Chapter 694: I borrowed it based on my ability, why should I pay it back?
"You will know in a few days." Zhao Kuo said with a smile without explaining.
Le Yi and Tian Dan were thoughtful, while the others still looked puzzled. After all, Zhao Kuo had never used this method before.
At first, the beacon tower was used alone to convey military information. Later, with the development of the military, the beacon tower gradually became closely integrated with the Great Wall and was rarely used alone.
Generally speaking, the Great Wall and beacon towers were built by the weak or defensive side, such as the Great Wall built by Yan and Zhao on the mountains to resist the nomads.
The Great Wall built by the Qin State along the Luo River, Chu Fang City, etc.
But it has never happened that both parties built a beacon tower at the same time. However, since Zhao Kuo didn't say anything, others would not continue to ask and could only discuss other things.
Since the onslaught began in February, the coalition forces have always had the upper hand. The Zhao army's cavalry attacked the Qin army's grain roads many times and burned their grain and grass, but this advantage was not enough to completely crush the Qin army.
As for the rumors spread by the Zhao army about Qin Wang Ji's death, it did not have the same effect as the first time. Although the morale of the Qin army was still low, with the presence of King Qin and Bai Qi, they were full of resilience and had been working hard to find flaws in the coalition.
The King of Wei and the King of Han also sent letters asking about the war on the front line. Although they did not dare to speak openly for fear of offending Zhao Kuo, their words contained a retreat intention.
This is the coalition. When it can obtain benefits, it will strongly support it. Once it cannot obtain benefits, it will start to retreat.
Zhao Kuo ignored the King of Wei and the King of Han. He spent so much effort to win over the morale of the army that he was dizzy every day just remembering people and dealing with military affairs.
The dignified king of the Zhao Kingdom is as tired as his grandson every day, wishing he could be used as two people.
The State of Zhao also spent so much manpower and material resources. It sent so much food and meat to the front lines for free, and also begged Han, Wei, and Qi to help send letters home to the soldiers to ease their homesickness, just to spend a few dollars with the Qin army.
moon?
Are you kidding me?
When the war reaches this level, it is impossible for Zhao to retreat even if the Qin State is not completely defeated.
If we retreat at this time, the previous few months of fighting will be in vain. If we wait for the opportunity to defeat Qin, we don't know how many years and months it will take.
"The coalition forces are so unreliable! From now on, we have to rely on ourselves!" Zhao Kuo cursed in his heart.
If Zhao had not been so powerful that South Korea and Wei did not dare to have different intentions, and at the same time he had regained the morale of the Han and Wei armies and won the support of the soldiers, the kings of Wei and Han might not have expressed their intention to withdraw in a subtle way, but directly
Ordered the withdrawal of troops.
Even so, if this war continues to drag on without any progress, I am afraid that the kings of Wei and Han will order the withdrawal of their troops at the risk of offending Zhao Kuo.
After all, the domestic situation of the two countries is not good. Last year, they were both attacked by the Qin army, there was also a flood, and the Wei State was besieged for several months.
Being able to survive until now depends entirely on the foundation accumulated in the past few years.
"Has there been any progress with Lord Xinling and Lang Zhongling?" Zhao Kuo asked.
"There is no progress. Wang Lu who is defending Deng City and Sima Cuo who is stationed in the center are both famous generals of the Qin State, and they have the city to rely on. It will be difficult for our army to take it in a short time." Liu Ping said.
It is difficult to attack a city. Without internal response and the people in the city are stable, even an isolated city can hold on for several months, or even a year or two.
Although Dengcheng and Yuzhong are not particularly tall city walls, they are either supported by rivers or backed by mountains, making them easy-to-defend but difficult-to-attack places.
"I know, let's slow down the attack for a few days and wait until the beacon tower is built before attacking again," Zhao Kuo said.
…
In the Qin army camp, Qin Wangji was lying in the camp peacefully basking in the sun, his old face showing a bit of ruddy color under the spring light.
Fan Ju sat next to him, holding a book in his right hand and stroking his mustache with his left hand, with a kind smile on his face.
If you don't know each other, it's hard to believe that these two people are the king and prime minister of Qin.
A doctor came in with a medicine box. After diagnosing Qin Wangji, a smile appeared on his face. "The king's body is recovering well. As long as he rests peacefully, it will not be difficult to fully recover. But don't use too much force on your arms in the future."
"Hmm." Qin Wangji made a sound from his nose without opening his eyes.
The doctor silently carried the medicine box and left.
"Your Majesty, a letter from Xianyang." Qin Liu came in from outside and said with clasped fists.
"Say." Qin Wangji said.
"The Taifu sent a letter saying that Wang Sunchu blocked the Zhao army in Longxi," Qin Liu said.
"As worthy of me as the Qilin of Qin." Qin Wangji finally opened his eyes, with a chrysanthemum-like smile blooming on his face.
