Inside Yangping Pass, in the military camp.
Xia Houyuan sat here.
According to his original intention, he did not want to be responsible for the defense. He hoped to lead his troops to attack Nanzheng over a long distance, and then attack Nanzheng County first.
Because what he is good at is long-distance raids.
Historically, Xiahou Yuan was very accomplished in long-distance raids. According to historical records, Xiahou Yuan led his army on a journey of five hundred miles in three days and one thousand miles in six days. A normal march can be considered very fast if it covers a hundred miles in a day, but it was not easy for Xia Houyuan to achieve five hundred miles in three days.
The direct families under Cao Cao, whether they are Cao Hong, Cao Ren and Cao Chun, or Xia Houyuan and Xiahou Dun, are all good fighters.
These people have very rich combat experience.
It's a pity that Xia Houyuan was so arrogant in the battle at Dingjun Mountain that he dared to mend antlers with only four hundred soldiers (similar to rejecting horses). In the end, Xia Houyuan was killed by Huang Zhong, and his reputation was lost.
Finally, he got the title of General Baidi.
Although Xiahou Yuan was unwilling to defend, he obeyed the order and guarded Yangping Pass. Because Xiahou Yuan knew that Yangping Pass was the key, and with Yangping Pass there, Cao Cao could attack Nanzheng with confidence.
Once Cao Cao captures Nanzheng and Hanzhong is under Cao Cao's control, he can attack Lu Xuan through Hanzhong at any time.
Xia Houyuan inspected the camp and then went to the tower of Yangpingguan to inspect the defensive equipment and supplies, and told the soldiers who were taking turns to defend to keep their spirits up and not relax in any way.
Xia Houyuan leaned against the city wall and looked outside the pass, in the direction of the army camp left by Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan already knew that he had sent troops to Ju County, but Xia Houyuan could not attack. He only has eight thousand elites. Once he goes out to fight and is entangled by the Wu army outside the pass, or something happens, it will affect the overall situation in Hanzhong.
"General, are you worried about General Cao Ren?"
Next to Xia Houyuan, the chief clerk Ding Xiao asked.
Ding Xiao is Xia Houyuan's chief clerk. In addition, he also has another level of identity. He is the younger brother of Xia Houyuan's wife, Ding, and now works by Xia Houyuan's side.
Xia Houyuan said in a deep voice: "Although Zi Xiao is good at guarding, Lu Xuan is good at using surprise soldiers and his tactics are treacherous, which makes it difficult to deal with. In addition, Zi Xiao has only five thousand troops, and Lu Xuan has tens of thousands of elites. Huge. With the disparity in strength, Zixiao faces great pressure."
Zixiao is Cao Ren's cousin.
Ding Xiao smiled slightly and said: "General Cao Ren has his own destiny, not to mention that he is a veteran who has been on the battlefield for a long time, so he should be fine."
"I hope so."
Xia Houyuan nodded.
He put his hands on the tower and looked at the river that could be seen outside the pass and the steep mountains around him. Suddenly, his eyes fell on the official road outside Yangping Pass.
A sentinel came back on horseback.
The sentry came to the city gate and shouted: "Urgent report, urgent report from Ju County."
Xia Houyuan suddenly felt nervous and quickly ordered: "Quickly turn the switch on and let the people in."
The soldiers below the tower opened the door and let in the sentry. After a while, the sentry came to the tower of Yangpingguan and saluted with clasped fists.
Xia Houyuan looked at the panting sentinel and asked impatiently: "What happened in Ju County?"
The soldier quickly said: "Ju County was captured by Lu Xuan, and General Cao Ren died."
boom! !
Xia Houyuan felt as if there was a thunderous explosion in his mind, his eyes suddenly went blank, and his mind was buzzing. He and Cao Ren were old brothers who had fought side by side for many years, and now Cao Ren died in Ju County.
Moreover, he died in Lu Xuan's hands again.
Cao Hong died in Wancheng before, and now Cao Ren died in Ju County. Two of the most important generals of the Cao family were killed by Lu Xuan.
Xia Houyuan came back to his senses, clenched his hands into fists, beat them hard on the city wall, gritted his teeth and said: "Lu Xuan's room is really hateful. One day, I will definitely kill Lu Xuan and avenge Zixiao." .”
Ding Xiao quickly said: "Lu Xuan has captured Ju County, and the next step will be to attack Yangping Pass. The war is coming, and we must prepare for it."
Xia Houyuan's eyes were filled with anger, and he said: "I am here, and it is impossible for Lu Xuan to take this step through Yangping Pass. As long as I am on the tower for a day, it is impossible for Lu Xuan to take this step."
Ding Xiao nodded.
However, there was a hint of worry between his eyebrows, because Lu Xuan was too powerful.
As soon as Cao Ren arrived to garrison in Ju County, Lu Xuan captured the city in an instant. Even though Yangping Pass is a dangerous place, a natural danger that is easy to defend but difficult to attack, the name of the shadow man of the tree, Lu Xuan, puts great pressure on people.
Xia Houyuan looked at the sentry again and asked, "How did Lu Xuan kill Zixiao? Although Ju County is a small town, there are troops to guard it. How come Ju County was conquered in such a short period of time?"
The sentry replied: "Lu Xuan led an army of 40,000 to the outside of Juxian City, and immediately sent a large army to attack. At that time, Lu Xuan divided the 40,000 troops under his command into teams of four to five thousand people."
"Each team carried out a fierce attack for an hour. They rotated every hour. They fought fiercely all night and killed all night. The next morning, General Cao Ren's troops were exhausted and could not hold on, so he had to withdraw with his troops."
The sentinel said: "At that time, General Cao Ren went in the direction of Chencang's old road, but was overtaken by Lu Xuan with his cavalry, and died in Lu Xuan's hands."
Xia Houyuan thought about it in his mind.
Lu Xuan attacked one round after another, which meant that every round of the army's offensive was fierce and always a fresh force. Cao Ren's troops were limited and he was constantly being attacked with high intensity. It was normal for him to be unable to withstand the attack.
Cao Ren was also right to evacuate to the old route of Chencang.
In everything, Cao Ren has tried his best.
It's just that Lu Xuan is too strong.
Xia Houyuan took a deep breath, calmed down his emotions, and ordered: "Look again and watch Lu Xuan's whereabouts carefully."
"Here!"
The sentry left in a hurry.
After the sentinel left, Xia Houyuan looked at Ding Xiao and asked, "Did you tell King Qin about the news about Zixiao?"
Ding Xiao's expression suddenly hesitated.
Telling Cao Cao means a huge blow to Cao Cao and will affect Cao Cao's mood. But if you don't tell Cao Cao and conceal the information, what if you are accused later?
Ding Xiao thought for a while and said: "Yu Qing, Cao Ren and the King of Qin are both from the Cao family and are brothers of the same clan. Yu Li, Cao Ren died on the battlefield. This is the most urgent battle report and cannot be concealed. I think it should be reported."
Xia Houyuan beat the city wall hard again and sighed: "Zixiao, Zixiao, why didn't you defend it?"
He lamented not only the death of Cao Ren, but also the fall of Ju County.
Xia Houyuan sighed with emotion, then looked at Ding Xiao and ordered: "You write the intelligence immediately and arrange for the sentry to report to Nanzheng County as quickly as possible. At present, King Qin should have arrived in Nanzheng County and is attacking. Inform King Qin immediately , please ask King Qin to make arrangements."
"Here!"
Ding Xiao agreed directly and quickly went to prepare.
After the sentry took the letter, he hurried towards Nanzheng County to report.
