As early as May when the Han army was mobilized, Sun Quan, the cavalry general and Yangzhou shepherd, led his troops from Moling to Shouchun. One hundred thousand soldiers and horses gathered in Chaohu and Huainan areas, often using boats in the Huaihe River,
The parades back and forth in Surabaya were quite impressive. However, what is intriguing is that despite the heavy rain and rising water, the weather and location clearly changed in a direction that was favorable to the Wu people, but Sun Quan did not take any action for a long time, but stayed there for a long time.
Shouchun, watch the development of the situation in Huaibei.
The reason for this is actually not difficult to identify. Although Xuzhou is a strategic location directly reaching the Central Plains, this is from an offensive point of view. For the Sun Wu regime, which aims at separatist rule, it is a bit tasteless.
It would be a pity to abandon it without meaning. After all, as early as ten years ago, Liu Bei and Chen Chong had advocated ceding Xuzhou to Sun Ce for the sake of a better alliance. However, Sun Ce concentrated on the south and had no intention of participating in the struggle between the east and west. He only retained Huainan and then transferred Huaibei.
The land was handed over to Cao Cao in order to maintain the balance between the east and west of the Central Plains. But after all, he was small and broad, and his intentions were weak. Cao Cao was defeated in Linzi three years ago, and Sun Quan only took over Huaibei again as a last resort. From this perspective
, it should not be overestimated how determined the Sun Wu regime will be to hold on to Xuzhou.
Although the Wu people had no determination to hold on, they could not sit back and watch Xuzhou be lost to the Han army. Especially for Sun Quan, who inherited the unification with wisdom, occupying Xuzhou was the easiest and most successful expansion since he came to power, and it was also his most important
Political capital. Giving up the country so easily was not necessarily wrong in terms of strategic decision-making, but it was a major blow to Sun Quan at the political level. Therefore, he had shown off his power in Huaibei several times before, and his intention was very simple, which was to force him to
The Han army gave up attacking Xuzhou and instead went to deal with the Liao bandits in Mobei and the Liao people in Haidong.
If he really had to abandon Xuzhou, Sun Quan also hoped that the frontline soldiers would take the initiative, and he would follow the trend and withdraw the Huaibei Army to Huainan. In this way, he would be able to reduce his political responsibility.
But as a result, the Wu people were at a complete disadvantage in terms of specific war deployment. After the Han army began to mobilize formally, first Sima Yi defeated the Wu army in two on the tenth, and then Guan Yu set up nets on all sides of Huaibei, and on the fifth day they would
The Huaibei regiment of the Wu people all drove out of the city, forcing them to flee south. The route Liu Ye chose from Quyang and Haixi to Huai was also blocked by Zhao Yun in advance.
On the morning of the fifth day of August, the two armies met in the west of Dayi Mountain. The Wu army was about 30,000 people and the Han army was about 40,000 people. The two armies were evenly matched. So Liu Ye sent 2,000 elite troops to try to break through the encirclement head-on, while the former Han general Zhao Yun
He personally led more than a thousand fine cavalry to fight with him. During the fierce battle, Zhao Yun killed eight warriors in a row. The Wu people were frightened and retreated. When Liu Ye saw this, he did not dare to fight anymore, so he had to garrison most of them on the spot.
Yin Shan set up camp here and asked Sun Quan of Shouchun for rescue.
After the messengers ran away, various Han army units also moved south one after another. First came Guan Yu's headquarters, then Guo Huai, Du Ji, Sun Zi's units, plus Zhao Yun, Huang Quan and other units who had previously confronted Liu Ye, totaling nearly 100,000 Han troops.
Surrounded the 30,000 Wu army, and then built antler fences on all the passages outside the Wu camp. The strategic intention was very obvious, which was to make it difficult for the Wu army in Huaibei to fly.
