Autumn comes and the scenery is strange. I don't notice the geese leaving Hengyang. There are sounds from all sides, thousands of miles away, the smoke is long and the sun is setting, so the city is closed.
A glass of turbid wine can bring a family thousands of miles away, but the swallows have no plan to return. The Qiang pipes are covered with frost, people can't sleep, and the generals' white hair is white and their husbands are weeping.
——"Fisherman's Proud Autumn Thoughts" Fan Zhongyan
…
In the following days, the Lone Eagle team moved northward, gradually approaching the territory controlled by the rebels, and their march became increasingly dangerous.
There is a war buffer zone with a radius of several hundred miles between the Tang army and the rebels.
Because this is the front line of the battle between the two armies, it is extremely dangerous. Not to mention ordinary people, even horse bandits and thieves do not visit this area. Therefore, the buffer zone is also a no-man's land.
The uninhabited area is barren of weeds, foxes are scurrying away, and there are few people around. Only scouts from both sides are here to conduct reconnaissance and set up ambushes.
The Lone Eagle team has exchanged fire with small groups of rebel scouts two or three times, and each time they have left survivors alive. After torture, they have learned the passwords and seals of the rebel scouts.
The scholar imitated the handwriting of the rebel scouts and continuously sent disguised messages back to the rebels.
After interrogating the prisoners that day, the scholar gathered everyone together and drew a map on the sand with branches.
The scholar said: "If the rebels want to go south, they must pass through this no-man's land. There are three official roads in the no-man's land, which can ensure the passage of large groups of people. Therefore, these three official roads are covered with our scouts, who investigate and guard day and night.
.
The no-man's land was hundreds of miles in radius. Even if the rebels accelerated their march and marched day and night, it would still take three days to pass through the no-man's land. The Tang army had enough time to set up defenses and even set up an ambush midway.
A hundred miles to the north from our feet is a primitive forest called Savage Valley. Only in Savage Valley was the Tang army undefended.
Savage Valley is only more than ten miles away from the Yellow River. If the rebels organize a rapid march, cross this forest, cut down trees, build rafts, and sail down the river, they can reach Luoyang in just one day.
When An Qingxu evacuated Luoyang, he deliberately destroyed the city defenses. To this day, the city walls have not been repaired and are difficult to attack and difficult to defend. Once the rebels suddenly appear in Luoyang, the Tang army will be in panic and the people will panic..."
Before the scholar could finish speaking, Lynx'er interjected: "I understand what you mean. It may be difficult for the rebels to implement this strategy. I have been in this primeval forest. It is densely covered with thorns, inaccessible, filled with wild beasts, poisonous insects, and miasma. Three or five martial arts skills
A strong man may be able to pass through, but a large army of soldiers and horses will never be able to pass through."
Iron Hammer looked serious and said: "We would think so, and so would the rebels. The more impossible we think it is, the weaker the link in our defense.
When Wei attacked Shu, Jiang Wei had already blocked Zhong Hui's army outside Jianmen Pass. Seeing that the Wei army was out of food and grass, he was about to withdraw. Deng Ai took advantage of the Shu army's negligence in underestimating the enemy, crossed the Shiwan Mountains, and suddenly broke out from Jiangyou, forcing Liu Chan to surrender.
.This situation and this situation are exactly the same as today, so we must be careful."
The scholar continued: "I just interrogated the prisoner, and the prisoner told me that the rebels built an Eagle Fort that can accommodate thirty people on the peak at the northern end of the Savage Valley a few days ago, and stocked up a large amount of food, grass and luggage.
This move is extremely abnormal.
Although we don't know how the rebels will cross this forest, it is very likely that they will use Savage Valley to cause trouble.
The harder it is to guess the other party’s strategic intentions, the more unsettling it becomes.”
Eagle Eye said to Lynx: "How big is Savage Valley?"
Lynx'er replied: "I can cross it in three days and two nights by myself. If we go together, it will take about five or six days."
Eagle Eye said: "If we can walk half the distance, I can fly an eagle to investigate."
Tie Zhui looked at Lone Wolf, who finally spoke and said: "Shi Siming is cunning and cunning, and he does not rule out adventurous raids."
Iron Hammer slapped his thigh and said: "Then it's settled. Xiucai, write down our plan in detail. Hawkeye, send a pigeon letter to the scout camp.
Let’s set off immediately and try to enter Savage Valley early the day after tomorrow.”
…
The Lone Eagle team traveled through the starry night and finally arrived at the edge of Savage Valley on time.
