Compared with the trembling and precarious days when he was in Yecheng a few days ago, Tuoba Xulu was in high spirits at this time.
He was riding on a horse, holding a whip in his hand, pointing at the village in front, with a smug look on his face:
"Southern Xia is indeed rich! We just broke through some small forts in Yuancheng and were able to harvest more than a month's worth of food."
"If we can break through the big stronghold in front of us, we won't have to worry about providing food and grass for several months, right?"
Compared to Tuoba Xilu who was arrogant when he got his ambition, Tuoba Chuo was more calm:
"Brother, I sent someone to investigate. This village is one of the largest in the vicinity and belongs to the Wang family."
The Wang family is the largest surname in Yuancheng. For such a large village, there must be many guards inside and the guards must be tight.
When it comes to riding horses on the grassland, the Tuoba clan can be said to be worthy of any opponent - of course, except for the Han army that can send troops outside the Great Wall in winter.
But when it comes to going south to attack the city and take out the stronghold, there is not even a single point of horseback skills.
This is also the reason why even if the Huqi on the grassland invade the fortress, most of the time they will not go deep into the hinterland of the Central Plains.
If you want to capture a city in Nanxia, you must either choose a small city with a wall that even horses can jump over, or surround the city until the food and wages in the city are exhausted.
Not to mention that with the current situation of the Tuoba clan, they cannot even lay siege to the city. If they want to capture the city, there is no other way but to take it by surprise, make a sudden attack, and attack it unprepared.
Unexpectedly, Tuoba Xulu didn't hear the implication of Tuoba Chuo's words at all.
I saw him licking his lips: "Wang? Are we here just for Wang?"
Tuoba Chuo smiled bitterly, shook the reins, asked the horse to take two steps forward, rode side by side with Tuoba Xulu, got closer to the other party, and whispered as much as possible:
"Brother, this stronghold is strong and well-prepared. It is far superior to those we have conquered."
"Our people are not good at attacking cities. If we delay for too long for a stronghold and allow other places to be prepared, it will be very detrimental to us."
I have more than a month's worth of food in my hands. Compared with the initial five days' worth of food, the situation has improved a lot, but it is still far from enough.
The prairie eagle soars in the sky and can hunt prey at any time, but once it folds its wings and falls to the ground, it is very likely to become prey.
Although the Tuoba clan's war horses are currently insufficient, there is still an opportunity to take advantage of the lack of defense in other places.
But if you have to stick to one spot, what's the difference between it and an eagle falling to the ground?
When Tuoba Xulu heard this, his originally sultry face suddenly darkened.
He had suffered more humiliation in Yecheng in the past six months than in the previous half of his life, and it was much more.
It can even be said that he has never suffered such great humiliation in his life.
Now that he finally escaped and ransacked some small villages, the fear and anguish in his heart was somewhat relieved.
The wanton indulgence these days was probably because Tuoba Xulu was numbing himself and deliberately forgetting the humiliation of Yecheng.
Of course, this can also be said to be some kind of compensatory psychology.
But Tuoba Chuo's words made Tuoba Xilu suddenly wake up from the illusory satisfaction created by his wanton indulgence, and his mood was naturally not so happy.
He turned to look at Tuoba Chuo and asked:
"Then in your opinion, should we just retreat like this?"
"Of course not." Sensing his brother's displeasure, Tuoba Chuo said quickly:
"Since my brother led the troops to Yuancheng, he has been able to conquer every enemy, which has restored the Tuoba family's prestige a little."
"If we retreat without a fight at this time, wouldn't we lose our prestige?"
After hearing these words, Tuoba Xilu's face brightened slightly.
"It's just brother. Nowadays, our Tuoba clan is separated and far from what it used to be. The people who follow brother now are the seeds of revitalizing our Tuoba clan."
"If we attack the stronghold by force, if there are any casualties among the clan members, it will be very detrimental to my brother's plans!"
