Ten days later, a huge carriage team appeared at the Songzhou border. The carriages were tightly covered and no one knew what was hidden inside. They were mighty and slow, and the drivers were all young people, dressed as ordinary people like lower-class servants.

I can't see the depth, but my eyes are calm, restrained, and extraordinary.

There are dozens of people behind the convoy, the horses are majestic, and everyone is capable.

At first glance, it looked like a caravan. There were no company flags on the carriage. It came to a stop just a stone's throw away from the border gate. Someone on the wall shouted loudly: "Who is here? Stop and check."

In front of the motorcade, an imposing man stretched his bow and set an arrow. Documents were tied to the arrows. The big bow was fully drawn, and he shot out with a "whoosh" sound. The arrow was like a meteor, and it shot steadily on the wall stacks. It entered the city wall seven inches, and the arrow tail buzzed.

Buzzing and trembling.

The shouting sergeant was startled. He was about to give the order to fight when he saw a document on the arrow. He quickly pulled out the arrow, carefully removed the document and glanced at it. His face changed drastically and he shouted: "Don't act rashly, wait until I come back." He immediately rushed away.

Go down the city wall and go straight to the city guard's mansion.

Without further payment, the city gate was opened, the main street was under martial law, the shops were closed, and no common people were allowed to approach. A middle-aged general rushed out on horseback, approached and looked at the archery man: "Who are you?"

"Yes, Xue Rengui has met the general, and my young master is behind." The person who came was none other than Xue Rengui.

The other party hadn't heard of it, but he didn't dare to neglect it. He came back politely and rushed to the back of the caravan.

Qin Huaidao was astride a war horse with white hoofs and crows, and his weapons and armor were on the spare war horse beside him. He saw the person coming and did not move. He waited for the other person to come forward and looked at him for a few times. He didn't recognize him. The other person came up and looked at Qin Huaidao for a few times. After carrying his luggage, he asked: "But

Lord Qin, in person? I am the general of Xia Songzhou, Xue Zhi, courtesy name Shanzhi, and my father, Xue Wanche."

"It turns out it's an old friend." Qin Huaidao smiled and threw a jade identity plaque.

The other party took it for inspection, and after confirming that it was correct, he exchanged it with a bit more surprise and kindness: "My father often writes about Mr. Qin in letters. He praises and highly praises him. If you need anything, please give me your instructions."

"You're welcome, the mission is urgent."

"I understand, I understand. The general has already received the secret order. Please follow the general into the city." Xue Zhi said quickly, turned his horse's head, and took the lead in leading the way into the city.

The convoy started again and followed into the city.

The people in the city were driven away, and the main street was deserted. Even the soldiers under martial law were ordered to lower their heads and were not allowed to raise their heads for a second glance. The confidentiality work was still in place. The motorcade passed through the city along the main street and exited from the other side.

Xue Zhi reined in his horse and said enthusiastically: "My lord, the general will be sent here and wait for your return. If you need help, just give the order. My lord, follow this road for more than ten miles and there will be a river.

Thirty miles downstream along the river there is a hidden canyon where the large army is resting and waiting for the general."

"Thank you, Lord Guard."

"I don't dare to take it seriously. I wish you a triumphant victory."

Qin Huaidao said goodbye to the other party and left. The dirt road was difficult to walk and he could not walk fast. Fortunately, it was wide enough and did not affect the movement of the carriage. Until the afternoon, a small team suddenly appeared in front of him to block him. Each of them was holding a repeating crossbow, their eyes were cold and stern, and they were full of murderous intent.

It's extraordinary at first glance.

A school captain stepped forward and shouted: "Who is coming?"

Xue Rengui did not move and shouted sternly: "What are you?"

"This place is under martial law and no passage is allowed. Go back," the captain shouted.

"Lord Protector Qin is here, please let your general come over."

The other party did not reply after hearing the report and left in a hurry.

Qin Huaidao came forward and saw that the army was still on high alert and did not relax even a little bit because the captain left. They were looking at him with murderous intent. It could be seen that the leader was very good at running the army. He couldn't help but look forward to it. Li Eryi

He never revealed who was leading the army, and Qin Huaidao couldn't ask more questions.

After waiting for a while, a young man galloped over on horseback and shouted from a distance: "Haha, Mr. Qin is really here, making me wait."

