The wind brought the warmth of spring, and only in the morning was there a trace of the chilly spring weather. Veteran General Wang Jing and his subordinates rode up a mound outside Fengcheng, facing the wind and watching the marching troops with interest.
The petals on the tree not far away were blown into the air by the wind. The light red color added a touch of softness to the dark and overwhelming troops with swords and guns. The peach blossoms in the torrent of steel formed an image of sharp contrast between strength and fragility, but they naturally merged into one for a moment.
The heavy footsteps were in a relatively orderly rhythm, just like the main theme of a symphony, simple, rough and rhythmic; mixed with the clang of armor, swords and weapons colliding and the neighing of horses, like accompaniment. The generals who were used to hearing such sounds showed excitement on their faces; such things brought back the most memories and feelings of the warriors, and were the source of everything they had.
Wang Jingyuan looked at the appearance of the Hujie Army and sighed: The elite troops are all in the imperial guards.
The aide next to him said: Guo Dushi is too young after all, and he is too eager for quick success and rashness. He needs to suffer some losses before he can wake up.
The general said: The roads in the Qinling Mountains are tortuous and difficult to travel, and we were agreed to only have half a month's worth of food. The time is too short and it is hard for me to think that he can achieve anything.
Wang Jing remained calm: If we can't take Weiwu City within 15 days, we will naturally withdraw our troops. It's better to let him try.
After hearing this, the staff said calmly: Your Majesty is right. Envoy Guo brought the imperial guards, and Zhen'an Jieshuai Xiang Xun did not stop them, so it is not easy for Your Majesty to force them to stop.
Zan Jurun, the guest envoy in the Fengxiang government office, seemed to be pessimistic that the Hujie Army could capture the Shu Army city within half a month, but although he participated in the military affairs, he did not interfere in military affairs and said nothing. When he learned that the Hujie Army had indeed sent troops in advance, he wrote a memorial.
The entourage was already waiting outside the door. Zan Jurun checked what he had written again to make sure that what he said was true and not a rash judgment.
At this moment, he lifted the brush in mid-air, rubbed his beard with his left hand, and looked like he was in deep thought. After a moment, he quickly dipped the brush in the inkstone and added a few lines at the end. The commander, Wang Jing, did not stop Guo Shao from asking for an urgent battle.
Fengxiang is very close to Chencang, and the Hujie Army arrived in less than half a day. They set up camp again to rest and wait for military supplies and equipment to be ready. Guo Shaoxian ignored the generals and summoned Luo Yanhuan and others who stayed in Fengxiang to meet him.
Luo Yanhuan and a female Taoist priest met at the house that was temporarily used as the headquarters of the Central Army. After not seeing each other for several months, Guo Shao did not even say a word of greeting, but asked directly: "Are there any unusual movements in Tangcang Town and other places?"
The generals were also used to this straightforward approach. Luo Yan clasped his fists and said: "I have met people from Tangcang Town five times in Chencang. The last time was at the beginning of this month. Tangcang Town has increased its troops several times. Currently, there are at least 6,000 troops stationed there, and the amount of food, fodder and weapons is unknown."
Guo Shao memorized it in his heart and thought about the main places in the north of Fengzhou in his mind. He turned his head and looked at the female Taoist priest, who was about thirty years old and had a few freckles on her face. She looked familiar.
The female Taoist priest spoke clearly: "I just returned to Chencang today. General Luo asked me to come with him to see Envoy Guo Du. I heard that Saint Auntie was also here, so we came to pay our respects together. We live in Qingniling Temple. From the first month of this year to now, we have seen a large number of troops passing through Qingniling almost every day. It is difficult to walk on the ridge, and the road is often blocked. I hid in the forest behind the temple for a few days and counted the number of people who crossed Qingniling. On sunny days, at least 186 people passed through, and at most 321 people passed through; on rainy days, a few people occasionally crossed, and at most 20 to 30 people. Qingniling is rainy. It rains for a little while from the first month to the third month. In addition, when the road is muddy, it is difficult to walk for half of the time. In three months, 20,000 people have passed through Qingniling; it is difficult to see clearly the food and baggage. Some are carried by mules and horses, some are pushed on carts, and some are carried on shoulders. It looks like a lot."
Guo Shao was very surprised after hearing this. The ancients certainly didn't know any sampling statistical methods, but the Taoist priest's method of sampling a few days and then averaging and superimposing the estimated data was similar. She spoke in a very organized and clear manner, and he felt that this woman was not stupid at all. He asked her: What is your name
The female Taoist priest replied: In reply to Envoy Guo Du’s question, my original surname was Wang, and after I became a nun, I was called Bai Xiangu.
Guo Shao nodded and asked again: Qingniling is the only way to Chencang Road
Bai Xiangu said: "There is a post house on Qingni Ridge, which is indeed the only way for the official road. However, I learned from the nunnery that there is another Baishui Road in the east, but it is a small road that some fugitives and profiteers have taken. There are few people around, and there is no post house for supplies, so people usually don't take that small road. Therefore, the Shu army coming up from Xingzhou must cross Qingni Ridge.
Guo Shao immediately said: Luo Yanhuan is going to join the army to fight. Bai Gu, you don't have to return to Qingniling Temple. Stay in Chencang stronghold to meet the spies outside, ask about the situation and write it down. How
Bai Xiangu turned to look at Jingniang, who nodded. She then replied: "Yes."
