Three Kingdoms: The Guan Family's Rebellious Son, Long Blessing Jing Xiang

Chapter 385 On Wollongong, Kong Ming is not here, and there is no more smoke
Xinye City at night is like a sleeping monster. It didn't let out a huge yawn until dawn, and it seemed to be awake.

The whole city has gradually become more populated, especially the curling smoke, and some people have started to make fires and cook!

Ever since he got the information from the captives yesterday, Guan Xing led a team of scouts to secretly guard around Xinye City. He chose a high place so that he could overlook the entire Xinye City.

As the second son of the Guan family, Guan Xing would not be so simple as to believe that Xinye City is an empty city based on the words of a few captives.

He chose to come here with the scouts and scouts to see what happened.

Words can be made up, designed, or deceitful!

But what you see with your own eyes is the truth, so you can't fake it!
Even though he hadn't slept all night, Guan Xingyou's eyes were piercing. At this moment, he raised his head and looked at the sky of Xinye City. He spent the whole morning counting the smoke from the fires above Xinye City.

In accordance with Cao Cao's policy of not keeping civilians in the "military buffer" zone, the people in Xinye City, and even Fancheng and Xiangyang City had long been relocated to the Central Plains.

Therefore, apart from a group of coolies serving the army, there are only this soldier left in the entire city.

It is based on this that the smoke above the city can explain some problems.

It is even possible to determine the specific number of defenders in Xinye City.

"No. 30 two, No. 30 three..." Guan Xing whispered, and from time to time used his sword to carve the word "positive" on the stone steps... for recording.

According to the ancients, there were five people in one army, and ten people in one shiba. In a shiba, there was one soldier who needed to carry the stove at any time and was responsible for cooking for ten people. Therefore, the rising smoke in each place could prove that there were ten defenders.

Of course, there are places where the cooking smoke will be thicker...

It can be counted as twenty or even thirty people cooking together.

This requires extremely meticulous observation and rich experience.

As Guan Yu's son, these... have long been taught by Guan Yu's precepts and deeds, and even specially trained, Guan Xing will not be troubled.

"79...eighty..."

Finally, Guan Xing still read out the final number, that is, eighty places of cooking smoke, at most - the conclusion of eight hundred defenders!

Even if this number is calculated higher, if it is true, it may be less!

Coincidentally, Guan Xing also found a farmer who came out of Xinye City, who seemed to be staying to supply military supplies. Guan Xing asked someone to pretend to be a merchant to ask.

The farmer didn't know exactly how many soldiers there were in the city, but they did ask for an important piece of information. There are a total of fifteen flags in the city...

Guan Xing knew that Cao Wei's military system was extremely strict, and there were 750 soldiers corresponding to one flag, which was [-] defenders.

Taking into account the error, this is as much as the amount calculated by cooking smoke.

Guan Xing couldn't help but calculate in his mind.

"The amount of military rations each time is 800 shi, which is enough for 800 people to use for a month. So... cooking smoke, military rations... In this way, the defenders are about [-] to [-] people?"This is undoubtedly an empty city? 』

With this in mind, Guan Xing still showed his cautious side, and he continued to order the detectives around, "Continue to investigate, the surroundings of Xinye City will be investigated, the general will stay here for a day..."

The implication is that if there is an ambush in the new field, the soldiers in the ambush must eat, and they must light a fire when they eat, and there will be smoke when the fire is lit. This is the iron law...

"No!" Several detectives groaned softly, and quickly scattered away.

Finally, from the dawn to the dusk, Cao Wei compared the cooking smoke from two meals a day, and at dusk... the cooking smoke from the four surroundings of Xinye City was particularly clear.

A group of detectives came to report one after another: "Second son, there is no smoke around Xinye City... There will not be a large number of soldiers stationed."

"Second son, we are almost sure that there are at most eight hundred soldiers in Xinye City? And through inquiries from some villagers, these eight hundred soldiers are mostly old, weak, sick and disabled."

At this moment, a new scout came whizzing over. Seeing Guan Xing, he got off his horse and knelt down on one knee: "I'm reporting to Second Young Master, Yancheng also investigated according to Second Young Master's method, at most...at most seven Hundred defenders!"

"Ha ha…"

Finally, Guan Xing, who was tired all day, finally showed a gratified smile.

"Withdraw troops...return to camp!"

Although he was dragging his exhausted body, Guan Xing looked quite excited. Two lines of small characters were written on his entire cheek:
——"Steady!"

——"This wave is stable!"

...

In the dead of night, Zhao Lei was sharpening his sword in the camp of the Guan family army.

As a general who was promoted step by step by Guan Yu from a pawn, Zhao Lei maintained the habits of the Guan family army, sharpened his weapons every day, and was ready for battle at any time.

