Yang Peng smiled and said: "It's impossible to talk about seeing thousands of miles. In fact, I almost believed them. What really made me suspicious was that Wang Dong relayed Wang Zhuo's plan and asked us to wait for a month until the rainy season arrives. Take action again! Once the rainy season comes, it will be very difficult for our army to cross the river! Doesn’t Wang Zhuo know this? Therefore, I have to doubt that Wang Zhuo’s surrender is false, and using this to delay the attack is the real thing. of!"
"Of course, his reasons are reasonable, so based on this alone, I can't determine his intentions. Since I have doubts in my heart, I naturally think about the whole thing. How many times can Wang Dong Traveling to and from the river without being noticed aroused my suspicion again. When I got here, although I was already very suspicious of Wang Zhuo's surrender, I couldn't be completely sure that he was a fake surrender, because both doubts could have reasonable explanations. Things happen by chance. So after Wang Dong left, I ordered Wang Kai to send hidden soldiers upstream and downstream to monitor the situation on the water. Sure enough, late that night, there was movement on the river, and the Song Navy navy originally deployed elsewhere They actually gathered quietly at Chengling Pass overnight! Seeing this situation, I confirmed my previous judgment, so I decided to use the trick to attack the east and the west!"
Xiao Duoli nodded and said: "If there is no abnormality on the river that night, it means that Wang Zhuo is truly surrendering. Since the navy has secretly mobilized, everything will be clear!" Yang Peng smiled slightly.
Xiao Duoli frowned and asked in confusion: "But since King Yan has seen through the enemy's plan, why did he release the fleet to be destroyed by the enemy? We finally collected those ships ah!"
Yang Peng said: "That is necessary. If you don't do this, I'm afraid Cao Yong will immediately realize that there is a problem and take action. If their navy rushes to rescue Fangtai Mountain in time, it is hard to say whether our army can successfully capture Fangtai Mountain!" Xiao Duoli understood and said: "General, I understand. This is to delay Cao Yong's awakening, so as to buy enough time for General Shi Liancheng to capture Fangtai Mountain!"
Yang Peng smiled slightly, then frowned and said: "But now it seems that doing this is a bit superfluous and backfired! The Fangtai Mountain defenders were completely unprepared, and Shi Liancheng's five thousand troops completely defeated them in less than an hour. The action of delaying time is needed. The time gained at the expense of a large number of ships is actually of no use, but makes our follow-up actions a little troublesome!"
Woo hoo hoo... The sound of the horn representing the alarm suddenly came from the downstream direction.
Yang Peng and others immediately followed the sound and saw countless ships covering the general and going upstream along the general's river. Yang Peng frowned and said: "Cao Yong's reaction is very fast!" Then he asked Xiao Duoli: "Have fifty thousand troops passed by?" Xiao Duoli immediately nodded and said: "Yes, General Shi Liancheng commanded The Fifth Army Corps has basically passed, with more than 50,000 troops." Yang Peng said: "Send the order, stop crossing the river, and all ships return to the north bank." Xiao Duoli agreed and immediately ordered the flag bearer to pass the order. The ships scattered on the river retreated to the north bank. At the same time, the Yanyun troops on both sides of the river rushed to the river and were ready to attack the enemy ships with bows and crossbows. When Cheng Huang saw that the enemy troops had stopped crossing the river and that the Yanyun troops on both sides were ready to attack with crossbows, he ordered the fleet to stop advancing and monitor the enemy troops on the spot while waiting for the arrival of the army.
Duan Zhixian rushed to Yang Peng and cursed angrily: "Damn it, this river is too wide, otherwise we would put cannons on the shore and discipline those frustrated birds to never come back!" Yang Peng smiled and then revealed A look of thoughtfulness.
Everyone returned to the big tent. Yang Peng ordered his soldiers to hang out the map. Everyone walked to the map. Yang Peng's eyes fell on the section of the river in Linxiang. He pointed with his finger and said: "I sent scouts to investigate along the river before and found that this section of the river is the narrowest, less than two miles. We can start from here. Cross the Yangtze River!" The generals' eyes fell on Linxiang, and Xiao Duoli said excitedly: "Now the main force of the Song Army will definitely be attracted to Fangtai Mountain, and our army can forcefully cross the river from here!" Then he frowned, "It's just that there are 20,000 defenders and 30,000 civilian troops in Linxiang. Linxiang City is close to the river, and there are many cannons placed on the city walls! It may not be easy for us to attack by force!"
