Qin Official

In early November of the thirty-sixth year of the First Emperor of Qin, in the dense rainforest hinterland of South Vietnam, a group of apes were flying around in the tall tree crowns, looking for unfinished fruits.

A little monkey climbed onto the top of a branch and looked curiously at the turbid Beijiang North Road with two big eyes. A long fleet of ships was passing on it. The ships had a deep draft and were mostly grain ships.

On the ship closest to it, the sailors and soldiers were all busy. Only a tall military officer was bored. He stood on the bow of the ship and looked around. He also saw the little monkey, so he raised his crossbow and aimed at it...

The monkey was extremely vigilant and immediately got into the dense forest. Han Xin had to put down the crossbow angrily.

"Han Baichang, monkey meat is not delicious."

The voice sounded from behind. Han Xin turned around and saluted quickly: "Jun Zhengcheng, Xiao Cangpu."

However, Jun Zhengcheng Quji, who was on the same boat as Han Xin, and Xiao He's son Xiao Lu arrived hand in hand.

Han Xin put away his crossbow and said with a smile: "This South Vietnam is indeed full of lush forests, with hordes of wild animals, fruits, cockroaches, and clams. There is no danger of hunger. If I were here back then, I wouldn't have to go hungry."

Speaking of which, one year ago today, he was still in Huaiyin and had no food to eat, but now he is a little Qin official. It is like a dream.

"You have to thank my father for picking you up."

Xiao Lu still looked down on him, but he invited Qu Ji with a smile on his face: "Jun Zhengcheng, the sun is shining brightly outside, let's go into the cabin."

Qu Ji did not feel dissatisfied, and said that he wanted to see the scenery outside. He also said to Han Xin: "I heard that there are people in various tribes in South Vietnam who eat monkey brains raw. You can try it when the time comes."

Han Xin hurriedly asked: "Is this Prime Minister Jun Zhengcheng deliberately testing Han Xin? Doctor Chen said that after entering South Vietnam, not only raw water, but also game meat must not be eaten raw. It must be cooked thoroughly in boiling water. Han Xin does not want to give birth to a child. Gu insect."

In order to go south, the Wuchang Battalion was fully prepared. Not only did the combat troops conduct training in the forest and swamps for more than half a year, but even Xiao He's baggage troops had to take classes from the doctor Chen Wujiu, who taught them "Common Sense" written by Changnan Hou. The horrors of disease in South Vietnam and how to prevent it. Even drinking raw water, raw meat, and urinating in water sources were prohibited by military law, and the military judges were asked to hold a "Creating Health" competition in each battalion. Han Xin's team ranked first every time, which impressed Quji deeply. He believed that Han Xin had the talent to lead troops.

After the autumn harvest this year, Changnan Hou, who was in Minyue, ordered the two armies of Wuchang Camp and Chen (hēn) County Camp to change their defenses. The veterans who had been guarding for almost three years happily went to Nan County to rest and farm. The new soldiers who had been gearing up for more than half a year took machetes and went south to the three passes. They sent troops southward along the land and water routes. Their ten ships were the last of the baggage force. .

The two of them chatted with each other one by one, which made Xiao Lu unhappy and called him by his first name: "Han Xin, how long will it take for the fleet to arrive at Sihui?"

"I heard from the guide that it will take more than half a day."

Han Xin replied that Xiao He was his benefactor, so he was polite to Xiao He's son no matter what his attitude was.

It's a long story. Ever since he used military law to kill provocative soldiers in the army and successfully exonerated him, he gained Xiao He's attention. Not only was he promoted twice, but he also paid him thousands of stones and bought him a first-level title.

He is now dressed in a "shangzao" dress, with a red turban on his head and light armor. He looks similar to the two people who were pavilion chiefs, and his position in the army is "hundred chief". Xiao He took command of Chen County and arranged for his son and Han Xin to escort fifty grain ships to Sihui City, the forward base for the Qin army's attack on Panyu.

