The Nameless of the Common Clans

After Cao Cao arrived near Yecheng, he did not attack the city immediately. Chen Mo's troops were quite sufficient, so he did not defend the city like the senior officials and Shenpei did at the beginning, and directly abandoned various important places outside the city.

There are usually several necessary factors for the establishment of this city, such as geographical location. The place where the city is built is mostly accessible in all directions, especially a place like Yecheng that can be selected as the capital. Secondly, there is a water source. This can actually be put First of all, people will die without water. This is something everyone knows. However, in this land of Hebei, not only the waterways are crisscrossed, but also the water network is dense. This is not a problem. Yecheng’s moat is directly Connected to Zhuozhang water.

Many times, siege warfare is the last step. There are usually many important transportation or dangerous areas around the city that can be garrisoned. Once these places are cleared, the water and food supply can truly begin.

Therefore, when there are sufficient troops, the defender will usually choose to set up defenses in various strategic locations. Chen Mo also chose this way of defending the city this time. He did not directly confront Cao Cao's army with the main force, but took advantage of Yuan Shang's defeat to set up a defense. Want it everywhere next In order to block Cao Jun's attack, and at the same time prevent Cao Cao from cutting off the connection between Yecheng and Hanoi, the large and small camps set up spread from Yecheng to Chaoge. There are a total of 128 large and small camps, separated from each other. Faintly arranged in the position of Zhou Tian.

If Cao Cao concentrates his forces to attack certain villages, Chen Mo's main army will quickly assist him. If Cao Cao divides his forces to attack, these villages will support each other. In addition, the main force will provide support from time to time. Although Cao Cao's army is not bad, there is nothing he can do against Chen Mo for a while. Scouts and small groups of elites from both sides would meet every day, forming small battlefields everywhere, where people and horses from both sides were killed in darkness.

"Yuan Shang still refuses to come?" Cao Cao's camp looked at the damage in the past few days. Cao Cao felt helpless. After the Guanzhong Army conquered Ye City, their momentum was at its peak. The two sides were fighting like this these days, although each had its own victory or defeat. , but judging from the final number of casualties, it was Cao Cao who suffered more, mainly because Chen Mo used all the mobility of the cavalry to help all parties, and the scale of Chen Mo's cavalry was currently the largest among the three major princes.

The five thousand cavalry suffered a lot of losses in the battle with Yuan's army, but they were quickly replenished with the horses captured in Yecheng. There is no shortage of warriors who are good at riding in the Xiliang army. With a little training and cooperation, they can The cavalry combat power was quickly formed, and therefore, Chen Mo Here, the cavalry did not decrease, but increased by a thousand. Six thousand cavalry does not sound like much, but in a battle situation involving tens of thousands of people, especially when it is necessary to rush to support all parties, the mobility of these six thousand cavalry is greatly reduced by Chen Mo. Take it to the extreme this way.

Naturally, Cao Cao also has cavalry, especially the tiger and leopard cavalry. They are strong soldiers selected and trained in imitation of the trapped camp. They are led by Cao Chun, a member of Cao Cao's tribe. However, this kind of elite cavalry is not as good as Ma Chao and Pang De for rushing to the rescue. and Qingqi led by Zhang Xiu.

The tiger and leopard cavalry have specialized horse armor, and the cavalry also have sophisticated armor. This gives them an advantage when charging, but it also takes away the cavalry's endurance. It is suitable for short-distance charges and formations, but it is difficult to fight continuously and attack like this.

Therefore, Cao Cao placed his hopes on Yuan Shang. The Yuan family controlled Youzhou and had no shortage of horses. Even many of Cao Cao's horses were Wuhuan horses or Xianbei horses purchased from the Yuan family. Now the only ones who can use them are cavalry. The one who restrained Chen Mo was Yuan Shang.

"Tai Shi Ci successively captured Changshan and Zhongshan counties, threatening Yuan Shang's rear. Now Yuan Shang has sent troops to stop Tai Shi Ci in Julu. Yuan Shang also led his troops to station in Handan and is unwilling to move lightly." Cheng Yu nodded helplessly. Nodding, most of the current predicament of the Yuan family is caused by them. It is too much to go and criticize him at this moment. Moreover, Yuan Shang blocked Tai Shi Ci from joining Chen Mo, which can be regarded as sharing the pressure of Cao Jun.

"Tell him that I need cavalry to contain Chen Mo's cavalry and ask him to provide some support." Cao Cao rubbed his temples and said helplessly: "I didn't expect that Chen Mo would transfer Tai Shici away from the border. Isn't he afraid of the Xianbei people attacking the border?"

"Guo Jian, the prefect of Yunzhong under Chen Mo, is also very knowledgeable in military strategy. In addition, in recent years, Taishi Ci has killed the Xianbei people in the border area too hard. The Xianbei people are so frightened by their reputation that they dare not go south easily. Now even transactions are done before The caravan can enter the border after consultation with the border generals." Guo Jia shook his head, looking listless.

"If Fengxiao feels unwell, you might as well go and rest first." Cao Cao looked at Guo Jiaqi with some worry and said, "Fengxiao should not eat the cold food powder."

Guo Jia has been in poor health recently, especially because he refused to follow the doctor's advice and stop taking Hanshi Powder. According to the doctor, if Guo Jia continues like this, his body will be eroded by Hanshi Powder in less than ten years. At that time, Bian Que came back to life, but he was unable to save himself.

"Master, don't worry. There are still ten years left. Just quit during this period." Guo Jia waved his hand. He didn't want to bring up this topic. He looked at the crowd and said, "Now Chen Mo has set up a very careful defense. Master needs to Prepare for the worst.”

