Otani Pass.

Xinpi stuck out half of his body out of the city wall, stared at Xun Yu by the moat and looked at him again and again, surprised and happy. After a moment, he raised his arm and shouted loudly: "Wenruo, Wenruo."

Xun Yu raised his head when he heard the sound. The warm winter sun shone on his face, which made him squint his eyes. Seeing that it was Xin Pi, he couldn't help laughing and waved his hand. Xin Pi called out "Wait", hurriedly got out of the city, and ran out. When the soldiers who were checking Xun Yu's road saw him, he quickly asked him to stand aside and bowed to salute. Xin Pi quickly walked to Xun Yu, held his hand, looked up and down twice, and laughed.

"It's really you, Wen Ruo, I thought I was wrong. Why are you here? Have you figured it out?"

Xun Yu was a little embarrassed, but he was not easy to answer. Xin Pi didn't think much about it and turned to the Junhou who was guarding the gate and said, "Is there any problem? Do you know who this is? This is Xun Lingjun."

The soldier smiled and passed the road to Xinpi with both hands. "Since he is a good friend of the military advisor, let's arrange it." He bowed to Xun Yu and said to Chen Rong in Wu County. "Wu County has met Lingjun."

Xun Yu bowed back and followed Xin Pi onto the suspension bridge and entered the city side by side. Looking at the soldiers standing up on both sides of the city gate saluting Xin Pi one by one, Xun Yu sighed in his heart. "George, Xin Chen Du Zhao, you are still ranked first, well deserved."

Xinpi laughed and waved his hand. "It seems that Wen Ruo's news is not very well-informed. I am no longer the top one. Du Zixu was transferred to the prefect of Danyang at the beginning of the year. Zhao Boran was just transferred to the prefect of Jiangxia not long ago. Chen Changwen and I were both staff members. Wen Ruo, it is not too late to make up for the loss of sheep. Just come. With your ability and knowledge, you will definitely come from behind."

Xun Yu coughed twice. "George, I am an envoy sent by His Majesty. I went to Jianye to discuss the fight with the King of Wu."

"Mi Bing?" Xin Pi was stunned, then nodded with a smile. "Okay, okay." No more words. Xun Yu could hear it clearly, but could only smile bitterly. He knew that Mi Bing was not realistic, and the emperor could not hide his true thoughts from Xin Pi, so he had to pretend not to hear it and instead talked to Xin Pi about other things.

Xin Pi told Xun Yu that after Xun Yan was killed, his body was returned to Yingyin. Xun Chen arranged for a burial. Because he was fighting at the time, he could not go to the funeral in person, but sent Xin Tao to send the funeral ceremony. He heard that Yuan Tan sent Xun Yan's wife and children back and gave a generous gift. The King of Wu specially approved Xun Chen for three months off, but Xun Chen only rested for one month and went back after handling the funeral. However, his base was not far from Yingyin and he often came back to visit him.

Xun Yu listened quietly, feeling sad. When he received the news of Xun Yan's death, he burst into tears several times. When he listened again, he still felt a burst of hidden pain in his heart. Since the party and fining disaster thirty years ago, people in the Xun family have been dying for death. If the brothers, uncles and nephews are separated, they don't know who the next one is. He asked Xun You again, but Xin Pi didn't know much. Xun You followed Zhou Yu to Yizhou, and the news was inconvenient.

The two entered the city. Dagu Pass was a fortress, and there were no people. Everyone encountered soldiers along the way. Xun Yu became more and more depressed. Although these soldiers didn't look tall and strong, they were very strong. What's even more rare is the confidence and calmness on their faces, the kind of confidence that I could hold them with all my strength, with my head held high and my steps firmly. In contrast, although the soldiers around the emperor were all selected warriors, they could not see such confidence on their faces.

When they learned that Xun Yu was coming, Lu Su also came to meet him. After seeing Xun Yu, he formally asked about his purpose. Because it was during the war, Xun Yu's identity was unusual, and he had to inform Jianye first before entering the country and received permission. In addition, people had to be accompanied by surveillance and protection, so they could not be allowed to act casually. Lu Su complained to Xun Yu, and Xun Yu also knew the rules, so he locked him up in the valley. He was very conscious and studied in the house every day, occasionally wandering around the yard, and was not allowed to accompany Xinpi, and he did not leave the yard for a step.

Xin Pi would take some time to visit Xun Yu every day. If he had time, he would have dinner with him. If he had less time, he would leave. Half a month later, Lu Su received an instruction from Jianye and agreed to Xun Yu enter the country. He arranged fifty knights to escort Xun Yu to Yingchuan. Xun Yu would stay in Yingyin for a day or two, and then take a boat to Jianye.

Xin Pi sent Xun Yu out of the pass. Before leaving, he held Xun Yu's hand and remained silent for a long time. "Wen Ruo, don't mention the matter of using Yanzhou to exchange for Henan, it's meaningless."

Xun Yu smiled without comment. "Thank you for your care." He bowed to Xin Pi, got on the carriage, opened the window, and waved goodbye to Xin Pi. Xin Pi stood by the roadside, watched Xun Yu's carriage slowly go away, and sighed. He only had so much to say, and it was not good to say something too early. He just received the news that the emperor led the elite cavalry across the Yellow River, entered Yanzhou, and headed towards Dingtao and Changyi. The battle was about to begin, and the outcome was unpredictable, but he believed that without Xun Yu's constraints, the emperor was taking risks. Maybe he could get a plan for a moment, but the matter of stopping the war would definitely not be a result.

Xun Yu would better stay in Jianye and not come back.

