Zhang Yan gave the order, and the Black Mountain Army immediately retreated. Gao Shun was about to pursue but was stopped by Zhang Chen.
"Do not pursue a cornered foe. Withdraw and return to the city!"
Zhang Chen knew clearly that although the Trapped Camp was brave, it had only a little over three thousand men. The enemy, after all, had tens of thousands of soldiers. How could they pursue rashly?
Before the battle began, he had already sent out signals. Once the three armies from Zhao Commandery, Ganling, and Wei Commandery arrived, the Black Mountain Army would be completely annihilated!
And now, the banditry in various places should also be mostly cleared out.
It was nearing dusk. Zhang Yan led his army to retreat ten li and set up camp.
Inside the main tent, Zhang Yan was discussing the next plan with his Generals.
From today's situation, it was clear that Zhang Chen had been prepared for a long time. It was likely that the widespread banditry in various places could not be hidden from him either.
At this moment, inside the main tent, the few people had solemn expressions, and the atmosphere was grave.
After a long while, Pei Yuanshao was the first to speak: "Great Marshal, we failed to attack the city today and have lost the initiative. Just now, the scouts reported that Qian Zhao, the defender of Nanpi, leading five thousand soldiers, has pacified the banditry in various parts of Julu. It is expected that other commanderies and counties are also like this. If we do not retreat quickly, we will be in danger."
Zhang Yan pondered for a moment and said, "If we retreat now, what face do we have to see the Holy Maiden?"
"Great Marshal!" Zhou Cang also said, "If even this force is lost here, how can we talk about restoring the Yellow Heaven Great Cause in the future?"
"Hmph, I think you two have been scared by Zhang Chen!"
"You!"
Upon hearing this, the two couldn't help but feel a bit of anger.
"Alright." Xiahou Bo said, "A'Yan, General Pei's words are not without reason. We are now an isolated army. If Zhang Chen's reinforcements arrive, we will have no place to be buried! However, retreating now is by no means the best strategy. In my opinion, it is better to first capture a city, establish a foothold, and then make plans!"
Zhang Yan thought for a moment and said, "Brother Xiahou's words are very much to my liking, but where should we capture?"
Xiahou Bo looked at the map, pondered for a moment, pointed to a certain spot on the map and said, "Longyao County is not far from here. If we capture Longyao County, we can advance or defend. It is better to first take this place as our base."
"Hmm..." Zhang Yan pondered for a moment and said, "This plan is excellent. We will follow Brother Xiahou's suggestion, first take Longyao County, and then make further plans."
"There is no time to lose. We must quickly take Longyao County while Zhang Chen is unprepared. Any delay will lead to complications!"
"Give the order to the army! We will break camp at the third watch tonight and take Longyao County before dawn!"
"Yes!"
The Generals responded and then withdrew to make their preparations.
After the Generals left, Zhang Yan called for a close guard, handed him a token, and gave a few instructions.
Not long after, one person on one horse left the camp under the cover of night and headed south.
...
Julu Commandery, Yingtao County Main Camp.
The next morning, scouts reported that Zhang Yan's army had attacked Longyao County during the night.
Longyao County originally had no garrison and was naturally unable to resist. At this moment, the Black Mountain Army had entered the city to rest and reorganize.
Inside the main tent, Zhang Chen heard the report but was not worried. He looked at Guo Jia, and the two exchanged a smile.
Guo Jia said, "Zhang Yan has no strategy. He thinks that by capturing a city he can establish a foothold, but he doesn't know that this action is no different from digging his own grave!"
"I have to admire Zhang Yan's ability to rally people. In such a short time, he was able to gather all the bandits from Ji Province. But his way of using troops is truly unsatisfactory." Zhang Chen couldn't help but laugh, "In yesterday's battle, he already lost the initiative. If I were him, I should retreat now, or even retreat back to Taihang to preserve my strength and seek another opportunity. But he is unwilling to do so and is taking Longyao County to confront me. That Longyao County is just a small county with dilapidated defenses and is difficult to hold for long. Once my army arrives and surrounds it from all sides, how can he have a way out?"
"What Lord said is very true." Guo Jia said, "I have received news that the forces from Zhao Commandery and Ganling have entered Julu. Gongyu has also led the troops from Wei Commandery into Julu and is currently stationed in Ren County. When we surround them from all sides, Zhang Yan will surely die!"
