The battle situation was like a chess. Zhang Xutuo considered Sun Xuanya's northern attack and specially sent someone to send a letter to Yang Yichen, asking him to send troops to contain Sun Xuanya from Langya County.

But he underestimated the determination of the Wagang Army to expand eastward. In fact, Zhang Xutuo also thought that the Wagang Army might advance eastward, so he ordered two patrols to closely monitor the movements of the Wagang Army at the junction of Jibei County and Dongjun.

However, Zhang Xutuo believed that the Wagang army was more likely to attack Dongping County, after all, that was in line with the Wagang army's intention to control the Central Plains. However, he did not expect Gao Hui to instigate the Wagang army to target Jibei County.

At night, Zhang Xutuo paced back and forth in the tent with his hands behind his back, looking worried. He had just received the eagle letter from Jibei County, and the 30,000 Wagang Army had already entered Jibei County.

At this time, the Flying Eagle Army had just gained the upper hand in Qinghe County. At this critical moment, the Wagang Army intervened strongly. Although the Wagang Army did not necessarily support Zhang Jinsheng, the Wagang Army's march into Jibei County itself made the situation more complicated, which forced him to deal with it. But the question is, if he lacks troops, how should he deal with the Wagang Army's eastward advance?

At this time, Qin Qiong's voice came from outside the tent, "I have something important to see the Grandmaster, please inform me!"

"But the Grand Marshal has given instructions that no one is allowed to disturb him."

Zhang Xutuo walked to the door of the tent and said, "Let General Qin come in!"

Qin Qiong quickly walked into the tent and bowed and said, "Master, let the Beizhi go to Jibei County!"

Zhang Xutuo shook his head, "Zhai Rang personally led 30,000 elite troops eastwards, you are no match for him."

Qin Qiong wanted to say something else, Zhang Xutuo waved his hand, "I decided to go to Jibei County in person to fight Zhai Rang. You can go with me. I will let Jia Wuben guard Zhua County and resist Zhang Jin's name to expand to Qi County."

The general's decision surprised Qin Qiong. "Is the general ready to give up Qinghe County?"

"It's not a question of giving up. As long as Zhang Xuan can defend Wucheng County, Zhang Jin said he will be restrained. He cannot attack Qi County. If I am not wrong, as long as I withdraw my troops, Zhang Jin said he will attack Wucheng County in large quantities and regain the nest."

Qin Qiong was silent for a moment and said, "But in this way, Zhang Xuan will be under great pressure!"

"There is no way to do that."

Zhang Xutuo sighed, "If Zhang Xuan gave up Wucheng County, all our efforts will be wasted."

"Has the Grand Marshal notified him?"

Zhang Xutuo nodded, "I have sent him a letter to him in the morning. Now I am waiting for his reply."

As soon as he finished speaking, a personal soldier ran to the tent to report: "Master General, there is an eagle letter sent by Wucheng County!"

Zhang Xutuo walked a few steps to the entrance of the big tent, "Where is the letter?"

The personal soldiers presented a book of eagle letters. Zhang Xutuo walked under the lamp and slowly unfolded it. He narrowed his eyes and looked at the small words on it. He nodded and said to Qin Qiong: "Just as I expected, Zhang Xuan said that he would like to defend Wucheng County with Shixin."

"When will the Grandmaster set out!"

Zhang Xutuo pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Retreat troops overnight tonight!"

The crisis in Jibei County forced Zhang Xutuo to withdraw his troops south. He ordered Jia Wuben to lead 5,000 troops to defend Zhua County, and sent people back to Licheng to deliver a letter to Pei Renji, ordering Pei Renji to defend Licheng County no matter what. He must not be trapped in the enemy's plan to lure the tiger out of the mountain.

Zhang Xutuo personally led an army of 10,000 and ordered Qin Qiong to be the vanguard. He rushed to Jibei County to fight against the Wagang Army.

Just as the Sui army withdrew its troops south, Zhang Jin said that he was immediately informed of the patrol. At this time, Zhang Jin said that he was in a state of confusion because of the loss of Wucheng County.

His military rations were not enough to support him for ten days. He planned to launch a full-line attack on Zhang Xutuo's army, but he did not have the courage, which made him hesitate. The Zhang Xutuo's army took the initiative to retreat south, which undoubtedly made him overjoyed.

The strategist Yang Ji had just walked into the courtyard. He heard Zhang Jincheng's crazy laughter from afar. He was a little surprised. Even if Zhang Xutuo withdraws his troops, the king would not be so happy. Could there be any good news?

He quickly walked into the inner courtyard and asked someone to inform him. After a moment, Zhang Jinsheng personally welcomed him and said happily: "Sir, good news!"

"Why are you happy with the king?"

Zhang Jin said proudly: "I just got the news that the Wagang army had entered Jibei County, and Zhang Xutuo had to withdraw his troops and return to the rescue. Isn't this God helping me!"

Yang Ji couldn't help but feel surprised. The Wagang Army actually marched eastward. This is indeed good news!

