“Treatment, what Dai said is right!”
"Xia Hou Bai stood up from the table, with his arms crossed, and looked arrogantly at the tent, saying: 'Lu's Military Command has been in office for nearly a year, and everything he promised has been fulfilled. There has not been a single deviation from his words.'"
"Do you know where Liu Xiaoquan came from?" Xiahou Biao asked.
Qiu Ling, who was well-acquainted with Lu Sun and had talked to him privately, knew about it, but no one was willing to speak up at this moment.
Those who did not know would look at Xiahou Xi Jun with curiosity.
"If you don't know, today I will teach you all to hear. Xiahou Biao said proudly, as if he was the protagonist himself: 'Do you know Liu Bei?'"
Liu Bei? Even those who are not well-informed would know the name of the Han Zhong King of Shu Han, the Emperor Zhao Lie, how could they not know his name?
"Xiahou Biao did not stop at all: 'In the past, Liu Bei led 50,000 soldiers in battle, but was defeated by Lu Xiaoquan's army in the hall. Liu Bei barely escaped with his life! And then he died within a year!'"
"Even if Liu Bei is still alive, how can his Prime Minister Zhuge Liang be any better?" Xiahou Biao continued: "Moreover, Zhuge Liang is so rampant, Emperor Ta Wei must send the Central Army here! By then, Ta Wei will have more troops than Zhuge Liang's in Longyou!"
"Zhuge Liang doesn't have many days left to be brazen!"
"If they were to talk about the application of military strategies or discuss theories of right and wrong, most of them would not understand it."
But if it is said that Lu Xun can defeat Liu Bei, and Liu Bei is more harmful than Zhuge Liang, the conclusion is that Lu Xun is stronger than Zhuge Liang. In addition, Ta Wei has more troops..."
In that case, everyone would understand it.
Moreover, the kindred tribe of the various warlords present in the hall was almost all beaten by Xiahou Yuan, Zhang He, and Cao Zhen at that time. At this moment, they were even more convinced without any doubt.
Tang Qi's face turned from pale to red, and as nearly everyone in the hall, except for him, had come from the Liang Province with him, after a moment of thought, Tang Qi abruptly stood up from his seat.
"Lu Xiaoquan," Tang Qi bowed his hand and said: "From Qiu Ling to Xiahou Xi Jun, I have understood everything you have said."
"I have no intention of opposing Ta Wei. It's just that I was misled by someone..."
Facing over 30,000 people with only 10,000 of his own, he wasn't very familiar with Yuan Xun on the south and didn't know if this person could be relied upon.
Tang Qi does not want to risk the future of his kindred tribe by bringing war to the outskirts of Xiangwu City. Therefore, he can only apologize to Zhuge Liang who is far away. After all, it's because of his distance that he has no choice.
Choosing between Wei and Shu was always that simple.
Just like the surrender of Nanan Commandery, Ji County, and Linwei to Shu.
Lu Xun nodded: "I know you are misled. But since you have already promised Zhuge Liang, if I let you attack him, it will make you a person who breaks his promise."
"Three days ago, there was heavy snow in Fuhan, and many animals died. Natural disasters are unpredictable, and it's reasonable to retreat. Moreover, you haven't gained any benefit from Zhuge Liang yet." Lu Xun looked at Tang Qi, "You should lead your troops back to Fuhan to take care of your kindred tribe. I will order my men to clear the path and will not hold you accountable."
"However, you didn't participate in the battle, so the land of Yinping and Wu Du counties cannot be yours at that time. But Ta Wei will definitely reward you and give you official positions and seals."
"Are you willing to return?"
The eyes of the Qiang tribesmen and warlords in the tent all turned towards Tang Qi. Under the gaze of everyone, Tang Qi gritted his teeth and said, "I will do as ordered by Lu Xiaoquan! It's late tonight, I will leave early tomorrow."
From Qiu Ling to Zhi Wu Da, and other Qiang tribesmen and warlords, everyone revealed a satisfied smile.
