I

Page 310

There were two civilian husbands kneeling in front of Zhao Han, and he didn't know if they were spies, so he didn't bother to make him stand up and speak.

"Zhang Xianzhong really wanted to withdraw his army overnight, but you found out and asked you to escape and report to me?" Zhao Han asked with a frown.

A civilian husband said: "Zhao Tianwang, we really didn't talk."

Another farmer said: "The eight thieves asked us to carry food and grass before it was dark, and moved all of them to the valley in the northwest. They must be thinking of leading the troops to escape at night."

Zhao Han asked many more details, and waved someone to take them down.

Li Zheng still had that cautious character, and asked, "Should we interrogate separately?"

Zhao Han shook his head and said, "No need. These two are real civilian husbands, and there will be no result in the retrial. What is worrying now is whether Zhang Xianzhong deliberately let them go to lure us into the camp, but set up an ambush in the camp. Or lead us to chase into the ravine and set up an ambush attack in the ravine."

Lu Xiangsheng said: "Let's attack the camp with hundreds of elite infantry and cavalry first, and test whether there is an ambush in the enemy's camp. No matter what, first occupy the camp of the bandits."

"Yes, fight steadily, don't chase into the mountains for now." Li Zheng said.

Xiao Zongxian held up a candle, brought the candlelight close to the map of Huangzhou Prefecture, and asked in confusion: "Will Zhang Xianzhong not flee to the northwest?"

"He can either go out of the mountain to the northwest, or go out of the mountain to the north. No matter which way he goes, he will be surrounded by us step by step." Li Zheng said.

Xiao Zongxian pointed to a map and said, "Isn't there a large space here?"

Wang Hui, who had already returned to the team, explained: "There is a swamp, and it is impossible for the army to pass through. Even if it can pass here, it will take tens of thousands of troops a day to cross the swamp. Besides the swamp, it is not far from the main force of our army. He can easily catch up, he might as well flee to the northwest."

Zhao Han looked at the map again, feeling something was wrong.

If Zhang Xianzhong stayed in the camp, he would stick to it.Fleeing to the northwest, fleeing to the north, and finally crossing the river to the west, Zhao Han fell into the trap of mobilizing all kinds of troops to encircle and wipe him out step by step.

If you were Zhang Xianzhong, how would you choose?

It seems that there is no choice, no matter how you choose, it is a dead end.

There is indeed a valley in the west, and after passing through the valley to the southwest, you will face a large swamp.It was very close to Zhao Han's main force, and it was impossible to get out of the swamp for a while. If it was discovered that it would be more deadly than hitting halfway, it was impossible for someone who knew how to fight to walk in the swamp.

But Zhao Han just didn't feel right, because Zhang Xianzhong couldn't be dealt with so easily!

Just as everyone was discussing the military situation, several civilian husbands were brought in.

Some people say that Zhang Xianzhong's elite infantry entered the mountain ahead of time and might set up an ambush in the ravine.

Some people say that Zhang Xianzhong's elite went north, probably to forcibly cross Henggang Mountain.

The three pieces of information before and after can all confirm each other, but it confuses everyone even more.

Li Zheng said: "I suggest that first capture the enemy's camp, and then divide the troops to pursue after dawn. The infantry enters the mountain and advances carefully, and the cavalry goes around the exit from the mountain to intercept and support."

Wang Hui reminded: "If the elite of the enemy army goes north to Henggang Mountain, Guangji City cannot relax its vigilance. Zhang Xianzhong may kill the city at any time with his carbine."

Lu Xiangsheng also felt a little tricky: "Zhang Xianzhong is forcing us to divide our troops, and he is also deliberately leaking the news, so that we don't dare to go into the mountains to pursue, so as to buy time for ourselves to withdraw. He retreats at night with a lot of food and grass. Even if he sets up an ambush, as long as we Chasing him may also cause his army to flee."

"But we don't dare to gamble. Who knows what's going on in the mountains? It will be troublesome if we crash into the ambush circle." Li Zheng added.

Zhao Han's mind was a bit inadequate, not only did the generals lack experience in commanding large battles, but he himself was not as good as those generals under his command.

Zhao Han could only ask Lu Xiangsheng: "If General Lu were Zhang Xianzhong, how would he choose to fight?"

