When the Wei, Han and Xianbei armies gathered and began to pull out the Wubao outside Pingcheng, Liu Bei's 100,000 soldiers had basically gathered in Mayi. However, facing the offensive of nearly 300,000 troops from the Eastern Dynasty, Liu Bei's strength was still
He was a bit strapped. Therefore, for the sake of safety, he did not rush northward first. Instead, he sent a letter to urge Chen Chong on his way while thinking about a more appropriate strategy.
Although Ke Bineng has gone north to join forces with Cao Cao, Qu Yi of Juyang still cannot be underestimated. He, Han Hao, and Xia Houyuan have a total of 30,000 people and are still stationed on Crouching Tiger Mountain. They always send out rangers to harass and make a show of
Liu Bei couldn't ignore Liu Bei's attitude of being eager to attack Mayi at any time, whether it was true intention or just a show of force. He sent Liu Bao to lead an army of 7,000 men to station in Wangtao City to monitor Qu Yi at all times.
Then Liu Bei held a military meeting to discuss how to delay the Eastern offensive in Pingcheng. Most of the generals thought that Pingcheng was well defended and could sustain it until Chen Chong's reinforcements arrived. It would be better to wait for reinforcements first and then go north to relieve the siege. Liu Bei thought it was reasonable at first.
But after the meeting broke up, Fa Zheng had other words to say.
Fa Zheng made a big mistake this time, causing Qu Yi to directly rebel. His crime was not a small one. Even though Liu Bei had great pity for him, he had to demote him to the fifth rank and stay in the Bafu to be in charge of the clerical affairs. He would not participate in the military affairs for the time being.
In fact, we still communicate a lot in private.
Fazheng analyzed for Liu Bei and said: "Although Pingcheng is the most fortified city in the world, a fortified city also has the disadvantages of a fortified city. Today, the number of soldiers stationed in Pingcheng is only tens of thousands. Although it is more than enough to defend the city, it has the disadvantages of the Wubao outside the city.
But they are powerless. If the east bandits are allowed to take over one by one, there may be a sense of depression in the city. Ling Huyuan, who is guarding the city, is only a middle-aged man, and may not be able to subdue the masses. At the moment, he still has to choose a heavy minister and lead a cavalry to go north.
, to stabilize the hearts of the military and the people."
Liu Bei thought he was right, so he called Gongsun Zan, the general who had conquered the Liao Dynasty, over at dinner in the evening, brought two basins of yoghurt, and while eating with him he said, "Bogui, you and I are classmates and have known each other for many years.
When I called for justice against Dong, you led the crowd to respond. I still remember that at that time, you traveled hundreds of miles overnight to see me. I was extremely grateful. However, in the past few years since you joined me, I have not promoted you much, and I have not promoted you very much.
I wonder if you blame me."
Gongsun Zan was extremely ashamed and said: "Xuande is joking, without your help back then, how could I have secured a position in Youzhou? I was the only one who defected to Youzhou because I was defeated by Yuan Shao. What's more, I was also a state herder. These days
In the years of war, I haven't made any achievements, so how can I be promoted? I know it well and can't blame you."
Liu Bei looked at Gongsun Zan. Although his temples had grown old due to years of wasted years, and his expression was old, although he had lost a bit of color, his figure had become looser. Both his arms and legs still looked very tight. Liu Bei pulled
He crossed Gongsun Zan's arm, lifted up his robe sleeves, touched the dark scars on it, and patted it again. He felt that the muscles were as hard as iron. He couldn't help but sigh to Gongsun Zan: "You are still the same Gongsun family who was famous for your loyalty and bravery back then.
What a desperate man!"
He then said to Gongsun Zan: "Bogui, there is a big thing now. If you don't do it well, you may lose your life. I don't feel safe leaving it to anyone else. I wonder if you are willing to help me?"
Hearing this, Gongsun Zan's mouth twitched slightly, and he seemed quite hesitant. He asked: "Should I be allowed to lead the army alone? Isn't it appropriate?"
When Liu Bei saw this, he patted his shoulder and said, "It has to be you. Pingcheng is a great defense for the country, and you know it, Bogui. If Cao Cao attacks by force, it will be difficult to capture it, but I'm afraid that he will use a trick to attack the enemy. After all, there is nothing in the city."
