The Langtang Canal in Chen State runs through the north and south. The Langtang Canal goes south to Xiangxian County and merges into Yingshui River, and Yingshui River goes south to merge into Huaihe River.

Most of Chen's money and food were concentrated in Chen County, where it was governed, so it was most convenient to return to Huainan by water.

It is a pity that Chen Guozhou has few boats, and only a dozen small boats were found in a hurry.

The load of more than ten small boats was limited, and they could not even load the gold and silver belongings of the treasury, let alone transport the grain of Chen State.

So the 50,000-strong army turned into civilians, pushing grain carts slowly toward the southeast.

At this time, there is no need to take a long detour like when he came. Zhang Xun plans to return to Shouchun along the direction of the water flow.

The Huainan army brought food and had just arrived at Xiangcheng at the junction of Chen State and Runan. When they were exploring the rear, news came from Cao's army.

He said: Cao's army did not stop when they arrived at Chen County, but followed them and continued to pursue them.

Zhang Xun didn't intend to pay attention, but Qiao Rui suddenly came over on horseback.

"General Zhang, I heard that Cao Cao is coming very fast and marching too slowly with the grain cart. We will definitely be overtaken. We must make a decision." Qiao Rui's face was solemn.

Zhang Xun didn't take it seriously, shook his head and said: "According to several intelligence analyses, Cao Cao has been on the run for three days. Continuing to pursue is just a show of pretense. In fact, he is at the end of his strength and there is nothing to worry about..."

After hearing this, Qiao Rui reminded him seriously: "General Zhang, don't underestimate the enemy. Don't forget Kuang Ting four years ago..."

Zhang Xun hummed softly: "I'm just speaking based on the facts. No matter how strong Cao Bing is, he is still a human being, and he will get tired if he is a human being."

Qiao Rui said again: "We have 50,000 soldiers, and more than 10,000 of them are transporting grain. Even if they take turns to rest every day, everyone is tired. If Cao's army really comes after him, what's the point of fighting?"

"Does General Qiao have any great ideas?" Zhang Xun stared at Qiao Rui meaningfully.

Qiao Rui hesitated for a moment and replied: "It is better to abandon half of the grain carts. Firstly, it can hinder Cao Cao's pursuit of troops, and secondly, it can make the soldiers more relaxed."

"His Majesty forgot his order before leaving? He didn't ask us to abandon food to support the enemy. The general just rushed into the palace rashly not long ago. If this matter was reported back to Shouchun, wouldn't it be criticized by the villain?" Zhang Xun shook his head.

"Can..."

"It's definitely not possible to abandon food. At most, two groups will be arranged to rotate, and the remaining 30,000 people will be responsible for guarding. This way we can maintain combat effectiveness. We still have to hurry. It doesn't matter whether Cao Cao pursues us or not."

Zhang Xun offered a compromise, and Qiao Rui, as a deputy general, had no choice but to walk away.

At this time, the afterglow of the setting sun fell on the bridge, and the shadow of the man and horse was stretched very long.

Zhang Xun looked at his retreating figure, stroked his beard and said to himself: "General Qiao has been quite insightful recently. Is it true that he is secretly studying the art of war as His Majesty said? Does he have the idea of ​​replacing me?"

Li Feng, the general who was following him, grabbed the reins, smiled slightly, and said, "He did not secretly read the art of war, but often consulted his subordinate Qu Hou..."

"Quhou?" Zhang Xun was startled when he heard this.

Li Feng nodded and added: "Well, it's Long Xiang who was punished with twenty military sticks for his inability to protect food. It is said that this person has no ability to kill the enemy in battle, but on paper he is very sound..."

After hearing this, Zhang Xun frowned and murmured: "I have been working with General Qiao for many years. I have to talk to him someday. Don't be delayed by that boy..."

Not long after, night fell.

Zhang Xun placed the grain carts outside as fortifications and simply camped and rested by the Yingshui River.

The soldiers buried the pots and cooked rice, looking happy and contented. Each battalion did not feel any danger at all, with the exception of Longxiang's Qubu.

During the break, Long Xiang called Tang Hui and Cao Xing aside.

