Chapter 224: Battle of Qingxu (3)

ps: The new book will be on hold for a while until it is properly revised and approved by the editor. The changes will be major, so please don't rush me. The author has been going to bed at five o'clock in the morning for the past few days. Got it.

本来辛评听说历城、土鼓城和台县三城的县令还能派出求援信使，向来还能支撑一段时间。想不到前脚刚刚接见这些求援信使，后脚溃军也到了。

What Xin Ping doesn't know is that he has already been quite lucky. Because afterwards, Zhou Yu learned from the Mingjing Guard hidden in Dongpingling City that Xin Ping was still reorganizing his troops, intending to send three separate forces to rescue the three cities. Zhou Yu regretted it so much that his face turned green. If he had known earlier, he would have pretended that the city was not yet conquered after breaking through, then surrounded and attacked the reinforcements, directly annihilating the large army inside Dongpingling City outside the three cities. Why bother with all these efforts?

However, Xinpian naturally doesn't know about these matters. Currently, Xinpian is writing fervently, continuously writing several letters. One urgent letter is being sent to Yuan Shao at the frontlines in Guandu, one is being sent to Cui Yan, who is managing Qingzhou in place of Yuan Tan. The remaining letters are being sent to various county officials in Qingzhou to prevent them from being surprised again by the sudden attacks from Cao's army.

而辛评到现在都不知道袁谭已经率大军从东莱郡出发，现如今正在海上漂荡。

Xin Ping asked the Sima of Jinan Commandery, "How many defending troops are currently stationed at Dongping Tomb?"

This county's Sima is quite extraordinary, named Shen Rong, the nephew of Shen Pei.

Shen Rong is not very old, but he is very skilled in handling military affairs, and his military capabilities are remarkable. Although he is not adept at attacking, he is quite skilled in defending cities. That's why Xin Ping asked for Shen Pei's help. Originally, Xin Ping was just being cautious, after all, Jinan County borders the Cao army. Who would have thought that Shen Rong, who was only helping with military affairs, would actually come in handy today.

审荣对这一战信心十足“郡守放心，算上三城的溃军，城中还有一万八千守军。曹军各军一般人数在两万五千人左右，就算士兵之间战力有差距，曹军攻城机械先进，我也能守至少半个月！而那个时候，其他几郡的援军也差不多到了。”

“伯誉，某不善军事，军事上的事全部交给你了，一定要守到援军到来！”辛评正色道，神色异常严肃。

辛评少年得志，如今又面临一个立大功的机会，虽然信心十足，却也没有骄傲得意，而是依旧保持谨慎谦逊的态度。

However, those defeated soldiers, I believe it's necessary to confirm their identities. If enemy soldiers have mixed in, even the strongest fortress would not be able to hold on.

Xin Ping laughed and said, "Rest assured, Lord Boyu, I have already thought of that. That's why I had those soldiers who held up letters seeking reinforcements verify their identities. I confirmed the identities of almost all of them. I also kept a close watch on them, making sure they didn't recognize everyone. Otherwise, I would have truly doubted them."

After thinking for a while, Shen Rong realized that this was indeed the case. After all, although the messenger seeking help might be a trusted subordinate or a beloved general of the county magistrate, it would be impossible for them to know every soldier. If they could actually recognize everyone, it would instead indicate that they were enemy spies.

It's no wonder that the prince has sent Xin Ping to Jinan County. He is meticulous in his thinking and cautious in his actions. I believe he will be able to coordinate well with Xin Ping and defend the city of Dongpingling successfully!

However, for safety reasons, Sheng Rong has integrated the fleeing troops and the messengers seeking reinforcements, totaling nearly three thousand people. Then, he arranged these three thousand people under his close observation - at the south gate.

Shen Rong believes that although these three thousand soldiers are defeated, they still have the strength to fight. Personally observing them, they wouldn't dare to slack off. If they have any evil intentions, I can also prevent their conspiracies.

Afterwards, Xin Ping began to recruit young and able-bodied men from the city to assist in carrying rolled wood, stones, fire oil, and arrows. Xin Ping was known for his integrity and virtuousness as an official, and he had implemented fair taxes and light burdens in Jinan County. Therefore, he enjoyed a high level of popularity and support from the people in Dongpingling City. The residents were willing to help Xin Ping with these non-dangerous tasks, especially considering that Xin Ping had offered the tempting condition of exempting one year of corvée labor.

Cao Jun gave Xin Ping and Shen Rong an opportunity to prepare, and they set off after resting for a day. After arriving at Dongping Lingcheng, they surrounded it from all sides and then decided to rest for another day. Note: The "

Xuanwu Army Nanmen Camp

Li Dian personally sealed off the South Gate, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu were in charge of the North Gate, Li Zheng was in charge of the East Gate, and Li Qian was in charge of the West Gate.

However, Li Zheng, stationed at the East Gate, could not understand why Li Dian ordered the city to be surrounded from all sides. In his opinion, surrounding the city from three sides and leaving one side open would be the correct method of attacking the city. He came specifically from the East Gate Camp to the South Gate Camp to inquire Li Dian about this. Please note that the translated content contains punctuation and structure adjustments for better readability.

"General, the art of war says: surround three and one is missing. If our army surrounds the Dongpingling city from all sides, will it make the enemy inside the city fight desperately?"

Li Dian shook his head helplessly. His cousin, as brave as he was, lacked strategic thinking. As the commander of the Xuanwu Army, he also had some personal motives and once thought about developing Li Zheng's command abilities. But Li Zheng might not be suitable for leading troops, and he hasn't made much progress so far. However, since Li Zheng asked, he would naturally patiently respond.

"Brother, let me ask you, what is the purpose of using these siege methods?"

Li Zheng pondered for a moment and tentatively asked, "Siege?"

Li Dian, after hearing this, became visibly annoyed, almost wanting to hit someone in frustration.

"Huff." Li Dian took a deep breath. "Why all the nonsense? Isn't it for the purpose of capturing the city? Wouldn't it be more straightforward to directly attack the city?"

"To minimize casualties! We're afraid the enemy forces might fight desperately to the death, so we want to reduce our soldiers' casualties! Besides, we already have nearly three thousand troops infiltrating the city. When the time comes, we'll open the city gates from inside and surround the enemy forces. These defenders are just local recruits from Jinan County, they won't truly fight to the death for Xin Ping. Then, we can rely on our lord's popularity in Qingzhou to persuade them to surrender!"

李整一副恍然大悟的模样，让李典看了也有些心力憔悴。

李典心道“幸好有伯符和公瑾，还有乾伯，不然我一个人还真带不动这家伙。”

"I've told you several times to find two more capable subordinates to assist you in both fighting and studying. Can't you understand? Forget it, hurry back to the eastern gate. If the enemy escapes because of you, you will face military punishment!"

Li Dian, with a look of disdain, drove away Li Zheng. He then pondered about his aging uncle Li Qian and his young son. He also began to worry about the future of the Li family in Shanyang. Shaking his head, Li Dian dismissed these thoughts from his mind.

"Forget it, let's focus on the current battle. Spread the word, tonight the entire army will have an extra meal, and tomorrow prepare to conquer Dongping Mausoleum in one fell swoop!"

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