What was placed in front of Cao Peng was a giant sand table covering an area of one hundred square meters.
The outline of half of Hexi County and the east of Fanhe County of Wuwei County (today's Yongchang) was presented in front of him exactly. Standing in the huge hall of Wubao County, it seemed that he could have a bird's eye view of the whole world. For this sand table,
After taking over Wubao from Pang Lin, it took nearly four months to combine the two counties, that is, Fengmingbao.
On both sides of the sand table, generals were seated.
In addition to Pan Zhang, Xia Houlan and Hao Zhao, there were also Xu Shu, Pang Tong, and Deng Fan and Han De who came from Fengming Fort.
The hall, which usually seemed quite spacious, now seemed a bit narrow.
Outside the hall, Wang Shuang and Niu Gang led the black men on guard. Behind Cao Peng, Cai Di and Cao Zhang stood respectfully.
Looking at the sand table, Cao Zhang felt his blood boil.
He had a vague feeling that a big war was coming...
It has been almost half a year since he came to Hexi for a blink of an eye! He failed to catch up in the battle of Fengmingtan, and the battle of Hongshuiji did not allow him to show his bravery at all. Except for a few small-scale bandit suppressions, Cao Zhang basically
He has not encountered too many battles. Although the art of war also says that you must fight in battle to plot! But he came to Hexi to achieve meritorious deeds. If he keeps punishing plots like this, wouldn't it be a waste of his passion? Fortunately,
Cao Zhang knew that he would have no worries about fighting in Hexi. However, he did not expect that the battle would come so quickly and suddenly, which made him at a loss.
"You must have heard about what happened in Hedong."
Cao Peng finished looking at the sand table, nodded with great satisfaction, and then spoke to everyone.
After looking at the sand table, he finally confirmed one thing. He finally figured out where the red lake was.
In later generations, due to soil erosion and the remaining alluvial deposits from ancient rivers, this grassland with abundant water and grass has turned into the fourth largest desert, the Tengger Desert. The current location of Wubao is in the Tengger Desert.
The eastern part of the Geli Desert is about thirty miles away from Moon Lake. Of course, Moon Lake has not yet been formed, and the water plants here are already abundant. In Cao Peng's mind, he roughly sketched the overall outline of Hexi County, which seemed to be
The land belongs to Ningxia. However, this is just a bit of Cao Peng's bad taste and does not have much meaning.
He has begun to promote forest planting. At least for now, these 450,000 hectares of land will not turn into desert...
"High-ranking cadres colluded with Ke Zui and sent troops to Hedong.
However, with Governor Cao guarding Hedong, Xingba leading the troops, and General Wei assisting him, there won’t be much of a problem. I feel reassured by Xingba’s ability... Maybe some of you here don’t know Xingba, but I believe it.
, people who know him will definitely not worry. Haha, I invite you all here today, not for the east of the river, but for the west of the river."
Ke Zui is a Karasuma-sama, but he has been naturalized long ago and is stationed in Bingzhou.
In fact, Wuwan, like the Xiongnu Xianbei, also has many tribes. For example, Wuwan in Liaoxi, Wuwan in Hebei, Wuwan in Bingzhou, etc., each has the position of tribal leader. Ke Zui is the tribal leader of Wuwan in Bingzhou...
Previously, Ke Zui followed Gao Gan to fight across Hedong, but because the horses outnumbered the troops, they were finally driven away.
But this time, Ke Zui led troops to invade the country with high-ranking officials. To a certain extent, this Ke Zui could be regarded as a staunch supporter of the Yuan family.
In the flower hall, there were not many people who knew Gan Ning.
Deng Fan must have known about it and had a very close relationship with Gan Ning. Pan Zhang and Xia Houlan also knew about Gan Ning. Especially Xia Houlan, they already knew Gan Ning before he surrendered to Cao Peng. Not to mention Han De
, he was Gan Ning's subordinate during the Battle of Yanjin. Even Cao Zhang knew Gan Ning, because when Gan Ning was the deputy governor of Hubaoqi, Cao Zhang had dealt with him many times and even followed Gan Ning.
Martial arts... The bear fighting technique he practiced was taught by Gan Ning. Generally speaking, Cao Zhang and Gan Ning were half master and apprentice, and they were very close.
On the contrary, Pang Tong, Xu Shu, Pang Lin and others were not very clear about Gan Ning's origins.
Pang Tong was better off and had met Gan Ning when he was in Xudu. As for Xu Shu and Pang Lin, they were relatively strangers to Gan Ning.
Especially Pang Lin, who didn't even know who Gan Ning was...
But seeing that no one said anything, Pang Lin didn't ask.
