My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

"Could it be that the big-eared thief has been attacking for several days, but seeing that Huguan is as solid as a rock and he hasn't been able to take a single soldier, he's now afraid of losing his soldiers and has given up on a full-scale attack today?"

Song Xian, standing beside him, made this guess with a rather optimistic expression.

The doubt on Xiahou Dun's face faded slightly, and he nodded:

"It's not impossible. In the past few days, the Big Ear Bandit has lost more than 2,000 men in the fierce attack. It would be reasonable for him to stop the attack for the time being if he couldn't take the lead."

Song Xian and other generals echoed his sentiments, and their mood relaxed for a moment.

Only Guo Huai stared intently at the retreating Han army, his brow furrowed with deep suspicion.

"Boji, have you perhaps noticed something?"

Xiahou Dun knew that Guo Huai was scheming and couldn't help but worry.

Guo Huai coughed lightly and cupped his hands in greeting:
"Reporting to the General, I was just thinking that Liu Bei's invasion with the entire army of the country clearly indicates that he intends to take Bingzhou at all costs."

"Although the Han army has suffered setbacks for several days, it has lost only more than two thousand men. Given the current strength of the Han army, this number of casualties is just a drop in the ocean."

"Would Liu Bei really give up his attack on Huguan Pass just because of this small loss?"

"My intuition tells me that Liu Bei's retreat was not for this reason."

Xiahou Dun felt a chill run down his spine.

"What does Boji think the big-eared bandit is plotting by retreating without attacking?"

Song Xian, however, was not so nervous and immediately asked a question in return.

Guo Huai was speechless.

After a pause, he shook his head and said:

"Liu Bei's use of troops has always been cunning and unpredictable, so how could I possibly predict his movements?"

Song Xian gave a cold laugh and said dismissively:
"That big-eared thief's military tactics are mediocre at best, but the one who is cunning and full of ingenious schemes is Xiao He."

"But now the Big Ears bandit has abandoned Xiao He and ordered him to inspect grain in Henan. Since he can't pass Huguan, what kind of surprise tactics or tricks can Liu Bei use?"

Guo Huai's body trembled slightly as he suddenly remembered this matter.

Xiahou Dun's tense nerves immediately relaxed, and he stroked his fine beard and nodded, saying:
“Bo Ming is right. The only thing that the big-eared thief relies on is Xiao He.”

"With Xiao He gone, the rest are not a concern."

"I refuse to believe that if we hold the fortified city and don't come out, what kind of schemes or tricks can that big-eared thief come up with!"

Guo Huai had no rebuttal and could only remain silent.

"However, although Xiao Ze is not here, the likes of Pang Tong are not ordinary people. We must not underestimate them."

Xiahou Dun changed the subject, saying:

"By my order, send out more scouts and spies to closely monitor the movements of the Big Ear Bandit, and report any unusual activity immediately."

"Furthermore, send messengers to inform the garrison commanders of Jingxing and Pingcheng, ordering them to hold their ground and not venture out, lest they fall into the trap set by the big-eared thief. Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"

Although Xiahou Dun was optimistic, he clearly dared not underestimate the enemy and had no choice but to issue another strict order to hold firm and not come out.

After all, in previous encounters with Liu Bei, he had fallen for Liu Bei's traps countless times, ultimately leading to disastrous defeats.

In this battle to defend Bingzhou, Xiahou Dun was determined. Even if he witnessed Liu Bei being killed by a stray arrow, he would never be greedy for merit and rush out of the pass to fight.

"Boji, are you at ease with my arrangements?"

After the orders from all the officials were issued, Xiahou Dun stroked his fine beard and looked at Guo Huai.

Guo Huai had to admit that Xiahou Dun truly deserved to be called the Great General of Wei, and his ability to command troops was undeniable.

This plan was undoubtedly meticulous and prudent.

Guo Huai, however, frowned, a sense of unease creeping into his heart.

He just couldn't quite put his finger on what was causing his unease.

