The corpses of the soldiers, whose armor had been stripped off, were thrown down by the Han army into the reed swamps by the water.
Those were the more than 800 Wei troops who entered Wengcheng yesterday.
The isolated city was under heavy siege and could not allocate enough manpower to guard the prisoners, nor could it supply the prisoners with food in short supply.
Therefore, when countless rocks fell from the top of the city and blocked the passage out of the city, the Han troops who used their bows and crossbows to kill the Wei troops in Wengcheng ignored the voices of those who wanted to surrender and begged for mercy.
Just think of it as being covered up by the sound of drums and horns urging the two armies to fight.
The world is turbulent, troubles are endless, swords are incessant, and it is inevitable that the bones will be exposed in the wild.
Get used to it.
Wei Jun took no action in this regard.
When Xia Houru knew that he had fallen into the trap, he withdrew his troops and returned to camp. He did not attack the city again today.
In just one day of siege, more than 3,000 soldiers died. He needed to rest his morale and give up any extravagant hope of quickly breaking through the city.
He also moved all the military camps to the east of the city.
It's not that Guo Huai's troops, who pretended to attack the east of the city, suffered very few casualties and their morale was still intact.
But the Han army had a barbican city in the south of the city. If the Wei army wanted to break the city, they would have to conquer two walls, which was too difficult.
However, after a night of secret talks with Xia Houru, Guo Huai, the commander in the east of the city, rushed to the camp of Wei Da Sima Cao Zhen with more than ten retinues.
No one knows what he mentioned to Cao Zhen.
But after he returned, the offensive and defensive battles in Zuli City were temporarily eliminated.
The various units of the Wei army settled peacefully outside the city. Soldiers and horses went out every day, and there were frequent visits, but they did not come back from felling wood or collecting stones, or returning from protecting food and fodder.
I don't know what they are planning.
Wei Yan, Guan Xing and others were puzzled by this.
I can’t figure out why the Wei army was defeated for a while but didn’t attack the city again for more than ten days?
But I didn’t delve into it.
All you need to do is order the soldiers to be on strict alert, defend the city, and remain unchanged in response to any changes.
As time goes by, Bi Wei's plan will come to light.
Far away on the bank of the river, there is no more spectacular siege scene with arrows blocking out the sun and stones flying all over the sky.
After Wei Ping led 30,000 troops to attack this dangerous fortress for seven or eight consecutive days, which even had a "horse face" built, it began to die down and stayed in the military camp.
There were too many private troops from the prefects of Hexi counties mixed in with the army, and Wei Ping simply couldn't control it.
In the beginning, they were able to share the same hatred.
But after several days of heavy casualties, they even had to argue for a long time about which unit would be the first to attack the city every day.
They all have the intention of preserving themselves and waiting for others to become their wedding clothes.
Everyone has their own agenda and it is difficult to carry out the orders. How can there be any hope of conquering the city?
After many attempts to persuade Wei Ping to no avail, he was furious and stopped the offensive and settled in camp to rest. He also sent people to tell Cao Zhen the truth and asked if he could lead his army south to help attack Zuli County.
With the various tribes in Hexi conquering Guanyin Fortress, he no longer had any hope.
He had no choice but to find another way, hoping to trap the Han army in the Jianyin Fortress by breaking through Zuli.
But Cao Zhen did not agree to his request.
On the contrary, he was incredibly allowed to relieve the siege and led all the soldiers back.
At that time, Zhang Bao, Liu Yin and others who were defending the fortress still couldn't believe it.
However, they sent scouts across the river to investigate, and found that the Wei army had burned a lot of tools such as leather rafts and small boats for crossing the river.
Perhaps Ni Wei saw that the cost of attacking the city was too high, so he gave up temporarily.
Anyway, for the Wei army, the key to breaking through the Jianyin Fortress lies in Zuli City, so there is no need to rush.
Zhang Bao came to a conclusion and ordered his soldiers to remain on guard.
Liu Yin, on the other hand, felt a little regretful.
This time the Wei army attacked the city and only killed and injured more than a thousand people, which was far from satisfying his desire to make achievements.
Compared to Zulicheng and Anyinsai, the other camp where Zheng Pu and Jiang Wei held fast was a tragic life-and-death struggle every day.
