Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3828 My Heart is Worried
In late autumn, the Yellow River seemed to have become even more turbulent and turbulent, stirred up by the continuous fighting.

Hedong County, on the north bank of the Great River.

As the rising sun barely pierced through the thin mist and smoke covering the river, a deafening and awe-inspiring sound of war drums rang out from the cavalry camp on the east bank.

This was completely different from the slow, sparse, and even weak sound of war drums from the previous days!

The sound of the war drums was so dense, like hailstones falling, that it naturally carried an aura of killing intent, as if foreshadowing something...

The Cao army camp in Shaanxi and Tianjin was startled by the sudden sound of war drums.

Almost without any special orders, driven by instinct, Cao's soldiers rushed out of their tents in a slightly panicked manner, grabbed their weapons and ran to their respective defensive positions, their faces mostly showing exhaustion from lack of sleep and deep fear.

But a moment later, the fighting ceased again north of the river...

How can we defend against the strategy of exhausting our troops that is already on the table?
A suffocating atmosphere permeated Cao Cao's camp. The enemy's continuous construction of pontoon bridges and their mix of real and feigned attacks had exhausted these soldiers, who were not even the most elite troops to begin with.

Exhaustion leads to low spirits, and low spirits inevitably lead to a collapse in morale.

The campsite was littered with trash and traces of excrement that had not been completely cleaned up.

The soft, sunken spot with footprints wasn't a waterlogged depression, but rather...

Although some simple toilets were built around Cao Cao's camp and it was strictly forbidden to urinate or defecate indiscriminately or dump filth inside the camp, it was of little use.

Inside Cao Jun's camp, the air was filled with a mixture of the stench of feces, sweat, earth, and mildew.

Clearly, no one in the camp seemed to be able to smell these odors, even though they would subconsciously step over certain low-lying, discolored areas.

Of course, some unlucky souls misjudged the situation and stepped right in, but most of the time they just shook their legs, cursed, and that didn't change anything...

They remained forever bound by old customs and old systems, while the only thing that kept changing was the cavalry on the north bank.

Another round of drums and gongs sounded, and just when Cao's soldiers thought it was another false alarm, they suddenly heard a shrill cry!
"Artillery! Enemy artillery!"

A desperate cry came from Cao Jun's watchtower, the voice distorted by fear.

This is a "little surprise" that the Flying Cavalry gave to Cao Cao's army today.

On the opposite bank of the river, to the east, dozens of cavalry catapults, which had been recalibrated and reinforced, had been pushed to the front lines at some unknown time!

These cannons were significantly larger and more complex in structure than the catapults in Cao Cao's camp, and they could be pushed directly rather than simply assembled on the spot.

As the battle flag of the cavalry's military academy was fiercely waved down, the massive cannon arm, accompanied by the sickening sound of its winch turning, suddenly rose up, hurling stones far larger than those of Cao Cao's army into the sky!

These stone projectiles, with a chilling whistling sound, pierced through the thin, cold mist of the autumn morning, raining down like meteorites from hell upon the artillery positions of the Shaanxi-Jin Cao army, and the artillerymen and soldiers hastily assembled around those artillery pieces, who were not yet fully prepared for battle!

"boom!"

"Bang!"

"Splash—"

Stones rained down one after another, producing deafening roars.

A newly reinforced wooden parapet was hit directly by a stone, shattering like paper. Wood chips mixed with gravel flew everywhere, hitting several Cao soldiers who couldn't dodge in time, causing them to fall to the ground with bloodied heads and screams.

Those Cao army cannons became the first objects to be sacrificed.

Every now and then, artillery pieces were hit by whistling stone projectiles. Some grazed the target and could be repaired and still be used, but those that were hit on the critical support frame were as if struck in a vital spot. They trembled violently, and then with a long groan, the entire artillery piece disintegrated. Twisted wood, broken ropes, and the limbs of the unfortunate operating soldiers caught in the blast were mixed together and thrown into the air, falling back down mixed with a rain of blood.

In addition to the artillery positions, some surrounding defensive fortifications were also affected.

A section of rammed earth wall was hit head-on by a stone projectile, causing a large section to collapse. Dust flew everywhere, and an archer hiding behind it was instantly crushed into a bloody pulp. The remaining archers scattered in panic.

Screams, cries of alarm, the cracking of wood, the sound of collapsing earth and rocks, and the desperate groans of the injured filled the air in an instant!
Cao Jun's position was in complete disarray, and the stench of blood quickly spread.

"Fight back! Fight back now!"

