Zhang Liao led an army of 100,000 troops out of Xiaoguan. The troops were divided into two groups. One group was led by Zhang Liao himself toward Dingxi City, and the other group was headed toward Tianshui led by Zhuge Liang.
Since the last battle of Hetao, Han Sui was defeated by 50,000 soldiers and horses led by Long Keyou, combined with the soldiers and horses of Zhuge Liang and Wei Yan, in Yinhan City, losing 20,000 soldiers and horses.
Xiliang is a poor place. In addition, half of the grain and grass were taken away by Zhang Xiu last year, and troops were mobilized before the summer harvest this year. As a result, the grain and grass are still insufficient. The lost soldiers and horses are unable to recruit, and their strength has not yet recovered.
Zhang Liao's journey was unstoppable.
Within a month, there was no strong resistance from Dingxi to Yuzhong. They all surrendered upon hearing the news. The next step was Han Sui's base camp, Jincheng.
In order to securely capture Jincheng, Zhang Liao first ordered Lebat to lead 10,000 cavalry to cross the Yellow River and occupy Baita Mountain to cut off Han Sui's northward escape route. At the same time, Zhang Liao ordered Li Tong to lead 10,000 cavalry to bypass Gaolan Mountain and intercept Han Sui. Han Sui's westward escape route led 30,000 Chinese troops and besieged Han Sui in Jincheng.
Jincheng relies on the natural dangers of the Yellow River and is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Zhang Liao is all cavalry and does not have large siege equipment. It is impossible to break through the solid city in a short time, but he has no intention of attacking the city.
He led 30,000 troops and stationed himself 30 miles east of Jincheng, waiting for the arrival of Zhuge Liang's army.
Tianshui and Longxi were the old places of the Ma family. Zhuge Liang took Ma Chao and Ma Dai there and quickly captured the two cities easily. Han Sui officials in the city turned against them and Kaicheng surrendered.
Two months later.
September 198 AD.
The two armies met at Zhang Liao's station, and then ordered the entire army of 60,000 to continue marching north to capture Jiuquan, Zhangye and other places, leaving 40,000 troops behind. They ordered Yan Xiang as the chief general and Ma Chao as the deputy general to besiege Jincheng, lock it up, and let He couldn't get any news from the outside world.
After the other cities in Liangzhou are conquered, Jincheng will be like a ripe apple. No one needs to pick it. When the time is up, it will fall naturally.
There are only 50,000 troops in Jincheng.
But Han Sui was stuck for two years.
The news that Zhang Liao and Zhuge Liang led the army to the north was not blocked. After learning about their actions, Han Sui instantly understood his situation.
By sending troops, there is a high possibility of breaking out, but once they leave Jincheng, they will have no place to live and will eventually be annihilated by Zhang Xiu. Without sending troops, he would be like a ripe apple, allowing Zhang Xiu to pick it effortlessly.
Jincheng.
Han Sui looked haggard, and the imminent crisis made him uneasy. He had not slept well for several days, so he ordered Yan Xing and Cheng Gongying to be invited to discuss countermeasures.
Han Sui's voice was hoarse: "Now Zhang Xiu's army is approaching, and Zhang Liao has led his army north to attack our land of Xiliang. At such a critical moment, do you two have any strategy to retreat from the enemy?"
Yan Xing and Cheng Gongying's eyes met, but neither spoke.
Seeing that they remained silent, anger flashed on the young and energetic Han Jin's face: "What? Aren't you pretty powerful on weekdays? In times of crisis, are you so mute that you can't speak?"
"Shut up!"
Han Sui scolded angrily, "Did I let you speak?" Then he turned his head and said in a slightly tougher tone, "You two, if the golden city is destroyed, there will be no way for us to survive. We hope that everyone can work together to overcome this difficulty."
"General!"
Cheng Gongying spoke, "Now we are besieged by Zhang Xiu's 40,000 troops. If we don't take the initiative to attack, we may be defeated. Judging from the current situation, although Zhang Xiu is besieged by 40,000 troops, the distance between these 40,000 troops is spread out If they are too big, we can concentrate our forces and defeat them one by one."
Yan Xing nodded and said: "Gongxiao's plan is very good. As long as we defeat it one by one, there will be no worries. Then the cavalry will go north and join forces with troops from Zhangye, Jiuquan and other places to attack Zhang Liao from a flank. At that time, Zhang Liao will definitely be defeated."
Han Sui's eyes lit up with hope.
He asked: "Which road to attack first?"
Cheng Gongying thought for a while and said: "Let's attack the main forces of Yan Xiang and Ma Chao directly in front of us. Lebat and Li Tong are stationed on the mountain. They are easy to defend and difficult to attack. Once we defeat the main force in front, we can lure them down the mountain and then annihilate them." Of."
"good!"
A smile finally appeared on Han Sui's face, "Tonight I will personally lead the army to attack Yan Xiang's camp at night," and then turned to look at Han Jin, "Han Jin listens to the order and orders you to hold on to Jincheng without any mistakes."
Today's Jincheng is all about Han Sui. He doesn't feel safe leaving it to anyone else. Only his own son can defend the city, which is the most assured.
"Here!"
Han Jin also knew the importance of Jincheng and promised loudly.
That night.
The east city gate is open.
Han Sui led an army of 50,000 men and rushed toward Yan Xiang's camp in the dark. Although it was midsummer, the icy cold wind was still blowing in front of him as the horses galloped, and Han Sui's face also turned cold. .
The galloping horse's hooves thundered in his ears like ocean waves. Suddenly, he felt an inexplicable sense of crisis that made him feel irritable. He raised his head and looked northward. In the hazy night, he could still see the outline of Baita Mountain. Looking at the tall outline, It makes people feel breathless and oppressive, as if their chest is blocked by something.
Then, the sense of crisis swelled, and finally expanded to the point where it couldn't be increased. Han Sui's entire face tensed up, and his eyes stared coldly at the darkness ahead.
The sense of crisis is still growing.
He felt his chest becoming more and more uncomfortable.
finally.
When he could no longer bear the inexplicable sense of crisis and depression, Yan Xiang's camp appeared in his eyes. In an instant, as if the blocked flood had found an outlet, he roared hysterically and roared:
"kill--!"
This sound was like thunder, echoing in the night sky.
The dense sound of horse hooves shook the ground, heading towards Yan Xiang's camp.
Han Sui whipped the horse as if to vent his anger, and the speed of the attack further accelerated. He crossed the fence of the camp at the lead and rushed in, ready to kill.
But what happened next made him break into a cold sweat.
There was no one in the camp.
Han Sui was fooled.
At this time, torches were lit in all directions, and the densely packed torches illuminated the surrounding areas, surrounding Han Sui. At first glance, there were almost 70,000 to 80,000 men and horses.
"Did Zhang Liao leave and come back again?"
Han Sui was shocked and pale.
"Han Sui, now that you are surrounded by me, you must dismount and surrender quickly to survive. Otherwise, today next year will be your death anniversary." Yan Xiang's voice came from the darkness.
At this moment, a roar came: "Old Han Sui, take your life!"
This is Ma Chao's voice.
Han Sui was shocked, and immediately turned his horse's head and roared: "Retreat!" He immediately rushed into the crowd and fled towards Jincheng to prevent Ma Chao from chasing him.
Yan Xiang saw that Ma Chao had taken the lead and killed them, and immediately ordered the entire army to attack.
