Chapter 1406 Chaos in Hebei

Compared with the trepidation and precarious situation when he was in Yecheng a few days ago, Tuoba Xilu at this time can be said to be in high spirits.

He was riding on a horse, holding a whip in his hand, pointing at the village in front, with a smug look on his face:

"Southern Xia is indeed rich! We just broke through some small forts in Yuancheng and were able to harvest more than a month's worth of food."

"If we can break through this big stronghold in front of us, do we think that with the supply of food and grass for these few months, we won't have to worry anymore?"

Compared to Tuoba Xilu who was arrogant when he got his ambition, Tuoba Chuo was more calm:

"Brother, I sent someone to investigate. This stockade is one of the largest stockades nearby and belongs to the Wang family."

The Wang family is the largest surname in Yuancheng. For such a large village, there must be many guards inside and the guards must be tight.

When it comes to riding horses on the grassland, the Tuoba clan is worthy of any opponent - of course, except for the Han army that can send troops outside the Great Wall in winter.

But when it comes to going south to attack the city and take out the stronghold, there is not even a single point of horseback kung fu.

This is also the reason why even if Hu Qi on the grassland invades the fortress, most of the time they will not go deep into the hinterland of the Central Plains.

If you want to capture the cities of Nanxia, ​​you must either choose small cities whose walls can even be jumped by horses, or surround the cities until the food and wages in the city are exhausted.

Not to mention that with the Tuoba clan's current situation, they couldn't even lay siege to the city. If they wanted to capture the city, there was no other way but to take it by surprise, make a sudden attack, and attack it unprepared.

Unexpectedly, Tuoba Xulu didn't hear the implication of Tuoba Chuo's words at all.

I saw him licking his lips: "Wang? Are we here just for Wang?"

Tuoba Chuo smiled bitterly, shook the reins, made the horse take two steps forward, rode with Tuoba Xulu, got closer to the other party, and whispered as much as possible:

"Brother, this stronghold is strong and well-prepared. It is far superior to the other strongholds we have conquered."

"Our people are not good at attacking cities. If we delay for too long for a stronghold and allow other places to be prepared, it will be very detrimental to us."

I have more than a month's worth of food in my hands. Compared with the initial five days' worth of food, the situation has improved a lot, but it is not enough.

The prairie eagle soars in the sky and can hunt prey at any time, but once it folds its wings and falls to the ground, it is very likely to become prey.

Although the Tuoba clan's war horses are currently insufficient, there is still an opportunity to take advantage of the lack of defense in other places.

But if you have to stick to one spot, what's the difference between it and an eagle falling to the ground?

When Tuoba Xulu heard this, his originally sultry face suddenly darkened.

He had suffered more humiliation in Yecheng in the past six months than in the previous half of his life, and it was much more.

It can even be said that he has never suffered such great humiliation in his life.

Now that he finally escaped and ransacked some small villages, the fear and anguish in his heart was relieved a little.

And the wanton indulgence these days was probably because Tuoba Xulu was numbing himself and deliberately forgetting the humiliation of Yecheng.

Of course, this can also be said to be some kind of compensatory psychology.

But Tuoba Chuo's words made Tuoba Xilu suddenly wake up from the illusory satisfaction created by his wanton indulgence, and his mood was naturally not so happy.

He turned to look at Tuoba Chuo and asked:

"Then in your opinion, should we just retreat like this?"

"Of course not." Sensing his brother's unhappiness, Tuoba Chuo said quickly:

"Since my brother led the troops to Yuancheng, he has been able to conquer every enemy, which has restored the Tuoba clan's prestige a little."

"If we retreat without a fight at this time, wouldn't we lose our prestige?"

After hearing these words, Tuoba Xilu's face brightened slightly.

"It's just brother. Nowadays, our Tuoba clan is separated and far from what it used to be. The people who follow my brother at this time are all the seeds of revitalizing our Tuoba clan."

