Three Kingdoms

All over Wancheng, people screamed and horses neighed, and weapons clashed and roared, tearing the originally peaceful and peaceful atmosphere to pieces!

In the face of war, there is no concept of so-called neutral territory, only those who want to fight and those who don't.

Wancheng was originally considered semi-neutral.

Both Cao Cao and Liu Biao needed to obtain some strategic materials from Fei Qian, especially weapons and horses, and there was no other way but through Wancheng, so Wancheng was originally relatively independent of the war. At the same time, there are also a large number of Jingxiang gentry descendants in Wancheng. They took refuge in Wancheng before the war or during the war. In other words, Wancheng is like a refuge in Jingzhou...

Both Fei Qian and Pang Tong believed that Cao Cao would not attack Wancheng, at least he would not launch an attack on Wancheng so quickly. But in the face of war, is there a real refuge?

However, now Cao Jun took the risk of becoming enemies with Fei Qian and even all the nobles in Jingxiang and launched an attack on Wancheng!

The speed and momentum of the cavalry led by Xia Houyuan has reached its highest level, knocking away all the people and objects blocking the route! Even his own men, who were originally arranged to provide support among the refugees, could not restrain their horses and drove them directly into the Wancheng trench!

Fortunately, the suspension bridge was not very wide to begin with, and there were also overturning vehicles that were congested, so not many Xiahou Yuan's cavalry rushed directly to the city gate at first.

When Xia Houyuan started his army with Cao Cao, he once thought that he was the best cavalry general in the world. Then Lu Bu appeared, Tai Shici appeared, Zhao Yun appeared, Zhang Liao also appeared...

Then Xia Houyuan discovered that it was difficult for him to defeat these people, and he even got the title of "General Baidi" because of this!

At that time, no one in Cao's army knew how to command the cavalry. Xia Houyuan said, "Someone will take charge!"

At that time, Yuan Shu sent Ji Lingbei to attack Yanzhou. It was difficult to fight head-on. Cao Cao said that he would cut off Yuan's army's food route. Xia Houyuan stood up and was willing to fight!

At that time, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao were confronting each other. The left army left Qingzhou and the right army left Hanoi. Cao Cao was struggling to support himself at Baima Guandu, and his flanks were empty. Xia Houyuan worked tirelessly to fight back and forth, and someone came to protect him!

All the cooperation, all the hard work, finally got the speedy horn!

At that time, Xia Houyuan thought that he had reached the top and could look down on the world's heroes. Then he was slapped to the ground, and then kicked to the valley from the top. The name was changed to "White Earth".

Reluctance, shame, embarrassment, anger and other emotions mixed together became the driving force for Xia Houyuan to risk his own life to attack Wancheng, making Xia Houyuan almost crazy, even urging the cavalry to drive away the fake refugees on the road. Soldiers, smash open the overturned vehicle on the suspension bridge, and knock open the unclosed gate of Wancheng!

dash forward!

Collide!

The leading cavalry of Cao's army, numbering twenty, hit him like this!

The vehicle wreckage on the suspension bridge was knocked into the moat. The war horse and rider fell together and were impaled on the wooden piles! The following Cao Jun cavalry acted as flesh-and-blood city assault vehicles and crashed directly into the gate of Wancheng! The huge impact caused the Wancheng city gate to make an overwhelmed creaking sound, and the concussive force was transmitted to the Wancheng defenders who were desperately pressing their shoulders behind the city gate. While Cao's soldiers and horses had broken bones and tendons, behind the gate Many of the Wancheng guardsmen were shocked to the point of being dizzy, and even spurted out blood!

And then on!

Hit again!

Xia Houyuan ordered again! Today, even if it is an iron wall and a copper mountain, I will knock it away! capture! This battle in Wancheng was another turning point in Xia Houyuan's life! In this troubled world, even if I experience another hundred failures, as long as someone is still breathing, I will stand up and fight again, a hundred and one fights!

Xia Houyuan roared in front, deployed his soldiers, and urged Cao Cao's cavalry to use their last courage and strength, even risking their lives to attack. The purpose was just one, to take advantage of Wancheng's exposed flaws to squeeze away. Break this gap and rush into Wancheng!

