In the first year of Hua Jingchang (208), Cao Cao's three-way army crusaded against Huaguo, but the two roads were frustrated, and the road was stalemate, and the strategic offensive instead of the defensive strategy ended in failure. Zhang Xiu sent the cavalry general Zhao Yun to lead the army to attack Liaodong, and used the means of Lusu to join the vertical and horizontal to lure the forces in the northeast to fight, and then take advantage of it. Cao Jun was afraid of the might of Zhao Yun's army, and retreated to Lu Longsai, not daring to attack. As a result, Zhao Yun lightly took places beyond the Great Wall, and destroyed Buyeo and Goguryeo, plus the naval army destroyed the three Hans, and the strategic encirclement set by Zhang Xiu before the war was completed.

In the spring of the second year of Hua Jingchang, Zhang Xiu ordered Huang Zhong and Gao Shun, who were stationed in Hanoi, to break through Xiahou Yuan's headquarters within two months and reach Yecheng. In the face of the attack of Huang Zhong's army, Xiahou Yuan defended some hills in the remaining veins of Taihang Mountain in Hanoi County, and stubbornly withstood Huang Zhong's attack for two months. When the news reached Chang'an, Zhang Xiu was furious and immediately summoned the general Chinese Wu to discuss.

Chang'an, in the Zhengde Palace.

Zhang Xiu, who was sitting on the dragon chair, was full of smiles, not at all as angry as the rumors outside. Among the people below, in addition to the military advisor who has been in Chang'an, as well as Ma Tan, Cheng Gongying and other strategists, Lu Xun, the military advisor of Huang Zhong's army on the front line, is also impressively listed.

Zhang Xiu asked Lu Xun with a smile: "Bo Yan, how is the situation when you are fighting Xiahou Yuan on the front line?" ”

Lu Xun sighed helplessly and said: "This Xiahou Yuan is indeed the leading general under Cao Cao, and in the face of the attack of General Huang's army, he completely put on a stubborn posture, and no matter how General Huang challenged, he just couldn't come out." And General Gao also personally went to the front line several times to direct the operation and attack the Xiahou Yuan defense line, but he resisted several attacks by General Gao by taking advantage of the hills and highlands in the remaining veins of Taihang Mountain. In the past two months, our army has had small battles every day, and once there is a big battle in a few days, it will not be able to break through Xiahou Yuan's defense. And no matter how General Huang wen*, Xiahou Yuan just didn't come out, which led to a stalemate in the battle. Moreover, while Xiahou Yuan's army was defending, he also let his subordinates in the rear Tuntian, and it was almost impossible to cut off its grain routes, not to mention the two generals, even if they were inferior, they were helpless. ”

Ma Jian heard this, shook his head helplessly, and said: "This Cao Cao failed to attack last year, so he made up his mind to defend it this year?" If we continue like this, if we cannot find a breakthrough, it will be difficult for our army to launch an all-out offensive. ”

Ma Tan was right, after the attack last year was fruitless, Cao Cao directly turned to defense. Among them, Guan Yu led Li Dian, Lejin, Manzhong, Xu Shu and others in the Xuchang area to defend against the attack of the two armies from Nanyang Xu Huang and Jiangxia Zhang Liao, and strangled the eastward and northward roads of the two armies.

On the other side, Cao Ren of Huainan also turned to defend in the face of Tai Shici's attack. Cao Ren guarded Huainan for many years, when Shouchun was lost, he did not make too many mistakes, and the more important reason for the loss was that Cao Cao's defeat at Chibi affected the morale of Cao's army. Now that the morale of Cao's army has recovered, Cao Ren has set up an iron bucket defense in Huainan, and no matter how Tai Shici and Xu Rong attack, it will not be broken.

On the side of Youzhou, Xiahoudun asked Cao Zhen to defend Lulongsai, a defensive fortress that had played a huge role since the beginning of the Han Dynasty, and also played a powerful role in the face of the attack of Zhao Yun's army. Zhao Yun in the east attacked to no avail, and Ma Dai in the west only had infantry but did not dare to attack Youzhou, and the battle situation still did not break through.

