It must be said that Cao Zhang was well versed in the art of war and could be considered a famous general of the previous generation.
He took office empty-handed, but in less than ten days, he had already established enough prestige in the army and won the respect of many middle- and lower-level officers.
Then facing the navy commanded by General Huang Quan, he attacked east and west, mobilized back and forth, and led the army across the river in one day and night. Not only was there no damage, he also defeated 2,000 Huang Quan's navy, destroyed nearly a hundred Han ships, and reduced the Han army's water
The army did not dare to advance eastward and could only retreat to Mengjin and the Chenggao line.
After this battle, he gained greater prestige in the army, and even Hu Zhi, Cao Rui's confidant, admired him very much.
After crossing the Yellow River, the army marched westward and soon reoccupied Juanxian, Yuanwu, Chuilong and other county towns.
These cities were originally loyal to Cao Wei, but after the Han army captured Luoyang, these county magistrates heard the news and surrendered. Now that Cao Zhang returned with his army, they naturally followed the good example again.
Cao Zhang did not give them any trouble, but left a small number of troops behind to assist them. He then marched straight ahead and soon reached Hulao Pass.
Hulao Pass, also known as Sishui Pass, Chenggao Pass, Guxiao Pass, is one of the eight passes in Luoyang. It is the gateway and important pass to the east of Luoyang.
It is close to the Yellow River and intertwined with mountains, creating a natural danger. It has the potential of "one man can guard the pass, but ten thousand men cannot open it", and it has been a battleground for military strategists of all ages.
Whether it was the eighteen princes attacking Dong Zhuo back then or Cao Zhang leading his troops to rescue Luoyang now, Hulao Pass must be conquered before entering Luoyang City.
Upon receiving the news of the Wei army's invasion, Huang Quan immediately led his generals to the top of the city and looked outside the city.
At this moment, the sun is high in the sky, illuminating the earth with billowing smoke and dust.
Outside Hulao Pass, a large army formed a strict formation and marched slowly towards Hulao Pass.
Cao Zhang is riding a tall horse, holding a spear in his hand, and is located in the center of the army. He is followed by several generals on the left and right. One of them has a calm face, extraordinary bearing, and sharp eyesight. He is the former general Hu Zhi.
"Stop!" When he was only two arrows away from Hulao Pass, Cao Zhang waved his spear and the army immediately stopped advancing.
In just a few breaths, the soldiers quickly recovered the errors in their formation during the march, and the formation once again became seamless and impeccable.
Huang Quan was well versed in the art of war, and when he saw the Wei army's formation below, he couldn't help but sigh: "Cao Zhang is well versed in the art of war, and he has the prestige to lead a large army. Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to carry out such orders and prohibitions! If he attacks with all his strength, Hulao Pass will be in danger."
He looked at the Jingzhou Army under the city and saw only the Jingzhou Army. The Chinese army's large banner had the words "Ren Cheng Wang" written on it, and the flags were fluttering in the wind.
The humble general Xie Xiong said: "Although Cao Zhang came with a large army, he has been living in seclusion all year round. I don't know if he can still wield a spear. Even if he is good at martial arts, how can Cao Rui trust him so easily? I don't think he would dare to attack Hulao Pass easily.
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General Gong Qi also said: "Although Cao Zhang came in person, he only brought tens of thousands of troops. Hulao Pass is the most powerful pass in the world. Even if he had ten times more troops, he could not attack it. Besides, Your Majesty led an army of 100,000 and was stationed in Luoyang.
, you can come to support at any time, why should the general worry?"
After listening to the general's words, Huang Quan sighed and said: "Masters, please don't underestimate Cao Zhang. He once led a thousand men deep into the northern part of the Great Wall to wipe out all the Wuchen clan, and then doubled the rewards to the soldiers to gain the morale of the army. You see, he carries out orders and prohibitions, and military orders.
Rushan knew that he was commanding the troops well. We only have four thousand troops to guard Hulao Pass, so I'm afraid it won't be easy.
Xie Xiong disagreed: "General, why should you show off others' prestige and destroy your own ambition? Although Cao Zhang is ten times more powerful than me, the troops at Hulao Pass are well supplied with food, so why should we be afraid? If he really comes to attack, he will definitely take action and defeat the Wei army!"
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In the past six months, the Han army's continuous battles and victories have made the Han army generals deeply despise the Wei army.
Huang Quan shook his head and said nothing. This time Cao Zhang led his troops to attack with ferocious momentum and murderous intent. The enemy must not be underestimated.
Under the city, Cao Zhang looked at Hulao Pass, which was ready to defend the city, and couldn't help but sigh: "Hulao Pass is the most powerful pass in the world. Huang Quan, the general of Zhendong opposite, is indeed a capable man. Our army is fierce, but he can stop it.
