Two hundred and ninetieth chapters get a lot of help
Bingzhou is one of the nine ancient states. According to legend, when Dayu controlled the floods, he designated it as the territory of China.
During the Eastern Han Dynasty, it controlled nine counties including Taiyuan, Shangdang, Xihe, Yunzhong, Dingxiang, Yanmen, Shuofang, Wuyuan, and Shangjun. It is most of modern Shanxi, the Hetao in Inner Mongolia, and part of northern Shaanxi.
In Liu Xiang's opinion, the terrain of Bingzhou can be divided into three parts, with different functions and even different importance.
Shangjun, which is full of virgin forests, grasslands, and sandy lands, is the modern northern Shaanxi region. It is sparsely populated and undeveloped, so it is of little value.
The two counties of Shuofang and Wuyuan, where horses can be raised, are the modern Hetao area of Inner Mongolia, and they need to be captured to resist the invasion of nomads. The neighboring Yunzhong County and Xihe County feel like a tie-in and are dispensable.
The remaining Dingxiang County, Yanmen County, Taiyuan County, Shangdang County, and Hedong County belonging to Sili are modern Shanxi Province. This is his favorite place and must be captured.
Shanxi is known as the backing king of China. It borders Taihang to the east and Luliang to the west. The two mountain ranges form multiple basins, which are blocked by several mountain ranges from northeast to southwest. They are connected and have natural dangers, and their strategic value is extremely high.
The prerequisite for those who win the Central Plains to win the world is to win Shanxi first.
This place is the barrier of the Central Plains. If you occupy this place, you can advance and attack, retreat and defend. The strategic initiative is in your hands.
The Heishan Army has occupied the northern part of Taiyuan County and the entire Yanmen County. It has obtained the Datong Basin and the Qizhou Basin, and is confronting the Baibo Army in the Taiyuan Basin. He is leading his troops south to plot the Changzhi Basin where Liu Yu is located.
As for the Linfen Basin and Yuncheng Basin in Hedong County, we will find a solution later.
The 12,000-strong army passed through Yuci County, passed through the hills and mountains in the eastern section of Taiyue Mountain, and came to the Zhuozhang River Basin. The road was more than 200 miles long, with crisscrossing mountains, hills and terraces, and winding roads.
The rivers were sparse and the water volume was insufficient to meet the needs of farming. There was no human habitation for hundreds of miles, and only a few caravans were encountered.
They were all the Youzhou caravan, and they were all forced to accompany the army. In view of Youzhou's wonderful military-civilian relations, and the fact that most of the caravan members were family members of soldiers, these merchants did not panic when they arrived, and the leaders of the group were happily discussing the attack.
Various benefits after annexing the state.
"When the general takes over Bingzhou, things like setting up checkpoints along the way and stripping people of their skins will be put to an end. Anyone who dares to rob will be beheaded. Corrupt officials, strongmen and bandits will not be tolerated under the general's rule."
"That is, when it comes to doing business, it is still comfortable in Youzhou. I dare to transport goods everywhere without guards, but I don't dare to be so bold in other places. There are also wide roads paved with stone slabs. Several cars can go parallel, and they can travel hundreds of miles a day.
, I dare to sell fresh fish, how can other places compare?”
"You are so bold. You hauled fresh fish from a long distance and 90% of the 10 trucks were damaged. You had to sell your pants."
The man shook his head and said proudly: "As long as one car is transported a hundred miles, I won't lose anything."
These team leaders are experienced businessmen who know the profits and risks of seafood and river fresh food. They all admired his boldness after hearing this.
A few people were sitting on the carriage shaft chatting, and a businessman selling raw lacquer suddenly changed the topic: "I tell you guys, the military success is right in front of you, but we are just chatting. Don't you feel that we are losing money?"
"Brother, what do you mean? We are too old to go to the battlefield, so where can we go to fight for military glory?"
The raw lacquer merchant chuckled: "Who has been here for a long time and has no clues? If I can help the general capture a few cities, I can still get the military title. Capturing the city and being the first to get there are all great achievements. At least the third rank of military title, everyone.
Don’t want it?”
Hearing this, several people gulped. Military merit is the most important thing in Youzhou. If you have a military title, you are superior to others.
"Brother, please speak frankly, how can we seize the city and gain military glory?"
