You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 231 Westward Exit from Yumen
Outside Yumen Pass.

While Lü Bu was leading his army in a major battle against the Northern Di, Huo Qubing had already led the Xiliang army westward out of Yumen Pass and into the land beyond the pass.

Like Lü Bu and his men, the first thing Huo Qubing did after leading his army out of the pass was to sweep away some tribes on the outskirts of the Western Rong.

However, unlike the Northern Di, the Western Rong did not use the surrounding tribes as bait.

Instead, the Xirong, upon learning that the Great Zhou had dispatched troops outside the pass, promptly notified the surrounding tribes to retreat to the inner perimeter.

However, some tribes did not retreat in time and ultimately fell victim to the Zhou army.

In a certain tribe, the Xiliang army settled down.

In the big tent.

The person sitting in the main seat was Zhang Liao, not Huo Qubing.

Below sat Hua Xiong, Dong Jun, Song Xian, Cheng Lian, and other generals.

"General Zhang, it's still broad daylight. Isn't it a bit too early for us to set up camp?"

"We've been out of the pass for two days now, but the army has only traveled a hundred li. Isn't that too slow?"

Dong Jun looked at Zhang Liao in the main seat with a puzzled expression.

Since the army left the pass, they have marched a hundred li in two days, a speed that can no longer be described as slow.

Especially since it was still broad daylight, and they could have marched dozens of miles without any problem, Zhang Liao still ordered his troops to set up camp.

This puzzled Dong Jun greatly.

Didn't they send troops beyond the pass to annihilate the Western Rong?
Judging from Zhang Liao's marching posture, it seems that he is intentionally slowing down the march.

The other generals also looked at Zhang Liao in confusion, and they all realized that Zhang Liao was deliberately delaying the march.

But what puzzled them most was where Huo Qubing and Zhao Yun had gone.

After the army left the pass, Huo Qubing handed over the command of the army to Zhang Liao, but Huo Qubing, along with Zhao Yun and the White Horse Cavalry, disappeared without a trace.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Liao glanced at Dong Jun and then at the other generals, saying, "You should all have noticed that I am deliberately slowing down the march."

"This was all arranged by General Huo. He told us not to rush into marching, but to first attract the attention of the Western Rong army."

Zhang Liao spoke first.

General Huo's arrangements?

Upon hearing Zhang Liao's words, Dong Jun, Hua Xiong, and the others all frowned.

I don't quite understand, what was Huo Qubing's intention in making this arrangement?

"General Zhang, what exactly are Marshal Huo's plans?"

"Since leaving the pass, General Huo and General Zhao have disappeared without a trace. Where did they go?"

Hua Xiong looked at Zhang Liao and couldn't help but ask.

Dong Jun and the others also looked at Zhang Liao with curiosity.

They were all very curious about what Huo Qubing's plans were and where he had gone.

Faced with the curious gazes of Hua Xiong and Dong Jun, Zhang Liao pondered for a moment and said, "General Huo has gone to the Western Rong capital. General Huo intends to conquer the Western Rong capital with a lightning war."

"Once the Western Rong capital is breached, the Western Rong army will collapse without a fight."

"The reason I didn't tell you before was because I was afraid that the Western Rong bandits would notice something amiss with General Huo's arrangements."

"Now, General Huo and his men should be arriving at the Western Rong capital soon."

Zhang Liao no longer concealed Huo Qubing and Zhao Yun's whereabouts and revealed them to them.

what?
Has Commander Huo gone to the Western Rong capital?

Upon hearing this, Dong Jun and the others were all taken aback.

"General Zhang, Commander Huo and his men only took three thousand cavalry to the Western Rong capital. Isn't that too risky?"

Dong Jun said with a solemn expression.

It should be noted that the Western Rong capital city is the stronghold of the Western Rong tribe, so its defenses are certainly not weak.

Huo Qubing and his men only brought three thousand White Horse Cavalry, so it wouldn't be easy for them to break through the Western Rong capital in a flash.

If anything goes wrong, Huo Qubing and his men will be surrounded by the Western Rong, and the consequences will be unimaginable.

Zhang Liao nodded; "It is somewhat risky, but this is the strategy devised by General Huo."

"However, the White Horse Cavalry is a rare elite cavalry force, and with General Zhao as their strong commander, a lightning-fast raid on the Western Rong capital should not be a problem."

Zhang Liao pondered for a moment before speaking.

……

Just as Zhang Liao, Hua Xiong, and Dong Jun were telling each other about Huo Qubing and his group's whereabouts, Huo Qubing and Zhao Yun were leading the White Horse Cavalry silently and rapidly heading towards the Western Rong capital.

"General Huo, we will be able to reach the Western Rong capital tomorrow."

"It's getting late now, and there's a valley just ahead. Shouldn't we rest here for a bit?"

A spy from the Eastern Depot dressed in Western Rong attire spoke to Huo Qubing.

Huo Qubing and Zhao Yun, leading their White Horse Cavalry, were able to advance silently towards the Western Rong capital thanks to the guidance of spies from the Eastern Depot.

