建元十四年冬，匈奴大軍壓城，大將軍季玖領兵八萬，出城迎敵。鏖戰三日，匈奴退軍十裡，至歇馬坡安營紮寨。
剛剛入冬，本不該如此寒冷，今年天象卻有些詭異，匈奴退軍後大雪三日，初雪竟比往年提前了月餘，不知兆示著什麼。
沈玨帶了個人見季玖，卻是申海。
申海笑著行禮，是下屬的禮儀。季玖呆了一下，才猶豫著道：“我的糧草官，莫非是你？”
申海道：“新官上任，請將軍多擔待。”
季玖沒想到皇帝會調申海來做他的糧草官，一邊覺得這是大材小用，一邊又覺得寬慰。有申海在，這一戰就是打個十年，他也不怕軍隊斷糧。
當然，他同時自然聯想到，申海來此，也是替皇帝監軍的。
不過這種時候，季玖不願意想這些，這些年皇帝做了再多惡毒的事，也沒有虧待他，始終信任並倚重，這一點無可辯駁。
雪停下，季玖帶著申海上了城樓，登高遠望，又是白茫茫的一個世界。
季玖久久不出聲，望著遠處出了神。申海站在他身後，看了許久，才道：“將軍，糧草不用發愁。”
季玖聞聲回過頭，問道：“當真？”
申海立刻答：“當真！”
“我若是要打十年呢？”季玖問，一邊笑著，叫人聽不出這句話的真假。
申海愣了一下，這一回無法乾脆了，十年，戰爭十年，死多少百姓，耗多少銀錢。他沒有辦法給出一個乾脆的答案來。
季玖見他為難，拍了拍他的肩道：“說著玩笑，何必當真。我們能耗十年，匈奴人又哪裡耗得起？他們只會撤軍，不跟我們玩了。”
申海松了口氣，緩了緩神才道：“將軍要怎麼打？”
季玖道：“若是你，怎麼打？”
“我軍精兵強將，自南邊平定以來，這些年一直厲兵秣馬，只等這一戰。”申海道：“只需將軍出城迎敵，最多一月，就可打退他們。”
季玖聽著，卻不說話。
申海沒有得到任何回應，心知有異，問季玖：“大將軍準備如何打？”
“不打。”季玖這兩個字，丟得異常乾脆，顯然是深思熟慮已久，被他一問，立刻就甩了出去。
申海一頭熱血，被這兩個字如冰水一般潑下來，頓時渾身涼透。呆呆站在城闕上，不明白季玖的“不打”是何意。也不知道，這個答案，該不該告訴皇帝。
到底是什麼意思呢？申海想問季玖，一抬頭，發現季玖已經下了城樓。
這夜季玖派人去皇城，找皇帝要了些人。
一個月後，他要的人就到了，季玖帶著沈玨親自去接的他們，雙方一見面，忍不住都大笑出聲。互相拍著肩，道好久不見。
三十七騎，都是那年入沙漠的隊伍，五十人進的沙漠，只有三十七人跟著回來。
季玖早就有心將這些人從皇帝身邊要到自己麾下，一直想不出什麼好由頭，現在依然沒有由頭，只說要用，就要來了。
反正連申海都成了他的糧草官，想必區區三十多人，皇帝也不會捨不得。
皇帝當然不會捨不得。這場戰是為了他的江山，他大方得很。
倒是季玖這一番舉動，惹得軍中不少人猜疑起來，不知他意欲何為。
自匈奴大軍兵臨城下至今，大將軍季玖只出兵一次，親自點兵，廝殺三天三夜方才返回，而後匈奴軍隊退兵十裡。
匈奴退兵，是因為首戰失利，也是試探。一場回合下來，雙方將領都能從中領會需要的資訊，譬如戰力、士氣、兵種的優勢與劣勢。
而季玖自回城後，就命令緊閉城門，只守不攻。
一個月前的大雪過後，匈奴軍馬重新整頓，再次攻城，一天一夜，城池固若金湯，匈奴大軍再次退回歇馬坡。
季玖連追殺都懶得，城門依然緊閉。就是不出一兵一卒。
這一個月以來，匈奴軍大大小小攻城近十餘次，除了防守，這幾萬兵馬，都不知道自己該做什麼了。明明士氣高昂，厲兵秣馬，為何不打？
所以，一聽季玖喚將領們議事，就有脾性火爆的將領，立刻候在議事廳裡。生怕這位越來越詭譎難測的大將軍一個反悔，又說不議事了。
連糧草官申海，都匆匆趕到議事廳裡，找了個最不起眼的地方，悄悄侯著。
沒一會兒人都到齊了，季玖遵時走到主位上，鋪開了城防圖。
“南門北門，東西兩門，近日各有戰事，”季玖掃了眾人一眼，緩緩道：“我算過了，自第一場戰以來，每一場攻城戰，敵軍損兵人數都遠勝我們。為何？”
“因為他們不擅攻城。”季玖自問自答，又緩緩道：“匈奴人騎馬遊獵，身材矮小粗壯，最擅馬背上的戰役。而我們近年著重訓練弓手，無不百步穿楊，他們攻城時，死在弓箭下的人比死在滾石下的人多得多。”
“所以攻城戰，我們佔便宜。”季玖下結論，“他們的士氣消耗得差不多了。”
而後坐在椅上，抬了抬手道：“你們說，接下來怎麼打？”
偏將程逾出列道：“既然消耗得差不多了，我們就該大軍出動，一鼓作氣擊潰他們。”
有人反駁：“大將軍說了，匈奴人擅馬背騎射，我們即使大軍出動，也未必討得便宜。”
又有人說：“你這是長人志氣。”
還有人說：“這是事實。”
頓時吵成一鍋粥。
季玖伏在案上，雙手握拳疊著，無所事事，啃自己的拳頭。偶爾插言，指著左邊說：“你有理。”片刻又對右邊說：“嗯，你說得對。”於是本來還算客氣的爭執，在他的煽風點火下，火藥味越來越濃。
