Seeing Yuan Shao's Daxu banner retreating, and the cavalry of the Han family army was charging again, the troops who were besieging the city were suddenly in chaos, everyone rushed to run towards the camp in the distance, Yan Liang killed several deserters in a row, trying to stabilize the position, but could not stand more and more deserters, their escape triggered a greater rout, and even Yan Liang was dragged by the crowd to retreat.

After Huang Zhong defeated the Yuan army in the south of the city, he led the army to the west of the city to attack the Wenchou army to relieve the siege of Guantao. Gao Lan at the head of the city, seeing that the Yuan army besieging the city had retreated like a tide, he left a hundred soldiers and many people, and rushed to the west of the city with the rest of the people to rescue.

After Huang Zhong's cavalry arrived to the west of the city, they rushed the ranks of Wen Chou's army to pieces. The last time Wen Chou was ambushed in the canyon, he had fought with Huang Zhong, and he didn't tell the winner for a long time, and he also lost the eldest son Yuan Tan, so that he didn't know his life and death until now. At this moment, the enemy was very red-eyed, he roared, waved the spear in his hand and rushed over.

Don't look at Wen Chou's large amount of physical strength when attacking the city, Huang Zhong is no better, he led his men and horses to attack for a long time, and killed from the east of the city in a clockwise direction to the west of the city, and his physical strength was also exhausted, so when the two stood together, they still couldn't tell the winner.

Gao Lan, who was standing at the head of the city, saw that Huang Zhong and Wen Chou under the city were fighting inextricably, and he was afraid that Yuan Jun would make a comeback, so he hurriedly led people to prepare to go out of the city to help in the war, but after walking a few steps, he found that the big knife in his hand had been rolled up in a bloody battle for several days and could no longer be used. He threw his broadsword to the ground and instructed the soldiers next to him: "Come on, bring me a gun and prepare a horse, I will go out of the city to help in the battle." ”

The suspended suspension bridge was lowered, the closed city gate was opened, and Gao Ran led more than 500 soldiers out of the city. The Wen Chou army outside the city has long been the end of the strong crossbow under the repeated charging and killing of the cavalry, and Gao Lan, who rushed out of the city at this moment, has become the last straw that crushes the camel.

Seeing that his subordinates were defeated like a mountain, Wen Chou had no intention of fighting, and after wielding a gun to force Huang Zhong back, he turned his horse and fled. Huang Zhong joined forces with Gao Ran and re-entered the pavilion pottery and the like.

On the way back to the city, Gao Ran asked Huang Zhong curiously: "Captain Huang, I don't know when the lord's army will arrive?" ”

"The lord's army will not set off until early tomorrow morning, and it will be three days later at the earliest, and it will be possible to arrive at Guantao" Huang Zhong replied: "He was worried that Guantao's troops were small and could not resist Yuan Shao's army of 100,000, so he ordered me to lead the cavalry to come to support in the starry night." ”

Gao Ran asked with a smile: "Captain Huang, I don't know how many people the lord brought this time?" ”

"10,000 foot soldiers, 3,000 crossbowmen, plus my 3,000 cavalry." Huang Zhong stroked his beard and said, "The Mabu army has a total of 16,000 people. ”

After hearing what Huang Zhong said about the number of soldiers and horses, Gao Ran's smile froze on his face. Although Yuan Shao has lost a lot of men and horses recently, there are at least 80,000 soldiers and horses in various places, and there are only 16,000 reinforcements, which is equivalent to taking one as five.

When Huang Zhong saw Gao Lan's expression, he immediately guessed what he was worried about, and hurriedly said to him: "Don't worry about the high school captain, don't look at the lord's lack of soldiers and horses, but to defeat Yuan Shao, according to Huang's speculation, it shouldn't be a difficult matter." ”

"That's good, that's good!" When Gao Ran heard Huang Zhong say this, he immediately remembered the past when he met Han Zhan who led 3,000 soldiers and horses to meet the battle on the way to attack Guangping City, since he dared to use 3,000 to fight 10,000 at that time, then now he uses 16,000 to fight 80,000, what is impossible? Thinking of this, Gao Ran's heart finally fell back into his stomach.

Yuan Shao's soldiers and horses besieging the city were raided by Huang Zhong and were scattered and fled, but because Huang Zhong had too few soldiers and horses and needed to fight in different locations, the damage to Yuan's army was limited. Yuan Shao contained the rout, and the 30,000 horses who attacked the city actually returned more than 21,000 people.

Seeing that the soldiers and horses who went out to fight only lost 30%, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Feng Ji said to Yuan Shao: "Lord, don't see that we were caught off guard by the reinforcements of the Han family today, but if Ji did not miscalculate, the number of reinforcements was too small to dare to fight our army head-on, so we could only retreat to the city." Tomorrow, we can divide our troops into three routes, and attack the east, south, and north of Guantao at the same time, their forces are limited, and they will definitely not be able to stop the strong attack of our army, and the breakthrough of the city is just around the corner. ”

"Slow down!" Xun Chen saw that Yuan Shao was moved by Feng Ji's words, and hurriedly persuaded: "Although our army is numerous, most of the soldiers have not returned to their hearts, and when they attack the city and seize the land, they can't even give full play to half of their combat power. Later General Yuan has a large number of soldiers, so we might as well ask him for help and ask him to send troops and horses to reinforce us! ”

Although Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu are brothers, because Yuan Shu once sent people to him to ask for a thousand good horses after Yuan Shao seized Jizhou, who knew that Yuan Shao refused. For this matter, the two brothers turned against each other. Xun Chen thought that this was the best time for the two brothers to rebuild the old friendship, so he made this suggestion to Yuan Shao.

