Zhou Yu uses troops

Baishan Pass is located between Baishan and Danhan Mountain. It is one of the three main passes for the northern desert grasslands to go south to Youzhou. Baishan Pass is steep and winding along the mountains on both sides is the Great Wall, which can be said to be easy to defend and difficult to attack.

However, due to the good relationship between the Yuan group and the Ma Yue group, the Youzhou soldiers' guards at Baishankou have been relatively relaxed. Yuan Shao only asked the Youzhou governor Tian Yu to symbolically send 300 county soldiers to guard. The main purpose was not to defend the southward of the Iron Cavalry of Mobei, but to block the attack of horse thieves. However, Tian Yu was still cautious and privately increased the defenders to 5,000.

At the mountain pass, two Youzhou soldiers were leaning lazily on the watchtower, patrolling the vast grasslands of Guangmao in the north without focus. Suddenly, one of the Youzhou soldiers seemed to have discovered something, and stood up with a sarcastic voice. The Youzhou soldiers next to them were startled and said angrily: "Niu Laosan, do you want to scare me to death?"

"Xiong Lao Er, do you look at the north?"

Niu Laosan pointed to the vast desert in the north, and his tone showed inexplicable uneasiness.

"What the hell? Looks like you're scared." Xiong Lao Er looked in the direction of Niu Lao San's finger without any attention, then turned around as if nothing had happened, and said disdainfully, "Isn't it just a group of wild horses, it's worth making such fuss... Uh, wait!"

Xiong Lao Er suddenly uttered, then turned his head back at the fastest speed, finally took a breath of air conditioning, and said to Niu Lao San: "God, that's a cavalry... a cavalry!"

"So many cavalry!" Niu Laosan responded in fear, "Damn, I have lived in half my life and have never seen so many cavalry. Judging from the formation, I am afraid there will be tens of thousands?"

"Quick!" Xiong Lao Er almost jumped up, "Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and call the warning! That must be the Iron Cavalry of Mobei who came here!"

“Woooooooooooo…”

Suddenly, the sound of desolate and distant trumpets surged into the sky. The Youzhou soldiers stationed in the military camp rushed out of the tent and gathered into a scattered formation behind the camp. Standing in the camp, looking down at the mountain pass, I saw a large group of cavalry emerging from the vast grassland, as dark as a dark cloud swept from the north.

Countless horse heads gathered into a vast ocean, with thousands of horses galloping and iron hooves tumbling. The majestic momentum and the sound of hooves that resounded through the circle were simply suffocating, making people feel trembling from the depths of their souls!

"God, oh, my God!" A Youzhou school moaned like a dream, "I want to go home, I don't want to die here!"

A hissing sound suddenly sounded in the Youzhou military camp, and almost all the Youzhou soldiers showed a look of horror in their eyes. They looked around in a panic and then instinctively retreated and then retreated.

"The general ran away!"

In a panic, a soldier suddenly screamed.

The Youzhou soldiers, who were in panic all day long, looked back when they heard the sound. They saw a Youzhou general running back with a horse surrounded by dozens of personal soldiers. The Youzhou soldiers were immediately in an uproar, shouting and turning around and running. In less than a moment, they slipped away from the front position of the camp, leaving only an empty camp and a sword and spear thrown all over the ground.

Ji County, the assassination official's office.

Tian Yugang returned to Ji County from Yecheng and discussed with Zhang Yan how to resist the invasion of the Iron Cavalry in the north of Mobei, suddenly a small school entered in panic and reported, "General, something is wrong!"

Tian Yu shouted, "What are you panic? Tell me slowly if you have something to do!"

"General." The school gasped, "Baishankou was lost, and more than 100,000 Iron Cavalry in the Mobei region have passed Zhulu and are heading for Zhuo County."

"ah?"

"What!?"

Tian Yu and Zhang Yan were both dissatisfied.

"This is impossible!" Tian Yu said angrily, "Why is the terrain of Baishankou in a dangerous position, and the five thousand elite soldiers stationed at Jiao Tuo, why is it lost?"

"General." The young school said tragically, "Jiao Tu has already run away!"

"Damn Jiao Thu!" Tian Yu said furiously, "I must kill him."

"No need." The young school said sadly, "Jiao Chu's defeated army was caught by the Iron Cavalry in Mobei and was destroyed. Jiao Chu has also died in the chaos."

