At the end of the Han Dynasty: a stingy husband from his hometown

Chapter 269 The Second Capture of Meng Huo
If you really have to follow Meng Huo's logic, the other party is not wrong.

In today's world, princes are rising together, and those with strength are establishing themselves on their own territory, hoping to achieve hegemony.

Zhou Qi's attack on Yizhou indeed took away Liu Zhang's foundation.

On the other hand, the Barbarians, Meng Huo, and the Nanzhong clan had been living in this land for hundreds of years. Instead, Zhou Qi led his troops to invade Nanzhong.

However, facing the sharp-tongued Meng Huo, Zhou Qi was unwilling to argue too much with him, saying: "The winner is the king and the loser is the bandit, that's all."

"Now that Yong Kai is dead and you are captured again, are you convinced?"

Meng Huo said: "The mountain is remote and the road is narrow. I fell into your hands by mistake. How can I accept it?"

When Zhou Qi heard this, he couldn't help but smile on his face, and said to himself: "This Meng Huo is really as stubborn as ever in history."

Many people think that the Seven Captures of Meng Huo were made up by Luo Guanzhong, but this is not the case.

Allusions such as the empty city strategy in the novel and the dead Zhuge scaring away the living Zhongda were actually not fabricated by Luo Guanzhong, but were recorded in unofficial histories during the Three Kingdoms and Two Jin Dynasties.

Later, Pei Songzhi, the author of "Pei Zhu", quoted these allusions when compiling the historical materials of the Three Kingdoms, and distinguished the authenticity through multiple arguments, so that these allusions could be passed down to future generations.

Luo Guanzhong also saw these allusions, then artistically processed them and finally wrote them into the novel.

Therefore, many of the contents are not the original creation of Luo Guanzhong.

As for the allusion to the seven captures of Meng Huo, although it is not recorded in "Three Kingdoms", it is recorded in "Han, Jin, Spring and Autumn" and "Huayang Kingdom". The credibility is still quite high, but it is not as good as what Luo Guanzhong wrote. Detailed and exciting.

Zhou Qi wanted to conquer Meng Huo, completely resolve the Nanzhong rebellion, and stabilize people's hearts, so he planned to adopt Ma Di's strategy of curbing the barbarians.

Historically, Zhuge Liang asked Ma Di about his plan, and Ma Di said: "Nanzhong has been dissatisfied for a long time because of its danger and distance. Although it is defeated today, it will be repeated tomorrow. Today, the public is overwhelming the country in the Northern Expedition to attack strong thieves. He knows that the official power is within If it is empty, the rebellion will be quick. If you kill all the remaining people to eliminate future troubles, it is neither a benevolent person nor a hasty approach. The way to use the army is to attack the heart first, attack the city next, fight with the heart first, and fight with the army. I am just willing to obey him."

Ma Di is talking about Nanzhong here rather than the barbarians, which shows that in addition to the barbarians, the people who disobey the imperial court also include the big families in Nanzhong and the Han people.

Even from Zhou Qi's perspective, there was nothing wrong with Ma Di's words.

He also seemed to understand why Zhuge Liang valued Ma Di so much.

Even if the opponent is someone like Zhao Kuo who can only talk about military affairs on paper, what he lacks is only the ability to command troops and execution. He must have real knowledge and insights.

For such a person, it is acceptable for him to serve as a counselor or join the army, but it is not acceptable for him to lead an army alone.

Just like Xi Zhicai, even though he is very resourceful and can strategize and win a decisive victory thousands of miles away, if he is asked to command tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, he may make a mess.

It's not that Xi Zhicai has no talent, it's that talent and learning are not superior to commanding troops.

Since Zhuge Liang was in front of him, he captured Meng Huo seven times and captured him seven times. As a result, Nanzhong no longer rebelled, but became the source of troops and granary of Shu Han. Zhou Qi should follow suit.

He smiled and said, "If you don't accept it, can I let you go alone?"

