The Sixteen Kingdoms of the Eastern Jin Dynasty: The Competition in the Central Plains

"Mr. Xu Xian, you have worked hard on your trip to Qingzhou, please sit down first! Shi Le said

"When Lord Xu Xian saw Cao Yi and his generals, did he notice anything strange? Zhang Bin asked. Xu Xian thought for a moment and said,"After I read the edict of King Zhao, Cao Ni and his generals were very happy and didn't see anything wrong.""

"Most generals are careless, but the talented Zheng Lin is different. I estimate that after Mr. Xu Xian comes back, Cao Yi and Zheng Lin will discuss the reward."Zhang Bin said. Xu Xian said:"We are recruiting Cao Yi to defeat Shao Xu?"

Shi Le and the civil and military ministers all burst out laughing after hearing this. After laughing, Shi Le said seriously:"We have appeased Cao Yi, and Shao Xu, who besieged Fuping, has no worries. These days, brothers Duan Pixi and Duan Mobo are fighting again. Originally, the internal fighting among the Xianbei Duans was a good thing, but for the sake of Gu's adopted son Duan Mobo, Gu also wanted to attack Yanci and Fuping City. Otherwise, Duan Mobo will be eliminated by Duan Pixi. Duan Pixi and Duan Wenyang were not in Fuping at the moment, and they also took some of Shao Xu's soldiers with them. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us. General Ji Long obeys the order! Gu orders you to be the chief general, with Kong Chang and Wang Yang as deputy generals, Shi Tai and Shi Tong as soldiers, and lead an infantry of 30,000 horses to go to Yanci day and night to surround Shao Xu who is defending Fuping. There must be no mistake!"

Shi Hu, Kong Chang, Wang Yang and others bowed their hands and saluted and said:"I will obey the order!"

The scouting horse report was reported to Shao Xu, who was stationed in Fuping. Shao Xu summoned his son Shao Ji, nephews Shao Cun, Shao Zhu and several generals to come to the government office to discuss strategies to defeat the enemy. Shao Xu said:"This time Shi Le sent Shi The tiger is tired of coming, and is determined to win Fuping City. It was obvious that Shi Le had heard that the Duan Pixi brothers were not in Fuping, and wanted to take advantage of the situation and capture Fuping City."

"Father, don't worry. Although the cavalry of Mr. Duan and his brother are not here, after these few years, our Fuping City has strong gates and strong walls. As long as we defend properly and prevent the enemy from breaking through the city gates and walls, the Jie people's cavalry will not be able to capture Fuping City for a while. Shao Ji said. Shao Cun said:"What brother Shao Ji said is very reasonable. As long as we strengthen our defense, we will not let the Jie people take advantage of it." In a few days, Shihu will have no food and grass, and will not be able to capture Fuping City. He may withdraw his troops and return to Xiangguo."

"What you said makes sense. As long as Fuping City is not breached and we hold on for half a year, there should be no problem. But the one we have to guard against is Cao Yi from Qingzhou. In recent years, he has attacked us from time to time. He also gave gifts to Shi Le and formed an alliance, and accepted rewards from Shi Le. Once Cao Yi takes advantage of the situation, we will be in even greater danger. Shao Xu said

"I don't think Cao Yi will take any action. Although he accepted Shi Le's gift on the surface, he still looked towards the Jiangnan court in his heart. Cao Yi clearly knew his uncle's loyalty to His Majesty, so he would not take advantage of others' danger at this time."Shao Zhu said

"I estimate that Shihu's large team will arrive around noon tomorrow. The three of you will lead your generals and soldiers. Shao Ji will guard the north gate of Fuping, Shao Cun will guard the south gate, and Shao Zhu will guard the east gate. I myself will guard Simon. Shihu came from Xiangguo and would probably attack the west gate of Fuping first. However, other city gates must also be on guard to prevent any mistakes. Shao Xu said. Shao Ji said loudly:"Father, please don't worry!" People are in the city!

Shao Cun and Shao Zhu also said loudly:"Uncle, please don't worry!" People are in the city!"

