Shu Chen

Chapter 229
In the early morning, the west wall of Zuli City.

The corpses of soldiers with their armor stripped off were condescendingly thrown by the Han army into the reeds by the water.

Those were more than [-] Wei troops who entered the Wengcheng yesterday.

In the isolated city under heavy siege, there is not enough manpower to guard the captives, nor can they supply the captives with food that is in short supply.

Therefore, when countless rocks fell from the top of the city and blocked the passage out of the city, the Han army who shot and killed the Wei army in Wengcheng with bows and crossbows did not hear the voice of begging for mercy.

It should be regarded as being covered up by the sound of drums and horns urging the battle between the two armies.

The world is raging, troubles are endless, swords and soldiers are endless, and it is inevitable that the bones will be exposed in the wild.

Get used to it.

Wei Jun did nothing about this.

When Xia Houru knew the trick, he withdrew his troops and returned to the camp, and did not attack the city again today.

More than [-] soldiers died in just one day of siege. He needed to rest his morale and give up his extravagant hope of breaking through the city quickly.

All the military camps were also transferred to the east of the city.

It's not that the Guo Huai tribe who pretended to attack the east of the city had few casualties and their morale was still there.

But the Han army had an urn city in the south of the city. If the Wei army wanted to break through the city, they needed to conquer two city walls, which was too difficult.

However, Guo Huai, the main general in the east of the city, rushed to Wei Da Sima Cao Zhen's camp with more than ten followers after a night of secret talks with Xiahou Ruru.

No one knows what he mentioned to Cao Zhen.

But after he returned, the offensive and defensive battles in Zuli City temporarily disappeared.

The various ministries of the Wei army camped peacefully outside the city, and soldiers and horses went out every day, and they came and went very frequently, but it was not cutting wood or fetching stones, or returning from food and fodder.

I don't know what I'm planning.

Wei Yan, Guan Xing and others were puzzled by this.

I can't figure out why the Wei army didn't come to attack the city again for more than ten consecutive days after being defeated for a while?

But I didn't go into it.

As long as the soldiers are ordered to take strict precautions, keep the city intact, and respond to all changes with the same.

As time goes by, Bi's plan against Wei will come to light.

Shuyinsai, which is far away by the big river, does not have the spectacular siege of arrows covering the sky and stones flying all over the sky.

After Wei Ping led a [-]-strong army to attack this fortress for seven or eight days, the fortress that even had a "horse face" began to die down, lingering in the barracks.

Wei Ping couldn't control the army with too many private soldiers from the prefects of Hexi counties.

In the beginning, they were able to fight against each other.

But after several days of heavy casualties, they even had to argue for a long time about which one should be the first to attack the city every day.

They all have the heart to preserve themselves and wait for others to make wedding dresses.

Everyone has their own ghosts and orders are difficult to carry out, so how can there be any hope of breaking through the fortress?
Wei Ping, who had repeatedly persuaded him to no avail, gave up the offensive and took a rest in a rage, and sent someone to tell Cao Zhen the truth, asking if he could lead the army south to help attack Zuli County.

He no longer has any hope of conquering Shuyinsai with various ministries in the west of the river.

I had to find another way, trying to trap the Han army in the Yin fortress by breaking through the ancestral calendar.

But Cao Zhen did not agree to his request.

On the contrary, he let him out of the siege in an incredible way, and led all the soldiers back.

At that time, Zhang Bao, Liu Yin and the others who were sticking to the fort still couldn't believe it.

However, scouts were sent across the river to investigate, only to find that Wei Jun even burned a lot of tools for crossing the river, such as leather rafts and small boats.

Perhaps, Ni Wei saw that the cost of attacking the city was too high, so he gave up for the time being.

Anyway, for the Wei army, the key to breaking the Yuyin Fortress lies in Zuli City, so there is no need to rush for a while.

Zhang Bao came to a conclusion on this and ordered the soldiers to continue to be on guard.

And Liu Yin felt a little regretful.

This time the Wei army attacked the city and killed and injured more than a thousand people, which was far from satisfying his expectations of making contributions.

