The head of Cizhi River is located in the center of Hehuang and is also the settlement place of Di people.
Speaking of the Di people, it is difficult to explain their ancestors clearly. It is said that they belong to a branch of the Qiang people, so they have always been known as the Di Qiang. The river Huang is bitter and cold, but the land at the head of the river is fertile, and there are flocks of cattle and sheep.
The blessed land of the Di people. Since the Western Han Dynasty, the Di people have migrated several times and are scattered throughout Guanzhong.
There are Di people in Qiuchi in Jiuquan, and there are also Di tribes in Hexi County.
But most of the Di people still live in the Huangzhong and Hehuang areas.
Relying on the vast land of Hehuang, they thrived freely here. Since the Eastern Han Dynasty, they have rebelled several times, posing a huge threat to the Han Empire.
Dou Mao, the king of Hehuangdi, is over forty years old and full of energy.
He is not tall, only about 160 centimeters, but he is extremely strong and powerful.
Dou Mao was greedy for money and fond of women, and had nearly sixty concubines in his tent. Among them were not only the Han women who were plundered from Guanzhong threshing grass, but also many Qiang Di, Xianbei, Jiehu and Xiongnu women.
With his powerful force, he became king and hegemon in Hehuang.
However, Dou Mao had not violated the interests of the Cao family before this, so Cao Peng did not pay much attention to this person.
The weather is gradually getting cooler.
Hehuang has revealed a strong autumn mood.
The sky is blue and the fields are vast,
The scenery in Hehuang is as magnificent and charming as that in Mobei.
In the golden royal tent, Dou Mao was holding a beautiful concubine and was discussing matters with everyone.
Cao Peng issued a warning that spread throughout Hehuang.
Many people felt panic, so they asked tremblingly, "Your Majesty, Cao Peng issued an order to hunt down your Majesty. Now that the time is getting closer, what should we do?"
"So scared!"
Dou Mao grinned and used his big hands to squeeze the plump breasts of his concubine.
The pair of jade balls were almost deformed by being pinched. Although the beautiful concubine was in pain, she did not dare to speak and could only endure it silently.
"I have given a branch to the head of the river, and I have a hundred thousand powerful soldiers, but Suwei, who is a broken Qiang, cannot compare with him.
Not to mention that if Cao Peng wants to deal with me, he has to go deep into Hehuang... I just want to say that the supply of food and supplies is a big trouble. So, just sit back and relax. Even if Cao Peng calls, he will not be able to get away!
As for that warning?
If anyone has the ability, just come and give it a try."
A pair of ring eyes scanned the people in the tent with a fierce light.
Everyone closed their mouths, not daring to look Dou Mao in the eye.
To be honest, Cao Peng's blood order did frighten many people. But after hearing what Dou Mao said, it seemed to make sense. The journey from Longqi City was thousands of miles of wasteland. How could he transport his heavy supplies of food and grass?
The hundred thousand Di soldiers who were given to the head of Zhihe River are not just people to take lightly.
In addition, Dou Mao has a notorious reputation, which made many people feel at ease for a while...
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Time passes day by day.
The ten-day period set by Cao Peng has come in the blink of an eye.
The Di people in Hehuang were silent and without any movement. As for Cao Peng, he did not send his army westward to attack the Qiang people in Hehuang.
It turns out that this guy was just bluffing!
The Bingzhou War gradually came to an end after autumn.
Cao's army was at its peak and aggressive. After successively capturing Wuyuan and Yunzhong, it extended its tentacles to Mobei. The eight towns in Mobei, Hexi Province, played an extremely important role at this time. With the support of the eight towns, Cao's army did not need to worry.
The battle line was too long, resulting in a shortage of food and fodder. Therefore, Cao Cao ordered to cross the Hetao and continue to advance north. In mid-July, Cao Zhang captured the surrender city and the Southern Huns were destroyed.
However, the aggressiveness of Cao's army also caused fear among the foreigners on the grassland.
