The next day, Cao Cao ordered a total of 40,000 troops from all ministries to march out to attack Dingtao from the southeast, northwest and four sides at the same time. Many soldiers of Cao's army climbed up the city wall to fight one after another. The shouts of killing shook the sky and the momentum was overwhelming. The sound of the soldiers of the two armies banging their knives back and forth on the top of the city could be clearly heard even ten miles away.
At first, Cao Jun used ants to scale the city. Due to the large number of people, it was quite effective. Soon, people climbed onto the city wall and continued to tear apart the front line in the city. But Zang Hong was well prepared. When hundreds of Cao's troops poured into the city, the soldiers threw bundles of wormwood into the city. When Cao Jun saw this, he didn't take it seriously. Unexpectedly, the wormwood was wrapped with stones inside and filled with grease on the outside. When thrown down, all those caught in it fell down. Then the defenders shot rockets tied with pine trees into the grass bundles, and the city suddenly burst into flames. As the smoke filled the air, Cao Jun's subsequent offensive was immediately difficult to maintain, and the defenders on the city were left alone and helpless. They were either beheaded on the spot or forced to jump off the tower, resulting in thousands of casualties.
After three days of attacking back and forth, Cao Jun could not advance even an inch. Cao Cao was quite impatient, and then discussed the tactics of war with Tian Feng, Ju Shou and others all night, and then ordered all the three armies to say that they were not in a hurry to attack the city. He ordered the entire army to advance the camp, set up watchtowers around the city wall, and then shoot at the defenders in the city. , and then wait for orders from the military. After hearing this, the experienced officers in the army were speculating on the commander-in-chief's plan. They talked privately that the marshal was probably going to use up the arrows in the city and wait until the thieves had no more arrows to release, and then he would order us to attack the city. At that time, I would If the army has arrows and the thief army has no arrows, it will be easy to break the city.
Things developed exactly as they expected. In the following days, the two armies kept shooting back and forth between the watchtower and the city wall. The sound of arrows flying through the air continued throughout the day, sounding like a knife. Scratching back and forth on the withered bones and witnessing such a fierce exchange of fire, the defenders on the city could only hold up wooden poles and crawl back and forth, while Cao's troops below the city did not feel refreshed and resented the cold.
After about five or six days, the number of arrows fired by the defenders was decreasing day by day. Compared with Cao's army's arrow shots, which were still like hail, they seemed like a lonely swan among the crows. All the generals saw this clearly and went to Cao Cao's tent one after another to ask for battle and attack the city.
After hearing this, Cao Cao was not in a hurry. He looked through the military book and said calmly: "Zang Ziyuan is not a fool, how could he not leave a backup plan?" Everyone looked panicked, and then Cao Cao smiled slowly and said: "You don't need to rest tonight. , lead troops to patrol in front of the camp. If a thief comes out of the city, you will form a formation and shoot arrows. Don't let him repeat his old trick and take another thousand of my heads."
At around midnight that night, all the generals dubiously stood in the formation and patrolled according to the commander's orders. However, the fire on the city wall of Dingtao went out silently, as if the arrows were distorted and used up, or they had not been able to rest for days and were unable to fight again.
But when everyone was drowsy, there was a sudden sound of gongs. It turned out that Cao's soldiers on the watchtower saw a bunch of black shadows suddenly appeared on the edge of the city, slowly coming down from the city wall, as if they were trying to sneak attack Cao's camp along the rope. , so this is a warning. Seeing this, Cao's soldiers in the city all excitedly said, "Zang Ziyuan thought he had a trick, but how could he be as skilled as the marshal!" Then they rushed to shoot arrows at the shadow.
The black shadow fell to the ground in the rain of arrows. According to estimates by sharp-eyed people, there must be more than a thousand Han soldiers who fell on the ground. This must be a heavy blow to Zang Hong's weak troops. Unexpectedly, when the sky turned white, people were surprised to find that what fell on the ground was not a soldier with a sword, but a scarecrow wrapped in black. These scarecrows have ropes tied around their waists and are densely covered with arrows, like hedgehogs.
At this time, the guards on the city pulled the straw man to the top of the city in full view of the public, and loudly counted the number of arrows that the straw man had lost. At the end of the count, it was known that Zang Hong had lost 126,000 arrows in one night. Thirty-two. When Cao Cao's soldiers under the city heard about it, their morale was greatly depressed. When Cao Cao heard about it, he was so angry that he couldn't pay attention to the matter.
On that day, Cao Jun did not attack the city. At night, when Cao Cao's wind subsided a little, he called his military advisor Guo Jia, who asked very calmly: "Zang Ziyuan is not only a righteous man, but also a genius. In the past, under Meng Zhuo's tent, I didn't even notice! What if I get it?" , how can the world be settled? Fengxiao, is there any way to make him come under my account?"
Guo Jia was shocked when he heard that Cao Cao had cherished Zang Hong's talent before, but later Guo Jia gave it up. Unexpectedly, after suffering setbacks one after another, Cao Cao actually wanted to recruit again.
