On the plateau, although the wind and snow were howling, the fighting spirit of the soldiers remained undiminished.

For more than a month, I have made some achievements in each of my four attempts.

But neither is decisive.

Under the offensive of the government soldiers, the Zhong Qiang gradually united.

Most of these Qiang tribes had a population of more than 100,000 at that time.

At its peak, Zhong Qiang was said to have hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers.

Controlled more than two hundred Qiang tribes, large and small.

The Shaodang Qiang had been fighting with the Han court for nearly a hundred years. Although they were not as good as before, they were still a force that could not be ignored.

Faqiang is the most powerful of the three tribes, with a large population and a vast territory.

The six scouts returned from the wind and snow on foot. As soon as they entered the camp, soldiers immediately covered them with furs and brought them hot soup.

"Report to the general, burn Dang Qiang, send out Qiang, Zhong Qiang gathers the army in Poyan Valley." The scout half-knelt down and saluted.

After Zhong Qiang lost the Big and Small Yu Valleys, Poyan Valley suddenly became their most important place to live.

"Have you found out the strength of the troops?" Yin Chun sat cross-legged, with a line of Han and Qiang generals on his left and right hands.

There was a pot of charcoal fire burning in the tent, and the dark red flame was soft and soft, as if it had no strength.

"No more than 40,000 people."

"After waiting for so long, it still hasn't reached fifty thousand." Zhao Deng hated that iron could not make steel.

Nine thousand soldiers went into battle against 50,000 enemy troops.

All the generals in the tent were under thirty, and the cold plateau further stimulated their fighting spirit.

There are exceptions, however.

Du Bin disapproved and said: "It's freezing cold. Finish it as soon as possible and go back early. In these barren mountains and ridges..."

After saying that, he sneezed loudly, which attracted everyone's attention.

There are glares, scorn, and weirdness.

Du Yu climbed up the ranks in Xiping, becoming the third person behind Lu Zhi and Zhang Te.

The Du family also took root in Xiping.

However, as one of the rare "civilian and military" people in this expeditionary force, Du Bin was still treated politely by Yin Chun.

Yin Chun stood up and looked at the howling wind and snow. The coldest season on the plateau had not yet arrived. After a moment, he exhaled a puff of white air and said, "We can't wait any longer. We will raise troops tomorrow and take seven days' worth of cooked meat and wheat cakes to capture the city." Poyan Valley.”

Poyan Valley is the first stage target set by the Military Planning Department.

Capture this place, and then build Yizhechongfu as a base camp on the plateau to absorb the Qiang people and support the war with war.

"Wei!" More than a dozen Qiang Han generals handed over their hands at the same time.

The next day, the snow became even heavier, covering the mountains and leaving only a vast expanse of white between the sky and the earth.

The wind was much lighter.

For soldiers, the most difficult thing is not fighting, but marching.

In the snowy and icy ground, every step taken is a huge test of the soldiers' will.

Fubing has a lot of flexibility.

In addition to basic equipment, many experienced Qiang people purchased Tao, which is lined with cashmere and wrapped with cowhide, which is very suitable for marching in the snow.

The so-called leather shoes are a kind of leather shoes.

If it is made of rawhide, it is called Tao, and if it is made of thin skin, it is called Dang.

The price is relatively cheap in the northwest. The more expensive ones are deer suede shoes, which are finely sewn with needle and thread and decorated with various patterns of birds and animals. They are exquisite and gorgeous.

For soldiers who could not afford to buy a leather boat, the Zhechong Mansion also provided a boat with a layer of wood added to the soles, and the feet were wrapped in sheepskin and tied tightly with strings.

It's troublesome to put on and take off, and it doesn't fit your feet very well.

However, dry wax is not afraid of mud, wet snow and water, so it is very suitable for most Qiang soldiers.

They used to travel through the ice and snow wearing only straw shoes.

Xuanyi Lang and others ran back and forth, constantly boosting morale and telling some dirty jokes from time to time.

