Han officials

Chapter 205: A Tragic Contrast [22]

Ji County, Military Academy.

When the students in the classroom learned the content of the good news, they couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Those who could enter the Military Academy were naturally veterans in the military farming system, and they naturally knew who Zhong Hu was.

However, in the past, Zhong Hu kept a low profile and most of the time he assisted Wei Zhe.

Unlike Taishi Ci, he led troops outside and acted independently when he pacified the Three Han Kingdoms and destroyed Goguryeo.

Therefore, in the past, when discussing the situation within the shogunate, many people envied Zhong Hu's fortune, believing that he was simply lucky to be born into the Xuanmo Wei family, becoming the most reliable family son, which is why he has achieved his current power. As for Zhong Hu's military skills, many officials believed that he was no more than average.

However, in the battle of Machah River, Zhong Hu's performance really slapped many people in the face.

To completely wipe out 300,000 Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou with only 20,000 infantry and cavalry was an astonishing achievement even if the enemy was a motley crowd.

What's more, the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou were not that easy to deal with, otherwise they would not have driven out Kong Rong and occupied Qingzhou.

For a moment, people inside and outside the Military Academy couldn't help but talk about it.

In fact, strictly speaking, Zhong Hu does not belong to any class of the Military Academy. If you have to say, he should be considered an assistant teacher.

In the early days, when Wei Zhe taught at the Military Academy, Zhong Hu often served as his assistant.

It was a good opportunity at this moment, so Wei Zhe simply used Zhong Hu's victory report as a case to explain in class.

However, he did not stand from Zhong Hu's perspective, but conducted a sand table simulation based on the hypothetical position of the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou. After all, Zhong Hu's operation was still too advanced for the group of rookies in the hall.

It is a disaster rather than a blessing for them to be exposed to overly complicated tactics without even having a thorough grasp of the most basic combat methods. It will easily lead to them becoming too ambitious and having an unstable foundation.

In comparison, being able to perfectly implement the tactic of "using the majority to bully the minority" is already very good.

You should know that many generals were defeated by the enemy when they had the upper hand.

……

Soon, a simple sand table of a plain and river terrain was brought in.

In this regard, Wei Zhe did not do anything too complicated. He just made it with the simplest clay, which is cheap and durable.

Beside the sand table, Wei Zhe pointed to the river in the middle and said solemnly, "When a large army marches, it is inevitable to cross mountains and rivers. Among them, crossing the river is the most critical. If we are not careful, the entire army will be easily defeated."

"Remember this: whenever you encounter a river crossing, no matter how deep or shallow the water is, you must first send out a hundred or so scouts, each holding a small flag, to set up beams at four high points, keeping them stationary. Then, first, set up camp on the riverbank, guarding the water. Then, one group at a time, cross the river according to the same method. After crossing a group, set up a separate camp. After a group has crossed, set up a small camp. After a group has crossed, set up a large camp, and then the entire camp will set off. Military equipment must be fully prepared and ready for battle at any time. This method must be followed at all times and in all places."

Of course, Wei Zhe doesn’t just explain things on the tactical level.

After everyone had taken note of what he had just said, he explained from a strategic perspective:
"The Art of War by Sun Tzu says: 'Those skilled in warfare of the past first made themselves invincible, waiting for the enemy to be defeated.' This is the principle. You must understand that the invincible lies in defense, while the victorious lies in attack. Being invincible lies in oneself, while being victorious lies in the enemy. You must remember this: only when you are invincible can you seek victory!"

It can be said that Wei Zhe’s lectures this time already have the style of famous lecturers in later generations.

After all, he extended the information from specific cases to tactics and strategies, which can be said to be a profound and easy-to-understand way of simplifying complex issues.

In fact, judging from the students' sudden enlightenment reactions, he did teach the class well.

I don't know if it's because he's used to being a teacher, but Wei Zhe emphasized again:

"Remember, remember! If the scouts suddenly give the alarm, there's no need to cross the river. Simply wait for battle on both sides. Anyone who makes a noise before crossing, or who tries to cross the river will be tied up and beaten in peacetime, and will be subject to military law in the face of the enemy. They will be punished together!"

"Crossing a river is like this, and so is crossing a mountain forest. When approaching an enemy force, if you encounter a swamp, deep forest, or a mountain, you cannot simply cross it secretly. You must assess the situation, search while reporting back to the central army, and then proceed based on your orders."

Perhaps because he has been a teacher for a long time, Wei Zhe has become a little long-winded.

