The Song army's camp was completely silent. The battle was not going well. The long siege in the west was broken, and the siege of Suiyang was actually solved.
The scouts came to report that the Yong army was changing the long north-south perimeter into an east-west one. Xiang Mi broke the silence and said: "My lord, the Yong army has as many as 30,000 reinforcements. It is difficult to capture Suiyang. We must beware of the Yong army's counterattack. Why not retreat temporarily and make other plans.”
The army was defeated for the first time and its morale was low. Liu Yu also felt powerless and had to order the retreat to the three cities of Mengxian, Yuxian and Gushu, and asked the Taiwei to propose joining the army. Zang Tao led five thousand troops to garrison Gushu, so Liu Qianzhi, the prefect of Jiangxia, His son Liu Kangzu led 5,000 troops to guard Yu County, and he led 20,000 troops to garrison Mengcheng.
However, Liu Yu did not wait and sent Mao Dezu to lead 10,000 troops to Wanbei to capture Jishi (now Chutianji, southeast of Caoxian County, Shandong Province), and Xiangmi to lead 8,000 troops to capture Shanfu City (today's Shanxian County, Shandong Province).
The Song army besieged Suiyang for two months. Mao Xiuzhi, the governor of Yanzhou, had recruited more than 16,000 troops and stationed them in Jishi, Shanfu, Chengwu and other cities. They were commanded by Jiyin Sima Pei Fangming.
When he heard that the Song army was coming, Pei Fangming took the initiative to lead his army to fight. He first fought with Mao Dezu in Mengzhu Jersey, charging into the formation with 800 cavalry, but Mao Dezu's army was defeated. Then Pei Fangming went east to intercept Xiang Mi's troops who were heading north. He fought five battles in three days, taking the lead and being brave every day. Xiang Mi felt that he was outmatched, so Shan's father also stayed behind closed doors and had to retreat to Yu County.
The two armies sent by Liu Yu to the north returned without success. Pei Fangming received Qi Ke's orders but did not pursue them. He was on standby in Jishi City. Both sides temporarily suspended their troops to rest and wait for the next decisive battle.
In August, Meng County County Government. Liu Yu was reviewing official documents. Although he was away on an expedition, Liu Muzhi would handle minor matters in the court, but Liu Muzhi would still ask for his opinion on important matters.
What he held in his hand was a report from Xu Xianzhi, which stated that Shangshu Zuopushe and Liu Muzhi were in poor health, coughing up blood, and their energy was not as good as before.
Liu Yu frowned. If Liu Muzhi had any good intentions and his rear was unstable, the attack on Yong might be in vain. Thinking of this, Liu Yu ordered: "Order Dr. Lu to turn Jiankang into a Taoist priest and diagnose diseases."
Putting down the report, Liu Yu frowned. He knew that he had ordered Wang Hong to succeed Dong Huai as the Minister of the Fifth Army, responsible for the recruitment of soldiers, food, and luggage. He also asked Xu Xianzhi to take over many affairs from Liu Muzhi. He probably let Liu Muzhi was worried and suffered from heart disease.
Liu Yu wrote a letter to Liu Muzhi, expressing his concerns and asking him to rest in peace. He was away on an expedition, so he could rest assured that he was in the court.
On the west wall of the lobby, there was a map about 10 feet high. Xie Hui and Fu Liang took the battle report, discussed it in low voices from time to time, and asked the servants to go up the ladder and dye it with red and black colors, depicting the two sides. The military situation.
In northern Jizhou, because Yong's army crossed Yishan and appeared near Gaixian County, Liu Huaishen was worried about the instability of his flank and rear flank, so he led his army to retreat to Dongguan County (today's Yishui, Linyi City, and the northern part of Juxian County. From the map, it is two miles apart from Dongguan City. (the city of Dongguan is located fifty or sixty miles south of Dongguan County), and his son Liu Rongzu was stationed in Gaixian area to prevent Yong's army from advancing from here. After the Song army retreated, Hu Fan did not follow up. Instead, he continued to guard Muling Pass and sent scouts to inquire about the Song army's movements and be ready to attack at any time.
In Jiangxia County, Nanxin City was captured, Shen Tianzi died in battle, and more than 3,000 of his soldiers and horses fled back. Wang Zhongde saw the fierce attack of Yong's army and stood firm in Anlu City. Yang Anxuan led his army to the north of Anlu City, and asked Shen Qingzhi to lead his army south to attack Quling City (today's Mahe Town in the northwest of Hanchuan City, Hubei Province).
Quling guard general Lu Zhongyuan first dug criss-crossing ditches outside Quling City, channeling Yunmengshui into the ditches, turning the surrounding area outside the city into a swamp. When Shen Qingzhi and his army arrived, they were unable to attack the city, so they had to dig ditches for drainage first. , but it rained one day before the water was drained, and eight days of hard work was in vain.
