In mid-November of the fourth year of Ping Dynasty in the early Han Dynasty (193), Beihai.
Although Kong Rong, who had just turned 40, was slightly stout, he still had the elegance of a scholar, set off by his well-fitting Confucian uniform and carefully trimmed long beard.
Kong Rong was very happy that day because he invited famous scholars Guan Ning and Bing Yuan to give lectures to many students in Beihai.
In Beihai City, the front of Kong Rong's mansion was blocked by carriages and horses. When the literati heard that Kong Rong had invited two celebrities to give lectures, they rushed to Kong Rong's mansion without any trouble. Kong Rong also ordered his subordinates and servants to greet the many students, and he himself went out of the city to greet Guan Ning and Bing Yuan.
The front hall of Kong Rong's mansion was newly renovated. The huge hall was packed with people, and there were even people standing outside the front hall door. A group of students and scholars were talking in low voices, waiting for the arrival of Kong Rong, Guan Ning and Bing Yuan.
A clerk hurriedly walked into the front hall and reported, "Everyone, Kong Beihai and the two gentlemen have arrived in front of the house. Please stand up and greet them."
Just as everyone stood up, Kong Rong came to the front hall with two middle-aged scribes. The one in front was wearing a turban and blue cloth. Although his clothing was as simple as that of a commoner, his expression and demeanor naturally exuded a noble and elegant temperament. It was Guan Ning.
Bing Yuan in the back wears a scholar's crown and has a resolute and serious face. The two of them followed Kong Rong to the lobby.
All the scholars and scribes bowed their hands and saluted the three of them, and Kong Rong and the other three also returned the courtesy and thanked them. After some courtesy, Kong Rong came to the middle of the front hall and said, "Everyone has been waiting for a long time. Kong Rong has lived up to expectations and invited Mr. Guan You'an and Mr. Bing Genju. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask these two gentlemen."
Guan Ning and Bing Yuan were sitting on the chairman's chair, answering the students' questions. Both of them were worthy of being well-educated people, and they responded calmly and calmly. In the meantime, the servants served drinks, fruits, and the students' inquiries lasted for almost two hours.
"Mr. You'an, Yuan Xi, and Yuan Xianyi are also in Qingzhou at this time. They annihilated the Yellow Turbans not long ago and defeated Tian Kai. I wonder what you think of Yuan Xianyi?" asked a young scholar.
Guan Ning and Bing Yuan looked at each other and found it difficult to answer. Yuan Xi was famous and came from a famous family. Although he was still young, he was a man of the moment.
Guan Ning thought for a while and said, "Yuan Xianyi is indeed worthy of his reputation as a young hero. The meaning of his poems and poems is not very clear, but his poems and essays set a trend for a generation."
"Isn't Yuan Xianyi a rare hero in the world when he decided to conquer Jizhou, kill Dong Zhuo, annihilate the Yellow Turbans, and occupy Qingzhou?" a young student of eighteen or nineteen years old said excitedly.
Speaking of Yuan Xi's deeds, many of the scholars present praised and praised him. These were things they wanted to do but couldn't do. Guan Ning and Bing Yuan obviously also had a good impression of him.
"Young talent and young hero, Yuan Xianyi is a rare hero. Putting down the chaos and helping the country is exactly what he wants to do." Bing Yuan rarely praised.
Kong Rong's smile faded, and he looked a little embarrassed. This Yuan Xi came to rule Qingzhou under the orders of Yuan Shao, the leader of the Kwantung Allied Forces and the cavalry general. After all, it is difficult to decide whether he, the governor of Beihai, belongs to Yuan Xi, or whether he does not recognize Yuan Xi's rule. . .
Because Yuan Xi was not an official appointed by the Han Dynasty, but Kong Rong was dedicated to maintaining orthodoxy. He would not succumb to a warlord. This was what he thought, but it also caused trouble for himself.
"Report!" A clerk hurried into the lobby regardless of the occasion. He made a complaint, and then went to Kong Rong's side to report in a low voice. After hearing this, Kong Rong's face suddenly turned pale.
"Kong Beihai, is something big happening?" Guan Ning asked.
Kong Rong nodded and looked at the students present, "About 20,000 to 30,000 Yellow Turban remnants surrounded Beihai City."
