While Liu Yan led his troops to leap forward thousands of miles and rushed to the Hunan battlefield, the situation on the Hunan battlefield changed very quickly.
During this period, Zuo Liangyu showed great power and led his troops to defeat Zhang Xianzhong's troops at Gouping Pass. Zhang Dingguo and Zhang Kewang led their troops to fight to the death before repelling Zuo Liangyu's pursuit. Then Zuo Liangyu's troops led the defeated troops to flee to Sichuan.
After the Ming army troops returned to camp, Zuo Liangyu suggested to Yang Sichang that the Ming army troops should enter Sichuan from the Hanyang and Xixiang areas to pursue them.
However, Yang Sichang was going to let Shaanxi Governor Zheng Chongjian lead He Renlong and Li Guoqi's troops from Xixiang into Sichuan to pursue him, and asked Zuo Liangyu to garrison troops to bring peace, and at the same time send partial generals to pursue Zhang Xianzhong. Zuo Liangyu naturally would not agree.
Yang Sichang said to Zuo Liangyu: "It seems that the thieves cannot enter Sichuan, so they should still go to the Qin Dynasty. The general enters Sichuan from Hanyang and Xixiang. If the thieves rush to Pingli from the old road and still enter the bamboo house, how will they be defended?" ? Otherwise, if we go to Ningchang, go to Gui, Wu, and join forces with Cao Cao, I will chase them with my generals to encourage the thieves to rebel against Chu. This is not a calculation."
To put it bluntly, Yang Sichang was just worried: What if Zhang Xianzhong's troops slipped back to Hubei?
Zuo Liangyu immediately retorted: "The land of Shu is fertile and fertile. It is difficult to control thieves if they cross the dangers and run away. Moreover, if thieves enter Sichuan, they will have food to feed them, but if they return to Yun, they will have no land to plunder. It is obvious that they will no longer run into Chu territory." . When soldiers are united, they are strong, but when divided, they are weak. Liu Guoneng and Li Wanqing have been left to guard Yun. If another 3,000 troops are sent to Shu and stationed in Xingping, the army is already thin. Can the thieves come to contain them? Now we should attack them unexpectedly. After that, a big attack naturally collapsed and turned back to the house and bamboo. The traces of people were cut off. Where did they get food? What's more, Yun's soldiers blocked it in front, Qin's Fu was in Zi, and Xing blocked it on the right. It was bound to fail. If Ningchang , Gui, Wu are dangerous and far away, Cao Cao and Xian Zhong are no less loyal. If you are poor and return to Cao, you will be devoured by the enemy, and your death will be immediate."
Zuo Liangyu's meaning is also very clear, that is, Zhang Xianzhong has suffered a big loss and will not run back to Hubei. The reason is very simple. Hubei has no food, so Zhang Xianzhong can only lead his troops into Sichuan to raise money and food.
Yang Sichang had no choice but to follow Zuo Liangyu's suggestion and ordered all Ming army units to turn towards Sichuan and began to pursue Zhang Xianzhong's troops with all their strength.
A few days later, Zhang Xianzhong led his troops to Taiping County, Kuizhou Prefecture, Sichuan, and set up camp on the bank of the Dazhu River.
Immediately afterwards, Zuo Liangyu arrived with his troops and led the Ming army to station at Yuxidu not far away.
Just two days later, Shaanxi Governor Zheng Chong led He Renlong, Li Guoqi and other troops to join Zuo Liangyu. Seeing that the Ming army was strong, Zhang Xianzhong, after consulting with his adopted sons Zhang Dingguo and Zhang Kewang, immediately moved his troops to Jiuguonping and ordered his adopted son Zhang Nengxiu to lead the army to occupy Manao Mountain. He then led the main army up the mountain, preparing to defend the danger.
At this time, Zhang Xianzhong's troops still had more than 80,000 troops. In addition to the women and children who had gone out to kidnap him, there were also 60,000 soldiers, and their strength was still there.
The army of bandits who retreated to Agate Mountain with Zhang Xianzhong also included Ge Liyan He Yilong's 20,000 troops, Cao Wei's 17,000 troops, and Zhang Tianlin's 30,000 troops.
At this time, everyone gathered with Zhang Xianzhong's Chinese army tent. After discussion, according to Zhang Dingguo's suggestion, the bandit army was divided into three groups, and the troops were divided to guard the three roads up the mountain.
