Chapter 186 I have special pig-raising skills

Guo Jia was much calmer. He glanced at Zhang Fei with disdain and said, "Are you deaf? This is a stone cannon, not a catapult."

Although his tone was steady, Guo Jia's mood was not calm at all.

Just because in front of the power of the stone cannon, the so-called fortified cities within the empire became a joke.

If you keep firing one shell after another, as long as the firepower is strong enough, even if the city is protected by gods, it will be smashed to pieces!

Originally, he was very much against Wang Jing's decision to launch a strong attack, but with such a powerful weapon, what was wrong with the strong attack?

Just fire the fucking gun!
If it weren't for his dignity as a wise man and strategist, Guo Jia would have been unable to resist swearing on the spot like Zhang Fei did.

Thirty-six giant stone cannons were arranged in four rows, with nine cannons in each row, and then there was a continuous and fierce bombardment.

The 150-pound stone was polished into a spherical shape and, carrying huge kinetic energy, fell continuously inside and outside Chenliu City.

The sound shakes the heaven and earth and is indestructible!
Big holes were smashed into the solid city wall, and the surface bricks and stones fell off, revealing the compacted soil inside.

The stone bullets that flew over the city wall and fell into the city toppled countless houses and caused great panic.

You know, the spherical stone bullets will continue to roll after they hit the ground, causing terrible follow-up casualties.

Even though the stone balls did not cause much casualties to the defenders in the city, those who were hit by the bullets all died in extremely tragic ways, as if they had been crushed by a millstone, with their flesh and blood all covered in blood and their bones shattered.

This tragic scene frightened everyone.

After a brief period of confusion, there was a complete collapse. Many low-ranking generals even climbed over the wall and surrendered.

Liu Yi stood beside Zhang Miao, sweating profusely, and said, "Sir, I'm afraid we can't defend this city. Let's surrender."

Zhang Miao's legs were shaking with fear, but he still gritted his teeth and asked, "Can we activate the Five Sacrifices Spirit Refining Formation and summon Mu Zheng Ju Mang to block it?"

Dong Fang shook his head quickly: "Mu Zheng's divine power can suppress the blood circulation of warriors, use the powerful power of thought to suppress the martial arts cultivation of fierce generals, and then assist with the arrow array to trap and kill. But for dead objects, the power of thought is not very effective. Even if it is forced to activate, it can't stop a few stone bullets."

It is obvious that the Five Sacrifices Spirit Refining Array is a formation aimed at humans, and it can only be effective within Chenliu City. It is almost useless against long-range attacks.

Zhang Miao couldn't help but show despair when he heard this. Although he didn't want to surrender in his heart, he just couldn't say the word "no".

Half an hour later, a white flag was raised in the city, and the terrible bombing finally stopped.

As the city gate opened, Zhang Miao and others tied themselves up in front of the battle formation. Xun You then looked at Wang Jing with a smile and said, "My lord, you are so powerful that Chenliu City has surrendered."

"Haha, in this battle, the Mo Sect should be credited with the greatest merit. Once the giant stone cannon is deployed, there will no longer be an unbreakable fortress in the world."

Wang Jing laughed loudly, expressing his happiness.

In this battle, he deliberately wanted to display the giant stone cannon in front of everyone, and also to wake up those so-called Confucian scholars who were self-righteous and refused to face up to science and technology.

Weird tricks?
No, when technology is directly applied to war, and when the creations of technology can determine the outcome of a war, then technology becomes a true military weapon.

Whoever dares to despise will perish!
"Enter the city!"

Wang Jing waved his hand, and the army marched into Chenliu in a mighty force.

Yanzhou, the eastern front, the central camp of Cao Cao’s army.

"Report! Chenliu has been lost!"

A dusty scout entered the military camp, panting.

After a moment, Chen Gong held the battle report in his hand, with a melancholy look on his face: "The sound shook the heavens and the earth, and everything was destroyed, and it penetrated seven feet into the ground? What a great Qi Hou, what a great Wang Yuanxu!"

Chenliu fell so quickly that Chen Gong was completely unprepared.

Cao Cao also received the battle report. After learning that the Northern Army had used a new type of war weapon called the Giant Stone Cannon in the battle of Chenliu, he showed a horrified expression: "How could this be possible?"

Although the battle report mentioned that Wang Jing used a brand new war machine, Cao Cao still found it hard to imagine: "Can a stone bullet weighing hundreds of kilograms be thrown four hundred steps away?"

There are masters in the world who can do this, but there are not too many of them. It is no exaggeration to say that they are rare.