If we can't attack in one go, it means that even if we can organize the next attack, even if we can capture Wancheng in the end, we will need ten times or dozens of times more energy and lives than now!

We cannot give the defenders up and down Wancheng any chance to breathe, we must seize this most critical moment! All the knights of Cao's army shouted with the same voice at this time: "Capture the city, capture the city!" Fight in! 』

At this moment, Pang Shanmin, who was on the city head, had eyes wide open. He knew that at this moment, if he could not stop Cao Jun's attack, as long as these Cao Jun cavalry were allowed to rush across the suspension bridge and rush into the city, they would be like an overwhelming enemy. Like a tidal wave, Wancheng was completely submerged, swallowing up his home in the city and his family!

The Wancheng garrison also knew this, so he used all his strength and ability to fight to the death. Even though his internal organs were damaged and his mouth and nose were bleeding due to the collision, he still blocked the city gate and resisted. Close the city gate!

The Wancheng garrison soldiers were all breathing heavily, and their physical strength was almost at its limit. Although this battle did not last long, its bloody cruelty, especially the turning points, overwhelmed everyone, especially when Cao Cao's cavalry attacked, and a mountain-like pressure suddenly fell on every defender. On top, impacting their will, trying to crush their fighting spirit and lives into powder!

But now, they have no retreat!

Because what is behind them is the home of these Wancheng guards!

After experiencing the baptism of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and seeing and knowing the wars in various places during this period, they knew what kind of misfortune they would face if Wancheng fell! Not to mention the distance, the refugees outside Wancheng in the past few days are a bloody reality!

"brothers! Even if you die, you have to stop it! 』

"Cao's army harmed Jingzhou, and now it's coming to harm our family again!" 』

"Go up!" Go up! 』

Chinese men may be timid or somewhat cowardly, but when they need to stand up to protect their family from the wind and rain, they are willing to face life and death, sweating, tearing, and bleeding without taking a step back!

Cao's cavalry roared in again, this time even faster and more ferocious than the first collision!

Horse hooves flew, hitting the ground, and bloody soil splashed in the air!

The sword and gun were raised in front of the horse's head. The excited horse stretched its neck and breathed out!

The drawbridge trembled.

The soldiers were howling.

Pang Shanmin pointed to the outside of the city and shouted.

"Crack!" 』

A clay pot flew out from the top of the city and landed on the ground, splashing thick and viscous liquid.

Then more clay pots flew out and landed in front of Wancheng Gate and on the suspension bridge.

Cao Cao's cavalry was startled, thinking that the pottery jars thrown out were filled with kerosene, but they soon discovered that they were not. Because kerosene is usually dark brown in color, but the liquid splashed out now is obviously red, yellow, and some are even green...

Of course, some are dark brown, but this is enough to prove that at least the pots are not kerosene, or that the colored ones are not kerosene. After all, who would be bored and color kerosene? ?

Since it's not kerosene, there's nothing to be afraid of. Just keep giving Oli and that's it!

But when the second batch of Cao's cavalry charged forward, even the wind pressure hit their faces, and these Cao's cavalry smelled a strange smell!

This, this is indeed not kerosene, but it is similar to kerosene...

Pangshan people on the top of the city shouted, "Light the fire!" Order the goods..." When he shouted the last word, Pang Shanmin's voice cracked, but no one paid attention to this, because everyone's eyes fell on the few torches that were thrown down from the top of the city. Above!

Because kerosene is extremely flammable, it is usually not piled randomly on top of the city. It is stored in a cool cellar and then moved out when needed. In fact, Wancheng also had kerosene, but because the incident happened suddenly, Pang Shanmin did not expect to prepare kerosene in advance, so it was naturally impossible to have such a big killer on the top of the city.

But another kind of material can just replace kerosene.

That's paint.

China is one of the earliest countries in the world to use paint. The earliest paint products can even be traced back to the New Era, even earlier than the Hemudu red lacquer wooden bowl!