The so-called Sihui refers to Sihui City in Guangdong in later generations. It is the place where four rivers meet, hence its name.

Hearing that it was still early, Xiao Lu shook his head and went to rest. Qu Ji asked Han Xin: "Han Baichang once said that he learned the art of war from an old military strategist. How do you view this battle?"

Han Xin lowered his head and said: "Han Xin is a humble official. How dare he discuss the military situation? He might break the law..."

Having said that, Han Xin's eyes suddenly lit up, and he was clearly eager to try!

Goji stroked his beard and said: "It is not guilty to discuss the military situation, but it is guilty to praise the enemy in order to frighten everyone. He should be killed. Is it because you think this battle is difficult to win, so you dare not say anything?"

"That's absolutely not the case." Now Han Xin could only follow the trend and said, "On the contrary, Han Xin believes that this battle will definitely succeed!"

"Why?"

He was interested in going to Jixiao. As one of the early backbones of Changnanhou's "Anlu Party" with a higher level of education, he also spared no effort to find talents in the army. Han Xin's performance last time made Quji remember this person firmly, and now he wants to see if he can not only adapt to the situation, but also have a far-sighted strategy, that is, a further level of measurement.

Han Xin said: "There is a saying in the art of war. If the weather, the right location, and the harmony of the people are not matched, even if you win, there will be disaster."

This is something that military strategists attach great importance to. If the three conditions cannot be met, there will never be a fight unless absolutely necessary.

"In the last southern expedition, none of the three were possible, so General Tu was defeated and there were countless casualties. But this time, as the general of Changnanhou, he has all three!"

Han Xin talked eloquently: "The first time was the day, the Marquis of Changnan gathered a large army last spring and summer, and did not rush southward. Instead, he asked soldiers from all over the country to practice in Wuchang, and at the same time raised food and grass and replenished medicine. He waited until the autumn weather was crisp and then slowly Going south, it is the driest season in Lingnan right now, there is no heavy rain, and there are few poisonous snakes and insects, so it is a good time to use troops."

"In addition, I asked when I was in Sanguan that in South Vietnam, rice is harvested twice a year. Early rice is sown in early March every year and harvested in mid-July, while late rice is sown in July every year and harvested in November. Now it is South Vietnam. The critical moment for the various tribes to harvest rice..."

Han Xin and others belonged to the baggage army at the end of the army. The vanguard had gone south a month ago, thus disrupting the rice harvesting plans of the various South Vietnamese tribes along the Beijiang River. They were reluctant to part with the rice, and those who stayed to harvest were brutally defeated by the Qin army. Those who abandoned the grain and fled into the mountains and forests could only watch helplessly as the Qin people took away the grain or burned it with fire. This meant that in the following time, those South Vietnamese who escaped would no longer have extra rations. They relied on hunting and gathering to fill their stomachs.

Therefore, Han Xin believed that Heifu had taken advantage of the opportunity by choosing such a time for the Qin army to attack.

"The second thing is harmony."

This is relatively simple. On the side of the Qin Army, Heifu traveled to Wuchang, Changsha, and Chenxian County, and used various means to stabilize the morale of the army and boost morale. Especially after the Yangshan Pass Zikun incident spread, the entire south The regiment, with two to three hundred thousand soldiers and civilians, only looked up to him, and the morale of the army was at ease. The previous lethargy and despondency was swept away, and it was ready for use.

As for the outside, Heifu took the time last year to conquer the Yangyue Mei clan who was entrenched in Beijiang, blocking the three passes, and defeated Minyue. Now the Yue people from both places can serve as guides for the Qin army. After all, the South Vietnamese are fond of cannibalism. , they also hunted for the heads of Yangyue and Minyue, and they were also enemies.

"What about the location?"

Quji listened with great interest. Han Xin was indeed not a simple man. Although his official position was low, he clearly analyzed Heifu's plans and deployments in the past year.