Compared with Zuli City and Yuyinsai, the camp that Zheng Pu and Jiang Wei defended was a scene of life-and-death dramas every day.

After Fei Yao led the army to arrive, it took three days to set up the camp, laying soil to build high platforms and mountains, and cutting down trees to build many rams, siege towers, ladders, etc.

After that, they continued to attack day by day.

If hundreds of corpses are not left every day, and the sun goes down, the troops will not return to camp.

Due to the gap in the number of people, the Han army camp was temporarily built, and the three trenches in front of the camp were filled, and many Yuanrong crossbows were smashed by thunderbolt chariots.

However, there is still no gap in the outer fence.

Every time the Wei army attacked, it was limited by the barriers of the camp fence and could not meet the Han army hand-to-hand.

This made Zheng Pu not even have the desire to watch the battle.

On the one hand, it is the inner circle of the Han army camp, and there is also a car formation built by WISCO cars and black cars!
The war has not yet come to a critical time.

Another reason is that he has self-knowledge.

Although Prime Minister Zhuge asked him to be the chief general of the other battalion.

But he is not good at commanding in battle, and Jiang Wei has been familiar with military affairs since he was a child, and he is handy in supervising battles in battle.

Moreover, before the war started, Jiang Wei had implicitly expressed his intention to train troops before the battle.

Among the soldiers in the other battalion, Liu Min's [-] garrison soldiers had never experienced war, and half of his Qiang guard battalion were newly recruited soldiers.

Therefore, he wanted to take advantage of this defensive opportunity to let those new soldiers become familiar with cooperative combat as soon as possible, and become the elite of the order and prohibition as soon as possible.It will be of great use when we march into Hexi in the future.

Those who are called elites can only survive a hundred battles!
It is also a kind of luck that new recruits have the opportunity to stand firm and fight, and to get used to and adapt to life and death on the battlefield.

Therefore, Zheng Pu did not interfere with this, and let Jiang Wei decide on his own.

Apart from joking around with the soldiers during the morning and evening meals, he wandered around the barracks with Xu Zhi doing nothing all day long, asking about some stories about the Hexi Corridor.

Yes, Xu Zhi is also in the other camp.

In the past, after the Han army captured Shuyin Fortress, Jiang Wei gave Zhoutai the credit for persuading the rebellious Wei guard general Xu Zhi to surrender.

Zhou Tai, who was a member of the Wei army, knew that Wei's military laws were strict even for his family members, so he did not force Xu Zhi, who was born in a wealthy family in Hexi, to surrender directly regardless of his family and clan.

But based on his own experience, he persuaded Xu Zhi to follow his example and save his useful body for the time to move.

For example, after the Han army captured the Hexi Corridor and had no worries, he would serve as an official.

Xu Zhi was very moved by this.

Those born in Hexi do not have much loyalty to Wei.

For example, he had previously served Wei Guo, but it was just to realize his ambition of galloping on the battlefield and becoming a marquis and worshiping general, so he must be dedicated to Wei Guo.

In other words, the people of Hexi would not have much resistance to the big man.

400 years of prestige is not a false statement.

Therefore, he accepted Zhoutai's proposal.

After selecting one or two confidantes from the trilogy and sending them back to Zhangye's home to report safety, they spent all their time waiting for the day when the Han army would recover Hexi.

Zheng Pu didn't feel anything wrong with Zhou Tai's actions.

Regardless of whether Xu Zhi surrendered early or late, it would be beneficial to the big man after all.

As long as he stays in the Han army peacefully, it is equivalent to adding a tongue for the Han army to understand the conditions of the counties in Hexi.

The previous broker, Shi Puli, was born in the head of Guizhou after all, and he was also a barbarian. Some knowledge and intelligence were incomparable to Xu Zhi, who was a general against Wei.

In other words, talents are rare.

Treat him with courtesy and treat him with emptiness. In the future, a big man will get a great general. Why not?
Therefore, during these days, Zheng Pu took precautions, asked Xu Zhi about Hexi in detail, recorded it on the slips at night, and transferred it to the prime minister when he went to the west in the future.

Naturally, the heart of defense is indispensable.

