Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3531 Dust of the Times

If it had been earlier, when Zhao Yun had just arrived in Youzhou, Cui had come with some supplies as a token of goodwill. Zhao Yun would have definitely been nicer to Cui, at least for the sake of those supplies.

It’s not that Zhao Yun was materialistic, but that Youzhou was bitterly cold, and if we could have more food and supplies, we could always save more people and reduce casualties.

What's wrong with being polite to others for the sake of the people?

But Cui Shi waited until spring came and flowers bloomed, and until Zhao Yun and the people of Youzhou had survived the cold and painful winter, and then she came to Ji County empty-handed with a business card...

Cui Lin felt that he had been insulted in some way. On the other hand, did Zhao Yun, the Cavalry Army, and the people of Youzhou also suffer some kind of insult from Cui?

Different standpoints naturally lead to different ways of considering issues.

Zhao Yun now has two important issues, one is spring ploughing and the other is preparing for war.

There is no need to elaborate on the matter of spring ploughing. It is almost ingrained in the roots of the Chinese nation. Even among urban residents in later generations, there are always people who want to plant something when they see an empty lot.

In terms of preparation for war, the most important thing is to restore the physical fitness of the war horses. In a cold winter, not only is there a shortage of grass and feed, but the war horses also do not exercise enough. Some stronger war horses recover faster, but most war horses need some time to fatten up and resume exercise training.

Therefore, most of the time now, the cavalrymen take turns to go out and train in Youzhou in the form of small teams, and they are all fully armored, including people and horses...

Zhao Yun's original idea was just restorative training, but he didn't expect that such training would cause panic among some aristocratic gentry in Youzhou and northern Jizhou, and also made some Cao's spies who had stayed in Youzhou dare not act rashly.

This kind of steel killing machine with armor on horseback is a terrifying existence even in later generations.

When facing Ni Ge, who had a strong body and was wearing thick denim clothes, Mi Di's Iai Slash actually gave it the feeling of a water gun. If he hadn't hit his vitals in the end, he might have been killed by the man with a sword in the denim armor!

Therefore, those who originally wanted to make some moves in Youyan have now all stopped. Regardless of their reasons, these small forces are carefully keeping their claws and teeth, fearing that they will be discovered by the Hussars.

If someone could stand in the sky and look down at the land of China at this moment, they would find that the center of China is like a piece of meat, a square of braised meat, with blocks of color separated by rivers in the middle, grease flowing, and a fragrant smell. And around the meat of the Central Plains, wars are gradually rising, surrounding it on three sides, as if it will be divided and eaten in the next moment.

For these sons of aristocratic families in Shandong Central Plains, the land of Central Plains is enough for farming and studying, and it is also a family heirloom!

But since it is a treasure, it naturally needs to be protected!

And when the barriers around the treasure disappeared, leaving only the fat of the Central Plains, but without strong limbs to defend against foreign enemies, how could it not attract the covetousness, invasion, division, and devouring of foreign enemies?

The fortunes of the country, the future of the nation, and the lives of countless people are all pinned on the kindness of outsiders and other ethnic groups?

Why should the destiny, future and life of the Chinese nation be in the hands of others?

Wei Yan is like this. He has never considered letting others control his destiny. He would rather take risks, even things that may seem crazy to others, but he must be the master of his own future.

The news of the great victory in Liaodong spread like the wind across the Youyan land, and also reached the border area between Jibei and Youyan.

Yijing.

Wei Yan and several guards were on the city wall, watching the campfires in the camp outside the city.

There were not only Wei Yan's men in the camp, but also Yan Rou's troops.

Therefore, the camp was set up relatively loosely, closer to the cavalry camp.

Yan Rou traveled all the way north from Taihang Mountain and was exhausted. Although he had opened up the passage, it was also extremely exhausting for both men and horses, and they needed to set up camp to rest in the winter.

As for Wei Yan himself, he not only traveled through Taihang Mountains, but also cooperated with some gentry in Jizhou. He traveled across Jizhou in a short period of time and even raided Yecheng. However, the consumption of soldiers was also very great, and they also needed rest.

