Chapter One Chasing the Yan Dynasty in the North and Citing Luoyang in the South
In the autumn of the 23rd year of Jian'an of the Han Dynasty, Yedu.
Xia Houshang was dressed in armor and was standing outside the Jinming Gate of Yecheng. He was staring into the city as if he was waiting for someone.
Different from the past, this was the first time that he joined the army as a deputy commander, assisting General Beizhonglang, General Xingxiaoqi, and Cao Zhang, the son of the Marquis of Yanling, to put down the rebellion of the Wuhuan tribe in the northern Shangdai County. He had a very important responsibility.
And after this trip, he will definitely not be able to return to Yedu for many months, so he came here to say goodbye to his best friend.
When he left home, his nine-year-old eldest son, Xuan, and the two girls were all crying and making trouble to prevent him from leaving. Although he finally got rid of the entanglement of a group of little guys, he didn't want to stay with him all the time.
With wife and children?
Over the years, I have indeed owed them a lot.
The sound of horse hoofbeats mixed with the dust stirred up in the distance became clearer and clearer. Xiahou Shang knew that it was the Crown Prince of Wei who had arrived.
"Boren, I'm late!" The visitor rode fast and finally arrived at the north gate before Xiahou Shang set off.
"My lord, Xia Houshang, pays homage to the crown prince."
"Bo Ren", Cao Pi got off his horse and smiled at Xiahou Shang. The usually unpredictable Crown Prince of Wei, only at this moment, in front of this man who was like an elder brother, did not show any pretense.
He took off something from the saddle and said, "I'll give this to you."
Although the device was still wrapped in baggage, Xia Houshang felt its weight as soon as he took it. It was indeed a weapon.
"This is... the ring-shou sword?" Xia Houshang pulled out the scabbard and saw that the shape of the sword in front of him was a bit strange.
Since the Han Dynasty, war swords have been withdrawn from the battlefield, and the Huanshou Sword has become a standing weapon for infantry.
Although the sword in front of you retains the basic shape of a ring-headed sword, with a straight blade, it has two blades like a sword, and the sword has no ring at the head, turning it into a sword head, which makes it look more simple and elegant.
Moreover, the blade of this sword is as sharp as frost and snow, and the sword blade is more than four feet long. At first glance, it is a rare and excellent weapon.
Seeing Xiahou Shang's love, Cao Pi was very satisfied:
"I ordered the good craftsman of Chu Yue to make this specially for you. I hope this trip can help you. The friendship between gentlemen is as light as water. This blade is called 'Quality'. I give it to you today, as if you are accompanying a brother..." [
Note 1: "Beitang Shuchao" written by Emperor Wen of Wei in "Dian Lun": "I made three hundred swords,...the third one has a sharp edge like frost and a sword blade, which is called quality." "Taiping Preview·Ministry of War·
"Knife": '(quality) is four feet three inches long and weighs two kilograms nine taels.']
"My dear, thank you, Prince!"
The mature and steady Xiahou Shang quickly recovered from his state of joy and forgetfulness. He bowed slightly towards Cao Pi and said with a military salute. The young man's mood was different from the laughter and curses he had with Cao Pi a few years ago. Today's Xiahou Shang
Shang, never forget the etiquette of the king and his ministers.
Looking at the serious Xia Houshang, Cao Pi didn't know whether he felt relieved, lonely, or lonely. He patted Xia Houshang's shoulder. The hard and cold armor gave people a sense of security with a sense of isolation.
"Bo Ren, I went to the battlefield this time and made great achievements!"
"My lord, I will definitely live up to the high expectations of King Wei and the Crown Prince!"
After Xia Houshang bowed and saluted, he hung the 'Quality' sword on his waist, looked at Cao Pi and smiled slightly:
"Zihuan, I'm going."
Cao Pi nodded and watched Xiahou Shang cross the horse to the north. After a long time, he looked at the dust and smoke gradually dissipating in the distance and murmured:
"Boren, come back alive..."
