Yang Peng asked: "Where is Huyan Chijin?" Zhou Dayong said: "When he was washed away, I saw him leading some cavalry to the east. I don't know what the situation is now." Then he cupped his fists and said: "Brother, it's not suitable to stay here for a long time. We have to Return to Shunzhou quickly!" Yang Peng nodded, "Let's set off immediately without further delay." "Yes."
Everyone got on their horses and galloped towards the south. Zhou Dayong and Li Xu protected Yang Peng from left to right and did not dare to leave. The journey went smoothly, and the group returned to Shunzhou City the next morning. Duan Zhixian, Yang Jing and others were anxious when they suddenly heard that their eldest brother was back. They were all very surprised and rushed out to greet him. When they saw that their eldest brother was injured, they all became nervous again. Yang Peng couldn't help but comfort everyone.
Yang Peng walked into the hall and sat down at the head. Everyone lined up on the left and right, all looking at Yang Peng. Yang Peng looked at Yang Jing and asked, "What's the casualty situation of our army?" Yang Jing clasped his fists and said, "More than 2,000 people were killed or injured. Thanks to big brother, everyone evacuated!" Yang Peng felt relieved. Duan Zhixian said carelessly: "If you want to say it yesterday, we should fight tooth and nail for our eldest brother. How can we let our eldest brother fight for us! This is simply messed up!"
Yang Peng smiled and said: "We are all the same." A very simple sentence, but everyone was particularly moved, and they wished they could go through thick and thin for their eldest brother. Yang Peng didn't see Zhou Dayong and Chen Jie, so he frowned and asked, "Isn't Zhou Dayong back? And where is Chen Jie?" Yang Jing cupped his fists and said, "The two of them went to collect Cao Bin's defeated troops!" Peng finally felt relieved and nodded. "How many defeated troops have been collected?"
Yang Jing said: "So far, a total of more than 30,000 people have been gathered..." At this moment, there were rapid footsteps outside the door. Yang Peng couldn't help but look outside, and saw Zhou Dayong and Chen Jie walking quickly together. Come. The two walked into the hall and said excitedly: "Brother!"
"Okay, okay! No need to be polite, just get up!" The two stood up. Chen Jie cupped his fists and said, "Brother Qi, the two of us have brought back more than 7,000 defeated troops!"
Yang Peng nodded and said: "Okay! You did a good job! By the way, have you found Cao Bin and others?" Chen Jie showed a sarcastic look, "According to the fleeing soldiers, that Marshal Cao was there. When the army was in distress, he was the first to turn around and run away. This guy was very lucky, but he escaped. It is said that he and a few cronies waded across the river from upstream, and then disappeared. I look at him, At this moment, he is running away to the capital in panic!"
Everyone laughed, and Duan Zhixian said with regret: "It's a pity that the Liao people couldn't kill him!" Yang Peng thought for a moment, ordered someone to get pen, ink, paper and inkstone, and then wrote a letter. After sealing it, he handed it to Chen Jie and ordered: "Immediately send a capable brother to the Eighth Prince's residence in the capital and hand it over to the Eighth Prince himself!" Chen Jie took the letter with both hands, clasped his fists in agreement, and ran down.
Xue Fu rushed in, clasping his fists and saying in a hurry: "Master, there is a commotion in Cao Binjun's camp!" Yang Peng stood up suddenly, but his wound was affected, and he frowned slightly. He asked angrily: "What's going on?" Xue Fu said: "Part of Cao Bin's army was clamoring to leave, and there was a conflict with our people."
"Damn it!" Yang Peng quickly left the hall, followed by the generals. A group of people rushed to the military camp of Cao Binjun and saw nearly ten thousand Cao Binjun shouting at Chen Cun, Yang Daming and others. One of them, a man who looked like a general, shouted very loudly: "We are not Yang Peng's men, why don't we let them go?" Let’s go!” The nearly ten thousand people behind him started cheering, threatening to take action if they were not allowed to leave. And Chen Cun, Yang Daming and others were so angry that they wanted to kill these ungrateful bastards in front of them! People on both sides were pushing and shoving, and the situation was about to get out of control.
