Bauhinia Pass.
The biting cold wind blew by, but Ye Xian's army was still arrayed outside the pass, neither attacking nor retreating.
On the high city wall, Liu Shen was kneeling on one knee, and with a cold face, he was recounting in detail what he had just seen and heard.
"The Supreme Emperor is on a hill about five miles outside the city. He is less than a hundred steps away from the army of bandits. There are about a hundred horsemen of the bandits on the hill, swarming around the Supreme Emperor. The leader is Boyan Timur, Ye Xian's younger brother."
"When the general came in, all the cavalry accompanying him were blocked, and only four personal soldiers entered with him."
"At the same time, hundreds of crossbowmen are clearly visible in the bandit army, standing with bows in hand, facing the general. If the general makes any move, he may be shot on the spot."
After listening to Liu Shen's narration, a look of disappointment flashed across Ren Li's face.
It was obvious that these thieves were very considerate and strict in their "protection" of the Supreme Emperor, but he did not expect to gain anything big.
So he turned to ask about the business and said.
"What did the Emperor say to you?"
Liu Shen replied: "Two things the Supreme Emperor said."
"First, this time we also attacked Bauhinia first, and mobilized a total of 40,000 troops, of which 10,000 were logistics and 30,000 were combatable officers and soldiers. After several battles, there are now about 22,000 combatable officers and soldiers, and another More than ten thousand people went to attack Gubeikou."
Hearing this, Ren Li and Wang Wen looked at each other, both seeing the confusion in each other's eyes.
This military information is true, they have known it for a long time.
But what they were wondering was, how did the Supreme Emperor, who was so "protected", know this?
Although these military information are not classified as confidential.
But obviously, if the Supreme Emperor is not even allowed to enter or exit the military tent as rumored, it will be difficult to obtain this military information.
So Ren Li asked: "So, does the Supreme Emperor still have some freedom of movement in the prison camp?"
Liu Shen replied: "When the last general paid his respects to the Supreme Emperor, according to Yuan Bin who was beside the Supreme Emperor, the Supreme Emperor lived beside Yexian's tent, and was always accompanied by his younger brother Boyan Timur."
"But Yuan Bin and Ha Ming often communicate news between the Supreme Emperor and Ye Xian, so they can sometimes leave the big tent."
Liu Shen didn't say it clearly, but everyone present understood it.
The Supreme Emperor was closely guarded, but the people around him still had the opportunity to go out and have some fun.
So Ren Li nodded and motioned for Liu Shen to continue.
"Secondly, the Supreme Emperor has said that the thieves have sinister intentions this time. They want to use the Supreme Emperor as a threat. They stand in front of the formation and assist in crossing the pass. The Supreme Emperor ordered us to guard the city gate tightly and not to open the door without permission."
After Liu Shen finished speaking, everyone present felt their hearts sink.
What they were most worried about finally happened.
Although he had known for a long time that the bandits would use the Supreme Emperor to blackmail him, he never thought that he would take action first and it would be such a vicious strategy.
Ren Li pondered for a moment and said tentatively.
"If the thieves are so treacherous, they are really vicious. In this case, we must obey the emperor's order, stick to the city, and delay time. Now that winter has arrived, we must not hold on for long. As time goes by, we will retreat. .”
Hearing this, Wang Wen frowned and did not answer Ren Li. Instead, he asked Liu Shen.
"General Liu Shen, what you just said was that when the Supreme Emperor summoned him, his younger brother Boyan Timur was present. In this case, how could the Supreme Emperor tell you this military information?"
Liu Shen lowered his head and answered truthfully: "Yes, Boyan Timur was indeed beside him at that time, but the Supreme Emperor said that he and Boyan Timur are good friends, so there is no need to avoid taboos. In the end, he will tell the truth to the Supreme Emperor. Yan Timur never spoke from the beginning to the end."
Wang Wen's face darkened. If it was still a guess just now, he could be sure now.
This summons itself was one of Ye Xian's strategies.
The reason why he deliberately revealed his strategy to them in advance was to cause discord between them.
When the war is about to begin, once the commander-in-chief and the admiral minister disagree, there will naturally be omissions in the strategy.
This is a conspiracy!
So even if he knew, he should be careful first. Wang Wen still shook his head at Ren Li and said.
