"When I heard that the general was coming to the east, everyone jumped up and down, as if they were reborn." [Romance of the Three Kingdoms·Biography of Lu Bu]
Tian Yu and Xi Zhicai went back and forth to attack and defend Xiapi City several times, with each other winning and losing. Xi Zhicai was most familiar with each other's capabilities, and there was no reason to worry at this time. Cao Cao was eager to attack the city, and he also had his plans in mind -
Since he besieged Xiapi, he has delayed launching a general attack just to see the movements of the neighboring Pei State. Pei State Prime Minister Tian Chou and Tian Yu came out of Youzhou together, and on behalf of the court, he decided whether to assist Xiapi.
The court decided who to choose between Cao Cao and Liu Bei.
Fortunately, after hearing the battle report of Liu Bei's defeat, Tianchou of the Pei State immediately led his troops southward without hesitation. He first defeated and surrendered the southern part of the State of Pei. Shu Zhongying, the prime minister of Pei appointed by Yuan Shu, then continued to march and fought with the prefect of Runan.
Liu Ai attacked Jiujiang and Lujiang to threaten Yuan Shu's rear. On the one hand, he restrained Yuan Shu from retreating and gave Liu Bei a chance to survive. On the other hand, he expressed tacit approval of Cao Cao's military operations in Xuzhou.
Therefore, after learning the news, Cao Cao no longer had any worries and truly made a decision. He must defeat the enemy as soon as possible, take over Xuzhou from Liu Bei, and make adequate preparations for the imperial troops to leave Kanto in the past two years.
"However, what you said makes sense." Under Xi Zhicai's sincere eyes, Cao Cao finally gave in. He thought for a while and said: "We attacked the city at night. The enemy does not know the strength of our army. There are too many people to dispatch and direct.
, sending an elite force instead can also have a miraculous effect."
"Wen Qian!" Cao Cao called out immediately, and saw a short and lean man jumping out of the army. He was Le Jin, the captain of Chendu. He was originally a subordinate in Cao Cao's army, because he always took the lead in battles.
He was the first to enter the battle and won many military exploits. He was regarded as a confidant by Cao Cao and was promoted to captain. Every time he attacked the enemy, he was appointed as the vanguard.
"The end is here!" Le Jin was short in stature, but he was holding a sword that was longer than his body. It was a bit funny, but he had always been fierce and vicious, and others respected him and did not dare to offend him.
Cao Cao groaned and then said slowly: "You immediately lead all your troops and horses and enter the city first as agreed. Along the way, you set fires, made noises, and planted suspicious soldiers... Miaocai, you lead one of your troops and horses to the top of the city first and are responsible for command and dispatch."
.”
Xia Houyuan, the cavalry captain, sang "Nai" solemnly, and he and Yue Jin each led their troops to replace Cao Cao, and hurriedly rushed to Xiapi.
"Zhicai, you go back and rest." Cao Cao sent Xia Houyuan away, and Le Jin said with concern while supporting the frail Xi Zhicai with one hand.
Xi Zhicai suddenly coughed a few times, pushed Cao Cao away, and said weakly: "My lower body is seriously ill, so Ming Gong should not get too close to him."
"Zhicai!" Cao Cao couldn't bear it in his eyes, but he stopped and stood there.
Xi Zhicai took two steps slowly and turned to look at Cao Cao. He was standing in front of the tent with a thin body, as if a gust of wind could blow him down. But there was no one around to support him, and neither did Cao Cao. He suddenly looked like
He does not belong to this world, and his voice is long and ethereal, like the breath of the sun: "Ming Gong has the ability to help the country, and one day he will revitalize the Han Dynasty. Zhicai really wants to follow Ming Gong to see that day."
After saying that, Xi Zhicai could no longer stand, his steps faltered, and he slumped to the side.
"Zhicai!" Cao Cao jumped forward subconsciously, and everyone around him immediately rushed over and helped Xi Zhicai into the tent. There was a commotion all around, and even Yu Jin, who was strict in running the army, had to reprimand him several times.