Zhang Jin said that he couldn't help but feel excited, so he quickly invited Yang Ji into the inner hall, pointed to the map on the wall and said, "I plan to go north immediately and take back Wucheng County. What do you think?"

Yang Ji stared at the map for a while and said, "I have a suggestion that maybe the king can divide his troops to attack Beihai County."

Zhang Jin said he was stunned, "Why?"

"Does the king still remember Zhang Xuan?"

"Of course I remember him!"

Zhang Jinsheng gritted his teeth and said, "If I catch him, I will cut him into pieces with my own hands to vent my hatred."

"The king cannot underestimate this person. At that time, he led only two or three thousand people in Qinghe County and killed us to pieces. We had 5,000 troops stationed in Wucheng County, and he also conquered overnight. This person's strategy and commandership are not weaker than Zhang Xutuo. In the past two days, I have been repeatedly considering his weaknesses. I think his only weakness is Beihai County, which is his foundation. If the king divides his troops to attack Beihai County, he has to divide his troops to rescue. Then we ambush his reinforcements halfway. What do the king thinks?"

"clever!"

Zhang Jin said that he had punched and palms and punched each other. He was also an extremely cunning person. Yang Ji's suggestion hit his mind. He thought about it and said, "But our military rations are insufficient, so I'm afraid we can't divide too many troops."

"It's okay, Beihai County will not have many defenders. Sending 5,000 troops is enough. You can get some more food back!"

When talking about food, Zhang Jin said that it was like being stung by a scorpion. His food was only enough for ten days. If he didn't take any action, the whole army would have lost all the food. He clenched his fists and said, "No need to delay, let's act immediately!"

Zhang Jin said that the troops were divided into two groups immediately and ordered his confidant general An Shouxi to lead 5,000 soldiers to attack Beihai County. He led more than 50,000 troops to kill Wucheng County.

In recent days, the Sui army in Wucheng County has also been actively preparing for war. First, it was to train prisoners of war. The Sui army had nearly 7,000 prisoners of war, and hundreds of vicious habitual bandits were ordered to be killed by Zhang Xuan to eliminate the unstable factors among prisoners of war.

Zhang Xuan then selected two thousand strong and innocent farmers from them, and handed them over to Yuchi Gong for intensive training to supplement Sui army soldiers. More than 4,000 people were used as laborers to build various defensive fortifications in the city.

The second is to build a simple catapult, cutting down trees from the mountain, and tied them with belts and hinges. We wanted to build a simple catapult, but so far, the catapult has not been successfully developed.

At this time, Zhang Xuan had reached a consensus with Zhang Xutuo to divide his troops. Zhang Xutuo led his army to Jibei County to fight the Wagang Army that advanced eastward, and Zhang Xuan was responsible for dragging Zhang Jincheng's main army in Qinghe County. The 100,000 stones of grain in Wucheng County was Zhang Jincheng's most important strategic resource.

A fierce sound of horse hooves came from a corner of the camp. Five hundred cavalrymen were training the cavalry formation nervously, dust was flying, and the shouts of killing were shocking. Zhang Xuan stood on the observation stage, watching the cavalry's training with all his attention.

In this capture of Wucheng County, in addition to 100,000 stones of grain, more than 300 war horses were Zhang Xuan's second most surprising gain. In addition to the war horses he had before, the number of war horses in his army had reached more than 600. Except for the scout camp that more than 100 were handed over to Chen Guang, the remaining 500 war horses and 500 cavalry were officially formed into cavalry battalions, which were directly under Zhang Xuan.

The cavalry lieutenant was still served by Chen Xu, and the vice lieutenant was Duan Xuande. Duan Xuande was the brother of Zuo Xiaoyou's wife. He surrendered to Zhang Xuan in the Battle of Shougou Mountain. Because he had served as the cavalry brigade commander in the Youzhou army, with superb cavalry skills and certain practical experience in cavalry, Zhang Xuan promoted him to the cavalry deputy captain and trained cavalry with Chen Xu.

At this time, two red flags were waving on the battlefield flag platform, and the five hundred cavalrymen immediately split into two teams, like two dragons coming out of the water, each running north and south, with a spectacular momentum.

Luo Shixin next to him was itchy and couldn't help but beg Zhang Xuan in a low voice: "Brother, give me this cavalry! I'll be the commander of the cavalry."

Zhang Xuan smiled, "If you are willing to condescend to be my general, I will hand them over to you."

"I'm fine!"

Luo Shixin scratched his scalp, "You tell the general, if he agrees, I will come to Beihai County to report immediately."

Zhang Xuan smiled and patted him on the shoulder, "I'm just joking with you. After the river beach in Beihai County is built, I will raise a large number of horses. Then I will form a cavalry for you."

Luo Shixin was very happy, "I remember it, don't lie to me!"

"I won't lie to you!"

At this time, a cheer came from afar, and soldiers rushed over and reported to Zhang Xuan: "General, the catapult was created." (To be continued)
Chapter completed!