Three Kingdoms King of the North

"If we want to leave, we just need to tell the Marquis of Anyang that with his personality, he will definitely let us two brothers go." Guan Yu said helplessly: "But for several months, you and my brothers and those in the camp The soldiers get along day and night, if Guan Mou is allowed to leave them, Guan Mou is really reluctant."

After the two stood side by side for a while, Guan Yu said to Zhang Fei, "Third brother, it's getting late, you should go back and rest early. Tomorrow you and I will go to the city to fight. If the city is willing to go out to meet the enemy, we don't need to send troops to attack the city. gone."

In the early morning of the next day, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei led their troops to the city to fight.

Gongsun Fan in the city heard that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei led people to challenge him, so he asked all the generals standing in the hall: "Who dares to lead the army to fight?"

Don't look at the two Gongsun Fan's confidantes, Mrs. Sun and Zhang Ji, but after yesterday's battle, they had a clear understanding of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's strength, so they pretended not to hear Gongsun Fan's question.As for Chen Jiang and Yu, they had just come out of the prison, so it was no problem for them to defend the city, but when it came to going out to fight, they felt that they hadn't lived enough, and there was no need to go out of the city to die.No one in the whole class spoke, and everyone was thinking about what they should do in order to avoid the fate of being sent out by Gongsun Fan to die.

Seeing that all the generals standing in the hall remained silent after he finished speaking, Gongsun Fan couldn't help being furious.He set his sights on his confidants Mrs. Sun and Zhang Ji, hoping that they could come out and set an example.Unexpectedly, the two turned their heads aside, as if they didn't see Gongsun Fan hinting at themselves at all.

Gongsun Fan saw that his subordinates were silent, so he turned his attention to Chen Jiang and Yu Ze. He asked Chen Jiang with a half smile: "General Chen, would you like to lead our troops out of the city to meet the enemy?"

"To General Gongsun," hearing that Gongsun Fan planned to send himself out to die, Chen Jiang quickly refused, "Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are extremely brave, and the guards in the city are unstoppable. It is tantamount to letting the other party die. General Gongsun, I think we should stay behind closed doors."

Seeing that Chen Jiang had made it clear that he would not fight, Gongsun Fan had no choice but to ask his two confidants: "Ms. Sun and Zhang Ji, since General Chen dare not fight, do you two dare to go out of the city to fight Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to the death?" ?”

Mrs. Sun and Zhang Ji didn't have any real skills, they were just people who followed the wind. Now when they heard that Gongsun Fan planned to send him out of the city to fight, they quickly waved their hands and said, "General Gongsun, you must. Our army was defeated yesterday. Morale is low, right now we should not be able to hold on, how can we go out of the city to meet the enemy."

Seeing that Chen Jiang and Yu were unwilling to fight, and his confidants Sun Husband and Zhang Ji did not dare to fight, Gongsun Fan could only sigh, got up and walked back to the back hall.Seeing that Gongsun Fan had already left, Mrs. Sun announced on his behalf: "Everyone, there is nothing to do here. Go back. The Jizhou Army may start to attack Huang County in two days. After you go back, you must urge your subordinates to strengthen their defenses. Don't let the Jizhou army rush into the city."

When Yu followed Chen Jiang out of the prefect's mansion, he poohed on the ground and said disdainfully, "Who is Mrs. Sun, who dares to issue orders on behalf of Gongsun Fan? I will kill him sooner or later."

"Be careful, be careful." Although the assassin has left the prefect's mansion, Chen Jiang was bitten by a snake for ten years and was afraid of well ropes. He was worried that there would be Gongsun Fan's spies hidden nearby. Once he heard Yu Ze's complaints , Maybe he would bring himself a murderous disaster, so he quickly stopped him: "Be careful that the walls have ears, if you have anything to say, come to my mansion and talk about it."

