Outside the entrance of Xiegu, thousands of sergeants and civilians were constantly carrying grain and grass. With a large amount of grain and grass entering the camp, the morale of the 20,000 Han troops was even higher. The slogan of recapturing Chang'an was shouted loudly, which made people huddle in Xicheng. Fei Yao and others were frightened when they came out.
After Cao Zhen mobilized his troops, the Wei army only had 7,000 troops inside and outside Xicheng. Therefore, when Fei Yao learned that Zhuge Liang suddenly led an army of 20,000 to the east, he was frightened and quickly ordered the troops to prepare for the attack. Can't hold on.
Even though the Wei army had made preparations in advance, when the Han soldiers heard that they were going to take Chang'an directly, their morale was high and their fighting spirit was overwhelming. They actually broke through the three Wei army's lines from Xiegukou to Yicheng in one day. The camp completely cleared the passage eastward to Chang'an.
"General, are the Shu thieves really going to attack Chang'an?" A soldier on the top of Xicheng city asked Fei Yao.
Fei Yao replied worriedly: "It should be true. Didn't you see that the Shu thieves outside the city were led by Zhuge Liang himself?"
In order to prevent Fei Yao from sending troops to cause trouble when transporting grain and grass, Zhuge Liang personally led 10,000 soldiers and horses to guard outside Yicheng, blocking the channels for the Wei army to leave the city to sneak attack on the grain transporting army.
"Then how should we respond? Are we just going to watch the Shu army attack Chang'an?" The general also knew the importance of Chang'an and said anxiously.
Fei Yao said: "I understand the importance of Chang'an, but the Shu army is coming fiercely. We only have a few thousand soldiers and horses in our hands, how can we go out of the city to stop them? Moreover, the general has repeatedly issued strict orders before, and we must not go into battle without his orders." .
Zhuge Liang seems to be determined to win Chang'an, but who knows that he is not bluffing, but may be deliberately designed to lure our troops out of the city.
At present, Shu general Yang Qing is wreaking havoc outside Chang'an, and Zhuge Liang has abandoned Chen Cang and led his army eastward. The two thieves are responding from afar and cooperating closely. The whole situation is extremely unfavorable to me.
But the more we get to this time, the less we can disorganize ourselves. Although Chang'an is the foundation of our army, we cannot throw chaos into chaos as soon as we hear that Chang'an is in danger, let alone go into battle at will in a hurry.
Although Chang'an is extremely empty now, after all, the city walls are strong and tall, and there are a group of capable officials such as Yan Fujun in the city. I think even if Zhuge Liang is really unpredictable, he will not be able to break Chang'an.
Now the envoy has gone to Wugong and Chang'an to report to General Qin and Lord Yanfu. The general has also rushed to report. We have done everything we should do. As for what to do next, we should wait for the general's order. "
What he said was reasonable and well-founded, and the generals surrounding him couldn't help but nod their heads. The general who asked the question also felt that this response was indeed a safe approach, and also agreed.
Unlike Fei Yao and others who were uneasy in the city, Zhuge Liang outside the city was just strolling in the courtyard at this moment. He actually commented on the advantages and disadvantages of the Wei army's city defense to the generals in front of the formation. He was a master of military art in the world, and he let it go with just a casual comment. The generals benefited a lot and learned a lot.
"Report to the Prime Minister that General Jiang has received all the grain and grass into the camp."
Just as everyone was talking in full swing, a messenger flew over to report. Zhuge Liang waved the feather fan in his hand, nodded and said: "I understand, go back and tell your general, and order him to lead his troops back to camp to rest as soon as possible. The army will set off in an hour."
"promise."
Zhuge Liang turned back to Guan Xing and others and said: "You also bring back our troops and horses. We will continue to advance eastward in an hour."
Guan Xing and others accepted the order in unison, and each returned to his own army to bring his troops back to the camp to rest. Fei Yao, who was on the top of the city, saw the Han army retreating and immediately understood that the Han army had completed the supply of food and grass at Xiegukou, and it would not be long before the Han army would continue to march towards Chang'an.
