Tadun and Yan Rou used to attack the city with simple weapons. After hearing what Yuan Shao said, they wanted to see the strength of the Jizhou army, so they immediately agreed.
Yuan Xi and Guo Jia also accompanied them. Outside Gongsun Zan's small town, they set up three watchtower cars more than five feet high. Yuan Shao raised his hand and motioned for Tadun to follow him forward, and under Wen Chou's protection, he surveyed the enemy's situation in the city.
Yuan Xi and Guo Jia also took the opportunity to board another watchtower with Jushu. It was more than five feet high and could overlook the city. It was also the Jinglan siege vehicle in the Three Kingdoms game series.
Yuan Xi climbed onto the roof of the car and took a look, feeling horrified.
He led his troops to conquer many cities, but the city where Gongsun Zan was stationed was something he had never seen before.
The Tucheng where Gongsun Zan originally stationed his troops had been renovated and expanded, and its scale was no less than that of Jicheng in the north.
The brick and stone rammed earth city wall is more than four feet high. Behind the wall, more than ten trenches can be vaguely seen. Between the trenches are mounds more than five feet high. On the mounds are the barracks for the troops. Soldiers can mount their horses to shoot arrows and throw stones. .
In the center of the city is the tallest fortress, which must be where Gongsun Zan is.
Looking at everything in front of him, Yuan Xi took a breath, frowned and said, "This is simply a military fortress. In addition to not having any natural dangers to rely on, its defenses are simply better than those in Hulao. , it’s not easy to handle.”
Jushou also frowned and said worriedly, "This arrangement of city defense should be Gongsun Zan's way of resisting the barbarians' attack on the city on the border of Youzhou for many years."
Guo Jia nodded and said, "Dig trenches and place high-hill camps between them. Each camp is a stronghold. Each stronghold can be communicated with war drums and flags. Even if the city wall is lost, it will be difficult for Hu Qi to cross the multi-layered trenches and attack In the city, it is necessary to dismount and fight on foot, and Gongsun Zan's infantry can shoot arrows from high altitude."
"As long as there is enough food and fodder, it won't be a problem to hold on for several years! Even worse than the Xiwu built by Dong Zhuo, does it really take a long time to break through this garrison city?" Jushou said to himself.
Yuan Xi remained silent, thinking of ways to defeat the enemy. The best way to deal with such fortifications and trenches is to attack them from the ground.
And he thought that in history, Gongsun Zan asked Zhang Yan for help. History has changed, and he wonders if Gongsun Zan will make the same choice if he breaks through the city wall and presses harder. Maybe. .
After a while, everyone came down from the watchtower and returned to the big tent. The faces of Yuan Shao and others are not very good-looking either. They were either anxious or thinking hard, thinking of ways to break the city.
"I originally heard that Gongsun Zan was aggressively recruiting the people of Youzhou to expand the city. I didn't expect that what was built was this kind of garrison city and fortress." Yuan Shao asked, "Sir Tadun, many of your tribes are at war with Gongsun Zan. I don't know if you can defeat the enemy. Law?"
Hearing this, Tadun also had a helpless and bitter look on his face. He said helplessly, "General Yuan, in the past, Gongsun Zan's military station looked like this. We will definitely not attack such a place. If we really attack, we will have to fill in the trenches with soil first."
"Gongsun Zan's trenches and fortresses seem to be dangerous and difficult to attack, but they are not." Yuan Xi spoke up at the right time.
"Xianyi, you said it's not difficult to break through those camp trenches. But is there any good way to defeat the enemy?" Yuan Shao asked eagerly.
In the past, as soon as a problem was presented, his son would come up with a solution. He often succeeds, so Yuan Shao attaches great importance to his son's suggestions.
Yuan Xi smiled and reported back, "Gongsun Zan thought he was smart. He dug more than ten trenches and built forts between the trenches. In this way, he had to break through more than ten trench strongholds from the outside inward. If If we have less troops, we will run out of food and supplies before we attack the center, so it is not advisable."
"Second Young Master, what you mentioned are all Gongsun Zan's advantages in holding the trench camp. Why do you say he is smart?" Feng Ji asked.
Yuan Xi asked the soldiers to bring a large handful of soil. Under his command, the soldiers quickly made a simple sand table. Under the leadership of Yuan Shao, everyone came forward to watch.
Yuan Xi pointed to the trenches and explained, "These trenches not only blocked our army's attack, but also blocked the communication between the various camps. If a camp is trapped, it will be very difficult for the soldiers in the camp to come out to rescue. .”
