"The Tatar army has two thousand-man troops, all of which are cavalry. The battle is between the troops of Cheng Xin, the deputy commander of Mianzhou, who is stationed at Xianren Pass, and the troops of Ma Zhong, the guard of Qifang Pass. The situation of the battle is unknown!"
"Didn't we let the strong walls clear the fields and defend the city? Why did Cheng Xin and Ma Zhong go to Langao Town?"
Wang Jian was confused and asked in surprise.
Cheng Xin, deputy commander of Lizhou West Road, the guard general of Xianren Gate, and Ma Zhong, the guard general of Qifang Gate, were both former generals of Lizhou West Road. They both had some battle reputations, especially Ma Zhong, who was more courageous than anyone else. Why did these two people go to Lan Gao?
"Du Tong, the Tatar army broke through Jiezhou and attacked Jiangli County, but suddenly retreated. Deputy Dutong Cheng received a military report that another Tatar army attacked Xihe Prefecture. He set off from Xianren Pass and fought with Qifang Pass. The guard general Ma Zhong marched west together to intercept the Mongolian army. When the army arrived at Langao Town in Jiangli County, they encountered the Tatar army..."
The sergeant said in a hurry. Cao Youwen and Wang Jian looked at each other and understood instantly.
If the Tatar army captures Jiangli County and defends Qifang Pass, one of the three passes in Shu, they will face the front line of the Tatar army. Needless to say, this is a trick by the Tatar cavalry to feign retreat and lure the enemy.
Cheng Xin and Ma Zhong are really brave and foolhardy, and something big may happen to them.
"How's the battle going?"
Wang Jian saw Cao Youwen's serious expression and asked hurriedly.
"Commander, Commander, I don't know how the battle is going, but when Deputy Commander Cheng and Commander Ma sent out troops, they didn't bring chariots, only 500 cavalry, and the rest were infantry..."
The sergeant's words left Cao Youwen stunned.
Without tanks, there is no rapid artillery. Cheng Xin and Ma Zhong only brought small artillery, 500 light cavalry, and the rest were infantry. Where did this confidence come from?
Isn't this nonsense?
Those officers in the martial arts hall, they allowed the general Cheng Xin to send out troops at will and didn't stop him?
Cao Youwen was sweating profusely and felt a little dazed.
"Pass the military order, let..."
Cao Youwen stabilized his mind. Before he finished speaking, another sergeant hurried in and knelt on the ground with panic on his face.
"Ms. Sir, Du Tong, our army suffered heavy casualties in Langao Town. The Tatar cavalry besieged them and refused to retreat. General, please rescue us quickly!"
The whole room was shocked, Guo Zhengsun's face turned pale, Cao Youwen frowned and patted the table.
"Why are you panicking? Be more careful!"
"The Tatar cavalry fired arrows from a long distance. When they reached 100 steps, they circled around in circles. Many brothers were shot dead before they could take over the formation! If Commander Ma hadn't brought some small cannons, the brothers would have died. Empty!"
The sergeant knelt on one knee, clasped his fists and begged, his face full of tears.
"Capital, send troops to rescue quickly, otherwise all our brothers will be dead!"
"Beat the drums and gather the generals. Hurry to the lobby to discuss matters!"
Cao Youwen did not hesitate and immediately issued a military order.
"As you command!"
An officer immediately ran away from the hall.
"Cao Dutong, the Tatar army is at its peak, and it will only take a moment to destroy Xia. If there is an enemy with the Tatars at this time, and a hundred thousand troops attack, not only the three passes and five states, but also the entire territory and the entire Song Dynasty will be attacked. What an unnecessary disaster!”
As the pacifier of Lizhou West Road, he has the highest official rank, Guo Zhengsun said worriedly.
"Cao Dutong, the Tatar army is powerful and cruel. Please think twice!"
Gao Jia, the magistrate of Mianzhou, looked ugly, stroking his arms and whistling without saying a word.
The Tatar cavalry are invincible, so it is better to be patient and not impatient, so as not to cause unnecessary disasters.
"Xiangong Guo, Xianggong Gao, the Tatar army invaded, massacred my people, and killed my people. Now my soldiers are surrounded and in danger. If I don't rescue them, will we still be the officers and soldiers of the Song Dynasty? How does the emperor think of us?" "
Wang Jian sneered and raised the corners of his mouth slightly.
Fortunately for these civil servants, the new emperor ascended the throne and emphasized the separation of military and political affairs. Otherwise, with them here, there is no telling what outrageous things would happen.
"Xianggong Guo, the soldiers guarding the city have stayed behind, but we must rescue Lan Gao's brother."
Cao Youwen's tone was soft, but his eyes were firm.
"General Cao, the Tatar cavalry dominates the world. General, you should think twice, lest the emperor blames you and I will be blamed for the waste of war."
Guo Zhengsun shook his head to persuade and sighed quietly.
Jiezhou has been lost, Cheng Xin's troops have been ambushed, and there must be no more trouble in Mianzhou.
"Xiangong Guo, Xianggong Gao, do you know the decree given to me by the emperor?"
Cao You heard this and said softly without comment.
Jiezhou has been lost, and the Mongolian army is encircling the Song Dynasty for reinforcements. If he does not regain his face, he, the military commander of Lizhou West Road, may end his life.
"What decree?"
Guo Zhengsun and Gao Jia looked at each other in confusion.
"The emperor decreed, I will not offend anyone unless they offend me. If someone offends me, he will be killed no matter how strong he is. Anyone who offends us in the Song Dynasty will be killed no matter how far away he is. What's more, the other party has entered our territory in the Song Dynasty and massacred my people and killed our soldiers and civilians. If I don’t send troops to rescue, I will be serving as a minister in vain!”
Cao Youwen clasped his fists and saluted solemnly.
