Regarding Li Tingjun's resolution, Zhao Chongtao and Han Baozhen agreed to it after considering it, and they did not accept it even if their intention was decided. The Han army was defeated one after another, but Li Tingqi tried his best to be loyal and still trustworthy. After the discussion was dismissed, Zhao and Han led their own soldiers to retreat to Nanzheng, reorganize the military equipment, and repair the city.

Li Tingjue immediately ordered that the whole city should be closed and the whole city should be under martial law, and he personally arranged the deployment of defenses, prepared a war supervision battalion and a reserve battalion, gathered all the available Ding Zhuang, built deep ditches, carried ordnance, and polished the wooden rolling stones of the garrison.

He also took advantage of the equipment of the Han army, especially thunderbolts and fire oil bombs, to learn a lesson, and prepared a large amount of sand and river water up and down the city walls for preparation. He also expelled all the old and weak in the city to the east, and completely looked like they were fighting to the end.

But the arrival of the Han army was even faster than Li Tingqi imagined.

Between the mountain roads from Xingzhou to Xixian, a Han army was marching east along the mountain road. There are not many men and horses, only a battalion of 500 horses, 100 horses in front and behind, in the middle of the foot, equipped with more than 30 carts, the speed is not slow. This is the vanguard army of the Han army, and the leader is Murong Chengtai.

The route of the march to Hanzhong had already been set, and there was no alternative passage, and Xixian was the biggest obstacle to the march into Nanzheng, which had to be broken. He explored the movements of Dexi County early, and after taking Xingzhou, Xiang Xunzi led the army to rest in Shunzheng City, and sent an army to take the lead, using it as a striker, opening the way and testing the enemy's situation.

Murong Chengtai took the initiative to ask for orders to lead the army, and he had been training with Xiang Xun for so long, and this time he had experienced the big battles before and after, and he had some experience in leading troops, so after a little consideration, Xiang Xun still agreed, giving him the opportunity to lead the army alone.

Even so, Xiang Xun still advised, don't rush into the army, be careful of ambushes, try the main thing, and don't attack the city without permission. Even with many exhortations and constraints on his head, Murong Chengtai was still excited.

After entering the winter, the armies of the Han army also changed their winter clothes, especially the southwestern armies, which were the first to arrive. Lined jacket, wrapped in a shawl, wrapped in an ink towel on the head, and stomped, a military uniform should be used to ensure that the cold is protected.

Riding a horse in front, with his subordinates, along the Chuanlong Post Road, calmly entered, kept on guard, and could enter the battle at any time. The soldiers who were sent as the advance team were naturally the elite of the Southwest Army, and they had traveled dozens of miles without much fatigue.

Murong Chengtai's marching arrangement is also clear-sighted, and the waiting horses are far away, ten miles away. Fortunately, the energy of the Shu army was on the city defense of Xixian County, and there was no obstruction or ambush, and there was no damage to the road plank road.

The road was smooth, except for a few refugees to the east, there was no hindrance, but it made Murong Chengtai, who was careful all the way, feel bored, and muttered: "I thought it would be a little difficult to march, but I never thought it would be so smooth, if I were a Shu army, how could I destroy the post road......

"The defeat of the Shu army is like a lost dog, and it is too late to die, where can I take care of this?" The camp school next to him said to Murong Chengtai in a relaxed tone: "That's fine, the vanguard march is a chore, if we can easily rush to Xixian, wouldn't it be beautiful?" ”

The post road is tortuous, winding to the east, the eyes are full of high ridges and dangerous walls, the mountain wind is cold and steep, Murong Chengtai couldn't help rubbing his hands, and said with a smile: "The weather is getting colder, I hope that the Shu army can take the initiative to come out to meet and block me, so that I can relax my muscles and bones and warm my body!" ”

"The Shu army is afraid of no guts!"

Nowadays, the officers and soldiers of the Han army, more or less, have some arrogance, and the soldiers despise the Shu army, which is the impact of the consecutive victories, which is inevitable. They all know that they can't underestimate the enemy, but when their emotions come up, they can't care about so much, especially for middle and lower-level officers.

It wasn't until I got out of the mountain and approached the depressed water that I got to report that there was something strange ahead.

At the Fushui Ferry, the floating beams have been burned, the air is filled with the smell of burning grease, and the bright firelight reflects the ground and the sky are much darker.

