readx;?readx; Chapter 507: The Clouds of War

But Qin Lei didn't have time to look for Yunsheng, because the clouds of war had already shrouded the sky of Great Qin. Pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info

In fact, since March, there has been a tendency to escalate friction on the border, and skirmishes involving thousands of people are not uncommon.

In April, the situation deteriorated further, and the Eastern Qi army crossed the border several times and launched limited attacks in the prefectures near Hugao Pass, with obvious intentions to harass and spy on them.

In May, the state of Qi dispatched an army of 200,000 to help the farmers in the border prefectures and counties to harvest in the summer, and the harvest was completed in only a few days; At the same time, they began to organize the inward relocation of residents, fill in wells, take away grain, and clear the wilderness very decisively.

In mid-May, 100,000 troops of Qi appeared outside the Tiger Prison Pass, beheading more than 10,000 soldiers and civilians harvested by the Qin State outside the pass, and plundering 100,000 stones, grains and grass......

There are all kinds of indications that Qi's preparations for war are basically in place, and a big war may break out at any time.

Correspondingly, the two divisions of the Eastern Army of the Qin State have been fully mobilized, and Marshal Xu Xu of the Eastern Expedition has recruited 100,000 troops to defend the front line of Huguan.

Zhendong Marshal Li Xun led the remaining 200,000 troops to defend the front line of Jiguan, Mianchi, Yongning, and Yiyang to guard against the enemy's covetousness at Hugao Pass.

The Jingshan City Commander's Mansion is still in the conference room, and the wall has been replaced with a Qinqi border map, and in addition to a military general, there is also a civil official department headed by Guantao. There are more than 100 people in total, and the huge conference room is crammed to the brim.

Everyone was listening carefully to Yang Wenyu's introduction to the battlefield situation......

"At present, the Chen troops of the two sides are on a thousand-mile front from Shouyang in the north to Yiyang in the south, and it can be divided into the northern battlefield centered on Huguan Pass and the southern battlefield centered on Hugao Pass. Among them, Huguan and the Great Wall in the north are in our hands, and the 100,000 troops under the Marshal of Zhengdong can defend the long eastern front, so the focus of the battle is concentrated here," the bamboo whip in his hand drew a line between Hangu Pass and Hujiao Pass, and said in a deep voice: "Just like in the past, our army and the Qi army will each rely on Xiongguan to start a game to see who can break whose defense this time." ”

"But although the Marshal of Zhendong has 200,000 troops, it is very difficult, because Wenxi, Hedong, Yongning, Mianchi, Caoyang, Yiyang and other nine prefectures between the two passes are all the territory of our Great Qin, Li Shuai has to send heavy troops to guard the ......" said with a somewhat ugly face: "On the other hand, the other side has withdrawn all the people outside the pass, and the army lives in the pass, which can be attacked and defended, and the attack and defense are flexible, and the advance and retreat are free, resulting in our army having to be stationed on the whole line, and it is very passive in strategy. ”

"Why don't we give up these nine mansions?" As soon as Yang Wenyu finished speaking, Shi Meng asked out loud: "That's not a territory, that's a burden!" ”

Huangfu Zhanwen sneered: "Abandoning the land without a battle is a great crime, without an edict from the imperial court, he doesn't dare to give Li Xun a dar." ”

Qin Lei, who was on the top, nodded and said: "Don't forget, this place was recovered by His Majesty when he personally conquered it back then, if he gave up before the war started, wouldn't it be a denial of his old man's merits?" As he spoke, he put away his legs that were resting on the table, and said in a deep voice: "When Zhao Wuyi threw this burden back to us, he laid the groundwork for today's battle. ”

"But," Qin Lei turned his words around, straightened his waist and said: "Our Jingshan Army is only one of the participating troops, and it cannot participate in the decision-making of the upper echelons, so whatever task is assigned, we will complete it, even if it is a pot of raw rice, we must eat him!" ”

Seeing that the prince was sitting upright, the civil and military officials also sat up and listened to the edict with bated breath.

