I will be the master of Xuande

Chapter 713 Breaking Yuan

Cai Mao and the Jingzhou troops who were captured alive by the Han army were eventually returned to Yuan Shao's camp.

Yuan Shao already knew about such a big matter.

Previously, his 20,000 elite troops were beaten to death by Liu Jian's 8,000 cavalry and scattered. Few of them escaped back to his military camp.

Almost all 20,000 troops were wiped out, which was a huge loss for any force in the world.

Even though he was stronger than Yuan Shao, the loss of 20,000 people could be said to have severely damaged his vitality.

After getting the news immediately, Yuan Shao quickly sent his general Lu Gong to lead people to rescue Cai Mao. Although Yuan Shao didn't know how much defeat could be saved by doing this, he had to do it, otherwise, all 20,000 people would be lost. , which has a great impact on the morale of the three armies.

Once defeated, if all the major families under his command ask Yuan Shao to retreat, then Yuan Shao's situation will be very bad.

Lu Gong led 5,000 men and went straight to the place where Cai Mao was attacked by Zhao Yun. However, he marched too hastily and forgot to investigate carefully along the way. In the end, Yan Liang and Wen Chou were attacked by Yan Liang and Wen Chou who had already planned it.

Lu Gong also came from a powerful family in Jingzhou and had a capable army under his command, but he was no match for Yan Liang and Wen Chou.

Yan Liang and Wen Chou, generals of Hebei, led their troops to attack Lu Gong together.

The result was obvious. It was impossible for Lu Gong to beat the two of them.

Yan Liang and Wen Chou led the elite cavalry assigned to them by Zhao Yun and launched a fierce attack on Lu Gong.

Lu Gong was also a hero. Faced with the attack from Yan Liang and Wen Chou, although he panicked, he did not flinch.

He fought desperately with Yan Liang and Wen Chou, but was still defeated in the end.

His men were defeated, and Lu Gong himself was killed with a sword during the battle with Wen Chou.

After the news spread back to the camp, Yuan Shao almost fainted.

Not long after the 20,000 troops and horses were lost, another 5,000 troops were lost.

There is no doubt that he has not encountered such a huge defeat in many years. Even the last time, he used 80,000 troops to attack Luoyang and competed with Liu Jian for control of Luoyang... Although he was defeated by Liu Jian He was defeated, but it didn’t seem like he was defeated so miserably.

Just when Yuan Shao was left without a master, someone suddenly reported that Cai Mao had left Liu Jian's camp and was heading in the direction of Yuan Shao's camp.

When Yuan Shao first heard that Cai Mao had been brought back by Liu Jian, he was overjoyed.

But then, deep doubts began to arise in his heart.

It's so good, why was Cai Mao let back like this?

He originally wanted to ask all his subordinates, but when he saw the look of surprise on everyone's faces, Yuan Shao swallowed his doubts.

Afterwards, he quickly ordered people to go and pick up Cai Mao when he came back.

After Cai Mao saw Yuan Shao, he immediately cried to the ground. He cupped his hands and said to Yuan Shao: "Cai Mao betrayed Duke Yuan's trust and caused the loss of troops and generals. Please give me the death penalty."

To be honest, Cai Mao's words actually spoke to Yuan Shao's heart.

Yuan Shao really wanted to kill Cai Mao with a knife now.

But now he can't do that.

Representatives of the prominent families in Jingzhou, including the Huang, Ma, Cai, Kuai and other tribes, were all in the tent.

In front of these people, Yuan Shao still had to comfort and appease Cai to show his magnanimity.

Although this comfort was very reluctant.

"Degui, why do you have to do this? Don't do this!"

"Look at the next day, Yuan will personally lead his troops to avenge you."

"..."

In front of everyone, Yuan Shao comforted Cai Mao well.

Finally, he suddenly changed the subject and asked, "Degui, how did you come back? You were taken alive to Liu Jian's camp. Did Liu Jian say anything to you?"

Cai Mao did not dare to say in front of Yuan Shao that Liu Jian recognized him as his brother-in-law and did not want to kill him.

Cai Mao just said that after Liu Jian captured him alive, he was unwilling to offend Duke Yuan too much.

To put it bluntly, he just brought it over vaguely and did not tell the truth to Yuan Shao.

The more Cai Mao behaves like this, the more suspicious Yuan Shao becomes.

But the situation was urgent now, and he didn't talk too much about it with Cai Mao, so he let Cai Mao go down to rest first.

Later, Yuan Shao turned to ask other people present.

"Everyone, Cai Degui suffered such a heavy defeat this time, and I was deeply humiliated by Liu Jian. I want to gather my troops and fight Liu Jian to the death. What do you think?"

Yuan Shao originally wanted everyone to agree to send troops...

But in fact, no one really wants to do this.

