Royal road

"Should we start crossing the river?" In the Chuigong Hall, Liang Feng stood in front of the sand table, looking at Caishiji with a small flag.

The battle report is non-stop day and night, coming from Jiangdong.First, the navy entered the sea and went straight to Jingkou, and then advanced by land and water, oppressing Ruxukou.Both sides fought vigorously, but everyone knew that the only way to end the war was to cross the Yangtze River on foot.

It's a pity that Wang Dun couldn't figure out how they would cross the river, even if he wanted to break his head.

"If the pontoon bridge is successful in this battle, there will be no natural barriers in front of Master Wang!" On the side, Liang Rong also stared at the sand table with an excited expression.

What a feat it is to use a ship as a bridge to transport troops.If this campaign is successful, Zhao Jun will no longer have to worry about the dangers of the river.

Liang Feng smiled: "Floating bridges have existed since ancient times, but they should be adapted to local conditions."

That's right, the real secret weapon of this Southern Expedition is to build a pontoon bridge on the Yangtze River.In history, when the Song Dynasty destroyed the Southern Tang Dynasty, a pontoon bridge was built from Caishiji to cross the river.However, it was more than 1000 years later in the Song Dynasty. Liang Feng was worried about whether the technology could be realized. Who knows that after looking through historical materials, he found that crossing the river with floating bridges is really nothing new.

As early as in the "Book of Songs", the story of "Welcome to Wei in person and build a boat as a beam" is recorded.Not to mention far, near.Doesn’t the Heyang pontoon bridge built by Du in the Western Jin Dynasty still stand on the Yellow River?There is really no technical difficulty in building a floating bridge.The difficulty lies in how to divert the enemy's sight, let the first batch of landing craft dock, and establish a bridgehead.

It is precisely because of this that there were two large-scale battles to lure the enemy in Jingkou and Ruxukou.

Now that the layout has been completed, it only depends on whether the landing battle can be successfully completed.

■

"There are enemy troops crossing the river in boats!"

With such a big movement on the other side, the Caishiji defenders certainly would not miss it.But now the garrison is either going east or west, how can there be troops to stop it?The guard gritted his teeth and sent 500 people to intercept.There are not many enemy sampans, so attacking halfway may be able to stop them.

Hundreds of sharp men came out of the camp in armor, trying to catch the enemy by surprise.However, on the bamboo raft that came across the waves, there were already more than 200 Zhao troops, raising their bows and crossbows.

The bowstring "buzzed", and the flying arrows were like locusts, piercing through the flesh and blood, nailing the enemy to the ground.Several bamboo rafts dropped heavy iron anchors to stabilize the hull and set up a crossbow array.The rest of the soldiers held Su Tie Dao, braved the rain of arrows and jumped down, stepping on the water and rushing towards the shore.

Half crossing the shoal is the most dangerous.Just arrows and crossbows can make countless people die in vain in the river.But now, wearing iron armor and holding a sword and shield, so what if it's within range?These are all "Flying Leopard" athletes one by one, and they are covered by crossbows behind them, rushing to the shore in no time!

The Jin army was shot indiscriminately by the enemy and almost lost their position.Now there are more than a hundred ferocious enemies rushing onto the beach, and it is even more exhausting to deal with.The long knife slashed horizontally, and the crossbow arrow stabbed vertically. In the blink of an eye, the small formation was disrupted.There was no thought of holding on, the remaining Jin army retreated steadily, and fled back to the camp in embarrassment.

Zhao Jun, who was rushing to the beach, did not chase after him. He removed horses, bed crossbows and other things from the bamboo rafts, and built fortifications by the river.The rest of the soldiers began to dig deep pits and rush to build piers that could fix the pontoon bridge.

The general guarding the camp was sweating in anxiety: "Even if the enemy wants to cross the river here, it will take a few days. Hurry up and tell the prime minister, and ask him to send troops to stop..."

