Urban Night Returner

Within two months, the defenders of Wucheng repelled eleven attacks by the northern barbarians.There are many corpses under the city wall almost every day, but the Beiman did not hurt the root, so they persisted for a long time and still did not retreat.

If this situation continues, it will actually be beneficial to Ding Lancha.Because the weather was getting colder, the northern barbarians attacked far away, and there were more than [-] horses in the army. As soon as the snow fell and blocked the road, and the fodder could not be supplied, the troops had to retreat immediately.However, at this time, the supply of food and grass on Ding Lancha's side is also gradually decreasing...

"Marshal, the amount of food and rice this time is only two-thirds of the last time." The quartermaster looked serious.The transportation of food and salaries in the rear is carried out in small batches and many times, and each shipment is only enough for the army for ten days.According to the transportation officer of Baicheng, the roads between the two cities of Baicheng and Wuzhou are narrow, and the cars are lightly loaded, so it is convenient to come and go, which is more conducive to supply.However, this approach always keeps Ding Lancha's heart in mid-air, and he always has to worry about the rear.This time, the amount of food and rice has been reduced by one-third, which means that the army will run out of food in six days. If the follow-up food and grass cannot be replenished in time within six days, it is Ding Lancha who will retreat instead of Beiman.If Ding Lancha is unwilling to retreat, he can only go out of the city to fight while there is still enough food and grass to repel the northern barbarians.Either of these two methods is not what Ding Lancha wants to see now.

It is easy to defend and difficult to attack, not to mention that Wucheng is inherently dangerous to defend.If it dragged on for several months, the vigor of the northern barbarians was exhausted, and the weather was cold, and they would have to retreat. If Ding Lancha sent his troops to pursue them, they might take advantage of the chaos and defeat the northern soldiers.Conversely, if Ding Lancha was forced to give up defending the ground and take the initiative to attack, he would not have the slightest advantage on the thirty-mile flat ground.What's more, the Northern Army outnumbers the Ding Army, and the Ding Army will suffer greatly in a head-to-head encounter.Even if Ding Lancha was able to return to Beijing with a tragic victory, it is hard to say whether it was a merit or a demerit for him to destroy this army.

"King Zheng really dares to cut off food for the army?" This is Ding Lancha's inner tent, and the seats are all his confidantes, so Luo Jing has no scruples, and cuts straight to the point.

The quartermaster nodded hesitantly and said: "The subordinates also feel that King Zheng may not be so bold. If our army loses due to lack of food, it will be his fault. He can bear the crime of losing the city and land?"

Zuo Mu shook his head: "The supply of grain and grass is the responsibility of Baicheng's transshipment envoy. If King Zheng abandons his soldiers, what can we do to him?"

There was a lot of debate in the audience for a while, and most people thought that they should stick to it. If King Zheng really dared to cut off his food, Ding Jun would not be to blame.Luo Jing only said the first sentence, then looked at Ding Lancha, and only after everyone had commented, he said slowly: "Commander...can you not gamble?"

Ding Lancha didn't say a word from the beginning to the end, until then he raised his head and smiled wryly: "That's right. King Zheng may not really dare to cut off my food and grass, what he relies on is that this commander dare not really bet with him. Losing the city and losing the territory is a great disgrace to the country and a catastrophe to the people. King Zheng may not care about it, but this commander can't! He knows that I will definitely fight the northern barbarians before the food and grass are exhausted. Cutting the food and grass supply today is urging me to fight .”

As soon as these words came out, there was complete silence in the tent.Although they keep saying that the loss of food and land is due to the transfer of people, everyone knows in their hearts that no matter who is responsible for the crime, once the city is lost and the land is lost, the country will be humiliated and the people will be harmed. As long as they have a conscience, they will not be able to feel at ease.It was their thoughts that King Zheng took hold of.

Ding Lancha was in a daze for a moment, then stood up abruptly, pulled himself together, raised his voice and said, "Fight! I have fought all my life, and I have killed many Beiman. Could it be that I am afraid today? Come on, you guys!" Come and see, where should this battle start?"

He said he wanted to fight, but Ding Lancha couldn't make up his mind.A month ago Luo Jing had visited the enemy camp at night, if there were any flaws, the army would have attacked long ago, why wait until today?Even if such a tough battle is won, it is still made of bones.As the commander-in-chief of an army, he naturally couldn't cherish life and death, but letting the sergeant die in vain is not the way of a general.It's just that after three days of delay, the sergeant came to report that the Beiman was building embankments to block the water, and the water source in the city was about to be cut off.

"Look, Commander - Beiman is building an embankment at the source of the river over there." The sergeant on the lookout pointed to the distance.There are not many wells in Wucheng City, most of them rely on the natural river outside the city.The source of this river comes from the mountains, and it is divided into two tributaries. The place where the northern barbarians garrisoned is on the bank of the other smaller tributary.At this time, only thousands of people were seen coming and going, cutting wood and piled up mud in the mountains, blocking the waterway, and making the water flow to the tributary where they garrisoned.