The Cao army soldiers and officers who were commanding the artillery were hiding in the pit, howling wildly. They even took their swords and cut down two craftsmen who were trying to escape. They ordered the remaining soldiers and craftsmen to push the winch and pull the long arm again.

Under the command and the sound of swords, some of the remaining Cao army artillery pieces, which were positioned relatively far back, began to fight back.

Cao's soldiers and craftsmen braved the stones flying from the opposite bank, nervously loading and launching them.

Cao Jun's stones also whistled towards the opposite bank, smashing into the positions of the Flying Cavalry on the other side, kicking up clouds of dust, and occasionally one could see the enemy's artillery carts being hit and destroyed.

However, soldiers on both sides of the strait could clearly see that Cao Cao's artillery was significantly inferior in terms of quantity, range, firing speed, and the destructive power of the stone projectiles.

The artillery fire from the opposing cavalry was more precise, fierce, and organized, often concentrating its firepower on a key point in Cao Cao's army.

The roar of cannonballs flying continued, like two giant beasts roaring and wrestling across a river, but Cao's army was clearly already wounded and exhausted.

With both sides' artillery and stone projectiles nearly exhausted, especially with the artillery in Cao's camp severely damaged by the long-range fire from the east bank of the river, a new threat emerged in the river...

Perhaps it is an even more deadly threat.

Several cavalry warships from the direction of Tongguan, like mobile fortresses, slowly approached the Shanjin Ferry.

These warships were clearly reinforced and had a deep draft. Even though Cao Cao's artillery positions were almost destroyed, they moved steadily and safely. Even when Cao Cao's stones and crossbow bolts occasionally came whistling by, they were safe from harm.

However, the situation was different for Cao Cao's army along the coast of Shaanxi.

On the ship's deck, behind the battlements, a dense array of crossbowmen, taking advantage of their height, unleashed a hail of crossbow bolts at Cao Cao's coastal defenses.

These crossbow bolts were powerful and had a range far exceeding that of ordinary bows and arrows, specifically designed to target Cao Cao's long-range formations along the coast.

As for the Cao army's swordsmen and shieldmen who had their shields to their heads early on, they might not even get a single stray arrow for half a day.

The main targets of the cavalry's crossbowmen were the crossbowmen operating the Cao army's crossbow carts, the archer assembly positions, and any units attempting to assemble for a counterattack.

The dense rain of arrows often brought casualties, further suppressing Cao Cao's army's space for maneuver and ability to counterattack, forcing many of Cao Cao's soldiers to huddle tightly behind the remaining fortifications, not daring to show their faces easily.

What terrified Cao Cao's soldiers even more was that the cavalry infantry on the opposite bank, under the dual cover of catapults and crossbows, once again launched a massive river-crossing attack.

Dozens of boats and rafts of all sizes were pushed into the water by the cavalry soldiers, densely covering the river surface near the east side.

Dozens of tricolor battle flags were unfurled along the riverbank, and three or four thousand cavalrymen, following the officers' orders, roared like a tidal wave and surged toward the riverbank, boarding the boats and rafts in an orderly fashion.

Later, craftsmen pushed carts loaded with timber closer to the riverbank, and amidst the deafening sound of war drums, they began to build a pontoon bridge.

The way the Hedong Cavalry had deployed made it seem as if they were about to send the iron torrent from the north bank to the south bank in the next second, to start a bloody and brutal melee and tear everyone in Cao's camp to shreds.

The immense pressure exerted by the Hedong Cavalry was like an invisible and ever-rising tide, crashing wave after wave against the already riddled and crumbling defense line of the Shaanxi-Jin Cao army camp.

Many of Cao Cao's soldiers turned pale, their hands gripping their weapons trembled involuntarily, and their eyes were filled with fear and despair.

A commotion began to rise in the ranks, with some people instinctively taking steps backward, searching for possible escape routes.

"Hold on! No retreat! Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"

A Cao army officer shouted hoarsely, trying to calm the ordinary Cao soldiers around him who were showing fear and whose formation was beginning to crumble. He even swung his sword and cut down a recruit who tried to turn and run away, trying to make an example of him. However, blood and death could not completely stop the spread of panic. He was met with more suppressed cries, desperate curses and an even more uncontrollable commotion.

"This is a feint attack from Hedong! They are not the main force of the Flying Cavalry!"

Cao Cao's military academy tried to instill Xun Yu's judgment into the minds of ordinary Cao Cao soldiers, but it was clear that these ordinary soldiers did not buy into it.

