I'm a marquis in Datang

Xiao Yuanqi and Ma Zhou sat facing each other, but Xiao Yuanqi looked a little sad. He looked at Ma Zhou and said, "Military Master, we are currently blocked at the Sword Gate, and it is very difficult to break through. On the one hand, the sword The terrain of the gate is very steep, and the Jianmen Pass is impenetrable. On the other hand, it is impossible to attack on a large scale, and the opponent can rely on its strength to defend."

"We have been unable to break through here, which is very troublesome. According to the news sent back, Ma

Both Yuan and Su Dingfang have made breakthroughs.This is very detrimental to us. "

Xiao Yuanqi said: "If we don't have the soldiers from the other two groups, then that's all right. We can fight steadily and slowly fight Li Chengqian in a war of attrition. But right now, with the other two groups supporting us, we won't be able to win for a long time. Wonderful!"

Although the three armies attacked separately, they marched separately, commanded separately, and did not interfere with each other, but in fact there was a comparison.Whether it was Ma Yuan, Xiao Yuanqi, or Su Dingfang, they all held a sigh of relief in their hearts, that is, they must not be weaker than others, and they must not lose to each other.

There is competition.

Hearing this, Ma Zhou had a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Xiao Yuanqi has competition here.

So does he.

Whether it is Su Dingfang or Ma Yuan, everyone has a mastermind by their side.They lead the troops to fight each other, there are comparisons between Xiao Yuanqi, Su Dingfang, and Ma Yuan, and the same is true for Ma Zhou.

After a moment of silence, Ma Zhou said: "General Xiao, the gate of Jianmen is too steep. One man is in charge of the gate, and ten thousand people cannot open it. It is very difficult to attack by force. It is impossible for us to seize it head-on. After thinking about it, I think we must seize Jianmen. We can only adopt the strategy of cooperating with the inside and the outside, and only in this way can we break through the Jianmen pass."

As soon as Xiao Yuanqi heard it, he immediately understood, and said along the way: "The military division means

, arranged for people to walk the mountain path, sneak into Jianmen Pass, and then attack both inside and outside. "

"No!"

Ma Zhou shook his head and answered.

Xiao Yuanqi said: "Then how do you cooperate with the inside and the outside?"

Ma Zhou said: "The so-called cooperation from the inside and the outside is not that we want to send troops. Jianmen Pass stands on a steep mountain, with extremely steep forests on both sides. It is very difficult to arrange some soldiers to enter from such a mountain, because It is very easy to lose your way in the mountains, even if you invite a local guide, it is not easy to complete, because there are too many people, it is easy to cause problems, after all, the roads in the mountains are not easy to walk.”

"Secondly, to go out from the mountain, Li Chengqian must take precautions at the exit on the other side of the mountain. If there are a few dozens of people, they may be able to leave by chance, but there are too many people, and it is definitely not easy to lurk there on a large scale, and Food supplies are also a big problem."

"The situation with a small number of people is completely different from the situation with a large number of people. Therefore, it is extremely difficult for our people to go into the mountains and sneak into Jianmen Pass. What's more, the steep mountain like Jianmen Pass is very difficult for us. On the one hand, it is not easy to enter the army."

Ma Zhou said slowly: "In fact, the same is true inside Jianmen Pass. It doesn't mean that we are the only one with steep areas, and the pass is flat, but all of them are steep. So even if troops are arranged to lurk there, it will be difficult to attack from both sides."

After Xiao Yuanqi finished listening, he said again: "Military Master, then you just said that the inside should cooperate with the outside, how can we cooperate with the inside and the outside?"

Ma Zhou said: "I will take a few personal guards with me to escort me to the middle of the mountain, sneak into Shu, instigate rebellion against the people in Shu, and then let them take action. Only in this way can I have a chance."

Xiao Yuanqi said: "Military Master, there are fierce beasts, snakes and insects in the mountains, and the road is difficult."

Ma Zhou said: "General Xiao, time waits for no one. We have to delay for one more day. Perhaps General Ma and General Su are making rapid progress, so I have to go in person."

"I know there are risks in the mountains. In fact, there are also mountain people nearby who can travel through the mountains. As long as I bring a few guards and guide the villagers, I will be able to pass through the Jianmen Pass mountain."

"If we don't march in large numbers, it is impossible for Li Chengqian to stop us. General Xiao, we have no choice. If we keep stagnating here at Jianmenguan, we will never be able to make progress. According to my speculation, it may not be until the end of the year." , Su Dingfang and Ma Yuan will win."

Ma Zhou said: "After all, Xia Guo's general situation has been established, and the opponent can't resist it for a long time."

Xiao Yuanqi sighed, gritted his teeth and said: "Military Master, I'm counting on you, please come back safely."

Ma Zhou said, "General Xiao, don't worry."

Xiao Yuanqi stopped persuading him.

