Hanhou

After a heavy snowfall, the frontier fortress was covered in silver.

After nightfall, the north wind howled, blowing on people's faces like a knife scraping bones.

At the head of Yunzhong City, a group of infantry holding torches changed the guard with their comrades who had guarded for an hour.

Since the imperial court issued a decree to make clothing with wool and poultry down, the frontier army's flocks, hakamas and foot clothing have been replaced one after another. Together with the helmets, the original animal skins and kudzu linen have been discarded, and all new materials have been replaced. , Not to mention light and warm to wear, plus gloves with five fingers, it can effectively prevent frostbite in the army and reduce unnecessary losses.

After the defense at the top of the city was changed, several servants walked up the city wall with rattan baskets on their backs.The baskets were filled with chopped firewood, baled hay, and a small half-can of pine oil.

"Password!"

The soldiers held up the torches, and the flames illuminated the servants' faces.The long knife was half out of its sheath, and if the servant couldn't answer, he would be stabbed on the neck with the knife.The light ones will be locked up and will not be dealt with until tomorrow to confirm their identities.Those who dared to break through were beheaded on the spot, and those who were related were also convicted.

"Wuwei!"

The servant wears woolen clothes and pants, a leather jacket, a hat that can protect his ears, animal leather boots on his feet, and a four-finger-wide cloth belt tied around his waist.In addition to the rattan basket on the back, there is also a wooden curved bow. There is no quiver, and the arrows are wrapped in a cloth bag and tied around the waist with a thick rope.

"Wang Wuchang, it's me." The servant returned the command, raised his hand and pushed the leather cap, revealing a resolute and dark face.

"It turned out to be you." Wuchang Wang withdrew his long knife and said strangely, "Why did you bring someone here? According to the rules, it should be a servant sent from Yuanyang."

"There is not enough manpower, they are going to the north city gate." The servant stomped his feet and signaled to the people behind him, "Be quick and light the torches."

The servants first moved the firewood, and then took out a special torch from the rattan basket, which was wrapped with a coarse cloth soaked in oil.

"Put down the things, you go down first." Wang Wuchang said.

As early as this afternoon, the team leader issued an order to be cautious when patrolling at night.When there is a large army coming from the south, report it to the city quickly, and let it enter the city under the name of a torch.

The servant was born in the frontier fortress, and knows the strict military orders.

Especially tonight, the atmosphere in the city is very unusual.Even though he was curious in his heart, he knew that Wuchang Wang would not reveal a word, and he didn't want to cause trouble, so he didn't ask. He counted the people he brought, picked up the empty rattan basket, and hurried down to the top of the city.

"Brother, what's going on here?" A young man with a slightly emaciated figure and a green bark protruding from his jaw asked.

"Shut up!" the servant yelled in a low voice, tightened his belt, and glanced at everyone, "It's not something you and I should inquire about, so you'd better keep your mouth shut. Thinking too much will only cause trouble. Especially You, Lu Ji, you talk a lot on weekdays. This place is no better than in the countryside, so keep your mouth shut, if you are punished by military law, no wonder no one pleads for you!"

The young man shrank his neck, still a bit unconvinced in his heart.Facing the stern expression on the servant's face, he didn't dare to stand up.He murmured a few times, then carried the wicker basket on his back and walked forward without daring to inquire again.

There are not a few people who have the same curiosity as Lu Ji.

It was only because of the strict rules and the servant leading the team sternly sternly sternly burying the question in his heart that he did not seek out the fellow guards of the city.

Even though there is no definite news, relying on living in the border county all year round, everyone is extremely sensitive to the atmosphere before the war.Especially the few elders who had been on the battlefield with the army and transported luggage, they had already guessed in their hearts without saying anything.

"Don't think about it when you get back. Everyone go to bed early and get up early to work tomorrow." An elderly servant strode forward with a rattan basket on his back.

Everyone was shocked by the wind, and quickened their pace one after another.

The elder was right, no matter what happened in the city, with the frontier army in front, it's not their turn to worry.Even if there was a war, Bianjun Erlang was never more than half afraid.

Instead of thinking about it, it's better to go back early, warm up by the fire, dig out the big taro hidden in the fire ash, and fill your stomach before going to bed.

The servants marched in the night, the torches in their hands were torn by the wind and might go out at any time.Fortunately, there was a silver moon hanging in the sky, and there was reflection from the snow, so that his eyes would not be completely darkened, and he would be completely lost in direction.