"If we attack the stronghold by force, if there are any casualties among the clan members, it will be very detrimental to my brother's plans!"

After Tuoba Xilu heard this, he was immediately startled, and then he realized:

"If my brother hadn't reminded me, I would have ruined something big!"

He looked at the village in front of him again, and the heat in his eyes finally slowly receded:

"You can't retreat, you can't fight, what should we do?"

Tuoba Chuo responded:

"You can send people to shout in front of the stronghold. Just say that we are sent by Taifu Sima to collect grain from Yuancheng. As long as the stronghold hands over enough food, we can ensure peace."

"Huh?" Tuoba Xilu was moved when he heard this method. He thought it was a wonderful method. "What if they still refuse to hand over the food?"

Tuoba Chuo said with great confidence:

"We were able to raise so much food just by breaking down some small villages. There will definitely be no shortage of food in such a large village."

"We borrowed the food in the name of Taifu Sima, and we only borrowed part of the food in the stronghold, not all of it was taken away. They can also avoid the disaster of destroying the stronghold. I guess they will weigh the pros and cons."

Tuoba Xilu heard the words and nodded: "Okay, then send someone to try."

——

In May of the eleventh year of Yanxi's reign in the Han Dynasty, the war in Hebei was in full swing.

Not only did the main force of the Han army press the border in the west, but Han cavalry and Hu cavalry followers in the north appeared around the Youzhou Pass from time to time. Even in the hinterland of Hebei, there were rebellious Hu people who plundered everywhere.

For a time, Hebei was in chaos.

There was an endless stream of messengers sent from various prefectures, counties and even counties in Hebei Province, all rushing to Yecheng.

"Please inform me that the Wang family of Yuancheng wants to see the Grand Tutor."

Wang, who was the first to arrive at Yecheng, handed over a greeting card.

However, the reply he got was:

"The Grand Tutor is not in the mansion."

When the Wang family came to hear this, his face changed slightly: "May I ask when the Grand Tutor will return?"

The doorman sneered: "Is it possible for me to know the Grand Tutor's schedule? Is it possible for you to ask?"

The Wang family came to secretly grit his teeth and cupped his hands: "Excuse me."

This happened several times in a row.

It was just the beginning of June, and even the Cui family of Qinghe came to visit.

For the visitor from the Qinghe Cui clan, the concierge was much more polite:

"Mr. Cui, the battle in Jingxing is urgent. The Grand Tutor has personally led the troops there to take precautions, so he is not in the mansion."

As one of the largest clans in Hebei, the Qinghe Cui clan is much more cultured than the Yuancheng Wang clan. When they heard this, their faces did not change at all:

"Thank you for telling me."

However, after returning to their residence, the Cui clan members, who were originally calm and polite, suddenly changed color and cursed:

"Cao!"

As if they were not satisfied, they cursed again:

"Cao! Cao! Cao!"

"Is Sima Yi doing this on purpose? He is definitely avoiding us on purpose!"

"The battle in Jingxing? Others don't know about the battle in Jingxing. Does he think that we, the Cui clan, don't know either?"

"The Han army hasn't attacked the pass for nearly a month. How can the battle be urgent?"

...

Enter Hebei from Jingxing, and go southeast not far to Boling.

Who doesn't know that there is also a Cui clan in Boling?

Others may not know about the Battle of Jingxing, but how could the Cui family of Boling, who were so close, not know about it?

The Cui family of Qinghe and the Cui family of Boling have always been of the same blood.

If the Cui family of Boling knew about it, the Cui family of Qinghe would naturally know about it.

This is also one of the reasons why the aristocratic families in Hebei, led by the Cui family, did not immediately agree to provide Sima Yi with extra food.

Although the Han army was coming in full force, the troops were divided into three routes just to the west of Taihang Mountain.

Not to mention that the Han army in Luoyang in the south had crossed the river into Henei in winter.

And the Han army outside the northern border, which had swept away the Hu people, was also eyeing the Youzhou Pass.

