Fenghou

After the Jin soldiers wiped out Liu Guangshi's [-] troops, they had actually taken the initiative on the eastern front. A little trouble in the north of the Yangtze River scared the Song Dynasty emperor half to death, and tried their best to deploy defenses along the Yangtze River.

In this way, the central area will inevitably be empty of troops, and Yang Yao's rebellion in Dongting Lake has consumed nearly half of the Huguang Song Army's strength, and the time to attack the central line is ripe.

Kong Yanzhou's surrender undoubtedly accelerated the attack in the central region. In just one month, the counterfeit army captured the four prefectures of Deng, Sui, Fang, Xiang, and Ying one after another, and defeated Wang Yan's army, causing Wang Yan to be seriously injured died.

It can be said that the puppet Qi army is in the middle of the country, and the attack is very smooth. If Li Gang's Huguang army is wiped out, almost the entire Jingxiang area north of the Yangtze River will be taken by the puppet Qi army. Invading Bashu, the task that the Jin soldiers lost in the Qinling Mountains would not be able to complete, will be completed by the puppet Qi army.

It was also at this critical moment that Wan Yanchang personally came to Xiangyang to supervise the battle. He was worried that the puppet Qi army would fall short at the last moment.

In the commander's tent, Dong Xian pointed to the surrendered general Kong Yanzhou next to him and smiled at Wan Yanchang: "To report to the capital supervisor, this is General Kong Yanzhou. Thanks to his great help this time, we won the important town of Xiangyang without bloodshed. It was also his strategy to lure Wang Yanbei that enabled us to successfully annihilate Wang Yan's army and make Wang Yan, a fierce tiger, die on the battlefield."

Kong Yanzhou was about 30 years old, and he looked very fierce. He hurriedly stepped forward and knelt down on one knee to salute, "See the Imperial Guard!"

Wan Yanchang admired this person more at first sight, not only looks fierce, but also looks very clever, this is very important.

Wan Yanchang sat down and said: "I came to Xiangyang this time because I was worried that your early stage would be too smooth and you would have the idea of ​​underestimating the enemy. Especially when Chen Qing is in Huguang, I guess he will join the battle soon."

Dong Xian hurriedly said: "The humble official is also worried about Chen Qing, but he should be held back by Yang Yao now, and he has no time to take care of Jingxiang's battle."

Wan Yanchang shook his head, "Yang Yao, a small water thief, can hold Chen Qing back?"

Kong Yanzhou also clasped his fists quickly and said: "Beizhi also suppressed Yang Yao's rebel army, and Zhong Xiang died at the hands of Beizhi. He, Yang Yao, was very flexible in combat. He used his familiarity with Dongting Lake to defeat Song Jun repeatedly. He was also good at sneak attacks. They have powerful water weapons like vehicles and boats, and it is definitely not that easy for Chen Qing to destroy him in a short time."

Wan Yanchang glanced at them and asked lightly, "When did you get the news?"

Chapter 296

"Reporting to the Supervising Army, the news was 20 days ago."

"20 days ago!"

Wan Yanchang sneered, "I'll tell you a piece of news about Wuhu five days ago. Five days ago, the fleet escorting Yang Yao entered Lishui from Wuhu."

"what!"

Both Dong Xian and Kong Yanzhou were taken aback, "Has Yang Yao been eliminated? So soon?"

Wan Yanchang shook his head, "Do you think the Western army's strong general who can kill Wanyan Lou's family and kill Wanyan Wushu to the brim, will be the same as the other Song army in the east?

In order to transfer him out of the Northwest, we did not hesitate to create a fighter plane in Yangzhou to lure the Song army into being fooled. Even the Song general, whom the emperor of the Kingdom of Jin pays close attention to all the time, you don't take it seriously, and don't send spies to Dongting Lake to keep abreast of the situation?Dong Shangshu, do you think that not enough Qi Jun died at his hands? "

Wan Yanchang's questioning was very severe, and Dong Xian said with shame on his face: "I know my mistake!"

