Three Kingdoms: Ancestors of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 128
"Chen Deng Ai pays homage to the country and the prime minister." Deng Ai saluted.

"Excuse me, I don't know what important matters Shizai has to report?" Liu Chan asked directly.

Deng Ai took out the scarf from his bosom, lowered his head, offered it with both hands, and said: "Ai Youji presents it, and makes a map to show it."

Liu Chan took the towel from the attendant, put it on the table and spread it out to browse.

Liu Chan took a closer look, and found that the scarf was a mountain trail in the Qinling Mountains, marked with words and pictures.

Liu Chan was a little confused, so he asked curiously, "What is the reason for this picture?"

After finishing speaking, Liu Chan handed the picture to Zhuge Liang and looked at Deng Ai.

Deng Ai was not in a hurry to answer, but took a deep breath to adjust his thoughts, cupped his hands and said: "This picture is the trail from Wudu to Tianshui. Ai has been in the northwest for nearly two years, and the prime minister sent Ai to farm in the east wolf valley of Mianshui, Ju County. Ai guessed that the prime minister was going to send troops to Longyou, so he led his bodyguards several times to investigate the terrain."

"Now the prime minister wants to send troops to Longyou, so Ai dared to ask for orders to lead thousands of soldiers and take [-] days' worth of food to attack Shangyu."

As soon as Deng Ai said this, Liu Chan looked at Zhuge Liang to see his thoughts, but saw Zhuge Liang stroking his beard and meditating, falling into deep thought.

Deng Ai raised his head and glanced at the two of them, as if they were in deep thought, Deng Ai continued to express his thoughts: "Prime Minister, there is no Cao Wei army in Longyou soldiers, so if you want to go down to Longyou, you must first break the Long and guard the main road. Stop the reinforcements in Guanzhong."

"Since ancient times, there have been many roads leading from Guanzhong to Longyou, but there are only two important points that are the gate of life, one is Shangyu, and the other is Lueyang. Shangyu is located on the Weihe River. When controlling this place, it guards the Chencang Wei River. The former Wei general Zhang He Five thousand soldiers and horses once crossed this road, if we don't take this city, we fear that there will be another wave of trouble when we attack Longyou."

"Lueyang City is located on the four passes of Guanlong Road, Fanxu Road, Jitou Road, and Wating Road. In the past, Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty fought fiercely with Northwest Kaixiao at the passes of Longshan Mountain. The general under his command led two thousand troops All the way through mountains and valleys, cutting forests to clear roads, avoiding Fanxu and other key passes in Longdi, and raiding Lueyang City."

"Kai Xiao was shocked and led an army of tens of thousands to surround Lueyang City, built embankments, and filled the city with water. Lai She and others held on for several months, and Emperor Guangwu raised his army to attack and destroy Kai Xiao."

"The situation in our great Han is now in dire straits. Now we are leaving Longyou in the west. The Qishan Fort has not yet come down, and all roads have not been broken. I feel deeply that the troops are insufficient. Now my minister Aimeng is favored by the emperor and is willing to follow the example of the later Han Dynasty to attack Shanggui."

After finishing speaking, Deng Ai knelt down on the ground, his face flushed with excitement, and he cupped his hands and said.

Zhuge Liang frowned, thinking about Deng Ai's proposal.

"I have read the poems and books, and I know that my great man is trapped in the land of Shu. If we don't seize Longyou today, our great man will be subject to Cao Wei. This situation is rare in a thousand years. I hope the prime minister will promise." Deng Ai knelt down and bowed his head.

Liu Chan went down the steps to help Deng Ai up, and said comfortingly, "I know the heart of Shi Zai. Let's take a seat first."

Zhuge Liang, who had pondered for a long time, looked at Deng Ai, and asked in a deep voice, "I don't know how Shizai wants to go to Shangbei."

After Deng Ai heard about it, his face showed joy, and he cupped his hands and said, "May I show you the map?"

Zhuge Liang raised his hand to signal him to come forward, Deng Ai walked slowly to Zhuge Liang's side, pointed to the scarf map he presented, and said in a clear voice: "The country, the Prime Minister, please look, this river is the Luo River, which originates from the Qinling Mountains. Along this river Going against the current, you can reach the southern foot of the Qinling Mountains, cross the mountain and go westward, and you can reach the Dujia River. At this time, you can cross the Sizhong Mountain (today's Shui Qishou Mountain note ①) to the Nangou River, and then go north to Shangyu. .”

