Before the Xicheng defenders could figure out what to do, Liu Chan had Ma Chao quickly take control of the city gates, warehouses and other important locations. At the same time, he summoned the Shen family troops and gently disarmed and disarmed them.
Only then did the private soldiers of the Shen family realize that the Hanzhong reinforcements brought by Ma Chao... seemed to be not for them.
It's a pity that it's too late. It's already happened. Facing the Red Star Army entering the city, they have lost the ability to resist and can only restrain themselves obediently.
Liu Chan then listened to Shen Zhong's report on the situation here, and quickly arranged for people to put all the officials in Xicheng under house arrest. I am afraid that most of these people wear the same pants as the Shen family, and there is no time to go there one by one now. Screening.
At the same time, the work of appeasing the people in the area began. Although the Shen family has been operating here for many years, fortunately, Shen Dan has recruited a large number of people and strong soldiers to accompany him. Most of the families under the control of the Shen family only have their family members and the elderly, which reduces Liu Chan's work. the difficulty.
In less than a day, with the assistance of Shen Zhong and several other shadow guards, the Xicheng County, the Shen family's home base, was under control.
The real mansion of the Shen family was several times larger than the one in Shangyong, and it had been expropriated by Liu Chan and others.
In the hall, Liu Chan began to make arrangements for the next battle.
"Ding Feng, Chai Rong."
"The end is here." The two stood up and clasped their fists.
"I order you two to lead a reserve force of 1,000 people to guard the west city."
"Yes!" Although they answered happily and did not question Liu Chan's order, the regret of not being able to attack and kill the enemy could still be seen on his face.
Liu Chan naturally knew this well: "This place is the foundation of the Shen family. It has been operating here for many years and its influence is intertwined. If you are not careful, riots may occur. Once our army is lost in the three counties, we may lose our foothold. You all have a heavy responsibility."
Ding Feng and Chai Rong immediately became serious: "I will definitely live up to the prince's trust."
Liu Chan nodded: "Shen Zhong, you guys arrived early and learned more about this place, so you stayed to help them guard Xicheng. This place is also the gateway between Hanzhong and the three counties. If there is a loss, reinforcements will not be able to enter, and our army will not be able to enter." You can retreat, so be careful.”
"As you command!"
Then Liu Chan said with a smile: "You don't have to regret it. The power of such a powerful family lies with Shen Dan and Shen Yi. Once these two are captured, Xicheng will be safe, and then you and others will go into battle to kill the enemy." Opportunity."
Ding, Feng, and Chai Rong looked happy and clasped their fists in agreement.
"After the others led their troops to rest for a while, they immediately sent troops to follow Gu and rushed to Shangyong to rescue my brother!"
"yes!"
Then Liu Chan looked at Ma Chao again: "What does General Ma think?"
Ma Chao clasped his fists and said, "Since I came here alone, I am no different from the generals under the prince's command. Everything is done according to the prince's orders."
Liu Chan nodded and said: "In that case, I will ask General Ma to lead the army of hundreds of cavalry. Hu Li!"
"Here!" Hu Li, who was named, has made rapid progress in his equestrian skills. In addition to his duties as a military commander, he is also the commander of the cavalry team.
"You hundreds of horses, this battle is all under the command of General Ma. General Ma's orders are Gu's orders."
"As you command!"
[Ma Chao favorability +1] (47)
After the arrangements were made, Liu Chan stood up and said: "The victory or defeat in this battle is not only the gain or loss of the three counties, but also related to the safety of Hanzhong and the great cause of the Northern Expedition. If I want to defeat the three counties in one battle, I hope you will fight bravely to take the lead."
"Swear to follow the prince to the death!"
Ma Chao on the side was also infected by the high morale of everyone, and the blood that had been cooling for many years seemed to be ready to stir...
…
Outside Shangyong City.
Shen Dan did not wait for Mengda, but unexpectedly waited for Cao Cao's army of 6,000 men led by Xiahou Shang.
Xia Houshang led his troops to the north of Shangyong City, and Shen Dan's army set up camp three miles away.
After hearing the news, Shen Dan, who was overjoyed, hurried to Cao Jun's camp and even went alone to show his sincerity.
"The guilty minister of the King of Wei, Shen Dan, the prefect of Shangyong, has met General Xiahou." Shen Dan bowed his hands and bowed deeply. He deliberately did not mention the old Liu Feng's general who conquered the north, and only greeted him as the prefect of Shangyong.
Xiahou Shang was actually very disgusted with such repeated villains, but he also knew that the three counties were of great importance. If King Wei wanted to control the three counties, he must rely on the power of the Shen family here.
Therefore, he acted very enthusiastically, and the smile on his face looked generous and friendly, without any flaws.
Xia Houshang hurriedly stepped forward to help him up: "You don't have to be like this. Even if you are forced to temporarily weaken by Liu Bei's power, you will never forget the kindness of King Wei in your heart. This is really a model of a loyal minister and a righteous man. What crime is there? Haha. .”
