Three Kingdoms

While Cao Xiu and Cao Hong were advancing, Cao Cao also launched an attack on Tongguan.

Although this level of attack can only be regarded as a "small-scale" battle, and the intention is not to capture Tongguan, but to harass and suppress, it still has some intimidating power for Ma Yue and others above Tongguan.

 Cao Jun's camp was very large and long, so Cao Jun in the rear camp actually had a good rest. However, for Tongguan, because of the defense system, even though there was a city wall as a support, it was impossible to rest very well. Even though most people know that the city wall of Tongguan has passed the test of blood and fire, they will inevitably worry subconsciously and affect their rest.

 Cao Jun's soldiers were arrayed on Niutou Plateau, far away from Tongguan on the opposite side.

 The wind and snow are blowing down.

 Cao Cao turned his head and looked at the river that was now covered with ice and snow, sighing slightly in his heart.

If you forget about the wars in front of you, what you see at this moment is also a rare beauty.

　　　　Broken jade is flying, and the condensed fat is strange. The silver snake meanders for thousands of miles. The shore is covered with frost and ice hangs over the rock wall. The branches of jade trees leave traces in the snow. How desolate it is to be so lonely..."

 Cao Cao recited a few words casually.

If he had not held the sword back then, then maybe he would have become a poet.

 It’s a pity that there is no if.

  It's like what if...

Thinking about the past, regretting the past, it was not as good as the past.

The wind and snow seem to bring the heaven and the earth together, and people will feel more and more insignificant in it, and realize the majesty of nature, and then they can wash away the dust of the world, and get the sublimation of the soul in the white world in front of them...

The ones who destroyed this beautiful scenery were Cao Cao himself and Tongguan in front of him.

The Tongguan in front of us really lacks beauty.

Tongguan City is indeed very ugly, gray and black, ferocious, like a ferocious beast, crawling on the Linzhi Plateau, incompatible with the surrounding natural scenery, devouring the flesh, blood and soul of living creatures.

Tongguan City was just an earthen city at the beginning, and later it was built into a brick wall. However, because the center of the Han Dynasty was still in Luoyang at that time, it was naturally impossible to give Tongguan much funding for repairs. Even Hangu Pass was in a semi-abandoned state until Fei After sneaking into the main pass, Tongguan began to be rebuilt on a large scale.

At that time, was Fei Qian already planning and expecting the current situation?

 Cao Cao's eyes were slightly wandering.

 The dull sound of war drums roared.

In order to keep the drum's skin from getting wet, Cao Cao also took special care of this matter.

 Wrap it in oil paper first, and then place it in charcoal to prevent moisture. However, this only ensures that the war drum can be loud in the early stages of use. As it is exposed to the outside world longer, water vapor will penetrate into the drum head and body, and then it will gradually become dull when struck, and then If you keep knocking hard, it will probably break.

 In the wind and snow, not only the effectiveness of weapons and equipment that rely on rubber bands will be reduced, but also other types of weapons will become ineffective...

 Cao Cao focused his attention on Tongguan City.

The figures on the top of Tongguan City were swaying, as if they were doing something, but they couldn't see clearly under the wind and snow.

 After Tongguan, there is Guanzhong.

It was such a pass, but Cao Cao's army was blocked here, unable to move.

 Now is the best time.

 The sky full of wind and snow is like adding a law to all battlefields - "Gunpowder weakens, steel strengthens".

If we can get through this, then Guanzhong will be within easy reach.

However, it is still difficult, because the important thing about Tongguan is not only the gunpowder, but also the solid city wall and the dangerous terrain.

 Guanzhong, Cao Cao also visited Guanzhong before.

 Speaking of which, Sanfu in Guanzhong was once very prosperous, but after decades of repeated turmoil and riots in Xiqiang, Sanfu in Guanzhong gradually turned into a deserted land. Many places have become ruins, and only a small amount of trade with the barbarians remains. There are no specialties in Guanzhong, and even the originally fertile cultivated land around it has become a paradise for weeds.

Fei Qian almost restored such a desolate land...

Well, maybe it’s not just recovery.

 It means reconstruction, just like Tongguan in front of us.