Liu Chan who was nearby saw Deng Ai directly draw irregular line segments on the map, so he knew that if he didn't concentrate on searching for this way, no one would know it.

Zhuge Liang looked at Deng Ai, stroked his beard and asked, "Shi Zai doesn't know how to do this? Is it steep?"

Deng Ai clasped his hands and replied: "This road is only inconvenient to pass through the Qinling Mountains. From the East Wolf Valley to the West Luohe River, I often go to investigate this road. It has been repaired and it is still passable. It is just that the road from Dujiahe to cross Sizhong Mountain is inconvenient. , but the minister also went."

"That's why I thought that this plan was not dangerous. I took advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness to attack Tianshui. I just guarded the city and waited for the prime minister to come." After a pause, Deng Ai emphasized.

Liu Chan frowned in thought. Knowing the history of the Northern Expedition, he knew that if Zhuge Liang's Northern Expedition followed the history, Guo Huai would have fled to Shangyu.Under his firm defense, Shangyu was not conquered even if Zhuge Liang led the army to attack. As a last resort, he had to lead the army to besiege Shangyu. Finally, when he learned that Zhang He's reinforcements had passed through Fanxu Road, he ordered Ma Di to guard the street pavilion.

Liu Chan, who was silent for a long time, said: "Father Xiang, I think this plan is feasible. Father Xiang led the army to pass through Wudu County, and when they passed Qishan Fort, Cao Wei will know. Shangyu is an important town in Longxi, and the city is strong. If there are good talents , guarding Shangyu City, we may not be able to take it after countless months of work, and the reinforcements from Cao Wei will surely be able to support Shangyu through the Wei River, and the situation will not be good at that time."

After Zhuge Liang heard Liu Chan and Deng Ai's speech, he also made up his mind. He stroked his beard and smiled and said, "It's not because I don't want to. What I just thought was just worried that Shi Zai's road is difficult and dangerous, and I'm afraid that this road is said by the local people. Shi Zai is gullible." .Since Shi Zai did it himself, I am naturally relieved, but I don’t know how many soldiers and horses Shi Zai will need to do this plan?"

After pondering for a while, Deng Ai said: "It is enough for me to have 3000 sergeants stationed in the fields. These [-] people know the surrounding terrain, and they often follow me to investigate information."

Liu Chan chuckled and said: "It doesn't have to be like this, I can let the prime minister replace the elite soldiers with you."

Deng Ai shook his head, cupped his hands and said: "That's not the case. If other soldiers are walking this way for the first time, I am afraid that everyone will not be at ease and that something will happen. Going deep into the enemy's rear and crossing the mountains. If you are not a strong-willed man, you can't do it."

After hearing this, Liu Chan saw that Deng Ai's words were reasonable, and said with a smile, "I know what Shizai means. I will send Su Gu to lead five hundred elite red armored guards to accompany you on an expedition. The red armored guards will fight for several years, and it is no problem to cross mountains and ridges." .If you encounter a strong enemy, you can also escape from the red armored guards."

When Deng Ai heard this, he beamed with joy, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for the great love of the country, and I will repay Your Majesty by destroying Shangyu."

Zhuge Liang stroked his beard, looked at the scarf and thought for a while, then looked at Deng Ai, and said solemnly: "The general can set off on December [-]th, and Liang will then lead the army to march along the West Han River. In January, Liang and the general will meet up at the camp. "

Then he looked at Liu Chan with some hesitation, Liu Chan smiled and said: "The prime minister has full power to handle the Northern Expedition, and I will only supervise the battle in Hanzhong."

Zhuge Liang nodded, then looked at Deng Ai, and said solemnly: "Deng Ai, captain of the Dunong School, will be promoted to be the prefect of Tianshui from now on. The general can handle the Tianshui war with full authority."

Deng Ai clapped his hands in response.
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① Sizhong Mountain (Qishhou Mountain, Tianshui City), "Shangshu Yugong": "Shan Fanzhong guides the waves, and flows eastward to Han".The source of water in the ancient Han Dynasty, the mountain is not high, with an altitude of 1951 meters.It is only 60 miles away from Tianshui, and it can be reached in an instant if you want to rush.

Today, the source of the Han River is Sizhong Mountain in Ningqiang County, Hanzhong City, so this mountain is not the other mountain.

(End of this chapter)