The chariot, cavalry and infantry armies led by Cao Zhang, Xia Houshang and other generals had already arrived at Zhuojun in Youzhou.
A guard holding the banner of "Xing Xiaoqi General Cao" is currently surrounded by a mighty general. Looking from a distance, I can see that the general has bright armor, a horse like a dragon, holding an iron halberd, and his chin
He has a reddish-yellow beard and his eyes are like torches. He is observing whether there is any beacon smoke in the distance. Although this man is young, he has a formidable aura.
He is none other than the third son of the Prime Minister, Cao Zhang, the Marquis of Yanling, the commander-in-chief of this march.
"Guorang, what water system is ahead?"
"General Xiaoqi, the water system ahead is Yishui." A scribe who was called 'Guorang' by Cao Zhang replied: "May I ask General Xiaoqi, is there anything unusual?"
This scribe was Tian Yu, Cao Zhang's military adviser for this march.
"Prime Minister Tian, I'm afraid there are enemy cavalry attacking from a few miles away!" Cao Zhang looked into the distance and frowned: "According to my general's estimation, there may be thousands of cavalry!"
Although Tian Yu has experienced battles for a long time, he knows that Marquis Yanling has always had excellent ears and eyesight, so he has no doubts:
"General, the front of our army is moving too fast. At this moment, there are only a thousand crossbowmen and hundreds of horsemen in our army. There are only many chariots, so we can still fight. The large group of people in the rear, I don't know when we will arrive."
"Xiang Tian, it is difficult for the chariots and soldiers to move, so they can only defend themselves. They may not be the enemies of Wuhuan's cavalry. Is there any good strategy?"
Cao Zhang was calm and modest at the moment, neither panicking nor underestimating the enemy, which made Tian Yu look at him with admiration. Tian Yu looked at the north bank of Yishui for a long time and finally had an idea.
"Your Majesty, General Cavalry. If the general is worthy of his humble position, please continue marching and camp on the north bank of Yishui River."
Cao Zhang only hesitated for a moment and then decisively ordered the entire army to cross the Yishui River.
After crossing the river, the commander-in-chief Cao Zhang, the counselor Tian Yu and the deputy commander-in-chief Xia Houshang immediately began to discuss countermeasures. They understood that Wuhuan Hu was about to attack on horseback.
"Prime Minister Tian, our army is now on the north bank of Yishui River. Can you tell me your countermeasures, general?"
Tian Yu immediately stated his strategy without thinking:
"According to local conditions, hold on to key gaps, form a circular formation of chariots, and fill them with crossbowmen to hold on to them; the remaining thousand cavalry, with branches tied to their horse tails, will serve as guerrillas!"
Cao Zhang nodded and asked Xia Houshang:
"Does Boren have any objections?"
"The final general has no objections, we just have to fight to the death!"
"Okay!" Cao Zhang immediately sent an order: "Listen to my general's order! Xiahou Shang will lead the chariots and troops, and form a circular formation according to local conditions to defend; Tian Yu will lead a thousand crossbowmen to fill the formation; I, the general, will personally lead the cavalry to guerrilla!"
"Got the order!"
The three armies had formed their formation, and within a moment, they saw smoke billowing from the distance, and thousands of horsemen were rolling in!
"All officers and men of the army, fire their crossbows!"
Wearing light armor and holding a sharp sword, Tian Yu saw that Hu Qi was only 200 steps away from his formation. He gave an order and saw sharp arrows raining down on the enemy formation.
When Hu Qi was only fifty steps away from the formation, Tian Yu stopped shooting.
"The chariots form a formation and strangle!"
Xiahou Shang saw that the crossbows had stopped and the Hu cavalry was approaching. He gave an order and the iron chariots immediately merged like a steel city wall. The soldiers in the chariots fought hard, brandished their halberds, and raised their spears to kill the Hu enemy. Xiahou Shang also personally
Riding in a chariot, killing the enemy with "quality" and testing the sword, I saw where the cold light passed, the armor passed by, and it was like cutting iron like mud!