眼見著雙方要打起來了，季玖才站起身，雙手撐著桌子，不溫不火的道：“你們說的都對。”
雙方爭執刷地停下，都回過頭來，望著自己的大將軍。
季玖歪著頭，眯眼笑著，道：“不若這樣，沈玨呢？”
沈玨握著劍柄，出列作揖：“將軍。”
“你和程逾將軍一起，帶三千兵，今晚去探望探望匈奴大軍。”季玖說。
沈玨說：“是。”
程逾呆了一下，立刻喊道：“三千？摟草打兔子也不止這個數啊！”
季玖道：“就是摟草打兔子。”又道：“匈奴大軍千里迢迢而來，本以為會面對一場惡戰，結果我們按兵不動，他們又攻不進城，已經很消極了。你們去刺激刺激他，這樣明天他們才能繼續攻城。”
坐回位置，季玖笑了一下，聲音陡然有種惡狠狠的味道：“我就是要他們，打又打不動，撤又不甘心！”
這話說的，實在是惡毒，全場將領一下子都啞口無聲。
角落裡的申海坐不住了，擠到前面來，道：“那大將軍到底要怎麼打？”
“我要他們把這些年積攢的家底，全部耗光。”季玖淡淡道：“耗光他們的糧草和士氣，再吃他們的肉。”
要最大限度的保存自己的實力，讓盡可能多的士兵活在這場戰爭裡，最後，用保存下來的力量，將他們趕盡殺絕！
季玖早已盤算好，就怕匈奴人過於小心，不肯再攻城消耗兵力。
季玖看向沈玨和程逾：“今晚馬蹄裹布，換上輕裝。一個時辰後，我會帶人接應。無論斬殺多少，或損兵多少，只有一個時辰。”
兩人領命，退下打點。
望著面前的城防圖，季玖伸出手指，在圖上線條緩緩摩挲著，道：“一年。一年後他們會退兵，就該我們出擊了。”
戰爭的開場，對每個將領來說，都是不同的。
對季玖來說，一切才剛開始。
當夜子時，三千兵馬悄聲離城，奔出十裡，闖入匈奴軍營。因天寒地凍，他們的突然出現仿佛是在夢中。敵將兀剌兒拼命指揮迎敵，剛轉過事態，這幾千人就撤了。兀剌兒領兵追擊，至半途，左右兩側突地殺出人馬來，伴隨著深夜裡簌簌亮起的火把，一瞬間烽火連天。
那闖入軍中的幾千人，瞬間就隱沒進了大部隊。兀剌兒立刻掉頭撤兵，第二天清晨，探子來報，匈奴大軍又撤退二十裡。
半個月後，攻城的號角又一次響起，憋足了氣的匈奴軍再次攻城。
季玖登上城樓，望著下面密密麻麻的人馬，終於露出笑容。敵軍主帥右賢王耶律德厄在大軍中央，馬背上的他遠遠地看見了城樓上的那個將軍。
季玖也看見了。
匈奴王室。季玖默默地看著，告訴自己還要等待，不能拿將士們的性命去豪賭。
一年，再有一年，等他們退兵，就是自己出兵的時候。
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In the winter of the 14th year of Jianyuan, the Xiongnu army pressed on the city, and General Ji Jiu led 80,000 troops out of the city to meet the enemy. After three days of fierce fighting, the Xiongnu retreated ten miles and set up camp at Xiemapo .
It is just the beginning of winter and it shouldn’t be so cold. However, the weather this year is a bit strange. It snowed heavily for three days after the Huns withdrew. The first snow came more than a month earlier than in previous years. I don’t know what this indicates .
Shen Jue brought someone to see Ji Jiu, it was Shen Hai.
Shen Hai smiled and saluted, which was the etiquette of a subordinate. Ji Jiu was stunned for a moment, then hesitantly said: “My grain officer, could it be you?"
Shen Hai said: “I am a new official, please bear with me, General."
