The autumn wind blew by, causing the torches to sway left and right.
The entire Zhao camp was silent, except for a few uniform steps from time to time, which were the movements of the patrolling soldiers.
In the auxiliary tent, Zhao Yong held his forehead with one hand and stared at the large area that belonged to the previous generation on the map. The candlelight in the tent was shining, and the scorching air was a little dull, making people feel breathless.
Chen Zhong walked quietly behind Zhao Yong, put a soft fur coat on his shoulders, and said softly: "The weather is getting colder, the king should pay attention to his health."
Zhao Yong did not raise his head, but still stared at Kanyu Tu. After a while, he seemed to be talking to himself, murmuring: "Hongshangsai... Hongshangsai..."
Now in this crisis, the situation has become more and more dangerous.
The Linhu people have not yet moved, but the activities of the Zhongshan Army in Hongshang Fortress have become more frequent. At the same time, according to the intelligence transmitted by the messenger, the Zhongshan Kingdom is still continuously adding troops to Zhongren City. It is obvious that they have North progress trend.
The battle situation adds another variable!
Before the expedition, Zhao Yong specifically punished the spies from the Metropolitan Procuratorate for entering the Zhongshan Kingdom and bribed Sima Xi's retainer "Zhongdafu Zhang Deng" with a heavy sum of money in order to interfere with the Zhongshan Kingdom's sight and prevent the Zhongshan Kingdom from also taking a cross.
Now it seems that his thinking was too simple. Sima Xi could not cover the sky with one hand in Zhongshan Kingdom, and the King of Zhongshan, Ji Cuo, was not a real fool.
"What kind of country does Daling think Zhongshan is?" Zhao Yong suddenly raised his head and asked.
Chen Zhong was stunned for a moment, wondering if there was other meaning in the king's words. He thought for a moment and replied: "I don't know much about military affairs. I only know that Zhongshan Kingdom is a close enemy of our Zhao Kingdom."
A wry smile appeared at the corner of Zhao Yong's mouth, and he said leisurely: "The illness of the confidant... is exactly the illness of the confidant. Now, the illness of the confidant has relapsed while we are on the northern expedition. The illness of the confidant in Zhongshan is really difficult to get rid of. .”
Chen Zhong replied: "Your Majesty may... use the strategy of the state captain to stabilize the King of Zhongshan first..."
Zhao Yong nodded slightly. Then he stood up and walked towards the outside of the tent.
It didn't look very dark outside the tent. There was a burning torch standing every few dozen steps throughout the camp. Perhaps human beings have an innate fear of darkness at all times, even the soldiers who were killing and bleeding were no exception. .
Autumn seems to have always been short. I don’t know if it’s because of people’s reluctance or because the world has always been like this.
Autumn has just entered, that is, late autumn, and the night wind is a bit cool, so Zhao Yong tightens his soft fur. There seemed to be several towering poplar trees not far from the king's tent. In the quiet poplar forest, the night wind blew through the withered yellow leaves and brushed against Zhao Yong's shoulders. He turned his head and relied on the weak torch to look at the remaining leaves swaying in the air. Although the target in front of it was unclear, it was still there. It's so out of control.
After discussing with the ministers, Zhao Yong decided to try the strategy of delaying the attack and intimidating King Zhongshan first.
At the same time, he prayed silently, praying that God would be on Zhao's side, so that Zhao, Lou Fan, and Lin Hu had not joined forces yet and gave him a chance to annihilate them one by one. Zhao Yong didn't know when, but he was also infected by the culture of this era, and began to believe in those illusory ghosts and gods.
…
Early on the next morning, the army continued to move north.
Three days later, the army finally arrived at the boundary of Jinyang.
Jinyang is located in the center of Zhao State's territory and is Zhao State's most important city in the west. At the same time, as the first capital of Zhao State, it is also the political and economic center of Zhao State in the west. Chidao in Jinyang connects Daidi to the north, Shangdang to the south, Handan to the east, and Pingdu to the west. It has developed commerce and products. Rich and famous. The State of Zhao even stationed heavy troops here to provide support to all directions.
