When Cao Cao saw that Guo Jia also agreed to retreat, he felt a little disappointed. Just as he was about to speak, Lu Qian suddenly said, "My lord, what will happen to Dingtao if we retreat?"
At this point, Lu Qian cupped his hands and said with a wry smile, "If we retreat, only the Chengshi Li family will be left to defend Dingtao.
Once the soldiers and horses brought by Zhang Liao are real, it is absolutely impossible for the Li family to defend Dingtao with the help of the Cheng family. Then everything we have done before will be in vain.
The terrain of Dingtao is important and it is an important transportation route to Xuzhou. If something happens, it will be very detrimental to our army. "
Cheng Yu pondered for a moment and said slowly, "The city of Dingtao is strong. Even if the soldiers and horses Zhang Liao brought are real, it will not be easy to capture Dingtao.
My lord, if you want to be safe, you only need to send a team of soldiers and horses to help. Even if you can't stop Zhang Liao's soldiers and horses, you can at least hold on for a while until reinforcements arrive. "
After hearing this, Cao Cao nodded and said slowly, "In that case, we will send a team of soldiers and horses."
Having said this, Cao Cao paused, thought for a moment, looked around, and spoke slowly.
"Han Hao, Shi Huan and you two will take 3,000 troops and set off for Dingtao immediately.
The rest of the generals should go back and prepare. Half an hour later, our army will return to Juancheng. "
Cao Cao was a decisive man, and since he decided to retreat, he would never hold back.
When everyone left, Cao Cao frowned and suddenly felt regretful. Was his plan right or wrong?
Han Hao and Shi Huan knew that the matter was urgent and did not dare to neglect. They led 3,000 troops and horses all the way and finally reached Dingtao before Zhang Liao.
Li Qian, a member of the Cheng family's Li family, heard that the two were coming and hurriedly came to greet them.
"Two generals, why are you here?"
At this point, Li Qian's eyes suddenly lit up and he asked with a smile, "Could it be that my lord's plan has been successful and Lu Bu's army has been driven back?"
Han Hao smiled bitterly and shook his head, "No, the master has gone back and ordered us two to come to help."
Hearing the answer, Li Qian was immediately surprised, "My lord has gone back, why do you want to go back?"
Shi Huan waved his hand, "Don't talk about this for now, set up your defenses quickly. If Zhang Liao comes, it will be too late."
Seeing the serious faces of the two men, Li Qian nodded hurriedly, arranged for soldiers to enter the city, and strengthened the city's defense.
Taking advantage of this time, Shi Huan told the whole story. Only then did Li Qian know what happened, and at the same time, his heart was lifted.
According to what Shi Huan said, if the soldiers and horses brought by Zhang Liao are true, they would be a total of 15,000 soldiers and horses!
For this operation, the Chengshi Li family dispatched all the people, a total of 2,300 servants and clan members. After arriving in the city, they collected another 700 to 800 people, forming a team of 3,000 people.
Now coupled with the 3,000 troops and horses brought by Shi Huan, there are a total of 6,000 troops and horses in Dingtao City!
If he were to deal with others, with 6,000 troops and horses, Li Qian was confident that he could hold Dingtao and even defeat the enemy.
However, now Li Qian has no confidence at all, because the opponent he has to face is the invincible Lu Bujun.
The official road outside the north gate of Dingtao City connects Puyang, Juancheng and other places.
Li Qian, Shi Huan, and Han Hao stood on the north wall, frowning, and constantly looking at the northwest direction.
After the spies' report, the three of them already knew that Zhang Liao's army had been rushing here and was now only about 50 miles away from the city.
This also shows that a war is inevitable.
Although Li Qian had heard of Lu Bu's fame, he had never seen it.
In Juancheng at that time, Han Hao and Shi Huan had seen Lu Bu's power and knew how difficult this battle would be.
I remember that in Juancheng, Lu Bu only relied on the Bingzhou cavalry to beat the soldiers and run away. If it hadn't been for luck, someone might have opened the city gate and surrendered.
This time, no one can guarantee whether Dingtao can be maintained.
The only thing that pleased the three of them was that this time it was Zhang Liao who led the army, and Lu Bu did not come.
But despite this, the three of them still did not dare to neglect, let alone be careless. Seeing that it was getting later and later, they did not dare to walk down the city wall to eat. They just ate a piece of cake eaten by the soldiers on the city wall and drank a few drinks. Drool, even if it’s dinner.
Just when it was completely dark, the three people standing on the city wall suddenly heard a strange sound coming from the distance.