Unexpectedly, after Yuan Shao heard this, he snorted heavily, and then said: "I have broken off with him, Youruo, there is no need to mention the matter of asking him for help." He turned his head and asked Feng Ji, "Yuan Tu, where else can we mobilize?" ”

"Back to the lord's words," Feng Ji hurriedly bowed and replied: "Bohai County is now in the hands of Xiao Gongzi and Xu Yu Xu Ziyuan, and it can also piece together 80,000 soldiers and horses. However, the road leading there has been cut off by Gongsun Zhan, and we can't send anyone to get in touch with them. ”

"Damn Gongsun Chan." Yuan Shao punched heavily on the table in front of him, and said hatefully: "If he hadn't raised troops to attack, how could the Han family child take advantage of the situation and seize me Jizhou to kill my second son?" When he was angry, he seemed to forget that if he hadn't been treacherous, refused to give the land of Jizhou to Gongsun Zhan, and sent someone to kill Gongsun Yue, who came to contact, how could Gongsun Chan start a war against him?

Xin Ping listened to it for a long time, and then interjected: "My lord, my subordinates have observed the battle in the past few days and found that the reason why our army has been unable to attack Guantao for a long time is not that the soldiers are unwilling to use their lives, but that the siege equipment is insufficient. ”

When Feng Ji heard this, he immediately retorted: "Zhongzhi's words are wrong, our army has used ladders and rushing cars to attack the city in the past few days, but they have all been broken by Gao Lan, what siege equipment is available?" ”

"Today I watched the battle with my lord under the city," Xin Ping continued, "and I found that our army had suppressed the defenders of the city with bows and arrows at the beginning of the attack. If our army attacks tomorrow and uses the wells to suppress the defenders on the city walls, then our soldiers will surely be able to climb the city without any problems. ”

"Zhongzhi, don't forget, there is also a moat outside Guantao City." Feng Ji frowned and said, "Every time we cross the moat, we have to kill and die a lot of soldiers. ”

"We can send people to fill the river, and if we fill in the moat, our soldiers will be able to rush directly under the walls," he proposed. ”

"Carrying soil to fill the river is time-consuming, and the bows and arrows and rolling wood and stones in the city can cause a lot of casualties to our soldiers." Xin Ping shook his head and said, "Do you remember that when you were at the boundary bridge, when Gongsun Zhan's army attacked the village, they used the flying bridge. This kind of flybridge is simple to make, with two long logs, nailed to the top and two wheels underneath, and used to build a moat, which is a simple moat. ”

"Mr. Nakaji." Don't look at Yan Liang's courage and strategy, but when he heard Xin Ping introduce these siege equipment, he listened very carefully. As soon as Xin Ping finished speaking, he hurriedly asked, "Are there any other siege equipment?" ”

"And catapults." Xin Ping was afraid that Yan Liang didn't know what the catapult was like, and specially introduced to him: "The structure is also very simple, a huge long log, fixed on a shelf, the long end is a leather holster or wooden basket loaded with stones, and the short end is tied with dozens of ropes. But when the order was given, dozens of people pulled the ropes at the same time and threw the stones out......"

After listening to Xin Ping's introduction, the muscles on Yan Liang's face couldn't help but twitch violently a few times, and he asked with a little crying and laughing: "Mr. Zhongzhi, a trebuchet needs dozens of soldiers to operate, I don't know what use it can be used in the siege of the city?" ”

When Xin Ping heard Yan Liang's question, he hesitated for a moment, and then said: "The general of the Qin army, Li Xin, attacked Chu, and the Chu army secretly prepared a large number of catapults, and when the Qin army crossed the river, it suddenly launched at the same time, and countless sharp stones smashed towards the Qin army like dark clouds, resulting in a complete rout of the 200,000 Qin army. ”

"Zhongzhi," Yuan Shao suddenly said with a sudden realization when he heard this, "I understand, if we use catapults to fire at the city wall during the siege, we will definitely be able to defeat the defenders with nowhere to hide; Coupled with the cooperation of Jing Yan, we will be able to conquer the pavilion pottery. ”

Although Xin Ping's ability was slightly inferior to that of Fu Zhu, his political wisdom was extremely high, and he did not explain the usefulness of the catapult to Yan Liang for a long time, but deliberately mentioned the old story of the Chu army's defeat of the Qin army, just to attract Yuan Shao's attention. The same thing, said by Yuan Shao himself, is much more effective than making suggestions himself.