 It is surprising.

 The east gate of Tongguan is also called Chaoyang Gate.

 That's right, Cao Cao didn't know how many times he had encountered the word "Chaoyang". It seems that there is a Chen County in Yanzhou, and the east gate is also called this name, and then there is also one in Yuzhou, and there is also one in Jizhou. Maybe one day, when a certain emperor calls it "Chaoyang", maybe these repeated names can be sealed.

Cao Cao even knew about Chang'an in Guanzhong...

Oh, no, he even knew which way the door of the Husband's Office opened.

 Although he has never been there even once.

This information was sent to Cao Cao's desk early.

 But some information is missing...

 Cao Cao's eyes fell on the artillery positions in Tongguan, and he was looking forward to it.

Although he had heard that Huang's workshop was developing an instrument with a loud explosion before, Cao Cao "habitually" thought it was just gunpowder or a grenade.

Like Guo Jia's judgment, Cao Cao also believed that it was impossible for this kind of artillery to be fired without restrictions.

During this period of fighting, Cao Cao also confirmed this, but this does not mean that Cao Cao despises this thing...

 In fact, in history, China's artillery, or the use of gunpowder, was not as bad as Qingchui described. At the end of the Ming Dynasty, the development of cannon-making technology and gunpowder had actually reached a world-class level. The reason why there were a large number of red barbarian cannons at the end of the Ming Dynasty was not that the Chinese Ming Dynasty could not make them, but that some people wanted to Certain interests can only be forced by Hong Yi in the end.

 Some, is the plural.

 It’s like the present in Shandong.

Cao Cao thought that if one day Shandong could actually build artillery pieces like Fei Qian, there would probably be problems of one kind or another.

Thirty shield cars were arranged in three rows, and driven by more than 300 auxiliary soldiers, they headed towards Tongguan.

In the middle of the shield chariots, there are some ram chariots and chariots, and behind the array of shield chariots there are also a few sporadic arrow towers and ladder chariots.

 The shield chariot and other siege equipment creaked forward.

 The infantry advanced under the cover of the shield chariot.

The further Cao Jun’s soldiers moved forward, the slower they slowed down, as if they were waiting for something...

　　　Boom! 』

The artillery on top of Tongguan City suddenly roared, and a cannonball flew out.

 A shield chariot was torn apart.

　　ε＝ε＝ε＝(#>д<)　

Cao Jun’s formation suddenly fell into chaos!

 Can you still fire cannons in the rain and snow? !

Not only did Cao Cao's army array become a little chaotic, but even Cao Cao couldn't help but jump in his heart!

this…

How can this be? !

 Cao Cao's face couldn't help but darken, like dark clouds rolling in the sky.

　　　　　lord! ” Guo Jia said in a deep voice from the side, his voice was steady and powerful, “Don’t retreat! 』

Cao Cao took a slight breath and looked over the top of Tongguan City. Soon, Cao Cao understood what Guo Jia meant, and nodded and said: "That's true. If you pass on the order, Tongguan's artillery is not something to be afraid of!" March forward quickly, without delay! 』

 The soldiers rushed away in a hurry, and after a while, the war drums roared louder and louder.

The middle and lower-ranking non-commissioned officers of Cao's army rushed to the front of the formation, beating and kicking them to calm down the panicked Cao army...

The ordinary soldiers of Cao's army looked at Tongguan and seemed to believe what the military order said. The artillery at Tongguan was suppressed. So Cao Jun's auxiliary soldiers and the main soldiers started making noises, speeding up almost crazily and pushing the shield cart and other vehicles forward desperately.

 The range, power, and rate of fire of artillery, etc., were not only clearly understood by Cao Cao during the past few days of attack and defense, but also by Cao Cao's soldiers.

At a distance of 800 steps from Tongguan, it is most vulnerable to artillery attack. Within 500 steps, it is difficult for the artillery to hit due to the shooting angle. Instead, you have to worry about the ballistas on the Tongguan city wall.

