On the evening of the sixth day of July, at the foot of Shouyang City.
The attack on Shouyang that started yesterday has progressed to the second day. At this moment, the second day's siege battle has just ceased, and the Jin army that attacked the city was once again forced to retreat just like the many attacks carried out in the past two days.
Under the setting sun, the battlefield below the city was in a mess, with corpses strewn across the fields. During the two-day attack, Huan Wen used top siege weapons such as siege engines, catapults, ladders, and even chariots to launch a tidal wave of attacks on Shouyang City.
attack.
However, Huan Wen underestimated Shouyang's solidity and complete defense system, and also underestimated the determination of Yuan Zhen and his men to defend the city. The countless arrow towers on the city head played a huge role, and the rebels equipped with repeating Yuanrong crossbows
The army caused a large number of casualties to the siege troops and horses.
The strength of the city wall prevented the catapult attacks from suppressing the city. The tall battlements avoided the damage of stone bullets, allowing the soldiers at the top of the city to survive.
Huan Wen's months of waiting indeed gave him the best opportunity to attack, but it also gave Yuan Zhen more time to prepare. All kinds of defensive materials were piled up and down the city wall. Rolling wood and stones, boiling water and hot oil, arrow towers
Repeated crossbows, high walls, and more than 50,000 manpower.
All this made it difficult for Huan Wen's army to attack. Not only did the two-day siege fail to break through the city gates and walls, but they also paid a huge price of nearly 4,000 casualties. On the first day, Yuan Zhen was provoked to vomit blood and stood at the top of the city, holding his sick body and commanding.
Turning grief into strength instead boosted morale. Huan Wen's act of killing people under the city not only did not scare the soldiers at the top of the city, but made them see Huan Wen's ferocity, and they defended the city even harder.
In the camp that was filled with the smell of burning and decay, Huan Wen summoned everyone to the big tent to discuss countermeasures. He had already realized that if he continued to fight like this, he would face another embarrassing defeat.
In the big tent, Huan Wen's men stood on both sides in a miserable state, with blood and sweat still on their bodies and faces that had not been wiped off. Their faces also looked tired and confused.
Huan Wen sat in the middle behind the military case, looking solemn. Xi Chao, dressed in a gray toga and with fluttering hair, stood at the top on the left. Below him were a group of military officers and civilian officials, including Xie Xuan. On the right
Those standing were all the generals under Huan Wen, and there were many descendants and nephews of the Huan family. In addition to Huan Xu, there were also Huan Wen's nephew Huan Yi, Huan Wen's younger brother Huan Huo's eldest son Huan Shiqian, and others.
In the suffocating and sultry atmosphere, Huan Wen spoke in a deep voice.
"Everyone, our army has been attacking the city for two days and has not been able to capture the key point. More than 4,000 people were killed or injured, but we have not even touched the top of Shouyang City. What do you think of this? Do you know how many people are waiting behind the scenes?
Waiting to see my failure, waiting to see my joke. Even Yuan Zhen’s rebels can’t be made to surrender. Isn’t it the most ridiculous thing in the world?”
Everyone lowered their heads and said nothing. The attack was not without bravery, and the soldiers were not without desperate efforts. All means were used, but they just couldn't get in. What could be done?
But these words are naturally unacceptable. When Da Sima becomes angry, no one can resist him.
Xi Chao coughed and went out to salute: "Don't be anxious, Mr. Huan. This battle is a protracted battle. There is no need to be anxious. The official has already said that there are fifty thousand soldiers and horses in Shouyang City. In terms of the total number of soldiers and horses, there is no need to worry."
We can't do much less. Yuan Zhen is determined to defend, so he will stop us from attacking the city regardless of the cost. Our army suffered four thousand casualties, and Yuan Zhen's rebels also suffered many casualties. It's not yet time to decide the winner."
After hearing this, Huan Yi came out and cupped his hands and said: "What Xi Canjun said is absolutely true. Yuan Zhen's rebels suffered heavy casualties. He completely defended the city with the lives of his soldiers. They can't hold on for long. Da Sima, give me three more days, I will
We must lead the army to attack Shouyang."
Huan Wen frowned and said: "Don't talk big words. According to the current situation, we will definitely not be able to capture it in three days."
Huan Yi moved his mouth and did not dare to speak. To be honest, he was really not sure.
Huan Shiqian came out and said loudly: "Uncle, it is better to attack with all your strength. Tomorrow morning, my nephew will lead five thousand dead soldiers with armor and shields to attack the city. With my nephew's silver spear, as long as we get to the top of the city, we can
Occupying the city wall, the following soldiers and horses can attack it. Some of us are greedy for life and fear death, and the attack is not resolute enough. My nephew suggested that my uncle sit in the rear and supervise the battle, but those who retreat and are timid will be killed on the spot. My nephew is willing to issue a military order and attack
If you don’t want to go to the city wall, I would like to raise your head to see you.”
Everyone was waiting for Huan Shiqian, thinking: Everyone is not working hard enough? What you said is right, aren't you belittling everyone?
Huan Wen frowned and waved his hands: "Shi Qian, I know you are brave in battle. I also believe in your ability. But you can't fight head on. Didn't you hear what Xi just said about joining the army? Yuan Zhen's soldiers and horses are no better than ours.
Young. The city's defense is extremely tight and solid. If we attack by force, the losses will be even greater. If we lose more soldiers and horses, wouldn't I have to retreat?"
Huan Wen said this euphemistically. In fact, he didn't want Huan Shiqian to die on the battlefield. Huan Shiqian was a straight-tempered person. He said that if he issued a military order and was unable to capture it, he would be willing to be dealt with by military law. But how could he kill him for this?
