In the lobby of the Baima City County Temple, after the embarrassed messenger reported the military situation, Gongsun Xun and Cao Cao looked at each other in shock and were speechless. The hall was also silent for a while... I thought that Xiahou Dun, with his bright eyes, was Cao Duwei's in-law.
My brother, the long-armed and big-eared Liu Bei, is the same as my younger brother Xuande in General Gongsun Zhonglang. Now that these two people have suffered a defeat, it is hard to show off even if they are gloating about their misfortune?
After a long time, Dong Zhao and Dong Gongren laughed dryly and managed to break the embarrassment: "I don't think Wang Du knew his shame and became brave. He actually did something like this. It should not be underestimated."
Everyone in the hall nodded for a moment... After the battle was defeated, the opponent would never escape if he praised him. Everyone had been in Luoyang, how could they not know this kind of rhetoric?
Of course, everyone knew in their hearts that these words were just to lighten the atmosphere, and even saying that it was relaxing was a bit too harsh. I think that Wang Du was only born in a mere county magistrate, and he was promoted to Dong A Chengli.
There is a precedent of taking the city in Japan, so he can't do it even if he insists on it?
In fact, if you really want to cover up this defeat now, there is only one way to go, and that is to capture Wei Xiang quickly! If you capture Wei Xiang, everything will be easy, but if it is delayed for a long time and cannot be captured,
I'm afraid it will be really embarrassing.
Besides, anyone with a little bit of strategic vision will understand that with the recovery of Yan County, the Han army has no worries about its retreat. According to the current situation, it should have launched a large-scale offensive and mopping up!
"Isn't there any movement in Puyang yet?" Sure enough, after thinking for a moment, Gongsun Xun temporarily put aside his indescribable feeling of being cheated and asked about the situation. "Bu, are you planning to defend Puyang?"
"The Yellow Turbans of Dongjun stretched across the Yellow River for twenty cities. Now we have only lost two cities. So what if we defend Puyang?" Lou Gui said, twisting his beard. "Looking at Divination's posture, he should also know that our army is all elite cavalry.
, is very good at field warfare, so he has deep trenches and high fortifications, connecting cities to help each other... What he wants is that every city under his command is like Wei Xiang, which can weaken our army's energy and cause casualties. If this is the case, when we are exhausted and weak,
time, naturally it is also the time for them to counterattack!"
"This is a conspiracy." Lu Fan also said. "The battle is whether our army can be overwhelming and quickly sweep the cities around Puyang, thereby forcing Bu to leave the city for a decisive battle! Your Majesty, at this time we still need to send troops to assist as soon as possible to ensure
We must capture Weixiang quickly."
"That's right." Dong Zhao also affirmed. "And now Yan County has been restored and the roads are open. In addition, our army is all cavalry, and there are other troops from Shen Zhengnan and Wang Shuzhi's boats stationed at the Yellow River. That's it.
The fortune-telling thief can react in time even if he makes some moves... Therefore, the prince should immediately send all his troops to Kewei Township to maintain the offensive and morale!"
The three wise men in the army all said this, and Gongsun Xun also nodded slightly.
In fact, in addition to what these three people said, there is another important reason. I don't know if the three of them didn't expect it or they didn't want to say it, but Gongsun Xun himself knew it well... that is, this battle has to be from the beginning to the end.
It's important to be quick, because people in Luoyang can't wait.
After all, since the uprising of the Yellow Turban Army, the world has been shaken, Luoyang has been frightened three times a day, the emperor has trouble sleeping and eating, the ministers are even more shaken, and the situation is getting worse day by day. Under such circumstances, the central government naturally only needs an overall situation as soon as possible
How can we care about military details and difficulties in countering rebellion?
And the central government's mentality is actually very correct... Such a large-scale rebellion, if it cannot be quickly suppressed, may shake the hearts of the world!
