Prancing Horse Xiliang

Chapter 175 Miserable Lu Bu

There are many mountains in the northwest, and the road from Liangzhou to Xihai is even more mountainous.

Huangshui starts from the northeast of the West Sea (Qinghai Lake), flows through Longqi City, and passes through the valley to the east.From the West Sea to Liangzhou, there are two roads to take. The first road is to go directly from the West Sea to Longqi City, cross the Shuo Valley and cross the Huangshui River to the east.

The other avenue is to go south and detour through Cizhi, passing through the branch of Bulian Mountain to Linqiang.

However, there are too many roads, hundreds of miles of detours, and it may not be easy to walk.

The march of the army is not like Orion, which can pass through forests and mountains.Without a flat road to walk on, the army's grain, grass and supplies would not be able to be transported there first, otherwise what's the use of a military town, just go around it.

In the middle of the valley, there is a gap between the steep mountain walls, like a mountain road that has been split.

The terrain on the north bank is relatively flat, but the south bank is very steep, and the upright mountain wall cannot be climbed at all.

On the river several feet wide, a pontoon bridge was erected. It was built in the early Eastern Han Dynasty and was mostly used for customers.

The amount of water in Huangshui is small, and in addition to the dry season in winter, the water level is not as high as the waist.

On a hilltop on the left side of the north bank, generals Zhao Yun, Li Meng, and Wang Fang were checking the terrain.

Wang Fang took a few glances and said, "General Zhao Yun, why don't we demolish these wooden bridges? In this way, if our soldiers resist the enemy on the south bank, there will be no way to retreat. At that time, if we fight with our backs, all soldiers will be ineffective." doom."

Li Meng had a different opinion, "The last battle certainly inspires the soldiers to fight the enemy to the death, but if the battle fails, they may also dig their own graves. At that time, there will be pursuers and there will be no way out. The army will definitely be defeated!"

Wang Fang said disapprovingly: "Our soldiers are all elite, how could they be defeated!"

Li Meng said: "It's hard to say, no one is sure what will happen on the battlefield!"

Wang Fang said angrily: "Li Meng, you are fucking against me, aren't you?"

Li Meng glared at him angrily, and said, "This is just arguing, who is in the mood to do right with you?"

Wang Fangyu was still angry and said: "Then why do you object to whatever I say?"

Li Meng said angrily: "It's been said that XX is talking about things, who specifically targeted you?"

Zhao Yun waved his hands and said, "There is no need for the two generals to argue!"

Wang Fang said "hey" and stopped talking.

Li Meng also kept his mouth shut. The two of them had been in love for many years, so they didn't take their petty quarrel to heart.

Zhao Yundao: "General Wang Fang is right. The pontoon bridge is to be demolished. However, the demolition of the pontoon bridge has another purpose besides dissuading our soldiers from fighting to the death. That is, a certain plan to build a dam here!"

"Building a dam?"

Wang Fang and Li Meng showed doubts at the same time, greatly puzzled.

Wang Fang was the most impatient, and quickly asked, "What are you doing here to build the embankment?"

Zhao Yun explained: "The Qiang soldiers in Xihai are several times larger than our army, and our army has only [-] infantry. It is impossible to defend. Although our army still has [-] cavalry, my lord has said that we should drive cavalry to defend dangerous points. It is indeed a big taboo for military strategists. Therefore, a certain plan is to build a dam here to block the river and collect water. If the battle is not good, he will dig the dyke to irrigate it to drive back the Qiang soldiers."

Wang Fang looked down, and said: "The situation on both sides of the bank is similar. Right now, the water level of Huangshui has dropped by half. Even if a dam is built, not much water can be collected. Besides, even if water can be collected, the amount of water can only cover the road at most. Submerging is simply not enough to cause substantial damage to the Qiang soldiers. If you want to submerge the Qiang soldiers, the general feels a little impossible."

Li Meng also nodded, this is a fact, there is nothing to dispute.

