Chapter 3 Troubled Times Descend Section 61 Battle of Bochang

On September 21, the seventh year of Guanghe, I led the thunder cavalry and the wolf cavalry into the county seat of Bochang, confronted the Yellow Turban Army head-on, and began the Battle of Bochang.

As soon as the battle began, the situation seemed to be unfavorable to us. The weather in September of the lunar calendar has entered the early winter, and the sky is full of fine snowflakes. The roads became muddy, which greatly reduced the ability of our cavalry to assault. The air became so humid that our archers could not exert their might.

Entering the city of Bochang and seeing the tragic situation of the defenders, I was glad that I had gathered the defenders of Guanghuan in time - at present, more than half of the Ma Han soldiers who participated in the battle had been killed or wounded, and the local citizens of Le'an had not had time to rearm, armed with simple weapons and without protective armor, and the casualties reached seventy. And all the remnants of the army were gathered up and were less than 5,000 people. There were no less than 200,000 Yellow Turbans who came to attack.

Of particular concern is the fact that we cannot allow this bandit to enter Le An. Therefore, the defenders cannot be passively defensive, and even the tactic of waiting for the enemy to pass through the enemy's rear cannot be used. Every time the enemy attacked the city, the defenders had to go out of the city to fight. The wind and rain were too strong, so that although the defenders relied on the city walls, they could not get long-range fire support from the city, and in this way, the defenders endured a little bit of time and stubbornly persevered until the arrival of our reinforcements.

Seeing Lei riding a wolf into the city, the Ma Han soldiers who had already heard of their prestige were thunderous, and they were infected, and the depressed local soldiers of Le'an were slightly boosted their low morale. However, before I could appease these hard-fighting soldiers, Tian Chou had already led the officials in the city to rush out to meet them.

I walked up to the welcoming crowd, and emotionally hugged Tian Chou's arm and exclaimed: "Zitai, thank you for your hard work, with 20,000 soldiers to block the 200,000 army, and you can wait for the arrival of my reinforcements, such a feat, only Zitai can do - it is really 'who is like a rock in the way, only I am the general Zitai'"

Tian Chou replied with a wry smile: "Don't laugh at me anymore, the lord will not laugh at me anymore, 20,000 horses, now the four are gone, and the lord will be a day late, and the city will die." ”

I opened my arms and hugged Tian Chou tightly: "Zitai, don't say that, how could I let you die in this small city?" The road was muddy, and I was in a hurry, and the soldiers hurried to finally arrive at this time. However, since I have come, I will not let the blood of the warriors who died in battle be spilled in vain. Okay, tell me what's going on outside the city. ”

Tian Chou frowned, and said suspiciously: "Lord, in this cold season, it is generally necessary to suspend the army and recuperate, as far as I know, the yellow turbans in Jizhou and Runan have been suspended, before that, Zhonglang General Huangfu Song fought a decisive battle with Zhang Jiao's younger brother Zhang Bao in Guangzong, Jizhou, attacked the enemy at night, broke the enemy formation, beheaded more than 30,000 people, and is currently in a stalemate with Zhang Jiao. Now, it is impossible to raise troops in winter, and depending on the situation, both sides are waiting for the arrival of spring.

But at this moment, all of a sudden, the yellow scarves in Qingzhou were like crazy, and they came out of the air and rushed towards Jizhou. Chou is wondering, it is cold outside and there is no food, Zhang Jiao recruited so many people to go to Jizhou, where to find food to feed them? ”

According to my previous plan, Qingzhou should now rest and prepare for the harsh winter. The sudden action of the Yellow Turban Army was beyond my expectations, and I was also very puzzled by this, hearing Tian Chou's words, it was like a ray of sunshine through the fog: "You may be right, Zhang Jiao is crazy, gathering his subordinates to leave the base area before the arrival of winter, marching in the field, and attacking the city, which is indeed against military common sense." But for such a madman, it cannot be measured by common sense. The founding god once said: If you want to destroy people, you must first make people crazy - I think that since Zhang Jiao is crazy, he is not far from death. ”

