Shuhan

In Qingzhou, the once prosperous city of Linzi is now shrouded in ruins and smoke, as if the dust of history has solidified at this moment.

The afterglow of the setting sun weakly sprinkled on the ruins, adding a bit of desolation and tragedy to this ancient city.

Cao Zhen, wearing heavy armor, stood on a high slope, staring at the crumbling city with his sharp eyes.

There was no trace of relief or joy on his face, but instead it was filled with solemnity and anxiety.

Although the attacks over the past few days had allowed the Wei army's flags to gradually approach the top of the city, the progress was much slower than he had expected.

"Why is it so difficult?" Cao Zhen thought to himself, his brows furrowed, and a barely perceptible bitter smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Although Zhao Yun is no longer with us, the city defenses he left behind are still indestructible, like a piece of stubborn rock, blocking the advance of the Wei army.

However, what worried him more was the passage of time. Every minute and every second of delay could give the enemy a chance to catch their breath and even affect the entire battle situation.

According to the news from the school affairs office, there are many ships crossing the sea from Yangzhou to Qingzhou. If we cannot speed up the elimination of the Han army in Qingzhou, we may really not be able to take it down.

He turned around suddenly, his eyes as sharp as knives, shooting straight at Gongsun Gong beside him.

Gongsun Gong, the former lord of Liaodong, has suffered a tragic fate due to Gongsun Yuan's betrayal and surrender, and now has become a member of Cao Zhen's army.

Gongsun Yuan, who was originally a traitor of the Wei State, was whitewashed by Sima Yi and even became the commander-in-chief of Youzhou's military affairs and a local lord.

Gongsun Gong was sent to Qingzhou by Gongsun Yuan along with the disobedient people in Liaodong, some miscellaneous soldiers from the grassland, and the old and weak in Youzhou to help Cao Zhen pacify Qingzhou.

Gongsun Gong looked slightly thin and haggard, with complex emotions flashing in his eyes - memories of the past and uncertainty about the future.

Seeing Cao Zhen's question, Gongsun Gong quickly bowed and replied: "The grassland soldiers and Youzhou soldiers suffered heavy casualties. If they want to recover their combat effectiveness, I'm afraid they will need at least a month of rest."

Upon hearing this, Cao Zhen was silent for a moment. His sharp eyes seemed to be able to penetrate all hypocrisy and look directly into Gongsun Gong's heart.

He knew that what Gongsun Gong said was true. The fierce fighting over the past few days had left these soldiers from the grassland and Youzhou exhausted and suffered heavy casualties.

But the cruelty of the battlefield did not allow him to have any hesitation or mercy, he had to make a decision.

"One month?" Cao Zhen spat out these words coldly, with unquestionable majesty in his tone.

"We don't have a month. We only have ten days. After ten days, all the troops under your command must be ready to march to the city of Ju County."

Gongsun Gong's face changed slightly when he heard this, but he immediately regained his composure.

In front of a strong man like Cao Zhen, any excuses are futile.

So he responded respectfully: "As you command, General. I will do my best to make adjustments and ensure that the troops can recover their combat effectiveness within ten days."

As for what method to use.
It doesn’t matter, we just need to bring the person to the city of Ju County.

Anyway, these people are just cannon fodder.

In the Ju County Government Office.

In the lobby.

The sunlight shines through the carved window frames, casting patches of light onto the bluestone floor.

Zhao Yunduan sat on the main seat, his figure was as tall and straight as a pine tree, his face was as calm as water, as if all the noise from the outside world could not disturb his inner tranquility.

His eyes were deep, revealing a kind of indifference that transcended victory or defeat, a kind of calmness that came from experiencing many vicissitudes of life.

The news of the fall of Linzi City passed through the hall silently like a gust of cold wind, but left a heavy mark on everyone's heart.

However, for Zhao Yun, this news did not cause much emotional fluctuation. There was no joy or sadness on his face, as if all this had been expected by him.

The loss of Linzi was only a part of the overall situation, aimed at delaying the Wei army's overwhelming offensive and buying precious time and space for the Han army.

He already had a more far-reaching plan in his mind, and Ju County was his real battlefield.

Zhao Yun slowly withdrew his gaze from the window and turned it to look at Hao Zhao who was standing below.

