In other words, this was his first time observing Tongguan at such a close distance.
The situation before him made it almost impossible for Cao Cao to remember much about Tongguancun when he was young.
Indeed, today's Tongguan City is larger, more majestic, and more terrifying than the historical one.
Fei Qian widened Hantong Pass, covering almost all of the original old pass, and built a huge pass city on the dangerous Linzhi Plateau, which was called Shangtong Pass, and at the corridor below Linzhi Plateau
The establishment was called Lower Tongguan, and what connected Upper and Lower Tongguan was just a mountain road.
Below Niutou Plateau, there are countless ravines that are difficult to cross. Looking to the south, you can see the majestic Qinling Mountains, towering into the clouds. Looking to the north, you can see the surging river...
The only road was blocked by Tongguan.
So, there is no way to go.
Before Tongguan, there were several winding trenches on the outermost side. The trenches were not deep, only half a person's height. However, the excavated soil was piled behind the trenches, forming an earthen wall that was low in the east and high in the west.
Behind the earth wall, there is a platform, which is much higher than the earth wall.
Troops can be stationed on the fortress, as well as ballistae or catapults.
There are also some intervals in the trench, but those intervals are like bloody mouths, and there are some faint cold flashes around them. I don't know what murderous intention is hidden...
Cao Cao looked further into the distance. On the Fengyi Plateau behind Tongguan, there seemed to be villages and camps. He didn't know how many people were stationed there, and he didn't know how many troops and horses there were up and down Tongguan.
During the Han and Tang Dynasties, due to the erosion and sedimentation of the river, the Tongguan Linzhi Plateau was cut down, and the destruction of water and soil further reduced the vegetation on the plateau, which led to the possibility of Tongguan being bypassed and forbidden ditches.
On this basis, the Twelve Passes City was built. But now, the forbidden ditch is the forbidden ditch and cannot be bypassed.
Even if there were no Twelve Passes, just Upper and Lower Tongguan, it would be enough to render Cao Cao speechless for a long time.
This kind of terrain and such a defense system make Tongguan far more dangerous than the declining Hanhan Valley. If Hanhan Valley can still be attacked with stacks of people, the current Tongguan City is almost an endless natural
The abyss, no matter how many lives are filled in, seems to be unable to fill it.
Although Cao Cao can station a large army on Niutou Plateau, that's it. Unless each of Cao Cao's soldiers can grow wings and fly across the Yuanwang Valley, they can only sigh at the sight of the valley. If you want to attack Tongguan via the mountain road, you must first take the
Go down to Huangxiang Ban, then capture Xiaguan City, and then attack Tongguan City on a mountain road comparable to the Qinhan Valley Pass Road, and finally attack the Forbidden Valley and enter Guanzhong...
Cao Cao took a breath.
Such a long distance, especially the section up to Tongguan from the top, requires a lot of strength even if you climb it with bare hands, let alone attacking with heavy armor, and because of the steep slope, it is impossible to climb with a shield car or anything like that.
It cannot be pushed up, so the archers and crossbowmen defending on the Linzhi Plain can easily kill the attackers in the mountain road one by one.
Flags were flying inside and outside Tongguan City.
Someone seemed to have noticed that Cao Cao was observing on the Niutou Plateau opposite, and then there were some noisy voices. However, because the distance was too far, it was impossible to hear what those people were shouting, mixed in the cold wind.
, woo woo buzz.
Cao Cao remained silent.
Dong Zhao looked on, his face a little pale.
Guo Jia, on the other hand, was holding a wine gourd and sipping it one sip after another.
"Let's set up camp first."
Cao Cao said.
Following Cao Cao's order, the mighty Cao army spread across Niutou Plateau and the plateau east of Tongguan. Each branch set up camp, with flags and tents scattered all over the mountains and fields. Countless laborers sweated profusely, digging trenches for the camp and erecting walls for the camp.
.In a short period of time, a large camp with tens of thousands of people was erected, and there was a steady stream of people coming from the official road, setting off to camp one after another along the direction of the river.
Before the specific on-site inspection, Cao Cao already knew that it was impossible to capture Tongguan head-on, and now after seeing it, he was even more certain of this.
Tongguan fell once before, just because the original Han Tongguan was in disrepair for many years. After all, even Chang'an was in dire decline at that time, how could there be any financial and material resources to repair Tongguan?
But now it's different.
The Tongguan built by Fei Qian makes people feel powerless just by looking at it, let alone actually attacking it.
Moreover, there are some platforms on Linzhi Plateau, and some things are piled on them, covered with cloth and felt blankets. Although Cao Cao doesn't know what they are specifically, he knows that they must not be decorations for the sake of beauty. Even if he can attack
On the Linzhi Plain, we still have to face a city wall that is nearly three feet high. There is no other defense system within the city wall. We know nothing about it except that there must be an Wengcheng.
