From the tower, Lord Xinling could see about twenty or thirty miles away. The sight was filled with running soldiers and streaks of dust: this should be the Chinese army occupying the position. There were basically no people visible in the distance, but the dust was also flying, completely blocking the horizon: the movement of the former army was completely invisible. As for the position of the Qin army, we can only listen to the report of the former army. Above a patch of dust, a large scroll fluttered high: this is where Doctor Jin Bi is.
Before the war came, Jin Bi did not stay with the central army. Instead, he found a small settlement with only a few households as close to the front army as possible and erected the banner there. These small houses are the commanding heights of the surroundings. Climbing to the roof, you can clearly see the battle situation in all directions ahead. Former military generals also set up flags and drums here and issued orders at any time according to Jin Bi's instructions.
Yesterday, General Jin Bi inspected the entire area where the former army was stationed, and gave instructions on the outline of the operations of each unit, as well as the construction points of the ditch and fortress. The former military general was naturally from the royal family of the Wei family. He didn't know much about Jin Bi at first, but seeing that Jin Bi was calm and well-organized in the face of danger, he was happy to hand over all the tasks of commanding the battle to Jin Bi, and he only played the role of giving instructions.
The sentinels reported over and over again, "Qin people lined up", "Qin people had dinner", and "Qin people came out of camp". Then I saw dust flying in the distance. Gradually, the earth shook...
Countless flags and countless men and horses stopped a hundred paces away. By this time the sun was already high in the sky. The people of Qin have their backs to the sun and occupy a favorable side. Not long after, the people of Qin shouted in unison: "The people of Wei are coming to fight! The people of Wei are coming to fight!..." The sound reached all the way to where Jin Bi was. The former general glanced at Jin Bi and saw that his face was calm, as if he was unconscious.
About half an hour later, the drums of the Qin people's formation were beating loudly, and a group of shield-bearers passed through from behind the formation and came to the front; then, the Qin people came forward at a slow but determined pace under the cover of the shield wall. . After about fifty steps, the Wei army fired the first batch of arrows, but almost all of them were blocked by the shield wall and had no effect. After walking another twenty or thirty steps, there was a ditch right in front of us. The ditch is not wide, but you can't jump over it. You have to go to the bottom of the ditch and wade through the water. The Qin people's drums kept beating, and the shield hand went down to the ditch without hesitation. At this time, there was a bang of bangs in the Wei camp, and then the crackle of the crossbow machine was heard, and there was a "whooshing" sound of arrows, rushing towards the edge of the ditch. . The people of Qin all fell down together, and those who moved a little slower were hit by arrows, and they screamed in pain one after another.
The first wave of casualties did not stop the drums in the Qin army's formation. On the contrary, they beat louder. The shield hand climbed out from the bottom of the ditch carrying a heavy shield that was almost as tall as a person, and was greeted by another batch of arrows. Although they crouched and raised their shields as quickly as possible, some of them were still hit by arrows.
Under the cover of the shield wall, all the Qin people crossed the ditch, organized their troops behind the shield, and attacked the camp again. When they rushed behind the parapet, they found that no one was behind the wall. At this time, another ruthless crossbow arrow was fired from behind the second parapet...
At nearly noon, the Qin people finally rushed to the third parapet. As long as they organized their troops, they could attack the Wei army's camp. At this time, drums suddenly sounded in the Wei camp. Soldiers from each camp on both sides and civilian soldiers in the middle suddenly pressed forward and shouted loudly in order. Although the casualties in the assault on the three fortresses were not large, they still required constant attacks and formation. The Qin people had exhausted their physical strength and were caught off guard by the sudden appearance of new troops. At this time, the bell finally sounded from the Qin army's formation - the first wave of attack was over. The Qin people retreated directly to their own formation. The drums in the Wei camp were not urgent, and the Wei people did not pursue them, but slowly hung back and recovered all the camps. The Qin people who were hit by crossbow arrows, no matter dead or injured, were calmly carried back by their comrades. Even the equipment, including the heavy shield, were also taken away, leaving only pools of blood.
