Shuhan

In the Han Imperial Palace in Chengdu.

Liu Bei looked at the bronze mirror in the main hall and said to Mrs. Wu beside him: "How do you think of my military uniform?"

Mrs. Wu has a plump figure and delicate skin, but it seems that she has not been moisturized by rain and dew for a long time. She does not look full of charm and has little smile on her face. She looks like a beautiful woman who is dissatisfied with her desires.

"Your Majesty is extraordinary in martial arts, and it becomes even more so when paired with golden armor."

Holding the sword in his hand, Liu Bei looked at the imitation snake-slaying sword in his hand, feeling a little regretful.

"The Snake Sword that Emperor Gaozu used to kill snakes has now been stolen and belongs to Ni Wei. It's a pity, it's a pity."

Emperor Gaozu's white snake-slaying sword was decorated with seven-colored beads and nine-flowered jade, and the sword's box was made of miscellaneous colored glazes. The sword is in the room, but the scene is still shining outside. It is no different from holding a sword. After twelve years of sharpening, the blade is always like frost and snow. When the box is opened and the sheath is pulled out, there is always a sense of style and brilliance.

Falling into the hands of the Wei State was really a waste of natural resources.

Of course, the snake-killing sword not only has symbolic meaning, but also has extraordinary influence.

After Liu Bang founded the Han Dynasty, the "Snake-Slaying Sword" was first sealed in a treasure house by Empress Lu. Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty later built a separate shrine for the "Snake-Slaying Sword" in Weiyang Palace.

Although the "Snake-Slaying Sword" serves as a witness to the divine right of kings in the Han Dynasty, it is not just a plaything. Especially during the coronation ceremony of the new emperor or when the emperor travels, the "Snake-Slaying Sword" will be solemnly presented to everyone.

Sima Biao's "Book of the Later Han: Chronicles of Etiquette" records that when the new emperor ascended the throne, "the commander of the Zhonghuang Gate awarded the Taiwei with jade tools, Sui Hou beads, and a snake-cutting sword." Fan Ye also wrote in "The Book of the Later Han: Chronicles of Xiaoxian Emperor" It is said that when the emperor was traveling, one of his attendants "carried the national seal and wielded a snake-cutting sword to participate in the ride."

This is a sign of legitimacy, just like the Heshi Bi.

Unfortunately, these two things are not in him now.

All he has now is the title of Han Dynasty bloodline. If he can hold these two things in his hands, then he will be a complete big man.

After getting dressed, Liu Bei, holding an imitation snake-slaying sword in his hand, slowly walked out of the palace.

Outside the palace, a group of imperial guards stood neatly in front of the palace.

Each of them is wearing iron armor, and the armor armor rate can be said to be 100%.

These are all veterans who followed Liu Bei in the north and south. Each of them has experienced hundreds of battles and has superb skills.

He was completely loyal to Liu Bei, so he was selected as the Forbidden Army.

Now the Han Dynasty's imperial army is not very large, only 10,000 people, and it can only defend the imperial city.

Forbidden army designations such as "Zhongba", "Garrison", "Infantry", "Yueqi", "Changshui", "Huqi", "Shesheng" and "Huben" have not been enriched.

The two armies of the North and the South are now in name only.

There is no way, the world has not yet been unified, and if the size of the forbidden army is too large, it will not be conducive to unifying the world.

After all, the Forbidden Army usually guards the capital, and it is impossible for the Forbidden Army to guard the border areas. If this is the case, then the Forbidden Army will no longer be the Forbidden Army, but become a border army.

In the front line of the imperial army, Yongchang Tinghou and guard Zhao Yun stood in the front line. Beside him, Chen Dao, the leader of the Baihu soldiers, lined up in a row, included Sun Qian, Jian Yong, Wu Yi, Ma Chao, etc. people.

It can be said that he is an all-star of Shu Han.

Those not included in this list are the civil servants.

Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, Shangshu Lingfazheng, Liu Ba, Huang Quan and others.

"Everyone, the prince's pretended attack on Wu in the south was an act of building a plank road in secret to attack Chencang. Now we are going to attack Guanzhong in the north, and we are determined to recapture Chang'an, capture Guanzhong, and occupy the land of Yongliang!"

Even though his body was thinner, the voice that came out of this withered body was still loud.

Liu Bei is very excited now.

Northern Expedition!

He is going on the Northern Expedition!

He wanted to revive the Han Dynasty and return it to the Central Plains.

As excited as Liu Bei were the ministers and generals in front of the palace.

Why did Liu Bei gain momentum? It’s a righteous word!

He had great righteousness, and many people who had aspirations towards the Han Dynasty or had ambitions moved closer to him.

They are a group of capable and ideal ministers.

Therefore, how can we not be excited when we see the possibility of reviving the Han Dynasty?

When the Shu Han Dynasty fell in later generations, in addition to the deaths of Zhuge Liang, Fei Yi, and Dong Yun, what was more important was that the Shu Han Dynasty at that time had forgotten the original intention of reviving the Han Dynasty and wanted to live in a corner.

However.

Those ministers still wanted to revive the Han Dynasty.

If we are no longer unified in our thinking, how can our national security survive?

"Time is in a hurry. I have called you all together today for the swearing-in meeting. As for the sacrifice to heaven, I will sacrifice to heaven in Chang'an after my great Han regains Guanzhong!"

Sacrifice to heaven takes time, and what Liu Bei needs most now is time.

He wants to make this time difference.

Now everyone in Wei thought that Liu Bei was seriously ill and was about to die.

They all think that the main target of Han State is not with Wei State at this stage, but with Wu State.

In addition, in Hanzhong, Liu Bei also asked the Hanzhong governors Wei Yan and Cao Zhang who were stationed in Hanzhong to stage a drama of quarrel between the generals. He even pretended to transfer Hanzhong soldiers to Jingzhou to prepare for the attack on Wu.

Now that the enemy is relaxed, this is the best opportunity!

"Today we will rush to Hanzhong and quickly descend to Guanzhong!"

When the Wei army's defense was at its most lax, capture Guanzhong!

"Restore the Han Dynasty and return the old capital!"

Clang!

Liu Bei pulled out the snake-killing sword from his waist.

The imitation snake-slaying sword is no different from the real snake-slaying sword. At this moment, Liu Bei is wearing golden armor, and under the sunlight, he looks like a god.

The Imperial Guards soldiers shouted:

"Restore the Han Dynasty and return the old capital!"

"Restore the Han Dynasty and return the old capital!"

"Restore the Han Dynasty and return the old capital!"

Liu Bei raised his sword and shouted loudly: "Wan Sheng!"

The imperial soldiers immediately shouted:

"Wan Sheng!"

"Wan Sheng!"

"Wan Sheng!"

After simply boosting their morale, the Imperial Army immediately followed Liu Bei out of the city.

As for why they only brought 10,000 people.

That's because the army has already assembled in Hanzhong.

What he has brought with him now is only a small part.

Hanzhong.

In the middle of Ziwu Road. The surrounding peaks tower into the clouds, as if they are the reflection of the sky, while the trees are dense and their branches and leaves are intertwined, forming a rich green shade. The sunlight shines through the gaps in the leaves and dapples on the ground, adding a bit of mystery and depth to this mountain forest.

The road is rugged and difficult to navigate, like a winding snake, sometimes extending on the edge of the cliff, sometimes spiraling on steep slopes. Cao Zhang tightly grasped the branches on the roadside and moved forward cautiously. Every step he took seemed so heavy, as if he was carrying endless sorrow and pain.

There was a moist smell in the surrounding air, which seemed to be mixed with a faint smell of rotten leaves. Occasionally, there are a few chirpings of birds, echoing in the quiet forest. The gurgling mountain springs in the distance seem to be telling their stories. These sounds echoed in Cao Zhang's ears, as if to remind him that he was in a dangerous environment.

