Time goes back to a month ago.
Nishikawa domestic.
Tired footsteps trampled in the jungle, and the embarrassed figure walked with difficulty.
Zhao Changqing wiped the water droplets on his face that had seeped out from Lin Wu, stopped slightly on the spot, and took a breath.
Even though I had been mentally prepared for this for a long time, it was only when I actually embarked on this road that I realized what this world-famous country surrounded by mountains really meant.
Even they, the Southwest Yi people who were also born in the mountains, find it quite difficult to walk facing the mountains one after another.
"Although the losses are a bit heavy, fortunately everything is almost over."
Zhao Changqing murmured, looking back at the long dragon made up of human figures behind him, and a smile appeared on his face.
It has been a month since I entered these mountains.
In the past month, they crossed plateaus, crossed streams, climbed over steep mountains, and entered grasslands. During this period, they faced countless natural dangers, poisonous insects and ferocious beasts, and encountered many terrible dangers.
There are countless people who have died on this difficult road.
But it's all worth it.
Because after passing through this mountain, going forward, there is a plain.
And that plain was the purpose of their trip.
Thinking of this, Zhao Changqing rubbed his face, cheered up, and then started moving again, moving forward with the flow of people.
After walking for more than an hour, it seemed that there were dense forests one after another, and it seemed like there was no end in sight.
But this is obviously an illusion.
Because he passed through another jungle, and after taking another step forward, the strong sunlight fell down and dispersed the shadows in the dense forest.
Looking forward, I saw a vast plain appearing in front of me under the foot of the mountain.
The plain looks like an ocean, with no end in sight.
Seeing this scene, Zhao Changqing, who had been walking on the mountain road for a month, immediately confirmed in his heart that he had finally arrived at his destination.
The other companions around him seemed to realize this. Many people who walked out of the mountains were already moved to tears. These were tears of joy and joy.
Bursts of cheers appeared at the intersection of mountains and plains.
Looking back at the excited companions, Zhao Changqing just smiled and did not stop and blame them.
As someone who has also experienced it personally, he knows deeply what these companions have experienced in the mountains for more than a month.
The difficulty of crossing mountains and ridges made even me, an innate master, feel exhausted and strenuous, and it was a bit too much to bear.
As most of the soldiers in the team were ordinary people, it was even more difficult.
In order to detour through the thousands of miles of mountain roads, many people paid the price with their lives and fell forever on the road.
"Your Highness."
Vaguely recalling his previous experiences, a soft call came from his ears, bringing Zhao Changqing's mind back to reality.
Turning around, a general wearing pitch black armor and a helmet with a resolute face was saluting him.
"General Flower."
Zhao Changqing nodded to the general with a smile on his face.
The general in front of him, named Hua Kaiyun, is a famous veteran general in his Nanzhao Kingdom. Although he is over sixty years old, he is still going strong. In the past few decades, I don’t know how many great contributions he has made for his father. He is the true pillar of the country.
He was leading the army on an expedition, and Hua Kaiyun was his specially arranged deputy. Thanks to the help of this old general in managing the army along the way.
The old general did not shoulder his heavy responsibility. Not only did he manage the march in an orderly manner, but he also took this opportunity to teach Zhao Changqing his decades of experience in marching and fighting without hiding any secrets.
Faced with such a loyal and loyal veteran, who was like a teacher, Zhao Changqing naturally had great respect in his heart.
"Your Highness, the army has now left the mountains. The front should be the Xichuan Plain. We have entered the hinterland of Xichuan. However, the specific location of this place is not yet clear."
Hua Kaiyun was fulfilling his duties as deputy and teacher, and said to Zhao Changqing at this time: "The old minister suggested that it is better not to act rashly yet, but to send out a few spies to find out the surrounding situation before making other decisions.
After the army had been marching in the mountains for more than a month, the soldiers were very tired, and each department also lost a lot of men. In fact, it was necessary to count the losses.
It's a good time to take this opportunity to fix it up. Recharge your batteries and defeat the enemy in one fell swoop. "
Upon hearing this suggestion, Zhao Changqing just smiled and nodded: "Don't do anything the old general says."
