Chapter 217: A Foothold
Brother Shen Dan led the troops to drive away the deserters and arrived at the camp. The Hanzhong soldiers had already fled and captured more than 2,000 prisoners and all the camp supplies.
Shen Yi had learned that although Zhao Yun was ordered to rest, he had secretly taken precautions and deliberately lured out the defenders. She sighed and said: "General Zhao is both civil and military, and we are not as good as him!"
Zhao Yun said: "I have just asked the prisoners. Yang Bai led Chenggu's troops out, and I went to take the city first, while the two generals guarded the camp to receive the army."
Shen Yi was ordered to guard the camp and escort the prisoners. Zhao Yun and Shen Dan led two thousand elite soldiers to pursue the victory and kill Chenggu. As expected, the city was already in chaos.
The defeated army fled back first. The defenders were all newly recruited soldiers. They had no masters. When they saw the defeated army fleeing towards Nanzheng, they all fled with them. The city gates were wide open and there was no one to restrain them.
Zhao Yun led his troops into the city, first guarding the city gates, and then going out to pacify the people. Seeing that the Jingzhou soldiers did not burn, kill or loot, the people settled down a little. By the time it got dark, Chenggu had been captured by Zhao Yun.
Liu Qi led the army and then passed the Ziwu Pass. Wei Yan pointed to the valley as long and narrow as a mountain crack and said: "If you take Guanzhong in the future, if you take advantage of Cao's army to leave the camp, I will lead 3,000 Red Flame troops and send out surprise troops from Ziwu Valley to take them directly."
Chang'an and Guanzhong can be decided in one battle."
Xu Shu shook his head and said with a smile: "The road in Ziwu Valley is rugged and difficult to navigate, and it is impassable for carriages and horses. I have never heard of anyone using troops in the past dynasties, so I may not be able to succeed."
Wei Yan laughed and said: "The military advisor also thinks it is impossible, so it is even more important to send troops."
Xu Shu wondered: "Why do you say this?"
Wei Yan said with a smile: "Everyone thought it was impossible, but I did the opposite, so that I could win by surprise. If one person thinks that troops can be used here and is prepared, how can he be considered a surprise soldier?"
Xu Shu was startled, shook his head and said with a smile: "The article's long words are reasonable. Attacking the enemy unprepared and taking them by surprise is also in line with the art of war."
Chen Daoyan said: "When it comes to crossing mountains and ridges, I, the Baijie soldiers, are the best at it. Why don't you let me go?"
Wei Yan glared: "If I come up with a strange strategy, of course the Red Flame Army can also do it, not to mention going deep into the barren mountains and ridges, without food and grass, and it is easy to get lost. There are many strange people and strangers in our army, and they can only be competent if they can be self-sufficient. I'm afraid the White Coat Army can do it."
no."
Chen Dao said with a smile: "Most of the Baijie soldiers are Danyang soldiers. The terrain there is dangerous, with thousands of valleys, and countless wild forests and rivers. They were born and raised here. They have been fighting wild beasts since they were young. Crossing the Qinling Mountains is like walking on flat ground."
Liu Qi saw the two arguing and said hurriedly: "The two generals are conspiring loudly here. I am afraid that before they enter Hanzhong, the strategy of Ziwu Valley has been spread throughout the army."
Wei Yan suddenly covered his mouth, looked at no one around him, and then whispered: "This plan must not be leaked. It may be useful in the future."
Everyone laughed, and at this moment, a horse scout from the front reported the news of Chenggu. Liu Qi was overjoyed and urged the men and horses to move quickly. With a foothold in Hanzhong, he could use his troops calmly.
When the men and horses arrived at Chenggu, Liu Qi saw charity houses scattered along the way and the people were hiding in them. He watched nervously and ordered the entire army not to disturb the people. When they entered Hanzhong territory, the soldiers and civilians did not commit any crimes.
Zhao Yun had already sent people to find out the military situation in Nanzheng. Zhang Lu called Yang Ren to pay a return visit. There were still more than 20,000 defenders. Although Chenggu had some food and grass, it was only enough for a month.
Wei Yan cupped his fists and said: "Zhang Wei's army is still on the Shu road. It is better to rush to Nanzheng and defeat Zhang Lu first. Then Hanzhong can be pacified in one fell swoop."
Liu Qi frowned and said: "Our army only has 20,000 troops, and they have traveled a long way to attack the city lightly. They lack the equipment and equipment, so it is inconvenient to attack the city. If we besiege the city and rush to build weapons, I am afraid that we will not be able to continue the food and grass. Moreover, Zhang Wei's 30,000 elite troops are outside, which will eventually be a big problem. If Zhang Lu
If you run away and meet up with them, there will never be peace in Hanzhong."
