Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3612: Quicksand Fire Leads to a Smoke

In Yecheng, Chen Qun sat at the table, carefully reading the news coming back from northern Jizhou over and over again.

As dusk fell, the smoke from the city's cooking seemed to be clinging to the roofs of the houses in Yecheng.

Of course, the food in the Prime Minister’s Mansion is still independent of that of ordinary people.

For the ruling class of Cao's army, eating and accommodation are not a problem, so they don't care too much about the eating and accommodation problems of ordinary people.

what happened?
Nowadays, who doesn’t have 500,000 five-zhu coins?

Therefore, Chen Qun did not pay much attention to the food and accommodation of the people in Yecheng, but instead focused on Wei Yan and others.

Ever since Wei Yan appeared in the northern part of Jizhou, Chen Qun has actually been collecting information about Wei Yan.

Through spies infiltrating among the common people, Chen Qun already had a general idea of ​​the composition of Wei Yan's troops.

That's right, the people of Jizhou are like a flock of sheep. If no one guides them, they may not have the courage to approach the Cavalry Army. But what's interesting is that once some people see others approaching, they will also move closer without thinking, just like a group of people standing on the street, they don't know what's going on, but they will subconsciously move closer, and then more and more people will gather together.

On Chen Qun's desk, even how Wei Yan's camp was arranged was recorded and reported.

"This guy..." Chen Qun looked at the sketch on the table as if he was looking down at Wei Yan's camp.

The entire "Wei Yan Camp" is very messy, like a collection of building blocks pieced together.

Especially the refugee camp following Wei Yan was even more scattered.

This was partly because these refugees had no idea how to set up camp, and partly because of the spies sent by Chen Qun to mix in with them.

After all, sometimes people just like to hear what they want to hear.

For example, studying is useless, the knowledge is useless, etc.

It's like when setting up camp, as long as someone says a few words, there's no one to supervise, or even if there is supervision, they think it's their own ability to be a little lazy, so naturally the camps of these refugees will not be in good shape.

The letter said that the Cavalry School would take people to the refugee camp to distribute food and fodder...

Chen Qun couldn't help laughing when he saw it.

Distributing precious food and fodder to those untouchables, isn't that courting death?
Even Chen Qun, who never went on the battlefield, knew what it meant to be "a man of kindness cannot be in charge of an army".

How stupid.

Chen Qun couldn't help but shook his head, and then his heart moved.

Such a stupid general, if...

But, could it be a deliberate trick?
"Wei Yan, Wei Wenchang..."

Chen Qun muttered.

This guy, whose name is the opposite of Chen Qun's, seems to have become Chen Qun's mortal enemy at the moment.

Chen Qun felt that Wei Yan, who could come and go freely in Yecheng before, was definitely not a stupid person, but what he did now seemed very stupid.

Maybe it's a fake "Wei Yan"?
Using someone else to deceive people under the banner of Wei Yan, or...

If it was before, when Chen Qun had sufficient funds, he would most likely send troops to attack directly. After all, there are many times when firepower reconnaissance can more or less find out the truth of the situation. But now, the troops at Chen Qun's disposal are a bit stretched.

Chen Qun took a deep breath. He felt that he had to be cautious, even more cautious.

……

……

In the area where You and Ji meet, desolation becomes the main theme.

This area was not originally very wealthy. Even without talking about the changes after the current battle of Youzhou, just talking about the Han Dynasty since Emperor Ling of Han, the mutual attacks between the Youzhou warlords and the occasional southward plundering by the Hu people not only invaded Youzhou, but also caused great damage to the northern part of Jizhou.

If the Yuzhou area is full of spring and the crops are green, then the main colors in the Youji area are still gray and black.

Wei Yan's march could only be a line, while Jizhou was obviously a surface.

And it has wrinkled surface.

For Wei Yan's troops, the controllable range is generally about forty miles. Then, at a distance beyond forty miles, it is basically unlikely to send scouts to conduct aimless searches and patrols.

