The plank road extended for five miles and came to a source of Baoshui River. Everyone used local materials here and repaired the plank road on the hillside beside Baoshui River.
Different from the inclined valley, the Bao Valley is longer, with more cliffs on both sides and harder rocks. If there were no holes drilled in the past, it would be very difficult to drill holes in the stone wall now. There is a gentle place to rest every few miles in the sloping valley. When you enter Bao Valley, you will find both a wide valley and steep cliffs that stretch for dozens of miles. In a place like this, there is almost no other choice but to come back and rest every day. The time spent on the road is longer than the construction time. The most difficult thing is that there are no human beings along the way, only wild animals roam. All supplies must be sent in from the inclined valley and along the repaired plank road.
Zhang Lu racked his brains but couldn't think of a way to shorten the time spent on the road. The second month was over. The prisoners returned along the repaired plank road. A team of 10,000 people lined up in a column, which was about ten miles long from the beginning to the end of the team. They walked for three days before they walked out of the Xie Valley and boarded a boat to return to Xianyang. The first batch of prisoners who were under construction last month reappeared at the entrance of Xiegu after filling the gap. Although Zhang Lu and others could not come up with a better solution, they had to take them for three days and return to the construction site.
This hasn’t gone very far yet! If we cultivate to a distance of five hundred miles, how can we complete the rotation? How can supplies be maintained? How can communications to the base be maintained?
On this day, Zheng Anping couldn't help but ask: "My lord, what are you thinking about without raising your eyebrows?"
Zhang Lu said: "The army has entered a strategic area and it is difficult to provide support. What can I do?"
Zheng Anping found that this was not what he was good at at all, so he had to thank him: "This is beyond my knowledge. But what do you mean, my lord?"
Zhang Lu said: "The way is before the road, just like the army is before the army. The old soldiers are tired, but the food and fodder are behind. If we advance, we will be unable to do so, and if we retreat, we will have no way out. What can we do?"
Zheng Anping said: "That's not true. The road ahead is smooth and there is endless support. How can it be that there is no way forward or retreat?"
Zhang Lu said: "The Baoxie Road was five hundred miles long, but today it is still less than a hundred miles long. It passes by cliffs. If you are stationed under a fortified city, there will be no way forward and no success if you retreat."
Zheng Anping said: "If you station your troops under a strong city and attack it at all times, you will definitely be defeated."
Zhang Lu said: "Now we have traveled a hundred miles, and we will still have support. If we travel five hundred miles to Baogu Valley, where will our support continue?"
Zheng Anping said: "Lord, why did you miss the plan? It's five hundred miles to Baogu, why bother transporting grain across the valley? Since Baogu has been transported!"
Zhang Lu's eyes lit up and he said: "Where can I get the good grain? Can I get the grain?"
Zheng Anping said: "I am not familiar with geography. To measure it with emotion is to waste the people's efforts and the minister's money. If you dig a plank road of five hundred miles, there will be huge benefits. The benefit is only to connect the two valleys of Baoxie. Xiexie. The valley leads to Xianyang, and the Baogu Valley leads to Shu. Its wealth and common people are also equal to those of Xianyang, so we will benefit from it!"
Zhang Ludao: "Anping's words will enlighten me. I would like Anping to invite Mr. You to come."
Zheng Anping knew Mr. Cheyou and knew that he was a disciple of Mangmao. When he arrived in Qin, he changed his name to Mr. You incognito and told Zheng Anping. Zheng Anping immediately called for Mr. Che You. Zhang Lu asked: "Sir, do you know where Baogu Valley leads to? Can it be used as a source of great military resources?"
Mr. Che You said: "I heard that Bao Xianggu leads to Qin and Shu, and the Xie Valley is in Qin. It doesn't matter. Bao Gu Valley must lead to Shu. Where it is in Shu is really unknown."
Zhang Lu said: "It is more than five hundred miles from Xiegu to Baoxie Valley. There are few people and transportation is difficult. If you only rely on Xiegu to transport grain and fodder, you will have difficulties. In my opinion, if Baoxie can go both ways, it will be helpful. That’s it!”
Mr. Cheyou made some calculations and said: "There is something that can be done! Sima Jin, who is riding in the company, is from Qin. He may know about the Baogu Valley. Please consult him!"