Wuhuan Huqi, who was lightly armed, finally approached the Wei army's main formation after encountering three waves of arrows that were as fierce as a torrential rain. He thought he was a wolf among the sheep, but unexpectedly he hit the thorny steel Great Wall!
Wuhuan Huqi, who was originally as arrogant as a wolf, was once again frustrated, and now his energy was gone.
"My sons, follow me and charge!"
Cao Zhang, who was swimming in the formation, saw the opportunity, immediately waved his iron halberd, and led his thousands of cavalry to rush forward to kill the Hu cavalry. Cao Zhang was seen rushing into the enemy formation, taking the lead, dancing his iron halberd wildly, and slaughtering the Wuhuan cavalry crazily.
Seeing Cao Zhang's bravery, Hu Qi did not dare to engage in a head-on confrontation and shot him with cold arrows. However, even though Cao Zhang's armor was hit by several arrows, his momentum did not diminish at all.
After General Wuhuan suffered another setback, he saw that the situation was not good and immediately led his remaining troops to flee north.
"Soldiers, chase!"
Cao Zhang immediately led his troops to pursue the victory and pursued them all the way to the Sanggan River. When they were only more than 200 miles away from Daijun, they set up camp and reorganized their troops.
Victory in the first battle.
It is bitterly cold in Daibei, and although winter has not yet entered, the sharp night wind still makes the tents of the military camp rustle, as if the souls of injustice are roaring with nowhere to complain.
Outside the handsome tent, the flames of the bonfire were swaying in the cold wind, causing tall shadows on the ground to keep flying.
"General Qiaoqi, you haven't rested yet."
Cao Zhang looked back, smiled at the visitor, and threw away a wine bag:
"Bo Ren, it's really fun to fight side by side today. Come on, let's have a drink together!"
Xia Houshang, who had never been good at drinking, took the wine bag, not because he was so kind to the king, but because he couldn't bear the northern autumn wind without drinking some wine to warm himself up.
"The king is so powerful that he becomes famous in one battle, which is admirable."
Cao Zhang took a deep drink and smiled heartily:
"Since I was a child, I have loved archery, driving, and fighting animals. My father scolded me for not pursuing a proper career, saying that I did not aspire to the path of saints, but that I was good at riding horses, fencing, and being as brave as an ordinary man. He also urged me to study poetry and calligraphy and learn etiquette."
"But the prince said: A man should follow the example of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, lead a hundred thousand people to gallop across the desert, drive away the Rong and Di, and make great achievements. How can he become a doctor?" Xia Houshang smiled and said: "Today, the prince has achieved his wish
.”
"I'm afraid it's still too early to get what you want!"
"It seems that the Lord is really going to imitate Wei Huo and carve stones to record his merits."
"This is what a man should do!"
Cao Zhang took a sip and threw away the empty wine bag.
The next day, generals Cao Zhang, Xia Houshang, and Tian Yu led their troops to continue pursuing the enemy's cavalry. In just one day and one night, they caught up with the enemy.
The Wuhuan cavalry, which was already panicked and the morale of the army was in chaos, was completely desperate when faced with the Wei army that had already joined the follow-up troops, and could only allow the massacre.
"Wei Jun, we must not compete with him..."
In the distance, on an open high ground, the Xianbei leader Kebineng, who led thousands of cavalry to watch the success or failure, let out a long sigh.
————
Three years later, in the second year of Huangchu in the Wei Dynasty.
Early spring, Luoyang City.
[Note 2: Luoyang was originally called Luoyang. It was changed after Wei Wendi Cao Pi came to the throne. For details, see Cao Pi: Luo Zhao was changed to Luozhao.]
There was a light snowfall just yesterday.
At this time, the bluestone streets were filled with the luster of remaining snow and melting ice.
