"As in the rumors, thieves prefer firearms. Not only the infantry mostly use firearms, but even the cavalry are all equipped with firearms." Man Gui said to Jiang Yingzhao.
Jiang Yingzhao frowned and said: "How can firearms be used on horseback like bows and arrows? All of you sentinels are good at using bows. Their ability in riding and shooting is not weak. Even if they are not opponents, they should not just escape." people."
As he spoke, he looked at the sentry in front of him.
"Everyone in the Thieves Riders is wearing iron armor. It is difficult for the young ones to shoot them with arrows. On the contrary, it is the fire blunderbuss in the Thieves Riders. As long as they hit them, they will either die or be injured. People like the young ones who are injured by the blunderbuss , it’s difficult to fight again.” The sentinel explained and defended himself.
Man Gui said: "Okay, you go down first to find a doctor in the army for treatment."
"Young man, please leave." The sentry bowed and saluted, and was helped out of the tent by the soldiers beside him.
Jiang Yingzhao and other three generals were left in the big tent again.
"Two generals, I just heard that the troops are going to be divided? Do you think the two generals have any good strategies to deal with the enemy?" Deputy General Lin Huai's eyes turned back and forth on the faces of Jiang Yingzhao and Man Gui.
Man Gui said: "You have also heard that the main force of the traitors has probably arrived near Yongning City. If we do not prepare in advance, once the main force of the traitors attacks the city from behind, the army is likely to suffer losses."
The other party is a deputy general in the army, and he also has the right to know about the division of troops, and for such a major matter as division of troops, the deputy general is also one of the decision-makers.
"It is true that we should send a force to set up an ambush in advance. If we can completely wipe out the main force of the bandits, we will also keep attacking the defenders in Yongning City. Maybe if the city knows the news, they will take the initiative to surrender." Lin Huai said in his mouth.
Man Gui said: "What I and Jiang Zhentai mean is that I will lead a force of about 20,000 troops to continue the attack on Yongning City, and Jiang Zhentai will lead the troops to set up an ambush. No matter which side succeeds, the thieves will be defeated." It’s a blow.”
"Actually, there is no need to take such risks. It is more important to eliminate the main force of thieves than to capture Yongning City. The main force can be used to encircle and suppress the main force of thieves. Yongning City can send a small number of troops and horses to feign an attack to attract the main force of thieves to actively assist. At the same time, cut off the rebels in the city and go out to rescue the main force of the rebels," Lin Huai said.
He did not object to the division of troops, but he did not support wasting a large number of troops on attacking Yongning City.
At this time, Jiang Yingzhao said: "We still don't know how many soldiers and horses the main force of the bandits has, and whether they have come to Yongning City or not is also unknown. When the sentry encounters the bandit soldiers, there is no guarantee that they must be the main force of the bandits. It is also possible that It’s a small group of thieves, and more importantly, the army needs the food and grass in Yongning City.”
"How about sending more sentinels to investigate the situation and confirm whether the main force of thieves has arrived?" Lin Huai suggested.
They also knew in their hearts that the sentinels sent out during the day encountered the bandit cavalry and did not get specific information about the main force of the bandits. As for the main force of the bandit soldiers coming to Yongning City, they were just guessing in their minds.
Man Gui answered: "There is one more thing I haven't told you. The supervisory army has issued a death order, and Yongning City must be captured tomorrow."
"You two generals, please go and persuade the supervisors. Yongning City is already a dead city. There is no need to capture it tomorrow." Lin Huai said, looking at the two people in front of him.
It is no secret in the army that the two generals Jiang Yingzhao and Man Gui often come in and out of the supervisory army's tent.
The generals in the army knew clearly that without the support of the supervisory army, no matter how courageous Jiang Yingzhao and Man Gui were, they would not dare to enter Yanqing Prefecture alone without the order of the army commander Xing Youwei.
Man Gui added: "The reason why the supervisory army is so eager to capture Yongning City is because Xing Duxian also led an army of 50,000 people out of Juyong Pass and headed north."
After hearing this, Lin Huai said no more.
He has seen too many things about competing for merit, and no one can persuade him to do anything. Maybe his advice will offend one of the parties.
"Since you are here, don't leave yet. I will send people to find the generals of each battalion to discuss the division of troops tomorrow." Jiang Yingzhao said to Lin Huai, and at the same time arranged for his own soldiers to go to each battalion to deliver orders. .
Under the cover of night, braziers were lit on top of Yongning City.
Yang Fan stood in front of the crenel, holding a pipe in his hand. He would put it to his mouth and take a puff from time to time, spitting out a mouthful of white smoke.
"We held on for another day."
As the voice fell, He Qianyou, the deputy captain of the thousand-man team, came to Yang Fan's side.
Yang Fan recognized He Qianyou's voice and did not look back. He looked outside the city and said, "The enemy has 50,000 troops. Once they attack the city regardless of casualties, Yongning City may not be able to hold on for long."
"I think the generals in the army are definitely not willing to lose too many troops and horses under Yongning City. Maybe we can hold on for a little longer." He Qianyou said.
"I hope so!" Yang Fan took a sip from his pipe and said, "Since the enemy retreated, I've always been uneasy and thought something was going to happen. By the way, what's going on over there? Has the enemy taken any action? Take action at the East City Gate?"
He Qianyou said: "The enemy's cavalry only circled outside the city and then left. Moreover, I have had people block the east city gate. Yongning City is besieged by an army of 50,000 people. It is difficult to survive outside the city. It is better to cut off the enemy's cavalry." Fight to the death to find a way out."
"Before that step, Chen Shizheng will definitely come to rescue Yongning City. As soon as the first battle division arrives, the crisis in Yongning will be relieved." Yang Fan comforted the other party with a smile.
He Qianyou said: "This time the imperial court is determined to deal with our general and the tiger-character banner. They claim to have an army of 300,000 people. The ones outside Yongning City are only a very small part. The remaining officers and soldiers may enter from other places." Xuanfu, once Chen Shizheng and others are entangled by other officers and soldiers, I am afraid that Yongning City will have to rely on ourselves in a short time."
"It's okay to say this to me. Don't say it to anyone else." Yang Fan glanced at He Qianyou.
He Qianyou who heard this said: "So you have thought of it, so why didn't you say it before? I thought you didn't think of these things."
"Do you know why I didn't block the South City Gate?" Yang Fan asked.
He Qianyou pondered for a moment and said: "You deliberately left the south city gate open to let the defenders and the people in the city believe that reinforcements would come."
"Yes." Yang Fan said, "Once all four city gates are blocked, it means telling the people in the city that Yongning City and them have been abandoned. It will not only damage the morale of the defenders in the city, but also make the people in the city panic. Yongning City will It’s harder to hold on to.”
He Qianyou sighed and said: "The officers and soldiers besieging the city are probably Liaodong soldiers and horses coming from Guanning. They are much more powerful than the opponents we have encountered in the past. If there are no reinforcements to support Yongning City, it will be difficult to defend Yongning City. "
"Even if I can't defend them in the end, I will tear off a piece of flesh from their bodies. If I want to capture Yongning City, I will risk my life." A stern expression flashed across Yang Fan's face.
