Soldiers come to the world

Cao Cao's army arrived in Xicheng in the evening. They did not approach Xicheng, but set up a camp in a wilderness about ten miles away from Xicheng. Cao's soldiers were busy in the camp. In the big tent, Cao Cao was listening General Zang Ba's report on offensive and defensive warfare.

Xia Houyuan successfully resisted the fierce attack of the Han army, causing nearly 5000 casualties in the Han army, which made Cao Cao quite satisfied.

This can be said to be a rare example of Cao Jun defeating the Han Army. It also shows that his prediction is completely correct. Cao Jun's opponent.

Cao Cao walked to the tent with his hands behind his back, and stared at the setting sun for a long time. The towering mountains in the distance were stained with a layer of blood red. At this moment, he actually had the openness to see the sun behind the clouds.

The battle of Xicheng was like a mirror, allowing him to see the other side of Liu Jing's army. After leaving the south, the Han army was like a fish out of water. The myth of their invincibility was broken in the battle of Xicheng, which made Cao Cao see Here comes the hope.

Thinking of this, Cao Cao turned his head and smiled at Zang Ba: "General Zang, go and rest for a while, I will look for you later."

"I obey you!" Zang Ba hurriedly saluted and then retreated.

At this time, Cao Cao smiled at Xun You and said, "Does Gongda have any new ideas?"

Xun You pondered for a moment and said: "I hope that the Prime Minister will not be contemptuous just because Liu Jing failed to attack the city once. In fact, the failure of the Han army to attack the city was because the Western City was condescending, and the Han army's catapult method was effective. The outcome cannot be predicted.” [

The smile on Cao Cao's face suddenly froze, and after a while, he nodded silently, "Gongda is right!"

Xun You smiled again: "Although the Han army's combat effectiveness is very strong, our strategy is close to success. Now Liu Jing can do something for the time being. I think he knows that procrastination will be extremely harmful to his army. At this time, it is time for us to use it." It's time to use the trump card, but before using the trump card, I suggest to feint another shot to give Liu Jing an illusion."

Cao Cao's strategy towards Xun You was to obey his words, he asked with a smile, "I don't know what this feigned shot is?"

"It's very simple, robbing the Han army's grain road!"

Xun You whispered to Cao Cao, "Find a general who might surrender to Liu Jing."

Cao Cao nodded again and again, and laughed knowingly

After the first tentative attack failed, Liu Jing withdrew his troops and returned to the camp. Instead of launching a second large-scale attack, he summoned all the generals and counselors above the vice captain and above to gather in the big tent to review the reasons for the failure of the siege. reason.

"From the perspective of the terrain, our army is indeed in a disadvantageous position, but I don't think this is the main reason. The reason is that many of our generals, including me, Liu Jing, have the intention to underestimate the enemy of Cao Jun, and always think that Cao Jun is unbearable. One blow, don't forget, it was in the south of the Yangtze River, above the Han River and the Yangtze River, and now we are in the north, and Cao Jun is the overlord of the north. When we challenged the overlord of the north, we actually had the intention of underestimating the enemy. It's a dangerous signal!"

Liu Jing's attitude was very stern. There were crows and sparrows in the big tent, and everyone lowered their heads in shame. At this time, Zhao Yun sighed and said, "I am mainly responsible for the failure of this siege. I am willing to take responsibility. Please state Shepherd punishment!"

Liu Jing shook his head, "I didn't say that a defeat in a siege battle is a failure. It is normal to lose a siege battle, but such a heavy casualty is not normal. In the final analysis, it is caused by our underestimation of the enemy. Today I want to review it with you all. What is important is to underestimate the enemy, not to lose."

Seeing that everyone felt ashamed, Liu Jing knew that it was enough to stop the review, so he said to everyone: "Everyone, go back! I hope everyone can keep silent. This review is limited to all of us here. Don't expand it, so as not to affect the morale of the army."

Everyone got up and left one after another, only Liu Jing, Zhao Yun, Fazheng and Pang Tong were left in the big tent, Fazheng said to Liu Jing sincerely: "Zhou Mu, please forgive me for speaking bluntly, I think this time the siege of the city In fact, Zhou Mu was too hasty in the battle and was not fully prepared, this is the real reason for our defeat, it is not a matter of underestimating the enemy."

Pang Tong also said: "I also felt it. I feel that Zhou Mu is a little impatient after passing Qishan. In fact, this siege battle is obviously not good for us. We should not fight. We should look for opportunities in the confrontation. Xiaozhi is right. , The main reason for the failure of this siege is to act too hastily.”

Liu Jing was silent for a moment and said: "The two military advisers are right. I am indeed a little impatient. The main reason is that our food and grass are only enough to last ten days, and the battle line is too long. Supplies have become a problem, and they can only be delivered every two days. One batch of food is only enough to feed [-] troops for one day. The pressure on the army food is very high. We have never encountered this kind of food transportation problem before. If we fight a long-term war like this, we can’t afford it. That’s what Cao Cao meant, so I have to Capture the west city before Cao Cao's main force arrives, but now it seems that this idea seems unrealistic."

Zhao Yun suggested from the side: "The main force of Cao's army is only [-] troops, which is comparable to our strength. In fact, we can face the main force of Cao's army and order [-] troops to keep an eye on the west city. If we can defeat the main force of Cao army, the west city will be destroyed." [

"inappropriate!"

Fazheng and Pang Tong objected in unison, and Fazheng said solemnly: "Cao's army is mutual support, and if we attack the main force of Cao's army, the [-] Cao army in Xicheng will definitely attack us from the rear and make us suffer from the enemy. If we fight, we will be defeated without a fight. This is a big taboo for military strategists, and we must not attack rashly."

