On the other side, Huang Zhong, Gongsun Zan, and others led their four thousand soldiers southward, but changed course halfway according to the map and headed northeast.

After a difficult night's march, they finally arrived at the dense forest in the northwest of Youbeiping.

Looking at the dense forest in front of me, stretching for hundreds of miles from north to east, although it does not appear particularly steep or majestic, it is undulating from a distance, making it clear that traversing it would not be an easy task.

As the art of war says: Never enter a forest, never climb a lonely mountain.

However, Huang Zhong and his men, upon seeing the mountains and forests before them, dismounted without hesitation and led their horses and soldiers into the forest.

After entering the forest, Huang Zhong sent out a contingent of Imperial Guards soldiers with mountain training experience to scout ahead, with the main force following closely behind.

Treading on the thick layer of fallen leaves in the forest, the group led their warhorses slowly, their steps uneven. Although there was a scout team ahead, they could only find a barely passable path.

Even as the main force marched, soldiers and horses would occasionally slip and fall into pits covered with dead leaves or into sharp stones. Some would fall and get cuts and injuries, while others would break their legs or puncture their feet.

In just two hours of marching, more than a hundred soldiers had suffered minor injuries of varying degrees, and more than three hundred warhorses had lost their fighting ability.

Around noon, Huang Zhong ordered the entire army to halt their advance.

Then Huang Zhong took out a marching map that Huangfu Song had given him, and Gongsun Zan, Ma Teng, and Gongsun Du also gathered around.

"Gentlemen, according to the map, this mountain forest in front of us is about eighty miles wide from north to south. We need to cross this area within three days, and then travel more than two hundred miles along this road within four days to reach the ambush location!"

Gongsun Zan said in a deep voice, "We need to hurry. A day has already passed, and we have only traveled less than twenty li. We need to get out of the remaining sixty-odd li within two days!"

Ma Teng, standing to the side, frowned and said worriedly, "This road is really difficult to travel. We've already suffered varying degrees of damage during the day. If we try to travel at night without torches, the losses will be even greater!"

"Yes, we need to think of a way. If we continue at this rate of loss, by the time we get out of here, more than half of our brothers will probably be out of fighting strength! Even if we force our way to the ambush site, it will be too late!"

Huang Zhong also said with a solemn expression that he was not afraid of difficulties or sacrifices, but his only worry was that he and his brothers would sacrifice themselves in vain.

Yes, what should we do? How to speed up the march while minimizing losses is a huge challenge.

Huang Zhong and the other three sat together, their brows furrowed.

"I do have an idea, which might work!"

Not long after, Gongsun Du, who was usually taciturn, suddenly looked up at the other three.

"Oh? What's your plan, Shengji? Tell me quickly!"

Upon hearing this, Huang Zhong hurriedly sought advice from Gongsun Du, while Ma Teng and Gongsun Zan also looked at him with eager expressions.

"It's actually very simple. We just need to select two thousand vanguard soldiers to clear a path for our army to advance during the day! The two armies will take turns resting and advancing!"

Upon hearing Gongsun Du's suggestion, Huang Zhong and the other two nodded in agreement. While it was indeed a clumsy method to open roads through mountains and build bridges over rivers, it was the best option at present.

Huang Zhong nodded. "Alright, let's do it Shengji's way! Bo Gui, what do you think, Shou Cheng?"

"Alright! It seems like this is the only way right now."

Gongsun Zan and Ma Teng nodded in agreement.

Then Gongsun Zan spoke up, saying, "I grew up in the north and often roam the mountains and forests. I'll take care of clearing the way!"

"Yes, and me too!" Gongsun Du hurriedly added.

Huang Zhong glanced at Gongsun Zan, who had stepped forward, with surprise, then nodded.

"Very well, the task of clearing the road will be left to Bo Gui and Sheng Ji! The rest will be left to me and Shou Cheng!"

The four then had a series of detailed discussions on how to clear the road as quickly as possible and on issues such as night marching.

Just as Huang Zhong and his three companions were discussing the matter, their four thousand soldiers, having eaten and drunk their fill and fed their horses, eagerly found a place, closed their eyes, and soon the sound of snoring filled the forest.

Since they arrived in Yuyang from Luoyang more than ten days ago, they have been marching from early morning until evening every day without interruption.

They finally arrived at Yuyang, but then received an urgent imperial edict. They rushed to Huangfu Song's camp and rested for less than half a day before setting off again overnight. They marched for eight hours before finally arriving here. They were so tired!

Before long, Gongsun Du and Gongsun Zan arrived in front of the soldiers. Looking at the sleeping brothers, Gongsun Du showed a hint of reluctance.

"Bo Gui!"

Gongsun Du looked at Gongsun Zan beside him, and Gongsun Zan sighed softly before nodding.

The two then ordered their respective guards to wake up the sleeping soldiers one by one.

Before long, the soldiers of the Yueqi and Tunqi battalions rubbed their eyes, yawned, and gathered together listlessly.

Looking at the soldiers standing crookedly before them, Gongsun Du and Gongsun Zan exchanged a glance.

Gongsun Zan stepped forward, surveyed the assembled soldiers, and his sharp gaze slowly swept across each of their faces. Those soldiers who felt Gongsun Zan's gaze immediately straightened their posture and roused themselves.

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