After a sleepless night, Xu Huang finally decided to give up breaking out and chose to stick to his guns.
There are three reasons.
First, there is quite enough food and grass in the city, which can barely supply more than 10,000 people for about half a year.
Second, he has sent people to rescue Cao Zhen. He believes that it won't be long before Cao Zhen's reinforcements arrive in time to rescue them from the fire and water.
The third and most important point is that there is a vast plain in the east of Hedong, and there is no food and grass. If he retreats now, he will have no choice but to retreat to Bingzhou, which means that Cao Wei will abandon the entire Hedong County.
Since it is only the second day of the war, Zhu Ling's side doesn't know the outcome yet. If he retreats, Zhu Ling's side will be in an extremely embarrassing situation and sell off his teammates.
So no matter how he thought about it, Xu Huang couldn't evacuate and could only hold on to death.
As for what to do with the cavalry outside the city, Xu Huang ordered Xu Shang to retreat to Yanchi, then walk from Wushan through Dianshi Ban through the Zhongtiao Mountains to Dayang County, and then from the north of the Yellow River to Hebei County to meet Cao Zhen.
This route is probably from Yongji City in later generations to Yuncheng City, then from the road in the Zhongtiao Mountains to Sanmenxia City, and then west to Ruicheng. There are Cao Zhen's troops along the way, so there is no need to worry about food and grass or being ambushed by the Han army.
question.
As long as Xu Shang's cavalry can completely retreat to Hebei County and join up with Cao Zhen, Cao Zhen's main force can come to support Xu Huang in Pu Ban. When the main forces of the two sides fight, it is still unclear who will win.
Therefore, Xu Huang's arrangement is relatively reasonable. This will not cause Cao's army to be completely defeated and hand over the entire Hedong County; nor will it make Zhu Ling's situation more difficult.
The only problem is that it will be a little harder on his side.
Surrounded by the Han army on three sides, he was fighting alone. If Shen Chen was not stupid, he would not come out when he saw Xu Huang. He would definitely send people to shoot arrows into the city and tell the soldiers that all the food and grass in Jiucheng was destroyed, in order to shake the morale of Cao's soldiers.
Therefore, in order to avoid future troubles, Xu Huang summoned his soldiers and told them frankly that because of his poor thinking, the food and grass in Uucheng had been destroyed, and they had no way to store food later.
Just as Xu Huang thought, as soon as the news came out, the whole army was in an uproar. The soldiers were talking about it, and their emotions and morale fell to the bottom.
But Xu Huang soon informed everyone that the food and grass in the city was enough to last for a year. At the same time, he had sent men to ask for reinforcements from Cao Zhen, the General of the Western Conquest. As long as they stood firm in the city and insisted on waiting for the reinforcements to arrive, they would be safe and sound.
An honest and frank exchange quickly restored morale. All the soldiers in the city were inspired by Xu Huang, and their military morale was greatly boosted, and they vowed to defend Hedong to the death.
In fact, Xu Huang also played a little trick here.
That is, he concealed the true food situation in the city. He only had food for half a year, but he said it was for a year.
Because the fire in Usuku cannot be concealed.
After staying in the city for several months, the food and grass from the rear has not arrived, and the soldiers will definitely be suspicious. If Shen Chen shoots arrows into the city again and informs the soldiers in the city, it will definitely cause panic among the soldiers in the city. Who knows?
There will be a mutiny.
So it is better to tell everyone about this matter, which can prevent Shen Chen from spreading the news and calm the morale of the soldiers.
But if the food and grass can only last for half a year, the soldiers will definitely not feel at ease.
Therefore, in another half a year, after knowing that there is enough food and grass, the soldiers will definitely be much more stable. As long as they can continue to hold on and wait for reinforcements to arrive, there is still hope for everything.
In the following time, Shen Chen's side was stationed outside the city with about 50,000 troops and surrounded Puban. The city's defenders were about 16,000 troops.
More than ten days later, the Han army's fortresses were built and everything was ready. Sure enough, they began to adopt heart-attack tactics against Puban City.
Shen Chen's main force pretended to attack in the west city, but actually covered the Han troops in the north and south cities. He used bows and crossbows to continuously shoot arrows into the city with a large amount of paper on them. He persuaded Cao's army in the city to surrender and informed them of the loss of the Jiucheng granary.
However, Xu Huang handled it properly, and the incident did not cause much fluctuation. Instead, it inspired Cao's soldiers to defend the city.
"strangeness."
