Today, Liu Wei's military intelligence network is very comprehensive.

The intelligence department is well-organized, with three hundred registered members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The number of secret agents serving the intelligence department has reached thousands or even more.

They have a special identity, their actions are unpredictable, and they have unique ways of communicating.

It is quite possible that an ordinary peddler, or even a prostitute, could be a secret agent of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Under Yao Guangxiao's guidance, the Intelligence Division was divided into five intelligence gathering agencies: the Northeast Division, the Northwest Division, the Southwest Division, the Central Plains Division, and the Southeast Division. They were scattered throughout the Han Dynasty, constantly transmitting any news or developments back to the Hetao region.

Meanwhile, there were also two permanent agencies stationed in Hetao: the Suspended Mirror Office and the Military Strategist Office.

The Suspended Mirror Bureau was responsible for monitoring internal officials in the Hetao, Hexi, and Western Regions areas, while the Military Strategist Bureau was mainly responsible for screening and analyzing military intelligence.

The situation of Dong Zhuo's group in Bingzhou and Ding Yuan's group in Liangzhou, which were separated from Hetao and Hexi, was naturally the first thing the Embroidered Uniform Guard needed to know.

In particular, Liu Wei has drawn Shen Lian's close attention to the Dong Zhuo Group.

Not to mention the generals under his command, the Embroidered Uniform Guard had a very clear understanding of how many concubines each of these generals had.

Dong Zhuo had Li Ru as a civil official, Niu Fu as a military commander, Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, Fan Chou (the four great generals), Xu Rong, Li Meng, Wang Fang, and other valiant generals.

In addition, there were generals such as Dong Yue and Dong Min. Jia Xu should still be a minor official under Niu Fu at this time, and has not yet shown his talents.

Naturally, Hua Xiong, Dong Zhuo's most formidable general, and the captains and prefects in Liu Wei's camp were also very familiar with him.

When Zhang Liao heard that Hua Xiong had arrived in Huanyang with his troops, he immediately guessed Hua Xiong's intentions.

Needless to say, it must be Zhenlin, which faces Guluo City from afar.

The cities of Guluo and Zhenlin are located at the border of the three prefectures of Shuofang, Xihe, and Shang, making their strategic positions quite important.

Liu Wei ordered Zhang Liao to garrison Guluo City instead of advancing into Zhenlin.

It contains a certain degree of political wisdom.

The agreement between Liu Wei and Dong Zhuo has been nullified, but the two are not yet at the point of formally declaring war.

Liu Wei still needs to have two plans.

This trip to Luoyang to attend to the ailing emperor also had the important objective of securing the throne.

But the road ahead is still difficult.

After all, the primogeniture system is deeply entrenched, and Liu Wei's attempt to seize the throne would require considerable effort to legitimize.

Liu Bian, along with his maternal relatives from the He family and a host of powerful clans, would certainly not agree to this.

It was still necessary to continue nurturing the corrupt elements and waiting for Dong Zhuo to seize power.

Therefore, it is not advisable to have a large-scale conflict with Dong Zhuo at this time.

This is why Liu Wei did not allow Zhang Liao to advance into Zhenlin.

In addition, Zhang Liao's army marched south along the Straight Road.

The straight road is located outside the Great Wall of Qin, in the territory where the Qiang people were active.

Even if Dong Zhuo asks, the blame can be placed on the Qiang people.

"Let's investigate further, but we must maintain our distance and try to avoid direct confrontation!"

Zhang Liao frowned and gave the order.

Their main task as cavalry was to first destroy the stronghold of the Corpse-Boned Bone Tribe, and then cover the caravan; everything else could wait.

"Here you go!"

The scouts galloped away, and Zhang Liao ordered the army to continue its march.

Since Hua Xiong wants to go to Zhenlin, let him go!

Guluo City is guarded by a garrison of 3,000 spearmen and 100 catapults, and has ample food supplies.

As long as we defend the city, we have nothing to fear even if Hua Xiong comes to provoke us.

If he dares to launch the first attack, Zhang Liao will lead his cavalry back to reinforce, and Hua Xiong will definitely not be able to withstand it.

After the five thousand cavalrymen had been traveling for some time, a scout hurriedly came to report again.

"General, after the Bingzhou army set off from Huanyang, they split into two groups after crossing the Tuwei River, one heading north and the other west."

"This force heading west seems to be heading towards our main army."

Zhang Liao's eyes turned cold: "Let him come. If he dares to attack us, we will make sure he doesn't leave alive."

Immediately issue the order to remain vigilant.

After traveling for a while, suddenly the sound of horses' hooves arose from the east, and large groups of cavalry appeared in the distant desert.

"Form ranks!"

At the command, two thousand Beiwei soldiers took the center position, while three thousand light cavalry flanked them on the left and right.

Zhang Liao stood in front, holding a long halberd.

At this time, Zhang Liao was still in his growth period, and his martial arts skills were gradually being honed in battle.

In the novel, Zhang Liao uses the Yellow Dragon Hooked Scythe, but some unofficial histories say it's the Heaven-Asking Spear!

However, historical records indicate that Zhang Liao did indeed use a long halberd.

Presumably, he was influenced by what he saw and heard while working with Lü Bu, who certainly gave him a lot of guidance.

In that case, it seems more reasonable for Zhang Liao to use a long halberd.

Moreover, after Zhang Liao submitted to Liu Wei, he encountered Xue Rengui, who also used a halberd.

How could the diligent and studious Zhang Liao miss such a good opportunity to learn?

Therefore, his halberd skills must have improved by leaps and bounds.

As Zhang Liao and his five thousand cavalrymen stood ready, Hua Xiong led three thousand Flying Bear Army cavalrymen in a surging attack.

Having clearly seen the enemy's flag, Hua Xiong naturally wouldn't launch an attack rashly.

Before leading their troops, Dong Zhuo and Li Ru both instructed them to guard Zhenlin and avoid conflict with Liu Wei's forces as much as possible.

When Hua Xiong led his troops on a night march and arrived at Huanyang, a scout came to report.

An army from the Hetao region appeared on the Qin Straight Road outside the Great Wall.

This alerted Hua Xiong. What were they planning to do? Were they here to seize Shangjun?

If they seize Shangjun, wouldn't Hua Xiong be attacked from behind in Zhenlin?

Furthermore, the army from the Hetao region has already infiltrated this area. Does that mean the Xiongnu people in Guluo City are gone?

Hua Xiong immediately divided his troops into two groups. His deputy generals Li Meng and Wang Fang led two thousand men to Zhenlin to take over the defense and find out the true situation of Guluo City.

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