The refreshing air after autumn is especially noticeable along the Bailong River.
The cool breeze blew up the early withered leaves and grass seeds, and the yellow and green reflections were intertwined in the river, meandering eastward.
It's really refreshing.
However, the dark red bloodstains all over the rocks on the river beach, the remains of corpses that had been chewed into pieces by wild beasts, and the countless mosquitoes and flies that smelled of filth and putrefaction ruined the beautiful scenery here.
Eight days have passed since the battle of Jinggu Road.
The desolate landscape here is still unbearable to look at.
But there was a man wearing a helmet and armor, walking slowly along the waterside among the corpses, making mosquitoes and flies buzz with every step he took.
I saw that he was about forty years old and nearly eight feet long.
He has a square face with a long beard, a straight and heavy nose, thick eyebrows that fall into his temples, and deep eyes that occasionally flash with a ray of light.
He is Guo Huai.
The people of Yangqu, Taiyuan, belong to a famous family. They have been wearing hairpins for generations and have accumulated two thousand stones.
When Cao Pi was the general of Wu Guan Zhonglang during the rebellion of the Wei Dynasty, he was appointed as a thief under Cao Cao's sect. Later, he conquered Hanzhong, so he stayed in the land of Yongliang.
With his outstanding strategy and repeated military exploits, he had great prestige among the Qiang and Hu tribes. He was also deeply trusted and valued by Cao Pi, who was appointed the governor of Yongzhou and led the military affairs of Longyou. [Note 1]
After hearing the message sent by King Qiangduan of Yinping Di, he sent two thousand cavalry to Xiabian County of Wudu in advance to prevent Bashu from attacking from the east to the west. Then he led more than a hundred cavalry to double the route.
When passing through Yinping Road, he had already roughly understood the course of the war and the post-war statistics.
At that time, Di Wang Fu Zhang was lured out of the bridge garrison and ambushed, resulting in heavy casualties.
Except for Fu Zhang, who was led by his son Fu Jian, who led 500 cavalrymen from his headquarters to make a suicidal charge and fought his way back to the bridge to garrison the siege, the rest of the chieftains and soldiers were almost completely wiped out, either captured or killed.
However, the Shu army named "Xuanwu" only cleaned the battlefield and then escorted the prisoners back to Baishui Pass.
Of course!
There were not many soldiers left in the garrison and the people were in panic. It was clear that the Shu army could take advantage of the great victory and their morale was strong to defeat them in one battle!
But they did not take the opportunity to attack the bridgehead garrison!
This dangerous place, which can be called the "throat of Longshu", can be fought over by military strategists from Wudu County and Longyou. Why did the Shu army turn a blind eye and lose the great opportunity to capture it?!
The unbelievable thought lingered in Guo Huai's heart for a long time.
He did not think that the commander of the "Xuanwu" Army was a person without strategic vision.
He even had the humanity to ambush on the cliffs and mountains, and the decisiveness and courage to use his body as bait. How could An not know the importance of seizing the Yinping Bridge?
After asking Di Wang Fu Zhang in detail, Guo Huai came to the battlefield to investigate in person.
Therefore, he had even more doubts in his heart.
The Shu army cleaned the battlefield very "cleanly", which can be said to be a waste of money!
Not to mention that all the weapons, armor and other baggage were looted, but the Shu army also swept away dead horses, damaged steel chariots, cooking pots, military tents and other items from Di Wang Fu Zhang's military camp.
The crossbow arrows from the dead Di soldiers were also removed.
Just like locusts passing by!
Is the land of Bashu already so impoverished?
Or is it possible that the Shu army went to war just to plunder supplies?
Guo Huai had this thought in his heart.
But because the matter is so big, we dare not confirm it with certainty.
Guo Huai arrived slowly, as if strolling in a leisurely courtyard, and Zheng Pu formed a formation with Wuhan Iron and Steel chariots to guard the place.
There are the most corpses here, and the strong stench is choking your nostrils, making you feel sick even without getting close.
At least, several of the followers behind Guo Huai looked uncomfortable, and they kept sliding their Adam's apples, suppressing the protests from their hearts.
