Encouraged by the sound of war drums, Cao Cao's army launched a series of fierce attacks on Shouchun. No matter how hard he tried to persuade his left and right, Cao Cao kept beating until his arms were numb and refused to stop for a moment. Cao Cao knew very well that he had now
Having lost its foundation, if a rich territory is not captured in time, it will be a problem for the 200,000 troops to feed their horses, let alone replenish their weapons and arrows.
This offensive and defensive battle lasted for a whole day and night. Cao Jun attacked the city several times, but was driven back by the reserves organized by Man Chong. There were bloody corpses everywhere on the city and below. The local army soldiers and Minzhuang who defended the city had already
More than half of the casualties were suffered. Many young and strong civilians in the city had already fought back, and the number of people had not changed much. However, the combat effectiveness had dropped extremely seriously, and the morale of the defenders had obviously begun to decline.
Seeing that the dawn of another day was about to come, Cao Jun's offensive outside the city became more and more fierce, and Man Chong was extremely anxious. Suddenly, a group of people came straight from the city to the city, and those at the forefront were the Shouchun City soldiers.
The patriarch of a noble family.
When these people came to Shouchun City, one of them raised his hands and said, "Master Mandarin, this battle can't go on any longer. It's better to surrender quickly."
Man Chong saw clearly that the person coming was Li Ping, the head of the Li family, a big family in the city. Just when he was about to get angry, his heart suddenly moved, and he said awkwardly: "To be honest with you, Man Cong originally served under Cao Gong and had long wanted to join Cao Gong.
, but Cao Jun’s offensive is very urgent, and now he lacks someone he can trust to exchange news..."
Seeing that Man Chong was a little moved, Li Ping couldn't help but blurt out: "Since Lord Manchu has this intention, then quickly raise the white flag! I happen to have a few bold slaves at home, and I can ask them to go out of the city to deliver the message for you."
Man Chong waved his hand and said: "Not just anyone can contact Mr. Cao, and they also need to have a certain identity. Originally, Man was suitable, but Man had done something that was sorry to Mr. Cao in the past, and he felt shameless.
To Mr. Cao, so..."
Li Ping cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty does have this intention, and I am willing to go with you. I am also somewhat famous in Shouchun City, so I think I will be accepted by Duke Cao."
Not long after Man Chong was transferred to Shouchun, Li Ping didn't know much about Man Chong. Now that he knew that Man Chong had a history of betraying Cao Cao, Li Ping started to think about it. In Li Ping's view, Man Chong was shameless.
Cao Cao was obviously afraid that Cao Cao would settle the score with him. Moreover, most heroes looked down on villains, and Cao Cao must have been no exception. Li Ping actually wanted to take this opportunity to get rid of Man Chong and replace him.
Since Liu Xin took over Shouchun, he began to emphasize fair business. Those merchants from other places squeezed out a lot of the Li family's business, so Li Ping had long hated Liu Xin. Li Ping came to the city to persuade Man Chong this time because he was doing
If Man Chong agreed to surrender, then everything would be over. If Man Chong did not agree to surrender, he would pretend to support Man Chong, but secretly gathered the big noble families in the city to raise troops at night, seize the city and offer it to Cao Cao. By that time
, their Li family can be proud in Shouchun, and their business will naturally flourish.
When Man Chong heard that Li Ping took the initiative to invite him, he thought for a long time and then nodded and said, "Mr. Li is a righteous man. Man Chong thanks you on behalf of the people in the city."
Last night, Cao Cao did not continue to beat the drum himself because he could no longer lift his arms. However, Cao Cao still refused to leave the battlefield to rest and insisted on commanding his soldiers to attack Shouchun City one by one. Suddenly, Cao Cao
Then I saw a white flag lit up above Shouchun City.
Cao Cao quickly waved his hand and said loudly: "Ming Jin!"
The gong sounded, and the charging soldiers retreated like a tide. The Han army did not take the opportunity to launch a sneak attack with bows and crossbows, and the noisy battlefield became quiet for a while.
I saw a hanging basket hanging from the tower of Shouchun City. Sitting in the hanging basket was a middle-aged scholar, it was Li Ping. The hanging basket fell to the ground, and Li Ping climbed out tremblingly, holding his hands high, and trotted towards Cao Jun.
Come in front of the array.
Cao Cao glanced at him, and Cao Hong, who had been following him, spurred his horse forward. He stretched out his hand, picked up Li Ping, turned his horse back, and threw him in front of Cao Cao.
Li Ping did not dare to get up, so he knelt on the ground and said, "Master Cao is above. Please pay homage to me. I am entrusted by Man Chong, the prefect of Jiujiang, to present a letter of surrender."
"What did you say?" Cao Cao didn't know who was guarding Shouchun City. He was stunned after hearing Li Ping's words and asked repeatedly, "Is Man Chong guarding the city?"
Li Ping kowtowed and said: "The Mandarin said that he was originally from Cao Gong's old subordinates..."
Cao Cao's face had regained his composure, and he snorted coldly: "Man Chong is so brave, I dare to send you here to pretend to surrender! You and I will be dragged out and chopped by someone!"
Li Ping was horrified and said quickly: "Mr. Cao, please spare your life! I sincerely intend to join Duke Cao. Even if I don't surrender, I still plan to cooperate with Mr. Cao."
Cao Cao suddenly laughed loudly, waved back and said, "Get up. Cao asked you, how many men and horses are in the city now?"