Wan Yanchang softened his tone a bit and said: "Wang Yan died in battle, Chen Qing will definitely lead the army northward in person, immediately shrink the battle line and stabilize the defense!"

Dong Xian quickly explained: "The humble staff has deployed three lines in total. One is that there are 8000 people in the direction of Xiazhou. , led by Jiang Yanxian, the governor of the capital, and the third line is the dark line. Li Xiu, a low-ranking navy, led 3 troops and [-] warships to Hanyang along the Hanshui River to attack the lair of the Huguang Xuanfu envoy. There are a lot of money and food troops there The resources are insufficient, and the army is empty, and this opportunity must be seized by the humble officials."

Wan Yanchang suddenly became interested and asked, "How much food and supplies are there in Hanyang?"

Kong Yanzhou said: "Reporting to the Supervising Army, the humble officer knows that there are 30 guan in money alone, and the food is no less than 30 shi. There are also a lot of armor, bows, fire oil and other supplies. There are two hundred warehouses alone. , while the defenders had only 2000 men."

Wan Yanchang frowned, "How could Li Gang make such a mistake and only send 2000 people to guard Hanyang?"

"Reporting to the Supervising Army, Li Gang originally ordered 5000 troops to guard Hanyang. It was a warehouse city, not in the county seat. It was built at the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Han River. The city wall was very high, and [-] men were enough to guard it. "

"Forget it, immediately order the troops of Yiling and Changlin to withdraw to Changshou County, Ying Prefecture, to meet Li Xiu's fleet."

Dong Xian nodded, "I will give you an order immediately!"

Wan Yanchang is the Supreme Emperor of Qi, and Dong Xian dare not disobey his orders.

……

Changlin County is a large county with tall and broad city walls. Li Gang led an army to rescue Wang Yan. When he was approaching Xiangyang Mansion, he encountered some remnants who broke out from the siege and learned the news of Wang Yan's death. Leading an army of [-] to chase him down, Li Gang was at a disadvantage in the first battle, so he had to withdraw to Changlin County, where he was suppressed by Jiang Yanxian's army.

On the one hand, Li Gang sent people to Baling County to ask Chen Qing for help, and on the other hand, he trained militia soldiers in the city, preparing for a decisive battle with the puppet Qi army.

That night, after Li Gang finished washing his feet and was about to rest, the general on duty, Han Zhao, came to report, "Report to the Xuanfu envoy, the messenger who sent the letter to Chen Dutong has returned, and the humble officer has already brought him into the city!"

Li Gang was overjoyed, "Where is the messenger? Bring him to see me quickly."

Li Gang put on his shoes and came to the front hall. A letter delivery soldier knelt down on one knee and saluted: "I want to report to the Xuanfu envoy, I have seen Chen Dutong in my humble position, and Chen Dutong replied a letter to the Xuanfu envoy! "

Send the letter and take out Chen Qing's reply letter and present it to Li Gang, who hastily took it and read it carefully.

Chen Qing's letter mentioned that he had sent an army to Hanyang, which made Li Gang feel relieved. Before he wrote to Chen Qing, he had sent an army to Hanyang. Unexpectedly, the army retreated a few days later, and Li Gang realized this. He was really worried about being targeted by the puppet Qi army in Hanyang.

Unexpectedly, Chen Qing took the initiative to send troops to rescue Hanyang. Li Gang secretly praised that this Chen Qing really lived up to his reputation.

"What news?" Li Gang asked again.

"Xiaozhi crossed the Yangtze River with Chen Dutong's army. He probably commanded [-] cavalry and headed towards Yiling!"

Li Gang suddenly realized that Chen Qing wanted to attack the puppet Qi army in Yiling first and break the siege of Yiling. There are only three thousand Song troops in Yiling County. In fact, the situation is more critical. If Yiling falls, the most important one in Bashu The door opened.

Chen Qing is a general of the Western Army, so he is naturally more concerned about the safety of Sichuan and Shaanxi.

Li Gang also let go of his heart, as long as Chen Qing sent troops, he might not lose in this battle of Jingxiang.

