Chapter 292

"Our army's attack on Wuguan needs to pass through Liu Biao's Nanyang Commandery."

Cao Cao said contemptuously.

"Liu Biao is a name only, a thief who only knows how to guard his own territory. If our allied forces borrow the way, how would he dare to say no?"

Zhou Yu cupped his hands.

"Back then, Emperor Gaozu was blocked at Hangu Pass, bypassed Nanyang, broke through Wuguan, and was the first to enter Guanzhong to become King and achieve hegemony."

Everyone's eyes lit up; this place seemed to have a better position than Hulao Pass.

Ding Yuan Shao and the others were thinking: the first to enter Guanzhong becomes King? This also seems possible!

Xu You cursed secretly.

"Cao Aman first proposed Hulao Pass, let my lord attack it, and the remaining attack on Wuguan will surely be left to him. It's truly impossible to guard against!"

Ding Yuan Shao only then realized it.

"Who is the defending general of Wuguan?"

"Li Yan from Nanyang and Huo Jun from Nanjun are guarding it with 12, 00 troops."

Ding Yuan Shao?? These two were unknown; he really didn't know them.

Cao Cao explained.

"These two are talents Liu Bei recruited in Jingzhou. Li Yan was previously the Magistrate of Lantian and governed Lantian well. Huo Jun's brother, Huo Du, was a General of the Household of Liu Biao, and he has been guarding Wuguan and has had no performance."

Once everyone heard this, it seemed they were no better than Lu Xun; Lu Xun at least came from a powerful clan.

If they knew like Liu Bei that Huo Jun was a defensive expert no worse than Hao Zhao, they wouldn't have been so dismissive.

Cheng Yu cupped his hands.

"Everyone, Wuguan is surrounded by mountains and rivers, with natural dangers; the cliffs are high and the valleys deep, narrow and difficult to travel, so only a small number of troops can be used to attack."

It meant that Wuguan was also not easy to attack.

Cao Cao laughed.

"Wuguan is only separated from the north of Nanyang Commandery by my Xuxian; let me attack this pass."

Although Ding Yuan Shao had objections, he couldn't take all the benefits.

Zhou Yu wanted to attack Wuguan, but was afraid of too many losses. Their territory was too far away; even if they entered Guanzhong, they could only snatch people and couldn't really control Guanzhong.

It could be said that Sun Ce came this time mainly to defeat Liu Bei strategically and curb his development, not like Ding Yuan Shao and Cao Cao who wanted to take over Liu Bei's territory.

Sun Ce wanted to avenge his defeat by Liu Bei last time, wash away his shame, and head to Hedong.

In the end, Cao Cao sent Xiahou Ding Yuan with 30, 00 troops and also drew 30, 00 garrison troops from Yexian, totaling 60, 00 troops to attack Wuguan.

Cao Cao also said.

"Alliance Leader, Liu Bei has newly acquired the land of Yizhou; the Dongzhou scholar Pang Xi may not be convinced. Why not send someone to lobby Pang Xi and appoint him as the Governor of Yizhou?"

Ding Yuan Shao nodded; this was feasible!

Cao Cao also suggested sending people to lobby the Qiang people in Liangzhou, Yang Qiu and others, to let them take the opportunity to rise up and take back Liangzhou.

Ding Yuan Shao agreed while secretly being vigilant.

"This old guy Cao Aman is indeed insidious! He has so many ghost ideas!"

After discussing these things.

Ding Yuan Shao stood up.

"Everyone, rest early today. Tomorrow our army will march to Hedong and exterminate Liu Bei!"

The mighty army set out from Suanzao, passed Hulao, and went through Luoyang.

Gao Gan and Zhen Jiang Jiang Yiqu led troops to march toward Emperor Hongnong, heading straight for Hulao Pass!

Ding Yuan Shao also ordered Guo Tu, Wen Chou, and others to lead 50, 00 troops to cross the Yellow River from Baimajin first, and detour from Henei Commandery to Maojindu to cover the main army's crossing of the river.

Seeing no opportunity, Liu Bei did not intercept the allied forces at Maojindu, letting the soldiers build camps with peace of mind!

When Liu Biao received the request from the allied forces to borrow the way, although he cursed loudly at home, he agreed.

He didn't need to have a conflict; you guys go fight yourselves.

He just told Wen Pin to hold Wancheng firmly and closely monitor Cao Cao's army.

Cai Mao hurriedly sent someone to secretly send a letter to Liu Bei!

Liu Bei's army set up camp based on sand dunes and mountains, about 20 miles wide from north to south.

High watchtowers were built in the camp, and watchtowers were set up at the top of the towers to observe the enemy camp's situation. There were thousands of banners and countless tents, which was spectacular!

Guan Yu and Xu Shu led 20, 00 troops to converge.

Liu Bei went ten miles out of the camp to welcome them.

Guan Yu dismounted. "Big Brother!"

Liu Bei held Guan Yu's hand tightly and praised him as a "Beautiful-Bearded Gentleman"!

Guan Yu felt very good about being called a "handsome guy" by his big brother, but he still didn't dare to be arrogant in front of Liu Bei.

"Big Brother, you flatter me. Big Brother, you are getting younger and younger; I cannot compare."

Zhang Fei also laughed from the side.

"So it's not just me who thinks so; Big Brother is really young!"

"Big Brother can even drive the River God; could it be that you are a god from heaven reincarnated?"

Zhang Fei's worship of Liu Bei had reached an insurmountable level.

Liu Bei laughed out loud.

"Third Brother, your flattery skills have grown!"

He pulled Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's hands and returned to the camp.

Everyone had arrived.

Liu Bei began to hold a meeting in the tent.

"Everyone, Ding Yuan Shao will arrive with troops tomorrow. Besides the troops attacking Hulao Pass and Wuguan, they still have 320, 00, which is twice our army."

Zhang Fei said carelessly.

"Big Brother, wait until tomorrow, I will capture that Alliance Leader Ding Yuan in one charge!"

Liu Bei laughed.

"If that's the case, Yunchang and I will follow you to charge."

Everyone laughed; Zhang Fei's bragging skills were quite remarkable.

However, this laugh also eased the tense atmosphere in the tent.

After everyone finished laughing, Liu Bei said seriously.

"The allied forces are twice our army. This time Ding Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Sun Ce have brought out all the elites in their homes."

"Ding Yuan Shao's large shields, strong crossbows, and chariot formations."

"Cao Cao's Tiger and Leopard Cavalry and Tiger Guard Army."

"Sun Ce's Danyang and Lujiang elites (the later Jie Fan Army)."

The atmosphere in the tent was slightly heavy.

Liu Bei looked around, his eyes burning.

"Of course, our elite troops are only more, not less: the Trap Camp, the Vanguard Camp, the White-Ear Soldiers, the Imperial Guard Cavalry, the Sword-School Soldiers, the Xiliang Iron Cavalry, and your respective elite troops."

Guo Jia also said.

"Soldiers are valued for their quality, not their quantity. Although the allied forces are more than twice our number, the gap between their elites and our army is large; it's just a waste of grain and grass."

Guan Yu nodded.

"The allied forces claim to have 800, 00; if they are defeated by our 150, 00, I want to see where Ding Yuan Shao and Cao Cao will put their faces!"

Everyone burst into laughter again.

"Tomorrow, when the allied forces arrive, our army must give them a show of force."

Liu Bei stood up.

"Tomorrow, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, Ma Chao, Pang De, Taishi Ci, Zhang Zhang Liao, E Huan, and Xu Huang will follow me to battle!"

"The rest of the soldiers will hold the camp firmly!"

"Understood!"

Early the next morning.