Everything was as Liu Ye expected. The Shu army fought very well during the day, but the night battle made them feel tremendous pressure.

Even with torches, they still cannot see clearly outside dozens of steps. The fear is infinitely amplified. Many Shu soldiers are nervous. When there is any movement, they will fire their crossbows at the same time. They consume a lot of arrows, but they also make themselves extremely nervous.

Huang Quan complained secretly, but had no choice but to order more torches to be lit, and constantly throw them to the Wu army's position, and then asked the crossbowman to shoot the exposed Wu army. He ran around, patrolling the position, boosting morale, making himself exhausted and his voice hoarse.

The stalemate was in the second half of the night, and the Shen Mi army, who had not been moving on the northern slope, seized an opportunity and suddenly burst into force and broke into the left wing position of the Shu army. While counterattacking, the Shu army beating drums to warn for help. Because of the strong combat power of Wu Fen's army, the focus of the defense of the Shu army has been on the right wing position. Now the left wing has been unexpectedly broken, the Shu army's mentality has been severely hit, and the formation has become chaotic.

Wu Fen realized that the fighter plane appeared and immediately ordered a strong rush. The soldiers closest to the Shu army's position jumped up from their hiding place and raised their swords and shields to run. After fighting on the hillside for a long time, they had already seen the route of the assault. Although several people jumped and fell, most of them successfully broke into the Shu army formation, shouted angrily, snatched in with their shields, and slashed them around.

The Wu army took the army as a unit, and even two or three people cooperated with each other, broke into the Shu army's formation and killed them, catching the Shu army off guard.

When Sun Quan heard the shouts of killing on the hillsides on both sides, he was surprised and happy. While sending someone to check, he asked Liu Ye and Liao Li for advice.

Liu Ye listened for a while, jumped up and shouted, "King, it's this moment to defeat the enemy!"

Sun Quan was overjoyed and immediately ordered people to beat the drums and the entire army attacked.

The drums were loud, and the Wu army, who were standing at the ridge, launched a charge. The infantrymen of the two armies threw away the bulky wooden houses and climbed up to the top. Seeing this, the Shu army on the ridge fired their bows and crossbows and fought back desperately. However, they consumed too many arrows during the day, and the arrow formation was a little sparse.

Both sides fought hard for a day and half a night, and their physical strength was consumed a lot, but in comparison, the Wu army was obviously much better than the Shu army. The fighter jets that were waiting for appeared were excited to inspire them to avoid fatigue and attack with all their strength. The Shu army was panicked and retreated step by step.

In less than half an hour of fierce battle, the three Wu troops gained decisive advantages one after another, captured the position, and quickly approached the central army of the Shu army.

Seeing this, Huang Quan knew that the situation was hopeless and ordered his retreat. He led his personal guard camp to cut off the rear.

After receiving Cao Cao's order, he made corresponding preparations and retreated in an orderly manner. He is worthy of being a Banyan Man. Although he is not strong enough, he can still run on the narrow mountain road as if he is faster than a rabbit. However, some soldiers can't see the road clearly in a hurry and fall into the ravine. Many people throw away their weapons and armor in order to run faster.

Huang Quan didn't even have to act, and he was defeated in a true way. Even he was almost bitten by Wu Jun and could not get out.

When the rising sun was rising, Sun Quan stood on Niuma Ridge with a bloody sword, full of energy.

Huang Quan, who had retreated in a hurry, took a last look at the position and looked at Sun Quan.

——

Sun Quan conquered Niuma Ridge as scheduled, and the casualties were far less than expected, so his plan to attack Motian Ridge was immediately put on the agenda.

Because of his military achievements in Wu County, Sun Quan was promoted from General of the Western Expedition to General of the Western Expedition, and became the vanguard leader and served as the main attacker. Although Lou Gui rushed to Motianling first, he had no military achievements and could only serve as another unit as an auxiliary.

Because of the small losses, Sun Quan did not need to add soldiers, but he commanded tens of thousands of people and was qualified to apply for a military advisor.

During the battle of Niumaling, Sun Quan realized the importance of an excellent military advisor from Liu Ye. As soon as the appointment of the General of the Western Expedition was reached, he asked Sun Ce to be equipped with a military advisor in person, and expressed his strikingly that he hoped to remain at Liu Ye for a while.

Sun Ce agreed to his request and, in front of Sun Quan, asked Liu Ye to assist Sun Quan in fighting the battle of Motianling.

Compared with Niuma Ridge, the battle at Motian Ridge is the real key battle. By taking Motian Ridge, you can bypass Qutang Gorge and directly attack Baidi City. It is conceivable that Cao Cao will definitely do his best to defend Motian Ridge to the death without giving in.

This can be seen from his personal leadership of the central army and stationed in Motianling.

