Mang Mao called Mang Shen and ordered: "First, lead a battalion of soldiers to patrol the old city, and set up camp in a friendly place." Mang Shen agreed, took the order, and left with the five hundred soldiers from the middle camp.
The camp fell silent. Mang Mao, Xin Lingjun and Jin Bi sat across from each other and chatted for a while. Lord Xinling asked: "The army has moved out of camp, but the place has become quiet. General, can you teach me something?"
Mang Mao said: "This is all due to the fact that I am in charge of the guest Xiaojian. I appoint him as the camp governor and hand over all the affairs to him, so I have to take some time off. Otherwise, we would be busy here!"
While chatting, from time to time, commanders of the Chinese army's battalions came to report, but the two armies in front and behind may still be on the way due to the long distance. Mang Mao said: "When all the commanders of the army arrive, we will go to Guancheng."
At this time, soldiers outside the tent suddenly came in and reported: "General Mangshen sent someone to report!"
Mang Mao said: "Pass it in!"
Immediately, a soldier came in and reported eloquently: "The left rear guard camp of the Chinese army ascended to Fusan first to pay homage to the general." He raised a talisman at the same time.
Mang Mao glanced at it and recognized that it was from him, and asked: "What did you find? Tell me from the truth!"
"After first logging into the abandoned city, I saw new pedestrian footprints and some blood stains on the streets. After searching for traces, I found traces of people in a broken courtyard, but they had left and disappeared. Judging from the traces on the ground, it was Five people, one of whom was injured.”
"Has it been searched thoroughly?"
"When the young general saw that things had changed, he first ordered Fu San to return to the camp and report to the general. When Fu San left, he was still searching."
"Okay, you order Mang Shen to search carefully and not to allow spies to take advantage of him. I will go there immediately."
After Fu San went out, Mang Mao turned to Lord Xinling and Jin Bi and said, "It seems that we can't wait until the commanders of the front and rear armies arrive. Let's take the Zhongwei battalion there first."
It is less than ten miles from the Chinese army's camp to the abandoned city. The Zhongwei camp pulled out its troops and raised their troops. The soldiers marched in order, and the chariots and battles were in the middle. Lord Xinling still used Mang Mao as the driver and Jin Bi as the right driver, advancing slowly in the chariot battle. The light cars of the battalion commander and other officers, as well as the light cars of the military envoys, followed in order.
The normal march was much slower than the patrol camp. By the time Mang Mao and others arrived at Guancheng Abandoned City, the sun had already risen very high. Mang Shen had received a notice from Fu San and learned that Lord Xinling and others were arriving first with the Zhongwei camp and were already waiting at the north gate of the city to greet them. Lord Xinling and the other three people got out of the car, led by Mang Shen, and walked towards the city while listening to Mang Shen report the scene at that time:
"The camp entered the city from the west, north and south, and agreed to call us with the bugle when something happened. Shortly after entering the city, the bugle sounded at the south gate. I immediately led people to go there, and saw footprints and dots of blood on the south gate. The blood color had darkened, it should be We entered the city at night. We first followed the footsteps and arrived at a courtyard. There was a fire in the courtyard. Carefully identifying the traces, it seemed that five people were warming themselves by the fire and resting in the courtyard. When we entered, they had all retreated. "
Lord Xinling asked: "Are the footprints and blood stains still there?"
Mang Shen replied: "There are hundreds of soldiers who are pursuing them. They were trampled and trampled to the point where they are no longer distinguishable. In addition, the branch camps have been set up and every place has been cleaned. The traces can no longer be seen."
Mang Mao cursed: "Ignorance! How can the traces of the spies not be preserved? It's so shameful to act recklessly! Where did the spies retreat from?"
Mang Shen quickly said: "Mang Shen is ignorant. This group of people crossed a short wall and their footprints disappeared. It seems that they went eastward."
Mang Mao asked: "Have you seen clearly who these people are?"
Mang Shen replied: "We don't know yet. But in a group of five people, we have to be careful not to be Qin spies."
