Liu Bei was greatly surprised by Cao Cao's decisive retreat. Looking at the empty camp in Zouma Valley, he couldn't help but sigh: "I didn't expect Cao Mengde to have such a day."

"My lord, the trend has been achieved. Even Cao Cao cannot stop it." Pang Tong said firmly.

Liu Bei felt heroic: "Two military advisors, Hanchuan is at our feet, where should we advance next?"

"Without further delay, we must capture Yangping as soon as possible. Cao Cao will definitely leave troops to contain it. Only when the food route is clear can we capture Nanzheng without any worries." Fazheng analyzed.

"I will ask Zilong and General Huang to come and join us." Liu Bei nodded in response.

Liu Bei did not show any pretense when crossing the river this time. They quickly built a raft and crossed the Mianshui River, and then marched to Yangping Pass in a mighty manner.

It was quiet at Yangping Pass. Pang Tong didn't know who Cao Cao had left to guard, so he sent Wei Yan to challenge the pass. At this time, a head with a silver helmet and a jade face poked out from the wall.

"General Wei." Ma Chao saluted with clasped fists.

Wei Yan was very surprised to see Ma Chao. He hesitated and said: "Ma...General Ma..."

While the two were chatting, Zhang Fei opened the city gate and rushed out on Wu Zhui's side.

"Hahaha, Chang Wen didn't expect that, did he?"

"Third General..."

Liu Bei saw the man in front of the formation who seemed familiar to him. Wei Yan actually stood there unmoved. He ignored Pang Tong and Fazheng's dissuasion and rushed forward with his whip.

"Lord..."

Zhao Yun and Chen Dao exclaimed in unison, and then chased after Liu Bei. When they got closer, they realized that the man was really Zhang Fei.

"Brother..."

"Third brother..."

The two Taoyuan brothers dismounted and hugged each other. They hadn't seen each other for a long time, and their passionate brotherhood became even more sincere.

Zhao Yun and Chen Dao also got off their horses. At this time, Pang Tong and others also followed. Zhang Fei's appearance was really a joy.

"The third brother was stirring up trouble in Wudu, why did he suddenly appear at Yangping Pass?" Liu Bei held his black hand for a long time and did not let go.

Zhang Fei looked at the smiling faces around him, turned to Liu Bei and said, "Brother, this is not the place to talk. Let's talk slowly after entering the customs."

"Third brother, what you said makes sense." Liu Bei held Zhang Fei's big hand, and the two of them strode forward.

When everyone entered Yangping Pass, Zhang Fei had already asked people to set up a banquet for the gathering, and then gave the main seat to Liu Bei to host it.

Dozens of the generals and generals accompanying the army were all lined up. Zhang Fei pointed to Song Chen in the corner and said, "If Colonel Song hadn't taken advantage of the chaos and opened the city gate, it might have taken some time for Meng Qi and I to capture Yangping Pass."

"Captain Song's contribution is not small. After Hanzhong is completely pacified, Bei will definitely reward him based on his merits." Liu Bei looked at Song Chen and smiled kindly.

Song Chen clasped his fists and replied: "The general did not fight bloody battles, he just cooperated in some intelligence work. My lord still rewards the soldiers on the front line."

Liu Bei shook his head and said: "Ziyu once said in the martial arts lecture hall that intelligence should be listed first in war. Captain Song does not need to be modest."

"Brother is right. The things taught in the martial arts hall are very useful. Meng Qi and I were able to gain a foothold in Wudu thanks to Ziyu's strategies and tactics. He is the one who deserves the most rewards when it comes to merit." Zhang Fei said seriously.

Liu Bei laughed loudly: "Three brothers, I know even if you don't tell me, you and Meng Qi have made great achievements now. Do you want Ziyu to give you some oysters?"

"Is it still available at this time of year?" Zhang Fei asked doubtfully.

"I heard from Shi Zai (Deng Ai) that Ziyu sent a lot of seafood to Chengdu last winter. With Kong Ming's intelligence, he will definitely keep it properly." Liu Bei replied affirmatively.

