Handu, as the capital of Han State, its status declined somewhat after Han State was annexed by Huai State, but Handu is still an important city.
The army of Chu State came to attack from the north of the Yangtze River. Tens of thousands of troops surrounded Handu, and the defenders of Hancheng were only 5,000. However, the city of Hancheng is high and deep, and the soldiers in the city are well-prepared, so it is not easy to break through by force.
Wang Sheng led the army back, but did not go directly to relieve the siege of Handu. He had already received news that although the Chu army of 50,000 was besieging the city, they did not attack vigorously. Apparently, they were waiting for Wang Sheng to return to the army for rescue in a hurry.
Chu army camp.
Xiong Bo was discussing matters with many generals. Because of the recent slack in the war, many generals had complaints.
"General, our army is ten times stronger, and there are only five thousand in Handu. Although we have the advantage of the city, if our army attacks with all our strength, it will not be difficult to break the city. What's the point of just besieging but not attacking? And if it can't be done? Occupy Handu as soon as possible, and when the Huai army comes back, it will be difficult to occupy this place again."
Xiong Bo looked at the generals around him and said with a smile, "You think so too?"
Everyone nodded.
"The city of Handu is strong. Although our army is large, the casualties in the attack will be heavy. How will we fight the Huai army in a decisive battle? And if there are many casualties, even if Handu is captured, we will not be able to defend it. How will we explain to the king then?" Xiong Bo said? arrive.
"Then our army will besiege the city here..."
"I heard that the State of Wu asked Qi and Lu for help, and the two countries have also sent troops to attack Huai. If the Huai army hears that Qi and Lu have sent troops, they will definitely return in a hurry, regardless of manpower."
"Our army only needs to rest here and wait for the Huai army to come. If the Huai army wants to return for reinforcements, it will definitely not be willing to confront our army for a long time and will be eager to fight."
"How can the Huai army win in a duel with my elite army with a exhausted army? When the main force of the Huai army is defeated in one battle, the Huai army in Handu will definitely be frightened. There will be no reinforcements from outside and their morale will be low. When the time comes, our army will be defeated again." If we attack the city, we will definitely be able to defeat it in one fell swoop!”
Xiong Bo said this with high spirits, and all the generals worshiped him, and no one was dissatisfied.
...
"Your Majesty, the Chu army is encircling but not attacking. It seems that they know that our army wants to return for reinforcements." Chen Le said with some worry.
"Your Majesty, why don't you let me lead an army of ten thousand to contain the Chu army? Your Majesty will lead the army back to repel the Qi and Lu coalition forces?" Wei Ping took a step forward and said, and others agreed.
Gongyang Shuo hurriedly stepped forward and said: "Don't divide your troops!"
"Your Majesty, the three kingdoms of Qi, Lu, and Chu are attacking. We have few soldiers. If we divide our troops hastily, then the three kingdoms will besiege us and they will be easily defeated by each one. It will be too late to regret it."
"But if we don't divide our forces, the Chu army seems to be fighting a long-term war with us. If Han is left alone, Han will be in danger of falling."
Everyone was talking about it, but they couldn't find a way to get the best of both worlds. Wang Sheng was a little embarrassed when he saw that everyone was arguing but there was no result. At this moment, he suddenly saw a person in the corner who was dealing with it calmly. He was different from everyone else. He immediately felt a little moved in his heart and said:
"Xu Qing is calm and composed, but is there a way to get the best of both worlds?"
Hearing your Lord's roll call, Xu Qing quickly stood up and responded: "Your Majesty, I did think of some methods, but they are also risky."
"Tell me about it!" Wang Sheng said with a smile.
Xu Mao said: "Your Majesty, the Chu army has come a long way, and the food and grass need to be transported over a long distance. As long as our army cuts off the Chu army's food and grass, the Chu army will be short of food. There are only two results: retreat without a fight, or fight to the death with me."
"At that time, the initiative will be in the hands of our army. Whether it is war or peace, it all depends on your Majesty's will."
Wang Sheng was overjoyed, but he still asked: "Then what is the danger you are talking about?"
"The first is where the Chu army stores food and grass, and the second is whether the northern defenders can block the Qilu coalition." Xu Mao said: "If the northern defenders do not block the Qilu coalition, the area north of the Huai River may be in danger of falling."
Wang Sheng is a decisive person, and he has already made up his mind after a brief thought: "Although Qi and Lu are strong, they must not work together with evil intentions. Even if the North is defeated, they will retreat as soon as our army arrives, and Han is our Huai soldiers." An important piece of land that cannot be missing."
"Gu, Gu is going to follow Xu Qing's plan and cut off the Chu army's food and grass."
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!" everyone responded in unison.
After all, the importance of Han is higher than that north of the Huai River. There are mines that Huai needs here, which can provide Huai with a large number of weapons. If Han is lost, Huai will be in danger.
"Send all the scouts out to find where the Chu State has hoarded supplies. The army will be ready and ready at any time!"
After the order was issued, the entire Han region immediately started moving. Although the Chu State hid it, this was the home court of the Huai State after all. The place used by the Chu State to hoard supplies was quickly discovered and reported to Wang Sheng.
After receiving the information, Wang Sheng was overjoyed and directly ordered the army to go out and attack the Chu State's grain harvesting land. The place where the Chu army garrisoned grain was located in the southwest, close to the border of Huai State. Chu State sent grain and grass here by ship to store up, and replenished grain and grass every half month.
After the investigation was clear, Wang Sheng led the army to besiege. The 50,000 elite Huai army was unstoppable. There were only five thousand Chu troops left to guard the stronghold, and they never expected the Huai army to be so fast. Before he could react, the army overran the camp and five thousand Chu troops fled in defeat.
The formation killed 1,300 people and captured 2,000, while the rest fled in all directions. For those who escaped, Wang Sheng pursued them one step at a time. He needed these defeats to convey the news to the Chu generals that the Chu army's food route had been lost.
...
Outside Handu City.
At the Chu army's camp, dozens of broken soldiers came in embarrassment and were then sent into the camp by the patrol team.
"What! Say it again!" Xiong Bo's face suddenly changed, he grabbed the soldier and asked.
"General, the Huai army sneak attacked our army's grain and grass camp. Our army was unprepared. The five thousand troops were wiped out and their grain and grass were taken away!" the soldier said quickly.
"Damn it!" Xiong Bo threw it away, furious in his heart, but had nowhere to vent.
"Herald, immediately block the news and order all the broken troops to be gathered together. No one is allowed to contact them without my order! In addition, the order is sent to the patrol team. If the broken soldiers are found, let them wait outside and gather them again after night!"
"It's the general!" The ordering soldier immediately got up and went to execute it.
Another general next to him said: "General, I'm afraid it's too late!"
"There were dozens of soldiers who broke up just now. They were seen by the soldiers when they came in. The news that our army's food and grass were robbed must have spread."
"Damn it! Ahhh!" Xiong Bo punched the table.
"Damn it, Xiong Tuo, you've ruined my life!"
"General, please make a decision as soon as possible for this plan. Our army only has five days of food and grass left. If we live frugally, we can last for eight days at most."
Xiong Bo's expression changed several times, and he soon came to a decision: "Order the army to rest and reorganize, have breakfast at three o'clock tomorrow morning, break camp at five o'clock, and return the army to recapture the stronghold."
"As you command!"