Two days after crossing the Yangtze River, in the afternoon, Chen Qing led [-] cavalry to the vicinity of Baolun Temple, about [-] miles south of Yiling County.

Baolun Temple is a large temple that has not been devastated by the war. It has kept burning incense until now. There are hundreds of monks in the temple. When they heard that the cavalry of the Song Army came, the temple donated all the fodder. This is just dried in the temple Grass, ready to give to pilgrims and donors in winter.

These forages were really helpful to the cavalry of the Song army. Although the amount was not a lot, they could at least support the horses for two days.

Chen Qing personally came to Baolun Temple to thank him.

"Amitabha, we are also very happy that the temple can do something for Song Jun."

The abbot Yonglin Zen Master greeted him personally.

"The fodder came in a timely manner. We were going to look for pasture grass, but now we don't need it, and the soldiers can rest earlier."

Chen Qing's [-] cavalry were stationed in a bamboo forest behind the monastery. They ate dry food, drank water, and the horses also provided fodder. Everyone rested early, which created conditions for the night's battle.

"Chen Dutong is being polite, please sit in the meditation room and have a cup of tea."

At this moment, a young monk ran over and whispered something to the abbot. Chan Master Yonglin looked shocked and said for a while, "It's really strange!"

"Excuse me, abbot, what happened?" Chen Qingxiao asked.

"My master wants to see Chen Dutong. He has been in retreat for 20 years, and today he broke the precept."

Chen Qing saw that the abbot was nearly [-] years old, and he still had a master. He asked curiously, "May I ask how long the master will live this year?"

"He just turned 90 at the beginning of the year!"

There are still 90-year-old people in the Song Dynasty, which is rare!Really rare!

At this time, a thin old monk walked tremblingly with a bamboo stick.

This is Zen Master Huitong, the former abbot who has been in retreat for 20 years. He is over [-] years old and is a very thin and dry old monk.

He clasped his palms together to salute Chen Qing, and pointed to his mouth. Zen Master Yonglin explained from the side: "My master has been practicing closed mouth meditation for 20 years. He once said 20 years ago that only extraordinary people can alarm him."

The old monk's eyes were very pure, and he stared at Chen Qing without blinking. Although it was a bit difficult for him to walk, he did not let his disciples and grandchildren help him, and leaned on a bamboo stick by himself.

"And such a miraculous thing?"

Chen Qing obviously didn't believe it, he smiled slightly and said, "I'm actually just a mortal!"

The old monk handed him a note. Chen Qing opened the note. The ink had turned yellow. It was obviously written many years ago, and there was only one sentence on it.

"After 20 years of retreat, how can ordinary people shake my Zen mind?"

Chen Qing's heart skipped a beat, did he know about his time travel?He suddenly became very expectant in his heart. He was really looking for him thousands of times in the crowd, and suddenly he looked back, but the man was in a dimly lit place. Could it be that this old monk he met by accident could give those answers he had been searching for for many years.

The old monk made a gesture of invitation, then turned around and walked slowly into the depths of the temple.

Chen Qing glanced at the abbot, and Zen Master Yonglin shook his head, "Master only invites generals, we are not allowed to trespass, generals please!"

Chen Qing thought for a while, stopped the soldiers who wanted to go in with him, and followed the old Zen master far into the depths of the temple.

Under the gaze of countless pairs of eyes, one old and one young disappeared among the bleak fallen leaves.

Chapter 297 Night Kill

Yang Zaixing came to the monastery in a hurry, but he didn't see Dutong. He saw a group of monks and soldiers standing in front of a side door in the courtyard.

"Zhuang Quan, where is Du Tong?" Yang Zaixing stepped forward and asked quickly.

"Reporting to General Yang, Dutong went to the backyard with an old Zen master, please let us not disturb you."

"How long have you been there?"

"It's almost an hour."

"It's been so long, and you're still standing here?"

Yang Zaixing said angrily, "Quickly go and get Dutong out, and tell him that General Zhao has important information."

At this time, the soldiers shouted: "All come out!"

I saw Chen Qing walking out slowly with a bamboo stick, with tears on his face, and his mood was very depressed.

