Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3822 The Shooter and the Husband
Tongguan, this strategic pass straddling the Guanzhong Plain and the Luo River region, appears exceptionally solemn in the afterglow of the setting sun. It resembles a colossal giant, looking down at the tiny humans bustling about around him, coming and going.

A group of red and black ants, and a group of black and red ants.

On the walls of Tongguan, two generals stood side by side, gazing at the Cao army formation in the distance.

One of them is Hao Zhao.

Although he was dressed in military uniform and looked very energetic, there was still a faint smell of herbs beneath his armor.

Although the serious injuries I suffered before have mostly healed, I cannot say that I have fully recovered.

This time, thanks to the leniency of the General of the Cavalry, he did not go north with the army, but returned to Tongguan to assist Ma Yue in defense, which can be considered as a partial recovery from injury.

After this period of recovery, Hao Zhao's condition has improved significantly. At least his face shows some signs of health and is no longer as pale as before.

As for Ma Yue, who was standing next to Hao Zhao, he now appeared much more humble...

At least they don't look at people with four nostrils.

It's also possible that it's only temporary...

Unfortunately, not everyone can be aware of themselves at all times.

Especially during adolescence, one often feels like a green dragon, capable of stirring up rivers and seas, turning clouds into rain, and even tearing off blankets and curtains once outside the home. However, it is often only after entering society that one realizes that one is actually just a green worm...

Of course, this isn't the most tragic thing.

The tragic part is that even though they know they are no longer the Azure Dragon, they still have to voluntarily assume the responsibilities of the Azure Dragon and pay its taxes; they are not allowed to lie down and do nothing...

Ma Yue had previously thought of himself as a green dragon, but the pond at Tongguan was too small for him to fully display his talents. He felt he had no chance, otherwise he could have achieved this or that.

With this mindset, Ma Yue naturally ran into problems. He liked to hear flattery, and gradually he began to take it seriously...

If Fei Qian hadn't noticed the problem in advance and punished him, it would have been truly irreparable if Ma Yue had made a serious mistake. However, it was precisely for this reason that Ma Yue was not allowed to follow Fei Qian on the expedition and remained guarding Tongguan, which could be considered as "redeeming himself through meritorious service".

However, upon seeing Cao Cao's army's probing attack, Ma Yue could no longer contain himself. "General Hao," he said, "Cao Cao's army has been provoking us at the pass for days, their formation loose—clearly a trap! If we don't attack, won't they underestimate the power of Tong Pass? Let me lead my elite cavalry to rout their vanguard and teach Cao Cao's army a lesson!"

It's not hard to guess Ma Yue's thoughts; he wants to accumulate more merits to offset his previous mistakes.

Ma Yue is clearly much better now. Otherwise, if he were still in his previous arrogant state, he probably wouldn't even have consulted with Hao Zhao before leading the troops out to attack as the commander-in-chief.

Hao Zhao did not agree with Ma Yue's words.

Hao Zhao stretched out his hand, pointed in a direction, and said, "Now is definitely not the time to attack... Cao Cao's army's formation appears scattered, but it actually conceals deadly intentions... Look at the dust rising from the gullies and ravines on their flanks; there must be an ambush! Cao Cao's army is adept at using trickery; they deliberately lured us here to attack, simply to draw us out of the pass and then surround and annihilate us. If we rashly attack, wouldn't we be playing right into their hands?"

Hao Zhao paused, then continued, "Even if we were to launch an attack, it would be me... This isn't to compete with General Ma for credit. Firstly, this is just a small part of Cao Cao's army, nothing of note. Secondly, General Ma, you are the commander-in-chief. If you were to lead the attack directly, I'm not familiar with the affairs within the pass, and if any problems arise, I wouldn't be able to provide support... Tongguan is the gateway to Guanzhong; it cannot be lost. Our lord has entrusted this important task to us, so we must be cautious."

Ma Yue pursed his lips and remained silent for a moment.

