Chapter 495 Yuan Shao's anger: Even if you try hard, you have to make a way!
"Report—!"
Just as Xu Huang and Cheng Yin were organizing their troops, they were preparing to head to the minefield to fight.
Suddenly, not far ahead, a rapid report sounded.
Xu Huang looked up.
But when he saw his own scout coming on Pegasus, he couldn't hide the smile on his face, and he didn't even bother to salute, so he said: "General, Yuan Shao's vanguard army was repulsed by our mine array."
"Just repelled like this?"
Cheng Yin on the side was surprised and full of suspicion.
"kindness."
The scout nodded with absolute certainty: "We have indeed retreated. I think we must be scared. After all, we haven't seen a single soldier from the beginning to the end, but explosions are happening one after another."
"Some of Yuan Jun's soldiers were blown into the sky, and even some of the war horses were blown into a ball of flesh. Their death was very tragic. Such a scene was like a ghost haunting them. How could they not be frightened, and how dare they not retreat?"
hiss-!
Cheng Yin suddenly realized this and couldn't help but gasp.
think carefully.
This seems to be the case.
If I encountered such a scene without knowing the truth, I would probably suspect that a grudge is at work.
People in the late Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period believed deeply in ghosts and gods, and the fact that the mine array had such unexpected effects was naturally great news for Xu Huang and others.
Cheng Yin turned to look at Xu Huang and said in surprise: "Gongming, since Yuan Jun has retreated, what should we do next? Continue to wait, or take the initiative to attack?"
Xu Huang secretly breathed a sigh of relief and kept himself calm first, so that he could think calmly and come to the most correct judgment: "Stand still for the time being and let's see how Yuan Shao makes his decision."
"kindness."
Cheng Yin nodded and subconsciously clenched his fists: "Unfortunately, our number of mines is too small. If we could have more mines, we would have blocked all the roads so that Yuan Shao would have trouble flying even with his wings."
Xu Huang pinched a wisp of beard under his chin and sighed softly: "Isn't this a waste? If I had known that landmines were so easy to use, I might as well have mined them outside Handan City. This would have saved us a lot of troops.
Catching turtles in an urn."
"yes."
Cheng Yin was shocked and turned to look at Xu Huang, admiring him with admiration: "Gongming is really smart, no wonder Wen Yuan attaches so much importance to you."
"It's a pity that we didn't have time to fully understand the power of the mine sent by the imperial court. Otherwise, we would really have captured Yuan Shao's head in this battle."
Xu Huang felt the same way. He sighed and said softly: "The matter is now over. There is no other way. We should act according to the original plan and send people to keep an eye on Yuan Shao's movements. Once there is news, report it immediately without making any mistakes.
"
Cheng Yin patted his chest and assured: "Don't worry, everything has been arranged."
"Oh, right."
Xu Huang took a deep breath and reminded: "Remember, tell our people not to enter the minefield."
Cheng Yin nodded: "General, don't worry, all the minefields are marked. Our people will not make such stupid mistakes. I hope Yuan Shao can go through two more minefields and rely on the mines to delay time and consume his vitality."
The number of ambush troops is relatively small. Once the two sides come together, a big battle is inevitable.
Even though Nanyang's soldiers were relatively strong in combat effectiveness, they were still unable to prevent their opponents from escaping under the overwhelming numerical pressure.
Only by delaying enough time can we wait for Zhang Liao to lead his troops. The two sides will attack from front to back, surround Yuan Shao and annihilate him, and gain credit.
This is the safest way.
*****
On the road leading to Julu County.
A team is running fast.
Yuan Shao sat on his horse, feeling nervous for a while.
Because, just now, he vaguely heard the sound of an explosion.
Hurry—!
Yuan Shao subconsciously reined in his horse, looked forward, and frowned: "Did you hear that?"
Guo Tu next to him looked slightly surprised: "Ah? Lord, did you hear something?"
Yuan Shao glanced at Guo Tu: "Didn't you hear that?"
Guo Tu shook his head: "No."
