Abandoned Qiu is located to the west of Xianyang and north of the Wei River. Looking north from the Wei River, the overall shape is like a staircase. After the destruction of Qin, Xiang Yu gave it to King Zhanghan as the capital, allowing him to join Dong Yi and Sima.
Xin divided Guanzhong equally to prevent Liu Bang from going north.
Since Zhang Han moved his capital to Qiu and abolished it, he has not been extravagant. He built a modest palace here to live in, and sent scouts to Hanzhong from time to time to detect Liu Bang's movements to prevent Liu Bang from going north and entering.
Guanzhong.
Today is the day when the scouts return. Zhang Han called Wang Li early in the morning. Since he took refuge with Xiang Yu, he followed the Chu army to Guanzhong. Later, Zhang Han was crowned king, and Wang Li was also assigned to Zhang Han.
Under his command, General Huwei, who was worshiping General Huwei in Yong State at this time, was one of the best generals under Zhang Han. It was Wang Li who was responsible for sending the scouts into Hanzhong.
At this time, Zhang Han was standing in front of a map. Ever since the troops left Guanzhong, Zhang Han had been studying this map. This map is a topographic map of Guanzhong and even Bashu. If he wants to prevent Liu Bang from going north, Zhang Han must do
Only precise deployment can ensure nothing goes wrong.
As for the main source of troops, Zhang Han ordered them to be stationed on the Nanshan line, so that Liu Bang could not fly out of Hanzhong even if he had wings. Just when Zhang Han was carefully examining the map, a guard reported outside the door: "Your Majesty,
General Wang is here."
"Let him come in." Zhang Han was interrupted from thinking. He stood up, straightened his back, and put away his thoughts. At this time, Wang Li walked in from outside the palace. When he was approaching, Wang Li cupped his hand and said, "See you, Your Majesty.
"
Zhang Han smiled and waved his hand: "Is there any movement in Hanzhong?"
"Your Majesty, Liu Bang's troops and horses have not changed much, and we can't see any movement of the army to gather. However, they have sent more than a thousand people to repair the plank road during this period. I think they may have decided to launch the Northern Expedition." Wang
Li said something and then said: "Also, Your Majesty, take a look at this."
Wang Li handed a black long sword to Zhang Han with both hands. Zhang Han took it and looked at it. The sword was very long and definitely not made of bronze. He then pulled out the long sword and unsheathed it.
It was very dazzling. Zhang Han stared at it for a moment and couldn't help but said in surprise: "This is an iron sword!"
Zhang Han then took off his sword from the wall. This sword was also an iron sword. It was given to him by Xiang Zhuang. He forcefully pulled away the sword Xiang Zhuang gave him and compared the two swords.
There was not much difference, except that the workmanship of the sword Wang Li brought could not be compared with the sword Xiang Zhuang gave him. Only then did Zhang Han realize that Wang Li would not easily show him an iron sword.
, there must be some root cause here. He immediately looked at Wang Li and asked in surprise: "Where did this sword come from?"
"This is what I want to tell the king." Wang Li sighed softly and said: "This sword was bought from a soldier in the Han army. I heard that they are already forging this kind of iron on a large scale.
Swords, as well as iron arrowheads, sword heads, spearheads, shields and light armor..."
"That's enough!" Zhang Han felt that his back was wet with sweat. If the entire Han army was equipped with such sharp weapons, how could his own army fight with him?
Zhang Han was so anxious that he paced back and forth in the hall. Wang Li on the side saw this and did not dare to come forward to talk. After a long time, Zhang Han stopped. He glanced at Wang Li and then shouted outside the hall: "
Someone, call me Zhang Ping."
There was a cry outside the hall, and then there was a burst of footsteps. This was the bodyguard who went to call Zhang Ping. After Zhang Han's mood stabilized, Wang Li comforted him: "Although Liu Bang intends to go north, he only sends
More than a thousand people are repairing the plank road. What does this mean? Can your Majesty see it?"
Wang Li's words calmed Zhang Han's mind a little. He stared for a moment and said with a bright smile: "Are you saying that Liu Bang doesn't want to go north in a short time?"
"That's true. There are more than a thousand people repairing the plank road. How can this be accomplished?" Wang Li also smiled slyly and said: "However, there is no absolute in everything. Your Majesty, it is better to be careful."
After Wang Li finished speaking, Zhang Han put down his worries first. He laughed happily and said: "When he entered the pass, did he ever think that Zhang Liang would burn down the plank road? Now he hastily repaired the plank road, but only sent more than a thousand people. I
I guess there must have been internal differences within him. Many people came from Chu. They missed their homeland, so how could they stick to Hanzhong with Liu Bang? Therefore, Liu Bang pretended to be a monk to appease everyone, but refused to open the road from Hanzhong to Guanzhong."
Zhang Han looked at the land of Hanzhong on the map mockingly, as if he could see Liu Bang on it, and he said coldly: "Liu Bei, if you dare to clear the plank road, I will make it impossible for you to come."
Return."
"But Your Majesty, the weapons and equipment of the Han army should not be underestimated. If their entire army is equipped with iron weapons and undergoes rigorous military training, they will definitely not be comparable to our army. Please, Your Majesty, don't underestimate Liu Bang. Moreover, I heard
, Liu Bang had appointed Han Xin as general and governor of the three armies a few months ago, which shows that Liu Bang still has the idea of going north." Wang Li was a little worried when he saw that Zhang Han underestimated Liu Bang.
Just when Wang Li finished his words, Zhang Ping's voice sounded outside the door: "Father, what General Wang said is true. Don't underestimate Liu Bang. Liu Bang was able to become the king of Han from the pavilion chief of Peixian County today.
He is by no means a mediocre person."
