Great Han Empire

Chapter 288
Mu Gaiting and Chongyun watched the Han army gallop away helplessly, and said nothing.

The Xianbei army in the middle stopped slowly because they lost their attack target.Law Ri deduced and asked in surprise: "Is that Fengyun Cavalry?"

Mang Zhengji beside him replied loudly: "Commander, that is the Fengyun cavalry under Leopard's command, and it is the most powerful cavalry army of the Han army."

Lvri Deduction nodded appreciatively and said: "Come and go like the wind, it really lives up to its reputation."

"Order all ministries to stop attacking and regroup."

Panting, Xu Gui rode over and yelled angrily, "Why did you stop? Why? We should launch an attack."

Lü Ri Deyan glanced at him coldly, and said very dissatisfied: "I told you to keep a distance from the army, why are you running so fast? You have 1 people, and the Han army is only a little more than you, and the number is almost the same. , why can't you hold on for a while?"

"It's because your speed is too slow." Xu Gui shouted, "Your delay made me lose more than 2000 people in vain."

"Are you saying that my command is not effective?" Lu Ri's face sank, and he pointed at Xu Gui and cursed, "You Dongqiang people are too weak, and you want to run before you fight. How can you be undefeated? Now the Han army has been set up Defensive position, if we attack, we will lose even more. Forget it, let’s find another chance.”

Xu Gui glanced at Lv Ri's deduction with resentment, then swallowed his anger and beat his horse away.

===

Qu Yi looked at Kuangfengsha, then at Jiuyangpi and Zhanma, cursed a few words angrily, and then said: "When Master Li arrives, you should go see him with your heads up."

Heng Ji wanted to say something, but he didn't say it after all.

Kuangfengsha refused to obey the command, went out to fight privately, and was to be executed according to military law.But he was the leader of the Xianling Qiang people, with a special status, and Qu Yi didn't dare to touch him casually.This matter can only be handed over to Li Hong, the guard of Qiang Zhonglang.

Heng Ji asked Kuang Fengsha and the others to retreat temporarily, told them not to violate military discipline again, and then comforted Qu Yi a few words.While the two were talking, an attendant brought Li Hong's urgent letter.

"My lord told us to retreat to Xiao Pass immediately and guard the pass." Qu Yi said to Heng Ji slightly surprised, "My lord suspects that He Lian and Tuoba Feng have arrived at Qingshui River."

"How is this possible?" Heng Ji smiled incredulously, "We have been keeping a close eye on the Xianbei army, why didn't we notice it?"

Qu Yi ordered his subordinates to take out the map and spread it on the ground, and he and Heng Ji looked at it carefully for a while.

"If they enter the east bank of the Qingshui River from the left valley of Sanshui, we really won't be able to find it." Qu Yi said, pointing to Sanshui City. "We have been confronting the enemy on the west bank of the Qingshui River, completely ignoring the east bank."

"There are continuous mountains over there, and the road is difficult. If Helian's army goes there, it will be a waste of time." Heng Ji said.

"But we walked very slowly in order to slow down the advancing speed of the Xianbei people." Qu Yi said worriedly, "If your lord's estimation is correct, Helian and Tuobafeng suddenly appeared behind us and took the lead in laying the groundwork for the three stages." We will be surrounded by any pass, and Gaoping City will be directly exposed to the enemy's attack. With the current defense force, we will be defeated sooner or later."

The more they thought about it, the more terrifying and anxious they felt.

"When will we withdraw?"

"Not now." Qu Yi thought for a while, and said, "The intention of withdrawing now is too obvious. If the Xianbei chase after us, we will be in trouble. It's better to be at night."

====================
The water of the Qingshui River is crystal clear, and the fish in the river swim freely and freely.The grass on the shore is taking out buds, and countless little lives are shaking and whispering in the wind.

He Lian squatted by the river, picked up a handful of cold river water and drank it in big gulps.

Since Murongfeng, Lord of Xianbei in the middle of the year, joined forces with Mijia, Lord of Xianbei in the east, and Luo Dianluoluo, Lord of Western Xianbei, to force Helian to redefine the territory of Xianbei Kingdom, the royal power of Danhanshan royal court has been greatly weakened.He Lian hated Murong Feng and others very much in his heart, and he wanted to find a chance to revive the absolute authority of the Danhanshan royal court, and reappear the invincible momentum of the late king Tan Shihuai who ruled the world back then.

