Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3213 Wrong news

Xiahou Dun, who finally returned to Jinyang, suddenly felt an inexplicable shrinkage in his heart.

He stood on top of the city and looked into the distance. He vaguely noticed that something was wrong, but there were so many problems at the moment that he didn't know which one would cause the most trouble.

 There are indeed too many problems.

Although the attack on the Qiang and Hu made the Baishi Qiang guys a little more honest, it did not reverse Jinyang's unfavorable situation much.

Xiahou Dun also felt that there was something wrong with Cui Jun's inexplicable "death", but he didn't have much time to think about it because his main energy was focused on the cavalry horse that appeared in front of him.

Around Jinyang, perhaps because they received news from Bai Shiqiang, or perhaps for some other reason, horsemen and horses roared towards them, and the number was obviously more than before.

In the reports from the fixed checkpoints and mobile sentinels arranged by Xiahoudun, a large group of hussars and horses were found, showing off their power. Even if they encountered Xiahoudun's sentry scouts, they did not pursue them with all their might, but just drove them away. Done.

This kind of behavior is more like a large army coming from behind...

 Xiahou Dun instinctively felt the danger.

 It's like seeing a lazy tiger.

Although the tiger did not make any rapid movements, nor did it open its claws to demonstrate and roar, it came with such a simple step, and it had the bearing of the king of beasts.

Xiahou Dun's soldiers all retreated back to Jinyang City. Under Xiahou Dun's strict order, they did not fight in the wild with the incoming hussars.

 Because both Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Dun's soldiers knew that even though they had some war horses, there was basically no good outcome if they wanted to confront these superb horsemen and hussars head-on.

The hussars and horses came roaring in. They stood outside the firing range of Jinyang City and pointed towards the city wall, looking very relaxed.

Xiahou Dun was on the city wall. He looked among the hussars one by one, but did not see Fei Qian's figure. Then he breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, but he soon raised it again.

Will Qiusi Feiqian come?

  Coming, it means that he will face more and greater dangers here. But if Feiqian doesn't come, it may not be a good thing.

The Qingqiu curtains covered Jinyang like the sky and the earth were overwhelming.

This kind of extreme use of cavalry, as well as Fei Qian who brought about this kind of cavalry tactics, became a nightmare in the hearts of Xiahou Dun and others from the day they separated the Xijing Shangshutai, and they could not get rid of it no matter what...

 Now, should we continue to sink in the dream, or can we struggle for a glimmer of hope?

“General, how should we deal with this?” 』

The guard beside Xiahou Dun asked in a low voice, with some panic in his voice.

Although they have been mentally prepared for a long time, they will still feel scared when they see the hussars and horses coming together.

 Because the spirit displayed by the hussars and horses was what Cao Jun lacked.

　　　Just stare at them. Xiahou Dun spoke in a steady and forceful tone, as if he was confident, "They are cavalry and cannot attack the city... We still have a lot of reserves in the city... Why are you panicking?" Anxin is here, see what tricks they are playing? ! 』

Xiahou Dun said this, and these Cao Jun soldiers and the new county soldiers in Jinyang who surrendered to Cao Jun were temporarily relieved.

  But the feeling of being a turtle is not pleasant.

With the arrival of the hussars, the barbarian cavalrymen of Baishi Qiang appeared again.

Perhaps feeling that he had someone to support him, Hu Qi of Baishi Qiang kicked his nose in his face, howled and cursed at Jinyang City in Qiang language or half-baked Chinese.

Although Cao Jun on the city wall may not be able to hear clearly what these Qiang and Hu are shouting, but by looking at their expressions and movements, you can understand that it is not a good thing.

 As more and more Qiang and Hu people come and go, Jinyang gradually becomes an isolated island.

Although it is not like infantry besieging the city and digging deep ditches to build camps, the situation where the cavalry is outside the city and Cao Jun can only watch in the city makes these Cao troops think that they have reached the border and once again fell into white water. Mountaineering siege.

