Before the troops and horses moved, food and fodder went first. Before the food and fodder, a large number of scouts took the lead in entering the battlefield. Both sides showed their magical powers in order to learn about the opponent's military situation earlier and strive to pass the obtained information back to the country faster. If they could burn a stick of incense earlier, Maybe we can reduce the casualties of more than a hundred of our own people. If we can advance half a day, we may be able to turn the entire battle situation around! Therefore, in addition to the mounted cavalry that can fight as the central force of the dynasty, all countries will also spend a lot of energy and financial resources to train a large number of scouts. The Great Chu Army God Sikong Li was a scout in his early years.
As the general of the Xiping Kingdom conquering the east, Ashannu is not as famous as Sikong Li, Baili Jin and others, but his strength cannot be underestimated. As a young and strong general, Ashannu has been committed to training him as early as ten years ago. A large number of scouts, now after ten years of painstaking cultivation, Ashannu has 800 light feather scouts under his command, equipped with the strongest horses and the most sophisticated equipment. If someone unfortunately dies during a war, new candidates will be available to take over within three months at most. The number of Qingyu scouts is stable at 800 all year round.
As Liang's 100,000 troops gathered in Heding City, 40,000 soldiers under Ashannu also gathered in the southern city of Xiping's border dungeon. The two cities were only fifty miles apart, and there was Feiyun Stream that frightened all the soldiers of Liang. It stretches for thirty miles in depth, with extremely steep cliffs on both sides. There are countless holes in the mountain walls, which are convenient for hiding ambushes. The stream is only more than ten feet wide, making it extremely difficult to pass. Cao Bo led his troops to attack the Xiping Kingdom many times, but all failed here.
The first batch of Qingyu scouts secretly left Laonan City a day ago and crossed Feiyun Stream. They were in groups of ten. After dressing up in disguise, they put on household ultimatums that were destined to be indistinguishable from genuine. Three groups of people were originally scheduled to enter one after another. Heding City inquired about the news. In order to prevent them from being wiped out by the Liang Kingdom bandits, three groups of people were preparing to follow the people of Heding City into the city. However, Cao Bo was well aware of the power of Ashannu's scouts and had ordered the city to be closed three days ago. No one could leave or enter the city. Anyone who dared to approach the city The disciples were all imprisoned in the prison of Heding City, and were interrogated one by one after the war. As a result, the first ten people were unfortunately arrested. Fortunately, they had the official household certificates of the people of Liang State with them, so they were not regarded as criminals. Xiping spies rectified the Fa on the spot.
As the first batch of scouts had a bad start, the following 20 people did not dare to act rashly and returned to Laonan City along the same route without bringing back any useful military information. This was the first time that Ashannu and Cao Bo had been at a disadvantage since they had fought several times. .
In Laonan City, Ashannu was wearing heavy armor and standing in front of the terrain map of Feiyunjian. He crossed his fingers and muttered words. None of the other generals under his command dared to come forward to disturb him. Only Ashannu's adopted son, who is only eighteen years old, is now However, Yang Qinan, who served as a centurion among the Qingyu Scouts by virtue of his outstanding military exploits, was able to say a few words to Ashannu at this time.
"Father, now the Qingyu camp has sent thirty people, but they have returned without success, and ten brothers have been detained by Liang country dog thieves. Do you want me to go to Heding City in person?" A tall but childish man said The undressed young scout stood behind Ashan Nu and asked with his fists clasped.
Ashannu shook his head and said in a deep voice: "Nan'er, don't be impulsive. I failed to find out the military situation this time and even put ten brothers in jail. It's because of my father's negligence. I have dealt with Cao Bo for so many years. This guy has finally learned his lesson. Don’t worry, although I don’t know how many soldiers and horses the Liang Kingdom sent out this time, but with the natural barrier of Feiyun Stream, no matter how many people come, I won’t be afraid."
