Under the morning light, the swordsmen led the group of craftsmen on horseback. It was just a quick walk along the way, not a gallop. Change horses every ten miles to maintain a proper pace. Those swordsmen often took their sons, princes, and grandsons out like this. They were no strangers to this way of riding. They were just not used to bringing a group of adults, but they quickly adapted to it.
Although many protective measures were taken, some craftsmen fell off their horses and were injured along the way, but fortunately they were not serious. However, some people were unable to continue and had to arrange to rest in the homes of nearby residents. Only twenty-four people finally arrived at Duanshi. After a long journey of four hundred miles, it was already sunset. What surprised Sima Jin was that when he entered the Duan family, Duan's order told him that he had received an order from Bai Qi and that one hundred prisoners in the county had been assembled. , Duan Shiwei personally served as the doctor. Sima Jin asked Bai Qi when he conveyed the order? Duan's order replied: The order will arrive at sunrise today. Sima Jin and Pi Wan looked at each other and felt so ashamed that they did not dare to requisition prisoners from the neighboring counties in the east of the river.
Most of the residents in Hedong, especially the Qin people, were prisoners from Guanzhong counties who followed Zhang Lu to build roads in Hedong, as well as knights from Shangjun. They themselves were a powerful road-building force. After Bai Qi took over, he had to build roads every time he captured a city. Fighting and road construction have not stopped in Hedong, especially Hanoi (Nanyang) in recent years. However, due to the influx of a large number of prisoners from other places, the people of Hedong must bear heavy logistical support tasks, and the prisoners are still "freeloaders". Everyone's thoughts are on using the prisoners from other places, not on Hedong themselves. think.
After being dialed through this section by Duanshi's order, the two of them immediately felt that their ideas were opened up: not only Duanshi County can be recruited, but also Gaodu, Zhi County, Wenxian... where can't they be recruited?
The prisoners from Hedong moved forward, attracting everyone's attention, and spies from various countries immediately sent intelligence to the capitals of various countries. Correspondingly, the recruitment of prisoners in Caodu, and Hanoi was generally understood as part of this mobilization, and was not even reported specifically.
After resting for a day at Duanshi, Sima Jin, Pi Wan and their entourage, 24 craftsmen, 100 swordsmen and 200 horses, and 100 road builders set out from Duanshi with baskets, hammers and tamping sticks. , entering the Duanshi River Valley. The two military envoys who had just followed Bai Qi into the Duan clan the day before yesterday led the way.
After entering the valley, they discovered that at least the valley downstream of the Duanshi River was basically flat, with wide alluvial belts on both sides that could even be farmed, and a small river in the middle, which was a natural water source. The group walked for a day and found no place that needed work. The craftsmen praised the scenery of the two mountains. Sima Jin was more vigilant and asked ten people to go up each side of the mountain to observe the movements outside the mountain.
When the sun was about to set, the swordsman who was on guard on the mountain in front came down and reported: The mountain has reached the end. In front of it is a three-pronged area. From a distance, there are still people.
Sima Jin did not expect such a result, and all his worries seemed to be in vain. He let the group of people stay in that townhouse with more than a dozen families. When the people of the dozen or so families saw that these people had horses, they were frightened and did not dare to refuse. Since they were not rich in food, they stewed a large pot of wild vegetables and game for everyone to eat. The people of Qin were not used to this taste, so everyone drank a bowl of hot soup and took two bites of fried millet, which was considered dinner. Seeing that these people were quite friendly, the people of the city took out the straw they had saved and fed them to their horses. The quality of the forage was not good, so the swordsmen sorted through it, leaving some for the night, and then led their horses outside to eat grass and drink water. These horses are temporarily allocated, and they are not familiar with them, so they cannot control them as they wish. Therefore, the knights must find every opportunity to get close to the horses and achieve a heart-to-heart connection as soon as possible.
Sima Jin dictated a report and asked Pi Wan and his two followers to ride back to report to Bai Qi and listen to Bai Qi's instructions; telling them that they would continue moving forward tomorrow.
Early the next morning, when Sima Jin and his party were preparing to continue their departure, Duan's postman found them and said that five hundred prisoners from Gaodu had arrived at Duan's last night and would enter the valley at dawn. It is said that prisoners from various counties are coming one after another. Sima Jin left ten swordsmen to meet him in the city. The two postmen who reported the news returned, and the others continued to set off.
After traveling only a few miles, we turned around the foot of a mountain and the front suddenly became narrow. People had to climb over uneven terraces to continue moving forward. Everyone laughed: they thought they could be lazy, but they were immediately slapped in the face.
Everyone stopped, and several craftsmen climbed up and down, carefully surveyed the terrain, and said: "You must also cut the stone to get through."
Sima Jin asked someone to tell the ten swordsmen waiting behind him that when the prisoners from Gaodu came up, he ordered them to open this passage and move on. A craftsman was left to guide the construction. The rest of the people used their hands and feet to climb over the large rocky slope and continue towards the mountain.
After passing this rocky slope, the road opens up again. Although it is not the kind that can be cultivated, it is generally flat. The military envoy pointed to the mountain in front and said, "Under that mountain is the general's tent."
Everyone was shocked, just arrived at the front line? Sima Jin asked everyone to quiet down, then he crawled on the ground and listened, saying, "Sincerity has its basis."
