Soldiers come to the world

Seeing that everyone's eyes were attracted to him, Fazheng coughed lightly, and pointed at Wancheng with a wooden pole in a calm manner: "The biggest difficulty in Nanyang County lies in Wancheng. Cao Cao rebuilt Wancheng after breaking Zhang Xiu. , the city is taller and stronger, and it is very difficult to attack, I think General Pang should be very clear about this."

All eyes were on Pound. After Pound followed Ma Chao and surrendered to Liu Jing, he had been assigned to Xinye. He had participated in several battles against Nanyang County, and even garrisoned Wancheng. He knew the situation of Wancheng well. He nodded and said: "The military adviser is right. Wancheng is really difficult to attack. There is a saying in Wancheng called 'one enemy is three'. Wancheng has always been an important logistics area for Cao Jun to attack Xiangfan, it has a lot of food and grass, and it is easy to dig wells in the city, so it can hold out for at least a year."

Everyone knows that Pang De is a real person, and he will not make false statements. Since he said this, it shows that Wancheng is indeed extremely difficult to attack. If Nanyang really has 9 garrisons, wouldn't it take [-] people to attack Wancheng? My heart couldn't help but feel heavy.

Fazheng smiled again and said: "Although Wancheng is difficult to attack, we still have a chance, that is, not all the [-] troops in Nanyang County are stationed in Wancheng."

Everyone was refreshed, it should be like this, Pang De said with a smile: "Back then when we occupied Nanyang County, we encountered a large-scale counterattack by Cao Jun. Cao Jun used cavalry assaults to prevent our troops from all over the country from gathering in Wancheng. It can also be used this way.”

At this moment, Liu Jing, who had been sitting beside him without speaking, laughed, "General Pang has a very good idea. This time I transferred [-] elite cavalry as the vanguard, just to imitate the tactics of Cao Jun back then."

Pang De hurriedly bowed and said, "I obey the order!"

Liu Jing nodded, then smiled at Fazheng: "Military Master, please continue!"

Fazheng said slowly: "According to the information provided by General Wen, the Cao army in Nanyang is stationed in four places. The first is Wan County, with about [-] troops, commanded by Cao Hong himself, and the second is Ye County."

Fazheng's wooden pole pointed to Ye County again, and continued: "Ye County is the gateway of Xuchang, and its strategic position is extremely important. It was conquered by General Liao Hua and Li Fu when they joined the army. Since then, Cao Jun has deployed doubled troops in Ye County. There are also 1 troops, commanded by general Li Dian, followed by Yuyang County for defense in Xiangfan and Nanxiang County for defense in Guanzhong, each with [-] troops. Our first task is to raid Nanyang and prevent troops from all over the country from converging on Wancheng .”

Pang De pondered for a moment and said, "The military adviser wants my [-] cavalry to divide into three groups?"

"No! Just divide the troops into two groups."

Fazheng used a wooden pole to guide Yuyang County in front of him and said with a smile: "His Royal Highness has issued an order to General Wenpin to make an appointment at midnight tonight. General Wenpin will lead the Xiangfan Army to surround Yuyang. General Pang only needs to stop Nanxiang County. The two armies from Heye County will do.”

Pang De calculated the distance silently in his heart. The distance from Wuguan to Nanxiang County is hundreds of miles, and the official road is not very smooth. It is really tight to arrive at Nanxiang County before the third watch. He immediately clasped his fist at Liu Jing Shi Li said: "His Royal Highness, I want to lead the army to set out immediately!"

Liu Jing nodded, "It's possible!"

Pang De saluted again, turned around and left the big tent. At this time, Liu Jing said slowly to everyone: "Seizing Nanyang is only a part of the Hefei War. The purpose is to open up the Nanxiang pass. Although Nanyang and Hefei are far apart, Hefei The battle is related to the overall situation, so the battle will not break out in Hefei. In addition to Nanyang County, there is also Anlu County. In order to prevent Cao Jun from going south from the Central Plains to Anlu County, we must strengthen the defense of the three passes of Yiyang, that is, Wusheng Pass, Jiuli Pass, and Pingjing Pass, if you defend these three passes, Cao Jun will not be able to enter Anlu County from the Central Plains, so where is General Zhang Yi?"

