After a day of fierce fighting, the Xianbei army was finally repulsed. Zhang Fan took inventory of the battlefield and found that although his army suffered some casualties, the Xianbei army suffered even more heavy losses.
This battle made Zhang Fan's reputation even louder in Yanmen County. People praised him as a hero who defended their homeland. The test Guo Mian left before leaving also received a satisfactory answer.
In the days that followed, Zhang Fan continued to strengthen city defense construction and improve the training level of the army. He knows that the peace of Yanmen County depends on everyone's efforts.
After Guo Mian returned to Bingzhou, he also reported the situation in Yanmen County to the court. His appreciation and recommendation of Zhang Fan made the court have a strong interest in Zhang Fan. Soon after, the imperial court ordered the appointment of Zhang Fan as the prefect of Yanmen County, officially succeeding Guo Mian.
After receiving the appointment, Zhang Fan felt deeply responsible. He knows that his abilities are still lacking, but he firmly believes that as long as he keeps working hard and learning, he will be qualified for this position.
Under Zhang Fan's leadership, the governance of Yanmen County gradually got on the right track. He implemented a series of reform measures, improved people's livelihood and strengthened military construction. At the same time, he also focused on coordinating relations with other wealthy families to ensure the stability and development of Yanmen County.
However, the good times did not last long. As the political turmoil intensified in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, powerful families in various places rose up to compete for territory and resources. Although Yanmen County is relatively stable, it is difficult to avoid being involved in this melee.
At this time, Zhang Fan faced new challenges. He needs to protect the people and homes of Yanmen County in this melee, and at the same time ensure that his power is not wiped out by other wealthy families.
In order to cope with this challenge, Zhang Fan decided to adopt a proactive strategy. He led his army to attack the surrounding wealthy forces and expand his territory and resources. At the same time, he also cooperated with other wealthy families to jointly resist the invasion of foreign enemies.
Under Zhang Fan's leadership, Yanmen County gradually became a relatively stable area. The people lived and worked in peace and contentment under his protection, and the combat effectiveness of the army was greatly improved.
...
Yanmen County has been an important frontier area of the Central Plains Dynasty since ancient times. It is also the only way for nomadic peoples such as Xianbei and Xiongnu to go south. A few days ago, the former governor Dou Tong was forced to resign due to the defeat of Xianbei. For a while, the group was leaderless and the situation was turbulent. At this time, Guo Yu, the governor of Bingzhou, came in advance and took over the position of prefect.
Zhang Fan, a descendant of the Zhang family of a wealthy family in Mayi, was young and brave, with extraordinary courage. A few days ago, he led a thousand Han cavalry to attack the Xianbei camp at night, and won a great victory with a small number and a large number. This battle not only led to the defeat of the Xianbei army led by Xianbei Great Khan Tan Shihuai, but also made Zhang Fan famous and known as the guardian of Yanmen County.
There are three things that a new official should do when he takes office, let alone being appointed at a critical moment. Guo Mian was well aware of the seriousness of the current situation. As soon as he arrived at the Yanmen County government office, he immediately summoned the major wealthy families and generals to discuss matters. Zhang Fan, as a general with outstanding merits, was also summoned.
"Everyone, Dou Tong's defeat at the hands of Xianbei is truly a shame for me as a great man. Now that I have taken office ahead of schedule, I want to work with you all to devise strategies to defeat the enemy!" Guo Mian got straight to the point and glanced at everyone.
Zhang Fan knew that Guo Mian's move must have deep meaning, so he listened carefully to his words.
"The Xianbei thieves come and go like the wind. If we want to stop them from plundering south, I propose to build the city wall of Yanmen County." Guo Mian put forward his own strategic concept. "At the same time, we must strengthen the relationship with the surrounding wealthy families to jointly resist foreign enemy."
As soon as this statement came out, everyone started talking. Building a city wall is not an easy task and requires a lot of manpower and material resources. However, as long as the threat of Xianbei is not eliminated, Yanmen County will never have peace.
Zhang Fan was thinking in his mind, and he understood that Guo Mian's decision was for the long term. He stood up and said loudly: "What Mr. Guo said is absolutely true. I, Zhang Fan, would like to take the lead in donating materials and calling on the wealthy families in Mayi to participate in building the city."
As soon as these words came out, everyone's eyes were focused on Zhang Fan. The Zhang family in Mayi has great influence in Yanmen County. If they can help, the city building will be greatly guaranteed.
Guo Yao nodded with satisfaction, his eyes full of approval: "General Zhang has such a big heart at such a young age. I am so lucky! Then I would like to ask General Zhang to make a hard trip to the Mayi area to call on the wealthy families."
"Yes!" Zhang Fan took the order and left.
A few days later, Zhang Fan successfully persuaded the wealthy families in Mayi to participate in building the city. In just a few months, Yanmen County's city wall took shape. At the same time, Xianbei also learned about the change of ownership of Yanmen County, and the Great Khan Tan Shihuai was even more furious. He vowed to avenge his humiliation and personally lead the army southward again.
When the news reached Yanmen County, it was the autumn harvest season. The people had just gone through the hard work of building the city and were about to take a break. However, the cloud of war once again shrouded Yanmen County.
Guo Mian urgently convened a meeting with the generals to discuss countermeasures. Zhang Fan proposed to take the initiative to attack the Xianbei army before it fully attacked to disrupt its military morale. This statement was approved by the generals.
