"Lord, a letter from Jibei."
Cao Chun, the commander of Cao Cao's bodyguard, immediately delivered the letter after receiving it. He also gave the cavalry water and dry food and asked him to rest aside.
After reading the letter, Cao Cao looked solemn.
All the civil and military people around were waiting for him, and the soldiers were sent to deliver the message quickly, indicating that the situation was serious.
"Nothing, continue marching and reach Shouzhang as soon as possible." Cao Cao suppressed the expression on his face, looked at Cao Chun calmly, and ordered him to go to the front army to stabilize the morale of the army and march according to the previous route, but he had to travel day and night.
The generals were ordered to disperse and urged their troops to move forward. Only then did Xi Zhi, the military advisor accompanying the army, realize that the situation was not that simple, so he and Zhang Han stayed on both sides of the car.
After a while, when Cao Cao got back on the chariot and the chariot and horses began to move again, Xi Zhicai asked: "My lord, is there already a war in Jibei?"
"Well, that's right," Cao Cao nodded, glanced at Zhang Han inadvertently, and said with a forced smile: "Thanks to Bo Chang's early advice, the military situation came slowly. The Qingzhou thieves have already swept across Xuzhou, and have looted a large amount of property and kidnapped countless people. After Ding, he tried to attack Yanzhou again."
"The letter from Prime Minister Bao informed that Liu Dai and Zheng Sui wanted to meet the enemy in the territory and attack the Yellow Turbans, and they had already mobilized. Prime Minister Bao originally planned to persuade them to stick to their guns and wait until Qingxu and the Yellow Turbans were tired and unable to advance or retreat before moving out. However, after discussion, they did not Accept his words."
Speaking of this, Cao Cao appreciated Zhang Han even more. After all, the tactics Bao Xin mentioned were the same as the military strategy Zhang Han presented to him at that time, and it was also the same as what he thought in his heart.
However, there was no result, so we could only continue marching to garrison Shouzhang, and then send out sentries there.
"Just right," Xi Zhicai looked happy, "This way, at least three days are saved."
After saying that, Xi Zhicai smiled sarcastically at Zhang Han and said, "Bo Chang, I was a bit harsh just now. As you expected, Qingxu came to Rencheng..."
"Sacrificing wine is overrated. It is the wine offering that teaches students. Once they are determined in their hearts, they should assume it accordingly, so as not to be distracted by it and be disturbed by it."
"That makes sense." Xi Zhicai and Cao Cao looked at each other for a moment, then laughed. Cao Cao said, "This man is quite humble, okay."
"Continue the march. Bo Chang saved me a few days. I have recorded the merits. If we can quell the rebellion this time, I will definitely promote you based on my merits."
"You are by my side during this march. We can discuss it at any time, how about it?" Cao Cao reached out and patted Zhang Han on the shoulder, smiling sincerely.
The soldiers and horses traveling this time can be said to be aggressive and full of confidence, because these are Cao Cao's current elite and there are no new recruits.
Previously, Cao Cao had planned to use the newly recruited local warriors to go first, consume some of the vigor of Qingxu Huangjin, and then let his elite troops charge. However, after several discussions, he gave up the idea.
Now that we have decided to wait for the Qingxu thieves to come and send out surprise troops from Shouzhang, we must directly go out with all our elite troops after Qingxu is exhausted from the battle, complete their efforts in one battle, break the Qingxu thieves' confidence, and then defeat them one by one.
With this military report from Shouzhang, they took the lead and only saved about three days of urging the army to prepare.
But the difference is not limited to these three days.
"The so-called military speed is not entirely based on the marching speed. If you can predict the enemy's opportunity and seize the opportunity, isn't it also speed?"
…
One day and one night later.
Rencheng.
The bandit army from Qingxu came in full force, shouting to kill Zhentian. They defeated Zheng Sui's army in the field, killed Zheng Sui in the formation, pursued Liu Dai, and scattered the Yanzhou army to flee.
At this time, it was like a tide, rolling into Yanzhou from outside the country, plundering and coercing the people everywhere.
