In the military tent, Pang Tong called Deng Ai to the sand table and told Cao Cao to sneak attack on the Mianshui camp.
Deng Ai was very perceptive and immediately understood what Pang Tong meant. He clasped his fists and said, "The Mianbei camp is the throat of our army. The military advisor wants me to rush back to deliver the message?"
Before Pang Tong could speak, Liu Bei stepped forward and added: "The military situation is extremely urgent now, and we need to return to Zhongmiao overnight to report. I see that Shi Zai is good at crossing mountains. Can you worry about me?"
"The general is willing to follow the example of dogs and horses." Deng Ai replied sonorously.
Liu Bei nodded happily, "It's not too late, Shi Zai will set off as soon as possible."
"Lord, would you like to allocate some troops to Captain Deng? I'm worried that Cao Cao will use a lot of troops on Jinniu Road." Fa Zheng reminded.
Liu Bei looked hesitant, "If we lead a large group, it will definitely slow down the progress. Why don't we let Shi Zai go first tonight, and tomorrow morning I will select a general to lead troops to reinforce?"
Pang Tong nodded in agreement: "My lord, this arrangement is very safe, but it is not advisable to divide the troops too much, otherwise Dingjunshan will be stretched thin to deal with Cao Cao."
"My lord, military advisor, there is no need to divide the troops on the main battlefield of Dingjun Mountain. Most of the villagers have received simple training. If there is really pressure from Prefect Huo, I will mobilize some villagers to assist in the defense. The narrow terrain of Jinniu Road should be able to hold it." Deng Ai cupped his fists and spoke.
After hearing this, Pang Tong and Fazheng looked at Liu Bei at the same time. Liu Bei nodded slightly: "This is best. Your master and apprentice are doing things that are very reassuring."
Deng Ai received the order and set out overnight. He was the one who took the lead on the Micang Mountain grain road. Which sections were slow, which were dangerous, and where there were water sources had already formed a map in Deng Ai's mind. Liu Bei sent him to deliver the message. Know people and make good use of them.
Early the next morning, Cao Cao led his army out of Yangping to cross the Mianshui River. Finally, he set up camp near the Mianshui River in the Zouma Valley, facing Dingjun Mountain in the south.
Cao Cao set up camp with his back to the water, arranged warships on the riverside, and unloaded military supplies and grain for the soldiers of each battalion. All the few thousand civilians left in Yangping Pass were allocated to Xu Huang.
Liu Bei, Fazheng, and Pang Tong observed the strength of Cao's army in the middle of the mountain. Based on the number of barracks, they deduced that the opponent's total strength was 70,000. They estimated that the number of troops left at Yangping Pass exceeded 20,000. Huo Jun and Deng Ai were under great pressure.
"The reality of Cao's army has been revealed. Shall we divide our troops to support Zhongmiao?" The word "Sichuan" appeared between Liu Bei's eyebrows.
"Cao Cao has more troops than we do. We'd better not divide our troops first. My lord, I have to trust Prefect Huo and the others." Fa Zheng was the first to speak.
When Liu Bei didn't answer, Pang Tong pointed to the open space at the foot of the mountain and said: "Cao Cao is now camping with his back to the water and leaving an open space in the Zouma Valley. He has learned Xia Houyuan's lesson. If they are too close to Dingjun Mountain, they will be passive. My lord, keep your attention here. If we can defeat them head-on, we won't be afraid even if the Taurus Path fails."
"Camping with our backs to the water not only leaves a buffer zone so that we cannot launch surprise attacks at any time, but also indirectly protects the Mianshui Food Road in this area. The key to victory or defeat lies with the two generals Zhao and Huang." Fa Zheng said with a solemn expression.
Liu Bei was convinced and couldn't help but ask: "The two military advisors are right. What should we do now?"
Pang Tong thought for a while and replied: "Since both the enemy and us are planning to attack the grain road, we will naturally conserve our strength on the frontal battlefield. We can set up defenses on the mountainside on the north side of the mountain. If Cao's army dares to come to seize the mountain, they will attack with random arrows." In other words, it would be better if the enemy army does not choose to confront us. We are condescending and see through everything. The one who is in no hurry to fight is Cao Cao."
"Good." Liu Bei nodded in affirmation.
After setting up camp, Cao Cao went out to explore the terrain and secretly thought that Dingjun Mountain was indeed a good place. If he really tried to attack it, the damage would be great.
