"Captain Yi." When Yiyan led his troops to Yangyi, Ge Hong personally went out to greet him.
It was only half a year after he left Lucheng, and he seemed to have changed as a person. He was no longer the dull and taciturn look he used to have. He has gotten a lot darker, and has lost a bit of weight. Even his temperament that is not very talkative has been ground into a calm and dignified state by many chores, and he has some county-level bearing.
Yi Yan bowed his hands to salute and entered the mansion with Ge Hong. The fire when Zhengdan seized the city before also spread to the government office. However, due to the lack of supplies, Ge Hong did not repair it, but only cleared out the office and living space. At this time, he didn't feel embarrassed to use this shabby room to entertain guests. He didn't even prepare tea, so he brought people to the study first.
On the bookcase, there is an exquisite sand table. Like the generals from the Liang Mansion, Ge Hong also likes to use this kind of concise and intuitive map to set up his formations. Therefore, during this period of time in Yangyi, I was not polite. I dug some drawing soldiers from Liang Feng and made such a sub-map.
Without politeness, he said straight to the point: "General Linghu has led 3,000 troops and is stationed in Daling. In this battle, he will be the first to lure the enemy."
"Has the enemy's back roads been identified?" Yi Yan asked, staring at the sand table.
"It's in Qi County," Ge Hong replied. "Nowadays, most of the food and grass are shipped from Sizhou. The journey is long, and it must be placed in a stable city."
The Xiongnu had previously laid down several small cities in Taiyuan, using them as strongholds, nibbling away little by little, and attacked the cities. Now these cities have become necessary strategic hubs, transporting troops and grain, and even controlling the surrounding counties. Not very easy to handle.
However, for the army of more than 10,000 Xiongnu besieging the city, short-distance food routes are also necessary, and it is impossible to go to Qixian for food every day. The food route from Qixian to Jinyang is the real goal. As long as the enemy's food and grass are intercepted, their transportation channels are attacked, and the enemy is eliminated to a certain extent, the siege can be escaped.
Yi Yan nodded silently, staring at the sand table with a pair of wolf eyes, and after a while, he swiped his fingertips and pointed to a forest: "I will lead my troops to ambush near Longshan, wait until General Linghu and the Xiongnu go to war, and then copy the way back."
Ge Hong frowned immediately: "From Yangyi to Longshan, the road is not too close, is it too dangerous?"
The two mountains, Longshan and Dongmeng, are both on the west side of Jinyang, and they are also the places for those nobles to build villas in the mountains. The terrain is indeed very complicated, and it is also suitable for ambushes. Just from Yangyi to there, you need to bypass Jinyang, and on the way, it is very likely to encounter enemy soldiers.
"It's okay, I'll draw their attention away. After that, General Linghu will harass Qixian County, attract reinforcements, and then attack."
This is a bit risky, but Ge Hong nodded in response: "In that case, I will ask Captain Yidu."
No one knows Yi Yan's combat power better than him. It can be said that the entire Shangdang soldiers and horses were brought out by him, and in the past few years, there has been no defeat. Compared with the plan he discussed with Linghu Kuang before, Yi Yan's arrangement can obviously eliminate more enemies.
After confirming the general strategic thinking, the two carefully deduced them in front of the sand table. After confirming that they were correct, Yi Yan said, "I will lead my troops out of the city before it gets dark. The matter of communication, I am bothering the magistrate of Laoge."
As the hub of the two armies, Yangyi's role is also very important. Without shirk, Ge Hong nodded. Yi Yan also stayed for a short time and retire directly. Seeing the figure of the man striding away, Ge Hong frowned.
Why haven't we seen him for a while, this young man seems to be a few years older? The sharp-edged determination and hostility of the past disappeared, replaced by a deeper power, like the alpha wolf among the beasts. Those frightening things were pressed under the gray-blue eyes, and the dark tide was surging, but they remained silent.
Fortunately, this son is a confidant under the government's account. If it is an enemy, it will definitely be a serious problem for his confidants... Ge Hong shook his head, waved this ridiculous idea away, called his subordinates, and arranged all kinds of matters.
When the sun was about to set, Yiyan's 3,000-foot cavalry left Yangyi in several teams and headed for the distant mountains.
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The sky was dark, and it was the waning moon. In the dense forest, there was only a chilling cold. If you don't go deep into the forest, I'm afraid no one will be able to find out that there is a group of people hiding in it.
