That is, as of the second day, that is, the first day of April, only one right guard general, Zhao Guang, led his troops to cross Luolongtan in the front of the Eighth Route Army. The main forces of the other seven routes were all on the shoal on the center line of Luolongtan.
Standing still and not moving forward.
Zhao Guang was born in a poor family, and was promoted many times just because of his cultivation. And if he was promoted to be a lieutenant in the past as a reward for his talent, then it was undoubtedly the saint's personal favor to jump directly to the general of a guard and enter the class of real power.
Favor... In fact, it is said that after Yunnei came back, the emperor valued this talented man from a poor family very much. He would take him with him to almost every banquet, and every time he would reward him with horses, weapons, palace maids, gold and silver. Before,
At the New Year's Day Golden Pillar Ceremony, he and Sima Zheng jointly commanded the cavalry to maintain order. With a strong mentality of repaying the saint's grace, he did not care about the intrigues of the armies, nor the people's hearts and logistics, and directly led his troops through the Luolong.
Beach, it is not difficult to understand.
As for the others, of course I don't blame them...because these famous generals all know what this shoal will mean once they pass through it.
The most basic risk is war itself. Once we cross this beach, we will start a war.
How do you say that?
Since the Qing Emperor, in the eight thousand years since ancient times, mountains and seas have moved, but war has remained unchanged.
At the beginning, there was a chaotic tribal fight; then there was a duel-style duel between small groups of warriors, plus looting, and the occupation troops followed; then the tribe disappeared and the country was established, and the practitioners who automatically obtained the status of middle and low-level nobles, or the nobles themselves naturally
It is easier to obtain spiritual achievements and then lead an organized army in the era of vehicle combat; as well as a larger-scale cavalry formation that is more in line with the efficiency of infuriating energy output... In the end, it is increasingly inevitable to attack the opponent's war potential.
Slaughter cities, burn grain, burst embankments, destroy mountains, burn forests, in addition to so-called strategies that mainly shake human nature.
No matter which method is used, it has not changed the ultimate nature of war - a violent confrontation, and the loser usually has to pay the price of death.
Specifically at the moment, there are two direct risks.
First of all, Luolong Beach is not just a shoal in front of you. It is Luolong Beach in a narrow sense. In a broad sense, it meanders for hundreds of miles from north to south. It is the boundary line between Dongyi Island (Qipan Island) and the Eastern Border.
Because of the sea water, farming is impossible for forty to fifty miles on both sides. Coupled with the mountains and tidal flats, this creates an uninhabited land that may actually be one to two hundred miles wide. Supply itself is a huge problem.
Secondly, everyone knows that if the war goes out of control and the retreat occurs, the area may have swollen into a shallow sea that does not appear to be fatal, but can actually kill the entire army.
"Sima Xianggong."
General Xue Changxiong of Zuoweiwei, in full armor, came over with a frown. "According to your instructions, the bones I encountered piled up by the Dongyi people in the beach have all been buried...many obvious signs have also been collected.
stand up."
Sima Changying looked at the Gobi-like shoal in front of him, nodded slightly, but couldn't help but sigh for a moment: "Have you heard of it? These are just a few powerful bones. I don't know how many millions of people died in the past few times."
In fact, they were all swept up by the tide into several tidal flats and bays in the east, where they piled up like mountains. The fish, turtles, shrimps and crabs became extremely fat, but even the Dongyi people themselves did not dare to go fishing because of the disaster. The poor countless heroes were all other people.
His father is his wife and his son..."
Behind Sima Changying were several generals who had gathered in a hurry. Their troops were not here because they needed to disperse and march, but without delay, these people even flew over quickly to find Sima Xianggong, the top leader of the generals, to discuss the way forward.
You must know that the saint is more than a hundred miles behind and has stopped. I don't know whether he is worried about the dangers ahead, or because he knows that the generals on the front line have not actually crossed the beach and are brewing the wrath of thunder.
However, no one expected that Sima Xianggong and General Xue would talk about this when they came up, and the generals could not help but be silent for a while.
Of course, after a moment, Xue Changxiong had no choice but to shake his head and answer: "Now that things have happened, why is Sima Xianggong still talking about this? It will only depress the morale of the army. Just say that for this battle, the saint gave us such troops, equipment, and materials.
We are also asked to do things in front of us. I really can’t think of any possibility of failure?”
