Chapter 3173 If you cant compare the good, then you can only compare the bad.
While Cao Xiu and Cao Hong were advancing, Cao Cao also launched an attack on Tongguan.
Although this level of attack can only be regarded as a "small-scale" battle, and the intention is not to capture Tongguan, but to harass and suppress, it still has some intimidating power for Ma Yue and others above Tongguan.
Cao Jun's camp was very large and long, so Cao Jun in the rear camp actually had a good rest. However, for Tongguan, because of the defense system, even though there was a city wall as a support, it was impossible to rest very well. Even if
Most people know that the city wall of Tongguan has passed the test of blood and fire, but they will inevitably worry subconsciously and affect their rest.
The soldiers of Cao's army were arrayed on Niutou Plateau, far away from Tongguan on the opposite side.
The wind and snow were blowing down.
Cao Cao turned his head and looked at the river that was now covered with ice and snow, sighing slightly in his heart.
If we forget about the wars in front of us, what we see at this moment is also a rare sight.
"Broken jade is flying, and the gelatin is strange. Silver snakes are meandering, stretching for thousands of miles. The shore is covered with frost, and ice hangs from the rock wall. The branches of jade trees leave traces when walking on the snow. There are only a few solitary birds, so beautiful and miserable..."
Cao Cao recited a few sentences casually.
If he hadn't held the sword back then, maybe he would have become a great poet.
It's a pity that there is no if.
Just like if back then...
Thinking about the past, regretting the past, it was not as good as before.
The wind and snow seem to bring the heaven and the earth together, and people will feel more and more insignificant in it, and realize the majesty of nature, and then they can wash away the dust of the world, and get the sublimation of the soul in the white world in front of them...
The ones who destroyed this beautiful scenery were Cao Cao himself and Tongguan in front of him.
The Tongguan in front of us really lacks beauty.
Tongguan City is indeed very ugly, gray-black and ferocious, like a ferocious beast, crawling on the Linzhi Plateau, incompatible with the surrounding natural scenery, devouring the flesh, flesh and soul of living creatures.
Tongguan City was just an earthen city at the beginning, and later it was built into a brick wall. However, because the center of the Han Dynasty was still in Luoyang at that time, it was naturally impossible to give Tongguan much funding for repairs. Even Hangu Pass was in a semi-abandoned state until Fei
After sneaking into the main pass, we began to rebuild Tongguan on a large scale.
Was Fei Qian already planning at that time and expecting the current situation?
Cao Cao's eyes were slightly wandering.
The dull sound of war drums roared.
In order to keep the drum's skin from getting wet, Cao Cao took special care of this matter.
First wrap it in oil paper, and then place it in charcoal to prevent moisture. However, this can only ensure that the drum can be loud in the early stages of use. As the drum is exposed to the outside for longer, moisture will penetrate into the drum head and body.
If you hit it, it will gradually become dull, and if you continue to hit it hard, it will probably break.
In the wind and snow, not only the effectiveness of weapons and equipment that rely on rubber bands will be reduced, but also other types of weapons will become useless...
Cao Cao focused his attention on Tongguan City.
The figures above Tongguan City were shaking, as if they were doing something, but they couldn't see clearly under the wind and snow.
After Tongguan, there is Guanzhong.
It was such a pass, but Cao Cao's army was blocked here, unable to move.
Now is the best time.
The sky full of wind and snow is like adding a law to all battlefields - "Gunpowder weakens, steel strengthens".
If we can get through this, then Guanzhong will be within easy reach.
However, it is still difficult, because the importance of Tongguan is not only the gunpowder, but also the solid city wall and the dangerous terrain.
Guanzhong, Cao Cao also visited Guanzhong before.
Speaking of Guanzhong Sanfu, it was once very prosperous. However, after decades of repeated turmoil and riots in Xiqiang, Guanzhong Sanfu gradually turned into a deserted land. Many places became ruins and commercial buildings.
There was only a small amount of trade with the barbarians, and there were no special products in Guanzhong. Even the originally fertile cultivated land around it had turned into a paradise for weeds.
Fei Qian almost restored such a desolate land...
