All the way down south, except for the top of those high mountains, there is almost no snow.
The coldest spring is the coldest.
The northern Liang cavalry advancing more than 120 miles to the southeast is equivalent to entering Guangling Road. Although it is far from the real battlefield, the army under Wu Chongxuan, the new Minister of War in Liyang, and the main force of Western Chu's breakout to the west are still facing each other. There is a long way to go, but even if there is no need for the generals and captains who have first-hand knowledge of the battle to remind them, just relying on the presence of more and more scouts and cavalry from Liyang around the marching route, it is enough to make this Beiliang army The general situation of the cavalry is that the usual intimacy of washing and feeding horses can't help revealing a bit of chilling. At dawn, half an hour before the army pulled out of camp, Beiliang King Xu Fengnian, who was temporarily serving as the chief general of this iron cavalry, summoned all the generals and school lieutenants in the temporary tent, together with Yuan Zuo Zongning, Emei Hong Shuwen, a total of sixteen People, there is no table in the big tent, the map of Guangling Road, which is half a foot wide and high, is hung on the wall. Hundreds of people.
Xu Fengnian stood sideways under the map, still hanging the famous sword crossing the river that he snatched from Jiang Fuding back then, but took off the cold sword, Xu Fengnian looked at the cavalry generals standing around in an arc, Raising his saber, he drew a route on the map that shocked Liyang's military department, and said with a smile: "Next, we will pass through Luhe County, pass through Weishui and Baxia counties, and officially enter Guangling Road. Maybe it was because we walked too slowly in the two states of Huaibei, and then walked too fast on Huainan Road, which caught the imperial army by surprise and failed to keep up with us. Otherwise, the Jizhou cavalry should have arrived at the mountain on the mountainous trail two days ago In the area of Yin County, we will take the lead in intercepting us, using the two cities of Wufang and Songyun as a support, and wait for reinforcements. When Xu Gong's Gyeonggi army, the Ministry of War, unites with the local soldiers and horses, we will jointly defend this natural line of defense with a favorable location and force us to attack. The army had to advance southward for more than 80 miles, and detour eastward to enter Guangling, but in this way, we must collide with Qingzhou soldiers and horses who are rushing northward. Arrived in a mighty way."
When Xu Fengnian said this, he paused for a while, and curled his lips, "It's a pity, that son-in-law of the Gu family ran a bit slower, so I guess Mr. Xu has already pointed at General Jizhou's nose and spit at the moment." But if I have the opportunity to stand in front of Xu Shilang, I must intercede for the general of Jizhou, "You, Xu Gong, are hiding on the right wing of Jizhou and wandering slowly. Why do you want us to be tired like dogs? The Jizhou cavalry rushed up to fight the Beiliang iron cavalry? Who didn’t know that the big Xuelong rode his horse and became a Beiliang cavalry, and his dismounting was not at all inferior to the Youzhou infantry? I came to the Central Plains to get credit. You're not in a hurry to reincarnate!'"
Except for the unsmiling Yuan Zuozong, all the generals in the tent burst into laughter, especially the cavalry veterans who had fought in the Spring and Autumn Wars. When I was a pawn before going to Liang, most of them had heard the bragging of the old captains in their respective armies, saying that the generals would make fun of the enemy every time they lined up before the battle. It is said that even the Battle of Xileibi was the worst. In difficult times, Xi Chu Ye Baikui, known as the Spring and Autumn Soldier Armor, could not escape.
When the laughter subsided, Xu Fengnian withdrew his relaxed expression, and said in a deep voice: "Our Daxue Dragon Cavalry still has a strength of more than 10,000, but what is the real combat strength? My family knows their own affairs, and Hulukou completely wiped out Yang Yuanzan's army on the western front. , my Daxue Dragon Cavalry made the most military exploits, but the number of casualties was by no means small. There were 3,400 people who died on the battlefield! There were more than 1,200 soldiers who had to withdraw from the frontier army because of injuries! Ten thousand People, in the end almost only half of the old soldiers were left. I might as well say something here to offend the two heavy cavalry troops. The cavalry was selected from the elite cavalry of Youzhou and a small number of garrisons in Lingzhou, but for the Daxue Dragon Cavalry, let alone Lingzhou, I did not draw even a single cavalry from Youzhou! All from Liangzhou I, Xu Fengnian, can say with confidence that each new recruit has passed the double screening of Qingliang Mountain and the Protectorate's Mansion, and I, Xu Fengnian, have personally witnessed the battlefield experience of each new captain. After I nod my head, Chu Lushan and Yuan Zuozong must agree to take the post. But even so, compared with the big snow dragon cavalry that rushed to Hulukou back then, it is obvious that the current big snow dragon cavalry..."
