Chapter 3294 Unchanging items in the midst of change
Chapter 3293 Unchanging items in the midst of change
In the middle of the night, Cao Xiu rushed back to Gufeng Mountain.
When approaching Gufeng Mountain, Cao Xiu paused on the slope for a moment.
He looked up.
Gufeng Mountain under the moonlight has a different kind of beauty.
In the middle of the Yuncheng Basin in Hedong Province, Gufeng Mountain stands relatively abruptly on the earth. Under the night sky, it looks like a meditator, quietly thinking about something.
The night is low, and the sky that has not been polluted by future generations is pure and transparent. The stars are dotted in the deep sky, as if the gods have sprinkled countless bright gems on the night.
Gufeng Mountain is not high, but because of the current angle, Cao Xiu felt like a tower ascending to the sky, or a bridge between the world and the sky, connecting reality and dreams.
The night view of Gufeng Mountain is a peaceful and profound picture, which tells the beauty of nature and the harmony of life in a unique way. Here, time seems to have frozen, making people forget the hustle and bustle of the world and just want to indulge in this place.
Amidst the tranquility and beauty. War is cruel, but the beauty of this moment is heart-warming.
"if……"
Cao Xiu couldn't help but have a slight thought in his mind, but he quickly suppressed it.
Is this what he wants?
Before attacking Guanzhong, he thought this was it.
However, after marching to Hedong and suffering setbacks, Cao Xiu gradually began to think. There was a subtle voice in his heart, just like the seeds that had fallen earlier, and now sprouted under the watering of flesh and blood.
Are you fighting for the Emperor of Han?
Or are you fighting for the common people of the world?
Or is it for something else?
Cao Xiu looked at Gufeng Mountain not far away, and felt as if he saw a silent giant, looking back at him at this moment.
The clouds in the night sky flow, sometimes covering the moon, and the outline of the mountain peaks is hazy. The clouds disperse, and the moonlight shines on the rocks again, outlining soft lines. Every stone and tree in Gufeng Mountain at night seems to have life, and they are being soothed by the moonlight.
Sleep quietly and wait for the new day to come.
And what about Cao Xiu’s new day?
In other words, what about Cao Jun’s new day?
Or, what about a new day in Shandong, the Han Dynasty?
The corners of Cao Xiu's eyes and cheeks couldn't help but twitch.
"call……"
Cao Xiu took a deep breath, put those disturbing thoughts behind his mind, and continued to ride forward.
The war situation cannot be static.
The camp at the foot of the slope was quickly defeated by Fei Qian, which brought about changes in the entire battle situation.
The original plan now looks...
Even Cao Hong didn't dare to pat his chest to confirm.
Therefore, if it is true that Cao Hong cannot stand in Anyi and cannot stop the sharp attack of Qiusi, then Cao Xiu's so-called flanking strategy will become a colorful bubble, illusory and beautiful but empty and weak.
Therefore, Cao Hong and Cao Xiu must respond to the changes in the war situation and make timely adjustments. Even if this adjustment seems a bit hasty and not thorough enough, for the moment, it is the best they can do.
Hard work, struggle, hardship, endurance, these are not problems.
The issue is……
Cao Xiu rode his horse, and the sound of the horse's hooves, which was specially wrapped, was slightly dull, like a drumbeat pressing on Cao Xiu's heart.
After turning around the ravine at the foot of Gufeng Mountain and passing the warning checkpoint, you can see a lot of bonfires faintly lit under the slopes in the southern col of Gufeng Mountain.
Cao Xiu's camp is hidden in these mountains.
Because of the need for concealment, Cao Jun's camp was not built in a square shape, but instead was loose and fragmented along the shape of the mountain col.
Bonfires were the only cheapest source of warmth that Cao's soldiers could get at night.
Cao Xiu dismounted and left the horse to the soldiers to take care of and feed him. He led his guards up the less obvious slope.
In the night wind, the gossips of Cao's soldiers at his feet could be heard.
The remaining flames of the bonfire that had not yet been completely extinguished were swaying, illuminating the melancholy faces of Cao's soldiers.
They were sitting, lying, or standing in a circle, whispering something.
"In total, how many months has it been since you came out? Half a year, right?"
"Yes."
"This battle...when will it be considered over..."
"I don't know. But...I miss my mother. I miss the soup cakes made by my mother..."