Well, maybe it's more than just recovery.
It is reconstruction, just like Tongguan in front of us.
It's heartbreaking.
The east gate of Tongguan is also called Chaoyang Gate.
That's right, Cao Cao didn't know how many times he had encountered the word "Chaoyang". There seems to be a Chen County in Yanzhou, and the east gate is also called this name, and then there is also one in Yuzhou, and there is also one in Jizhou, maybe one day, etc.
If a certain emperor is called "Chaoyang", perhaps these repeated names can be sealed.
Cao Cao even knew about Chang'an in Guanzhong...
Oh, no, he even knew which way the door of the Husband's Office opened.
Although he has never been there once.
This information was sent to Cao Cao's desk early.
But some information is missing...
Cao Cao's eyes fell on the artillery positions in Tongguan, and he was looking forward to it.
Although he had heard that Huang's workshop was developing an item with a loud explosion before, Cao Cao "habitually" thought it was just gunpowder or a grenade.
Like Guo Jia's judgment, Cao Cao also believed that it was impossible for this kind of artillery to have unlimited firing.
During this period of fighting, Cao Cao also confirmed this, but this does not mean that Cao Cao despises this thing...
In fact, in history, China's artillery, or the use of gunpowder, was not as bad as Qingchui described. In the late Ming Dynasty, the development of artillery technology and gunpowder had actually reached a world-class level.
At the end of the Ming Dynasty, a large number of red barbarian cannons appeared. It was not that the Chinese Ming Dynasty couldn't make them, but that some people, for certain interests, forced them to be made by red barbarian cannons.
Some are plural.
Just like the current situation in Shandong.
Cao Cao thought that if one day Shandong could really build artillery like Feiqian, there would probably be problems of one kind or another.
Thirty shield vehicles were arranged into three rows, and driven by more than 300 auxiliary soldiers, they headed towards Tongguan.
In the middle of the shield vehicles, there are some ram vehicles and escort vehicles, and behind the shield vehicle array there are also a few sporadic arrow towers and ladder vehicles.
The shield chariot and other siege equipment creaked forward.
The infantry advanced under the cover of the shield chariot.
The further Cao Jun's soldiers moved forward, the slower they slowed down, as if they were waiting for something...
"boom!"
The artillery on top of Tongguan City suddenly roared, and a cannonball flew out.
A shield car was torn apart.
『ε＝ε＝ε＝(#>д<)』
Cao Jun's formation suddenly fell into chaos!
In the rain and snow, you can still fire cannons?!
Not only did Cao Cao's army's formation begin to become a little chaotic, but even Cao Cao's heart couldn't help but jump violently!
this……
How can this be?!
Cao Cao's face couldn't help but become a little gloomy, like dark clouds rolling in the sky.
"Lord!" Guo Jia said in a deep voice from the side, his voice was steady and strong, "Don't retreat!"
Cao Cao took a slight breath and looked over the top of Tongguan City. Soon, Cao Cao understood what Guo Jia meant, and nodded and said: "That's true. If you pass on the order, Tongguan's artillery is not something to be afraid of! Hurry up." March on without hesitation!"
The ordering soldiers left in a hurry, and after a while, the war drums roared louder and louder.
The middle and lower-ranking non-commissioned officers of Cao's army rushed to the front of the formation, beating and kicking them to calm down the panicked Cao's army...
The ordinary soldiers of Cao's army looked at Tongguan, and they seemed to believe what the military order said. The artillery at Tongguan was suppressed. So the auxiliary soldiers of Cao's army, together with the main soldiers, started making noises, speeding up almost crazily and pushing the shield cars and other vehicles forward desperately. .
The range, power, and rate of fire of artillery, etc., were not only clearly understood by Cao Cao during the past few days of attack and defense, but also by Cao Cao's soldiers.
The place 800 steps away from Tongguan is most vulnerable to artillery attack. Within 500 steps, it is difficult for the artillery to hit due to the shooting angle. Instead, you have to worry about the ballistae on the Tongguan city wall.
However, the attack power of the crossbow vehicle is relatively small, and generally speaking, it cannot defeat the shield vehicle.