Now he longed to prove himself with blood, but Hao Zhao's calmness was like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing his somewhat irrational impulse.

Ma Yue took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down: "General Hao is quite right. However, if we continue to hold our ground, Cao Cao's army will press forward relentlessly, and morale will inevitably waver. It would be better to send small detachments to probe the enemy; if an opportunity arises, we can then launch a counterattack."

Sending small groups to strike when the opportunity arises is the right approach.

Hao Zhao nodded slightly, revealing a hint of approval.

Ma Yue's trials and tribulations over the past few days have allowed him to gradually learn more, but no one can guarantee whether this cautious attitude will remain effective.

Everyone knows to be careful with their words and actions, but how many people can actually stick to it in the long run?
"General Ma is right... but we need to wait for the best opportunity..."

This time, Hao Zhao did not object and agreed to allow a portion of the cavalry to make preparations inside the pass.

Just then, the drums of Cao Cao's army outside the pass suddenly sounded, and the vanguard led by Du Xi began to advance rapidly, with infantry formations surging towards the city below Tongguan.

Xiahou Wei observed from afar within his own camp.

The cautiousness of the Tongguan Cavalry also gave Xiahou Wei a headache.

Xiahou Wei initially deployed as a surprise force, hiding on the flank, but the Flying Cavalry clearly did not fall for it.

So Xiahou Wei simply allowed some of the ambushing troops to reveal themselves, and even participate in the attack...

Look, I've brought out my ambush troops; I really have no more tricks up my sleeve!

Come out, attack!
Xiahou Wei swallowed hard, praying earnestly, and said to his trusted confidants, "Send the order: prepare the ambush. Once the Tongguan cavalry attacks and reaches the ambush area, immediately surround them!"

This strategy was good, but Xiahou Wei miscalculated one thing...

Uh, there are two approaches.

He underestimated Hao Zhao's patience and wisdom, and overestimated Du Xi and the Cao army soldiers who had made a feint attack.

Hao Zhao carefully observed from the city wall, and only after confirming that Du Xi's vanguard was thoroughly exhausted did he say to Ma Yue, "The time has come! General Ma, stay and guard the pass. I will personally lead three hundred cavalry to launch a surprise attack on Cao Cao's vanguard command post! If we can rout their vanguard, we will break their morale!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Yue hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Hao Zhao laughed and said, "This is just a small battle, not worth mentioning. When the great battle comes, General Ma will surely have to show his skills!"

Ma Yue waved his hand repeatedly, but no longer argued about participating in the battle.

Hao Zhao strode down the city gate tower, and once he reached the foot of the city wall, he mounted his horse. Although the lingering pain from his injuries made his movements slightly slow, overall he was fine.

The cavalry had already assembled, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.

At a command, the side gate of Tongguan was flung open, and the cavalry charged out of the pass like a whirlwind, their hooves thundering and kicking up clouds of dust.

Du Xi saw this from afar on the chariot and was initially overjoyed, thinking that the plan to lure the enemy had succeeded. But then a chill ran down his spine...

His vanguard was so exhausted that it failed to follow the original plan to block and lure them, and instead fell into chaos!

Relying entirely on instinct, they collapsed straight towards their own main camp!

Du Xi's expression changed drastically, and he screamed, "Quick! Lure the enemy! Lead the cavalry into the ambush!"

Damn it, head for the ambush location!

Don't do it here!

Du Xi waved his command flag, attempting to adjust the formation, but it was too late.

Moreover, even if adjustments are made, they may not have any effect.

Hao Zhao took the lead; he had long been eyeing Du Xi.

In an instant, the cavalrymen swept through Cao Cao's vanguard formation like autumn leaves in the wind.

Screams, the clanging of metal, and the clashing of horses' hooves mingled together!
The Cao army soldiers who lagged behind were either impaled, hacked to death, or trampled by warhorses, leaving the battlefield littered with corpses and in a sorry state.