Therefore, Yan Rou and Wei Yan stayed in Yijing to rest openly, and the Cao army had no interest in even engaging in scouting and fighting with the small scouts led by Wei Yan and Yan Rou. It seemed that they were unwilling to even investigate the two's strength. As soon as they made contact from a distance, they immediately ran away and retreated all the way to the territory of Jizhou.

To a certain extent, the behavior of these Cao troops in Jizhou seemed to be tacit approval of Wei Yan, Yan Rou, and Zhao Yun's occupation of Youzhou. It also seemed that they had no intention of engaging in a field battle with Wei Yan and others, and all their forces were withdrawn to the towns and forts.

This was rather troublesome for Wei Yan and Yan Rou.

If we were to attack the fortresses and try to remove these key points, the local gentry and local tyrants would run these fortresses, many of which had been around for hundreds of years, and had been reinforced and expanded generation after generation, some of which were even as big as a small city.

As for Wei Yan and Yan Rou, it was impossible for them to carry too much baggage when crossing the Taihang Mountains, and they did not have much gunpowder, so it was indeed difficult for them to attack these forts.

On the other hand, these Jizhou gentry and local tyrants also secretly sent some cattle, wine and food to Wei Yan, and then said that the landlords had no surplus food, and they worked hard to collect these food and grass for the cavalry, etc. Although Wei Yan never promised to give these gentry and local tyrants anything, it was somewhat disgusting that he ate the food and grass of these guys and then turned against them and beat them up.

But the most important reason was that Wei Yan and Yan Rou did not have many soldiers and horses.

If we attack the fortress in Jizhou, our forces will be dispersed and Cao's army will take advantage of the situation and attack us. We may be cut off from Taihang Mountain and become an isolated force, forced to retreat northwards...

The best way, of course, is to wait.

After waiting for a while, Zhao Yun led a large army from north to south, and then Wei Yan and Yan Rou would have no worries. They could choose to attack with Zhao Yun, or they could choose to continue advancing along the flank of Taihang Mountain. The options were much more relaxed and easier.

However, after hearing the news of the great victory in Liaodong, Wei Yan could no longer sit still.

He didn't want to continue waiting in Yijing...

Since the advance into Jizhou, Wei Yan has been taking risks and walking on a tightrope, and he could get into trouble at any time. However, as a general, Wei Yan has a good sense of smell that is almost a gift, and can make the most reasonable decision based on the war situation.

Wei Yan's march northward to capture Yijing could be said to be a coincidence, but it was also inevitable.

First of all, there are supplies in Yijing, which are urgently needed by Wei Yan and others. On the other hand, many native gentry in Jizhou also need Wei Yan to "help settle accounts", so the process of Wei Yan's capture of Yijing is not too difficult.

Secondly, Wei Yan's original purpose was to lure Cao's army out of the city and the fort. After all, Wei Yan's slapping of Cao in the face in Yecheng might make Cao's army angry and want to get back at him, so they would send troops to encircle and suppress Wei Yan.

As for Yijing, one can advance into Youzhou to the north and retreat to Taihang Mountain to the west. If Cao's army attacks in large numbers, it would be equivalent to Wei Yan using a small force to tie down a large number of Cao's army, which would naturally cause loopholes in Cao's defense lines in other places.

But who would have thought that Cao would actually hold back this anger...

This is a bit abnormal.

Wei Yan could smell a hint of conspiracy behind Cao Jun's actions.

"Wen Chang!" Yan Rou's voice rang out from the top of the city wall, "I see you have been standing here for a long time, but are you worried about anything?"

When Wei Yan saw Yan Rou, he smiled and waved, "I was just about to look for you... Haha, I just thought of a little plan..."

"A small plan?" Yan Rou was a little confused.

Wei Yan nodded, smiling from ear to ear, "Yes, a little plan..."

…

…

On the top of Yecheng City, Cao Pi, wearing a young man's armor, was standing at the battlement, watching the preparations for fortifications outside the city.

Trenches, fences, traps.

Caltrops, rotten palm nails, and foot spikes.

