Chapter 94 Long Talk
After dinner, Qi Shiyi excused himself to leave. After Qi Fu had served tea, Qi Lilun talked a few irrelevant words from east to west, north and south, stood up again and bowed to Luo Shifan: "Master Military Advisor, please help me!"
Luo Shifan pretended to be surprised and said: "Old sir, please get up quickly. I have something to say."
Qi Lilun said sadly: "Master Military Advisor, don't doubt that I have other ideas. Your army is so powerful, and the magic soldiers descending on our county cannot be forced by the situation. There must be another mystery. It's hard to find a remote place in a poor country. Supporting a large army has been stationed for a long time, and the city is surrounded by mountains. Although there is no danger for a while, it is not a long-term solution. I am stupid and foolish, and I speculate on my own. Is your army going to the east or south in the near future? I don’t know if I can hit one or two? I am bold and talkative. Military advisor Don't be suspicious, sir, I have something to say later."
The day before yesterday, Luo Shifan was alone to explore the way for the army. He reached Song County and then returned to Xin'an. As for the next step of the army's movement, the father and son originally planned to make plans after arriving in Song County - in an era when transportation was all about two legs, two to three hundred miles was already the limit of exploration. Hearing what Qi Lilun said, the arrogant Luo Shifan knew that this was a good opportunity, and encouraged him calmly: "Old sir, please speak frankly."
Qi Lilun said: "To the east of our county is Ruzhou Prefecture. In Chenghua (during the reign of Emperor Xianzong of the Ming Dynasty), it was formerly a scattered prefecture under the jurisdiction of Nanyang Prefecture, and was later upgraded to Zhili Prefecture of Henan Province. Although the name is a prefecture, it is compared with other prefectures. The products and territory are not inferior. If your army advances eastward, it should first go to Yiyang (today's Ruyang), then along the Ru River to Ruzhou (today's Linru), and then to Jiaxian or Baofeng. If To the south, some Zhouzhang must be abolished, and there are no decent counties or towns for two to three hundred miles."
Luo Shifan asked with some confusion: "Then...the old gentleman is suggesting that our army march eastward?"
Qi Lilun hurriedly shook his hands and said: "Don't dare! You will never dare to say anything when your army is marching. Master Military Advisor, please don't misunderstand me. I have lived here for a long time, and I still know a thing or two about the surrounding geography. I know everything about it. Master Military Advisor, you can just make a decision." .”
Luo Shifan smiled lightly, knowing that Qi Lilun must have more to say later, so he did not answer.
Qi Lilun continued: "Going south is not without its merits. Two hundred miles away is Baihe Town, where the Guishui River meanders south, reaching Nanyang."
Luo Shifan said with relief: "Haha, the old man still wants our army to go to Nanyang."
Qi Lilun nodded, and then shook his head: "Yes, and no. I do have my own private thoughts, and the whole story has just been revealed to the military advisor. However, from what I think, Henan Province is located in the Central Plains, and all dynasties have been the site of the Four Wars. Land; and Ruzhou Prefecture is located in the center of Henan Province, close to Kaifeng, the provincial capital. If your army advances eastward, there will be repeated wars. It may not be the best strategy."
Luo Shifan said curiously: "Old sir, we plain people don't speak secretly. When our army entered your county, Luo knew exactly what it was doing. Even if it is a noble house, it cannot be disturbed. If you believe Luo, you can do it for me." My daughter is so grateful and helpful, but Luo is not a three-year-old child, so I can’t believe it at all."
Qi Lilun bowed again and said, "That's what Master Military Advisor said. Although Master Military Advisor is young, his words and deeds are incomparable to others. His eyes are as bright as lightning and he never gets angry. I don't dare to deceive you. I will reveal my true intentions immediately, Master Military Advisor." I know that what I said is true."
