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

"Generals, in order to capture Fuping City as soon as possible, please brainstorm and come up with suggestions. We came all the way, and Shao Xu waited for us to work hard. It's not good for us if this continues. The shortage of food and grass is also a big problem. Shi Hu said. Shi Tai, who joined the army, said:"We should think of a way to lure the snake out of the hole and lure Shao Xu out." Instead of besieging the city every day, so that General Kong Chang's cavalry can be effective"

"In order to guard against us, Shao Xu has been hoarding grain for a long time. If we cannot break Fuping City and Shao Xu is trapped in Fuping City for half a year, there will be no big problem."Kong Chang said. Wang Yang said:"We will stop attacking the city for the next two days and let the brothers find a place to bury the brothers who died in battle. Injured brothers, please let the medical officer treat you quickly. We can send more scouting horses to observe the situation around Fuping City, and then discuss strategies to defeat the enemy."

For several days in a row, Shi Hu's soldiers did not attack the city. This gave Shao Xu a temporary respite. In the government office, Shao Xu ordered:"Generals, in addition to guarding your respective positions at all times, In charge of the city gates and walls, we also need to collect the bodies of the fallen soldiers and bury them outside the city when there is time. Injured soldiers must be treated as soon as possible. Any arrows shot into the city that were intact must be picked up and reused."

Shao Ji, Shao Cun, Shao Zhu and other generals said:"The last general has received the order!"

After a light snowfall, the weather became colder and colder. Shi Hu and several generals led hundreds of soldiers around Fuping City every day. The sun had just risen in the morning, and the west gate and east gate opened one after another. , some people from Fuping City came out in groups to collect firewood in the nearby mountains and forests, and some cut some grass and carried it back to feed their cattle, donkeys, sheep and other livestock. The city gate was opened for a short time, and the guards The soldiers at the city gate also have to watch to see if there are any Jie people attacking the city. If the Jie people show signs of attacking the city, the city gate will be closed quickly. At almost noon every day, the city gate will be opened again to let the people out of the city. Back.

In the big tent, Shi Hu was discussing with the generals how to attack Fuping. Shi Tai, who joined the army, said:"After these few days of observation, I found a way to capture Fuping City."

Shi Hu asked:"What clever ideas does Shi Canjun have? Say it and see"

"Every day when the city gate opens before noon, let our soldiers pretend to be the people of Fuping City and let these soldiers sneak into Fuping City. Wait until night, let these soldiers kill the Shao Xu soldiers who are guarding the city, open the city gate, and we can take Fuping City without any effort. Shi Tai offered his advice. Another soldier, Shi Tong, said:"This method won't work." Let the Jie people and Xianbei people sneak into Fuping City. The appearance of these people is different from that of the Han people, and they can be easily spotted by the soldiers guarding the city gate. Let our Han soldiers mix in, and the accent will be a problem"

"This is indeed a problem. If our soldiers are discovered when they enter the city, then all our efforts will be wasted. We might as well think of other ways."Kong Chang said. Shi Hu thought for a while and said:"The reason why Shao Xu can stick to Fuping City is inseparable from the support of the people in the city. It is said that Shao Xu cherished the people very much and treated them with great love. Many people spontaneously helped Shao Xu defend the city, and some even donated their own food, cattle and sheep for the soldiers to eat. People in the city have time to leave the city and return to the city. We can make a fuss about this."

"Since Shao Xu loves the people as his own son, we can capture some people who are leaving the city, and then beat and humiliate these people near the city gate. Shao Xu on the tower will definitely become angry and furious after watching this. The hundreds of men, women, and children captured during the previous attack on Yanci were also brought here. Maybe Shao Xu will open the city gate and fight us."Kong Chang said. Shi Hu laughed loudly when he heard this:"General Kong Chang's method is good, you can try it!"

It was almost noon the next day, and people collecting firewood and cutting grass began to return to the city. Dozens of people walking behind included old people, children, and women. When they were still a few hundred steps away from the west gate of Fuping, they were lying in wait. Kong Chang's soldiers suddenly rushed out and arrested these people. Kong Chang and the soldiers came to the city gate, and the soldiers on the city tower had to quickly close the city gate. Shao Xu and other generals on the city tower saw it very clearly and were very anxious. These things Jie soldiers with swords in hand escorted these people to not far from the west gate. Shi Hu and other generals also came, and Shao Xu angrily yelled:"Shi Hu, what kind of hero are you! It is not human to bully the people!"

"Shao Xu, you can’t blame me. Who made your Fuping City as solid as a rock? I can't capture it. Of course I have to think of some ways!"Shi Hu said with a wicked smile. Shao Xu scolded:"You are such a treacherous villain! Don't you have any sense of shame in taking innocent people as hostages?"

Shao Xu said and shot an arrow at Shi Hu. Unfortunately, he was too far away and the arrow stuck on the ground. A soldier ran over, pulled out the arrow and handed it to Shi Hu. Shi Hu laughed. Taking this arrow, he said to Shao Xu on the tower:"Master Shao Xu, there is a good show to watch!"

Shi Hu said, and came to these people with this arrow. Hundreds of people from Yanci and Fuping City were taken outside the west gate of Fuping. The people looked at the Jie people who were holding swords and looked like wolves and tigers. The soldier's face turned pale with fear. Shi Hu first scratched an old man's face with an arrow. The old man screamed and covered his face in pain. Shi Hu then used an arrow to scratch a middle-aged man, first scratching the middle-aged man's cotton-padded clothes. Then he stabbed his scalp with an arrow. The middle-aged man was very strong and kept silent. Shi Hu sneered twice, and then inserted the arrow into the middle-aged man's chest. The man screamed and bleeded. He fell to the ground and died. Shao Xu cursed loudly:"You slaughtered people and committed many evil deeds. Heaven will not let you go!""

Shi Hu came to two young women again, and the two women were so frightened that they burst into tears. He touched one woman's face first, and the woman pushed him away with her hand. Shi Hu then used an arrow to scratch the other woman's face. He gestured on her chest, and the two women glared angrily. Shihu waved to ten Jie soldiers and whispered in a low voice. The ten soldiers laughed wildly, and started to attack the young women among the people. Move your feet. Some young women had their shirts torn off, and they could not stop crying. Several young men were also being beaten.

Shao Xu on the tower looked at it, and he was already extremely angry. Shao Xu continued to curse:"Shi Hu , people say that the heart of a Capricorn is like a snake or a scorpion, and it is true. If you have the guts, release these people immediately and let them return to the city to live their lives. I'll open the city gate and let's fight it out!"

"Okay, okay, with Master Shao Xu's words, I will let these people go."Shi Hu said and waved his hand, and the soldiers let go of the civilians. A few young and strong boys carried the middle-aged man's body back. Others quickly picked up the firewood and grass and ran in They went to the city. The soldiers on the city towers and walls had bows and arrows in hand, and they were afraid that Shi Hu's soldiers would take the opportunity to attack the city. However, Shi Hu and his generals stayed where they were.