Sun Ce told Sun Quan that you were asked to attack Motianling, not to expect you to conquer Motianling, but just hope you can see the real battlefield. Motianling is a dangerous place, Cao Cao is proficient in military tactics, and the central army he led is also a real elite. Confronting such an opponent without defeat is enough to prove that you have the ability to command the army to fight and can stand alone.

If this is true, I can sit in Jingchu with peace of mind, raise food for you, and let you work together with Shubi and Shangxiang to defeat Yizhou.

Sun Quan cried with joy and bowed to him.

——

Sun Ce immediately attended the Military Advisory Office meeting with Sun Quan to discuss the combat plan to attack Motianling.

The pre-war meeting of the Military Advisory Office was confidential. Liao Li was Sun Quan's personal aide. He had no official position and could not participate in the meeting. He could only wait outside the account.

The meeting was very long and there were many differences during this period. Even though it was far apart, Liao Li could feel the heated debate.

The meeting ended in the middle of the night. Sun Quan was exhausted and returned to the temporary tent. Seeing that Liao Li had not yet rested, he ordered someone to get a midnight snack. While eating, he explained the general situation.

The main difference is not how to attack, but whether to attack.

One opinion is that Motianling is between Wuxian and Yufu. The road leading to Yufu is relatively flat and there are waterways to pass through, so the pressure on the baggage burden is less. The road leading to Wuxian is more difficult, and even if it is transported from Wuxi, it will take a lot of trouble.

More importantly, Cao Cao led the central army to defend Motianling and had enough troops, which was extremely unfavorable to the attack. Instead of attacking strongly, it was better to maintain confrontation, restrain Cao Cao's troops, and fight for fighter opportunities for other units.

One opinion is that although Cao Cao has sufficient troops and occupy favorable terrain, our army has not weak troops and its combat power is better than its opponents, so he can attack head-on. Five or sixty thousand troops are on an expedition, and the baggage is on the way forward. The pressure on logistics supplies is too great. It is advisable to fight quickly and not to stand stalemate.

At the end of the debate, Sun Ce gave a conclusion: to conduct an attempt to attack Motianling and determine the result of the battle. If the Shu army defended strictly and there was no possibility of a strong attack, then give up the attack, and Sun Quan led his troops to guard Wuxian to confront Cao Cao, and the main force of the central army retreated to Jingchu. If the Shu army was not as strong as expected and the possibility of a strong attack was very high, launch a strong attack and strive for a quick battle.

The task of trying to attack naturally fell on the shoulders of Sun Quan, the newly appointed general of the Western Expedition.

Therefore, Sun Quan’s mission is not to conquer Motianling, but to test the strength of the Shu army and see if there are any flaws in the defense line of the Shu army.

After Sun Quan finished speaking, he drank porridge while rubbing his sore eyebrows.

It can be seen that he was not willing to give up. He won consecutive victories, especially the unexpectedly easy victory over Niumaling. Now that he is in a strong morale, how can he be willing to try it out easily? He just tests the strength of the Shu army.

However, he also knew that Cao Cao had 20,000 to 30,000 troops under his command, with a total force of more than 100,000 troops, and nearly 10,000 people stationed on the ridge. His strength was not comparable to Huang Quan, nor could he be able to capture it with his own strength. If he really wanted to conquer Motianling, only Sun Ce took action himself.

"Gong Yuan, how should I fight?"

Liao Li didn't say anything for a long time. He didn't know what Cao Cao and Fa Zheng would think.

Fa Zheng definitely did not want Sun Ce to withdraw. Although Huang Quan was defeated, there must be something about pretending to be defeated and luring the enemy, but Sun Quan didn't know. If not, how could Cao Cao not send troops to reinforce? He also asked Huang Quan to draw personnel from the position to defend Kou Ying's encirclement.

However, Motianling is different from Niumaling. There cannot be any mistakes. It is impossible for the fact that pretends to be defeated and abandon Niumaling again.

But if Sun Ce is too strict and does not see any hope, Sun Ce will likely retreat directly, and all Fa Zheng's plans will be lost.

Liao Li thought about it and didn't know what Fa Zheng would do, so he had to vaguely say to Sun Quan, just do his best. Then, while Wu Fen had not come back, he found a waiter and sent the news, and Fa Zheng decided on his own.

His mission has been completed and he can evacuate at any time.

——

Motianling.

Cao Cao stood on the ridge and looked at Wu Jun who was slowly advancing along the mountainside path in the distance, frowned.

Fa Zheng stood aside, bowed his hands, and remained silent.

The sun shone through the west side, and the mountains behind him cast huge black shadows, covering them. Although it was still early, their faces were a little obscure.

Motianling is part of the Qiyue Mountain Range. The Qiyue Mountain Range is opposite to Wushan by Wuxi, extending westward and turning southwest. The part cut off by the Yangtze River is Qutang Gorge. Motianling is just one of many mountains, with several larger streams originating from there. One flows eastward and converges into Xiama Creek; one flows northeastward and converges into Wuxi; the other flows westward and converges into Dongzeng Creek, and converges into the river under Baidi City.