For the families in Jingzhou, it is really meaningless to continue fighting with Liu Jian now.

Therefore, members of the major families in Jingzhou, including the Huang family, the Kuai family, the Ma family, the Pang family, and the Deng family, all came to Yuan Shao to advise him, hoping that he would not continue fighting with Liu Jian.

At this point, the most correct choice is to withdraw to Jingzhou.

After listening to these people's advice, Yuan Shao felt very unhappy.

However, so many people advised him not to continue fighting with Liu Jian but to retreat back to Jingzhou. Yuan Shao now refuted these people in public, which seemed a bit uncomfortable and seemed too arbitrary.

And now there is a key issue, that is, Liu Jian has sent people to spread the word, threatening to attack Nanyang County and take Nanyang County under the governance of the court.

The origins of many of these families are still in Nanyang County. Although they have quietly moved their important industries southward after hearing the news, they still hope that Nanyang can be ruled by Yuan Shao.

After all, Liu Jian's policies towards them were too harsh.

Therefore, some people suggested that they might as well negotiate peace with Liu Jian now!

After all, although Yuan Yi had just retreated, his troops were still stationed in Hanzhong. There were also Ma Teng and Han Sui in Liangzhou, and they fought with Liu Jian to no avail.

Cao Cao on the other side of Jiangdong heard that although he was negotiating with Liu Jian about Cao Chun's transaction, who could guarantee that Cao Cao would have no conflict with Liu Jian in the future?

All of this is currently in a delicate balance for both sides, so at this time, it would be a good choice to draw a border with Liu Jian and call a truce for the time being.

……

However, Liu Jian did not give Yuan Shao this opportunity at all.

Not long after Cai Mao was released, Liu Jian began to mobilize all his troops. Taking advantage of Yuan's army's declining morale, he launched a large-scale attack on Yuan Shao.

However, before launching the attack on Yuan Shao, Liu Jian also wrote a letter to Yuan Shao.

……

The ink-colored handwriting was masculine, and the densely packed characters on the plain silk were indeed written by Liu Jian. As he looked down, Yuan Shao looked at the silk letter with mixed feelings in his heart.

"My brother, since we parted ways in Luoyang that year, many years have passed since I heard that you have managed Jingchu and made outstanding achievements. I should congratulate you..."

"...However, in recent years, my brother has been sitting in Jingchu and has no intention of serving the country. Instead, he has repeatedly gone north, disobeying the imperial court and treating the imperial edicts as nothing!"

"The murder of King Hongnong is a heinous crime! You don't want to repent or write a letter to plead guilty. Instead, you quarrel with the court, falsely frame yourself and slander your loyalty. You are really a minister of the Han Dynasty..."

The hand holding the silk fabric trembled slightly, and the sound of rain pattering against the leaves entered the tent from outside. Yuan Shao's mood was extremely complicated.

The wind and rain were swaying outside the tent, and thunder occasionally sounded across the sky.

The faint sound of footsteps walking outside mixed with the sound of wind and rain was the sound of the night watchmen walking back and forth in the rain outside.

In the tent, the big lights swayed slightly. Under the dim light, Yuan Shao took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and slowly exhaled...

The hand holding Su Bo was shaking more and more, and the other hand was holding the corner of the case tightly. Yuan Shao's eyes were bloodshot, and he was obviously very angry.

"Now I will drive my troops to fight to the death with my brother. I will give you ten days to surrender!"

Yuan Shao trembled all over as the plain silk was tightened in his fist, as if he saw Liu Jian looking at him with a sneer on his face.

He gritted his teeth and suddenly yelled, "Ahhh!"

Then I saw him raising his hand to blow away several cases!

His chest was rising and falling violently, and Yuan Shao was now in a ferocious and furious state.

"Liu Deran, Yuan comes from a well-known family, how can he lose to you, a reckless man from a border county! If you have the ability, come and do it!" ...

It's early morning on the last day of the second year of Jian'an.

In the camp outside Luoyang, the burning flames were scorching the meat on the rack, and the tempting fat dripped down and sizzled on the wood.

The generals in the tent were eating a whole sheep, and there was an atmosphere that was not pleasant with the swords, spears, swords and halberds surrounding them. Each general was wearing armor and carrying a sword, his face was extremely serious, and the atmosphere was full of chills.

"The Prime Minister's sheep-sharing feast before the war is quite interesting." Yan Liang stared at the whole sheep on the shelf and said with a smile.

Wen Chou tore a piece of mutton hard and said, "You can kill happily only after you have eaten and drank enough!"

Just as everyone was talking, they saw Zhao Yun striding into the tent.

"The Prime Minister has an order! After noon, the troops will begin to attack Yuan Shao's stronghold——"

"The Prime Minister said that within five days, Yuan Shao's stronghold will be captured, and no more Yuan soldiers will be seen in Sizhou!"