After hearing what Cao Peng said, Pang Lin couldn't help but ask: "Hedong is still far away from Hexi. Is it possible that there will be war in Hexi?"
Cao Peng did not explain, but sat on the Taishi chair.
Pang Tong and Xu Shu looked at each other, and Xu Shu stood up and said in a deep voice: "As early as the first month of the year, the young master had a conversation with us. That conversation mentioned the possibility of whether the Yuan family would collude with Ma Teng...
…At that time, Shiyuan and I both believed that this situation was unlikely to occur. But Young Master insisted that we should be prepared just in case.
So, we did a deduction at that time...it was just a guess.
If Ma and Yuan join forces, what will happen? The result obtained at that time is that if Ma and Yuan join forces, the Yuan family will definitely invade Hedong."
"oh?"
Everyone in the hall couldn't help but look at Cao Peng.
There was even more inexplicable respect in his eyes...
Cao Zhang looked at Cao Peng with a look of fanaticism in his eyes.
Cao Peng said with a smile: "I can't figure it out. I know it five hundred years in advance and know it five hundred years later... There are some things here that I can't explain clearly. The so-called preparation for a rainy day! This is how to prepare for the unexpected.
The deduction. Please don’t look at me like this.”
Is there something?
No one was particularly concerned.
Cao Peng secretly praised: Li Ru, you are so fucking awesome!
If it weren't for Li Ru's reminder, Cao Peng wouldn't be showing off today.
There might even be a war breaking out in the east of Hedong, and he was unaware of it... But now, his unpredictability can be revealed.
Xu Shu said: "In the seventh year of Jian'an, Ma Teng assisted Sikong in resisting the Yuan family because there was no conflict of interest.
Now, the young master has moved to the west of Hexi, from Wubao to Guzang, and in just a few days, he has already threatened Ma Teng's interests. Therefore, the possibility of Ma Teng assisting the Yuan family is very high... Therefore, Shi Yuan and I calculated at that time
, if the Yuan family finds Ma Teng, Ma Teng is likely to agree. So, how to determine whether Ma Teng is colluding with the Yuan family?"
Having said this, Xu Shu paused.
Under the gaze of a pair of eyes that could almost kill someone, Pang Tong stood up with a smile.
"To determine whether Ma Teng and the Yuan family are in collusion, it depends only on how the senior officials act." He coughed and said loudly: "Sikong will launch an attack on Yecheng in February. Yuan Shang will definitely resist with all his strength. At this time
Senior cadres should send troops to assist Yuan Shang. If he moves closer to Yecheng, it means that Yuan has not joined forces with Ma Teng. But if he does not move closer to Yecheng, but invades Hedong, it means that Ma and Yuan have colluded with Ma Teng.
at...
If there is a military disaster in Hedong, troops and horses from Guanzhong will inevitably be mobilized.
As for Sikong, it would be difficult for him to stay in Yecheng. If Ma Teng sends troops to attack Hexi at this time, Hexi will be isolated and helpless. Even if Hexi wins in the end, the hard work that the young master has invested in advance will be in vain.
Therefore, the young master ordered Jia Xing to secretly form a scout camp to closely monitor Ma Teng's movements.
After the war in Hedong started, Wuwei soldiers and horses were mobilized frequently, which further proves that an agreement must be reached between Ma Teng and the Yuan family."
After Pang Tong finished speaking, he sat down with Xu Shu.
The hall suddenly fell into a burst of whispers...
Pan Zhang took the lead and said loudly: "Sir, since the Ma family is seeking to destroy itself, Pan Zhang asks for orders to fight with the Ma family."
"Xia Houlan asks for a fight."
"Hande invites you to fight!"
Of the four generals, only Deng Fan did not stand up, but sat aside, deep in thought and silent.
"Fifth brother, why don't you speak?"
Cao Peng suddenly asked.
Deng Fan couldn't help but laugh, "Since Youxue has made a decision, I should abide by it."
Among these people, the person who knows Cao Peng best is probably Deng Fan! Cao Peng and Deng Fan started from humble beginnings, and they have a close connection with each other. Deng Fan and Wang Mai, these two people are not the same at all.
There is no doubt that they are followers of Cao Peng. Xiaoba Yili, I am afraid that they are the two who have unparalleled confidence in Cao Peng. At this point, whether it is Xia Houlan or Pang Tong, or Cao Zhendianman and others,
None of them can be compared.
Cao Peng said: "I want to hear what Fifth Brother thinks."
Deng Fan smiled and said, "Hit me, of course I have to beat him, and I have to beat him hard."
Cao Peng's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but praise: "Fifth brother has really gained a lot from following General Gongming these years."
Deng Fan said "fight", not "war" as Pan Zhang said. There is a huge difference between the two.