After the death of Yanliyou in battle, the central Xianbei and the eastern Xianbei merged into one. Kebineng's strength soared, and he became interested in the Central Plains. However, due to the obstruction of Qubei and Tanzhe before, Kebineng had a headache.
Now, I have moved away from Hetao to Bei and settled in the Central Plains.
Tan Zhe can't hold up a tree alone, so it's a good time to use troops...
Ke Bineng decided to declare war with Cao Jun.
But before Kebi could take action, a sudden riot broke out in Tanzhe and Xianbei. Hongdu, the leader of the tribe under Tanzhe's tent, summoned his generals on a dark and windy night, broke into the king's tent, and beheaded everyone in Tanzhe's tent...
Immediately, Hongdu took control of the Xianbei King, Suli, the son of Tanshihuaai, and declared his allegiance to Cao Cao!
Almost at the same time, Cao Cao issued an edict from Yecheng: appoint Huang Zhong as the governor of Hexi County and build three additional towns in Hexi County; worship Deng Ji as the Marquis of Guangmu Township and serve as the pastor of Bingzhou; Li Dian be appointed as the general of Liao Dynasty;
Zhang Liao was appointed as the general of Zhenbei; Cao Zhang was appointed as the general of Zhengbei; Ren Hongdu was appointed as the general of Zhonglang who protected Xianbei and paid homage to the Marquis of Guangting.
At the same time, Cao Cao issued an edict to honor Su Li as the Chanyu of Xianbei in the name of the Han Emperor and revoke the title of King of Xianbei.
In other words, Suli was the only lord of Xianbei recognized by the Han Dynasty.
As for Ke Bineng, he is just a rebellious official and traitor from Xianbei...
Subsequently, Suli, in the name of Tan Shihuai's son, united with Huang Zhong and Hongdu and quickly annexed Xianbei in the west.
Kebi Neng was shocked when he learned the news.
He was determined to compete with Cao's army, but under such circumstances, he had to temporarily suspend his troops.
After annexing Xianbei in the east, he needed a digestion process; similarly, both Cao Jun and Su Li in Xianbei in the west needed time to digest the fruits of their victory...
This will be a short break.
Maybe one year, maybe two years...
However, as Cao's army crossed the Hetao and occupied Shoujiang City, the threat to Xianbei increased day by day!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The sunshine in early autumn is exceptionally warm.
While Xudu was still shrouded in the ravages of autumn tigers, Hehuang had become extremely cool.
Along the Huangshui River, a team marched slowly and arrived outside Longqi City.
Longqi Chief Tang Fang led the officials and gentry out of the city to greet them. They saw the young man leading them, who was about in his early thirties, with elegant manners and a thin body. His cheeks were sharp and angular, like a knife and an axe. His facial features were straight and his eyes were bright. He was dressed in moon white.
He is wearing a long gown and a large green fur cloak. Under his crotch is a beautiful Dawan horse, which gives him a unique temperament.
Tang Fang recognized the flag clearly and hurriedly stepped forward and saluted the man.
The man dismounted his horse and helped Tang Fang up. He glanced at him with a look of surprise and said softly: "Why don't you see the former general?"
"this……"
Tang Fang hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and said: "Please invite Lieutenant Cao to come into the city to speak."
This young man's name is Cao Xiu, whose pseudonym is Wen Lie.
Like Cao Peng, Cao Xiu is also a descendant of Cao Cao, and he is equally favored by Cao Cao. Cao Peng is called by Cao Cao, "I wish I could be his own son", which shows Cao Cao's doting and trust in Cao Peng; while Cao Xiu is favored by Cao Cao
Called 'My Thousand Mile Horse', he was also favored and valued by Cao Cao.
In terms of age, Cao Xiu is older than Cao Peng.
However, due to the existence of Cao Peng, Cao Xiu's light was more or less obscured.
In fact, Cao Xiu’s ability is extremely outstanding!
People say that Cao Chun founded the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. But in fact, Cao Xiu is responsible for daily training and management.
