At the end of July in the first year of Yankang in the Han Dynasty, Xia Houshang, the general who conquered the south, led an army of 20,000 to Nanyang County.

Xiahou Shang's arrival made Cao Ren quite happy.

The Cao family and the Xiahou family have been married for generations. Under this relationship, Xiahou Shang is equivalent to Cao Ren's nephew.

Now a nephew came with troops to help him defend Nanyang, which made Cao Ren feel relieved.

After Xiahou Shang handed Cao Pi's edict to Cao Ren in Wancheng, Cao Ren immediately handed over the important task of defending Wudang County to Xiahou Shang.

Among the current Cao family and all the second generations of Xiahou, Xiahou Shang is the best in terms of ability and reputation.

Cao Ren was relieved to hand over such an important place to Xiahou Shang for garrison.

Although Cao Pi appointed Xiahou Shang as the general in the southern expedition and the governor of Jingzhou in the edict.

However, regardless of military position or power and responsibility, Xiahou Shang must accept Cao Ren's unified command.

After receiving Cao Ren's appointment, Xiahou Shang did not stay too long in Wancheng, but immediately led his 20,000 troops south quickly.

Within a few days, he arrived outside Wudang County.

After General Yangwu Manchong learned the news of the arrival of Xiahou Shang's army, he immediately went out of the city to greet him.

When Man Chong received Xiahou Shang's army outside Wudang County, Xia Hou Shang's first question was to ask Man Chong: "Bo Ning, how many troops are there in the west city?"

Seeing that Xia Houshang led the army to arrive outside Wudang County, the army had not yet settled down, and the camp had not yet been established, so he couldn't wait to ask this question, and Man Chong couldn't help but frown.

The meaning of Xia Houshang's question is self-evident.

However, Xiahou Shang's status was much higher than his, and Man Chong could not ignore Xiahou Shang's question, so he could only answer in the end:

"About ten thousand people."

Man Chong was a man who knew the military. Since he was stationed in Wudang County, he had sent spies many times to explore Mi Yang's military strength in Hanxing County.

Mi Yang's military strength is not a secret in Hanxing County.

Therefore, after many investigations, Man Chong knew that Mi Yang currently had about 10,000 combatable soldiers.

Upon hearing Man Chong's answer, Xiahou Shang's face flashed with joy.

Xiahou Shang asked Man Chong again: "How many soldiers are there in Wudang County today?"

Xiahou Shang's purpose became clearer and clearer, but although Man Chong wanted to dissuade him, he could only respond first:

"Including the county soldiers, the strength is more than 10,000."

Man Chong's answer once again made Xiahou Shang look happy.

Xiahou Shang finally asked Man Chong: "How many troops and horses can the warships inside and outside Wudang County carry?"

Man Chong saw the joy on Xiahou Shang's face getting stronger and stronger, and the bad premonition in his heart became stronger and stronger.

"The quantity can carry an army of 20,000 without any worries."

After three responses, Xiahou Shang got what he wanted to know.

But to Man Chong's expectation, Xiahou Shang just ordered his troops to set up camp and did not ask him any more military matters.

When Xiahou Shang, led by Man Chong, came to the county government in the city, Xiahou Shang noticed Man Chong's doubts.

Xiahou Shang smiled and asked Man Chong: "Why is Man Chong doubtful?"

Man Chong bowed to Xiahou Shang and replied: "When General Chong first arrived outside the city, he asked Chong the enemy about the details of our military strength. However, after the general asked Chong, Chong did not see what the general had done, so Chong was confused."

After hearing Man Chong's words, Xiahou Shang smiled even more on his face, and he replied to Man Chong:

"I have been trusted by your majesty to serve as the general of the Southern Conquest. I am grateful to you for your kindness. I am sincere and fearful."

"Since we are marching south, after arriving at the garrisoned place, we must first clarify the details of the enemy's and our own troop strength. This is why I just asked Lord Manchu."

"But there is a saying in the art of war: "Know yourself and the enemy, and you can fight a hundred battles without danger."

I have arrived in Wudang County for the first time. Although I know the strength of the enemy and our troops, I am not yet familiar with the rest of the military affairs.

In this case, to be on the safe side, I cannot make rash measures."

Xiahou Shang's answer made Man Chong's face light up.

Just now Xiahou Shang asked three questions eagerly, which made Man Chong think that Xiahou Shang was in power for the first time and was eager to make meritorious deeds.