The soldiers just did this, and the atmosphere became lively.

The weather is cold, but my heart is warm.

"The Qiang people can withstand the bitter cold, like animals, and women who give birth cannot take shelter from the wind and snow. The strategy of using the Qiang to control the Qiang is very suitable for the current situation. If it were the Han army, its combat strength would be less than half," Du Bin said. After hearing these words, he started panting with a red face, as if he was going to die at any moment.

Zhao Deng glanced sideways at Du Bin, "If you can't hold on, you can stay in the rear."

"How did this happen? After all, a certain person is also Zhechong - cough -" Du Bin slapped his chest and started to gasp again.

The other soldiers looked at him with disdain.

Du Bin took a breath and didn't take it seriously. He laughed twice and then said: "The Qiang people have been severely defeated many times, but they have come back again and again. It's all because of this plateau snowy area. If we can capture it, we will surely leave a mark in history!" "

Most generals and soldiers think about military achievements, fields, money, food, and women, but he is the only one who thinks further.

"Wherever the general points, we will kill. Why do we need to think so much?" One of Zhao Deng's iron legs hit the ice, making a rattling sound.

[To be honest, I have been using Yeguo to read and catch up on books recently. I can switch sources and read aloud with many sounds. www. Android and Apple are available.]

This is also the thought of the vast majority of Qiang soldiers.

Du Bin also glanced at Zhao Deng and saw the anger on his face, so he stopped talking.

Marching in silence, blocked by wind and snow, we could not go far in one day.

However, all of this was calculated by Yin Chun and Du Bin. How far to go, where to set up camp, and where to attack were all deduced on the sand table several times every day.

Xuan Yilang and his scouts, both inside and outside, had already reported clearly the enemy's situation.

The troops and generals of each tribe were stationed at Poyan Valley, and all their equipment was clearly delivered to Yin Chun.

Except for the 700 soldiers of the Tang Dynasty who need to pay attention, the other enemy troops are stronger than the rabble.

Many enemy soldiers do not even have adequate clothing to keep out the cold, let alone armor.

The loss of the rich and prosperous Yugu Valley has actually been a major blow to the Qiang people.

If even Poyan Valley is lost, the Qiang people will only have the Yandi Road south of Jishi Mountain.

Although the Qiang people endured the bitter cold, dozens of them slept in the wind and snow along the way, and more than 700 people were seriously ill and had to stay behind.

Among them is Du Bin.

He lay down on the second day of the march.

As a Han from the Central Plains, Yin Chun's condition was actually not very good. He was alternately cold and hot, his whole body felt weak, and he often felt out of breath. But anyone could fall, but he could not, and he kept holding on.

Fortunately, Zhao Deng is in good condition and is not affected by the plateau like the Qiang people.

After three days of marching, 7,000 soldiers finally approached Poyan Valley.

Heavy snow is their best cover.

The eyes of Zhao Deng's remaining soldiers were like unsheathed swords.

Those who were missing arms and legs were replaced with iron blades, which made it difficult to charge into battle, but sneak attacks had miraculous effects.

In all previous "huntings", these people have gained the most.

Although the organization of the remnant camp has been abolished, many people have become accustomed to the days of killing and cannot live a peaceful life.

They simply gathered around Zhao Deng.

Yin Chun took a long breath, and the wind and snow filled his chest. This battle was not only crucial to the soldiers, but also to him.

He knew very well that Yang Zheng was giving him an opportunity, and even the elite soldiers from the Guards Battalion were sent to assist.

If you catch it, you can rise to the forefront and become the third most important general after Zhang Te and Zhou Yu.

How many opportunities can a person have in his life?

"Zhao Deng cleared the open and hidden sentries, Eshan Shi, Pu Jin, and Du He led the soldiers to attack the front, while Yu Hu and Yang Ju each led their own troops to attack from the east and west entrances!" Yin Chun skillfully issued a series of orders.

"only!"

All the generals responded in unison.
Chapter completed!