Yang Qinan's eyes were blazing and he said with a ferocious smile: "Liang Guo kindly sent us military honors. We reluctantly accepted this kindness. By then, we will surely build magnificent buildings in front of Laonan City!"
Ashannu nodded and suddenly said: "Cao Bo would have never guessed that I would send half of my troops to station in Feiyun Stream, let alone that I would personally lead the troops to take charge. Nan'er, if my father's prediction is good, this There will be several opponents for you in the battle, so don't let your father down."
Yang Qinan licked his lips, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
In Heding City, Cao Bo, his three tigers, and several other generals under his command were conducting deductions around a huge sand table. Huang Fanlong, as the leader of the three tigers, the "Chu Linhu", looked at the robes around him and said first: " You are all family members, so Huang didn’t beat around the bush too much, so he just said it straight. The terrain of Feiyunjian is steep. I, Daliang, have gone south countless times and failed here. Now, the spies in Laonan City have risked their lives to spread the news. , this time the Xiping Kingdom still led 40,000 troops to personally defend the city. Before our 100,000 soldiers attack the city, can you think of a way to let the army safely cross Feiyun Stream?"
Lin Wang, the "Golden-haired Tiger" who is also one of the three tigers, frowned and said: "Although the cliffs on both sides are steep, it is not impossible to go around. However, in this case, the army will need to spend at least three days on the journey, not to mention passing through. In that desolate and poisonous swamp area full of miasma, Feiyun Stream has become the only way to Laonan City! Ashannu will definitely send people to ambush on the cliffs on both sides. For the current plan, the only way is' "Hurry up and try to get through quickly in exchange for minimal battle losses."
Cao Bo sighed, looked at Ling Zhan aside, and asked: "General Ling, you have followed the King of Qingzhou for many years, and I would like to hear your opinion." The latter now serves as General Zhongwu, and was originally the vanguard under Li Jian. After Jianfeng Wang Qingzhou, Ling Zhan switched to Cao Bo's sect.
Ling Zhan frowned and replied: "Back to the general, I followed the King of Qingzhou in the war, and the essence is nothing more than 'quick, accurate, and ruthless'. General Lin also said it just now, and now Feiyun Stream has almost become a gateway to prison." The only way to pass through Nancheng has become a must-win point for both sides. As the attacking party, we, Daliang, have already lost the opportunity. Since a detour is not possible, we simply send heavy troops to seize the cliffs on both sides and encroach on the territory bit by bit, even if we lose a little. With 20,000 soldiers, as long as the army can safely cross Feiyun Stream and reach Laonan City, this battle will be fought."
Cao Bo nodded: "What General Ling said is to pass on the order immediately. The troops will be divided into two groups. The army will advance from the waterway. General Ling will lead 40,000 infantry to attack the cliff with all his strength. Fanlong and Lin Wang, you two will serve as the left and right vanguards." , we must occupy the high ground before the army arrives at Feiyun Stream!"
"The last general takes command!"
————
The next day, all Liang's troops set out. Ling Zhan led 20,000 infantry soldiers straight to the top of the mountain, while Cao Bo personally led the remaining 60,000 troops across Feiyun Stream. At the same time, Ashannu and his adopted son Yang Qinan led their troops to the front battlefield early, waved their flags, and said to their soldiers: "Everyone, please be alert and guard the foot of the mountain. Whoever stands in the far south will win." Whoever you shoot with arrows, be sure to fill Feiyun Stream with the corpses of Liang’s dog thieves!”
One hundred thousand versus forty thousand is not simply the same as ten versus four. With such a huge disparity in strength, Cao Bo did not believe that Ashannu had the courage to fight outside the city. At most, he would only send 10,000 troops to guard Feiyun Stream. It's not that we can't invest more, but if Liang Jun rushes through Feiyun Stream and there are less than 30,000 soldiers and horses left, Ashannu can use the soldiers like a god. After all, he is not a god who spreads beans to make soldiers. Nancheng! A mere 10,000 people, no matter how brave and skilled they are and have unique geographical advantages, what can they do? We have sent three powerful generals: Ling Zhan, Huang Fanlong, and Lin Wang, and a total of 40,000 infantry! Cao Bo didn't believe that he would still lose this battle.
