Soon after the Fenyin battle, Huangfu Song buried the prisoners alive on the spot, then led his troops to move south and invade Huayin. At the same time, Dong Min recruited a Qiang army of 7,000 men from the north, and sent Fu Xun from the north to lead it, with the order to travel day and night to rejoin the Yin and Jin forces. In the battle of Huangfu Song, the loss was only over 2,000 men. Now, With reinforcements, the military might become more powerful. Previously, all the tribes in Guanzhong met with Gongsun Zan privately, but now they saw thirty thousand bannermen galloping across the Wei River. They all stopped their flags and drums and were frightened.
Guo Da of Huayin was the first to get the news and was quite shocked. He said to Han Xian, Yang Feng and others: "Before in Jinyang, I often talked about military affairs with General Fenwu. I just felt that he was very good at training troops. Although I didn't know The situation changed, but he had a strong heart and was considered the best choice to be a general. Now he has died in one battle. Are all the generals under Dong Thief's command?"
But a defeat is a defeat, and they must think quickly about how to deal with it. Li Le analyzed: "Although Puban is broken, Anyi is still there, and Bingzhou's military rations can still be supplied. However, in this way, we can guard Huayin and serve as The army is alone, but it occupies a dangerous position. It can be said to be a thorn in Liang Gou's side, and it must be removed first. If we look at Liang Gou's movements today, he is definitely coming towards us. But we don't know whether our army will defend or retreat?"
Han Xian quite agreed. On the issue of defense and retreat, he first stated his point of view: "Although our army occupies a dangerous position, it is still alone and can hardly achieve anything. Although I do not know the number of enemy troops, since we can defeat Fenwu, we must be There are more than us. Although the location is dangerous, we should not defend it. It would be better for us to join forces with General Zhengxi, with nearly 40,000 soldiers and horses. Even if Lianggou attacks from east to west, it will be difficult to achieve success."
Guo Da pondered for a moment and saw that the accompanying military advisor Xu Shu did not say a word about this. He asked him for his opinion again. Xu Shu said: "I don't know what the news is about the South Route Army, so I dare not say more."
These words enlightened Guo Da, and he said to everyone: "We must not retreat!"
When Chen Chong planned the Northern Route Army, he told all the generals that the reason why he divided the river into three groups was to contain the Liang people and prevent Dong Zhuo from returning westward. Now one of the three dangers has been lost. If Guo Dazi and Liu Bei meet up, another danger will be lost. By that time, the Liang people were attacking from east to west in Maojin. They might not have to worry about the defense, but they could only sit back and watch the two armies outside the city respond, allowing Dong Zhuo's main force to retreat to the west safely. The design of the north road would be completely useless, and the design of the south road would be completely useless. Naturally, the advance will be in vain.
After thinking about this, Guo Dacheng rushed to build barriers and repair the city walls in Huayin. He also sent envoys to inform Liu Bei and Chen Chong of the news, urging the South Route Army to send out troops in advance, and hoped that Chen Chong would lead the Middle Route Army to attack Hangu Pass and force Dong Zhuo's main force. Return support.
On December 29, which was New Year's Eve, Huangfu Song's army arrived in the north of Huayin.
Huayin is located in the north of Huashan Mountain, south of the Weishui River, and west of the river. It is called the junction of the four counties of Hongnong, Hedong, Fengyi, and Jingzhao. It is actually the most important place in Guanzhong. The river passes through Luliang and Taihang. After Huayin, the Zhongtiao Mountains and Qinling Mountains on both sides suddenly tighten up, forming a narrow and long corridor of two hundred miles to the east. It wasn't until after crossing Maojin that the river flowed straight down and surged out, depositing the sediment in the upper and middle reaches to the north of Luoyang.
Twenty-five miles west of Huayin, there is an ancient peach forest fortress, which was built by the people of Kuching. It is located in a mysterious valley, with deep forests and lush trees, and it becomes dark during the day. It was called a dangerous place by the people of the time. , the so-called Tongguan in later generations, is here. Guo Dal ordered Li Cai to lead five thousand people to guard here, and he also led the remaining ten thousand people to guard the city of Huayin. …
With such a defense, Huangfu Song's army stationed at the Wei River in the north for half a day. Huangfu Song personally investigated the city defense of Huayin with his scouts. Huayin was originally no more than a small city, but it has been more than a month since Guo Da settled in. He repaired the fortifications day and night and made the city high. The height was increased from three feet to more than four feet. Three layers of trenches were dug outside the city, and a layer of wooden walls and a layer of antlers were built outside the trenches.
