Jiuxi

Chapter 94 093 [attack]

It was the second day of the seventh lunar month in the 12th year of Jianwu's reign in the Southern Qi Dynasty.

Xiao Wangzhi, the governor of Huaizhou, issued a military order. The Zhenwei Army and Dingwei Army from the Nanya sequence of the capital served as the front wing, and the Huwei Army and Huaizhou Feiyun Army served as the rear army. They crossed the security line and headed north, approaching the north. Within the territory of Yan.

On the fourth and fifth day of July, the two Nanya armies staggered forward and fought four battles with the Beiyan defenders in the area from [-] to [-] miles south of Qingtian City.

The Qi army relied on their high morale and excellent armaments to win one after another. They successively broke through the peripheral defensive fortresses of Qingtian City in Beiyan, and gradually approached within [-] miles south of Qingtian City.

Perhaps due to the aftermath of the disastrous defeat in the Battle of Qingxia, the Yan army's defense was far from resolute. After suffering a losing streak, they began to actively retreat and shrink their defense lines, seemingly ready to defend Qingtian City.

The Qi army stopped when it was about forty miles away from Qingtian City. The Feiyun Army turned northeast and pressed towards Yongquan Pass in Beiyan. The Nanya Army began to clean up the east and west sides of Qingtian City, steadily moving forward the front line. push.

On the seventh day of July, Qingtian City was occupied by the Qi army. This was the first time in 12 years that Southern Qi had counterattacked here. The grievances and resentments of being suppressed by the Yanjing coalition forces at the Lai'an defense line for a long time were wiped away.

The Huwei Army, which was lagging behind, used the strongholds on the way from Qingtian City to the security line to establish a supply line. Food and grass raised by the Huaizhou Governor's Office were continuously shipped, while the frontier troops assembled various large-scale siege equipment at the front of the position.

On the eighth day of July, the Nanya Zhenwei Army launched its first siege battle under the leadership of the capital commander Hou Dayong.

Qingtian City's solid defense is well-deserved. This true military city firmly guards the only way to pass the north-south passage.

Although the Zhenwei Army did not take advantage, the defenders in the city did not dare to take the initiative to attack due to the Huwei Army and Dingwei Army raiding the formation from the east and west, so their losses were not significant.

Qi Jun behaved extremely calmly, while Yan Jun was in a solemn mood.

The haze of the Battle of Qingxia has not yet dissipated, and the Qi army performed extremely bravely along the way. It only took six days to reach Qingtian City. And judging from the situation outside the city, the Qi army was clearly prepared for a long-term siege. Additional troops may be dispatched at any time.

Although on the fourth day of July, when the Qi army showed its fangs, the Yan army had already sent people to convey military information to the Dongyang Road General's Mansion, for a period of time, Qingtian City could only rely on itself.

The reason is simple. General Zhang Junsi does not have many troops.

The standing military strength of Beiyan Dongyang Road is about [-], which is roughly the same as the Huaizhou Dudu Mansion in Southern Qi.

After the war broke out at the end of April, the Northern Yan court successively added 16 troops, bringing the total strength here to [-].

However, more than 2 were lost in the Battle of Guangling, nearly [-] were lost in the Battle of Qingxia, and there were more than [-] wounded, leaving less than half of the combatable troops.

The total number of garrison troops at Qingtian City and Yongquan Pass exceeds [-]. The key point north of Panlong Pass requires [-] troops to guard. After deducting the more than [-] troops who must be left on Dongyang Road to suppress the banditry, Zhang Junsi only has the only reinforcements he can use. Twenty thousand.

Faced with the menacing Qi army that had occupied the outskirts of Qingtian City, Zhang Junsi could not let more than 2 people die in vain.

It takes a lot of time to mobilize troops from within the country. In this era, the deployment of troops is by no means as simple as a piece of paper.

For example, it took more than 20 days for the three armies of Nanya of the Qi Dynasty to travel from Yongjia City to the banks of the Hengjiang River. This did not include the time spent in early discussions and debates in the court.

