When the news from Didao spread, there was a shock in Longxi County. Zhang Heng took the opportunity to send people to persuade them, and the northern counties surrendered one after another.
But the two armies facing each other along the river did not make any move. The Han army built strong walls and high fortifications to strengthen its defenses, while the Xiliang army cut down trees, built ships, and trained troops.
On this day, Han Sui transferred Li Kan from Baihu Ridge to Angu. The morale of the Xiliang army was high, and they were ready to fight to the end.
The scouts reported the news to Liu Qi, who was puzzled and asked, "The Xiliang army is not used to naval warfare, so what is the point of building ships?"
"If we can't advance by land and sea, isn't it a waste of effort? There must be something fishy." Zhao Yun also frowned slightly.
During this period, many small boats and rafts were built in the camp, but no one in the army could operate them. They had to select a thousand soldiers from Jingzhou and Hanzhong to barely sail and transport supplies.
Not to mention Liang Xing's old subordinates, they felt dizzy and vomited as soon as they got on the boat. The decisive battle was imminent, and Han Sui would not build a boat for no reason.
"Huh, old man Han Sui does have some strategies." Liu Qi suddenly slammed the table and laughed.
This startled Zhao Yun who was standing by, and he asked, "My lord, can you see the clues?"
Liu Qi sneered and said, "The Xiliang army's boats and rafts are not for sending troops, but to burn our floating bridge and cut off communication between the north and the south."
"So that's how it is!" Zhao Yun suddenly realized, "That's right. If the pontoon bridge is burned down, our northern and southern armies will be unable to come to the rescue, but the Western Liang army can send troops to the north to recapture Didao and counterattack Mati Bay."
Liu Qi laughed and said, "No wonder Han Sui has been making such a big fuss these days and has not concealed his deployment of troops. It turns out that he was just bluffing. But it's too late to turn back now!"
Zhao Yun said hurriedly: "In this case, we should quickly mobilize the troops back to the north bank."
Liu Qi waved his hand and said, "No matter how Han Sui tries to mess around, I will just stay the same in the face of all changes and defeat him completely."
Zhao Yun wondered, "What should we do if the floating bridge is burned down?"
Liu Qi laughed and said, "I had already taken Angu by then. Han Sui was defeated and there were Angu Floating Bridge and Matiwan Pass. It doesn't matter if we don't have this place."
So he sent someone to invite Zhang Fei over and asked, "Uncle San, can you still ride a horse?"
Zhang Fei snorted and said, "Although I can't exert any strength, I am just like an ordinary person, not a useless person with useless hands and feet."
Liu Qi said: "Although Third Uncle was tricked, I don't think Han Sui and his men would trust him. As the saying goes, the old tiger still has his might. The army is short of generals now, so we still need Third Uncle's might."
Zhang Fei laughed and said, "Although I cannot use the snake spear, I can kill the enemy with a sword. Just give me your orders."
"Who said the snake spear can't be used?" Liu Qi smiled and said, "Don't worry, Third Uncle, I will make sure you regain your power in the next two days."
Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei looked at each other. Liu Qi had already sent people to make preparations, and also sent secret letters to Kou Feng and Zhang Ren, asking them to act according to the plan.
In Angu City, everything was ready. After finally waiting for Song Long to get up, Han Sui could not wait to call upon his generals and give orders.
After dark, all the generals were ready. Food had already been prepared in the city, and they were just waiting to eat and fight after three o'clock in the morning.
Cheng Gongying saw Song Long's originally purple-red face turned dark blue, and his lips turned slightly white. He said worriedly, "I don't know how serious the prince's injury is. If he is not suitable to go to the battle, you can wait for two more days."
Song Long smiled proudly and said, "Sir, don't worry about me. I have taken the magic pill given by my master, which is made from hundreds of years old snow lotus and cordyceps. My physical strength has recovered to normal. If I kill Liu Qi in this battle, I can solve the problem once and for all."
Cheng Gongying probed, "I see that the prince doesn't look very well. If he uses that magic medicine again, will it damage his body? If he develops a chronic disease, how will General Han explain to King Song?"
"It's okay!" Song Long waved his hand and said, "Even if I really am unconscious, just send me back to Heshou. After eighteen months, I will be a brave man again!"
Cheng Gongying was surprised and asked, "Does the prince really have such ability?"
