Three Kingdoms.

  Chapter 2097 War is like a gamble, please leave

  Liao Hua is waiting.

   Liao Hua has no shortage of patience.

  The key to defeating Cao Jun lies in the ships that originally belonged to Jingzhou. These ships provided Cao Jun with mobility that he shouldn't have, especially along the Han River, Cao Jun can use less physical exertion, and get relatively safe transportation and transfer, so Cao Jun has an advantage along the Han River.

And if you want to face these ships of Cao Jun in the front, that is, in the Han River, there is no chance of winning. Even Zhuge Liang cannot cook without rice, so the only way is to lure Cao Jun to go ashore, and then burn Cao Jun in one fell swoop. As long as these ships are burned, Cao Jun will inevitably fall into the predicament before, and it will be difficult to compete with the hussars in terms of mobility.

  From another perspective, the burning of these ships will also have a very big blow to the morale of Cao Jun, and it will also have a very important impact on the battle situation.

Hidden in the mountains, Liao Hua has enough experience. He followed the refugees from Jingxiang all the way to Guanzhong. Liao Hua had already traveled this road. The conditions back then were not as good as they are now, and there was no dried meat and salty cakes, so the remaining Dry food can also last for at least half a month, so there is no need to worry about food.

  The most critical thing now is whether Xiahou Dun will really disembark from the ship at the predetermined place as Zhuge Liang expected...

   Xu Yu in Fancheng was also a little worried about this issue. After patrolling around the top of the city, he came to the hall of the government office in the city, but saw Zhuge Liang cutting a puppet with a knife.

   Don't look at Zhuge Liang seems to be calm on the surface, but in fact Zhuge Liang is also a little nervous, but Zhuge Liang can control this tension, and even enjoy it, this feeling is very amazing.

Zhuge Liang felt a little emotional in his heart. He thought that after experiencing the Xuzhou Rebellion, he would get tired of war and hate killing, but he didn't expect that when he became active on the battlefield as a commander, he would not feel disgusted and bored. On the contrary...

  Zhuge Liang saw Xu Yu walking in, and put down the knife and puppet in his hand.

  Xu Yu was also nervous. Although the "Xu" banner is still hung on the city, this "Xu" is different from the previous "Xu". Although he and Liao Hua both agreed with Zhuge Liang's plan, whether it will work or not As Zhuge Liang expected, there is no count yet.

  『This is…』 Xu Yu asked.

  『Hehe Mingming. Wang Mingqing Shi, the great ancestor of Nanzhong, the master and emperor's father. Rectify my six divisions to repair my Rong. Respect and precept, benefit this southern country..." Zhuge Liang slowly placed the wood on the table, and then smiled slightly, "This is the tree of the southern country..."

   Hussar General Fei Qian is located in the north of Chang'an, and Jingzhou is naturally in the south, so it is self-evident that the so-called "Southern Country" refers to where. As for the "wood of the southern country" in Zhuge Liang's hands, in fact, there is no specific designation of a certain tree as the so-called "wood of the southern country". 』No mistake.

  Xu Yu looked at the puppets carved by Zhuge Liang. Although the details of their appearance were far from those of some woodcarvings of later generations, they still had a faint sense of elegance. Xu Yu couldn't help shaking his head and said with a smile: "Kong Ming is really relaxing!" 』

  Zhuge Liang laughed, and said: "It's not about leisure and elegance, it's just a little bit to relieve the worries in my heart!" 』

  Xu Yu froze for a moment and said: "I thought Kong Ming..." After speaking halfway, Xu Yu swallowed the words again, and then glanced at Zhuge Liang, his expression somewhat strange.

  Zhuge Liang glanced at Xu Yu, and guessed what Xu Yu was thinking, "Xu Xiaowei thinks that since he is worried, how can he make a plan?" 』

  Xu Yu nodded subconsciously, then waved his hand again, "No...no..."

  Zhuge Liang didn't take it seriously, "Lieutenant Xu knows that a certain man was in Chang'an and was a counselor under the hussars. He got the advice of the hussars. Knowing the strategy of the world, there is only one plan that is the most difficult to prevent..."

