The Jagged Cavalry of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 116 Chapter 116
(PS: Sorry, some things have been delayed, so that the Chapter 2 update is a bit late, but fortunately, I have caught up. I hope everyone will forgive me.)
After Zhang Yan occupied Linzi City, he also received news from Zang Ba. Only then did he learn that Zang Ba led his army to occupy Jinan and Le'an, and is currently confronting Han Meng on the plain.

Therefore, on the one hand, Zhang Yan sent people to Beihai to bring Kong Rong to Linzi, and on the other hand, he asked Tai Shici, Xu Chu, Niu Jin, and Xu Sheng to rest and reorganize the army.

On the issue of dealing with these prisoners of Yuan Jun, Zhang Yan did not kill them, but gave these prisoners two ways to go.

First, if the captives are really willing to surrender, they can serve as soldiers under his command, with the same treatment as Xuzhou soldiers.

Second, if those who are unwilling to surrender, after confiscating their weapons and battle armor, they will be given some dry food and released to go home.

Zhang Yan's enlightenment won half of the captives to surrender sincerely, while the other half of the captives decided to disarm and return to the fields, took the food distributed by Zhang Yan, dressed as civilians, and returned to their hometown in Hebei.

The next day, Kong Rong was taken to Linzi City, and Zhang Yan personally greeted him at the gate of the city.

After meeting each other and exchanging a few pleasantries, Kong Rong asked straight to the point: "Mr. Zhang summoned me here so urgently. Do you know what's the matter?"

Zhang Yandao: "This is not a place to talk, let's go to the city to talk."

The two arrived at the Governor's Mansion. Zhang Yan and Kong Rong sat down among the guests and the host, and made a pot of good tea for them. There is a very important matter that I want to discuss with Kong Beihai."

Kong Rong cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Zhang, if you have anything to do, just ask. As long as I can help, I will definitely help."

Zhang Yandao: "Now I have almost driven Yuan Tan out of Qingzhou, only Pingyuan is still struggling. I am also planning to lead my troops to Pingyuan to fight Yuan Jun for the final battle. However, after I drive Yuan Tan away, Qingzhou will not be able to survive." There is no master for a day, Kong Beihai is a well-known person in the country, with high morals and high prestige, I would like to invite Kong Beihai to be the governor of Qingzhou..."

As soon as the words fell, Kong Rong immediately retorted: "Mr. Zhang, this matter must never be done. The post of governor of Qingzhou is a matter of great importance, and it is definitely not something I can take on... If I knew Mr. Zhang earlier because of this It is something that made me come, and I will definitely not come. I have said long ago that I am good at writing and writing, but it is not worth mentioning to protect the environment and the people. Zhang Shijun is literary and military, and holds There are heavy soldiers, not to mention that Qingzhou was also brought down by Zhang Shijun, so Zhang Shijun should be in charge."

Zhang Yandao: "But..."

Kong Rong said hastily: "Mr. Zhang, don't be so good. You must be the governor of Qingzhou. To be honest, I wrote a memorial yesterday and sent someone to Chang'an. The envoy is the shepherd of Qingzhou. I believe that it will not be long before the imperial court will send an imperial edict."

"Kong Beihai, your actions are too fast, right?" Zhang Yan said.

Kong Rong said: "This matter is of great importance, and it is related to the future of millions of people in Qingzhou. If we don't act as soon as possible, it may change later."

Hearing Kong Rong's words, Zhang Yan asked, "Kong Beihai, did you really recommend me as Qingzhou shepherd?"

"Qingzhou has been the land of Qi since ancient times. Based on this land, Qi gradually became one of the seven heroes of the Warring States Period. Naturally, it has unique advantages. Mr. Zhang already owns Xuzhou. If Qingzhou is occupied again, with the majesty of the two states, it is inevitable It can achieve a career of dominance. Now that the Han Dynasty is decadent and the heroes are divided, if Zhang Shijun can rely on Qingzhou and Xuzhou to become the overlord of one side, he will surely win the Central Plains and go straight to Chang'an in the future. In this way, the emperor can be rescued and the Han Dynasty can be restored. , will surely go down in history." Kong Rong said impassionedly.