Xu Shu said: "It is better to encircle the point and mobilize reinforcements. First destroy Zhang Wei, capture the surrounding counties, and cut off foreign aid. Then Zhang Lu will surrender without a fight."
Liu Qi nodded and said: "This is a very clever plan of the military advisor. Zhang Lu mobilized his troops to defend Nanzheng, but he is actually creating a cocoon that binds himself. I can peel it off layer by layer."
Xu Shu smiled and said: "We can divide an army to capture Baozhong quickly. Zhang Lu will divide his troops to rescue him. At this time, send another army to cross Nanzheng and capture Dingjun Mountain. If we get here, Zhang Wei's reinforcements will not be afraid. Hanzhong
It’s what’s in the bag!”
Wei Yan, Chen Dao and others asked for orders one after another. Zhao Yun had already won a battle and they were all eager to make meritorious deeds.
But Liu Qi smiled and said: "Huang Hansheng is not capable of handling Dingjun Mountain. It is up to Liu Pan and Huang Zhong to handle Zhang Wei's troops."
Liu Pan and Huang Zhong took the orders, and Liu Qi ordered Wei Yan to lead the troops to attack Nanzheng first. Chen Dao, Liu Xian, and Kou Feng took Baozhong.
…
The defeated army fled back to Nanzheng, and the city was in panic. When Chenggu Jijiu heard the news, he tore up the paper money on the spot, overturned the incense case, and burst into tears.
Yang Song was waving a mahogany sword on the altar, chanting mantras and chanting sutras. When he heard the noise, he said angrily: "Who disturbed my formation and alarmed the gods? Can you afford it?"
Chenggu offered wine and cried loudly: "If God doesn't bless me, what's the point of worshiping him?"
Yang Song said angrily: "You bastard, as a sacrificial wine, how dare you disrespect the gods and disturb the hearts of the followers?"
Chenggu offered the wine with a ferocious look on his face, opened his arms and roared: "I am reciting sutras here, my home is gone, where is the spirit?"
"What?" Yang Song was shocked and asked hurriedly: "How is the military situation ahead?"
The ghost soldiers who reported the news reported that the front army was defeated, Chenggu fell, and Yang Bai was killed.
"Oh, God!" Yang Song yelled, fell from the high platform and fell unconscious.
The people offering sacrifices to wine hurriedly helped him up and ordered people to carry him to the temple for treatment. Several people gathered around Chenggu to offer sacrifices and wine to comfort him.
"Fellow Taoist, you don't have to be like this. Although your family is gone, you are still alive. This is the guidance of the gods to save you from misfortune!"
"I heard that Liu Qi is tolerant, never kills innocent people indiscriminately, and treats prisoners well, Taoist brother, don't worry!"
Cheng Gu sacrificed wine and beat his chest: "My disciples, my donations, and food are gone...all gone."
Zhang Lu changed the name of Hanzhong to Hanning. There were no county magistrates in various places. Instead, they used wine sacrifices to govern the people. In addition to receiving a fixed amount of money and grain to replenish the charity house, the wine sacrifices could also receive money from the congregation.
The materials donated by the people made everyone at least rich.
In the praise, he offered wine and advised: "Since we have become monks and enlightened, we should let go of everything and not break our Taoist hearts for foreign affairs. As long as the righteousness is still there and the disciples are safe, everything will be fine!"
"That's easy for you to say!" Chenggu Jijiu yelled, "It's not your home that's been robbed..."
Nanzheng Jijiu said sternly: "We, as sacrificers, worship heaven and gods, and set an example for everyone. How can we be so snobbish?"
When everyone saw that Cheng Gu had lost money, they all showed contempt and stopped trying to persuade him. They gathered under the altar one after another.
Nanzheng offered wine and said: "The great wine sacrifice has just been successfully ascended. The soul has gone out of the sky to communicate with the gods. I am afraid that it will not be able to return in three to five days. We have to continue to preside over the formation and elect one person to continue to the altar. Who can take the role?"
"
Everyone's eyes suddenly lit up. Since Yang Song's last attempt was successful, his prestige has greatly increased, and the reputation of the Five Pecks of Rice Religion has also increased. Almost every household in Hanzhong worships it, and everyone believes in it.
Seeing that Zhang Lu was favored by the public, he gave up the idea of calling himself King Han Ning and planned to be promoted to Heavenly Master. Yang Song was naturally promoted to the next Master Master. At this time, whoever comes to the altar in an emergency will probably take over the position of the Great Sacrificial Wine.
For a while, everyone started arguing again. Chenggu Jijiu wiped his tears for a while and said coldly: "How can a group of selfish villains be qualified to serve as the chief Jijiujiu?"
Chapter completed!