Ji Jiu had never thought that the emperor would transfer Shen Hai to be his grain officer. He felt that this was a waste of talent, but at the same time he felt relieved. With Shen Hai around, he would not be afraid of the army running out of food even if the war lasted for ten years.
Of course, he also naturally thought that Shen Hai came here to supervise the army for the emperor.
But at this time, Ji Jiu didn’t want to think about these things. No matter how many evil things the emperor had done over the years, he never treated him unfairly. He always trusted and relied on him. This was indisputable.
The snow stopped, and Ji Jiu took Shen Hai to the city wall. Looking out from the height, they saw another white world.
Ji Jiu remained silent for a long time, staring into the distance in a trance. Shen Hai stood behind him, watching for a long time before saying, “General, you don’t have to worry about food and grass."
Ji Jiu turned around and asked, “Really?"
Shen Hai immediately replied: “Really!"
“What if I want to fight for ten years?" Ji Jiu asked, smiling, making it hard to tell whether his words were true or false.
Shen Hai was stunned for a moment. This time he couldn’t give a straightforward answer. Ten years of war, ten years of war, how many people died, how much money was spent. He couldn’t give a straightforward answer.
Seeing that he was in trouble, Ji Jiu patted his shoulder and said, “It’s just a joke, why take it seriously? We can last for ten years, but how can the Xiongnu afford that? They will just withdraw their troops and stop playing with us."
breathed a sigh of relief, and calmed down before asking, “How do you want to fight, General?"
Ji Jiu said: “If it were you, how would you fight?"
“Our army has elite soldiers and strong generals. They have been preparing for this battle since the pacification of the south." Shen Hai said, “General, you only need to go out of the city to meet the enemy. At most, we can repel them in a month."
