Chapter 231 Tiger Lu Bu: This general takes the lead, who can stop him?
The next day, early morning.
The rooster crows the dawn and the morning glow fills the sky.
Looking at the mighty team slowly heading west, Liu Bian breathed a sigh of relief: "After so many days, these guys are finally gone."
Xun You also took a deep breath and said softly: "Yes, it is unimaginable that the princes headed by the Yuan family actually accounted for sixty-seven percent of the Allied forces. Once they left, it felt like Luoyang was empty."
"It's more than just empty!"
Liu Bian clasped his hands behind his back and looked back at Luoyang City with a faint smile: "Don't Wen Ruo feel that even the air in Luoyang City has become fresher now?"
Xun You naturally understood what King Hongnong meant.
He nodded: "Yes, it does feel a lot fresher."
Liu Bian relaxed completely: "Those who can stay are all the few clear streams left by the big man."
Although Xun Yu was known as Wang Zuo's talent, he admired the young King Hongnong: "Your Highness is wise. This plan not only screened out loyal ministers, but also gave Lu Bu and Li Jue of Luoyang the idea of breaking out.
It’s really a clever plan that kills two birds with one stone.”
"Maybe I admire you so much."
Xun You bowed deeply and praised him from the bottom of his heart.
He finally understood.
Why King Hongnong was able to escape from the heavily guarded palace? His scheming and wisdom are really amazing.
If the Han Dynasty can have such a king, why not worry about revitalizing it and continuing it for hundreds or even thousands of years?
"Okay."
Liu Bian waved his hand and said softly: "Let's go and go to King Chen's camp immediately to arrange the corresponding battle. Without this strength, it will not be that easy to annihilate Lu Bu's troops."
Xun or handed over his hand: "Nuo."
Immediately.
The two got on their horses and went straight to King Chen's camp in Mang Mountain.
Mang Mountain, outside Luoyang Palace.
In front of Chen Wangyingzhai.
Liu Chong was waiting for King Hongnong with his civil and military forces.
suddenly.
Prime Minister Luo Jun raised his hand and pointed forward: "Your Highness, King Hongnong should have arrived."
Liu Chong hurriedly raised his eyes and stared. At the end of his field of vision, smoke and dust were billowing, and King Hongnong's banner was fluttering in the wind.
"Ha ha!"
Liu Chong looked up to the sky and laughed loudly: "Yes, it is King Hongnong. He has been playing with the Yuan family and other princes for so long, and it is finally time to close the net."
Phew~~
With a long sigh, Liu Chong couldn't help but sigh: "It's hard to imagine that among such a large group of princes, no one can defeat King Hongnong. The lonely king is very happy. This is the luck of the court and the great Han!"
"yes."
Luo Jun, the Prime Minister of the State of Chen, nodded in praise and did not hesitate to express his praise: "Hongnong Wang Congrui has the qualities of Zhou Cheng! Under the rule of Hongnong King, the great Han Dynasty will surely get rid of the pain of Chen Xin and become great again!"
"Um!"
Liu Chong nodded affirmatively: "I have no doubt about this."
Luo Jun smiled: "Jun has to admit that His Highness's decision to raise troops to respond was very correct."
Liu Chong raised his head and said arrogantly: "That must be of course."
...
While the two were chatting.
Hurry—!
King Hongnong rode up and flew down.
Liu Chong stepped forward quickly and bowed his head: "Liu Chong pays homage to His Highness."
Liu Bian hurriedly stepped forward to help him: "King Chen, get up quickly. You and Gu Tong are the kings of the vassals, so why do you need to perform such a grand ceremony?"
Liu Chong stood up and said, "Your Highness was once a king, so he alone deserves to perform this ceremony."
"Let's go."
Liu Bian didn't bother to argue. After all, they were a family: "Let's enter the accounts and discuss them in detail."
Liu Chong nodded: "Okay! Your Highness, please."
"Can we send someone to make a clear count? How many soldiers and horses are there in Mangshan?"
"Checked it out."
As Liu Chong walked, he reported: "In addition to Cao Cao and Bao Xin's troops, there is also Runan Governor Xu Xu. The rest of the princes are all heading west, and no one is left to guard."
"Xu Xuan?"
Liu Bian looked slightly surprised.
He once had illusions about Liu Dai, the governor of Yanzhou, but he never thought about Xu Qiu: "He didn't follow Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu?"
Liu Chong nodded affirmatively: "Well, no, I am still on duty."
At this moment, not to mention Liu Bian himself, but also the netizens in the live broadcast room were shocked:
"Damn it! The labor and management stepped on the brakes. I didn't expect that Xu Qiu didn't leave."
