Silver Fox of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 468
The next day, early in the morning.

Xu Huang, who had not slept all night, finally decided to give up breaking through and chose to stick to it.

There are three reasons.

First, the food and grass in the city are still sufficient, barely able to supply more than 1 people for about half a year.

Second, he has already sent people to rescue Cao Zhen, and he believes that Cao Zhen's reinforcements will arrive in time to rescue them in a short time.

The third is also the most important point, there is a flat river in Hedong, and there is no food and grass. If he retreats now, he can only retreat to Bingzhou, which means that Cao Wei will give up the entire Hedong County.

Since it was only the second day of the war, and Zhu Ling didn't know the result yet, if he retreated, Zhu Ling's situation would be extremely embarrassing and he would sell his teammates.

So no matter how he thought about it, Xu Huang couldn't evacuate, he could only carry it to death.

As for what to do with the cavalry outside the city, Xu Huang ordered Xu Shang to retreat to Yanchi, then walk across the Zhongtiao Mountains from Wushan Mountain to Dayang County, and then go north of the Yellow River to Hebei County to join Cao Zhen.

This route is probably from the later Yongji City to Yuncheng City, then from the road in the Zhongtiao Mountains to Sanmenxia City, and then westward to Ruicheng City.There is Cao Zhen's army along the way, so there is no need to worry about food and grass and being ambushed by the Han army.

As long as Xu Shang's cavalry can completely retreat to Hebei County and join Cao Zhen, the main force of Cao Zhen can come to help Xu Huang in Puban.

Therefore, Xu Huang's arrangement is quite reasonable. This will neither cause Cao's army to be completely defeated, and thus give up the entire Hedong County; nor will it make Zhu Ling's situation more difficult.

The only problem is that he will be a little sad on his side.

Surrounded by the Han army on three sides, fighting alone, and if Shen Chen is not stupid, if he doesn't come out when he sees Xu Huang, he will definitely send people to shoot arrows into the city and tell the soldiers that the food and grass in the city are destroyed, so as to shake the morale of Cao's soldiers.

Therefore, in order to prevent future troubles, Xu Huang summoned the soldiers and told them frankly that because of his own inconsideration, the food and grass in Yucheng had been damaged, and they had no follow-up storage of food.

Just as Xu Huang thought, when the news came out, the entire army was in an uproar, and the soldiers were talking about it, and their emotions and morale fell to the bottom.

But soon Xu Huang told everyone that the food and grass in the city was enough to last for a year. At the same time, he had sent people to ask General Cao Zhen for reinforcements. As long as they stick to the city and wait until the reinforcements arrive, they will be safe and sound.

An open and frank exchange quickly restored morale, and the soldiers in the city were inspired by Xu Huang, and they swore to defend Hedong.

In fact, Xu Huang also played a trick here.

That is, he concealed the real grain storage situation in the city, only half a year of grain and grass, he said one year.

Because the fire in Yucheng cannot be concealed.

The city has been guarded for several months, and the food and grass in the rear have not arrived, so the soldiers will definitely be suspicious. If Shen Chen shoots arrows into the city and informs the soldiers in the city, it will definitely cause panic in the soldiers in the city. There will be a mutiny.

So it's better to tell everyone about this, so that Shen Chen can be prevented from spreading the news, so that the soldiers can stabilize their morale.

But if the food and grass can only last for half a year, the soldiers must not feel at ease.

Therefore, after half a year more, the soldiers will definitely be much more stable after learning that there is enough food and grass. As long as they can continue to hold on and wait for the arrival of reinforcements, there is still hope for everything.

In the following time, Shen Chen Anxin stationed outside the city, surrounded by more than 5 horses, and there were about [-] defenders in the city.

More than ten days later, the camps of the Han army were all built, and everything was ready, and indeed they began to adopt tactics of attacking the heart of Puban City.

Shen Chen's main force pretended to attack in the west city, but actually covered the Han army in the north and south cities. He shot arrows into the city continuously with a crossbow.

But Xu Huang responded properly, and this incident did not cause too much fluctuation, but instead inspired Cao Jun's soldiers to defend the city.

"strangeness."

A few days later, Shen Chen sat in the main tent of the Chinese Army Commander in the main battalion of the Han Army outside Puban West City, looked at the soldiers on the left and right, and said, "This strategy of attacking the heart has already been used, why is there no movement in the city?"