Xu Yu's Adam's apple grunted, and then asked with some expectation: "I don't know...uh, this, if it's inconvenient, if Kong Ming doesn't say it, then..." The average person in the Han Dynasty valued knowledge very highly, and sometimes they didn't even go through the original owner. will not grant it to others in private. Xu Yu was obviously worried that the hussar general Fei Qian had taught Zhuge Liang some secret, and then asked greedily, but it was embarrassing for both sides, so he said the second half of the sentence deliberately.

Zhuge Liang shook his head, and said with a smile: "Hussar's strategy is not a secret... Hussar once said that the world's strategies are also divided into Yin and Yang. Also, even if the enemy knows about it, they have to do it...』

  Xu Yu frowned in thought, and after a while, suddenly realized, looked at Zhuge Liang with a little expectation, and said, "Could it be that Kong Ming's current strategy is this... what this hussar said? 』

  Zhuge Liang smiled slightly, looking at the wood carving on the table, "Yangmou is like carving wood, following its principles and its nature, it will be beautiful in itself, even if there are chisel marks, it is natural..."

  Xu Yu couldn't help but cast his eyes on the wood carvings on the table.

it's time…

  Buy and leave the hand, please open the card.

After Xiahoudun received the news from Cao Hong, it was like opening a window. New news came from afar, good and bad. Before Xiahoudun set off, he received another bad news. , Taishici's troops cruising around Heluo have defeated Le Jin and others who marched from Hanoi as a partial army invasion, which once again proved that Cao's infantry could not resist the hussars on the frontal battlefield.

This news was forwarded from Xu County, but it also proved Tai Shici's combat power, which made Xu County and others feel great pressure. They are mobilizing all their soldiers, intending to defend Yangcheng to protect Xu County safety.

  Tai Shici, the shadow of a famous tree. Since the first battle of Taishi Ciye City, it has basically become a nightmare for Jizhou people, almost talking about the inevitable discoloration...

Therefore, the purpose of Huqi deliberately placing Taishi Ci on the center line is also obvious, which is to disrupt Cao Cao's layout, and there is also a threatening effect. This is almost a matter on the table, even if Cao Cao tries his best to control Taishi Ci However, Le Jin had once again verified the difficulty of defeating a wandering cavalry army with infantry on the Heluo battlefield.

  The most difficult time is coming.

If Xiahou Dun can't make up for and improve the whole battle situation accordingly, then Jingzhou's northern line will not be able to support the Heluo area, and there will be no way to defend Yuzhou from the flanks. If Taishi Ci advances from Heluo, if he advances at full speed, It only takes three days, and Xiahoudun and others will never be able to return to the vicinity of Xu County from the north of Jingzhou in three days, and they will not be able to provide any support. The hussars general Fei Qian did not dare to send Tai Shici to the front line of Yuzhou...

  War means mutual restraint, trade-off, replacement, and consumption. It's like chess pieces on a chessboard. They always check to see if they can't build an advantage during the exchange, and then expand it into a winning position. Now, Xiahou Dun feels that he needs to seize the opportunity of Xu Huang's leading army to support Wancheng, and expand his strength in Jingbei. The advantage of the place lays the foundation for the overall victory.

  『Tsk...』Cao Zhen supported the parapet of the warship, looked at Fancheng not far away, and then turned his head to look at Cao Jun who was busy preparing to build a temporary camp on the south bank of the Han River, "Aren't you going to attack today? Didn't Uncle Xiahou say that soldiers are expensive and fast? 』

  Cao Ren cast a glance at Cao Zhen, and didn't say anything, probably just giving a look to you to understand.

  Cao Xiu was closer to Cao Zhen in age, so he gave Cao Zhen a hand, "The attack on Fancheng will never happen overnight. If there is no camp, is it possible that Zidan wants to live in the cabin?" 』

Although Cao Jun also took a boat, it was purely a boat ride. If you want to talk about seasickness, not all people will get seasick. Some people will get very sick. Accepting the ups and downs of the ship, just accepting it does not mean that you like it. Cao Jun's soldiers still prefer the feeling of standing on the ground, so it is naturally indispensable to build a forward camp before attacking.

