Although I had known that the Han army had a habit of not killing prisoners indiscriminately, when I was taken to Zhang Zhi, Shantao's second-day Sun Shanxia was still worried about being so angry. I was afraid that Zhang Zhi would just make an excuse to chop him up like Qian Hong, which would delay his bright future, but also take his precious life.

Fortunately, Zhang Zhi, who was tied up in front of Shanxia, ​​was escorted to the front and after being tied up in a pretty beautiful manner, said immediately: "Let the tie up for General Shan, set up a seat, prepare wine and meat, and treat General Shan well."

The personal soldiers sang their promise and quickly loosened Shanxia and prepared another seat for Shanxia. Shanxia was secretly happy and quietly breathed a sigh of relief. He hurriedly bowed to Zhang Zhi and said, "Thank you, the general who defeated the army, dare not work, and treat you like this. In addition, the general has a first statement. Because the parents, wife and children of the general are in Luoyang, even if the general surrenders himself, the general will never dare to agree."

"Don't worry, General Shan." Zhang Zhi smiled and replied, "The rules of our Han army towards prisoners will never change. Unless those who are guilty and those who are extremely evil cannot be forgiven, the rest will stay those who are willing, and those who are unwilling can say goodbye at any time. Although General Shan is an enemy of our Han army, you have not participated in the massacre of the Han people this time, and have never harmed the soldiers and civilians in Shu before. Therefore, after General Shan used up this meal, if he wanted, he could say goodbye immediately and leave, and we will never stop him."

Seeing Zhang Zhi speak so frankly, Shanxia certainly breathed a sigh of relief. At this time, various junk food and rice wine were also sent to Shanxia. Zhang Zhi smiled and invited: "General Shan, please, Shu is poor, not as rich as the Central Plains. Some of the meager local products, please try it."

From the time he was captured last night until noon, he had not yet entered the water. He saw all the legendary peerless delicacies put in front of him. Of course, Shanxia would not be polite. After a few words, he immediately ate the food and drank it with the guidance of Zhang Zhi's personal soldiers. He was amazed and praised, and said sincerely: "It's delicious, better than the rumors. Only after eating the feast of the latter general, can the general know what peerless delicacies are."

"If you like to eat, eat more." Zhang Zhi said with a smile: "When you leave, the general can also take some away. In the future, the general will return to the Central Plains. If you like, you can also organize a caravan to trade with our Han army, and exchange various supplies from the Central Plains for these local specialties in our Shu."

Shanxia quickly agreed, and Zhang Zhi smiled and said, "Also, after the general returns to your army, you can also treat you how this general is to tell your colleagues and tribes, so that they can know that even if they are forced to put down their weapons and surrender to our army, their lives can be guaranteed. In addition, they can also taste the rare delicacies in the Central Plains."

Shanxia hesitated for a moment, and then agreed inappropriately. At this time, Zhao Quan suddenly strode to Zhang Zhi, first reported to Zhang Zhi about the placement of prisoners, and then said: "There is another thing that the ships near Fu County were all collected by the Jin thieves' army. We cannot find boats to build floating bridges and cross the river to advance. What should we do?"

"No hurry." Zhang Zhishun replied: "Wang Chen lost all his supplies and food. After crossing the river, he could only sleep in the camp. It is winter and it may snow at any time. He must not be stationed in Fu County for long. It is not too late to cross the river when they leave. In addition, our army was very tired after a series of battles. We had to wait for the army of Cuan Gu to withdraw and meet us. It was time for us to continue to advance north."

Zhao Quan glanced at Shanxia with the corner of his eyes, then nodded and sang. Zhang Zhize spoke kindly to Shanxia and politely expressed his willingness to cooperate with the Central Plains family. He begged Shanxia to help him promote it widely after he went back. Shanxia continued to agree inappropriately, and gradually understood Zhang Zhi's true intention in his heart - to disperse the morale of the Jin army by treating him kindly, and also let the Central Plains family understand that the Han army is also an ideal partner, trying to win over and divide the Central Plains family.

With confidence, Shanxia had enough wine and food, Zhang Zhi really asked Shanxia to choose to stay or leave immediately. Shanxia was afraid of the long night and dreaming, of course he immediately offered to say goodbye. Zhang Zhi also kept his word again and ordered his personal soldiers to send Shanxia to the ferry to release him. He also gave Shanxia some junk food and delicious and sweet rice wine.

Because he was afraid of the Han army's fraud, Shanxia naturally shouted at the ferry for a long time, and the Jin army sent a small boat to carry Shanxia across the river with skepticism. Needless to say, Shanxia was soon taken to Wang Chen, Liu Yuan and others. After learning about Shanxia's capture, Wang Chen and others naturally had to scold Zhang Zhi for his false kindness and righteousness, and to win people's hearts and bad intentions.