But the Northern Army deployed thirty-six giant stone cannons at a time, which did not require any skills to operate. This was very scary, and it meant that such war weapons could be replicated in large quantities.

At this moment, Cao Cao suddenly thought of the Mohist disciples who were favored by Wang Jing. He couldn't help but wonder in his heart: "Could it be that the Mohist mechanical skills are really so powerful? Should I also..."

Cao Cao was a typical pragmatist, and he was quite disapproving of Confucianism. Now that he saw that Wang Jing valued Mohists and had created such a powerful weapon as the giant stone cannon, Cao Cao naturally wanted to recruit a group of Mohists and promote Mohism.

He is not interested in the idea of ​​universal love and non-aggression, but this giant stone cannon is so awesome!

If you can't beat them, just join them and compete for supremacy. It's not shameful.

However, Cao Cao did not discuss this matter with Chen Gong. After all, Chen Gong was a conservative among Confucianists and would certainly not be able to accept the teachings of Mohism.

Chen Gong, who had no idea what Cao Cao was thinking, was silent for a long time before he finally spoke: "Meng De, this time, we were defeated."

Chen Gong was not a person who could not accept failure. The situation had evolved to this point. If he insisted on his own way, it would only lead to a worse situation. Therefore, he decisively advised Cao Cao: "The northern army has captured Chenliu. Our army has lost its retreat. The only way to survive now is to save half of the situation and prepare to retreat."

"retreat?"

Cao Cao was very unwilling to accept this. If he missed the opportunity, he would have to retreat to southern Henan and lose the possibility of capturing Yanzhou.

Chen Gong did not want the situation to end up like this, but the current situation was no longer under his control, so he could only persuade Cao Cao to let go: "We lost the first battle. Although our opponent is the Yellow Turban Army of Qingzhou, it will take us more than a year to win with our bravery, and Wang Yuanxu will definitely not give us a chance to pacify Yanzhou."

"Attack them halfway across the river..."

Cao Cao also felt bitter when he heard this. He felt as if he had led his army halfway across a river and was cut off from retreat.

Back off, I'm unwilling to accept this.

If we don't retreat, what if the attack on Yanzhou fails? Then the whole army will be defeated, and we will die and our clan will be wiped out.

Chen Gong advised Cao Cao to calm down: "Meng De, retreat. We still have a chance to start over. If we don't retreat, we will be doomed. We will be trapped and lose our way to survival."

"Okay, let's do as the public official says."

After weighing the pros and cons, Cao Cao adopted Chen Gong's suggestion.

Cao Cao then began to command his troops to evacuate the Puyang battlefield in an orderly manner. He had to withdraw to Xuchang before Wang Jing occupied the northern part of Yuzhou and the western part of Yanzhou, otherwise it would be too late to regret once he was surrounded.

Looking back at Puyang City, which should have been within his grasp, Cao Cao was upset: "Yuan Xu, you are truly my lifelong enemy, but next time, I will not be the defeated general again."

Cao Cao is not a man who would give up easily. Setbacks and hardships only make his will stronger.

However, when Cao Cao passed through Shangqiu, Liang County, a cavalry unit suddenly appeared in his sight.

On the fluttering battle flag, there was a red character with black ink and a “王” written on it.

All I could see were the neighing of war horses and fluttering flags on the dusty plain.

Wang Jing rushed to the front of the two armies alone, and shouted loudly, shaking the sky: "Meng De, do you dare to come over and talk to me?"

Behind Cao Cao, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Hong and other generals came out to dissuade him: "My lord, this is not possible. Marquis Qi is the bravest of the three armies and has extraordinary martial arts. Meeting him alone is tantamount to seeking death."

Even Cao Ren, who was on good terms with Wang Jing, remained silent at this moment, obviously not wanting Cao Cao to take this risk.

Instead, Cao Cao laughed out loud: "No need to do that. Yuan Xu is a hero of the time after all. I'm sure he wouldn't do such a despicable thing."

After saying this, Cao Cao rode out of the group alone, letting his horse run freely and came in front of Wang Jing.

In fact, Cao Cao was also gambling that Wang Jing did not want to destroy him here.

There was no other way. Cao Cao's soldiers were homesick and eager to return home, and they had no fighting spirit or will. Moreover, the fall of Chenliu had made the entire army like a frightened bird. If they were intercepted again at this moment, they would surely be defeated.

The two heroes met again, and the atmosphere was filled with an indescribable solemnity. "Yuan Xu, I will never forget your life-saving grace since we parted in Luoyang."