"Sigh. I also miss the food at home. A mouthful of loess and a mouthful of soup every day is really not a life for human beings."
"I heard that opposite Emei Mountain is Pingyang, Linfen. If we capture Pingyang, we can go home."
"Haha, attack Pingyang? What should we use to attack?"
"Stop talking...just go to sleep!"
The night breeze blew gently, scattering their conversation in the wind.
As the war progressed slowly and unfavorably, the atmosphere in Cao's camp became increasingly heavy, and even the usually noisy soldiers gradually became taciturn.
Suddenly, there was a faint sound of blowing leaves. It was melodious and sad, as if it was telling the nostalgia in everyone's heart.
Leaves are the simplest and oldest musical instrument.
During the Han and Tang Dynasties, even the music of the court was also called "whispering leaves". It is said that musicians who are good at blowing leaves can even blow two leaves at the same time without the help of fingers, and can also play moving tunes.
As soon as the music sounded, the soldiers of Cao's army listened attentively and stopped talking.
Those who played among Cao's troops were, of course, ordinary soldiers who had not received any vocal training. The tones did not have so many subtle changes, but the simple emotions contained in them were common.
In later generations, people's hearts are too complicated and confusing, so not only colorful pictures, but also intense music, and even provocative movements are needed to make some people in later generations find it interesting, and those simple sounds of music
It will just make them think it is noise.
In an environment where the Han Dynasty is relatively lacking in entertainment, music is definitely not something that ordinary people can enjoy, so having this kind of simple music can already make these Cao Jun soldiers forget their current sorrow and remind them of their hometown.
The golden wheat fields, the winding river, and the familiar small village.
Soon after, the music gradually stopped.
Cao's soldiers were silent.
"When the war is over, let's go home together." Someone suggested.
"good!"
"That's natural!"
Everyone responded in unison. Although they knew the road ahead was unknown, this promise seemed to give them a little comfort in this night. In this long night, their dreams were entrusted to the night wind and floated towards the distant land.
soil of.
Cao Xiu stood silent, like a stone on Gufeng Mountain.
They need to be hidden and not attract the attention of the cavalry. This kind of music will undoubtedly bring uncertain risks to Cao Xiu and others...
Originally, Cao Xiu's guard wanted to step forward to stop the discussion and playing of these Cao soldiers, but Cao Xiu stopped them.
Although Cao Xiu's surname was Cao, his family was not well-off, and his early years were full of disasters. He rose up from the bottom to some extent. For these soldiers of Cao's army at the bottom, he also had more understanding and tolerance. After a moment of silence
After that, Cao Xiu walked away silently and did not stop the unknown performer.
Perhaps among the ordinary soldiers of Cao's army, they still hold an idea or an illusion, that is, after a period of fighting, they will definitely win, and then after the hussars are defeated, they can return to their hometown.
…
As for the changes in the entire battle situation, these ordinary soldiers of Cao's army had no idea at all.
And people who know the situation of the battle will never say anything to these ordinary soldiers of Cao's army.
Just like Cao Xiu, the most he could do was talk to the close guards around him. As for the ordinary soldiers of Cao's army, Cao Xiu only told them two words -
implement.
They are divided.
Cao Xiu is already a general who understands what the soldiers at the bottom need as much as possible, but how can a general like Cao Xiu of the Cao family change the current situation of Cao's army?
What's more, some habits are difficult to correct. Even if Cao Xiu feels a little emotional at the moment, what will happen next moment, or on a new day?
Now the entire Han Dynasty has undergone new changes under the leadership of Fei Qian, and amidst this change, there are still some people who stubbornly try to stand still.
After a while, Cao Xiu said nothing and continued walking up.
"Thank you for your hard work, General..." Cao Xiu's confidant came forward to greet Cao Xiu. He secretly glanced at Cao Xiu's face through the moonlight, then his heart sank, and he quickly handed over the water bag, "General, please don't rest first..."
Cao Xiu took a sip of water, glanced at his confidants, and said, "The camp at the foot of the slope has been defeated."
"What?!" Although everyone actually had some premonitions in their hearts, thinking that the camp down the slope would be breached sooner or later, but it was indeed surprising that it was breached so quickly, "Isn't it just...two days?"
??????55.??????
Cao Xiu snorted.
He didn't say that he actually couldn't hold it for even a day, otherwise it would be too much...
