Wei Yan rode quickly and lightly to greet him. When he saw Deng Ai again, he was indescribably excited.
Deng Ai immediately ordered the villagers to push the carts and continue to move forward. When they arrived at the Wei Yan military camp, they began to bury pots and make rice. The soldiers smelled the long-lost fragrance of rice and were almost moved to tears.
When the meal was served, the soldiers of each battalion sat on the ground. Wei Yan, Deng Ai, Wang Ping, and Ma Dai held bowls and gathered around the fire to keep warm and enjoy dinner.
Wang Ping followed Wei Yan's instructions and asked Deng Ai how he came out. Deng Ai sat there without hiding anything, and told him everything he had learned about astronomy and geography, as well as the villagers who led the way.
Wei Yan was immediately convinced after hearing this. He and Wang Ping set out on the road with light clothes and made several mistakes in the Ziwuling Mountains. However, Deng Ai actually did not make a mistake once. Except for the farmer's guide that he walked more than 20 years ago, the main thing was Deng Ai's terrible knowledge of astronomy and geography.
"We rely on experience when marching in the mountains. I am very curious about what kind of person General Lan is, who can teach a military genius like General Deng. No wonder the three generals have always missed you. Has General Deng learned eight points of General Lan's skills?"
After Wang Ping surrendered to Liu Bei, he stayed under the command of Wei Yan in Hanzhong and had not had the chance to meet Lan Tian. He became strongly curious about Lan Tian through Deng Ai.
"Eight points? General Wang is laughing. My teachers have learned from ancient times and modern times, and I'm still far behind." Deng Ai shook his head modestly.
"Ah this." Wang Ping looked confused.
Wei Yan stroked his beard and replied: "General Lan's talent is immeasurable. I heard that Shi Zai loved setting up sand table formations since he was a child, and he has studied the terrain more thoroughly. Perhaps it is this tireless spirit that makes you feel like walking on flat ground in Ziwu Ridge."
"Haha, the third general said it, right? That's the only hobby I have." Deng Ai admitted with a smile.
"After all, you are the one the king and the others have watched grow up." Wei Yan nodded in confirmation.
Wei Yan envied Deng Ai's blessing from the bottom of his heart. He was obviously a boy who stuttered when he was a child, but after meeting Lan Tian, he immediately changed his destiny. It won't be any worse.
Wei Yan saw Deng Ai's network of connections, but he didn't see that Deng Ai had been working hard since he was a child. His understanding of sand tables and maps was even better than that of Lantian's own sons.
"Although we successfully walked out of Ziwu Ridge, we walked more than ten days longer than planned, and we only have half a month's worth of food left. Should we make a plan to attack Chang'an by surprise?" Wang Ping brought the topic back to business. .
Wei Yan put down his bowl and asked Ma Dai: "What wonderful strategy did Bozhan use to conquer Chang'an with General Ma in the past? Zhong Yao should have been smarter than Xiahou Mao at that time."
Ma Dai replied: "At that time, the Xiliang army besieged the city for ten days and could not conquer it. Meng Qi (Ma Chao) adopted General Pang's strategy and ordered the army to evacuate Chang'an City suddenly. Zhong Yao didn't know what the plan was and relaxed his vigilance. In addition, the people in the city were When the siege was short of rice and grain, we opened the city gates and let the people go out to collect firewood and find food. Then we went and returned with the Xiliang army. The people swarmed into the city and the city gates could not be closed, so Zhong Yao had no choice but to withdraw."
"General Wei, can we follow suit?" Wang Ping asked.
Wei Yan shook his head and replied: "In the past, the Xiliang army had 200,000 soldiers, but now I only have 10,000 strong men. I'm afraid General Pang's old plan won't work, but the Xiahou Mao is just a man. He might lead the army to the city and escape."
"Shizai, what do you think?" Ma Dai asked Deng Ai.