"Did this kid take the wrong medicine, or didn't take the medicine at all? It's just bad luck."
"Isn't he ready to abandon the dark side and turn to the bright side? Or he has a good eye and has seen something."
"Could it be that Yuan Shu kept him here on purpose?"
"Don't tell me, it seems like it's really possible."
"Bullshit upstairs."
"impossible."
"..."
When Liu Bianzheng was puzzled.
The voice of the Military Advisor Alliance immediately sounded: "Don't worry, Mr. Bian, we can rule out that Yuan Shu deliberately kept Xu Qiu. If this is the case, there should be more than just Xu Qiu, and there will be at least one close confidant, Yuan Zhong is almost the same."
"According to experts' speculation, there are most likely two reasons why Xu Qiu stayed!"
"First: Xu Qiu is proficient in the art of war and has experience in the army. From the beginning of the army, starting from the battle of Guangcheng Pass, to now reaching Luoyang, he is very aware of Dong Zhuo's strength and knows that following Yuan Shu will only lead to death;
"
"Second: Xu Qiu is upright and can't get rid of the sand in his eyes. The Yuan family's terrifying power among the Allied Forces has been most intuitively demonstrated this time. With Xu Qiu's character, he is naturally unwilling to join the others."
Speaking of this, the Military Advisor Alliance said softly: "Although it is a bit unexpected that Xu Xuan stayed in the end, if you think about it carefully, you can find the inevitability."
"Master Ben."
The Military Advisor Alliance emphasized: "Experts suggest that you can decide whether to win over Xu Qiu based on his subsequent performance. In a sense, Xu Qiu has broken with Yuan Shu by staying in Luoyang."
"That makes sense."
Liu Bianshen nodded in agreement: "Can you let him come over to listen to the plan?"
The Military Advisor Alliance replied: "Yes! Just treat him the same as Cao Cao."
Liu Bian was overjoyed: "Okay."
Immediately.
Liu Bian turned his attention to Xun Yu: "Wen Ruo, summon Li Min, Cao Cao, Bao Xin, and Xu Qiu to Chen Wangying to jointly support the great event."
Xun Yi bowed his head and said, "Nuo."
Chen Wang Camp.
Central army, big tent.
Liu Bian and others stood in front of the sand table, waiting quietly for the princes to arrive.
Taking this opportunity, Liu Bian communicated with the Military Advisor Alliance about the war for the last time. Like a sieve, he went through all the details of the war again: "Teacher, my memory should be correct, right?"
The Military Advisor Alliance said with absolute certainty: "Well, there is no problem. Don't worry, Master Bian, don't be nervous."
"Um."
Liu Bian sighed: "I understand."
"Report—!"
At this moment, a long announcement sounded outside the tent.
Liu Bian raised his eyes and looked.
But I saw a guard hurriedly enter the tent, leaned over and said with his hands in his hands: "Your Highness, Cao Cao, Bao Xin, Li Min, Xu Qiu are coming to the camp."
Liu Bian nodded: "Let them come in."
The guard handed over his hand: "No."
Not long after.
All the princes rushed to the tent, bowed and raised their hands: "See you, Your Highness."
Liu Bian waved his hand to signal everyone to excuse themselves, glanced at Cao Cao and others, and said loudly: "Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu insists on heading west, forcing the defense of the north gate to be neglected. The food and grass in Luoyang City are about to run out, and the thieves may make a desperate move."
"The purpose of calling you and others here to discuss politics this time is to re-draw the defense plan, adjust their respective positions, and strive to gather Lu Bu and Li Jue's troops and annihilate them at the foot of Beimang Mountain."
All the princes bowed their hands and shouted like a loud bell: "We will obey the order of King Hongnong."
Chen Wang Liu Chong was even more eager to give it a try: "Your Highness, please give the order, Gu Zao wants to fight Lu Bu."
Li Min took a deep breath. Although his expression was calm, his voice was very excited: "I have been waiting for this moment for a long time. Your Highness just gives the order. I will go all out."
Seeing this scene, Cao Cao already understood that this was indeed King Hongnong's plan. It was impossible for Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu to lead their troops away and hide it from Li Jue and Lu Bu in Luoyang City.
The opponent was bound to have the idea of breaking out of the encirclement. In this way, King Hongnong could just use his plan to kill Li Jue and Lu Bu at the foot of Mang Mountain.
Not only have Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao been driven away, suppressing the Yuan family's power from a side, but they can also eliminate Li Jue and Lu Bu, thus weakening Dong Zhuo's power to the maximum extent.
