Chapter 79 The notoriety in the world is carried by me, Liu Xuande!
In late autumn, grass and trees are extremely easy to burn. Even in Xu He's village, people are very wary of open fires. They not only set up a large number of fire breaks, but also issued repeated orders not to light outdoor fires.
As early as the Spring and Autumn Period, fire breaks have been one of the ways to put out fires. During the Battle of Junji Mountain in the Western Han Dynasty, Li Ling used fire to fight fire and burned a fire break to prevent the fire from spreading.
But the situation in the battle at Junji Mountain was different from the current situation. At that time, Li Ling was in a valley, and the vegetation around it was not too dense, so he could use fire to create an open space.
Woniu Mountain is covered by dense forests. If you want to create a fire break by burning fire, you will be playing with fire and burning yourself to death first.
As for manual felling, if you want to cut a fire break that can protect 200,000 people, you will probably have to cut down all the trees on the top of the mountain.
Not only trees, but also countless weeds, basil, thorns, low shrubs, etc. How huge is the amount of work?
So when Xu He heard the army's plan, he knew that this battle was inevitable.
But he was still a little hesitant.
Do the officers and soldiers really dare to risk the disdain of the world and burn to death 200,000 people?
Just unbelievable.
You must know that the Han Empire could hardly tolerate a situation like massacre of a city.
According to the Biography of Geng Yan in the Book of the Later Han Dynasty, in the early years of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Geng Yanfan conquered forty-six counties and massacred three hundred cities without any setbacks.
It sounds scary, but in fact, the word "Slaughter the City Three Hundred" here does not mean massacre of all the people in the city, but it means the conquest of three hundred cities.
After all, in the early years of the Eastern Han Dynasty, there were only a thousand county towns in the world, and a real massacre of 300 people in the city. It was almost impossible for Geng Yan alone to massacre a third of the people.
Therefore, the truly recorded massacre of a city in the Eastern Han Dynasty is the massacre of Chengdu by the Wu Han Dynasty.
Because a friend of Wu Han came to Xi, Cen Peng was assassinated by an assassin sent by Gongsun Shu. He himself was defeated twice and almost died. Therefore, Wu Han hated Gongsun Shu deeply and finally decided to massacre the city.
Moreover, there is no record of the massacre of the people in the Wu Han Dynasty. They only wiped out the Gongsun Shu and Yancen clans, then set off troops to loot and burn the palaces, and allowed the soldiers to do whatever they wanted in the city.
Even so, Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu was furious and scolded Wu Han and his deputy Liu Shang, scolding them both.
From this point of view, we can know that Liu Xiu actually disliked the massacre of the city.
Because this is the most unpopular method of attack.
Throughout the history of the Eastern Han Dynasty, this was the only time it could be considered a massacre.
Even though Xu He had never read a book, the story of the Twenty-Eight Generals of Yuntai was passed down from ancient times. The deeds of Emperor Guangwu's kindness to the people? It was also deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. How could he not believe it? The officers and soldiers would really do this.
Therefore, when the letter from the officers and soldiers arrived, Xu He still hesitated and said: "The officers and soldiers... wouldn't be so cruel. Would Liu Bei really do that? In the name of his benevolence and righteousness..."
The subordinates hurriedly persuaded: "Has the general forgotten about Huangfu Song?"
"But Huangfu Song didn't massacre the city either."
Xu He retorted.
The subordinate smiled bitterly and said: "General, don't forget? Now the people in the second county of Banyang Changguo have all surrendered to us. Their identity is no longer citizens, but thieves."
Are they thieves?
Xu He shivered all over. Even in the late autumn when the day was still hot, his body felt bitingly cold, and a cool air rose from the soles of his feet.
yes.
He almost forgot.
His identity is a Yellow Turban thief.
So are the people who belong to themselves still the people?
In the eyes of everyone in the world, I'm afraid they are all rebel traitors. Even if they are all killed, no one will say Liu Bei is cruel.
Officers and soldiers kill thieves? It’s only natural!
And isn't it possible that the one who makes them endure all this is themselves?
Is it you? Drag them into the abyss!
Thinking of this, Xu He no longer dared to think any more.
Because he was afraid that he could not bear it anymore, he immediately ran out and surrendered to the officers and soldiers.
In that case, all the people can be saved.
But his life or death? Who knows?
When it’s not the last minute, everyone takes chances.
This situation? It is also commonly known as the coffin without tears.
