"So what should we do next?"

Dong Zhuo merely shrugged at Yuan Shao's actions, saying nothing more, but instead inquired about the next steps.

Yuan Shao thought for a moment and then said, "Judging from the current situation, the Xiongnu obviously want to take Cheshi first, establish a foothold there, and then attack Gaochang to open up the route to the south."

"Right now, we must head to Gaochang immediately and reunite with General Zhang Xiu!"

Dong Zhuo frowned: "Then what about the charioteer at the front?"

Yuan Shao smiled and said, "Don't worry, the Xiongnu won't attack this place!"

"Oh? How can you be so sure?"

Dong Zhuo was slightly taken aback and looked at Yuan Shao with some confusion.

Yuan Shao picked up the two secret letters and said in a deep voice, "The Xiongnu were driven to the Western Regions by Tan Shihuai, and they must be eager to find a foothold there."

The rear chariots were undoubtedly the most suitable target for the rear, and it was impossible for Xie Zhi to abandon the rear to attack the front chariots.

Dong Zhuo nodded: "Hmm, that's true. Xie Zhiyu also knows that there are 10,000 Han soldiers stationed here. It's basically impossible for him to take this place!"

Yuan Shao nodded: "That's right, so the Xiongnu's target is not the front chariots, but the rear chariots!"

"According to this letter from Che Xiang, the Xiongnu suddenly appeared on the eastern border of the Later Cheshi, which means that the Xiongnu must have arrived there in a short period of time."

It should be noted that there are more than a dozen small countries in the eastern part of the rear, and even if the speed is fast, they will have to be attacked one by one.

Therefore, if Xie Zhi wanted to reach the eastern part of Houhou Cheshi in a short time, the only option was to divide his forces and attack those small countries.

The reason why Xie Zhiyu asked Hou Cheshi for provisions was simply to buy time and wait for the main army to assemble.

As for the agreement to jointly send troops...

Yuan Shao paused for a moment, then said, "This is clearly a trap set by Xie Zhiyu to lure the enemy out of the city and annihilate them. It is much easier than attacking the city."

"So that's how it is. I didn't expect that Xie Zhiyu would also learn to use tricks?"

After listening to Yuan Shao's analysis, Dong Zhuo suddenly understood and began to think more highly of this Left Wise King.

Yuan Shao smiled and shook his head: "He's fought with Tan Shihuai for so many years and suffered so many losses, it's not surprising that he'd learned something!"

"Haha~, that makes sense. Isn't this a case of becoming a doctor through long-term illness?"

Upon hearing this, Dong Zhuo burst into laughter.

Yuan Shao raised an eyebrow: "That's one way to understand it!"

Dong Zhuo then said, "In that case, let's set off quickly. There are only 10,000 men of Zhang Xiu in Gaochang. If the Xiongnu take over Houcheshi and suddenly advance south, it will be dangerous."

Yuan Shao said, "Before we go to Gaochang, we should send a letter back to Che Xiang and tell him to wait there. Otherwise, if he senses something is wrong and suddenly comes over, we'll have to figure out how to settle him!"

Whether it was Houcheshi or other Western Region states, the Han Dynasty's plan was to use the Xiongnu to eliminate their royal families, nobles, and a large number of men, turning them into unclaimed lands.

Therefore, even if only one of those officials or nobles is left behind, they could still be used to achieve success again.

Yuan Shao had finally gotten a chance to act independently, so naturally he wouldn't allow any potential problems to arise.

Upon hearing this, Dong Zhuo waved his hand dismissively: "That's a matter for you scholars, I, Old Dong, don't care. Call me when you're ready to execute someone!"

With that, Dong Zhuo stood up, his belly, which had grown fat again, bobbing as he walked out.

Watching Dong Zhuo's departing figure, Yuan Shao smiled and shook his head. He then took out paper and pen and wrote a reply to Che Xiang.

In the letter, Yuan Shao promised to make him the new king and ordered him to lead his army to defend the capital of Houcheshi to the death, awaiting the Han army.

After sending the letter out, Yuan Shao ordered his army to set off for Gaochang.

April 18th.

Just as Yuan Shao and others entered Gaochang, Xie Zhiyu also led an army of 60,000 out of the camp and headed southwest towards Dinghe, making it seem as if he really wanted to attack Qiancheshi.

Seeing this, the rear chariot commander no longer hesitated and immediately dispatched Che Dan to lead 20,000 rear chariot soldiers to follow closely behind.

A day later, Xie Zhiyu's army arrived at a plain north of the Ding River, a place most suitable for cavalry warfare.

Xie Zhiyu observed the surrounding terrain, glanced at the rushing river to the south, smiled slightly, and then made a hand gesture to one of his personal guards beside him.

"Pass down the order: the army shall set up camp here!"

"yes!"

The guard responded loudly, and then turned his horse and rode away.

Soon, the Xiongnu army stopped advancing and began to busy itself with other tasks.

Setting up camp was nothing more than choosing an open space, pitching a tent, and that was it. There were no necessary facilities such as walls, gates, or arrow towers.

After all, the Xiongnu were accustomed to a nomadic lifestyle, unlike the Han army, which had a clear division of labor and cooperation among laborers, cooks, grooms, and engineers.

Within about an hour, the Xiongnu had erected a dense array of tents along the Ding River.

Upon seeing this, the car following behind sent someone to inquire, and without giving it much thought, also ordered a halt.

It wasn't until sunset that Xie Zhiyu gave the order for all soldiers to prepare.

As night fell, the Xiongnu, along with their vassal troops, quietly left their camp and surrounded the Cheshi camp.

The Xiongnu's actions naturally alerted many soldiers in the Later Cheshi.

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