The team walked along Ziwu Road for a whole day, but it didn't seem like they had gone very far.
Blessings come in pairs, and misfortunes never come alone.
Walking through the Meridian Road was originally a very painful thing, but what was even more painful was that at dusk the next day, another heavy rain fell. The sun could not shine into the canyon, but the rain fell every possible opportunity.
Ji Jincai was prepared in advance and asked everyone to bring raincoats and hats. People can use the raincoats and hats to protect themselves from the rain, but the roads cannot, and roads soaked by rain are naturally even more difficult to walk on.
The rain was getting heavier, and Qining saw a rock wall protruding in front of it, forming a shelter from the rain. He asked everyone to drive their cars to take shelter from the rain, and also ordered people to distribute dry food.
Taking off his hat, Qi Ning shook his head slightly as he watched the rain falling from the sky as thinly as a curtain.
"Sir, the rain here comes and goes quickly, don't worry." Ji Jincai walked in from the side and handed Qining a water bag, "Sir, drink some water."
Qi Ning took the water bag and said with a smile: "Ji Zhubo is a scholar, but you have to endure this kind of torture this time. Are you not used to it?"
"No." Ji Jincai shook his head and said, "I am grateful to Sir from the bottom of my heart for my humble position."
"oh?"
"I have been in the position for nearly half a century, and I have not done anything big since I became an official." Ji Jincai said seriously: "If following the Marquis this time, we can really open up the Ziwu Road, and we can successfully capture Xianyang, I am afraid that the reputation of the position will also be great. "Yes, I don't seek talent, but I seek fame. I always thought that I could only be unknown in this life, but I didn't expect that Sir Alex gave me such an opportunity. I am very grateful."
Qi Ning smiled and said: "Then Lord Ji Bo has thought about it. If there is an oversight, not only will the Ziwu Road be blocked, but our lives may also be in danger."
Ji Jincai laughed and said: "If you want to do big things, you have to take risks, but no matter what kind of risks you take this time, it will be worth it." He leaned slightly closer and whispered: "Sir, take a look at these brothers. The look on their face.”
Qi Ning looked around and saw soldiers gathered in small groups, eating dry food and talking and laughing. The atmosphere was quite cheerful.
The difficult journey obviously did not demoralize everyone, but instead took pleasure in suffering.
Before entering Ziwu Road, everyone naturally did not know Qi Ning's true intention, and they really thought that he was going to Xianyang as a mission. However, after entering Ziwu Road, Qi Ning had already summoned everyone and told everyone the purpose of his trip.
Qi Ning took the lead and personally served as the vanguard among the envoys, in order to open a channel for the soldiers and horses to attack Xianyang.
Of course, he knew very well that to open up the narrow passage, he could not do it with his own strength and stunts. Everyone in this mission was concerned about the success or failure of the plan, and everyone had to work together. If this matter was concealed, , everyone knew nothing about the plan, so once they took action, even their own people would be confused. Therefore, Qining not only informed everyone of the plan, but also made a very careful distribution.
"Everyone knows that this time is very dangerous, but Sir Alex will go into battle in person, and he will be determined to die, and no one will be greedy for life." Ji Jincai said with emotion: "And to be selected by Sir Alex to participate in this operation is everyone's dream. Glory is also a great opportunity for everyone to make contributions, and naturally we will not give up just because the road is difficult."
Qi Ning felt relieved and said with a smile: "Ji Zhubo, originally I was not completely sure about this operation, but now I suddenly feel that no matter how many obstacles the Northern Han people have, we can easily eliminate them."
After the rain stopped, everyone regained their strength and continued moving forward.
After walking for another two days, I finally saw the checkpoint set up in the narrow road. The Northern Han people had a checkpoint on Ziwu Road, and the Chu State also set up a checkpoint.
The checkpoint is located in an extremely narrow area. It is built with huge stones to build a thick wall five or six people high. There are crenels for placing arrows and crossbows above the stone wall. Three soldiers take turns guarding it day and night, while the other soldiers It is located behind the stone wall, less than 500 meters away from the stone wall. There is a tall watchtower, and there are burning torches hanging beside it day and night. Qining knows that the watchtower plays an unusual role in the checkpoint. Importantly, not only can you look far into the narrow road and pay attention to the enemy's situation, but also once you find the enemy's intention to attack the checkpoint, the watchtower will light up the beacon smoke.
There are a hundred soldiers arranged at each checkpoint here in Chu State. In fact, for such a small checkpoint, this force even seems a bit bloated.
Qining knew that the checkpoints on the Beihan side should be the same as here, and there shouldn't be much difference. After all, in this narrow passage, it is most reasonable to build checkpoints in this pattern.
Only by knowing yourself and the enemy can you fight without danger.
Qi Ning spent some time carefully observing the checkpoints on the Chu side. All the soldiers accompanying him also observed carefully and roughly understood the situation of the checkpoints. They rested at the checkpoints that day. One night, and set off early the next morning.
Previously, Qi Ning was worried about how to get past the huge stone wall. Only then did he realize that there were movable stones at the bottom of the stone wall. If you need to use tools to remove the huge stone from the wall, the opening will be revealed. After the group of people exited the cave, the guards immediately blocked the cave entrance with huge rocks.
