The flames were crackling, and the Qi army's tents continued to collapse. Along with them, the Qi army's fighting spirit collapsed.
There were flames all around, and Zhao Jun's shouts were everywhere in his ears. Qi Jun didn't know how many enemies were around him, and he didn't know whether his coach was dead or alive.
Generals are brave soldiers. The Qi army that lost their courage either surrendered to the Zhao army or fled towards the mountains. There were fewer and fewer Qi armies resisting.
"General, we can't hold on anymore." A guard shouted loudly. As soon as he finished speaking, a flash of sword flashed and the guard fell to the ground unwillingly.
"General, you go first, we will help you block Zhao Jun." The guards around him said one after another.
Although Tian Cheng's ability is mediocre, he is usually very kind to the guards around him, and there is no shortage of people who are willing to die for him.
"Retreat!" Tian Cheng roared unwillingly, waved his sword at Rong Han, turned around and fled towards the darkness.
Rong Chong wanted to rush forward and stop Tian Cheng, but the Qi army rushed forward and blocked Rong Chong with their flesh and blood.
"Get lost!" Rong Chen swung his sword and cut the enemy in front of him in half. Qi Jun took a few steps back in fear, and then charged forward again.
But not all Qi troops were able to risk their lives. Most of the Qi troops were already frightened. When they saw a figure approaching in the distance, regardless of whether it was an enemy or not, they shot arrows, turned around and ran away.
Qing Qin came from the rear and captured the strongholds defended by the Qi army along the way. The Qi general Sun Ben who defended the rear army organized a large army to resist Qing Qin, but was quickly repelled by Qing Qin, and even himself was beheaded by Qing Qin on his horse. Down.
"The Qi army's combat effectiveness is too weak." The deputy general killed the enemy easily and said with a smile.
"Don't be arrogant. We took advantage of the night attack and fire attack and caught the Qi army by surprise. If we fight head-on, even if we can defeat the Qi army, we will suffer heavy losses." Qing Qin said in a deep voice.
The Zhao army is truly more elite than the Qi army, which is the standing army of 30,000. This is the real elite. The other 40,000 soldiers composed of prisoners and strong men have the same combat effectiveness as the Qi army.
But the Qi army numbered a full 100,000, which was 30,000 more than the Zhao army, and some of them must be elite soldiers, but the specific number is not known.
Qing Qin was a little dissatisfied with Pang Nuan before, but now he is convinced by Pang Nuan. If he were allowed to fight this battle, he would never be able to win it at such a price.
"General, the Qi Army granary has been discovered." At this time, a knight rushed over. After seeing Qing Qin, he quickly got off his horse and reported with fists in his hands.
"Seal the granary immediately. No one is allowed to enter or exit without orders from me or General Pang Nuan. In addition, all surrounding camps must be dismantled to prevent the burning of the tents from spreading to the granary." Qing Qin ordered.
At this time, the flames had just reached the main camp of the Chinese army and were still far away from the rear camp. However, as the wind became stronger and stronger, it was only a matter of time before it reached the rear camp.
These grains are the spoils of war for Zhao Jun and must not be lost.
Pang Nuan and Qiang Xu led the Zhao army to the left and the right to surround them. Zhao army kept falling behind, but they couldn't care about so much at this time. After the light was on, the stragglers would naturally be found.
"General, the one in front wearing armor and holding a sword is Tian Cheng, the commander-in-chief of the Qi army." Rong Ben saw Pang Nuan and pointed at Tian Chengdao excitedly.
He was blocked by the Qi army and had completely lost hope of killing Tian Cheng. Instead of letting Tian Cheng escape or Pang Nuan catch Tian Cheng, he would rather give Pang Nuan a good deal. It’s also good to say kind words in front of someone.
Although Rong Chen could also see King Zhao, it was difficult for him to talk to him. However, Pang Nuan was someone who could often talk to King Zhao.
"Tian Cheng!" Pang Nuan's eyes lit up, and he immediately locked onto Tian Cheng's back. He clamped his legs tightly on the horse's belly, and the horse jumped up, swinging his spear forward.
The crimson gun light curled up in flames to form a fire tornado several meters long. Accompanied by the roar of the wind, it rushed towards Tian Cheng like a flying fire snake.
Tian Cheng instantly felt a hot temperature coming from his back. His whole body fell to the ground, his back was scorched black, accompanied by bursts of meaty smell.
"General... is dead." After the bodyguard went forward to check, he came back to report.
"I can't help but beat him up." Pang Nuan frowned. He wanted to capture him alive. Only alive people can negotiate with Qi. If they are dead, their effectiveness will be greatly reduced.
"The general of the Qi army is of average strength and has been fighting for so long. How can he withstand the general's full blow." Rong Chen killed all the Qi troops who blocked him and came over panting.
There were actually two Gang Yuan realm warriors among these personal guards. Fortunately, he was incredibly powerful and killed them all, but he was also slashed in the chest.
"If General Rong hadn't held him back, I wouldn't have killed him so easily. I would have reported it to General Rong, and General Rong will have to take some of the credit." Pang Nuan said to Rong Xian, he didn't like to owe favors to others.