Lu Xiangsheng thought to himself: "This is the only way to do it. Set up an ambush, divide the troops to the north, and deliberately leak the news so that we don't dare to chase after them. Even if we chase, we must be careful not to steal the city."

Zhao Han didn't think about it for the time being, and ordered: "Immediately send hundreds of people to attack the camp. If there are no ambushes in the enemy camp, immediately block the entrance to the mountain after occupying the camp."

The night raiding troops rushed into Zhang Xianzhong's camp and found that the outer perimeter was completely empty, but there were a large number of civilians in the inner circle.Moreover, more and more civilians found that Zhang Xianzhong's army had left, so they ran for their lives towards Zhao Han's camp.

Noisy and chaotic, even if Zhao Han wanted to go into the mountain to pursue him, he was temporarily blocked by the civilian husband.

"The Great Harmony of the World!"

Shi Yongen yelled weakly, reaching out to grab the ankles of passers-by.

The night raider was startled, and was about to draw his knife to slash it, but he retracted it when he heard "Tianxia Datong", squatted down and said, "Let go of my feet first, and someone will come to rescue you later."

Shi Yongen smiled bitterly: "Comrade, I can't wait, I have an urgent military report."

"Are you from the Datong Society?" the night raider asked in surprise.

Shi Yongen's head became more and more confused, and he pulled himself together and said, "Go back and tell Mr. Zhao that Zhang Xianzhong will probably go to the swamp. I've been there. There are farmers and paddy fields on the edge of the swamp. It's not easy for an army of tens of thousands to bring food and grass. It is very easy to pass with only cavalry and cavalry."

How dare the night raiders be negligent, calling for their companions to come and help, one of them carried Shi Yongen back, and the other rushed to report the military situation.

Shi Yongen said to the soldier who was carrying him on his back: "I can't hold it anymore, please tell the doctor, and I will amputate my arm quickly."

"Understood, don't fall asleep." The soldier warned.

Shi Yongen thought he would be in a coma, but he was sober all the way, he admired his willpower a little bit.

If he survived, he might be able to become an official. After making such great contributions, why should he arrange for a small official to do it.

Shi Yongen is a scholar, but it's a pity that he didn't pass the exam as a scholar.

When Zhao Han got the news, including Lu Xiangsheng, he was puzzled.

Lu Xiangsheng was puzzled: "If we only take the cavalry and cavalry to leave the swamp, Zhang Xianzhong's tens of thousands of elite infantry and food will be gone?"

"That's right, how can there be such a war?" Li Zheng was even more puzzled. With his personality, even if the entire army died in battle, he would not leave tens of thousands of troops behind.

"Can he do such a thing?" Zhao Han asked.

"He could do it before, but now he has a territory, how can..." Lu Xiangsheng suddenly had a flash of inspiration, "Zhang Xianzhong must have set up an ambush in the northwest valley, and he can delay our army and keep the food and grass as much as possible. He The elite soldiers who crossed Henggang Mountain in the north were also sent there. They could attack Guangji City according to the situation, or go around to the northwest according to the situation. Even if our army killed them, all the elite infantry could escape to the north through the valley. It will take at least several days for our army to completely surround these people."

Wang Hui was confused: "But he escaped directly from the northwest mountain pass, wouldn't it have the same effect? ​​And he can escape faster. What is the purpose of his cavalry and horse team crossing the swamp?"

"Could it be attacking us from behind?" Xiao Zongxian couldn't figure it out either.

Lu Xiangsheng stared at the map and pondered for a while, then suddenly clenched his fists and said, "He wants to take the cavalry and run for dozens of miles overnight to surprise our troops besieging Qizhou. If he succeeds in the attack, the next target is Wujiaxue. There are If our army's food and grass are destroyed by him, our army's food and grass may be burned to nothing."

Everyone suddenly realized, and felt that Zhang Xianzhong was really cruel.

Zhang Xianzhong must have made a good plan. Once the infantry in the mountain couldn't hold on, he would probably burn his own food before he escaped through the mountain, and he went to attack and burn Zhao Han's food and grass.

This style of play has a high probability of losing both sides, and everyone will lose food and grass together.

Moreover, Zhang Xianzhong's cavalry and cavalry may not go back to join the infantry after burning the food and grass at Wujiaxue.He will continue to fight eastward, burning, killing and looting in Zhao Han's hinterland, and coercing the people with war support.The elite infantry crossed mountains and ridges all the way, and did not choose to cross the river at all. They would definitely starve to death on the way, but how much they could go back was better than being hit by half-crossing the river.