Huakai performed a ritual: "Old minister, I obey."
Then, he went down to prepare.
Time passed slowly.
Scouts from the army were sent out to penetrate into the nearby plains and inquire about the situation here.
However, according to the reports, there are no villages or settlements within twenty miles nearby.
There are some ruins of villages, but they have long been abandoned and no one lives in them.
So after receiving this reward, Hua Kaiyun was relieved, but at the same time, he did not embarrass his subordinates who had worked extremely hard and forced them to build a strong camp.
Since there is no one living around, there is no need to worry about the risk of exposure, let alone the worry of someone discovering their army and coming to attack the camp.
Therefore, Hua Kaiyun just asked each department to set up tents, light fires and cook stoves, and carry out repairs. It is time to summon the generals from various ministries and let them count their losses.
It is not easy to cross these mountains.
The route their Nanzhao army traveled along had never been traveled before. It was a road forcibly cut out of a wilderness.
Although he successfully walked out at this time, countless people died in the mountains and forests along the way.
This is all the price of opening this path.
At this time, it is time to take stock of how much the cost is.
After lunch, another half of the afternoon passed, and after half a day of busy work, tents were set up on the plain like stars.
Countless figures shuttled between them, busy sorting out various supplies and equipment.
Zhao Changqing stood on the hillside, looking down at everything in front of him, his heart filled with pride and ambition.
These countless soldiers were the capital for his achievements this time and the basis for Nanzhao's victory. Now that the difficulty of traveling in the early stage has been overcome, it is now time to collect the fruits.
Just as he was thinking about it, Hua Kaiyun came over. After saluting, he reported: "Your Highness, after counting by the old ministers and the personnel and materials of each department, there are still 91,26 people left in the army. , in order to pass through the jungle, 8,231 people were lost.
Moreover, there were many difficult and dangerous places during the period, making it impossible to transport supplies, and a lot of grain and equipment were abandoned on the road.
Therefore, at this time, the army only had the last ten days of rations left. Many soldiers in each department also threw away their armor and weapons, leaving only swords and other light short-term weapons in their hands.
The current strength of the army is less than 70% of what it was at its peak.
And if we don't capture those Xichuan people's cities quickly and get supplies from them, then the remaining 90,000 troops will be thrown here. "
Huakai's fortune report listed each item of data with a solemn expression.
The cost of opening a new path for the army in the wild mountains and forests was actually unexpectedly high.
It was much higher than what they originally expected when they set out.
Therefore, after leaving the mountains, I realized that my original preparations were not sufficient at all.
At this time, we had to face an urgent situation.
"More than 8,000 people were damaged. Are the casualties on the road so serious?"
After listening to Hua Kaiyun's report, especially the number of casualties, Zhao Changqing frowned slightly, but he quickly relaxed and said with a smile: "But it's not bad, there are 90,000 people left, which is enough. .”
He looked at the flowers blooming and said with relief: "And this time we raided the rear of Xichuan, the old monk Ji Hui didn't expect it at all. At this time, he is no longer in the country. Without him, the innate master, we will use Xichuan Our country’s current weak national power cannot stop us at all.
Even if there are only ten days of army rations left, it will be more than enough to conquer Xichuan Kingdom. "
As he spoke, Zhao Changqing spoke with incomparable confidence.
The plan for this surprise attack on Xichuan Kingdom was a decision he proposed alone and made with the consent of his father and the ministers in the country.
In order to complete this surprise attack, Nanzhao not only spent a lot of money but also borrowed passage from the Qiang people on the plateau.
He also raised a force of 100,000 soldiers and horses, all of whom were the country's elite and composed of retired warriors, and used this elite force to complete this surprise attack.
In addition, the leading generals are also composed of him, the prince who already has innate strength, and Hua Kaiyun, a veteran of the country.
All aspects of preparation and configuration can be said to have reached their peak.
on the contrary.
In Xichuan Kingdom, those Dongyang people were still confused by the militia troops outside the capital of Nanzhao Kingdom, which were used to cover their ears, and they had no idea about this surprise attack.
As for Xichuan's domestic defense force, Nanzhao has also found out that there are only 20,000 people at most, and militiamen account for the majority.
