Soon, a tall and thin scribe in his early thirties was brought in by the personal guards. Yang Qing knew that this man was Hu Ji's subordinate Ling Shi, but he did not know his name.
"Shi Zhaohui, the Prime Minister's Regent, has met Yang Shijun."
Yang Qingdao: "Zhao Lingshi doesn't need to be polite. I wonder what the prime minister's purpose is?"
"Here is the letter written by the Prime Minister, so that you can read it at a glance." Zhao Hui handed over a wooden box sealed with fire paint and gold seal.
Zhou Xing took it and inspected it. Seeing that the lacquer seal was intact, he nodded to Yang Qing. Yang Qing opened the wooden box, took out the letter inside and read it.
After a while, Yang Qing nodded to Zhao Hui and said, "I already know the Prime Minister's intention. Zhao Lingshi will wait here for a while and he will come back soon."
After that, accompanied by Zhou Xing, he went to the back tent and quickly wrote a reply to Zhuge Liang. He also sealed it with a gold seal and put it into a wooden box.
Yang Qing returned to the front tent and handed the wooden box to Zhao Hui, saying, "My answer is inside. I also ask Zhao Lingshi to return and present it to the prime minister."
"Don't worry, Hui will be handed over to the prime minister intact. I'll take my leave first." Zhao Hui bowed.
Yang Qing said: "Hey, there's no need to be in such a hurry. Zhao Lingshi, please have a meal before leaving."
"Thank you for your kindness, envoy. The military situation is urgent and I really don't dare to delay." Zhao Hui declined.
Yang Qing nodded and said: "Forget it, I won't advise you. De Mao, send Zhao Lingshi out of the camp for me."
"promise."
After Zhou Xing and Zhao Hui left, Zhang Ni quickly asked, "Your Majesty, I wonder what the Prime Minister's orders are?"
Seeing the worried look on his face, Yang Qing smiled and said, "Don't worry, it's a good thing. Let's not talk about it now. Let's talk about it after dinner."
Everyone enjoyed the meal, and after the meal was over, Yang Qing kept Zhang Ni, Liu Yin, Tao Gong and other important generals behind.
"Everyone, this morning Prime Minister and General Zhao defeated tens of thousands of Wei troops led by Cao Zhen and Sima Yi in Zhouzhi. Now the Wei troops have retreated to Huaili and are no longer able to pursue our army." Yang Qingtong reported.
Everyone was happy after hearing this and applauded one after another. Yang Qing continued: "Therefore, the Prime Minister decided to lead his army to withdraw from Zhou Zhi tomorrow and retreat to Wugong. He ordered us to stay on the south bank of the Wei River for two more days to prevent Zhang He's army from crossing the Wei River and coming back to fight."
"Your Majesty, the armies of Cao Zhen and Sima Yi were defeated by the Prime Minister and the others, and are no longer able to pursue them. Even if Zhang He succeeds in crossing the river, it will be difficult for him to cross the river alone. The threat to our army will not be great. Yi thinks that Zhang He will probably retreat after receiving the news. ." Zhang Ni said, cupping his hands.
Yang Qing nodded: "That's what I think too. It's just that we're not afraid of ten thousand, just in case. When we march and fight, we can't give the initiative to the enemy. Staying for two more days is a guarantee for the entire army."
After a pause, he continued: "In the past two days, we must still maintain the due vigilance and monitor the movements of Zhang He's army with all our strength. We must not slack off at all."
"I will obey your envoy's order." Everyone responded in unison.
On the second day, Zhuge Liang, Zhao Yun, Guan Xing and others led more than 20,000 Han troops to leave Zhouzhi and rush towards Wugong.
Cao Zhen and others, who retreated to Huaili overnight to rest, were really unwilling to accept the reward of the expedition. However, after a big defeat, the soldiers were indeed unable to fight anymore. Even if they pursued forcefully, they would not be the opponents of the Han army in the end, and there was still a possibility. will suffer greater failure.
"General, I just received a message from Commander Guo. Twenty thousand Jingzhou infantry under Sima Gong have arrived in Chang'an. Commander Guo asked if we still need more troops to come for reinforcements?" Fei Yao quickly walked into the hall and reported. .
Cao Zhen smiled bitterly at Sima Yi, who was sitting on his lower right: "Zhongda, this time I will let your men run away in vain."
Now the main force of the Han army has moved far to the west, and will reach Wugong and Yicheng in a few days. When the reinforcements from Chang'an arrive, the Han army has already retreated into Baoxie Road.