On the top of the city, Wuchang Wang stood by the brazier for a while, and continued to lead the soldiers on patrol.

About half an hour later, a Han army suddenly appeared outside the city.

The army lined up in a long line, and there was no noise during the march.The war horse stepped across the snow, except for the hot air from its mouth and nose, it never neighed.

"Captain, there is someone!"

When the army discovered the situation, they immediately put down the torches and drew the bowstring behind the wall.

The soldiers who had changed defense before were woken up one after another, and ran up the wall at high speed.At the same time, two soldiers rushed down the city wall to send letters to the prefect's mansion and the military camp in the city respectively.

Fifty steps away from the city, the army suddenly stopped.

A group of cavalry rode forward, and the three leaders took the torches from the horses, lit them, and shook them three times from side to side.When someone came from the Taishou's mansion to confirm that the signal was correct, the city gate was opened from the inside, and the army lined up in four rows and filed into the city.

Before Zhao Jia sent a letter through the Golden Eagle, he said that he could arrive in two days, and the city had already made arrangements to ensure that no news would be leaked before the army arrived.

When the army arrived tonight, Wei Yue got a report, rode his horse and left the prefect's mansion, and climbed to the top of the city himself.

Because she came in a hurry, Wei Yue didn't wear any armor, but only light-colored dark clothes and a cloak made of fox fur.The long hair is not tied in a bun, but is tied with a silk belt, hanging like a black waterfall on the back of the shoulders.

The cold wind blows, and the cloak flutters like eagle wings.

After the wind stopped, Wei Yue looked down at the city, with two strands of black hair hanging down her temples, her black eyes as dark as black ink.Because of the coldness, the thin lips are not stained with half of the color.

The action plan was meticulous, all the army entered the city, Zhao Jia, Gongsun He and Han Yan went to the prefect's mansion together, the barbarians in the city were always ignorant and did not notice anything strange.

After the city gate was closed, Wei Yue rode his horse back to the mansion, and happened to meet Zhao Jia in front of the mansion gate.

Since the farewell in Chang'an, the two haven't seen each other for a long time, and they always pass the news with the golden eagle and the letter eagle.

The arrival of the army this time indicates that the war against the Huns is about to begin.

According to the plan, the two will each lead [-] Han troops, starting from Yunzhong County, pointing directly at Longxi, targeting the Xiongnu Aries King and Loufan King stationed there.

The goal of this battle is to retake the Hetao with rich water and grass, drive the Huns further north, and lay the foundation for continuing to sweep the north.

"Is Aunt in the study?" Wei Yue summoned an old servant and learned that Wei Shang had got up, so he personally led the way for Zhao Jia and the three of them to meet Wei Shang in the study.

"Third Young Master, is the county ready?" Zhao Jia asked in a low voice.

"Don't worry, Ah Duo, [-] county soldiers and [-] auxiliary soldiers will be recruited at any time. There is no need to worry about food and fodder. The emperor has decreed that all the autumn gifts will be kept in the barn. There will be enough for the army to supply the needs of the army."

The grain and fodder in Wei Yue's mouth mainly supplied the main soldiers, basically excluding Qiang, Xianbei and Wuhuan auxiliary soldiers.

This kind of arrangement seems very unreasonable. Fighting with the Han army and not giving the army rations, as far as common sense is concerned, it is inevitable to overthrow the case.However, the Jianghu Department did not have any objections, sharpened their heads one by one, and rushed to join the team.

Prepare your own horses, weapons, and food.

In short, as long as they are allowed to go out with the Han army, everything is not a problem.

The leaders of the various ministries who made a lot of money by borrowing from Hushi even said that if the Han army needed it, they could even provide food and grass for the army.There is no millet, but cattle, sheep and camels are enough.

Nowadays, all of them are rich and powerful, and when they look at their relatives on the grassland, they all seem to be sizing up fat sheep, and they slaughter them mercilessly.When you meet businessmen from Dayuezhi, Wusun and Anxi, they will kill you without discussing it.

The one who was slaughtered didn't have the slightest awareness, but stretched out his neck actively, accepting the outrageously high price, without blinking his eyes.

In the final analysis, returning the high price that the ministries thought was nothing in their eyes.Even if the lion opens his mouth, as long as the goods are shipped back safely, a buyer can be found 100% of the time, and the price can be multiplied several times.

