The first thousand two hundred and eighty-eighth battle of the valley (2)
From Shanggu County to the north, there is a vast prairie with green grass and gurgling rivers.
This is the best and largest grassland in Northeast Asia, and can even be said to be one of the best grasslands in the world today.
The uplift of the Mongolian Plateau and the orogeny of the Yanshan Mountains made this hilly area sandwiched between the plateau and the mountains the birthplace of countless nomadic peoples in the past, present and future.
The Mongolians called this grassland "Xilingol", which means "river in the hilly forest area".
And the area of this grassland is also very large.
It almost connects the Mongolian Plateau and the Yanshan Mountains, and extends east to west. The total grassland area in its core area is now as high as 400,000 square kilometers!
Even two thousand years later, because the grassland was destroyed by desert invasion and sandstorms, its area still covers an area of nearly 180,000 square kilometers.
But this grassland was not very suitable for the Huns, especially the Xiongnu tribes from Hexi and Mubei.
Because there are no forests here, there is no support or shelter in the vast grassland.
This was very insecure for the Huns who were accustomed to relying on forests and mountains for shelter.
This is especially true when you only have two thousand cavalry but have to take care of more than three hundred thousand livestock!
Chief Tu couldn't remember how many times he had driven his livestock and moved pastures.
But he knew that he, his tribe and livestock were all in extreme danger now.
Because, yesterday, a scout discovered a large-scale cavalry force in an area about three hundred miles southeast!
These cavalrymen are certainly not our own, and they certainly are not just here for tourism.
Their only purpose in coming to the grassland is to find and eliminate themselves!
"How long has it been since the messenger sent to inform King Yougu Li of the emergency?" King Tu once again found his Captain Zuo and asked.
"Your Majesty, we have already set out for a long time..." Captain Zuo replied, "We should be able to reach the Great Wall soon..."
But Chief Tu was still worried.
Can't blame him!
Anyone who encounters such a situation will definitely be anxious!
Chief Tu knew very well that the enemy would definitely find him!
Moreover, it is very likely that the enemy will find him soon!
Because there is no shelter on this grassland.
And he, his tribe and livestock cannot leave a fixed range.
This range is approximately within the two to three hundred miles that meanders along the river in front of me.
The reason is simple: his tribe, people and livestock all need to drink water.
There are not many places on this grassland that can meet the drinking water needs of so many livestock. Without this range, without the enemy attacking, these livestock will be dehydrated due to the hot climate and dry grassland.
This is also the main reason why the Huns do not like to invade south in summer.
The grassland climate at this time was not like two thousand years later, when summer monsoon rains and precipitation were not very large.
Especially in the past two or three decades, as the earth's climate has once again entered the adjustment period before the Little Ice Age, the climate system of the grasslands has also become disordered.
Sometimes, there is not even a drop of rain during the whole summer, but in winter, heavy snows immediately dominate the world.
Therefore, the economic lifeline and important pastures of the Xiongnu at this time all appeared among the mountains in the Hexi Corridor and within a thousand miles near Junji Mountain.
This is the result of climatic disturbances. With the rainfall in the Munan and Mubei regions uncertain, the mountains in the Hexi Corridor, especially those in the Qilian Mountains, Junji Mountains and Rouge Mountains, have changed from the last time or even the last time.
Even the giant glaciers left over from the first ice age became the lifeblood of the Huns and all other nomads.
At this moment, Chief Tu really wished that he was at the foot of the Qilian Mountains. In this way, the mountains and forests would serve as his cover, and the Han Dynasty cavalry that seemed to appear would not have much chance of tracking him immediately.
but now……
Chief Tu could only pray for God's blessing, and the Han cavalry found that their time could be delayed for a day or two.
But unfortunately, his prayers had no effect.
At this moment, smoke and dust are billowing on the distant horizon.
A huge cavalry is sweeping in from a distance!
Soon, cavalry also appeared in the south, north and east.
Prince Tu looked at all this and collapsed on the ground helplessly.
The size of the enemy is more than 10,000! It seems that it is at least 20,000 or more!
He and his tribe have no way to escape!
Taking a deep breath, Chief Tu looked at his Captain Zuo and said to him: "From now on, you are the new Chief Tu!"
"Your Majesty!" Lieutenant Zuo was shocked: "What do you want to do?"
