The old boatman got on the boat himself and untied the moorings. Chen Sirang asked his entourage to choose a place to rest on the shore, and then cross the river one day after the storm subsided. He ignored everyone's dissuasion and got into the cabin. The old boatman said: "Young men, don't ask what's going on. Just lie down in the boat and hold on to the board. Don't make any mistakes!"
Chen Si had passed some waves before and nodded in response. Entering the cabin, he knelt down and held a piece of shipboard in one hand. The old boatman started the boat and rushed towards the waves. The wave hit the small boat hard, causing the bow to sink, but it immediately broke out of the wave. Behind the wave was a slow current, supporting the boat to move forward quickly. In this way, the old boatman's feet were as steady as Mount Tai. He leaned forward and back as the boat moved, but never moved a step. With a focused expression, he used his bamboo pole to dip into the water from time to time, and always faced the waves with the bow of the boat. Chen Si in the cabin couldn't help it. His face was pale, he felt sick in his chest, and he was dizzy. He held on to the boat with both hands and closed his eyes. Life or death was up to him. I don’t know how long it took, but the turbulence of the boat suddenly subsided. Chen Si felt relieved and had time to observe his posture. He found that he was holding the boat board so tightly that his hands were going into spasm. He was exerting too much force on his waist and legs. Completely sore; I couldn't hold back the nausea in my chest anymore, so I spat it out with a "wow" sound. Chen Si had breakfast in the early morning and went boating to several cities. He was sent out again before he had time to eat dinner. Now he had no food in his belly and all he vomited out was sour water and finally bitter juice.
The old boatman docked the boat, tied it up, and entered the cabin and said: "The doctor is alive and well. Fortunately, he survived the dangerous situation!"
Chen Si turned around and did not get up. He prostrated himself on the spot and said, "Thanks to my father-in-law's skills, I was able to escape from danger. There will be a reward."
The old boatman avoided it and said: "Thank you for your great contribution to the doctor Hongfu! I have already sent the doctor across the river. How dare you ask for a gold!"
Chen Sidao: "Master, come with me!"
The old boatman said: "Let me clean up the dirt for now!" He got off the boat and picked up some dirt, mixed it with the vomit, and used a small dustpan to scoop it out. Chen Si felt uncomfortable all over and could only watch the boatman clean up his vomit. As soon as the cleaning was completed, the old boatman and Chen Si entered the camp together. The patrol had already noticed it and came to inspect. Chen Si showed his talisman and was taken to Hu Yang's tent one level at a time. Hu Yang was overjoyed when he saw it, and Chen Si asked: "I have been able to cross the dangerous shoals thanks to my father-in-law. I am willing to give you one gold!"
When Hu Yang saw Chen Si like this, he understood and ordered to give one gold from the baggage to the old man, and also ordered people to prepare meals. Since the Qin army set out, they spent less time camping in the wild to eat dry food, and more time camping in the towns for the people to prepare food. It has been three months now, and the dry food I prepared for the month when I left Xianyang has not yet been eaten. Now when entering several cities, the people still prepare two meals a day.
Hu Yang asked Chen Si to sit down and rest, and then invited Gongzi Zhen, Bingcao, Wang He, Sima Jin and others, saying: "Four brothers have returned from danger, and there must be someone to teach me!"
Chen Sidao: "I have entered Li, and the trail is only twenty miles; I heard that the main road is a little farther, the waterway is twenty or thirty miles, and the land is one or twenty miles. Liguo leads to Puyang!"
Hu Yang said: "How can I get through it?"
Chen Sidao: "I am on a journey against my will. My master said, don't worry about it. He will ask for it on his own. We can get there in half a day with two boats of only 600 yuan."
Hu Yang was a little disappointed and said, "How can I even get a boat?"
Chen Sidao: "Maybe it's necessary."
Hu Yang said: "There are only a few boats in a few towns, but there are more than ten. Each time we can't cross more than a hundred people, the situation is difficult."
Bing Cao said: "I ask for your help! Puyang is not far from Tao, only two hundred miles, and we are across the Jishui River. If we get help from Puyang, the situation will be different."
