Chapter 219: The plank road is repaired

The early spring in February came very early, accompanied by several warm spring rains. At this time, pink peach blossoms suddenly bloomed. The white flowers of pears and plum blossoms decorated the wetlands and hills by the river. The cold spring in Longyou was chilly, but the fertile land made the vitality particularly strong. The winter wheat was full of vitality. The bean seedlings on the roadside and the gray leaves had already bloomed.

On this day, on the official road south of Jincheng County, a man and a horse came staggeringly. Their bodies were dyed black with mud. The one who led the horse was a very young man, about sixteen or seven years old, dressed as a Qiang man. His fatigue and fatigue torture the people and horses into thinness, with protruding cheekbones and deep eye sockets, but his eyes were bright and firm. He was Liu Shuai, a scout who escaped from Hehuang. Along the way, he did not dare to walk through densely populated cities. The places he walked were full of mountains and steep mountains. After nearly a month of hard journey, he finally returned to Longyou after going through ups and downs.

Liu Shuai had already seen the towering city wall from afar. He couldn't help but burst into tears, holding his tired horse's head and muttering to himself, "Old guy, we're home!"

Liu Shuai walked to the city gate and briefly told the officer guarding the city. The officer understood that the matter was of great importance and immediately took him to the headquarters of the Jiedushi.

The Jiedushi was on high alert inside and outside the headquarters, and the conference hall was steaming. Dozens of senior generals such as soldiers and horse envoys from all over Helong gathered to discuss the issue of sending troops to Hehuang.

More than a month ago, Dangxiang King Ye Liping was brutally killed and was suddenly killed by several subordinates, which triggered the rebellion between the Dangxiang nobles and the dozens of Ye Liping's sons were killed. Zhang Huan specially rushed to Yinchuan County to mediate and proposed that Tuoba Wanli, the son of the former Dangxiang King, succeeded the new Dangxiang King. At the same time, he ordered the 30,000 garrisons of Hue, Yan'an and other counties to prepare for suppression. In addition, Tuoba Wanli was given 100,000 shi of food as his capital to win Dangxiang King. Under the dual pressure of the threat of the Longyou army and the heavy temptation of heavy profits, and Tuoba Wanli himself was gentle and humble, the Dangxiang people who suffered the brutality finally decided to accept Tuoba Wanli as the new Dangxiang King.

However, Zhang Huan blocked the news that the Dangxiang civil strife had been resolved, and instead spread the news that the Dangxiang people's civil strife was getting worse and worse. At the same time, he used the excuse of quelling the Dangxiang people's civil strife as a means to mobilize more than 60,000 heavy troops to gather east of Huijun.

"According to the spies we sent to Hehuang, there were only 10,000 Tubo troops in the Hehuang area. After the battle of Xibao, Tuyuhun, Qiang and other miscellaneous troops in Huihui, there were only more than 30,000 troops left, and they were mainly concentrated in the three counties of Xiping, Ningsai and Anxiang. There were only a small number of beacon towers stationed in Wunishui areas such as Guangwu. According to the calculation of a beacon tower of 200 troops, there were only 5,000 troops."

The conversation was about Sima Luo Guangzheng, a marching army in the Western Liang army. He stood in front of a Hehuang map that occupied the entire wall and explained the current comparison of troops to the generals. He was the main force who strongly advocated the First World War.

"Our Xiliang army has reached 120,000 people. In addition to more than 70,000 new recruits, there are more than 50,000 veterans who are well-equipped and have gunpowder available. They are far higher than the other side in terms of military strength and combat effectiveness. If they do not fight at this time and wait until the Tubo army recovers, it will be much more difficult to fight again at that time."

Luo Guangzheng's large-scale data comparison made the generals present excited and recovered Hehuang. This was the longing for the Tang people for more than ten years. After the Battle of Huixibao and the Battle of Longyou, they were all extremely confident. Before Luo Guangzheng finished speaking, they shouted in a group of people.

Zhang Huan sat by the window. He sat on his beloved wisteria ring chair and watched the emotional changes of the generals. To be honest, he was also a strong war pro-sect. Pei Jun had clearly stated that he would enter the court as an official. Before entering the court, he must gain political advantages. He either took over the entire Hexi territory or Hehuang. Now that the civil strife among the Dangxiang people has not yet been quelled, it is an unexpected move to send troops to Hehuang. Although Zhang Huan strongly wanted to send troops to Hehuang, it was a major issue, so he still wanted to listen to his subordinates' opinions.