Now it seems that Xia Houshang may be eager to make meritorious deeds, but he is not a reckless person, which makes Man Chong feel at ease.

Therefore, Man Chong bowed sincerely to Xiahou Shang, and then he left the county government.

Because Wudang County borders the enemy, according to general practice, there is no county magistrate in the border county, but the garrison general is in charge of military affairs.

Xia Houshang was the general who conquered the south and the governor of Jingzhou, and his position was far higher than that of Man Chong.

When Xiahou Shang arrived, of course Xiahou Shang should be the commander-in-chief of Wudang County.

After Man Chong left, Xia Houshang looked at the empty county hall and recalled the scene on the Han River last year.

That day Emperor Wu took him and Cao Zhen to meet Liu Bei on the Han River in a boat.

At that time, Mi Yang and Guan Ping were following Liu Bei.

There is no need to worry about Guan Ping, although Guan Ping became famous as Mi Yang's deputy general due to his battle with the police.

But in the eyes of the world, the reason why Guan Ping achieved such military exploits was simply because he met Mi Yang, a good general.

At that time, behind Cao Cao on the Han River, Xiahou Shang's eyes were always fixed on Mi Yang.

Xiahou Shang knew why Emperor Wu took him and Cao Zhen to meet Liu Bei. Wasn't it just to let them see their future opponent Mi Yang clearly?

Cao Cao's instructions that day still echo in Xiahou Shang's mind.

"Remember him, he will become your greatest enemy in this life."

As the most respected person in Xiahou Shang's life, Cao Cao did not dare or forget his advice to Xiahou Shang.

But this does not mean that he will be afraid of Mi Yang.

On the contrary, in Xiahou Shang's heart, he had always thought of getting rid of this serious problem for the Wei Dynasty in advance.

There is no reason to raise a thief and make mistakes.

And even without Cao Cao's advice, Xiahou Shang would still regard Mi Yang as a thorn in his side.

Xia Houshang is Xia Houyuan's cousin.

Xia Houyuan may have a rather impatient temperament as a general, but he has always been very kind to his sons and nephews in the clan, treating them as if they were his own.

Xia Houshang was orphaned at an early age. He lost his father when he was young. He was often cared for and cared for by Xia Houyuan when he was young.

In Xia Houshang's heart, he already regarded Xia Houyuan as his father at some point.

But Xia Houyuan, whom Xia Houshang regarded as his father, was killed by Fa Zheng during the battle at Dingjun Mountain.

It can be said that Fa Zheng was Xia Houshang's "father-killing enemy".

Now that Fazheng is dead and Fazheng's son Famiao is far away in Chengdu, Xiahou Shang cannot seek revenge from them.

But Mi Yang was Fa Zheng's disciple, so it was natural for Xia Houshang to transfer his hatred towards Fa Zheng to Mi Yang.

Yu Gong and Mi Yang were a serious problem for the Wei Dynasty.

In private, Mi Yang is Xia Houshang's enemy.

Xia Houshang had long hated Mi Yang deeply.

What Ling Xiahou didn't expect was that God would soon give him the opportunity to take revenge and eliminate the harm to the Wei Dynasty.

Now that the opportunity has come, of course he must seize it.

In the empty lobby, Xia Houshang pulled out the long knife from his waist.

Xia Houshang's sword was made through hundreds of refinements and was extremely sharp.

After Xia Houshang pulled out the blade, it shone with sharp light under the sunlight.

Xia Houshang lightly drew the blade with his finger. He keenly felt that if he applied more force, his finger would be cut by the blade in front of him without any hindrance.

The sword in Xia Houshang's hand was a gift given to him by Xia Houyuan when Xia Houshang came of age.

Xia Houshang has always regarded this sword as a treasure since he got it.

It is a pity that the sword is not old now, but the kindness has passed away.

Thinking of this, Xia Houshang's eyes gradually became sharper.

He raised his head and looked in the direction of Hanxing County and murmured:

"The sword is sharp, can it chop off your head?"

...

In the county office in Xicheng, Mi Yang was processing today's official documents.

After finishing processing an official document, he rewarded himself with a stretch.

After stretching, Mi Yang felt an indescribable relaxation all over her body.

Since taking over the power of Hanxing County, Mi Yang has been busy with complicated government affairs almost every day, and this time has lasted for more than two months.
To be continued...