Xiahou Dun would explain a few words about Cao's soldiers' concerns at the beginning, but later he didn't want to pay attention to them, because the indifferent rhetoric was really pale and ineffective. Maybe it had some effect at the time, but soon It will repeat again. In his opinion, these hussars and Qiang and Hu cavalry roaring outside the city did not cause much harm.

 Unless these cavalry are willing to dismount and attack the city...

Then Xiahou Dun couldn't ask for it.

If it were in Shandong, Xiahou Dun would have to worry, or he would have to bear the responsibility for the surrounding manors, counties and villages being plundered and captured. But now here, he only has Jinyang anyway, and some temporarily acquired villages and counties around it. , if it’s lost, it’s lost, it doesn’t matter at all.

The Qiang and Hu cavalry are insignificant. The key is what do the hussars want to do?

Xiahou Dun doesn't know what the Hussar's plan is. Judging from the current signs, it seems more like he just wants to besiege Jinyang.

If this is the case, Xiahou Dun is playing into his heart.

 Because his original plan was to share the pressure for Cao Cao and create opportunities for Cao Cao. Therefore, the more Qiaoqi people Jinyang attracts, the less pressure there will naturally be on Cao Cao.

On this day, Xiahou Dun went up to the city wall early again, pressed his hands on the crenellations, and carefully watched the movements of the hussars and horses in the distance over and over again.

The hussars’ camp is a standard field cavalry camp.

 With each team of war horses as the core and the baggage vehicles as the support, small circular camps were spread out one after another to form a huge camp. If you only look at the size of the land, it seems to stretch to the horizon.

This small formation of cavalry takes into account both defense and convenience.

Unlike the Hu people who used tents as the core, the Han people's cavalry camps were based on baggage vehicles. The horses were outside the baggage vehicles and the people slept inside the baggage vehicles. In this way, even if they encounter a sudden attack, the hussars can quickly find their horses and immediately defend or counterattack. Even if they are suppressed, they can use the baggage train formation to resist on the spot. .

Xiahou Dun pondered.

The Hussars have been ruling the roost for so many years, which is indeed something unique.

But just like this, Jinyang cannot be conquered...

Xiahou Dun's doubts did not last long. After the follow-up troops arrived at the outskirts of Jinyang, Huang Chenggong ordered the construction of civil engineering, digging trenches and building earth walls outside the range of Jinyang city gate.

“General, are you planning to attack the city with stones?” ” The guard stared at the trenches, “Should we send some people to drive away and destroy the walls of those trenches? 』

 This is a common countermeasure for defending the city. Most of the time, the offensive and defensive sides need to fight outside the city for a while before getting down to business.

Xiahou Dun looked at the hussars on guard in the distance, hesitated for a moment, and shook his head.

He feels that it is somewhat unsafe to attack now...

Xiahou Dun actually didn't realize that he was a completely different person than when he took the risk to attack Jinyang. His previously adventurous and optimistic spirit went downhill after capturing Jinyang.

The trench facing Jinyang was quickly dug, and then wooden fences were added, and many watchtowers and watchtowers were erected.

As soon as the sentry tower was erected, there were many soldiers stationed on it with bows and arrows, constantly looking towards Jinyang.

Whether they are digging trenches or erecting watchtowers, there is always a group of cavalry waiting quietly beside their horses. Those well-trained war horses will not run around easily even if the reins are loose. Instead, they will stay close to their owners. Even if they get impatient after waiting, they will just shake their heads or step on their hooves. Just spray some noise.

 A tricolor flag of the Hussars fluttering high in the distance.

Xiahou Dun frowned and tried his best to look far away, but he could only see a strong man under the flag.

Xiahou Dun and Huang Cheng were not familiar with each other. Even if they had met, after so many years, people would have undergone some changes, and they might not be able to remember who was who. Therefore, for Xiahou Dun, he was a completely unfamiliar general, and there was nothing wrong with him. Intelligence can refer to the general's character and tactics.

 But he seemed to read a hint of contempt from the general's behavior in the distance.

 Pointing towards Jinyang City.

 The general seemed to be provoking.

Xiahoudun gritted his teeth and took a breath to calm down his mood.

 Don't fall into the trap, Xiahou Dun reminded himself.

