Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3214: Well-dressed and benevolent

 The ninth year of Taixing, the fifth day of March.

 At this time in previous years, the earth should have begun to warm up, and grass and other things should have sprouted early.

But now the cold wind is still howling, not like the spring breeze blowing on my face at all, but like a knife cutting flesh.

In such weird weather, the Xiahou Dun garrison in Jinyang will also face an extremely weird test for them.

The hussars and horses roaring back and forth under Jinyang City occupied the entire battlefield.

Xiahou Dun was watching from the city. He seemed to have thought of something again, and his face gradually became gloomy.

　　　"Are the stones, sand and soil ready at the city gate?" 』

Xiahou Dun asked.

 ‘It’s all ready! 』

 The soldier replied.

　　　"Is there water in the water tanks at the head of the city?" 』

Xiahou Dun asked again.

　　　『Everything has been checked and there is water! 』

Xiahou Dun nodded, then looked up at the sky.

It would be better if it rained and snowed, and the hussars' gunpowder would be of no use.

 It’s a pity that I don’t know if it snowed before and used up all the water vapor. There has only been wind but no rain in the past few days.

But there is no problem. There is a stone, sand and soil barrier at the city gate, and there is a water tank on top of the city. Xiahou Dun is confident that even if the hussars and horses pile gunpowder to the bottom of the city, their attack will still be ineffective!

It will definitely not be broken down as easily as last time!

In order to defend against this attack, Xiahou Dun not only led Cao's soldiers to prepare for the attack, but also mobilized a part of the people of Jinyang to be responsible for carrying earth and wood, transporting ordnance, carrying water and pushing stones.

 Cao's soldiers were very accustomed to recruiting people to "help" the people.

 Because they had the same pattern in Shandong, they gave the same warm greetings to the people of Jinyang.

　　　『Don’t you have eyes? Can this thing be put here? 』

　　　"Didn't the mother of one eat?" It's so slow! 』

　　　　Are you deaf? 』

　　　『If you don’t want to die, get to work quickly! 』

　　　…

Different from the "enthusiastic" words inside Chengtou City, Huang Cheng outside the city was a little nervous.

 This was the first time he used artillery in combat.

Although Fei had already demonstrated the combined use of gunpowder and cold weapons while lurking in the Western Regions, and used Shanshan King City as a gift for artillery to be heard in this world, for the current Han Dynasty, Huang Cheng was the first to use it. On siege, not just defense.

Huang Cheng turned around and looked at the hussar soldiers sitting on the ground eating in the distance.

These people are the first batch of troops. They will be responsible for the first wave of attack when Cao Jun has a defensive loophole.

So these people not only do not need to line up, but also have dedicated people to serve them, providing pancakes containing fat and a small bowl of hot soup.

 One share per person, no more.

 I don’t mean to be stingy, but in this kind of fighting moment, you have to eat, but you can’t eat too much.

The hussar soldiers were all used to it, sitting on the ground eating and drinking, chatting and laughing, as if they were going to visit Jinyang City, and there was not much tension at all.

In order to cope with the street fighting in Jinyang City, the team was already formed into a more flexible team. Each team is equipped with swords, shields, spearmen and long archers. Although most of the hussars are all-rounders after a certain amount of training and can use any weapon they can get their hands on, they also have their own specialties. Disrupting the organization also facilitates mutual cooperation within the team.

Siege equipment has also been prepared, including chariots, chariots and ladder trucks.

 Farther away, there were hussars of cavalry.

These cavalry are responsible for controlling the battlefield, defending it, and joining the battle when necessary.

 Further out, there is the Qiang Hu.

The reason why the Qiang and Hu are not allowed to get too close to the core of the battlefield is that Huang Cheng is very doubtful about the organization and discipline of these Qiang and Hu. On the other hand, most of the Qiang and Hu's horses have not been trained. They should not be frightened when they hear the sudden explosion. It just disrupted his own front line.

