Three Kingdoms

 Zhang Yangchi.

 It is a cold and chaotic morning.

If it weren’t for human beings’ own judgment of time, it would be difficult to distinguish morning from dusk just by relying on the dim sky in front of them.

 The light gray and dark gray clouds in the sky cover all fields of view.

 What was once a puddle is now basically frozen into solid ice.

If it is summer and autumn, the scenery here is very beautiful. The long-term warm climate in the Han Dynasty made Zhangyangchi, an inland lake, like a huge mirror, reflecting the surrounding mountains, woods, and sky.

 In the past, the faint ripples of the lake shone with little brilliance under the sun, like countless elves dancing in the lake.

And now, what is dancing is the sharp-toothed snowflake elf. It looks like the crystal clear water on the summer lake, but it is so sinister that it can secretly tear people's faces and cause frostbite on the exposed ears and fingers.

If Zhangyang Pond in summer is beautiful and full of vitality, then Zhangyang Pond at present is full of murderous intent.

In the wilderness heading towards Zhang Yangchi, the hussars galloped back and forth, chasing and fighting with Cao Jun's scouts.

Under the falling snowflakes, they ran around in the wilderness, fighting each other among the withered bushes and ruins of abandoned villages. Although the number of these scouts was not large, the fighting was unambiguous. .

 Ambush, counter-ambush, sneak attack, counter-surprise attack.

　　It seems to be happening in every corner.

 At the end of the game, it seems as if there are scouts popping up in the void at any time.

 Overall, Cao Jun's scouts were at a disadvantage, but Cao Jun's scouts were large in number. They even began to use infantry combined with cavalry to advance forward, clearing out the pure cavalry scouts of hussars.

This tactic of not seeking speed, but seeking stability, caused some losses to Sima Yi's scouts, but the same losses to Cao's army were also great. Many of these damages are not caused by direct combat casualties, but are caused by problems caused by the severe cold.

Of course, at this moment, everyone in the Cao army still feels that the death of some people is not a problem...

 After all, there are many people in Shandong, so what you have is people.

 This is the perception of Shandong’s ruling class throughout China’s history.

 deeply rooted.

Cao Hong already had some experience in dealing with the hussars. Unless it was absolutely necessary, the limited cavalry in his hands would never confront the hussars. He could only use a small group of cavalry to contain the two wings of the hussars, and then use the infantry to contain them. Use up the hussars, and then look for opportunities to attack the weak flanks.

Cao Hong knew that Sima Yi wanted to use cavalry to harass Cao's army, making it impossible for Cao's army to camp closer to Zhang Yangchi, forcing Cao's army to go farther when fighting. Of course Cao Hong hopes to be closer to the battlefield, which can save the soldiers' physical strength, so he must continue to push forward and march towards Zhang Yangchi under pressure.

Zhang Xi, the general who was following Cao Hong, took a few steps forward and whispered beside Cao Hong: "The scouts reported back and found a group of hussars of about 800 people, which seemed to be heading here. It is said that they were fighting." The general's flag is the word "Sima". 』

　　　　　　…』Cao Hong muttered through gritted teeth, "What does this beast want to do?" ” Because Cao Hong said it through gritted teeth, it sounded more like a dead horse or something else.

　　　　　Coming to attack us? But there are only 800 people..." Zhang Xi also frowned, unable to understand, "800 people want to march towards me, do you really think they are invincible? 』

Cao Hong sneered twice, "I can't say they really think that cavalry is omnipotent." 』

Cao Hong really wanted to let him take the initiative to attack. After all, Cao Hong believed that the infantry would be enough to compete with the cavalry after forming a formation.

After a while, Cao Hong asked: "My lord, is there any reply?" 』

 Zhang Xi shook his head.

Cao Hong looked back and saw thin flying snow in his field of vision. He was silent for a moment and whispered: "It's best not to snow tomorrow..."

 …

 …

 At the entrance of Zhongtiao Mountain.

The Cao army camp is also being built here.

Five miles away from the mountain pass, Cao's army had already formed its formation, looking around vigilantly in the wind and snow.

From time to time, Cao Jun's cavalry was running back and forth, either passing orders or detecting the surrounding situation.

Before the barracks are fully set up, the left and right flanks are each equipped with 3,000 men, forming a military formation that is both offensive and defensive. It can not only resist and expel enemy cavalry with a regular dense array, but also rely on long-range firepower from its rear to expel those who try to take advantage. Ride.