"Could it be that... I was lazy and didn't build the fortifications well?" Cao Xiu's confidants were looking for another reason for the collapse of the camp down the slope.
This way of finding reasons and excuses is actually to cover up your own uneasiness and fear.
Cao Xiu was unconvinced.
As the war progressed, victory seemed further and further away, and Cao Xiu could not bear to break the illusions of his confidants.
"General, are we still here to ambush the hussars?" asked the confidant.
Cao Xiu put the saddle behind him and lay down, "No, tomorrow morning, prepare to move the army... I will leave some suspicious soldiers here..."
"Then...where are you going?" asked the confidant.
"Wen Xi."
In an era, individuals are often deeply affected by the era and social environment in which they live. Their behaviors and choices are not only a reflection of personal will, but also a reflection of the characteristics of the era.
When everyone feels that benevolence, righteousness, and morality have nothing to do with themselves, the entire society will no longer have benevolence, righteousness, and morality. When everyone feels that the responsibility lies with others, the entire society will also lose any sense of responsibility.
Cao Xiu still has a sense of responsibility. But unfortunately, his problem is still a habitual problem in Shandong, and he cannot communicate with the soldiers at the bottom.
Did no one in Cao's army notice the change in the battle situation?
No, but these Cao Jun soldiers may have limited understanding of the entire battle situation, and it is not clear whether they are in an advantageous situation. As for the high-level military academies, these Cao Jun soldiers are deceived with false information, making it impossible for them to make corresponding judgments.
We can only blindly follow the large army.
…
…
Similarly, there are also people with dark eyes and no idea of what they will do now and in the future, as well as the people of Hedong here in Wenxi.
Zhang Xiu drove and killed some Cao soldiers and destroyed Cao's camp at Wenxi, but he had no effective means of destroying Lu Zhao's camp and could only withdraw his troops first.
Similarly, Lu Zhao had nothing to do against Zhang Xiu's cavalry in the wild...
The two sides are like men shouting at each other on the street.
"If you dare, come out!"
"Come in if you dare!"
Then the two separated in dismay.
Zhang Xiu retreated to the Emei Mountains, while Lu Zhao hid in the camp.
After confirming that the hussars and horses had left, Cao Jun's soldiers divided into many small groups, like border shepherds driving away the scattered sheep, and then drove back the "cattle and sheep" that had escaped but not far away.
.
These "cows and sheep" were bleating, and their strength was obviously not much less than those of Cao Jun's soldiers, but they still obediently crowded around and squeezed each other, and then came back again, returning to the camp built with simple fences.
, back within the fence they once escaped from.
Lu Zhao couldn't even take a second look at these "cattle and sheep" that were driven back.
Lu Zhao would not care how many cattle and sheep were killed or injured in this setback, and neither would Cao Cao.
Even those literati and poets in Shandong who shout "people's hearts and minds" every day are not even willing to write two more words in the history of youth...
"The road is full of corpses" may be the description these people have of the greatest casualties of the people, and it is very interesting that this description is often born to set off the cruelty of some people, otherwise it is simply "death"
"Tens of thousands", "Death without reckoning", "Many casualties".
So Lu Zhao completely ignored the casualties of these "cows and sheep". Even the "cows and sheep" themselves were also indifferent. Isn't it normal?
What Lu Zhao was more concerned about was Zhang Xiu's troops who "disappeared" on the Emei Mountains.
He stared at the dark Emei Mountains in the distance, like a black wall, with hesitation and doubt surging in his heart.
"General, the scout reported that no trace of the Hussars was found in the direction of Emei Ridge, but some bonfire ashes were found. Apparently there were Hussars stationed on the mountain not long ago." His deputy reported, "General, we want to
Don’t you want to send more people to Emei Ridge to conduct a careful search?”
Lu Zhao shook his head and said: "How many people will be sent to such a large piece of land? And they have horses... forget it."
Lu Zhao wanted Zhang Xiu to attack his camp, but it was obvious that Zhang Xiu, who did not carry artillery, did not want to attack Lu Zhao's camp.
In fact, there is nothing wrong with Cao Jun's strategy, if the hussars only have cavalry and infantry.