The leader of Baishi Qiang followed Huang Cheng with a smile on his face. He didn't care that he didn't have an accurate name from beginning to end. He just listened to the orders from the surroundings from time to time, looked at the neat military columns, and then looked at the shiny weapons and armor, and he became more and more cautious. I wish I could help Huang Cheng sweep away the dust in front and carry the shirt behind.

 For Bai Shiqiang, they have been trading with Hussar people for so many years. In addition, the Hu people's own custom of seeking strength has long turned into the shape of Hussar people. However, this kind of admiration for strength also has some utilitarian aspects. Perhaps as long as the next strong person arrives, Bai Shiqiang will immediately meet Feng Shiduo and run to the opponent's side to kneel and lick him.

The leader of the Baishi Qiang flattered Huang Cheng and sneered at the Xiahou defenders on top of Jinyang City, "With just a few broken bows and broken arrows, I want to resist General Huang's heavenly soldiers..."

 Huang Cheng didn't pay attention to the Baishi Qiang leader's flattery. He turned his attention to the artillery.

 Artillery is the main force in siege.

Among those craftsmen, some of them had followed Fei under the Royal City of Shanshan once before, and now they have become the core figures. They are directing other craftsmen to move the artillery forward and deploy it to the previously dug areas. among the positions.

 In order to ensure the stability of the artillery firing trajectory, these craftsmen also need to make some detailed adjustments after the artillery is set up.

 Other craftsmen were inspecting gunpowder packets and cannonballs.

The early preparations for the city were intense and orderly, and Xiahou Dun on the top of the city seemed to feel something was wrong, but he really didn’t know what those things lined up under the city were...

 This does not mean that Xiahou Dun was stupid, he just could not keep up with the changes of the times.

Just like the young people of later generations are extremely proficient in the various operations of various apps on their mobile phones. Even if it is a new software, they can install it at a glance and know how to use it after installing it. It is as simple as eating and drinking. Water, but for many elderly people, those icons that dangle around on the screen obviously do not make them feel safer than traditional mechanical switches, let alone use them flexibly. Be careful about what loans, Trojans, etc. you click on.

 As for the general environment of the entire era, will you take special care of these people because you clearly know that there are some people who cannot keep up, do not understand that mobile phones can be poisoned, and may encounter scams?

 No, they will even intensify their exploitation and deception, just like Xiahou Dun is about to face the baptism of artillery.

 A sharp whistle sounded.

The leader of Baishi Qiang thought something had happened, and was turning his head to check when he heard a loud bang and an artillery fire took the lead.

White smoke rose into the sky, and a black cannonball drew a black line and hit the Jinyang city wall, splashing a large amount of masonry fragments and dust.

"Your Majesty, the Lord Baishi... This is, this..." The leader of Baishi Qiang felt that he didn't know why. His usually smooth speech was now fighting with his teeth, "This... what is this?" 』

 No one answered his words, everyone's attention was attracted by the artillery.

 All sounds were covered up by the roar of artillery fire.

 Huge sound echoed between heaven and earth.

Although the artillery developed by Fei Qian is quite impressive in terms of hit rate and durability, for the current big man, the shock it gives is enough.

At the top of Jinyang City, when the cannonball hit the city wall, it seemed that the entire Jinyang City shook, which also made Xiahou Dun a little unstable and swayed.

"What's this? ! 』

Xiahou Dun couldn’t help but shout.

 He didn't realize that his voice had been broken.

 Before Xiahou Dun could find the answer, artillery fired one after another in the preset positions under the city.

Like lightning and thunder, thick blue-white smoke covered the entire position almost instantly.

The artillery roared, spitting out orange-red flames. The entire cannon body moved backwards, causing the cannon frame to creak and groan. Immediately, the cannonballs violently hit the Jinyang city wall, and countless broken stones and broken bricks were scattered in all directions. It fell like raindrops, splashing dense white water in the moat.

The horses of the Qiang and Hu cavalry in the distance neighed and ran around in a somewhat chaotic manner, as if they were offering frightened spiritual food to the **** of war.