The opportunity finally came to him.The drought last autumn and the heavy snowstorm in winter caused many tribes in Xianbei in the west to lose their livestock for survival. The Kuangsha and Yelang tribes in Xianbei in the west, under the pressure of survival, returned to Helian's tent.With these two big tribes changing their ways, other small tribes in Xianbei in the west followed suit. Everyone broke away from the control of Luozhi Lianluoluo openly and secretly, and rushed to join King Helian and Tuobafeng in Xianbei in the north.

With the support of Law Ri Yan Yan and Yan Li You, He Lian's strength increased greatly, and then he started his long-planned invasion operation.Only by occupying the border county of the Han Dynasty, the survival pressure of the Xianbei people will be relieved, and the life of the Xianbei people will be better, and Helian can thus make great achievements for the Xianbei people.

If it succeeds, He Lian's personal authority will not only reach the peak of the sky and be worshiped by all tribes of Xianbei, but he can also easily regain the rights that were robbed by Murong Feng and others, so he devoted all his energy to this matter. All the strength and hard work, and strive to win the first battle.For this reason, he did not hesitate to humbly send someone to find Murong Feng, asking for his help.

Murong Feng agreed, but he warned Helian that it is best to stop in moderation when attacking the Great Han Kingdom, and not to make any crazy moves, especially the crazy move to attack Chang'an City, but Helian turned a deaf ear to it and didn't listen at all. The wind is too cautious.

The strategy of attacking Chang'an City was thought up by himself, and He Lian thought it was the most proud classic in his life.In order to complete this astonishing feat and make an immortal feat, he, Tuoba Feng and others planned day and night, exhausted their minds, considered all aspects of gains and losses, and finally made a big decision before making a decision.

He Lian washed his face with cold river water, then sat by the river and stared at the fish swimming in the water for a while, with a childlike smile on his face.

He Lian is about 30 years old, taller, thinner, darker skinned, with a very simple face, which looks ordinary, except for his eyes, which are sharp and spiritual.

An attendant hurried along the river bank, but was stopped by Ye Lao standing on the embankment.He is the marshal of the Danhan Mountain Yingling Tribe, and one of the three commanders of the Danhan Mountain Royal Court Expeditionary Army.

"What's the matter?" He Lian hurriedly stood up and asked.

"Reporting to the king, Luri deduced the news from the general, and the Han army suddenly ran away last night."

Anger immediately appeared on He Lian's face, and he cursed loudly, "This cowherd, why did you send the news only now? Why didn't you find out last night?"

The attendant took a step back in fear and bowed his head in silence.

Ye Lao clasped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, calm down, let's hurry on our way."

He Lian took a few steps to the river embankment, looked at Ye Lao, waved his hands and said, "Quickly, send an order to all the departments to rush to Muxia Pass overnight."

===

Tuoba Feng sat on the horse, his tall and mighty body stood upright, motionless.

Batches of iron knight soldiers galloped past his eyes, and the dust rolled up covered most of the sky.

The atmosphere before the war was both tense and exciting, which made his blood rush.He is the one who has benefited the most from this expedition.Now the counties of Yunzhong, Wuyuan, and Shuofang in Bingzhou are already in his pocket, and Beidi and Anding counties are about to be acquired. The territory of Xianbei in the north will be greatly expanded, and the days when the Tuoba tribe dominated the prairie are over. soon.

Helian used his power to make achievements for himself, but he used Helian's status as a great king to seek the greatest benefits for his tribe.As long as he occupies the northern frontier county of the Great Han Kingdom and occupies these lands with lush water and grass, even if Helian asks him to give a part of the barren desert to the Kuangsha and Wild Wolf tribes, he is willing to do so.

Tuoba Hui suddenly coughed violently.

"Are you still okay?" Tuoba Feng frowned and asked, "There will be a war soon, can your body hold it up?"

Tuobahui nodded, barely stopped coughing, and said worriedly: "Our whereabouts must have been exposed, otherwise the Han army would not escape at night. Originally, we planned to take down Muxia Pass easily, but now it seems that it is no longer possible Now, we will inevitably have to fight a fierce battle at the pass."

