When the Wei, Han and Xianbei armies gathered and began to pull out the Wubao outside Pingcheng, Liu Bei's 100,000 soldiers had basically gathered in Mayi. However, facing the offensive of nearly 300,000 troops from the Eastern Dynasty, Liu Bei's strength was still somewhat stretched. Therefore, to be on the safe side, he did not head north rashly first. Instead, he sent a letter urging Chen Chong to leave while thinking about a more appropriate strategy.
Although Ke Bineng has gone north to join forces with Cao Cao, Qu Yi of Juyang still cannot be underestimated. He, Han Hao and Xia Houyuan have a total of 30,000 people and are still stationed on Crouching Tiger Mountain. They always send out rangers to harass and make a show of Liu Bei couldn't ignore Liu Bei's attitude of being eager to attack Mayi at any time, whether it was genuine or just a show of force. He sent Liu Bao to lead an army of 7,000 men to station in Wangtao City to monitor Qu Yi at all times.
Then Liu Bei held a military meeting to discuss how to delay the Eastern offensive in Pingcheng. Most of the generals thought that Pingcheng's defense was strong enough to support the arrival of Chen Chong's reinforcements. It would be better to wait for reinforcements first and then go north to relieve the siege. Liu Bei thought it was reasonable at first, but after the meeting ended, Fa Zheng had other suggestions.
Fa Zheng made a big mistake this time, causing Qu Yi to directly rebel. His crime was not a small one. Even though Liu Bei had great pity for him, he had to demote him to the fifth rank and stay in charge of documents in the Ba Mansion. He would not participate in military affairs for the time being, but in fact he still had many communications in private.
Fazheng analyzed for Liu Bei and said: "Although Pingcheng is the most fortified city in the world, a fortified city also has the disadvantages of a fortified city. Today, the number of soldiers stationed in Pingcheng is only tens of thousands. Although it is more than enough to defend the city, it cannot attack the Wubao outside the city. But they are powerless. If the east thieves are allowed to take over one by one, there may be a sense of depression in the city. Linghu Yuan, who is guarding the city, is only a middle-aged man, and may not be able to subdue the masses. At the moment, he still has to choose an important minister to lead a cavalry to the north. , to stabilize the hearts of the military and the people."
Liu Bei thought he was right, so he called Gongsun Zan, the general who had conquered Liao, over at dinner in the evening, brought two basins of yoghurt, and while eating with him he said, "Bogui, you and I are classmates and have known each other for many years. Back then, I advocated justice against Dong Dong, and you led the crowd to respond. I still remember that at that time, you traveled hundreds of miles overnight to see me, and I was extremely grateful. But in the past few years since you joined me, I have not promoted you much, and I have not promoted you very much. I don’t know if you blame me.”
Gongsun Zan was extremely ashamed and said: "Xuande is joking. Without your help back then, how could I have secured a position in Youzhou? It was only because I lost to Yuan Shao that I came to defect to you. What's more, I was also a state shepherd. These days In the years of war, I haven't made any achievements, so how can I be promoted? I know it well and can't blame you."
Liu Bei looked at Gongsun Zan. Although his temples had grown old due to years of wasted years, and his expression was old, and although he had lost a bit of color, his figure had become looser, and both his arms and legs still looked very tight. Liu Bei took Gongsun Zan's arm, lifted up his sleeves, touched the dark scars on it, and patted it. He felt that the muscles were as hard as iron. He couldn't help but sigh to Gongsun Zan: "You are still the desperate man of the Gongsun family who was famous for his loyalty and bravery!"
He then said to Gongsun Zan: "Bogui, there is a big thing now. If you don't do it well, you may lose your life. I don't feel safe leaving it to anyone else. I wonder if you are willing to help me?"
When Gongsun Zan heard this, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly, and he seemed quite hesitant. He asked, "Do you want me to lead the army alone? Isn't it appropriate?"
When Liu Bei saw this, he patted his shoulder and said, "It has to be you. Pingcheng is a great defense for the country, and you know it, Bogui. If Cao Cao attacks by force, it will be difficult to capture it, but I'm afraid he will use a trick to attack the enemy. After all, there is no one in the city." I don't feel at ease when a general is in charge. I will give you 20,000 Qingqi. You first go to Zicheng to the north of Pingcheng to take charge. At that time, you have full power to handle all affairs in Pingcheng. After Ting Jian and I meet, I will join you! "Having said this, he whispered again: "After we defeat the East bandits, I will arrange for you to become a Taiwei!"