This leaves some space.

Cao's army conquered Jizhou and established authority in the Central Plains, but their control did not extend to the countryside.

Especially in areas like Changshan, which have become dilapidated and even the county seat has been moved inland.

Even if soldiers and officials occasionally came, they would only visit some dotted cities along the official road and would never exceed the scope of the official road.

With the defeat of Cao's army in Guanzhong, these areas, which were originally under weak control, have become increasingly chaotic.

When light cannot reach the corners, mold will naturally grow. Cao's army withdrew, the gentry retreated, and Wei Yan and others could not control the areas. Some abandoned forts became gathering places for some bandits.

Some of these bandits were originally gray gloves used by gentry to control the local area, and some were farmers who changed their jobs because they could not make a living. But no matter what kind of bandits they were, after getting used to the life of licking blood on the edge of a knife, it is difficult for them to return to normal life.

Even if they put down their weapons for a short time, once something happens, they will quickly return to their old ways.

Like-minded thieves gathered together, boasted to each other, and put up all kinds of signs.

No matter whether others believe it or not, they believe it anyway.

What is the use of doing justice and upholding justice? In fact, they all have the same purpose: the survival of the fittest.

These bandits naturally do not engage in production, but they will use the property obtained through various means of robbery, theft, kidnapping and extortion to build shabby dens and live in a messy place.

Most of them are built on the ruined docks to form residential areas.

A little trench and some sparse, crooked wooden fences were enough to form a defense.

In such a gathering place for bandits, there were all kinds of people, men and women, with pale faces gathered together. And those bandits who called themselves the Great Generals of the Universe were also dressed in rags, and compared to those ordinary refugees, they only had a tattered weapon and one or two broken armors.

These bandits would not be willing to return to orthodox jurisdiction unless it was absolutely necessary, no matter whether it was the Han Dynasty, Cao's army, or the Hussars.

But one thing is certain, these thieves and bandits are all greedy.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" A scruffy messenger soldier stumbled over, but ran over happily, almost tripping, and rushed to the thief leader with his hands and feet, "Cao, Cao's army, come, someone is coming!"

The bandit leader laughed loudly, "Guys! Business has come to our door! Hahahaha! I didn't expect that Prime Minister Cao would want to negotiate business with us one day! Hahahaha!"

The bandit leader laughed wildly, and the thieves around him also laughed, looking very happy and proud.

……

……

Prime Minister’s Mansion, Bronze Sparrow Tower.

The sound of the night watch lingered in the empty hall like the whisper of a ghost.

Cao Pi used a wolf-hair brush to circle the key points on the letter.

"Prince, the Chief Secretary is here."

The attendant outside the hall reported.

Cao Pi put down his pen and said, "You are welcome."

Chen Qun came forward, bowed and said, "Your Highness, why did you ask me to come here?"

Cao Pi first asked Chen Qun to sit down, then picked up the letter on the table that he had just circled and said, "Chief Secretary, please read this."

Chen Qun took it and saw the words "out of food" that Cao Pi had ticked on the letter under the light of the bronze lady's palace lantern. He was slightly stunned, then looked at Cao Pi, "Prince... there may be a trick here."

"Is this a trick?" Cao Pi frowned and asked.

Cao Pi felt as if he had been splashed with a basin of cold water. His expression was inevitably a little off, revealing a look of resentment. "Chief Secretary, is there anything wrong?"

Chen Qun was silent for a while, then said, "The thief general of the Wei family is cunning and treacherous. How could he expose his weakness? The food cut here is probably a strategy to lure the troops. Prince, please don't fall into the trap."

"Lure the troops?" Cao Pi searched for some letters on the table, then looked left and right, "Chief, if we are luring the troops, we should set an ambush, but this bandit general is dragging the old and the young, and the camp is in a mess... How can we lure them and ambush them?"