Li Ping got up from the ground, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and told Cao Cao everything he knew about the situation, and then said: "I'd like to report to Mr. Cao, Man Chong is really a villain, and Mr. Cao must be on guard.
"
A cold light flashed in Cao Cao's eyes, and he sneered: "Then why did you help me?"
Li Ping did not dare to lie and said truthfully: "If the common people can help Mr. Cao succeed, I have nothing else to ask for. I only hope that I can reward the common people as the governor of Jiujiang."
Cao Cao couldn't help but secretly smile bitterly. He was afraid that he would only be the governor of Jiujiang. What reward would he give you? However, he said: "The governor is not a big deal, but it still depends on how you behave. Li Ping, you
Go back and tell Man Chong that as long as he is willing to come back, Cao will let things go by the wayside! However, Cao will only give him one hour to think about it!"
Li Ping was overjoyed and bowed to Cao Cao repeatedly. Cao Cao waved and asked Cao Hong to take him back to the city. The hanging basket was lowered from the top of the city again and Li Ping was pulled up to the city. After a while, the hanging basket was lowered again.
, and sent Li Ping to the front of the two armies again.
Cao Cao frowned and said, "What? Are there any conditions that Man Chong cannot meet?"
Li Ping waved his hands repeatedly and said: "No, no, no, Man Chong said that all four gates are blocked by rocks. It will take some time to clear them. Please give Mr. Cao two hours of grace."
Li Ping did not lie about this matter. In order to prevent the city gate from being smashed by the car, Man Chong piled up countless bricks, stones and wood behind the four gates. Not to mention that the car could not break it, but it was cleaned up. It took less than two hours to repair it.
It's really hard to clean.
Cao Cao's army's charge had already opened a large hole in the city gate. From that hole, one could clearly see the situation behind the city gate. After listening to Li Ping's words, Cao Cao had already believed 70% of Li Ping's words. However, he was suspicious by nature, but he still pondered.
He said: "Li Ping, please go back to the city. If Man Chong dares to play any tricks, you will set a fire as a signal and cooperate with Cao Mou inside and outside. Once the matter is accomplished, Cao Mou will let you be the prefect of Jiujiang!"
Li Ping was overjoyed, thanked him repeatedly, and stumbled back to the foot of Shouchun City. The hanging basket pulled Li Ping up with a creaking creak. When he reached the top of the city, Li Ping seemed to have really become a man and saved the soldiers and civilians in the city.
The hero walked towards the tower with his head held high.
As soon as he entered the tower, he suddenly heard Man Chong shouting: "Li Ping is collaborating with the enemy. If the left and right sides don't capture him, how long will it take?"
The soldiers on both sides rushed over like wolves and pushed Li Ping to the ground. Li Ping shouted that he was wronged, but Man Chong pointed to the side and said, "Where are you looking?"
Li Ping turned around and saw that the few nobles who had conspired with him were bundled aside in dejection.
It turned out that after Li Ping left the city for the second time, Man Chong sent troops to control all the nobles in the city. Those who were jailed were imprisoned, and those whose homes were confiscated were ransacked. Then, Man Chong urgently reorganized the surviving local officers and soldiers and people, and
We added some brave young people and divided them into two teams, each with about 700 soldiers and 6,000 civilians. A local army of 500 people was still maintained as a reserve team.
Shouchun City suddenly became busy. The soldiers and civilians took the time to rest, while the people kept transporting stones, wood, and broken bricks to the top of the city. The houses of the noble families were demolished, and all the usable materials were transported to the top of the city.
.As for those things behind the city gate, not only have they not been cleared, but they have become even more blocked.
Two hours passed quickly. Cao Cao rode his horse and came closer. He saw a familiar figure on the top of the city. It was Man Chong. Cao Cao couldn't help but smile and said: "Brother Boning, you are fine."
Man Chong also cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Cao, Man is being polite."
Cao Cao raised his riding whip and said: "Bo Ning, let the past matter be bygones. Cao will never take it to heart. You can open the city gate now."
Man Chong laughed and said, "Thank you so much, Mr. Cao! It's just that this city gate cannot be opened. If Mr. Cao wants to enter the city, please step through Man Chong!"
Cao Cao was originally doubtful about Man Chong's surrender, but now after hearing Man Chong's words, he suddenly changed his expression and said: "Bo Ning, if you don't surrender now, it will be too late to regret when Cao enters the city!"
Man Chong did not answer, but waved his hand behind him. Several soldiers escorted Li Ping and his men to the top of the city. They raised their knives and dropped their swords. Blood burst out, and Li Ping and others were already dead.
Cao Cao finally couldn't hold it any longer, so he rode his horse back to his formation, picked up the drumsticks again, and shouted loudly: "Attack the city!"
This time the offensive was even more fierce than yesterday. However, after two hours of adjustments, the defense on the city was much tighter. Moreover, many soldiers and civilians were less afraid and more fearful after the baptism of yesterday's war.
Be bold.
Cao Cao raised his two stiff arms and beat the war drum again. Cao Cao's army advanced one after another, constantly hitting the city wall of Shouchun like waves. Shouchun was like a small boat in the sea, with the danger of capsizing at any time. But a
Time has passed, but the black flag with Chinese characters is still flying high at the top of Shouchun City.
Seeing that Cao Cao was sweating profusely from exhaustion, Cao Hong hurriedly came to grab the drumsticks and said, "My lord, take a rest and let the end come."
But Cao Cao pushed him and said: "Cao Hong, listen to the order! You have one hour to capture Shouchun City, otherwise I will behead you first!"