It was the footsteps of Lu Bujun approaching. He heard it from a distance, like waves hitting the rocks, making a dull sound.
"coming."
Li Qian felt that the atmosphere was a little tense, and he forced a smile, "After waiting for so long, they finally got up. Once we repel them, the three of us will have to drink three glasses of wine in the evening."
Shi Huan laughed and nodded, "How can three cups be enough? I need 30 cups."
Li Qian laughed loudly, "That's right, it looks like I said it was too little. I need 30 cups or 50 cups, haha."
Han Hao suddenly said, "I'm afraid you will be disappointed with this dinner tonight."
Li Qian frowned and said, "General Han, do you think we can't repel Lu Bu's army?"
Han Hao didn't speak. He listened closely to the direction of the sound. After a long time, he spoke slowly.
"General Li, let everyone prepare. Don't take it lightly."
Li Qian saw Han Hao's solemn expression, nodded, and walked aside to arrange for everyone to prepare to meet the enemy.
Shi Huan suddenly said, "General Han, are the soldiers and horses coming here true or false?"
Han Hao smiled bitterly and shook his head, "I don't know."
Shi Huan frowned and said, "According to the spies' information, Zhang Liao brought 10,000 troops and horses, and then sent out another 5,000 troops, a total of 15,000 troops?
I really want to know, are these 15,000 soldiers and horses real? Lu Bu wanted to deal with Dingtao from the beginning? "
Hearing these words, Han Hao also frowned. At this time, the footsteps in the distance became heavier and heavier, and he could faintly see figures flashing on the official road.
The night wind blew by, bringing with it bursts of cool breeze. Han Hao looked at the large black shadow in the distance and felt a chill rising in his heart.
If the 15,000 soldiers and horses are real, Ding Tao is really in danger this time.
Shi Huan suddenly said, "General Han, there is actually no need for us to worry. Since ancient times, if the number of soldiers and horses attacking a city is not several times that of the opponent, it will be almost impossible to break through the city."
Hearing this, Han Hao smiled bitterly and nodded, "General Shi, you are right. Even if Lu Bu has 15,000 soldiers and horses, it is real, but we have 6,000 soldiers and horses here. It is not that easy for him to break the city?" "
Shi Huan clapped his hands and said with a smile, "That's right. There is nothing to be afraid of. Even if Lu Bu is invincible in martial arts, he didn't come this time."
Hearing these words, Han Hao suddenly felt relaxed in his heart, nodded, and a smile appeared on his face, "Although Lu Bu didn't come this time, I heard that Zhang Liao is not an ordinary person, so he should be careful."
While the two were talking, the footsteps in the distance became louder and louder, and the figures became clearer and clearer.
The darkness in the distance was like the mouth of a giant beast. Groups of soldiers walked out of the darkness and arrived not far from the city wall.
The soldiers lined up in a square formation, with flags fluttering in front, and their spears shining coldly in the moonlight.
Li Qian quickly came to Han Hao and said hurriedly, "General Han, it seems that there are quite a few of them."
Han Hao nodded, frowned and said, "They didn't set up camp immediately. Do they want to attack the city overnight?"
Shi Huan waved his hand and suddenly sneered, "It's impossible. Attacking the city at night will be even more detrimental to them."
Li Gan smiled and said, "Yes, unless Zhang Liao is stupid, he will never let the soldiers attack the city at night."
While the three of them were discussing, several war horses suddenly ran out from the opposite camp, and the leaders were Zhang Liao and Zhang Wenyuan.
"Li Qian, why did you seize my city?"
Li Qian sneered, "Lü Bu is unkind and unjust and harms the loyal and good. I followed the order of my lord and obeyed the will of God and the people of Li. What's wrong with me?"
Zhang Liao sneered, "Li Qian, don't say more. I just want to tell you that if you repent and surrender the city, I can leave it alone. Otherwise, if the army presses in, I'm afraid you won't be able to escape. Where will you go? I hope You’ve thought it through.”
Hearing this, Li Qian couldn't help but sneer, "Zhang Liao, I heard that you have some abilities, but I didn't expect that you only talk about your abilities. If you have the ability, you come to attack the city. As long as the city is broken, you can say anything." , otherwise, it will be useless to say more.”
Zhang Liao looked expressionless and nodded, "Since you don't repent, don't blame me for being rude."
After saying this, Zhang Liao suddenly roared, "The whole army is ready to attack the city."
After shouting these words, Zhang Liao actually felt uneasy in his heart.
