Let's say that Cao, Sun, and Liu met in Fengshi City, took a short rest, and narrowly escaped death.
However, the bad news came one after another.
Yu Jin, who was first cut off, was attacked from two sides and returned in defeat. It is said that only a few hundred of the three thousand Taishan warriors managed to save Yu Jin and fled back to Chenggao. Although Yuan and Cao were worried and reluctant to give up, there was nothing they could do.
Then, Lu Dai and Jian Yong came from Gong County in panic, and brought a big bad news... It turned out that the information Xu Rong said was true, and there was indeed something strange about Yuan Benchu of Chenggao. He suddenly launched a , first captured Zhang Miao and Zhang Chao brothers in public for the crime of defeat, and annexed them all, and then forced the three major princes in the east of Yanzhou, Bao Xin, Qiao Mao, and Liu Dai to attack Mount Tai, leaving only a few troops to guard the tiger. Outside the prison, Cao and Liu were left alone in Henan.
Cao and Liu originally thought about Xu Rong and Li Meng returning to Hongnong in the west. There was only Duan Xuan in Luoyang. They could still persuade Yuan Shao to turn around and succeed in his career. But how can they still count on Yuan Benchu now?
And just when Sun Jian tried his best to comfort the two of them and vowed to take back Luoyang by himself, the third bad news came.
In other words, Sun Jian followed Xu Rong and marched very fast. There were rumors in Luyang that Luoyang was completely empty and Sun Wentai was preparing to make his own success, so some people advised Yuan Shu to suppress one or two... Of course, the essential reason Or after Dong Zhuo retreated to Guanzhong, there was no real prospect for the Guandong princes to discuss Dong Zhuo's overall situation, so everyone was thinking about themselves, and the internal strife and contradictions inevitably became public... But no matter what, Yuan Jiuji still obeyed. After receiving the suggestion, Sun Jian's army rations were suddenly cut off.
This move was nothing like a bolt from the blue for Sun Wentai. He was a martial artist with no political foundation in places like Nanyang and Yingchuan. Without Yuan Shu's political guarantee, how could he achieve anything?
Even the general number on his body and the short-term Yuzhou governor were all signed by Yuan Shu.
And so far, after Dong Zhuo and Er Yuan's training, Cao, Sun, and Liu suddenly realized their true status... Although Xu Rong's previous words were harsh, they were also true. So far as the world is concerned, it is not their turn to make the final decision on this major event in the world.
However, it is clear that a feeling of sadness and anger is unavoidable. After all, apart from their selfish ambitions for success, these three people really want to do something for the country. In other words, at this moment, these three people’s background, reputation, qualifications, and character Three completely different people, but they still have some idealism.
Of course, having said that, how many of the princes in this world are not idealistic?
In fact, the feelings of family and country, the desire to help danger and quell chaos, as well as personal desires, and even violence are universally mixed in this group of people... Cao, Liu and Sun have ideals, but don't Gongsun Xun and Yuan Shao have the same? It's Dong Zhuo. When he was abolished, why didn't he want to do things seriously and change the mindset of the Huan Ling era when thousands of people were silent?
It's just that in the big waves and faced with various difficulties, some people are able to persevere, while others find it difficult to persevere.
Looking back at the present, at least these three "little people" who are like bereaved dogs have not given up their obsession and ideals. The three of them lamented the vagaries of current events, and their friendship for many years. They made a blood oath on Shishan Mountain and became friends of life and death. They agreed that if something happened to one of them, the other two would do their best to take care of his wife. Then, they each set off and continued to work hard for their ideals...Cao Cao , Liu Bei wanted to show off his talents to reorganize his troops, while Sun Jian wanted to go to Luyang to find Yuan Shu to express his loyalty, so as to continue to gain support.
And just when these three heroes were trapped in weakness, Yuan Shao withdrew his troops and marched to Guandong without any control. On the other side, Hongnong was already covered with war clouds.
After Gongsun Xun turned east and captured Hongnong County, Dong Zhuo and Niu Fu...especially Niu Fu, immediately felt great uneasiness. Therefore, Dong Zhuo's army immediately dispatched troops and horses in the Henan area according to the original plan.
