On March 11, after about three days of marching, Sima Zhai Zhang, the great commander of Wei, led 780,000 Wei troops to the Yeyi area, while Tang Zhi, the vanguard general under his command, led 5,000 soldiers to Yeyi first.

After learning the news, Ye Yi Cheng Xiang Yi and Yi Sima Lexu, led Qu Yuan, Zhu Huan and other Ye Yi officials to immediately go out of the city to greet them.

"Yo, Xiang Yi, Le Xu, don't come unharmed."

"Tang Sima is the one, I haven't seen him for a year, which adds a bit of majesty."

"Hahahaha."

I have to say that Xiang Yi, Le Xu and Tang Zhi are not strangers to each other, after all, they are all colleagues who shared weal and woe during the Battle of Yique, although the relationship between them is not close enough to exchange letters, but it is far from being comparable to those nodding friends.

Seeing this scene from afar, Zhu Huan asked Qu Yuan in a low voice: "Mr. Qu, Xiang Yicheng, Le Sima, and this Tang Zhi Tang Sima are old acquaintances?" ”

Qu Yuan glanced at Zhu Huan with a somewhat strange expression, and said in his heart, Are you from Wei or am I from Wei? You ask me about this kind of thing?

After thinking about it, he asked in a low voice, "This Tang Sima ...... Isn't it a person of honorable status? ”

Hearing this, Zhu Huan's eyes widened in surprise, and then he realized that Qu Yuan was not from his Wei State, so he explained in a low voice: "This Tang Zhi Tang Sima is the most relied on by my Wei State's current Great Sima Zhai Zhang......

Of course, Qu Yuan knew Zhai Zhang, and nodded suddenly in realization when he heard this.

He also knew that since the death of Xiwu Gongsun Xi in the Battle of Yique, Zhai Zhang, a descendant of Zhai Huang, the minister of Wei during the Wei Wenhou period, naturally became the only remaining veteran of the Wei State, and his status was extraordinary.

Don't look at Le Xu and Tang Zhi are both Sima-level generals, but with Zhai Zhang becoming the Great Sima of Wei, there has been a significant gap between the status of the two, simply put, that is, the Wei army in Hanoi has been promoted to the central army because of Zhai Zhang's relationship, and the Wei army on Fangcheng's side is only a local garrison at best, and its status is not at the same level at all.

It is also thanks to Meng Zhong behind the Wei army in Fangcheng, and behind Meng Zhong is the Xihe Confucian Sect headed by Duan Ganyin, Tian Dian and others, otherwise the small place of Fangcheng alone wants to get an establishment of 50,000 people? That's wishful thinking.

After a few brief greetings, Tang Zhi lowered his voice and said to Xiang Yi and Le Xu: "Da Sima arrived in Yeyi almost half a day late. …… Da Sima had admired Fang Chengling before, so he didn't want to leave a bad impression on him. ”

How could a person as smart as Xiang Yu not be able to hear Tang's outspoken meaning? Immediately, he lowered his voice and said: "I have already sent someone to Yangguan to ask Ah Zhong to come to Yeyi to greet Da Sima, and I am in the city, and I have also ordered someone to prepare good wine and food. ”

"Clever."

Tang Zhi smiled with satisfaction, and when he turned his head, he saw Qu Yuan standing in the distance looking at him curiously, frowning slightly.

He was polite to Xiang Yi and Le Xu, because they were both colleagues during the Battle of Yique, and Xiang Yi and Le Xu were Meng Zhong's siblings, but it was not just that anyone could look at him with an evaluative gaze like Qu Yuan at this moment.

Seeing that Tang Zhi's face was different, he glanced back at Xiang Zhi, and immediately said a few words in Tang Zhi's ear.

"Really?"

After listening to Xiang Yi's words, the dissatisfaction in Tang Zhi's eyes suddenly retreated, and he even took the initiative to come forward to greet Qu Yuan.

It's no wonder, after all, Qu Yuan is a former important minister who once presided over the reform of the law in the Chu State, if it is placed in the Wei State, it will be a famous appearance at the level of Li Kui and Zhai Huang, not to mention that Qu Yuan is still from the Chu State Office, Tang Zhi should indeed give some respect.