It's just that the attack power of the ballista is relatively small, and generally speaking, it cannot defeat the shield vehicle. Because today's artillery has a limited mounting structure, and it is a smoothbore cannon. At the same time, ballistics has not yet been enlightened. Most gunners operate based on experience, so in fact the artillery's versatility is not What an improvement. So you only need to pass as soon as possible after entering the range of 800 steps, then the shield chariot can support it to within 500 steps, providing more defense for Cao Jun...

However, under the previous bombardment of nearly ten artillery pieces in Tongguan, it was often difficult for the shield vehicles with their huge bodies to successfully enter within 500 steps. Even if a few vehicles were lucky enough to escape the bombardment of the artillery, they would be killed by the crossbow vehicles. They were quickly defeated under concentrated fire.

 But now, it does seem to be different.

The Tongguan artillery that originally roared continuously, like rolling thunder, now did not sound. After a while, another artillery sounded.

Cao Cao squinted his eyes and looked at it.

After waiting for a while, Cao Cao smiled and said, "If it's as Feng Xiao said, it's just the end of a strong crossbow..."

 Above Tongguan, there are only two artillery left that can fire.

 The deterrent effect of the two artillery pieces on Cao Jun was immediately reduced a lot.

 Although the two cannons were firing hard, the subsequent times became the denominator of the average.

 A cannonball was fired high, directly over the crowd and into the ice-covered river, punching a hole in the ice.

The other one bounced on the ground, plowing out a black and red line.

Although the other two hit Cao Jun's troops, they failed to hit the shield truck. They only destroyed a ladder truck and took away a dozen Cao Jun soldiers. The shells showed that it tried its best...

Even so, Cao Cao still believed that these hussar gunners were really capable.

Cao Cao originally thought that in this windy and snowy weather, the Hussars' artillery and grenades would be turned into scrap metal. Unexpectedly, there were still two artillery pieces above Tongguan that could fire.

Is this a temporary shed built to shelter from the wind and snow?

 What method was used to solve the problem of gunpowder getting damp?

But even if there are moisture-proof means, as long as it is used in wind and snow, there will not be many fuses and gunpowder that are not affected by moisture?

Sure enough, it didn’t take long for the artillery to stop completely.

  It is like the war drum behind Cao Cao.

The skin was soaked in wind and snow, and the sound could not be made.

Even without the war drums as an incentive, Cao Jun’s soldiers on the front line seemed to have stronger fighting spirit. They cheered and rushed forward. It seemed that for these Cao Jun's auxiliary soldiers, as long as there was no threat from artillery, it was a matter worth celebrating.

Cao Cao looked at it, and the stone in his heart seemed to loosen a little.

 But after a moment, another wry smile appeared on the corner of Cao Cao's mouth.

Compared with the hussar soldiers, Cao Jun's elite, although they are also called elites, are more accustomed to facing the original battle mode, facing the old habits of swords, guns and rolling stones, and are not good at using new weapons.

  Yes, the old model.

 Most people like old models and always have an inexplicable fear of new things.

 Because it’s unknown…

 The same is true for Cao Cao. He will also be afraid when facing his own unknown.

Cao Cao thought that he could change the shortcomings of the Han Dynasty. He thought that the root of the Han Dynasty's problems was the eunuchs, as those Qingliu said, and Cao Cao also really saw the misbehavior of the eunuchs and those who were related to the eunuchs, so he created a five-color stick. . After he beat him with a five-color stick, Cao Cao realized that killing several eunuchs would not help at all.

So, killing all the eunuchs, is it equivalent to curing the big man?

Perhaps with this idea in mind, when Yuan Shao entered the palace, Cao Cao followed suit. Then he discovered again that in fact eunuchs were not as important as he thought. After killing so many tigers and leopards, the big man was still in a state of decay and his court system collapsed.

 So, what is the problem?

Then Cao Cao felt that it must be the powerful minister Dong Zhuo who was causing trouble...

  After all, that’s what Shandong Qingliu said at the time.

 Now, he has become a "powerful minister", fighting against another "powerful minister".

Back then, Cao Cao wanted to pursue Dong Zhuo in Suanzao, and at least there was Bao Xin following him, but now...

 Bao Xin is dead.

 Cao Cao is still alone.