Tuoba Feng said disapprovingly: "We suddenly appeared here, the Han army was caught off guard, and they must not be able to deploy troops in time. Do they know which pass we are going to fight?" Tuoba Feng smiled confidently, "Tomorrow, we will definitely be able to Take Muxia Pass."

Tuoba Hui thinks about it too, even if a [-]-strong army can't accomplish a small pass, it won't waste a big deal.

"My lord, did the leopard arrive at Gaoping City in advance?"

"He probably hasn't arrived in Anding County yet." Tuoba Feng heard the word "leopard", and a burst of violence suddenly shot out from his eyes. He said bitterly, "This time, I will definitely cook him up." , eat it bite by bite.”

=====================

Yan Rou, Xian Yuyin, Hua Xiong, Yan Wuwei, and Zhang Yun were sitting by the fire, eating black dry biscuits with boiling water.

After receiving Li Hong's order, they immediately gave up all their luggage and rushed to Gaoping City day and night.

"This is called Fanting Mountain. It is a very famous mountain at the east foot of Liupan Mountain." Hua Xiong took a sip of water, pointed to the dark night sky and said, "Cross this mountain and go west to Wating, you will be beyond the Great Wall. Wu During the emperor’s time, there were dozens of wardens raising horses and hundreds of thousands of war horses there, but now there are none. The Huns, Qiang, and Xianbei invaded in turn, and the place has long been a barren land.”

"To the east is Chaona City, Gaoping City, and further forward, there are three passes. Among these three passes, Xiao Pass is the most magnificent, and Shimen Pass and Muxia Pass are not large in scale. In the past, Emperor Wu had six passes Drive horses and swords out of Xiaoguan, inspect the frontier fortresses, and show the Huns the mighty power of our Han Kingdom, but now..."

Hua Xiong smiled desolately, shook his head, and bowed his head in silence.

"Ziwei, are you too tired?" Yan Rou asked with concern, "Go to bed early."

"I'm not tired, and I can't sleep either." Hua Xiong sighed, "The army of the Xianbei people swarmed in, aggressive, but what about our army? The farthest of our army is still in Hedong County, more than 1000 miles away from here." , how to fight this battle?"

"The people in the Taiwei's Mansion and the General's Mansion are a bunch of idiots. They don't even know where we are going to fight. They should all be executed in a hurry." Yan Wuwei scolded angrily, "Let us clean up some time ago. Things were about to go back to Youzhou, and then they asked us to go to Niyang, and when we were almost there, they asked us to go to Linjing. We are exhausted. The battle is really lost."

"Wuwei, why are you getting angry? Competing with those gangsters will kill you." Xian Yuyin said with a smile, "Although our Great Han Kingdom is not as powerful as it used to be, it is still more than enough to defeat the tens of thousands of barbarians in front of us." Well."

"Bo Jun is so heroic." Hua Xiong glanced at him and praised: "If Master Li's estimate is correct, and Helian and Tuobafeng's 12 troops have also quietly rushed to Anding, then we will face an army of 10. In this way Speaking of which, even if Yan Liang's [-] troops reach Anding, we only have [-], and we are short of numbers in terms of numbers alone."

Yan Rou, Xian Yu Yin and the others looked at each other and smiled.

"Ziwei, what are you afraid of when there are few people?" Yan Rou laughed loudly, "We have fought more with fewer battles since the beginning of the northern border. We have never lost, and this time will be no exception."

"Ziwei, after escaping from Yicheng, you seem to have become less courageous and less murderous." Xian Yuyin joked, "We have fought behind Lord Li for several years, and it is more dangerous than this time." There are many situations, but we all won in the end. Don't worry too much, the Xianbei people will soon be defeated and flee."

"Go to bed early." Yan Rou took the fur mattress and handed it to Hua Xiong, "There is still more than 100 miles to Gaoping. If we run fast, we can arrive tomorrow night. By then, we may not have time to sleep. Also, if you die, this will be your last sleep."

===

At the north gate of Gaoping City, the torches are brightly lit, as bright as day.

A thousand fully armed Han soldiers filed out of the city gate and walked into the darkness.

Kong Chang, the prefect of Anding County, stood by the moat with a solemn expression.