Yuan Shao turned to glance at Xu You: "Ziyuan, where are you?"
Xu You frowned even more: "This... really doesn't happen."
"I seemed to hear it."
Shen Pei on the side was echoing: "It's like... it's like... it's like..."
Yuan Shao's eyes fell on Shen Pei: "Although the distance is a bit far, does it sound like the sound of thunder and fire?"
"Fire and Thunder?"
Guo Tu was stunned when he heard this, his eyes as wide as bells.
According to common sense, they had already escaped from Handan. How could there be the sound of thunder and fire?
But if it is really an ambush of fire and thunder, it can only prove that the opponent has set up an ambush on the road they must pass, and the people fighting fiercely in front are none other than their own cavalry.
"That's right."
Yuan Shao nodded affirmatively: "It must be Fuhuo Leiting."
Guo Tu's throat rolled, and he was horrified: "Isn't it right? We have already escaped Handan."
Xu You also echoed as much as possible: "My lord, could you have heard it wrong? How could there be the sound of thunder and lightning subduing fire? Brother Zhengnan, tell yourself, is the sound just now of thunder and lightning subduing fire?"
"this......"
Naturally, the judge would not dare to talk nonsense.
He frowned, thought for a moment, and said softly: "Probably not."
After all, Yuan Shao's emotions need to be taken care of now. If there is an ambush ahead, it is very likely that Yuan Shao's mentality will collapse. This is extremely detrimental to the stability of the three armies, especially in the current environment.
"Isn't it?"
Yuan Shao frowned and kept giving himself psychological hints.
At this moment, he was already a frightened bird, very afraid of hearing the sound of thunder and fire.
I had only heard that it was okay before, but now I have seen it with my own eyes, and now I know how terrifying the Fire and Thunder is. This thing is simply not something that human beings can face.
"no!"
Xu You nodded, his tone very sure.
"Certainly not."
Guo Tu nodded solemnly, determination flashing in his brows.
"Well, it must not be."
Shen Pei took a deep breath, bowed and held his hands in his hands: "Lord, don't worry."
Yuan Shao secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said softly: "Perhaps I am hallucinating. I am already almost at Quliang. How could I hear the sound of thunder and fire?"
Immediately.
He waved his hand and said, "Let's continue on our way."
However, before the team took a step forward, and even Yuan Shao himself had not had time to clamp the horse's belly, the sound of boom sounded in the air again.
The voice this time was much clearer than the last time. Not to mention Yuan Shao himself, even Guo Tu, Xu You and others beside him heard it.
Hurry—!
Yuan Shao hurriedly reined in his horse and frowned: "Listen, isn't this the sound of thunder and fire?"
Guo Tu was almost numb. After all, he was the one who suggested this route. If there were an enemy ambush, wouldn't it prove that his judgment was wrong?
But......
He obviously also heard the explosion.
In this regard, you can deceive yourself, but you cannot deceive others.
"Ah, this..."
Guo Tu was speechless for a moment and didn't know how to answer.
"It seems really..."
Even if Xu You doesn't want to admit it, it seems that it's not possible anymore.
After all, this kind of thing can be hidden for a while, but it can never be hidden for a lifetime. This guy Han Meng will definitely send someone to report: "Is it really Fuhuo Thunder?"
However, at this moment, Xu You no longer cared about whether it was a thunderstorm or not. Instead, he was lamenting that within the Nanyang court, the generals' fight for Yuan Shao was so crazy.
Zhang Liao just surrendered, but he could actually send out people to pursue and intercept Yuan Shao. Do you have that many troops? Do you want to do this kind of thing?
This does not include the inevitable Lu Bu, Huang Zhong, Xu Chu, Cao Cao of Yanzhou, Xu Rong of Qingzhou, and even Gongsun Zan of Youzhou. Even if Yuan Shao has 120 lives, he may not be able to pass the level!
The mission that Cao Cao has arranged for himself is simply hell-level. Let alone going to your place now, it is not certain whether he can get out of Zhang Liao's encirclement.
"Damn it!"
