Yuan Tan took the letter from his general, his expression was anxious but also a little excited.
"Chanyu, Yuan Xi gathered his troops and set off secretly, rushing to Liucheng!" Yuan Tan said to Tadun.
"What!" Tadun couldn't believe what he heard and asked in surprise, "Where did you get the news? Is it reliable?"
"Ah haha!" Yuan Tan laughed proudly and said, "God is helping me. Yuan Xi actually came to seek death. This is the news from people close to him. It is absolutely reliable!"
With that said, Yuan Tan handed the letter to Tadun. Tadun also recognized a few Chinese characters, and under Yuan Tan's guidance he understood what was in his mind.
"I told you how to spy on horses and report back. I told you that soldiers and horses in Youzhou are frequently mobilized. It turns out that Yuan Xi's son wanted to sneak attack on us! Fortunately, this secret report was given, otherwise most of my troops would still be grazing on the grassland." Tadun said with lingering fear and annoyance. .
"Chanyu, is the news true? If it is false, wouldn't it be a missed opportunity for herding if we send troops back?" Bei Suji doubted, after all, this was Yuan Tan's family statement.
"I think it's very possible that it's true. Anyway, it's good to be careful. That guy Yuan Xi is not an honest man. Otherwise, if someone comes knocking on your door and our soldiers and horses are not there, we will suffer a big loss!" Tadun Said in a deep voice.
"We have people from Beiping to Western Liaoning. If Yuan Xi comes to invade, how come there is no news?" Hu General Ke Bili asked. He did not trust Yuan Tan either.
"I'm afraid they were bribed or silenced." Tadun said gloomily.
"The secret letter didn't say how many troops Yuan Xi had and how he marched?" Que Li asked.
Yuan Tan shook his head and said helplessly, "He has no access to these secrets, but he is very aware of the frequent mobilization of soldiers and baggage from all over Jizhou."
"Let Zuo Xian and Meng Mi go south and ambush in the steep mountains. If Yuan Xi really dares to come, kill him because of his vigor." Tadun ordered.
"Chan Yuke ordered them to let go of the vanguard and attack Yuan Xi's rear army's baggage." Xin Ping reminded.
"Yes! The Han soldiers cannot fight without their supplies. This is how we usually work," Que Li said.
"Since Yuan Xi dares to make a sneak attack, they may march through a side road, so Shanyu must be on guard!" Xin Ping reminded again. After all, he knew that Yuan Xi liked to use strange tactics.
"The only way to go from Youzhou to Liucheng is in western Liaoning. If we take a detour to the north of the Great Wall, there are mountains and ridges there. Although there are some trails, even us Wuhuan herdsmen would not dare to go to that inaccessible place. If Yuan Xi and the others go from there Come here, it’s like giving your life to the mountain god!” Tadun said.
"Having said that, Yuan Xi likes to use surprise troops for sneak attacks, so Shan Yu must guard against it." Yuan Tan said, his thoughts were the same as Xin Ping's.
Tadun pondered for a while and then ordered: "Que Li, you can send out sentries within four hundred miles to the west and south of Liucheng. If there is any trouble, report it immediately!"
"Yes!" Que Li accepted the order.
"Chanyu, are there too few soldiers and horses from the two tribes?" Yuan Tan asked.
Tadun picked up the wine bowl, stretched out five fingers, and said disdainfully, "Let all the tribes go south slowly, and then order the five tribes of Quebei to graze four hundred miles north of Liucheng. Once there is news of the enemy, they will It will take less than half a day to return to Liucheng to help. Plus Liucheng's 20,000 elite soldiers. No matter how powerful Yuan Xi is, he will all die here!"
Among the green waves, there are secluded valleys leading to nine springs.
Carve out a mountain to make a road. Fill the ditch with soil.
Collecting nectar in the morning, sleeping with a lone wolf.
The trees cover the sky, and the birds are everywhere.
In the eyes of later generations of scholars, the technique was mediocre. However, because the poem profoundly describes the difficulty of marching through the mountains, it is considered simple and tragic, and it has received high artistic evaluation.
"This poem by the General expresses my feelings. In just a few words, it describes the hardships faced by our soldiers during the march. Only a man like the General could do it in this world. This poem must be passed down to future generations as a reminder." Guo Tu couldn't help but praise.