After a glance, he saw that the counselor Hu Yong looked worried. He knew that he had a different view, so he smiled and asked him, "What are some good suggestions do Mr. Hu have?"

"I firmly oppose sending troops to Hehuang at this time!" Hu Yong stood up and interrupted the generals' calls in a cold manner, and the meeting hall suddenly became quiet.

"Why?" Zhang Huan was also stunned. He did not expect Hu Yong to be so determined. Seeing that he interrupted the passion of the generals, he felt a little unhappy.

Hu Yong stood up and bowed to Zhang Huanchang, "Governor, I am not against sending troops to Hehuang. Although this is a righteous act to recover lost territory for the Tang Dynasty, the Governor should report to the court first and obtain the consent of the court before launching troops. Besides, the two countries in Tang and Boli have just formed an alliance, and the Tubo ambassador is still in Chang'an. If the Governor rashly sends troops, how can the court be faced? Even if Hehuang is captured, it will not reach its due influence. Besides, we do not know much about Tubo, so I advocate that the Governor should think twice before acting."

"Wen Hu's words are wrong!" Du Mei stood up. He did not look at Hu Yong, but said coldly: "Wen Hu only wants to be trusted in Tubo, but have you ever thought about when Tubo will be trusted in the Tang Dynasty? This is not the first time for a alliance. When the Tubo people fought and talked, they just erected the monument and sent troops to destroy it. Why do you need to talk about benevolence and righteousness to such a barbarian country that is traitorous? When the Wei family was strong in the past, they had always taken an appeasement attitude to serve Tubo. Now that we are strong in the army and do not take the opportunity to take Hehuang, are we still waiting to be discussed by the people of the country to be the second Wei family? Take a step back and say that if we follow Hu Weng's words and send people to the court to report, the fighter's opportunity has long been lost after a few years."

Du Mei stepped forward and said to Zhang Huan: "When the failure is endless, the future is endless. The governor has gathered a large army to Huijun. How could Ma Chongying not know? If he doesn't seize the time to attack now and fight after the court agrees, I will also oppose it."

This statement was very reasonable, and the generals nodded repeatedly. The soldiers were very fast. They were not the army of the court, so what was the attitude of the birdmen in the court? At this time, Pei Mingyuan, the judge of the Western Liang Army, stood up and said, "Governor, I have a different view."

"Mingyuan, please speak!"

Pei Mingyuan slowly walked to the map, took the wooden pole from Luo Guangzheng's hand, and pointed to the Jiuqu area south of Chiling and said: "There is only 30,000 or 40,000 enemy troops in the Hehuang area, but what about the Jiuqu area? Our spies were unable to reach there. It has always been a military important military location for the Tubo people. During the Tianbao period, there were more than 50,000 heavy troops in the Hongji and Damomen area. Even if there are not so many troops now, there are always 10,000 or 20,000, and there are also the Tubo army in Zhangye...."

Pei Mingyuan pointed the wooden pole north of Wuwei County again, "In the past, Tubo and Uighurs fought, and heavy troops were transferred to Anxi. Now the situation in Anxi is calm, how can we not consider that it will return to defense with heavy troops?"

Although Pei Mingyuan did not oppose sending troops from a general way like Hu Yong, he grasped two key points, causing loopholes in the detailed military plan and the room suddenly became silent.

At this moment, a rapid footstep sounded outside the door, and a personal soldier reported outside the door, "Governor, the scout who went to Shibao City has returned, and there is a major intelligence report."

Zhang Huan was excited and Shibao City was the key to the throat between Hehuang and Jiuqu. They were back at the right time. He immediately ordered: "Take them in!"

After a moment, several personal soldiers led Liu Shuai into the meeting hall. He had already changed his clothes, but the new military uniform could not cover his thin face. All the generals in the meeting hall looked at the soldier silently. Liu Shuai took a few steps quickly and saluted Zhang Huan. He couldn't help but shed tears and said, "Scout the 12th team of the Third Battalion, Liu Shuai, and the governor!"

Zhang Huan was a little surprised. He glanced at his personal soldiers and asked Liu Shuai again: "Why are you the only one, and your team is in charge?"

"We encountered the Tubo army, and their life and death were unknown." Liu Shuai told the story of the Tubo cavalry that night in the valley, and finally took out the booklet given to him by Li Guozhen and presented it with both hands. "This is the military information that our team was on hand to me, and the records along the way when I came back. There is a mountain road that can reach Shibao City directly, and there are no garrisons. Please check it out."