After the two came to Chen Jiang's mansion, Chen Jiang scolded Yu Ze: "Brother Yu Ze, you and I are both guilty, how can you say something casually on the street? Don't you worry about Gongsun Fan and Looking for an excuse to depose you and me of military power again, and then put us in prison? I think it is necessary to remind you that if you and I go to prison again this time, it will not be so easy to figure it out again. "

"Brother Chen, Gongsun Fan ordered you to guard the south of the city, and I commanded me to guard the west of the city." Yu waited for Jiang Chen to finish speaking, looked at him and asked, "If Guan Yu and Zhang Fei attack the city with all their strength, do you think we can hold it?" ?”

"Someone has visited both the city walls in the south and west of the city." Chen Jiang shook his head and said, "There are not many rolling logs and rocks. If Guan Yu and Zhang Fei lead an army to attack, we will not be able to defend at all." of."

Although Yu Ze had long been prepared in his heart to be unable to hold on, when he heard what Chen Jiang said, his heart sank suddenly: "Brother Chen, what should we do then?"

"Immediately organize manpower to transport rolling logs, stones and gray bottles to the city." Chen Jiang said helplessly: "If Guan Yu and Zhang Fei launch a fierce attack before we have prepared enough defense equipment, we can only use soldiers lives, but blocked their attack."

"To defend the city, besides rolling wood and rocks, bows and arrows are also indispensable." Yu Ze said indignantly: "There are so many bows and arrows in the treasury, but Gongsun Fan would rather pile them up in the warehouse and be bitten by insects and rats. He can't let us use it either. Isn't he planning to use Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's hands to eradicate dissidents?"

"Brother Yu Zexian, you worry too much." Regarding Yu Ze's worries, Chen Jiang explained to him: "Nowadays, half of the defenders in the city are in the hands of you and me. Although Gongsun Fan dare not You obviously offend us, but it is still possible to do a little trick for us in terms of logistical supplies. Since you said that bows and arrows are indispensable for defending the city, then a certain person will go to see Gongsun Fan tomorrow and ask him to allocate You and I have a batch of ordnance, only with these can we be sure to resist the strong attack of Guan and Zhang."

"Brother Chen, I have an idea." Yu Ze waited for Chen Jiang to finish speaking, and said hesitantly, "I don't know if I should say it or not?"

"Brother Yu Zexian, you and I have a good relationship. If you have anything to say, just say it." Chen Jiang pointed to the sky and then to the ground, and said, "What you say can be said by you." mouth, into my ears, only the heavens and the earth know you know me, absolutely no one else will know."

Hearing Chen Jiang's statement, Yu knew that the other party would not inform, so he boldly said: "Since Gongsun Fan is unkind to us, we can also be unrighteous to him. I plan to order Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to attack the city. Soldiers abandoned the city and left"

"Confused, confused." Chen Jiang originally thought that Yu would come up with some constructive opinions, but unexpectedly he came up with such a bad idea, and he immediately criticized the other party, saying: "If you do this, although you can express everything in your heart." I'm so angry, but doing so will destroy the lord's foundation. Even if you and I can get away with it and escape back to Youzhou, how can we have the face to meet the lord?"

Chen Jiang's words were like enlightenment, and Rang Yu realized that he thought the problem too simply.When Guan Yu and Zhang Fei attacked the city, he led his soldiers and horses to abandon the city. Of course, he could put Gongsun Fan in danger and let himself vent his anger.But in this way, Qingzhou was completely handed over to the Jizhou army. Even if he fled back to Youzhou, he would have no face to see Gongsun Zan.

Yu Ze let out a long sigh, and said helplessly to Chen Jiang: "Brother Chen, in this way, you and I can only risk our lives to fight the Jizhou army here to the end?"

Chen Jiang stood up and said to Yu: "It's a matter of loyalty to the king. Since you and I are the servants of the Gongsun family, as long as the lord does not cease fighting with Jizhou, we can only fight to the death. Since you and I don't have to go out of the city to fight, how about They will all have their own defense areas, and prepare to roll logs and rocks to deal with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's attack."

"Brother Chen, in my opinion, Guan and Zhang will not attack the city before the Jizhou army arrives." Yu said with a normal expression: "If they wanted to attack the city, they would have organized troops to attack the city from all directions. I will never go to the city to fight in person."

