Longxinggou to Wuyang Pass is nearly 40 miles, and Wuyang Pass is more than 200 miles to Jiuli Pass. Among them, the mountains between Wuyang Pass and Jiuli Pass are continuous and meandering, all of which are rugged mountain roads, inconvenient for vehicles and horses, coupled with heavy rain, mountain torrents, mudflows, frequent and dangerous obstacles, and the march is very difficult. However, the soldiers were very fast, and Wang Laixing gave a death order, and he must arrive at Jiuliguan within three days. This can be called the most arduous task in his life for Guang Wenlu, the commander of this operation.

The army arrived at Wuyang Pass in half a day, and Guang Wenlu garrisoned the periphery of the army and personally detained the pass, and Liu Hongqi, who was stationed at Wuyang Pass, only let him and several personal soldiers enter after confirming his identity. It can be seen that even though the army passed ahead of time, Liu Hongqi was still very wary of Zhao Ying.

Guang Wenlu came to Wuyang Pass, one to say hello to Liu Hongqi, and the other to understand the situation in Jiuli Pass. Time was pressing, and after meeting Liu Hongqi, he didn't even have time to shake off the rain on the lily armor, and asked directly to the standing in the hall: "From now on, go to Jiuliguan, can you get there within three days?" ”

Liu Hongqi was surprised: "Three days? Why be in such a hurry? "Look up at the sky like a bead falling rain," on weekdays, we are familiar with the path, from here to Jiuliguan also takes five days, now it is raining heavily, it is more difficult to travel for three days, three days can not be calculated, and then two days of grace gritted teeth or perhaps. ”

Guang Wenlu said solemnly: "Five days later, Zuo Mengeng will go to Jiuli Pass, and he will set aside a two-day buffer before and after attacking the checkpoint, and he will not be able to catch up with Jiuli Pass in three days, and there is no need to fight." When Zuo Mengeng arrived at Jiuli Pass and learned about Liu Zhai's master, he would definitely fight Wuyang Pass when he turned his head and came back, and he was afraid that Wuyang Pass would not be able to protect it at that time. ”

Liu Hongqi said with a sad face: "How can Master Guang bluff the villain with this, it's not that the villain refuses to lead the way, it's just that the mountain road from Wuyang Pass to Jiuliguan is indeed steep, and it is rarely repaired." If it is also like Wuyang Pass and Pingjing Pass, the villain and the owner of Mao Zhai and Zhao Zhai often take care of it, don't say three days, two days will also arrive. ”

Pingjing Pass and Jiuli Pass are both in the middle of the Tongbai Mountains, the difference is that the road to Huguang can only be taken from Wuyang Pass. But take the road of Jiuliguan, after entering the lake, the mountain is relaxed, and all kinds of roads are crossed and hybridized, and there is no fixed direction. It is also for this reason that even the court officials stationed in Jiuliguan in the past dynasties would find it difficult to build roads, let alone Han Huamei and Ma Shangzhi, who sat on the mountain and had no ambitions.

If Zuo Liangyu really led his troops to cross the Jiuli Pass, the method of blocking the mouth in the Lianzhu Gorge in the mountainous area of Yunyang Mansion and trapping his army would not be used, and his people would suddenly fall to the ground like mercury, and it would be difficult to pinch it again. Therefore, for Zhao Ying, controlling Jiuli Pass means that the Zuo family army can be restrained at the lowest cost.

Guang Wenlu was depressed, silent for a long time, and inadvertently caught a glimpse of many flags stacked behind his clothes, some large and some small, so he asked: "Master Liu Zhai, what are these?" ”

Liu Hongqi swept his gaze and replied: "They are all the Zuojia army flags sent by Zuo Liangyu earlier, there are all kinds of them, and they were originally expected to be inserted in the checkpoints and Zhuzhai after officially joining the Zuo army. Now, we have taken refuge in King Chuang, and these have become waste, and we are ready to burn them in the firewood house. ”

When Guang Wenlu heard this, his heart suddenly moved, and he immediately asked: "You just said that the road between Wuyang Pass and Pingjing Pass, how far is this road?" ”

Liu Hongqi replied: "Baili." ”

"How long will it take to get from here?"

"This road is good, it is estimated that it can be reached in one day."

Guang Wenlu nodded and said, "In other words, I will set off now, and I will be able to reach Pingjing Pass at noon tomorrow?" ”

"Yes...... It's this reason......"

"Then when you get there, you can rest for half a day and march again at night......," Guang Wenlu asked again, "How to get from Pingjing Pass to Jiuli Pass?" ”

Liu Hongqi didn't understand what he meant, and only said truthfully: "When you get to Pingjing Pass, you need to go north out of Tongbai Mountain to the south of Xinyang Prefecture, and then go east along the foothills, and then turn south to get there, which is about one hundred and fifty miles." ”

"Is the road easy?"

