Qingping Ferry is located in the middle of the Weishui section from Wugong to Zhouzhi. It is suitable for the army to be stationed in the middle to monitor the upstream and downstream Weishui. Therefore, Yang Qing came straight here as soon as he left Zhouzhi. The cavalry galloped all the way and arrived there in just an hour. here.
After arriving at the shore of the Wei River, Yang Qing immediately asked Wu Que to send a large number of scout horses to the north bank to monitor the stretch of the Wei River nearly thirty miles from east to west to prevent Zhang He's army from sneaking across.
He also sent an order to the Wugong garrison, asking them to cooperate. He also sent scouts to monitor the Wei River on the Wugong front line to prevent Zhang He from changing the crossing point and crossing the river from the west of Wugong after learning the news.
At the same time, Zhang Yi, who was still north of the Wei River, also received the order from Yang Qing. He did not dare to neglect it, and immediately changed his marching route, no longer going to martial arts, and instead headed south to Qingping Ferry where Yang Qing was. go.
"Report, General, there are many Shu army scouts within dozens of miles on the north bank of the Weishui River. In addition, a large group of Shu soldiers were also found on the south bank. They are currently stationed at Qingping Ferry." A scout captain galloped over. In front of Zhang He, he cupped his fists and reported.
Zhang He asked anxiously: "Who is the general of the Shu army? How many troops do they have?"
"The Shu army is fighting under the banner of General Yang. There are about three to four thousand men, all of whom are cavalry." The scout replied.
Zhang He muttered: "Yang Zijiangqi? Could it be Yang Qing? Unexpectedly, when we came to the southern front, I actually faced this person. It seems that God wants me to compete with him again."
After a pause, he said to the scouts: "Probe again and report again, and report back as soon as possible. In addition, go back and tell you He Sima, and ask him to send a few more teams of scouts to drive the Shu army's scouting horses as far away as possible. .”
"No." The scout took the order and left.
Zhang He then said to the deputy general next to him: "order the army to stop advancing and set up camp on the spot to rest temporarily."
"promise."
At this time, the Wei army was less than five miles away from the Wei River. Zhang He planned to choose a place to cross the river after understanding the enemy's situation clearly.
On the south bank of the Wei River, at the Qingping Ferry, Yang Qing had also received news that Zhang He's army was approaching the Wei River. Seeing that he did not act rashly, he did not change his strategy and ordered his scouts to continue to monitor closely.
In the wilderness ten miles east of Zhou Zhi, thousands of Wei troops were camping on the spot. It was approaching evening, the cold was coming, and a fire was lit in the camp. Cao Zhen and Fei Yao were warming themselves over the fire while discussing the war.
"Reporting to the general, the spies reported that the Shu army was divided into two, one went to the south bank of the Wei River, and the other stayed in Zhouzhi City." One of the generals entered the tent and reported with fists in his hands.
Cao Zhen asked curiously: "Oh? The Shu army did not all evacuate Zhouzhi, but split into two. What kind of conspiracy is Zhuge Liang playing?"
"General, Yao thinks that the Shu army is deployed like this for two reasons. The Shu army going to the Weishui River is to prevent General Zhang He from crossing the river, and the Shu army staying in Zhouzhi is probably to stop us and buy time for the Shu army on the Weishui River. ." Fei Yao analyzed.
Cao Zhen nodded slightly and said: "Zhang He's troops moved towards the Weishui diagonally to block the Shu army's westward retreat. The Shu army rushing towards the Weishui probably did so to avoid being attacked by our army from both sides, as Gong Ming said.
However, the Shu army who stayed behind in Zhouzhi thought it would not be that simple. By now, Zhuge Liang should have already understood our army's intention to bite them tightly. They just sent some troops to block Zhang He's army. There was no need to divide the troops and stay behind. Stop me in Zhouzhi. I think this is a bit strange, and I want to prevent any fraud in it. "
"There is indeed something fishy about what the general said." Fei Yao nodded in agreement.
