Duan Zhuo led his troops and marched southward for nearly a hundred miles after crossing Mianshui River. They arrived at the city gate on the northwest edge of Nanxiang County. When he saw the situation, his heart suddenly "thumped". The place had been occupied by the Shu army!
The soldiers of the Wei army walked along a ravine for a long time before arriving here. However, the front of the ravine was already full of Shu troops, and they also occupied a slightly higher road section. From a distance, people could see black and red flags fluttering in the wind.
I saw that the Shu army had repaired an antler in the ravine, and many people were still digging soil and digging trenches there. Those people suddenly saw the Wei army, straightened up, and turned their heads to look this way.
Since the Wei army went south, this was the first time that sizable troops from both sides had met! For a while, people in the ravine looked at each other with no reaction.
The military order Duan Zhuo received was to occupy the city gate and wait for reinforcements.
But he was Deng Ai's vassal, he was literate and understood things, and of course he understood what Deng Ai meant. What Deng Ai wanted was an opportunity to quickly enter the Nanxiang Basin, not this ravine with nothing!
Now that the Shu army has blocked the intersection, if Duan Zhuo continues to guard here, it will obviously be of no use.
If another group of Shu troops came from the north, Duan Zhuo would still be surrounded in this ravine and die without a place to bury him!
He immediately ordered: "Retreat!"
Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, Duan Zhuo discovered that the enemy troops behind the antlers were gathering troops to attack the Wei army.
The Wei army was tired and had just marched for dozens of miles. This chaotic lineup not only looked easy to fight, but also suffered a lot. Duan Zhuo had not yet established a foothold, so he immediately led his troops to retreat north. Finally, he did not have to fight with the Shu army.
Fight.
When Deng Ai heard the news in Akasaka the next day, his face became uncertain, but he did not take his anger out on Duan Zhuo. Because after thinking about it for a moment, Deng Ai knew that Duan Zhuo was not to blame for this incident.
To seize the city pass is to take the enemy by surprise! If the Shu army is prepared, Duan Zhuo's helpless and exhausted troops will naturally not be able to achieve their goal, and the result will be the same for everyone.
In addition, the scouts had previously found out that a large number of Shu troops set out from Lecheng, crossed the Mian River and headed south, probably heading to Nanxiang. Deng Ai had to make a judgment: Jiang Wei knew in advance that the Wei army was going to attack Nanxiang!
The matter is indeed a bit strange, because based on the experience of previous competitions in Hanzhong, the army from Guanzhong has never done anything like this before, and will focus on Nanxiang.
Judging from this situation, either a spy inquired about the decision-making of Wei Jun's top brass, or Jiang Wei attached great importance to the trebuchet and guessed Wei Jun's intentions.
Deng Ai then stopped crossing the Mian River south and began to build forts in Akasaka, Xingshi and other places and stayed there. He only sent scouts to all directions to inquire about the military situation and terrain.
...A few days later, the follow-up army of the Wei army gained momentum.
Qin Liang led the crowd to pass by his old place and saw the valley where Guo Huai and Wang Ping fought. Looking at the surrounding terrain, he still felt familiar.
However, both Guo Huai and Wang Ping are dead, which makes people feel that things have changed. The Shu army is no longer visible here, and Deng Ai opened the exit of Xingshi without a battle.
The army walked through a large valley in the Xingshi area, which was then divided into many valleys, all of which could lead to the mountains. Qin Liang took the westernmost valley, which was the fastest way to get out of the mountains, and then came to the bank of the Tang River.
.
The southern section of the Tangluo Road is called Tanggu because it is close to Tangshui; the northern section is called Luogu. Therefore, this road is called Tangluo Road. When the small town of Akasaka was in sight, Deng Ai led the crowd to greet it. People on both sides dismounted and bowed.
Bye, let's talk for a while.
Deng Ai stuttered and described: "Jiang Wei built fortifications in advance at Nanxiang Chengguan; Lecheng Shu army went to Nanxiang, with tens of thousands of troops! Therefore, the servants were unable to open the road to Nanxiang."
When Qin Liang heard this, a look of surprise flashed across his face.
The total strength of the Shu Han army that could be gathered in the Hanzhong area must be less than 100,000. Did Jiang Wei gather a large number of troops to Nanxiang so early?
Qin Liang even had the illusion that Jiang Wei was listening when the top officials of the Wei army were discussing matters in Guanzhong!
However, Qin Liang did not express his inner feelings, and still said calmly: "Very good, our army was able to reach the Hanzhong Plain smoothly, and Shi Zai is the vanguard, and his contribution is indispensable."
Deng Aiyi responded.
Qin Liang then got on his horse, turned his head and glanced southward, and said, "I'm here now, let's go to Akasaka first."
The generals also remounted their horses and followed. Deng Ai said: "There are not many soldiers in the city. Although we tried to persuade them to surrender several times, the Shu army refused to surrender."
Akasaka Castle was already within sight. Everyone continued southward along the Tang River, and soon arrived at a camp of the Wei army. The ground was filled with dust, and many Wei army officers were digging ditches, repairing fences, and building watchtowers. However, the Akasaka Castle tower still had hangings hanging on it.
The flag of the Shu army.
Qin Liang observed for a while, then turned around and said: "This city cannot be defended. If the Shu army does not surrender, we will prepare to attack the city."
The generals cupped their fists and said, "Here!"
Probably because the deeds of the Wei army massacred Xuzhou have been publicized by Wu and Shu for decades, and the bad influence has not been eliminated for decades. The reputation of the Wei army among the Shu and Han Dynasties is indeed not very good. A city like Akasaka with not many troops is not willing to do so easily.
surrender.