Entering Hangu Pass, trying to suppress Gongsun Xun and even settle him in Hongnong territory.
Specifically, it is this narrow area west of Shaanxi County and east of Tongguan along the Yellow River.
As for the strength of the troops, Gongsun Xun still had his 10,000 cavalry, 5,000 infantry, and more than 10,000 auxiliary troops. This is the strength after the division. Now it is concentrated in Hu County and Hongnong County... It is worth mentioning that he
The soldiers suffered a lot of losses in the First Battle of Hedong. The current troops were replenished by the prisoners of the Baibo Army in Hedong. Their combat strength has generally maintained a high level, but it may not be without flaws.
At the same time, except for one Duan Yan who continued to stay in Luoyang, all Dong Zhuo's troops showed signs of withdrawing from participating in this military operation.
Among them, Niu Fu and Li Ru are still in Shaanxian and Maojin, with about 14,500 troops; Dong Yue gathered Hulao Pass, and Cheng Gao was defeated, with about 4,000 to 5,000 men, now in Mianchi; Li
Mongolia retreated to Xin'an, with about 5,000 cavalry; then Hu Zhen, with 5,000 infantry, was still stationed at Hangu Pass.
These four places are lined up from west to east. They are all important towns in Hongnong County along the official road of Luoyang and Chang'an. They are only thirty or forty miles apart from each other, from Shaanxi County to Hangu.
The pass is only a little more than a hundred miles away, and it can be regarded as a large army dispersed and stationed under the leadership of Niu Fu... with a total strength of about 30,000.
There was also Li Jue, whose troops were Dong Zhuo's most trusted army and consisted of nearly 10,000 people on foot and cavalry. They withdrew from Nanyang to Wuguan, as if they were going to enter Lu County from the south and encircle Gongsun Xun.
Not only that, Dong Min, Dong Zhuo's younger brother, has already led an army of 10,000 into Huayin. Even Pujin gritted his teeth and separated out 5,000 cavalry and handed them over to Guo Si, who came to Huayin... In other words, there was another close enemy behind Tongguan.
A small army of 20,000.
Three groups of soldiers and horses, 30,000 in the east, 10,000 in the south, and 20,000 in the west, a total of three or four times the force, will drive Gongsun Xun back across the river, or simply kill him on the bank of the Yellow River. Don’t make your intention too obvious.
.
So the question is, where is Xu Rong, who let Cao and Liu go?
The answer is that Xu Bojin is currently leading his five thousand cavalry and is stationed in Yiyang County, Hongnong County... At this location, thirty miles to the north is Niu Fu and Li Ru's 30,000-strong army; going west,
, then they can join up with Li Jue who came from Wuguan, bringing the strength of the front encircled from the south to 15,000.
In a sense, it is quite decent. After all, it is the junction of the two armies. It can provide support in two directions at any time, and it is not considered abandoned. However, in any case, this position is the entire battlefield distance from Gongsun Xun.
In the farthest place, if you want to say that Li Ru, who made the military plan, did not have good intentions and took no precautions, then you are telling lies with open eyes.
But there is no way. Everyone knows that Xu Rong is Gongsun Xun's old subordinate, and everyone knows that Xu Rong is a man who knows how to fight and can fight... If it were not for the war ahead and the military power could not be easily deprived, I am afraid that Xu Rong would have been killed by everyone.
My colleagues surrounded me, and then my troops and horses were taken away!
Of course, if Gongsun Xun hadn't come and there wouldn't have been this great war, then based on Xu Rong's previous performance and achievements in Yingchuan, why should we seize his military power?
This in itself is a paradox.
"The princes have captured Caoyang Pavilion." In the temple in Yiyang County, Xu Rong handed a battle report to a young officer who looked similar to himself. "Cao Yangting is only fifteen miles away from Shaanxi County, and there is only one in the middle.
Shaanmo can be defended, but Niu Fu will definitely not be able to bear it. In other words, a war will start at any time."