Cao Zhen asked the general: "How many troops are there in the Shu army going to the Wei River? How many troops are there in the Shu army staying in Zhouzhi? Have you ever found out clearly about this?"
"Back to the general, we only know that the Shu army heading to the south bank of the Wei River has about three to four thousand troops. The strength of the Shu army in Zhouzhi City is not yet known. However, the general has asked the scouts to investigate quickly. I believe there will be news soon. Come back." Pian Jiang replied.
Cao Zhen said: "Forget it, we have to rest here tonight anyway, so we'll just wait." He pondered for a moment, then asked: "By the way, how long does it take for General Hussar and the others to arrive?"
"Just now, the Hussars General sent an envoy to report that they are still thirty or forty miles away from our army. If you hurry up, they will arrive in an hour or two.
can be reached. "
Cao Zhen said: "Okay, I understand, please step back first."
"promise."
The reason why Cao Zhen and the others did not travel overnight but set up camp here early was to wait for the arrival of Sima Yi's army.
Now that Sima Yi has led 10,000 cavalry to pursue him, Cao Zhen will of course join him. After all, there will be nearly 15,000 men after the two armies join forces. The stronger the army, the easier it will be to hold back the Shu army.
After less than half an hour, the general from just now entered the account again and reported: "General, the scouts reported that the Shu army was not divided into two but into three. Except for those who went to the Weishui River and those who stayed in Zhouzhi, In addition, there is a Shu army of nearly 20,000 people heading towards Wugong."
"Twenty thousand people?"
Cao Zhen was slightly surprised when he heard this and said: "Zhuge Liang only has more than 20,000 troops under his command, so this Shu army rushing towards Wugong must be Zhuge Liang's main force."
"What the general said is true. In this way, there won't be too many Shu troops in Zhouzhi city. I'm afraid there will only be two or three thousand people. Their purpose of staying in Zhouzhi can only be to prevent our army from retreating westward as the main force. Buy time." Fei Yao said.
Cao Zhen nodded and said, "Yes, this makes sense. One part of the Shu army went to the Weishui River to block Zhang Junyi, and the other part stayed in Zhouzhi to block us, while Zhuge Liang led the main force of the Shu army to withdraw to Wugong, Yicheng and other places."
"General, what should we do now?"
Cao Zhen said: "Wait, wait until Zhongda arrives, and we will make a fuss. He has all cavalry under his command. Even if Zhuge Liang has led the main force of the Shu army to Wugong, we can gallop to catch up with him after meeting him."
What's more, Zhang Junyi is not an easy person. Three or four thousand Shu troops cannot stop him. Once he leads his army across the Wei River, Zhuge Liang and the others still cannot escape. "
"U-General, there is something I haven't reported yet," the general said.
Cao Zhen asked, "What's the matter?"
"According to the spies' report, the man who led the Shu army to the Wei River was Yang Qing, the governor of Puppet Yongzhou."
Cao Zhen was shocked and said: "It's Yang Qing? Then the Shu army he led are all cavalry?"
"Yes, it is."
Fei Yao was also surprised and said anxiously: "General, if Yang Qing leads the troops to defend the Weishui River, it will be difficult for General Jun Yi and others to cross the river."
"Don't panic. Although Yang Qing is full of tricks, Zhang Junyi has more troops than him. What's more, the Wei River is so long that Yang Qing can't block it all." Cao Zhen said.
Just thinking that the Han army blocked Yan He's army on the north bank of Jingshui River, Cao Zhen was not so confident in his words and felt guilty.
Just when the atmosphere in the tent was getting a little dull, a sergeant rushed into the tent and said, "General, the Hussars are less than five miles away from our army."
"Okay, okay, Zhongda has arrived. Our army has nothing to worry about. Even if Zhang Junyi cannot cross the river to join us for a while, with Zhongda's more than 10,000 fine cavalry, our army can turn the tide of the battle."
Cao Zhen smiled and said happily: "Come on, Gongming, you and I will go out together to meet Zhongda."
"No." Fei Yao was also very happy and responded with a smile.