"Commander Ren is also a man who has been on the battlefield for a long time. Don't you know that the soldiers are out there, so the defenders are determined to hold on?"
"Our spies have reported and are here first, carrying several siege equipment. If we just rely on the city to defend, even though the walls of Zijingguan City are strong, as long as we don't consider sacrifices, we will eventually break through. This is not a good strategy. also."
"When the Supreme Emperor revealed the military situation, since Boyan Timur was around, it means that he also acquiesced to the matter. If we really restrain our hands and feet because of this, we will only fall into the trap of the thieves."
Ren Li frowned and wanted to speak, but at this moment, a loud horn sounded in the distance.
A black torrent slowly approached Zijingguan. At the front of the military formation, a bright yellow broad carriage looked very eye-catching.
The tired look on Wang Wen's face immediately disappeared, and he looked at Ren Li seriously.
Ren Li thought for a while and finally waved.
"Liu Shen, I order you to lead 3,000 cavalrymen as the vanguard to charge into the formation. Tao Jin, you will lead 5,000 infantrymen to follow behind."
"Remember, don't hurt the Supreme Emperor."
There are rugged and steep mountains on both sides of Zijing Pass. Due to the terrain restrictions, it is impossible to send out too many people, so sending 8,000 people out is completely enough.
So Liu Shen and Tao Jin took the order and went to prepare themselves.
At this time, Wang Wen looked at the torrent moving forward in the distance, with the same stern look in his eyes, and said.
"Come here, prepare artillery and bows and arrows. If the enemy comes within a thousand steps, attack them first with artillery."
"no!"
Before the general on the side accepted the order, Ren Li said decisively.
"Wang Jianzhai, don't forget that the Supreme Emperor is still in front of the battle!"
The Ming Dynasty has artillery. Although the current technology is not mature enough, the range of within a thousand steps is still sufficient.
However, because the artillery itself is very heavy and difficult to cast, ordinary passes are not arranged.
But Zijin Pass is the key to this battle, so it is naturally equipped with artillery.
Not only that, but there are seven!
Because of this, Renli objected.
It was enough to send people out of the city to meet the enemy. After all, Ren Li was a veteran and knew the disadvantages of simply standing firm. When he said standing firm at the time, he was just testing Wang Wen, and he didn't really think about not sending troops out.
But artillery and bows and arrows are different!
The bright yellow carriage was very conspicuous in the formation.
Even if the two armies were fighting and in chaos, both the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty and the army of Wala would definitely try their best to avoid the carriage.
After all, the Wala army spread out hundreds of steps wide, and a mere carriage was no more than ten steps wide. All you had to do was choose another breakthrough point when charging.
However, artillery and bows and arrows both cause area-of-effect damage, especially artillery. Once it explodes, even if you deliberately avoid it, there is no guarantee that it will not affect people who shouldn't be affected.
So Ren Li immediately stopped the general who was about to take the order and said instead.
"Sir Wang, eight thousand troops are enough to repel the enemy, but it will hurt the Supreme Emperor. There is no need for artillery and arrow rain!"
Although the last sentence is a question, Ren Li's attitude is obviously very determined.
Wang Wen said with a calm expression.
"General Ren, you don't know that artillery and arrow rain are the best way to block the enemy's advance. They can buy time for our army and consume the enemy's strength to the maximum before the battle."
"Due to time constraints, artillery was not deployed at various passes in the past. But now that Zijin Pass has been deployed, we cannot let our officers and soldiers die and be injured without using it."
"Besides, there is no Supreme Emperor in that car at all!"
The first words were ignored by Ren Li. After hearing the last sentence, he turned around and looked at the bright yellow carriage in the distance.
The distance is too far to see clearly.
At this time, Wang Wen's voice came from beside him.
"Ye Xian is not stupid. He would never dare to really tie the Supreme Emperor into battle. If the Supreme Emperor is injured in the battle, my Ming Dynasty will use all the strength of the country to destroy Wala. He will not take this risk!"
Ren Li's eyes widened and he almost pulled off his beard in anger.
Is this the reason?
Guess?
Gritting his teeth, Ren Li asked.
"So what Mr. Wang said is just speculation. What if it is really the Supreme Emperor?"
Wang Wen had an indifferent look on his face, not afraid of Ren Li's anger at all, and spoke calmly.
"No, that's not it!"