Does the Qiao cavalry really intend to attack Jinyang?

Although catapults are terrifying, it is obviously unrealistic to destroy all city defenses by throwing stones.

Xiahou Dun has carefully inspected the city wall of Jinyang. It is strong and compact. Even if it is hit by a stone bullet, it will not be broken down in a short time.

So, do you want to conquer Jinyang with only catapults?

Or should we surround three buildings?

 Why should the surroundings be sealed off?

 For a moment, Xiahou Dun already felt that he could not understand the battle situation in front of him.

Night slowly fell. The hussars and horses outside Jinyang City had been busy all day, and Xiahou Dun also watched them all day. In the distance, there was a faint glow of fire and smoke rising from the Hussars' cavalry camp among the baggage trains.

 The hussars and horses on duty have been changed three times.

Xiahou Dun watched quietly, calculated silently, and speculated on the total strength of the troops besieging Jinyang.

In the darkness of the night, the Qiang Hu sang melodious tunes, and even bursts of laughter, making it seem as if these Qiang Hu came to Jinyang for an outing, not to fight.

These songs and laughter, as the night wind blew on Xiahou Dun's face, were like a hard fist hitting his face, making Xiahou Dun feel some cold pain, and also made Xiahou Dun twist slightly in discomfort. Somewhat stiff body.

“General, what are your orders?” ” The guards on the side noticed Xiahou Dun’s actions.

Xiahou Dun shook his head and asked, "Is the city still stable?" Are there any thieves causing trouble? 』

 The guard replied, "Everything is business as usual. There is nothing wrong with it." 』

Xiahou Dun frowned, "Is everything as usual? Send more manpower to strengthen patrols in the city! 』

Xiahou Dun thought about it again and again, but he could only think of the arrows he had shot into the city before. It was because the people in Jinyang had to cooperate inside and outside to break the city, so now he only needed to keep an eye on the inside and outside of the city, and in time, Cut off the connection with each other, and even seize the opportunity to fight back...

 …

 …

 In fact, what Xiahou Dun guessed was all a battle of wits and courage with the air.

Xiahou Dun’s military experience was not lacking, and there were no major problems with his tactics. Unfortunately, he was wrong after all.

Xiahou Dun's tactics and experience were correct ten years ago, or even five years ago.

 But now he was wrong.

This misalignment has nothing to do with wisdom or experience.

 It’s just that times have changed…

 The tide of the times is coming, and it cannot be saved by hard words or persistence.

 Shandong, because of its isolation, entropy increases, and this process is irreversible.

The same is true for the land of China. When expanding, various technologies and tactics will always burst out to straighten out the order. But as long as we stop and remain isolated, entropy will increase irreversibly.

 In fact, the synthesis of absolute connection and relative isolation is the essence of the movement of things.

 Those who violate the essence will eventually swallow a bitter fruit.

If Xiahou Dun can now contact Cao Cao in the Tiaoshan area of ​​​​Tongguan, we can probably understand why the Hussar is behaving strangely...

Far away from the outside of Jinyang City, several craftsmen lifted the cloth from the cart, immediately revealing the artillery carried in the cart.

 Huang Cheng stepped forward to take a closer look with great interest.

 Several craftsmen ignored Huang Cheng and were busy checking the condition of the artillery in and out of the car.

Huang Cheng stretched out his hand and gestured at the muzzle of the cannon.

 The diameter of Hei Dongdong's muzzle is slightly smaller than Huang Cheng's palm.

The gun body is thin at the front and thick at the back, and has four reinforced iron hoops. A pair of lugs on both sides of the middle section of the gun body are mounted on the gun frame.

Huang Cheng didn't understand the parameters, nor did he know what the diameter was, but looking at this heavy thing, he couldn't help but feel a little excited. He couldn't help but pat the gun body and feel the metal texture on the barrel. A strange feeling came to my heart, and I laughed.

 I am the first...

 Oh, apart from the hussar general, he was the first to use artillery in siege!

 At the martial arts lecture hall, hehehehe...

Huang Cheng felt flattered.

