Wei Fufeng stood on a hill, looking at the east-flowing Han River in the distance, and waited for an hour before his grandfather arrived at the West Garden.

Wei Fufeng respectfully walked down the hill to greet him. When his grandfather and grandson met, they all smiled and nodded congenially, and went up the hill together.

"Fufeng, the eunuch you sent is very useful." Grandfather affirmed.

"The supervisor is in a prison. It's not good to spread the news, so we can only use it." Wei Fufeng said in a mocking tone.

Grandfather nodded and said: "Hearing that 50,000 enemy troops were defeated in southern Sichuan, Grandfather was so excited that he stayed up all night, knowing that great things could be done."

Wei Fufeng nodded and whispered: "My grandson is worried about Yang Shouliang's invasion of Jinzhou."

"Don't be afraid. If you come to 40,000, my grandfather will hold the city and hold on. If it's 50,000 and above, my grandfather will leave." Grandfather said confidently.

"Yang Shouliang has 100,000 troops in Xingyuan Prefecture and Yangzhou. If he attacks Jinzhou, he will probably send more than 60,000 troops, because Hanzhong is not far from Jinzhou." Wei Fufeng said.

"Oh, we can send more than 60,000 troops, so we can only leave." Grandfather said unexpectedly.

"When my grandson arrived, he saw that the city had been repaired. If he could hold on for two months, he could stay and stay. At that time, his grandson would personally lead 3,000 Fufeng troops to defend the city, and let the fifth uncle act on the outside," Wei Fufeng said.

.

"Hold on for two months? If Hanzhong sent 60,000 troops to attack, it would be difficult to hold on for two months. And how did you know that Yang Shouliang would retreat in two months?" Grandfather said.

"Yang Shouliang sent more than 60,000 troops to attack. His strategic purpose was to frighten Jinzhou. In fact, he was reluctant to waste too much troops in siege warfare." Wei Fufeng analyzed.

"It's a matter of life and death, and it's not advisable to speculate." Grandfather reminded him sensibly.

"My grandson is not just speculating. Yang Shouliang sent 20,000 troops to march into Yuzhou. The commander of the 20,000 troops learned that the Southern Sichuan Army was attacking and decided to retreat without fighting. Perhaps because of Yang Shouliang's military orders, the commander did not dare to waste his troops."

Wei Fufeng said.

Grandfather shook his head and said: "Intimidation or the use of troops at any cost are all in one thought."

Wei Fufeng nodded and said: "Yang Shouliang will not retreat for two months. Southern Sichuan will send 50,000 troops to the north to conquer Hanzhong."

Grandfather nodded, but then asked: "Why does it take two months? Wouldn't it be better to send troops earlier?"

Wei Fufeng said: "Soldiers never tire of deceit. If Yang Shouliang attacks Jinzhou, his purpose can be flexibly changed. Once the southern Sichuan army sends troops early, Yang Shouliang can quickly return to fight with the southern Sichuan army. However, the southern Sichuan army sends troops later, and Yang Shouliang is in a dilemma.

"

Grandfather nodded and said: "You are saying that Yang Shouliang's intention to attack Jinzhou was to lure troops from southern Sichuan."

"Yes, if the Southern Sichuan Army goes north to attack Xingyuan Prefecture, it will be at a disadvantage in terms of supplies and marching. If Yang Shouliang goes south to counterattack, he can block the return of the Southern Sichuan Army by water. Similarly, Yang Shouliang does not dare to send out 60,000 troops to attack Southern Sichuan.

Because there is no time to return to Xingyuan Mansion." Wei Fufeng said.

Grandfather nodded, and Wei Fufeng added: "In addition, if Jinzhou has been defended for two months, Yang Shouliang's Xingyuan Mansion will definitely be coveted by many forces, including Fengxiang Jiedushi Li Maozhen, Dongchuan Jiedushi, and Huashang Jiedushi.

Han Jian and even the imperial court will respond. If there is no response, the southern Sichuan Army will have no choice but to go north."

Grandfather nodded and said: "Jinzhou was hard-won, no matter how hard you hold it, I respect the imperial court, and the imperial court should respond."

