Chapter 238: The Battle of Qingxu (11)

County seat of Tancheng, Donghai County

The middle-aged man who was originally dealing with official business suddenly stood up, knocking over the desk in front of him. The pile of official documents on the desk also fell to the ground, but the middle-aged man didn't care at all. Instead, he asked the messenger in front of him, "Say it again! The Yuan army launched a surprise attack on Quxian! Which Yuan army?" Please provide a translation for the above Chinese text.

The messenger repeated the words, "It's Yuan Jun from Hebei! Yuan Jun has suddenly attacked Quxian. If it weren't for the fishermen's discovery, we wouldn't even have had time to hastily set up the city's defense! Prefect Che, please quickly send reinforcements and save Quxian!"

This middle-aged man named Che Zhou is currently serving as the Administrator of Donghai Commandery, being 36 years old.

Che Zhou's appointment as the Administrator of Donghai Commandery is actually due to his military capabilities and influence in Xuzhou. No one knows whether the northern forces of Yuan or the southern forces of Yuan will suddenly attack Xuzhou. Having someone like Che Zhou with military talent in Xuzhou is also helpful for Chen Deng. Although Che Zhou may not be particularly strong in handling administrative affairs, he excels in personally taking charge of matters. Donghai Commandery has not been greatly affected during the attack by Cao's forces, so there is nothing inappropriate about Che Zhou's hands-on approach.

Moreover, the Che family in Donghai has some kinship with Cao Cao. Coupled with the fact that they can be used to balance the Mi family and the Xu family, they have become the most suitable candidate.

Che Zhou hesitated for a moment, neither clearly indicating sending reinforcements nor refusing. Instead, he let the messenger rest first. The messenger was also a clever person who knew that he could only wait for Che Zhou's decision. Besides, the messenger sent by Che Zhou had already sent ships to deliver supplies to Xiapi, so he had no need to hurry. He obediently went to rest.

Che Zhou immediately summoned officials from the county government to discuss whether or not to send reinforcements.

In plain terms, there are indeed tens of thousands of Yuan troops who launched a surprise attack on Qu County. It has been two and a half days already, and Qu County is likely to be on the verge of collapse. It will take them another two to three days to assemble their forces, and another two to three days for their army to march. If we consider the time consumed by messengers, it will take about ten days. They don't believe that Qu County can hold on for ten days.

If the city is breached, sending their reinforcements will not only consume supplies but also expose them to the risk of being attacked by the Yuan army.

"We cannot dispatch reinforcements! The current plan is to notify the Panlong Army and we should defend each city and wait for their assistance."

“不妥，若是其余各城知晓我们不派援军，他们说不定会出现投降的情况！”

"Who would dare to do so! Who wants their family to be despised!"

"No one can say for sure if someone would do such a thing!" Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

Che Zhou rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on as he listened to the crowd arguing.

"Let's first send the Mirror Guards to investigate the news, and if there hasn't been a breach, let's send troops from the neighboring county to provide some assistance."

"Marshal Che, it is unnecessary. Quxian has already been lost!"

A person dressed in formal attire, with a Yanling sword hanging from his waist, walked in from outside the council chamber.

"Wuzhou pacification commissioner Wu Dun of Mingjing Hall, paying respects to Marshal Che."

Che Zhou reacted and recognized Wu Dun. During the celebration banquet held by Cao Cao after capturing Xuzhou, he saw this impressive Xuzhou pacifier who had shone in the "New Year's Eve Battle".

"General Wu, has Chuxian really been lost?"

The tremor in Che Zhou's voice indicated his disbelief that Chuxian could have fallen so quickly, in just two and a half days. Wu Dun should have received the news earlier, suggesting that Chuxian couldn't hold on even for two full days!

"The foolish defending general at the west gate of Xu County was easily breached by Zhang He, and afterwards, four gates were quickly occupied. The county magistrate of Xu County, Mi Zhong, was beheaded in Zhang He's formation, and the city was captured within two hours. Not only that, Haixi and Licheng were also conquered by the troops of Yuan Shao!" Translation: "

The scene suddenly became chaotic, and no one expected that Yuan Jun's attack would be so fierce, capturing three cities at once.

"The size of this Yuan army is estimated to be around thirty to fifty thousand, and the exact number of people hasn't been determined yet. Leading the troops are Yuan Shao's eldest son Yuan Tan and one of the four pillars of Hebei, Zhang He. It's fortunate that you didn't engage, otherwise, in a direct confrontation against ordinary farming troops, you wouldn't stand a chance."

Wu Dun directly admitted that Che Zou and others are not opponents. Although some people were not convinced, they also knew that Wu Dun was speaking the truth.

Che Zou also secretly sighed, clutching his fists tightly. If he had an army like Chen Deng, he would definitely dare to compete with Zhang He in arm wrestling. However, he did not encounter the same opportunity as Chen Deng did, being valued by both Cao Cao and Guo Jia at the same time.

吴敦将众人的反应都看在眼中，其实他已经算是给面子了，没有直接说不堪一击。可饶是这样，也已经成功打击了众人的士气。吴敦自然不是叛变了才想打击己方士气，而是怕这些人不固守城池以待援军，而是直接尝试出城一战。

身为一州镇抚使，他对于河北诸将的资料还是详细阅览过的。

张郃为人谨慎，然谨慎中却不失机变，你以为他会谨慎对敌的时候，他突然就兵出险招给你狠狠来上一下。而且张郃的武艺也已经到达了一流中期的境界，徐州如今可没有一流境界的战将留守。如果他们面对张郃，先不说兵力处于劣势，屯田军和这部分袁军战力也无法比拟，光是张郃的武艺，便可一力破万军，直接激发袁军士气打破曹军，更何况张郃兵法韬略也不同凡响。

Che Zhou thought for a moment and came up with a proposal, "How about seeking assistance from the Xuanwu Army in Taishan County?"

Wu Dun shook his head and replied, "Absolutely not! The Xuanwu Army stationed in Taishan County is there to prevent the Yuan army from directly entering Xuzhou via land. It is not allowed to be mobilized."

Che Zhou actually knows the true purpose of Xuanwu's army. It is not only to defend against the follow-up reinforcements from Qingzhou, but also to ensure the security of Cao Cao's army's flank. There must be no mistakes. His proposal is only to cut off others' thoughts, and he really doesn't ask for reinforcements from the main army.

"Then, how about borrowing someone from General Li Dian?"

Wu Dun furrowed his brows and asked, "Are you suggesting borrowing Sun Bufu?"

Che Zhou nodded and said, "Indeed, with General Sun Ce present, we will be able to match Zhang He's martial prowess. Once the troops from the Panlong Army and Xupu arrive, we have a chance to encircle and annihilate this Yuan army in Donghai County!"

Wu Dun looked at Che Zhe with surprise and silently nodded in approval. Che Zhe's plan indeed had the potential to annihilate this Yan army, and Wu Dun recognized his talent. While others were still pondering how to defend the city, he had already thought of a strategy to encircle the enemy. However, he couldn't help but sigh and shake his head, saying, "Unfortunately, you won't be able to borrow it."

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