Shuhan

"General, isn't there a better choice?"

Hou Cheng was silent for a long time and finally spoke.

You Zhang Liao led your elite troops to break through and get out. How can the remaining old, weak, sick and disabled defend Zheng County?
He had a close relationship with Zhang Liao, so he asked the question immediately.

"If the general leaves with his army, and the soldiers and people in the city lose their backbone and lose all morale, how can they defend the city?"

Hou Cheng is indeed afraid of death, but what he said is also true.

"The news of the fall of Tongguan has spread among the army. The morale of the army is already unstable. If the general breaks out, the soldiers and civilians staying in Zheng County will be desperate and will never be able to defend Zheng County."

Morale is gone, hope is gone.

Even if there are conditions to defend the city, Zheng County cannot be defended.

Defending the city is very cruel and requires a lot of courage and perseverance. For an old, weak, sick and disabled army that has lost morale and hope, defending Zheng County has become a luxury.

Hearing this, Zhang Liao was silent for a moment. After careful consideration, he said: "Jian Junsi's information is pervasive. It is indeed difficult to maintain the morale of the city."

Zhang Liao knew in his heart that it was indeed difficult for Hou Cheng to stay in Zheng County.

"But it is a difficult thing to find wealth and honor in danger. If it is accomplished, it will be a great achievement."

Zhang Liao stepped forward, reached out and patted Hou Cheng on the shoulder.

"I don't care what method you use to defend Zheng County for a month. As long as you can hold it for a month, you will be the first to win Tongguan again. This is the achievement of becoming a marquis. Don't you want to seize it?"

Of course I am willing to be granted the title of Marquis.

But it is too difficult to stay in Zheng County for another month. What is the difference between it and death?
"The last general. The last general"

"Hey~"

Zhang Liao sighed and said: "It is impossible to take away everyone when we break out. The old and weak in the city, and the food, grass and baggage in the city cannot be taken away by the Han army. Did you know that?"

"So, hold on for ten days, and no matter how you break out, I, Zhang Wenyuan, will demonstrate my merits for you in front of His Majesty, how about that?"

Ten days?

Hou Cheng's eyes lit up.

Chinese people always like to compromise. For example, if you say: This room is too dark and you need to open a window here, no one will allow it. But if you say you're going to take the roof off, they're willing to open the windows.

If you ask Hou Cheng to hold on for a month, he has no confidence.

But if you ask him to hold on for ten days, he will feel that it is possible.

This is the beauty of bargaining.

"If it only lasts for ten days, I will be willing to give it a try."

When the Han army attacks a city, it still needs to prepare siege equipment. Among these ten days, I am afraid that only two or three days will be the actual time to attack the city.

It is possible to hold on for two or three days, no matter how bad the morale is.

When the time comes, he will also break out.

Even if you just save yourself, it will be a great achievement.

Wealth and wealth are found in danger.

Such a feat may not be impossible to fight for.

Zhang Liao noticed the change in Hou Cheng's expression, and a smile gradually appeared on his face.

In this case, the follow-up to his departure from Zheng County will be arranged.

I hope your Majesty will capture Tongguan soon.

After a while, I am afraid that the Han Kingdom will really digest Guanzhong completely.

"Zhang Liao wants to hold on to Zheng County but is unwilling to surrender?"

After Wei Yan learned that Zhang Liao wanted to defend Zheng County, he first snorted coldly, and then angrily said: "A man who knows the current affairs is a hero. He was able to survive under Cao Cao back then and only then achieved his current status. Now he is unwilling to abandon the dark side and turn to the bright side. It’s ridiculous and pathetic to still want to be a loyal minister of that fake Wei!”

He angrily rebuked Zhang Liao for his foolish loyalty, thinking that the other party was too stubborn and ignorant of current affairs.

In his view, Zhang Liao's persistence would only waste troops in vain and was not beneficial to the overall situation.

You surrendered, and all the glory, wealth, and status are indispensable to you.

Countless lives are still alive.

There is a Buddhist saying: Saving one life is better than building a seven-level pagoda.

If you surrender, you will build tens of thousands of pagodas. Hey~
Give you a chance, you are useless!
Since you are useless, since you are shameless, then don't blame me.