A few days later, in the main camp of the Chinese army outside Puban West City, Shen Chen sat on the main seat in the commander's tent, looking at the soldiers on the left and right and said: "This attack on the heart has been used, why is there no movement in the city?"
"It's quite strange."
Jiang Vienna said dullly: "When Cao Jun learned that his food and grass were exhausted, shouldn't his military morale be low and he should feel panic? No matter how elite they are, some of them should want to surrender."
Ma Dai thought for a while and said, "Perhaps Xu Huang deceived the soldiers and said that we were spreading rumors, which temporarily stabilized Cao Jun's morale."
"It won't last long."
Deng Ai pointed out the crux of the problem and said: "We only need to besiege for a period of time. If they don't replenish their food and grass when they should be replenished, the news will be self-defeating. Xu Huang should not be that stupid. If he really lied, Cao Jun would know The truth will probably tear him apart alive."
"Well"
Shen Chen pondered: "Then there is only one possibility, and that is that Xu Huang informed Cao Jun's officers and men of the matter in advance, and comforted them by saying that reinforcements should arrive soon. It seems that we still underestimated him, and we cannot stop them because of us. of food and grass and take it lightly.”
Deng Ai said: "Grand Governor, in my opinion, Xu Huang is probably waiting for Cao Zhen to rush to help. After so many days, Cao Zhen should have received the news, and he is probably on his way here now."
Shen Chen launched a surprise attack on Hedong on February 9th of the first year of Jianxing. In one day, the Han army detoured around the mountains to the north and attacked the rear, breaking through the wall built by Xu Huang on the river bank. At the same time, Deng Ai broke out with his surprise troops and attacked for seven days. After more than ten miles, they went directly to Jiucheng, where Cao Jun's grain was stored, and burned Cao Jun's grain and grass.
Then the Han army began to build a camp outside Puban City and surrounded Puban City on three sides, just like Cao Cao did in the Battle of Guandu. They wanted to take advantage of the fall of Jiucheng and the lack of food reserves by Cao Jun to force Cao Jun into panic and surrender or abandon the city. Escape from the city.
If it is best for Cao's army to surrender, and if they abandon the city and escape, Shen Chen will directly start to pursue and drive Xu Huang's army out of Hedong County, then go north to eliminate Zhu Ling, and finally gather his troops to take Tongguan directly from Fenglingdu.
With Hedong changing hands like this, Shen Chen would have an easier time attacking Shaanxi County, later Sanmenxia City, Tongguan, or Bingzhou, and could even directly threaten Luoyang, the capital of Cao Wei.
It can be said that this raid was successful. In just over ten days, Shen Chen will shock the entire Cao Wei and give the newly appointed Emperor Cao Rui a little surprise.
But what people didn't expect was that Xu Huang actually withstood the pressure, neither retreating nor surrendering, but choosing to stand firm.
Then Shen Chen will obviously have to continue to hit a wall.
However, he had no intention of having to fight in Puban. There was no supply of food and grass outside the city, and inside the city he would just sit back and eat, and slowly consume it. Xu Huang would eventually run out of ammunition and food.
The key is that if it drags on, Cao Zhen will definitely send people to rescue, and then there will be too many uncertain factors.
Now that more than ten days have passed, Cao Zhen must have received the news. It is very likely that the reinforcements have set off. It is even possible that Shen Chen's ambush troops placed in Lei Shou Mountain are already fighting Cao's army.
Therefore, Shen Chen must consider the next step.
After Shen Chen thought for a while, he said to Jiang Wei and Deng Ai: "Shi Zai, Bo Yue, you two have good ideas, what do you think I should do at this time?"
Jiang Wei held up his hands and said: "The next best option is to attack the city. There is not much food and grass in the city, so we could have surrounded it to death. If we attack the city by force, the soldiers will probably suffer heavy casualties. In the end, the general will think that attacking the city is not advisable."
"Um."
Shen Chen nodded, this was the most pertinent opinion.
Jiang Wei continued: "The central strategy is to go north and cooperate with General Pang to defeat Zhu Ling first. After General Pang joins us, we can surround Xu Huang while going south to fight Cao Zhen. However, such a protracted approach may not necessarily defeat Cao's army quickly."
"The best strategy is to defeat Cao Zhen and let Xu Huang know that Cao Zhen's reinforcements are gone. Cao's soldiers in Puban City will be desperate. When Puban is broken, the entire Hedong will belong to the Han."
Deng Ai took over the conversation.
From a military perspective, this is indeed the best policy.
