East China Sea, Tancheng.
Liu Bei braved the strong north wind to climb the city wall. He personally distributed winter clothes to the garrison soldiers and greeted them one by one.
Now that Pengcheng has been lost again, Liu Bei retreated and defended Tancheng, and Guan Yu defended Xiapi. Neither of these two strong cities can make mistakes again.
"Don't worry, Mr. Xuande. It's freezing cold. Cao Cao will probably retreat soon. We can hold on!" said the soldiers who put on the winter clothes they had made.
"Yes. Mr. Xuande, we can protect our country!"
"We can't let Cao Cao wreak havoc on Xuzhou anymore!" All the soldiers said one after another, their morale was very high.
Liu Bei bowed his hand. He was moved and said, "It's all thanks to your bravery to kill the enemy. I'd like to thank you all for this!"
All the soldiers were so enthusiastic that they started shouting. Even Cao Cao's army outside the city was startled by the shouts.
When Liu Bei arrived at the corner of the city, he looked at Cao Cao's army camp outside and saw that his own morale was so high. He felt a lot more at ease.
"My lord, please go back and see your wife. The baby is about to give birth. It's enough for me and the three generals to stay here. It's not necessary for my lord to work hard here." Jian Yong, who was dressed as a scholar, said.
"I hope to have a fat nephew who can practice martial arts with me when he grows up!" Zhang Fei grinned.
Speaking of this, Liu Bei's face also became happy. He already had a wife in Zhuo County, but wars were frequent and his wife had long been missing.
After capturing Xuzhou again, Tanah married the daughter of his general Cao Bao, and the Cao family's real estate period was within these two days.
Mi Zhu's sister Mi Zhen was cut off by Yuan Xi. Unexpectedly, Liu Bei also attached himself to other Xuzhou aristocratic families. He was really adaptable to changes.
Although he was happy in his heart, Liu Bei shook his head and refused: "I patrol the city here and can boost the morale of the soldiers. I don't know what to do when I return home."
Zhang Fei turned around and asked suddenly: "By the way, brother. Do you think those people in Qingzhou are unreliable?"
Liu Bei thought deeply for a while and replied: "Yuan Xianyi is a profit-seeking person. His support for us is just to resist Cao Cao. Before Cao Cao is defeated, Qingzhou should cooperate with us to resist Cao Cao."
"Do we always have to be gunmen for others?" Zhang Fei said angrily.
Liu Bei had a wry smile on his face and said helplessly, "However, our army is weak and it is really difficult to be caught between two strong forces. If we don't rely on one side, we won't have a chance to survive."
Jian Yong followed. He replied: "As long as Cao Yuan goes to war again, it will be a good opportunity for us to expand westward and southward. As long as we occupy Xuzhou and Yuzhou, use the money, food and people of the two places, and then unite the powerful, great things can be accomplished!"
"I'm afraid that's all it is!" Liu Bei sighed. "I hope the Qingzhou Army can succeed."
East China Sea, Xiangbi.
Xiangben is the closest city and county to Tancheng. Although it has been dilapidated after several wars. But Cao Cao's army once again marched eastward, and this place became an important stronghold again.
Carriages carrying grain and grass were transported here from the states of Lu and Pei, and then sent to the front line of Xiapi in Tancheng. In winter, more food is consumed, and winter clothes and charcoal have become important military supplies.
Li Dian, Bian Xi, Zhao Yan, and Dong Zhao sat around the fire plate, breathing in the cold wind that penetrated through the cracks in the wall. They couldn't help but tighten their winter clothes.
"I didn't expect that after three conquests, I still couldn't capture Liu Bei. I'm so damn frustrated." Bian Xi said with regret.
Dong Zhao warmed his hands and said: "Liu Bei is not a simple person. Although he is not powerful, he is ambitious and can win over people's hearts. He is somewhat like the great ancestor."
"It's hard for us to do such an errand when the north wind blows here." Zhao Yan threw a piece of firewood into the fire plate and suddenly said, "I would rather go to Xiapi or Tancheng to make my first contribution!"
Dong Zhao smiled. He knew that Zhao Yan wanted to make a contribution to avenge the humiliation of Xianyang's defeat, so he persuaded him, "Grain, grass and baggage are the foundation of the three armies. As long as the general ensures that the grain roads are open, it is a great achievement. It does not have to attack the city and plunder the territory." "
Li Dian also smiled and agreed, "My lord values food routes the most. Every time he goes on an expedition, he always hands them over to his most trusted general. General Zhao should feel honored."
