On the first day of June in the seventh year of Emperor Qianyou of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Liu Chengyou officially issued an edict. Xiang Xun was deployed as the capital of the southwest march, Wang Jing was deployed as the deputy capital, and Song Yanwo, the consort and former Yongxing Army Jiedushi, was appointed as the capital supervisor and led the troops to attack. Shu, conquer Qin Feng.
Under the jurisdiction of the Southwest Camp, in addition to the 30,000 Guanzhong troops originally reorganized, the Privy Council also allocated an army from each of the Xingjie, Wujie, Longqi, and Neidian armies in the two capitals to march westward, totaling 50,000 troops. A real army of 50,000 people. Since the battle against Shu was fought in many mountainous areas, no additional cavalry troops were deployed.
In the Guanzhong area, King Yong and the newly appointed chief envoy Hu Yanke mobilized people's power to help raise military supplies for the front line. The transportation envoy Yan Jinqing and the grain envoy Zhang Mei are fully responsible for the transportation and supply of the baggage in front of the army.
Dashan Pass, the main force of the expedition to Shu has been assembled. The forts in front of the pass are densely packed with banners, and the momentum is frightening to birds. It's midsummer and the weather is hot, especially in the Longshang Qinling Mountains.
The Han army assembled at Sanguan numbered about 50,000. In addition to the auxiliary soldiers and civilians, there were more than 30,000 elite soldiers. The Han army had been gathering here for more than ten days since the imperial edict was issued. There was only one military order given to the commander-in-chief, which was to strictly enforce military discipline and stay in camp for rest. No other action was seen.
"I've been waiting for more than a month to come from the west, and it's been more than ten days since your Majesty issued the order to send troops! Xiang Dushuai has made no move at all, and he has not raised the tent to discuss the military advance. I don't know what to wait for!" Entering the military tent, Han Chongyun took off his helmet. , looking at Shi Shouxin who was studying the map behind the case, he muttered.
With the emperor's attention and promotion, Shi Shouxin is now the commander of the left wing of the inner palace. This time he was ordered to lead his troops westward to participate in the expedition to Shu. Han Chongyun, on the other hand, was transferred to the inner palace with his merits and became the Zuowei general in the left chamber, under the command of Shi Shouxin.
Looking up and seeing Han Zhongyun sweating profusely, Shi Shouxin reached for the pot and bowl, poured a bowl of water, stood up and handed it to him, and asked, "What was the result of the inspection?"
Han Chongyun took it, drank a few sips, wiped his mouth, looked at Shi Shouxin, and replied: "General Shi is very strict in running the army. Anyone who dares to violate military law will stay in the camp peacefully. It's just that the weather is getting worse and worse. The heat is too unbearable, and the sergeants will inevitably become impetuous!"
"No matter how impetuous we are, we have to endure it. We are here to fight. When facing the enemy, the rules are stricter than those in Tokyo!" Shi Shouxin warned.
"The enemy is in Qinling Village, the enemy is in Mighty City, what's the use of staying at Sanguan..." Han Chongyun muttered: "We have been stationed for a long time, and the morale of these soldiers is about to be defeated. This is to attack the fortress, why don't we have to do it?" Let the Shu army complete its defense and then attack?"
"Xiang Dushuai and the others have been preparing for the war in Fengxiang for two years, stationed in the fields and sharpened the troops. They are all waiting for us. We have only been here for more than a month, and we can't stand it any longer?" Shi Shouxin smiled slightly.
Han Chongyun poured another bowl of water for himself and responded with a smile: "I understand the truth, but I'm just annoyed by the weather!"
"You have also seen that it is hot in midsummer, and the art of war is full of clouds. To drive away hunger and thirst, you must go far! This is probably the reason why Xiang Dushuai stopped advancing!" Shi Shouxin said.
"According to this, Du Shuai won't delay it until autumn!" Han Chongyun said.
"It shouldn't happen. Although the weather is hot, what Dushuai is more concerned about is the mobilization of the Shu army!" Shi Shouxin said confidently.
The two generals had been talking for a while, and a signal soldier from the Chinese army came to deliver the order: "The commander-in-chief has raised his account, and invites the generals to come to the pass to discuss matters!"
In Guancheng, above the lobby, dozens of Han army generals were gathered together, sitting or standing, in an orderly manner, and the atmosphere was solemn. In addition to Xiang Xun, there were also Wang Jing, who came from Longzhou to attend the military meeting, and Song Yanwo, the governor of the capital, who were present to listen.
Below them are Wang Quanbin, Gao Huaide, Wang Renfan, Li Yan, Shi Shouxin, Han Chongyun, Ma Renyu... They can be said to be shining stars.
"Generals, you must be quite impatient after these days!" Xiang Xun looked around with a calm expression and asked.
"Commander, the soldiers are here to kill the enemy and regain the country. The army is stationed here. The summer is scorching and the heat is unbearable!" Ma Renyu, young and energetic, said to him.
Ma Renyu had been sent to Fengxiang by Liu Chengyou for a long time. Xiang Xun was very optimistic about this young general with Kong Wu's bravery and tough style.
Hearing his words at this time, he smiled slightly: "The soldiers have a war-like heart and deserve to be commended."
Immediately he restrained his description and said sternly to Xiang Xun: "But if you want to make achievements and expand territory, you must rely on the sword in your hand, not your words. This time, your Majesty was ordered to conquer Shu. Your Majesty used a large army to pay for this commander. He felt that he had a heavy responsibility and it was right. The officers and soldiers need to be of one heart and one mind and work together to help. When it comes time to serve and die, I can only hope that the generals can forge ahead with their will and spare no effort!"