 Behind the two wing arrays are the soldiers of Cao's army who are constantly surging out from the mountain pass. The minor officials responsible for planning the camp area carried command flags and marked the roads and open spaces. The advance personnel of each battalion guided the troops in the same queue to disembark based on these marked flag positions.

Cao Cao relied on Zhongtiao Mountain and set up a plum blossom camp.

This kind of plum blossom camp is also called Liuchu Camp. It is probably named because this camp has six main passages, like a blooming plum blossom, and each branch camp and the main camp can support and connect with each other. .

 The central army serves as the main camp. The left and right armies and the left and right Yuhou armies each have three separate camps. The central army is located in the center, while the sixth army is distributed around. This kind of camp is cumbersome, but it can flexibly respond to different battlefield needs.

Cao Cao was naturally in the central camp, built as if Mount Tai in Shandong had been moved here. The flag of the commander-in-chief was raised high and fluttered in the wind. The lines outlined by wooden walls and trenches around the camp continued to extend.

 The left and right wings each have separate battalions to respond to the central army, which are independent but closely connected with each other. The soldiers' tents inside the camp were arranged neatly, and the sound of soldiers and iron clashing could be heard occasionally. The patrolling queue slowly rotated around the camp.

 The smoke rises and connects with the clouds in the sky.

Throughout the camp, Cao Jun's soldiers were operating in an orderly manner, either strengthening the camp, organizing supplies, practicing in the cold wind, or strengthening their tents.

Cao Cao seemed to be ready to completely turn to the battlefield in Hedong, and spared no effort to demonstrate his advantages.

 In Shandong, even if there are many people, even if they are exhausted, they can still kill the hussars!

Um…

 Can the tactic of having a large number of ceremonial guards really always work?

Although the wind and snow are a little lighter now, it is undoubtedly more difficult to fight at a high intensity in this kind of weather.

So what did Cao Cao want to do when he built the camp with great fanfare?

After Cao Cao arrived at the Chinese army camp, he went to the snow to check it out. The snow layer was not too deep, at least it did not have much impact on the march. He immediately climbed up to the high platform to observe, and could faintly see people and horses shaking around outside.

Guo Jia also climbed onto the high platform.

　　　　Not discovered yet? "Cao Cao didn't look back and asked directly.

　　　『The last time the scouts reported, they did not see a large number of hussars. ” Guo Jia said, “After detection by scouts, Hedong soldiers and horses were deployed along Puban, Jie County, and Pi County. Anyi was used as the logistics gathering place. There were nearly ten thousand soldiers and horses... but they were all ordinary Hedong soldiers and horses... and No artillery was found in the counties..."

　　　Artillery. ” Cao Cao nodded, then paused for a moment, frowning slightly, “Is the Qiusi… in the east of the river? He didn't come to attack? 』

Guo Jia shook his head and said, "A few people were arrested alive, and their confessions were inconsistent. They said they were yes or no. It's difficult to determine for the time being." 』

Cao Cao thought for a moment and said, "Instruct all battalions to speed up and make sure to build camps before nightfall... Well, we must also be careful to guard against night attacks by hussars... In addition, if the snow stops, we should wake up someone immediately..."

Although there is no direct evidence, Cao Cao felt that Fei Qian was in Hedong.

 Can only be found in Hedong.

 …

 …

　　　　Is it even more exciting when it snows? These crazy dogs from Shandong..."

 A hussar, swearing.

Not far to the west of Cao Jun’s camp in Zhangyangchi, a three-color battle flag stood in the wind and snow. Under the flag, Sima Yi arrived here with his troops, looking at the camp Cao Hong was building from a distance.

 Cao Hong’s camp is quite satisfactory. Although Cao Hong may not be as strong as he was in history, after many years of war, his basic skills are still good.

However, Sima Yi has shown his edge earlier than in history.

 In The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, many people got to know Sima Yi because of the confrontation between Sima Yi and Zhuge Liang. In fact, among the Cao Wei Group, in the early days under Cao Cao, Sima Yi was almost invisible and rarely showed his face.

On the one hand, Cao Cao has a suspicious character, which makes Cao Cao wary of those who are more capable but less loyal. On the other hand, there were many talented and strategic people around Cao Cao at that time, and their abilities even surpassed Sima Yi in some aspects. So Sima Yi waited until the others were old or dead before he emerged.

