The next morning, Liu Qi came to see Zhang Fei. He was already training Wang Shuang and was sweating profusely.
Sitting in front of the stone table, Liu Qi ordered someone to pour tea: "Uncle San, I specially ordered someone to make almond tea, you try it."
Zhang Fei waved his hand and said, "I only drink wine, not tea!"
Liu Qi said: "This is not an ordinary tea. This is a local recipe obtained by Zhang Zhongjing when he was in Lingnan. It is specially used to treat numbness of limbs, cramps in hands and feet, and is very beneficial for dredging meridians, promoting body fluid and replenishing blood."
Zhang Fei said in dissatisfaction: "I am strong and healthy, why should I use this medicine?"
Liu Qi explained: "The poison that Third Uncle was poisoned with is difficult to cure for the time being. Zhang Zhongjing guessed that it must be some kind of drug mixed into the blood, causing the meridians to be blocked, so his energy is limited. If this recipe is used to dredge the meridians and create new blood, it will be like clearing the source and removing the dirt. After a period of time, the poison will naturally disappear."
"That makes sense!" Zhang Fei took a sip and frowned, "This is not tea, it's clearly milk, why... does it have a weird smell?"
Liu Qi said hurriedly: "Although this soup is called almond tea, it is different from ordinary tea. It is made by mixing almonds, milk and several herbs."
"Good medicine tastes bitter!" Zhang Fei sighed, tilted his head back, and drank a cup of tea as if he was drinking wine.
Liu Qi asked, "How does it taste?"
Zhang Fei rolled his eyes and savored the taste, smacking his lips: "It's OK, but it tastes a bit too much like milk."
"You'll get used to it!" Liu Qi breathed a sigh of relief and instructed, "From now on, I'll have someone make tea for Uncle San, one cup every morning and evening. I'll see if it works after a month."
Zhang Fei saw that there was still some left in the pot, so he took another bowl and poured it in. "My lord, you have taken so much trouble for me, I will leave this bowl for you to drink!"
Liu Qi waved his hands and said, "No, no, no, this is specially for Uncle San. How can I drink it?"
Zhang Fei advised earnestly: "It can relax the meridians anyway, so it doesn't matter who drinks it."
"You can say whatever you want, but how can you take whatever medicine you want?" Liu Qi didn't dare to drink it and quickly ran away.
When they arrived at the government office, Wei Yan, Huang Zhong and others were already impatient and ready to ask for orders to go into battle.
Ma Liang reported: "Xiahou Yuan sent 100,000 troops from Chang'an, set up defenses in Chencang and Meixian, marched into Baoxiade, set up camp in Jigu to transport food and grass, and came to take Yangpingguan twice, but retreated when he saw the steep road. Now the army is stationed in Chencang, and I am afraid that they intend to divide the troops and march from Chencang Road and Tangluo Road. We need to be prepared early."
Fa Zheng said, "Since ancient times, there have been four Shu roads through the Qinling Mountains. The Chencang Road requires a detour through Lueyangfang to Hanzhong, which allows entry to the pass but not to Sichuan. The Tangluo Road has been abandoned for many years, and the valleys are not connected, so it is inconvenient to march and transport food. No one cares about the Ziwu Valley. Although the Baoxia Road is steep, it is the most convenient. Although Xiahou Yuan has withdrawn his troops, the Jigu camp is still there. This place can connect Chencang and Meixian. I think he will definitely take the Baoxia Road again."
Huang Zhongyan said: "Since this is the case, we should send troops to attack Jigu as soon as possible. If we can capture this strategic location, we can advance to take Guanzhong or retreat to defend Hanzhong. Our army can take the initiative and face the enemy calmly."
Fa Zheng smiled and said, "Now that Han Sui has been destroyed and Xiliang is in chaos, the troops of Qishan are in danger in Longshang. Xiahou Yuan will certainly send troops to support them. My lord, you can send troops from Baoxiadao to fight the enemy, and send surprise troops from other routes to harass and contain Cao's army."
Liu Qi nodded and said, "Xiaozhi is right. Although the Chencang Road is not conducive to Cao's army's advance, it is conducive to our exit from Guanzhong. In the past, Emperor Gaozu secretly crossed Chencang to establish the Han Dynasty, and the road to prosperity cannot be abandoned. I originally wanted to order Yide to take Sanguan, but he is recuperating from illness. I don't know who can do it?"
Wang Ping requested the order, saying, "The road to Chencang is long and dangerous, which is just right for the shield soldiers to act. I would like to take Sanguan from this road."
