The early spring of February came very early, accompanied by several warm spring rains, at this time the pink peach blossoms suddenly bloomed, pears, plum snow-white flowers will decorate the riverside wetlands and hills, Longyou is still cold in spring, but the fertile land makes the vitality extraordinarily vigorous, the winter wheat is vigorous, the bean seedlings on the side of the ridge road, some small yellow flowers have bloomed in the gray leaves.

On this day, on the official road south of Jincheng County, a man and a horse staggered along, they were stained black with mud, and the horse was led by a very young man, about sixteen or seven years old, dressed as a Qiang person, tired and tired to torture people and horses to the bone, cheekbones bulging, eye sockets deep, but his eyes were bright and resolute, he was the scout soldier Liu Shuai who escaped back from Hehuang, all the way, he did not dare to walk the densely populated city, the places he walked were lofty mountains, nearly a month of arduous trekking, made him go through ups and downs and finally returned to Longyou.

Liu Shuai had already seen the towering city wall from a distance, he couldn't help but burst into tears, holding the tired horse's head and muttering to himself, "Old man, let's get home!" ”

Liu Shuai walked to the city gate and told the officers guarding the city a little bit, and the officers understood that the matter was very important, and immediately brought him to the Jiedu envoy.

The Jiedu envoy was heavily guarded inside and outside the palace at this moment, and the meeting hall was steaming, and dozens of high-ranking generals such as soldiers and horses who came from all over Helong gathered together to discuss the matter of sending troops to Hehuang.

More than a month ago, the party king Ye Liping brutally killed, suddenly killed by several subordinates, triggered the party nobles to fight for the throne of the rebellion, Ye Liping's more than a dozen sons were killed, Zhang Huan specially rushed to Yinchuan County to mediate, and proposed by the former party Xiang Wang's son Tuoba Wanli to succeed the new party Xiang king, at the same time, he ordered Hue, Yan'an and other counties of 30,000 garrisons to be ready for suppression, and also to Tuoba 100,000 stone grain as his capital for the party king, under the double pressure of the threat of the Longyou army and the heavy temptation, In addition, Tuoba Wanli himself is gentle and humble. The party members, who suffered greatly from brutality, finally decided to accept Tuoba Wanli as the new party king.

At the same time, under the pretext of quelling the civil strife among the party members, he mobilized more than 60,000 troops and assembled them east of Huijun.

"According to the report of the spies we sent to Hehuang, there are only 10,000 Tubo troops in the Hehuang area, and there are only more than 30,000 people left after the Tuyuhun, Qiang and other miscellaneous armies after the battle of Xibao, and they are mainly concentrated in the three counties of Xiping, Ningsai and Anxiang. However, there are only a small number of beacon tower garrisons in the area of Wuzhishui such as Xiangguangwu, and according to the calculation of 200 troops in one beacon tower, it is only 5,000 people. ”

Eloquently, Sima Luo Guangzheng, a marching soldier of the Western Liang Army, stood in front of a map of Hehuang that occupied the entire wall with a long pole in his hand, explaining to the generals the current comparison of forces, and he was the main battle faction that strongly advocated the First World War.

"And our Xiliang army has reached 120,000 people, except for more than 70,000 recruits. There are still more than 50,000 veterans who are good at fighting, well-equipped, and gunpowder available, both in terms of strength and combat effectiveness are far higher than the other side. It's much more difficult. ”

Luo Guangzheng compares a large number of data. So that the generals present are enthusiastic, to recover the river Huang, this is the Tang Dynasty people for more than ten years of longing, after the battle of Huixi Fort, after the battle of sweeping Longyou, they are extremely confident, not waiting for Luo Guangzheng to finish speaking, shouting into a fight.

Zhang Huan sat by the window, sitting on his favorite wisteria circle chair and watching the mood of the generals change. Speaking from the heart, he is also a strong main battle faction, Pei Jun has made it clear that he has the intention of letting him enter the dynasty as an official, and before entering the dynasty as an official, he must gain a political advantage. It's not about taking the whole of Hexi. It is to take Hehuang, and now the party is in civil strife. Sending troops to Hehuang was a surprise move, although Zhang Huan strongly wanted to send troops to Hehuang, but the stakes were very high, and he still wanted to listen to the opinions of his subordinates.

At a glance, he saw that the strategist Hu Yong's eyes were worried, and he knew that he had a different opinion, so he smiled slightly and asked him, "What good advice does Mr. Hu have?" ”

"I resolutely oppose sending troops to Hehuang at this time!" Hu Yong stood up and coldly interrupted the calls of the generals, and the hall fell silent for a moment.