"It's quite strange."

Jiang Wenen said sullenly: "Cao Jun learned that his food and grass were exhausted. Shouldn't the morale of the army be low and panic? Even if they are elite, some people must want to surrender."

Ma Dai thought for a while and said, "Perhaps Xu Huang lied to the soldiers, saying that we were spreading rumors, which stabilized Cao Jun's morale for the time being."

"It won't take long to cheat like this."

Deng Ai pointed out the crux of the problem and said: "We only need to besieged for a period of time. When they should replenish food and grass but do not replenish it, the news will be self-defeating. Xu Huang should not be so stupid. If he is really lying, Cao Jun will know The truth, I'm afraid it will tear him apart."

"Well"

Shen Chen murmured: "Then there is only one possibility, and that is that Xu Huang informed the soldiers of Cao Jun about the matter in advance, and comforted them by saying that the reinforcements should arrive soon. It seems that we still underestimated him, and we cannot cut them off just because of us." The food and grass are taken lightly."

Deng Ai said: "Governor, in my opinion, Xu Huang should be waiting for Cao Zhen's help. After so many days, Cao Zhen should have received the news, and he is probably on his way now."

Shen Chen launched a surprise attack on Hedong on February [-]th, the first year of Jianxing. Within a day, the Han army detoured to the north of the mountains to surprise the rear and broke through the wall built by Xu Huang on the river bank.At the same time, Deng Ai raised a surprise army and rushed for more than [-] li, directly took Cao Jun's grain storage Dijiu City, and burned Cao Jun's grain and grass.

Then the Han army began to build a fort outside Puban City, encircling Puban City on three sides, just like Cao Cao did in the Battle of Guandu, trying to take advantage of the fall of Jiucheng and the lack of food in Cao's army, forcing Cao's army to panic and surrender or abandon it. City escape.

It would be best if Cao Jun surrendered, and if he abandoned the city and fled, Shen Chen would immediately start chasing and killing Xu Huang's army all the way out of Hedong County, then go north to eliminate Zhu Ling, and finally gather troops to take Tongguan from Fenglingdu.

In this way, if Hedong changed hands, Shen Chen would be much easier to fight whether he was fighting Shan County, that is, the later Sanmenxia City, or Tongguan or Bingzhou, and could even directly threaten Luoyang, the capital of Cao Wei.

It can be said that this raid was a success. In just over ten days, Shen Chen will shock the entire Cao Wei and give the newly appointed Emperor Cao Rui a small surprise.

But what people didn't expect was that Xu Huang withstood the pressure. He neither retreated nor surrendered, but chose to stick to it.

Then Shen Chen obviously had to continue bumping into obstacles.

However, he didn't intend to have to die in Puban, there was no food and grass supply outside the city, and the city was just sitting and eating, slowly depleting, Xu Huang would run out of ammunition and food one day.

The key is that if it drags on, Cao Zhen will definitely send someone to rescue him, and there will be too many uncertain factors at that time.

Now that more than ten days have passed, Cao Zhen must have gotten the news that it is very likely that the reinforcements have already set off, and it is even possible that the ambushes Shen Chen placed in Leishou Mountain are already fighting Cao Jun.

Therefore, Shen Chen had to consider the next step.

After thinking for a while, Shen Chen said to Jiang Wei and Deng Ai: "Shi Zai, Boyue, you two have a good plan, what do you think I should do at this time?"

Jiang Wei clasped his hands and said, "The worst strategy is to attack the city. There is not much food and grass in the city. It could have been besieged to death. If we forcibly attack the city, the soldiers will probably suffer heavy casualties. The general thinks that attacking the city is not advisable."

"Ah."

Shen Chen nodded, this is the most pertinent opinion.

Jiang Wei continued: "The central strategy is to go north and cooperate with General Pang to defeat Zhu Ling first. After General Pang joins us, we can surround Xu Huang while going south to fight Cao Zhen. But this protracted time may not necessarily defeat Cao Jun quickly."

"The best strategy is to defeat Cao Zhen and let Xu Huang know that Cao Zhen's reinforcements on that road are gone. Cao's soldiers in Puban City must be desperate. When Puban is broken, the entire River East will belong to the Han."

Deng Ai took over the conversation.

From a military point of view, this is indeed the best policy.

But the problem is that Cao Zhen's army is the main force of the Cao army on the western front. Not only is it the best in terms of elite soldiers, but the number of troops in the company is similar to that of the main force of the Han army, about [-].