After thinking this, Gongsun Xun no longer hesitated. He immediately stood up, drew his sword, and divided the military order: on one side, Lu Fan, Gongsun Yue, and Yang Kai were leading the troops to stay behind with the white horses; on the other side, he himself, together with Cao Cao, would personally lead the rest.
All armies, including those from Yan County, joined forces and marched toward Wei Township!
In other words, Gongsun Xun wanted to see for himself how powerful Tu Weizi was, who had defeated both Liu Xuande and Xia Houyuanrang, and whether he could stop Gongsun Wenqi and Cao Mengde from joining forces?!
……………………
"Your Majesty, I am truly ashamed." In front of the old city of Weixiang, under the banner of Gongsun Xun's white horse, Cao Cao's immediate subordinate Xiahou Dun bowed to plead guilty, no longer as bold as before.
"Same for me, my subordinates." Two Sima and Liu Bei also bowed and said.
"It doesn't matter." Gongsun Xun saw that the two of them were only slightly injured, so he was relieved. He quickly dismounted and helped the four of them one by one. "Victory and defeat are common for military strategists. Moreover, it is just a failure. There is not much."
The troops have been reduced, especially Yuan Rang and Xuande, so recuperation is the top priority."
Seeing how generous the other party was, Xiahou Dun, Liu Bei and the two Sima became even more ashamed. Cao Cao, who was next to him, originally wanted to comfort him, but it was difficult to say anything more at this time.
"Let's talk about Weixiang!" Gongsun Xun raised his hand and pointed to the small town of Weixiang, which was covered with flags not far away, and quickly changed the subject. "What's the mystery?"
"Actually, it's not necessarily mysterious." Xiahou Dun, who had one shoulder tied up, responded awkwardly. "The small town is still the same small town that I traveled to this time. It's just a two-foot-long earth wall... but the morale in the city is strict.
, sufficient food and equipment, and tight security, that’s all.”
Gongsun Xun and the other officers looked around, but they also knew the truth of what Xiahou Dun said... it was clear at a glance.
"Look there, Junhou." Lou Gui suddenly pointed to a direction on the east side of the small town. "The woods have not been cut down. Doesn't this leave us room to make siege equipment?"
"That's right." Liu Bei replied, holding his chest. "We used to cut wood from there to make ladders..."
"It can be seen that this Wang Du or that Wang Du has not made much progress." Gongsun Xun could not help but frown slightly, and then continued to ask. "Does the bandit army have outstanding warriors or some elite men?
"
"I haven't seen it yet." Xiahou Dun lowered his head and said. "And now that I think about it carefully, although the rebel army was unstoppable in the battle the day before yesterday, the offensive was actually chaotic and the damage was not heavy...otherwise Xuande would not have used a mere two hundred cavalry as backup cavalry.
Stop the bandit army."
"So, the defeat the day before yesterday was just because you were injured by Yuan?" Cao Cao couldn't help but narrowed his eyes and asked. "In that case, why do we need to ask for reinforcements? You two are only slightly injured, just continue to supervise the siege!"
"
"That's not the case." Without waiting for Xiahou Dun and others to explain, Lou Gui suddenly woke up. "Actually, if you think about it, you will know that if the siege was not effective, how could General Xiahou go into battle himself? In the final analysis, he is still a thief.
From the very beginning, we have been strictly guarded and defended without any flaws being exposed. In addition, they have both earth and cities to rely on and superior military strength, which makes it impossible for people to attack."
Xiahou Dun, Liu Bei and others heard this, and at this time they already knew that Cui Sima had calmly captured Yan County. While nodding in recognition, they couldn't help but feel more ashamed and intolerable, and the rest of the army also started talking about it.
...Although no one said anything sarcastic due to the face of Gongsun Xun and Cao Cao, some ridicule was inevitable.
Come to think of it, Cui Sima, who is next door, has won the county after a battle. Here, he faced a recognized incompetent person and a mere two-foot-tall earthen wall, but he was powerless from the beginning, so much so that he was forced to go to the general himself.