The swordsmen all got excited and asked the craftsmen to mount their horses and lead them by themselves. They walked forward quickly, trying to reach the top of the mountain before dawn. On the one hand, he asked the military envoy to go and report, so as not to cause any misunderstanding.
While the military envoy was giving directions to the top of the mountain, the lookout post also saw this small group of people. Everyone thought that the military advisor who had just left was back, so they sent someone down the mountain to report to Wang Lu. Those people obviously speeded up their pace and came here, and the first ones to arrive were two military envoys. They reported: "The second and fifth officers are here with their troops and will build the road."
The public official didn't know what he was talking about, so he took the two military envoys and a group of soldiers to meet him. Sima Jin saw soldiers descending from the mountain, led by a male official, so he and Pi Wan went forward to greet them.
The official said politely: "I, Mr. Wu, the Duke of Wei in Chengdu, Shu County, would like to see the five officials."
Pi Wan came to greet him first and said: "I, the fifth official of Hedong Wei, Wan, would like to see you!"
Sima Jin said: "I would like to see you, my fifth official, Jin!"
Dr. Gong met Pi Wan when he was stationed in Anyi, but he never met Sima Jin. He only knew that he was a general who had made great achievements in war at a young age. At this time, seeing these two important officials arriving in person, he did not dare to neglect and said: "I have reported to the general, and they will arrive soon." Invite the two people up the mountain.
Since there was not enough camp on the mountain for the army to rest, the Duke could only temporarily station the swordsmen and prisoners at the foot of the mountain. There are no homes nearby. Fortunately, the climate is mild and the water and grass are plentiful. After the craftsmen went up the mountain, the swordsmen patiently communicated with their horses and led them around.
Sima Jin and Pi Wan went up the mountain and could clearly see the Qin Army's camp and Zhao Army's positions at the foot of the mountain. Sima Jin saw that a small part of the Zhao army and Qin army were retreating to the camp fence, and most of them were resting in the camp. Smoke was already rising from the Zhao army camp opposite.
Sima Jin asked the official: "Is there going to be a battle during the day?"
The official said: "We fight every day, not just today!"
Sima Jin said: "What are the casualties?"
Doctor Gong said: "They are all stopped at one touch, so there are few casualties, maybe one or twenty, or thirty or fifty, all of them are small, and there are no serious injuries."
Sima Jin said: "I came too late and did not get to witness the battle between the two armies."
The official said: "There will be a battle tomorrow, and the doctor will watch it!"
While the two were talking, Wang Hao came up the mountain with his men. He saw Sima Jin and Pi Wan at a glance, and said in surprise: "Where are you two sons? We have an army of millions."
Sima Jin said: "I heard that Zuo Shuzhang wanted to reach the party and ordered people to build a road. I will obey the order! However, all the way here, I haven't seen any road that needs to be built. I dare to ask for instructions."
Wang Lu said: "I see that there are people and horses on the roadside. Do you dare to come together?"
Sima Jin said: "Wu'an Lord gave me one hundred swordsmen and two hundred horses, so I got this."
Wang He said: "Follow me down the mountain."
Sima Jin and Pi Wan looked at each other and followed Wang Lu down the mountain. The official was left on the mountain by Wang Lu.
After Wang Lu came down from the mountain, he first gathered the swordsmen and prisoners together and said to them: "You must not be seen by the Zhao army while you wait. All camps, food, and horses must be set up at the foot of the mountain and covered by the mountain. You must not enter the mountain valley!" He specifically pointed to the deep mountain valley and said in a serious tone: "If the Zhao people know about it, my plan will be defeated!" The swordsmen all nodded solemnly.
Wang Hao gathered all the swordsmen and prisoners, took them to a valley in front, and said: "This place is rich in water and grass, and the mountains are back to block it, so we can station troops." Let everyone choose a place to camp. He took Sima Jin and Pi Wan and walked for more than ten miles to the lookout post in the north. The three of them climbed the mountain together, and the wilderness in the distance rushed towards them. When I look back, the valley I came from disappears at the end of the mountain.
Sima Jin pointed to the place where the river valley disappeared and said: "Whatever it leads to must be there. If you visit it one day, you will definitely find its way."
Wang He said: "It is difficult to build a rammed building, and the one who is in trouble is not Zhao Jue. I have challenged Zhao Jun from that day on, so that Zhao Jun will not care about him. The officials should also carefully plan their plans, do not raise dust, and do not show fireworks. Don’t let Zhao people notice you.”
Pi Wan was a little confused: "The others are acceptable. If building a road does not require dust, how can it be done?"
Wang Lu said: "If you sprinkle water on it, the dust will not rise."
Sima Jin said: "I should visit them when I go there. I can take my camera wherever I go."
The three of them came back down the mountain. Wang Hao returned to the camp, while Sima Jin and Pi Wan called two swordsmen to accompany them. Together they walked forward along the valley until they reached the end of the valley, then abandoned their horses and climbed up. On the top of the mountain, they saw a faint trail leading down the mountain, which might be the path for wild animals to come out; and there was a valley at the bottom of the mountain leading to the outside of the mountain. This road is difficult to say, and the difficulty of construction is not the main thing. But the road up the mountain is easy to say. How can building the road down the mountain be deceived? Tens of thousands of people are shocking, even wild beasts will be frightened; and a road has been built and clearly hung on the mountain, anyone who is not blind can see it!