Hao Zhao was a general known for his ability to defend a city. He had a sturdy build, a resolute face, and an unyielding light in his eyes.

His armor shone with a cold luster in the sunlight, and every scratch was a testimony to past battles.

Hao Zhao was personally appointed by His Majesty, which means he has real ability.

"General Hao." Zhao Yun's voice was low and powerful.

"The Wei army is powerful, and after this period of training, it has become an elite force. Ju County is the last barrier of our army. If we lose this place, Qingzhou will no longer have a foothold for the Han army. Are you sure you can hold on to Ju County?"

Hao Zhao was shocked when he heard this. He then strode forward, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands together, and said in a firm voice: "Don't worry, Governor. Ju County is in my hands and will never be lost! I am willing to guarantee it with my own life. I swear to live and die with Ju County!"

Zhao Yun looked at Hao Zhao, with a barely perceptible hint of approval in his eyes.

Hao Zhao not only possesses extraordinary martial arts, but also has firm beliefs and an indomitable will, which are exactly the qualities needed to defend the city.

He nodded slightly, his tone revealing a subtle appreciation: "General Hao, I know your determination. But remember, the gain or loss of a city is not only related to the territory, but also to the people's hearts. The abandonment of the city last time has caused doubts in the hearts of the Qingzhou nobles. Unless it is necessary, we can't give in any more."

Having said this, Zhao Yun's gaze became deep, as if he had penetrated time and seen the distant future.

"The Qingzhou nobles are the foundation of our Han Dynasty here. If we can't even protect Ju County, I'm afraid we will lose the support of the people and our soldiers will be exhausted and discouraged. By then, even the strongest city walls will not be able to stop the internal collapse. We must prove to the Qingzhou nobles that we are capable of defending this land and protecting their wealth and peace. Only in this way can we win their sincere support. Otherwise, once they turn against us, Qingzhou will really be undefendable."

Hearing this, Hao Zhao felt a strong sense of mission in his heart. He clasped his fists again and said in a more determined voice: "What the governor said is absolutely right. I will go all out and live up to your trust. Ju County will be an insurmountable barrier for the Wei army!"

As long as you are in the city, you are there!

The city where people die still exists!
Zhao Yun smiled slightly. He stood up, walked to Hao Zhao, and patted him on the shoulder gently: "General Hao, I believe in you. But remember, war is not only a contest of force, but also a game of wisdom. You need to make good use of the resources in the city, mobilize all available soldiers, and be good at using the terrain and people's hearts, so that you can defeat the strong with the weak and the many with the few. Ju County, I will leave it to you."

As Zhao Yun finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall seemed to become more solemn.

Zhao Yun sat back in the main seat, his eyes swept over every general present, and his voice sounded again, this time full of strength and determination: "Everyone, the battle of Ju County is not only to defend a piece of land, but also to protect the people behind us, for the dignity and glory of the Han Dynasty. Let us join hands and face the national crisis together, and let the Wei army know that the will of the Han army will never be conquered!"

"Long live His Majesty, long live the Han Dynasty!"

As Zhao Yun finished speaking, a firm response rang out in the hall. It was the voice from the hearts of every Han army soldier, expressing their desire for victory and their loyalty to the country.

"Long live His Majesty, long live the Han Dynasty!"

"Long live His Majesty, long live the Han Dynasty!"

"Long live His Majesty, long live the Han Dynasty!"

At this moment, the lobby of Ju County Government Office seemed to have become a small world, gathering everyone's strength and faith, ready to greet the coming storm.

In the following days, Hao Zhao led the Han army to reinforce the city walls day and night, prepare food and fodder, and train soldiers. At the same time, he went deep into the countryside and mobilized the people to jointly build an indestructible line of defense.

Zhao Yun was watching from the side, providing him with support without interfering.

After Hao Zhao took control of Ju County, he immediately issued five notices and ordered officials and soldiers to implement them.

First: Carefully check the identities of the slaves and servants, because the spies sent by the enemy are often the housekeepers, slaves, and their own confidants.

Second: Send officials to carefully check the house numbers of the common people, and interrogate them by name in every household, except for the gentry and women.

Third: If there are relatives in the city, they must be claimed by their relatives when entering the city.