Climbing a wall, and then being shot back with an arrow and fighting back. With this kind of double contrast between enemies and friendly forces, it's no wonder that people look down upon him.
While he was talking, on the earthen city wall not far away, under the banner of Huang Tian, a group of Yellow Turban troops had already swarmed up. The leader was wearing iron armor. Looking at this side from a distance, it seemed that it should be that person.
Wang Du... But after carefully observing the strength of the reinforcements of the Han army, this person walked directly around the city, supervising and encouraging along the way, and did not make any probing moves.
Gongsun Xun didn't say anything when he saw this, he just shook his head slightly, and then led the generals to walk around this earth city, which was not actually very big.
After completing the circle, he still didn't say anything. He just ordered the camps to be set up in the north and east of the city in a step-by-step manner. While sending people to supervise the prisoners with white horses and yellow turbans, he sent troops to cut down trees to build ladders and collide with wood. At the same time, he also sent people to urge the troops in Yan County.
Come quickly.
Naturally, everyone has nothing to say... In this situation, what can be said? Wait until the army arrives and then bravely climb the city.
In this way, until the evening, after dinner, the sun had not yet set, but Gongsun Xun was strolling around the camp with his hands behind his hands. Then for some reason, he unconsciously came to the front of Weixiang City again.
, stand and observe.
Han Dang, who was accompanying him, saw that something was on Gongsun Xun's mind, but he didn't know what it was, so he had no choice but to bring some attendants with him.
I don't know how long it took, until the sky was completely dark, Gongsun Xun just sighed deeply, and then returned to the camp, ready to read and rest.
Unexpectedly, when he arrived in front of his military tent, he was shocked to find that someone he had not expected was waiting here.
"Your Majesty!" Under the brazier with dancing flames, the short and fat Dong Zhao bowed respectfully to Gongsun Xun.
"How long have Gongren been waiting?" Gongsun Xun was in a daze for a moment.
"I saw the prince going to Tucheng to watch after dinner, so I came here to wait." Dong Zhao replied calmly.
"Thank you for your hard work." Gongsun Xun said with a slight smile. "Since we are here, why not let's talk in the account."
"That's what I meant." Dong Zhao responded without hesitation, which made Gongsun Xun look at him more.
Immediately, Han Dang understood and led his people to guard outside the tent, while Gongsun Xun and Dong Zhao entered alone and sat facing each other with candles.
"Ever since I saw the situation of the bandit army today, the prince has become less talkative and even went to observe the city alone after dinner. But are you worried about attacking the city?" As soon as he sat down, Dong Zhao got straight to the point.
"Of course." Gongsun Xun was straightforward. "Everyone in the army felt that Xia Houyuanrang and my brother Xuande's defeat was ridiculous, but when I came to see this city today, I felt that their defeat was not unfair... Although this earth city
It is not high, but trenches have been dug outside and many weak spots have been repaired. Looking from a distance, many arrow towers and piers have been built densely inside. Thinking about it, although this Wang Du does not have any ingenuity or bravery, I am afraid he is.
Just like what Gongren said yesterday in Baima, he learned the shame and then became brave. At the very least, he should know the four words of caution and strictness! As for the defensive, getting these four words is actually enough to give people a headache! "
"What the Lord said is true." Dong Zhao rarely said seriously. "In fact, in my opinion, for mediocre people, it is the best choice to focus on fighting stupid wars, let alone the enemy of Weixiang.
Is there still an earthen city that we can rely on?"
"Gongren said it well, it is this failure of the battle that makes people most helpless." Gongsun Xun said with increasing emotion. "Three thousand Yellow Turban thieves are guarding a city, with sufficient food and equipment, and no shortage of water. If it is really a strong attack, it will be able to
Go down quickly, I'm afraid there will be a lot of casualties, and this will play into Puyang Bu's plan!" After saying this, Gongsun Xunfu raised his eyes again and looked at the short fat man in front of him. "Why, Gongren must have a plan to teach you when he comes here.
