Cao Jun's troops retreat!

  When Guan Ping led his troops to sweep over quickly, Liu Xuan had already come down from the mountain ridge with a faint smile on his face.

  Zhou Cang was busy leading his troops to sweep the battlefield, gather the defeated army and collect military equipment and supplies.

  Liu Xuan saw Guan Ping rush over so quickly with his troops, and couldn't help but feel a little surprised and also a bit relieved.

  Guan Ping's expression relaxed and he let out a sigh of relief. Liu Xuan couldn't help but tease him, saying: "Hey, General Guan, you're quite impressive today!"

  Look at Liu Xuan's triumphant smile, Guan Ping stepped forward and threw a punch, saying in a harsh tone: "Hmph, you little brat can be proud of yourself now, let's see what you'll do when you return to Suiping."

  "Good grief, look at my memory." Liu Xuan slapped his forehead and looked at Guan Ping with wide eyes, saying: "Brother Ping, how's Father? Is he alright?"

  "Hmm... Uncle. Hmm... it seems..." Guan Ping hesitated for a moment, and Liu Xuan's heart skipped a beat - could it be that his father...?

  Liu Xuanyi's mind was in a rush, her expression somewhat anxious and uncertain. She stepped forward, grasping Guan Ping's clothes and said: "Guan Ge, speak up! Is father... is father..."

  Seeing Liu Xuan's worried expression, Guan Ping felt a bit embarrassed and immediately said: "What are you thinking about? Eldest Uncle is fine. He was injured, but Father has already escorted him back to Suiping."

  "Ah, you scared me to death!" Liu Xuan finally spat out a mouthful of turbid air, and in an instant, he suddenly glared at Guan Ping with annoyance: "Then why were you stuttering just now?"

  "What does it mean? Hmm? Is it pure heart and air?"

  "Hey, want to whet your appetite? Who told you to come up with this play without even giving me a heads up?" Guan Ping's tone was somewhat gloomy, and he said harshly: "If Father hadn't noticed something was off with the feathered arrows, I reckon we'd still be in the dark."

  He immediately looked at Liu Xuan with a slightly jealous gaze and said sullenly, "What's wrong with your brain? How could you come up with such a ghostly idea?"

  Liu Xuan heard this and burst out laughing, mysteriously hooking his finger, Guan Ping rolled her eyes, putting her ear on Liu Xuan's lips, but what Liu Xuan said made Guan Ping furious, flames rising to three feet!

  "Ping Ge, there's nothing we can do about it, it's just the way things are... Ah, not like you, brother! Your muscles are really developed..." Liu Xuan's tone was somewhat regretful, yet also somewhat...

  "Liu Xuan, you stand still, I'm going to duel with you." Guan Ping's face turned red with rage as he shouted.

  "Hah... wanting to duel with me, isn't that just seeking death? Xuan isn't stupid, but your skin is unusually thick! With your small arms and legs, you dare to mention dueling?" Liu Xuan couldn't win in a fight, but he always had the upper hand when it came to words.

  After a brief scuffle with Liu Xuan... Guan Ping and Liu Xuan stood quietly to the side, watching as the army cleared the battlefield.

  Guan Ping glanced at Liu Xuan, who was beaming with joy, and muttered to himself: "How come I couldn't think of such a good plan? Could it be that my brain is really different from this kid's?"

  **

  Cao Jun's large camp commander, Xiahou Yuan's face was gloomy, his eyes seemed to have two flames, staring at Jia Ying kneeling on one knee for a long time without speaking.

  The atmosphere in the account seems to be a bit solidified, somewhat oppressive. Everyone in the big account is watching with their eyes on their noses, breathing carefully, and staring at the main seat Xiahou Yuan and the single-knee kneeling Jia Ying without speaking.

  At this time, silence is the best policy.

  Half a moment later, Xiahou Dun seemed unaccustomed to this quiet and terrifying atmosphere, and he coughed slightly.

  Suddenly, a sharp gaze swept across Xiahou Dun's body, and Xiahou Dun involuntarily paused. He looked at his younger cousin Xiahou Yuan with a fierce stare, and his face couldn't help but flush red as he weakly said: "I've had a bit of a cough lately... it's just a bit of a cough..."

  Xiahou Dun was fine as long as he didn't speak, but when Li Dian, Li Tong and Zhu Ling suddenly burst out laughing.

  "What are you laughing at? Is coughing a crime?" Xiahou Dun glared with his one eye, his face having turned bright red without him realizing it, and continued to loudly argue.

  "Is it so funny?" Xiahou Yuan said with a faint glance at the crowd of generals.

  "No, no, no..." The crowd's hearts skipped a beat as they suddenly thought that General Miao had been harboring a pent-up anger with nowhere to vent.

  At this thought, all the generals shook their heads left and right like a drumstick, unanimous!

  Jia Lian's eyes suddenly widened as he gazed at his adopted son, who was kneeling on the ground with a shameful expression. He let out a sigh in his heart, thinking to himself: "This adopted son of mine indeed has great potential, but still lacks experience and strategic thinking."

  At that moment, Jia Xu felt a gaze sweeping over his body. He looked up to see Xiahou Yuan looking at him intentionally or unintentionally. Jia Xu let out a faint sigh... Looking at his adopted son, Jia Xu slowly stood up and bowed to Xiahou Yuan, saying: "General Miao, Jia Ying's incompetence in battle allowed Liu Bei and Guan Yu to escape, which is a serious crime. However, since it was his first offense, I hope you will let him make amends for his mistake. Is that acceptable?"