The order of Jinyang called him Zhao An (Gongshu An). The descendant of the Zhao family was the son of Zhao Jinghou and the younger brother of Zhao Chenghou. He was the real direct descendant of the Zhao family. Zhao An is now an old man who is approaching the age of seventy. He has gone through several coups in his life, but he still stands in the political arena of Zhao State and is worthy of being regarded as a wise man.
Zhao An was already waiting outside the city at this time, and behind him stood all the officials from Jinyang.
Zhao Yong was sent to Chengyu. This was the second time he saw Zhao An. The first time was at the Yuan Dynasty ceremony at the beginning of his succession.
Now when we meet again, Zhao An is still the same as before, with a thin face, white hair and wrinkled skin, but his back is still straight and straight, standing opposite Zhao Yong, and he is taller than Zhao Yong, visually measuring 1.8 meters. His body was as thin as a bamboo pole, and the loose red robe seemed to fit around him.
It is said that money cannot buy old age, but it seems that Zhao An can still guard the border for Zhao for many years.
Zhao Yong stepped forward to meet with his great-uncle and accepted the worship of Jinyang ministers. He then encouraged everyone and took the lead to go to Jinyang City.
There is King Zhao's bedroom in Jinyang, and he can rest peacefully for a night.
The army did not stay much in Jinyang and continued northward after repairing for one night.
Early on the next morning, as the army had just set out, new battle reports came from the front.
This time it was not an advance scout sent by the standing battalion, but a battle report from Lou Xu who was stationed in Daidi.
According to the battle report, Lin Hu finally made some movement. King Lin Hu personally led the army from the Hetao (Mongolia) area to move in the direction of Guping (Datong). However, after Lin Hu's army was stationed in Guping, it did not continue to attack the Daidi border east or west, as if it was waiting for something. At the same time, according to the emergency report in the building, Lin Hu sent about 20,000 additional troops to Gu Ping.
Three days later, when the army was about to arrive at Guoyi, another news came from Daidi.
Letter: Loufan's army has crossed Yuanshui (Yuanzi River) and rushed towards Matuo (Shuozhou).
When the ministers of Zhao State heard the news, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhao Yong suddenly felt as if the clouds had parted and he could see the sunrise.
Now the battle situation is clearer, and Lou Fanren's intention is also more obvious. Lou Fanren wants to use a partial army to confuse Zhao State in the Nao area, with the intention of containing the main force of Zhao State's army, and his main force is to go all the way. East, join forces with Lin Hu, and then go south together. Fortunately, the news was received early. If it were delayed for a few more days, when Loufan crossed Matuo and the cavalry reached both sides of the Sanggan River (Datong Basin), the Zhao army would definitely not be able to intercept it.
However, the Zhongshan people still made no move, and they didn't know whether it was Zhao Guo's threatening words that had an effect, or whether they were waiting to reap the benefits.
In the big tent, Zhao Yong sat at the top and spoke first with a smile on his face: "Now that I, the State of Zhao, have discovered the truth and falsehood of Lou Ann, please speak out if you have any good ideas."
Fei Yi glanced at Kanyu Map and said: "The main force in Loufan is now heading north, and the troops left to guard the western border of Guodi (Yuanping) must be insufficient. Our Zhao State may be able to punish a partial army and break through this remnant army with force. , and then penetrate straight into the hinterland of Loufan from Guodi, the partial army will then go north along Huishui to join the main army, and jointly attack the main force of Loufan."
As soon as Fei Yi finished speaking, Zhang Yuan immediately bowed to his superiors and said, "I would like to lead my troops and serve as the king's pioneer, and be the first to defeat this remnant of Loufan's army."
Zhao Yong glanced at Zhang Yuan, and then slowly asked everyone: "What do you think?"