When Meng Huo heard this, his face was full of astonishment, and he immediately vowed: "General, let me go back, and then assemble the army and horses to fight together. If you can capture me again, I will surrender."

Zhou Qi smiled and said: "I heard that Meng Huo from Nanzhong is a true hero who keeps his word. I hope he can keep his word!"

Zhou Qi immediately ordered him to be removed from his bonds, gave him clothes, rewarded him with food and wine, returned his saddle and horse, and sent people to help Meng Huo point out the path.

Meng De was able to escape and hurried to his home village.

But when Zhou Qi let Meng Huo go, the generals stepped forward and asked, "Yong Kai is dead. Meng Huo is the strongest rebel in the south. We are lucky to capture him alive. If he kills him, the south will be safe. Why did the general let him go?"

Zhou Qi smiled and stroked his beard, but did not answer the question. Instead, he asked the generals under the tent: "Does anyone know Gu Zhi's thoughts?"

Seeing everyone looking at each other in shock, Huang Quan stepped forward and said, "My lord, capturing Meng Huo is like taking something from a bag."

"Killing him rashly will quell the rebellion in Nanzhong faster, but it will also cause resentment among the wealthy families in Nanzhong and the barbarians who are friendly with Meng Huo."

"When my lord led the troops in Nanzhong, these people didn't dare to do anything."

"Once the lord leads the troops to retreat, I'm afraid the barbarians will rebel again!"

When Zhou Qi heard this, he nodded and said, "What Gong Heng said is exactly what I want."

"In addition, Gu also wants Meng Huo to continue to gather barbarian soldiers from various tribes."

"If only Meng Huo, Yong Kai, Gaoding and others are defeated, the other tribes of barbarians have not seen the power of our army with their own eyes and have no fear in their hearts. The mountains in the south are high and the roads are far away, so sooner or later they will rebel."

"If Gu defeats the barbarian soldiers from all the major tribes in the south one after another, the barbarians will definitely feel fear in their hearts. If we show kindness at that time, why worry about the barbarians being dissatisfied?"

Zhou Qi knew that most barbarians were afraid of power and not moral.

If you blindly show kindness to them, you will only end up raising a pack of white-eyed wolves, which will most likely devour the owner.

When dealing with barbarians, you must first subdue them, beat them out of fear, and beat them until their flesh hurts, so that the barbarians know how powerful Zhou Qi is.

Only by showing kindness and righteousness at that time can these barbarians be completely conquered.

When the generals learned of Zhou Qi's intentions, they suddenly realized and said in unison: "The general is indeed far-sighted!"

After letting Meng Huo go, Zhou Qi asked people to bring Dong Dana and A Huinan up respectively.

Looking at the majestic soldiers and generals under their tent, they were inevitably a little frightened, but they still went forward to pay homage to Zhou Qi.

Zhou Qi looked at the two of them and said in a deep voice: "Gu previously captured Meng Huo, but he was not satisfied and was let go."

"Since you have been recruited by Meng Huo, Gu should let you two go together. Whether you continue to fight against Gu or go to Meng Huo is up to you."

"But next time I am captured by Gu, I will definitely kill him without mercy!"

When Dong Dana and Ah Hui Na heard this, they couldn't help but be overjoyed and hurriedly worshiped: "The general is benevolent and righteous, we will never dare to continue to be enemies with the general!"

After letting the two barbarian generals go, Xu Chu asked with some confusion: "Why did my lord let these two men go too? I originally planned to take Dong Dana as my deputy general."

Zhou Qi stroked his beard and said, "Although more than half of the Sandong barbarians suffered casualties, many of them still escaped."

"One of the three-dong marshals died in the battle and two were captured, leaving the three-dong barbarians without a leader."

"If Ah Hui Nan and Dong Dana are not allowed to go back, the Sandong barbarians will definitely elect a new marshal. At that time, the two sides have developed hatred. In order to establish prestige, the new marshal will inevitably lead troops to continue to be enemies with us."

