Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3204 Window

After Li Dian led his soldiers to charge forward, he suddenly discovered something.

Cao Jun...

Seems to be less able to fight.

In Li Dian's memory, the ordinary soldiers of Cao's army were nothing to talk about, but the soldiers directly under Cao's family, such as the Zhong Ling Jun Zhong Hu Jun, were still quite powerful.

Except for facing...

Oh, that'll be fine.

Li Dian watched as the Cao soldier who was running at the rear was overtaken by the Diren mountain soldiers, and then slashed him with his sword. Cao Jun's soldiers limped a few steps and were caught up by two chasing Di Renshan soldiers. They pinned them to the ground and beheaded them with a knife...

Suddenly, an indescribable emotion surged in Li Dian's heart, and then he sighed softly.

As soon as Cao Zhen retreated, these Cao soldiers fighting in the front quickly lost their will to fight. Originally, these soldiers of Cao's army were able to form a formation to fight against the Di people's mountain soldiers and supported them without collapse. As a result, Cao Zhen's retreat suddenly made everyone just want to escape.

The soldier of Cao's army just now was chased and killed until his head was chopped off. He did not turn around to fight the Diren mountain soldiers. It seemed that the fierce and desperate fighting spirit before had suddenly disappeared.

From the beginning of the battle, Li Dian was looking for Cao Zhen, but the distance was too far and he could not find him. However, Li Dian knew that although Cao Zhen did not raise a flag, he was among the group of Cao soldiers.

Suddenly some soldiers in front cheered loudly, "Hahaha!" This is a big fish! 』

Li Dian's brows jumped and he looked up, only to see a few Di mountain soldiers pulling a generally intact corpse of Cao Jun. The armor of the corpse has fallen off, and I don’t know where it fell, or who took it away as a trophy, but there is still a pair of black light sleeve armor on the corpse, with a battle skirt, the paint surface is even, and the armor plates are intact. It is not an ordinary Cao. Soldiers can afford it.

Li Dian stepped forward, separated from the surrounding soldiers, and went up to check. This Cao Jun military academy should have been shot dead. There was still half an arrow on his head. After identifying the face, it was not Cao Zhen, but it should also be a middle-level military academy of the Cao family. Perhaps it was the Cao army in front of him just now. frontline commander.

"At least he is a military prince. Li Dian said, and then he glanced at the Di Renshan soldiers who were watching the excitement, and said angrily, "Don't let go yet!" Set it here! These will all be registered! You are indispensable! What are you all doing here? Clean up the battlefield! Also, for those who cut off their heads just after they were beaten halfway, half of their merit will be deducted! If you teach a cow three times, he will throw away the rope. How can you teach him that? ! 』

The Diren mountain soldiers dispersed immediately.

Despite the scolding, Li Dian was quite satisfied with the performance of the Diren Mountain Soldiers this time.

Li Dian rushed here from Mulansai. Although the journey was shorter than Cao Zhen's journey, he was in a hurry and was not fully prepared. Most of the Diren mountain soldiers were confronting Cao's army for the first time. They were able to fight to such a level... …

but……

Li Dian frowned.

"General!" Cao Jun is in trouble, why not catch up? 』

Guard Li Dian asked on the side.

Li Dian looked back at the guard.

The guard shrank his head slightly and whispered: "General, this is an opportunity..."

"what chance? Li Dian asked.

Just like most generals among the Han Dynasty are surrounded by close confidants, most of Li Dian's personal guards are also members of the Li clan and his own relatives.

"This... this fish is too small..." The guard kicked the body of Cao Junjun and whispered, "It is enough for ordinary soldiers, but if it is given to the general..."

Li Dian smiled, then frowned slightly.

He understood what guarding meant.

Merit is like experience points for upgrading. The higher the level, the more experience points are required. The merits of such a Cao Junjunhou were enough for an ordinary soldier to advance to three levels on the spot, but if placed on Li Dian, it would only increase the progress bar a little.

and……

This is indeed a great opportunity.