"Report! General, enemy attack!" A soldier ran into the room and panted.
Li Dian, Zhao Yan, and Bian Xi quickly put on their armor and gathered their troops to come to the earth wall.
transport baggage
The cavalry stopped three miles away from Xiangben City, and soldiers could be seen fighting in the distance.
"This group of Qingzhou troops is really annoying!" Li Dian said angrily.
It turns out that small groups of Qingzhou Army often harassed some cities and counties in Xuzhou and Yanzhou. When Li Dian and others led troops to encircle and suppress the troops, the small group of Qingzhou Army fled quickly, just like bandits.
"Generals Zhao Yan and Bian Xi can go out of the city to respond, but be careful!" Dong Zhao ordered.
Zhao Yan and Bian Xi quickly took the order and led two thousand soldiers in the city to the cavalry outside the city.
At the cavalry three miles away, Zhou Cang struggled to kill the Yanzhou soldiers escorting the vehicle. He felt like he was back to the time when he killed officers and soldiers to seize food. He was in an excited mood at this time, and he enjoyed the pleasure of plundering very much, "Hurry up, the Yanzhou bastard is coming!"
More than 400 mounted Qingzhou soldiers shouted in unison. They carried some winter clothing and food onto the mules and horses, while the carriages that were ignored were doused with grease and burned. The billowing smoke blocked the sight of the Yanzhou soldiers, and the burning freight carriage also blocked the road.
Zhao Yan and Bian Xi arrived with their troops, but they could only let the soldiers put out the fire. And pushed away the carriage blocking the road.
Zhao Yan was also annoyed by this kind of harassment, and he kept holding on to the spear in his hand.
"Boran, look at them escaping into the woods!" Bian Xi pointed to the woods on the right and said.
"They are seeking death!" Zhao Yan shouted angrily: "Surround them from both sides. They can't run far after entering the forest."
Bian Xi agreed and immediately led his troops to surround from the right, while Zhao Yan led his troops to surround from the left. The cavalry entered the woods. It was really a tiger without teeth.
"It's broken, it's broken!" Dong Zhao on the earth wall stamped his feet and said angrily, "There might be an ambush from the Qingzhou soldiers. The two generals are angry and chasing the enemy. They are afraid of suffering a loss!"
"Quick, which general is going to respond!"
"The last general is willing to lead his troops to respond!" Li Dian said and went down to gather troops.
Dong Zhao looked at Li Dian leaving the city, feeling uneasy for no reason. It wasn't until Li Dian was three miles away that he realized something was wrong.
A group of more than 800 cavalrymen ran out from the southeast of Xiangben. After circling the city, they suddenly gathered at the relatively dilapidated gate in the east of the city.
A handful of dry firewood poured with grease was thrown out, and the dilapidated wooden city gate was set on fire with a crackling sound.
Yanzhou soldiers shouted and shouted to put out the fire, but there was no water for them in the winter. Soldiers from both sides kept shooting at each other with bows and arrows until the firewood and the fire at the city gate gradually extinguished.
A general from Qingzhou's eight hundred cavalry rode out. He was a tall man with a thick beard. It is Zang Ba, the current Taishan Governor.
"Sun Guan, Wu Dun, attack the city!" Zang Ba said calmly.
Sun Guan and Wu Dun led their troops and rushed forward. The Qingzhou cavalry pushed away the remaining trees, raised their shields and rushed into the earth city despite arrows.
Eight hundred cavalry is not a lot, but the Yanzhou Army does not have many soldiers and horses left in the city. They have to split up on all sides, so eight hundred cavalry are enough to wreak havoc.
In front of the granary, Qingzhou soldiers poured grease from the hay they brought and then lit it in the wind. After a while, thick smoke burst into flames from the material warehouse in the city.
In thick smoke. The Qingzhou soldiers calmly withdrew from the city gate according to the previously planned route.
Dong Zhao reacted quickly enough, and he immediately ordered his soldiers to shovel sand and put out the fire.
Tancheng.
The maids and servants hurriedly ran back and forth in the courtyard, and a baby's cry came from inside.
