After the Western Wei army arrived in Hongnong and rested for a while, they continued eastward.
From Hongnong to Luoyang, the only way you can travel is the Weihan Second Road. The north road is a little more dangerous, but you can go straight to Luoxi. Although the south road is winding and long, the road condition is better. Important ordnance and a large amount of baggage usually still need to go through the south road.
Way in and out.
The Chinese and Foreign Affairs Offices came out in full force this time, armed with armor and horse weapons that had been accumulated for many years. The main force must enter the Heluo area via Nangui Road.
However, because the Northern Qi Dynasty has strengthened its defenses in Luoxi in recent years, if the forward attack of the army does not go smoothly and the army is stranded midway, both supplies and morale will be consumed quickly. Therefore, it is also necessary to make two-way preparations, and one more person will be added to the two-way march.
The breakthrough point is also a safe choice.
Although the North Guo Road is short, its exit is closer to the core area where the enemy is focused on defense. If it can be used well, it will naturally hit the key point and hit the enemy's center.
But if you don't perform well and your teachers are exhausted, you will become a lone army waiting to be slaughtered. It is very likely that it will be surrounded and annihilated by the enemy, which will make it difficult for the entire war to continue and can only end in failure.
This was the case in the Battle of Xiaoguan in the early years of the Eastern and Western Wei Dynasties. At that time, Gao Huan's troops were divided into three groups and attacked Guanzhong aggressively. Yuwentai concentrated his superior forces and went straight to Dou Tai's army in the middle. After defeating Dou Tai's group,
The remaining two routes were in danger without fighting.
Therefore, although the troops on Beikiao Road are just a partial division, the results they can achieve will determine the subsequent direction of the entire war. Naturally, the choice of generals to lead the army needs to be cautious.
Of course, Yu Wentai wanted to lead the main force forward. As for the commander of the North Road, after weighing it, he finally decided to hand it over to Grand Tutor Li Bi, who would lead eight thousand elite troops to kill Heluo via Xin'an.
Yuwentai attaches great importance to this war. Although Li Bi's abilities have always been guaranteed and disappointing situations rarely happen, before leaving, Yuwentai couldn't help but give some advice:
"Although there are many young men in the country, there are not many who can take on important tasks like a certain person in the past, but they can often defeat powerful enemies. The march on the North Road is an important task, and it cannot be expected unless the Taifu personally does it! I am still crazy, and I hope to meet the Taifu together.
Luoyang, attack the powerful enemy together and make the world famous again!"
"I will never forget the story of those days. I will be worthy of your Majesty's use this time!"
After Li Bi heard this, he quickly clasped his fists and said, but there was still a somewhat complicated look in his eyes that he couldn't wipe away.
Twenty years have passed since they established the rule of Kansai. Twenty years is enough for a generation to grow up, and twenty years is enough for the young and powerful military generals to turn gray and lose their ambition. Today's Li Bi is also
He has already passed the age of sixty years, and although he still retains his integrity and courage, he still lacks a bit of the high-spiritedness he had back then. Now that he has taken on important responsibilities, it feels more or less like he is doing it reluctantly.
It's not like there was a talent gap in the Western Wei Dynasty. The old ones were declining and being eliminated, and new ones were constantly emerging, and even a supernova emerged who was the best in the world.
However, it is precisely because of this that other equally outstanding young men in the country have eclipsed them. Even some old guys who have already achieved fame are on pins and needles, and they still have to work hard to prove themselves. The Eastern Expedition should have been a magnificent campaign.
Things can't help but add a bit of twilight.
As the two groups of troops marched separately, Yu Wentai ordered his troops to speed up in order to reach the battlefield as soon as possible. Not only did the soldiers have to travel day and night, but he himself was not able to get enough rest in the increasingly cold winter.
Inspired by the passion, lying in the snow and drinking ice is just an ordinary thing.
Of course, during this busy and hard march, there were some people who still remained leisurely, such as Da Sima Duguxin, who also accompanied the army on the expedition.
Not to mention marching in separate lanes, Li Bi, who was responsible for breaking the war, and several other Zhuguo Zhongda Xiwu who accompanied the army were the vanguard of the division, leading the front troops to advance at full speed along the way. Zhao Gui, who was the commander of the rear, also
He is responsible for all kinds of things and is responsible for the logistical support of the army.
However, Dugu Xin was the first Zhuguo to confirm that he would accompany the army on the expedition, but he did not have any leadership in the army. Although he served as a staff adviser, since the march, Major Otsuka Zai also rarely called him into the Chinese army.
Military affairs were discussed in the accounts. So much so that a dignified Sima was reduced to a transparent person in the army.
If Otsuka Zai hadn't specially arranged for the confidants in the tent to follow and protect Da Sima's personal safety, then Dugu Xin's presence in the army would probably be even weaker.
Of course, transparency also has its advantages. At least there is no need to brace yourself to deal with various complicated military affairs during the march. Since there is no fixed military itinerary for him, Dugu Xin's travels are also quite casual, walking at sunrise and sleeping in the afternoon.
When encountering windy, cold and snowy weather, we simply stop and stay there for the whole day.
When he set out from Hongnong, Duguxin was still walking with the Chinese army, but when he entered the mountain road of Xiaoshan, he gradually fell behind and was walking with the rear troops and baggage teams.
"Da Sima is really a blessed person. Everyone is busy and busy, but Da Sima is as leisurely as an immortal."