"I think that the captain's strategy is a little too eager and risky. It is taboo for military strategists to rush for success." Niu Zan replied.
Zhao Cheng also bowed to Zhao Yong and said: "Now that our army is only two days away from Dai, we may join forces with Dai Ling first and then make plans. Moreover, the food and grass in the army are probably far from enough, and the baggage is too heavy." It will take several days for the troops to arrive, so hastily dividing the troops today may not be conducive to the war situation."
Zhang Yuan was a little carried away for a moment, and immediately replied: "The Loufan garrison on the border of Guoyi was originally deployed to confuse the main force of our army. If you want to be with our army for a long time, the military stronghold must have surplus food. All you need to do is seize its food and grass in one go. , the food will be able to sustain our army’s continued advance.”
Zhang Yuanyuan and Zhao Yong did not answer. He was eager to make a contribution and immediately said: "It's only two hundred miles from Guoyi to Matuo. Your Majesty only needs to supply our troops with food for ten days, plus three days of supplies with the army. Within half a month, I will We must clear out the remnants of Loufan's army near Huihe River and advance towards Matuo without consuming food supplies from the rear."
Zhao Yong immediately opened his squinted eyes: "There is no joke in the army!"
Zhang Yuan knelt down and bowed solemnly: "If I can't advance to Ma Tuo in half a month, the main force of our army will retreat immediately and apologize to the king!"
Zhao Yong made a secret calculation in his mind, raised his head and looked around the tent, and saw that none of the officials openly objected. Then he decided: "This is very good. I will use you as the vanguard to leave Guoyi first, and then attack Matuo with the army. Please remember, I can only supply food and grass for ten days. If the Beiying is trapped in the hinterland of Loufan , I will not spare you for wasting the opportunity to fight!"
Zhang Yuan stood up and walked to the center of the tent, knelt down on one knee and clasped his fists, saying: "I have an order! I beg you to let my troops repair in Guoyi for a day."
Zhao Yong nodded slightly and said, "Yes! I will send out scouts to pay attention to the movements in the north of Loufan, and send people to contact you at any time."
"Here!"
Zhao Yong immediately arranged a detailed battle plan with his ministers. The reason why he agreed to Zhang Yuan's plan was that Fei Yi's plan was indeed feasible.
The weather was unknown, the land was favorable, and the people were prosperous. He saw Zhang Yuan so confident. At the same time, he was also very familiar with Beiying's army. They were all well-trained warriors on the battlefield... And here in Loufan, the main force They have already gone north, leaving only a few light cavalry behind. According to Zhao Yong and others' estimates, they will not exceed 5,000. Can such Lou Fan's army stop Zhao's elite?
Moreover, even if Zhang Yuan's partial army failed to advance to the vicinity of Ma Tuo as planned, Zhao Guo still did not suffer much loss, but it was able to slightly restrain the attention of King Lou Fan. Once Zhang Yuan joins Zhao's main force according to the battle plan, he can jointly attack Loufan's army from east to west. Perhaps in the first battle, Zhao will be able to eliminate the threat of Loufan first.
Therefore, there are risks, but the relative benefits are greater, and it is worth taking the gamble.
Risks and opportunities always coexist on the battlefield, and there is never such a thing as guaranteed victory.
…
…
The capital of Zhongshan, the royal city of Zhongshan.
Zhongshan Royal City has been expanded three times, and the current structure of the Royal City is not inferior to that of Zhao Wangcheng. It is dotted with pavilions and pavilions, decorated with carved beams and painted buildings, and exquisite gold, silver, and bronze wares placed everywhere. It is not difficult to see from this that the current economic strength of the Zhongshan Kingdom is completely comparable to that of other countries in the Central Plains.
In the court hall of the Zhongshan Palace, Ji Cuo was sitting at the top, looking at the envoy from the State of Zhao. Now that the war between the two countries is about to begin, Zhao Guo sent his envoys to Zhongshan at this time. Aren't you afraid that they will not come back?