After several days of preparation, Zhang Fan personally led five thousand fine cavalry out of the city to meet the enemy. At this time, the Xianbei army had camped fifty miles outside the city. The spies he sent reported that the Xianbei military camp was poorly defended and that the Great Khan Tan Shihuai was drinking and having fun with the generals.
After hearing this, Zhang Fan sneered: "Tan Shihuai thought that our Yanmen County was already a turtle in the urn, so he relaxed his vigilance. Now is the time to win by surprise!" After saying this, he waved his hand and ordered the entire army to attack.
Zhang Fan led five thousand elite cavalry and quietly approached the Xianbei camp under the cover of moonlight. He commanded the cavalry to quietly bypass the camp and go straight to the central tent where the Great Khan Tanshihuai was.
At the same time, Guo Jian also mobilized all the reserve forces in Yanmen County to ambush on both sides of the Xianbei camp, preparing to give the enemy a head-on attack at the critical moment.
The cavalry led by Zhang Fan descended the mountain like fierce tigers and broke through the defense line of the Xianbei camp in an instant. Tan Shihuai was drinking and having fun in the tent. Suddenly, fire burst into the sky outside the tent, and the shouts of killing shook the heaven and the earth. He was so shocked that his drunkenness disappeared, he hurriedly put on his armor and led his soldiers out of the tent.
Tan Shihuai saw the Han cavalry led by Zhang Fan at a glance. He roared angrily, brandished his saber and charged towards Zhang Fan. Zhang Fan showed no fear and faced him with his gun. The two sabers crossed each other, making a crisp sound. Although Tan Shihuai was brave, Zhang Fan's Han cavalry were more familiar with battlefield tactics. After several rounds of fierce fighting, Tan Shihuai gradually became exhausted.
At the same time, the Han army reserves on both sides surged out like a tide and launched a fierce attack on the Xianbei army. The Xianbei army was shocked, and Tan Shihuai hurriedly commanded the army to counterattack. However, the Han army's cavalry was well-trained and well-formed, and the Xianbei army was retreating steadily under the attack of the Han army.
After a fierce battle, the Xianbei army was finally defeated and returned to the camp. Tan Shihuai was so angry that he couldn't change the situation of the battle. At this time, the cavalry led by Zhang Fan had killed dozens of Xianbei generals and soldiers.
Tan Shihuai had no choice but to retreat temporarily. However, he was holding back a fire in his heart and vowed to completely destroy Yanmen County. Zhang Fan made great achievements in this battle and became a hero in Yanmen County.
After Tan Shihuai retreated, Zhang Fan did not relax his vigilance. He is well aware of the wildness and tenacity of the Xianbei people, and as long as they are given a chance, they will come back. So while appeasing the people, he continued to strengthen the construction of the city wall.
A few months later, the city wall was almost complete. Seeing that there was no hope of attacking the city, the Xianbei people began to harass and plunder Yanmen County. Zhang Fan led the Han cavalry to launch a guerrilla war with the Xianbei people, constantly attacking their supply lines.
But one night, something unexpected happened. A Xianbei cavalry squad quietly entered Yanmen County under the cover of night, and their target was the military camp where Zhang Fan was located. It turned out that Tan Shihuai had not given up his attack plan on Yanmen County. He planned to surprise Zhang Fan's military camp and defeat the enemy with one move.
Zhang Fan was discussing the next military action with the generals in the military camp, when suddenly there were shouts of killing outside the tent. He hurriedly led his soldiers out of the tent and saw flames outside the camp, and the Xianbei cavalry was violently attacking the Han army camp.
Zhang Fan hurriedly waved the spear in his hand and led his soldiers to resist Xianbei's attack. They fought fiercely with the Xianbei cavalry in the dark night, resulting in constant casualties. Although there were not many Xianbei cavalry, they fought fiercely and almost broke through Zhang Fan's defense line several times.
In desperation, Zhang Fan shouted loudly: "Quick, send someone to ask for help immediately! Let Guo Mian send the reserve team to support!"
His soldiers immediately left quickly and rushed towards Guo Mang's location. Zhang Fan, on the other hand, led the remaining troops to resist bravely. His skills were strong and he shuttled across the battlefield like a gust of wind. As he moved his spear, the Xianbei cavalry fell one by one.
At this critical moment, Guo Yu led the reserve team to the battlefield. As soon as he saw the situation, he immediately arranged for his team to launch a counterattack. The reserve soldiers were extremely powerful and fought with the Xianbei cavalry. The two sides fought fiercely together, and the scene was extremely fierce.
Time passed by, and under the command of Zhang Fan and Guo Mian, the Han soldiers continued to suppress the Xianbei cavalry and forced them back. Zhang Fan did not dare to relax at all. While fighting fiercely with the Xianbei cavalry, he observed the situation on the battlefield.
Just when he thought victory was just around the corner, suddenly there was a sound of drums from a distance. He looked up and saw a Xianbei army rapidly approaching Yanmen County. This army is large in number and powerful, and is obviously Tan Shihuai's real main force.
Zhang Fan's heart tightened. He knew that if the Xianbei cavalry in front of him was not dealt with as soon as possible, this army would definitely pose a greater threat to Yanmen County. He quickly ordered his soldiers to attack with all their strength, and they must destroy the Xianbei army before it arrived.
The soldiers of the Han army obeyed the order, made an earth-shattering cry, and launched a fierce attack on the Xianbei cavalry with all their strength. Although the Xianbei cavalry were brave, they were gradually defeated and their morale gradually declined under the heavy siege of the Han army.
