Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3437: Gentleman Under the Wall
The type of system determines the type of combat effectiveness.

This is not a new argument that came about in later generations, but a truth that has been repeatedly proven in practice in ancient times, even in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.

In ancient times, theocracy and monarchy coexisted. In the Shang Dynasty, the struggle between theocracy and monarchy became fierce. The Shang King and the Zhou King were unwilling to let theocracy encroach on the monarchy, but the strategies they adopted were different. The Zhou King learned from the Shang King's lesson and did not directly conflict with him. Instead, he spread the divination method, that is, Zhouyi, to the people and dispelled the mystery of witches.

After breaking the shackles of witches, the Zhou Dynasty's explosive productivity and the new system it adopted enabled it to last for eight hundred years.

The Han Dynasty broke the shackles of the old aristocracy, which enabled it to live for three or four hundred years.

Shandong is full of educated people, so they naturally understand this. They may not understand the definition of class, but they can understand these changes.

But when it is their turn to do it, they still like to put shackles on others, and it starts to take the form of a class.

The system of Cao's army determined its combat effectiveness.

The core strength of Cao's army was composed of veteran soldiers recruited in the early days and Qingzhou soldiers gathered in the early and middle stages.

These Qingzhou soldiers did have a certain advantage when facing the soldiers of the princes from other areas of the Central Plains.

This advantage, to some extent, is also brought about by the system.

The princes in other places would not allow the "Yellow Turban Bandits" to survive.

There are many reasons why the whole world surrendered to Yuan Shu in the beginning but rebelled against him in the later period. One of them was that the elders of Runan were not satisfied with Yuan Shu's collusion with the Yellow Turban bandits in Runan, even though Yuan Shu said that he just wanted to eat some fast food occasionally.

This attitude can be seen from the fact that after the Yellow Turbans were wiped out, the whole world praised Huangfu for his justification and morality in killing.

Yanzhou's rebellion against Cao Cao was not only due to Cao Cao's refusal to give them positions, but also because Cao Cao dared to make peace with Qingzhou.

At the same time, Shandong’s hostility towards Guanzhong is also partly due to the fact that Fei Qian has a large number of "thieves" under his command, even more than Cao Cao!
Xiliang bandits, Baibo bandits, Black Mountain bandits...

Therefore, it is almost universally acknowledged by the people of Shandong that Fei Qian is a bandit chieftain.

Previously, Cao Cao's troops swept across the Central Plains, defeated the two Yuans, occupied Qingzhou, Xuzhou, and Jingzhou, recruited soldiers from other princes, and reorganized many troops. Although these troops were not lacking in elite soldiers, they were not very harmonious with the core of Cao's army. At the same time, these earlier Qingzhou soldiers also gave Cao Cao a headache, and they often looted and caused trouble in the countryside.

Therefore, it is obvious that there are problems with the system of Cao's army. However, a problematic system will only expose its drawbacks when there is a certain amount of external pressure. Just like now at Suoyang Pass, the problems exposed by Cao's army have caused Cao Hong to suffer a great loss.

Is it that Cao’s army’s equipment is messy?
No.

Are there more old and weak people and fewer strong and healthy people?
Nor is it.

But when confronting the Hussars, they lacked firm confidence and will.

When you have the upper hand, you play smoothly, but when you are at a disadvantage, the more you play, the worse it gets.

Cao Cao himself was also clear about these issues.

However, it would not be of much use if he was the only one to know the truth.

Cao Cao, like Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, rose to power with the help of aristocratic families and local tyrants, so it was impossible for him to completely get rid of the stigma of aristocratic families. In this regard, he may have been influenced by Yuan Shao and followed Yuan Shao's old path. By the time Cao Cao found something wrong, it was already difficult to change.

Unless you cut off your flesh and exchange your blood...

Before planning, Cao Cao was worried about gains and losses, but after it was actually implemented, Cao Cao did not toss and turn. His heroic nature was revealed, and he acted according to the plan, watching coldly the bloody storm he had created, without any sympathy or softness in his heart.

Cao Cao wanted to reform the system very early on.

Xun Yu never agreed.

Cao Cao's feelings towards Xun Yu were very complicated, so in the end, Cao Cao still did not break up with him.

But now, Xun Yu could no longer refuse.