Ding Lancha's face was ashen, and he slammed his fist on the top of the city wall: "It's strange that they still don't retreat when the weather is getting colder. They are waiting to cut off my waterway when the water dries up in autumn and winter! Send 3000 people out of the city and shoot them with powerful crossbows. We must not let them Cut off the river!" If the water is really cut off, Wucheng will be finished without waiting for the food and grass to run out.

"Go down!" Luo Jing was the first to take the order, and ordered three thousand archers on the top of the city, and led the troops out of the city.It's just that as soon as the city gate was opened here, more than [-] people from the Northern Army immediately came to welcome them.The northerners are good at bow and horse, the two sides are constantly shooting at each other, Luo Jing can't pass through the heavy arrow rain no matter what.Ding Lancha increased his manpower again and again, pushed out the giant crossbows, and sent more than [-] soldiers, but the Northern Army also increased its troops accordingly. The two sides fought until dark, with casualties, but it was difficult to move forward.Ding Lancha saw that the addition of manpower would mean that the two sides would fight with all their might, so he had no choice but to withdraw his troops with gold.The two sides left hundreds of corpses on the flat ground below the city, and each withdrew.

Ding Lancha stood on the top of the city and looked out.Beiman even dispatched nearly ten thousand people to build the dam.The flow of the river is not small, but autumn and winter are the dry season. Seeing that the dam is gradually forming, the water level in the moat here has dropped slightly.

Luo Jing was drenched in blood, and came up with his sword in hand: "Commander, why did you withdraw your troops?"

Ding Lancha stared into the distance: "This way of fighting is no different from a decisive battle. Our army hastily fought, and it is difficult to take the lead."

"Marshal, let me take someone to steal the camp."

Ding Lancha shook his head.Beiman's grain and grass went against the grain, and they were stationed in the central army. No matter how brave Luo Jing was, he couldn't beat the siege to burn the grain and grass.He turned around sharply: "Call all the generals to discuss the matter in the big tent of the Chinese army!"

As a result of the discussion, there is no other way but to fight with all one's strength.And Ding Lancha carefully studied the surrounding terrain, but it was difficult to find a decisive battle place that was beneficial to his own side.Wucheng is condescending and the roads are narrow. These are the advantages of defending the city, but at this time they have become disadvantages.The roads are narrow, and it is difficult for Ding Lancha's 12 troops to deploy at the same time, but the Beiman can wait for the sparrows with a net on the flat ground.

After studying for a whole night, there is still no good solution.And early in the morning, the soldiers at the top of the city came to report that the Northern Man had basically closed the dam, diverted the water flow, and the water level of the moat outside the city had dropped by one-third.Fortunately, Luo Jing had already ordered people to block the exit of the moat, so although there was no water to replenish it, it would not bottom out in a few days.However, it is difficult to say that such stagnant water can be drunk for a few days.Rao Ding Lancha was resourceful and resourceful during his half-life in battle, but now he is also helpless for a while.In fact, it is not impossible.The supply of food, grass and water can still last for a few days. In these few days, he could have retreated all the army and people to Baicheng, and at the same time sent a team to go around the Beiman from the mountains. The source of water, the northern barbarians are in chaos, but it will take longer.However, he knew in his heart that he could not retreat.As soon as he quit Wucheng, the impeachment memorial from King Zheng would immediately fly to the emperor's desk, and he would never be given any time to delay.Even though he has thousands of strategies, now he has no choice but to fight decisively.

"Order the whole army to bring three days' worth of dry food, and leave the city for a decisive battle tomorrow."

Everyone promised to go out of their accounts to check their own troops.However, when it was almost Haishi, Biquan came and said that Luo Jing had disappeared.

"Who has seen General Luo?" Ding Lancha was also a little anxious.The gate of the city was closed tightly, and the defenders said that no one could leave the city, Luo Jing asked silently, where did he go?

Everyone glanced at each other, and they all said that they hadn't seen each other since discussing matters in the commander's tent.

"Could it be that he went somewhere in the city and didn't return?" The speaker knew right away as soon as the words came out.If we talk about Flower Street and Willow Alley, Luo Jing is not completely untouched, but when is this?How could he be so ridiculous when his life was at stake!

"Could it be that the general went to steal the camp by himself?" A partial general guessed in a low voice.With Luo Jing's temperament, it is indeed not impossible.He once led a team of only 20 people to kick the enemy's central army tent, killed the opponent's general and fled in a panic. If he said that he sneaked into the enemy camp alone, it would not be an outrageous guess.

Ding Lancha's face changed, and he said loudly: "Send an order to ask if anyone in the army has seen him before dark?"

In the middle of the night, the soldiers left for a while before bringing a medical officer.Ding Lancha was worried, and said, "Have you met General Luo? When did you meet?"

The medical officer didn't know why the marshal was so anxious, and said nervously: "General Luo came to look for the humble officer when he was holding the lamp, and asked the humble officer for some medicinal herbs to avoid and treat the epidemic, and then he left."

"An herb to avoid the epidemic?" Ding Lancha shook his head, at a loss.Seeing that the time is approaching, Luo Jing should have led the former army out of the city first, but now the former army has no leader.At this time, Ding Lancha had no choice but to suspend the attack and search for the whole city.