But at this moment, Guan Xing came in mysteriously and very carefully.

Zhao Lei asked curiously: "Second Young Master? It's so late? What are you looking for?"

Guan Xing half knelt down, took out a bamboo slip from his bosom, and said sincerely, "I'm here to borrow troops from General Zhao!"

Zhao Lei was startled: "Second Young Master has two thousand soldiers in his hands, if he robs food? Isn't that enough?"

Guan Xing shook his head, he took the initiative to open the bamboo slips and handed them to Zhao Lei, and at the same time explained: "Look, General Zhao, this is what I personally went to Xinye City today to record the smoke and flags of Xinye City for a whole day... and my The analysis of the amount of food looted, as well as the confessions of those captives, these analyzes are enough to draw a conclusion that there are only [-] to [-] Cao Wei defenders in Xinye City, and most of them are old, weak, sick and disabled!"

This…

When Zhao Lei looked at the bamboo slips, Guan Xing went on to say, "The same is true for Yancheng. I have people record the time and location of every cooking smoke in detail, and I have also described the location of every military flag as much as possible. Come out, including the surrounding valleys and woods, I have also sent people to investigate, if the enemy is ambushing, they can't even eat food? So..."

Zhao Lei also came to his senses, "You mean to capture Xinye City?"

"No!" Guan Xing Shizi said loudly, "If only Xinye City is captured, then two thousand soldiers in my hand will be enough. I would like to ask General Zhao to lead three thousand soldiers to attack Yan City. In this way, I will attack Xinye City. General Zhao attacked Yancheng, so... so expected, it will be enough to break the city in one night! At that time, the capture of Xinye City and Yancheng... This is a great achievement... Even if my father knows, he will not punish him, even... I judge If you make a mistake, if you don't capture the two cities, you can retreat back without harming the overall situation..."

Guan Xing's well-founded words made Zhao Lei ponder for a while, he pondered for a long time, his eyes were always staring at the detailed records on the bamboo slips.

It has to be said that this record convinced him.

This is completely different from the self-willed judgment. Guan Xing's siege is well-founded...and he put in a lot of effort.

Finally, Zhao Lei punched Guan Xing excitedly, and laughed out loud, "You boy, I want to imitate your fourth younger brother, and you have made great achievements! But, why don't you give this bamboo slip to your elder brother?" look?"

Guan Xing said with some disappointment: "Brother is too cautious and timid, he only obeys father's order, if you tell him, this plan will be over!"

Speaking of this, Caring blinked his eyes, and said with a smile: "General Zhao appreciates the fourth brother more, right? He is as bold as an ox, and often wins by surprise, and then survives after death. Take a step back and say, when did the fourth brother act?" Have you told Dad? I really want to tell you, Dad has been thinking about it for a long time, the day lily is cold! I have been thinking about these things and the time for a few nights, and I finally figured it out!"

Zhao Lei said with a smile: "So, you've got my idea? I'm going to help you. Don't you be afraid, I'm afraid of your father's board?"

Guan Xing smiled, "Why did my father beat you? Because you captured Yancheng? Or because you didn't take a bath in the army?"

Zhao Lei couldn't stop laughing, "Come on, I'll do what you said this time, and I won't take your credit, but... it's agreed, if the situation changes, I will evacuate as soon as possible! I will never be greedy Enemy City!"

"Don't worry..." Guan Xing nodded heavily, "However, let's forget about tonight. After searching for a day, I'm already exhausted. How about tomorrow night?"

Zhao Lei nodded, he originally wanted to suggest that Guan Xing wait until tomorrow.

At least, although what Guan Xing wrote on the bamboo slips was reliable, he, Zhao Lei, had to send someone to investigate to see if it was true.

"Then it's settled. Tomorrow I will divide you five hundred soldiers. Let's each lead two thousand and five soldiers. Let's see who goes down the city first!"

...

...

Panfu Chonggang, connected to the Taihang vein in the west;
Hongfei Su practiced, and returned to the source of Jianghan in the south.

This is Wollongang, Funiu Mountain, located in the southwest of Xinye City. Eight years ago, Zhuge Liang plowed and ridged the fields, and Gou Quan died in troubled times.

Surrounded by mountains and rivers, the situation is continuous, and dragons and tigers are crouching, ready to go... It is said in later generations that the main peak of Funiu Mountain here is where the dragon veins lie.

Of course, it doesn't matter.

The important thing is that because of the towering Jiujia Gushan, surrounded by the Baihe River, and the tight mouth of the water, it is a natural place to hide soldiers.

At this moment, tens of thousands of soldiers are hiding in Wolonggang, Funiu Mountain.