The only thing that can make the defenders of Qingtian City feel lucky is that the city wall here is strong enough and the food and grass reserves in the city are very sufficient. If nothing happens, they can defend it for two or three months without any problem.

However, no one could guarantee that the Qi army would not come up with a vicious way to break the city. Therefore, before the Zhenwei Army attacked the city for the first time, the defending general sent five messengers to the capital of Dongyang Road to request the general Zhang Junsi as soon as possible. Reinforcements were sent to relieve the siege of Qingtian.

On July [-], Xiao Wangzhi, the governor of Huaizhou, left Lai'an under the protection of the guard camp and led the Pingshan Army all the way north to supervise the battle outside Qingtian City.

At the same time, on the school field to the west of the Governor's Mansion, nearly a thousand people were still practicing tirelessly. Everyone was sweating, including Lu Chen.

This has almost become a fixed scenery outside the Governor's Mansion.

Of course, some people don't understand why the governor went to the northern battlefield in person, but this personal guard still stayed in Lai'an.

Soon some smart people explained that because these 1000 people had just been recruited and did not have the confidence to go to the battlefield yet, the governor allowed them to continue training hard.

A few days later, when Lu Chen returned to Bieyuan after training, Lin Xi finally couldn't help but asked curiously: "Junior brother, did Commander Xiao really leave you in the city on purpose because he felt that you and your colleagues still needed training? ?”

Lu Chen smiled and said, "Yes, does it mean that Senior Sister thinks this is inappropriate?"

Lin Xi muttered: "There is nothing wrong, but I thought he would let you take people to the battlefield to practice."

Lu Chen knew that she had doubts in her heart. The reason why she never asked directly was probably because she didn't want to embarrass herself by leaking military information.

He brought Lin Xi to the study and said gently: "Senior sister, our army's goal in fighting this battle is actually very simple. It just took a few detours."

Lin Xi blinked his eyes and said he didn't understand.

Lu Chen brought the map, sat next to her and explained: "Senior sister, look at it, our army has only two ways to go north, take Qingtian City or Yongquan Pass. That side of Yongquan Pass is the Suspicion Formation. In fact, we will not waste it at all. Use your hands to climb the cliffs. The enemy is not a fool. As long as we launch an offensive, the pass will be under martial law for a long time."

Lin Xi nodded.

Lu Chen added: "As for Qingtian City, from the fourth day of July when our army started fighting to the eighth day of July when our army cleared the outside of the city and began to besiege the city, these five days were not short. As early as more than ten days ago, Dingwei Xu Wen, the commander of the military capital, sent our army's battle plan to the north. Deducting the time spent on the road, the puppet Yan commander Zhang Junsi had at least half a month to send an additional five to six thousand reinforcements to Qingtian City. . But according to the sentinel reports from our army’s frontline, Zhang Junsi did not do this.”

Lin Xi thought deeply: "The north knew that Governor Xiao planned to encircle the area for reinforcements, but did not reinforce Qingtian in advance. Does this mean that they also want to fight us outside the city?"

"That's right." Lu Chen looked calm, and the weather during this period had added a bit of determination, and continued: "Zhang Junsi and Wang Shidao learned about our army's battle plan in advance through Xu Wen, the traitor. Next, they There were two choices. One was to increase troops in Qingtian City in advance and use strong city defenses to dispel our army's determination to expedition to the north, but they did not do this."

"In this case, they have only the second option. They pretend to retreat and shrink the defense line, and at the same time slowly gather heavy troops. When our army is tired from the siege, they go south to the Qingtian Valley in one fell swoop and defeat our army in a head-on confrontation."

"The essence of encircling a point for reinforcements is to be surprised, to use more to attack fewer, and to use time and space to form an absolute advantage in local battles. It's a pity that the enemy has already known our army's plan in advance, and it is impossible to do it by surprise. The enemy has Qingtian City to die. After a period of time, and then quickly gather a large-scale army, our army will not be able to defeat the minority with more troops."

Lu Chen spoke calmly.

