Hearing that Yuan Xi was going to conquer northern Shanxi personally, after dawn, Gao Yue, Princess Wannian, and Zhen Mi led several other women to see Yuan Xi off.
"Okay, my husband is leaving. When I'm not in Yecheng, Wugu, you guys have to take care of all the family affairs!" Yuan Xi put away the smile on his face and said seriously.
"I will obey my husband's orders!" The three women agreed obediently in unison, looking like good wives and loving mothers.
Like stars clustering around the moon, all the beauties sent Yuan Xi out of the General's Mansion, reluctantly waving goodbye and telling him to take care of himself.
"Ladies, please go home, don't worry about me!"
Yuan Xi hung the Sky Sword on his waist and carried the "Clouds and Smoke" bow on his saddle. He got on his horse, led Xu Chu and other tiger guards, and whipped away.
Flags were fluttering outside the city, swords and guns were covering the sun, and the two armies were already in formation in the city, preparing to march north to Dingxiang.
After the military meeting last night, Taishi Ci and Duan Pixi had led 3,000 cavalry and 2,000 Wuhuan cavalry and headed north overnight.
The remaining two soldiers and horses were personally led by Yuan Xi, who went north to attack the Black Mountain bandits.
Jushou led Zhang Xiu, Liu Ye, Zhen Yao and others to see him off. They all clasped their arms and said, "I wish the general great victory, sweep away the Black Mountain bandits, clear out Bingzhou, and restore peace to the people!"
Yuan Xi immediately returned the courtesy and said: "After I leave, Yecheng will be entrusted to you. I hope everyone will work together to protect the territory!"
All the civil and military staff accepted the order and bowed in unison: "I will obey the order of the general!"
"Woooooooo..."
As a melodious horn sounded, the two men marched north. Zhang Liao led 3,000 people to open the way in front. Yuan Xi and Yuan Maitu led the Chinese army, meandering all the way straight north.
The military situation was urgent and there was no room for delay. The army continued to advance. Yuan Xi and Yuan Mai rode side by side along the way.
This was Yuan Yuanmai's first time following the actual battles of Emperor Xuanwu of Jin Taizong and Yuan Xi. Later, when Grand Sima Zhongshan Wang Yuanmai recalled the past, he often mentioned this matter. Zhongshan Wang Yuanmai recalled Emperor Xuanwu's affairs. According to historians Presumably it was a whine.
At that time, it was on the eve of Jin Gaozong Yuan Zhi's plan to liquidate the King of Zhongshan. It is not difficult to understand Yuan Mai's state of mind at that time. There is no essential difference with Cao Zhi, who wrote the seven-step poem, and they were at war with each other.
The army continued to move north, and in the evening of the next day, Yuan Xi's army arrived in Shangdang territory.
The prefect Guo Yuan came to greet him and mobilized a team of 2,000 people to help out. Yuan Xi asked a little about Shangdang's military and political situation, bid farewell to Guo Yuan, and went straight to the Black Mountain bandits designated as Xiang.
Man Chong actively prepared to wait for an opportunity to assassinate Zhang Hong, but at this time, Zhang Hong had arrived in Wu County. It was difficult for Sun Jian to decide who to join forces with, the two most powerful princes, Cao Cao and Yuan Xi. When Jiangdong started his business, Sun Jian wanted to avoid offending both parties.
However, Cao Cao and Yuan Xi were as powerful as fire and water. It's impossible to be a good guy in the middle. On the surface, Sun Jian is the hot potato that Cao Cao and Yuan Xi are competing for. However, becoming one party's favorite also means becoming the other party's mortal enemy!
Cao Cao represented the imperial court and was undoubtedly Han orthodox. Sun Jian was the Marquis of Wucheng conferred by the Luoyang court. The Sun family is proud to be loyal to the Han Dynasty. However, now Hebei Yuan Xi has the tendency to oppress Cao Cao. This is the current situation, but Hebei is far away from Jiangdong.
