After Ma Chao and his troops arrived at Xiping Pass.

On one hand, he wrote several letters in handwriting, sending people to Wudu and the Qiang and Di armed forces in the two counties of Yinping.

On the other hand, sentries and cavalry were sent to sneak into Wudu, Longxi and other places to investigate the military situation.

After arranging all these matters.

Ma Chao thought for a while, then re-wrote a letter with great importance, and told the messenger to deliver it personally to Yang Wanwan.

General Pound stood aside quietly, looking at what was happening. For a moment, a trace of suspicion appeared on his face. He cupped his hands and asked, "General, why are you doing this?"

As soon as he said this, Ma Chao raised his head and looked into Pang De's eyes. His expression moved slightly and he explained: "Our army's march to the north is so grand that it must not be hidden from Cao Jun's eyes and ears."

"Ling Ming, we have fought fierce battles with Cao Cao's thieves many times before. This man has many tricks and conspiracies. He may not be able to guess the intention of our army to go north."

As soon as he finished speaking, his face once again showed a look of contemplation, and after thinking for a while he said: "Perhaps...perhaps there are already capable people in Cao's army who have planned this layout and a strategy for the Qiang and Di tribes to respond to the general and take advantage of the situation to attack.

"

"Even if I worry too much, I have to think twice before doing anything. No matter whether Cao Jun is prepared or not, he must nip it in the bud!"

That's it for now.

Pang De's face suddenly showed a look of great surprise.

Is this still the Xiliang War God he knows?

Is this the same mighty general who was unruly and fierce as before?

A series of question marks kept ringing in my mind.

I have been fighting hand in hand with him for more than ten years.

In Pound's impression, he didn't think as much as he does now, and he believed in winning with force.

Looking at Pound's expression.

Ma Chao spends time with him day and night, so how could he not understand what he is thinking at this moment?

Then he smiled slightly and responded: "As the saying goes, a little gain will make you wiser. I have suffered so much from the traitor Cao, how can I not think more about the consequences?"

"What's more, I heard that the poisonous scholar Jia Xu is also accompanying the army this time."

Having said that, when he mentioned this person, a hint of fear appeared on Ma Chao's face unconsciously.

The Battle of Tongguan was something he would never forget in his life.

Jia Xu made him and Han Sui hate each other with just a piece of written paper, causing the Xiliang coalition army of more than 100,000 to fall apart overnight.

If not, how could Cao's army sweep across the Xiliang lands?

Hearing these words, Pound felt that the personality of the young master he followed had changed drastically since he entered Shu, and he had become a stranger to him.

From being irritable to being gentle now.

From advocating force to defeat it to being cautious and calm now.

However, seeing him make such a change, Pang De was excited from the bottom of his heart.

"General, what are our army's plans next?"

Pang De asked with a serious look on his face, cupping his hands.

Hearing this, Ma Chao pointed to a point on the map on the desk and solemnly said: "If we can win this place, the overall situation is decided!"

"But I'm afraid that Cao Jun will prepare his troops first."

After finishing his sentence, Pang De followed what he pointed at and passed by, which was where the Qiang Road was.

And just when Ma Chao was already stationed at Xipingguan.

at the same time.

Zhao Yun has also moved to the front line of Jiangyou to guard the Yinping Road.

Along with a letter, it was sent to various Qiang and Di tribes.

For a while.

From Sichuan and Shu to Wudu to the border of Longxi, unusual flavors gradually emerged.

On the surface, it doesn't seem to cause any trouble.

Secretly, there is an undercurrent surging.

All parties are secretly plotting.

Wudu is east.

Ju County is already north.

There is a valley called East Wolf Valley.

The valley here is deep and forested, and the road is difficult and dangerous. The shape of the valley mouth is like a gourd mouth.

An ancient Qiang tribe lives in the valley.

They have lived here for hundreds of years and have lived in seclusion here for generations. They have always been proud to raise white wolves.

They took the white wolf as their totem and were called the White Wolf Clan.

Every night, hundreds of white wolves will gather at the mouth of the valley and howl.

The terrifying howl sounded like a ghost at night.

Over time, East Wolf Valley was also known as a ghost place because of rumors of ghosts running rampant.

No one goes here anymore.

Gradually it became less visited.

For many years, only the White Wolf Qiang lived here, leaving a deserted scene outside the valley.

Although they live in seclusion in the mountains, they are not completely cut off from information from the outside world.

now.

Among the tribes, the White Wolf Qiang King was discussing with the tribal elders at all levels about Cao Jun's large-scale southern expedition to massacre Hechi.

"Elders, according to the previous news, Cao's army from the north was extremely ferocious. After breaking through the river, they slaughtered all his people to the ground."

"How can we tolerate such a vicious heart?"

When the words fell, King White Wolf Qiang showed a thoughtful look on his face and talked eloquently: "I heard that Cao Jun seems to be going south to conquer Hanzhong County, so they will definitely go south from Ju County."

"If when passing by, their army suddenly launches an offensive against our army, wouldn't our clan be like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered?"

After some firm words.

King White Wolf Qiang is dressed in royal robes and has a crown on his head, all embroidered with the extremely domineering White Wolf totem.

Because I heard about the bloody atrocities committed by Cao Jun.

King White Wolf Qiang was worried that his own tribe would also suffer this disaster, so he summoned the elders of the tribes to discuss matters in order to resist Cao Jun's southern expedition.

But the words have been spoken.

The tribal elders unanimously raised objections.

"King Qiang, now that Cao's army is powerful, our Bailang clan is weak. If we rashly oppose them, we may follow in the footsteps of the Doumao clan in Hechi."

"I hope King Qiang can think twice before taking action!"

"How about sending a letter of surrender to Prime Minister Cao Cao to show your loyalty?"

…

In an instant, all the elders raised objections.

Hearing this, King White Wolf Qiang showed an understandable expression and seconded: "What the elders said is not unreasonable. In front of Cao Jun, our White Wolf clan is indeed like a cricket shaking a big tree."

"But we must not wait and see what happens and leave our destiny to the control of Cao Jun."

"My king has decided to confront Cao's army."

After saying several words in succession, he strengthened his expression.

"King Qiang, no!"

"How can this be?"

After half a while.

There is a man on one side wearing strange clothes, looking like a wizard.

He slowly raised his hands and said: "King Qiang, I have a plan that may save the ethnic group from this military disaster and also take this opportunity to severely damage Cao's army."

"Oh? If the wizard has any good ideas, please tell me quickly."

Suddenly hearing the strategy of supporting his stalemate with Cao Jun, White Wolf Qiang King asked him with a smile on his face.

"King Qiang can send someone to Xiabian, submit a surrender letter to Cao Cao, and express his loyalty. He said that when he goes south, my tribe can lead the way for him."

"As long as we can show full sincerity, Cao Jun will definitely not liquidate our clan."
To be continued...