Cao Cao became suspicious after receiving Cao Xiu's battle report. After entering the city, he had verified Zhang Fei's total military strength. He only had less than 12,000 mixed Hu and Han troops, of which only 5,000 elite Han troops were brought from Yizhou.

Cao Xiu and Xu Chu brought elites from the Central Plains, but they still sent champion general Yang Qiu with five thousand troops to respond.

Shortly after the surrendered general Yang Qiu led his troops out of the city, scouts discovered that Ma Chao and two hundred cavalry were wandering around the northern area of ​​​​Xiabian, as if mocking the incompetence of Cao's army.

Cao Cao sensed a hint of conspiracy. He first sent people to secretly monitor the city and did not rush to send troops to suppress it. Because there were only 5,000 tiger and leopard cavalry left in the city, it was impossible for this army to be led by outsiders, and Xiaben City also needed troops to guard.

Currently, the only generals left in Cao's camp in Xiabian are Lu Zhao and Cheng Yin, the surrendered general from Xiliang. Cao Cao didn't know the true strength of Ma Chao's troops, let alone which of him and Zhang Fei was feigning an attack and who was the main attacker, so he stationed the troops stationed in Hechi.

All 30,000 soldiers were mobilized.

Cao Cao left Zhang Ji behind to defend, and personally led 20,000 troops to conquer Ma Chao, who "didn't know whether to live or die".

Facing his former defeated generals, Cao Cao didn't feel much pressure at all, but after real contact, he found that Ma Chao had also improved.

Ma Chao and Zhang Fei also hid in the mountains, and their whereabouts were always within the "surveillance" range of Cao Jun's scouts. The occasional falling rocks, rolling logs, and stumbling on horse ropes were like child's play. Cao Jun could not see or touch them after entering the mountains, and he seemed to be far away.

The feeling of the pull between lovers.

There were only a few soldiers who followed Ma Chao and Zhang Fei into the mountains. Each of them only brought hundreds of elites from the mountains. The main force followed Lei Ding and others and fled into Shenlangqiang to hide.

Because there were few people and it was easy to hide, and the boats were small and easy to turn around, Cao's troops from the north and south were lured to take detours in the mountains.

Cao Cao wandered around the mountains for a few days before he realized something was wrong, but he refused to admit that he was being tricked by the reckless Ma Chao, so he had no choice but to chase after him.

More than ten days later, the commander of the march, Shi Liuye, said: "King Wei, it is difficult to transport food, grass and baggage for the march in the mountains. Ma Chao seems to have no intention of fighting with us. Why should we continue this cat-and-mouse game with him?"

"Zi Yang's words are reasonable. Now that the horse has turned into a mountain rat, I have no intention of playing with him anymore. I will withdraw my troops and go back to debate. I don't know what happened to Wen Lie and Zhong Kang."

Cao Cao went down the slope and ordered the rear troops to change to the front troops, and then led the army to slowly withdraw from the valley to the north.

When the troops returned to discuss the matter, Cao Xiu and Xu Chu did not return, so Cao Cao hurriedly sent out scouts to look for them.

As a result, the situation in the south was similar to that in the north. Zhang Fei had more tricks than Ma Chao. He often made bait himself to lure Xu Chu to chase, and occasionally drove wild animals to attack Cao's army, making Cao Xiu's pursuit very uncomfortable.

Cao's army in the south also withdrew to Xiabian. During the twenty-day pursuit, there were basically no casualties on the two southern routes. However, the soldiers were exhausted physically and mentally due to their exhaustion, and most of the military rations brought out by Chang'an were consumed.

Cao Cao was sitting in the prefect's palace with a pale face. All the civil and military officials in the hall were drinking wine. At this time, everyone no longer laughed at Cao Hong, Cao Xiu, and Cao Zhen.

It's not that they are incompetent, it's that the other party is a scoundrel.

"It's a pity that Jia Wenhe is not here. He should have a way to deal with Zhang Fei and Ma Chao." Cao Cao looked at the group of ministers below who were silent and couldn't help but sigh.

Liu Ye blushed. He was also the main counselor of Cao's camp. He couldn't solve his lord's problems, so what's the point of existence? He went out and handed over his advice and said: "Zhang Fei, Ma Chao has few troops, so he doesn't dare to fight us head-on. If

It will be a disservice to the army to follow them and seek battle."

