The riders mounted their horses, quickened their whips and escaped the slaughter field. After a night's rest, plus the prisoners of war who did not walk, the army advanced at a high speed and arrived at Wuwei City at noon. The advance team had already opened the city gate, and more than 100,000 cavalrymen crowded into the small city.

The team rests here. Luochen summoned the leaders of the big wolf on the top of the city. There are a total of ten wolves, most of which are gray-white, even snow-white and gray-black. All the alpha wolves were tall and had bright eyes. When they saw Luo Chen, they lowered their heads and waited for the lecture. Next to Luochen, is the injured gray wolf. Luochen didn't give it a name, and kept calling him Grey Wolf. Over time, it seemed to have become its name, and if it was called Grey Wolf, it would come over in agreement.

Luochen just glanced at the grey-headed wolves and stroked their foreheads with his hand. Then waved and let them go. The wolves were scattered in small groups near Wuwei County. Activities and foraging.

Two days later, Chang Yuchun led 60,000 cavalry and set off again with 30,000 big wolves. In front, more than a thousand Wuwei prisoners led the way. All the four counties in Hexi were won, and it seemed to be between the palms of the hand. Sure enough, Zhangye, Jiuquan, and Dunhuang either surrendered voluntarily, or Kaesong surrendered after a fierce attack. Chang Yuchun went all the way to Yumen Pass. Boarding the gate, the desert remains the same, extremely dry and far away. It is said that the large area in front is where the Qiang people live. The fallen army opened up another battlefield for the first time, and achieved a border with the Qiang people in Hexi.

The army rested here for nearly a week. Every day there is the joy of surviving and the grief of being seriously wounded and dying. There are more graves outside Wuwei City. Many horses have since lost their owners, grazing lonely in the barren desert under the setting sun.

During this period, news came that Xu Da defeated the Huns on the frontal battlefield. The Xiongnu general Zhong Ting committed suicide. Now that Zhongping has personally arrived near the Yinshan Mountains to integrate the army, the veteran Shaha has stepped back to the front and became a general, responsible for the specific command of the army. Sun Yuanhua's artillery achieved brilliant results.

Luochen sat on the top of the city as usual, listening to the messenger and reading Xu Da's report, and stared at the setting sun in a trance. The famous Tang Dynasty poem "Smoke straight in the desert" has always been haunting him.

"Sun Yuanhua was mentioned as the deputy military division. His artillery was named "Yuanhua Cannon"." Luochen issued the order calmly. "Xu Da integrates the army, commands cautiously, sees opportunities, and uses weapons to win another victory."

The next step is also on the agenda, "Call Ma Teng and Pang De here." Luo Chen said. .

Chapter 184: Go West or Retreat

The Yellow River is far above the white clouds, and there is a lonely city of Wanren Mountain. Why bamboo flute complain willow, spring is not degree Pass.

——Wang Zhihuan's "Two Poems of Liangzhou, Part One"

Go west or go back east? This is a question that needs to be decided immediately. Chang Yuchun at Yumen Pass sent a report, expressing his willingness to lead his headquarters into the Western Qiang, and then walk a semi-circle counterclockwise to destroy the Qiang settlements along the route and completely defeat the main force of the Qiang people. This relieves the scourge of the Qiang people for decades.

It's a tempting proposition. Chang Yuchun has always been invincible, and the disaster of the Qiang people has been a problem that has plagued the west for many years. Obeying the needs of the overall situation, Ma Teng's troops retreated to Shicheng, so they accumulated strength for so many years, the official army exceeded 100,000, and the food could support the army for more than five years. Even so, Ma Teng remained on the defensive in accordance with Luochen's request, letting the Western Qiang run rampant on the ground in Liangzhou. Now, with Chang Yuchun's strong fighting power and the blessing of the Wolf Legion, this situation can be completely changed in just one month.

"How long has the army been fighting?" Luo Chen asked Lu Bu and Yan Qing after passing Chang Yuchun's report. "It's been eight months since March to November this year." Yan Qing replied. "If you count the time it takes for the troops from all over the world to arrive at the battlefield, the army from Yizhou has the longest time, it's been more than ten months.~"

Yan Qing knew the meaning of Luo Chen's question, the army had been fighting long enough and was already exhausted. Moreover, it is still far away in the northern frontier, and the conditions are too difficult. So many fierce battles broke out in the continuous battle. For example, in the most recent battle, tens of thousands of people were killed and many more were injured. But... Yan Qing wanted to say it, but she didn't know how to say it, because this was indeed an excellent opportunity. If you don't overdraft this time and persist, then the settlement of the Xiqiang issue may be delayed for many years. But Yan Qing also understands that the army needs to rest, and the battle of Chibi in the south has already started. These matters related to the national fortune are far more important than the small Xiqiang.