Zhang Liao did have a skill in leading the army. He broke up all the soldiers...new and old intertwined, divided them into multiple schools, and hid them in Wollongong.

This is convenient for hiding, and it is also convenient for veterans in a small area to train with recruits. It can be seen from this that Zhang Liao's ability to command troops can be seen.

only…

Training belongs to training, what to eat here!

With a "bang", a young soldier threw the bread on the ground angrily, and said bitterly, "It's been ten days in a row, since I sneaked here from Nanyang, I've been eating cold food every day. It’s okay that General Zhang Liao didn’t come. I’ll turn on the stove and cook some pasta. General Pound just turned a blind eye and passed by. I really can't eat it."

No wonder the soldier was furious.

Angry, really angry...

Originally, it was hard enough to be a soldier, but he was caught by the strong men, but now it is better, and the food is all bread and water. Is this the life of a person?

Of course, normally speaking, pancakes are already very luxurious. A certain emperor in later generations... When he was a beggar, his dream was to be able to eat a pancake every day!
But I can't stand it... I eat like this every day.

These Wei soldiers wanted to eat steamed rice mixed with wheat, millet and rice. If some coarse salt, vegetables, meat and eggs could be added to it, it would be so delicious.

Because of this soldier's reminder, some soldiers thought about it, and tears flowed from the corners of their mouths.

At this moment, Wu Zhang and Shi Zhang stood up one after another, trying to appease the recruit.

at this time…

"Da da da" horseshoes sounded suddenly, a fast horse was driving on the mountain road, a knight quickly got off his horse, and everyone just looked at him.

He saw two bloody heads smashed from his hands to the ground.

"Li Feng and Sun's family set fire to the stove and lit up the smoke. They were noticed by the two generals Zhang and Pang, and they were beheaded at the Yuanmen...The three armies are hereby issued as a warning to others!"

As soon as this word came out...

The two heads of Xue Linlin were bleeding from their necks.

Now, the whole place is quiet... suddenly silent.

Over there...

Zhang Liao and Pang De stood on the top of Funiu Mountain.

Zhang Liao was comforting Pang De, "I can understand General Pang's feelings. You lost your beloved son, and I also lost your beloved son. You are at odds with that Guan Lin, and I am also at odds with that Gan Ning... But, Mr. Righteousness must override personal grievances, and our purpose in this battle is to lure Guan Yu into the siege! If Guan Lin says it, I'm afraid we will have to fight in the next battle."

"Guan Yu is fine too!" Pang De said bitterly, "Then Guan Lin made me feel the pain of bereavement, hmph, I will let him feel the pain of the death of a relative!"

"No!" Zhang Liao quickly waved his hands, "The prime minister means to capture Guan Yunchang alive!"

Pound flicked his long sleeves: "The battlefield has no eyes, how can I manage those?"

at this time…

"Report--" a message was sent, and a small school reported: "Yesterday, the enemy's scouts were found observing the smoke from the fires in Xinye City and Yancheng City!"

As soon as these words came out, Zhang Liao's eyes narrowed.

Can't help but sigh with emotion: "This Guan Jiaerlang, is the investigation still very detailed?"

Speaking of this, "Hahahaha..." Zhang Liao couldn't help laughing, "It's a pity that there will be no cooking smoke in the entire Wolonggang of Funiu Mountain! Zhang's soldiers can swallow 'cold food'!"

...

...

"Whoosh-"

"Whoosh-"

Reflecting the morning light, two arrows roared out from the mountain behind Mianshui Villa, with a slight tailwind.

It was Mr. Huang Zhonghuang who shot the two arrows in a row.

Xia Houjuan and Zhang Xingcai witnessed this scene...

In fact, for more than a month, Huang Zhong has been experimenting with this "compound bow" every day, and Xia Houjuan and Zhang Xingcai have also watched it every day.

Xia Houjuan's idea is that she wants to see with her own eyes whether this prospective son-in-law is reliable or not...

a bow?Threatened range... [-] paces?

With such an unheard of and unseen shooting range, Guan Lin...can he do it?

This also indirectly determines the impression and thoughts of Xia Houjuan, the mother-in-law-to-be, on Guan Lin.

Zhang Xingcai said that she was with her mother, but finally met Huang Zhong, a master of "archery", and pestered him for a month to teach her how to bow.

You must know that Zhang Fei claimed that "taking the head of a general from among the thousands of troops is like picking something out of a bag", which is actually true, but there is only one thing, Zhang Fei's arrow and bow skills are not a bit inferior.

This is why, when Liu, Guan, and Zhang went to participate in the discussion of the eighteenth princes, they faced Hua Xiong's provocation. At that time, Guan Yu was a horse archer and Zhang Fei was an infantry archer.