In history, when Cao Cao attacked Xiliang, the two sides just stared at each other all the way. In the end, Cao Cao forced the Xiliang army to collapse. If Cao Cao formed a strong camp, Ma Chao would not be able to defeat him, but as long as Cao Cao dared to fight in the field, he would be beaten by Ma Chao.
There was a lot of shit and urine, and almost everyone was killed by Ma Chao.
Things are different now. Fei Qian has better equipment, more advanced technology, and more complete logistics, while Cao Cao is stuck in the predicament that Ma Chao had in history. He can't get war, peace, or retreat.
At first, Zhang Xiu was still wandering around the Emei Mountains, and then Lu Zhao did not dare to attack at will. However, as the soldiers from Wenxi County filled up the holes in the city walls, Zhang Xiu patted his butt and left.
, leaving Lu Zhao and Wenxi's defenders, the two sides stared at each other with big eyes and small eyes.
Wenxi garrison: "Are you coming again, sir?"
Lu Zhao: "..."
You’re not coming anymore, you’re not feeling well, but you’re going to keep going, your wallet... uh, you don’t have enough manpower...
So the place where I heard the joy was very peaceful for two days.
Wenxi's defenders seized the time and worked desperately to repair their own loopholes, while Lu Zhao was busy arresting the fleeing civilians.
"Oh, it's all the fault of Pei's trash!" Lu Zhao said angrily, "If that trash could have had a little more strength at that time, we would have captured Wenxi long ago, and we wouldn't be so passive now!"
"General, do you want to... go to a place further around and recruit some strong men?"
Lu Zhao was silent for a moment and shook his head, "That's enough for the surrounding areas, forget about the ones that are far away... I always feel that these grandsons haven't gone far... If we don't go out, they won't show their faces..."
"But General, we can't sit back like this forever!"
Lu Zhao smiled and said, "Don't worry, I have sent people to the back... As soon as the reinforcements arrive, we can lure these grandsons out... Then, hey hey hey... Tomorrow, we will start attacking the city tomorrow, don't believe it...
…These pigs have been eating in vain for several days, so it’s time to put them to use.』
"Wen Xi has already patched up the hole, now he needs to dig it out again..."
Lu Zhao burst out laughing, "How could I use that idiot Pei's method? This time, we have to use a new method..."
Outside Lu Zhao's camp, the people who were arrested one after another were waiting quietly.
Even though I don’t know how many people were killed and injured at the foot of Wenxi City last time, it seems like they have turned over a page. They can’t remember the hatred, and they don’t feel much sadness. They feel numb as if they are not flesh and blood, but earth, wood, mud and stone.
The constructed body.
This is the normal state of the ancient Chinese people who lacked knowledge. How could people who didn't even know how to write or read the word "resistance" understand what class is and what struggle is?
Lu Zhao's "new tactic" is indeed not digging holes, but building slopes.
Wenxi's city wall is not high, so this tactic is also targeted to a certain extent.
For food during this period, there are a lot of eaten up straw bags and grain bags in Cao Jun’s camp, which are now in use. If they are not enough, the clothes of the dead bodies in the field can also be used to wrap soil
Yuntu, I guess those dead people wouldn't mind being naked.
There is no need to dig holes under the city with arrows and rolling stones, but just transport the soil to the city. Obviously, it is easier for the people to accept it, at least it seems to be easier.
After Lu Zhao resumed his attack, it took most of a day to build tall mud piles outside Wenxi City. Although they were loose, the gradually increasing piles of mud did continue to exert pressure on the defenders in Wenxi City.
With psychological pressure.
The scattered and damaged tools and weapons on the battlefield became the tools for these people to dig into the soil. But when these people were digging out the soil, they never thought that these broken swords, guns, and half-cut shovels could also kill people...
…
Dead bodies were nearby, including men, women, old and young.
After a few days, the corpses had already stinked, and the entire battlefield was filled with a disgusting smell.
Flies and carrion-eating birds and beasts have turned this place into a grand banquet place, inviting friends to come here to have a party.
Wearing a light gauze and holding a wine glass high, flying around are flies.
The person with his head tilted up and wearing a tuxedo with no mouth in his mouth is a vulture.
The one who smiles first when he sees someone, showing his eight big teeth stained with flesh and blood, is the jackal dressed in fur.
And among them, those who were silent, numb, with their heads lowered, running back and forth, were still the same group of cattle and horses that endured pain and sorrow, and were still the same group of hard-working cattle and horses.