The prisoner's camp is now located next to an empty river valley, ten miles away from the construction site. For dozens of miles from here, there are cliffs, making it difficult to find a place to camp. Ten thousand people have set up twenty camps, and Zhang Lu's camp is in the center. Sima Jin has his own camp of 500 people, and he has set up his own battalion, which is nearby. Zheng Anping came to the camp to invite him, and Sima Jinzheng and Gai Nie had a great time fighting swordsmanship. Seeing Zheng Anping coming to invite him, he quickly ended the sword fight, changed his clothes, and brought Gai Nie back with Zheng Anping. On the way, Sima Jin asked: "What is the reason for the guest summoning me?"
Zheng Anping said: "My lord is not familiar with the geography of praise and obedience, so I would like to consult him and give him a public seat!"
Sima Jin smiled and said: "If you talk about others, I may not know about it; if you praise the geography of Baoxie Dao, I may have some knowledge about it with my ancestors and fathers."
When they arrived at Zhang Lu's tent, Zheng Anping announced outside. Zhang Lu and Mr. Che You came out to welcome him, went into the tent, and after the ceremony, the guests and hosts sat opposite each other, with Zheng Anping sitting at the bottom.
Zhang Lu said: "As the plank road goes forward, it gradually moves away from the sloping valley, and the grain road becomes further and further away, making it difficult for backup. The public chariot has been in the camp for a long time, and there must be someone to teach me."
Sima Jin said: "It's only a hundred miles, and it's not hard work to carry food. However, there are few people along the way, and it will be difficult to set up camp. If it rains or snows, some people will die of illness."
Zhang Lu said: "The Baoxie Road is five hundred miles long. To transport grain for thousands of miles, it is difficult to get there at least twenty times, and it is difficult to help. Moreover, it is five hundred miles long, and it is difficult to reach it in one month, and it is difficult to build it!"
Sima Jin didn't know what Zhang Lu meant, so he said: "Don't worry, Qing Zhang! Once Zhang Qing has an order, I will follow the orders of the soldiers and do my best to carry them out, and there will be no rest until death!"
Zhang Lu said: "That's not true. I have an idea, but I don't know the geography, so I want to ask for advice."
Sima Jin said: "If you have something to ask, I will not dare to hide what I know."
Zhang Lu said: "Where is Shu from where Baogu Valley comes from? Are there any Qin officials?"
Sima Jin smiled when he heard this and said: "The Baogu Valley is connected to the Qin Dynasty. If it is not the case, why build Baoxie?"
Zhang Lu said: "Where does it lead?"
Sima Jin said: "The place it is connected to is called Nanzheng, and it is governed by Hanzhong."
Zhang Lu said: "Please tell me about the affairs of Hanzhong and Nanzheng."
Sima Jinli understood his thoughts and said: "Those who lost Nanzheng may have lost their country in Yunzheng and ran south here, hence the name. In the 26th year of Li Gonggong's reign, Qin City was in Nanzheng for two hundred years. But Nanzheng , Xianyang, the mountains and rivers were repaired, and the rebellion was subdued. In the ninth year of the first Gengyuan year of King Huiwen, the ministers and ancestors mistakenly led troops to attack Shu, and Nanzheng returned. In the thirteenth year, Qin defeated Chu Danyang, beheaded 80,000 people, and captured Chu-Hanzhong. It combines Nanzheng and Hanzhong into Hanzhong County and governs Nanzheng. After leaving Baogu Valley, it enters Nanzheng, and the Hanzhong County is here. It leads to Nanzheng and exits Jinniu Road, which is Shu County. "
Zhang Lu was overjoyed when he heard this and said: "How can I know if I am in public chariot? I ordered my ancestors to go to Nanzheng and Shu, and the road is clear. Now that public chariot can follow the path of our ancestors, it is also filial!"
Sima Jin said: "Since Zhang Qing knows the geography of Hanzhong, what strategy should he take to pass it?"
Zhang Lu said: "I would like to send the disciples of Nanzheng from south to north to meet me on the road, is that okay?"
Sima Jin said: "If you get the military talisman of King Qin, you will have nothing to worry about."