But Guo Huai acted as if he had no sense of smell, gradually raising the swarms of mosquitoes and flies and looking at them carefully.
Occasionally, he would stop and lower himself, pushing aside the layers of corpses with his hands, frowning, and looking carefully.
About a quarter of an hour later, he walked to the riverside and washed his hands carefully.
The eyebrows that were frowning at first also relaxed.
Because he discovered that the clothes and shoes of some Di people were also stripped off by the Shu army.
"Go and tell King Di Qiangduan to ask Mo to gather his clan members again."
Taking the horse's reins handed over by the retinue, Guo Huai held the horse's back with one hand and stepped up. "The Shu army will not invade the border again in a short period of time. Let him carefully guard the bridgehead and guard the siege."
"promise."
A troop of soldiers saluted, mounted their horses, whipped their whips, and drove off.
Guo Huai, on the other hand, was escorted by the rest of his retinue and galloped towards Bian County under Wudu County.
There is a talented man over there who can provide him with some details.
It was Yang Fu, the prefect who had just received the order to leave his post and join the imperial court.
The courtesy name is Yishan, a native of Ji County, Tianshui.
During the Battle of Guandu, he asserted that Wei Wu and Cao Cao would win; and when Ma Chao and Han Sui were expelled from Guanzhong, he advised Cao Cao to march to Longyou and raze all the tribes in Guanxi, but it was a pity that Cao Cao did not listen.
Later, Ma Chao got Zhang Lu of Hanzhong to send troops to help him and the Qiang and Di tribes to respond. He killed Wei Duan, the governor of Liangzhou, occupied Longyou, and threatened Guanzhong. He then planned on his own, used his own power to persuade and win over Wei Duan's old troops, and led the army
He drove Ma Chao out of Longyou.
He also helped the people of Yinping and Yinping counties move to Wudu.
Cao Pi heard that he was a public servant, so he wanted to recruit him to the court at the beginning of the year, but he was delayed due to illness and death.
Now that Cao Rui has ascended the throne, he is conscripted into the imperial court and worshiped as the city gate captain.
Guo Huai went to look for him because he wanted to know what he was thinking about Yongliang and inquire about the recent movements of the Shu army in Yang'ankou.
When they arrived at the next debate, they saw Yang Fu already waiting outside the prefect's office.
Seeing Guo Huaizhi, who had a serious appearance and was always known for his serious smile, he even smiled.
"I know what Bo Ji means by coming here."
Without waiting for Guo Huai to ask questions, as he bowed his hands in salute, he said softly, "What I am thinking about should be no different from Bo Ji."
"Heh~~~~"
Guo Huai, who jumped off his horse vigorously, immediately relaxed his eyebrows when he heard this, and returned the salute with his hands raised, "Why is Yishan so sure that there will be no evil attacks from Bashu?"
"It's because I entered the court as the city gate captain."
Yang Fu stepped forward, held Guo Huai's hand and entered the government office, walking and smiling, "I secretly thought that Bo Ji came here to ask me to jointly sign a petition, claiming that Guan Long is worry-free, and to warn the court, saying that Jingzhou or Huainan
There will be invaders!"
"Of course!"
As soon as he heard this, Guo Huai put his palms up and smiled.
Immediately, he sighed slightly and said, "Although I am happy that Yishan will be transferred to another position, I also feel sorry for him. No one will know me like Yishan in the future."
"Hahaha~~~"
Yang Fu also laughed.
Yes, when they heard that the Shu army did not take the opportunity to capture Yinping Bridge, they made a general conclusion in their hearts.
Bashu harassed Yinping County just to support Sun Wu.
As for the reason for such a conclusion, it was naturally that Sun Wu, who had been attacked many times during a national funeral, wanted to take the opportunity to "reciprocate courtesy"!
Perhaps Sun Wu did not expect that they wanted to use Bashu to disturb Wei and distract the attention of the counter-Wei, but someone knew it in advance.
Chengdu, Prime Minister's Mansion.
A small pavilion nestled against a tributary of the Zouma River.
The still lush green flowers and trees concealed the two people having a small banquet opposite each other in the small pavilion.
It was Prime Minister Zhuge Liang and General Zhao Yun who conquered the south.