"Brother, is my sister-in-law a nephew or a niece when she was born?" Zhang Fei's loud voice shocked the servants in the courtyard.
"Third general, please keep your voice down, don't disturb the mistress." Jian Yong scolded.
Liu Bei next to Jian Yong was smiling: "Haha, it's a boy. I have a successor to the Liu family!"
"That's right!" Zhang Fei also grinned. "No wonder it's a double happiness. Now that my eldest nephew is born, the Qingzhou army over there succeeded in a sneak attack on Xiangbi. Cao Cao's food, grass and baggage were also burned."
"Third brother, are you serious about this?" Liu Bei grabbed Zhang Fei's big hand in surprise.
"Ah, yes, brother. Tan Ma came to report that the defenders were led out of the city by the Qingzhou Army two days ago. Then they stormed into the city and burned the baggage! Moreover, there was chaos in Cao's camp opposite. It seems that they are about to retreat." Zhang Fei said cheerfully.
"Quick, come with me to the tower to have a look!" Liu Bei walked quickly happily.
On the city wall, the defenders of Tancheng, including all the people in the city, heard about the attack on Cao Cao's army's supplies. The villagers who usually help defend the city also came to the city wall to look at Cao Cao's camp outside the city.
Liu Bei and the other three were condescending and took a closer look at the situation in Cao's camp opposite. Sure enough, there was a commotion.
"Xuande, I'm afraid Cao Cao will retreat like last time." Cao Bao walked up to Liu Bei with a few soldiers.
"Father-in-law!" Liu Bei saluted respectfully. Although he was about the same age as Cao Bao, etiquette should not be abandoned.
"I think Cao Cao will withdraw his troops at night. Xuande, do you think we can take advantage of the opportunity to attack?" Cao Bao asked, stroking his beard.
Liu Bei nodded and agreed, "Bei Zheng had this intention. In order to stabilize the morale of the army, Cao Cao must have been forcing himself to calm down, and he was secretly withdrawing his troops."
"Brother, let me lead the troops to eliminate the thieves who attacked Cao!" Zhang Fei asked loudly.
"General Liu must not attack easily!" came a clear and elegant voice.
Several people looked around and saw a tall and elegant young man standing not far away. The young man was dressed as a Confucian scholar, and he was obviously watching the excitement with the people guarding the city.
"Little brother Gao, whose surname is the young master, and why do you say you can't pursue him?" Liu Bei asked curiously.
The young man bowed his hands and saluted, and said neither humble nor overbearing, "I am Zhuge Liang of the Zhuge family in Langya. He went to the East China Sea to take refuge with his uncle, and he followed the general to Tancheng because of his reputation."
"Your uncle is Mr. Zhuge Xuan?" Liu Bei said suddenly.
Previously, the Qingzhou Army attacked Langya. The Zhuge family fled to Xiapi. Later, Cao Cao attacked Xuzhou for the second time, and the Zhuge family moved to Guangling. When Liu Bei occupied the East China Sea and other places. Recruit people extensively. Over the years, Liu Bei gained some fame and had Tao Qian's seal of approval, so many Xuzhou scholars and people chose to return to Donghai and Xiapi. Among them, Zhuge Xuan came for Liu Bei.
"It's my uncle. It's rare that General Liu cares about him." Zhuge Liang replied.
Liu Bei nodded and then asked, "Then you just said you couldn't leave the city to pursue us. Why?"
Zhuge Liang pointed to Cao's camp outside the city and explained: "Although Cao's army's supplies were burned, there should still be enough food stored in Cao's camp. Cao Cao can send more troops to beg for food. Moreover, Cao Cao is strict in running the army. How could there be such a thing in Cao's camp? Is there confusion? I'm afraid there's a fraud involved! General, you should be careful when dealing with it."
"You are a young boy who doesn't know how to fight in the army. Cao's army has been cut off from food. No matter how strict he is in running the army, the soldiers will be in chaos. If we don't take the opportunity to seriously injure Cao's thieves, he will return to the state of Lu for a few months to cultivate again." How could we miss such a good opportunity!" Cao Bao retorted, he was angry that a young man dared to talk about military affairs in front of him. Accused of his mistakes.
"Little brother, you are overthinking. It is true that the Xiangben District's baggage was burned. Even if Cao Cao fakes defeat, as long as he acts carefully, there is still no danger." Liu Bei said not too concerned.
