Jingzhou's 20,000 elite troops entered Shangyong in batches. Liu Qi and others quietly arrived at Fangling from the Han River to join Wei Yan, who had prepared for the battle early.
Before leaving, Tai Shici was still in a coma. Although Hua Tuo healed his wounds, the strange poison and the others were helpless.
This kind of poison is extremely rare, not fatal, and you don't even notice anything unusual about it. This stumped the two great doctors of Jian'an, as well as the two sons of imperial doctors.
Liu Qi informed Zhuge Liang of the matter and asked him to investigate and analyze it on his behalf. At the same time, he found an opportunity to discuss with Tai Shixiang and Yu Fan to see if they could find clues, and it would be best to instigate them to rebel.
There is no other way, Zhuge Liang knows a little bit about medical skills, he is also the best at understanding people's hearts, and his eloquence is also the best in the world, so he can only work harder and let him participate.
Fangling, Shangyong, and Xicheng originally belonged to Hanzhong County. Later, Zhang Lu separatized Hanzhong. The Shen Dan brothers took charge of Shangyong and Xicheng alone. Fangling in the east was empty. Liu Biao took the opportunity to occupy the upper reaches of the Han River to protect Nanyang.
These three places are located in the canyon between the Daba Mountain and the Qinling Mountains. The Han River flows through it, and the mountains and rivers wind between them. The terrain is complex and the roads are steep. Even if the soldiers and horses can barely make it, the transportation of food and grass is extremely difficult.
This is also the reason why Cao Wei and the Sima clan attacked Hanzhong several times and only sent troops from the Qinling Mountains in Guanzhong, but did not consider sending troops from Nanyang.
Now Liu Qi had made arrangements early to surrender the Shendan brothers and conquered the most difficult road. Only when he had support and supplies along the way did he dare to send troops. Even so, he only mobilized 20,000 troops to advance in batches.
It was already a month later when the troops and horses met in Xicheng. Brother Shen Dan had already prepared provisions, chariots and horses, and reported the situation in Hanzhong in detail.
Zhang Lu ordered his younger brother Zhang Wei to attack Xichuan and was watching after breaking Jiameng Pass. He suddenly heard that Zhang Fei had captured Jiangzhou and immediately attacked Jianmen Pass, fearing that Jingzhou soldiers would take Yizhou first.
At this time, all the main forces in Hanzhong were deep into the Shu Road, Zhang Lu stayed behind, and the only leading general was Yang Ren, who was stationed at Yangping Pass to prevent the Xiliang army from taking the opportunity to make a sneak attack.
Wei Yan was overjoyed and said: "In that case, why not send troops immediately? I can reach Nanzheng in half a month and capture Zhang Lu alive."
Shen Dan shook his head and said: "General, you don't know. In Hanzhong, the people respect Zhang Lu like a god. Everyone worships him. Once the soldiers and horses enter, they will be noticed by him."
Wei Yan waved his hand and said with a smile: "What should the congregation be afraid of? Even the Yellow Turban Army back then could not stop the sharpness of the officers and soldiers. The Zhang Jiao brothers have been eliminated long ago, and the rice thieves have settled in Hanzhong and should have been wiped out long ago."
Xu Shu said: "Although Zhang Lu is like Zhang Jiao, the unity of politics and religion is praised by the people of Hanzhong. He has his own merits. He should not be killed unless it is absolutely necessary to avoid people's betrayal and chaos in the territory."
Liu Pan sneered and said: "Zhang Lu was so ambitious that he actually wanted to allocate territory to preach and govern the people through teaching. This is a trick to fool the people and is not a way to stabilize the country. How can heresy last long?"
Liu Qi listened to everyone's discussion and ordered: "This time I take Hanzhong, I will use this as a basis to open the gate of Xichuan in the south and the road to Guanzhong in the north. Do not disturb the territory and kill innocent people indiscriminately. Otherwise, it will be difficult to restore vitality in three to five years, and you will have to kill yourself." Dig a trap, please be careful."
After the generals received the order, Xu Shu said: "Soldiers are valuable and quick, no matter how many spies Zhang Lu has, just send out the army at this time and capture Hanzhong before Zhang Wei returns to help, then we will be successful."
Liu Qi ordered Zhao Yun to be the vanguard, Shen Dan and Shen Yi to be the guides, and lead the Qingqi to attack Chenggu. As long as they captured the city and entered the flat and open land of Hanzhong, they would no longer have to worry about food and grass.
In midsummer, the sun is blazing, flowers are blooming all over the mountains and fields, and the scenery is pleasant, but it is also unbearably hot and the journey is relatively slow.