Overall, the Qiang people in the Unshu and Qiangling regions get along with each other in a more straightforward and reliable way than the Han people. It may also be because they have not yet learned the "Hongmen Feast" thinking paradigm.
Qiu Ling, along with other Qiang tribesmen and warlords, had invited Tang Qi here. If Tang Qi refused to come, there would indeed be a real shift to enmity between them.
However, if Lu Xun and Xiahou Biao wanted to harm Tang Qi in the camp, these Qiang tribesmen and warlords would indeed risk their lives to ensure Tang Qi's safety.
It has a kind of primitive beauty.
Hearing Tang Qi's words, Lu Xun nodded and replied, "I will not let you break your word, and you must not break your word to me."
"The army is marching on, and there is no time to waste. By noon tomorrow, if you have not crossed this camp towards the north, we will be enemies instead of friends."
"Do you know?"
Tang Qi nodded repeatedly: "I know, thank you, Commander Lu for your guidance."
Xiahou Biao saw the situation and smiled at everyone and said, "Today we are all very happy. Tomorrow, we will pass through Xiangwu City and join forces with the troops inside to attack the Shu army led by Yuan Xun in the south!"
"There are still soldiers in the city, nearly 40,000 soldiers against 5,000 Shu troops. Everyone should seize the opportunity to make achievements."
Having said that, Xiahou Bao clapped his hands, and soldiers carrying delicious food marched into the tent. The food containers held steaming mutton, with a dish of fine salt on the side.
Then, fine wine was also served in front of each Qiang tribesman's table.
Xiahou Bao said, "The lamb from Wuyi is plentiful, and so are the fine salt from Wuyi and the good wine from Zhangye. Today, this official will treat you to a banquet!"
The atmosphere in the tent immediately heated up. As the banquet began, the Qiang tribesmen who were rarely gathered together without war made a particularly noisy noise with their drinking and chatting.
However, from the perspective of Lu Xun and Xiahou Bao, the noise was quite enjoyable.
The next day, at the north of Xiangwu City.
Lu Xun and Tang Qi had agreed on noon as the time, but just at dawn, Tang Qi ordered his younger brother, Song Qi, to come to the tent of Zhao Fang, the Shu Han official engaged in affairs.
Zhao Fang was alone here, facing Song Qi's persuasions, he had no other choice but to accept the explanation of Song Qi about the disaster in Fuhan. He had to return to the south of Xiangwu City alone on horseback.
After another half an hour, Tang Qi watched the height of the sun, without any more hesitation, ordered his men who had already packed their bags to start moving north.
Leaving a half hour for Yuan Xun is probably enough to honor Zhuge Liang.
Hao Zhao on the city wall of Xiangwu City received a report from the scouts and almost saw Tang Qi's troops departing from the north, and Yuan Xun's troops from the south at the same time.
After giving a few instructions to the Prefect of Longxi, You Chu, Hao Zhao led ten cavalrymen out of the city and northward, riding towards Lu Xun's camp to the north.
"Brother You did such a big thing!" Hao Zhao exclaimed with a smile, "How could Tang Qi's 10,000 Qiang horsemen and Yuan Xun's 5,000 foot soldiers withdraw at the same time?"
"How did they withdraw?" Lu Xun and Xiahou Bao looked at each other and laughed, "If it were not for Zhao Dai leading troops to rush to Xiangwu City and defending it for so many days, what could my troops have done when I arrived?"
"Xiangwu is secure now. Today, we should combine our forces and set out towards the east to the county seat of Nanan Commandery, HeDao City!"
Hao Zhao nodded: "This is indeed the right way!"
……
On the twenty-third day, Zhuge Liang integrated Wu Yi's troops and the defeated troops from the Eastern Army at Lie Liu City and moved southward together.
On the same day, Cao Zhen, the Wei's Grand General, led his mounted soldiers to break through the approaching Shu army led by Zhang Yi at Lieyang Pass. The road was narrow and they only managed to kill less than a thousand of them. The rest of the Shu army dispersed into the mountains.