 At this stage, artillery cannot fire continuously and rapidly. After one artillery shot, the gun bore must be cleaned and the angle adjusted according to the regulations, and then the next round of gunpowder and shells can be prepared. Although Huang Cheng’s current artillery was not as numerous as Fei Qian’s attack on Shanshan King’s City, the eight artillery pieces also caused great damage to Jinyang’s city walls and gates…

Even though the first round of artillery fire has stopped, the sound of collapsing masonry is still heard from Jinyang City.

A corner of the gate tower on the front has collapsed. I don’t know which artillery piece was responsible for this.

 The deep or shallow holes and cracks created by the cannonballs on the city wall demonstrate the power released by the cannonballs upon impact.

Even the battlements built entirely of stone could not withstand the bombardment of cannonballs.

 The flying rocks hit someone who was screaming in agony before death.

 In the face of the artillery of the new era, the strength of the old tradition is no longer worth mentioning.

 After the first round of firing, the artillery fell silent, docilely waiting on the side of the craftsmen and soldiers, and emitted the slightest smoke.

But this time, neither Cao Jun on the top of the city nor the Qiang Hu trying his best to comfort the horses in the distance dared to underestimate these seemingly stupid and stupid guys...

 A moment later, the second round of artillery roar sounded again.

Jinyang City was once again enveloped by rising rubble, broken bricks, and smoke.

Most of the cannonballs hit the city wall, but a small number of cannonballs directly crossed the city wall and fell into Jinyang City.

Above and below the city, everyone seemed to be trembling, fearful, and screaming in despair before death.

Every time there was a thunderous roar outside the city, the city walls also trembled.

In the face of the power of the artillery, almost no one in Cao's army on the Jinyang city wall could stand still. Almost everyone instinctively either lay down or squatted on the city wall, holding their heads and avoiding the city gate tower. The battlements and other places had broken stones, broken bricks, and choking smoke.

Xiahou Dun was also half lying and half crouching behind the guard. He listened to a series of thunderclaps outside the city. A moment later, the dull sound of cannonballs impacting came from the city wall under him. Along with the city wall, it trembled violently, like a thunderstorm. It seems like the city wall will collapse in a moment.

 Because Xiahou Dun is located directly above the city gate and below the city gate tower, it is the area where artillery fire is most concentrated.

Several of the battlements in front of Xiahou Dun have collapsed, exposing the adobe inside the masonry of the city wall.

There was a creaking sound from the city gate tower, and then something fine fell down, hitting the shields of the guards and their pockets, making a thumping sound...

 One of the guards looked up and suddenly screamed in fright.

I don’t know when, the pillars and beams of the city gate tower were broken by artillery shells, and the entire city gate tower began to sway, as if it might collapse at any time, crushing Xiahou Dun and others under it!

Seeing that the situation was not good, the guards quickly dragged and pushed, covering Xiahou Dun with their bodies, carrying the falling tiles and debris above their heads, and getting out of this very dangerous area as soon as possible...

But Xiahou Dun retreated like this, and the other soldiers of Cao's army naturally followed suit.

Who the **** is Iron Man? If he dies or becomes disabled, he can just repair it with a piece of stone or wood?

Except for those who were injured and killed at the beginning, or those who were unlucky enough to be directly hit by artillery shells, most of Cao's soldiers instinctively avoided this irresistible damage. Especially when they saw the solid city wall shattered, cracked, and collapsed under the gunfire, the idea of ​​​​defending Jinyang also collapsed.

Some of Cao's soldiers were frightened. They stared at the ground with dull eyes, as if they couldn't believe the scene in front of them.

The water tank, sand and soil that Xiahou Dun originally planned to use to deal with the Hussars' gunpowder had long ago collapsed and spread everywhere.

There was a big hole in the belly of the huge water tank, and all the contents were transferred to the masonry and earthwork underneath. It was mixed with the blood stains around it and dripped down the corridor of the city wall.

As for the people from Jinyang who were temporarily recruited, they were even more unbearable. Almost all of them ran away, and some jumped off the city wall in a panic, breaking their bones and wailing...