After the Battle of Youzhou ended, Cao Xiu contracted cold and stayed in Yecheng to recuperate.
After recovering, Cao Cao returned to Xudu.
At the beginning of the year, Ma Chao rebelled. In addition to sending Cao Peng into the northwest, Cao Cao also secretly ordered Cao Xiu to be the cavalry captain to assist Cao Hong in resisting Ma Chao. Cao Xiu definitely played a huge role in Cao Hong's persistence until now.
Wang Mai was ambushed and seriously injured.
Cao Peng originally intended to let Zhao Yun take over as the western captain, but due to Ma Yunlu's incident, Cao Peng had to change his mind.
Rewards and punishments need to be clear!
Zhao Yun was beaten to the end and turned into a soldier of the Flying Camel Soldiers.
As a result, the candidates for the western captaincy were vacant. After thinking twice, Cao Peng decided to ask Cao Cao to appoint him.
Huang Zhong successfully ascended the post of governor of Hexi County, so in return for his kindness, Cao Peng decided to give up the post of western captain to avoid people thinking that he controlled Liangzhou and had evil intentions. In fact, his power in Liangzhou has been weakened a lot.
Deng Fan and Pan Zhang were transferred to Jingzhou, Zhao Qu was appointed as the Protector of the Western Regions, and Bu Zhao has now gone to Yecheng. In this way, control of Jincheng, Wuwei, including Anding and the four counties of Beidi will all be restored.
Gao Cao was given to Cao Cao. Now Cao Peng can actually control only Hanyang and Hexi. Although Zhangye County is in the hands of Meng Gongwei, his power is not tyrannical.
Meng Jian's appointment as the governor of Zhangye was more to ensure Cao Peng's commercial interests in the Hexi Corridor rather than political interests.
Since this is the case, why not be more generous?
Not long after Cao Peng wrote to Cao Cao, Cao Cao issued an order to appoint Cao Xiu as the western captain.
Cao Xiu lives up to his name.
He loved reading and was an elegant person; but at the same time he was like a blazing fire and had tough methods. To govern Hehuang, a combination of hardness and softness was needed. Cao Peng specifically mentioned this in his memorial, so Cao Xiu was appointed.
Cao Peng's cheerful behavior also made Cao Cao extremely happy.
After appointing Cao Xiu as the Western Captain, Cao Cao immediately ordered Xu Shu to be the prefect of Longxi County and Hao Zhao to be the Southern Captain. The nature of the Southern Captain and the Western Captain were the same, mainly to monitor Huangzhong. Slightly lower
He is the prefect of Longxi County, but he is not under the jurisdiction of Longxi County and has great power.
Cao Peng gave up the post of Captain of the West, but received the posts of Governor of Longxi and Captain of the South.
At least in the eyes of outsiders, this is definitely a story of a king and his ministers knowing each other, trusting and understanding each other...
Cao Xiu was not a stickler for etiquette.
After hearing what Tang Fang said, he immediately realized that Cao Peng must have other plans.
"That's it, let's go into the city and talk."
Cao Xiu mounted his horse, and Tang Fang quickly stepped forward to lead the horse and fix the stirrups.
"Now there are rumors in Hehuang that General Cao is infected with cold and is bedridden."
"oh?"
Cao Xiu was startled and showed a solemn expression.
"However, General Cao is not in Longqi City now?"
Cao Xiu nodded seemingly without any trace, and suddenly asked: "Where is Su Zemeng's headquarters now?"
"Ten days ago, Grand Administrator Su secretly crossed the meander of the Chizhi River and approached the Qingshan Mountains to the west.
Meng Taishou stayed in Yanchi, pretending to prepare troops and horses."
Cao Xiu suddenly laughed, "You must be a friend of learning but can't bear the loneliness, so you want to explore the way to the head of the Cizhi River?"
"Exactly."
The two of them walked and talked in low voices, and soon entered Longqi City and arrived at the Western Captain's Mansion.
