The Nameless of the Common Clans

Chen Mo expected the situation in Chang'an, so he didn't pay too much attention to it. Although the capital was moved to Luoyang, he had been operating in Guanzhong for many years. Chen Mo was confident that the people who stayed in the audience could properly deal with and handle any incidents in Guanzhong, so he didn't need to worry too much.

However, the war with Yuan Shao was in a stalemate. In fact, Yuan Shao was more troubled than Chen Mo in this regard.

It had been a month since the beginning of winter, and Yuan Shao couldn't remember how many battles he and Chen Mo had fought against each other. When his advisers came up with a plan, they would respond quickly. Then Chen Mo came up with a plan, and this went back and forth. During this period of time, both sides showed their strategies. Generally speaking, no one had taken too much advantage, and no one could do anything to the other.

Even though Chen Mo and Yuan Shao had a lot of food and grass, they couldn't stand it after fighting for several months. Now both sides were holding on. Whoever couldn't stand it first would lose.

After the deep winter, heavy snow fell in Chaoge. A ragged cavalry ran slowly in the heavy snow.

"Where is this?" Ma Chao clasped his hands together, exhaled, and turned to look at Ma Dai and Pang De beside him. They had been acting separately before, but later, as their troops became fewer and fewer, they simply joined forces and chased the enemy's grain team behind Yuan Shao. However, Yuan Shao was also prepared, often using fake grain teams to attract their attention, leading them to go forward and then besiege. After Ma Chao suffered several losses, he also learned his lesson and chose to attack in open places. If the terrain did not allow it, Ma Chao would never take action.

But the problem now is... they seem to be lost.

Pang De and Ma Dai shook their heads in embarrassment. They were not familiar with the terrain in this area. Because of Yuan Shao's expulsion, they gradually followed the enemy's grain route to Yuan Shao's rear. However, the terrain in Jizhou was different from that in Xiliang. They were familiar with the terrain in Huai County before and could come and go freely, but after arriving here, they were a little overwhelmed by the terrain. In addition, it suddenly snowed heavily and they lost their way.

Alas~

"The lord asked us to come and cut off the grain route. We have also robbed a lot of grain. When will it be over?" Ma Chao asked with a headache. How long have they been wandering in this area? Two or three months, right?

"Brother, how about we go back?" Ma Dai felt that their mission should have been overfulfilled. Without logistics, they were like bandits who had been around here for two or three months, robbing and burning countless grains and grass. Now going back, how can it be considered as completing Chen Mo's order?

"No!" Ma Chao shook his head and said, "We have not made any great achievements this time. Will we be ridiculed when we go back?"

Although he complained about when this mission would end, he was eager to make great achievements to show his reputation. Chen Mo had many brave generals under his command. Ma Chao wanted to make great achievements, but if he was with Chen Mo, it would not be so easy to show his ability. Now it is a rare opportunity to lead an army alone. Ma Chao naturally did not want to burn some food and grass and go back. Although it was also a merit, it was not the same as what Ma Chao imagined.

"Mengqi, Bozhan!" Pang De looked at the snow curtain that was getting bigger and bigger, looked at the two of them and said, "The most urgent thing is that we should find a place to avoid the wind and snow first, and then talk about other things."

If this continues, many soldiers will probably be frozen to death, and it will be even colder at night. We must find a place to avoid the wind and snow as soon as possible.

Ma Chao nodded, looked around, and identified a direction and said, "Let's go over there. Let the scouts not go too far. In this weather, it's hard to leave any traces. Let the scouts explore the terrain around."

"Yes!"

...

On the other side, the prefectures and counties.

Chen Mo studied the map and silently calculated the strategies that could be used to deal with Yuan Shao. Chen Mo had tried all the strategies that could be used during this period. Although there were small victories, it was difficult to change the overall situation. Now we can only fight to see who can outlast whom.

"How is the battle over Cao Mengde?" Chen Mo looked at Yang Xiu beside him and asked.

They were fighting bloody here, so Cao Cao was naturally relieved of pressure.

"Last month, we occupied Jinan County, but Yuan Tan also had some means to block Cao Cao in Gaowan and Zouping, but Cao Cao still had a group of troops from Langya to Beihai, and they are still fighting fiercely." Yang Xiu repeated the battle report. Now Cao Cao's lord is heading towards Qingzhou.

"This Yuan Tan is quite capable." Chen Mo nodded. Yuan Tan was already pretty good for being able to fight Cao Cao to this extent.

"My lord, you don't know that Liu Bei contributed a lot in this battle. It was he who blocked Cao Cao's main force in Gaowan and Zouping. They are old rivals. Liu Bei failed to defeat Cao Cao in Xuzhou in the past, but he had some tricks. Now he is attached to Yuan Shao and has won the trust of Yuan Tan. He has fierce generals as minions and Chen Gong gives him advice. This time, Cao Cao suffered a lot."