"What's the situation at the ferry?"
Cao Cao asked in a deep voice.
Cao Cao asked about Tongguandu.
Tongguan Ferry is independent from Tongguan.
Cao Xiu said from the side: "My lord, there is a barrier built at the Tongguan crossing. There are also several layers of earth walls in front of the barrier. They are at the corners of the military stronghold on the mountain and guard the ferry. The tidal flats at the ferry are very thick. If the barrier is not conquered,
With the military stronghold, they will inevitably be attacked from two sides... Moreover, if Tongguandu is attacked by force, even if the soldiers in Tongguan cannot return to the rescue, there will be soldiers and horses from the Fengyi Plateau to come to the rescue at any time, and there is no chance that the Shaanxian navy will turn around..."
Shaanjin is to the west of Sanmenxia in later generations, and it is also the last crossing of the rapid river. Once you enter the Sanmenxia area, let alone crossing the river, even sailing requires trackers to drag it, and there is a risk of capsizing at any time. The so-called Sanmen,
There are three gates of heaven, man and ghost. If you accidentally enter the gate of ghosts, it will really be like entering the gate of ghosts.
Therefore, from the upper reaches of the river to counterattack the upper reaches, even if Cao Cao had a fleet, it would be difficult for him to pass through the dangerous place of Sanmenxia. Although Wei Yan's fleet was not large and was not worth mentioning compared to Jiangdong's navy, but it was stuck at Sanmenxia.
It was like another Tongguan stuck on the water, so Cao Cao's transport team could only take the land route in advance, and it was impossible to directly reach Tongguan by water in one go.
Everyone's faces looked a little ugly.
Tongguan was obviously difficult to attack, but he didn't expect that Tongguan Ferry was also on guard, and according to Cao Xiu's wishes, he was not very optimistic about attacking Tongguan Ferry.
Only Yang Xiu stood there with an expressionless face, neither sad nor happy, just like a sculpture.
Yang Xiu even felt a bit of schadenfreude in his heart. It was like looking at the fair lady next door, whom Yang Xiu couldn't covet, and then seeing Cao Cao who was in better condition than himself, he felt the same way.
"Dezu... Dezu!" Cao Cao stared at Yang Xiu, "Dezu is thoughtful, can he gain something?"
"Uh..." Yang Xiu Surong said, "Prime Minister Qi, if we can cross the river, I know a mountain road that can bypass Fenglingdu Army Stronghold... There is no need to attack Fenglingdu Military Stronghold... Is this just Tongguan Crossing...
If I can't defeat him, I'm afraid..."
Tongguan Ferry is in the south and Fengling Ferry is in the north.
There is Tongguan Army Village at Tongguan Ferry and Fengling Army Village at Fengling Ferry.
Almost armed to the teeth...
If we don't attack Tongguandu, even if we build a pontoon bridge and forcefully attack Fenglingdu, it may be cut off at any time.
Dong Zhao frowned and said, "It was your plan to march to the east of Hedong and attack Tongguan. But now it is said that there are troops blocking the way from Hedong. There are many difficulties. Could it be that you are playing tricks on my lord?"
Yang Xiu glanced at Dong Zhao, but said he didn't dare, and then did not continue to defend.
"Haha, hahaha..." Although Cao Cao was in a dilemma, he still showed his magnanimity. He did not scold Yang Xiu for offering advice, but smiled, squinted, and waved his hand, "You don't have to be like this, Gongren!"
Everyone has their own strategies and opinions on military matters. This is a common thing, how can we discuss responsibility? Since Dezu has a strategy and a response, you may as well speak freely! There is no guilt in speaking out!"
Yang Xiu cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Prime Minister. Xiu is stupid... But if he can enter the land east of Hedong, Wei Wenchang will come back to rescue him. If he can break it..."
Cao Cao pondered.
Dong Zhao sneered, "What do you think it is? If it can be broken, how can it be broken?"
Yang Xiu lowered his head and said nothing again.
Cao Cao waved his hand.
Previously, Cao Cao lured Wei Yan to attack and wanted to set up an ambush in Shaanjin, Shaanxi County to ambush Wei Yan, but Wei Yan was not fooled, so Cao Cao could only set up defenses in Shaanxi County, and then moved his troops to Tongguan. Now Tongguan is obviously
Unable to defeat it with manpower in a short period of time, the strategy of entering Hedong and fighting in Guanzhong was once again put on the table for discussion.
Cao Hong stood aside and said in a deep voice: "According to the habits of the hussars, there can't be any destructive tricks at Tongguan crossing the military stronghold... iron caltrops, horse pits, sharp wooden stakes... and crossbows throwing stone and kerosene bombs."
...Now we have to add gunpowder... Oh, how difficult it is..."