Lord Xinling suddenly asked: "The one who went to pick up Wuji outside the city last night is a soldier in this camp?"
Mang Shen replied: "It is the guard soldiers in the rear guard camp."
Lord Xinling nodded noncommittally and fell silent again.
Guancheng is very big. When you climb up the city wall, you can only vaguely see the dilapidated city gate on the opposite side.
Mang Mao shook his head: "Don't let a few spies dazzle us. Have the city walls and buildings in the city been surveyed?"
At this time, a man dressed as a scholar next to Mang Shen took out a piece of wood from his arms and reported: "The city is five to ten miles away, totaling nine thousand feet, and one person is five feet away. If we add the surplus, we will need about two thousand people. Four camps can be mobilized. Build a city wall. Dig a trench outside the city and take soil to reinforce it."
Mang Mao said: "The city gate is very dilapidated, so we need to add another battalion to repair the city gate. There are five battalions in total to repair the city. Add another battalion to repair the buildings. There are three schools here. The other two schools have other places to use. , first follow the army to the city and take orders at any time."
"Yes!" Mang Shen saluted and stepped back.
Mangmao said to Lord Xinling: "It seems that the Qin army has also set its sights on that unknown city and may have gone there. I led the rear guard battalion to rush to the city to clean up. One battalion was left to guard the young master, led by Jin Bi. Take charge. How about that?”
Lord Xinling said: "Having verified the festival talisman, there is no reason to retreat! Although Wuji is young and ignorant, I hope the general will not give up!"
Mang Mao said: "No one dares to stop the young master. This city has been unconquered and naturalized for a long time. Dragons and snakes are mixed in the city, so accidents are inevitable. The young master's body is not suitable for adventure!"
Lord Xinling said: "Since you have given yourself to the country, how dare you take refuge and fear danger. I really hope that the general will not give up!"
Mang Mao said: "Young Master said this, wait until the Death Battalion comes up and advance together with the three battalions of the Zhongwei Battalion to ensure that the Young Master is safe."
Lord Xinling said: "Is this necessary? Won't it delay the pursuit of the spy?"
Mang Mao said: "There is no trace of the spies and it is very difficult to trace them. Besides, we don't need a large army to track down spies. We only need a few soldiers."
Lord Xinling said: "It's just a city. It's okay to have a central guard camp to accompany you!"
Mang Mao said: "No. Although the city is small, there are hundreds of thousands of households, old and strong, women and children, no less than 10,000 people. If 500 people go in, they will disappear like salt in water. It's okay if you obey, otherwise, you can escape intact. That’s right. Thousands of people will have to fight to the death to arrive, and then it will be enough.”
Lord Xinling could only nod his head and said: "Just follow General!"
Mang Shen said: "Master, please rest your horse for a while while I take care of some trivial matters at this time!"
Lord Xinling said: "Wuji is about to teach the general Xiongcai!"
Mang Mao said: "How dare I! In this case, please move the young master!" He turned to Mang Shen and said: "Let the young master come to the command tent!"
Mang Shen then led the way and took the group to a tall terrace in the city. There were three levels of steps here. It seemed to be a palace, but the house no longer existed. After the Zhongwei battalion arrived, it has taken over the place. Currently, there are soldiers guarding the three levels. Lord Xinling and his party walked up the broken steps. The steps were very flat. Due to the dense rammed earth, there was no grass growing on it. Only the huge foundation showed its former glory. Lord Xinling and his party of more than a hundred people only occupied a small part of them.
After Mang Mao arrived here, he ordered to the commander of the Zhongwei Camp:
"Send military envoys to urge the Death Battalion to come over as soon as possible. There is no need to wait for the chariots and battles to arrive."
"Send military envoys to urge the rear army to move to the right, and send one school ahead, each with digging tools, to build the city below Guancheng."
"Send military envoys..."
Mang Mao gave orders one after another. Every time a pass was made, the Zhongwei Battalion Division responded, and a military envoy immediately stepped down and drove away.