In the middle of the road, Cao Cao once again activated Sima Yi and asked him to lead the army to Chenliu to set up defenses and direct the battle, in case Zhang Renhui of Luoyang attacked.

Huainan, Yuzhou, Yanzhou, Hanoi, Youzhou, from north to south, Cao Cao placed a large army in the five most important positions for defense, laying down a defense like an iron bucket, so that Zhang Xiu was helpless. In this kind of battle situation, only by breaking the defense of one of them can the Cao army's iron bucket array be torn apart.

Cheng Gongying heard it, and also nodded: "What you Chang said is true, in this kind of battle situation, it is not the time for our army to attack in an all-out way, but the iron bucket formation of the Cao army is really difficult to break." Lu Longsai's defense is amazing, Xuchang and Shouchun are also fortified cities, and there are so many large armies to defend them. However, Sima Yi of Yanzhou has only 100,000 people, and Chen Liu's last flood must have had a lot of influence on the city defense. Your Majesty, it may be better if the breakthrough is placed in Chenliu. ”

"Chen Liu, Sima Yi?" Thinking of Sima Yi, Zhang Xiu shook his head, and then said: "If you want to face Sima Yi, it is better to break through from Xiahou Yuan's side." ”

Lu Xun smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty, even General Huang and General Gao can't break it by all means, and Xiahou Yuan's defense is too tight." ”

When Zhang Xiu heard this, he laughed and said, "It's okay, just let Xiahou Yuan take the initiative to attack." ”

"Let Xiahou Yuan take the initiative to attack?" Hearing what Zhang Xiu said, everyone in the hall showed a look of surprise in their eyes, and at the same time, their faces were full of disbelief.

Zhang Xiu laughed and said, "I have my own way to lure Xiahou Yuan out!" ”

Lu Xun heard this, and asked, "I don't know what Your Majesty has to do?" ”

I saw Zhang Xiu smile mysteriously and said, "Change generals!" ”

When everyone heard this, Qi Qi was surprised: "Change generals? And Lu Xun reacted the fastest, and immediately shook his head and said: "Your Majesty, since ancient times, changing commanders in battle has been a taboo for soldiers, and this strategy is absolutely impossible!" ”

Ma Jian also said: "Zhao Guo is to change the commander in battle, and Zhao Kuo will replace Lian Po, so that there will be the defeat of Changping, Your Majesty must not ignore it!" Cheng Gongying heard this, and he couldn't stop nodding on the side, but it was Jia Xu, showing a thoughtful expression.

Zhang Xiu heard this, raised her eyebrows, and asked, "Why do you think Xiahou Yuan can't hold on?" ”

Everyone was stunned for a moment when they heard this. And Jia Xu replied: "Xiahou Yuan can't hold on, it is precisely because Hansheng's reputation is too strong, and Xiahou Yuan has also fought with General Gao Shun and knows how powerful he is." There is no vanity under the so-called fame, and Xiahou Yuan's stubbornness is also within common sense. ”

Zhang Xiu heard this, nodded and said, "What Wenhe said is not bad. Therefore, if you want to lure Xiahou Yuan out, you must transfer Han Sheng away, and replace him with a person with a small reputation, so that Xiahou Yuan can underestimate the enemy. In this way, Xiahou Yuan will definitely take advantage of the unstable morale of our army when the general is changed! ”

When Ma Yan heard this, he still shook his head and said: "Although what Your Majesty said is not bad, this plan is too risky, and there is no capable person in our army who has no reputation and is handsome." ”

The corners of Zhang Xiu's mouth twitched, and he smiled mysteriously: "Not necessarily, there is one person here." After speaking, his eyes had already turned to Lu Xun.

