At night, all the battalions had gone down the mountain and were stationed around Tongtang City. The merchants asked to take a day off and walk on the mountain road tomorrow; by the way, they also wanted to buy mountain goods here. Si Mang didn't dare to offend them, so he could only agree. Si Mang also used this day to place the wounded who had accumulated in the past few days outside Tongtian City. He designated the person in charge and negotiated with the Tongtian Order to let the wounded recover from their injuries and pay for them with Tongtian County funds. , returned to China together.
The trip on the second day was indeed much more difficult, mostly on narrow mountain roads. Fortunately, before dark, we finally reached the upper reaches of Ji River, and there was a town not far away. Tongtian County had sent people to issue documents yesterday, informing them that soldiers would arrive today to calm the people in advance, so the people of the city did not leave. The leader of the caravan reminded everyone that they must have a good rest, as the road tomorrow will be very difficult.
On the third day, the team set off before dawn, and the journey was indeed difficult. This is no longer a mountain road, it's basically just walking along the river beach and rocks. From time to time, there are huge drops in the river, and pedestrians need to go around a long way to get down. It seems that this group of caravans has indeed been here for a long time, and they are well aware of the dangers and twists and turns of the road, and they have rarely made any mistakes. Even so, the Wei people, who had lived in the plains for a long time, were still very unaccustomed to marching in the mountains, and injuries from falls occurred from time to time. The animals were also difficult to control, so the marching speed naturally slowed down. When it was getting dark, we were not even halfway through the expected journey. The leader of the caravan suggested: "The road ahead is dangerous and we cannot travel at night. We are willing to sleep in the open and travel again the next day." Si Mang was also exhausted at this time, so he found a relatively flat open space, regardless of the distance between the camps and the distance in front of him. There were regulations such as setting aside a square for gatherings, but nearly ten thousand people crowded in and spent the night, with bonfires lighting up half the sky.
If the third day of the trip was exhausting, then the fourth day was numbing. There are endless slopes to climb, endless ridges to descend, and the river is always extending forward. It can break through all obstacles and jump off cliffs several feet high, but humans cannot. We had to step by step, go around step by step, pull forward and backward to help the animals go up and down the slope. At this time, the disciples with high martial arts skills were not as good as the merchants who often walked this road. Even their animals were accustomed to the mountain road and could jump down the hill with a light jump without losing their loads. Just like this, in numbness, people saw the gathering at the foot of the mountain - according to the businessman's plan, they should have arrived yesterday.
The people here are not under the jurisdiction of Tongtian, and they have not received the notice to calm the people. They have been nervous since they saw the fire yesterday. When Si Mang and others entered the town, all the young and middle-aged people had fled, leaving only a group of old people looking after the house.
This time, almost no one in the team was injured, and it was just a matter of severity, including those disciples of Lord Xinling who thought highly of themselves. Merchants shuttled through the camps to heal everyone's wounds. Si Mang endured the pain and dragged his thighs, which were like lead, to each camp to express his condolences. He also visited all the disciples and Mr. Jiu and his entourage. I was busy until midnight before I hurriedly drank a mouthful of porridge and fell asleep.
When he woke up the next day, Si Mang felt weak all over and had chest tightness and shortness of breath. But he didn't dare to show it, pretending to be nonchalant, and led everyone on the road. On this day, the merchants took everyone for more than sixty miles to a cliff. Although it was not dark yet, the merchants still looked for a place to camp. It seems that this is where they planned to camp, as traces of stove pits can be seen everywhere. Si Mang kept walking for a whole day, but he couldn't hold on any longer and fell to the ground. People around him screamed, and Si Mang came to his senses and immediately told everyone not to panic. He might just be lacking rest and just take it easy. He stood up and watched everyone building fences and digging pits to set up stoves around the area. When the whole army was gathered, Si Mang convened a meeting with officials above the battalion level to arrange various camping matters. When he returned to his tent, he couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed on the spot.
According to the businessmen, they would have to walk about eighty miles to meet tomorrow, and all the officials felt overwhelmed, so Si Mang decided to camp here for another day to recover from fatigue. Although it was freezing cold and camping was by no means a comfortable thing, everyone still unanimously supported this decision.
General weakness and even fever spread throughout the army. Si Mang went to discuss with the business leader, and the leader suggested that he get to Duan's family as soon as possible, where there is a medical center for treatment. Si Mang couldn't think of a better way, so he had to continue walking down the mountain with a group of injured troops.
After descending the cliff, the mountain road, although rugged, became much easier; it was still narrow, and sometimes one had to walk through water. Injuries from falls have decreased, fevers have increased, and almost half of the people feel weak and out of breath. Si Mang suppressed his discomfort and encouraged everyone to keep moving forward. In fact, even he felt that he might never reach Duanshi.
After marching continuously for a day and night, the troops finally saw the outline of the city in the early morning. The merchants told everyone that the Duan family had arrived!
However, things didn't go well. The Duan family had already detected that a huge army was coming, and all the strong men from all the towns entered the city to strengthen their defense. Each city also organized a joint defense force. If one city was attacked, the whole city provided support. Si Mang looked at his troops, which were exhausted by the long journey, and sighed up to the sky!
The limping young master Jiu's retainers also had a sad face and said feebly: "The Duan clan is not from Han, so it was the land of Jin, and later it was the land of Zhao. Now it is not the king's state. I don't know how to do it."
