Rejuvenation of the Han Dynasty in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 259 Shangdang Crisis
When the thieves on the mountain were arranged, it was already bright, and the soldiers rested on the spot and ate some dry food. Xu Rong had already led the troops to arrive.

Xu Rong was overjoyed when he heard that Zhao Yun had subdued the bandits, and immediately called Zhao Yu and Luo Hao, and asked, "Do you know how the Shangdang bandits are doing?"

Zhao Yu replied: "There are three black bandits in Shangdang territory. Apart from Yang Feng, they are Yu Du and Bai Rao. Yu Du is in Hukou and Bai Rao is in Lu County. They occupy the entrance of Taihang. In the mountains, so officers and soldiers can't conquer."

Xu Rong asked again: "How many men and horses are there in the bandit army besieging the eldest son? Are Yu Du and Bai Rao among them?" Luo Hao said: "The one who besieged the eldest son was Bai Rao's soldiers and horses, and Yu Du was guarding Huguan. It has been more than a month since we sent reinforcements."

"The party is the highest place on the mountain, so it is called Shangdang." Xu Rong pondered for a moment, then said: "Shangdang is known as the backbone of the world, and it has always been said that Shangdang can hope to win the Central Plains. The situation at the throat of the country is dangerous, and it is reasonable for the bandit army to capture it."

Zhao Yu said: "Although the Shangdang is strong, there are [-] to [-] rebels. If we don't rescue them as soon as possible, I'm afraid the defenders in the city won't be able to hold on for long."

Xu Rong nodded silently, and after thinking for a moment, he asked: "In this rescue, our army is small, so it is difficult to face the enemy directly. Is there a road east of Xiushui to Liting?"

Zhao Yu replied: "You can cross the river after passing the mountain pass in front. The highest peak to the east is where Hukou is. It's only thirty miles along the water to Liting. If you go around to the upper reaches of the river, it's fifty miles."

Xu Rong looked at the map for a while, and immediately ordered: "Gao Shun, Zilong, you two lead the troops to Liting, Zhao Yu and Luo Hao are the guides, first cut off the Huguan reinforcements here, and then try to Contact the defenders in the city, I will fight the bandits from the dry road, attract their attention, wait for the general to come, and then make a decision."

Gao Shun and the two took the order, and asked Zhao Yu and Luo Hao to lead the thousand bandits who surrendered under their command, and they led the way across the Xuanshui to Liting.

Shangdang is the gateway to Bingzhou, located on the top of Taihang Mountain. .

The alliance of princes attacked Dong Zhuo, the prefect Zhang Yang took away 2000 soldiers, and only 5000 remained in the Shangdang defenders. After being besieged by the Heishan bandits, they urgently called the people to join in the defense of the city, and even recruited barely enough [-] soldiers.

The autumn sun was shining brightly, and the scorching sun radiated the last remaining heat. The fields outside Shangdang City were all occupied by bandit troops, and company battalions surrounded the city round after round, densely packed like a beehive.

On Shangdang City, a general in armor had firm eyes and led a few soldiers to patrol along the city wall. He was the captain Hao Zhao who called on the people in the city to defend the city with his own strength. , the whole city obeyed his advice.

The bandit army in the dark outside looked listless, and some even lay on the ground, but they could only watch from the city and dare not leave the city.

Shangdang City is located on a high mountain, with gentle slopes all around. It is very difficult for soldiers to attack the city. Facing the tall city, they have to attack upwards, and they cannot stand at all.

Although the terrain has advantages, it is also dangerous to fight out. Once you are caught in the bandit army, it will be as difficult as going back to the city.

After surrounding Shangdang, the Montenegrin Army stationed outside the city after frantically attacking for several days, shouting and quarreling every day, and then stationed outside the city, seemingly wanting to trap the soldiers and horses in the city as well as the people to death.

"January has passed, and no reinforcements have come to rescue the siege. Is this land of Bingzhou really abandoned by the court?"

Beside Hao Zhao, a scribe frowned, looking at the vast and distant mountains, sighing helplessly.

This man was around twenty, with a mustache on his lips, wearing a light gray gown, he looked quiet and wise, he was Zhang Shi from Hedong. middle.

Hao Zhao frowned unrecognizably, and said lightly: "There is enough food and grass in the city, which is enough for a year. As long as the people are united, if another [-] rebels come, they will never even think about stepping into the city gate."

Zhang Shiyan said: "I'm afraid that the reinforcements will not arrive for a long time. If this goes on, the people will feel fear in their hearts, and there may be changes."

Hao Zhao looked into the distance, lost his gaze for a while, pursed his lips, and finally did not speak again.

"Although Bodao has the ability to command troops, there are few available men under his command!" Zhang Shi turned his head and glanced at the defenders on the city, and said, "These are ordinary soldiers who train soldiers, inspect the city, and defend the city. The tranquility of the place is important to use, but it is difficult to go to battle to kill the enemy."

Hao Zhaoyan said: "The bandit army is so powerful that it cannot be defeated overnight. The only way right now is to sit back and wait for help."

Zhang Shi looked at Hao Zhao and said with a wry smile, "If you don't ask for help, how can you come to help?"

Hao Zhao's eyes froze slightly, his hand holding the sword tightened slightly, and he said slowly: "I will arrange this matter, the stability of the people in the city is the top priority, Mr. Lao will take care of it."

Zhang Shi nodded and said: "Now we will live and die together, and I will be united as one. I have organized all the people in the city according to the ranks, and they do their own things in batches every day. For the time being, it is quite stable."

Hao Zhaoyan said: "Let everyone work hard and participate in the defense of the city, so that they will work together and have no time to gossip and disturb people's hearts in private."

"Don't worry, captain, young and old are assigned according to their abilities. Even if it's picking vegetables and washing pots, except for those who are sick and unable to act, the whole people will participate in defending the city."

Zhang Shi agreed with Hao Zhao's opinion very much. At this time, the people must not be allowed to be idle. Once they have nothing to do and don't know the situation in the city, they will have right and wrong, and as time goes by, they will cause panic.

Let each of them participate in the war, and they will have a close heart and know the military situation on the front line at any time. Instead, they are united and have no time to think about it.

During this period of time, the city has already taken precautions. All the food of each family is concentrated in the treasury and distributed regularly. Firewood, ashes, boulders, lumber and other things that guard the city are piled up under the city wall like a mountain. A lot of practicality.

Hao Zhaoyan said: "A month ago, I heard that Youzhou sent troops to Bingzhou to quell the rebellion, and the troops marched to Jinyang. If Taiyuan was pacified at this time, perhaps troops would be sent to help, but... as the master said, we need to send troops so desperately for reinforcements. It is most appropriate for people to ask for help."

Zhang Shi nodded and said: "The Black Mountain Army has no intention of attacking the city. They must want to use up our money and food and take advantage of it. If we can select elite soldiers to rush out and the reinforcements arrive, we will have a chance of survival."

Hao Zhao frowned and said, "Sir, can you find anyone who can be used in the city?"

Zhang Shi shook his head and said: "The people in the city are all lightly armed and have been incorporated into the army, but there is no one who can kill the enemy on horseback like the captain."

Hao Zhao let out a breath, and said slowly, "In this case, I have to be selected temporarily in the army."

(End of this chapter)