Hearing this, Zhang Yan finally understood that Kong Rong had ulterior motives in letting him be the shepherd of Qingzhou. He wanted to use his power to rescue the emperor who was trapped in Chang'an.

However, what Kong Rong said was indeed reasonable.

Shandong is located at the hub of north-south traffic, with criss-crossing water systems, vast hectares of fertile land, and well-developed industries such as salt, iron, and fishing. To the north, you can see Jizhou and Youzhou, to the south, you can overlook the Huaihe River, and you can even frighten the left of the river. .

However, Shandong has low mountains and hills, facing the sea on three sides. The terrain is high in the middle and low in the surrounding areas.Its shape is not as strong as Yongliang's danger, its territory is not as good as Jingyang's Kuangyan, it can be attacked on three sides, and it lacks strategic depth.Therefore, the terrain here is not conducive to defense. If you are trapped in Shandong, you will not be far from failure.

Although Shandong cannot be defended, if Shandong is attacked from all sides, it can be won. The ancients called it a land of four strikes.

Zhang Yan has now occupied Xuzhou, if he gets Qingzhou again, he will be like a tiger with wings added.

Seeing the sincerity on Kong Rong's face, he said: "What Kong Beihai said is exactly what I thought in my heart. If I can really win the Central Plains, the first thing I will do is to lead an elite army to Chang'an and rescue the emperor. Then assist the emperor to restore the Han Dynasty and make it prosperous."

"If Zhang Shijun can really think so, then the emperor will be very lucky, and the common people will be very lucky!"

Afterwards, Zhang Yan chatted with Kong Rong for a long time, and revealed that his account was short of manpower and he was eager to seek talents.Therefore, Kong Rong took the initiative to recommend a talent for Zhang Yan. This person's surname was Wang Mingxiu, and his courtesy name was Shuzhi. He was from Yingling, Beihai.

In addition, Kong Rong successively recommended several celebrities from Qingzhou.

Zhang Yan continued to let Kong Rong be the Prime Minister of Beihai Kingdom in the capacity of Qingzhou Mu, and he was fully responsible for recruiting talents. All the talents recommended by Kong Rong were either appointed as prefects or prime ministers, or appointed as county magistrates. .

Kong Rong was also willing to serve Zhang Yan, so he promised to recruit a group of talents for Zhang Yan within one month.

On that day, Zhang Yan chatted with Kong Rong very late, and the more they talked, the more speculative they became, and they felt a little sympathetic to each other.

In the evening, after Zhang Yan and Kong Rong finished their dinner, they arranged for Kong Rong to stay in the guest room.He also rested early, and was going to lead the troops to the plain tomorrow.

Early the next morning, Zhang Yan left Linzi city with Tai Shici, Xu Chu, Niu Jin, Xu Sheng and others, and headed for the plain.

Kong Rong, on the other hand, stayed in Linzi for the time being, managing the [-] soldiers of the Yuan Army who had sincerely surrendered, and started recruiting talents.

……

Pingyuan County, Gaotang County.

On the city wall, the military flag with the word "Yuan" fluttered in the wind. Han Meng, wearing an iron helmet and armor, stood under the banner, looking gloomy at the enemy troops outside.

In the open field outside the city, Xuanyi Colonel Zang Ba was riding on a tall horse, surrounded by generals such as Wu Dun, Chang Xi, and Sun Guan, and thousands of Xuzhou soldiers were neatly lined up there, ready to fight .

The city wall of Gaotang County was already stained red with blood, and it was even more devastated. The corpses of Xuzhou soldiers were lying here and there under the city wall. Broken ladders, shattered skulls, and broken weapons were everywhere.