No matter how much he scolded, it was useless. There was not even a military tent for the cold. Of course, Wang Chen and the Jin army did not dare to station outside Fu County for a long time in the winter. It was just midnight on the second day, and Wang Chen quickly took the Jin army with only more than 30,000 people left to strode northward, slept in the wind and drank to Zitong for food. As a result, because the Han army had no ships crossing the river to pursue, the Jin army of course also successfully withdrew from Zitong City, the capital of Zitong County, and temporarily escaped the food shortage crisis with the food reserves here.

The food was temporarily available, but the military supplies were still seriously insufficient. In desperation, Wang Chen could only quickly convene the surviving Jin army's civil and military personnel to discuss countermeasures. Shi Bao, who was really sick, knew that this meeting was very important, so he insisted on participating in the meeting regardless of his physical weakness.

"Everyone, you all know the situation." Wang Chen said first: "Our situation is that food can be maintained for a short time, but the military supplies are seriously insufficient, which makes our soldiers only sleep in the wild. It may snow at any time when it sees the sky, making it more difficult for our soldiers to persist. I mean, simply give up Zitong and Hande City, leave a side army to guard Jiange, and the main force withdraws food from Hanzhong. I wonder what you think?"

"The best strategy!" Sun Chu said quickly: "Zitong City is too small and cannot station so many of our troops. If you sleep outside the city without waiting for the thief army to take action, we will have to freeze to death. Only by withdrawing Hanzhong quickly and giving food is the best strategy."

"Mr. Wang Dashui and Sun Jun, if we do this, how do you explain after returning to the court?" Shi Bao coughed and said, "Before the thief army arrived at the city, we took the initiative to give up the people of Zitong and Hande's city and withdraw them back to Hanzhong. In the future, His Majesty will pursue it. Who will bear this responsibility?"

Wang Chen and Sun Chu did not dare to say anything anymore. Liu Yuanze asked Shi Bao carefully: "General Shi, what should we do in your opinion?"

"Move immediately..., cough, move the people in Zitong City to the north!" Shi Bao replied with a cough, "Forcing the people in Zitong to go north to Hanzhong, vacate the houses in the city for our soldiers to station them. Then we stick to Zitong to buy time for the people of Zitong County and Brazil to migrate. At the same time, we go to Yong'an and order Luo Xian to give up Yong'an and go north to Hanzhong, so that the dog thieves in the Eastern Wu seize Yong'an and threaten the hinterland of Yizhou. Only in this way can we explain to Your Majesty after we go back, and at the same time, we can make Zhang Zhi's rebel thieves lose their land but not their people, and it is difficult to grow rapidly."

"It's a wonderful plan." Liu Yuan nodded, then turned to Wang Chen and said, "Master, what the old general said is that we have fought this way. It will definitely be difficult to explain to Your Majesty after we go back. Only by sticking to Zitong to gain time and moving the people in Shu to Hanzhong as much as possible, so that we can reduce the losses to the minimum. After returning to the court, we will also give Your Majesty an explanation."

"But, but." Wang Chen said hesitantly: "But what if we don't retreat quickly and the thief army surrounded us?"

"What are the thieves' troops surrounding us?" Shi Bao was a little angry and said, "We still have 30,000 troops now. The thieves' troops can only send more than 20,000 troops to attack Zitong. How can we surround the county town of Zitong City? The food in Zitong City is at least enough for us to spend a month, and then borrow the private grain for use. We will definitely have no problem with supporting it for three months. By then, not only will the thieves' troops be able to retire from their own food, but our reinforcements will definitely have arrived. What else can we worry about?"

"Master, General Mo feels that what the old general said is very true." Shan Xia also said, "General Mo once heard Zhang Zhi's rebel thief say in person that he was going to wait for the partial division of the bandit army to return to Fu County and join him before continuing north. In this way, we will definitely have time to move the people in Zitong City, and also have time to rectify the army and repair the city defense in Zitong, so we can confront the bandit army for a long time."

Out of experience, Shi Bao was of course very concerned about this detail and quickly asked Shanxia for details. After Shanxia reported the incident truthfully, Shi Bao was even more happy and hurriedly said to Wang Chen: "Master, have you heard that Zhang Zhi's traitor has to wait for his side troops to return to Fu County before continuing to advance. In this way, we will definitely have more time to move the people and enter the city."

He was already scared by the Han army. Even though he knew that there was enough time to enter the city to garrison, Wang Chen hesitated and did not dare to say anything. Sun Chu next to him refused to risk staying in Zitong. He racked his brains and said for a moment: "Master, it is best not to take risks. If we stay in Zitong to defend the city, if Zhang Zhiri thief emerged from the surprise troops and bypassed Zitong to attack Jiange first, then our retreat would be cut off. At that time, Zhang Zhiri thief only needs to defend Jiange with some of his troops to block our reinforcements, and then turn around to deal with us calmly. Even if we don't have to attack the city, we can starve us to death."

