However, outside the city of Yi County, Cao Zhen led 30,000 Wei troops and had been confronting Zhao Yun's 10,000 troops for nearly two months. During this period, they attacked the Han army camp more than ten times, but failed to break the camp because the Han army insisted on holding on.
In desperation, Cao Zhen had no choice but to hope that Zhang He's 50,000 troops could reverse the situation at Longyou. Unexpectedly, news came a few days ago that 50,000 elite infantrymen were defeated by Zhuge Liang at the street pavilion. Commander Zhang He fled back to Guanzhong with only a few thousand remaining soldiers.
When Cao Zhen learned about it, he was shocked, angry, sad and anxious. While he sent his agents to Shanggui to inquire about the news, he also blocked the news to stabilize the morale of the army.
However, the news of the destruction of the 50,000-strong army had already spread throughout Guanzhong, and the people of Xicheng had also heard about it. Although they did not dare to discuss it under the constraints of Cao Zhen's military orders, the troops already knew about it from various channels, causing panic and low morale in the army.
On the other side, Zhao Yun and others have also received the news of the Han army's victory at the street pavilion. All the sergeants cheered and were inspired, thinking that they had not been fighting in vain for more than a month to contain Cao Zhen in Xicheng. The main army was here The Longyou Company fought with great success, and all the officers and men of the Right Army were honored.
There are some valleys near the north entrance of Baoxie Road, that is, the entrance of Xiegu, that connect the north and south of the Qinling Mountains and directly lead to Yixian, Chencang and other places. The two most important valleys are Mawei River Valley and Fayu River Valley.
The Fayu Valley Road is also called Ji Valley by the locals because the valley is shaped like a dustpan.
Jigu is located between Wuzhangyuan and Mawei River Valley. If you go north on the Yuangu Road, you can suddenly reach the bank of the Wei River. Not far to the east is Xicheng. Therefore, Jigu is very important. As soon as Zhao Yun arrived at the entrance of Xiegu, he immediately occupied Jigu and used the geographical advantage to control it. Wei Jun.
Therefore, the right army is currently divided into two groups. One is led by Zhao Yun and camped outside the city of Yicheng to directly threaten Cao Zhen, while the other is led by Deng Zhi and threatens the flanks of Xicheng at the lower village of Jigu.
Moreover, the two troops and horses, one outside and one inside the entrance of the Xie Valley, are connected inside and outside and form an angle with each other. Once Zhao Yun's front camp encounters an unfavorable situation, it can calmly retreat to the valley road with the support of Deng Zhi's rear team, which can be called never fail.
"Bo Miao, Prime Minister and the others annihilated tens of thousands of Wei troops in Jieting. Zhang He is said to have fled back to Guanzhong. Therefore, it is expected that Cao Rui will not send another large army to Long in the short term. Therefore, the four counties of Long You can be said to have been conquered by us. The army has truly recovered, and this Northern Expedition has achieved full success." After learning the news of Jieting's victory, Zhao Yun immediately summoned Deng Zhi to the front camp to discuss matters.
Seeing Zhao Yun's smile as he spoke, Deng Zhi also said happily: "Yes, it's not in vain for me to fight desperately to contain Cao Zhen." After a pause, he asked: "Old General, what will happen to our right army? The mission is considered completed, can we return to Hanzhong?"
"Yes, that makes sense." Zhao Yun nodded and said, "It's just that the withdrawal of troops is not a trivial matter and can only be decided after asking the Prime Minister."
Deng Zhi said: "Should we send someone to Longyou to report to Prime Minister Ming?"
"No, according to my understanding of the Prime Minister, maybe a messenger will come from Longyou in the next few days and tell me the arrangements for the Prime Minister." Zhao Yun stroked his beard and said with a smile.
Deng Zhi also smiled and said: "Yes, the Prime Minister has always been thoughtful and will not forget our place. Besides, our army has sufficient food and military resources, which is enough to confront Cao Zhen for another month or two. There is no rush to withdraw. For a while.”
Ji Han had a treasury and a pavilion in Baoxie Road, one for casting weapons and the other for hoarding grain and grass. In the past two months, a large amount of grain and grass army resources have been continuously sent to the army at Taniguchi, allowing Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi to maintain a long-term confrontation with Cao Zhen's 30,000 army.
Zhao Yun said: "Yes, we just need to wait patiently, and the Prime Minister will send an order soon."
"By the way, we will arrange for the Huotou Army to kill pigs and sheep tonight, and let the sons and daughters have a feast. This can be considered as a celebration for us to celebrate the victory of the street pavilion."
Deng Zhi cupped his fists and replied, "Yes. The soldiers have been holding on for dozens of days, and it's time to reward them for their hard work."