"That's true." Jushou nodded and said, "If we attack from the front, our army will probably fight in the trench with Gongsun Zan's soldiers. In this case, we will also be attacked by the crossbows on the camp, so we must not follow the normal attack from the outside to the trench. Attack from the front."
He thought of Yuan Xi's so-called strategy to defeat the enemy, but he didn't say it out loud. After all, the current home court belonged to Yuan Xi.
"If you don't attack from the outside, can you fight it out from the inside?" Yuan Shao was amused and asked jokingly.
"Report to father, just fight out from inside." Yuan Xi pointed to the camp in the middle of the sand table. "Dig multiple tunnels to avoid the surrounding fortresses and go straight to Gongsun Zan's location. This way you can avoid many strongholds. As long as you break through the fortress where Gongsun Zan is, then..."
Everyone was stunned. This is to directly attack Gongsun Zan's lair without defeating them one by one. Even if Gongsun Zan was able to move, the central landmark camp was captured, and the impact on the morale of Gongsun Zan's army can be imagined. In this way, although they still have to experience fierce battles and hand-to-hand combat, the casualties of the Jizhou Army can be reduced a lot.
"Okay! What a quick move!" Yuan Shao laughed, "I didn't expect that Gongsun Zan worked so hard, and the so-called iron barrel-like city defense was instantly broken by my son Xianyi, hahaha."
Yuan Xixi's coming to discuss matters was arranged by Yuan Shao in advance. He wanted his heroic son to intimidate Tadun and others, just like Li Yuan asked Li Shimin to intimidate Wei Gong Li Mi. Who said Yuan Shao had no plans? ah.
Tadun and Yan Rou on the side were surprised and couldn't help but look at Yuan Xi a few more times. Yan Rou whispered to Tadun, "Second Master Yuan is a true hero. Otherwise, how could he help Mr. Yuan settle the trouble."
"This means that God will help my Yuan family and destroy Gongsun Zan." Yuan Xi said modestly, "My lord and sir must have thought of it too, they just let the children speak out first."
Yuan Shao waved his hand and said with a smile: "If we defeat Gongsun Zan, Xianyi, you and I will all be credited with the first achievement."
Being preempted by Yuan Xi to offer advice, Yuan Tan was down below, his face ugly with anger. He was about to say something sarcastic, but Guo Tu immediately stopped him with his eyes.
Before Yuan Shao could be happy for too long, Jushou said: "My lord, although we have a way to break down those ditches and fortresses, we still have to fight hard to attack the outer city wall, and the dispatch of the three armies needs to be stepped up."
Yuan Shao knew that Jushou was reminding him to make more use of Tadun and Yanrou. Han Feizi said that if you reward but cannot use them, you are a spoiled child and the king will not take them.
Jushou also suggested: "Jixian's defenses are not as tight as those of the garrison city. We should concentrate our forces to defeat them first."
This was to cut off Gongsun Zan's retreat. Han Xin attacked Zhao and fought a last-ditch battle. Then he did the same thing and sent people to raid the enemy's lair.
Yuan Shao nodded in agreement.
Yuan Xi continued: "As long as we attack the city wall, the morale of Gongsun Zan's army will plummet. He may invite foreign aid. We must be on guard. I hope my father will notice."
Yuan Shao smiled contemptuously and said, "Gongsun Zan is unpopular, what kind of foreign aid can he get? My son is too worried."
He didn't believe that with his current reputation and strength, anyone in Hebei would dare to go against him.
"The Black Mountain Bandit!" Jushu said, "The Black Mountain Bandit was chased by the eldest son last year to the mountainous area in the north of Sili. He has wandered around Bingzhou, and there is a real possibility that he will come to Youzhou."
Yuan Shao raised his brows and sneered, "If the Black Mountain thieves dare to come, with the help of Wuhuan Tuqi, they can be dealt with in Youzhou! Am I still afraid of them?"
Fifteen days later.
Gongsun Zan was lying on the soft couch, holding a concubine in his arms with one hand, and holding a wine cup filled with fine wine in the other. The artist in front played Hu music and danced Hu dance.
Gongsun Zan looked at it. He suddenly snorted coldly. Throwing the Baron to the ground, he has been very violent and suspicious recently.
Several artists were so frightened that they immediately knelt down to apologize. "Sir, please calm down. I wonder what the maids can't do well at dancing?"
