"What's going on over there in the water village?" Lou Shifan was listening to music with his mother in his arms when his subordinates came in and reported that he immediately became alert.
"Replying to the Third General, our patrolling brother came back and said that the water village was very lively with people shouting and horses, but there were officers and soldiers on guard who did not dare to approach.
The villain took the initiative and sent two spies down to investigate. They just reported that the officers and soldiers were transporting grain from Shangban Ferry to the water village, and there were mules, horses, and vehicles as far as the eye could see! "
"Shangban Ferry? That's Guangxin coming, but it's impossible for Yin Shuai to send food to Shangrao?" Lou Shifan was confused. While listening to the incident, he rubbed his hands back and forth on the girl's body, not paying attention at all. "You didn't send someone to Guangxin to investigate?" he asked.
The person who came to report was the newly appointed Central Army Cao Junyou. Hearing his question, he couldn't laugh or cry. He quickly replied: "Three generals, from the foot of the mountain to Shangban Ferry, there are all officers and soldiers. The spies can't get through! According to the villain, 80% of Guangxin has been lost!" "
"Nonsense! Yin Shuai sent two thousand people to Guangxin!" Lou Shifan felt that this guy was alarmist and glanced at him dissatisfied.
After the last battle, all his men were lost. Although some prisoners came back, almost no important leaders could come back, leaving Lou Shifan alone.
Now he is using the manpower allocated to him by his boss under the command of his father, and Lou Shifan is quite dissatisfied with the use.
"A flag (Cao Junyou's nickname), are you fucking bluffing me? Guangxin is a city after all, how could it be lost so quietly without even a single person escaping?"
Of course Cao Junyou was dissatisfied, and said with a flat mouth: "Don't forget, Yin Shuai's men also broke the city overnight to occupy Guangxin. What he can do may not be possible with the army!"
These words were a bit arrogant, and Lou Shifan became impatient: "Go away, go away, you can find out if you have the ability, and then come back and do some invisible things to disturb my interest!" Cao Jun saw that his mind was not in his mind, so he had to cup his hands and shake his hand. Headed out.
"These sweaty stinking rough guys!" Lou Shifan cursed, took out his hand and sniffed: "My sister still smells good. Sister, tell me, how good is your grandma in singing?" The girl couldn't stop panting, and she was embarrassed. She blushed and shivered in his arms.
Lou Shifan smiled "gege", his face suddenly changed color, and he pulled the girl off his lap. The girl's legs were so weak that she couldn't stand and collapsed on the ground.
Lou Shifan didn't care. He stood up and tied the belt of his placket jacket. He walked to the door and looked to the west. Sure enough, there was a bright color on the horizon, as if there was a large army in action. Could it be that the officers and soldiers from Shangrao City sneaked out and attacked Guangxin?
He was confused and waved his hand behind him: "Get out of here! I have to go about my business!"
The madam who sang the song, as if she had been granted amnesty, rushed over to help her daughter and fled. Several musicians also quickly packed up their food and fled. "Go and chase Cao Zhongjun back!" Lou Shifan pointed at a soldier and ordered.
Soon Cao Junyou returned to the house, cupped his hands and said, "Third general, what are your orders?"
"I thought about it carefully. Maybe Shangrao's soldiers took advantage of our unpreparedness and came out of the city to attack Guangxin." Lou Shifan expressed his judgment.
Cao Jun grinned: "Third general, if this is really the case, if the eldest son blames us, we will be derelict in our duties!"
"That's for sure, but I just don't understand. How did they go out to seize Guangxin without knowing it? It can only be from the north gate of the water village, but why didn't we get any information?" Lou Shifan was distressed.
"Well, Third General, what's important for us right now is not to think about this." Cao Jun said: "If food comes into the city, wouldn't the eldest son's idea of attacking Shangrao be in vain?"
"That's right!" Lou Shifan slapped his thigh hard, now he was sober! "Oops, they brought food in from my defense line. Then brother, don't you want to blame us? That's incredible!"
Not only did he miss his mother at this time, but he also became a little panicked. "How many people are there in the army?" he asked anxiously while calling the boy to come in and help him change his clothes.
"The exact number is unknown. Judging from the formation, there should be about two thousand people." Cao Junyou quickly replied.
The more Lou Shifan thought about it, the more he felt that his idea was right. He asked people to beat the drum and gather together.
General, then he called the spies and asked him carefully in person.