Moreover, Emperor Taizu Wu did nothing good when he defended Hanzhong. He forcibly moved hundreds of thousands of Hanzhong people away, but the logistics could not keep up, and at least half of them died on the way.
However, these factors cannot eliminate the physical disparity.
After all, defending the city does not rely solely on the city wall, after all, it is still a human battle; it is just that the defending side has the advantage of the geographical advantage, which will be used at great advantage. Soon more than 100,000 troops will pour into Hanzhong, and Akasaka has become an isolated city with few people.
I can't hold it at all!
Qin Liang pulled the reins and turned away from this place, heading east to a camp built by Deng Ai's army.
This place is the exit of several valleys in the Xingshi Mountain area, and there is a village. Qin Liang led his troops into the village, intending to wait here for all the subsequent troops to enter Hanzhong.
More generals arrived first, and everyone went to the courtyard of the tile-roofed house where Qin Liang lived, greeting each other and chatting. Some people were walking around in the courtyard, and some were looking for huts. The not-so-spacious courtyard seemed a bit agitated for a while.
Crowded.
Amidst the noise, Qin Liang said very little. He was sitting cross-legged on the straw mat at the top. There were papers on the wooden table and on the straw mat beside him.
Some of the pictures were painted by Deng Ai. Qin Liang would also briefly ask Deng Ai a few words, and from time to time would summon scouts to question him face to face.
Of course, Qin Liang had already collected the topographic maps of the entire Qinling Mountains and Hanzhong. However, for more detailed places like the direction of Nanxiang, maps could not be found in any documents. He had to send people to inquire on the spot.
Deng Ai now knows the terrain in the south better than Qin Liang because he arrived a few days earlier.
Qin Liang got up from the straw mat, stretched his legs and feet, and saw a door on the side, so he walked into the dim room. The lighting in the back room was not good, but the direction of the back door was very bright. Qin Liang quickly walked out through the back door.
We came to a small backyard.
With the barriers of the houses, it suddenly became a lot quieter here.
Not long after, Deng Ai, Wang Jinhu, Zhong Hui, Wang Chen, Yin Ci and others all came out of the back door and bowed to Qin Liang one after another.
At this time, Wang Jinhu's voice said in a deep voice: "When we talk about Nanxiang in Wugong County, no outsiders should hear it?"
Deng Ai said: "Except for...Du Yuankai and Chen Xuanbo, the rest are all in the army."
Yinci said: "Is there a spy in the army?"
Qin Liang recalled the scene in the temple pavilion in Wugong County for a moment, then he turned around and said: "It may be that Jiang Wei guessed it.
Wang Jinhu said again: "Jiang Wei took tens of thousands of people to the mountains over there in Nanxiang. We might as well go to Lecheng, Baozhong! Let's see if he can save them."
Qin Liang said: "If we don't capture Nanxiang, how will the trebuchets be transported here?"
Wang Shen, who was standing next to him, said: "General Mingjian, we only need to capture Baozhong and open up the old road, so that the grain road can flow down the Bao River. By then, Jiang Wei will have no hope of counterattacking our army."
Qin Liang was noncommittal.
Jiang Wei was obviously prepared this time, and had repaired and reinforced Baozhong City. There should be a lot of defenders in Baozhong; without trebuchets, it might not be so easy to capture the important town.
It is normal for a city to be unable to be conquered for several months. Many times, the way to attack a city is to besiege it and compete with others who have more food. The attacking party is outside and can get supplies. This advantage alone will consume the other party!
Qin Liang noticed that Zhong Hui was present, but he never said a word. He just observed himself with interest, and occasionally looked thoughtful. Zhong Hui did not make any suggestions, and he did not ask Zhong Hui this time.
Qin Liang has always been a person who doesn't like to hesitate for too long, so he immediately said: "Let's attack Nanxiang."
His voice was not loud, but everyone quickly quieted down and turned to look at Qin Liang.
Qin Liang added: "This attack on Shu is not a sneak attack. Since Jiang Wei arrived in Nanxiang first, we will decide the outcome."
Deng Ai stumbled and said: "The Shu army has blocked the city gate, and Nanxiang is surrounded by mountains on all sides. Our army has many cavalry, and the Shu army is good at mountain warfare. If the battlefield is in the mountains to the north of Nanxiang, our army cannot exploit its strengths and avoid its weaknesses."
Qin Liang nodded and said: "What Shi Zai said makes sense. But it is precisely because of this that Jiang Wei is willing to deploy heavy troops outside and not hesitate to fight me."
Everyone looked at each other for a moment, then bowed to Qin Liang one after another and said, "I obey the order of General Wei!"
Qin Liang returned the courtesy and said: "In two days, when all the ministries arrive in Hanzhong, you will come back here to discuss matters and redeploy military affairs."
Everyone said: "Here!"
Qin Liang stood in the small courtyard without leaving. He took a deep breath secretly and finally slowly suppressed the complicated emotions in his heart.
As long as Jiang Wei and Sima Shi get together, there will be an air of conspiracy. Whether it is the death of Fei Wenwei or the assassination of Qin Liang, it seems that they are inextricably related to those two people.
The current battlefield is vaguely full of that smell. Moreover, Jiang Wei's deployment is a gesture of wanting to take advantage of all the advantages, otherwise he will retreat and not fight. Qin Liang, as his opponent, is of course very unhappy with his senses.
However, Qin Liang also understands that taking advantage on the battlefield is a skill. There is really no need to be too conceited.