Yang Peng and his party ran nearby and reined in their horses. Yang Peng shouted, "Stop it!" The two parties stopped noisy and pushing, separated from each other, and looked at Yang Peng. Chen Cun came to Yang Pengma, clasped his fists in anger and said, "General, these people are so annoying!"
The leading guy raised his head and shouted: "We are not under your control, why do you control us?" Nearly ten thousand people started shouting, and the scene was noisy. Yang Peng frowned, and Zhou Dayong shouted angrily: "Shut up!" Cao Binjun couldn't help but shut his mouth due to Zhou Dayong's power. Yang Peng sneered and said: "You are quite capable! You are like sheep in front of the Liao people, but you dare to be arrogant in front of me!"
Some people showed shame, but most of them acted like dead pigs who are not afraid of boiling water. These people are hopeless. No matter how hard they try, they may not be able to become real soldiers. A true soldier must have a sense of sacrifice for others and a sense of honor. These people do not have it and cannot have it.
The leading guy raised his voice and said: "We dare not disrespect the general, but the general cannot restrict our actions, and we are not under the general's control!" Many people followed and started making noises. The commotion didn't look like a military camp, but it was clearly a military camp. The vegetable market, maybe the vegetable market is still a little more orderly.
Yang Peng glanced at these people and said, "I don't need cowards like you. You don't have to worry about me keeping you." All the sergeants looked embarrassed. "Come on, gather all Cao Bin's troops." Chen Cun and others responded and ran down.
Soon after, more than 40,000 of Cao Bin's defeated troops gathered in a large, dark area, with blank expressions on many people's faces, and a buzzing sound echoed over the school grounds. Yang Peng and others boarded the commander's platform. When the soldiers saw Yang Peng and others, they all became quiet and stared at them. Yang Peng glanced at the densely packed generals in the audience, and said loudly: "My name is Yang Peng, and I am the general of Yulinwei who stays in the east of the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun. You should all have heard of me." Many soldiers There was a look of awe in the eyes of others, but there was a look of indifference in the eyes of others.
Yang Peng said: "I know that many of you are afraid of the Khitans and are eager to escape to your wives' beds. I don't need cowards here, and I won't force you. Now I give you a chance to choose. If you want to leave, go up Come."
Many soldiers looked at each other and seemed hesitant; someone shouted loudly: "General, we are not leaving, we want to stay and fight the Khitan people!" Many people echoed, of course, this is only a part of them, not all of them. people. Yang Peng said to those who hesitated: "You don't have to worry about anything. I won't use any conspiracy or tricks to deal with you. If you want to leave, just come forward and I will pay him the travel expenses."
Many soldiers discussed in low voices, and finally a few brave ones came forward, cupping their fists and saying, "General, we want to go home." Yang Peng turned to Chen Da and said, "Give them travel expenses." Chen Cun immediately Each of them was given half a pound of money. Those few people thanked him profusely and hurried out of the military camp.
Seeing this, those who were still hesitating came forward one after another, collected their travel expenses, and hurriedly left the military camp. In the end, there were about 30,000 people left out of more than 40,000 people. Yang Peng glanced at them and asked, "Aren't you willing to leave?" An officer knelt down on one knee and clasped his fists, saying, "General, we are willing to follow you! We will go through thick and thin without hesitation!" He knelt down on one knee and clasped his fists and said: "I am willing to follow the general and walk through fire and water without hesitation!" A huge voice rolled in the air. Those cowards who had not run far felt extremely ashamed when they heard this voice and couldn't help but walk faster. .
Looking at these resolute faces in front of him, Yang Peng felt extremely pleased and said loudly: "Everyone, get up." All the soldiers stood up. Yang Peng praised: "You are all good! You are all real men! From today on, we are all brothers!" All the soldiers were moved. "I have no other requirements for you. I only ask that you look at me and follow me!" "Follow the general's orders!"
