In Yunzhong County, a military flag with the word Zhao was erected on the city. The military flag was blown in the cold wind. Zhao soldiers on the city wall were constantly patrolling against the cold wind, ready to deal with the possible appearance of the Huns cavalry.
Yunzhong County was the most glorious witness to Zhao's military power. The State of Zhao before King Wuling of Zhao was extremely exhausted when facing the rising State of Qin and the State of Wei, which had long become the strongest of the Seven Kingdoms. Even the capital HD was captured by the State of Wei. In order to prevent Zhao from being annexed, King Wuling of Zhao, who succeeded King Zhao, immediately began to rebuild the military equipment after taking control of the country, carried out Hufu riding and shooting reforms, and formed the largest cavalry-based army in the Seven Kingdoms at that time.
At that time, other countries were still focusing on chariots and infantry. Faced with flexible cavalry, the gap suddenly emerged. In the second year after Hu Fuqi was founded, the Zhongnian Kingdom was annexed by the State of Zhao, and Linghu Wang surrendered his horse. From then on, King Wuling of Zhao and Hu Fuqi began a legendary life, defeating the Qin and Wei armies many times, and even in the In the north, the territory was expanded, and all the Hu people, such as Lin Hu and Lou Fan, were expelled, the territory of Nuo was conquered, and Yunzhong, Yanmen and Dai counties were established.
From then on, Yunzhong and Yanmen became the gateway for Zhao to defend the grassland tribes from going south. Yanmen was backed by Daidi, but Yunzhong County was surrounded by enemies on three sides, and the land was barren. It relied heavily on domestic support, but in Zhao's territory Shangyunzhong County is extremely isolated, with only a long and narrow road connected to the country, and is often harassed by Huns cavalry, which makes Yunzhong County even worse.
It would be better if the Zhao kings in the past dynasties paid attention to border defense, and the supplies from Yunzhong County could be delivered in time. If King Zhao did not pay attention to the northern border defense, the defenders of Yunzhong County could only fight against the Huns hungry. Yunzhong County suffered no less intrusion from the Huns than Yanmen Pass.
"Damn it, those Huns and barbarians must be freezing to death. I really hope the heavy snow yesterday can freeze them to death." A veteran spat as he looked at the empty grassland.
"Yes, if they all freeze to death, it will be much better for us and we can go home and have a look." Another veteran said.
Speaking of going home, the eyes of the two veterans showed a trace of longing. They had been stationed in Yunzhong County for eight years. In these eight years, they had not had a chance to go home. Yunzhong County was always facing harassment from the Huns' cavalry. Once Very few people come back home within ten years.
"But life has been good these years. With General Li Mu, our Yunzhong County has also been taken seriously by the king. At least we will no longer go hungry and fight the Huns." The veteran shook his head to dispel the hatred for his hometown. miss.
"Yes, if General Li Mu sits in our Yunzhong County, he might lead us to take down Lou Fan and the Xiongnu just like King Wu Ling led Hu Fuqi to take down Yunzhong County." A flash occurred in the veteran's eyes. A glimmer of hope, but then only despair.
It is a pity that Li Mu started his career in Yanmen Pass, and Yanmen Pass dealt with the intrusion of the Xiongnu and Hu people. Behind Yanmen Pass was a rich and prosperous land. Yanmen Pass was destined to be more important than Yunzhong County and Jiuyuan County.
The two veterans who were gossiping suddenly stopped, and their pupils tightened, because the originally empty grassland was now covered with dust, and they could still vaguely hear the sound of horse hooves and the honking of horses. How could they not know what this meant after eight years in Yunzhong County? Only a large-scale Hun cavalry attack could cause such a large-scale sandstorm.
"Sound the alarm! The Hun cavalry is coming!!" The two veterans suddenly opened their throats and shouted loudly.
While shouting, he ran along the city wall and informed the defenders on the wall. Others heard the news of the Huns invasion and looked outside the city. The sky was filled with dust. Some sharp-eyed people could still vaguely see in the dust. Hun cavalry.
"Be on guard! Be on guard!"
The defenders on the city wall immediately became alert. The soldiers in charge of the alarm bells were ringing the bronze bells desperately. The rich and rapid sound of the bells resounded throughout Yunzhong City. The entire Yunzhong City began to operate. The resting soldiers put on their helmets one after another. Armor rushed out with weapons in hand. The garrison general of Yunzhong County also came to the city.
"General, look ahead." The deputy general pointed at the rolling yellow sand ahead.
The general looked at the yellow sand in front of him and knew that it was caused by the Hun cavalry running at full strength, but it was obvious that the other party was not coming towards Yunzhong City. If the other party's goal was Yunzhong City, then these Hun cavalry were already approaching the city at this moment. That's right.
"Where are the spies we sent out?" asked the garrison general.
"They haven't come back yet. These Huns are really weird. The heavy snowfall in winter did not make them calm down. Instead, they mobilized on such a large scale." The deputy general shook his head and said.