He didn't have much courage, and when chatting with Xu Zhi, he privately told his subordinate Qi Yacuo to be on guard in secret.

In order not to make a laughingstock of being hijacked by Xu Zhi, who is known for his bravery, Duo Ren.

However, it was clear that his worries were in vain.

Or maybe it was because the big man who occupied Longyou would not be difficult to win the Hexi Corridor in the future, Xu Zhi was very quiet and restrained himself.

When talking with him, he often consciously keeps a distance between them.

And every question must be answered, and there are endless words.

As the time got longer and the two gradually became familiar with each other, Zheng Pu also asked him about his views on this big attack against Wei.

There were also unexpected gains.

Xu Zhi didn't dare to speak nonsense, and he didn't make shallow words.

It is only asserted that the fortress of Shuyin is very dangerous, as long as there is sufficient food, fodder and supplies, the Wei army can attack without worry.

But after Zheng Pu explained the dispatching of Cao Zhen's troops from all walks of life, he expressed his doubts: "The governor of the Hexi Wei Dynasty led the army to attack the Yin Yin and Xie? I worked with him before, and I know that he is not a reckless person; and stick to it." Guo Boji of Jincheng County was not a schemer either. The two of them didn't know that the fortress of Yinyin could not be broken by a mere [-] troops! Therefore, why the governor of Hexi Wei didn't lead the army south to attack the ancestors together with Xiahouru Licheng? Or move to Jincheng County and encircle Pingxiang City, or do you not camp here?"

This doubt stunned Zheng Pu for a moment.

After pondering it carefully, I found that it was not unreasonable.

Ni Wei tried his best to attack Guanzhong, but Cao Zhen actually let Wei Ping attack Shuyin City Saixie?

With doubts, Zheng Pu went to find Jiang Wei to discuss with Jiang Wei after the Wei army returned to the camp at dusk.

But soon, they won't need to guess.

Because on the next day, Wei Ping led the army to arrive - when Cao Zhen asked him to fight south, he asked him to transfer to Jincheng County to come here, and he was under the control of Wei Empress General Fei Yao.

Along with him, there were more than [-] cavalry of Liu Bao, the wise king of Zuo Xian of the Southern Xiongnu.

That was Guo Huai's suggestion.

After he and Xia Houru failed to attack the city for a day, he felt that Zuli City was difficult to get down, so he went to seek Cao Zhen's advice.

With Xiahouru's remaining [-] soldiers trapped in Zuli City; he transferred more than [-] people from his own headquarters to Pingxiang City, and the [-] cavalry led by Governor Zhang Xiong may not be able to leave the Shuihe Valley to contain Ma Dai and Zhao Guang. Two cavalry rushed to help the other camp; let Fei Yao and Wei Ping join forces to attack Zheng Pu and Jiang Wei's other camp.

And the cavalry of Zuo Xianwang Liu Bao was transferred to cut off the connection between Prime Minister Zhuge's main force and the other camp.

Or, after breaking through the other battalion at that time, the Han army will be chased and wiped out!
This kind of scheduling is equivalent to achieving Cao Zhenyin's intention of Xiao Guandao in a disguised form.

And not afraid of being known by the Han army.

Longyou had no other army to help.

The main force led by Prime Minister Zhuge Liang is still restrained by the army led by Cao Zhen. If they come to rescue, they will inevitably give up the land and go out of the river valley.

But it will fall into the siege of Wei Jun.

If Cao Zhen sees the prime minister coming out of the valley to return to aid, he will definitely lead the army in pursuit!

However, Fei Yao and Wei Ping have more than [-] troops together, and only [-] troops are needed to trap Zheng Pu and Jiang Wei.

At that time, they can bring the [-] cavalry of Zuo Xianwang Liu Bao, and Cao Zhen's main force, to attack the prime minister's main force back and forth in the wild!
Even if Fei Yao and Wei Ping don't lead the army, they only need to continue to besiege Zheng Pu and Jiang Wei's camp, which is also "surrounding the spot to fight for aid".Let the prime minister lead the army to arrive, but they can't break through their camp and join the other camps, and they are caught in the predicament of the enemy blocking the way and the pursuers.

