Hao Zhao had long been familiar with the terrain near Tongguan. He held a torch and led his subordinates to climb mountains and rivers, climbed rocks and hills. Finally, he arrived at Tongguan before dawn. After verifying his identity, he was pulled up by the defenders on the city.

Before he could stand firm, the deputy commander Kou Heng ran over and said excitedly and nervously: "You are finally back. Yesterday, Liang's army attacked fiercely for a day. I am really worried."

Hao Zhaoxiao said, "What are you going to worry about? As long as you follow my defense, I dare not say anything else. It's okay to stay for three or five days. Tell me about the specific situation."

He was the general of Tongguan, and he shouldered the heavy responsibility of defending the territory. If he was not sure, he would dare to leave at will. Everything had already been arranged before leaving. As long as Kou Heng insisted on his arrangements and did not make any mistakes, it would not be difficult to block the Liang army.

Hao Zhao returned safely, Kou Heng's heart finally fell to the ground, and said with a smile: "My Chao started siege in the city early yesterday morning and threatened to enter the pass to rest when it was dark. I actively defended according to the instructions of the teacher, but I didn't give him a chance. However, the Liang army's artillery fire was sharp, and many passes were damaged to varying degrees. My subordinates repaired it overnight, but the repairs were not as good as the original ones, and I'm afraid I can't hold on for a few days."

Hao Zhao sneered: "It won't take too long. Liang's army may retreat tomorrow. By the way, has Lu Zhao not come back yet?"

Kou Heng said in surprise: "Aren't he with you?"

Hao Zhao's heart sank. Lu Zhao left before him, and he had no detour and should have come back long ago. No one has been seen yet. Could something unexpected happened?

After briefly explaining to Kou Heng, Hao Zhao said, "I'll go to have a meal first, and I'll notify me immediately if there is any news."

As soon as he finished speaking, many hot air balloons flew from the northwest. The soldiers on the city were shocked at the same time. Hao Zhao even snatched the telescope from Kou Heng's hand and looked forward. He felt relieved when he saw that it was Wei Jun.

Before long, the hot air balloon flew over Tongguan, and called out a flag to request landing. After approval, it slowly descended until it landed.

Lu Zhao walked out of the bamboo basket, ran to Hao Zhao and saluted: "Master, it's so good and so satisfying. This battle is so exciting."

Hao Zhao asked with a bad expression: "Why did you come back?"

Lu Zhao's face froze, lowered her head and said, "I'm lost, and it's inconvenient to carry hot air balloons, so..." Hao Zhao sighed and said, "It's good to come back, wash up and prepare for dinner. The news of the burning of food and grass should have reached Liangying. I really want to see the faces of Ma Chao and Fa Zheng."

Liang Army camp outside the city.

After breakfast, all the generals gathered in the commander's tent. Ma Chao sat in the first place, his eyes swept across everyone one by one, and finally said: "Tongguan is solid, and it may not be difficult to break the enemy head-on. Do you have any good strategies to break the enemy?"

The day before yesterday he said he wanted to enter the pass when it was dark, but he didn't get what he wanted. Yesterday he said he had entered the pass when it was dark, but he still didn't get what he wanted. Today he didn't dare to say this, it was too slap in the face.

Fa Zheng gritted his teeth and said, "I looked around yesterday. The defense of the passes in Tongguan is very well-organized, and it is not impossible to attack fiercely, but the losses are too heavy and take too long. We can't afford it. If we want to go there, there is only one way, and in the air, we can order people to build hot air balloons."

"It's not difficult to make hot air balloons. They have made thousands of them. They sent off their sub-departed troops to fly over Tongguan and attacked them from the main army. Let's see what Hao Zhao can do."

This is how San Pass was broken. No matter who came up with the solution, as long as it can be used, it is a good solution.

"That's all."

Ma Chao nodded and gritted his teeth and said, "Break through Tongguan, I will cut Hao Zhao into pieces. Damn it, go and prepare."

"Here."

