In the evening, the rain became heavier.
The muddy water within a few miles south of the Guxi River was littered with dead bodies, sometimes mixed with the sound of wailing for help. Hundreds of officers and soldiers wandered around to rescue injured friendly troops, while the rebels killed their lives and then plundered their bodies.
There were more than a thousand people standing or squatting under the Dangtu City Wall. These were all bandits captured just from the battlefield. Half an hour ago, Kuang Ren led dozens of mounted guards to become the deadliest weapon. After entering the battle, they were like sharp blades. Effortlessly tore a gap in the rebel army and directly hit the rear formation. Together with Jin Shenghuan's ambush troops, they reversed the trend and defeated the enemy in one fell swoop. The leader of the thief, Chen Dafa, was killed by Kuang Ren with an arrow. The thief army fled for their lives or abandoned their weapons and surrendered. Now they were He was taken outside the city to wait for disposal.
In the lobby of the government office, Chang Yu changed into clean clothes and sat on the eunuch's chair, fiddling with the tea lid in his hand. He looked at the sneers on everyone's faces. Lu Daqi, Xu Hongji and others looked guilty and restless. After a while, they looked at the little eunuch's face. He would look at Jin Shenghuan kneeling at the door.
Among the four thousand regular officers and soldiers, one thousand were cavalry. They did not take any advantage against the three thousand bandits. Even a pre-set ambush and a surprise attack with front and rear attacks were still useless. If it were not for dozens of the little eunuch's personal guards to participate in the battle, , the outcome of this battle is still difficult to predict.
This battle was really ugly and a slap in the face! This made Xu Hongji, who held the military power in Nanjing, ashamed. Although he went to the battlefield in person, he still felt ashamed.
"Get up, this matter has little to do with you, but it is not irrelevant! If your direct soldiers were fighting like this, I would have to kill you today!" Chang Yu glanced at Jin Shenghuan Leng, who was kneeling at the door. scolded. As the commander of the ambush, he was responsible for making an ambush battle so miserable. However, after all, the troops he led had just taken over and were new to the battlefield. It is inevitable to be afraid of fighting and panic in the face of battle.
Jin Shengheng then stood up: "The Lord Governor will give the general ten days. If you are in such a bad situation again, let the Lord Governor handle it!"
good! Chang Yu stood up to attack the case: "I will treat you as a military order. Let's see if you can do what you say." As he said this, he scanned everyone in the hall and said, "You look even uglier now than in the battle just now." , it shows that there is still shame in the heart, I hope you can realize your shame and be brave!"
Everyone lowered their heads and said nothing, Chang Yu snorted coldly: "Lu Shangshu, what do you think of this battle?"
Lu Daqi stood up and cupped his hands: "Without him, Nanjing's soldiers and horses are not practicing diligently and their military preparations are slack!" Xu Hongji's facial muscles next to him moved a few times, and Chang Yu saw it clearly: "Please tell me, Mr. Guo."
"There is nothing to say. What Lu Shangshu said is absolutely true. We are responsible and we are willing to be punished!" Xu Hongji said as he sat on his seat with a livid expression and cupped his hands. Chang Yu let out a sigh of relief and glanced at Zhao Zhilong from his face. No one among Zhu Guobi and others dared to look at him.
"Anyway, it is a great joy to win the first battle. I hope you will continue your efforts and be invincible." Chang Yu picked up the tea cup and took a sip and looked outside the lobby. Kuang Ren hurriedly walked in: "Report to the Governor, we will kill four enemies in this battle." More than a hundred were captured, and more than 1,300 were captured. We were wounded more than a thousand, and 676 were killed in battle."
Ah! Chang Yu's lips twitched and he glanced at everyone, but they all remained silent.
"We announced that nearly 3,000 enemies were wiped out in the first battle, and our casualties were less than 500!" Chang Yu said calmly. Kuang Ren was startled and then asked: "Does the Governor want to kill prisoners? When will he do it?"
Chang Yu narrowed his eyes and looked at Lu Daqi: "What do you think, Master Shangshu?"
Lu Daqi pondered for a while: "Since ancient times, the number of prisoners killed has not been known, and when the news reaches the bandit army, it is feared that no one will surrender or even fight to the death in the future." Xu Hongji and others also nodded in agreement, Chang Yu said "oh" and said to Kuang Ren: "Don't kill me yet. , but the notice is sent out!”
