After Cao Xiu replaced Cao Ren in charge of the Huainan army, he learned from Cao Ren's experience of attacking for a long time, and asked the army and civilians to build earth mountains in the north of the city, and constantly approached the city wall, trying to use the earth mountain method to break the city.

In order to continue to put pressure on Zhongli City, Cao Xiu asked Xiahou Ru to lead his soldiers to fight in turns, hitting the city gate with a rushing cart at the same time, and smashing the city tower with a catapult.

Xu Sheng led thousands of soldiers to fight hard day and night with the Wei army, and the Wei army crashed into the city with a rushing car, and the city soil fell off, and he led the soldiers to fill the gap with mud at night. With the addition of stone mills and iron rings to smash the rushing car, the Wei army could rush to the city, but it could not damage the city.

The catapult smashed the tower with stone bullets, and Xu Sheng repaired the destroyed tower with a wooden fence, and then counterattacked with a bed crossbow, which was very terrifying.

In order to resist the siege of the Wei army, Xu Sheng recruited 100 good archers, erected a white flag, and when the city tower was attacked, Xu Sheng led 100 people to help. Hundreds of archers are good at shooting, and every time they move the bow to the direction, the enemy will not fall in response.

Xu Sheng and the 100 archers under his command shot no less than 50 arrows every day, killing the besieging Wei army in horror. Then the Wei army saw the white flag erected on the city tower and knew that Xu Shengzhi was there, and they all retreated in panic.

In just over ten days, the Wei army suffered as many as two or three thousand dead and wounded sergeants, and with the Wei soldiers who had been damaged before, there were as many as seven or eight thousand dead and wounded. With such a high battle loss, Cao Xiu was furious.

Fortunately, Cao Xiu's important earth mountain has been built into a pile, its height is slightly higher Zhong Licheng Tower, the Wei army crossbowmen live in the earth mountain and come down, with a strong bow and crossbow to the Han army.

Seeing that the Wei army's earth and mountains were about to be completed, the soldiers of the Han army were all panicked, Xu Sheng inspired everyone to personally carry the soil, build a high city tower on the city tower, and then shoot at the Wei army.

However, no matter how brave Xu Sheng is, how outstanding his skills are in defending the city. It was still difficult for Wei to be outnumbered, and under the civil engineering work of the Wei army that lasted for 50 or 60 days, in the depths of winter and December, the Wei army finally succeeded.

After the Wei army was completed, they first set up a shield and a wall as a wall, and then sent a crossbow to go upstairs, bent the bow and shoot the crossbow, and the arrows rained down, completely suppressing the Han army in the city.

The day was shrouded in night, the cold wind was howling, and as the arrows on the earth mountain gradually thinned out, the soldiers of the Han army regained their vitality in the northern city.

In the city, the bonfire was lit, and the soldiers sat around the bonfire with a tired body, and the mood was low.

Xu Sheng's face was tired, his beard that had not been trimmed for many days was horizontal, he shook his numb arm and sat down on the chair.

"General!"

Zhang Gui hung a color on his arm, walked over slowly, and asked, "How long will it take for reinforcements to arrive today?" ”

The Wei army was on the dirt mountain, shooting condescendingly, and Zhang Gui was unable to operate the Eight Bull Crossbow, and was hit by the Wei army.

"It's coming!"

Xu Sheng took a sip of warm water, tried his best to maintain his state, and said, "If the cold winter of December passes, it will turn to spring." Spring water is about to be born, and reinforcements will come. ”

"It will take dozens of days before the spring is born. Judging from the current situation, I am afraid that the officers and men of our army will not be able to hold it for so long! Zhang Gui said worriedly.

"yes!"

Or one of the officials asked, "The governor has not led his troops to relieve the siege?" ”

"Could it be that the governor wants to abandon us?"

Listening to the doubts of the generals on the left and right, Xu Sheng scolded and said: "Hugh is talking nonsense, the governor has not solved the siege today, and he must have his plan." ”

Saying that, Xu Sheng emphatically said: "Although our army is tired now, it has killed and injured many enemies, and the enemy army is also afraid of it. Hold on for a few more days, and the siege of Zhongli will be solved! ”

"No!"

Listening to Xu Sheng's words, the soldiers responded in a low voice, not believing Xu Sheng's words very much.

For more than 100 days, every time they asked about the status of reinforcements, Xu Sheng always did not tell them the truth. At this critical time, as long as the Wei army repairs the earth mountain to the city wall, Zhongli City will not be able to defend it for long.

Gao Chen walked over with the support of his attendants and said, "General Xu, our army has been fighting for more than 100 days today, and all the officers and men are tired, and there are only more than 2,000 soldiers available. At present, the thieves occupy the soil and mountains, arrows rain down, and the soldiers suffer many casualties, and they are terrified and afraid. ”

"The officers and men of our army have not known the news of reinforcements for a long time, and their morale is becoming more and more depressed. It's better to tell the truth now, so that everyone can understand the meaning of the governor. ”

Xu Sheng got up from his chair and looked at the soldiers with a gloomy atmosphere around him, probably knowing that he had reached the limit of the soldiers in the city today, and he had to use the last move.

