Three Kingdoms

Don't think that Cao Cao wrote a poem that has no chicken in a thousand miles, and that Cao Jun is so benevolent and merciful.

Don't think that just because Fei Qian governs Guanzhong and provides welfare to the people, the Fei army is just and benevolent.

War, unjust war.

Perhaps Cao Cao and Fei Qian personally would have mercy on the people, but for Cao Cao and Fei's army as a whole, mercy on the people was not their primary purpose.

Victory is.

But for Cao Jun, there is a very important issue in front of him.

gunpowder.

Cao Jun was very unsuited to the use of gunpowder. Both his generals and soldiers were still stuck in the classical military combat mode, and did not have much ability to cope with the changes in gunpowder.

There was a loud bang, and a puff of white smoke rose from the front. Mud and pebbles flew down everywhere, as far as ten or twenty steps away. Cao Jun behind them stopped one after another to avoid being injured by pebbles or fragments. There was a little confusion.

After Zhu Ling harassed him with the big yellow crossbow, he seemed to click on a node in the technology tree and started using it more and more.

As long as this thing has ammunition, it is indeed easy to use, especially the damage effect on Cao's army array, which is quite good.

After filling the trenches and destroying the fortifications in the early stage, Cao Jun also tried to attack the city wall of Hangu Pass, but was suppressed back by Zhu Ling's burst of fire oil and gunpowder, and the subsequent gunpowder grenades continued to suppress and defeat, allowing The rhythm of Cao Hong's attack completely collapsed and he was in great pain.

You know, Cao Jun dominated the Central Plains with infantry...

China has also been dominated by infantry since ancient times.

Well, it is not very accurate to say this, but it should be said that in most Chinese dynasties, especially the farming tradition in the Central Plains, infantry, especially heavily armored infantry, was the most important.

This was not a spontaneous choice of evolution by the soldiers, but was determined by the political stance of the landlord class in the Central Plains. Because the Chinese landlord class in the Central Plains region must like farmers who have settled down for a long time and cannot change their household registration at will. It is best not to move or be promoted throughout their lives and to cultivate on the same land for generations. Therefore, they must not be willing to do so. These farmers keep horses and chariots, running around everywhere.

Moreover, the Central Plains is relatively close. Even if there are disputes, it can be reached across a river at most. If no horse wants to cross the ravine in the Longyou area of ​​Longxi, it is really called running to death at Wangshan.

Therefore, the states that emerged based on the region of Longyou Guanzhong, as well as the ruling class that focused on Longyou Guanzhong, would inevitably attach great importance to war horses and form a suppressive force on the Central Plains areas where there were no war horses.

This is what is said in the military to hit down from above and hit down from high, rather than simply referring to the high ground.

Also because areas such as the central and northern areas of Longyouguan are combined with pastoralism and farming, once a powerful political group is formed, it will pose a threat to the Central Plains. The feudal dynasty of the Central Plains of China will try to attack the central areas of Longyouguan whenever they have free time. Either suppressing them or inducing them to abandon their martial arts, which resulted in the feudal dynasty becoming corrupt and weak in martial arts in the middle and late stages, and then ushered in the next round of foreign invasion...

Just like what Cao Cao is doing now, he seizes the opportunity and wants to suppress a wave of Guanzhong. However, what he and Cao Jun did not expect was that even because Fei Qian took away a large number of Guanzhong cavalry, they had fewer cavalry. Although there are threats from the cavalry, they still have to face the challenges of new technologies and new tactics.

Just like going from bronze to black iron, there is not only a qualitative change but also a quantitative change.

The same is true from classical to gunpowder.

The generals in Guanzhong did not know how to use gunpowder from the beginning. Even if Fei Qian had several demonstrations, most of these generals were just copying cats and tigers. Whether they were breaking through city gates or blasting rocks, they were unable to do so. Breaking out of Fei Qian's previous examples, it was only in Hangu that Zhu Ling had his own personal innovation, a brand new tactical breakthrough in gunpowder.

The Rhubarb Crossbow was originally used to snipe enemy leaders from a distance.

This is also very interesting. It can also be said to be the predecessor of the beheading tactic, but the big man did not continue to click. Maybe it is a leftover etiquette from the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period? But now Zhu Ling uses the big yellow crossbow as a means to disrupt Cao's army's array, and it is extremely easy to use.

No matter what kind of infantry battle formation it is, it must first be assembled in combat to reflect the role of the battle formation, but once assembled, it will be taken care of by the big yellow crossbow.

