According to the original plan, the Northern and Southern armies were supposed to blend in with the Kushan rebels without flying flags, and start attacking Kushan in the name of Nisejia. However, the rebel leaders were all killed by Hua Xiong.
, these plans were naturally in vain, and the army raised the banner of the Han Dynasty, with Sun Jian's troops as the vanguard, Huang Zhong led the cavalry and the left wing, Dong Zhuo took charge of the center army, and Cao Cao controlled the rear army.
The army moved out, but it did not attack Marakanda directly.
The soldiers of Gongsun Zan's Heroic Battalion rushed back and forth, constantly inquiring about the situation in the periphery. After entering the territory of Guishang, the generals looked at the situation in various places in their hands, and they were not even too unfamiliar. The role of the Heroic Battalion was brought into full play at this moment.
Before the Kushan people could react, Dong Zhuo already knew their respective situations.
Afterwards, the army dispersed in all directions. Sun Jian led three battalions of the Southern Army, totaling 10,000 people, and set off towards the south. The terrain in the southern part of Kushan was very complicated, surrounded by mountains, leaving only an entrance in the northwest, and Ma
To the south of Lakanda, there is a military brigade responsible for guarding this important passage. If this place can be captured, on the one hand, it will cut off the southward retreat route for the Marakanda soldiers.
On the other hand, it can also block Kushan's domestic reinforcements here, preventing them from passing through.
The three battalions led by Sun Jian were Xu Chu, Ma Chao, and Sun Ce. In addition, Gongsun Zan personally led nearly a thousand people and was responsible for clearing the way. There were mountains and forests everywhere and it was really difficult to walk, so Gongsun Zan just followed Dong Zhuo's order.
, came to lead the way for Sun Jian.
The Kushan Empire goes from south to north, and the south has more territory, while the north is small and pot-shaped. In the middle of the north and south is a mountain range. Malacanda is on this mountain range. If you want to go to the south, you have to go south.
Plains, and then rushed to the Lanshi City of the Daxia people. After passing Lanshi City, Gaofu was in front of them, but there was a big river blocking Gaofu.
King Malakanda, also known as the Sogdian King by the Kushan people, most of the people here are Sogdians. They came from the Western Regions. Probably during the Han Dynasty, they came here due to the oppression of the Huns and established
Later, it was conquered by the Kushan people and became part of the Kushan Empire. It was also one of the more powerful princes of Kushan.
In Kushan, in addition to the Sogdians, there are four other princes. In the mountains, the people blocking the way are the Daxia people. However, Sun Jian is not going to capture Lanshi City. Lanshi City serves as a connection between Guishan and Guishan.
The only route to the north and south of Shuang is that the defense is even stronger than that of the Royal City. It is impossible for Sun Jian to capture Lan's City with only these troops.
Sun Jian's main purpose was to cut off the connection between Malakanda and Bactria and other regions. The northern part of Kushan was cut by the river and divided into two parts. Malakanda was to the east of the river, and the Bactria people were to the west.
Therefore, to get to Lanshi City, you must first cross the river to Daxia, and the Kushans worked hard to build a passage. The Sogdians occupied this passage at the beginning, forcing the Kushans to take a detour, cross the river from Khwarizm, and attack
Defeat Sogdiana.
Coming all the way, those at the front were Gongsun Zan and Sun Ce. Gongsun Zan didn't understand why Sun Jian asked his eldest son to serve as the vanguard. This is the most dangerous official position. He has to rush to the front and has a chance of life.
Worrying, of course, there are dangers in every battle, but the vanguard is undoubtedly the most dangerous. The young man followed Gongsun Zan on horseback.
Gongsun Zan couldn't help but admire him. Gongsun Zan could run wildly with his horses and rarely rest. In addition to the excellent horses, the most important thing was that their entire army was lightly armored and only had strong bows and swords as weapons. Sun Ce could wear armor and
It's amazing to be able to hold a spear and be by your side, resting together, and setting off together.
"Bo Fu... you go back and tell General Sun not to cross the ridge, but to rest where you are... We have traveled a long way here and cannot go to war directly... I will go to investigate the surrounding situation." Gongsun Zan whispered.
With that said, Sun Ce nodded and left the place immediately. Gongsun Zan ordered everyone to dismount and approach quietly. This is the narrowest area of the river. In winter and dry season, this is the only area where people can rush to the other side.
Of course, you can take a boat on weekdays, but the shipbuilding industry in the northern part of Kushan is not as developed as that in the south, and there is no fleet that can provide tens of thousands of people to cross the river. To build such a fleet, perhaps only the south can do this.
same.
Gongsun Zan did not get too close. He could not let others notice it too early. He also did not bring too many people. He only brought a few people, cautiously approaching between the woods. Gongsun Zan could not understand that any important city in the territory of the Han Dynasty
There will be no woods left around. Any trees that are an eyesore will be cut down immediately, because they will allow enemies to hide.
It may even become a sharp weapon used by the enemy when attacking the city. The enemy directly takes materials here to make siege equipment. However, such things are rare in Kushan territory, especially in the territory of the Sogdians.
, not only did they not cut down these woods, but they also built villages directly in the woods. Do they think it is easy to hide themselves?
In short, Gongsun Zan didn't understand. If he were the general and learned that there was an enemy village built in the woods opposite, he would definitely set fire to the forest and attack with fire. He would be able to wipe out such a village without any effort.
Already...
He carefully observed the city opposite. It was not a complete city, but more like a checkpoint. It was built tall, much taller than Malacanda. The city gates were closed tightly. It seemed that there were no people there.