"The family Yan died in depression, and the descendants of the Qi family were strictly prohibited from getting involved in officialdom again. The old man and idiot had lived for more than half a century. He was born stupid, but he had already understood the ways of the world. Confucius said, 'If the state is in order, the words and deeds are dangerous (the behavior is upright + Speak uprightly); if the country is without moral principles, it is dangerous to behave in a grand manner (behave upright + speak less. 'Sun' is the same as 'Xun')', and it is also said, 'If the country is without moral principles, then you can take care of it'. There is Mr. Wu Liu in front of you. (Tao Yuanming) If you don’t bend your waist for five measures of rice, you really can’t say that you have any ambition to be powerful in the temple. Especially in the past few years, our Henan Prefecture really had a big turmoil. , it is chilling to say. The former emperor’s expedition to Liaodong was not successful. The three generals Du (Song), Wang (Xuan) and Zhao (Menglin) were defeated and returned to the west. The prefectures and counties were not supplied with food. The army was defeated and there was an uproar. Fu Chen Zhang Yinzhen (Zhang Wuxu) led his troops to attack him, beheading more than thirty people, and declared that the attack on the thieves was a great victory! Master Military Advisor, do you think these people can really be considered thieves? When the imperial court uses troops, you are the official army, and when they are used, they are the officers and soldiers. Abandon them like worn-out shoes - if you don't want to die in peace and hunger, you are a thief! Take your military advisor as an example. You are a talented person, with extraordinary temperament in every gesture, and old age and courage. If you were not on the right path and hopeless, how would you be where you are today? Encounter? I am nagging so much to make the military advisor believe that I have no intention of sacrificing myself for the so-called temple."
These words from the heart deeply moved Luo Shifan. Yes, you are talented and well-read poetry. Which young person has never had beautiful dreams? But it was swallowed up and polished clean by the bitter cold wind and sand in Saibei. Think about it, isn't Marshal Guan himself an official and a soldier? Normal people who don't want to live a happy and happy life in peace and stability are not forced by the world! Luo Shifan sighed softly, stood up and gave a half salute to the old man: "Old sir, please don't address yourself as an adult anymore. Luo is young and I really don't dare to act like one."
The two sides exchanged a few words of humility, and Qi Lilun continued: "I am very disappointed with the temple, and I don't look forward to the rain for your army. I am so talkative. After all, it is for my own family. Please forgive me, Military Master Luo."
Luo Shifan smiled: "Of course. Mr. Luo knows what he's talking about. Even if you speak bluntly, Mr. Luo."
Qi Lilun bowed his head and said: "I would like to offer a reward of one thousand and five hundred taels of silver to the army, and I beg Commander Luo to protect our house."
Luo Shifan was a little embarrassed: "I'm ashamed. I didn't take a penny. Luo couldn't explain to the brothers and took them all. He really couldn't bear the honor and was unworthy of the old gentleman's hospitality. Take half, I'll take eight hundred taels, and you can't do the same." I'll refuse again. I will bother you here for two or three days in the past two days. I will leave a note before I leave for you to keep. If another team comes over, nothing will happen."
Qi Lilun said: "Will there be a large army coming in the future?"
Luo Shifan smiled and did not answer, then asked: "Can you please tell me more about the surrounding terrain in detail?"
Qi Lilun said hurriedly: "Of course, of course. Don't be too troublesome. The military advisor has to say it even if he is old." He dipped his finger in tea and roughly sketched it on the table, "There are two mountains to the north and east of our place, one is Jiugao The first is Luhun Mountain, which belongs to the junction of Yiyang, Yichuan and Songxian counties. To the northwest is Gaoduchuan, and in front of it is Yongning County (today's Luoning) over Nvji Mountain. To the southwest is Santu Mountain, in Yi The north bank of the water. To the south is the Funiu Mountains. Not far from the city, you can see the Ru River. Going down the river is Yiyang in Ruzhou Prefecture. Going upstream, you enter the Funiu Mountains. Walking to the source of the Ru River, Not far to the southwest is Baihe Town, which is the source of Feishui River (today's Baihe). It is about two hundred miles from our county to Baihe Town. From Baihe Town, we go down the river for about three hundred miles and reach Nanyang Mansion. From Nanyang along the The Jishui River goes further south, with Lianhe River in the west and Jishui River in the east, and joins Xinye after about two hundred miles (Qi Lilun remembered wrongly, Jishui River did not join the Jishui River in Xinye, but merged after entering Hubei). After Xinye, we reach Huguang. I only know that the Tuo River reaches Xiangyang Prefecture, but I really can’t say what’s going on there.”
