In the third year of Wei Huangchu and early February of the third year of Yankang in Han Dynasty, Xiahou, the Prince Consort, left Chang'an with his troops.
Thirty thousand cavalry marched westward along the Wei River, and all the army's supplies were transported by water. Therefore, Xiahou's march was very fast, and he arrived at Shang in the east of Ji County in more than ten days.
The upper city gate was tightly closed, and the flags on the city wall were swaying lazily in the wind. welcome.
Although Xiahou was not the general of Liangzhou, he was ordered by the emperor to support the Tianshui war. In addition, he was a close minister of Cao Pi, so he should have been treated politely by Liangzhou officials, but he did not expect Shangliang Qian to be so 'disrespectful'.
Han Shao, the chief registrar of the army, noticed that Xia Hou was unhappy, so he sneered and teased Liang Qian: "General Liang is really a powerful official. The prince-in-law came from Chang'an to rescue him, but the soldiers and civilians did not come out early to greet him. The officials in Liangzhou Could it be that he only recognizes General Zidan?"
Liang Qian first turned over and dismounted, then knelt down on one knee and raised his fists above his head, explaining loudly: "I forgive you, Prince Consort, because I have been teased by Zhang Fei many times, so before my identity is known, I dare not go out to the city to welcome you."
"It's rumored that Zhang Fei is no better than a reckless man. Can this black guy also use tricks?" Xiahou sat astride a tall horse and looked at the underground people with disdain.
Liang Qian quickly shook his head: "Where did the prince-in-law hear this from? Zhang Fei had many plots and tricks. He once pretended to be Chencang's YV reinforcements. At that time, he fell into the trap and lost a lot of people in his humble position..."
Xia Houxin said that if Zhang Fei's plan could fall into his trap, you, the county magistrate, would be fine. He couldn't help but shook his head and said, "It's cold on the ground. Magistrate Liang gets up and answers..."
"Thank you, Prince Consort..." Liang Qian received the instruction and stood up.
"Zhang Fei only has a few thousand riders, and Tianshui's garrison has tens of thousands at least. The main cities are on both sides of the Wei River. It should be very convenient for the counties to support and cooperate. Even if Ma Zun can't retreat the enemy with his troops, he won't shrink to the county seat, right? Why? It feels like Tianshui is surrounded?" Xia Hou frowned.
Liang Qian's face was full of bitterness, and he shook his head and complained: "Zhang Fei's cavalry came and went like the wind. The defenders in the county were easily cut and divided. The defenders from various places were never really able to assemble. Governor Ma could only let the counties be divided according to His Majesty's will." Gather the people to clear the country, hoping that Zhang Fei will run out of food and retreat..."
"I heard that Zhang Fei left Qishan in November last year, and it has been more than 100 days since mid-February. Did they retreat because they ran out of food?" Xiahou asked rhetorically.
"Uh...it's because..."
Liang Qian was about to explain, but was ruthlessly interrupted by Xia Hou: "What's the use of strong walls and clearing the country? None of you are going to cut off Zhang Fei's grain road. The grain will be transported continuously across Qishan Mountain. Naturally, Zhang Fei can be unscrupulous in Tianshui. This general is Come to close the door and beat the dog.”
"Uh... I am willing to listen to my consort in this humble position..." Liang Qian swallowed back what he wanted to say.
Xiahou turned around and turned to the chief clerk, Han Shao, and ordered: "General Han, I will send you five thousand cavalry. Now go south along the valley to cut off Zhang Fei's grain transportation on the Qishan Road."
"Wei." Han Shao cupped his fists.
Liang Qian asked curiously: "General Han is going to cut off the grain road, and the consort is going to Ji County to look for war? Zhang Fei has been active there recently, and Grand Administrator Ma may not be able to come to greet you."
Xiahou sneered and said: "You have said that Zhang Fei is cunning, why should I go head-on? I will sit in the town and wait for work. When Han Shao cuts off the grain road, Zhang Fei will go back to Qishan after running out of grain. At that time, I will send troops to attack him. , wouldn’t it be better to get twice the result with half the effort?”
