Chapter 113

After playing with the spirit stone in his hand for a while, Cao Cao called Xiahou Dun in.

"Miaocai, help me guard the perimeter later; I am about to make a breakthrough."

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Dun's face lit up with joy, and he hurriedly asked:

"General, are you about to break through to the third layer of the Postnatal Realm?"

Seeing this, Cao Cao's face was full of smiles as he nodded at him and said:

"That's right. Although I haven't been able to cultivate properly these past few days, I can feel that I am close to a breakthrough."

"Now that there is no fighting, it is the perfect time to use the spirit stone bestowed by His Majesty to break through in one go."

After hearing Cao Cao's words, Xiahou Dun was overjoyed.

"Hahaha, that's great!"

"General, you have been so busy during this time that you haven't been able to cultivate properly, yet I didn't expect your cultivation level to have fallen behind much."

"General, feel free to focus on your breakthrough. With me here to guard you, no one will disturb you."

He felt a sense of admiration that Cao Cao could break through so quickly.

One must know that Cao Cao was different from them, the martial generals.

They still had time to cultivate at night, while Cao Cao had to devise strategies for the army.

Therefore, he hadn't been able to cultivate properly for some time.

To have his cultivation level not fall behind much despite this was exactly what made him admire Cao Cao.

One must know that he himself had only just broken through recently, and that was even with the help of spirit stones.

"Hehe, Miaocai, you are also very impressive; you reached the third layer of the Postnatal Realm before me. Well done."

Looking at Xiahou Dun, who was happy for him, Cao Cao felt a warmth in his heart and praised him.

"Hehehe! I am different from you, General. If you had the same resources for cultivation as I did, I believe your current strength would definitely be higher than mine."

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Dun felt a bit happy, immediately gave an embarrassed laugh, and then said to Cao Cao.

"Hehehe, alright, there is no need for us to flatter each other. I am going to prepare for the breakthrough now; I will leave things here to you, Miaocai."

Seeing that Xiahou Dun still looked like he wanted to continue, Cao Cao immediately interrupted him and said with a solemn face.

"General, rest assured and focus on your breakthrough. With me here, absolutely no one will disturb you."

After hearing this, Xiahou Dun promised Cao Cao with a solemn expression.

Cao Cao did not say anything more, nodded slightly at him, and then stepped into the bedroom next door to prepare for his breakthrough.

Xiahou Dun immediately stood guard outside the door, his face full of vigilance.

……

Just as the war ended where Cao Cao was, Zhang Liao, who was far away in Bingzhou, arrived at the seat of Shuofang Commandery, Linrong City.

In just six short days, Zhang Liao led his army to clear out the Xiongnu in Yunzhong Commandery and Wuyuan Commandery.

With thunderous methods, they were cleared out, and the Han people living in these two commanderies were also rescued.

They were properly settled by the personnel arranged by Xi Zhicai.

During this time, Zhang Liao and Xi Zhicai also captured many horses, cattle, and sheep from the Xiongnu.

There were a full 100,000 fine Xiongnu warhorses, and even more cattle and sheep.

There were 20,000 cattle alone, and as many as 200,000 sheep.

For Liu Bian at this moment, this was undoubtedly a huge piece of good news.

After discussing it, Xi Zhicai and Zhang Liao decided to take half of these cattle and sheep to distribute to the people of these two commanderies.

After all, they had been ruled by the Xiongnu for many years and had no fields or food of their own.

If they didn't step in to manage this, the survival of these Han people would become a major problem.

Xi Zhicai also selected some capable people from other cities and among these commoners.

To assist him in pacifying the people and distributing fields, cattle, sheep, and other supplies.

Only in this way could they ensure that the people of these three commanderies had hope for survival.

And those 100,000 warhorses were enough for Zhang Liao and the remaining 50,000 troops.

He had already sent Dark Guards to inform Liu Bian of this news.

And these warhorses and half of the cattle and sheep had already been sent back to Chang'an under the escort of 10,000 troops he dispatched.

Fortunately, the Dark Guards were fast; three days later, Zhang Liao received Liu Bian's reply.

Liu Bian told him that he and Xi Zhicai had full authority to handle the affairs of Bingzhou, and they only needed to report the process and results to Liu Bian afterward.

This was only because Liu Bian had the system that he dared to issue such military orders; otherwise, no emperor would dare to play like this.

At this moment, looking at Linrong City before him, Zhang Liao's expression was slightly solemn.

The garrison of Linrong City had 10,000 Xiongnu troops; a forced attack would certainly result in heavy casualties, which was not the result he wanted.

But if they didn't launch a forced attack, there was no better way.

For a moment, Zhang Liao also felt a headache.

"Is the General worried about how to break Linrong City?"

At this time, a middle-aged general beside Zhang Liao saw the look on Zhang Liao's face and couldn't help but ask.

"This Linrong City is built with high walls and thick ramparts, and we are all cavalry; a forced attack is inadvisable."

"When it was built like this, it was originally to defend against the Xiongnu. I didn't expect that one day we would be worried about how to break the city."

After hearing this person's question, Zhang Liao couldn't help but say indignantly.

After hearing Zhang Liao's words, this person immediately laughed loudly at Zhang Liao:

"Hahaha, General, do not worry. Back when the city was built, it was anticipated that such a day would come."

"Therefore, the person who built the city left a backup plan in the mountains behind Linrong City."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Liao was overjoyed and hurriedly asked him:

"Wang Chang, are your words true?"

"That's right, Wang Chang, how come we have never heard of this?"

"Exactly, kid, don't try to fool us."

After hearing Wang Chang's words, Li Su, Hao Zhao, and Jia Kui, who were on the side, couldn't help but ask hurriedly.

It turned out that these four were the four people from Xihe Commandery who had defected to Zhang Liao.

This time, because they were attacking the Xiongnu, Zhang Liao brought them along as well.

He didn't expect such a surprise.

"What are you three saying? Would I, Wang Chang, joke about such a thing?"

Seeing that Li Su and the others didn't believe him, Wang Chang immediately scolded them angrily.

"That is true. I suppose this old boy wouldn't dare to joke about such a matter."

Upon hearing this, Li Su nodded in agreement.

"That is also true. Although this old boy's strength isn't much, he wouldn't dare to make such a joke."

Following Li Su's words, Hao Zhao also spoke up.

"The two of you are absolutely right."

Jia Kui, who was on the side, did not forget to add a reminder.

"Hao Zhao, who are you saying has no strength? Are you looking for a beating?"

Wang Chang, who heard Hao Zhao's words, was immediately unhappy.

Listen, was that even human language?

"Hmph, you guys..."

Seeing the three of them say this, Wang Chang immediately snorted angrily at them.

He turned his head away in anger; he couldn't be bothered to deal with them.

From this, it could be seen that the relationship between the three was still very good.

Seeing that these four still had the heart to joke around at this time, Zhang Liao was also speechless.

"General Wang Chang, pay them no mind. You haven't told me yet, is there really a passage on the mountain behind that leads directly into the city?"

Zhang Liao had no heart to joke with them at this moment and immediately asked Wang Chang with a solemn expression.