"Thank you, General." Rong Chen said gratefully.
"Cut off Tian Cheng's head and persuade the other Qi troops to surrender." Pang Nuan ordered.
The Qi Army's camp stretches for more than ten miles, and it will not take a while to capture them all. What Zhao Jun really captures now is the Qi Army's front camp and the middle camp.
However, Tian Cheng was dead. If the Qi army did not have a general with sufficient prestige to step forward, it would be impossible to hold the remaining camp.
"Nuo." Rong Chen stepped forward, chopped off Tian Cheng's head, and led hundreds of Zhao soldiers towards the depths of the Qi army's camp.
"General, Hou Sheng has not been found. Hou Sheng has fled long ago if Qi's army is present." A team came back to report.
"Give me the order to collect the defeated Qi army. Those who surrender will not be killed, and those who resist will not be spared. Search the Qi army with all your strength and supervise the army, and the winner will be rewarded with five hundred gold. If the Qi army provides the truth If you find clues, you can also get rewards, and you can let them go home. If you are afraid of being held accountable by Qi State, you can also move the whole family into Zhao State." Pang Nuan said loudly.
Not many Zhao Jun knew Hou Sheng, and it was midnight and his line of sight was blocked. Even if Hou Sheng stood in front of Zhao Jun, Zhao Jun might not be able to recognize him.
Therefore, the hope of victory still lies with the Qi army. Under the heavy reward, there must be brave men. Pang Nuan does not believe that no one is interested.
It was midnight, and it was a wilderness. Hou Sheng couldn't escape far at all. As long as someone found traces of Hou Sheng, Zhao Jun could catch up.
Time passed little by little, and a loud rooster crow came from Lixia City. The sun slowly poked out from the ground, its dazzling light illuminated the ground and the entire battlefield.
Except for the granary that was well preserved by the Zhao army, the entire Qi army camp was already ashes. The cold wind blew up the ashes, revealing the scorched yellow ground. The whimpering wind seemed to tell people about the tragedy of last night.
"General, the battle report is out. Last night our army killed more than 9,000 enemy troops, including the enemy's commander Tian Cheng, and captured more than 63,000 enemy troops, including two lieutenants. We lost 959 soldiers. Mainly because they were knocked to the ground by the Qi army in the dark, resulting in death in battle. There are more than 6,000 wounded, and all of them have received treatment." Feng Quji reported.
"Congratulations General."
"Congratulations General."
All the generals stood up to congratulate him.
With a loss of less than a thousand, he defeated a hundred thousand Qi troops, captured more than 60,000 people, and beheaded the enemy's commander. It was a rare victory for anyone.
All previous doubts about Pang Nuan were wiped away.
Soldiers most like to follow generals who can win battles or have low casualty rates. The former can gain merit and the latter can survive. Pang Nuan can lead everyone to win battles and survive.
How could everyone be dissatisfied!
"It's all thanks to everyone. Without everyone's hard work, this battle wouldn't have gone so smoothly." Pang Nuan motioned everyone to sit down, and then said, "Can anyone provide news about the final victory?"
"General, from midnight to now, five or six people have provided clues to Hou Sheng one after another. Only one of them is true. And when we get there, Hou Sheng has already run far away." Feng Quji said.
"If you really can't catch it, forget it." Pang Nuan waved his hand. He caught Hou Sheng mainly to negotiate with the State of Qi. After all, Hou Sheng is the brother of the Queen Mother of Qi and the uncle of the King of Qi. With Hou Sheng, Zhao Guo is in You will have an absolute advantage when negotiating.
The State of Zhao did not want to capture the territory of the State of Qi, not because of morality or anything. There is no morality between countries, but because the State of Zhao had just annexed the State of Yan and had not had time to digest it. At the same time, it was still at war with the State of Qin. Domestic The pressure is great.
If the Qi State can be made to admit its mistake through negotiation and hand over the murderer of Zhao Rao, the King of Qi will issue an edict and go to the tomb to worship the Zhao people.
Zhao Guo can withdraw his troops after he has given an explanation to his countrymen.
Zhao Guo has done this for his countrymen, and everyone knows nothing.
On the contrary, if the State of Qi cannot give an explanation to the State of Zhao, the State of Zhao, who is riding a tiger and unable to dismount, can only continue to fight.
But there is nothing we can do if we can't catch him. There are still more than 60,000 Qi troops as bargaining chips.
However, it is difficult for King Qi and the Queen Mother of Qi to decide which one is more important, the victory of more than 60,000 Qi troops or one queen.
"Send the battle report to Handan. Pass the order and after three days, break up camp and attack Linzi." Pang Nuan ordered.
"Aren't you going to negotiate with Qi?" Feng Quji asked doubtfully.
"Unless the army reaches Linzi City, do you think the Qi National Congress will sit down and talk to you? Military is the prerequisite for negotiation." Pang Nuan glanced at Feng Quji, and the meaning in his eyes was obvious: Young man, you are still too young. .