Du Xi's fear surged like a tide, and he no longer cared about testing or seduction; saving his life was the most important thing!

Du Xi pounded on the carriage railing frantically, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Retreat! Retreat now!"

He urged the driver to turn the car around, but how could the vehicle turn around immediately?
Seeing the urgency of the situation, Du Xi scrambled and jumped off the command vehicle...

Is the car more important or the person?

Du Xi wasn't so foolish as to insist on helping the carriage up first.

With the help of his guards, he blended into the retreating Cao army and abandoned his chariot to escape.

Although his crown was askew and his clothes were stained with blood, and he couldn't even care about the soldiers still fighting hard at the front, it was precisely because of this that Du Xi escaped death.

Amidst the chaos of the battlefield, Hao Zhao was naturally focused on the command vehicle, only to find it empty when he charged close.

Du Xi escaped, but the Cao army soldiers he abandoned were plunged into utter despair. Under the onslaught of the cavalry and infantry, they were either mercilessly slaughtered or forced to their knees in surrender; a few managed to scramble back to their own lines…

Xiahou Wei, positioned in the rear, had assumed that the Flying Cavalry would pursue them too far and fall into his ambush.

He ordered his troops to prepare an ambush, waiting for the enemy to take the bait.

However, to his surprise, after defeating Du Xi's vanguard and forcing him to retreat in disarray, the cavalry did not pursue their victory but instead turned around and headed back towards Tongguan!

This, how is this possible? !
Xiahou Wei was almost stunned...

Although the Tongguan Slope is not so narrow as to be impassable, it becomes difficult to maneuver and change direction when there are many people and it gets crowded!

Xiahou Wei had this in mind all along!
It's like pouring beans straight out of a tube. It's easy for the Flying Cavalry to break out, but if they want to go back, they'll be blocked by their own rear guard. In that case, they might end up in chaos and stuck on the Tongguan Pass. Xiahou Wei can use powerful bows and crossbows from afar and long spears and shields up close, which will surely catch the Flying Cavalry off guard!
I wouldn't dare call it a major victory, but at least a minor one. This would offset the losses of Cao Cao's vanguard and give me some peace of mind, making the cavalry at Tongguan less likely to charge out recklessly and relieving some of the pressure on me.

But all of this vanished under Hao Zhao's leadership!
Hao Zhao was positioned in the center of the formation, commanding with composure.

He had already observed the ambush area of ​​Cao Cao's army. If he were to lead his troops deep into it rashly, wouldn't that be extremely foolish?

Therefore, after defeating Du Xi's vanguard, he ordered his cavalry to fire arrows at Xiahou Wei's main camp with crossbows, and then they returned in turn.

This tactical maneuver, similar to a running shot, was not particularly difficult for the cavalry to execute, except that the Tongguan Pass was somewhat narrow, allowing only two ranks of cavalry to take turns firing and turning.

Moreover, the rain of arrows also caused some disturbance and chaos to Xiahou Wei's troop formation.

Seeing this, Xiahou Wei had no choice but to send out his ambush troops ahead of time, but it was too late to form an effective encirclement...

The cavalry then calmly retreated back to Tongguan, and the city gates slammed shut as if nothing had ever happened.

As the sun set, its afterglow illuminated the corpses of Cao Cao's soldiers and the shattered weapons scattered across the ground.

The stench of blood grew stronger in the evening breeze, as if it had become an unyielding burden weighing on Xiahou Wei's heart.

Xiahou Wei's face turned ashen; his meticulously planned scheme had become a joke.

Not only did they fail to lure the enemy deep into their territory, but they also lost hundreds of elite troops, and couldn't even get their hands on a few bricks of the Tongguan Pass.

Du Xi approached Xiahou Wei, utterly dejected. His clothes were disheveled, his face pale, and his voice trembled with sobs: "General... I am ashamed... That treacherous general was far too cunning. His cavalry charges were like ghosts, and I... I simply couldn't withstand them..."