This sounded right, but before the words fell, dozens of bamboo rafts entered the water on the other side of the river.This time, the bamboo raft did not cross the river, but broke down in the middle of the river at intervals.Someone jumped into the water and strung up the bamboo rafts with long iron cables, and then a large number of wooden boxes were fixed on the iron cables.

In an instant, a simple cable bridge was erected in the middle of the river.Among the enemy troops, thousands of soldiers came out, stepped on the bridge deck, and laid it with wide planks.One sandbag after another was thrown into the turbulent river to stabilize the bridge so that the wooden box would not sway.

The guard at the top of the city watched with his eyes cracking, and his teeth cracked: "Get out, get out of the city! Destroy this bridge!"

This bridge must be destroyed!If this bridge is built, tens of thousands of troops will cross the Yangtze River in a short time, and it will be too late to send troops back to help!

Unfortunately, it's too late.

Now a position has been set up on the beach, with five hundred soldiers guarding the trenches and behind the horses, each with two crossbows, and five bed crossbows capable of shooting three hundred paces, with silvery arrow tips shining with deadly sharpness.Farther away, the pioneers have already boarded the cable bridge, striding toward the south bank.

Any temptation will become moths to the flame.The Jin army defending the city sent troops twice in a row, but were repelled.Even a feint of defeat could not make these Zhao troops leave the camp.When dusk fell, camps had already been set up by the riverside, and three thousand forwards stood guard at the bridgehead, making all night raids in vain.

"I can't fight anymore." The guard's back was covered with cold sweat.If he went out of the city now, maybe the bridge was not taken, but his stronghold would be captured by the enemy instead. "Has the news spread? Ask the Prime Minister to dispatch the boat! Only by attacking with boat fire can the bridge be destroyed!"

I sent messengers ten times a day, but when will Ruxukou be able to dispatch the ship?Whether it is a fire ship or a shooting ship, only two ships can destroy the pontoon bridge!

However, there was no sleep all night, and the Jin army never waited for reinforcements.When the sun climbed to the top of the sky again, Yiyan issued an order to the Chinese army: "Cross the bridge!"

This pontoon bridge, built in a day, is now more than ten feet wide.Not to mention soldiers, the carriages transporting grain and fodder can pass without hindrance.The army, which had been prepared long ago, quickly boarded the opposite bank along the pontoon bridge, expanding the camp step by step.When the big white Wusun horse also set foot on the solid ground on the south bank, Yiyan waved his whip and pointed: "Take the camp ahead!"

On that day, Caishiji changed hands.

Naturally, Wang Dun received the letter from Caishiji.However, no matter how anxious he was, he couldn't spare any troops!Just yesterday, the enemy ships were so powerful that they destroyed the navy and began to transport troops to the south bank.I don't know how many ships are galloping towards Caishiji.

Send navy to destroy the bridge?Send cavalry to attack?He can't get any of them!When he heard that tens of thousands of enemy troops crossed the river along Caishiji and captured the fort, Wang Dun took two steps back and sat down in the banquet.

How far is Caishiji from Jianye?How to defend the royal city?Is Dajin going to perish?

"...Withdraw troops. Return to Jingzhou!" Wang Dun hissed.

He doesn't want to admit defeat!Jingzhou is still in hand, Jiangling and Wuchang are covered by Yunmeng Lake, the lake is full of water, and the terrain is complicated.If you stick to it, Zhao Jun will definitely return without success!As long as you keep half of Jingzhou, why worry about not finding a chance to recover?He can't throw all his troops on Sima... As for Director Wang, this son has repeatedly ruined his important affairs, so it doesn't matter if he doesn't save him!

Quickly made up his mind, Wang Dun ordered the withdrawal of troops.This is beyond the expectations of many people.However, most of Jingzhou soldiers under Wang Dun's command, and the enemy army has already crossed the river, must go to Jianye.At this moment to rescue you, wouldn't it be a sheep in the mouth of a tiger?Zhao Jun's offensive in the past two days has scared the courage of many people.So he ordered, but no one disobeyed, the army turned around and fled towards Jingzhou.