"The lord is wise." Xin Ping hurriedly bowed his hand: "The subordinates just thought of this tactic, but I didn't expect the lord to already have a bamboo in his chest, and it seems that the capture of the pavilion pottery is just around the corner." ”

Hearing Xin Ping's flattery, Yuan Shao couldn't help but smile, he thought about it, in the case of incomplete equipment, continuing to attack Guantao can only increase casualties, so he announced: "Tomorrow suspend the attack on Guantao, each battalion hurry up to make all kinds of siege equipment, and after the equipment is complete, then capture Guantao in one fell swoop." ”

…………

Han Zhan's dispatch time was one day earlier than the scheduled time, while the cavalry set off on the same day.

The reason why he sent troops ahead of schedule also has his own unspeakable secrets. Since Lihua, Han Yan, Han Shan, and others came to Jizhou, he has experienced the feeling of restlessness at home.

When Rika saw two stunning singers in the state governor's mansion, her face was extremely ugly. Especially when he found that the jadeite was not complete, and it was handled by Han Zhan, his attitude became even worse. The tea given to Han Zhan every day was cold; The meals eaten are either too salty or too bland; As for the warm quilt, since she came to Jizhou, Jade and A Nuan couldn't step into Han Zhan's room for half a step.

Han Zhanming knew that Pear Blossom was targeting him everywhere, but he was helpless to take her, after all, others were old people who had been waiting for him for many years, and on the eve of sending troops from Sheguo County, everyone else got into his bed, and nothing happened. Not long after he came to Jizhou, he actually accepted two stunning singers into the room, and even enjoyed the joy of fish and water with one of them. Rika is not a wooden person, and in this case, it's strange not to be angry with herself.

Han Zhan originally wanted to send troops in two days, but as soon as he entered the backyard, he saw Pear Blossom training Jade and A Nuan in the courtyard, saying that Gongzi was still in the period of filial piety, and you actually dared to dress up in fancy clothes, did you want to trap Gongzi for disloyalty and unfilial piety?

Jade and Ah Nuan were frightened, and quickly knelt in front of Pear Blossom with a puff and kowtowed repeatedly. Especially Jade, she said in a loud voice: "Please Pear Blossom Girl calm her anger, don't be like the slave family, the slave family will go back to the room to change clothes." ”

Han Zhan hid aside and didn't dare to squeak, and after Jade and Ah Nuan left, he tiptoed to Pear Blossom's side, raised his hand and patted her shoulder, and shouted: "Pear Blossom!" ”

Pear Blossom was taken aback, and when she turned her head to see that it was Han Zhan, a hint of joy flashed on her face, but soon she said with a straight face: "Childe, you're back!" ”

"yes, yes, Ben Hou is back." Han Zhan said with concern: "Pear Blossom, it's too cold in the yard, be careful not to freeze, let's go back to the house quickly." ”

Lihua is also a smart person, judging from the time Han Zhan appeared, she guessed that he must have seen the scene just now: "Childe, have you seen it all?" ”

"See what?" Han Zhan deliberately pretended to be confused and said, "I haven't seen anything except the pear blossoms that are beautiful and fragrant in the country?" ”

Rika was amused by Han Zhan's exaggerated expression, she sneered, and then asked rhetorically, "Childe, do you think I'm too strict with them?" ”

"No, no," Han Zhan immediately shook his head like a rattle and said: "It's not strict at all, they're not right in the first place, everyone is dressed in sackcloth and filial piety, why are they dressed in fancy clothes, they should be scolded!" ”

"Childe, are you telling the truth?" Rika asked with a smile.

"That's right, tell the truth," Han Zhan patted his chest and said, "In front of Pear Blossom, my son has always only told the truth and never told lies. ”

"Since Childe said it, he never told lies in front of Pear Blossom." A flush flew on Pear Blossom's face: "But I wonder when Childe will be able to have a round house with Pear Blossom?" Okay tonight? ”

Hearing this, Han Zhan almost fell to the ground with a fight, if it was a few months ago, he would have a round house with Pear Blossom, it would be a big deal. But this girl hasn't given herself a good look in the past few days, if she has a round room with her tonight, she will have to be squeezed dry. Thinking of this, he hurriedly coughed heavily and said, "My son suddenly remembered that there are still government affairs that have not been dealt with, so Lihua, you should go back to the room first." With that, he fled and left.

Looking at Han Zhan's back as he left in a hurry, Pear Blossom was faintly disappointed in her heart, and she said indignantly: "Hmph, coward!" After saying that, he also turned around and went back to his room.

When Han Zhan returned to the hall, all the civil and military forces had left, leaving only Luo Bu alone. He hurriedly called Rob to the front and ordered: "Rob, you immediately go to the barracks and tell Captain Huang to let his cavalry rush to Guantao overnight; Also, tell General Zhao again that the army set off a day earlier. ”

Just after Rob said yes and was about to leave, he stopped the other party again and said, "Forget it, I'll go to the barracks in person." By the way, Rob, you will send someone back to tell the patch later, saying that in order to adapt to the life in the barracks, Benhou will stay in the barracks for the past two days and will not return home. Do you understand? ”