Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3441 Survival from death
Although the Hedong area is not as prosperous as Yuzhou and Jizhou, it has reaped a wave of benefits from Fei Qian since the chaos in Heluo, so it is considered quite good.

Unfortunately, after Cao's army arrived, they burned, killed and looted, making the Hedong area look somewhat dilapidated.

Some fortresses outside Anyi were also burned down, leaving only some broken walls and ruins.

Then some people set up temporary camps among these ruins.

The so-called camps are actually refugee sheds and dugouts.

The Cavalry Corps’ formal refugee diversion camp was built on the Emei Plateau, and Anyi was at most a transit station.

The current situation around Anyi is very complicated. On the one hand, the city damaged by the war needs to be rebuilt and the corpses inside and outside the city need to be dealt with. On the other hand, after the Cao army’s Anyi camp was breached, many Cao soldiers fled to the surrounding areas.

That’s why there are temporary, transit camps like this.

Every day some people will join and some will be diverted away.

Strictly speaking, this temporary camp is more like a quarantine area.

Without a clear identity or a clear destination, these refugees will stay here until their future destination is finally determined...

Every day, hussars would escort food to the temporary camp, cook it and distribute it.

One meal a day.

There would also be some people who came to recruit laborers to repair damaged buildings in the surrounding area or to cultivate farmland, so that they could get more rewards, which were usually converted into food.

Originally, there was nothing wrong with this arrangement, but for humans, it is always easier to create chaos than to create order.

Although there were hussars who would come back from time to time to inspect the camp, regulate hygiene and maintain order, the number of hussars was small and they were far away from Anyi County, so it was considered a good thing for these hussars to come once a day.

These refugees will not stay here for long. They will be dispersed one after another before the winter comes. Therefore, most people will not have any sense of belonging to this camp. They will take care of their own affairs...

In the camp, people used all kinds of materials to make tattered dugouts, which were huddled together to shelter from wind and rain.

There were no decent fences around the camp, so they simply dug a trench that was neither wide nor deep, and erected some wooden planks and branches to draw a circle and mark the territory.

Inside these shabby camps, big and small, there were all kinds of people, men and women, with pale faces gathered together, wearing tattered clothes and all kinds of rags to keep out the cold.

Is it bitter?

indeed.

However, it is unrealistic to expect these refugees to have the same living standards as normal people all of a sudden.

Xun Chen began to organize and promote the new policy in Anyi. As for the gentry and nobles who were dissatisfied with the new policy, although they would not resist openly, they did not dare to make any reckless moves. After all, the heads of those guys who had dared to make small moves in secret were still hanging on the city wall of Anyi.

However, this does not mean that these people are completely "convinced".

Just like in later generations, even if the new country has been established for a hundred years, there are still a large group of old people who are still wailing and sighing, secretly cursing and pointing fingers, and openly holding gatherings to promote traditional culture, but everyone knows what it is actually for.

For these gentry, it was already good enough not to cause trouble, so it was unlikely that they would take the initiative to help Xun Chen settle these refugees. Maybe they were still watching from the sidelines, ready to see when Xun Chen could not stand it, or make a joke, so that they could show their noble talents and say that the new policy was harmful to the country and the people...

Therefore, all things were done by the Cavalry, and it was already very good that those Hedong nobles did not cause trouble or hinder their efforts.

All of the above factors combined make these temporary camps around Anyi like slums, with some order, but not completely order.

There is a lot of traffic, which causes a lot of things to be in disarray.

It is also difficult to regulate it, after all, they do not have a fixed residence.

Inside the makeshift camp, women cried, children screamed, people quarreled and cursed over trivial matters, and there were all kinds of noises. But among all these noises, there was one place that seemed particularly quiet.

There are also some places in the camp that are better.

For example, places that are higher, drier, or even have an extra wall are all good places.

However, these good places are not used to take care of the widows, widowers and the lonely, but are occupied by some men.

Today in this place, these men had gloomy faces and stood on the periphery with their hands in their arms. They stared at every guy who dared to approach, as if they were ready to draw their short blades and kill people at the next moment.

Because today, there is a "guest" here...

These men were actually deserters from Cao's army.

Because they were deserters, they still had some short weapons on them, and they had no family support and there was a certain organizational system among them, so it was easy for them to grab a good place among the refugees.

Since Cao's army marched into Hedong, it has suffered heavy casualties, but only about a quarter of the soldiers died directly on the battlefield, and less than a third at most. Most of the other Cao soldiers who lost their ranks either fled to the mountains or pretended to be refugees.

"You will be found out sooner or later!" the guest said rudely, "The investigation has already begun. Although it is only in the city and the surrounding areas now, it will soon be found here. When that happens, you will either have to escape again or be arrested and sent to a labor camp, where you will dig mines and break stones for the rest of your life."

"So, you are here to threaten us?" said the temporary deserter leader in the camp.

"No, on the contrary." The guest said with a smile, "I am here to show you a clear path..."

……

……

Xiahou Dun raised his head slightly and looked at the tricolor flag in front of him, with an expression neither sad nor happy on his face.