The raw lacquer merchant bowed to each other and said: "My name is Liu Dan, I am the seventh in my family, so you call me Lao Qi. From Jingxing to Luoyang, the city along the way is difficult to move without well-trained officials.
, I used to hate them to death, but now, these people are the key to our military success."
Someone asked doubtfully: "There are many officials who are familiar with us, but they only made friends with money to pave the way. Can't you persuade them to surrender the city?"
"Stop dreaming, of course it can't be done." The businessman next to him refuted his idea.
Liu Laoqi said with a smile: "Of course we can't capture the city alone, but the general is a famous general in the world. Let's go see the general and tell him that he has connections who can open the city and clear the pass. As for where to attack and how to attack the city, the general will decide.
"How do you and I know the art of war? How can we come up with any good ideas just by talking randomly here?"
Several team leaders nodded and stroked their beards, all thinking this was the truth.
Liu Laoqi struck while the iron was hot and said, "As for military achievements, don't worry. The general has clear rewards and punishments. Can he still ignore our achievements?"
"That's not possible. The general has high moral character and will not treat us badly."
Several people discussed again and looked at the officials in each city. You know the county magistrate here, he knows the county captain there, and there are also those who have made friends with the captain of the city pass. They have friendships all the way through the city and checkpoints, up and down.
It’s a network of connections that is watered with hard-earned money.
Everyone made a decision and jointly requested an audience to help the general attack the city and break the barrier.
Liu Xiang, whom they wanted to see, was holding a map to figure out where to lurk.
The enemy's army is in Huguan, so the ambush must be near the road from Huguan to Taiyuan.
However, it is impossible to determine the time and marching route of Liu Yu's troops, so he must be prepared to hide for a long time, so he cannot go near densely populated places with frequent traffic. Such places are difficult to find.
Going north from Huguan, passing through Xiangyuan, Nie County, and Qi County to Jinyang, this route is the closest. You have to think hard on this to find a place where you can hide your troops.
He was sure that Liu Yu would send troops to rescue Bai Bo and the Yellow Turbans, because none of them alone could defeat the Black Mountain Army.
My lips are dead and my teeth are cold.
"My lips are dead and my teeth are cold!" Liu Yu sighed with emotion, and said to the people who came to help him with his troops: "Thanks to all the wise men for their help, there are many talented people here, so I don't have to worry about it. It's just that the Black Mountain bandit has been in Taihang for many years.
The army is strong and Bai Bo and Yellow Turban are no match. If the Black Mountain bandits attack and destroy Bai Bo, our army may not be able to deal with it."
He stood up and said firmly: "It is my intention to use all our troops to rescue Taiyuan. First, we will exterminate the Black Mountain bandits, then appease the Baibo Yellow Turbans, and restore peace to the people of Bingzhou."
"We will obey your envoy's orders." A group of officials, scholars, and dozens of people obeyed the order.
Wu Meng went to Zhang Yang and said: "Your Majesty, I have a friend who is skilled in bow and horse and unparalleled in bravery. His surname is Lu, his name is Bu, and his surname is Fengxian. He is from Jiuyuan, Wuyuan County. I heard that your Majesty is recruiting talented people and recruiting brave men.
, I have traveled thousands of miles to come here, and today I have arrived in the city. I would like to recommend you to the envoy."
Liu Yu was very pleased when someone took the initiative to invest. When he came to Bingzhou at the end of March, he only brought a few servants with him. Now more than a month has passed, and virtuous people from all over the world have come to invest. Scholars, fierce generals, soldiers, money and food are increasing day by day.
, now, there are already 50,000 to 60,000 troops.
"If you get the truth, you will be helped, and you will not deceive others with sincerity." The idea in my heart became more firm. The great man was in constant turmoil and the people were in dire straits. It was the time for a man to turn the tide.
He became more and more confident in countering the rebellion. Naturally, he could no longer agree to the rude demands of those Baibo thieves, but he did not delay leading his troops to rescue them.
The Black Mountain Bandits have been wreaking havoc for more than three years. I heard that the leader is the heir of Zhang Jiao, the demon, and is known as the Divine Envoy of the Yellow Turban Army. He roams across Taihang, plundering three states and six counties. No one can be subdued. He is a hero in the clan.
The famous general Liu Xiang was also defeated by them.
I must not underestimate the Black Mountain bandits. I must mobilize all my troops and join the White Wave and Yellow Turbans. With an army of hundreds of thousands in hand, I don’t believe that these bandits can’t be quelled.