"Of course it's the human heart."
Sima Changying turned back to look at each other, her gray beard and hair fluttering in the sea breeze. "We people here don't have to hide some of our words, and I'm not afraid... The Eastern Expedition has been defeated three times in a row, and several people died each time.
Hundreds of thousands or millions of people, especially in the three places where the Eastern Qi Dynasty is located in the Central Plains, Hebei, and the Eastern Territory, will lose millions every time. And in these three places, no matter how many people have registered residence, there is no one who does not know them.
Relatives, friends, and neighbors were ruined and died because of the Eastern Expedition? Especially since the Second Expedition to Dongyi and the Yang Shen Rebellion happened the year before last... Then I dare to ask why they are not afraid and why they do not flee? More than 900,000 people, along the river
After walking for more than a month within the country, only 600,000 people were left. After walking for more than a hundred miles, the number of people who escaped was countless. Have you ever seen such a thing?"
"It's true that the Central Route Army is unmotivated, but warriors like us just follow orders. What's the use of telling us this truth? On the contrary, it's you, Sima Xianggong, who is both a veteran general and Nanya Xianggong. Why did you do it before?
Why don't you speak out and remonstrate?" Xue Changxiong was silent for a moment, then raised his knife and asked, "Isn't this the purpose of the late emperor promoting you?"
"After Ma left behind and Wei Shangshu, I didn't dare to speak." Sima Changying did not hide her sadness and helplessness. "I just want to preserve the family... I am not afraid of death, I am afraid that the Sima family will not be able to continue."
Xue Changxiong was about to speak but stopped, and could only say: "After all, it is the justice of the monarch and his ministers. Since he has received the emperor's favor, what else can he say?"
Then, I probably thought it was ridiculous, so I stopped talking.
Sima Changying seemed a little disappointed, and could only nod: "If it weren't for the emperor's grace, why would my father, son, and grandson all come here together?"
"What's the use of talking nonsense at this time?" At this moment, General Youyiwei Yu Shuwen, whose status was slightly higher than Xue Changxiong's, second only to, or even equal to Sima Changying's status, rushed forward, his armor vibrating.
Zhen seemed to be impatient. "Now that the matter has come to this, let me say that we are all generals. What we should worry about is whether we will achieve nothing but reverse..."
"What does General Yu mean...?" Sima Changying was not angry at all when she saw Yu Shuwen coming forward, and was even a little relieved.
"Everyone is traveling all the way, but they don't know the big truth. Don't they have eyes? The current situation is that more and more civilians are fleeing, fleeing faster and faster, and the sergeants are also fleeing. Once they cross the beach, the supplies behind them are basically impossible.
There is no hope, so our army is indeed collapsing on its own..."
Yu Shuwen's tone was a little depressed at first, but his tone soon picked up.
"But after all, our numbers and equipment are far superior to those of the other side. Therefore, we have only one strategy. Win a few battles and occupy a few cities before the army collapses... Once we win the battle, our morale will increase and our military morale will be stable.
Once we capture a few cities, we can stabilize our supplies, and maybe we can continue to supply water supplies on the north and south routes! Moreover, Dengzhou Daying made it very clear that the situation of the Dongyi people is also very bad, pointing out that
I’m not sure who will collapse first!”
Most of the generals nodded.
Sima Changying also nodded slightly.
"But if this is the case, Sima Xianggong's theory on the human heart will have another explanation." Yu Shuwenfu sneered again. "But this human heart does not refer to the human heart below, but the human heart above... Just be afraid, even if you know it
This is the only road ahead, but some people are greedy for life and afraid of death, and just want to live their lives, which makes the 120,000 elites unable to concentrate and sell loyal and brave generals in vain."
"Does General Yu want us to make an oath and move forward together?" Sima Changying asked seriously.
Yu Shuwen shook his head in reply: "Actually, the best way is to give me all the experts in the army. With the status of a master, I will lead the entire army and rush forward. Even if the real dragon appears, how can I do it?"
Treat me as a knife?"
The generals were originally looking at each other, but now they all shook their heads after hearing this.
Han Yingong, the general of Youweiwei, even sneered: "Mr. Yu, even if we could trust you, we would not dare to do this... because if you follow your strategy, not only the real dragon, but also the Fulongwei sacrificed the Fulong Seal."
