Rejuvenation of the Han Dynasty in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 445
Wei Yan made a surprise attack on Chenggu and captured the prefect for interrogation. Only then did he learn that Liu Bei had taken Yangping Pass. Zhang Luzheng ordered all regions to recruit troops urgently to prepare for resistance.

Wei Yan was overjoyed, and immediately sent someone to report to Yangping Pass. At this time, Hanzhong was being attacked from east to west, and if Yangping Pass was lost, Zhang Lu would surely mobilize heavy troops to the west, and Chenggu's pressure would be greatly relieved.

When the news was sent to Yangping Pass, Liu Bei urgently summoned Xu Shu to discuss countermeasures. Wei Yan's move was successful, but it dealt a fatal blow to Zhang Lu.

Taking down Yangping Pass meant choking Hanzhong's throat. Wei Yan took Chenggu and stabbed him in the waist, and Hanzhong was almost in his pocket.

Xu Shu said: "Zhang Lu has become a trapped beast. My lord can send someone to Hanzhong to persuade him to surrender. It's just that his brother Zhang Wei is brave. I'm afraid he won't be convinced. We need to use tricks to capture him. Zhang Lu has no generals. He is like a tiger losing its claws. Can be caught without a fight."

Liu Bei asked, "What is the strategist's plan?"

Xu Shu laughed and said: "Wen Chang attacked Chenggu, and Zhang Lu heard the news, and he would definitely transfer Zhang Wei back to defend Hanzhong. We only need to send troops to attack Baozhong first, but divide the troops to set up an ambush on the road leading to Hanzhong. Zhang Wei abandoned the city and left. You can catch him on the road."

Liu Bei nodded happily and said, "If so, I will take Hanzhong right before my eyes."

At present, Xu Shu was asked to deploy troops, while Liu Bei personally wrote a letter and ordered people to send it to Hanzhong, persuading Zhang Lu to surrender, and strive to win Hanzhong before the New Year's Eve, so as to have a balance with Liu Heping's pacification of Xuzhou.

Liu He pacified the Central Plains and captured Xuzhou in a year, and his momentum was unmatched. Thinking back to the meeting at Hulaoguan, his army was strong and his horse was strong. In the past few years, his strength has probably doubled. Deep down in Liu Bei's heart, he already knew that he could not compete with him up.

Soldiers are very fast, Xu Shu issued a general order to stay behind to recruit Yangping Pass, and Chen Dao led the army to take Baozhong. When the troops came to the outside of the city, the defenders had already heard the news and beat drums, and the city was heavily guarded with swords and guns.

The defenders in the city did not dare to fight, so Chen Dao ordered his men to set up camp and wait for the arrival of Liu Bei's army. At this time, Ma Chao had already arrived in Wudu and was reorganizing his troops and heading to Hanzhong. He must make achievements as soon as possible.

Liu Bei led the troops to the city, but still did not see the Baozhong defenders coming out to fight, but kept the city behind closed doors. Liu Bei ordered Fu Tong to go to fight and test the truth.

Soon I saw a group of soldiers and horses rushing out of the city gate, divided into two formations. guard.

Fu Tong said loudly: "Zhang Lu was good at killing envoys and committing rebellion, and established evil cults to deceive people's hearts. We were ordered to fight against the rebellion. Hanzhong is no longer safe, how can you still resist stubbornly?"

Zhang Wei laughed and said: "The city of Hanzhong is strong, don't think that you can succeed in taking Yangping Pass, the rebellious villain Yang Ang called and asked him to come and die."

Fu Tong sneered and said: "General Yang is well aware of the righteousness and has long abandoned the dark side and turned to the bright side. You are helping Zhou to do evil. If you don't repent, you will die without a burial place."

Zhang Wei was furious when he heard the words, and said to Yang Ah Yong, the lieutenant beside him: "This is an unknown soldier, go and capture him to strengthen our army."

This Yang Ayong was born in Ba, and he was very powerful. Zhang Lu except Zhang Xiu relied on his efforts. At this time, Liu Bei's generals will not fight, and Zhang Wei does not want to lower his value to fight.

Yang Ayong took the order and rode up on the horse. Seeing that Zhang Wei had never fought, Fu Tong pursed his lips slightly, secretly thinking that killing this enemy general would definitely force Zhang Wei to take action.