Gongsun Zan's face was ashen and he said angrily, "Who told you to wait for the Hu Wu dance!" He was angry at Tadun for helping Yuan Shao attack him.
All the concubines and concubines didn't know what they were doing. One of the artists who didn't know what they were interested in said in a charming voice: "Sir, don't you only watch Hu dances on weekdays? You also said that Han songs and dances are weak. They are not as exciting as Hu dances and music." "
"Shut up! Take me out and beat you to death with sticks!" Gongsun Zan said angrily, "A slave should behave like a slave. How can I tolerate you talking back to me?" It's true that there is no pot that can't be opened.
The artist was so frightened that he cried and begged for mercy after a while, but none of the concubines around him dared to ask for marriage. So as not to offend Gongsun Zan. In the end, the artist was dragged outside the house by four muscular servants. After a heartbreaking wail, there was no sound.
All the concubines and artists recalled their screams just now. They were all trembling. Finally, one of Gongsun Zan's concubines came forward to rub his shoulders and said softly, "General, please calm down. You don't have to be as knowledgeable as her cheap maid. Just say whatever you want to hear now."
Although Gongsun Zan hated Wuhuan, Xianbei and other Hu people, he still liked the wild and passionate Hu Le. At this time, the Wuhuan people broke through his Yuyang City and joined forces with Yuan Shao to besiege Jixian County. How had he ever suffered such humiliation in front of the Hu people? Therefore, Hu Le also became disgusted.
After Gongsun Zan killed Liu Yu, he sent troops to occupy various counties and counties, trying to integrate the entire Youzhou soldiers, materials and other combat forces before the decisive battle with Yuan Shao. However, Liu Yu's old troops resisted strongly in various places. He had to send some of his elite elites to suppress it.
Even so, once the Jizhou army attacks Youzhou, Daijun and Shanggu will be quickly destroyed, and their precious direct line elite soldiers will be held back. The situation is not optimistic.
Gongsun Zan was not willing to give up the various places in Youzhou that he had hoped to occupy for many years. From the beginning, he had the intention of holding on. At the end of last year, he made preparations to forcibly seize the people's money, food and land in order to hold on. Gongsun Zan firmly believed in the fighting power of his soldiers. As long as he held on for a few months, the Jizhou army would naturally retreat when winter came.
I have to say that Gongsun Zan lacks him and lacks strategic thinking and judgment. Or maybe he was too unpopular in Youzhou after killing Liu Yu. Before the Jizhou army could attack.
The Hu and Han coalition forces in the northern counties of Youzhou gathered together to resist his rule. The development of the war situation later made Gongsun Zan passive everywhere, and in the end he could only stick to the garrison city of Jixian.
Thinking of these troubles. Gongsun Zan was furious and slapped the favored concubine. Then he roared, violently tore off the favored concubine's dress and pinned her down.
Tears overflowed from Chong Ji's eyes, but she did not dare to shout or resist, and could only bear silently Gongsun Zan's violent abuse.
"General, there is an urgent report from Lord Guan Jing." Just as Gongsun Zan was committing violence, the servant girl outside the door shouted loudly.
Gongsun Zan was furious, but he still suppressed his violent mood and asked his servant to bring in the urgent report. And when he read the emergency report, his already livid face became even more frosty.
Because Guan Jing brought extremely bad news, "The Jizhou army is in a hurry to attack Ji County. I hope the general will send troops to rescue."
Gongsun Zan lived in the zhōng yāng camp of the garrison city. The zhōng yāng camp was actually a smaller city within a city. The garrison was located around the fort, and a tall brick building was built in the middle as Gongsun Zan's living quarters.
There is an iron gate under the tall building. There are no men here, only Gongsun Zan's concubines and maids. When encountering major events, Guan Jing and other subordinates in the front would write a document and have the servant wife pass it on to Gongsun Zan. Now he has lost his former self-confidence.
Gongsun Zan rarely left the central camp. Since he was over forty, he had been obsessed with vocal music and beauty. After occupying Jixian County, he even recruited concubines. His idea was to separate his subordinates into layers of resistance, without him having to move out at all.
What is the difference between this and Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty in the last years of his career? After the situation deteriorated, instead of working hard, he began to indulge himself and break his old ambitions.
But the situation was critical, and Gongsun Zan had to leave the high building and go to the camp to garrison troops, where he found Guan Jing and his son Gongsun Xu.