But if the prime minister does not return to the army to help, Zheng Pu and Jiang Wei, with only ten thousand people, can they hold on?

In the early morning sunshine, Zheng Pu came to the outer fence, looked at the dark Wei Jun not far away, and couldn't help but have a few wry smiles on his face.

He suddenly felt that he was not suitable to fight in Xiao Guandao.

The last time he held on to Xiaoguan Road, because Ma Di rushed forward greedily, he suffered heavy casualties. In the end, relying on Chen Shi, Zhao Guang and Zhang Bao to lead the army to arrive in time, he survived.

Now, it's time to defend with Governor Jiang Wei.

Jiang Wei's army is slightly outstanding, and he can be called a good man, and there is nothing wrong with his deployment.

But bad luck!

He Niwei unexpectedly joined forces with more than [-] troops to attack!
Sad husband, if there is another chance to survive this time, I will never come to Xiao Guandao in the future!
Zheng Pu's heart was full of anger.

Jiang Wei, who was also standing beside him watching the enemy's situation, was much calmer.

He put his hand on his forehead, blocked the sunlight for a while, and looked at it for a while, then turned his head and asked softly, "Zijin, in your opinion, if the prime minister gets news of this place, will he come to help?"

The voice was not in a hurry, but there was a hint of expectation.

I don't want the prime minister to lead the army.

But I hope that the prime minister who has been kind to him again will not return to his teacher, so as not to fall into the ambush circle of the Wei army.

This is the same as Zheng Pu.

He was also unwilling, and the prime minister was forced to give up the land for the sake of the two of them.

However, based on his understanding of the prime minister, he also had an answer in his heart: If the prime minister heard the news, how could he sit back and watch the two of them be besieged by Niwei?

"I hope not."

Zheng Pu twitched the corners of his mouth, and sighed helplessly, "Bo Yue, while Ni Wei has not yet formed a siege, you should send someone to find Zhu Yi's cavalry first, and ask him to send scouts to report to him first." Prime Minister, claim that you and I can repay Xiao Guan Dao without loss, and there is no need to return to the teacher for help."

Zhu Yi, that is, the Shaodang Qiang king who lived in the Huangshui River Valley in the past.

Previously, he and the other four Qiang tribes were attacked by Guo Huai. The tribe suffered heavy casualties, their cattle and sheep were all taken away, and their strength suddenly declined.

In the tradition of the Qiang tribe, the weak either submit or be destroyed.

He once went to look for Qiang King Mangzhong in Xihai County, and asked him to help him regain his momentum because of the fact that he was from the same origin.

But Mangzhong only claimed that he was willing to divide a pasture around Xihai with him.

In other words, Mangzhong wanted to annex his tribe, so that Shaodangzhong Qiang would have only one Qiang king.

This approach is unreasonable, but reasonable.

The weak have no right to speak.

And Mang Zhong felt that at least he would not treat Zhu Yi harshly.

But Zhu Yi still refused.

He can trust Mang Zhong, but he can't trust Mang Zhong's son.

Therefore, when Jiang Wei rushed to Lintao to recruit soldiers, he had nowhere to go. He discussed with another leader, Mo Zhesai, who was also attacked by Guo Huai, and felt that it would be better to fight for the great Han than to hold on until the end and inevitably be annexed. .

The remaining clansmen, after being relocated by the Han family, at least will not become slaves of other tribes.

And they fought with the big man on the battlefield, and they also sought revenge from the Wei army.

Jiang Wei was very pleasantly surprised by his arrival - although King Qiang's Zhu Yi has declined, he is very prestigious in Xiping County, and his willingness to join the army will make recruiting more effective.

Therefore, Jiang Weina wrote a letter to the prime minister, and awarded Zhu Yi the post of Sima of the Qiang camp, and Mo Zhesai was the deputy, and he was in charge of two thousand Qiang cavalry.

Now he comes to Xiaoguan Road with the army, but he is not in the camp.

Jiang Wei asked him to lead [-] Qiang cavalry to lie dormant outside, intending to rush out when Wei Wei attacked the camp, and kill Fei Yao's army in one fell swoop.

(End of this chapter)