Although Liu Bei liked the young man with extraordinary temperament in front of him, he was more willing to believe in his years of combat experience.
In the early morning of this day, Gao Yue asked Yuan Xi and all the concubines to have dinner.
Mrs. Liu sat at the top and looked at the many beauties in the side hall. She was a little jealous but also happy for her son.
Especially when she saw the babies held by the two wet nurses, Mrs. Liu's eyes became softer.
Yuan Xi brought Cai Yan and Mi Zhen to the side hall. He sat down in front of several looks with different expressions.
"You all should do more for the Yuan family." Mrs. Liu said to the girls with a smile.
Yuan Xi was choked by her sudden words and could only shake his head with a wry smile. He looked at the two babies. I can’t help but be filled with emotion. I hope they can grow up safely and not be like my generation. Think of this. Yuan Xicai realized that there was another headache.
Yuan Xi looked down and found a look with some resentment. A stunningly beautiful woman knelt down and lowered her head. It was Feng Heng who was given away by Yang Hong like goods. He has no feelings for Feng Heng, but he will still pity her for being so stunning.
Just as he was about to say something, the maid hurriedly walked into the side hall and reported, "Master Tian and Master Guo have invited the general to come to discuss matters."
Yuan Xi had no choice but to rush there. Something big must have happened early in the morning. When we arrived at the meeting hall, sure enough, all the staff had serious expressions.
Liu Ye, who was in charge of the news and intelligence, stood up first and reported back, "There are three pieces of news, one good and two bad. Which one do you want to hear?"
First? "
"Haha, Ziyang, you said it first, is this the good news from Zhaozhao?" Yuan Xi asked.
Liu Ye nodded and replied: "General Qianzhao repelled the Huns bandits who came to plunder. He killed more than a thousand enemies and captured more than 600 war horses."
"With Qianzhao, Yan Rou and the others guarding Yanmen and Daijun, why should we be worried?" Yuan Xi said.
Liu Ye changed the topic and said seriously, "The secret guards of Yuzhou came to report that Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun of the Yanzhou army secretly sent troops to attack Wancheng a few months ago. Zhang Ji was carelessly defeated. As a result, Wancheng was captured and Zhang Ji surrendered to Cao Cao."
Everyone was silent after hearing this. Wancheng was the administrative seat of Nanyang. If you capture Wancheng, you can say that you control half of Nanyang County. Nanyang and Runan are the two most prosperous counties in the Han Dynasty. They are among the best among the counties in the Han Dynasty in terms of population, food production and handicraft industry.
Yuan Xi looked down at Jia Xu. Without the help of this counselor, Zhang Ji really couldn't resist the Yanzhou army.
"Nanyang's grain production is very rich. Although it is only half of Nanyang, Cao Cao's strength has undoubtedly increased a lot, which may make up for the loss of Hedong." Zhong Yao said.
"What was Liu Biao's reaction?" Yuan Xi asked.
"It's just to strengthen the defense of Xinye and other places." Liu Ye replied.
"Liu Biao, sitting here and chatting with guests, allowed his powerful neighbor to grow stronger twice." Guo Jia shook his head regretfully.
Yuan Xi asked again in a deep voice: "What about the second bad news?"
Liu Ye also became anxious and said, "Zang Ba came out of Xiangben to attack Cao Cao's supplies. Cao Cao pretended to retreat and ambushed Liu Bei's army in Tancheng. The two armies fought in Tancheng for three days. Cao Cao put Liu Bei to death and survived. Drive out of Tancheng."
"Throw yourself into death and survive?" Yuan Xi murmured, "Only Cao Cao could make such a huge comeback."
"What should Zang Ba and Xu Huang do?" Jushou asked.
"Zang Ba, Zhou Cang and the others took the opportunity to occupy Langya." Liu Ye replied.
"It's not the worst." Jushou said, "Now Taishan and Langya counties are connected into one. As long as we can guard Langya's Daxian Mountain and Mount Tai, Qingzhou will have no worries."
"Everyone, Cao Cao has been conquering the east and west for the past two years, and his soldiers must be exhausted. If he is allowed to train for a year or two, it will be difficult to deal with." Yuan Xi looked around the staff below and said seriously, "So, I have decided to send troops to conquer Cao Cao next year!"