It is a good opportunity to completely cut off from the Cao family and show loyalty.

It's not that Li Dian was half-hearted before, but that Li Dian worked under Boss Cao before.

This is a fact, whether Li Dian admits it or avoids it, it is an existing fact.

Therefore, if we can really cut off Cao Zhen's head now, regardless of his merits, it means that Li Dian is truly on Fei Qian's side, and no one else will dare to attack him from now on. There are no rumors about Li Dian's experience of working under classmate Lao Cao.

Of course, for Li Dian personally, there may be some discussions behind his back, but for Li Dian's entire family, it is indeed a great benefit.

Li Dian glanced at the guard.

When Li Dian surrendered to Fei Qian and then took back Li Dian's tribe from Cao Cao, Li Dian's tribe often scolded him behind his back...

There were even many Li Dian people who cried all the way to Guanzhong.

All in all, how long has it been?

Li Dian was silent for a while, then frowned and looked at the surrounding battlefield, shook his head and said: "It would be best if you can capture them, but now it seems... we can't pursue them." 』

"General..." The guard was stunned for a moment and said with some worry, "This... what if..."

Li Dian raised his finger and pointed, and said: "Look, Cao's army is actually only scattered at the front, while the middle and rear formations are complete... The most casualties are here, and there are very few casualties from Cao's army from there... …This shows what? Moreover, the mountain road is narrow and awkward. If we pursue in a hurry, the formation will naturally be out of shape. Then Cao Jun will counterattack at any time. Do you think we can withstand it? Even if you withstand it, will you make a profit or a loss? 』

"General, what do you mean..."

Although the guards are eager for meritorious service, they are on the battlefield now. It is okay to make suggestions, but it is still Li Dian who makes the decision.

"Let me think..."

Li Dian looked at the direction of Cao's army's retreat and thought.

…

…

Cao Zhen squatted quietly in the grass, like a tiger and leopard waiting for the arrival of prey, adjusting his breathing as much as possible to calm his breath.

He was ready to do it again.

Who says you can't ambush someone if you're ambushed?

Cao Zhen was not as panicked as he appeared on the surface.

After he confirmed that there was an enemy ambush, he immediately realized that even if he rushed out of the valley, he might not be able to defeat the ambush on the opposite side.

Even the elite soldiers of Cao's army who came from afar were exhausted. Cao Zhen didn't know the situation on the other side at all, and he didn't know what preparations the other side had. So if the whole army attacked, what were the chances of winning?

It's better to come back and squat in the grass.

At least he, Cao Zhen, has led people through this road...

That's right, it was the narrow road with stone walls that made Cao Zhen frightened.

When he got here, Cao Zhen was afraid of an ambush, so he asked his men to search again and again.

It comes in handy now.

Because of his careful investigation, Cao Zhen naturally knew where people could be hidden.

After a while, some of the defeated soldiers from the front stumbled back and fled along the mountain road...

Cao Zhen swallowed.

Will Li Dian come?

He was really unsure about this.

If it had been before, Cao Zhen was 89% sure that Li Dian would pursue him. Because at that time, Li Dian was a partial general most of the time. Even if he led the troops alone, he was also a vanguard general. Most of the time, these generals had to "go through fire and water" for the main generals, even if they knew There are traps, or you feel there is danger, but under the command of the general, you still have to attack.

But now, Cao Zhen is not so sure...

Was Li Dian's change before or after the surrender?

Cao Zhen's emotions spread randomly like weeds in front of him.

If Li Dian catches up and then counterattacks, Hanzhong may be successfully captured, but if Li Dian doesn't come...

Cao Zhen looked through the grass at the mountain road in the distance, his eyes full of longing and expectation.

The last time this kind of longing and expectation appeared was... ahem, it was when Cao Zhen got married. But now, Cao Zhen swore that he had never looked forward to the arrival of someone so much in his life, and it was still A man.

The fleeing soldiers of Cao's army passed by in twos and threes, and became fewer and fewer.

Cao Zhen's heart slowly sank.

After another moment, the mountain road fell silent.