"Here!"

All the generals shouted in unison, causing the tent to tremble.

……

The bright sunshine blooms and disappears among the clouds. Occasionally, birds fly over in the sky, as if they have seen something. After a moment, they panic and change their flight path, flying into the distance. In the tranquil and dead wilderness, the earth gradually wakes up.

A vole crawled out of the hole out of curiosity, and the iron hooves roared over its head. It was so frightened that it hurried back. The horse's hooves fell not far away, splashing the dust on the ground, and ran quickly across the ground!

Then, more hoofbeats swarmed over. Amidst the roaring sounds, someone on horseback picked up a bow and arrow and shot at the people running ahead. The "rumbling" hoof sounds shook the ground, and the bodies running ahead jumped from the horses. One of the chasing Hebei cavalrymen fell on his back, leaned over and pulled out the arrow from the body's back, inserted it back into the quiver on his waist, and continued to chase with his companions.

A large number of Hebei cavalry began to appear in this wilderness, chasing the scouts from Yuan Jun's camp and preventing them from continuing their extensive activities!

Hebei's cavalry was taking advantage of their speed to sweep away Yuan Jun on the grassland, compressing their activity space and forcing Yuan Jun's troops into their camps.

The gate of Yuan Jun's camp was closed tightly. Wenpin, Jiang Qin, Huo Du, Li Tong, Zhou Ang and other generals were making corresponding preparations in various parts of the camp. Colonel Wang Wei patrolled a section of the fence, surrounded by people running around. The taxi soldier had a look of nervousness and fear on his face.

Stretching to the left and right, a large number of stones were carried in the hands of busy figures, and tubes of arrows were distributed one by one to the long queue of archers.

Finally, a large shield to protect against arrows pressed against the gate, fully armed!

Yuan Shao was wearing heavy armor and was standing on a high platform in the middle of the commander's tent, looking around. Pang Ji and Xun Chen both went over to see him.

"Mr. Yuan, the arrangements in the camp have been completed! All the soldiers of the three armies are ready for battle!"

The light from the clouds shone again, and Yuan Shao looked up at the dark clouds in the sky: "Liu Jian wants to take my head, so I will wait here for him! How dare you, a mere kid from a border county, to underestimate me? How could Yuan be afraid?" he!"

Wuwu——wuwuwu——!

A desolate horn sounded in the sky over the wilderness. The three people who stopped talking looked to the north. As far as the eye could see, a huge square formation like a cloud gradually took shape, as if the black line connecting the sky and the earth was spreading.

"Slow down the speed of the left and right flanks and protect the formation!"

The galloping horses, the knights' high-pitched shouts, ran through the battle lines for several miles. The field of vision expanded front and back, and the flags were fluttering and rolling in the morning light as if they were blocking the sky. The densely packed soldiers moved towards the huge Yuan Shao on the opposite side. The camp passed.

Soon, amid the shouting of orders, the phalanx came to a halt with a bang.

Then, knights were galloping in various small formations in the front formation, and a voice sounded, roaring: "Array--"

Following the order, the array of tens of thousands of people in the first three directions on the left and right separated from the central army. They stepped forward with booming footsteps, or moved left and right to make space. As they moved, shields and swords collided with each other and made a slight banging sound. Several The same huge phalanx was formed one after another, and the sound of war drums was deafening.

Opposite them, further ahead, is Yuan Shao Dazhai!

Countless figures could be vaguely seen swaying in the fence that spanned several miles. The approaching war made the faces full of tension and panic. The archers holding bows and arrows moved quickly amidst the shouts of the generals. Running towards the back of the big shield, someone stuck out half of his face, holding his breath and looking at the enemy formation in the distance, his hands trembling slightly!

The wind blew across the sky, and the sky was filled with clouds.

The morning light rises, approaching noon. The sun shines down from the gaps in the clouds, shining on the earth, and the temperature becomes warm.

Wearing a black armor and a red blouse, with a ring of white plush on the outside of the collar that was slightly waving in the wind, Liu Jian rode a large green cypress and appeared on the hillside guarded by the White Army. He looked at Yuan Shao in front of him. The outline of the camp was lost in thought for a long time.

"Do you think Yuan Shao has figured it out? On the plain battlefield, his army is no match for me."

Behind Liu Jian was Guo Jia, the governor of Bingzhou.

Guo Jia said calmly: "If he could think clearly, he would not be Yuan Shao."

"I will teach him to understand today!"

The next second, Liu Jian grasped the handle of the knife at his waist and slowly pulled it out...

……

Wuwu——wuwuwu——

The horn sounded, and Zhang Liao, who was wearing a solemn and solemn look, slowly raised his sword. In front, under the banner of the Chinese army, Zhao Yun raised his spear in the sky and chopped down the raised sword together.

