Han officials

Chapter 287 The heroes see the same thing

Sun Ce and Bu Zhi ultimately failed to engage in a direct confrontation.

It wasn't that the two of them were exercising restraint, nor that Zhou Yu was trying to salvage the situation by considering the bigger picture.

What truly calmed them down was the appearance of a third-party spy nearby.

The two men initially thought the scouts were sent by Huaipu City. After exchanging a glance, they immediately prepared to flank the enemy from both sides.

Unexpectedly, after subduing the opponent, they found a Wei army token on his body, leaving them in an awkward situation.

"You're the one who knocked him out, here you go!"

Sun Ce, true to his sunny and cheerful nature, swore an eye, waved his hand magnanimously, and then turned and left.

Bu Zhi couldn't help but twitch his eye slightly.

He never expected that this seemingly dashing man would actually resort to such shameless behavior.

"No, you're the one who just surrendered, so you should handle it."

Sun Ce had barely taken half a step when Bu Zhi grabbed his sleeve tightly and wouldn't let go, and for a moment they were entangled together again.

However, this time, both Zhou Yu and Bu Qu couldn't help but cover their faces and turn to the side, no longer caring about fighting each other.

There was no other way; I simply couldn't bear to look.

It wasn't until the Wei scout in the bushes slowly woke up that the two awkwardly looked at the sky and the water, one looking at the sky and the other at the water.

After all, neither Sun Ce nor Bu Zhi could be considered formal Wei troops.

Seeing this, Zhou Yu sighed softly and ultimately took the initiative to step forward and shoulder everything.

……

An hour later, downstream of the Huai River.

On a tall, two-story ship, Wei Muhua looked at the two people in front of him with great interest.

"So you're the ones who arrested my people?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Ce, Bu Zhi, and Zhou Yu all couldn't help but show expressions of embarrassment.

Bu Zhi stepped forward, bowed apologetically, and said:
"We were blind and carelessly offended General Heng Hai. We are truly ashamed."

Despite his humble origins—being both a member of a foreign clan and a servant of the Wei family—Wei Muhua is now quite well-known.

Since Wei Zhe defeated Dong Zhuo and recovered Luoyang, his past experiences have been largely unearthed.

After analyzing Wei Zhe's many past battles, many people discovered that he had a penchant for using naval forces.

Despite being a border general of the northern frontier and a native of Xuantu, Wei Zhe always preferred to advance by both land and water when going into battle.

From sweeping across the Three Han states to destroying Goguryeo, his naval forces were almost always involved in the major battles he commanded.

In this way, Wei Muhua's presence naturally became very conspicuous.

His Bohai navy, which originated in Liaodong, is now considered the most famous navy in the Han Dynasty.

Even Wei Muhua's sharp performance in naval warfare almost changed the stereotype that northerners were not good at naval warfare.

Especially in the Jiangdong and Huainan regions, there was a great deal of curiosity about Wei Muhua, a famous naval general from the north.

Of course, both in terms of his achievements and background, Wei Muhua certainly deserves the respect of Sun Ce and his two rookie soldiers.

Sun Ce may be proud, but he still admires those who are truly capable.

Fortunately, Wei Muhua wasn't that petty.

After hearing about the plans of both sides, a hint of appreciation appeared in his eyes.

It is said that Wei Muhua was originally leading his troops to rest and recuperate in Jiaozhou Bay, Donglai, when he received Wei Zhe's order to move south immediately.

Because Wei Zhe's orders were to cooperate with the Qingzhou garrison to attack Cao Cao's army, or at least to contain Cao Cao, Wei Muhua planned to go upstream along the Huai River to enter Xiapi, then from the Huai River into the Si River, and finally reach the city of Xiapi.

After all, the area around Xiapi is surrounded by a dense network of waterways, which definitely provides an opportunity for naval forces to operate.

In fact, Xiapi City was originally built on the banks of the Si River. The Si River, which flows from north to south, makes a bend here, and the Yi River to the west also flows into the Si River from the west of the city, forming a situation where the city is surrounded by water on three sides. It is a typical place that is easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Such terrain undoubtedly presents a challenge for the attacking side.

