In Yangcheng, after Yan Xiang and the injured Ji Ling were escorted up, Chen Xu immediately descended and went to meet the two.

"The soldiers are ignorant, and they are offended, so please don't blame the two of you."

After finishing speaking, Chen Xu personally stepped forward and untied the ropes tied to the two of them.

Although Ji Ling was injured and captured, he still didn't have a good face for the attentive Chen Xu. He snorted coldly and said, "The general of the defeated army, if you want to kill, you have to listen to the respect." ”

Yan Xiang didn't speak, he looked at Chen Xu carefully for a while, and suddenly asked, "To this day, I still don't understand, why does the general have such courage to chase after us and other hundreds of thousands of troops with thousands of cavalry?" ”

"I don't understand how the general can quickly defeat the 80,000 Yuan troops who were abandoned, and have the spare strength to go after and kill us."

"I don't know the general, would you like to solve my doubts?"

As soon as Yan Xiang's voice fell, all the generals under Wen Zhao's command focused their eyes on Chen Xu. Even Ji Ling, who has a fiery temper, is the same.

After breaking through the Yuan army camp, the defenders of Xuanyuan Pass also suffered heavy casualties, and the troops in the city were even more stretched. On the contrary, although Yuan Shu was defeated, there were still 100,000 people.

Faced with such a situation, even Jia Xu and Tian Feng did not think that Chen Xu could lead thousands of men and horses to break Yuan's army.

However, the facts are in front of us.

In this pursuit battle, the Chen army not only did not suffer much losses, but also captured nearly 80,000 Yuan troops.

Even Yuan Shu's generals Ji Ling and Qiao Rui, and strategist Yan Xiang were all captured. The deaths of Yuan Shu, Zhang Xun and others are also not unrelated to Chen Xu's pursuit.

Such a brilliant result is even far more than the battle of breaking through Yuan's army camp that day.

Although the generals had some vague speculations about the surrender of the 80,000 Yuan troops, they were not sure. Therefore, after hearing Yan Xiang's inquiry, everyone's hearts were a little hot.

Jia Xu and Tian Feng glanced at each other, and they also stared at Chen Xu urgently.

This time he was able to break Yuan Jun, and Chen Xu's own plan was great. As for the two so-called military advisors, they were overshadowed by Chen Xu himself.

"Hahahaha!"

Chen Xu laughed out loud and said, "The two of you should sit down and rest first, and so-and-so will solve your doubts." ”

Yan Xiang gave Ji Ling a look, and the two of them came to the futon without hurry and sat down.

Seeing the two of them sitting down, Wen Zhao's face smiled even more, he knelt down, and said, "Lord Yan's doubts are nothing more than two points. ”

"First, where did I get the courage to chase and kill hundreds of thousands of horses in your army with thousands of soldiers; Second, why did your army surrender countless people when facing our pursuers? ”

Speaking of this, Chen Xu paused for a moment, and then said slowly: "Lord Yan Bo should know that if there is a drought for many years today, the shortage of grain and grass in various places is extremely serious, and Guanzhong and Bingzhou are no exception. ”

"If it weren't for this, I wouldn't be able to hold on to it like this, with tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, to meet Yuan Highway's 300,000 army."

"It's not that Chen is unwilling to raise a large army and fight to the death with Yuan Highway. It's the situation within the borders that it is simply impossible to support such a large-scale war. ”

"The previous time, I used conspiracy and trickery to seize your military camp by luck, and seized countless grains and grass."

"However, there are many powerful soldiers, and even if they lose for a while, there are still hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses. As long as Yuan Highway is given enough time, he can pull up again, an army of hundreds of thousands. ”

"At that time, there will be another series of wars and wars. If it continues to be consumed, the people of Guanzhong and Bingzhou do not know how much they will starve to death. ”

"It is precisely because I know this that I am unwilling to let the tiger return to the mountain, and I am determined to pursue and kill Yuan's army with thousands of cavalry. In doing so, he was not reckless or arrogant, but he had to do it as a last resort! ”

Speaking of this, Chen Xu couldn't help but smile bitterly twice. The rest of the people suddenly realized.

The generals only saw the disparity in power between the two sides, but they did not expect the consequences of letting Yuan Shu lead the army away.

Although Jia Xu and Tian Feng thought of this, they were a scribe after all. The two armies are facing each other, and it is natural for the two to make suggestions.

But when it comes to marching and fighting, making decisions on the battlefield, and personal courage, they are not as good as Chen Xu after all.

If he didn't have this kind of desperate courage, Chen Xu would not have been able to lay such a big foundation in just over ten years by the leader of a yellow scarf.

Yan Xiang was also shocked by Chen Xu's courage, and he asked, "Isn't the general afraid that we will fight back and leave those soldiers and horses who come to pursue?" ”

This kind of remark is by no means false, Yuan Jun had more than 100,000 horses at that time. Even if these are all routs, if they launch a madness, they will not be able to resist with only 6,000 cavalry.

What's more, Chen Xu also divided the six thousand cavalry soldiers into three teams.

