Xiaopei.
It had been two months since the Chu army had besieged the city, but they had never launched a true strong attack. Only the rumbling sound of stone carts every day became a common occurrence. Xiaopei's originally not majestic city wall has gradually become dilapidated.
In the Chu army's tent, Sun Ce, Ji Shu, and Zhuge Jin had already begun to study the final battle against Xiaopei.
Standing in front of the sand table, Zhuge Jin pointed to the west side of Xiaopei City and talked.
"Xiaopei has been in war for a long time. Although the Han army also repaired it, after these two months of beating, some damage has become more and more obvious. I have carefully observed these two days and found that the damage to the west gate city wall is the most serious. If our army concentrates our forces to attack For one thing, Ximen will definitely be defeated in one battle."
"In addition, although our stone-fired chariot cannot yet reach the level of Wei's 'Thunderbolt Chariot', its power and range have been greatly improved, and its performance has become stable, enough to cause effective damage. I suggest that let From today onwards, the craftsmen of the Tiangong Institute will no longer carry out experiments on improving the stone-making chariots, and will instead devote all their efforts to instructing the soldiers to build the already-formed stone-making chariots. When the decisive battle comes, we will work together and all the stones will be ready to defeat the Han army. His liver and gallbladder are about to burst, and he is unable to resist our army’s attack.”
Ji Shu and Sun Ce nodded after hearing this. This was very consistent with their original plan. It made part of the plan more specific and feasible, and also gave them some new ideas.
Ji Shu said softly.
"Bo Fu, please give our Chu Kingdom's new weapon a name."
Giving a powerful weapon a resounding name can not only make your own soldiers feel more at ease, but also make the enemy more fearful, as if they have an extra trump card. This kind of formal thing can often achieve a certain degree of psychological benefit.
But Sun Ce thought about it for a moment, shook his head and said.
"Don't worry, the master Yueying hasn't taken action yet. I still want Yueying to improve it a little more and wait until our stone car is finalized before naming it."
Having said this, Sun Ce looked at Ji Shu and sighed apologetically.
"Counting the days, Yueying is about to give birth. Ziyuan, you are going to be a father soon."
About to be a father
Ji Shu was stunned.
There was some joy in my heart, but it was not as ecstatic as I imagined. I don't know if it was because I had already looked down on life and death. What suddenly wrapped around my heart was more confusion and confusion.
Everyone was silent for a moment.
On a battlefield that exuded blood and flowed lives, the three of them couldn't help but feel a touch of melancholy when they talked about their wives thousands of miles away and their soon-to-be-born child.
"Report!"
A clear shout brought them back to their senses. I saw a soldier quickly walked up to Sun Ce and knelt down on one knee, presenting a military report with both hands.
"Langxie's great victory! Please take a look at it, your Majesty."
Everyone's eyes lit up, and Sun Ce hurriedly took the military report and read it at a glance.
"Okay! Okay! Gongjin did a great job!"
Sun Ce hadn't smiled so heartily for a long time, which made Ji Shu and Zhuge Jin couldn't help but smile.
After reading it, Sun Ce handed the military report to Ji Shu, and Ji Shu also read it carefully.
Zhou Yu reported in the military newspaper that he led 10,000 elite troops deep into the hinterland of Xuzhou to attack Langxie, but Zhuge Liang discovered this. Subsequently, his troops fought a decisive battle with 30,000 Han troops in the Zhuguoshan area, and finally won a great victory with the bravery of the entire army.
In this battle, the Chu army lost 6,000 elite troops, killed 19,000 Han troops, and captured more than 6,000 people. Xu Han general Zhang Fei was seriously injured by Zhao Yun, general Liao Hua was captured alive by Ling Tong, and general Zhou Cang was beheaded by Gan Ning.
Zhuge Liang returned to Xiapi with 3,000 remaining soldiers and joined Liu Bei's 5,000 soldiers and horses, unable to escape.
Several hundred of Zhang Fei's remnant troops fled into Huaiyin, while Mi Zhu's 10,000-strong army remained in Huaiyin City.
Zhou Yu's remaining four thousand soldiers and horses completely occupied Langye, and their control area was extending to Dongwu Port and other areas behind him. Zhu Zhi led 3,000 troops and rushed to support Zhou Yu to consolidate his territory, while Huang Zhong led 6,000 troops to surround Huaiyin City.
Fundamental changes occurred on the Yangtze River battlefield. The Chu army shifted from tactical harassment to strategic attack. As long as Huang Zhong takes Huaiyin City, the Chu army can attack Xiapi City.
"When Guan Yu receives the news, there will be chaos in Xiaopei City. This is our best opportunity to attack."
Sun Ce was right. Zhou Yu's victory moved the war from a stalemate to a decisive stage. The current situation has turned towards Chu. This is also a good opportunity to take advantage of the situation to capture Xiaopei.
If Guan Yu's troops could be eliminated, Xu Han would be completely doomed.
Because of this, Ji Shucai did not dare to slack off at all, he said urgently.
"Send an order to Jiang Qin to immediately block the road between Xiaopei and Xiapi. No news can be allowed to reach Xiaopei."
The soldier was stunned for a moment, looked at Sun Ce, and saw Sun Ce nodded before agreeing to leave.
"Zi Yuan, what do you mean?"
After the soldiers left, Sun Ce turned around and asked Ji Shu with some doubts.
He didn't understand why Ji Shu wanted to block the news. This was obviously news that was beneficial to the Chu army.
"When a tiger is injured, it is also when it is most in danger. Brother, please give me some more time."
Sun Ce pondered for a while, and there seemed to be no reason to rush forward in the current situation, so he nodded.
"Okay, I'll still give you full command."
Xiaopei City Head.