Zhao Yun only brought [-] cavalry and thousands of infantry to contain Cao Zhen. In terms of military strength, it may not be possible to contain Cao Zhen for too long.

So at that time, Cao Zhen will definitely lead the main force to cross the Yellow River to support Xu Huang. Then Shen Chen will surround Xu Huang while facing the attack of Cao Jun's main force, and go south to repel Cao Zhen. From a tactical point of view, it is very difficult.

Naturally, Shen Chen couldn't have missed this point, thinking: "Cao Zhen has a lot of soldiers and horses. Although General Zhao can contain him in Huayin, he will not be able to contain him for long. It would be fine if he only sent 2 to 1 people, but if only If [-] people are stationed at Tongguan, and the rest are mobilized, it will be difficult to deal with."

"Then breaking Zhu Ling first is the best choice."

Jiang Wei said.

Deng Ai disagreed, saying: "Bo Yue is too stable to take risks. Even if we defeat Zhu Ling and join forces with General Pang, it will probably mean that we and General Pang will face off against Xu Huang and Cao Zhen here. , with Cao Zhen’s support, the food and grass in the city will definitely be replenished. At that time, the number of soldiers and horses on both sides will be about the same, and Cao’s army still has the city. How long will everyone have to face each other? Only by defeating Cao Zhen first can we capture the entire Hedong and threaten Bingzhou and Hanoi!”

Jiang Wei said: "But brother, you must understand that we are short of manpower now. If we don't help General Pang first and let General Pang join us, then we will have to deal with more Cao troops with fewer troops. It is not so easy to defeat Cao Zhen without taking advantage of the right time, place and people."

Deng Ai shook his head: "Bo Yue is wrong. At least we have a good location. If Cao Zhen wants to rush to help, he must go through the channel between the Yellow River and Leishou Mountain. If we can stop them here, we will definitely be able to stop them. Even if we can't defeat Cao Zhen , camped there, and if it drags on for a few months, the Cao army in Puban City will run out of food and collapse, so wouldn't it be possible to capture the east of the river?"

Leishou Mountain is located at the southwest end of Zhongtiao Mountain in Shanxi Province in later generations, between the Yellow River and Jianshui. The main peak is in the northwest of Ruicheng, Shanxi, guarding the only way between the Yellow River and Zhongtiao Mountain. There is also a tourist attraction here in later generations. It is the hometown of Yang Guifei. If you want to cross the river from Tongguan to Hedong County, this is the only way to go.

When Cao Cao attacked Ma Chao, he first crossed the river from Tongguan to Fenglingdu on the other side of the river. Ma Chao almost killed Cao Cao also happened here.Then after Cao Cao arrived at Hedong, he asked Xu Huang and Zhu Ling to cross the river from Puban to cover the main attack.

Therefore, it can be said that this area is indeed a dangerous place. If troops can be sent here to guard the passage, then at least in theory, they can indeed intercept Cao Zhen.

But Deng Ai's suggestion made Shen Chen hesitate for a while.

If he was still the young man back then, I'm afraid he would dare to lead the soldiers to charge over even if Cao Zhen had an army of tens of thousands.

However, now that he is the commander-in-chief of the [-] troops on the western front of the Han army, it is not as simple as before.

It was over with Cao Junmang before.

If you are reckless now, a little carelessness will result in the loss of one hundred thousand troops. For the big man, it is obviously a matter of life and death for the Han army on the western front.

This undoubtedly requires more caution.

"Captain."

Jiang Wei looked at Shen Chen and said, "The best strategy is too risky."

Shen Chen was about to nod in agreement.

But Deng Ai stood up and said solemnly: "The governor, the dangerous tactics of the army, will have a miraculous effect. Back then, Cao Cao hijacked the emperor in Xudu, and fought against Yuan Shao at Guandu. Didn't the governor personally lead the army and visit Xuchang for the third time, so that Cao Cao Did the thief move the capital to the east to avoid the sharp edge?"

"Well"

Shen Chen pondered for a long time before looking at the crowd seriously, and said: "Shi Zai's words are indeed reasonable. If you don't dare to take risks, how can you talk about marching and fighting? Where is Ma Dai?"

"The end is here!"

Ma Dai stood up and bowed his hands.