"Pingjing Pass north out of Tongbai Mountain, this section of 100 miles, accounting for the majority, fortunately, the road repair is good, hurry up and get some a day and a half to finish." Liu Hongqi pondered, "It is difficult to go to Jiuliguan for fifty miles, and I am afraid that it will take a day." ”

"That's three and a half days and a half days and ......," Guang Wenlu groaned.

Liu Hongqi said nervously: "Master Guang, you won't take this road, right?" Even if it was three and a half days and a half, it would still be too long. ”

Guang Wenlu didn't answer, and asked him: "How many soldiers and horses are stationed in Jiuliguan?" ”

Liu Hongqi responded: "Only counting soldiers who can fight, Han Huamei and Ma Shangzhi have 2,000 people together." Said and laughed a few times, "Of course, it is said that it can fight, but compared to Guangye's people, it will never be on the stage." ”

Guang Wenlu nodded secretly, Liu Hongqi was quite honest, and what he said was basically the same as the information from Zhao Ying's scouts.

However, Liu Hongqi still had scruples and said: "The three passes have their own dangers, and the Jiuli Pass is located between the two peaks of Tongbai and Dabie, and the two ends are narrow and wide like a throat, which is extremely difficult to attack. There is even a folk proverb that 'women and children guard ten thousand soldiers', where there are many ancient battlefield relics of the Southern Dynasties and the Northern Song Dynasty, which shows that this pass is extraordinary. ”

"In your opinion, what are the odds of my soldiers going to fight Jiuli Pass?"

Liu Hongqi hurriedly said: "As soon as the soldiers of Guangye arrived, there was no doubt that they would naturally break through the city pass, but it was just ...... I'm just afraid I'll have to spend some more time......"

Guang Wenlu said: "You mean that you can't beat Jiuli Pass in two days?" ”

"The villain told the truth."

The corners of Guang Wenlu's mouth raised slightly: "It's okay, there was still some bottomlessness in this Jiuli Pass, but thanks to you, the master of Liu Zhai, now taking down the level is very promising." ”

Hundreds of miles away, Yingshan County southwest Heji Temple.

Outside the courtyard of the temple, the officers of the Zuo family army were waiting anxiously. Jin Shenghuan paced back and forth, Lu Guangzu was helpless, and Gao Jinku leaned against the eaves and sneered.

A fully armored officer galloped from the forest, and asked with an impatient face, "Childe still refuses to speak?" ”

Gao Jinku said angrily: "Old Xu, I advise you not to wait,"

Xu Yong looked towards the courtyard, his eyebrows tightened and said, "It's clear, Qian Zhongxuan has led troops into the Pingli City Inspection Division." "The Pingli City Inspection Division is only thirty miles away from Changling Gang, where Zuo's army was once stationed.

Gao Jinku said: "Qian Zhong's selection of this grandson must be to see our army go north, and he wants to wait for an opportunity to take advantage." ”

Xu Yong said with a solemn face: "Our army entered Huguang, under the banner of aiding the general army, but after all, it has not been approved by the imperial court, and it is okay to have nothing to do. Before making up your mind to enter Wuchang Mansion, it is not appropriate to start a conflict. ”

Jin Shenghuan said angrily: "Why didn't this grandson come early or late, and now he is here?" Isn't this intentionally adding to the chaos? Did he also know about the defeat of our army in Henan? He has 3,000 people, and our army now has 7,000 or 8,000 people in Hezhi Temple, who gave him the guts? ”

"No matter what, if our army continues to go north, it can't be selected regardless of the money behind it. I just gathered the people, as long as the son nodded, he immediately took the battalion back to Changling Gang to block it. Xu Yong sighed and said, "The matter of going north will bother the three brothers to worry about it." ”

Gao Jinku laughed and said, "But now that the son doesn't nod, what can you do?" ”

Xu Yong grabbed the back of his neck and frowned: "Didn't you say that you would leave at the right time, when is it now, why haven't you left the yard yet!" ”

"I'll go in and make things clear!" Jin Shenghuan has been waiting outside this courtyard since Mao, and it has been three or four hours now, and he is really on fire, and at this time, the military situation outside is repeated, and he really can't bear it.

"It's fine. Brother Jin, you have a big head, go in and see what the son means, and the brothers will protect you. Lu Guangzu said with a bitter face. He actually couldn't be restless with Jin Shenghuan, but he didn't dare to come forward.