It would be strange to let them use weapons that they are not good at, to show their abilities and be different!

Also because of his good foundation, Zhang Xingcai's bow skills have improved by leaps and bounds this month... Two days ago when he tried the "compound bow", Huang Zhong shot 380 steps, and Zhang Xingcai also shot [-] steps!

It's just that the accuracy cannot be compared with Huang Zhong.

This has exceeded the longest range of bows and arrows in this era.

"420 steps... 410 five steps!"

Not long after, a soldier came on horseback from afar and read aloud the results of Huang Zhong's two arrows.

Amazing - 420 steps!

Huang Zhong stroked his long beard, and said to Zhang Xingcai and Xia Houjuan with emotion: "That kid Guan Yunqi is not talking nonsense. If there is a good wind, this compound bow may indeed shoot [-] steps! What he said is true. !"

At Huang Zhong's words, Zhang Xingcai turned to Xia Houjuan excitedly, "Mother, look... I told Yun Qi that he would not lie, if he said he could shoot five hundred steps, then he would definitely be able to shoot five hundred steps! Brother Yunqi He has this talent, always able to design incredible inventions."

Huang Chengyan and Liu Ye are also watching the arrow...

Huang Chengyan said with emotion: "Today's 420 steps, and the [-] steps when the wind is down, it's really scary. This is also the limit of the compound bow drawn by Yunqi, right?"

Liu Ye nodded slightly, but retorted: "Old Huang, actually... there are two ways to exceed the limit?"

"What?" Huang Chengyan was curious.

Liu Ye said in detail: "The first is the compound bow itself. If according to Yunqi's drawings, when making animal tendons, glue, different woods, and silks, the specific processes are completed in specific months. Maybe it can slightly increase the tension, store power...to increase the range, and the second thing..."

Liu Ye's thoughts made Huang Chengyan nod his head, and made Huang Chengyan even more curious about what he would say next.

Liu Ye's voice continued: "The other way is to pull the bowstring farther... to get more power from the bowman..."

Huang Chengyan shook his head at the beginning of this remark, "You, an old man, agree, but the second is a bit taken for granted. With such a strong arm, how is it possible... to pull the bowstring farther? If it is based on the windlass, wouldn't it be more like a crossbow?"

Here, Huang Chengyan and Liu Ye are still arguing about the craftsmanship, power and range of this "compound bow".

Over there, Huang Zhong couldn't wait to try this bow on the battlefield.

He turned his head towards Xiahoujuan and Zhang Xingcai, "Mrs. Xiahou, this old man can't wait to go to the battlefield to test the depth of this bow. Madam can't wait to see the son-in-law, right?"

This was a joke...

But it made Xia Houjuan blush, "Old General Huang made fun of..."

When she heard that she was going to Xiangyang, Zhang Xingcai burst into joy. She hadn't seen Yunqi for a month...

Inexplicably, I always think of him in the dead of night, this feeling is very strange, and I can't wait.

"Mother, let's go to Xiangyang City with the old general Huang. My daughter learned the bow from the old general for a month, and she can't wait to try it on the battlefield?"

It was a fake to try it on the battlefield, Zhang Xingcai wanted to show off to Guan Lin.

It was Liu Ye who heard their conversation, until Huang Zhong, Xia Houjuan, and Zhang Xingcai were about to leave, so he hurriedly took a few steps closer.

"Is General Huang going to Xiangyang City?"

Huang Zhong nodded: "It's time to meet that kid Yunqi!" Speaking of this, Huang Zhong looked at the beloved "Mongolian composite bow" in his hand and said with emotion: "Of course you have contributed to this bow, but Yunqi also deserves credit." no!"

"Then..." Liu Ye's eyes fixed, "Young Master Yunqi specifically explained that when Old General Huang leaves, he... asked me to bring a word to the old general?"

"what?"

"Dare to ask the old general to come over with your ear..."

Liu Ye also played a trick...

However, when Huang Zhong heard this sentence, he couldn't help but startled.

Guan Lin What does this mean?
What is called?Can he also increase the old general's range by twenty steps?
You know...the current 420 steps, theoretically the [-] steps when the wind is down is already the limit...it is a very limit number!
Every step after this is extremely difficult, let alone twenty steps...

and also…

——"Twenty steps? 』

——"Twenty steps? 』

Because of this sentence, Huang Zhong couldn't help but think of his son, and the twenty steps he missed to save his son!

...

...

　(Ps: It's been a long foreshadowing, and finally tomorrow is going to the battlefield.)
　　(Today is the birthday of the children at home, so I won’t add more updates. I haven’t corrected typos in the second half of the article, and I will change them tomorrow!)

　　
　
(End of this chapter)