It's just that no one thought that the Zhao army who crossed the river did not send troops to build Ye, but chased after Wang Dun's army.

The Jin army was short of horses, and the Zhao army had [-] cavalry alone.This pursuit immediately put the army into a tight siege.

Seeing that he couldn't get away, Wang Dun was also stubborn.He ordered to set up camp and wanted to fight the enemy to the death.Anyway, this is also the hinterland of Jin.As a famous general who dared to fight, how could he run away?

But this time, he slapped his face hard again.

"Prime Minister! The right army has been defeated!"

In just two days, the main force of the Zhao army caught up with the cavalry.It took another day to set up the camp.On the third day, the two armies lined up and started a confrontation.In less than two hours, the Jin army was defeated!

Without courage, without faith, even the emperor was left behind.What do they use to block the enemy's front?

Wang Dun's eyes were red, and he roared to his confidants, "You and Gu block the enemy soldiers!"

The right army is just some ordinary soldiers, not his own army, even if they break up, they don't feel bad.The most important thing now is to retreat the Chinese army. It is best to board the warship and go straight to Jingzhou.

But this time, what answered him was deathly silence.

Stay to defend against the enemy, is there still life?

"Why, do you want to disobey?" In a rage, Wang Dun also sensed something was wrong, and put his hand on the sword.

Several confidantes who had encouraged him to usurp the throne and seize power looked at each other.Someone came out and clasped their fists at Wang Dun: "Prime Minister, it's useless to run away at the end of the crossbow. Why don't you surrender Zhao Jun?"

"Suppress Zhao, is Gu still alive?" As the prime minister of a country, even if he didn't usurp power, he still had too many things in his hands.Others can surrender, but he can't!

"How many more days can I survive after escaping back to Jingzhou?" The man sneered, "Since the prime minister insists on going his own way, don't blame me for offending..."

"You dare..."

In the large tent of the Chinese army, there was the sound of weapons clashing, and after a short while, a man was bleeding all over his body, and walked out of the camp with his head in his hand: "The bandit slave grants the head, follow me to welcome the master!"

The Chinese army defected before the battle, and the coach was murdered and died suddenly, which became the last straw that crushed the Jin army.The army fled, and more than 5000 surrendered soldiers knelt down in front of Zhao Jun.

■

"The prime minister abandons the emperor and goes away. This is to destroy my great Jin!"

In Jianye City, it has long been a mess.When it was learned that Zhao Jun had crossed the river and Wang Dun fled to Jingzhou, many ministers in the court cried.

Wang Dun led the Sixth Army of the Son of Heaven.If he escaped, wouldn't it be possible to rely on the guards in the city to resist the army?

"Teacher! Let's surrender. Fate is in Zhao!" someone hissed.

"Presumptuous! The rebellious army just crossed the river, and the two prefectures of Jiaoguang are still in their hands. Why not escort the emperor to move south, and then try to restore the country..." Someone also shouted.

Seeing the chaos in the court, Director Wang stretched out his hand and pressed lightly: "Even if we move the capital, we must first block the Zhao army's navy. There are more than [-] warships near Jianye. I would like to personally lead the navy and defend the capital."

Unexpectedly, Director Wang actually wanted to go to battle in person, and someone immediately shouted: "Teacher can't do it!"

Director Wang's expression was extremely solemn: "The country is about to fall, and it's time to be loyal. Who wants to go with me?"

A cry of "loyalty" caused people to cry, and some people stepped forward.

"The next official is willing to go!", "The last general is also willing to go!"

A little smile appeared on Director Wang's lips: "With the cooperation of all the kings, the enemy will surely be defeated. At that time, the emperor can be escorted to Nanshou."