As the commander-in-chief of the rear army, Zhao Gui took a break from his busy schedule. After camping, he got into Dugu Xin's tent and saw Dugu Xin drinking and pouring himself leisurely. There were several government officials and scribes reading poems to him.
Zhao Gui, whose eyes were filled with blood, couldn't help but sigh.
Duguxin raised his hand and signaled the waiter to prepare a felt banquet and wine utensils for Zhao Gui. After Zhao Gui took off his outer robe and fur coat that was already covered with frost and snow, he sighed and said: "Why do you mock me, Duke Nanyang? I am now
Don’t you know what kind of situation and treatment you are getting?”
Hearing Dugu Xin's words were so straightforward, Zhao Gui laughed dryly and stopped elaborating. He picked up the warm wine and drank several cups. When some warmth rose in his body, he looked at it again.
Dugu Xin said: "Although we are separated in two places, there are always swan geese sending messages. This army's eastward expedition is a rare and powerful move in the country in recent years. The king of Taiyuan has a sophisticated strategy and a far-reaching plan. I don't know if he can send good words to Da Sima.
?”
When Dugu Xin heard this, he frowned slightly. He looked at Zhao Gui carefully before waving his hands and saying, "Although I went out with the army, I was just an idler. Duke Nanyang came to the tent to look for some wine. I
I sincerely welcome you, but if you talk about military aircraft, you will inevitably have to push yourself away from home, let alone discuss these extraneous matters with the general of Guanwai Town."
"Oh, I am so clumsy and annoying that I made a mistake. I should punish myself with three cups of wine!"
After Zhao Gui heard what Dugu Xin said, he also showed an apologetic expression on his face and raised his glass to apologize. Such an informed and conscious look made Dugu Xin feel a little embarrassed, so he drank with Zhao Gui.
After a few drinks, the atmosphere between us, although not too warm, was still harmonious.
As the army on the south road gradually left the mountains and gathered along the Luoshui River Valley towards Jiuqu City, Li Bi's troops on the north road, which had a shorter distance, had also arrived at Hangu Pass.
Hanguan City was previously occupied by Han Xiong, Wei Xuan and other generals from western Henan. The Northern Qi garrison attempted to seize it several times but failed. In order to ensure the safety of the west of Heluo, they had to find another plan.
The city garrison continued to be built east of Hanguan to block the way out of the city.
After Li Bi arrived here, he had no time to rest and recuperate, and immediately began to proactively distribute troops to attack the surrounding city garrison.
News that the front line of the Wei army had arrived in Luoxi was soon reported to Jinyong City, where the Heluo Garrison Center is now located. Today's Jinyong City is more complete, and there are many cities of various sizes scattered along the Luoshui River to the south for dozens of miles.
Bases form a very large and complete defensive system.
It was revealed that the governor of Luozhou was originally a general under Hou Jing. He surrendered after Hou Jing's rebellion. With the recommendation of Gao Yue, the king of Qinghe, he was able to serve his crime and perform meritorious service. Therefore, he also knew the situation between Heluo and Heluo very well. Sima Dugu Yongye of Luozhou
He was a confidant promoted and appointed here by Gao Yang, the leader of Qi, who was also shrewd and capable. The two of them cooperated quite well. When they heard the news that the Western Wei army was about to attack, they deployed their troops to strengthen defense.
However, as Gao Guiyan, King of Pingqin, arrived at Jinyong City as the vanguard of the reinforcements, some differences arose in the originally harmonious situation.
"The bandits have entered Xin'an, why not gather troops to attack them?"
When Gao Guiyan saw the garrison reports from Luoxi cities reporting the military situation of the attack, and the two garrison generals in the city did not take it seriously, he immediately raised his dissatisfaction: "Now the thieves are coming from far away.
, the progress is uneven, it is time to attack them separately while they are tired. Now you two are distributing orders, but you only know how to defend. Once the bandit army reaches Heluo, how will you prepare for the battle? "
Hearing Gao Guiyan's doubts, Luozhou Governor Baoxian did not dare to neglect, and hurriedly stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, both the North and South roads are now under the control of thieves, and it is difficult to predict the actual strength of the thieves. Our army has continuously increased the number of soldiers in recent years.
Defense only needs to be strong on all sides, and it will be difficult for thieves to defeat them. When the army of the country arrives, it will be very easy to defeat thieves..."
"Nonsense! The imperial court spends money and food every year and has tens of thousands of soldiers. Is it just to make you and other cowardly and mediocre generals shrink back? Whenever there is a military disaster, we need to rely on the country for strong support, and we will station you and other generals here.
What’s the use!”
Gao Guiyan had just succeeded in framing his cousin Gao Yue in the country. Just when he was satisfied with his ambition, and now he was entrusted with such an important task by His Majesty the Emperor, he also wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to show off his invading enemies and show his power to the people.
He is also a good person, so it is natural to replace Gao Yue.
Dugu Yongye, who was standing next to him, saw that Gao Guiyan was quite contemptuous of the enemy, so he quickly stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, please be patient. This attack is definitely not ordinary. They are all stubborn old men among the Western thieves...
"
"When thieves come, old things are like old people. When thieves come, they are as young and strong as Li Boshan. How can they be easily defeated? Neither young nor old can fight. Why are thieves so weak and I so strong now?"
Gao Guiyan waved his hand to interrupt Dugu Yongye's words, and then said loudly: "There are tens of thousands of troops stationed in the city now. Come with me to attack and kill this group of thieves as a first step in the battle!"