"My grandson believes that it is not appropriate to expect foreign aid. My grandfather should make preparations based on his own strength. The Gongmilu that my grandson brought this time

(This chapter is not finished, please turn the page)

In Xicheng County, another batch will be shipped." Wei Fufeng said.

Grandfather nodded and asked, "Can we bring some crossbows?"

"The crossbows made by the Southern Sichuan Army cannot be used for a long time. My grandson can call in three hundred archers, but they have to be used by the fifth uncle, so they are of little significance for defending the city." Wei Fufeng replied.

"What do you mean, let Wulang harass the enemy troops on the outside?" Grandfather said.

"The biggest fear of an army going on an expedition is that the food routes are not smooth. Uncle Wu can specialize in the enemy's food routes and have archers to attack from a distance, which can reduce casualties and allow them to advance and retreat freely," Wei Fufeng said.

Grandfather nodded, and Wei Fufeng added: "In addition, we need to gather strong men into the city. My grandson observes that the layout of the city is chaotic and the houses are dilapidated. We can recruit strong men to build water conservancy. Once the enemy attacks, we can let the strong men enter the city and repair the inside of the city instead.

Having something to do can help people feel at peace."

Grandfather nodded and said in approval: "This is a wonderful strategy of yours. It will win over the people without leaving any trace and enhance the strength of the city's defenders."

Wei Fufeng smiled and said: "My grandfather is the originator of the Wei family in Jinzhou. Jinzhou is the place where our clan prospered. Even if the city cannot be as majestic as Chang'an City, it should still be a magnificent and blessed land that is livable."

"That's right. Grandfather also deliberately expanded the city to accommodate more people. If the refugees from outside have homes in the city, they will be less interested in returning home. Otherwise, Jinzhou will face the consequences of refugees returning home." Grandfather agreed.

road.

Wei Fufeng smiled, his grandfather's idea coincided with his.

I heard my grandfather ask: "Is the food in southern Sichuan sufficient? Don't cause a food shortage to support Jinzhou. To be honest, my grandfather is more afraid that you will lose southern Sichuan."

"The grain in southern Sichuan is sufficient for the time being, mainly because Yuzhou has obtained a lot of grain reserves. Sun'er plans to use the grain reserves in Yuzhou to support Jinzhou as much as possible. The farmland in Luzhou and Changzhou is growing well, and the war in Xichuan is not over yet. Regardless of the harvest, Xichuan will be attacked

Wang Jian's advance." Wei Fufeng replied.

"Food is the basis of success or failure. Don't be careless." Grandfather warned in a serious tone.

"My grandson does not dare to be careless. We expanded the city in Dazu County and stationed 50,000 troops, and stationed 30,000 troops in Lu County. The surrounding buildings were built to guard the military forts to form strategic defense depth." Wei Fufeng replied, and his grandfather nodded with confidence.

The grandfather and grandson walked up the hill and continued talking while looking at the Han River outside Baiyun Pavilion.

Wei Fufeng turned to ask: "I heard that my uncle returned to Chang'an City safely, and my grandson can finally let go."

"Your great-uncle returned to An, but he was punished and demoted by the emperor and stayed in the eastern capital. Luoyang, the eastern capital, was a vassal town. It was impossible for your great-uncle to take office. In fact, he was idle." Grandfather replied.

Wei Fufeng nodded and asked, "Has uncle approved of Jinzhou Wei's incident?"

"It's considered acquiescence. After losing the position of prime minister, your uncle knew that he had lost a position worthy of the respect of the main branch, so he could only remain silent. However, your eldest uncle sent his grandchildren to pay his respects." Grandfather said gently.

Wei Fufeng nodded understandingly and said, "When I have time, my grandson will pay his respects to my great uncle."

"When you go to Chang'an City again, please don't make your presence known." Grandfather asked with concern.

Wei Fufeng nodded in response, and his grandfather and grandson talked some more about their daily routine, and then they left the West Garden together and went about their own business.

When Wei Fufeng led his army to leave Xicheng County, a county government notice was posted at the city gate: "Flash floods are raging in summer. In order to protect the grain harvest on both sides of the Han River, the governor decided to recruit strong men from all counties to build Han River dams. Participants will be fully supervised and free of charge."