It is indeed difficult.
But what is not difficult?
Even if you are able to lie down in the future, not everyone can lie down if they want to. You also need to have a certain amount of savings and family conditions to allow you to lie down. Otherwise... I'm afraid it will take a few months to lie down.
A new round of involution begins...
Yang Xiu whispered, "That's true...but what if Wei Wenchang comes to attack?"
Cao Cao frowned slightly.
Dong Zhao looked a little angry and said in a deep voice: "Does Yang Dezu want to lead troops as bait?"
Yang Xiu smiled shyly, "I am just a weak scholar and I have no ability to lead an army... Of course, this bait must be difficult to eat..."
As he spoke, Yang Xiu glanced slightly towards Cao Hong and Cao Xiu.
Cao Hong raised his head and stroked his beard, as if he didn't care.
Cao Xiu reacted and immediately glared at Yang Xiuheng.
"Well..." Cao Cao waved his hand, "This matter... is inappropriate. Does Dezu have any other ideas?"
Seeing that the suggestions were not accepted, Yang Xiu was not in a hurry and said calmly: "If we can farm grain in Shaanxi County, we can still use it as bait..."
"If the defenses of Shaanxi County are dilapidated, how can we stockpile grain?" Dong Zhao said, "If it is really damaged, where will the millions of troops have food and clothing?"
Yang Xiu smiled slightly, then lowered his head and stopped talking.
Cao Cao's eyes were extremely sharp. He had already reached Tongguan. It was impossible for him to leave without fighting anyway, and he had brought almost all the troops of the country to get here. If he turned around and went back, everyone in Shandong must know that Cao Cao was afraid.
In order to face Fei Qian, the prestige of the Hussars will be ingrained in the hearts of the people in Shandong. If the morale of this kind of army drops, no one will dare to fight the Hussars again even if they encounter them again.
Therefore, Cao Cao would rather die some people, or even take some risks, to maintain his momentum and not let it weaken...
Cao Cao thought about it, and then said in a deep voice: "Send the order! If you get the head of a hussar soldier, you will be rewarded with one acre of land and one hundred gold! If you get the third level, you will get five acres of land and five hundred gold! If you get the hussar soldier's head, you will be rewarded with one acre of land and one hundred gold!"
The person who rides on the head of a general will have a thousand acres of land and tens of thousands of gold coins!"
The order was issued immediately, and bursts of cheers suddenly sounded in Cao Jun's camp.
The somewhat low morale due to facing the fortified city of Tongguan was re-energized, but Cao Cao understood that this was only temporary. If some gains could not be achieved, the next time would be even more difficult.
…
…
The cold wind howled.
Wei Yan dug the ground with the end of the scabbard, frowning slightly as he watched the yellow dust that dried into powder flying in the wind.
Hedong has been too dry this year.
The land has lost its original moisture, and the cultivated land has become cracked into pieces in many places.
If Fei Qian hadn't rebuilt the water conservancy project in Hedong a few years ago, there would be no doubt that Hedong would suffer from drought and reduced production this year...
Of course, what Wei Yan was considering was not Zhuanghe, but the river course.
Thirty years in the east of Hedong and thirty years in Hexi. In fact, it was not about luck taking turns in the beginning, but the destruction of the river. Because the river was full and dry, the water level was high and low, resulting in the area from Longmendu down to Pujindu.
, river courses often change, perhaps thirty years ago it flowed in the west of the river, and thirty years later it flowed in the east of the river. This change in the river course also caused the area from Longmendu to Pujindu to be tidal flats and swamps all year round.
The land was cut into strips by the river, making it difficult to travel.
Therefore, from Hedong to Guanzhong, there have been two ferries in the north-south direction since ancient times, one is Longmen Ferry and the other is Pujin Ferry.
Once the drought continues and the water level drops, it means that whether it is crossing from Longmen or Pujin, it will be much easier to cross the river...
Wei Yan also had no control over this weather change.
In fact, there is another problem. Wei Yan failed to realize that when the water level of the river dropped, the exposed river beds were the best breeding places for locusts.
There is no vegetation in these riverbeds, and there are no people or livestock to roll and stir, so the insect eggs are safe. As long as they survive the winter, as soon as spring begins, locusts will rise all over the sky!
The army's military campaign accelerated the destruction of surrounding trees, which in turn brought more water and soil erosion and intensified drought...
The fate of next year is already being quietly written.
Guanzhong has not yet mobilized troops for large-scale conquests. It has only mobilized some previously retired soldiers in Chang'an Sanfu to strengthen alert and duty.
Although Pang Tong said that Wei Yan didn't have to worry too much, Wei Yan always felt that the big gentry families in Guanzhong Hedong would cause some trouble sooner or later. If he didn't deal with it properly...
