Zhang He is indeed a good general, and he is also extremely quick in using troops!

After leading his troops into Jicheng, the capital of Liangzhou, he only had a short rest for two or three days before ordering all the troops to march again.

He first ordered his general Guo Huai to lead an advance army along the Qishan Road to seize Lucheng.

Lu City is a city located between Qishan Fort and Jicheng.

If this place is not occupied first, and if the Shu army comes to fight for it, the enemy can then use it as a fortress to deploy heavy troops to defend the steep and narrow wooden doorway.m..

At that time, it would be even more difficult to attack Qishan!

After Guo Huai led the front group to set off early, Zhang He also slowly followed with the main force.

Fei Yao and Dai Ling from Longxi County did not dare to neglect after hearing the order to march.

Fei Yao immediately gathered his troops and marched all the Longxi troops to Lintao, which had been lost before.

However, Ma Zhong had already begun to strengthen the city's defenses in advance and stationed himself here.

Even though Fei Yao led his troops to the city, there was not a trace of panic in the city.

The situation on the western front in Wudu has been stabilized for the time being.

As for Lucheng, Guo Huai led his troops to arrive. When he saw the attacking Shu army, a look of admiration appeared on his face unconsciously, and he muttered:

"General Zhang is still far-sighted!"

"The Shu army really came to rob Lucheng, but it's a pity that they arrived a step too late!"

After some emotion, Guo Huai did not hesitate at all and immediately ordered his troops to garrison the city and build fortifications to resist the Shu army's offensive.

And the general who was ordered to take Lu City this time was Liu Yin.

After Zhao Tong arrived at Qishan Fort with his main force, he became acutely aware of how important Lucheng was to the Cao army attacking along the Qishan Road.

So he quickly made a decision and sent Liu Yin and his troops to seize Lu City, hoping to build a defense line that was easy to defend but difficult to attack based on the wooden gate road.

"ah?"

"The front of Cao's army has entered Lucheng?"

About twenty miles south of Lu City, Liu Yin, who was majestic and powerful and dressed in a military uniform, was hearing the scout's report, with a slightly worried expression gradually appearing on his face.

"Approximately how many troops are there in the enemy's garrison this time?"

As if he had been pondering for a long time, Liu Yin's eyes suddenly became bright and he asked with a serious face.

"There are probably nearly thousands of people, and the leading general seems to be Guo Huai, who has been in Guanzhong for a long time."

After hearing this, the scout did not dare to show any slightness and quickly responded with his hands raised.

"Guo Huai?"

"Then this will be difficult to handle!"

Hearing that Cao Jun actually ordered Guo Huai to settle in Lucheng first, Liu Yin, who was still a little lucky, suddenly looked embarrassed.

He followed Zhao Tong to guard Wudu and the two counties of Yinping for several years.

Although I haven’t played against Guo Huai yet.

But Liu Yin had heard of this man's ability in using troops and should not be underestimated!

He was originally ordered to seize Lu City with a light army. In order to save marching time, he basically did not carry any siege equipment this time.

Thousands of enemy troops were stationed, and the commander was even Guo Huai.

Liu Yin no longer had the confidence to break the city by force.

"Okay, I know this, please go down!"

After learning the details of the front line, Liu Yin suddenly waved his hand and dismissed the scouts with some annoyance, and pondered for a long time.

"Xiaoxing, first send an order to all the troops to camp and rest where they are!"

"Here!"

After the order was given, the deputy general Jufu on one side also immediately raised his hand and said yes.

Naturally, Zhao Tong knew that Jufu was also a good general of the country in the middle and late period of Ji Han in the original history, and he was also thinking about training him this time, so he appointed him as Liu Yin's deputy general in charge of military affairs.

For this move, Jufu is also grateful.

After giving the order to camp on the spot, Liu Yin pondered for a long time before thinking about the next step.

First of all, Mingju helped lead a small group of troops to rush to the foot of Lu City to test the enemy's strength.

Immediately, he quickly sent people back to Qishan Fort to report the changes that had occurred.

These two plans are also being carried out almost simultaneously.

Early the next morning, after having breakfast, Jufu took the lead in marching northward and arrived outside the west gate of Lucheng at noon.

Lucheng was built between Mumen Road and Qishan Mountain. This section happens to be the most steep terrain.

It is surrounded by two mountains on the south and north sides respectively.

Among them, brine runs through the whole city, and meets Yangshui and turbid water in the east of Lucheng, and then converges together into the Western Hanshui downstream.

Lucheng is surrounded by two mountains in the north and south. To the north is a steep wooden gate road, and to the east are several tributary water systems running through it.

Only the west side has a city gate.

It can be said that it is built entirely on mountains and rivers, and only the west gate can be attacked.

This makes Lucheng sit in a convenient location and is extremely easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Jufu led his army to the west gate of Lu City. He secretly observed that the city wall was strong and the surrounding terrain was extremely complicated, and he already made a clear judgment in his mind.

This city cannot be attacked by force!

But the truth and falsehood can lead to temptation.

Then, he immediately sent people to the city to challenge him loudly.

Naturally, this news quickly spread to the general in the city.

After hearing this, Guo Huai thought for a moment and realized that this was the Shu army testing the truth.

However, in order to demonstrate one's own strength.

He pondered for a while and then ordered one of the troops to open the door to greet them.

Suddenly, outside the west gate of Lu City, the two armies caused a small-scale outbreak and conflict.

A fierce battle ended in vain!

The generals on both sides each obtained the information they needed.

Ju Fusui quickly reported back to Liu Yin, saying that Cao's army was powerful and had a large number of troops. Moreover, Lu City occupies a convenient location, which was not conducive to a strong attack.

On the other hand, Guo Huai's eyes also became serious.

"The combat power of Zhao Tong's subordinates is indeed not bad."

"It seems that I will have to be careful in accepting challenges in the future."

He thought deeply deep in his heart.

After testing the truth, Liu Yin also knew that it would be difficult to capture Lu City with his current light army, so he stationed his troops in place and waited for Qishan's reply.

…

The messenger did not dare to show any signs of neglect and quickly returned to Qishan Fort to report the local military situation to General Zhao Tong.

"Oh? Cao Jun seized Lu City in advance?"

After hearing this, Zhao Tong's face remained extremely indifferent, without any strange expression.

"It seems that this time I have to personally lead an army to go north to meet Zhang He, Guo Huai and other generals."

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Tong said again in a deep voice.

After saying this, Zhang Yi, who was standing by, seemed to have a look of confusion in his eyes. He raised his hands and asked, "General, the terrain of Lu City is steep, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack."

"Since Cao's army has occupied it in advance, our army should call back Xiuran's troops and rely on the strategic location of Qishan Fort for defense. Why do you still lead your troops to march north?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Tong's eyebrows stretched, and he seemed to reveal a smile, and said, "Even if Lu City cannot be seized, the geographical advantage here will be given away, which will definitely boost the morale of Cao's army. When the time comes, the enemy's troops will

Arriving at Qishan with high momentum will not be conducive to our army's defense."

"Therefore, our army has to fight this time!"

After a brief verbal explanation, Zhang Yisui dispelled his doubts.

"Xian Shao, go quickly and gather your troops. You will lead your troops to set off in two hours."

"Here!"

The order was passed down, and Huo Yi, the guard at the side, quickly responded with his hand.

Afterwards, Zhao Tong just looked at Zhang Ni with a look of great trust in his eyes. He reached out and patted his arm solemnly and said, "Bo Qi, when I leave, the safety of Qishan will be solely responsible for you."
Chapter completed!