In November, the Yellow River began to freeze, and in the second half of the year, people could walk on the ice. The scouts of Wei and Yong began to spy on each other's defenses.
Lu Rail froze the wooden fence into the ice, forming a long fence wall along the coast. The sharpened wood faced outward, blocking the ice road like a sharp spear, leaving only a few gaps in the fence wall to facilitate entry and exit.
The Wei army also put on a strict defensive posture. They built archery towers and dug trenches on the north bank, and patrolled with light cavalry. Even the scouts could not penetrate deep.
Mao Xiuzhi, the governor of Yanzhou, came to work with his troops with provisions and baggage. He and Lu Gui stood at Baima Jin and looked at the other side. They looked at the smooth and crystal-clear ice and said, "The Yellow River is frozen. Wei Qi can directly cross the river on the ice. Don't be careless with the elephant's teeth."
In September, he used Queyue Formation to defeat the Wei army at Liyangjin. Lu Gui was full of confidence, and the Yong army officers were also in high morale and did not pay attention to the Wei army on the other side.
Pointing to the archery towers on the other side, Lu Gui said with a smile: "The Wei army has been killed and their courage has been shattered. You see, Mao Cishi, they have set up archery tower posts all over the other side. They obviously dare not go south."
Mao Xiuzhi said solemnly: "The Wei army has more than 30,000 soldiers and horses on the north bank, and they are still stronger than our army. There are many places to cross the Yellow River after it freezes, and the defense line is too long. Once the Wei army moves south in a large scale, it will be easy to break through the defense line."
Lu Gui said disapprovingly: "Yu Zhengchou is well-defended on the north bank. If the Wei army dares to cross the river and go south, Yu Zheng will lead his army to attack it."
Seeing Lu Gui's high spirits and confidence, Mao Xiuzhi couldn't say much because after all, the reinforcements led by Lu Gui were not under his control.
There are several types of generals under the command of Yonggong. One is the Yang family members, such as Yang Siping, Yang Zijing, Yang Anyuan, etc. The old Yang family members such as Zhao Tian can also be classified into this category.
The second category is those who followed Yang Anxuan in his early years, such as Wang Zhene, Liu Zhong, Meng Longfu, Kuai En, Yu Fei, Yin Ji, Cen Minghu, Ding Quan, Huang Fu, Qi Ke, Qian Lei, Chen Yu, Xu Xiaozhong , Wang Quanyi and others, these people gradually became the main force in Yong Gong's army.
The third is the future that Yang Anxuan later trained. Represented by Zhang Feng, Shen Qingzhi, Du Ji and others, a group of soldiers who fought bravely and were loyal to Yong Gong were promoted and reused and became new talents in the army.
My own category belongs to those who later followed Yong Gong, such as the Zhu Lingshi brothers, Lu Zong's father and son, Wang Huilong, Fu Hongzhi, and those who surrendered after destroying the (Southern) Yan, Qiao Shu, Yao Qin and other countries. This kind of people are the most mixed, and Yang Anxuan's attitude towards this kind of people is different.
On the surface, it seems that Yang Anxuan attaches great importance to this kind of people. He and Lu Zongzhi are both state governors and have high positions of power. Brothers Zhu Lingshi, Fu Hongzhi, Wang Huilong and Lu Gui are at least county guards, and they also hold great power in the army. Some of the surrendered generals continued to lead troops, while others were placed under the staff.
Yonggong retained these people firstly to use their talents, and secondly to show them to the world, so that they could receive and demote generals in the future. People like Fu Hongzhi, Lu Gui and Wang Huilong recognized Yang Anxuan highly and naturally became Yong Gong's trusted confidants.
Since he was sitting on the fence between Song Gong and Yong Gong, he would naturally not be trusted by Yong Gong. Mao Xiuzhi showed a wry smile. Zhu Lingshi, Sima Qike, Xingyang Prefect, Wang Huilong and others in Yanzhou actually had the power of the general. Kong, fortunately, Yanzhou still has the final say in government affairs. In the future, he may be able to compete for the positions of Jiuqing and Shangshu.
As Yonggong's power increased, the civil and military forces around him gradually formed their own power. Mao Xiuzhi felt that he also had to spend some energy on cultivating some cronies. Last year, Yanzhou assigned more than a dozen successful candidates for the imperial examination. Maybe these people Will become my own helper in the future. …
Jixian County is located in the north of the Yellow River, at the east foot of Taihang, and on the shore of Wei River. It was first established as a county in the Western Han Dynasty, and then as a county in the Western Jin Dynasty, with Jicheng as its administrative center.
At noon, Yu Lixi led a hundred cavalry into Jicheng from the east gate and went to the residence of Shusun Jian, the Marquis of Shouguang in the state capital. He had already received an order from Shusun Jian to come and discuss matters.
In his early years, Shusun Jian followed Emperor Daowu in his southern and northern campaigns and made many meritorious deeds. After Tuoba Si came to the throne, he worshiped him as general of the Chu army and governor of Xuzhou. This time Tuoba Si ordered his uncle Sun Jian to attack Yansi and add General Zhennan to his command.