With this strength, facing 90,000 soldiers and horses led by an innate master, Zhao Changqing really didn't know what the other side would do to win?
With his strength, if he were to attack these poorly defended cities at the rear of Xichuan Kingdom, even if he was alone, he would be able to defeat them in half a day.
Not to mention only ten days of military rations.
Even if there were only three days of military rations left, as long as they could find a city in Xichuan Kingdom, they would be able to get supplies quickly.
This is the confidence brought by strength.
"With Your Highness here, this surprise attack will be flawless."
Hua Kaiyun looked at the confident face of the young man in front of him and couldn't help but be infected. A smile appeared on his stiff face and he nodded.
Hua Kaiyun was extremely satisfied with the eldest prince in front of him.
The other party is not only young, but also extremely talented and powerful.
At the age of twenty-six, he has already surpassed his innate ability in martial arts and is ranked among the world's great masters. This made their Nanzhao Kingdom's Xiantian Grandmasters officially break through to the number of three, surpassing the other two major southwestern Yi countries.
And there is no difference in all kinds of talents and endowments.
It was the eldest prince who came up with the strategy of bypassing the mountains and making a surprise attack on the rear of Xichuan Kingdom.
Although this strategy seemed a bit risky, many people opposed it when it was first proposed. But judging from the actual results at this time, this risky strategy is indeed very effective.
Now they were able to reach the back hinterland of Xichuan Kingdom without knowing it, all because of this strategy.
"Those Dongyang people invaded our southwestern barbarians in a large scale. Dachanghe and Dali suffered setbacks one after another. They lost their troops and territory and were in a state of disarray. They simply lost the face of the barbarians and us.
Even our Nanzhao Kingdom had soldiers and horses from the Xichuan Kingdom, which invaded the Jianchuan Kingdom and took over the territory of the Moxi Kingdom. They are still fighting against the Jianchuan Army there to this day.
The current situation of the barbarians in our southwest is extremely dangerous.
Facing the invasion of the Dongyang people, if we do not respond, we may not follow in the footsteps of the Yue, Miao, Qiang, and Manchus, and be gradually defeated by the Dongyang people, taking away the homeland where their ancestors lived and lived, and the tribesmen will also be destroyed. Slavery. "
Although Zhao Changqing was quite happy that his strategy was recognized, the situation facing the entire Southwest Yi now really made the prince of Nanzhao worried.
The reason why he wanted to risk a surprise attack this time was to restore the decline and counterattack the Dongyang people's invasion.
The more Zhao Changqing spoke, the more excited he said: "As the descendants of the Great God Wuyu, we will never allow such a situation to occur.
Don't those Dongyang people want to invade the barbarians in our southwest?
This prince wants to let them know that if the bandits can go, I can go too.
If they can come and attack the barbarians in our southwest, then the barbarians in our southwest can also come and fight them.
Now the old monk Ji Hui is being dragged into Xiangcheng, surrounded by Jianchuan's 150,000 troops and unable to escape.
Such a God-given opportunity just allowed me to steal his hometown, so that he could have a taste of what it would be like to have his country invaded.
The thousand-mile Xichuan Plain in front of us belongs to our Nanzhao Kingdom from today on. "
After Zhao Changqing finished speaking, he stretched out his hands and faced the vast plain ahead, as if he wanted to hold it all into his arms.
The three major Yi countries in the southwest have almost no decent plains except near the three large lakes of Kunhai, Erhai, and Lihai. They are all mountainous areas.
Therefore, even after thousands of years of development, their three major barbarian countries still cannot support much of their population. There are almost seven counties in the Three Kingdoms, and at its most prosperous time, the population did not exceed tens of millions.
The Xichuan Plain in front of us is vast, covering an area of more than two thousand miles. It is no less than the Three Seas in the Southwest, or even larger.
If we can occupy this land and manage it for another hundred years, then the national power of Nanzhao will definitely make a leap, and it will be easy to double it.
How could Zhao Changqing, who had already achieved many achievements at a young age and had great ambitions, let go of such a great opportunity?