Nowadays, Sima Yi has a bigger stage. He doesn't need to endure or endure. He just needs to fully demonstrate his abilities and prove that he can not only be a good logistics official, but also a front-line official. of leadership.

Well, it’s just a leader.

 Sima Yi is self-aware.

In fact, it was not as complicated as Cao Hong thought. Sima Yi came to check the military situation in person. The reason why he brought 800 cavalry was not to attack or attack Cao Hong, but just... he was afraid of death.

 After all, the scout war was so fierce before...

Sima Yi put down the telescope in his hand and handed it to the military prince beside him.

Junhou was stunned, and quickly took the telescope and looked at it carefully.

　　　Do you see anything? ” Sima Yi pointed to Cao Hong’s soldiers in the distance who were setting up an advance camp, and said to Huonu.

Honu is from Youzhou, with a thick beard that looks like hair growing from the top of his head to his chin. At first glance, you can tell that he has some Hu people ancestry...

 Ouch!

So, is the bearded Mr. Zhang...

 (Zhang Sanye was furious, "I am pure! Don't leave, just take a spear from me!")

 Youzhou was originally a borderland, a bitter and cold place, and since Liu Yu's death, it has never been clean again.

First there was the battle between Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan, and then there was the invasion of the Hu people. Later, Cao Jun took control of Youzhou, but there were a lot of frictions with the Hussars. The land around Youzhou was originally more difficult to cultivate than Jizhou and Yuzhou. As a result, after years of fighting and capturing young men, the population of Youzhou continued to decline, and a lot of cultivated land was abandoned.

 Therefore, many people in Youzhou have moved to other places. Some go to Shandong, and naturally many come to Guanzhong.

 Huonu Mo, unlike Mr. Zhang, mainly did not meet Liu Daer. He didn't live a good life in Youzhou before. You can tell by looking at his name, and you can understand that his status was not high when he was in Youzhou, otherwise he wouldn't be called "slave".

 Except nicknames. After all, there are many nicknames like Goucheng Goudan, but if the famous name is also called Goudan Gouchan...

 After arriving in Guanzhong, Huonu surrendered to the army.

　　　　　General, are you...asking me? ”Honu was a little unsure.

Sima Yi smiled and said, "I'm not a general yet... I'm just joining the army... I'm asking you, have you seen Cao Jun's problem?" 』

 Surprise! Sima Yi is good at being a teacher?

 Actually, it was not the case, but during this trip to Hedong, Sima Yi found that there were too few people under his command.

The private soldiers of the Sima family are indeed good and have strong loyalty, but loyalty alone is of no use. Compared with the soldiers and soldiers who have undergone serious training at the military academy under the Hussars, they are still far behind, so Sima Yi wants to To make some good connections, you may not necessarily need them at any time. When you meet someone who is willing to learn and make progress, just give them a few casual suggestions. It doesn’t take much effort and you can get some good impressions. Why not do it?

After hearing this, Huonu quickly turned his head and continued to hold up the telescope, trying to observe.

After a while, Huonu seemed to see something, put down the telescope, then looked up at the sky, and said to Sima Yi with some hesitation: "It seems... a little slower..."

　　　That’s right, it’s slow. ” Sima Yi nodded, reached for the telescope, and stared at Cao Hong’s camp in the distance again.

In such weather, generally speaking, you can only march for half a day, and then start setting up camp in the afternoon. Otherwise, when night falls, the soldiers will not be able to have a good rest in the camp.

 However, it was obvious that Cao Hong was "slow".

Honuba smacked his lips, "At this speed, I probably won't be able to set up camp at night... In this case, is it possible..."

Sima Yi still smiled, then nodded, and then shook his head.

 …

 …

 In Cao Hong’s camp, Zhang Xi was also laughing.

It's just a sneaky wry smile.

Haven’t dared to smile bitterly in front of Cao Hong.

A military officer who was usually close to Zhang Xi came to Zhang Xi's side and asked in a low voice: "General Cao... what's wrong?" 』

"nothing. ” Zhang Xi sighed.

The military academy couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, "I asked General Cao how he was doing, why are you sighing?" 』

Zhang Xi shook his head and smiled bitterly and whispered, "I won't hide it from you...you also fought against the hussars back then...Now we have got into the belly of the hussars, and the surrounding..."