"This place is really dangerous. It is really difficult to attack Guanzhong from here. I'm afraid there will be a lot of losses on the road before the battle with the Wei army. Food, grass and baggage will not be transported at all."

After walking through Ziwu Road, Cao Zhang realized that Ziwu Road was dangerous.

No wonder Zhong Yao and Cao Zhen, who were guarding Guanzhong, did not deploy heavy troops to defend this place.

Although there is a road here, it can only be said to be a narrow path, and many roads are even cut off.

It is said to be a road, but it is not a road at all.

Who can pass this?

Behind Cao Zhang, Wei Yan's expression was very calm.

He has walked this road countless times.

"I have already sent people to transport the food and baggage to a secret place in the middle of the road in advance. If we are marching on Ziwu Road, there is no need to bring the food and baggage."

Transporting the grain and baggage to various key points on Ziwu Road was what Wei Yan started to do after Liu Chan came over to give instructions.

The price is still high.

The civilians who went to transport food and supplies suffered a lot of losses.

The amount of food and grass wasted is even more incalculable.

but.

It's all worth it.

He has been waiting for this day for a long time, and now it is time to get the results.

Ziwu's strange plan, Ziwu's strange plan!

After this plan is completed, even if thousands of years pass, some people will still remember Wei Yan.

"This road is too dangerous. I'm afraid His Majesty will not choose this road."

Cao Zhang admired Wei Yan's arrangements, but he didn't think Liu Bei would choose such a dangerous place.

"Then in your opinion, which path will your Majesty choose?"

Although Cao Zhang escaped from the Wei State, he was of noble status, with good martial arts skills and a certain influence in Guanzhong. Wei Yan did not look down upon Cao Zhang.

"Chencang Road, maybe we have to go a little further, Qishan Road!"

"Qishan Road is too far. Our army is racing against time and it is impossible to choose this road! As for Chencang Road, Emperor Gaozu took this road back then. The Wei army must be heavily defended and it will be difficult to pass this road!"

There are four roads that cross the north-south passage from Hanzhong into Guanzhong. From east to west they are Ziwu Road, Luogu Road, Baoxie Road and Chencang Old Road.

Among these four roads, the three in the east are very rugged and dangerous but the distance is shorter. The old Chencang Road in the west is gentler but the route is more winding and long.

When Liu Bang, the great ancestor of the Western Han Dynasty, fought out of Hanzhong, fought his way to Guanzhong, and finally went east to compete with Xiang Yu, he followed the old path of Chen Cang. He was on the safe side and was very cautious.

Qishan Road is still west of the old Chencang Road.

"Although the Qishan Road is far away, it is more reliable. The Qishan Road is gentler than the Chencang Road, so it is relatively easier to transport large amounts of military supplies and rations.

Moreover, Qishan is an important transportation route to Longxi. After capturing Qishan, you can then capture Longxi to the west of Guanzhong, and then you can use your commanding advantage to attack Guanzhong eastwards.

In addition, the straight-line distance between Qishan and Chang'an is more than 700 miles, so it is not easy to encounter resistance from Wei's heavy troops militarily. "

Cao Zhang's reasons were very good, but Wei Yan didn't think so.

"If we take a detour through Qishan Road, it will take several months just to open up Qishan Road. This is still an optimistic estimate. By then, the time His Highness bought us will have been wasted.

As for taking the Chencang Road, Chencang City was heavily guarded by the Wei army. How could the Wei army react in Guanzhong and capture Chencang? Even if Chencang is captured, the Wei army in Guanzhong is prepared and wants to attack Chang'an quickly, which is even more impossible. "

Wei Yan still insisted on his opinion.

"Previously, the Prime Minister did not want me to attack Guanzhong from Ziwu Road, because the Wei State had already determined that the Shu State might launch a Northern Expedition, so it was impossible to be unprepared. But now the Wei State does not know at all that I, the Han Dynasty, will make a Northern Expedition, so it is possible .