Nowadays, the Dongyang countries are invading the southwestern barbarians on a large scale. Perhaps in the eyes of many people, it is a disaster for the entire southwestern barbarians.
But in Zhao Changqing's heart, this is a golden opportunity that belongs to him and to Nanzhao Kingdom.
Because according to the original situation in the southwest region, even if Nanzhao Kingdom has an innate talent like him, it is simply impossible to defeat or annex the other two Yi Kingdoms until there is no overwhelming gap in strength.
Even if the Nanzhao Kingdom is too strong, it will lead to the other two parties joining forces to contain it, and there will be no chance of success.
But now the situation in the southwest region has been broken.
The Dongyang people, a more powerful enemy, came in and immediately held the hands and feet of Dachanghe and Dali. They also held the hands and feet of the Dongyang people, leaving them no time to care.
And under this situation.
What Nanzhao has to deal with is the Xichuan Kingdom, which is weak and has a population of less than one million.
Originally, with the strength of Xichuan Kingdom, even with all its efforts, it could gather a hundred thousand troops. Coupled with the fact that the leader of the country is an innate master and the help of some allies of the Xichuan Kingdom, the aggressiveness may not be enough, but the defense is more than enough.
With the strength of the Nanzhao Kingdom, it is not that simple or even impossible to defeat such a Xichuan Kingdom.
But now, a joint attack by the countries in the east and southwestern barbarians immediately opened numerous gaps in the encirclement surrounding Nanzhao.
Zhao Changqing did not want to touch Dachanghe Kingdom and Dali Kingdom.
Although these two families are in dire straits, there are still two innate masters left in the country, and they can pull out hundreds of thousands of troops, so they are not that easy to deal with.
Moreover, if they beat them, the Dongyang people would no longer have any resistance, and they would undoubtedly march straight in and bring the flames of war to the Nanzhao land.
Instead of doing this, it is better to keep these two countries as a barrier to block the Dongyang people's attack.
On the contrary, it was Xichuan Kingdom.
Now, I don't know if that old monk Ji Hui is really Lao Hutu, but he has the 30,000 soldiers and horses under his command to dare to interfere in this matter.
Now that we have been surrounded by Xiangcheng and lost contact with the country, we really deserve it.
But it just so happened that Xichuan's country was empty, giving him the opportunity to take advantage of it.
'This time, we must defeat the Xichuan Kingdom and seize the two thousand miles of Nanzhao's foundation. '
Zhao Changqing looked into the distance, as if through the plains, he saw the cities that surrendered to him and planted the flag of Nanzhao.
"Your Highness, the scouts are here to report that there is a county town of Xichuan Kingdom thirty miles northeast of the front."
At this moment, a guard came over in a hurry and said a few words to Hua Kaiyun, and then the veteran immediately came over to report.
"Really? We found the city of Xichuan Kingdom so quickly."
Zhao Changqing came back to his senses from his distant thoughts, still with the habitual smile on his face, and then ordered: "In that case, let's set off with the army. First select an elite group and follow me to attack this city."
After saying that, he looked at Hua Kaiyun and said: "Old General, I will take a group of troops to set off first, and the rest of the troops will be led by the old general behind. The army's retreat will be entrusted to the old general. ”
When Huakai was moving, he said solemnly: "Your Highness, don't worry, these will be left to the old minister. With the minister here, we will not let the army come in behind."
Zhao Changqing nodded slightly when he heard this.
For this veteran who has fought for the country for decades, he believes in the opponent's ability and will never let him down.
So after getting the promise, he straightened his clothes, then stood up and stepped onto his horse, followed by dozens of personal guards. He waved his riding whip and said: "Let's go!"
A large army in front, already fully equipped and wearing armor, heard the order and instantly filed out, turning into a long black dragon and heading northeast.
On June 17, the fifth year of Shenwu, the army of Nanzhao State took advantage of the plateau, climbed over the mountains and ridges, and made a surprise attack on Xichuan State.
Xichuan Kingdom's defense was empty and it was unable to stop the menacing Nanzhao army.
In just half a month, even the second mansion and the capital, Jinguan City, fell.
Suddenly, Xichuan was in danger of national subjugation.
