svetikya Chapter 222
Chapter 222
Inside Hanyang City, the night was as dark as ink, the moon was hidden and the stars were sparse, reflecting Niu Fu's frown and worried face.
Ever since the shocking battle report came from the western frontier - 80,000 Qiang cavalry were wiped out by the thunder of the jade-faced butcher Liu Yao, his heart seemed to be pressed by a huge stone, heavy and difficult to sleep.
Niu Fu knew Liu Yao's terrifying fighting power very well. The bloody and fiery contest in front of Hulao Pass in the past is still vivid in his mind.
Liu Yao and his soldiers were like Shuras returning from the underworld, invincible and unstoppable. Those tragic scenes entangled him like a nightmare and could not be shaken off.
After the fall of Hulao Pass, he shouldered Dong Zhuo's trust and hurriedly set out on his way home, heading straight to Xiliang, intending to stabilize the rear and regroup.
However, things are unpredictable. As soon as he set foot on his homeland, he received the bad news that was enough to shake the foundation of Xiliang, that is, Dong Zhuo's defeat.
Dong Zhuo was directly executed by Liu Yao in public, and all his party members were killed. Dong Zhuo's era was completely over, and he became a remnant of the old era, and the only remnant.
Niu Fu originally planned to use the courage of the Qiang people as a pioneer to test the sharpness of Liu Yao's iron cavalry first, and at the same time secretly lay out and strengthen the city defense to wait for the opportunity.
As a result, he did not expect that the high priest of the Qiang people would die so easily.
"Hu San!"
"I am here!"
The one who responded was a general with a majestic figure and curly hair like a lion - Hu San.
This man has the blood of Xiliang and Qiang people. His past life as a horse thief has given him extraordinary riding and shooting skills. He is also very smart. Therefore, Niu Fu recognized his talent and took him under his command as his right-hand man.
"Have the reinforcements from Jincheng and other places arrived?"
"General, regarding the movements of Jincheng and other reinforcements... we have not received any definite response from them so far. It's like a stone sinking into the sea, without any news."
"How can this be! Do these rats really want to sit back and watch us fall into a desperate situation? Do they really want me to fight Liu Yao's wolf-like army alone with my flesh and blood?"
"Maybe they are busy mobilizing troops and gathering strength to seek greater assistance. After all, it is rumored that Liu Yao has secretly colluded with Ma Teng of Xiliang and colluded with him. The complicated situation may make them hesitate and need to act more cautiously."
"Humph! Ma Teng and his ilk are ants, not worth mentioning! The only threat at present is Liu Yao! If they are so ignorant of the general situation and confuse the priorities, they will be severely punished after this battle! "
"Once Hanyang is breached, Liu Yao's cavalry will gallop freely. Tell them! If no reinforcements are sent, Hanyang will fall and everyone will be doomed!"
"Yes! I will send a messenger immediately!"
General Niu Fu, standing in the center of the tent at this moment, sweat slid down his resolute face, dripped on the thirsty land, and was swallowed up without a trace in an instant.
He paced anxiously, and every step seemed to step on everyone's heartstrings, heavy and hurried.
"The name of the Jade-faced Butcher is indeed well-known. The difficulty of this battle is far beyond imagination. It is really a matter of life and death. "He murmured to himself, with a flash of determination and unyielding in his eyes, as if he was ready to face all challenges.
...
Outside the distant Xiaoguan Pass, a majestic camp stood quietly, and the night seemed to have restrained its edge at this moment.
Inside the tent, the atmosphere was solemn and full of expectations. General Liu Yao stood tall, and beside him, the wise and cunning Guo Jia and the far-sighted Xi Zhong stood side by side, like two stars surrounding the moon.
Xu Huang, the commander of the Third Corps, Xu Chu, and the Fourth Corps led by Le Jin and Li Si were all present. The four generals gathered together, with morale as high as a rainbow, showing an invincible momentum.
Liu Yao recently Sparing no efforts and opening up new avenues for talent, the two armies were finally replenished with strong soldiers and horses, ready to go.
At this moment, everyone gathered in front of a detailed map. On the map, mountains, rivers, passes and cities were all carefully outlined, as if the geographical veins of the entire Hanyang area were fully grasped.
Xi Zhong stroked his beard, stared at the map with deep eyes, and slowly spoke in a steady and penetrating voice.
"My lord, according to the latest intelligence from Luowang spies, although Niu Fu repeatedly ordered the Xiliang army from all over the country to come to reinforce, there were few responses, which seemed to be a sign of internal division. This is an opportunity for our army to take advantage of."
Liu Yao raised a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, with a somewhat unrestrained tone.
"This is the normal state of things in the world. We are allied with Ma Teng and are now firmly restraining the military power of Hanyang. They are ambitious and want to take all of Xiliang into their pockets, but they don't know that once things in the world enter their stomachs, it is not easy to make them spit out intact. "
Guo JiaHearing this, a hint of approval flashed in his eyes, and he nodded slightly. His words were profound and pertinent.
"My Lord, what you said is very true. However, I think what our army lacks most at the moment is the fleeting opportunity. Although Niu Fu has only 50,000 soldiers, he has done his best to strengthen the city defense day and night. The city is now as solid as gold and stone and difficult to shake."
"If our army attacks by force, I'm afraid it will cause great damage."
"And our army must win this battle cleanly and neatly, and must establish its prestige in front of Ma Teng in Xiliang!"
"For them, hearing is false and seeing is true. Ma Teng will only be shocked by our army when he sees our army destroying Niu Fu!"
Xi Zhong frowned.
"The food and grass stored in Hanyang can last for several months. If our army sieges, it will probably take a long time."
"Moreover, my lord, the situation in Youzhou has suddenly changed. Gongsun Zan and Liu Yu have broken out in internal strife. Gongsun Zan's troops have almost overwhelming advantages and crushed Liu Yu, so we can't delay too long in Hanyang."
Liu Yao rubbed his temples with a headache.
"This Gongsun Bogui, I have already written him a letter, trying to recover Youzhou peacefully. Now his wanton suppression will only intensify the conflict between the two sides."
Xi Zhong said on the side: "My lord, this is not Bogui's fault. The cause of all this is related to that guy Yuan Benchu. They wanted to divide Jizhou with Gongsun Zan before, but this is actually a plan to kill with a borrowed knife. Yuan Shao just wants to use Gongsun Zan to easily control the military power of the entire Jizhou."
"After Bogui was fooled, he was furious. Even Gongsun Xu personally went to persuade him, but he still couldn't change his mind of wanting to rush to a decisive battle with Yuan Shao."
Liu Yao sighed.
"If Gongsun Zan wants a decisive battle, he must unify Youzhou. A peaceful solution is too slow for him. He must unify quickly and seize Jizhou while Yuan Shao is still unstable."
"But... once the war situation is unfavorable, he will inevitably collapse, Liu Yu's old subordinates will rise up in resistance, and Youzhou will immediately fall apart."
...