Man Chong returned to Luoyang. Although he won a surprise attack, he did not change much about the situation.
If Man Chong had not raided Zhangliaogu Water Camp before, then when the defeated troops from Yique and Taigu arrived, he could still cover up a little. However, it was too late now. The news of Yique and Taigu's loss had spread, which forced Man Chong to immediately summon the military academy to inform the situation and communicate matters.
For example, when people are in a panic right now, the more they cover it up, the more unnecessary anxiety will be caused.
But even if you are open and honest, you still cannot comfort people's hearts.
Just like the soldiers under the command of the cavalry, they may not be all elites, and not everyone under the Cao army is a mob.
This is the traditional Chinese simple dialectics, just like the distinction between yin and yang in the Tai Chi diagram.
Childish people always think that good is good, bad is bad, and more mature people understand that good may not be good, and bad may not be bad.
It's just that the part accounts for a large proportion.
Nowadays, the Cao army soldiers are undoubtedly becoming more and more chaotic.
Even though there are some good soldiers under Man Chong, the others seem to hear Man Chong on the surface, but in fact they have different thoughts.
Man Chong tried to show his achievements in the raid on Zhangliaogu Shui Camp, but all the military academies at the scene did not seem to care about the achievements made by Man Chong. Instead, they asked what difficulties Luoyang would face after Yique and Taigu were lost...
Facing such a situation, Man Chong had to hold back his anger and try his best to appease these military academies, saying that although the current situation in Luoyang is not very good, it can still be called balance.
When Cao Jun Military Academy and others heard Man Chong's words, although they didn't say anything, the expression on their faces inevitably showed that they believed you, a ghost.
Man Chong was really helpless, so he simply asked someone to take a map and hang it in the lobby.
"Although the front army of the Cavalry has obtained Yique and Taigu, the division of troops will be weak and unable to attack the city. If they do not divide it, it will be useless to obtain it, and there will be danger of losing it again. Therefore, Luoyang is now free of worries, so wait for the lord's reinforcements!"
Man Chong said it with confidence, but the military academies did not agree with it very much.
After Man Chong left the meeting, the military academies dispersed in groups of three or three, but they couldn't help but talk about each other.
"I don't understand the situation right now."
"Don't say you can't understand it, the gods don't understand it even if they come!"
An older military academy came over and sneered twice, "It's not us who are fighting now, but the emperor! It's the court!"
"What's going on? Please help me."
"Yes, Mr. Lao Wang, just talk."
The older military academy Wang Yun smiled, "That's not OK, I'm going to say it, you will turn around and sell me..."
"How can it be? Whoever does that unethical thing will be the grandson!"
"Just talk, you can't trust us too much."
『That's, that's...』
"Okay," Lao Wang of the military academy looked around, "I'll say it first, I'm talking nonsense, whoever believes is a fool!"
Everyone urged again.
Lao Wang said twice, "Let's talk about the situation of the war first. Once Hangu Pass is lost, we will be trapped here. This... do you understand?"
"clear."
Isn't that the case before you, what else can you not understand?
"The four fields in the Central Plains are all flat. Once you pass the Sishui Pass, you will be flat. So the only one who can resist the Cavalry is there..."
『I understand this,』 Another military academy asked,『In that case, why wouldn't we go to the Sishui Pass to defend, wouldn't it be better?』
『Okay?』 Lao Wang smiled, 『Of course I think it's good for you, but for others... we're not that welcome...』
"What, what does it mean?" Other military academies were a little surprised.
Lao Wang shrewd, "I also heard from others... Don't make any noise about this, if it's spread..."
"Don't worry! Whoever tells it will be the puppy!"
『Wo Wang...No, I will definitely not say it!』
"When Dong thieves were in chaos in Heluo, and the Shandong coalition forces wanted to attack Luoyang, why didn't they go to Yique Pass, but to attack Sishui Pass?" Lao Wang said, "And, only by protecting Sishui Pass can this great Han Shandong have hope... But how big is Sishui Pass? If we all went there, we would always have to eat, so many mouths open, and the food and grass would be exhausted. Once Sishui Pass is dragged down, there would be no possibility of regaining Heshui Pass in the future... It would be better if we were like this now, we would be able to defend Heshui Pass with each other and guard Heshui Pass..."
