At the third quarter of the fifth watch, the Qingyuan battlefield.
A temporary commander's platform, more than three feet high and ten feet square, stood in the center of the Jin army's formation. Three hundred soldiers surrounded the commander's platform, and there were two rows of shield walls and more than forty vehicles. The large cart was blocked in front of the soldiers. There was only a passage more than one foot wide, which was left in front of the commander's platform for the scouts and messengers who were running back and forth. More than fifty messengers, with their backs and flags on their backs, crouched Sitting on the ground, ready to get up and run at any time, while more than sixty fast horses were led in front of the commander's platform for the driving of these messengers.
Surrounding the commander's platform are about two thousand Chinese infantry and cavalry. The infantry is outside and the cavalry is on both sides. The cavalry are dismounting and resting. The infantry are also sitting cross-legged on the ground, wolfing down the array meal, that is, Each rice dumpling was stuffed with one or two pieces of meat. Everyone ate with their mouths full of grease. Everyone understood that the coming battle would require physical strength to sustain them.
In front of the commander's platform and outside the Chinese military formation, rows of Jin army troops have been deployed. Looking from a distance, about three miles ahead, there are more than 20 iron-clad square formations, like two open arms. It is also like two birds spreading their wings diagonally forward, with a large shield protecting the surroundings, and the top shield is raised so that people cannot see clearly the layout of the shield formation. The forest of spears is placed on the ground, and with just one command, When it is lowered, it will be lifted up instantly, forming an airtight and impenetrable spear formation.
Behind the Chinese army commander's platform, about 6,000 rear troops formed more than ten square formations to guard the rear and flanks of the formation. Their armor was bright, their military appearance was neat, and there was a big flag with the word "tan" standing on it. Among the rear army were the elite led by Tan Daoji.
Liu Daogui sat firmly on the bed of the Chinese Army Commander's Platform. A large case was placed in front of him. Hundreds of war drums were lined up under the Chinese Army Commander's Platform. At this moment, the drums and horns were sounding in unison. There are scouts from the front, transmitting the military information from the front.
A scout was kneeling under the commander's platform and said in a deep voice: "The enemy's forward has been confronting our army all night in the east of Qingping Plain. Now, the enemy's main force is coming from the east and is forming behind the enemy's forward. The number of enemy troops is approximately more than 30,000. Xu Daofu came to the battlefield in person, and the forward and left and right armies were led by Li Nanfeng and Xu Daoan respectively."
Liu Daoqiu's expression remained unchanged and he nodded: "Thank you for your hard work. I already know. Let's explore again."
Tan Daoji curled his lips. He was sitting in the first position on the left, where the deputy commander was. He said in a deep voice: "It seems that Xu Daofu is coming to fight us desperately. The cries of these demon thieves are... The sound of the drums and the sound of marching war drums shook the heaven and the earth ten miles away, and its momentum was at its peak."
Liu Daogui nodded: "Either we don't fight, or we have to fight a decisive battle. This is clear from the fact that Li Nanfeng's forwards arrived at the third watch and neither attacked nor retreated here. We discussed it at that time and made preparations for a decisive battle." Get ready, generals, how did your men rest this night?"
Dao Yanzhi laughed: "The war is coming. I don't know if I can survive tomorrow. Who can sleep in peace now? However, we are all veterans who have been on the battlefield for a long time. We should eat and sleep, even if we can't sleep. , it’s also necessary to close your eyes and rest your mind. Now, it’s time for them to get up and eat rice balls.”
Yanzhi looked at Tan Daoji: "By the way, brother Daoji, the army's cooks and gang leaders are all at your rear. When the fighting breaks out soon, don't forget to let them cook. Maybe at noon, When the rotation comes down, there will be more to eat.”
Tan Daoji said angrily: "When the rotation comes, our rear troops will also be sent to replace you brothers from the front troops and flanks who were fighting in the first half of the day. I'm afraid we need you to do things like cooking for us. . But don’t worry, with me guarding the rear, your back and sides will be absolutely safe.”
The generals burst into laughter, and some of the unspeakable tension just now was swept away. Liu Daogui looked around the generals and said: "Everyone, let me remind you once again that this battle is a decisive battle. It not only determines our situation here, The life and death of 20,000 soldiers also determine the fate of Jingzhou and even the Jin Dynasty. If we lose today, the chaos of the monsters and thieves will continue, and we don’t know how many soldiers and civilians will die. Therefore, we cannot lose, the monsters and thieves The main elite force lies here, even if we kill every last one, as long as we can consume their old thieves, then my brother and our brother troops will definitely be able to cross the Yangtze River and liberate the whole world!"
The generals felt their hearts surging when they heard this, and they shouted in unison: "We must win, we must win, we must win!"
Liu Daogui smiled slightly: "We came here originally to give Xu Daofu a chance to surrender or retreat. Now it seems that they are stubborn and want to continue fighting. It doesn't matter. We can take this opportunity to defeat the enemy." Feng, behind us are the people of Jingzhou, the city of Jiangling, and the tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians in the entire Jin Dynasty. How can the rabble built by monsters and thieves rely on terror and cruelty be better than those of us who live and die together? Where are our brothers? After today’s battle, your names will go down in history and will be remembered forever by future generations. Now, everyone is in position and ready to fight against the demon thief!"
Before he finished speaking, he heard a rush of horse hooves. A scout came on horseback. He rolled off his saddle and dismounted. He knelt on the ground and said in a deep voice: "Report, Marshal. The enemy chief Xu Daofu came to Qingping Plain alone. The subordinates sent word that they should be named to meet with the commander face to face."
Yanzhi jumped up from his seat and opened his eyes wide: "What, Xu Daofu wants to see the commander alone? He must be trying to use some conspiracy, commander, don't be fooled."
Liu Daogui pondered for a moment and said: "Since he wants to see me, then I have no reason not to go. If I don't dare to go, I will be looked down upon by them. Although Xu Daofu is cruel and cunning, he can't do it on the battlefield. As for using this despicable method of ambush and assassination, even if he uses these tricks, he cannot easily control me. Back then, my eldest brother had faced Xu Daofu and Lu Xun directly, and today, I will also go to meet him."
Tan Daoji raised his eyebrows: "Brother Daogui, don't take risks lightly. It's different now. At that time, they were desperate. When they met Brother Jinu, they begged for surrender and went to sea. But now, he may want to take the opportunity to capture you or kill you." You, in order to destroy our army's fighting spirit, I think it's better for me to go and meet him."
Liu Daogui laughed, stood up, picked up the silver spear on his side, and walked off the stage: "While I am away, the entire army will be commanded by Daoji and proceed as planned!" (End of this chapter)
