Zhao Cheng listened to this boring meeting, and realized more and more that this Zhong Ping really didn't get the job done!

Speaking of Ma Teng and Luo Chen's southward retreat. Old General Ma Teng ran around day and night, and he really met Luo Chen by the Great Wall. Luochen sat on the wall of the Great Wall to meet Ma Teng and Pang De. Luochen looked at Ma Teng's sudden aging appearance. It had only been six months since the last time he saw Ma Teng, and it was only half a year. Ma Teng seems to be much older, his face seems to have more wrinkles, and his white hair seems to have a lot more.

".'Old General." Luo Chen stood up, grabbed Ma Teng with both hands, and helped him sit down, showing great respect. Although Luochen's idea has been made, although the plan has been implemented, although Luochen knows what Ma Teng is for. However, Luo Chen still followed the rules and used extremely high specifications, expressing considerable respect. Several high-ranking generals, Lu Bu, Chang Yuchun, and Yan Qing, all attended the meeting, ready to answer questions from veteran Ma Teng. Guards line up along the Great Wall. Although it was in the wild, it strictly listed the ranks of the frontier officials to meet the lord.

"My lord! Your army is going to retreat south. This is a good opportunity. It could have wiped out the Qiang forces in one go." Ma Teng said impatiently when he saw Luochen.

Luochen smiled: "Old General, you should have seen it when you came, my main cavalry has become a beggar now! I can't eat well, I can't dress well, and I don't have enough rest. I'm going to rebel against me (good Zhao Zhao)!"

Ma Teng still wanted to talk about the Qiang people: "In this case, I don't know when it will be..."

Luochen didn't answer, he knew that Shicheng had been on the defensive for too long. It hasn't formed an overwhelming advantage over the Qiang people for a long time. It's not that the main force has not been transferred. Liangzhou has a vast territory and cannot be defended at all. Ma Teng had to shrink his troops to Shicheng, and a lot of land in Liangzhou was also given up. For such a long time, the old general was naturally embarrassed.

"Old General... Now Cao Jun's army of one million has been pressed to the south of the Yangtze River, and there is a battle about the national fortune in the south!" Yan Qing spoke to Luo Chen from the side.

"The Xiongnu in the north have not been completely wiped out. If we use troops against the Qiang people at this time, we are afraid that we will attack from all directions! It is not good for me!" Chang Yuchun added.

Ma Teng looked at these young generals and sighed helplessly. .

Chapter One Hundred and Ninety-Three

Ma Teng has been in the military camp in Shicheng for several years. Luochen has also grown from that slightly young boy to a commander with a resolute and calm expression. People who saw Luochen in the past often marveled that this all-powerful commander turned out to be so young! However, with the passage of time, such feelings gradually diminished, and no one dared to question the meticulousness and heroism behind this resolute face.

Ma Teng's proposal was rejected. Indeed, although the long-term defensive situation in the west is unpleasant, compared to other places, the west obviously does not need to invest more troops, especially the main army. Now that the Huns have not been completely wiped out, the Southeastern War has broken out, and the fallen troops in the southeast are extremely weak. All these require the main army to immediately go south. Moreover, after continuous high-intensity operations, these armies are in urgent need of rest.

"General take care... If the conditions in Liangzhou Shicheng are difficult, the old general can return to Chang'an to rest and recuperate at any time." Luo Chen said.

"This..." Ma Teng raised his head and looked at him in confusion. Luo Chen was stunned for a moment, thinking to himself, what is wrong with what he said? He immediately realized that "returning to the capital to recuperate" is not a good word for the vassal officials, especially its inner meaning, which is usually considered to be that the lord thinks that the fengjiang officials can rest.

"Oh, that's not what 787 meant..." Luo Chen smiled awkwardly, "I can rest assured that there is an old general stationed in Xiliang."

"Thank you, Lord." Ma Teng said cautiously.

