Chapter 230: Be more confident, the slaves of the four surnames can be easily dealt with! Mend the fold after the sheep have been lost? You are overthinking it!
"Zhang Liao!"

Xiao Fang gave that name.

Liu Bei was stunned at first, but then he realized that the person Xiao Fang was talking about was Zhang Liao, the one who guarded the city of Yangquan for Lu Bu.

"Zhang Wenyuan does have the demeanor of a fierce general, but is he really as capable as the military advisor said?"

Liu Bei said with a look of doubt.

Xiao Fang smiled.

Old Liu knew something about Zhang Liao, but not quite.

The historical Zhang Liao did not become famous just by defeating Sun Shiwan in Hefei. He also fought in the Battle of Bailang Mountain, marched thousands of miles to kill Tadun and annihilate Wuhuan. These were the main achievements that sent Zhang Liao to the Temple of Martial Arts.

Who is Tadun? He is the Great Khan of Wuhuan. If it is a title in the Central Plains, it is equivalent to the ruler of a country.

Since ancient times, there have been many Han generals who were able to defeat the Hu people, but only a few were able to kill the Hu Chanyu.

Zhang Liao is one of those rare ones.

Therefore, although there were many famous generals in the late Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period, Zhang Liao was one of the few who could be enshrined in the temple.

Of course, because of the flapping of his butterfly wings, the course of history has undergone drastic changes. It is impossible for Zhang Liao to gain military achievements against Sun Shiwan, and it is probably not his turn to kill Tadun.

But Zhang Liao’s military talent is indeed there, and it does not disappear just because of historical changes.

But now, "words are not enough", and there is no point in giving too much explanation to Lao Liu.

"It doesn't matter whether Zhang Liao is a talent of the Martial Temple or not. What matters is that the lord trusts me. If the lord can recruit this man to his command, he will be of great use in the future."

Xiao Fang did not explain much and gave a decisive conclusion.

Liu Bei suddenly understood, and the doubt on his face immediately disappeared.

So he nodded heavily and said happily:

"The military advisor's ability to judge people is unparalleled in the world. The counselors and generals he selected are all outstanding and talented people in the world."

"Since the military advisor has determined that Zhang Wenyuan has the potential to become a famous general, then it must be true."

"For this trip to Yangquan, I'll have to trouble the military advisor to go there personally."

The discussion has now been finalized.

Under the protection of Xu Chu and his group of tiger guards, Xiao Fang went west through Lu'an City and then headed north to Yangquan City overnight.

As they were few in number and mainly consisted of light cavalry, they were naturally faster than Lu Bu's tens of thousands of troops and arrived at Yangquan City several days earlier.

At this time, Guan Yu had led nearly 10,000 troops to the city of Yangquan and completed the siege of the city.

Zhang Liao had only 3,000 soldiers and horses, so he naturally did not dare to leave the city to fight. He also did not receive Lu Bu's order to abandon the city, so he could only lead his troops to close the city gates and defend to the death.

When Xiao Fang appeared in the central army tent, Guan Yu had already surrounded Yangquan City to the point where no one could get in or out.

Inside the Chinese army's tent.

"Without the military advisor's plan, how could Yu win so thoroughly in the battle with Jing Lue?"

"I haven't had such a great time killing for many years!"

"Come, come, I should thank the military advisor for this glass of wine."

Guan Yu raised his glass with a smile. Even though he was arrogant, he couldn't help but compliment Xiao Fang.

Xiao Fang knew how to deal with human nature, so he would not take all the credit for himself. He also praised Guan Yu for his wise military tactics and the soldiers of Xiangyang for their bravery, and also mentioned Pang Tong's contribution.

Guan Yu laughed heartily, drank the whole glass of wine, and said cheerfully:

"Tonight, I, the other generals, and the military advisor will have a good drink. It won't be too late to attack Yangquan tomorrow."

As he said this, Guan Yu was about to pour wine for Xiao Fang himself.

Xiao Fang covered his wine glass:
"General Yunchang, of course we have to drink this wine, but time is tight now. We have to defeat Lu Bu first, and then we can drink this glass of wine."