Patting Zhang Gui on the shoulder, Xu Sheng said: "Let the generals and officials above the chief come here, and there is a military situation to discuss." ”

"No!"

In a few moments, dozens of Han army soldiers came one after another and gathered in front of Xu Sheng.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Xu Sheng took out the letter from the wooden box and said: "When the former thief army besieged the city, the letter of the governor has reached the hands of the general, and the letter clearly states that the reinforcements will arrive and the law of our army to base the city. ”

"What!"

The soldiers present were both surprised and incredible.

As he spoke, Xu Sheng asked the letter stamped with Huo Jun's seal for everyone to browse, and said: "The governor has a word, our army guards Zhongli May, and there are reinforcements to come; If it exceeds May, our army surrenders to the enemy or abandons the city, and will not be investigated! ”

"The enemy is besieging the city in August, and this winter is in December, and there will be April. There are forty days left before the Governor's May Covenant, and the May Covenant is just around the corner. ”

"Great!"

"Our army has been defending for more than 100 days, and it will be held for another 40 days, why is it difficult?"

"Why didn't the general say it earlier?"

Suddenly, everyone had a goal, their morale was boosted, and they even laughed with joy.

Xu Sheng maintained his demeanor and said with a smile: "If I had told you earlier, I am afraid that you would be afraid of this." I thought that the kings would be able to defend for 80 days and be demoralized, but unexpectedly, the kings and I defended the city for more than 100 days, and the morale was low because of the soil and mountains. ”

After a pause, Xu Sheng said: "Cao thief is brutal, and he slaughters everywhere he goes, and I am in Guangling with my wives and children. If Zhongli is lost, Guangling will be lost. There is food in the city today, and arrows are abundant. Although the enemy cultivates the earth and mountains, it is not enough to fear it. I hope that all the kings can defend the city with Sheng, and wait for the capital to supervise the troops. ”

"I am willing to live and die with the general!" The crowd was greatly boosted and responded to the Tao.

The wives and children of the Jianghuai sergeants were all placed in Huainan by Huo Jun, so that when they were fighting, they would take care of their wives and children in Huainan. In order to save their wives and children from war, they must fight to the death.

In terms of military system, the Han and Wei dynasties had both similarities and differences.

For example, Cao Cao was worried that the generals and soldiers would defect, so he controlled the families of the soldiers and the families of the generals around the center. Liu Bei left the general's family in the capital, and the soldier's family could accompany the soldier to the station.

"Good!"

Xu Sheng saw that the morale was available, and said: "Although the enemy has built a dirt mountain, I can build a heavy building to suppress the enemy." Tomorrow, you should lead the soldiers and horses to dismantle the timber of the house, strengthen and renovate the heavy building. ”

"Tomorrow the enemy will not attack the city?" Zhang Gui asked.

I've got my own strategy! ”

Xu Sheng smiled and said, "Gentlemen, please retire and rest, wait for my news tonight!" ”

After everyone retreated, Xu Sheng left Gao Chen and said, "In today's situation, if the thieves attack, it may be difficult to hold for forty days. I want to personally go out of the city to surrender and make Cao Xiu tolerate for a day or two, so that our army can repair the heavy building and base the enemy's soil mountain. ”

Gao Chen looked shocked and said: "The city can be defended by the general, and now the general goes out of the city to surrender, if he is captured by the thief, what should I do?" ”

Xu Sheng's face was serious, and he said: "I won't go out of the city to deceive and surrender today, the thief is not enough to believe it." I am like a thief, and I want General Gao to defend the city. ”

"This~"

Xu Sheng interrupted and said: "The enemy does not know the reality of our army, and the thief will be defeated by Zhongli for a long time. ”

"Good!"

Seeing Xu Sheng's firm attitude, Gao Chen had nothing to say, only to agree.

When it was getting late, Xu Sheng climbed over the city wall and saw the Wei army, who claimed to be the one who surrendered, and was taken to see Cao Xiu.

In today's big tent, Cao Xiu and Xiahou Ru, Chang Diao, Du Xian and others were discussing the siege of the city tomorrow, when they heard that Xu Sheng was begging to surrender, they were both surprised and happy, and immediately summoned them.

"Zhongli City General Xu Sheng, meet General Cao!"

After entering the account, Xu Sheng bowed his hand to Cao Xiu and said: "The general's prestige is resounding throughout Jianghuai, and I can see it today, Sheng dares to be lucky!" ”

Cao Xiu looked unmoved, and asked in a deep voice: "The general went out of the city to see me, and he said that he would surrender, but is it false?" ”

"Don't dare to be fake!"

Xu Sheng looked humble and said: "The general built an earth mountain to attack the city, like a thunderbolt sweeping the world, there is nothing to stop. The following soldiers in the city have no heart to fight to the death, so they want to surrender to the general! ”

"Since the general wants to surrender, why don't you lead the sergeants out of the city now?" Cao Xiu asked.

"Back to the general!"

