When Wang Renfan was blocked in Nongdong and was preparing to break through, Wang Quanbin's army on the west route also made a breakthrough. After more than a month of arduous march, they finally crossed the dangerous mountains and penetrated deep into Dali.
Of course, it cannot be considered as in-depth, because there is still a long distance from Yangju City. In fact, in terms of distance, the east road is in Nongdongfu, which is much closer to Dali.
However, precisely because the East Route Army attracted a large number of Dali troops for defense, it also made the northern city of Chengdian, which was not taken seriously enough, even more empty. Although the distance was a bit far, if the raid was successful, the effect would naturally be significant. With.
Jinsha River, as the most important water vein in Dali, has turbulent currents and mighty water, especially in the upper reaches, which is even more dangerous. After crossing the mountains to the south, Wang Quanbin led the army non-stop, heading straight to this river. Although it was still bumpy and difficult, it was still possible. Much faster than the wild mountain trails.
By August 20, most of the Han army had already drunk the Jinsha River. When they arrived at the Jinsha River, the Han army only did one thing: boil water, take a bath, change clothes and shoes, and give a big reward to the three armies.
This was much more thorough than the two or three days of rest and recuperation in the mountains. Wang Quanbin only gave the entire army one day and two nights. After that, they would cross Jinsha to the west, turn south, and attack the city of Yangju. .
As the coach of the Southern Expedition, Wang Quanbin finally enjoyed the privilege of taking a bath alone, or in a hot bath, with soldiers specially adding water to rub his back...
After this journey, Wang Quanbin has completely lost weight, and his figure has obviously lost a bit of burly temperament. The fat between his belly is also loose. I don’t know how this old body can bear such a heavy weight. Hard.
After a bath, I changed into a clean military uniform, and I felt much more energetic. Next to me, the soldiers were packing up the old shoes and clothes that Wang Quanbin had taken off. They were not only in tatters, but also exuded a stench. This time the West Route Army set out, every day Everyone prepared an extra set of military uniforms, and two pairs of shoes. However, two pairs were not enough, and many people's soles were worn out.
"Slow down!" Wang Quanbin stopped him when he saw that his soldiers were about to take it away and throw it away.
"What are your orders, Commander-in-Chief?" The soldier stopped, a trace of doubt flashing in his eyes.
Wang Quanbin stepped forward and turned over the pile of rags. A complex color flashed through his eyes, and he sighed: "Don't throw it away, find a bag to put it in and put it away!"
"yes!"
Obviously, this trip of the Western Route Army touched the old general deeply, and he wanted to keep it as a souvenir. However, this southern expedition was only halfway through, and the most difficult days were over. The next step was to Let's plan carefully how to attack Dali.
"Go, call Shangguan Zheng, and follow me to see the Jinsha River!" Wang Quanbin ordered.
The place where the army stationed was probably within the jurisdiction of Ninglang Yi Autonomous County in later generations. In today's Dali, it can be regarded as a remote and remote area. There are almost no farming villages around, but there are some tribal mountain people.
On the banks of the Jinsha River, many soldiers were still playing in the water, cheering for release. Some of them were good at swimming and brave enough to go directly to the deep water area to play. After suffering so much, everyone wanted to release themselves. Wang Quanbin rarely Didn't stop drinking.
Looking at the Jinsha River flowing southward and feeling its turbulence, Wang Quanbin couldn't help but ask: "This river is called Jinsha River. Could it be that the bottom of the river is really Jinsha?"
"If it is really a Jinsha River and such a treasured land, we cannot allow the Duan clan of Dali to steal it!" Shangguan Zheng replied, obviously joking.
"We have to cross this river as soon as possible!" Wang Quanbin said seriously: "Now that the signs have appeared, we must react completely in Dali and approach Yangju City!"
After hearing this, Shangguan pointed to the cliff on the opposite bank and said: "Although the east bank here is gentle, the west bank is steep and difficult to cross. If you want to cross the river, you have to find another place. The general has arranged people to explore. In addition, we have already tried it.