Zhang Xi tried his best to look around, but he couldn't see anything due to the heavy snowfall. "It's hard to say that the hussars have arrived nearby... and we can't set up the camp yet... You tell me, I won't sigh, but..." Can you laugh? 』

The military academy secretly pointed at Cao Hong's back, "Then General Cao..."

 "General Cao...the general has a grudge against the commander of the garrison here..." Zhang Xi whispered.

"General Cao has a grudge, but we don't have any grudge against the general..." the military academy muttered, "In this weather... we have to set up an ambush. I'm afraid that if the hussars and horses don't come, we will freeze to death ourselves, and we don't need the hussars and horses." Take action...』

　　　『Shhh! Be careful! ”Zhang Xi pointed at the military academy, “This is what the rebel army said. 』

The military academy also sighed, and after a moment, he whispered, "In this weather, even if we can defeat the Hussars... I'm afraid we will have to die a lot of people... After this battle is won, even if we win, What did you win? If the hussars run away and we don’t have enough horses, we won’t be able to catch up..."

 "Well..." Zhang Xi was silent. He didn't want to answer this question because he couldn't answer it at all.

　　　　　Commander, give me a pleasant word... What are our chances of winning this time? "The military academy pulled Zhang Xi's sleeve and asked.

Zhang Xi turned his head and looked at the military academy, then looked left and right, "This...how do I know?" 』

　　　『Just give a rough idea and make a guess...』

 Zhang Xi shook his head, "It's hard to say, it's hard to say...Go to work, stop mumbling, be careful if General Cao sees you, everyone will be in trouble..."

The military academy had no choice but to leave with a slight dejection.

 Zhang Xi took a breath, and then slowly exhaled.

 The white smoke quickly dissipated in the wind, like dissipated hope.

The middle and lower-level soldiers of Cao's army are not really ruthless, bloodless and fearless war machines. They also feel the changes of the times and the danger of the situation. As for the middle and lower-level soldiers of Cao's army who had fought against the Hussars, when they faced the Hussars, they had long lost the confidence they had when they were able to conquer Henan and Hebei.

This kind of confidence may not be visible at ordinary times, but it is very crucial at certain moments.

 …

 …

 In the evening, scouts from both sides engaged in a small-scale scouting battle in the wilderness. Both sides tried hard to prevent the other side from investigating, but in fact, Cao Jun's scouts were completely defeated.

 Because Cao Jun did not have a telescope.

 In this kind of weather, without the blessing of a telescope, the field of vision is actually very poor. Cao Jun's scouts thought they had successfully blocked the Hussars' prying eyes, but in fact it was only Cao Jun's scouts who thought they had succeeded.

Cao Jun's scouts reported back and forth, saying that they had not found Sima Yi's troops.

 Cao Hong listened and refused to comment.

That's right. After hearing about Sima Yi's movements, Cao Hong didn't know whether it was his sixth sense as a general or some other reason. He felt that Sima Yi was nearby and was always spying on him.

Even though Cao Jun’s scouts reported that they had not found anything...

 Just because it’s not found, doesn’t mean it really doesn’t exist.

Cao Hong firmly believes it.

 In addition to hating Sima Yi, another very important reason is that Cao Hong understands that in such weather, the attacking party will bear more risks.

For example, if he wants to attack the garrison in Zhangyangchi, he will not only have to set out from the camp during the day, brave the wind and snow, and trek twenty to thirty miles to attack. If the attack goes well, everything will be easy. But if the attack fails, then he will have to walk another twenty or thirty miles back to his camp before dark.

 Furthermore, there is another very serious problem, that is, the hussars are a force mainly composed of cavalry. Therefore, when Cao Hong is advancing or withdrawing, he must be careful that the hussars and horses may rush out at any time...

 The hard land made it difficult for Cao's army to dig trenches and set up camps.

 The camp’s defense system is naturally much simpler.

Compared to Cao Jun, the Hussars relied on local counties for defense, so they would have a lot more wood and supplies. However, Cao Jun could only cut trees on site and work hard.

 So, Cao Hong wanted to get rid of it once and for all.

 If you can…

But Cao Hong never expected that he did wait for Sima Yi's troops to sneak attack at night, but what he didn't expect was that Sima Yi's sneak attack was not in the traditional sense...