Huangfu Song returned to the army and said to the generals: "This is not a place where we can fight. We will continue eastward."
Yang Ding, the general of Yulin Zhonglang, asked him: "Chariots, Huayin is a dangerous place with two rivers. How can we not fight if there is hope?"
Huangfu Song said with a smile: "The enemy has penetrated deep alone and has no support from Puban. Although it occupies a dangerous position, it is just an isolated city. Our army is neither short of food nor clothing, nor has it been ordered to attack the city and plunder the land, so why bother to fight?" Him? Just leave."
So the cavalry marched majestically eastward. At this time, the river had not yet thawed. They abandoned Huayin and Taolinsai on the south bank, crossed the river directly, and headed towards Dayang from the north bank.
Guo Da and others stayed on the city tower that day to watch the cool people's forest flags arrive at the north bank of the Wei River. He quickly warned the whole city and circled the city with noisy gongs and drums to put the entire army on alert. Before long, Above and below the city, on the wooden walls of the trenches, there are fully armed warriors. These remnants of the Yellow Turbans look up at the army on the other side with hatred. The handles of the knives in their hands are covered with sweat. Apart from being nervous, their hearts also yearn for revenge. .
Unexpectedly, the Liang people only waited and watched on the north bank of the Wei River and did not attack for a long time. Only when the soldiers were tired did they see the Liang people move. The commanders were all refreshed, but who expected that those troops had not yet attacked the city. Instead, he turned his horse's head and ran straight to the east like a stream.
The march of the army brought up snow dust in winter. Huayin's sergeant Bai Bo saw the snow dust running on the plain and did not dare to leave the city. After all, no one wanted to leave the city defenses that had been repaired for many days and fight against the Liang people who had just won a victory. After the battle, everyone was at a loss. They sat and watched Liang Ren disappear from sight. The soldiers were chilled by the cold wind.
Guo Da suddenly remembered something, and then secretly cried out that it was bad. At this time, the weather was cold, the ground was cold, and the river was frozen. The river that used to be dangerous was now a smooth road. The Liang people could quickly move eastward regardless of Huayin, and Guo Da and others also Hard to stop.
If they go out of the city to intercept, Bai Bo's army will risk losing the city, but if they sit back and watch the Liang people advance eastward, Liu Bei's army will be in danger of being destroyed. After a day of discussion in Huayin, several commanders finally decided to abandon the city and pursue the attack.
Guo Da and others mainly planned that if they encountered the Liang people on the road, the cavalry would stop and continue to confront the Liang people; if the Liang people wanted to fight the cavalry, they would lead the army back to Taolinsai. As long as they delayed, until During the freezing flood season, the river thawed and turned into rapids, and the north and south banks could not communicate. They clung to Taolinsai, but they could still achieve the effect of trapping Liang people to death.
In the second year of Chuping, on the first day of the first lunar month, the Baibo army came out from Huayin and ran eastward along the river on the south bank. At this time, heavy snow began to fall from the dome again. The snowflakes were as big as cypress leaves. They were piled one by one on the armor of the knights. They also covered the occasional loess exposed in the wilderness. They spread a layer of snow velvet for the knights. Cover the earth with a new layer of white. There was a bit of dampness and coldness from the melted snow in the air, but now it disappeared, which made Guo Da couldn't help but feel worried. …
Gu and the others followed the trail of Liang Ren on the north bank for half a day, but the wind and snow soon buried it, leaving only a vast white patch. At night, the snow was two feet deep, almost burying the human legs, and the horses were exhausted. . Bai Bojun had to rest in the mountains and forests for a night.
At night, the sergeants raised bonfires in the forest, but they still could not drive away the cold. Xu Shu went to check the supplies, while the marshals gathered together to roast dried meat and discuss military matters. Guo Daxian asked Yang Feng: "Where are the Liang people?" Yang Feng thought for a while and said: "They left one day earlier than us, but the weather here is freezing and the mountain roads are difficult to walk. At most, they are better than us. Just travel an extra thirty miles!"
