Fenghou

Chen Qing's targeted strategy is still relatively obvious. He almost killed the Xixia Army and the Jin Bing, trying to eliminate the vital forces of the foreign race.

The puppet Qi army and the Xie Cong army were mainly surrendered. After the war, these soldiers were needed to return to their hometowns to grow food. In fact, many of his troops were converted from the puppet Qi army.

Although lying on the ground can avoid arrows, it is also easy to destroy the fighting spirit. If lying on the ground can survive, few people will stand up and fight for their lives.

The overwhelming Song army rushed down, and the soldiers of the Allied Army who were lying on the ground were terrified and raised their hands to surrender.

Only Wang Yande's more than 200 personal soldiers wanted to avenge the general and killed the soldiers of the Song Army, but they were undoubtedly swallowed up by the soldiers of the Song Army who rushed to kill them.

Niu Gao ordered all the soldiers of the Union Army to lay down their weapons and walk out of the valley in a line. There were more than [-] soldiers in total, and there were [-] soldiers who were injured and survived, and they were also bandaged in time to stop the bleeding.

"Listen, all brethren!"

Niu Gao stood on a few big logs, looking at the crowd of prisoners of war, his voice was loud and powerful.

"I am Niu Gao, the commander of the Western Army. I am a general under the command of King Lingwu. This time, King Lingwu led an army of 20 to take back the East Road. Remember! It is to take back the East Road, to take back our land occupied by the Jurchens. Homeland, drive the Jurchens out of Hedong, you once went the wrong way, but it doesn't matter, the county king will forgive you, all prisoners of war will be released home, reunited with their families, but if you also want to drive out the Tartars, then join Us, please raise your hands!"

After a moment of silence, prisoners of war began to raise their hands one after another. More and more people raised their hands. Nearly [-]% of the soldiers raised their hands. Only some soldiers were old and they were eager to go home.

Niu Gao was overjoyed, he rushed to ambush the army of Longde mansion, but he couldn't divide the troops to escort the prisoners back to Hezhong mansion, so he had to deal with the prisoners on the spot.

Niu Gao gathered about [-] generals above the commander and above among the prisoners of war, and told them that according to the rules of the Western Army, the generals above the commander and above who surrendered would be sent to Jingzhao Yanwu Hall to study for a year before rejoining the Song Dynasty. military.

The generals all expressed their willingness to obey the arrangement, and Niu Gao immediately gave each of them Wuguan money and a certificate, asking them to report to the Jingzhao Yanwu Hall by themselves. Of course, if they want to go home, they can go home, and they are not forced.

At the same time, the soldiers who want to go home will be distributed travel expenses, so that they can go home separately.

The remaining more than 6000 soldiers quickly reorganized and joined the battalions and ministries. After a busy day, Niu Gao led an army of [-] to continue northward to ambush another Xie Cong army.

……

Starting from the annihilation of Wanyan Nianhan's army, Chen Qing once again massively increased the number of troops in Pingyang Prefecture. In just half a month, he increased the strength of the Western Army in Pingyang Prefecture to about 20 people. The pontoon bridges on the Yellow River all use hundreds of thousands of stone cargo ships as the base, so that the pontoon bridges are wide and stable, and the camel team transporting grain and grass materials can also pass through the pontoon bridges smoothly.

At the same time Liu Cui led [-] troops from Cizhou to Jiangzhou, Chen Qing also personally led [-] troops and [-] camels to march towards Fenzhou. There are three important passages through Luliang Mountain. The Shilan road to Lanzhou, that road basically walks on the top of Luliang Mountain, has a wide view, but it does not conform to Chen Qing's strategic arrangement.

Now Chen Qing's strategic goal is still concentrated in the south of the East Road, seizing the south of the East Road, and controlling the Shuque Valley passage is Chen Qing's first phase of the task.

The capture of the southern part of Hedong Road was the battle between Yang Zaixing, Liu Cui, and Niu Gao with a total of 12 troops against Wanyan Huonu and Han Chang's [-] troops, and the battle to control Shuquegu was fought by Chen Qing himself.