If we follow common sense, Cao Bo's guess is correct. With a disadvantage of 60,000 troops, others would naturally only send a small number of troops to defend Feiyun Stream. But in fact, not only Cao Bo guessed wrong, but also the other generals under Ashannu's command. No one expected that the general would order his 40,000 troops to come out in full force, and the entire army was ambushed on the cliffs on both sides of Feiyun Stream late at night the other day. No one among the Xiping generals objected to this all-or-nothing decision. In addition to Ashannu, who had commanded the army with great military orders, more importantly, the general who conquered the east had fought against Cao Bo several times without losing any of them. ! All the soldiers under his command have almost blind trust in him!
The 40,000-strong army was standing ready, waiting for the coming fight. No one dared to take it lightly. Yang Qinan walked quietly to Ashannu's side and asked softly: "Father, is it too risky to march in such a dangerous way? If the army fails to defend Feiyun Stream, Laonan City will be like an empty city. By then, Liang’s army will be in a deserted territory, isn’t this bet too big?”
Ashannu looked solemnly, looked at the rushing water in front of him, and said slowly: "The reason why Xiping Kingdom is easy to defend and difficult to attack is that it relies on the natural danger of Feiyun Stream. My father has fought against Cao Bo several times, and he has never been defeated. , It’s not that my father is a god in his military skills. Nan’er must not underestimate the heroes of the world because of this. Liang Guo’s soldiers and horses are strong. No matter how brave and good the soldiers under my command are, if the two armies confront each other outside Laonan City, with 40,000 horses, they can only kill Cao Cao at most. Cao Bo has 60,000 troops, so he must consume as much of Liang's troops as possible in Feiyun Stream. After all, there is still a gap in national strength. If he can give his father 30,000 more troops, what can Cao Bo do with his 100,000 troops? Make sure no one can see the top of Laonan City!"
Yang Qinan gritted his teeth and said: "If the three generals of our country are willing to help, if the king is willing to send more troops..."
Ashannu sneered and interrupted: "It is better to ask for yourself than to ask for others. Those three wine bags and rice bags, apart from doing things to add icing on the cake to gain military glory, they only have lip service. As for why the angry king refused to increase his troops, it is nothing more than that. He is worried that he will respect his father and raise his troops to rebel. Forty thousand is the limit. Hong Jiang thinks very highly of himself and believes that with his own ability in leading troops, twenty thousand close troops are enough to check and balance my forty thousand iron-blooded soldiers!"
Yang Qinan hesitated again and again, and finally made up his mind, and asked in a deep voice: "Father, if I want to be honest, the angry king is dissolute and immoral. Why don't we take advantage of the situation to rise up and declare ourselves the king?"
Ashan Nu turned his head when he heard this and narrowed his eyes to stare at the adopted son he was carrying with one hand. Yang Qinan consciously made a mistake and lowered his head deeply, like a thorn in the back, not daring to look at Ashan Nu. Unexpectedly, the latter just sighed and said: "So what if you rebel against the angry king? It's just that the Xiping Kingdom changed its name. It is said that in order to fight against foreigners, you must first settle the internal affairs. It is not difficult to overthrow Hongjiang. It is just a matter of raising troops to rebel. How many casualties will there be for the 40,000 soldiers under my command? How will the remaining troops be able to withstand the Liang army? Nan'er, as my only adopted son, you need to take a longer view."
Yang Qinan cupped his fists and said in a deep voice: "My child has learned a lesson."
Ashannu twisted his wrist and asked, "Are all the enemy fortifications prepared?"
Yang Qinan replied: "The iron cables, hooks and nets under the water, the copper juice wood, etc. are all ready."
Ashan Nu nodded, thinking to himself, the war is about to begin, and I don't know how many people will die.
