Han Meng stared at the calm scene in front of him. The cold front blew by and the weeds on the ground made a rustling sound. There was still no one here, but it gave people the feeling of confronting thousands of horses and thousands of troops. There was really no grass or tree. It's a soldier.
Lu Weihuang stood still, his body trembling subconsciously. His throat rolled up and down forcefully. He swallowed and said reluctantly:
"General, are we sure we have to go there all the time?"
"kindness."
Han Meng nodded affirmatively.
Although he answered simply, in fact, he was also a little scared inside.
This was the most frustrating battle he had ever fought in his life. Before he could meet his opponent, he had to lose a lot of soldiers and horses. They were all his brothers who crawled out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.
Heartache!
Heartache like a knife!
Han Meng would never do this unless he had to.
After all, the danger level of changing to other roads now is definitely no less dangerous than taking this road.
Han Meng understood this truth, so he took a deep breath, waved his hand, and said softly: "Spread out the team, keeping at least two horse lengths between each person. General me will take the lead, and General Lu will press the rear."
Although Han Meng set an example and sacrificed a lot for the sake of the overall situation, Lu Weihuang was still a little scared. He just said "hey" and then reluctantly turned back.
He really couldn't believe that Han Meng actually dared to face this ghostly place. The person lying in front of him was our brother who lived and died together.
"Walk!"
Han Meng moved his hand, tapped the horse's belly with both feet, and stepped into the minefield resolutely.
Behind him, the soldiers followed slowly, regardless of the trembling all over and the fear in their hearts.
Their eyes kept scanning the surroundings, with unconcealable fear in their eyes. They held the weapons in their hands tightly, and a layer of fine beads of sweat appeared on their foreheads.
Many soldiers pressed their bodies tightly against the war horses, their hearts beating more and more violently, as if they wanted to burst out of their chests. The war horses, unaware of the danger, thought that their masters were fierce in fighting, their hoofs were clanging, and their steps were firm.
They snorted and looked eager to try. If they hadn't been forcibly suppressed by the cavalry, they would have really galloped out, passing through this hell-like terrifying world like the wind and lightning.
簌簌簌簌—
The sound of the horses trampling on the withered grass was like rubbing in the hearts of the soldiers at this moment, like the Lord of Hell ringing a gong to welcome home, constantly impacting the fearful hearts of the soldiers.
Although Han Meng was the first to step into the minefield, in fact, the fear in his heart was no less than that of anyone else. After all, once the Fuhuo Thunder explodes, no matter how good your martial arts is or your official position, as long as you are flesh and blood, you will die. undoubtedly.
Especially, when Han Meng stepped over the fallen soldiers in his home, the fear in his heart suddenly surged to the extreme. His heart was beating wildly, but he had no choice but to move forward slowly.
step!
Five steps!
Ten steps!
...
Just as Han Meng was riding his horse slowly.
Suddenly, a loud boom sounded behind him.
He suddenly turned his head and looked back.
All I saw was a corpse thrown away among the flying sand and rocks. The severed arms and limbs of the war horse were thrown in the air. A trickle of blood kept flowing. The not-dead war horse was lying on the ground, letting out a miserable scream, as if it was a sharp knife. The sword pierced the hearts of all the soldiers.
"Damn, there must be a ghost here."
"I want to go, I want to get out of here."
"It's so scary."
"..."
Many soldiers were shocked by the scene before them. They were so frightened that they lost their souls. They immediately wanted to rein in their horses and turn around and leave here.
However, Han Meng was not a vegetarian. He suddenly turned around, screamed, drew his sword out of its sheath, and shouted at the top of his lungs: "Anyone who dares to retreat will be killed without mercy!"
"General Lu."
"exist."
"I order you to be the Supervisor and Killer to carry out this mission."
"Here."
A sonorous and powerful voice sounded.