Looking at Du Xi's appearance and then at the carnage ahead, Xiahou Wei wanted to rebuke him, but the words stuck in his throat. He gulped for a long time before finally swallowing them with difficulty.

It was Xiahou Wei who ordered Du Xi to attack, and now it's not impossible to put all the blame on Du Xi, but...

Du Xi is still useful.

"That's all..." Xiahou Wei could only console himself, and also Du Xi, "We've fought one battle, and we know that the General of the Cavalry doesn't have a large army at Tong Pass... So, well, so... it was somewhat effective..."

Although Xiahou Wei's "explanation" is somewhat far-fetched, it is still plausible.

At least Xiahou Wei made one thing clear: if the main force of the Flying Cavalry Army were in Guanzhong, it wouldn't be a small force attacking now, but rather a large army rushing out directly!

Therefore, although he has lost some troops, it is "worth it" to have ascertained the strength of the General of the Cavalry at Tongguan...

As night fell, Tongguan gradually returned to calm, but the shadow of war still loomed.

The moonlight spilled onto the battlefield, illuminating the silent corpses, as if telling the eternal tragedy of war.

……

……

Hanoi County, near Wen County.

As autumn drew to a close, the evening breeze grew increasingly chilly, causing the banners of the cavalry's continuous camps to flutter and rustle.

Inside the central command tent, the charcoal fire roared, dispelling some of the chill, but it could not dispel the heavy atmosphere and the barely concealed fighting spirit that permeated the air.

Fei Qian sat upright in the main seat, clad in armor, his expression calm, his gaze sweeping over the generals below.

Several military reports were spread out on the table, all relayed from Hedong...

At this point in time, Pang Tong arrived in Ye City.

On a wooden shelf to the side, the latest situation map of Heluo is hanging.

Fei Qian's main attention was still focused on the Cao army deployments clearly marked at the Dahejinkou location.

Below Fei Qian, Jia Qu, Huang Cheng, Jiang Jiong, Zhu Ling, and others stood to his left and right, all holding their breath and concentrating intently.

Occasionally, the sound of orderly footsteps of soldiers patrolling outside the tent could be heard.

Fei Qian surveyed the room, his voice calm and unhurried: "Military reports have arrived. Cao Cao's army has divided into multiple routes, deploying troops at Tongguan Pass, Shanjin, Xiaopingjin, and Mengjin, fortifying their positions with deep trenches and strong fortifications, guarding key points. Gentlemen, let us discuss how to break through their defenses."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jiong looked around, then stepped forward first, his armor clanging, and declared loudly, "My lord! Cao Cao's army is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot; they are not worth worrying about! Their forces have been divided into four groups, their strength is scattered, like fingers spread wide apart, unable to concentrate! I believe our army's momentum is at its peak; we should divide our forces into multiple routes, advance simultaneously, and launch a fierce attack on the Sakao Ferry! Cao Cao's defensive line is long and his forces are dispersed; if we break through at one point, the rest will inevitably be thrown into disarray, and the defensive line will crumble instantly! At that time, our army will cross the river, march straight to the Heluo region, and the world will be at peace! I, your humble servant, am willing to be the vanguard!"

Jiang Jiong spoke with conviction and his gaze was intense, filled with an indomitable spirit, as if he could already see the cavalry army crushing Cao Cao's camp and achieving final victory.

Fei Qian nodded slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and turned his gaze to Zhu Ling.

Zhu Ling stepped forward, a shrewd glint in his eyes. "My lord," he said, "General Jiang's strategy of a direct confrontation will surely defeat the enemy. However, I believe we could combine conventional and unconventional tactics. Cao Cao's defenses are heavily concentrated at the ferry crossings, relying heavily on natural barriers. Their rear supply lines are likely insecure. I request permission to lead several hundred elite soldiers, find small boats and rafts, and under the cover of night, secretly cross the river to outflank the enemy! We can burn their provisions, harass their camps, or probe their strengths and weaknesses! Once chaos erupts in their rear and morale wavers, my lord can then launch a full-scale attack on the ferry crossings, achieving twice the result with half the effort and defeating them in one fell swoop!"

