"This trip is not just for border patrol, but also has a combat mission?"
Zhang Qian followed the team and walked in front of Huo Qubing and the princess. The entire team of more than a hundred elites set up camp at night. Everyone was in order, and there was a chilling atmosphere.
Moreover, Zhang Qian was given armor before traveling, so he judged that he might have a combat mission.
He knew that Huo Qubing and the princess were behind, and he looked worried: "Master Hou is too bold. If the princess makes any mistake, how should she explain it?"
"Marquis Bowang is probably worried because he has never sent troops with Lang Zhongling or fought against the Huns."
The person who answered Zhang Qian was the Imperial Military Academy Lieutenant Xiao Qisheng.
This time Yao Zhao stayed in Chang'an and was responsible for continuing to form the Yulin and Huben armies. Zhao Ponu had other tasks and did not accompany him.
The two hundred forbidden troops were led by Xiao Qisheng.
Xiao Qisheng proudly raised his five fingers and said: "There are no generals in the world who can be looked down upon by our Lord. Although there is a march mission this time, it is impossible to threaten the general, let alone Her Royal Highness."
.”
If a caravan wants to pass through these areas, it must be accompanied by at least a hundred people and hired escorts. Everyone in the caravan carries a sword. Even so, it still has to spend money from time to time to buy a road before it can pass.
"Go and inform the border guard that we are entering the city!"
Zhang Qian shook his head: "I'm just afraid that Huo Hou is too good at military affairs and will defeat the Xiongnu in two battles, which will give rise to arrogance. The strength of the Qiang, Di and other tribes cannot be underestimated.
Located about two hundred miles away from the northwest border of the Han army, it is the ancient Qiang tribe.
After passing the huge area of Longxi, we continued forward and slowly approached the border. To the north was the area bordering the Xiongnu Xiutu King Tribe.
For Liu Qing, this was the journey he had been dreaming of for many years, with a smile on his face.
We left Chang'an yesterday and spent half a day crossing the ever-flowing Wei River. The place we camped at night was close to the border between Longxi and Anding counties.
Xiao Qisheng stood up with a puff of sleeves: "You can figure it out for yourself, I can't explain it to you."
"Custodes?"
We set off early that morning, and before noon, we entered Longxi County, the largest county in the northwest of Han Dynasty.
"Tome, what's wrong?" Mulang asked with a fierce expression.
Mulang gave a low shout and left in a fierce manner.
Historically, the generals of the Han Dynasty during this period were all outshone by the brilliance of Huo Qubing and Wei Qing, making it seem like none of them could fight.
As the night grew darker, Liu Qing curled up in Huo Qubing's arms and fell asleep.
The team under Huo Qubing showed more than just speed, but more importantly, well-trained and strong obedience and the appeal and cohesion to do whatever it took to complete the battle orders.
This is a team that is as proud as Huo Qubing and will not allow themselves to fail. If one day they are trapped in a tight siege, they will never surrender even if they fight to the end. They will fight to the death!
In the afternoon, the team crossed mountains and ridges and galloped along the road to the northwest corner of Longxi County.
Mulangtuo relaxed again: "There are only two hundred people. Do you want to teach them a lesson?"
Huo Qubing: "The main purpose is to take you out for a walk, but there are also some things you should do on the way."
Zhang Qian frowned and said: "The doctor wants to take me with him, and I was wondering if the destination would be... the Western Regions?"
"I just received the news that a Han imperial army is coming from Chang'an and seems to be leaving the border to go northwest." Dian Zhen said.
After he left, Huo Qubing asked Xiao Ying, the embroidered clothes envoy accompanying the army on the other side: "I want you to prepare the clothes of foreigners and the uniforms of our Han army in advance. Are you ready?"
"You don't need that much, two thousand is enough."
Xiao Qisheng agreed and rode away.
They eat on the back of a horse that is running at high speed, and even turn over flexibly on the horse and slide to the side of the horse's back to solve problems such as diarrhea while galloping.
"Han Imperial Army!" The leaders were obviously surprised.
A stream of Qi swirled around the team, like a rolling flywheel, looking in all directions.
Liu Qing murmured the words "everyone has a responsibility", and some female literary youths looked moved: "Qu Bing, what you said is so good." She moved to Huo Qu Bing's body and got closer.
Night falls.
"Does Marquis Bowang have anything else to say?"
Xiao Qisheng had some understanding: "The general wants them to make a wrong judgment?"
Zhang Qian thought for a while: "I also admire Lord Hou's ability in commanding troops, but at that time he led more than 10,000 elite troops, which was completely different from the current situation.
Xiao Qisheng said: "I'm explaining to you, don't you understand?"
"It didn't work because the Marquis didn't come."