There were bursts of cheers from the Wei army camp.
This scene was seen by the former general, who was so excited that he shouted loudly: "I win, I win!"
Jin Bi looked back at him and said: "The Qin people attacked me with a small number of people, and they have no intention of winning; they just want to test my strength. If the attack is not harmful, it is too early, so there must be something wrong."
The former general asked: "What can I do?"
Jin Bi said: "It's just like the ears of a law guard."
The former general said: "How can Sun Wu add to the talent of a great official?"
Jin Bi felt disgusted when he heard this meaningless flattery. How could these gentlemen know the joys and sorrows involved? But his face could not be shown, and he just said lightly: "It all depends on the majesty of the king, how can I be worthy of it?" He turned to the military envoy and said: "Reporting victory general: The Qin people attacked me, but I retreated, and my camp was safe. Rock; we are arranging our soldiers to prepare for another battle." The military envoy saluted, turned around and ran away. While running, he shouted: "Good news from the former army~ Good news from the former army~"
Jin Bifu said to the former general: "I hope the general will inspect the entire army and boost morale!"
The generals in the front army left accordingly, got on leather chariots, and inspected each camp.
The drumbeat of the Qin people's attack reached Huayang City. Lord Xinling and his party looked forward nervously, but they could only see dust and nothing else. The sound of drums lasted for a long time, which made the people in the city feel tortured - naturally, from such a long distance, Lord Xinling and the others could not hear the sound of clappers, let alone the sound of bowstrings. It wasn't until the sun was near midday that the drums of the Wei army suddenly sounded, followed by the sound of bells. Although the drumming of the Wei people is not urgent or very loud, it is exciting. This period of drumming also lasted for a long time, but it was obviously different from the torment of hearing the Qin people's drumming. It was a kind of nervous anticipation.
Lord Xinling asked: "Is our army victorious?"
Si Mang said: "Although I beat the drum and advance without any hurry, Qin retreated without rushing even though he sounded the gold. Even though the Qin people retreated, their formation was still intact and there was no gap to take advantage of."
The sound of the golden drum stopped, the cheers of the front army were faintly transmitted to the rear army, and the tense atmosphere in Huayang City was quickly replaced by joy. Lord Xinling was about to raise his arms and shout, but Si Mang quickly stopped him and said, "No, the envoy has not arrived yet, so we must relax in case something unexpected happens." When the envoy who reported the victory ran into Huayang City from thirty miles away, he was already there. An hour later. There was cheering in Huayang City.
The cheers continued, and the drums of the Qin people's attack were heard in the distance, so the atmosphere in the city turned tense again. Zhang He brought up the military envoys who had taken a brief rest, and Lord Xinling said: "Come back to the doctor, the enemy has retreated for me. I am very relieved. I am willing to inspire the whole army to win a complete victory. Those who have meritorious service will be rewarded according to the law." , I dare not be stingy."
The military envoy saluted and was about to retreat, but Zhang Zou asked, "Can you ride?"
The military envoy was stunned for a moment and replied: "Of course!"
Zhang He said: "There are horses under the stable, so don't wait for them." He led the envoy down. Soon, the military envoy rode away.
The drums of the Qin people sounded in the distance until the sun turned west, and then the long-awaited drums of the Wei people and the sound of bells came. Lord Xinling and the others heaved a long sigh of relief. Si Mang looked at the sky and said, "I only have this ear today, and I'll wait until the end of the day."
Sure enough, not long after, the military envoy came on horseback to report that the Qin people's second attack had been repelled by me. Lord Xinling once again encouraged the troops and promised rewards. The envoy rode back.
Lord Xinling said to Zhang He, "Sir, the horse you gave me has proved to be of such great use. You have farsightedness and foresight, although the ancients could not add more to it."