"In Xia Tangzhi, I have seen Dr. Qu."

Seeing this, Qu Yuan also hurriedly bowed his hand and saluted: "Tang Sima is polite, Qu Yuan is now just an abandoned vassal of the Chu State, thanks to Fang Cheng's order and Xiang Yicheng's acceptance, he was able to settle down in Yeyi." ”

From the side, Le Xu heard this but smiled: "Mr. Qu is too modest, with Mr. Qu's talent and talent, in which country can't you worship the prime minister?" ”

Although it was a compliment, Qu Yuan felt a little uncomfortable after hearing it.

The reason is nothing more than that he not only can't worship the prime minister in his homeland, but he can't even be tolerated by Xiong Heng, the king of Chu, Ling Yin Zilan and others, so that Ye Yi, who can't return to his home and country, can only stay outside the Chu realm, watching the successive changes that happened in the Chu country from a distance, although he is worried about the country, he is powerless to change.

Among the crowd, it was obvious that Xiang Yu was the best at observing words and feelings, and seeing Qu Yuan's reluctant smile, he knew that Lexu's compliment had the opposite effect, and immediately changed the topic and said: "Tang Sima, why don't I wait until the city and catch up with the old while drinking, how about it?" ”

Tang Zhi didn't notice anything, touched his chin and smiled, "Is it good wine?" ”

Xiang Yi smiled and said, "Is it a good wine, I don't dare to boast about it, but it must be enough!" ”

Hearing this, Tang Zhi's eyes lit up, and he laughed and said, "What are you waiting for?" ”

After that, he ordered the deputy general to lead his troops to camp outside the city, and he himself took a few guards and followed Xiang Yu, Le Xu, Qu Yuan and others into the city.

About two hours later, Meng Zhong, who learned that the Great Sima Zhai Zhang was about to lead his army to Yeyi, came to Yeyi with a few guards and fast horses.

When he came to the county government of Yeyi and saw Tang Zhi again, who had been absent for more than a year, Tang Zhi was already half drunk.

I saw him pointing at Meng Zhong and scolding with a smile: "You kid, robbed me of 2,500 soldiers that day, and today I went to your fiefdom, but you didn't greet you in person, you are really ungrateful, and you should be punished!" …… Drink this bowl of wine quickly! ”

Meng Zhong smiled bitterly and said, "Da Sima is about to arrive in my Yeyi, if he sees me and others drunk, I'm afraid it's not okay?" ”

However, Tang Zhi waved his hand and said: "Alas, wine is the courage of military generals, how can Da Sima blame?" ”

"What kind of fallacy is this?"

Meng Zhong smiled bitterly, and in order to appease Tang Zhi, he had to drink the bowl of wine.

Subsequently, during the period when everyone was drinking and chatting, Tang Zhi told Meng Zhong and others about his situation after the Battle of Yique, that is, after returning to Yecheng.

According to Tang Zhi, Yecheng was also unstable for nearly a year, and the friction between the Wei and Zhao armies on the border gradually intensified, and although the two countries did not officially declare war, the atmosphere of war was quite strong.

Especially in the second half of last year, Zhao began to station heavy troops in the city of "Gangping".

"Gangping?" Meng Zhong was slightly stunned.

He had been in Zhao for two years, and of course he knew where Gangping was.

Gangping City, located in the south of the river, northeast of Puyang, the capital of the country, was originally a city of the country, and was later occupied by the Zhao State during the period of Zhao Jinghou, and built the city fortress here, and later in the period of Zhao Suhou, the Zhao State had because of the joint attack of the two countries of Qi and Wei against the Zhao State, and once lost the Gangping City, but in the end, the Zhao State still recaptured the Gangping City, making it the only piece of land of the Zhao State in the south of the River.

To put it simply, if the state of Zhao had the intention of expanding south of the river, then Gangping City was the outpost and bridgehead of the state of Zhao, and by sending troops from this side, the army of the state of Zhao could quickly cross the river and avoid being blocked.

There are three countries bordering Gangping, one is Qi, the other is Wei, and now there is only Puyang, the capital of the country, and the small country that is dependent on Wei, Weiguo.