Moreover, we have made preparations to defend the city, and it looks like we are a formidable enemy."
"Your Majesty, have our troops launched siege equipment and prepared to attack the city?" Hu asked.
"Don't worry, the weather has been hot recently and the morale of the Shu army is low. I'll give it a try and try to frighten the enemy!" Cao Zhang laughed, urged his horse on his crotch, raised his spear upside down, and went straight to Hulao Pass.
Come.
In a moment, Cao Zhang rushed to the city wall and shouted loudly at the city wall: "Cao Zhang is here, who dares to go out of the city to fight with me!"
"Is Cao Zhang here?"
"I heard that when he was weak, he was able to defeat the fierce tiger. That's really impressive!"
"Who in our Hulao Pass can beat him!"
The Han army defenders at Hulao Pass on the city wall were very panicked when they heard Cao Zhang's name.
A person's name, the shadow of a tree.
During the Battle of Guanzhong, when faced with Liu Feng who came to provoke him from time to time, Cao Cao once said angrily: "A boy who sells his shoes often uses his fake children to resist the enemy! If I call Huang Xu'er, your fake children will be turned into mud."
Before that, Cao Zhang was already a powerful general outside the Great Wall. His hands were stained with the blood of many barbarians. He was truly a fierce general in the world.
When soldiers and horses faced off, the battle was about morale. Cao Zhang challenged the city, but no one came to fight at Hulao Pass. After a while, the Wei army was in high spirits and morale, and they followed Cao Zhang and yelled and cursed. However, the morale of the defenders at Hulao Pass was low and they even talked back.
I don't even have the courage.
Xie Xiong followed Huang Quan and looked around. Seeing that no one dared to fight Cao Zhang, he couldn't help but step forward: "General, if Cao Zhang challenges, let the last general go fight him!"
"You?" Huang Quan looked at Xie Xiong. Although Xie Xiong was brave, facing the prestigious Cao Zhang, Huang Quan did not think he had the ability to fight against Cao Zhang.
"General, the last general joined the army since he was a child. He has made many meritorious deeds. He has also fought against Wei generals and has lived peacefully until now. Now Cao Zhang is calling for battle outside. If he does not go out of the city to fight, his morale will be low."
Huang Quan nodded heavily and said: "The general is so brave, so I agree that you can fight Cao Zhang, which can also improve the morale of our army."
Xie Xiong bowed his hands in thanks, then rushed out of the pass with his weapons and five hundred men and horses, shouting: "Cao Zhang, please don't leave! Do you know Xie Xiong from Shu?"
Seeing Xie Xiong coming on horseback, Cao Zhang didn't take it seriously. He sat on the horse with a pair of tiger eyes open, exuding the aura of conquering the world: "Unknown rat, how do I know you?"
"court death!"
The distance of tens of feet was reached in a blink of an eye. After hearing Cao Zhang's words, Xie Xiong was furious. He lifted up the iron gun weighing dozens of kilograms with both arms. He put all his strength into his arms, pressed the mountain with one move, and rushed towards Cao Zhang with the force of thunder.
Attacking from the top of the head.
"The class is a master!" Cao Zhang looked disdainful and waved the big gun in his hand!
"boom!"
When the two arrow weapons collided, they immediately emitted powerful energy and spread out in all directions.
Countless pieces of earth and dust rose up under the action of the air waves, covering the two of them.
And Xie Xiong even groaned, feeling that all his internal organs were burned and he had no strength at all. Then he suddenly turned over and dismounted, fell to the ground, foaming at the head, and was already dead.
Not only him, but also the war horse under his hip had two forelimbs fractured and fell to the ground dead.
Cao Zhang killed a Han general with one move. In high spirits, he pointed his spear and shouted: "Come on!"
The army rushed forward and immediately killed all the 500 men and horses who had followed Xie Xiong to the pass.
Only a few remnants ran faster and escaped back to Hulao Pass.
The Wei army rushed towards the pass. Huang Quan was horrified and quickly ordered the army to resist with all his strength. For a time, the pass was closed with arrows and rocks raining down.
However, under the leadership of Cao Zhang, the momentum of the Wei army increased greatly. Cao Zhang personally took the target and charged forward. He rushed to the pass twice in a row and killed the great Han general Gong Qi.
If not for the fierce general Gou Fu who led hundreds of death squads to resist with all his might, Cao Zhang would have captured Hulao Pass.
However, the momentum of the Wei army was like a rainbow, one after another, and the momentum was huge. Huang Quan resisted with all his strength, and finally blocked the Wei army's offensive. He hurriedly reported to Fengzhou on flying horses: "Cao Zhang is fierce and kills our Han generals in succession. The Wei army is coming fiercely and attacks Hulao Pass day and night.
If I hadn't resisted with all my strength, I would have been captured by the enemy!"