Living here is a pure level, with only soldiers stationed inside. The level is backed by the river bank, and items such as horses are placed in front of the city gate.
It is probably a bit difficult to break through the city gate.
Gongsun Zan watched for a while and rested here. After nearly two hours, everyone had finished recuperating. Gongsun Zan left them to continue stationed here to observe the enemy's situation, and then returned to join Sun Jian. Sun Jian had not crossed the mountain yet.
, if they break out, such a big movement cannot be hidden from the enemy. Sun Jian understands this, so he obeys Gongsun Zan and stays here to make repairs.
After Gongsun Zan arrived, he was immediately taken to Sun Jian by the soldiers. Sun Jian looked at Gongsun Zan and asked quickly: "How are you, Colonel?" Gongsun Zan said: "General, the enemy did not send out scouts to patrol, but the city wall is tall and the city is very dark.
The door is tightly closed. If we attack by force, we will suffer heavy losses. What's more, when they pursued our troops in the past, they could send out nearly ten thousand people. It is conceivable that the number of troops in their city must be more than ten thousand...
"
"If we attack the city wall with the same number of people, it will be a victory, but I'm afraid it will be a tragic victory..."
Sun Jian thought for a while and said: "What the captain said is reasonable. However, Dong Gong gave me fifteen days to capture this place. Now it has only taken six days. If we don't attack by force, I'm afraid I won't be able to complete the military order."
Ah!" Gongsun Zan smiled and said: "General, the generals who defend the city here hate me very much..."
"Oh? The captain wants to lure them out??"
"Yes, it is better to ambush them than to attack by force. If the ambush fails, even if it is to fight in the wild, it is worse than to siege the city..."
"Well..." Sun Jian pondered for a moment and then nodded. He looked at the surrounding terrain, waved his hand, and called the sturdy man over. He said: "Zhongkang, you will follow later.
General Gongsun, lie in ambush in that forest, and when they are about to cross the hills, I will cover up my troops and rush to kill them. You can directly cut off their retreat and trap them here!"
"Here you go!"
"Meng Qi... you lead the cavalry, don't act rashly. After we fight, you lead the cavalry to chase down the remaining soldiers. Don't let the enemy escape from here!"
"Here you go!"
After giving orders, Gongsun Zan set off. First, he encouraged the soldiers of the brave camp several times. When they heard that they were going to challenge the nearly ten thousand Kushan army, they were all very frightened and turned pale, even though outsiders were always there.
They are praised for their unparalleled ability to escape, but they don't like the feeling of being chased. If possible, they would like to return to Dongli to catch their fish.
Gongsun Zan gave the order, and the soldiers of the Xiaoyong Camp rushed out. Such a big movement immediately frightened the enemies on the city wall. When they saw the familiar horse bandits in the distance, they roared quickly. Gongsun Zan led the Xiaoyong Camp.
, slowly approached the city wall, but was not within the shooting range of the opponent. Gongsun Zan raised his head and looked at it seriously.
Soon, the enemy chief climbed up the city wall and looked down. Although they were far apart, Gongsun Zan could not find the whereabouts of the thieves chief, but the thieves chief, the Sogdian general Haiyi who guarded Xinha City, looked at
When he arrived at Gongsun Zan who was under the city wall, he recognized this guy at a glance. Suddenly, anger burned in his chest. His father, Lao Hai, the general who originally guarded Xinha, was killed by Gongsun Zan!
His father, Lao Hai, was the bravest and most violent general among the Sogdians. He was known as the first Sogdian general. He had participated in many battles between Kushan and Parthia. When the entire army was defeated,
, he was the only one who never experienced defeat, and defeated many with less many times. It was also because of his bravery that the King of Kushan granted him, a Sogdian of the third caste, to Xinha, the most important area, as the leader of this place.
Such an irritable general encountered Gongsun Zan's brave camp. How could he tolerate Gongsun Zan acting wild in front of him? He led his army and pursued and killed him many times, but he could never catch up with Gongsun Zan. No matter whether it was an ambush or luring the enemy, he could not catch up with Gongsun Zan.
There was no way to keep this hateful horse bandit away when Gongsun Zan appeared in front of him for the fourth time.
The old general couldn't stand it anymore, so he took all the troops in Xinha City and started a long journey to catch up. He chased for more than ten days, and when he was about to catch up, this group of cunning guys crossed the river and came back.
After destroying the bridge, the old general couldn't restrain his anger. He fell to the ground spurting blood and died of serious injuries. He died four days later.
The most powerful old general in the north of Guishuang was lost in the hands of the brave camp. Even Gongsun Zan didn't know about it. However, his son Hai hated Gongsun Zan deeply. At this moment, he saw the killing
How could he endure his father's enemy? He stood up with his face red and his whole body trembling with anger. It seemed that he had inherited his father's irritability.
"General, these horse bandits have always been cautious. They fled after being discovered by us. They came up so boldly today. There must be some fraud..." The captain on the side said, and Hai smiled cruelly and said, "I know.
..Look, in the woods in the distance, the birds are hovering above, refusing to fall down. They have an ambush, right there..."
"Haha, I will lead the cavalry to hunt them down. You will lead the rest of the troops and hide behind the city gate. When their ambush comes out, you will rush into their ambush from behind..."
"General, it would be better if we just set fire to the forest..."
"Those people run faster than rabbits and set fire to the forest. Once they escape, we can no longer catch them. If he thinks I am a fool, then I will treat him like a fool for once, keep him and chop him down.