Fourth: If you are alone and no one knows you, and you don’t have any token of your belongings, you must be especially careful to inquire.

No itinerant monks or Taoist priests, foreign doctors, fortune tellers, astrologers or medicine sellers are allowed in.

It is not enough to do the above.

Because the government not only has to conduct open inspections but also has to arrange secret checks to ensure that nothing goes wrong.

There are two types of secret sentries.

The first is that the government would send out a few careful and courageous runners to visit everywhere.

The second way is to ask local merchants to investigate secretly. Of course, these merchants must be people who have been cleared of suspicion and can be deployed safely. If they can identify a spy, they can report it to the government and receive a reward of silver.

Another important point is to calm people's hearts.
People’s hearts are the most critical hurdle. If people’s hearts are scattered, the city will collapse on its own, so we must do a good job in this regard.

As soon as there is an alarm.

Immediately show it to the residents.

We have our own soldiers to protect the city and kill the bandits.

There is no need to panic and run away.

Food, water and supplies are one of the lifelines for defending a city and must be prepared in advance.

The first thing is to stock up on water.

The best place to store water is in a vacant area in a temple in the city, or in a sweet water spring. Be sure to add thirty to fifty wells to prepare for emergencies in the city.

The reason why rainwater and river water are not used is probably because rainwater is not easy to preserve and has a short shelf life, while river water is easily polluted.

But the most important thing is that well water is more convenient and can quickly resolve emergencies, such as fire.

The second is food and fodder.

One way to solve the food and fodder problem was to let the wealthy families keep their own rations and lend the rest to the soldiers and civilians.

The government would keep a record and ask those who borrowed grain to sign their name.

If the enemy is hundreds of miles away, the officers and soldiers will hear the sound and quickly inform the villagers outside the city to move all the food, firewood, livestock, firewood, and boxes and cabinets into the city.

There are other supplies as well.

For example, mutton tallow, beech candles, oil, adzes, tabby cats, saltpeter, willow ash, rolling racks, pillows, U-shaped racks, broken bricks and stones, lime, coal, large poles, fences, boards, thorns, spears, guards for each door of the train, wolf whisks for each door, hook guns, lead and iron balls, large lanterns and buckets, grain poles, mats, reeds, hemp, bows, arrows, iron stirrups, pestle heads, miscellaneous firewood, silk beating stones, straw mats, feces and urine buckets, water jars, high-quality paper, pens, inkstones, ink tables, eyebrow-high elm, locust, mulberry and jujube sticks, iron, etc. all have important uses.

For example, human feces are a powerful weapon for defending a city.

It can be made into golden juice to make the enemy's wounds infected and festered.

The method of making golden juice is as follows:
A large pit was dug for every ten stacks, and an iron pot was placed on the pit, into which the workers who worked on the stacks emptied their urine and feces.

When the enemy attacked the city, they used firewood to boil the manure water.

Use a spoon or bucket to pour it down, it will rot the flesh and cause death in pain.

Another method is to put a wooden barrel, jar or bottle with dung in it. When the enemy is at the foot of the city, spray them with dung baskets, or pour it on their heads, so that they are covered with dung and cannot climb up because the city is slippery.

What if there is a shortage of emergency items needed to defend the city?

All the big and small families in the city, if they had collections, would rush to give them away, and the local government would record them in a book, with each household having a number on the item.

In addition to the above, Hao Zhao and the soldiers and officers defending the city placed special emphasis on order in defending the city.

Defending the city is important, but order cannot be disrupted.

In order to maintain order in the city, patrols need to be organized.

This patrol team will use two strong and diligent men as patrolmen.

Their main task is to investigate those who are lazy, arrogant, stubborn and corrupt, and those who violate discipline, and report them to the guards, who will then report them to the chief guards, or even punish them by military law.

If there is any leniency or collusion, they will be punished equally.

Secondly, we need to prepare the suicide squad.

When the enemy attacks a city, they often use the tactic of waiting for the enemy to tire themselves out. They wait for the enemy to starve while they are well fed in order to undermine the morale of the defenders.

Often the defenders would be besieged for months.

If the defending side wants to break the deadlock, they can only take the initiative to attack, and maybe they can win if they try hard.

