Perhaps because he was afraid of being beaten by the Danyang soldiers in Sun Wu's army, just after escaping from the Chaohu Lake and returning to Hefei City, our cowardly Deputy Director Tao immediately withdrew the siege team and led the Xuzhou army to retreat.

I went to the village twenty miles away and saw this situation.

Of course, the Hefei defenders who were trembling under the power of the Xiangyang artillery were surprised and surprised. They could not understand why the Xuzhou army suddenly withdrew their troops, and they did not dare to pursue them rashly. They watched the Xuzhou army fly away, missing a chance to beat the drowned dog.

God-given opportunity.

The mystery was revealed that night. When the second watch of the night was about to arrive, Generals Sun Bi and Wu Jing'er led the team to Hefei City. After entering Hefei City after an extremely strict identity check, the puzzled Hefei defenders finally understood.

Xuzhou army retreats

The truth about the soldiers - after a long battle, the Junzi army could not stop Sun Wu's troops. Tao Ying personally fought and defeated the Sun Ben brothers who were brave enough to win the three armies. Therefore, Tao Ying, who could not resist the traitor, was forced to withdraw his troops and avoid Sun Wu.

The sharp edge of the army.

After finally figuring out the cause of the matter, the Hefei generals cheered and couldn't help but praise the extraordinary bravery of the Sun Ben brothers. They also deeply admired the ingenious tactics of Sun Wu's army to deal with the world's most rogue army, the Junzi Army, especially in the past.

The generals of the Liyang Army, who had suffered heavy losses from the Junzi Army, even stamped their feet

Feet sighed that they had not known such tactics earlier, otherwise how could they have allowed clowns like the Junzi Army to succeed easily? Only the commander-in-chief of the Hefei garrison, Qiao Rui, who was about to take over the command of Sun Wu's army, had a look on his face.

Not much joy, on the contrary, there was still a little bit of worry.

Worry is worry. I still have to say some things that need to be said. After holding Sun Bi's hand and forcing out a smile, Qiao Rui smiled and said: "General Boyang, we haven't seen each other for almost three years, right? We meet again after a long absence. Not only is the general still the

He bravely championed the three armies and became more and more brave.

You are such a gratifying person." Having said this, Qiao Rui turned to Wu Jing next to him and smiled and said: "Prefect Wu, it seems that we haven't seen each other for a longer time. The prefect is good at teaching his nephews. There are many talented people among the younger generations.

It’s really admirable and enviable.”

Wu Jing, who was in his early forties, saluted Qiao Rui and said with a smile: "What the general said is true. The last time the general and the general met was four years ago. It was indeed a reunion after a long separation. I heard that my nephew Sun Ce died unjustly.

back

, Yang Hong rebelled and encouraged his lord to kill all the Sun family's old tribesmen in the army. Thanks to the general's argument in front of the lord, he was able to save the lives of countless Sun family's old tribesmen. For this kindness, the Sun Wu family is extremely grateful.

.”

"The prefect is being polite, that's what Rui should do." Qiao Rui shook his head modestly, then looked at the Sun Wu people behind Sun Bi and Wu Jing, and smiled easily: "The prefect went on an expedition, why did he bring so many nephews and juniors to the army?

"This military journey is bumpy. Can they bear it at such a young age? Hey, who is this general? Why haven't I seen him before?"

Qiao Rui asked about a general from Sun Wu who was slightly younger than Wu Jing. The general did not need to be introduced by Wu Jing. He immediately raised his hands and saluted and introduced himself, saying that he was Sun Jing, the younger brother of Sun Jian, also known as Youtai. Wu Jing then gave Qiao another

Rui introduced Sun

Fu, Sun Quan, Sun Ling, Sun Kuang and Sun Lang and other nephews, the only niece Sun Shangxiang, and his two sons Wu Fen and Wu Qi, then Wu Jing ordered his nephews to kneel down and worship Qiao Rui and kowtow to Qiao Rui.

old days

Wu Jingcai finally explained to Qiao Rui: "General, don't blame me. I didn't want these children to go to the battlefield at such a young age, but they heard that I am going north to meet Tao Rui."

In order to fight against the traitors, they all insisted on accompanying the army. The general couldn't defeat them, and he also wanted them to take the opportunity to get used to the military affairs, so he brought them all with him. Please forgive me for being presumptuous."