"Liu Bei once sent people to provoke a fight in front of Yangping Pass. Tomorrow he will send his generals to the mountains to invite a fight. But he must not lose the majesty of the Wei generals." Cao Cao's words were meaningful.
Du Xi, the confidant who accompanied Cao Cao on the trip, listened to the advice and said: "Liu Bei occupies the advantageous location of Dingjun Mountain, so he may not be willing to send people down the mountain to fight against generals. Furthermore, Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, and Wei Yan are all generals who are fierce and tiger, and they are not brave." No one can defeat me..."
"In the past, you had the advantage of sitting at Yangping Pass, so why did you go out to fight with Huang Zhong and Wei Yan? Now offense and defense are interchangeable, and the geographical advantage is exchanged. If the big-eared bandits take advantage, they may not be able to bear it..." Cao Cao smiled bitterly. Shake his head.
Du Xi glanced at Guo Huai beside him and retorted speechlessly. At that time, the generals fighting in front of Yangping were provoked by a few reckless men. In the end, Xia Houyuan and Xu Huang each sent their sons to die, and finally the unknown Huang Zhong and Wei Yan were harmed.
"King Wei, Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, and Wei Yan should not be underestimated. Now that Gongming and Junyi are not in the camp, the other generals may be difficult to defeat..." Guo Huai also expressed pessimism about the fighting generals.
Cao Cao glanced at Guo Huai coldly, frowned and said disdainfully: "How can we win if we are timid before fighting? Xu Wei and Xia Houcheng should be poor in academics. If it were me, Huang Xu'er, I would not be humiliated by Yang Ping. Even Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, and Wei Yan can't handle it, so what should we do if we meet Guan Yu and Zhang Fei?"
"Well..."
Guo Huai looked embarrassed and kept silent. What could he do if the general couldn't defeat him? Wei's soldiers have many generals and can attack them in groups and win by sheer force.
"Zhongkang, you once fought fiercely with Ma Chao on the Weishui River. Do you dare to challenge in front of the mountain tomorrow?" Cao Cao looked at Xu Chu and asked.
"The last general has long wanted to kill Huang Zhong to vent his anger on General Xiahou." Xu Chu's voice was powerful.
Cao Cao nodded happily, "The horse is as brave as Lu Bu. You and he are inextricably linked. Don't let me down tomorrow."
"The general can go fight now." Xu Chu's eyes widened angrily.
"Sun Tzu said, 'The morning energy is sharp, the day energy is inert, and the evening energy returns.' It's getting late now, so we can't rush." Cao Cao looked up at the sky and shook his head slightly when he saw that the sun was setting in the west.
"Wei." Xu Chu cupped his fists.
Early the next morning, the red sunset cast a golden light over the river.
After breakfast, more than 10,000 Cao troops advanced towards Dingjun Mountain in the south. Liu Bei, Pang Tong and others were already waiting in formation near the middle of the mountain.
When Cao Cao walked to the mountain, he saw Liu Bei's flag erected halfway up the mountain. He then went to the mountain to shout a message.
Liu Bei stood condescendingly on the edge of the mountain, showing his kingly demeanor. Cao Cao stepped out of his command, pointed his whip at him and cursed: "Liu Bei, you are an ungrateful person. If you hadn't been kindly taken in by Gu in the past, you would have become a lonely ghost."
Now that you are in power, you dare to raise troops to invade the country. I have come with the heavenly troops to suppress you. It is time for you to stop here. If you are willing to repent, surrender, and go back to Xudu to plead guilty to the emperor, you may still have a way to survive. "
"Bei is a clan member of the Han Dynasty, serving the emperor's bloody edict to punish thieves. You, a criminal who has stolen the country and usurped the Han Dynasty, dare to bark in front of me? I see that you are gray-faced and white-haired, and your time is running out. If you are willing to lead the army, I will kill you. , maybe I can keep your whole body." Liu Bei showed no fear in tit-for-tat.
Cao Cao was furious: "A common man weaving mats and selling shoes, now with millions of soldiers, will surely crush you and other ants."
"No matter how many rabble you have, I have decided on this land of Hanchuan. Why bother arguing with words? Come and attack the mountain if you have the guts." After Liu Bei said this, he folded his sleeves and disappeared into the deep grass.