Xu You cursed secretly, feeling angry in his heart.
The judge on the side naturally heard Fuhuo Lei's voice, but he felt something was wrong at the first moment: "Lord, something doesn't seem right about this situation."
"oh?"
Yuan Shao couldn't help but wonder: "What's wrong?"
Shen Pei said softly: "I remember very clearly that this is a plain terrain, and there is a lake not far ahead. According to common sense, this place is not suitable for an ambush."
hiss-!
Yuan Shao was surprised and took a breath.
indeed.
The terrain of the plain is endless as far as the eye can see. Whether there is an ambush or not can be seen clearly at a glance.
Han Meng was one of the Four Court Pillars of Hebei. In a sense, he could also be called a general.
Since the terrain is plain and there is no obstruction, how can we encounter an ambush?
Where does this sound of thunder and fire come from?
"But this voice..."
Yuan Shao was confused again and couldn't believe what happened.
"Lord."
The judge leaned forward and said, "How about this? Let's stay put for now and send people to find out the news. If we really encounter an ambush, it won't be too late to report back."
"As for the pursuers behind you?"
Speaking of this, Shen Pei sighed softly and said: "They have been fighting fiercely for a day and are extremely exhausted. Moreover, they are all infantry. It may not be that easy to catch up."
Yuan Shao nodded slowly: "Okay, I'll do as you say, someone will come."
The scout beside him rode forward: "Lord."
"Go quickly to find out the news."
"Here."
The scouts went to investigate, and the army rested where they were, and sent people to guard the surrounding areas.
Not long after, soldiers and horses from the front returned.
"Lord, look."
Shen Pei raised his hand and pointed forward.
Yuan Shao raised his eyes and looked.
However, they saw a group of soldiers and horses rushing towards them. The person who came was not a scout, but Han Meng, the general of Yuan Shao's tent.
Yuan Shao seemed to feel something and became nervous subconsciously.
Before Han Meng came forward to speak, Yuan Shao waved his hand and interrupted in advance: "What, but there is an ambush from Zhang Liao ahead?"
Han Meng didn't dare to talk nonsense, he just told everything he had encountered.
"That's just the way it is."
Han Meng let out a breath and bowed his hands.
"Didn't you see anyone?"
Not to mention Yuan Shao, even the think tanks around him were shocked.
"Isn't this possible?"
Guo Tu's face was full of horror, as if he had seen a ghost.
"But......"
Han Meng forced himself to remain calm: "It is indeed an explosion of fire and thunder. This is what I have personally experienced."
Xu You was shocked. Although he didn't know what was going on, he still added jealousy: "Could it be a ghost?"
Shen Pei denied it without hesitation: "How could there be ghosts in broad daylight? Ziyuan must not talk nonsense and affect the morale of the army."
"Yes Yes Yes."
Xu You hurriedly nodded in agreement: "My lord, don't blame me, I said the wrong thing."
However, even though Xu You's words are like this, once they are spoken, it is difficult to hinder their effectiveness.
You see, Yuan Shao's face was already a little uncertain at the moment. He didn't say much, but he just tentatively said: "How about we change the road and walk?"
"Change the road?"
When Xu You heard these two words, he was completely confused.
This is something he will never allow to happen, otherwise, wouldn’t all the early preparations be in vain?
Damn it!
Xu You originally thought that his biggest enemies were Guo Tu and Shen Pei, but he never thought that it was not them, but the internal competition for war glory from Nanyang Hanting?
It would be extremely difficult to successfully deliver Yuan Shao's head to Cao Cao. His opponents actually used evil techniques. There was no other method they dared to use.
"That's right."
Yuan Shao nodded and said softly: "There is an ambush ahead, we can only change paths."
Xu You immediately added: "But my lord, can you guarantee that there are no ambushes on the rest of the road? We haven't even found an enemy so far!"
"this......"
Yuan Shao suddenly became hesitant.
indeed.
If you can encounter ghosts on this road, you can also meet ghosts on other roads.
