Yuan Shu's timely showdown with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei was also within his expectations. In other words, when he conquers the country in the future. His two younger brothers, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, would not take it as their duty to support the Han Dynasty.
Early the next morning, after the princes gathered, the princes led by Kong Rong immediately launched a charge at Hulao Pass. But they suffered heavy losses in just the first round of attacks, because Lu Bu, who was above Hulao Pass, had already taken precautions.
With Lu Bu's adequate preparations, thousands of soldiers had already sacrificed their lives below Hulao Pass.
Although the princes were feeling distressed, there was nothing they could do about it. After all, if they don't do this, the gap between them will become wider and wider.
Therefore, we can only use the enemy's power to weaken the power of these princes themselves.
However, the soldiers and horses led by Yuan Shu did not suffer any losses, because he had always ensured the supply of food and grass for them in the rear.
It took half a day to attack the city. When Han Fu saw that it was almost done, he said: "General Kong, the Hulao Pass cannot be conquered for a long time."
"But our allies have suffered heavy losses, and it is already noon."
"How about withdrawing our troops first?"
In response, Kong Rong could only say angrily: "Ming Jin withdraws his troops!"
When the army withdrew, they attacked the city with 200,000 soldiers. In just half a day, more than 20,000 were lost, and Lu Bu's loss was less than 5,000.
This is the advantage of the defender. Since ancient times, it has been easier to defend a city than to attack it.
Lu Bu: "Hahahaha, these princes are just not worthy of their name."
"In just half a day, we have lost ten to twenty thousand troops."
"As for us, only three to four thousand people were injured. Less than two thousand people died."
After Lu Bu finished speaking, the deputy general beside him said: "General, although our current losses are not big."
"But we consume a lot of resources. We originally had 300,000 bows and arrows. But we have used 40,000 in half a day. If this continues, we may not be able to hold on for long."
In fact, what the deputy general said is not unreasonable. In just half a day, they had consumed 40,000 arrows.
Although it seems that our side has the advantage, as long as our side's bows and arrows are used up. The battle losses between the two sides will slowly widen the distance. Lu Bu still understands such simple things.
Lu Bu: "I didn't expect it to be consumed so quickly. Let the brothers have lunch first."
"I will give you the answer to the bow and arrow problem in the afternoon."
Regarding this, Lu Bu also had his own considerations. And there are nearly 150,000 soldiers and horses here, if nothing else happens. It is not a problem at all to defend this Hulao Pass by yourself.
Unless the opponent can trap itself for a year and a half or something, there will be enough food and grass in Hulao Pass now, and there will be no shortage of weapons and food.
As far as the current situation is concerned, there is no need to worry about this matter at all.
After Kong Rong and Han Fu on the other side returned to the vassal council, Yuan Shao asked: "General Kong, I wonder what the damage was in the battle?"
"Do we still need to send troops for support?"
Yuan Shao was just being polite and really wanted him to send troops for support. That's impossible, he can lose some soldiers and horses. But you can't keep losing, and the remaining troops are your own elite.
How could it be possible for Kong Rong to be defeated, and a strong attack was not a wise choice in the first place.
Of course, if you don't show that you, the leader of the alliance, know how to comfort these princes' feelings of defeat. He probably couldn't convince the crowd, so even though Yuan Shao was very angry, he couldn't lose his temper at Kong Rong and the others.
Because of this decision, I finally made the decision myself. Therefore, if you encounter huge losses, you can only admit that you are unlucky.
And Kong Rong may be just a thorough scholar, and he doesn't know how to lead troops to fight. You don't even know what you think of the 20,000 soldiers who lost 20,000 soldiers in half a day.
Kong Rong: "Don't worry, leader and princes, we only lost less than 20,000 people in the battle."
"Even if there are 180,000 troops left, I, Kong Rong, can still lead the troops to capture Hulao Pass."
As soon as Kong Rong's words came out, everyone fell into collective silence. Even Yuan Shao, who decided to support Kong Rong yesterday, couldn't help but be shocked.
Unexpectedly, 20,000 people were lost in less than half a day. If this continues, even the 200,000 troops he asked Kong Rong to lead will not be able to hold on for a few days.
Because originally Yuan Shao and other princes just felt in their hearts that even Kong Rong would not lead troops to fight. At most, seven or eight thousand people were lost in one day.
But none of them expected that they would lose about 20,000 people in just half a day.
If Yuan Shao didn't still have some quality and rationality, he really wanted to ask Kong Rong if he was a pig. Twenty thousand people, even twenty thousand pigs, Lu Bu couldn't lead his troops and kill them in half a day.