However, thinking of Zichu's father, Prince Zhu, Qin Wangji's face gradually turned cold again. He had already heard about what happened in Xianyang during this period.
However, seeing that in order to win his favor, these people donated money and food in the name of supporting the front line, Qin Wangji turned a blind eye.
The Qin State is indeed in trouble now. If Li Bing hadn't built Dujiangyan in Shu County and added 100,000 hectares of fertile land to the Qin army, the Qin State would no longer be able to survive.
"There's one more thing." Qin Liu leaned over and said.
"Say." Qin Wangji raised his eyebrows.
"The Qiang tribe sent people to ask for Qiang cavalry." Qin Liu said.
Since the Qin State borrowed the Qiang Cavalry in the second half of last year, the Qiang Cavalry has been in the Qin State for half a year. It is not too much for the Qiang people to send people to ask for it.
We lent someone to you, and you can't keep refusing to pay it back.
"Don't worry about him, just say that the war is not over yet." Qin Wangji snorted coldly. From the beginning, he had no intention of returning the Qiang cavalry to the Qiang tribe, and he has no such intention now.
He, King Qin, borrowed it based on his ability, why should he pay it back?
"There's one more thing." Qin Liu said.
"Can't you finish it all at once?" Qin Wangji glanced at Qin Liu.
"One last thing... the caravans our country sent to the Western Regions last year were all detained by the Zhao army on their way back home," Qin Liu said.
The corner of Qin Wangji's mouth twitched twice. What he felt distressed was not the caravan, but the Hexi Corridor.
After opening up the Hexi Corridor, he realized how valuable a piece of Sichuan brocade was.
Now that the Hexi Corridor has become the economic lifeline of Qin State, Zhao State cutting off the connection between Qin State and the Hexi Corridor is no different from stabbing Qin State in the heart.
"Send people to negotiate with the State of Zhao. You don't need the money and goods... as long as the State of Zhao releases the people." Qin Wangji said in a deep voice.
In the past, businessmen were untouchables in the Qin State and were inferior to others. But now Qin Wangji knew that there were specialties in the arts, and not everyone could be good at business. A shrewd businessman could help the Qin State make a lot of money.
As for the money and goods, it was not that Qin Wangji was arrogant, but that he understood that since Zhao had withheld them, he could not spit them out again.
"Reply to the Taifu and recruit some businessmen to explore the route from the southwest to the Maurya Empire." Qin Wangji said.
The Qin State did not only have one Silk Road. In addition to the Hexi Corridor, there was also a backup. However, this road was more difficult and dangerous. Except for some naturally adventurous travelers, few people would choose to take this road.
The Qin State previously controlled the Hexi Corridor, so there was no need to spend manpower and material resources to explore the Silk Road in the southwest.
But now that the Hexi Corridor has been cut off by the Zhao State, Qin Wangji must take precautions and be prepared that Qin will be unable to regain the Hexi Corridor.
"Your Majesty, Zhao Jun's attack has slowed down in the past few days." Lu Buwei walked in and said with a smile.
"This is a good thing. It shows that Lord Wu'an's arrangement is still effective." Qin Wangji said, "By the way, where is Lord Wu'an."
"He is studying a new legion. It is said that he is trying to make up for our lack of soldiers." Lu Buwei said.
Qin Wangji was a little silent. Everyone saw Bai Qi's contribution to Qin. He had both merit and hard work. It's a pity...
"Wu'an Jun is in charge of the army, so I can rest assured." Qin Wangji said with a smile.
The Qin army did not relax for long. Half a month later, the Zhao army launched another fierce attack.
"General, there is an early warning from the beacon tower in the north." The messenger ran over from outside and reported quickly.
"Order Wang Jian to lead the Longxi cavalry and 6,000 Qiang cavalry to support, and be sure to keep the Zhao army behind." Bai Qi immediately ordered.
He had already expected that after a short rest, Zhao Jun would launch another attack, and the cavalry was already ready to attack.
"No." The messenger ran out.
Soon, Wang Jian led a cavalry group and rushed north.
"General, the beacon towers are also lit in the south." Soon, another messenger rushed in.
"Let Wan lead the Qiang cavalry to support." Bai Qi ordered again.
For some reason, Bai Qi always felt a little uneasy in his heart.
Half an hour later, Wang Jian led the Qin army back with an angry look. After seeing Bai Qi, he said angrily: "General, we didn't meet Zhao Jun at all."
"Tell me what's going on?" Bai Qi asked immediately.
"When the general arrived there, he discovered that our army did not light the beacon tower at all. It was Zhao Jun who lit the beacon tower. The beacon tower built by Zhao Jun was very close to the beacon tower built by our army. There was only a river between them.