Just like hearing the price of silk in Rome, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and the big bosses of the Manchu Dynasty vowed to destroy the Xiongnu, take over the Western Regions, pack up the difference and earn a flying rest, these surrendered tribes still don’t know the value of Zhetang in Central Asia , if you know, you will regret that you didn't strike hard enough.

Cutting flesh is nothing, tearing apart arms and legs is a real hero!

The army needs to mobilize tens of thousands of auxiliary soldiers for the northern expedition, so it is natural to communicate with the leaders of the various ministries first.

There was a battle to be fought, and it was led by Wei Yue and Zhao Jia personally. The leaders of the various ministries never thought they would be defeated, and even the priests didn't bother to bother. liquor.

Among the surrendered Hus, the Qiang and Xianbei have the strongest combat effectiveness. Even if they can't beat the main army, they can take care of the other army without any problem.The fighting power of the Wuhuan people is slightly inferior, but it also depends on who the opponent is.When encountering uncivilized barbarians in the north, they basically chopped melons and vegetables, and rushed to harvest their heads.

Zhao Jia had been away from Bianjun for a long time, and he learned about the changes in the county mostly through the letters of Wei Qing'e and Xiong Bo.Hearing Wei Yue explain the situation of the auxiliary soldiers, he was somewhat surprised.After a little thought, he quickly relieved.

This is driven by both profit and deterrence by force.

As long as the Han army is strong enough, these Hu people will always obey, willing to be the pendant on the leg of the emperor of Han, and charge for the Han Dynasty.

In the study, Wei Shang spread out the map, saw the four people, and signaled that there was no need to be polite, and beckoned them to go, and based on the circled location on the map, he worked out the best route to march.

"The soldiers are very fast."

These four words are especially important when confronting the Huns.

When Han Qi rushed into the grassland, the biggest problem was not to destroy the enemy, but to find the enemy.

The grassland is vast, if the Huns retreat before the battle, do not confront the Han army, tear down their tents and run away in advance, all strategic plans will be ruined.

"The movement of the army will inevitably spread the news. In Jia's opinion, it is advisable to send a vanguard first to clear the obstacles along the way, and bite the majority of King Baiyang and King Loufan to prevent them from leading their troops to flee north."

"Good!" Wei Shang nodded, "Does Ado have any recommendations for forward candidates?"

"Indeed." Zhao Jia said with a smile, "Jia recommended four people in the army who should be able to take on this important task."

Hearing this, Wei Yue smiled slightly.

Young eaglets should leave the nest when they grow up.

From what he saw, Wei Qing and the other four young men were not things in the pool. If they could win something in this battle and make great contributions, they would be able to stand in court in the future, and it would also be a help to A Duo.

In the military camp inside the city, Wei Qing unfastened his armor, fetched a cloth towel, and wiped the ox horn bow that Zhao Jia had given him.

Zhao Puonu tossed and turned on the couch, sat up abruptly, propped up one long leg, crossed his arms on his knees, rested his chin on his forearm, and said in a muffled voice: "Ah Qing, when do you think Mr. Lang will come back? Zhanzhen will appoint you and me as a striker?"

"Your Majesty never broke his promise." Wei Qing continued to wipe his bow without raising his head.

Zhao Puonu hummed, and lay back down again, still not sleepy at all.Looking sideways at Wei Qing, his eyes rolled, and suddenly he jumped up and rushed towards Wei Qing.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Wei Qing grabbed Wei Qing's wrist, he was pressed down on the couch.The ox horn bow rested on his neck, as long as Wei Qing moved his wrist, the bowstring would strangle Zhao Ponu's neck, making him die on the spot.

"Ah Qing, next time, next time I will definitely beat you!" Zhao Puonu was restrained, struggled twice but failed to break free, so he simply stopped resisting and spread his hands and feet.

Wei Qing smiled, stood up, stretched out his hand, and pulled Zhao Puonu up as well.

The two of them had just got up when there was a sudden rush of footsteps, and then, Gongsun Ao's voice came from behind the door: "Ah Qing, Po Nu, Mr. Lang returned to the camp, call me to wait!"

Wei Qing and Zhao Puonu looked at each other and could see the excitement in each other's eyes.Put on the armor at the fastest speed, carry the bow and arrow on the back, wear the long knife, push open the door, and run to the front camp with Gongsun Ao.