"excuse me. 』

 A craftsman came over, seemingly to observe the wear and tear of the gun mount caused by transportation, and said to Huang Cheng very rudely.

　　　Oh...oh oh. 』

 Huang Cheng got out of the way honestly.

　　　『This is my general! ” Huang Cheng’s guards were a little angry.

　　　　Go! It's none of your business! Huang Cheng did not accept the flattery of the guard. He waved the guard away, turned to the craftsman and smiled, "It's okay, it's okay, you are busy, you are busy... I will just watch from the side, don't you hinder me?" 』

The craftsman nodded slightly towards Huang Cheng, and then began to get busy again, muttering something in his mouth, and then writing something down on the wooden tablet he carried with him.

 With Fei Qian's new definition of the four peoples, coupled with the large-scale research and development and technological improvement of ordnance and other equipment, the status of craftsmen in the northern part of Guanzhong is also constantly improving.

The situation of yelling at craftsmen, trampling, insulting and bullying craftsmen gradually disappeared.

This has greatly improved the enthusiasm of craftsmen, and the improvement of the enthusiasm of craftsmen has caused more people to join the ranks of craftsmen, and there has been fresh blood in scientific and technological research and development...

With the addition of Fei Qian, a helmsman with later experience, those research directions deserve special attention. Those that are detours can generally be distinguished. Therefore, once the positive cycle is determined, the speed of rolling is quite astonishing.

The project that craftsmen are currently working on is the evaluation of long-distance transportation of artillery.

  Heavy artillery, weighing thousands of kilograms, coupled with shells and gunpowder, placed extremely high demands on roads.

 Transporting from the Beiqu Military Workshop, fortunately there was the official transportation network developed and built by Fei Qian along the way, so the artillery could be transported relatively smoothly, and it was transported to the outside of Jinyang City, Taiyuan without any problems.

If an item of this weight overturns due to damage to the gun mount or vehicle on the way, it cannot be easily reset, and the dead weight of the gun will also cause damage to the gun body when it falls, thereby causing damage to the gun body. The artillery that was finally cast was scrapped.

 After arriving in Jinyang, the craftsmen must conduct comprehensive measurements on the artillery to ensure that the artillery can be used in actual combat without fail. Otherwise, if they really pull it up without caring about anything, they will become the laughing stock of Cao Jun.

　　　『There is a crack in the gun mount...』

 A craftsman touches the beams on the gun mount and marks them with ink.

　　　Is it because of the wood or the stress? 』

Another craftsman also came over and bent down to check the location of the crack.

　　　…

Huang Cheng was a little anxious after hearing this.

He stared, wondering whether the problem with the gun mount was serious or not. Seeing a craftsman walking by, he quickly pulled him and asked, "Is this problem serious?" Will there be any impact? 』

The craftsman glanced at Huang Cheng and said with a smile, "It doesn't matter. This gun mount is made of wood and needs to be replaced frequently. There is already a backup... but it must be removed first before it can be replaced..."

"Oh," Huang Cheng didn't actually understand it clearly, but the word "it doesn't matter" was still clear, so he breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Okay, I understand, go and do your work, go and do your work..."

Huang Cheng was a little excited and a little nervous, and because of his excitement and nervousness, he was a little worried about gains and losses.

 This was different from any battle he had led before.

 This is a new battle, a new mode.

Even though Huang Cheng had read the battlefield records of Fei Qian's attack on Shanshan King's City in the Western Region over and over again, he could recite them by heart, but when he was actually asked to do it, he was still a little nervous. He hoped that he could do well, but he was also afraid. Something went wrong.

 After all, this trip included not only Huang Cheng’s own troops, but also some students from the Engineering College and instructors from the Martial Arts Hall...

If something goes wrong, it would be okay if you lose face, but if there are outsiders around, it would be a big problem if you lose face!

Thinking of this, Huang Cheng didn't have much thought to continue looking at those artillery pieces.

 He turned around and walked out, asking his guards to **** him to summon the military academy for a meeting.

 Tonight, he must go through the attack process again with other military schools to ensure that nothing goes wrong!