There are thousands of people and horses, but this group of people did not make any sound, like ghosts from the underworld.
Silence enveloped the mountains and forests, and not even the starlight could penetrate. The arrangement should have been arranged a long time ago. Yi Yan leaned against the tree trunk behind him and closed his eyes.
Tomorrow, there will be a fierce battle. Whether it can repel the Xiongnu encircling soldiers is here. However, at this moment, Yi Yan had no military formation plans in his mind, nor had he ever deduced war. In the depths of his heart, there was only one figure.
It was also a quiet night. The thick curtain isolates everything, and also isolates the prying eyes of others. He knelt beside the bed and stared at the person on the couch. Visible to the naked eye, he lost weight, his eyes were dark, and his lips were pale. That amazing face, like withering, shows the color of decay.
However, even so, Yi Yan still didn't look away, staring at each other's sleeping face almost greedily. Maybe the next moment, the man will wake up, regain his senses, and drive him out of the house. Maybe he will deprive him of his military power, let him change from the head of an army to a slave, and he will live forever and never come near. Maybe he will show a look of disgust, like killing the person who offended him in the first place, and let the blood in his throat stain the floor red.
There are countless possibilities that make people blood-cold, entwined in the chest. After the fear, there is a deeper nostalgia. He didn't flinch, and put his hand on the man's cheek.
The thin figure shook slightly, as always, trembling endlessly. This is what the man is suffering, and it is his. Yi Yan gently slid over the cracked lips with the pulp of her finger, like touching flowers, like touching butterfly wings lightly. Then, he leaned down and embraced the trembling body in his arms. Gently patted the opponent's back with his hands, using soothing, inch by inch to erase the terrifying trembling.
Gradually, he became quiet in his arms. A small sigh escaped from the slightly parted lips...
The warm breath sprayed on Yiyan's head, and he opened his eyes. I don't know when, the gray horse came to him, and was kissing his bun with his nose, as if he sensed the owner's unease.
Yi extended his hand and patted the horse's head lightly. This horse actually has a name, it's called Ziri. It was taken by the lord on a whim. The dark horse is called Chaiying, and the white horse is called Ziri, like some kind of intimate joke.
But Yiyan never called it that. He had been chasing the rising sun for too long, and it seemed that if he said one more word, his flaws would be revealed.
Moving his eyes slightly, Yi Yan looked at the soldiers resting around him. He was not abandoned by the lord, not damaged by him, belied by him. Such an important task is still in his hands. This is already infinitely better than the most desperate thoughts.
He is still useful to the lord. As long as there is one, he still has a glimmer of hope. Humble and pitiful, but the extravagant hope that will not disappear.
He will bring the victory back. as always.
Gently stroking the horse's mane, Yi Yan closed his eyes again.
The next day, Qixian was in an emergency. Frightened by the previous battle of Yangyi, the Huns returned to the rescue in less than an hour. Unexpectedly, a strange army appeared in the rear of the army, burned the grain and grass to run the camp, and joined forces with the enemy to attack from front and back.
After losing more than 3,000 horses, the coach finally couldn't resist and withdrew to Qixian County. Jinyang, who had been besieged for a year, finally repelled the enemy soldiers.
The documents for the victory were sent to Luoyang by fast horses.
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In the city of Luoyang, the heat is still in full swing. However, what was even more difficult than the scorching heat was the battle on the front lines.
Qingzhou Wang Mi rebelled, joined the army of the pseudo-emperor, and fought fiercely with the general Gou Xi in Xinye. The tyrannical and arrogant Gou Xi, known as Bai Qi, failed to gain much benefit this time. The city of Xiangyang was broken, and the enemy army advanced again.
This is much worse than imagined.
Because of the great power of the King of Chengdu and the parents and sons of Emperor Wu, those prefectures and counties that were not very close to the imperial court began to waver again, and at some point, they fell into the enemy camp.
At this time, even the good news from Jinyang is not very likable.
"Jinyang repelled the enemy soldiers besieging the city. It can be seen that the main force of the Huns is no longer in Bingzhou."
This is an undeniable fact, and it is something that everyone in the hall knows well. It was for this reason that Emperor Hui was killed before. If the Xiongnu further Chen Bingsi Prefecture, then Luoyang's safety will be even more worrying.
