Chapter 20: Siege of Xudu

  They quietly camped in the mountains outside Xuchang for a night, and Yuan Shao's army continued to march towards Xu Du.

  In less than a month, the troops had already arrived outside the outer city of Xuchang, gazing at Xuchang from afar, Yuan Shang's heart was filled with countless emotions.

  As a temporary capital of the great Han Dynasty, Xuchang indeed has its own uniqueness and extraordinary features.

  The capital city stood tall in Yuan Shang's eyes, with buildings that seemed to touch the clouds. The city walls were four or five zhang high, made of heavy stones piled on top of each other, and the walls were extremely thick, giving off an extraordinary aura.

  The moat below is wide and deep, with accumulated water inside, extremely neat.

  Still several miles away from the city gate of Xizhou, looking up and gazing into the distance, one could also spot a fire-red large flag swaying in the wind on top of the city wall, with a black character with red edges and gold borders embroidered on it.

  "Han!"

  "Your Highness, what shall we do? Shall we storm the city by force?" Zhang Jue asked Yuan Shang as he rode forward.

  Yuan Shang shook his head and smiled: "No need to be so anxious, anyway we're just here to intimidate them, no need to fight hard!"

  Gao Lan heard this and said: "Then according to your view, what should be done?"

  Yuan Shang heard the words, lowered his head to think for a moment, and then raised his head and said: "In this way, five thousand iron cavalry, we will dispatch one thousand in the northern forest to run back and forth, making dust fly, letting the enemy army mistakenly believe that we have a large team to support. The remaining four thousand soldiers were divided into three routes to surround the city, each waving flags and shouting at the east, west, and south gates to boost morale, leaving only the north gate empty."

  Gao Lan was taken aback for a moment and asked strangely: "Surrounding three and lacking one, what is the meaning of this?"

  Zhang Jue understood implicitly: "Leave the north gate open and let Cao's messenger rush out to report to Cao Cao."

  Yuan Shang heard this and laughed, saying: "General Zhang is truly clever. Alright, I'll trouble the two of you to immediately split up and take action, preparing to besiege... no, to besiege Xuchang!"

  "Promise!"

  Xu Du, Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

  Today, the world knows that the current Han Dynasty's Chancellor Cao Cao, who has eliminated the Yellow Turbans, defeated Dong Zhuo, conquered Yuan Shu, removed Lü Bu, surrendered Zhang Yang, and expelled Liu Bei, can be said to have a mighty name and numerous military achievements. With eyes on the whole world, he can be called the number one hero of the current era.

  However, how many people know that behind these brilliant military achievements, there was another person who worked tirelessly for ten years to consolidate Cao Cao's rear, formulate policies, manage internal affairs, recommend talents, issue laws and regulations, purchase military supplies, and prepare food and grass.

  It can be said that this person, with his back, silently supported Cao Cao, or even the entire Cao family, holding up the magnificent mountains and rivers of the Central Plains.

  At this time, in the study of the Shangshu Commandery, it was still bustling with activity. The Shangshu Commander, Xun Yu, was bent over his desk, carefully examining the accounts for this month's grain collection, one slip at a time.

  For Xun Yu, it had been a decade or so since he got used to the daily routine of handling official documents, which had become as ordinary as eating and sleeping.

  Especially at this special moment, it is even more necessary to seize the time, and every minute and every second cannot relax.

  According to reports, the Battle of Guandu is nearing its end, and the situation on the front lines has developed in a direction favorable to our side. At this critical moment, as the leader who guards the rear for Cao Cao, he must be even more vigilant and meticulous, grasping every detail firmly, not allowing any slight mistake to occur in Xuchang.

  Unfortunately, heaven's will is often not in line with human wishes.

  "Lord Xun, Lord Xun!" Just as Xun Yu was frowning and reviewing official documents, a servant rushed into the study, bowed to Xun Yu with his hands clasped together: "Lord Xun, something big has happened!"

  Xun Yu's expression changed, this attendant had followed him for many years, always calm and composed, cautious and meticulous, something that could make him so flustered must be extraordinary.

  "What's going on?" Xun Yu asked with a furrowed brow.

  "Xun Lingjun! Something is terribly wrong! Outside the city, a large number of Yuan soldiers have suddenly appeared out of nowhere, each one radiating an aura of killing intent, their presence overwhelming. They are standing outside the walls of Xudu City, shouting loudly, seemingly with the intention of attacking the city!"

  Xun Yu's eyelid twitched at the words...

  Neither early nor late, but he came running at this time!

  "How many soldiers and horses? Who is in command?"

  The attendant officer wiped the sweat and shook his head: "The northern sand and dust are all over the sky, the brocade flag is fluttering, can't see how many soldiers and horses, the vanguard troops nearby are all elite iron cavalry, the commander's flag reads 'Vanguard Officer Zhang Zong' 'Deputy Vanguard Gao Lan'".

  Xun Yu was shocked in his heart for a moment.

  "It's actually these two who have come? The only two survivors of the Hebei Four Pillars have both arrived, it seems that this time it will not end well... The Yuan army has actually gone to such great lengths to occupy Xudu..."

  "Follow me up onto the city wall and take a look!" Xun Yu swept his large sleeves aside, stood up, and headed outside.

  When they arrived at the city gate tower, they saw that the iron cavalry below had already surrounded the three gates, with soldiers and horses coming and going horizontally, shouting loudly, looking very majestic.

  Looking into the distance, the dust is sparse, the sand and soil are flying, it seems that there are still many soldiers and horses charging towards their side with courage, but it doesn't seem like there will be fewer.

  Below the south gate, only one youth with an extremely handsome appearance, wearing silver-white armor, arrived under the escort of a group of iron cavalry, like a multitude of stars surrounding the moon. He shouted loudly at the top of his voice towards the city wall: "Listen up, Cao army on the city wall! You are already surrounded by our troops! If you know what's good for you, quickly put down your weapons and surrender! Otherwise, our troops will soon launch a siege against you... Repeat, you are already surrounded by our side, if you know what's good for you, put down your weapons quickly, otherwise our troops will soon launch a siege against you.

  Xun Yu furrowed his brow and gazed deeply at the man who was shouting, with some doubt in his heart.

  The man's appearance was quite familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before. However, Xun Yu's brainpower had always been exceptional, known for his extraordinary memory, and if he had really met him before, he wouldn't have forgotten.

  "Who is this young man, after all?" Xun Yu was puzzled and couldn't figure it out.

  Elegant eyebrows and eyes, a nose like a heroic spirit, a proud posture, words that surpass others...

  After a while, Xun Yu suddenly exclaimed: "This young man, why does he look so much like Yuan Shao when he was young!"

  PS: Sorry to everyone, I recently got infected with eczema herpeticum and my entire right hand is out of commission. I can only type with one hand now, so updates will be scarce for a while. I'll speed up the updates once I recover.