Great Han Empire

Chapter 770: A Storm of Troubled Heroes

On September, Ganling Kingdom, Dongwu City.

Sima Fugan gave a detailed report on the current positions of the various armies.

Because Jiang Wu, Wei Jun, and Liu Ming's [-] iron cavalry arrived in Guantao and Weicheng in time, the retreat speed of the rebel army was delayed, and it bought time for Wang Dang and Xu Huang's army to block.Now Cao Cao's army is blocked outside the Daliu Ruins, unable to advance an inch.The armies from all walks of northern Xinjiang responsible for outflanking Cao Cao have arrived at the predetermined location one after another.The various armies responsible for outflanking Yuan Shao were not far from their scheduled positions.

"Did the cavalry lose a lot?" Li Hong asked with concern.

"There is no loss." Fu Gan replied, "All cavalry troops strictly obey the orders of the general. Before the siege is completed, it is strictly forbidden to launch a frontal attack on the rebels to avoid heavy losses."

"If the battle has reached this point, if the losses are too great, then the gains will not be worth the losses." Li Hong waved his hands and smiled, "I will tell Qu Yi and the generals of the various armies to encircle the rebels at the lowest cost as much as possible, unless it is absolutely necessary. , No fierce battles with the rebels are allowed. We have paid a very high price to defeat the rebels this time, if the army loses too much, it will completely defeat the original purpose of luring the enemy deep."

Then he pointed to the map on the table, and continued: "Now that Yuan Shao's army is divided into three groups, and Yuan Shu has captured Dingtao, it is estimated that Xuzhou and several counties in the east of Yanzhou will soon become Yuan Shu's possessions. In view of the current situation, what are the strategies you adults have to deal with?"

"Although Cao Cao's westward retreat was very fast, Yuan Shao's reaction was faster. He divided his troops into three groups, and he has obviously made various emergency preparations. If Cao Cao can be rescued, he will cooperate with Cao Cao to retreat from Fanyang and Puyang. If If Cao Cao cannot be rescued, the worst case scenario is to lose the army that rescued Cao Cao, so that he can also ensure that the other two armies can safely withdraw to Hanoi and Chenliu from the west and south respectively." Jia Xu shook his head, He said unwillingly, "Yuan Shao has completely taken the initiative on the battlefield. Now that our outflanking army has not arrived at the predetermined location, it is impossible to encircle Yuan Shao."

"General Qu Yi proposed to surround Cao Cao in Guantao first, and then surround Yuan Shao in Weicheng, and then lure Yuan Shao's other two troops to quickly rescue Weicheng, thus completing the encirclement." Sima Yi put his hand on the map and gestured "I think this strategy can still be tried. Now that Yuan Shu has succeeded in the Central Plains, if Yuan Shao is allowed to escape smoothly, we will have to put Cao Cao back. This result is too difficult for us to accept."

"For General Qu Yi's strategy to be realized, at least two prerequisites are required. One is that Yuan Shao is in Weicheng. The other two armies see Yuan Shao being besieged, so they must rescue him no matter what. The second is that Lu Bu seizes Yuan Shao's army in front Fanyang and Neihuang were captured, and the encirclement of Yuan Shao was completed. But now it seems that these two prerequisites are impossible. First, Yuan Shao will not risk his life. Second, Lu Bu's iron cavalry can't rush The rebels captured Fanyang and Neihuang before. Since Lu Bu’s [-] cavalry could not capture Fanyang and Neihuang, at most he could only cut off the rebels’ southward retreat. determination."

Jia Xu clenched his fists and lightly hammered on the map, "If Master Zhang Yan has more troops in Yecheng, we can definitely send a large army to advance near Heishan and cut off Yuan Shao's retreat from the west. It is meaningless to say these words now. We should surround Wei City as soon as possible, wipe out all the rebels first, and then go back and fight Cao Cao. It is enough to beat Cao Cao to death. Now that Yuan Shu has won in the Central Plains , Yuan Shao only suffered a little loss, so this Cao Cao must be sent back no matter what."

=

"When will General Yan Rou's [-] southern troops arrive in Wei County?" Li Hong turned to look at Fu Gan and asked.

"At least another six to seven days."

Li Hong frowned, and pointed his big finger at Fanyang and Neihuang on the map, "Yuan Shao's army is divided into three groups, intending to keep the two armies in the worst case, but if we give up the idea of ​​encircling Yuan Shao, we can maximize the Is it possible to achieve the goal of encircling Yuan Shao by killing and injuring the enemy army? Heavy damage to Yuan Shao is our primary goal, so I suggest that while besieging the rebel army in Weicheng, use the army of Zhang Yan, Zhao Yun, Lu Bu and others as the main goal. The main force is to attack the enemy forces in the Fanyang and Neihuang areas front and back, and strive to kill the enemy forces to the greatest extent."

