Three Kingdoms

 Critical information is scarce everywhere. The same is true for Cui Jun from Taiyuan. He was in urgent need of information, but he never heard back.

Cui Jun was so worried that his hair turned a lot of white.

 An unstable mind is the root of worry.

 The closer it is to the middle position, the more unstable it is.

 A dull person can’t think of anything, so most of the time they just don’t think about it.

If you are dedicated to the great cause of the Hussar, you don’t need to think too much, you just need to figure out how to fight.

But now Cui Jun is unsettled and has a lot to think about, weighing the pros and cons, determining what is good and what is bad...

 There are not many soldiers in Taiyuan, and it is unlikely that there will be many.

 The messengers who sent people to Yinshan and Pingyang for help all came back, and they all brought back bad news. Neither Yinshan nor Pingyang sent reinforcements because Cao's army had not even reached Taiyuan!

This is true, and the reason is very valid, but if we really wait for Cao Jun to arrive before sending reinforcements, will it be too late?

Cui Jun is anxious because he is worried about gains and losses, and the root cause of his worries about gains and losses is Cui's assets in Taiyuan.

 This is an asset that Mr. Cui acquired with great difficulty.

The Cui family is the ruler of Taiyuan County, and is also a dealer in many related industries in Taiyuan.

The Cui family is not only an association, but also a referee and an athlete. All the Cui family's industries are directly managed by the local government of Taiyuan County. They are directly assigned, directly led, and directly under the industry. From top to bottom, it is a one-stop service, until it is no longer possible. No matter how "straight" it is...

 The "straightness" on the surface and the "bend" on the inside are not enough for outsiders to understand.

Cui Hou was fined once for a theft incident, and was expelled from the business district of Sanfu in Guanzhong and retreated to the Taiyuan area. However, because of this, Cui's industry was too concentrated in Taiyuan County.

If Cao Jun really besieged Jinyang, it would be considered that the city of Jinyang was saved, but what about the surrounding areas?

Manor, workshop, as well as the farmland that was finally taken over, as well as the tenant farmers on the farmland, wouldn't it be possible to give it to Cao Jun? How much will this cost?

Cui Hou calculates every day, and every time he calculates, he gets chills.

In Taiyuan County, starting from the Second Emperor Huan Ling, the border defense military equipment has not been repaired, let alone strengthened. After Cui arrived in Taiyuan, she did not focus on military affairs, because these would cost a lot of money. , and the construction period is several years, even ten or twenty years, with huge investment and little output, so it is not within the scope of Cui and others' consideration.

 Now, I regret it.

If more military fortresses and offensive and defensive equipment had been repaired...

 But what’s the use of regret?

 It means war, it means peace.

 That's right, instead of surrendering, he called it "harmony", which became Cui's biggest headache at the moment.

 War has its advantages. After all, military merit is the most important thing under the cavalry. If they really fight Cao Jun with all their strength and completely defeat Cao Jun, they can even take advantage of Cao Jun's defeat to march into Jizhou and seize the counties...

 It’s beautiful when you think about it.

 But how will the soldiers come? Who is the commander in chief? Neither Cui Jun nor Cui Hou felt that they had the ability to fight thousands of miles away and kill thousands of troops. If they let others go, wouldn't they be giving others a dowry?

Besides, Jizhou is a county with a large population, and Taiyuan only has a few people. Without the support of soldiers from Yinshan and Pingyang, how can we fight? Even if they defeated Cao Jun's attack on Taiyuan as much as possible, who would pay the final loss? Rather than doing this, it is better to negotiate a "peace" with Cao Jun and preserve one's own strength.

 But in this case, it is almost equivalent to "rebellion". After all, the Hussar is the real power holder. Without the authorization of the Hussar, he negotiated with Cao Jun privately...

 But whether it is war or peace, one thing is the same, which is to strengthen the defense of Jinyang first.

Jinyang City is the county seat of Taiyuan County and the core of the Cui family. It must not be lost under any circumstances. Once captured by Cao's army, it would be unthinkable. Therefore, after the Cui family learned about Cao's advance, they recruited brave warriors at all costs and prepared to build an unconquerable city in Jinyang.