"It makes sense." Hearing Yu Ze's analysis, Chen Jiang nodded and said, "Yesterday, Guan and Zhang defeated Li Shao, so they could take advantage of the victory to attack the city, but they asked for money to withdraw their troops. Today they didn't send troops to attack the city, but They went to the city to fight, it seems that they have no plans to attack the city in the near future."

"Brother Chen," although Yu had confirmed that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei would not attack the city for the time being, he still said with great concern: "Gongsun Fan distributed all the defensive equipment such as rolling logs and stones to his subordinates, and There are very few in our hands, tell me, what should we do?"

Chen Jiang thought for a while and replied: "When I went to inspect yesterday, I found that almost all the houses near the city wall were empty. If you really can't find rolling logs and rocks, why not demolish the houses and remove the bricks and stones?" The tiles are used to defend the city."

"What, demolish the houses?" Chen Jiang's proposal stunned Yu: "Now that the weather is getting colder, what if we demolish the houses and the people become homeless?"

"Brother Yu Zexian, I can't take care of so much now." Chen Jiang replied, "If we don't demolish these houses, where can we find so many rolling logs and stones? If we want to defend the city, if we don't have enough defense equipment, it will You can't hold it at all." After he finished speaking, he saw that Yu Ze was still frowning and thinking, and added, "If you feel that you can't do it, then let my people do these things. In the future If the common people want to scold me, let them scold me."

"Brother Chen, what are you talking about?" Yu Ze was originally somewhat resistant to the demolition of the houses of the people. Now that he heard Chen Jiang say this, blood rushed to his head, and he said regardless of the consequences: "You and I have always worked together. How can I let Brother Chen bear this kind of infamy?"

Just as Chen Jiang and Yu were leading people to demolish the houses of the people, Guan Yu outside the city ordered people to cut down trees in the nearby woods.Seeing that Guan Yu sent people to cut wood, Zhang Fei asked curiously, "Second Brother, didn't you say that you will not attack the city for the time being? Why did you send so many people to the woods to cut wood?"

"Third brother, although we will not attack the city for the time being, when the army of the Marquis of Anyang arrives, we will still organize soldiers and horses to launch a fierce attack on the city." Guan Yu said to Zhang Fei with his usual expression: "Someone sent people to the woods to cut down, It is to prepare materials in advance, and when the army of the Marquis of Anyang arrives, they can use these materials to make siege equipment."

"It turns out that's the case." After listening to Guan Yu's explanation, Zhang Fei had a look of enlightenment on his face. He nodded and said, "Second brother is right. Although we won't attack the city for the time being, it doesn't mean that we will attack the city." I don’t want to take this city. I’ll go back to the camp immediately and arrange for the soldiers to go to the woods to chop wood and prepare materials for the army of the Marquis of Anyang to make siege equipment.”

Just as Chen Jiang and Yu were leading people to demolish the houses of the people, Guan Yu outside the city ordered people to cut down trees in the nearby woods.Seeing that Guan Yu sent people to cut wood, Zhang Fei asked curiously, "Second Brother, didn't you say that you will not attack the city for the time being? Why did you send so many people to the woods to cut wood?"

"Third brother, although we will not attack the city for the time being, when the army of the Marquis of Anyang arrives, we will still organize soldiers and horses to launch a fierce attack on the city." Guan Yu said to Zhang Fei with his usual expression: "Someone sent people to the woods to cut down, It is to prepare materials in advance, and when the army of the Marquis of Anyang arrives, they can use these materials to make siege equipment."

"It turns out that's the case." After listening to Guan Yu's explanation, Zhang Fei had a look of enlightenment on his face. He nodded and said, "Second brother is right. Although we won't attack the city for the time being, it doesn't mean that we will attack the city." I don’t want to take this city. I’ll go back to the camp immediately and arrange for the soldiers to go to the woods to chop wood and prepare materials for the army of the Marquis of Anyang to make siege equipment.”

Chapter 445

Han Zhan and Zhao Yun rushed to the outside of Huang County with the army at noon the next day.

As for Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's refusal to attack the city, it seemed that Han Zhan had expected it long ago. After seeing Guan and Zhang, he did not blame each other, but asked them: "To capture Huang County, we need to build a large number of troops. The siege equipment, have you prepared the materials?"