"So...is Xi Qiang still fighting?" Yan Qing asked tentatively. Luochen was silent, he hadn't thought about it yet. "Let's go out for a walk." Luo Chen suggested. Since entering Wuwei, Luochen went to the city wall sooner or later to watch the sunrise, watch the sunset, and bask in the sun. Even the offices were moved to the city walls. The walls of Wuwei County are dilapidated and not large enough for three people to stand side by side, and two horses cannot fit. The battlements were broken, and some bricks had fallen. The famous northwestern fortress in the Western Han Dynasty was unable to repair it because of the disputes in the Central Plains. But Luo Chen felt a different kind of comfort sitting on this ancient gray-black brick. The army rested here for a week, and Luo Chen did not ask any specific things about Wuwei County, nor did he visit the soldiers, after all, he was also injured.

Fallen dust fell on the city wall, and it could be seen that the city was crowded a lot. There are also many soldiers on the street corners basking in the sun or chatting. In the dusty army, gambling is strictly forbidden. Although the professional army could not have such entertainment activities, it was unique in the army at that time.

"My lord...you're feeling better..." The soldiers raised their heads, stood up, and rushed to both sides of the street to watch their leader slowly walk by.

Luochen looked at the soldiers on both sides and described it in two words: ragged clothes, yellow face and thin muscles.

"The weather is quite cold, and it's very cold at night. Are the soldiers equipped for autumn and winter?" Luochen turned around and asked Yanqing. Butler Yan Qing obviously did not expect Luochen to suddenly ask this question, so he lowered his head and said, "The rear is rushing to control, we are too far away, and the supply line is fragile, I am afraid it will take some time..."

Luochen didn't answer, and turned to a soldier on the street. When the soldier saw Luochen walking over, he hurriedly knelt down. Luo Chen quickly pulled him up. The soldier was quite tall, with a yellow complexion and wounds on his arms. "Is there enough food every day?" Luo Chen asked.

"Enough!" the soldier immediately stood up and replied loudly.

"Is there meat? Are there vegetables?" Luochen continued to ask.

"Yes!" The soldier's voice dropped a little.

"Is there?" Luochen's sharp eyes glanced at him and asked again, the soldier's eyes dodging.

"No...no." The soldier muttered.

Luo Chen turned around and glanced at Yan Qing. At this moment, Yan Qing's face flushed red and she was ashamed. "It's... a subordinate is negligent."

Luo Chen shook his head. "It's hard for a clever woman to cook without rice, and there's nothing you can do about it."

Yan Qing knelt down, and a group of staff from the logistics department who heard the news from behind also ran over and knelt down in panic. The soldiers watched this scene in silence, knowing that the generals seemed to be held accountable for logistical reasons. The soldier who answered hurriedly knelt down again: "The logistics department has done everything it can, please forgive me!" He fell down. The soldiers fell to their knees.

·0 Seeking Flowers··

Luochen sat down silently, sitting on the ruined bluestone slab of the ancient city. "Get up, you get up." Luo Chen sighed.

"You've worked hard! Riders! Central Atomic Brothers!" Luo Chen raised his voice. "It's been so long! It's time for you to rest! It's time for you to go home!"

No one spoke. According to the military system, this really exceeded the soldiers' switching time. Even according to the professional Guanzhong iron cavalry, such a long period of high-intensity continuous combat is really rare. In the past few months, they have carried out the longest and most difficult desert march, met the most powerful and terrifying enemy, and fought directly against the **** of death. The most brutal hand-to-hand combat was carried out, which was the most deadly battle of the Guanzhong Iron Cavalry in a single battle.

............

Luochen stood up: "Order! First, Chang Yuchun's troops will withdraw immediately. The wolf army will be stationed at Yumen Pass. Second, the order will be given to Zhuge Liang to supervise the country. Go north and take over the defense of Hexi. Third, the order is to be given to Ma Teng. He does not need to come over. He asked Pang De to bring 50,000 cavalry over and he will serve as the defense governor of Hexi. Military Commander."

The reason why he didn't call Ma Teng over to discuss it was obviously Luochen's decision. That is to say, the hundreds of thousands of cavalry soldiers in Guanzhong, the elite, must be withdrawn immediately. Yan Qing and Lu Bu immediately heard it, and the soldiers were still pondering, it seemed that many troops had been transferred to Hexi.

"Soldiers! I announce to you, immediately organize the withdrawal of troops! You don't have to go back to Shuofang, just go south and go back to Guanzhong to rest!"

The soldiers all raised their heads, and for a moment they thought they had heard it wrong. Could it be that... this means that their war is over? ! Don't have to be involved in the war against the Huns? ! Just go back to rest? !

The call resounded through the dilapidated and desolate desert town. .

Chapter 185 Old General Ma Teng

As soon as Ma Teng received the order, he led Pang De to Wuwei County day and night. According to the battle report, Luochen continuously and completely defeated the Xiongnu army in Hexi. Ma Teng happily held a banquet to celebrate. Ma Teng was even more excited after receiving the order to call the two to go to Wuwei County as soon as possible. Does this mean that Luo Chen is ready to attack the Qiang people? You must know that Hexi is stationed with the most elite of the hundreds of thousands of iron cavalry. Coupled with the mysterious grassland wolf army, it should not be a problem to sweep the Xiqiang. Ma Teng had a premonition that the knot in his heart that he had been suffering for for many years would finally be solved by himself, and he would personally participate in sweeping away the rampant situation of the Qiang people in Liangzhou!