The Han order and system that Xun Yu hoped to restore are gone forever.

So this time, Xun Yu was also forced to agree to the reform. But the Xun family of Yingchuan alone does not mean that the Central Plains gentry will agree to change and agree to cut flesh and blood.

unless……

Does it hurt to cut flesh and exchange blood?
Cao Cao was now heartbroken whenever he thought of the deaths and injuries of his brothers and clansmen in the war. However, on the surface, he was still calm. Every day, in addition to receiving reports from various places and carefully reviewing them, he also arranged the retreat and carried out personnel transfers. Every night, he went to sleep after finishing his work. Even though countless people died because of him every day, Cao Cao did not even have a nightmare.

Cao Cao has done his best to maneuver everything now.

But there are still unexpected things happening...

"Zi Lian went to Suoyang Pass?!" Cao Cao frowned, thought for a moment, and then slammed the table, "Stupid! Someone, quickly pass on..."

Cao Cao stopped talking halfway.

The messenger arrived outside the tent, but did not hear the second half of the sentence. He moved his feet in embarrassment and lowered his head, not daring to look at Cao Cao.

"Order Le Wenqian to march to Yuban Road immediately! Make sure to stop the Hussars from leaving Heluo!"

……

……

If Cao Hong knew that the plan he had made would eventually lead to an accelerated slide into the abyss of failure, would he still struggle?

The answer is, it still will.

It's like a person falling into a swamp. Although they know that the more they struggle, the more likely they are to sink deeper and eventually drown, there are still people who desperately grab and fish, trying to grab the last straw.

Suoyang Pass was the straw in Cao Hong's hand. He grabbed it, but it was so light that he couldn't bear any strength at all.

Xu Chu attacked fiercely in the south, and Conglai and others destroyed the north. It was like there was a tiger at the front door, a wolf at the back door, and a cliff outside the window...

The morale of Cao's army was visibly collapsing.

"General! Come up with a decision!"

The military academy urged.

"Master! We can't stay here any longer!"

The guards also shouted anxiously.

Whether it is making a decision or not being able to wait, it actually means the same thing.

retreat.

As the saying goes, if you take a step back, the sky will be wider; it can also be said that a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall, and so on. Anyway, anything is fine.

But Cao Hong knew better than anyone what retreat meant!
Once retreated, it would not be too difficult. As long as Cao Hong immediately turned around and pulled the troops in the south back to attack Conglai and others, he would either kill Conglai and others at the north entrance, or force Conglai and others to flee again and give up the passage to the north entrance. So Cao Hong could go straight to Heluo along the north entrance.

But then...

Cao Hong may very well survive, but he left behind too many things.

The first is the pulling move.

Qian Zhao followed the order and rushed to rescue, but Cao Hong slipped away first?

This is not just a moral issue, but represents the complete collapse of Cao Jun’s credit system!
Although I don't have much credit left...

But you always have to have a pair of underwear. If that doesn't work, a headscarf or socks will do. At least with a little covering you can confidently show that you are not naked. At least you are wearing something, right?
But if they don't retreat, they will have to fight Xu Chu in the south and send troops to eliminate traitors in the north. Now that the morale of Cao's soldiers has collapsed, can they really complete the task of fighting on two fronts?

Cao Hong thought it was possible before, but now he finds it difficult.

"General!" Cao Hong's trusted guards fell to the ground, "I have received your kindness for many years, but I have no way to repay you... Now the situation is urgent, I am willing to defend Suoyang Pass for you! It is difficult to go north or south, you can go down the mountain along the remaining path on the rock wall with a rope!"

Let the double stabilize the morale of the troops, and then walk on the remaining path on the rock wall? Although the remaining path on the rock wall had been dismantled and burned before, it only takes a rope to go down from the top, which is much easier than climbing up from the bottom.

This is indeed a solution. Because the confidant has been with Cao Hong for many years and is familiar with Cao Hong's habits, etc., wearing armor and masks, it is difficult for people who are not familiar with Cao Hong to distinguish whether it is the real person or the substitute.

Just like Cao Cao’s previous stand-in.

Cao Hong was stunned for a moment, then he helped his confidant up, "How can I bear to let you take such a risk?"

