Shu Chen

Chapter 402
Baoxie Valley is divided into three sections, namely Baogu, Xiegu and Jigu.

As the name suggests, Baogu and Xiegu correspond to Baoshui and Xieshui respectively, while Jigu is the small basin where Yaling Mountain is located (formerly Zhaoyun and Chen Bing’s office, today’s Taibai County). 【Note 1】

Among them, Baogu is rugged and cramped and nearly [-] kilometers away, and many places need to use plank roads to pass through.

The inclined valley is about sixty Han Li, and the valley is not difficult to travel.

This is the reason why Niu Jin, who was sent by Sima Yi, rushed to Xiegukou and attacked without delay.

If you want to compete with the Han army for loss of soldiers and lose both sides, you can only occupy Xiegu and enter Jigu first, and seize the space where the Wei army's superior force can be used.Moreover, once the Wei army can enter Jigu, the Han army will have to turn back and fight head-on.

Gein was dragged down by heavy luggage, and the Han army could not quickly pass through the rugged and difficult Baogu.

Or, dock your tail to survive!
Or, the whole army turned back and fought to the death, repelling the pursuers of the Wei army and then returning calmly.

Sima Yi was certain in his heart that Zhuge Liang, Prime Minister of Shu, would definitely choose the second option.

In other words, one of the reasons why the Shu army is stronger than the Wei army is that the Shu army has never left soldiers to die.Even if "compassion does not command soldiers" is the common sense of military strategists.

It's just that the inclined valley, which is about sixty kilometers away, is not so easy to occupy.

However, he said that after the Niu Jin soldiers arrived, Dang even took the most elite armored soldiers under his command as the forerunner, and crashed into the waiting Meng Yan's troops.

There is nothing wrong with this command.

Without him, the elite with excellent equipment and complete armor as the vanguard can defeat the enemy's elite.

As Sun Tzu said, "The three armies can win the spirit".

At the beginning, the battle was exactly as Niu Jin had expected, and the Shu army, which had no Yuan Rong crossbow to rely on, retreated steadily under the impact of the Wei army's elite iron armored soldiers who were not afraid of death.

Ling Niu Jin saw it from behind, and couldn't help but feel relieved for a while.

It can be regarded as a relief from the fire suppressed by the Yuanrong crossbow.

But after the Shu army fought and retreated, and the array entered the inclined valley one by one, the elite of the Wei army suffered heavy casualties.

They are too bulky in their heavy armor!
It was difficult to move and dodge in the mountain road, and was frequently stabbed in the neck by the Shu army who jumped up from the rocks from time to time. He often fell to the ground and was killed because the center of gravity was unstable when unloading due to the uneven ground under his feet.

Only then did Niu Jin realize that the Shu army, who had been retreating steadily before, just saw that the soldiers of the Wei army were well armored and difficult to kill with one blow, so they lured them into the valley road.

This comprehension is a bit late.

When Niu Jin changed into leather soldiers and light soldiers in Ge clothes, more than [-] elite soldiers had already died.

However, he was not discouraged.

When the military governor arrived, Sima Yi privately told him not to slow down the offensive because of pity for the lives of the soldiers, and not to jeopardize the country's merits because of the benevolence of women.

The purpose of Gai's pursuit this time is to hurt both sides.

Therefore, Niu Jin, who was in the back line, held the drumsticks himself, urged all the soldiers with the loud sound of war drums, and announced the general order of "those who retreat will be beheaded".

This approach allowed the Wei army to advance steadily in Xiegu.

It also caused heavy casualties to the soldiers of the Wei army, and almost every step forward, some people fell to the ground.

But Niu Jin's heart was extremely hot at this moment, and the soldiers under his command were all shouting for a fierce battle and marching forward bravely.

Because the big banner of Zhuge Liang, Prime Minister of Shu, has always been looming in front of him.

If you can break this banner and return, even the humblest soldier will be crowned an official, bestowed a title, and soar to the sky!Even if an illiterate general who has no half-smart strategy enters the rank of honor, he will enjoy the glory and wealth in the rest of his life!
At this time, the rear of Sima Yi's supervisor arrived.