Biquan had actually run around the city before, and at this moment, after listening to Ding Lancha's order, he was disappointed and still holding on to the last bit of hope, so he bid farewell to Ding Lancha and returned to his residence.Because Biyan was also anxious at home, no matter whether there was news or not, she had to go back and say something first.

Because it was inconvenient for Biyan to go out and look for someone, Biyan spent half a day at home, seeing that Biquan hadn't brought back any news, she was so anxious that two suns and sparks splashed, and she stomped her feet and said anxiously: "This medical officer is talking nonsense, sir. What to do with the medicine to avoid the epidemic!"

Biquan was calmer than her, and said: "How dare he talk nonsense in front of the commander-in-chief. Don't be impatient, I'll go to various pharmacies to look for any clues." Turning around as she spoke, she saw that Shen Mobai didn't know When did he stand up and show half of his face from the door, seeing Biquan turn around, he hesitated and said: "You said, the general asked for some medicine to avoid the epidemic?"

Hearing his tone, Biquan seemed to know something, and hurriedly said: "The medical officer said so, do you have any news?"

Shen Mobai's face turned pale, and he said, "I'm afraid the general...has entered the mountain."

Biquan frowned: "Go into the mountain? What is the general doing in the mountain?"

Shen Mobai had already vaguely guessed in his heart, but the consequences were too serious, he opened his mouth a few times, but he couldn't say anything.Seeing that he opened his mouth and made no sound, Biquan was so anxious that he turned around and left: "I'll go look for it in the mountains!"

Shen Mobai grabbed him: "You can't go!"

Biquan's eyes were burning: "Why? What do you know?"

Shen Mobai's lips trembled slightly: "If the general enters the mountain...I'm afraid...I'm afraid it's hard to survive..."

Biquan raised his hand and slapped him across the face: "You are talking nonsense!"

His hands were strong, and Shen Mobai was knocked aside by him, muttering: "The medicine for avoiding epidemics, how can it avoid the poison of beasts..."

Biquan stepped forward and picked up his collar, shaking it vigorously: "What are you talking about? Which mountain is the general in? Tell me quickly, don't hesitate!"

Shen Mobai hesitated for a moment, and finally pointed out the window: "It's the mountain outside the city."

Biquan dragged him and ran out, heading straight for Ding Lancha's Chinese army camp.Ding Lancha was startled at first, he ordered people to go out of the city to search, and at the same time looked Shen Mobai up and down, and said in a deep voice, "Why did Luo Jing go into the mountains?"

Shen Mobai lowered his head, and said after a while: "The general wants to use the plague to drive out the northern barbarians."

Ding Lancha was confused: "Plague?" What does the plague have to do with going into the mountains?Moreover, how to use the plague to drive away the 20 troops of the northern barbarians?Do you say that if you let them get the disease, they will get the disease?Moreover, it is almost winter now, and it is no longer the season for epidemics to occur.It's just that when he asked again, Shen Mobai just lowered his head and didn't answer anymore.

Ding Lan couldn't compel him to speak, and he didn't have time to ask further questions, so he only mentioned some soldiers and horses to go out of the city to look for them.But Beiman probably thought they were coming to stop the embankment again, and had already prepared troops to intercept outside the city. Ding Lancha's men charged several times, but failed to reach the foot of the mountain.Ding Lan couldn't do anything for a while, so he ordered people to retreat to the city, and wait until it got dark to think of a solution.It was just Chen Shi, and it was still a while before dark, others were okay, Biquan was the first to get angry, and dragged Shen Mobai to a secluded place for interrogation.But after asking and asking, Shen Mobai could only say: Prepare a lot of anti-epidemic medicines, and I can't ask anything else.

This day really felt like years, and the sun was setting towards the west. Ding Lancha went up to the top of the city again, but he saw that there seemed to be some confusion in the northern barbarian army from a distance. He looked farther, and suddenly saw more than ten horsemen rushing out of the camp. Coming towards Wucheng, when he looked carefully, although the person in front was also dressed as the Northern Army, he seemed to be chased by more than ten riders behind.He has excellent eyesight, and after taking a closer look, he suddenly recognized that it was Luo Jing!Somehow, he ran out of the Beiman barracks.But at this time, he didn't think much about it, and hurriedly ordered people to open the city to support him, and he also hurried down to the city.

Only a dozen or so cavalry were chased by the Beiman, and when they saw Wu Cheng's soldiers and horses coming out to meet them, they turned back.Ding Lancha rushed to the city gate, and Luo Jing had already entered the city. Ding Lancha couldn't help being startled when he saw it, his face was flushed strangely, and when he saw Ding Lancha, he wanted to get off his horse and salute, but his body shook , The whole fell from the horse.Luckily, Biquan quickly grabbed hold of him, and when he looked again, he had passed out, his face and body were scalding hot.Ding Lancha repeatedly called for the military doctor, who hurried over, took one look and said urgently: "General, stay away quickly, the general has the disease, it is contagious!"