This plan is really...
Killing two birds with one stone is absolutely brilliant.
Being able to organically combine military and political affairs, King Hongnong's methods are indeed beyond common sense.
Cao Cao was more and more impressed by the young and promising prince in front of him. Under his command, the great man would surely regain his former glory.
"Yuncheng."
Cao Cao lowered his voice: "Our choice is correct."
Bao Xinda smiled: "That's right!"
At this moment, everyone's eyes were focused on Liu Bian, as if expecting his guidance.
Liu Bian took a deep breath, his eyes were bright, he scanned the princes, and immediately landed on the sand table.
He held a bamboo pole and explained: "Look, everyone, the north gate of Luoyang is close to Mang Mountain. From west to east, the water flows through the forest garden, and together with the water hú, forms the north gate moat."
"Leaving Xiamen, crossing the bridge at Gumen, you will pass Shanglin Garden to the west. Shanglin Garden is not far from Mang Mountain. In the previous dynasty, a wealthy businessman named Yuan Guanghan built a garden here. Later, the garden was merged into Shanglin Garden.
"
"I am expecting an ambush here."
Liu Bian pointed his bamboo pole here and said loudly: "Based on the mountain shape, the garden, and the preparations made in these days, Lu Bu and Li Jue will be wiped out in one fell swoop!"
Although Chen Wang Liu Chong and Yingchuan County Governor Li Min already knew the strategic plan, Cao Cao, Bao Xin, and Xu Qiu were completely unaware of it. Therefore, Liu Bian explained the situation in detail from beginning to end before making the final arrangement.
"Where is King Chen?"
"The end will be here."
"When you lead troops to garrison the bridge, separate your troops and horses to garrison the main road of Shanglinyuan. If the thieves break through here, they can be allowed to pass after a simple resistance."
"promise."
Although the water flows from west to east, its actual flow direction is from northwest to southeast, showing a certain slope.
From Shanglinyuan to the west, the river is getting closer and closer to Mang Mountain, and the water flow and the mountain trend form a conical shape as a whole.
In other words, once Lu Bu and Li Jue's troops pass Shanglin Garden, they will inevitably head towards the intersection of Mang Mountain and Xishui. The combat space here has been greatly compressed, which is not conducive to cavalry.
Because of this, Lu Bu and Li Jue never thought of breaking out from the north gate. After all, if they took the other three gates, as long as they crossed the bridge, there would be a flat river where the cavalry could gallop.
If it weren't for Liu Bian's strict defense, which completely cut off Lu Bu and Li Jue's possibility of breaking out from the other three gates, it would have been absolutely impossible for them to take the road to Beiman Mountain.
"Where is Li Min?"
"The end will be here."
"Gather all your troops and horses to guard the bridge and prevent them from escaping eastward. Guhui will send Han Dang to lead the cavalry to assist."
"promise."
"Where is Xu Qiu?"
"The end will be here."
"Your troops have suffered heavy losses. Assist General Li Min and guard against Li Jue. Lu Bu flees eastward. There must be no mistake."
"promise."
The north gate of Mangshan faces east.
This is the weakest point in the entire plan.
Liu Bian also spent the most effort here.
Strategies to restrict cavalry galloping, such as grain carts, trees, and horse resistance, are almost all deployed here.
In fact, the camps of all the princes were also stationed here, forming a cluster, which was very intimidating.
"As for Zi Village."
Zicun is the final closing point.
original.
Liu Bian was preparing to garrison himself and cooperate with Liu Chong to defeat the traitor Lu Bu.
But now, Cao Cao and Bao Xin have a total of 10,000 troops here, so there is no need for Liu Bian to take action himself.
Liu Bian's eyes fell on Cao Cao: "Cao Cao, where is Bao Xin?"
The two of them took a step forward, raised their hands and clasped their fists together: "The end will be here."
"Zicun is the core of the entire plan."
Liu Bian took a deep breath and said with great solemnity: "The ability to completely wipe out Lu Bu and Li Jue's team depends entirely on the blocking here and the cooperation of King Chen."
"Originally, Gu was supposed to be stationed in person."
"But now..."
Liu Bian stared at Cao Cao with bright eyes and said sonorously: "I will leave the defense of this place to you. Once Lu Bu and Li Jue's cavalry rush here, they must be intercepted and cooperate with King Chen to annihilate them."
Of."
In an instant, Cao Cao felt terrified and felt a heavy weight on his shoulders. He was afraid of betraying King Hongnong's trust, but at the same time he was reluctant to bear this sudden attention.
What an honor this is for a person who has wasted half his life!
"this......"