Cao Cao looked at Wang Jing with a complicated expression. When he left Luoyang, he was hunted down by people sent by Dong Zhuo, and it was Wang Jing who saved him from danger.

He never thought that one day he would become an enemy of Wang Jing and meet him again on the battlefield.

Wang Jing looked at Cao Cao and smiled calmly, "Meng De, you came to the appointment alone. Are you really not worried that I will kill you?"

Cao Cao smiled proudly: "Yuan Xu and I are close friends, and I know you would never do such a vile and shameless thing."

"Even at this time, Meng De still doesn't forget to use words to pressure me and use moral blackmail. He really is a treacherous hero in troubled times. Maybe I shouldn't let the tiger go back to the mountain this time."

Wang Jing suddenly clamped his legs around the horse's belly and drove the horse to Cao Cao's side.

Cao Cao was instantly frightened and broke out in a cold sweat, his heart almost rising into his throat.

Just when Cao Cao secretly cried out "My life is over", Wang Jing simply put his hand gently on his shoulder and said: "If I can get rid of a powerful enemy who competes for the world by bearing the infamy, what's the harm in bearing the infamy? Meng De, you underestimate your own importance."

This one sentence made Cao Cao sweat profusely.

Especially Wang Jing's arm, which was pressing on his shoulder, the huge force made it difficult for him to move.

In the formation of Cao Cao's army, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren and other brave generals almost couldn't help but rush up to rescue Cao Cao, the hostage.

But after seeing that Wang Jing did not draw his sword, he did not act impulsively. Even so, he was still paying close attention to the situation, cautiously preventing Wang Jing from suddenly attacking and hurting anyone.

Wang Jing's unconventional behavior made Cao Cao so angry that he cursed his mother, but he smiled bitterly: "Yuan Xu, don't joke. I am just a dog that has lost its home. I am a defeated general and I don't deserve to be called brave."

"Meng De, I'm not joking."

Seeing Wang Jing's serious and sincere expression, Cao Cao suddenly felt annoyed and said, "Why don't you do it? Do you want to see me begging for mercy?"

Wang Jing raised his hand, which frightened Cao Cao enough, and then he gently put it down: "I am just warning you, don't trust other people's character easily. I don't kill you, only because you are still worth living, Meng De. Kindness does not command the army, and justice does not command wealth."

"Are you humiliating me?"

Wang Jing's words made Cao Cao so angry that he wanted to draw his sword and fight to the death on the spot. At least this way he could die with more dignity.

But Cao Cao was obviously not the kind of person who cared more about his reputation than his life. He finally sat back on his horse quietly, closed his eyes, and said in a rather simple tone, "Tell me, why did you call me here?"

Wang Jing didn't care about Cao Cao's attitude of lying down and letting things go badly: "I just want to remind Meng De to be careful of Chen Gongtai. He is not a good person."

Cao Cao didn't even raise his eyelids when he heard this. He snorted and retorted on the spot: "Clumsy provocation, Yuan Xu, your plan to sow discord is too crude, isn't it? Do you think I will be fooled?"

"The strategy of sowing discord has never required clever rhetoric. I know that you, Meng De, and Chen Gongtai are close friends, but there are some things that would make even fathers and sons and brothers kill each other, let alone loved ones and friends."

Wang Jing's words were so convincing that Cao Cao felt even more uneasy.

He is not afraid of conspiracies and intrigues because he has enough wisdom and judgment. What he fears is open conspiracy. Even if he sees through it, he can only submit to it.

Wang Jing's strategy was to use an open strategy: "The battle of Chenliu ended, and the giant stone cannon was very powerful. I think you have made up your mind to get in touch with Mohism, right? After all, we have known each other for a while. I will give you this item today. I'm sure Meng De will not be able to refuse it."

Cao Cao frowned. He couldn't understand Wang Jing's behavior at all. "I wonder what Yuan Xu gave me?"

“A book that stays with you.”

Wang Jing took out a copy of the Mohist Classic that had been revised for the third time, handed it to Cao Cao, and smiled as he told him: "The design principle of the giant stone cannon you want is hidden in it, but whether you can dig out this treasure hidden in the book depends on your own ability. Come on!"

Stone cannon!
Cao Cao showed an expression of disbelief, and even suspected that Wang Jing was hiding some conspiracy: "Yuan Xu, are you really willing to hand over such a military and national weapon to me? Yuan Xu, what exactly are you planning?"

"Hasn't Meng De known about my plot for a long time? The foundation of the noble families is Confucianism, and if I want to overthrow them, I must first break the Confucian monopoly on thought and scholarship. This Mohist Classic is the sword I use to cut down Confucianism, and you are the one I personally selected to wield the sword."