After Fei Yao arrived with his army, he spent three days setting up camp, building high platforms and mountains, and cutting down trees to build many rams, siege towers, ladders and other objects.
After that, they continued to attack every day.
Unless hundreds of corpses are left behind every day, the troops will not stop and return to camp until sunset.
Due to the disparity in numbers, the Han army temporarily built a weak camp. The three trenches in front of the camp were filled in, and many Yuan Rong crossbows were smashed by thunderbolt chariots.
However, there are still no gaps in the outer fence.
Every time the Wei army attacked, it was blocked by the camp fence and could not engage the Han army in close combat.
This made Zheng Pu not even want to watch the battle.
On the one hand, there is the inner perimeter of the Han army's camp, and there is also a vehicle formation composed of Wuhan Iron and Steel chariots and armored chariots!
The war has not yet reached its critical moment.
Another reason is that he has self-awareness.
Although Prime Minister Zhuge asked him to be the commander-in-chief of the other camp.
But he was not good at commanding on the spot, while Jiang Wei had been familiar with military matters since he was a child, and was very good at supervising battles on the spot, so those who were capable would certainly have to work harder.
Moreover, before the war started, Jiang Wei had implicitly expressed his intention to train troops before the battle.
Among the soldiers in other camps, Liu Min's 1,500 field soldiers had never experienced war, and half of his Qiang Protecting Battalion were newly recruited soldiers.
Therefore, he wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to defend, so that the new soldiers could become familiar with coordinated operations as soon as possible and become elites who could enforce orders and prohibitions as soon as possible. They would be of great use when they marched to Hexi in the future.
Those who are called elites can only survive a hundred battles!
It is also a blessing that the new soldiers have the opportunity to fight and get used to and adapt to the life and death of the battlefield.
Therefore, Zheng Pu did not interfere and let Jiang Wei decide on his own.
Apart from joking with the soldiers during the morning and evening meals every day, he spent the whole day wandering around the military camp with Xu Zhi doing nothing, asking about some deeds in the Hexi Corridor.
Yes, Xu Zhi is also in the other camp.
In the past, after the Han army captured the Fortress of Yin, Jiang Wei gave Zhou Tai the credit for persuading the surrender of the rebel general Xu Zhi.
Zhou Tai, who had been a member of the Wei army, knew that Wei's military laws were strict with his family members, so he did not force Xu Zhi, who was born into a wealthy family in Hexi, to surrender directly regardless of his family members.
Based on his own experience, he advised Xu Zhi to imitate his own practice and keep himself useful until the time comes.
For example, after the Han army captured the Hexi Corridor and no longer had any worries, he could then serve as an official for the Han Dynasty.
Xu Zhi was very moved by this.
People who were born in Hexi did not have much loyalty to Wei.
For example, his previous service to the Wei State was just to realize his ambition of galloping on the battlefield and becoming a noble general. He had to serve the Wei State wholeheartedly.
In other words, people in Hexi will not have much resistance to the big Han.
Four hundred years of accumulated prestige is not just a lie.
Therefore, he accepted Zhoutai's proposal.
After selecting one or two confidants from the tribe and sending them back to Zhangye's home to report their safety, they had time to wait for the day when the Han army would regain Hexi.
Zheng Pu didn't think there was anything wrong with Zhou Tai's behavior.
No matter whether Xu quality declines early or late, it will ultimately be beneficial to the Han Dynasty.
As long as he stayed peacefully in the Han army, it would be equivalent to adding a tongue to the Han army that understood the situation in the counties in Hexi.
The previous broker Shi Puli was, after all, born in Guizhou and also a barbarian. Some of his knowledge and intelligence were incomparable to Xu Zhi, who was a general who rebelled against the Wei Dynasty.
In other words, talent is rare.
If you treat him with courtesy and treat him with dignity, one day the great man will have a great general, so why not?
Therefore, during these days, Zheng Pu took precautions and inquired about Xu Zhi's affairs in Hexi Province in detail, and recorded them on the slips at night, so that he could report the details of the Western Expedition to the Prime Minister the next day.
Naturally, it is necessary to be on guard against others.