"This is exactly the signal agreed upon before." The officer received the battle report, took a quick look at it, and immediately became serious. "Brother, please send troops quickly!"
Xu Rong, who was sitting on the Taiwei chair, let out a long sigh.
"Brother, what do you mean by this?" The officer who looked a lot like Xu Rong immediately became nervous. "Why are you so hesitant when things come to a head? Didn't you agree on it?"
"I'm not hesitant." Xu Rong couldn't help but shake his head. "If I hadn't made a decision, I would have chopped you off long ago. I had already chopped up those people in Yanshi before... Even Li Ru knew that the Lord was treating me.
My kindness is so great, and I took a little precaution, how could I forget it? Not to mention that a relative from Liaodong like you came to urge me in person. Zi Xin, don’t worry, we will send out troops early tomorrow morning!"
"If that's the case, then why are you still sighing?" The officer who spoke was actually Xu Rong's clan brother, named Xu Xing and Xu Zixin. He was originally a white-horse follower from Xuan Tu, who had followed Gongsun Xun for a long time.
Now this morning it has become a long song.
But this time when Gongsun Xun crossed the river, he rode alone through Luhun Pass to find his brother... His intention is self-evident.
"What I am lamenting is not whether I want to help you, but I am lamenting Dong Xiangguo." Xu Rong shook his head slightly. "You are my close brother, and I won't hide it from you. If Dong Xiangguo can come to the battle in person like the Lord this time,
, Not to mention personally leading troops to confront the princes in front, but just going out to Wuguan or Hangu Pass to supervise the battle, I might really be hesitant... After all, Dong Xiangguo is indeed extremely benevolent and righteous to me."
Xu Xing frowned slightly. Unlike his brother, who had no sensitivity to politics and was just a soldier, he was obviously more 'all-round' as he was born in Baima Yicong. In his opinion, since he had decided to help his lord
After all, there is no need to say whether these things are present or not, just to give people something to say.
But it is obvious that Xu Xing can't control his brother, or from Xu Xing's point of view, as long as his brother ensures that he can send troops according to Gongsun Xun's request, everything else matters.
"But Dong Xiangguo finally plunged into Guanzhong and never came out." Xu Rong continued. "I heard that recently he was looting wealthy households in Guanzhong to enrich his estate. On the contrary, it was the princes who crossed the border without hesitation.
Huang He, putting myself in this position, forced me to make a decision. Sometimes I wonder, doesn’t the Prime Minister understand? He is also a person who is used to fighting. How can any commander shrink by relying on more troops?
Someone who can win in a room?"
"Maybe the house is too strong." Xu Xing couldn't help but sneer slightly.
"That's the person who abandoned the house!" Xu Rong said with a little helplessness. "I hid in the house and handed our life and death to a waste like Niu Fu... Although Niu Fu is his son-in-law, but now he is in front of him.
Our king, if he doesn’t come out on his own, let alone his son-in-law, who can be convinced by his son?"
"Brother, you are overthinking." Xu Xing said disapprovingly. "In my opinion, Dong Zhuo's arrangement is quite the opposite, because most of the generals in Henan and their subordinates are his old troops in Guanxi, and they are all based in Guanzhong, so they will not be affected by this.
Dissatisfied."
Xu Rong was startled for a moment, but then he said sadly: "In other words, did he just abandon me?"
Xu Xing smiled slightly: "Otherwise, brother, do you think that Li Ru's arrangement did not get the consent of your Dong Xiangguo? The southern half of Hongnong County where we are now is in other people's hands. The news of Chang'an's arrival here
It’s not cut off. As for those who have really caught the eye of the Prime Minister, such as Lu Bu, isn’t he in Guanzhong now? He is still in a strategic place!”
Xu Rong responded with silence. After a moment, he finally stood up expressionlessly: "Go back and prepare. We will send out troops tonight!"
Xu Xing raised his eyebrows slightly and backed away.
In other words, the army has always been the easiest place for people to gain prestige. If a person can lead his subordinates to win consecutive battles, let the enemy continue to die in life-and-death duels, and let his own people continue to survive, then that person is very good.