A graceful figure stood in the distance and looked at Yang Peng on the general stage. Her beautiful eyebrows were furrowed and her eyes were very complicated. This person is none other than Han Bing, a strange woman in the mortal world who has a lot of entanglements with Yang Peng. "Report..." A fast horse rushed into the military camp. When he came to the general's platform, he turned over and dismounted, knelt down and said urgently: "General, the Liao army has arrived on the other side!"
Yang Peng immediately ordered Chen Jie and Zhou Dayong to stay in Shunzhou City, while he led his other brothers and 40,000 troops out of Shunzhou City, and formed a battle formation on the river bank, facing the Liao army across the river. I saw that the Liao army's formation was like a mountain, with banners and flags surging in the clouds, and the constant shouts were like thunder, and the momentum was amazing.
Woo hoo..., the horns of the Liao army sounded loudly, and then thousands of Liao army infantry were seen boarding wooden platoons and paddling towards this side. At the same time, the Liao army on the shore used heavy stone cannons to bombard the Song army on the other side. More than a hundred stone cannons made a huge noise, and then more than a hundred huge stones were seen roaring into the sky and flying towards the other side of the river. The scene was as spectacular as a meteor shower coming. Fortunately, the hit rate of this ancient weapon was not good. Only a few boulders fell into the Song Army's formation, but they also caused considerable damage to the Song Army.
"Crossbows come forward!" Following Chen Xiao's order, dozens of three-bow crossbows were pushed in front of the military formation. After adjusting the angle, a soldier lit the fuse of the gunpowder package tied to the huge gun and arrow, and then The soldier holding a huge mallet struggled to smash the bolts that fixed the machine frame. Dozens of three-bow crossbows vibrated violently, and the bowstrings resounded loudly. Dozens of arrows dragging gunpowder packets flew into the sky and flew towards the other side.
Huge guns and arrows fell on the river beach, nailed to the heavy stone artillery cart, and some fell into the Liao army's formation. Immediately, I saw groups of fireballs rising up, violent explosions resounding, flames billowing on the river beach, heavy stone artillery vehicles being blown into pieces, and the Liao army officers and soldiers flying with flesh and blood. The Liao army was in a commotion. They did not expect to be attacked like this.
Empress Dowager Xiao ordered the army to retreat and ordered the stone artillery vehicles to continue bombarding, but she did not intend to give up. The stone cannons and carts continued to bombard, while the Song Army's three-bow and powerful crossbows continued to fight back powerfully. In the sky above the river, only huge guns and arrows and huge stones were seen flying. The stones hit the river beach with a muffled sound, while the guns and arrows exploded into flames when they hit the ground, making a sound like thunder.
Thousands of Liao army assault troops rowed to the other side, jumped down one after another, raised their scimitars and shouted towards the Song army. The Song army, which had been waiting for them for a long time, fired at the same time. The powerful bullets stopped the Liao army's charge momentum, causing many casualties. Thousands of heavy armored infantrymen of the Song Army roared loudly and rushed forward. Crash into the middle of the Liao army and kill with a sword! The Liao army suffered heavy casualties all of a sudden. Unable to resist, the Liao army quickly turned around and fled. Fleeing to the river, he scrambled to climb onto the raft. Duan Zhixian led the heavy infantry to catch up, and there was a burst of hacking. The screams of the Liao army were heard, and the river was instantly dyed red. Those Liao soldiers who boarded the bamboo rafts no longer cared about their companions and rowed desperately to escape across the river.
Woo, woo, woo, a short horn sound came from the other side, and then the Liao army slowly retreated. Seeing this, the Song Army also stopped bombarding. At this time, nearly a thousand corpses were floating on the river, and the originally clear river water was dyed red; the remains of forty or fifty stone artillery carts on the other side were scattered on the river beach, swaying listlessly. That was what happened just now The three-bow bed crossbow that was tied with gunpowder packs by the Song army was destroyed by the attack.
