Three Kingdoms

People are poor and have short ambitions...

This is really not an adjective, but a portrayal of the real situation. No food or drink, no matter how ambitious I am, I can't resist the gurgling sound of my stomach. If we can't solve the problem of food and drink, what's the point of having lofty ambitions?

At first, the Qiang people came to Tianshui with a very clear purpose, which was to get Han people's grain and grass, Han people's utensils, and Han people's population. They even thought that if everything went well, they could even go to Guanzhong Sanfu to experience the rice vat. The feeling of experiencing the life of a rich person, eating a bowl, pouring a bowl, touching one, serving another...

But now, the cold facts crackled on their faces, causing them to wake up from their dreams and face the tragedy in front of them.

North of Zhangye, it has started to snow lightly!

It’s just past mid-autumn, and winter hasn’t officially started yet!

If there is no way to get a lot of relief from the Han brothers, these Qiang people far northwest of Liangzhou will each have to peel off a layer of skin!

So a large number of stragglers appeared, spreading out in small groups, up and down the Wei River, like locusts, searching the surrounding villages.

Every time, these Qiang people saw a corner of the village house from a distance, they always rushed into the village with the greatest hope, but soon, there were roars of disappointment and unwillingness... …

Not to mention a radius of ten miles, even a radius of twenty or thirty miles, there is no food and grass left, and even if there is, it is just some old wooden barrels and incomplete earthen jars.

At this time, Ma Chao and the Qiang people gradually came to their senses and realized the terrible reality before them.

The Han people strengthened their walls and cleared the country.

Not one or two days in advance, but at least ten days or even twenty days in advance!

Although they started from Jincheng and headed south at the fastest speed, they did not waste much time along the way. They did not even wait for some subsequent small tribes, but only left signs for these subsequent Qiang people to follow along the way. It's just catching up, that's all, it's too late, what's the problem?

The plan to explain the joint operation between Ma Chao and the Qiang people was leaked...

Ma Chao and the leader of the Xianling Qiang, Quinoa Xiangli, sat together, staring at each other in silence.

Normally, when two big guys meet to discuss matters, they would always put out some food, drinks, pastries, dried meat, etc. But now, in front of Ma Chao and Quinoa Xiangli, there is nothing, well, except for the withered grass and sand. .

"Who? Who is it?"

Quinoa's eyes were red and the muscles on his face were beating.

Ma Chao stared at Quinoa with sharp eyes, shook his head and said, "He is not my person."

Quinoa gritted his teeth, the flesh on his face twitched, and said, "He won't be mine either."

First of all, Ma Chao and Xianling Qiang are eliminated. Let’s not talk about Ma Chao. Xianling Qiang is a large tribe that took the lead in confronting the Han people in the past few years. Naturally, it is impossible for them to sell themselves to the Han people. Even if they were sold, the Han people probably would not dare to take them. So basically, the suspicion of Ma Chao and Xian Lingqiang leaking can be basically ruled out.

So who could it be?

One word popped out of Ma Chao's mouth: "White horse!"

Quinoa Xiali remained silent, staring at Ma Chao. After a while, he nodded and said, "Okay! White Horse!"

Immediately, the two men stood up and called to the guards and messengers: "Come here! Surround up all the Baima Qiang who are having adultery with the Han people! Kill them all!"

Whether Bai Ma Qiang was unjustly accused, whether he needs to be re-examined, whether he should be given a chance to explain, these are not important to Ma Chao and Quinoa Qianli. What is important is that they need to find a way for these people to vent their anger. direction.

Moreover, from a certain perspective, Baima Qiang is the most suspect.

Bai Ma Qiang and Bai Shi Qiang have a good relationship. Although they believe in different gods, they both respect white.

Long before the rebellion of the Western Qiang, there was border trade between the Qiang and the Han. However, this mutual trade was relatively casual, and there was no special agreement. Sometimes there was, sometimes there was not, and it was even used by Han officials to blackmail the Qiang. People's methods are to trade when the relationship is good, and to refuse to communicate when the relationship is not good.

The Qiang people are the same as most nomadic peoples. They also need a lot of daily necessities, such as utensils, clothes, pots and cauldrons, etc. Even because they rarely consume thicker plant fibers, many Qiang people suffer from intestinal problems. Adhesion causes constipation, so the Qiang people also need a lot of tea, which can be stored for a long time, lower cholesterol, and prevent and cure diseases.

