Jin Bi, the Shou and Wei of Yanzhong were woken up from their dreams and were shocked to find Lord Xinling arriving. According to plan, they were supposed to arrive at dusk tomorrow.
Jin Bi welcomed Lord Xinling and his entourage into the city, looked at an empty space where no one else was paying attention, and quietly asked Lord Xinling, who was still dressed as a driver: "What happened?"
Lord Xinling replied calmly: "It's nothing, it's just hard work for the king."
Jin Bi was suspicious for a while, then let it go.
The city is essentially just a defensive castle with no residents, but there are many business hotels and hotels in the city. When Jin Bi came at night, he had already negotiated with the guards and lieutenants of the central government to book all these rebels as a place for Lord Xinling and his retainers to stay. However, Lord Xinling's arrival late at night still caused the owners of the guest houses to bark and become confused.
Amidst all the hustle and bustle, there was a quiet place, which was the room where Mang Shen stayed. When Mang Shen heard that it was Lord Xinling, he did not dare to neglect and hurriedly welcomed him in. He invited him to sit at the top, while he and Jin Bi sat at the bottom.
After exchanging a few words, Lord Xinling asked Mang Shen: "You are in the army, how is the military situation?"
Mang Shen said: "The day before yesterday, the vanguard arrived at Beimang and suddenly found the Qin army stationed at the foot of Beimang Mountain. The vanguard immediately went down to the stronghold. However, the Qin army suddenly came out and the vanguard was defeated and immediately collapsed. The defeated troops returned to Xingyang to report, and my father The entire army was ordered to stand ready. The Qin army saw that our army was well organized and did not dare to invade that day. My father immediately ordered his ministers to go to Daliang to report the emergency. We made plans to withdraw the troops that night."
Lord Xinling had a surprised look in his eyes and asked, "The losses are not big, why do we need to withdraw our troops?"
Mang Shen replied: "Young Master Mingjian, our army was originally marching to attack the border town. Suddenly we were attacked by a powerful enemy. We were unprepared, and our troops, food and weapons were not suitable for us. Therefore, we decided to temporarily avoid the attack and report to the king urgently. We will wait for the king's order. Next, I have a complete army to fight the enemy decisively."
Lord Xinling showed a look of sudden realization: "General Mang suddenly encountered a powerful enemy and was as motionless as a mountain. Wuji was convinced. May I ask where you can meet the general again?"
Mang Shen replied: "The army encountered the enemy, and its progress and whereabouts are unknown. My father has made it clear that as the king orders, I will search along the line from Guancheng to Xingyang, and I will not miss anything!"
Lord Xinling said: "In this case, I will set off with you at dawn and rush to the army."
Mang Shen was shocked: "Young master, you want to go with us? No! The army is still retreating, and it is very dangerous. Please wait until the army is settled before going."
Jin Bi also interjected: "Young master, please don't. Our army is not yet stable, and the Qin army can attack at any time. We cannot risk our lives with a body of thousands of gold."
Lord Xinling said: "When the king sees the mission, he dares to do it even with life and death. It's just a burden on the two ministers to work hard."
At this point, the two of them couldn't say anything else, so they could only bow: "Don't you dare not do your best!"
Lord Xinling said: "We will set off early tomorrow morning. Mang Qing will lead the way and we will go straight to the camp."
Mang Shen said: "Young Master does not shy away from danger, I am very grateful for it. But it is too hasty to set off early tomorrow morning. Firstly, the Young Master and his disciples are tired, and secondly, I don't know where the army is now. I have something to say, please listen carefully: I Immediately leave the city, travel day and night, and report back to the general, who will definitely send someone to greet you. In just two days, the young master will be able to reach the army."
Lord Xinling felt a trace of uneasiness in his heart and said: "The second day is still a bit late... If Mang Qing arrives at the military camp and there is a postman to deliver the news... yes, use a postman!"
Lord Xinling turned to Jin Bi: "It should be possible for five postmen to relay the message. We can go all the way without spending too much military power."
So Zheng Anping and his party set off.
Jin Bi returned to Luni and informed Lord Xinling that Mang Shen and the five postmen had already set off. Lord Xinling thanked him and Jin Bi went back to rest.
Lord Xinling watched Jin Bi walk out of the courtyard, turned back to the hall, raised his head, and looked up at the waning moon in the sky.
When we were crossing the bridge just now, an arrow hit the horse of the flag and drum chariot, which almost frightened the flag and drum chariot. Fortunately, Xiahou had quick eyesight and quick hands, and he untied the horse's belt. The horse that was hit by the arrow ran away quickly, carrying all the harness and an arrow with it. Other cars were not affected.
A dozen people got out of the car and searched for about two miles. They only found a crossbow and a bag of arrows by the river. Their owners had disappeared. Zhang Zou was afraid of long nights and many dreams, so he did not dare to stay for a long time, so he had to rush to the prison first and then explain.
