Yuan Shu's army was in the main camp, and the news of Le Jiu's death had returned. Yuan Shu was furious and refused to listen to Yan Xiang's dissuasion. He immediately ordered Zhang Xun to lead an army of troops to the vicinity of Sishui Pass to block Gao Jin's return. He also ordered Ji Ling to lead two thousand soldiers.
The cavalry pursued Gao Jin.
At this time, he was feeling depressed. This time he sent troops to the East China Sea, and everything went smoothly. He defeated Lu Bu and besieged Yinping. He saw that half of Xuzhou was about to fall into his hands. At this time, Gao Jin appeared, and Gao Jin's appearance completely destroyed him.
Yuan Shu's deployment was messed up, and even the attack on the city was useless.
He summoned Yuan Yao and asked, "My son, who is this Gao Jin? He is so courageous."
Yuan Yao said bitterly: "This thief is just a country woodcutter. Why should my father ask him? When General Ji Ling comes over with his head, my father will know what courage he has."
Yuan Shu shook his head and said: "It's a pity, it's a pity that it can't be used by me."
He sighed a few times, but he seemed to have some appreciation for his talents, which made Yuan Yao full of dissatisfaction.
At this time, someone came to report: "Lord, Gao Jin broke through Qiaorui's camp. Qiaorui has surrendered to Gao Jin, and many defeated troops escaped from the west."
Yuan Shu was furious again and said: "I treated Qiao Rui very well, but he repaid me like this?"
Then he added: "Pick a few people who have fled and bring them in. I want to question them."
After about a while, a military commander entered the tent and saluted: "I have seen the general."
Yuan Shu saw that this man's clothes and armor were in pieces, his hair was unkempt, and he could clearly see the unhealed knife marks on his face. He was immediately unhappy and asked: "Is it true that your general Qiao Rui surrendered to Gao Jin?"
The man said: "I dare not deceive my lord, I will surrender seriously."
Yuan Shu snorted coldly and said coldly: "How did you come back?"
The man said calmly: "It was Gao Jin who ordered us to be released."
Yuan Shu closed his eyes, as if guessing Gao Jin's intentions, and said, "Are they still at Qiaorui's camp?"
"It is said that he has left, heading west."
Yuan Shu nodded his head, dismissed the army, and said to Yuan Yao: "Gao Jin is heading west, and must be heading for Sishui Pass. I have ordered Zhang Xun to wait there. It is too late for him to escape now. Go.
Ordered that Ji Ling should go straight west to Sishui Pass without rushing to the Qiaorui camp."
Yuan Yao was overjoyed and said: "Father, this time Gao Jin is intercepted by Zhang Xun and pursued by Ji Ling. He will die without burial. General Ji Ling has not gone far, so I will go and deliver the order right now."
Yuan Yao hurried away. Only Yuan Shu was left in the tent. Yuan Shu stroked his beautiful beard under his jaw and murmured: "Xiangxi... It seems that Gao Jin is nothing more than this. I am the one who admired him."
……………………
In the vast wilderness, on the official road to Shanyang Pass, a group of cavalry passed by. The weather has turned sunny these days, and even the chill has reduced a bit. The soldiers took off their heavy cotton armor and rode lightly.
In simple clothes, he traveled more than seventy miles in one day and one night.
Qiao Rui came back with a group of cavalry. He found Gao Jin and said, "General, Shanyang Pass is not far from here."
Gao Jin nodded, ordered Qiao Rui to dismount, and unfolded the map on a high slope, saying: "I deliberately revealed false news to make Yuan Shu think that we are now heading towards Sishui Pass. After Yuan Shu heard the news, he would definitely send Ji Ling
Chase west, so we have three days. Within three days, we must capture Shanyang Pass and Qiao Rui. You once said that there are only more than 700 people guarding this pass. Is that accurate?"
Qiao Rui said: "There is absolutely no mistake. Yuan Shu's troops are all deployed in a certain belly. Unless there are temporary changes, it is impossible for Guanzhong to send more troops."
Gao Jin nodded and said to Qiao Rui: "I have a plan, but I need the help of a general."
Qiao Rui's eyes flashed, and then she said: "Did the general want someone to deceive someone?"
Gao Jin said: "Yes, the news of your surrender has probably reached Yuan Shu's ears now, but the guard of Shanyang Pass should not have received the news yet. If you go to Shanyang Pass, will the guard surrender?"
?”