Lu Weihuang screamed, unsheathed his sword, his gaze was like a torch, and his voice was like a bell: "Anyone who dares to retreat will be killed without mercy. I will not tolerate it. Send them all back to me!"
If you retreat, you will definitely die, but if you move forward, you still have a chance to survive.
Even if the soldiers were reluctant, they could only turn around and continue to move forward slowly.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
...
Although the pace of the army was slow, there were always continuous explosions.
Every explosion would always take away the lives of two or three soldiers. If it were not for the cover of the huge war horses, there might be more soldiers killed by flying rocks.
"Damn it! Why is there still an explosion? It's so painful."
"So many people have died, how long do we have to hold on before we can get out?"
"General Han's life was too good. He was walking at the front and it didn't explode. It happened to be someone else."
"Zarp, if this continues, we will all die here."
"..."
While all the soldiers were mocking and complaining in low voices.
Suddenly, a high-pitched voice sounded from the team: "General."
Han Meng's heart tightened, he subconsciously stopped and turned to look: "Who is making the noise?"
The man raised his hand and shouted at the top of his lungs: "Young general, I have something to tell you."
Han Meng just wanted to stop his progress and relieve his nervousness, so he said, "If you have any questions, just ask."
Qianzhao took a deep breath and said sonorously: "General, I found several or even dozens of clay flakes on the horse that was injured by the fire and thunder. This kind of thing is produced in Nanyang."
"oh?"
Han Meng frowned and seemed to realize something: "Qian Sima, what do you mean by this?"
Qianzhao bowed and cupped his hands and said: "I think they put the Thunderbolt of Fire in a clay pot and buried it in the soil at night. If we pass by this place and step on it, it will explode."
hiss-!
Han Meng was shocked, gasped, and immediately fell into deep thought.
The soldiers around him suddenly understood and nodded in agreement.
What's more, some have already spoken and provided supporting arguments:
"Yes, I also found this kind of pottery sherd."
"And the most seriously injured person in the explosion was the horse's legs."
"The flying pottery fragments hurt people, and the explosion hurt the legs of war horses. It must be like this."
"Is it possible that the people in Nanyang really planted an ambush of fire and thunder here?"
"Zhasui, how can the Fire and Thunder be used in this way?"
"..."
Han Meng frowned and asked tentatively: "What do you mean by this? Are you going to send someone to dig out Fuhuo Leiting? Isn't this a bit unrealistic?"
"No."
Qianzhao bowed and held his hands, and said sonorously: "We don't know where Fuhuo Leiting is buried, let alone digging it out. What the general means is that we can drive some of the war horses and run forward."
"As long as we can trample all the Volcanic Fire Thunder and make them explode, wouldn't it be easy for us to travel through this area?"
"this......"
Han Meng listened, and it seemed to make sense.
Qian Zhao continued to add fuel to the fire: "The general should have noticed that there will be no explosion if we march along the place we have walked before, so as long as the war horses go over, we will be safe."
All the soldiers suddenly understood and nodded in agreement:
"Yes, that's the truth."
"Take the same path as before, and sure enough there was no explosion."
"It's really man-made, not a ghost."
"Nanyang Hanting's methods are so powerful!"
"..."
Han Meng felt that this plan was feasible, and immediately nodded and agreed: "Okay, we can try it! All the soldiers listened to the order and dismounted! Ten horses were divided into groups and ordered to charge forward."
All the soldiers nodded in unison: "Here."
Then, they all dismounted and lined up ten horses in a row.
"Walk!"
Snapped!
Following Han Meng's order, the soldiers slapped the horse's butt.
The war horses raised their heads and neighed, galloping forward like lightning.
as expected.
Not long after the row of horses ran out, a loud boom was heard, and a horse fell to the ground, flopped twice, and died on the spot.
Boom!
Boom!
...
Immediately, there were continuous explosions, and the war horses died tragically in the minefield.
Han Meng was astonished: "As expected, continue."
He waved his hand: "Second row, come on."
Xiyuxu—!