By the time he sat in the main seat in the handsome tent, Lou Shifan was no longer so nervous, and instead felt a little happy. He proudly announced to everyone: "Everyone, our big deal is coming!"
This sentence attracted everyone. What kind of business was it? There was silence in the big tent, everyone was waiting for him to continue.
But when he told everyone that two or three thousand officers and soldiers had come out of the city and attacked Guangxin City, and were now transporting food from Guangxin to Shangrao, he decided to send troops to the north gate of Shuizhai in the dark night to defeat this army and recapture it. Widely believed. The generals were silent, their faces full of doubts and questions.
"Why, what are you worried about?" he asked.
"Third General, this... night operation has caused inconvenience to many people," someone said.
He was referring to the fact that many of his men were recent recruits. These original farmers, miners and even homeless people used to eat less meat and suffered from night blindness. How could they fight if they couldn't see clearly at night?
Lou Shifan frowned impatiently: "Are you asking me about such a trivial matter? Of course, those who can go will have a chance to make a fortune, and those with weak eyesight can stay behind. We can't all go away, we must leave some people to guard the north gate!"
He caught a glimpse of the captain nearest him opening his mouth, and asked, "Bai Tiaosu, what do you want to ask?"
"I don't have anything else to ask." Bai Tiaosu got such a nickname because he was a robber and liked to issue IOUs to others. He showed his yellow teeth and smiled flatteringly: "But the three generals are sending troops overnight. Do we need to fight with them?" Sir, do you want to say hello?"
"What the hell!" Lou Shifan wanted to go over and kick him: "Use your brain, go from here to the east gate, find my brother, and then come back to report the news. How long will it take? Aren't the day lilies already cold!"
Bai Tiaosu obviously hadn't settled the matter. He rolled his eyelids and said, "What's there to be anxious about? Guangxin City has always been there anyway, and it won't run away on its own."
"It's not Guangxin that I want!" Lou Shifan was really annoyed. He slapped the coffee table and yelled, "I want to defeat this army, okay? I'll beat them if they dare to come out. If you have learned this lesson, I'll see if he can do it again next time." Dare to come out?
Besides, if the beating hurts the officers and soldiers, morale in the city will drop, so it will be easier for my brother to attack the city, right? Next is food and Guangxin City, idiot! "
"Well, third general, calm down. Bai Tiaosu also has good intentions. We are going to fight alone this night, and we don't have an advantage in strength. If we lose, we can't afford it." Cao Junyou quickly advised softly.
These words made everyone else agree: "Yes, Third General, we are not afraid of fighting. It is actually late at night, the situation is not very clear, and the troops are not superior, so everyone thinks we should be cautious."
Lou Shifan sneered: "Please be careful. The soldiers have withdrawn and the food has been transported. Tomorrow morning we will go down the mountain and bring back an empty Guangxin City. It's useless!" Upon hearing this, several captains seemed to agree too. Such a truth.
At this time, a captain named Song Mingzi said: "I don't think it's better than this. What the three generals said is indeed reasonable. As the old saying goes, 'Soldiers need speed,' and it's also said, 'You can't miss the opportunity before it comes again.'
Let's send troops to the north gate of the water village, and at the same time send people on Pegasus to report to the eldest son. In addition, the last general also has a suggestion. The second general's camp is closer to us, and we can send people to him at the same time to report to him for help.
Anyway, if we block the ant nest of the army and intercept the food, everyone will have a share! "
"Hey, yes, yes, that's a good idea!" Bai Tiaosu shouted, and the others agreed.
Only then did Lou Shifan become happy: "That's right. If something happens, let's work together to find a way to overcome it. It's much better than not doing this or not doing that!"
So Song Mingzi and others followed him down the mountain. Bai Tiaosu himself had poor eyesight, so he stayed in the camp and was responsible for staying behind.
All of a sudden, the whole battalion was in a hurry. They selected nearly 3,000 people with good eyesight and who could walk at night, and reorganized to prepare to go down the mountain to the north gate of Shuizhai.
It looks easy on paper, but actually starting from the camp outside his north gate to the north gate of Shuizhai is more than ten miles away! Even if we leave at this time, it will definitely be early morning when we arrive.
And from here
It was also ten miles away from Lou Shiyong's station, so Lou Shifan said that it was too late to move after asking for instructions.
