Chapter 920: Watching the Children Defeat the Enemy

Chapter 920: Watching the Children Defeat the Enemy

Chapter 920: Watching the Children Defeat the Enemy

Inside the Puzhou Pass east city, Liu Can climbed up the city wall and held a banquet.

In fact, there was nothing much to see. The attack on the camp lasted so long that not only did the attackers suffer heavy casualties, but the defenders were also exhausted.

It is not just exhaustion caused by you attacking and I defending. In fact, the attack and defense of the camp is a battle that affects a wide area and involves both sides' offense and defense.

Since the attack began in late May and early June, they had attacked the camp honestly for several days, but suffered heavy casualties.

Afterwards, they sent troops to plunder the local area and made some gains, but the soldiers and civilians in Hedong sometimes hid in the forts and sometimes went out of the forts to farm, so the casualties were limited.

On the tenth day of the sixth lunar month, Liu Can was stationed at Pujin Pass and personally commanded a cavalry unit to raid Hou Feihu's grain route, burning nearly a thousand grain carts and capturing and killing two thousand people. They quickly made adjustments and boldly transferred part of the Heiliang Left Camp to guard the grain route, but the results were minimal.

On the 15th, some Xiongnu tribes in Hedong and Pingyang were instigated to rebel, and were soon besieged by soldiers from the Pei, Wei, Xue and Liu families. The rebels had no choice but to flee to Puzhou Pass.

Liu Can gathered them together and got about 10,000 people, settled them in Fengyi County, and restored morale.

On the 17th, he sent more than 10,000 fierce soldiers of the imperial guards to cross the river and go south to Hongnong to attack the Jin army stationed outside the pass together with the Tongguan garrison.

The Jin army was shaken for a time, and the men in the central army of Luoyang and Luonan suffered heavy casualties. They were forced to set up fences on the road and hold on. The defenders of Tongguan took advantage of the situation to launch an attack. Seeing that the Jin army was about to be overthrown, Hou Feihu immediately led the Black and Yellow Army out of the camp and attacked the troops outside Pujin Pass. At the same time, he sent the light cavalry of the Ambush Army to the south to attack the Xiongnu from the side.

The Xiongnu soldiers who attacked the camp were caught off guard and retreated in large strides until Liu Can mobilized a part of the imperial guards to move forward and stabilize the position. In desperation, he could only recall the imperial guards that had crossed the river to the south to strengthen the defense outside Pujin Pass.

On the 20th, Hou Feihu sent people to sneak across to the west bank of the Yellow River to incite the Di and Qiang tribes in Fengyi to rebel, which was suppressed by the remaining Xiongnu troops.

On the 22nd, Hou Feihu attacked the Huns' camp at night and beheaded more than a thousand people.

From this we can see that the so-called camp attack and defense battle is far from what most people imagine, a battle against a mixed earth and wood camp.

It even includes various tactics such as attack and defense on the outer front, cutting off and counter-cutting off of food supply, night attacks, and subverting the enemy.

If he were replaced by a younger general, he might not be able to control such a complicated situation, let alone deploy troops calmly.

But even this battle of wits and courage, bloody fighting, and heavy casualties may be described in history books as a simple sentence: "(Liu) Can attacked the camp of Jin general Hou Feihu for more than 20 days but failed to conquer it."

Today (the 24th), another massive attack on the camp broke out, and the two sides fought for most of the day.

By evening, the attackers were exhausted and retreated in panic.

The defenders were unable to pursue and could only lick their wounds in silence.

Liu Can drank the last glass of wine, sighed, and went down the city wall.

Part of the Hun army was stationed in Dongcheng, part in the nearby Cangcheng, part in the small town near the ferry, and finally more than 30,000 people were stationed in a temporary camp.

I can’t beat him, what can I do!

The Han Dynasty only has this much strength. If the main force of Shao's elite troops had not all headed north, they would have been able to retreat to Puzhou Pass and Tongguan for defense and would have been unable to move eastward.

He had to withdraw now.

News came from Fengyi that the Diqiang tribes were in turmoil. Although they were still intimidated by the might of the army and did not dare to rebel, they heard that some people were secretly colluding...

While Liu Can was worried, he suddenly thought of Liu Yi.

It was a clear afternoon. Someone quietly told him that the late emperor wanted to depose his younger brother and establish a crown prince, but he could not find an excuse and was hesitant.

As a result, one conspiracy after another came out and put the crown prince Liu Yi to death.

Dozens of Di and Qiang people in Fengyi, Di people in Shangjun, and Xianbei chieftains in Baibu who supported Liu Yi were all executed.

