Three Kingdoms.

Chapter 3293: Constant items in the midst of change

 In the middle of the night, Cao Xiu hurried back to Gufeng Mountain.

When approaching Gufeng Mountain, Cao Xiu paused on the **** for a moment.

 He looked up.

 The Gufeng Mountain under the moonlight has a different kind of beauty.

In the middle of the Yuncheng Basin in Hedong Province, Gufeng Mountain stands relatively abruptly on the ground. Under the night sky, it looks like a meditator, quietly thinking about something.

The night is low, and the sky that has not been polluted by future generations is pure and transparent. The stars are dotted in the deep sky, as if the gods have sprinkled countless bright gems on the night.

Gone Peak Mountain is not high, but because of the current angle, Cao Xiu felt like a tower ascending to the sky, or a bridge between the human world and the sky, connecting reality and dreams.

The night scene of Gufeng Mountain is a tranquil and profound picture, which tells the beauty of nature and the harmony of life in a unique way. Here, time seems to have frozen, making people forget the hustle and bustle of the world and just want to indulge in this tranquility and beauty. War is cruel, but the beauty of this moment is heart-warming.

"if…"

 Cao Xiu couldn't help but have a slight thought in his mind, but he quickly suppressed it.

 Is this what he wants?

 Before attacking Guanzhong, he thought this was it.

 But after marching to Hedong and suffering setbacks, Cao Xiu gradually began to think. There was a subtle voice in his heart, like a seed that had fallen earlier and now sprouted under the watering of flesh and blood.

 Are you fighting for the Emperor of Han Dynasty?

 Or are you fighting for the common people of the world?

  Or for something else?

Cao Xiu looked at Gufeng Mountain not far away, and felt as if he saw a silent giant, looking back at him at this moment.

 The clouds in the night sky are flowing, sometimes covering the moon, and the outline of the mountain peaks is hazy. The clouds dispersed, and the moonlight once again shone on the rocks, outlining soft lines. Every stone and tree in Gufeng Mountain at night seems to be alive. They are sleeping quietly under the care of the moonlight, waiting for the arrival of a new day.

 And what about Cao Xiu’s new day?

 In other words, what about a new day for Cao Jun?

Or, what about a new day in Shandong, the Han Dynasty?

 Cao Xiu’s cheeks couldn’t help but twitch at the corners of his eyes.

Cao Xiu took a deep breath, put those disturbing thoughts behind his mind, and continued to ride forward.

 The war situation cannot be static.

 The camp at the foot of the **** was quickly defeated by Fei Qian, which brought about changes in the entire battle situation.

The original plan now looks...

Even Cao Hong didn’t dare to pat his chest to make sure.

 So, if it is true that Cao Hong cannot stand in Anyi and cannot stop the sharp attack of the Hussar, then Cao Xiu's so-called flanking strategy will become a colorful bubble, illusory and beautiful but empty and weak.

 So Cao Hong and Cao Xiu must respond to the changes in the war situation and make timely adjustments. Even if this adjustment seems a little hasty and not thorough enough, for the moment, it is the best they can do.

　Hard work, struggle, hardship, and endurance are not a problem.

The issue is…

Cao Xiu rode his horse, and the sound of the horse's hooves, which was specially wrapped, was slightly dull, like a drumbeat pressing on Cao Xiu's heart.

Turning around the ravine at the foot of Gufeng Mountain and passing the warning checkpoint, you can see a lot of bonfires faintly lit under the **** in the southern col of Gufeng Mountain.

 Cao Xiu's camp is hidden in these mountains.

Because of the need for concealment, Cao Jun's camp was not built in a square shape, but instead was loose and fragmented along the shape of the mountain col.

 Bonfires were the only cheapest source of warmth that Cao’s soldiers could get at night.

Cao Xiu dismounted and left the horse to the soldiers to take care of and feed him. He led his guards up the less obvious slope.

 In the night wind, the gossips of the Cao soldiers at their feet could be heard.

The bonfire has not been completely extinguished, and the remaining flames are swaying, illuminating the melancholy faces of the Cao soldiers.

 They were sitting, lying, or standing in a circle, whispering something.

　　　　　How many months have you been out? Have you had it for half a year? 』

　　　Yes. 』

　　　『When will this battle be considered over?』

"have no idea. But...I miss my mother and the soup cakes my mother made..."