After pondering for a moment, Cao Cao finally clasped his hands and clasped his fists: "Your Highness, don't worry, the general will do his best to stop Lu Bu and Li Jue and live up to His Highness's trust."
Bao Xin felt as if he was in a dream. If Cao Cao hadn't gently pulled his sleeve, he wouldn't have come back to his senses: "Uh... well... don't worry, Your Highness, we will live up to your high expectations."
"Um!"
Liu Bian nodded affirmatively and warned: "Remember! Lu Bu is powerful and can never be defeated by one person. You must separate your generals to contain him, otherwise you will be defeated by him."
"Once the war breaks out, Guhui will immediately mobilize troops and horses, and the troops will come in two groups to rush for reinforcements. As long as you wait until Zhang Liao arrives, Lu Bu and Li Jue will be gathered at the foot of Mang Mountain and annihilated."
Cao Cao felt more at ease, bowed and handed over his hand: "Promise."
...
After Liu Bian finished arranging military affairs, he took a long breath and said softly: "In that case, let's go back to camp and prepare for the next war."
All the princes raised their hands and said, "No."
Immediately.
Everyone bowed and left the tent backwards.
Cao Cao left the camp and got on his horse: "Yuncheng, His Highness only ordered us to stop Lu Bu, but did not make more detailed arrangements. This is obviously to test our ability."
"That's right."
Bao Xin was also deeply touched by this: "Xin feels the same way. I wonder what Meng De's plans are?"
Cao Cao glanced to the west: "Anyway, let's go to Zicun first and observe the terrain conditions. I believe King Hongnong will not choose this place as a blocking point for no reason."
Bao Xin nodded: "Okay, I'll go with you."
Cao Cao was delighted: "Let's go."
drive-!
All the way west.
Not long after, the two arrived at Zicun.
Cao Cao surrounded Zi Village and after observing the terrain, he couldn't help but nod and praise: "King Hongnong is indeed well versed in the art of war. It is indeed crucial to ambush here."
"That's right!"
Although Bao Xin was not as good as Cao Cao in the art of war, he was still proficient in it: "Zicun is located at the foot of Mang Mountain, the road is narrow, and the water behind it has not yet run aground, so it is indeed an important place for ambush."
Although, after passing Zicun, the river will still head northwest and continue to squeeze the cavalry's combat space, it will not be long before the river runs aground, and the cavalry can gallop through without any pressure.
"Not only that!"
Cao Cao's eyes flashed as he stared at the forest to the north: "Look at the Mang Mountain forest to the north. The vegetation is lush and can ambush infantry, but the cavalry has no possibility of escaping."
"From the entrance of the village in the north to the foot of Mang Mountain, His Highness has sent people to dig a horse trap formation that is twenty steps wide. If it is equipped with horse traps and other objects to resist horses, how can Lu Bu and Li Jue pass through?"
Obviously.
Cao Cao observed more carefully.
Through the details near Zi Village, he was able to figure out King Hongnong's deployment here: "Yuncheng, King Hongnong is simply giving away the victory to you and me in vain."
"Um."
Bao Xin nodded, with a look of disbelief on his face: "Mengde, we must not let King Hongnong down."
Cao Cao sighed: "Don't worry, we will win this battle."
Bao Xinda smiled: "As I said before, I believe you!"
"Let's go back to camp."
"Um."
****
now.
Luoyang City.
Wolf Riding Camp.
Central army, big tent.
Lu Bu sat up high and frowned: "Song Xian, how many days of food and grass are left in the army?"
Song Xian cupped his hands and answered honestly: "It's been less than three days."
"Three days?"
Lu Bu's eyes were as wide as a bell, and he couldn't believe that the food was consumed so quickly: "How is it possible that there are only three days of food left?"
Song Xian explained: "My lord, although our army has lost some soldiers, but not a single war horse is missing. Their food and grass cannot be saved, and the wounded are recovering, which consumes more food and grass."
"Damn it!"
Lu Bu cursed secretly, feeling melancholy.
He tried hard to find ways to reduce expenses, but in the end it was all in vain.
If this continues, I'm afraid there is really only one way to die.
"Report—!"
At this moment, a hurried announcement sounded outside the tent.
Lu Bu looked up.
However, General Cao Xing hurriedly entered the tent, leaned forward and said, "My lord, when I was patrolling the camp, I found that the princes stationed at the north gate had led their troops away. Judging from the direction, they should be heading straight for Mianchi."
"Mianchi?"
Lu Bu leaned forward suddenly, his eyes flashing: "How many soldiers and horses were left?"
