Qishan Fort is located in the middle section of Qishan East Road. It is called the fort. It is actually a wall-shaped camp built on a slightly high and dangerous hill. During the first northern expedition of the Han army, it was once a defense point for Cao's army.

Although the camping on the hills is advantageous, the disadvantages are extremely obvious. The most important of these is the water source. Qishan Fort chose to be on a hill with water source. The camp was built according to the mountain and stretched for several miles. Two thousand Cao troops stationed at Gaozhai, blocking the official road to the north.

Although the Han army can go north from the West Road of Qishan, such an army exists in the Qishan area, which will easily cut off the Han army's food route and seriously threaten the Han army's northern expedition. Pulling off the Qishan Fort will become an inevitable choice for the Han army.

After taking Licheng, Huang Zhong's army rested for several days and continued to go north. Although Huang Zhong's vanguard army had 10,000 people, only 5,000 troops were actually invested in the battle, with a small number of people. On the one hand, the Cao army was at a loss and did not know whether the Han army was formally expeditioned the Northern Expedition or a small-scale harassment.

On the other hand, it is also to reduce the food consumption of the Han army itself. Before the Han army's food transportation and supply channels were fully established, a medium-sized army heading north was undoubtedly the best choice.

In the morning, five thousand troops marched rapidly between the mountains and ridges, with flags waving, dust flying, neatly looking, and the soldiers were full of morale. They had passed the basin and entered the central area of ​​the Qishan Mountains, less than twenty miles away from the Qishan Fort.

Huang Zhong was on the war horse and looked at the surrounding terrain. The area was wide and the forest was sparse, and the possibility of Cao's army ambush was not high, but Huang Zhong did not dare to take it lightly and kept sending scouts to the front to check the situation.

At this time, a scout came on a horse and reported: "Report to General, the mountains ahead have become narrower, the mountains are high and dense, and it is very easy to ambush!"

Huang Zhong nodded and immediately ordered: "Tell me my order to change the marching formation, five people in a row, and slow down the marching speed!"

Five people in a row meant that the length of the team was shortened, and shortening the marching team that was about ten miles to several miles was shortened, which was conducive to concentrating troops and responding to enemy ambush and sneak attacks. Generally, only experienced generals would make such arrangements.

Since the Liu Biao era, Huang Zhong fought south and north for the expansion of Jingzhou. He has been fighting for more than 20 years and has rich experience. He knows what marching strategies to adopt under the circumstances. The terrain was wide before and it was not easy to be ambushed, so he ordered the army to march quickly, but once the terrain became narrower, he immediately became careful and ordered the army to slow down the marching speed. This is called proper rush.

At this time, Deputy General Wu Ban rode forward and said, "Old General, Qishan Fort is fifteen miles ahead. The camp at the foot of the mountain fort is easily attacked by the enemy. It is better to stay in the camp five miles away! Beizhi knows that there is an open land over there, and a small river flows through it, which is very suitable for camping. Beizhi recommends camping there."

Wu Ban was Wu Yi's younger brother. He was brave and good at fighting. Like his brother, he was also quite strategic. He was deeply appreciated by Liu Jing and was named Vice Captain. He was very familiar with Qishan Road. This time Huang Zhong went north, and Liu Jing specially arranged him as Huang Zhong's deputy general.

In addition to Wu Ban, the generals who followed Huang Zhong's northern expedition this time were Lei Tong, Feng Xi, Ling Bao, Zhou Xin and others. They were responsible for guarding Licheng and building cities in Fengyun Valley, etc., and the generals who marched into Qishan Fort were only Wu Ban and Lei Tong. Of course, the military advisor Pang Tong also followed the army north.

Huang Zhong thought about it and Wu Ban’s suggestion made sense, so he nodded and said, “Since that’s the case, you can lead a thousand people to camp first, beware of safety on the way.”

"Abide by the orders!"

Wu Ban led a thousand people to escort the mules and horses in the consignment tent, speeding up the marching and running north first.

At this time, Huang Zhong slowed down his horse, waited for Pang Tong to come forward and walked with him. "The military advisor was quite silent today. Are you still unhappy about what happened yesterday?" Huang Zhong asked with a smile.

Yesterday, Pang Tong offered a plan to Huang Zhong, who could station at the foot of Qishan Fortress, relax military discipline and lead Cao's army to rob the camp at night, but was denied by Huang Zhong, which made Pang Tong feel a little unhappy. The key is that Huang Zhong basically did not listen to his suggestions during this northern expedition, which really made Pang Tong feel dissatisfied. Therefore, from yesterday to the present, he has not spoken a word and no longer made any suggestions.

At this time, Huang Zhong came to greet him, and Pang Tong said coldly: "The general is extremely talented and invincible. What else can I say? Shut up, don't the general feel that his ears are quiet?"

Huang Zhong heard the emotions in Pang Tong's tone, and said nothing more. He smiled and urged the horse to go forward to the team. He said to Pang Tong from afar: "Come on the military advisor! After passing the valley ahead, he will be stationed."

Pang Tong watched Huang Zhong walk away and his teeth slowly clenched. If he really kept silent all the way, he would be unwilling to accept it. After all, this Northern Expedition was also his chance, so why did he give up?

But Pang Tong really couldn't understand Huang Zhong's ideas and it was difficult to work with him. In contrast, Zhao Yun respected him a lot, but Pang Tong had to admit that Huang Zhong's rich experience can sometimes make up for the shortcomings of strategy.

"Go!" Pang Tong urged the war horse and chased after him helplessly

The Han army set up a camp in an open area beside the riverside. It was only four or five miles away from Qishan Fort. You can clearly see the Cao army camp on the mountain ridge in the distance. Even if the Cao army rushed down from the mountain to attack the Han army camp, it would take some time, which was enough for the Han army to organize defenses. The camping site was very satisfying to Huang Zhong.

Pang Tong entered his tent, and a Shu Zuo was sorting out the books for him in the tent. Pang Tong waved his hand impatiently, "You retreat first! I can sort it out myself."

Shu Zuo retreated with a bow. Pang Tong sat down and opened a blank document. He picked up a pen and wanted to write a letter to Liu Jing to express his dissatisfaction with Huang Zhong, but he hesitated for a long time and could not write. He remembered the contempt he suffered in Liu Bei's military camp, which was largely because he was outspoken and offended many of Liu Bei's confidants, such as Jian Yong and Sun Qian's party. If he wrote this letter, he would inevitably offend Huang Zhong again and he was repeating the same mistake.

Pang Tong sighed softly, and he seemed a little narrow-minded in doing so. He put down his pen again and pondered silently. At this time, a Huang Zhong's personal soldier quickly walked to the tent and bowed and said, "Report to the military advisor, the veteran general asks the military advisor to discuss matters!"

Pang Tong was slightly stunned. Did Huang Zhong change his temperament again and remember that he should respect himself?

He nodded, "Tell the old general, I'll be here soon!"

Although Pang Tong wanted to be angry, he also understood in his heart that if he was angry, he would not be able to explain to the governor of the state. In the future, he would be unable to stand up. Well, let’s go and listen to what Huang Zhong wants to discuss with him?

Pang Tong sorted out his clothes, walked out of the tent, and quickly walked towards the tent of the Central Army.

In the central army's tent, Huang Zhong was interrogating two Cao army scouts. These were the two Cao army spies captured by the patrol. For Huang Zhong, these two spies came very timely. At this time, Pang Tong walked into the tent and he already knew that he had captured Cao army spies.
Chapter completed!