The Prime Minister was lowering his eyebrows and stroking his beard, holding a feather fan in one hand, gently shaking it to drive away the heat that still hadn't dissipated, feeling quite leisurely and contented.
Occasionally, a trace of joy would appear and wander around in the wrinkled brows.
In fact, he has been in a good mood recently.
First, it is a private matter.
His wife was confirmed to be pregnant by the imperial doctor the day before yesterday.
Although he has adopted a son as his heir from his elder brother Zhuge Jin, at the age of forty-five, he is about to have a son-in-law. This is an extremely joyful thing for both men and women!
The second is the military newspaper that Zhao Yun is currently reading.
Regarding the war in Yinping, Zheng Pu has already reported it, and it happened to reach Chengdu today.
In the above table, apart from briefly describing the course of the war, as well as trivial matters such as the number of victories and casualties, Zheng Pu also wrote about Huo Yi and Zhao Guangda.
Unstinting and full of praise.
Regarding Huo Yi's evaluation, he claimed that he had a father's style, and he was able to command and command the soldiers when they first entered the war.
As for Zhao Guang, more details are given.
First, he praised Zhao Guang's cavalry fighting ability, and then added that he claimed that Bai Qing Di King Yang Ji and Baima Di were all enamored of Zhao Guang. Furthermore, he also claimed that he could stand firm when fighting against the enemy in a chariot formation.
It can be concluded that it was Zhao Guang's ability to command on the spot.
The choice of words and sentences, it is estimated that when Zhao Guang saw it, he couldn't help scratching his temples and showing a look of awe.
Therefore, after Zhao Yun saw it, he couldn't help but shook his head and smiled bitterly.
"Although this son of the Zheng family has a lot of tricks up his sleeve, I would also say that he is a cunning person!"
Putting down the military report lightly, Zhao Yun raised his head and looked at the Prime Minister, his voice sounded like joy or annoyance, "For those more than 600 war horses, you would not hesitate to praise the achievements of my dogs, how can you be like this!"
"Hahaha~~~"
Hearing this, the prime minister laughed and said softly, "Zilong, please don't give in to Yihong. Although Zijin did have bad intentions and used too many words. However, Liu Zirui also had a book, and the book said that Yihong was in Jinggu
The battle of Tao is indispensable."
After saying this, he raised his cup and invited Zhao Yun to have a drink together.
After putting down the wine bottle, he continued to ask, "Zilong, I know you have a loyal character. But now that I am asking for the sake of the country, I ask Zilong to answer me truthfully: How much of Yoshihiro's ability in riding and fighting has he inherited from you?"
Well, Zheng Pu praised General Zhao Guang slightly for his achievements, and his purpose is obvious.
However, the imperial court would definitely seize more than 600 horses from him and use them all to form cavalry.
And he "blatantly" recommended Zhao Guang as a cavalry general!
Anyway, the war horse was captured by the Xuanwu Army in a desperate battle. As a general, he would not be surprised to mention it in a "cryptic" way, given the prime minister's temperament.
Seeing the prime minister asking such a cautious question, Zhao Yun also looked solemn.
He didn't answer first, but asked very cautiously, "Does the Prime Minister want the dog to lead the horse?"
"well"
Prime Minister Zhuge Liang sighed loudly, "Zilong also knows that my descendants of the Han Dynasty no longer know how to lead a general in cavalry!"
After sighing with emotion, he nodded lightly and said with burning eyes, "Zilong, we are all old, and the ambition to conquer the Central Plains will eventually fall to the younger generations. If Yoshihiro has half the ability of Zilong to ride on the cavalry, I will let him do it."
He is the cavalry supervisor, and if he is allowed to experience and develop, wouldn't he be a talent reserve for the country? Moreover, Zijin has won more than 600 cavalry in the battle today, and he can build a cavalry. Who should be given the command?"
When Zhao Yun heard about the decline of the Han Dynasty, he sighed inaudibly.
He thought for a while, then calmly answered, "Replying to the Prime Minister's question, I have taught the dog all the ways to fight on horseback. However, the dog has never had a chance to fight in actual combat. If the prime minister can use it, let him try it first. And, the dog
He has a little bit of courage, but his qualifications are mediocre. It may be difficult for the commander-in-chief to do it, so I hope the prime minister will be careful."