Qin Huaidao looked at the other party, and he really knew him, but he was not familiar with him. His name was Duan Zan. His father, Duan Xuanzhi, was the general of Youwei and was granted the title of Duke of Baoguo. Duan Xuanzhi was the first to raise an army with Li Yuan. He was strict in running the army and fought bravely. Later, he was defeated by Li Yuan.

2. The evaluation "has the style of Zhou Yafu", which shows that he has good strength.

Duan Xuanzhi spent most of his life guarding the west and fighting against Tuyuhun. He was most familiar with Tuyuhun. His son Duan Zan has always been with Duan Xuanzhi. It is said that he has learned the true story and is like his father. No wonder he was sent by Li Er.

They are all born in martial arts, so they are naturally close to each other.

Qin Huaidao smiled and said: "I didn't expect that the Holy One would order your general."

Duan Zan rushed up and said excitedly: "I am very excited after receiving the order. I have been looking forward to this day for a long time. I can't wait for it to come. I plan to go to Chang'an to inquire. Fortunately, my lord is here, but we must distinguish between public and private affairs.

Sir, please take care of Hu Fu."

Seeing that the other party was doing business, Qin Huaidao clearly understood the importance and immediately felt a little more favorable. He took out the tiger talisman and handed it to him. The other party took it and took out the other half from his arms. They matched each other tightly and returned the tiger talisman to Qin Huaidao.

A little more solemn: "The last general Duan Zan has met your Excellency."

"General Duan, you're welcome." Qin Huaidao returned the courtesy.

Previously, it was a meeting between acquaintances. Showing the tiger talisman meant taking over the army. There are differences between the upper and lower ranks in the army, and the hierarchy is strict. You can no longer joke. Qin Huaidao pointed at Xue Rengui and introduced: "This is Xue Rengui, my eldest brother."

Duan Zan understood in his heart that he must be a confidant who can be introduced like this. He didn't dare to make excuses, so he solemnly clasped his fists: "I have met Mr. Xue Langjun."

"General Duan is polite." Xue Rengui returned the greeting.

Duan Zan looked at Qin Huai and said: "It's getting late, please move to the camp."

The convoy moved again, moving forward along a narrow canyon overgrown with weeds. Soon the front suddenly opened up, and there was a piece of flat land. The tents were neatly arranged. Countless people were on patrol around the camp. Smoke was everywhere in the camp, and they were cooking.

Many people saw the motorcade approaching and stopped to talk.

The convoy soon arrived at the Chinese military tent. The guards dispersed their vigilance and prohibited any approach. Qin Huaidao signaled Xue Rengui to follow, entered the Chinese military tent, and sat down at the main seat. Xue Rengui fought behind him to act as a guard.

"Is there a map of Tubo?" Qin Huaidao got straight to the point.

"Yes, it's not very accurate." Duan Zan said quickly, pulling out a map from a pile of debris.

Qin Huaidao looked at the map and pondered. It was indeed very simple. He only specified where the mountains were, where there was water, where there were passes, where there were garrisons, what the mountains were like, how dangerous the passes were, how many garrisons there were, etc. He didn't know anything about it, but it was better than nothing.

Find the location of the Tubo Royal City.

It is far away from the camp to Tubo, and it takes several days to get there. How to avoid it is a problem. Qin Huaidao watched for a moment and asked bluntly: "Is there a way to avoid the passes and blockades along the way and reach the Tubo royal city directly?"

"Go directly to the Tubo King's City?" Duan Zan was startled. What kind of strategy is this? You are too brave. You can't seek death like this. But from the moment the tiger talisman is revealed, Qin Huaidao is the commander of this army, so he can only do so unconditionally.

He obeyed and said quickly: "Sir, I have never been there. I am only familiar with the border. It can go deep for a hundred miles at most. I am not sure how to reach the Tubo King's City without being exposed."

Things will be difficult if no one knows the route. You can't just kill each pass one by one, right?

It's cool to crush them directly, but it's too difficult, and 10,000 troops are simply not enough.

Qin Huaidao knew how much of Tubo territory there was, and it was impossible for the Tubo army to set up defenses everywhere. If they stayed at night and set out during the day, and specifically chose uninhabited places, they might be able to do it, but the marching speed would be slow.

However, it is better to go slow than to fight!

With a calculation in his mind, Qin Huaidao continued to study the map, hoping to find a feasible route. Suddenly, he thought of a problem. Tubo Mountain has a wide range of highlands, but little water. People cannot live without water. As long as they avoid the water source, it means avoiding the defenders.