He didn't have much courage. When chatting with Xu Zhi, he privately told his subordinate Qi Yacuo to be on guard in secret.
In order to avoid making a fool of himself and being kidnapped by Xu Zhi, who is known for his bravery.
However, it was obvious that his worries were in vain.
Or he felt that it would not be difficult for the Han Dynasty who occupied Longyou to seize the Hexi Corridor in the future, so Xu Zhi was very self-restrained.
When talking with him, I often consciously keep a distance between the two.
And every question must be answered, and everything must be said.
As the time they spent together grew longer, the two gradually became familiar with each other, and Zheng Pu also asked him what he thought of this massive attack against the Wei Dynasty.
There were also unexpected gains.
Xu Zhi did not dare to speak nonsense, and he did not speak lightly or deeply.
It is only asserted that the fortress of Guanyin is dangerous and solid, and as long as the food and supplies are sufficient, there will be no worries about the attack by the Wei army.
But after Zheng Pu explained the dispatch of Cao Zhen's troops, he expressed his doubts: "The governor of Wei in Hexi actually led the army to attack Yan Yin Saixie? I have worked with him before and know that he is not a reckless person; he will stick to his guns.
Guo Boji of Jincheng County was not a fool. The two of them didn't know that the 30,000-strong fort was so strong that it was impossible for a mere 30,000 troops to break through it! Therefore, why did the Wei governor general in Hexi not lead his army south to attack Zu with Xia Houru?
Licheng? Or move to Jincheng County, besiege Pingxiang City, or set up a separate camp here?"
This doubt made Zheng Pu instantly stunned.
After thinking about it carefully, I found that it makes sense.
Against the Wei Dynasty, he used all his strength in Guanzhong to attack, but Cao Zhen actually asked Wei Ping to attack Guanyin City to stop evil?
With doubts, Zheng Pu went to find Jiang Wei to discuss with Jiang Wei after the Wei army had withdrawn and returned to camp at sunset.
But soon, they no longer need to guess.
Because on the next day, Wei Ping led his army to arrive - when Cao Zhen asked him to fight south, he asked him to transfer to Jincheng County and come here, under the control of Wei Hou General Fei Yao.
Coming with him were more than 6,000 cavalrymen from the Southern Huns Zuoxian King Liu Bao.
That was Guo Huai's suggestion.
After he and Xia Houru failed to attack the city for a day, they felt that it was difficult to attack Zuli City, so they went to seek advice from Cao Zhen.
Xia Houru's remaining 40,000 soldiers trapped Zuli City; he transferred more than 10,000 of his own troops to Pingxiang City, and combined with the 3,000 cavalry led by Zhang Xiong, they may not be able to reach the Lishui River Valley to contain Ma Dai and Zhao Guang
Two cavalrymen rushed to support the other camp; let Fei Yao and Wei Ping join forces to attack the other camp of Zheng Pu and Jiang Wei.
The purpose of transferring the cavalry of Liu Bao, the Xian King of Zuo, was to cut off the connection between Prime Minister Zhuge's main force and other camps.
Or, after breaking through the other camps, the Han army will pursue them and annihilate them all!
This kind of scheduling is equivalent to achieving Cao Zhen's intention of plotting against Xiao Guandao in disguise.
And he is not afraid of being known by the Han army.
Longyou has no other troops to support.
However, the main force led by Prime Minister Zhuge Liang was still restrained by the army led by Cao Zhen. If they came to rescue, they would have to give up their favorable location and leave the valley.
But this will lead to being surrounded by the Wei army.
If Cao Zhen saw the Prime Minister coming out of the valley to come back for reinforcements, he would definitely lead the army in pursuit!
Fei Yao and Wei Ping had more than 50,000 troops together, so they only needed 20,000 troops to trap Zheng Pu and Jiang Wei.
At that time, they can bring the six thousand cavalry of Zuoxian King Liu Bao and Cao Zhen's main force to attack the prime minister's main force in the wild!
Even if Fei Yao and Wei Ping don't lead the army, they only need to continue to besiege Zheng Pu and Jiang Wei's other camp, which is also "encirclement and reinforcements". Even if the prime minister leads the army, they will not be able to break through their camp and join up with the other camp.