After Sun Quan received the letter, his expression changed drastically. He could accept withdrawing from Huaibei, but he could not accept the loss of 30,000 soldiers in one day, so he immediately held a military meeting to relieve the siege. At this time, among his staff in Shouchun, there was Lu Su
, Lu Meng, Zhang Zhao, Bu Zhao, Gu Yong, Zhu Ran, Ling Tong and others. They all advocated not to confront the Han army head-on, but should make use of their strengths and avoid their weaknesses, and criticize the weak. Therefore, they could lead the navy north along the Si River to attack
Although Xiapi and Pengcheng may not necessarily break the city, they can threaten the Han army's retreat and force Guan Yu to rescue the siege.
So Sun Quan personally led the army upstream from Suiling, intending to go straight to Pi. However, when passing by Xiaxiang, he found that Sima Yi had pulled up iron cables on both sides of the Surabaya River and built pontoons to prevent ships from moving forward. Sun Quan thought that Sima Yi could not support the tree alone, so he
Ling Tong was ordered to light a fire on the bow of the ship, melt the iron cables, and then order the pontoon to be demolished. After four days of busy work, the waterway was finally cleared. However, not far behind, the navy was forced to stop again. It turned out that Sima Yi was still there.
Many plum blossom piles have been laid in this section of the river. The wooden piles are either deep or shallow, making it difficult for ships to run aground if they are not careful.
The Wu people walked and stopped in this water area, demolishing and building. After ten days, they only traveled less than ten miles, and the dry season was just around the corner. Once the dry season came, the boats could not sail in the Si River.
The Wu's naval superiority will gradually disappear, and the Han army's cavalry will completely dominate the battlefield. At this point, the generals will already know their plan to force the Han army to withdraw through waterways.
It is no longer possible to implement it. So what should we do now? Go to Dayin Mountain and fight the Han army head-on? No one is sure.
It was Lu Su who said to Sun Quan: "Tens of thousands of soldiers are trapped in a tight siege. If we abandon them all without firing an arrow, I am afraid that the lord's people will lose their hearts and the foundation of the country will be greatly damaged. If we don't fight today, we will suffer in the future."
No one dares to fight. It’s time to make up your mind, we can’t just surrender!”
Sun Quan finally made up his mind. Then he led his troops back into the Huai River, stationed his troops at Huai Pu, and used it as an advance base. Then he entered Huaibei from the swimming river. The swimming river and the Zu River intersected at Haixi, and Haixi is now owned by Zhao Yun.
As long as they can retake Haixi, the Wu people can use their navy to break into Zushui, which will naturally relieve Liu Ye.
It's just that now, it's September, the weather is getting colder, and the water level in Huaibei is gradually dropping. The Wu people's tall ships have completely withdrawn from the battlefield. Only the stern boats and walking boats can still sail in the river. Under this situation, the infantry battle has ended.
It has become the inevitable and only choice.
In order to ensure victory in the first battle, Sun Quan personally held the battle, with Ling Tong and Jiang Qin as the forwards, Zhu Ran and Lu Meng as the middle army, and himself and Lu Su, the governor of the rear guard, marched to the west of Haixi with more than 80,000 people. Guan Yu just set up his tent
In Haixi, when he heard the news that Wu's army was out in battle, he couldn't help but clasped his hands and laughed, saying to the generals: "Wu'er has entered my urn." He immediately ordered 60,000 soldiers and horses and lined up at the meander of the river to wait for Wu's army.
Come.
The two armies met at noon on the sixth day of September. The sun was high in the sky at that time, emitting dazzling light, but the heat was not felt on the body. After all, the autumn tiger had long passed, and the sea breeze blowing dozens of miles away seemed to be able to smell the heat.
It feels as cold and wet as thin ice, but you can also smell the uncontrollable murderous aura on both sides.
At this time, the Han army was in the north, and 20,000 cavalry troops were already fully armed in the front line. Under the scorching sun, their fine armor was shining brightly.
The Han army's military strength was completely blocked by the front army, and the rear arrangement could not be seen. Only endless flags were flying in the air. This majestic scene made those who came can't breathe.
As for the Wu army in the south, although they had already formed an array, they were traveling by the water after all. The entire army's array had been stretched into a long line, but they were extremely cautious. When moving forward, they lined up with vehicles on the left wing and leaned against the river bank on the right wing.