Defeat Lu Bu first!

As soon as these four words came out, the smile on Guan Yu's face disappeared, and the generals on his left and right, including Guan Ping, all calmed down.

Xiao Fang did not beat around the bush and told Zhang Liao his speculation that Lu Bu was leading his main force to attack Yangquan, intending to cooperate with Zhang Liao to defeat his Xiangyang army from both inside and outside.

There was an immediate shock in the tent.

Even Guan Yu couldn't help but frown.

He was not afraid of Lu Bu, of course, but he had only 10,000 soldiers under his command. He had to besiege Yangquan City and fight against Lu Bu's army of more than 25,000. It was obvious that his manpower was stretched to the limit.

"In this case, I should withdraw the siege of Yangquan first to avoid Lü Bu's attack. When my brother captures Chengde City and Lü Bu retreats to Shouchun, it won't be too late for me to attack Yangquan."

Guan Yu was arrogant but not reckless. He knew that ten thousand soldiers could not defeat the attack from Lu Bu and Zhang Liao, so he took the initiative to withdraw the siege temporarily.

All the generals could see the huge disparity in benefits and nodded in agreement with Guan Yu's decision.

"If it is just a temporary withdrawal, my lord can just send a messenger to inform General Guan. Why would I have to go there in person?"

Xiao Fang suddenly asked back in a playful tone.

Guan Yu was shocked and looked at Xiao Fang suddenly, suddenly realizing that something was wrong.

It is just as Xiao Fang said, given his position as a military advisor, if he just wants to tip off the information, why bother him?
"Military advisor, are you here to help Yu defeat Lu Bu?"

Guan Yu's eyes turned slightly, and he immediately guessed Xiao Fang's intention of coming here, and a gleam of light flashed in his eyes.

"General Guan guessed half right."

Xiao Fang gently waved his feather fan, with absolute confidence on his face:
"I am here not only to help you, General Guan, defeat Lu Bu, but also to capture Yangquan and capture Zhang Liao alive!"

Guan Yu's heart was shocked and a strange look flashed across his face.

Guan Ping, Zhou Cang and other generals were also shocked.

With only 10,000 troops, he was able to defeat the combined attack of 30,000 troops led by Lu Bu and Zhang Liao. This was already a big appetite.

We even have to capture Yangquan and capture Zhang Liao alive?

What a big tone!

However, if such bold words came from someone else, Guan Yu would only think that they were just boasting.

Coming from Xiao Fang's mouth, Guan Yu was shocked, and then his face immediately turned into surprise. "The military advisor is very smart and must have a brilliant plan. I would like to hear the details."

Guan Yu immediately bowed and asked impatiently.

Everyone widened their eyes, and their curious gazes were all focused on Xiao Fang.

Xiao Fang stood up and pointed at the map with his feather fan:
"We can learn from Lu Bu and leave 3,000 soldiers to guard the camp, but plant more dummies..."

At that moment, Xiao Fang calmly and unhurriedly told the story of how to defeat the enemy.

The expressions of the crowd changed from curiosity to surprise, and then gradually from surprise to admiration.

"General Yunchang, is this plan feasible?"

Xiao Fang told Guan Yu the whole plan, then turned around and looked at him with a smile.

"Snapped!"

Guan Yu slammed the table and stood up, praising happily:

"Military Advisor Xiao's plan is truly a brilliant one that kills two birds with one stone!"

"Okay, okay, I will use Military Advisor Xiao's plan to defeat the four slaves first, then go to Yangquan and capture Zhang Wenyuan alive!"

...

Thirty miles east of Yangquan City, on the south bank of the Huai River.

Led by the big flag with the character "Lu", more than 25,000 soldiers of the Lu army were running at full speed.

Lu Bu rode his horse in front, his brows furrowed into a straight line, and his anxious eyes occasionally shot towards the direction of Yangquan City.

"Zhang Wenyuan, you have to defend Yangquan City for me. If you lose Yangquan before my army arrives, I will not forgive you..."

Lu Bu's thoughts raced, and he gritted his teeth secretly.

