Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

While Ma Chao was outside attracting a lot of attention from the Hu people, Taishi Ci, alone, had secretly left the city from the Jinmen on the south side.

It was not until Taishi Ci had approached the edge of the Southern Xiongnu camp that he was discovered by the scouts deployed by the Southern Xiongnu.

However, the main defensive forces deployed by the Southern Xiongnu at night had already been attracted away by Ma Chao in advance, in an attempt to encircle the troops among whom it was suspected that the Prime Minister of the Han court was also present.

After realizing that he had been discovered by the Huns, Taishi Ci no longer concealed his true intentions and rode his horse as fast as he could, attempting to break out in the southeast direction.

In a hurry, there were only a hundred or so cavalrymen in the Southern Xiongnu camp who were able to come to stop Taishi Ci, but they were killed on the spot by Taishi Ci with great force.

By the time the Hun reinforcements arrived after hearing the news, Taishi Ci had completely disappeared into the darkness thanks to the speed of his white dragon horse.

After successfully breaking through the siege, Taishi Ci dared not delay for even a moment, as he was worried that the Hu people had set an ambush on the official road leading to Hulao Pass.

Therefore, Taishi Ci tried to take small paths as much as possible along the way, and rode his horse for nearly seven hours before he finally saw Hulao Pass.

It was not until he saw the Han flag still flying in the wind over Hulao Pass that Taishi Ci could not help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Before leaving, Li Ji gave all his instructions, and what he was most worried about was the fall of Hulao Pass.

Although Li Ji sent a message to Hulao Pass as soon as he learned of the Xianbei's southward advance, asking Chen Dao to transfer troops from Xingyang to strengthen the defense of Hulao Pass, Hulao Pass is still Li Ji's real lifeline at the moment.

The only thing they were afraid of was that the Hu people would besiege Luoyang, but they were afraid that the Hu people would capture Hulao Pass at all costs, thus trapping Luoyang in a jar.

The appearance of Taishi Ci also instantly aroused the vigilance of the defenders of Hulao Pass, and many bows and arrows on the city walls were secretly aimed at Taishi Ci.

Immediately, Taishi Ci reined in his horse and shouted, after he was within an arrow's distance from Hulao Pass.

"I am General Hulie Taishi Ci. I have a seal here. Please inform the Weiwei immediately."

The captain on the city wall did not recognize Taishi Ci, but when he saw Taishi Ci's attire as a Han general, he believed him a little and responded.

"Please wait a moment, General Taishi."

Immediately, when the captain sent his confidant to report quickly, Chen Dao was reporting the situation to Liu Bei who had just arrived at Hulao Pass.

When Liu Bei learned that the general called himself Taishi Ci, he stood up in surprise.

As one of Sun Ce's generals, Taishi Ci should be in Luoyang at this moment.

"Could it be that Luoyang has been lost?" Liu Bei's body visibly shook.

Seeing Liu Bei's worried look, Chen Dao quickly comforted him. "Don't worry, Your Majesty. Just go and ask and you'll know. Maybe the Prime Minister sent someone to break through the siege and deliver the message."

"Yeah."

Liu Bei spoke continuously and went straight to the west wall of Hulao Pass.

When Liu Bei rushed to the city wall and looked down, he recognized Taishi Ci at a glance, and even more so the "white dragon horse" under Taishi Ci's seat.

This made Liu Bei couldn't help but ask anxiously.

"Ziyi, how is Luoyang? Is the Prime Minister alright?"

"My Lord?!"

Hearing Liu Bei's voice, Taishi Ci thought it was an illusion, until he looked up at the dusty figure on the city wall that he could sense from afar.

Taishi Ci immediately replied, "Don't worry, your Majesty. Luoyang is still holding out, and the Prime Minister is also safe. I am here to deliver the message after breaking out of Luoyang."

After hearing this, Liu Bei felt a little relieved and asked Chen Dao to immediately order the city gate to be opened.