Luo Shifan stared intently at the outline drawn by Qi Lilun on the table. He quickly recalled the map of Henan Province that he had carefully seen in Shaanzhou, and verified and compared it with each other. After a long while, he let out a sigh of relief, Zhanyan cupped his hands and said: "Thank you, old man. You have helped our army a lot. If nothing else happens, you will not be kept waiting for too long for the great feud between the daughter-in-law and the son-in-law. "
Qi Lilun thanked him again. The two sides chatted for a few more words and then took a break. That night, there were one or two soft exclamations from the maids and servants in the house. However, neither the Qi family father and son nor Luo Shifan seemed to have heard it. In troubled times, sometimes it is better to be confused.
On the third day after Song County was captured, Generals Gao and You sent liaison envoys to Xin'an and then led their troops out again. With the support of more than 10,000 auxiliary soldiers, the five military battalions marched out of the south gate, crossed the Yishui River, and strode toward the southeast. Of course, Song County was cleaned up, all the banks, granaries, and wealthy households were cleansed, and many young men were also taken away. First, Yan Xi enlisted 200 people to go to Luofu to assist in the defense. After this, all those left in the small Song County were old people, women and children. Qi Shiyi was "forcibly kidnapped" along with everyone else. However, a limited number of people knew that Qi Xiucai would "take advantage of the thief's unpreparedness" and wait for an opportunity to escape before long. Well, not only that, but you can also bring back about half of the local young men - this is naturally what Military Master Luo wants from Mr. Qi.
The army left, but Luo Shifan did not follow. He still lived in Qizhai with Sun Chunlong and other guards. Several people lived in seclusion and did not appear in the city. Apparently, the young military advisor was waiting for Guan Shuai and Luo Yonghao. The army took away all the homeless and scoundrels in the county. Therefore, although the population was desolate in the next few days, the city was quiet.
The official road leading from Hangu Pass to Luoyang Mansion was in chaos, with crowds of people crowding, crying, pushing, and stampeding towards Luoyang Mansion. Although the royal guards performed well under Sun Fugui's careful training on weekdays. After hearing the order to occupy the two compartments, most of them obeyed like a reflex and struggled to squeeze towards the foot of the mountains and river banks on both sides. However, the power of the crowd was too strong. , individuals were completely unable to resist, and many people were still carried by the flow of people, heading east along the official road. The situation of the convoys who climbed to the foot of the mountain was better. Those who were close to the river bank were squeezed into the rough river from time to time. Gushui is not a small river at all. Here at Hangu Pass, there is Cijian flowing into it, and the water is surging. Retreating in front of the enemy is no better than a normal march. The soldiers have no time to remove their armor. Even if they are wearing leather armor, they will be in danger if they fall into the river. As for the iron armor falling into the water, the person is basically dead.
Fortunately, those in the rear were Guan Peizhong's rear troops. More than two hundred people reluctantly formed a small square column and stood guard along the official road. However, the chaotic noise of the crowd in the east always hit the eardrums of the defenders, and everyone was filled with fear. The retreat was too hasty. I did bring some horses and other things, but they were all in the front team. Suddenly there was a chaos. The strong men driving the carts and carts threw these big guys and ran away, not only blocking the enemy's hope. If they fail to do so, the official road will be blocked tightly, further exacerbating the chaos. Without the support of auxiliary soldiers, it would be impossible for the soldiers to temporarily build fences and other fortifications. Well, even if they wanted to, they couldn't do it - the hammers, picks, shovels and shovels were all in the hands of the strong men in front, and the soldiers only had swords and guns. . The defenders, who didn't even have a large shield, knew that they would probably never return to Luoyang.
The battlefield is the best school. Sun Fugui, a senior general who had never experienced a real war before, finally understood an extremely common common sense that even the middle and lower-level officers of Guan Shengyun Department knew: withdrawing troops in front of the enemy and leaving only those soldiers who dare to fight are left behind. It is far from enough, and there must be a sufficient number of auxiliary troops and equipment to provide support.
Tuition costs hundreds of lives.