He is the eldest son of his younger brother Huan Huo. He came to fight with him to make meritorious deeds, not to die.
Moreover, his idea of attacking the city has no strategy at all, and there is a high probability that the five thousand people will be killed. That is absolutely impossible.
Before Huan Shiqian could say anything more, Xi Chao said: "Suppressing evil requires a strong general. This method is not bad. However, it cannot be used for the time being. This is the last resort. What we need to discuss now is not to fight hard. What Duke Huan wants is to minimize casualties."
, find a way to conquer Shouyang instead of fighting to the death."
As soon as Xi Chao spoke, Huan Shiqian had no choice but to shut up. Xi Chao's status was one that even the descendants of the Huan family would not dare to challenge.
The generals talked at random, and none of the offensive strategies they proposed made sense. Huan Wen was not satisfied. He frowned and looked around at everyone, his eyes fell on Xie Xuan, and a smile appeared on his face.
"Nephew Xie Xuanxian, why don't you say anything? What do you think of the current situation?"
Xie Xuan is Xie An's nephew, a leader among the younger generation of the Xie family. Even for Xie An's sake, Huan Wen has to be polite to Xie Xuan. Before breaking out, Huan Wen will never embarrass Xie An.
and his family's.
Hearing this, Xie Xuan hurriedly came out of the queue and cupped his hands and said: "I would like to inform you, Grand Sima. In this situation, Xie Xuan has no right to speak. Grand Sima will discuss it with the generals. I don't have any ideas."
Huan Wen frowned. Xi Chao said calmly: "Youdu, this is a matter that has nothing to do with you. You are indifferent. Don't forget that Da Sima suppressed the rebellion in accordance with the imperial decree. If Yuan Zhen rebels, it will lead to unjust rebellion."
When the Qin and Yan barbarians move south, it will not be the Great Sima who will be responsible for it, but the Great Jin. Didn't Youdu learn from your uncle that you should plan for the world?"
Xi Chao was merciless when he spoke. There was actually a reason for this. Xi Chao and Xie Xuan had always been at odds. At first, Xie Xuan was an official under Huan Wen, and Xi Chao joined the army. It was Xie Xuan who boss. From then on, the two often had quarrels with each other.
Xie Xuan looked down on Xi Chao's servile behavior. They were both from a wealthy family, and the Xi family was originally a refugee commander who had struggled to reach his current position and was recognized by the wealthy families with overseas surnames. However, Xi Chao, as a descendant of the Xi family, bowed to the Huan family. Xie Xuan despised Xi Chao's deeds because he had lost his noble bearing.
Xi Chao looked down on Xie Xuan's inherent sense of superiority and felt that apart from being born into the Xie family of Chen County, Xie Xuan had nothing but a good skin.
The two worked together for a while, and had many quarrels and unhappiness. In the end, Huan Wen had to let Xie Xuan join the army under his brother Huan Huo's account to prevent the conflict between the two from escalating and causing greater unhappiness. This time Huan Wen sent troops to attack Shou. In the spring, Huan Huo sent Xie Xuan and two thousand troops to Lujiang County to join Huan Xu's troops. The two enemies met again.
Xie Xuan ignored Xi Chao's words and said to Huan Wen: "Da Sima has many talented people. When Xie Xuan comes this time, he is willing to serve as a driving general and does not dare to say anything without authorization. My fourth uncle also taught me a lesson during the New Year this year. I want me to learn more, be careful in my words and actions, and not be self-righteous and talk nonsense."
Huan Wen chuckled and said, "Anshi is cautious. But you are his nephew, but I am my subordinate. I just want to hear what you have to say today. If Anshi blames you, I will write a letter to argue with him."
Xie Xuan bowed and said: "How can that be a good thing? Well, since Da Sima insists on listening to Xie Xuan's ideas, I do have some immature opinions. Tell me, Da Sima and you all must not laugh."
Huan Wen smiled and said, "Tell me about it."
Xie Xuan nodded, stretched out his hand to rub the bridge of his strong nose and said: "Da Sima, the past two days of fighting are indeed a bit unfavorable. Yuan Zhen's rebels resisted so fiercely that our army was unable to succeed, and many soldiers and horses were killed and injured. In fact, in In my opinion, there is no need to be so anxious. Now the two armies are facing each other, and they are all working hard. If they attack forcefully at this time, it will make the rebels more energetic and more difficult to deal with. At this time, there should be some relaxation. Therefore, it is better to postpone the attack and let its morale weaken. Cao GUI said in his discussion of the war that it will be miraculous to attack at a time when its morale is exhausted. Avoid the sharp edge of its morale and attack when its morale is exhausted. "
Huan Wen stroked his beard and pondered, and the generals nodded slightly after hearing this, feeling that what Xie Xuan said made sense.
Xi Chao said: "Ask Xie Canjun, when will the morale of the rebels decline? Do you want to ask Yuan Zhen to tell us? Don't think you understand everything after reading a few books."
Xie Xuan said angrily: "What are you talking about when Xi joins the army? Just ask, why bother to be sarcastic? This is what Da Sima wants Xie Xuan to say. Why are you so weird?"
Xi Chao also said angrily: "What is yin and yang? You must have a ghost in your heart. If you don't have yin and yang, how can you hear that I am yin and yang towards you? Isn't it right for me to ask? The timing of attack is of course important, and of course we must grasp the opponent. When morale is exhausted, but when is the moment of exhaustion? Is it necessary to besiege but not attack?"