大文库小说网

手机浏览器扫描二维码访问

第279部分(第1页)

Deng Ai listened; growing more and more sad as the interpretation of his dream was unfolded。

Just then came dispatches from Zhong Hui asking him to advance into Hanzhong together。 Deng Ai at once sent Zhuge Xu with fifteen thousand troops to cut off Jiang Weis retreat; and Wang Qi was to lead fifteen thousand troops to attack Tazhong from the left; Qian Hong was to march fifteen thousand troops to attack Tazhong from the right; and Yang Xin with fifteen thousand troops was to block Jiang Wei at Gansong。 Deng Ai took mand of a force to go to and fro and reinforce whatever body needed help。

Meanwhile in the camp of Zhong Hui; all the officials came out to see him depart。 It was a grand sight; the gay banners shutting out the sun; breastplates and helmets glittering。 The soldiers were fit and the horses in good condition。 They all felicitated the leader。

All save one; for Adviser Liu Shi was silent。 He smiled grimly。

Then Grand mander Wang Xiang made his way through the crowd and said; 〃Do you think these two………Zhong Hui and Deng Ai………will overe Shu?〃

Said Liu Shi; sighing; 〃With such brave soldiers and bold leaders and their talents; they will overe Shu certainly。 Only I think neither will ever e back。〃

〃Why do you say that?〃

But Liu Shi did not reply; he only smiled。 And the question was not repeated。

The armies of Wei were on the march when Jiang Wei heard of the intended attack。 He at once sent up a memorial:

Your Majesty need to make defensive arrangements by manding Zhang Yi; Left mander of the Flying Cavalry; to guard the Yangping Pass; and Liao Hua; Right mander of the Flying Cavalry; to guard the Yinping Bridge in Yinping。 These two places are the most important points upon which depend the security of Hanzhong。 Send also to engage the help of Wu。 I; thy humble servant; shall gather soldiers in Tazhong ready for the march。〃

That year in Shu the reign…style had been changed from Wonderful Sight; the fifth year; to Joyful Prosperity; the first year (AD 263)。 When the memorial of Jiang Wei came to the Latter Ruler; it found him as usual amusing himself with his favorite Huang Hao。

He read the document and said to the eunuch; 〃Here Jiang Wei says that the Wei armies under Deng Ai and Zhong Hui are on the way against us。 What shall we do?〃

〃There is nothing of the sort。 Jiang Wei only wants to get a name for himself; and so he says this。 Your Majesty need feel no alarm; for we can find out the truth from a certain wise woman I know。 She is a real prophetess。 May I call her?〃

The Latter Ruler consented; and a room was fitted up for the seance。 They prepared therein incense; flowers; paper; candles; sacrificial articles and so on; and then Huang Hao went with a chariot to beg the wise woman to attend upon the Latter Ruler。

She came and was seated on the Dragon Couch。 After the Latter Ruler had kindled the incense and repeated the prayer; the wise woman suddenly let down her hair; dropped her slippers; and capered about barefoot。 After several rounds of this; she coiled herself up on a table。

Huang Hao then said; 〃The spirit has now descended。 Send everyone away and pray to her。〃

So the attendants were dismissed; and the Latter Ruler entreated the wise woman。

Suddenly she cried out; 〃I am the guardian spirit of the West River Land。 Your Majesty; rejoices in tranquillity; why do you inquire about other matters? Within a few years the land of Wei shall e under you; wherefore you need not be sorrowful。〃

She then fell to the ground as in a swoon; and it was some time before she revived。 The Latter Ruler was well satisfied with her prophesy and gave her large presents。 Further; he thereafter believed all she told him。 The immediate result was that Jiang Weis memorial remained unanswered; and as the Latter Ruler was wholly given to pleasure; it was easy for Huang Hao to intercept all urgent memorials from the mander。

Meanwhile Zhong Hui was hastening toward Hanzhong。 The Van Leader Xu Yi was anxious to perform some startling exploit; and so he led his force to Nanzheng。

He said to his officers; 〃If we can take this pass; then we can march directly into Hanzhong。 The defense is weak。〃