Duan Zhixian said gloomily: "It's a pity that most of our ships were destroyed at Chengling Pass. Otherwise, we would definitely be able to capture Linxiang!"
Yin Mingde frowned and said: "It will take at least five days to build enough rafts. Plus the time for mobilizing the army and attacking, it will be less than half a month. It is absolutely impossible! I just don't know if Shi Liancheng and the others can hold half of it." More than a month!”
Duan Zhixian said angrily: "Nonsense! With the combat power of our Yanyun Army, it is easy to hold on for more than half a month! The Fifth Army has more than 50,000 soldiers, and the Song Army does not have an army of 200,000. Don't even think about it. Even if an army of 200,000 attacks, they may not be Erlang’s opponents!”
Yang Peng said: "It will take at least five days for Cao Yong to mobilize enough troops. I am not worried about whether Shi Liancheng and the others can defend it. I am only worried about their food, grass and baggage!" The generals then thought of this problem, Xiao Duoli Frowning, he said: "The grain and grass carried by General Shi Liancheng and the grain and grass captured from Fangtai Mountain are only enough to last ten days! If Cao Yong and the others do not attack, I am afraid that our army will starve to death without fighting!" The generals couldn't help but wonder. Getting worried, Duan Zhixian clasped his fist towards Yang Peng and said loudly: "Brother, I will lead a group of soldiers and horses to carry grain and grass to support Shi Liancheng!"
Yang Peng shook his head and said, "That won't work!" Then he pointed to the river at Fangtai Mountain, "Cheng Huang's naval forces are right there. If they attack rashly, not only will they not be able to support Shi Liancheng, but they will also cause themselves to suffer huge losses! Duan Zhixian blinked his eyes and said anxiously: "Then what should we do? In this case, Shi Liancheng crossing the river to seize Fangtai Mountain is a bad move that seeks death!" Everyone couldn't help but fell down and secretly sighed: Only you dare to say that King Yan’s strategy is a bad move!
Yang Peng said angrily: "Zhixian, do you have to save some face for me as the eldest brother?" Duan Zhixian glared and raised his eyebrows and said: "Shi Liancheng is going to die, brother, what are you talking about about saving face!"
Yang Peng glanced at the map and said, "Only when Shi Liancheng's nail is set here, can I carry out my subsequent plans!"
Everyone was very curious, and Duan Zhixian asked excitedly, "Brother, do you have any clever ideas?"
Yang Peng said, "It's hard to say whether it's a clever plan or not." Duan Zhixian ughed. Yang Peng said to Xiao Duoli: "General Xiao, you will lead 10,000 soldiers and horses under your command to stay here. If Shi Liancheng is in danger, you must support Shi Liancheng at all costs!"
Yang Peng glanced at the impatient Duan Zhixian, but then looked away, making Duan Zhixian extremely anxious and almost jumped up. Yang Peng glanced at the generals and said: "The rest of the troops will follow me back to the camp first and then decide where to go!" All the generals agreed in unison, and Duan Zhixian couldn't help but ask; "Brother, what is your clever plan?" ah?"
Yang Peng smiled and said, "Don't be anxious."
Duan Zhixian shouted: "How can we not be in a hurry! Brother, please tell the Sa family quickly, otherwise the Sa family will stay here and not leave!"
Yang Peng pointed at Duan Zhixian with his finger and said angrily: "Everyone says that you, Duan Zhixian, are a rough and arrogant man! You are so fucking arrogant, you are just like a shrew!" The generals couldn't help but laugh, but Duan Zhixian couldn't help but laugh. It’s a virtue of cheating to the end! "
Yang Peng had no choice but to say: "Let's do this. You and Yin Mingde will lead the Fourth Army to the opposite side of Linxiang first, cut down trees, make rafts, and be prepared to cross the river!" Duan Zhixian was overjoyed, clasping his fists and saying: "I have the order! Yin Mingde also clasped his fists and said, "Follow your brother's orders!"
Duan Zhixian took Yin Mingde to mobilize troops, and the two came to the Fourth Army Corps arrayed on the river beach. All the soldiers clasped their fists and worshiped: "I've seen the capital commander, I've seen General Duan!" Duan Zhixian laughed loudly and said to Yin Mingde: "Hurry up and give the order!" The Fourth Army Corps is commanded by Yin Mingde, so he should give the order.
