Three Kingdoms, I'm really not a general!

Chapter 182: First Battle, Minor Defeat

Qishan.

If it weren't for Zhuge Liang, this mountain would probably be similar to other mountains.

Among the three mountains and five peaks, not many people have heard of Mount Qishan.

But it is precisely because of the story of Zhuge Liang's "Six Expeditions to Qishan" that this mountain has a different feeling for every Chinese in later generations...

Xing Daorong had never been to Qishan in his previous life. When he came back this time, he realized that Qishan does not just refer to a mountain, but a range of mountains.

To go out of Qishan, you have to leave this mountain range.

But how can we really occupy this mountain range?

Therefore, under Qishan, Cao Cao had a Qishan Town, which was a transit station specifically for supplying the front-line troops and horses. Food, fodder, and soldiers from Chang'an and Yecheng passed through Qishan Town and continuously entered Cao's army in Qishan.

If Xing Daorong wants to take Qishan, he must take over Qishan Town.

However, it is somewhat troublesome to capture this city.

Firstly, the city is located in the mountains and is difficult to attack.

Secondly, this mountain town is on the Cao Wei side, which is conducive to Cao Cao's support.

Right now it would be best to fight against Xiahou Yuan’s main force in Qishan in a head-on battle.

So Xing Daorong arrived at Qishan, set up camp, and did not attack the Qishan formation. He only wanted to lure Xiahou Yuan to attack.

...

However, Xiahou Yuan, the forward commander this time, is far inferior to Xing Daorong.

His deputy generals included Hexi prefect Hao Zhao, the central commander Shi Huan, as well as old generals Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao, and military officer Zhang Gong.

It cannot be said that all of these people are mediocre, but compared with Xing Daorong's luxurious lineup, there is still a huge gap.

Besides, the total number of troops under his command was only 20,000.

No matter from which aspect, he is far inferior to Xing Daorong.

However, Cao Cao's requirements for him were very simple.

Faced with Liu Bei's sudden expedition to Xiliang, it would not be an easy task for Cao Cao to mobilize his army.

Therefore, the only goal of Xiahou Yuan, the vanguard, was to guard Liu Bei's vanguard in Qishan before Cao Cao's army arrived and buy time for Cao Cao.

Wait until Cao Cao gathers his troops and arrives at Qishan.

However, when Xiahou Yuan heard that the general Liu Bei was sending this time was Xing Daorong, he still had complicated feelings.

Last time in the valley in Hanzhong, if Xing Daorong had not turned his gun around, he might have lured Ma Chao to his death.

Now that we meet again, we can settle all the new and old grudges together.

At that time, in Qishan Town, he discussed with everyone: "Now Xing Daorong is coming aggressively. If we defend the city and give up the geographical advantage of Qishan, it will be inappropriate."

"I want to seize the initiative, so I will set up an ambush in Qishan. When Xing Daorong leads his troops here, I will kill him by surprise and dampen his spirit!"

Hao Zhao hurriedly stopped him when he heard this: "No! King Wei repeatedly told us before he left that Qishan must not be lost. If Xing Daorong finds out, Qishan will be in danger!"

Zhang Gong also advised: "Yes, since the King of Wei has given clear instructions, we should not mobilize the troops."

"Besides, once Xing Daorong conquers Qishan and then Tianshui, Liu Bei's army will be able to cut off the connection between our Longxi area and the Central Plains."

"This Qishan starts from Dabaozi Mountain in the west and ends at Yanguan Town in the east, stretching for fifty miles. It controls the throat of Shulong and has a very strategic geographical location."

"The current situation of the areas bordering Shu Han, such as Hanzhong and Longnan, is no exaggeration. Qishan is a natural barrier, and we must not lose it."

Zhang Gong's analysis sounded logical and well-organized, but to Xiahou Yuan it was all nonsense.

Doesn’t he know the importance of Qishan?

Even if he didn't know, since the King of Wei had instructed him so, how could he not know?