Yes, the skin bag you are carrying can be enough to carry you across the river as long as it is filled with air!"
Considering the situation of crossing the river, it was not convenient to make temporary boats and rafts. Wang Quanbin also prepared some leather air bags in advance for swimming across the river. After hearing this, Wang Quanbin asked: "How many leather bags are left in the army?"
Shangguan Zheng replied: "After removing the damaged and discarded items, there are still more than 7,000 tools left, enough to cross the river!"
"How many soldiers are left?" Wang Quanbin asked a heavy topic again.
Shangguan Zheng still said calmly: "After statistics, there are 21,384 people left in the army!"
"Nearly 20% of my soldiers were lost!" Wang Quanbin sighed.
"How much rations are left?"
"It can last for half a month. If you include the livestock accompanying the army, it can be doubled!" Shangguan Zhengdao.
"Although I'm a little nervous, now that I'm here, are I still afraid that I won't be able to find food?" Wang Quanbin is confident.
Shangguan Zhengdao said: "With Deputy Wang recruiting envoys on the east road with great fanfare, Dali's rear must be unprepared. Even if it is prepared, its strength will definitely be insufficient. They will not even think that we dare to take the absolute path to the north and penetrate directly into its heart!
"
"Next, we have to grab time!"
During the discussion between the two, the former army commander Kang Baoyi came. Kang Baoyi was considered a second-generation general of the Han Dynasty. He was brave and good at fighting. He was the son of the border defense general Kang Zaiyu. Although he was not too old, he had nearly twenty years of military experience.
He is now 20 years old. He has been a soldier in the military camp since he was a boy. In the past, he also participated in many wars of the Han Dynasty.
Following Kang Bao Yi, there were several other people, several indigenous people wearing local costumes. Kang Bao Yi stepped forward and reported: "Dushuai, I will lead people to inspect the surrounding areas and find these tribesmen. These are the leaders and tribes of the local tribes."
Sincerely, I heard that the army has passed, and I am willing to surrender. I will bring you up here to pay homage to the commander-in-chief!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Quanbin immediately became interested. And those members of the tribe, led by their leader, knelt down and kowtowed.
Through a translator, Wang Quanbin had a relatively smooth communication with him. From his mouth, Wang Quanbin learned that this area in the upper reaches of the Jinsha River is surrounded by so many ethnic groups. It is rarely under the jurisdiction of Dali State and is a poor area in Dali.
.These ethnic groups are the Naxi ethnic group.
As for asking him about the surrounding military situation and how far it was from Yangjumei City, he couldn't answer. However, he was familiar with the surrounding geographical conditions and expressed his willingness to lead the way and provided a suitable place to cross the river.
After careful interrogation and confirmation that there was no fraud, Wang Quanbin naturally accepted his surrender, and then ordered him to choose a few tribesmen who were familiar with the road to serve as guides for the army.
Due to adequate preparations, it only took half a day to cross the river. The so-called natural danger of the Jinsha River was declared broken, causing no obstacles to the Han army at all, and the Dali army was not even aware of it.
After crossing the river, under Wang Quanbin's urging, the remaining 20,000-odd Han troops on the west route started a furious advance, all the way south. As they went south, there were more troops in Chengdian. Dali finally responded, but they were sparse.
The defense did not cause any obstruction at all.
From Sanfu to Hechuan, the Dali officials and generals along the way faced the Han army and made the same choice as those tribes, surrendering. Wang Quanbin accepted everything, except collecting some rations, livestock, and asking for guides.
, did not stop the march, but continued to march forward.
As long as they don't encounter strong resistance, ignore him. In this way, by August 27, Wang Quanbin's army arrived at Longshou Pass, which is also the northern gate of Yangjumei City, almost without any hindrance.
However, this gateway was not prepared in time and could not withstand the sudden and fierce Han army. It was conquered in half a day with one surprise attack. Once Longshou Pass was conquered, the city of Yangjumei opened its door to the Han army.
Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake have become the most beautiful background of the Han army's horse riding on sheep in Jumei City.
