Xu Huang defeated Xu Shang in the first battle and lost most of his troops. He led the remaining soldiers to retreat to Meng County to rest and regroup, feeling very depressed.
The county magistrate provided food and grass to comfort the soldiers, and said to Xu Huang: "The Xiliang army is tough and good at fighting. The Hanoi defenders may not be able to resist it. It is best to report to the prince for help as soon as possible."
Xu Huang sighed: "The battle in the Central Plains has been unfavorable. All the troops from Hebei have been transferred to Xuzhou and Yanzhou. I am afraid that the prince will be helpless and will only increase the chaos."
The county magistrate said: "General, please don't forget that there are still 50,000 elite soldiers in Bingzhou. The senior officials have been recharging their strength since surrendering to the prime minister, but they have never served. Zhang Yan's Black Mountain Army is also stationed in Shangdang, which is enough to provide reinforcements. "
Xu Huang frowned and said: "Gao Gan is guarding Bingzhou to prevent Xianbei and Xiongnu. Zhang Yan's troops are waiting to support Hedong, so they dare not act rashly."
The county magistrate said anxiously: "If Hanoi is lost, what is the use of guarding the east of the river? It will also endanger Hebei. This is a top priority! Now that the country is in danger and is in danger, why care about the Hu people? Moreover, the Huns have already surrendered and Xianbei has been broken. It is not enough to do anything. Think about it."
Xu Huang pondered for a long time. There were a hundred thousand soldiers in Xiliang. He had already experienced their bravery. With the current strength of Hanoi's troops, it was indeed difficult to resist. He finally nodded and said: "Let me report the military situation to the prince and see how he makes a decision!"
The county magistrate went to deliver the message, and Xu Huang went to the military camp for inspection and saw that the morale of the soldiers was low. If things continue like this, sooner or later the morale of the soldiers will be weakened before Ma Chao comes to fight.
After wandering in the camp for a long time, he suddenly came up with a plan. He ordered five hundred elite cavalry overnight and rushed to Zhi County along the Jishui River. He laid an ambush in the city that night.
In Heyang City, a great victory greatly boosted the morale of the Han army. Shen Gu saw the bravery of the Han army and became more confident. Ma Daidu had the strength to fight Xu Huang, and it seemed that he was sure of victory.
The next day, Xu Huang retreated to Jishui and set up defenses along the river. Ma Dai and others asked for orders to fight and attack when they won.
Xu Shu said, "Xu Huang has the ability to lead the army. Our army is insufficient. If we send troops unfavorably, our officers and men will lose their morale. When Meng Qi's army crosses the river, we can seize Hanoi in one go."
The order was sent to hold the troops temporarily and recharge their batteries, and sent Ma Dai to lead the troops to the river bank to meet Ma Chao. Meng Jin's troops were crossed to the north bank to contain Xu Huang's army. Zhang Ren and Wu Yi waited for an opportunity to cross the river from the lower reaches.
As the general's order was passed down, Heyang City also became nervous, and the people were all happy to support him. In addition to looking forward to the Han army, they also knew about Liu Qi's various policies to benefit the people.
Any newly recovered land will be exempted from taxes for three years, and the government will re-divide the land. This is a great opportunity to turn over. In addition, singles will be guaranteed to marry, and raising children will be even more rewarding. Everyone looks forward to the early victory of the Hanoi War. .
Guo Huai had a small victory yesterday, and he was still enjoying the benefits. He couldn't hold it back, so he came to Xu Shu to offer advice: "The Xiliang army is crossing the river to advance east. It needs to guard against the troops from Hedong and Shangdang. Xu Huang has been defeated today." , the morale of the Wei army is low, why not take the opportunity to capture Zhi County first, cut off the troops east of the river, stabilize the rear area, and then advance calmly."
Xu Shu nodded and said, "Bo Ji's words are very much in line with my wishes. Yesterday I ordered Shen Gu to write a letter to persuade him to surrender to Zhi County, but there has been no news yet."
Then he ordered someone to invite Shen Gu for questioning. Shen Gu thought: "The magistrate of Zhe County must be still hesitating. I would like to personally persuade him to surrender."
Guo Huai clasped his fists and said: "The last general can lead troops to help and intimidate the defenders. If we know the benefits again, we will definitely break the city!"
"What General Guo said is absolutely true. The soldiers and horses in Zhe County are no more than a ragtag group of people. If they don't know the current affairs, they can be killed on the spot."
The magistrate of Zhi County did not come to surrender, and Shen Gu felt that his face was dishonored. He had been in Hanoi for so many years, and even a small magistrate refused to give him face. It was simply unreasonable.