This time, Guo Jia was not in a position to dissuade him. He lowered his head for a long time before slowly saying: "There are Chen Lin and Chen Kongzhang in the Duke Ming Dynasty. They were old friends with Zang Hong, and they were once married.
My dear family, if Ming Gong is interested, why not send him to write a letter and talk about old feelings. "
Cao Cao smiled and said, "That's exactly what I mean. Just go and discuss it with him."
Guo Jia took the order and left. That night he and Chen Lin studied the text together. Then they wrote a letter every day and sent people to shoot into the city for three consecutive days. The first two letters were sent, but there was no news. When it came to the third letter, there was finally a reply, so the third letter was recorded in the article. Its full text is as follows:
"I heard that in the old days of the declining Zhou Dynasty, zombies were bleeding. If I thought otherwise, how could I have thought that I would bear the brunt of it today!"
"Ziyuan has been guarding Tao for nearly a hundred days. Not because of Liu Bei's defeat in Bohai, he actually defeated generals Hong and Ren. Then the three armies looked at the city and were eclipsed. They all thought that Ziyuan was a high-ranking talent, armed with Qingping's weapon, and the bell was silent. Being able to make quick decisions when the opportunity arises is a natural talent and is not something that is common to those who admire it."
"However, Liu Bei's talent for riding horses, and the number of soldiers who cannot travel a thousand miles, are mediocre, and are beyond the capabilities of a wise man. How can it be like Cao's expedition, which is like flying away from a meteor, surpassing mountains and seas, and being able to defeat a mere thirty thousand people?" Ten times the enemy. This dragon Ji dare not chase, how about the slave horse, how safe is it?"
"Sergeant Ziyuan, Duke Cao loves him very much. The so-called gentleman's way is to act when the opportunity arises, not to be in danger, and to do it with one's heart, not to harm the people of the city. But those who rely on the emperor and do not surrender can only rely on the support of Guanxi. Now Chen Chong is ordered to be a traitor to the court, and he is in panic without a trace. He is also surrounded by the east and west. Even if Guan Zhong and Wu Qi are capable, nothing can be done by the soldiers! If this happens, you will die in Jiuquan, and you will have the reputation of ending the army. ? Or how can a person named Yajiang Chong endure the humiliation of his father? It is not like joining the Gongdian Company to enjoy the highest position in the country and be famous in Jiuzhou for eternity."
"Having said this, I will wait for you as ordered, looking back and forth, hoping that Ziyuan will think twice!"
After Zang Hong got the letter, he immediately wrote a reply in person and shot it back to Cao's camp early the next morning. At that time, Cao Cao was suffering from a headache. He unfolded this common towel and found that it was densely packed with pallids, several times as many as Chen Lin's books. Xia Houyuan, who was sitting here, read to him. Xia Houyuan quickly leaned over and recited word for word Cao Cao listened attentively at first. As Xia Houyuan read more and more eagerly, his expression became more and more serious. At the end of reading, he actually sat up on the couch and said "meaning" unconsciously.
When Xia Houyuan put down the towel in a cold sweat, Cao Cao said with a smile: "Unexpectedly, Zang Hong is not only excellent in martial arts, but also writes with a pen as sharp as a knife. He can actually cure my headache!"
Speaking of this, Cao Cao sighed again: "It's a pity that such a strange person can't be used by me!"
In this reply, Zang Hong still claimed that Cao Cao was the shepherd of Yanzhou and called him his master. However, he highlighted Cao Cao's many misdeeds in governing Yanzhou, such as deceiving Chen Chong, assassinating Bian Rang, and treason against the court. He also described himself as the city's leader. Although the words of his ambition to die and safeguard the country are not beautiful, the love is so true that even Cao Cao could not help but be moved. The full text is recorded as follows:
"The longing for each other arises from the long sleep. Fortunately, we are separated by steps and martial arts. However, we cannot see each other because of our different interests. It is melancholy, but it is heart-warming! I will not forget the day before yesterday, compare and humiliate Ya Kuang, and recount the misfortunes Blessed, public and private affairs are closely related. Therefore, those who do not respond immediately are poor in learning and talent, and are not qualified to cross-examine. Also, my son is carrying a side room, resting on his shoulders, his master, his home is in Dongzhou, and his servants are enemies. Therefore, even if he is in the middle of the matter, Love is in the liver and gallbladder, as if the body is neglected and guilty, and the words are willing to offend, but the whole person does not save him, how can he be merciful to others?"
"With your talent, if you don't have this classic book, how can it be darkened by the great road and not reach the rest of the world? However, it is still like this, and the servant is content with his words and does not believe them sincerely, but he will save the disaster. He must want to make a calculation. Long and short, debate on right and wrong, right and wrong, have been spoken all over the world, and they are even more unclear. There is no harm in not saying anything. Also, the meaning of saying goodbye after being hurt is not what I can bear to do, so I throw away the paper and pen, and have no answer. . I also hope that I can think about my heart from afar and know my plan, so that I will not change. I will regain my destiny, talk about my strength and weakness, and proudly count the pieces of paper. Even if I want to say nothing, how can I get it!"