Therefore, even if they are at war with the Han people, many Qiang tribes still maintain an aloof relationship with the Han people, or have a good relationship with some local Han people, so that they can obtain the supplies they need from the Han people.

Among these people, Baishi Qiang, who grew up almost close to the Han people, and Baima Qiang, who have a good relationship with Baishi Qiang, have become the main Qiang regional agent suppliers, providing transit retail services.

Baishi Qiang is in the north, and Baima Qiang is here.

In the past, Xian Lingqiang also purchased supplies from Baishi Qiang and Baima Qiang, but now, Quinoa has a fierce look in his eyes and a murderous look on his face, and turning against him is like turning against Etmeik.

Therefore, in summary, Baima Qiang is most likely to have leaked the news.

Maybe someone from Baima Qiang let it slip, maybe someone from the Han people planted here in Baima Qiang got the information, maybe not all Baima Qiang are traitors to the Qiang, but we have to identify each of these Baima Qiang one by one. It takes too much time to come out and find out who it is, and what Ma Chao and Quinoa are short of most is time.

So now, it’s better to kill them all. Anyway, the Qiang people don’t have the habit of not killing generals when a big war comes. On the one hand, they can vent the accumulated anger of other Qiang people and regain people’s hearts. On the other hand, they can also use the white horse. Qiang materials and livestock should be distributed to other Qiang people. Otherwise, how would they deal with the current lack of food and grass?

Of course, such a method of disposal is not a good thing in the long run, but so what? If the current situation cannot be overcome, who can control the future?

Ma Chao and Quinoa's orders to go to Li were quickly implemented. The Baima Qiang people cried, yelled, and fought hard, but they still couldn't change the impending misfortune. The other Qiang people were so hungry that their eyes were green, like evil ghosts. They usually swarm up, tearing apart the flesh and blood of the White Horse Qiang, and then eat it...

"From the Ma family..." Amidst the sounds of the Baima Qiang people crying and screaming, Quinoa stared at Ma Chao and said coldly, "What you want, I will support you... But if you can't get it anymore What I want..."

"I know!" Ma Chao interrupted Quinoa Xiangli's words.

Quinoa turned his eyes around Ma Chao's face, then turned away, leaving a few words, "It's good to know."

Ma Chao's eyes stayed on Quinoa's figure for a moment, and then turned to the east. What faced Ma Chao now was an extremely terrifying problem.

Normally, if things are revealed and the situation is overwhelming, retreating is a very wise and correct move, but...

These Qiang people led by Ma Chao are certainly a group of hungry wolves, or hungry dogs, but no matter what they are, if they cannot get food and supplies, then Ma Chao must be the one who will be eaten next.

Do you believe that Baima Qiang leaked the news about quinoa’s profit?

Not necessarily, but Quinoa Goli still didn't argue or bargain with Ma Chao, and directly issued the order to surround and kill Baima Qiang.

what does that mean?

Ma Chao knew very well.

In the woods in the distance, people have gradually taken off their clothes, revealing their skinny bodies, and the wind blowing by has become colder. Winter will soon come.

Ma Chao led the Qiang people south not to attack Guanzhong. Of course, it would be best if he could attack Guanzhong. However, Ma Chao himself also knew that with his current strength, he probably would not be able to confront General Fei Qian of the Expedition to the West. , so Ma Chao's goal at the beginning was very simple, to enter the Han Dynasty, plunder, get a vote and leave.

At the same time, Ma Chao can also use this action to re-establish the reputation of the Ma family, integrate the legacies left by Ma Teng and Han Sui, completely collect Jincheng under his name, and eliminate the dissatisfaction and resistance of others.

However, how could something that originally achieved multiple things with one stone turn into the current situation?

Otherwise, change the direction?

That's too late.

Ma Chao quickly gave up this idea.

Since the situation is already like this in Tianshui, I am afraid that other places will not be much better, and Tianshui is the hub connecting the east and south. If we abandon Tianshui and turn to other directions and continue to deepen, let’s not say whether we can conquer it. , just the way back is not clean, if someone stabs you in the anus...

Then there is only one last option left.

Captured Ji County.

…………………………

Xiagui.