The entire northern part of Yanzhou was in a state of war, which frightened the people. Officials from all over the country abandoned their posts and left. Most of the nobles lived in seclusion in the mountains and forests, enclosing land for self-defense and praying for help from the powerful men in the countryside.
Looking around now, we can see that the roads and mountains and forests outside are full of bandits and refugees. In addition, the bodies of people who died of starvation are randomly thrown into the wild, and plagues are everywhere.
The Qingxu thieves soon entered the territory of Jibei within a few days. Although they suffered heavy losses after the battle, their morale reached its peak after killing Zheng Sui and chasing Liu Dai for several days.
Six days later, news of Liu Dai's defeat and death also spread. Qingxu Huangjin's momentum reached its maximum. At this time, they did not care about the number of casualties, they only focused on looting wantonly, and already believed that Yanzhou was only theirs.
Jibei, where Bao Xinjun is located.
Bao Xin is lean and tall, with a beard around his lips, a neatly trimmed chin, bright eyes, and a complexion that gives people a sense of perseverance.
He was wearing a dark green military robe with an iron wall armor on the chest and back. His left hand was placed on the hilt of the sword at his waist, and his right hand was behind his back as he strode forward to meet the cavalry sent by Cao Cao.
As soon as the cavalryman dismounted, Bao Xin smiled and said: "Brother, come quickly. The Qingxu bandits will invade Jibei soon. Does Mengde have any countermeasures?"
"Prime Minister Bao!" The cavalryman's lips turned white. After swallowing his throat, he continued with difficulty: "I came here alone. I was delayed for a few days on the road. Today is the seventh day."
"My lord ordered the troops to march day and night. They should have arrived at Shouzhang three days ago. Now they will be able to ambush everywhere."
"Shoushang!"
Bao Xin's face lit up with joy, his eyes seemed to light up, and his worries suddenly subsided. He even breathed smoothly for a moment, "How many people did Meng De bring?"
"Reporting to Prime Minister Bao, there are 1,200 elite cavalry and 6,400 elite soldiers, which is almost the entire lord's family. It is known to the outside world as an army of 30,000."
When the cavalry came, they had been clearly informed by the clan general Cao Chun that they could inform Bao Xin of the actual number of marches and the deployment of the garrison. Of course, he was only a soldier in the guard camp. Naturally, he could not fully understand the design and layout. .
When Bao Xin heard this, he was even more surprised. He immediately clapped his hands and shouted: "How could Meng De know the situation of the battle early! I expected that the Qingxu thief would definitely enter Yanzhou!"
"It's really amazing!"
Bao Xin was overjoyed. He suddenly relaxed after being tense for so many days, and his nose felt a little sore.
After all, he suddenly knew that he had the support of more than 6,000 elites and more than 1,000 elite cavalry behind him, and he was no longer fighting alone.
Great, great...
I recommended Meng De to Yanzhou, and now I can get this help. This is my blessing.
"Prime Minister Bao, my lord has said that you can defend against the Qingxu bandits first, so that their energy will be weakened and the morale of the army will be weakened. When you are tired, withdraw to Shouzhang! At the same time, you can move the people south first."
"Let me resist the withdrawal..." Bao Xin thought for a moment, then nodded firmly, "Good strategy, brother, you go back and report to Mengde. Jibei can be defended for ten days, and I will send remnants and veterans along the way to escort the people to move south. "
“After that, it’s all up to Meng De.”
"To protect the environment and the people, you must sacrifice your life and forget about death!" Su Wei cupped his fists and bowed, speaking generously.
…
For ten consecutive days, Jibei soldiers bravely built the city wall without fear of death, relying on the three cities of Luxian, Sheqiu, and Feicheng to hold on, constantly consuming the strength and patience of the Qingxu thieves, and at the same time, they continued to provoke and persuade them to surrender.
The situation was deadlocked.
In this way, for thirteen consecutive days, the Qingxu and Yellow Turban thieves were so numerous that they dragged their families with them. The food they looted was almost exhausted. After all, there were too many of them, and they had to separate them. Once they did not separate the food, , regardless of life or death, one will rebel.