At this time, Zhang Ye, who was hiding in the room, walked out quietly, holding the crossbow and arrows he found by the river: "The head of the arrowhead has three edges, weighs six taels, without wings, and the five arrows are of the same shape. They are from Qin Dynasty." There is no doubt about the arrow.”
Lord Xinling still took the lead to look at the moon and said calmly: "The Qin army has already penetrated here?!"
The two looked at each other with uneasiness in their eyes.
Not long after, Lord Xinling could already see the military camp in the distance.
Lord Xinling used his legs to stabilize his body, took out a wooden box from a brocade bag hanging on his belt, opened it, and took out a copper festival decorated with a mink on one end, which is called "King's Festival". , is the highest level "pass". Lord Xinling took Zheng Anping's halberd from the carriage and thrust the head downwards. Under the momentum of the carriage, the halberd broke off. Lord Xinling put the knot on the half-cut halberd pole, which was just right.
The military camp was formed into camps by randomly picked dead branches. Under the guidance of the soldier commander, Lord Xinling advanced zigzag around the camp. In each camp, the soldiers slept around the fire. The soldiers on guard saw that the car was not approaching, but also saw Wang Jie with a masthead on the car, so they all watched from a distance. Under the guidance of the soldier commander, Jin Bi followed the twists and turns of the military camp and entered the depths of the military camp.
This camp deep in the army was located by a pond. There was a large tree in the middle of the camp, surrounded by grain and grass carts. It was completely different from the previous camps that were only divided by dead branches.
Jin Bi parked the car at the gate of the camp. A chaste messenger rushed over. The pawn commander in the car immediately jumped out of the car, walked up to him and said, "Here we come!"
The messenger put his finger into his mouth, blew three sharp whistles, then stepped forward, took the carriage, and guided it inside. A man dressed as a soldier walked out of the tent, with a high crown on his head, showing his status.
Seeing the general approaching, Lord Xinling said loudly: "General Mangmao, your Majesty, please help me!"
The general looked up and recognized Lord Xinling, and said in surprise: "Sir!? It's you!"
Lord Xinling said again: "Your Majesty, please help me!"
Only then did Mang Mao come back to his senses and hurriedly bowed: "Thank you, Your Majesty!" He stepped forward, took the reins from Jin Bi's hand, and led the carriage into the camp.
Arriving in front of the big tent, Mang Mao turned around and bowed again: "Please stop the king's envoy!" Lord Xinling and Jin Bi got out of the car and followed Mang Mao into the big tent. Some warriors had already come over and pulled the carriage aside, unloaded the horses, and prepared fodder.
After entering the tent, Lord Xinling took out half of the military talisman from his arms and handed it to Mang Mao. Mang Mao was a little surprised, and hesitantly took out half of the military talisman from a bag beside him. The two matched each other and fit perfectly.
Mang Mao smiled bitterly and said: "It turns out that the young master is here to replace me, and I am about to apologize to the king!"
Lord Xinling said: "The general has spoken. The Qin army will arrive at Daliang City soon, and the king lacks wise men. In this time of crisis, the king looks to the general as he looks to the sweet rain."
Mang Mao said: "How dare I! Master, please sit down!"
The three of them sat down at the same table. A warrior brought out a jar of wine. Mang Mao scooped out a bowl for Lord Xinling and Jin Bi, and he also took a bowl for himself.
Lord Xinling looked at Mang Mao, with admiration flashing in his eyes, and asked: "Wuji passed by the military camp and saw that the troops were in order and the flags were not in disorder. He was very surprised. The so-called 'Those who are good at losing will not be in disorder', Rare in the world!"
Mangmao knew that Lord Xinling said that he had suffered a defeat, and sighed: "I have been ordered by the king to lead the army on the expedition. The king regards Xingyang as an important place, which is enough to prove it, so he ordered the troops to gather in Xingyang first. Unexpectedly, as soon as the front army launched, they Encountering a strong enemy, I reached the top of the mountain. I have no way to lead the army, and I will die a hundred times without redemption!"
Lord Xinling said: "Wuji is young and cannot conduct military strategy. I hope the general will know more about it!"
Mang Mao said: "My lord, you have a clear warning. The day before yesterday, I ordered my troops at Mao hour. After dinner at Chen hour, the front army went ahead. The rest of the army was reorganized in Xingyang city in preparation for advancing in the afternoon. But at nearly noon, the front army came to report from the north. The Qin army appeared at the foot of Mang. The front army did not dare to advance further and prepared to camp on the spot. Upon hearing this report, the minister immediately ordered the entire army to gather up and go out of the city to form an array. As soon as the formation was completed, the front army reported that the Qin army had launched an attack. After a while, reports were sent continuously that our army could no longer support it and was already in disarray. Alas, alas..."
