In such an unfavorable situation with frequent bad news, Pang Wanchun decisively ordered the withdrawal of troops. However, before withdrawing his troops on February 13, he still sent troops to storm Changshu City during the day. It was not until after dark that the army slowly withdrew back, but the lineup was neat and orderly.
Although it was dark night, such a large-scale withdrawal of the Wu army could not be hidden from the eyes of the Song army on the city. After watching their retreating posture, the soldiers immediately guessed that the enemy was planning to leave completely. This made them sigh in relief and let out bursts of cheers.
It was too difficult for them to stick to Changshu during this period, and they paid too much price. Sun Tu's departure made it even more difficult for the soldiers to be completely united. Many of them had been holding on to pessimistic thoughts before. Now, as they watched the enemy troops retreat, they felt as if the boulders pressing on them were suddenly removed, and their mental state improved a lot.
Of course, some people had other ideas. Song Jiang and other Liangshan brothers immediately came to Dong Ping, who was entrusted with the decision-making power in the army by Sun Tu, and asked him to fight, hoping to take this opportunity to chase him out of the city and avenge this period. The hatred of being constantly attacked by the enemy for days.
Seeing the anxious expressions of these generals with red eyes, Dong Ping could certainly understand their mood. In this bloody battle to defend the city, the Liangshan generals suffered the heaviest casualties, and the hatred in their hearts was naturally the deepest. It is reasonable to be eager to pursue them for revenge.
But he did not agree with the other party's thoughts: "Brother Gongming, brothers, I, Dong Ping, share your thoughts, but now that the enemy's new retreat was not defeated by us, it is difficult to say that they will not lay any traps and ambush outside the city, so In my opinion, we must not attack rashly, otherwise we will only fall into the enemy's trap and increase casualties."
"Director Dong, are we just going to watch them run away? This is a great opportunity to defeat the rebels. How can we let it go just because we have concerns?" Song Jiang frowned.
Wu Yong also followed: "Yes, Director Dong, I think it was Sun Qian's control in Suzhou that forced them to retreat hastily. How could they lay any more ambush traps at this time? And we are doing this Not only to vent anger by killing the enemy, but also to reduce the burden on the brothers at the front. If one hundred thousand rebel troops are allowed to withdraw in one piece, and there are only a few hundred people under Qian's jurisdiction, can he really hold Suzhou?"
"Yes, Governor Dong, just let me send troops to pursue him."
"If you still have concerns, our Liangshan brothers are willing to take on the matter and send troops to rescue you!"
Others also spoke in agreement, as if forcing him to nod. Being stared at by these dozen or twenty generals, Dong Ping felt hesitant again. Although his rationality told him that staying put on this matter was the wisest choice, the pressure these people put on him was really quite heavy.
Li Kui, who had the most irritable temper, even shouted at this time: "Dong Ping, what are you thinking? It was not your Qingzhou Army officers and soldiers who died together, so you don't feel bad, but you let my brother Liangshan die in vain?"
"Tie Niu can't talk nonsense!" Song Jiang felt anxious when he heard Li Kui say such words, and yelled urgently. Although he said that, looking at his expression, he was obviously a little dissatisfied with this. After all, he really wanted to avenge the brothers who had followed him for many years.
But it happens
Li Kui's rude scolding awakened Dong Ping, and his face, which was full of hesitation, suddenly turned cold, and he immediately said solemnly: "I have made up my mind. All soldiers and horses in Changshu City are not allowed to act rashly. Anyone who dares to disobey the order will be punished. Dispose of it with military law!"
"You..." Song Jiang was very anxious when he heard this and wanted to say something else, but after meeting Dong Ping's firm gaze, his heart tightened and he was speechless. At this time, Dong Ping's momentum had steadily surpassed that of Song Jiang and others, and he had the demeanor of a general in charge of an army.
Li Kui's words reminded Dong Ping of the previous conflict with the Huainan Army and the lack of winter clothing in his army. At that time, it was because he was too hesitant and listened to some of the other party's suggestions that he did not directly snatch the supplies. As a result, many soldiers died of cold, and in the end they were severely punished by Sun Tu.
Today, a similar situation appeared before him again, and this time he had learned his lesson. Since Sun Tu put the power of commanding the entire army into his own hands, he should be responsible for it and not be influenced by others at will. As a general, he has already made up his mind, how can he allow his subordinates to question him
At this time, Dong Ping seemed to be a different person, his eyes swept over the Liangshan generals in front of him: "Don't forget your identity. Now you are our Shandong Army soldiers, not just bandits who fall out of grass, and your loyalty is ours." First of all, the bandits! I am also very sad about the death of those brothers, but this is a public hatred, not a private hatred. It is not your turn to disobey the military order and go out of the city to take revenge! Someone—"
Following his greeting, several soldiers came in, waiting for orders. Dong Ping immediately ordered: "Pass my military order, the entire army is to rest in the city, and no one is allowed to leave the city without authorization, otherwise they will be punished for collaborating with the enemy, and will not be killed!"