Guo Tushen on the side said with deep understanding: "Zi Yuan's words are right. This kind of thing where you can't see the enemy can happen here, and it can also happen in other places."
"perhaps......"
Guo Tu guessed: "Zhang Liao used this method precisely because of the lack of troops. As for whether it is a ghost, the answer is naturally no."
"We have every reason to believe that this should be a new weapon from Nanyang Hanting, but we still don't know what kind of weapon it is."
"That's right."
Then, Xu You immediately agreed: "What you say makes sense, this must be a new weapon from Nanyang Hanting. After all, they have always liked to innovate weapons, and this time it is no different."
Shen Pei stared at Xu You and couldn't help but wonder, why is this guy so resistant to changing paths?
but......
Even when it comes to judging myself, I am quite opposed to it.
Therefore, this thought just flashed and disappeared in his mind: "My lord, it is indeed not advisable to change the route at this time. After all, we still have Zhang Liao's pursuers behind us."
"I believe that the ultimate purpose of Zhang Liao's pretense is to delay our escape so that Zhang Liao can pursue us and gain enough time."
"It is not appropriate to change the road at this time. Even if it is a hard trip, we must find a way out, otherwise we will definitely be fooled. This is an unwise move."
Guo Tu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly handed over his hands: "My subordinates second the proposal."
Xu You followed up: "I also second the proposal."
Even General Han Meng couldn't help but become enlightened after listening to the analysis of the think tanks. He immediately leaned over and held his hands in his hands, saying loudly: "The general seconded the proposal."
...
Yuan Shao pondered for a long time and nodded slowly: "Since everyone does not agree to change the road, let's act according to the previous plan. Even if we die, we have to find a way."
"Han Meng."
"The end will be here."
"Lead the troops and horses, return to the original route, and continue moving forward."
"Here."
****
Qinghe.
Cao Jun's camp.
Central army, big tent.
At this time, Cao Cao had once again become the commander of the three armies. He was wearing battle armor and a large cloak. He stood in front of the sand table, staring at the intertwined forces on the sand table, frowning and thinking.
Beside him, Tang Mao was equally astonished and said with emotion: "It's just Yuan Shao, but the generals from all sides are actually fighting for it. It's really incredible."
"Of course the father-in-law doesn't take it seriously."
"after all......"
Cao Cao took a long breath and said softly: "You are the head of the state, and there is a queen in the palace. Moreover, Mr. Tang sold his family property to support your majesty's uprising. How can your majesty forget this kindness?"
"Even if you have no military exploits, it will not affect your status, but we are different. The generals of the imperial court rely on military exploits to survive. Without military exploits, we are nothing."
"Who is Yuan Shao?"
At this point, Cao Cao's eyes fell on the sand table and said solemnly: "He is the last prince in the north and the last bloodline of the traitor Yuan family. It is of great significance to kill him."
"Furthermore, if my guess is correct, once the imperial court unifies the Han Dynasty, it will definitely reintegrate the forces of the generals from all sides, and the results will become a very important reference by then."
"Kuozhang!"
Cao Cao said with great certainty: "My dream is to become the imperial general who conquered the West and complete the great cause that my ancestors failed to accomplish, so I must fight for this credit!"
Tang Mao could feel the burning fire of dreams from Cao Cao's eyes. At this moment, he felt very excited and felt that the young man in front of him would become something great in the future.
"Well done."
Tang Mao patted Cao Cao on the shoulder, nodded solemnly and said: "Your Majesty is indeed right about you. Try your best to show off. You must be the imperial general who conquers the west."
Although Liu Bian had restricted the power of his relatives, resulting in Tang Mao not having much weight in the court, this still did not affect Tang Mao's own judgment of the court situation.
In fact, since he often visited the palace and sometimes met with His Majesty the Emperor and listened to him talk about the current situation of the Court, he had some understanding of the Emperor's strategic vision.
Including the future second-ring strategic city, as of now, it is still a secret. Cao Cao, Liu Bei and others have no idea about it, but Tang Mao already knows about it.