In order to organize a suicide squad, one must select three to five hundred strong soldiers and give them generous rewards.

There will always be brave men under a big reward. After selecting a hundred soldiers, let them dress up as enemies and attack their camp at night.

They used kerosene to burn the enemy's food supplies.

These warriors never returned, their courage is admirable.

Defending a city does not mean passively accepting a beating. If you are completely trapped in the city and become blind and deaf, then there is no hope for you.

Therefore, it is also necessary to collect information and carry out counter-reconnaissance.

Watching how Hao Zhao defended the city, Zhao Yun knew that he had real skills, and couldn't help asking:
"How can I check if the enemy is attacking at night?"

Hao Zhao looked at Zhao Yun and said, "It's actually very simple. First, he is a spy.

The defenders can also use spies, and if they make good use of them, they will surely win a great victory. "

Zhao Yun asked again: "But if there are no spies or the spies are exposed, how can the city be defended in advance?"

Hao Zhao chuckled and replied, "It's very simple. First, hang lanterns on the parapet.

In this way, eight feet above the ground, you can observe how far away the enemy is.

Of course, another method is to interfere with the enemy's information so that the enemy dare not approach but without losing a single soldier.

This is not the Empty City Strategy, but it is better than the Empty City Strategy.

First of all, it is most important to ensure silence in the city at night in order to hear the enemy's news.

There were watchmen at the city gates all around. Every time a cannon was fired, someone would shout loudly, "Everyone be careful!" Everyone on the city shouted in unison.

At this time, we are not allowed to make any noise or appearance, so that the enemy cannot hide their presence or absence."

At this point, Zhao Yun was completely convinced and no longer had any doubts about Hao Zhao's ability to defend the city.

Like a student, he watched how Hao Zhao arranged the city defense.

"How to deal with the enemy?"

Hao Zhao looked at everyone and said:

When the enemy attacks, you need to formulate tactics according to different battle situations.

The following tips work wonders.

Borrowing Arrows with Straw Man: When the people guarding the city see the enemy shooting arrows from a distance, they can use straw men to block the arrows and collect them.

Never draw your bow and shoot at others.

Anti-ladder: When the enemy reaches the foot of the city and uses a ladder to climb the city wall, you do not need to act immediately. Just wait for the enemy to climb up the city wall with both hands, and then use the adze or axe to cut off his hands if you see them, and cut off his head if you see him.

Of course, the most effective thing is the throwing of feces that I mentioned before!
Prevent digging the wall: If the enemy digs the wall, you can throw radium stones and ash bottles.

Or use an oil iron rope to lower oil firewood and burn it.

City gate: Build a high and thick wall within ten steps of the city gate.

A magpie platform should also be built, which needs to be two zhang high.

The wall is on the Que Terrace, 13 feet high, 8 feet thick at the base, and 3 feet narrow at the top. It covers the door for 32 feet at both ends, thus preventing conflict.

Whether the gate is opened or closed cannot be known from outside. Even if someone breaks into the wall, artillery and stones will rain down from the city, and the sheep and horses on both sides of the wall can attack from both sides.

Defense inside the city: dig a pit about ten steps inside the city gate, five feet wide and ten feet deep.

Place boards in the pit and nail them with long nails, nail mats on the surface of the pit, and cover it with a thin layer of soil.

Ten three-barreled muskets, ten hard bows, and five shield carts were used beside each pit in preparation for street fighting.

If the enemy enters directly, he will fall into the pit.

The enemy wanted to move forward and attacked with muskets and bows and arrows.

Dig another pit twenty steps away, following the same method as above.

If the enemy broke into the city, the officers and soldiers could fill the streets with tables, chairs, beds and other items from each household, burn the road, and add firewood to prevent the enemy from advancing.

"

Under Hao Zhao's arrangement, Ju County's defense power increased dramatically, and it was as solid as a rock, as if no one could break it.

. . .

Ten days later, at dawn, a faint blue-purple hue appeared in the sky. The Wei army's tents were like a forest of giant beasts, slowly spreading out on the vast plain outside Ju County.

In the morning light, armor and weapons flashed coldly, and soldiers were busy shuttling among them, preparing for the upcoming battle.