"Bingzhou needs to change the person in charge as soon as possible." Under the steps, a courtier replied.
Sima Yue glanced at the puppet-like little emperor, and sighed, "That's the case, I wonder if there are any candidates for the ministers?"
"Liu Yueshi should be competent." Someone immediately played.
Liu Kun performed extremely well in the previous battle against the King of Hejian. If he hadn't turned against Wen Xian, the prefect of Jizhou, and defeated Liu Qiao, the prefect of Yuzhou, it would have been impossible for Sima Yue to easily stabilize the situation in Hedong and take Chang'an directly.
However, upon hearing this, Sima Yue shook his head: "The battle on the front line is tight now, and Liu Sima is a general, so he should use it on the blade."
Liu Kun is indeed a talented person, but at this time, letting him go to Bingzhou seems to be overkill. Attacking the King of Chengdu, Sima Ying, is the top priority.
"Or use Wen Changshi? He was originally from Taiyuan, and he was in charge of the overall situation of Bingzhou, so it's not bad..."
Wen Xian is a high-ranking person, known as a talented person. I heard that Wen Qiao, the youngest son of the Wen family, is also an official in Bingzhou, so it is not impossible to send him there. But Sima Yue still didn't nod. A person who can be persuaded to give up an official is not a firm person. Bingzhou is a barrier in Luoyang, and if there is a loss, it will be troublesome.
Seeing that Sima Yue didn't nod his head, another humane said, "Liu Che seems to be fine."
Liu Hong was the prefect of Jingzhou before, and he was the one who presided over the Zhangchang Rebellion. It wasn't because of Sima Ying's troubles that she was kicked out, but now she's also displaced.
Before Sima Yue nodded, someone said, "I heard that Liu Cheqi is suffering from a sudden illness, I'm afraid it's not right."
Liu Hong is already old, and it is hard to say when he encounters a disaster. Sima Yue paused: "How about his eldest son?"
Liu Hong's son, Liu Fan, has also made contributions in previous battles and is somewhat famous. However, someone said: "Bingzhou has a lot of things, I'm afraid it's not suitable to use new people..."
This is the big truth. Sima Yue frowned: "Is there no one available in the court?!"
Beside him, a handsome-looking person stood up and said, "Maybe Zao Changshi can be used? He is Wang Sikong's son-in-law, and he is very talented and can handle a state."
This person is the team arranged by Wang Jun in the court. Hearing his words, Sima Yue's heart moved. If there is Wang Jun's backing, sending Zaosong to Bingzhou seems to be a solution. As long as the Xianbei iron cavalry goes to Bingzhou, will it not be easy to destroy the Xiongnu
However, before anyone else could speak, the emperor on the throne suddenly said, "Wang Sikong's commanders are like clouds. They will conquer Yecheng first, and then Chang'an. If they can reach Bingzhou, it will be a good thing."
The good-looking puppet on the seat suddenly spoke, which surprised Sima Yue. This will not work! Wang Jun is already powerful, why is the emperor hanging on his heart again? Moreover, Yecheng and Chang'an were indeed easily defeated because the Xianbei cavalry participated in the battle. What if Wang Jun took refuge in the little emperor and came to attack him
The chill surged up immediately, he coughed dryly: "Your Majesty, Bingzhou is very important, Zao Changshi has not reported any results, I am afraid it is not suitable..."
The emperor nodded thoughtfully: "Does it have to be meritorious? Who is the one who beat back the Xiongnu this time? Can't let him be?"
"This..." Sima Yue was suddenly dumbfounded. This good news shows that it was Liang Zixi, the prefect of Shangdang, who helped the Jinyang defenders to repel the encircling soldiers. But Liang Zixi came from an ordinary background? How could he be promoted to the prefect so easily
Seeing that Sima Yue didn't answer, the little emperor pondered for a while: "Or just call that person to see him in Luoyang. If it works, it can save a lot of things."
This is the emperor's golden mouth. After the sign of the blood sun, Sima Yue temporarily restrained his arrogance and showed a humble attitude. Now that the emperor has an order, it is really difficult to directly reject it.
After hesitating for a moment, Sima Yue cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is right. This minister will recruit Liang Zixi to Luo."
People can be recruited, but it is up to him to decide how to arrange them. The matter of Bingzhou can't be delayed any longer, it is better to decide the candidate for the prefect as soon as possible.