Your opponent... What if you have a Dongyi spy hiding under your subordinates? It would be really interesting to call Qing Junzi. The imperial driver is more than a hundred miles behind you. If you really risk your life to attack, it will only take one night."
Yu Shuwen also laughed dryly: "Of course I know this is against the rules, but who can guarantee that you can go hand in hand with me or follow me after crossing the beach?"
After hearing this, Sima Changying did not hesitate anymore. Instead, regardless of her age and official position, she took off her helmet and put it on the ground. Then she knelt down on one knee in the fishy wind of the shallows in late spring. She took out the dagger again and easily cut her palm.
...Blood seeped out and was blown by the sea breeze, directly wiping half of his palm... But Sima Xianggong didn't care at all, he just wiped it on his face, and then pointed to the sky and swore to the shoal:
"Three splendors and four emperors are here. Sima Changying has received the kindness of the great Wei State. As for becoming a general and becoming a prime minister, he dare not sacrifice his life or death to repay the country. Tomorrow he will send troops to Luolongtan. The whole army should be loaded with sixty days of food and grass.
Half a month ago, if we advance without retreating, we will fight when we encounter enemies and ascend to the city first! If we disobey, we will be destroyed by heaven and earth! My descendants will not be able to be buried in the tombs of our ancestors in Guanzhong!"
Everyone below Yu Shuwen was shocked.
Yu Shuwen himself immediately knelt down on one knee and followed suit and took the oath.
Next, it should have been Xue Changxiong, but General Xue had no choice but to immediately hand over his hand and apologize: "Sima Xianggong, General Yu, I really can't imitate your oath... I am in the far north, and my first priority should be to support the north.
Lu Dajun."
"I know." Sima Changying picked up her helmet and stood up. The blood on her face had been blown dry by the wind. "I didn't ask you to swear an oath. It's just me who wants to do this."
"Sima Gong." You Weiwei General Han Yin bowed his hand in front of him. "Actually, I think it would be too tiring for the entire army to cross the beach with sixty days of rations. I'm afraid it will dissipate the army's morale faster... You must know that the people's hearts are
It is not only the civilians of Guandong who are scattered, but also the troops of Guanxi. But since you and General Yu are determined to do so, if we refuse in vain, it will appear that we are not loyal and courageous enough... Let this be the case! I will not swear an oath either.
Yes, but I will definitely deal with it like you do!"
Sima Changying immediately nodded: "General Han and his three brothers are all generals, how can I not believe it?"
At this time, the rest of the group, led by General Bai Hengyuan of the Zuo Xiao Cavalry Guard, also stepped forward to express their stance and jointly agreed to send troops early tomorrow morning... As for Zhao Guang, there is really no need to bother.
However, all the generals were either proud or had no choice but to disperse. Only Sima Huada, the general of Zuotunwei, stayed behind... No one cared about this. When a man goes into battle as a father and son soldier, he should say some respectable words.
Sure enough, after everyone dispersed for half a quarter of an hour, and in front of the deserted beach, Sima Huada cautiously stepped forward and asked with difficulty:
"Son, my father didn't want to make the first move, so did he lure Yu Shuwen to do so? Also, did my father want to win or lose this battle? As for making that kind of poisonous oath? What's my father's strategy?
I don’t quite understand…”
Obviously, after experiencing that night and all the subsequent incidents, Sima Huada had gradually realized the deeper meaning of some of his father's actions, and then came to his own understanding - his father wanted to take revenge on the saint!
However, when his son asked, Sima Changying just held her helmet and stood in front of the beach without saying a word, as if looking westward, and then let her gray hair remain messy in the wind.
"What is father looking at?" Sima Huada was inexplicably nervous.
"We're looking at people's hearts." Sima Changying said expressionlessly.
"Father, can you look at the qi?!" Sima Huada was stunned for a moment. "Is he looking at the qi in my father's military camp to the west, or at the imperial driver more than a hundred miles away."
And this finally caused Sima Changying to lower his head and sigh: "After I die, you must not involve Azheng!"
Only then did Sima Huada realize that he had been stupid again.
"Why are people so hopeful?" Sima Changying held her helmet and walked slowly west for a few steps. "Everything in the world depends on cultivation, family background, intelligence, temperament, talent, and luck... But
The biggest thing depends on people's hearts, because in the final analysis, things are done by people. Even great masters are subject to the rules of monarchs and ministers. Azheng's talent is also shared by you as a father, so that he is often worried..."