Without the Eastern Depot spies leading the way, Huo Qubing and Zhao Yun would probably have had a hard time keeping their tracks from the Western Rong.

"Alright."

"We've been traveling for two days straight, it's time for a proper rest."

"There will be a battle waiting for us tomorrow."

Huo Qubing nodded, reined in his galloping horse, and slowed it down.

"Lead the way!"

Huo Qubing said something to the spies from the Eastern Depot.

The spies from the Eastern Depot nodded, spurred their horses forward, and led Huo Qubing and Zhao Yun into a small valley.

"Dismount and rest."

Upon entering the valley, Huo Qubing gave an order.

The three thousand White Horse Guards all dismounted and began to rest.

Meanwhile, Huo Qubing, Zhao Yun, and the Eastern Depot spy gathered together.

Huo Qubing glanced at the Eastern Depot spy and asked, "What is the current situation in the Western Rong capital? How many troops do they have? What is the state of the capital's defenses?"

Know yourself and the enemy, a hundred battles will never end.

Although Huo Qubing planned to launch a blitzkrieg attack on the Western Rong capital, he still needed to do some research beforehand.

"The atmosphere in the Western Rong capital is tense right now, and there aren't many troops defending it."

"Most of the Western Rong troops have been transferred to the Gobi Desert to block the army of our Great Zhou."

"This is the basic terrain of the Western Rong royal city, and some important defenses are marked out."

"General Huo, please take a look!"

The spies from the Eastern Depot produced a drawing and handed it to Huo Qubing.

Huo Qubing took the drawn blueprints and began to study them with Zhao Yun.

……

Southern Xinjiang.

Outside the South Gate.

The southern barbarian army stood in great numbers.

Inside the big tent.

The barbarian king sat in the main seat with a majestic expression.

Below sit nine fierce generals.

The Barbarian King glanced at the nine Barbarian generals below and said in a deep voice, "Our Barbarian tribe has mobilized all its troops to attack the South Gate Pass this time, not only to cooperate with the Western Rong and Northern Di, but also to avenge our Barbarian elder priest and the 300,000 Barbarian warriors who were burned to death in the Red Cliff Forest."

"Our barbarian priest cannot die in vain, our barbarian warriors cannot die in vain, we will make the Great Zhou pay the price."

"This time, the Great Zhou sent troops to the border, besieging the Western Rong and Northern Di. On the surface, it seems that it has little to do with our barbarian tribes."

"But in reality, you should know in your hearts that this is the Great Zhou's retaliation for our previous joint attack on the Great Zhou by the four tribes."

"If the Great Zhou destroys the Western Rong and the Northern Di, then it will be the next turn for our barbarian tribe."

"Therefore, this is why I agreed to let the Western Rong and Northern Di attack the South Gate Pass, and am willing to share the pressure on the Great Zhou with them."

"We barbarians are avenging those 300,000 barbarian warriors, and also saving ourselves," the barbarian king said in a low voice.

Previously, the barbarian army of 300,000 who entered the pass was completely wiped out in the Great Zhou, and even the barbarian priest and a barbarian general died in battle.

This was a devastating blow to the barbarians.

Originally, the barbarian king thought that he probably wouldn't have a chance to avenge the 300,000 barbarian warriors who had been wiped out in the short term.

But unexpectedly, messengers from the Western Rong and Northern Di arrived in the Southern Barbarian lands, bringing news that shocked even the Barbarian King.

The Great Zhou army marched out of the pass, fighting on two fronts against the Western Rong and the Northern Di.

At this moment, the Barbarian King realized that his opportunity had arrived.

The Great Zhou has used all its military strength to deal with the Western Rong and Northern Di, so wouldn't the Southern Barbarians take the opportunity to attack the Great Zhou?

This was for two reasons: first, to avenge the 300,000 Nanman warriors who had been wiped out, and second, to protect themselves.

The barbarian king knew very well that once the Great Zhou destroyed the Western Rong and Northern Di, the Great Zhou would definitely turn around and deal with his barbarian tribe as well.

Therefore, after receiving requests for help from both the Western Rong and the Northern Di, the barbarian king agreed to their conditions and mobilized all his forces to attack the South Gate Pass.

This would draw away the Zhou's military forces from the Western Rong and Northern Di, thus relieving some of the pressure.

“What Your Majesty says is true. Once the Great Zhou destroys the Western Rong and the Northern Di, then the Great Zhou will definitely turn around and deal with my Southern Barbarians.”

"It would be difficult for our barbarian tribe to withstand the Great Zhou."

"Now, the Great Zhou has sent troops out of the pass to fight on two fronts against the Western Rong and the Northern Di."

"Therefore, our barbarian tribe must not allow the Great Zhou to destroy the Western Rong and Northern Di, and should do our best to share the pressure on the Great Zhou for them."

"Otherwise, my barbarian tribe will also be in danger."

A rather handsome man nodded and said with a serious expression.

"That's right, now our barbarian tribe has mobilized all its forces and is at the gates of the South Gate."

"Tomorrow we will launch a full-scale attack on Nanmen Pass."

