To the west of Chang'an, more than two hundred miles away from the Western Pass of the Han Dynasty, are the majority of the Qiang people, the Nuoqiang.
Wei Na also brought people here before to discuss with Qi Fumu, the leader of the Crossbow and Qiang, about sending troops to invade the Han territory.
At this time, there was a Han army hiding in a mountain depression forty miles away from Nuqiang Dazhai.
This army is the forbidden army commanded by Yao Zhao and Li Gan. After the two joined forces, they selected five thousand old soldiers and marched in a surprise attack. The target was Nuoqiang, which was also the most powerful Qiang village in the surrounding area.
In the Chinese military camp, Li Gan was wearing general armor and roasting rabbits.
During the march, I shouldn't have lit an open fire to roast rabbits. I was afraid of making smoke and exposing my position.
But the Mohists invented a kind of ordnance, specially prepared for marching, adding incantation arrays, adding firewood, rabbits on the top, and flames on the bottom. The operations were all completed in the furnace, regardless of the thick smoke.
It's just that this kind of stove is expensive and not a common item.
After Li Gan came to the army, he brought a stove and it became popular in the military camp. All the school officials and above gathered here to eat rabbits.
Some Imperial Guards set a trap and captured the Rabbit family themselves.
The old rabbit, the little rabbit, and the rabbit’s wife, seven in total.
At this time, the rabbits' eyes were red with horror. The little rabbits watched the old rabbit being sent to the furnace. In a blink of an eye, the meat was fragrant and became cooked rabbit meat. They were so horrified that some kicked off their legs and fell straight up in the cage.
, scared to death, sad to see it, a human tragedy.
Unfortunately, the joys and sorrows of humans and rabbits are not the same. The generals skinned and furled the rabbits one by one, roasted them golden, and ate them cleanly.
Some captains who had not eaten enough volunteered to catch a second nest of rabbits.
Yao Zhao sat aside and watched Li Gan roasting rabbits, and said: "We seemed to be too relaxed before the war. Half a year ago, Mr. Marquis took us to fight the Huns. We always carried food with us and traveled thousands of miles to fight, and we were able to dominate dozens of people behind the Huns."
The tribe finally retreated intact."
"What we are fighting is the Qiang village. We have fought against them these days. Compared with the Xiongnu, their combat power is far behind."
Li Gan said: "If we were to fight the Huns, we wouldn't be so leisurely."
Several generals in the tent nodded one after another: "Lieutenant Yao, can you follow the Marquis to attack the Huns and tell us how it went?"
Yao Zhao perked up and immediately boasted about the process of attacking the Huns, foaming at the mouth.
After hearing this, a school captain praised: "People in the army say that the Marquis has the look of a wolf and is a natural talent for generals and ministers. He is destined to be famous throughout the ages. It seems to be true."
There are two explanations for the appearance of "Wolf Gu", one is praise and the other is criticism. The other is that the wolf looks around when walking, being cautious, suspicious, and harboring evil intentions.
Another explanation is to praise and praise, saying that people have the destiny of generals.
The so-called wolf Gu means that the body does not move, but when turning around, the head can be turned behind the back, almost 180 degrees, just like a male wolf turning around, majestic.
The generals used this word to describe Huo Qubing, which of course meant praise. Even Li Gan nodded in agreement.
Only Yao Zhao looked strange and said: "What a coincidence, I also told Mr. Hou that he has the appearance of Wolf Gu. But Master Hou kicked me and said that Wolf Gu's appearance may not be the destiny of a general, but a general.
It’s a disease in the neck bones. I suggest you straighten the bones.”
The generals were suddenly quiet, and then burst into laughter.
"These must be words you added indiscriminately. I see that the Marquis has always been a serious man and would never say such words."
Yao Zhao said proudly: "You only know one thing. In fact, I have been in contact with Mr. Hou for a long time, and he sometimes tells some jokes."
"Lieutenant Yao, earlier, I personally led my troops to explore the road. When I came back, I found you smiling broadly.
And before, you said that the Nuoqiang had gathered all the surrounding tribes, and they had nearly 20,000 men who could fight. You should be careful in using your troops, and you didn’t agree with rushing to attack. Why did you talk about it again just now and actively proposed to attack the Nuoqiang as soon as possible?" Li Gan asked.
Yao Zhao smiled and said: "General Li has a good eye. The reason is simple. When you left the camp just now, the Marquis sent me a message."
Li Gan asked in surprise: "The champion has a military order?"
"Exactly."
Yao Zhao said proudly: "It was given to me specifically."
Li Gan: "What did the Marquis say?"