Lu Xiangsheng gritted his teeth: "This guy has become a rogue again, this is the usual way of rogues!"

Zhao Han quickly made a decision: "Li Zheng led the troops, rode mules to Chilong Lake, and returned to Qizhou by boat for rescue. Lu Xiangsheng led the cavalry and ran straight south to the Yangtze River, blocking the way from Qizhou to Wujiaxue. Kuaiqi told the mayor and peasants and soldiers of Wujiaxue to be wary of thieves and cavalry."

Zhao Han wanted to surround Zhang Xianzhong step by step, but Zhang Xianzhong took the initiative to divide them into several parts.

More than half of the civilians threw it to Zhao Han, and the remaining half of the civilians were ready to throw it at any time.Tens of thousands of elite infantry were divided into two parts, and they were always ready to flee into the mountains or fight guerrillas during the ambush.As for Zhang Xianzhong's food and grass, it is estimated that all the fire starters are ready, and all of them will be burned and will not be left to Zhao Han.

And Zhang Xianzhong himself led more than 1 cavalry and horse teams, and also led thousands of empty mules.First cross the valley in the west, then march from the edge of the swamp, and after passing through the swamp, rush around Chilong Lake to attack Qizhou!

Qizhou City is Zhang Xianzhong's site, and under the attack of the defenders, and it is a night attack, Zhao Han's siege troops are likely to collapse.

Li Zheng led the whole army on mules and rushed to Chilong Lake desperately.

Really desperate, desperate for the life of the mule.

Mules have great stamina, but they are not good at running fast. If they are forced to accelerate the march, they will die even if they reach the destination.

Before the mule team, there was also a horse, Warima, which ran to Chilong Lake as a messenger, and then changed boats to report to the friendly army outside Qizhou City.

Zhang Xianzhong set off when it was dark, but he needed to cross the edge of the swamp and run around Chilong Lake.However, the messengers sent by Zhao Han were dragged until the second watch, but they could ride horses or boats in a straight line.

It's really hard to say who will arrive at Qizhou first.

Chapter 375 [Run away again]

Zhang Xianzhong, Li Zicheng, Luo Rucai, Lao Huihui...these northwestern rogues may have no other specialties, but they are very capable of breaking through.

As soon as Zhao Han pouted his butt, Zhang Xianzhong knew what shit he was going to do.

You must not go to the west. Zhao Han must be secretly mobilizing troops. Withdrawing from the west will completely fall into the encirclement!

This is the experience heaped up with human life. Zhang Xianzhong spent several years in being surrounded and breaking out.

Luo Rucai also knew that if he returned directly to the army, he would be surrounded, so he proposed to flee eastward.

Sun Kewang also knew the same, so he proposed to drag repeatedly, taking advantage of the loopholes in the constant mobilization of troops between the two sides.

Zhang Xianzhong was still the most vicious. After Zhao Han's main force appeared, he immediately decided to take only the cavalry to attack and counterattack.If the raid is successful, it will make a lot of money. Even if the raid fails, as long as Zhao Han does not return to the army in time, Zhang Xianzhong can slip away calmly.

As for those elite infantry, in Zhang Xianzhong's view, they could no longer fight, at least they couldn't fight tough battles on the way to withdraw.

After more than half a month of siege battles, especially the last siege, the morale of the whole army has dropped to the extreme, and the Datong army has already become afraid.If Zhang Xianzhong retreats with such troops, he feels that he is looking for death, so he might as well separate the cavalry from the infantry!

More than 1 cavalry and horse teams rushed quickly with thousands of mules carrying a small amount of food and fire starter on their backs.

They descended from an unexpected direction, namely the west side of Chilong Lake.

The rivers there are criss-crossed, and the paddy fields are everywhere, let alone the cavalry, even marching fast is enough.

But Zhang Xianzhong is here, and Sun Kewang is the guide himself, because this belongs to Sun Kewang's territory and he is very familiar with various rivers and terrains.

In order to strengthen his control over wealthy areas, Sun Kewang paved dirt roads in key states and counties.Although these dirt roads are only two meters wide, they can be used for cavalry, and it is very convenient to go to the countryside to collect food.