"Chang Shi, the Qiang people surrounded Ji County." Xu Huang said, cupping his hands towards Li Ru.

Li Ru was wrapped in a leather robe. Perhaps because winter was approaching, the thick leather robe almost covered Li Ru's entire body, leaving only a thin face. After hearing Xu Huang's words, he just responded in a low voice, It was as if I heard the sun was setting, calm and indifferent.

"..." Xu Huang waited for a moment, but didn't hear Li Ru's response, so he couldn't help but look up at Li Ru.

Li Ru looked at the scroll quietly, as if he didn't care if the sky fell.

Xu Huang was silent for a moment, and then said: "Chang Shi, the so-called lonely city cannot be defended for a long time, so is it..."

Xu Huang is responsible for some military affairs. Although he has also made some preparations, if reinforcements are really to be sent, there are still many things that need to be done. At least the cloth and tents used to keep out the cold need to be prepared, otherwise who knows what will happen. If you encounter the cold current blowing from the north on the way, wouldn't it be like sending yourself to death if you are not fully prepared?

Therefore, Xu Huang came here this time just to know how Li Ru arranged it, otherwise it would be too late when the order was given and he really wanted to set off.

Li Ru put down the book, pointed to the side and said, "Sit down."

"Thank you, Chang Shi." Xu Huang thanked him and sat down.

"In Gongming's opinion..." Li Ru said slowly, "Ji County, do you need reinforcements?"

Xu Huang was stunned for a moment and looked at Li Ru, isn't it your responsibility to make the decision? But since Li Ru asked, Xu Huang thought for a moment and said: "We are trapped in a lonely city. If we know that there is no help, our morale will be low and it will not last long."

Xu Huang bought a good boy. He neither said he wanted it nor said he didn't want it. He just said that if there were no reinforcements, it would be difficult to defend the isolated city. This is also common sense in military affairs.

Li Ru nodded and said, "What if Ji County has been cleared?"

"Qing Ye?" Xu shook his eyebrows. Xu Huang was not stupid. He immediately realized that Li Ru had already made arrangements, so he raised his hands and said, "Huang Meng Lang, I hope you will see Shi Haihan."

Li Ru waved his hand and said, "It's okay. It's not easy for Gongming to have this intention. How's the logging going?"

Xu Huang cupped his hands and said: "After the long history gave the order, trees were cut down in the surrounding mountains and forests, and they have been gradually loaded into the city's workshops... It should be ready within three days." In the past few days, Li Ru Suddenly, there was an order to cut down trees and deliver them to the workshop in the city, but he did not say what was to be done specifically, and Xu Huang did not know what was going on. However, since the military order had been issued, he naturally had to comply with it.

"Good!" Li Ru nodded, and then said, "There will be five hundred soldiers coming from Fufeng on the right recently, led by the Meng family. Gongming needs to choose a camp in the city to accept them. Other soldiers are not allowed to mix. It is strictly prohibited. The idle people are watching, and everything they need is provided.”

Meng's five hundred soldiers?

Still want to keep it a secret?

Although he had some doubts in his heart, Xu Huang still immediately agreed. Seeing that Li Ru had no other instructions, Xu Huang stood up and left.

Li Ru nodded, watched Xu Huang leave, and then turned his gaze from Xu Huang to the table. In the corner of the table, a wooden sign lay quietly. There seem to be some patterns and words on the wooden sign.

Li Ru couldn't help but shook his head and smiled slightly. General of the Conquest of the West, have you ever thought that a method used to move the capital back then would be so suitable and effective now when it is used to clear the country with strong walls?

In fact, the time for Tianshui to clear the country was not as long as Ma Chao and others imagined. However, because all previous activities to clear the country often caused losses to the people, the people were generally resistant. Now that we have a certificate, although it is just a certificate, It is much better than the empty talk before, and the people relatively agree with it.

However, there is still some reluctance, or there may be some manipulation, but these are still a minority after all. If someone is really found to be taking advantage of the crisis to make a fortune, Li Ru would not mind killing the three other clans to set an example.

The cold wind blew by, making a whining sound, filled with the sound of Jin Ge.

Li Ru pinched his fingers and showed a smile: "This autumn is a white tiger, when the moon is breaking, leaving the nest in the sky... Hehe, hehe... seeking death, you deserve it... you deserve it..."