After lunch the next day, Shao Xu went up to the west gate tower. Shi Hu's soldiers had begun to disperse and surround Fuping City. Shi Hu rode a tall horse, surrounded by more than a dozen generals and generals, to Fuping. The west gate of the city. About a stone's throw away, Shi Hu stopped. Shao Xu looked down from a high position and looked at the Jie soldiers scattered around Fuping. Shi Hu held a riding whip in his right hand, pointed at Shao Xu on the tower and said:"Master Shao Xu, you're fine! Today you don't have the Duan Pixi brothers, so I think it's better to surrender!"

"General Ji Long, you were beaten to the point of panic by General Zu Ti, but you went to my Fuping City to show off your power. Do you think I, Shao Xu, is easy to bully?"Shao Xu said sarcastically. When Shi Hu heard that Shao Xu had exposed his scars, he couldn't help but became angry. Shi Hu ordered:"Kong Chang listens to the order and leads your men to surround the north gate of Fuping! Wang Yang leads your men to surround the south gate, and Shi Tai and Shi Tong lead five thousand soldiers to surround the east gate! There will be a reward for conquering Fuping and capturing Shao Xu! Shao

Xu on the city tower looked at Shi Hu not far away and said:"General Ji Long, if you can break through my Fuping City within ten days, I will voluntarily capture you!" After Shao Xu finished speaking, he raised his right hand and said,"Brothers, arrows are on the strings, swords are in hand, prepare to destroy our enemies!""

Shao Xu held a sword in his hand and raised morale on the city tower. Shihu's soldiers at the west gate, as well as soldiers outside the north gate, south gate, and east gate, began to attack the city together. Shihu's soldiers began to attack the city walls and city towers. When shooting arrows, the soldiers on the city towers and city walls began to fight back. Shihu's soldiers had to raise their heads and shoot arrows diagonally toward the city wall, while Shao Xu's soldiers on the city towers and city walls shot arrows diagonally downwards. Of course, the arrows shot downward must be more powerful. Some. The arrows shot upward are less powerful. More and more Shihu soldiers outside the city gates were killed and wounded by arrows. Shao Xu's soldiers on the city wall were also shot to death and wounded. Yes, the dead and wounded soldiers were carried off the city wall by the shield soldiers, and then the shield soldiers returned to the city wall to continue guarding the archers.

When Shi Hu saw that he had not taken advantage, he shouted at the top of his lungs:"Behead those who retreat!""

Kong Chang, Wang Yang, Shi Tai, and Shi Tong came to the west gate from the north gate, south gate, and east gate to see Shi Hu. Several people dismounted, and Shi Hu also dismounted and began to discuss ways to attack Fuping. Wang Yang said:"Zhongshan Gong, this time we came from Xiangguo to attack Fuping. Because of the long distance, we did not have time to carry siege equipment. Seeing that Fuping City is impregnable, compared with Cao Yi's Guanggu City, it will be difficult to break Fuping City for a while."

"Mr. Zhongshan, it's getting dark soon. Please stop the attack. We will discuss countermeasures tonight and continue the attack tomorrow. Shi Tai said. Shi Hu nodded and said:"Ming Jin!""

Kong Chang, Wang Yang, Shi Tai, and Shi Tong also returned to the city gates they were guarding and ordered to stop attacking the city. Shao Xu and his generals breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Shi Hu's soldiers stopped attacking the city.

The next day After breakfast, Shi Hu's soldiers began to attack various city gates again. However, Shao Xu and his generals defended very successfully, and Shi Hu's soldiers had difficulty getting close to the city gates and walls. Kong Chang came from the north gate to the west gate to see Shi Hu. Chang said:"Mr. Zhongshan, it looks like the situation today is similar to yesterday. If this continues, I really won't be able to defeat Fuping in ten days."

The two people were talking when Shi Tai, who joined the army, came from the east gate. Shi Tai dismounted and said to Shi Hu:"Zhongshan Gong, we should observe some details of Fuping City, such as the situation at the city gate and the situation outside the city.. Change your tactics based on these situations and come up with better strategies."

Shi Hu nodded and said:"Stop attacking the city at each city gate first, instead of attacking, pay attention to the movement of each city gate. All the generals and generals came to the big tent outside the west gate to discuss matters!"

In the big tent, Shi Hu, who had a fat head, big ears, and a big belly, was sitting majestically. The generals surrounding each city gate came to the big tent one after another. When they saw that Shi Hu was finished, they sat down one after another.