"well. I also miss the food at home. A mouthful of loess and a mouthful of soup every day is really not a life for human beings. 』

　　　『I heard that across from Emei Mountain is Pingyang, Linfen. If we capture Pingyang, we can go home. 』

 ‘Haha, capture Pingyang? What to fight with? 』

　　　『Stop talking...just go to sleep! 』

 The night breeze blew gently, scattering their conversation in the wind.

As the war progressed slowly and unfavorably, the atmosphere in Cao's camp became increasingly heavy, and even the usually noisiest soldiers gradually became taciturn.

 Suddenly, there was a faint sound of blowing leaves. Melodious and sad, it seems to be telling the nostalgia in everyone's heart.

 Leaves are the simplest and oldest musical instrument.

 During the Han and Tang Dynasties, it was even a pleasure for the court. Also known as "whispering leaves". It is said that musicians who are good at leaf blowing can even blow two leaves at the same time without the help of fingers, and can still play beautiful tunes.

As soon as the music sounded, Cao Jun's soldiers listened attentively and stopped talking.

 The players who played in Cao's army were, of course, ordinary soldiers who had not received any vocal training. The tone of voice does not have so many subtle changes, but the simple emotions contained in it are common.

In later generations, people's hearts are too complicated and confusing, so not only colorful pictures, but also intense music, and even provocative movements are needed to make some people in later generations find it interesting, and those simple sounds of music It just feels like noise to them.

In an environment where the Han Dynasty is relatively lacking in entertainment, music is definitely not something that ordinary people can enjoy. Therefore, having this kind of simple music can already make these Cao Jun soldiers forget their current sorrow and remind them of their hometown. The golden wheat fields, the winding river, and the familiar small village.

The music gradually stopped after a while.

 Cao's soldiers were silent.

　　　　When the war is over, we will go home together. ” someone suggested.

"good! 』

　　　That’s natural! 』

Everyone responded in unison. Although they knew the road ahead was unknown, this promise seemed to give them a little comfort in this night. During this long night, their dreams were entrusted to the night wind, floating towards that distant land.

Cao Xiu stood silent, like a stone on Gufeng Mountain.

 They need to be hidden and cannot attract the attention of the hussars. This kind of music will undoubtedly bring uncertain risks to Cao Xiu and others...

Originally, Cao Xiu's guard wanted to step forward to stop the discussion and playing of these Cao soldiers, but Cao Xiu stopped him.

Although Cao Xiu's surname was Cao, his family was not well-off and his early years were full of disasters. He was more or less from the bottom, and he had more understanding and tolerance for these Cao soldiers at the bottom. After a moment of silence, Cao Xiu walked away silently and did not stop the unknown performer.

Perhaps among the ordinary soldiers of Cao's army, they still hold an idea or an illusion, that is, after a period of fighting, they will definitely win, and then after the hussars are defeated, they can return to their hometown. …

As for the changes in the entire battle situation, these ordinary soldiers of Cao's army had no idea at all.

 Those who know the situation of the war will never say anything to these ordinary Cao soldiers.

Just like Cao Xiu, the most he could do was talk to his close confidants. As for the ordinary soldiers of Cao's army, Cao Xiu only told them two words -

implement.

 They are divided. Cao Xiu is already a general who understands what the soldiers at the bottom need as much as possible, but how can a general like Cao Xiu in the Cao family change the current situation of Cao's army?

What's more, some habits are difficult to correct. Even if Cao Xiu feels a little emotional at the moment, what will happen next moment, or on a new day?

 Now the entire Han Dynasty has undergone new changes under the leadership of Fei Qian, and amid this change, there are still some people who stubbornly try to stand still.

 After a while, Cao Xiu said nothing and continued walking up.

　　"Thank you for your hard work, General..." Cao Xiu's confidant came forward to greet Cao Xiu. He secretly glanced at Cao Xiu's face through the moonlight, then his heart sank, and he quickly handed over the water bag, "General, please don't rest first..."

Cao Xiu took a sip of water, glanced at his confidants, and said, "The camp at the foot of the **** has been defeated." 』

"What? ! "Although everyone actually had some premonition in their hearts, thinking that the camp down the **** would be breached sooner or later, but it was indeed surprising that it was breached so quickly, "Isn't it just...two days? 』

Cao Xiu snorted.