After the messengers who came and went reported the progress of the battle in detail one by one, he frowned and stroked his beard, thinking silently.

He was also familiar with the terrain of Baoxie Valley, and he suddenly felt that Zhuge Liang, the Prime Minister of Shu, seemed to deliberately drop the big banner behind to lure the Wei army to continue to penetrate.

Because of the flat and spacious Ji Valley, soldiers can be ambushed!
Judging from the past wars in the Han and Wei dynasties, Zhuge Liang, Prime Minister of Shu, was by no means a man without generals.

How can you not know that once the Wei army breaks into Jigu, the Shu army will face the dilemma of cutting off its tail to survive?

Now that he had realized it a long time ago, he still deliberately hung the banner behind him. Could it be that he was already ready for a fierce battle with the Wei army in Jigu?
For example, depending on the location, set up an ambush first?
Thinking of this, Sima Yi's eyes turned slightly cold.

But soon, he thought of another possibility.

Perhaps Zhuge Liang, Prime Minister of Shu, deliberately stayed behind to encourage the soldiers to fight to the death, so that the front Shu army could have more time to retreat into Baogu.

As long as the time when the Wei army occupied Xiegu was later than the time when the Shu army entered Baogu, the Shu army would get rid of the pursuit smoothly.

At that time, Zhuge Liang, Prime Minister of Shu, only needs to order that all the plank roads in Baogu be burned down, and the Wei army can only sigh with hope!
Sima Yi couldn't confirm these two inferences for a while.

However, as the battle progressed, he quickly made a decision.

In the hand-to-hand combat in Xiegu, the losses of the Han and Wei soldiers were roughly one to two, or even two to three.

This is the same as what he expected.

The pursuit of the Shu army with a well-organized array and undamaged morale can achieve such a battle loss ratio, and the Wei army's combat power is already better than that of the original Cao Zhendu in Yongliang.After all, the geographical advantage is on the side of the Shu army, which is fighting and retreating.

Moreover, the Shu army, which is mostly barbarians, is better at fighting in the mountains than the Wei army.

The most important thing is that this ratio of battle damage has already achieved Sima Yi's strategic goal: fight for the loss of soldiers and lose both sides.

Fighting fiercely in the rugged mountain road, the Shu army is still unable to overwhelm the Wei army. When we reach the flat land of Jigu, even if he lays an ambush, it is not a worry, right?With our army's current decisiveness, even if the Shu army has ambushes, we can still compete with each other, right?

Sima Yi quietly asked himself.

When looking around at the surrounding soldiers, his eyes also began to turn cold slowly, as if looking at nothing.

"The order."

There was no emotion in his voice, "Let General Niu speed up, and all the troops of the rear army will enter the inclined valley one by one. If you don't break the Shu army now, you will never return to the division!"

Ji Valley, at the northern foot of Yaling Mountain.

Several soldiers supported the big banner of the Han army and fell into the vertical pit dug long ago to fix it.

The wind whizzed wantonly into the valley, pulling the big banner embroidered with black characters on a red background, and stretching the Chinese character "Han" between the sky and the earth.Even the two banners embroidered with "recover the Central Plains" and "restore the old capital" on both sides are buzzing.

The prime minister, who had been slowly luring the enemy, finally arrived at the preset battlefield, and sat quietly on the Suyu waiting for the arrival of the Wei army.

"Report~~"

A messenger with a command flag on his back came from the rear, and the more people came to Prime Minister Su Yu, bowed and said, "Prime Minister, there is no Wei army in Suiyang Xiaogu."

Yes, the prime minister also asked Zong Yu to send more than a thousand soldiers to guard the valley road of the Mawei River, and to monitor whether there was any movement of the Wei army at all times.

Now that Sima Yi led the army to pursue it, the cautious prime minister naturally had to be on guard against the possibility that he would send other troops to go to Suiyang Xiaogu and enter Baoxie Valley to cross into the Han army formation.

"Ah."

Gently nodding his head, the prime minister said slowly, "Let's go back and tell General Huizong to continue his vigilance and not relax."

"promise!"

The messenger took the order, turned around and left.