Ji Jiu listened but didn’t say anything.
Shen Hai didn’t get any response, knowing something was wrong, he asked Ji Jiu: “How is the general going to fight?"
“No fight." Ji Jiu said these two words very decisively, and it was obvious that he had thought about it for a long time. When he was asked, he immediately threw it away.
Shen Hai’s blood was boiling, but these two words were like ice water pouring down on him, and he was instantly chilled. He stood on the city wall in a daze, not understanding what Ji Jiu meant by “not fighting". He also didn’t know whether he should tell the emperor this answer.
What does it mean? Shen Hai wanted to ask Ji Jiu, but when he looked up, he found that Ji Jiu had already gone down the tower.
That night Ji Jiu sent people to the imperial city to ask the emperor for some people.
A month later, the people he wanted arrived. Ji Jiu and Shen Jue went to pick them up personally. When they met, they couldn’t help laughing. They patted each other on the shoulders and said, “It’s been a long time since we last met."
The thirty-seven riders were all part of the team that entered the desert that year. Fifty people entered the desert, but only thirty-seven came back.
Ji Jiu had long wanted to take these people from the emperor to his own side, but he could not think of a good reason. Now he still has no reason. He just said he needed them and they came.
Anyway, even Shen Hai became his grain officer, so the emperor would not be reluctant to give up just over 30 people.
Of course the emperor would not be reluctant. This war was for his kingdom, so he was very generous.
However, Ji Jiu’s actions aroused suspicion among many people in the army, and they didn’t know what he was trying to do.
Since the Hun army arrived at the city, General Ji Jiu had only sent out troops once, personally inspected the troops, and fought for three days and three nights before returning. After that, the Hun army retreated ten miles.
The Huns retreated because they lost the first battle and it was also a test. After one round, the generals of both sides could understand the information they needed, such as combat power, morale, and the advantages and disadvantages of their troops.
After Ji Jiu returned to the city, he ordered the city gates to be closed and the soldiers to defend but not attack.
After the heavy snow a month ago, the Hun army reorganized and attacked the city again. After one day and one night, the city was impregnable and the Hun army retreated to Xiemapo again.
Ji Jiu was too lazy to even chase and kill them, and the city gates remained tightly closed. He did not send out a single soldier.
In the past month, the Xiongnu army has attacked the city more than ten times, big and small. Apart from defense, these tens of thousands of soldiers don’t know what to do. Their morale is high and they are well prepared, so why don’t they fight?
Therefore, when they heard Ji Jiu calling the generals to discuss matters, the hot-tempered generals immediately waited in the meeting room, fearing that this increasingly treacherous and unpredictable general would change his mind and say that he would not discuss matters again.
Even the grain officer Shen Hai hurried to the meeting room, found the most inconspicuous place, and waited quietly .
Soon everyone was present. Ji Jiuzun walked to the main seat and spread out the city defense map.
“There have been battles at the South Gate, North Gate, East Gate and West Gate recently." Ji Jiu glanced at everyone and said slowly, “I have calculated that since the first battle, the enemy’s casualties in every siege battle have far exceeded ours. Why?"
“Because they are not good at attacking cities." Ji Jiu answered his own question and then slowly said, “The Xiongnu people hunt on horseback. They are short and strong, and are best at fighting on horseback. In recent years, we have focused on training archers, and all of them can shoot accurately from a hundred steps away. When they attacked the city, many more people died from bows and arrows than from rolling stones."
“So we have the upper hand in the siege." Ji Jiu concluded, “Their morale has been almost depleted."
Then he sat on the chair, raised his hand and said, “What do you think, how should we fight next?"
Lieutenant General Cheng Yu stepped out and said , “Since they have almost exhausted all their strength, we should mobilize the army and defeat them in one fell swoop."
Someone retorted: “The general said that the Huns are good at riding and shooting on horseback. Even if we send out a large army, we may not be able to gain an advantage."
