Liu Xian's army retreated all the way, and Zhang Fei led an army to stay at the end and fought and retreated. When the army retreated to Xingyang, Zhang Fei led tens of thousands of troops to stay and relied on the city wall of Xingyang to block Cao's army.

The offensive and defensive battle in Xingyang was very fierce. Cao Jun was worried that Liu Xian would break Hulao Pass first, so the whole army launched an all-out attack!

The army surrounded Xingyang like a tide. Under the siege of Cao Jun, Xingyang looked like a rock that could be submerged by the waves at any time.

On the third day of the fierce battle, Zhang Fei's men and horses were exhausted, and Cao's army was exhausted and suffered heavy casualties under the repeated fierce attacks.

At dusk that day, the war temporarily stopped.

In the big tent, the lights were dancing, and Cao Cao stood in front of the map, frowning tightly.

At this time, Guo Jia, Xu You and others came in and saluted: "King Wei!"

Cao Cao looked at Xingyang on the map, frowned and said: "It's been three days! I still can't take this city! I'm really worried about the situation of Hulao being closed! It's been three days, and the pressure Cao Hong has endured must be unimaginable!"

"

Xu You clasped his fists and said: "King Wei, why don't you just stay here with a few soldiers and horses to contain the enemy forces in Xingyang, and the main force bypasses Xingyang and directly attack Liu Xian's main force!

Liu Xian must be rushing to attack Hulao Pass at this moment. As long as he bypasses Xingyang, he will be able to catch them off guard!"

Cao Cao also had this idea, but he was a little hesitant. Although it was a way to bypass the key point in front of him and attack offside, it also exposed his back to the opponent.

If Zhang Fei takes this opportunity to launch a full-scale surprise attack and destroy his own important grain-harbouring areas and grain roads, it will probably be self-defeating!

Guo Jia suddenly clasped his fists and said: "King Wei, I think something is wrong with the current situation!..."

Cao Cao was greatly surprised. He looked at Guo Jia and asked in confusion: "Why did Fengxiao say this?"

Guo Jiadao: "Our army has arrived in Xingyang and is close to Hulao Pass. The enemy has almost become a turtle in a urn! Under such circumstances, my subordinates did not feel anything from Zhang Fei's troops that an army in trouble should have.

Uneasy atmosphere!

Their morale is still high and their fighting spirit is as strong as a rainbow. Although they don't have many troops, they still resist the all-out attack of our army for three consecutive days. This is really unbelievable!

I feel like we have fallen into a trap carefully designed by the other party!"

Xu You smiled and said: "Guo Fengxiao is worried in vain! Liu Xian's army is clearly in dire straits, how could our army fall into their trap?"

Then he clasped his fists towards Cao Cao and said: "King Wei, the most taboo thing on the battlefield is indecision and random thoughts! The enemy's situation is very clear at present, how can we affect the actions of the army because of some inexplicable random thoughts?"

Cao Cao, however, knew Guo Jia well. He looked at Guo Jia and asked, "Feng Xiao is worried that we have fallen into a trap? If this is really a trap, what do you think the trap is?"

Guo Jia frowned deeply and said: "First of all, I think the operation to seize Hulao Pass went too smoothly. With Liu Xian's ability, this matter should not go so smoothly.

In addition, although Zhang Ji was instigated by us to rebel, most of the officers and soldiers at Hulao Pass were loyal to Liu Xian. Once they found out that things had changed, how could they not fight back with all their strength? But according to the report, the battle at Hulao Pass

It was a bit more peaceful and smooth.

Another point is that when Liu Xian's army retreated from Yangwu, although it seemed to be in a hurry, in retrospect, their retreat was not chaotic at all.

Although Liu Xianjun is a capable warrior, under such a critical situation, it goes against the norm to be so orderly!"

After hearing what Guo Jia said, Cao Cao couldn't help but become suspicious.

Seeing Cao Cao being persuaded by Guo Jia, Xu You on the side showed a mocking look in his eyes. He pinched his goat's beard and said with a smile: "It's easy to come up with some signs of uneasiness at any time.

As the saying goes, this is the truth behind suspicion!"

Cao Cao was quite unhappy when he heard the sarcasm in Xu You's words. However, Cao Cao was Cao Cao after all and was not swayed by his emotions. Instead, he thought about it seriously and felt that Xu You's words had some truth to them.

Asked: "Do you think Fengxiao and I are suspicious?"

Xu You clasped his fists and said: "The King of Wei is a wise master who has been on the battlefield for a long time. He should understand that indecision and random thoughts are the most taboo in the battlefield! Therefore, all unreasonable and unfounded guesses should be discarded!"

He glanced at Guo Jia and sneered: "It's ridiculous that some people claim to be talented, but they don't even understand such a simple truth!

Randomly speaking out these baseless speculations will have no use at all except disturbing King Wei's thoughts."

Guo Jia frowned and said: "It would be fine if the opponent were someone else, but it is Liu Xian. I really can't help but worry. You must know that against Liu Xian, a careless decision may lead to an irreversible outcome!"

Xu You laughed loudly and said: "Liu Xian is just a human being! How can the King of Wei be inferior to Liu Xian for his wisdom! Guo Fengxiao, if you are so afraid of Liu Xian, you are actually committing a taboo among military strategists! Be timid before fighting.

, Already lost three points first!"

Cao Cao raised his hand and said, "Zi Yuan can't say that. Feng Xiao's concerns are also justified."

Xu You was quite unconvinced, but he couldn't refute Cao Cao's words, so he simply shut up.

Cao Cao thought: "The doubts mentioned by Fengxiao are really uneasy! But as Ziyuan said, it would be too hasty to give up!"

He raised his head, glanced at the two of them, and said, "I would like to send out scouts to investigate the situation in the direction of Hulao Pass."

Guo Jia nodded. Xu You had a mocking smile on his face. He felt that Cao Cao was too suspicious, but he didn't say much.

The offensive and defensive battle in Xingyang continued. The elite troops led by Zhang Fei relied on the city wall to hold on, and the battle was still very fierce.

At the same time, the scouts sent by Cao Cao bypassed Xingyang and rushed towards Hulao Pass.

However, when these scouts had just arrived behind Xingyang, Liu Xian's army's cavalry, which was ambushing in the mountains and forests, suddenly came out.

All the scouts turned pale with fright and quickly turned their horses and ran away.

Liu Xianjun's cavalry pursued them and fired with cavalry crossbows. The fleeing scouts were shot off their horses. Only one of them was injured and escaped from the enemy's pursuit.

After receiving the report, Cao Cao quickly came to the tent and saw a seriously injured scout being supported by others. He couldn't help but frown.

The scout wanted to salute, but Cao Cao immediately helped him up and said, "No need to be more polite! What on earth is going on?"

The scout said feebly: "We, according to King Wei's order, we bypassed Xingyang and rushed to Hulao Pass.

Unexpectedly, I didn’t expect that I would be ambushed by cavalry ambushing me just to the west of Xingyang. Everyone died, but I was the only one who escaped!"

Cao Cao felt a little surprised and asked: "You mean there are Liu Xianjun's cavalry ambushing in the west of Xingyang?"
Chapter completed!