When Guan Jing saw that Gongsun Zan was finally willing to come out, he said anxiously: "General, we can't wait any longer like this! Every day I climb the city wall and look to the north, and I find that in the past ten days, the Jizhou army has been fiercely attacking Ji County, and the soldiers have resisted desperately. But if we don’t rescue Jixian, we will fall into ruin in a matter of seconds!”
Gongsun Zan stared at Guan Jing and asked: "There are only less than 30,000 soldiers in the city. What kind of troops should be sent to break through the Jizhou military camp and rescue Jixian? Tell me what to do!"
Guan Jing sighed: "We shouldn't have deployed like this earlier. If we concentrated our troops to retreat to Yuyang, how could we be in such an embarrassing situation?"
Gongsun Zan was exposed to a painful point, and his face was full of displeasure, "This matter is a foregone conclusion. Don't mention it anymore. Let's talk about how to defeat the enemy now. That's the most important thing!"
Guan Jing used his last hope and said: "The only option is to ask for foreign aid and attack the food road behind the Jizhou Army."
"Yuan Shao's power is expanding. Look around the north of the Central Plains. Tao Qian of Xuzhou has formed an alliance with his son, Cao Cao of Yanzhou is his only follower, and Zhangyang of Hanoi is his old acquaintance. Who else dares to fall out with Yuan Shao to help us? How is it possible? Here!" Gongsun Xu shook his head and sighed.
"Heishan Army!" Guan Jing said, "Heishan Zhang Yan captured Wei County last time and was hated by Yuan Shao. The two sides are already mortal enemies. Zhang Yan is now fleeing in the same state. Asking him to cut off the military supply route in Jizhou is the best thing. Please ask the general to make a clear decision. "
Gongsun Zan thought for a while and said: "Xu'er, you personally lead people out of the city through the secret passage. Go to Bingzhou to find Zhang Yan and ask him to send troops to rescue. As for the conditions, everything is easy to negotiate."
At the foot of Ji County. Within more than ten days.
The lever catapults kept throwing rocks, and the crossbows poured out arrows without hesitation. Finally, there was a loud "bang", and two sections of the city wall collapsed one after another.
Jizhou soldiers, Wuhuan soldiers, Xianbei soldiers, and Qingzhou soldiers, under the leadership of their respective generals, crowded into the broken wall. The soldiers behind stepped on the bodies of their fallen comrades who had been hit by arrows, and rushed into the city one after another. .
Because the temptation to conquer and perform meritorious service was too great. Not only could he be granted an official title, but he could also plunder the money and grain stored by Gongsun Zan's army.
Although only two sections of the city wall collapsed, the defenders on the wall had no fighting spirit. They surrendered or retreated one after another. The coalition soldiers on the ladder soon took control of the surrounding city walls. As soon as the city gate opened, more coalition soldiers invaded Ji County.
For a time, there was a melee in Ji County. Many defenders surrendered, and there were also many Gongsun Zan's best friends who resisted desperately. However, the general situation in the city has been firmly controlled by the Jizhou coalition forces.
"Young General. It's not good." A Qingzhou Army general with a hundred men reported, "General Zhao and the others are fighting with the Wuhuan people!"
Yuan Xi was surprised. After asking about it, I found out that after the Wuhuan soldiers entered the city, they not only robbed the Xianbei army, Jizhou army, and Qingzhou army of money and food in the treasury, but also looted and killed the civilians in the city. Zhao Yun, Tai Shici and others suddenly had a small-scale friction with the Wuhuan people.
Yuan Xi is not afraid that Zhao Yun and the others will suffer losses, but Yuan Shao now relies heavily on the Wuhuan people. Once the relationship breaks down, it will be difficult for him to explain in front of Yuan Shao. Zhao Yun is his own Luo Cheng, and Taishi Ci is his own Qin Shubao, so nothing can happen to him.
Yuan Xi was afraid that Zhao Yuntai Shi Ci would be wrong, so he took Xu Chu and the four hundred tiger guards and rode into the city without caring about anything else. Soon they were taken to a street in Ji County.
Hundreds of Wuhuan soldiers and Qingzhou soldiers faced each other face to face. Among the soldiers of both sides were several generals who were fighting.
Zhao Yun and Tai Shici's two long spears were extremely cold, and bursts of cold light danced between the stabs and thrusts, and they pressed down and beat the four generals. Zhao Yun and Tai Shici cooperated tacitly. Their horses made a sudden turn, and Zhao Yun's spear swept down a barbarian general.
