When hundreds of soldiers of the King of Yan suddenly appeared in Fangpi City, riding on horseback and holding command flags, and when the rapid sound of horse hooves and the sound of orders resounded throughout the camps, almost all the officers and soldiers of the Tang Army were at a loss.
In the past few days, the atmosphere of negativity and depression after the defeat had already spread among the army.
Especially the Northern Expedition army under the control of Chen Jue, the elite of the Southern Tang Dynasty who had high hopes for the emperor Li Jing, from generals to soldiers have been suffering from the long siege, and their mood of war weariness and longing to return is increasing day by day.
Military orders were issued, and soon, except for the garrison patrolling on top of the city and the dying wounded soldiers in the camp, most of the Tang troops in the city, numbering nearly 50,000, had gathered one after another to the south of the city. War horses neighed and heads moved. Long queues even filled the narrow streets.
With a long trumpet blast, King Yan Li Hongji led all the generals to appear on the tower.
Looking at the large group of lazy soldiers in front of him, Li Hongji did not get angry, but calmly stated the current predicament of the Tang army. The news was conveyed by Meng Hua, the governor of Haozhou, who had gone through all kinds of difficulties.
At first, the soldiers did not make any obvious reaction, because since arriving in Xiapi City, His Highness King Yan has repeatedly called for the continuation of the Northern Expedition. They also often witnessed King Yan's Qingqi coming out of the city to attack, but this was different from the commander. Chen Jue's orders were completely different. They could simply ignore them, and of course they didn't want to fight.
But today, this resistance did not last long. Because they learned an incredible news from Li Hongji. The rebellion in Jiangbei caused internal and external troubles to the country, and the isolation of important roads also made it difficult to achieve the imperial purpose. After Meng Hua appeared and gave his explanation, all the soldiers of the Tang Army gradually stopped whispering and then showed frightened expressions.
Because this means that the Northern Expedition army has become a lonely army, and they may not be able to go back.
When the soldiers of the Tang Army began to get restless, King Li Hongji of Yan decisively took out the Tiger Talisman Seal Letter and announced loudly that the commander Chen Jue and the military supervisor Feng Yanlu were unable to see their duty due to illness, and that the Northern Expedition army would be under his control starting today.
Then Li Hongjikang roared passionately, now on the verge of desperation, isolated and helpless, if the army wants to return south, they can only fight their way out on their own, and the most important thing right now is to defeat the main force of Zhou's army before it goes south. Enemies outside the city.
"I am willing to live and die together with all the soldiers in the army at my own expense, and to advance and retreat together!"
It must be said that Li Hongji's inspiring remarks were timely and contagious due to his noble royal status, and he quickly received a response from most Tang Army soldiers.
The important matter was settled, Li Hongji immediately waved his hand and delivered the military orders agreed upon in the camp one by one, and all the generals accepted the orders one after another.
Zhou Xingfeng, who had been waiting for a long time, also led a group of soldiers to take out all the grain stored in the city and the money carried by King Yan. The whole army suddenly burst into joy...
Late at night on April 27, the 10th year of Baoda University.
The gates of Xiapi City suddenly opened, and the Southern Tang army that had been trapped for many days came out in full force in the dark night.
When he heard the loud beating of drums and the sound of killings, Zhang Lingbin, the patrol envoy of the Zhou Dynasty in Xuzhou, woke up from his dream at first, but then thought it was another small-scale harassment by the Tang army's light cavalry, so he didn't pay much attention.
After all, in the eyes of him and most of the Zhou army officers, the 50,000 Tang troops in the city were just 50,000 lambs waiting to be slaughtered. If it weren't for his lack of troops and the delay in the arrival of reinforcements, he would have sent troops to break the city long ago.
It wasn't until several sharp arrows pierced the commander's tent, and his nose was filled with the strong smell of kerosene, that Zhang Lingbin woke up from his dream. Looking at the burning flames in front of him, he hurriedly got up, put on his armor, and shouted orders to meet the enemy.
But it's too late now. After all, the Southern Tang army was an elite force, and they were attacking at night. At this time, they only had the determination to fight their way back to the south, and their true fighting power should not be underestimated.
The light cavalry surrounded and attacked, and the infantry did not hesitate to use their flesh and blood to clear the way, carrying kerosene arrows and coming overwhelmingly. After the Tang army quickly broke through several Zhou army camps with high morale, many Zhou army soldiers were whizzed by iron hooves before they could react. Kill mercilessly.
The general Zhang Lingbin was caught off guard and ordered to fight, but the Zhou army and horses were separated and surrounded by fire and thick smoke. It was difficult to see each other from head to tail, and the generals were unable to convey orders, and there was chaos.