Me?"
"Strategy cannot be called a plan." Dong Zhao slowly shook his head after hearing this. "Besides, I am not good at making plans on the spot. Junhou and Lou Zibo have been observing for a long time today and have not been able to find a solution. What can I do? It's just that I have some big ideas.
That’s all.”
"Tell me and listen." Gongsun Xun became even more interested.
"The prince was ordered to conquer the Yellow Turbans of Dongjun. The overall strategy is as Lu Ziheng said yesterday. Seize various strongholds and counties, and force Puyang's Bu to leave the city to fight our army... That's all, right?"
"good."
"Then I would like to ask your lord, the bandit army has occupied the city for nearly twenty years. Do you have to think about it every time you approach the city? Don't you have some unified ideas?"
"This is how we captured two cities." Gongsun Xun couldn't help laughing. "How can we come up with a universal method?"
Dong Zhao bowed slightly when he heard this and said: "I'm sorry to be blunt, but I thought this universal method actually already existed, and it was obtained from the three battles of Baima, Yanxian, and Weixiang."
"Please give me some advice from Gongren." Gongsun Xun immediately became serious.
"The first is to catch the enemy unawares and attack them unprepared," Dong Zhao said. "The general connected the boats with iron ropes on the Yellow River so that our troops could cross the Yellow River as if they were walking on flat ground. In this case, we should run rampant up and down the river without hesitation.
From south to north, Bu Ji and his subordinates were at a loss."
"What Gongren said is true."
"You don't need to praise me." Dong Zhaosha smiled and shook his head. "It's as I expected. This is what you wanted to do."
Gongsun Xun also immediately nodded and admitted: "Indeed, the benefit of the river belongs to me. I can go south or north as I wish. In this case, I can use the iron rope boat to travel north and south randomly and make the bandits confused. Also, Gongren also asks
continue."
"Also..." Dong Zhao couldn't help but look calm. "Secondly, we can actually follow the example of the Yellow Turban Thief and Cheng Li, either surrendering troops, strong men, or simply civilians... In short, we can move forward with coercion,
Gather a crowd to attack the city?"
"What does this mean?" Gongsun Xun couldn't help but frown and asked.
"I dare to ask your lord," Dong Zhao said calmly. "If I don't come today, what will you do tomorrow? Are you going to drive our elite knights to dismount and attack the city?"
Gongsun Xun was silent for a moment, but finally he had no choice but to admit: "I understand what Gongren means... Yes, if there is really no good method, we will have to use the white horses of the Yellow Turban Thieves, the prisoners of Yan County, to force them to attack the city! And!
If the defenders are still like this in Weixiang in the next battle, I'm afraid they will have to take advantage of the situation to gather the prisoners in Weixiang, continue to hold them captive, and continuously gather people to attack the city!"
"But the situation has to be a last resort, and you don't want to do this, right?" Dong Zhao asked eagerly. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have gone to check for flaws in the Tucheng alone?"
"That's right." Gongsun Xun didn't try to hide it. "Although this method is effective, I don't want to do it more... But if there is no other way, I can only do it this way. Gongren, I must be the commander-in-chief of an army.
When two armies are fighting, something must be done when necessary!"
"It is rare for a prince to be kind and virtuous." Dong Zhao sighed. "Actually, my home is located in Dingtao, Jiyin, a few dozen miles southeast of Wei Township. Most of the counties in Yanzhou have small terrain, so this place is just like me.
Our country is like a country, and the princes don't want their lives to be ruined. How can I want to see such a situation? Maybe there are our fellow villagers from Jiyin in this Wei Township!"
Gongsun Xun couldn't help but look up at the other party again: "In that case, Gongren must have a third universal counterinsurgency strategy?"
