Shu Chen

Chapter 168 Tianhe
Late autumn September, early ten days.

The morning sun shines, covering the mountains and trees.

The frost condensed on the grass is bright and charming at dawn, but also short-lived and desolate.

The dark brown Xiaoguan and the yellow forest trees are reflected in the canyon, and the blue sky is faintly exposed. The shades are suitable, and together constitute the most spectacular color feast in late autumn.

However, no one has the time to appreciate it.

On the wall of Xiaoguan City, the military camp behind the pass has only the corpses of Cao Jun, Xiongnu and Xianbeier in one place.

In pain, use various strange postures to bid farewell to the corpses in the world.

And behind the pass, there were still people and horses who fell to death along the road, which continued intermittently for more than [-] to [-] miles.They are all people who have escaped from the pass, but the tenacity of life is just a little more distance.

Among them, there is General Wei Dai Ling whose armor is obviously different.

He died peacefully.

There is not much distortion on the blue face, and the armor is also in order. It should be that he has long had the consciousness of "the general will die in a hundred battles", so he greeted the moment of death calmly.

Surrounding his body, there were still four or five fallen war horses, as well as the corpses of many soldiers in bodyguard armor.

Their faces are much more painful.

The seven orifices ooze bloodshot, the fingers are full of mud, and bid farewell to the world with wide-open eyes full of unwillingness.

Judging from the traces on the ground, these personal guards planned to carry Dai Ling's body back on their war horses.But because the war horse also fell dead, they carried it away; in the end, some of them crawled forward with hands and feet holding the corpse, enduring the pain and wanting the Lord to send him back to his hometown for burial.

It is a pity that the ending is still in vain.

They also stood still on the mountain road, and they would never be able to appreciate the beautiful scenery of Xiaoguan's Junxiong and Muqiu again.

When I was young, the sun gradually brightened and warmed the world.

The frost on the tip of the grass melts into water, which is crystal clear, like the teardrops of a beautiful woman expressing her heart.

Under the sunshine, the dark brown city wall of Xiaoguan also began to proudly flaunt the marks left by the baptism of the years.

On both sides, there are watchtowers with eaves and turrets, towering archery towers as high as the sky, khaki low walls, horse walls protruding outwards, pitted crenels, and orderly braziers
Greet the new owner in silence.

In the aisle outside Xiaoguan, under the leadership of a military flag embroidered with the word "Han", the strict and orderly soldiers of the Han army wrapped their mouths and noses in silk, and each of them came slowly with a pile of dead branches and firewood.

Nor did they have leisure to enjoy the beauty.

Build a long ladder, climb, enter and open the city gate, the process is smooth and unobstructed.

The soldiers, who were used to seeing life and death, didn't feel much emotion when they saw this purgatory-like scene, let alone any sympathy.

They just piled up all the dead branches and firewood inside and outside the pass, barracks, and granary according to the order of the general who was seeking captives, and set them on fire.

Then, after exiting the pass, he let out a sigh.

Alas, what a pity.

The general has an order not to collect these luggage and the armor on the corpse.

If these armors and luggage are collected and returned, I don’t know how rich the rewards from the imperial court will be.
The fire lasted for a day, and the stench of burning corpses could be smelled from a long distance away. Countless armors and ordnance made of iron and steel were burned and melted a lot.And after a night of cooling, the soldiers of the Han army boarded the pass again, and they could still feel the residual heat through their combat boots.

It's just that they didn't have much leisure time, so they started to tear down the barracks and roads, fell wood, excavate mountains to get stones, and rebuild like a raging fire.

Xiao Guan originally defended in the direction of Longyou, but now he wants to defend in the direction of Guanzhong.

Fortifying the wall and clearing the field has always been a cumbersome task.

Even with the original city wall as the foundation, it will take a lot of time.

But they have to hurry up.

Because Zheng Pu was worried, Niwei reacted, and the army came to attack.

If only half of the fortifications are built and cannot be resisted, it is a wedding dress for others.

However, it was clear that he was worrying in vain.

After Wei Dasima Cao Zhen received Wei Ping's report, he locked himself in the big tent for a day and a night without eating or drinking.

He painstakingly laid out the overall situation for nearly a year, using the opportunities won by hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and using countless manpower and material resources from Guanzhong Sanfu, Sili, and Hedong County, etc., was destroyed by a major epidemic.

That feeling is like a hungry and thirsty traveler struggling to follow the direction of the river in the yellow sand all over the sky. After going through all kinds of hardships, he came to the river bank, only to find that the river has long since dried up.

Is this God's will?
Cao Zhen, who sat alone in front of the table, heard the sound of heavy rain all day and night, and couldn't help thinking about ghosts and gods.

Because of the news sent by General Wei Ping, there are also movements in the Qifu tribe of Xianbei in the Wushui (Qingshui River) valley and the Xiutu branch of the Xiongnu, as well as the turmoil in Anding County and Guanzhong.

The "Golden Sword Prophecy", which had been buried in the dust for a long time, was once again passed on by word of mouth among scholars.