During the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties, lacquer was also used as tribute. In the Shang Dynasty, the lacquerware manufacturing industry began to take shape and formed a unique system, which was reflected in the increasing number and types of lacquerware, and the increasingly rich colors and patterns. During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, lacquer already had a variety of colors. In the Han Dynasty, the variety and diversity of lacquerware also developed greatly...

In the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods before the arrival of the Little Ice Age, and even in the Qin and Han dynasties, the climate was relatively hot. The climate up and down the river was just like the Yunchuan of later generations, with a large number of ferns and tropical trees, while northern Henan and Hebei This area in the south is where the Han Dynasty is rich in paint.

There are all kinds of specialties in the land of Hussar, which are sold all over the country. Naturally, it is impossible to empty the car on the return trip. It is necessary to bring some supplies needed in Guanzhong, and these paints are what Huang's caravan is preparing to transport to Chang'an. …

In paint, there is not only paint, but also oil!

The torch fell on the ground and quickly ignited the paint. The blue-yellow flames immediately rose up, blazing fiercely, and at the same time, a large amount of black smoke was emitted, covering the large area of ​​​​the city gate suspension bridge. !

Even in later generations, improperly stored paint is still flammable and explosive, let alone today? Moreover, once the paint is accidentally ignited, the most troublesome and terrifying thing is not only the burning flame, but also the large amount of toxic gases emitted during the burning process of the paint!

The thick black smoke was billowing with the flames, causing the horses of Cao's cavalry who were about to rush onto the suspension bridge to instinctively start to flinch and avoid. They couldn't hold their feet anymore and ran into the fire. They were burned horribly. The howls were then carried over the moat.

At the same time, paint burning also brings some additional effects...

Pang Shanmin and others above the city were also coughed repeatedly by the smoke, and their noses and tears flowed out randomly. They quickly rolled and crawled subconsciously to avoid the black smoke, while those who were originally fighting with the Wancheng soldiers in the city gate cave. The soldiers of Cao's army pressing on the city gate had no way to hide in an open place like Pang Shanmin and others on the top of the city!

Normally, the inside of the city gate is a blind spot at the top of the city that is difficult to throw into, and is not easily attacked by flames. However, now the black smoke is billowing, and it is as thick as real substance. It is rolling inside the city gate, choking Cao Jun's soldiers at the city gate and having difficulty breathing. , couldn't even open his eyes, let alone fight to the death against the Wancheng defenders across the city gate.

Although the Wancheng defenders in the city were choked with tears and coughed due to the black smoke, after all, they were separated by a city gate, which was much better than Cao Jun who was in the city gate cave. In addition, Zhang Lie and others were leading the manpower Arriving there, I seized this opportunity, thoroughly cleared away the crowds at the city gate, and finally closed the city gate...

Pang Shanmin lay down under the battlements, looking at the rising flames and black smoke. He wiped the snot and tears on his face with his sleeves, and then realized that he had cut his arm at some point. Not only was he in unbearable pain , the blood is dripping even more, and has already soaked less than half of the sleeve...

If there was such an injury in normal times, Pang Shanmin might have called for the servants to protect him, and then he might have sat in the hall with a pale face to deal with the wound, but now Pang Shanmin only feels happy in his heart, even with the burning pain in his arm, It seems to be even more enjoyable.

Defended!

Although it is said that if the suspension bridge is lost, it will face subsequent attacks and challenges, but after all, it is temporarily defended for now!

Pang Shanmin stood up with support, then looked back at the city and smiled slightly. That direction is his home, with his family, so Pang Shanmin will still be here. Even if it is his first time on the battlefield, he is a little clumsy, negligent and at a loss, but he will continue to fight and protect it!

Xia Houyuan outside the city looked at the blazing flames and billowing black smoke. He let out a meaningless howl angrily and rode his horse back and forth several times. Even though he was wearing a battle armor on the outside, he was still flesh and blood on the inside and could resist the same. Unable to withstand the scorching flames and the invasion of black smoke, Xia Houyuan could only give the order with extreme reluctance and retreat in frustration. He could only wait for the flames to extinguish before reorganizing the offensive...