Zhao Yun smiled and said: "What General Wang Fang said is true, but I didn't expect to be able to flood the Xihai Qiang soldiers with water. But our army still has [-] cavalry, if we don't create a good opportunity for the cavalry, it will be very difficult It is difficult to defeat the Qiang soldiers in one fell swoop. Therefore, the purpose of blocking the river to gather water is just to create the best opportunity for the cavalry to attack."

"I see!"

Only then did the second general suddenly realize that, after thinking about it for a while, he also felt that it was feasible.

Long County, Ma Teng's official residence.

Pang De hurried into the inner hall, bowed his hands to Ma Teng and said, "I have seen the Lord."

Ma Teng waved his hand and said, "Excuse me."

Then Pang De straightened up, sat sideways, and asked, "I don't know what's the important thing for the lord to call the last general here?"

Ma Teng seemed to be in a good mood, and said: "The general has just heard the news. This year, Dahan in Qiangyuan, Shaodang, Gelin, and Shenlang want to raise [-] troops to invade Jincheng. I invite this general to send troops. What does Lingming think?" ?”

Pang De cheered up, and said: "Shaodang, Gelin, Shenlang and other troops invade Jincheng, this is an opportunity."

Ma Teng nodded happily and said: "That's right, the total number of soldiers and horses of all the ministries is nearly [-], and Luo Zheng'er will inevitably dispatch most of his troops to the west to resist the Qiang soldiers. If our army sends troops to attack Yunwu at this time, let's see what Luo Zheng'er will do." withstand."

Pang De said: "You can invite Lu Bu to send troops together."

Ma Teng nodded and said: "Good, Ling Ming's plan is very good."

Ma Chao next to him said proudly: "Father, if you want to send troops, you must do so as soon as possible, otherwise you will be in trouble when the road is blocked by heavy snow."

Ma Teng nodded repeatedly and said, "My son is right, so it's settled."

Nanzheng, Hanzhong prefect's mansion.

Zhang Lu looked around at the civil and military people in the hall, and said: "A few days ago, news came back from Long County that Ma Teng's army is gathering recently, and it seems that he intends to attack Jincheng. Everyone thinks that our army should help like soldiers?"

Counselor Yang Song was the first to say: "Master, as far as I know, this year Qiangyuan Dahan, Xihai Shaodang, Gelin, Shenlang and other tribes want to raise troops to invade Jincheng. If Luo Zheng wants to reject the Qiang soldiers, he will definitely be killed." Contain most of the troops. Ma Teng raised his troops to attack Jincheng at this time because he took a fancy to this point. The invasion of the Western Sea is not as good as the fire. Just sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight."

Yang Bai, Zhang Wei, Chang Qi and other civil and military officials immediately nodded in agreement, and they all agreed to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight.

Yan Pu, the counselor, said: "Master, I think that since our army has formed an alliance with Luo Zheng, we should fulfill the covenant. Otherwise, if we break our promise, we may insult the reputation of the lord. Besides, if Luo Zheng is defeated, the lord wants to spread the plan of Liangzhou also be hindered."

"Yes, what Mr. Yan Pu said is true."

Yang Ren, Yang Ang and others agreed to send troops to help.

Yang Bolang said: "This statement is wrong. Now that winter is coming and the road will be blocked by heavy snow, it is really not good for our army to send troops."

Yan Pu said: "If you don't send troops to help, you will lose your trust in your allies, and where will your reputation be lost?"

Yang Song said: "What's the difficulty? It's freezing cold and Hanzhong is surrounded by mountains. It's really not easy to send troops."

Yang Ren said sharply, "You are making an excuse."

As soon as Yang Song's face changed, he was about to refute.

At this moment, Zhang Lu slammed the table and said decisively: "Stop arguing, this general has decided to send troops."

Yang Song, Yang Bai and others who opposed the dispatch of troops quickly shut up, not daring to argue any further.

