Cao's scouts reported that Wei Yan, who was under the command of the cavalry, had led his troops to Shaanxi County and expanded his military camp in Shaanxi and Tianjin.
Dong Zhao said: "This move is to prevent the Ming Gong from raising troops to attack Hedong."
Cao Cao nodded.
Because just like the strategy offered by Yang Xiu, if you want to enter Guanzhong, it is not really like the six kingdoms attacking Qin, and you can only fight against Hangu Pass to the death.
The main reason for the choice of routes and ultimate failure of the six countries to attack Qin was the problems of the six countries themselves, not the steepness of Qin Pass.
In fact, there were three main directions from the Warring States Period to the Qin and Han Dynasties, the road from east to west to enter Guanzhong.
Hangu Pass is not the only channel to enter Guanzhong, and it is not the primary channel even for a certain period of time.
On the north of Hangu Pass, which is Yang Xiu's advice, it was suggested that Cao Cao go to Longmen Ferry and Pujin Ferry.
Obviously, Wei Yan moved his army to Shaanxi and Tianjin to prevent Cao Cao from crossing the river and breaking through Hedong.
This response was expected by Cao Cao.
The route from Hedong to Chang'an to Longmen Pujin was the most frequently used invasion channel between the Qin and Jin, Qin and Wei countries during the dispute between Qin and Jin. Even the Wei State once established a military stronghold in Shaoliang on the west side of the Great River. Since the side of Shaoliang City was mountainous, it made it difficult for the Qin army to spread, so Shaoliang City was stuck on the neck of Qin for a considerable period of time.
When Wei was in power, it invaded a large area of land in Guanzhong and reached the edge of Beiluo Water. Qin had to build a great wall along the Beiluo Water to resist the Wei army. In the early Warring States Period, Wei destroyed Zhongshan in the north, fought against Qin in the west, attacked Chu in the south, and attacked Qi in the east, and was invincible in the world. The extremely powerful Wei State almost rode on the head of the six countries, slapped him on the left, and the little brother was not convinced, and slapped him on the right again. The little brother was happy and attracted hatred everywhere, and was eventually overturned to the ground and never recovered from then on...
At this stage, Hangu Pass was still unknown, and even when the Qin army occupied Hangu Pass and when it began to be built was unclear. It was not until the Qin State captured the Hedong land and the coalition forces could only go to Hangu Pass that this pass amazed the world.
But just like a peerless beauty, the Chousangyuan in the Qin Dynasty has now become a sparse Sangyuan in the Han Dynasty, and the original Xiao Tiantian has become a Madam Niu.
Overall, if the strength within the Guankou is significantly greater than that in Shandong, then there is a certain risk when going to Hedong into Guanzhong, because the reinforcements from the Central Plains cannot smoothly cross the Wangwu Mountain and reach Hedong through Taihang Mountain, while the power of Guanzhong can easily cross the Longmen Duke or Pujin Duke to advance to Hedong. Therefore, taking the Hangu Tongguan Line, the Junhan Pass, becomes a relatively safe choice. First, the road is direct and there is no detour. Second, the river can be used to transport grain and grass. The third point is that once the Hangu Tongguan is broken, Guanzhong will be protected without any danger!
The third road from east to west to Guanzhong is naturally the Wuguan Road where Liu Bang entered the pass. There are mountain roads on both sides of this road, and it is not easy to walk through mountains and ridges...
Guo Jia said: "This person is good at attacking surprises, so Ming Gong should set up many outposts to prevent sneak attacks."
Cao Cao nodded, and then asked: "Wei Yan and Wei Wenchang are such a man, greedy for money and lust?"
Cao Cao was not familiar with Wei Yan. What Cao Cao was worried about was that the Cavalry Army did not appear, and once the Cavalrymen appeared in his sight, he naturally had a strategy to deal with it. Cao Cao believed that Wei Yan built a military camp in Shaanxi and Jin, Shaanxi County, undoubtedly to prevent Cao's army from crossing the river north and attacking Hedong. Of course, there was no problem with Wei Yan's move. After all, Hedong can be regarded as the place where Fei Qian rose, and there was also a fief of Pingyang, so naturally there could not be any loss.