Hu Yang said: "I would like to hear the details."
Bing Cao said: "I invite five travelers and swordsmen to sneak to Tao and make Tao prepare in advance. In the meantime, we can also order military envoys to sneak to Xianyang, ask Tao to join the guards, and help them with all their strength. In this way, the boats can be prepared. There is no shortage of food and fodder, and the army is ready!"
Hu Yang said: "The soldiers of Qin all came from Guanzhong, Ying, and Wan, and they all gathered in Tao. What can I do?"
The soldier Cao smiled and said: "Tao, in the world, if you go out, the six kingdoms will be shaken, and if you retreat, you will be rich and frightened. With abundant resources and people, and close to mountains and rivers, military strategists must fight for them. Qin has wanted to be strong for a long time, but it is difficult to have troops. To Yan. Now that we have sent a large army to Tao, the king will definitely be happy, and Marquis Rang will definitely accept Yan!"
Hu Yang looked at Young Master Zhen and said, "What do you think, Young Master?"
Young Master Zhen said: "I am not familiar with military affairs. All matters have been decided upon by the ministers, and I shall carry them out!"
Wang Lu said: "If we can get a boat, we can go up the river. As for Luoyang, why go to Tao?"
Bing Cao said: "Although the guards have prepared boats and boats, they are only a few hundred. They have more than enough to cross the river, but not enough to travel far. Our army is 20,000 strong, and the baggage is not enough. Unless ten thousand companies are sent together, they can't move. How can it be like merchants, but A boat with a leaf can go smoothly."
Sima Jin said: "But when we get to Taoyi, we will revive the army. Either return to Yingwan, or return to Xianyang, or stay in Tao. There is a way. Whoever enters Tao first will do it!"
Hu Yang said: "If it is convenient, how long will it take?"
Gongzi Zhen said: "In the past, I lived in Handan. If I sent an envoy to Qin, I would go up the river and return with the current, and I would have to go back and forth every five or seven days. When the soldiers went to Tao, it would only take three days. If they entered the guard and negotiated, they would only have two or three days. Days. Based on this, it could be as little as five days or as many as ten days, and there will definitely be news."
Hu Yang said: "Within ten days, Lian Po will definitely take action. Zhao and Qin will fight!" Everyone present was silent. A lone army of Qin fought against Lian Po, who had almost the support of the whole Zhao State, in a small area. The fate was clear at a glance. When he was young, Hu Yang saw that everyone present fell into silence and said: "Although I am not talented, even if I can't make money, I would like to make peace."
Wang Lu looked at Sima Jin and said: "I will guard the land and water equally. If I dare to do so within ten days, the Zhao army will not be able to enter."
Hu Yang also said: "There are enough grains for several cities to last ten days. Even if there is insufficient, we still have fried millet and livestock, so the soldiers will not fight with empty stomachs!"
Bing Cao said: "I and others must do their best to be loyal, and we must do it as quickly as possible!"
Hu Yang said: "Lian Po is one of the brave generals in the world. He must move quickly. We should not be late. The two officials are willing to set up their camps the next day, and I will help them with the best troops in the city. The young master and his husband also set out for Tao in the morning. Make a big plan early. As for the military envoys, let me make them at my discretion. I would like the young master to send a few confidants to connect Luoyang!"
Prince Zhen looked at Bing Cao, who said: "That's what Zhong Geng is worried about. There is a secret way between Luoyang and Qin Dynasty that leads to Xianyang, so we can get it quickly!"
Gongzi Zhen thought for a while and said: "Young man, I have been to Luoyang several times and I know the way. I am willing to help you!"
Hu Yang said: "In the former battle of Wucheng, the young master Yiren made great achievements. Now that he has returned to Luoyang, his achievements are not small!"
Young Master Zhen said: "He is not there, but he is so young that he can blind his ears and eyes!"
The details were determined now and they were separated. Hu Yang sent everyone away, leaving only Chen Si, and called Zheng Anping, saying: "If we go to Xianyang, our two sons will definitely go with me!"
