Luoyang.

Although the sun is strong, it gradually cannot resist the cold. People in Luoyang wear thick clothes when they go out.

At this moment, the news ahead has not yet arrived, and Luoyang City is bustling and prosperous and very peaceful.

Although the prime ministers Xi Zhicai, Chen Gong and Jia Xu in the court worked in different yamen, they all worked at the Shangshutai when Zhang Xiu was not around.

Xi Zhicai and Chen Gong had a dispatch on him, and when Zhang Xiu was not in the court, the Grand Sima Changshi Jia Xu took over part of Zhang Xiu's rights.

Except for the Huns, everything in the thirteen counties this year was peaceful.

[The weather is good in the country, and the princes outside the country dare not invade the court]

Everything is on track.

Xi Zhicai, Chen Gong, and Jia Xu’s usual things are not complicated. Just like on this day, the three of them played chess together in a room in the Shangshu Deck.

Chen Gong and Xi Zhicai played chess, while Jia Xu watched the chess next to him.

Both of them are wise men in the world, and their chess level is similar, so they naturally have a fight. But the three of them are not actually on the chessboard.

But in this world, the wise regard the world as the chessboard.

Chen Gong pinched the black piece and did not fall down for a long time. Then he opened the lid of the chess box and put the black piece back. He looked up at Xi Zhicai, and Jia Xu and the others said, "Since the Grand Sima returned from Hanzhong, the army has been repairing in Chang'an, and its morale and combat effectiveness have been restored, and even further. Although there were troops sent to Shuofang in the middle, it did not affect the overall situation."

"Chang'an has hoarded a lot of food and military supplies. The autumn harvest this year is rich again. I see that the Grand Sima sent troops to Ma Teng and Han Sui, it is not far away."

"So what?" Xi Zhicai smiled a little, and then said flatly: "The Grand Sima is invincible. Although the troops move repeatedly, there is no need to worry."

After a pause, Xi Zhi said calmly: "We will sit in Luoyang and just watch the Grand Sima pacify Liangzhou with a smile."

"Speaking of the chaos between Liangzhou and the Central Plains, it has been occupied by Qiang people and thieves for decades. It would be a blessing to take back Liangzhou in one fell swoop, or even restore the influence of the imperial court in the Western Regions."

"Yes." Chen Gong of course was also very confident in Zhang Xiu and nodded happily.

Jia Xu has never talked much, so he doesn't say a word.

At this moment, an official from the Ministry of War of the Shangshutai walked in from outside and panted, saying, "Donalds, Dukes, Grand Sima sent troops. The troops were divided into four groups to attack Ma Teng in Longyou."

After saying that, the official handed Zhang Xiu’s official documents to Shangshu Ling Xi Zhicai.

Xi Zhicai and the other two looked at each other, but they quickly calmed down. Xi Zhicai opened the official documents and read them, and handed them over to Chen Gong and Jia Xu.

"This is an unexpected thing. Order the officials and scholars inside and outside the court, not to be disturbed or worried. The officials will perform their duties to maintain the operation of the court and provide the army ahead with [small soldiers and food]."

Xi Zhicai raised his head and said to the official calmly.

Officials can cultivate their power.

Xi Zhicai, Chen Gong is a veritable prime minister, Jia Xu is half a person. He manipulates power every day, and now Xi Zhicai will never see the [weakness] spirit of the past and the resoluteness and majesty of the past.

"promise."

The official quickly responded and went down to pass the order.

"We'll leave too. It's time to get busy." Xi Zhicai raised his eyes and said to Jia Xu and Chen Gong. The two nodded together, and the three of them separated.

The news was like a storm, and soon swept across the entire Luoyang City from the Shangshutai.

All the people, scholars and officials in the city were shocked, but then their mentality calmed down. Since Zhang Xiu took power, the army has been moving repeatedly, and six armies have frequently occurred.

But the only thing is [eternal].

Zhang Xiu has never lost.

The day when Zhang Xiu sent troops, the world was shaken, and the people behind him were not worried.

Many people in Luoyang City even celebrated with the crown. Zhang Xiu sent troops to win and lose, and the chances of winning this time must be great.

If the imperial court could open up Liangzhou, control the Western Regions, and reopen the Silk Road, this would be a great joy for many people in Luoyang City.

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

Jicheng.

Since Ma Teng withdrew his troops from Wudu and Yinping, he has returned to the city with wide straits. The counties in Longyou are vast and basins are also flat. The terrain is very conducive to cavalry operations.

After Zhang Xiu invaded Hanzhong and cut off the connection between Liu Yan and Ma Teng, the strategic state of the Longyou counties became even more embarrassing.

In addition, Zhang Xiu was also a native of Liangzhou. In the Longyou counties, many people secretly supported Zhang Xiu.

There is another important reason for this.

Ma Teng was a bandit, and Zhang Xiu was the emperor of the court, who took the emperor to command the princes. The army led by Zhang Xiu was the [King Army].

Ma Teng relied on ruling so many counties and counties to only rule the Ma clan and some scholars who supported him. Once Zhang Xiu sent a large army to attack, most of the counties in Longyou could not be defended.

Both Ma Teng and Yang Fu knew this truth, so they kept drawing grain and supplies from the Longyou counties and stockpiled them in Jicheng.

His 100,000 horse and infantry army were also outside the city of Ji, and were firmly controlled by the general surnamed Ma.

This is a war that determines fate. If they lose, Ma Teng will lose control of the Longyou counties.