Lu Xun saw Zhang Xiu's gaze and said in surprise: "Me? ”

Zhang Xiu laughed and said, "Could it be that Boyan has no confidence in himself? ”

Lu Xun saw Zhang Xiu's encouraging gaze, so he nodded and said, "Thank you for your trust!" ”

At this time, Cheng Gongying immediately said: "Your Majesty, although Bo Yan is talented, he is only a scholar. The commander was changed and General Huang was transferred, and the morale of the army was chaotic first, and then replaced with Bo Yan, I am afraid that the generals will not accept it! ”

When Zhang Xiu heard this, he laughed and said, "I just want them to be unconvinced!" Han Sheng is Lian Po, and Bo Yan is not Zhao Kuo, I believe that Bo Yan can defeat Xiahou Yuan! After saying that, Zhang Xiu stood up and shouted: "Draft, General Wei Huang Zhong failed to break the enemy army within two months...... Chin this! Lu Xun heard this, and after receiving the decree, he immediately left the palace and returned to Hanoi with the holy decree.

Looking at the figure of Lu Xun leaving, Zhang Xiu's heart moved, and suddenly asked Jia Xu: "Wenhe, you said that Zhao Xiaocheng was the king of Zhao Kuo to replace Lian Po, will it be the same as what I think now?" ”

Jia Xu smiled lightly: "I don't know this trick. However, His Majesty's current situation is diametrically opposed to that of Qin Zhao back then, and Xu also thinks that what His Majesty said is reasonable. Hansheng may be Lian Po, but Ran Boyan is not Zhao Kuo. Zhang Xiu heard it, but she couldn't stop laughing.

……

Three days later, Hanoi Zhang Xiujun camped.

The generals heard that Zhang Xiu's holy decree had arrived, so they rushed to the big tent to gather, but as soon as the generals entered the tent, they saw Huang Zhong's face on the main throne. And except for Huang Zhong, Gao Shun's face on the side was not good.

After all the generals sat down, Lu Xun walked to the tent first with the holy decree, opened it and shouted: "The holy decree has arrived!" ”

When the generals heard this, they immediately left their seats and knelt down to Lu Xun in the tent, and Huang Zhong and Gao Shun were no exception. I saw Lu Xun open the holy decree and read it aloud: "General Wei Huang Zhong, failed to ...... Ordered Huang Zhong to hand over the handsome seal, and Keri returned to Chang'an to face the saint. Gao Shun's command was not effective, and he was fined for half a year, and Shuai Yin was temporarily in charge of Lu Xun, the military division, and he was here! ”

The more everyone listened, the cooler their hearts became, and when they heard that Lu Xun was going to replace Huang Zhong in charge of the army, the generals below shouted: "Could it be that Your Majesty is confused......

After Lu Xun finished reading, he glanced at everyone and said coldly: "This is the time when the decree is delivered, no one is allowed to make noise!" After drinking, he glanced at everyone again, and said coldly: "There will be a next time, and the military law will deal with it!" ”

The generals will hear, so they will not dare to speak. Lu Xun saw that Huang Zhong was slow to receive the order, so he read it out loud: "Qin! ”

At this time, Huang Zhong reacted, shook his head and sighed, and was about to step forward to accept the order. Gao Shun saw it in the back and whispered: "General, don't!" ”

Huang Zhong saw it and glanced back at Gao Shun. Gao Shun said in a low voice: "Maybe Your Majesty is confused for a while, Your Majesty has been on the battlefield for a long time, and when you know that changing commanders in battle is a taboo for soldiers, you will definitely not do such a foolish thing." Maybe there is a villain who is making a hindrance from it......" Speaking of this, Gao Shun glanced at Lu Xun with his eyes.

When the generals heard it, they all said: "General Gao is right, General Huang can't accept the order!" I'll write to Your Majesty and ask Your Majesty to take back your will! ”

Seeing this, Lu Xun raised his eyebrows, and said in a condensed voice: "Huang Zhong, do you dare to resist the order?" ”

Huang Zhong heard this, sighed, and handed it over with both hands. The generals behind hurriedly said: "General Huang can't take orders!" ”

However, their stop was useless, Huang Zhong held the holy decree in both hands, and then said in a deep voice: "The minister accepts the decree!" Then he took out the handsome seal from his arms and handed it to Lu Xun with both hands.

After Lu Xun took the handsome seal, he shouted loudly: "From today on, the affairs of the battalion will be in charge of the marshal, if you don't obey, the military law will wait!" ”

Although the generals below were not convinced, they did not dare to disobey, so they responded weakly together: "The last general will obey ...... order."