Once they are "taken care of", Cao Jun's battle formation will inevitably become chaotic for a while...

The loud sound of gunpowder and the acrid smoke are incomparable to ordinary swords and guns, or crossbows and stone throws.

Just like a horror movie would look quite ridiculous if the sound effects were turned off, one plus one of human senses is often greater than two.

If it weren't for the fact that the fuse of the grenade was not long enough, it would be too late for the construction workshop to modify the grenade on the spot. Zhu Ling would have wanted to tie the grenade to the crossbow gun of the city's ballista.

Facing crossbow arrows, even crossbow carts or catapults, Cao Jun's elite infantry could stand calm and calm, but facing the fixed-point grenades projected by such big yellow crossbows, they were somewhat unable to adapt.

Fei Qian has no intention of doping gunpowder with various chemicals, nor has he asked craftsmen to conduct research in this area. One is that this technology will be activated sooner or later, and early technologies have little effect in increasing lethality and destructive power. , and another aspect is that the current focus is still on improving the power of gunpowder itself and accelerating the upgrading of basic technologies.

Purification technology, smelting technology, forging technology, assembly technology, no matter what kind of technology upgrade, will bring new changes to gunpowder weapons.

And this small change makes Cao Hong helpless now.

From being very angry at the beginning, to being completely silent now.

Cao Hong himself was a heavy infantryman.

Behind him are the elite troops he brought out personally.

These elites are also Cao Hong's minions and tentacles, and they are also the source of Cao Hong's confidence in commanding the army.

Cao Cao's plan is to seize Hangu Pass as soon as possible, then push the battle to the Guanzhong area, and then use Hedong as bait to mobilize the Guanzhong defenders, and then seize Guanzhong in one fell swoop, drive Fei Qian's forces out of the Guanzhong area, and cut off Fei Qian's north and south. In this way, even if Fei Qian comes back from the Western Regions with his army, he can only fight Cao Cao in Guanxi. Once Cao Cao can defend Guanzhong, even if Fei Qian comes back from Longyou, Sichuan and Northern Sichuan As well as the territory, it can be said that the situation is over and there is no way back.

Therefore, the core focus of Cao Jun's strategy is Guanzhong.

But neither Cao Cao nor Cao Hong thought that gunpowder could be used in this way or in so much quantity when they were making strategic planning and tactical arrangements in the early stage...

It turns out that gunpowder is not just used to break down doors and walls!

Zhu Ling used a large yellow crossbow and grenades to drag Cao Hong outside Hangu Pass for nearly ten days. Now, even if Cao Hong advanced to Hangu Pass, he was dissatisfied with this tactic and was unable to advance or lower.

It is better to send ordinary soldiers and laborers up. They are no match for the defenders. They will be beaten in three times. Apart from consuming some of the defenders' physical strength and equipment, there is no practical effect. But once Cao Jun organizes elite troops, When the soldiers began to form and prepare to attack, they would be taken care of by Zhu Ling with the big yellow crossbow. Then, even the elite soldiers on Cao's side could not withstand such a warm greeting. The queues were concentrated and bombed. If the queues were scattered, it would not be able to form a counterattack against the defenders. Effective attack...

Cao Jun was aggressive at the beginning, but fell into disrepair in front of such a small grenade.

Cao Hong had no good way to counter this, and he didn't know how many grenades were stored in Hangu Pass. The lack of these key information made it impossible for Cao Hong to decide whether he should use the militia to expedite the physical strength of the defenders or make a one-time bet by sacrificing the elite.

Cao Hong looked back, feeling a little anxious.

His original plan to attack Hangu Pass was within ten days, but now it seems that he may not be able to defeat it in twenty days.

If Hangu Pass cannot be successfully conquered, Shaanxi and Shaanxi will not be threatened, and many subsequent deployments will be difficult to carry out.

The cavalry of the Hussars are too flexible. If they cannot be cut off from each other, forced into a small area, and allowed to come and go freely, then there is no chance of winning.

Cao Cao's large-scale expedition of the entire army, the battle from south to north, is not just like a bully talking about it, but it is a major military strategy, from the initial preparation to the internal unification. Thinking, I don’t know how much energy has been spent, and then money and food need to be allocated to various regions, and then labor and transportation must be collected. Once this battle cannot achieve a decisive victory, then if you want to organize such a large-scale battle next time, Those guys in Jizhou, Yuzhou and other prefectures and counties are bound to be not so easy to talk to.

Cao Hong agreed with Cao Cao's strategy and knew that the process of implementing this strategy was not easy.