The light in Cao Zhen's eyes slowly dimmed along with the silence of the mountain road.

A cup of tea passed.

A quarter of an hour passed.

The mountain road was silent...

"General... do you want..." The guard beside Cao Zhen gritted his teeth and whispered, "Do you want... let's go and lure him..."

To cite something, it really doesn't mean to wave a flag. It's not like Li Dian and others couldn't find a way out, so what the guards meant by "drawing a lead" must be to put on Cao Zhen's armor and pretend to be Cao Zhen himself to lure Li Dian to the bait.

But such behavior means great risks.

The guard said this and almost risked his life.

Cao Zhen was silent and sat back on the ground.

"No need... pass the order and prepare to withdraw..."

"General!" 』

Cao Zhen raised his head and looked at the narrow sky, "Give me the order...Li Mancheng, he won't be fooled..."

Cao Zhen understood Li Dian's choice.

Today's Li Dian, who could resist attacking Xixian County before, can also resist pursuing him now.

For Cao Zhen, Li Dian, who was not greedy for merit, not aggressive, and worked steadily, was like a stone wall in front of him, unable to be shaken at all.

Seeing that Cao Zhen had made up his mind, the guard stood up and went to deliver the order.

Facing such an extremely calm opponent, Cao Zhen really had a headache.

The detour is obviously out of the question.

Although the Di guide said before that there is another road leading to the back of Mulan Sai, but...

Cao Zhen glanced at his men who were preparing to retreat and sighed in his heart.

The march failed, the ambush failed, and morale had dropped to an extremely low level. If Cao Zhen hadn't led the elite and his own troops, there would have been no possibility of a mutiny in the middle of the night.

With such soldiers, it would be impossible for Cao Zhen to climb mountains and go deep alone. At least, Cao Zhen couldn't do it.

So the only option is to withdraw the troops, but if this continues, Cao Zhen will have to fight to the death at Mulan.

After such a fight, Cao Zhen also understood that there were definitely more than just the soldiers on the surface of the military stronghold at Mulan Sai. Li Dian must have hidden soldiers somewhere, so every time Cao Zhen attacked Mulan Sai, it meant Faced with the replenishing defenders, it was impossible to achieve the effect of wearing down the defenders with continuous attacks. Instead, Li Dian took advantage of Mulansai's geographical advantage to wear down Cao's army!

Therefore, attacking Mulansai became the next best option.

A detour is not possible, and a forceful attack is not cost-effective.

Is it possible that the Battle of Hanzhong will stop here?

Cao Zhen was unwilling to give in.

He thought hard, and suddenly, an idea came to his mind...

A ploy that might take advantage of this failure.

But soon, Cao Zhen felt a little uneasy again. What would happen if the plan still failed to succeed this time?

The sun gradually sets in the west, taking away the hustle and bustle of the day.

Cao Zhen stood on the hillside, and suddenly there was some sadness in his heart.

All the fatigue, all the running, all the struggles seemed to turn into a smoke-like sigh at this moment, dissipating in the evening wind.

But Cao Zhen also knew that he had no right to be depressed now.

He must use his words and deeds to tell all Cao's soldiers that after every dusk, there is a dawn waiting.

Cao Zhenqiang cheered up, raised his head, then laughed, and faced his men.

No matter what, he will look for the brilliance of tomorrow from the afterglow of the setting sun...

…

…

"kill! kill! 』

From Tongguan, Zhu Ling's roars could be heard.

At the lower city of Tongguan, there were numerous corpses.

Cao Jun's desperate attack turned the walls and battlements of Tongguan Lower City almost all red.

The losses suffered by the defenders were also considerable.

The armor on Zhu Ling's body was already stained with an unknown amount of blood, and there were still some areas where the armor plates were missing and there was no time to fill them.

With the support of artillery that was rebuilt to shelter the shelter from the snow, Cao Jun's offensive was slightly controlled, but after getting used to the roar of artillery...

In other words, the continuous attacks by Cao's army, civilians and soldiers who were already numb also put heavy pressure on the Tongguan defenders.