"Lone ordered, Jingshan City entered a state of first-level combat readiness, and the civil and military officials went all out to prepare for the opening of the 30,000 standing army." Qin Lei said in a deep voice: "It is foreseeable that this war will last at least until the late autumn season, and maybe even New Year's Eve...... Therefore, after the detachment was dispatched, the remaining officers stepped up the training of 20,000 reserve troops for the purpose of replenishing the front! ”

"Maybe when the lonely Zhongdu returns, it will be the day when the army will be mobilized, and all the princes will work together to step up preparations for war!"

"Yes!" The civil and military officials shouted in unison.

Qin Lei came out of the conference room, Shi Meng followed awkwardly, and said with a smile: "Lord, can I go home tomorrow?" ”

"Why don't you let your wife come over?" Qin Lei scolded with a smile: "Other generals have moved their families over, and there are not many people like you who live separately in the two places, right?" ”

Shi Meng sneered and said: "She was miserable by Princess Heyang in the first half of the year, and now she is holding back her strength, and if she wants to win it back, I have to run at both ends." ”

"What a good man." Qin Lei smiled: "Let's get out now, we can stay one more night." Shi Meng happily got out.

Smiling and shaking his head, Qin Lei looked at Shi Yong and said, "What's the matter with you?" ”

Shi Yong scratched his head and said: "Lord Wang, the surge in family leave in the past two days, the officers and soldiers want to go home before the war, but you have announced the first level of combat readiness, will it affect morale?" ”

Qin Lei shook his head slightly and said, "It doesn't matter, I will let the troops pass through the middle capital, and it will be better to see them off when the time comes." Seeing Shi Yong's puzzled face, Qin Lei explained softly: "After all, there are many recruits in our army, and the reason why morale is high is because the strings have been tightened, and no one knows what will happen to Songyisong......"

Needless to say, one-third of his army were clan soldiers in Jingshan City, and the rest were peasant soldiers recruited from the north. Clan soldiers are close to home and have the conditions to go home; The peasant soldiers were far away from home and could not return home. If you let the clan soldiers go home alone, the peasant soldiers will be dissatisfied, and there may even be deserters, so simply don't let any of them go, and no one should envy anyone.

War is imminent, everything is fast-paced. Coming out of the Commander's Mansion, Qin Lei didn't even have time to go home, so he boarded the carriage into Beijing, and under the escort of the black-armored cavalry, he drove towards the central capital.

In a hurry, they finally arrived at the city before dusk, and as soon as the team entered, the gates were locked, apparently on guard.

Pulling the curtain, Qin Lei saw that the street was still crowded, as if everything had not changed, but if he looked closely, he could find that there were many more soldiers patrolling the street, and the faces of the people were also slightly anxious and nervous...... When there is a war, prices will inevitably skyrocket, so the people who have spare money in hand will try to buy daily necessities as much as possible, so as not to suffer losses when the time comes.

"It's a lot more tense." Closing the curtains, Qin Lei turned back to Hou Xin and said.

Hou Dusi inherited the glorious tradition of his predecessor Shen Bing, and got into Qin Lei's royal car halfway to report to him the latest developments in Beijing. Hearing what the prince said, he chuckled and said: "But the forces of all parties have eased up a lot, the Li family, several princes' families, including us, and His Majesty, have tacitly stopped hostilities, and if anyone rises up to make trouble at this time, it will cause public indignation." ”

Qin Lei nodded, he knew that this was a common tradition of the three kingdoms, no matter how fierce the domestic troubles were, once they encountered a foreign enemy, they would immediately unite and unite with the outside world, which was quite a bit of 'brothers are on the wall, and the outside is insulted'.

"Strange times," Qin Lei sighed, "I don't know when it will be a head." ”

Unable to respond to the prince's emotion, Hou Xin laughed dryly and said, "What instructions does the prince have during this time?" ”

"Consolidate the power of Nancheng, and as for other places, stop first." Qin Lei said lightly.