According to his idea, after leading the troops here, they would set up camp first and let the soldiers have a rest. After building the ladder early tomorrow morning, they could attack the city the day after tomorrow.
However, when it came, Marquis Wen said there was no need to worry too much, just act according to the plan.
As for what the plan is, it's simple, that is?
Following Zhang Liao's order, countless sword and shield soldiers rushed forward with their shields. At the same time, the archers also took the opportunity to hide behind the shields and slowly approached towards the city wall.
Han Hao and others were surprised when they saw this formation, and at the same time, they were a little confused.
According to their estimation, if you want to attack the city, you must at least have a ladder.
But there was nothing. Han Hao looked carefully for a long time and did not see a ladder that could climb to the city wall.
Only the sword and shield soldiers covered the archers as they moved forward, and they didn't even have any siege equipment.
Li Qian saw that the opponent had already rushed into the attack range, and suddenly roared, "Archers, prepare, take a holiday."
The archers who had been prepared for a long time immediately drew their bows and nocked arrows. Countless arrows were ejected from the bowstrings and flew into the air quickly, shrouding them like dark clouds.
Whoosh!
Bang bang bang!
However, the sword and shield soldiers of Lu Bu's army were already prepared. When they saw the arrow falling, they immediately raised their shields to block it.
All the shield-bearers raised their shields above their heads, like a huge raft blocking the rain of arrows from the sky.
After blocking the arrows, Lu Bu's army's shieldmen continued to move forward. When they came within their own attack range, Lu Bu's army's archers immediately launched a counterattack.
Whoosh!
"Ahhh!"
There were not that many shield soldiers on the city wall. Although they hid in time, many soldiers were still shot by bows and arrows and fell to the ground screaming.
Seeing that something was not going well, Li Qian hurriedly shouted, "Shield man, hurry up and block the bow and arrow."
"Archers, keep firing arrows and be sure to hit them back."
"The rolling logs and boulders are also ready. As soon as they come under the city wall, they will be hit hard by me."
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
The archers on both sides immediately went all out and began to suppress each other, trying to suppress each other until they could not lift their heads.
But at this time, when the energy was high, no one was willing to admit defeat. Arrows were flying all over the sky, and soldiers were constantly hit by arrows and fell to the ground.
Although there were shieldmen on Lu Bujun's side to cover the archers, there were times when they were negligent. As more and more arrows were fired from both sides, archers continued to receive arrows.
Whoosh!
"Ahhh!"
Han Hao hid behind the city wall and watched Lu Bujun's attack. He became more and more confused. He didn't understand why Lu Bujun did this?
If the opponent only sends out archers, no matter what, it is impossible for Lu Bu's army to capture the city?
Could it be that there are other strategies?
Just when Han Hao was uncertain, suddenly, more than twenty cars were pushed out from the opposite camp.
There are tall wooden boards standing in front of these cars, and even the left and right sides are covered by wooden boards, just like wooden buildings, but different.
Han Hao frowned, but he was even more confused. Even if these small vehicles were dispatched, it would be meaningless without a ladder to attack the city?
Although Shi Huan didn't know what these cars were for, she also knew that these little things were important, so she immediately yelled.
"Archers, shoot arrows at those carts, don't let them come."
Whoosh!
Bang bang bang!
As Shi Huan's order was conveyed, countless archers immediately turned around and fired arrows towards the car.
But it is a pity that the wooden boards on these carts are very thick, and the arrows shot on the wooden boards did not hurt the soldiers behind the wooden boards.
Not long after, these 20 or so cars were shot by bows and arrows like hedgehogs, but they still rushed towards the city wall tenaciously.
Han Hao suddenly shouted, "Rockets, attack with rockets."
Li Qian also reacted, "Hurry up and light these cars on fire."
Not long after, countless rockets drew a beautiful arc in the air and flew towards the vehicle.
But Zhang Liao had already made preparations. Before these carts were pushed out, the wooden boards had been soaked with water. Even if the rockets were nailed to the wooden boards, they would not be able to ignite.
At this time, although Han Hao didn't know the function of the car, he also knew that it must be Zhang Liao's support.
Perhaps it was because of these small cars that Zhang Liao attacked the city at night.
Han Hao yelled, "Prepare kerosene. As soon as they get close, use kerosene to light them on fire."
Kerosene is the most important tool for maintaining success. Because it is so rare, almost no one is willing to use it unless there is a crisis.
However, kerosene is packed in jars and must be thrown out manually, so the distance must be close, otherwise, it will be wasted because the distance is too far.
