At the beginning of November in the sixth year of Jianxing, Wei Ba led the guard battalion to Wuguan and met Deng Zhi.
Starting from the time when Zhuge Liang's troops left Longyou, the Shu Han army had occupied Guanzhong for more than two months. Due to the unexpected fall of Tongguan, Cao Wei's belated reinforcements were blocked in Tongguan, Pu Banjin was unable to advance, and the ships that Cao Zhen had worked so hard to collect were lost.
After being severely destroyed by Wei Yan, the plan to forcibly cross the Yellow River was thwarted. The Wuguan Road, which was originally the least valued, became the most likely possibility for Cao Wei's army to enter Guanzhong.
After receiving Cao Zhen's apology, Cao Rui immediately made a choice. He rushed to Wancheng in person and ordered the hussar general Sima Yi to march to Wuguan, and he must attack the pass as quickly as possible.
Although Sima Yi was unwilling to do so, he did not dare to disobey the emperor's edict and immediately led an army of 40,000 men and rushed to Wuguan with great momentum.
When the news reached Wuguan, Wei Bazheng and Deng Zhi were inspecting the city wall. Deng Zhi had been in Wuguan for more than a month and spent a lot of effort. He had repaired all the parts of the city wall that could be repaired, including the hillside on the north side.
A simple small fortress was built, with corresponding fortifications extending to the south of Danshui.
"The general has put a lot of thought into it." Wei Ba praised sincerely.
"Of course." Deng Zhi said politely, but there was no smile on his face. Wei Ba only brought the guard camp, but not any luggage. He had already realized that Wei Ba wanted to give up Wuguan.
"Joining the army, one man is in charge of the Wuguan pass, and ten thousand men are not allowed to open it. You must not fall into the hands of the enemy."
Wei Ba frowned, "But we can't defend Wuguan."
"If you haven't defended it yet, how can you say you won't be able to defend it?"
"It's too far, and logistical supply is difficult."
"With Dan Shui on the side, what's the difficulty in transporting it by ship?"
Wei Ba shook his head helplessly. He knew that Deng Zhi was a little anxious and might even suspect that he did it on purpose. He had to explain patiently: "General, it's not like you don't know that it's almost early winter and the water supply is insufficient.
As for going up, we can only go to Lantian, and we have to go down Danshui, which is navigable at least to Shangluo. This is easy to come and difficult to go, so we won’t go into details. Just from Lantian to Shangluo, there is a mountain road of 150 miles.
, the food is okay, but the Pili truck cannot transport it at all."
Deng Zhi looked at Wei Ba with doubts and anger in his eyes. "Is this really the reason for you?"
"Of course, can I still deceive the general?" Wei Ba spread his hands: "Let me tell the truth, I don't want to lose Wuguan. With Wuguan in hand, we can threaten Nanyang at any time. If we are not forced to do so, it is so good.
The location is so convenient, how can I give up so easily?"
"If that's the case, then things will be much easier to handle." Deng Zhi waved his hand: "I don't dare to ask for too much. I just want to join the army and build some thunderbolt chariots and continuous ballistae chariots here. I have prepared the wood. I just want to join the army."
Just send some craftsmen over."
Wei Ba was surprised, but Deng Zhi didn't say much to him and led him to see the warehouse. After looking at the warehouse, Wei Ba realized how much thought Deng Zhi had put into it and why there were so few decent houses in Wuguan City.
The area outside Wuguan City was not only so clean because of the need to fortify the walls and clear the fields, it turned out that all the houses were demolished by Deng Zhi.
Is this guy in charge of demolition and demolition, so ruthless and efficient?
Looking at the large and small pieces of wood and Deng Zhi's fierce face, Wei Ba knew that it would not be an easy task to persuade Deng Zhi to give up Wuguan. If he didn't do it right, he might destroy this temporary
Allies were forced to fall out.
"Okay, I can help you build a thunderbolt vehicle and a continuous ballista vehicle. However, I have a request."
"Say." Seeing Wei Ba relax, Deng Zhi's tone also softened.
"We try our best to defend, but we cannot stick to the art of war. When necessary, we must put the preservation of our strength first and withdraw to Shangluo or even Lantian."
Deng Zhi showed a rare smile and raised his palm: "I understand this truth. What does a gentleman say?"
"It's hard to chase a horse." Wei Ba smiled bitterly and raised his palm, touching Deng Zhi.
…
Although Wei Ba worked overtime to build the Thunderbolt Chariot, Sima Yi arrived faster. Before they were ready, Sima Yi's vanguard arrived outside Wuguan City.
Among the generals leading the team was Wei Ba's old acquaintance, Jin Dongliu.
Jin Dongliu was captured alive by Wei Ba at Anqiao Fortress. He later escaped from Hanzhong, but was deceived by Wei Ba again. After returning to Wancheng, he swore that it was impossible to march in Ziwu Valley. Only then did Sima Yi and his son believe it.
As a result, Wei Yan sent troops from Ziwu Valley and captured Tongguan in one fell swoop, changing the entire battle situation.
Sima Yi and his son did not blame Jin Dongliu. After all, this was a matter in the Guanzhong War Zone and had no direct relationship with them. They also believed that Jin Dongliu did not intentionally cooperate with Wei Ba to implement strategic deception. He himself was fooled, so they did not punish him.
He. However, Jin Dongliu could not forgive himself. This time Sima Yi sent troops, he took the initiative to ask for an order to serve in the forward battalion, even as an ordinary soldier.
Sima Yi did not let him be an ordinary soldier, but gave him 3,000 men and asked him to go to Wuguan City to check the situation first. However, he was not the leader, and the leader of the vanguard was Hu Zun. During the Battle of Fangling, Hu Zun lost Mulan Se.