Yan Pu, Yang Ren and others who agreed to send troops clasped their hands together and said: "My lord (Master) is wise."

Zhang Wei hurriedly said: "Since brother has decided to send troops, he only needs to order the army to go out of Sanguan Pass."

Now everyone nodded in agreement, no matter whether they were opposed to sending troops or those in favor of sending troops, there was no objection.

Zhang Lu immediately took the case and said: "Okay, let's do it like this."

Long County, Ma Teng's official residence.

Pang De hurried in, cupped his hands and said, "My lord, Wudu hastened to report."

Ma Teng narrowed his eyes and said, "What's the matter with Wu?"

Pang De said in a concentrated voice: "The general of Wudu condemned the horse to report, saying that Zhang Lu, the prefect of Hanzhong, and his younger brother Zhang Wei led [-] troops out of Xiegu to settle in Sanguan. It seems that they intend to invade Wudu, so we have to guard against it!"

"what?"

Ma Teng was taken aback, stood up suddenly and said: "Why did Zhang Lu send troops without a reason?"

Pang De condensed and said: "The matter is very clear. As soon as our army was about to send troops to Jincheng, Zhang Lu sent [-] troops out of Xiegu and stationed in Sanguan. This must have something to do with Luo Zheng's son. It is very likely that Zhang Lu has already formed an alliance with Luo Zheng gone."

Ma Teng's face was livid, and he roared angrily: "It's unreasonable, Zhang Lupifu is too deceitful."

Pang De lamented: "At present Zhang Lu's [-] troops seem to have the intention of invading, our army may not be able to send troops to Jincheng."

Ma Teng's angry face turned green. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to kill Luo Zheng. I don't want to be disturbed by Zhang Lu. How can I not be angry.If it weren't for the fact that Hanzhong is easy to defend and difficult to attack, we must definitely raise troops there immediately and wipe out Zhang Lu Nasi.

Linjing, Lu Bu's official residence.

After reading the letter written by Ma Teng, Lu Bu looked around at the generals and said, "Everyone, just now Ma Teng sent a letter saying that the West Sea was burned and sixty thousand Qiang soldiers from various tribes invaded Jincheng. What do you guys think?"

All the generals were silent, and no one spoke.

Lu Bu frowned and said, "Why are you speechless, Wei Xu, tell me."

Wei Xu had no choice but to say: "My lord, it's really not appropriate for our army to go to war right now?"

Lu Bu was surprised: "But why?"

Wei Xu said: "Since the conquest of Luo Zheng, our army has suffered heavy casualties. Although the lord has ordered thousands of soldiers to be recruited and assembled an army of [-], the imperial court has cut off the rations for our army a month ago. Right now, our army has little chance to survive the winter." Food, how to send troops."

Lu Bu was silent, speechless.

Originally, I wanted to take the opportunity to kill Luo Zheng ambitiously, in order to avenge the previous defeat.

However, the cruel reality gave him a bucket of cold water, pouring cold water on Lu Bu from head to toe.

Even Wei Xu, who has always been his only follower, disagrees with sending troops, let alone the others.

as predicted.

Just as Wei Xu finished speaking, Zhang Liao said, "The final general agrees with General Wei Xu's proposal."

The rest of Zang Ba, Hao Meng, Cao Xing and other generals also nodded in agreement, and they all disagreed with sending troops.

The Bingzhou army is indeed having a difficult time right now. A month ago, the imperial court cut off the rations of the Bingzhou army on the grounds of the lack of autumn grain.

If it weren't for some food and grass borrowed from several Qiang tribes, the army would have mutinied long ago.

If you want to send troops to Jincheng, you must have food and grass.

If you can't even eat enough, how can you let the soldiers go to the battlefield.

Lu Bu said dejectedly: "Forget it, go back to Ma Teng and say that this general has no intention of sending troops to Jincheng."

"My lord is wise!"

All the generals filed a lawsuit together, and they all secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

(End of this chapter)