A personal soldier took it and handed it to Zhang Huan. Zhang Huan took it and looked carefully. Although it was written on charcoal, it was very concise and clear, with the terrain and deployment of troops in the Shibao City, and even the change of guards in the Shibao City were written very clearly. In addition, the scout soldier drew a detailed secret passage, which undoubtedly provided the most detailed first-hand information for seizing the Shibao City.

Zhang Huan immediately handed the book to Luo Guangzheng and asked him to sort it out. He looked at the skinny young scout again. He could imagine the hardships he had along the way, and nodded and said, "It is your information that allows me to make a correct judgment. This time I will remember all the great achievements of your team and promote you to scouts. You go down and rest first, and I will use you again."

"Thank you Governor!" Liu Shuai saluted again and followed his personal soldiers. Zhang Huan kept watching his back disappear, and then slowly turned around and said to everyone calmly: "Just just now, there are those who agree with the matter of sending troops to Hehuang, and there are also those who oppose it, but the 60,000 army has been mobilized, and the arrow is on the string. I have to send troops to Hehuang!"

He glanced at everyone and ordered: "Where is Wang Siyu?"

"The last one is here!" Wang Siyu, who was burly, stepped forward and responded.

"You lead the three thousand cavalry in our headquarters, and use the scout just now as the guide, march at night. No matter what method you use, you can take down the Stone Castle City within twenty days."

Wang Siyu knew that he had a heavy task, so he showed no fear at all. He clasped his fists and said, "I will obey the order!"

After a moment of silence, Zhang Huan's eyes turned to He Lou Wuji and Li Hengqiu again, "You two will defend Wuwei for me. Without my order, no 20,000 Hexi troops are allowed to leave Hexi half a step!"

He Lou Wuji and Li Hengqiu stood up and salute, "I will obey the order!"

"Where is Luo Guangzheng?"

"Subordinate is here."

"I will give you ten days to mobilize 200,000 shi of military rations in Jincheng, Kaiyang and Longxi counties, collect 500 civilian ships and 10,000 vehicles of various supplies. If the local officials do not cooperate, they can report it to me immediately!"

Military orders were like mountains, and the generals were taking orders one by one. Finally, Zhang Huan glanced at Du Mei who was in charge of the intelligence network and said lightly: "The matter of Counselor Du is to make the soldiers and civilians of Longyou believe that the army is about to attack Dangxiang, and those who are interested should believe that attacking Dangxiang is just an excuse. My real purpose is to attack Lingwu County...."

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After the war mobilization order was issued, the war machines in the entire Longyou started to rotate. On the official road, carriages loaded with food were creaking towards the Yellow River Ferry of Jincheng County. Teams of soldiers were lined up and rushed. From time to time, the informants flew past the army. The sound of horse hooves was like thunder, and they instantly left.

In Wuquan County, where Jincheng County is located, soldiers patrolled the streets and leaflets were posted everywhere in the streets and alleys, warning the people to pay attention to during wartime. In restaurants and teahouses, many elderly people were talking loudly, telling the cruelty and treason of the Dangxiang people in the past, but many people sneered and couldn't let others sleep soundly. Do they really think that the army was going to fight Dangxiang? Childish!

In Mingren Pharmacy, many people were waiting to dispense medicine while talking about the battle of the Dangxiang people in the Northern Expedition. Manager Li of the pharmacy grinds the medicinal materials, but listened carefully to everyone's conversation.

"When the Tang Dynasty was in decline, even a small Dangxiang people dared to bully us Han people. My ancestral house was burned by Dangxiang people. Now the royal army is in the north. How long will it be when the clown jumps and jumps to the north?"

The spit was splashed with a horse-faced man in his thirties. He had suffered from typhoid fever and plague since he was a child, but he could never die. He had been associated with medicine in his life. After a burst of angrily scolding, he sighed as usual, "It's a pity that my ancestral house covers an area of ​​ten hectares, and it was burned with just one fire, otherwise...ah! I won't mention it anymore, I won't mention it anymore!"

"Yao Dalang, didn't you say last time that your ancestral home was burned by the Tubo people? Why did you become a Dangxiang person again?"

"This... my father remembered the mistake last time. I only found out yesterday that it was actually burned by Dangxiang people."

"Yao Dalang, didn't you say that your father died ten years ago? Why did another father come?"

"Bastard! When did I say it?"

There was a burst of laughter in the lobby, and the shopkeeper Li laughed but said nothing. At this time, he suddenly saw an officer strode into the pharmacy with several soldiers, and quickly stood up to greet him, "How many soldiers, are there any guru?"