Chen Sidao: "I would rather not send anyone else, I would like to stay in the camp and serve!"
Hu Yang said: "Although there are many Wei roads on the way, if there is a change in Ning Xinzhong, we should be on guard against difficulties on the way. You two are not from Qin, and you are familiar with the sound of Wei. If you are anxious, you can overcome the difficulties."
While I was talking, the young master came to see me. Hu Yang and other three people came out and welcomed them in. Young Master Yiren said, "I think it's the three of us who are returning to Luoyang."
Hu Yang said: "My lord, Hui Ying! My lord, you should know that if I act like this, I will be attacked by powerful Zhao from all directions. I will hope that my lord can save me."
The young master said: "Why should I invite you?"
Hu Yang said: "I am trapped here and hope for rescue. Either from Taoyi or elsewhere, I hope the king will fight him! Send the military talisman and save him!"
The young master asked, "Which way should we go?"
Hu Yang said: "I would like to board the boat to Luoyang on a certain day."
Young Master Yiren said: "In my opinion, I would like to change my clothes and hire a fast boat from Li to go straight to Luoyang. Which one? Ji is a small town. The people of the town rarely travel to Luoyang and are in trouble on the way. Unlike Li, there are special people. Those who go to Luoyang, some go specifically to Tao, Handan, and Daliang, each has its own suitability."
Hu Yang saw that the young master was right, so he invited the young master Zhen and the military commander to discuss the matter. Young Master Zhen scolded: "You have a plan and you never obey orders!"
Bing Cao said: "What you said is true, so you should follow it!"
Young Master Zhen said: "I will indulge you today, but if you do it again, you will be severely punished!"
The young master and the stranger retreated.
Everyone said that the young master Yiren should pretend to be a merchant young master and travel far away, and Chen Si and Zheng Anping would accompany them. Young Master Zhen said: "How unreasonable! The two sons of Zhong Geng have lived in Wei for a long time and are familiar with the sound of Wei. How can a stranger get the sound of Wei? You should be a little boy, waiting morning and evening! If you are disrespectful at all, others will see through it and you will be punished. National law!"
Chen Si and Zheng Anping both said: "No, I am willing to serve the young master!"
Young Master Yiren said: "I hope you will follow my father's words. Major affairs of the country are not child's play. If there is any leakage, military law must be followed!"
Everyone saw that Young Master Yiren's words were firm and reasonable, so they stopped insisting. As a result of the discussion, Chen Si, who has rich experience in the world and deals well with businessmen, is the master, Zheng Anping is the follower, and the young master is the boy. Tomorrow we will set off to Li together and go to Tao and Luoyang separately. In these troubled times, it was not uncommon for businessmen to travel together, and it was not uncommon even to travel with soldiers. Starting from a few days to breaking up in Li is not eye-catching.
The discussion has been decided and everyone prepares separately. Hu Yang asked Chen Si to take all the maps of the mountains and rivers he drew and send them back to Xianyang. They would be of great use. In the few months since he came out, Chen Si has drawn nearly a hundred pictures. One person has difficulties, and the three of them put them in the baggage. If anyone asked, they would only say that they were wrapping cloth for transporting goods, and they did not know what they had drawn. ! Only now did Chen Si take some time to take a few mouthfuls of porridge. They received gold cakes and copper coins from the army, and the three of them took them with them. Of course, fried millet and other items, as well as various weapons, could not be carried, so they all changed their clothes. Chen Si wore a long shirt, Zheng Anping wore a short brown shirt, and he was a strange boy. The three of them had already decided on their attires. Zheng Anping and Chen Si each held a short stick and brought their luggage. They were worthy of doing business!
After a short rest, the drums sounded in the army and the troops began to be ordered. The officers and soldiers in the camp began to dig ditches and set up fortresses, and also enlisted the people of the city to help. Bingcao and Gongzi Zhen took three pedestrians, three swordsmen, and two young masters in a boat and headed straight to the other side. Chen Si, Zheng Anping and Young Master Yiren hired another boat and took the main road upstream. At this time, Qin soldiers who stayed on the other side last night came back by boat.