In order to control Shuque Valley, Chen Qing chose the middle line of Luliang Mountain, the famous Fenli Ancient Road, an ancient road from Lishi County to Fenzhou, which is about two hundred miles long. After a hundred miles, turn the road and walk eastward for [-] miles to Peach Blossom Valley, and then enter the Xiangyang Gorge Ancient Road.

Although this road is relatively long, it can be used by camel teams and heavy vehicles, so it has become the most important passage through Luliang Mountain. Wanyan Nianhan's logistics army passed through Luliang Mountain through this road.

The first juncture that Chen Qing's [-] troops encountered was Huanglu Pass, which was a dangerous pass built on the mountainside, followed by hundreds of stone buildings and walls along the mountain. Five hundred Congjun troops are stationed here.

Chen Qing squinted his eyes and looked at the pass in the distance. The pass city was very high, and the city walls were made of huge stones, which were very strong. The horns sounded constantly on the pass city, and soldiers stood densely on both sides of the city wall.

Chen Qing was annoyed, the arrival of a hundred thousand troops, do they still want to resist?

An old guide next to him said: "Your Majesty, the general of Guancheng is a Jurchen centurion, and I'm afraid he won't surrender."

Seeing that it was getting late, Chen Qing said, "Order the army to rest on the spot and pass through the border early tomorrow morning."

Chapter 767 The Yellow Reed

Hundreds of thousands of troops rest at the foot of Huangluling Mountain. Several small streams pass through the camp of the troops. Soldiers cook with briquettes and boil water for soup. They are very busy.

The night gradually fell, and the fire at the foot of the mountain was a little bit, and the end could not be seen at a glance.

The chief general of Huangluguan is called Cipulu, a Jurchen centurion commander, and he served as the commander of the auxiliary army. This is also the characteristic of Wanyan Nianhan's army. Their auxiliary army does not use Han people as generals. The commanders and above are all Jurchens .

The advantage of this is that the Confederate Army will not surrender easily. Of course, there are many disadvantages. Most of the Jurchens are fierce and hot-tempered. their brothers.

Beating, scolding and corporal punishment are commonplace, and rape of soldiers' wives and daughters is even more common. Even though Jurchen generals can rely on authoritarian control of the army, once a defeat occurs, the soldiers will be alienated.

This is the current situation in Huangluguan. The chief assassin, Lu, cursed in broken Chinese and kept threatening the surrounding soldiers. Everyone understood what he meant. Anyone who dared to surrender would cut off his head and kick him down the valley.

In the night, a hundred soldiers were patrolling and guarding the pass. Wu Ju, the captain on duty, sent someone to find Yang Huang, the other captain. The two had been in the army together for more than ten years, and they were fellow villagers in Fenzhou, so they had a very deep friendship.

Not long after, Dutou Yang Huang rushed over, and behind him were two other Dutou, one named Wang Hong and the other named Zhang Mao.

"Why are you here?" Wu Ju asked in surprise.

Wang Hong chuckled, "We also came to discuss things with you! We just met."

"Yes! We're going to be in trouble soon."

Wu Ju sighed, and turned his gaze to the foot of the mountain, where there were dots of fire, and there were at least a hundred thousand troops.

"The county king Chen Qing is also among them!"

Yang Huang said in a low voice, "Marshal Du was actually shot to death with one arrow."

A businessman crossed the border a few days ago and brought them a lot of shocking news. The [-] Jurchen army has been wiped out. Marshal Du Wanyan Nianhan was shot dead by the Western Army commander Chen Qing. The Song Army has occupied Pingyang Mansion. and many more.

The four of them looked at each other, and everyone had already agreed, Wu Ju gritted his teeth and said, "Go ahead! Kill that bastard and surrender!"

"Do it now!"

The four of them discussed for a while, and unanimously decided to take [-] confidantes to take action, meet at the top of the city after a quarter of an hour, and then use the Zhou Shun incident that just happened yesterday to intensify the conflict.

It was not so easy to assassinate Pu Lu. The key point is that he also had 100 Jurchen soldiers under him to form a powerful combat group that could fight against more than [-] Han soldiers.