The guards at the Western Captain's Mansion are still very tight.
Cao Peng did not neglect the care of the mansion just because of Cao Xiu's arrival.
"Youxue is a thoughtful person..."
Cao Xiu walked into the Duwei Mansion and suddenly asked: "There must be rumors from the outside world that General Cao is recuperating in the Duwei Mansion."
Tang Fang suddenly laughed!
He took out a letter and handed it to Cao Xiu.
Cao Xiu took it and read the letter: My brother Wen Lie personally signed it.
The handwriting is vigorous, the iron pen has a silver hook. Cao Xiu suddenly felt a murderous aura rushing towards his face, and couldn't help but praise: "Good calligraphy!"
Cao Peng's calligraphy was not good-looking, but he was also very famous at the time.
But no one cared about this, because everyone knew that Cao Peng grew up in Zhongyang Mountain and did not receive much education. His achievements were all made by himself... But Cao Peng was still very unhappy. Especially
After marrying Huang Yueying, he practiced calligraphy hard and gradually developed his own style.
At first, Huang Yueying wrote his memorial.
Cao Cao said: "You are too learned to be elegant!"
Later, when Cao Peng achieved great success in calligraphy, Cao Cao praised him and said, "Youxue can now stand alone!"
This word means facade.
Good handwriting is definitely a face-saving thing.
Cao Xiu opened the letter, squinted his eyes and read it carefully. He couldn't help but shake his head and said with a bitter smile: "Youxue has now become the official of Sili Xiaowei. He only serves under General Wei and is on par with the Four Expeditions. How come he still likes to charge into battle as before?"
?
How many people did he bring to the head of the Cizhi River?"
"Back to the captain, General Cao, in addition to his own white camel soldiers and flying camel soldiers, totaling 1,500, also has 4,000 elite soldiers drawn from the five towns in Hexi, totaling 5,500. All cavalry, one man and two men.
take."
"Um?"
Cao Xiu was startled and asked quickly: "How much baggage is there?"
"Only ten days of military rations."
"hiss!"
Cao Xiu suddenly took a breath of cold air.
Five thousand five hundred people, ten days of military rations... Youxue, are you crazy?
Don't you know that Dou Mao still has a hundred thousand elite soldiers in his hands? How can you deal with your small number?
If Cao Peng makes a mistake, it will definitely be a big deal.
Not to mention anything else, just Cao Cao's thunderous fury would make many people's heads fall to the ground...
However, Cao Xiu immediately understood what Cao Peng meant.
"Youxue is giving me the power of revolt!"
He is the Western Captain, but he has no prestige or foundation in Liangzhou. He may not be able to convince the public simply by being a member of Cao Cao's clan. Cao Xiu had also heard of Cao Peng's experience when he first arrived in Hexi. Even a group of barbarians
Dare to ignore the court. If Cao Peng hadn't used force to intimidate Liangzhou and swept across Liangzhou, he would not have the prestige he has today.
Cao Xiu must establish meritorious service as soon as possible before he can gain a firm foothold.
If Cao Xiu followed Cao Xiu's temperament, he would fight steadily... At that time, Cao Peng would not be able to urge Cao Xiu, otherwise it might cause misunderstandings. We are all Cao Cao's clan members, and they are also very popular with Cao Cao. There is no need to do this.
Things were too embarrassing, and in the end we became enemies.
So, Cao Peng attacked!
But the credit still goes to Cao Xiu.
This not only gave Cao Xiu credit, but also urged Cao Xiu to make up his mind.
"Yanchi Meng Jian, how many soldiers and horses are there?"
"Back to the captain, there are eight thousand soldiers and horses in Yanchi."
"Pass me an order to recruit soldiers and horses in Jincheng. I want to see 20,000 soldiers within three days. If you can't do it, let the prefect of Jincheng go to Yecheng to plead guilty to the king. Also, send an order to the north.
After pacifying the two counties, the army will move in ten days. I want to know the military art of fifty thousand soldiers in the two counties, otherwise the military law will be engaged."