On the twenty-fourth day, Lu Xun convinced Tang Qi to return north and forced Yuan Xun to withdraw. He then led a combined force of 30,000 Qiang horsemen and 5,000 infantry towards the direction of Nan'an Commandery.
On the night of the twenty-fourth, Zhuge Liang led his troops to the outskirts of Shangguan City, where he began discussing future military plans with his generals.
A few days ago, when most of the Shu army was marching north, Liao Hua's troops were defeated by Guo Huai at the west of Shangguan City.
As for Liao Hua, with the 1,000 reinforcements from the Yellow Siege department of Ji County under him, he continued to block the west side of Shangguan City, preventing the route to Ji County from Shangguan.
Over the next two days, Guo Huai calmly ordered his men to leave the city and set fire to the remaining Shu army camp east of Shangguan City.
However, Guo Huai's destruction of the camp was only halfway completed when Gao Xiang led a combined force of 20,000 Qiang and Di people's allies, including his own 1,000 horsemen, had arrived at the outskirts of Shangguan City.
With insufficient strength to besiege the city and learning of the defeat of the main army, he had no choice but to wait for Zhuge Liang's arrival at the spot.
As night fell, in the camp that had been hurriedly repaired, Zhuge Liang looked at his exhausted generals in the tent and asked, "The Wei cavalry is more numerous; they must have gone in the direction of Ji County."
"Now that everyone knows the current situation, does anyone have any suggestions to share?"
Wei Yan, Wu Ban, and Wang Ping remained silent. Wu Yi bowed and said, "Prime Minister Zhuge, Ji County's position is crucial and cannot be lost. This city has been able to return from Wei to Han; it could very well do the same in reverse. We should consider this early."
Fei Yu also bowed and said, "Report to Prime Minister Zhuge, the current situation is not entirely unfavorable to the Han."
"Since General Gao Xiang led the Qiang and Di people's allies here, the Great Han has 90,000 troops in Lungui, comprising 60,000 royal forces and 30,000 Qiang and Di people. We can still face the battle confidently."
Yang Yi spoke in opposition: "Report to Prime Minister Zhuge, apart from General Zhao Yun's troops of 10,000 men stationed at Xiaoli City, we have less than 50,000 available troops, and they are dispersed among the three commanderies of Tianwater, Nanan, and Longxi."
"My subordinates fear that the Wei cavalry will attack Ji County, and then divide and conquer our forces. It will be too late then!"
Zhuge Liang spoke softly: "I personally inspected Xiaoli City, and Zhao Yun's 10,000 men are more than enough to defend the mountain pass."
"But this time, the Prime Minister aims to take control of the western territories. We must first cut off the supply line from the Wei army and then gradually bring it under our control. With the Wei army's rapid advance, it is no longer meaningful to engage them in a stalemate in the western territories."
Fei Yu was shocked: "Why is the Prime Minister making such a decision? Is it because we are to retreat?"
"There are still nearly 90,000 troops available. How can we not repel the Wei army from outside Ji County and Shangguan?"
Zhuge Liang sighed: "It's not that we cannot do it; it's just that we don't want to."
"I will ask you, if the Great Han loses another 20,000 to 30,000 men in a few months of fighting against the Wei army, then even if we fully control the western territories, it will still be more detrimental than beneficial to the Great Han!"
"Moreover, I am not just after the conquest of the western territories. The region of Liangzhou is also a strategic objective! But even if we can conquer the western territories now, we will be unable to make further advances into Liangzhou. The Wei army is surely on guard."
When Zhuge Liang spoke these words, the generals in the tent and the officials in the government all had a sense of melancholy on their faces.
"But you need not adopt such a pessimistic attitude," Zhuge Liang said with a calm expression, "This time we are retreating, we must make every effort to evacuate the people, grain, and goods from the four commanderies of the western territories to Wudu and Hanzhong."
"As Cao Cao once moved the people of Wudu to the north, it is now time to return them!"
"However, the Prime Minister wants to see if the Wei army dare come to Wudu to fight with us!"