"The geographical location is divided into north and south."

Han Xin said: "Rebuilding the three passes, cutting bamboo and wood to build ships at Huangxi Pass, so that the baggage can go down the Beijiang River directly to Sihui. This is the north. As for the south..."

He whispered: "Jun Zhengcheng ordered the army to attack Beijiang openly, while the Zhoujilou boat secretly crossed the South China Sea. Is this the general's plan?"

"How do you know! Did Xiao Jun tell you?"

Qu Ji was shocked. As a core member of the small group and a military judge, he certainly knew about it. When they were in Changsha, Gong Ao called everyone together and said, "Hei Fu's plan was to attack from the north and the south. The northern troops seemed to be coming menacingly, but the real killer move was the building and boat troops coming from the sea." Gong Ao also gave repeated orders, saying this This is a secret order, never tell anyone else.

"Jun Xiao didn't even tell me about his parentage, so naturally he wouldn't tell me..."

Han Xin took a look at the cabin and saw that Xiao Lu, unlike his father, was a mediocre man and was still sleeping soundly in the cabin.

He continued: "I guess that the sheep tribe of South Vietnam live in areas with dense water networks. When the Qin army arrives, they can escape to the islands at the mouth of the river by boat, so they have nothing to fear. When our army approaches Sihui, they still dare to harvest rice in Panyu. They thought there was nothing the Qin army could do, but they didn’t expect that the general’s ships had arrived in the South China Sea. Attacked from two sides, they could wipe out the Yang tribe and seize Panyu in one fell swoop!”

Qu Ji was even more surprised. He looked Han Xin up and down, admiring him. Sure enough, in addition to his ability to adapt to changes, Han Xin also had a far-sighted strategy. Although he was very young, it was a pity to be a centenarian.

"I can at least be a five hundred master, or even two or five hundred masters." Qu Ji thought.

However, Han Xin apologized and said: "Han Xin is just a small soldier who speculates on the strategy of the emperor. If he says anything wrong, I hope the military commander will not blame him..."

"It would be nice to have more soldiers like you."

Qu Ji laughed and said, "When I take Panyu, I will definitely tell you, you funny little soldier!"

"Thank you, Jun Zhengcheng, for your love!"

Han Xin only didn't tell Qu Ji. Xiao He had tested him once when he was in Lingbei. The two had a similar conversation. Han Xin also guessed Hei Fu's strategy, which made Xiao He full of praise. After thinking about it, Xiao He would escort the grain and grass. handed the task to Han Xin, and deliberately arranged for him to be on the same boat as Qu Ji...

If Qu Ji first said to Hei Fu, "This son can be the master of five hundred people", and Xiao He immediately added it, then on this basis, Han Xin could be promoted to the level of "unparalleled scholar in the country", which would not be so abrupt. Got it!

Regardless of whether Han Xin was recommended by the anti-disease association, the person who made Han Xin most grateful afterwards was still Xiao He. He did not make the Marquis of Changnan suspicious. Old Xiao's thoughts were not ordinary. Poor Han Xin was so stupidly grateful that he could only admit it. Xiao He became a foster father.

"In short, this battle has three benefits. It can be won in one battle, and there is no need to let the soldiers fight a second battle! The Marquis of Changnan is indeed a famous general in the world."

Han Xin kept praising Hei Fu, but secretly said in his heart: "However, although this strategy is good, it also has several loopholes. If I were a general..."

Before he could think about it, the fleet had arrived at the point where a tributary merged into the Beijiang River. After turning a U-shaped bend, the grain ship suddenly stopped.

"What happened?"

Han Xin took a look and took a breath of cold air. He saw dozens of rafts going down the river in the fast-flowing tributary. They were full of naked and tattooed Yue people. They held their weapons high and rushed toward the fleet with a loud noise. !

With everything behind him, Han Xin looked solemn, drew out his machete, and his voice echoed throughout the ship:

"Meet the enemy!"