Liu Jing nodded, "The reason why I didn't go north to meet Cao Cao was because there were too many troops in the city, which was not suitable for the tactic of besieging the city and fighting for reinforcements. Right now, the troops either retreat or wait for a chance. There is no better way for the time being."

The three of them were silent, and the retreat was obviously not possible, so they could only confront each other temporarily. Fazheng and Pang Tong also had time to plan. At this moment, a soldier rushed to the door of the tent to report: "Report to Zhou Mu, the scouts noticed a change in Cao's army, and an army of about 3000 people took a small path and went behind us."

Everyone looked at each other in dismay. This is Cao Cao repeating his old trick, sending troops to rob their grain roads. Liu Jing snorted heavily, and then said to Zhao Yun: "Although Zhang Ren is with the army to protect the grain, he may not be prepared. Zilong can take 5000 People go south to intercept, and we must wipe out this Cao army that is attacking Liangdao!"

"Wei Chen obeys!"

Zhao Yun clasped his fists in salute, and left in a hurry. Liu Jing walked to the tent door, looked at the north with his hands behind his back and said to himself, "Tie Cao, I'm afraid I'll disappoint you!"

The dark night shrouded the vast mountains, without stars and moonlight, the dark clouds hung low, and the night was extremely deep. On the dark and rugged mountain road, an army of 3000 people was marching southward at high speed.

This is the Cao army who went to attack the grain road of the Han army, led by the general Xia Houlan. Xia Houlan is from Changshan Zhending and Xia Houyuan's subordinate.

Xia Houlan led the army to set off yesterday, bypassing the Han army's camp from the west path, and is currently in the area of ​​Qishan West Road. They are going to go around to Heisongling, which is conducive to Cao's attack on the grain road.

At this time, it was the fourth watch, and the mountain road became more and more difficult to walk, and the road ahead could not be seen clearly. At this time, a confidant led the horse to Xia Houlan and said in a low voice: "General, take a break, it will be dawn." Let's go later!"

Xia Houlan shook her head, "We were discovered by the scouts of the Han army yesterday, and there must be pursuers behind us, so we can't rest and continue marching!"

"But the road ahead is very steep, and it is very dangerous to walk in the dark at night, and the Han army will not chase in the dark, so we should stop and let the spies explore the road first."

Xia Houlan pondered for a moment, this is okay, anyway, the Prime Minister's confession before leaving was not for robbing food, but to make a big noise, simply fighting a war was just in line with the Prime Minister's request, thinking of this, Xia Houlan immediately ordered: : "Let the brothers rest on the spot for two hours!"

The tooth general was overjoyed, and hurried forward to pass the order, "The general has an order, rest on the spot!"

The soldiers of Cao Jun found a dry place to sit down, drink water and eat dry food. At this moment, a soldier rushed to Xia Houlan and reported: "General Qi, I found the Han army twenty miles ahead. A food convoy with thousands of head of livestock, guarded by about a thousand troops."

Xia Houlan stood up abruptly and shouted sharply: "Everyone get up and prepare to go to fight!"

In a valley twenty miles away, there is indeed a northbound grain team, consisting of 1000 mules, transporting [-] shi of grain and [-] loads of fodder, and these grains also include more than [-] mule drivers and a thousand guard soldiers The food was consumed on the road, and when it was transported to the front camp, there was only five thousand shi of grain left, and there was basically no fodder left.

This food delivery team is just one of the twelve food delivery teams on Qishan Road. The twelve food delivery teams take turns to deliver food continuously to ensure the supply of food and grass for the [-] troops on the front line. The food team did not take the night journey, but spent the night in the valley.

At this time, the fifth watch has passed, the sky is gradually getting a little clearer, and it is no longer dark, and the mountain road ahead can be vaguely seen. Amid the shouts of the army, the mule drivers urged the grain mules and horses to get up one after another, unloading the food on the ground. The grain on the side was put back on the mule's back, the mule was given water, and the pack was packed and ready to go.

At this moment, a patrolman rushed to the front and shouted anxiously: "Retreat quickly! Cao Jun is coming from the front, and it is already two miles away."

The news immediately caused the food team to be in a mess. Some people in the mule and horse team were at a loss, and some people ran back with their mules. Follow me to Taniguchi to stop Cao Jun."

He turned his head and shouted to a military marquis: "Wu Junhou, you lead the [-] brothers and lead the grain team to retreat south!"

In the chaos, the food team turned around and went south. Eight hundred soldiers rushed to the valley entrance to hide. , Cao Jun did not find Taniguchi's ambush, they were eager to make contributions, and rushed to Taniguchi at a high speed, until they were dozens of steps away from Taniguchi.

At this moment, there was a sound of clappers in the valley, and arrows were fired from both sides of the valley. The dense arrows shot at Cao Jun. Cao Jun was caught off guard, and the soldiers rushing in front fell to the ground one after another, killing more than a hundred people People, the screams rang out, and Cao Jun's soldiers retreated one after another.

Xia Houlan was also taken aback, and shouted, "Brothers with shields step forward!"

Cao Junzhong immediately rushed out hundreds of soldiers holding shields, quickly formed a shield wall on the mountain road, and began to move forward slowly. , the tooth general Feng Jing saw that the bow and arrow had lost its effect, he shouted: "Kill it!"

Eight hundred Han troops shouted to kill in unison, rushed out from the hiding place, held spears and knives to kill Cao Jun, Cao Jun also shouted and rushed forward, the two armies collided loudly, and fought bloody in the wilderness outside the valley mouth .

At this moment, Zhang Ren led [-] Han troops from the south to rush quickly, rushed into the valley, and swooped away on the battlefield several miles away.

At the same time, Zhao Yun also led [-] troops from the north and attacked Cao Jun from behind.