Because today's artillery has a limited mounting structure, and it is a smoothbore gun. At the same time, ballistics has not yet been enlightened. Most gunners operate based on experience, so in fact the artillery's versatility is not What an improvement. So you only need to pass as soon as possible after entering the range of 800 steps, then the shield vehicle can support it to within 500 steps, providing more defense for Cao Jun...
However, under the previous bombardment of nearly ten artillery pieces in Tongguan, it was often difficult for the shield vehicles with their huge bodies to successfully enter within 500 steps. Even if a few vehicles were lucky enough to escape the bombardment of the artillery, they would be killed by the crossbow vehicles. They were quickly defeated under concentrated fire.
But now, it does seem to be different.
The Tongguan artillery that originally roared continuously like rolling thunder now stopped for a long time. After a while, another artillery sounded.
Cao Cao squinted his eyes and watched.
After waiting for a moment, Cao Cao smiled, "If it is as Feng Xiao said, it is just the end of a strong crossbow..."
Above Tongguan, there are only two artillery pieces left that can fire.
The deterrent effect of the two artillery pieces on Cao Jun was immediately reduced a lot.
Although the two cannons were working hard to fire, the subsequent times became the denominator of the average.
A cannonball fired high, jumped directly over the crowd and fell into the ice-covered river, punching a hole in the ice.
The other one bounced on the ground, plowing out a black and red line.
Although the other two hit Cao Jun's troops, they failed to hit the shield vehicle. They only destroyed a ladder truck and took away more than a dozen Cao Jun soldiers. The shells showed that it tried its best...
Even so, Cao Cao still believed that these hussar gunners were really capable.
Cao Cao originally thought that in this windy and snowy weather, the Hussars' artillery and grenades would be turned into scrap metal. Unexpectedly, there were still two artillery pieces above Tongguan that could fire.
Is this a temporary shed built to protect against wind and snow?
Or what method was used to solve the problem of gunpowder getting damp?
But even if there are moisture-proof means, as long as it is used in wind and snow, there will not be much fuses and gunpowder that are not affected by moisture, right?
Sure enough, not long after, the artillery stopped completely.
Just like the war drum behind Cao Cao.
The skin was soaked in wind and snow, and the sound could not be made out.
Even without the war drums as an incentive, the soldiers of Cao's army on the front line seemed to have stronger fighting spirit. They cheered and rushed forward. It seemed that for these auxiliary soldiers of Cao's army, as long as there was no threat of artillery, it was all right.
Something worth celebrating.
As Cao Cao watched, the stone in his heart seemed to loosen a little.
But after a moment, another wry smile appeared on the corner of Cao Cao's mouth.
Compared with the hussar soldiers, the elites of Cao's army, although they are also called elites, are more accustomed to facing the original battle mode, facing the old habits of swords, guns and rolling stones, and are not good at using new weapons.
Yes, the old model.
Most people like old models and always have an inexplicable fear of new things.
Because it’s unknown…
The same is true for Cao Cao. He will also be afraid when facing his own unknown.
Cao Cao thought that he could change the shortcomings of the Han Dynasty. He thought that the root cause of the Han Dynasty's problems was the eunuchs, as those Qingliu said, and Cao Cao also really saw the misbehavior of the eunuchs and those who were related to the eunuchs, so he created a five-color stick.
.After he beat him with a five-color stick, Cao Cao realized that actually killing several eunuchs would not help at all.
So, killing all the eunuchs, is it equivalent to curing the big man?
Perhaps with this idea in mind, when Yuan Shao entered the palace, Cao Cao followed suit. Then he discovered again that the eunuch was not as important as he thought. After killing so many tigers and leopards, the big man was still the same.
It is in a state of decay and the imperial framework has collapsed.
So, what exactly is the problem?
Then Cao Cao felt that it must be the powerful minister Dong Zhuo who caused trouble in the court...
After all, that was what Shandong Qingliu said at the time.
But now, he has become a "powerful minister" and is attacking another "powerful minister".
When Cao Cao wanted to pursue Dong Zhuo in Suanzao, at least there was Bao Xin following him, but now...