While speaking, the carriage arrived in front of the gate of Qinghe Garden, Qin Lei saw that there was the boss's Longxiang cavalry waiting at the door, and he couldn't help but feel nervous, he knew that at this juncture, Qin Li would not visit the door for no reason.

Jumping out of the carriage, someone had already gone in to report, Qin Li greeted him with a solemn face, pulled Qin Lei to the study, and then said in a deep voice: "Brother, the marching order has come out, you are the vanguard." ”

Qin Lei was stunned for a moment, and said with a smile: "Are you dizzy?" How can we send our 'weak army' in the eyes of everyone to take the lead? ”

"It was proposed by my father, so Lord Taiwei naturally has no opinion." Qin Li looked at Qin Lei with a strange face, shook his head and said, "Who made you usually not pay attention to being a person, and offended the two big guys miserably, see what you should do?" ”

Qin Lei sneered and said, "The prince pays attention to being a person, but what else do you think is going on with him?" ”

Qin Li said in a low voice: "Also, you have risen too fast, and you have already become a 'thorn in the side' of others, so you will naturally be hit by a black fist." ”

Qin Leimo rubbed the neat short beard on his chin and said in a deep voice: "Do you know who is in charge?" It can't really be Ma Guangzu, right? "Marshal Ma Guangzu is extremely sloppy, and no one listens to his command at all.

"It's likely to be in person." Not surprisingly, Qin Li said the choice of the commander: "Your Majesty has high expectations for this war......" The second half of the sentence is difficult to say, but Qin Lei knew that Emperor Zhaowu wanted to consolidate the authoritative position in the army through a real victory, and completely dispelled Li Hun's ambitions.

Even if his confidence skyrocketed like Emperor Zhaowu, he didn't have the luxury of destroying Li Hun. After all, the rabbit bites when it is in a hurry, not to mention that Captain Li, who is deeply rooted in the military circles, is much stronger than the rabbit...... At least an old rabbit.

"What if I lose?" Qin Lei said worriedly: "Didn't you persuade Your Majesty? He doesn't know how to fight, so isn't he going to cause chaos? In case he has three longs and two shorts, this battle ...... But you can't fight? ”

Qin Li smiled bitterly: "You think I have a bigger face than you? Qin Lei was stunned for a moment, and then burst into laughter in unison with Qin Li...... Don't talk about the second brother, in the eyes of His Majesty, they are all a pair of rebels.

After laughing, I got back to business. Qin Li handed a thick booklet to Qin Lei and said with a smile: "This is some of the lessons I have learned from my more than ten years of dealing with the Qi army, you can take it and take a look, at least it is a reference." ”

Qin Lei smiled gratefully, put the booklet close to him, and asked softly, "Where is Long Xiangjun arranged?" ”

"Rear Army." Qin Li said in a low voice: "You are the pioneer officer of Zhengyin, I am the grain and grass escort officer, our brothers are one song and one tail, which is intriguing." ”

Qin Lei frowned and said, "What do you mean?" ”

Before the words fell, there was a gentle knock at the door, and then Shi Dang whispered: "Lord, the chief Zhuo in the palace has sent a holy edict, please enter the palace as soon as possible." ”

The two looked at each other in surprise, not knowing what kind of medicine was sold in the emperor's gourd.

Doubts are doubts, but the movements of the two are not slow, and in less than two quarters of an hour, they followed Eunuch Zhuo into the inner hall, and went up to the Golden Dragon Hall unimpeded, and saw His Majesty the Emperor greet him with a smile.

The two hurriedly saluted, but they were held up by the emperor, and laughed loudly: "Don't be polite, there are only fathers and sons here today, and there are no monarchs and ministers." ”

Qin Lei was sick to his stomach when he heard this, and scolded in his heart: "It's you, it's you, it's you, it's faster to turn your face than to turn a book." But his face remained silent, and he obediently followed into the side hall, only to see that the huge dining table in the past had been replaced by the table of eight immortals of ordinary people, and the dishes on the table were also very ordinary, but they were all hot soup and hot rice.

