Cao Cao was recuperating his strength in Xuchang. After receiving news from Chang'an, he immediately convened a civil and military meeting.

Cao Cao said: "Now that Liu Qi has arrived at Wuguan, he really tried to connect with Ma Teng and spy on the pass, but he didn't know that Ma Teng was already under my control. Sun Quan sneaked into Huainan and captured our Lujiang River a few years ago. It was an act of revenge.

What do you think?"

Xia Houyuan had long been dissatisfied with the sneak attack on Soochow, and nodded and said: "The rats from the east of the Yangtze River are attacking Qin and Chu. If we don't teach them a lesson and attack them with force, they will definitely do it again in the future. We can take back the land north of the Yangtze River and avoid future troubles forever."

After Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun were redeemed, Cao Cao transferred them to Xuzhou in exchange for Zhang Liao and Xiahou Yuan, who were responsible for guarding Jingzhou. All personnel had already been deployed.

Jia Xu said, "Liu Qi actually came to Wuguan in person. He may have some plans. If he disturbs the situation in Guanzhong, it may spread. Prime Minister needs to be careful."

Cao Cao laughed and said: "Although Xu Huang was defeated, Liu Qi wanted to send troops to Guanzhong, but he was unable to do so. Now that Ma Teng has sent troops, I will provide food and grass, so why worry? Generals Cao Hong and Xu Huang will guard Guanzhong, and they can protect Guanzhong.

No worries.”

Jia Xu frowned slightly, tugged at his beard and said nothing. On the surface, the matter seemed to be foolproof, but he always felt something was wrong in his heart, and he could not discuss military affairs based on his feelings.

Seeing his hesitation, Cao Cao smiled and said: "I had discussed this matter with you many years ago. Why was I so hesitant when it came time to send out troops? It's not the general's fault to make constant decisions and miss good opportunities. I've made up my mind, and I'm leaving here."

It will surely flatten the east of the Yangtze River, causing the blue eyes to descend in fear."

Le Jin couldn't wait any longer, clasped his fists and said: "The last general is willing to be the vanguard and rush to Huainan to kill."

Cao Cao then worshiped Le Jin as the vanguard, and at the same time sent an envoy to Soochow to accuse Sun Quan of violating the territory and killing the court officials, and asked him to surrender.

Hou Yuan of Xia was left to guard Xuchang, while Zhang Liao went out to town in Kunyang and led an army of 50,000. He also transferred soldiers and horses from Hebei and Xuzhou to the south, and gathered in Shouchun to conquer Soochow.

…

Three days later, Cao Hong mobilized his troops in Chang'an and rushed to Wuguan to kill them. He also sent 50,000 shi of food and grass with the army and transported them from Zhongjin to Chencang to encourage the Xiliang army.

When Zhong Jin returned to Chencang, he was full of ambition. He had asked Ma Teng to send troops before when he was on an envoy, and this time he helped Ma Teng get food and grass. He felt that his life had reached its peak.

Ma Xiu was preparing grain and grass in Chencang. He didn't expect Zhong to come in so quickly. He quickly ordered the soldiers to load the moldy grain and grass in the warehouse and place it on the outside.

Seeing that Zhong Jin had sent food and grass again, Ma Xiu couldn't help but clasped his fists and said, "General, you are indeed a man of faith."

Zhong Jin said with a smile: "What I promised must be done with care. General Cao has sent troops to attack Liu Qi. Before leaving, he gave me some thin noodles and allocated grain and grass to support the army. General Ma didn't want us to do it."

Disappointed!"

"We will work hard to eradicate the traitors!" Ma Xiu nodded repeatedly and asked: "General Cao wants to attack Liu Qi, does he have to send troops out of Wuguan?"

Zhong Jin laughed and said: "The general didn't know something. Liu Qi actually came to Wuguan in person. General Xu Huang didn't know the truth, so he was defeated. Now that General Cao is going to fight in person, he will definitely make this son come home in defeat."

"So that's it!" Ma Xiu's heart moved, and he asked some more about the situation in Chang'an. He took Zhong Jin and the vehicle to the camp and ordered people to check and deliver.

When Zhong Jin saw that most of the food and grass prepared by Ma Xiu were moldy, he immediately became convinced and pretended to be indignant: "How can the three armies fight with this kind of military food?"

Matthew sighed helplessly: "I was worried about food and fodder, and the general came at just the right time. It was a timely help."