There was a burst of sadness and desolation in Luo Chen's heart. As long as there is a hierarchy of power, there can never be complete trust, and there can never be a state of complete absence of suspicion. Moreover, in this feudal form of the dynasty, even more so. Luochen became more and more aware that it turned out that his important ministers and assistants, even if they had followed Luochen for many years, followed Luochen from weak to powerful, they were more in awe of him. Important ministers such as Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu and others, although Luo Chen treated them with respect and respect, expressed the greatest courtesy to their gentlemen. But these people still consciously exercise extreme caution.

"The old general has been stationing troops for several years, how is the army and food situation now?" Luo Chen pulled the topic away.

"In the past few years, the population of Shicheng, Anding and other places has greatly increased. The army is divided into five camps, each with about 40,000 to 50,000 people. Task."

"In other words, the Xiliang (babf) army is now around 20 to 250,000?" Chang Yuchun asked from behind, looking quite surprised, because it can be said to be strong.

"To be precise, there are 230,000 people, and about 110,000 people are in active service and ready to fight. Since the lord transferred 50,000 cavalry from Guanzhong, the number of fallen troops in Xiliang has now reached 280,000 people. ." Matt replied. "Regarding grain, the current grain storage can supply an army of 200,000 people for more than three years."

"This kind of army and food situation can be said to be very good." Luo Chen said to Yan Qing, Chang Yuchun and Lu Bu who were beside him. "Especially the grain reserves have exceeded most of the army in the country." Indeed, due to the large-scale operations against the Xiongnu, every day there was a large amount of grain and a large number of people who went north to maintain a fragile supply line. The supply line was slightly damaged, and the soldiers of the Xu Da division on the front were in danger of starvation. But with Xu Da's major victories on the front lines, things have changed dramatically. Because it can collect grain from the Xiongnu tribe, and solve the food problem on the spot. What's more, after the war, Xu Da led the army to put out the fire urgently, and also seized a lot of food for the Xiongnu army.

The situation in Hexi is not very good. Hexi is too barren to support a huge army. Professional grain transport troops set out from Guanzhong, transported by horses, mules and carts, maintaining a fragile supply line. Due to the long distance and fragile supply lines, no more things could be transported. It was late autumn, and the soldiers were still wearing thin summer clothes.

The ragged army, singing at the top of its voice, happily passed under the Great Wall. They will soon be able to return to their homeland to rest. Although facing the cold wind, the soldiers shivered, but this joyful energy seemed to offset all kinds of hunger and cold.

"The soldiers have returned to Guanzhong to rest. We still have to go to the north." Luo Chen smiled and said to the generals behind him. Several senior generals nodded in understanding. After all, Xu Da's side has not been eradicated.

"Is your army not enough to take the initiative to attack?" Luochen meant that the meeting was over, but Chang Yuchun couldn't hold back his doubts and couldn't help asking.

According to the regulations, generals like Chang Yuchun are not qualified to question Ma Teng. They are just Luochen's decision-making consultants. If Luochen does not pay attention to any details, they will be responsible for providing details. Frontier officials only talk to their lords. But Ma Teng still smiled and didn't care: "Xiliang is too big, and the enemy's situation is extremely complicated. The lord fought a Xiongnu and used nearly 600,000 troops, all of whom are the main elites. It's been nearly a year of fighting, and it's so hard. We, the army, still have to face problems such as defense. With more than 200,000 local troops, we cannot launch a comprehensive counterattack against the Qiang people. However, since Lord Luochen has approved us to defend our defense area, we can consider taking the initiative. Attack. Then we must fight a few battles in the near future to match the victory of Lord Luochen in Hexi and North."

"Yes, but don't force it, and make sure the safety of this zone is the first priority." Luo Chen nodded in agreement.

"Pang De is a lieutenant, and his rank is too low. I'm afraid he is not qualified to be an independent frontier general." Ma Teng said to Luochen. This is indeed the case. According to the regulations, at least the rank of Zhonglang General can be independently stationed. For example, Huang Zhong independently stationed in Shangyong and other places, with 100,000 cavalry. Previously, Xiahou Yuantun was stationed in Hanzhong, with 100,000 cavalry. Now Pang De is called to command the army of 100,000 troops to be stationed in Hexi, but his level is obviously not up to the level. This is an exception, and in principle, it is illegal. As Pound's immediate boss, others may be embarrassed to say that Ma Teng must bring it up, so that he is a qualified boss. "The lord can consider sending another general to serve as the commander-in-chief of Hexi."