Fire does not distinguish between good and evil. Originally, humans used flames to keep warm, bake food, and even drive away wild beasts to protect themselves. Then humans later learned to kill by setting fire, to destroy corpses to eliminate traces, and to cut grass to remove roots...

Near Bishui, a troop of troops was stationed.

Cao Cao looked at the Cao family's banner above his head and was speechless. What did he want to do when he formed the army? Oh, now that I think about it, I almost forgot...

The wind blows from the north.

The cold wind in autumn always gets stronger and colder day by day.

Cao Cao was not wearing a helmet, and his slightly scattered hair was fixed with hairpins, but his temples were still blown by the north wind, like the tentacles of an octopus, stretching out and probing around, most of them were black. , but there are also some hair strands that are a little gray or even a little white.

A little cold.

Cao Cao rolled up his cloak and glanced sideways behind him. Behind him are Cao's soldiers and horses, who are doing various things nervously and orderly. Of course, these trivial things do not require Cao Cao to worry too much.

Well, when was the last time I did these trivial and complicated things? forget. It seems like a long time. It seems that when he was recruiting soldiers in Yangzhou, he personally arranged the queues and set up tents. Even though the Yangzhou soldiers were all unhappy, he still accompanied them with smiles and greetings, in order to gather the morale of the soldiers as soon as possible. Let those Yangzhou soldiers obey the command as soon as possible...

Then what about those Yangzhou soldiers? Cao Cao suddenly laughed and his eyes became slightly colder. He was the most attentive at that time and was so busy that he almost worshiped those Yangzhou soldiers as uncles. As a result, in one night's work, these cheap uncles Yangzhou The soldiers howled at night and escaped in one breath!

That year, that day, it seemed to be so cold.

Jiangdong people and Yangzhou soldiers are not good people! Cao Cao grinded his teeth, sooner or later he would have to settle the score! As soon as Cao Cao finished thinking this, he couldn't help but smile. After all these years, I am still a cautious person, but I have changed a lot over the years, right?

The money used to recruit Yangzhou soldiers was Cao Hong's. Cao Hong took out almost all his assets, sold everything, and was completely ruined by those Yangzhou soldiers...

Even so, Cao Hong never complained. Cao Cao remembered that he was just like he is now, sitting on a stone without a helmet, with his messy hair blowing in the wind. Cao Hong stood behind him, smiling as usual, "Brother, it's okay, we'll come back again!" Don’t worry about money matters, I’ll figure it out later! 』

Cao Cao wrinkled his nose and felt a little uncomfortable. So for so many years, even though Cao Cao knew that Cao Hong's family was somewhat of a bastard, he turned a blind eye. Xia Hou and others also knew this, and they all experienced it from that time, and they all thought that some of Cao Hong's current behavior of amassing money were probably leftover from the past, so they basically said nothing.

Even this time, Cao Hong was responsible for researching imitation armor, but it ended up being purchased goods...

Purchased hussar armor!

Why!

Cao Cao didn't even know what to say...

This big man is riding a horse!

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes slightly, remembering that time when the sun was shining brightly and was much warmer than now, Fei Qian was holding the wooden box carefully outside the gate of Cai Yong's house, not even daring to look at him. . If I had known at that time that Fei Qian would become like this, would I have simply stabbed him to death with a bamboo stick?

Haha, well, that was Fei Qian’s fake bamboo stick.

Cao Cao suddenly remembered his later conversation with Fei Qian. He recalled that Fei Qian once meaningfully said that "the world" is very big and that he wanted to go "outside" to see it. Now, Ziyuan, you have already set your sights on the outside. , are you ready to take a look outside the cave? So this time they didn’t even come, but just sent Taishi Ci and Xu Huang? Are you looking down on me, or do you no longer care about the gains and losses here?

In the distance, where the wind was blowing and the grass was blowing, three or two Cao Jun scouts came on horseback, bringing the dust along the way and rolling down in front of Cao Cao.

"Report!" Fancheng has sent troops to Wancheng! 』

Cao Cao nodded, then picked up the bag with his backhand, clasped the messy hair and thoughts under the bag, tightened the ribbon, stood up proudly, raised his arms, and waved forward: "Send the order!" March on! 』