Yang Peng ordered a small group of troops to guard the river, and he led a large group back to Shunzhou City. Unexpectedly, as soon as he returned to the city, Yang Peng suddenly fainted. This frightened everyone to death. They quickly carried Yang Peng into the lobby of the Yamen, and at the same time sent people to find the doctor. …
When Yang Peng woke up, it was already midnight. Found himself lying in a bedroom. I felt as if my head was about to burst, so I couldn't help but pat my head. The door opened with a creak, and a skinny, doctor-like man with three strands of long beard under his chin came in. As soon as he saw that Yang Peng was awake, a look of surprise appeared on his face, and he quickly turned around and ran out. Then Yang Peng heard his surprise shout from outside: "The general is awake! The general is awake!"
Immediately afterwards, the sound of chaotic and rapid footsteps was heard, and then a large group of people poured into the room. Duan Zhixian strode forward, helped Yang Peng up, and said excitedly: "Brother, you are finally awake! You scared us to death!" Yang Peng smiled, "I was a cat in my previous life and had nine lives, so I won't die that easily. Drop it." Everyone laughed. Yang Peng looked at the sky outside the window, frowned and asked, "What time is it now? How long have I been unconscious?"
Duan Zhixian said: "It's midnight now, and you've been unconscious for three or four hours." Yang Peng asked: "What's going on with the enemy?" Duan Zhixian laughed and said: "Brother, don't worry, the Liao people suffered a big loss during the day. I don’t dare to act rashly anymore.”
Yang Peng thought for a moment and then got out of bed, "I have to go and take a look!" Everyone was anxious. Duan Zhixian pressed Yang Peng's shoulder and said angrily: "Brother, don't move! Just tell the brothers what you need to do!" Brother, just take good care of your injuries!" Chen Jie said: "Brother, don't worry, with us brothers watching, nothing will happen." Others agreed. Yang Peng nodded and said to Duan Zhixian: "Zhixian, you can take care of me while I'm away."
Duan Zhixian nodded, "Don't worry, brother!" Yang Peng thought for a moment and ordered: "We must closely monitor the enemy's movements and report any situation immediately! Don't be careless, even if it is an inconspicuous matter, you must do it. Tell me!" Duan Zhixian responded. …
All the brothers left. Two doctors were preparing medicine for Yang Peng in the kitchen. Several secret guards were guarding the door of Yang Peng's room. Yang Peng was leaning on the bed, looking at the map and thinking. Han Bing, dressed in black clothes, walked into Yang Peng's room and looked at Yang Peng with a complicated expression. Yang Peng felt that someone had come in. He raised his head and saw Han Bing standing not far away like a demon and a fairy. He smiled and said, "Is it you? You're still up so late?"
Han Bing said: "You can risk your own life to save your soldiers, but why do you brutally kill my brother and everyone in the village? How innocent are they?" Han Bing's mood became angry. Yang Peng sighed, "There are many alternatives in life. Killing them is not what I want, but under those circumstances I have to do it!" "Humph! Sophistry!"
Yang Peng looked at his right hand, frowned and said: "I want to save many people, but my hands are inevitably stained with the blood of innocent people. This is the price!" He glanced at Han Bing, "Although I feel sorry for it , but I will never regret it. If I were asked to choose again, I would make the same choice without hesitation! I know you hate me! From your point of view, I really deserve to die!
Han Bing stared at Chen Xiao excitedly, his seductive penis undulating violently, and his eyes seemed to pierce Chen Xiao, but he showed hesitation. Han Bing looked at her calmly. Han Bing suddenly turned around and walked away. Yang Peng sighed sadly. Yang Peng had long admired this extraordinary woman whose reputation was passed down through the ages, but he never expected that he would become life-or-death enemies with her. What a trick of fate. Yang Peng didn't understand. The previous history books didn't say that Han Bing had a brother named Han Hao? Moreover, Han Bing seems to be from Tokyo, so why did he end up in Beijing?
Yang Peng smiled bitterly and shook his head, calmed down and continued to look at the map. Since the Liao army encountered a setback when they forcibly crossed the Qidu River on the first day, they had not made any move for five or six days. Standing on the city wall, across the Qidu River, they could see the Liao army's camp on the other side that stretched for nearly ten miles from a distance.