Wen Zhao laughed twice and said: "Our army is all cavalry, as long as you are careful not to be ambushed, even if you can't win, you won't have big losses." ”

"What's more, even if the six thousand cavalry may be wiped out, I am willing to gamble."

Speaking of this, Chen Xu showed a look of madness.

"When the two armies are fighting, there is never a sure thing, and the leader pursues the troops, although there is a possibility of defeat. But if you don't lead the troops to pursue, how can you have today's great victory? ”

"On the battlefield, when you advance, you advance, and when you break, you will break. If you cower in fear, it will be difficult to achieve great things after all. ”

When they heard this, they were all silent.

Ji Ling couldn't hold his breath at first, and he asked, "What about the general, who forced down 80,000 Yuan troops?" ”

Wen Zhao replied: "Sun Ziyun: A soldier who surrenders without a fight, and a good person who is good." ”

"Foolishly think: the way to use soldiers, attack the heart first, attack the city below; Psychological warfare is the top, and military warfare is the bottom. ”

Speaking of this, Chen Xu thought silently in his heart: "Brother Ma Yan, I will borrow your words first, and I hope you don't blame it." ”

The sentence he said earlier was what Ma Tan said when Yonghong and Meng Shu, people from Nanzhong, rebelled, and Zhuge Liang went to quell the rebellion.

Zhuge Liang adopted Ma Yan's strategy of attacking the heart, so that after killing Yonghong, he pardoned Meng Huo's crime and convinced him. As a result, during Zhuge Liang's lifetime, there was no rebellion in Nanzhong.

Wen Zhao continued: "The reason why I committed the taboo of the soldier is that when the number of troops was far less than Yuan's army, the soldiers were still divided into three routes. It's not just to drag down Yuan's army with a tired army; It was also in order to attack the heart and make Yuan Jun lose his fighting spirit. ”

"When the enemy advances, I retreat, when the enemy retreats, I chase, when the enemy is stationed, I disturb, and when the enemy is tired, I attack."

"With the advantage of cavalry mobility, constantly harassing the Yuan army, slowly wearing down their spirit, and delaying the speed of the Yuan army's march, is only one of them."

"Before Zilong and Yan Zheng led the troops to pursue Yuan's army, I have repeatedly explained to them: if the enemy resists, I will destroy all the enemies who resist at any cost; If Yuan Jun retreats from the wind, he must not kill a single person. ”

Hearing this, everyone was in high spirits and knew that the main event was coming.

Wen Zhao looked around and said: "Killing the enemy who resists is to deter, and to lose the courage of the Yuan army; Don't kill people indiscriminately, it's for Huairou, and it's okay to slow down its heart. ”

"Habit is a terrible thing. Yuan's army was all routed, and they had no desire to fight. When they find that as long as they avoid the front of their pursuers, they will not have to worry about their lives, they will slowly become infected with the habit of looking out for the wind. ”

"That's why, when I led the cavalry to catch up with Yuan's army, they didn't put up fierce resistance at the first time."

"Because, they will all subconsciously think that as long as they don't resist, they will be able to live,"

What's more, at that time, Lord Yan Bo led the unconscious Yuan Highway and the generals of the Yuan army to escape. Tens of thousands of Yuan soldiers have become headless flies, how can they have the heart to fight? ”

"I took advantage of this opportunity to lure them with food. The hungry soldiers of Yuan Jun came down completely naturally. ”

Turning his gaze to Yan Xiang, Chen Xu said with a sigh: "If at that time, Lord Yan Bo can come to the front line in person and encourage the soldiers to fight to the death, the victory or defeat is still unknown. ”

"Later, Yuan Highway only had 500 cavalry beside him, and even if he resisted, it was just an egg hitting a stone."

Speaking of which, Chen Xu has already explained the explanation. He straightened his waist and said in a deep voice: "It is advisable to chase after the poor with the remaining bravery, and not to sell the name of the overlord." ”

"Although I am not as good as the overlord Xiang Yu, Yuan Highway is not as good as Emperor Gaozu. However, I can't do the thing of letting the tiger return to the mountain and sitting back and watching Yuan Shu make waves. ”

Hearing this, all the generals bowed down.

Yan Xiang smiled bitterly twice, and said with a sigh: "The general is brave and strategic, and his courage is outstanding, Yan Xiang was defeated in the hands of the general, not wronged." ”

"I used to boast of being resourceful, but today I know that I am sitting in a well and watching the sky, I don't know what to say. I just feel sorry for my lord, if I hadn't repeatedly offered the wrong strategy, I'm afraid the current situation of the war would not be like this. ”

Wen Zhao retorted: "Lord Yan has the talent to go through the heavens and latitudes, so why should he be arrogant? ”

"Mr. repeatedly offered advice to Yuan Highway, but he either did not listen to Mr.'s plan; Either for the gentleman's plan, it was not thoroughly implemented. ”

"Rao is like this, and the sir's strategy has also caused huge casualties to our army. It's not that Chen Xu is arrogant, he foolishly thinks that if it weren't for Mr. there, why would Yuan Highway be afraid? ”

"Now that the Han family is in decline, and the world is full of heroes, Your Majesty is lacking talents like Mr. Kuang to support the community. I wonder if Sir would like to come to serve in our army and serve His Majesty? ”

Yan Xiang shook his head and said, "The lord has the grace of knowing me, even if I am defeated and killed, I will never turn elsewhere." ”

"Now that I have been captured by the general, please be able to honor my loyalty."