After Tuoba Xilu heard this, he was immediately startled, and then he realized:
"If my brother hadn't reminded me, I would have ruined something big!"
He looked at the village in front of him again, and the heat in his eyes finally slowly receded:
"You can't retreat, you can't fight, what should we do?"
Tuoba Chuo responded:
"You can send people to shout in front of the stronghold. Just say that we are sent by Taifu Sima to collect grain from Yuancheng. As long as the stronghold hands over enough grain, we can ensure peace."
"Huh?" Tuoba Xilu was moved when he heard this method. He thought it was a wonderful method. "What if they still refuse to hand over the food?"
Tuoba Chuo said with great confidence:
"We were able to raise so much food just by breaking down some small villages. There will definitely be no shortage of food in such a big village."
"We borrowed food in the name of Taifu Sima, and we only borrowed part of the food in the stronghold, not all of it. They can also avoid the disaster of destroying the stronghold. I guess they will weigh the pros and cons."
Tuoba Xilu heard the words and nodded: "Okay, then send someone to try."
——
In May of the eleventh year of Yanxi's reign in the Han Dynasty, the war in Hebei was in full swing.
Not only were the main force of the Han army in the west pressing down on the border, but Han cavalry and Hu cavalry followers in the north appeared from time to time around the Youzhou Pass. Even in the hinterland of Hebei, there were rebellious Hu people plundering everywhere.
For a time, Hebei was in chaos.
There was an endless stream of messengers sent from various prefectures, counties and even counties in Hebei Province, all rushing to Yecheng.
"Please inform me that the Wang family of Yuancheng wants to see the Grand Tutor."
Wang, who was the first to arrive at Yecheng, handed over a greeting card.
However, the response I got was:
"The master is not in the mansion."
When Wang's visitor heard this, his expression changed slightly: "May I ask when Taifu will return?"
The concierge sneered: "I can know the Tutor's itinerary? Is it also something you can ask?"
Wang's visitor secretly gritted his teeth and cupped his hands: "Excuse me."
This happened several times in a row.
It was just June, and even someone from the Cui family in Qinghe came to visit.
The concierge was much more polite to visitors from the Cui clan in Qinghe:
"Cui Langjun, the battle at Jingxing is urgent. To be prepared, the Grand Tutor has personally led the troops there, so he is not in the mansion."
As one of the few wealthy families in Hebei, the Cui family of Qinghe is indeed much better educated than the Wang family of Yuancheng. When he heard this, his expression did not change at all:
"Thanks for letting me know."
However, after returning to their residence, the Cui family's children, who were originally calm and polite, suddenly changed their expressions and cursed angrily:
"Cao!"
He seemed to feel annoyed and cursed several more times:
"Cao! Cao! Cao!"
"Sima Yi did this on purpose, right? He definitely avoided us on purpose!"
"The Jingxing War? Others don't know about the Jingxing War. Do they think we, the Cui family, don't know about it either?"
"The Han army has not attacked the pass for nearly a month. How can the war be urgent?"
…
Enter Hebei from Jingxing, and not far to the southeast is Boling.
Who doesn’t know that Boling also has a Cui family?
If others don't know about the Jingxing War, why don't the Bolingcui family who are so close know about it?
Qinghe Cui family and Boling Cui family have always been in the same spirit.
If the Boling Cui family knew about it, the Qinghe Cui family would naturally know it too.
This is one of the reasons why the wealthy families in Hebei, headed by the Cui family, did not immediately agree to provide excess food to Sima Yi.
Despite the fierceness of the Han army, the troops on the west side of Taihang Mountain were divided into three groups.
Not to mention that the Han army in Luoyang in the south had crossed the river and entered Hanoi in winter.
Outside the northern fortress, the Han army, which had wiped out the barbarians, was also eyeing the Youzhou Pass.
