Soon, a tall and thin scribe in his early thirties was brought in by the personal guards. Yang Qing knew that this man was Hu Ji's subordinate Ling Shi, but he did not know his name.

"Zhao Hui, the commander of the Prime Minister's Office, has met Yang Shijun."

Yang Qingdao: "Zhao Lingshi doesn't need to be polite. I wonder what the prime minister's purpose is?"

"Here is the letter written by the Prime Minister, so that you can read it at a glance." Zhao Hui handed over a wooden box sealed with a fire lacquer and gold seal.

Zhou Xing took it and inspected it. Seeing that the lacquer seal was intact, he nodded to Yang Qing. Yang Qing opened the wooden box, took out the letter inside and read it.

After a while, Yang Qing nodded to Zhao Hui and said, "I already know the Prime Minister's intention. Zhao Lingshi will wait here for a while and he will come back as soon as he leaves."

After that, he went to the back tent accompanied by Zhou Xing, quickly wrote a reply to Zhuge Liang, sealed it with a gold seal of fire paint, and put it into a wooden box.

Yang Qing returned to the front tent and handed the wooden box to Zhao Hui, saying: "My answer is inside, and I also ask Zhao Lingshi to return and present it to the prime minister."

"To reassure you, Hui will be handed over to the Prime Minister intact. I'll take my leave first." Zhao Hui bowed and bowed.

Yang Qingdao: "Hey, there's no need to be in such a hurry. Zhao Lingshi, please have a meal before leaving."

"Thank you very much for your kindness. The military situation is urgent and I really don't dare to delay." Zhao Hui declined.

Yang Qing nodded and said: "Forget it, I won't advise you. De Mao, send Zhao Lingshi out of the camp for me."

"promise."

After Zhou Xing accompanied Zhao Hui to leave, Zhang Ni quickly asked: "Your Majesty, I wonder what the Prime Minister's orders are?"

Seeing the worried look on his face, Yang Qing smiled and said: "Don't worry, it's a good thing. Let's not talk about it now. Let's talk about it after dinner."

The meal was enjoyed by everyone, and after the meal was over, Yang Qing kept Zhang Ni, Liu Yin, Tao Gong and other important generals behind.

"Everyone, this morning Prime Minister, General Zhao and the others defeated Cao Zhen in Zhouzhi. Tens of thousands of Wei troops led by Sima Yi have now retreated to Huaili and are unable to pursue our army anymore." Yang Qingtong reported.

Everyone was happy to hear this and applauded. Yang Qing continued: "So the Prime Minister decided to lead his army to evacuate Zhou Zhi tomorrow to Wugong. He ordered me to stay on the south bank of the Wei River for two more days to prevent Zhang He's army from crossing the Wei River and coming back to fight.

."

"Your Majesty, Cao Zhen, and Sima Yi's army were defeated by the Prime Minister and the others. They are no longer able to pursue them. Even if Zhang He succeeds in crossing the river, it will be difficult for him to cross the river alone. The threat to our army will not be great. Yi thinks that Zhang He will probably retreat after receiving the news.

." Zhang Ni said, cupping his hands.

Yang Qing nodded: "I think so too. I'm just afraid of the worst. We can't give the initiative to the enemy when we march and fight. Staying for two more days will be a guarantee for the entire army."

After a pause, he continued: "In the past two days, we must still maintain the due vigilance and monitor the movements of Zhang He's army with all our strength. We must not slack off at all."

"I will obey the envoy's order." Everyone responded in unison.

On the second day, Zhuge Liang, Zhao Yun, Guan Xing and others led more than 20,000 Han troops to leave Zhouzhi and rush towards Wugong.

Cao Zhen and others, who retreated to Huaili overnight to rest, felt really unwilling after receiving the reward of the expedition. However, after a big defeat, the soldiers were indeed unable to fight anymore. Even if they pursued forcefully, they would not be the opponents of the Han army in the end, and there was still a possibility.

will suffer greater failure.

"General, I have just received a message from Commander Guo. Twenty thousand Jingzhou infantry under Sima Gong have arrived in Chang'an. Commander Guo asked if he still needs more troops to come for reinforcements?" Fei Yao quickly walked into the hall and reported. .

Cao Zhen smiled bitterly at Sima Yi, who was sitting on his lower right: "Zhongda, this time I will let your men and women run away in vain."

Now the main force of the Han army has moved far to the west, and will soon reach Wugong and Yicheng. When the reinforcements from Chang'an arrive, the Han army has already retreated into Baoxie Road.