When Cao Cao heard this, his heart was filled with shock and the "Mojing" in his hand suddenly became heavier than a thousand pounds, as if it had turned into a mountain, weighing heavily on his heart.

There is no doubt that this was an open conspiracy. Even though Cao Cao knew that Wang Jing had evil intentions, he still could not refuse.

Seeing Cao Cao tightly grasping the enhanced version of Mo Jing in his hand, Wang Jing guessed Cao Cao's choice, so he looked at him with a smile and said, "Now Meng De, you should understand why I specifically reminded you to be careful of Chen Gongtai, right?"

At this moment, Cao Cao understood Wang Jing's meaning, and he had to admit that this extremely simple tactic of sowing discord really left him helpless.

Chen Gong was the most staunch conservative among the noble families. He advocated Confucianism and could not accept the promotion of Mohism in the areas ruled by Cao Cao. However, Cao Cao had no choice but to promote Mohism and recruit and cultivate Mohists in order to develop himself and obtain the war weapon of the giant stone cannon.

The conflict between the two sides was doomed to be irreconcilable from the very beginning.

Cao Cao was so smart and wise that he already understood Wang Jing's plans and strategies.

But because he understood, he felt even more helpless: "Yuan Xu, you really are such a ruthless person."

Wang Jing sneered and replied, "Meng De, please take care of yourself. Don't die at the hands of Chen Gong. I am counting on you to transform Jingzhou for me and eliminate the local aristocratic families and powerful clans."

Listen, is this human language?

Cao Cao was furious. If he could defeat Wang Jing, he would have taken action right now.

A moment later, Cao Cao, with a gloomy expression, hid Mo Jia in his arms, rode back to his camp, and then his civil and military officials came forward and asked, "My lord, are you alright?"

"It's just a reminiscence. What could possibly happen to me?"

Cao Cao said that he was fine, but his face was gloomy and it was obvious that he was not in a good mood.

What Wang Jing said before he left made him so angry that he almost had a headache.

Chen Gong noticed something was wrong, so he stepped forward and asked, "Meng De, what did Wang Yuanxu tell you?"

Cao Cao glanced at Chen Gong with a complicated look. After a long silence, he forced a smile and replied, "Nothing. Marquis Qi tried to alienate us with words, but I ignored him."

This was also the truth. After hearing it, Chen Gong always felt that something was wrong. Unfortunately, Cao Cao was unwilling to say it, so he didn't continue to ask.

"retreat!"

Cao Cao personally covered the rear, and tens of thousands of troops slowly retreated towards Xuchang.

And what he said to Wang Jing during their meeting today may one day be made known to the world, but definitely not now.

Watching Cao Cao retreat from afar, Xun You and Guo Jia were puzzled: "My lord, if we attack now, even if Cao Cao is prepared, our army can defeat him or even completely destroy him."

"If we let the tiger go back to the mountains, Yuan Shu and Liu Biao will be unable to resist Cao Cao's army. By then, the entire Jiangnan region will probably be unified by him."

“This is exactly what I was looking forward to.”

Wang Jing's words made Guo Jia and Xun You even more confused.

Seeing that the two were still confused, Wang Jing did not hide his thoughts: "Yuan Shu and Liu Biao, although they were heroes for a while, they had no ambitions and no decisiveness, so they would never touch the foundation of the aristocratic families. Cao Cao is different. For the ideals and ambitions in his heart, he is determined to reform."

This explanation finally made Guo Jia and Xun You understand Wang Jing's plan.

"My Lord, do you mean to use Cao Cao to eliminate the stubborn factions among the aristocrats in the Jiangnan area?"

Wang Jing nodded: "Yes, I have handed the Mohist Classic to Cao Cao, and I predict that he will certainly imitate the reforms I have made in Luoyang and implement new policies to consolidate and strengthen his own strength."

Upon hearing this, Guo Jia and Xun You were impressed by the breadth of mind and courage shown by Wang Jing.

How confident must one be to personally cultivate a future powerful enemy? However, when they thought of the various changes in Luoyang City, they firmly believed that Wang Jing would be the final winner.

"Okay, let Meng De deal with the South. Our next goal is to unify the North first. Then we can march south and take over a transformed territory. Isn't that wonderful?"

This is clearly treating Cao Cao like a pig. Xun You shook his head and laughed when he heard this, saying, "If Meng De heard this, he probably wouldn't be happy."

"Hahaha, then he can only wish for the best."

(End of this chapter)