Royal road

"Captain Yi." When Yi Yan led his troops to Yangyi, Ge Hong went out to meet him himself.

After leaving Lucheng for only half a year, he seemed to have changed, he was no longer the dull and taciturn appearance he had in the past.He has darkened a lot and lost a little bit of weight. Even his temper, which is not very talkative, has been worn down by many chores to become calm and majestic, with a bit of county dignity.

Yiyan cupped his hands in salute, and followed Ge Hong into the government office.The fire that broke out when Zhengdan seized the city before also spread to the government office.However, there was a shortage of supplies, so Ge ​​Hong did not repair it, but just cleared out the office and living space.At this time, he didn't feel embarrassed to use this shabby room to entertain guests. He didn't even prepare tea, so he led people to the study first.

On the desk, there is an exquisite sand table.Like the generals from the Liang Mansion, Ge Hong also likes to use this simple and intuitive map to set up his formation.Therefore, during this time in Yangyi, I was not polite, and I dug some graphic soldiers from Liang Feng to make such a parade map.

Without politeness, he cut to the chase and said: "General Linghu has led three thousand troops and is stationed in Daling. In this battle, he will be the first to lure the enemy."

"Have you found out the enemy's rear route?" Yiyan stared at the sand table and asked.

"In Qi County." Ge Hong replied, "Nowadays, most of the grain and grass arrives from Sizhou. The journey is far away, so it must be placed in a stable city."

The Xiongnu took down several small cities in the Taiyuan Kingdom before, and used them as their strongholds to nibble away bit by bit and conquer the city.Now these cities have become necessary strategic hubs, transporting troops, transporting food, and even controlling surrounding counties.Not very easy to handle.

However, for the more than ten thousand Xiongnu army besieging the city, short-distance food roads are also necessary, and they cannot go to Qi County every day to get food.The grain road from Qi County to Jinyang is the real goal.Only by intercepting the enemy's food and grass, attacking their transportation channels, and destroying the enemy to a certain extent, can the siege of the city be escaped.

Yiyan nodded silently, staring at the sand table with a pair of wolf eyes, and after a while, he swiped his fingertips and pointed at a forest: "I will lead my troops to lie in ambush near Longshan, wait until General Linghu and the Xiongnu start a war, and then copy The way back."

Ge Hong immediately frowned: "From Yangyi to Longshan, the journey is not close, is it too dangerous?"

Longshan Mountain and Dongmeng Mountain are both on the west side of Jinyang, and they are also the places where noble people build villas in the mountains.The terrain is indeed very complicated, and it is also suitable for ambushes.It's just that to get there from Yangyi, you need to bypass Jinyang, and along the way, you may encounter enemy soldiers.

"It doesn't matter, I will divert their attention. Afterwards, General Linghu will attack Qi County, attract reinforcements, and then flank."

This is a bit risky, but Ge Hong nodded in response: "So, I will leave it to Captain Yi."

No one knows Yiyan's combat power better than him.It can be said that the entire Shangdang army was brought out by him alone, and there was no defeat in several years.Compared with the plan he discussed with Linghu Kuang before, Yiyan's arrangement can obviously eliminate more enemies.

After confirming the general strategic idea, the two carefully deduced it in front of the sand table. After confirming that it was correct, Yi Yan said: "Before dark, I will lead the troops out of the city. I will trouble County Magistrate Ge about the communication."

As the hub of the two armies, Yangyi also plays an important role.Without evading it, Ge Hong nodded in response.Yiyan didn't stay for long, so he resigned directly.Seeing the figure of the man striding away, Ge Hong frowned.

Why hasn't I seen you for a while, and this young man from Capricorn seems to be a few years older?The sharp determination and hostility of the past disappeared, replaced by a deeper power, like a wolf in a herd.Those shocking things were suppressed under the gray-blue eyes, and the dark tide was surging, but he remained calm.

Fortunately, this son is a confidant under the government's tent.If it is an enemy, it will definitely be a serious problem... Ge Hong shook his head, waved away this absurd idea, called his subordinates, and arranged various matters.

When the sun was about to set, the [-]-step cavalry led by Yiyan left Yangyi in several groups and headed for the distant mountains.

■

The sky is gloomy and the moon is waning. In the dense forest, there is only a chilling coldness.If you don't go deep into the forest, I'm afraid no one will find out that there is a team of people hiding in it.