All the military generals in the tent who had made great achievements outside the customs felt a dull suffocation, not only the title of King of Beiliang on that young man, not just the master of the rivers and lakes, the land gods, but also Xu Fengnian who passed through the past few years. What you do, the personal prestige that slowly accumulates bit by bit. To become the commander-in-chief of an army, you don't need to be the kind of enemy who rushes into the battle. Not only Xu Xiao is like this, even Gu Jiantang, who is a great master, did not take the lead in the Spring and Autumn Wars frequently in his early years, especially Chen Zhibao. It is enough to be able to win battles and afford to lose battles. And the young feudal lord in front of everyone seemed to have never lost on the battlefield, temples, or rivers and lakes. Of course, it is said that in a certain battlefield, our King of Beiliang suffered a big defeat. Even the meritorious generals like Yan Wenluan and Chen Yunchui occasionally heard their subordinates sneakily mentioning this matter, and never scolded them. On the contrary, they revealed that only the elders The kind of understanding smile.
After making a fool of himself, Xu Fengnian said solemnly: "Obviously, the current heavy snow dragon cavalry army will not have any difficulty in crushing the Jingji Jingji army from Jizhou."
Even Yuan Zuozong couldn't help laughing this time.
Xu Fengnian said: "This time I took you to Guangling Road to swim in the muddy water. The people in Beiliang must not know the truth, but everyone in the account has heard it more or less. In fact, as you have heard and guessed, it is true. of."
Without waiting for everyone to express their views, Xu Fengnian had already said in a deep voice: "No matter what, anyone who has complaints, or even who wants to scold me a few words, can wait until they return to Beiliang territory. This time going south, except for Cai Nan's Lianghuai frontier army, We have to put on a show, and before we face Wu Chongxuan's Northern Xinjiang army face to face, my purpose is to not fight if I can't fight. Trading at a loss, of course, if people like Xu Gong and Yuan Tingshan insist on stopping them to the end, then fight them, and beat them once! Before that, I have one more thing to explain to you first, the real bad battle is still the contest with Wu Chongxuan , because this trip broke into Guangling Road, in addition to me picking up one person, you also have to take the opportunity to absorb a certain number of Western Chu's "lost troops". On the battlefield, a small team of cavalry fleeing from distress will appear. At that time, we will provide them with Beiliang war horses, light armor, and of course cold knives, and quickly break up these soldiers and horses into our army. After that, Yuan Tong will understand Lead you away from the Western Front, and I will join you in a day at most."
Xu Fengnian pointed his sword heavily on the map, "No accident, Xu Gong's Gyeonggi soldiers and Yuan Tingshan's Jizhou cavalry will meet here. Xu Gong will use Chaisang County, which has a relatively high city wall, as his base. The Western Shu infantry and the Qingzhou army are located in the rear and south of our army respectively, and each has a city pass as a support. The enemy's entire front presents a half-arc. It is not conducive to the cavalry of the brigade to gallop through, because there is only one wide official road that has been destroyed by the Chaisang government and the people have joined hands, especially every two hundred steps. The heavy spring rain will be even more detrimental to our advance. It is reported that Xu Gong's army carries a large number of heavy crossbows in the inventory of the Ministry of War, and there are 1,700 pairs of heavy armor. While forcing us to dismount and fight, we must defend Chaisang. If we choose to bypass Chaisang City and stagnate on the official road, we may completely lose our original initiative as a cavalry army, and we will lose our position after being surrounded. There are more than 10,000 people on the front line, and there are more than 60,000 people who can stretch the front easily, not to mention that the opponent's coach is Xu Gong, who is famous in Liyang, so for us, it is just a bad idea to fight that Chaisang City."
Hong Shuwen said cautiously: "My lord, in the end, we will look at the geographical situation near Chaisang. If we go north, we will have to make a big circle, and there is also a Beigu city similar to Chaisang, but if we change the established The marching route is to go south quickly, kill the Qingzhou soldiers who have not yet arrived in Chaisang, and then act like soldiers are coming to Jing’an Road. The envoys, the three masters, have a big gap with us in Beiliang. Even if Xu Gongming knows that our original intention is to change the battlefield, he can't afford the risk of war in Jing'an Road, so he can only be dragged by us. Go ahead, as long as they leave Chaisang, especially if there is a disconnect between the Jizhou cavalry army and the Gyeonggi army, then our chance will come, but the only thing we need to pay attention to is the crossbowmen we are lagging behind, we need to kill more hangers-on Enemy scouts on the tail will do."