Wang Chen, who didn't want to stay in Zitong, quickly nodded, but Shi Bao laughed and coughed, "Sun Jun, I really don't know how you read the military book. How could you come up with such a genius tactic? The pseudo-Han thief army bypassed Zitong and rushed directly to Jiange. What should they do with their food channels? He isn't he afraid that we will send troops in Zitong to cut off his food channels and starve him to death at Jiange?"

The generals of the Jin army laughed out loud, and all scoffed at Sun Chu's lack of military understanding. Sun Chu, who had a fever on his face, did not dare to say anything again. Liu Yuanze said again: "Master, why not just follow the arrangements of General Shi. We have enough time now, and it is entirely possible to move the people in Zitong City first and let the army station in the city. Then, as long as we guard Zitong, we can get time to evacuate and relocate other Zitong County people."

At the critical moment, Wang Chen was still undecided. His confidant Sun Chu saw Wang Chen's thoughts and hurriedly stepped forward and whispered in Wang Chen's ear: "Master, you can't take risks. After the main force of the thief army and the partial army meet, they will definitely be able to surround Zitong City from all directions. If Zitong makes any mistakes, we will die. Although it is possible to be blamed by the court when withdrawing Jiange immediately, with the status of the Wang family in the Taiyuan court, even if you are demoted to a commoner, you will soon be able to make a comeback. But if we fall into the hands of Zhang Zhi's thief, no one will know what the outcome will be."

People are selfish. Wang Chen, who forcibly took away Shi Bao's position as the general manager, is even more selfish. Considering that once he is surrounded, he may fall to the ground, he will definitely be able to rescue him even if he is questioned. For the sake of his precious life, Wang Chen thought about it for a long time and said:

"No! After the bandit army returned to the rescue, it could not only surround Zitong, but also directly captured Zitong. Once Zitong fell, our last 30,000 troops would be destined to be wiped out. For the sake of our 30,000 soldiers, we would just withdraw directly to Hanzhong as the best."

"Master--!"

Even Liu Yuan and Shanxia couldn't help but wail, but Wang Chen said flatly: "It's just settled, just withdraw it directly to Hanzhong. In the future, I will just take responsibility. For the safety of the lives of 30,000 soldiers, I would rather be this sinner!"

"High! High! It's really high!" Shi Bao laughed furiously and said, "The 140,000 army lost to this point. In the end, I have to give up all the city land and people's population south of Jiange. The battle is high! It's amazing!"

Wang Chen, who was already extremely timid, did not dare to sarcastically sarcastically, but said: "After the arrangements of General Shi, the prefect of Brazil and the Qiao family of Chongguo, let the people move north to Hanzhong and give Luo Xian the orders, so that he could give up Yong'an and go north to Hanzhong to meet us, and give Yong'an to Dongwu, laying the root of the rebellion of the pseudo-Han thief army and the Dongwu dog thieves."

In this way, even though there were other choices, Wang Chen, the acting commander of the Jin army, opposed his own mind and chose to give up the city and land south of Jiange directly, and withdrew directly to Hanzhong with more than 30,000 defeated soldiers. At the same time, Wang Chen also adopted Sun Chu's suggestion and asked Zitong Prefect Huangfu Yan to lead the county troops north to Baishui and temporarily move the Zitong County Governor to temporarily move the important value of Baishui Pass, the most important Baishui Pass on Jinniu Road, even above Jiange.

…………

What Wang Chen didn't know was that he actually made the most correct choice! Because after the Jin army gave up the Fu County Ferry Crossing north, the Han army had just crossed the Fu River and forced the landing of the small town of Fu County with a weak force. Zhang Zhi immediately arranged 3,000 soldiers to guard the prisoners, and then appointed Huang Wo as the prefect of Brazil, asking him to lead private troops to return to Langzhong immediately to prevent Qiaojia from causing trouble. Then he immediately took the main force of the Han army to head north with light equipment and rush to Zitong against the wind and snow, preparing to take advantage of the advantages of his own army's lack of food and grass supply to bypass Zitong City and take Jiange directly to Jiange, take Jiange and close the door to fight the dog, and completely annihilate the remaining Jin army's army's remaining troops!

By the way, if this is done successfully, the remnants of the Jin army, which had serious shortage of military supplies, were wiped out in a short period of time. Zhang Zhi also planned to take the opportunity to continue northward to seize important passes such as Baishui and Jiameng Pass, provide more three-dimensional and solid protection for the Chengdu Plain, and lay a solid foundation for the future restoration of Hanzhong.

Unfortunately, it was because of Wang Chen's timidity that when the Han army came to Zitong City, not only did the Jin army run away without a trace, but even the county soldiers of Zitong gave up the city and headed by Huangfu Yan, completely emptied the Han army, making Zhang Zhi's dream of closing the door and beating the dog became a bubble, and also made Zhang Zhi's plan to continue northward as a flower in the mirror and a moon in the water.
Chapter completed!