Xu Huang received Liu Xin’s trust. Looking at the sand table in front of him, he couldn’t help being ambitious. The drum can be played,"
Liu Xin smiled and waved his hand, and said: "How to fight this battle is your business. I only make two requirements. First, the Central Plains has been fighting for a long time, and the people are in distress and cannot be dragged on. This battle must be captured alive. Or kill Yuan Shao. Secondly, the soldiers recruited by Yuan Shaoxin are also ordinary people, so we must minimize casualties."
After Cao Cao was captured alive, Liu Xin sent people to take over his territory. There were few obstacles. It took only two or three days. Most counties in Xu, Yu, and Yan were placed under Liu Xin’s rule. The same It is reasonable that although Yuan Shao sits in the four northern states with large populations, if he himself is captured alive, there is no reason for the local officials to work for him and fight to death.
Both Yuan Jun soldiers and Han soldiers are the common people of the Great Han. In the history of the Three Kingdoms, due to years of wars and chaos, after the reunification, the population of the country has been reduced from 56 million to 26 million. Sima Yan also had to issue a promulgation. The policy encouraged the population of the south of the Yangtze River to move north, and the rapid decline in population severely weakened the power of the Han people, so that they were left by the foreigners. The tragedy of the five chaotic China occurred later. Since the heavens sent him here, Liu Xin would not let him. History repeats itself,
After listening to Liu Xin’s request, Xu Huang and others' faces became solemn, and they had a heated discussion around the sand table and the map, and finally came up with a combat plan at dusk. The sand table was also filled with red, representing the strength of both sides. Yellow and green three-color flags,
Today there are 240,000 Han troops assembled in Liyang, and another 10,000 Yuan Jun, who built a position in the north to defend Yecheng, went south. These 250,000 are from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th corps. There are 10,000 armored cavalry, 40,000 light cavalry, and 200,000 infantry. Judging from the strength of the troops, we know how tragic the battle was in the previous period. Although the Han army has repeatedly won great victories, the casualties are not small. According to figures, in the battle between Yan Liang and Wuhuan cavalry alone, there were 40,000 soldiers killed, and even the most brave and proficient Han light cavalry lost nearly 10,000.
According to the news lurking in Yecheng’s meticulous work, there were 100,000 elite soldiers stationed in Yecheng and the surrounding Wucheng four acropolises. In the past few days, there have been more and more people from Ji, You, and Zhu. The young people of the prefecture were enlisted into the army, the size of the army expanded rapidly, and Yuan Shao had another 500,000 army.
The four northern states were originally the richest place in the Han Dynasty. Yuan Shao’s family background was rich enough, and he was supported by some prominent families in Hebei. The newly recruited troops were quickly put on brand-new armor, and the sky over the barracks covered the sun. The swords and guns are like forests, and they have returned to the old weather,
This is the era of cold weapons. Except for crossbowmen and cavalry, the training of ordinary infantry is relatively simple, especially for the army used to defend the city. Even the people who have never touched the swords and guns can take on the important tasks with a little guidance. What's more, these people recruited by Yuan Shao Zheng are young and strong, and the fighting power of 500,000 people cannot be underestimated. It is not easy to defeat them while avoiding heavy casualties.
Xu Huang and others discussed the result of occupying the surrounding counties of Yecheng first, and isolating Yecheng. Although there is a lot of surplus grain in Yecheng, if there is no supplement from the outside, if you sit and eat in the mountains and sky, one day you will repeat the three of Yeyi. The mistakes of the 100,000 army, except for the 100,000 elite, the other newly recruited Yuan Jun defended the city in a so-so. Letting them go to the field or siege the city is tantamount to suicide. In this way, even if Yuan Shao wakes up and wants to escape. There is no way to go in the north,
The southwest and south of Yecheng are Linsi and Dangyin in Hanoi County respectively. This is the area under the jurisdiction of the Fourth Army. It was originally heavily fortified, and Yuan Shao did not have the courage of Cao Cao. He dared to do the opposite and kill. When entering Hanoi, these two directions do not require much attention, and Neihuang and Fanyang further to the southeast have been captured by the Han army. Yuan Shao is unlikely to escape here.
If Yuan Shao is alert, he can only retreat in three directions, retreating westward into Shangdang County in the merged state, and retreating northward into Zhao State or Julu County in Jizhou. In order to block Yuan Shao’s retreat, Yecheng will be isolated. , These three directions are the key points,
Xu Huang brought the generals to Liu Xin's big account, presented the agreed combat plan, bowed and said, "Please read your majesty,"
Liu Xin didn't answer, but waved his hand and said: "I didn't read the specific content. How to beat you yourself is the master. However, I want to remind you that although Yuan Shao is indecisive, he is resourceful. There are so many scholars, it is hard to guarantee that no one can see your plan, so I send you four words, the soldiers are very fast."