Forget about Wei Guo, this kind of small country with only one national capital left is not worth Zhao Guoxing's mobilization at all, and Qi State can also be ruled out, after all, Zhao State is now in the honeymoon period with Qi State, and the relationship between the two countries is very close, so it can be inferred that Zhao State has just stationed troops, and it is very likely that it is aimed at Wei State.

『…… And Song Kingdom!'

Glancing at the wine in the bowl, Meng Zhong thought to himself.

He knew very well that the south of the Wei Kingdom was the Song State, and it was also the great town of the Song State, Taoyi.

“…… At that time, Wei Jun was so frightened that he immediately sent someone to ask for help from my Wei State, hahahaha......"

By the way, Tang Zhi was still laughing at the timidity of the monarch of the Patriotic Kingdom, but Meng Zhong couldn't laugh, because he knew that Qi and Zhao had already begun to prepare for the attack on the Song State, but the Wei State, which he had repaid the high hopes for, was now deeply involved in a war with Qin and Chu.

He really didn't dare to guarantee that when the two countries of Qi and Zhao attacked the Song State in the future, the Wei State would be able to send troops to rescue them in accordance with the alliance.

And, if Wei was unable to send troops to rescue at that time, how would he deal with himself?

Thinking like this, a soldier suddenly entered the house outside the house and reported: "...... In the east, there is a large army approaching Yeyi, all under the banner of our Wei army. ”

As soon as they heard this, the people who were drinking in the house immediately understood: Da Sima Zhai Zhang has arrived!

Seeing this, Meng Zhong immediately took Tang Zhi, Xiang Yi, Le Xu and others to greet Zhai Zhang outside the city.

It's just that after waiting outside the city for about a quarter of an hour, Meng Zhong and the others saw a huge army slowly approaching in the distance.

The first was a veteran in armor, with white hair and beard, but he stood upright on a chariot, his expression was serious, not angry but mighty.

"That's Lord Zhai Zhang."

Tang Zhi burped and whispered in Meng Zhong's ear, his words full of respect for Zhai Zhang.

You must know that according to contemporary customs, unless the title of "adult" is not used easily unless it is the elder of the family, or the senior whom you respect, so as not to be ridiculed and do not know the etiquette - of course, there are a few exceptions, such as when Zhuang Xin talked to Qu Yuan, he once used a mocking tone to call Zilan "that Lord Ling Yin".

But basically, it is still an uncommon name.

And now Tang Zhi calls Zhai Zhang as an adult, which shows that he has great respect for Zhai Zhang.

Meng Zhong nodded, and after the chariot that Zhai Zhang was riding slowly stopped at a distance of seven or eight zhang, he led Tang Zhi, Xiang Yi, Le Xu and others to step forward and bow his hand: "Fang Cheng ordered Meng Zhong to meet Da Sima!" ”

I saw that on the chariot, the veteran Zhai Zhang nodded imperceptibly, and immediately stepped out of the carriage.

At this time, although Meng Zhong was bent over, he turned his head slightly sideways and secretly looked at Zhai Zhang, he clearly saw that when Zhai Zhang got out of the carriage, there were two guards beside him who wanted to help, but Zhai Zhang stretched out his hand and pushed him away.

Seeing this scene, Meng Zhong already knew more or less what kind of character Zhai Zhang was.

After a short time, Zhai Zhang walked up to Meng Zhong and stretched out his hands to help him up, only to see him looking Meng Zhong up and down, and was about to speak, but suddenly frowned, probably smelling the smell of wine on Meng Zhong's body.

However, after Zhai Zhang seemed to notice that he turned his head sideways and skimmed Tang Zhi, who was drinking and his face was flushed, he understood, shook his head slightly with a little helplessness, and then said to Meng Zhong Zhengse: "There is a Lao Cheng order who specially came to greet the old man, but the old man thinks that Fang Cheng Ling should be in Yangguan at this moment, not here to greet the old man......

Hearing this, before Meng Zhong could explain, he heard Tang Zhi interject on the side: "Da Sima, Meng Zhong is very righteous, don't do this, people come to greet you, you are not satisfied, people do not come to greet you, you are angry...... According to me, let's save these politeness, hurry into the city to eat and drink, the city has already prepared drinks, for the big Sima you to pick up the wind. ”

Hearing this, Meng Zhong secretly praised Tang Zhi in his heart: This wine is not in vain!