Jia Xu, Fu Gan, Sima Yi and the others fell silent.

"We originally planned to encircle Yuan Shao with about [-] soldiers. If Master Zhang Yan's [-] Northern Army, Zhao Yun's [-] cavalry, and Lu Bu's [-] cavalry were transferred to the Fanyang and Neihuang areas to serve Besieging the enemy can indeed severely injure the rebels." Fu Gan said worriedly, "However, have you noticed, General, that only the [-] cavalry of Zhang Liao, Zhang He, and Wei Jun surrounded Weicheng at this time, if Weicheng The rebels may not be able to stop the rebels breaking through forcibly. Once they cannot stop the rebels from Weicheng and let them join Cao Cao, then the rebels are very likely to flee from Yuancheng and Fagan to Dongwuyang, and the strategy of encircling and annihilating It fails."

"No, we won't fail." Sima Yi suddenly pointed his hand at Daliuxu, "Order Wang Dang, Xu Huang, Jiang Wu, Liu Ming, and Wei Jun to withdraw from the battlefield immediately, and let Cao Cao and Yuan Shao join forces. We surrounded them with [-] troops between Guantao and Weicheng."

"Turn the two encirclement circles into one encirclement circle." Jia Xu praised softly, "It's a good idea. In this way, the three adults Zhang Yan, Zhao Yun, and Lu Bu can fully encircle the rebels in Neihuang and Fanyang. It's only a hundred miles away, so I believe this rebel army will definitely go to the rescue. If Yan Rou's [-] Southern Army can arrive at the battlefield in time, even if the tens of thousands of rebels can't be completely wiped out, there will be very few left."

Li Hong looked at the map carefully and nodded again and again, "Zhong Da is a good idea. Immediately report to Qu Yi and ask him to quickly adjust his troops."

=

In September, Weijun, Sheguo, Qingzhang River.

Under the leadership of Yan Rou, the elite [-] Southern Army quickly crossed the Qingzhang River.

"This is located at the eastern foot of the Taihang Mountains. After 150 miles, you will leave the Taihang Mountains and enter the State of Zhao." Standing beside Yan Rou, the county magistrate Sheguo introduced respectfully, "After reaching the border of the State of Zhao, it is [-] miles away. Handan City is gone."

Yan Rou looked at the surrounding mountains and said happily, "Master Tao, the scenery here is very beautiful."

"But it's too poor here." The adult surnamed Tao smiled wryly, "There is nothing delicious in the deep mountains and old forests, so I'm neglecting you."

Yan Rou seemed to know what he was thinking, and smiled at him, "This time is a special situation. The imperial court ordered me to arrive at the battlefield within eight days, but if I cross the Taihang Mountains with food and supplies, it will definitely delay time, so I have to trouble you along the way." The county has provided food for the army. I am very grateful that you took out all the relief food in the warehouse this time. When I arrive in Handan, I will definitely report to the general and ask him to return all the food to you in the shortest possible time. "

"It's a deal." This Master Tao was not polite at all, and immediately bowed and said, "At your speed, you can reach Yecheng in three days, and you can enter the battlefield in four days. I wish you success here. .”

Yan Rou smiled slightly, and returned the gift lightly, "If I can defeat the rebels this month, I will return to Jinyang soon. On the way back, I will bring you the food along the way."

Master Tao was surprised and delighted, and thanked again and again.

=

In September, three miles west of Yin'an City.

Lu Bu sat in the valley of Dahe Gudu, silently looking at an unknown wild flower at his feet, with a very depressed expression.

The news from the scouts was very bad.Both Fanyang and Neihuang cities had a large number of rebel troops stationed there, and the convoy of grain and grass transported from Puyang to Fanyang was also escorted by heavy soldiers. All these signs indicated that Yuan Shao's main force had already withdrawn to the front line of Neihuang and Fanyang. I am late.

Now the army encircling Yuan Shao from the south has only 1 of his own. If he can't quickly occupy the front line of Neihuang and Fanyang, the strategy of encircling Yuan Shao will definitely fail. A city is simply impossible.

Mustafa and Jifeng walked slowly to Lu Bu's side.

"My lord, what should we do? Should we directly attack Fanyang?" Mustafa asked in a low voice.

"Currently we don't know anything about the situation on the battlefield in Wei County. We only know that Yuan Shao's main force has been pushed to the front line of Fanyang and Neihuang." Lu Bu said helplessly, "At this time, we should attack Fanyang, or take the initiative to attack the food supply of the rebel army. In other words, it is possible to alarm the rebel army and force the rebel army to flee back to the Central Plains, so we will not be able to encircle Yuan Shao."

"How about we go north to the west of Weicheng?" Ji Feng asked hesitantly.

"Secretly inserting into the west bank of Wei City along the old river, it is tantamount to giving up encircling Yuan Shao." Lu Bu shook his head, "Before we receive the order from General Qu, we must block Yuan Shao's army's retreat no matter what."

