In the face of Cao Jun's guns, the cavalry under Hua Xiong and Pang De was forced to stop advancing again. At this time, Zhang Ren had already led the foot soldiers of the Luoyang Corps to rush up, and his army crossed the gun forest formation and directly killed the Liyi behind.

Under the camp wall, a cold glint flashed in Ko Yi's eyes, and he shouted: "Change the formation, the sword and shield hand is on top!" The archers behind the camp listened, and all drew their bows and shot on their backs...... Put! ”

The archers behind the camp were originally a little flustered, but when they heard Koji's powerful voice, these archers instinctively followed Koji's orders. The great bow was soon drawn into a full moon, and the great bows of all the archers pointed diagonally to the sky. When that "release" sounded, all the archers let go of their grips on the arrows at the same time!

"Woo Woo ......"

Gengen's sharp arrows flew out, Zhang Ren saw the rain of arrows intertwined in the air, his face changed, and he hurriedly shouted: "Raise your shield!" Raise your shield now! ”

"Tuk Tuk Tuk...... Puff ......"

Due to Zhang Ren's timely order, the sword and shield hand raised the shield in time and blocked most of the sharp arrows. A small number of them were shot into the soldiers, causing a number of casualties.

Seeing that the generals under the command of Zhang Xiujun reacted so quickly, a hint of approval flashed in his eyes. And Zhang Ren is not like this, outside the battalion, he can actually command the soldiers in the battalion who can't see the situation, and the ability of Liyi to command the troops is definitely at the top level.

"Boom ......"

At this moment, the two hundred-pound boulders at the camp gate had been removed. A Cao army came out of the camp and rushed towards the side of Liyi, and at the same time, the archers in the camp also began to attack Zhang Xiujun in an organized manner. Zhang Ren saw that a junior general climbed a high platform in the camp and kept directing the battle back and forth, and the chaotic Cao army began to become orderly again.

"Woo Woo ......"

The rain of arrows flew sideways in the air, and they kept flying down towards their side. Zhang Ren's brows furrowed unconsciously, looking at more and more soldiers pouring out of the Cao army's camp, Zhang Ren no longer hesitated, and shouted: "Retreat!" ”

Zhang Ren led the infantry to retreat, and Hua Xiong and Pang De also retreated. After Zhang Xiu saw it here, he couldn't help but praise: "This Liyi is really the number one general in Hebei, and the command of the battle is better than Zhang He." ”

Cheng Gongying heard it and said with a smile: "Your Majesty is right, you must know that most of Yuan Shao's four states were beaten down for him by Lu Yi. As soon as Koji Yi went, Yuan Shao was immediately defeated by Guandu, and his ability can be seen. ”

Zhang Xiu heard it and laughed: "Although Koji Yi is powerful, I want them to know what it means to be unstoppable." Ordered Wu Anguo to immediately command the catapult to attack the enemy camp, and not stop until all the stone bullets and thunder bombs are fired! ”

Wu Anguo heard this and immediately took the order and left. Zhang Xiu gave such an order, and the rest of the matter was simple, and the three teams of catapults did not stop firing without the slightest intermission. The hundred-pound stone bullets and thunder bombs all bombarded the Cao army's camp. In particular, the thunder bombs bombarded down, and the Cao army's camp was on fire everywhere. No matter how Cao Jun put it out, as soon as the fire was extinguished here, the other side was already burning.

After being bombarded by catapults for an hour, Cao Ang, Lu Yi and others said to Cao Cao: "Prime Minister, the enemy's firebombs seem to be endless, and the enemy's catapults are extremely far away, so we can't withstand their attacks. ”

Cao Cao heard this, and asked in a condensed voice, "Have you ever organized a large army to burn their catapults?" ”

Dianman nodded and said, "The last general has already tried, but as soon as the army rushed halfway, the enemy army launched a strong crossbow. The leather shields of our army could not stop the enemy's strong crossbow at all, and the last general was lucky to pick up his life under the enemy's strong crossbow. After speaking, there was a look of horror on his face.

Cao Cao had seen the power of Zhang Xiujun's powerful crossbow, and knew that what Dian Man said was not exaggerating. At this time, Liu Ye said: "Prime Minister, it is difficult for us to prevent the enemy from attacking with catapults with only a large battalion, so we can only retreat to the city and hold on. ”

Cao Cao listened, his brows furrowed. Retreating to the city can indeed block the attack of the catapult more effectively, but in this way, it is equivalent to completely giving up the attack and entering into a fortification, which is extremely unfavorable to Cao Cao's side.