In the evening, the flag of the Han army fluttered on the west bank of the frustrated water. Hundreds of refugees are still stranded on the side of the ferry, each looking at the burning floating beams and weeping.

The light horse arrived, and seeing this scene, Murong Chengtai couldn't help but be surprised, and asked Tanqi: "What's the situation here?" ”

"General Hui, these are refugees who fled south in Xingzhou, the Shu army set up a card check here, saw the outpost of our army, poured oil and set fire, burned the floating beams and left, and abandoned these Shu people on the west bank!" The detective recounted the situation to Murong Chengtai.

"The Shu army has obviously become a frightened bird, the so-called invincible wind, seeing our army flag, retreat without a fight!"

Looking at the situation of the frustrated water, the water flow in winter is not large, flowing out from the shallow mountains and hills, the mountains are not high and the ditches are deep, the ground is uneven and the slope is gentle, Murong Chengtai said: "It seems that the Shu army also knows that this water is difficult to stop our army, so they abandon it and shrink back to Xicheng." ”

"Gather all these refugees for me, take them to cut down wood and build a village, and camp on the West Bank tonight!" Sweeping over the refugees who were driven by the Han cavalry and cowering in fear, Murong Chengtai coldly ordered: "Command the rear camp and speed up the march!" ”

"General, most of these refugees are old and weak, and I'm afraid they won't be able to do much!" The subordinate shook his head and said, looking disdainful.

"If you can give one point, it is one point!" Murong Chengtai said coldly: "These untouchables, why bother, when I am the obedient people of the Han Dynasty, have you wronged them?" I don't know the current affairs, I left my hometown and fled, and I suffered this bad luck, but I was not abandoned by the Shu army and asked for hardship! ”

The organization and execution of the Han army is already very high in contemporary times, and it is encamped and has its military system. Under the leadership of the officers, the top and bottom moved together, and soon a simple barracks were erected, and the defense was not strong, but it was very well arranged, enough to shelter from the wind and cold.

After arranging passwords, camp defenses, and patrols, and checking weapons, food, and war horses, twilight has completely fallen. Even Murong Chengtai, who has always been energetic, can't help but be tired after such a toss. Although he only has a battalion of hundreds of soldiers, he has a heavy responsibility, and he also has a deeper understanding of marching and garrisoning.

After nightfall, the winter wind is even colder, carrying water vapor and invading people's muscles and bones. In the camp, many bonfires have been built to keep warm, and the rice is made late, and the smell of rice in the air is particularly attractive.

Murong Chengtai tried his best to eat with the soldiers, but after gnawing two pieces of bread, he took out a water bag and drank a few sips in the name of patrolling the camp, which was filled with wine......

"General, those refugees have no food rations and are waiting to be fed. The commander has an order, and the army must not harm the people, whether it is ......" The officers under his command found Murong Chengtai and asked for instructions.

In order to ensure the safety of the camp, the hundreds of refugees were monitored three miles outside the camp. I could only build a few fires, find some grass and trees, and cower and endure the cold, which was very miserable.

"Du Shuai said that he should not disturb the people, but he didn't let us help them! Now that we are in the war, how difficult it is to transport military rations from the rear to the front line, you don't know, how can the rations of the soldiers be distributed to them! Murong Chengtai said, with a grim look, but after hesitating and thinking for a while, he finally waved his hand and said: "That's it, there are not many people on the left and right, make some gruel and transport it, and fill their stomachs." Tell them where they came from and where they are going! ”

"Yes!"

With a small team of soldiers out of the camp, in front of the ferry, Murong Chengtai's black face almost melted into the night, the original floating beam has been completely ancient, only some remnants of wood remain, and some smoke can still be smelled.

Looking at the opposite bank, in the twilight, a figure could be vaguely seen flickering, which should be a Shu pawn used for reconnaissance and surveillance. The outline of the western county town is also dimly visible, far away, and there is a bit of a bleak feeling.

"I wonder if the defenders in the West City are panicking at this time?" Murong Chengtai muttered.

Taking a deep breath, Murong Chengtai instructed the sentry officer who had been hailed by him: "Early tomorrow morning, send someone to make a detour to cross the river to investigate the enemy situation in Xicheng and the surrounding terrain. Also, search upstream and downstream to see if you can find some boats! ”

"Yes!"