Glancing at the surrounding soldiers, I ordered: "Zitai, at present, only the morale of the Mahan soldiers is available, besides, they are also the most well-equipped, I order: immediately reorganize the remaining soldiers of Le'an, and break them up into the ranks of Mahan soldiers." Grant the surviving Mahan soldiers Izumo citizenship and Qingzhou citizenship treatment, and tell them that they have shed blood for Izumo and Qingshu, and that from now on they will be our family, and Izumo Qingshu and Qingzhou will let them buy property and live in peace. As for the soldiers who died in battle, they were to be given the benefit of their wives and children, so that their wives and children would also be treated as meritorious people for this merit, and they were welcome to come and live here in peace.

For the local casualties of Le'an, the award of the merit, the promotion of the promotion, the order of the people of Le'an, issued an emergency conscription order, and conscripted all men of appropriate age to participate in the Battle of Bochang. Tell them that behind them is their homeland, their land, their wives and children, and that we have no way to retreat and must fight here. I declare that after the war, all combatants, civilians and criminals, will be granted meritorious status. ”

Turning my head to look at the people around me, I saw the cowering Liu Hun hiding in the team, and my heart moved-it seems that the threat of death this time really scared him, so find him something to do and divert his attention: "Hun'er, you do the thing of issuing a conscription order, let the horn of the police ring all over the land of Le'an, and all those who can hold guns, regardless of meritorious people, civilians and wise people, all pick up guns and go to Bochang to participate in the war and defend their own homes."

Speaking of which, I immediately leaned over and asked Tian Chou, "Have the defenders of Guanghuan arrived?" ”

Tian Chou immediately replied: "They are still 40 miles away from this city, and it is estimated that it will take half a day or a day." ”

"Okay, Zitai, Yun Chang and Yide accompanied their wife to inspect Izumo, I received the news and hurried over, but I only had time to inform them to leave later. The battle between the two armies must wait for them to arrive before we can officially start it. Now, let's go to the city to observe first, and you can introduce me to the enemy situation on the way. ”

Tian Chou said as he walked: "This time the yellow turban suddenly attacked, and our side was unprepared for the enemy attack before

, no understanding of the enemy's situation. However, it seems that since the incident, after several months of continuous fighting, the Yellow Turban has gained combat experience, and it is no longer a rambling rush. In the fierce battle, we found that the Yellow Turbans also seemed to be divided into several queues, attacking us in waves, and we had few soldiers, and this attack method gave us no respite. However, after many inquiries, we could not find the slightest news of the generals of the Yellow Turban Army. ”

Standing on the head of the city, I held a telescope and looked at the Yellow Turban camp from afar, the tents were scattered in the camp one by one, and the cooking fires in the camp were scattered in the camp in an orderly manner. Hmph, it's too far from the advance and retreat, it seems that although the Yellow Turban Army has learned some tactics, in this short period of time, these illiterate peasants can only rely on their own experience and understand a little common sense of the army formation - how much progress can be made, it's hard to say?

"Zitai, send a clever ghost who can speak well, go to the enemy camp to lie down, give them a letter of war, and make an appointment for a decisive battle."

When Tian Chou heard this, he immediately arranged manpower to search for such talents.

Putting down the binoculars, I thought about it and said, "Although our army is tired when we first arrive, but, Zitai, if our army attacks by night, you see how sure you will break the camp." ”

Tian Chou shook his head and objected: "It's not proper, Lei rode a horse on a wolf, and he traveled a long way before he got off the boat, I'm afraid he won't be able to adapt to the climate of Qingzhou." Now the roads are muddy, not conducive to assault, and most importantly, the snow continues to fall, which is not conducive to arson. In case the assault fails, and you fall into a fierce battle, with the power of thunder and wolf cavalry, I am afraid that you will not be able to get a bargain. Fighting on this muddy road, the two armies of thunder and wolf cavalry, I don't know how much combat power can be exerted? ”

I thought for a while, nodded and agreed with Tian Chou's judgment: "Yes, since we can't attack the enemy at night, then we will tell the enemy the night attack plan, so that he will not be at peace day and night." Tell the defenders that now that we have the Thunder Rider Wolf Rider, when the enemy attacks again, we no longer need to go out of the city to meet the attack—with the assault ability of the Thunder Rider Wolf Rider, even if they are allowed to cross the city, they will not be able to run far. Order: The reorganization of the army began immediately. ”

Wait three days, I need three days to reorganize the team, I need three days to wait for reinforcements, wait for the weather to clear. Whether the Yellow Turbans can give me three days depends on the skill of the lobbyist.