"The general is joking. We rush to aid Guanzhong in compliance with the emperor's order. It is our duty to travel twice as many times as we should, so how can we say that our trip was in vain? Besides, although we were unable to defeat the main force of the Shu army, They stayed, but they were frightened into retreating, and Chang'an was finally saved.

Chang'an has not been lost, and Guanzhong is still in the hands of the Wei Dynasty. Your Majesty, you can rest assured. As for Wugong, Xi County, and Chencang City, you can just try to recover them in the future." Sima Yi said.

Cao Zhen nodded and said: "That's all we can do now." He told Fei Yao: "Gongming, please reply to Bo Ji and tell him not to come. Our army will return to Chang'an the day after tomorrow. In addition, send a letter to Zhang Junyi to let him know. He and Yan He led their troops to retreat to Maoling to rest and recuperate, so there was no need to confront Yang Qing at the Wei River."

"No." Fei Yao agreed with his fists clasped.

Zhang He looked at the order sent by Cao Zhen with a livid face. He never expected that the two famous generals Cao Zhen and Sima Yi not only failed to hold back the main force of the Shu army, but suffered a big loss at the hands of Zhuge Liang. It was really surprising. Not in time.

Now the Wei army in the east was unable to pursue them, and Zhang He's troops were blocked on the north bank of the Wei River, unable to penetrate in front of the Han army to stop them. Cao Zhen's plan to encircle and annihilate the Shu army had completely failed, and all the troops had no choice but to retreat.

Zhang He was naturally well aware of the current situation. He sighed deeply and ordered his generals and Yan He to be invited to prepare for the withdrawal.

Two days later, Tan Ma reported to Yang Qing that Zhang He's army had withdrawn to Maoling, and Cao Zhen's and Sima Yi's armies had also returned to Chang'an. All Wei armies had retreated, and the Han army could finally evacuate with confidence.

"Bo Qi, Xiuren, Zhang He, Yan He and the army have retreated, and it's time for us to leave. Now the Prime Minister and the others are waiting for us at Wu Gong. They have ordered the troops to quickly pack up their gear and luggage, and withdraw to Wu Gong to meet up in an hour." In the big tent, Yang Qing was pacing and talking.

Zhang Ni and Liu Yin agreed repeatedly, and immediately went out to arrange for the soldiers to pack up a supply of military supplies. An hour later, all the troops were packed up, and Yang Qing gave the order, and eight thousand cavalry left the south bank of the Wei River toward the south bank of the Wei River in a mighty manner. Martial arts rushed over.

On the morning of the next day, Yang Qing led his army to Wugong and left his troops to camp outside the city. He, Zhang Ni and Liu Yin went into the city to attend a meeting. Zhuge Liang wanted to make final decisions on various matters after the main force of the army withdrew to Hanzhong. s arrangement.

"Tomorrow, Old General Zilong and I will lead the main force back to Hanzhong to rest and recuperate. The defense of Wugong, Yicheng, and Chencang will be fully entrusted to you and Anguo.

Once the main force of the army has left, you and An Guo will only have more than 10,000 troops left, and the total Wei army in Guanzhong still has 50,000 troops. If they want to retake the city and attack in a large scale, you will face great pressure.

Therefore, pay attention to everything, be extra careful, and if there is any danger, immediately send envoys back to Hanzhong to report to me, and I will send reinforcements in time." Zhuge Liang said slowly.

Yang Qingdao: "Don't worry, Prime Minister, with Anguo staying to help, the three cities of Wugong will be safe. Furthermore, although there are many Wei troops in Guanzhong, they have to be divided into different places, and Sima Yi's 30,000 infantry cannot stay in Guanzhong for long."

, so the more than 10,000 horses in the hands of Qing and Anguo are enough to defend themselves."

"Well, as long as you have an idea."

Zhuge Liang smiled and nodded. He was relatively confident about Yang Qing's abilities. Besides, Guan Xing stayed behind to help. This arrangement was enough to ensure that the results of the Northern Expedition would not be regained.

"You will hand over the defenses of Zilong, Wugong, Yicheng, and Chencang with Mingzhi and Anguo from tomorrow on. After your right army gathers in Yicheng, you will slowly retreat along the Baoxie Road with the Chinese army.

Hanzhong." Zhuge Liang said again.

Zhao Yun cupped his fists and accepted the order: "Promise."
Chapter completed!