Xun You saw Cao Cao's appearance and had already guessed his thoughts, but he sighed and said: "Prime Minister, the enemy catapults are powerful, if we still stick to the camp, it will only increase the loss." It is better to retreat to Puyang and wait for the fighters. ”

When Cao Cao heard this, he said angrily: "Fighter fighter! Now that the situation is so bad, is there still a chance to fight back? ”

Everyone was drunk by Cao Cao like this, and they were speechless. After being silent for a long time, Cao Cao waved his hand and said, "Zixiu, give the order to retreat into the city." Remember to burn down the entire camp and not give the enemy a chance. ”

Cao Ang heard this, nodded and said, "Father, don't worry, the child knows it." ”

Here, Zhang Xiu saw the catapult bombarding for an hour, and secretly sighed in his heart: "This catapult deserves to be called a cannon, although it is not as powerful as the firearms of later generations, but if it continues to bombard, it depends on how you Cao Cao blocks." ”

As soon as Zhang Xiu finished thinking about it, Ma Jian suddenly shouted: "Your Majesty, Cao Ying is on fire." ”

looked up at Cao Ying's side, and sure enough, he saw a fire burning in the front camp. Seeing this, Jia Xu smiled and said, "Your Majesty, Cao Cao must not be able to withstand such an intense attack and retreat into the city." ”

Seeing that Cao Cao burned the camp and retreated, Zhang Xiu knew that it was impossible to attack the city today, so he said: "Okay, let's go back to the camp, and after settling down the soldiers, we will all come to the big tent to gather." ”

……

Half an hour later, in the middle of the palace of Puyang City, Cao Cao sat on the main seat with a gloomy face, and everyone in the hall did not dare to take a breath.

Before long, Lu Yi walked in from outside and bowed his hand to Cao Cao: "Prime Minister, all the soldiers have retreated into the city." In addition, the enemy did not chase after him. ”

Cao Cao listened, nodded, rarely squeezed out a smile, and said, "General Koji has worked hard. Koji returned the salute and sat aside.

After Lu Yi sat down, Cao Cao turned his head and asked Xun You and Liu Ye on the side: "Gongda, Ziyang, can there be a way to break the enemy?" ”

After the two glanced at each other, they nodded at the same time and said, "There is only one way to break the enemy now......"

Before the two of them could finish speaking, they saw Xu Chu rushing in from outside in a hurry and said, "Lord, Mr. Guo of Qingzhou sent someone to deliver a letter!" ”

When Cao Cao heard this, he was so excited that he shouted, "Bring it quickly!" As soon as Xu Chu handed over the letter, Cao Cao grabbed it with one hand and opened it. But when I saw the red on the letter, my heart suddenly sank. didn't read the letter, and hurriedly grabbed Xu Chu and asked, "Zhongkang, do anyone know about Fengxiao?" ”

Xu Chu scratched his head and replied, "The messenger said that as long as the lord reads Mr. Guo's letter, he will know." ”

When Cao Cao heard this, he immediately opened the letter and read it carefully. Everyone saw that Cao Cao's face suddenly showed joy, and suddenly his face was gloomy, and they didn't dare to gasp for breath.

After a long time, I saw Cao Cao in the hall looking up to the sky and shouting: "Fengxiao! Why did you leave your nature at this critical time? But he began to cry loudly. Cao Ang, Xun You, Liu Ye and others on the side were familiar with Guo Jia, and they unconsciously wiped their tears with their sleeves when they heard what Cao Cao said.

Cao Cao cried in the hall for almost half an hour before he gradually stopped crying. At a glance, the letter was also stained with Cao Cao's tears, mixed with Guo Jia's red blood on it. It makes the blood look even more ruddy.

At this time, Xun You came forward to persuade: "Lord, take care of your health, now that Zhang Xiubing is coming to the city, if the lord falls ill, it will be a great blow to the morale of our army." ”

After Cao Cao was helped up by Xun You, he sighed and said, "It's okay, Feng Xiao's letter has already told Ben Xiang the strategy of breaking the enemy." ”

When Liu Ye heard this, he was shocked, and immediately jumped up and asked: "Prime Minister, what Feng Xiao said is the strategy to break the enemy, but to burn grain?" ”

Cao Cao heard this, raised his eyebrows, and then nodded: "The strategy that Ziyang Ru and Gongda said to break the enemy is this?" It does coincide with what Feng Xiao said. ”

Liu Ye heard this, and hurriedly said: "Prime Minister, burning grain is indeed the only way. However, Zhang Xiu is not Yuan Shao, so you must be careful before doing this. Besides, we don't know where Zhang Xiu stored grain, and when Yuan Shao's grain and grass were burned, Xu Ziyuan came to invest in it......"

Before Liu Ye finished speaking, Cao Cao waved his hand lightly and said, "The prime minister has his own decision. Zhang Xiu transported grain by water, and its grain and grass had to go ashore, and it should not be difficult to find out where the grain was stored. ”

At this time, after the defeat of the army, he fled to Puyang, and Sima Yi, who had not spoken, suddenly opened his voice and said: "Prime Minister, before Yi fought with Zhang Xiu, the grain and grass of his army were indeed transported from the north. And now most of Zhang Xiu's army is downstream to intercept General Yuan Rang, so Zhang Xiu's army grain and grass cannot be transported from the water every day, he must find a place to store grain on the shore. Yi thought that as long as he found the place where Zhang Xiujun's grain and grass landed, he could follow the vine and find the place where he stored grain. ”

Liu Ye heard it and said hurriedly: "Although what Zhong Da said is reasonable, Zhang Xiu is not another opponent after all, and Ye still feels that the prime minister must be cautious." ”

Cao Cao heard this, raised Guo Jia's letter in his hand, and said: "Feng Xiao is dying and comes to teach the strategy of destroying the enemy." Besides, Ziyang, you also said that this is indeed the only way! ”

Xun You saw at a glance that Guo Jia's last letter had four big characters written on it, "Grain and Grass Counterattack", and the handwriting was sloppy, completely different from the other neat handwriting, it seemed that Guo Jia should have written it with his last strength, and the previous ones should have been pre-written Tuogu's words.