"The hussars are victorious!" 』

"Kill!" 』

Zhu Ling's sword struck hard on the chest of a Cao soldier who rushed up, immediately slashing his breastplate and cutting a wound deep enough to show the bone.

The soldiers of Cao's army howled and tried to fight back, but Zhu Ling's guard stabbed him in the stomach with a spear and pushed him off the city wall.

Another soldier of Cao's army faced Zhu Ling and others who were attacking fiercely. He jumped onto the wall in a panic. Just as he was about to jump off, two spears quickly passed through his body and pinned him to the top of the wall. The soldier of Cao's army covered his punctured wound and spat blood at the soldiers of Cao's army outside the city. He let out bursts of screams and blood splattered like rain.

Seeing the tragic situation, Cao Jun's soldiers who were climbing up the city couldn't help but shrink back.

Zhu Ling laughed when he saw this, and became more and more crazy. He led his guards and rushed from one section of the city wall to another, slashing or driving down all the Cao soldiers who had finally climbed up.

Suddenly, Cao Jun's offensive momentum was interrupted.

There was cheering on the city top.

Zhu Ling looked around, wiped the blood and scraps of flesh and bones on the sword casually twice on the corpse of a Cao soldier, and then pushed the corpse of Cao Jun to the bottom of the city, "Clean the battlefield!" Ready to rotate! 』

The cheers gradually stopped, and then there were groans.

"Doctor!" here! 』

There were shouts.

Teams of medical staff rushed to the top of the city, regardless of the blood and corpses on the city wall, to check on the wounded and treat them on the spot. Then, teams of teams carried the wounded down to the city and moved them to the rear for treatment.

The defenders have the advantage, but that doesn't mean they are completely immune to damage.

There is still hope of treatment for the injured, but some soldiers died immediately and could not be saved.

Or an inadvertent probe, or an accidental step on the wrong foot, can cause a life to disappear just like that.

Recklessly, the blood rushed to his head, he lost his mind and died.

If you are timid, your movements will be deformed during the fight, your defense will not be in place, and you will die.

The unlucky one, even though everything was correct, he still died...

Tongguan is like a sieve and a millstone of flesh and blood.

The defenders who can survive today are like fine steel hammered out again and again, tough, brave, and indomitable.

Under such brutal fighting, the vast majority of Tongguan defenders knew how to achieve maximum results with minimum injuries. Those skills that were originally difficult to master on the training ground were gradually imprinted in their blood.

Zhu Ling patrolled the city wall, picked out two swords with relatively little damage, and inserted them into his back.

Not only him, but Zhu Ling's guards and other city guards were also doing the same thing.

In the game, the warriors are unparalleled, capable of killing thousands of people, and the blades of the swords and spears do not have curled blades. However, in fact, even if it is made of hundreds of refined steel, after killing several people in a row, the blade will start to become dull...

But at the moment, there was absolutely no time for Zhu Ling or the other defenders to sharpen their weapons.

Sure enough, Cao Jun attacked again and soon surged forward under the pressure of Cao Jun's supervising team in the rear.

Not only Cao Jun's own supervising team, but also under the long-range threats such as artillery, catapults, and ballistae on top of Tongguan City, Cao Jun's soldiers could only pass through the dangerous area as quickly as possible and rush to the lower part of Tongguan City as soon as possible. .

On the slope road in front of Tongguan Lower City, there is no room to move in the narrow area. You can only be beaten passively like gambling on luck, so as long as you set foot on this section of the road, it is almost equivalent to a narrow escape.

But as long as you survive the attack, you can retreat to rest...

That's right, if you want to survive, you must first go to hell.

No one can escape.

In the large army brought by Cao Cao, except for the direct subordinates, the rest of the soldiers were constantly rotated. Those who came up from the rear had to go through the flesh and blood millstone before they could retreat to rest for a few days, and maybe some The second rotation, maybe you can wait until you survive...

No one knows how long the fight will last, and no one knows how many more people will need to die.