Zhou Xingfeng, the deputy commander of the Konghe Army, was extremely brave. He personally led his elite cavalry and penetrated directly into the enemy's camp. Zhang Lingbin saw that the Zhou army was defeated and the situation was over. When he felt desperate, he wanted to die for his country. In the end, he fought hard with his subordinates. After being persuaded, he led the remaining soldiers to break out of the encirclement and fled westward.
The 20,000-strong army was nearly wiped out overnight. Zhang Lingbin regretted having underestimated the enemy and decided to regroup. He rejected his subordinates' offer to return to Xuzhou. Knowing that Emperor Guo Wei had no time to visit south, Zhang Lingbin set up camp along the main road, collecting the scattered deserters. On the one hand, he sent fast horses to nearby states and counties to ask for help, waiting for the opportunity.
The Zhou army was defeated outside Xiapi City. This was a rare victory for the Northern Expedition of the Southern Tang Dynasty in several months. After this battle, the morale of the army was greatly boosted. The reputation of King Yan Li Hongji quickly reached the extreme. All the soldiers worshiped him, and Chen Jue and Feng Yanlu also secretly Devastated, seeing that his troops were about to return to the court, the city burst into cheers.
But often God likes to joke, and a pair of invisible big hands secretly gives me another push. If Li Hongji could take advantage of the victory and quickly lead his army back to the south at this time, even though the Northern Expedition had already failed, the victory at Xiapi would be enough to prove his reputation.
But at this moment, perhaps the victory came too easily, or perhaps he was dazzled by his youthful exuberance. Li Hongji suddenly changed his mind and actually rejected Meng Hua's previous strategy of "ending peace with war" and did not send envoys to negotiate peace. , and did not move back south.
Instead, he followed the advice of the capable general Zhou Xingfeng, believing that the Zhou army in Huaibei was not very powerful. Since Zhang Lingbin's troops were defeated and Guo Wei was unable to go south, he should quickly expand the results and reoccupy Suzhou and other places, which could not only echo Murong Yanchao of Yanzhou , and could open up territory and expand territory for the Tang Dynasty.
Meng Huan tried hard to persuade Li Hongji to no avail, but Li Hongji had made up his mind. The Tang army officers were in an uproar after hearing the news, but they did not dare to disobey the military order, so they could only continue to prepare for war with mixed feelings.
Although they fought a victorious battle under the command of the young King Yan, what they were more concerned about at this time was why King Yan did not fulfill his promise and bring them back to the court.
Three days later, when Li Hongji, wearing golden armor and riding a black-maned horse, led the mighty Southern Tang army and confidently marched towards Suzhou, he was so high-spirited that he never expected that Zhang Lingbin's troops of the Zhou army had been remobilized. Ten thousand state soldiers were stationed at the southwest strategic route.
Of course, Li Hongji would never have thought that there was another Zhou Dynasty army called the Zhenning Army. They had received the secret order from Emperor Guo Wei half a month ago and came from Tanzhou day and night. At this time, they had already passed Bozhou.
What awaits the young prince ahead will be a nightmare...
On May 12, the 10th year of Baoda, Emperor Guo Wei of the Zhou Kingdom personally led the main force of the imperial army to conquer Yanzhou. The last glory of the Later Han Dynasty, Guzhong and Tuyuhun, the famous general Murong Yanchao was defeated and died in a well.
On May 18, the Southern Tang army was completely surrounded and annihilated by the Zhou army in Xiangcheng. Except for the privy envoy Chen Jue who led 800 troops to escape before the battle, more than 40,000 Tang soldiers were killed or wounded. Meng Hu, the governor of Haozhou, died in the battle, and the Eastern Capital was More than 30 generals, including deputy left-behind officer Feng Yanlu and Shenwu commander Liu Yanzhen, were all captured.
Unfortunately, King Li Hongji of Yan died and was almost killed by a black-faced general of the Zhou army. Fortunately, Zhou Xingfeng, the deputy commander of the army, saved him desperately. The two were able to escape hastily south with dozens of cavalry, and finally met two days later. Sun Cheng and others from the Southern Tang Dynasty peace negotiation delegation were belatedly arrived.
The Northern Expedition, which Emperor Li Jing of the Southern Tang Dynasty had painstakingly planned for many years, ended with the collapse of his entire army.
Li Hongji will never forget it until his death. The commander of the Zhou army who was riding a white horse before and after the city was breached always had a calm and calm expression. His name was Guo Rong.