"Yes, there is one more." Dong Zhao clasped his hands and said. "Yesterday I heard the good news in Yan County, and I was quite impressed... Junhou, you said that if we can drive the local troops to surrender and the strong men to attack the city, how can we drive the powerful and powerful people here to attack the city?
What about siege?"
"What's the difference? Aren't powerful families driving their own poor peasants to attack the city? It's better to use prisoners!"
Gongsun Xun almost blurted out such thoughts, but he did not say them out after all. Instead, he suddenly came to his senses.
By the way, Gongsun Xun had a deeper understanding of the nature of the Yellow Turban Army at this time... The top leaders of the Yellow Turban Army at this time were out-and-out religious people who wanted to rebel and establish Huang Tian, but the middle and upper levels generally
There are powerful wealthy people everywhere who are dissatisfied with their future, while the lower classes are the people who really have no place to stand.
To put it roughly, the top and middle levels typically use each other, and then they work together to use the people at the bottom to achieve things. But at this time, let alone the stubbornness of the top and the terrifying power of the bottom, just say that these are purely speculators
The middle and upper classes are actually the most easily shaken among the Yellow Turban thieves! The Battle of Yan County clearly demonstrated the objective existence of this phenomenon.
So the so-called siege of the city is at the bottom and the heart is at the top. Compared with sending troops to attack the city and turning to the local powerful to attack the city, it is to attack the city and attack the heart!
This strategy is excellent, and indeed has universal applicability, or has strategic guiding significance... In short, Dong Gongren came to offer this strategy today, and it lived up to his ingenuity and Gongsun Xun's expectations of him.
Seeing Gongsun Xun suddenly enlightened, Dong Zhao also smiled honestly, and then continued to analyze: "Junhou, think about it, when these powerful men saw that the Yellow Turban Thief was so powerful, how many of them did not separate some of their disciples to fight with them?
? Even if there are none, or the whole family is a bandit, how many of the powerful Yellow Turban thieves have no relatives and friends in the surrounding counties? And how many of these relatives and friends are not powerful people? "
Gongsun Xun came back to his senses, looked at the other party thoughtfully, and then lowered his voice and asked: "Gongren, are there any powerful families near Wei Township?"
"I don't know." Dong Zhao shook his head repeatedly. "I am from Jiyin, how do I know the situation in Dongjun? But I know that the Li family of Jiyincheng family has more than tens of thousands of hidden household registrations in the family? His clan members even more
They are spread all over Jiyin, Dongjun, Chenliu, Rencheng, Shanyang... They are the first-class big households in the entire Yanzhou!"
Gongsun Xun raised his head and thought for a long time, but suddenly he shouted: "I forgot where I was. Someone once told me that there was a heroic man named Li Jin from the Li family in Jiyin. This man had tens of thousands of people.
My husband is not very brave, but he is full of economical talent. Unfortunately, he offended a fellow villager named Dong for some reason, so he wasted his time... And now our army is frustrated by Wei Township and has been unable to win for a long time. It is time to treat the virtuous corporal and look for talented people.
! To be honest, Gongren, I am preparing to go to conquer this person in person, would you like to come with me to see him? Chengshi is only a few dozen miles away from here!"
Dong Zhao couldn't help but clasp his hands and purse his lips.
————I am the dividing line that keeps my mouth shut————
"Zhao's character is not worthy of praise, but his strategy is not inferior to Jia Xun's." - "Xin Yan Shu". Volume 70. Biography No. 20.
ps: Li Jin, the Li Dian family is extremely powerful. Li Dian’s family is in Shanyang, and Li Jin should be in the Cheng family. After the death of Li Jin and his son, according to historical records, the Li family, which has experienced war, still has more than 3,000 households in the Cheng family.
There are tens of thousands of people. For this reason, Li Dian specifically requested that his people be moved to Yecheng as hostages to avoid Cao Cao's fear. As for Dong Zhao's evaluation, it actually comes from Hu Sansheng, the original text is no less than Er Xun. Also
There is a book club group, 684558115. If you are interested, you can add it.