Even though he knew that the army might really set fire to the mountain, Xu He was comforting himself.
Maybe this is just a conspiracy, a threat, a trick...
After a sleepless night, the weather on the second day was a bit gloomy, but the temperature was still muggy.
Xu He came to the mountainside with a pair of panda eyes and a slightly pale face.
"General."
When the soldiers saw him, they all moved out of the way.
The terrain of the mountainside pass is narrow, and even though the army cannot come up, it is not easy for the Yellow Turban bandits to station too many soldiers.
Therefore, less than 10,000 people were stationed along the entire pass and connected to the Fangshan Road corridor.
Yesterday, the officers and soldiers threatened to set fire to the mountain. Xu He had ordered all 50,000 soldiers to be dispatched, leaving the remaining 10,000 to guard the mountain stronghold. Now the mountainside is densely packed with people.
Because the roads could not be squeezed, the soldiers had to crowd into the mountains and forests. There were people standing on all slopes, crowding among the trees, and stepping on the dead leaves.
Seeing this situation made Xu He's heart twitch.
If the army really sets fire to the mountain, I am afraid that no one here will be able to escape, and they will all be burned to death.
"How are the officers and soldiers doing?"
Xu He tried his best to put away the messy thoughts in his mind and cheered up to ask around.
One of his subordinates said: "The officers and soldiers should have just finished their morning meal at this time, and there is no movement yet."
"Explore again."
Xu He gave the order.
"only."
The soldiers took the order and went forward.
While the spies were observing the outside, Xu He was also observing the situation below on the mountainside.
He was originally a woodcutter and part-time hunter in the mountains. He was familiar with everything in the mountains and forests, but now he felt a sense of incompatibility.
Before the officers and soldiers didn't say they were going to set fire to the mountain, Xu He didn't feel it. When the officers and soldiers told him what they were going to do, he discovered something unusual.
The officers and soldiers actually cleared away all the vegetation near the foot of the mountain, leaving a gap of about 200 feet between them and the foot of the mountain, covered with loess and mud.
Their rear camp is a mountain stream. The widest part of the stream is about four or five feet, and the narrowest part is also two or three feet. The deepest point of the water is about one or two feet. The shallow part is just over a person's ankle. But one thing is certain, that is
Enough to shelter 30,000 people from the fire.
If the mountain is really set on fire, the central open space can not only isolate the fire, but the stream behind the army camp can also prevent the fire. Moreover, the east wind is blowing today... If a fire is really set...
Xu He became more and more frightened as he watched.
Everything under the mountain made him feel that the officers and soldiers had already planned it.
Because any conditions and factors are full of disadvantages for him. With the fire, the cliffs on all sides of Woniu Mountain will either be burned to death or fall to death. I am afraid that there will be no survivors!
"General, general?"
His hands called in his ears and pushed gently.
Xu He woke up with a start and said blankly: "What's wrong?"
The subordinate said in confusion: "The officers and soldiers have left the camp. I just asked the general how to deal with the enemy."
"oh......"
Xu He came to his senses, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and said, "Let's see what the officers and soldiers are planning first."
After calming down, Xu He opened his eyes wide and tried his best to see the movements of the officers and soldiers below.
Just four to five hundred meters down the mountain, I saw officers and soldiers coming out of the camp like ants.
Since it was daytime, Xu He couldn't see clearly the situation of the officers and soldiers. He could only vaguely see that each officer and soldier seemed to be holding something in his hand.
"what is that?"
Xu He couldn't help but ask.
But no matter how good your eyesight is, you can only see a group of small black dots from such a long distance, and naturally you can't see anything clearly.
After a while, a spy reported back anxiously: "General, it's not good, general, the officers and soldiers have a lot of torches in their hands, as if they are setting fire to the mountain."
"What, set fire to the mountain?"
"How can the officers and soldiers do this?"
"General, what should we do? If we set a fire, we will all die."
"Why don't we just go down the mountain and fight."
"Maybe we have another way..."
Almost instantly, all the surrounding Yellow Turban soldiers exploded.
Originally, only Xu He and a few of his cronies knew about the army's plan to set fire.
Now everyone saw the torches in the hands of the officers and soldiers, and the eyes of countless people were filled with fear.
As people in mountainous areas, they know all too well what will happen if the forest is set on fire.
Especially in late autumn, when the weather is dry and the fire is strong, it may not end even if it burns for ten days and ten nights.
