was going to take Tongguan in one fell swoop, but he didn't expect to kill a Xu Chu, and the fierce battle was delayed for most of the day, wasting a lot of time to tackle key problems.

But the matter has come to this, Ma Chao is not in a hurry, because it is useless to be anxious, it is better to obey the wishes of everyone, and at this time he has come to the conclusion these days.

The Xiliang army retreated and returned, and the worried Cao army on Tongguan also put his mind at ease, after all, he didn't have to work hard today, he could live one more day.

Cao Hong explained that the soldiers were stationed in their original positions, and they could not leave without an order, so they hurriedly went down the gate building and went to find Xu Chu.

After some inquiry, Cao Hong found Xu Chu and saw that he was gobbling up food, so he hurriedly stepped forward. "Zhongkang, are you okay?"

Xu Chu said while eating: "It's okay, did the Xiliang army attack the city?" ”

Cao Hong smiled and said: "No, don't worry, there should be no attack today, this is all Zhongkang's work." ”

Xu Chu had food in his mouth and said vaguely: "It's okay, everything is for the prime minister, but this Xiliang Army is really capable,"

Cao Hong stammered and said: "Zhongkang is modest, if it weren't for Ma Chao to help, the victory or defeat would not be certain." ”

Whether it is defeat or victory, Xu Chu knows very well in his heart, and he is not the kind of person who does not want to admit it.

Xu Chu shook his head and said: "Ma Chao's courage is as good as a certain one, but the new Yan Xing, Wu Yong should not be lower than Ma Chao, it seems that Xiliang is really a fierce general, if it can be used by the prime minister, it would be great." ”

One Ma Chao, no one can capture him, and another Yan Xing, then they join the attack together, wouldn't there be no one to stop them.

Cao Hong's face was slightly ugly and said: "If it is really as Zhong Kang said, our army only has defense, then what should we do?" ”

Xu Chu comforted and said: "Don't worry, the second will come, and then we will wait for the three of us, although we can't defeat the Xiliang army, but there should be no problem with guarding." ”

Cao Hong nodded slowly and said, "That's the only way for now, by the way, when will the prime minister lead his troops here?" ”

Xu Chu said: "It's hard to say, the prime minister is now transferring troops in Xuchang, and at the same time is negotiating with Ma Teng, wanting him to write a letter to Ma Chao to persuade the Xiliang army to retreat." ”

Cao Cao arranged for the support of the people, so he went to Ma Teng to negotiate, preparing to solve the battle without blood, and he did not want to stiffen the relationship at this time.

But Ma Teng knew that Ma Chao could form an alliance with Han Sui, and he must have made up his mind, he was far away from the battlefield, and he couldn't persuade Ma Chao at all with just a letter.

Knowing the son is better than the father, Ma Teng does not know 100% of Ma Chao's character, but 90% is still stable.

The only thing that can make Ma Chao retire is that Ma Teng personally went to Tongguan to communicate with Ma Chao.

can let Ma Teng leave, Cao Cao is not at ease, after all, it is not easy to trick Ma Teng to Xuchang, in case he takes advantage of this matter to come, it will be worth the loss.

Cao Cao thought for a long time and decided to let Ma Teng go alone, and he sent troops to escort Ma Teng.

But Ma Teng also has his own considerations, if he leaves Xuchang and goes alone, then his own safety will not be guaranteed.

Both of them had their own concerns, so they put the matter on hold for a while.

Cao Cao dispatched troops everywhere, but this takes time, and it depends on the situation to confirm whether it can be transferred, so it can't be completed in a short time.

In other words, in the next period of time, there will be no reinforcements in Tongguan, and more than 10,000 people who need to rely on support will hold on.

As for Cao Cao's choice when he gets Zhong Xuan's letter again, it is unknown.

Since it was confirmed that there were no reinforcements, Cao Hong no longer had illusions, but tried to make proper arrangements and hold for as long as possible under the limited force.

But with so many soldiers and horses, no matter how they arranged, in the face of the attack of the Xiliang army, the losses were still slowly reduced, and the situation became more and more difficult.

Three days have passed, and the 10,000 troops that Xia Houyuan has arrived, and there are less than 6,000 people left.

In front of the strength of the duel, all the conspiracies and tricks are weak, and the Xiliang army boiled frogs in warm water, although the casualties were twice as large as the Cao army, but they consumed.

At this time, it was already dark, and the generals of the Cao army gathered together, regardless of the fatigue of the day's fighting, and were discussing how to hold Tongguan.

As the only one among them who can be regarded as a wise man, Zhong Xuan naturally became their leader at this time and gave them advice.

Defend to the death, Zhong Xuan knows that it won't be long before Tongguan will be broken, if you give up Tongguan, then the casualties of these days will be sacrificed in vain.

What's more, after Tongguan, it is Chang'an, Luoyang and other places, and the Xiliang army is driven straight in, how much damage can be caused, it is difficult to imagine.

Well?

Just when Zhong Xuan thought for a long time, a flash of inspiration suddenly flashed in his mind, and in the dull atmosphere, he said with a happy face: "You have a plan, maybe you can solve this danger." ”

As soon as these words came out, several people present were overjoyed, and hurriedly asked Zhong Xuan to come.

Zhong Xuan's heart mellowed, and he said slowly: "Since there are no reinforcements, we can borrow external forces to make the Xiliang army have to retreat." ”

Cao Hong thought for a while and said: "How to say this, there is still an external force at the moment, even if there is, I am afraid that it will not be able to solve the near fire." ”

Zhong Miao smiled and said, "Don't worry, you already have a complete plan, please take your time." ”

It turned out that Zhong Miao wanted to send people to the Qiang tribe of the different races in Xiliang and let them send troops to attack Han Sui's old nest Jincheng to achieve the goal of encircling Wei and saving Zhao.

But it will take at least ten days to go to the territory of the Qiang people here, plus the news will come back, without more than twenty days and a month, I am afraid it will not be possible.

So Zhong Miao wanted to pretend to surrender to the Xiliang army, but he had to make them wait for a month.

Empty words, the Xiliang Army is not a fool, and he will definitely not agree, so Zhong Xuan decided to take the risk and went to the Xiliang Army by himself, as a hostage, and begged them to believe it.

Zhong Xuan's method, the feasibility rate is still very high, but as long as one link goes wrong, I am afraid that there will be life worries.

As Cao Hong, who has partnered with Zhong Xuan for the longest time, he naturally objected at the first time. "No, this plan is too dangerous, in case the Xiliang Army doesn't have a plan, I'm afraid that Lord Zhong will fall into the mouth of the tiger, and there will be no return."

Zhong Xuan shook his head and said: "Don't worry, with the wisdom of the Xiliang Army, this plan will definitely not be broken, and there is no other way at the moment, but to give it a try." ”

Xia Houyuan said on the side: "Lord Zhong is right, long-distance raids are XX's forte, and the task of going to the Qiang tribe will be handed over to XX." ”

Zhong Xuan ignored Cao Hong, who had an ugly face, nodded and said, "Okay, but General Xia Hou, what you can bring this time is only three hundred tigers and leopards to ride, otherwise your whereabouts will be exposed." ”

Xia Houyuan thought for a while, and said arrogantly: "It's okay, three hundred tigers and leopards are enough, if you don't go to fight, it's just cooperation, presumably these alien races will definitely agree." ”

(End of chapter)