"Alas, our Han Dynasty has never won such a great victory since the twenty-fourth year of Jian'an. Now that Longyou has been recovered, it shows that God's will never stops Yan Han." Zhao Yun suddenly stood up and came outside the tent, looked up at the sky, and sighed: "I am already old. , I don’t want to see the flag of the Han Dynasty flying in the north again, this life is enough.”
"General Zilong has a vigorous figure and full energy. He is not inferior to a young man in his 20s or 30s. How can he be said to be old?" Seeing Zhao Yun suddenly feeling emotional, Deng Zhi came behind him and comforted him: "Besides, Lian Po is old. Whether you can still eat or not, the general should gallop the three armies with bravery, exterminate the traitors, serve the Lord, and witness the three prosperity of my great Han Dynasty."
"Haha, Bo Miao is worthy of being a person who has been on an envoy to Soochow, and his eloquence is really impressive." Zhao Yun laughed and said, "That's right. I want to conquer the Central Plains in the north for the emperor, how can I obey the old man?"
"Late Emperor, Yun Chang, and Yide, unfortunately you took a step ahead and failed to see the revival of the Han Dynasty. Let Yun help you see the world that we have worked hard for all our lives!" Zhao Yun slowly stroked his beard. Make up your mind secretly.
At night, Cao Zhen was still thinking hard about how to defeat the enemy. Suddenly he heard a faint noise coming from outside, and immediately sent someone to investigate.
After a while, Tan Ma reported back that it turned out that the Han army on the opposite side was killing pigs and sheep and having a dinner to eat meat, which seemed to be to celebrate the victory of the street pavilion.
"The Sichuan thieves are so impudent, and they are really angry to me."
Cao Zhen was furious when he heard this, but then he thought, the Shu army did not take him seriously, and they had become a arrogant army. As the saying goes, a arrogant army will be defeated. Could it be that tonight is the day when the enemy will be defeated?
"Has the guard at the Shu bandit camp been slackened?" Cao Zhen became more and more excited as he thought about it, and asked quickly.
Tan Ma replied: "The gate of the Shu camp is closed. There are many sergeants coming and going near the gate. There are still sentries standing guard on the wooden tower. According to what we have seen, the defense of the Shu camp is still tight."
"Okay, please step back first."
Cao Zhen waved his hand weakly and said to himself: "It seems that I am overthinking it. After all, Zhao Yun is a veteran general for many years. Even if he rewards the sergeant, he will not lower his guard."
He walked around the room for a few steps and then thought about it: "However, the Shu thieves have won consecutive battles since they raided Longyou, and now they have defeated my 50,000-strong army. Their army will definitely become arrogant.
Moreover, Zhao Yun and I have been in a stalemate for dozens of days, and there has been no progress. Even though the Shu generals have no intention of relaxing, ordinary soldiers will despise me no matter what.
The Shu army outside Xicheng will not easily lose their vigilance when facing our army, but the Shu soldiers in Jigu have not fought with us for a long time, so their vigilance will not be so strong. "
When Cao Zhen thought of this, his thoughts became clear and he couldn't help but exhale softly: "Jigu, Jigu..."
"Come here, let the generals come to discuss matters." Cao Zhen got the idea and shouted outside.
One day later, the Wei army in Yicheng suddenly mobilized again and again, which aroused Zhao Yun's suspicion. He hurriedly sent Tan Ma and made careful inquiries. Only then did he find out that it was Cao Rui who was afraid that his own army in Longyou would attack Guanzhong, so he ordered Cao Zhen to divide his troops and go to Chencang and Qian. Counties and other places have strengthened prevention.
Hearing that this was the reason, Zhao Yun and others did not think there was anything wrong. Now that the Wei army was frightened and Guanzhong was shaken, it was normal for Wei Ting to want to strengthen the defense on the front line of Longshan, and it was a good thing that there were fewer Wei soldiers here in Xicheng. , at least they can deal with it easier.
The clouds were thick, the stars were dim, and the crescent moon was obscured by the clouds, appearing and disappearing. It was a dark night, which was not conducive to travel.
However, at this moment, thousands of soldiers were marching in the rugged and narrow valley road, with their titles and horses' hooves wrapped around them, and there was no other sound except the footsteps. If anyone else takes a closer look, they will find that these sergeants are all dressed as Wei soldiers.
This group of Wei soldiers were all carefully selected by Cao Zhen. Not only were they all extremely powerful and proficient in martial arts, they also had first-class eyesight, and could almost see things in the dark.
But even if they have excellent eyesight, they cannot hinder their progress in such a dark night and on a steep mountain road. In order to see the road clearly, the Wei army still lit up torches, but there were only dozens of torches for the front team. Too many would attract the attention of the Han army.
In addition, the sergeants were held by hemp ropes, so there were very few stragglers on the way. In this way, this Wei army silently killed the Han army in Jigu.