Fu Tong rushed out of the formation with his spear, while Yang Yong used a big sword with great force and strength, but Fu Tong did not give in too much. His spear skills were fast and fierce, and the two fought for more than ten times without deciding the outcome.

Zhang Wei was shocked when he saw that Yang Ayong could not win against a small vanguard general. This Yang Ayong was a strong general, and his strength was comparable to his own. If he could not win, it would be difficult for him.

After thinking about it, the two fought dozens more rounds, Zhang Wei saw that Yang Ayong could not win, and Liu Bei and other generals were watching the battle behind him, fearing that there would be fraud behind him, he had no choice but to withdraw his troops.

Zhang Wei retreated into the city and strictly ordered the soldiers to guard the city, and no one was allowed to fight privately. At this time, he had to ask Hanzhong for help. With his own strength, he could no longer stop Liu Bei's army.

Liao Hua asked for orders: "There are only [-] defenders in Baozhong. Zhang Wei has been defeated one after another, and the morale of the enemy army is low. It is better to surround and attack Baozhong on all sides. Baozhong can be captured in three days."

Liu Bei shook his head and said, "I don't want to cause too much killing when I attack the city this time. If I attack the city forcefully, I will definitely suffer heavy casualties. Zhang Lu is already a turtle in the urn, so there is no need to work so hard."

Xu Shu said with a smile, "Don't be anxious, generals. I expect Zhang Wei will not stay in Baozhong when he learns that General Wen Chang has broken into a solid state. Tonight, I will make my own arrangement. Zhang Wei will be captured without a fight, and Zhang Lu will surrender without a fight."

Liu Bei nodded and said: "The military adviser has a clever plan, everyone go and have a good rest first, there will be another general order after dark, and Hanzhong must be settled in one battle, there must be no mistakes."

Only then did the generals understand why they had to send troops suddenly, and they retreated after receiving orders, while Liu Bei discussed with Xu Shu the strategy of deploying troops.

In Baozhong City, Zhang Weicai sent someone to ask for help from Hanzhong, but within half an hour, a messenger from Hanzhong arrived first, but Zhang Lu ordered him to return to the city quickly to discuss the matter of surrender.

Zhang Weizheng was annoyed at losing Yangping Pass. Zhang Lu ordered him to return to Hanzhong a few days ago.

When the generals heard the news that Liu Bei's troops had appeared in the east of Hanzhong, they immediately exploded. Chenggu was only half a day away from Hanzhong. If they attacked from the east, how could Hanzhong be preserved?
Zhang Wei knew that Chenggu's fall had a lot to do with his loss of Yangping Pass, but at this critical juncture, he could no longer take care of himself, and it was not the last moment, so Zhang Lu must not be allowed to surrender easily.

Then he said to Yang Ayong: "Hanzhong is in danger, and rescue is like putting out a fire. I led the troops to Hanzhong overnight to dissuade my brother from surrendering. You must guard Baozhong."

Yang Ayong clasped his fists and said: "General, don't worry, the general will live and die with praise!"

Zhang Wei reassured the crowd and said: "You don't need to panic. The city of Hanzhong is huge, with sufficient food and grass, and it is as solid as gold. Even if Liu Bei has an army of [-], more than a thousand people can hold it for half a year. I have my own way to defeat the enemy!"

The generals took the order, Zhang Wei ordered Yang Ayong to guard the city, and ordered 5000 troops to march to Hanzhong overnight.

When Zhang Weicai left the city, Yang Ayong discussed with several guards: "Hanzhong is isolated and helpless, and Ma Chao and Zhang Lu's troops are about to attack. I think Zhang Tianshi will definitely be defeated, and this Baozhong will definitely be difficult to defend."

Du Wei said: "Zhang Wei went to Hanzhong, and only by praising this small city, how can he stop Liu Bei?"

Yang Ayong glanced at the crowd and said slowly: "Liu Bei is kind and loving to the people, and is more considerate of the people than Zhang Tianshi. Why don't we open the city and surrender, and we will have a great success. If we break the city, whether you and I can save our lives, we will definitely do it for the subordinates." prisoner."

Everyone nodded, the morale of the army in the city had already been slackened, and once Zhang Wei left, who would be willing to sacrifice their lives, they all knew that Hanzhong was over, and they didn't want to engage in unnecessary resistance.

Seeing that everyone had no objection, Yang Ayong immediately sent someone out of the city to ask Liu Bei to surrender.

(End of this chapter)