It can be said that except for the northeast and the east of Linhai, Hebei has fallen into a situation where it is surrounded by enemies on three sides.

But so what?

The worst of the bandits of the Ji Han Dynasty was the Feng bandits.

And now, even the Feng bandits were blocked in front of Weize Pass and could not advance an inch.

Finally, they were not allowed to station troops in front of the pass, and there has been no forced attack for nearly a month.

Some say that the Han army suffered too many casualties in the past few months and had to rest.

Some say that Feng the bandit had another trick and was preparing to sneak across the Taihang Mountains.

There is also a saying that the Han army is like Emperor Wu of Wei who was in a dilemma in the Battle of Hanzhong. Seeing that he could not attack the pass and the army was trapped in Jingxing, Feng the bandit had already intended to retreat.

There are many different opinions, and it is difficult to distinguish the truth from the false, but it is an indisputable fact that Feng Yong was blocked in front of Weize Pass.

At this time, Sima Yi said that the battle in Jingxing was urgent and he needed to go there in person?

"This is an excuse. He wants to avoid us, so he chooses to leave at this time!"

Someone said with a gloomy face.

The leader of the Cui family snorted. This is an obvious thing. Is there any need to say it?

"I heard that there are also Hu people looting everywhere in Boling?"

After Yuancheng, Qinghe was also looted by Hu people, and then there was news from Boling that there were Hu people causing trouble.

Please...collect 6...books...!

That is to say, at least two groups of Hu people were wreaking havoc in Hebei at this time.

Although these Hu people had no way to break through the Wuzhai, it was the time when summer grain was stored in the warehouse. People could hide in the Wuzhai, but the grain in the field could not grow legs to run away.

It was not so easy in Qinghe. Some grain was sent to the Hu people, and the harm of the Hu people was finally avoided at the lowest cost.

It was different in Boling. It was said that even the wheat that was about to mature in the field was snatched by the Hu people. It was a heavy loss.

Because Hebei was outside the Great Wall to the north, everyone had ways to trade with the Hu people outside the Great Wall. Even if a season's grain or even a year's grain was gone, it might not hurt their bones.

But it's different now.

In recent years, trade outside the Great Wall has become increasingly difficult, and this year is the most difficult.

Now, outside the Great Wall, there are only the Han army and the Han army's lackeys.

No matter how brave they are, no one dares to take the risk of trading outside the Great Wall at this time.

So everyone's income this year depends on the grain in the fields.

The Han State invaded Hebei when winter was about to turn into spring.

In other words, the spring plowing in Hebei this year has been affected to a certain extent.

If the summer grain cannot be safely stored, it means that the entire harvest this year will suffer serious losses.

This time, the Cui family of Boling was robbed openly, and they were really cut off. No matter how rich the family is, if it continues like this, there will be a day when the bottom will be reached. It would be strange if they don't jump up and down.

"This is Sima Yi demonstrating to us!"

Who doesn't know that these Hu people were invited to Hebei by Sima Yi?

The Hu people had been gathering in Yecheng before, and there has never been any looting.

Who would have thought that when Yecheng failed to borrow grain, the Hu people started to plunder everywhere. To say that this matter had nothing to do with Sima Yi was to treat these shrewd people from the noble families as fools.

Sima Yi certainly did not treat them as fools. He knew that they knew, and they also knew that he knew that they knew.

But as long as they did not admit it, they did not know.

"Then Sima Yi only knew to let us pay money and grain all day long, but let the Hu people plunder everywhere. Did he think that this grain appeared out of thin air?"

Someone said something indignantly.

Grain had been collected once in winter, and civilians were conscripted again during the spring plowing. Before the summer grain was ripe, they sent people to ask for grain from them again.

They said it was a loan, but everyone knew that this loan was a loan that could not be returned.

They didn't want to give them any benefits, but asked them to pay money, grain and people again and again.