Zhang Xianzhong led his troops to occupy the Chu-Shu border and guard the West Road. This was also the best road in Agate Mountain and the most difficult to defend. Ge Liyan He Yilong led his troops to guard the east road, while Cao Wei and Guo Tianxing Zhang Tianlin led their troops to guard the south road.
After everyone discussed it, they immediately divided their troops and deployed their defenses.
However, what Zhang Xianzhong and others did not expect was that the Ming army would follow them that day.
Zuo Liangyu and Zheng Chongjian each led their armies to the foot of Agate Mountain. After a night of exploration, the Ming army was divided into three groups. Zuo Liangyu led his troops to attack the West Road and the East Road, while Zheng Chongjian's Qin army mainly attacked the South Road. .
When Yang Sichang led the follow-up troops to arrive at the foot of Agate Mountain, the first thing he did was to send someone to contact Liu Yan and ordered Liu Yan to immediately change the gathering place and rush to Agate Mountain to join him.
Then Yang Sichang, under the protection of a group of personal guards, came to the foot of Agate Mountain to observe the terrain.
Agate Mountain is located in Taiping County, Kuizhou Prefecture, Sichuan. It has beautiful mountains, many strange rocks, trees, and streams. The army of bandits is stationed on the mountain, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack.
Moreover, since there are many streams and springs in the mountains, as well as many wild animals and fruits, it is not possible for the Ming army to blindly encircle Zhang Xianzhong's tribesmen and thieves.
Yang Sichang frowned. Now he has three troops under his command. Zuo Liangyu's tribe has more than 40,000 people. He Renlong's tribe led by Shaanxi Governor Zheng Chongjian has more than 20,000 people. Li Guoqi's tribe has more than 10,000 troops. The total strength of the Ming army is There are only more than 80,000 people. Compared with the hundreds of thousands of bandits' army, they have no advantage in terms of strength. If they attack by force, they will suffer too much.
"But fortunately there is the Dazhu River nearby, so the army can use water nearby."
After Yang Sichang returned to the camp, he immediately summoned the generals of various ministries to discuss countermeasures. Zheng Chongjian immediately advocated besieging Zhang Xianzhong's troops, and then reported to the emperor to mobilize troops. When the troops were sufficient, they would attack the mountain together.
He Renlong and Li Guoqi were both subordinates of Zheng Chongjian, so they naturally agreed with Zheng Chongjian's suggestions. And there is no need to attack Agate Mountain, so why wouldn't the two of them do it?
Yang Sichang also had this intention. Anyway, Liu Yan's troops are on the way and will arrive in a dozen days at most. It is said that after Liu Yan's expansion, he will have more than 20,000 elite new troops in his hands, and their combat power is very strong. Then they can attack Agate together. Mountain, maybe we can wipe out Zhang Xianzhong and other bandits in one fell swoop.
But Zuo Liangyu disagreed. Now that he has fought several battles with Zhang Xianzhong, Zuo Liangyu can be said to have won consecutive battles. He already despises Zhang Xianzhong in his heart. He thinks that the famous Zhang Xianzhong is nothing more than this, and he must never let Zhang Xianzhong and other bandit leaders breathe. When you are angry, you must continue to chase and fight.
So Zuo Liangyu said: "Supervisor, now the bandit tribes are exhausted. After losing consecutive battles, the morale of the bandit army is low. This is a great opportunity for our army to seize the victory and pursue it. If our army stands still at the foot of the mountain, Zhang Xianzhong and other troops can Rest and recuperate on Agate Mountain, otherwise our army’s previous battle results will be in vain!”
Yang Sichang frowned slightly, looked at the arrogant Zuo Liangyu, and said: "Our army does not have enough troops. If we forcefully attack the mountain, I am afraid that the casualties of the various soldiers will increase greatly."
"The thieves are all mud-legged, and they will collapse at the first touch. Although our army does not have many troops, they are all elite soldiers. As long as the soldiers use their lives, they can attack the Agate Mountain in a day or night!"
Zuo Liangyu looked at Zheng Chongjian, He Renlong, and Li Guoqi, who had serious faces, and said with a sneer: "They say the Qin army is tough, can't they even chew down this mere agate mountain?" 33
He Renlong stood up suddenly and looked at Zuo Liangyu glaring angrily. Li Guoqi also glared over, with anger lingering on his face.
Zheng Chongjian smiled and said: "General Zuo is eager to achieve meritorious service, and his mood is understandable. However, whether or not to attack Agate Mountain, and when to attack, we must obey the command of the commander."