Ever since he followed Chen Gong's plan and led the main force to capture Chengde City at night, he has been traveling day and night to head straight for Yangquan City.

In order to hurry on their way, they did not stop to rest for even half an hour even when passing through Shouchun City.

He was aware of Zhang Liao's abilities, but he also knew Guan Yu's strengths and weaknesses.

Zhang Liao had no idea whether he could withstand the siege of Guan Yu's army three times larger with his three thousand soldiers.

"Marquis Wen reacted quickly. At the current marching speed, by the time we reach Yangquan, Guan Yu will have besieged the city for no more than three days."

"With Zhang Wenyuan's ability to command troops, as long as he doesn't leave the city to fight, it will be no problem for him to hold out for three days."

"Marquis Wen, at this critical moment, you must have confidence."

Chen Gong saw what was on Lu Bu's mind and couldn't help but remind him.

Lu Bu was slightly startled, then nodded and said:
"Gongtai's words make sense. Wenyuan has been with me for so many years, I know how capable he is."

Then Lu Bu raised a hint of sarcasm and snorted coldly:
"The big-eared thief thought he had that country bumpkin, and he tricked me into breaking into Liu'an, and I was helpless."

"It's a pity that he forgot that I still have you, Gongtai. I can still make up for it and give him a surprise attack!"

Lu Bu put his worries aside and continued to urge his army to march forward with absolute confidence.

Before I knew it, the road ahead began to narrow.

On the right is the slope of the Huai River dam, on the left is a dense forest, and in the middle is a road no more than twenty steps wide.

The more than 25,000 Lu troops had to slow down after passing through such terrain.

As we walked, we saw grain carts starting to appear on the road, three or five carts, or six or seven carts gathered together, scattered on the main road.

The soldiers of Lu's army had to bypass these food carts, and their marching speed slowed down again.

"It must be the grain transport team heading to Yangquan City. When they learned that Yangquan was under siege, they were so scared that they abandoned the grain carts and fled!"

"After I finish this battle, I will find out who wasted my food and will kill him!"

Lu Bu kept muttering to himself, his face full of annoyance.

Chen Gong looked at the grain carts, then looked at the road beneath his feet and the surrounding terrain, and his eyes gradually became alert.

After walking a few steps, Chen Gong's heart suddenly shook. He hurriedly reined in his mount, drew his sword from its sheath, and stabbed it hard into a bag of food.

The grain bag was punctured, but no grain spilled out, only weeds were exposed.

Lu Bu was stunned at first, then he became furious and cursed:

"Well, you dare to use weeds to impersonate food fodder. Who is so bold as to embezzle my military rations?"

Chen Gong's face changed drastically, and he shouted anxiously:
"Marquis Wen, this isn't someone embezzling food and grass, this must be Guan Yu's trick!"

"There must be an ambush here. Guan Yu wants to burn our army!"

"Marquis Wen, order the troops to retreat immediately!"

Chen Gong shouted excitedly with a hoarse voice.

Lu Bu was confused and asked in surprise:
"Gongtai, why do you say that? What do you mean Guan Yu wants to burn our army?"

Chen Gong was so anxious that his forehead was covered in cold sweat. He pointed his sword in all directions and said:

"The terrain here is high up in the riverbank to the north, and blocked by dense forests to the south. The road in the middle is narrow, making it a perfect place to set up an ambush!"

"These grain carts are filled with weeds, and there are also a lot of firewood scattered along the road. It is obvious that they were all placed by Guan Yu in advance in order to use fire attacks on our army!"

"Marquis Wen, our plan to attack Yangquan must have been discovered by Xiao Fang. Guan Yu was warned in advance and set up an ambush here!"

"Hurry up and retreat, it will be too late if you don't retreat now~~"

Chen Gong shouted at Lu Bu almost hoarsely and tremblingly.

Lu Bu's face turned pale with horror, and he turned his horse around and shouted:

"Retreat, the entire army retreats eastward immediately~~"

It's too late.

Above the river bank, countless rockets took off into the sky and came in an overwhelming manner.

(End of this chapter)