Even those Hulu who only recognize gold, silver, cloth and silk, and are mercenary, claim in fear that "attacking Han will be punished by heaven".

Whether it is a city or a pass, if it is lost, it can be regained.

But how long will it take for Cao Wei, the man who accepted Zen to replace the Han Dynasty, to reverse the intangible thing like the human heart?
Cao Zhenxin has an answer in his heart.

I don't want an answer either.

Therefore, he also had a decision in his heart.

Although the plan to send troops out of Xiaoguan and raid Longyou was shattered, and perhaps Xiaoguan was also taken by Nishu, the morale of the troops besieging Hanzhong County was still strong.

The advantage in the war is still on Wei's side.

That is to say, Wei Guo still has a ray of hope to turn things around.

Hanzhong County is the land of Longxing of the Han family surnamed Liu, and it is also the lifeblood of Nishu.

As long as he can break through Hanzhong County, people will choose to forget whether it is "the prophecy of the golden sword" or "the fate of attacking Han will be punished by heaven".

Don't dare not forget!

Cao Zhen, who walked out of the military tent again, looked a little haggard, but his eyes were full of high spirits.

The huge body, the straight spine, the accumulated power of the superior, and the prestige of loving soldiers like sons made all the soldiers of Wei State respectful and respectful.Even if the torrential rain that hangs down like a line continuously pours into people's eyes and penetrates into the skin from the neckline of the armor, no one moves.

But Cao Zhen didn't speak.

He just waved to his subordinates, put on his battle armor in silence, drew out the sharp blade on his waist, and walked step by step towards the front line of the battle between the two armies.

Let all the soldiers of the Wei army spontaneously follow behind.

It also made the offensive and defensive battles of the Han and Wei Dynasties more intense.

If it is said that the Wei State's attack before was ordered by the general to ignore casualties, then the Wei State's attack after today is a faint decision of "death if you win or die" in the whole army.

Baozhong County.

At the mouth of Jigu, where it was raining heavily, a large pole stood on the high slope, only five hundred steps away from the place where the soldiers of both sides were fighting to the death.

Under the song cover bestowed by the emperor Liu Chan, the prime minister Zhuge Liang and the hussar general Li Yan stood side by side.

The prime minister led by E Guanbo had a calm face, listening to the soldiers in the army to report the wars in various places.

Li Yan, who was well-armored, was a little impatient.

Occasionally, I would listen to what the battle was like, and occasionally I would turn my eyes to Jigukou, where the sound of killing was like thunder.

But the most frequent movement was to look sideways at the prime minister.

Because he was confused.

At the beginning, when the prime minister led the tiger infantry to Hanzhong for support, he was worried that the anti-Wei soldiers would leave Xiaoguan to attack Longyou.

And on the grounds that Zheng Pu, the general who is seeking captives, has only [-] soldiers and horses and may not be able to defend, he advised the prime minister to strengthen the defenses of Ayang County, Hanyang County, so as not to allow the rebels to take advantage of Wei.

But when the prime minister heard the words, he smiled lightly.

Said: "Zhengfang has no worries, Zijin can make Xiao Guan's way safe."

At that time, Li Yan was very surprised.

Although he knew about Zheng Pu's past achievements, he also admitted that Zheng Pu had general talent.

However, he could not agree to the fact that Xiao Guan Dao could be protected by riding with only [-] steps.

Because he thinks he can't do it.

The anti-Wei military law is known for its strictness, and the combat power of the soldiers is not weaker than that of the big Han.If tens of thousands of steps ride out of Xiaoguan to attack, how can we defend against the disparity between the enemy and ourselves?
Could it be that the prime minister has other arrangements?

Suspicious, he asked again, but the answer he got made him dumbfounded.

The prime minister had no other arrangements, and he was relieved that he didn't need to worry, just wait for the military report.

If such a reply hadn't come from the prime minister's mouth, Li Yan would have been furious on the spot and reprimanded him for "treating the war as a trifling matter".

He knew that the prime minister's temperament was always cautious, and he would not take risks in wars related to the fate of the country.

That's why, let's just believe it and be safe.

And after suppressing the uneasiness in his heart for half a month, he threw away the calmness he had cultivated for decades.

Three days ago, General Zheng Pu sent a messenger to report, claiming that Xiaoguan was occupied by the big Han, and now the warlord is building fortifications!

With just five thousand soldiers and horses, it is a blessing to be able to guard Xiaoguan Road without losing it!
But now they still occupy Xiao Guan? !
Could it be that the soldiers who defended Xiaoguan against Wei were all made of mud?
Li Yan couldn't believe it.

Or to put it another way, any general who knows Xiao Guan Xiongjun's rate cannot believe it.

What is even more incomprehensible is that after the prime minister got the reward, he did not look happy, but instead had a ray of sadness and pity in his eyes.

That is Xiao Guan!
After the big man takes it, he can cut off the connection between Niwei Guanzhong and Liangzhou, and attack Xiaoguan in Liangzhou unscrupulously~~
Why is the prime minister unhappy when he hears about it?