Shen Dan also smiled when he heard this and said: "The great kindness of King Wei will not be forgotten even for a moment. Now the heavenly soldiers of the imperial court are finally here. We only need to capture Shangyong and then the three counties can be restored. This is really a blessing for the people of the three counties." "
The two laughed loudly and seemed very enthusiastic.
Only they themselves know how much sincerity they have in each other's hearts.
Of course, to them, the other person's sincerity... really doesn't matter.
After a few words narrowed the apparent distance between the two parties, Xiahou Shang began to ask about serious matters.
"Your Majesty, I have just arrived with my army. I don't know what the current situation is in the three counties?"
Shen Dan said hurriedly: "I don't know where Liu Feng got the news, and he took advantage of Shangyong first. But I have led ten thousand troops from the west city to besiege the city, and Liu Feng can only fight with three thousand men under his command.
"I have sent someone to notify Fangling Mengda to bring troops to join us. Now with the help of the general, Shangyong will be defeated soon!"
Xia Houshang nodded: "Okay, in that case, the three counties will be settled soon."
"Liu Feng was the first to attack. Shuzhong didn't know the details of the matter, so he could take advantage of it." Shen Dan smiled sinisterly again and said, "I have sent people to Hanzhong to ask for help, saying that Liu Feng will lead his army to rebel. If Wei Yan falls into the trap, the general and I should cooperate inside and outside. , we can defeat his army! By then, Hanzhong will lose troops and generals, and the King of Wei will be able to accomplish great things."
After Xia Houshang thought about it for a while, he was not too excited. Instead, he was wary: "I have a great plan. If this comes true, I will remember you as a great meritorious deed."
He was thinking in his mind whether Shen Dan was really surrendering or was pretending to surrender.
Don't say that you are working with him to trick the Hanzhong Army, but in fact, you are planning to work with the Hanzhong Army to trick yourself?
Although Shen Dan was not a veteran like Mi Fang who had been with Liu Bei for a long time and could not be so loyal to Liu Bei, he also believed in the work done by Huan Jie.
But Lu Meng was defeated so unjustly and died so miserably. He did not want to make the same mistake as this man, so he was careful not to make a big mistake.
"To share the worries of the King of Wei, this is all Dan's duty. Hahaha." Shen Dan laughed and said casually, "The soldiers under Dan's command are all ordinary people in the mountains and fields. They are not accustomed to fighting formations and are not disciplined. It is really difficult to fight with them. Compared with the heavenly soldiers of the imperial court.
"Shangyong originally didn't have a high wall, but we haven't been able to capture it so far. I'm really ashamed. Now that the Japanese troops have arrived, we can definitely capture Shangyong in one fell swoop! Uh... I wonder which gate General Xiahou wants to attack?"
Xia Houshang couldn't help but sneer in his heart when he heard this, saying it was better than singing it.
Your Shen family has been here for many years, but Liu Feng has taken the advantage of you.
It's just that they are afraid that after you start the rebellion, King Wei's reinforcements will not arrive and suffer losses.
All you have in mind is your own interests, but now you want me to help you wipe your ass? Who do you think I am, Xia Houshang?
How can his six thousand elite soldiers be used to attack the city?
"Oh, you are being too humble. I see that the soldiers under your command are also very brave. It is only a matter of time before we take down Shangyong." , the battle at the second east gate, help your troops break the city as soon as possible!"
Xiahou Shang understood Shen Dan's thoughts, and Shen Dan would not miss the word "Government" in Xia Houshang's words.
Xia Houshang has the final say on how to fight the North Gate and the East Gate.
Those who attack the city, please come and come out.
The corner of Shen Dan's mouth twitched, but it was not beyond his expectation. If you want to join the circle of upper-class families, you have to pay some price.
He once surrendered to Liu Bei without any resistance. It was impossible for Cao Jun not to guard against him. He always had to submit a surrender certificate.
Shen Dan didn't say any more, he cupped his hands and said: "In that case, I will pass on the order, and the siege troops at the north gate and east gate will all obey the general's orders. When Shangyong is captured and Liu Feng is captured alive, Dan will fight with him again. General, let's drink and chat. Farewell!"
"Please go slowly. We are busy with military affairs, so we will not send you far."
After seeing off Shen Dan, Xiahou Shang ordered: "Order the soldiers to assemble the Pili chariot as soon as possible and transport it to the front. When the Pili chariot arrives, it will be convenient for the north and east gates to launch attacks."
"yes!"
Although people can't do the job of climbing the wall first, siege equipment still needs support.
Shen Dan, who returned to the military camp, also immediately sent an order to prepare the improvised ladders, wooden blocks and other items, and the west gate was ready to attack the city!
The war is about to break out.
(End of chapter)