It finally calmed down.
Cao Cao stood there dumbly, and suddenly a deep regret arose in his heart: He hated himself for not being able to discover Xi Zhicai in time, he was moved that the other party came to advise him even so, and he also hated himself for why he was so stunned just now.
Generally, they stopped moving forward and allowed Xi Zhicai to stand in the distance alone.
It's been a long time since Cao Cao had such an emotion filling his heart like a tide. He vaguely remembered that the last time he tasted that familiar sourness was many years ago. That year, he really began to understand his uncle's good intentions. That year, his uncle
Died of illness.
The west gate of Xiapi City quietly opened wide at this time, like a ferocious beast with its mouth wide open. It was so dark that there was no end in sight. Le Jin squatted on the spot, with the long saber next to his hand, and blinked.
He stared straight ahead without blinking. Suddenly, someone in the dark city gate waved a torch twice, like a signal. Le Jin immediately jumped up from where he was, picked up his long knife and slashed forward.
, making a high-pitched sound.
"kill!"
Le Jin's subordinates were all as aggressive, rugged and fierce as him. At this time, under the leadership of Le Jin, they roared towards the city gate one by one like tigers coming out of the gate.
At a distance of dozens of steps, more than two thousand people quickly entered the city. The road was smooth, not only the enemy troops, but also the people who responded. Le Jin was keenly aware of the abnormality, raised his head and looked around, and then said something
At the word 'scatter', countless arrows rained down from the top of the city and from the houses next to it.
Le Jin was agile, and his short body contained huge strength. He only lowered his body and threw himself into the nearest house, knocking open several soldiers blocking the door. He first killed several soldiers with his hands.
The soldier who had not yet had time to get up from the ground took small steps along the stairs.
There were constant screams of killing outside the house, and many people imitated General Le Jin, breaking open the door of the house with brute force, and entered the house to engage in hand-to-hand combat. Compared with the noise outside, the house was unusually quiet.
, even the sound of feet on the dry and old wooden floor can be clearly heard.
This is the largest house on Linchengmen Street. The people staying inside are none other than Dub Dupu and the army commander Ma Shiren who is responsible for cooperating with Guan Yu on the city and arranging ambushes on the street. From Lejin, they break into the house and kill him.
It had been quite some time since the guard fell downstairs. At this moment, Du Pu vaguely heard the sound of someone going up the stairs. He was shocked and immediately called his men to guard the entrance of the stairs with crossbows.
"There's no rush." Shiren pressed Du Pu's thin shoulder and said calmly, "Wait until he shows up."
Du Pu swallowed his saliva. He was a soldier recruited by Shiren from Xuzhou. Because of his poor livelihood, he had to put aside the few calligraphy skills he had learned at great cost in his childhood and became a soldier with a knife and armor. Shiren
He always laughed at him for being weak, timid, and not calm enough to be a soldier. If there was a chance in the future, he would recommend him to be a clerk under General Guan. But Dupu didn't want to be a swordsman and pen clerk. Instead, he felt that he could just be a soldier with peace of mind.
That's good. When the war is over, he will continue reading his book.
The footsteps on the stairs were getting closer and closer. Suddenly, the footsteps stopped. Dupu didn't know why. He was about to poke his head over, but he saw two figures jumping out of the stairs quickly!
"Shoot an arrow!" Dupu immediately ordered.
Dozens of arrows shot at the two figures one after another, making several dull sounds.
Shiren felt something was wrong. He was about to speak, but when he saw that neither of the two figures made a sound, he jumped up a certain height, and then fell slumped down. It turned out that they were two corpses that had been thrown up deliberately. Le
At this moment, Jin jumped up from the gap where the corpse fell while everyone had no time to change their arrows.
The long slicing sword reflected bright light under the weak firelight and shone into Du Pu's eyes.