The emperor pulled his two sons to sit down beside him, and said with a kind smile: "You haven't eaten yet, have you?" The two shook their heads in unison.

Emperor Zhaowu said with a reproachful face: "No matter how busy you are, you have to eat on time, how can you do it if you don't take care of your body?" As he spoke, he personally served a bowl of rice for the boss, and then took a bun for Qin Lei and said, "Eat quickly, and then talk when you are full." ”

Qin Lei suddenly realized that the big war was imminent, and His Majesty the Emperor had finally regained the line of family affection, so he bit the bun with an excited face, and he was almost two drops of golden beans to cooperate. But he always kept calm in his heart, and he didn't believe that after the 'Tianshui Incident', there was still any possibility of reconciliation between himself and the emperor...... Maybe it's expediency, Qin Lei secretly guessed.

Qin Li's face remained unchanged, and he calmly picked up three bowls of rice in a row, and ate all the three plates of meat in front of him, then wiped his mouth and said, "I'm full." Qin Lei also put down his rice bowl, nodded, and signaled that he was also full.

Emperor Zhaowu took the two of them to the study to watch tea, and asked with a smile about the preparation of their respective troops, whether there were any difficulties to solve, whether they needed to replenish the troops, and so on.

After the two patiently answered these unnutritious questions, Qin Li finally couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, can you see if you can let me and Yutian change positions and let Long Xiang Army be the vanguard?" ”

Emperor Zhaowu was slightly stunned, and said lightly: "If the jade is not cut, it will not be successful, I have high expectations for Yutian, and it is always good to hone it." ”

"Father, this is a battle of national fortunes, how can it be child's play?" Qin Li frowned.

The gloom on Emperor Zhaowu's face flickered, and he immediately changed to a smiling face and said, "What Qin Li said also makes sense, but this is a decision between me and Lord Taiwei, and it can't be changed." Saying that, he glanced at Qin Lei and said, "But Yutian can resign at tomorrow's court meeting......"

Qin Lei smiled and said, "Erchen is willing to be a pioneer." Qin Li saw that it would hurt Xiao Wu's self-esteem if he said it again, so he had to keep his mouth shut.

Emperor Zhaowu immediately got off the donkey, nodded and smiled: "Yutian understands righteousness," then turned his face to the eldest prince and said, "Qin Li, you don't want to be an escort officer?" ”

Qin Li nodded without hesitation and said, "Long Xiang cavalry, charging ahead, how can they transport grain behind?" ”

Emperor Zhaowu slapped his palms and smiled: "Okay, this is my good son, it seems that my father doesn't understand you," pondered for a while, and said in a consultative tone: "In this way, how about you come to the Chinese army and fight the main force?" ”

Qin Li thought that it was always good to be at the front, so he nodded and agreed.

Then the emperor began to seriously ask Qin Li for some common sense of marching and fighting, and the old nature had no reservations, and there was one thing to say, and the answer was simple and easy to understand, so that the emperor was extremely happy to listen to it, and he couldn't stop praising his eldest son.

Qin Lei saw that he didn't have anything to do with himself for a long time, so he naturally understood that this scene was actually for the boss to see, and he was just a prop for the emperor to act...... Look, I can ignore the rebellious Xiao Wu, so this little pimple between the two of us is naturally out of the question......

It seems that the boss was listed as the target of the emperor's wooing, but he was positioned as a victim......

"Sure enough, it's a beautiful wood in the forest, and the wind will destroy it......" Qin Lei thought rather narcissistically. The superficial reason for all this is the conflict in Tianshui City, but that is only the appearance. He knew that the emperor wanted to use him as a gunman at first, but he did not expect his power to swell dramatically.

When he found out that he had become a system of his own, Emperor Zhaowu first forced him to go south, then cut off his wings, and tried in vain to seize his military power, all of which shows that Emperor Zhaowu was very determined to get rid of him, so it would not get better if he swallowed his anger and did not fall out, so of course it was better to fall out.