Xinpi returned to Dagu Pass, and Lu Su was standing on the map to look at it. The military newspaper he had just received was placed on the table. Hearing the footsteps, Lu Su turned around and looked at Xinpi and waved. "George, come, the emperor crossed the river, the opportunity is here, see how to cooperate."

Xinpi was prepared and said lightly: "No hurry, wait until the emperor arrives at Dingtao. If he goes back halfway, Zhu Huan will not only not be grateful to the governor, but may also sue the governor in front of the King of Wu."

Lu Su rolled his eyes and laughed loudly.

Zhu Huan sat in the middle, Lu Yi, Lu Fan, Ji Ling, Man Chong, and Zhang Fen sat on both sides with a serious expression.

The emperor led the elite cavalry into the country and came very quickly. He just crossed the river yesterday and arrived at Juyang today. He might appear under Dingtao City at any time. Yan Xing did not dare to be careless and personally led the cavalry to reconnaissance. He sent back news every half an hour. The situation can be said to be quite serious. Even if he was arrogant and eager to make contributions, Zhu Huan did not dare to take it lightly. The emperor led the elite cavalry to help, and Dong Zhao would naturally go to fight. They would face more than 60,000 infantry and cavalry. More importantly, Dingtao City has not been taken down, and Li Jin may also come out of the city.

The emperor's ten thousand elite cavalry reversed the situation. Before this, Zhu Huan could use the advantages of the cavalry to cut off Dong Zhao's reinforcements. Now the cavalry advantage is in the hands of the opponent. If the position cannot be defended, retreating will be a problem. Regardless of whether the combat experience is rich, everyone understands this, so no one speaks in the tent for a long time, and the atmosphere seems a bit solemn.

"I suggest retreating." Man Chong broke the silence first. Zhu Huan and others turned their eyes, but no one spoke. Suddenly being watched by so many people, Man Chong's heart tightened and his heartbeat became faster. He took a deep breath to calm himself down. Among the people present, he was the only non-full-time general. He shouldn't have spoken first in such an occasion, but since he decided to speak, he naturally had his considerations.

He had a feeling that the King of Wu asked him to participate in this war, perhaps in order to balance the three of Zhu Huan, Lu Fan and Ji Ling, Lu Yi, was too young, and he might not be able to stop Zhu Huan and the other two of them from making contributions, but his desire for military achievements was not that strong. He was not only one of the generals, but also had the power to conscription in Yuzhou. Without his assistance, it would be difficult for Zhu Huan and others to win.

"The army is too disparity, and the number of cavalry is insufficient. If we fight in formation, we will suffer great casualties, which is not enough to take Dingtao and Changyi again. Instead of this, it is better to retreat to the territory of Liang. There are many swamps between Ban and Sui, which is not conducive to cavalry galloping, which is beneficial to us. Although the emperor came, the counties in southern Yanzhou have surrendered, and the food has been in our hands. They can only rely on Changyi and Dingtao's food, and it will not last long." Man Chong specifically reminded: "The consumption of a war horse is equivalent to five soldiers. The emperor brings more than 10,000 riders. The consumption is equivalent to 70,000 to 80,000 soldiers. The consumption is more than doubled. Even if Dong Zhao is well prepared, it will not be supported for long."

Zhu Huan disagreed and was about to speak, but Lu Yi shook his head calmly. Zhu Huan could see clearly and quickly swallowed the words to his mouth and looked at Lu Fan and Ji Ling. "What do you think of the two governors? Since it is a matter of discussion, please don't have any scruples and speak freely. Zhang Jijiu, don't be polite, just say whatever you have. To win this battle, you can't do without you."

Lu Fan smacked his lips. "What Boning said is indeed reasonable. Our army lacks enough troops and has no chance of winning against the head-on battle. Retreat is also a way to advance. There is only one problem: if you retreat, the giant stone thrower will have to be destroyed without time to withdraw." He looked at everyone and reminded: "The warship can only go east or west, but not south. The cavalry came quickly, so we don't have enough time."

Ji Ling was about to speak, but Lu Fan said again: "Also, if we retreat, should we return to the garrison, or retreat to Liang State together?"

Ji Ling closed his mouth and said nothing. Man Chong was telling the truth. As for the current forces, there was no chance of winning the decisive battle. Although there were nearly 50,000 infantry and cavalry, neither he nor Man Chong's subordinates were truly elite. Facing the Yanzhou county soldiers and even the Jizhou soldiers led by Dong Zhao, they all had the courage to fight, but he was unsure whether he could block the 10,000 Liang Jing cavalry led by the emperor. Once the formation was shaken and he was chased by the cavalry, the consequences would be unimaginable, and the casualties would be even heavier than the last defeat. The last defeat could be said to be Sun Guan, Chang Xi and others who did not obey the command. If they were defeated this time, the responsibility would be entirely his own.

But Lu Fan's worries make sense. Even if you want to retreat, it is not so easy. Zhu Huan and Man Chong can retreat south. What should he and Lu Fan do? The emperor and Dong Zhao will not let them retreat calmly. If they retreat to Liang State together, Junyi and Rencheng will be in danger.

Zhu Huan didn't want to retreat at first, and after hearing Lu Fan's words, he was right, but he had to admit that Man Chong's words made some sense. There was no chance of winning in a head-on battle, and even if he won, he would win a miserable victory. The plan to win Yanzhou was ruined. Unless he could kill the emperor in a formation, he might be able to pay the price. But this was obviously a great idea. Except for the emperor rushing in front of him and letting him cut, it would be impossible.

There is no chance of winning in a battle. If you retreat, there will be endless troubles. What should I do?
Chapter completed!