Wei Xiaobao's Three Kingdoms Adventure

Chapter 164 Set Off Immediately
Wei Xiaobao led Ma Yunlu into Zhao Yun's military tent. The two brothers were overjoyed at their reunion and even happier at having tamed the fine horse.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhao Yun instructed his soldiers to lead Wei Xiaobao to rest.

At this moment, Wei Xiaobao suddenly spoke up and said, "Brother, there is something else I need to tell you."

Zhao Yun cast an inquiring glance his way.

Wei Xiaobao turned his head and glanced at Ma Yunlu.

Ma Yunlu knew what Wei Xiaobao was about to say, and a blush flashed across her face.

Wei Xiaobao coughed, then said with a serious expression, "Ma Yunlu is now my betrothed, so we can live together."

"what?"

Zhao Yun's surprise was no less than when he heard the news that Wei Xiaobao had returned to Chang'an.

Wei Xiaobao said, "The matter here is very complicated. I will explain it to you in detail later. General Ma Teng has already agreed to our relationship. We will hold the wedding after we have pacified Xiliang."

Zhao Yun said, "In times of great chaos, there's no need to be bound by such formalities. Since you two are so compatible, you should just support each other in the future."

Wei Xiaobao nodded solemnly.

Early the next morning, Wei Xiaobao and Ma Yunlu dressed and arrived at the military camp.

Zhao Yun was discussing military affairs in his tent when he saw Wei Xiaobao arrive. He looked up and greeted the two of them.

Seeing the map of Xiliang laid out in front of Zhao Yun, Wei Xiaobao asked, "Brother, are you worried about how to attack Wuwei?"

Zhao Yun shook his head: "Not only Wuwei, but Hanzhong is what we should be most worried about right now."

"Hanzhong?" Wei Xiaobao searched the map for a long time but couldn't find Hanzhong.

Zhao Yun said, "I did not bring a map of Hanzhong with me when I came to Xiliang this time. Two days ago, a scout reported that Zhang Lu seems to be making moves in Guanzhong."

Ma Yunlu hurriedly asked, "Does Zhang Lu intend to attack Chang'an?"

Wei Xiaobao was the first to answer: "My elder brother is in charge in Chang'an, so I don't think Zhang Lu would be stupid enough to attack Chang'an. Are you suggesting we take action against Tianshui?"

Zhao Yun pointed to Tianshui on the map and said, "That's Tianshui!"

Ma Yunlu's heart tightened: "Is Zhang Lu preparing to attack Tianshui?"

Zhao Yun said, "Judging from the information brought back by our scouts, Zhang Lu is indeed preparing to attack Tianshui. He has not only prepared a map of Tianshui, but has even obtained a defense map of Tianshui."

These words greatly shocked Wei Xiaobao and Ma Yunlu!
Zhao Yun continued, "If there is no traitor in Tianshui, then Han Sui has already secretly allied with Zhang Lu."

Ma Yunlu said, "Tianshui City is full of the Ma family, and there is absolutely no way anyone would betray their own clansmen."

Wei Xiaobao said, "Han Sui has been operating in Tianshui for many years, and recently attacked Tianshui again. I'm afraid this defense map was sent to Hanzhong by Han Sui."

Zhao Yun nodded in agreement.

Wei Xiaobao then asked, "Brother, have you received any news of An Ding recently?"

Zhao Yun said, "The scouts reported a couple of days ago that Ma Chao's attack on Anding is not going well, and he will probably be held back by Guo Si for quite some time." Wei Xiaobao couldn't help but worry, "If Zhang Lu takes the opportunity to attack Tianshui at this time, and Han Sui sends troops to join forces with Guo Si to encircle Ma Chao from the inside, then we may be in danger."

A look of horror appeared on Ma Yunlu's face. Wei Xiaobao's analysis seemed to have shown her the terrible scene of Tianshui City falling and her clansmen being killed.

"Xiao Bao, I want to go back to Tianshui!"

“No, if Zhang Lu really attacks Tianshui, even if you risk crossing the enemy lines to enter the city, you will be walking into a trap.”