If they win, even if the Longyou counties are temporarily captured by Zhang Xiu's army, they can still take them back afterwards.

On the morning of that day, outside Jicheng City, several fast horses entered Jicheng from the southwest.

Not long after, Ma Teng summoned important civil and military officials under his command in the lobby of the mansion, Yang Fu, Ma Chao, Ma Dai and others.

Ma Teng sat in the main seat, unable to hide his solemn expression, and said, "The news came. Zhang Xiu issued a clear order and began to recruit soldiers and was sent to attack us."

Ma Teng will talk about four groups of people, coaches and generals one by one.

Everyone's faces were very serious. Zhang Xiu was already a great soldier. There was no concealment, no such thing as [openly repairing the plank road and secretly traveling to Chen Cang].

Instead, Qin swept away the six countries and gave great troops to rampant the world.

It seemed to be saying: "I, Zhang Xiu, are here."

After thinking for a long time, Yang Fu bowed to Ma Teng with a serious expression and said, "Master. Zhang Xiu sent troops to four groups and the army attacked Jieting. This is to cut off our connection with Marshal Han. As long as we occupy Jieting, Marshal Han can calmly go south to support us. If Zhang Xiu occupied Jieting, he could march straight into Jincheng. Marshal Han would have some concerns. I think that the troops in Jieting should be added first."

Ma Teng nodded after hearing this, and then asked politely: "Sir, how many soldiers should be added?"

"You can set up 17,000 infantry and 3,000 cavalry to hoard a large amount of military supplies, food and grass. Be prepared and fight for one or two years."

Yang Fu thought about it and said.

"good."

Ma Teng followed Yang Fuyan's plan and immediately issued a military order to dispatch troops to guard Jieting small town.

The rest of the people remain unmoved for the time being.

It is necessary to wait until Zhang Xiu's troops move before they can follow, otherwise they will just move blindly.

As the news spread throughout the Longyou counties, the Longyou counties were already in chaos.

Maybe there was a hero in a county who killed the county magistrate set up by Ma Teng, and rebelled against Ma Teng to respond to Zhang Xiu.

Or a Qiang general raised his troops to respond to Zhang Xiu.

Perhaps the county magistrate appointed by Ma Teng simply hung the "Han" banner on the city to respond to Zhang Xiu. For a moment, Ma Teng's rule in Longyou was as if the Xia was about to fall and began to stagnate.

But Ma Teng didn't care, and he didn't send anyone to quell the rebellion. He only sat in Jicheng and fought to the death with Zhang Xiu.

Not long after, news came that Zhang Xiu had sent troops. After a while, Zhang Xiu had commanded the army to Xiaoguan.

It was even more like cooking oil in a fire, and the entire Longyou counties were in chaos.

.........

Xiaoguan.

The pass is long and the flags are brilliant.

On the morning of that day, Zhang Xiu personally led the army to Xiaoguan. General Qu Yi, the north of Wei, led the civil and military officials from Guanzhong to welcome Zhang Xiu.

Zhang Xiu ordered the army to station outside the pass, and he led Dian Wei and other personal soldiers into Xiao Pass, and occupied the Guanling Mansion of Qu Yi by the way.

In the hall, Zhang Xiu ordered his personal soldiers to untie the armor and sit down in single clothes. Below were groups of civil and military personnel.

"If you want to take Ma Teng, Guo Si must first take Jieting." Zhang Xiu said with a smile, then turned to look at Qu Yi and asked, "General Qu, what is the situation in Jieting at present?"

"Report to Gong Ming. Since the last battle at Jieting, Ma Teng sent people to build a small city in Jieting. There were only a few thousand defenders. After hearing that the Grand Sima sent troops, Ma Teng's troops increased to 20,000. At present, the general is Ma Teng's clan's brother Ma Yuan."

Qu Yi knew this very well and bowed his hand and replied.

Zhang Xiu nodded after hearing this and said, "Yang Fu, Ma Teng still understands war." Then, Zhang Xiu sighed again and said, "The Ma family has also emerged in many talents. During the war between their family and me, many people were killed, but there were more."

After saying that, Zhang Xiu couldn't help but shake his head.

To be honest, although Zhang Xiu's troops had arrived at Xiaoguan, there was no way to break through Jieting. I can only look at the actions of Yan Xing, Pang De, Zhao Yun and others.

But there was one thing that Zhang Xiu had already thought about. He smiled at Zhuge Jin who was sitting at the end and said, "Tiyu, go and get the pen and ink, and write a letter to Ma Teng for me. After writing it, you will send it to Ma Teng in person."

"No." Zhuge Jin responded to the promise and immediately turned around. Not long after, he took the pen and ink in, listening to Zhang Xiu's voice.

Zhang Xiu first planned it, then stood up with his hands behind his back, and said with a smile: "Those who are close to him will be punished and ordered the south to command the south, and Zhang Lu will stop him. Now he is 800,000 horse and infantry troops, and then he will hunt Yongliang with the general. What do the general's intentions?"

Zhuge Jin couldn't help but shake the ink, and a drop of ink dripped onto the paper. However, he was experienced and immediately changed the ink to characters and wrote the letter. After blowing the ink dry, he presented it to Zhang Xiu to watch.

"Good word. Ziyu, go." Zhang Xiu looked at it with a smile, then returned the letter to Zhuge Jin and said.

"No." Zhuge Jin took the letter and retreated respectfully.

The civil and military officials under the tent were silent.
Chapter completed!