Yin Mingde frowned and thought: "I feel a little strange..."
Duan Zhixian didn't understand and asked angrily: "What's so strange?"
Yin Mingde raised his head, frowned and said: "To attack the east and west, to cross the river, it seems that we should attack Chengling Pass. How can we abandon the near and seek the distance to attack Linxiang? In this way, wouldn't it be a waste of troubles!" Duan Zhixian glared and raised his eyebrows. "I said you are in charge of so many things. We will do whatever Brother wants us to do!" Yin Mingde felt that what Duan Zhixian said was reasonable. He nodded involuntarily, took a step forward, and said to the soldiers under his command: "The officers and men of the fourth legion listen to the order, and according to the military order of King Yan, the army will march to the other side of Linxiang immediately!" All the officers and men of the army agreed in unison, and the sound shook the sky.
Duan Zhixian and Yin Mingde led the 60,000-strong army of the Fourth Army towards the east. Duan Zhixian turned to look towards Yin Mingde and saw Yang Peng talking to Deng Yi. Deng Yi, the commander of the Yanyun First Artillery Brigade, is also the commander of the three artillery brigades that accompanied the army south this time. Currently, the Yanyun Army has ten artillery brigades, each with a commander and 150 guns. cannon.
Deng Yi bowed to Yang Peng and then left in a hurry.
Cao Yong led an army of 100,000 to approach Fangtai Mountain. Seeing that Yanyun's army was well prepared, he did not dare to attack rashly, so he ordered the army to camp on the spot and be on guard, and at the same time sent his cronies to spread messages around and mobilize troops for reinforcements. Later in the evening, Cao Yong received a report from Jiangbei that the Yanyun army on the other side of Fangtai Mountain was moving eastward. Cao Yong felt unexpected. He originally thought that since Yan Yun's army had broken through in this direction, they should use all their strength to attack this point, but he did not expect that Yan Yun's army actually moved away! Cao Yong quickly ordered his soldiers to unfold the map, and moved his eyes slowly along the Yangtze River, thinking carefully.
Cao Yong thought that he had been fooled by Yang Pengsheng's plans to attack the east and west, and now that Yan Yun's army was divided into two groups, it was really difficult to judge what the Yan Yun's army was. Are they forced to cross the Yangtze River from Linxiang, or is the main attack direction still on Fangtai Mountain? Is the mobilization of Yanyun's army actually a cover-up? Or maybe the Fangtai Mountain and Linxiang directions are just feints, but there is actually another main direction of attack? If there is another main direction of attack, then where is this main direction of attack?
Cao Yong's eyes couldn't help but fall on Chengling Pass. His heart suddenly moved, he frowned and murmured: "There are only 10,000 defenders at Chengling Pass now. If the Yanyun Army suddenly attacks from now on, I'm afraid they will not be able to withstand it!" However, Although he thought so, he did not dare to conclude, let alone mobilize troops to support Chengling Pass immediately. Regardless of whether this judgment was correct or not, even if he concluded that it was so, Cao Yong did not dare to mobilize troops to support Chengling Pass immediately. Because more than 50,000 Yanyun troops have already crossed the Yangtze River and are entrenched on Fangtai Mountain. If the main force of the brigade is mobilized, the 50,000 Yanyun troops will inevitably escape. If they rush south to attack Yuezhou and other places, the entire Jinghu South There will be a big earthquake on the road, and then the Yangtze River defense line will be undefeable! Yanyun's army crossed the river, and the situation in Jiangnan was irreversible!
Cao Yong hesitated and thought of many possibilities, but was still unable to make a decision. Cao Yong has been in the army for many years and has experienced countless dangerous battles, but he has never felt so difficult to make a choice as now. Because he had never felt so powerless as he did now. Facing Yang Peng and his Yan Yun army, Cao Yong only felt as if he was facing the invincible power of God. The power of God was unpredictable, and he was panic-stricken. Hard to decide!
Cao Yong paced back and forth in the tent, frowning, thinking about Yang Peng's various possible intentions over and over in his mind. He only felt that every situation was possible, and Yang Peng's battles in the past were erratic and traceless. Ke Xun's style makes it impossible to judge his main attack direction. It seems that even if his judgment is correct, the opponent may immediately change his intention and change the original main attack direction into a feint attack direction! Cao Yong stopped, turned around and looked outside the tent, and couldn't help but murmured: "Yang Peng, King of Yan, is so powerful in the world! Hey, his reputation is well-deserved, his reputation is well-deserved!"
