Wuguan is surrounded by the tall Shaoxi Mountain to the north and dangerous strategic points to the south. It is surrounded by mountains and rivers and is naturally dangerous. It is the gateway to Guanzhong and the southeast.

According to this dangerous location, it can be easily defended but difficult to attack with two enemies, so it is known as the "Hundred-Two Passes of Qin". Together with Hangu Pass, Xiao Pass and Dashan Pass, it is called the "Four Fortresses of Qin".

Dong Zhuo caused chaos in Guanzhong, and many people fled to Jingzhou, including Qi Mukai, Du Ji and other celebrities. However, banditry was rampant along the way.

After Cao Cao captured Chang'an and Zhang Xiu presented Nanyang, he sent troops to guard Wuguan and clear the territory. From then on, the road became smooth and became a hub connecting Chang'an to Jingxiang and Wuyue, with an endless stream of pedestrians.

However, with the rise of Liu Qi's new army, he outsmarted Nanyang and defeated Cao's army, Wuguan became the gateway to Guanzhong, and Cao Cao sent an additional 5,000 elite troops to garrison here.

Zhong Yao, the prefect of Chang'an, also set up additional post stations along the route. From Chang'an to Shangluo, there were eight post stations in total, not only for gathering information about the former army, but also to ensure timely supply of food and grass.

Half a year has passed, and the winding mountain road outside Wuguan has long been deserted and overgrown with grass. Coupled with a first snowfall, the mountains are gray and desolate.

The weather was gloomy, the northwest wind was howling, and a group of men and horses were walking slowly on the mountain road. The man leading the army with a face as thick as a jujube and a solemn expression was none other than Wei Yan.

As he lowered his head and hurried on, someone stood in front of him at the mountain pass. He turned around and reported, "General Wei, after turning around this mountain pass, you will reach the Wuguan Pass. There are no sentries from Cao's army. It must be because of the cold weather and the ground that they are all hiding in the pass."

Wei Yan waved his hand, and everyone hid in the leeward place to rest for a while. They stepped forward to observe the situation at Wuguan, and saw a figure moving behind the gate. Apparently, the defenders had not completely relaxed their vigilance, and there were still patrols.

However, Wuguan is built on a high ground in the middle of the mountain, with cliffs to the north and a ravine to the south. There are only two gates on the east and west. If you want to enter the pass, there is only one passage.

He turned to Hu Ji and said: "This Wuguan is built on the mountain. If the troops want to enter the pass, the mountain road is rugged. The pass is high in cliffs and deep in the valley. It is narrow and difficult to navigate. It is indeed easy to defend but difficult to attack."

Hu Ji nodded and said: "This place has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times. If we don't use it wisely, it will be as difficult as climbing to the sky to attack it."

With a clang, Wei Yan drew out his green sword, and a resolute face reflected on the sword's blade, he said in a deep voice: "If I take this pass, even if Cao Cao's troops come with a hundred thousand soldiers, it will be in vain."

After observing for a while, the two returned to the mountain col, took a short rest, and watched as the sky was getting dark, and they led the three thousand Red Flame Army towards Guanxia.

Just after turning around the mountain col, a sharp whistle suddenly sounded from the cliff several feet high, followed by green smoke, drums were turned off and the defenders were busy.

Wei Yan was secretly shocked. It turned out that there was a hidden sentry on the cliff. From that position, he could have a clear view of the mountain road. He could even see a bird flying by, let alone sneak in for a sneak attack.

"Put up the flag!" Wei Yan ordered loudly, and soldiers behind him raised the flag of Cao's army.

The men and horses lined up neatly and marched towards the pass. Everyone was wearing Cao Jun's armor. Wei Yan was holding a green sword and striding forward.

"Who is here? Tell me your name!" When the guard saw a group of Cao soldiers coming, he was confused and shouted loudly.

Wei Yan came to the pass, clasped his fists and said: "We are Luoyang soldiers and horses, who will guard the pass?"

"This is General Fenwei Xia Houcun!" A general from Guan Guan leaned out and asked puzzledly: "How did Luoyang soldiers and horses come from outside the Guan Guan?"

Wei Yan said loudly: "This is General Fenwu Yan Wei, who came to guard the pass on the orders of the Prime Minister. Please open and close the gate quickly."