At the same time, if Cao Cao was allowed to gain Hedong, Cao Cao could use Longmen Ferry and Pujin Ferry to march into Guanzhong. Tongguan was equivalent to failure. There was Wangwu Mountain north of Shaanxi and Tianjin, and the river south was easy to defend but difficult to attack. Therefore, Wei Yan's move to Shaanxi and Tianjin was naturally a correct way to deal with it.
Cao Cao likes this "correct response" because it means that the other party's strategies are within his expectations...
Guo Jia thought for a while, "I heard that this person has such rumors... But this person often praised the cavalry, and it is said that the lever of the cavalry was engraved with the verse of the cavalry..."
"Oh... then forget it..." Cao Cao waved his hand, and he had a temporary idea. He could not buy or frame him, right? But if he had always shown such loyalty, then it would not be of much significance to buy or frame him. However, Cao Cao still felt a little curious and asked: "Which poem is the engraved poem?"
Guo Jia looked at Cao Cao and said, "It's the one that Han'er should lift seven feet..."
『Hmm…』 Cao Cao nodded, then smiled, said nothing, and asked, 『Is the forward in Hangu?』
Dong Zhao replied, "There has been a reward, the forward has reached 20 miles from Hangu Kanto. He is making siege equipment and it will be completed in about three days."
Cao Cao frowned slightly, "Too slow! Let Zilian advance ten miles further! The equipment must be completed as soon as possible, and an attack needs to be launched within three days! By the way, we can design to lure the cavalry army to attack at night..."
Dong Zhao quickly responded to the order.
"Ming Gong, this Hangu Gu Gu Gu Gu Gu General Zhu Wenbo may not be trapped..." Guo Jia said.
Cao Cao smiled, "It's okay to give it a try."
...
...
The march of large armies is often unconcealable.
The sky and the sun were covered by smoke and dust, and there was no smog in ancient times, so you can definitely see it by climbing a high place more than ten miles away.
Hangu Pass itself is in a high position and has a front-mounted sentry tower. In addition, Cao's army did not mean to hide it, so Zhu Ling knew about the movements of Cao's army very early.
At this time, another scout came in a hurry and reported loudly before Zhu Ling: "Qi reported to the captain, Cao's army cut down trees in Tanyuan and was building siege equipment. There were many Cao's army at the intersection of Danzishan Road, and our people could not seep through it!"
Zhu Ling immediately looked at the sand table on the table.
Linghu Hua stood next to Zhu Ling, a little nervous.
Linghu Hua is the son of Linghu Shao. He has been a military consultant for some time. Although he does not have any peerless strategies in wisdom, he still handles ordinary things freely. At Hangu Pass, there is obviously no need for a top-notch strategic strategist, but only a civil servant who deals with them normally.
Therefore, Linghu Hua quietly, neither was in a hurry to express his strategy nor disturb Zhu Ling's ideas, but stood quietly on the sand table like Zhu Ling, watching.
"Old thief, so cunning..." Zhu Ling murmured, "The old thief sets up a formation here in Danzi Mountain... From here, as long as the siege equipment is passed through Tanyuangou, it is transported to the river, and then you can use water to reach the mouth of Hunxi and reach the front of Hangu Pass! He is luring me to attack! Damn it! Damn it!"
Zhu Ling slapped the table with a slap, shook the sand table, and then hurriedly helped it with his hands.
『Captain, General Wei has told me..." Linghu Hua said in a deep voice, 『We must retreat in time and not fight in a hurry.
『I know...』 Zhu Ling waved his hand and answered, and then said, 『Is there any way to make these Cao troops suffer a loss, but not to harm our soldiers, and not to destroy Hangu's original plan?』
『Captain…』 Linghu Hua said, 『Are you sure you know it’s a temptation, or you want to take the risk?』
Zhu Ling was silent for a while and nodded slowly.
Of course, if you don’t attack, it is undoubtedly the safest. However, if you cannot put enough pressure on the Cao army’s vanguard, then the Cao army will not have too many troops crowded up, nor will it attract the Cao army’s generals, and may even not cause any major damage to the Cao army at all.
Of course, the risk of attack is also very high. After all, even Zhu Ling himself realized that Cao's army specially deployed layers of defense on Danzi Mountain, and even scouts who were good at concealing could not penetrate it. This means that Cao's army had been prepared for a long time, so they either had to force themselves to break through, or they had to bypass Tanyuan Valley and not go to Danzi Mountain...
