August 29, Jingchu
Under the order of Xu Zhaojie, the 30,000-strong Zhennan Army marched south quickly for two consecutive days. Time passed quickly on the way. Seeing that the sky was getting dark, the Zhennan Army also passed through a plain, and a mountain ridge suddenly appeared in front of them. ·······················
"Master Hou, Wuyang Ridge is ahead!"
Amid the reminders from the guards around him, Xu Zhaojie looked at the mountains in front of him. He had originally thought that this place was called Wuyang Ridge because the peaks were shaped like sheep. But now when he looked at the shape of the mountains, they seemed to be nothing like sheeps. Not relevant.
Thinking of this, Xu Zhaojie couldn't help but ask:
"Why is this place called Wuyangling?"
"For the record, Lord Marquis, it is said that five sheep were buried here a hundred years ago, so it is called Wuyang Ridge!"
As soon as these words came out, Xu Zhaojie, who was still in a calm mood, immediately frowned, feeling that the origin of Wuyangling was really bad!
At this moment, a scout suddenly reported in a panic:
"Reporting to the Marquis, there are scouts from the First Division of the Fengwu Army ten miles north of our army!"
Xu Zhaojie was also shocked when he heard this. When he decided to return to Shouchun, he knew that the arrogant generals of the First Division would not let him go easily. In order to compete for military glory, these people would definitely come to cover up and kill him. Use your own head to claim credit from Ye Mingsheng!
For this reason, Xu Zhaojie also had a plan to survive, but in his expectation, the first division should arrive as early as tomorrow morning, and he had one night to prepare... ················
But he didn't expect that the first division was faster than he expected and was now in front of him. This really caught Xu Zhaojie off guard!
There was no time to think carefully. In order to prevent the first division from attacking quickly, Xu Zhaojie could only order:
"Enter Wuyangling quickly! Seize the favorable terrain!"
"yes!"
Following Xu Zhaojie's order, although the number of soldiers was twice that of the Fengwu Army behind them, these Zhennan Army soldiers still rushed into Wuyangling.
At the same time, the First Division led by Ma Zhongjun also learned about the situation of the Zhennan Army. Deputy General Guan Fei immediately suggested:
"General, let me lead the charge forward!"
In order to catch up with the Zhennan Army, the First Division, under the order of Ma Zhongjun, gave up baggage and artillery. Each person only carried weapons, armor and dry food and moved forward quickly. Only then could they travel eighty miles a day, but it was such a long time. The long journey of time also made the soldiers of the first division very tired!
But even in this situation, Ma Zhongjun nodded and agreed to Guan Fei's request. After all, the First Division was very tired on the road, and the Zhennan Army was also not idle and was also on the road!
So now both parties are equally exhausted physically, so what determines success or failure is the will and determination between both parties!
In this regard, Ma Zhongjun firmly believes that the first division under his command is definitely stronger in will and determination than the stragglers of the Zhennan Army, so rushing up at this time will open the door to victory... ············
Under Ma Zhongjun's order, although the soldiers of the first division were very tired, when they thought that their side was about to win a great victory and they would receive rewards from above, they suddenly became energetic and followed closely. Behind the flag rushed forward!
However, by the time Ma Zhongjun reached Wuyangling, it was still a step too late. He only saw the figures of the Zhennan Army officers disappearing into the mountains in front of him.
"General, should we rush in?" Guan Fei asked Ma Zhongjun again:
Ma Zhongjun was also a little upset about missing the opportunity, but he was still very clear-headed and knew that the enemy had already seized the advantageous location, and their first division did not carry artillery in order to rush on the road.
Although the soldiers of the First Army are much more elite than the Zhennan Army, without the advantages of troops and artillery, it is still very risky to boldly fight a tough battle!
So Ma Zhongjun shook his head and said:
"We shouldn't be the ones anxious now. Let the brothers set up camp. We can afford to wait!"
"clear!"
As Ma Zhongjun's order was issued, the soldiers of the First Division began to be on alert and set up camp in Wuyang Ridge. At this time, on a small hill in Wuyang Ridge, they were observing the situation of the Fengwu Army with telescopes. Xu Zhaojie, a trace of regret appeared in his expression...