"Junior has learned a lesson." Feng Quji nodded with sincerity. Although he was talented and intelligent, he was still young and had little experience. He still needed to learn some things.
"I have a task for you." Pang Nuan said.
"General, please give me your orders."
"Send an envoy to the Chu army to tell the Chu army about our army's defeat of the Qi army, and urge them to defeat the Qi army as soon as possible and join our army in Linzi." Pang Nuan said.
During the period when the Zhao army was confronting the Qi army, the Chu army was also confronting the Qi army.
Although Qi General Wang Sunjia was quite famous in Qi State, he had no experience in leading troops in battle.
Being able to arrange for hundreds of thousands of troops to eat, drink, and have sex without causing any trouble is already very impressive, but that's all. Unless he is the kind of famous general who has never been born before, he cannot be the opponent of the Chu army.
And if he was an unparalleled famous general, then it would not have been Tian Dan who returned to Qi that year, but his king, Sun Jia.
The reason why the Qi army persisted until now was not because Wang Sunjia was strong, but because the Chu army did not really attack.
The reason is simple. The Chu army did not want Zhao Jun to take advantage.
If the Chu army keeps suppressing the Qi army, Qi will inevitably mobilize troops from the Zhao Qi battlefield to support the Chu Qi battlefield. The Chu army will be equivalent to attracting firepower for the Zhao army.
Of course it is impossible for the Chu army to do this.
This is also the reason why most allies will fall apart. No one wants to contribute, and everyone wants to take advantage.
Fortunately, Zhao Jun never put his hope on Chu Jun from beginning to end.
…
The moment Zhao Jun rushed into the camp, the alert Hou Sheng realized that something was wrong. He knew that with his own ability, not helping Qi Jun would be the greatest help to Qi Jun. In addition, Zhao Jun was coming with a menacing force. Hou Sheng was afraid and immediately He led dozens of loyal guards and fled away from Zhao Jun.
But if you run away from the battle, you will be beheaded according to the law. Even if the latter is the uncle of King Qi, he will not be punished.
Therefore, Hou Sheng did not flee the battlefield immediately, but waited aside. After confirming that the Qi army was completely unable to return, he found a donkey cart. Under the protection of his personal guards, he escaped the Zhao army's pursuit. He stumbled along the way and finally finally Fleeed to Linzi.
"Your Majesty, Queen Mother, our army has been defeated." After entering the city, Hou Sheng did not go home, nor did he take a shower or change clothes. Dragging his tired body and wearing tattered clothes, he rushed to the palace and fell to the ground crying.
When Queen Mother Qi heard Hou Sheng's words, her vision suddenly darkened and she fell to the side. Fortunately, a palace maid held her in time.
"Quick, send the imperial doctor to you quickly." King Qi shouted.
"The Queen Mother..." Hou Sheng quickly got up and rushed to the Queen Mother Qi.
"The Queen Mother is fine. She was just irritated and couldn't bear it for a while. It will take some time to recover, but if she is overworked or frequently irritated, the root cause of the disease may lie." After the imperial doctor examined her, he leaned over and said.
"Thank you, doctor." Queen Mother Qi glared at Hou Sheng angrily.
"Then I will go down first." The imperial doctor had already noticed that something was wrong with the atmosphere in the palace. It would be better for people like him to stay away to avoid being affected.
"Well, what's going on?" Empress Dowager Qi said in a deep voice, her face so gloomy that it was dripping with water.
"Two years ago, the Zhao army attacked our camp at night and set it on fire. It was dark all around at that time. I don't know how many Zhao troops came. At this critical moment, I could only lead the soldiers to fight bloody battles with the Zhao army. However, the Zhao army was too brave. , coupled with the burning of the camp, the morale of our army plummeted, and we were eventually defeated by the Zhao army. I could only lead the remaining army to fight and retreat." Hou Sheng said with his head lowered.
"Where is Tian Cheng?" Queen Mother Qi asked.
"I... don't know." Hou Sheng shook his head.
He really didn't know that he was in the front camp and Tian Cheng was in the middle camp. While Tian Cheng was still sleeping soundly, he had already run away.
"How many troops are left in our army?" Queen Mother Qi asked again.
"I...I don't know." Hou Sheng shook his head again.
"You...when you ran away, didn't you know how to gather the defeated army?" Empress Dowager Qi pointed at Hou Sheng, trembling with anger, ruthlessly exposing the fact that Hou Sheng ran away.
If Hou Sheng knew how many defeated Qi troops were left, and the Empress Dowager Qi still believed that Hou Sheng fought bloody battles and finally lost to the Zhao army, but Hou Sheng didn't even know how many defeated troops were left, wouldn't this be just a person who secretly escaped back?
Hou Sheng was stunned for a moment. He should indeed collect the defeated troops along the way. Even if he could not stop Zhao Jun, he could at least defend Linzi.
But at that time, he was only thinking about escaping, so he couldn't think of so many things.
Besides, he is a supervisor and is only responsible for supervision. He never thought that such a thing would happen before!