Zhu Lingxiu built tamping platforms and archery towers according to the terrain on both sides of the Jianshui River. Yu Qiujin led the navy to re-establish a stronghold at Jianshankou. He found out that the Yong army navy was hidden in Hengsangkou. He used iron cables to cross the river at Zengshan and stationed troops on both sides of the river. .
Whenever there is any change in the Yongjun navy, Jiukou will be informed in advance and be fully prepared. Qian Lei launched several sneak attacks but failed to achieve any results, so he had to retreat temporarily.
In Jiangling City, Liu Zhong relied on Jiangling City and firmly defended Ji'nan City. Zhijiang and Yaoyang were captured by the Yong army, and Liu Daolian was strictly ordered not to fight.
The only thing that comforted Liu Yu was that Tan Daoji of Nanyi Prefecture besieged Yin Ji's army in Nan'an City (
Today's Leshan City), Gao Jinzhi also recruited more than 2,000 new troops from Yueqi, Zhuti and other counties, greatly increasing his strength.
These soldiers walked in the mountains all year round, made a living by hunting, and were excellent in archery. Tan Daoji had nearly five thousand soldiers. With the help of these soldiers, Tan Daoji steadily controlled the situation. Yin Ji's army hid in Nan'an City and did not dare to fight.
Li Qiangxin surrendered to the Song Army and was eager to make contributions. He proposed to Tan Daoji to seize Ye'an County of Jianwei County (today's Rong County of Sichuan Province). Ye'an County was newly established by Yang Anxuan five years ago because Ye'an was located near Tieshan and Yang Anxuan had a smelting farm here. .
The iron mines recruited workers and received generous remuneration. Many people moved here and soon a small market town with more than a thousand households was formed.
The forging ground was a top priority. Yin Ji sent eight hundred Yong troops to guard it, led by Zhang Yan, the school captain. Ye'an County is actually a military town, and Zhang Yan also serves as the county magistrate.
Tan Daoji immediately ordered Gao Jinzhi and Li Qiang to lead five thousand troops to seize Ye'an County. If they could control this forging ground to provide the army with the weapons they needed, it would be a good thing with twice the result with half the effort. Moreover, Yong Jun's iron smelting technology is superb, and he may be able to capture some craftsmen, learn some advanced technologies, and improve the output of refined iron and the quality of weapons.
When he learned that the Song army was approaching, Zhang Yan made a decisive decision and ordered the mine inventories, craftsmen and people to be evacuated first, and he took 800 soldiers to set up an ambush in the mine.
There is no city wall in Ye'an County, only stones are used to build the wall. The Song army was not blocked and rushed straight in. Gao Jinzhi didn't care when he saw that there was no one in the market town. The main purpose of his trip was to occupy the mines and iron smelting equipment.
When I took people to the mine, I saw more than ten acres of empty land littered with ore and piles of charcoal scattered among them. When I walked to the iron smelting stove, I saw that the stove was still smoking and the firewood in the stove was still burning. , it seems that the people in the mine evacuated in a hurry.
Seeing the messy mine, Gao Shizhi suddenly thought that the accumulated ore and firewood and charcoal were blocking the road. It would be difficult for Yong's army to escape by using fire attacks.
Thoughts flashed across his mind, and before he could order an evacuation, the horn sounded, Yong troops ambushed in the mountains and forests, and rockets were fired at the firewood and charcoal piled in the mining area.
The weather in July was already hot, and the higher the temperature in the smelting field, the firewood had already dried out and was immediately ignited by the rocket, sending thick smoke billowing into the sky.
The Song army fled outwards, but was blocked by piles of ore and crowded together, making it increasingly difficult to move. Gao Jinzhi was in shock. If he was trapped in the mine by fire, he would suffer heavy casualties.
There was a "collapse" sound, and an iron smelting furnace burst. The hot molten iron flowed out, igniting the charcoal fire. Then the iron smelting furnaces exploded one after another, and the entire mine turned into a steamer.
Under the protection of his personal guards, Gao Jinzhi pushed away those who were in his way and staggered out. The air was scorching and it was difficult to breathe. Gao Jinzhi could smell the burnt smell emanating from his own hair.
After finally running out of the mining area, Gao Jinzhi looked at the burning mine. Countless soldiers were still trapped in it and it was difficult to escape. It was estimated that their lives could not be saved.
Gao Jinzhi lamented in his heart that this time he lost his wife and lost his troops. Even if he captured the Ye'an Mine, everything here would be in ruins and it would be impossible to provide ordnance for the army in a short time.
In Jiangzhou City, Zhu Lingshi had stabilized the situation. Knowing that the situation in Nan'an was tight, Zhu Lingshi and Zhang Feng discussed sending troops to Jiangyang to contain Tan Daoji's troops.
From Jiangzhou to Jiangyang, it is difficult to travel overland through high mountains and deep gorges, so the only option is to take the Yangtze River waterway. Zhu Lingshi and Zhang Feng both took boats when they went south, but these boats were old and difficult to compete with the navy led by Liu Cui.