So, the root cause of the diseases of the Han Dynasty is really the eunuchs? Or a powerful minister?

  Or in some other place?

 Cao Cao has the answer in his mind.

 But he was avoiding that answer.

The big man is like a big tree that has been decayed by fungi. It seems that there are still some parts that are intact. You only need to remove the decayed areas. But after you actually use the knife, you will find that one area has been removed. There is another place. If a knife is used everywhere, will this big tree still exist?

Cao Cao wielded his sword, seemingly with great openness, but in fact he was careful in his approach.

　　　『I’m so envious...』

 Cao Cao whispered, then looked up at Tongguan.

After Cao Jun approached within 500 steps, the ballistas on top of Tongguan City fired furiously, but they stopped after a short time.

The bow strings of the ballistas will also be affected by moisture, so this time they were able to reach the foot of Tongguan City. There were more shield chariots on the edge of the ditch than before.

The trench at Tongguan was originally more than two feet deep, but many places had been filled in or dug out in previous battles. The trench collapsed in many places, and many of the spikes inside the trench were flattened.

 As the shield chariot gained a foothold in front, the convoy chariot and other vehicles following behind quickly followed.

The soldiers of Cao's army were like ants seeing honey, swarming up one after another. Some were working hard to dig and fill holes, some were pushing wooden planks to build a temporary bridge deck, some climbed up the archery tower and fired at the soldiers in Tongguan Lower City, and some were trying to use ladder trucks to hook up a New attack lanes…

The effectiveness of the arrows in the wind and snow was also reduced. As the bowstrings became damp, the power of the arrows gradually decreased, so both sides quickly stopped this ineffective method.

 Everything seemed to be exactly as Guo Jia expected. The long-range weapons of the Hussars were greatly suppressed, but Guo Jia was still a little nervous and clenched his fists in his sleeves.

Soon, what Guo Jia was worried about happened.

 The grenade was thrown down.

Guo Jia stared at it, and then counted the number. After a while, he let out a sigh of relief and said, "It's done." 』

 Cao Cao smiled and nodded.

Hand grenades were also affected by wind and snow.

The power of the explosion seems to have dropped a lot, not to mention that some grenades were extinguished by the wind and snow in the air even if the fuse was lit.

 ‘In this case, the last resort is left...’ Guo Jia said slowly, but his tone was much more relaxed.

 After suppressing gunpowder, all combat modes fell into the range that Cao Jun was accustomed to.

Just as Guo Jia said, there is only one method left that can stop these siege equipment from destroying the city wall.

Several shield chariots and chrysanthemum chariots crossed the ditch and arrived under the Tongguan city wall. When Cao's soldiers were preparing to dig holes and destroy them, kerosene poured from the city wall.

 The torch was thrown down.

Even in the wind and snow, the power of the fire oil is still violent. The flames rising into the sky roared in the wind and snow, and the billowing black smoke filled the city wall.

 Cao Jun had to suspend his offensive.

The first shield chariots and chrysanthemum chariots that arrived under the Tongguan city wall were destroyed, but a new batch of siege equipment was assembled at the rear.

The fire was raging under the city wall, and it was impossible to attack for a while, so Cao Jun temporarily stopped.

 A batch of freshly baked steamed cakes and hot soup were carried by the foremen and sent to the front line.

Many soldiers of Cao's army just caught and ate them, regardless of the blood and cement on their hands. They knew that although the fire caused by this kind of kerosene was fierce, it would not last long. If they did not take advantage of this time to eat something quickly, they would be starving to death if they died in battle later.

However, even though the attack on Tongguan still resulted in a narrow escape, Cao's soldiers seemed to have seen hope. At least now the hussars were forced to be on the same level as them under the wind and snow. The dangers and threats that Cao Jun's soldiers had to face were those they were familiar with, and they were no longer the scary gunpowder derivatives. This improved the morale of Cao Jun's soldiers unconsciously.

　　Previously, Cao’s army was forced to follow the rhythm of the hussars and was suppressed by the hussars’ new weapons. But now they seem to be able to play "happily" with the hussars in this quagmire...

 Cao Cao is ready to transfer, he is going to Hedong.

 This is his last card...