Zhang Fei was overjoyed: "Then we have to find someone to go to Chengdu to report the victory."

Liu Bei and Pang Tong looked at each other and smiled, and then said happily: "Shi Yuan has sent people to Chengdu to report the news. I believe Kong Ming will get the news soon. Fortunately, we defeated Cao Cao in Hanzhong, and Yizhou's efforts over the years have not been in vain."

"Have you sent someone away? Have you made it clear? Do you want me to..."

Zhang Fei was interrupted by Liu Bei mid-sentence: "If my third brother is really worried, why not go to Jiaozhou by yourself? Ziyu should be able to fulfill his duty as a landlord."

"How can that be done? I understand the priorities clearly. Cao Cao moved people to Wudu before he came to aid Hanzhong. Giving up Hanzhong now is equivalent to giving up Wudu. When my eldest brother takes over the land of Hanzhong, I will have to take back Wudu with Meng Qi."

Zhang Fei said seriously.

Pang Tong agreed and replied: "Losing the capital of Wudu in Hanzhong cannot be defended. Cao Cao moved his people first because he was cowardly before fighting. The three generals and General Ma fought in Wudu for a year. It would be easy to get back the 'old place', but the general

There’s no need to be too anxious.”

"Why?" Zhang Fei looked curious.

Pang Tong explained: "Countless people in Wudu have been moved away, and the empty space left behind is equivalent to Hanzhong under Cao Cao's rule. The more troops are stationed, the more supplies they need from the rear. If we can't protect them, Cao Cao wants to use Wudu to consume us."

"Is Thief Cao so insidious?" Zhang Fei scratched his head.

"Haha, isn't it the first day that the three generals know about Cao Cao's traitor? However, Cao Cao's strong walls and clearing the country will not work on the lord. As long as General Lan or Deng Shizai is sent to the front line to farm, the population will slowly recover and he will be self-sufficient in a few years.

." Pang Tong said leisurely.

Zhang Fei's eyes lit up when he heard this: "It's great that Ziyu can come, but he is guarding the border in Jiaozhou and has to support his second brother in Jingzhou, so he should ask Deng Shizai to come and farm."

Liu Bei nodded slightly: "I plan to let Deng Shizai farm in Hanzhong first, and then spread to Wudu after Hanchuan has restored people's livelihood."

"What my lord said is true." Pang Tong agreed.

Fazheng followed up and said: "We took a short rest at Yangping Pass and will start to advance eastward tomorrow. Cao Cao likes to rob people so much that if we are late, the tens of thousands of old and young who are left in Hanzhong will also be sent to Guanzhong.

"

Liu Bei shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Cao's thieves retreated so calmly, I'm afraid they have been migrating to Hanzhong for a long time..."

Seeing this, Pang Tong comforted him and said: "My lord, don't be disappointed. The Grain Rain has passed by now and the rainfall will increase significantly. Cao Cao's tens of thousands of defeated soldiers, tens of thousands of Hanzhong people, and a large number of grain transport corvees all rushed into Xie

On the narrow plank road in the valley, the consequences can be imagined..."

"Isn't this Cao Cao shooting himself in the foot?" Liu Bei was very surprised.

"Anyway, there are no good results." Pang Tong responded with a smile.

"Hehe, you deserve it." Zhang Fei took a sip of wine into his mouth.

Everyone knows Zhang Fei's jealous character. He scolded Cao Cao, which caused a burst of laughter in the hall. Liu Bei then asked: "Yide and Meng Qi, their experiences this year should be very exciting. Why don't you take this opportunity to tell everyone about it?"

?”

"It's wonderful." Zhang Fei scratched his head and smiled, then looked at Ma Chao and said, "General Ma, why don't you tell me?"

Ma Chao quickly declined: "General Zhang should speak."

"Uh... let me tell you." Zhang Fei raised his head to collect his thoughts.

The scale of the battles in Wudu this year was not large, but these experiences can be summed up in the sixteen words Zhang Fei learned in the martial arts lecture hall: when the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy is stationed, we harass; when the enemy is tired, we attack; when the enemy retreats, we pursue
Chapter completed!