Li Yan didn't think that Cheng Lian Xiaoguan didn't know the strategic significance of both Han and Wei.

Therefore, I became more and more confused.

Not only was he shocked by Zheng Pu's capture of Xiaoguan, but also surprised by the prime minister's reaction.

However, when he asked again this time, the prime minister still didn't clear up the confusion, which made him unable to ask further questions.

Because when he saw that the prime minister didn't answer, he sternly said, "Why can't Kong Ming say it clearly? Do you think I'm stupid and can't understand state affairs!"

This statement is very heavy.

He was also one of the former emperor's Tuogu ministers, and the only person who called the prime minister by the name of the prime minister.

Although his status is not as high as the prime minister, if he is not allowed to participate in state affairs, then no one will know about the other officials of the big man.

"It's true, but we can't tell Zhengfang, but this matter is related to Zijin's reputation, and even my reputation as a big man. The battle is fierce today, and there are so many people in this place, it's really hard to tell the truth. After the battle here, I will definitely explain to Zhengfang confused."

The prime minister replied in this way.

Li Yan couldn't force it anymore, so he had to suppress his curiosity.

However, now he can finally know.

The sudden and desperate battle against Wei made the prime minister vaguely guess Cao Zhen's plan.

It can also be claimed that the battle is coming to an end.

The non-stop torrential rain lasted for nearly a month, and it was difficult to run against Wei Liangmo, and the offensive was doomed to be unsustainable.

And the prime minister is also confident that no matter how fierce the attack against Wei is, he will not be able to capture Hanzhong.

Therefore, one night, he invited Li Yan to come over for a talk on the grounds of discussing military affairs.

After retreating to the left and right and asking the soldiers to guard ten feet away, the prime minister passed Zheng Pu's previous best policy to Li Yan for review.

After watching it, Li Yan fell into a long silence.

He finally knew why the prime minister kept his mouth shut.

Zheng Pu's book is very detailed.

How to use sheep to cause a great epidemic, how to avoid accidentally injuring Li Shu and his own army, and how to keep secrets are all endless.

Not to accidentally injure Li Shu and our own army, it is natural to only detoxify the water when the Wei army is cooking in Xiaoguan, and burn the pass with fire.

The secrecy is for the reputation of the big man.

This plot is too cruel!

It hurts Tianhe!

Once the news spread, not to mention that the officials of the Sanfu in Guanzhong would be disappointed with the big man, I am afraid that even the people in Bashu would find it difficult to accept it.

Although war, it is omnipotent.

But the big man has always been known for his benevolence and righteousness, which is fundamentally different from the Ni Wei who wantonly slaughtered innocent people.

In this regard, Zheng Pu's secrecy is to try his best to reduce the number of insiders.

After the Xuanwu army dug the earth pits and ditches that day, only more than [-] trilogy and his wife Zhang Yan's [-]-year-old retinue were allowed to execute tasks such as killing sheep, soaking corpses, releasing water, burying pits and destroying ruins, and watching the enemy's situation. .Those more than three hundred episodes were the earliest Xuanwu army, after the first battle of Xiaoguandao, they were still enlisting Liaoren from Zangcang County.Years of companionship day and night and Zheng Pu's generous treatment have allowed them to share weal and woe long ago, so there is no need to worry about them revealing their secrets.

As for the other executors, they are his brother-in-law Zhang Bao and the prime minister.

The two of them will not promote it.

However, the ruthlessness of Zheng Pu's plan was not the reason why Li Yan fell into silence.

It was Zheng Pu's book, which added a paragraph after the planning and planning, in order to persuade the prime minister to allow him to carry out the plan.

After all, the style of benevolence and righteousness of the first emperor Liu Bei is still passed on by some veteran officials of the Han Dynasty.

Or in other words, the veterans who followed the first emperor to start a business were like-minded.

Persuasion said:

"Puzhi's plan hurts the peace of heaven, and even harms the benevolence and righteousness of our great man. However, today we are rebelling against Wei Qiangsheng and sending a large army to attack; my great man has few soldiers, and it is really difficult to defend. And there are many places to guard. If one is breached, we will The achievements of the Great Han in the Northern Expedition over the past few years will be ruined in one fell swoop! I am afraid that the ambition of the Great Han to restore the Central Plains will be hopeless!"

"Pu Su is not famous for his virtues, and he does not hesitate to be famous, so he thought of this plan, and asked the prime minister to read that the first emperor had a hard time starting a business, so that the soldiers would not suffer from the hardships of swords and spears, so please allow it. And Pu has heard that if he is loyal to the country, he should kill himself to repay it. .Today, Pu’s plan is ruthless, if things are vented, I would like to write a letter to the world, saying that I did it privately, and I apologize! I will never damage my reputation as a great man! Pu thinks about it again. It was once said that I would never blame Pu for not sparing feathers; it is therefore bold now, and I ask the prime minister to do my best!"

(End of this chapter)