On the city wall of Jinyang City, civilians coming and going are carrying bricks and stones, strengthening the city wall, battlements, turrets and the like; craftsmen are adding catapults, crossbows, and adjusting various defensive equipment; during this period of time The strong men who were urgently recruited were also practicing on and off the city wall every day...

Cui Jun put his hands behind his back and patrolled along the city wall.

Behind him are the Cui family's military academy, the Cui family's petty officials, and the Cui family's bodyguards, with dozens of people shouting in front and behind.

“Sir, will Cao Jun really come to attack Jinyang this time?” This...this weather..." Cui Military Academy asked in a low voice.

 After all, it is already the depth of winter, and the mountain roads are inevitably covered with ice and snow.

Didn’t Cao’s army have to brave the snow and cold to attack?

Cui Jun also felt that Cao Jun would not come so soon, but he could not say so.

　　　『Don’t take it lightly! ” Cui Jun glanced over and said, “It is indeed difficult to march in the cold weather, but things can happen just in case! Must be on guard! What's more, this is a good opportunity for us to prepare for war. How could we wait for Cao's army to reach the city before we know that there is a shortage of ordnance for city defense! 』

"Yes Yes Yes…"

 A group of military school officials responded one after another.

Cui Jun said that there is no use in improvising. Everyone knows this truth, but the military affairs before Taiyuan...

Hmm, the leader is right anyway.

Cui Jun took square steps in front, and the military school officials followed silently.

 The men in ragged clothes were shivering in the cold wind, carrying sand and mud.

　　　How are these people eating and drinking? Cui Jun glanced at it and asked the clerk on the side, "Don't make any deductions..."

The clerk hurriedly bent down and said, "Don't worry, it's all in sufficient quantity... One cake and one cake for each person every day, four loaves are quite a lot..."

Cui Jun nodded and continued to move forward.

The clerk glanced at Cui Jun slightly, then followed Cui Jun with a smile on his face. Did the clerk lie? No, I just didn’t say everything. Enough is sufficient, but the quality is different. Pancakes are pancakes, but sizes are different.

Anyway, those unscrupulous people don't know how much they originally dialed. If the fingers are loosened, wouldn't they be theirs?

 The clerk is very happy.

　　　The main force of Cao's army is especially in Tongguan, and there are partial troops in Taiyuan. Cui Jun said to the military academy in a deep voice, "This partial army should not be underestimated... Therefore, you must be more prepared to guard against Cao's army's sneak attacks. You must not slack off!" There must be no shortage of military pay, money and food! 』

The military academy bowed and saluted again, "Let you rest assured!" There will definitely be no shortage of food and salary! It must be paid in full! 』

Cui Jun nodded and continued to move forward.

The military academy glanced at Cui Jun, then with a smile on his face, he half bent over to lead the way.

 Has the military academy withheld food and salary?

No.

 It just started slowly.

 A part of it was distributed first, and the rest was stamped.

You can also get money through Tiaozi, but it will take a while.

If you need money urgently, there are people in the military camp who specialize in buying notes, usually at a 50% discount, and some with good connections can recycle them at a 40% discount...

It is also for the good of the poor that they do not pay enough food and wages in one fell swoop.

We must promote frugality and avoid extravagance and waste. If we give so much food and salary to the poor at once, what should we do if the poor spend it indiscriminately? Doesn’t it go against the leader’s good intentions? Now, the food and salary are allotted in full anyway. As for those poor devils who sell the food and salary slips at low prices, who can be blamed?

 The generals of the military academy are naturally very happy.

Cui Jun nodded and said: "If Cao's army arrives, you must fight bravely. If you can protect Jinyang, you will all have great achievements!" I will certainly not hesitate to reward you! Anyone who slacks off and is disadvantageous in the battle will also be severely punished! But did you hear everything clearly? 』



knew.

 But what can Cui Jun do?

These are all members of the Cui family, and they are related to each other. Besides, everyone has to eat. As long as these people can do things, Cui Jun will turn a blind eye. After all, only Cui's people can be trusted. If you don't trust Cui's own people, who can you trust?

Is it difficult to trust those untouchables and poor people?

Will those untouchables and poor ghosts be of the same mind as me?

so…

　　　　Everyone! "Taiyuan is in crisis now," Cui Jun's voice was steady, powerful, and sonorous, "We all share the same sentiment, and we should work together to overcome the difficulties together!" 』

　　　　　Sincerely follow your envoy’s teachings! ” A group of people responded quickly. Not only did their voices cooperate with each other tacitly, but they also had the same amount of bending.