It was impossible to tell whether the beacon was lit by the Zhao army or our army from miles or even dozens of miles away. The soldiers hiding in the beacon tower saw a beacon lighted in the distance and lit the beacon tower without thinking, passing on wrong information.
Wang Jian said angrily.
"General, general, we came back and we didn't meet Zhao Jun at all. Those guys lied to me." At this time, Wan Ye rushed in with Qiang Qi with an angry look on his face.
"I understand." Bai Qi said in a deep voice, holding the sword hilt tightly with his right hand.
It wasn't the Long Yuan Sword. The Long Yuan Sword was lost on the battlefield. I don't know if it was picked up by Zhao Jun. Bai Qi replaced it with a new sword.
"General, general, there is another beacon fire in the northwest, northwest." The messenger rushed in hurriedly.
"You lead the army to support first, and I will think of a way." Bai Qi quickly said to Wang Jian.
Although he knew that this time it might be Zhao Jun's plan, Bai Qi didn't dare to gamble, and he couldn't afford it.
"No." Wang Jian knew that the matter was important and did not dare to waste time. He once again led his army to rush out of Rangcheng and headed north.
"It seems it will be my turn in a while." Wan said silently.
As expected, half an hour later, the beacon tower in the southwest was lit, and Wan led the Qiang cavalry to support.
An hour later, the two men returned to Rangcheng angrily. They didn't even see the shadow of Zhao Jun.
"General, if nothing else happens, Zhao Jun will continue to light the beacon tower, but we have nothing to do. If this continues, the soldiers and horses will not be able to stand it," Wang Jian said.
"If that doesn't work, move our army's beacon tower back. As long as we keep a distance from Zhao's army's beacon tower, we won't be mistaken," Wan said.
The main reason why the Zhao army was able to use beacon towers to confuse the Qin army was that the beacon towers on both sides were too close and the Qin army in the distance could not accurately identify them.
As long as there is enough distance, Zhao Jun's strategy will be useless.
"Moving the beacon tower back means giving up the water defense line. Abandoning the water defense line means that there is only one Rangcheng left to defend. The Zhao army's cavalry can easily cut off our army's food route after they circle around." Bai Qi said.
Behind Rangcheng is a large plain, which is very suitable for cavalry combat.
Under the constant attacks of the Zhao army's cavalry, the Qin army's grain routes had been severely damaged. On average, only about half of the grain and grass could be safely transported to Rangcheng, and the remaining grain and grass were burned by the Zhao army.
This is without the collapse of the Turbulent Water Defense Line. If the Turbulent Water Defense Line is abandoned, it will be impossible to defend Zhao Jun with an isolated city that is not very strong.
The Zhao army did not give the Qin army time to rest. A quarter of an hour later, another beacon tower was lit.
"We won't come back this time." Wang Jian roared as he and Wan left.
But just because they didn't come back didn't mean they could rest. The Qin army's defense line stretched for hundreds of miles. Anywhere a beacon was lit, they had to go to the rescue and they didn't dare to waste time.
Because they didn't dare to bet. If they lost the bet, a battalion of soldiers would be gone.
"Dad, they have been running back and forth several times. They even changed their horses by three. It's time for us to get on." On the other side of the rushing water, Meng Wu put down his telescope and looked back at Meng Ao.
"Mount the horse." Meng Ao thought for a few breaths before ordering.
"Finally we can kill the enemy. We have been choked to death." The soldiers got on their horses one after another.
"Charge!" Meng Ao pointed his ax forward. The fiery red inner energy covered the entire army. War clouds rolled in the sky. Zhao Jun's speed instantly increased a lot.
"No! It's Zhao Jun!" Wan saw the black torrent emerging from the horizon in the distance, and her heart suddenly sank. The worst thing had happened.
Zhao Jun's goal was not as simple as letting them rush back and forth, but to gradually weaken the Qin Army's strength so that the Qin Army would be forced to abandon the rapids defense line.
"You guys go back immediately and ask for help from Mr. Wu An." Wan quickly said to the guards around him.
"Nuo." Although the guards were worried about Wan's safety, they knew the priorities and did not dare to waste time. They hurriedly rode towards Rangcheng.
"You guys, go to the two nearest military camps to ask for help." Wan said to the other guards.
"No." Several more soldiers left.
"Others, follow me to block the Zhao army." Wan roared and led the Qiang cavalry towards the Zhao army.
In fact, he didn't have much confidence in the Qiang cavalry, but at this time, he had no choice. The Qin army was running continuously, and they were tired of men and horses. They couldn't outrun the Zhao army by running. It might be possible to fight until reinforcements arrived.
"I hope Old General Sima didn't lie to me and really achieved some results in training the Qiang cavalry." Wan thought in his heart. He did not expect to lead the Qiang cavalry to defeat the Zhao army. He only asked the Qiang cavalry not to abandon him when they saw that the Zhao army was strong.
Just run away, then he really wants to cry without tears.