When the prime minister heard this, he immediately beamed with joy.
Between his eyebrows, there was even a hint of relief and happiness.
Zhao Yun has already made his words very clear.
Regarding the methods of cavalry warfare, Zhao Guang already knew them all. What he lacked was just the opportunity for actual combat.
As for Zhao Guang's qualifications being mediocre, it all depends on who he is compared with.
If you compare it with Zheng Pu, it will naturally be inferior.
Compared with Guan Xing, who had extraordinary talents at a young age, he is also slightly inferior.
But compared with Zhuge Qiao, Zhang Bao, Huo Yi and others, they should be in the same league, each with his own strengths.
As Zhao Yun asserted, Zhao Guang might not be able to be a commander with both strategy and cunning skills, but if he has the courage and courage, he can be a general of the Tutu Army, and he is also a good choice for the Cavalry Governor.
Riders are also soldiers who drive for a long time!
It is mainly used for harassment, attack, reconnaissance, deterrence, mortar attack, and flanking attack. With its strong maneuverability, it can be a "wonder" for partial divisions.
The army is originally a supporting force, and what is needed is a general who can fight against the enemy. Why does it need a commander-in-chief to lead it?
Furthermore, if you use the talents of a commander to lead the cavalry, wouldn’t it be like a pearl covered in dust?
"I know what Zilong means."
With a gurgling smile, the Prime Minister stroked Hu Shaoqing's hand and warned, "The choice of cavalry and pawns still needs Zilong's personal efforts."
Letting Zhao Yun, the dignified general who conquered the south and in charge of the garrison inside and outside the capital, select the cavalry himself, seems to be overqualified, but it is not the case.
Not everyone is qualified to be a cavalryman.
Just riding a horse for hundreds of miles will eliminate countless people.
Not to mention, when cavalry and soldiers fight, they must form a tacit understanding of mind and heart with their horses in order to exert their combat effectiveness.
Moreover, the cost of training one cavalry soldier is comparable to that of ten infantry soldiers.
Because the war horses of the Han people are almost always driven by one man, unlike the nomads who have two or three horses. In order to ensure that the war horses do not lose fat and lose the speed of galloping, they are all raised with grain and fodder, and the food they eat during war is less than that of the soldiers.
Eat better!
Judging from the horses' terrifying appetite, we can see the pressure the imperial court was under.
With such a huge cost, it is natural that carefully selected warriors must be selected as soldiers.
"promise."
He cupped his hands in response, and Zhao Yun made a solemn expression, "Prime Minister, please be patient. I know the importance of this."
After a pause, he added, "Prime Minister, the cavalry needs at least two or three years of practice before it can be called a small success and join the army for expedition. I also ask the Prime Minister to establish its own organization without being disturbed by others."
"good!"
The Prime Minister smiled and nodded lightly, "As Zilong said."
After the official matter was settled, the two chatted some more, and Zhao Yun said goodbye and left.
The prime minister returned to his study, took a fire and lit the incense, sat down behind the desk, wrote with a pen and some ink.
He asked Emperor Liu Chan to issue an edict to record meritorious service for the battle of Yinping.
Those who have merit must be promoted, which is the strict law enforcement after the prime minister opens the government.
Huo Yi was promoted to General Yamen, while Zheng Pu was promoted to General Pi. They were both given financial rewards and continued to lead the troops as before. Zhao Guang, on the other hand, was appointed General Yamen as the Cavalry Commander, and the cavalry Qu formed a separate battalion and was no longer affiliated with Zheng.
Pure.
The rest and soldiers, pensions for the dead and rewards for the living all come according to the laws of the army.
After finishing writing, the Prime Minister put his pen down on the case and thought about it.
Now that the Yinping incident is over, is it better to let the Xuanwu Army go back and forth with other armies to transport food, or to station in Hanzhong County to practice martial arts?
——
[Note 1: In the Western Han Dynasty, the governor was 600 shi, and he was in charge of supervision. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, it was 2,000 shi, and he also had the power to lead the army.]