After Cao Cao heard the number of casualties, his heart that had originally planned to watch the show paused heavily.
I recall that not long ago, Cao Cao led five thousand troops and fought with General Zhu Jun in Qingzhou for a whole night, but not so many Yellow Turbans died.
For a moment, I didn't know what to say.
Yuan Shu felt that this was even more outrageous. He also did not expect that Kong Rong could be so pedantic. If you don't know how to fight, why don't you ask your own military advisor and this guy Han Fu?
Yuan Shao also thought so, so he looked at Han Fu. But Han Fu could only pretend not to see it, after all, he didn't want to be reprimanded.
Although the eighteen princes combined have nearly half a million troops. But although their combined strength was overwhelming, they could not withstand such losses and consumption.
Others don't want to say anything, but that doesn't mean Yuan Shu won't say anything. Yuan Shu said directly: "I don't know how General Kong led his troops to fight. A full 200,000 troops attacked the city."
"Nearly 20,000 soldiers died in just half a day. Does General Kong think this is not worth regretting?"
When Yuan Shu said these words, Liu Bei was quite complaining. Because there are soldiers of his own among these troops, and what Yuan Shu just said. That's exactly what he wanted to say, he always felt uncomfortable with all this.
It was as if something had been taken away by Yuan Shu, and at the same time, the opportunity to establish a reputation for benevolence and righteousness was lost.
In response to Yuan Shu's question, Kong Rong said without any fear: "Yuan Zhoumu, don't you lead troops in battle and not kill anyone?"
"Or do you think there is something wrong with Kong's method?"
It is conceivable that someone who is ignorant of war can say such a thing.
At this moment, Han Fu wished he could find a place to bury his face in the soil. He originally thought about weakening the strength of the princes with Kong Rong, but he didn't expect that this guy was just talking on paper.
Even though he has been praised on paper, he is still talking back to others at this time. They didn't know what they were doing, and they thought that the sacrifice of 20,000 soldiers was natural.
Yuan Shu said: "General Han, I wonder how you two attacked the city?"
"Are you just going to attack blindly? Do you want to defeat Lu Bu and capture Hulao Pass as quickly as possible?"
At this time, Han Fu also immediately put aside his responsibilities and said: "Everything on the battlefield was carried out by General Kong. I was just observing from the sidelines."
"As for the siege, General Kong commanded it very well. But because we did not have siege vehicles, we lost so many soldiers."
Although Han Pi said this, it was just so that neither party would be offended.
In fact, if he hadn't gone out with Kong Rong to lead the troops to attack the city. It is estimated that everyone in the Han family will have to scold him. After all, who would have thought that Kong Rong was so stupid.
Yuan Shu: "We lost so many soldiers in half a day."
"I really don't know if you meant it!"
In response, Kong Rong slammed the table angrily and said, "Yuan Gongli, as a junior, don't bully others too much."
"Whoever is here leading the army will not die, and our enemy is Dong Zhuo's number one general, Lu Bu."
It's better now, Yuan Shu was offended after saying a few words. After Kong Rong finished speaking, he realized that he had said the wrong thing, but he fired his bow without turning back.
No matter in terms of identity or status, he is not even half as good as Yuan Shu. Let’s talk about noble family and status first. Yuan Shu IV and Three Dukes were several levels higher than himself.
At the most critical moment, Yuan Shu is now his boss. After all, in terms of official status, Yuan Shu, a state pastor, was more senior than him, a governor.
Yuan Shu said: "You are right, everyone here will suffer losses when leading troops in the war."
"But, I can guarantee that all of them, one by one, will not kill 20,000 people in just half a day like you."
"If you continue like this, the entire army of 200,000 will be defeated by you if not more."
"So, I suggest attacking Hulao Pass."
"It's better for you all to have a long-term plan together. What do you think?"
After Yuan Shu finished speaking, he didn't even look at Kong Rong. He really didn't want to focus on this idiot, besides being angry would hurt his body.
Cao Cao said at this time: "I think Brother Lu is right. General Kong's siege method is too draining of soldiers."
"This is not good for our allies. We need to think of new ways to attack Hulao Pass to avoid such huge losses again."
After Cao Cao said what he said, Kong Rong's face turned green with anger, but no one from the princes paid him any attention.
"We also think that we should renegotiate in order to avoid greater losses." This is what Sun Jian, one of the princes, said. He was young and strong and had his own views on attacking the city.
However, these princes will not easily adopt their own opinions. But now that Kong Rong had just given up the opportunity, Sun Jian was naturally rude.