Xu Fengnian said with an innocent face: "Do I look like the kind of person who is willing to go all out to avenge personal revenge?"
Hong Shuwen resentfully remained silent.
Yuan Zuozong was the first to smile strangely and said, "Isn't it like that?"
The generals looked at each other in dismay, and then burst out laughing shamelessly.
Xu Fengnian had expected this a long time ago, and quickly said with a smile: "Since this is the case, let's show it to the end, Niu Qianzhu, you lead Qianqi to intercept the Western Shu army, and release news along the way, under the banner of 'reminiscing about the past'! Anyway! No one in Zhongyuan believed that we were here to suppress the rebellion, and this just confirmed their wild imagination."
A dark-skinned and burly man asked in a low voice, "My lord, is a thousand horses a little short?"
Xu Fengnian thought for a moment, nodded and said: "Then let Pang Jianrui lead another thousand riders to support the momentum."
The charcoal-like man hurriedly waved his hands and said: "My lord, that's not what I meant. I have a big-ass captain who has never led more than 2,000 soldiers in his life. Why not follow the lord to wander the Central Plains this time?" I don’t dare to compare with the prince, as long as I have two thousand horses, it’s not enough, I can ask Lao Pang to lend me five hundred horses..."
The more the man spoke, the lower his voice was, obviously a little guilty.
Xu Fengnian raised his foot to kick, but Niu Qianzhu, a captain of Daxuelongqi Military Academy, hurriedly hid behind Pang Jianrui.
Xu Fengnian pointed at the Captain Niu with the scabbard, and said in a bad mood: "Okay, I will give you two thousand horses, and I will also lend you my Fengziying. How about it? If you are not satisfied, I will also lend you Commander Yuan." for you."
Niu Qianzhu smiled awkwardly: "Let's forget Commander Yuan, he will only steal my limelight. Two thousand riders and the prince's Fengzi battalion are enough, enough."
He survived the first day of the junior high school but not the fifteenth day, Captain Niu kicked Yuan Zuozong who was standing not far away.
Pang Jianrui, a short and strong school lieutenant, asked: "Your Majesty, the Qingzhou Cavalry Army was completely lost in Zhao Xun's battle to aid Huainan King Zhao Ying. Now the infantry army of about 8,000 people is really worthless. Lead a thousand riders as the vanguard to open the way for the army."
Niu Qianzhu said in a hurry: "Old Pang, the prince has already promised to lend me all of your thousand people!"
Pang Jianrui turned his head and glared fiercely, causing Niu Qianzhu to shrink back in fright. Niu Qianzhu's body looks like there are two Pang Jianrui, but in the Daxue Dragon Cavalry Army, he is also the captain who commands Qianqi, and Niu Qianzhu has always been in front of Pang Jianrui like a little daughter-in-law meets an evil mother-in-law.
At this time, Yuan Zuozong suddenly said: "I am a pioneer, and five hundred riders are enough."
Pang Jianrui scratched his head, even if he had ten guts, he would not dare to compete with the leader. What's more, as long as you are an old man of the Daxue Dragon Cavalry Army, you will know the ten-year offensive and defensive battle in Xiangfan City, Qingzhou. The cavalry under his command had to be used as infantry, and the ants were attached to attack the city. In the end, there were no three out of ten. This was the feat of Chu Lushan's thousand cavalry opening Shu. There is really no cavalry available, no matter cavalry pawns or war horses.
Xu Fengnian nodded, then raised his sword and pointed at the two battlefields of Guangling Road where the two armies were at a stalemate, "After passing through all the soldiers and horses under Xu Gong's command, the Western Chu cavalry army we are going to meet will It broke out here, located 30 miles south of Guazizhou. The general of the Wu Department in charge of this battlefield is called Zhou Ran, with a total force of 20,000, which should not be underestimated. It is a precedent for aggressive advances. There are 2,000 cavalry under your command. At that time, our main force will be about 20 miles northwest of Guazizhou. Here, in the Xiangwei River area, we will stop and garrison for a short time. Zhou Ran will inevitably send a large number of scouts to follow The movement of our army is not only that, because of our arrival, Wu Chongxuan will definitely order the northern Lai County front to tilt to the south. Although the main general Yuan Jiade has less than 10,000 troops, the cavalry accounted for almost half of them, more than 4,500 cavalry, This department was once the vanguard of the southern border army going north to quell the chaos, and its combat power is obviously not weak. Yuan Zuozong, you lead the main force to push eastward for thirty miles along the Xiangwei River to Guazizhou, and approach Zhou Ran's garrison. Wang Boyuan, when the time comes, you will lead two Qianqi went straight between Lai County and Xiangwei River, cutting off the southward reinforcement route of Yuan Jiade's main cavalry, cooperating with the main force, assuming that we will swallow Zhou Ran's 20,000 horses first, Song Jinshan, you take a thousand The cavalry kept a distance of three or four miles from the right wing of the central army and slowed down. Their main responsibilities were to keep an eye on Zhou Ran's two thousand cavalry, and to clean up Zhou Ran's scouts and detectives in the south. , or there are Wu troops on the front line chasing them with their tails on their horses. During this period, if Zhou Ran's two thousand riders get the news and go south to intercept and kill them, you have to bite them, and you must win the time for the Fengziying to completely receive the hundreds of people. !"
