The panic in Youzhou City did not subside despite Han Yanshou recalling three thousand reinforcements.
This posture of "increasing vigilance" only makes the situation seem more like an attempt to cover up the truth.
The rumors circulating among the common people became increasingly exaggerated, with some even claiming that Zhao Muyun possessed sorcery, could command ghosts and gods, and that his soldiers were invulnerable celestial warriors.
One bad news after another:
Arakhan ran back and forth along the banks of the Xutuo River like a madman, but he could not find the exact location of Zhao Muyun's main force.
Instead, due to their impatience and rashness, they suffered several minor losses and lost a considerable number of riders.
Although Juyongguan on the western front was still holding out, urgent dispatches were pouring in, indicating that the pressure they were under was increasing.
What alarmed him even more was that small-scale riots began to break out in the city, with deserters and thugs taking the opportunity to loot.
Although it was swiftly suppressed, it undoubtedly exacerbated the atmosphere of unrest.
"My lord!" A seasoned advisor earnestly advised Han Yanshou, "The situation is unclear, Zhao Muyun's whereabouts are a mystery, and our army's morale is low."
"Youzhou is the foundation, and cannot be lost. To be on the safe side, should we... withdraw all the troops from the last few camps outside the city back into the city?"
"Concentrate all our forces to ensure the absolute safety of Youzhou!"
"Withdraw all troops outside the city?" Han Yanshou abruptly looked up, his eyes bloodshot. This meant completely abandoning field battles and turning Youzhou into an isolated city!
"This is an extremely conservative and dangerous strategy. If we get surrounded, the consequences will be unimaginable."
"But... what if we don't retreat? Zhao Muyun is elusive; who knows if he'll suddenly appear and wipe out those relatively isolated troops outside the city?"
"Isn't the lesson from Heifengyu profound enough?"
Just as Han Yanshou was hesitating, an even more explosive piece of news arrived.
Some defeated soldiers fled back from the west, confidently declaring that Juyong Pass... had already fallen!
The gate was blasted open by a demonic weapon that could explode!
This news was like the last straw that broke the camel's back!
Han Yanshou's last psychological defense completely collapsed.
The fall of Juyong Pass means that the western gateway to Youzhou is wide open, and the Hedong army can advance unimpeded!
Furthermore, Zhao Muyun's main force, which appears and disappears unpredictably, is nearby...
Youzhou is in dire straits!
"Retreat! We're retreating to Youzhou! Quickly! Close all four gates. No one is to enter or leave without my order!"
Han Yanshou practically roared as he gave the order, his face deathly pale and his back soaked in cold sweat.
At this moment, only one thought remained in his mind: defend Youzhou City!
As long as the city stands, there is still hope!
As for open field battles and joint attacks with Arahan, he had long since forgotten about them.
With Han Yanshou's order, the last Northern Di garrison outside Youzhou City retreated into the city like a tide.
The heavy city gates slammed shut, the drawbridge was raised, and the city walls were densely packed with soldiers, arrows and crossbows nocked, and piles of logs and stones piled up like mountains.
They appeared as if facing a formidable enemy, determined to live or die with the city.
However, they did not know that the news about the fall of Juyong Pass was also one of the rumors carefully planned by Zhao Muyun.
The so-called "defeated soldiers" were nothing more than scouts under Tang Yanhai who were skilled at disguise.
The goal was to deliver the final blow to the indecisive Han Yanshou, forcing him to make a decision to completely withdraw.
When Tang Yanhai relayed the news that "the four gates of Youzhou are tightly closed and there is not a single Northern Di soldier left outside the city," Zhao Muyun, who was hiding in a dense forest thirty miles south of Youzhou, finally breathed a long sigh of relief and a relieved smile appeared on his face.
"It's a success!"
He glanced around at his equally excited generals, "That old tortoise Han Yanshou has finally shrunk his head and limbs into his shell! Now, we can roam freely around the outskirts of Youzhou!"
Xi Sheng clapped his hands in praise: "Grand Commander, your strategy is brilliant! This empty city tactic has truly prevented Han Yanshou from taking a single step beyond the designated area!"
Wu Shangzhi rubbed his hands together eagerly: "Grand Commander, shall we now...?"
Zhao Muyun raised her hand to interrupt him, her gaze intense: "No, it's not time to attack the city directly yet. Although Han Yanshou is terrified, Youzhou City is high and well-fortified, and the defending army is still numerous. A direct assault would result in too many casualties, and we lack sufficient siege equipment and time."
He walked to the map and pointed heavily at Youzhou City: "What we want is not a Pyrrhic victory, but a great victory that will shake the world!"
"A victory that completely cuts off Wuzhu's escape route! Therefore, we still need one last step: to lure away or eliminate Arahan's ten thousand cavalry!"
"Let Youzhou become a completely isolated island!"
"Where is Arahan now?" Zhao Muyun asked Tang Yanhai.
"Reporting to the Grand Commander, the main force of Arahan seems to be in a dilemma due to their ineffective pursuit of our army and the news that Youzhou has closed its gates. They are currently resting in the 'Mazhuang' area on the south bank of the Xutuo River, about eighty li away from Youzhou."
"Their troops were exhausted from continuous travel and their morale was low."
"Mazhuang...eighty li..."
Zhao Muyun pondered for a moment, a resolute glint in his eyes, "Alright! Then we'll put on another show for him! A show that will drive him mad and make him chase after us at all costs!"
He ordered in a deep voice: "Murong Chunhua, Namtso!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"I order you two to immediately lead all the light cavalry to join forces with the feint troops on the western front, and make it appear as if you are launching a major offensive to attack Juyong Pass!"
"The scale of this operation must be bigger than ever before! We must make it seem like we won't give up until we break through this barrier!"
"Understood!"
"Wu Shangzhi, Guo Luo, Xi Sheng, Liu Yi!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"The main force of the central army will move southeast with me, making it appear as if we intend to bypass Youzhou, head straight for Jizhou, and cut off Youzhou's connection with the southern grasslands!"
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