Cao Zhang was stunned for a moment, then his eyes flashed with light.
He also heard the profound meaning contained in Deng Fan's word "fight"...
Cao Peng stood up and looked around the people in the hall. After a moment, he said in a deep voice: "Gentlemen, the place we are standing now is called Martial Fort. Why is it called 'Martial'? It is a place of great military exploits. Behind the Martial Fort,
Hongshui County is under our rule in Hexi. There are 6,734 households there, with a total of more than 31,400 people. Some of them are natives of Hexi; some have traveled thousands of miles and traveled long distances.
The people who migrated from the Central Plains; there are also some naturalized Han people who believed in us and therefore joined us. But no matter where they came from, they are all living in Hexi County now, living on this land. They rely on us, and they also
Watching us...
I promised them that they would live in peace.
All along, I, as well as all of you, have been working hard and fighting for this.
After the beginning of spring, they farmed, they cultivated fields, they built houses, they built city walls, silently supporting every one of our decrees. But now, Hexi will face the most severe situation since its establishment!"
Cao Peng strode forward, pointed at Wubao with a stick as thick as his thumb, and drew a line in front of Wubao.
"If Ma Teng crosses this line, the whole Hexi will be in ruins.
And all the efforts made by you, me, everyone here, and the 280,000 people in Hexi will be in vain.
At that time, people would say: Cao Peng is a big talker!
He can't give us protection. Look at Ma Teng coming with his soldiers and horses, but he is helpless... And those naturalized people, as well as the Hu people who are hesitant and have not naturalized, will rebel again because of this, causing
Unrest in Hexi...
Gentlemen, we must fight because we have no retreat!
We not only want to fight, but we also want to burn the flames of war to Wuwei County... Attack is always the best defense. Ma Teng is eyeing it, and he will have a battle with us sooner or later. Since this is the case, then we should attack first
."
Except for Hande who was a little confused, no one else in this hall was stupid.
Including Cai Di, everyone also heard the meaning of Cao Peng's words. Cao Peng wanted to fight, and he wanted to fight as far as Wuwei...
Pan Zhang, Xia Houlan and others looked at each other in confusion.
And Cao Peng continued: "We have no reinforcements for this battle. The soldiers and horses from Guanzhong have been transferred to Hedong to participate in the war; Anding and Hanyang cannot give us much support. The reason is very simple... they also want to
We are facing war. Hexi is now alone, and we can only fight alone. I am not going to recruit soldiers from any of the common people, because they have given enough and given... We can't ask for anything more from them.
Hongshui County has eight thousand soldiers and horses; Fengming Fort has six thousand soldiers and horses; and Wubao has four thousand people...
We only have these 18,000 people, and we will face tens of thousands of Wuwei troops, and at the same time, we may also face Qiang and Hu cavalry. Gentlemen, this battle will be very difficult. If we win, we will be able to fight in Guzang City.
, drink wine; if we lose, we can only die on the battlefield. I will not leave Hexi, because leaving in despair will be a shame for my life!"
Cao Peng said and stretched out his hand.
Cai Di held a knife box in his hand and presented it to him.
Cao Peng opened the knife case and took out a short knife from it.
"Glory is my life!"
Cao Peng took a deep breath and said, "I came up with these five words and asked my father to engrave them on them and give them to Sikong.
Holding this sword is glory!
If I fail in this battle, I will end my life with this sword for all my glory.
Gentlemen, what I want to tell you is that we have no retreat and no choice but to fight to the death!"
Among the people here, those who knew the origin of the Tiangang Sword were all moved.
Cao Peng took out all the Tiangang knives, which is enough to show that his determination is unshakable...
Deng Fan stood up and said loudly: "Glory is my life!"
"Glory is my life!" Pan Zhang's face turned red, and his eyes flashed with enthusiasm.
"Glory is my life!" Xiahou Lanhande couldn't help but feel excited.
Even Pang Tong, Xu Shu, Pang Lin and several other weak scholars gritted their teeth, raised their arms and shouted loudly: "Glory is my life!"
Cao Zhang and Cai Di looked at each other, strode forward and stood beside Cao Peng, "Glory is my life!"
The shouts made Cao Peng's eyes beam with joy.
He took a deep breath and said secretly: If we unite as one, we will win this battle.
"Then, let Shi Yuan and Yuan Zhi explain it to everyone."
Xu Shu and Pang Tong looked at each other, nodded, and stepped forward.
Xu Shu took the wooden pole from Cao Peng and came to the sand table. Everyone immediately stepped forward and stood around the sand table.
"Generals, our goal in this battle is..."
Xu Shu used a wooden pole to draw a circle on a city model on the sand table, and then said in a deep voice: "This is Wuwei County!"