After nightfall today, the school captain Qu Yi, who was going to meet the enemy outside the Great Wall, sent someone to send an emergency document, saying that the Xianbei army outside the Great Wall had increased to 12, and the [-] troops of Xianbei King Helian and Northern Xianbei Lord Tuobafeng suddenly appeared in Qingshui On the east bank of the river, it is now rapidly approaching the third pass.He asked Kong Chang to immediately evacuate the residents in the city, and at the same time send the city guards to immediately rush to Muxia Pass, which is the closest to Gaoping City, to defend against the enemy.

"My lord, I'm taking my leave." Duan Xuan, the soldier in charge, bowed and saluted, and said loudly, "I'm going to Muxia Pass. I'm here, and I won't take a step back."

Duan Xuan is more than 20 years old, with a strong figure, a long face and short beard, sharp eyebrows and big eyes, full of heroism.He is the youngest son of Duan Jiong, one of the famous generals of "Liangzhou Sanming".

Kong Chang supported Duan Xuan with both hands, patted him on the shoulder vigorously, said a few words of encouragement, and then said: "After Lord Qu Yi's cavalry army retreats into Xiao Pass, they will immediately send troops to Muxia Pass to support them."

Duan Xuan nodded, indicating that he understood what the prefect meant.

Before Qu Yi's reinforcements arrived at Muxia Pass, there were only these thousand soldiers and 200 people stationed at Muxia Pass.If the Xianbei attacked Muxia Pass first, whether Duan Xuan could lead these more than 1000 people to defend until the reinforcements came would be directly related to the safety of Gaoping City and the lives of all Han soldiers guarding Xiaoguan and Shimenguan.

"To be clear, it's not a matter of you being locked up, but that you must guard until reinforcements arrive."

Duan Xuan pulled up his clothes and fell to his knees, saluted and said: "My lord, don't worry, I swear to defend Muxia Pass to the death. Even if the battle ends, I will never let a barbarian climb the wall of Muxia Pass."

"it is good!"

"After Xia* dies, please write a letter to my mother, saying that I, Duan Xuan, didn't embarrass my father!"

====================
Li Hong led the Black Leopard Yi from the camp to travel day and night, and traveled [-] miles in three days and three nights, and finally arrived at Linjing City.

Xian Yufu's army also arrived on the same day.

Xian Yufu, Yu Shi, Hu Zi, Gao Lan and others were very happy to see Li Hong, and they got together and talked happily.

"I received His Majesty's imperial decree in Qixian County. The imperial court has given up sending troops to Xiliang to suppress the rebellion." Li Hong pointed to the map laid out on the desk and said, "After General Dong Zhuo's troops crossed the Yellow River, Go north directly to Shangjun, and then enter Beidi County from the western foot of Baiyu Mountain through the Great Wall Fortress, attack Lingzhou from behind the Xianbei people, and cut off the Xianbei people's back."

"The imperial court's idea of ​​attacking back and forth is very good." Xian Yufu praised: "In this way, as long as we guard the front line of Gaoping and Chao, and resolutely prevent Xianbei people from crossing Liupan Mountain, the rest depends on General Dong's ability."

"If General Dong's troops conquer Lingzhou and Fuping consecutively and go down along the Qingshui River, we can encircle the Xianbei people in the Gaoping area." Yushi sighed regretfully, "It's a pity that our army is too small, otherwise we can eat and kill the people of Xianbei." The 12 army of Lian." He looked up at Li Hong, and asked suspiciously, "Are you sure that Helian and Tuobafeng have arrived at Qingshui River?"

Li Hong nodded and said, "In the past few days, we can receive news from Qu Yi."

"The Taiwei's Mansion and the General's Mansion finally came up with a good solution." Gao Lan said very dissatisfied, "The Xianbei people and Chen Bing have been at the border for several months, and they didn't respond at all. Luoyang is happily living its own happy life. Now that the barbarians have invaded, they are scrambling to form troops."

"What's the use of arranging troops now?" Huzi said angrily, "Xianbei people are about to attack the pass, but we are still on the road, hundreds of miles away from the battlefield, what kind of battle is this fighting?"

"Why talk so much nonsense?" Li Hong patted the table and said with a smile, "Let's talk about how to swallow Helian in one gulp."

"My lord has a solution?" Hu Zi asked in surprise.

===

(End of this chapter)