It is easy to be deified by subordinates, and it is also easy to be deified by enemies.
Xu Rong was not able to do that, but he had never been defeated since he led the army. Therefore, there is no doubt that he has control over the five thousand cavalry... In the army, there must be confidants and confidants, and there must be backbones.
He is a backbone, and his subordinates' blind obedience to him is also extremely high.
Therefore, he easily pulled out the entire army without even making up military orders, and then went south under the starry night.
At the same time, fifteen miles west of Shaanxian County, in Shaanmo, Gongsun Xun was fighting overnight.
"How much was the loss?" Gongsun Xun, who was sitting in front of the formation to supervise the battle, saw Yang Feng who had withdrawn from the formation come to report, so he asked directly.
"There are about five to six hundred people dead and injured." Yang Feng looked ashamed. "Please punish me, General."
"What's the punishment?" Gongsun Xun disagreed. "I'm forcing you to fight at night and attack the fortress... But I hope you can understand that the war is coming, so you can't take any chances."
"Of course my subordinates will understand!" Yang Feng quickly bowed his head and spoke again.
"Go down and rest." Gongsun Xun nodded slightly, but then looked at another tall general beside him, who was none other than Gao Shun, the highest-ranking general among the generals who crossed the river with him.
Seeing this, Gao Suqing did not dare to neglect, and immediately stepped forward to ask for a fight: "If the enemy has no reinforcements, you can attack them with a drum."
"If there are reinforcements, they must come down in one fell swoop." Gongsun Xun responded solemnly. "We must get through this last obstacle before we can face Niu Fu directly."
"Here!" Gao Shun said no more and left directly.
It was a summer night, and the weather was already a bit sultry. Under the fire, Gao Shun took the order and personally led 3,000 infantry to launch a general attack. However, the Dong Zhuo Army camp on Shaanxi Mo did not receive the reinforcements he imagined.
Therefore, he could no longer hold on, and he was suddenly knocked down.
However, the entire Youzhou Army was not very happy, because anyone who knew the battle situation clearly understood that the overall situation was still very serious.
In fact, after the previous attack on Hongnong County caused Dong Zhuo's army to be shaken and immediately tried to counterattack, many people in the army had already secretly persuaded Gongsun Xun to return to Hedong.
To this, Gongsun Xun's answer was simple - he wanted to try again.
"Shaan Mo is only seven or eight miles away from Shaan County, and Niu Fu didn't send any reinforcements..." Gongsun Xun thought thoughtfully, and then suddenly gave an order to the generals beside him. "Send all the sentry cavalry out immediately, and then the main cavalry force will be sent out."
At the end of the attack, we pushed the troops to the front of Shaanxi County overnight and made a noise before returning to repair."
Although the generals did not know the reason, they still acted quickly according to the order.
Seeing the Chinese army leaving, Gongsun Xun ordered again to move the camp to Shaanmo and stationed himself here, preparing to face Niu Fu directly.
"Why didn't you go to support Shaanmo so that the last barrier was so easily captured?" In other words, in the city of Shaanxi County, the Youzhou Army cavalry came to the city overnight, made a noise and made a fuss, then turned back to Shaanmo, and Li Ru was frightened.
Yu couldn't help but angrily questioned Niu Fu. "Niu Bozheng, you must know that Li Jue and uncle's troops are not in place yet!"
"You don't understand, it's useless." Niu Fu, who had just come down from the city, shook his head repeatedly. "It's just a camp on the plain. It can't be stopped. The reinforcements sent there are just adding fuel to the white horse thieves."
"I don't understand..." Li Ru was furious to death. "What don't I understand? Aren't you just afraid of the other party like a tiger? You pretend not to care about anything, but you are already extremely scared in your heart."
"Don't disturb the morale of the army!" Niu Fu said proudly. "When have I ever been afraid of the white horse thief? This is just the safest way... Just defend in Shaanxi County. What can he do to me?"
Li Ru sneered and said, "Is that really so?"