"Uh... the consort has a wonderful plan... I will take you to the city to rest in my humble position." Liang Qian saw that Xiahou was so proud of himself that he couldn't say anything discouraging to spoil his mood.
"Well... the soldiers have been working hard on their journey. General Liang needs to prepare more wine to serve the troops." Xia Hou added in a low voice: "If there is kabuki in the county, prepare some too..."
"Uh...yes..." Liang Qian responded awkwardly, his heart filled with contempt.
The small county in Shang was not as good as the big city of Chang'an, and it might not be able to meet Xiahou's requirements. Liang Qian thought that he would have to find a way to send this man to Ji County. This general consort didn't look like he was here to fight.
Xiahou stayed there for seven or eight days. The food provided by Liang Qian was almost as simple as that during the march, and the kabuki opera he had found through "all kinds of hardships" was difficult for him to appreciate.
Xiahou, who was used to living a good life, couldn't stand eating chaffy vegetables for a long time. He called Liang Qian and asked: "After all, Tianshui County is also a big county. You treat guests with these foods every day. Are you bullying me? Xiahou has a good temper." ?”
"Prince Prince Consort, calm down. Although this is a large county in Tianshui, there was a severe drought in the north last year and Zhang Fei suddenly disturbed the grain harvest. As a result, there was almost no harvest last year. The remaining grain in the city's treasury can only be calculated carefully, otherwise the people under the rule will have to flee. Yes..." Liang Qian explained.
Population represents tax revenue and military resources, and is the main assessment indicator for county magistrates. Liang Qian pointed out that the people fled, so Xiahou couldn't think of a point of rebuttal.
Xia Hou frowned and asked: "It is understandable that due to special reasons last year, the grain production decreased, but the climate in the previous few years was good, and a large number of people moved from Wudu, so the grain reserves cannot be so small, right?"
"Uh...actually there are other reasons..." Liang Qian lowered his head as he spoke.
"Still secretive?" Xia Hou raised his voice. uuread a book
Liang Qian clasped his fists and replied: "I used the food from the treasury to exchange a lot of prisoners from Zhang Fei..."
"What?" Xiahou didn't believe his ears.
Liang Qian added awkwardly: "Actually, this is the case in several nearby counties..."
"The officials in Tianshui are so generous. No wonder you frequently ask for help from the court. All the food in the treasury is given to Zhang Fei. How can Tianshui's soldiers get the fighting power? This is really ironic."
Xia Hou suddenly realized that he seemed to understand why Zhang Fei was not short of food. It turned out that these "traitors" in Liangzhou were supporting the enemy. He even thought that he could help Cao Pi clean up a group of moths.
"Prince-in-law, you misunderstood. In fact, we are very passive. Take the situation above. The county defenders were no match for Zhang Fei. Later, they were threatened by the other party with prisoners. The humble position was forced to use food in exchange for the soldiers. Otherwise, we will go up. It has been occupied by Zhang Fei..." Liang Qian complained repeatedly.
"If Zhang Fei dares to kill prisoners in front of the city, can't he arouse the anger of the generals? The saying is that those who are sad are sad and feel the same..." Xia Hou frowned.
Liang Qian shook his head and replied: "Zhang Fei clamored to only exchange food without killing. If he is unwilling to redeem his people with food, he will move the prisoners back to Wudu..."
"You let that black man move. When the people were moved from Wudu, all the counties provided food and grass support. Zhang Fei dared to move the prisoners back to Wudu. The military rations he worked so hard to transport were probably used up soon. Liang Magistrate, you are really worried..." Xiahou kept shaking his head, thinking that he was just a small border official and his brain was not flexible at all.
Liang Qian was even more stunned after hearing this. Xia Hou showed the look of a military novice after just a few words. He was pessimistic about the upcoming war.
1 second to remember Aishang:.