Even if you accidentally encounter the Tubo army along the way, they will just be stragglers who will be silenced.

Searching according to this idea, Qin Huaidao gradually sketched a rough route on the map, asked Duan Zan to draw it lightly with a pen, handed it to Duan Zan, and said at the same time: "If we take this route, what are the problems?"

"This area is full of high mountains. There is a lack of water and food. The biggest problem is that it is easy to get lost. The mountains in Tubo are similar. If you are not familiar with the direction and cannot find the direction, you will be trapped to death."

"What else?" Qin Huaidao asked, only the direction, that's not a problem.

Duan Zan thought about it carefully and said: "There are high mountains and dangerous roads along the way, and we almost avoid the passes. The possibility of encountering the Tibetan army is not high, and even if we encounter it, there will not be many. If you can avoid it, avoid it. If you can't avoid it, the problem is to silence them.

It’s not big. Apart from direction, water and food, the rest is disease. Once you catch wind and cold, it’s very troublesome. Other problems are not big.”

"Wind and cold are not a big problem. This time I brought a large amount of liquor, which can heal injuries and keep out the cold. I have a way to solve the direction problem. The only thing left is water and food, which is not a big problem. This time I have to fight to support the war, and I encountered many kills along the way.

, to prevent exposure. During the war, there is no room for kindness. However, to ensure nothing goes wrong, everyone cut bamboos overnight to carry clean water. The water must be boiled and allowed to cool before being loaded. The army will set off after dawn. Is there any problem? "

"There is a civil war in the camp. How will supplies be arranged?" Duan Zan asked.

Qin Huaidao understood what Duan Zan really wanted to ask, thought about it, and said: "There are many barren lands in Tubo, where not even a blade of grass can grow. It may not be possible to feed the war horses on the way forward, but they must be brought along to save energy and they can be killed if necessary."

Don't feel bad if your horse is hungry, this battle has a lot at stake."

Once the general order was given, it could not be taken back. Duan Zan respectfully accepted the order and left.

That night, Qin Huaidao studied the map in the Chinese military tent until late at night, and finally fell asleep beside the campfire. The village guard team guarded the carriage outside the Chinese military tent, resting in batches, and did not dare to be careless. There were too many supplies in the carriage.

important.

Early the next morning, the army set off after breakfast. They all had one man and two horses, one horse to ride and one horse to carry supplies. The supplies were mainly arrows. There was no way to replenish them when they went to Tubo, so they had to bring enough at one time.

Qin Huaidao took the carriage ahead and disguised himself as a caravan. Before setting off, he specifically visited Lu Dongzan and got the voucher and a letter. Of course, he found an excuse to sell liquor to supplement the damage caused by the barbecue bar being smashed. If Lu Dong was allowed to

Zan knew he was leading troops to attack Tibet, so he would never agree.

In order to make the excuse realistic, Qin Huaidao specially took Lu Dongzan to the barbecue restaurant to see the bombing scene. Lu Dongzan also knew the liquor brewed by Qin Huaidao and didn't think much about it.

With Lu Dongzan's vouchers and letters, we can deal with it if we encounter trouble. Of course, we must not go through the main road. The caravan can get through, but the army cannot.

Songzhou is later known as Songpan County. It is located in the northeastern part of the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture. It is mountainous and has abundant water and grass. You don’t have to worry about war horses chewing their heads. The farther west you go, the more desolate it becomes. To ensure that the horse power can be sustained, the forage carried by the army is not fed at the beginning.

When resting in the middle of the journey, let the soldiers lead the horses to graze.

The army went all the way west. Because it avoided the main road, the terrain was steep and steep. There were steep peaks and narrow valleys everywhere. The walking speed was not fast and it was difficult, but it was also safe. No one often came to the poor mountains and rivers. As for the carriage, these three days

It was made in a hurry, using bearings and anti-vibration steel plates, and it is very strong.

After dark, the army hid in a steep canyon, killed several war horses that had sprained legs and couldn't use them anymore, stewed wild vegetables and divided them among themselves. No one was half full, and they were all crowded together without taking off their clothes or armor.

Drowsily fell asleep.

Duan Zan arranged for sentries to come over and saw Qin Huaidao sitting in the carriage with his eyes closed and concentrating. He asked with concern: "Sir, some people who came here are still out of breath and worried about something happening. The adaptability training place for the army is not as high as here."
To be continued...