Deng Ai frowned and replied: "It was previously reported that there are 20,000 defenders in Chang'an. Whether General Wei can successfully force the surrender depends on Xia Houmao's psychological endurance. The king's main force should be attacking Chencang now. My suggestion is to cut off his wings and Give both grace and power."
"What do you mean by this?" Wei Yan asked.
Deng Ai took out the map he always carried, pointed to the surroundings of Chang'an and said: "It goes without saying that the city of Chang'an is strong. Counting my villagers, there are only 30,000 people in total. Not to mention that there are only more than ten days of food and grass left. Even though there is enough food and grass now, , it is absolutely impossible to defeat it with a strong frontal attack.
The cities and villages around Chang'an are densely populated. Although there are not many troops stationed in those places, once a combined force is formed, it will be difficult for our lone army to fly, so we have to cut off the surrounding wings so that we can also obtain some supplies. "
"Wonderful, then we will divide our troops into two groups. Zijun (Wang Ping) and I will directly attack Chang'an, while Shizai (Deng Ai) and Bozhan (Ma Dai) will be responsible for clearing the surrounding area." Wei Yan nodded appreciatively.
"General, remember to act quickly and don't let the news leak out. If we attract the defenders of Anding and Tongguan, our surprise attack will be useless," Deng Ai reminded.
"I know in my heart that I can let Xiahou Mao abandon the city and escape. As for the scouts who want to go out of the city to deliver a message? Absolutely impossible." Wei Yan looked stern.
The generals' discussion was over, and the regular army and the field soldiers parted ways after dinner.
Wei Yan's 10,000 troops marched to Chang'an. Due to the small number of people, they only surrounded the two southeast gates. Xia Houmao was still indulging in the gentle countryside at that time.
Xia Houmao was rudely interrupted by the guards. He put on his winter clothes and almost went into a rage. However, when he heard that Wei Yan had already arrived at the city, he showed an incredible expression.
"What did you just say? Wei Yan appeared in Chang'an? Why didn't you say that Liu Bei broke Chen Cang? Are you entertaining my consort like this in the middle of winter?" Xia Houmao scolded angrily.
The guard lowered his head and replied: "You will know when you go to the tower and take a look."
"Well, if Wei Yan isn't here, just wash your neck and wait." Xia Houmao cursed and left his warm residence.
As soon as I climbed onto the tower, I saw an orderly army, with the word "Wei" written on the flags. If it weren't for the different clothes, Xia Houmao would have thought they were one of his own.
"Where is Wei Yan?" Xiahou Mao asked the defenders to ask.
Wei Yan walked to the front of the formation holding a big sword, stroking his long beard and replied disdainfully: "Is there Xiahou's consort in the city? Wei Yan is here."
"What's the matter with the general?" Wei Yan had made a big appearance in the Battle of Hanzhong, and the people of Wei had already remembered his appearance in their hearts. Xia Houmao immediately locked onto the opponent, but he just said something stupid.
"Of course I want to recapture the city for the king. If you knew the current situation, you would have surrendered earlier. General Yide could have let you go, but I, Wei, would not be so easy to talk to." Wei Yan replied coldly.
"How did you get here?" Xia Houmao asked, swallowing his saliva.
Wei Yan heard the fear in Xia Houmao's voice, so he prepared to continue to scare the other party, "Does the prince consort not know where the King of Hanzhong is? Wherever he comes from, I will come from."
"Chen Cang is broken?" Xia Houmao was shocked.
"Now that the situation in Guanzhong is over, it is better for the prince-in-law to offer the city in advance with knowledge and interests, so as not to destroy both the jade and the stone after the city is destroyed." Wei Yan was trying to be mysterious and did not respond to the other party from the front.
"Humph, Chang'an is right here. If you want the city, come and get it yourself." Xia Houmao said a harsh word and left in a hurry.
Wei Yan looked at Xia Houmao with admiration and said that he had to attack for this reason. However, due to the small number of people, he only besieged the city temporarily and ordered people to cut down trees to make equipment, pretending to attack by force.
(End of chapter)