Standing on Yuan Xi's side means facing Cao Cao's pressure and even attacks. And if you don't want to be an enemy of Cao Cao, you must become an enemy of Yuan Xi. It's really hard to make a decision lightly.
After weighing the pros and cons, Sun Jian was rewarded. Sun Jian has arrived in Wu County. Sun Jian ordered Zhang Zhao, Lu Kang, Gu Tan, Wei Teng, Zhuge Jin and other Jiangdong talents to go out to meet Zhang Hong.
Sun Jian himself, on the pretext of frequent pirate attacks in the east, went to Lou County to deploy coastal defense and avoided seeing him for the time being.
Zhang Zhao and others had already received instructions from Sun Jian. While warmly entertaining Zhang Hong, he also prepared various cross-examination words and asked questions during the dinner. This move not only tests Yuan Xi's reality, but also serves the purpose of showcasing Jiangdong's talents.
However, before Zhang Hong came, he was already familiar with the situation in Jiangdong.
The people who came to greet him were all talented people from Jiangdong. They were all well-dressed and elegant. But only the learned men were seen, but no generals commanding the army were seen. Sun Jian, the leader of Jiangdong, even avoided seeing him.
Zhang Hong determined that these Jiangdong talents were not representatives who came to discuss cooperation with him, but were the vanguards used by Sun Jian to test himself and his lord Yuan Xi. Sun Jian sent so many famous people from Jiangdong to come
, not just to show respect, but also to take the opportunity to suppress his own momentum and gain proactive ideas for future cooperation.
Well come! Zhang Hong smiled broadly, but he was already prepared in his heart. bring it on! Then let you see the style of Hebei Imperial Master.
Zhang Hong and Zhang Zhao, the former brothers, are now their own masters. They drink and talk happily, but they gradually use their sharp words to avoid suspicion.
This was also the case in history when Zhuge Liang and Zhuge Jin met. They only talked about business matters and not private matters, which can be regarded as the tragedy of this era.
The head of Sun Jian's staff, Zhang Zhao and Zhang Zibu, was the first to ask: "The dispute between Yecheng and Xuchang is nothing more than what is justice for the Han Dynasty and who is strong and who is weak. However, under the rule of the general, the population is only two million. And Cao Cao The prime minister is supported by nearly three million people under his rule. What's more, today is still in Xuchang, sir, do you think so?"
Zhang Hong said with a smile: "Mr. Zibu, a human being, is very wise and sensible. Why did you make such ridiculous remarks? Zhang corrected Mr. Zibu first. Although the emperor is in Xuchang, being held hostage by Cao thieves is not His Majesty's true meaning. Moreover, His Majesty's clothes are subject to imperial edicts. The blood letter has been spread all over the world, and what the general did with the power of the prince-in-law was on the side of the Qing emperor. Zhang corrected Mr. Zibu's slip of the tongue again. Under Cao Cao's rule, although there were three million people, the land he controlled was too small, and the strategic The space is not what it used to be.”
Zhang Zhao was speechless.
Seeing Zhang Zhao's embarrassment, Gu Tan continued: "Mr. Zigang, you have been working hard all the way. So when Mr. Zigang came to Jiangdong, why didn't he go through Yuzhou and detour to Xuzhou?" Yuzhou is Cao Cao's territory, and Zhang Hong is Yuan Xi's. Special envoy, if you go to Yuzhou, you will definitely be kidnapped by the Yuzhou army. The implication is that Cao Cao is still powerful.
Gu Tan knew the truth and asked, just to embarrass Zhang Hong.
Zhang Hong retorted: "Mencius said: Those who know destiny do not stand under a rock wall. Those who die while doing their best are righteous lives; shackles and shackles are not righteous lives. Mr. Ruoyan is now going to Yecheng and walking through Yuzhou "What Zhang Hong means is that knowing that Yuzhou is dangerous but insisting on leaving is not brave, but stupid!
