The Caspian Sea is long and narrow from north to south, and its shape is slightly like an "S" shape. Although it is called a sea, it is actually the largest inland saltwater lake in the world.
Its shoreline is about 7,000 kilometers long, equivalent to about one-seventh of the total lake area in the world.
The lake is separated by many islands and shoals. The further north you go, the less water there is, and the south is a deep water area.
The Caspian Sea borders Parthia, and from east to west, through its horizontal lake, you can reach the eastern border of Armenia.
Due to its special geographical environment, with undulating mountains on both sides, it was impossible for the Han army to cross the Caspian Sea due to long expeditions.
Therefore, although the coalition forces recognized the importance of the Caspian Sea, they chose to deploy defenses in the area south of the Caspian Sea, in Parthia, to deal with the possible infiltration of the Han army.
However, the difficulty of crossing the Caspian Sea is relative.
The Han army under Zhao Anji had been established for several years, but it was specially trained in special environments.
They usually use Huashan Mountain as their climbing target and go in and out of cliffs. It is not difficult to pass through the mountains on both sides of the Caspian Sea.
As early as the initial battle with Parthia and the digging of the white stone dam, Huo Qubing began to prepare for the subsequent war.
Caspian also came into his sight at that time.
At this moment, as night fell, Huo Qubing led his group to the east coast of the Caspian Sea.
Accompanying him were Fu Luzhi, Yao Zhao, Xiao Qisheng, Gongsun Hong and Bai Nanyu.
There was already a Han army of 500 people waiting here in the night.
Last time, Zhao Anji, Zhao Ponu and others led their troops from the Caspian Sea to the south and entered Parthia.
At that time, Mithridates used his divine power to see a Han army entering Parthia from the direction of the Caspian Sea.
They thought that the Han army chose that route because it was concealed enough and easier to sneak into Parthia.
In fact, it is not, but to hide troops.
At that time, Zhao Anji's deputy general and a small team lurked on the east coast of the Caspian Sea and began to explore and arrange the surrounding area.
Some of the Han troops who practiced swimming hard were those who stayed around the Caspian Sea.
Examine nearby, people who need good water.
For as long as a month, it is difficult for ordinary troops to hibernate in the wilderness where supplies are scarce for such a long period of time.
But field personnel who have been trained for a long time can do it. They performed similar operations when they fought against the Western Huns.
Huo Qubing had just arrived at this time, but the vanguard had already been preparing in the Caspian Sea for a month.
"Master Marquis, there are many indigenous tribes around here, living around the Caspian Sea."
Zhao Anji's adjutant Zhuang Ding is quite thin in stature, but he is as agile as an ape and is an expert at climbing mountains and ridges. He was born as an Orion in his early years.
When the Han army was in the wild, the method of digging flues to prevent smoke came from him.
He was wearing a short fight. In order to facilitate action, he did not wear military uniforms, and coincided with Huo Qubing and others, and was responsible for leading the way in front.
"General Zhao has reached the established area."
While walking forward, Zhuang Ding said.
General Zhao in his mouth was Zhao Aiji.
Gongsun Hong was accompanying him, thinking to himself: The generals under Da Sima were fighting against the Parthian coalition, but there has been no news about Zhao Anji in the past half month. It turned out that he was sent here.
Gongsun Hong, like everyone else, didn't know Huo Qubing's target this time.
Now the real purpose of this march is revealed step by step.
With sufficient preparations in advance, Zhuang Ding and others found a path in the undulating mountainous environment that allowed the Han cavalry to pass in a straight line.
The bright moon rises early.
The vast expanse of the Caspian Sea reflects the moonlight.
There are nearly twenty small wooden boats parked on the shore of the secluded lake, the largest of which is four to five feet long.
"Da Sima, it is not easy to get the ship here. After these ships survey the surrounding situation, we raid a local tribe, controlled them, and temporarily chisent and built four ships. In addition, their original ships were obtained.
When we left, they agreed to return them to their freedom. "
Zhuang Ding added: "We did it very cleanly. The tribes under control totaled less than 800 people. It was not difficult to control and the whereabouts were not exposed."
Huo Qubing looked at the calm lake in the sea, condensed.
