The Jingzhou army has already taken action, and the pottery merchants will naturally not be idle.
At present, in order to stabilize the counties in the Central Plains, the troops stationed in Xuchang should not move too much without permission. One is to prevent changes, and the other is to reduce some expenses.
So Tao Shang only dispatched 50,000 sergeants to Fancheng, and at the same time recruited some generals stationed in the Central Plains to support him on the front line.
Guan Yu's plan to breach the embankment and flood the city failed, and he himself was wounded. Guan Ping died in the battle, and the morale of the three armies was depleted. In desperation, he was recalled to Xiangyang.
For potters, this is a great opportunity to turn defense into offense.
Xiangfan, Xiangfan... the world always calls these two places together, and there is a reason for that.
These two locations are really close to each other, facing each other across the river.
To be honest, it's no different than building it on the other person's face.
If there was no Han River in the middle, people in both cities could commute to and from get off work where each other belongs... and just take a short walk home from get off work.
Therefore, whether it is Fancheng or Xiangyang, to each other, they are a nail, a nail planted in the other's face.
For the pottery merchants, conquering Xiangyang City is indeed the top priority right now.
Fifty thousand troops were mobilized from the rear, plus more than 10,000 people from Fancheng on the front line, almost 60,000, which was a lot of people, but it seemed a bit difficult to conquer the solid Xiangyang City.
Moreover, the pottery merchants also received information that Pang Tong was currently stationed in Xiangyang City on behalf of Liu Bei and had an overview of all military and political affairs in Xiangyang City.
Although he is still young, he is one of the few great talents in the world, so he may not be easy to deal with.
"Xiangyang City, in terms of geographical division, shouldn't it be considered the sphere of influence of the Cai family and the Kuai family? If Pang Tong came here, would they be willing to submit?" The pottery merchant wanted to start from within the enemy.
Tian Feng had also arrived at Fancheng from Xuchang at this moment. After listening to the pottery merchant's question, he immediately said: "The power of the Cai and Kuai families today is far less than it was when Liu Biao first entered Jingzhou.
When the imperial court was established in Jiangling, the ones who suffered the most were the Cai family and the Kuai family, which had the most resources. However, today, their power has been greatly reduced. However, Pang Tong is the nephew of Pang Degong, and the Pang family ranks among the Jingzhou nobles.
His prestige is not inferior to that of Cai and Kuai. If Pang Tong comes here at this time, Cai and Kuai will not make things difficult for him."
The potter rubbed his brows in embarrassment and said: "The city of Xiangyang is strong. If they are monolithic in the city, our army will really not be easy to fight... Is it possible to instigate rebellion against Cai Hao?"
Tian Feng was stunned after hearing this.
"Why did the Prime Minister suddenly think of this? Instigating rebellion against Cai Mao? This seems unlikely. He is also a famous figure in Xiangyang. How could he be easily instigated? This is ridiculous."
Tao Shang also knew that this was indeed unlikely, but in history Cai Mao did surrender Cao Cao.
But there are several prerequisites.
Historically, Cao Cao's army approached Xiangyang and forced Cai Mao to surrender. A large part of the reason was because Cai Mao and Cao Cao were old acquaintances, and at that time Liu Bei and Liu Qi tried to split Jingzhou, and there was only one court in the world, in the hands of Cao Cao, so Cai Mao therefore
The smooth surrender and submission to Cao Cao were considered orthodox at the time.
At that time, Cai Mao was in charge of all the land in Jingzhou except Jiangxia, and his bargaining chips were quite heavy, so Cao Cao couldn't help but treat him badly.
And facts have proven that Cao Cao did take great care of Cai Mao, his old friend.
But in the current situation, on the one hand, the main strength of Jingzhou is not in the hands of Cai Hao, and Cai Hao has no bargaining chips. On the other hand, there are two Han dynasties in the world, and Cai Hao has served the Han court in Jingzhou for several years. How can he
Reason for defecting to another Han Dynasty?
It’s just that the person named Cai is not familiar with the person named Tao. This is the most important thing!
If you don't know me well, why am I fooling around with you? If you kill me later, who will it be?
It seems that this road is dead.
Tian Feng touched the beard on his chin and said: "No matter what, we can attack the city first and try out the strength of Xiangyang City before it is too late to make a final conclusion."