In addition, the grain and grass baggage cannot be transported. I have solved the problem in time. There are already stocks of grain and grass at key points on the road. A surprise attack from Ziwu Road will lead to Chang'an. This is a dangerous plan and the most likely. The fastest strategy to capture Chang'an! "

Cao Zhang nodded.

"Although your plan is dangerous, it is also the fastest way. Maybe Your Majesty will adopt your plan!"

Although Ziwu Road is dangerous, the Wei army will not put heavy troops to guard it.

As far as Cao Zhang knew, the Wei army only stationed 500 sergeants in Ziwu Valley for defense.

The Ziwu Road is too steep. Normally, no one would choose this road.

"The Ziwu Road is too dangerous. In fact, our army can choose other roads, such as Luogu Road and Baoxie Road."

Didn’t it say that Qishan Mountain has a long way to go?

Chen Cangdao: Is the Wei army heavily guarded?

It's better to take Luogu Road or Baoxie Road. They are closer and the road is not that difficult.

"Luogu Road is close to Chang'an, the core city of Wei State. The Wei army can arrive as quickly as possible. At that time, our army will have to fight Cao Wei's cavalry in a disadvantageous terrain. It is very disadvantageous. Your Majesty has always been cautious in using troops and will never take this route. .”

"As for Baoxie Road, the plank road has been in disrepair for a long time, and I'm afraid it will be even more difficult to walk on!"

The plank road was first built during the Warring States Period when Fan Ju was Prime Minister of the Qin Dynasty. In 314 BC (the eleventh year of the reign of King Huiwen of Qin Dynasty), Qin sent Zhang Yi and Sima Cuo to attack Shu. The army passed through this road. At this time, the original valley road had been dug into a plank road that could pass large troops and baggage.

Since then, the Baoxie Plank Road has been a necessary route for military campaigns and economic and cultural exchanges between the North and the South.

"Historical Records·Biographies of Huo Zhi" records: "The plank road is thousands of miles long, and there is nothing that can't be accessed, except for its mouth."

At that time, it was already a "business and travel joint, faintly unfolding, crowns and belts intertwined, and square shafts connected". The rich material resources of the Shu Han Dynasty were continuously transported to Guanzhong. The developed culture of the Sanfu area of ​​Chang'an spread to the Shu Han Dynasty, and economic, trade and cultural exchanges between the north and the south were developed. .

But how long has it been since the reign of King Qin Huiwen?

Moreover, whether it is Luogu Road or Baoxie Road, the Wei army is heavily guarded. If they want to break through these two roads, the Wei army in Guanzhong must be well prepared.

Waiting for the Wei army in Guanzhong to take action upon hearing the news, I am afraid that the process of regaining Guanzhong will become slower and slower.

When the main force of the Wei State came to support from Xuzhou, the Han State also lost the most golden time of the Northern Expedition.

While the two were arguing about which way the army should go, behind everyone, Wei Yan's soldiers hurriedly came forward, saluted Wei Yan, and said: "Captain, your Majesty's Holy Emperor has already passed Baishui Pass, I'm afraid he will be here soon. We will go to Nanzheng."

Your Majesty is here!

Moreover, when the messenger came, His Majesty had already arrived at Baishui Pass. In other words, His Majesty led his troops on a hasty march.

The opportunity is coming!

Wei Yan's eyes flickered. He looked at Cao Zhang and said, "Come with me to see His Majesty. The food and logistics matters must be well prepared."

The war is together, and the gold is ten thousand taels.

Hanzhong has already improved somewhat under Wei Yan's construction.

But to support tens of thousands of troops, plus tens of thousands of civilians with more than 100,000 mouths to eat, drink, and eat, the things in Hanzhong alone are simply not enough. Food, grass, and military supplies need to be transferred from other places! (End of chapter)