This is prepared for Liu Qing. When she leaves Chang'an, the clan has its own arrangements.
Huo Qisheng was able to be valued by Huo Qubing and take him with him, which has its own merits.
The carriage is like a small mobile palace, covered with animal skins, insulated from moisture and heat, and all related things are available.
Xiao Ying replied: "There is still plenty of time, and some armaments have been transferred from the border army, which is enough."
In the following hours, Bowang Hou Zhang Qian's shock reached an extreme level.
A few miles away from the rear of the front army, on a low slope facing the mountain, a large chariot was parked.
"...how many Imperial Guards are there?"
The first time he joined the team, Zhang Qian was extremely surprised when he was carried away while sitting in the carriage.
Dian Zhen, the leader of the tribe, was awakened from his sleep by a knock on the door.
Xiao Qisheng said proudly: "Where have the tens of thousands of Xiongnu elites gone?"
"Two hundred forbidden troops..."
As the team moved forward, each soldier rode with all his strength, with his legs slightly propped up, his body pressed forward, and his body rising and falling slightly as the horse galloped, minimizing the horse's weight and resistance, and concentrating on it.
Huo Qubing said: "We entered the city openly just to let them know."
The moment Huo Qubing ordered the two hundred troops to speed up, their temperament suddenly changed.
The combat effectiveness of such a team can be imagined.
On the second day of march, the speed of the team suddenly soared.
Because they were still in the Han Dynasty, after they settled down, they made a bonfire and sat to one side to talk.
————
After about a quarter of an hour's rest, the team immediately increased their speed to the extreme again.
We are only a tribe of more than two hundred people, so if something happens to us, it will be absolutely difficult for us to deal with it.
Raising the flag is better than being brave and brave, but the military quality is average and can only be cultivated in the line of brave generals who charge into battle.
Occasionally, I can see a few Han people walking around in a hurry, which is completely different from the peaceful and prosperous days of Chang'an, when everyone had a calm look on their faces.
"Two hundred forbidden troops, guarding several carriages." Dian Zhen said.
When we arrive at the border later, if the Marquis insists on leaving the border, I will suggest that the princess be left in the Han territory, or that the border army send more people to protect her."
Zhang Qian looked at Xiao Qisheng, who had thick eyebrows and thick black eyebrows: "What Colonel Xiao means is that the champion has other plans?"
At this time, the two teams in front and behind were close together and joined forces to advance.
————
Mulangtuo stood up slowly and said excitedly: "I would like to ask Zhan to be the vanguard to capture and kill the Han army."
Xiao Qisheng shook his head. He always thought about it before he understood something, and followed orders.
The ups and downs of fate and the wonderful contrasts are consistent with this.
To the northwest is the border pass where the Qiang, Di and other tribes inhabit.
In a short while, several leaders of the ancient Qiang tribe gathered in the stone hall made of earth and stone.
"Yes, the news sent said that the team seems to be leaving the border and heading northwest."
The disadvantage is that when fighting from above, you will only fall into a straight line.
Huo Qubing took out the territory map of Xiguan and looked at it again and again.
Liu Qing knew exactly what to do when, so he stopped pestering Huo Qubing and returned to the big car on his own, rarely showing up.
Xiao Qi Sheng said: "No matter how dangerous the northwest border is, how can it be better than the tens of thousands of elites from the Xiongnu royal court?"
The atmosphere on the road had unknowingly become tense, and it seemed that even the air was filled with the murderous spirit of soldiers.
I'm just afraid that the Marquis will underestimate the enemy and suffer a defeat in Xiguan, ruining his reputation in the first two battles!"
The magical marching method gathers troops and speeds up faster and faster.
Dian Zhen said: "I will have people pay close attention to the movements of the Han people at the border. If that team leaves the city, we will eat them, and then we will attack the Han people at the border and cause some suffering to the Han people."
At this time, no one in the entire army made a sound.
Zhang Qian was stunned.
"Then what do you want to do, related to the Qiang and Di tribes outside Xiguan?"
He opened his eyes, put on a leather robe and came to the door: "What's the matter?"
Huo Qubing looked at Xiao Qisheng. From this question alone, he could tell the difference between him and Zhao Ponu and Yao Zhao.
Every soldier's eyes seemed to be shining with the kind of light that they must complete the combat mission at all costs.
This is not a good thing. The shining stars of the same era are the real foundation.
This speed was much faster than he expected, and it was completely the limit of rapid marching.
"General, when we come this time, should we notify the border garrison?"
After setting off today, a layer of mist spread over the entire team. When the breeze blew, the mist dispersed with the wind, and the team disappeared.