It lies on the cliffs on all sides of Niushan Mountain, with only one entrance and exit. Unless they are willing to jump off the cliff, not many people here can survive.
Hearing the discussions among the soldiers around him, Xu He's face became even paler, and he could only grit his teeth and said: "Don't panic, everyone, give me my order, bring your weapons, go down the mountain and confront the officers and soldiers head-on!"
It can be said that Xu He reacted quickly. If he hesitated for a while, if the officers and soldiers really rushed into the woods at the foot of the mountain with torches, I'm afraid there would be a big mess here soon.
The Yellow Turban soldiers on the mountain slowly began to come down the mountain. The officers and soldiers over there had also set up their formations in the open space. The two sides were slowly approaching and the two armies were facing each other.
Since the army camp was one kilometer away from the woods at the foot of the mountain, it was too close. It was not easy to set up the formation, so the army set up a long snake formation. There were five thousand sword shieldmen in the front row, and there were five thousand sword shieldmen in the back row.
The rows were made up of spearmen and ordinary soldiers. Each of these ordinary soldiers held unlit torches. The last row was composed of archers.
This formation is only divided into six rows. After all, the space is narrow and can only be spread horizontally. The positions are definitely not as dense as the square formation on the plain, so the formation is not very good.
But the officers and soldiers at least had a formation, while the Yellow Turban thieves were scattered in the forest at the foot of the mountain in a mess, not daring to show up.
Liu Guan, Zhang Chen, and Yang rode up to the battle. Zhang Fei laughed and said, "I'm finally willing to come out. So where is Xu He? My fourth brother invites you to come out for a talk. Do you have the courage?"
"General."
Look left and right at Xu He.
Xu He gritted his teeth and said, "Let's go out."
Although he has become a bandit now, there are still a few horses in the mountains.
Xu He mounted his horse, followed by groups of soldiers, and walked out slowly.
The two sides walked to the central open space and were separated by about forty meters, which was considered not too far or too close.
"Chief Xu."
Liu Bei said loudly: "You are finally willing to come down from the mountain to see me."
Xu He said coldly: "Who is Ambassador Liu?"
"I am."
Liu Bei took a step forward.
Xu He said indifferently: "I have also heard that Liu Xuande is famous all over the world and has done many benevolent and righteous deeds, but I didn't expect that hearing a hundred times is not as good as seeing it. Now he is setting fire to the mountain. Is this the way to make a king benevolent?"
Chen Muyue came out of the crowd and responded: "The way of benevolence and righteousness is for the people. Since you are a traitor to the country, you have occupied two counties and disobeyed the king's law. Now the people of the two counties have attached themselves to you and formed a stronghold to fight against the king's army."
, If this is the case, then these common people are all thieves, so what moral principles do the officers and soldiers need to have to kill thieves?"
"you......."
Xu He was at a loss for words for a while.
When it comes to reasoning, even ten Xu He can't beat Chen Mu.
Regardless of the identity opposition between the two parties, just talking about the current behavior of the people is called "abandoning virtue and following thieves" at this time.
This point has already been stated in "Zuo Zhuan".
Chen Mu was already in an invincible position by just holding on to the fact that the people were thieves.
Seeing that Xu He was at a loss for words, Chen Mu took advantage of the heat and said, "So I persuade Leader Xu to come down the mountain to talk. This is to give the leader a chance and to give the people of the two counties a way out."
"If you turn your back and surrender with courtesy, just like Zhang Yan, obeying the court's appeasement edict and accepting the emperor's appointment, then the country will be safe, the people will be happy, and the world will be at peace."
"If you refuse to obey the king's orders and must go against the goodwill of the court, then you are a traitor to the country and will be punished by everyone."
"In this case, the people who are attached to you are also thieves. We will kill them. This is the natural principle."
Chen Mu looked at Liu Bei, who nodded approvingly.
"It is natural for officers and soldiers to kill thieves."
"If we set fire to the mountain because we want to kill thieves, that is not an act of cruelty at all, but an act of obedience and justice for heaven."
"If the people in Banyang County and Changguo died because we set fire to the mountains, then these people did not die in our hands at all, but in your violence, greed, and desire, Xu He."
"Everything you have done is just driven by your greed. If you still have any conscience at all, quickly dismount and surrender, and don't let the people suffer anymore!"
Chen Mu's voice became louder and louder, trying to be heard by all the soldiers behind Xu He. At the end of his speech, he had already spoken decisively and shouted angrily: "For your personal benefit, Xu He has trapped countless people in dire straits.