"Block the retreat of the rebels?" Mustafa's eyes lit up, and he asked immediately, "What does your lord mean, we go directly to the north bank of the Yellow River and capture Liyang City, Changshoujin and Puyangjin?"

"What do you think?" Lu Bu asked back, "Fanyang and Neihuang are a hundred miles away from the north bank of the Yellow River. Even if Yuan Shao's army retreats, it will take a day. With such a long time, Zhang Yan, Zhao Yun and other adults should be able to lead the army. Have you killed it?"

Mustafa and Jifeng looked at each other and nodded at the same time.

"Listen to your lord." Ji Feng laughed, "We are too far away from the Guantao battlefield, even if there is news, we don't know when it will be delivered. Since we are here, we can't just sit here and do nothing, we have to do something what."

"That's good..." Lu Bu stood up, "Let's go to the north bank of the Yellow River and surprise Yuan Shao."

=

In September, sixty miles northwest of Weicheng, there was a gathering of drinking horses.

Zhang Yan, Zhang He, Zhang Liao, Zhang Xiu, Yu Du, Xu Yan and others gathered in the northern camp.

According to Qu Yi's order, after crossing the Qinghe River from the north of Weicheng, part of the army surrounded Weicheng from the east and west to attract the rebels from the direction of Neihuang and Fanyang to come to the rescue, and part of them ambushed in Weicheng and Fanyang. In between, the reinforcements of the rebels were prepared to ambush.But there is one thing that all the generals are worried about. Is Yuan Shao in Weicheng?If Yuan Shao is not there, will the rebels rescue Weicheng?

"The appetites of all the adults here are very big now, and I can't wait to eat Yuan Shao and Cao Cao in one bite." Zhang Yan said with a smile while holding the cattail fan gently, "We have fought with Yuan Shao and Cao Cao for many years. , I also know these two people very well. It is not easy to eat them. Don't underestimate the enemy."

"This opportunity is once in a lifetime. If we don't kill them, we won't have such a good opportunity in the future." Yu Du said confidently, "Whether Yuan Shao is in Weicheng or not, let's eat this enemy first. If Yuan Shao If we run away, we will eat Cao Cao, anyway, we will eat one this time."

At this time, Wu Ye, the Marquis of the Northern Army, hurried in.

Koji-sama issued the latest order.Withdraw all blocking troops from Guantao and Weicheng, and allow the rebels to gather.Master Zhang Liao led his army to encircle the rebels from the west of Weicheng.Wang Dang, Wen Chou, and Wei Jun's infantry and cavalry troops surrounded the rebels from the north of Guantao and Weicheng.Xu Huang, Zhang Zhen, Qin Yi, Lou Lu, and Lu Huanyang's cavalry army surrounded the rebels from the south of the Guantao and Weicheng line.The armies of Yan Liang, Gao Lan, and Gao Shun surrounded the rebels from the east of Guantao.The Northern Xinjiang Army assembled [-] troops to surround the rebels on the front line of Guantao and Weicheng.

Masters Zhang Yan and Zhang Yun led an army of [-] to the south, joined Zhao Yun and Lord Lu Bu's [-] cavalry, and a total of [-] troops attacked the rebels on the Fanyang and Neihuang lines.

Zhang Yan and the generals discussed the details carefully, and then started to act immediately.

=

In September, Weicheng.

After Yuan Shao entered Weicheng, the news sent by the scouts made him restless.

Cao Cao's army was blocked at Daliuxu, and the cavalry army of the Northern Frontier Army appeared between Guantao and Weicheng one after another. Zhang Yan's army was watching from the north bank of Qinghe River.

Yuan Shao had an intuition that the Battle of Dongguang must be over, otherwise it would be impossible for so many Northern Xinjiang cavalry to appear in Guantao and Weicheng.Now that the northern Xinjiang cavalry has arrived, is the northern Xinjiang infantry army still far away?Has the Northern Border Army surrounded Cao Cao and is using Cao Cao as a bait to lure himself into the bait?
Just when Yuan Shao was worried, the scouts sent an urgent report, and the Northern Xinjiang cavalry standing in front of Weicheng suddenly disappeared.

Did the army go north to attack and meet Cao Cao at Daliuxu?Is the northern Xinjiang cavalry joining Zhang Yan and going around behind him to surround him?

Yuan Shao and Tian Feng discussed the map for a long time, and agreed that the northern army had surrounded Cao Cao.The sudden disappearance of the Beijiang iron cavalry showed that after the Beijiang army surrounded Cao Cao, they had turned their target of encirclement and annihilation on themselves.

Tian Feng said decisively: "Our goal has been achieved, withdraw."

Without hesitation, Yuan Shao immediately ordered the withdrawal of troops.

=

(End of this chapter)