Cao Yong felt that no matter how he mobilized his troops, he would probably fall into the opponent's trap, so he decided to use his own advantages and remain unchanged to cope with the changes. The infantry still followed the previous orders and pressed Fangtai Mountain, waiting for an opportunity to recapture Fangtai Mountain and annihilate it. A Yanyun army transferred the main force of the navy back to Chengling Pass, and at the same time strengthened patrols on the water. Once it was discovered which direction the Yanyun army was crossing forcefully, the navy would go to support it. Cao Yong believed that although Yanyun's army was brave and invincible, it would be unable to compete with his own navy on the water without a navy! Even if the naval force is ineffective, it can greatly delay the progress of Yan Yun's army. Then he can make arrangements calmly!
Cheng Huang, the commander-in-chief of the navy, received Cao Yong's order and immediately led the main force of the navy back to Chengling Pass. At the same time, reinforcements from surrounding areas arrived at the foot of Fangtai Mountain. The Song army gathered here more than 300,000 troops, including The 120,000 to 30,000 people were temporarily recruited civilian troops.
Cao Yong and his generals made some arrangements, and then attacked Fangtai Mountain. Fangtai Mountain is very vast, and the side facing the river is also very steep, but the back side is relatively gentle, so the defensive side has little advantage. The Song army attacked from this direction, and the arrows fired by both sides flew randomly in the sky. The Yanyun army and the Song army fought in a bloody battle. At the same time, Cao Yong secretly came to Fangtai Mountain with an elite force. On the other side of the river, he used the lock hook to secretly climb Fangtai Mountain.
Yan Yun's army was caught off guard, and the Song army broke into the Chinese army's camp. There was chaos in the camp. The Song army charged bravely and set fire at the same time. For a moment, it was like being in a deserted land.
Cao Yong was very excited when he saw that his elite troops had succeeded in the surprise attack at the foot of the mountain, and immediately ordered the main force to attack in an all-out manner. Amidst the rumbling war drums, the main force of the Song Army continued to surge towards the mountain like a tsunami! Yanyun's army was inevitably panicked because it was attacked from behind, and the frontal defense line was immediately in danger! Seeing that the situation was critical, Shi Liancheng immediately led his own soldiers to take the lead and went to the bloody battle in person! The Song army shouted desperately and attacked fiercely. Seeing that the Yanyun army's defense line was wavering, they could not break through!
The Yanyun army who stayed behind at the Zhongjun camp quickly reacted and immediately launched a counterattack. The Song army officers and soldiers were no match for Yanyun Tiger and Wolf. They were killed in an instant and their bodies were covered with blood. They retreated in succession. In the end, the entire army of three thousand elites was defeated. Overturned!
Seeing that the incitement on the mountain calmed down quickly, Cao Yong felt shocked and anxious at the same time. He couldn't help but become desperate, ordered all the troops to strengthen their offensive, and beheaded a general who retreated from the battle! When the officers and soldiers of the Song Army saw this scene, their hearts were aroused with desperate thoughts, and they all rushed up the mountain like crazy! Suddenly, the Song army's offensive was earth-shattering, as if it could lift mountains!
The Yan Yun Army's shield defense line was as solid as a rock, resisting the impact of the Song Army in waves; the continuous crossbows and strong crossbows fired arrows, causing ripples in the middle of the Song Army's waves; the spear formations of the Song Army soldiers Rows of people fell to the ground. The Song army made many violent attacks and suffered heavy losses, but they were still unable to break through the Yanyun army's defense line.
Suddenly, the sound of Yanyun's war drums sounded like thunder. At the same time, the Yanyun army's defense line spread out. Shi Liancheng, wearing heavy armor and holding a long sword, rushed out like a tiger out of its box with thousands of Mo Dao soldiers under his command. , crashed into the middle of the Song army! The swords were shining like snow, and flesh and blood were flying everywhere. The Song army could not resist the tiger-like and bear-like Mo Dao army. They were frightened and kept retreating! The Modao Army moved the Song Army's position in one fell swoop, and the entire army immediately launched a full-scale counterattack! I saw tens of thousands of Yanyun troops pouring down like a mountain torrent, and the entire square platform shook! The Song Army was frightened and tried their best to resist, but the soldiers in front were knocked down by Yan Yun's army one after another. The Song Army was shocked, and some of the Song Army's soldiers turned around and ran backwards. This caused the entire army to collapse! The soldiers of the Song Army abandoned their weapons and ran hastily, completely losing the momentum of the previous attack. They were like sheep being chased by wolves, panicked and terrified!