“Once the South Gate Pass is breached, the Zhennan Army will be unable to withstand our barbarian army and will definitely seek help from the Great Zhou Dynasty.”

"At that time, the Great Zhou court will only be able to recall a portion of the troops that were sent out to deal with the Western Rong and Northern Di."

"In this way, the pressure on the Western Rong and Northern Di will be relieved."

Another handsome man spoke up.

……

Just as the barbarian king and several barbarian generals were discussing the attack on the South Gate Pass.

South Gate Pass, on the gate wall.

King Zhou Zhan and Zhou Yu stood side by side, gazing at the vast army of southern barbarians beyond the pass.

"These damned barbarians actually dare to invade my South Gate Pass."

"You're really looking for death."

Looking at the massive army of southern barbarians standing tall outside the pass, King Zhou Zhan of Kaoshan spoke with a somewhat cold expression.

“These southern barbarians must have received news from the Western Rong and Northern Di, and know that our Great Zhou has sent troops outside the pass to deal with the Western Rong and Northern Di.”

"Therefore, they gathered a large army and besieged the south gate of my city."

"These southern barbarians are trying to take advantage of our misfortune!"

Zhou Yu looked at the Nanman army outside the pass and said.

Originally, Zhou Yu and Prince Kao Shan were both in Zhennan City, busy with some matters concerning the Zhennan Army.

But unexpectedly, Taishi Ci, who was stationed at Nanmen Pass, suddenly sent word that the Nanman army had invaded Nanmen Pass.

Zhou Yu and Prince Kaoshan then led the Zhennan Army to Nanmen Pass immediately.

“My godfather is Governor Zhou.”

"This barbarian army looks quite large, at least several times the size of my Zhennan Army."

"Shouldn't we ask the imperial court for help?"

Looking at the densely packed Southern Barbarian army outside the pass, Zhou Yi, standing to the side, asked the two, King Kao Shan Zhou Zhan and Zhou Yu, with a solemn expression.

The Zhennan Army suffered heavy casualties in the previous battle, almost crippling them.

Of the 300,000 troops stationed in Zhennan, only 100,000 remained.

Even after these days of conscription, not many new recruits have been called up.

In addition, troops were needed to garrison other cities and areas in the southern border region, so the number of troops available to be used at the South Gate Pass was less than 100,000.

But looking at the Nanman army outside the pass, it is definitely more numerous than the previous 300,000 Nanman army.

With such a huge disparity in troop strength, the South Gate Pass could be in danger without reinforcements.

Zhou Yu shook his head; "Not for now. Even if the Southern Barbarians' forces are several times ours, we have the strategic pass in our hands."

"The Southern Barbarians don't have much of an advantage in terms of military strength either."

"Furthermore, General Lü is now leading his army north out of Yanmen, while General Huo is leading his army west out of Yumen."

"The imperial court's military strength is also stretched thin."

Zhou Yu said.

With a formidable pass in hand, Zhou Yu could hold off even a force several times larger for the time being.

As long as we can hold off the Southern Barbarian army for a while, and once the great battle between the Western Rong and the Northern Di has concluded, the Southern Barbarian army will no longer be a threat.

Prince Zhou Zhan nodded in agreement; "Zhou Yu is right. The imperial army has now marched out of the two passes, and the main battlefield is in the Western Rong and Northern Di."

"Our main task here is defense. With the South Gate Pass in place, we just need to hold off the Southern Barbarian army's attack."

……

royal palace.

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Cao Zhengchun rushed into the Hall of Mental Cultivation with a letter in his hand.

"Your Majesty, news has arrived from outside Yanmen Pass."

"General Lü fought a great battle against the Northern Di army at Luofeng Slope, killed the Northern Di king, and defeated the Northern Di army."

Cao Zhengchun immediately presented the message in his hand to Zhou Chen.

"Oh!"

Zhou Chen's spirits lifted, and he immediately took the message from Cao Zhengchun's hand.

I opened it and glanced at it.

The message was short, containing only a few words.

But it was these few words that made Zhou Chen smile, something he rarely did.

"Hahaha, okay."

"With the death of the Northern Di King and the defeat of the Northern Di army, the fate of the Northern Di is sealed."

"The outcome for the Northern Barbarians is no longer in doubt."

Zhou Chen laughed and said.

Zhou Chen really didn't expect that Lü Bu would be the one to have the outcome first.

Originally, Zhou Chen thought that Huo Qubing's side would be the first to have a result!
Lu Bu gave him a surprise.

By killing the Northern Di king and defeating the Northern Di army, the Northern Di would become a disorganized mess, no longer able to resist the sweeping attack of the Great Zhou army.

It's only a matter of time before the Northern Barbarians are wiped out.

Has any news arrived from outside Yumen Pass?

Zhou Chen put down the message in his hand and looked at Cao Zhengchun, asking again.

Cao Zhengchun shook his head; "Not yet."

Zhou Chen pondered for a moment; "If there is any news from Huo Qubing's side, send it to me immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Cao Zhengchun bowed and said.

……

(End of this chapter)