Guo Shao then asked the female Taoist priest to leave, and then sent someone to notify the military generals above the rank of commander to come to the hall to meet him.
When the sixteen generals of the Tiger and Jet Army arrived at the headquarters one after another, Guo Shao and his attendants walked quickly into the hall. All the generals bowed and saluted, saying: "Greetings to Envoy Guo."
Guo Shao sat down on the upper chair and waved his hand to signal the generals to stand in two rows in order of rank, all looking at Guo Shao sideways.
Three days later, the whole army left Chencang and headed for Sanguan. Guo Shaoxian spoke first, and everyone looked at him and listened carefully. There is only one road from Sanguan to the front camp of the Shu army. Our initial combat goal is very simple, to destroy the eight camps of the front camp of the Shu army. The number of enemy soldiers in the camp is unknown, but the Shu Road is narrow and difficult to deploy horizontally, and the military camps blocking the road will not have too many soldiers. I decided to have two commanders in the front, take turns to attack, and the main force will delay and advance step by step.
Immediately, a general hurriedly said: I am willing to be the vanguard. Then the generals rushed to ask for battle.
Guo Shao thought: These generals usually look well-behaved, but warriors are not stupid. They all want to do this kind of good thing. The military camp in front of Weiwu City is just a stronghold, which serves as an early warning and buffer. There are not many soldiers and they are divided into eight groups. It is not difficult to defeat them one by one. The difficulty is relatively low, but it stands out when it comes to merit. This is the first merit.
The First Army's First Commander and Second Commander, Guo Shao said loudly, raising his arm to stop everyone from shouting.
Two generals stood up with joy on their faces. Another one clasped his fists and said: "I will be the first commander, Li Dazhu."
Guo Shao pretended to be fair and said: "The Shu Road cannot be deployed horizontally. The army will march. The first and second armies will be deployed in sequence. You two will be responsible for leading your troops to attack the eight military camps and eat them one by one. Li Dazhu will attack the first one, and the second commander will attack the second one. You will take turns to rest."
Li Dazhu, who had a dark and rough face, patted his chest and said: "We can defeat one in half a day. If you can't defeat them, I will bring my head to you."
Good! Guo Shao praised.
But people cannot be without selfishness. These generals are just his subordinates. If they take all the credit, how can he commend those who have served him in the future? Guo Shao immediately said: Luo Yanhuan.
Luo Yanhuan, who was standing on the side, walked forward and clasped his fists and said: Here.
Guo Shao added: You are the commander of the front army.
The position of the formation envoy was a temporary position. Because the Zhou army was strong, they often deployed the crescent formation in the field. Usually, there was a person responsible for coordinating the formations of various units, and that person was the formation envoy. This position was not a real position of military power, so the commander could appoint one in a certain battle. If a military position above the rank of commander was to be appointed, such as the Hujie Army, it would usually have to be reported to the Imperial Guard Division and the Infantry Division for approval.
Luo Yanhuan said calmly:
Guo Shao then followed the idea he had thought of and appointed Li Chuyun as the commander-in-chief of the field camp, which was still a temporary position to reward him with military merit. As long as the battle was won, when Guo Shao asked for credit, he could say that Li Chuyun was very capable in coordinating the march and that Li Chuyun had led troops in many battles and must be familiar with marching and setting up camps. Having him in charge of this matter could at least prevent some mistakes caused by lack of experience.
Guo Shao felt that his approach was fair, as both the commander's confidant and his subordinates had made contributions. He then said, "I sent scouts to learn that the Shu army has sent more than 20,000 troops to Qinfeng within three months. As long as you fight hard, you will have many opportunities to make contributions. I will also remember them one by one, and when I return to the capital, I will report all my achievements and demerits, without omission."
All the generals bowed in submission.
Then Guo Shao ordered twelve commanders to select brave soldiers, with each commander leading a team of 300 people in total, to form the central army guards. Yang Biao was appointed as the guard general; Luo Mengzi was the deputy general, and the two took turns on duty.
Guo Shao was more clever. According to the rules of the Imperial Guard, military positions below the commander's position were generally delegated to the military generals of each army and only counted and recorded; there was less than one commander among three hundred people, so he appointed the general on the spot.
Guo Shao did not ask about the selection of soldiers, and let each army commander take charge. Anyway, he had seen the Second Army camp many times, and there were no soldiers who were too weak; they were sent out by various generals, and usually had no relationship with their own troops, so they were just right for Guo Shao to use.
Everyone gathered in the camp, and Guo Shao didn't say much. He quickly arranged the combat affairs and personnel, and then asked Li Dazhu and others to repeat the military order. Then he ordered the group to disperse.
On the eve of the dispatch of troops, Guo Shao called Zuo You again and asked him to take people to contact the civilians who delivered food to the rear army after the battle, and go to the front to transport the wounded. Guo Shao knew Zuo You well. He had some knowledge in officialdom, but his military strategy was useless to him, so it was just right to find him something to do.
Three days later, the whole army set out, leaving Chencang and marching towards Sanguan. Twelve commanders formed columns and set out in sequence. Officials from Wang Jing's staff office also followed with civilians to help transport the baggage. For a time, the road was filled with a mighty force, like a long dragon.