Zhang Feng disapproved of sending troops and said: "My lord has ordered Feng Biejia to conquer the Qiang and Di tribes and enlist in the army. Nan'an City should be rescued soon. However, Ye'an County was captured by the Song army. We must guard against Tan Daoji's land and water advance and attack Jiang again." Zhoucheng."
Zhu Lingshi patted the case and said bitterly: "Li Qiang, this thief, knows the situation of our army very well. If we get the chance, we will kill him first."
Zhang Feng suggested: "The city of Jiangzhou has been stabilized. We might as well divide our troops and cross the river to build fortifications in Bajun on the south bank. This way, the north and south banks can coordinate with each other, and we can also control the waterway and prevent the Song Army's navy from running rampant."
On July 27, Zhang Feng led 200 ships and 7,000 soldiers to cross the river. He first set up ballistas and catapults at high places along the coast, and set up wooden fences on the river bank.
On the 29th, Liu Cui led his navy to come, but was blocked by stones and crossbow arrows. After losing more than a dozen ships, he gave up and returned to Jiangyang City.
On August 2, Sun Wan, the Danglu general, led 3,000 Qiang troops to Nan'an City; on August 6, Liwu general Peng Wei, who led 2,400 Di troops, arrived, boosting the morale of Nan'an City.
Yin Ji ordered Sun Wan to lead 3,000 troops to recapture Ye'an County. Under the leadership of Zhang Yan, the Yong army defeated the 2,000 Song troops stationed in Ye'an, and then retreated to Han'an City (today's Neijiang City), threatening Jiangyang City.
Due to the unrest on the east road, Tan Daoji was unable to retreat from Nan'an City and continued to guard Bodao City and Gao Jin to defend Jiangyang County. Liu Cui led the navy to look for fighters on the river.
In August, the five armies were much calmer, with only small-scale fighting taking place. Both sides were recharging their strength and preparing for the next fierce battle.
In the main hall of Mengxian County, a scribe came in and reported: "Song Gong, the envoy from the State of Wei is here to see me."
Liu Yu had been waiting for news from Wei for a long time. Calculating the time, this envoy should have appeared long ago. Since July, the war has been unfavorable, and Liu Yu increasingly hopes that the Wei army can attack Yong as soon as possible to break the situation.
He waved the attendants away, leaving only Xie Hui, Fu Liang and other close associates in the hall. The messenger came in and bowed and said: "The young minister of Honglu Temple and Zuo Cheng of the Military Intelligence Department, He Lang, have met my lord."
Of course, such a confidential matter as an envoy to the State of Wei must be handled by his own family. Liu Yu knew He Lang and said directly: "Yuanping, why did you delay reporting until now?".Ь.
He Lang smiled bitterly and said: "My lord is unaware of this. Yu arrived at Pingcheng on July 8th, but the Lord of Wei was not in Pingcheng. He went to Niuchuan for hunting. Yu did not dare to delay in Pingcheng and chased to Niuchuan. After arriving at Niuchuan, he learned that Wei The Lord went west, and Yu pursued him all the way to Yin Fanshui before he met the Lord of Wei."
Liu Yu knew that the Lord of Wei spent half a year out on patrol, so he asked, "How will Lord Wei respond?"
He Lang responded: "The Lord of Wei promised to wait until the Yellow River dries up and send 100,000 cavalry south to Yanzhou."
Xie Hui said with a smile: "I didn't expect that the Lord of Wei would be so boastful, and he would just have a hundred thousand cavalry. Doesn't he have to deal with Rou Ran and Feng Yan in the north?"
He Lang looked at Xie Hui squarely and said, "Xie joined the army. I don't know whether Lord Wei is boasting about Yu Yu, but Yu has seen with his own eyes that the number of people who went hunting with Lord Wei exceeded one hundred thousand."
Liu Yu asked in surprise: "Seriously?"
He Lang said in a seductive voice: "You privately gave away your property and inquired about the tribesmen of the Wei State who were accompanying you on the hunt. The Lord of Wei has recruited warriors from all tribes to accompany you this time, and the number of them is more than 100,000. These 100,000 light cavalry are only a handful in the Wei State. According to what he said, The number of Wei's light cavalry is at least 300,000, and there are tens of thousands of heavy cavalry."
Everyone in the hall took a breath, wondering how they could resist such a powerful Wei army if it went south. Liu Yu secretly regretted that when Wei State came to borrow food, he should not have agreed to them. Let Wei State starve to death more people, and the pressure would be much lighter.
Liu Yu originally planned to pacify Yang Anxuan, gather the officers and soldiers of the Yong Army, and cross the Yellow River to regain the territories of Hebei and Hebei in one go. However, it seems that he was arrogant and seriously underestimated the strength of the Wei army.
If the Wei army is allowed to cross the Yellow River and occupy the Siyan territory, depending on whether its own troops and horses can resist the Wei army's southward march, the story of the Feishui War will be difficult to repeat.
Liu Yu then put aside his thoughts and left the affairs of the Wei army to the future. He would first destroy Yang Anxuan and then worry about the Wei army in which round Yang Anxuan would get him.