"attack!"

Two completely different voices issued orders at the same time.

The order to attack was conveyed as quickly as possible. Amidst the sound of horns and the roaring sound of countless footsteps, the terrifying sound drowned out all the sounds in the field, and the earth was shaken.

The fighting has begun...!

……

The sun at noon disappeared from the clouds, and a black warning sounded in Yuan Jun's stronghold.

Many figures were coming and going. In the camp, someone screamed "Ah!". An arrow hit his shoulder. Above his sight as he staggered back, dense black shadows rose into the sky, covering the sky and the sun. Cover the sky.

The wounded and running figure shouted: "Hide! Their cavalry are good at shooting!"

The rain of arrows fell, and there was a crackling sound all around. Some of them pierced the flesh and blood, and the bodies fell down. Most of them were nailed to the shields and the grass.

The Han cavalry held bows and paraded a few feet away from the camp, running to draw their bows. Arrows flew into the sky from time to time, covering the Hebei soldiers who were gradually approaching the city wall.

In the wilderness, Liu Jian, who was surrounded under the banner and wearing elite armor, observed the counterattack of Yuan Shao's camp, pressed his palms, and ordered: "Tell everyone, whoever can enter the camp first will be granted the title of Marquis!"

The heroic and powerful voice echoed, and the messengers rode the fastest horses through the front line!

"The Prime Minister ordered, whoever is the first to break through the gate will be granted the title of Marquis!"

Gongsun Fan stood astride his horse with his spear in hand and received the news in the formation. He looked at the Prime Minister Liu Jian behind him under the banner, and his face showed joy!

He raised his spear fiercely and pointed, and immediately, the infantry phalanx quickened their pace and swarmed towards Yuan Jun's camp. Arrows flew over their heads, parallel to them, and their footsteps sounded like thunder.

Arrows and locusts fell staggered in the air. There were people inside and outside the camp who were knocked down by the arrows. The archer under the big shield luckily dodged a flying arrow. He gritted his teeth and pulled out a feather from the quiver behind his back. The arrow was clasped on the string, he stood up with a roar, stretched out half of his body and shot an arrow at the approaching Han soldiers below.

The neck of the running and roaring Han soldier was pierced by an arrow. He was still trembling with strength. In the blurred vision, the figures of his companions passed by him one after another and continued to charge forward. Then, Another person fell down, and more figures came over!

The archer inside the camp shot a Han soldier to death, retreated behind his shield to fire an arrow, and the moment he stood up, a dark figure outside the camp shot a long bow from the running cavalry, and it happened to miss the shield. The gap hit him right in the face!

The Yuan Army soldier shouted, and when his body fell, the Yuan Army archer did not die immediately. His hands and feet were twitching and twisting, and he let out several miserable moans. After a while, he stopped struggling in pain. .

Soon, the Han army fought outside the camp gate.

"Kill--"

The shouts of fighting resounded inside and outside the gate. The soldiers of the Yuan army in the camp roared and slashed at their shields with their blades. After that, they were stabbed to the ground by the spears, and their screams were drowned in the crowd!

"The enemy is coming... The enemy is coming. Go tell General Ji!"

The person in charge of a section of the defense area here is Jingzhou Captain Yang Ling, and he is also on the front line at this time!

"The Hebei Army has also entered General Ji's side... The captain on the other side seems to be dead, and General Ji is leading people to rescue him..."

Someone turned around and shouted during the fight. The next second, the voice suddenly stopped, and an arrow flying from nowhere hit the man in the face.

"Useless things……"

Yang Ling cursed at the dead man, stretched out his hand to pull the soldier running past, and shouted: "Find a way to inform General Ji and send some people over. My men cannot guard a mile-long fence!"

Outside the ten-mile-long fence, Hebei soldiers were as densely packed as ants and were frantically fighting inside. More Hebei Army soldiers were approaching from behind. Arrows and lit rockets were being fired back and forth. Many soldiers from both armies could be seen. The ones who were hacked were not humanoid.

However, the Hebei Army's offensive was like a sea wave, launching a violent attack on the entire camp. The attack method, with the Baijie Army as the main force, was so crazy that it frightened the Central Plains soldiers.

During the fierce attack, in the cavalry square formation in the field outside the city, Liu Jian looked at the fierce fighting and arrows shooting at each other. He narrowed his eyes. The skylight was piercing through the clouds. After a moment, he waved to someone. Nearby.

"Zilong... you go to the front line to take command. It's enough for me to take charge here."

"Okay, Prime Minister, be careful."

Zhao Yun cupped his hands and said this, turned around and squeezed through the cavalry array. He accelerated his horse and rushed towards the nearest enemy stronghold. He avoided several incoming arrows and approached the battlefield at an extremely fast speed!

(End of this chapter)