The military academy next to him spoke out loud, "That must be kept! Could it be that we all sacrificed here just to protect this Sishui Pass? I see clearly...
"Shhhhh! Be careful with your words, be careful with your words!" Lao Wang seemed to notice what the military academy was going to say, so he quickly interrupted, then waved his hand and said, "Be concerned about the overall situation! The overall situation is the most important thing! Anyway, if we are broken here, we can't break the Sishui Pass! Once something happens to Sishui Pass, then the big man will be finished..."
Two soldiers with snake-patterned masks turned out from a distance and looked at the military academies coldly.
The military academies suddenly felt creepy and lowered their heads and scattered.
The old military academy Wang Yun returned to his place of duty all the way, in the northwest corner of Luoyang City. He stood by the battlements and looked back at the direction eastward.
That is the direction of Sishui Pass.
Sishui Pass, Chenggao Pass, or Hulao Pass actually refer to the same place.
At the corner of the river and Songshan Mountain, the area is small, with high mountains on one side and big river on the other side. There is only a middle passage, which is easy to defend but difficult to attack.
The old military academy Wang Yun stood blankly, and after a while, he slowly lowered his head.
Wang Yun has been in the army for a long time, and the position he can reach now is the pinnacle of an ordinary person like him.
He once made great contributions to the Han Dynasty.
During the Zhongping period, he also followed the army of the Han Dynasty to quell the rebellion. At that time, Xianling Qiang and others in the north rebelled, so he established Beigong Boyu and Li Wenhou as generals, killed Leng Zheng, the captain of the Qiang Guardian, and then won over Bian Yun and Han Sui, the prefect of Jincheng, and killed Chen Yi, the prefect of Jincheng, and attacked Shaozhou County, and defeated the governor of Liangzhou Zuo Chang, engaged in Gai Xun, the captain of Qiang Guardian Xia Yu, etc. At that time, he fought to the death in Chencang, killing blood, but in the end he was not the reinforcements in the court, but forced to retreat...
Although the Western Qiang coalition forces were siege and attacking Chen Cang for failure, which was also an important reason for the final collapse of the Western Qiang, Wang Yun did not get much promotion because of this bloody battle. Most of his comrades in the same period were killed in battle, and not many were left.
He was still young at that time, but now he is already middle-aged.
It can even be said to be old...
If the average life span of a man is 40 years old, then every day he lives will make a profit.
These are all things he once proud of.
But now, he just feels too tired.
After so many years of war, the Han Dynasty seemed to be still in chaos.
It’s just that Beigong Boyu has changed to other people, Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Fei Qian are now on the stage one by one, but the situation of the Han Dynasty has been getting worse every day.
Cao Cao recovered the Central Plains and once brought Wang Yun a short and new hope. However, in a flash, the situation collapsed to this point.
Heluo will definitely lose, this is an indisputable fact before us.
It is far more painful to fall from joy to despair than to be in despair all the time.
Wang Yun suddenly felt that he had enough of this.
What can I do if I keep it?
If we continue fighting, what will happen?
Just like Tangshan, I was sent to a certain pass to be the so-called "main general"?
It looks good, but at least it is considered a place that is the leader, but in fact, what is it? It is my duty to be able to keep it, and what is worth praising? If you can't keep it, your head will be hung on the flagpole and you will be scolded as a waste!
The key is, no matter how great the contribution is, can the Xiahou clan of Cao?
This idea was very weak and inconspicuous at the beginning, because at that time, the Xiahou family of Cao had a halo and the prestige he had fought against Cao Cao in the east and west. Therefore, even if Wang Yun occasionally thought so, he would quickly suppress himself.
Without the Cao family, there would be no stability in the Central Plains of the Han Dynasty. Without the Xiahou family, there would be no rise of the Cao family group. These generals of the Cao family, who shouted to fight on the battlefield, did once admire soldiers and military academies like Wang Yun, and felt that following was a glory...
Until now.
After the glory of glory fades, what is left is the dark spots on the retina.
The Xiahou family of Cao is really that strong, so good?
When humans think, God laughs.
Sometimes, as soon as these thoughts rise, it is very difficult to suppress them...
...
...
Sishui Pass, or Hulao Pass, or Chenggao City.