Of course, the Xie Cong soldiers could give up the pass and run away, and the remaining [-] Jurchen soldiers could not hold the pass. The key is that the four capitals all want to make some contributions, join the Song Army, and earn a future for themselves.

120 soldiers, led by several capital leaders, ran along the city wall to ambush around the compound where the Jurchen lived.

At this time, Wu Ju came to the soldier barracks. He had a high prestige in the army. Standing on the stone mill in the courtyard, Wu Ju said loudly to the hundreds of soldiers who came to the courtyard: "Everyone is concerned about Zhou Shun's return." Why did he suddenly jump off the cliff to commit suicide? The facts are the same as the rumors. Zhou Shun’s wife was captured and abused by them last night. Zhou Shun ran to save his wife and was beaten to death by them. Assassin Lu did not allow me to tell everyone about being humiliated to death by them, but Zhou Shun is our brother, how could I not tell everyone? Brothers, go ask me for an explanation, Zhou Shun will die like this!"

The truth angered hundreds of soldiers, and the anger that had been pent up in their hearts for a long time finally broke out. They raised their arms and shouted angrily, "We can't just let it go!"

"Brother, go get the knife, if they mess around, we'll fight them."

"Fight them!"

The soldiers ran back to the barracks to get their sabers, and followed Wu Ju to the compound where the Jurchens lived.

There were two Han soldiers in the barracks who were responsible for secretly monitoring the defenders. Seeing that the situation was not good, they ran to the Jurchen compound first to report.

Assassin Lu was furious, and immediately ordered [-] Jurchen soldiers to assemble to prepare for the troubles caused by the Han soldiers. He knew very well that as long as these Han soldiers killed a few who took the lead in making trouble, the others would calm down.

Thirty Jurchen soldiers had just assembled when they suddenly rained crossbow arrows from the surrounding walls. The thirty Jurchen soldiers were caught off guard and fell to the ground one after another.

This is a good way for the four of Wu Ju to discuss. Under normal circumstances, it is difficult for [-] Jurchen soldiers to gather together, so they encouraged the soldiers to make trouble.

The soldiers immediately threw more than a dozen ropes from all around. More than 100 soldiers climbed the ropes and slid down, brandishing spears to kill the Jurchen soldiers. It was impossible to fight against them. In just a moment, all thirty Jurchen soldiers were killed, and even the two Han soldiers who came to report the news were found and killed by them.

At this time, hundreds of soldiers came in mighty force. At this time, the gate of the courtyard was opened wide, and Yang Huang and his men came out with their spears to pick up the Jurchen's head and shouted: "Here is the head of the stabbing servant Lu. All the Jurchens were killed!"

The soldiers raised their arms and cheered, Wu Ju immediately ordered to open the gate of the city, and led five hundred soldiers, holding the head of the Jurchen, to surrender in a mighty way down the mountain.

……

A bonfire was burning vigorously, and the soldiers brought the four heads to Chen Qing, and the four heads knelt down on one knee to salute, "See the king of the county!"

Chen Qing really hoped that the Han soldiers in the pass would wake up. There was a rebellion at night, but he did not expect it to happen, which made Chen Qing feel relieved. Chen Qing asked about the process of the four people's rebellion, and highly appreciated Wu Ju's strategy of luring snakes out of the cave. .

Of course, he appointed Wu Ju as the commander, and the other three were the deputy commanders, who organized the surrendered soldiers into the Song army and followed Liu Qiong.

In the middle of the night, one hundred thousand troops and thirty thousand camels got up, marched through Huanglu Pass, and headed southeast and west along Huanglu Ridge.

……

The 4 Jin soldiers retreated to Linfen County, Jinzhou, and joined the 6 troops stationed here, bringing the total number of Jin soldiers to [-]. However, the [-] troops in Zezhou and Longde were delayed. The fact that they didn't come in time cast a shadow over the hearts of Wanyan Huonv and Han Chang.

At this time, Wanyan Huonu received an urgent order from Marshal Yin Shuke, ordering him to rush to Fenzhou to command the [-] garrison troops and guard the Shuquegu Passage.