Qi Ning thought that this road was so heavily guarded, and Chu and Han had always been a deadlock, and the two sides rarely had trade exchanges. It seemed that Beitang Feng detoured from Hanzhong to Xianyang and Chai Bozhong went from Xianyang to Jianye, but they did not come from here. To get there, we should cross the Qinling Mountains, which took a lot of effort.
Of course, the army cannot cross the Qinling Mountains, but with a few people traveling lightly, it is not impossible to cross the Qinling Mountains.
After traveling less than ten miles, a second checkpoint appeared. After Qi Ning successfully passed through, he arrived at the last checkpoint after another ten miles.
After leaving the last checkpoint, there is no guarantee in front, and there may be an ambush from the Northern Han Dynasty at any time.
Another day later, at dusk, a checkpoint finally appeared in front of us. Above the checkpoint was a flag with the word "Han" floating in it. It was the checkpoint built by the Northern Han people in the narrow passage.
Qi Ning knew in advance that the Northern Han people only set up two checkpoints in this narrow passage, one less than the one on the Chu side. However, the barriers built by the opponent's huge rocks were obviously much higher than those on the Chu side.
Although there was still some distance to go, Qining's eyes were sharp and he could clearly see many figures appearing on the wall, bows and arrows drawn.
Ji Jincai knew it was time to show his effect, raised his hand, and the team behind him immediately stopped. Ji Jincai adjusted his clothes and walked over there alone. Qining followed Ji Jincai two steps away. .
As we approached the checkpoint, a voice from the wall shouted: "Whoever comes, if you take another step, shoot him immediately!"
Ji Jincai raised one hand, waved it to the wall a few times, and said loudly: "The envoy of Da Chu is going to Xianyang to pay a visit!"
There was silence on the wall for a while, and soon, someone poked his head out and said with a sneer: "Messenger of Da Chu? Our two countries are at war. You sent an envoy here, are you going to fall into a trap?"
"The third prince sent people to our country and concluded an alliance with our great Chu." Ji Jincai said loudly: "My lord is grateful for the third prince's sincerity and sent us to return the favor."
"Covenant?"
"There is an alliance letter here!" Ji Jincai said loudly: "I wonder what you call me?"
The man said in a rough voice: "I am Cao Ying who is guarding this place. You said you are the envoys of Da Chu, but I think you are spies of Da Chu." He actually pulled out his sword and pointed the blade at Ji Jincai: "My mission, We are here to guard this place and not allow a fly from Chu State to fly over. You should go back quickly. I am in a good mood today and will spare your lives."
Qi Ning suddenly stepped forward, took out a bow and arrow from his back, and without saying a word, shot an arrow at the wall.
As soon as Qi Ning shot an arrow, the archer on the wall didn't even think about it. More than a dozen arrows were fired directly at Ji Jincai. Qin Ning shot an arrow, but quickly pulled out the saber on his waist. His body was agile and had already been protecting Ji Jincai. In front of him, the sword flashed, but it opened all the arrows that were shot.
Qi Ning's arrow hit the wall, and the remaining strength disappeared and fell to the ground. Cao Ying took a look and saw the arrow shaft mountain wrapped in paper. He leaned over to pick it up, took off the paper, opened it, glanced at it, and wrinkled it. He frowned and raised his hand, and the archers immediately stopped.
After a period of silence, Cao Yingcai said in a deep voice: "Are you really the envoy of the Chu State?"
"We don't know if the third prince has given any explanation to you." Ji Jincai said: "But the alliance letter is definitely not false." Pointing to the carriages behind him: "These are generous gifts given to the third prince by our lord. I hope to make peace with the third prince. After the third prince captures Luoyang and becomes an enemy after ascending the throne, the two countries will turn enemies into friends and become good neighbors. General Cao, this matter is related to the friendship between you and me. Please consider it."
Cao Ying was just a small captain, far from being called a general. However, Ji Jincai's title was very useful to Cao Ying. His face softened slightly, he pondered for a moment, and then said: "It is war time now, even if If you are an envoy, you are not allowed to pass here. I have military orders with you. If a Chu nationality passes here, I will lose my head. You are going to Xianyang to meet the third prince. I will ask someone to report this matter to Xianyang. But I can’t reassure you.”
"General Cao, we went to Xianyang in accordance with the emperor's order, are we just returning without success?" Ji Jincai said loudly: "In this case, we really can't reply to the emperor's order."
"How to reply to the order is none of my business?" Cao Ying said angrily: "If you are really sincere and keep all the gifts, I will send many people to Xianyang. As for your people, none of them will be allowed to pass."
Ji Jincai turned around and winked at Qining. Qining immediately turned around and waved to the team not far behind. Soon, two beautiful women stepped out from the front carriage. Wearing a veil, her face could not be seen clearly, but her figure was slim and graceful. In this narrow passage, she instantly attracted the attention of the soldiers on the wall, all of whom were staring at the two voluptuous women. It's hard to move away from her delicate body.