Zhang Liao's words are not exaggerated.
In the early years, in order to facilitate the travel between Guanzhong and Hanzhong, plank roads were basically built on both Chencang Road and Ziwu Road.
However, due to the endless wars that followed, these plank roads were old and in disrepair.
In addition, Zhang Lu completely destroyed most of the plank roads in order to prevent Cao Wei from going south.
Only two roads, Baoxie and Tangluo, were left, and heavy troops were stationed there.
“Although these roads are rugged and difficult, just because others can’t walk them doesn’t mean I can’t walk them.”
Yang Ling smiled confidently,
"Tomorrow I will personally lead the troops to attack Ziwu Valley's strange plan!"
Everyone couldn't help being surprised when they heard this.
You must know that relatively speaking, Ziwu Valley is more dangerous, while Chencang Road is relatively flat.
"Why did the general set out from Ziwu Valley?"
Ma Teng said a little puzzled.
"The terrain of Chencang Road is relatively flat, so it is not that difficult to advance."
"But we know that, and Zhang Lu naturally knows that, he will definitely send troops and horses to Chencang Road to stop them."
"Although Ziwu Road is rough and dangerous and the distance is long, it can catch him by surprise!"
Hearing what Yang Ling said, everyone felt that it made sense.
"But even so, it is extremely dangerous. Why should the general go there in person? Just leave it to the general."
Zhang Liao persuaded him with kind words.
"Wen Yuan, as the general of the expedition to the west, should be on the front line. If you stay out of the way for a long time, maybe Zhang Lu will be able to guess your intentions."
Yang Ling smiled slightly,
"Besides, although I am the general of the imperial court, soldiers can take risks, why can't I?"
When everyone heard this, they all showed admiration on their faces and respect in their hearts.
Compared with Cao Pi, Yang Ling really didn't know where he was.
Yang Ling asked everyone again and asked them to leave. Then he called Deng Ai and Jiang Wei to get ready.
"Ziwu is so dangerous. I wonder how many soldiers and horses Master plans to bring with him, and which generals he will bring with him?"
Jiang Wei asked.
Yang Ling thought for a while and ordered,
"Except for the two of you, Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao, we only have a thousand divine dragon troops!"
"Only a thousand soldiers and horses?"
Deng Ai and Jiang Wei were both stunned.
"Teacher, isn't this too little? It's too risky."
"You all know that Ziwu Road is difficult to pass. It is extremely difficult for a large army to pass through silently."
Yang Ling explained to the two of them,
"Everyone in the Shenlong Army possesses special skills. One can fight ten, no problem."
Back then, in the southern Xiongnu camp, Yang Ling relied on the 300 special soldiers he had trained to defeat the Huns.
Seeing that it was so effective, he then ordered Xu Shu and Xing Daorong to train three thousand dead soldiers according to the training method.
With three thousand dead men, Yang Ling also successfully overthrew Cao Pi.
After everything settled, he did not disband these three thousand people, but organized them into an army called the Dragon Army!
"Since...the old...teacher gave the order, then the student will take the order...that's it!"
Deng Ai nodded.
"Okay, hurry up and get ready."
Yang Ling waved his hand.
The two quickly took the order and left.
…
In the early morning of the next day, in the dim light of dawn, Yang Ling quietly left Chang'an City with a thousand divine dragon troops.
They were cautious all the way, and in less than two days, they arrived at Ziwu Pass in the north of Ziwu Valley.
Because Ziwu Valley is difficult to travel, and Zhang Lu has not invaded for so many years, there are only a few hundred people stationed in Ziwu Pass.
After learning about Yang Ling's arrival, the generals led by Guanzhong hurriedly came to see him.
Yang Ling chatted with him and got a general idea of the situation in Ziwu Valley.
After entering from Ziwu Pass, you first have to travel 20 miles of rugged mountain roads, and then you need to trek through the river valley.
This is not over yet. After trekking through the river valley, we need to cross the Qinling Mountains next.
Only by crossing high mountains can we enter Hanzhong.
Along the way, it was not only a steep road, but also deserted and inhabited, with no supplies at all.
After Yang Ling inquired about the situation, he didn't waste any more nonsense and led Deng Ai and Jiang Wei directly into Ziwu Valley.
Although the mountain road ahead is extremely bumpy, the Shenlong Army has received devil training after all, so it is not difficult at all.
"Teacher, how are you doing?"
While Jiang Wei was directing the army to march, he did not forget to care about Yang Ling's situation.
"Are you really a 70-year-old teacher? It's just a mountain road, what does it mean?"
Yang Ling smiled nonchalantly.
His current physical fitness is extremely amazing, comparable to that of a young man in his twenties.
And all of this is thanks to Zuo Ci's Fangzhongshu.
"That's good."
Seeing Yang Ling so relaxed, Jiang Wei and Deng Ai also breathed a sigh of relief.
On a normal day, the Shenlong Army would be able to reach the destination within an hour at most, which is twenty miles away.
But this was a mountain road, which greatly delayed their progress.
When the sun set over the horizon, Yang Ling and the others failed to reach the river valley.
Seeing that it was getting late, the Shenlong Army could only choose to set up camp for the time being.
After a night's rest, Yang Ling and his party set out on the road again early the next morning.
It took them nearly a day to cross the turbulent river valley and start climbing the Qinling Mountains.
The next journey is the real devil's journey.
Although the original plank road had been destroyed by Zhang Lujun, Yang Ling and others had no time or energy to repair the plank road.
When the road was cut off, the soldiers of the Shenlong Army took the risk to swing across the cliff, and then threw the rope over to build a simple suspension bridge.
In such a dangerous situation, even though the Shenlong Army was all elite, there were still more than a dozen casualties.
Looking at the vast valley in front of him, Yang Ling couldn't help but sigh.
No wonder Zhuge Liang was so opposed to it when Wei Yan proposed the Ziwu Valley Plan.
After all, for the Shu army, this Ziwu Road is too dangerous!
Fortunately, all the efforts were worth it. After four or five days of hard march, Yang Ling and the others finally crossed Ziwu Road.
Although Zhang Lu did not think that Cao Wei would set out from Ziwu Road, for the sake of safety, he still stationed a group of soldiers and horses at the entrance to the south of Ziwu Road.
After discovering this situation, Yang Ling ordered the Shenlong Army to sneak into the enemy camp under the cover of night.
In front of the Shenlong Army, which is good at sneaking and assassinating, the soldiers and horses of the Hanzhong Army are simply vulnerable.
The Shenlong Army killed all the soldiers in the camp with zero casualties!
After everyone had a good meal, Yang Ling also called Jiang Wei and Deng Ai to discuss military affairs.
"With our troops and horses, it is almost impossible to open the Xiegu Road and the Tangluo Road."
Yang Ling said slowly,
"I intend to go directly to Nanzheng. What do you two think?"
Nanzheng is the seat of Hanzhong County. Under the current situation, Zhang Lu must be in charge.
"Teacher...want to directly...decapitate?"
Deng Ai's eyes flashed.
