Chapter 545 539. Just a few words before the battle

Not to mention that Xiahou Mao was gathering soldiers and generals in Luoyang, preparing to fight Feng Xi. On this side, Wang Lang and his guards worked overtime and traveled day and night. In three days, they arrived at Cao Zhen's camp and met Cao Zhen.

"Where does Wang Situ come from?"

Cao Zhen was very familiar with Wang Lang, one of the Three Dukes, and he did not speak to him in any official language.

"General, I am here to convey His Majesty's will."

Wang Lang had no time to chat with Cao Zhen, so he naturally settled the official business first. Wang Lang read out Cao Li's imperial edict and handed it to Cao Zhen. As Wang Lang expected, Cao Zhen's face turned pale when he heard Cao Li's order to return to Luoyang no matter what.

"Wang Situ, our army is currently fighting the Han army. If we withdraw hastily, we may be pursued by the Han army. By then, our Guanzhong army will suffer heavy casualties, and Chang'an and even the entire Guanzhong region may fall."

After Cao Zhen and Wang Lang sat down, they started to complain bitterly. Wang Lang just took the kettle and poured water, drinking it while listening to Cao Zhen's complaints.

"General, I am powerless to do anything about this matter. In the court, Master Zhong wanted to say a few good words for you, but was scolded by your majesty. So I came here to let you know that you must withdraw your troops now."

Wang Lang drank a few sips of water before he spoke slowly. Of course, there was one thing he didn't say, which was Cao Li said before Wang Lang set out that he also had the task of monitoring Cao Zhen. If Cao Zhen really didn't want to withdraw his troops, Wang Lang would have the right to temporarily take over the army.

This was a desperate attempt to find a cure. Wang Lang didn't think he had the ability to defeat Cao Zhen, so he could only appease him with kind words.

"But now our army is making good progress, and the Han army can only retreat. If we withdraw rashly, I am afraid that our generals will be disappointed."

Cao Zhen wanted to make some explanation, but Wang Lang just sneered.

"General, do you know what everyone in Luoyang City is saying these days, from high officials to children on the street? They say that the Marquis of Jincheng is trapped in Chang'an because of the military turmoil. And the general is now looking for excuses to delay, I'm afraid he is waiting for Luoyang to fall..."

Wang Lang's words made Cao Zhen's back suddenly cold. He didn't like these political affairs in the court. These things were like a whirlpool. Once involved, there was no way to get out.

Although it seems that he has nearly 100,000 troops now, he also knows the situation. Many Wei generals are loyal to Wei State instead of Cao Zhen. To put it bluntly, even if someone else from the Cao family or the Xiahou family takes charge of the army tomorrow, it will not have the slightest impact.

"Alas... In that case, I will go and talk to my officers about this matter. Situ Wang, you are tired from the journey, please go to your tent and rest first."

Important military events naturally had to be revealed to his subordinates, and Wang Lang was also sensible and knew that it was not appropriate for him to appear at the meeting later, so he took the guards who came with him and went downstairs to rest.

"General, if we give up halfway now, not only will all our efforts to attack Jieting go to waste, but even our safety when we withdraw will be in vain!"

General Dai Ling, who was in charge of conquering Shu, was unhappy at first. Now the Han and Wei armies had been fighting at Jieting for several days, and both sides had suffered losses. However, the Han army was still able to resist the attack of the Wei army by relying on the powerful city walls and bows and crossbows.

Moreover, Zhuge Liang was advised by Guan Xing to dig several flame ditches under the city of Jieting. Although there was no support from caltrops and oil, it still posed a great trouble to the Wei cavalry and infantry attacking the city.

It can be said that both sides are really angry now. If the Wei army withdraws rashly, it will probably face a fierce counterattack from the Han army. "General, why did you suddenly mention the withdrawal? Did Luoyang send an envoy?"

Sima Yi, who proposed this plan, also asked. However, in his opinion, Cao Zhen had agreed to it before, so it was impossible for him to give up halfway. Naturally, only the one in Luoyang who issued the death order could affect Guanzhong.

"That's right. His Majesty ordered Wang Situ to come and deliver the decree. Wang Situ is currently resting in his tent."

Cao Zhen nodded. When the generals heard that it was Minister Wang Lang who came to deliver the order personally, they knew that it was definitely a death order, so they could only sigh and prepare to follow orders.

Sima Yi, on the other hand, rolled his eyes, as if he had thought of something, and spoke again.

"General, we have to retreat now. After all, disobeying the order is a taboo. But I think we can let a general lead some troops to continue the feint attack on Jieting, while our army retreats. This general can be the rear guard. In this way, we don't have to worry about the pursuit of the Han army."

Sima Yi's words made some sense, and everyone nodded.

"General, I am willing to share your worries!"

The middle-aged general immediately stood up and saluted. Cao Zhen looked closely and found that it was General Han De. He was good at using a mountain-splitting axe and was indeed a man of unrivaled courage. What was even more valuable was that his four sons were also skilled in martial arts. The five of them, father and son, could advance and retreat freely on the battlefield, and ordinary people could not dare to challenge them.

"Okay, since it's General Han and the four Tigers, they should be able to prevent the Han army from getting suspicious. General, just feint an attack for two days. After our army has withdrawn, you should not linger in the battle. Just focus on covering the rear and don't get entangled with the Han army."

Cao Zhen gave Han De a few instructions, and Han De naturally accepted them, but Sima Yi came up with another plan.

"Don't worry, Grand Commander. I heard that Wang Situ is very knowledgeable and likes to debate. Why not let Wang Situ debate with Zhuge Liang, known as the Sleeping Dragon, tomorrow to dampen the morale of the Shu army and delay time."

Cao Zhen frowned. Zhuge Liang was such a man, and even Cao Zhen admired his strong mind. He didn't think Wang Lang, a scholar who studied hard, could persuade Zhuge Liang. But Sima Yi's words made sense. If the two quarreled for a whole morning, he might even be able to reach Yong County.

"Okay, I will talk to Wang Situ about this later. You guys go down and get ready. Since His Majesty has given the order, we can't delay. We must gather our troops immediately and return to Luoyang tomorrow to support His Majesty."

When Cao Zhen said this, his face became solemn, and all the generals below saluted with their fists. Only Sima Yi, who was standing aside, lowered his head, stroking his beard, and no one knew what he was thinking.

"Prime Minister, there is an old man with a white beard coming to the Wei army camp outside the city. He claims to be the Wei Kingdom's Minister of War Wang Lang and wants to meet with you."

Early the next morning, Han soldiers guarding the city of Jieting came to report to Zhuge Liang.

"Oh? I have heard of Wang Jingxing's name for a long time. His annotated books are also world-famous. Since he can come in person today, I should have a chat with him."

When Zhuge Liang heard that Wang Lang had come to the battlefront to invite him to a chat, he naturally went there with pleasure. Zhuge Liang also had a similar idea of ​​what Wang Lang was thinking.

(End of this chapter)