"Eighty percent of them were seriously damaged by the snowstorm, and they are now preparing to go south to plunder to make up for it. No matter where their goal is, let the messengers mobilize large-scale Huns to Jiuyuan County and various cities, and then send people to HD and Yanmen Pass." said the garrison general.
"No!" said the deputy general.
The Huns' mobility was something they could not predict. It was possible that they would be in Yunzhong County today and arrive at Yanmen Pass in two days. No matter how the other party mobilized, they must prepare each city to gather the people.
At this time, among the Xiongnu cavalry, King Zuo Xian and Zhi Huan rode side by side.
"Military advisor, our actions like this should have attracted the attention of Zhao Jun in Yunzhong City, right? Touman said, let us march in secret and not alert these Zhao Jun. If we march like this, will Touman take the opportunity to punish us? Us." King Zuo Xian asked worriedly. Although he was ready to become an enemy of Touman, Touman was still the great chanyu of the Xiongnu and the leader of the wolf tribe. He was very powerful and it was hard for him to completely oppose him.
Zhihuan glanced at Yunzhong City, an inexplicable light flashed in his eyes, but then he covered it up and said
"Before departure, we were two days late. We can use the reason that the tribe of King Zuoxian was severely affected by the heavy snow and delayed our departure for two days in order to prepare food and grass. The marching road was either too far to finish on time, or it was blocked by heavy snow. In order to catch up with the great Chanyu, we took the risk and took this road. As for the defenders, if we say we were not alarmed, that means we were not alarmed," Zhihuan said.
The corner of Zuo Xianwang's mouth twitched, then he smiled and said
"In your Chinese language, wouldn't this be called covering one's ears and stealing one's bell?"
Zhihuan glanced at King Zuo Xian and said nothing. He knew that King Zuo Xian also started to read some books from the Central Plains. Not only King Zuoxian, but the entire tribe of King Zuoxian and the Xiongnu nobles under his command began to be interested in the Central Plains, but most of them were interested in the various ways of enjoying themselves by the Central Plains monarchs. Some people even want to create a wine pond and meat forest to show their power.
For the Hun nobles who had lived a hard life, their greatest enjoyment in daily life was drinking and watching dancing. There was no other way to enjoy themselves. It was equivalent to standing on a golden mountain but without any means of spending. Zhihuan was just at a banquet. After that, he casually mocked the Hun nobles for not having fun, which caused the Hun nobles to draw their swords against each other. While drunk, Zhihuan told many of the debauched monarch's deeds.
The Central Plains not only crushed the Xiongnu in terms of excellent culture, but also engaged in some ridiculous fun-seeking things that these Huns could not imagine. It only took a short time for these Xiongnu nobles to go from being skeptical about Zhi Huanhua to being excited and finally addicted. Of course, this kind of enjoyment only occurs among a small number of people, so the Huns have no doubts. In their understanding, they attacked other tribes, occupied better grasslands, and went south to plunder the Central Plains for the enjoyment of getting the jeweled women. Some Huns nobles were even eager to join them.
"Your Majesty's mastery of the culture of the Central Plains is increasing day by day. I'm afraid it won't take long before he will be as good as me."
Faced with Zhihuan's flattery, King Zuo Xian felt very satisfied, nodded and asked
"Touman only asked us to dispatch 30,000 troops. Why should we lead 50,000 troops? You must know that these 50,000 people are our elite."
"The Great Chanyu asked us to lead 30,000 people, but we led 50,000 people, so the preparation of food and fodder was delayed. We delayed our departure because we were loyal to the Great Chanyu. Do you think we should face a leader who is loyal to the Great Chanyu? Will he punish a king who is loyal to him? Is this king still his brother? If he punishes him, what will the other tribal leaders think?" Zhihuan said.
Upon hearing Zhihuan's words, King Zuo Xian's eyes gleamed. Once again, he felt that it was a very right decision for him to recruit Zhihuan as a military advisor.
"Follow my order, the entire army will speed up and must arrive at Shangdang County to join the Great Chanyu within three days." King Zuo Xian said.
The entire army of King Zuo Xian made strange screams, and the speed of the entire army increased again. The secret Zhao Jun spies watched the Huns cavalry change their direction, and after continuing to follow for a certain distance, they rode towards Yunzhong City.
The defenders on the city saw the spies coming back and lowered a basket from the top of the wall. After the spies entered the basket, the soldiers above pulled him up. The defender general looked at the spies and asked
"How? Where is the direction of the Hun cavalry?"
"Back to the general, the Huns did not go to the east, they went to the west. Their target was not Jiuyuan County, but Guangyan?" the defending general asked with a frown.
"Yes, they were heading south a hundred miles ahead," the spy said.
"I understand, go down and rest." The garrison general said.
"General, are the Huns crazy? Do they want to go deeper?" the deputy general asked.
"The Huns are not fools. Send the information about the Huns' movements first, and let the court and General Li Mu decide what to do? During this time, the cities are not allowed to leave, and the people are shrinking inside the cities." The defending general said.
"promise!"
A dozen cavalrymen headed in all directions from Yunzhong City, each carrying information about the Huns' movements.
(End of chapter)