"It's too slow to march with grain carts. General Qiao suggested abandoning some grain today, but unfortunately General Zhang did not adopt it. We estimate that we will encounter Cao's army soon, and the road ahead will be worrying..."

"Cao's soldiers are well-trained and disciplined. Most of our 50,000 soldiers are new soldiers. The outcome of a real fight is unpredictable." Cao Xing was not confident either.

Seeing the sad faces of the two men, Tang Wei patted his chest and cheered: "Our brothers in Qubu insist on running and practicing every day. If we are unable to defeat them in a fight, we will still have the confidence to escape from the battlefield."

"There are some things that must be considered first. Even if we escape back to Huainan, we will still have to consume food. There are a total of one hundred and sixty people in our tribe. Commander Cao, your cavalry will have to bear some heavy responsibilities." Long Xiang stared at Cao Xing and nodded.

"How to bear it?" Cao Xing looked puzzled.

Long Xiang explained: "One hundred and sixty people, five days of rations, all tied to your thirty horses, so that the brothers without horses can travel lightly."

"But now that there are people pushing the grain cart, it's impossible to distribute rations to individuals to carry, right?" Tang Hui also asked curiously.

Long Xiang said seriously: "I will go to General Qiao later and ask him to persuade General Zhang to let all the soldiers in the army bring some food. This will also reduce the burden on the food transport team."

"Oh, we listen to you." Tang Wei nodded in agreement.

Early the next morning, the army had breakfast and continued on their way.

After walking less than five miles, the sentinel found a group of cavalry blocking the road in the south, numbering about two thousand people.

Qiao Rui was shocked when he heard this and quickly reminded Zhang Xun: "It must be Cao Cao's cavalry. They took advantage of our army to camp and rest last night and went around to the front. If we continue like this for thirty miles a day, the main force of Cao Cao's army will come."

"There are only two thousand cavalry. General Qiao doesn't need to panic. Can't we just drive him away?"

Zhang Xun pretended to be calm, but he guessed that the cavalry on this road was intended to harass, so he waved his hand to summon his general Li Feng.

"I will clear the way for you with 3,000 cavalry. I will immediately lead the rear army to encircle you. Cao Cao knows that we are working hard on the journey, so he took the initiative to send the horses."

"The last general takes orders." Li Feng clasped his fists and turned around.

Seeing Qiao Rui's serious expression, Zhang Xun smiled and comforted: "I will order another five thousand horses to meet her, and General Lao Qiao will follow with his rear army."

"Well, Cao Cao has many talented people under his command, general, be careful."

Zhang Xun ordered his troops and marched two miles forward, when he saw that Li Feng's troops had dispersed and returned.

He caught a defeated soldier and questioned him, only to find out that his general Li Feng had been beheaded, and the beheader was Cao Ren, the opponent's general.

The war horses were scarce among the heroes, and the cost of training cavalry was much higher than that of infantry. Ordinary people could not afford to raise a large-scale cavalry force. Cao Ren was able to support a cavalry force of thousands of people because he had a strong family.

Cao Ren was the eldest son of Cao Chi, the captain of the Changshui School. The Cao family was very wealthy in Qiao County, Pei State.

After Cao Chi's death, his legitimate son Cao Chun inherited the family business. He used the Cao family's financial resources to establish the world-famous "Tiger and Leopard Cavalry".

Cao Ren, the eldest son of the concubine who separated from the family, also used the property he received to form his own cavalry tribe.

Cao Ren's cavalry followed him in the south and north, and gradually became a fierce cavalry, whose combat effectiveness was second only to the tiger and leopard cavalry.

Zhang Xun heard that Cao Ren was in front and hurriedly suppressed his position and stopped moving forward. At this time, he was very self-aware and sent out sentries to monitor the front while waiting for Qiao Rui's rear army to arrive. He thought that no matter how strong Cao Ren was, two thousand cavalry

It can't stop 50,000 people.

Not long after, Qiao Rui and his army hurried over. Zhang Xun glanced at the grain carts behind him and suddenly found that the number was much less. He suddenly had a bad feeling in his heart.

"General Qiao, our grain truck..."
Chapter completed!