Chapter 161 Probing
The shock that Zhou Yu's joining Yuan Shu's tent brought Yuan Shao far exceeds that of Sun Jian's conquering Xiangyang, and even surpassing Sun Jian's battle in Yingchuan and entering Yuzhou.
The Zhou family is the first family in Lujiang, and the Zhou family has a close relationship with the Yuan family. Zhou Zhong still serves in the Chang'an court, and Zhou Yi is even the Luoyang ruling. The Zhou family supports Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu can not only extend his power to the capital of Luoyang, but also may contact the powerful and nobles of the Chang'an court and divide interests in public opinion.
From this point of view, it is very important whether Cao Cao can defend Wancheng. If Wancheng is not lost, Yuan Shu will be trapped in Nanyang and cannot move north and west. If Wancheng is lost, no one will be able to stop Yuan Shu south of the Yellow River and west of Hulao.
Yuan Shao did not dare to be careless, so he discussed with civil and military officials overnight and finally decided to send reinforcements to Cao Cao. Although Yuan Shao was preparing for the war with Gongsun Zan, and there were black bandits behind him and the troops were tight, the gains and losses of Wancheng were related to great importance. He did not dare to be careless. He sent general Zhu Ling to lead the five thousand elite infantry and cavalry stationed in Liyang to Nanyang. At the same time, he sent a letter to the governor of Yanzhou Liu Dai, the prefect of Chenliu Zhang Miao and others, asking them to do whatever possible to send troops to help Cao Cao. He also asked someone to contact the Ruying Township Party, gather troops, supply food and grass, and assist Zhu Ling's army in the battle.
Cao Ang was extremely grateful and asked to go with the army. Yuan Shao disagreed and asked Cao Ang to stay in Yecheng to recuperate, so he sent Cao Chun to the expedition with Zhu Ling. He also specially added 500 cavalry to Cao Chun, gathered a thousand numbers, and gave him more than 200 more war horses.
Cao Ang begged repeatedly, and tears were heard, but Yuan Shao refused. Cao Ang had no choice but to pretend to be a personal guard of Cao Chun and quietly left Yecheng with the help of Cao Chun. When Yuan Shao learned that Cao Ang had run away, he was very angry, but thanked Cao Ang's loyalty and refused Shen Pei's suggestion to send someone to recover Cao Ang, and sent someone to send some medicine to Cao Ang, asking him to recover from his injuries and not leave any sequelae.
Yuan Yao, who followed Cao Ang, ordered people to take strict supervision and did not follow Cao Ang's footsteps.
Facts proved that he was too concerned. Yuan Yao had neither the helper like Cao Chun nor the courage to escape. From the day he left Wancheng, he accepted such a fate, stayed honestly in the Yecheng Inn, and started a residence, waiting for an unknown ruling.
——
Sun Ce couldn't help laughing when he looked at the giant stone thrower that was about to be assembled.
"Ziyi, do you know that a great man with the same surname as you said that science and technology are the primary productive forces."
"Is that right?" Deng Zhan was absent-minded, staring at the stone thrower with his eyes, and was reluctant to leave for a moment. The first merit was made by Huang Chengyan and his daughter. This was beyond refutation. Everyone recognized it, but the second merit was to fight for it. Whoever climbed the wall of Wancheng first would have more spoils, and whoever would have the chance to be promoted. Yuan Shu had already agreed that as long as he captured Wancheng and stabilized Nanyang, he would be granted a marquis to Huang Chengyan, and they would have a chance.
Of course, besides being a marquis, he has other hopes. He wants to use his military achievements to fight for the power of pardon for the Deng family in Xinye. Yuan Shu has already captured all the powerful families around Wancheng, and has not yet taken into consideration the further places, such as Xinye. However, after conquering Wancheng and stabilizing the situation, no one can guarantee that Yuan Shu will not continue to work hard and wipe out all the powerful families in Nanyang. The Deng family in Xinye is a famous family in the entire Han Dynasty, and it will definitely not escape Yuan Shu's eyes.
If he has made military achievements, he may be able to plead for mercy. If the Deng family in Xinye can escape, then his sect son may be recognized by the sect leader. In the future, he will write his name into the genealogy, even if it is made a note.
"How could I lie to you?" Sun Ce thought of the old man and sighed quietly. If it weren't for the reform and opening up of the old man, he would probably not have had the chance to go to college, he would not have had the chance to read so many books, he would not have known so much history. Even if he traveled to the Three Kingdoms, he would have lived a life of dirt.
None of these bastards can be dealt with. If he misses a little, he will die even worse than Sun Ce in history.
Just as Sun Ce was feeling very much, the sound of a gong calling the police suddenly came from a distance. Although it was far away, it was not very harsh, and there was another sound of craftsmen knocking next to him, and Sun Ce still heard it clearly.
"Ziyi, go back to the camp immediately and guard the camp."
"Here." Deng Zhan jumped up and quickly left with the guards.
Sun Ce did not dare to neglect it. He was prepared for Huang Chengyan and rushed back to his camp quickly. He was not very nervous. Yan Xiang had long expected Cao Cao to use this move. In the past few days, the generals of the camps have been strictly alert, and the central army and the baggage battalion are even more vigilant. Even if Cao Cao's entire army attacks, it will be difficult to get anything better.
When Sun Ce ascended the Central Army's general, Pang Shanmin and Pang Tong were already waiting. Hearing Sun Ce's footsteps, Pang Shanmin turned around.
"General, you're late."
"Is it late?" Sun Ce was a little surprised and looked around. Although the camp was brightly lit, the soldiers were in a strict formation and were not broken, and there was no sign at all. How could it be said that it would be late?
"I mean, the enemy has retreated." Pang Shanmin pointed to the fire in the distance and said, "Look, there are fewer and fewer torches."
Sun Ce looked up and couldn't help but smile. The camp in the northwest was made of Chen Yu and Liu Xiang, and the sound of war drums also came from there, but it had gradually slowed down and there was no sign of war. It should be that the Cao army attacking the camp did not find any flaws, so they tried it and left.
"This Cao Mengde is so idle that he has maggots? Come out for a walk?"
"General, it's not necessarily." Pang Tong frowned, and his tender little face showed concerns that were not commensurate with his age. "The general's ten-day appointment has been five days, and the war is about to begin. Cao Cao sent people to attack the camp at this time, probably for the stone thrower."
"So what, can he still get the benefits?"
"General Yuan's arrangements were properly made, so Cao Cao naturally couldn't get any benefits, but he wouldn't retreat so easily. I think he was just testing, looking at the reality of each battalion. Next, he would also test other places. Once he found the flaw, he would attack in. Even if he couldn't find the flaw, he would make us sleepless and exhausted."
Sun Ce felt it was reasonable and couldn't help but look at Pang Tong with admiration. Although this kid was not yet an adult, he had already shown his unique intelligence. These days, he has been in the camp and listened to him discussing military affairs with the generals. It is normal to be precocious than in history.
"What should we do in your opinion?"
"Take the initiative, take the initiative first, take the big city first, and enter the small city, so that they can't take care of themselves." Pang Tong turned around and his eyes were burning. "General, don't you want to test the shooting after the giant stone thrower is installed? Let them use Wancheng as a target. If you are lucky, you can blow up a section of the city wall and break their morale. Maybe you will be surprised."
Sun Ce touched Pang Tong's head and laughed. "Good idea, I think it's OK. Shi Yuan, that's what you have to do. Use your brain more and don't be compared by the little girl."
Pang Tong looked at Pang Shanmin embarrassedly. "This was discussed with me with my conqueror."
Chapter completed!