Gongsun Hong was a little surprised: "Huo Hou wants to go across the coast, just use these small wooden boats?
How far is the other side? If you use these boats to transport troops, you may not be able to finish it for ten days and a half months. "
"This location is the area with the shortest lateral distance in the Caspian Sea. It takes about a day and a night to get to the other shore. Fortunately, it is an inland lake and there are no big winds and waves.
And we don’t all go, just one trip. These small boats are full of people, and they are enough for people, and others have other tasks. "
Huo went to board the boat first, and others accompanied him.
The small fleet set sail in the night. It lasted one day and night, and on the next night, more than a hundred people were transported to the other side without wind or waves.
Zhuang Ding and others did not participate, and were responsible for leaving behind the aftermath and providing support.
The three thousand soldiers and horses led by Yao Zhao and Xiao Qisheng did not follow them across the Caspian Sea.
They would move south along the east coast of the Caspian Sea, preparing to enter Parthia and participate in the war.
After taking a boat to the other side of the Caspian Sea, Gongsun Hong was stunned to see a special operations team led by Zhao Anji, with a total of 2,000 troops, in a mountain depression in the mountainous area next to the shore.
Gongsun Hong was stunned for a moment before he came to his senses.
Other captains from other roads were fighting against the Parthians. Zhao Anji had disappeared for half a month, but he came here in advance, and transferred over and over again. In half a month, he completed the crossing of more than 2,000 people. Caspian Sea process.
This shows that Huo Qubing accurately predicted the current battle situation at least half a month ago and made arrangements for the current battle in advance!
Full of stars.
The west coast of the Caspian Sea has undulating low hills. Going westward is a grassland, and the terrain will gradually become higher.
To everyone's expectation, Huo Qubing's target was not anywhere in Parthia, but Armenia.
When Parthia was short of food and was dragged into a full-scale war, Armenia was Parthia's staunchest supporter and backup.
Parthia went to war with Han, and Armenia provided full support in terms of troops, horses, and food supplies.
Armenia is rich in cattle and sheep, which provided Parthia with food and a large number of cattle and sheep after a food shortage, helping them tide over the difficulties.
Under such circumstances, if Armenia in the rear of Parthia collapsed, how big a blow would it have to them?
How much impact will it have on the third party who is watching the battle, Seliu, who is still hesitant?
The territory of Armenia is high in the west and low in the east.
Its geographical location and role in this war are irreplaceable and vital.
If it penetrated Armenia, it would be equivalent to stabbing Parthia in the waist.
Last time, the 25,000 Armenian troops sent to Parthia were defeated, and less than 10,000 people fled back.
This time they sent another 40,000 troops, no reservations, and they only had more than 20,000 troops left behind.
If the Armenian troops supporting Parthia knew that their home base had been raided, they would immediately send back reinforcements.
If one side of the three-party alliance withdraws, it will naturally disperse, and the subsequent battle will be easier to fight.
At the moment, the focus of both the enemy and ourselves is on the territory of Parthia.
However, Huo Qubing led his troops out of Parthia and made Armenia the first target.
Once Armenia is defeated, the entire war situation will be affected.
In the night, Huo Qubing and the soldiers under Zhao Anji who were waiting here connected seamlessly.
The whole army got on their horses and headed westward in the wilderness, then turned south and entered the Armenian border.
Immediately, Gongsun Hong said: "In the past few days, I have also thought of an attack strategy from the Caspian Sea to the south and into Parthia.
But I did not expect Huo Hou to jump out of the entire Patia, the goal is Armenia. This is really a different perspective. The difference is a world of difference. "
Huo Qubing burst into laughter.
The whole army was galloping, and the ride was like the wind.
Armenia is a small country with thousands of miles of fertile land, but the roads are very unfriendly to cavalry and there are many mountains.
Fortunately, its territory is rich in livestock and transportation needs, and the roads are flat and easy to travel.
Huo Qubing unfolded his magical marching method, covering more than 2,000 troops in the army, making them invisible and traceless.
The military strategies and plans within the sea of knowledge are fully operational and continue to penetrate deep into its territory.