Tao Shang said: "Over in Xuchang, the trebuchets from the last war are currently being transported to the front line. After the things arrive, let's try an attack and see how it goes."
…
Ten days later, Xuchang transported a large number of siege equipment to Fancheng, and the pottery merchants' troops began to march towards Fancheng.
The generals transferred from Xuchang also included Lu Bu this time.
Lü Bu took the initiative to ask Tao Shang for a tassel: "Prime Minister, the last general is asking for a battle and going to attack Xiangyang City! Share your worries for the Prime Minister!"
Seeing Lu Bu asking for a fight, the pottery merchant couldn't help but hesitate.
"My father-in-law, although your cavalry fighting ability is strong, Xiangyang City is so tall... I'm afraid this battle may not be your strength, right?"
Lu Bu laughed loudly: "Prime Minister, don't worry, Bu Xi often fought with people on the grassland. Everyone in the world thinks that I, Lu Bu, only know how to fight in the field. But in fact, Bu is all-powerful. Except for horse fighting... foot fighting, chariot fighting, and siege."
War is what I am good at. A mere Xiangyang city can be captured by cloth hands."
The pottery merchant couldn't help curling his lips when he heard this.
Look at this bullshit.
Almighty?
But for now, it's not impossible to let Lu Bu test it out first.
"Then my father-in-law will take command on the battlefield and allow you to attack the city, but not too deep. If things don't work, withdraw your troops and come back, and we will discuss it again."
"promise!"
…
The next day, Lu Bu took charge of the siege and led the soldiers of the three armies to Xiangyang City.
Xiangyang City is indeed a big city. The city is extremely solid. Not only is it tall and thick, but the moat is much wider than that of ordinary cities. It can be called the most important town in the north of Jingzhou.
Zhang Liao followed Lu Bu and looked at Xiangyang City, unable to help but hesitate.
"Marquis Wen, this city doesn't look easy to fight."
Lu Bu laughed loudly: "Today, there are very few people in the world who can be called my opponents, only Yuan Shao, Cao Cao and a few others. Now these people are either dead or escaping. What can the mere southern thieves of Jingzhou do to me?"
After saying that, Lu Bu thrust Fang Tian's painted halberd into the ground with a cold face, turned over and dismounted, and said loudly: "Order the three armies to beat the drums, and I will personally go forward to attack Xiangyang City!"
Zhang Liao hurriedly said: "How can you kill a chicken with a bull's knife? Marquis Mo Laowen is going in person, and the last general is willing to go to the city to attack first."
Lu Bu turned to look at Zhang Liao and said with a smile: "Wen Yuan is indeed a good man in Bingzhou. Anyway, I will leave the important task of leading the offensive army to you later!"
After saying that, Lu Bu was seen leading the troops behind him: "Order the three armies to use trebuchets to bombard the city first!"
"promise!"
As the herald's order was issued, the trebuchets of the Jinling Army began to bombard the huge rocks on the city wall of Xiangyang.
At this time, on the city wall, Pang Tong had already sent people to erect a large shield to resist the opponent's stone-throwing attack.
He calculated that if the enemy wanted to attack Xiangyang City, they would definitely use trebuchets first. As long as they could withstand this round of stoning, there would be nothing to fear when the enemy attacked the city on foot.
In order to boost the morale of the three armies, Pang Tong personally climbed onto the tower to preside over the battle.
Accompanying Pang Tongyi to Xiangyang City this time were several brave generals from Jingzhou, including Zhang Fei, Wei Yan and others.
Seeing that Pang Tong was young and held a high position as a Situ, but he also came to the city in person and was not afraid of the enemy's artillery fire, Zhang Fei couldn't help but sigh to Guan Yu and said: "Second brother, I didn't expect that although Pang Tong is young, he is actually like this."
It is extraordinary to be able to climb the tower in person and risk one's own life and death, but it is not comparable to ordinary people."
Although Guan Yu was injured, he did not rest and climbed onto the tower to help out.
His eyes were higher than his head, and he showed no interest in young Pang Tong. It could even be said that he had barely even looked at Pang Tong in the eyes.
At this moment, he was staring closely at the Jinling Army in the distance.
"Lu Bu? Third brother, this time our opponent is Lu Bu! It seems like it's a good time for you and me to make a name for ourselves!"