As expected, the border between the Great Qi and the Tatars, Rouran and Northern Yan is quite long. Although there are large armies stationed in various places, there are still three places where the defense is relatively weak due to the terrain.
One is Hangu Pass, which is more than 200 li north of Xie Yushu's Tai'an Prefecture, and the other is Yixiantian, which is more than 150 li east of Hangu Pass.
More than 100 li west of Hangu Pass is Yi Shuihan's 100,000-strong army stationed.
Another place is Changbozi Ridge, which is in the northwest, about 400 to 500 li away from Hangu Pass.
When Han Zhongyu warned Emperor Qingyuan about the unusual activity outside the pass and urged him to strengthen border defenses, Emperor Qingyuan dispatched the Tiger Might Army to these three places to check for any gaps and make preparations in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
Sure enough, the allied forces of the Tatars, Rouran, and Northern Yan chose these three places.
So, on a sunny afternoon, while people were still immersed in the joy of the harvest, an urgent battle report from the border broke the peace.
The urgent message traveled 800 li (approximately 400 kilometers) per day. The messenger would change horses but not the messenger. The messenger would wear a special flag on his waist, and anyone who obstructed or delayed the message would be put to death.
Therefore, when the soldiers guarding Tai'an Prefecture saw the urgent battle report from afar, they cleared the roads inside and outside the city gates long before the soldiers arrived.
The man and his horse nearly disappeared in a blur, only managing to shout a few words as they entered the city gate.
"One hundred thousand Tatar cavalry have launched a surprise attack on Hangu Pass! Hangu Pass is in danger! Quick reinforcements are needed!"
Then they disappeared without a trace.
The people were first shocked, then erupted in uproar.
"A war has broken out?"
War has broken out!
Oh my god! What if the Tatars invade?! What are we going to do?!
"My son is still at the border, how could there suddenly be a war! Oh, my son!"
The street instantly descended into chaos.
The soldiers guarding the city also rushed to the government office to report.
This place is not far from the border, about 200 li away. Further ahead, about 120 li away, there is another city called Tianshui, which is the second line of defense inside Hangu Pass.
If Hangu Pass is unfortunately breached and lost, then we must spare no effort to stop the enemy at Tianshui City.
Once Tianshui is breached, the Great Qi's barrier will be completely broken, and the Tatar army will be able to advance unimpeded.
When the enemy breaches the city, the ordinary people will be the first to suffer.
A quick glance at history reveals that once a city falls, the invading army will almost always engage in burning, killing, looting, raping, and plundering. In some cases, brutal generals will even kill a group of civilians specifically to intimidate the people and achieve the purpose of suppression.
If we think about it more deeply, if a foreign tribe wants to invade, it will inevitably destroy a portion of its own people and then suppress another portion to use for its own purposes.
Those who are alive have to beg for food on their knees.
Tai'an Prefecture is right next to Tianshui City. The fate of Tai'an Prefecture is directly related to the fate of Tianshui City. The soldiers guarding the city dared not delay for a moment and ran as fast as they could to the prefectural government office.
Han Zhongyu was compiling tax statistics with a group of officials from the government office when they suddenly heard that the Tatars had launched a surprise attack on Hangu Pass and that the pass was in danger. They were all a little taken aback.
After two breaths, Han Zhongyu suddenly stood up and said...
"What did you say?
The information is accurate!
"Your Excellency, it is absolutely true. The messenger just arrived by express 800-li urgent dispatch, saying that 100,000 Tatar cavalry have launched a surprise attack on Hangu Pass. The situation at Hangu Pass is critical, and they are requesting reinforcements!"
The person who requested help should arrive shortly.
"Go and summon Liu Ji, the captain of the city garrison!"
"yes!"
The soldier responded and went back to the captain's camp to find Liu Ji.
Han Zhongyu then assigned tasks to the officials of various departments of the government.
"Liu Nan and Liu Bei, take all the constables to the streets to appease and evacuate the people. Let them go home first and prepare food, drink and clothing. If the situation becomes critical, they should run into the mountains and hide for a few days."
People from the city who were traveling from Jinyang to the capital had relatives there, so they stayed at their relatives' homes for a few days first.
"Officer Yu, distribute all the tax grain into the warehouse."
Let's not hand over the money to the national treasury for now; the priority is preparing for war. I will consult with the Emperor.
Once everything is ready, each of you will receive two months' wages and two hours to go home and settle your families. Those who can be sent south should be sent south. At 7 PM, all officials of the prefectural government will gather here. The border war will be over in one day, and the prefectural government will be your home.
We are not soldiers, but we are still paid by the emperor and receive taxes from the people, so we have a responsibility to protect the safety of the people!
If Hangu Pass falls and reinforcements fail to arrive, we will be the reinforcements!
Those who remain should prepare to die in battle. Those who do not wish to remain, I will not make things difficult for you. Hand over your tokens and leave your official robes behind.
This is your only chance. After today, anyone who dares to abandon their post will be executed without mercy!
Go, all of you!
After Han Zhongyu finished speaking, everyone looked at each other, and then turned around and went to do their own things.
Han Zhongyu then instructed Lan Ting and Li Guang to each send a message to the Ministry of Water Resources, Yuquan Villa, Han Mansion, and the Orphanage, urging them to make plans as soon as possible.
He also found a border map and started looking at it.
Before long, Liu Ji, the city defense captain, arrived.
"Your subordinate greets Your Excellency!"
"Have you heard about what happened at Hangu Pass?"
"I just heard about it. Please give your orders, sir!"
Hangu Pass only has 20,000 troops. I'm afraid Meng Yunting won't be able to hold out for long. We can only prepare for the worst. If Hangu Pass falls and reinforcements don't arrive, we must stop the Tatars at Tianshui. Once they cross Tianshui, there will be no city to defend.
Even if we hold the city gates of Tai'an Prefecture, there are still waterways nearby. The Tatars can advance directly to Jinyang by waterway and drive straight down the river. At that time, I don't know how many people of Daqi will be displaced and die in the war!
Moreover, there is Yuquan Villa outside the city, where many secrets cannot be revealed.
Therefore, we must not let the Tatar army cross Tianshui, even if it means our death.
Take your three thousand city defense troops to Tianshui and leave me the roster. I cannot guarantee that you will return alive, but I can guarantee that the people of Tai'an Prefecture and the people of Daqi will remember you as heroes who defended their land!
"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey!"
After Liu Ji finished speaking, he continued...
"My lord, there is no need to feel sad or guilty. It is our duty as soldiers to defend our land and expand our territory. If we die on the battlefield, it will be a worthy death!"
Take care, sir!
Take care of yourself too!
After Liu Ji finished speaking, he left decisively. Han Zhongyu watched his retreating figure with a heavy heart. He didn't know if they would ever meet again after this parting. He didn't know how many brothers would never see each other again after this battle!
War is always so cruel, but those caught in the midst of war have no time for sadness; they can only grit their teeth and shoulder their responsibilities.
Just as Xie Yushu, Xuan Yuanche, Zhou Yi'an, Liu Qiang, and Xie Tianqi received the news and rushed to the government office, beacon towers ten miles to the east, west, and north of Tai'an Prefecture were lit with smoke.
Beacon towers were the fastest way to transmit messages, second only to the urgent 800-li courier service. From the border to the capital, there was a beacon tower every ten li. When the people stationed at the beacon tower saw the enemy approaching, they would light the beacon fire, and those on the tower would follow in turn.
However, beacon towers are easily affected by weather conditions, so usually messengers are the main force, with beacon towers playing a secondary role.
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