"General Tian!" Zhang Yan said, "Now we can only gather troops to defend Zhuo County. If the last barrier of Zhuo County is lost, the entire Jizhou will be exposed to the iron hooves of the Iron Cavalry in Mobei. You must know that Jizhou is flat and there is no danger to defend except for a few big cities. If the Iron Cavalry in Mobei enters Jizhou, our army will be out of power."

"I'm afraid it's too late." Tian Yu said tragically, "The Iron Cavalry in Mobei is riding, traveling like the wind. When we gather the army in Zhuo County, they are probably going to enter Jizhou long ago. Moreover, with the cunning of the horse butcher and Jia Dushi, even if we gather the army to defend the enemy, they may not stay in Youzhou and engage in too much entanglement with us! After all, the horse butcher has only one goal, that is Yecheng."

Zhang Yan said panickedly: "What should I do now?"

Tian Yu said in a deep voice: "There is no other solution now, so he can only raise all the troops from Youzhou to go south to Jizhou and prepare to rescue Yecheng."

"Ah?" Zhang Yan said in a lost voice, "What should I do in Youzhou? The army's hasty marching will inevitably reveal flaws. It is easy to be taken advantage of by the Iron Cavalry of Mobei. I am afraid that the entire army will be defeated before reaching Yecheng."

"So..." Tian Yu looked up at Zhang Yan, with a slightly gray look on his face and said in a deep voice, "Is the general trying to save him when he sees death, so he will be respectful?"

"The country will not need to incite each other with words!" Zhang Yan said angrily, "Although the last general is from a black mountain bandit, he is quite aware of the word "loyalty and righteousness". The first lord is not bad for the last general. Now the lord is in trouble, how can the last general not save him? Since the general has made up his mind, then hurry back to Yuyang and set up the Heishan army and go south to Yecheng with the general."

"Okay!" Tian Yu said loudly, "I am waiting for the general's army in Ji County."

Shanggu County, Zhuolu.

Ma Yue rode his horse to the earth slope on the right side of the Guan Road, pointed to the open plain in the northeast with a horse whip, and said to Jia Xu: "Do Wenhe still remember this grassland?"

Jia Xu said: "How can you not remember that in the Battle of the Bashang Grassland, the lord defeated Liu Yu's 30,000 elite Youzhou soldiers with only thousands of cavalry! Xu still remembers the iron armored chain chariot set up by the lord. Later, in the battle of the siege of Xuchang, it was precisely because of the crossbow chariot that Gongze restructured on the basis of the lord's chariot that completely wiped out Cao Cao's 70,000 army!"

"Looking back, it's like a dream." Ma Yue showed a hint of emotion, and suddenly turned to Ma Zheng and said, "Zheng'er, do you know why you are the father and sent you to Mobei?"

"I know." Ma Zheng bowed respectfully to Ma Yue and said loudly, "Although my father raised an army in the Central Plains, he was in Mobei. My father built his foundation today with all cavalry! My father sent me to Mobei in hopes that he could understand the cavalry and use cavalry more! Since he came to Mobei, he has practiced martial arts during the day and studied military books at night. He also followed his two uncles to participate in hunting every month, and learned the flexible use of cavalry tactics in actual combat, and never dared to relax."

"Boqi." Pei Yuanshao suddenly said, "Zheng'er is young, but he is already good at cavalry warfare. Last winter, when he attacked Dingling in the north, Zheng'er led 900 light cavalry to drive for more than 2,000 miles, beheaded more than 10,000 cattle, sheep, and horses to capture tens of thousands of cattle, sheep, and horses!"

"Is that true?" Ma Yue's expression moved and said to Ma Zheng, "Is Uncle Yuan Shao's words true?"

Ma Zheng replied in fear and trepidation: "When the Dingling attacked the north, the main cavalry of the Dingling people had been wiped out by two uncles. The child led 900 cavalry to chase and kill was just a group of defeated soldiers, and he really did not dare to take credit."

"Hmph, is it true that you say so?" Ma Yue said, "So, my father is really going to test you! You might as well talk about what the essence of cavalry warfare is?"

Ma Zheng hurriedly said, "How dare the child show off his skills in front of his father?"

"If you say it, just say it!" Ma Yue frowned and said unhappy, "I don't feel as proud as a man."