Zhang Lu saluted and said: "I am tired of traveling on public service, how can I bear it! I should invite the king, or if I should disturb the public transport again, please don't say goodbye!"
Sima Jin said: "If there is an order, how can I dare to resign? The two of them bowed respectfully and left. When leaving, Sima Jin did not forget to play swordsmanship with Gai Nie.
Zhang Lu didn't dare to neglect, so he added some firewood to the bonfire and wrote a letter by the flickering light of the fire. He sealed it and gave it to Zheng Anping, asking him to leave the valley as soon as possible tomorrow and leave it to the guard in Xi County. Wang Ji. Zheng Anping stayed in Yi County to assist Wang Ji in his affairs. If Wang Ji needed anything, he would report to him immediately.
When Zheng Anping knew that his suggestion had been adopted, he was naturally very happy and almost couldn't sleep at night. After dawn, we ate breakfast in a hurry, immediately stepped onto the plank road, and rushed back to the Xiegu. It took Zheng Anping half a day to run the hundred-mile plank road. After leaving the valley exit, he took a short break and then headed to Xi County, where he found Wang Ji in Guanyi.
Wang Ji heard that Zhang Lu wanted to use Nanzheng's prisoners to build a plank road from south to north. Although he also knew that it was a good idea, the procedures involved were complicated and required to alert too many people. If not done well, the plank road here would be too fast. The repairs have arrived, but the procedures have not been completed yet. He put forward his idea to Zheng Anping. If it was not absolutely necessary, it would be best to maintain the existing plan and not change it. Once the change is made, it will involve many remote counties and counties, and there will be many constraints!
Zheng Anping encouraged him, Zhang Lu would not dare to alert Ye Jun if he had no other good ideas. The situation is urgent and Ye Jun is about to show his talents! Wang Ji didn't know whether it was because of these high hats, or he had already figured it out. He hesitated for a moment and formulated a customs clearance plan. He said to Zheng Anping: "Now, when I go to see the King of Qin, the king will discuss it with the prime minister, and the prime minister will discuss it with the county governor. It is not a plan. In my opinion, Sima Jin, who is close to Lord Wu'an, should not be ignored." A slip of the letter was written to explain his strategy; Hanzhong Guards, Sima Cuo was the old one, Jin Zi went to explain it and made it effective. If the minister secretly understands the king's intention, then things will be harmonious! "
With Wang Ji's guidance, Zheng Anping only had dinner in the hotel and then hurried back to the construction site. When he arrived, it was already late at night. Zheng Anping woke up Zhang Lu from his sleep and reported Wang Ji's idea to him. Zhang Lu thought about it in his mind and felt that it made sense. After ordering the army the next day, Sima Jin was left behind and asked him to write to Bai Qi and the Hanzhong County Sheriff respectively to inform him of the matter. Sima Jin did not refuse, and asked Zhang Lu for the slips. He immediately discussed with Zhang Lu and wrote two letters, sealed them with his own seal, and sent two suitable people to deliver the letters to Bai Qi and Hanzhong respectively.
Sending a message to Baiqi in Xianyang is easy. The road is hundreds of miles long, but it is easy to pass. Sending a message to Hanzhong was difficult. The normal journey of four to five hundred miles would take at least ten days. Moreover, the journey was too long and it was not safe for one person. Fifty guards were assigned to him. This person has an old relationship with the Hanzhong County Governor, but he is not good at talking. Please ask Zhang Lu to send someone who can speak to help. When it comes to being able to speak, no one else can compare to Zhang Lu, but Zhang Lu cannot leave. Mr. Cheyou couldn't stand the fatigue of the journey and didn't think about it. After thinking about it, he had to ask Mang Wei to come out. Mang Wei often handles some administrative matters beside Mang Mao. Even if he is not eloquent, he is still eloquent. Zhang Lu and Sima Jin called the two men to their tent and carefully introduced them to the current difficulties and solutions, asking them to persuade the county governor to agree to start road construction from Nanzheng. Not until both of them expressed understanding.
At midnight, two groups of messengers set off on the road. The one who goes to Xianyang takes the newly built plank road; the one who goes to Hanzhong can only walk carefully along the dilapidated plank road.