The Han army barracks suddenly became busy, groups of soldiers drove out of the barracks, spread their legs and ran all the way. Their targets were Wei County in the east of Yecheng, Qiqiu in the northeast, Liangqi in the north, and Handan in Zhao State. , Wu'an in the northwest, Shexian in the west, and Luxian in Shangdang County in Binzhou,
As long as these counties are taken down, it is equivalent to laying a big net around Yecheng. Yuan Shao can hardly escape with his wings, but the most important thing is that, as Liu Xin analyzed, he must be very fast, and Yuan Shao reacted. Occupy these places before coming over, otherwise it will be too late when Yuan Shao hears the wind.
It is precisely because Liu Xin said these four words that Xu Huang gave the order to take down these seven county towns before dawn tomorrow. Those who were ordered to capture and hold on to these towns were all infantrymen, divided into seven teams, each team Ten thousand people, they set off overnight and raced against time. The most difficult task was the two armies responsible for attacking Liangqi and Handan. To say that their arduousness does not only refer to how easy the two cities are to defend and difficult to attack. But it’s more difficult for them to get to the destination on time.
The straight-line distance from Liyang to Liangqi and Handan is not the farthest, but if you choose the nearest road, it will inevitably alarm the defenders of Yecheng, thus exposing the intention of the Han army, so they can only make a detour. Go, first arrive at Wei County, then turn to the west, and finally reach Liangqi after passing through the hills.
Liangqi and Handan are also important towns in the northern part of Yecheng, especially Handan is the capital of the ancient Zhao Kingdom. It is most likely to be chosen by Yuan Shao as the direction of retreat and must be taken. Xu Huang knows the importance of this place and looks around the generals. In the end, Handed over to Guan Yu and his son,
The sky was getting darker, but Guan Yu and his sons with the army did not dare to stay for a moment. They followed the same path as the team that captured Wei County and the Qiuqiu, but they set off before the other two teams. It is very likely to attract the attention of the defenders of Wei County and Qiu Qiu, and it will add a lot of trouble to the teams that attack these two county towns, but there is not much time left for Guan Yu. He must hurry up and hurry up.
It was overcast tonight, the clouds covered the moonlight, and the surrounding was pitch black. The soldiers were groping forward in the dark, and their speed gradually slowed down. A lieutenant in front came over and said, "Thanks to the general, open the dark road and slippery. The sergeants asked to light the torch."
Guan Yu said without hesitation: "No,"
In the dark night, 20,000 people lit the torch together, and instantly turned into a huge fire dragon, which can be seen clearly from a long distance, and the whereabouts of the incident are small. If the intention of the Han army is revealed, it will be disrupted. The whole deployment, then the matter is big,
The captain hesitated: "General, it's pitch black, and the guide can't distinguish the path,"
"In this case..." Guan Yu pondered for a moment and waved his hand. "Let the two or three people in the front light the torch, and the other soldiers will follow one by one. No one is allowed to fall behind, and no one is allowed to whisper and make unnecessary noises."
There are a large group of torches in the dark, which will naturally cause panic among the local people and the defenders, but there are only one or two torches that will not be noticeable, and they will only be regarded as pedestrians walking at night.
The team moved forward silently, and Guan Yu also rushed forward immediately, constantly asking how far away the guide is from Liang Qi. This guide is a local businessman in Jizhou, who travels north and south all the year round and knows a lot. He looked up at the starlight through the clouds, worried. He said: "If you follow this speed, you won't be able to catch up to Liangqi before dawn,"
Guan Yu couldn't help getting anxious, and turned around and said: "Send orders, throw away unnecessary things, everyone only brings one day's dry food, march at full speed,"
The soldiers did not hesitate to give orders. Some of the iron pots used for cooking, excess grain and grass, and even the materials used to tie up large siege equipment were thrown on the side of the road. The burden on their bodies was lightened. The speed of progress suddenly increased, but the darkness remained. Those who were in the front could still use the light of the torch. Those behind could only follow the heels of the people in front. From time to time, someone stumbled and fell, gritted their teeth and climbed up to continue running wildly. , No one said a complaint,
When we came to a mountain road ahead, the team walked more difficultly. Suddenly, there was a loud noise from the hillside. The team caused a burst of violence. The advancing speed was one stop. Soldiers ran up from behind, whispering. Said: "Thanks to the general, a brother accidentally fell off the cliff, please show me down,"
Guan Ping frowned and said, "Why is it so careless, you can't make it to Liang Qi at dawn, everyone will lead the military law, don't care about him, everyone keep going,"
Their mother and son were abandoned at home by Guan Yu since childhood. Although they were reunited with Liu Xin’s help after several setbacks, they have developed Guan Ping’s indifferent character. He only has tasks in his eyes, not too much family affection.
Guan Yu knew that Liu Xin had always loved soldiers. Even if they were the bones of soldiers who died in battle, he still had to find ways to help them return to their hometown. He waved his hand and said, "Leave a few people down and look for them. In addition, I will inform everyone that the mountain road is difficult. For the time being It’s okay to be slower, after we get down the mountain, let’s speed up again."