A dash was made for the fort; each one vying with the rest to be first。 But the mander of Nanzheng was Lu Xu; and he had had early information of the ing of his enemies。 So on both sides of the bridge he posted soldiers armed with multiple bows and crossbows。 As soon as the attacking force appeared; the signal was given by a clapper and a terrific discharge of arrows and bolts opened。 Many troops of Wei fell; and the army of Xu Yi was defeated。

Xu Yi returned and reported his misfortune。 Zhong Hui himself went with a hundred armored horsemen to see the conditions。 Again the machine bows let fly clouds of missiles; and Zhong Hui turned to flee。

Lu Xu led out five hundred troops to pursue。 As Zhong Hui crossed the bridge at a gallop; the roadway gave; and his horses hoof went through so that he was nearly thrown。 The horse could not free its hoof; and Zhong Hui slipped from his back and fled on foot。 As he ran down the slope of the bridge; Lu Xu came at him with a spear; but one of Zhong Huis followers; Xun Kai by name; shot an arrow at Lu Xu and brought him to the earth。

Seeing this lucky hit; Zhong Hui turned back and signaled to his force to make an attack。 They came on with a dash; the defenders were afraid to shoot; as their own troops were mingled with the enemy; and soon Zhong Hui crushed the defense and possessed the pass。 The defenders scattered。

The pass being captured; Xun Kai was well rewarded for the shot that had saved his generals life。 He was promoted to Assistant General and received presents of a horse and a suit of armor。

Xu Yi was called to the tent; and Zhong Hui blamed him for the lack of care in his task; saying; 〃You were appointed Leader of the Van to see that the roads were put in repair; and your special duty was to see that the bridges were in good condition。 Yet on the bridge just now my horses hoof was caught; and I nearly fell。 Happily Xun Kai was by; or I had been slain。 You have been disobedient and must bear the penalty。〃

The delinquent was sentenced to death。

The other generals tried to beg him off; pleading; 〃His father is Xu Chu who had rendered good services to the state!〃

〃How can discipline be maintained if the laws are not enforced?〃 said Zhong Hui。

炒股就是炒心态  野人凶猛  大唐乘风录之洛阳天擂  美女总裁爱上我  都市危情  悬疑志·合刊  地球online  幻想乡游戏  爱上酷蛇王  审计风雨:豆豆升职记  重生之为我而狂  冷酷太子  契约内婚姻 作者:沐声  官场春秋  南方·爱  七号簿  欲之海  血夜爱上猫  重金属外壳  我和一个妓女的纯情故事  

热门小说推荐
绝代名师

绝代名师

市二中的金牌老师孙默落水后,来到了中州唐国,成了一个刚毕业的实习老师,竟然有了一个白富美的未婚妻,未婚妻竟然还是一所名校的校长,不过这名校衰败了,即将摘牌除名,进行废校处理孙默的开局,就是要帮助未婚妻坐稳校长之位,让学校重回豪门之列。孙默得到绝代名师系统后,点废成金,把一个个废物变成了天才,在孙默的指导下,学渣...

超神妖孽

超神妖孽

神界第一高手,有‘贱神’之称的云飞扬被镇压万载,破土重生,痛定思痛,梦想收尽天下各色美女!泡妞,我是认真的。云飞扬道。姑娘,你愿意嫁给我?清纯可爱邻家女刁蛮任性大小姐成熟妩媚女导师冷若冰山大师姐腹黑毒辣女魔头,这些,统统是我云飞扬的女人!妖孽群529642893...

武林风流传(多情皇帝)

武林风流传(多情皇帝)

中原武林大地北有天芳谱七朵名花,南有美人图十二美人!武林之中,侠女成风,我一出世,无一落空。皇帝本多情,情深意更浓,武林有南北,皇帝就是我。...

群芳谱(全本)

群芳谱(全本)

群芳谱ltBRgt乖巧婉约的可爱妹子,美丽柔顺的魔门公主ltBRgt骄蛮倔强的异族天骄,心比天高的武林玉女ltBRgt她们最后都属于谁呢?ltBRgt且看年少英俊的少将军,流落江湖的一番奇遇。ltBRgt本书原名玉笛白马。ltfontgt...

无敌悍民

无敌悍民

万人追更,火爆爽文农村小子偶然获得神农传承,从此一飞冲天,成为人中龙。带领大家走上一条致富路。...

每日热搜小说推荐