As he spoke, Zhang Ping walked into the main hall. He was Zhang Han's son and Zhang Han's only son. At this time, he came to Zhang Han's side, cupped his hands and said, "I have met my father."
"No need to be polite." Zhang Han smiled, waved his hand, and said, "Tell me, why did Liu Bang leave Hanzhong?"
"This... I haven't thought of it yet." Zhang Ping was stopped by Zhang Han, and he lowered his head in shame. At this time, Zhang Han looked at Wang Li and asked, "Have you checked the details of this Han Xin?
?”
Wang Li nodded, and just as he was about to speak, a guard's voice sounded outside the door: "Your Majesty, Wu Xiangguo is here."
Wu Xiangguo was Wu Han, who was Zhang Han's chief aide and now the prime minister of Yong State. When Zhang Han heard that he was coming, he couldn't help laughing and said: "Let him in."
Soon, Wu Han walked into the hall and saluted Zhang Han. Zhang Han nodded, looked at Wang Li and said, "You continue."
Wang Li nodded and continued: "Han Xin is from Huaiyin. His family was poor since he was a child. He often stayed in his brother's home. Later, because his brother and sister-in-law disliked him, he had to leave his brother's home and wandered around. He once begged a butcher to survive.
He is a coward through and through."
After Wang Li finished speaking, Zhang Han became even more unscrupulous and laughed out loud: "A country like this has nothing to fear from a ruffian who has appointed a coward as his general!"
Zhang Han's laughter resounded throughout the hall. After a long time, Zhang Han picked up the iron sword that Wang Li had just taken back and said: "However, the Han Dynasty has replaced this kind of iron weapons, which are extremely sharp. This makes me feel a lot."
I'm a little worried. Does any of you have a way to deal with it?"
Wu Han came here just for this matter. He also heard that the Han people were making swords, and they were iron swords, which made him very worried. At this time, Zhang Han mentioned it, and Wu Han held up his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I am also making swords for this matter.
Come, if all the people in Hanzhong are equipped with elite weapons, one day
Once a war breaks out with our army, the consequences will be disastrous. Although marching and fighting rely more on strategy and vigor, the length of the weapons is related to the final victory. I think we should also consider arming the army and getting a new batch of weapons.
Where are the weapons?"
This reminded Zhang Han, who pondered for a while and sighed: "If this is the case, it seems that we have to talk to Xiang Yu to see if we can purchase a batch of weapons from Xi Chu."
"Purchasing weapons is not a long-term solution. Moreover, the overlord of Western Chu is domineering and may not be willing to sell us weapons. I think we might as well go south to Nanjun and talk to Gong Ao. If he is willing to introduce us, why don't we
What about cooperating with Dong Chu?”
"Are you talking about Xiang Zhuang?" Zhang Han's eyes suddenly lit up. He remembered that before Xiang Zhuang left, he had told himself that if there was any need in the future, he could send people to Jiangdong, including if Guanzhong was in a tight situation and asked for reinforcements.
, he would let Gong Ao lead his army northward.
If Xiangzhuang can be allowed to pass on the technology of iron smelting to Guanzhong, why worry about the Yong army not being equipped with better weapons and armor?
But thinking about it more carefully, smelting weapons is related to the rise and fall of the country. Yong State and Dong Chu have no interest in each other. Is Xiangzhuang willing to help him? Thinking of this, Zhang Han became hesitant again.
Wu Han saw the change in Zhang Han's expression. He sighed softly, took a step forward, cupped his hands and said: "Don't worry, my king, Xiang Zhuang has a far-sighted vision, which is different from his brother Xiang Yu. Besides, since the Eastern Chu Army left Guanzhong,
Later, I also sent someone to investigate Xiangzhuang. He went to Nanjun before returning to Jiangdong. He heard that Linjiang King Gong'ao was willing to surrender to Xiangzhuang and obeyed Xiangzhuang's orders. This is the opportunity God gave us. "
"Opportunity?" Zhang Han didn't understand Wang Han's intention. On the side, Zhang Ping had already understood. He hurriedly walked forward, cupped his hands and said: "My son is willing to go to Nanjun as an envoy to make friends with Linjiang King Gong'ao for his father, and take the opportunity to go eastward.
Pay a visit to Xiang Zhuang."
Seeing that Zhang Ping had already understood a little bit, Wang Han nodded with satisfaction. In the future, there would be a successor to the Yong Kingdom. But when Wang Han's eyes fell on Zhang Han, he saw that Zhang Han still hadn't understood his intention, so he smiled.
Said: "Your Majesty, the southern county where Gong'ao is located is an important barrier to the west of the Eastern Chu Kingdom. Gong'ao's weight can be
It is conceivable that if Gong Ao is willing to act as a matchmaker and introduce the King of Eastern Chu for us, Xiang Zhuang will not fail to give him this face. We will use reason and emotion to convince Xiang Zhuang of the importance of Guanzhong. I think, Xiang Zhuang
Zhuang will definitely strongly support our Yong Kingdom with iron armor weapons and smelting technology. I think Xiang Zhuang will not be stingy."
"This..." Zhang Han thought for a moment, nodded in agreement, looked at Zhang Ping again, and said: "Bring more generous gifts and gold and silver jewelry, and I will give you another thousand armored guards. Don't let me
disappointment."
"My son, I will definitely fulfill my mission." Zhang Ping handed over his hand.
Zhang Han looked at the iron sword on the table again. His eyes gradually became firm. With iron weapons, the Yong Kingdom would become stronger. After thinking for a while, Zhang Han looked at Wang Li who was aside.
The order said: "Although the Han army only has a thousand people building the plank road, you must not be careless when sending an order to the defenders on the front line."