Kuang Ren turned around and walked out, still wondering why the young governor, who was always ruthless and decisive, changed his mind after hearing this old man's words.
Lu Daqi and the others were also muttering. It was rumored that this little eunuch was a murderer and liked to kill prisoners and build the Jingguan. But now it was a bit inconsistent with the rumors. However, they agreed with Chang Yu's false report of his achievements because it was too necessary at the moment. After a great victory, not only the morale of the military needs to be inspired by the good news, but also the people's morale needs to be appeased by the good news!
Especially the 20,000 soldiers who came out of Nanjing to fight. Most of them were rookies on the battlefield. They had heard too many ferocious legends about the rebel army, and they were extremely fearful deep in their hearts. They took it for granted that the rebel army was brave and invincible in battle. Otherwise, How did they reach the gates of Nanjing so quickly... And the most direct way to boost their morale is to achieve a great victory: Look, you are not incompetent, and you are very powerful. You wiped out ten times the enemy at a cost of more than 500. , so the thieves are all paper tigers... This is also the reason why Chang Yu had to let his personal guards participate in the battle just now. If he had lost just now, there would really be no need to fight the next battle.
"Although we won the first battle, our performance was unsatisfactory. I don't want to reward or punish you. Do you have any objections?" Chang Yu asked softly, sweeping away everyone. Lu Daqi, Xu Hongji and others quickly shook their heads: "I don't dare to ask for rewards."
"You don't ask for rewards, but the reward for the soldiers below must not be less, especially the 50,000 taels of silver promised by the Duke cannot be paid in vain." Chang Yu chuckled, Xu Hongji quickly handed over his hand and said: "I offer you real gold and silver, absolutely." Don’t break your promise”.
Chang Yu believes that he will not break his promise. Everyone here is not a fool. This is the first battle. There is still a long way to go. If you break your promise to the soldiers, who will sacrifice their lives for you!
"Although the first battle is successful, this is just the beginning. If you have any opinions, please speak frankly." Chang Yu took a long breath and asked calmly. The group of people in front of him are not good at leading troops to fight. I wonder if there are any constructive opinions on paper.
Xu Hongji lowered his eyebrows and pondered. Zhao Zhilong and Zhu Guobi looked at each other in confusion. Lu Daqi glanced left and right and cupped his hands: "From what I have seen, it is not advisable to be too aggressive or too hasty. We need to work step by step and act steadily." Chang Yu hummed: "Sir, can you elaborate in more detail?"
Lu Daqi took a sip of tea and cleared his throat: "The troops and horses have just finished the battle and need to be repaired for a few days. The army at the rear also needs to be repaired when marching in the rain. What's more, the continuous rain is not suitable for marching and fighting. We can take advantage of the victory in the first battle just now." We will reorganize the military affairs, and the bandit army will be redeployed after a defeat, and we will not send troops to attack in the short term."
Chang Yu smiled: "How does Lord Shangshu think the rebel army will be deployed, and how should we respond?"
Lu Daqi pondered for a moment and then said: "After the new defeat, we will be more vigilant, or ask for reinforcements to defend instead of attack. We have reorganized our troops and continued to advance. We just estimate that the bandits will not fight with us in the field anymore but will defend the city. We might as well take advantage of this opportunity to prepare for the siege."
Chang Yu nodded slightly and looked at Xu Hongji: "What do you think, Duke Guo?"
Xu Hongji was listening with relish and was startled when he heard the words: "What Lu Shangshu said is what I thought. I will repair it for a few days and prepare to attack the city."
"Why can't we take advantage of the victory and seize Wuhu when the rebels are unaware? Otherwise, what's the point of having those smoke bombs on the other side? Or do you think it's easier to attack the city than to fight in the field?" Chang Yu sneered, Lu Daqi and others were startled. Suddenly showing embarrassment, Zhu Guobi said: "The tired army cannot be used!"
"Fights are fleeting, and all you have to fight for at a critical moment is endurance and willpower. By the time you have eaten, drank, and slept well, the bandit army has already closed the city gates and prepared wooden logs and rolling stones to entertain guests. What will you say at that time?" Chang Yu rolled his eyes, leaving Zhu Guobi speechless.
"At this time, Wang Zamao's attention is still on the riverside outside the city. The city defense must be empty. We can take the opportunity to recapture Wuhu City with a night attack. Otherwise, when he finds out that he has been tricked, he will withdraw to the city and make preparations, and Wuming will attack again. Have you ever thought about how much the city has to pay?" Chang Yu has rich experience in fighting the enemy. If he had elite soldiers and generals to advance directly, he wouldn't have to use so many fancy tactics. But at the moment, the soldiers and horses at hand are insufficient in combat effectiveness. Then he had no choice but to use four ounces and a thousand pounds to resort to tricks.
