Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang suppressed his smile, turned his head and glanced at Wei Min, who was on his lower right, and said, "Wen Jing, will you go out and see what's going on?"
"No." Wei Min agreed and hurried out of the tent.
After a while, Wei Min returned to the tent with a heavy face, raised his hands to Zhuge Liang and said: "Prime Minister, according to reports from the Youwei lurking in Fufeng County, Zhang He is leading five thousand cavalry on the way to Chang'an. It has already passed. From Meiyang County, we can reach Chang'an as soon as tomorrow or the day after tomorrow at the latest."
"What, Zhang He led the army and arrived?"
"Doesn't he want Qian County? He needs to go all out!"
"Once the five thousand Wei cavalry arrive, the city of Chang'an will really be impossible to conquer."
...
The generals were all shocked when they heard the news, and there was a lot of discussion in the tent. However, the expressions of the generals did not show panic. Although these five thousand Wei cavalry were a considerable force, they were not If it poses too great a threat to the Han army, it can at most help Cao Zhen ensure that Chang'an is not lost.
"Prime Minister, Cao Zhen is trying his best to protect Chang'an, even the defense line at the east entrance of Longshan." Zhao Yun said with a smile.
Zhuge Liang has not yet responded, but Guan Xing interjected: "Old General, you can't say that. According to the news sent back by the guards before, Zhang He has about ten thousand men. Now he only leads five thousand troops to the east for reinforcements, which shows that Qian He still has five thousand soldiers and horses left in the city area.
In this way, the Wei army still has the remaining strength to defend Longkou. After all, there are only a few thousand troops left in Longyou, and Liao Canjun and others are not enough to take the opportunity to cross the Xiaguanzhong east of Longshan. "
"What An Guo said is right. Zhang He must have made complete preparations here. It is unrealistic for Liao Yuanjian and others to take the opportunity to advance eastward and encircle Wei to rescue Zhao. We still have to rely on our side to deal with Zhang He's five thousand Wei cavalry.
Fortunately, Cao Zhen, Guo Huai and others were severely damaged by our army. The Wei army was insufficient in strength, so our army could retreat to Hanzhong safely. Yang Qing said.
Having said that, Zhuge Liang's face was still serious, his brows were furrowed, and he turned to stare at the map beside him in silence, as if he was thinking about something.
When Yang Qing saw that Zhuge Liang's gaze was not only on Fufeng County in the west, but also on Fengyi, Hongnong, Nanyang and other places in the east, Yang Qing suddenly felt something in his heart. If he had some realization, he asked softly: " Prime Minister, I am worried that not only Zhang He will come to rescue, but the Wei army east of Chang'an may also be on the way to rescue Chang'an?"
"Yes, with the ability of Cao Zhen, Guo Huai, and Fei Yao, they have already escaped back to Chang'an. Logically speaking, they don't need to ask Zhang He to come back for reinforcements. Are they so unconfident in guarding Chang'an?
Moreover, it had only been two days since Cao Zhen escaped back to Chang'an. Judging from the time, asking Zhang He to lead the army to return reinforcements must have been an order issued in advance. Unless Zhang He made his own decision, he could not have come so quickly. "Zhuge Liang analyzed calmly.
Yang Qing nodded and said: "Yes, this matter is indeed a bit strange. If there is really a plan, then Cao Zhen's intention is not just to ensure the safety of himself and Chang'an. It is very likely that he wants to give our army a big blow." of."
"What Mingzhi means is that Cao Zhen still wants to fight with our army again?" Zhao Yun said in surprise.
Yang Qingdao: "It is very likely that Cao Zhen will not be reconciled to the Wei army's consecutive defeats. If he does not make a turnaround, how can he explain to the false emperor Cao Rui?"
"But judging from the current strength of the Wei army, they are no longer strong enough to fight our army again. When Zhang He arrives, will Cao Zhen really dare to go out of the city to fight with our army in the field? Brother, I really don't believe it." Xing smiled.
Jiang Wei said: "Maybe it's not just Zhang He's troops, maybe Cao Zhen also mobilized other troops?"
"The other Wei armies in Guanzhong were either defeated or restrained by our army. Apart from Zhang and He, where else Wei army can come to reinforce? Unless..." Guan Xing's heart was spinning, and something bad happened at this moment. speculation.
Zhuge Liang said: "Unless the Wei army east of Tongguan is also coming."