Taishi Ci waited for Zhao Yun to move and quickly rode up to catch up. He hit a Hu general on the helmet with the butt of his spear, knocking him unconscious.
Finally, Zhao Yun pierced the shoulder of a Hu general with a spear and dismounted him. Taishi Ci swept across with his spear and smashed the skull of the last Hu general's horse into pieces.
For a moment, the soldiers on both sides were silent. They were either excited or frightened by the bravery of Zhao Yun and Tai Shici.
"Mighty!" "Mighty!" After a while, the Qingzhou soldiers burst out shouting. They had been suffering for too long recently.
Zhao Yun and Tai Shici saw Yuan Xi coming and quickly rode forward to salute. Just as Zhao Yung was about to explain, Yuan Xi waved his hand to stop him and said, "Someone has already told me that you are doing the right thing and I will bear all the consequences."
At this time, Tadun also came down to the scene surrounded by personal guards. He said with a cold face: "Second Young Master, you allow your subordinates to attack us and friendly forces. What are you doing? You have to give me an explanation."
Taodun didn't know why, but he was indescribably afraid of this young second master, so he bluffed him first.
"Lord Tadun, we agreed in advance that after the city is broken, Gongsun Zan's money and food will be divided equally between us, but we didn't say we would let you rob my burly people in the city!" Yuan Xi also said coldly.
Tadun was like An Lushan, but Yuan Xi was not the troubled Tang Xuanzong, and he would not tolerate him.
"I asked them. Our people only entered the house to search for the remnants of Gongsun Zan's best friends. Those so-called people you called them were harboring them." Tadun said in a flash of quibble.
"Nonsense!" Taishi Ci said angrily, "I saw this with my own eyes, how can I allow you to confuse right and wrong!"
At this time, a general behind Tadun shouted loudly in Chinese: "I saw it with my own eyes, but it's not like that!"
The tone of both sides is not good, and there is a strong tendency to start fighting again. At this time, the chaotic sound of horse hooves came.
Surrounded by the guards of the brigade, Yuan Shao rushed to the scene with Yuan Tan, Guo Tu, Xu You, Yan Liang and others.
"Father!" Yuan Xi didn't expect that the news would reach Yuan Shao so quickly, and he hurried up to try to explain first.
Yuan Shao frowned and waved his hand not to let him speak, but to ask him to step aside. Tadun hurried up and repeated the matter as he had said before, adding more detail.
"Lord Tadun, it's been a tough battle to enter the city, and the situation is very chaotic. I think you all have misunderstandings. How about we all take a step back and stop pursuing it?" Yuan Shao and Xini said.
Tadun refused to give up and said, "General Yuan, we surrender to you because you have a great reputation and can give our tribe favors and treatment. Why are we fighting so hard? It is not your great cause, General. But four of my subordinates were seriously injured. Brother, how do you want me to explain to those brothers who are desperately killing the enemy?"
Taishi Ci, Zhao Yun and others were extremely popular, and Tadun not only turned things upside down, but also relied on Yuan Shao's favoritism to bite back.
Yuan Xi said anxiously: "Father, even if there is a misunderstanding between the two parties, they were the ones who rushed to take action. Everyone present also saw it. They fought to the death. My subordinates just returned the favor."
Yuan Shao looked ugly and said, "Xianyi, I know they also acted because of a misunderstanding, but they shouldn't have been so heavy-handed. We are all our own people. Gongsun Zan started fighting on his own before he was destroyed. How can I deal with Hu?" Will the generals give an account?"
Yuan Tan was very excited and provoked, "Father, Mr. Tadun's troops fought to the death for us. Now four generals are seriously injured. Without an explanation, we really can't subdue the Wuhuan tribe. Please, father." Think twice.”
Xu You kept winking at Yuan Xi and advised: "My lord, I think there is indeed a misunderstanding between the two sides. Punishing either side will damage the morale of our army. It is better to give some of the money and silk that the Qingzhou army should share to waste." Mr. Dun, how about it as compensation?"
"General Yuan, the matter is not..." Zhao Yun hurriedly explained.
"Zilong, shut up!" Yuan Xi quickly shouted to Zhao Yun, "You step back and don't say anything. I will handle this matter."
Although Zhao Yun, Tai Shici and other Qingzhou military generals were furious, they could understand Yuan Xi's difficulties and were intimidated by him.
"General Yuan, I think it is indeed Lord Tadun's men who took action first." At this moment, a voice came from the side.