Which wealthy family could withstand such a toss?

Or did they think that these aristocratic families were made of mud and let Sima Yi knead them at will?

"What should we do now?"

"Has anyone from the Lu family of Fanyang come?"

"I haven't heard the news yet, but I heard that the Hu people have already gone north, and it's only a matter of time for Fanyang."

"Then go and find out quickly. As long as we find out that someone from Fanyang has come, we will go to Jingxing together to pay a visit to that Taifu."

"Yes."

"Also, I heard that someone from the Li family of Zhaojun has also come. Please help me draft another visiting card. I want to visit them."

Sima Yi can refuse to meet the Cui family of Qinghe, but if the Cui family of Boling, the Li family of Zhaojun, and the Lu family of Fanyang are added.

There are also local tyrants such as the Wang family of Yuancheng. He doesn't believe that Sima Yi will turn a blind eye to them.

The aristocratic families of Hebei sent people to Yecheng to visit Taifu Sima, but they failed, and they had to turn to Jingxing to try their luck.

At this time, Taifu Sima, who had led his troops to Weize Pass, also sent people to the Han army camp in front of the pass.

Since the last time Sima Feng ordered the soldiers to stop attacking the city and rest, he has not ordered to attack the city again.

In the past month, the soldiers have eaten and slept, and after sleeping enough, they have done some exercises and played some military games, and the day has passed like this.

Obviously, they came to pacify the bandits. Except that living in the mountains is not as comfortable as usual, life is much better than when there is no war.

After the soldiers were full and drunk, they felt a little guilty, and many generals took the initiative to ask for battle.

However, they were all rejected by Sima Feng, who just asked them to keep their troops in place.

Lu Yu was sent to the Han army camp by Sima Yi. Along the way, he saw that the Han army was well-organized, morale was high, and eager to fight. He couldn't help but be secretly shocked and heavy-hearted.

Although the Han army had not attacked the city for a long time, it was not as difficult as rumored, and it did not intend to retreat.

No matter how much they hated Feng Mingwen, they had to admit that he was a rare talent in the world.

He was outstanding in both civil and military affairs, and few people could match him.

Such a person led such an elite army and stationed in front of the pass. Even if there was no movement, it was enough to make people uneasy and dare not take it lightly.

I am afraid that this guy is secretly planning some tricks.

With extremely complicated thoughts, Lu Yu did not dare to be too arrogant after being led into the Han army tent. He saluted to the host in the tent neither humbly nor arrogantly:

"Lu Yu greets Mr. Feng."

"Mr. Lu, there is no need to be polite, please stand up."

The voice in his ear was neither angry nor slow, and even the address was quite polite, which made Lu Yu feel relieved.

He stood up as he was told, and then he looked forward with relief.

Lu Yu, who had been able to maintain his composure after seeing the appearance of the Han army, could no longer maintain his composure after seeing the true face of Mr. Feng.

This...

Is this man really the world-famous Feng Mingwen, the descendant of King Chen who has the world's eight buckets of talent?

Even if the other party was just sitting there, it could be seen that this man was burly.

It was not uncommon for scholars to be tall, but Lu Yu had never seen someone as sturdy as this man, without the elegance of a scholar.

In addition, his beard was thick, but he didn't take good care of it, and it looked like a tiger's beard.

He looked like a typical rough military general, and he didn't look like the legendary talent.

After Mr. Feng traveled through time, he cherished his life.

So from the beginning, he paid great attention to physical exercise and nutrition.

In his early years, he followed General Guan to practice martial arts. Although his martial arts were not very good, the purpose of strengthening his muscles and bones was achieved.

Later, he obtained the body-building technique left by Hua Tuo and practiced it every day.

It is normal to be tall.

He has been leading troops outside for the past few months. Unlike at home, he has no one to take care of him. He is too lazy to shave, so it is not surprising that he looks like this.

However, it is hard for Lu Yu to accept that such a rough military general is called a talented person.