The morale of the Shu soldiers was greatly shaken, and they went to the mountains to fight. Zhang He and Xiahou Shang quickly led their soldiers and horses to fight. Suddenly, the fire burst into the sky, and half of the sky was red. Xiahou De led his soldiers and horses to put out the fire, and happened to meet the veteran Yan Yan. He raised his sword and dropped it, killing him under the horse. It turns out that the reason why Huang Zhong was so confident was that he had previously sent Yan Yan to lead his soldiers and horses to a very remote mountain peak. He only waited for the large troops to arrive before he set fire to it, piled firewood on it, and the flames soared, lighting up the valley. After Yan Yan killed Xiahou De, he fought out from the back mountain. The troops of Zhang He and Xia Houshang could not look at each other, so they had to abandon Tiandang Mountain and go to Dingjun Mountain to join Xiahou Yuan.
So Huang Zhong and Yan Yan guarded Tiandang Mountain and reported the great news to Chengdu. When Liu Bei heard about it, he gathered everyone together to celebrate.
Fa Zhengdao said: "Previously, Cao Cao recruited Zhang Lu from Hanzhong and attacked Bashu without relying on geographical conditions. He stationed Xia Houyuan and Zhang He to guard the troops and returned to the north with the army. Now that Zhang He has failed and Tiandang Mountain has not been defended, if the lord takes this opportunity, , raise troops to attack Hanzhong, then Hanzhong can be pacified. After Hanzhong is pacified, we can train our troops and gather food, and find an opportunity to advance to the north to attack the Central Plains, and to retreat to defend Xichuan. This is an excellent opportunity and cannot be lost."
Both Liu Bei and Kong Ming knew this truth deeply, so they ordered Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei to be the vanguard. Liu Bei and Kong Ming led an army of 100,000 people to choose a good date to prepare to attack Hanzhong. They also ordered various places to be on strict guard against it. It is an auspicious day in the autumn of the 23rd year of Jian'an.
Liu Bei's army came out from Jiameng Pass and set up camp. They recruited Huang Zhong and Yan Yan and rewarded them heavily.
Liu Bei said: "Others say that the general is old. Only the military advisor knows that the general's sword is still young and his abilities are outstanding. Now he has indeed established extraordinary achievements. But now Dingjun Mountain in Hanzhong is the barrier of Nanzheng and a place where food and grass are stored. If we can Once we get Dingjun Mountain, we don’t need to worry about Yangping’s journey. Does the general still have the confidence to take down Dingjun Mountain?”
Huang Zhong naturally agreed and was about to leave with his troops.
Kong Ming hurriedly stopped and said: "The old general is indeed very brave, but Xia Houyuan is not comparable to Zhang He. He knows strategy and military maneuvers. As the vassal of Xiliang, Cao Cao previously stationed troops in Chang'an to resist Ma Chao, and now he has stationed troops in Hanzhong. Cao Cao If you don't trust anyone else, just trust Xia Houyuan. That's because Xia Houyuan is talented. Although the general has defeated Zhang He, he still can't defeat Xia Houyuan. I think we should send someone to Jingzhou to recruit General Guan Yu. If that doesn't work, we have to Recruit General Yu Yi so that we can have a chance to fight."
Huang Zhong was unconvinced and said: "In the past, Lian Po was more than eighty years old and could still eat a lot of rice and ten pounds of meat. The princes were afraid of his bravery and did not dare to invade the borders of Zhao. What's more, Huang Zhong was not even seven years old yet." Ten? The military advisor said that I am older and I don’t need to be a lieutenant now. I only need to take my three thousand troops there, cut off Xia Houyuan’s head and present it to me.”
Kong Ming shook his head repeatedly and disagreed, but Huang Zhong insisted on going. Kong Ming said: "Since the general is determined to go, can I ask someone to go with him as a supervisor?"