After passing Motianling and walking west along the northern foot of Qiyue Mountain, you can reach Baidi City directly.

Motianling is the last fortress on the land route to Yufu and the most steepest pass. Before the Wu Navy attacked along the water route, this was the battlefield that Cao Cao was most concerned about.

Fa Zheng received a message from Liao Li and knew that Sun Quan was coming. But they had some differences on how to fight next.

The differences stem from Sun Ce's attitude.

According to Liao Li, Sun Ce's intention to attack with force was just to take this opportunity to let Sun Quan hit the wall and recognize his strength. Once Sun Quan hits the wall, he may retreat and does not intend to attack fiercely in person.

To keep Sun Ce and buy time for Peng Ye, extraordinary means must be used.

Fazheng's methods are very direct. Sun Ce has arrived here, and Sun Quan's value has been exhausted, and his final effect is to anger Sun Ce. Therefore, the best way is to severely damage Sun Quan, or even kill Sun Quan, and force Sun Ce to attack and attack Motianling.

If Sun Ce loses his troops and loses his generals, that would be great. If Sun Ce sees the situation is not good and chooses to retreat, it will be at least half a month later. After so long, Peng Yi should be able to find a suitable location and will be severely injured when Sun Ce returns.

No matter what, as long as Sun Ce enters the formation and fails to conquer Motianling, the myth of not being afraid of being destroyed is a great achievement.

Fa Zheng thought he was thoughtful and restrained, but he never thought that Cao Cao hesitated and never agreed.

Fa Zheng thought about it and felt that there was only one possibility: Cao Cao wanted to surrender and left a way out for himself. The reason why he fought with Sun Ce was just to prove that he still had the capital for negotiation and wanted to get more benefits, but he refused to take the risk of angering Sun Ce, let alone killing Sun Ce.

This disappointed Fa Zheng and almost resigned to Cao Cao.

All along, what he has been pursuing is to use his own talents to defeat the strong and reverse the situation in the world in one fell swoop. Only in this way can he be as famous as Zhang Liang and Han Xin. Instead of relying on his own skills and trying hard to make a little bit of leftovers.

If you just want to be a surrendered minister, with his ability, you can join the Wu Military Affairs Office and the Military Information Office as a military advisor, it is not easy to win.

"Xiaozhi, Gu always feels that Liao Gongyuan may have revealed his actions." Cao Cao suddenly said.

Fa Zheng did not answer immediately. He thought about it and analyzed Cao Cao's thoughts before saying, "It doesn't matter if Liao Gongyuan doesn't show his deeds. Just defeat Sun Ce."

"Otherwise, if Sun Ce really reveals his actions, we may be in the trap." Cao Cao turned around and looked at Fa Zheng. "For example, he might get Yongnian's news from Liao Gongyuan and send someone to search Yongnian. Don't you find it strange? After so long, Yongnian has no news at all, maybe he has been caught by Sun Ce. For example, he used our minds to easily defeat Niumaling."

Fa Zheng felt nervous and was also a little worried. If as Cao Cao said, Liao Li would not only be seen through, but also be instigated, the news he received might also be arranged by Sun Ce. They unconsciously followed Sun Ce's plan and handed over Wu County and Niu Maling to each other.

But when he thought about it, he shook his head again. "Although it is possible, it is not inevitable. If Sun Ce really knows our plan, he should stop when he sees it is better and retreat quickly. The longer he stays here, the more unfavorable it is for him. He will never want us to give him Motianling." He paused and strengthened his tone. "Unless he is determined to attack with force, whether it is a trick or a strong attack. If he cannot suppress his spirit, even if the king wants to plead for Liao Gongyuan, he will not listen to the king's word."

Cao Cao's eyes flashed and he was a little embarrassed in an instant.

He knew that Fa Zheng had guessed his thoughts, at least most of them, so he specifically reminded him that Sun Ce had no intention of negotiating with him. If he wanted to negotiate, he had to beat Sun Ce first.

Cao Cao pondered for a while and sighed. "Xiaozhi, no matter what, Sun Ce is still a kind and righteous person. My wife and children are at his hands. He has not seen him harm him, but he has taken care of him a lot. But if he died at our hands, his heir would probably not be so polite. Not only will you and I be unable to protect themselves, but I am afraid that the entire family will be destroyed."

Fazheng verified what he thought in his heart, and while sighing secretly, he had to admit that something was said by Cao Cao. If he really wanted to kill Sun Ce and his son wanted to avenge his father, the Cao family in Qiao County was completely inseparable, but the Fufeng Fa family was probably implicated.

"What should we do according to the king's opinion?"

Cao Cao said seriously: "A battle is upright, and the victory or defeat is all destiny."
Chapter completed!