Cao Xing replied loudly: "At least 50,000 to 60,000 people."
"Fifty or sixty thousand people?"
"Um."
Cao Xing nodded and said with great certainty: "It seems that the Guandong princes came to meet each other yesterday. There were several more camps on the other side of the river. I think all these soldiers and horses belong to them."
"I see."
Lu Bu calmed down and said, "Could it be that King Hongnong thought that Luoyang was bound to win, so he relaxed his defenses and dispatched troops to prepare to attack Mianchi?"
Have to admit it.
It is indeed possible.
Moreover, the possibility is not low.
After all, their main mission at the beginning was to harass King Hongnong and make it difficult for him to pursue Dong Zhuo.
But Lu Bu and Li Jue never expected that King Hongnong would abandon Dong Zhuo and gather all his troops to besiege them.
By going in the opposite direction, Lu Bu was indeed killed, and Li Jue was caught off guard.
Now, seven days have passed, and Guandong reinforcements have arrived. Naturally, they can draw out their troops and continue to pursue Dong Zhuo.
This is reasonable.
"That's right."
Lu Bu asked and answered himself, feeling that he had reached the key point, and a long-lost smile appeared on his lips.
He quickly raised his head and looked at Cao Xing: "Are there still soldiers and horses stationed at the north gate?"
Cao Xing had already conducted reconnaissance personally: "There are, as usual, the troops of Chen Wang Liu Chong and Yingchuan County Governor Li Min. On the surface, they are no different from before."
"snort!"
Lu Bu snorted softly: "Does King Hongnong think that this can hide the truth?"
At this moment, Lu Bu had already concluded that King Hongnong was bluffing.
The troops at the north gate dropped sharply, giving Lu Bu the possibility of breaking out.
How could Lu Bu let go of this opportunity to survive?
Cao Xing frowned and shook his head: "Except for the mountains to the north of Luoyang, the rest is plain. Such a large-scale mobilization of troops and horses will never escape the eyes of our army."
"The general will think..."
Cao Xing was relatively cautious and put forward his own opinion: "The soldiers and horses outside the north gate have not moved. Maybe it is just an illusion. King Hongnong may have strengthened his defense, but we don't know yet."
"That makes sense."
Lu Bu nodded with deep understanding.
King Hongnong was a smart man, and he had already learned this before: "Li Jue, is there any movement at Guo Si's place?"
Cao Xing shook his head: "The generals don't know, but I can be sure that I can't hide it from them."
Song Xian said softly: "My lord, compared to the guards of the east, west and south gates, although the north gate is guarded by King Chen Liu Chong and Yingchuan Li Min, their strength is difficult to compare with the other three gates."
"I will eventually think so."
Having said this, Song Xian cupped his hands and clasped his fists: "This is a good opportunity for our army to break out of the encirclement. Although the road to Mang Mountain is more difficult, as long as we cross the bridge, no matter whether we go east or west, there will be our wolves."
Riding is where it comes into play.”
"Um."
Lu Bu didn't understand this: "It's relatively easy to go east, but there are many camps of the Eastern princes, and there are resisting horses on each road. It's not that easy to break through."
"And to the west..."
Lu Bu pondered for a moment: "Shanglin Garden is the camp of King Chen Liu Chong. Although he is a close confidant of King Hongnong, his combat power is difficult to compete with the other three gates. It may be easier to break out of the encirclement."
Cao Xing handed over his hand and objected: "General, if you go west, there is a river blocking the way. Once the battle starts at the north gate, King Hongnong can mobilize troops and horses from the west gate to rush for reinforcements. It is estimated that they can arrive within an hour."
"An hour?"
Lubden was surprised.
Under such time conditions, whether they can break through the obstacles on the bridge deck is still a question: "The time is too tight, unless I, the Wolf Rider, can break through the obstacles on the bridge deck within half an hour."
"It's too difficult."
Cao Xing shook his head with difficulty: "If we put aside the time for the team to gather and fill up the time for falling into the horse trap, even if the defenders at the north gate are not as good as the south gate, it will still be as difficult as climbing to the sky."
"Why should Cao Sima have the ambition of others and destroy his own prestige?"
Song Xian took a step forward, interrupted Cao Xing without hesitation, and said loudly: "If my lord can lead the battle in person, my Wolf Cavalry soldiers will definitely go all out, not to mention that now that the food and grass are exhausted, all the soldiers will definitely fight to the death."
"Let me ask:"
Song Xian glanced at everyone: "How can we resist the soldiers and horses of King Chen Liu Chong?"
Lu Bu took a deep breath: "This general is taking the lead, how can the mere King Chen resist?"