, where do you have the dignity to claim to be asking for orders from the people?”
After saying these words, Xu He's expression suddenly changed and his face turned pale.
The Yellow Turban bandits behind him were all talking and whispering.
Even though Xu He has always had prestige in the two counties, this prestige is far from as deeply rooted in the hearts of the people as Zhang Jiao, Zang Hong, and Liu Bei.
These words were enough to shake his foundation.
Xu He was decisive and said without hesitation: "Withdraw, go back!"
Watching the Yellow Turban Army retreat like a tide, Liu Bei asked: "Pursuit?"
"Don't chase, just press forward step by step until you reach the foot of the mountain and are beyond the arrows."
Chen Mu said.
Now if we pursue, it will be a wild encounter.
Defeating the Yellow Turbans was inevitable, but Chen Mu had already made up his mind to use scheming tactics.
In a head-on battle, whether he loses his own men or enemy soldiers, he is not what he wants to see.
Since the problem can be solved peacefully and perfectly, why must we go to war?
The Yellow Turbans retreated, and the army pressed forward step by step.
The Yellow Turbans retreated to the woods at the foot of the mountain, while the officers and soldiers occupied the open space outside the woods.
Chen Mu whispered a few words into Zhang Fei's ear. Zhang Fei nodded and raised his voice: "Listen, rebel army, you have one hour to surrender, or we will set fire to it!"
The swordsmen, shield bearers and spearmen moved out of the way, and the soldiers holding torches came to the front of the team. The torches in their hands were held high. Although they were not lit, they were full of intimidation.
There was a commotion in the Yellow Turban camp in the forest.
Xu He saw that the first row of the official army only had soldiers holding torches, and he even considered whether to order an attack now.
But the distance between the two sides was forty or fifty steps, that is, seventy or eighty meters away. The officer sword and shield bearers were in the second row and could fill in at any time, which made him very hesitant.
After all, once a fight breaks out, within forty or fifty steps, the officers and soldiers can even light torches and throw them at them, then retreat and let the sword and shield bearers and spearmen block their attack. There is plenty of time.
This made Xu He dare not act rashly.
Liu Bei quietly said to Chen Mu: "Fourth brother, you can't really light a fire, right?"
"certainly."
Chen Mu replied seriously: "No."
That's weird.
I added another sentence in my mind.
Liu Bei nodded with satisfaction: "That's good."
"It's hot today, so why not go back and rest first? Third brother and I are here to watch."
Chen Mu suggested.
The climate in Shandong in October is relatively mild. It is usually over 20 degrees Celsius during the day and around 10 degrees Celsius at night. Occasionally, the temperature is only 30 degrees Celsius in autumn.
But after all, we were in the mountains, and it was quite hot under the sun at more than 20 degrees. In just a short while, the soldiers' faces were covered with sweat.
Liu Bei shook his head and said: "The soldiers are still here to treat us seriously, so how can I go back to the camp to rest."
Are you sure it's not to spy on me?
Chen Mu slandered.
Raise your head and look at the sky.
Although the temperature is high, the sky is overcast and the air is filled with humidity, making people feel stuffy.
Time passed by, and Xu He in the forest slowly regained his morale.
The Yellow Turban thieves were initially forced to riot under the threat of the government troops setting fire to the mountain, but now they have calmed down.
Xu He was now riding a tiger with difficulty, but he was still betting that the army would not dare to actually burn the mountain.
If he loses the bet and the officers and soldiers really set fire to it, he has only one solution.
That is to abandon the cottage and rush out to fight to the death with the government troops!
Although he knew he was losing, Xu He felt that once the army really burned the mountain, it would inevitably arouse the anger of the soldiers.
As the saying goes, the sad soldiers must win. Even if their combat power is not as good as that of the official army, they still have a chance to win.
So Xu He is also waiting.
An hour passed slowly, and the sky became darker.
"ignition!"
Zhang Fei shouted loudly.
Almost at this moment, the soldiers in the front row took out their fire sickles and began to light the torches.
"The officers and soldiers set fire!"
"They really want to burn the mountain."
"Go out and kill them."
"How about surrendering?"
The Yellow Turban soldiers immediately began to riot again.
Xu He clenched his fists.
The atmosphere seemed to freeze at this moment.
The flames fluttered in the wind, and thousands of fires seemed to gather into a wall of flames.
Chen Mu said loudly: "You really don't want to surrender?"