"I will consider the old general's suggestion." Luochen said simply, "Now there are more wars, fewer generals, and there is a lack of generals on all fronts. Pang De is temporarily appointed as the governor of the Hexi army, and he will be transferred later as appropriate."

In fact, Luo Chen has always been not very kind to Pound. The same as Ma Teng's subordinate, Ma Dai has long ruled the core area in Tongguan, Guanzhong and Luochen, while Pang De can only be in Xiliang, and he has not been able to show himself. This was probably because Luo Chen had seen the Three Kingdoms and had a bad impression of Pang De, so he unknowingly left him out. .

Chapter 194: The First Artillery Team

The artillery fire from the north shocked the whole country. Whether it was the Huns, the people of the Central Plains or the Jiangdong, they were all curious about this thing, and they panicked because of its powerful destructive power.

But in Cao Cao's view, it seems to be true, because Cao Jun has experienced the explosion and spread of powerful gunpowder. Cao Jun paid a heavy loss for this, and even a fortified city was reduced to ashes.

This incident aroused Cao Cao's anxiety again. Guo Jia was no longer there, and Cao Cao had no one to discuss, making him even more anxious. Now that the north and the south are facing off against each other, Cao Cao's navy is too weak, and Soochow's resistance is very firm, and he can't take Jiangdong for a while.

In just half a month, Zhang Juzheng had already had a company of spies arrested. Jiangdong, Xiongnu, Cao Cao. Cao Cao has the most. Zhang Juzheng wanted to make it public, but Zhuge Liang suppressed it, saying that this would be unfavorable to the overall situation, and for the time being, he would not open his face with Cao Cao. Although Zhang Juzheng was unhappy, he couldn't bear that Zhuge Liang was the supervisor of the country and had more power than himself. That Zhang Juzheng was arrogant, but also quite capable. In just two months after taking office, more than 80 liaison sites have been established in the Central Plains and Southwest China, covering almost all important towns. The elite soldiers are selected from the Fallen Guards and are the main members of the intelligence agency. And has sent people to Jiangdong area, Cao Cao's Central Plains and the Xiongnu areas to infiltrate. As soon as Sun Yuanhua's artillery sounded in the north, many spies couldn't hold back their restlessness, and the masters were eager to know the situation of Luochen's artillery, so many gave orders to the spies regardless of the danger. Unexpectedly, Zhang Juzheng had already opened the net and waited for them. Every day, people are arrested, one nest at a time, and the intelligence agency has achieved the most brilliant record since its establishment.

The second batch of artillery was transported into the station of Xu Da Department under the protection of heavy troops. On this basis, Sun Yuanhua formally established the first artillery team of the fallen army, with about 3,000 members. More than half are responsible for transportation and maintenance. The artillery unit is equipped with more than 60 artillery pieces. Sun Yuanhua, Zhuge Liang and others were relieved by the actual combat-tested artillery. In the letter jointly signed by Sun Yuanhua and Zhuge Liang to Luochen, they planned to cast 300 artillery pieces immediately. Fallout immediately approved the plan.

Since the end of the Grassland War, the fallen troops have successively advanced into most grasslands and occupied most of the water sources. Apparently the lifeblood of the steppe has been controlled. Xiahou Yuan dispatched 50,000 cavalry, from west to east, and began to take over the Xiongnu royal court and the left side of the Xiongnu. Wherever he went, all he saw was the ruin of the people's livelihood. The Huns had given almost everything to defend the steppe, but they still failed. The materials spent in the war made the grasslands very poor, and many people could not eat enough. Xiahou Yuan did not release grain, nor did he collect grain according to the original plan, and the grain seized after the Grassland War could still be supplied - they would have a period of time.