"Now that Ah Hui Nan and Dong Dana know the power of our army, they are already frightened. Letting them go back will not only ease the relationship between us and the Sandong barbarians, but also make them benevolent."

When Xu Chu heard this, he suddenly realized it and sighed to himself.

However, it is said that on his way back to the camp, Meng Huo reached the lower reaches of Lushui River and met his subordinate, Busy Ya Chang, who came with the remaining soldiers and defeated generals to look for his traces.

When Mongya saw Meng Huo, he was surprised and happy. He asked, "How can the general come back?"

Meng Huo naturally refused to say that he was released by Zhou Qi, and immediately lied: "The Han army imprisoned me in a tent, and I killed more than ten people, and I escaped while the night was dark and windy."

"While walking, I saw a sergeant on a sentry horse. I killed him and took the horse away, so I was able to escape."

Mung Ya was overjoyed when he grew up. He immediately followed Meng Huo across the Lu River and headed for the next village.

When Gao Ding learned that Meng Huo had returned safely, he also asked about the reason, and Meng Huo told him what he had said before.

He continued: "The strength of the Han army is beyond imagination. With the troops and horses in our hands, I am afraid that we are no match for Zhou Qi."

Gao Ding also had a sad look on his face and said: "After successive defeats, the soldiers were captured and released by the Han army several times, so that the army had no fighting spirit. Many people were unwilling to continue to rebel and wanted to return to their tribes. "

The words of high-definition also show that Zhou Qi's strategy of attacking the heart has begun to bear fruit.

For these low-level soldiers, the general Zhou Qi who was able to let them back twice was definitely a benevolent and righteous king.

The most important thing is that the strength and cunning of the Han army also cast a shadow in the hearts of these barbarians.

The reason why they rebelled before was simply because they were familiar with the terrain of the mountains and forests. They thought that even if they were defeated, they could escape into the mountains and forests and escape with their lives.

The battle with the Han army had just begun, and they indeed suffered very few casualties.

However, the cunning of the Han army was beyond expectations, and they used various tricks to block their escape into the mountains and forests, and finally returned in disastrous defeat.

Especially for Marshal Sandong, more than half of the barbarians under his tent were killed or injured, and even the three marshals were uncertain whether they were alive or dead.

When E Huan heard this, he couldn't help but said: "I think Zhou Qi is quite generous and benevolent, and he is also quite close to us barbarians. Why must he be an enemy?"

Hearing this, Meng Huo was about to scold him when he came in and reported: "Marshal A Huinan and Marshal Dong Dana are back."

Meng Huo was overjoyed and hurried out of his tent to greet them. After seeing the two men, he asked, "How did the two marshals escape from the Han army camp?"

Dong Dana sighed: "Like the general, he was let go by the general!"

Dong Dana's words made Meng Huo's smile freeze on his face. Gao Ding, E Huan, Mang Ya Chang and others all looked at Meng Huo strangely.

Just for the sake of his own reputation, Meng Huo did not say that he was released by Zhou Qi. Instead, he lied and told everyone that he had killed the guards and escaped at night.

Meng Huo looked a little confused and immediately scolded: "Marshal, don't talk nonsense. I killed more than a dozen Han soldiers at night and managed to escape. How could he be let go by Zhou Qi?"

Ah Huinan said in surprise: "This is what the general told us personally, how could it be wrong?"

Meng Huo immediately became angry and said, "It must be Zhou Qi who saw me escaping and got angry, so he let you go back. He wanted to ruin my reputation and shake the morale of the army."

When Ah Hui Nan and Dong Dana heard this, they were a little doubtful.

Meng Huo took the opportunity and said: "Marshal Sandong unfortunately fell into the trap of Zhou Qi's man before, so he lost his troops and generals and returned with a great defeat."

"Now that the two marshals are back, it's time to recruit soldiers again and continue to fight with the Han army with us so that we can take revenge."

Ah Huinan and Dong Dana looked at each other, and then said with some shame: "This defeat has caused heavy casualties among the clan members. I'm afraid we can't fight anymore."