Chief Tu took off his felt hat, threw it on the ground, and said with a sad smile: "I am deeply favored by King Youguli. King Youguli asked me to serve as his rear army and look after livestock. Now the Han Dynasty soldiers
The situation is so tight that these livestock cannot be saved... I have no other choice but to repay King Youguli's kindness with death... But you are different. You have not been cared for by King Youguli. Therefore, the future of the tribe and the people are at stake.
The survival of our company can only be entrusted to you!"
Chief Tu got on his horse and said to Captain Zuo: "After I die, you can lead your tribe to surrender! The people of the Han Dynasty will not treat you harshly..."
After hearing this, Captain Zuo was silent for a moment, and then nodded with tears in his eyes: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will definitely take good care of the tribe!"
This is the fate of the nomads and the inevitable choice of the people who lead the bow.
In the face of a crisis that may lead to the extinction of the tribe, in order to keep the tribe alive, they can make jaw-dropping decisions!
Before the rise of Genghis Khan, the Mongols were oppressed, exploited and even enslaved by the Jin people for hundreds of years.
But the Mongols didn't even say a word.
Also before the rise of the Jurchens, the Khitans could make Wanyan Aguda and his father dance like women, and even humiliate and torture them.
But they still didn't dare to say anything, let alone resist.
The so-called seven hatreds and the so-called revenge are words that these nations only dare to say after they have gained strength.
When you are not as strong as you are, let alone being a slave to others.
Even if they are forced to die and eat food, they are willing to do so.
This is what is called wolf nature!
In front of the tiger, the wolf is just a husky.
A wolf is a wolf only when facing a sheep!
Today's Han Dynasty is undoubtedly a fierce tiger, but even the claws and teeth of the Huns are no longer sharp, and their bodies are full of scars.
This southern invasion is already the last stand of this beast.
If the prey is not killed, then it will end up like all injured beasts that fail to hunt.
Therefore, the entire tribe of Chief Tu, including his sons, slaves and wives, watched helplessly as their father, master and husband single-handedly charged towards the distant enemy.
Then, it was trampled by horse hooves and disappeared from sight.
At this moment, everyone else dropped their weapons, got off their horses, knelt on both sides of the river, and prostrated their heads deeply on the ground. A few nobles who knew some Chinese walked forward and worshiped the majestic rainbow.
The Conqueror: "Great General of the Han Dynasty, the Tu Chieftain tribe is willing to surrender! Please great General of the Han Dynasty accept the contribution of the humble Tu Chieftain..."
As they spoke, they followed the tradition of the grasslands and took off the bronze collars and bronze rings on their ears and noses that they wore on their waists. They placed them in front of themselves, then respectfully prostrated on the ground and closed their arms.
With eyes closed, waiting for the conqueror's verdict!
………………
Guo Mao rode his war horse forward and looked at the thousands of prostrate Huns in front of him.
He raised his hands rather regretfully.
For warriors, especially Chinese warriors, it is immoral to surrender by killing or torture.
A general's merits should be gained on the battlefield, not by killing unarmed prisoners.
Moreover, these surrendered people will also contribute their strength to the strength of the Han army.
This time they rushed to the aid of Shanggu County. Without the help of the prisoners from the Mayi Battle, the Flying Fox Army would not have advanced so fast. Along the way, the Flying Fox Army galloped with light cavalry, and corresponding horse transfers were immediately prepared at the horse farms along the way.
Most of the people who took care of these horses were prisoners of war in the Mayi War.
These former enemies are now a part of the Han war machine, and they are working diligently to transform and adapt to the new life.
Guo Mao believes that these surrendered people now will be like all the surrendered people in the past, and will eventually become the subjects of the Han Dynasty, and even the soldiers of the Han Dynasty.
So, he got off his horse, walked up to the Hun nobles, helped them up with a smile, and said: "It's good that you gentlemen can wake up and lead the people back to surrender, avoiding a massacre!"
"This general will not embarrass you... I will also write to the emperor to ask for merit for you!" Guo Mao said to these people with a smile.
Of course I want to take credit!
The hundreds of thousands of livestock in front of us still need their help to bring them back to the Great Wall completely!
But when these nobles heard this, they were all excited and said movedly: "The general is benevolent, Chief Tu is convinced of his heart, and he is willing to be the general's minions!"
The new chieftain who just took over the throne even kowtowed and said, "I wish to live forever and be the general's slave!"
Guo Mao looked at these people and nodded with satisfaction.