On that day, a Di Qiang chieftain was lifted off the ground with shackles, leaving only his head to bear the weight, and was tortured to death.

That day, a Diqiang chieftain had his eyes blinded by a red-hot iron.

On that day, countless Di and Qiang chieftains were tortured to death just for confessing Liu Yi's "rebellion".

The hatred was so great that the more than 100,000 Di and Qiang people in Fengyi have not yet returned, and it has always been the source of unrest.

Liu Can vaguely felt that he might have done something wrong.

But he quickly shook his head. He was not wrong. What was wrong with using any means necessary to gain power?

The late emperor once solemnly promised in front of all the civil and military officials in the court and the nobles of various tribes that after his death, he would pass the throne to Empress Shan’s legitimate son Liu Yi.

Without these words, the late emperor might not have been able to ascend the throne smoothly.

But after ascending the throne, this sentence has always been like a thorn in the flesh. As he grows older and his body deteriorates, this piercing pain becomes more and more unbearable.

If Liu Yi had not "rebelled", he would have been able to ascend the throne as the crown prince naturally, because he was not without supporters.

He had the support of more than 100,000 Di and Qiang tribesmen in Fengyi.

His biological mother, Queen Shan, came from a noble family of the Shangjun Di people and was on good terms with the four Xianbei tribes (the Bai tribe).

The strength of his supporters cannot be underestimated.

Once he ascended the throne, he could rely on the Xianbei, Di, Qiang and some Xiongnu nobles in Shangjun and Fengyi to issue orders. As for the Jin nobles in the country, they probably didn't care who was the emperor and would support him.

So, I was not wrong!

It was Liu Yi who was wrong. Who made you refuse to surrender until the last moment? Who made your supporters still push you to become the emperor of the Han Dynasty and seek their welfare until the last moment?
The wind blew across the earth, the sky was covered with dark clouds, and the weather was changing.

With a stern face, Liu Can, surrounded by his followers, crossed Zhongyu City and arrived at Puzhou Pass West City.

Now, he had to stop the Xianbei cavalry moving south from Shangjun.

******
On June 27th, a large group of cavalry arrived at the bank of Yanchi.

The number of people ranges from hundreds to thousands.

By the end of June, a total of more than 30,000 people had arrived. These were all dispatched by Wang from the east and the Dongmugen Mountain area, including the Wuhuan people who had migrated west from Dai County, as well as the Xianbei tribe led by Hegu who had recently surrendered.

Wang received all the gentlemen one by one in Liangcheng.

"The General Zhendong defeated Liu Chang at Sheyan River, captured more than 3,000 people and 70,000 cattle and sheep. He then went to Fushi and joined forces with Qiu Dun's troops to defeat Liu Chang again, capturing a large number of prisoners." Wang's voice was calm but also carried a hint of unquestionableness, which made Shao Xun, who was digging a ditch nearby, laugh secretly.

In fact, Liu Chang had been completely defeated.

The Xianbei pursued him relentlessly, and in three battles, they captured and killed more than 10,000 people. The remaining 10,000 people, mostly from the various tribes in Guanzhong, fled all the way south. Liu Chang did not dare to flee south, so he stayed in Fushi County, the current seat of Shangjun.

This city is located on the north bank of the Sheyan River (Wuding River), with mountains on the north and south sides and an empty river valley in the middle. The Fushi City is located here - roughly near the ancient city of Huolianhaize in Yuhe Town, Yulin City.

Liu Chang had few soldiers and could only defend the city, which was in great danger.

The Xiongnu cavalry who abandoned Liu Chang fled first to Yangzhou (now Yangqiaopan Town, Jingbian County). The Xianbei cavalry chased them, and the Xiongnu abandoned the city and fled to the southwest.

The Xianbei continued to chase them, but now no one knew where they were and no news had been sent back.

There is no news about Shi Le and Shi Hu, uncle and nephew. The only thing said is that they fled westward, while some say they are still hiding in the mountains of Shangjun. There is no consensus.

When fighting on the grassland, cavalry is indeed more effective.

Jin Zheng's infantry can never catch up with the Xianbei cavalry. If he wants to manage Shangjun well in the future, he still has to rely on Bingzhou and Guanzhong.

"Bang!" Shao Xun's shovel hit a stone, and the blade broke directly. He threw it away helplessly and sat on a big tree stump to rest.

Tong Qianjin walked over, blinked his one eye, then ran straight to the baggage camp, called the blacksmith Chang Wei, and asked him to repair it.

Shao Xun just quietly enjoyed the breeze and watched the woman "putting on airs".