Yu Lixi and Shusun Jian were old acquaintances. They were both over fifty years old and had fought side by side on the battlefield. This was because Shusun Jian's father, Shusun Gu, was raised by the Empress Dowager, the mother of Emperor Zhaocheng Tuoba Shiyijian. , with the same status as the prince, so Shusun Jiancheng became Shouguang Hou, while Yu Lixi was just a male from Xincheng County.
Uncle Sunjian was very happy when he saw his old friend
Xing, ordered people to serve food and wine, and the two chatted while eating.
"Li Wei, Duke Nanping's attack on Yishi City is not going well. Your Majesty has decided to patrol the west of Yunzhong City (today's southwest of Yuanping County, Shanxi and north of Taiyuan)." Shusun Jian said calmly.
Yu Lixi was stunned and said: "Your Majesty still wants to use troops against Yong?"
Shusun Jiandao said, "Your Majesty has brought 20,000 elite troops to Yunzhong City, hoping to cross the Yellow River westward."
Yu Lixi recalled the map in his mind and said: "Crossing the river is the land of Qianghu, which was originally the territory of Xia Kingdom Helianbobo. After Helianbobo was killed by Yang Anxuan, his son was divided into three, Helianyan Occupying the city of Dai Lai and claiming the title of Great Chanyu, your Majesty does not want to attack Helianyan."
Uncle Sun Jian used a silver knife to remove the meat from the leg of the lamb, dipped it in fine salt and put it in his mouth, saying: "Your Majesty asked Yu and Duke Nanping to go south to attack Jin, but both armies returned without success. Although Your Majesty did not Blame, how can we, the ministers, feel at ease?"
Yu Lihuan put down the silver knife in his hand and said solemnly: "Marquis Shouguang, please give me your orders. The general will obey your orders."
Shusun Jiandao said: "Two days ago, Nanping Gong and Yu discussed it and decided to send troops to attack Xingyang together."
Xingyang is located between Jicheng and Yewang City. Shusun Jian and Changsun Song put their attack direction in Xingyang and prepared to attack Xingyang from Yumen Ferry.
"Yu and Duke Nanping agreed to send 20,000 troops each. He would lead the army to attack Chenggao Pass, while Yu would lead his troops to take Xingyang City." Shusun Jian glanced at Yu Lixi and said, "Wang Huilong, the prefect of Xingyang in Jin Dynasty, is on the bank of Si River. While building fortifications, Li Feng knew that you were extremely brave and wanted you to lead the army as a vanguard to clear the obstacles."
As the 40,000-strong army marched south to Yumen Ferry, Yu Lixi felt refreshed and said with a smile: "The ice surface at Yumen Ferry is open and suitable for the army to deploy. It is much better to cross the river this time than at Baimajin."
Shusun Jiandao said: "The army is attacking Xingyang. Liyangjin must strengthen its defense to prevent Yong's army from counterattacking across the river."
Yu Lixi smiled confidently and said: "The fortifications built by Yu on the north bank are so tight that as long as five or six thousand people are left to defend them, it will be difficult for Yong's army to break the formation."
Shusun Jiandao said: "You have 26,000 soldiers and horses under your command (after gathering Abogan's soldiers and horses), leaving ten thousand people to defend you. I will assign ten thousand people from Jicheng to you. You must capture Xingyang City." XiuShu.com......
At midnight on December 8, Wang Huilong, the prefect of Xingyang, received an urgent report, and the Wei army crossed the river in large numbers across the ice.
The Wei army was stationed in Jicheng and Yewangcheng, and Wang Huilong set up his tent on the east bank of the Sishui River to be ready for emergency response at any time.
After the Yellow River froze, the iron cable across the river at Yumen Ferry became ineffective. Wang Huilong urged the soldiers to pour water on the river embankment to form an ice embankment to prevent the Wei army from crossing the river.
There were 3,000 defenders in Chenggao Pass to the west of Yumen Ferry, and they were defending according to the danger. It was impossible for the Wei army to break the city in a short time. Wang Huilong was worried that the Wei army would break through from the east bank like the previous time and seize Xingyang, Dasuo and other cities. .
When he rushed to the shore, Wang Huilong saw the Wei army marching on foot in a long formation on the ice without dispatching light cavalry. Looking around, the entire ice surface was covered by Wei troops, at least ten thousand people.
"Prepare the catapult."
The Wei army was still two or three hundred steps away from the river bank, when large flying rocks were thrown at the Wei army. The flying rocks fell on the Wei army, causing severe head injuries and bleeding, and some people fell to the ground. The rocks hit the ice, causing ice shards to fly everywhere. The ice was so frozen that it was not broken open by the flying rocks.
The horns sounded, and the Wei army rolled and crawled on the ice towards the south bank. Bows and arrows fell like raindrops, and blood quickly formed a reddish-brown patch on the ice. The Yong army soldiers were condescending, throwing stones and crossbows. Throw it at the advancing Wei army.
Carrying a simple escalator, Wei Jun came to the river bank, put the escalator on the ice embankment, and climbed up as if attacking a city.