Yinshuke deployed a lot of spies in Pingyang Mansion. When Chen Qing led an army of [-] to Lishi County, Yinshuke immediately realized that Chen Qing probably led the army to leave Fen Ancient Road and enter Fenzhou. , Chen Qing's goal is either to go north and enter Taiyuan Mansion, or to capture Shuque Valley and cut off the retreat of the southern Jin soldiers.

At present, there are also [-] garrisons in Fenzhou, mainly deployed in Xihe County, Jiexiu County and Lingshi County. They were previously led by Wanyan Huonu.Now that the situation was urgent, Yin Keshu transferred Wanyan Huonu back again and ordered Han Chang to continue to serve as the southern commander. Of course, this also meant to appease Han Chang.

Wanyan's live girl is in the south, and Han Chang's military rank and status are relatively low. He can only be the deputy general in the south. Han Chang will definitely have internal conflicts. Wanyan Yinshu absolutely does not want internal conflicts to arise at this critical moment.

At the same time, Wanyan Yinshu ordered Pu Chaguiren, the chief ten thousand, to lead [-] Donghu cavalry to station in Qi County. Qi County is located in the southernmost part of Taiyuan Prefecture, close to Fenzhou. State defense plays a big supporting role.

Chapter 768 Calling for Help

Linfen County is the second largest city in the south after Hedong County. The city wall is about 10 miles in circumference and has about [-] residents. The people fled in a hurry and fled Linfen County.

In front of the west city gate, tens of thousands of people crowded in front of the city gate. The bullock carts of a few wealthy families blocked the city gate due to the competition for the road. There are many old and young people, and there are many bullock carts in the crowd.

At this time, a group of soldiers rushed to arrest the drivers and stewards of several bullock carts blocking the road and beat them up violently. The owners of several bullock carts did not dare to argue any more. Only then was it cleared.

Standing at the top of the city, Han Chang said to the general next to him, "The order is to pass on, only to go out but not to enter, once you leave the city gate, you are not allowed to come back, no one is exempt."

The dense population in the city also made Han Chang feel dizzy. He knew very well that there must be many spies from the Song army lurking in the city. Once the Song army launches a fire attack, the whole city will become a sea of ​​flames, and the barracks and granaries will not be spared.

Before Wanyan Huonu opposed the demobilization of the people, she disagreed with Han Chang. When Wanyan Huonu was transferred away and there was no constraint, Han Chang immediately ordered a large-scale evacuation of the people in the city, and at the same time demolished all the buildings within a hundred steps of the city wall.

Linfen City has sufficient grain, 30 shi, [-] shi of black beans, [-] dans of fodder, and countless military resources. If the city is well defended, it can last at least half a year.

But Han Chang didn't have much confidence in defending the city, especially in the face of the fire attack of the Western Army. Their powerful fire oil offensive was difficult for any army to resist.

Looking at the people fleeing in fear outside the city, Han Chang smiled wryly in his heart, why didn't he wish to flee like the people in his heart?

At this moment, a commander rushed to report: "Master Wan, there is news about the Zezhou Army and the Longde Army!"

Han Chang was overjoyed and asked anxiously, "Where are they?"

"They assembled on the north bank of the pouring water [-] miles to the east, but they were intercepted by [-] Song troops. We implore us to rescue them!"

Yesterday morning, Han Chang received an express letter from Li Zhouheng, the commander of the garrison of the Longde Mansion. Their troops joined forces in Ji County and Zezhou, and they were rushing towards Lintao. Han Chang waited with great anticipation for the arrival of this army. Thinking of being intercepted by Song Jun.

"Where is the messenger, bring him to see me!"

Not long after, the messenger sergeant was led to Han Chang, and the messenger knelt down on one knee and said, "See Mr. Wan!"

A soldier presented the command arrow and the request for help to Han Chang. Han Chang looked at it. Yes, it was the command arrow he gave to Li Zhouheng, and it was also a letter written by Li Zhouheng himself.

He asked, "Where was the army intercepted?"

"Reporting to Commander Wan, it's Song General Niu Gao's army, and they should have come from the direction of Jiezhou."

Han Chang nodded. He was very familiar with this army. He himself was defeated by this army's rear attack. Niu Gao should have come from Shanzhou, not Yang Zaixing's subordinate, but an independent army.