Or rather, they keep making empty promises, and now they can't keep living off them anymore.

"This...this is supposed to be a feint? The cannonballs have practically leveled the camp!"

"Their warships! Their warships are coming! The crossbow bolts are raining down! We can't lift our heads!"

"We have so many old and weak people on our side, how many real soldiers do we have? How are we going to fight them?"

"The food supplies are running low. Yesterday, we only had two bowls of thin porridge, barely enough to see our reflections in, and our stomachs are rumbling with hunger. We don't have the strength to fight..."

"Lord Xun spoke of reinforcements...where are the reinforcements? It's been five days...or six days...damn it, we don't even have enough people to handle them all, and they haven't come! They haven't come!"

Panic, doubt, and despair are the easiest emotions to find their hosts...

Xun Yu commanded the troops sent to defend the three ferry crossings at Hejin. The composition of these troops was already quite complex, and they were not the core elite of Cao Cao's army. They included a large number of new recruits hastily brought in from various places, the old and weak who had been eliminated from other units, and some soldiers from commanderies and kingdoms with weak combat capabilities.

Less than half of them are actual, battle-tested soldiers.

Of course, if Xun Yu had been more careful with his resources when attacking Taigu Pass and Guiku Pass, the situation might be better now...

But here's the problem: if Xun Yu knew that the battles at Taigu Pass and Guiku Pass would bring "follow-up difficulties," what would he choose? Would he have the beneficiaries overcome these difficulties and share what they'd already pocketed, or would he have given nothing at all, just shouting slogans and telling the lower classes to persevere and trust in the wisdom of those who come after?

Xun Yu made his choice and took action, so he can only face the current situation.

The mental stress and material deprivation of the past few days have already worn down most of the soldiers' morale and physical strength.

Faced with such a fierce and multi-dimensional attack, the collapse of Cao Cao's army seemed to be only a matter of time.

At any point in the past, Xun Yu and other high-ranking officers in Cao Cao's army believed there was still time, that they could wait, and wait some more...

Even now, Xun Yu has no choice but to personally lead his troops to the front lines.

Firefighting.

Xun Yu's face was as pale as paper, his eyes were sunken, his lips were cracked from dehydration, and his sideburns were disheveled. Clearly, he had not slept for many days and was exhausted. He kept shouting loudly, trying to maintain a calm demeanor in order to bring calm to Cao Cao's soldiers, but the effect was very poor, extremely poor.

"Gentlemen, do not panic! Hold your ground! This is merely a feint by the General of the Cavalry! They are bluffing to distract us! Their main force is definitely not in Hedong! I have repeatedly informed the Prime Minister that reinforcements will arrive soon! Holding the ferry crossing will be a great achievement! Wealth and glory will be ours today!"

The surrounding Xun clan soldiers were also repeating the same pattern.

These words, which might have been comforting on ordinary days, sounded so pale and powerless, even hollow, amidst the deafening sounds of battle and the roar of cannons, and under the fearful and disbelieving gazes of ordinary Cao soldiers.

Most junior officers and ordinary soldiers simply could not understand Xun Yu's "strategic judgment"; they only believed what they saw with their own eyes!
Xun Yu said everything would be alright, the economy would improve, life would get better, and the land of the Han Dynasty in Shandong would flourish. He added that as long as they persevered and worked harder…

Meanwhile, on the other side, cannonballs flew, arrows rained down, and comrades were killed in a brutal massacre...

Indeed, after Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, Shandong and the Central Plains, especially the Yingchuan region, gained a certain amount of "war dividends," and the surrounding people also experienced a temporary increase in their "happiness index."

These are all facts.

Moreover, historically, Cao Cao, as the stabilizer of the Central Plains and the pacification of the northern warlords, did indeed ease regional conflicts, reclaim land and restore production, which allowed the Wei Kingdom to maintain an advantageous position in subsequent struggles.

But things are different now...

Faced with the new system and new direction brought by Fei Qian, Lao Cao and Gou Huo were obviously unable to keep up with the pace of change, but Lao Cao and Gou Huo still wanted to maintain the old distribution model and class rule.

Productive forces determine relations of production, and relations of production, in turn, influence productive forces.

The economic base determines the superstructure, and the superstructure reacts upon the economic base.

In the short term and in certain localities, there may be deviations, but in the long run, this is the general trend of history.

Just like now, the survival instinct among Cao Cao's soldiers is overpowering the discipline and preaching preached by Xun Yu and other officials.