In the city, Cao Hong was staring at the map and thinking about the situation of the battle.
He is now the commander of Sishui Pass and also serves as the governor of Yanzhou.
Originally, Sishui Pass was the east gate of Heluo, but now, in turn, it has become the western gateway of Shandong.
If this gate is broken, it means that the cavalry can enter the house at will.
After the defeat in Hedong, Cao's army was already very embarrassed. Later, because there was no food and grass, Cao Hong and others could only "raise" some in Jizhou, allowing some gentry and gentry to "voluntarily" contribute some money and grain, and then they had the supplies to Sishui Pass.
Such an important place, it is obviously not enough to relieve Cao Cao.
"General!" In front of the guard hall outside the door, "A man from Luoyang said he was asking for reinforcements and food! He also said...uh...
"What else do you say?" Cao Hong's heart trembled when he heard this, "Speak quickly!"
The guard lowered his head and his voice lowered, "That's right... Yique Pass was lost, Taigu Pass was also lost..."
"Don't you lose it?" Cao Hongteng stood up immediately, then groaned and sat back. Although his injury healed on the outside, it did not mean that the muscles and muscles inside were restored as before.
Cao Hong took a deep breath and ordered someone to call Cao Zhang, then sat in front of the table, frowned and stared at the map.
Although Cao Hong was mentally prepared for the loss of Yique, Taigu, and even Luoyang, he didn't expect it to be so soon!
I heard earlier that Man Chong made a very good arrangement in Yique, building a dam and digging graves to hide soldiers. Doesn’t it look quite like that? Why was it lost so quickly?
Then, it will not be like Hedong, and will retreat step by step, so there will be no time to breathe, right?
Cao Hong's heart couldn't help but be pulled up and hung in the air.
A moment later, Cao Zhang came, and there was a slight sweat on his forehead, "General, I heard..."
"Sit." Cao Hong pointed to the mat beside him, and then said loudly, "Tell the people from Heluo!"
After a while, the minor official sent by Man Chong fell to the hall with a muddy face, "I've seen the general..."
"Tell me carefully, what's going on with Heluo? Yique, how did Taigu lose it?" Cao Hong gritted his teeth and said, "Tell it the truth! If there is a half lie, I will cut you alive!"
The little official was so scared that he trembled all over and stammered and told the things before and after.
After Zhang Liao attacked Yique in the first wave, he was unwilling to forcibly attack Yique Pass. After all, the dam built by Man Chong was very threatening, and if he was a little careless, he might be flooded by floods. After all, water and fire are ruthless. Although it is usually inconspicuous, it is still impossible to stop even if it is powerful.
It happened that a soldier came to Taigu. Zhang Liao led his cavalry to attack Tangshan at night and caught Tangshan off guard. Then he pretended to be Tangshan's troops and went to "reinforcement" Yique Pass. After tricking the door, he caught Yique Pass off guard. Then Zhang Liao took advantage of the weak number of troops in Taigu Pass and had not received any news for the time being, and sent a team to attack Taigu Pass. However, it was precisely because Zhang Liao's attention and large troops were attacking Yique and Taigu that he was sneaking into Gushui's camp by Man Chong...
The current situation in Heluo is that Zhang Liao controlled Yique Taigu and then rebuilt the Gushui Camp, but because he had to divide his troops into three places, he had no extra power to attack Luoyang now.
It's barely a confrontation state.
After hearing this, Cao Hong turned around again, picked up some details and asked repeatedly, and confirmed that the minor official was not lying or memorizing clichés to deceive him. Then he waved his hand and asked the minor official who was like an amnesty to retreat.
After a long silence, Cao Hong asked Cao Zhang, "What do you think?"
Cao Zhang asked: "Do you want to reinforce Luoyang? Or do you send someone to Nanyang to advance to Yique Taigu and restrain the cavalry front army?"
Cao Hong shook his head silently.
Reinforcement is a big deal!
If we really want to protect Luoyang, then it would not be Man Chong’s garrison, but Cao Hong stayed in Luoyang!
This is the overall situation in Shandong!
No reinforcements, but no reinforcements are not allowed.
However, Cao Hong was considering that Yique Pass and Taigu Pass were lost. Listening to the reports of the minor officials, it was indeed "reasonable". At least it was not the kind of intentional act of seeking the enemy, but Cao Hong still had doubts in his heart.