Our selected lobbyists arrived at the enemy camp at dusk, and after passing through the self-registration number, the Yellow Turban soldiers reported: "The Great Han Clan, after King Jing of Zhongshan, the lord of the Izumo State of Liaoxi, the commander of Qingzhou, and the minister of Qi, Liu Bei, the savage of Zhuoxian County, sent an envoy to issue a war letter to the generals under the great sage and good teacher. ”

In the center of the camp, in a large army tent, several Yellow Turban generals were arguing about something, hearing the report of the Yellow Turban soldiers, the generals in the tent stopped arguing, and after discussing for a while, one of the Yellow Turban generals raised an order: "Don't drive in Qingzhou, Liu Bei and Liu Xuande's envoys enter the account." ”

After a while, a short man proudly stepped into the Yellow Turban tent and announced loudly: "Don't drive Liu Gong Xuande's envoy Gushan Army in Qingzhou to send a book, the generals in the camp, please sign up to receive the book." ”

The yellow turban generals in the tent glanced at each other and discussed with each other. Immediately, a majestic man took a few steps forward, stretched out his hand and replied loudly: "Qingzhou Mu Zuo Zhangba picks up the book"

Qingzhou Mu, as soon as this official title was reported, Gu Shan was obviously startled, and secretly shouted in his heart: "Obediently, this official title is bigger than the lord, should I submit the war letter according to equal etiquette, or present the war book as the next person?" ”

Gu Shan hesitated, but obviously, the Yellow Turban General did not have this concern, Zuo Zhangbai stroked his famous beard, stretched out his thick hand, and shouted to Gu Shan with a big grin: "Give me that play." ”

"Wait", without waiting for Gu Shan to reach out and hand over the battle book, in the shadows, a man with a turmeric face rushed out and stopped Zuo Zhangba's actions.

I saw him leaning over Zuo Zhangpachi's ear and whispering a few words, and then, an embarrassed expression appeared on Zuo Zhangpachi's face, and he nodded very reluctantly: "Gu Envoy, all the generals of our army are in the tent, so please read the battle book here." ”

Gu Shan replied with a very embarrassed face: "General Zuo, it seems that this is not in line with the system. ”

Zuo Zhangba was obviously a little annoyed, and his low voice roared: "This man, what are the things, let you read it, you read it to me, the sky is dead, the yellow sky should stand, my words are the new rules, read quickly." ”

Gu Shan's eyes rolled, and he hurriedly replied: "The general asked me to read out the war book, and asked the generals in the account to sign up, so that Gu can tell the lord when he goes back, and the war book has been conveyed to whom's ears." ”

Zuo Zhangba retracted his body and waved his hand impatiently, and the generals in the tent saw this, stepped forward one by one, and reported their names: "General Pinghan", "Taishan (County) Taishou Lei Gong", "Le'an (County) Taishou White Sparrow", "Qi Guoxiang" and so on.

Gu Shan looked at the person with a turmeric face, and asked solemnly: "General, all the personnel in the account have signed up, can you let Gu know the general's name and surname." ”

The turmeric-faced man replied with a bit of meaning: "I am the left cavalry captain under Zhang Liang, the general of the old place, and the current minister of Jinan, Yang Feng, you can go back and inform your lord." ”

Gu Shan nodded, unfolded the letter, and read it out loud: "The lord of the Izumo country in western Liaoning, the don't drive in Qingzhou, and the leader of the Qi State Liu Bei Liu Xuande to the Yellow Turban generals:

You came from Mount Tai, and the queue of soldiers spread for miles, breaking the Qi country, entering Le'an, and wanting to cross the border? Want to plunder?

