迪文小说

迪文小说>三国演义英文版在线阅读 > 第269部分(第1页)

第269部分(第1页)

out by way of Longxi and Nanan; they have the grain of the Qiangs to depend upon; and if they choose Qishan; they have the wheat there。 These are the five reasons why they should make another expedition。〃

Chen Tai was overe with the clear vision of his new colleague。

〃Sir; your foresight is godlike。 I think we need feel no anxiety about what the enemy can achieve。〃

The two leaders became the best of friends in spite of the difference of age。 Deng Ai spent his time in training the army; and garrisons were placed at all points where surprise attacks seemed possible。

There was feasting also at Zhongti; and the occasion was taken to discuss a new attack on Wei。

But Assistant Fan Jian opposed。 〃General; your expeditions have partly failed many times; you have never scored a plete victory。 But now on River Yao the army of Wei recognize your superiority; and why should you try again? There is small chance of success; and you risk all you have gained。〃

Jiang Wei replied; 〃You all regard only the largeness and population of Wei and the time necessary for conquest; but you do not see five reasons for victory。〃

The assembly asked what these were。

〃First; the fighting spirit of the soldiers of Wei has been badly broken on River Yao; while that of our soldiers; although we retired; is unimpaired。 If we attack; we shall certainly succeed。 Second; our soldiers can travel in boats and so will not be wearied with marching; their soldiers have to march to meet us。 Third; our soldiers are thoroughly trained; theirs are recruits; a mere flock of crows; quite undisciplined。 Fourth; when we go out by Qishan; we can seize upon the autumn wheat for food。 Finally; they are scattered; having to defend various points; while we can concentrate on any point we wish; and they will find it difficult to bring up reinforcements。 If we miss this chance; can we hope for a better?〃

Xiahou Ba said; 〃Deng Ai is young; but he is deep and crafty。 He has certainly taken great pains to secure the regions under his charge as General Who Pacifies the West。 Victory will not be so easy as it was before。〃

〃Why should I fear him?〃 cried Jiang Wei; angrily。 〃You should not laud the spirit of the enemy and belittle that of our own soldiers。 But in any case I have made up my mind and shall take West Valley Land。〃

No one dared to offer any further opposition。 Jiang Wei himself led the first army; the others followed in due order; and thus the soldiers of Shu marched out of Zhongti to Qishan。

Before they could reach Qishan; the scouts reported the hills already occupied by the armies of Wei。 Jiang Wei rode forward to verify this; and; surely enough; he saw the Wei camps; nine in number; stretching over the hills like a huge serpent; and all arranged to give each other support。

〃Xiahou Ba spoke only too well;〃 said he。 〃The plan of those camps is excellent and only our Zhuge Liang could have laid them out with equal skill。〃

Returning to his own army; he said to his officers; 〃They must have known of my ing; and I think Deng Ai is here too。 Now from this as base you are to send out daily small reconnoitering parties showing my banner; but different flags and uniforms; blue; yellow; red; white; and black; in turns。 While you are thus distracting attention; I will lead the main army by Dongting to attack Nanan。〃

Bao Su was sent to camp at the mouth of the Qishan Mountains Valley while the main army marched。

As soon as Deng Ai had heard that the enemy would e out at Qishan; he had camped there with his colleague Chen Tai。 But when days had passed without anyone ing to fling a challenge; he sent out spies to find out where the Shu army was lurking。 They could find nothing; and so Deng Ai went to the summit of a hill to look around。

He came to the conclusion; saying; 〃Jiang Wei must not be in this camp。 He must be on his way to capture Nanan。 Those soldiers in the Shu camp were nothing but a feint; accentuated by the daily change of uniform。 Going to and fro for days; the horses look tired; and their leaders are certainly none of the ablest。 Therefore; General; I advise an attack here。 If that succeeds; the Dongting road can be occupied; and Jiang Wei will be unable to retreat。 I think I ought to try to relieve Nanan。 I will go by the Wucheng Mountain; and if I occupy that; the enemy will try to take Shanggui。 Near that place is a narrow and precipitous valley called Block Valley; just the place for an ambush; where I shall lie in wait till Jiang Wei es to take the Wucheng Mountain。〃

Chen Tai replied; 〃I have been here over twenty years and have never known so much of the military possibilities of the place。 You are very wonderful and must carry out your plan。〃

So Deng Ai marched toward Nanan by double marches。 Soon they came to the Wucheng Mountain; where they camped without opposition。 He sent his son Deng Zhong and Shi Zuan; each leading five thousand troops; to lie in wait in the Block Valley and not to betray their presence。

In the meantime Jiang Wei was marching between Dongting and Nanan。

Near the Wucheng Mountain; he turned to Xiahou Ba and said; 〃That hill is our point; and Nanan is close。 I fear lest the artful Deng Ai may seize and fortify it。〃

已完结热门小说推荐

最新标签