The intention of the Han army was clear and there was nothing to hide. However, even so, he did not dare to lead his troops to fight out. He had to order his scouts to monitor closely and report immediately if any abnormal movements of the Han army were found.
Just when Zhuge Liang led his troops to leave Yicheng and continue marching toward Chang'an along the Wei River, Cao Zhen finally led 10,000 Wei troops to the gates of Anling City after untold hardships.
Chang'an is only dozens of miles away from Anling. Even if the Wei army marches at a turtle's speed, it will only take two days at most to reach Anling City. However, it was not until the morning of the fourth day that the Wei army appeared before Yang Qing and others. before.
The reason is that Zhang Yi brought three thousand light cavalry and caused a lot of trouble to Cao Zhen. They made full use of guerrilla tactics to constantly harass the Wei army. Sometimes they set up ambushes in dangerous places, sometimes they harassed the Wei army's periphery, sometimes they attacked the enemy's flanks, and sometimes they bypassed the enemy at night. Attack...
Although the result was not great, it was very effective in slowing down the advance of the Wei army and damaging the morale of the Wei army. The Han army's cavalry used endless guerrilla attacks and guerrilla methods, which made Cao Zhen suffer a lot.
He also made a decisive decision and immediately changed the marching formation, using cavalry against cavalry and dividing his troops to attack. Only then did he force Zhang Yi and others away, otherwise the Wei army would have been late to reach Anling.
"General, the last general has driven back Zhang Yi and his group of Shu cavalry. Now he has led his troops to escape towards Changling." Not long after Cao Zhen and the others set up camp, he led four thousand cavalry to pursue Zhang Yi and the others. General Dunn came back to report.
Cao Zhen said: "Thank you for your hard work. Let us take the time to eat and rest. Our army will launch an attack on the city in the afternoon."
"yes."
Cao Zhen added: "In addition, when the battle begins in the afternoon, you will lead the cavalry to protect the flanks of the army and be on guard against Zhang Yi leading his army to attack.
The reason why Yang Qing sent 3,000 Shu cavalry outside the city was not only to slow down our army's advance, but more importantly to echo the internal and external defenses of the city's defenders. This man knew the art of war and was indeed a formidable enemy. "
"Promise, don't worry, General. I will definitely not let the Shu cavalry disrupt our army's attack on the city."
Cao Zhen nodded and sighed: "Well, we don't have many cavalry, otherwise it would be better to eat Zhang Yi and his group of Shu cavalry first."
"What the general said is absolutely true, but the final general believes that from the perspective of the entire battle situation, Yang Qing, the thief, will pose a greater threat to our army. If he can be captured, it will be better than annihilating all the three thousand Shu cavalry. "
Cao Zhen was a little surprised when he heard this. He didn't expect that Dunn, a mediocre man, could have such an opinion. He turned his head and glanced at him approvingly: "Kang Yi, I didn't expect that you can think about things with an eye on the overall situation today. You You're right, as long as we capture and kill Yang Qing in this battle, we will win.
Although this man is young, he is extremely sophisticated in his military skills. He has achieved remarkable results this year. Our army has been defeated by this man one after another. Even famous generals such as Zhang Junyi cannot take advantage of him in the battle. It can be said that this man is a wolf. The threat to our Wei Dynasty is second only to Zhuge Liang.
The reason why I mobilized troops and horses from Yicheng and Wugong regardless of the Wei River defense line, and the reason why I want to personally lead the troops and horses on the expedition, is to eliminate this powerful enemy for the country. I am very relieved that you can think of going with me! "
Dunn smiled and said: "Although the general is a bit impatient, after following the general for so many years, he still has to learn a few tricks."
"Haha, very good, keep working hard, and I will guarantee that you will be promoted to a higher position in the future."
Dunn clasped his fists and bowed, "Thank you, General, for your cultivation."
At noon, after having a full meal, the Wei army immediately formed their formation and divided their troops into two groups to attack Anling City.