Zhu Ling was almost certain that Cao's army must be ambushed in Tanyuan Gully!
"No, you can't wait..." Zhu Ling said in a deep voice, "Although it's safe to wait, it's not done anything, just waiting... I seem to have a bad premonition..."
Linghu Hua frowned and pondered for a long time, "Then... the captain, you might as well put down the attack or not first, and then review all the steps... This is what the martial arts lecture hall official said in the 43rd period. After planning in the army, we should review the old and learn the new...
"Okay!" Zhu Ling returned to the edge of the sand table. "The first step is that we must resist the first wave of Cao's frontal attack, and repel Cao's army under the pass, and support at least one day. This is a complete battle to defend the city. Only one thousand soldiers and one thousand auxiliary soldiers are required. Although Han Hangu is not as good as Qin Hangu, Cao's army cannot be expanded even if there are too many troops."
Linghu Hua nodded and said, "One day, if it starts from the hour of Mao until the hour of Xu, attack once per hour..."
『Yes!』 Zhu Ling suddenly interrupted Linghu Hua, 『This is it!』
"Ah?" Linghu Hua was stunned.
Isn't this the original speculation?
What's the problem?
"Why did Cao's army set up multiple interceptions in Danzi Mountain, and why didn't our scouts cross the line in Danzi Mountain?" Zhu Ling seemed to have thought of something, and looked at the sand table with bright eyes, "Old thief... it's indeed an old thief..."
"This...Captain, are you..." Linghu Hua frowned and looked at Zhu Ling, wondering if Zhu Ling had a strong stress response?
Zhu Ling's fingers passed by the sand table, "Look, why is Danzi Mountain called Danzi Mountain? Because this place is just one road, surrounded by smooth rock walls, like an egg... and Cao's army hid behind Danzi Mountain, cutting down the siege equipment while ambushing Danzi Mountain and Tanyuan Gully..."
Linghu Hua stretched his neck to look at it, feeling that he understood, but there seemed to be something he didn't understand.
"If I lead the troops to attack, the scout will be intercepted outside Danzi Mountain, so I don't know how Cao's army arranged it..." Zhu Ling said slowly, and some excited expressions flowed out of his eyes. "The old thief must have arranged someone to hide near Danzi Mountain and Tanyuan Gully. As long as Cao's army attacks, they will immediately block Tanyuan Gully! Trap us on Danzi Mountain and gather and destroy them!"
Linghu Hua nodded and said, "Since that's the case, just defend the city. Let Cao Jun wait for one night."
"No, no!" Zhu Ling shook his head, "The old thief is cunning, here. If someone speculated that it was not bad, the old thief would definitely let the Cao army soldiers divide into two groups, one group rest early, and the other group be on duty all night! If we don't wait for a sneak attack, then we will be the ones who will let the Cao army sleep well all night! Whether it is the siege wave number or the intensity of the siege, it will be greater than what we originally expected!"
Linghu Hua understood a little.
Camping in the wild may be a natural habit, and it will never be more comfortable than sleeping in a house, especially on the eve of the war. If you are disturbed by night attacks again, then you will not have a good rest for a night!
If you can't rest well at night, of course it's impossible to exert ten percent of your energy to fight during the day!
And what about it? If there is no disturbance at night and you know that there are comrades around you on duty all night, can you relax and have a good rest mentally? Then when you attack the city the next day, the pressure will naturally turn to Zhu Ling.
In order to cope with such pressure, Zhu Ling either retreated early or had to increase his troops.
Retreat early will lead to insufficient pressure on Cao's army and waste a lot of previous arrangements, and once the troops are added...
Everyone knows that it is easy to turn around if the boat is small, but once the boat is big, it is difficult to turn!
"Old thief, it's really an old thief..." Zhu Ling smiled, not seemingly angry because he was plotted against by the other party, but was even more excited.
Linghu Hua looked at Zhu Ling with some concern, "Captain, you..."
"I have a way... There is a sentence in the 52nd issue of the Martial Arts and Hall Newspaper...
Zhu Ling smiled chuckled like a fox holding a chick in her mouth, feeling happy, but she forced herself to prevent the corners of her mouth from cracking, worried that the chick would fall down.
...
...
at night.