Someone else said, “You are raising people’s ambitions."
Others said: “This is true.”
Suddenly the noise became a mess.
Ji Jiu was hunched over the desk, his hands clenched into fists, doing nothing but chewing his fists. Occasionally he would interject, pointing to the left and saying, “You are right." After a moment he would say to the right, “Yes, you are right." So the originally polite argument became more and more tense under his instigation.
Seeing that the two sides were about to fight, Ji Jiu stood up, put his hands on the table, and said indifferently: “You are all right."
The two sides stopped arguing and turned around to look at their general.
Ji Jiu tilted his head, squinted his eyes and smiled, and said: “How about this, where is Shen Jue?"
Shen Jue held the hilt of his sword, stepped out of the line and bowed, “General."
“You and General Cheng Yu, take three thousand soldiers and go visit the Hun army tonight," said Ji Jiu.
Shen Jue said: “Yes."
Cheng Yu was stunned for a moment , then immediately shouted, “Three thousand? It would take more than that to kill rabbits!"
Ji Jiu said, “It’s like trying to catch rabbits while robbing grass." He added, “The Xiongnu army came all the way here. We thought we would face a fierce battle, but we didn’t move our troops and they couldn’t attack the city. They are already very passive. You go and provoke them so that they can continue to attack the city tomorrow."
Sitting back in his seat, Ji Jiu smiled, and his voice suddenly had a vicious tone: “I want them, I can’t beat them, and I’m unwilling to retreat!"
These words were so vicious that all the generals in the audience were speechless.
Shen Hai in the corner couldn’t sit still anymore, so he squeezed to the front and asked, “So how is the general going to fight?"
“I want them to spend all the wealth they have accumulated over the years." Ji Jiu said calmly: “Use all their food and morale, and then eat their flesh."
We must preserve our strength to the maximum extent possible, keep as many soldiers as possible alive in this war, and finally, use the preserved strength to kill them all!
Ji Jiu had already made plans, fearing that the Huns would be too cautious and unwilling to attack the city again and waste manpower.
Ji Jiu looked at Shen Jue and Cheng Yu : “Wrap your horse’s hooves with cloth tonight and change into light clothes. I will bring people to support you in an hour. No matter how many people you kill or how many soldiers you lose, it will only take one hour."
The two men took orders and went back to make arrangements.
Looking at the city defense map in front of him, Ji Jiu stretched out his finger and slowly stroked the lines on the map, saying: “One year. After one year, they will withdraw their troops, and it will be time for us to attack."
The beginning of a war is different for every general.
For Ji Jiu, everything has just begun.
At midnight, three thousand soldiers quietly left the city, ran ten miles, and broke into the Xiongnu camp. Because of the cold weather, their sudden appearance seemed like a dream. The enemy general Wu Laer desperately commanded to meet the enemy, but as soon as the situation changed, these thousands of soldiers withdrew. Wu Laer led his troops to pursue, and halfway through, soldiers and horses suddenly rushed out from both sides, accompanied by torches that lit up in the middle of the night, and in an instant, the sky was filled with flames.
The several thousand people who had broken into the army were instantly hidden in the main force. Wu Laer immediately turned around and withdrew his troops. The next morning, spies reported that the Xiongnu army had retreated another 20 miles.
Half a month later, the siege horn sounded again, and the Hun army, which had been holding its breath, attacked the city again.
Ji Jiu climbed up the tower, looked at the dense crowd of soldiers and horses below, and finally smiled. The enemy commander, Right Xian Wang Yelu De’e, was in the center of the army. He saw the general on the tower from afar on his horse.
Ji Jiu also saw it.
The Xiongnu royal family. Ji Jiu watched silently, telling himself that he had to wait and not gamble with the lives of the soldiers.
One year, then another year, when they withdraw their troops, it will be time for us to send out our own troops.
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