"In this way, the child is a presumption." Ma Zheng bowed long and said loudly, "The child thinks that the essence of cavalry war is the word "fast"! Thousands of miles of detours and long distances, and the surprise troops emerge at the impossible, and the attack on the enemy without any defense. It can be said that there is no sign but it is not good! Of course, my father's heavy armored iron cavalry is another matter, and his tactics are completely different from those of the light cavalry."

"It's interesting." Ma Yue said, "Then you might as well talk about how to fight the Hebei battle now?"

Ma Zhengdao: "In the Battle of Hebei, the child thought that attacking the heart is the best and attacking the city is the best!"

"Oh?" Ma Yue exchanged glances with Jia Xu and said, "Soon on."

Ma Zhengdao: "The 120,000 people in the north of Mohe are cavalry. The advantage of cavalry lies in speed and field battles. If you use it to attack the enemy's commanders, it can be said that you will attack the enemy's commanders with your own shortcomings. What the wise do not do. This is called siege. Yuan Shao's new death and his two sons stand together. The old members of the Yuan family are in a state of turmoil. They will be unable to achieve the determination to die. The soldiers have no fighting spirit to fight to the death. If a cavalry suddenly arrives at the city of Yecheng and make Yecheng an isolated city from the outside world, it will definitely be able to deal a heavy psychological blow to the old members of the Yuan family and the people of Yecheng in the city! Once the psychological defense line of the old members of the Yuan family collapses, they may surrender without fighting. Even if they are unwilling to surrender, the resistance our army encounters when siege the city will be much weaker. This is the so-called attacking the heart is the best."

"Um."

Ma Yue couldn't help but nodded. Although there was no expression on his face, he thought to himself that Ma Zheng might not lose to Sun Quan in the future. Even if he dies immediately, there is nothing to worry about if he is like this.

Jia Xu, who was on the other hand, obviously also considered it and stepped forward to ask: "I'll think about it and ask the young master, what should I do if Yuan Shang really offered the city to surrender? What should I do if Yuan's old subordinates? And what should I do if the people of Yecheng and Hebei?"

In comparison, Ma Yue cared more about Ma Zheng’s military strategy, while Jia Xu obviously cared more about Ma Zheng’s political strategy. After all, the vast territory captured by Ma Yue will be governed by Ma Zheng in the future. If Ma Zheng did not have an excellent political strategy, it would be difficult for Ma Zheng to govern the world well. If Ma Zheng only used military force but was not good at governing the government, he would inevitably become a tyrant who was in a military and powerful future, which is definitely not a blessing for the people of the world.

Ma Zheng replied without hesitation: "If Yuan Shang really offered the city and surrendered, I thought he should move Yuan Shang to the court as an official, and select other talented people as the governors of Ji, You and Qingzhou, and then a large number of famous Hebei scholars were appointed to restore the stability of the four prefectures of Hebei as soon as possible, and then open warehouses and scattered grain to help the people, and select cruel officials to rectify public order. In this way, the people's minds can eliminate bandits' concerns and retain the vitality of Hebei to the greatest extent. As for the tens of thousands of troops of the Yuan clan, they must go south to the Central Plains with the army."

Jia Xu stroked the willow beards on his chin, his eyes showing a happy look.

Jia Xu dared not assert what Ma Zheng will be in the future, but Jia Xu believed that Ma Zheng would not become a militaristic tyrant at least.

Ma Yue tapped his palm with a horse whip, and suddenly raised his head and shouted, "Ma Zheng, please follow the order!"

Ma Zheng, Guan rushed forward urgently.

Ma Yue shouted: "Ma Zheng is the main general, Guan Qi is the deputy general, and lead 30,000 cavalry to head south first to attack Yecheng!"

"Receive the order!"

Ma Zheng, Guan Qi responded with a loud promise and took the order and left.

"Lord." Li Su couldn't help but step forward and advised, "Although Gongzizheng is familiar with military books, proficient in military strategies, strategies, and good at political strategies, he is young after all and has never had the experience of leading the army alone. Is it too risky to just send Gongzi as the deputy general? After all, Gongzi is only a few months older than Gongzizheng, I personally think that a member of the old general who can compete for fighting should be the deputy general."