"This..." Chen Qun glanced at Cao Pi, "Your Highness, you are wise. The Cavalry Army is used to using itself as bait... This time, it is probably the same."

"Estimate?" Cao Pi really wanted to grab the letters and bamboo slips on the table and throw them at Chen Qun, and then yell something like "If everyone was as timid as you at Baima Guandu, how could we have built a foundation in Hebei?" However, his knuckles turned white from pinching his sleeves, and in the end he said nothing and asked Chen Qun to leave.

Chen Qun saluted formally and left.

As Cao Pi watched Chen Qun salute, he felt like a statue, wood carving, or clay sculpture placed in the hall.

Chen Qun's etiquette was impeccable, but this was only on the surface. Cao Pi could actually feel the perfunctory and disregard in it.

Watching Chen Qun leave, Cao Pi slapped the table and said, "If Uncle Zixiao and Uncle Zilian were here, how could this boy be so rampant!" Cao Pi still held back and did not curse Chen Qun's name. Even at that moment, it seemed that he was cursing the Hussars.

Cao Pi took a deep breath. He suspected Chen Qun and the gentry of Jizhou. He wondered if they had secretly contacted the cavalry and if they had already prepared a surrender letter for Fei Qian...

Cao Pi gritted his teeth.

Just give up?

He also deliberately bribed some "Northern Hebei Armed Forces".

Anyway, if the money is not spent, it will fall into the hands of the Hussars.

But now, there is such a good opportunity...

Are we just going to sit there and wait for death?

"Someone, come here! Tell Xiahou Ru to come here!"

……

……

Chen Qun sat on the canopy carriage and staggered away from the Bronze Sparrow Tower.

He looked back at the lights at the highest point of the Bronze Sparrow Tower, his expression gloomy and uncertain.

This feeling is actually very bad, but it happens to be the habitual political pattern in Shandong Central Plains.

No one can be trusted, and everyone must cooperate within limits.

This is helpless, but it is reality.

The situation has come to this, but they still cannot trust each other and cooperate with each other. Are they each thinking about their own things?

It’s nothing, it’s just Chinese tradition.

Cao Pi secretly sent people to contact the bandit leader, which was obviously inappropriate.

Chen Qun tried to warn and dissuade Cao Pi indirectly, but Cao Pi played dumb and refused to admit it.

This is like a teenager in the future putting his cell phone between his textbooks. Is that smart?

The boy thought he was clever.

Do you want to listen to advice?
The boy said don't bother me.

Throughout the ages, the environment may change, but human nature will not change at all.

Cao Pi firmly denied it and Chen Qun was helpless.

After all, Chen Qun was only a minister, and it was impossible for him to scold and educate Cao Pi with a stick. Moreover, even if Cao Cao was really asked to educate Cao Pi, or even if Madam Bian was invited, how much effect would it have?
Cao Pi is smart, but not smart enough.

Just like the teenagers in the future, if they hide their cell phone in a textbook and get discovered, they may hide it in a mirror, a box, or somewhere else next time. They may even learn electronics by themselves, solder circuits, disassemble cell phone cases, and install display screens...

How great would it be if we could use this thought on serious matters?

Unfortunately, what teenagers consider to be "serious" is not the same as what adults consider to be "serious".

How to do?
If they won’t listen to advice and can’t be taught, then we can only persuade and teach them with facts.

No matter how many times a person teaches someone, they will never learn. But once something teaches someone, they will learn it.

Chen Qun lowered his eyelids and fell into deep thought.

The wheels of the vehicle rolled over the bluestone slabs, making a squeaking sound.

The next morning, Chen Qun received news that Xiahou Ru had led his men northward...

Chen Qun thought for a moment, shook his head, and then began to call his men together and assign tasks.

……

……

Money moves people's hearts.

When faced with huge sums of money, some people will always lose their minds.

In times of chaos, human life is the most worthless thing.

A life may be used to fight for a new life, a meal, or simply for a piece of pancake...