Before setting off for the expedition, Cao Cao talked to almost all the major generals before he could gather all the combat power. Moreover, after Cao Cao sent troops, he had to make various political compromises in the rear in order to gain the support of the powerful nobles. Otherwise, where would he have got so many working animals?

Now Cao Hong can only hope that Fei Qian is under-armed or has made a mistake in judgment. It is best to think that the Hanoi area intentionally reserved by Cao Jun is a gap, and he wants to attack Yecheng again...

After all, Tai Shici's tactics back then were so famous that it was inevitable that some people would want to try them again.

Cao Cao left the main force in the Heluo area, just so that if Fei Qian's cavalry really rushed out and wanted to attack Yecheng to surround Wei and rescue Zhao, then Cao Cao could immediately trap them in the Hanoi area. Obviously, the number of cavalry in the Guanzhong area was After Fei Qian went to the Western Regions, there could not be too many, and it was very likely that he would be the last mobile force. If he could trap or even defeat this mobile force, then Cao Jun would naturally be much more relaxed.

Cao Hong looked up at the sky and ordered: "Bring up more soldiers!" Divide them into two columns, front and rear, blow up the front and continue up the back... Let people take off some labor clothes and put them on outside the armor... We must attack the city wall before sunset today! 』

The reason why I talked about attacking the city wall instead of conquering Hangu was because Cao Hong didn't know how much gunpowder and oil there was in Hangu Pass.

Therefore, whether it is labor service or a regular soldier, after Cao Hong issued this order, it meant that there was a high chance of death.

And war means death.

After so many years of fighting with Cao Cao, Cao Hong has become numb to the matter of death. Even the casualties of the main soldiers of Cao's army could not make Cao Hong moved, let alone the untouchables who worked.

Cao Hong's plan is to suppress them head-on with manpower and lives.

Hangu Pass is not important, the important thing is Tongguan Pass.

Cao Jun understood this, and the Fei Army also knew this. The reason why they did not withdraw was just a customary act of adding obstruction to the fight between the two sides in the war. Even if it was an unimportant territory, it could not be easily seized by the opponent.

Cao Hong didn't believe that there was endless gunpowder and oil in Hangu Pass, and they would eventually run out!

There is nothing wrong with that either.

When night came, Hangu Pass poured fire oil and forced the attacking Cao army back, thus ending the day's offensive and defensive battle.

The fire was blazing, devouring combustible objects such as ladders and carts abandoned at the pass, and also devouring the remains of soldiers from both sides at the pass.

"Get ready to retreat... I said, leave tonight..."

Zhu Ling sighed, shook his sore arm, and put down the blood-stained sword in his hand.

Even with the help of grenades, there were still two or three waves of Cao soldiers almost gaining a foothold on the city wall today. If Zhu Ling hadn't led his men to kill these Cao soldiers back, the Hangu defenders' front line would have collapsed.

It's not that Zhu Ling's men are so miserable, but Zhu Ling has few soldiers and relatively no room for replacement and rest.

Linghu Hua couldn't hold the knife either, so he threw away the blood-stained sword and sat on the steps panting, "I'm still thinking... if I don't leave, will I kidnap you and leave, or will I die here with you?" ...』

Although Linghu Hua is said to be a civil servant, civil servants in the Han Dynasty could also kill people with swords, which was different from the civil servants in later feudal dynasties who killed people entirely with saliva.

Even elite soldiers will sometimes run out of energy.

Most of the defenders are now exhausted, but fortunately, Zhu Ling and others know that they can retreat at any time, so there is no problem with morale.

Zhu Ling laughed loudly, then patted Linghu Hua on the shoulder, "Go and arrange the personnel first, throw away everything you can't take away, and then use up all the kerosene... I will leave a gift for the old thieves... …』

With the advent of gunpowder, kerosene does not seem to be so popular.

During the war, Bai Jiajie didn't know that most people like the new and hate the old.

Hearing this, Linghu Hua also stood up with strength, "Okay, there must be a beginning and a tail..."

Zhu Ling nodded, looking at the flames still burning outside the city, "Come here, dismantle all the ballistas, catapults and other things that can't be moved away from the city, and throw them into the fire under the city!" 』

Of course, it is impossible to leave any armaments for the opponent by retreating. Wouldn't that be endowment to the enemy?

At the same time, there was fire isolation, and Cao Jun could not get up.

Some soldiers responded and began to demolish homes.

Zhu Ling, on the other hand, called a few soldiers, turned around and walked down the city wall, heading to the Wengcheng at Hangu Pass.