Zhang Hong's sharp words hit Gu Tan's pain point, leaving Gu Tan speechless.
Zhuge Jin had just joined Sun Jian and was eager to express himself in front of Jiangdong talents and Zhang Hong, so he said: "Mr. Zigang's words are harsh, but it is the duty of a minister to be loyal to the owner. Mr. Zigang received the order from the Lord and rushed to Jiangdong, instead of taking the shortcut to Yuzhou, take a detour to Xuzhou. If you consider your personal safety first instead of the Lord's orders, your loyalty is still open to question, so why bother with him?"
Zhang Hong saluted Zhuge Jin with great respect and said, "Mr. Ziyu is loyal to his duties and outspoken. When I met you today and listened to your words, he truly lived up to his reputation. Disrespectful, disrespectful..."
Zhang Hong changed his previous meanness and became more respectful to Zhuge Jin. Zhuge Jin showed a smile on his face and returned the courtesy.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Hong changed the subject and said: "My Lord regards his subjects and people as brothers. My Lord also often tells us that before fulfilling our duties, we must put our own lives first. We strictly follow the Lord's orders and dare not Go to death easily, lest bad news spreads frequently and hurt the Lord's heart. Moreover, loyal ministers may not be afraid of death, but they cannot always force each other to die and trap the Lord in injustice!"
During the question and answer session, Zhuge Jin was harmed again! When Zhuge Jin heard this, his face turned pale!
After getting to the main topic, Zhang Zhao and Gu Tan also asked questions, but most of them were related to Yuan Xi's conquest of Cao Cao.
They want to understand Yuan Xi's confidence and military preparations. Zhang Hong patted his chest and promised that since his lord Yuan Xi dares to go to war with Yanzhou Cao Cao, he will not fight an uncertain war.
Zhang Hong further emphasized that the conquest of the female cadre Cao Cao was an unchangeable strategy formulated by the lord Yuan Xi in compliance with the will of God and the people. No matter what happens, it will not affect the implementation of this strategy. Zhang Hong's emphasis was nothing more than a reminder to everyone in Jiangdong: Even if Jiangdong refused to cooperate with Yecheng, or even cooperated with Cao Cao, it could not prevent the battle between Yecheng and Xuchang, nor could it shake the determination of the lord Yuan Xi. Zhang Hong is also warning everyone in Jiangdong: after the Hebei Jizhou Army destroys Cao Cao, the next strategic direction will be Cao Cao's accomplices! Jiangdong, take care of yourself!
Lu Kang and Lu Jining were from Jiangdong, and the oldest one was nearly seventy years old. The Lu family in Wu County has lived in Wu County for generations. When Lu Kang was young, he had a fierce and righteous character. When you get old, although you are no longer young and vigorous, your true nature remains unchangeable. Seeing Zhang Hong's witty remarks and his speeches, which made Jiangdong's talents speechless, Lu Kang couldn't help but get angry and scolded: "Since Zigang is a minister in the general's shogunate, how can he not know the principle of not bullying the host when he is a guest?"
Zhang Hong saluted seriously and said: "Mr. Lu is the elder, how dare the younger generation be disrespectful. Just
Yes, Zhang Hong feels that all of you here are leaders in Jiangdong in terms of talents and virtues. But in terms of his position, he was wavering. Zhang Hong was deeply afraid that you might mislead yourself, others, General Wentai, and the people of Jiangdong. "
"Zhang Hong, you!" Lu Kang was trembling with anger. "So arrogant!" Hearing this, Lu Kang became even more angry. He leaned his staff on the ground and coughed repeatedly.
Looking at the angry Lu Kang, Zhang Hong still had a bad smile on his face. "As the saying goes, old people do not bully young people. How can Lu Gong, a well-educated elder, argue with an arrogant junior?" Zhang Hong was thick-skinned enough that Lu Kang could not do anything to him. Lu Kang was so angry that he coughed violently. Mr. Lu was so angry that everyone in Jiangdong glared at Zhang Hong.