"The general is joking. We rushed to the aid of Guanzhong in compliance with the emperor's order. It is our duty to travel twice as many times as we should, so how can we say that our trip was in vain? Besides, although we were unable to defeat the main force of the Shu army, They stayed, but they were frightened into retreating, and Chang'an was finally saved.
Chang'an has not been lost, and Guanzhong is still in the hands of the Wei Dynasty. Your Majesty, you can rest assured. As for the three cities of Wugong, Xixian, and Chencang, we will try to capture them in the future.
That’s it. "Sima Yi said.
Cao Zhen nodded and said: "That's all we can do now." He told Fei Yao: "Gongming, please reply to Bo Ji and tell him not to come. Our army will return to Chang'an the day after tomorrow. In addition, send a letter to Zhang Junyi, Let him and Yan He retreat to Maoling to rest and recuperate, so there is no need to confront Yang Qing at the Wei River."
"No." Fei Yao agreed with his fists crossed.
Zhang He looked at the order sent by Cao Zhen with a livid face. He never expected that the two famous generals Cao Zhen and Sima Yi not only failed to hold back the main force of the Shu army, but suffered a big loss at the hands of Zhuge Liang. It was really surprising. Not within reach.
Now the Wei army in the east was unable to pursue them, and Zhang He's troops were blocked on the north bank of the Wei River, unable to penetrate in front of the Han army to stop them. Cao Zhen's plan to encircle and annihilate the Shu army had completely failed, and all the troops had no choice but to retreat.
Zhang He was naturally well aware of the current situation. He sighed and ordered his generals and Yan He to be invited to prepare for the withdrawal.
Two days later, Tan Ma reported to Yang Qing that Zhang He's army had withdrawn to Maoling, and Cao Zhen's and Sima Yi's armies had also returned to Chang'an. All Wei armies had retreated, and the Han army could finally evacuate with confidence.
"Boqi, Xiuren, Zhang He, Yan and the army have retreated, and it's time for us to leave. Now the Prime Minister and the others are waiting for us at Wu Gong. They ordered the troops to quickly pack up their belongings and luggage, and withdraw to Wu Gong to meet up in an hour." In the big tent, Yang Qing was pacing and talking.
Zhang Ni and Liu Yin agreed repeatedly, and immediately went out to arrange for the soldiers to pack up a supply of military supplies. An hour later, all the troops were packed up. Yang Qing gave an order, and eight thousand cavalry left the south bank of the Wei River and rushed toward Wugong.
On the morning of the next day, Yang Qing led his army to Wugong and left his troops to camp outside the city. He, Zhang Yi and Liu Yin went into the city to attend a meeting. Zhuge Liang wanted to make final decisions on various matters after the main force of the army withdrew to Hanzhong. s arrangement.
"Tomorrow, Old General Zilong and I will lead the main force back to Hanzhong to rest and recuperate. The defense of Wugong, Yicheng, and Chencang will be fully entrusted to you and Anguo.
Once the main force of the army is gone, you and An Guo will only have more than 10,000 troops left, and the total Wei army in Guanzhong still has 50,000 people. If they want to retake the city and attack in a large scale, you will face great pressure.
Therefore, pay attention to everything and be extra careful. If there is any danger, immediately send envoys back to Hanzhong to report to me, and I will send reinforcements in time. Zhuge Liang said slowly.
Yang Qingdao: "Prime Minister, don't worry. With An Guo staying to help, the three cities of Wugong will be safe. Furthermore, although there are many Wei troops in Guanzhong, they have to defend various places, and Sima Yi's 30,000 infantry cannot stay in Guanzhong for long." , so the more than 10,000 horses in the hands of Qing and Anguo are enough to defend themselves."
"Well, you just have to know what's going on."
Zhuge Liang smiled and nodded. He was relatively confident in Yang Qing's ability. Besides, Guan Xing stayed to help. This arrangement was enough to ensure that the results of the Northern Expedition would not be regained.
"Zilong, you will hand over the defense of Wugong, Yicheng, and Chencang with Mingzhi and Anguo starting tomorrow. After your right army gathers in Yicheng, you will slowly retreat along the Baoxie Road with the Chinese army. Hanzhong." Zhuge Liang said again.
Zhao Yun cupped his fists and accepted the order: "No."
Zhuge Liang also made arrangements for the retreat of each ministry one by one, and Jiang Wei, Zong Yu and others were all ordered to do so. The plan has been decided, and the generals have gone to prepare, planning to officially set off back to Hanzhong in three days.