It can be said that except for Linhai in the northeast and east, Hebei has fallen into a situation where it is surrounded by enemies on three sides.
But so what?
The most evil of all the thieves in Jihan was none other than Thief Feng.
But now, even Feng Thief is blocked in front of Weize Pass, unable to advance even an inch.
In the end, troops were not allowed to be stationed in front of the pass, and there was no forcible attack on the pass for nearly a month.
Some say that the Han army suffered too many casualties in the past few months and had to rest and recuperate.
Some people say that Thief Feng had another plan and was planning to sneak across the Taihang Mountains.
It is also said that the Han army was already in a dilemma just like the Emperor Wei Wu in the Battle of Hanzhong. Seeing that he could not attack Xiongguan and the army was trapped in Jingxing, Feng Thief already wanted to retreat.
There are different opinions, and it is difficult to distinguish between true and false, but it is an indisputable fact that Feng Yong was blocked in front of Weize Pass.
But at this time, Sima Yi said that the war in Jingxing was urgent and he needed to go there in person?
"This is an excuse. He wanted to avoid us, so he chose this time to leave!"
Someone said something gloomily.
The leader of the Cui family snorted, this is an obvious thing, do I need to say it?
"I heard that there are also barbarians looting in Boling?"
After Yuancheng, Qinghe was also plundered by the Hu people, and then news came from Boling that the Hu people were causing trouble.
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In other words, there were at least two groups of barbarians wreaking havoc in Hebei at this time.
Although these barbarians were unable to break through Wuzhai, it was the time when summer grain was being stored in the warehouse. People could hide in Wuzhai, but the grain in the ground could not grow legs and escape.
Fortunately, Qinghe sent some grain to the Hu people, and finally avoided the Hu people's harm at the minimum cost.
It's different in Boling. I heard that most of the wheat that was about to mature in the fields was harvested by the barbarians. It can be said that the losses were heavy.
Because Hebei is beyond the Great Wall to the north, everyone has access to trade with the barbarians outside the Great Wall. Even if a season's or even a year's worth of food is gone, it may not hurt the bones.
But it's different now.
Transactions outside the Great Wall have become increasingly difficult in recent years, and this year has been especially difficult.
Now outside the fortress are all Han troops and their hawks and dogs.
No matter how brave you are, no one dares to risk trading outside the Great Wall at this time.
So everyone’s income this year is all based on the grain in the fields.
The Han Dynasty invaded Hebei when winter was approaching spring.
In other words, this year's spring plowing in Hebei has already been affected to a certain extent.
If summer grain cannot be stored safely, it means that this year's entire harvest will be seriously damaged.
The Bolingcui family was openly robbed this time, and their flesh was literally cut off. No matter how strong the family background is, if it continues like this, it will bottom out one day, so it would be strange not to jump.
"This is Sima Yi demonstrating to us!"
Who doesn’t know that these barbarians were invited to Hebei by Sima Yi?
The former Fan Hu people had always gathered in Yecheng and had never heard of any plundering.
Unexpectedly, Yecheng failed to borrow food, and the barbarians started looting everywhere. To say that this matter had nothing to do with Sima Yi would be to regard the elites of the aristocratic family as fools.
Naturally, Sima Yi did not regard them as fools. He knew that they knew, and they also knew that he knew that they knew.
But as long as you don't admit it, you don't know.
"Then Sima Yi only asked us to pay for food all day long, but allowed the Hu people to loot everywhere. Did he think that the food appeared out of thin air?"
Someone said angrily.
There had already been a levy of grain in winter, and another levy of peasants during spring plowing. The previous summer grain had not yet matured, so people were sent to ask for grain from them.
It is said to be a borrowing, but everyone knows that this borrowing is a borrowing that will never be repaid.
I don't want to give any benefits, but I ask them again and again to provide money, food and people.
Which wealthy family can withstand such trouble?
Or do you think that these aristocratic families are made of clay and can be kneaded by Sima Yi at will?