"Ah!" Everyone present was panicked. In the past, Beihai was the hardest hit area by Yellow Turban bandits, and all parts of Beihai suffered from Yellow Turban plunder. Finally, Kong Rong led the Beihai governor and organized the soldiers and civilians of Beihai to resist the Yellow Turban thieves.
"Where did the Yellow Turban Thief come from? Weren't they surrendered by Yuan Xianyi?"
Kong Rong's face was full of sorrow, and he sighed, "They are the remnants of the party who slipped through the net. They were originally roaming the Qi State and Le'an areas, but the Jizhou Army recently occupied Le'an, and they fled to Beihai."
Bing Yuan thought for a while and asked: "Don't Kong Beihai have soldiers and generals who can fight under his rule? Just send them to resist."
"You don't know, there were more than 10,000 soldiers in Beihai, but after they were divided into some counties, there were only more than 6,000 left. And half of the soldiers were sent to garrison in Duchang, leaving Beihai City with less than 3,000 soldiers." Kong Rong said in distress.
"Then send people to Duchang to bring reinforcements. What are you waiting for, Kong Beihai?" A group of scholars advised him one after another.
Kong Rong sighed and said, "The Yellow Turbans attacked the Duchang defenders first, and now they have fallen into the Yellow Turbans."
Most of the people were frightened and exhausted. They had to be afraid, after all, most of them were guests at the forum. After a long silence, a student suddenly said loudly: "Why not go elsewhere to move reinforcements to relieve the siege of Beihai!"
Bing Yuan also agreed: "We can send people to move reinforcements elsewhere. Tao Xuzhou has a strong army and has wiped out the Yellow Turban bandits. Furthermore, Yuan Xianyi is now in Linzi, Qi State, so we can ask for help from him."
Guan Ning shook his head and said, "Xuzhou is too far away. Beihai will be in danger when reinforcements are brought in. Jizhou's army is in Qi State, why not ask it to come for reinforcements?" He still has a good impression of Yuan Xi.
Of course Kong Rong knew the pros and cons, but if he asked for help from the Jizhou Army, they might take the opportunity to occupy Beihai. With the reputation of the Yuan family and Yuan Xi, it would be easy for all parts of Beihai to join him. Kong Rong did not want to see himself being ignored by a young man.
"Kong Beihai still has any concerns?" Bing Yuan asked.
Kong Rong thought for a while and finally felt that the safety of Beihai was the most important thing, so he asked, "The Yellow Turban thieves have surrounded Beihai City. How can we send people to ask for help?"
Everyone was at a loss for words. It was very dangerous to break through the Yellow Turban camp. As a group of literati, there was nothing they could do. This is why Cao Cao hated the scholar-bureaucrats very much.
Kong Rong's civil and military subordinates were also present. Kong Rong looked at them, hoping to get some advice.
"General Wu Anguo possesses supernatural power and extraordinary bravery, which allows him to break out of the encirclement and ask for help." A noble squire said.
Wu Anguo, who is in his thirties, has a stocky build and a sinister face, quickly waved his hand and clarified, "It's not that I don't want to ask for help, it's just that the Yellow Turban thieves have surrounded Beihai. If more people break through, they will inevitably attract the Yellow Turban thieves' ideas. If they are surrounded, The danger is great. Even if there are not many people there, they can’t break through the Yellow Turban camp.”
Wu Anguo is a famous warrior in Beihai County. Although he is quite conceited about his own strength, he would not dare to risk a breakout alone. Moreover, after the battle at Hulao Pass, he was broken by Lu Bu and still has a fear of the battlefield. .
"Sir, I would like to recommend a person who can take on the important task of calling for help." A minor official among Kong Rong's subordinates said loudly.
Everyone looked at the man in surprise. Kong Rong knew that the man was his master, Wang Xiu from Yingling, Beihai. At the beginning of the year, he was appointed as the main director.
"Who is it? Shuzhi, tell me quickly!" Kong Rong said in surprise.
"Your Majesty, Taishi Ci is a native of Huang County, Donglai. He is skilled in bow and horse, and is extremely brave. He can handle important tasks."
Most of the people didn't know who Tai Shici was, and they all wanted to see how Kong Rong would handle it. After Kong Rong became the governor of Beihai, he heard about Taishi Ci's deeds and thought he was a talented person, so he wanted to conquer him. But at that time, Taishi Ci went to Liaodong to avoid trouble, and Kong Rong had to support his mother on his behalf.