The two talked about many follow-up arrangements, and after all the details were finished, Ma Zhou began to act.He sent people to inquire among the local people, looking for someone who could pass through the mountains.Anyone who understands the situation in the mountains and is willing to go will be rewarded directly.Under the so-called heavy reward, there must be a brave man, and finally found a person.

This person's name is Xiang Shan.

It is the nearby villagers, in their early twenties, who often hunt in the mountains and are familiar with the conditions in the mountains. Even Xiang Shan has crossed this mountain before and has some experience.Because what Ma Zhou offered was a heavy reward, he promised Xiang Shan that as long as Xiang Shan took Ma Zhou through the huge mountain of Jianmen Pass, Ma Zhou would let Xiang Shan be the head of his village, and he would also give him a reward of [-] guan .

For local people like Xiang Shan, not to mention money, just the position of village chief makes him covetous.Because in the eyes of the local people, the village is the emperor, and that is the biggest official position.

So Xiang Shan was happy.

Xiang Shan is young, has excellent martial arts skills, and knows the situation in the mountains very well.It was okay for him to walk in the mountains and forests, but Ma Zhou was not used to it, and it was very hard.Not only is the mountain road difficult to walk, but more importantly, now that the end of July is approaching August, the weather is getting hotter and hotter.

, It was extremely hot, and there were even many mosquitoes and the like.

Xiang Shan was accustomed to this environment.Xiang Shan often runs in the mountains, and is exposed to the sun and rain. His skin is rough and his flesh is thick. Even if there are a few mosquito bites, it will not affect him, and his body can bear it.

For a literati like Ma Zhou, he had been in the army before, and he was in charge of planning. He would not be exposed to the sun and rain, so his skin was more tender. Very itchy, very uncomfortable.Fortunately, Xiangshan prepared a lot of ointment and medicinal wine, which can reduce swelling and relieve itching. Although it can't completely cure it, at least it can suppress it.

Although Ma Zhou was suffering, from the beginning to the end, he gritted his teeth and persisted, never complaining about being tired or hard.Even so, a day or two is fine, but for a long time, it will be a torment for Ma Zhou, because it is too difficult to walk in the mountains.

It is not easy to walk during the day, and it is also very hard to rest at night.After all, in the deep mountains and old forests, in addition to mosquitoes and the like, there are also snakes, ants, beasts, and it is impossible to relax completely at night.

Chapter 1277

Overnight in the mountains

As a mountain dweller, Xiang Shan often hunts and wanders in the mountains, so he is used to driving in the mountains.But even if Xiang Shan walked through the mountains, he would cross the entire mountain only very rarely.For Xiang Shan, this was very exhausting.What's more, for a literati like Ma Zhou, it is even more difficult to walk in the mountains.

Many times when he was on the road, Xiangshan saw Ma Zhou panting while walking, and he would ask Ma Zhou if he wanted to stop and rest, but Ma Zhou said no, and continued on his way gritted his teeth.

While walking, blisters appeared on his feet, and even many of his legs were bitten by mosquitoes, but Ma Zhou persisted.

At first Xiang Shan didn't think how long Ma Zhou could hold on, but in the blink of an eye three days passed. Although Ma Zhou was tired, he never once said that he couldn't hold on. Let Xiang Shan also look at him with admiration.

He is worthy of being an official in the army.

This tenacity is very powerful.

You must know that the old villagers in many villages cannot continue to support them.Ma Zhou was a scholar, but he survived, so Xiang Shan admired Ma Zhou very much.

Another day passed.

As night fell, the group stopped moving forward.

Rest in place.

A bonfire was burning to dispel the darkness, while Ma Zhou, Xiangshan and the others gathered around the bonfire.They are now in the mountains, mainly eating dry food.

Ma Zhou took a mouthful of dry food, his eyes fell on Xiang Shan, and he said in a deep voice, "Xiang Shan, we have been walking for three days, guess what, there are still a few days before we can go out."

Xiang Shan hurriedly said: "Military division, according to my usual experience, there is still about a day and a half before we can go out. We have walked for three days now, and we have walked more than half of the distance. Speaking of this time, it is relatively smooth. The days are always sunny, and I have never encountered cloudy and rainy weather, so I can find the right direction and drive. If the weather is cloudy and rainy, it will be difficult. Under the infiltration of rain, many roads that have been walked in the mountains are easily covered by erosion, and it is also difficult to find It's easy to get lost if you don't know the direction. This time, we are blessed by God."

Ma Zhou breathed a sigh of relief and said, "There is still more than a day, that's good, that's good."

For Ma Zhou, he has been persistent.

Up to now, there are swellings on his arms, legs, and even many places on his face, all caused by mosquito bites.Even his legs had been walking all the time, and at first they were sore and weak, which was extremely uncomfortable, but now he is gradually getting used to it.

Xiang Shan looked solemn, and praised: "Military Master, you are a great official in Xia Guojun. If you want to enter Sichuan, why do you have to go in person? In such a big mountain, let alone someone like you, even if I walk down, I will Very tired."