I don't feel at ease when a general is in charge. I will give you 20,000 Qingqi. You first go to Zicheng to the north of Pingcheng to take charge. At that time, you have full power to handle all affairs in Pingcheng. After Ting Jian and I meet, I will join you!
"Having said this, he whispered again: "After repelling the East bandits, I will arrange for you to become a Taiwei!"
When Gongsun Zan heard this arrangement and knew that the task was not heavy, he breathed a sigh of relief and agreed with emotion: "Since Xuande doesn't think I am incompetent, this trip will definitely live up to it. If Pingcheng is lost, I will kill myself in the city and will never go south."
Half a step!"
The next day, Gongsun Zan led 20,000 horses out of the city. Before leaving, he said to Liu Bei who was seeing him off: "I have no worries about going here. It's just that my eldest son is dead and my second son is too young. If I can't come back from this trip,
, Erlang will be entrusted to you to take care of him. I hope you can give him a good future."
Gongsun Zan's eldest son Gongsun Xu died in the Battle of Yijing. Only his second son Gongsun Zhuang followed him to Jinyang, and he was only seventeen years old now. Liu Bei thought that although this trip was not without danger, it was not a narrow escape.
, Why did Bogui do this? But seeing that his friend's tone was sincere, he couldn't bear to go against his wish, so he agreed repeatedly and ordered on the spot to recruit Gongsun Zhuang into the palace as a sword-wielding personal attendant.
It was the rainy season at this time. Even on the northern Xinjiang Plateau, the sky was still covered with dark clouds, and there were still silky rain and mist floating in the sky. When Gongsun Zan led his cavalry to shuttle through it, the rain gradually became heavier, and the sky and the earth appeared extremely hazy.
The water was white, and the sound of the rain washing away the earth and rocks, the sound of horse hooves, and the sound of golden armor were slowly drowned out. People said that they had never seen such heavy rain since arriving in Bingzhou.
Although it was difficult to advance in the rain, it also gave Gongsun Zan an excellent opportunity. Unknowingly, the Eastern Army bypassed the Eastern Army's camp in the south of the city from the northwest.
Since the Eastern Army had not completely cleared the Wubao in the east of the city, they did not encircle the city. Gongsun Zan entered the city very easily, and he asked Zhao Gai, who was guarding the city, about the layout of the Eastern Army. Zhao Gai replied,
The army was stationed in the south of Baideng Mountain, and the Xianbei army was stationed in the north of Baideng Mountain. They were connected to each other for thirty miles. It can be said that all the soldiers were exhausted. Gongsun Zan also sent envoys to Pingcheng to contact Linghu Yuan and asked him whether he could hold on to the city.
Linghu Yuan was extremely happy when he learned that the reinforcements were coming. He also replied that there was no shortage of food, grass and bows in the city, and it could be defended for more than half a year. He was afraid that the country would abandon it. Now that the general is here, he has nothing to worry about.
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The rain stopped for a few days, and the Eastern Army resumed its offensive. However, Gongsun Zan observed closely and found that, as Linghu Yuan said, although the Eastern Army had a large number of troops, the results were slow due to Pingcheng's perfect fortifications, and Pingcheng could still hold on for a long time.
Zicheng's assistance seemed to be of no use, which made him feel unwilling, so he discussed with the staff accompanying the army: "Pingcheng is certainly strong, but I came from afar under the order of the general, and I am not just a spectator. At the moment, the Eastern Army
Wait, can we find an opportunity to gain some military exploits?"
Zhao Gai felt that this was not possible, and he advised: "As long as Baoping City is not lost and the Dragon Head Army arrives, the general will have full credit, so why take the risk? Once it fails, the current situation will be reversed!"
Gongsun Zan was very disapproving. He coughed twice and asked: "You haven't heard my plan yet, how could you know it's not going to work?" Zhao Gai had no choice but to listen. At this time, Gongsun Zan slowly stated his idea. He actually planned to lead the way.
Thousands of cavalry took the trail, bypassed the Eastern Army's camp, and went straight to pillage and harass Daijun, forcing the enemy to retreat.
When Zhao Gai heard this, he felt very embarrassed and repeatedly objected: "The thieves in the east are all over the mountains and plains. I wonder, Lord, which path can you take to hide them?"