"It doesn't matter, as long as you can endure hardship." Qiao Rui waved his hand magnanimously and sighed: "Jiang Menhu is really different. When he was a teenager, he rushed to the battlefield to familiarize himself with the military. Compared with my incompetent sons,

Much stronger."

Wu Jing was modest, but Sun Jian's third son Sun Ling, who was only thirteen years old, couldn't wait to ask: "Uncle Qiao, when will you send out troops to kill the Tao thieves? Our brothers can't wait any longer. When you send out troops, our brothers are willing to be the vanguard."

, go and fight Tao Thief to the death to avenge our eldest brother!"

"Be a pioneer? Let's wait until you are eighteen years old before you think about it." Qiao Rui laughed, then turned to Wu Jing and Sun Bi and said: "Prefect Wu, nephew of Boyang, you are tired from coming so far, take the children down quickly.

Rest, it's getting late. I'll make up for the banquet to catch the wind and wash away the dust for you tomorrow. I have arranged a camp for you in the east of the city, but it may be a bit crowded, so you can make do with it. If you really can't camp, you can come to me, and I will try again.

I’ll find a way for you.”

"Thank you, General." Wu Jing and Sun Bi thanked each other, and then Wu Jing said kindly: "General, if there is really no room for garrison in the city, the generals and others can set up camp outside the city. There are already two people in Hefei.

More than 16,000 troops, plus 12,000 troops led by the last general, are all stationed in the city, plus the people of Hefei who fled outside the city and entered the city, it must be very crowded."

"No, we can't be stationed outside the city, we must be stationed inside the city." Qiao Rui quickly shook his head and rejected Wu Jing and Sun Bi's well-intentioned suggestions. Sun Bi and Wu Jing were a little strange, but Qiao Rui has always been good to the old Sun family.

For their own sake, Wu Jing and Sun Ben still did not persist and honestly took the order to lead their troops to station in the east of the city.

Sun Bi and Wu Jing soon learned the reason why Qiaorui ordered Wu and Sun's troops to be stationed outside the city, because when the tent was raised for discussion the next morning, Qiaorui's first order was to order the troops to block the four gates and use bricks to block them.

Stone sandbags completely filled the four corridors of Hefei's east, west, north and south, taking it a step further

Strengthen the defense strength of the Hefei city wall and leave the city gate as a weak point for the Xuzhou army's siege weapons to break through - and at the same time, it also does not give the Hefei army a chance to go out of the city to fight in the field. The result is natural. Qiao Rui's order just came out

After the announcement, the Hefei generals immediately exploded.

"Completely blocking the four gates?" The first person who shouted in opposition was Liu Kai, the younger brother of Liu Xun, the prefect of Lujiang. He asked in disbelief: "General, are you kidding me? How can we completely block the four gates of Hefei?"

go out?"

"There is no need to go out." Qiao Rui replied coldly: "There is sufficient food and grass in the city, and the water source is also very rich. General Sun Ben and his reinforcements have also entered the city. There is no need for our army to leave the city and completely block the city gate. Okay.

This will prevent the Tao thieves' ramming vehicles from breaking through the city gates, and will not give any Tao thieves who may be in the city any chance to cause trouble. As for the horse scouts, they can use ropes to go up and down the city wall."

Sun Bi and Wu Jing, who had just arrived in Hefei, were stunned. The Hefei generals who already knew some of Qiao Rui's combat style looked at each other. They never expected that Qiao Rui would be so cowardly that he did not dare to go out of the city to fight with the Xuzhou army.

, he actually wanted to completely block the city gates, and he was so timid and afraid of fighting. It was rare in this world. Immediately afterwards

Then, Liu Ye also stood up, saluted Qiao Rui and said: "General, blocking the city gate can indeed prevent the Tao thieves from causing chaos. But has the General ever thought about it, the battle to defend the city is not just passively being beaten?

A proper attack can not only reduce the pressure on the city wall, but also find opportunities for unexpected victory, which is far better than being passively beaten in the city."

"Mr. Ziyang, I know that you are familiar with military books and have a deep understanding of strategy." Qiao Rui replied calmly: "But the order given to me by the lord is to stick to Hefei and buy time, so I don't need to attack. There is no need to win by surprise. Hefei

In this battle, my strategy is to hold on to the city and fight against the Tao thieves!"