  Cao Zhen touched his head and laughed twice.

  『Let’s go, you and I go to supervise the soldiers to build the camp...』 After Cao Xiu finished speaking, he walked ahead, and Cao Zhen followed behind. The two got off the boat and inspected the construction of the camp.

Although it is said that the equipped cavalry has achieved great results in Dangyang this time, it is also because of the fierce battle, whether it is cavalry or horses, it takes a certain amount of recovery time. In addition, Fancheng is a siege battle. The utility of the equipped cavalry is not great, so it was not brought out, but was temporarily revised in Xiangyang, which can be regarded as a force to deter the various gentry in Xiangyang City after Xiahou Dun and others went to battle.

  Xiahou Dun looked at Cao Zhen who got off the boat and walked forward, thinking a little bit.

  Cao Ren laughed, and said: "This Zidan, other things are good, but he doesn't like to use his brain..."

  Xiahou Dun nodded, shook his head again, and said, "Someone remembers... Bonan once said that his family was smart, and he knew the scriptures when he was young..."

  Bonan is Qin Shao's character.

  Cao Ren was stunned for a moment, then suddenly turned his head and glanced at Cao Zhen who was in the distance, then frowned and turned to Xiahou Dun and said, "Yuan Rang's meaning is... this kid is pretending to be dull?" 』

  Xiahou Dun looked at the figure of Cao Zhen in the distance, then shook his head slightly, "I don't know yet..."

  Cao Ren also looked back at Cao Zhen, silent.

Cao Zhen is an adopted son, although the Han Dynasty also recognized adopted sons, and maybe even in some families with few descendants, they have the status of heirs, and there are brothers who have been childless for a long time and give each other children, just like Zhuge Liang My first child is not my own...

  But after all, there is a difference between an adopted child and a parent-child. It's like Liu Feng often cried and fainted in the toilet after Liu Chan was born. In a sense, it may not be a good thing to adopt a child who is too capable, so Cao Zhen may not have no intention of protecting himself by showing his clumsiness to others.

   It’s just that Cao is really clumsy, he’s still pretending, and needs to observe…

   Now, this issue is not very important. The important thing is to first consider how to defeat the defenders of Fancheng and recover Fancheng.

Xiahou Dun was very cautious. He was worried that he would be shot back by the hussars, so the camp that attacked Fancheng straddled both sides of the Han River. The luggage, and then all have water gates to communicate with each other, making full use of the strengths of the ships.

Xiahoudun also specially considered that he might be attacked by Fancheng, especially destroying the ships, so Xiahoudun put all the ships in a bay in the south camp, and there were also full-time soldiers guarding them. If he wanted to make trouble, he had to pass through the north camp first. It can be said that it is foolproof...

It can be said that if there is a frontal attack, let alone the two or three thousand people in Fancheng, even if it is doubled or three times, tens of thousands of people come to sneak attack and burn the boat, it is impossible to do what they want. Ability to use the camp to resist the invading enemy. Second, the hussars have no ships, and even if they break through the interception of the northern camp, they still have to look forward to the water.

  The attack on Fancheng soon started.

  At dawn in the morning, Xiahou Dun ordered an attack. He organized three attacks in the east of Fancheng City. About 3,000 soldiers were invested in each attack, but none of them made any major breakthroughs, and they all failed.

In terms of siege, whether it is arraying, charging, crossing trenches, filling ditches, etc., it is basically quite satisfactory, and there is no big problem, but once you enter the city wall and start to officially climb the city wall, you often have a problem. Cao's soldiers were scattered by the rolling stones thrown from the city, and their arms and legs were broken...

   This thing fell from a high place, and it was more powerful than ordinary bows and arrows, and it also smashed most of the carts and ladders that Cao Jun had built with great difficulty. Without siege equipment, most of Cao's soldiers could only shout at the base of the city, fleeing in embarrassment, and then it took a long time to organize the soldiers and reorganize the array. At the end of the day, more than half of the time was spent on organizing The queue is ready to attack, but the actual attack time is not long.

   At dusk, the day's offensive is over.