"The prime minister is too cautious!"

When the messenger walked away, an old general beside Suyu smiled and said, "Our army has been properly deployed. Even if he goes against Wei Youbie's troops and comes from Suiyang Valley, it will only add military merit to the soldiers! Why bother?" Lao Xin tricks evil?"

He is Wu Yi, the left general guarding Hanzhong County.

As early as two days ago, he supervised more than ten thousand soldiers to come here!
It is also the reason why the Prime Minister expected Sima Yi to lead the army to pursue it——Wu Yi's troops set up an ambush at the watershed between Baoshui and Xieshui, and wiped out the front of the Wei army here!

Gein, from Xiegu to Yaling Mountain, is a wide platform from the mountain road.

As long as the Wei army came out of the mountain road, even if they were alerted to the Han army's ambush, they would not be able to turn around and squeeze into the narrow mountain road in a hurry to go back!

They will all be dead souls under the strong bow and crossbow!
Furthermore, the prime minister asked Wu Yi to divide hundreds of people to climb up the mountains on both sides of the south entrance of Xiegu.

When Wei Jun wanted to escape into the inclined valley after being ambushed, he pushed the rocks and trees down the broken road.

Such an ambush will surely succeed!
As for why it is only intended to destroy the front of the Wei army?
The prime minister just wanted to let Sima Yi know the sharpness of the Han army so that he would not dare to invade easily in the future, and there was no need to be greedy and increase the casualties of soldiers.

"It's exactly as Ziyuan said."

Hearing this, the prime minister smiled coyly, "However, it's okay to be cautious. And when you're in battle, whether the enemy is coming or not, soldiers should always be on guard."

"good!"

Immediately, Wu Yi clapped his hands and praised, "Prime Minister is on the lookout, and has far-reaching considerations. I'm as stupid as I am, so I don't know!"

"Hehe~~~"

The prime minister smiled and waved his hands, and was about to say something, but was interrupted by a report.

"Report!"

The scouts who came this time came out from Xiegu, "I want to report to the Prime Minister that the pursuit against Wei has slowed down. Both Meng Jianjun and General Zhang think that he intends to stop the war and go back!"

Um! ?

Sima Yi stopped chasing him?
He was already approaching the south entrance of Xiegu, and he could fall into ambush in half a quarter of an hour at most, why did he stop all of a sudden!

Could it be that the soldiers lying on both sides of the mountain road, who were not good at concealment, showed their traces and were detected by the enemy?
As soon as he heard about it, the prime minister and Wu Yi couldn't help but looked at each other.

They also saw the same doubts in each other's eyes.

"Please wait a moment, Prime Minister."

Wu Yi hurriedly saluted, and said in a deep voice, "I'll send someone to check to see if the ambush was detected by Niwei."

"it is good."

Nodding his head, the Prime Minister had nothing else to say.

But before Wu Yi sent his bodyguards to rush away, another scout rushed out from the inclined valley.

Before the people arrived, the voice had already come, "Report! Report to the prime minister, against Wei Wei, slowly retreat! Both Meng Jianjun and General Zhang ask the prime minister to order, can you allow the soldiers to turn back and chase after the battle?"

Ah, sure enough!

In the past, Mengda was punished, and Gongsun was attacked in the east of Liaodong. Today, after Cao Zidan, he is the governor of Yongliang and oversees an army of more than [-]. It can be seen that Sima Zhongda has ascended to the high position by virtue of his qualifications in serving the third emperor against Wei.

Perhaps, in the future, he will also be a strong enemy of my big man in Fuguan!

The reason why the Wei army stopped pursuing was attributed to Sima Yi's insight into the general strategy that the Han army might set up an ambush, and such thoughts came to the prime minister's mind.

He also made a decision and told the orderly.

"No need. The two generals Meng and Zhang were ordered to stop their troops and wait for the Wei army to leave the inclined valley to clean up the battlefield, rescue the wounded and collect the dead and return them to Hanzhong."

"promise!"

The messenger responded with a loud voice, and was about to turn around and rush back to deliver the order, but stopped abruptly.