Gongsun Zan smiled and said: "It has been raining these days and they have few scouts. I can go north to Danhan Mountain and then detour to Daijun via Shihuo Mountain. Ke Bineng and I are old rivals. He brought ten people with him."
With tens of thousands of people moving south, how many people will be left in the old nest? Even if they know about it, what will happen? Either let me run amok, or withdraw the troops and return to the division, then most of the siege of Pingcheng will be solved."
This move was extremely bold. Zhao Gai had never thought of it, but after careful consideration, it seemed quite feasible. He could not raise any objections, so he had to agree. Three days later, Gongsun Zan ordered 4,000 men and 8,000 horses.
.Then he personally led the army and set off from Zicheng again. Each selected person carried ten days of dry food and a hundred arrows.
Gongsun Zan's journey to the north was just as he had imagined, and no one could have predicted it. The Easterners also set up two forts to the east of Zicheng to monitor, but they never expected that he would dare to go all the way north. Therefore, Gongsun Zan was like a Kaifeng weapon.
The steel knife penetrated straight into the heart of Xianbei, and then went straight to Tanhan Mountain.
For Gongsun Zan, this is the second time he has come to Danhan Mountain. The last time he came to Danhan Mountain was in the second year of Yanxing. At that time, he defeated Yuan Shaoke and Bineng one after another and was very proud of himself.
, with 60,000 elite soldiers under his command, wanted to take the Xianbei royal court directly, but unexpectedly, due to the freezing weather, the retreat was blocked. As a result, a large number of his close associates died at the foot of the mountain, almost causing a catastrophe. Although Duan Xuan was able to rescue the siege, it was also his life
The turning point when fortune turns from prosperity to decline.
Therefore, when Gongsun Zan passed by Danhan Mountain, he stopped for a moment. The Xianbei people who stayed in the mountains thought that he was going to form an array to attack, so they couldn't help but hold up their arms and bows in a defensive posture. But Gongsun Zan didn't take it seriously and just thought
They were like floating clouds in the mountains, but they looked at their feet and said to Wen Ze who was accompanying him: "I heard it, they are calling me! I'm going back soon." After Tian Kai and Zhao Yun were transferred away by Liu Bei,
Wen Ze is the only old person left around him.
The next day, when they were about to pass through Shihuo Mountain, Gongsun Zan suddenly pointed to the mountain pass and said, "I heard that Yan Gang died here." Wen Ze did not dare to answer, but Gongsun Zan still thought about himself and said sadly: "What a pity.
, he followed me for more than ten years, but I finally failed to snatch his head back."
After Gongsun Zan passed through Shihuo Mountain, everyone rested in the deserted mountains that night, watching the looming waning moon in the sky and listening to the howling of wolves in the jungle, which was like a strong wind. People said that General Gongsun was as good as a god.
If you can really enter Dai County from the grassland, you must be able to achieve a miracle this time. Soon, everyone fell asleep amidst Shan Lan's screams.
But Wenze felt flustered for no reason and couldn't fall asleep. Suddenly, he woke up from his dream and saw a pair of bright eyes in front of the bonfire. Those were Gongsun Zan's eyes. In the dark silence, his eyes were like firelight.
Generally speaking, Wen Ze felt his hand being held. He heard Gongsun Zan say: "That's good. At dawn tomorrow morning, don't stop here and lead the entire army back the same way. We don't need to kill anyone on this trip."
How many people are there is enough to scare the thief."
Wen Ze was extremely confused and asked: "Where do you want to go?"
Gongsun Zan showed a pale smile, and Wen Ze realized at this moment that the master's voice was as weak as the sound of a silkworm. The master continued: "I have been suffering from liver disease for a long time, and I have been vomiting blood in recent days. I will not live long. Today is my final day.
, just bury me here!" After that, he took out a piece of yellow silk from his clothes, and Wen Ze saw that it was covered with blood stains, and then he suddenly realized it, and then burst into tears.
Early the next morning, Gongsun Zan died of illness in front of Shihuo Mountain. The Han soldiers dug a hole in the earth and buried him there. Then he led his army back to Zicheng, and the Eastern Army learned from the rear that Westerners had entered Daijun.
, was so nervous that he temporarily suspended the Pingcheng offensive and instead deployed troops to guard the grain road.
This bought Chen Chong's reinforcements the final time.