Is this the best option?no one knows.However, Director Wang stepped forward and indeed restored some order to the chaotic court.One car after another of weapons was transported onto the ship.Prepare for the final battle.Jianye has no city walls at all, and the palace walls are low and pitiful.Once the enemy passes the Jiangkou line of defense, no one can escape.In this desperate battle, there is actually a bit of bleak momentum.

Wearing armor, Wang Dao came to bid farewell to the emperor.With tears in his eyes, the six-year-old young emperor held on to Dao Wang's sleeve: "Teacher can't go. I want the tutor to accompany you..."

Tears welled up in Wang Dao's eyes, and he gently held the emperor's little hand: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I would like to clear up the dangers for Your Majesty, and give His Majesty peace for the rest of his life."

Taking a step back, he knelt down in front of the emperor and performed the Jishou salute.Afterwards, Director Wang got up and straightened his robes, and walked out of the palace without looking back.

However, just as Director Wang boarded the commander-in-chief ship and the navy sailed, an urgent report was sent before the case.Wang Dun was murdered by his subordinates and offered his head to Zhao Jun.The whole army was defeated.

How far is Ruxukou from Jianye?Even if they win this game, can they still escape Zhao Jun's pursuit?

Director Wang folded the military newspaper calmly, ordered the courier to be imprisoned, and the news was blocked.The ship sailed out of the water village according to the original plan.

Standing on the watchtower at the bow of the ship, the winter river wind blows, making people feel cold all over.A staff member asked in a low voice: "Why does the Taifu have to go to war? As long as you surrender, you will have your own way of life..."

"The puppet Han Liu Yi saved a way out, what about the other Huns nobles?" With his hands on the fence, Director Wang looked far away, looking at the dense water formation ahead.Another ship of Zhao Jun passed through Hangou, no wonder it was able to completely defeat Jingkou's defenses.

"That's a hypocrite! The Taifu is the head of the hundred officials of the Jin Dynasty! He is No. 1 in Jiangzuo!" the staff couldn't help arguing.

"Same." Director Wang chuckled.

When Zhao Liguo was established, he never recognized Sima Rui's orthodox identity.The murder of the young emperor is actually not a rumor.Because of this throne, they didn't just kill an emperor?

Now, to the end of the mountain.If they surrender, others will have a way out.Only myself and Wang Dun, who pushed Sima Rui to the top, were bound to die.And the death of the two of them will put the Langya Wang family in a state of eternal doom.For ambition, for family business, his hands have been stained with blood like his elder brother.Now, it's time to use this passion to wash away the stains.

He will not return to Jianye alive.Similarly, those who were unwilling to surrender to Zhao and stubbornly resisted would all die in this defensive battle.When Zhao Jun entered the city, no one would think of fleeing, but would just surrender the emperor.Will a six-year-old baby make the sage of Zhao Guo jealous?I'm afraid not.Sima Xi will spend the rest of his life in Luoyang City, safe and sound.

This is what he owed to the first emperor, and it is also what he owed to the Wang family.A loyal minister who serves to the death is enough to make the enemy respect him.The Langya Wang Clan may lose its past glory, but it will not be destroyed.The death of him and his cousin is the life-saving talisman for other Wang's children.

He once really believed that he and his elder brother could help the late emperor to reclaim Kyushu and untangle the people...

A trace of regret flashed in his eyes, Director Wang still stood upright, like a proud snow and green pine.Shuofeng fluttered, pulling the cloak tied around his shoulders.

The drums were beating.

The Jiangdong Navy fought again and competed with Zhao Jun.However, the morale of the army is slack, and there is a big gap between the enemy and ourselves.After two days of fighting, the handsome ship was sunk by the enemy.Wang Dao died, and the navy collapsed.

Five days later, Jianye opened the city gates and welcomed the Zhao army.The emperor of Jin descended, and the country was destroyed.

The author has something to say: Historically, Wang Dun died of illness, and his adopted son kept his funeral secret.After the rebellion was put down, his body was beheaded.

Wang Dao assisted three emperors and ended up as prime minister.