The officer's face sank and said, "According to the above order, come to you to mobilize a batch of medicines. This is a list, and I will take the medicine as a single item."

As he said that, the officer threw the order to him. Manager Li hurriedly took the order and looked at it. It was all bleeding-relieving and analgesic drugs. The dosage was extremely large. Manager Li's heart moved and immediately smiled and said, "Can this military master sit in the inner hall for a while? I will send someone to take stock of the inventory and report it to you immediately."

"Okay! It's okay to sit for a while, don't miss my military affairs." The officer understood the implication of sitting in the inner hall, and ordered the soldiers to wait outside and follow him into the inner hall.

While asking the client to take a single plate of medicine, he presented a bowl of thick black medicinal wine and said with a smile: "This is made from hundreds of precious medicinal materials according to my ancestral prescription. It is very beneficial to sexual intercourse. Jun Ye might as well try it."

"Haha! Do I need to make up for a woman?" The officer smiled ambiguously, but picked up the bowl and drank it all, smashed it and said, "It's good to drink, are there any more? Take me some away."

"Yes! Yes! Yes! I'll fill the military master with a gourd later." Manager Li smiled and quietly gave the officer a hundred-ton ticket. The officer understood and immediately put it away.

"June, I have a word I don't know whether to ask or not." After giving the money, Manager Li's waist was straightened and he smiled and said, "If you ask inappropriately, Master June, don't blame me."

The officer waved his hand generously and said, "You'll just ask for it."

Manager Li glanced around and whispered: "I have been betting on money with people recently and prepared to make a bet of 100% of the bet, betting whether this Northern Expedition will be against Dangxiang or Tubo. If you win, you will have to win two hundred. Can the general reveal some of the inside story to me?"

"Then what are you banning?" the officer asked without saying a word.

"I'm still hesitating and haven't placed a bet yet."

The officer pushed him a hundred-month flying ticket, narrowed his eyes and smiled gloomyly: "Give me a bet, bet on Lingwu County!"

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Half an hour later, a flying pigeon once again flapped its wings and flew towards the distant Hehuang.

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On a hill beside the Yellow River, Zhang Huan stood on horseback, staring at the mountains on the other side of the Yellow River. Behind him, more than a dozen generals and hundreds of personal guards, one of whom was extremely tall, stood beside him like a shadow. This man was Zhang Huanxin's personal guard named Fang Wuqing, who was obtained by Zhang Huan from a slave in Guo County more than a month ago. He was extremely skilled in martial arts.

At this time, the water of the Yellow River had thawed, the floating ice disappeared, the surging river water went north, and there was a pier under the hills. Nearly a hundred large ships were mooring on the shore, and many civilians were transporting food to the ships.

"Get sick, are you really planning to go west to Hehuang in person?" Pei Mingyuan asked worriedly next to him. He always thought that Zhang Huan's expedition was too hasty and the time was not yet ripe. However, Zhang Huan's determination had already made up, and he had no way to object.

"You should know that I had no choice but to have to. When I got Wuwei, I promised to recover the lost territory of the Tang Dynasty. But on this day, I realized how difficult it was to deal with a country with a territory and the political pressure to occupy Longyou. A few days ago, South Korea wrote more and more letters, and more than 80% of the people of the Tang Dynasty opposed it. Although the court did not say anything, it can be seen from the tough attitude in the local area."

Speaking of this, Zhang Huan shook his head slightly, looked back at Pei Mingyuan and smiled, "A few days ago, my father-in-law wrote that Tubo was expeditioning to Tianzhu and was preparing to attack Beiting. The troops were difficult to disperse, so he decided to join the Tang Dynasty. Moreover, Ma Chongying and Da Xiang Shang had a disagreement. This was also an opportunity. Let's take a step back and say that even if I can't take Hehuang this time, my attitude of regaining lost territory for the country has been put on, at least much stronger than the Wei family that occupied Longyou for the fifteenth year. What does Mingyuan think?"

"You! You always think you are smart and think of others as stupid." Pei Mingyuan smiled bitterly in anger, "Beware that your intelligence will be mistaken for your intelligence."

Zhang Huan smiled, stared at Hehuang for a while, then turned to him and said, "I'm going to Hehuang here, and I will appoint Lou Wuji as the deputy envoy of the Jiedushi. He is still young, so you can coordinate more for me in the local area. As well as the officials of the Wei family, you can send them back!"

Pei Mingyuan nodded silently. At this moment, a fast horse rushed over and the report soldier presented a red pigeon letter, "Governor, Chang'an emergency information."
Chapter completed!