The generals saluted, and as soon as they turned around and left, a shout rang out of the tent: "Report..." The shouting was urgent and shrill, almost changed its tone. It was not good news when they heard it. The generals frowned and stood back on their original position.

A messenger with a small flag on his back rushed in and knelt on one knee and said, "King, the Liang army sneaked into the Pubanjin camp at night. All the food and grass in the camp were burned, and all the explosives were detonated. General Ma Wan had no face to meet the king and swung his sword and committed suicide."

"What?"

Ma Chao stood up from the chair suddenly, and almost fainted when he saw black in front of him. He grabbed the corner of the table and did not fall down. He murmured: "How is that possible?"

Other generals, including Fa Zheng, also took a breath, their faces filled with shock and incredibleness.

The Liang army's food and grass for more than 100,000 people were all in Pubanjin. What should the army eat without the food and grass?

Xiliang has developed well in recent years, and this little food and grass will not hurt the bones. The problem is that they are now in Tongguan, which is too far away from Liangzhou and the snow has not melted. It is too difficult to collect food and grass for transportation. It is too late to go in time.

Fa Zheng took a few deep breaths before looking at the commander and said, "What's going on? I want to know the details."

The messenger took out a bamboo tube from his arms and handed it to Fa Zheng and said, "Report to the Prime Minister, this is a war report sent by General Ma Wan's subordinates."

Fa Zheng snatched it, and even the fire-lacquered seal was too lazy to check it. He pulled out the plug and took out the letter and read it. After reading it, he handed it to Ma Chao and said regretfully: "Surprising attack on our army's camp and left, then headed straight to Pubanjin to burn food and grass. The most important thing is to cooperate with the air and the cavalry. The combination of the air force and the cavalry made people unable to react. Hao Zhao has the talent of a general."

Ma Chao crumpled the battle report into a ball, stared at the deep hatred in the messenger's eyes, and asked in a cold tone: "How many people know about this?"

The messenger shivered and replied honestly: "Every defender of Pusakatsu knows it."

There are too many people who know and can't hide it. You can't kill thousands of Liang troops.

Ma Chao looked at Fa Zheng powerlessly and asked: "How many days can the military food and grass last?"

"Three days, save only five or six days."

Fa Zheng sighed helplessly, walked to the map and said, "It is almost impossible to break through Tongguan in three days. Even if he is lucky enough to break through and get to the city of Chang'an, what can he do without food and grass?"

"There are only two ways to do it now. Either you will retreat to Liangzhou by chance and refuse to defend it, or go north to Gaonu to attack Bingzhou, and then rob the treasury to support the war. Now the main force of the Wei army is in Chang'an, and the defense of Bingzhou is empty. Once we move, the Wei army will definitely follow us. As long as we plan properly, we can lead the Wei army's nose."

Ma Chao thought for a long time before asking, "Which one do you think is suitable?"

Fa Zheng said firmly: "The second article is to attack Bingzhou and plunder food and grass while leading the Wei army out of seclusion to fight to the decisive battle."

Retreat to Liangzhou is equivalent to being trapped in death. When Lu Su arrives to encircle with Cao thieves, the Liang army has no chance of winning and can only desperately delay the death time.

It is different to attack Bingzhou. Bingzhou is the hinterland of the Great Wei Dynasty and a heavy production area for coal mines and steel. Cao Cao would never ignore it when he saw Bingzhou fall and would inevitably lead his army to support it.

The Wei army was empty as soon as they left Chang'an. If Zhuge Liang and Ma Dai could seize the opportunity to arrive at the city of Chang'an in time from Ziwu Valley, they would most likely be able to successfully capture Chang'an.

If Chang'an falls into the Wei army, the team will inevitably be in chaos. At that time, the Liang army's opportunity will come. Whether it is taking the opportunity to seize Bingzhou or retreating back to Liangzhou, they will be much more calm.

Fa Zheng is not a person who is waiting for death. He has to struggle with whatever he has the opportunity. What if the salted fish turns over?
Chapter completed!