But the problem is that Cao Zhen's army is the main force of Cao's army on the Western Front. Not only is it the best in terms of elite soldiers, but its company strength is similar to that of the main force of the Han army, about 50,000.
Zhao Yun only brought 10,000 cavalry and thousands of infantry to contain Cao Zhen. In terms of military strength, he may not be able to contain Cao Zhen for long.
So when the time comes, Cao Zhen will definitely lead the main force across the Yellow River to support Xu Huang. Then Shen Chen will have to surround Xu Huang while facing the attack of the main force of Cao's army, and go south to repel Cao Zhen. From a tactical perspective, it is very difficult.
Shen Chen naturally couldn't have thought of this, and thought: "Cao Zhen has more troops. Although General Zhao is trying to contain him in Huayin, he certainly won't be able to contain him for long. It would be better if he only sends 10,000 to 20,000 people, but if he only leaves If 10,000 people are stationed at Tongguan and the rest are mobilized, it will be difficult to deal with them."
"Then defeating Zhu Ling first is the best choice."
Jiang Wei said.
Deng Ai disagreed and said: "Bo Yue is too stable and dare not take risks. Even if we defeat Zhu Ling and join forces with General Pang, it will probably be us plus General Pang who will face off against Xu Huang and Cao Zhen's troops here. , with Cao Zhen’s support, the city’s food and fodder will definitely be replenished. By then, the number of soldiers and horses on both sides will be almost the same, and Cao’s army will still have the city. How long will everyone have to face off? Only by defeating Cao Zhen first can we seize the entire Hedong and threaten Bingzhou and Hanoi!"
Jiang Wei said: "But senior brother, you must understand that we are short of manpower now. If we don't help General Pang first and let General Pang join us, then we will have to deal with a larger Cao army with a smaller force, and we will not Without taking advantage of the right time, place and people, it is not that easy to defeat Cao Zhen."
Deng Ai shook his head: "Bo Yue is wrong. At least we have a good location. If Cao Zhen wants to rush for reinforcements, he must pass through the passage between the Yellow River and Lei Shou Mountain. If we can stop them here, we will definitely be able to intercept them. Even if we cannot defeat Cao Zhen , stationing a camp there, and if it drags on for several months, Cao's army in Puban City will also run out of food and collapse. In that case, wouldn't it be possible to take the east of the river?"
Lei Shou Mountain is located at the southwest end of the Zhongtiao Mountains in Shanxi Province, between the Yellow River and Jianshui. The main peak is northwest of Ruicheng, Shanxi Province, guarding the only road between the Yellow River and Zhongtiao Mountain. There is also a tourist attraction here in later generations. It is the hometown of Concubine Yang. If you want to cross the river from Tongguan to Hedong County, you must pass here.
When Cao Cao attacked Ma Chao, he first crossed the river from Tongguan to Fenglingdu on the other side of the river. Ma Chao almost killed Cao Cao also happened here. Then after Cao Cao arrived in Hedong, he asked Xu Huang and Zhu Ling to cross the river from Puban to cover Main attack.
Therefore, it can be said that this area is indeed a dangerous place. If troops can be sent here to guard the passage, then at least in theory, they can indeed intercept Cao Zhen.
But Deng Ai's suggestion made Shen Chen hesitate for a moment.
If he was still the same young man as before, he would have dared to lead his soldiers to rush over, not to mention Cao Zhen's tens of thousands of troops, even if he had an army of more than 100,000.
However, now that he is the commander-in-chief of the 100,000-strong Han Army on the Western Front, he cannot think about the problem as simply as before.
In the past, it was all done with Cao Junmang.
If we are more reckless now, a slight mistake will result in the loss of 100,000 troops. For the Han Dynasty, this is obviously a matter that determines the life and death of the Han army on the Western Front.
This undoubtedly requires more caution.
"Grand Governor."
Jiang Wei looked at Shen Chen and said, "The best option is too risky."
Shen Chen was about to nod in agreement.
But Deng Ai stood up and said solemnly: "The Governor, the dangerous tactics of the army have miraculous effects. When Cao Cao kidnapped the emperor in Xudu and fought against Yuan Shao in Guandu, it was not the Governor who personally led the troops and visited Xuchang three times, causing Cao Cao to Do thieves move their capital to the east to avoid being exposed?"
"Well"
Shen Chen pondered for a long time before looking at everyone seriously and said: "What Shi Zai said is indeed reasonable. If we don't dare to take risks, how can we talk about marching and fighting? Where is Ma Dai?"
"The end is here!"
Ma Dai stood up and saluted with his hands in hand.