Falling into a dilemma where there are enemy troops blocking the road in front and pursuers behind.
But if the Prime Minister did not return to the army and rush for reinforcements, would Zheng Pu and Jiang Wei be able to hold on with only ten thousand people?
Under the early morning sunshine, Zheng Pu came to the outer fence and looked at the thick Wei army not far away. He couldn't help but have a few wry smiles on his face.
He suddenly felt that he was not suitable to fight on Xiaoguandao.
The last time he insisted on holding Xiao Guandao, Ma Di suffered heavy casualties due to his greed for power and reckless advancement. Finally, relying on Chen Shi, Zhao Guang and Zhang Bao led the army to arrive in time, and he survived.
Now, we have to defend alongside Jiang Wei's army.
Jiang Wei's military strategy is outstanding and can be called a good man, and there is no improper management.
But bad luck!
He rebelled against Wei and attacked with more than 60,000 troops!
Sad man, if there is another chance to survive this time, I will never come to Xiaoguandao in the future!
Zheng Pu's heart was full of anger.
Jiang Wei, who was also standing next to him watching the enemy's situation, was much more calm.
He put his hand on his forehead, blocked the sun and looked for a moment, then turned his head and asked softly, "Zijin, in your opinion, if the prime minister knew the news about this place, he wouldn't come to help, right?"
The voice was neither urgent nor slow, but contained a hint of hope.
It’s not that we want the Prime Minister to lead the army.
But he hoped that the prime minister who had been kind to him would not return to his army, lest he fall into an ambush by the Wei army.
This is the same as Zheng Pu.
He was also unwilling, and the prime minister was forced to give up the location for the two of them.
However, based on his understanding of the Prime Minister, he also had an answer in his mind: If the Prime Minister learned the news, how could he sit back and watch the two of them being besieged by Ni Wei?
"I hope not."
Zheng Pu twitched the corner of his mouth and sighed helplessly, "Bo Yue, while the enemy Wei has not formed an encirclement at this time, you should first send people to find Zhuyi's cavalry, and let him send scouts to report to Yu first.
Prime Minister, please tell me that you and I can repay Xiaoguan without losing our way, and there is no need to return to the army to support us."
Zhuyi is the Shaodang Qiang King who lived in the Huangshui River Valley in the past.
Previously, he and four other Qiang tribes were attacked by Guo Huai. The tribesmen suffered heavy casualties, all their cattle and sheep were plundered, and their strength suddenly declined.
In the tradition of the Qiang tribe, the weak must either surrender or be destroyed.
He once went to find Mangzhong, the Qiang king in Xihai County, and asked him to help him regain his fame because of the ties of origin.
But Mangzhong only claimed that he was willing to divide a pasture for him around the West Sea.
In other words, Mangzhong wanted to annex his tribe and leave Shaodangzhong Qiang with only one Qiang king.
This approach is inhumane, but it is reasonable.
The weak have no right to speak.
Moreover, Mang Zhong felt that at least he would not treat Zhu Yi harshly.
But Juyi still refused.
He could trust Mang Zhong, but he couldn't trust Mang Zhong's children.
Therefore, when Jiang Wei rushed to Lintao to recruit troops, he was desperate and discussed with Mo Zhezhai, another leader who was also attacked by Guo Huai. He felt that instead of struggling to survive until the end and inevitably being annexed, it would be better to fight for the Han Dynasty.
.
The remaining tribesmen, after being organized into households by the Han Dynasty and moved away, at least will not become slaves of other tribes.
And when they went to the battlefield with the Han Dynasty, they also sought revenge from the Wei army.
Jiang Wei was very surprised by his arrival - although Qiang King Zhuyi had declined, he was very prestigious in Xiping County, and his willingness to surrender to the army would make recruiting troops more effective.
Therefore, Jiang Wei wrote a letter to the prime minister and granted Zhu Yi the position of Sima of the Qiang camp, with Mo Zhezhai as his deputy and command of two thousand Qiang cavalry.
Now that he is coming to Xiaoguandao with the army, he is not in the camp.
Jiang Wei asked him to lead two thousand Qiang cavalry to wait outside, intending to suddenly rush out when Wei was attacking the camp and kill Fei Yao's army in one fell swoop.
