"The Grand Tutor has ordered that all 50,000 troops in the Beiman Mountain camp be withdrawn tonight, bypass Luoyang City, and seize Xuanmen Pass!"
Li Jue looked at everyone expressionlessly.
All six of them were recently promoted.
Li Jue was appointed General Yangwu, Guo Si was appointed General Yanglie, and Fan Chou, Zhang Ji, and others were appointed as Generals of the Central Army.
Their morale soared, and they prepared for a major battle with Liu Weijun.
However, after Hangu Pass fell, Liu Wei's 100,000-strong army entered Gucheng and faced them across the Luo River.
Subsequently, Liu Wei dispatched large armies at various other checkpoints in Luoyang, totaling a million men.
They were stunned and hurriedly asked Dong Zhuo for permission to enter Luoyang City with the entire army and fight a protracted war against Liu Wei's army by relying on the city's defenses.
Dong Zhuo did not agree, but instead issued a military order for them to withdraw that night and seize Xuanmen Pass.
"What does the Grand Tutor mean by this?" Everyone looked puzzled. "Does he intend to break through to the east?"
"The army need not speculate; they should simply follow the Grand Tutor's arrangements," Li Jue said, frowning.
“Zhiran, don’t forget that there are 100,000 troops from Guanzhong watching us across the Luo River, and another 100,000 troops are heading this way from Mengjin, north of Beiman Mountain.”
“If we make such a move, it will definitely attract their attention. This retreat must be done without them noticing,” Guo Si reminded him.
"Of course. Pass the word down: the entire army should only carry their personal weapons and rations; all other supplies and camps should remain here."
"Just in case, after nightfall, the infantry will advance first, and the cavalry will bring up the rear."
"If they give chase, I don't believe that ten thousand cavalry won't trample the pursuers to pieces."
Li Jue immediately said to Li Meng and Wang Fang, "The two generals shall each lead five thousand cavalry, forming two routes on the left and right, to cover the rear of the main army."
"Generals Fan Chou and Zhang Ji, each of you shall lead 10,000 troops ahead, while Guo Duo and I shall stay in the middle."
Li Jue explained the retreat plan, and the men accepted the order and were about to disperse when a junior officer rushed into the tent to report:
"Generals, three cavalry units are charging towards us from ten miles to the north!"
Everyone exclaimed in surprise, "Such speed!"
Li Meng asked, "How many cavalry do they have?"
"Roughly estimated, around two thousand each," the junior officer replied after thinking hard.
"Only six thousand cavalry!"
Li Meng pulled Wang Fang along, "The two of us can lead ten thousand cavalry; we can wipe them out first!"
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