Niu Fu suddenly changed his expression: "Li Wenyou, do you really want me to kill someone with two thousand stones to establish my authority?!"
Li Ru finally became furious: "Who are you going to kill?! Kill me?! I didn't argue with you about the document that killed me before, but you actually want to kill me today?"
"How dare I kill Wenyou," Niu Fu also laughed in embarrassment. "How can you get around me by killing your father-in-law? Just kill an ordinary man for two thousand dan."
"It's not okay to kill others, right?" Li Ru was already so angry that he had a headache. "Two thousand stones are a general who leads the army alone. How can he kill a general to establish his authority in battle? I didn't dare to kill Xu Rong, so I only left him in Yiyang.
We put it on hold because we are afraid of causing trouble and shaking the morale of the army."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Niu Fu became more and more impatient. "My father-in-law, the white horse thief, and you, don't you all say that you like to use two thousand stones to establish your authority? That's how you discussed how to deal with the Yanmen prefect in Jinyang that day.
I remember them all! Therefore, if you want to unite the whole army, the only way is to kill one person for two thousand stones..."
"Is this the same thing?" Li Ru no longer had the energy to argue with the other party. "Forget it, let alone what happened before. Now that Gongsun Xun has led his troops to Shaan Mo, he probably wants to take advantage of us before encircling him.
Defeat the two of us first... If the two of us are defeated, then the generals will have no system, and he will be able to survive from death."
"Of course I understand this." Niu Fu held up his knife and said with a look of disdain. "You are saying that we might as well call the other ministries to gather here and let the white horse thief retreat...right?"
"good!"
"I will issue a military order tomorrow and ask them to come closer. Thirty thousand troops have gathered. How can we not defend a city?"
Li Ru finally breathed a sigh of relief and went back to his hut to rest. When Niu Fu returned to his place, he was not in a hurry to sleep. Instead, he whipped him over and asked his bodyguard Hu Chi'er to kill the few.
Please come over to the wizard and witch.
Hu Chi'er had no choice but to call those fortune tellers and give them a few whips to vent their anger.
And a group of wizards and witches came to Niu Fu's house cautiously, but they heard Niu Fu's calculations: "General Wei has attacked Shaanmo, and I don't know what to do. Please help me do the math. The army will gather in a few days."
Finally, do you want to kill a two-thousand-stone Liwei?"
The wizards and witches looked at each other, and then each showed their magical powers, but the conclusion was very unified - no matter it was a hexagram or some god's reminder, they all said that Niu Fu really had to kill a man of two thousand stones to turn the crisis around.
After listening to the report, Niu Fu, who was sitting on the bed under the light, also sighed repeatedly: "I knew it should be like this... Then you can calculate again, who should be killed to establish power?"
The wizards and witches quickly showed off their magical powers again, and soon a wizard who burned turtle shells was the first to get the hexagram, and then he knelt down and whispered: "Report to the general, the hexagram has been revealed, but there is no specific reference, just
He said that he must kill the other two thousand stones who entered the city first to turn the crisis around... because this person is the culprit who is detrimental to the general."
Niu Fu suddenly realized: "Is destiny really not easy to predict?"
——————I am the dividing line of destiny——————
"In the army, divination should be prepared to boost morale. However, the direction of the divination should be controlled by the general. Therefore, it is said that in the past, when King Wu attacked Zhou, he predicted great luck by divination, so he sent out troops. When he actually sent out troops, it was divination that predicted good luck. Also,
For example, in the Song Dynasty, there was a battle between Zheng and Zheng. Zheng was defeated, so he asked Jin. The officials of Jin went to the temple to divine fortune, so they gave up their aid to Zheng. It was not because he did not support Zheng because of the hexagram, but in fact, he showed the hexagram to Zheng envoys because he did not support him. If the contrary
Determining military affairs based on divination is the so-called putting the cart before the horse!" - "Zi Bo's Art of War"
ps: Recommended book, "Shen Nian Heaven", a new book by a new boss, the story of the renaissance of science and technology after the spiritual energy dissipated and encountered magic. This setting is very interesting! You can try it.