There were thousands of people and horses, but this group of people didn't make any noise, like ghosts from the underworld.

Silence enveloped the mountains and forests, impenetrable even by starlight.What should be arranged, has been arranged a long time ago, Yiyan leaned against the tree trunk behind him, closed his eyes and concentrated.

Tomorrow, there will be a fierce battle.Whether or not the Xiongnu encirclement can be repelled depends on this.However, at this moment, Yiyan has no military formation planning in his mind, nor has he ever deduced the battle.Deep in his heart, there was only one figure.

It was also a quiet night.The thick curtain cut off everything and also the prying eyes of others.He knelt by the bed and stared at the person on the couch.Visible to the naked eye, he has lost weight, his eyes are black and his lips are pale.That amazing appearance seemed to be withered, showing the color of decay.

But even so, Yiyan still didn't take his eyes off, staring at the other party's sleeping face almost greedily.Maybe the next moment, that person will wake up, regain his sanity, and drive him out of the house.Maybe he will deprive him of his military power, let him change from the leader of an army to a slave, and he will live forever and never come near.Maybe he will show disgust, like killing the person who offended him, let the blood in his throat stain the floor red.

Countless possibilities that make one's blood cold are entwined in his chest.After the fear, there is a deeper nostalgia.Without flinching, he put his hand on the man's cheek.

That thin figure began to tremble slightly, just like before, trembling endlessly.This is what the man is suffering, and it is his.Yiyan used his fingertips to gently slide over the chapped lips, like stroking a flower, like touching a butterfly's wing.Then, he bent down and embraced the trembling body in his arms.Gently pat the other person's back with his hands, and use comfort to erase the terrible trembling inch by inch.

Gradually, he calmed down in his arms.From slightly parted lips, a soft sigh escaped...

Warm breath sprayed on the top of Yiyan's head, and he opened his eyes.At some point, the big white horse came up to him, kissing his hair bun with its nose, as if aware of its owner's uneasiness.

Yi extended his hand and patted the horse's head lightly.This horse actually has a name, it's called Zhuri.It was taken by the lord on a whim.The black horse is called Chasing Shadow, and the white horse is called Zhuri, like some kind of intimate joke.

But Yiyan never calls it that.He has been chasing the rising sun for too long, and it seems that if he says one more word, his flaws will be exposed.

Moving his eyes lightly, Yiyan looked at the resting soldiers around him.He was not abandoned by the lord, not damaged by him, nor belittled by him.Such an important task was still entrusted to him.This is already infinitely better than the most desperate thoughts.

He is still useful to the lord.As long as he has one, he still has a glimmer of hope.Humble and pitiful, but an undying hope.

He will bring the victory back.as always.

Gently stroking the horse's mane, Yiyan closed his eyes again.

The next day, Qi County was in a hurry.Frightened by the previous battle of Yangyi, the Xiongnu army returned to rescue in less than an hour.Unexpectedly, a strange soldier appeared behind the army, burned food and grass to camp, and joined forces with the enemy army, attacking back and forth.

After losing more than 3000 horses, the coach finally couldn't resist and withdrew to Qi County.Jinyang, which had been surrounded for a year, finally repelled the enemy soldiers.

The successful document was sent to Luoyang by a fast horse.

■

In Luoyang City, the heat is now in full swing.However, what is more difficult than the scorching heat is the battle on the front line.

Qingzhou Wang Mi rebelled, joined the army of the false emperor, and fought fiercely with the general Gou Xi in Xinye.The tyrannical and arrogant Gou Xi, known as Bai Qi, failed to gain much this time. The city of Xiangyang was destroyed, and the enemy army advanced again.

This is much worse than imagined.

Because the King of Chengdu was powerful and he was the son of Emperor Wu, those states and counties that were not very close to the imperial court began to waver again, and at some point they would join the enemy camp.

At this time, even the good news from Jinyang is not very flattering.

"Jinyang repelled the enemy soldiers besieging the city, so it can be seen that the main force of the Xiongnu is no longer in Bingzhou." Sima Yue said with a serious expression on his face.

This is an undeniable fact, and it is also something that everyone in the hall is well aware of.It was precisely because of this that Emperor Hui was killed before.If the Xiongnu went further to Chen Bing Sizhou, then the safety of Luoyang would be even more worrying.