Yang Peng held on to the wall, looked at the Liao army camp in the distance, frowned and murmured: "Why hasn't the Liao army made any move? And they haven't retreated?" He looked down at the densely packed warning posts on the river bank and thought to himself. Is there anything I missed? What would I do if I were Queen Mother Xiao?
Yang Peng gently touched the slightly painful wound and moved his eyes upstream along the Qidu River. Suddenly his expression changed, and he quickly asked Hua Rong beside him: "Li Xu, do you patrol every day?" Li Xu nodded, cupped his fists and said: "According to the instructions of the elder brother, the younger brother leads hundreds of cavalry to patrol along the Qidu River every day. "
"How far is it?" "About forty miles." Li Xu said: "Immediately send out cavalry scouts to patrol up and down the Qidu River, with a limit of one hundred miles." Li Xu agreed and ran down. Zhou Dayong asked: "Brother, are you worried about the Liao army sneaking across?"
Yang Peng frowned and nodded, "This is very possible! The Liao army is neither attacking directly nor retreating. What's the point of lingering here? They can only find a way to sneak across!" Turning to the brothers He said: "Everyone should be more vigilant and send people to inform the authorities in Beijing to be more vigilant!" The brothers clasped their fists and promised.
At dusk that day, the scout cavalry who had been conducting reconnaissance along the upper and lower reaches of the Qidu River returned. The scout cavalry who went to investigate upstream reported urgently: "General, I found a large group of Liao troops wading across the river at a place called Yezhu Stream upstream!"
Yang Peng and others were surprised. Chen Xiao quickly walked to the map and searched with his eyes, but he did not find a place called Yezhu Stream. Yang Peng turned around and asked the scout, "Where is the Wild Boar Stream?" The scout pointed to the south of Niulan Mountain and said, "It's near Niulan Mountain."
"How many people are there? How many cavalry? How many infantry?" "There are about 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers and horses, half of which are cavalry." Yang Peng immediately said to Hua Rong: "Li Xu, lead all the cavalry to counterattack and contain them as much as possible. They, however, must not be reluctant to fight. If the situation is not good, they must leave the battle!" Li Xu clasped his fists in agreement and ran down.
"Duan Zhixian, Chen Jie, Yang Xiong, Shi Ping, and Zhou Dayong, you immediately lead the army and retreat to Beijing. Zhou Dayong, Chen Cun, Yang Daming, I will give you three thousand troops to clean up the aftermath of the army." Everyone agreed together. Zhou Dayong asked: "Brother, are you setting fire to this city?" Duan Zhixian's eyes lit up, "Yes! We can't leave this to the Liao people!" Yang Peng hesitated and shook his head, "No ! There’s no need!”…
The whole city was in commotion. Li Xu led more than a thousand war cavalry in a hurry to leave Shunzhou City and rush upstream along the Qidu River. Under the leadership of their respective generals, the soldiers and horses of each division left Shunzhou City one after another and retreated to Shangjing. The materials left behind were burned on the spot.
In the middle of the night, the cavalry led by Li Xu encountered the Liao cavalry. A fierce battle broke out between the two sides. Li Xu fought and retreated, deliberately leading the Liao cavalry to the southwest. The Liao cavalry was led by Li Xu and others all night in the wilderness. It was not until the early morning that the Liao army's general Xiao Ying suddenly realized his main mission, quickly abandoned Li Xu and others, and changed direction to attack Shunzhou. .
At noon, 15,000 to 6,000 Liao army cavalry rushed to Shunzhou City and found that Shunzhou City's gates were wide open and it had become an empty city. Xiao Ying was greatly anxious and quickly left 5,000 cavalry to occupy Shunzhou. At the same time, he sent a message to Yelutri on the other side of the river. He himself led more than 10,000 cavalry to chase in the direction of Shangjing.
Yang Peng and the others also successfully retreated to Youzhou.
What happened after all, let’s see what happens next.