"Why?" Zhang Huan was also stunned, he didn't expect Hu Yong's attitude to be so resolute, and when he saw that he interrupted the passion of the generals, he was slightly unhappy in his heart.

Hu Yong stood up and saluted Zhang Huanchang, "Governor, I am not opposed to sending troops to Hehuang, although this is a righteous act for the Tang Dynasty to regain lost territory, but the exchange between countries, the governor still has to report to the imperial court first, obtain the consent of the imperial court and then raise troops, besides, the Tang and Tibetan countries have just met the alliance, and the Tubo ambassador is still in Chang'an. Even if we capture Hehuang, we will not be able to achieve the influence we deserve, and besides, we don't know much about Tibet, so I advocate that the governor should think twice before acting. ”

"Hu Weng's words are also fallacious!" Du Mei stood up, he didn't look at Hu Yong, but said coldly: "Hu Weng only wants to be credible in Tubo, but have you ever thought about when Tubo will be credited in the Tang Dynasty?" This is not the first time that the alliance will be united, which time the alliance will be held, the Tubo people have just erected a monument, and sent troops to destroy it, why should they talk about benevolence and righteousness for this kind of treacherous barbarian country? In the past, when the Wei family was strong, they had been taking a posture of appeasement and entrusting Tibet, but now we are strong and strong, and if we don't take the opportunity to take Hehuang, do we still have to wait to be discussed by the people as the second of the Wei family? Taking a step back, if Hu Weng had sent someone to the court to report to him, the fighter had already been lost. ”

Du Mei stepped forward and said to Zhang Huan: "When the interruption continues, the future troubles are endless, the governor has already gathered a large army to Huijun, so can Ma Chongying not know?" If I don't seize the time to attack now, and wait for the court to agree before fighting, then I will oppose it. ”

This statement is very reasonable, the generals nodded again and again, the soldiers are fast, and they are not the army of the imperial court, what is the attitude of the birdmen in the imperial court? At this time, Pei Mingyuan, the judge of the Xiliang Army, stood up and said, "Governor, I also have a different opinion. ”

"Mingyuan, please speak!"

Pei Mingyuan slowly walked to the map, took the wooden pole in Luo Guangzheng's hand, and pointed to the Jiuqu area south of Chiling: "It is true that there are only 30,000 or 40,000 enemy troops in the Hehuang area, but what about the Jiuqu area? Our spies did not get there, it has always been a military stronghold for the Tubo people, Hongji and Damomen had more than 50,000 heavy troops stationed in the Tianbao years, even if there are not so many troops now, there are always 1 or 20,000, and there is also Zhangye's Tubo

Pei Mingyuan pointed the wooden pole to the north of Wuwei County, "In the past, Tubo and Hui fought each other. Heavy troops have been transferred to Anxi, and now that the situation in Anxi is calm, how can you not consider that it will return to defense? ”

Although Pei Mingyuan did not oppose the dispatch of troops in a righteous manner like Hu Yong, he grasped two key points, which made the detailed plan for sending troops a loophole, and the room suddenly became silent.

At this moment, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door, and a personal soldier reported outside the door, "Governor, the scout who went to Stone Castle City has returned." There is a major intelligence report. ”

Zhang Huan's spirits perked up, Shibao City was the choke point between Hehuang and Jiuqu, they came back at the right time at this moment, and he immediately ordered: "Bring them in!" ”

In a moment, several personal soldiers led Liu Shuai into the meeting hall, he had already changed his clothes, but the new military uniform still could not hide his skinny face. All the generals in the council hall looked at this little soldier silently, Liu Shuai walked a few steps quickly, gave a military salute to Zhang Huan, and couldn't help but cry: "Scout three battalions and twelve teams under the small soldier Liu Shuai see the governor!" ”

Zhang Huan was a little surprised, he glanced at his own soldiers, and asked Liu Shuai again: "Why are you the only one, and your team is positive?" ”

"We encountered the Tibetan army. Their fate is unknown. Liu Shuai recounted the encounter with the Tibetan cavalry in the valley that night. Finally, he took out the booklet that Li Guozhen handed him and presented it with both hands, "This is the military situation that our team is handing over to me, and there is a record of the road I went back to, there is a mountain road that can go directly to Shibao City, and there is no garrison, please take a look." ”

A pro-soldier took it and handed it to Zhang Huan, who took it and looked at it carefully. Although it is written in charcoal, it is very concise and to the point, making it clear at a glance, including the terrain and troop deployment around Shibao City, and even the time of the changing of the guard in Shibao City. In addition, this scout creep drew a detailed secret passage. This undoubtedly provided the most detailed first-hand information for the capture of Stone Castle City.