Cui Jun exhaled slowly.

After this inspection, everything seemed to be fine, but for some reason, he felt a little panicked...

 …

 In the Fukou Mountain Road.

 In the darkness of night, a little bit of bonfire light spread along the east-west direction, covering a distance of four or five miles.

Each campfire is a tent.

Xiahou Dun was stationed here.

Because of the limitations of the mountain roads, every four to five hundred soldiers and horses formed a small camp, and then stretched along the mountain roads to form a huge camp, lying like a long snake in the mountains. For such a camp, it is naturally impossible to erect fences, dig trenches and set up a heavily guarded camp. The only way is to use the collected earth, wood and stones to set up a temporary deer camp, and then set up some horse barriers and traps around the camp. sentry.

The soldiers nailed the baggage to keep out the wind on wooden boards, then set up simple camps one by one, lit bonfires to keep warm, and sent out their cavalry to provide strict warning.

Such small camps cover each other and are connected to each other. In order to strictly guard against sneak attacks by the hussars, each wave of four to five hundred scouts rotates in three shifts. One is to be on guard, and the other is to prevent any news from being leaked.

Of course, such a large-scale guarding also brought fatigue to the soldiers. Every time the soldiers returned from rotation, they were shaken when they entered the camp. Many of them just ate and drank randomly and then fell asleep.

 Winter marching undoubtedly made the soldiers quite tired.

Xiahou Dun's central army camp was located in a position where the front and back could echo among these small camps.

In a corner of the central army tent, Xiahou's loyal guard was lying in his clothes, lying on a straw mat covered with fur and snoring loudly. The eyes of some other guards on duty were also red, trying to hold on to sleepiness.

Beside these dozens of exhausted guards who were either sitting or sleeping, Xiahou Dun, who was sitting on the side of the campfire, still upright and wearing his core armor, was holding his knees and meditating silently.

The guards all saw that the general was in a bad mood and guessed some of the reasons, but they were not easy to comfort.

Cao Jun's progress was slow, and Hu Pass could not be conquered for a long time. The weather was getting colder and colder, the consumption was getting higher and higher, and many soldiers suffered frostbite. All these problems were on Xiahou Dun's shoulders, and they all required Xiahou Dun to make decisions and make arrangements. .

 One of the guards gently took the cold food aside and put it back on the bonfire to heat it up.

Generally speaking, food in the army cannot be very elaborate. Even for Xiahou Dun, it is nothing more than the food of ordinary soldiers, plus some pickled vegetables and minced meat. Just like this bowl, it is divided. On the basis of the unknown paste, two strips of dried meat were added. Now it has been heated repeatedly and mixed into a ball, bubbling on the campfire.

The guards exchanged glances with each other, and then someone was selected among the glances, and a copper bowl was placed with a cloth and sent to Xiahou Dun's side, "Just eat some of the Lord..."

Xiahou Dun nodded.

 He was very upset and had little appetite.

At the beginning of the war, Xiahou Dun really felt that this attack was an excellent opportunity. Even if his own army could not break through the barrier in one fell swoop, it could interrupt Fei Qian's development momentum and bring Fei Qian back to the same level, or maybe It's on a lower level, but...

As the war progressed, Xiahou Dun was full of confidence, but he was poured a basin of ice water on his head.

Except for Shexian County, which was relatively smooth, the rest of the things slowly changed.

The infantry led by Xiahou Dun were naturally among the elite of Cao's army, but they had no experience in marching on mountain roads and did not have a deep understanding of the Taihang Mountains. Especially after winter, the severe cold in the mountains was far beyond Xiahou Dun's understanding. Know.

 Now in the mountain road, we are in a dilemma.

　　『Report! "A soldier braved the cold wind and came outside the tent, "Bian Hujun is coming! 』

　　『Pass it in! Xiahou Dun said immediately.

Not long after, an exhausted and embarrassed messenger rushed in front of Xiahou Dun, wounded Bian Bing, and then insisted on heading south. However, halfway through, he reported to Xiahou Dun the news that he was seriously ill and could not move forward.

　　　　…Xiahou Dun remained silent for a long time.

 This is not good news.