Lin Xi finally understood, but a bigger question immediately emerged in his mind: "In that case, why didn't you stop Xu Wen's people instead of letting him send the information smoothly? Also, you already know that the enemy is fully prepared. , the strategies of seizing Yongquan Pass and encircling Qingtian City with reinforcements have failed, so why did Governor Xiao still send his troops north?"

She knew that things were not that simple, because this guy Lu Chen didn't feel disappointed that his plan had been seen through at this moment. Instead, he had a hint of cunning to succeed in his schemes.

Although she was very curious, she still said softly: "If it is related to confidential military information, junior brother, don't tell me."

Lu Chen turned his head and glanced at the dim sky outside the window, and said softly: "Sister, please listen to me slowly."

……

Beiyan Dongyang Road leads to Shancheng City.

This place is located more than seventy miles north of Qingtian City, and they are located at the northern and southern ends of Yongfeng Road respectively.Yongfeng Road is one of the only two ways to enter Beiyan Dongyang Road from the north of Huaizhou. The other is a mountain trail blocked by Yongquan Pass.

Tongshan City is not as important as Qingtian City, but it can provide support to Qingtian City from the rear.

Since the beginning of the war, this area and Yongfeng Road have been under complete martial law. The spies from the Procuratorate and the elite military cavalry have blocked the passage to the south to prevent our own troops from being detected by the Southern Qi spies.

In the temporary commander's mansion in the city, Zhang Junsi was wearing military uniform. Chen Jingtang and Wang Shidao looked solemn. There was also a military commander who was nearly forty years old.

This man's name is Zhu Zhen, he is currently the general manager of the Moyang Road Military and Horse Department, and he is No. 1 under General Chen Xiaokuan.

Wang Shidao looked at Zhu Zhen and asked, "General Zhu, how is the situation on Moyang Road?"

Zhu Zhen, with a white face and short beard, said slowly: "Li Tianrun of the Southern Qi Dynasty is ready to make a move. The Jingzhou Army has invaded the territory one after another. However, General Chen has responded well and has prepared troops for war in key and dangerous areas. He received the military order from the Privy Council. Later, General Chen judged that Li Tianrun was echoing Xiao Wangzhi's counterattack and intended to attract our troops to stay where they were."

Chen Jingtang nodded slightly. Chen Xiaokuan was cautious and steady. Even if he mobilized his troops and retreated eastward to Tongshan City, he could still calmly deal with Li Tianrun's temptation.

Wang Shidao took over and said: "On Dongyang Road, the eight thousand defenders of Yongquan Pass are waiting for danger. So far, no Qi army has been found around. The enemy's powerful Feiyun Army is stationed more than ten miles outside the pass. Obviously, It’s just waiting for the opportunity to attack.”

Zhu Zhen then said: "May I ask Wang Shizheng, how is the battle situation in Qingtian City?"

Wang Shidao's eyes were calm: "It has now been established that the Nanqi Jing Army's Nanya Zhenwei and Dingwei units are responsible for taking turns to attack the city, while the Huwei Army is plundering the formation on the side. A few days ago, Xiao Wangzhi has led the Pingshan Army to arrive outside Qingtian City. According to our estimation, Xiao Wangzhi's elite troops, Zhenbei, Lai'an, and Taixing armies are hiding in the dark, waiting for our army's reinforcements to rush south in a hurry, and then they can rush out."

Zhang Junsi interjected: "Food and grass have been shipped one after another these days, which can last for three months for one hundred thousand troops. General Zhu, when can the follow-up troops on Moyang Road arrive here?"

Zhu Zhen said solemnly: "I have led [-] elite troops to arrive in advance. General Chen followed the military order of the Privy Council and dispatched another [-] troops and horses, which will arrive in six days. The [-] troops and horses on Jiangbei Road will arrive in about nine days. arrival."

Zhang Junsi quickly calculated that if the defenders in Qingtian City were included, his total strength would be about 11.

The Qi army will have about 12 troops at full strength.

The situation is still not optimistic.