"ah!"
All the generals were shocked when they heard this. If a large group of Wei troops really came from the east, it would be really bad for their own side.
"Reporting to the Prime Minister, the Lantian County Guards have sent urgent military information. They are outside the tent.
ask to see. "At this moment, the voice of the guard outside the tent sounded again.
Zhuge Liang was shocked and said: "Lantian? Could it be..." After calming down, he still said to Wei Min: "Wen Jing, go out and take a look."
"promise."
Wei Min quickly left the table again and went out to the tent. After a while, he returned with a serious look on his face. When everyone saw his appearance, they all secretly thought that something was wrong.
"Prime Minister, according to reports from Lantian County's traveling guards, Sima Yi, the puppet Wei cavalry general, personally led 30,000 cavalry and traveled through the starry night towards Chang'an. They have now passed Wuguan and arrived in Shangluo. They are less than 200 miles away from Chang'an. .”
As soon as these words came out, a thousand waves were stirred up. All the generals were shocked and could no longer be as calm as before. After all, the weight of the 30,000 Wei army was far beyond what Zhanghe's 5,000 soldiers and horses could match. Once they arrived in Chang'an, , will completely change the battlefield situation between the enemy and ourselves.
"Prime Minister, Cao Zhen has indeed summoned reinforcements from the east. The two Wei armies, Sima Yi and Zhang He, attacking at the same time must have been premeditated. Someone thought that Cao Zhen wanted to gather troops to fight our army for another decisive victory," Zhao Yun said, cupping his fists.
Guan Xingdao: "I have the same view as the old general Zilong. Cao Zhen wants to use Chang'an as bait to lure our army to attack the fortified city, and then ask Zhang He and Sima Yi to outflank our army from outside, hoping to annihilate our army in Chang'an in one fell swoop Below the city."
"This plan is very vicious. Zhang He's army can arrive in the morning and evening, and Sima Yi's army can arrive in two days at the earliest. Therefore, we must retreat immediately to avoid being surrounded by the Wei army." Jiang Wei said anxiously.
Yang Qing said: "Prime Minister, Qing thought that the bait Cao Zhen designed for us was An Ling. However, our army's offensive was very fierce and his plan could not keep up with the changes. That's why he had to abandon An Ling and flee back to Chang'an, and then use Chang'an as bait to attract me." military.
This plan is indeed wonderful and beautiful. The two armies of Sima Yi and Zhang He were not detected by the Youwei until they reached the vicinity of Chang'an, which shows that they were fully prepared. The current situation was critical and they must retreat immediately.
Fortunately, our army had planned to withdraw to Hanzhong after three days without success. All preparations for the withdrawal were almost complete. As long as we arrived at Yicheng quickly, Zhang He and Sima Yi's army would have no choice but to defeat us. Even if they came after us, The army can also calmly retreat to Hanzhong along the Baoxian Road. "
"Good. Ming Zhi's words coincide with mine. Although the Wei army is coming fiercely, our army has already made preparations to withdraw. There should be no danger of retreating this time."
Zhuge Liang paused for a moment, then stood up and said seriously: "Generals, listen to your orders."
"Yes." The generals also stood up and responded.
Zhuge Liang said: "Tomorrow morning, the army will withdraw westward according to the planned deployment, with only a few changes." He looked at Yang Qing and said: "Obviously, when Cao Zhen sees our army retreating, it is very likely that he will lead his army to stop it. Tomorrow you will lead your cavalry to follow Bo Yue. A break."
"promise."
Zhuge Liang said again: "Zhang He's army has arrived at Meiyang, so Zhang Boqi and others on the north bank of the Wei River are in danger. As soon as you know it, you quickly send an urgent order and order Zhang Ni to withdraw to Wugong together with the soldiers and horses left in Anling."
"Yes." Yang Qing responded.
Zhuge Liang said: "It's already getting late. Go back and seize the time to rest and lead the army to evacuate tomorrow morning."
"Promise." All the generals agreed in unison.
Everyone returned to their camps. Yang Qing immediately summoned Wu Que and asked him to arrange for men to go to the south bank of the Wei River overnight to convey orders to Zhang Ni who was still stationed there. He then summoned Liu Yin, Tao Gong and others to inform them of the withdrawal instructions and let them do what they wanted. Be prepared, just wait until dawn tomorrow to lead the army and set off.