, although there are no big ships on the river bank, there are battleships one after another, and the fleet stretches for several miles, which can meet the Wu army on land at any time. Although this arrangement is conservative, it is enough to render the most commonly used hammer and anvil tactics of the Han army useless, so
The Han army did not launch an attack immediately, but waited for Wu Jun's action. After all, Wu Jun was the attacking party now.
This was also the first time for Sun Quan to observe the Han army at such a close distance. His staff all said that the enemy's formation was so tight and there were so many cavalry that a direct attack would have little chance of victory. It would be better to send an elite soldier in front as bait to lure the enemy's formation.
Changes, it is not too late to send rear troops, even if the disadvantage is unfavorable, they can retreat and fight again. Sun Quan had some hesitation in his heart, but after hearing this suggestion, he immediately agreed and ordered Ling to lead two thousand strong crossbowmen to attack the front line of the Han army
.
The Han army was much more mobile than the Wu army, so Ling Tong did not make any unnecessary maneuvers, but attacked the Han army head-on along the swimming stream. As the drums of the march were beating excitingly, the Han army's front line began to loosen up, and the men and horses lined up in rows.
They gathered together to form a medium-sized phalanx. They moved along the river, stepping forward step by step. In front of the huge formations of the two armies, they were like a stone, smashing into the lake without hesitation.
Soon there were ripples among the Han army.
Since the two armies were very close, it didn't take long for the Wu people in the front to enter the archery range of the Han army. However, the Han army did not rush to shoot arrows, but spread slightly to both sides, hoping to lead the Wu army into a deeper situation.
. But Wu Jun had no such intention. After they stood firm, they still crowded together, and then used powerful crossbows to fire at the Han army. Knowing that most of the Han troops were covered with thick armor, Wu Jun deliberately lowered the crossbow arrows.
Aiming at the horse's belly and releasing an arrow at once, dozens of horses would often fall to the ground whining. After three rounds of arrows were released, they would continue to move forward.
But the Han army was obviously not discouraged by these rounds of firing arrows. When they saw that something was wrong, they all dismounted and formed a formation. Several rows in front and back stretched out their long spears forward. The cold shining spears were lifted up layer by layer.
It's like there are countless iron thorns growing out of the ground, and the cold light among them is so chilling.
At the moment when the two armies finally came into contact, the Han army's generals let out a hoarse roar. The Han soldiers holding spears all fought forward, rushing in front of the Wu army's almost stationary formation, and stabbing them wildly with their spears.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the Han troops in the rear row all nocked arrows and drew their bows, and began to shoot aimlessly into the distance. Many Han troops in the middle bent down, took short swords to attack from below, and directly entered the ranks of the Wu army.
Within.
At this time, a confrontation took place directly between flesh and blood. It was also the most direct game between the Eastern and Western armies in the past few decades. Will was used to test will, and death was used to force death away. The attacking Wu people had never seen such a battle.
The battle line between the two sides only lasted two moments. The Wu people in the battle felt unspeakable fear and began to be squeezed back by the Han army unconsciously. Even though Ling Tong continued to supervise the battle and forced the soldiers to move forward, but in the
In the face of the Han army's triple offensive, these efforts were in vain. Many people died, and then the Wu people began to retreat, and the maintenance of the formation soon became almost impossible.
Sun Quan watched this scene helplessly, and then he realized how big the gap between the two armies was. He quickly sent people to pick up Ling Tong when he came back, and then said to Lu Su distressedly: "You can't go ashore by yourself? You can do whatever you want then."
Even birds can bully them." At the same time, he ordered the entire army to retreat slowly, using all the elites to stay behind to prevent the majority of the Han army from approaching.
But the Han army had no intention of pursuing them. When they saw the Wu people retreating, they just kept laughing and looking quietly from a distance, while the Wu people gritted their teeth and did not dare to step forward. Obviously, it was just a short confrontation.
Most of the Wu army had lost the courage to fight on foot with the Han army.