Xu Zhaojie knew that the First Division must be so fast without artillery, so he was still looking forward to Ma Zhongjun's charge at this time.
He was able to repel the First Division's offensive by relying on the geographical advantage and strength advantage. This might not cause too many casualties to the First Division, but it was enough to rub the First Division's morale, improve its own confidence, and build a solid foundation for the First Division. The next life and death battle is a good start!
But it is a pity that Ma Zhongjun, the general of the first division opposite, is younger but still has rich experience. He is also very mature and not impulsive!
What Ma Zhongjun is doing now is undoubtedly telling himself that he is not in a hurry, he can afford it, and he will never attack Wuyangling. He will wait until he leads his troops out of Wuyangling to fight him decisively!
Thinking of this, Xu Zhaojie's eyes also showed a hint of coldness. Since you, Ma Zhongjun, are so calm and composed, let's have some fun next!
Time soon came to midnight. In the camp of the First Division outside Wuyangling, Ma Zhongjun couldn't sleep. He walked out of the tent to warm up by the bonfire, looking at the quiet Wuyangling in front of him, but his mind couldn't stop thinking.
Although Ma Zhongjun and his troops immediately pursued him with the idea of claiming credit from the commander-in-chief, during the two days of pursuit, Ma Zhongjun kept thinking about that issue... ·············
This question is why Xu Zhaojie was so anxious to rush to Shouchun's aid, but still brought his luggage and baggage with him. Wasn't he afraid that these things would slow down his speed?
Regarding this issue, Ma Zhongjun still couldn't figure out what Xu Zhaojie's intention was, but he felt that Xu Zhaojie must be doing something fishy!
Ma Zhongjun also adhered to this idea. The three cobblers shared Zhuge Liang's ideas and told his doubts to his subordinates, hoping that everyone could pool their wisdom to see if Xu Zhaojie's conspiracy could be seen through.
However, the generals of the first division did not have a good understanding of Ma Zhongjun's doubts, and some people, led by deputy general Guan Fei, believed that Xu Zhaojie was simply making a fool of himself by doing this, and he had no conspiracy at all!
Although Ma Zhongjun did not agree with the views of Guan Fei and others, he felt that this possibility could not be ruled out. After all, Xu Zhaojie was not a god. Now he and the Zhennan Army were at the end of their rope, and it was difficult to find any more tricks to play!
He thought about the horse in the stick again but still had no clue, but at this time he also felt a little sleepy. As a general, although he did not need to carry as much weight as ordinary soldiers, and he also had war horses to travel, but after all, he was still running. After walking for more than eighty miles, my body was also very tired.
But at this moment, a guard came over and bowed to Ma Zhongjun and said:
"General, a deserter from the Zhennan Army was captured at the guard post. This person said that he has important information to report to you, sir... ···”
As soon as these words came out, Ma Zhongjun became interested. He thought for a moment and nodded. Soon, a young man in his mid-twenties was brought to Ma Zhongjun.
When the young man saw Ma Zhongjun being surrounded by people like stars holding the moon, he immediately asked Ma Zhongjun:
"Are you a senior official in the Fengwu Army?"
Seeing that this young man dared to take the initiative to ask, the Fengwu Army officers on the side wanted to scold him, but Ma Zhongjun waved his hand and said with a smile:
"I am Ma Zhongjun, general of the First Division of the Fengwu Army. Who are you?"
Hearing that the person in front of him was the general of the First Division of the Fengwu Army, the young man seemed to swallow nervously, then hesitated and said to Ma Zhongjun:
"My name is Xu Quan, and I am a sentry commander of the Zhennan Army!"
Ma Zhongjun looked at the young man in front of him who called himself Xu Quan, and then said with great interest:
"Your surname is Xu? Or is it the sentry commander of the Zhennan Army?"
Seeing that Ma Zhongjun noticed his last name, Xu Quan nodded helplessly and said:
"I am a slave of Lord Xu. My grandfather's surname was Liu, and he was given the surname Xu by the Xu family. I have been serving as a personal guard by Lord Hou. Recently, we have suffered a lot of casualties. We have also surrendered a lot of troops from the Jingchu Army and the Sichuan-Shu Army. People, so I was pushed to the shelf and became the whistle leader..."