Therefore, he greatly appreciated Cao Cao's ambition and foresight, and after being in contact with him for such a long time, he also had a certain understanding of Cao Cao's abilities.
Facing Tang Mao's praise, Cao Cao just smiled indifferently. After Quan responded, he turned to face the sand table: "Yuan Shao is bound to die, but the one staring at Yuan Shao's head now is definitely not Cao."
"Xu Rong sent General Zu Mao to personally attack Bohai County, and he led his elite troops to go straight to Anping State to kill. It was clear that he came to kill Yuan Shao."
"In addition, Lu Bu and Huang Zhong who are stationed in Wei County have also sent troops and horses, ready to welcome Yuan Shao who goes south at any time. If Yuan Shao goes south, I, Cao Cao, may not be able to capture Yuan Shao's head no matter how capable he is."
"As for Zhang Liao..."
Cao Cao took a deep breath and exhaled slowly: "Although this man is young, he is proficient in the art of war and is decisive in killing. He is a rare and handsome man."
"He handed over Zhongshan and Changshan to the Black Mountain Army, and concentrated all his main forces to deal with Yuan Shao in Handan. He made it clear that he also wanted to seize Yuan Shao's head."
Apparently!
We are all smart people and know very well the significance of Yuan Shao's head.
Although the major generals cannot compete with each other openly, there are definitely many secret struggles, especially for Cao Cao.
"What's the situation now?"
Not to mention Cao Cao, even Tang Mao was very nervous.
"The scouts haven't come back yet."
Cao Cao sighed and said helplessly.
"Report—!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a long announcement was heard outside the tent.
Cao Cao looked up.
However, he saw his own guard lifting the curtain and entering. He leaned over and said, "General, the scout has returned and is waiting outside the tent."
Cao Cao waved his hand: "Quick, let him in. I have something to ask him."
The guard nodded: "Here."
Immediately.
He bowed and left the tent.
Not long after, the scout opened the curtain and stepped forward: "General."
Before the other party could speak, Cao Cao waved his hand to interrupt and asked hurriedly: "How is the situation?"
The scout straightened up: "According to the scouting horse report, Xu Huang sent people to install a large number of mines on certain sections of the road, and set up an ambush on his way east."
"oh?"
Cao Cao was amazed: "What a Xu Huang, he really has a unique vision."
Tang Mao on the side was a little confused: "Meng De, isn't it a pity that Xu Huang wasted mines like this?"
Cao Cao said softly: "It's just some landmines, how can they be compared with Yuan Shao? They have few troops and it is very difficult to catch Yuan Shao. This mine can not only reveal Yuan Shao's intentions, but also consume his troops. Kill two birds with one stone. Why not?"
for?"
"this......"
Tang Mao suddenly realized it and nodded slowly: "Yes, it is indeed true!"
Cao Cao frowned and analyzed carefully: "If Xu You's plan succeeds, he will first go east and then south. In this way, although he can avoid the inevitable Lu Bu and Huang Zhong, he will be facing the ambush of Xu Huang.
."
"I really don't know if Xu Huang guessed something, or if it happened by chance, but no matter what, the fact that this person can think of this method is enough to prove his ability."
Tang Mao asked tentatively: "Mengde, what should we do next?"
Cao Cao breathed out and made a decisive decision: "We must take action now."
"Here comes someone."
Cao Cao greeted.
"General."
The ordering soldier took a step forward, bowed and raised his hands: "What are your orders?"
Cao Cao said sonorously: "Immediately send out the messengers and let the generals execute the plan according to the original plan without making any mistakes."
The messenger nodded: "Here."
Immediately.
He bowed and left the tent.
Cao Cao turned to look at Tang Mao and said solemnly: "Guo Zhang, I can't be exposed at the moment. The Chinese army still has to trouble you this time."
Tang Mao naturally understood the reason and nodded: "Don't worry, just leave it to me. Although I haven't been on the battlefield for a long time, this distance is really insignificant compared to when I traveled from Kuaiji to Nanyang."
Cao Cao handed over his hand and said, "Thank you so much, Zhang Guo."