However, the students in the Military Academy did not dare to be as impatient as the students of later generations. They even hoped that Wei Zhe would share a few more words of experience so that they could write them down and study them secretly.

……

Let’s not talk about how Wei Zhe was a good teacher in the Military Academy.

As the news of Bohai's victory spread, Ji County quickly became bustling with activity. Even though the counties had long been accustomed to victory since Wei Zhe took control of Youzhou, this news of victory was still something they never tired of hearing.

Whether it is the support of the people or the reputation among the scholars, sometimes it is accumulated through one victory after another.

So before long, the news of the great victory in Bohai spread to the three states of You, Liao and Ying.

Not surprisingly, Jizhou also received the news.

a few days later.

Yecheng, the governor's seat.

"...Zhong Hu deployed his troops below the city walls. Initially, he allowed the rebels to cross the river. Later, he led 20,000 infantry and cavalry in a decisive battle array south of Chonghe City, defeating the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou and beheading over 30,000. The Yellow Turbans abandoned their baggage and attempted to cross the river, but were intercepted by the Wei army from behind. They were defeated once again, capturing the remaining 200,000 prisoners. The shogun's general, Hua Xiong, killed Zhang Rao, the Yellow Turban leader of Qingzhou, and seized countless chariots, armor, and treasures. It is rumored that the Left General, Wei Zhe, has submitted a memorial to the court, recommending that Zhong Hu be granted the title of Marquis of Duting."

As the spy finished speaking, the hall suddenly fell into silence.

Including Xu You and others, all the civil and military officials in Jizhou couldn't help but change their expressions slightly.

You have to know that they had just received news that the 300,000 Yellow Turban bandits from Qingzhou who had plundered Taishan County had been repelled by Taishan Prefect Ying Shao. Ying Shao led civil and military officials in more than ten battles, beheaded thousands of them, and captured more than 10,000 old and weak people alive.

But even so, Ying Shao's record can be called a great victory.

When the spies reported back earlier, everyone praised Ying Shao highly and suggested that Yuan Shao recruit him.

But now, compared with Zhong Hu's battle record, Ying Shao is obviously not as good as him.

Even Shen Pei couldn't help but stroke his beard and sigh, "I never thought that Duke Wei would have such a great general under his command."

Shen Pei was not unaware of Zhong Hu's background, but it was precisely because he knew him that he was even more surprised.

You have to know that warriors of humble origin like Zhong Hu are mostly famous for their bravery on the battlefield, but few of them have the style of a great general.

How to say it, Zhong Hu’s performance suddenly reminded Shen Pei of someone - Wei Qing.

Because Wei Qing was not only the son of an affair between his mother Wei Ai and a guest of Pingyang Marquis's family, but he was also treated as a slave by his biological father when he was young and was ordered to herd sheep. When he grew up, he was just a riding slave of Princess Pingyang.

Zhong Hu's military achievements were naturally far from comparable to Wei Qing's, but for some reason, Shen Pei felt that the two were quite similar.

But after hearing Shen Pei's sigh, Yuan Shao's expression became even uglier, and he immediately walked away with a gloomy face.

Seeing this, the civil and military officials in the hall finally realized that they had said something they shouldn't have said.

There is no way, the result of comparing the two sides is a bit tragic!

Jizhou couldn't even resolve a rebellion in Henei County, and even lost a powerful general, Qu Yi, leaving Yecheng in disgrace. In contrast, the Wei army was faring better, so it's no wonder Yuan Shao was a little overwhelmed.

However, looking at Yuan Shao's departing back, Xu You, Shen Pei and others could only shake their heads helplessly.

It's not that they are not capable, it's just that they are forced by the situation.

After all, Jizhou has now opened up three battlefields in Bingzhou, Qingzhou and Anping at the same time, and there is really no more manpower and material resources to deal with the Hanoi rebels. It is already very good to be able to keep the Hanoi rebels outside Jizhou.

In fact, even Shen Pei felt that the current situation was somewhat dangerous.

No matter how rich Jizhou is, it cannot withstand a simultaneous war from all four sides.

Jizhou's geographical location is obviously quite good, but I don't know how it became a place of war.

In other words, Cao Cao was still supporting Yanzhou, otherwise Shen Pei would have suggested that Yuan Shao offer generous rewards to recruit Qu Yi.

Well, what Qu Yi said was actually not wrong. Yuan Shao was indeed a little petty sometimes.

Isn't it just that Qu Yi is a little arrogant on weekdays? How can he be unfairly rewarded or punished for this?
Now, Jizhou finally had a great general, but they forced him to leave...

(End of this chapter)