As the sun set in the west, the sunset glow in the sky was glowing red, as if it formed a contrast with this place, and the strong smell of blood carried away with the wind, and it could be heard everywhere within a few miles.

"Drumming! Attack again, I don't believe it, I can't even take down this small county!" Zang Ba was riding on horseback, his brows were tightly frowned, and hatred was revealed in his eyes, viciously Looking at Han Meng on the city wall.

After Wu Dun heard Zang Ba's words, he hurriedly persuaded: "My lord, if we continue to attack like this, our army's losses will be even greater. This man named Han Meng is a general under Yuan Shao's account, and he is very good at defense. He There are only more than 2000 men under him, and he defended the attack of our army of more than 5000 people. It is really not to be underestimated. The last general thought that since a strong attack is not enough, he should outsmart him. After thinking of a clever plan to defeat the enemy, he will definitely be able to Take this city."

Sun Guandao: "My lord, what Wu Dun said is very true. In the past two days, our army has launched several strong attacks in a row. If Han Meng's command is determined, the defense of Gaotang County is as stable as a rock, and our army has also suffered heavy casualties. At present, more than 800 soldiers have been killed in battle alone, and there are still many wounded in the army..."

Zang Badao: "Although our army suffered a lot of losses, Yuan Jun also suffered a lot of casualties. I don't believe that he, Han Meng, can really hold this place with such a small number of people! Let's attack again. This time, I will personally go into battle and tell the soldiers Ladies and gentlemen, whoever kills a Yuan soldier will be rewarded ten thousand, and whoever can kill Han Meng will be rewarded one million."

Seeing that Zang Ba was determined to go his own way, Wu Dun and Sun Guan hurriedly advised: "My lord..."

"I've made up my mind, and anyone who speaks too much will not be pardoned!" Zang Ba said firmly.

Wu Dun and Sun Guan had no choice but to inform the soldiers that they were going to attack again.

This time, Zang Ba gave a heavy reward, and the soldiers were all in high spirits, gearing up there.

Zang Ba turned over and jumped off his horse, picked out a thousand brave men, and prepared to attack with him.

Holding a long knife in one hand and a shield in the other, he let Wu Dun, Sun Guan, and Chang Xi lead the formation behind him. He personally led the soldiers and rushed towards Gaotang County.

Gaotang County is a small city, without a moat, and the city walls are not very high, but Yuan Jun, under the command of Han Meng, was stunned to win more with less, and withstood wave after wave of attacks by Xuzhou soldiers.

Now, when Han Meng saw that Zang Ba was personally leading the army to attack, he immediately asked the archers to prepare to shoot. He himself even took out a bow, set the bow and set an arrow, aimed at Zang Ba, and prepared to shoot him.

"Come on!" Zang Ba led a thousand men who dared to die, running like the wind, extremely fast, and soon drove into the range of Yuan Jun's archers.

On the city tower, Han Meng shot the arrow with a "whoosh" and shouted at the same time: "Let the arrow!"

Following Han Meng's order, the archers on the city tower immediately shot arrows, and at once, hundreds of arrows flew out of the city.

Holding a shield in one hand and a knife in the other, Zang Ba ran forward quickly. Before he got to the bottom of the city, he saw an arrow coming towards him. He swung the long knife in his hand and cut the arrow in two. , After that, he swung the long knife continuously, pushed away several arrows that were shot, and rushed under the city wall with a cold face.

The Xuzhou soldiers behind him were also all brave. Facing the arrows shot by Yuan Jun, some soldiers were unable to dodge in time and were killed by the arrows.Fortunately, the soldiers carrying the ladders rushed under the city wall unscathed, and quickly set up the ladders.

On the tower, Han Meng was a little surprised when he saw that an arrow missed Zang Ba. When he saw that Xuzhou soldiers had rushed under the city wall, he immediately discarded his bow and arrow, picked up a big stone, and moved towards Zang Ba under the city wall. smashed down.

(End of this chapter)