  The generals heard this and understood in their hearts... A slight punishment would be enough to settle the matter.

  As expected, Xiahou Yuan blinked his eyes and glanced at Jia Ying who was kneeling on the ground, not daring to move. He said: "Jia Ying, I will spare your life for killing enemies, but you can't escape punishment. I'll give you 50 lashes, do you have any complaints?"

  Xiahou Yuan's tone was cold and severe, his eyes devoid of any warmth as he asked in an icy voice.

  Jia Yong bowed his head and said to Xiahou Yuan: "I, the junior general, will obey orders and dare not utter any complaints. Thank you, General, for sparing my life."

  Xiahou Yuan nodded slightly and waved his hand. Two guards immediately took Jia Ying away to be executed, as a punishment for his mistake.

  Watching Jia Ying's departing back, Xiahou Yuan slowly spoke: "Lü Shao actually defected... It was Lü Shao who was wronged by me."

  Suddenly, Xiahou Yuan mentioned Lu Zhao, and Xiahou Dun burst out in anger, saying: "Damn it, if it weren't for that traitor Lu Zhao, Liu Bei and Guan Yu might have died at the hands of Jia Xu..."

  "General, have you sent someone back to Xudu to fetch Lu Zhaoyi's family?"

  "Very well, you go and handle it first......" Xiahou Yuan continued: "Although Mr. Wenhe's plan has been successful, strictly speaking, it has only succeeded half way, our ultimate goal is to eliminate Liu Bei..."

  "...was rescued by Guan Yu..."

  His gaze swept over Xiahou Dun and Li Dian, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes. Xiahou Dun and Li Dian raised their heads, not daring to look straight at Xiahou Yuan.

  Xiahou Yuan hummed and said, "Zhang Fei led the army to retreat back to Suiping. Now he must have joined forces with Liu Bei." After speaking, Xiahou Yuan looked at Jia Xu and asked, "Mr. Wenhe, do you think we should send out a large army to attack Suiping?"

  "Is General Xiaoshi planning to eliminate Liu Bei or seeking revenge for personal reasons?" Jia Xu asked calmly.

  Xiahou Yuan's expression remained unchanged, his sharp eyes fixed on Jia Xu as he said calmly, "What do you mean, Mr. Wenhe?"

  The officers in the account also looked at Jia Yu with an unfavorable expression. Jia Yu smiled slightly and stood up to walk beside the map. Jia Yu gazed at the northern part of the map and said slowly, "Gentlemen, have you forgotten how Liu Bei came from?"

  "Is Mr. Wen talking about Yuan Benchu?" Xiahou Xuan's eyes suddenly condensed, and he frowned and said in a low voice.

  "Yuan Shao?" The officers in the tent all felt a sudden chill in their hearts and concentrated their attention to listen.

  Although Yuan Shao was a man of constant scheming, he was indecisive and favored the aristocracy while looking down on those of humble origins. However, for four generations, the Yuans had produced three high-ranking officials, and their retainers were spread all over the empire.

  There are many capable generals and wise ministers under his command. Compared to the four pillars of Hebei, there are also people like Ji Yi and others who are all good at fighting and strategizing. The four great civil officials are also superior in strategy and cleverness, decisive and effective.

  It must not be underestimated.

  Xiahou Yuan and other generals looked at the map with furrowed brows, their faces filled with deep worry.

  Xiahou Dun was always a hot-headed person, and he immediately looked at Jia Xu with a burning question: "Mr. Wenhe, in your opinion, will Yuan Shao take this opportunity to launch an all-out war?"

  Jia Xu smiled slightly, stroking his beard as he gazed at the map, seemingly muttering to himself: "If I were Yuan Shao, I would lead the elite troops and powerful generals of several northern states, step by step, forcing our lord to engage in a decisive battle."

  "But what about Yuan Shao? Rushing to achieve merit and righteousness, one must know that if you rush, you won't succeed. In the end, this battle will surely be a great victory for our lord." Jia Xu slightly shook his head and said lightly.

  "Sir, shall we defeat Liu Bei again and return to Xuchang or not?"

  "Our army has been here for several days with Liu Bei..." Jia Xu narrowed his eyes and smiled, saying: "General Miao... do you know if we can defeat Liu Bei in a short period of time?"

  Xiahou Yuan was taken aback, slightly hesitated, and then shook his head and sighed: "It can't be done."

  "Does Mr. Wen think that Yuansheng should return to Xudu at this moment?"

  "Heh heh, General Miao has his own plans in mind, why ask me again?" Jia Xu said with a smile, looking at Xiahou Yuan.

  "Cough... isn't this what you wanted to hear, Mr.? After all, our army hasn't won or lost yet, it's a draw..." Xiahou Yuan shook his head and said solemnly.

  "General Miao Cai, this time our lord is likely to leave you in Xudu to guard it!"

  "Huh? What does the gentleman mean?"

  "Does the general need to ask me?"

  "Hmm?..." Xiahou Yuan nodded thoughtfully and summoned a messenger, shouting: "Go, sound the horn to gather the great army and quickly return to Xuchang."