After hesitating for a while, Guo Huai was about to speak. Just then...

Deputy General Wen Hui, looking flustered and panting, climbed up the city wall.

"General, something terrible has happened! Jiguan Pass has fallen!"

Before Wen Hui could catch his breath, he cried out in a trembling voice.

The people on the city wall instantly changed color.

Xiahou Dun was greatly surprised and hurriedly asked:

"What did you say? Where was the defense breached?"

Wen Hui swallowed hard, presented a report soaked in sweat, and said in a trembling voice:

"This is an urgent report just sent from Hedong. A Han army of about 7,000 men suddenly appeared in Hanoi County and launched a surprise attack on Jiguan Pass."

"Both Xiahou Wei and Hou Cheng were killed in battle, and the defending army was completely wiped out."

"After the Han army broke through the pass, it immediately marched west and invaded the heart of my Hedong Commandery."

"According to the intelligence, the commander of the army is very likely Xiao He, the Grand Marshal of the pseudo-Han dynasty!"

Rumbling--

It was like a thunderbolt descending from the sky, striking the top of Jiguan Pass.

From Xiahou Dun to his generals like Guo Huai, and even his soldiers, everyone swayed and turned pale with fright.

"This is impossible, impossible--"

Xiahou Dun snatched the urgent report from Wen Hui's hand, frantically unfolded it, his eyes wide with disbelief.

The writing is clear in black and white.

With the fall of Jiguan Pass and the execution of Xiahou Wei, the Han army advanced westward, and Hedong was in dire need of help…

"How could this happen? How is this possible?"

"Didn't that big-eared thief fall for our divisive tactics? He didn't use Xiao He in this battle, and instead sent that traitor to inspect the grain supplies in Henan?"

"Why would he suddenly lead his army to launch a surprise attack on my Jiguan Pass?"

"Will...he just killed him like that?"

"This, this, this..."

Xiahou Dun's face was as pale as paper, beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and he muttered incoherently to himself, momentarily stunned and disoriented.

This Wei general was indeed stunned by this shocking bad news.

The fall of Jiguan Pass, Xiao He's sudden appearance, and the murder of his good nephew—this series of dramatic changes was completely beyond his comprehension!
"General, we may have fallen into Liu Bei's trap, a scheme to deceive the heavens!"

Guo Huai was the first to recover from the shock, taking a deep breath and speaking with a solemn expression.

Xiahou Dun shuddered and looked at Guo Huai blankly.

"Huai guessed that Liu Bei knew that the three passes of Huguan, Jingxing and Pingcheng would be difficult to attack, and that his chances of winning by attacking Bingzhou from the east to the west were slim."

"Therefore, while openly sending three armies to attack our three passes, they secretly plotted a surprise attack on Ji Pass to seize Hedong, intending to attack Bingzhou from south to north from Hedong!"

"Going north from the Yellow River, the terrain is relatively flat, and there is the convenience of water transport along the Fen River, which will make it easier to give full play to the Han army's numerical advantage and greatly increase the chances of capturing Bingzhou!"

"His Majesty is wary of Xiao He and tries to sow discord between Liu Bei and Xiao He. Liu Bei then plays along, pretending to be suspicious of Xiao He and sending him south to inspect the grain, so that we will be less vigilant."

"The Han Kingdom secretly mobilized troops along the Qingzhou line, transporting them by grain ships up the river westward. Under the secret command of Xiao He, they marched day and night straight to Henan to launch a surprise attack on our Jiguan Pass!"

"We only thought that Liu Bei was going to attack Bingzhou from the east to the west, and that he had left less than two thousand troops to guard Jiguan Pass and was not vigilant enough. So how could Xiao He personally lead the army to launch a surprise attack and easily defeat them?"

Guo Huai's voice trembled more and more as he spoke, and finally, based on the available intelligence, he deduced Xiao He's entire plan.

Xiahou Dun gasped, his mouth agape, his eyes wide open, and he froze into an ice sculpture. (End of Chapter)