However, if the attacking side has naval support, the pressure will obviously be much less.

But plans can't keep up with changes.

Wei Muhua only learned of Cao Cao's attack on Haixi City after entering the Huai River, and immediately changed his mind.

It can only be said that great minds think alike.

His idea was exactly the same as Sun Ce's, and they all planned to attack Huaipu to lure the Chen family back to their aid.

The strategy of "besieging Wei to rescue Zhao" may be a bit old, but it works.

However, Wei Muhua was self-aware enough not to actually attempt to capture Huaipu.

After all, he only had 5,000 naval troops under his command, which was a bit too much to ask of a man to attack a city.

Therefore, Wei Muhua's initial plan was actually to bluff and create the illusion of a large army attacking Huaipu City.

Even if that old fox Chen Gui could see through it, he probably wouldn't dare to gamble with the risk of his own death and the extermination of his clan.

That's how open schemes work; they're not afraid you'll see through them, they're just betting on whether you dare to follow them.

However, looking at Sun Ce and Bu Zhi in front of him, Wei Muhua's eyes flickered slightly.

Perhaps, this time the stakes could be even higher.

Thinking of this, Wei Muhua immediately looked at the two people in front of him with a slight smile:
"I have a life-or-death deal up my sleeve. I wonder if you'd be interested?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Ce and Bu Zhi stepped forward almost simultaneously without hesitation.

After exchanging a disapproving look, the two immediately agreed.

Seeing this, Wei Muhua couldn't help but laugh and immediately pulled the two of them aside to whisper their plans.

……

Evening, at the foot of Haixi City.

Countless ragged laborers, some pushing carts, others carrying loads on their backs, were seen rushing towards the city walls, their steps faltering, their breaths heavy, their exhaustion and silence palpable. Yet they dared not stop, for the shouts of military officers echoed from behind them.

In the distance, on an open field, the wounded lay on makeshift straw mats, groaning in pain. Some didn't even have a straw mat; they just lay there in the dust, their wounds covered in grime and dirt.

Even so, this group of people are already incredibly lucky.

After all, laborers were not entitled to lie here, and the other unfortunate souls didn't even have the chance to be wounded; they died in battle beneath the walls of Haixi City.

At the same time, as the Cao army's vanguard on the city wall was once again driven down by the defenders, Cao Cao's face grew increasingly gloomy under the central banner, and the murderous intent in his eyes was almost overflowing.

He originally thought that the small city of Haixi could be taken in one fell swoop, but he did not expect it to be so difficult to fight.

Seven days have passed, and he has gained almost nothing except for the dead masses scattered all over the place.

Of course, this can't be blamed on Cao Cao being too incompetent; it's just that the current garrison in Haixi is far too well-equipped.

Originally, the number of garrison soldiers in Haixi County was less than a thousand, so in theory there was not much resistance.

However, with the arrival of reinforcements from the prefecture and the urgent conscription of able-bodied men from the city, Haixi now has a total of five thousand garrison troops, not to mention the battle-hardened generals such as Huang Gai, Han Dang, Zu Mao, and Cheng Pu guarding the city.

Each of the four men guarded one side of the city wall. This configuration was more than enough to defend Luoyang, let alone a mere Haixi County.

As darkness fell, Cao Cao finally gritted his teeth and said, "Withdraw the troops, we will fight again tomorrow!"

Xun Yu, who was standing to the side, opened his mouth as if to speak, but ultimately said nothing.

A moment later, bonfires were lit around Cao Cao's camp, and the firelight illuminated the figures of sentries standing tall with halberds.

The patrolling soldiers began to circle the camp, but their faces were full of exhaustion.

Meanwhile, Cao Cao continued to plan his offensive for the next day in his main tent.

"How hateful!" Cao Cao slammed his fist on the table in frustration. "The land and water here are truly disgusting."

Originally, as long as the attacking side was willing to put in the hard work, the "underground siege" method was quite effective.