"Liu Bei?" Chen Mo nodded when he heard this. After all, as the lord of Xuzhou, Liu Bei did a good job. It was a pity that it was difficult for Liu Bei to stop Cao Cao due to the situation at that time and the terrain of Xuzhou. Cao Cao also used all his strength to defeat Xuzhou in one battle, forming the three-way situation in the Central Plains today.

But would such a person who had been a prince be willing to be used by Yuan Shao or Yuan Tan?

Chen Mo was doubtful. Although he had only interacted with Liu Bei once, he left a deep impression on himself. He was a very good person, and he was also a person who knew how to hide himself... Forget it, the biggest problem at the moment is still Yuan Shao. Liu Bei helped Yuan Tan block Cao Cao. There was also a reason why Cao Cao did not try his best. Just like himself, he also did not try his best.

"Huh?" Chen Mo suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

"Lord, do you have any questions?" Yang Xiu asked curiously.

"No." Chen Mo shook his head. After thinking for a moment, Chen Mo asked with a smile: "By the way, Ma Chao, Pang De, and Ma Dai haven't come back yet?"

He just suddenly noticed that his luck had inexplicably increased. Although it was not much, luck did not arise out of thin air. It must be that there were some changes. But now from Hanoi to Guanzhong, the entire battle situation and what may happen in the rear Chen Mo has all the problems under his control. He can roughly guess what happened. If there are variables, they are probably only Ma Chao's.

"It's been two months. I sent people to recall them before, but it was difficult to find their whereabouts." Yang Xiu shook his head with some distress. Even if Chen Mo didn't set a time limit at that time, it was almost enough. How could anyone rob two people in a row? How many months? Do you really think Yuan Shao is a fool?

If he hadn't known from Xi Zuo over there that Ma Chao was still harassing Yuan Shaoliang Road, Yang Xiu almost thought that the group had escaped.

"Inform the craftsmen over there not to recall them for the time being and help them as much as possible." Chen Mo thought, although he didn't know what happened, but judging from the change in luck, it should be a good thing.

…

In the Makino area, Ma Chao was still walking in the snow when a scout suddenly came to report: "General, we have discovered a large number of people."

"Oh?" Ma Chao suddenly became energetic, rubbed his face fiercely and said, "But the grain team?"

"The wind and snow blocked me, so I couldn't see clearly. I don't dare to approach because of my humble position!" the scout bowed.

"You two continue to lead the troops, I'll go take a look." Ma Chao looked at Pang De and Ma Dai excitedly and said, the army's food and grass are not enough. If they don't open up, they will have to eat horses.

Pang De and Ma Dai nodded, Pang De said: "Be careful, don't be reckless."

Although it is no longer considered a subordinate relationship, after all, Ma Chao was watched by Pang De and he still has an elder's concern for Ma Chao.

"Don't worry, I'll come back as soon as I go." Ma Chao nodded, and immediately rushed away with the scouts, and soon disappeared into the snow.

The sound of horse hooves was not very clear in the wind and snow. From a distance, Ma Chao saw a group of men and horses, which were a little blurry in the snow. He quickly gave up the horse and let the scout hold it. He only brought a sword and headed towards Touch in that direction.

Naturally, it is not a challenge. After being tortured by Xu Rong, Ma Chao has learned well. This time he followed Chen Mo on the expedition and never called the formation alone. Of course, if he encountered an enemy general in the formation, Ma Chao would not let him go. An opportunity to kill the enemy general.

Yan Liang?

Ma Chao approached the enemy's grain team and saw clearly the opponent's flag, which was named General Yan. In this Jizhou, besides Yan Liang, he could not think of another general with the surname Yan. This was a famous general in Jizhou. If If you can kill it...

"General!" When the grain team was far away, the scout led the horses to find Ma Chao, bowed and said: "Judging from the ruts, they should be empty carts with no grain or grass."

"Empty cart?" Ma Chao was a little disappointed when he heard this. The first thing he had to solve now was the problem of food for the soldiers. Then he felt something was wrong. Since Yan Liang was pulling an empty cart, he shouldn't be too anxious. It was snowing heavily. Why? Not looking for a place to rest? In other words, the camp where Yuan Shao stores grain and grass is nearby! ?

Thinking of this possibility, Ma Chao's face flushed. If he could burn all Yuan Shao's food and grass, wouldn't he have made a great contribution! ?

Under the excitement, Ma Chao's breathing became a little rapid, and he quickly said to the scout: "I will bring the soldiers and horses. You continue to follow them and mark the road along the way."

"Here!"

At that moment, the two of them went their separate ways. Ma Chao hurried back to the army. Worried about losing Yan Liang, he sent many scouts to follow and at the same time explore where the enemy's grain garrison was.

"Meng Qi, are you sure you have found a place where the enemy is storing grain?" Pang De asked. After all, if he made a mistake and the trip was in vain, the already low morale would probably be even lower.

"70% sure!" Ma Chao nodded, 70% is not too little.

Pang De nodded after hearing this, and the three of them directed their troops to follow the road signs left by the scouts. By evening, the wind and snow had subsided, but the sky was completely dark.

On a hill, looking at the camp with many torches in the distance, Ma Chao had an excited smile on his face...