After several soldiers took the lead and went out to issue the order, Song Jiang and others looked at Dong Ping with surprised eyes, as if they were looking at a stranger. Because the impact he brought to them this time was too great. Is this still the hesitant and humble Dong Duin
Li Kui was a little anxious, and wanted to shout a few words, but Song Jiang stopped him in time: "Since Director Dong has made such a decision, I dare not disobey him. But if we are really unlucky, because we They stood still and watched the rebels advance into Suzhou City..."
"Then the responsibility will be borne by me!" Dong Ping answered without hesitation. Then he softened his tone: "Brother Gongming, everyone, why are you in a hurry if you want revenge? As long as we can win this time, we will have plenty of opportunities to go south to kill the enemy after taking Suzhou. Let alone kill Pang Wanchun. , even that Fang La will be captured alive by us. Don’t you even have this patience? "
After all the words had been said, Song Jiang and others had nothing else to say. They could only accept the order with clasped fists angrily, and then left the room. It wasn't until they left that Dong Pingang let out a long sigh of relief. Although he acted very tough just now, he was actually quite uneasy. After all, this was the first time that he had forced Song Jiang and the others down.
At this time, Lin Chong and Yang Zhi walked in with a smile, and they all sighed sincerely: "Brother Dong really has a skill, this time we are convinced."
"Yes, we were originally worried that you would be persuaded by them, but now it seems that we were worried too much."
"You two don't think it's appropriate to pursue the rebels at this time?"
"Poor Komo
Chase, not to mention it's still at night. Yang Zhilue frowned and said, "Pang Wanchun has always known the art of war. How could he withdraw his troops under our noses without any preparation?" No matter how urgent the rear is, we should wait until the dead of night before leaving, instead of leaving just after the war between the two sides is over. Isn't this a clear attempt to lure us into pursuit? "
"I'm sure that he must have arranged his troops long ago, just waiting for us to fall into the trap and fight out of the city." Lin Chong also smiled and said: "But knowing is one thing, being able to withstand the pressure of Song Jiang and others , refusing to send troops is another matter. So Sun Qianha is very accurate in judging people, and you are much more reliable than us."
Dong Ping also had a smile on his face, but he said humbly: "You two are so ridiculous, I am just learning from it. The mistakes before are still fresh, how dare I let others make the decision anymore. Since Qianjia has made the decision With the army in my hands, I will do my best and dare not neglect it."
After dawn, everyone was finally convinced that Dong Ping's judgment was correct. Because not long after the sun rose, an army of tens of thousands of people emerged from the woods a few miles ahead. Just looking at the flags they carried, it turned out to be Pang Wanchun, the commander-in-chief of the Wu army. Not only did he lay an ambush, he also personally led the army to the rear. It was obvious that he planned to take the last chance, hoping to reverse the situation and destroy the Song army.
After seeing this scene, even Song Jiang and others no longer dared to complain, because they knew very well that if they really led the army to pursue it, they would definitely fall into a trap, and it was hard to say what the end would be.
As a result, Dong Ping's reputation in the Shandong Army has also been greatly improved, and he is regarded by the soldiers as another military commander outside Sun Qian's jurisdiction.
At this time, outside the city, Pang Wanchun, who was leading his army to slowly retreat south, turned back several times, looking at the devastated Changshu City from a distance, which might collapse at any time, but was still standing there. After a long while, he sighed: "Sun Tu is indeed a powerful enemy. He can actually see through my mind and hold back from sending any troops. This time, even with Zhu Meng's cooperation, I couldn't kill him. I'm afraid I won't be able to kill him in the future." There is even less chance." Until now, he still didn't know that it was not Sun Tu who led the army to defend the city in the past few days, but had long been replaced by one of his generals.
Soon, he led his army to catch up with the main force who had taken the first step. After learning that the Song army did not fall into the trap and pursue them, all his subordinates sighed. Later, someone else worried: "Pang Shuai, what should we do next? Should we directly attack Suzhou?"
"Of course!" Pang Wanchun answered resolutely: "I always feel that this time things are too weird. The number of Song troops who can slip away from under the eyes of our army must not be too many. In this case, we have 100,000 soldiers. If the army pushes back, we will definitely be able to recapture Suzhou in one battle."
Whether for the Song Army or the Wu Army, Suzhou was a crucial city in the Jiangnan Campaign. So even if the situation becomes increasingly unfavorable at this time, Pang Wanchun must try his best to regain it.
At this time, at the top of the Suzhou city, Sun Tu was leaning against the wall and looking forward to the enemy's arrival: "Pang Wanchun, you and I couldn't tell the difference in Changshu. I wonder if we can tell the difference this time in Suzhou? "
Behind him, countless soldiers and horses were spread out, with nearly ten thousand people scattered in various sects in Suzhou...