When Gongsun Zan heard this arrangement, he knew that the task was not heavy, so he breathed a sigh of relief and agreed with emotion: "Since Xuande doesn't think that I am incompetent, this trip will definitely live up to it. If Pingcheng is lost, I will kill myself in the city and will never go south." Half a step!”
The next day, Gongsun Zan led 20,000 horses out of the city. Before leaving, he said to Liu Bei who was seeing him off: "I have no worries about going here. It's just that my eldest son is dead and my second son is too young. If I can't come back from this trip, , Erlang will entrust you to take care of him. I hope you can give him a good future."
Gongsun Zan's eldest son Gongsun Xu died in the Battle of Yijing. Only his second son Gongsun Zhuang followed him to Jinyang, and he is only seventeen years old now. Liu Bei thought to himself that although this trip was not without danger, it was not a narrow escape. Why did Bogui end up like this? But seeing that his friend's tone was sincere, he couldn't bear to go against his wish, so he agreed repeatedly and ordered on the spot to recruit Gongsun Zhuang into the palace as a sword-bearing personal attendant.
It was the rainy season at this time. Even on the northern Xinjiang Plateau, the sky was still covered with dark clouds, and there were still silky rain and mist floating in the sky. When Gongsun Zan led his cavalry to shuttle through it, the rain gradually became heavier, and the sky and the earth appeared extremely hazy. The water was white, and the sound of the rain washing away the earth and rocks, the sound of horse hooves and golden armor were slowly drowned out. People said that they had never seen such heavy rain since arriving in Bingzhou.
Although it was difficult to advance in the rain, it also gave Gongsun Zan an excellent opportunity. Unknowingly, the Eastern Army bypassed the Eastern Army's camp in the south of the city from the northwest.
Since the Eastern Army had not completely cleared the Wubao in the east of the city, they did not encircle the city. Gongsun Zan entered the city very easily. He asked Zhao Gai, who was guarding the city, about the arrangement of the Eastern Army. Zhao Gai replied that the Eastern Army was stationed to the south of Baideng Mountain, and the Xianbei army was stationed to the north of Baideng Mountain. They were connected with each other for thirty miles, which can be said to be full of soldiers. Gongsun Zan sent envoys to Pingcheng to contact Linghuyuan and asked him whether he could hold on to the city. Linghu Yuan was extremely happy when he learned that the reinforcements were coming. He also replied that there was no shortage of food, grass and bows in the city, and he could defend it for more than half a year. He was afraid that the country would abandon it. Now that the general is here, he has nothing to worry about.
The rain stopped for a few days, and the Eastern Army resumed the offensive. However, Gongsun Zan observed closely and found that it was true as Linghu Yuan said. Although the Eastern Army had a large number of troops, the results were slow due to Pingcheng's perfect fortifications, and Pingcheng could still hold on for a long time. . Zicheng's assistance seemed to be of no use, which made him feel unwilling, so he discussed with the staff accompanying the army: "Pingcheng is indeed strong, but I came from afar under the order of the general, and I will not just sit back and watch. At present, the Eastern Army is late. Wait, can we find an opportunity to gain some military exploits?"
Zhao Gai thought it was unacceptable. He advised: "As long as Baoping City is not lost and the Dragon Head Army arrives, the general will have full credit. Why take risks? Once it fails, the current situation will be reversed!"
Gongsun Zan was very disapproving. He coughed twice and asked: "You haven't heard my plan yet, how could you know it won't work?" Zhao Gai had no choice but to listen. At this time, Gongsun Zan slowly stated his idea. He actually planned to lead the way. Thousands of cavalrymen took the trail, bypassed the Eastern Army's camp, and went straight to Dai County to plunder and harass, forcing the enemy to retreat.
When Zhao Gai heard this, he felt very embarrassed and repeatedly objected: "The thieves in the east are all over the mountains and plains. I wonder, Lord, which path can you take to hide them?"