"The King of Liang kept his word. Two rolls of silk will be given to each person, regardless of gender, age or status. But it would be best if the whole family is intact to reassure him." Wang said, "In addition to the silk, there are also military rations. Life has been difficult this year, and with these grains, we can get through the winter smoothly. You should keep this in mind."

"Yes." The tribal nobles responded in unison.

For the sake of the food they coveted, they did not mind being more respectful and praising the Khatun at this time.

And if I can really gain something by going to Henan, I don’t mind being more respectful in the future.

How does prestige come about? It is actually accumulated bit by bit.

Wang sent envoys everywhere to urge the various troops to move south. Some people were very doubtful, and Wang repeatedly persuaded them that if they could really win the battle in the end or return with a full load, that would be prestige.

Everyone needs prestige to consolidate their power and status. A heroine like Wang, who ate too much in one breath and has a little indigestion, needs prestige even more.

After the chieftains left, Wang had someone spread out a carpet, knelt down beside Shao Xun, stole a glance at his face, and asked, "Do you miss the child? Do you want to bring Li Zhen over so you can hold him?"

Shao Xun was somewhat tempted, but still refused: "I will visit him when I return to Pingcheng. He is still young, and he might get sick after all the traveling. That would not be good for him."

"Yeah." Wang responded softly.

"You don't have to do this." Shao Xun glanced at her and said, "Your foundation is too fragile now. It is natural for me to let you build up some prestige. Why do you have to use my son to test you?"

Wang's face turned slightly red.

She had long discovered that Shao Xun liked to play with women, but was very caring towards his children. This might be one of his few weaknesses.

Sometimes, Wang always felt that Shao Xun loved Li Zhen more than she did as a mother.

"Most of the troops you have recruited these days are from the east and central regions, right?" Shao Xun asked again.

"Well, Wuhuan accounted for half, and Xianbei, Xiongnu, and Jie people accounted for about 10% to 20% each."

"Where are the soldiers of the Daijun Wang family going?"

"Go to Shuofang." Wang whispered.

"You are still trying to carve out territory for yourself." Shao Xun laughed, "Don't fail to conquer Shuofang, or you will make a fool of yourself and be looked down upon by others."

"No." Wang looked around and saw that besides her maids and guards, there were only Shao Xun's personal soldiers around, so she moved closer, resting her head on the man's arms, and said, "If you lend me the Youzhou Tuqi Commander, we will surely win a great victory."

"That's a nice thought." Shao Xun smiled and said, "Back then, the Tuoba clan also got thousands of horse armors, right? Where did they go?"

"Some are lost, and some are badly damaged." Wang said, "In fact, most of them are in the hands of the Tuoba Ten Surnames. Two years ago, you relocated 50,000 people from Pingcheng, and many blacksmiths were gone. Only Shengle had some left. When Aitou fled north in a hurry, he didn't even take his concubines with him, but he took all the blacksmiths with him..."

"Aitou is really a man who can accomplish great things." Shao Xun praised: "He would rather his woman be lost and humiliated by others than not take the blacksmith away. I admire you."

"If I lose..." Wang raised her head and asked.

Shao Xun gently stroked her face and said, "Then go to Liangcheng State. If you can't stay there, just flee south and come to the Central Plains. Focus on yourself. You are only twenty-one years old and can accompany me for a long time."

Wang lowered her head again.

Shao Xun withdrew his hand with satisfaction. This woman had become much more obedient after being beaten and hit recently.

"Tell all the tribes not to stop. Chase the Xiongnu wherever they go." Shao Xun stood up and said, "If they go to Yongzhou, chase them to Yongzhou. If they go to Qinzhou, chase them to Qinzhou. The old and weak in all the tribes, drive all the cattle and sheep south to provide support."

"Aren't you going west?" Wang asked.

"I'll be here, digging ditches and planting beans and vegetables with my son's tribe. Now that things have come to this, some battles can be let the younger generation fight, and I can just stabilize the overall situation for them." Shao Xun took a new shovel and said.

"You dig ditches and plant vegetables, and I'll milk the cows and smoke the meat." Wang also stood up and said with a smile.

"Good." Shao Xun said with a smile, "This is how I will look like a wife of the Shao family."

The captives in the distance saw that Shao Xun was really digging ditches for them, and they were convinced and moved faster. After all, they would be the ones who would benefit from the digging of the irrigation canals.

In the evening, the Secretary General Lu Chen came on command. After a secret conversation, he drafted an order on the spot: Hou Feihu was appointed as the commander-in-chief, commanding all the troops in the four counties of Xihe, Pingyang, Hedong and Hongnong, waiting for an opportunity to advance westward into Guanzhong.

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(End of this chapter)