Since Zhang Lu sent troops to attack Yizhou, Yan Pu advised him to be on guard against the Jingzhou army. Although the two families were reconciled, people's hearts were unpredictable and they had to be just in case. The Shen Dan brothers were only concerned with protecting themselves, which was not trustworthy.
Although Zhang Lu didn't take it seriously and just casually ordered his subordinates to pay attention to the movements in Xicheng, the various ministries and worshipers took it very seriously, and it was passed down from level to level, and it actually became the highest order in the sect.
Jingzhou soldiers were dispatched and were immediately discovered by the people. They went to Yishe to report the news. There were ghost soldiers in Yishe who reported wine sacrifices. The news spread to Nanzheng in an instant.
Yang Song returned from Jingzhou and made a lot of money. He was grateful to Liu Qi and invested in Fengxiang. He was preparing to open up the trade route from Hanzhong to Xiliang. Suddenly, the battle report came, and he was shocked beyond measure.
After being stunned for a long time, he shook his head and said: "Impossible, this is absolutely impossible. How could Liu Qi send troops to Hanzhong?"
The sacrificial wine hurriedly reported: "The general leading the way is Brother Shen Dan. They have already surrendered to Liu Qi. Please report to Master quickly."
Yang Song panicked and sent an envoy to Jingzhou to befriend Liu Qi. It was him who pushed for it. The two families agreed to attack Yizhou. Now Liu Qi came to capture Hanzhong. How should he report to Zhang Lu?
At this time, his brother Yang Bai came to discuss the establishment of a bodyguard bureau, and Yang Song discussed countermeasures with him.
When Yang Bai heard this, he laughed and said, "Brother, don't you hear that good fortune and misfortune depend on it? This is the time when I, the Yang family, have made great achievements."
Yang Song frowned and said, "Why do you say that?"
Yang Baiyan said: "Brother, I have been training soldiers for many years, but my master never allowed me to lead the troops in battle. The military merits were all taken by Yang Ren and Yang Ang. If we attack Yizhou this time, if the two brothers have made great achievements, they will definitely be there. Above you and me, if I make a contribution this time, I will have nothing to fear from the two of them!"
Although the Yang family in Hanzhong is the most powerful, it has spawned several branches. There are many children in the family, and the younger generation often fights openly and secretly. Yang Ren and Yang Ang are in Mianyang, and Yang Song and Yang Bai are in Nanzheng, the two strongest branches. , the competition will naturally be the greatest.
"My dear brother is also a general in Hanzhong, why should we be afraid of Shen Dan and the others?" Yang Song was stunned, and then frowned and said: "But Shen Dan went to Liu Qi. I did not report this to Master, leaving hidden dangers. What should I do? good?"
Yang Bai sneered and said: "Brother, please inform your master that Brother Shen Dan is unwilling to live in a remote place in Shangyong. He covets the wealth of Hanzhong and colludes with Liu Qi to plot against us in Hanzhong. He recommends his brother to go to defend the enemy and kill these two people." Wei, my brother will go to discuss with Liu Qi again to retreat the troops from Jingzhou and protect Hanzhong. No matter how much contribution he makes to brother Yang Ang, it will not be enough to protect the family."
Yang Song was overjoyed and came to see Zhang Lu immediately. Zhang Lu was raising food and money, and the battle to attack Jiange was urgent. Zhang Wei asked for more rewards to encourage the three armies to break through as soon as possible. Otherwise, Zhang Fei would enter Shu first, and his work would be in vain.
When he heard that Jingzhou soldiers had entered Hanzhong, Zhang Lu was shocked and cursed: "Shen Dan and Shen Yi, two thieves, actually led a wolf into the house!"
Yang Song sighed: "Previously Liu Qi sent troops to attack Shangyong, but his subordinates tried to reconcile the two families. Who would have thought that these two would repay kindness with enmity, which is really hateful."
"Shuzi is going to die!" Zhang Lu was shocked and angry. His hand holding the account book couldn't help but tremble, and he asked anxiously: "What should we do now?"
Yang Song said: "The culprits are the Shen Dan brothers. We can send troops to resist the enemy and kill these two men to boost the army's power. My subordinates are willing to risk their lives to see Liu Qi again and ask him to withdraw his troops for the sake of their old friendship."
Zhang Lu frowned and said, "Everyone is at Jiange, and Yang Ren is guarding Yangping Pass. Who can resist the enemy?"
Yang Song said: "General Yang Bai has led the army for many years, and he is enough to deal with Shen Dan."
Zhang Lu was overjoyed and immediately sent an order, ordering Yang Bai to lead 10,000 elite troops to the city to resist the enemy. He also sent someone to invite Yan Pu to discuss the matter.