"General, the cavalry is attacking us from both sides, and the morale of the soldiers is already in chaos. If you don't change your flag, the whole army will collapse! I am grateful to you and can lend you my armor and helmet to stabilize the morale of the army!" The trusted guard said earnestly, "To have the best of both worlds, I have to stay here to stabilize the army, and you can quickly go down the rock wall to the Zhongtiao Mountain camp and send troops to help. Otherwise, if we are really attacked from both sides by the cavalry, you will be trapped here. Not only will your personal safety be in danger, but the Zhongtiao camp will also be in danger! As the saying goes, a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. Please think twice!"

"This..." Cao Hong hesitated.

The confidant kowtowed again, "General! Do not hesitate any longer, make a quick decision! I do not ask for anything else, but only for you to take care of my wife, children and the elderly!"

That’s right, the condition for dying for someone else is to entrust your wife and children to the other person’s care.

What seems incredible in later times was very common in the Han Dynasty.

In later generations, most people had names, but in the Han Dynasty, most ordinary people did not even have a real name, only a nickname, or even a surname!
Because their ancestors were not celebrities or high-ranking officials, they do not deserve to have surnames.

Therefore, in the minds of some people in the Han Dynasty, sacrificing oneself so that one's children can have a name and a brighter future is undoubtedly the right thing for parents to do for their children and their family.

Cao Hong was silent for a while, and finally he looked up to the sky and sighed, "Don't worry, I will take care of your wife and children!"

The trusted guards kowtowed deeply.

……

……

Compared with Cao Hong's hesitation and concerns, Xu Chu seemed much more determined.

Before, in Anyi, Cao Hong tricked him. Although Xu Chu retaliated against Cao Hong later, he still let Cao Hong escape in the end. Now Cao Hong was blocked at Suoyang Pass, so there was no reason for Xu Chu to give up easily.

At the beginning, Xu Chu's main attack direction was still the gate passage of Suoyang Pass.

At the city gate, Xu Chu also encountered a Cao army school member who dared to challenge him.

In Shandong, there were many brave and strong men in Cao's army. There was a military school in Cao's army who was like this. He relied on his bigger size than Xu Chu and tried to challenge Xu Chu in a duel.

This man might be considered a good fighter under Cao Hong, but when facing Xu Chu, he could not withstand a few rounds of attack and was killed by Xu Chu.

The Cao army soldiers who came with this burly man burst into an uproar and turned around and ran away.

Being big does have some advantages at times, but it also requires the coordination of fighting skills.

Xu Chu's attack also requires skills.

At first, Xu Chu and his men wanted to follow Cao's army and directly attack them, but they were fiercely shot by Cao's army near the mountain road. Even with shields, many hussars were injured by rounds of arrows and crossbows.

Seeing this, Xu Chu had no choice but to temporarily withdraw from Cao's army's shooting range.

Although Xu Chu could also infer that Cao's arrows were running low, it was not a good idea to use human lives to try. Xu Chu looked around and immediately changed the direction of the attack, avoiding the shooting range of Cao's archers above the city gate, and chose to build a ladder to climb up the earth wall connected to the outer wall of Suoyang Pass...

Coincidentally, this was also the route chosen by Cao's army to capture Suoyang Pass.

When Xu Chu chose to attack on multiple fronts, Cao Jun was a little overwhelmed, just like they had never been able to withstand Cao Jun's multi-front attacks before. Suoyang Pass was small, and the overall defense structure belonged to the model of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. It was simply unable to adapt to the new war model that had evolved a lot. Both Xu Chu and Cao Hong could only work hard on the software, but the hardware limitations could not be broken through.

The outermost circle of Cao's army's defense quickly collapsed, and they all retreated to the second circle of defense.

Perhaps it was because the defense area of ​​the inner circle was smaller and the density of Cao's army had increased, or perhaps it was because the Cao's soldiers saw Cao Hong still standing on the high ground with a knife in his hand, so the two sides entered a brief stalemate.

"Follow me!"

Xu Chu, who had retreated for a while to rest, saw that the advance of the front line was blocked, so he immediately picked up his sword again and led his men to break through.

In the current situation, whoever breaks through first will be able to increase his advantage like a snowball!
The place where the two sides were in a stalemate was actually a small earthen slope.