"yes!"
After a group of generals responded to the order, Xiang Xun said calmly: "The purpose of raising the account this time is to discuss the military advancement!"
After saying this, the Han generals became energetic. However, Xiang Xun looked at Wang Jing first and said, "Your Majesty is coming from Longzhou, so you can first talk about the military situation in the direction of Qinzhou!"
Wang Jing is a famous general. He has a heroic spirit when he wears armor. Although he is over sixty years old, his style is not sluggish at all. After hearing the question, he said directly: "Originally, Han Baozhen, the military commander of the pseudo-Shu Dynasty, can hardly be called a heroic general, but after all, he has drawn borders for many years, is familiar with military affairs, has guarded Qinzhou for many years, and is relatively familiar with military affairs. However, Shu For some unknown reason, the Lord temporarily replaced a man named Zhao Jizha as the general of Qinzhou.
I sent someone to inquire and found out that this man was a man of great ambition and talent, but he only had a false reputation and could only deceive others with his arrogant words. After hearing my imperial edict to attack, they are now gathering their troops and retreating into the two cities of Chengji and Longcheng. "
Wang Jing looked at Xiang Xun and said confidently: "This cowardless man is nothing to worry about. I can lead the army to control it, and I will not disturb Commander Xiang's troops in Fengzhou. As for the Tianshui Shu army, I will find an opportunity to seize it!" "
"Your Majesty is a really famous general. With you in Longzhou, you can keep me safe!" Xiang Xun handed over to Wang Jingyi: "The Shu army in Longzhou will be handed over to the Prince!"
"According to the order!" Wang Jing met Xiang Xun's solemn eyes and responded calmly without asking for help.
Turning his head, Xiang Xun ordered Murong Chengtai, who was serving as the marching commander beside him, to explain again the situation of the Shu army in Fengzhou.
Murong Chengtai seemed very excited to be able to give a report and explanation at such a military meeting. He looked at the map with high spirits and said: "Based on the observations of the sentry and the detailed survey, after our army gathered in the court, the Shu army moved accordingly. Hanzhong At the Cheng and Qi levels, more than 20,000 Shu troops marched north to support Fengzhou.
At present, there are about 50,000 Shu troops from all walks of life in Fengzhou, and they are stationed in Guzhen, Liangquan, Weiwei Town and Sanguan Road Jianlingzhai. When Wang Zhaoyuan, the envoy of the Shu Privy Council, was patrolling the border last year, he ordered the Shu army to build eight strongholds such as scalpers on the mountain road to prevent our army from advancing. Li Tinggui, the commander-in-chief of the Shu army, had added 3,000 troops to garrison it! "
After Murong Chengtai said this, he withdrew. It was Xiang Xun's turn and he said loudly: "As far as Fengzhou is concerned, the strength of the Shu army is not weak. Half of them, led by generals such as Li Tinggui and Gao Yancuo, are Meng Shu forbidden troops. Their troops are more powerful than our army, and they also occupy the fortress. , to get to the point of danger. In terms of military preparation and training, the combat power of our Han soldiers is enough to despise the Shu army, but we cannot despise the Shu army in this way!"
"Follow Dushuai's teachings!"
Walking to the map, Xiang Xun pointed to a circle near the original Donghe Village and said: "The Shu army built eight strongholds around it, but they wanted to block our army from outside Fengzhou. However, these eight strongholds were incompatible with the overall defense of the Shu army. It was too forward. There were more than 10,000 defenders in the eight villages, and it was not as steep as Qingni and Daozhong. The old road was so long that it hindered the transportation of the Shu army.
This commander-in-chief proposes that our army’s first goal in this attack on Shu is to seize the Eighth Village of Huangniu! "
After Xiang Xun finished speaking, he personally led the five thousand Longqi Army to the west and came to Gao Huaide. He immediately asked: "Commander, I would like to lead the Longqi Army to seize Sichuan Village!"
Gao Huaide looked heroic and had determination on his face. He was eager to make a contribution this time. Since Gao Xingzhou's death, the Gao family's reputation has declined, and the burden of the Gao family has fallen on him.
However, when he finished speaking, Wang Quanbin followed closely and said: "The Xingjie Army is also willing to attack and we will seize Sichuan Village!"
Seeing that there were generals following the two who wanted to challenge, Xiang Xun immediately stretched out his hand to stop the eager generals. Looking at Gao Huaide and Wang Quanbin, Xiang Xun said: "The Tokyo Forbidden Army has come all the way, and it is difficult to get familiar with the terrain and climate for a while. This time it is a mountainous attack, and it is not their specialty. Let's leave it to the Southwest Frontier Army!"
Gao Huaide responded calmly: "The soldiers of the Imperial Guard are refined one by one, attack cities and forts, and are invincible. They are not afraid of mere mountains."
"General, be safe. There are 50,000 Shu troops in Fengzhou. The imperial army has its own time to make achievements. This time, let the border troops and our army clear the way!" To Gao Huaide, Xiang Xun tried to comfort Gao Huaide, but it was of no use. Military orders were imposed.
And Gao Huaide is not an ignorant person. When Xiang Xun said this, it was obvious that the plan had been decided and he would no longer force it. Wang Quanbin saw this and said no more.
Seeing this, Xiang Xun breathed a sigh of relief. The distinction between inside and outside was difficult to eliminate. Taking a deep breath, Xiang Xun immediately ordered: "Wang Rengan and Li Yan, order you to lead your own troops to attack Sichuan Village and open up the southward passage for the army before autumn!"