Many ropes quietly hung down from Hangu Pass. Zhu Ling quietly slipped down from the Pass with his own troops and hid in the shadow of the Loess Plateau.
Night attack, old tricks.
It's like lifting the vagina, which is very useful at first, but then everyone is on guard, especially when the master fights, only then can we know whose aunt has no umbrella...
Zhu Ling was very familiar with the terrain around Hangu Pass, so he passed through the shrubs, slid down from the soil plate with his hands and feet, then climbed up the opposite soil slope, and took his men to the Cao Jun camp.
The difficulty of night attack is, on the one hand, night blindness, and this nutrition can be almost solved if it keeps up, while on the other hand, it is elite, which is difficult to solve. Because in ancient times, it was basically impossible for large troops to attack at night. Once thousands of people act, it can basically be called a strong attack, and the movement and stillness cannot be concealed!
The communication and communication methods in ancient times were backward, and there was no complete map for reference. It was difficult to control the direction of the team's journey at night, so it was very difficult to organize, so Zhu Ling had to do it himself.
Zhu Ling did not carry a special long weapon, but carried a part of a strange shape on his back.
Not only did Zhu Ling have such parts, but other soldiers also carried some similar items on their bodies.
Although the war was about to come, Zhu Ling's heart was surprisingly calm. Maybe he liked fighting, or maybe the feeling of licking blood from the knife not only did not make him afraid, but also made him excited. However, Zhu Ling was not as easy to get up as Gan Feng, and fell into a crazy battle and lost his mind. He carefully chose the road, hid in the shadows as much as possible, and avoided making any special sounds.
Zhu Ling and his elite men covered most of the items on their bodies with rags and hay, and even the armor on their bodies was replaced with leather armor to reduce movement. Of course, this means that Zhu Ling and others' protection has decreased...
But this doesn't matter, because Zhu Ling's plan did not really rush into the enemy's formation and kill the head of the Cao army's vanguard general.
Although it is really exciting to think about it this way, Zhu Ling is not stupid. He knows that Cao's army is full of traps and ambush, but he is rushing inside...
Zhu Ling is a very targeted person, otherwise he would have just lie down and there was no need to vote for Taishi Ci. This time Wei Yan asked him to retreat directly, and Zhu Ling would rather take the risk to resist for a while, in order to achieve higher merits!
The fire lights in the distance swayed in the wind.
That was the camp bonfire of Cao Jun.
Zhu Ling and the others gently passed through the sparse shrubs, looking at the opposite side through the ditch of the earthen plateau.
Zhu Ling's eyes swept across Danzi Mountain opposite and also swept across Tanyuan Valley under her feet.
Under the moonlight, no matter it is a mountain or a ditch, it looks blue-gray, with shadows of all sizes distributed in it, especially in the Tanyuan Gully, where there is almost no bright spot, and it is impossible to see directly whether there is Cao's army hidden in it. Although it is not visible, Zhu Ling can conclude that there must be Cao's army's troops in the distant black shadows of Tanyuan Gully!
"Captain, it's hard to leave from here..." Zhu Ling's personal guard lowered his voice and said.
That's right, although the bottom of the Tanyuan Gully is flat, the soil plates on both sides are relatively high and straight. In addition to one or two winding mountain roads, it is very difficult to climb the soil plates on both sides directly up and down. Even if it can slide down smoothly, it is very difficult to climb the soil plates on the opposite plates.
"We can't go..." Zhu Ling smiled.
"Hmm?" The guard didn't quite understand.
But go?
But how to attack Cao's army?
Zhu Ling waved his hand slightly, and the group of people retracted back to the bushes.
"Assembled..." Zhu Ling took off the strange object from his back and handed it to the soldiers beside him.
The soldiers took the part, retreated back to the bush, unpacked the outside of the part, and began to assemble it through the moonlight.
The light combination of buckles sounded, and the tense sound of biting sounded, but it soon dissipated in the night wind.
The soldiers are assembling the rhubarb crossbow.
Although the Huang family's workshop has been improved, this huge double crossbow is still extremely heavy and cannot be carried by a person at all.
Zhu Ling looked at the Cao Jun camp opposite and chuckled softly, "For generals, you should know astronomy, understand the right territoriality, connect to Qimen, understand Yin and Yang, and the Ming Formation Map... Today I will teach the old thief a lesson..."