But Zhai Zhang's old face was a little unbearable, and he glared at Tang Zhi fiercely.

In fact, as Tang Zhi said, in terms of his quality as a general, Zhai Zhang certainly hopes that Meng Zhong will always be at the forefront, not to mention that he came to Yeyi, even if the King of Wei came to Yeyi, Meng Zhong had to stay in Yangguan, after all, the general's duty is to stick to his post, not to flatter and flatter.

But then again, if Meng Zhong really did this, out of human nature, Zhai Zhang would inevitably be a little unhappy, thinking that Meng Zhong lacked respect for himself.

Not surprisingly, this is human nature.

But these things can be tacitly told to each other, and they can say it directly like Tang Zhi, which will inevitably not give Zhai Zhang face.

But then again, it was Tang Zhi who said this, although Zhai Zhang glared at Tang Zhi viciously, but after all, he didn't mean to scold, if he was someone else, it might be very different.

And Meng Zhong was also interested, and immediately rounded up at this moment and said: "What Da Sima taught is that he will return to Yangguan immediately after the next meeting!" ”

Hearing this, Zhai Zhang nodded with satisfaction: "The old man will walk with you ...... time."

How long will it be?

When is the intermediary?

As long as you have a little brain, you won't pursue this issue.

All in all, Meng Zhong gave Zhai Zhang enough face, and Zhai Zhang had no reason to be dissatisfied with him.

Of course, after entering the city and coming to the county government, Tang Zhi was inevitably reprimanded by Zhai Zhang like a son, and then fined for three months without drinking.

It's a pity to look at Tang Zhi's pouting appearance, obviously this punishment is nothing to him.

Also, although Tang Zhi is good at drinking, he is also a conscientious general, and he will not drink easily when leading troops to fight, Zhai Zhang's punishment is actually the same as no punishment.

Later, Meng Zhong learned that Tang Zhi's father was a general under Zhai Zhang, and after his father died on the battlefield, it was Zhai Zhang who brought up the young Tang Zhi, taught him martial arts and the art of war, and promoted Tang Zhi to serve as a military commander.

After teaching Tang Zhi a lesson, Zhai Zhang turned his head to Meng Zhong and said, "Fang Cheng Ling, this time the old man came in a hurry, and he didn't inform you in advance, so please don't be surprised." As he spoke, he stroked his gray beard and told the reason: "Just because a few days ago, the old man suddenly received a letter from the kite...... He asked his old man to attack the Qin army together......"

Meng Zhong held back the smile in his heart and pretended to be calm and said, "Oh? And what's going on? ”

"Hmm." Zhai Zhang nodded and said, "According to your previous battle reports, the storm kite has withdrawn its troops to Rushui, why would he suddenly ask the old man to attack the Qin army?" On the way here, the old man kept thinking about this matter, and always felt that this matter was a little strange. I don't know if Fang Chengling has received a letter from the tyrant on this side? ”

Seeing that Zhai Zhang was already suspicious, but at least he didn't know the truth, so Meng Zhong was not worried, thought for a while and said: "Although I haven't received a letter from the storm kite, the Qin and Chu coalition forces that have been right seem to be a little ...... Abnormal movements. ”

"Anomalies?" Zhai Zhang's expression turned grim when he heard this, and he said solemnly: "Let's hear it." ”

Meng Zhong hugged his fists and said in a deep voice: "In February this year, that is, last month, the Qin generals Sima Cuo and Bai Qijun led the Qin army under their command, stationed in the area of Fangcheng, set up a camp, built siege equipment, and tried to attack our Yangguan, but a few days ago, Sima Cuo suddenly withdrew his troops for some reason, and he didn't know where to go, and only Bai Qi's army was still in the area of Fangcheng......"

In fact, Meng Zhong knew very well where Sima was going, it was nothing more than dividing his troops to defend the north and resist the violent kite-Originally, Zhao Ju was responsible for attacking South Korea, but because of Zhuang Ji's relationship, Zhao Ju had been transferred back to Chu Ying by the King of Chu, and as soon as Zhao Ju withdrew, the flanks and rear of the Qin army were completely exposed in front of South Korea.