Cao Yong saw the situation of the battle reversed in an instant. He was horrified and immediately ordered the army remaining at the foot of the mountain to fire arrows and get into position immediately!
The crossbowmen of the Song Army hurriedly fired arrows at the rushing down Yan Yun Army. The dense rain of arrows crossed the tide of the fleeing Song Army and fell into the middle of the Yan Yun Army, stopping the Yan Yun Army's charging momentum! After several rounds of arrow rain, Yan Yun's army's momentum was cut by more than half, but it still rushed in front of the Song army's formation! The Yanyun Army, who was about to kill, under the leadership of Shi Liancheng, roared wildly and slammed into the Song Army's line like a roaring wave, and even knocked the Song Army's line to the point of collapse!
Cao Yong was greatly shocked. While strictly ordering the army to resist, he immediately ordered two generals to gather the defeated soldiers and horses and civilian troops to attack Yanyun's army from both wings. The armies of both sides were mixed together, killing each other until the sun and moon were dim, the grass and trees were filled with sorrow, arrows were whizzing, swords were dancing, and the soldiers of both sides were splattered with blood on the battlefield!
A fierce fighting continued until evening. The Yan Yun army failed to overwhelm the Song army, and the Song army failed to defeat the Yan Yun army. Yanyun's army broke away from the battle first and retreated to the mountain. When Song Jun saw Yan Yun's army retreating, they couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief. Looking around, I saw corpses strewn across the battlefield. Amidst the chirping of night owls, it suddenly felt like I was in hell!
Cao Yong and others returned to the big tent. All the generals looked tired, and one general couldn't help but murmured: "Yan Yun's army is really worthy of being a tiger and a wolf, but our army of 300,000 can only barely compete with their 50,000 troops! "
Cao Yong turned around, sat on the commander's seat, and frowned tightly. After reacting, he raised his voice and said: "Don't be afraid, everyone, we will definitely defeat them!"
The generals would always feel their morale boosted when they heard this before, but now they all sighed after hearing this. Everyone has truly felt the power of Yan Yun's army. They feel that it is so difficult to deal with these 50,000 horses. If Yan Yun's army crosses the river, this battle will be impossible to fight! If Yanyun's army wants to destroy its own army, it will be like the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves! Seeing that the morale of the generals was low, Cao Yong didn't know what to say, because even he couldn't help but feel a sense of decadence in his heart.
Cao Yong was suddenly startled and said to himself: 'No! How can I be discouraged? If I am discouraged, how can I encourage everyone to fight! '
At this time, a herald rushed in and knelt down to report: "Commander Qi, the Yanyun army has launched a strong attack on Linxiang, and the Governor of Chenghuang has led the navy to support!" Everyone heard this. Shocked, a general frowned and said: "Now it depends on the navy. If the navy cannot resist it, I'm afraid Linxiang will fall!" Another general frowned and said: "If Linxiang falls, the problem will be serious. ! The entire Yangtze River defense line is bound to collapse!" All the generals looked at Cao Yong. Cao Yong frowned and said secretly: "I originally wanted to send troops to support Linxiang, but after today's battle, it seems that there are no more than 300,000 troops here. They can only barely suppress the 50,000 Yanyun Army and cannot send troops to support elsewhere! Fortunately, our army still has the advantage of the navy, and they should be able to withstand the Yanyun army's attack! '
At the same time, far away on the Linxiang River, Yanyun's army was forcibly crossing the Yangtze River. Warships carrying assault troops braved enemy artillery fire and charged in front, while troops behind quickly built pontoons. Thousands of troops and horses forcefully crossed the Yangtze River, and the scene was spectacular! Linxiang City was hurriedly mobilizing troops and generals, and artillery fire on the city top was bombarding them all the time!
Soon after, Yanyun's assault force landed on the other side. A Song Army general led nearly 10,000 troops and rushed out of the city to counterattack Yan Yun's army. The two sides fought on the river beach, with roars and screams, and the blood dyed the shallows red!
What happened after all, let’s see what happens next.