Zhang Yi is an important general in the southern faction of Yizhou, that is, led by Yan Yan, including generals Zhang Yi and Wang Pingping, and Zhang Yi is known for being good at defending the city. Liu Jing first wanted to consider letting Zhang Yi Yi guarded Wancheng, but this would make it difficult for Wenpin, so after weighing the pros and cons, Liu Jing decided to let Zhang Yi guard the direction of Anlu County.

Zhang Yi stepped forward and bowed: "The humble job is here!"

Liu Jing said in a deep voice: "I will make you the captain of Anlu County. After the battle of Nanyang, I can lead [-] troops to Anlu County and take over the three passes of Yiyang. Count it as a great achievement for you.”

"The end will obey orders!"

After Liu Jing deployed the army, he said loudly to everyone: "I hope everyone will fight bravely and take Nanyang County in the shortest possible time."

Everyone bowed together and saluted, "I am willing to die for Your Highness!"

Ever since Cheng Yu led the army to recapture Nanyang County, the Nanyang direction has been in a state of truce, and the Han army has never crossed the border. After several years of peace, people's livelihood in Nanyang County has gradually recovered, and traditional businesses have also become active.

Because Nanyang County has a special strategic position, it can go to Jingxiang in the south, Luoyang Xudu in the north, Guanzhong and Hanzhong in the west, and Ruyu in the east. The location of such a transportation hub has made Nanyang County prosperous in business since ancient times. , Caravans from all over the world can be seen everywhere on the official road.

At noon, a caravan composed of dozens of people and hundreds of mules and horses loaded with goods slowly came from a distant official road. same.

This caravan is a special scout team led by Ren Ping, the deputy commander of the Eagle Strike Army. Of course, their goal is to enter Wancheng, but they got news from other caravans on the way that Cao Hong's defense against Wancheng was very strong. Strictly speaking, foreign caravans are not allowed to enter the city. He specially moved the market in Wancheng to the outside of the west city, called Caoshi, and required all merchants to trade outside the city.

Not only that, foreigners in groups of three or more are not allowed to enter the city. This was the rule set by Cheng Yu back then, and has been strictly enforced by Cao Hong. A caravan with dozens of people like them has no chance to enter the city at all.

Although Wancheng's interrogation is strict, there are ways to do it. For example, they can enter the city separately, but this is too time-consuming and dangerous. Ren Ping decided to use another method.

Those who came to Wancheng with Ren Ping, in addition to 43 subordinates, also included Deng Hong, the magistrate of Chang'an County. Deng Hong belonged to the Deng family, one of the three prominent families in Nanyang, and was the son of Deng Yi. He and Cui Shi He and Xun Zhi passed the Xiangyang Jushi examination together. He was first sent to Huayang County in Nanjun County as the director, and was promoted step by step to the county magistrate and county magistrate.

Last summer, he was transferred to Guanzhong as the magistrate of Chang'an County. Since Chang'an is the capital, he is actually equivalent to the official rank of Juncheng and has become a leader of the younger generation.

His good friends Cui Shi and Xun Zhi also did a very good job. Cui Shi served as the prefect of Lingling last fall, and Xun Zhi served as the censor the year before last, in charge of the official inspection in Jingzhou. After this term is over, he is likely to be promoted to Yushi Zhongcheng.

This time, Deng Hong was specially transferred into the army by Liu Jing. As an important figure in the attack on Nanyang, besides the Deng family, the three major noble families in Nanyang County also included veteran Huang Zhong's Huang family, and Zhang Zhongjing's Zhang family.

Although Deng Hong is an official in Han, he is the eldest son of the Deng family after all, and has a very high status in the family. Many members of the clan believe that after the death of his father Deng Yi, Deng Hong should take over the position of patriarch .

The group of people is less than ten miles away from Nanyang, and they can see the majestic city wall lying in front of them like a long dragon from a distance. On both sides of the official road are endless farmland, and there are lush forests not far away, standing in the middle of the farmland. The ice and snow in Nanyang have melted, and green wheat seedlings have grown in the fields. The winter wheat has survived the severe winter and is beginning to recover.

