 5,000 soldiers and horses in Yang Ling's hands!
Now that he knew Liu Bei intended to escape from Jinniu Road, Yang Ling did not neglect him.
He immediately sent out spies to monitor the direction of Yangping Pass day and night.
As long as there is any movement on Liu Bei's side, Zhao Yun, Ma Chao and others, who have already been prepared, will conduct a segmented attack along the Golden Bull Road, and they are bound to intercept Liu Bei and others!
When everything was ready, Yang Ling and a group of soldiers lurked in the mountains and forests, patiently waiting for Liu Bei's arrival.
However, several days passed, but there was no movement in the direction of Yangpingguan!
"Brother, something seems wrong!"
Zhao Yun climbed up to the top of the mountain from where he was hiding in the forest, came to Yang Ling, frowned and said,
"It's been so long, why hasn't Liu Bei come yet?"
"Is it possible that they are going to counterattack Baozhong and Nanzheng again?"
Zhou Cang on the side said puzzledly.
"Impossible. Unless he lost his mind, Liu Bei would not have counterattacked Hanzhong."
Yang Ling shook his head decisively.
You must know that Zhang Liao was a courageous man with tens of thousands of soldiers and horses at his disposal.
If Liu Bei had any hope of breaking through from the Jinniu Road, he would counterattack Hanzhong and face Zhang Liao, and he would die without a burial place!
"Then why is Liu Bei so slow to move? Does he have to wait until he runs out of ammunition and food before he breaks out?"
Zhao Yun frowned.
Yang Ling pondered for a moment, and just when he was about to send someone to take a look at Yangping Pass, something flashed in his mind.
"No, Liu Bei has already escaped!"
When everyone heard this, they all looked blank and didn't understand why he said that.
"Liu Bei cannot escape to the west, nor can he go east. There are towering mountains to the south. What do you think he will do?"
Yang Ling asked.
Zhao Yun frowned slightly, but then an idea flashed,
"What brother means is... Liu Bei fled north!"
"good!"
Yang Ling sighed slightly.
All signs indicate that Liu Bei pretended to break out from the Jinniu Road, but in fact he was heading northwest towards Qishan Mountain.
After all, compared with Jinniu Road, although Qishan Road is far away and heavily guarded, the chance of escape is greatly increased!
"This... what if the general guesses wrong?"
Ma Chao said a little uncertainly.
"Whether it is yes or not, let's go to Yangping Pass and have a look to find out!"
Yang Ling did not hesitate and immediately sent someone to call Deng Ai and Jiang Wei.
He ordered his troops and horses and marched towards Yangping Pass.
When we got to the foot of Yangping Pass, we saw flags flying on the top of the city and soldiers standing on top, seemingly in preparation!
"It seems that the general is worrying too much!"
Ma Chao smiled.
Everyone also looked suspicious, and even Yang Ling himself was muttering in his heart.
Could it be that I really guessed wrong?
At this moment, with his sharp eyes, he suddenly noticed that the soldiers on the top of the city had evasive eyes and dull expressions.
What's even more surprising is that the Wei army has already pressed down on the city, and none of Liu Bei, Fazheng, Zhang Fei and others showed up.
Yang Ling understood instantly and commanded in a deep voice,
"Come here, prepare to attack the city!"
Everyone was shocked when they heard this.
They only have 10,000 troops in total. Isn't it just a dream to attack Yangping Pass, which is guarded by tens of thousands of troops?
"Brother, do you want to contact General Xianyuan and ask him to attack together?"
Zhao Yun asked for instructions.
"That's not necessary. I have my own sense of discretion. You should follow my orders!"
Seeing Yang Ling's resolute attitude, everyone no longer hesitated. After a little preparation, they began to attack the city!
However, a scene that shocked everyone happened.
The Wei army here had just begun to attack the city. Before they reached Yangpingguan City, they saw a white flag waving on the top of the city and the city gate slowly opened.
Groups of soldiers took off their armor and walked out with their hands raised high!
After controlling them all and taking Yangping Pass, Yang Ling and others also knew the whole story.
Sure enough, as Yang Ling suspected, Liu Bei gathered his troops in Yangping Pass, pretending to prepare for a breakout, but in fact he secretly dispatched his elite troops to the Qishan Road in the northwest.
As for the wounded and the civilians transporting food, he stayed at Yangping Pass, pretending to defend the city!
"Brother is really smart, he saw through Liu Bei's plan right away!"
Zhao Yun couldn't help but praise.
"What kind of cleverness is this? Why don't you let Liu Bei escape!"
Yang Ling couldn't help but sigh.
I still underestimated Fazheng, and I was a little too careless, and actually let Liu Bei and others take advantage of the loophole!
"Teacher, don't be upset. Although Liu Bei breaks through to Qishan, there is a Spurs commander there, so he may not be able to escape!"
Jiang Wei comforted.
"Boyo...said, what he said is very true, we might as well...pursue him immediately!"
Deng Ai suggested.
"General, I am willing to lead the troops there!"
Ma Chao was the first to stand up.
After all, Liu Bei was marching in the direction of Liangzhou. If something went wrong, Ma Teng would be held responsible, and his life might even be in danger!
"That's good. General Meng Qi quickly leads five thousand soldiers and horses to pursue Liu Bei."
"But remember, be careful in everything, lest you get ambushed by Liu Bei!"
Yang Ling warned carefully.
After receiving the military order, Ma Chao immediately led five thousand troops to pursue along the Qishan Road.
Yang Ling, Zhao Yun and others stayed at Yangpingguan and waited for Zhang Liao's arrival.
Sure enough, a few days later, a battle report came from Liangzhou.
Liu Bei led his army to a surprise attack on Xi County. Ma Teng, who led his army stationed there, was caught off guard!
In order not to lose the city, Ma Teng also fought to the death!
However, he was defeated like a mountain. In the end, he died heroically and the city fell into Liu Bei's hands!
After seizing the food and grass in the city, Liu Bei immediately led his troops towards Yinping after a brief rest.
When Ma Chao and his men rushed over, all he was left with was a ruin!
Ma Chao, who avenged his father, led his brothers Ma Xiu, Ma Tie and other brothers to pursue Liu Bei in a rage.
In anger, he completely forgot Yang Ling's instructions, and was ambushed by Liu Bei, resulting in heavy losses!
As Liu Bei retreated to Yinping, Ma Chao returned with a disastrous defeat. At this point, the battle for Hanzhong ended with Cao Wei's victory!