Now it is just relying on the prestige of each leader to suppress dissatisfaction, so that people can temporarily follow them.
Therefore, there is no way to stop now. They need to continue fighting to reduce the number of people and at the same time maintain the bandits under each leader.
"The city of Lu County is about to be breached. We only need to charge hard one more time, otherwise we will be in a dilemma."
"Yes, we have to attack again, don't be discouraged! We must attack again, and we will definitely be able to capture it this time!"
"Everyone! There is no way out!"
"Surge into the city, then break through the camp pass, and you can plunder some more!"
Under the guidance of many generals, the Yellow Turbans charged again to attack the two cities of Luxian and Sheqiu, as well as various camps in between, in an attempt to break through this blockade.
However, after attacking for half a day, they surprisingly discovered that Bao Xin's troops finally retreated, evacuated the two cities, and fled all the way south. The retreat was even more scattered and carried more chariots and horses.
After these bandits entered the city, they found that not much was left behind. The luggage, food and grass were all empty. The people had also moved away long ago, leaving only an empty city.
This made the thieves shout that they had been deceived. Only by pursuing deeper could they get food, grass and baggage, so as not to get nothing!
"Keep chasing! Catch up."
"That's right! Just like chasing Liu Dai, the dignified governor is vulnerable, let alone just a local governor!"
"Keep chasing. If we stop, there will be no food in this city. It is impossible to wait for spring plowing."
Thief Qingxu had no choice but to pursue him again!
Bao Xin has used these ten days of persistent fighting to hang a hook on the noses of these Qingxu thieves, and he is already leading them away!
This pursuit took him directly to the north of Shouzhang. When he was about to catch up with Bao Xin and was about to corner him, suddenly a large number of well-equipped cavalry appeared on the paths on both sides!
And they ambush the elite infantry who advance and retreat in a controlled manner! He rushed into the Qingxu bandit army, and in an instant the situation was turned to one side, shouting to kill Zhentian, making the Qingxu bandit frightened, knowing full well that he had been tricked!
But after all, they had experienced hundreds of battles. Even though they knew that the damage would be very heavy, they did not completely collapse. They knew that once the troops collapsed, it would be a bloody massacre.
Therefore, many people who were physically strong and still brave rushed directly to Bao Xin, who was at the forefront of the battle formation.
Another change occurred on the ever-changing battlefield. Several waves of combat power rushed towards Bao Xin, but there were not many people around Bao Xin.
The surrounding battlefield is in chaos. If you fail to protect them, you will definitely be behind bars.
At this time, Cao Cao was watching the changes on the battlefield from a distance on the hill. This battle was planned in advance, but when it came to the actual fight, he did not expect that the Qingxu thief would be so brave. Sure enough, if he sent a newcomer, he would definitely lose.
"Prime Minister Bao is my benefactor and righteous friend, we must not let anything happen to him!" Cao Cao's eyes were deep, as if he was thinking a lot in the blink of an eye. But after he finished speaking, he looked around and found that even the commander of the Suwei camp, Cao Chun, had already joined the battle. Only the last few dozen people remained.
And there are just a few advisers around him.
Xi Zhicai, Xu Yi, Shou Zhangling, Zhang Han.
"Hey! Zhang Han! Bo Chang! Can you rescue Prime Minister Bao for me!?"
Zhang Han frowned and felt numb for a moment, "Ming Gong, I have fought too much, my old wounds have not healed, and I have neglected my martial arts——"
"If I can be rescued, you can contribute to my account!"
"That's a good friend of Ming Gong! How about the chief clerk?" Zhang Han looked embarrassed.
If only I could be the master! For meritorious deeds, there will definitely be a large number of god-level rewards in martial arts and metaphysics!
I was looking forward to it all.
"Okay!" Cao Cao looked at Zhang Han with disgust.
The chief bookkeeper and meritorious officials are all under the account, and they care about these useless names!