Bao Xin is dead.
Cao Cao is still lonely.
So, is the root cause of the Han's disease really the eunuchs? Or is it the powerful officials?
Or somewhere else?
Cao Cao had the answer in his mind.
But he was avoiding that answer.
The big man is like a big tree that has been decayed by fungi. It seems that there are still some parts that are intact. You only need to remove the decayed areas. But after you actually use the knife, you will find that one area has been removed.
There is another place. If a knife is used everywhere, will this big tree still exist?
Cao Cao wielded his sword, seemingly with great openness, but in fact he was careful in his approach.
"I'm so envious..."
Cao Cao whispered, then looked up at Tongguan.
After Cao Jun approached within 500 steps, the ballistas on top of Tongguan City fired furiously, but they stopped after a short time.
The bow strings of the ballistas were also affected by moisture, so this time they were able to reach the foot of Tongguan City, and there were more shield chariots on the edge of the ditch than any other time.
The trench in Tongguan was originally more than two feet deep, but many places had been filled in or dug out during previous battles. The trench collapsed in many places, and the spikes inside the trench were bulldozed.
A lot.
As the shield car stopped in front, the churron car and other vehicles following behind quickly followed.
Cao Jun's soldiers were like ants seeing honey, swarming up one after another. Some were digging and filling holes, some were pushing wooden planks to build temporary bridge decks, and some were climbing up the archery tower.
They exchanged fire with the soldiers in Tongguan Lower City, and some tried to use ladder trucks to create a new attack channel...
The effectiveness of the arrows in the wind and snow was also reduced. As the bowstrings became damp, the power of the arrows gradually decreased, so both sides quickly stopped this ineffective method.
Everything seemed to be exactly as Guo Jia expected. The long-range weapons of the Hussars were greatly suppressed, but Guo Jia was still a little nervous and clenched his fists in his sleeves.
Soon, what Guo Jia was worried about happened.
The grenade was thrown down.
Guo Jia stared at it, then counted the number. After a while, he let out a sigh of relief and said, "It's done."
Cao Cao smiled and nodded.
The grenades were also affected by the wind and snow.
The power of the explosion seemed to have dropped a lot, not to mention that some grenades were extinguished by the wind and snow in the air even if the fuse was lit.
"In this case, the last resort is left..." Guo Jia said slowly, but his tone was much more relaxed.
After suppressing gunpowder, all combat modes fell into the range that Cao Jun was accustomed to.
Just like what Guo Jia said, there is only one method left that can stop these siege equipment from destroying the city wall.
After several shield chariots and chrysanthemum chariots crossed the ditch and arrived under the Tongguan city wall, Cao's soldiers were preparing to dig holes to destroy the city, when kerosene poured from the city wall.
The torch was thrown down.
Even in the wind and snow, the power of kerosene is still violent. The flames rising into the sky roared in the wind and snow, and the billowing black smoke filled the city wall.
Cao Jun had to suspend his offensive.
The shield chariots and chrysanthemum chariots that first arrived under the Tongguan city wall were destroyed, but a new batch of siege equipment was assembled at the rear.
The fire was raging under the city wall, and it was impossible to attack for a while, so Cao's army temporarily stopped.
A batch of freshly baked steamed cakes and hot soup were carried by the foremen and sent to the front line.
Many soldiers of Cao's army just grabbed and ate them regardless of the blood and cement on their hands. They knew that although the fire caused by this kind of kerosene was fierce, it would not last long. If they did not take advantage of this time to eat something, then If he dies in battle later, he will be a starving ghost.
However, although the attack on Tongguan was still a narrow escape, Cao's soldiers seemed to have seen hope. At least now the hussars were forced to be on the same level as them under the wind and snow. What Cao's soldiers had to face The dangers and threats were those that they were familiar with, and were no longer the scary gunpowder derivatives. This improved the morale of Cao's soldiers unconsciously.
Previously, Cao's army was forced to follow the pace of the Hussars, suppressed by the new weapons of the Hussars, but now they seem to be able to play "happily" with the Hussars in this quagmire...
Cao Cao is ready to transfer, he is going to Hedong.
