The autumn is high and cool, the sky is high and the clouds are light, Guo Rong led the forbidden army headquarters to rest for two days, and then set off again with a large number of grain and grass baggage, passing through Qianzhou, Xuzhou, and Jingzhou on the way, and arrived at Yuanzhou Baiquan, it was already 20 days later, and it was the afternoon of the sixth day of October.

By this time, the battle on the front had already begun. Yang Tingzhang, the commander of the soldiers and horses on the south road of Xingying, Shi Yi's eldest son, and Shi Deyuan, the capital of the Yanei army, led a total of 3,500 soldiers to the north along the Hulu River, uprooting the Luxi Village and Shimen Village occupied by the Qiang people in one fell swoop, and captured Shimen Pass five days ago.

But Xiao Pass is still eighty miles north of Shimen Pass, if Xiao Pass is taken, then you can go north to Lingzhou along the water, the two of them go north to garrison along the way, and now face the problem of insufficient troops. Moreover, the Dang clan Qiang stationed in Xiaoguan summoned Dang Tianfu to reinforce the army, and the total strength has reached more than 4,000 people. And Xiao Pass stood in danger, and without 10,000 troops, it was difficult to attack.

Zhecong Ruan led 12,000 soldiers to arrive first, and set up camp on the bank of Weiru Water ten miles north of Baiquan County, which is between Weiru Water and Yang Jinchuan thirty miles to the south, and the terrain is very good. After discussing with Shi Yi, he did not rush to send troops to support Yang Tingzhang, but immediately sent the report to Guo Rong, who was still on the march.

Liu Congzhi and Xiang Xun led their troops into the barracks, and Guo Rong and Zhi Congruan and Shi Yi, who came to meet them, went to the county seat. Baiquan is Xia County, the city built by the loess is low and dilapidated, the city wall is large and potholes from a distance, but the city tower and the city gate are very new, this should be Shi Yi ordered someone to repair not long ago.

"Don't be in a hurry to go to the county office, let's go and see the grain and grass collection warehouse first!" The road was simple and simple, Guo Rong's face was tired, but his spirit was very uplifted. This was the first time in his decades-long military career that he had taken command of an expedition. In the past, he followed his father Guo Wei, and he could only make suggestions, and he couldn't be the master. And now, he's a man of his word.

"His Royal Highness learned that the treasury has 15,000 stones of grain, which is enough for two months, which is the limit of what the four states of Jingyuan can collect, as long as the follow-up continues, they can go to war at any time." Shi Yiyu reports.

"Shi Linggong has worked hard! Gu brought 10,000 stones of grain and grass this time, and Zhi Linggong should have brought it too, right? Guo Rong smiled and looked at Zhi Congruan.

"Back to His Highness, I brought 10,000 stones of grain and grass to store in the barracks, and the amount for three months is enough." Zhi Congruan is more optimistic and quite confident.

Roughly calculated, the grain and grass are enough, but as soon as the army starts, in addition to bringing some dry food, there are also war horses, horse materials and hay, and the people have to be requisitioned for subsequent transportation, which will consume part of it, but the Yongxing army Yuan Long continues to transport grain and grass, and the problem does not exist. It's just that the distance is too far, and if it drags on for a long time, it will drain the financial resources of Guanzhong, and I can't afford to hurt it.

"Before it snows in winter, we must take Huizhou!" Guo Rong said categorically.

Baiquan County only has the east, west and north three city gates, the south is on the bank of the Yangjinchuan River, it is a deep ditch valley of five or six zhang, if you open the city gate, you need to build a very long bridge, so the south is not open, it is also a relatively safe place in the city, the military grain warehouse is in the southwest corner of the city, occupies a large area, this is the temporary requisition of private houses for expansion.

It is the dry season, the Jingyuan soldiers in the warehouse are heavily guarded, and there are teams of sentries patrolling between the grain depots, Guo Rong turned around twice, and saw that there are several large vats filled with clean water outside the warehouses, and there are deep ditches dug at the foot of the house walls to drain the water, and the fire and moisture prevention are quite good.