"Good!" Zhang Chen said with great joy, "Fengxiao, quickly write letters to inform the three armies to quickly march towards Longyao County and surround it from all sides!"
"Yes!"
Longyao County, Black Mountain Army Main Camp.
Zhang Yan's army captured Longyao County, entered the city to rest and reorganize, and also counted the casualties from yesterday.
In yesterday's battle, they lost over ten thousand soldiers, thousands were injured, scaling ladders and siege carts were all destroyed, and He Man was lost. It can be said that the losses were heavy!
This morning, scouts reported that the rebellions in the four commanderies of Zhongshan, Bohai, Hejian, and Changshan have all been suppressed, and the entire area north of Ji Province has been pacified.
Upon hearing the news, Zhang Yan immediately felt something was wrong.
He had originally intended to use the rebellions in various places to make it difficult for Zhang Chen to attend to both ends, so he could take the opportunity to capture Yingtao County and gradually weaken the power of the Jizhou Army. However, he did not expect the Jizhou Army's combat strength to be so strong. His one hundred thousand troops could not even take a small Yingtao County, and the banditry in the four commanderies was also wiped out in a single night!
"Great Marshal!" Zhang Yan was worrying when the Generals entered the tent. Pei Yuanshao said, "Zhao, King Liu She has led two thousand troops into Julu and is now less than thirty li away!"
Zhou Cang also said, "Liu Yu, the Chancellor of Ganling, has led thirty thousand troops here and is less than thirty li away!"
Xiahou Bo also said, "Last night, Ju Shou led the troops from Wei Commandery and was stationed in Ren County. Just now, the scouts reported that they are marching towards here. It seems this was a trap set by Zhang Chen early on. With the four armies surrounding us, our situation is very bad!"
"The situation is critical now, what good strategies do you have?"
Pei Yuanshao and Zhou Cang exchanged glances but remained silent.
After a long while, Xiahou Bo said, "Holding this city is no longer the best strategy. We should find a weak point and break out!"
Zhang Yan pondered for a moment and said, "Then... which route should we choose?"
"The west route!" Xiahou Bo said, "According to Zhang He, Zhao, King Liu She has no capable Generals under him, and he himself does not understand military tactics. His personal participation in this battle is also a last resort. Therefore, this route is the easiest to break through. If we can defeat the King Zhao's troops from the west, our army can take the opportunity to attack Zhao Commandery and use it as a base. Zhao Commandery is wealthy and is by no means comparable to the small county of Longyao County."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan couldn't help but frown.
This plan sounds good, but if he were to act like this, wouldn't he be putting the Holy Maiden in danger alone?
How could he do that?
Just as Zhang Yan was worrying, Xiahou Lan, who was beside him, frowned and said, "Although this plan is good, it has flaws. Zhao, King Liu She is not skilled in military affairs, how could Zhang Chen not know this? If our entire army rushes towards the west route, he will definitely send reinforcements. It is better to divide the troops into two routes as a feint, which can also reduce some pressure on the main army breaking through from the west."
Xiahou Bo heard this and also felt it was reasonable, so he said, "Second Brother, in your opinion, how should we divide the troops?"
Xiahou Lan said, "I will lead an army myself and break through to the south!"
"South?" Xiahou Bo was surprised and said, "The south is where Ju Shou is leading the troops from Wei Commandery. They are all Zhang Chen's direct forces and are very brave. How can we break through?"
"Precisely because of this, Zhang Chen will not expect us to break through from the south, which is exactly where we can catch him off guard!"
Zhang Yan said with some worry, "But that Ju Shou is a skilled strategist and also has excellent military command ability. A'Lan, can you deal with him?"
Xiahou Lan said, "Although Ju Shou has strategies, as far as I know, Zhang Chen has sent all his subordinate Generals to various places, so he has no Generals available under him. Tomorrow, I will lead a team of elite cavalry and charge into the enemy formation. I estimate he will not be able to do anything to me!"
Zhang Yan said, "But that Ju Shou is not an ordinary person, you must be careful!"
Xiahou Lan smiled slightly and said, "With the silver spear in my hand and the precious steed beneath me, I don't expect any major problems!"
Xiahou Bo also said, "A'Yan, you can rest assured. A'Lan has received the true pass from 'Divine Spear Hermit' Tong Yuan. His silver spear technique is exquisite. At that time, there were only a handful of people who could match him."
"Alright, A'Lan, I will give you five thousand elite cavalry to help you defeat the enemy!"