"Does Ziyang have any ideas to help me?" Cao Cao was full of expectations.

Liu Ye bowed and replied: "My lord, it is better to stay in Wudu and leave an army behind. It is better to lead the main force to Yangping Pass to fight against Liu Bei. Once Liu Bei is defeated, it will not be too late to return to the army to conquer them."

Cao Cao looked solemn and didn't speak. Liu Ye's suggestion had been drafted in his mind, but he rejected it in the end because none of the generals in the army could take on the important role. Cao Xiu, who originally had high hopes, seemed to have insufficient experience.

"Although Ziyang's words are good, who can stay here?"

Cao Cao didn't think of a good way, so he had to lay out Liu Ye's plan and test the generals in the palace who would accept the move. Just when everyone was looking at each other, Zhang Ji, the governor of Yongzhou, stood up and walked out of his seat.

"The king of Wei, Zhang Fei, and Ma Chao deliberately caused nuisance, which was actually a containment. They relied on the mountainous terrain to avoid fighting. In addition to obtaining food and grass supplies from the Qiang and Di tribes, they also plundered the cities of Wudu. Although they rounded up cunning tigers

It’s indeed not easy, but there are still ways to make it unable to hurt others.”

Cao Cao crossed his legs and sat upright with his bent body. Zhang Ji seemed to have something in his analysis.

"De Rong seems to have a way to catch tigers? Tell me quickly to clear up my doubts."

Zhang Ji bowed and bowed again, saying: "Zhang Fei, Ma Chao is like a bandit at this time, surviving by robbing homes and plundering houses to support war. If the King of Wei is willing to build a strong wall in Wudu and clear the country, how will they survive without any place to plunder?"

"

"What De Jong means..."

Liu Ye was about to say something but hesitated. Consolidating the wall and clearing the country was a bad move that would hurt both sides. He didn't know if Cao Cao would adopt it.

"There are more than 60,000 registered households in Wudu, and there are probably more than 200,000 people who are not registered. Why doesn't the King of Wei move all his people to Tianshui, Jingzhao and other places? It can just make up for the population that Sanfu has moved away in recent years.

" Zhang Ji explained.

When Liu Ye heard this, he said, "Hey guys, it turns out that Zhang wanted to move the people from Wudu to Yongliang to make up for the population loss in the Jingzhao area due to the war. As the governor of Yongzhou, he really did his duty, and it was he who suggested moving the people from Hanzhong."

There were tens of thousands of people, but it was a pity that Xia Houyuan kept the people behind.

Seeing that Cao Cao was a little moved after hearing this, Liu Ye hurriedly advised: "To move such a large population, does De Rong know how many corvees are needed? Isn't Yongliang and Liang prefectures afraid that they don't have the strength to support it?"

Raise an army of 100,000 troops and provide one-third of the baggage.

At this time, there were more than 200,000 civilians in Wudu. Cao Cao had more than 100,000 soldiers in Wudu and Yangping Pass, and more than 300,000 people in logistics. He needed to recruit nearly a million people for corvee service. Yongliang could not recruit so many people now.

Civilian husband.

"The King of Wei is sitting on the nine states in the north. Even if Yongliang does not have this strength, there are still millions of people in the Central Plains available. This may be the most stable way at present." Zhang Ji's eyes were firm.

"There have been many rebellions in the country in recent years. Hou Yin of Wancheng rebelled by recruiting corvees. If you are not careful, you may cause shock to the world. King Wei must think twice." Liu Ye continued to advise.

When Cao Cao heard that both sides made sense, he frowned and didn't know how to make up his mind.

Zhang Ji shook his head and smiled bitterly: "The so-called military is valuable and quick. As long as Liu Bei in Hanzhong can be defeated as soon as possible, a short period of corvee service may not shake the country. However, the army has been consumed by Zhang Fei in Wudu for a long time. The outcome of this battle in Hanzhong will be..."

"What De Rong said is true. If you continue to waste time here, you will fall into the trap of that black man. You have decided to relocate the people immediately." Cao Cao took action and finally made a plan.

From Wudu to Tianshui, you need to take Qishan Road, and to go to Jingzhao, you need to take Chencang Road in the east. Because the road is narrow and difficult to walk, the migration time span will be very long, so you need to leave soldiers and horses to escort, otherwise Zhang Fei and Ma Chao will definitely come

look for a job.
Chapter completed!