On July 23, Tuoba Si, the leader of Wei, returned to Pingcheng with 100,000 troops after having a great time hunting.
On July 25, 60,000 Wei troops went to Ji County, Ji County, and 20,000 troops marched westward to Yewang City in Hanoi. Tuoba Si issued an order to Shouguang Hou Shusun Jian in Ji County and Nanping Duke Sun Song in Yewang City, asking them to act accordingly and attack the Jin Kingdom.
In Linqiu City, the seat of Yanzhou, the governor Mao Xiuzhi learned of the news that the Wei army was approaching the border, and discussed countermeasures with Sima Qike.
Qi Ke pointed at the map and said: "The Wei army has tens of thousands of soldiers and horses in Ji County. They can attack Chenggao Pass and Xingyang to the southwest. Chenggao Pass is steep. Wang Huilong, the prefect of Xingyang, once defeated the Wei army. He is indispensable to guard the front line of Xingyang." worry."
With his finger pointing eastward along the Yellow River, he stopped at the Yanjin Ferry. Qi Ke said with some concern: "The Yanjin front line is thin with troops and horses. I foolishly thought that the Wei army might move south from the Yanjin area (today's northwest Yanjin to Huaxian area). .”
Mao Xiuzhi nodded and said: "Don't worry about Xingyang. You rush to Wenshijin and Baimajin immediately to guard Baima (where Guan Yu killed Yan Liang) and Yanxian (now northeast of Yanjin County, Xinxiang, Henan). You can't let the Wei army pass through Yanjin." Down the river."
Liu Yu defeated Zhu Lingshi, and Mao Xiuzhi sent Yan Gang to lead his army to support him. Yanzhou recruited a large number of troops; Liu Yu surrounded Suiyang, and Mao Xiuzhi sent 16,000 newly recruited troops to Jishi, Shanfu, and Chengwu. Waiting for defense, most of Yanzhou's troops went south, and the remaining available troops were no more than 10,000, and most of them were newly recruited soldiers.
Mao Xiu said: "General Qi, Yanzhou's troops are limited and can only allow you to bring 3,000 people. However, Yu has urgently reported reinforcements to the lord a few days ago. General Qi only needs to hold on for more than a month. I believe the reinforcements will arrive." xь .
Qi Ke smiled bitterly. There were as many as 80,000 Wei troops in Ji County, and there were many ferries in the Yanjin section (1). However, the garrison at Wenshi and Baima crossings was only more than 2,000 people. With just this number of troops, they still had to defend separately. Many places, stretched thin.
Mao Xiuzhi also knew that Qi Ke was in trouble, and sighed: "The Wei army has no boats, so it is not easy to cross the river. Zihong can recruit troops on the spot and build more fortifications at the ferry. In case of failure, the priority is to protect himself, and do all the personnel, Just listen to fate, I believe the lord will not blame you."
On August 8, 60,000 troops arrived in Ji County. Shouguang Marquis Shusun Jian sent Zhenyuan General Yu Lihui to lead 20,000 troops to Liyangjin to set up camp, build fortifications, and collect ships to prepare for crossing the river.
There are many ferries in the Yanjin section of the Yellow River, with Baimajin being the largest. On the other side of the river from Baimajin is Liyangjin. Puyang Que City is only about twenty miles away from Baima Ferry. On weekdays, there are many sails and boats and cars at the ferry crossing. There are bustling people speaking southern and northern accents, and there is an endless stream of merchants coming and going.
When Qi Ke led his army to Baima Crossing, there were no ships on the river. The Wei army had arrived at Liyangjin. Standing on the south bank, one could even see the officers and soldiers of the Wei army galloping back and forth on the other side.
It seemed that the Wei army was preparing to cross the river from the white horse. Qi Ke glanced at the soldiers around him, and most of them looked timid.
Qi Ke raised his whip and pointed at the other side, laughing loudly and saying: "In the past, Emperor Wu of Wei defeated Yuan Shao's army here. This place is contaminated by Emperor Wu's heroic spirit. We will definitely be able to defeat the Wei army here and defend our rivers and mountains."
The morale of the soldiers was slightly improved, and Qi Ke took advantage of the heat to hit the railway: "Brothers, the barbarian cavalry is going south, and the lives of the people are in ruins. Behind us are our fathers and families. Only by sacrificing our lives to resist can we keep our families safe. Don't worry, brothers, Yonggong has sent a large army to help. , it won’t be long before it arrives.”
Many of these soldiers' families had suffered from the Wuhu Rebellion, and many of them fled from the north of the Yellow River to Yanzhou. Their parents even experienced the days of displacement themselves. After Yonggong ruled the land of Si Yan, they gradually settled down and lived a life of food and clothing for a few days.
