The sudden attack was so violent that the Qiang people completely collapsed before they had time to resist! The iron cavalry trampled across the camp, with deafening shouts of killing accompanied by earth-shattering screams...

But when the sun rose and the night receded, I saw that the Huangshui River was already littered with corpses. Countless corpses covered the ground, flags were swaying here and there, some tents were still burning, and pillars of smoke were scattered on the battlefield.

Zhang Lang rode his horse to a nearby hill, glanced at the messy battlefield, and asked, "How many of the enemies have escaped?"

An officer clasped his fists and said: "The enemy army was completely defeated, fifty or sixty thousand were captured or killed, and the rest were scattered. Some people saw Cheriji fleeing to Anyi City with several thousand cavalry."

Zhang Lang nodded, "Where's Ma Chao?"

"General Ma Chao went after Cheriji last night and has not returned yet!"

"Give me the order to leave 10,000 infantry troops to clean up the battlefield, and the rest of the troops will follow me to attack Anyi City!" "No."

But Prime Minister Yadan and others were shocked when they saw Cheriji and others who had fled back in panic. When they learned the news that the 100,000-strong army had been defeated, they were all horrified. Yadan was at a loss and said: "Lü Bu will definitely

We will attack the city in the future! But the Anyi city wall is so low, how can it withstand it?"

Cheriji angrily asked Yadan: "Lu Bu ambushed all his troops on the road. Why do you say they are rushing to attack the city?"

Yadan said hurriedly: "We were indeed rushing to attack earlier! The city could hardly be defended! But yesterday Lu Bu's army suddenly stopped attacking! Now that I think about it, they must have secretly evacuated the troops who ambush the king yesterday!"

Cheriji was so angry that he cursed angrily: "Lü Bu! He is so treacherous!" He accidentally saw Wei Dong, got up suddenly, pointed at his nose and cursed angrily: "It's all your bad idea!

This has caused us, the Qiang people, to fall into such a difficult situation! How can we alleviate the hatred in our hearts without killing you? Come on, drag him down, chop him off, and use his head to pay homage to our brothers who died in vain!"

The two soldiers were about to drag Wei Dong down.

Wei Dong shouted: "If you kill me, you Qiang people will really be doomed!"

Cheriji's heart moved and he shouted: "Wait a minute!"

The two soldiers stopped.

Cheriji asked angrily: "If I kill you, how can we Qiang people be doomed?"

Wei Dong felt relieved, "Have you forgotten who my lord is? My lord is domineering in the Central Plains. Who among the princes today can keep pace with him? Sooner or later, my lord will attack Lu Bu, and then it will be your opportunity for the Qiang people.

If you kill me, you will kill yourself!"

Cheriji was shocked and said with a smile: "You were really reckless just now! Please don't blame me, sir!" Then he waved to the two soldiers, who saluted Cheriji and retreated.

.

Cheriji diligently invited Wei Dong to sit down and asked with hope: "I wonder when Lord Yuan Shao will be able to send troops?"

"I believe it won't be long! By then, the Xianbei people in the north will also send troops together! Although Lu Bu has temporarily gained the advantage, he will not be able to take care of this side by then. The king can take the opportunity to sweep Xiliang and achieve unparalleled achievements!"

Cheriji was very excited, but frowned, "But how should we overcome the current difficulties?"

Wei Dong smiled and said, "This is easy to handle. Although Lu Bu's army is sharp, if he can't find an opponent, wouldn't it be a waste of money and food? The king can temporarily abandon Anyi and lead his tribe to retreat to the bitter cold land in the west! Lu Bu has been looking for an opponent for a long time.

If not, there will definitely be a shortage of food and fodder, and we will have to retreat. Then your Majesty will wait for the opportunity to capture Jincheng County again, and then sweep the entire Xiliang!"

Cheriji was overjoyed and cheered repeatedly.

One day later, Zhang Lang led an army to Anyi City.

Ma Chao followed Zhang Lang and reported: "General, Cheriji has abandoned Anyi City and fled to the northwest. His subordinates have sent sentries to follow him."

Zhang Lang frowned. What he was most worried about was not Cheriji's stubborn resistance, but retreating without a fight like now. Zhang Lang's money and food were limited, so it was impossible to continue the stalemate with the opponent here. If the front line lasted for a long time, he could only temporarily

The troops stopped.

"The infantry will stay behind, and all the cavalry will follow me in pursuit! We must not let them escape into dangerous places!"

Tens of thousands of protrusions raised smoke and dust all over the sky and rushed in the direction of the retreat of the Qiang people. However, they had to stop after not going far. All they saw were flames rising into the sky, just like a sea of ​​fire. It turned out that the Qiang people were worried about Zhang Lang chasing them, so they

So a fire was set on the wilderness, and the weeds and dead trees burned together. The fire was so fierce that it was impossible to put it out. The fire could not be extinguished unless it burned up all the weeds and trees!

Zhang Lang had no choice but to withdraw his troops and temporarily retreat to Anyi City.

This northwest border city, as the activity center of the Qiang people, used to be very lively, but now it is deserted. Except for Zhang Lang's army, there are almost no local residents. When Cheliji retreated, all the people

All taken away.

Zhang Lang couldn't help but admire Cheriji for being able to evacuate so many people in just one day.

Just when Zhang Lang was standing on the city wall in a daze, Ma Chao came behind Zhang Lang, cupped his fists and said, "General."

Zhang Lang came to his senses and said, "Is it Meng Qi? Is something wrong?"

"The scouts just came to report that the flames have basically been extinguished, but the ground is hot and it is still impossible to pass through!"

Zhang Lang frowned and said, "Have you ever been to that place in the southwest?"

Ma Chao nodded, "I went there a few years ago. The vegetation is difficult to grow, the drinking water is bitter, and if people stay there for a long time, they will be very uncomfortable! Moreover, the terrain is dangerous. If there is an army to guard the dangerous position, it will be difficult for outsiders to enter!"

"If we attack, what are our chances of winning?"

Ma Chao hesitated for a moment, shook his head, "I don't know!" Then he clasped his fists firmly and said, "But as long as the general gives the order, the general will not hesitate to die!"

Zhang Lang patted Ma Chao on the shoulder and thought: "Looking at the current situation, if we stay any longer, it will be a waste of money and food! We can only retreat!" He glanced at Ma Chao and said, "Meng Qi, are you willing to garrison Jincheng County for me?

?”

Without thinking, Ma Chao clasped his fists and said, "Yeah, the last general takes command!"

Zhang Lang left Ma Chao and 10,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry to guard Jincheng County, while he led the army back to Chang'an. Although this expedition severely defeated the Qiang people, it did not achieve its full success. The Qiang people retreated into the bitter cold of the southwest.

The plateau will definitely become a trouble in the future! But this is a story for another day.

Jia Xu frowned and said, "If we fail to suppress the Qiang rebellion, there will definitely be trouble in the future!"

Zhang Lang nodded.

At this time, the two of them were in the study of the General's Mansion.

"What's going on in Central China recently?"
Chapter completed!