"Please forgive me, general. We must return to the tribe first to appease people." After saying this, the two of them said goodbye to Meng Huo. How could they dare to be enemies with Zhou Qi?
When Meng Huo saw this, he was angry and shouted: "A man is born in heaven and earth. He should take revenge and complain. The Han army killed so many barbarians in Sandong. How can you withdraw your troops in fear of war?"

Seeing Meng Huo's anger, Ah Huinan and Dong Dana had no choice but to continue to gather their troops, even though they were afraid of Zhou Qi.

When Gao Ding saw this, he couldn't help but said with some hesitation: "The Han army is strong, even if it includes the remnants of A Hui Nan and Dong Dana, it may be difficult to resist it. What can be done?"

Meng Huo said solemnly: "It doesn't matter, the Han army is small. When I continue to gather warriors from other tribes, I will be able to defeat the Han army!"

Meng Huo and Gao Ding immediately met with the chiefs of various caves and successively recruited the released barbarian soldiers.

Except for the old, weak, women and children, almost all barbarians can go into battle to kill the enemy.

With the joint invitation of Meng Huo and Gao Ding, tens of thousands of soldiers and horses were quickly gathered. The combined strength of all the people even reached one hundred thousand, which was simply shocking.

One hundred thousand barbarian soldiers gathered together with great momentum. The newly joined cave masters and barbarian leaders from all walks of life were all eager to fight and asked for battle.

However, after Meng Huo's previous two major defeats, he was much more cautious and reassured everyone: "Zhou Qi is cunning by nature and cannot be fought. If he fights, he will fall into his tricks."

"The soldiers and horses under his command came from afar to work hard. Now the weather is hot. How long can the Han army hold on?"

"We can seize all the ships on the south bank of the Lu River, take advantage of the dangerous mountains and geography, build a wide earthen city, deep ditches and high fortifications, and see how Zhou Qi can break them!"

There was a section of the Lushui River that happened to flow from west to east, but the south bank was full of high mountains. Meng Huo planned to use the Lushui River and the natural dangers to block the enemy.

The chiefs followed their plan and led their troops to build earthen cities. They also erected high enemy towers near the mountains and cliffs. There were many bows and ballistas on the towers, preparing for a protracted battle with the Han army.

As for food and grass, they are supplied separately to each cave.

However, Zhou Qi said that when he learned that a hundred thousand barbarians had gathered on the south bank of the Lu River, he immediately abandoned the camp and advanced with his troops.

When the former army arrived at Lushui, sentry horses flew to report: "There are no boats or rafts in Lushui, and the water is very strong. Earthen cities have been built on the other side of the river, and they are all guarded by barbarians."

It was June, and the weather was hot. It was extremely hot in the south, and military horses and armor could not be worn.

Zhou Qi took Gan Ning and Zhou Tai to the Lu River to watch, and then returned to the stronghold, gathered the generals in the tent, and asked: "Now Meng Huo's army is stationed south of the Lu River, with deep ditches and high forts. Reject my troops."

"Since I have raised my troops here, how can I return empty-handed?"

Zhou Qi immediately ordered his people to go to the stronghold in a place with lush forests and close to the mountains and trees. He asked the soldiers to build thatched sheds inside and outside to cover the horses, and the soldiers took advantage of the cool weather to escape the heat.

When Huang Quan saw this, he advised: "Master, if you go to the stronghold like this, if the barbarians sneak across the Lu River, come to rob the stronghold, and attack it with fire, what can you do?"

Zhou Qi smiled and said: "Gu Zheng is worried that Meng Huo won't come!"

All the generals were unaware of the general's plan, but they did not dare to dissuade him, because the general had been invincible in almost all battles since his campaign against the Yellow Turbans.

And when it comes to the use of fire, the general is the leader. Since Huang Quan has raised this matter, the general must have his own thoughts.