Now, Bochang is difficult, the sky is snowing, you are staying in the wilderness, five food and no clothes, want to come, will be hungry and cold unbearable, and enter? Want to retreat?

Prepared to start in the army, more than 100 battles in his life. In every battle, the military flag points to the invincible and invincible. When you came to the Qi country, you were sent by the emperor's order, and you happened to be not in the territory of the Qi country, so you failed to sweep away to welcome you, and you were prepared.

Bochang, a small city, (city) moat is not too foot, the city (wall) is not too long, the army is not more than 10,000, thanks to the efforts of the subordinates, resulting in you repeatedly unable to attack, can not move forward. Now, the reinforcements from Beiqin have come to Bochang, and the people from all over the world are coming, and every day passes, Bochang's strength grows a little, and you suffer in the wilderness for a day, and you lose a strength. With your strength, I'm afraid it will be difficult to enter Le'an again.

Ahead, is your camp, and I don't know what you want to do when you enter Le'an. However, in the rear, there is Le'an under the rule of Bei, and the people of Le'an hope to see Bei's bravery and prevent them from the scourge of war. Therefore, there is no way to retreat. If you want to enter Le'an, you must first defeat me Liu Bei.

If you can take advantage of the night to wave the army to attack, you will inevitably be chaotic, and a war can be set in Qingzhou. However, when Bei fought with the Yellow Turban general Daniel Zhang (Zhang Niujiao) in the Bohai Sea, he gave him a share of honor and allowed him to fight and die with me. I think you are all brave, dare to wave the weak army to attack Qingzhou, and dare to fight against Liu Bei in every battle. And I will give you the honor of fighting and dying with me.

In a battle between the brave, there are no losers. However, the war has nothing to do with women and children, I will stop the night attack of the soldiers and horses today, and hope that you will reorganize your ranks, and hand over to me the women and children in the camp who have wasted food and grass, and I will place them, and we will select the best warriors on both sides, and fight outside the city of Bochang in three days. ”

After the war book was read, there was silence in the tent.

Zuo Zhangba coughed and broke the silence: "Liu Bei has a big breath." We have no less than 200,000 warriors in the Yellow Turban Army. Since Liu Bei has come to Bochang, we are just waiting to avenge Zhang Niujiao. If you want us to hand over the women and children, no way, he wants to attack at night, come. ”

Yang Feng let out a loud snort from his nose, and calmly suggested: "Liu Gong Xuande, a warrior, he fought with our army in Jizhou, and after each battle, he will not kill and surrender prisoners, and he will not humiliate the generals." We fought in Bochang, but we could not attack repeatedly, and the casualties among the soldiers were too large. The weather is getting colder, our army has frozen to death and countless frostbite, these people can't fight, but need someone to take care of them, Liu Gong is willing to take care of the wounded women and children for our army, this sincere and benevolent style also. Refuse, for fear of damaging our reputation.

Moreover, Liu Gong's 100 people dared to attack the Xianbei 1,000-person camp, and our army was now defenseless, once Liu Gong's appointment to fight, I am afraid that he would have to worry about his attack day and night. In this way, how did the soldiers fight during the day? ”

"General Pinghan" said unhappily: "Yang Feng, why do you talk like this, you actually call that dog official Liu Gong, are you afraid of him?" ”

Yang Feng was furious and said sharply: "Liu Gong's letter, although it is arrogant, but the words do not insult us, if we insult Liu Gong instead, will we not be humiliated." ”

Saying that, Yang Feng stood up and solemnly announced: "No matter what you think, I, Yang Feng, have decided: to have a warrior battle with Liu Gong." In this battle, no matter whether it is won or lost, after thousands of generations, when the world talks about this battle, they must mention me Yang Feng - this is indeed the greatest honor that Liu Gong has given us. ”

Immediately, Yang Feng issued a loud order: "Come here, send the messenger to my camp for resettlement, early tomorrow morning, we will hand over the wounded and sick women and children in the camp to the envoy, and ask Liu Gong to settle them properly." ”

Turning his head and looking at the generals in the tent, Yang Feng said with a sneer: "In this battle, if we can repel Liu Gong Xuande, Le'an County will be ours, and those women and children who will be placed by Liu Gong will not return to us." If this war is lost, what will people covet when they are dead? The actions of the princes really make my teeth chill. ”

Yang Feng's words immediately resonated in the tent, and the Yellow Turban generals began to bow their heads and ponder.