Yuan Zuozong and the two cavalry generals embraced their orders.
Suddenly a crossbowman came to report the military situation, and then Xu Fengnian and the generals were a little dumbfounded.
Intercepted the military order from the scouts under Xu Gong's command to the Qingzhou side, ordering him to return to Huangzhu City, a large town on the northern border of Jing'an Road, according to the original route, and not to leave the city without authorization to go north.
Xu Fengnian said helplessly: "If there are no accidents, the situation in Xishu is similar. It seems that Xu Gong is not willing to give us a chance to bluff."
Xu Fengnian didn't think he was done just because he intercepted a secret letter. Naturally, he wouldn't send a single cavalry to deliver this kind of military order that was not afraid of leaks at all. The more the better, the better.
But Xu Fengnian quickly sneered: "It's hard to say about Xishu. Maybe they will follow the order and retreat, and then they will withdraw tacitly to wait for the opportunity, but the dignified King Jing'an should be more effective than what a servant said. The Qingzhou branch Soldiers and horses may not obey Xu Gong's "unreasonable" orders. Zhao Xun's use of troops on the battlefield, regardless of victory or defeat, only shows loyalty. The leader of this army is from the confidant of Jing'an Palace, and he must have won Zhao Xun before sending troops. The secret order is nothing more than that even if the whole army is wiped out due to the suspicion of being greedy for meritorious deeds, the court must never leave the impression of being greedy for life and fear of death. This young King Jing'an is worthy of being the most virtuous vassal with the most praise from the court and the public King."
Niu Qianzhu and other generals were a little at a loss. After all, the situation in the Central Plains was too lazy to care about the situation in the Central Plains for this general Beiliang Xiao who had been fighting outside the pass for a long time.
Only Yuan Zuozong nodded, and said with a sneer: "It is very likely that the Qingzhou Army will insist on going north. In the future, Zhao Xun's nickname of 'send the vassal king to death' is worthy of the name."
Song Jinshan, a veteran who had experienced the Battle of Xiangfan City like the commander Yuan Zuozong, sighed and said with emotion: "I heard that the current Qingzhou navy is outrageous, but judging from the short-lived Qingzhou cavalry in the Guangling battlefield last year, regardless of combat power High or low, just talk about the level of bravery, which is quite similar to that of the past. I think that no matter how much we hated Qingzhou and Xiangfan City, we still have to give a thumbs up to Qingzhou soldiers. Such an opponent deserves admiration. The result It's a pity to have such a prodigal vassal on the stall, it's a pity."
There was a moment of silence in the tent, and Xu Fengnian suddenly joked: "General Song, you didn't make any insinuations, did you?"
Song Jinshan tilted his head abruptly and spit on the ground.
Niu Qianzhu, Pang Jianrui and the others were frightened by this bold act of committing crimes.
Soon Song Jinshan smiled brightly and said: "That little bastard Zhao Xun is not worthy of carrying the prince's shoes!"
Xu Fengnian patted the old general's shoulder heavily, "As expected of an old soldier brought out by Xu Xiao, there is nothing wrong with fighting, and flattery is a must!"
Song Jinshan smiled exaggeratedly with an old face, and he did not forget to squint and raise his eyebrows at Niu Qianzhu's young juniors. The old man looked a bit unworthy of beating, obviously he was trying to imitate the younger cavalry captain Point, I'm the real flatterer, you guys are still too young!
Xu Yanbing lifted the tent curtain, Xu Fengnian nodded to him.
Xu Fengnian asked all the generals in the tent to disperse, and then stood side by side with Xu Yanbing outside the tent.
Xu Fengnian frowned, feeling ominous.
A guest comes from afar.
Coming from far away very fast.