After reading it, Xun You said: "Lord, although Fengxiao is resourceful, what Ziyang said is also reasonable." However, Feng Xiao is not here after all, and he does not fully understand Zhang Xiujun's movements, so the lord should not be careless. ”

Cao Cao nodded and said, "Gongda rest assured, he knows his true appearance." Zhongda, you are responsible for sending someone to investigate Zhang Xiutun's grain, and if there is news, report it immediately! Sima Yi listened and left.

Xun You sighed and said, "Prime Minister, can you lend Feng Xiao's letter to You for a day." Cao Cao pondered for a moment before handing the letter with four scribbled characters "Grain and Grass Counterattack" to Xun You.

……

On the other side, at the big tent of Zhang Xiu's military camp, all the civil and military forces gathered in it.

I only heard Zhang Xiu speak first: "Everyone, now the Cao army has retreated into the city, but our stone bullets and thunder bombs are almost exhausted. Next, I wonder how you can break the city? ”

When everyone heard this, they fell into deep thought at the same time. The methods of siege are nothing more than storming, tunneling, and water attacking. Even if the strong attack is used, the besieging side will inevitably suffer heavy losses, and the Cao army defending the city has a lot of troops, and it is difficult to exhaust it with the current strength of Zhang Xiujun's army. Puyang City is also one of the few fortified cities in the Central Plains, and it is located by the Yellow River, so the last Central Plains flood had little impact on its city base. It is not easy to break through the city walls through tunnels or walls.

Conventional methods don't work, and water tapping is a good choice. The city of Puyang is the Yellow River, and it will not be too difficult to break the Yellow River to flood Puyang. Jia Xu quickly thought of this method, but after glancing at Zhang Xiu, he didn't say it after all. Cheng Gongying, after coughing, said in a condensed voice: "Your Majesty, the method of forcible attack must have suffered a lot of losses for our army, and the method of tunneling is not very feasible. Ying thought that he could use water to attack! ”

"Water attack?" In Puyang City, the strategy of water attack is carried out, needless to say, everyone knows that the Yellow River is going to be decided. Zhang Xiu immediately shook his head and said: "No, Cao Cao has already decided the Yellow River two years ago, and the people of the Central Plains have been displaced, and now it must not be decided again!" ”

When Jia Xu heard this, he smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, we may use the strategy of luring the enemy to lure Cao Cao out of the city to destroy him!" ”

Zhang Xiu heard it and asked strangely: "I don't know what Wenhe's plan is?" ”

Jia Xu smiled and said: "Your Majesty, now the general trend of the world is in my country. Xiahoudun's southward army was blocked on the north bank of the Yellow River and could not come to help. And Linzi in Qingzhou has been occupied by Bo Fu and Xiaozhi with an army, and Cao Cao's return road has been cut off. Huainan Cao Ren faced Xingba and Ziyi's front and back attacks, and had to retreat, while Guan Yu kept Xuchang, but as soon as Huainan lost, Guan Yu would be trapped on all sides and had to retreat. Cao Cao's only chance now is to defeat His Majesty's headquarters as soon as possible and recover his declining momentum, so that he can still boost his morale and counterattack. And we can take advantage of Cao Jun's eagerness to win and lure him into an ambush! ”

Zhang Xiu listened, nodded, and said: "To lure the enemy, you must bait, so what is the bait of our army?" ”

When Jia Xu heard this, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and he said loudly: "Grain and grass!" ”

When everyone heard this, they were surprised in unison: "Grain and grass? ”

Jia Xu nodded and said, "Not bad." Now that the two armies are facing each other, our army has the advantage of catapults and crossbows, and is in an absolute advantage. Cao Cao, whether he held the city or went out of the city to fight, would not be the opponent of our army. Even if he fought with our army and lost both, it was still a defeat for Cao Cao. He wants a big win! In the case that Cao's army is completely at a disadvantage, Cao Cao's only chance is to burn our army's grain and grass, so that it will lead to chaos in our army and have a chance to counterattack. In the battle of Guandu that year, Cao Cao burned all the grain and grass stored by Yuan Shao in Wuchao, and won the victory in one fell swoop, and now burning grain has become Cao Cao's last move! ”

Zhang Xiu heard this, nodded and smiled: "In this way, it will be arranged by Wen He!" ”

[Dedication]