Zhang Huan immediately handed the booklet to Luo Guangzheng and asked him to sort it out. He looked at the scrawny young scout again, and could imagine his hardships along the way, so he nodded and said: "It is with your information that I can make a correct judgment, this time I will record a great achievement for all of your team, and promote you to the scout team, you go down to rest first, and I will use you again." ”

"Xie Dudu!" Liu Shuai made another military salute and went down with his own soldiers, Zhang Huan kept watching his back disappear, and then slowly turned around and calmly said to everyone: "Everyone is in favor of sending troops to Hehuang, and there are also opponents, but the 60,000 army has been mobilized, and the arrow is ready to go, so I decided to send troops to Hehuang!" ”

He glanced at everyone and ordered, "Where is Wang Siyu?" ”

"The last general!" The burly Wang Siyu stepped forward and responded.

"You lead the three thousand cavalry of your headquarters, with the scout just now as a guide, march in the starry night, no matter what method you use, take Stone Fort City within twenty days."

Wang Siyu knew that his task was extremely heavy, he was not afraid at all, and hugged his fists and said: "The last general will obey the order!" ”

After a moment of silence, Zhang Huandi's eyes fell on He Lou Wuji and Li Hengqiu again, "You two will defend Wuwei for me, without my order, none of the 20,000 Hexi troops will be allowed to leave Hexi for half a step!" ”

He Lou Wuji and Li Hengqiu stood up together and saluted, "The last general will obey the order!" ”

"Where is Luo Guangzheng?"

"The subordinates are here."

"I will give you ten days to mobilize 200,000 stone of military rations in the three counties of Jincheng, Kaiyang, and Longxi, collect 500 civilian ships, and 10,000 vehicles of various burdens.

The military orders are like mountains, and the generals receive the orders one by one, and finally Zhang Huan glanced at Du Mei, who has the intelligence network in hand, and said lightly: "The matter of Counselor Du is to convince the soldiers and civilians of Longyou that the army is about to go north to attack the party, and also to make people who have a heart believe that the party is just an excuse, and my real purpose is to attack Lingwu County."

As soon as the war mobilization order was issued, the entire war machine in Longyou turned around, and the horse-drawn carriages full of grain on the official road creaked and rattled towards the Yellow River crossing in Jincheng County.

In Wuquan County, where Jincheng County was located, soldiers patrolled the streets, and leaflets were posted everywhere in the streets and alleys, warning the people to pay attention to matters in wartime, in restaurants and teahouses. Many elderly people are talking about the cruelty and treachery of the party members in the past, but there are also many people who sneer and sneer, on the side of the couch, how can they allow others to sleep soundly, do they really think that the army is going to fight the party? Immature!

In the Akihito Pharmacy, many people were waiting for the dispensing of medicines while talking about the battle of the Northern Expedition, while the shopkeeper Li of the Pharmacy was grinding medicinal herbs, but he listened carefully to everyone's conversations.

"When the Tang Dynasty was in decline. Even a small party member dares to bully us Han people, my ancestral house was burned by the party people, and now the king is on the Northern Expedition, how long will it be rampant to see it jumping off the beam? ”

Sputtering is a horse-faced man in his thirties, he has had typhoid fever and plague since he was a child, but he can never die. After a burst of angry scolding, he sighed a few times as usual, "It's a pity that my ancestral house covers an area of ten hectares, so it was burned down like this, otherwise alas! Don't mention it, don't mention it! ”

"Yao Dalang. Didn't you say last time that your ancestral house was burned down by the Tibetans? How did you become a party member again? ”

"This was my daddy's mistake last time. I only found out yesterday that it was actually burned by the party. ”

"Yao Dalang, didn't you say that your father died ten years ago? Why is there another dad? ”

"Bastard! When did I say that? ”

There was a burst of laughter in the lobby, and the shopkeeper Li also laughed and said nothing, at this time, he suddenly saw an officer striding into the medicine shop with a few soldiers, so he quickly stood up and greeted him, "A few military masters, do you have a noble job?" ”

The officer's face sank and he said, "By order from above." Come to you to mobilize a batch of medicines, here's the list, and give me the medicine according to the order. ”

As he spoke, the officer gave him the list, and Shopkeeper Li hurriedly took the list. I looked at it. All of them are hemostatic and analgesic medicines, and the dosage is very large. Shopkeeper Li's heart moved, and he immediately laughed and said: "Can this military master sit in the inner hall for a while, I will send someone to take stock and report it to you immediately." ”

"Alright! It doesn't hurt to sit for a while, don't miss my military affairs. The officer understood the meaning of entering the inner hall to sit down, and ordered the soldier to wait outside, and he himself entered the inner hall.