"Hold the city?" Liu Ye smiled and said, "General, you have never seen how powerful the Tao thieves are at using stone weapons. How can we be sure to hold on until the Tao thieves retreat if we stay on the city wall and passively take the beatings?

"

"How powerful Tao Thief's stone machine is. I know better than Mr. Ziyang, but it doesn't matter. I don't need to be sure to hold on until Tao Thief retreats. I just need to buy time for my lord." Qiao Rui's tone became colder and he waved his hand vigorously.

He said decisively: "I have made up my mind. All you need to do is execute the order and start blocking the four gates immediately. Anyone who disobeys the order will be subject to military law!"

"Wait!" Sun Ben finally woke up and jumped up, saying loudly: "Excuse me, General, what do you mean by these words? Could it be that the general came all the way from Wanling to Hefei just to hide in Hefei?

You are beaten passively in the city and you can't help it, but you can't avenge yourself by watching the Tao Ying traitor show off your power outside Hefei City? May I ask, General, why can't you consider sending troops out of the city to fight to the death with the Tao Ying traitor?"

"As expected." Poor General Qiaorui sighed quietly and said helplessly: "General Boyang, please be patient. Let me explain the specific reasons later. It's not convenient to talk here."

"If the general has anything to say, please teach me in public. I will listen attentively." Sun Ben said angrily: "General, I have been fighting in the north and south with my uncle Wentai for more than ten years, and I have never fought such a useless battle.

, even if you are hiding in the city and don't dare to go out to fight, even the city gate is completely blocked, are you just being a coward?"

Many Hefei generals laughed out loud, because "Shrunk Turtle" happened to be the nickname they had recently given to Qiao Rui. Hearing these laughs and seeing Sun Ben's bad attitude, Qiao Rui was still a bit angry no matter how good his temper was.

, snorted: "It's really easy for General Boyang to say that. If you bring your troops out of the city and fight to the death with the traitor Tao Ying, are you sure of winning?"

"Why are you not sure?" Sun Ben asked back: "When our army went north to reinforce Hefei yesterday, didn't we defeat the Xuzhou bandit army on the banks of Chaohu Lake? The main force of the bandit army led by Tao Ying was the one who was defeated!"

"A big defeat?" Qiao Rui laughed out loud and said unceremoniously: "To put it bluntly, beheading one hundred and twelve people is considered a big defeat? It's like the soldiers trampling on each other's dead and wounded soldiers in General Boyang's army.

Isn’t it close to a hundred people?”

"It was because our army was tired from afar and the pursuit speed was not fast enough, so the traitor Tao Ying escaped by chance!" Sun Ben was furious and roared: "If the traitor Tao Ying was not afraid of the power of our army, how could he have retreated twenty troops overnight?

Going to the village?"

"Boyang, don't be rude." Seeing that the situation was not good, Wu Jing hurriedly came out to stop his nephew from further rude behavior, and grabbed Sun Bi. Wu Jing turned to Qiao Rui and cupped his hands and said, "My nephew is young and ignorant, and he has offended everyone."

General, please

General, don't be offended. But my nephew is definitely not out of malice. Although Tao's army is strong, our army is not afraid of him. The general is willing to take his troops out of the city and go to Tao's stronghold to challenge him. If we lose, the general will

I am willing to be dealt with by military law."

Qiao Rui pursed her lips and said nothing after a moment: "Prefect Wu, I understand General Boyang's eagerness to avenge Bo Fu, but you really underestimate the traitor Tao Ying. This little thief has always been known for his treachery. , Cao Cao and Cao Mengde, who are known as the traitors in the world, are all afraid of him. In yesterday's battle, I am sure that the little thief Tao Ying must have faked his defeat. He withdrew his troops overnight and deliberately showed weakness in order to induce our troops to go out of the city to fight in the field. If General Boyang had If you leave the city and start a fight, you will surely fall into the trap of the Tao thief!"

"Tao Thief deliberately cheated and showed weakness, how can you tell?" Wu Jing asked doubtfully.