Ma Teng did not rest for a moment, and wanted to get to Wuwei as soon as possible. Only with Pound and a dozen guards, they ran across the horse "840". Even nibbling on dry food on a bumpy horse. I was really sleepy, but I just lay down under the horse's stomach and took a nap. On the third day, Maarten, Pound, and the Guards ran with dark circles under their eyes, and a line of riders in the distance caught their attention. Although Shicheng and Wuwei are within the Great Wall, there are still Huns and Qiang people running around. The Qiang people, in particular, were especially arrogant before the Luochen army advanced to Hexi, almost thinking that this was their territory. When the news of Luochen's defeat of the Xiongnu Wolf Army came, the number of Qiang people in this area was greatly reduced. It is conceivable that the group of people must be nervous and ready to fight.

Ma Teng took out the bow and crossbow slung on his waist, and the guards prepared one after another. The other party obviously found them too, the speed slowed down slightly, and took the weapon.

"People like us, look at the armor." Pound said beside him. Indeed, from the perspective of armor, it is indeed the attire of the fallen army. And judging from the red ying on his helmet, if there is no cheating, then this group of people is a messenger of the fallen army. The other party obviously recognized the attire of their fallen army Ma Tengjun, put down the bow and crossbow, and rushed over. This is where the two teams meet.

This is not receiving the battle report in the military camp, Ma Teng is a little wary. However, the other party's messenger seemed to know Ma Teng directly, so he hurriedly dismounted from his horse and saluted: "General Ma Teng, Lord Luochen orders! I want us to expeditiously deliver it." Then he handed over the order. Ma Teng took the book. The first line contained only a few simple and concise words, but it almost made him feel like a thunderclap: Our department decided to retreat south to Guanzhong. Ma Teng doesn't have to go to Wuwei County anymore. With Pound as the defense governor of Hexi.

Ma Teng's mind is a little confused, is this withdrawn? The Qiang people stopped fighting? He looked down mechanically: First, because the battle time was too long, the original more than 100,000 cavalry in Guanzhong decided to retreat south to Guanzhong to rest. Second, with Pang De as the defense governor of Hexi, 50,000 cavalrymen were dispatched from Shicheng to take office, and at the same time, 50,000 cavalrymen from Guanzhong were transferred to Hexi, under the command of Pang De. Third, Hexi was placed under Liangzhou, and Ma Teng was the highest military and political officer. Fourth, Ma Teng and Pang De can take the initiative to fight against the Xiqiang as appropriate, but they must ensure the defense security of Hexi, Yumenguan and Shicheng.

These meticulous arrangements undoubtedly emphasized the fact that Luo Chen had already made up his mind, and he must transfer his elite to Guanzhong to rest. Even Shuo Fang did not return. At the same time, Luochen added 50,000 soldiers to Ma Teng, and handed it over to his huge Hexi, so he could keep it.

The piece of paper slipped from Maarten's stiff hand. Ma Teng jumped off his horse silently and sat on the sparse grass. Pound got off his horse, picked up the order and read it, and sat next to Ma Teng silently: "It will take a few more years." Pound said solemnly.

"How many years can I live?" Ma Teng gave a wry smile.

No one answered, the guards, and even a few messengers, stood around quietly, not knowing how to answer the gray-haired old general.

"Keep walking." Ma Teng stood up with difficulty. "Keep going," he repeated. "The lord will definitely walk along the Great Wall, and then go south to the area of ​​Qinchuan. We will continue to walk to the side of the Great Wall, and then go west along the Great Wall, and we will definitely meet the lord's army." Ma Teng said desperately. "I'm going to tell the lord about this in person."

"General..." Pound was a little surprised. Obviously, Princess Luochen had made up her mind, but Ma Teng was still not reconciled. Only a qualified veteran like Ma Teng dares to do this.0

"By the way! A few little brothers." Ma Teng said to a few passers-by. "The lord asked us to transfer 50,000 troops. You help me to go back and spread the word, and call for 10,000 strong cavalry from each of the five military camps to set off immediately and go to Hexi to stand by." He took out a piece of cloth and used a water bottle. I put a few drops of water on the brush and wrote a few big characters: Deploy troops to Hexi, then sign it and hand it over to the messenger.

The few messengers were obviously a little embarrassed. The order above was to let them see Ma Teng and give him the latest order from Lord Luochen. How can I work for Ma Teng now? But the old general personally asked them to do things, and it seems that it is not good not to do it... Several messengers looked at each other, scratched their heads, and took the white cloth. He answered, "Yes!" He bowed and straddled the horse and left.

When Ma Teng and others were galloping across the horse, several senior generals on the Xiongnu side were also galloping.

When Zhong Ting died, Erlu led 30,000 remaining soldiers and slipped out. Reorganized into 60,000 people. He hurriedly crossed Yinshan Mountain and ran north for hundreds of miles in one breath.