Upon hearing this, Chen Dao spoke hesitantly.

"Your Majesty, this is just Taishi Ci's one-sided statement. I don't know whether it is true or not. If Taishi Ci has already surrendered to the Hu people, then it is possible that this is a fraud."

"Since Taishi Ci claims to be the messenger, why not let him send the secret letter up through the hanging basket first to verify its authenticity, and then..."

Before Chen Dao could finish speaking, Liu Bei raised his hand to stop him.

"I know that Taishi Ziyi is a loyal and righteous man. How could he surrender to the Hu? Besides, the warhorse that Taishi Ziyi rides is Zikun's mount. It must have been given by Zikun. Just open the door quickly." "Yes."

Chen Dao stopped persuading him and immediately ordered the city gates to be opened.

After traveling day and night, Liu Bei, who was already exhausted, still quickly walked down the city wall and went directly to meet Taishi Ci.

Taishi Ci was about to dismount and salute, but Liu Bei took the initiative to support Taishi Ci and asked anxiously.

"Where is the secret letter?"

Taishi Ci did not bother to wonder why Liu Bei, who was supposed to be in Shouchun thousands of miles away, appeared at Hulao Pass. He quickly took out the secret letter he had kept close to him and handed it to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei took the secret letter and opened it impatiently.

After reading it once, Liu Bei's anxious expression eased greatly. Then, after reading it carefully again, he couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"I have indeed worried too much. With Zikun here, a mere barbarian dog is nothing. A great victory is inevitable."

Chen Dao, Xiahou Bo, Taishi Ci and others present were quite curious and confused when they saw this. They didn't know what the secret letter said that caused Liu Bei's attitude to change so suddenly.

After Liu Bei finished laughing, he read the secret letter for the third time and then spoke.

"Ji Chang."

"Yes." Xiahou Bo replied.

"Immediately send people to light beacons as close to Luoyang as possible to inform them that the secret letter has been delivered to Hulao Pass and that they will act according to the plan."

"Here."

Xiahou Bo took the order and went to make arrangements immediately.

Immediately, Liu Bei looked at Chen Dao again and asked.

"Just now, Uncle Zhi said that some time ago, there was news of the Northern Expedition Army. Zilong, Yide, and Wenchang will lead the cavalry back to Hulao Pass first. When will they arrive?"

"At least tonight, at least tomorrow morning."

After Chen Dao made some estimation, he answered.

When they learned that the Xianbei were heading south, the cavalry in the Northern Expedition Army immediately set out to turn back. Their speed was naturally much faster than the main force which had to carry a lot of baggage.

The main force of the Northern Expedition Army was probably still ten days away from Hulao Pass, but the cavalry was about to reach Hulao Pass.

In Liu Bei's opinion, this speed was quite good.

The larger the army, the slower its speed will inevitably be.

Even though Zhao Yun started from Yecheng and returned, Liu Bei, who was alone with two horses and traveled day and night, arrived at Hulao Pass first.

Immediately, Liu Bei weighed the contents of the secret letter and issued a military order on the spot, ordering Chen Dao to send someone to deliver the order and the Ziwu Valley map in the secret letter to Wei Yan, and gave special instructions.

"Tell Wenchang not to rush to Hulao Pass, and have him go to Hanzhong as quickly as possible."

"Yes." Chen Dao accepted the order.

Afterwards, Liu Bei glanced at the guards in Hulao Pass and asked loudly.

"Who is Zhang Wenyuan?"

When Zhang Liao heard this, he thought he had heard it wrong.

It was not until Chen Dao saw Zhang Liao standing there in a daze without any reaction that he quickly gave Zhang Liao a look. Only then did Zhang Liao quickly step out and salute.

"I, General Zhang Wenyuan from Yanmen, pay my respects to Your Majesty."

Liu Bei stepped forward and personally helped Zhang Liao up, saying in a gentle voice, "The Prime Minister has an important task to entrust to you." (End of this chapter)