Don't tell me, this Guo Tu really has Heshen's potential. If he tries to cater to his master, that's called a proficient person.
Yuan Xi smiled and said, "I just said it casually. If it were passed down, I would be ridiculed by the world's elites." Feeling the danger of Pinggang, Yuan Xi rarely wrote an ancient poem.
Jia Xu, who was holding the war horse, raised his head and sighed: "The forest hides the sky, and the birds are everywhere. This is so appropriate. At least I haven't seen a flying bird for a long time. Marching is not easy."
Yuan Xi also looked around, seeing dense forests and hills everywhere. His chariots, horses, and soldiers had no head in front of him and no tail in sight; they all appeared and disappeared among the greenery.
Since Yongnu raised his army, Yuan's army left Lulong, passed through Yanshan along the Luan River, then crossed the Great Wall, passed through the uninhabited wasteland, and now has reached Pinggang.
Although we have already walked two-thirds of the whole journey, there are high mountains and deep valleys everywhere between Pinggang and Bailang, and the road is becoming more and more difficult and dangerous. Along the way, Yuan Jun's soldiers dug plank roads several times and filled in deep valleys, trying to find a way through the barren mountains and ridges.
But on the other hand, the soldiers accompanying the army also suffered a lot. Not only did they eat and sleep in the open, but everyone from the soldiers to the generals had to clear the way while marching. They are not afraid of ferocious beasts, but poisonous insects, snakes, ants, deep valleys and swamps will cost the lives of many soldiers.
Fortunately, these are elite soldiers who have experienced hundreds of battles, and Yuan Xi promised a heavy reward, so although it was difficult, the morale of the soldiers was not low. This was still Youzhou, and Zhuge Liang's Northern Expedition was even more difficult.
Only a few rays of sunlight were cast above the head, and the ground was covered with mud made from rotten grass blades. All that could be heard were the chirping of insects and the howling of animals, and the breeze in the forest was also filled with a deep chill.
Even if someone occasionally talks, it becomes a whisper in my ears. These sounds contrasted strongly, making the surrounding silence even more frightening.
Being in this barren mountain and dense forest, Yuan Xi felt an indescribable depression in his heart. If there weren't so many people around him, he would have been so frightened that his hair would stand on end.
During the rest, Yuan Xi, Jia Xu, Guo Tu, Tian Yu, and Xu Chu, the guards, sat around and shared hot food.
Yuan Xi put down the pottery bowl and said worriedly: "We haven't reached Bailang yet, and the journey has been so difficult and dangerous. If we get to Liucheng, there will be an even more fierce battle, and I'm afraid the morale of the soldiers will be low."
"The general's Qingzhou elite soldiers are already the best in the world. If it were other soldiers, their morale would have collapsed long ago." Guo Tu commented in admiration.
"If Yan Liang and Wen Chou were here, you would be beaten to death by them." Yuan Xi said with a smile. Although he knew that Guo Tu was flattering, he was quite pleased with it.
Only then did he understand why, those monarchs were called wise. You should also keep one or two such favorites around you.
Guo Tu smiled and made no excuse. Some things should be done in moderation and flattering others is also a skill.
"But the morale cannot be improved. In the long run, it will be difficult to conquer Tadun in one fell swoop." Yuan Xi said worriedly.
Jia Xu also put down the pottery bowl and said slowly, "I have a plan, which is to imitate the overlord of Chu and destroy the cauldron."
"Ah! Cut off the retreat?" Guo Tu said in shock.
"There are no boats here, and the mountain road cannot be destroyed."
Jia Xu shook his head and explained, "Actually, we generals all know that even if we win a quick battle, the army's food, grass, cattle and sheep will not be enough to return to Youzhou. I would like to explain this matter to the soldiers. We must Only by capturing Liucheng and seizing a batch of cattle, sheep and food can we ensure a smooth return to Youzhou. In this way, all the soldiers will be determined to fight to the death."
"No!" Guo Tu shook his head repeatedly and said, "This is an act of self-disruption. There is no guarantee that the soldiers will not mutiny."
"You can still announce it if you look below. Even if we don't say it, the soldiers escorting the grain and grass will be suspicious. If it spreads throughout the army during the decisive battle, it will cause the soldiers to mutiny." Yan Rou's voice came from the front.