"Worst plan?" Cao Cao looked at Guo Jia and frowned.

"That's right." Guo Jia nodded and said, "This is not the first time our army has confronted Chen Mo. It's not easy to get an advantage from him. The most important thing is that Chen Mo has obtained Yecheng's food and grass, even if we cut off his food. "Tao, with the abundance of grain in Yecheng, we won't worry about food shortages in the short term. What's more, with Wuyi guarding Yanjin, it's not easy to cut off its grain road."

Needless to say, Cao Cao also understood the rest.

Both sides are about the same strength. Chen Mo doesn't have to worry about food and grass, but Cao Cao does. Before he captured Qingzhou, Yuan Tan transported all the food and grass to the plains. Although Yuan Tan has surrendered, the food and grass are almost used up. Next, Cao Cao still has to fight. Deliver grain and fodder from the rear.

Yecheng alone could save Chen Mo from food and grass problems, and he did not need to mobilize a large number of civilians to transport food. However, Cao Cao needed to transport more food and grass from the Central Plains. The food that the civilians on the road alone ate was more than the food and grass supplied to the army. There are many.

The advantage of Chen Mo being the first to seize the opportunity in Yecheng is obvious. The two families are competing here. If there is no winner in a short period of time, then the next step is to fight for food and grass.

This aspect has always been Cao Cao's shortcoming. Over the years, he has been fighting everywhere, and with the Central Plains surrounded by enemies on all sides, he has become the two major princes who stand side by side with Chen Mo. However, these years have hardly stopped, which has also made Cao Cao's side, There is a shortage of food. Chen Mo can afford to fight for a long time, but Cao Cao cannot. If the deadlock is not broken, Cao Cao will definitely lose in the end.

And Guo Jia also believed that this shortcoming would definitely not be hidden from Chen Mo. The opponent would most likely avoid a decisive battle with Cao Cao and concentrate on consuming his food and grass, eventually forcing Cao Cao to retreat.

This is also the reason why Guo Jia advised Cao Cao to prepare for the worst. Unless he can win in a short time, he will eventually be either defeated or exhausted.

Cao Cao naturally understood what Guo Jia meant, stroking his chin and said: "In order to show filial piety, what should we do?"

"Our army has occupied the plains. Now the four counties of Dongjun, Qinghe, Anping, and Bohai must be taken over quickly. In this way, our army only needs to hold on to these four counties. In the future, we will compete with Chen Mo for Jizhou. There is no need to worry about the Yellow River. risk."

If Chen Mo was the only one with his troops, Guo Jiahui suggested that Cao Cao and Yuan Shang join forces to capture Yecheng. No matter how strong the Guanzhong army was, the two combined forces would be superior to Chen Mo in both strength and strength.

However, Taishi Ci captured Changshan and Zhongshan counties so quickly, which suddenly made the situation more delicate. Taishi Ci must be preparing to join forces with Chen Mo. As a result, the current situation is that Chen Mo takes possession of Weijun, Zhongshan, and Changshan. They may still occupy Julu in the future, and apart from the counties that Cao Cao currently occupies, after Chen Mo occupies Changshan, Zhongshan, Yuan Shang may not even be able to raise military rations, and his defeat is almost certain.

Since Jizhou cannot win everything, Guo Jia suggested choosing the safest way to split Jizhou equally with Chen Mo, hoping to take the initiative and take the lead in the next fight.

Of course, it is not impossible to fight, but Guo Jia feels that if he cannot win Yecheng, the fight will be in vain.

Cao Cao pondered for a moment and looked at the other counselors. Although what Guo Jia said was sound, Cao Cao came to Jizhou this time to rob Jizhou. Such a result was not what Cao Cao wanted.

"Meng De, although our army is currently in a stalemate with Chen Mo, how does Guo Jia know that Yuan Shang will definitely be defeated? Although Tai Shi Ci is a general under Chen Mo, Meng De is also a general with Gao Lan, Han Meng, Guo Yuan and others. I have seen it, and the people of Jizhou are quite disgusted with Chen Mo. Even though Taishi Ci captured the two counties of Changshan and Zhongshan, he is still unpopular. As time goes by, he will definitely be defeated!" Xu You said decisively!

"As for the matter of grain and grass, Mengde doesn't have to worry. Now Yuan Tan has voted for Mengde, and I still have some old friends in Jizhou. I will go with Gongze and Zhongzhi to persuade the wealthy families in the counties to support them with some grain and grass." "For Meng De's use," Xu You stood up and said loudly.

He had worked hard to achieve today's situation for Cao Cao. If he just let it go and only took half or even less than half of Jizhou, how would he demonstrate Xu You's achievements?

"This..." Cao Cao hesitated: "Will the Jizhou gentry help me wait?"

"Meng De, don't worry. The Yuan family's defeat is now certain, and the scholars in Jizhou are quite dissatisfied with Chen Mo. With a little persuasion, they will definitely help." Xu You said confidently: "Meng De, don't worry, I will set off now. , to raise food and fodder for Mengde.”

Guo Jia and Cao Cao exchanged a vague look, the food and grass problem was solved.

Guo Jia nudged Cheng Yu with his elbow. Cheng Yu looked at Guo Jia doubtfully. Seeing Guo Jia nodding, Cheng Yu immediately understood and nodded immediately: "What Mr. Ziyuan said is good. We can also take this opportunity. Okay. The gentry of Jizhou supported it.”

Xu You twisted his beard and smiled. Even Cao Cao's confidants could call him Mr. If this was successful, his position as the number one plotter would be secure!