The rebuilt inner city of Luoyang in front of us has not lost any of its grandeur during the Han Dynasty. At this moment, its outline is gradually becoming clearer in the morning light.
The first ray of sunshine reflected the Chang Hemen Gate, the main south gate of the palace city. The tall left and right double gates made the main gate even more majestic.
Xia Houshang couldn't help but raise his head and look at the magnificent scenery in front of him, as if he was thoughtful.
On the street not far away, there seemed to be a faint and cheerful laughter. Yes, it was the kind of unfettered and unscrupulous childish voice.
That laughter made Xiahou Shang feel slightly dazed.
Once upon a time, the person who is now aloof, as well as myself, were so carefree and spontaneous.
He lowered his eyes and looked at the sharp blade hanging at his waist.
That was exactly the 'quality' sword that that person personally gave to me three years ago.
The light reflected by the sun on the sharp weapon stung some people and made it difficult to open their eyes.
Time flies, and his close friend at that time, the Crown Prince of Wei, has now become the high-ranking Emperor of Wei.
Xiahou Shang rubbed the talisman given to him by the emperor in his palm. This talisman represented the emperor's trust and had the power to kill people. Now he was a feudal official and the emperor's confidant.
But... he always felt that the aloof emperor was no longer the best friend of the past. Maybe people would always change. He couldn't help but sigh.
The laughter of children in the distance seemed to be closer.
"Brother, wait for me..."
The little girl was afraid that her dress would be stained by the slush, so she held the skirt of her dress in both hands and chased after him with small steps.
"Huier, hurry up..."
A slightly older boy, about ten years old, turned around and smiled. He had not yet reached the age to tie his hair, and his black hair was flying in the wind, like leaping black flames. And his white robe was not even stained at all.
Never touched it.
At this moment, he was like a white bird, flying freely on the snow.
Xia Houshang looked at the figure slowly approaching in the distance, his eyes became softer, and he didn't know whether it was approval or love.
"Dad!" After a while, the 'white sparrow' in the distance had 'flew' in front of us and turned into a child with picturesque features. The little girl also followed, but her clothes were already stained with mud.
It was like a leopard pattern. She looked at her new clothes with unhappiness written all over her face.
Xia Houshang pinched the cheek of the boy in white, but his eyes were full of love: "Little bastard, I bullied your sister again."
The boy in white made a face at his sister, and the angry little girl just stamped her feet.
At this moment, all the snow on the ground has basically melted, leaving only a few remaining patches of white at the foot of the city wall against the blue-gray stone road, giving off a somewhat inexplicable sense of desolation.
Xia Houshang took off the sharp weapon from his waist and squatted down to keep the same height as the child.
He is going to Jingzhou to take up a post, and he doesn't know when he will be able to return home. It may be months, years, or... when he comes back, the children will be crowned and hairpins are about to come.
"Xuan'er", he looked directly into the young man's clear and shimmering eyes, and gently placed the saber in the child's palm.
Under the sunlight, the young man could vaguely make out two faint seal characters "Quality" on the sheath.
Xia Houshang hesitated for a moment, stood up and said, "Xuan'er, dad is leaving soon." Although the child has become sensible and will no longer cry and make troubles to prevent himself from leaving home like before, but when the child
His eyes were still full of reluctance and loneliness. Xia Houshang turned around with a cruel heart: "My father and mother are not at home, so we must listen to the housekeeper's uncle. Xuan'er must take good care of my sister, and Hui'er must also listen."
As for my brother, daddy is gone."
The two children watched their father mount the horse and walk towards the Xuanyang Gate surrounded by the cavalry. There was no formal farewell, and their father's figure gradually shrank until it disappeared in the long distance.
That end of the street.
The wind picked up, making the young man's eyes feel a little sore.
The wind blew his long hair and clothes, making his thin figure feel even more lonely and lonely.
"Brother" the little girl pulled the boy's sleeve: "The wind is blowing."
"Go back." The young man couldn't help but lower his head and looked at the sharp weapon with cold light flowing in his hand.