Only then did Zhang Hong stop. After Lu Kang's condition stabilized, Zhang Hong said again: "Mr. Lu is not in good health. There is a miracle doctor Zhang Zhongjing in Yecheng. When I return to Luoyang, I will go to Mr. Zhongjing to find a good prescription and give it to Mr. Lu to nurse him back to health."
Lu Kangqian stared and let out a "hum", he really had nothing to do with Zhang Hong. Jiangdong's talented people were almost all belittled by Zhang Hong.
Zhang Zhao and others were extremely angry, but they had to carefully appreciate Zhang Hong's words. Although the emperor is in the hands of Cao Cao. However, Yuan Xi is powerful and has the reputation of being the Emperor of Heaven. If Jiangdong leans towards Cao Cao, the scholars of Jiangdong will surely be infamy in the world! Zhang Zhao and others will meet with Zhang Hong and report to Sun Jian urgently. Sun Jian quickly replied and asked Zhang Hong to go to Lou County to meet him.
Let’s take a look at the war situation in the north.
"The whole army is attacking the city. Anyone who dares to retreat will be killed without mercy!"
Following Zhang Yan's order, the ant-like Black Mountain bandits launched the most violent attack on Dingxiang City. An army of 60,000 surrounded the city and began a crazy siege.
Although 10,000 men were allocated to fight Sun Li and 10,000 men to fight Qianzhao, and 10,000 soldiers were killed in the previous siege, they still received 40,000 soldiers from Bai Rao, Lei Gong, Chang Gen, Zuo Xiao, etc. With the help of men and horses, the number of Montenegrin troops attacking the city increased instead of falling. The number of people besieging the city reached 80,000, almost more than the defenders at the top of the city. The battle was unprecedentedly fierce.
Since the last time the Black Mountain Army attacked the city, Dingxiang has been experiencing continuous autumn rain. It was not until the past few days that the various Black Mountain troops who were ordered to come to the aid gathered at the city gate to accept Zhang Yan's mission. Seeing that the weather was gradually getting clearer, Zhang Yan ordered an all-out attack on the city, trying to conquer Dingxiang in one fell swoop, kill Wang Ling, and massacre the people in order to avenge the loss of troops and generals!
The sound of drums shook the sky, and the sound of killing shook the earth.
The horn kept blaring non-stop, and the top and bottom of the city wall turned into a meat grinding ground. Under the supervision of the officers, the ant-like Black Mountain sergeants carried clouds across the moat and climbed towards the top of the city. What greeted these flesh and blood bodies were arrows like raindrops, rolling stones as big as human heads, and thick wooden hammers like pillars with iron nails on them...
Wherever the arrows hit, there was a "puff" sound, accompanied by hysterical screams. Those who were hit by the arrows fell to the ground or fell into the moat, or fell on the weapons on the ground, and were stabbed through again. A bloody hole, with blood gushing out like a spring, the tragedy is unbearable to watch...
The soldiers who were hit by the huge rolling stone either saw stars in their eyes or vomited blood. Their vision went dark, and their limbs suddenly became weak. They fell straight from the ladder to the ground, and their helmets fell without a trace, and then became solid. He fell to the ground, his head fell on a stone or iron object, and his white brains immediately spattered...
After more than an hour of fierce attack, the moat under Dingxiang City has been dyed bright red with blood. The corpses under the city wall are piled up in piles down the mountain. Broken limbs, headless corpses, and mutilated human heads are everywhere. All of them, this scene is as bloody as Shura’s slaughterhouse!
The situation on the top of the city was not much better. The Black Mountain army was so numerous that they could not kill them all. While some people fell, there were also people who came close to the bottom of the city wall and shot random arrows at the wall. Those who could not avoid it were hit by arrows one after another. There were even more brave soldiers who were not afraid of death and climbed up the city wall first, and started hand-to-hand combat with the defenders at the top of the city. The corpses fell one after another like wheat!