"Bingzhou has to change the person in charge as soon as possible." A courtier replied under the steps.

Sima Yue glanced at the little emperor who was like a puppet above him, and sighed softly: "That's the case, I don't know if there are any candidates for you?"

"Liu Yueshi should be competent." Someone played immediately.

Liu Kun performed extremely well in the previous battle against the King of Hejian.If he hadn't instigated Wen Xian, the governor of Jizhou, and defeated Liu Qiao, the governor of Yuzhou, Sima Yue would not have been able to easily stabilize the situation in Hedong and go straight to Chang'an.

However, upon hearing this, Sima Yue shook his head: "Now that the battle is going on in the front line, Sima Liu is a general, and he should use it wisely."

Liu Kun is indeed a talent, but it seems a bit overkill to let him go to Bingzhou at this time.Attacking Sima Ying, the king of Chengdu, is the top priority.

"Or use Wen Changshi? He is originally from Taiyuan, presiding over the overall situation of Bingzhou, he is not bad..."

Wen Xian is a descendant of a high school, known for his talents, and I heard that Wen Qiao, the youngest son of the Wen family, is also an official in Bingzhou, so it is not impossible to send him there.But Sima Yue still didn't nod.Abandoning an official who can be persuaded by others is really not a firm person.Bingzhou is Luoyang's barrier, if there is a mistake, it will be troublesome.

Seeing that Sima Yue didn't nod, he said humanely: "Liu Cheqi seems to be fine."

Liu Hong was the governor of Jingzhou before, and he was the one who presided over the suppression of the Zhang Chang Rebellion.It wasn't because of Sima Ying's rebellion that she was kicked out, and now she is also homeless.

Before Sima Yue nodded, someone said: "I heard that Liu Cheqi is suffering from a sudden illness, I'm afraid it's not right."

Liu Hong is old, and it is hard to say when he encounters a disaster.Sima Yue paused, "How about his eldest son?"

Liu Hong's son, Liu Fan, also made meritorious service in previous battles and was somewhat famous.However, someone said: "There are so many things going on in Bingzhou, I'm afraid it's not appropriate to hire newcomers..."

This is the truth.Sima Yue frowned: "Could it be that there is no one available in the court?!"

There was a man with a handsome face at the side who got up and said, "Maybe you can use Zao as a constant servant? He is the son-in-law of Wang Sikong. He is very talented and can be in charge of a state."

This person is Wang Jun's team in the court.Hearing his words, Sima Yue's heart skipped a beat.If there is Wang Jun as a backer, sending Zaosong to Bingzhou seems to be a solution.As long as the Xianbei cavalry go to Bingzhou, will it be easy to wipe out the Xiongnu?

However, before the others could speak, the emperor on the throne suddenly said: "Wang Sikong's powerful generals are like a cloud, and they will conquer Yecheng first, and then Chang'an. It will be a good thing if they can go to Bingzhou."

Sima Yue was startled when the beautiful puppet on the seat suddenly spoke.This is not allowed!Wang Jun is already powerful, why is he so concerned by the emperor?Moreover, Yecheng and Chang'an were able to easily break through because of the participation of Xianbei cavalry.What if Wang Jun took refuge in the little emperor and came to attack him?

The chill immediately surged up, and he coughed dryly: "Your Majesty, it's important to the state, Zao Changshi hasn't reported any results, I'm afraid it's inappropriate..."

The emperor nodded thoughtfully: "Must be meritorious? Then who is the one who defeated the Huns this time? Can't he be allowed?"

"This..." Sima Yue was dumbfounded.The good news showed that Liang Zixi, the prefect of Shangdang, helped the Jinyang defenders repel the encircling soldiers.But Liang Zixi's background is mediocre?How could he be promoted to governor so easily?

Seeing that Sima Yue didn't answer, the little emperor pondered for a while: "Why don't you call that person to Luoyang to meet His Majesty, if it is useful, you can save a lot of things."

This is the emperor Chrysostom.After the omen of the bloody day, Sima Yue temporarily restrained his arrogance and showed a humble attitude.Now that the emperor has an order, it is really not easy to reject it directly.

After hesitating for a moment, Sima Yue cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is right. I invite Liang Zixi to Luo."

People can be recruited, but he has the final say on how to arrange them.The matter of Bingzhou can't be delayed any longer, it's better to decide on the candidate for the governor as soon as possible.