After landing at the camp, Zhou Qi immediately summoned Xu Chu and Zhou Tai, and secretly warned: "Now Meng Huo refuses to stop at the Lu River, and there is no way to cross it. I want to cut off his food route first and cause his army to be in chaos."

Zhou Tai said: "How to break it?"

Zhou Qi said: "Fifty miles away from here, on the south bank of the Lu River, Ah Hui Nan and Dong Dana are stationed with troops. You and your three thousand soldiers and horses will go by boat at night to cross the Lu River and cut off the food route."

Xu Chu asked in a deep voice: "If Ah Hui Nan and Dong Tanan lead the troops to stop them, what can they do?"

Zhou Qi said with a smile: "If I let the two of them go before me, they must be grateful for their kindness. This time, they are just coerced by Meng Huo and Gaoding."

"If we send someone else there, these two may stop us."

"However, you two captured Dong Dana and Ah Hui Nan respectively before. They are well aware of the bravery of the two generals, but they also feel guilty. If they provoke them with words and then promise them benefits, they will definitely become internal agents."

Only then did Xu Chu and Zhou Tai know why the general had let the two barbarians go in the first place.

The two happily led their troops and took advantage of the darkness to go to the section of Lushui where Dong Dana and A Hui Nan were stationed.

But they said that the two marched down the river at night and arrived at Dong Tu's defense line at dawn.

When Dong Dana saw the Han warships, he hurriedly ordered his men to beat the war drums and start deploying them on the south bank of Lushui River.

But Xu Chu boarded the ship, pointed at Dong Tu and cursed: "You are an unjust betrayer! The general spared your life, but now you rebel again, wouldn't you be ashamed of yourself?"

Dong Dana's face was filled with shame and he had no words to answer, so he retreated without fighting.

Three thousand Han troops took the opportunity to board the south bank, and then Zhou Tai led 1000 men to defend their positions and warships. Xu Chu personally led 2000 men to rob grain under the leadership of the natives.

After marching for only a few miles, the army happened to encounter a canyon. Xu Chu immediately dispatched his sergeants to set up a fence in the canyon.

The barbarian soldiers didn't know it, but they were escorting grain and grass through this place, but they were intercepted by Xu Chu, who seized more than a hundred carts of grain.

The barbarians were anxious to capture the stronghold.

At this time, Meng Huo was drinking and having fun in the stronghold. Suddenly he learned that the food route was cut off. He was shocked and angry, and shouted: "How could the Han army appear on the south bank of Lu River?"

At this moment, a scout suddenly came to report: "After Dong Dana encountered the Han army, he retreated without fighting, so that the Han army easily crossed the Lu River and cut off our food route!"

When Meng Huo heard this, he became furious and summoned Dong Dana to question him.

Not long after, Dong Dana came to the Chinese army's camp. Meng Huo pointed at him and cursed: "I know that you have been favored by Zhou Qi, so you retreated without fighting and allowed the Han army to cross the Lu River and cut off my food route. Do you know your crime?" ?”

Dong Dana hurriedly argued: "I have fought with Xu Chu before. He was as resourceful as the sea and as brave as a god. He was feared by all the men in the clan like a tiger. He dispersed in a hurry. It was not that I let him cross the river intentionally!"

Meng Huo became even angrier after hearing this and cursed: "Now that the matter has come to this, you still want to quibble?"

Meng Huo, in a rage, immediately ordered Dong Dana to be withdrawn and beheaded. Gao Ding, E Huan and others repeatedly interceded for him, and only then Dong Dana's life was saved.

However, death penalty can be avoided, but living crime cannot be avoided. Meng Huo had Dong Dana beaten with twenty army sticks before he gave up.

Dong Dana was beaten to pieces, and she couldn't help but feel resentment in her heart.

At the same time, Meng Huo sent his deputy general Mang Yachang and led five thousand barbarians to attack Xu Chu in order to open up the grain road.

Unexpectedly, Mangya Chang fought bravely with Xu Chu, but was killed by Sanhe.