"How is the situation now?"

"Now the two armies are facing each other on both sides of the Pangshui River, about [-] miles away from Linfen County. The Song Army should also be waiting for reinforcements."

Han Chang asked anxiously: "Where is the main force of the Song army now? I want the latest information."

"Information from an hour ago shows that the main force of the Song Army is currently in Xiangling County."

"Bring a map!"

A soldier handed over a map to Han Chang, and Han Chang opened the map for a closer look. Xiangling County is located on the west bank of Fenshui River, about 120 miles southwest of Linfen County, and about [-] miles from Xiangling County to the place where the two armies confront each other. Half a day's journey away from me, the key is that they are still on the west bank of Fenshui.

The [-] troops are extremely important to Han Chang. The nature of the [-] troops and the [-] troops are completely different. He still dare not fight against the Song army with the [-] troops, but with the [-] troops, he can pull them out of the city and lay the groundwork for them. In a battle with the Song army in formation, the [-] troops are bound to win against Han Chang.

At this time, a soldier came to report, "Report to Mr. Wan, and found that the Song army built a pontoon bridge on the Fen River in Xiangling County."

That's right, the Song army is also sending troops to support Niu Gao, Han Chang no longer hesitated, and immediately took out a command arrow and handed it to the commander Cai Mingde, saying: "Cai Tongzhi can send [-] troops to rescue Li Tongzhi!"

Cai Mingde took the command arrow and saluted, "Let's go now!"

Soon, [-] troops left the north city gate and rushed eastward along the torrential water...

Li Zhouheng, the garrison commander of Longde Mansion, was about 40 years old. He was originally a general of the Western Army. He was an old subordinate of Guan Shigu.

As an individual, Li Zhouheng is of course afraid of death and wants to gain glory and wealth, but he is also unwilling to surrender to a foreign race and become a traitor, letting himself and his descendants be scolded by others. After handing over a letter written by Guan Shigu to Li Zhouheng, he led the army to surrender Niu Gao that night.

It was not enough to get [-] surrendered troops, Niu Gao tried again to lure Han Chang to send troops to rescue, and Yang Zaixing built the pontoon bridge at the right time, which became the most critical step to dispel Han Chang's doubts.

At present, Niu Gao has [-] troops in his hands. When he learned that the rescue troops were coming along the north bank of the Pangshui, he immediately made careful arrangements and ordered the commander Cheng Xin to lead [-] troops to go around the enemy's rear and cut off the enemy's retreat. He also ordered Zhang Bu to lead [-] troops to the south bank of the Pengshui, and was responsible for collecting the defeated enemy troops.

Let Li Zhouheng lead [-] troops to attack the reinforcements head-on, while he himself led [-] troops to ambush in the woods, waiting to intercept the enemy's troops.

In the wilderness, Cai Mingde led an army of [-] to gallop all the way along the north bank of Pangshui. The team stretched ten miles long. For them, time was the most pressing. They had to rush to join their own army before the Song army's reinforcements, and then defeated the cattle. Gao's army.

The distance of seventy miles is neither close nor far, but the arrival time is rather embarrassing, no matter how you calculate it, it will arrive in the middle of the night.

At night, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse, and there were endless wheat fields all around. The winter wheat had already been harvested, and many farmers had already planted a season of millet seeds, waiting for another season in autumn.

A hill gradually appeared in front of it. The hill was very low, only a dozen feet high, covered with lush trees, most of which were pine trees, and stretched for tens of miles.

However, the hills are a little far away from the official road, beyond the range of the crossbow, so there is no need to worry about being ambushed by the enemy's crossbow.

At this moment, the chief general Cai Mingde suddenly felt that something was wrong, and when he turned his head, he saw an army coming out of the woods, the number of people was dense, there were tens of thousands of people, like a flood that broke a bank, it cut his army in two part.

Cai Mingde was shocked, and was about to turn around when a soldier shouted: "General, there are enemies ahead!"

I saw an army suddenly appearing from the front, attacking them head-on with great momentum.

"Hold it! I'll hold it up!"