Corvene in the coming year.”

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Wei Fufeng led his army to the Fufeng Army's station and asked the returning troops to follow the military orders of Jiedushi.

He ordered the Sichuan Army to wait and see for a hundred days if Xingyuan Prefecture sent troops to Jinzhou before sending 50,000 troops to the north to conquer Hanzhong.

Order the Transportation Department to continue escorting the grain stored in Yuzhou to Jinzhou.

Ordered Baihutang to mobilize three hundred elite soldiers from the Yuying camp to arrive in Jinzhou along with the army's food supply.

After making arrangements, Wei Fufeng led ten guards and quietly went to Junzhou with Xiaoxue.

...

Junzhou is located southeast of Jinzhou and Shangzhou.

The Han River flows from Jinzhou into Junzhou, and runs through the entire territory of Junzhou into Xiangzhou. The famous Xiangyang City has always been a battleground for military strategists. Guan Yu once flooded seven armies in the Xiangfan area.

Xiangzhou is the seat of the Zhongyi Army's Jiedushi. The seven states under the jurisdiction of the Zhongyi Army were originally named Shannan East Road.

Many years ago, Jinzhou and Shangzhou were once under the Shannan East Road, and Junzhou was under the rule of the Jiedushi of the Zhongyi Army. The Jiedushi was Zhao Dechun, who was given the title of Prince of Huai'an County and Zhongshu Ling.

Wei Fufeng and his party boarded a merchant ship in Jinzhou, sailed down the river into Fengli County in Junzhou, then passed through Yunxiang County, arrived in Wudang County, and disembarked at the Hanjiang pier outside Yancen City, the capital of Junzhou.

Wei Fufeng stood on the pier, looking up at Yancen City on the river embankment.

The city wall of Yancen City is about eight meters high. The side of the wall facing the river is entirely made of blue bricks. The city as a whole looks majestic and orderly.

On the ship, Wei Fufeng heard that Yancen City had existed for a long time and was founded by a general named Yancen. It became the seat of state governance in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and Wudang County had another county seat.

In addition, the governor of Junzhou was named Feng Xingxing. He was originally a general in Junzhou and had four thousand troops stationed in Yancen City.

When Wei Fufeng was looking at the city, he found that construction was going on on the city wall far to the left, and the green brick wall was being added. He immediately became interested and wanted to know if there were any masters who burned bricks here.

Brick-making is also a kind of technical activity, and the efficiency and quality of brick-making by good hands are very different.

If you are interested, you will not approach him rashly. If you want to know something, you can let your subordinates know it.

Wei Fufeng was in other people's territory and did not dare to enter Yancen City. He hired locals outside the city to buy a stone of rice and hired the rice buyer as a guide to climb Wudang Mountain.

Wudang Mountain, with a radius of 800 miles, is one of the holy places of Taoism. The mountains are dotted with strange peaks, cliffs, deep ravines, caves, and clear springs. There are many popular legends about gods and goddesses, and Taoist temples of various sizes are located in it.

Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, because the Taoist ancestor Lao Tzu's surname was Li, the Tang royal family respected Taoism.

However, during the peaceful and prosperous times, the tenets of Buddhism were more in line with popular beliefs, especially when Emperor Zetian claimed to be the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha.

Although Wudang Mountain is a Taoist holy land, its influence in Junzhou may not be greater than that of Buddhism.

The reason is that there is a Baoen Temple in Yancen City, a royal temple conferred by Wu Zetian's son.

The predecessor of Baoen Temple was the residence of Emperor Zhongzong of the Tang Dynasty. Later, Emperor Zhongzong of the Tang Dynasty built a Buddhist temple in a Taoist holy land to repay his kindness.

The Buddhist temples built by the emperor naturally had great influence. As a result, Taoism in Junzhou could not stand out and was barely on par with Buddhism. Wei Fufeng heard allusions from boatmen.

The local guide who led the way to Wudang Mountain worshiped Taoism very much and talked about various immortal relics along the way.

Among them, Immortal Master Lu Dongbin realized the immortal way in Nanyan and became an immortal land immortal.

(End of chapter)
Chapter completed!