Because at this time Wu Yi also hurriedly said, "Prime Minister, the morale of our army is strong, and Ni Wei cannot be allowed to leave calmly! I am willing to lead my own troops to pursue! If we are not victorious, I am willing to serve as a military law!"

"Stop doing things in vain."

The prime minister shook his head slightly, his tone a little sad, but also with unquestionable majesty, "The battle opportunity has been lost, and it is useless to fight more. Ziyuan, let the soldiers who set up an ambush return to the battle."

"promise."

Wu Yi, who had white beard and hair and a face full of ravines, responded with his hands.

The frustration in his heart made him turn around to leave, his back was a little lonely, and his steps were very heavy.

It also made the prime minister, who caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye, suddenly remember that Wu Yi is the oldest general in the Han army.

Moreover, the age is also comparable to that when Zhao Yun died of illness in the past!
Today he has no chance to fight.

And when the big man recuperates and accumulates strength for several years, when he can finally launch the battle to restore Guanzhong, I'm afraid he won't be able to wait.
Just like Zhao Yun in the past, he didn't even wait for the Battle of Liangzhou.

Ugh.
Involuntarily, the prime minister sighed quietly in his heart.

It's not that he thought that the decision to reject Wu Yi's proposal just now was wrong.

Instead, I feel that life is unsatisfactory in all likelihood.

Perhaps, taking advantage of the merits of this battle, we can try our best to give some comfort to the old officials who are desperate to restore the Han Dynasty and return to the old capital.

Guanzhong right Fufeng, Xiegukou.

According to the order, all the soldiers under his command were withdrawn from Niu Jin of Xiegu, and the generals and soldiers returned to the camp, while he galloped towards Chang'an with several followers on horseback.

Only after he found the robes of the rear army did he know that Sima Yi had gone to Chang'an.

He also ordered all the ministries in Guanzhong to return to the station immediately and not to stay in Beiyuan.

Such scheduling is unbelievable.

But Niu Jin didn't want to think about these things.

Now all he wants to do is catch up with Sima Yi, and ask him why he suddenly ordered him to stop the offensive and withdraw the whole army from Xiegu.

Obviously, at most half an hour, the soldiers under his command will be able to rush out of the inclined valley, no longer limited by the terrain, and can confront Ni Shu head-on!It is clear that Zhuge Liang, the prime minister against Shu, is in sight, and he only needs a surprise attack to have a chance to make great achievements in the world!
But at this moment, he actually received the general order to withdraw his troops!
After bravely chasing for dozens of miles, countless soldiers were killed and injured, all in vain.

How unreasonable!Even if the governor has the letter of the emperor's fake Huang Yue, how can he retreat without authorization and miss the country's merits!

Niu Jin, who didn't know that he had escaped, was full of resentment.

I also temporarily forgot the difference between superiority and inferiority.

When he galloped all the way to catch up with Sima Yi, he cupped his hands, and said in an unreasonable and questioning tone, "Our army chased for dozens of miles, and lost countless soldiers! But when the victory is in sight, why did the governor order the troops to retreat?"

Sima Yi was not annoyed by this, nor did he answer.

He just glanced at him blankly, and then threw the silk that had been in his hand all the time.

Uh?
Niu Jin was stunned for a moment.

After the light silk was almost swept away by the autumn wind, he hastily let go of the horse's reins and fished it with both hands.

The silk is not big, and there are not many recorded characters.

Niu Jin opened his eyes and immediately opened his eyes.

Moreover, he looked back and forth several times with a look of disbelief, but he dared not disbelieve.

Gein, this is the autograph of Emperor Cao Rui.

What I said is related to the military situation in Huainan: Hefei New City has been captured by the thief Wu!Shouchun City was besieged by the army of the thief Wu and attacked day and night. It was in danger!
[Note 1: "Hanshu·Geography" right Fufeng Wugong County, slanted water out of Yaling mountain north, to Mei into Wei. Volume 55 of "Fangyu Minutes" volume [-] Yaling Mountain in Meixian County, Baoshui flows out of its south, and Xieshui flows out of its north. The gap between Yongliang and Liang is called Zhanai, and it is commonly called Ma'anshan. 】

(End of this chapter)