It's just that he escaped back alive and was not as embarrassed as Jin Dongliu, so this time the two of them sent troops together, Hu Zun looked down on Jin Dongliu a little, and it was inevitable that he would use cynicism in his words.
Jin Dongliu turned a deaf ear. He didn't speak much at first, but now he is even more silent.
The two of them climbed a hillside and overlooked Wuguan City in the distance. Jin Dongliu followed naturally, silently, as silent as a stone.
Hu Zun hit his armor with a riding crop, making a "pop" sound. He was also in a bad mood. Last time at Mulan Sai, he accidentally hit Wei Ba's path and was attacked from behind by Wei Feng. He still didn't understand.
What's going on? Those monkey-like Shu Han soldiers climbed up the city. Sima Yi did not punish him and let him continue to lead the troops. However, he was very unconvinced and held his breath. This time he had to attack Guanzhong and capture him alive.
Wei Ba.
"You have been to Guanzhong and returned to Wancheng via this road. You should have some impressions of this place, right?" Hu Zun asked with a hint of irony.
Jin Dongliu had no expression on his face, squinting his eyes and looking at the city in the distance. He was bored for a long time, until Hu Zun's face turned red from holding it in, and then he said unhurriedly: "Wuguan is surrounded by mountains to the north and mountains to the south.
Danshui is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Needless to say, the terrain is difficult. If there is any flaw, it is that the distance between it and Chang'an is too far. Even Shangluo behind it is more than two hundred miles away."
"Easy to defend but difficult to attack?" Hu Zun sneered, "Are you talking about the city or the people?"
Jin Dongliu frowned and swallowed the next words.
Hu Zun didn't care about him and pointed at Guancheng in the distance with his riding whip, "I heard that the defender of the city is called Deng Zhi. He is an old man in his fifties who has never led an army to fight. Can he defend Wuguancheng?"
Hu Zun snorted disdainfully: "If you are afraid of the young and strong, you can no longer be afraid of the old and the weak."
Jin Dongliu's face suddenly turned red. He turned his head and pretended not to hear. Hu Zun looked at Wuguan City for a while and saw that there was nothing special about Wuguan City, so he hurried down. Jin Dongliu stopped on the hillside again.
For a long time, he disagreed with Hu Zun's opinion. Although Deng Zhi was unknown and had never led an army before, he believed that since Wei Ba allowed him to guard Wuguan, Deng Zhi would not be too weak. Currently, the one guarding Tongguan is
Wei Ba's father, Wei Yan, was guarding Pu Banjin, his master Zhao Yun. How could the person guarding Wuguan be a useless old man?
Although Jin Dongliu was humiliated because he was deceived by Wei Ba, he had no ill feelings toward Wei Ba himself. Soldiers never tire of deceit. They were enemies in the first place. If they were deceived by Wei Ba, they could only say that he was not smart enough, but he could not say that Wei Ba
What's wrong with Wei Ba? On the contrary, he has more respect for Wei Ba, the respect between enemies.
He believed that Deng Zhi would not be a useless person, and Wuguancheng was not that easy to fight.
However, after seeing Wuguan, he was somewhat reassured. Judging from what he saw, Wuguan City's city defense was quite satisfactory, not quite like Wei Ba's handiwork. It is possible that Wei Ba was still in Chang'an and had not come to Wuguan.
If this is the case, it would not be a bad idea to make a strong attack to test Wuguan's defensive strength and test Deng Zhi's ability. Even if there is a setback, the loss should not be too great.
Jin Dongliu smiled silently and walked down the mountain.
…
While Jin Dongliu was meditating on the mountain, Wei Ba was arranging craftsmen to organize production in Wuguan City. The drawings were ready and the wood was ready. However, the Wei army arrived too quickly, and the craftsmen and related equipment he transferred from Shangluo were not yet available.
On the road, he had to build enough Pili vehicles and Liannu vehicles in a timely manner. He was really powerless, so he could only make a few emergency vehicles first, and at the same time let these craftsmen familiarize themselves with the process.
Wei Ba implemented a modern industrial process in Chang'an, with a fine division of labor and a large number of machinery to replace manpower. These could not be built in a day or two. Sima Yi's forwards had already arrived outside the city, and it was impossible to give him time to calm down.
Preparation. He could only build a few thunderbolt vehicles with the same power as the Wei army according to the existing model.
Just because of this, Deng Zhi was overjoyed. He did not see the spectacular scene of nearly a hundred Thunderbolt vehicles bombarding Jianzhang Palace. He only wanted to own this legendary weapon, not too much.
Looking at the dozen or so Pili cars that had just been formed, Wei Ba shook his head, but Deng Zhi was so happy that he couldn't open his mouth from ear to ear.
At this moment, the Wei army's attack began.
After receiving the news that Wei Jun was arrayed outside the city, Deng Zhi was stunned for a moment, put away his smile, and sneered: "It's just the right time, let them see what Wei Junjun can do."
Wei Ba quickly said modestly: "No, no, no, let them see General Deng's methods."
Deng Zhi glanced at him and reached out to pat Wei Ba on the shoulder: "Ziyu, let them see our methods."
An old man and a young man looked at each other and laughed. Deng Zhi was so proud that he pulled Wei Ba up to the city. Wei Ba humbly asked Deng Zhi to go first. In terms of age, Deng Zhi was several years older than him. In terms of status,
Deng Zhi was General Yangwu, and he also had the status of a Central Supervisor of the Army. He was just a soldier of the Prime Minister's Palace, which was too far away. Deng Zhi could be polite to him in front of everyone, but he had to recognize his own position.
Similarly, he knew better that in this kind of situation, the more high-profile you are, the more you will be despised by others, and the more low-key you are, the easier it is to get praise. No one will like a self-righteous young man, especially an old man like Deng Zhi.
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