After speaking, Yan Xiang closed his eyes and was silent, no matter how much Chen Xu persuaded him, he was motionless.

Seeing that he couldn't say anything about Yan Xiang, Chen Xu once again set his eyes on Ji Ling and said, "General Ji Ling is the champion of the three armies, but he is a battlefield general. Now that the troubled times have come, it is the time for the general to show his talents, I wonder if the general is willing to surrender? ”

Ji Ling shook his head and said categorically: "The general of the defeated army, how can he be brave." The lord died because of the great general, and if I do not die, I will avenge the great general. ”

Chen Xu was stunned, and said sincerely: "I know that the two of you are loyal and righteous people, but Yuan Highway deceived the king and did not have the style of a hero, how could he make the two of you so desperate?" ”

"Since my debut, I have been thirsty for talents every day, and I can't wait to recruit all the talents in the world. If you are willing to submit to me, I will treat them as confidants. If you violate this oath, the heavens and the earth will be destroyed! ”

Chen Xu's sincere and eager words finally moved Yan Xiang and Ji Ling.

Yan Xiang looked at Chen Xu with a complicated expression, and then said, "If the general really values me so much, Yan Xiang only hopes to see the old master again." I don't know if the general can agree? ”

Wen Zhao's face was overjoyed, and he said, "What's so difficult about this? Come and bring Yuan Highway's corpse. ”

It wasn't long before four soldiers came carrying a bed covered with white cloth. Chen Xu stepped forward in person and slowly uncovered the white cloth on the bed, revealing Yuan Shu lying inside.

"Lord!"

Yan Xiang didn't resent Yuan Shu for imprisoning him at all, and when he saw Yuan Shu's corpse, he immediately pounced and wept bitterly.

Ji Ling also came to Yuan Shu's corpse and wept silently.

Seeing this, Chen Xu and the others also felt a little blocked in their hearts, and they were moved by the loyalty of the two.

After crying for a long time, Yan Xiang wiped away a handful of tears, suddenly looked up at Chen Xu, and said, "My lord has vainly proclaimed himself emperor and committed a great rebellious crime. After he was defeated and killed, he was inevitably dissected and killed. ”

"Yan Xiang has the courage to intercede with the general, hoping that the general can bury him with the rites of the princes."

When Chen Xu heard this, his face showed embarrassment. If it is the rest of the princes, even if the two are in the opposite position, after killing them, Chen Xu will also bury them with the rites of the princes.

However, Yuan Shu claimed to be the emperor in vain, but he committed the crime of punishing the nine clans. Dissecting the coffin and killing the corpse is also a necessary procedure, just like Zhang Jiao and others at the beginning.

Although they did not claim the title of emperor, because of their rebellion against the imperial court, their bodies were not at peace after they died.

Seeing Chen Xu's embarrassed face, Yan Xiang suddenly said loudly: "I have nothing else to ask for, I just want the general to bury the lord with the rites of the princes." If I want to dissect the coffin and kill the corpse, I, Yan Xiang, am willing to replace it with my body. ”

After speaking, Yan Xiang rushed directly to the side, touching the pillar and dying.

"Sir, sir."

Chen Xu hurriedly stepped forward, hugged Yan Xiang, who had already lost his breath, and said in a choked voice: "Why is this so, sir?" Why? ”

The generals were all silent, and some even secretly wiped a handful of tears.

"Sonorous!"

Suddenly, Ji Ling took advantage of the fact that everyone was relaxing their vigilance and suddenly snatched away the sword of a warrior. The sword was unsheathed, and there was a golden resonance.

"Protect the lord!"

Seeing this, Dian Wei hurriedly roared, took out his double iron halberd, and protected Chen Xu's side. Zhao Yun and the others also pulled out the saber in their waists and slowly surrounded Ji Ling.

Ji Ling didn't seem to see everyone's movements, and muttered, "If Lord Yan Bo dies alone, he can't clear the charge of the lord. I, Ji Ling, am also willing to be punished by dissecting the coffin and killing the corpse in place of the lord. ”

"Please also ask the general, you can bury the lord of my family with the rites of the princes."

After finishing speaking, Ji Ling put the saber on his neck, and suddenly forced, and blood splattered out.

His majestic body fell to the ground, like a morning bell and a dusk drum, and struck on the hearts of the people.

At this time, Chen Xu muttered to himself in a somewhat dejected manner: "How can Yuan Highway have such a loyal and unswerving person to accompany him to death?" ”

The rest of the generals also sighed and sighed.