At the beginning of the year, Taishi Ci returned to Qingzhou and heard his mother talk about Kong Rong, so he went to Beihai and became a keeper under Kong Rong's tent. Donglai Taishici indeed has the style of Qin Shubao in Licheng in the romances of Sui and Tang Dynasties.
Taishi Ci had not been in the army for a short time, but his reputation as a martial artist had been spread far and near, and Kong Rong also heard about it. So someone summoned Tai Shici.
Taishi Ci is twenty-seven years old this year. He is well-proportioned and strong, with a short beard and a majestic appearance.
In order to repay Kong Rong and support his mother, Taishi Ci served as a general in the Northern Navy. The position was a bit small. In his view, Kong Rong was more like a Confucian scholar than a prefect, not a Ming lord. However, due to Kong Rong's kindness, he had no choice but to surrender to Beihai to look for opportunities to repay his great kindness.
Taishi Ci was taken to the front hall of Kong Rong's mansion. At this time, everyone looked at him curiously, wanting to know what was so special about this person recommended by Wang Xiu.
Although Taishi Ci was nervous in the face of so many eyes, his steps were steady and his behavior was generous. Kong Rong, Guan Ning and others secretly affirmed him.
"I am Taishi Ci, a native of Huang County, Donglai, and I have met all of you gentlemen." Taishi Ci bowed deeply.
Kong Rong quickly stepped forward to hold Tai Shici's hand and said excitedly, "Zi Yi must have known about the siege of the city by the yellow scarf thieves. Now everyone is discussing and sending people to break out of the siege and go to Linzi to ask for help from Yuan Xi's army in Jizhou."
Kong Rong let go of his hand and continued: "However, the Yellow Turban bandits are urgently besieging the city. People who are not highly skilled in martial arts cannot break through. Wang Shuzhi recommended you just now. I wonder if Ziyi dares to accept the order?"
Taishi Ci was worried that he would not have a chance to repay his kindness, so he said loudly, "How could the Yellow Turbans have defeated me? My lords, don't be anxious. I will break through the encirclement and go to Linzi tonight."
"Don't talk nonsense, how heavy the siege of the yellow turban bandits is, and how easy it is to break through their camp." Wu'an National Road, because he did not dare to break through before, when Taishi Ci took the order, he was very embarrassed.
Taishi Ci knelt down on one knee and said, "I would like to establish a military order, but I will not be willing to break through to Linzi and be punished."
"Okay!" Many people present cheered. They saw that Taishi Ci was full of confidence, so they were full of hope in bringing in reinforcements.
Kong Rong nodded and asked Taishi Ci to go down and prepare.
In the middle of the night, most of the Yellow Turban troops who had been besieging the city for a day were already asleep. They were preparing to accumulate strength so that they could attack Beihai City in one fell swoop after dawn.
There was a harsh "crack" sound from the city gate, the city gate opened a gap, and then quickly closed.
The sound of "tick-tock" horse hooves sounded. Taishi Ci did not dare to stop and rode his horse to break through the encirclement to the northwest of Beihai.
"The enemy is attacking! Someone is leaving the city!" the Yellow Turban soldiers shouted wildly. Suddenly the sound of horns and the sound of war drums filled the Yellow Turban camp.
Taishi Ci didn't expect that he would make such a big noise as soon as he rode out of the city. He tightened his reins and spear and quickly passed through the Yellow Turban Army camp.
In fact, the Yellow Turban Army was frightened by the night attack, and they had already sent secret sentries to lurk around the four gates of Beihai. The alarm went off immediately at the slightest movement, and the Yellow Turban soldiers in the camp were also awakened and picked up their weapons one after another.
Due to the small target, Taishi Ci was stopped by the Yellow Turban soldiers until he reached the edge of the camp. But Tai Shici was so brave, his horse quickly bypassed the infantry, and his spear could not block the thrusting spears and halberds.
Finally, Taishi Ci spurred his horse to speed up, and then pinched the horse's belly. The horse galloped up and jumped over the fence of the camp.
After Guan Hai was awakened, he immediately summoned his soldiers and followed the direction of the chaos. Seeing someone breaking through their camp, Guan Hai guessed that they were moving troops, so he led dozens of Yellow Turban troops out of the camp to pursue Tai Shici.
The sound of horse hooves came closer and closer, but Taishi Ci was not afraid. He hung the spear on the hook of the saddle and took out the strong bow.
"Whoosh!" "Ah!" Just as the sound of bowstrings sounded, a chasing cavalry fell down in response.