  Cao Zhen supervised the battle in front of the battle, somewhat dull. Because after the day's attack, I didn't go forward at all, I just watched from the city. Even though some soldiers were injured and died, there were not many soldiers. When the dusk approached, I listened to the report from the military marquis. One hundred and sixty people died, and the wounded There are more than two hundred people.

  After the battle, when returning to the camp for repairs, Cao Xiu just came out of the camp, and asked Cao Zhendao with a smile, "How do you feel about supervising the battle today?" 』

  Cao Zhen shook his head again and again, bluntly saying that he was boring.

Cao Xiu said with a smile: "The attack on the first day is like this, and it will be tragic later..." The siege warfare in this era is basically operated in this way. The attack during the day is not even an appetizer. It can only be regarded as a small snack.

  『Besides...』 Cao Xiu smiled, 『General Xiahou’s move has a lot of meaning...』

  『Deep meaning? Cao Zhen asked, "What is the deep meaning?" 』

Cao Xiu pointed to Fancheng and said, "The defenders of this city must be brave if they are brave. However, they lack experience. Rolling stones and trees are important weapons for defending the city. How can they be used in vain? Looking at it today, the amount used to attack the city is large. If you don't know how to restrain it, you will be able to do so within three to five days." It is exhausted! At that time, let's see how it sticks to it? Haha, well, I have other important matters, so I won’t accompany Zidan on the camp tour...』

  Cao Xiu seemed to take a glance into the distance, then walked away with his hands clasped.

Cao Zhen followed Cao Xiu's gaze and turned his head, but saw Cao Ren in the distance who seemed to be looking at the general, and hurriedly bowed his head to salute, and then saw Cao Ren smiled and waved his hands to show that he was sorry, Cao Zhen turned around and arranged for the follow-up soldiers went…

  Cao Ren looked at Cao Zhen's back thoughtfully, and then walked into the large tent of the Chinese army.

  Xiahou Dun was looking at the map behind the table in the large tent of the Chinese army. He slightly raised his eyes and glanced at Cao Ren. 』

  Cao Ren stretched his shoulders and said: "It's much better... Today Zidan supervised the battle. Jumping, sword shield, bow and arrow, and equipment have their own assignments, but it's normal and there are no mistakes..."

  Xiahou Dun nodded and said, "Indeed. ’ Then he raised his head and showed some smiles, ‘How does Zi Xiao look at it? 』

  Cao Ren said in a deep voice: "There is indeed something hidden...but...you can use it..."

  Xiahou Dun stroked his beard and pondered. Today's tentative attack on Fancheng was also used by Xiahou Dun to test Cao Zhen. Generally speaking, an ordinary general commanding 3,000 soldiers is probably the limit. If the number increases, he will often fall into the predicament of F2A. Today, Cao Zhen has deployed more than 7,000 troops, and the troops are complex and have different uses. The key It was necessary to organize three attacks, arrays, arrangements, plans, and adjustments, but Cao Zhen didn't show any signs of being in a hurry, and he even seemed to have some leisure time.

  Either Cao Zhen is a natural born general, or his rudeness and clumsiness are just pretending...

"Well..." Xia Houdun nodded. From a certain point of view, Cao Zhen's usual clumsy performance can be regarded as a kind of protective color. As long as he does not rebel against Cao Cao, he is basically stronger than ordinary Cao's children. Safety.

   After all, if an adopted son is smart enough to threaten his heir...

"Forget it, that's it..." Xia Houdun waved his hand, changed the subject, and pointed to a place on the map, "It's dark and windy at night, and the enemy is about to attack at night... Someone wants to set up an ambush here, but I don't know how to be filial." What do you think? 』Northwest of Fancheng, there is a hilly area. Xiahou Dun just wanted to ambush his troops there, waiting for the Fancheng soldiers to be hooked immediately.

  Cao Ren stepped forward, looked down for a moment, then smiled and said, "This place is wonderful!" If you dare to attack at night, you will definitely let him come and go! 』

  Xiahou Dun nodded and smiled, as if he had seen the victory scene not far away in the future...

  (end of this chapter)