The war horse raised its head and neighed, galloping forward.
Immediately afterwards, explosions were heard one after another, exploding in the ears, and ten war horses were sacrificed one after another.
However, anyone with a discerning eye can see that in the first half, there were no casualties on the war horses, but it was in the second half that the war horses died from the explosion of the Thunderbolt.
This has proved that Qianzhao's conjecture is very correct. As long as the place where the explosion has occurred, it will not explode again. Therefore, after the war horse passes by, the safety of people can be greatly improved.
"Hahaha!"
Han Meng laughed wildly and relaxed completely: "Qian Sima, you have made a great contribution. If we can successfully cross this area, I, the general, will personally ask for credit for you."
Qianzhao bowed and handed over his hand: "Thank you general, but now is not the time to be happy. When will the war horses stop being killed by bombs and we can successfully cross this area."
"kindness."
Han Meng nodded: "I understand, please continue."
He waved the hand: "Third row, come on."
Xiyuxu—!
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
...
"Fourth row, enter!"
...
"Fifth row, enter!"
...
One after another, war horses rushed forward to fend off the thunder, and the army also advanced steadily.
As expected, as Qianzhao expected, as long as the war horse steps on it, the safety will be greatly improved. At least so far, they have not experienced the explosion of fire and thunder.
"Fourteenth row, enter!"
Although Qianzhao shouted more firmly, his heart was bleeding.
Thirteen rows of war horses rushed in, and not a single war horse could survive.
This means that one hundred and thirty war horses were killed just by the thunder. Calculating one horseshoe gold for each war horse, it is a full one hundred and thirty horseshoe gold!
Boom!
Boom!
...
Accompanied by sporadic explosions.
This time, there was a war horse that could run forward dozens of feet, but still did not explode.
Everyone's eyes suddenly brightened, and they couldn't help but feel hopeful.
In particular, General Han Meng hurriedly ordered: "Quick, do it again."
Qianzhao then ordered: "Fifteenth Platoon, step up."
Xiyuxu—!
War horses galloped past.
Boom!
There was an explosion and a war horse died on the spot.
However, the remaining horses ran forward dozens of feet without any damage.
Qianzhao was in a great mood. Based on the distance from previous minefield explosions, they should be able to cross safely this time.
The soldiers were excited, but for safety reasons, Han Meng still ordered to do it again. When all the war horses crossed safely, the soldiers cheered collectively:
"Ho ho ho—!"
"It's over, we can go over!"
"It's great, it's really great!"
"It's finally safe this time."
"..."
Han Meng breathed a sigh of relief, and immediately stopped hesitating and said loudly: "Whoever comes, please go back quickly and inform the lord that the front is safe and you can go on your way without worry."
The ordering soldier bowed and raised his hands: "Here."
Lu Weihuang said softly: "General, let the soldiers without horses wait for the lord here. No matter what, there must be some talents left here."
"good."
Han Meng nodded quickly: "You can make arrangements."
Lu Weihuang handed over his hand: "Here! The soldiers without horses stay where they are, waiting for the master, and obey the command of the commander. The rest of the people will continue on their way with us. They must rush to Quliang before dark, without any mistakes."
All the soldiers shouted: "Here."
"Lead Sima."
"exist."
"They will leave it to you."
"General, don't worry, just leave it to me."
"good."
Han Meng was completely relieved and ordered loudly: "Brothers, follow me."
drive-!
Rumble—!
*****
On the road to Julu County.
A team was moving slowly, always on alert.
Even now, Yuan Shao still can't figure out how the Nanyang court can control the explosion of fire and thunder without the presence of anyone. It feels like an illusion.
"Lord."
The judge on the side also thought for a long time, and occasionally had some insights, and tentatively replied: "Do you still remember the fire and thunder bullets in Nanyang Hanting? It is the kind of thing that is only a few inches long and can emit green smoke when the fuse is pulled.
."
"of course I remember."