The other barbarian soldiers knew the bravery of the long-toothed man, and when they saw that Xu Chu could kill him so easily, they couldn't help but feel horrified and fled in panic.

Xu Chu did not pursue the enemy, but defended the camp and cut off the rebels' food routes.

After these barbarian soldiers fled back, they all said that Xu Chu was as brave as a god and invincible, so that all the tribal chiefs in Meng Huo's army were afraid, and then they believed what Dong Dana had said before.

In addition, the food routes were cut off, and the chiefs of each tribe immediately became confused.

Many chiefs secretly came to see Dong Dana and said: "Although we live in the barbarian country, we have never dared to invade the Han Dynasty, and the Han army has never invaded us. Now because Meng Huo and Gaoding are forcing each other to do so, we have no choice but to follow them."

"General Zhou Qi wields troops like a god, and his fierce generals are like gods. He gallops on the battlefield without ever being defeated. How can we compare with him?"

"The general is unparalleled in his benevolence and righteousness. He has repeatedly released our barbarian captives and will not pursue us even if we win."

"The officers and men under my command are deeply grateful to the general for keeping him alive and have nothing to repay. Now they want to sacrifice their lives to kill Meng Huo and join the general to prevent the people in the cave from suffering."

Dong Dana also hated Meng Huo deeply at this time and said, "I have wanted to do this for a long time. Who is willing to go with me?"

The barbarians who had been released by Zhou Qi before, including E Huan, all said in unison: "I am willing to go!"

So Dong Dana endured the pain, held a steel knife in his hand, and led more than a hundred people to break into Meng Huo's camp.

Meng Huo was horrified when he saw this and shouted: "What do you want?"

Dong Dana said sternly: "I'm here to take your dog's life!"

After saying this, E Huan, holding the square halberd in his hand, stepped forward and killed Meng Huo's personal guards, and then led the crowd to knock Meng Huo to the ground.

Gao Ding arrived just in time and said hurriedly: "Don't harm his life, just leave it to the general to deal with it!"

It was precisely because of the timely appearance of Couture that Meng Huo's life was saved.

Meng Huo pointed at Gao Ding and cursed: "Back then, you and I formed an alliance with blood and swore an oath to heaven to fight Zhou Qi and avenge Yong Kai. Why are you capturing me today?"

Gao Ding sighed: "One hundred thousand soldiers and horses gathered here, and the tribes simply cannot supply food and grass."

"Today we have been defeated repeatedly in battles, and we have wasted money and food here. Therefore, the barbarian soldiers of all tribes have no fighting spirit. Only you insist on becoming the enemy of the heavenly soldiers."

"I have done my best to save your life. How to deal with it depends on the general's attitude!"

After speaking, everyone tied Meng Huo to the Lu River and sailed across the north bank. E Huan personally went to report to Zhou Qi.

Zhou Qi had already carefully investigated this matter. When he saw E Huan who came to report the news, he took his hand and said: "Although the general is a barbarian, he also knows how to repay kindness, which is very comforting for his loneliness!"

"The general is so brave that he has few opponents even in the Central Plains."

"I want to relieve the people's insecurities and conquer the world. Is the general willing to follow Gu to make great achievements and make his wife and son his wife?"

E Huan was very moved when he heard this, but still refused: "Thank you, General, for your kindness."

"Although I am a barbarian, I also know that loyal ministers have nothing to do with the two masters. The barbarian king treats me very well, and I can't bear to bear it. Please don't blame the general."

Seeing that E Huan was so loyal, Zhou Qi loved him even more. He immediately escorted Meng Huo to the camp without any force, and then comforted Dong Dana and the barbarians from various tribes who surrendered, and generously rewarded him.

After seeing Meng Huo, Zhou Qi shouted: "You will only be convinced if you are captured again. Now that you are under arrest, are you convinced?"

At this time, Meng Huo resented the rebellion of the barbarians from various tribes, and immediately said angrily: "This is not your ability. It is my subordinates who are killing each other. This is how I can accept it!"

(End of this chapter)