Author: An Huajun

The moon had long climbed up into the sky, dotted with stars all over the sky, and shed its cool moonlight. On the road on the barren mountain, the cold wind blew, like a knife blowing.

Zhang Zhen was riding on his horse, letting the cold wind blow against his armor. Looking around, he saw that soldiers were camping in the valleys beside the road. The field was like a grassland after rain, with white mushrooms growing one after another.

Cao Yu came up from below and said to Zhang Zhen: "This is really a good place. In the surrounding jujube forest, there are countless jujubes. They are all ripe and no one has harvested them. Many of them are rotten in the ground like mud, and the birds are also

I can’t finish it. When the soldiers cook the rice, they put some dates in it and it tastes much better.”

Zhang Zhendao: "This place is called Zaolingou, and naturally there are many jujube trees. There are only a few people on Yanyan Road, and most of them still live in tribes. How can it be the same as other places? This place is far away from towns and tribes.

But there really is nothing to eat.”

Cao Yu said: "So what? Fifty miles ahead is Qingjian City, and there must be a lot of food in the city!"

Zhang Zhen smiled and got off the horse. The soldiers on the side hurriedly came up to hold the horse and went to the side to eat fodder.

Cao Yu said: "Our military tent is in the depression over there, and it is convenient to get on the road."

The two of them entered the military tent together. As soon as they sat down, the soldiers served food.

Wang Xiaolie's army always has a catering squad. They set off early during the march and cook in advance when they arrive at the camp. The army sets up camp and eats immediately, so that no time is wasted. Zhang Zhen's headquarters has a special catering team

shift, cooking for the headquarters staff.

Seeing a roasted leg of lamb cut and placed on a plate, Zhang Zhen asked Cao Yu: "Is our food so good? There is also a leg of lamb to eat."

Cao Yudao: "It's only a hundred miles from Suide to Qingjian City. The sheep here are cheap and not much more expensive than eating rice. Before departure, they marinated the lamb legs and just grilled them when they got there. Not only

There is roasted leg of lamb tonight, and there will be more tomorrow. Don’t worry, the soldiers will also have meat to eat today.”

Zhang Zhen said with a smile: "If that's the case, then it's just what I want!"

After having a meal with Cao Yu, Zheng Kuan and other headquarters staff, the duty shifts were assigned, and then everyone took a rest.

There was nothing to say all night. When I got up and cleaned up the next day, Secretary Tao Qing came over and said: "The Jin army did not leave the city last night. It seems that they were resting. They rested for a day yesterday, so their march must be urgent today."

Zhang Zhen nodded and said, "Is anyone else up? Let's discuss today's marching route."

Not long after, the governor Cao Yu, the deputy commander Nie Feng, the staff officer Cheng Liangsong, the left commander Wang Wenhong, and the right commander Zhang Yousheng all arrived with breakfast. Because of the tight time, the breakfast only had steamed buns and steamed buns, and the soup was millet soup.

Cao Yu gave Zhang Zhen a large plate of steamed buns and a bowl of millet soup and said, "I know you have a big appetite, so I took two more steamed buns."

Zhang Zhen picked up a bun and took a big bite. He said, "It's stuffed with pork and radish. It's really hard for the cook."

After finishing speaking, he swallowed a bun in two or three mouthfuls. Then he said: "Today it is very likely that we will march against the Jin army from the north to the south, so we have to choose a suitable battlefield. I think Gu Kuanzhou, more than 20 miles away, is a good place. It's just that it's not far away.

We are further away, so we must hurry up."

Cheng Liangsong envoy swallowed a mouthful of steamed buns and said: "Although Kuanzhou is good, it is really far away from us. The most dangerous place in the north of Qingjian is Guanshan. We might as well station there. First of all, the terrain there is dangerous, so it is better."

Defense. The second is to be closer to us and more calm."

Zhang Zhen said thoughtfully: "Guanshan was originally guarded by soldiers, but it has been abandoned for many years. I don't know if it is suitable or not."

Cheng Liangsong said: "And there is another advantage in Guanshan. Because we have more time, we can choose the terrain and deploy artillery. Everyone knows the role of artillery on the battlefield. We can arrange it calmly, which is a huge advantage!"

Zhang Zhen nodded and asked the others: "What do you think?"

Nie Feng said: "Relatively speaking, Kuanzhou is a vast place and it is easier to arrange troops. The terrain at Guanshan is a bit narrower. Since ancient times, only those who guard Qingjian City have defended there, and it is not a common battlefield.

"

Zhang Yousheng said: "We are not fighting a big battle. But three thousand people versus two thousand people, Guanshan is enough."

A few people started to argue among themselves. Those who supported Guanshanxia believed that the terrain was favorable and the distance was close, so they could arrange their deployment calmly. Those who supported Kuanzhou believed that the terrain under Guanshan was too cramped and might not be conducive to the deployment of the army.

.

Finally, Zhang Zhendao said: "Guanshan is only fifteen miles away from here. Deputy Commander Nie and Staff Cheng I went ahead in front of the brigade to take a look at the terrain. If it is suitable, choose that place as the battlefield. If it doesn't work, go to Kuanzhou.

.”

By this time everyone had already had breakfast and everyone agreed immediately.

Zhang Zhendao: "This is the best. We will set off in a quarter of an hour!"

On winter mornings, the dew turned into frost and hung on the withered weeds. When the horses' hooves stepped on it, they made a crisp and sweet sound.

Zhang Zhen said to Nie Feng: "In this morning, the air is extremely fresh. And there is no cold wind in the morning, so it is not cold. To be honest, it is really pleasant to march like this. If we go to Qingjian, the weather will be like this.

.”

Nie Feng said with a smile: "The road is all on the ridge. Once the wind blows, it will be really uncomfortable. If it is not equipped with jackets, how can the soldiers be in such a miserable state!"

Zhang Zhen laughed and said: "Speaking of which, this jacket is really a good thing. Wear it under the armor and you can move freely without any hindrance. If we didn't have this thing with us, how much trouble would we have suffered when fighting in this weather!

"

As he said this, he couldn't help but touch his body.

Nie Feng said: "The thing looming in the clouds and mist ahead is Guanshan Mountain. It seems that we only need to drive five or six miles to get there. It has just dawned, and we arrived at the right time. After looking at the terrain, even if it is not suitable, it will be there."

Don’t delay your journey.”

Zhang Zhen nodded and looked at the terrain ahead.

Guanshan is located on the Loess Plateau, with mountains connected to each other. The terrain is steep and tall. It is on the main road from Suide to Qingjian. A winding path winds through it, and the terrain is the most dangerous. There used to be a beacon tower on the top of the mountain, but it has long been abandoned.

Zhang Zhen looked at the narrow path and sighed: "Although this place is dangerous, it is a clear stream barrier and is of no use to us. We must climb over the mountain to find a suitable battlefield."

Nie Feng nodded, then shook his head.

Cheng Liangsong said: "Across Guanshan Mountain, there is a flat land, which can be used as our battlefield. The terrain in this area is particularly suitable for artillery. If the artillery positions are found early, the artillery will be much more powerful than on flat ground."
Chapter completed!