Qi Ke's words resonated with everyone. It was just so that their families could live a stable life that Yonggong called for a large-scale military recruitment. These young men and women were recruited into the army, and they received strong support from their families.
Seeing the excitement on the faces of the soldiers, Qi Ke raised his whip and shouted: "For the safety of my father and family, how can I be afraid of fighting to the death?"
A man next to him asked loudly: "General Qi, I heard that my lord is building a hero's grave and erecting a monument for the fallen soldiers in Yanshi City. I wonder if this is the case."
Qi Ke responded loudly: "Yes, Yu also accompanied Yong Gong to pay homage. Yu is willing to enter the Tomb of Heroes with you and share the fireworks of future generations."
"Fight to the death, fight to the death", the roars gathered in one place, and along with the roar of the Yellow River, they stirred in the sky.
between the ground.
Sanqianerlang, now in high spirits, looks forward to death.
After learning that Yong's army was building fortifications in Baimajin, Yu Lixi brought his personal guards to watch the enemy. Liyangjin and Baimajin face each other across the river, which is no more than a thousand paces wide (2). The afternoon sun is shining brightly, and the sight is excellent. You can clearly see that the embankment on the other side is being reinforced, tamping platforms are being built, and arrow towers are rising one after another, like Lin Li.
Yu Lixi asked: "How many ships have been collected?"
The quartermaster responded: "There are only twenty-seven merchant ships and more than a hundred large and small fishing boats. When the ships on the river heard about the arrival of the army, they all avoided it early. These ships were searched by the men from within a hundred miles radius."
Yu Lixi frowned. This boat could only transport at most three thousand people across the river at one time. If it wanted to transport war horses, it would be at most a thousand. Seeing how heavily guarded the other side was, if only a thousand people crossed the river, it would be equivalent to death.
"How many rafts have been prepared? Using all the rafts sent by Shouguang Hou a few days ago, how many people can be ferried across the river at one time?" Yu Lixi asked. He planned to let the merchant ships load the horses, and the soldiers would take fishing boats. Crossing the river with a raft.
"There are five hundred rafts, but only a few hundred people who can operate the rafts."
Yu Lixi watched the Yellow River roar. Unfortunately, the Wei people were not good at boating, and the Jin people could defend the river with a small number of troops. In the past, crossing the river usually had to wait until winter, when reeds were scattered on the river and ice grass combined to form floating beams, so that the river could be crossed smoothly.
At present, the Jin people are engaged in civil war between Song and Yong, and the land of Siyan is empty. If we wait until winter, when the Jin people are free to cross the river, the casualties of the sons will be greatly increased.
Riding his horse towards the camp, Yu Lixi thought that Shouguang Hou had sent people to tell him secretly that he had sent agents to lurk in the city of Puyang (today's Puyang site moved north), and asked him to send people to wait for news near Weisujin. If news is sent from the other side, Puyang City can be captured by crossing the river from Weisujin.
Weisujin is on the edge of Puyang City, only about 40 miles away from Baimajin on the waterway. It can be reached in about two quarters of an hour by going down the river. Puyang City is the seat of Puyang County. There are two thousand soldiers and horses stationed in the city, which can support the ferry at any time. Therefore, at first, the Wei army chose Baima Jin as their breakthrough point.
Puyang, the administrative seat of Puyang County, where the Jin Dynasty and the Wei Dynasty formed an alliance and set up a market.
Queshi is located in the southeast of Puyang City, covering an area of dozens of acres. It is subdivided into multiple markets such as cattle, horse and tea markets. Wei people transported cattle, sheep, furs and other items from the north bank, and purchased tea, silk and other items. Since the opening of the market more than a year ago, trade has become increasingly prosperous. In the cattle and sheep market alone, hundreds of cattle and nearly a thousand sheep are traded every day.
The shops used for trading in the market were narrow, so wealthy merchants built houses near the market for convenience. Restaurants and brothels also came into being. Within a year, the market became a lively place, not only for merchants, but also for merchants. Even the people from Puyang City and nearby areas often come to visit the city.
The Wei people transported cattle and sheep to the south, often in numbers of up to 10,000, and naturally had many people to take care of them. Sixty or seventy people were common, and the largest merchant had more than 200 people under his care.
The largest Wei businessman in Niuma City was named Li Kai, who was born in Zhaojun. The Li family in Zhaojun was also a famous family. His ancestors were officials in Later Yan, and later Wei destroyed Yan. There were many officials of the Li family in Wei.