Liu Qi said: "Sanguan must be heavily guarded, and Chencang is not far away. Cao's army can provide support at any time. Only shield soldiers are not enough to accomplish the task."
Zhao Yun clasped his fists and said, "I am willing to go!"
Liu Qi nodded and said, "I feel relieved that Zilong is going ahead!"
Fa Zheng glanced at Wei Yan who was standing there calmly, frowned and said: "My lord, you are going to Baoxiadao in person. Now Yide is injured and it is inconvenient for him to lead the troops. You need Zilong to be the vanguard general to go to fight the enemy. Only a small force is needed in Baoxiadao."
Huang Zhong said angrily: "Military Advisor, you underestimate us. Do you think that we old soldiers cannot defeat the enemy?"
Liu Qi smiled and said, "With the two veteran generals Huang Zhong and Yan Yan accompanying us, we will be more than capable of dealing with Xiahou Yuan."
Yan Yan said with emotion: "Let alone Xiahou Yuan, even if Cao Cao came in person, what would I be afraid of?"
Fa Zheng was somewhat surprised by Liu Qi's arrangement, but he did not object much. He smiled and said, "The two generals are still strong despite their age. They will surely be able to demonstrate the courage of Lian Po and strengthen the prestige of our army."
Huang Zhong clasped his fists and said, "Now that the food and fodder have been prepared, I am willing to be the vanguard, go out of Yangping Pass first, clear the way through the mountains, eliminate the Cao army's checkpoints along the way, and go straight to Jigu."
Liu Qi said to everyone: "This northern expedition to the Central Plains is intended to defeat the enemy in one fell swoop and stabilize Guanzhong. We must not be careless. I will discuss with the military advisor first, and the troops will be dispatched in half a month. Everyone go and prepare to ensure that nothing goes wrong."
The generals obeyed the order. Wang Ping was unhappy when he saw that Liu Qi did not use his troops. Wei Yan just stood there without moving.
After everyone left, Liu Qi said with a smile: "Wen Chang neither participated in the military consultation nor asked to be the commander-in-chief today. Could it be that he still remembered what he said about marching into Hanzhong?"
Wei Yan was a little surprised. He didn't expect Liu Qi still remembered this matter. He clasped his fists and said, "That's what I was thinking. I hope the lord will grant it."
Fa Zheng was puzzled and asked, "I thought General Wei wanted to stay in Hanzhong. Could it be that he has another brilliant plan?"
"In a time of turmoil and strife, how can a man of honor live in seclusion in a corner and seek comfort?" Wei Yan waved his hand and said, "When I marched into Hanzhong and passed through Ziwu Valley, I intended to launch a surprise attack from there and take Chang'an directly. Now that Xiahou Yuan's army has been dispatched and Chang'an is empty, isn't this a miracle from heaven?"
"Ziwu Valley?" Fa Zheng was surprised, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "The roads here are steep and dangerous, and there are no vehicles or horses passing through. There are also many poisonous insects and fierce beasts. If we are discovered by Cao's army, there will be no return."
Wei Yan laughed and said, "Since I have been defending Hanzhong, I have already sent out scouts and local guides to explore the road and make secret preparations for many years. Everyone in the world thinks that this road is blocked, so I can take them by surprise."
Fa Zheng said: "If we can really march out of Ziwu Valley and unite with the Wuguan garrison, we can first break through the Lantian camp, and then the two armies can join forces and attack the city at lightning speed. It will be easy to take Chang'an."
Liu Qi nodded and said, "This group of soldiers has no food, fodder, or horses to support them. They have to rely on themselves. It is hard for anyone to imagine. But as long as the soldiers reach Chang'an, the main army is outside, and the defenders will be panicked. This is what happened when Ma Teng attacked Chang'an by surprise and broke the city overnight."
Fa Zheng suddenly laughed and said, "So the lord did not allow Wang Ping to leave Chencang Road just now, and wanted him to go to Ziwu Valley."
Liu Qi nodded and smiled, "That's right. The Banshi Soldiers are all Ba people warriors who are best at crossing mountains and ridges. Together with Wen Chang's Chiyan Army, they complement each other and can achieve extraordinary success."
Wei Yan was deeply moved when he saw that Liu Qi had already made arrangements. He clasped his fists and said, "I will definitely live up to your high expectations."
Liu Qi said: "However, Wen Chang's journey is full of dangers, and it can be said that he is in great danger of death. You must keep it strictly confidential. If the news leaks out, your life will be in danger."