"Zi Yan doesn't have to worry too much." Ma Yue shook his hand and said, "Although Ma Zheng is Gu's son, Gu cannot refuse to admit that this kid's behavior is quite like a general. Moreover, Ma Zheng has Zhao Yun and Xu Shao, two powerful generals, are guarding him, so he can be safe! This time Gu asked him to lead an army alone to attack Yecheng for a long distance, just to see if he can do what he says and not fight to the enemy of Yecheng!"

After saying this, Ma Yueruo asked Li Su meaningfully: "Don't Ziyan think this battle is of great significance to Gongzizheng and even more important to the entire Liangzhou Legion?"

"Uh..." Li Su was stunned at first, and then suddenly said, "I understand, I understand."

Li Su is also a smart person, and he can understand it at a glance.

Obviously, Ma Yue wanted to achieve two goals through this battle in Yecheng. One was to cultivate and train Ma Zheng's ability to lead the army alone, and the other was to establish Ma Zheng's prestige in the Liangzhou Legion. That is to say, from now on, Ma Yue has officially clarified Ma Zheng's identity as the prince.

Chenliu, Yuan Tan’s official residence.

Xin Ping said to Yuan Tan worriedly: "Lord, give me a detailed return. The 100,000 elite troops led by Xiliang general Gao Shun have entered Xingyang, which is less than 500 miles away from Chenliu! Thirty thousand of these 100,000 elite troops are Xiliang Iron Cavalry. If the light cavalry advances quickly, it will take only three days to reach Chenliu City."

"Ah? One hundred thousand elites? Thirty thousand Xiliang Iron Cavalry!" Yuan Tan's face turned pale in an instant, and he said in panic, "How to resist this? What should I do?"

"At the moment, I can only ask for help from the Wu army." Xin Commented, "When attacking Cao Bao, the lord helped Sun Quan. Now the lord is in trouble. Sun Quan will not refuse to save him, right? Also, the lord should also send someone to Hebei to test Yuan Shang's reaction. It is said that Yuan Shang is also facing the threat of 100,000 Iron Cavalry in the North of the Demon. If possible, the two families should join forces to fight the enemy."

Xinpi said: "What my second brother said is very true. The lord can send an envoy to Yecheng as soon as possible."

"What? Send an envoy to Yecheng?" Yuan Tan said angrily, "This is impossible, this is absolutely impossible! Gu would rather die in battle than bow his head to Yuan Shang's son for help!"

Xin Ping said: "Lord, the overall situation is the most important thing."

"Shut up!" Yuan Tan said angrily, "Xin Ping, it's all your fault. You shouldn't have asked for help from the Wu army at the beginning. If you asked for help from the Liang army, how could the disaster be today? You obviously wanted to kill Gu and deliberately pushed Gu towards the dead end to help Yuan Shang, right? Hum?"

"What!?" Xin Ping said in a lost voice, "Master, how can you say this? This is so disappointing! In order to help the lord, even the little family in Yecheng has been abandoned, so how could he have a different ambition? If I want to fulfill Mr. Yuan Shang, how could my little family stayed in Yecheng be destroyed?"

"This..." Yuan Tan was so retorted by Xin Ping that he couldn't speak. After a while, he said embarrassedly, "Zhongzhi, Gu was also stunned. He was speechless. Don't take it to your heart."

"Oh." Xin Ping sighed, "Think about it carefully, the words of the lord are actually not unreasonable. In order to help the lord achieve hegemony, I sacrificed my family in Yecheng, but it was not because of my selfishness that I urged the lord to ask for help from the Eastern Wu."

"Oh?" Yuan Tan said, "What does Zhongzhi mean?"

Xin Jing said: "In addition to asking for help from Eastern Wu, the lord actually has another choice."

Yuan Tan said: "Tell me quickly."

Xin Ping said: "Surrender."

Yuan Tan suddenly looked fierce and looked at Xin Ping speechless for a long time.

Xin Ping's expression was unrestrained and said calmly: "Looking at the current trend today, Prime Minister Ma is in the northwest and has gained new Xichuan. Regardless of population, money, grain, army, Cao Cao, and Sun Quan will never forget their backs. If it is expected, the world will be owned by Prime Minister Ma in less than ten years. Although the lord has the ambition to restore his father's business, unfortunately he is not able to achieve his strength. If he surrenders to the prime minister or can still maintain the wealth of the Yuan family, if he joins the Wu army to resist to the end, he will probably only have the result of both jade and stone burning."
To be continued...