Shen Chen said: "You lead 1 people, immediately go to Leishou Mountain to set up camp, stand on the road, and stop Cao Zhen!"

"only!"

Ma Dai handed over should be.

The current situation is a bit like when Zhuge Liang left Qishan.

As soon as they came out of Qishan, the Wei army could hardly resist, and several counties surrendered, only Guangwei County and Longxi County refused to surrender.

When Zhuge Liang was besieging Guangwei County and Longxi County, he guessed that the Wei army would rush to rescue from Jieting, so he sent Ma Di to guard the Jieting to stop the Wei army.

It can be said that if Ma Di successfully intercepted the Wei army and prevented the Wei army from entering Xiliang, then Zhuge Liang could calmly wipe out the Wei army in Guangwei and Longxi counties, and then the army went to Jieting to confront the Wei army.

At that time, the whole Liangzhou will fall into Ji Han's hands.

But Ma Su failed.

The same is true today.

Shen Chen is besieging the Cao army in Hedong, and Cao Zhen will come to help in a short time.

Leishou Mountain, like Jieting, is the main way for Cao Jun to come to help.

As long as Cao Zhen can be intercepted at Leishou Mountain, and Shen Chen can calmly deal with Xu Huang and Zhu Ling, then the whole of Hedong will return to the big man.

So to a certain extent, this battle depends on whether the Han army can intercept Cao's army at Leishou Mountain.

When Deng Ai heard that Shen Chen sent Ma Dai to go, he immediately said: "Great Governor, the last general is also willing to go."

"Let me think."

Shen Chen frowned.

He also hesitated to send Ma Dai there.

The great man once commented that in the battle of Jieting, Liang should come in person.

The same is true.

Lei Shoushan blocked Cao Jun's reinforcements, and Chen Yiyi came in person!
However, before the Battle of Jieting, Zhuge Liang was dealing with Guangwei and Longxi Cao Jun, a group of big fish, Zhuge Liang let his generals go, and it was okay to go to Jieting himself.

But what is slightly different from the Battle of Jieting now is that Xu Huang is not a simple character.

If he went to Leishou Mountain in person, it would not be a big problem to block Cao Zhen.

But if there is no general on Pu Ban's side to watch and stop Cao Zhen, it will be a lot of fun if something goes wrong in the rear.

So a momentary headache.

Jiang Wei and Deng Ai don't think they were great in the later stage, but now they are still in their thirties, young and energetic, and not qualified for the post of general.

After thinking about it, Zhao Yun can do it, Pang De can do it, Ma Dai's words can only be said to be relatively reluctant.

It's a pity that I don't have a clone technique, it would be great if I could clone myself.

"It is very important for Lei Shoushan to intercept Cao Zhen, and I should come in person. But Pu Ban surrounds Xu Huang, Xu Huang is not easy to deal with, and he needs a general to watch over him."

Shen Chen thought about it, and finally made a decision: "Ma Dai."

"The end is here."

Ma Dai had no choice but to stand up and take orders.

Shen Chen said: "Go to Huayin immediately. If General Zhao is retreated by Cao Zhen, you will take over the cavalry. After Cao Zhen's army crosses the river, cross the river from Rui Township and attack Cao Zhen's rear. Let Zhao Yun go to Puban and take over from me to guard the three armies. , I will personally go to Leishou Mountain!"

"only!"

Ma Dai took over the military order.

Shen Chen looked around, looked at the generals below, and said, "Everyone, this year the Prime Minister and the Generalissimo will also send troops to the north to attack Cao Wei and revive the Han Dynasty. If I send troops first, I will definitely not be defeated. At worst, I must take down Hedong The selected strategy will last for a long time, and it cannot cooperate with the south to threaten Cao Wei and Luoyang. Only by taking the best strategy to win the enemy first can it be effective. If I want to wipe out the entire army of Cao Jun in Hedong, I can't shrink back. I personally went to Leishou Mountain, and the generals must use their lives , intercept Xu Huang here, we must not let him run away, do you understand?"

"only!"

All the soldiers stood up and clapped their hands together.

Shen Chen gave the death order, and they had to carry it out. Now there are only more than 1 to less than [-] Cao Jun in Puban City. If this makes Xu Huang run away, then they don't have to do it.

　The good news is that I don’t need to go out for a date in the next month. I will continue to double update tomorrow. Last month’s score was exactly 20 words, which is not too bad. I will continue to work hard this month and try to finish it in July.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)