The maid next to him drove a carriage and walked in front during the day. In the evening, she would leave the carriage behind for Liu Qing to rest, and then come back in the morning to drive the carriage away.
Zhang Qian said in shock: "He was defeated by the champion and fled north."
The night gradually fades and the stars disappear in the sky.
"The news says that there are about two hundred. The other party entered the city through the city gate. The number is clearly visible. It should be correct."
When Huo Qubing mastered his magical marching skills and the team's speed slowed down a little, it was the rest time for the soldiers.
Zhang Qian thought to himself: "It is absolutely impossible for our two hundred forbidden troops to pass through the area blocked by the Xiongnu and Qiang Di tribes together with Loulan. I still think the Marquis's move is too risky."
What ordinary people long for, Liu Qing is born with, and what she longs for, ordinary people can realize at any time.
No one doubted that Huo Qubing gave the order and the entire team would fight to the death and charge into battle.
Xiao Qisheng said: "Master Hou has already made arrangements for leaving Chang'an.
Liu Qing, Zhang Qian and others finally understood why Huo Qubing's team was so powerful in combat.
Huo Qubing said: "There is a saying that every man is responsible for the rise and fall of a country. It refers to the cohesion of a nation, and every man refers to the people. The people are like this, let alone us. So this time, we can't just travel around."
Xiao Qisheng said: "Marquis Bowang, it's better not to worry about it. Do you have the Marquis who understands military affairs?"
This gentleman's arms are about as thick as ordinary people's legs. He trains hard and trains wearing heavy armor every day. He can still walk as fast as other generals. He is a standard tiger general configuration.
"In the next stage of my career as a Han Dynasty, my biggest goal is to pacify the barbarians, connect the Western Regions, and trade with them, which will benefit the future and make the country stronger."
Xiao Qisheng said in confusion: "The Qiang, Di and other tribes have been dealing with our border troops for many years, so they must have spies in the border towns. We openly entered the city, and they received the news, wouldn't they be alert?"
If necessary, there are many instruments manufactured by the Mohist family hidden in the car, which can be used for offense and defense.
A subordinate was waiting at the door and said:
"I received news from Beiguan that a group of Han troops came from the Han border town. They were actually wearing the fine armor of the Forbidden Army. There were several carriages in the team. The people or things in the carriages were very mysterious."
Dian Zhen nodded and said: "If that team really wants to leave the border, they will definitely travel in the dark, hide their traces, and try to escape our detection. You lead a team overnight. It will be harder these days. If they are blocked, they may leave.
Don't let anyone run away on the road.
"Do you think the Marquis took the princess here to enjoy the mountains and rivers?"
Dianzhen walked out of the room: "Wake up Mulangtuo and the others."
"How many men and horses?"
If Huo Qubing wants to promote the development of military science, it is impossible to do everything personally, so training generals is very important.
Otherwise, why have we, the Han Dynasty, been trying to suppress the northwest frontier troubles without success for so many years?"
But he also has the advantage that he knows that he is not good at battlefield maneuvers, so he will carry out the orders of the generals he agrees with to the end, never discount them, and is very obedient.
Zhang Qian said: "You have never been to the northwest border, and you don't understand how complicated the situation there is. There are dozens of tribes, and each other's spheres of influence overlap and intersect. It is extremely chaotic, and sometimes there are several confrontations in a day.
If you look at the Xiu Yi subordinates accompanying the team, you should know that news from all over the place is being sent to the Marquis all the time, and then arrangements are made based on the Marquis's judgment. Although we are small in number, it is possible to mobilize accordingly
It’s an army of thousands.”
"I took Liu Qing with me, and I never thought of hiding it from others. We entered the city head-on." Huo Qubing said calmly.
It's not that he has no brains, but when he goes to the battlefield, he will easily become red-eyed when seeing blood and attack violently.
In addition to the imperial army, the other side may ask the border troops to escort you. You should bring more troops. And beware of the other side's deception. If the other side has many people, withdraw and wait and see. Don't move them for the time being. I promise you that three thousand troops and horses will be enough."
"No matter what arrangements are made, we will only have two hundred imperial troops accompanying us."
At this time, it was getting closer to the northwest border of Han Dynasty.
"Qubing, are you traveling this time just to patrol the border, or do you have another purpose?" Liu Qing asked.
Nomadic tribes can fight on their backs and do not need much preparation.
Half an hour later, Mulangtuo led a group of people out of the ancient Qiang camp.
Dian Zhen then ordered the people around him: "To attack the Han border, our own troops and horses will be used, and the wear and tear will be heavy. Someone comes and sends the news we have found to King Xiutu in the north, and asks the Western Huns if they are interested.
Join us to attack the Han Dynasty?
This time, I will make the Han people suffer a big loss."