He didn’t say that he actually couldn’t last even a day, otherwise it would be too much...

　　 Could it be that... I was lazy and didn't build the fortifications well? ” Cao Xiu’s confidants were looking for another reason for the collapse of the Poxia camp.

This way of finding reasons and excuses is actually to cover up one's own uneasiness and fear.

 Cao Xiu was noncommittal.

As the war progressed, victory seemed further and further away, and Cao Xiu could not bear to break the illusions of his confidants.

“General, are we still here to ambush the hussars?” ’ asked the confidant.

Cao Xiu put the saddle behind him and lay down, "No, tomorrow morning, we will prepare to move the army... I will leave some suspicious soldiers here..."

　　　　Then...where are you going? ’ asked the confidant.

『Happy to hear. 』

 In an era, individuals are often profoundly affected by the era and social environment in which they live. Their behaviors and choices are not only a reflection of personal will, but also a reflection of the characteristics of the era.

 When everyone feels that benevolence, righteousness and morality have nothing to do with themselves, the whole society will no longer have benevolence, righteousness and morality. When everyone feels that the responsibility lies with others, the entire society also loses any sense of responsibility.

 Cao Xiu also has a sense of responsibility. But it is a pity that his problem is still a habitual problem in Shandong. He cannot communicate with the soldiers at the bottom.

 Did no one in Cao's army notice the change in the battle situation?

  No, but these Cao soldiers may have limited understanding of the entire battle situation, and it is not clear whether they are advantageous. As for the high-level military academies, they used false information to blind these Cao soldiers, making them unable to make corresponding judgments and could only blindly follow the large troops.

 …

 …

Similarly, there are also people with dark eyes and no idea of ​​what they will do now and in the future, as well as the people of Hedong in Wenxi.

Zhang Xiu drove away and killed some Cao Jun soldiers and destroyed Cao Jun's camp in Wenxi. However, there was no effective way to destroy Lu Zhao's camp and he could only withdraw his troops first.

 Similarly, Lu Zhao also had nothing to do against Zhang Xiu's cavalry in the wild...

 The two sides are like men shouting at each other on the road.

　　『If you have the guts, come out! 』

　　　　Come in if you have the guts! 』

Then the two separated in dismay.

Zhang Xiu retreated to the Emei Mountains, and Lu Zhao hid in the camp.

After confirming that the hussars and horses had left, Cao Jun's soldiers divided into many small groups, like border shepherds driving away the scattered sheep, and then drove back the "cattle and sheep" that had escaped but not far away. .

These "cattle and sheep" were bleating, and their strength was obviously not much less than those of Cao Jun's soldiers, but they still crowded around obediently, and then came back again, back to the camp built with simple fences. , back within the fence they once escaped from.

Lu Zhao couldn't even take a second look at these "cattle and sheep" that were driven back.

Lu Zhao would not care how many cattle and sheep were killed or injured in this setback, and neither would Cao Cao.

Even those literati and poets in Shandong who shout "people's hearts and minds" every day are not even willing to write two more words in the history of history...

"The road is full of corpses" may be the description these people have of the greatest casualties of the people, and it is very interesting that this description is often born to set off the cruelty of some people, otherwise it is simply "death" "Tens of thousands", "deaths without reckoning", "many casualties".

So Lu Zhao completely ignored the casualties of these "cattle and sheep", and even the "cattle and sheep" themselves were also indifferent. Isn't it normal?

Lu Zhao was more concerned about Zhang Xiu's troops who "disappeared" on the Emei Mountains.

He stared at the dark Emei Mountains in the distance, like a black wall, hesitation and doubt surging in his heart.

　　　　General, the scouts reported that no trace of the Hussars was found in the direction of Emei Ridge, but some bonfire ashes were found. Apparently there were Hussars stationed on the mountain not long ago. ” His deputy reported, “General, should we send more men to Emei Ridge to conduct a careful search?” 』

Lu Zhao shook his head and said, "How many people will be sent to such a large piece of land?" And they have horses... never mind. 』

Lu Zhao wanted Zhang Xiu to attack his camp, but it was obvious that Zhang Xiu, who did not carry artillery, did not want to attack Lu Zhao's camp at all.

 In fact, there is no problem with Cao Jun's strategy, if the hussars only have cavalry and infantry.