Since Cao Xiu came, Xiahou Dun's cooperation seemed to have improved a lot. He was willing to go out for a walk with the Cavalry Army every day. Although they didn't say much, just walking around could make the surrendered Cao army students feel more at ease.

Xiahou Dun saw it and kept it in mind.

It is indeed as Cao Xiu said, it is very difficult to find some "suitable" people in the city.

In addition, Xiahou Dun was wearing a general's armor, but it was only armor, without a sword or gun.

The same was true for Cao Xiu. So if you want to cause trouble, in addition to people, you also need swords and guns.

However, getting swords, guns and arrows in the city is as difficult as climbing to the sky.

I can only seek outside help...

Fei Qian left Anyi, this was a good opportunity.

As Cao Cao's deputy, Xiahou Dun never thought of bowing to others.

Many years ago, before Cao Cao started the rebellion, although the Xiahou family was somewhat famous in the local area, if it were placed in the Han Dynasty, who would know the name Xiahou?

It was Cao Cao who made Xiahou successful!

And these surrendered Cao's military academies...

Xiahou narrowed his eyes and looked over coldly, as if he was looking at an animal instead of a person.

When the surrendered Cao army soldiers near the city saw Xiahou Dun coming out, they began to chatter and tell each other.

"He's out! General Xiahou is out again!"

"You look pretty good..."

"Of course, eating well, sleeping well, and not having to work hard, how can that not be good?"

"Look at them, they are still lucky, unlike us..."

"Shut up, you took a lot of biscuits when you ate them, and now you're saying this again!"

"Can't you talk about it yet?"

"What rank do you think the Cavalry will give to General Xiahou?"

"Who knows? It won't be small..."

Everyone was talking, and on the surface they were talking about Xiahou, but in fact everyone knew that they were all talking about themselves.

Except for a small number of people, most of Cao's army were ordinary people.

Ordinary people naturally like stability and do not like chaos.

But these ordinary Cao army surrendered soldiers did not know that what they thought was just what they thought, but in a place they could not see, a storm was brewing.

Xiahou initially thought that Cao Xiu's plan would not succeed, so he was not very supportive of it.

But what Cao Xiu said made Xiahou Dun finally agree, and he even gave Cao Xiu a few names...

Those were the names of some Hedong nobles who had previously been more inclined towards Cao's army.

……

...An Yi had begun to gather and circulate military supplies and fodder some time ago, and the traces of war inside and outside the city were gradually cleared up, with the tricolor flag flying high above the city.

For most people, being able to have a stable meal is happiness.

As for who is the leader and who is the commander, many times people start voting by looking at their own bowls.

If there is food, it is good; if there is nothing to eat, of course it is bad.

Even if the cavalry speaks beautifully and even if they have strong soldiers and horses everywhere, if there is no food, then everything is over.

Cao Xiu was eyeing these military supplies and fodder, on the one hand, and on the other hand...

Burning these military supplies and food will cause chaos among the cavalry!
However, these military supplies and fodder must be carefully guarded and cannot be easily accessed, so naturally another method must be found...

The only way is to make a feint to the east and attack in the west!

Cao Xiu also knew that his plan was not so easy to succeed, and it could even be said that there were many flaws, but what did it matter?
The worst case scenario is death!

Originally, I wanted to assassinate the Hussars, but now the Hussars are heading south...

However, if the target is changed to food, the effect will definitely be very good!

Among all the heroes in the world, is there anyone like the Cavalry?

More importantly, the Cao family cannot surrender just like that!
In war, how to treat surrendered soldiers and generals has always been a very important issue.

If handled well, the follow-up will be easy to carry out, and more and more people will choose to surrender. However, once problems arise in the middle, both Fei Qian's side and Cao's army will be affected.

Even if I die from it.

Cao Xiu glanced out the window.

There were still hussars on duty outside the window.

It is said that it is convenient to take care of the child nearby and any needs can be handled easily, but in reality it is just surveillance.

However, this surveillance can only be conducted on one person, or on a few key figures. How is it possible to monitor all military academies in Cao’s army?

Therefore, Cao Xiu and Xiahou Dun both behaved themselves on the surface.

This isn't anything too difficult.

Whether it was Xiahou Dun or Cao Xiu, if they wanted to eat something, they would ask their guards to go out and buy it. They couldn't just say no, "Let's deliver the food, right?" They could send someone to follow them once or twice, but what about three or five times?

It is not difficult to keep an eye on the big guys like Xiahou Dun and Cao Xiu, but it is really not easy to keep an eye on the small guys and take good care of them.

Historical experience tells us that many officials have run into problems because they didn’t take good care of their little heads…

If successful, then Xiahou Dun could be taken away as well and headed straight to Taihang Mountains.

If it doesn’t work…

Cao Xiu's eyes gradually became lowered.

Cao Xiu also wanted to live. After all, his children were still young and had not yet seen his grandchildren.

Among the Chinese people, there is probably a habit of being strict with sons and pampering grandsons, so Cao Xiu was quite strict with Cao Zhao.