Otherwise, once Wancheng is occupied by the Storm Kite and the return route is cut off, Sima Cuo and Bai Qi, who are still stationed in the area of Fangcheng at this time, will be dumplings by the army under the command of the Storm Kite and Meng Zhong, and even the whole army will be annihilated.

But these things, Meng Zhong is not easy to reveal to Zhai Zhang at the moment, after all, he deceived Zhai Zhang to Yangguan after all.

"Sima Coo withdrew his troops for no reason...... And what about the Chu army? Zhai Zhang asked.

Meng Zhong shook his head, and then pretended to hesitate and said, "About Chu Jun...... I heard about one thing, but I don't know if it has anything to do with the Chu army. ”

"Tell me."

"According to the Chu people who defected to my Yeyi last month, Zhuang Ji, the rebel general of the Chu State, gathered a large number of rebels in Yiling, intending to attack Chu Ying's ......."

"......" Zhai Zhang stroked his beard and said in a deep voice, "You mean...... Civil strife broke out in the state of Chu, and the Chu army was forced to return to the aid of Chu Ying......"

"It's just speculation." Meng Zhong lowered his head slightly, so as not to be seen by Zhai Zhang without holding back a smile.

"Guess? Well, it's a guess, but it's likely...... Hmm, well, yes, yes, it must be. Sima Cuo and Zhao Ju are not on the side of Yangguan, so they must have gone to the Korean side, but the violent kite asked the old man to attack the Qin army together, which shows that the battle situation on his side is favorable, otherwise the violent kite would never have the courage. …… Thinking about it this way, it must be that the Chu army was forced to withdraw because of civil strife, and the violent kite saw that the opportunity could not be lost and tried to counterattack Wancheng...... Wait a minute, but how did the storm kite know that civil strife broke out in the Chu State? Even if he saw Zhao Ju withdraw his troops with his own eyes, it stands to reason that he would only suspect that this was Zhao Ju's plan to lure the enemy......"

I have to say that Zhai Zhang is worthy of being a famous general of Wei who is not inferior to Gongsun Xi, and he is the first to analyze it.

As he guessed, Storm Kite didn't know why Zhao Ju withdrew his troops, and the reason why he dared to enter the army was because Meng Zhong ordered Storm Kite to march in the name of Zhai Zhang.

In fact, at this time, the violent kite was also wondering: why did Zhai Zhang know in advance that the Chu army would withdraw its troops?

I have to say that whether it is Zhai Zhang or Storm Kite, these two are all kept in the dark, and only Meng Zhong knows what is going on, because it is he who dominates the current situation.

But then again, when Zhai Zhang asked at this time, Meng Zhong was really hard to explain.

After thinking about it, he said lightly: "I don't know how the storm kite will determine this matter, but if the Chu army really withdraws, it will be very beneficial to us...... Combined with the army under the command of the tyrant kite, our Wei and Han coalition troops can reach at least 150,000, and according to my estimates, the army under the command of Sima Cuo and Bai Qi is currently about 100,000, and with 150,000 to attack 100,000, our advantage is huge! ”

Hearing this, Zhai Zhang looked at Meng Zhong with some surprise, and immediately smiled and said: "Hehehe, although he attacked the 100,000 Qin army with 150,000 people, the old man did not dare to speak of victory or defeat, but Fang Chengling seemed to be confident. …… Well, he is worthy of being a great general who turned the victory and defeat in one fell swoop during the Battle of Yique! Speaking of this, he crossed his arms and said with a smile: "Since this is the case, the old man simply listened to Fang Chengling's opinion first. Fang Chengling has been fighting with these two Qin troops for a long time, and he must have a good strategy to break the enemy in his heart, and the old man listens to it. ”

"Don't dare."

Meng Zhong humbly hugged his fists and said with a smile: "I don't dare to say that there are some immature suggestions here, and I have to ask Da Sima for advice." ”

"Fang Chengling is too modest." Zhai Zhang made a gesture of please.

Seeing this, Meng Zhong's face was straight, and he said in a deep voice: "However, as expected, now Zhaoju has returned to Chuying, Bai Qi garrison is in Fangcheng, and Sima Cuo is stationed in Xibei, both of them have their backs to Wancheng......"