At noon, the number of pedestrians on the official road increased, most of them were farmers living nearby, and there were also rich people visiting relatives in Wancheng, sitting in a large carriage, guarded by servants on horseback, and many merchants like them. Caravans, or large caravans of hundreds of mules, or small merchants of a dozen mules, they all headed to the Grass Market outside the West City.

"Mr. Deng, this is your family's land!" Ren Ping pointed at the farmland on both sides with a horsewhip and laughed.

"It's in the south, but it's not in the north. The land in the north is Huang's land, which is a few hectares less than Deng's."

"It is said that the Deng family has five manors in Nanyang County, and this is just one of them!"

"It can't be helped, the Deng family has a relatively large population."

Deng Hong smiled lightly, and changed the subject. He pointed to a fork in front of him and said, "Proprietor Ren, go to the fork in front, we will turn south again, and we will be there after walking five or six miles."

Ren Ping nodded, turned around and said: "Everyone follow, don't get lost."

The crowd speeded up, and soon came to the fork in the road, and turned south again. After walking about five or six miles, an old manor appeared in front of them. The manor covers an area of ​​hundreds of mu. There are also several two-story wooden houses, and there are hundreds of tenant houses.

This is the Wancheng Manor, one of the five manors of the Deng family. Nearly [-] hectares of land around it belong to the Deng family, and a deacon is in charge. Deng Hong urged his horse to rush into the manor, shouting: "Is Uncle Long there? "

"Master, is that you?"

An old man about 50 years old ran out of the wooden house and looked at Deng Hong excitedly. At this time, many servants came out to salute Deng Hong, and several servants rushed into the wooden house.

Ren Ping, who was not far away, felt a little inappropriate, knowing that too many people had returned from Deng Hong, and there would be risks involved. After all, Deng Hong was an official of the Han Dynasty. Once Cao Hong found out, would he send someone to check.

But it was too late to find something wrong, so Ren Ping had to decide to adopt a backup strategy. Once he entered the city, he would immediately leave the Deng family. In the estate."

Ren Ping nodded, and led his men into Deng's farm. They had a rest and had lunch in a wooden house. About half an hour later, Deng Hong hurried into the room and said to Ren Ping: "Proprietor Ren, please follow along." I come!"

Ren Ping ordered everyone to say a few words, and then he followed Deng Hong to another big wooden house, and walked into the innermost room, only to see an old man with disabled legs sitting in the room, with gray hair and a thin face. It was Deng Yi, the patriarch of the Deng family, and Deng Hong's father. He was in Jingzhou and enjoyed great prestige in both Jingzhou and Nanyang.

Although Cao Hong also knew that Deng Yi was partial to Jingzhou, he asked Deng Yi for many things and was very polite to him. In many respects, Deng Yi also cooperated with Cao Hong very much, and the two formed a friendship.

Ren Ping bowed and saluted: "Han Army Colonel Ren Ping sees Deng Gong!"

Deng Yi had already received the news from his son that the Han army was going to attack Nanyang County, and he also knew that it was the Han king Liu Jing who led the army to the west. .

Relying on his decades of political wisdom, Deng Yi knew how to deal with this matter. He smiled at Ren Ping: "I can help the general and his subordinates enter the city, but Cao Jun is stationed in Deng's mansion. It's actually surveillance, I can't take you to the Deng Mansion, I hope General Ren can understand."

Ren Ping immediately said: "Thank you Mr. Deng for your support. We don't need to go to Deng's mansion. As long as we can enter Wancheng, we can arrange it ourselves."

Deng Yi smiled slightly, "The current Wancheng is not the same as before. Cao Hong has a reward order. If there are more than five outsiders gathered, as long as the people report it, they can get a big reward. So you can't go to the city to find hotels without authorization. , I will arrange accommodation for you, and the Deng family can also provide the weapons you need, but fortunately, there are not many of you, and if there are more than 50 of you, there is nothing I can do."

"Thank you Mr. Deng, I don't know how we can enter the city?"

"It's a coincidence that Cao Hong borrowed [-] shi of grain from me these few days, so I came to the manor to count the grain today. If you don't feel wronged, you can pretend to be the servant of the Deng family and send grain to the city!"

Ren Ping pondered for a moment. Although he felt that this was not the best solution, he had no other choice. Ren Ping could only nod his head, and thanked him with a bow: "Thank you, Mr. Deng, for the arrangement!"