"What's the purpose of envoy Zhao coming to Zhongshan?" Ji Cuo said, with a hint of murderous intent in his tone.
Zheng Mao bowed in a neither humble nor arrogant manner and replied: "The foreign minister has been ordered by the King of Zhao to come to Zhongshan to repair and form an alliance."
Zheng Maonai was a retainer of Yang Wenjun Zhao Bao, so he naturally knew that war between the two countries was imminent. When he asked for an envoy to Zhongshan this time, he was already prepared to sacrifice his life for righteousness.
Ji Cuo stared at Zheng Mao and said slowly: "On the one hand, you are seizing my city, on the other hand, you are expelling my subjects, and on the other hand, you are punishing the envoys for repairing it. Don't you feel ashamed of the two sides of King Zhao?"
"After years of old affairs, why does the king need to use it to prevaricate foreign ministers again? What about the border dispute, how can it hinder the overall situation of the alliance between the two countries? If the king wants it, our country, Zhao, is willing to retreat and cede the city and give me a small gift." Zheng Mao replied. .
Doctor Qiu Sheng immediately spoke sternly: "Now King Zhao is retreating and giving gifts. In my opinion, King Zhao is just afraid of my Zhongshan army's Northern Expedition!"
Hearing this, Zheng Mao glanced at him disdainfully and did not answer.
Ji Cuo waved her hand and said to Zheng Mao: "I once heard from a gentleman that if there is no war in Zhao State, he will attack Zhongshan and seize my land; if war breaks out, he will retreat with the alliance. Anjing border. Does Zhao think so?"
Zheng Mao laughed wildly, then looked directly at his superior, and replied calmly: "What this gentleman said is somewhat reasonable, but has your Majesty forgotten how our country, Zhao, helped your country retreat from its enemies in the past? "
Since we've already broken up, let's just say it openly.
"The alliance has been broken, don't be alarmist!" Qiu Sheng refuted loudly.
Zheng Mao glanced at Qiu Sheng with disgust, and continued to bow to Ji Cuo: "What are your plans, your Majesty? Are you really going to start a war with me, the Kingdom of Zhao?"
Ji Cuo replied in a faint tone: "Now Lin Hu and Lou Fan are inviting us to jointly send troops to destroy the State of Zhao. What do the envoys of Zhao think?"
Zheng Mao sneered in his heart and said with disdain: "Your Majesty, you think that the power of the Three Kingdoms alone can destroy our Zhao Kingdom? In the past, with the strength of Qin, Qi, and Wei, our Zhao Kingdom still fought with them! Your Majesty thinks that today the Three Kingdoms of Zhongshan , how does it compare with Qin, Qi, and Wei in the past?"
Ji Cuo's face suddenly lit up!
"Now our country of Zhao is at war, and we want to make peace with Zhongshan. If the war stops, our country of Zhao will be grateful!" Zheng Mao bowed again.
Ji Cuo frowned slightly: "What if I don't agree?"
"My king made it clear: If Zhongshan attacks me today, I, the State of Zhao, will use all the strength of the whole country to destroy them in the future!" Zheng Mao replied truthfully.
"Bold!" Prime Minister Sima Xi, who had not spoken until now, shouted sharply.
Ji Cuo gritted his teeth and said, "Isn't Zhao afraid that I will use your flag as a sacrifice?"
"No, Your Majesty! Even if the two countries are at war, there will be no case of killing the envoy!" Sima Xi said in shock.
Zheng Mao sneered at the corner of his mouth and said: "If the king wants to kill or behead him, please do as you wish. I will wait for the good news from the king in the post office!" After Zheng Mao said this, he immediately waved his sleeves and walked out of the palace!
"Here...here comes!" Ji Cuo shouted sharply.
"Your Majesty, no!"
"Your Majesty, no!"
…
…