Of course, we have to defend Qishan now, but the question is how to defend it! He just frowned and said, "Join the army. I know these things, but how to defend this place, there must be a way."

Zhang Gong did not hesitate at all and said, "Just prepare the fortifications and wait for Xing Daorong to come and fight."

As soon as these words were spoken, all the generals advised against it.

Xing Daorong's reputation is so high now that everyone knows how powerful he is, and naturally they are wary of him.

Seeing that several deputy generals and military officers were persuading him in this way, Xiahou Yuan wanted to set an ambush, but he could not do it on his own and could only guard the important roads.

It's just in my mind. I also have the intention of attacking the enemy by surprise.

But he said: "Defend it first. But if there is a chance, we must break their stronghold and kill their generals!"

Everyone naturally knew that Xiahou Yuan still intended to send troops, but after all, he had already promised everyone to defend the city to the death, so they thought it was not good to force the commander too much, and they could not persuade him any more.

...

However, Xing Daorong led his troops to station at the Qishan Pass. Seeing that Xiahou Yuan was holding his ground and refused to come out, he challenged him repeatedly.

Unfortunately, Xiahou Yuan played the role of a turtle. No matter how Xing Daorong challenged him, he just stood firm and refused to come out.

They wanted to attack, but were afraid that the mountain roads were dangerous and it would be difficult to predict the enemy, so they had to hold their ground.

This went on for four or five days. One day, there was a sudden report that Cao's soldiers had come down from the mountain to challenge him.

Xing Daorong was overjoyed when he heard this, and thought it was a good thing that Xiahou Yuan could send troops!
When they were about to lead the troops into battle, Pang De stepped out and said, "General, please don't move. I am willing to take over."

Zhou Tai also said, "I have not accomplished anything since I came here. Can you please let me go?"

When Xing Daorong saw this, he felt embarrassed to lead the troops himself.

Pang De and Zhou Tai both really needed military merit.

Go grab it yourself...

It really doesn't make sense.

He nodded immediately and ordered the two men to lead two thousand men each and form a battle line out of the mountain pass.

When Shi Huan and Zhu Ling's troops from Cao's army arrived, they engaged in battle.

After a few rounds, Cao's army could no longer resist and had to leave immediately.

Pang De and Zhou Tai were unwilling to give up, and immediately chased after him.

When they were halfway through the journey, they were hit by battering rams and cannonballs from the two hills and could not move forward.

When he was about to turn back, Xiahou Yuan led his troops to attack from behind.

Fortunately, Pang De and Zhou Tai were both brave generals. Although Xiahou Yuan took advantage of the situation and gained some advantage, he was ultimately unable to capture the two generals, allowing them to escape.

He thought it was a pity, but after all he won a battle and killed many Shu soldiers, so he was satisfied and led his troops back.

On Xing Daorong's side, Pang De and Zhou Tai failed to win and looked depressed.

Fortunately, Xing Daorong didn't care at all. He just comforted the two of them and then thought: "Xiahou Yuanyuan is a frivolous person who relies on courage but lacks strategy. It's not a bad thing that he lost the first battle."

"We can now move forward, taking every step carefully, luring Yuan into battle and then capturing him. This is the method of turning the tables."

Pang De and Zhou Tai were naturally excited after hearing this, and they wanted to redeem themselves from their crimes and make meritorious contributions.

But they all said, "The two of us are defeated, so we can be used as a lure. Xiahou Yuan will surely relax his guard when he sees that the defeated army is coming to attack us."

"This will give us a good chance to defeat the enemy."

Xing Daorong had exactly this intention.

He still ordered Pang De and Zhou Tai to be the vanguard, and to advance to the camp that day, taking every step carefully.

They would stay in camp for several days, and when they saw that Xiahou Yuan did not move, they would advance a few miles and then set up camp again.

After this happened several times, Xiahou Yuan, who got the upper hand for the first time, finally couldn't help it anymore!
(End of this chapter)