Yuan Xi asked him to sit down and asked: "If you don't open the way in front and come to my army, is it possible that you are in danger?"
"The soldiers who were the first to explore the road have returned. According to them, they only need to cross two more mountains. The road ahead will be smooth." Yan Rou replied.
Everyone's mood suddenly became cheerful, and no one wanted to continue marching in the deep mountains and dense forests.
Yuan Xi nodded, "Send an order to all the generals leading the army and ask them to announce the news of the army rations. Ask them to choose more people who can speak well and go to the soldiers to inform them of their interests. And ask them to bring their own soldiers to suppress the battle."
Yuan Xixin said that Jia Xu's strategies were always poisonous to attack the heart. If this move is grasped well, it will force the entire army to fight to the death. He is indeed a poisonous man with Chen Ping's plan.
"I wonder how Tadun will respond to the challenge. Are there any people who oppose Tadun?" Yuan Xi asked. After all, it would be the easiest thing to alienate them and cause them to split internally.
Guo Tu immediately replied: "I have told the Major General before about the situation of the Wuhuan tribes in the three counties. The eight tribes including Zuoxian, Mengmi and Quebei are the direct descendants of Tadun. They have the largest number of troops and the strongest combat power." Soon after the three tribes were annexed, they may not all be loyal to Tadun. Among them, Ugu Na, the leader of the Seleng tribe, is a figure. Previously, Gong Yuan also wanted to use him to check and balance Tadun."
"You can use the Wuhuan soldiers in the army to turn into herdsmen, and send Duan Pixi to inquire first and contact the Seleng tribe." Yan Rou suggested.
Guo Tu shook his head: "Although Uguna is not convinced, he doesn't dare to express his views openly. I have contacted him several times before, but he has not taken action yet. He said that he must look at the right time."
"He only dares to switch sides when Tadun is in trouble! In this way, he can't be mobilized to assist Tadun." Yan Rou said. The same was true for Tuli Khan when Emperor Taizong Li Shimin contacted Tuli Khan during the Northern Expedition.
"My lords, may I say something?" said an Army Sima behind Yan Rou.
Yuan Xi looked over. I saw that the military commander was forty years old, with a short beard and an ordinary appearance, but his eyes revealed the taste of vicissitudes of life.
"Tell me, if you can come up with a good idea, I will reward you heavily." Yuan Xi said.
"I think we only need to send a small force to test Tadun's spirit first. Then Uguna will be moved. When Xiao persuades him with interests, he is likely to switch sides." The army Sima said.
"First send out a light force to test Tadun's energy?" Guo Tu couldn't stand the fact that a small army commander dared to talk about military plans, so he sneered: "Do you know that the general's plan is to conquer Tadun in one fell swoop? A small number of light soldiers must not be able to destroy them all in one fell swoop, as that would expose the whereabouts of our army."
Sima Xiang of the army raised his hands and said to Yuan Xi: "Our army is divided equally between infantry and cavalry. It is very rare to sneak to Liucheng four hundred miles away. It is impossible for the whole army to suddenly appear under Liucheng. It is better to send a light cavalry. Go forward and attack and kill. Firstly, you can hurt the enemy's morale. Secondly, you can explore the terrain and wear down the enemy's strength. Then wait for the infantry to arrive and then cooperate with the infantry and cavalry to conquer Wuhuan's main force in one fell swoop."
Yuan Xi thought about it carefully and realized that it was really the case. He looked at Jia Xu and nodded slightly when he saw him.
"Without the cooperation of the infantry, the cavalry troops penetrated deep into the heart of Wuhuan Tun's heavily fortified area. It is really unknown whether they can defeat the Wuhuan cavalry. Is this too risky?" Yuan Xi asked, he wanted to hear the opinion of this military commander.
The Army Sima smiled brightly: "The General is scared now, but I can tell the General that as long as the tactics are used properly, five thousand elite cavalry of the Han family can gallop among tens of thousands of Wuhuan cavalry."
"Five thousand cavalry against tens of thousands of Hu cavalry! Are you talking about Huo Qiaoqi's expedition against the Huns?" Guo Tu sneered: "The Hu people learned it after they moved inland. The method of forging iron weapons is no longer what it used to be. Bronze Huns."