"Return to the words of the Marquis of Anyang." Hearing what Han Zhan said, Guan Yu hurriedly stepped forward and said respectfully: "Guan and his third brother have already prepared the materials for making siege equipment in the camp. The Marquis of Anyang is ready at any time." Take it."

After listening, Han Zhan nodded slightly, and then said to Dian Wei who was standing aside, "Ziman, follow Yunchang and Yide to get the materials they have prepared."

After Dian Wei and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei left, Zhao Yun asked, "Second brother, why did you turn a blind eye to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's siege of Huang County but not to attack?"

"Brother doesn't know something." Looking at Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's back, Han Zhan sighed and said, "Guan Yunchang is a man of great loyalty. He has old friends in Huangxian City. He must not be able to do it. Just let him go." Well, let him take care of the friendship between friends."

Guo Jia waited until Han Zhan and Zhao Yun had finished speaking, and then asked, "Master, when will we send troops to attack the city?"

"Feng Xiao, stay safe and don't be impatient." For Han Zhan, Huang County is the last big city in Qingzhou. As long as he wins here, Qingzhou will completely fall into his own hands.However, considering that there are still nearly [-] soldiers and horses in the city, if we rush to attack before the siege equipment is complete, it is bound to suffer heavy losses. Therefore, he said to Guo Jia: "We will attack the city after our siege equipment is ready." Not too late."

"My lord," Guo Jia continued after being silent for a moment, "Before Guan Yunchang led the troops to attack Huang County, he had issued a military order. Is this the way to forget it?"

After Han Zhan heard this, he just chuckled and said, "That's just a joke, please take it seriously."

Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Guo Jia said with a stern face: "My lord, as the saying goes, there is no joke in the army. Since Guan Yu has issued a military order and he has not completed his mission, he should be dealt with according to the military law, and he must not be tolerated. If today you If you pamper him, how will you convince the public in the future?"

Guo Jia's words made the smile on Han Zhan's face gradually disappear. He turned his head to look at Zhao Yun who was beside him, and saw that his sworn brother was nodding, as if he agreed with Guo Jia's statement very much.Han Zhan coughed lightly, and then said: "Although Feng Xiao and Guan Yunchang never won Huang County, they defeated the defenders in the city and captured thousands of elites from Youzhou. Based on this alone, they should be You can make amends."

After Han Zhan finished speaking, he deliberately paused for a moment to observe Guo Jia's expression.When he saw that Guo Jia just stared at him without speaking, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty. He coughed lightly and said, "Guan Yunchang violated the military order and should be punished; he should be rewarded for defeating the defenders of Huang County! It's better to make up for the merits and demerits." , Feng Xiao, what do you think?"

Hearing Han Zhan's words, Guo Jia sighed softly, and said, "I will follow my lord's order!"

Seeing that Guo Jia did not mention the matter of holding Guan Yu accountable, Han Zhan finally breathed a sigh of relief.After a short pause, he asked Guo Jia again: "Feng Xiao, the Marquis sees that the city walls are high and the pools are deep. I wonder if you can take the city?"

"Return to my lord," Guo Jia immediately replied when he heard Han Zhan's question, "The city is strong, and there are nearly [-] soldiers and horses guarding the city. If we attack by force according to the previous tactics, we will definitely suffer heavy losses."

What Han Zhan disliked the most was siege warfare. If the city had a solid defense, the superiority of troops would not be of much use in the siege, so it was necessary to adjust tactics.He tentatively asked Guo Jia: "Feng Xiao, do you have any good ideas?"

"Didn't my lord mention that the newly developed gunpowder and fire oil are the best for attacking the city?" Guo Jia reminded Han Zhan: "These two things are already on their way to this place, so it's better to wait for them to meet them." After that, we will not be too late to attack the city.”

Guo Jia's words reminded Han Zhan that he still had gunpowder and oil in his hand.Gunpowder can blow down a city wall, and oil can turn a city wall into a sea of ​​flames.Anyway, these things are already on the way, and when they arrive, I can just try how useful these two things can be in ancient wars.