Whether it was sneaking into the city while the defenders were off guard, or damaging the foundation of the city wall and causing it to collapse, the destructive power to the defenders should not be underestimated.

However, Haixi City is located on the edge of the East China Sea, where the weather is cloudy and rainy, and the land is damp.

Let alone digging a tunnel to reach the city, Cao Cao's army couldn't even dig a dry ditch.

Seeing Cao Cao's distress, Xu Chu immediately stepped forward and said in a deep voice:
"General, let me try one more time. Tomorrow I will surely kill that scoundrel Huang Gai!"

Upon hearing this, Dian Wei, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but step forward and volunteer for battle.

However, Cao Cao couldn't help but sigh when he saw this.

Siege warfare is not like open field battles; those who are the first to scale the walls may find themselves in a deadly situation if they are not careful.

Although Xu Chu and Dian Wei were brave, the garrison commander of Haixi was no pushover either; they couldn't be killed at will.

Cao Cao had never met anyone in his life who could be invincible solely through personal bravery. Lü Bu couldn't do it, and neither could Xu Chu or Dian Wei.

Xu Chu had participated in the battle before, but he always came out on the wrong foot.

Even though Han Dang and the others couldn't defeat him in a one-on-one fight, with the support of the garrison, Xu Chu would have a hard time resisting them.

In fact, Xu Chu almost died on the city wall several times. He survived only because he was tough and had a lot of health.

However, before the decision could be reached in the main tent, the generals saw Chen Deng rushing in with an anxious expression.

"Please, General, allow me to return to my hometown to save my father!"

Without saying a word, Chen Deng knelt down before Cao Cao and pleaded tearfully.

Everyone was taken aback at the sight, but Cao Cao reacted immediately and quickly asked:

"But something happened in Huaipu?"

Chen Deng nodded upon hearing this, and said helplessly:

"I have just received news from the clan that Sun Ce and Bu Zhi have joined forces with more than 10,000 troops to besiege Huaipu, and they are now at the city gates."

Fearing that Cao Cao might not take it seriously, Chen Deng quickly added:

“My family’s fortified village outside the city has been reduced to ruins. Now only my father is struggling to keep the city afloat.”

"My clansmen are all in the city right now. If Huaipu falls, I will have no face to live on in this world!"

At the end, Chen Deng couldn't help but burst into tears.

Upon seeing this, the tent fell into a deathly silence.

Li Dian originally wanted to advise Chen Deng not to rush, perhaps the other party was just bluffing.

Upon hearing this, he silently withdrew the step he had just taken.

To be honest, if Chengshi County were besieged, he wouldn't risk the extermination of his clan by betting on the enemy's bluff.

Li Dian understood this principle, as did Xiahou Dun and Cao Chun, and Cao Cao certainly did as well.

Cao Cao then personally helped Chen Deng up and comforted him, saying:
“Yuanlong, just go. There’s no need to worry here. Your father’s safety is the most important thing.”

Even though Cao Cao was unwilling at this moment, he still forced a smile and pretended to be magnanimous.

After all, if he stopped Chen Deng from going back, it would be no different from killing his father.

If Chen Gui hadn't died in the end, things would have been fine. But if Chen Gui had died unexpectedly, Cao Cao probably wouldn't have dared to use Chen Deng for the rest of his life.

Although Chen Deng understood the reasoning behind this, he was still filled with gratitude when he saw Cao Cao agree so readily.

After bowing deeply to Cao Cao in gratitude, he hurriedly left the main tent.

With Chen Deng's departure, Cao Cao's army camp immediately lost nearly 10,000 men.

Although the militia assembled by the Chen family was of mediocre strength, they were still a considerable asset during the siege.

So after Chen Deng left the camp, Cao Cao's face turned extremely ugly.

He was too lazy to discuss it any further and immediately ordered his generals with murderous intent to expand the search area the next day, capture all the civilians they could find in the surrounding area to use as cannon fodder, and attack the city like ants, regardless of casualties.

Cao Cao is really going all out this time!
Even if it costs him lives and piles up corpses, he will still charge to the top of Shanghai's western city wall...

(End of this chapter)