For the Wei army, Ju County was just another inconspicuous small town on their road to conquest, no different from the previous Linzi. Their hearts were filled with confidence that they would win.

Cao Zhen stood on the high platform, his eyes sharp as torches, scanning the army below that was ready to go.

His face was firm, his brows revealed an unquestionable majesty, but he was thinking in his heart: "Although our army suffered heavy losses in the battle of Linzi, we finally conquered the city. This time, Ju County will be easily captured."

Thinking of this, he waved his hand and ordered the entire army to advance and launched the first exploratory attack on Ju County.

The Wei army's offensive was as surging as a tide. The sound of war drums shook the earth. The soldiers shouted, holding spears and shields, and rushed towards the city walls of Ju County like a black torrent.

On the city wall, the defenders were on high alert, with arrows pouring down like rain, forming a sharp contrast to the Wei army's offensive.

However, what the Wei army did not expect was that this was just the beginning.

During the first charge, the Wei army, relying on their numerical advantage, almost reached the bottom of the city wall, but suddenly, flames shot up into the sky from the city wall, and rolling logs and rocks seemed like divine punishment, instantly smashing the soldiers in front into a bloody mess.

Immediately afterwards, a dense rain of arrows covered the area again, and the Wei army's offensive was forcibly blocked, leaving behind a scene of wailing and corpses.

Cao Zhen frowned, he did not expect Ju County's defense to be so tenacious. He looked around and saw that the soldiers were frightened and their morale was not as high as before.

He was secretly shocked, but he quickly adjusted his strategy and decided to adopt the wheel tactics, attacking the city continuously to consume the defenders' physical strength and supplies.

Over the next three days and three nights, the Wei army attacked the city walls of Ju County again and again like a tide, and each charge was accompanied by fierce fighting.

In the night, the firelight and the shouts of killing intertwined, and the air was filled with the pungent smell of blood. The corpses of the Wei army piled up like a mountain, and the blood dyed the land under the city wall red, but the solid city wall seemed to never collapse, watching all this coldly.

Cao Zhen's mood became increasingly heavy. He stood outside the tent, staring at the seemingly insurmountable city wall in the distance, with an unprecedented sense of frustration in his heart. The guards around him also looked solemn and dared not breathe.

At this time, a guard approached cautiously and asked in a low voice: "General, do we need to retreat temporarily and regroup?"

Cao Zhen shook his head, his eyes flashing with determination: "No, I can't let the blood of the soldiers be shed in vain. Let's go find out who is guarding Ju County?"

The guards took the order and left. Not long after, they hurried back and knelt down to report: "General, the one guarding the city is Hao Zhao!"

"Hao Zhao?" Cao Zhen frowned slightly when he heard this, and the name lingered in his mind.

He remembered that although Hao Zhao was not a famous general, he was known in the army for his wisdom and courage. He never expected that it was him who was holding on here.

This is actually a talent from his Great Wei!

Cao Zhen pondered for a moment and decided to go into battle himself to boost morale.

He put on armor, held a long sword, mounted his horse, and at a command, the Wei army launched another fierce offensive.

This time, he personally led the charge, set an example, and inspired the soldiers to move forward bravely.

However, even so, the walls of Ju County were still as solid as a rock, and Hao Zhao's defensive strategy was flawless. Every charge of the Wei army was ruthlessly repelled.

During the fierce battle, Cao Zhen witnessed Hao Zhao's bravery with his own eyes.

On the city wall, Hao Zhao, wearing a battle robe and holding a spear, stood tall and straight, like a god of war.

His eyes were as sharp as an eagle, and every command he gave was just right, whether it was the density of the rain of arrows or the timing of dropping rolling logs and rocks, he grasped them just right, making the Wei army's offensive fail time and time again.

As time passed, the morale of the Wei army became increasingly low and they suffered heavy casualties, while the defenders of Ju County remained energetic and full of fighting spirit.

Cao Zhen couldn't help but feel powerless. He realized that it was impossible to capture the city by brute force alone.

As night fell, the battlefield calmed down temporarily, but the hearts of both sides were surging.

Cao Zhen sat in the tent with a frown on his face, feeling mixed emotions.

If we want to take over Ju County, Hao Zhao is the key! (End of this chapter)