The problem of the large noble families in Hedong, well, or in other words, it is a problem in all parts of the Han Dynasty. After three or four hundred years of accumulation in the Han Dynasty, the local problems are already very terrible, but they are usually covered up by the taxes paid on time.
, once there is insufficient central control, many strange problems will arise.
This evil was passed down from generation to generation and penetrated into the marrow of the Chinese feudal dynasty.
Fei Qian wanted to take another path to isolate this evil, but Cao Cao came over and said, no. There are many of us and we don't agree. The minority must obey the majority, so you have to follow me.
Wei Yan didn't understand this, but he understood that the current position was given to him by Hussar, so he must be loyal to Hussar.
Military counselor Jia Hong came out of the camp and found Wei Yan. When he saw Wei Yan staring at Cao Jun's camp on the other side of the river, he couldn't help but said: "General, Pang Lingjun has an order. Regardless of whether there is a flaw in Cao Jun's army, the general is not allowed to cross the river!"
Wei Yan didn't even turn his head and responded angrily, "I know! I just want to take a look!"
Jia Hong still had some inertia in his words. Even if Wei Yan said he understood, he still had to mumble a few words.
Wei Yan listened with his left ear, and his right ear flew out.
Wei Yan didn't like Jia Hong very much, because Jia Hong had a rigid character. Perhaps it was because of this character that he was sent to Wei Yan as military counselor, which was also Wei Yan's chief logistics officer.
Except for being a bit nagging because of his age, Jia Hong did everything well. He was neither greedy for money nor bending the law. He handled things in an orderly, fair and reasonable manner, which allowed Wei Yan to focus on the war effort and the soldiers.
A series of trivial matters such as eating, drinking, and diarrhea were left to Jia Hong.
No one will be liked by everyone in the world from birth, not even the emperor.
Thinking of the Emperor, Wei Yan thought of the Qiusi Crown Prince, and then suddenly thought of whether Pang Tong intended to give it to the Crown Prince...
"Forget it..." Wei Yan shook his head. These political things are really too complicated and not as simple as the military.
Jia Hong was standing aside, thinking that Wei Yan was talking to him, and couldn't help but be stunned, "Forget it? How can this happen?"
Wei Yan reacted, "What did you just say?"
Jia Hong rolled his eyelids and looked at Wei Yan.
Wei Yan chuckled, "I was just thinking about Cao Jun..."
"General, it's like this. The food and grass that was supposed to be delivered from Anyi, Hedong, is now delayed for ten days." Jia Hong said, "Originally, this should be punished with twenty military sticks according to law, but..."
"But what?" Wei Yan asked.
"But this military ration was not caused by the grain transport officer's delay in traveling. Instead, it was delayed when he was picking up grain and grass in Anyi. The grain transport officer also accelerated his schedule on the way..." Jia Hong said sternly, "If we talk about punishment,
The grain transport officer, then the responsibility is not entirely his, which is somewhat unfair. But if the grain transport officer is not punished, where does that leave the law? 』
"What did Anyi say?" Wei Yan asked.
Jia Hong said: "Of course they have their reasons, but military law is military law, and if it is postponed, it is postponed."
Wei Yan pondered for a while, "Are we sure we are adjusting Changping Cang, not Mincang?"
Jia Hong was stunned for a moment, then frowned, "What does the general mean..."
"Hmph." Wei Yan waved his hand, "It's like this again... let's not deal with the punishment now, just write it down and calculate it together after the war!"
"Write them all down?" Jia Hong asked.
Wei Yan nodded.
"Okay." Jia Hong didn't have any other opinions. When he saw Wei Yan turning his head to stare at Shaanxi County on the other side of the river, he couldn't help but say, "General... Pang Lingjun has an order..."
"I know! I know!" Wei Yan waved his hand, "I can't cross the river!"
Jia Hong said no more and bowed his hands.
Wei Yan had endured it until Cao Cao could do nothing. He could not continue to delay in Shaanxi County, so he could only leave some men to defend Wei Yan, and then move the army forward.
Cao Cao left, and now Wei Yan saw that Cao Jun had blatantly transferred grain and fodder to Shaanxi County. Even though Wei Yan knew that this might be another trap, he couldn't help but feel a little itchy...
Different from the game, soldiers need to eat no matter where they are. In most wars, the battle locations are away from the city's supply areas, so over time, food and grass must be transported. The reason why this county is said to be a trap
, that is, from Hangu Pass to Tongguan, the distance is not too far. It can be set up, but there is no need to say that a transfer station is needed...
So, there is probably something behind this.
It's a pity that the fat black man seemed to have foreseen this situation and asked Jia Hong, an old-fashioned old man, to recite the tightening curse.
Disobey?
Not to the point.
But being unable to cross the river and having to cause trouble is indeed a problem.