"Brother Liang, food restrictions have started today. How many days do you think the food in the city can last?"
The speaker was a thin, dark man, about twenty to twenty-five years old, who looked a bit slovenly.
Sitting against the city wall with him was a man in his thirties. It was obvious that Brother Liang was already a veteran.
I saw that Brother Liang was concentrating on wiping the sharp sword in his hand with a small piece of cloth. When he heard the words, he answered without even looking at the man.
"That's something that the general and Xu Jijiu should worry about. It's not your turn to worry about it yet."
The man was stunned and didn't care, and continued to ask.
"Brother Liang, why don't you think the Chu army came to attack the city yesterday and today? It was quite scary when they fired stone carts and threw stones."
Brother Liang looked at the sword blade carefully, wiped it carefully, and had no intention of answering.
"Brother Liang, when do you think the Chu army will withdraw?"
Brother Liang put down his sword as if giving up and said impatiently.
"When the battle to the east is won and Zhuge's military advisor comes to rescue with troops and horses, the Chu army will naturally retreat."
"Brother Liang, what do you say?"
"Hey, are you annoyed? Xiaotian, I'm warning you, if you don't shut up, I'll beat you up."
Brother Liang was so annoyed by Xiao Tian that he stood up and threatened Xiao Tian as if he was about to hit someone. However, before he could finish his words, there was a bang and an arrow hit his helmet.
Brother Liang suddenly fell to the ground and broke into a cold sweat.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
Panic sounds rang out at the top of the city, and everyone reflexively threw themselves at the corner. This is the best defense method they have summarized over the past two months to deal with stone throwing.
What followed was the faint sound of breaking wind.
This is not a stone-throwing cart! Brother Liang was thinking this while huddled in the corner. In fact, there was no need to guess, a few sparse arrows landed at his feet.
The Chu army's attack stopped quickly, as fast as a temporary rain.
Leaning on the wall and peeking, the Chu army had indeed retreated. Brother Liang looked at the arrows in his footsteps again. There were some strips of cloth tied on them. He picked them up curiously and examined them.
"Brother Liang, what is written on it?"
Xiaotian is illiterate, but Brother Liang understands.
Before Brother Liang had time to speak, the people around him were already laughing.
"What? Our army was defeated in Langxie. General Zhang Fei and General Zhou Cang were killed in the battle. General Liao Hua and Zhuge Military Advisor were captured. The Chu army has surrounded Xiapi!"
"Tch, the Chu army is really bragging! The main force of our Han army is in the east, but their main force is blocked by us in Xiaopei. How can they win? This bragging is too big."
"Haha, this lie is not well made up. I'm afraid our main force has already entered Jiangdong, and they must be anxious!"
The surrounding voices were noisy, so Brother Liang didn't need to say anything more, he closed the cloth and said.
"This is the Chu army's letter to persuade them to surrender."
Xiaotian smiled and took it and looked at it again and again. Even though he was illiterate, he read it with great interest. Listening to the discussions around him, Xiaotian also joined in and asked.
"Brother Liang, is it true that our army has won a great victory and the Chu army is in a hurry? The stone chariot has not been able to come here in the past two days. Could it be that Zhuge's military advisor has already led his troops to kill? Then the King of Chu led his troops to resist?"
Brother Liang looked at the Chu army retreating leisurely below the city and said softly.
"That's fine."
Another half month passed quickly.
The soldiers originally thought that the Chu army was eager to persuade them to surrender and that their own reinforcements would be coming soon. Even General Guan's report said so.
However, for half a month, the Chu army still showed no sign of being eager to attack the city. Instead, it deployed more and more stone-launching vehicles. Looking from a distance, the densely packed area made everyone feel unspeakably depressed.
The amount of food has decreased again.
They used to be able to eat half full, but now they can only eat three-thirds full. At night, a group of people's stomachs were growling with hunger.
There began to be some bad rumors among the soldiers. For example, the letters of surrender that were sent occasionally were true. For example, the Chu army had already captured Xiapi and they were left here to carry the troops without knowing their capabilities. Another example was that the King of Chu Not attacking the city now is entirely out of benevolence and unwilling to cause more killings.
After the law enforcement team arrested a few people and killed them, everyone no longer dared to talk nonsense. They were just panic-stricken and occasionally cursed in private.
That night, Xiaotian stayed vigil behind his chief again.
The night was quiet, with insects buzzing and the wind carrying the whispers of another group of soldiers in the distance.
Unable to hear clearly, too lazy to listen, and not necessary to listen, Xiaotian leaned against the wall in a depressed tone.
"Hurry up and put the hanging basket down!"
A muffled voice that wanted to be loud but didn't dare to be loud came into my ears.
who is it? Who is he? There seems to be something familiar. Xiaotian moved his body but did not move.
Brother Liang looked down for a few times and said.
"The hanging basket is our scout."
The hanging basket was quickly lowered, and everyone worked together to pull a scout up to the top of the city. Brother Liang didn't even take a breath before he opened his mouth and asked the scout.
"Brother, how is the war going? Tell us."
The scout laughed and said apologetically.
"This is a secret. I can only report it to General Guan."
"Yes, yes."
Brother Liang quickly apologized twice, and everyone dispersed as if they had lost interest. Two people were sent to follow the scouts to see General Guan, leaving only Brother Liang and Xiaotian alone. Xiaotian only listened to Brother Liang say softly.
"It's over."
"What's over?"
Xiaotian spoke doubtfully. This was the first time he spoke tonight.
Brother Liang glanced at him indifferently and sighed.
"If the victory is reported, do we still need to keep it secret? What is written in the Chu army's surrender letter is probably true. Xuzhou is over."
That night, all Xiaopei's soldiers received Guan Yu's order to break out of Xiapi in the early morning.