After hearing Xu Quan's description of his background, Ma Zhongjun narrowed his eyes and continued to ask:
"Do you have any important information to tell me?"
Faced with Ma Zhongjun's inquiry, Xu Quanxian hesitated a little. After a moment of hesitation, he asked Ma Zhongjun:
"After I tell you, can you let me go? Or give me some reward?"
Ma Zhongjun smiled and nodded when he heard this and said:
"Don't worry, as long as you sincerely turn over the dark side and tell the truth, our Fengwu Army will definitely not kill you. In addition, we will reward you generously!"
As soon as these words came out, Xu Quan's face suddenly showed joy, and then he said directly:
"The Marquis has brought a lot of gunpowder this time. Tomorrow the Zhennan Army will take the initiative to attack and then fake defeat to lure you into Wuyangling. At that time, the Marquis will use explosives to blow up the rocks and ambush you!"
As Xu Quan's words fell, everyone in the Fengwu Army present suddenly became solemn. They all understood the seriousness of the matter. Although Ma Zhongjun's face was calm on the surface, he couldn't help but be shocked in his heart!
If the Xu Quan in front of him is right, then his doubts about why the Zhennan Army carries luggage and baggage will seem to be solved... ··········
Thinking of this, Ma Zhongjun continued to ask without moving his expression:
"Where is this gunpowder hidden?"
Xu Quan preached without thinking:
"The Marquis knows that your scouts have been watching us, so we brought a lot of luggage and baggage with us for this march, and the gunpowder was hidden there to hide it from others!"
Hearing that Xu Quan's narration coincided with what he had just thought, Ma Zhongjun was also a little moved, but on the surface he continued to ask;
"You are Xu Zhaojie's close friend. Xu Zhaojie should be very kind to you. Now he has made you the sentry commander. You should not be loyal to him. Why are you betraying him now?"
Facing Ma Zhongjun's question, a hint of shame appeared on Xu Quan's young face. After a moment of silence, he sighed and said:
"The Marquis treated me well. He rewarded me with a wife and a concubine in Shouchun, as well as a yard and more than ten acres of fertile land. He really has nothing to say to me!"
Speaking of this, Xu Quan's eyes became a little wet. The next second, under the gaze of Ma Zhongjun and others, Xu Quan slapped himself hard twice and said in mourning:
"I betrayed the Marquis, I am not a human being, I am a beast worse than a pig or a dog, but I don't want to die, I want to live... ····”
"The Marquis has blocked the news about Shouchun, but some friends also revealed the news to me. I know that the Marquis is about to die, and I am his slave. If the Marquis loses, he will definitely be killed by you, Ye Da. Shuaiyi Tribe, I won’t be able to run away then!”
"If I die, what will happen to my yard and fields in Shouchun? My two women are not allowed to remarry?"
"So I want to live! General Ma, for the sake of me telling you these things, can you give me a shit?"
Looking at Xu Quan with runny nose and tears, Ma Zhongjun was silent for a while and then waved his hand and said:
"Take him down!"
"yes!"
Hearing Ma Zhongjun's words, Xu Quan was frightened and shouted:
"General Ma, you promised me that as long as I tell you, you won't kill me!"
"You are the general of the Fengwu Army and the high official of the Fengwu Army. You can't break your word!"
"I beg you, just treat me like a fart! I, Xu Quan, remember that you have been a great virtue for eight lifetimes!"
Xu Quan's begging for mercy had no effect. He was soon dragged down by the guards of the Fengwu Army as if they were trying to drag a dead dog.
After experiencing Xu Quan's incident, Ma Zhongjun was not sleepy at all at this time. After quietly looking at Wuyangling in front of him for a while, Ma Zhongjun said in a deep voice:
"Calling generals above the commander level to come to the Chinese army camp for a meeting!"
"yes!"
After half a stick of incense, a total of seven commanders and generals, including deputy general Guan Fei, came to Ma Zhongjun. Ma Zhongjun asked his men to state what Xu Quan had just said to everyone.
Everyone was shocked when they heard the news revealed by Xu Quan. They did not expect that such a thing would happen. Deputy General Guan Fei was the first to speak. He said with a happy face:
"General, God has blessed us with the Fengwu Army. Xu Zhaojie, an old bastard, would never have thought that he was betrayed by the people around him... ·······”
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