Huang Zhong nodded and agreed, so Kong Ming said to Huang Zhong: "When you go this time, I will ask Fazheng to assist you. Everything must be discussed before taking action. I will then mobilize people to support you!"
Huang Zhong went out with Fazheng and his troops.
Kong Ming smiled and said to Liu Bei: "Our veteran, we don't need to provoke him with words. Even if he goes, he will not be successful. Now that he has gone, he should allocate troops to respond." Liu Bei nodded and agreed, so Kong Ming He summoned Zhao Yun and said: "You take a group of troops and send out surprise troops from the alley to meet Huang Zhong. If he can win, then there is no need to fight. If he fails, go and meet Huang Zhong."
Then he said to Liu Feng and Meng Da: "Take three thousand soldiers and horses and put up more flags in dangerous places in the mountains to strengthen our momentum and make the enemy confused." So the three of them got the order and left with their soldiers and horses. He also sent people to Xiabian, gave some strategies to Ma Chao, and then asked Yan Yan to go to Langzhong, Brazil, to guard the pass, and replaced Zhang Fei and Wei Yan with Hanzhong.
Zhang He and Xia Houshang went to see Xia Houyuan and said: "Tiandang Mountain has been lost. Xiahou De and Han Hao have been killed. Now I heard that Liu Bei personally came to attack Hanzhong with heavy troops. We can report to the King of Wei as soon as possible and send troops as soon as possible." , come to the rescue."
Xia Houyuan also realized the seriousness of the matter and sent someone to notify Cao Hong. Cao Hong went to Xuchang overnight and told Cao Cao the news. Cao Cao was very surprised after hearing this and gathered all civil and military officials to discuss and prepare to send troops to rescue Hanzhong.
Liu Ye, the chief historian, said: "If Hanzhong is lost, the entire Central Plains will be shaken. Your Majesty, don't be afraid of hard work. This time you must go and conquer it yourself."
Cao Cao regretted a little at this time and said: "I didn't follow your advice at that time, which led to today's failure!" He quickly sent an order to raise 400,000 troops to personally conquer. It was the autumn and July of the 23rd year of Jian'an.
Outside the city of Jingzhou, Yu Yi led Lei Chunze around, and soon arrived near the ruined temple outside the city. Lei Chunze took Yu Yi into the ruined temple and told Yu Yi about Huang Chenghan's murder.
Yu Yi observed that there were still blood stains on the ground of the ruined temple, and there were traces of fighting on the surrounding walls and pillars.
Yu Yi asked: "You said that Huang Chenghan brought everyone to the ruined temple, and then prepared to take Huang Ye back, but was plotted by his servants, and ended up after a fierce battle?"
Lei Chunze nodded sharply. He didn't know the specific circumstances of this matter, but it was just relayed by Huang Shumin.
Yu Yi touched a few marks and continued to ask: "Isn't Huang Shumin confused?"
Lei Chunze said: "She does have some doubts, so this matter has not been closed and has been investigated."
Yu Yi sighed: "This is a shame for our Daoxiang Village. I have taught you many times. Come and see these traces of fighting."
After hearing this, Lei Chunze walked over quickly and looked in the direction of Yuyi's finger. After looking for a long time and finding nothing, he shook his head at Yuyi.
Yu Yi smiled helplessly and said: "Didn't you notice that these traces of fighting are almost the same? Although there are many, they are all cut with the same weapon!"
Lei Chunze was proficient in weapons, and after hearing this, he became more energetic. He quickly checked them one by one and said: "Young Master has a keen eye, it is really like this!"
Yu Yi took Lei Chunze to the place with the most blood and asked, "Was the deceased injured by a sharp weapon and then pulled out of the body?"
Lei Chunze looked at Yuyi, his eyes full of surprise, and said: "Young Master, could it be that you killed this man? Why didn't you predict it beforehand?"
Yu Yi patted Lei Chunze on the head and said with a smile: "What are you talking about? I have no motive to kill Huang Chenghan at all!"