Everyone secretly thought that something was wrong, and the situation was probably not very good.

Chen Qing came out and handed the bamboo stick to the abbot, Zen Master Yonglin, "He passed away, and he didn't say a word from the beginning to the end."

Zen Master Yonglin took the bamboo stick, and if he felt uncomfortable, he immediately sat down cross-legged and recited scriptures solemnly. Behind him, hundreds of monks sat down cross-legged one after another, clasped their hands and recited scriptures, and saved the old Zen master from passing away.

"Let's go!"

Chen Qing sighed softly, turned around and walked outside the temple.

Yang Zaixing had already received some news from Zhuang Quan, and he was quite surprised that an old monk who had retreated for 20 years would know in advance that Dutong would come.

"Dutong, what did the old monk tell you?" Yang Zaixing couldn't help asking.

"He told me where I came from, and where I should go? Everything was predestined."

Yang Zaixing scratched his head, "Dutong, I'm at a loss for my humble position."

Chen Qing smiled wryly, "Actually, I was also at a loss. I had too many questions and he didn't answer them, but he himself was relieved."

Chen Qing turned back to Zhuang Quan and said, "Go back and donate one thousand guan for me to Baolun Temple, and then donate one thousand guan every year."

"Humble post obeys orders!"

Chen Qing turned his eyes to the sky, and he was still recalling the last words the old monk wrote on the table with water, "Buddha Yun, the past life is the present life, everything is predestined by cause and effect, come see me again in 20 years!"

At this moment, Chen Qing's gaze became even more confused.

……

Back at the resting place, it was almost dusk, and Zhao Xiaoyi was still waiting anxiously.

"Tell me! What's the situation?"

Chen Qing has returned to normal, and his mood has quickly adjusted from the loneliness in the temple.

Zhao Xiaoyi hurriedly said: "The [-] puppet Qi troops in Yiling have already started to evacuate, but they don't seem to be evacuating to Xiangyang."

"Why do you know it's not Xiangyang?"

"Going to Xiangyang should take the official road to the north, but they are the official road to the east, and it is likely to go to Changlin County."

Chen Qing spread out the map on a big rock and found the official road from Yiling to Changlin County. The distance is about [-] miles. The cavalry can arrive there in one day and one night, but the infantry must travel at least two days and two nights.

"When did they leave?"

"Let's start after lunch."

Chen Qing put away the map and said to Yang Zaixing: "Pass my order, the whole army packs up their belongings and prepares to go!"

The communication with the old Zen master did not bring much compassion to Chen Qing, on the contrary, the murderous intent in his heart became more intense.

The puppet Qi army that attacked Yiling also participated in the encirclement and suppression of Wang Yan's army.

……

On the official road to the east of Yiling County, a puppet army of 8000 men was marching with difficulty. The 8000 men were all infantry, and each of them carried at least [-] catties of luggage, including dry food, water hyacinths, military blankets, shields, bows and arrows. , sword and spear.

The heaviest of them is the spear, which has a scabbard, otherwise the sharp spears can easily stab other soldiers. The spear alone weighs [-] catties, the shield weighs [-] catties, and the war knife weighs [-] catties with its sheath. The bow and arrow and quiver also weigh six to seven catties.

With the dry food and a heavy armor that must be carried, how can it not be difficult for the soldiers to march?

For this reason, Chen Qing made a special reform last year. Except for the infantry with long spears, all the spears in other armies were changed to short spears, from one foot three feet to eight feet. burden.

At night, the soldiers were really overwhelmed, and the chief general Jing Chao ordered the whole army to rest in place.

The exhausted soldiers unloaded all their burdens. Many soldiers even took off their armor, put the leather armor under it, used the helmet as a pillow, and fell asleep as soon as they were wrapped in blankets.

The main general, Jing Chao, was a little sleepless. Jing Chao was originally a Du Yuhou of the Xiang Army of the Song Dynasty. He was a civilian general in charge of material transfer in Hebei. Fighting, losing consecutive battles, and being demoted to control.