"The officers and soldiers have been transporting food all night, just because we can't send troops immediately, I want to go down the mountain now so that we can launch the attack when it gets dark tomorrow.
The army will be defeated suddenly. We can kill at least half of them, capture half of them, and seize the key to Guangxin, Shangban Ferry. If we are lucky, we can directly seize the north gate of the water stronghold and let it occupy the water stronghold! how?
This is a great achievement. If you can help me accomplish it, I will definitely give you a generous reward and I will never break my promise! Lou Shifan said firmly. At this time, he seemed to be full of heroic spirit and could already see the day when he would become famous after conquering the city.
Hey, let both brothers see, we didn’t give it for free!
At this time, Cao Junyou came up quietly and said, "Third General, the Turtle Master and the Madam are still waiting outside. Do you want to leave the young lady to serve the General?"
"Give them a reward and tell them to get out!" Lou Shifan, who was in high spirits, felt a little embarrassed. Ever since he was startled out of bed in Fengling Town last time, he seemed to be no longer interested in little girls.
"Girl, we don't have anything to do with this movie, so just for fun, just serve this general! We're about to start a war. Tell them to get down the mountain quickly. It's unlucky to stay here!"
In those days, women were considered to be yin, damaging the yang energy and not conducive to war, so Lou Shifan rushed them down the mountain before sending troops. Cao Jun understood this truth, so he came here specifically to ask for instructions. When he saw what he said, he hurriedly went to do it.
In order not to alarm the defenders at the North Gate, Lou Shifan specifically ordered not to fire cannons, beat gongs and drums, or light a few torches. He cut off the sacrificial flags of the two captured government spies (who knows whether they were real), and then ordered the entire army to set off. .
When Li Dan returned to Shangban Fort, he immediately summoned the Shen family brothers. Shen Jie, with a serious face, reported that before a cup of tea, the scouts had come to report that there was something unusual in the enemy camp outside the north gate.
Li Dan was sitting on the bottom floor of the watchtower, holding the young prince's body and rocking it gently. After listening, the corners of his mouth turned up, and he waved to Ning'er and Abin, who were drinking tea at the side, to take the prince away and take him to the yard to watch the stars.
Then Li Dan said: "It seems that Lou Shifan really can't help it."
"Your Majesty knows him very well. If this kid knew you were here, he would never dare to come!"
"Not necessarily." Li Dan shook his head: "It's hard for this guy to give in. He might want to make up for the loss he suffered last time, so he might send troops even if he knows I'm here, especially if he knows we have fewer troops than him. in the case of."
After he finished speaking, he looked at Shen Wu: "I intend to let Ah Wu stay in Shangrao, is that possible?"
The two brothers looked at each other, and Shenjie asked, "What does Sir Sir want him to stay for?"
"Do you have a trustworthy brother in the city who can help him?"
Shenjie was silent for a moment and nodded: "There are five or six friends available."
"Several tasks: first, assist Tie Chuozi, help him with some things that are inconvenient due to his status, but keep a distance from Dou San'er;
Second, if Shangrao cannot hold on, you must ensure that His Royal Highness and the two Dukes cannot fall into the hands of the thieves. As for the methods and means, I will leave it to you to decide! Shen Wu was shaken all over. He quickly looked at each other with his brother and heard Li Dan continue:
"Third, try to monitor officials and officials above Qianhu in the city. Anyone who has the tendency to surrender to the enemy will be killed without mercy!"
These murderous words made the two brothers' faces change color. Shen Jie immediately said: "Assassinating a court official is a serious crime!"
"With His Majesty's acquiescence, it is not a crime!" Li Dan said, taking out a bronze medal with three locks of necklaces from his arms and placing it in Shen Wu's hand. The two brothers gathered together, but they did not recognize what was written on it.
Li Dan told them: "It says 'The Royal Guards Walk,' which means the Imperial Guards.
This was brought to me secretly by the emperor's envoy. His Majesty's intention is that Shangrao should not allow officials above the fifth rank to defect to the enemy, be captured, or surrender. If found, they can be eliminated. "
He looked at the two of them: "Even if they are His Royal Highness or the Princess!"
Shen Jie frowned deeply. He glanced at his younger brother and said, "Sir, could you please give me some advice?"
"Speaking!"
"Officials and assistants in Shangrao City
There are so many, plus the palaces of the princes and the princes, it is not something that my brother can monitor and protect alone."
"so what?"