Sima Huada wanted to speak but stopped.
"Do you know that the things you just asked are stupid?" Sima Changying turned around and asked again.
"I know, there is such a thing as feeling angry..." Sima Huada responded quickly.
"No, it's the first few questions." Sima Changying responded quietly. "Those words of mine are all true. This situation was also promoted by Yu Shuwen himself... I sincerely mourn those bones and express my sincere feelings for the imperial court.
The Eastern Expedition was a waste of the people's strength in the homeland of Eastern Qi, and I sincerely feel that the saint's expedition was wrong, and the late emperor's harshness was also wrong..."
Sima Huada was a little flustered.
"However, this does not mean that I don't use strategies." Sima Changying explained calmly in the wind. "A good strategy is never about calculating this or that, but about following the general trend and doing things that go with the flow, and at key points.
Tighten the place a little, loosen it a little... Was it me who pushed the saint to break things for his own sake and go against the people of the world? I just expressed my approval afterwards. Was it me who pushed for the forceful sending of troops now?
It was Yu Shuwen who held his breath and was eager to make a contribution. Instead, I was pushed away by him, just to make the army tighter... However, it takes hard work to have such a good strategy, and the most important thing is
Put yourself in the most critical position so that you can tighten and tighten at the most critical time."
Sima Huada nodded repeatedly.
The next moment, his biological father said something that shocked him like a thunderbolt: "This battle is a lucky escape. I won't live long, and my ambition and resentment will also disappear... Next
Only you can do it... Remember, if the saint returns to Dongdu to quarrel with Uncle Cao, you must master Fulongwei and Fulongyin; if he dares not go back and has no face to go back, then no matter whether he goes to Ye
Whether it’s a city or Jiangdu, you must control the accompanying Jinwu guards... You have been the personal bodyguard of a saint when you were young, and you know how to make him happy."
Sima Huada opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly a gust of fishy wind blew, which blinded his eyes and brought tears to his eyes.
"Go back, we will send troops tomorrow!" Sima Changying suddenly calmed down, put on his helmet, and strode towards the headquarters barracks that was faintly visible to the west. "The private plan has been carried out, and the next step is to pay for it with one life."
Sima Huada could only stand in shock.
In the afternoon of that day, except for General Zhao Guang of the right guard who had already crossed the beach, and General Xue Changxiong of the northernmost left Weiwei, the other six armies ordered the entire army to carry sixty days of food and forcibly cross Luolong Beach in batches tomorrow.
Anyone who abandons food without permission will be killed without mercy.
That night some people who fled tried to escape, but were caught by pro-army troops who had been well prepared and executed on the spot.
The armies were trembling with fear and energy, and crossed Luolongtan in batches and at different times on the next day, and officially entered Dongyi territory. That is to say, a new phenomenon began to appear on all sides that night:
It should be noted that the food for sixty days is really too heavy, and there are also armor, tents, flint and other items. In total, the average per capita is more than two stones. In addition to the ford march, even if there are some baggage vehicles and some accompanying soldiers and civilians,
, which also made everyone up and down miserable.
However, the military orders are strict and it is no man's land, so it is difficult to escape.
So, when we went to the beach to camp that night, I don't know who had the idea. Some people deliberately threw the food, and some even buried half of their food in the manure pit to save energy.
The military leaders were not fools. They noticed this situation immediately. But at this time, they had almost reached the end of Luolongtan's no-man's land. The leaders, General Yu and General Zhao, had even successfully plundered part of the land.
Dongyi villages, and noticed the despair of the Dongyi people towards the Wei Dynasty's eastern expedition.
And just when these generals with their own ulterior motives contacted each other urgently to remind them that the army rations were being lost at an unimaginable rate, a piece of heavy news suddenly came, causing the frontline generals who originally wanted to struggle to fall into silence.
In accordance with the saint's will, Li Ziqi, the governor of Dongyi, came alone in white clothes and entered Yu Shuwen's barracks directly.
Yu Shuwen immediately sent a master of condensing pills, riding Qing Fei, to report to the rear.
At this time, the saint who suddenly stopped was still more than a hundred miles away from Luolongtan. After receiving the news, even the saint did not know how to deal with it.