Guan Hai was furious, took out his bow and arrows, and ordered, "Everyone spread out and surround him!"
Taishi Ci looked back sideways, and another feather arrow came out of his hand. Immediately, one of the knights who was chasing him flew backwards, and his free horse continued to move forward.
Guan Hai was anxious and annoyed. After chasing for half a quarter of an hour, ten of his own cavalry were killed, without even touching the opponent's figure.
At that moment, a cold light shot toward Guan Hai's door.
Guan Hai was shocked and subconsciously leaned sideways on the horse. His skill was not on the same level as that of ordinary soldiers, so Tai Shici's hastily shot arrow missed him.
The remaining forty riders took advantage of the gap and once closed in on Taishi Ci, but who was Taishi Ci? He had fought the little overlord Sun Ce for a hundred rounds, so how could he be afraid of these people.
Taishi Ci hurriedly hung up his strong bow and reached into the leather pouch at his waist to take out the halberd. He did not dare to stop his horse, so he turned left and a halberd flew out from his left hand.
"Ah!" A yellow scarf cavalry fell in response.
Taishi Ci turned to the right, and an iron halberd flew out from his right hand, killing a yellow scarf soldier.
In the end, Guan Hai and others did not dare to approach, but Tai Shi Ci took advantage of this gap and got rid of the pursuers at full speed.
The current governor of Beihai County is Kong Rong. Although he is not very powerful, his general Wu Anguo was also injured in the battle against Dong Zhuo. But he can also be regarded as a prince, and he also has 15,000 elite soldiers under his command.
In addition, Beihai County has always been relatively prosperous, and it is the richest county in Qingzhou, otherwise Guan Hai would not be here. As a descendant of the sage Kong, Kong Rong took Confucian benevolence to its limit. In Beihai, it can be said that by doing light corvees and paying little taxes, and educating the people, it has won the hearts of the people. Although Confucianism may not necessarily be effective in governing the country, it can still do a good job in enriching customs and guiding people to do good.
With this, Kong Rong had something to rely on, so naturally he would not abandon the city and surrender like other county guards. Besides, don’t you Guan Hai have an army of 100,000?
I have experienced the battle against Dong Zhuo, which involved hundreds of thousands of troops. In comparison, these are not enough for you. Besides, as an official of the Han Dynasty and the governor of Beihai, how could I escape without a fight?
If Guan Hai dares to come, I will wait and see how you can break through my Beihai. He immediately rejected Guan Hai's offer to surrender. Because the two armies were fighting and did not kill the envoy, I asked Guan Hai's men to go back and tell him that I, Kong Rong, is waiting for you Guan Hai in Beihai.
After Guan Hai's men ran back in disgrace, they were deeply afraid that Qu Shuai would blame him for not doing things well. He then changed Kong Rong's words with added embarrassment, so that Guan Hai could divert his attention and not blame himself.
Sure enough, the effect was obvious. After Guan Hai heard the report from his subordinates, he was furious. It was really unreasonable! He immediately ordered 50,000 troops and marched to the east gate of Beihai. He ordered Kong Rong to come down and die in a arrogant roll call.
Kong Rong saw that the enemy's army was strong and he knew that he had no generals in Beihai, so he decided to hold on and ignore Guan Hai's provocation.
Knowing that the unknown young general under his command is constantly dispatching, he doesn't know how high the sky is and how high it is. He secretly led his troops to challenge, but he died at the hands of Guan Hai, and he also lost his troops and generals, which greatly reduced Beihai's spirit. It was really annoying!
And Guan Hai, with his victory in the first battle, had tasted the sweetness, so he asked his men to surround me in Beihai, regardless of casualties, and attack Beihaicheng day and night. He must break the city, wash Beihai with blood, and let Kong Rong give it to me. I'll die.
As for the casualties, Guan Hai said that our Qingzhou Yellow Turbans just have a large number of people, so these casualties are nothing. He immediately asked his subordinates to notify the following Yellow Turbans, who came quickly and gathered tens of thousands more people.
It was obvious that he wanted to go all out. Seeing the Qingzhou Yellow Turban like this, Kong Rong was scared to death. He could only pray that Taishi Ci would break out of the siege and ask Yuan Xi to send troops to relieve the siege. Although he knew it was only a temporary measure to drive away the tiger and devour the wolf, there was nothing he could do.