This cannot be blamed on Cao Hong, because the Cao group is in turmoil now, and it seems that there are "rebels" everywhere. Not to mention the Heluo area, even Jizhou, Xuzhou, Qingzhou, has problems, and some people have rebelled publicly or semi-publicly!
Cao Hong heard two days ago that the Chen family in Xuzhou actually killed the prefect of Xia Pi and then took the post of prefect!
Is there any other monarchy?
But the problem is that Cao can only turn a blind eye and pretend not to know about this!
Because Xia Pi is close to the Huai River and Jiangdong, if Chen is really forced into anger, Xia Pi will return to Jiangdong, wouldn’t that make Jiangdong’s grandson smile?
Similarly, when Zang Ba conquered the plain, he could only jump and scold him, and he didn't care about it at all.
Even in public opinion, Cao Cao and others had to say that everything was normal and everything was fine. Even if something happened in the Xia Pi plain, the official spokesperson of Cao must be righteous and stern to express the stability and harmony of the region, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and the production order is stable, etc. Because it is necessary to wait until Cao Cao solves the big problem in front of him first, then he will have the heart to take care of that...
This is like the dark spots of Midi. When you ask, you will deny the third company. Then suddenly one day you will report news, saying that it was the gang that was wiped out. The people applauded and shouted that they understood Wang Longsui, etc., but in fact, they heard it carefully, what? They have been entrenched in the local area for twenty or thirty years? The gang leader has been passed on to his son, and the children have all started to form a personal guard? So before, the Midi government claimed that he knew nothing, and that everything was stable, peaceful, and happy every year? Is this the Midi government too incompetent, or did he raise a certain degree of killing the New Year pig?
Cao Hong is now considering whether Man Chong is too incompetent or is preparing to kill the New Year pig.
If the person who was killed was Man Chong, Cao Hong would offer a glass of wine in front of Man Chong's grave, and if Man Chong was deceived into Heluo and became a New Year pig, would this matter be no longer fun?
『This is full of favors Boning..." Cao Hong frowned into a deep word, 『Would he intentionally accomplish this situation?
『Ah?』 Cao Zhang was stunned for a moment, a little confused, but he could hear that Cao Hong was not very satisfied with Man Chong, "Uncle... Is this intentional?"
Cao Hong stood in front of the map, gesturing on the map, "Look, Yique is here, Luoyang is here, Taigu is here... Although Gushui Camp did not report where it was, it should be here..."
Cao Hong clicked on the map a few times, then turned to look at Cao Zhang, "Look, what does this look like?"
The Gu River is west of Luoyang, Yique is west of Luoyang, Taigu is east of Luoyang, while Luoyang is in the middle, and Mengjin is north of Luoyang. So from the map, Zhang Liao almost half surrounded Luoyang...
"Three circumferences and one circumference?" Cao Zhang said.
Cao Hong nodded and shook his head again, "Not only that... you see, does it look like..."
Cao Hong stretched out his hand and made a vain embrace, "If we lead the soldiers into Heluo... there is a big river blocking the north, and Yique and Taigu in the south are all blocked, if so..."
Cao Zhang was suddenly shocked, "Uncle...you mean this Man Boning..."
As Cao Hong described, the current situation in Heluo is too much like a trap.
Cao Hong suspected that even if Man Chong did not rebel, could it be that Man Chong deliberately created the current situation? Then he deceived Cao's soldiers into Heluo. In this way, Man Chong could ask Cao Hong and others to protect him like a general who firmly sat in the central palace. After all, the more Cao invested in Heluo, the harder it would be to give up.
Simply put,
"Uncle..." Cao Zhang hesitated for a moment and said, "But... if Man Boning didn't have such intentions... and we did not support the reinforcements, what if..."
『Ah!』 Cao Hong nodded, 『This is also my embarrassment...』
If there is no support, then Heluo may be like the old things in Hedong, which are caught off guard. However, if someone is sent to rescue him, even if it is not a trap built by Man Chong who intends to surrender to the enemy, this Heluo land is like a swamp, and how much investment is considered as a bottom?
People's hearts are separated from their belly, who can guarantee whose loyalty?