Under the moonlight, between the complicated river network and farmland, Zhang Xianzhong's entire army galloped holding torches.

It even crossed two small rivers on the way. The bridges on those small rivers were not built by Sun Kewang, but were built by local gentry in the middle of Ming Dynasty.

Sun Kewang stopped and said, "Father, we are less than ten miles away from Qizhou. You can order the whole army to put out the torches first."

Zhang Xianzhong ordered the whole army to dismount their horses and bind their hooves, and continued to advance after putting out the torches.

He also sent envoys to contact the defenders in the city.

The Datong army said it was besieging the city, but it was actually stationed in the north and south of Zhu Lake, with many ships docked in the middle to communicate, and there was Li Shizhen's tomb at the place where the ships stopped.

Lu Xiangsheng had already guessed the direction of Zhang Xianzhong's surprise attack, but his marching route was contrary to Lu Xiangsheng's guess.Instead of going around to the east side of Chilong Lake, they went around the more difficult but closer west side, causing Zhao Han's cavalry to rush in the wrong direction.

It's not completely wrong to jump in the wrong direction, as long as it is stuck there, Zhang Xianzhong can be prevented from fleeing eastward.

"Enemy attack, enemy attack! Light the beacon!"

About six miles northwest of Qizhou City, there is a camp on a small hill, in which a thousand Datong farmers and soldiers are stationed.

Although Zhang Xianzhong hid it well, he still exposed his whereabouts.

"Go full speed ahead!"

Zhang Xianzhong could only mobilize ahead of time, regardless of this camp, the whole army rushed towards the main camp in the northeast of Qizhou City.

After the beacon smoke rose from the camp, it had little effect, because it was night, and the friendly troops a few miles away could not see at all.They blew their trumpets vigorously, but it was also ineffective. This camp was used to spread news during the day.

However, they forced Zhang Xianzhong to march faster, and the sound of rumbling horseshoes quickly awakened Jiang Liang in the camp.

"Woo! Whoa! Whoa!"

The brass whistle sounded in the camp, whether it was farmers, soldiers or peasants, they all quickly got up and assembled separately.

Many of the civilian husbands here are farmers and soldiers themselves!

A surprise attack is also considered a surprise attack. Jiang Liang was killed by surprise, and he couldn't make a perfect defense in a hurry. Fortunately, Zhang Xianzhong didn't know about it until he was thrown outside the camp.

The defenders in the city also rushed out to cooperate with Zhang Xianzhong to attack the camp at night.

It was the northern camp that was attacked, and there was a southern camp on the other side of the lake.

Yu Liangfu, the leader of the southern battalion, quickly assembled his troops. Instead of taking a boat to rescue his allies, he led [-] peasants and [-] peasants to attack Jizhou City!

"Heroes, let's kill together!"

Zhu Hekun drew his waist knife and shouted loudly, rushing towards Qizhou city like crazy.

This guy belongs to the clan of King Jing, and his father's title is General Zhen Guo.Zhang Xianzhong led troops to kill, most of King Jing's lineage was killed, and the rest fled.

Fortunately, Zhang Xianzhong did not pass by, and he did not burn down Jingwang's mansion, county prince's mansion, princess lord's mansion, Zhenguo general's mansion, and Fuguo general's mansion like in history.

Zhu Hekun was lucky. He was placed in Jiangxi, and he was the subject of suppression, but now he can serve as the leader of the Datong Army.

The northern battalion had already started to fight, and the soldiers from the southern battalion raced against the clock. After half an hour, they finally rushed to the Qizhou city.Due to time constraints, I didn't bring the kind of ladders with winches and hooks, and they were all simple ladders that were easily overturned.

The city wall of Qizhou was about 5.8 meters high. Because half of the troops were dispatched out of the city to help Zhang Xianzhong attack at night, there were only [-] defenders left in the city.

The first siege failed, and more than 400 Datong soldiers were killed or injured.

At this moment, the city suddenly caught fire.

How could it be possible that the city closest to Zhao Han's territory did not have meticulous work?

"Kill the bandit Zhang and welcome the King of Wu!"

"Kill the bandit Zhang and welcome the King of Wu!"

The first responders were big households in the city. The land in Qizhou was so fertile that the big households had all their suburban properties robbed.They lived in the city and were often exploited, and their life became more and more difficult every day. Only by driving Zhang Xianzhong away could they live a normal life.