Chapter 531 The Door Is Wide Open

Although Liu Ye raised his army from Qingzhou, his foundation was in Yongliang. Most of his soldiers were Liangzhou cavalry, and his generals such as Ma Chao, Pang De, and Ma Teng were also from Liangzhou, and Qu Yi was also from Liangzhou. If he was willing to defect to If you work under Liu Ye, wouldn't you be favored?

"The reason why Duke Yuan uses generals is not to respect generals, but to use generals." Army Sima Xunxun said kindly: "If the generals hadn't sacrificed their lives to defeat Baima Yicong at the Battle of Jieqiao, how could Duke Yuan use generals?"

The Battle of Jieqiao made the Quyi battle famous, but that battle was actually very dangerous. Baima Yicong was defeated. Gongsun Zan was shocked and furious and ordered the entire army to attack. More than half of the dead soldiers were killed and wounded first, and they were maimed on the spot. Gradually resume preparation.

"The general is originally from Liangzhou. If we change the family, wouldn't we be reused?"

Qu Yi listened to the advice of Army Sima, but he shook his head: "A minister should be loyal to his lord. I don't even bother to change the family."

Army Sima said silently: "If this is the case, then my subordinates will resign."

"Well, go out, I'll be alone."

Qu Yi waved his hand, and after Jun Sima exited, a light flashed in his eyes.

"General, if you don't want to be a villain, my subordinates will do it for you."

"General Gao! General Gao!" A call came from the woods ahead.

"Is it Cao Xing?" Gao Shun shouted loudly.

"It's me, General Gao, how are you doing?"

Gao Shun led more than 500 soldiers who were trapped in the camp, fought and retreated, and finally withdrew from Huguan. Hearing Cao Xing's shout, he immediately moved forward. I saw dozens of people jumping out of the woods ahead. Regardless of his injuries, Cao Xing rushed to Gao Shun excitedly.

"General Gao, it's great that you're okay." Cao Xing said happily.

Gao Shun frowned: "A certain soldier under his command suffered over a hundred casualties. This time he lost Huguan again. There is nothing to be happy about."

Cao Xing remained silent and comforted him: "General Gao, there is no one who can't die in a war. Besides, the loss of Hu Pass this time is not the general's fault. It's really Hao Meng who cheated on us. We were caught off guard and lost Hu Pass. General, you don't have to So guilty."

"A certain person is still the commander-in-chief of Huguan, and Hao Meng's collaboration with the enemy did not notice it in time. This is the fault of such a person." Gao Shun did not hesitate to take all the blame on himself.

Cao Xing sighed, and then said: "General Gao, Hu Pass has been lost, what should we do next?"

Gao Shun pondered for a while and said slowly: "Huguan is the southeastern gateway of Bingzhou. Now that Huguan is lost, Yuan Jun's army in Bingzhou can be said to be flat, and Shangdang County may not be saved."

The basis for the division of prefectures and counties in the Han Dynasty was population. The land in Bingzhou was barren and the climate was bitter and cold, so the population was sparse. Therefore, the territory was naturally much larger than the densely populated Yanzhou, Yuzhou, and Jizhou, and Shangdang County was the easternmost part of Bingzhou. A county in front of.

Once Huguan is captured, it means that the entire Shangdang County is exposed to the enemy, which is basically irreversible.

Gao Shun thought for a while and said to Cao Xing: "The north of Shangdang County is Taiyuan County. Let's lead the army north, abandon the city along the way, and gather the troops from several counties in Nie County at the junction of the two counties to prevent Yuan's army from attacking Taiyuan County. "

Cao Xing stepped forward and said: "General Gao, leave the defense of Nie County to me. Cao Xing is willing to guarantee it with his life."

Gao Shun shook his head and said seriously: "Nie County is very important, and I will personally lead the troops to defend it. You will not be idle either. You will lead a few close associates to accompany you, and travel to Jinyang day and night as quickly as possible to report to Lord Huguan. Do you understand the loss of defense?"

Cao Xing nodded: "In that case, I will set off now. General Gao, don't worry, I will be back soon."

After that, Cao Xing summoned seven or eight of his followers from the army and rode away. And the more than two thousand Bingzhou troops he led from Huguan returned to Gao Shun's account.

"The entire army is marching north, aiming for Lu County!"

Gao Shun led more than 2,000 Bingzhou troops and more than 500 troops to occupy the camp, a total of less than 3,000 troops and horses. They marched all night that night and arrived at Lu County at dawn the next day. The county magistrate hurriedly opened the door to respond, but Gao Shun didn't talk nonsense to him. He took over the Luxian defenders. After replenishing the grain and grass, he immediately ordered the Luxian magistrate to bury the grain and grass in the warehouse and then retreat.

Gao Shun followed his army all the way north, from Lu County through Xiangyuan, Qin County and other cities, gathering the garrison in the city and burying grain and grass. By the time they reached the gate of Nie County, they had gathered more than 4,000 people. After arriving in Nie County, Gao Shun and others Instead of continuing to retreat, he raised the high-character general's flag, mobilized the people in the city to repair the city wall, and made rolling wooden and stone implements to defend the city, preparing to hold on here.

After Quyi captured Huguan, Yan Liang divided his army of 5,000 and ordered his deputy general Ma Yan to go south to capture the southern counties of Shangdang County, while he personally commanded an army of 15,000 to go north.

Because Gao Shun withdrew the city's defenders in advance and warned the people in the city in advance, Yan Liang's soldiers easily attacked several cities without any bloodshed, and did not encounter resistance until they reached the gate of Nie County.

At this time, Cao Xing was working hard day and night and arrived at Jinyang, the capital of Bingzhou.

"The time has come to close the city gate."

The Jinyang City Warden had just issued an order, and when he saw that the two city gates were about to be closed, he saw smoke and dust suddenly rising on the road, and seven or eight horsemen, fully clothed, were galloping on the avenue.

The leading knight was Cao Xing, and he shouted: "I am Cao Xing, the guard general of Huguan Pass, and I have important information to report to the lord!"

The city guard was Song Xian. When he saw Cao Xing, he hurriedly raised his hands and said: "Stop closing the door temporarily."

The two city gates stopped with a creak, and seven or eight riders galloped into Jinyang City together.

Fortunately, it was getting late at this time, and there were no pedestrians on the street due to the curfew. Therefore, Cao Xing and others ran freely on the street without slowing down, and quickly rushed outside the Governor's Mansion. .

"Marquis Wen, I want to see Marquis Wen!"

"Who wants to see me?"

Lu Bu happened to be asleep yet, so he walked out immediately when he heard the sound, but couldn't help but frown.

"Cao Xing? You stayed well in Huguan, why did you come to this general?"

"Marquis Wen!" Cao Xing gasped, "Hao Meng turned his back on his master and surrendered to the enemy. He cooperated internally and externally, but the Hu Pass was lost!"

"What?" Lu Bu frowned, took a step forward, and lifted Cao Xing up with one hand. He was nine feet tall and held Cao Xing in his hands as if he were a child.

"Hao Meng rebelled? How did Huguan get lost?" Lu Bu said angrily.

Cao Xing told how Hao Meng colluded with Yuan's army, raised fire as a signal, Gao Shun led the army to suppress the rebellion, and Qu Yi led the army into the city.

"General Gao ordered a fast horse to report the matter to Marquis Wen. Now General Gao is leading his troops to defend Nie County, waiting for Marquis Wen to rescue him." Cao Xingzhen reported.

"Hmph, beat the drums and mobilize the soldiers!" Lu Bu said proudly: "Let Yuan Shao have a try