Le Jin was waiting for support from Bian Bing at Huguan, but Bian Bing was ill and found it difficult to march.

It was only after Xiahou Dun entered Taihang Mountain that he realized how difficult the mountain road was. Looking up close, it was a pity that he could not walk in a straight line. If he went down in a circle and climbed up in a circle, he might only be able to climb one mountain in a day.

 Small troops can still move quickly, but large troops can only follow the established roads. Otherwise, if there is a problem with the supply of water, they will be defeated without fighting.

　　　　Who is in charge of the army now? Xiahou Dun asked.

The soldiers reported, "It is the military lord Shi Jian." 』

Xiahou Dun nodded.

Shi Jian, a native of Chenliu, was a warrior discovered by the Xiahou family who dared to fight. He was quite brave and could be regarded as a figure in the Xiahou family's pocket. Loyalty is of course no problem, but ability is slightly average.

　　　‘Order Shi Junhou to pretend to take charge of military affairs, and lead the troops to join General Le as soon as possible! After arriving at Huguan, we will temporarily return to the command of General Le! Xiahou Dun made a decision, "In addition, send a doctor quickly to send Bian Hujun back to Zhongmou to treat his injuries!" 』

 No matter what, Bian Bing must be rescued, otherwise...

Even though Xiahou Dun knew in his heart that even healthy people might not be able to walk smoothly on the Taihang Mountain Road, let alone the sick Bian Bing, he had to at least make an appearance and couldn't just say that he was hopeless and waiting to die. .

 The soldiers got the order and went down.

Xiahou Dun pondered for a while and sighed.

The Bian family is even worse than the Xiahou family, and few can make a difference.

 This is also the helplessness of the feudal dynasty. Family heritage is not something that can only be established. Mrs. Bian's entire family has a low background, otherwise Mrs. Bian would not have become a singer back then. Even though she is now Cao Cao's wife, the family's shortcomings cannot be fixed by patching up.

Without reading and mastering certain knowledge, even if you sit in a high position, you will not be able to last long.

Mr. Bian has worked very hard, but it's a pity that if Bian Bingyi dies now...

 In the battlefield, life and death are blind, and sometimes you are unlucky. What can you do?

While Xiahou Dun was thinking, Junhou Gaoqian walked in and handed over his order to Xiahou Dun.

Gao Qian, like Shi Jian, belongs to the reserve talents developed by the Xiahou family.

Of course Xiahou Dun also wants to use as many people as possible from the Xiahou family, but the population base of the Xiahou family is small, and the key is that there are few who can really fight...

 The Bian family was in the same embarrassment as the Xiahou family.

I don’t know what happened to Xia Houyuan?

Xiahou Dun felt suddenly annoyed and frowned.

Gao Qian didn't know what was going on. When he saw Xiahou Dun's expression was not good, he asked with some anxiety: "General...what happened?" 』

Xiahou Dun suppressed his depressed mood, pondered for a moment, and decided to march to Taiyuan according to the original plan, so as to reduce the pressure on Cao Cao and Youbei. After all, in the mountains, Cao Jun's infantry did not have to worry about Piao. The threat of cavalry can bring out more combat power.

　　　"Are you ready with warm clothes and portable food and grass?" Xiahou Dun did not answer Gao Qian's question.

Xiahou Dun was not idle during these days. He collected as much clothing and food as possible from the surrounding area in order to assemble an army that could march in the severe cold.

Gao Qian lowered his head, "General, this attack has destroyed two villages... However, these villages are relatively poor, with not much food, grass, clothing, etc..."

Gao Qian led his people along the mountain road to "replenish" military supplies around the military camp. Although there were some small cottages in the Taihang Mountains, they were vast and sparsely populated. Even if they broke the cottages, they would not gain much.

Xiahou Dun nodded.

 Although it was expected, I still felt uncomfortable after hearing this result.

 As the army moves forward, it consumes too much.

The more soldiers there are, the more food and grass are needed, and the more materials to keep out the cold. Although there are mules and horses for transport, but on average, each soldier needs...

Xiahou Dun thought for a long time and finally made a very risky decision.

 He decided to divide his forces.

 Leave the frostbitten, weak, and tired soldiers here temporarily, waiting for the weather to improve before moving forward, and select about 2,000 elite soldiers, march forward with mules and horses, and attack Taiyuan Jinyang!