Seeing Guo Rong's satisfied face, he turned around and walked outside the warehouse, and the two old handsomes followed step by step, Shi Yi took a few steps forward with the hem of his robe to lead the way, and said with a smile: "Your Highness!" This way...... The military office of the camp is located next to the west city gate, where it was originally a merchant store, the courtyard is spacious and can be garrisoned for defense, the facilities are complete, and some have been added now, and it is just right to be a military office. ”

Guo Rong nodded, and asked Zhao Kuangyin, who followed, to return to the barracks, carry the luggage and the royal guard of honor to settle down, and the staff came with a briefcase and office supplies.

After the trivial affairs were handled, Zhao Kuangyin was busy arranging defense affairs, and commanding his entourage to carry the table and set up the public house. The two old commanders are very old, and it is not a matter to follow them all the time, so Guo Rong waved his hand and said with a smile: "The two commanders can go back to the barracks to rest first, and tomorrow the whole army will rest for a day, and come over early in the morning to discuss the military situation." When he arrived at the front line, he first went to his father to report his safety, and he had to contact Feng Jiye, I don't know if he had sent troops on his side, if he could mobilize the Tuoba clan to the north, it would be best for the Southern Route Army to calmly leave Wating Pass. ”

"Your Highness is very true! The old minister was about to speak, but he didn't want His Highness to think of it! Fold from Ruan Fusu smiled, arched his hand and retreated.

"Shi Linggong has been in Jingyuan for a long time, conscientious and conscientious, and he should make up for the truth, and make contributions to Linggong!" Shi Yi has a good attitude and is respectful, and Guo Rong doesn't plan to worry about him not going to Beijing for a few years.

"The minister is old, after this battle, he can no longer serve His Majesty, the dog is over forty years old, humble and respectful, if His Royal Highness does not dislike it, he can also lead the horse to fall and pedal!" Shi Yi took the opportunity to speak and entrust the future.

"Let the old man be strong, why do you need to do this! The country is at the time of employing people, if there are generals in the ya, they should be reused! Guo Rong reassured.

Personally sent the two old marshals out of the door, Guo Rong summoned Wang Pu and Zhao Kuangyin, ordered Wang Pu to take out a large map, spread it on the ground, took a spear from the hand of the guard, and pointed it at the Wating Pass, and then rowed west between the Wating River and Quwu Mountain, continued west to the Zuli River, and went north to Huining, the seat of the state of governance.

"Baiquan County to the Zuli River more than 300 miles, turn north to Huining about 120 miles, this march route is very difficult to walk, you have to send a capable general as the vanguard, hold the dangerous terrain to meet the main force, otherwise it is possible to ambush." Wang Pu is good at military strategy, not only has a big picture, but also is not ambiguous in details.

"It's the same with Gu Thought, I am not familiar with the path to the enemy territory, so I have to ask Shi Linggong to find a competent guide. Xiang Xun is stable in employing troops, and he can lead his headquarters of 3,000 people as forwards. The weather is fine these days, how about the official dispatch of troops in five days? ”

"Five days is a bit of a delay...... It can be ordered to order the first to lead the troops to Wating Pass, which is the border transit point into Huizhou, but first understand the military situation and then make calculations, which will take a few days, according to the predetermined date is mid-October, this is still too late. As for Xiao Guanqiang's general Dang Jinfu, he can ignore it for the time being and order Yang Tingzhang to monitor his movements.

More than half a month has passed since the DPRK's decree arrived in Lingzhou, and Zhang Dujian should have arrived. Feng Jiye was brutal and greedy, and had a deep grudge with Xia Suiqiang and Huizhou Qiang, but he was afraid that he couldn't wait and sent troops first! In this way, there will be movement in Liang's Qiang in the south of Huizhou. Wang Pu counted the days and said very seriously.

"Huh? Wenbo is right! Feng Jiye has the right to act cheaply, but I'm afraid it's as you say. The camp was still set up in Baiquan, and the front-line battle was decided by the public order, and the day after tomorrow he went to Wating Pass with the army to see the situation. As long as Dan Changqiang and Bao Hanqiang do not send troops to interfere in this battle, Lone will be relieved! (To be continued.) )