The merchant leader said: "Don't worry, young master. I am a commoner of the Duan family and have met your order. I would like to come to the city and tell you!"
Si Mang said happily: "Sir, if you are willing to do it, that's great! I will teach you everything you need."
The leader said: "I would like to hear your noble name."
Si Mang thought for a while and said, "But it's fair to say that Mr. Wei, Mr. Xinling, and Mr. Han, are to blame."
The leader took a businessman to Duanshi City. Si Mang asked the whole army to rest where they were. The nearest settlement to him was three miles away. If they came out to attack, the Wei army would be defenseless. But Si Mang had no other choice: if he put up a fighting posture, he would naturally be the enemy in the city; and since his own strength was not enough to defeat the enemy, it was better to put on a peaceful posture and gain some favor.
A group of seriously ill people, after another day and night of continuous marching, received the order to rest and immediately lay down. Everyone didn't even bother to find a slightly cleaner place, they really just rested in place, even if their feet were dirty. Some of those with asthma could not lie flat, so they had to sit on the ground, gasping for air, with phlegm in their throats that could be clearly heard by people next to them. Those who were slightly better began to snore soon after lying down.
Seeing that all the troops fell down one by one, only Si Mang was left standing alone under the tree. Seeing this, all the guests of Lord Xinling stood up and gathered around him. Mr. Jin said: "Lieutenant Xinling should think of the whole army and must not abandon him."
Si Mang looked back and saw that the people gathered around him were all the guests of Lord Xinling who usually ignored him. He was a little surprised and said: "I have no status, I can't treat you gentlemen well. You have been working hard for days, and Mang has no time to repay you. Why don't you return the favor?" Please help yourself, sir."
Mr. Jin said: "Now all the troops are servants, but the general is independent, which is not polite. I would like to ask Lieutenant Xinling to sit down."
Si Mang saw that all the guests were haggard and their clothes were torn, and they were trying to stand firm. He couldn't bear it and said, "Sir, please sit down!"
All the guests said: "Sit down, Lieutenant Xinling!"
Si Mang had no choice but to sit down first, stretched out his arms and said, "Sir, sit down!" The guests gathered around him and sat down. Simang's legs were severely swollen and hurt after he sat down, but he pretended to be fine and said: "We have arrived at Duanshi now. There is no danger anymore. We can reach Anyi directly in a few days. At that time, I will I will personally prepare a fast boat to send you back to Wei!"
All the guests said: "I would like to follow the captain!"
Si Mang said: "We are now in the Duan clan, the old capital of Jin, and medicine must be clear. Sir, you can go into the city to rest and recuperate. You must wait until your spirit is fully replenished, so you dare to resign!"
Mr. Cao said: "Now that I have gone deep into a powerful land, it is difficult to survive. What can I do with medicine? Although Anyi is an old town of Wei, it has been returned to Qin for several years. Qin has returned to its people, but Qin people live in it. If there is no strong reinforcement, I am afraid that It’s hard to get in. Let’s figure it out!”
Si Mang said: "Since you said it's difficult, sir, you must be able to teach me?"
Mr. Jin said: "The Duan clan is really difficult to enter, but we can bribe it. Now the injured can get in. From Duan clan to the west, it is Yicheng, Han Dynasty. We must wait until the young master takes the blame. Wei Qi will do something in advance. It’s a good plan.”
Si Mang said: "I was wrong about what Mr. Wei said! I am just trying to blame the young masters."
Since the whole army fell ill, the Wei army almost lost its ranks. Prince Jiu was originally at the front of the central army, but he came together with Si Mang while walking. Now even the rear army is fighting with the front army. But in this way, it would be difficult for Si Mang to find where Gongzi Jiu would stay.
Si Mang stood up and said loudly: "Please forgive me, Master!"
After hearing this, the surrounding diners shouted loudly: "Please forgive me, Master!" Those who had not yet fallen asleep also shouted: "Please forgive me, Master!" The sound spread in all directions. Soon, I saw about ten people standing up from under a tree a few miles away. Si Mang saw him and went up to greet him. Seeing Si Mang pass by, the group of people also came towards Si Mang. The two sides stopped ten feet apart and greeted each other. Si Mang said: "Young master has been working all night, do you dare to ask me how you are doing?"
Young Master Jiu said: "How dare I! How dare you ask Wei An!"
Si Mang said: "I have come up with a plan and would like to borrow some help from you. Please don't give up!"
Gongzi Jiu glanced at all the retainers and said, "How dare you resign when the captain calls you?" Si Mang bowed his head and invited Gongzi Jiu into the circle surrounded by his retainers. Prince Jiu and Si Mang sat in the middle, while retainers and retainers sat around.
Si Mang said: "I heard that traveling westward for hundreds of miles, we are in Yicheng, Han Dynasty. If you are not the master, you can't do it. May the master help us!"
Young Master Jiu said: "Why is it so difficult? But if you get the command from the captain, I should obey it!"
Si Mang said: "If you don't dare to work for me, I will go to you if I can get my word from you!"
Young Master Jiu said, "It's okay for you to send an envoy to go with me, Xi Xi. There must be no other reason!"
Si Mang said: "The whole army has its heads saved, and it's all thanks to the Young Master!"
Young Master Jiu said: "I donated all the work I did to the gully!"