"You are a small servant. I was originally engaged in military service, and bandits stole the great state. I owe you a deep kindness. Ning Le returns the favor today! Every time I go to the city to recruit troops, I look at my master's banners and drums. I feel how old my friends are. I feel like my face is covered with tears. Who is it? I have assisted the Zuo Cao family and have no regrets. The masters have followed each other and have passed the highest standards. When I was appointed, I thought that it would be a great event and we would restore the country together."
"How could you realize that after the defeat of Bohai, the state was invaded, and the generals of the county were in trouble? Chen Liuke created a military plan, lost territory due to the plan, lost the name of loyalty and filial piety, carried the staff on his back, and lost the distinction of making friends. Sorry for these two, and with them As a last resort, losing the name of loyalty and filial piety and losing the way of making friends are all different, and the distance is different, so I shed tears and say goodbye. If the master is to miss his old friend, the one who lives in the side seat will be restrained, and the one who leaves will be restrained.
If you don't focus on leaving friends and believe in punishment and killing to support yourself, then you will not be able to resist Ji Zha's ambition and not fight today. Why is it effective? "
"In the past, when Chen Tingjian captured Zuojun and heard that Puyang was defeated, he rushed away with his words and killed all the troops in blood, so that the master could survive. Then he admonished the soldiers to discuss the defeat, and sympathized with the peasants and mourned the death. In the meantime, unexpectedly, he was killed. My friend, my heart is hurt by the white head. The doctor on the border came here with the order, but couldn't find the beetles. What crime should I accuse him of? He saw the thorns again, and he died. The emperor later sent an order to attack Yuan, but he was not ordered to do it. He clearly promised to cheat. , Seeking hegemony through skills, this can be said to be a person who is loyal and filial, and does not harm the country? Although the servant is not sensitive, he is never able to see the end. He knows the subtleties and steals the master's heart. How can it be said that the three things have failed and the punishment should be punished? ? In fact, he wanted to unify Shandong and increased his troops to fight against the enemy. He was afraid of the suspicion of the soldiers and could not dissuade him, so he suppressed the king's order and respected and inherited the system. Now he also said that he was ordered to be diligent and diligent for the whole country. It is ridiculous. "
"I have warned my predecessors to fight to the death in poverty. Even though I am a fool, I have heard the words of a gentleman. This is not my intention, but the master's decision. Anyone who betrays my country and lives in this city is a gentleman. Violation of this is because it is not suitable for the enemy's country. To offend the master and see that the attack is overdue, I will take this meaning as my rule. It is not the same but different from the words. It is not the behavior of a gentleman!"
"I have heard that righteousness never betrays one's relatives, and loyalty never disobeys the emperor. Therefore, the Cao family of Dongzong thought that they were close relatives, and they supported the court in the middle to stabilize the country. They were able to achieve loyalty and filial piety in one fell swoop. Why is it wrong? But you want me to take advantage of this and destroy it. All families are lords and masters. The master is to me. He is my brother in years, and he is divided into my friends. They are divided according to the ways. Although the division is smooth, it can be said that it is done. If the son says, then Bao Xu should be fatal to the members of the army, but it is not appropriate. Weeping in the Qin court. Gou is in trouble and doesn't know how to behave. He may see that the city is surrounded and the reinforcements have not arrived. He feels that the meaning of marriage is the only good thing in life. He lives by humiliating himself and is better than keeping righteousness. And overturned."
"In the past, Yan Ying did not surrender his ambitions to the sword, and did not bend his writing to survive in Southern History, so he wore images and his name will be passed down to future generations. Kuang Pu held on to the solidity of the golden city, drove the soldiers and people away, and scattered the livestock for three years, thinking that it would last for one year. Capital, to replenish the poor and replenish the deficiencies, to please the world, why build a house instead of farming! But fearing the autumn wind and dust, the court is strong and the horse's head is facing the east. Qu Yi and Gongsun are struggling with their physical strength. I sincerely beg you to return home. The master should learn from my Cao family, who rebelled against his troops and retreated, and led the troops in Yeyuan. Why should he be humiliated and angry for a long time and violently dominate my city? You are ridiculing me for relying on Guanxi to save me, but not thinking about Sun Ce's cooperation. Evil! Add Liu Biao's subordinates to accept the king's order. In the past, the great ancestor took Peng Yue in the vast wilderness, Guangwu created Ji Zhao in the green forest, and after his death, he was able to fly to Zhongxing and become an emperor. If you can assist the master in Xinghua, why don't you mind! Kuang servant is dear Receive the seal letter and work with it."
"Let's go to Kong Zhang! One step is beneficial to the outside world, Zang Hong gives orders to the king and relatives; one step is entrusted to the leader of the alliance, Zang Hongce's name is in Chang'an. The son said that the rest of his body died and his reputation was destroyed, and the servants also laughed at the fact that the son lived and died without being heard. What a tragedy! The original is the same but the last is different. Work hard, what can I say!"