"Xiangong Guo, Xianggong Gao, we will leave the city for a decisive battle. I will leave the defense of the city to you two."
Guo Zhengsun and Gao Jia are relatively honest and good officials, worthy of their trust.
Guo Zhengsun and Gao Jia looked at each other, shook their heads helplessly, and returned the favor.
The emperor's will was stated, what else could they say?
"Where are the two Tartar envoys?"
Thinking of something, Cao Youwen suddenly asked.
"Back to the capital, the two Tatar envoys have left. It seems they are heading west, in the direction of Langao Town!"
The sergeant raised his fists to report.
"These two thieves are running really fast. It gives them an advantage!"
Cao Youwen smiled coldly and raised his voice.
"The order goes down, no matter where the soldiers or civilians encounter these two Tatar envoys, they will be arrested immediately. If there is resistance, they will be killed without mercy!"
No wonder these two guys left in a hurry. It turned out that the Mongolian army had invaded the Song Dynasty, and these two guys were afraid that the Song army would settle the score later.
Guo Zhengsun and Gao Jia were both secretly surprised. It is said that this Cao Youwen is full of courage. Today, it seems that he even dared to kill the Mongolian envoy. He is indeed a violent man.
I don’t know what the emperor was thinking. The people sent from the border are all these fierce young generals who are not afraid of tigers.
With these guys around, these civil servants became inexplicably bolder.
The drums were beating intensively, and soon more than a dozen generals entered the hall and saluted Cao Youwen and others.
Cao Youwen walked to the hall and said loudly to the generals who came in.
"Brothers, everyone says that the Tatar cavalry are mobile and good at fighting, invincible in the world, and have destroyed countless countries in the Western Region. Are you afraid?"
All the generals were startled, and then spoke one after another.
"Military orders are like mountains, the general only needs to issue military orders!"
"General, we only obey military orders and are not afraid to say anything!"
The generals did not flinch, and Cao Youwen nodded lightly.
Military morale is available. The officers and soldiers of the Song Dynasty under his command are no longer the Amen of Wu Xia in the past.
"Brothers, the Tatars have broken through Jiezhou City and are fighting fiercely with our army in Langao Town. Are you willing to work with me to rescue the trapped brothers?"
Cao Youwen said it loudly again.
"I am willing to listen to the general's orders!"
All the generals clasped their fists together, spoke impassionedly and in unison.
Although the Tatar army was fierce, all the troops were full of fighting spirit and showed no fear.
In the army, only military orders and obedience are emphasized. This has been subtle for a long time, and the soldiers have long been accustomed to it.
"General Cao, I still say what I said. Only by strength can you decide on countermeasures. Everyone in the world knows that the Mongolian cavalry is invincible in the field. To rescue Langao Town, we have to fight the Mongolian cavalry in the field. General, think twice!"
Guo Zhengsun came down from the hall with a sad face and tried to persuade him.
"General Cao, think twice before you act!"
Gao Jia followed the advice and frowned.
"My two gentlemen, I will be organizing a new army at Shukou just for today's war. The emperor's trust, the martial arts hall's instruction, and the people's expectations. If you don't even have the courage to fight the Mongolian army in the field, then the Song Dynasty is still Border troops?"
Cao Youwen's tone was calm and his voice was much higher-pitched.
"Brothers, rescue on the battlefield is urgent. Those are our brothers of life and death. If we don't rescue, why won't we be laughed to death by the world? Anyway, I can't afford to lose face! Is Lizhou Rongsi an elite soldier or a strong general? You are a coward, you have to figure it out on your own!"
"Advance without retreat, sacrifice your life to be a benevolent person, and serve the country with loyalty!"
The generals clasped their fists and said, everyone blushed.
"Brothers, advance without retreating and serve the country with loyalty!"
Wang Jian took over Cao Youwen's words and roared angrily.
"Advance without retreat, serve the country with loyalty!"
The generals spoke together, and Wang Jian clasped his fists toward Cao Youwen for orders.
"General, without further ado, give the order!"
"General, send troops!"
The generals couldn't wait and started shouting.
"Okay! Brothers, the military situation is like a fire. Quickly assemble the army, bring the artillery carriages, and gather outside the West City!"
After Cao Youwen finished speaking, he took long strides, and all the generals followed closely, and the hall was instantly empty.
Guo Zhengsun and Gao Jia came out of the lobby. They looked at each other and shook their heads.
The students who come out of the Jinling Martial Arts Hall are all militants, eager to fight so that they can make achievements.
I don't know whether it is a blessing or a curse to be so aggressive.
"Xiangong Guo, send someone quickly to report to Xianggong Cui and ask him to send troops for reinforcements. If Cao Youwen is defeated and there is no army stationed in Mianzhou, the people will suffer and the mouth of Shu will be in danger!"
Gao Jia frowned and urged Guo Zhengsun.
"Xiangong Gao, please be patient. Cao Youwen leads the troops out of the city. There will be defenders left in the city, and the people are strong, so there is no need to worry about defending the city. Whether Cao Youwen wins or loses, we may know soon. Let's wait for the results of the battle together, and then It’s not too late to report the matter to the court.”
Guo Zhengsun's words eased Gao Jia's worries a little.
The Mongolian army invaded Shukou, and the entire northwest frontier was about to be in chaos.
At the west city gate of Mianzhou, the Song army marched out of the city on foot and cavalry. On the streets and at the gate of the city, all the soldiers and people of Mianzhou got out of the way, with tenderness in their eyes. The people were densely packed and silent, watching their soldiers leave.
The Song Dynasty settled in the south of the Yangtze River for a hundred years. Never before had the army been so ferocious, so disciplined, and so fearless.
For the first time, the people had feelings for the King of the Song Dynasty and had hope.