This also made Cao Zhao dislike Cao Xiu very much.

Cao Xiu also knew that if he didn't ask about Cao Zhao's studies all day and just took Cao Zhao out to eat, drink and play everywhere, then Cao Zhao would definitely like to be with him very much.

but……

Shouldn't it be a happy thing to have parents nagging and urging you to study hard?
Cao Xiu looked up at the sky.

How he wished he could still hear his parents nagging or scolding him...

Now, all he could hear were his own quiet sighs, but he could no longer hear his parents' nagging.

Once I die, will Cao Zhao be happy and feel that he no longer has to listen to my nagging and accusations?

Cao Xiu smiled with a hint of self-mockery.

Then gradually put away all these romantic feelings.

Although he has the determination to die, he doesn't really want to commit suicide!
On the battlefield, it is common to survive from death!
Cao Xiu let out a breath and then looked at the beams and pillars inside the house.

It's late autumn now, and the weather is dry!

……

……

Night falls.

In the hall in Anyi City, important military academy officers and generals of the Cavalry Army were sitting around.

The flames were flickering all around, and there were many soldiers on duty standing in the surrounding corridors, making the military academy students attending the meeting feel a bit strange in the atmosphere.

Xun Chen, dressed in a green shirt, sat at the head of the group and looked around. "Although the Pei family is attached to the Hedong area, there are many powerful people there, and the rest may not be loyal. The lord is leading the army south, so some people may have some concerns."

"My lord has entrusted the land of Hedong to you and me. If there is chaos here, it would be a small loss of face, but if it causes trouble for my lord, then I would die without regret!"

When Xun Chen said this, there was still a smile on his face, but his voice was full of coldness, which made the military students present feel a chill in their hearts. They immediately sat up straighter and straightened their backs.

"I know that you are all veterans on the battlefield..." Xun Chen looked around, still smiling, "And I am just a weak scholar, I have never led troops to kill the enemy, nor have I made any achievements in conquering cities, but since the lord has given me full authority to handle the affairs of Hedong... Even if you don't value me, you should still do it for the lord's sake... Is that right, everyone? !"

Xun Chen sounded like he was joking, but everyone knew that it was not funny.

Cheng Yun and Li Er quickly stated that they would obey Xun Chen's instructions.

Other military academies quickly echoed this.

Xun Chen said these words because these people were more or less slacking off...

Cheng Yun and Li Er were both retired soldiers who were called up for the second time. There were many veterans under him. They were not the main force in the first line, but they were more or less the backbone of the second line.

But people are like this. The problems of old hands are common in every place and in every industry.

If the cavalry commander Fei Qian was at a disadvantage, these people would be more nervous.

Now that Fei Qian has gained the upper hand, it's inevitable that he has some thoughts: I've sweated and bled, and now that victory is imminent, shouldn't I relax and enjoy myself?
Xun Chen glanced at Li Er.

Li Er also nodded to Xun Chen, his face a little stiff.

He was drinking yesterday, I wonder if Xun Chen knew about it...

Xun Chen glanced at the other people.

Among these people, some are sloppy, some are addicted to gambling, some are greedy for money and alcohol, and they have all kinds of bad habits.

After all, there is no psychological counseling or post-war recuperation among the Han people. Many stress reactions after the war are expressed through these highly stimulating behaviors.

Xun Chen didn't know what post-war syndrome was, but he knew that veterans would have some of the problems of a soldier. Fei Qian could bring them wealth and honor and fulfill their lifelong ambitions, so they were naturally loyal to him, but they might not respect others the same way.

The gap between civil and military officials cannot be eliminated simply by Xun Chen riding a horse and wandering around in the military formation for a few days or leading the troops for a few days.

Soldiers have their own set of recognition patterns.

Xun Chen didn't need them to be as loyal to him as the loyal cavalry, he just hoped that they would not let him down at this time and affect the overall situation.

After these people had expressed their opinions in a few words and gradually quieted down, Xun Chen slowly said, "Everyone has a heavy responsibility. There are not only refugees in transit around Anyi, but also Cao's surrendered soldiers. If you are not careful, chaos will occur..."

Cheng Yun, Li Er was startled suddenly.

The rest of the people were also in an uproar.

"Your Excellency, do you think someone is planning a rebellion?" Cheng Yun asked.

Li Er said murderously, "If that's the case, why not eliminate it before it happens? I see that these Cao army surrendered soldiers are all thieves. Instead of worrying about chaos, why not just... huh?"

The scene suddenly became a little chaotic. Some people agreed with Li Er, saying that killing them was a quick and easy solution. Others disagreed, saying that the surrendered soldiers were not necessarily traitors, and that a lot of work had been done before to persuade them to surrender and disband. Killing them now was indeed simple, but wouldn't it mean that all the previous work had been in vain?

The two sides argued for a while, then stopped and looked at Xun Chen.

Xun Chen smiled and glanced at everyone, "Everyone, do you know the story from the Spring and Autumn Period, where Duke Zheng defeated Duke Duan?"