The section of the defense line closest to the riverbank, where the pressure was greatest, reached its peak of chaos.

A garrison mainly composed of new recruits and the elderly and infirm finally broke down under the relentless barrage of crossbow bolts from the cavalry ships and the deafening shouts and clamor from the opposite bank. With a cry, they dropped their heavy shields and spears and fled in terror, like a flood bursting its banks, instantly overwhelming the rear guard trying to maintain order and triggering widespread chaos and panic. The entire defensive line seemed on the verge of collapse at any moment.

A Cao army officer, dressed in the uniform of a captain, stumbled and crawled towards Xun Yu, his helmet askew and armor askew. His face was covered in dust and fear, and his voice trembled so much it was almost incoherent. "My lord! My lord! We can't hold on! We really can't hold on! The enemy army is too strong, their cannons are sharp, and their crossbow bolts are raining down. Our brothers have suffered heavy casualties, and their morale has collapsed! If we continue to hold on, I'm afraid... I'm afraid we will be completely wiped out! It's better... better to temporarily retreat and defend the second line of defense, and wait for..."

"You bastard!"

Xun Yu was furious. The immense pressure, the invisible anxiety, and the fear that the situation might spiral out of control all combined and erupted at this moment. Even the usually composed and dashing Xun Yu no longer cared about his image.

Xun Yu drew his sword, its tip pointing directly at the captain. "I have already stated that this is a feint by the enemy! If we retreat now, the army will be beyond repair! Not only will we surrender the strategic pass of the ferry, but we will also leave Tongguan wide open! When the Guanzhong Cavalry emerges, where will we defend?! What second line of defense will we have?! You intend to desert in the face of battle, disrupting the morale of our army. What is your punishment?!"

The captain, intimidated by Xun Yu's murderous aura, knelt down with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly: "My lord, spare my life! I... I was only acting in the best interests of the soldiers..."

"For the sake of the generals?" Xun Yu interrupted sharply, "Retreating now would be tantamount to putting the soldiers to their deaths! Only by holding on to the death can we have a chance of survival! You have undermined the morale of the army; your crime is unforgivable!"

If the commander didn't mention anything about "the soldiers and officers," or admit his mistake and be willing to atone for his crime through meritorious service, Xun Yu would most likely let him off the hook. After all, in the face of such a dire situation, it's inevitable that one's beliefs would waver, as long as one doesn't try to "represent" anything or drag others into the mess to cover for oneself...

But this captain subconsciously wanted to be the 'representative'!

This made Xun Yu unable to tolerate it any longer.

Before Xun Yu could finish his rebuke, his long sword had already resolutely thrust down!
Blood splattered, and the captain grabbed the longsword with his backhand, making a gurgling sound. His face still showed shock and pleading as he fell to the ground.

The blood splattered on Xun Yu's hands and face was particularly glaring.

The Cao army soldiers who witnessed this scene were stunned, and the commotion temporarily subsided.

Xun Yu drew his longsword, stood with it drawn, surveyed his surroundings, and suppressed the turmoil in his heart. He raised his hand, pointing the blood-stained sword at the opposite bank, "Anyone who dares to speak of retreat again will suffer the same fate as this man! As long as the Shanjiang Ferry stands, we stand! If the Shanjiang Ferry falls, we will all perish without a burial place! All soldiers must unite as one to resist this powerful enemy! The main force of the Flying Cavalry is definitely not on the east bank! This is merely a feint attack by the Flying Cavalry! If they cannot capture it after a prolonged siege, they will surely retreat on their own! Issue my order! Throw oil to destroy their pontoon bridge!"

Xun Yu reiterated his judgment, attempting to instill some confidence in these soldiers who were on the verge of collapse.

It seems that Xun Yu's words had an effect, or perhaps for some other reason, after Xun Yu went to the front line to put out the fire and supervise the battle everywhere, the Hedong Cavalry Army also sounded the retreat and stopped their attack after the pontoon bridge was destroyed again and the flames covered the riverbank.

Seeing the Hedong army retreat, Cao Cao's army seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

At least we made it through today...

Xun Yu stood leaning on his sword, utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally.

His wisdom allowed him to see through the opponent's strategic intentions, but he could not change the harsh reality of his own weak forces, low morale, and inadequate logistics.

He could only use the most extreme means to maintain the crumbling defense line.

He finally realized that how long Shaanxi and Jin could be held did not depend on his wisdom and determination, but on the ordinary Cao soldiers at the bottom, whom he usually looked down on and didn't care much about...

But is it too late to change it now?