Outside Yecheng, it was bustling with activity, like a big construction site.

The crowds were like an ant nest in water, with shadows swaying everywhere and voices rising and falling. However, the voices did not sound as lively as in spring, but rather a bit panicky in winter.

A military school of Cao's army, accompanied by some soldiers, stood on the pile of excavated earth, holding their spears horizontally, and shouted loudly, urging their auxiliary soldiers and laborers to work faster.

The newly dug soil, with a strong earthy smell, spread upwards.

Cao Pi didn't like this earthy smell.

This made him feel as if he was not standing on the top of a city wall, but on a grave, or lying in a coffin, and was about to be covered by the soil, buried, and then turned into decay.

Shouldn’t his Cao family be at its peak?

How come the situation has become like this in just one year?

Moreover, can the current Yecheng still be considered the city in his understanding, the pride of the Cao family, and the inheritance of the Cao family?

Cao Pi let out a long sigh.

The front wall of the city had been erected, and the surrounding sentry towers and arrow towers were being built. These front walls divided the ground outside Yecheng into pieces, and then the sentry towers and arrow towers supported each other. The deer fences were also dragged over and heavily pounded into the ground. Several deer fences were tied together with iron chains to make it difficult for cavalry to clash.

Even if Cao Pi didn't quite understand how to use these fortifications, he knew from a glance that they were meant to guard against the cavalry of the Hussars...

Are the cavalry of the Hussars really coming?

A large flag of the Cao family was flying high next to Cao Pi.

There were also Cao’s personal guards around, wearing military uniforms and looking solemn.

But Cao Pi didn't feel safe at all.

Cao Pi still remembered the scene when the Hussars charged into Ye City. It was as if they were in an empty city. They were arrogant, carried a barbaric atmosphere, and wantonly splashed blood and death.

It was just a small group of hussars, but they were so brutal!

Today…

Suddenly a gust of wind blew, making it difficult for Cao Pi to open his eyes.

The wind in early spring is not very warm, and even feels like a knife cutting flesh.

Cao Pi twisted his body uneasily.

"Young Master! Are you going back?" The servant beside him saw Cao Pi frowning and asked hurriedly.

Cao Pi was silent for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Chen Changshi said that the Hussars will definitely come again... What do you think?"

When talking about the Cavalry Army, Cao Pi couldn't help but grit his teeth, and the flesh on his cheeks twitched and twisted.

The attendant saw Cao Pi's distorted face and could not help but bow his head deeply, not daring to look directly at him. "Young Master... this matter... it is better to be prepared..."

"Yes, it's better to be prepared." Cao Pi nodded, then turned his head and continued to look outside the city, "I'm looking forward to their arrival!"

The attendant dared not speak.

Ever since the day Wei Yan raided Ye City, Cao Pi never wore any scholar's robes again, but always wore armor.

Before, Cao Pi felt that the armor was heavy, restrictive and uncomfortable, but now, if he did not wear this armor, Cao Pi felt that something was wrong with his whole body.

"I heard..." Cao Pi still looked outside the city, "General Bian also got into trouble?"

"…" The servant hesitated for a moment.

"At this point, what's the point of hiding it?" Cao Pi said.

The attendant whispered: "There is such a rumor..."

Cao Pi let out a long breath, "The Cao family... Xiahou... and now there's the Bian family... this blood feud is so deep..."

As they were talking, suddenly there was a cloud of dust in the distance, and several soldiers came running over with the news...

Cao Pi's face changed, he clenched his hands tightly, and stared at the soldiers who brought the news. He seemed to see death and blood lingering over Yecheng again.

…

…

In the festival hall of Yecheng, candlelight flickered.

Cao Pi, Chen Qun and others were sitting in the hall, all looking very bad.

The breathing of the people in the hall could be faintly heard, but no one spoke.

Cao Pi endured and endured, sitting there for a long time, and finally used up all his patience. He slammed the table and said, "Everyone! The military situation is urgent! Do you want to sit here and wait for the cavalry to hit you in the face? ! "

When Cao Pi started to speak, everyone present either nodded slightly or lowered their heads in silence, but Chen Qun continued to sit there without moving an inch.