Zhang He said: "The official's horses are insufficient, but there are many messengers, so the military envoys are sent to Huayang. There are still enough horses in the city, so we can give them a little help."
Lord Xinling said: "From now on, if you see something suitable, you can do it."
Zhang Ye said: "Here!"
Si Mang looked into the distance and said: "The clouds are getting dark, and the Qin people will retreat. I hope your Majesty and the gentlemen will go back to the house and eat a little. I have been standing for a long time, and not a drop of water has come in. I think I am already hungry and exhausted."
After hearing this, Lord Xinling felt that his legs were sore, his whole body was weak, his eyes were dry, and he couldn't exert any energy. Lord Xinling smiled bitterly and said, "If the Qin people arrive, we will be defeated without a fight!"
Si Mang said: "Cherishing the strength of the soldiers and nourishing the spirit of the soldiers is one of the ways to win. The Qin people cannot eat in the sun, and they fight exhaustedly without success. The clouds are getting gray, and they will retreat in frustration."
Lord Xinling said: "Can you observe the clouds?"
Si Mang said: "The so-called clouds and qi are nothing more than celestial phenomena. Heaven and man are in harmony, and when man thinks, Heaven will respond, so we know it."
Lord Xinling said: "How do you think about this victory or defeat?"
Si Mang said: "Both armies have no signs of defeat, and they are worthy of the enemy." Lord Xinling fell silent and said for a long time: "If we remain undefeated, we will win."
Si Mang said: "What you said is very consistent with the art of war. Be invincible first, and then wait until the enemy is victorious. This is the way to win."
Lord Xinling said, "Gentlemen, please retreat and have your meal!" The guests left one after another. Lord Xinling said to Si Mang, "Will you please have dinner with me?"
Si Mang said: "I haven't entered the camp for a day, and I can't bear it. I would like to do the same with the soldiers."
Lord Xinling admired and said: "The body is the same as the soldiers. Although the ancient generals are famous, there is nothing more. If you want to have a meal together, how can you get the time?"
Si Mang saluted and said: "If your Majesty can come out like this, you will be able to make the soldiers fight without turning around and fight to the death."
Lord Xinling suddenly said: "If the middle camp is like this, what can the two camps on the left and right do?"
Si Mang said: "Let me worry about it." Then he discussed with Mr. Zhang Noi and Mr. Zhong Yue. Lord Xinling did not participate, so he left everything to these three people. He walked to the city wall alone and continued to look into the distance.
After a while, a cavalry flew over, and the military envoy reported: "The Qin people have withdrawn their troops and returned to the camp. The doctor has ordered the whole army to withdraw to the camp and feed the soldiers."
Lord Xinling saluted on the city and said, "Here!" The envoy rode away. Lord Xinling turned around and said, "The whole army is closing in and serving the soldiers!"
Si Mang said: "Beat the drum to close the camp." Then he said to Lord Xinling: "The doctor is here to entertain the soldiers, and this is the plan. Your Majesty, you can pull up two carts to transport grain to the camp, and have fun with the soldiers."
Lord Xinling said: "It all depends on your skill and preparation!"
Si Mang said: "You can use crossbows and arrows to fill the camps."
Lord Xinling said: "There are no more than a thousand crossbows in the city, and no more than a hundred thousand arrows. There are more than 2,000 people in the rear army. Although they have used up everything they have, they can't give them to them. The front army has lost its crossbows and arrows, and it's all thanks to the ones in the city. Guyi, wait. Discuss with the senior officials to finish off the front troops first, and then deal with the rear troops."
Si Mang said: "That is what your Majesty is concerned about. However, the military soldiers have no crossbows, and they have no fighting skills. What can I do? If they attack each other with swords and halberds, their skills are the same as those of the civilian army."
Lord Xinling said: "I would like to prepare a good plan, and I would like to offer it to you."