"The last general is asking for a fight!" Jin Shenghuan took a step forward and said, "The last general is willing to lead the cavalry to attack Wuhu overnight!"
Chang Yu looked at him and shook his head slightly: "If you go to attack the city and you don't have enough manpower." As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Hongji started to fight: "I am willing to go!"
"I'm going too, and I'll be there too." Zhao Zhilong, Zhu Guobi and Xu Hongji are the iron triangle and are willing to go together. Chang Yu looked at Lu Daqi again. Just as Lu Daqi was about to express his position, he raised his hand to stop him: "The Governor of Lu Shang Shu just wants you to say something. If you were that Wang Zamao, what would be your first reaction when he learned that the battle in the north was defeated? What countermeasures will be taken?"
Lu Daqi frowned and thought for a while: "Perhaps he is unmoved. From the fact that he only sent three thousand troops and most of them were refugees, he knew that his intelligence was limited and he underestimated the enemy too much. Perhaps he would think that the defeat was just because his subordinates were careless and underestimated the enemy, and the governor Your Excellency said that he is now attracted by the officers and soldiers on the other side and has no time to do this. At most, he will only send some reinforcements here, not even reinforcements. After all, he only sent troops north to contain us, not to defeat us."
"What if he is moved by it?" Chang Yu smiled faintly: "What if he sends another army..."
"Impossible" Lu Daqi interrupted him: "If it is as the governor said, all his attention is on the officers and soldiers on the other side, it is impossible to send a large army here, unless there is something wrong as expected, for example, he was just pretending to spy on the other side."
Chang Yu nodded and glanced at Li Muchian standing beside him: "What do you think?"
"Based on the previous discussion between the adults and the poor Taoist, if you are not at ease, wait until the scouts come to discuss it!" Although Li Muxian's voice was low, everyone could hear it clearly. In fact, the decision has been made long ago.
"We're close! Waiting here will only delay the opportunity to fight. It's better to send troops and attack directly. If it succeeds, we will get twice the result with half the effort. If it fails, we will wait for the arrival of the army from behind to make a long-term plan!" Chang Yu gritted his teeth and shouted outside the hall: "Kuang tough!"
"My humble duty is here." Kuang Ren came in and said, "What are your orders from the Governor?"
"Lead the troops to move quickly, avoid the sidelines and wait for an opportunity to capture Wuhu City!" As soon as Chang Yu said this, everyone was shocked. What kind of joke are you leaving the army unused and letting dozens of cavalry capture the city?
"I'm a humble official!" Kuang Ren suddenly became excited. He glanced at everyone with an arrogant look and turned to leave. Lu Daqi started to fight: "Master Governor, please don't..."
"Unexpectedly, Chang Yu ignored him and looked at Xu Hongji: "My lord, take your three servants and cooperate with Jin Shenghuan's cavalry to rush to the west bank of Wuhu to attack the bandit army to attract attention. Lu Shangshu led the remaining troops and horses to follow! "
Everyone was stunned, but they also understood the little eunuch's intention. In order to prevent the officers and soldiers on the other side from crossing the river, the bandit general Wang Zamao pulled the main force out of the city to prepare for a fight with the officers and soldiers on the river bank. He also ordered Chen Dafa to lead 3,000 people north to contain the Nanjing reinforcements. , at this time the city's defense must be empty.
The young eunuch's move at this time was to take advantage of its emptiness to seize the city with elite troops, and at the same time send cavalry to the riverside to harass and distract its attention and contain its troops. Jin Shenghuan's cavalry was approaching, plus several hundred of Xu Hongji's servants. Although they were not enough to fight, they were more than enough to harass. In addition, Lu Daqi arrived soon. Wang Zamao would be busy dealing with it for a while, and he might not immediately withdraw his troops and return to the city. This was an opportunity. If If you can't seize this opportunity, you will have to bite the bullet and attack the city. I'm afraid that the reinforcements of the bandit army will also arrive at that time, and it will inevitably be another bloody battle, or even multiple battles. With the current combat effectiveness of the officers and soldiers, it will be a very bloody battle. hardships!
This is also the reason why Chang Yu wants to take risks and fight quickly!