Qiao Rui hesitated and said: "The guard general of Shanyang Pass is just a school lieutenant. Although there have been military orders in the army, the generals in the various departments cannot be transferred privately without Yuan Shu's order. But with my identity, the guard general dare not not open the door."
Gao Jin smiled and said: "Then I will ask General Qiao Rui to take action and seize this pass. I will count your great achievements."
Qiao Rui saluted Gao Jin and said, "I'll go right away." After saying that, he led his one hundred mounted guards and close confidants and left.
Tian Feng said from the side: "General, do you believe in this person so much?"
Gao Jin smiled slightly: "Since I am seeking survival from death, does Yuan Hao think I still have a choice?"
Tian Feng stroked his beard and smiled and said no more.
……………
When Qiao Rui arrived at Shanyang Pass, it was already sunset. Qiao Rui sent someone to call the door. After closing the door, he poked his head out and said impatiently: "Who dared to come and call the pass after taking advantage of the ambition of the leopard?"
"Close the door quickly!" someone yelled after closing the door.
"Who are you? Do you have the command of the lord?"
Qiao Rui closed the door and said loudly: "I am Qiao Rui, and I have asked your Lord to speak in the future."
As soon as these words came out, the protruding head immediately retracted, and no longer dared to speak nonsense. After a while, a school captain hurried to the gate, looked down, and said: "But General Qiao Rui?"
"Exactly!"
The captain said very politely: "I don't know what General Qiaorui is talking about and why he wants to enter the pass?"
Qiao Rui said: "It's getting late in pursuit of Lu Bu's remnant bandits, so we came to Guanli to rest."
The captain was a little hesitant. He had undoubtedly recognized Qiao Rui, but the army had strict orders. It would be inappropriate to let Qiao Rui enter the pass. However, Qiao Rui was a general in the army, and he was just a small colonel.
Lieutenant, if you offend Qiao Rui, there will be no good fruit to eat.
Qiao Rui shouted at the door: "Why haven't you opened the door yet? Do you think I have become a spy?"
The lieutenant was completely helpless and said quickly: "General, please forgive me. I never meant this."
He gritted his teeth, kicked a soldier next to him, and roared: "Hurry up and open the door to welcome the general in."
The gate of Shanyang Pass slowly opened, and the captain came to greet him with a group of soldiers from Guanzhong. As expected, he saw Qiao Rui leading a group of people into the city, numbering about a hundred people. These people surrendered to Gao Jin, but still wore their clothes.
The ones they wore were those of Yuan Shujun. This was not intentional, but Gao Jin simply could not bring out Lu Bujun's uniforms to replace them with, and he did not even change the flag.
"General!" the captain quickly saluted Qiao Rui.
Qiao Rui held his head high, reined in his horse and passed through the door. He said something, then dismounted and said, "Let me prepare meals for the soldiers to enjoy, and feed the horses some fodder. What's your name?"
"The last general's name is Wang Xiong." the captain said with a smile.
Qiao Rui frowned: "There are no enemies here, so why are so many soldiers crowded here? Everyone retreat, Wang Xiong, and come to Guanlou. I have something to ask you."
Wang Xiong did not dare to neglect, and quickly dispersed the soldiers, and then led Qiao Rui to the Guan Tower. Qiao Rui dismissed everyone and said to Wang Xiong: "Have you seen any scouts from Lu Bu's army passing by in the past few days?"
Wang Xiong said: "They rarely show up, but occasionally one or two will show up."
Qiao Rui said: "That's right. I have received an urgent report that there is a bandit from Lu Bu's army who wants to break out of Shanyang Pass. You should be more careful."
Wang Xiong said in surprise: "After Shanyang Pass, we reach Shouchun and Guangling. What do they mean by breaking out here?"
Qiao Rui chuckled and waved her hand towards Wang Xiong: "Come, come closer, I'll tell you, this matter is a military secret. No one else knows except the lord and me. I will tell you today."
Wang Xiong approached cautiously, only to hear a clang of metal friction. Qiao Rui had already pulled out the sword from his waist, with murderous intent in his eyes, and said in a cold voice: "Go to hell!"
The sword blade sank into Wang Xiong's chest. Wang Xiong groaned, blood spilled from his mouth, his eyes widened in disbelief, and then he tilted his head and fell down.
Qiao Rui took back his sword, snorted coldly, and then left the building.
Wang Xiong was dead, the city lost its general, and there were more than a hundred people like Qiao Rui here. When Gao Jin's cavalry arrived at the pass, they encountered almost no resistance and occupied the pass.