Three Kingdoms: Wolong's brother-in-law, tricking Liu Bei into seizing Jingzhou

Upon hearing this, Deng Ai and the other generals couldn't help but shudder, a strange tension and awe rising in their hearts.

Only now did they awaken as if from a dream, truly understanding the grand and profound ambitions of Prime Minister Xiao.

Xiao Fang's expedition was not merely to reclaim the long-lost Western Regions; he also harbored the ambition to wipe out the Yuezhi and completely eradicate the barbarians who had once ravaged the border!
Inspired by Xiao Fang's ambition, the generals, who had been somewhat tired, were instantly invigorated, their eyes gleaming with fervent light.

Xiao Fang's gaze swept over the assembled generals, then he suddenly raised his voice and shouted:

"Pass down the order: the entire army shall rest here for a day to recuperate and recharge, and tomorrow we will pursue with all our might!"

The sound was as loud as a bell, echoing through the air.

...

Several days later, the group arrived at Sanwei Fortress in Dunhuang County.

The terrain here is unique, with a vast desert to the north, where yellow sand fills the sky and the wind howls.
To the south lies a continuous mountain range, with steep slopes and jagged rocks.

A desolate road winds through the area, like a giant dragon, connecting the east and west.

On the high sand dune, Empress Vinu reined in her horse and stood still, gazing into the distance.

Cao Rui and Fa You stood respectfully by his side, their expressions focused.

Just then, a scout came galloping in like a whirlwind, dismounted, and knelt before the Empress to report:

"Your Majesty, the Han cavalry are less than seven li from Sanwei Pass!"

This news instantly lifted everyone's spirits.

A hint of appreciation flashed in Empress Pinu's eyes as she turned to look at Sima Yi, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"Sima Yi, just as you predicted, Xiao Fang has fallen for your trick."

Sima Yi quickly cupped his hands in a respectful bow and said:

"This is Her Majesty Empress Tianyou!"
"Your Majesty's blessings are boundless; victory in this battle is assured!"

Cao Rui couldn't help but smile and echoed:
"Your Majesty will surely annihilate the Han cavalry in this battle, dealing a heavy blow to the Han state and severely damaging its vitality."

An excited flame ignited in Empress Pinu's eyes, as if she could already see the Han cavalry falling one after another under her encirclement and slaughter.

A grand blueprint had already begun to take shape in her mind:

First they stormed into Liangzhou, then swept through Guanzhong with unstoppable momentum.

She recalled historical records describing a distant Eastern country as incredibly wealthy, with mountains of gold and silver treasures and countless rare and exotic items.

If this wealthy country could be conquered, the wealth gained would be enough to compensate for the loss of land that the Yuezhi Kingdom had lost.

Moreover, this is not just about making up for lost time, but about making the Yuezhi Kingdom far stronger than before.

"If I can conquer the Eastern Han Kingdom, I will move to that prosperous East and enjoy endless wealth and glory!"

Empress Vinu was lost in her own daydreams, her face beaming with a hopeful smile.

Seven miles away, the Han army's iron cavalry surged like a black torrent, the sound of their hooves shaking the earth.

Xiao Fang had already made his plans. He was certain that Sima Yi would offer a strategy to have the Yuezhi army feign defeat and lure him into pursuing them.

Then, they set up an ambush halfway and dealt a fatal blow to the Han cavalry.

Suddenly, Xiao Fang reined in his horse, which let out a long neigh and reared up.

Upon seeing this, Deng Ai and the other generals also stopped, looking at Xiao Fang with blank expressions, wondering why he had suddenly stopped.

Xiao Fang gazed into the distance and saw a vast desert to the north and a majestic mountain range to the south. A road quietly stretched between the desert and the mountains.

This terrain is undoubtedly an excellent place to set up an ambush. It is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Once you are trapped in it, it is difficult to get out.

"Just as I expected, the Yuezhi Empress wanted to set up an ambush here."

Xiao Fang's lips curled up slightly, revealing a cold smile with a hint of disdain.

Generals like Deng Ai looked at Xiao Fang with bewilderment and incomprehension, not understanding why he was so certain.

Xiao Fang said no more, then suddenly raised his voice and shouted:

"Zhang Bao, listen to my command!"

"The general is here!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Bao immediately rode forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and responded.

Xiao Fang's expression was serious, and his gaze was firm as he said:

"I order you to lead a light cavalry force, raise many flags, and feign a force several times larger, heading straight for the pass. Make sure the enemy mistakenly believes that our main force has arrived."

"promise!"

Zhang Bao accepted the order, but couldn't help asking:

"Prime Minister Xiao, why disguise yourself as having several times the number of iron cavalry?"
There must be a deeper meaning behind this; I hope Prime Minister Xiao will enlighten me.

Xiao Fang did not say it explicitly, but simply said:

"Just follow the orders."

Remember, no matter what happens, don't panic; everything is under control.

Although Zhang Bao still had doubts, seeing Xiao Fang's certainty, he dared not ask any more questions and accepted the order to leave.

The Han cavalry, carrying several times the number of battle flags, sped forward like a whirlwind, heading straight for the Sanwei Pass.

The fluttering flags resemble an ocean, creating a powerful visual impact.

North of the Three Dangers Pass, atop the sand dunes.

Empress Vinu craned her neck and gazed into the distance, her eyes fixed on the front.

In the distance, billowing sand resembled a giant yellow dragon rushing towards them.

Cao Rui exclaimed excitedly:

"Your Majesty, the Han army is here!"

Empress Pinu was startled by this news. She looked closely and saw the Han cavalry rushing into Sanwei Pass like a tidal wave.

Judging from the number, it seems to be the entire force of the Han army.

After making a rough estimate, Sima Yi smirked:
"Your Majesty, it seems that Xiao Fang is completely unprepared. All the Han cavalry are here. This is a golden opportunity!"

Cao Rui cupped his hands and said urgently:

"What are you waiting for, Your Majesty? Order the entire army to march out and annihilate the Han army!"
If we win this battle, the Yuezhi Kingdom will surely become a force to be reckoned with!

Empress Pinu's killing intent surged, her eyes flashing with bloodlust, and she roared:
"Order the ambush troops to go out and kill the enemy!"

"Woooooooo..."

A deep and long horn sounded.

The Yuezhi army appeared suddenly like ghosts, sweeping towards the Han army from all directions like a tidal wave.

The shouts of battle were deafening, and the flashes of swords and spears were incessant.

Upon hearing the sounds of battle from the north flank, Zhang Bao was startled and abruptly reined in his horse.

He quickly glanced around and saw the Yuezhi army surging down from the sand dunes like a tide, surrounding them completely.

"ambush?"

Zhang Bao's expression changed, and a sense of tension welled up in his heart.

But the next moment, he remembered Xiao Fang's instructions:

"Don't panic in the event of any unexpected situation!"

Did Prime Minister Xiao already anticipate that the Yuezhi had laid an ambush?

Thinking of this, Zhang Bao felt immediately at ease and shouted:

"Order all units to form circular formations to repel the enemy!"

The command flag waved.

The Han army quickly calmed themselves down and stopped panicking.

In the blink of an eye, the Han cavalry formed a circular formation, like a solid fortress.

The Yuezhi army attacked like hungry wolves.

A fierce battle ensued, with shouts of battle, screams of agony, and the clash of weapons all intertwining and echoing through the sky.

Although the Han army formed a circular formation, they were still caught off guard by the ambush.

In an instant, blood spurted into the air, staining the earth red, and the Han army found itself in an extremely unfavorable situation. (End of Chapter)