The city was also in chaos, with cries and shouts intertwined together. Although the city walls and gates were the targets of the artillery, and the city was at best just accidental damage, the sounds that sounded in Jinyang City were like It was as miserable as a knife stabbing the chrysanthemum in Jinyang City.

Xiahou Dun was protected by the guards and staggered back from the top of the city.

After Xiahou Dun's guards left the dangerous place, they gradually returned to their original ferocious appearance. They not only punched and kicked the Cao soldiers who were hiding around them, but also chopped down two or three Jinyang civilians who bumped into them in a daze.

Xiahou Dun gasped for breath.

 His head was buzzing.

 It’s not that I’m scared or hurt, but I’m confused.

 The kind of confusion that comes from being slapped down on the beach by a new thing.

The wars he had experienced before were swirling in his mind like a revolving door, but none of the battles could match the current situation, and there was no experience that Xiahou Dun could learn from.

 He was like a fish abandoned on the beach, with his mouth open and gasping for air.

The reason why people have a sense of fear about the future is because what happens in the future can never be treated with hindsight. Even the arrogant keyboard warriors on the Internet don't know when they will get excited about a certain comment they posted online, and then the Internet police will knock on their door.

Xiahou Dun’s experience was sufficient and useful in the era of cold weapons. This was the basis for his confidence that he could hold on to Jinyang. But now, this basis has been wiped out by artillery fire...

Everything he thought was solid, everything he believed in and was certain, was like the collapsed gate tower, turned into ruins.

　　　Why...why is this so? 』

Xiahou Dun was confused.

 When did the war become like this?

Just like during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the changes in war tactics were unacceptable to many princes and ministers who claimed to be elites. Xiahou Dun was also unable to accept the heavy blow caused by the collapse of an important cornerstone in his life.

 Why did Guanzhong Northland become like this?

 When did this all start?

 From the Hussars General Fei Qian?

How did Ke Feiqian do it?

Many problems, like large and small stones flying up from the city, and thick smoke and dust, obscured Xiahou Dun's sight.

 Actually, even with Fei Qian's rise, these people in Shandong still don't take Fei Qian seriously.

 Because they are used to it.

 Get used to belittling Guanzhong, belittling Xiliang, belittling the frontier...

 Only the Great Central Plains is the most powerful, creating the largest and largest GDP in the Han Dynasty...

 Oh, Dahan doesn’t have the word GDP yet, but it also has this meaning.

 So what are the warriors on the frontier?

 In the eyes of some people, it is a humble person, a common believer, or a living maggot...

Not only the Han Dynasty, but also when any feudal dynasty begins to belittle those who shed blood and sweat, are upright and silent but do not understand the rhetoric, and begins to laugh at those who only know how to create labor value but do not know how to provide emotional value. When those people are covered in stinking sweat or even pain, then the roots of this dynasty have begun to rot, and the collapse is not far away.

Of course, at this time, Shandong people, including elites such as Xiahou Dun, still spoke of benevolence, righteousness, morality, truth, goodness and beauty.

It seemed that he was out of danger, and Xiahou Dun gradually recovered from his confusion.

Looking at the messy situation around him, Xiahou Dun's expression suddenly changed.

"not good! Xiahou Dun suddenly trembled, "They... they are about to attack the city!" 』

When the guard heard this, his expression changed, "General, our people...can't stand up there...what should we do?" 』

The surrounding area is still in chaos, and the cries of the people in Jinyang City can be heard everywhere.

The drafted civilian husbands on the street were huddled in the corner with their heads in their hands, shivering...

Xiahou Dun suddenly showed a fierce look in his eyes, "Quick!" Bring all those people to the city! 』

"ah? 』The guard was a little confused for a moment.

　　　『Push the people of Jinyang to the top of the city! Xiahou Dun repeated the order and roared, "Put the people of Jinyang in front!" Use them to block the hussar soldiers first! Human shield! Fight back the hussars! 』

Xiahou Dun shouted, "For the big man!" For the emperor! We can't... we can... win! 』