Cao Pi said angrily, "In the past, our army marched across the Central Plains! We first defeated Yuan Gonglu, then defeated Yuan Benchu. Who can stop us? Now the enemy cavalry is only a thousand strong. Even if there are reinforcements, three thousand or five thousand, what will happen? Can we only defend the city?!"

The soldiers came to report that Wei Yan and others were spotted near Jie Bridge.

Jie Bridge can be considered to be relatively close to Jizhou.

If Wei Yan and others stayed in Yijing, Cao Pi could still comfort himself by saying that he was still in Youzhou and had not invaded Jizhou. After all, the territory of Youzhou originally belonged to Cao Chun. And to some extent, Wei Yan's departure from Jizhou could be regarded as being "driven out" by Cao Pi...

This kind of fig leaf-like statement must not be taken seriously and must not be uncovered.

But Wei Yan turned around again, as if he was going to lift the veil on Cao Pi. Who could tolerate this?

"I just don't believe it! If we can drive them away, we can defeat them!" Cao Pi said loudly, "Now we have less than a thousand soldiers, and we are in such a panic. If we had ten thousand soldiers, wouldn't we surrender immediately? !"

During these days, Cao Pi watched the fortifications and defenses being added around Yecheng every day. The merchants and people who were originally in Yecheng had all fled if they could. The only ones left were those who could not escape, or those who, like Cao Pi, had to stay here no matter what, and therefore did not leave Yecheng.

Are you feeling frustrated?

It’s really frustrating!

Several people in the hall couldn't help but turn their eyes to Chen Qun after hearing Cao Pi's heroic words. Everyone knew that Cao Pi's words were like thunder, and whether it would really rain or not depended on Chen Qun.

However, no matter Cao Pi's generous words or the gazes from everyone, Chen Qun was like a wooden sculpture, motionless.

"Chen Changshi!"

Cao Pi couldn't help but shout.

Chen Qun slowly raised his head and met Cao Pi's gaze with a cold look, as if he was looking at a stone.

Cao Pi's heart skipped a beat, and his rising anger seemed like a bucket of cold water was poured on him, but he soon became angry again, thinking that Chen Qun was not giving him face!

Before Cao Pi got angry, Chen Qun turned his eyes away and said slowly to the others in the hall: "What if the cavalry is trying to lure the enemy? Our army is not good at field battles, and... in Youzhou, there are also cavalry troops from the northern region. If we lead the troops to fight at Jieqiao, how can we prevent the flank attack from the Youzhou and northern region troops?"

Everyone started talking again.

In fact, Chen Qun’s strategy was very simple, which was to build Yecheng into a giant fortress!

With the help of the food and supplies prepared in Yecheng over the years, plus the labor of the people in Yecheng, even if they have to defend the city, they can hold out for a year or two, thus consuming the combat effectiveness of the cavalry army, especially the troops from the northern region.

As we all know, most of the troops in the Northern Territory of the Cavalry are cavalry.

Generally speaking, cavalry is good at field battles but not good at sieges.

Chen Qun had also heard about the capabilities of Zhao Yun's trebuchets and other siege equipment when he attacked Youzhou, but overall it was still within an acceptable range. After all, the defense of Yecheng was several times stronger than that of Youzhou. Even if Zhao Yun continued to attack with a large number of trebuchets, it might not be effective.

Moreover, it is not too difficult to get some stones in Yanshan, but it is not so easy to find a large number of stones in Yecheng!

As long as the troops of the Northern Region of the Cavalry were held under Yecheng, it would not matter much whether the surrounding areas were lost or captured. After all, judging from the various signs before, the other counties in Jizhou were no longer safe...

If we go too far away from the area controlled by the Cao family, we might be sold to the Hussars as soon as we arrive!

We can only defend the city! Only defend the city!

Victory is possible only if we defend the city. If we can’t defend Yecheng, then everything is over!

When Cao Pi heard Chen Qun say this, his face flushed red, his fists clenched tightly, and after a moment he could not help but stand up and leave...