With the help of his family's power, Li Wei ran a cattle and sheep business in Gue City. Originally, horses were prohibited from trading in the Wei State, so Li Wei smuggled some from time to time by escorting the horses he rode. Xiu Shuzhu
After giving two good horses to Puyang County Sima Chen An, Li Kai became more and more knowledgeable. In addition, he was generous and easy to make friends. From the government officials, the city magistrate to the merchants in the same market, all the merchants were familiar with Li Dalang. Make good friends.
Li Wei bought a large house with a total of 500 square meters in Puyang City. The house was often full of guests. When it was nearly midnight, Li Kai saw off his guests. Under the red lanterns, everyone's face was glowing and they were full of alcohol.
Back in the study, Li Bo washed his face and drank the sobering soup. The attendant at the side reported, "Guard Yao said he had something to see Da Lang."
Li Kai nodded and said, "Go and ask him to come."
With little effort, a strong man came in and saluted Li Kai. When the attendant came out and stood waiting in front of the door, Li Kai stood up and cupped his hands and said, "General Yao, what are your orders?"
Li Kai was called a merchant, but he was actually a spy sent by the Wei State to the Jin State. He used the opportunity to inquire about the market to find out the news. The Yao guard was a powerful general of the Wei State, and most of the guards under Li Kai were elite soldiers of the Wei State.
Yao Deng said in a dull voice: "
Counselor Li and Shouguang Hou ordered General Yu to set up camp in Liyangjin and will soon cross the river and go south. Marquis Shouguang ordered us to look for opportunities to seize Puyang City, capture Weisujin, and lead the general across the river. "
Li Kai muttered: "There are two thousand Yong soldiers in Puyang City. Chen An is also a brave general and runs the army very strictly. Tonight, Yu originally wanted to invite him to a banquet, but he was rejected. To capture Puyang City, he only needs those two hundred soldiers. It’s hard to be a son.”
Yao Deng thought for a while and suggested: "There are many of our tribesmen in the cattle and sheep market. If we can persuade them to join forces, there will be four to five hundred people in total. With careful planning, we should have a good chance."
Li Kai nodded and said: "Life is nothing but pursuit of fame and fortune. If we can capture Puyang City, Long Live will definitely reward you based on your merits. It is much better than doing business. I guess it will not be difficult to persuade them."
Yao Deng's eyes flashed with a stern expression, and he said: "In the past few days, we have gradually let the sons and daughters live in the city, looking for opportunities to kill Chen An and control Governor Deng. Xiao used the advantages to make him order his surrender."
"Chen An is a cautious man. He is usually with soldiers. It is not easy to find opportunities to kill him." Li Kai frowned.
Yao Deng said: "Chen An likes good horses. Counselor Li might as well give the red flame horse to Chen An, and then invite him to a banquet in the mansion to find an opportunity to kill him."
Li Kai's eyes flashed with reluctance. The red flame horse was a rare BMW, and he regarded it as a treasure.
Yao Deng said with a smile: "Kill Chen An and capture Puyang City. This horse has come again. If you can capture Puyang City, Shouguang Hou will definitely ask your Majesty for your credit. Maybe your Majesty will grant you a title. Compared to What’s the next BMW?”
Li Kai was persuaded and said, "General Yao is right. Tomorrow I will lead my horse to find Chen An."
"The two hundred city soldiers in the market cannot be ignored. The Supervisory Department will come to inspect every now and then. Be careful not to let him see any flaws." Yao Deng was often scolded by the city soldiers and said coldly: "After we capture Puyang City, we must kill all these nasty city soldiers."
Quechang was a place of trade in the Jin and Wei dynasties, with mixed personnel, so it was naturally the focus of the Department of Commercial Affairs. There were twelve spies of the Department of Commerce in Puyang Gue City, and Li Wei and others were circling around, thinking they had done something. Hidden, but he didn't know that he had been watched by secret guards for a long time.
It is the cicada that wakes up before the golden wind moves, plotting against the impermanence and dying without knowing it.
"Note (1): There are Wenshijin, Xijin, Yanshoujin, Baimajin and other Yellow River crossings in Huaxian County, among which Baimajin is the largest and most important. In the article, Qi Ke is stationed at Baimajin, so naturally the ferries in this area are included within defense range.
(2): The width of the Baimajin River section is the author’s imagination. After consulting the data, I learned that the Yellow River is 1,500 meters wide at its widest point and 300 meters at its narrowest point. The water in the narrow place is very fast. As a large ferry, Baimjin should have a stable flow of water. I was anxious, so I imagined it was more than two miles wide. "