Yuan Shao nodded affirmatively, frowned and said: "Although that kind of thing is small, it is very powerful. Nanyang soldiers are equipped with several of them. When they charge, they are really powerful."
"Due south."
At this point, Yuan Shao turned to look at Shen Pei: "Why do you think of asking this? Is there any connection between it and this new weapon that kills people invisible?"
"Lord."
The judge bowed his head and said softly: "I thought that the fire and thunder bombs need to pull the fuse to explode, and the fire and thunder bombs need to light the fuse. The only difference is the detonation method."
"Is there a possibility that the new weapons encountered in the front have the same principle? The difference between them is the way of detonating, such as by stepping on it!"
"Step on?"
Yuan Shao was stunned for a moment.
"That's right."
The judge nodded and continued: "There is a weapon recorded in the military books, which is specially used to deal with cavalry. It is called a kicking circle. As long as the horse's hoof steps on it, it will be dragged down, which is comparable to a horse trap.
"
"It's just that this kind of weapon is not as simple as trapping a horse in a trap, so its use is not ideal. But if we associate this kind of thing with the fire and thunder, will it be similar to today's situation?"
hiss-!
When Yuan Shao heard this, he couldn't help but gasp.
He thought about it carefully.
I have to admit that there are indeed similarities and differences between the two.
You only need to throw the kicking circle here to successfully tie the horse's legs and hinder the horse's forward movement. No one is required to operate it at all.
And if the Ambush Fire Thunder is buried in the soil, all it takes is a war horse to step on it, and it will cause an explosion, causing casualties.
The principles are exactly the same!
"That makes sense!"
Yuan Shaofei nodded quickly and agreed: "Zheng Nan is indeed proficient in the art of war and has a good plan. He can think of such a method. Although it is strange, it is indeed very possible."
"I don't know..."
Yuan Shao asked tentatively: "Does Zhengnan have a way to crack it?"
Shen Pei frowned and said solemnly: "Yes!"
"oh?"
Yuan Shao was surprised: "What is the solution? Just say it bluntly."
The judge bowed down and handed over his hand: "My lord, I think that we only need to send the war horses to charge and detonate these thunderbolts in advance to ensure the safety of the large army of soldiers and horses."
"Is that so?"
Yuan Shao felt that it was reasonable but also felt that it was a pity.
After all, war horses are strategic-level materials, and in his eyes, they are much more valuable than the lives of ordinary soldiers.
Deep down in his heart, Yuan Shao felt that it was much better to send soldiers to go against the thunder than to send war horses to go against the thunder. After all, human life was not as valuable as horse life, especially at this time of escape, the meaning of the war horse was far greater than just a few.
A soldier.
but......
Yuan Shao himself also knew very well that such words should not be said, after all, it involves military morale.
He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly: "Let's do this. I'll write a handwritten letter to Han Meng and ask him to try your method. Maybe it will work wonders."
If you can't say it explicitly, you can always hint it.
Just give a little hint between the lines.
But unfortunately, before Yuan Shao could finish writing the letter, a messenger came from the front:
"Report—!"
Not far away, a long announcement sounded.
Yuan Shao stopped writing, raised his eyes and couldn't help but be surprised: "Oh? Han Meng sent people back at this time, does he have other problems?"
Shen Pei frowned and said with a long breath: "Maybe, my lord, don't be impatient, just listen to what the other party says."
Xu You, who heard the sound of the report, also came forward. He must not relax at this moment: "My lord, it seems that General Han has sent good news."
call-
Yuan Shao sighed: "I hope so."
When the messenger arrived on horseback, Yuan Shao waved his hand to interrupt before the other party could salute, and asked directly: "How is it, but what happened?"
The soldier couldn't hide the smile on his face, and immediately nodded: "Well, it is indeed good news. Our army has passed through that area, and now General Han is leading his troops straight to Quliang."
"oh?"
Suddenly, Yuan Shao was shocked!