At this moment, a Yellow Turban soldier rushed into the tent, gasped for a long time, and reported: "A group of soldiers from the west gate of Bochang are waiting to enter the city. ”

Zuo Zhangba stood up and shouted urgently: "The enemy reinforcements are coming, hurry up, let's go out and have a look." ”

The Yellow Turban generals rushed out of the camp and watched the movement of the west gate of Bochang from a distance on a high slope.

I don't know if it was the negligence of the Yellow Turban generals, or if they didn't know anything about the military. When they discussed the military situation, they didn't let the envoy of our army, Gu Shan, avoid it. Now, they poured out of the camp in a mess, and when those who understood deliberately did not say it, and those who did not understand were ignorant, Gu Shan also took the opportunity to swagger and accompany him.

In the wind and snow, on the quiet earth, only the call of the wind was heard. The scene in the distance seems to be an ink painting. In the haze, a black queue that could not be seen at a glance quietly stayed at the west gate. On the white ground, the team was dressed in black iron armor, and the spears stretched straight into the air. The black and white collocation makes the picture particularly vivid.

The wind and snow were heavy, and clumps of snowflakes were flying between the ranks, and the team stood quietly in front of the west gate, and the soldiers stood straight, letting the wind and snow fall on their faces—no noise, no commotion, no sound from the neat procession.

After a long time, the city gate of Bochang opened, and the team stood quietly outside the city, without movement. After a while, an inspecting officer walked out of the city gate and spoke with a man who looked like an officer in the reinforcements. It was too far away for the Yellow Turban generals to hear what they were saying, but after they had spoken a few words, the two sides began to salute each other. With the wave of an officer's hand, the queue that was like a dead thing came to life in an instant, and began to move slowly, without a trace of noise in between.

When the yellow turban generals who watched saw this scene, they couldn't help but let out bursts of inhalation. Strict military discipline, strict orders, and steely soldiers—what courage it would take to meet and fight such an army head-on.

"Lord Messenger", Yang Feng's words broke the dull atmosphere: "Please stay in my camp tonight, the old, weak, women and children, I will hand them all over to the adults tomorrow, I hope that Liu Gong can properly settle them." ”

Gu Shan's lonely words drifted in the cold wind: "General Yang, rest assured, my family will never kill and surrender prisoners." ”

The eyes of the yellow turban generals turned to Zuo Zhangba, and under the eyes of everyone, Zuo Zhangba took a deep breath and said resolutely: "Lord Messenger, Zuo will start counting the old, weak, women and children today, and they will be handed over to the adults early tomorrow morning." Three days later, Zuo reorganized the team and fought with Liu Gong in Bochang. ”

The Yellow Turban generals stomped their feet fiercely, and said unevenly: "Fighting with such a team in Bochang, it is true that we can't leave the old and weak, since General Zuo is willing to fight, how can our army be willing to fight in the rear." ”

At the same time, at the head of the city, Tian Chou and I held the city wall hand in hand, watching the Guangrao reinforcements slowly enter the city.

Tian Chou rubbed his hands, sighed, and said calmly: "Lord, the Guangrao army has arrived, and Bochang has no worries." Next, we need to start planning for a battle between the two armies. ”

Watching my Guangrao army enter the city, I replied without raising my head: "The Battle of Bochang has begun."

Sun Tzu's Art of War said: The horseman must not be ambitious, and the three armies must not be depressed. When we sent the war book to the Yellow Turban, it was a battle of morale and frustration. In the name of my past battles, threaten the enemy and force them to bow down to us. In the name of my leniency in the past, I made the hearts of the enemy weak.

If the enemy army is willing to hand over the old and weak women and children, it means that the enemy army has a faint belief that we are invincible. Then, once the war starts, if the war does not go well, the enemy army is willing to surrender and be willing to stay with their old and weak women and children.

The Battle of Bochang has begun. ”