Upon seeing this, Chen Jingtang said: "General Zhang, don't worry. Don't forget that we still have 5000 defenders in the Xinchang City area. In addition, the main cavalry of [-] people is also on the way."

Everyone in the hall couldn't help but get excited at this moment.

With 15 fighting against 12, at least our own troops had the advantage, and several Qi armies were exhausted from continuous sieges, and the balance of victory and defeat gradually tilted.

Zhang Junsi took a long test and said with a relaxed expression: "This battle can be fought."

Chen Jingtang smiled, turned to Wang Shidao and said: "Wang Shizheng is asking you to find a way to send a message to the defenders in Qingtian City. Our army is scheduled to arrive in the Qingtian Valley in twelve days, that is, at [-]:[-] on the third day of August. At that time, we will launch an attack on the Qi army. General attack!"

"Leader!"

Wang Shidao responded loudly.

……

On July 26, Qingtian City was still safe and sound and firmly in the hands of the Yan army.

During this period, the Qi army's attack intensity gradually decreased. Although it could still maintain pressure on the city wall, no too fierce offensive and defensive battles occurred.

From the perspective of the defenders in the city, the Qi army was clearly planning a long-term siege.

At sunset, in the Dingwei Army camp, Xu Wen, the commander-in-chief, received the message and hurriedly walked out of the commander's tent. He saw Xiao Wangzhi, the governor of Huaizhou, Yuan Xingqin, the chief general of the Huwei Army, and Hou Dayong, the chief general of the Zhenwei Army. A group of soldiers appeared in sight.

Seeing this, he subconsciously slowed down and was about to put on a smile to greet him when he suddenly glanced at a man behind Xiao Wangzhi who seemed to look familiar.

While he was thinking, he saw his deputy standing next to Hou Dayong, looking at him with extremely cold eyes.

That person is Su Yunqing!Warp Weaving Department Huaizhou inspection!
A thunderbolt struck in Xu Wen's mind, and his face instantly turned pale. He turned around and was about to run away with a few of his confidants. However, his eyes flashed, and more than a dozen experts from the Sutra Weaving Department appeared blocking the way.

Xiao Wangzhi said coldly: "Just capture him without any effort, and I will give you a happier death."

After hearing these words, Xu Wen didn't know that what he had done had been exposed. He only persisted for a few breaths, then turned around and knelt down to Xiao Wangzhi again, kowtowing, and begged: "Grand Governor, in the end, you will be forced to - —”

The sound stopped suddenly, and the warp weaving department's spies quickly removed his chin.

Xiao Wangzhi immediately ordered: "Su will inspect the school."

"The subordinate is here."

"Capture all Xu Wen and his cronies, and then take them to the capital immediately without any mistakes."

"The subordinate takes orders!"

"General Yuan, General Hou, Lieutenant General Zuo."

"The end is here!"

Yuan Xingqin, Hou Dayong and the deputy generals of Dingwei Army surrendered at the same time.

Xiao Wangzhi looked at the three of them and said solemnly: "To appease the officers and soldiers of the Dingwei Army, don't mention Xu Wen's collusion with the enemy and treason for the time being, and only accuse Xu Wen of other crimes, so as not to affect the morale of the army."

"Follow the order!"

The three responded in unison.

Yuan Xingqin glanced at Xu Wen who was lying limp on the ground, with a flash of contempt in his eyes, and then said to Xiao Wangzhi: "Grand Governor, we might as well let the Dingwei Army temporarily withdraw to regroup, and let the Huwei Army On top.”

Xiao Wangzhi nodded, looked at Su Yunqing again, and said calmly: "Just feint."

Although Yuan Xingqin still didn't know Xiao Wangzhi's true plan until this moment, compared with Xu Wen, he was obviously a real soldier. He didn't ask any more questions at the moment, and said with a cupped hand: "The last general takes orders!"

Xiao Wangzhi raised his head and glanced at the afterglow on the horizon, and a sharp light flashed deep in his eyes.

　Starting today, the update time will be adjusted to 12 noon~ I will catch up on my sleep first. I will update [-] words twice today and continue working hard tomorrow~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)