Jin Shenghuan immediately pushed away the soldiers blocking the gate of the courtyard, rushed into the courtyard, shouted a few times without listening to a response, and went straight into the main hall, grabbed a soldier and asked, "Where is the son?" ”

"In ...... In the back room. The soldier's face was the color of earth, and he pointed inward.

Jin Shenghuan threw him aside, and walked inside in three or two steps, but at first glance, he was taken aback. I saw Zuo Mengeng kneeling in front of the bed, bowing his head and crying, and lying on the bed was his four-room wife Rao Liubo.

"Gong ...... Son? Jin Shenghuan couldn't help stammering, exhaled and stepped forward, putting his right hand on Zuo Menggeng's shoulder.

"Who!" Zuo Mengeng didn't seem to notice Jin Shenghuan's arrival before, and stood up in shock at this time, "Jin, Uncle Jin!" ”

Jin Shenghuan looked at him with a look of disbelief, then looked at Rao Liubo, and asked in amazement, "Childe, what are you doing?" ”

Zuo Mengeng wiped away his tears, turned his head to Rao Liubo, who closed his eyes and was silent, and said, "Liubo is sick." Hearing this, the pain on his face was all because of the illness of Rao Liubo.

Jin Shenghuan stomped his feet anxiously and said in a loud voice: "Childe! The army had been assembled for several hours, just before it was ready to be drawn! ”

Unexpectedly, Zuo Mengeng felt no guilt, and actually said: "Uncle Jin, I can't walk today, I can't move because of Liubo's illness, and I can't stand the bumps......"

"Then put her in the temple first, and then pick her up!" When Jin Shenghuan heard Zuo Mengeng say this, he was heartbroken, "The military is important, and there must be no delay!" ”

Before Zuo Mengeng could answer, Rao Liubo suddenly groaned on the bed. Zuo Mengeng left the stunned Jin Shenghuan as if he had been electrocuted, quickly threw himself to the side of the bed, and said softly: "Liubo, do you feel better?" ”

Jin Shenghuan gasped heavily, and then returned the surging qi and blood pressure, but saw that Zuo Mengeng completely ignored himself, and gently held Rao Liubo's hand: "You can rest assured, I will accompany you and not go anywhere." ”

Rao Liubo half-closed his eyes, and his voice was like a gossamer: "Zuo Lang, don't leave the slave family." The slave family is lonely and alone, and they are afraid of ......"

"Yes, yes. I'm not leaving......"

Jin Shenghuan couldn't listen to it, so he forced his anger and shouted: "Childe! The big guys out there are waiting! Now half a day has been wasted, and it really can't be delayed! ”

As soon as he finished speaking, Rao Liubo groaned in pain again, Zuo Mengeng's heart was in a hurry, and he turned around with tears in his eyes and said: "Liubo was frightened in Suizhou, and in the past two days, he was beaten by the wind and rain, and fell seriously ill, and his life is on the verge of death, Uncle Jin, don't shout, give her a quiet!" ”

Jin Shenghuan frowned and said, "Then how to arrange the military?" When he saw this, he was speechless. But when he heard the news of Zuo Liangyu's "death", Zuo Mengeng had never seen such sadness now, but now he has worked so hard for a woman, and he really can't support the wall. Thinking about it, he was merciful, and he didn't say anything, but said, "There is also the south, Qian Zhongxuan is leading his troops north, intending to threaten the belly and back of our army, Xu Guerrilla asked for instructions to lead his battalion back to Changling Gang to defend the ......"

"Uncle Jin, don't bother me!" Zuo Mengeng burst into tears, "I can't hold this in my mind now!" In just a few days, the military situation from all sides has come one after another, and all kinds of news have emerged in an endless stream, and now Rao Liubo is sick, Zuo Mengeng is under unbearable pressure, and he is on the verge of collapse.

"Childe!"

"What to do is up to a few uncles...... I just need to stay here and accompany Liubo......" Zuo Mengeng said as he spoke, crying silently, "Uncle Jin, you can do well, don't force me anymore!" ”

Jin Shenghuan sighed a few times, looking at Zuo Menggeng's pitiful appearance, he was really afraid that he would kneel in front of him the next moment. He didn't say anything more, nodded indifferently, shook his head and left.

When they got outside, the other three people came up together, and they felt that Jin Shenghuan's expression was gloomy, and their hearts were all down. Gao Jinkuqiang smiled: "Old Jin, what did the son say?" Don't worry, my brother hasn't seen any storms and waves, it's okay! ”

Jin Shenghuan thought for a while and said, "The son is sick and difficult to get up, so he passed the password. Lao Xu, you take someone to Changling Gang to guard against the money selection. Lao Lu, your battalion of soldiers stayed here to protect Gongzi and others, and waited for the opportunity to deal with Lao Xu. Lao Gao, you and I will lead the army and continue to go north! ”