Zhao Yun agreed with Wei Xiaobao's opinion and stood up to comfort Ma Yunlu: "General Ma, I have already ordered people to go to Wancheng to transfer grain and fodder. If nothing unexpected happens, the grain and fodder will be transported to Chang'an within ten days."

Wei Xiaobao was also very anxious at this moment. Hearing Zhao Yun say this, he sighed and said, "Ten days! By the time the grain arrives, it will be too late. Brother, give me three thousand cavalry. Ma Yunlu and I will go to rescue Ma Chao with light equipment. If Zhang Lu really attacks Tianshui, then we can only leave it to fate."

Zhao Yun said, "If Zhang Lu enters Xiliang, it will be difficult to drive him out. Although Zhang Lu does not have many generals under his command, he can hold the city well. Moreover, once Zhang Lu occupies Tianshui and coordinates with Hanzhong, we will be no match for him in Xiliang."

Wei Xiaobao said, "Brother, if we don't eliminate Guo Si now, we will have to face three opponents in the future: Zhang Lu, Han Sui, and Guo Si."

Zhao Yun said, "If we don't have enough troops to defend Tianshui, wouldn't that be even worse? This matter is of great importance. We should write a letter to Xuchang to seek the opinions of our lord and the strategist."

After Zhao Yun finished speaking, he took out a pen and ink and began to write a letter.

Helpless, Wei Xiaobao could only accompany Ma Yunlu back first.

Back at his residence, Ma Yunlu was restless.

Wei Xiaobao stepped forward to comfort him: "Don't worry, the strategist is incredibly resourceful and will definitely come up with a solution that satisfies both sides. My elder brother's guards are all super knights, and we'll receive a reply in less than two days."

Wei Xiaobao stayed with the anxious Ma Yunlu in Chang'an for two days before Zhao Yun summoned him to the military camp.

Zhao Yun had already received Zhuge Liang's reply and was now looking for Wei Xiaobao and Ma Yunlu to discuss the matter.

Zhao Yun said, "As expected, the strategist disagrees with sending troops to attack Anding from both sides. The reason is that we have misjudged Anding's defensive capabilities. Let alone three thousand cavalry, even ten thousand troops may not be able to take Anding in a short time. If we offend them by sending troops, not only will Zhang Lu have an opportunity to take advantage, but we may even put Chang'an in danger."

Wei Xiaobao now deeply regretted encouraging Ma Chao to attack Anding.

Zhao Yun continued, "After Han Sui's failed attack on Tianshui, he has few soldiers left. Even if Zhang Lu attacks Tianshui, Han Sui may not necessarily send troops to help. Besides, both of them want to seize Tianshui, but they just want to use each other to weaken Tianshui's forces. They will definitely not help the other take Tianshui."

Given this situation, the strategist suggested that we join forces with Ma Tie of Chencang to launch a surprise attack on Yangping Pass, and then destroy the road from Hanzhong to Chang'an. Liao Hua, stationed in Shangyong, had already dispatched troops to guard the Ziwu Road. Once Yangping Pass is destroyed, Zhang Lu will have no way to enter Xiliang, and we will have nothing to worry about.”

Ma Yunlu said, "If the road to Hanzhong is cut off, wouldn't Xiliang only be able to leave the pass through Chang'an?"

Zhao Yun said, "That is exactly what I meant."

"Then will we have to be at your mercy from now on?"

Wei Xiaobao had already understood the purpose of Zhuge Liang's arrangement: to use this opportunity to block the development of Xiliang and, like with Cao Cao, to trap Ma Teng in Xiliang.

Zhao Yun said, "In urgent situations, we must act expediently. Our scouts have already reported that Zhang Lu's army is fully prepared and will depart from Yangping Pass soon. If we delay any longer, once Zhang Lu's army passes through the plank road and forms ranks, we will be in a difficult situation to deal with."

Although Ma Yunlu understood that this was Zhuge Liang's open scheme, he was helpless in this situation and could only say, "I will go to Chencang to discuss it with Third Brother, but Xiao Bao will come with me."

Wei Xiaobao and Zhao Yun said at the same time, "Alright! Let's set off immediately!"

(End of this chapter)