"Last time, I faced the Xuzhou bandit army in Zhongli. The traitor Tao Ying deliberately sent auxiliary troops as the vanguard. He lost three battles in a row and damaged the nearby office. He induced me to deploy the main force to the north bank of the Huaihe River." Qiao Rui did not hide anything and said calmly: " After I fell into the trap, the main force of the Tao thieves immediately went south at full speed. It only took a few hours to completely defeat my main force and break through the Huaihe defense line that I had painstakingly laid out. The Tao thieves must have been trying to fake defeat this time. Use it again to lure our troops out of the city to fight in the field."

"Is there anything else?" Wu Jingyi's general was doubtful, but Sun Ben on the other side said unconvinced: "What our army encountered yesterday was the main force of the bandit army, and they defeated the famous bandit generals Xu Chu and Gao Shun in a duel. There is also the Gentleman Army, known as the Xuzhou First Army, which is still unable to do anything to our army."

After finishing speaking, Sun Ben raised his hand and asked for battle: "Please give an order to the general, allowing the last general to lead his army to the Tao rebel formation to challenge him. If he fails to win, he is willing to be punished by military law!"

Qiao Rui looked troubled, while Liu Kai and Liu Ye over there persuaded Qiao Rui to accept Sun Ben's invitation to fight. They also said that if Sun Ben went out to fight and failed to win, it would not be too late to block the four gates of Hefei. They were quite confident in their own army's combat power. Wu Jing also begged. He hoped Qiao Rui could give his army a chance. He also said that if his army failed to win, he would definitely support Qiao Rui's decision to block the four gates. Qiao Rui couldn't resist the generals' wishes and wanted Wu Jing and Wu Jing to fight. Sun Bi suffered a little loss to facilitate discipline. After much thought, he finally nodded and agreed that Sun Bi and Wu Jing would lead their troops out of the city to fight. He also arranged for Liu Kai to lead five thousand troops to follow up, while Qiao Rui stayed behind in Hefei to take precautions. .

………………

Soon, Wu Jing and Sun Ben led his troops out of the city first and went north to fight in front of the Xuzhou army camp. The Xuzhou scouts who were monitoring the movements in Hefei hurriedly sent the news back to the camp. At this moment, Tao Ying was watching Jia Xu and Lu Su playing Go. After listening to the scout's report, Deputy Director Tao and Jia Laohu, who had dreamed that Qiao Rui would lead the army out of the city for a decisive battle, only looked happy, but Lu Su laughed happily and said: "The bandit army is finally willing to leave the city, my lord. The plan to lure the enemy was successful again!"

"It's still far from it." Tao Ying said with a smile: "Qiaorui has already suffered a lot from my fraud scheme in the Huaihe River, and he will not dare to leave the city for a decisive battle again. If my expectations are correct, this time the Qiaorui faction will When Sun Ben and Wu Jing went out to fight, the idea was to let Sun Ben and Wu Jing suffer some losses, and then make it easier for them to be disciplined and restrained. It would be even harder for Qiao Rui, a coward, to send the main force out of the city for a decisive battle than to reach the sky."

"In that case, why did my lord pretend to be defeated and retreat? It was a waste of time?" Lu Su asked in surprise.

"Because I found that the team of Sun Bi and Wu Jing are very valuable." Tao Ying said with a smile: "Sun Bi and Wu Jing hated me to the core regarding Sun Ce and Chuan Guo Jade Seal. They will definitely not be willing to hide in the city. I wanted to defend here, so I deliberately faked defeat yesterday, just to let them see the hope of defeating me head-on, and planned to take advantage of this. Later, I found out that there were mostly Danyang soldiers in Sun Ben and Wu Jing's team, so I was even more reluctant to give up. We will kill Sun Bi and Wu Jing’s team immediately, these fellows of mine are of great use.”

"There are many Danyang soldiers in Sun Bi and Wu Jing's team?" Lu Su, who had just learned this from Tao Ying, was stunned at first, then immediately raised three fingers with a smile and said with a smile: "Three days! Within three days.

Qiao Rui's head is as big as two! The discipline of our Xuzhou army is already quite strict. The Danyang army

Wu was also put under the control of Cao Bao, Xu Dan and Zhang Jiao from Danyang. He was able to be cruel and disciplined, but he still fought and caused trouble every day, gambled and cheated, and formed gangs to bully friendly troops. Qiao Rui and

Sun Ben and Wu Jing are not from Danyang yet, so managing a team with a large number of soldiers in Danyang is even more difficult than climbing to the sky!"
To be continued...