Theoretically, Cao Xiu had no control over these governors.
But he has another identity, that is, he is a descendant of Cao Cao.
Cao Xiu knew that if he sent troops one day late, Cao Peng would be in danger in Hehuang.
Seeing that the weather is getting colder, if the war cannot be ended in the middle of winter, huge changes may occur.
Therefore, Cao Xiu didn't care much and immediately ordered the preparation of troops and horses.
As for himself, he didn't even stay in Longqi City, but went straight to the salt pond to meet Meng Jian.
I wish I could get it, but it’s still not too late!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Night covers Hehuang.
On the Hehuang grassland, there was a deathly silence, which was frightening.
There are lights flickering in the distance, which is the camp of the Di tribe. Cao Peng is sitting astride a liger, wearing black fish scale armor and a three-pronged golden crown with purple gold hair. The halberd in the palm of his hand is shining with a dark red cold light.
He squinted his eyes and looked at the tribe.
After a while, he turned around and asked, "Who is willing to break the camp for me?"
"Students are willing to go!"
"Father, my child is willing to go."
"Uncle, my nephew is willing to go."
Before Cao Peng could finish his words, he saw three cavalrymen coming forward.
Cai Di, Deng Ai, and Sun Shao all requested orders and were eager to try.
Shamoke and the civil and military kings were also very interested and wanted to come forward to fight. Du Shu also wanted to come and ask for help, but he was self-aware. He could write documents, make suggestions, and fill in the gaps for Cao Peng.
But it may not be that easy to take the lead.
Among the flying camel soldiers, the two flying camel soldiers looked at each other, said nothing, suddenly urged their horses and rushed out.
"who is it?"
Cao Peng was startled and asked quickly.
Du Shu hurriedly stepped forward and replied: "It seems to be Uncle Zhao and his wife."
Cao Peng demoted Zhao Yun to a soldier, but everyone in the army knew about his martial arts.
Even Sun Shao often asked Zhao Yun for marksmanship skills, and his status was quite aloof. Originally, Zhao Yun was in the Flying Camel Soldiers. As long as he worked step by step, he could be promoted quickly. However, after Xia Houlan arrived at Longqi City, Zhao Yun's calm state of mind
, and then it broke down.
Looking at my former friends, they are now in high spirits.
Cao Peng's trust in Xiahou Lan was no less than that of Pang Tong and others.
After the four thousand soldiers arrived, Cao Peng handed them all over to Commander Xia Houlan... That look made Zhao Yun unable to calm down for a long time.
I remember that Xia Houlan wrote a letter inviting him to defect to Cao Peng.
At that time, Cao Peng was just an unknown boy, but Gongsun Zan and Liu Bei were both world-famous heroes. It was naturally impossible for Zhao Yun to defect to Cao Peng, and he even persuaded Xiahou Lan to abandon the dark side and join the bright side.
But now, which one is dark and which one is bright?
Just like before, Liu Bei was running around, without even a place to stay, so he could only stay under the shelter of others and depend on others.
Gongsun Zan has long been reduced to a pile of withered bones, and I'm afraid not even the dregs are left.
However, the unknown soldier back then is now famous all over the world. He holds a high position and enjoys unlimited glory. Xia Houlan, who was rejected by his teacher in the past and was finally accepted as a registered disciple only because of Zhao Yun's hard pleas, has become a general of the rank and file, alone.
He led an army and fought fiercely with the Xiongnu for many years, with outstanding achievements and a great reputation.
Friendship has nothing to do with glory and wealth.
But when identity differences become apparent, no matter how solid a friendship is, it can become a little distant...
After all, they were not on the same level, and it would be difficult to be as affectionate as before. Xiahoulan instead begged Cao Peng, hoping to let Zhao Yun join his command, at least to become a captain, who could command the troops of the entire palace.
But Zhao Yun refused!
He understood that Xia Houlan had good intentions, but he could not accept charity.