Yang Sichang waved his hand, everyone sat down first, and then said: "Now that our army is short of troops, attacking blindly is not an option. But what General Zuo said makes sense. It is true that the Xianthiers cannot be allowed to rest and recuperate."
"so……"
Yang Sichang pondered for a moment, as if he had made up his mind, and said: "All the ministries will gather to attack tomorrow. Let's test the situation of the Xianthief troops first. If the Xianthief troops collapse at the first touch, our army will take down Manao Mountain in one go. But if the Xianthief troops resist fiercely, , our army suspended the attack and waited for reinforcements."
Zuo Liangyu, Zheng Chongjian and others looked at the amiable Yang Sichang with disdain, but that was all they could do.
The next day, various departments of the Ming army began to attack the mountain.
The three warlords He Renlong, Li Guoqi, and Zuo Liangyu attacked fiercely. Zuo Liangyu even wore armor and stood in front of the formation. He roared loudly and ordered his troops to rush forward. For a moment, there was the sound of firecrackers and the sound of arrows piercing the air. , the roars of the soldiers were intertwined, and the sound of killings on the west and east roads was loud.
In comparison, the momentum on the South Road was smaller, but He Renlong and Li Guoqi also tried their best. They sent their own servants to supervise the battle in front, and they beat Cao Wei and Guo Tianxing Zhang Tianlin who were guarding the South Road to the point where they could not hold their heads up. , the two sides fought and fought repeatedly in the mountains, and the battle was very fierce.
At this time, Yang Sichang and Zheng Chongjian stood under the protection of a large number of Ming troops, frowning as they looked at the fierce battle in the distance at Agate Mountain.
"Superintendent, it seems that the fighting spirit of the Xianthiers is still very high."
Yang Sichang said: "Let all the ministries continue to attack and fight for another hour!"
Zheng Chongjian frowned slightly and said, "That's fine, but I'm worried that the casualties of various departments will be too great."
"There is no other way. In the battle to attack the mountain, we can only risk our lives."
The two sides fought fiercely for more than an hour. Although the army of bandits was flanked by various units of the Ming army, the formation of bandits on the mountain still refused to retreat, which shocked Yang Sichang, Zheng Chongjian and others. Even Zuo Liangyu frowned and felt something in his heart. A hint of retreat.
In the afternoon, Zhang Dingguo gathered 5,000 elite soldiers and launched a counterattack on the West Road. Five thousand elite rogue soldiers opened the way with large shields and spears. Under the command of Zhang Dingguo, they succeeded in the surprise attack. They actually pushed back Zuo Liangyu's troops and killed them. The soldiers and horses were driven back hundreds of steps.
Later, Zhang Nengqi and Zhang Wenxiu each led thousands of troops to follow up. There were signs of breaking out from the west road. Zuo Liangyu was shocked when he saw this, and hurriedly mobilized heavy troops to encircle him. Ten thousand Ming troops rushed up the mountainside again and fought with Zhang Dingguo. , Zhang Nengqi, and Zhang Wenxiu started fighting. After all, the bandit army was poorly equipped and was defeated again and again. Its morale was already very low. After a stalemate, it began to collapse and was driven back to the mountain by the Ming army again.
In the evening, the Ming army and the bandits each stopped.
Both Zhang Xianzhong and Yang Sichang were deeply shocked by this battle.
Because the Ming army was good at fighting, Zhang Xianzhong temporarily gave up the decision to break out and chose to defend Agate Mountain in order to consume the Ming army's strength.
And Yang Sichang also gave up his plan to continue the fierce attack. After all, in today's battle, various departments of the Ming army lost thousands of people. This small force cannot withstand such consumption.
So Yang Sichang ordered the ministries to block the roads in Agate Mountain to prevent Zhang Xianzhong's ministries from breaking out and wait for the arrival of reinforcements.
This time, Zuo Liangyu did not stand up to object again. After all, most of the thousands of soldiers who were lost were his own troops. Now that it has been proven that Agate Mountain cannot be conquered easily, Zuo Liangyu is naturally happy to suspend the war temporarily.
Subsequently, the scouts and small groups of troops from both sides engaged in contact battles almost every day, but the large-scale fighting was suspended. Whether it is Zhang Xianzhong or Yang Sichang, both sides are waiting for the opportunity to break the situation.
In the blink of an eye, at the end of June, Liu Yan led more than 28,000 New Army officers and soldiers to the Ming Army Camp in Manao Mountain.
Some people died, but not completely...