"The Marquis accused me of not being able to march well and being too conservative in fighting. He told me to attack boldly and march directly into Nuqiang."
Yao Zhao continued: "Before, I led the troops alone. I was afraid that if I was not careful, I would suffer defeat and embarrass the commander, so I would rather give up the opportunity than rush forward.
But since Huo Hou has given the order, why should I fear it? I should serve to the death and kill the enemy bravely!"
After Yao said his words, he handed over a marching map:
"Look, this is the march direction marked by Huo Hou himself. After we break the Nu Qiang camp, let us not pursue total annihilation, but immediately send our troops to the west to suddenly attack the Lian Qiang, Sidi, Rao Qiang and other tribes.
The Marquis will also send troops from Xiguan, echoing ours from afar. The two groups of soldiers and horses form a pincer shape, pointing directly at the Daji Qiang further to the west, threatening Loulan.
See how they respond!"
When it comes to marching and fighting, the atmosphere in the tent changes, and the generals look serious.
"That's great. Lord Marquis has come to Xiguan to take over the military power himself. He will definitely have a good time this time."
Li Gan looked at the map and pointed at a location: "The Marquis said he would send troops from Xiguan to respond to us in a pincer shape. That means joining forces here, around Yumen? In this case, we have to march quickly, time is very tight.
”
"That's right, we'll attack the Nuqiang first tonight, and then quickly advance westward."
Yao Zhao said: "The Marquis told us to be bolder. The Xiqiang are composed of hundreds of tribes, and most of them have a wait-and-see mentality. The previous attacks were weak and not enough of a deterrent."
As the order was passed down, the mood in the camp surged and everyone was ready to go.
……
It’s approaching noon.
When Huo Qubing was about to leave from Quwei, Li Zhao, the head of the Li family in Longxi, came out in person to see him off.
"I have an unkind request, and I would like to ask Lord Marquis to agree to it." Li Zhao said at the city gate.
He waved his hand, and a young man of twelve or thirteen years old came up from behind. He was a little thinner than ordinary people, but his eyes were steady, giving people the impression that he was much more stable than children of the same age. When he saw Huo Qubing, his eyes became extra bright.
, holding the gift and bending down, respectfully.
"This is Li Sui. I want him to follow Huo Hou and be his attendant. It's up to Huo Hou to send him as he pleases."
It means that he wants Huo Qubing to take care of Li Sui and train him as a confidant or disciple.
The underlying meaning is that the Li family in Longxi wanted to establish a closer relationship with Huo Qubing.
Seeing that Huo Qubing did not express his position, Li Zhao added: "This child has followed the rules since he was a child and does not have the bad habits of the clan members. I, the Li family, will not cause trouble for Huo Hou, let alone push people out casually.
This child himself admires Huo Hou the most. He also has some military talent, and it will be his blessing to be with Huo Hou."
Huo Qubing: "Which brother of your Li family is this?"
Li Zhaodao: "It's my heir who made Huo Hou laugh."
Huo Qubing looked at Li Zhao. He was a younger brother of the Li Guang clan. He must be over sixty years old. Such a young child? He is really getting stronger with age.
Li Zhao added: "This is my ninth son. He has four younger brothers and sisters. The youngest is just one month old."
Huo Qubing was in awe, thinking that it was not just as simple as being strong and getting stronger.
Li Zhaodao: "I heard news from Chang'an that Huo Hou is preparing for war. If Huo Hou agrees to take Li Sui with him, I, the Li family, are willing to donate a refined iron mine with an annual output of more than 10,000 shi for the army.
How about it?"
To use soldiers to make armor, metal is needed to make weapons, and to donate an iron mine... Li Zhao spent a lot of money to train his son, and to establish further friendship with Huo Qubing.
Since the attack on Zonghengdao Mountain Gate east of Fuyu and the capture of the Mohist ordnance preparation experts under Zonghengdao, Huo Qubing is preparing to establish his own military preparation camp for the Chang'an Guards in the near future.
Iron tools and metals are necessary for smelting various types of utensils.
"Please accept me from Marquis Huo. I will work harder to live up to the Marquis' cultivation." Li Sui leaned over and knelt down, with sincerity and expectation on his face.
Huo Qubing smiled: "This is not about the iron mine. I am not used to having people around me, and I have no intention of teaching my disciples. It takes too much time.
If he joins my command, he will be sent to the military camp. It is fine to be a soldier in the camp, but if he wants to go to the battlefield, he must reach the age of sixteen."
Li Zhao was overjoyed: "Master Hou, just make arrangements."