Xu Sheng said: "Huo Jun has an order, Zhongli City has been besieged for 120 days without seeing reinforcements and rescuers, and the city can be surrendered, and the family will not be sitting." Therefore, although the city wants to surrender, the deputy general Gao Chen and half of his subordinates still do not want to surrender. ”

"Now that the Han Dynasty is defending the city, I want to comfort Gao Chen with good words. I hope that the general can be tolerant for a few days, and order a certain leader to surrender to the general! ”

"Huh?"

Cao Xiu frowned and asked, "How many days does it take?" ”

"Three days!"

"Three days is too long!"

Cao Xiu was slightly moved, but for the sake of insurance, he refused to say: "Gao Chen can be persuaded or not, if Gao Chen does not surrender, the general can kill him, and then welcome a certain person into the city." ”

Xu Sheng knelt on the ground and pleaded: "General, Gao Chen and I have an in-law relationship, and I killed my relatives for wealth!" ”

As he spoke, Xu Sheng kowtowed to Cao Xiu and said, "If three days is too long, I hope the general will stay with me for one day as appropriate." Tomorrow evening, I should take Gao Chen to surrender the city to the general! ”

"One day!"

Cao Xiu's heart was moved, he looked at Du Xian, who shook his head slightly at him, and asked, "General Xu said that he would return at dusk tomorrow, I don't know what to believe?" ”

Xu Sheng untied the seal ribbon on his waist, and then presented it to Cao Xiu, saying: "Sheng has no long things, now Pi Taishou is here, I hope the general will accept it, and present it to Your Majesty." Under the words, Pi Taishou, Zhongli City Governor Xu Sheng and Deputy General Gao Chen, led 3,786 armor soldiers to surrender the city to His Majesty. ”

Cao Xiu stretched out his hand to take the seal ribbon, played with it a little, and said with a smile: "The general's offering of the seal ribbon is enough to show the general's sincerity!" ”

Xu Sheng kowtowed and said gratefully, "Thank you for your generosity!" ”

Cao Xiu put down the seal ribbon, helped Xu Sheng up, and said comfortingly: "Tomorrow evening, I hope to be able to drink with the general's banquet, and I won't get drunk or return!" ”

"No!"

Cao Xiu and Xu Shengan talked about a lot of things, especially the confidential matters in the Jianghuai army, and Xu Sheng answered Cao Xiu half-truthfully.

Seeing that Xu Sheng's surrender attitude was sincere, Cao Xiu returned to Xu Sheng and agreed to surrender tomorrow at dusk.

After Xu Sheng retreated, Du attacked Cao Xiu, who was playing with the seal ribbon, and said: "General, Xu Sheng has not surrendered for a long time, and he will surrender now, I am afraid that it will be a fraud!" ”

"The seal is here, is it a deception?"

Cao Xiu pointed to the seal ribbon and said with a smile: "And just day and day, Xu Shengan can make a difference." Tomorrow at dusk, Zhongli City will be owned by our army! ”

"General, Lu Xun's troops are downstream, and there are reinforcements outside Zhongli City, and it may be a fraud to surrender now. It is hoped that the general will immediately attack the city tomorrow so as not to delay the warplanes. Du Xi persuaded again.

Cao Xiu put away the seal ribbon and said: "Our army has stormed Zhongli City for hundreds of days, and now the guards will have the heart to surrender, and it is not appropriate to persecute too much to hurt the hearts of others." ”

"This~"

Seeing Cao Xiu so confident, Du Xi didn't know how to speak. After all, Du Xun was not sure whether Xu Sheng had surrendered by fraud, but vaguely felt that Xu Sheng's surrender was a little strange.

"Someone, send the seal ribbon to Your Majesty. Report the matter of Xu Sheng's surrender to His Majesty. Cao Xiu commanded.

"No!"

After returning to the city, Xu Sheng gathered everyone to demolish the houses in the city, and then led people to repair the heavy buildings overnight. In order to prevent stone bullets from smashing the heavy building, Xu Sheng divided it into two floors, and the upper floor was separated from the lower floor.

In the early morning of the next day, the Wei army did not attack the city as usual, but ceased fighting for one day as Cao Xiu's military order. In addition to seizing the time to repair the building, Xu Sheng asked the sergeants to sleep and rest in batches to replenish their energy.

In the afternoon, Cao Xiu noticed that Zhongli City was strange and sent someone to ask Xu Sheng.

Xu Sheng replied to the letter, in which Cao Xiuyan said: "Only Xu Sheng will die today, and Xu Sheng will not be surrendered!" ”

Knowing that he was being teased by Xu Sheng, Cao Xiu was furious and sent troops to attack Zhongli City. But it's a pity that Zhongli City, which has a heavy building, can compete with the earth mountain.

Cao Xiu attacked from noon to evening, and then, despite Du Zheng's advice, ordered the soldiers to fight at night, and attacked the city from late evening until late at night.

Xu Sheng led his sergeants and fought desperately with the Wei army.

The two armies fought until late at night, and the Wei soldiers were exhausted and suffered heavy casualties, so they had no choice but to retreat!

(End of chapter)