Gongsun Zan smiled and said: "It has been raining these days and they have few scouts. I can go north to Danhan Mountain and then detour to Daijun via Shihuo Mountain. Ke Bineng and I are old rivals. He brought ten With tens of thousands of troops heading south, how many people are left in the old nest? Even if we know about it, what can we do? Either let me run amok, or withdraw our troops and return, then most of the siege of Pingcheng will be solved."
This move was extremely bold, and indeed Zhao Gai had never thought of it, but after careful consideration, it seemed quite feasible. He could no longer object, so he agreed. Three days later, Gongsun Zan ordered 4,000 men and 8,000 horses. Then he personally led the army and set off from Zicheng again. Each selected person carried ten days of dry food and a hundred arrows.
Gongsun Zan's northward march was just as he had envisioned, and no one could have predicted it. The Dongren also set up two forts to the east of Zicheng to monitor, but they never expected that he would dare to go all the way north. Therefore, Gongsun Zan was like a steel knife from Kaifeng, piercing directly into the heart of Xianbei, and then went straight to Danhan Mountain.
For Gongsun Zan, this was the second time he came to Danhan Mountain. The last time he came to Danhan Mountain was in the second year of Yanxing. At that time, he defeated Yuan Shaoke and Bi Neng one after another. He was very satisfied and had 60,000 elite soldiers under his command. He wanted to take the Xianbei royal court directly. Unexpectedly, due to the freezing weather, his retreat was cut off. As a result, a large number of his close associates died at the foot of the mountain. A big disaster. Although Duan Xuan came to the rescue, it was also a turning point in his life's destiny from prosperity to decline.
Therefore, when Gongsun Zan passed by Danhan Mountain, he stopped for a moment. The Xianbei people who stayed behind in the mountains thought that he was going to form a formation to attack, so they couldn't help but hold their arms and bows in a posture of strict defense. But Gongsun Zan didn't take them seriously. He just regarded them as floating clouds in the mountains. Instead, he looked at his feet and said to Wen Ze who was accompanying him: "I heard them, they are calling me! I'm going back soon." Following Tian After Kai and Zhao Yun were transferred away by Liu Bei, Wen Ze was the only old man left around him.
The next day, when they were about to pass through Shihuo Mountain, Gongsun Zan suddenly pointed to the mountain pass and said, "I heard that Yan Gang died here." Wen Ze did not dare to answer, but Gongsun Zan still thought about himself and said sadly: "What a pity. , he followed me for more than ten years, but I finally failed to snatch his head back."
After Gongsun Zan passed through Shihuo Mountain, that night, everyone rested in the deserted mountains and fields, watching the looming waning moon in the sky and listening to the howling of wolves in the jungle, which was like a strong wind. People say that General Gongsun is as good as a god, and he can actually enter Daijun from the grassland. He must be able to accomplish extraordinary feats this time. Soon, everyone fell asleep amidst Shan Lan's screams.
But Wenze felt flustered for no reason and couldn't fall asleep. Suddenly, he woke up from his dream and saw a pair of bright eyes in front of the bonfire. Those were Gongsun Zan's eyes. In the dark silence, his eyes were like fire. Wen Ze felt his hand being held. He heard Gongsun Zan say: "It's good. When it gets light tomorrow morning, don't stay here." , immediately lead the entire army back the same way, we don’t have to kill many people on this round trip, it will be enough to scare the east bandit."
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Wen Ze was extremely confused and asked, "Where do you want to go?"
Gongsun Zan showed a pale smile, and Wen Ze realized at this moment that his master's voice was as weak as the sound of silkworms. Just listen to the Lord continue: "I have been suffering from liver disease for a long time, and I have been vomiting blood recently. I will not live much longer. Today is my last day, so you can bury me here!" After that, he took out a piece from the lapel of his clothes. Wen Ze saw that the yellow silk was covered with blood stains, and then he suddenly realized it and burst into tears.
Early the next morning, Gongsun Zan died of illness in front of Shihuo Mountain. The Han soldiers hastily dug a hole in the earth and buried him here. Then he led his army back to Zicheng, but the Eastern Army learned from the rear that the Westerners had entered Daijun. They were very nervous. They temporarily suspended the Pingcheng offensive and instead deployed troops to guard the grain road.
This bought Chen Chong's reinforcements the final time.