Cao Peng said at the beginning: "Your future future can only be fought for with your hands, and I will not give you any care."
With your own hands?
That is to continuously build meritorious deeds...
Originally, Cao Peng had no intention of letting Ma Yunlu join in this expedition.
But Ma Yunlu knelt outside his house all night, hoping to accompany Zhao Yun on the expedition. She didn't ask for any merit, she just wanted to share Zhao Yun's worries. Cao Peng then joked: If you can defeat civil and military forces, let him
You join.
In Cao Peng's eyes, even if Ma Yunlu is powerful, he is no match for civil and military forces.
The Wenwu family has passed down martial arts skills, and Wenpin is also a general, and he must be a first-class military general. As for Wenwu, although he is not up to Wenpin's level, he is already a first-class general. How could he be defeated by Ma Yunlu?
But he forgot, if Ma Yunlu didn't have real talent and knowledge, how could he command those eight hundred bandits?
In later games, Ma Yunlu's force value can be as high as 91, and he has entered the ranks of quasi-super-first-class generals. In this world, Ma Yunlu has experienced more hardships, fought for several years, has outstanding martial arts, and superb marksmanship.
Even Zhao Yun had to admit in private that Ma Yunlu's marksmanship was not inferior to his.
If Ma Yunlu were a man, he could at least fight Zhao Yun for two to three hundred rounds.
Ever since, Wenwu was miserable!
In Ma Yunlu's hands, he couldn't even survive twenty rounds before he was shot off the horse by Ma Yunlu.
Fortunately, there was no gun tip, otherwise Wenwu would have died in Ma Yunlu's hands.
Cao Peng discovered that Ma Yunlu's spear and horse were extremely fast, even one point faster than Zhao Yun. However, she was slightly weaker, so it was difficult for her to exert her maximum power. But when she picked up the big spear, it was amazing.
Like thousands of pear blossoms blooming, it is dazzling.
Cao Peng named it: Heavy Rain Pear Blossom Spear!
If you say it, you can't regret it...
In this way, Ma Yunlu followed Zhao Yun and became a member of the Flying Camel Soldiers. She had been paying attention to Zhao Yun, and when she saw Zhao Yun rushing out on horseback, how could she not understand. Without saying a word, she followed Zhao Yun to attack.
"Father (teacher) (uncle) (son)"
A mess of calls immediately rang out.
Cao Peng smiled, "Today is my first battle in Hehuang, so there is no need to be in such a hurry.
Sun Shao, Cai Di!"
"Here!"
"You two each lead your own troops to protect Zilong and his wife.
Shamoko, Deng Ai!"
"exist!"
"Lead the white camel soldiers to advance slowly and surround the camp. Don't let anyone go."
"Here!"
"Wu Bo."
"The students are here."
"Inform General Ziyou and ask him to supervise the headquarters and blockade the perimeter. Anyone who is not my soldier can be killed.
Since these barbarians do not know what is good or bad, then I will let the river flow into a river of blood."
"As you command!"
In an instant, the fine cavalry moved out, the sound of hoofbeats was like thunder.
Cao Peng led his personal entourage and marched slowly.
In the Di people's camp in the distance, the Di people, awakened by the sound of hooves, walked out of the tent in a daze, yawned, and raised their eyes to look.
I saw two horses like the wind, like ghosts in the dark night.
In the blink of an eye, we arrived at the entrance of the camp...
Zhao Yun held a gun in one hand, pulled out the Jinghong Sword, and slashed at the large flag at the entrance of the camp.
The large paper, which was as thick as the mouth of a bowl, was chopped down to the ground at once, while Ma Yunlu had already drawn his gun and galloped into the camp.
A Di man came forward and was about to ask.
But he saw Ma Yunlu's big gun trembling, the pear blossom flashing, and poofing through the Di man's chest.
Only then did Di realize what had happened. There was chaos in the camp for a while...
"The enemy is attacking, the Han army is coming!" (To be continued)