"Since he is unwilling to surrender, let's attack the city! Search the surrounding people, and the Wei army will send troops to attack the city! The siege equipment will also start to be prepared."

Wei Yan acted quickly and immediately ordered the Han army to prepare for the attack.

He understands that a tough battle is coming and must be fully prepared.

Grain is an important material for war. Wei Yan ordered grain officials to collect it to ensure that the Han army had enough rations during the siege.

Siege of a city naturally requires specialized equipment. The manufacture of these utensils takes time, but the deadline given by Wei Yan is only ten days.

He must complete all preparations and capture the city of Zheng County within ten days.

Late at night, darkness enveloped Zheng County. The moonlight was obscured by thick dark clouds, and the stars also hid their light. Only the occasional flickering firelight on the tower added a bit of gloom and mystery to this chilling night.

Zhang Liao stood on the city tower, wearing iron armor and holding a long sword, with firm and cold eyes. He looked into the distance. Although the night was hazy, he had a clear map in his heart. It was his route to break out and his hope for survival.

The sound of preparing soldiers and armor was particularly harsh in the silent night, and the crisp sound of iron weapons clashing seemed to announce that a big battle was coming.

The soldiers of Wei were busy nervously and orderly. They knew that their life or death would be decided in this breakout.

The city gate opened slowly, making a dull sound, as if to see off the tens of thousands of troops.

The horses tread restlessly on the ground, and the collision between the horseshoes and the stone slabs makes a crisp "ta-ta-da" sound. This sound echoes in the silent night, making people nervous.

Zhang Liao was the first to rush out of the city gate, his figure looming in the night, like a sharp sword, pointing straight ahead.

More than ten thousand troops followed closely behind. They surged out like a torrent and were unstoppable.

dong dong dong~
No matter how secretive it is, the sound of thousands of people marching is absolutely insignificant.

The Han troops encountered along the way were ruthlessly defeated and dispersed by them, but Zhang Liao did not order a pursuit. He had only one goal, which was to escape from the encirclement of the Han troops.

In the night, the light of fire and the light of swords intertwined, and the shouts of killing were loud.

"The Wei army has escaped, the Wei army has escaped!"

"Hurry up, hurry up!"

"Come on~"

"Kill~"

The faces of Wei's soldiers were covered with dust and sweat, but their eyes were firm. They knew that only by breaking out of the siege could they have a chance of survival.

The horses panted heavily as they galloped, their bodies covered with sweat and mud, but the charge never stopped.

The Han army's resistance was extremely limited. Most of the soldiers had already prepared to attack the city. They never expected that Zhang Liao would break out of the city tonight.

The Wei army broke through the encirclement of the Han army and fled deep into the night.

Gradually, the wide official road was left behind them, and they entered the mountainous area.

The mountain road is difficult to walk. Sometimes it is a narrow mountain road with steep cliffs on both sides. If you are not careful, you will fall into an abyss; sometimes it is a dense forest with thick trees and thorns everywhere, and the soldiers' robes are torn to pieces. ; Sometimes it is a rapid river, with the water roaring and rushing down. The soldiers must hold on to the reins tightly to maintain the balance of the body.

Zhang Liao wielded his long sword and cut off the thorns in front of him; he crossed the steep mountain road and jumped over the rushing river.

The sound of the Han army pursuing behind him was getting farther and farther away.

Confusing Wei Yan, he thought that it was impossible for me to break through today, which made today's breakout go so smoothly.

Before the day was clear, Zhang Liao ordered the entire army to rest and take stock of the number of people and supplies.

An hour later, the news of each section was also presented to him.

There are nine thousand soldiers and enough food for ten days.

Among these nine thousand, six thousand were his own soldiers and horses, and the other three thousand were the elite of the Wei army.

The thousands of people who remain in the city are basically all state and county soldiers.

With these nine thousand people, it is possible to reverse the situation in Guanzhong.

of course
The most important thing is the six thousand soldiers and horses in his headquarters. This is the foundation of Zhang Liao.

After a short rest, Zhang Liao immediately ordered to set off.

His target is Shangluo City in Wuguan Road.

There will be another update in the evening. (End of chapter)