"So I'll stay with you even if I'm a humble employee to help!"
Li Dan frowned slightly.
"Sir, what are you worried about?" Shenjie asked, and added, "If I were in the city, not only could I use many contacts, but I could also expand my eyes to deeper places."
"It's not that I'm worried, but I'm thinking about another thing." Li Dan raised his head and looked into Shen Jie's eyes: "Well, let's just be more relaxed. I'll leave Master Lin and the accompanying intelligence team to you. Down."
He stopped Shenjie from speaking: "What you said reminded me that even if there are some friends in the city, it is still different if they have not experienced fighting. Our people have all been on the battlefield, so you can use them more easily. This matter is That’s it!”
"But, we are all staying. Sir, you have few guards around you!" Shen Wu said immediately.
"It doesn't matter. Our journey back is in the mountains. As long as we get rid of the pursuers, there won't be much danger. I can just mobilize Song Qian's fire gun team to act as a guard."
Li Dan said: "Compared to us, you are actually more dangerous! You can't show off at ordinary times. If there is danger, you must protect yourself.
Set up independent points, each point has at least two safe houses, and use the single-line contact, password and code communication used in Dongxiang! We must be able to take action in case of emergency, and lurk naturally when nothing happens... "
The two brothers agreed after hearing this. Soon Lin Baotong was called and had nothing to say after hearing the task. Li Dan warned: "The purpose of your stay is not to go into battle to kill the enemy, so remember not to be reckless, especially the three of you plus Tie Xiaoan.
Among the four of you, Shenjie’s order is the most respected. Please come back safely! Now you are gathering your people and preparing weapons. Hero Shen goes to Regis to get five thousand coins for use, and then goes to contact Tie Xiaoan.
We will have a battle with Lou Shifan in the early morning. After the war, you will take the opportunity to sneak into his group and follow him into the city. "
The three of them took the order and left. Li Dan summoned Song Qian and Qin Han (Bazi of the Han Dynasty), the commander of the fourth company, and told them about Prince Fengning. After being reminded of the confidentiality, he asked his staff to find a map drawn on mulberry paper, draw on it with a pencil and said:
"Before the war started, I sent a staff officer who was familiar with this place to lead a communications soldier to go with the prince's motorcade first, and wait at the intersection to Songling. When the war started, Lao Song's gunmen were strengthened at the east entrance. When the battle was over, they would be the first to fight with the Qin and Han Dynasties. The Fourth Company evacuates together first, don’t wait for me. Kanshu La
You go to the intersection at the foot of Xilu Mountain to meet the Crown Prince's carriage convoy. The gunmen temporarily act as escorts to escort the Crown Prince to Luoqiao Lianjiatang to wait for the main force. You may encounter the reconnaissance platoon led by Pei Silang on the road.
If the main force is not available before noon in the morning, you should go down the mountain first, then go west along the valley, cross the river through Quantang and Tongjialing, pass through Qilupu and Hucun, go west along the Cen River, leave the river at Longmen, and take the mountain road. Qingban, after seeing Gexi, turned south and tried to cross the river to Gexi Town.
As long as we get here, the enemy won't be able to catch up. The terrain here is low and flat with undulating hills. You are chariots and horses, and infantry cannot surround you. The only thing you need to pay attention to is to be vigilant when camping at night.
Then go all the way west-south, around the foot of the Guixi mountain, and you can enter our territory! If the main force arrives, let's take this road home together! "
"Sir, why are we taking Luoqiao instead of the safer Lengshuipu or Fengling Town?" Song Qian knew the terrain in this area. When Qin and Han asked, he answered for Li Dan:
"The paved road in Lengshui is not wide enough and is winding. Many people in Guangxin evacuated in this direction, so the road should be relatively congested. The road in Fengling Town is a small road that is not suitable for horse-drawn carriages, and a bridge needs to be built across the river."
"You must remember that it is your responsibility to protect the crown prince, and everything else is secondary. Even if I am trapped, you cannot abandon the carriage and come back to rescue me, do you understand?" Li Dan looked at the two of them.
"Understood!" they replied together.
After the arrangements were made, Li Dan called his staff and messengers, came out of the tower and walked towards the carriage. Seeing him coming, Wu Ning'er hurriedly summoned the two eunuchs who were guarding the car to take the crown prince into the car first. She and her sister greeted Li Dan and bowed down ten steps away.