"General Yang Wei, you and others..."

"Yan Wei is not Yang Wei!" Wei Yan was furious.

"I know you are Yang Wei!" Xia Houcun said impatiently: "How do you pass through Nanyang?"

Although he is a descendant of Xiahou, he grew up in Huainan and did not know that he had an accent problem. This time he was recommended by Cao Ren and transferred to Wuguan to perform meritorious service.

Unexpectedly, before my buttocks were warmed up, another General Fenwu with a higher position came, coming from outside the pass, and I was filled with doubts.

He used a pseudonym and was misunderstood by this kid. Wei Yan was so angry that he gasped, but he was sure that the information provided by the guard and Xu Shu was the same. He was secretly happy and no longer dwelled on the matter.

He took a deep breath and clasped his fists and said: "The military situation is urgent, and the snow has delayed the trip. We dare not take a detour to Guanzhong and come over the mountains from Lushi."

Xia Houcun asked: "In this case, can there be official documents with talisman seals?"

Wei Yan replied: "While traveling over mountains and ridges, I accidentally lost the official document."

"Hahaha, what a big joke!"

"Wait a minute!" Wei Yan shouted hurriedly: "We are personally appointed by the Prime Minister. If you dare to take action, General Cao Ren can't protect you."

Hearing Cao Ren, Xiahou Cun's heart trembled, and he snorted coldly: "You must be Jingzhou soldiers and horses. Do you think I can't recognize you because of your armor?"

Wei Yan raised the green sword and shouted: "Although the official document is lost, I believe that the object is here. Can you recognize this sword?"

Xia Houcun slowly lowered his raised hand. He could not see clearly from a distance and shouted: "Send it up."

At the critical moment, the defenders used ropes to hang down the basket. Wei Yan ordered his men to take the sword to the bottom of the city and put it into the basket.

Xia Houcun took the sword, pulled out half of it, and exclaimed: "Green sword?"

Wei Yan sneered and said: "Since you recognize this sword, do you know it is the Prime Minister's sword?"

Yitian, Qingzhi is Cao Cao's sword, and everyone in Cao's army knows about it.

The key point is that Xiahou visited his clansmen in Xuchang and asked Xiahou En for a copy of the Qingzhi Sword, which further confirmed it.

"You... how come you have the prime minister's sword?" Xia Houcun's face changed slightly.

"Did you know that this general is the Prime Minister's son-in-law?" Wei Yan said with a proud smile: "The Prime Minister has to make a detailed report in the past few days. Liu Qi intends to plot in Guanzhong and sent me to guard Wuguan. I am afraid that the general has not been in office for a long time and was recommended by General Cao, so he will not be willing to obey orders.

, I specially hand over this sword to me and order the whole army,"

"This..." Xia Houcun hesitated.

Cao Cao had seven or eight biological daughters, and there were also countless daughters from married women who were adopted as adopted daughters. How could he know who his son-in-law was?

"If you don't turn the switch on yet, how dare you disobey me?" Wei Yan stood at the foot of the city with his hands on his hips and shouted: "In that case, return the sword quickly and I will return to Luoyang immediately."

"General Yang, calm down!" Xia Houcun came to his senses and hurriedly clasped his fists and said: "The young general's duty is to be cautious. Since the prime minister has a sword, it is like the prime minister coming in person. How dare you disobey? I will go down to the pass to greet you!"

The door slowly opened. Wei Yan winked at the people behind him and stepped forward. The soldiers followed closely and swarmed to the front of the pass.

Xia Houcun hurried out of the seclusion, holding the green sword in both hands, and bowed to greet him.

The person coming here is not only a close confidant of Cao Cao, but also one level higher than him in official rank, so he must be treated with caution.

Wei Yan stepped forward and took the sword, nodded and said with a smile: "The general is quite shrewd when he reins in his horse from the brink."

Xia Houcun looked up and saw the cold light flashing in Wei Yan's eyes. He was so frightened that a layer of cold sweat broke out on his back, and he hurriedly said: "The general will not dare!"

Wei Yan snorted slightly and walked to the pass first. Xia Houcun hurriedly followed and said with a smile: "I have ordered people to prepare a banquet to welcome the general."
Chapter completed!