The distance between the two sides was less than a hundred meters, and Xu He roared in response: "No surrender!"
"Well, you win!"
Chen Mu sighed: "Don't worry, I won't set fire to it."
Liu Bei nodded approvingly.
Over there, Xu He was extremely nervous. Almost as soon as he heard these words, he breathed a long sigh of relief and relaxed.
Not only Xu He, but all the Yellow Turban soldiers also let go of their hearts at this moment, and they couldn't even hold their swords.
"That's weird, I lied to you."
At this time, Chen Mu said loudly: "Fire the arrow!"
Boo hoo hoo hoo hoo!
Countless flaming arrows fell like raindrops and shot into the forest. Almost instantly, a fire broke out.
"on fire!"
"Run!"
"The officers and soldiers really set fire to it."
The Yellow Turban soldiers in the forest instantly became chaotic.
Originally, Xu He planned to kill out the moment the officers and soldiers set fire.
But Chen Mu deceived them and made their mental concentration slack, so they didn't react immediately.
When he came back to his senses, the forest was already on fire.
In late autumn, there are countless dead leaves, and the fire is even more intense than in spring and summer.
The vegetation in the forest almost ignited instantly, and a steady stream of rockets came. Although due to the long distance between the two sides, many rockets were shot in the open space outside the forest, and many rockets were extinguished by the wind in the air.
However, even if it is in an open space, shooting into the grass will still cause a fire.
Soon a huge wall of fire rose from outside the woods. The Yellow Turban soldiers wanted to rush out, but the flames forced them to retreat and run up the mountain.
If this continues, when the flames surround the entire mountain, the entire Woniu Mountain will be burned to ashes and 200,000 people will be burned to coke.
"Fourth brother, you!"
Liu Bei's eyes were about to burst, and he raised his palm as if to strike.
Guan Yu showed an unbearable look, sighed and looked away.
Zhang Fei was at a loss and didn't know what to do.
Chen Mu closed his eyes.
He knew Liu Bei would not allow him to do this.
So the torches in the front row are just a cover.
The real killer move is the rocket.
In troubled times, people are like ants.
Two hundred thousand people were burned to the ground, and their lives were used to make me famous for massacre in troubled times!
Hit him, hit him hard.
Big brother.
After this slap, maybe you will feel better.
Chen Mu raised his head high.
But after waiting for a long time, the slap still did not come as expected.
Chen Mu opened his eyes and saw Liu Bei sitting on the horse with a depressed spirit, as if he had aged ten years.
"Brother..."
"Brother..."
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei looked at his haggard appearance and were worried.
"well."
Liu Bei sighed and said, "It's my fault. I didn't control you well, fourth brother."
"Brother, I..."
Chen Mu was silent.
"It goes without saying."
Liu Bei waved his hands, as a monstrous heat wave hit him. He raised his head and looked up at the sky, and said to the messengers on his left and right: "Pass this down, the person who ordered the fire today is Liu Bei and Liu Xuande. Remember, the person who ordered the fire is me, Liu Xuande.
Did everyone hear it?"
"this......"
The heralds and soldiers all around looked at each other in confusion.
Chen Mu opened his eyes wide.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's eyes sparkled with crystal tears.
This is to take the infamy of burning people to death and bear it on himself!
To know.
Even though Huangfu Song was so cruel, he never killed any common people.
Except for Cao Cao later, at least for now, no one would do such a horrible thing.
Liu Bei looked into the distance.
The mountain fire was as vast as the sea and was about to burn halfway up the mountain. Countless cries and wailings could be heard from afar, which was heartbreaking.
The death of these enemy troops is nothing.
Even if he is burned to death cruelly, it is just killing the thief and will not have any impact.
What is truly terrifying are the hundreds of thousands of innocent people.
The crime is not as bad as the common people.
Liu Bei felt like his whole body was shaking.
But the fire has been set, what can we do?
Is it possible to really kill the fourth brother?
The oath of friendship in Taoyuan still rings in my ears.
The scene of the four brothers sharing weal and woe emerged before our eyes.
How can I do this?
Liu Bei's tears fell from the corners of his eyes.
so.
Since the fire can no longer be put out.
People will die too.
Then, let me, Liu Xuande, bear the infamy of this man’s slaughter!
I will be blamed by the imperial court and scolded by the world.
I only hope that my fourth brother can realize it one day.
People should not be ants that can be trampled on at will.
They are human beings, a group of people with flesh and blood, brothers, sisters and feelings!