"Tear off half of the stone strips blocking the city gate..." Zhu Ling said, pointing to the city wall that was originally blocked by stone strips and sand.

Originally, in order to prevent Cao Jun from using gunpowder to blow up the city gate, after Cao Jun came, they blocked the city gate with stones and sand. Now, in order to prevent Cao Jun from falling into the trap, they had to open it again, and they couldn't completely remove it. Otherwise it may appear somewhat unreal.

Although most of Zhu Ling's soldiers were very tired, they were about to withdraw, so they gritted their teeth and pulled off the rocks and stuff, and then dragged them into the city.

Zhu Ling arrived at the middle of Hangu Urn City and watched several grenadiers digging stone slabs on the ground.

This Hangu Pass has been stationed here most of the time since Zhu Ling joined Feiqian. It is somewhat emotional. Now that it is about to be evacuated, it is a bit sad.

Because he was reluctant to give up, he felt uncomfortable. Because he was uncomfortable, Zhu Ling tried his best to create trouble for Cao Jun. The main theme is that I won’t make you happy if I’m not happy. But it was precisely this thought that made Zhu Ling come up with many crooked tricks.

Under the excavated stone slab was a newly dug hole. The grenadier carefully placed more than ten bundled grenades in the hole. There were also two sets of lead wires for triggering, which were collected in two opened bamboo poles. The inside of the empty cylinder extends to the other side, and is also sealed with wax. As long as the wax mouth needs to be pulled out at the end, it can be ignited.

There is only one set of leads that have been made in a hurry, and on the other side, we are going to dig a few holes like this, and then connect them with lead...

This was originally a method used to open mountains.

Of course, such a trick may be looked down upon by Gang Jing, saying that it is nothing to show his ability and superiority, but for the current people of Dahan, it is like the difference from vacuum tubes to transistors. After coming out, some people suddenly realized that this could be possible...

Nowadays, in the Feiqian Territory, whether in the Qinling Mountains or Sichuan, when building mountain roads, gunpowder is used to open the mountains. As you open more, the amount of gunpowder will naturally increase, and your experience in using it will also become richer, unlike when you first started using gunpowder, you were less timid.

In order to blow up the rock, Fei Qian himself didn't even know how much gunpowder he needed, so he used a whole barrel of gunpowder. But now he can find an experienced grenadier to roughly estimate how much gunpowder he needs to blow up. How much gunpowder does the rock require...

"What a pity," Zhu Ling shook his head and sighed, "I just used it too harshly before... otherwise..."

Zhu Ling looked around and saw that there were actually some holes in the wall inside Hangu Pass...

Unfortunately, after Zhu Ling happened to make the big yellow ballista, he consumed a lot of stored gunpowder and grenades, so the amount that could be left as "gifts" was much less than previously planned.

Zhu Ling turned his head and looked in another direction, which was the direction of the checkpoint on the tidal flats of the river. Then he summoned a soldier and gave these instructions...

There are gains and there are losses, that's generally true.

Cao Hong stared at the burning flames under Hangu Pass and frowned.

Something is wrong.

The flame burned for too long!

Although kerosene does have the property of burning whatever it touches, it will always go out after burning the combustibles, and it is still burning now, which means that either the defenders are constantly adding kerosene, or they are adding Combustibles...

Regardless of whether it is kerosene or combustibles, Cao Jun has not attacked now. Isn't it a waste of time?

Why burn it in vain?

"No, this guy is going to run away!" 』

Cao Hong slapped him hard.

Although today's Hangu Pass can be bypassed by the tidal flats washed out by the river. But the tidal flat is not easy to walk on, and even if the water level drops in winter, there are still checkpoints stationed above the tidal flat. If you are hit by a rolling stone or a log, you can't even fight back.

Cao Hong originally thought of using up the number and physical strength of the garrison at Hangu Pass as much as possible. Then in order to defend Hangu Pass, Zhu Ling would either rotate the soldiers at the checkpoint to assist in the defense, or use the soldiers there to assist in the defense. The strength of the troops, no matter what kind, means that the checkpoints will be relaxed because of this, and then they can find the loopholes, attack Hangu Pass from front to back, and attack in one fell swoop. However, Cao Hong did not expect that when Cao Hong felt that the duck in the pot was about 70 to 80% cooked, this The duck actually fluttered and was about to fly!

How can this be accomplished?

Cao Hong raised his eyebrows and said, "Come here, immediately go to Hangu Pass and the river bank to inquire!" If there is any abnormality, please report it immediately! 』