The judge was surprised!
Xu You was even more surprised!
How long has it been, and it has already rushed over?
Yuan Shao looked in disbelief and asked hurriedly: "How did you rush over?"
The messenger then told the whole story: "Lord, this is what happened."
...
After a long time.
The commander of the messenger said angrily: "Although some horses were damaged, we successfully made it through. My lord can march with confidence and boldness. There are already commanders and horses waiting there."
"It's really like that."
Shen Pei exhaled and was filled with emotion.
Although he had guessed the process, he still admired the military capabilities of Nanyang Hanting very much. The various novel weapons were dizzying. Often, if a weapon was not familiar to him and he found a way to crack it, the new weapons would be stronger.
Under the leadership of Nanyang Hanting, it seems that the way of fighting has undergone extremely terrifying changes. Even those who call themselves think tanks can't keep up with the rhythm of the times.
"Lord."
Not daring to hesitate at all, Shen Pei hurriedly handed over his hand: "Let's seize the opportunity to march before Zhang Liao catches up. Otherwise, if there is any delay, a big battle will inevitably happen."
Xu You was also afraid that Yuan Shao would fall into Zhang Liao's hands, so he cupped his hands and said: "Yes, my lord, please seize the time to march and jump out of the enemy's encirclement as quickly as possible."
"Report—!"
At this moment, a message suddenly sounded from behind.
Yuan Shao turned around and looked.
But seeing Feng Ji coming in a hurry, he leaned over and said, "My lord, something bad has happened. According to the scouting report, Zhang Liao's elite vanguard troops are already less than five miles away from here. If we don't leave, we may inevitably have a battle."
"ah?"
Yuan Shao was stunned on the spot, with a look of disbelief on his face: "How is this possible? Zhang Liao is less than five miles away? They came too fast, right?"
"it is true."
Feng Ji was able to remain calm and said softly: "This only proves that General Chunyu Qiong's resistance in the city is relatively weak and he did not buy enough time for the lord."
"Lord!"
Fengji made a quick decision, cupped his fists and raised his hands: "You have to leave."
Xu You frowned: "It's less than five miles away, and the opponent is an elite. The Nanyang soldiers' exams include cross-country with heavy loads. Compared with our leg strength, we are no match for them."
"Lord."
Taking this opportunity, Xu You advised: "We must leave a force of soldiers and horses to wait for work and block the enemy's vanguard, otherwise we will definitely not be able to escape."
Yuan Shaoshen nodded in agreement: "Yes, it should be so. I wonder who Ziyuan thinks should be sent to fight?"
Xu You did not hesitate and immediately said: "Zhang He from Hejian is the best at fighting. If he can fight, he will definitely buy enough time for the large army to retreat."
"Besides!"
Speaking of this, Xu You added: "Zhang He criticized the arrogance of Nanyang Hanting. He had long wanted to fight Zhang Liao. If he was left here, he would definitely fight to the death."
Hebei Four Court Pillars!
Yan Liang and Wen Chou have died in Qingzhou and Yanzhou.
Now only Zhang He, Gao Lan, and Han Meng are left.
Xu You must make full use of all his talents before he can safely deliver Yuan Shao to Cao Cao.
At this moment, the judge was convinced and nodded slowly: "General Zhang He is indeed the most suitable. I second my opinion."
Another Feng Ji leaned over and handed over his hand: "Zi Yuan's views coincide with those of his subordinates. At this time, it is indeed necessary to send someone to stop the attack. Zhang He is proficient in the art of war and is the most suitable candidate."
"good."
Yuan Shao couldn't care less and immediately nodded in agreement: "In that case, I will send Zhang He to stay to stop the attack, and the rest of the people will evacuate this place as quickly as possible without making any mistakes."
Everyone raised their hands in unison: "Here."
Immediately.
Everyone left, giving orders and making preparations.
Xu You secretly breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he passed Julu, he could change his route south and go straight to Qinghe River.