Zhong Jin, in his capacity as an envoy, offered some words of comfort. This time he did not dare to agree to send more food and grass. He only said that he would tell the truth when he returned and asked Cao Hong to allocate more money and food so that his father and his son could capture Hanzhong as soon as possible.

Ma Xiu thanked him again and again and hosted a banquet in honor of Zhong Jin. This time Zhong Jin did not dare to stay long. After a quick meal, he immediately returned to Chang'an to resume his duties.

After sending Zhong Jin off, Ma Xiu rushed to Sanguan overnight to report the military situation of Chang'an to Ma Teng. Currently, there are only 5,000 defenders left in the city. Excluding the patrol officers, there are no more than 3,000 elite soldiers.

Ma Teng was overjoyed and said: "Liu Qi went to Wuguan in person to help me capture Chang'an. Now that the time has come, why do you have any doubts?"

Ma Xiu said: "If Cao Hong comes out personally, I expect that Liu Qi will pretend to retreat and lure the enemy deeper. If we send troops overnight, if Cao Hong fails to rescue him, we can capture the city of Chang'an in one fell swoop."

"Why worry about failure in a certain place?"

Ma Teng was convinced of this and ordered Ma Xiu to return to Chencang. He sent more troops to monitor the war in Chang'an, and elite soldiers were in the city ready to go at any time.

…

Liu Qi occupied Shang County and took advantage of Xu Huang's defeat to gradually encroach on the inns along the way and approach Chang'an.

Zhang Fei killed Cao Jun, who was frightened and retreated steadily. He led his troops to seize three villages in a row and retreated to the territory of Shangluo.

On this day, I was waiting for a banquet with Pang Tong to taste the fish head with chopped pepper made by Liu Qi himself. The scouts came to report that Cao Hong went out in person to make a comeback with Xu Huang as the vanguard.

Since chili peppers have been widely promoted, Xiangyang’s hot and sour fish and spicy fish are unparalleled.

In the Han Dynasty, meals were mainly steamed and cooked, and there were very few seasonings. After Liu Qi discovered chili peppers, he felt like he had found a treasure and even started cooking by himself.

At first, everyone was not used to spicy food and disliked it, but after a few times, it seemed that the Hunan people's spicy eating gene was stirred up, and within a few months it became popular throughout Jingzhou.

Liu Qi smiled and said: "Cao Hong has indeed fallen into the trap. This time the wind and clouds in the pass have changed suddenly, we can fish in troubled waters."

Zhang Fei sucked half of the fish head and laughed and said: "This is not fishing in troubled waters, but putting a long line to catch big fish."

Pang Tong also enjoyed the delicious food and said with emotion: "When I was in Xiangyang, I once ate the Hanzhong giant salamander. Because its cry was like the cry of a child, the natives called it 'sambar fish'. It was extremely delicious and had the effect of nourishing yin and yang.

If you can cook with this cooking skill, it will be a masterpiece."

Liu Qi smiled knowingly: "Don't worry, sir, within half a year, I will make a spicy and sour salamander with my own hands."

In his time, if you caught this thing, let alone eating it, you would have to eat prison food for at least three years before it tasted delicious.

Zhang Fei was satisfied with his meal and burped: "After eating and drinking, it's my turn!"

Pang Tong smiled and said: "General, please be patient and wait for Xu Huang's troops to arrive. It's not too late to fight him again."

Zhang Fei said dissatisfied: "Cao's army has been defeated repeatedly, why should we fear him? Even if Cao Hong comes with an army of 100,000, I will kill him and retreat!"

Pang Tong said: "We are here to help Ma Teng capture Chang'an. We cannot fight him. If we can force Xu Huang to return to the general, it will not be a waste of our troops."

Liu Qi was startled, shook his head and said with a smile: "Xu Huang is Cao Cao's favorite general, how can he surrender so easily?"

Xu Huang was not Yu Jin, Li Dian, etc., asking him to surrender, Liu Qi would not even dare to dream.

But Pang Tong chuckled and said: "Don't you hear that the Art of War says: Seek the one above and get the middle; seek the one below and get the one below; seek the one below, and you will be defeated? Even if you can't force him to submit and make the two of them at odds, then Cao Hong will be defeated.

There’s nothing to worry about!”

"Congratulations, sir!" Liu Qi nodded and sighed: "If you are not afraid of difficulty in accomplishing anything in this world, you are afraid of not being able to even think about it."

During this period of time, I realized that Wolong and Phoenix each have their own strengths. Zhuge Liang focuses on righteousness and strives for victory in a stable manner, while Pang Tong focuses on cunning tactics and winning by surprise.
Chapter completed!