As the fallen cavalry trudged through pastures and settlements, they made no attempt to build local armies to control these local villages. The ministry will be dispatched to the surrounding settlements and villages, summoned the local elders and magistrates, and announced that the place has been occupied by Lord Luochen. Xiahou Yuan roamed around on a horse, and when these dark-faced farmers and herdsmen looked at him with calm eyes, he even felt a chill. These people were stunned and had no idea what they were thinking. If that face was full of anger, I wouldn't be afraid, but this face was full of forbearance and calm. As if he had already made up his mind, what to do in silence. Isn't this kind of person terrible? No one knew what he was going to do.

At Xiahou Yuan's strong request, Sun Yuanhua sent five cannons, and more than 200 soldiers enhanced the strength of Xiahou Yuan's cavalry. In fact, Xiahou Yuan just wanted to feel the pleasure of possessing such a powerful weapon. He plausibly said: "Since he sent himself to the royal court and the left side of the Xiongnu to establish order and announced the occupation of Lord Luochen, it means that Xiahou Yuan is a general dispatched by Lord Luochen. Such a general should obviously be blessed with the most advanced weapons of the Luojun. Only then can we fully represent Lord Luochen and General Xu Da..." Xiahou Yuan imagined the scene where the five cannons roared together, blasting the enemy's city walls and cavalry to pieces. But no, the war has greatly damaged the vitality of the Huns. Even if they had the heart, these Huns would not be able to organize a decent resistance. Many died, especially the lack of males. In the steppe war, many Xiongnu soldiers were captured, and now many Xiongnu people are waiting for the policy of capture. They all hoped not to kill, but... according to the official propaganda of the Xiongnu, the ferocious Han people who robbed their homes would definitely kill their husbands and sons. These people didn't say a word, as if they were holding back great grief and anger.

·0 Flowers

Xiahou Yuan stroked the cold steel pipe and listened to the operating soldier tell him how to operate it. Of course, that's all they do. As for why, they naturally don't understand.

"Good stuff! Awesome stuff! Mr. Sun is really a god!" Xiahou Yuan finally praised with admiration.

After a while, the generals will come back and report on the situation around them. "There is a small castle about ten miles away, which seems to have been built by the Huns," a general reported.

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

"It's requisitioned, and two thousand troops are stationed. You are the commander." Xiahou Yuan said immediately. "Go to the dispatch office to sign your name, you have become a commander of the Xiongnu defense zone."

"This..." The general was obviously embarrassed, "I don't want to stay here as a commander, I want to fight with the army, and go back to the Central Plains after the battle... This damned place where birds don't shit..."

"Fuck!" Xiahou Yuan was furious, his eyes widened, and his subordinates shivered in fright. "Let you be the king of the mountain here, you can eat and drink without fighting, what's wrong! The official is still big, if you are not so high as an officer! And you think you will stay here forever? Wait for the enemy army on the Xiongnu side to destroy It's clear, Zhong Ping has also won, and the security has improved, so I'll transfer you back!"

That department had to be transferred back after hearing it, so he closed his mouth and stopped talking.

Xiahou Yuan turned to the dozens of subordinate generals and many generals and said, "Listen! Our column...including other columns, the 50,000 people assigned by General Xu Da are used to maintain the stability of the Xiongnu royal court and the left army, and suppress them. Rebellion! You have to take thousands of soldiers to station in the local area until Zhongping is caught! Don't chat with me, or you will be beaten with military sticks!"

The group of generals and officers did not dare to make a sound when they heard this. .

Chapter 195 Prairie Late Night

After Xiahou Yuan had reprimanded the people, he immediately set off on the road. The speed of the army's sweep was comparable to that of a march, because the Huns' territory was too vast, and there were few people, not many villages, and a vast area with sparse people.

Eight large horses pulled the carriage carrying the artillery and ran with a loud roar, a veritable ceremony. The fast horses galloped freely on the grassland. There were more than 10,000 people in the first column. The entire team spread out its wings and spread out into a horizontal plane, setting off a huge cloud of smoke and dust on the vast grassland.