From the side, Meng Zhong's guards immediately took out a map from his arms and spread it out on the table in front of Zhai Zhang, so that Zhai Zhang could keep up with Meng Zhong's train of thought faster.

“…… According to the experience of fighting with the Qin army before next year, although the Qin army fought bravely, it was always plagued by the problem of grain and grass, especially after the soldiers of our city luckily burned the baggage and grain and grass of the Qin army last year, the Qin army has been in the embarrassment of lack of food...... In my opinion, if you want to break the Qin army head-on, but it is very difficult, you might as well target its grain route...... As long as the Qin army's grain and grass transportation is cut off and the Qin army's rear granary is burned, although the Qin army has 100,000 people, there is nothing to fear! ”

"Wancheng?" Zhai Zhang interjected.

"Hmm!" Meng Zhong nodded and affirmed: "Wancheng is located in the center of Wanfang, although South Korea's military general Han Xiao set fire to the city when he evacuated last year and burned down the houses in the city, but if I am Sima Cuo and Bai Qi, I will definitely build a granary in Wancheng to reserve the grain and grass that arrived from Qin and Chu, so as long as our army takes Wancheng, we can cut off the Qin army's military rations. ”

“…… But Bai Qi's army is blocked in Fangcheng at the moment, if you sneak attack Wancheng, he must know. ”

"Da Sima rest assured, a few years ago, he has already explored a valley, which can go directly to the area of Wancheng from the mountainous area in the north of Fangcheng, without passing through the area of the Baiqi garrison, as long as we send a surprise soldier to attack Wancheng, I believe that the Qin army in Wancheng will never expect that our army can bypass the Baiqi army and sneak attack Wancheng......"

After pondering for a moment, Zhai Zhang Zhengse said, "Fang Cheng Ling can ensure that this narrow road is not known to the Qin army?" ”

"Don't worry, Da Sima has repeatedly sent scouts to investigate, and so far, there are still scouts from our city secretly monitoring that valley, and I can guarantee that the Qin army knows nothing about this."

Zhai Zhang nodded, and asked again: "Sneak attack on Wancheng with strange soldiers, sneak attack on the granary of the Qin army, what about my Yangguan side?" ”

"Just drag the white up. …… As long as Wancheng is captured and the granaries in the city are burned, the Qin army will be defeated! ”

Hearing this, Zhai Zhang groaned for a while, then looked at Meng Zhong quietly, and suddenly smiled: "It is indeed quite a clever strategy, worthy of Fang Cheng's order...... In order to defeat the Qin army, Fang Chengling believes it also took a lot of energy, right? ”

"Da Sima Yan is serious, this is just his duty." Meng Zhong said humbly.

"Duty? Well, that's a good point, but ......"

Speaking of this, Zhai Zhang suddenly looked at Meng Zhong and said with great interest: "In the name of the tyrannical kite, trick the old man into leading the army here and cooperate with you to attack the Qin army, is this also what Fang Chengling said?" ”

"Huh?" Including Meng Zhong, everyone present was stunned.

I saw Zhai Zhang point the map with his finger, and said with a smile: "I think it's strange, according to the old man's understanding of the violent kite, that guy definitely doesn't have the courage to attack the Qin army under unknown circumstances, and what do you say to take the opportunity to defeat these two Qin troops in one fell swoop...... It wasn't until he listened to Fang Cai's plan that the old man suddenly woke up to the fact that the letter from the violent kite asking me to attack the Qin army together was probably written by Fang Chengling, and only Fang Chengling's heart was so big that he wanted to swallow the 100,000 Qin army in one bite...... Right? ”

“……”

Opening his mouth slightly, Meng Zhong didn't know how to round the field.

As Zhai Zhang said, he did intend to defeat Sima Cuo and Bai Qi's 100,000 Qin troops in one fell swoop, but he didn't expect this incident to expose the secret of his writing to Zhai Zhang in the name of the tyrannical kite.

"This old man...... Didn't you say more than sixty?'

Meng Zhong was secretly surprised.

Set a small goal first, such as remembering in 1 second: book guest residence