The army commander said, neither humble nor arrogant: "There are such battles even in this dynasty. Former Fenwu general Gongsun Bogui used thousands of cavalry to fight against tens of thousands of Wuhuan and Xianbei cavalry several times."
The atmosphere suddenly calmed down. Gongsun Zan's achievements in fighting the Wuhuan people of Xianbei were indeed great, but among Yuan's troops, Gongsun Zan was still the first person to praise him.
"General, he was just giving an example and had no other meaning." Yan Rou explained uneasily.
"It doesn't matter!" Yuan Xi looked at the army commander with sharp eyes, "So you are familiar with cavalry warfare. Have you ever fought against barbarians?"
The army commander sighed and said, "Those are old things, but I did fight against the barbarians."
"Are you Gongsun Zan's old subordinate?" Yuan Xi asked.
The army commander didn't hide it and nodded lightly. Everyone became alert for a moment. The atmosphere became more tense.
"General, after the battle against Gongsun Zan, many Yuyang people fled to various places. I took him in as a military commander because he was literate and able to write. I had no other intention." Yan Rou explained quickly.
Yuan Xi didn't care and said: "Even Gongsun Zan's subordinates are all Han. Now we should attack Wuhuan by abandoning our prejudices and sharing the same hatred with the enemy. However, I think your gentleman's bearing is extraordinary and he is not like a small official. I haven't asked you for your surname." "
The army commander raised his hands and said, "I am joining the army to conquer Wuhuan. I want to help the general to eliminate the border troubles. I originally planned to keep my name anonymous, but when the general asked me, it was difficult to hide it. I used to be under General Gongsun, and my surname was Guan Mingjing."
"Ah! It was Gongsun Zan who was doing it. This person was Gongsun Zan's confidant. After the war, our army searched for him everywhere, but there was no trace of him." Guo Tu said to Yuan Xi.
"Did you join the army to eliminate border troubles?" Yuan Xi asked.
"The past has been ruined. General Gongsun was a very harsh man, so his defeat at the hands of the Yuan family was no accident. I just want to save my life and go into seclusion among the people. However, Guan is from the border area and is well aware of the dangers of Wuhuan in the three counties. Therefore, I will do my best to help the army defeat the enemy." Guan Jing explained.
Gongsun Zan was extremely hostile to foreigners. Naturally, the people in his tent are also similar. Yuan Xi believed most of Guan Jing's words. Moreover, Guan Jing has followed Gongsun Zan for many years and has rich combat experience against Wuhuan Xianbei and other Hu cavalry. Having his help is really another helping hand.
Yuan Xi asked Guan Jing to sit down and asked, "Sir, please tell me in detail how to defeat the enemy."
Guan Jing returned the salute and said, "First send out scouts disguised as herdsmen to detect the location of the Wuhuan tribes. Then send more than 5,000 light cavalry to fight among the tribes, not seeking total annihilation but just rubbing their energy. In this way, Ta can still be defeated." Dun couldn't quickly gather the Hu soldiers. After my infantry catches up, we will form a frontal formation to fight against the Hu cavalry, and then let the light cavalry bypass the enemy's rear to outflank and make a surprise attack. In this way, Wuhuan Da can be defeated in less than three battles."
"Okay, did Gongsun Zan use the same tactics to defeat the Hu soldiers in the past?" Yuan Xi asked.
"It's roughly the same, but General Gongsun's cavalry army has a greater share, and there is very little infantry and cavalry cooperation." Guan Jing replied.
Jia Xu listened carefully to Guan Jing's description of the tactics, and after that he said to Yuan Xi: "General, I have a plan, which is to send all the cavalry around to the north of Liucheng and take the initiative to expose the whereabouts of the infantry. In this way, the enemy will be defeated Then all the elite cavalry were attracted to create a better fighting opportunity for the cavalry. Once the cavalry changes to the battle and takes a circuitous route, they will synchronize their pawns to attack the main force in Tadun."
"It would be too dangerous to send out all the cavalry. There is a precedent of Li Ling being defeated!" Guo Tu said.
"Our army has many sidecars, and if the infantry forms a camp for defense, it should be able to withstand the attack of Hu's cavalry. Otherwise, if there are less cavalry sent, the result will not be great. Li Ling can fight against tens of thousands of cavalry with thousands of remaining soldiers, I have over ten thousand elite soldiers and I can’t do it!" Yuan Xi decided.