In history, when Cao Cao attacked Xiliang, the two sides stared at each other all the way, and in the end Cao Cao forced the Xiliang army to collapse. If Cao Cao holds a strong camp, Ma Chao will not be able to defeat him, but as long as Cao Cao dares to fight in the field, Ma Chao will beat him to pieces and almost lose his head to Ma Chao.

It's different now. Fei Qian has better equipment, more advanced technology, and more complete logistics, while Cao Cao is stuck in the predicament of Ma Chao in history. He can't win war, peace, or retreat.

At first, Zhang Xiu was still wandering around the Emei Mountains, and then Lu Zhao did not dare to attack at will. However, as the soldiers from Wenxi County filled up the holes in the city walls, Zhang Xiu patted his **** and left. , leaving Lu Zhao and Wenxi's defenders staring with big eyes.

Wen Xi defended the army: "Are you coming again, sir?" 』

 Lu Zhao: "…"

 I’m not coming anymore, I’m not feeling well, but I’m going to keep going, my wallet... uh, I don’t have enough manpower...

 So the place where I heard the joy was very peaceful for two days.

Wenxi's defenders seized the time and worked desperately to repair their own loopholes, while Lu Zhao was busy arresting the fleeing civilians.

 ‘Alas, it’s all Pei’s fault! Lu Zhao said angrily, "If that loser had a little more strength at that time, we would have captured Wenxi long ago, and we wouldn't be so passive now!" 』

　　　　General, do you want to... go further around and bring in some strong men? 』

Lu Zhao was silent for a moment and shook his head, "Just the ones around me, forget about the ones that are far away... I always feel that these grandsons haven't gone far... If we don't go out, they won't show their faces..."

 ‘But General, we can’t sit back like this all the time! 』

Lu Zhao smiled and said, "Don't worry, I have sent people to the back... As soon as the reinforcements come, we can lure these grandsons out... Then, hey hey... tomorrow, we will start attacking the city tomorrow, don't believe it... these pigs will also After eating for a few days in vain, it’s time to put it to use. 』

　　　『Wen Xi has already patched up the hole, now we have to dig it out again...』

Lu Zhao laughed loudly, "How could I use that idiot Pei's method? This time, we have to use a new method..."

Outside Lu Zhao's camp, the people who were arrested one after another were waiting quietly.

Even though I don’t know how many people were killed and injured at the foot of Wenxi City last time, it seems like they have turned over a page. They can’t remember the hatred, and they don’t feel much sadness. They feel numb as if they are not flesh and blood, but earth, wood, mud and stone. The constructed body.

This is the normal state of the ancient Chinese people who lacked knowledge. How could people who didn't even know how to write or read the word "resistance" understand what class and struggle are?

 Lu Zhao's "new tactic" is indeed not digging holes, but piling up earth slopes.

 The city wall of Wenxi is not high, so this tactic is also targeted to a certain extent.

During this period of time, there were many eaten straw bags and grain bags in Cao Jun's camp, which were now put to use. If there is really not enough, the clothes of the dead bodies in the field can also be used to wrap the earth and transport it. Presumably the dead people will not mind being naked.

There is no need to dig holes under the city with arrows and rolling stones, but just transport the soil to the city. Obviously, it is easier for the people to accept it, at least it seems to be easier.

After Lu Zhao resumed his attack, it took most of a day to build a tall pile of mud outside Wenxi City. Although it was loose, the gradually increasing mounds did continue to exert pressure on the defenders in Wenxi City. With psychological pressure.

 The tools and weapons scattered and damaged on the battlefield became the tools for these people to dig into the soil. But when these people were digging in the soil, they never thought that these broken swords, guns, and half-cut shovels could kill people...

The dead bodies were nearby, including men, women, old and young.

 After a few days, the corpses had already stinked, and the entire battlefield was filled with a disgusting smell.

 Flies and scavenging birds and beasts have turned this place into a grand banquet place, where people gather to party.

Wearing a light gauze and holding a wine glass high, the buzzing flies are flying around.

Wearing a tuxedo with their heads tilted up, every one of them has a vulture.

The first person to smile is the jackal wearing furs, showing its eight big teeth stained with flesh and blood.

 But among them, those who were silent, numb, with their heads lowered, running back and forth, were still the same group of cattle and horses enduring pain and sorrow, and the same group of hard-working cattle and horses.