Zhu Ling had done this kind of thing many times before, so now he wanted to "go back to his old ways". Moreover, Zhu Ling felt that Cao Cao's army was not as strong as before, so it was definitely not as dangerous as before. Wouldn't it be an easy victory?

Of course, there are some risks, but if it succeeds, just as Zhu Ling said, the benefits will be enormous!

Fei Qian nodded in agreement, then glanced at Huang Cheng.

Huang Cheng, now a veteran with graying temples, smiled when Fei Qian looked at him. "I am not skilled in strategy or military tactics… However, I have a question… It's understandable that Hangu Pass was destroyed by Cao Cao's army, making it difficult to station troops. But why did Cao Cao's army easily capture Mianchi, Xin'an, and Huxian after entering the Heluo region? If they didn't fall, why are their troops not seen?"

Huang Cheng's statement that Hangu Pass was destroyed by Cao Cao's army is somewhat of an understatement.

In fact, both sides bear responsibility for the destruction of Hangu Pass.

After repeated battles, Hangu Pass is now in a terrible state, surrounded by corpses. Even if it were buried, it would not be suitable for ordinary people to live in for a short time. Without repairs, the city walls and passes are not worth garrisoning troops.

The other counties in Heluo mentioned by Huang Cheng were not important battlegrounds in the previous battles, so they still had some fortifications, but they were all in poor condition and could not even be compared with Luoyang City, which was only half-repaired and then partially destroyed.

This is similar to the small shops surrounding a large supermarket in later times...

Fei Qian pondered for a moment and said, "Mianchi is close to Luoyang, so most of the troops are entering the city with the army... As for places like Hongnong Lake County, they have either already changed hands, or Cao Cao's army is too busy to conquer them..."

Fei Qian assigned Cong Lai, also known as Yang Zhong, to be in charge of these small counties in Hongnong Prefecture. However, Cong Lai's focus was on Luoyang, so he might not be able to take care of the Hongnong area.

On the other hand, these counties had previously suffered population loss due to Cao Cao's army, leaving them in a state of desolation and ruin. Even if they recovered, it wouldn't be easy for them to regain their population in a short time. After all, population growth and recovery take years, and these dilapidated small counties of Hongnong have a long way to go before they can prosper again.

Huang Cheng nodded, but didn't say anything more.

Huang Cheng's meaning goes beyond mere superficial doubts.

Fei Qian knew that Huang Cheng was actually reminding him that, under the current circumstances, Heluo had changed hands many times. These cities could not only be destroyed by Cao Cao's army and unable to be garrisoned, but there might even be spies hidden by Cao Cao's army. Therefore, regardless of whether they had been reoccupied by Cao Cao's army, they should be treated with caution.

Fei Qian then looked at Xu Chu.

Xu Chu stood guard to the side, as imposing as an iron tower. Seeing his lord's gaze upon him, he clasped his hands in a respectful bow, his voice loud yet tinged with embarrassment: "My lord! I...I am foolish and know little of military strategy. The plans of Generals Jiang and Zhu are all...all reasonable. I only know how to obey orders; if my lord commands me to go east, I will absolutely not go west!"

Xu Chu was frank, knowing that strategy was not his forte and dared not speak recklessly, relying only on loyalty and courage.

Fei Qian laughed and didn't insist that Xu Chu propose any military strategy. Instead, he looked at Jia Qu.

This is actually a test as well.

Pang Tong went north with a double, and now Jia Qu is the only one in the army who is inclined towards strategy. Fei Qian also wants to know if Jia Qu can take on some of Pang Tong's responsibilities.

As a civil official, Jia Qu and Jia Liangdao have clearly done quite well, but now, when it comes to military strategy, can Fei Qian feel that he can entrust them with their duties?