The half-grown boy was even more happy, and he knelt on the ground and kowtowed.
Huo Qubing waved his hand: "The Chinese New Year is coming soon, so we can just send him to the Chang'an Guards Camp after the new year."
Li Zhaoshenju, because of Huo Qubing's prestige in the army, and his son following him, over time, there will be great gains.
Huo Qubing got on his horse, and before he left, he saw that Li Sui was still kneeling on the ground, with his forehead touching the ground, and he muttered briefly: "You, Mrs. Li, might as well donate part of your land and other properties under your jurisdiction. The more the better.
”
After saying this, surrounded by Bai Nanyu, Cao Ni, and Xiao Qisheng, they rushed their horses and disappeared into the void in a blink of an eye.
During this march, Huo Qubing launched two new strategies: walking first and hiding from the enemy, and integrated the marching method into it. It was not only faster, but also more secretive. The march was like a wind sweeping the ground, leaving no trace. p>
What Huo Qubing said when he left was obviously profound. Li Zhao stood at the city gate with a thoughtful expression.
The champion seemed to be giving him a heads up. What was his purpose?
Li Zhao pondered all the way and returned to Quwei City.
Li Yanqing, who had 'suspended death', found out that Huo Qubing was gone and came back to life full of energy. He was sitting in the hall, leaning on a cane, and he didn't look as faint as before.
"Uncle Clan is awake." Li Zhao came back and said hello.
Li Yanqing asked: "Huo Qubing is gone?"
Li Zhao nodded and reminded Li Yanqing: "Huo Hou is not only His Majesty's favorite general, but also invincible on the battlefield. It has been less than a year since he attacked the Xiongnu in the spring of this year, but he has defeated the enemy in succession. A month ago, he even expanded hundreds of miles of territory.
, open our borders to the Han Dynasty.
These meritorious deeds will surely be passed down to future generations. From now on, my uncle should pay attention to his words and deeds, and don't casually arrange champions."
Li Yanqing snorted coldly: "It's not your turn to teach me how I behave.
Don’t think that just because his subordinates saved me, I have to be grateful. He doesn’t respect his teacher first, so we can at best be considered equal and we won’t offend each other from now on.”
"Uncle, you can't offend Huo Hou. Huo Hou is not as knowledgeable as my uncle." The person who suddenly interrupted was Li Sui who was beside Li Zhao.
"When I talk to your father, how can I allow you to speak freely?"
Li Yanqing was furious and raised his crutch.
His identity was not such that he would be angry with his grandchildren. After he finished speaking, he looked at Li Zhao and took the initiative to change the subject: "Why are you so frowning after you come back?"
Li Zhao: "Huo Hou said something when he left. I can't understand it." He then repeated what Huo Qubing said when he left.
Li Yanqing also showed a look of surprise and said attentively: "From what he means, it seems that he said this because he was thinking about me, Mr. Li?"
Li Zhao suddenly had an idea: "Huo Hou knows His Majesty's thoughts best. Is his words a reminder to me that His Majesty has plans for our clan?"
In fact, it is Zhang Tang who really wants to take action on the clan.
Zhang Tang will soon take over as the imperial censor.
After he came to power, his methods of killing wealthy gentry were unparalleled and rarely seen in history.
Big dog owners from all over the country were treated like leeks and cut off one after another, some even chopped off the roots. The land was divided equally and confiscated for the army and the state treasury.
The emperor gave his approval and support behind his back, while Zhang Tang waved his sword in front.
If some clans do not understand the situation and still want to dominate the local area, they will end up without making preparations in advance.
Huo Qubing gave a brief reminder. Whether you can understand what to do to avoid Zhang Tang's butcher knife depends on your understanding.
The time came that night.
Huo Qubing returned to the border town of Xiguan and took over full command of the Han army.
Zhang Jun was deprived of his command position. Instead of being angry, he was happy and willingly became his deputy.
In the Nuqiang Dazhai, in the early hours of that night, Yao Zhao and Li Gan's troops took the lead in a surprise attack. Instantly, the shouts of killing were loud, the drums were beating, and the first shot of the Xiguan surprise attack was fired.
On the evening of the same day, at the border town of Xiguan, the Han army marched forward in two directions like two spears, all the way to the northwest, with the purpose of further containing the Western Xiongnu soldiers and horses.
The other line of troops rushed straight towards Yumen, with the front line pointing towards Loulan and Pulei, the two major Huns' subordinate states in the Western Regions.
The situation in Xiguan suddenly changed overnight.
Also on the same night, Wei Na escaped from Xiguan and returned to the grassland.
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