Dawn breaks in the east, and the Forbidden Army encamps.
Five hundred light cavalry led by Marshal Li Yuan of the counter-rebellion army galloped out. The purpose of this trip was to explore the Zhennan Army camp. The team soon galloped into the south valley entrance of the camp.
Although all-night discussions with King Yan Li Hongji were fruitless, the army was already here, and they could not openly oppose King Yan, forcing Li Yuan, as the commander-in-chief, to spend no time in the camp because he still expected to return to the court. Later, Li Hongji hoped to say something nice in front of the emperor, but at this time he did not want to arouse Li Hongji's suspicion.
Anyone who uses military force naturally knows that ambush can be used in dense valleys and forests. Just in case, when the army camped here before, Li Yuan had specially sent scouts into the valley to check. The information obtained was that it was safe and sound, but soldiers are not afraid of deception. Nothing happened yesterday does not mean nothing will happen today. After this valley, we will reach the south of the town. The two armies were stationed only five miles apart. Who knew what Li Zhenggu and Song Mojie were thinking?
Therefore, we must remain extremely vigilant during today's march.
Since the mountain at the entrance of this valley is relatively gentle, there is no way to hide an ambush here, so Li Yuan can safely lead his troops and horses to gallop into the front of the mountain pass. However, the situation after entering the valley is unknown, so he must always be careful.
The entrance to the valley is quite wide and the ground is fairly flat, so it is not too difficult for the team to walk. As Li Yuan could see before his eyes, this valley must have been a battlefield many years ago. From time to time, collapsed stone fortifications and archery bunkers could be seen in it, but they were all dilapidated. After years of wind and rain, there are many landslides on the mountain walls on both sides of the canyon, peeling off the ocher-colored rocks, which are rugged and suspended in the air, which is very scary.
Two or three miles into the mountain, the valley gradually tightened inward, and was no longer ten feet wide. Looking at the cliffs ahead, they looked like gates. The terrain was difficult and dangerous, and the trees and grass were getting deeper. Li Yuan knew that he could not go any further. Because according to the gradually shrinking width of the valley, the narrowest point may only be five or six feet wide, which will be the best place to be attacked. The trees on the cliffs on both sides have gradually become thicker. The top of the cliff in front is completely covered with pines and cypresses, leaving no vision at all. The ambush is inside and cannot be detected below.
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"Stop advancing, stay on alert." Li Yuan's heart moved, he raised his hand and ordered.
When the order was given, the men and horses immediately stopped moving. The cavalry dismounted and drew their swords. They stood on guard with serious faces. The horses were gathered together and lined up in several barriers, forming simple fortifications in front and behind the team.
"The scout battalion immediately climbed up to both sides of the cliff, looked out along the mountain crest, and paid close attention to suspicious signs in the valley. Fu Tongjun, you will lead two hundred sergeants to immediately cut down trees and carry rocks to block the passage ahead, and quickly build fortifications." Li Yuan He ordered in a flurry of sounds.
"Generalissimo, why are we blocking the passage ahead? Aren't we on this trip to explore the camp? If this cuts off the way forward, how can we explore?" Fu Hong was stunned and asked in a low voice.
Li Yuan said in a deep voice: "Have you seen it? The forest and grass ahead are dense, and the passage is only five or six feet wide. It is difficult for light cavalry to advance together. If the enemy intends to bury an ambush and garrison, that forest is the best choice. . We only have 500 people. If we are not careful on this trip, if we enter rashly, the enemy troops will really attack and encircle us in large numbers. Not to mention that we will not be able to resist at all, and there is no hope of even retreating. We will build fortifications first and wait for the scout battalion to report back. "
Fu Hong and his men quickly set up three barriers on the narrow mountain road hundreds of steps ahead. Trees and rocks overlapped to form three artificial natural barriers. Although these trees and rocks could be removed manually, they were enough to temporarily cut them off. A situation where imaginary enemies are pouring in from the front. This arrangement not only occupies a favorable location, but also wins time. It should be noted that time is life at critical moments. As long as you can delay the enemy's time, you will give yourself a chance to survive. After all, your base camp will be clear in the rear.
An hour later, everything had been arranged. Except for the dozens of people responsible for guarding on the cliff and the seven or eight cavalry who boldly rushed forward to conduct reconnaissance, the remaining more than 500 soldiers and horses stopped in place to rest. Everyone was quietly chewing dry food to fill their stomachs while quietly waiting for Li Yuan's latest order.
In addition to the sounds of soldiers chewing dry food and the occasional snort of war horses, the loudest sound in the entire valley is the sound of waves made by the trees on the mountain when the mountain wind passes over the cliffs on both sides. The sound only adds to the feeling of silence.
The cold north wind was blocked by the cliff, but the temperature in the canyon was still as cold as ice. The clouds in the sky have not dispersed, and the sun cannot be seen, and the specific time is unknown. The long wait made people anxious, and Li Yuan was also anxious in his heart, but his face was calm, because he could not let his emotions affect the people around him, because here he was the support of everyone, and he must not let the soldiers around him feel panic.
There was a slight sound of vegetation breaking on the cliff on the right side, and a bright flag stretched out from a giant pine and waved rapidly. This was a signal from the watchers on the cliff, indicating that they had seen suspicious signs. Li Yuan tried his best to look towards the front of the valley, but he saw a vague figure trying to escape from the forest in front of him. He was very fast, but his figure was a little swaying, as if he was injured.
"This man is not covered by armor and is not allowed to fire arrows." Li Yuan immediately ordered after seeing for a while, stuffed the last bite of dough into his mouth, and then stood up quickly.
But after seeing this man running out of the forest like crazy, he almost stumbled to the ground. Just when he thought he had a way out, he saw from a distance that the mountain road hundreds of steps ahead was blocked by huge trees and rocks, and he felt as if Thinking of something, he felt despair for a moment, and then he stood there in a daze, at a loss what to do. At this moment, his face was blue and out of breath, and the cloth on his body was stained with blood. It was obvious that he had just experienced a big battle and was very consumed.
"Who is coming?" The soldier asked loudly across the fortifications at Li Yuan's instruction.
"Kill if you want, where are all the nonsense? I am your real father! Your Zhennan Army is already a rebellious army. It can only be rampant for a while, and sooner or later it will die without a burial place! I just have no strength, otherwise I can still do it again Kill all of you!" At this point, the man's strength seemed to have completely weakened, and he was waiting for death in his heart. He had the courage to come over without fear of the fortifications in front of him, and slowly sat down against the boulder with his trembling body. .
Li Yuan frowned and said, "Who are you, and why does the Zhennan Army want to kill you?"
The man seemed to have thought of something, his face suddenly changed, and his originally gloomy eyes instantly lit up, as if he saw hope of life: "Aren't you the Zhennan Army? Is this the Forbidden Army camp? Come on, save me, I Last night, I followed the order of King Yan to kill the traitor Zhu Heng, please save me..."
Seeing the man chanting and then gradually losing his voice, Li Yuan hesitated for a moment and then gave the order. All the soldiers were alert and armed and ready for battle. He then ordered people to move through a narrow path and quickly carry the fainted man back to the wood and stone. Surrounding the temporary camp, first take off the weapons and then cover them with warm clothes.
After a while, the man seemed to be showing signs of waking up, and his dry lips kept moving. After his eyes slowly opened, a soldier quickly handed him some water and let him take a few sips. The man calmed down and then turned back. Shen stood up and looked at the "Tang" flags placed everywhere, almost with tears in his eyes...