After midnight, a city located on a hillside with beautiful scenery appeared in front of the Han army, which had marched hundreds of miles.
There is a big river not far outside the city.
That was the river that came to be known as the Razdan River.
This is the richest region in Armenia, surrounded by fertile agricultural areas and a distribution center for fruits and vegetables.
In future generations, this place will become the most famous ancient city in the Caucasus, with numerous tourists.
"Destroy the city." Huo Qubing said.
Zhao Anji gave a low drink and waved his hand.
There was a team of special operations personnel under his command, using soldiers such as those who could hide from the sky and fish in troubled waters to sneak close to the city ahead.
Whether it was Parthia or Armenia, they never dreamed that a team would descend from heaven and appear in the capital of Armenia.
Therefore, Armenia, which is completely unprepared for war, is far from being tightly defended.
His Majesty Zhao Anji's Han Army, per capita climbing of the wall, coupled with the ink worker's utensil assistance, successfully boarded the wall, operated through, cut the throat, handled the head of the city, smooth routines, and spicy.
They completed the above things quietly with the cooperation of Chen Cang and other Ji Jian.
So much so that when the east gate of the city was opened, no one in the city noticed that a battle-hardened army had entered the city.
When the Han army entered the city, they dispersed in an orderly manner and went about their business just like daily training.
Huo Qubing and others remained hidden from the sky, as if a vague mist spread across the city, heading straight for the Central Palace.
After approaching the palace, Zhao Anji personally led people to board a nearby building, shot out the bronze rope that had been used to sneak into the city many times, stepped on the giant longbow with his feet in the air, shot out the rope, and nailed the other end to the building in the palace. above, forming a slide that goes straight into the palace from the air.
At this point, it was no longer possible to hide his whereabouts.
In the palace, the Armenian soldiers and horses guarding the palace quickly discovered the change.
The warning sound sounded loudly.
The sound of fighting suddenly started.
In just three or four breaths, the city was filled with the sounds of killing.
The Han army has been fully mobilized.
The formation patterns under Huo Qubing's feet spread out, and the Four-Elephant Divine Weapon Talisman appeared, as big as a mountain. It was held by a giant bear, stood up from the formation patterns, and slammed against the main entrance of the Armenian Palace.
The gate is made of giant wood mixed with metal beams, which is very strong, and has many divine defense patterns carved on it.
But Huo Qubing struck with this bombardment. Not only did the gate burst, but the surrounding palace walls collapsed, and the earth and rocks flew away.
This is the purpose of Huo Qubing personally.
Armenia can independently exist in areas such as Pitia and Rome, which are more than conventional.
Huo Qubing came here personally to suppress these secrets, break the city quickly and accurately, and ensure the smooth operation.
When the city walls and gates collapsed, the Han army followed Huo Qubing into the palace. All the troops fired their bows and crossbows rapidly, suppressing the firepower and raining arrows.
Huo Qubing let go of his military formation, discerned the details, and rode in one direction.
The Han troops on both sides were like wolves and tigers, with Zhao Anji and Fu Luzhi acting as vanguards to clear the obstacles.
The group of people drove straight into the depths of the palace at lightning speed.
The Armenian leader Mitro was awakened by a loud noise in the palace bedroom.
He sat up from the couch and was stunned for a moment, then heard the deafening shouts of killing, and the entire royal city seemed to have turned into a battlefield.
Behind him was a beautiful concubine, who also woke up with a look of shock on her face.
Metro shouted and asked: "What happened?"
A palace attendant walked in quickly outside the door, also looking shocked and confused, not understanding the situation.
The change happened too quickly.
Metro called the guards outside the dormitory to go out and investigate.
When he put on his clothes from the dormitory, stood up and walked out, he saw the team of guards who had just left again, and retreated back with a panicked expression.
Mitro's expression suddenly changed, because he heard the sound of horse hooves approaching quickly, and Han troops poured into the courtyard outside his dormitory like a tide.
In the center of the Han army's ranks, a figure in silver armor and red robes stood high on a horse.
In the night, the figure's eyes were like two cold lightnings, looking towards him.
Metro's scalp was numb, and the chill instantly penetrated his whole body.
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(End of chapter)