Song Long laughed and said, "My master is the living Buddha of today. He has the ability to bring the dead back to life. What's the big deal about these minor injuries?"
Cheng Gongying clasped his fists and said, "This battle depends entirely on the efforts of the prince. After the success, General Han will definitely reward you handsomely."
"No need to do that. My father will establish the Song Dynasty in the future, and he will have to fight Liu Qi sooner or later. I will clear the way for him first."
Song Long walked away proudly with his sword in hand, and Han De followed closely behind him, again offering flattering words.
Cheng Gongying looked at the huge figure and sneered, "What a stupid bear! If you are unconscious, how can you return to Fuhan?"
At three o'clock in the night, the moonlight was hazy, and the Western Liang army divided into two groups and marched out of Angu City. Han De and Song Long led the troops to attack the front, while Han Sui and Li Kan attacked from the flank.
This battle was a combination of real and fake. Although the intention was to save Didao, the attack on the camp was also a full-scale deployment. It would be even better if Liu Qi could be defeated in one fell swoop.
After the troops set out, Cheng Gongying led his troops to guard the pontoon bridge and ordered his men to place the boats and rafts on the shore, with the small boats in front and the rafts in the back, with straw and firewood loaded on the rafts.
Five hundred soldiers who were barely able to steer a boat were selected from the army and ordered to approach the floating bridge downstream, where they lit the firewood. When they reached the bridge, they cut the cable, threw down stones to stop the raft, and the boat drifted downstream.
At nearly four o'clock in the morning, the Western Liang army approached the Han army camp. Song Long took the lead and rushed to the front. Han De followed closely behind him and rushed into the camp with a shout.
Song Long attacked several barracks in a row and found that they were empty. He became angry and rushed towards the central army tent with a roar.
"Oh no, we've fallen into a trap, retreat quickly!" Han De knew something was wrong when he didn't see any Han soldiers, and shouted hurriedly.
Boom boom boom—
At this moment, drums sounded loudly on the river bank, and the Han army rushed in from outside the camp. Han De urged his horse forward to chase Song Long back.
Torches suddenly lit up in the dim central army tent, and the tent door was opened. A general was already waiting there, laughing and saying, "Little Song Long, have you seen Zhang Yide from Yan?"
"Zhang Fei?" Song Long was shocked. Seeing the man with a tiger beard and a 10-foot snake spear in his hand, he quickly reined in his horse and said, "How...how come you are okay?"
"Hahaha, your unorthodox methods are useless in front of my general!" Zhang Fei raised his snake spear and roared, "Today is the day you die!"
At this time, the sound of killing in the south was deafening. Han Sui must have been surrounded. Han De was suspicious and hurried forward to persuade him: "There is an ambush in the camp. Please leave quickly, my prince."
Just as he was hesitating, he saw a general riding out from behind the camp, sneering, "Who am I? It turns out I am the son of the traitor Song Jian. When I, Liu Qi, come here, I will definitely exterminate your clan."
"Liu Qi?" Song Long's eyes were slightly stern, and he laughed up to the sky and said, "God is really helping me!"
Han De urged: "Your Highness, don't continue the fight. Go!"
"So what about Zhang Fei? Get out of the way—" Song Long kicked Han De's mount away, took out a handful of powder from his arms, and shot it directly into his mouth.
He raised his sword to the sky and laughed wildly: "Liu Qi, you are dead today, even Buddha can't save you, I say!"
In an instant, Song Long's eyes became bloodshot, his face turned red, he bared his teeth and growled, then spurred his horse and rushed straight towards Liu Qi.
"Reckless man!" Han De was so anxious that he turned around on his horse. There was a cry of killing in the camp. The Xiliang army was chased and abandoned their armor and weapons. They fled in panic and hastily organized men and horses to resist.
Plop—
As he was commanding his soldiers, he suddenly heard a muffled sound. Looking up, he saw a big pit in front of the tent. Song Long and his horse fell into it. Only roars were heard, but no one was seen.
Han De was shocked. Seeing Zhao Yun approaching from the flank, he turned his horse and rode away without saying a word.
Zhao Yun defeated several of his personal soldiers and rode out of the camp on horseback, ignoring the chaotic troops following closely behind.
Han De was so frightened that he screamed on his horse: "Why are you chasing me?"