Regardless of whether their relationship is true or false, as long as they enter the Great Wall, there will be no problems for them.
From ancient times until now, the Zhuxia people have never encountered difficulties in integrating other foreign races.
…………………………
Looking at the cavalry and herdsmen of the Tu Chief tribe, driving hundreds of thousands of livestock, following the army, they slowly headed south.
Guo Mao nodded in his heart. This time he left the fortress and his first mission had been completed.
"Immediately release the carrier pigeon to inform the cavalry general so that we can proceed with the next plan!" Guo Mao ordered.
"No!" A school captain immediately took the order and left, and then three homing pigeons fluttered their wings and flew out of the Han army's formation and flew to the south.
This is a measure to prevent homing pigeons from being attacked by raptors or other accidental attacks.
This is also the lesson of the Battle of Heyin.
At that time, the Han army encountered a crisis when carrier pigeons were unable to transmit information back in time. In the mountainous area south of Heyin, there were too many birds of prey!
Three homing pigeons fly out at the same time, which greatly reduces the probability of accidents. Even if one unfortunately encounters an accident, the other two will successfully complete the mission!
Facts have proved that this measure is effective.
Because one day later, only one homing pigeon flew into Yi Zong's army.
After reading Guo Mao's report, Yi Zong was immediately overjoyed and said: "Immediately send someone to inform Lou Fanjun and Juyang: the birds and beasts have been caught! Let the Shanggu County Sheriff abandon the small town immediately and let the Huns taste the sweetness first!"
At this moment, in Yizong's eyes, the enemy in Shanggu had fallen into the same situation as the Battle of Mayi.
Of course, the geography and landform of Shanggu are different from Mayi. In the battle of Mayi, the Han army could close the door and beat the dogs. The reason is that the steep Wuzhou Mountains are enough to make it difficult for any Huns to escape.
However, Shanggu County is different. In addition to the Yanshan Mountains, the flat grasslands in the Zaoyang area allowed the Huns to pass quickly.
In this way, the Huns must be lured deeper.
And how to let the Huns penetrate deeper?
In this world, besides money, what else is there?
……………………
At this moment, the Xiongnu army has advanced to a place about a hundred miles south of Juyang, the county seat of Shanggu County.
Here, they encountered fierce resistance, but they also gained a lot.
After all, this is already the core area of Shanggu County.
The population is relatively dense and commerce is also very developed.
Especially after Lou Fanren came, the animal husbandry here developed and prospered, which led to the prosperity of related businesses.
A large number of merchants came here, carrying a large amount of supplies and various commodities.
Many of these things were too late to retreat, or in other words, the Han army deliberately left these things with the Huns.
For example, pieces of exquisite porcelain, pieces of gorgeous silk, and even precious spices and rhubarb that is currently more valuable than gold on the grassland!
At this moment, Yi Shi's eyes were filled with these trophies.
Each of these things is priceless!
The Xiongnu nobles who followed Yishi were all elated and couldn't help themselves!
Because as long as these things are brought back to the grassland, everyone will get rich!
For example, the cyan porcelain that Yi Shi is holding in his hand is a rare work of art. It can be exchanged for at least a hundred sheep on the grassland!
As for silk…
Then there were several large tents filled with at least two thousand horses!
"The Han people are so rich..." Yi Shi said with emotion: "A mere border county is already so rich. If it were a big city like Chang'an or Luoyang, I really don't know how prosperous it would be..."
It's a pity that the Huns will never be able to attack those places.
Thinking of this, Yishi sighed with regret, and then said: "Dear gentlemen, the county and city of the Han Dynasty are already in front of us. Let us work harder to capture this county and city. After taking away the population and wealth, we will
retreat……"
In the past two days, Yishi always felt that something was wrong, but could not find the reason.
The fear and uneasiness in his heart prompted him to leave this dangerous place as soon as possible.
However, with Juyang on his side, he would not be willing to conquer the Han Dynasty's prefecture and take away enough people and wealth.
Moreover, he also knew that there were at least tens of thousands of Han Dynasty people in Juyang City now, and they also had countless wealth and food.
As long as he defeats Juyang, he can get everything he wants!
……………………
Please be patient and wait for two days. My home has not been finished yet. The Internet and furniture have not been finished yet. I have been coding at a friend’s house these days. I am not very used to it, and my waist and cervical spine are not very comfortable either. I sit on this chair.