Xu Shu nodded and smiled: "Okay, you two are both civil and military, so I feel at ease!"
Then he ordered Guo Huai to lead three thousand troops, and he and Shen Gu went to Zhi County to make noise and intimidate the defenders with great fanfare, telling them to surrender without a fight.
When they arrived at the city at noon, Guo Huai led his troops in a formation, with banners all over the city. The defenders on the city were in chaos, beating drums in panic, and the crowd was crowded for a while.
"That's it?" Shen Gu smiled coldly, rode his horse to the bottom of the city, and said proudly: "Call Magistrate Wang to answer."
The defenders hurried forward to report, but not long after, they saw the city gate slowly opening. Shen Gu looked up to the sky and laughed: "I really can't see the Yellow River..."
Before he finished speaking, his face suddenly changed. There were loud shouts of killing in the city, and a group of soldiers and horses rushed out. The first general on horseback raised his axe, it was Xu Huang.
"Ah? You - don't come over!" Shen Gu was shocked and turned his horse to run away.
Xu Huang's face was as dark as water, and he suddenly caught up with the horse. Shen Gu screamed in despair, but before Guo Huai could come forward to rescue him, Xu Huang raised his ax and chopped him off the horse with one move.
"Those who betray the Lord should be killed!" Xu Huang shouted coldly and led his troops towards the Han army camp.
Guo Huai just thought that the magistrate of Zhi County Kaicheng had surrendered, and was about to step forward to accept him. Unexpectedly, Xu Huang was actually in the city. In a daze, Shen Gu had been beheaded, and he hurriedly sent orders to defend the enemy.
The Han army was still in a hasty formation, with bows and arrows unstrung, and the drums on the city were vibrating. The Wei army descended from the mountain like tigers, following Xu Huang straight to the flanks. A large number of soldiers from the left camp fell down, screaming in agony.
"That's unreasonable!" Guo Huai's face changed drastically. He knew that he had been tricked, but he could not retreat at this time. He gritted his teeth and urged his horse to block Xu Huang.
Xu Huang had already suppressed his anger and raised his ax to kill Guo Huai. His cavalry rushed straight into the rebel army. These soldiers were all Xu Huang's personal soldiers. They were experienced and could kill without command. They were not given to the Han army. Opportunity to form a formation.
Although Guo Huai knew that Xu Huang was highly skilled in martial arts, he was not afraid of tigers as a newborn. In addition, he received guidance from Ma Chao and thought that his martial arts had greatly improved. He roared and stabbed Xu Huang with a spear.
when--
Xu Huang turned the big ax and knocked the steel spear away with one move. He then turned the ax with his backhand and slashed towards Guo Huai's chest.
Guo Huai's arms were numb and he was secretly frightened. He hurriedly moved his horse to avoid it. He knew that Xu Huang's ax was a heavy weapon. If he didn't confront him head-on, he would move with ease and start fighting with him.
Xu Huang had fought with Guo Huai for more than ten times, but he couldn't defeat this young general. Seeing his exquisite shooting skills, he was shocked. He met Ma Dai yesterday, and he didn't want to see such a young general again today.
Thinking that if this man grew up, he would become a powerful enemy of the Wei State, he roared and turned his ax to launch a fierce attack. There was a flash of cold light, and the surrounding soldiers were forced back, wrapping Guo Huai in it.
At this time, Xu Huang's troops clashed among the rebellious troops. The Han army's formation was in chaos and without a general to command them. They fought independently and began to flee. Only Guo Huai was left struggling to support him.
Guo Huai had already lost to Xu Huang. When he turned around and saw that his troops had been scattered, he couldn't help but feel anxious. He surrendered to the Han Dynasty only last year, and would he be captured by the Wei army again this year?
Just as he was regretting it, suddenly dust was flying in the distance, the sound of horse hooves was heard, and a group of cavalry flew over, carrying a large amount of smoke and dust with an astonishing momentum.
Xu Huang was about to kill Guo Huai when he heard the report from his own soldiers and knew that the reinforcements of the Han army had arrived. He only had these personal soldiers left in his hands and did not dare to entrust the enemy, so he had to abandon Guo Huai and retreat into the city.
Guo Huai was sweating profusely and his arms were shaking. He looked back and saw that the cavalry were fully armed and wore fish scale armor. The horses were also covered in iron armor, with only two eyes and horse legs exposed.
The first general was in white robes and silver armor, with a face like a crown of jade, sword-shaped eyebrows and starry eyes, and holding a tiger-headed spear. His unruly aura of looking down on the world was heartbreaking.