Cao's army occupied the top of the slope. Because of the height difference, when the Hussars attacked upwards, the vital parts of their heads and faces would be directly exposed to the attack range of Cao's army, and Cao's army only had to guard against being chopped on the legs and feet by the Hussars.

"Why not use grenades?"

Xu Chu rushed to the front line and asked.

In a stalemate like this, most people used shield soldiers to take the lead before, but now there is an additional option.

"We're running out of grenades! There aren't many left! We have to save some for the general... just in case..."

The military school answered hesitantly.

If we really have to retreat, it would be good to have a few more grenades to clear the way for Xu Chu.

The military academy means well.

Grenades, like arrows, are consumables, and there are even fewer grenades than arrows.

Previously, the Cavalry Army used grenades to blow up Cao's infantry line and destroy Cao Hong's deployment, but they also used up most of the grenades they carried. They used another batch when breaking through the outer wall of Suoyang Pass, and now there are basically no grenades left.

"Stupid! Use it first! I am important, but the soldiers are not important? ! "

Xu Chu made a decision quickly.

The military academy responded, but still did not use all of them and secretly saved two of them.

The grenade was thrown up, and the Cao army formation on the slope was thrown into chaos.

Xu Chu took advantage of this opportunity, raised his sword and cut out a small open space.

When we just climbed up the slope, we were outnumbered, so the most important thing was to stabilize the line and let our own soldiers follow up.

Although there were Cao's troops guarding the slope, how could they stop Xu Chu?

More hussars came forward.

The Cao army soldiers were all veterans. Even though their morale was low, they still had fighting instincts and their deployment was not bad. A group of Cao army soldiers rushed over from the other side, all holding spears, and stabbed at Xu Chu and others. Behind this group of Cao army soldiers, there were also several archers who stared at Xu Chu and greeted him with a round of arrows.

At this time, Xu Chu's ability was revealed.

But Xu Chu had already picked up the shield and stood in front.

If it was during the climbing process, it would be difficult to block, but now that he had already climbed up, it was naturally different. In addition, Xu Chu's shield skills were considered to be at the master level. The heavy shield in his hand was flexible and made to look light. He constantly changed the angle according to the attack direction of Cao's army, not only shielding himself tightly, but also taking care of his comrades around him.

Cao Hong and other Cao's soldiers believed that the cavalry was powerful on horseback, but its combat effectiveness would be reduced if it dismounted. This may be true for ordinary cavalry, but it was an exception for Xu Chu.

Xu Chu originally planned to take the infantry combat route. He learned horse riding and cavalry combat from General Fei Qian, but he was better at infantry combat!
This time, Cao's army retreated to Suoyang Pass, thinking that they could weaken the combat effectiveness of the Hussar cavalry, but unexpectedly it gave Xu Chu an ample stage to show his abilities!

In addition, the Suoyang Pass has been attacked back and forth several times. Even if there were any insidious and vicious defensive fortifications and killing methods in the past, they have basically been destroyed. Now the two sides are competing to see who is more brave, who is more resilient, and who has stronger hand-to-hand combat skills, so that they can gain more advantages after the collision between the two armies.

When two armies meet, the brave one wins.

Xu Chu's bravery in infantry combat was naturally first-rate, and Cao's army could not resist him at all!
Ordinary people might be overwhelmed and distracted when facing the array of Cao's soldiers, but Xu Chu only needed to take a glance to know which direction he should move to, which side he should dodge, block that part of the swords and spears, and make the other parts of the swords and spears miss.

Xu Chu also noticed the figure of Cao Hong above Suoyang Pass, who seemed to still be standing on a high place, directing the battle. This was also an important factor in the Cao army soldiers still resisting and persisting.

What kind of trap did Cao’s army set on it?
However, the structure of Suoyang Pass is simple and almost clear at a glance. No matter what actions the Cao army takes, what traps are set, or what Cao Hong is planning, as long as they rush straight into the center of the formation and kill him, everything will be settled!

Xu Chu believed that Cao Hong might have seen the reinforcements coming, and was perhaps trying to entangle him, waiting for his retreat to be destroyed and he would then turn around to chase and outflank him.

For this, Cao Hong did not hesitate to use himself as bait!

In this case, Xu Chu would just take the bait!
As long as Cao Hong is killed, not only will Cao's army at Suoyang Pass collapse, but even Zhongtiao Mountain can be conquered!