After Huang Zhong received the order, Lu Xun immediately sent someone to invite Huang Zhong out of the camp. In this way, Lu Xun has the title of a treacherous villain.

……

Zhang Xiujun changed his commander on the verge of change, but the Xiahou Yuan camp had already received the news.

Seeing that above the main seat in the big tent, Xiahou Yuan couldn't help but feel happy in his heart, and laughed at everyone in the tent: "Since ancient times, changing commanders in battle has been a taboo for soldiers, and Zhang Xiushe's veteran Huang Zhong does not need it, but using a cowardly child Lu Xun to take charge of the army, but it is the way to bring about self-destruction!" ”

After Cao Xiu heard this, he also smiled and said: "What the general said is reasonable, when Qin and Zhao were at war, King Zhao Xiaocheng changed the commander in battle, and replaced the veteran Lian Po with Zhao Kuo, who talked about the army on paper. Now Zhang Xiu's move is so similar to the past, Huang Zhong's old methods are old and spicy, comparable to Lian Po, to look at it, this Lu Xun child is just like Zhao Kuo, he is a man who talks on paper! ”

When Lu Qian heard this, he also laughed and said, "Wen Lie is not bad. I heard that this Lu Xun did not understand martial arts, but he was just an ordinary scholar, but he joined Zhang Xiu's son Zhang Quan from Jiangdong to Zhang Xiu, and later met Zhang Ji's daughter. This scholar seems to be a little white face who knows how to climb dragons and phoenixes, and has no ability, but I'm afraid that he can't even talk on paper. ”

Strategist Lou Gui pondered for a while, but said: "Zhang Xiu has been on the battlefield for a long time, and it is a taboo for this soldier to change commanders in battle, he must know how to make such a big mistake, and there may be fraud in it." ”

When the young general Wen Qin heard this, he smiled and said, "Sir, I can't help but think too much." Last year, Zhang Xiu expanded thousands of miles, full of might, and his heart was already proud. Seeing that Huang Zhong could not attack our army for a long time, he was angry and changed generals. Besides, the spies have come to report, the enemy generals are not convinced by Lu Xun, and now the enemy's command is in chaos, and the last general thinks that now is a good opportunity to break the enemy! ”

Xiahou Yuan heard this and nodded unconsciously. At this time, Tian Feng, the military advisor on the side, said: "The general should not move lightly, the so-called caution is not a big mistake." Zhang Xiu's methods have always been extremely spicy, and such an obvious mistake may be deceitful. Our army still waited for the day to try to attack, and at night it should still hold the camp. ”

Cao Xiu heard it and immediately refuted. Xiahou Yuan frowned, thought for a while, and then said: "What the military advisor said is reasonable, the enemy army changes generals, and the generals in the army are not satisfied, and it will not be solved in a short time." Our army does not need to take risks, let's wait until tomorrow to send troops to test, tonight we will hold the camp tightly, and no one will be allowed to leave the camp! ”

Cao Xiu and the others heard it, and then they replied stupidly: "Promise ......"

……

At the camp of Zhang Xiujun here, the general Gao Shun led Chen Shi and He Qi to lead the army to ambush outside the camp. In the darkness, Chen Shi said to He Qi: "Gong Miao, do you think Cao Jun will come tonight?" ”

He Qi pouted lightly and said, "It's okay that Cao Jun is here, if he doesn't come, he will teach that scholar to look good!" ”

Chen Shi knew that since He Qi was defeated by Huang Zhong, he believed in Huang Zhong from the bottom of his heart. Now that Huang Zhong has been transferred away, he has been replaced by a scholar like Lu Xun, who is a weak champion, and all the generals in the army are not convinced. Moreover, Lu Xun was a military advisor before, and he did not come up with a feasible strategy, which made the generals even more dissatisfied.

Time passed quietly, and He Qi and Chen Shi waited outside the camp until dawn, but did not notice the arrival of Cao's army, and finally the two of them angrily led the army that had not slept all night back to the camp.

—————※———※——n

[Dedication]