Shen Chen said: "You lead ten thousand people and immediately go to Leishou Mountain to set up camp and stand on the road to stop Cao Zhen!"
"only!"
Ma Dai handed over his hand.
The current situation is a bit like when Zhuge Liang came out of Qishan.
As soon as they left Qishan, the Wei army was unable to resist, and several counties surrendered. Only Guangwei County and Longxi County refused to surrender.
When Zhuge Liang was besieging Guangwei County and Longxi County, he guessed that the Wei army would rush to reinforcements from Jieting, so he sent Ma Di to guard at Jieting to stop the Wei army.
It can be said that if Ma Su successfully intercepted the Wei army and prevented the Wei army from entering Xiliang, then Zhuge Liang could calmly wipe out the Wei army in Guangwei and Longxi counties, and then march to Jieting to confront the Wei army.
By then the entire Liangzhou will fall into Ji Han's hands.
But Ma Su failed.
The same is true today.
Shen Chen is besieging Cao's army in Hedong, and Cao Zhen will come to help soon.
Lei Shou Mountain, like a street pavilion, was the main thoroughfare for Cao's army to rush for reinforcements.
As long as Cao Zhen can be intercepted at Lei Shou Mountain, and Shen Chen can calmly deal with Xu Huang and Zhu Ling, then the entire Hedong will return to the Han Dynasty.
So to a certain extent, this battle depends on whether the Han army can intercept Cao's army at Lei Shou Mountain.
When Deng Ai heard that Shen Chen had sent Ma Dai, he immediately said: "The Commander-in-Chief, I am also willing to go."
"Let me think."
Shen Chen frowned.
He was a little hesitant to send Ma Dai.
A great man once commented that in the battle of Jieting, Liang Yi should be there in person.
Same reason.
Lei Shou Mountain is blocking Cao Jun's reinforcements, so it's a good idea to come in person in the morning!
However, before the battle of Jieting, Zhuge Liang was dealing with Guangwei and Longxi Cao's army, a group of fish and belly. Zhuge Liang asked his generals to go and went to Jieting himself.
But what is slightly different from the Battle of Street Pavilion now is that Xu Huang is not a simple character.
If he goes to Lei Shou Mountain in person, it won't be a big problem to block Cao Zhen.
But if there were no generals watching from Puban and stopping Cao Zhen, and something went wrong behind the scenes, it would be a lot of fun.
So I had a headache for a while.
Although Jiang Wei and Deng Ai were very powerful in the later period, they are still in their thirties now. They are young and energetic and are not qualified for the position of general.
After thinking about it, Zhao Yun can do it, Pang De can do it, but Ma Dai can only say that it is reluctant.
It's a pity that I don't have the ability to clone myself. It would be great if I could clone myself.
"It is crucial for Lei Shou Mountain to intercept Cao Zhen, so I would like to come in person. But Xu Huang is surrounded by Pu Ban, and Xu Huang is not easy to deal with. Generals are also needed to keep an eye on him."
Shen Chen thought about it and finally made a decision: "Ma Dai."
"The end will be here."
Ma Dai had no choice but to stand up and take orders again.
Shen Chen said: "You go to Huayin immediately. If General Zhao is retreated by Cao Zhen, you will take over the cavalry. After Cao Zhen's army crosses the river, cross the river from Ruixiang and attack Cao Zhen's rear. Let Zhao Yun go to Puban and take over my guard of the three armies. , I will go to Lei Shou Mountain in person!"
"only!"
Ma Dai accepted the military order.
Shen Chen looked around and looked at the generals below and said: "Everyone, this year the Prime Minister and the Grand Marshal are about to send troops to attack Cao Wei in the north and revive the Han Dynasty. If I send troops first, I will never be defeated. At the worst, I must capture Hedong. .Selecting a strategy will take a long time, and we cannot cooperate with the south to threaten Cao Wei and Luoyang. Only by taking the best strategy to seize the enemy first can we achieve results. I want to wipe out the entire Cao army in Hedong, so I can't stand back. I personally go to Lei Shou Mountain, and all the generals must use their lives. , intercept Xu Huang here and never let him escape, do you understand?"
"only!"
All the soldiers stood up and raised their hands in response.
Shen Chen issued a death order, and they must carry it out. There are only more than 10,000 and less than 20,000 Cao troops in Puban City. If Xu Huang escapes, then they don't have to do it.
Good news, you won’t have to go out for dates in the next month. I will continue to double update tomorrow. Last month’s score was just 200,000 words, which is not too bad. I will continue to work hard this month and strive to finish it in July.