Wang Huilong was well prepared. He ordered people to pile the rolling logs on the shore early. The large logs rolled down the escalator. Not only did they roll down the climbing Wei Jun, they crushed the escalator and slid out on the ice without losing strength. Along the way, many Wei soldiers were knocked over.
Yu Lixi did not ride on his horse, but stood hundreds of steps away and watched his men snatching the embankment. The ice was slippery and the soldiers had no strength to use. They finally climbed up the river embankment but were knocked down by Yong Jun's spears. The difficulty was no less difficult than attacking a city.
At noon, Yu Lihui withdrew his troops and ordered the soldiers who had been recruited to carry sand and earth to pave the way, paving a long sandy road on the ice. The sandy dirt road gradually leads to the river embankment
By extension, Wang Huilong saw that the slave laborers were ordinary people, but he could not tolerate mercy during the war and ordered those people who were paving the road to be shot.
In this way, Yu Lixi spent thousands of lives to pave a sandy road leading to the south bank. Not only could the soldiers walk, but the horses could also gallop, and even the siege equipment was pushed onto the ice.
Today is the fourth day of the attack on Yumen Ferry. Yu Lixi knew that it was taking too long, and the Yong army stationed in the Baimajin area was likely to come for reinforcements.
At the beginning of the Chen Dynasty, Yu Lixi sent out all 26,000 troops and horses under his command. The front army pushed the well gate, the city charger, the ballista, the catapult in the middle, and the Qingqi at the end, determined to set foot on the south bank today.
The general sent by Changsun Song to lead the army was Eqing. Eqing saw that Li Yu's army was escorted by him. Not to be outdone, Eqing led 20,000 men under his command and swarmed towards Chenggao Pass. It was not easy to seize the pass. At least he had to trap Yong's army in the city and prevent them from letting them go. Reinforce the east bank of Sishui River.
Wang Huilong looked at the overwhelming Wei army and knew that the critical moment was coming. He ordered all the gunpowder in the camp to be moved out, and fifty catapults were placed on the river bank, stretching for several miles.
Under the cover of catapults and wells, the Wei army began to desperately attack the river embankment, and the battle became extremely fierce. Half an hour later, dangers occurred several times on the embankment. Yu Lihuan saw that the time had come and ordered the Qingqi to start dispatching.
The sound of hooves rolled, the ice trembled under the tread, and subtle cracks were heard. Yu Lihuan had sent people to find out. The ice was up to five feet thick. The war horses could gallop on the ice with confidence and would never break the ice. The face is broken.
The ice surface at Yumen Ferry was two miles wide. Wang Huilong saw the Wei army's light cavalry dispatching. When he reached 400 steps, he loudly ordered, "Throw gunpowder."
Knowing that the Wei army was gathering on the north bank of the Yellow River, Yang Anxuan ordered all the stored gunpowder to be transported to Yanzhou. There were 26,000 kilograms of gunpowder in Xingyang alone.
Today's battle was on the edge. Countless clay pots filled with gunpowder rose into the air and landed on the Wei army's catapults, horses, and soldiers.
Yu Lixi rushed ahead and heard the crackling of an earthen jar behind him. He turned around and saw black mist rising. He felt uneasy about neutrality, so Yong's army used gunpowder.
Before he could react, countless flaming fireballs fell, and a roaring fire ignited. The catapults and soldiers were trapped in the sea of fire.
Immediately afterwards, the earthen jar fell to the south, and the fire followed, dividing the Wei army into two.
In Chenggao City, Pei Qiang saw Wang Huilong launch a fire attack, and ordered to drop gunpowder on the Wei army. In a moment, flames shot up into the sky, and the Wei army fled in all directions crying for their fathers and mothers.
The fire melted the ice, and the ice exploded. War horses and Wei soldiers continued to fall into the cracks in the ice. The fire burned the ice, and the ice was unevenly heated. There were explosions one after another, and the cracks became more and more intense. More and more, more and more.
The horses of the Wei army fled in panic and kept falling into holes in the ice. In such weather, there was almost no chance of survival after falling into the ice water.
Yu Lixi looked up to the sky and screamed in pain, knowing that the longer the delay, the greater the casualties of the soldiers, so the horn signal led the soldiers to escape into the distance, and fled back to the north bank through the unbroken ice.
Looking at the re-frozen ice on the river, there were war horses and soldiers half frozen in it, with burnt ashes remaining on the ice. The Wei army counted their troops and horses and found that they had lost more than 4,600 men and more than 2,000 horses.
The whistling north wind howled sadly, and the Wei army retreated in panic. Yu Lixi looked back at the south bank. The Yong army had such sharp weapons, so how could the Wei cavalry dare to look south.
"Note (1): Yunzhong City was northeast of Tuoketuo in Inner Mongolia during the Qin Dynasty. It was moved to the southwest of Yuanping County, Shanxi Province at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. It was located in Taitong City, Shanxi Province during the Tang Dynasty. It should have been in Yuanping County, Shanxi Province today during the Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties."