"What do we do now?"
"Is someone from the Fan Yang Lu family here?"
"I haven't heard the news yet, but I heard that the Hu people have gone north, and it will be a matter of time before they reach Fan Yang."
"Then go and find out quickly. As soon as we find out who Fan Yang is, we will go to Jingxing together to pay homage to the master."
"Here."
"Also, I heard that the Li family from Zhao County is also here. Please help me prepare another greeting card. I want to pay a visit."
Sima Yi can ignore the Cui family of Qinghe, but if he adds the Cui family of Boling, the Li family of Zhaojun, and the Lu family of Fanyang.
There were also local powerful people such as the Wang family in Yuancheng, but he didn't believe that Sima Yi would turn a blind eye to them.
The wealthy families in Hebei sent people to Yecheng to visit Master Sima but failed, so they had no choice but to try their luck in Jingxing.
At this time, Taifu Sima, who had led his troops to Weize Pass, also sent people to the Han army camp in front of the pass.
Since the last time Feng Da Sima asked the soldiers to stop attacking the city and rest, he has never ordered a new attack.
In the past month, the soldiers had eaten, slept, practiced a little, and played some military games, and the day had passed like this.
He was obviously here to quell the traitors, but living in the mountains was not as comfortable as usual, but his life was much better than when there was no war.
After the soldiers had eaten and drank enough, they all felt a little guilty, and many generals took the initiative to ask for battle.
However, they were all dismissed by Feng Da Sima, who just asked them to stand still.
Lu Yu was sent to the Han army's camp by Sima Yi. Along the way, he saw the Han army's military appearance was in good order, their morale was high, and they were eager to fight. He couldn't help being secretly frightened and feeling heavy.
Although the Han army had not attacked the city for a long time, it was not in a dilemma as reported and had no intention of retreating.
No matter how much you hate Feng Mingwen and gnash your teeth, you have to admit that this person is a rare and outstanding person in the world.
He is outstanding in both civil and military affairs, and few can match him.
These people, leading these elite tiger and wolf troops, are stationed in front of the pass. Even if there is no movement, it is enough to make people uneasy and not to take it lightly.
I'm just afraid that this guy is plotting something secretly.
With extremely complicated thoughts, after Lu Yu was led into the Han army's tent, he did not dare to be too boastful, and saluted to the chief in the tent without being humble or overbearing:
"Lu Yu has met Feng Jun."
"No need to be polite, Mr. Lu, please get up."
The voice that came to his ears was neither sad nor angry, neither slow nor slow, and even the address was quite polite, which made Lu Yu feel relieved for the first time.
He stood up as instructed, and then looked forward with confidence.
Lu Yu, who could maintain his composure after seeing the appearance of the Han army, could no longer maintain his composure after seeing Feng's true face.
this……
Is this man really Feng Mingwen, who is famous all over the world and is the most talented person in the world after King Chen?
Even if the other person is just sitting there, you can still see that this person is tall and tall.
It is not unusual for a scholar to be tall, but to be as tall as this man, without any elegance of a scholar, was something Lu Yu had never seen before.
In addition, the beard is thick and not carefully taken care of, so it looks like a tiger's beard.
He looks like a typical rugged military commander, but he doesn't look like the legendary talented man.
After Feng traveled through time, he was more concerned about his life.
So from the very beginning I paid great attention to physical exercise and nutritional intake.
In his early years, he practiced martial arts with General Guan Da. Although his martial arts skills were not very good, he achieved the goal of strengthening his muscles and bones.
Later, I obtained the body-building technique left by Hua Tuo, and practiced it day by day.
Being tall is normal.
He has been leading the army outside for the past few months, unlike at home where he has someone to help him take care of himself. He himself is too lazy to shave, so it is not surprising that he looks like this.
It's just that the image of such a rough military commander is matched by the title of a talented person, which is really hard for Lu Yu to accept.