Shopkeeper Li instructed his men to follow a single plate of medicine, and at the same time served a bowl of thick black medicinal wine, and said with a smile: "This is brewed with hundreds of precious medicinal materials according to my family's ancestral recipe, which is very helpful for sexual affairs, and the military master may wish to try it." ”

"Huh! Do I still need to make up for women? The officer smiled ambiguously, but picked up the bowl and drank it all, smashed his mouth and said, "The wine is good, is there anything else, take me a little away." ”

"Yes! Yes! Yes! Later, I'll pour a gourd for the military master and take it away. Shopkeeper Li smiled, and quietly stuffed a ticket to the officer, and the officer understood and immediately put it away.

"Master Jun, I don't know if I should ask or not." After giving the money, Shopkeeper Li's waist straightened when he spoke, and he said with a smile: "If you ask inappropriately, don't blame me." ”

The officer waved his hand and said, "That's the word, you just ask." ”

Shopkeeper Li glanced around, and said in a low voice: "I have been gambling with people recently, and I am going to bet on a hundred yuan, betting on whether this Northern Expedition will be a party or a Tibetan battle, and if I win, I will get two hundred yuan, can the general reveal a little bit of information to me?" ”

"And what are you holding land?" The officer asked quietly.

"I'm still hesitating, I haven't placed a bet yet."

The officer pushed the ticket to him, narrowed his eyes, and said with a gloomy smile: "Place a bet for me, bet on Lingwu County!"

Half an hour later, a flying pigeon once again flapped its wings and flew to the distant river.

On a hill by the Yellow River, Zhang Huan stood on horseback, looking at the mountains and mountains on the other side of the Yellow River, followed by more than a dozen generals and hundreds of personal guards, one of which was a very tall man standing beside him like a shadow, this person was Zhang Huanxin's personal guard, called Fang Wuru, Zhang Huan was obtained by Zhang Huan more than a month ago among the slaves in Yu County, and his martial arts were extremely strong.

At this time, the water of the Yellow River has thawed, the ice floe has disappeared, the surging river has gone north, and under the hill is the wharf, nearly 100 large ships are moored on the shore, and many people are transporting grain to the boats.

"Go sick, do you really plan to go west to Hehuang in person?" Pei Mingyuan next to him asked worriedly, he always thought that Zhang Huan's expedition to the west was too hasty, and the time was not yet ripe, so Zhang Huan had already made up his mind, and he had no way to object.

"You should know, I was also forced to do so, when I got Wuwei, I had promised to recover the lost territory of the Tang Dynasty, but when it really came to this day, I knew how difficult it was to deal with a country with a domain, and the political pressure to occupy Longyoudi, a few days ago, South Korea received more and more letters, more than eighty percent of the people of the Tang Dynasty were opposed, although the court did not say anything, but it can be seen from the tough attitude of the locality."

Speaking of this, Zhang Huan shook his head slightly, looked back at Pei Mingyuan and said with a smile: "A few days ago, my father-in-law sent a letter, mentioning that Tubo was on an expedition to Tianzhu, and was preparing to attack Beiting, and it was difficult to disperse the troops, so it was decided to ally with the Tang Dynasty, and Ma Chongying and Daxiangshang were at odds, this is also an opportunity, take 10,000 steps back and say, even if I can't take Hehuang this time, but my posture of recovering the lost territory for the country has also been put on, at least much stronger than the Wei family that has occupied Longyou for fifteen years, what does Mingyuan think?" ”

"You! Always think of yourself as smart and think of others as stupid. Pei Mingyuan smiled bitterly angrily, "Beware of being smart but being mistaken by being smart." ”

Zhang Huan smiled, stared at Hehuang for a long time, and then turned back to him and said: "I'm going to Hehuang, I will appoint He Lou Wuji as the deputy envoy of Jiedu, he is still young, you can coordinate more for me locally, and those officials of the Wei family, you can send them back!" ”

Pei Mingyuan nodded silently, and at this moment, a fast horse galloped over, and the messenger presented a red pigeon message, "Governor, Chang'an urgent information." ”

Zhang Huan took it, quickly opened it and looked at it, then handed the pigeon letter to Pei Mingyuan and said: "The envoy of Tubo has left Beijing and returned, and the time is coming for us to march into the land." ”