It is naturally extremely difficult to sneak into Wei Yan's army, but it is easy to sneak into the refugees.

Even if some refugees noticed that there was something wrong with these ferocious people, they still adhered to the principle of just getting by and not causing trouble as long as the knife did not hit their heads, so they pretended that they saw nothing and knew nothing.

It was late at night, in the refugees' messy camp, young and old were sleeping in each other's arms. Only the occasional sound of someone talking in their sleep and the crackling of branches burning in the campfire could be heard.

At this moment, some noisy noises suddenly emanated from the messy temporary shelter among the refugees.

The shouting and howling sounds seemed to suddenly burst out from the cracks in the ground and then soared straight into the sky!
No one could hear clearly what these howling voices were shouting, but one could instinctively sense the cruelty, despair, madness and insanity in them.

The half-asleep refugees in the surrounding fields were awakened, hugged each other in panic, and then instinctively began to drag each other away from the place where the sound came from.

At first, these bandits who had infiltrated the refugees were a little timid, but when they saw that the refugees did not resist at all, and that even the Hussars were "running away", they suddenly became arrogant and shouted as if they had defeated the Hussars, laughing and shouting wildly, driving the refugees to flee in all directions.

"The Hussars escaped?"

Xiahou Ru couldn't believe it.

He originally thought that Cao Pi's strategy had no chance of success, and he was carrying out Cao Pi's orders only because he had to.

But the current situation was somewhat beyond his expectations.

Things went as smoothly as in a dream. Whatever I thought of came true.

Xiahou Ru pinched his leg subconsciously.

pain.

But what is going on in front of me?

Are the Hussars really so vulnerable?
Naturally not.

On the other side of the battlefield, which Xiahou Ru could not see, Wei Yan was running with his soldiers, beaming with joy, "Look! Wasn't I right? Cao's army is coming! Everyone, move forward, forward, around that hill!"

If you want to escape from a dangerous area when chaos breaks out, you must first be prepared.

Among these preparations, the most important one is order.

Who goes first and who goes later, who is on the left and who is on the right, such a simple allocation is extremely precious in the chaos.

Wei Yan did not shout anything to let him go first, but took the soldiers with him. This enabled the hussars to immediately find the correct direction after a brief panic and began to retreat along the originally planned route.

Wei Yan did not have much ill will towards these refugees from Jizhou, but he also did not have much good feelings towards them.

In the chaos, Wei Yan didn't care how many refugees were killed or injured. He just hoped that Cao's army would launch a large wave so that he could have a good defeat.

"Did you see Cao's army lined up?"

Wei Yan asked his attendants.

"I haven't seen it yet! There are only rioters!"

Answer left and right.

Wei Yan rolled his eyes, "Flags! Throw some flags! Throw some of the unused weapons too!"

The flag was thrown down, and the refugees could not find the hussars for a while, and the situation became more and more chaotic.

Although there are not many thieves and bandits mixed in with the refugees, a single bad apple can spoil the whole barrel.

These bandits are not good at frontal attacks, but they are very good at causing trouble and killing ordinary people.

The number of refugees was almost dozens of times that of the bandits, but most of the people fled in a hurry when they saw the bandits, and did not even think of resisting. This also led to the bandits rampaging through the refugee camps and were invincible.

After the bandits had killed people indiscriminately, Xiahou Ru's men gradually began to join in the carnival.

At the beginning, these Cao army soldiers were somewhat cautious, thinking that the Hussars might rush out from the surrounding darkness at any time. But it didn't take long before they found that the bandits were having so much fun killing and chasing, and naturally, their courage grew.

This carnival reached its climax when the flag of the Tricolor Hussars was picked up.

Although Xiahou Ru felt it was incredible and even sensed danger at the beginning, people always have some sense of luck, or think that they are the protagonist of this world. It is like entering a casino and losing all the money, but still thinking that luck should be in the next hand.

In this lucky mood, danger quietly descended upon him...