After receiving the pigeon message, the Tang Army scouts who were ambushing nearby came to respond. The Lone Eagle team handed over camels, horses, heavy weapons and other baggage to the Tang Army scouts who were responding, and only brought short weapons, dry food and items necessary for crossing the jungle.
The Tang Army's scout team, Zheng Laohu, said: "Haiban, if you want to enter the Savage Valley, you must have your reasons. I won't ask any more questions. However, the Savage Valley is extremely dangerous and is also called the Man-Eating Valley. Even the local hunters do not dare to do so easily."
You must be careful when entering the mountains."
Chuiban chuckled and said: "Lao Hu, don't worry, it's not that you don't know me, I don't have any other abilities, you just have a great fortune.
By the way, say hello to my siblings, my nephew is growing more and more like me..."
"Get out of here, you go inside Death Valley." Lao Hu kicked the hammer and cursed.
When leaving, Lao Hu took out a red rope and put it around Hammer's neck, saying: "Hammer, be careful all the way. With this thing by your side, the earth will protect you and protect you from all poisons!" After that, he hugged him hard.
Hit the hammer and wave goodbye.
…
After entering the Savage Valley, Iron Hammer handed over the command to Lynx. After all, he is the real king of the jungle.
You're welcome to the lynx. The jungle has its own laws. If you don't follow the rules, you will die.
Since there were newcomers Lone Wolf and Bai Fu in the team, plus Luo Tuo'er who had no jungle experience at all, in order to ensure safety, Lynx'er first explained a few precautions, saying: "First of all, you must obey my orders, remember to
Follow my route.
Although the military situation is urgent, we cannot blindly pursue speed. The speed of traveling in the jungle depends not only on each other's physical condition, but also on the weather conditions, topography, equipment and food quantity, as well as poisonous insects, wild beasts in the Savage Valley, and even rebels.
The location and number of scouts.
I will arrange my daily itinerary and leave enough time and energy to build a safe and comfortable camp.
Secondly, the terrain of Savage Valley is complex, consisting of undulating peaks and valleys, with streams, cliffs and jungles in the middle. In order to avoid getting lost, save energy and increase travel speed, you should strive to have a road that does not go through the forest to cross the mountain.
But there are many dangers when marching along roads trodden by wild beasts. On this kind of road, it is easy for the enemy to observe our number and marching direction from our footprints, and it is also easy to lay an ambush on the road, so we should be extra careful.
If there is no road, you can choose to travel on vertical mountain ridges, ridges, mountainsides, edges of rivers and streams, and terrain with tall trees, sparse forests, large gaps, and low grass. Generally, avoid walking in deep ravines, deep ravines, and lush grass.
Where rattan and bamboo are intertwined, try to walk along beams instead of ditches, and walk vertically instead of horizontally.
Thirdly, in the Savage Valley, there are big trees covering the sky, dense vines, and many poisonous plants. There are many obstacles when traveling. You need to coordinate your body to avoid these vegetations: shoulder side, move your hips, bend down, etc.
The pace and speed should be adjusted according to the type and density of the plants. Especially when walking through dense vegetation, the movement should be slow and steady. Sound can travel far in the jungle. You need to stop and listen to the surroundings from time to time.
Identify the direction.
You can use a machete to open a path, or you can use branches or sticks to separate plants to avoid encountering poisonous leaves and poisonous insects.
In general, do not try to climb a slope or over an obstacle by grabbing onto branches or vines. They may have stinging thorns or sharp thorns and may not be able to support a person's weight.
When encountering a fallen tree, try to go around it instead of over it. Walking around can save energy and reduce the possibility of injury.
In addition, if you travel on a ridge, it will be easier than traveling in a valley. There are usually tracks of wild beasts on the ridge, which can lead the way, provide an observation place, and find road signs.
However, when walking on the ridge, your tracks will be fully exposed under the contrast of the sky. You need to hide yourself as much as possible and beware of cold arrows from rebel scouts and ambushes arranged on the road.
…
If you get separated, when looking for a way out in the jungle, you should look for the safest and least obstructed route. When choosing a route, the situation, weather, and terrain are the main factors that need to be considered.
The route of least obstruction is often by water. If possible, try to avoid cross-country travel. Find a stream and follow it downstream.
Traveling along a stream may require wading, detouring, passing through dense vegetation, etc. The advantage of a stream is that it has a clear route and is likely to lead to an inhabited area; it can also provide water and food, and you can even ride on a raft.
Rafting on the stream.
…
"Do you understand?" Lynx asked loudly.
"Understood!" the scouts responded with loud voices.
Lynx'er smiled with satisfaction and shouted: "Okay, the eagle eye is in the middle, and the hammer squad is behind. Let's go!"