Guo Da nodded in agreement. He broke off a branch and used the tip to draw a map on the snow. He warmed his hands with the heat and analyzed: "The Liang people traveling east like this must be heading straight to meet Dong Zhuo. But Liu Shijun has occupied two counties, and they are separated by the other side of the river. They can't sneak around the city. I predict that they will take a rest in Hongnong, and then go straight to Dayang with all their strength. What do you think?"
Han Xian remembered the banner of the Liang people and put forward a new suggestion. He said: "The current coach of the Liang people is Huangfu Song. Huangfu Song is not such a reckless person. He is famous for his accurate calculation of troops. Although he has left our army behind Behind us, but Huangfu Song will not ignore our pursuers, he may not be able to circle around Hongnong, waiting for an opportunity to fight with us."
"Then as planned, if he fights, we will retreat, as long as we delay it." At this point, Guo Da looked at the snow velvet still piled up outside the mountain forest, and couldn't help but sigh: "It's just today There is also heavy snow, and I’m afraid it will take a lot of night for the river to thaw this year.”
Yang Feng disagreed and said with a smile: "One day is just one day, why bother so much? Even if the battle fails, the worst we can do is retreat to the state. Drinking in the spring, admiring the stars in the summer, hunting elk in the autumn, and warming up by the fire in the winter are just the same. Happy, why worry about it?”
Guo Da's eyes were quite unhappy, but Yang Feng still said: "When I was in Jinyang, I saw Long Shou working so hard for the court. He was busy from Mao hour to Xu hour every day. He was less than thirty years old and had white hair on his head. The hair is quite eye-catching. Brother Guo, great things in the world cannot be accomplished overnight. Back then, Wang Mang was in chaos and it would take more than ten years for the ancestors to revive the Han Dynasty, let alone the current dynasty?"
Guo Dazhi said: "I joined the Taiping Tao because the Great Master said that we should rebuild a peaceful world."
After these words, several people were speechless. They hurriedly ended the military meeting and went back to camp to think about their thoughts.
Early the next morning, the Baibo Army set off again. They walked through the deep snow, wrapped their horses' hooves with towels, and continued to run eastward with difficulty. The heavy snow stopped at midnight the next day, but Guo Da estimated the distance and found that he had only walked more than ten miles. Here, he couldn't help but feel a little impatient. He ordered the soldiers to speed up and eat lunch on the horse.
Baibo's soldiers had long been accustomed to hardship and did not complain to the officers. They strictly followed military orders. However, Guo Da knew in his heart that the soldiers were in such a state that it would be difficult to fight if they encountered the enemy. But the Liang people must be the same way. , considering the overall situation, he still moved forward ruthlessly.
They traveled a little faster in the afternoon and walked about twenty miles, but there was still no trace of Hongnong County. Guo Dazheng was worried about not being able to make it in time. Suddenly he heard Xu Shu, who was traveling with him, murmur: "No, something is wrong."
"What's wrong?" Guo Da asked.
"Where's the trace? Where's Ryoto's trace?"
"It's all covered by yesterday's snow."
"What about today's traces?"
Guo Da was stunned and looked into the distance. The snow in front of him was completely white and there was no sign of it. But they have walked more than thirty miles, and it stands to reason that they have caught up with Liang Ren's footsteps yesterday. The wind and snow have stopped today, and their traces today should be revealed.
But apart from the white snow and the sky and the earth, there is only the river and the mountains on both sides.
Guo Da was horrified. He ordered as quickly as possible: "Array! Array!"
But it was too late. He suddenly found that the snow on the ground was trembling slightly. Gradually, the trembling made a sound in the snow, like distant thunder rolling down the mountains. There were some sleeping wolves in the mountains, and they were also panicking at this time. The ground howled.
Before the thunder could reach us, the mountains and forests on the south bank suddenly burst into flames. Thousands of flying fire points fell from the sky. Some hit the snow and turned into pure white water smoke. Some hit the bodies of people and horses. The screams of people and the neighing of horses were intertwined. It turns out that this is an arrow tied with pineapple and lit with fire. Firelight and thick smoke surrounded the cavalry of the Baibo Army, and following countless hidden arrows, it was the surprise attack of the Liangren cavalry.
. .
