Traveling is difficult, especially when the situation is in disarray.
Not all soldiers can remain calm, and not all generals can continue to gather the defeated troops in such critical times and retreat in an organized manner toward their planned routes.
From a certain perspective, Lord Xinling was able to gather the main force of the Wei army and march towards Gongcheng after abandoning more than 15,000 soldiers. His ability was already stronger than that of many generals.
Of course, the historical Xinling Lord Wei Wuji was indeed a man who knew military skills. You must know that he compiled the military book "Wei Gongzi's Art of War", and in practice he even led the armies of the five countries to defeat the Qin army Meng Ao. The soldiers and horses he led even knocked on the door of Hangu Pass again.
This was also the last effective counterattack by the Six Kingdoms against Qin in the late Warring States Period.
Eighteen years after the death of Lord Xinling, Wei was destroyed by Qin. It can be said that Lord Xinling is to the Wei State just like Li Mu is to the Zhao State and Xiang Yan is to the Chu State.
Such a character may not be called a top warrior, but he is still a relatively good one.
The Wei army's alignment, which is still relatively neat now, is proof of this. Although the route he chose in a hurry to Gongcheng was exactly what the Qin army wanted, it did not mean that he had made a miscalculation. On the contrary, it is not so much that he did not think carefully, but rather that this was his inevitable choice.
Despite the great defeat, the reason why the Wei army still held together was not only the prestige of Lord Xinling himself, but also the belief in returning home.
Under such circumstances, even though he knew that Gongcheng might be blocked by the Qin army, Lord Xinling could only bite the bullet and march towards Gongcheng.
Because everyone knows that only Gongcheng is the direction home. Once the direction is changed, under the influence of homesickness, I am afraid that the army will not be able to go very far and will fall apart.
Instead of doing this, it is better to lead the army to Gongcheng. Even if we hit a wall by then, we will only lose some troops if we make adjustments.
Of course, facing the pursuit of the main force of the Qin army, it would be a lie to say that you are not nervous. I believe Lord Ling knows better. The more times like this, the less you should panic. Only by gathering the troops together and clenching them into a fist can it be possible to break through the Qin army's siege.
Unlike Wei Jun who clenched his fist into a fist and punched it out firmly, Zhao Jun's method was another extreme.
There were as many as four or five places to draw water across the north, but Heyong City, which was the closest, was missed, narrowly escaping the encirclement of the Qin army.
This does not mean that Lian Po's tactics are more advanced than those of Lord Xinling. It can only be said that each army adapts to local conditions and people's conditions.
On the one hand, Lian Po's prestige in the army is not comparable to that of Lord Xinling, and Zhao Jun learned the news about Han Jun in advance. It can be said that there is an essential difference between Zhao Jun's retreat and Wei Jun's retreat. Therefore, Zhao Jun didn't feel panic, so he didn't need to keep an eye on the way home.
On the other hand, because the overall terrain of Zhou Wangji is long and narrow from east to west, Zhao Jun has too many choices. Naturally, he chose to divide his troops and cross across in order to preserve his troops as much as possible.
Just like in the Battle of Zhongtiao Mountain in "The Righteous Path of the World", Yang Liqing's troops were able to break up into companies and use every opportunity to break out, while Fan Xiliang's troops could only clench into a fist and fight resolutely. .
It's not that Yang Liqing is better than Lao Fan, but that they are in different units and positions.
Of course, compared to Zhao and Wei's adjustments to local conditions, Chu's retreat seemed so simple and casual.
After being reminded by Zhao Jun, the general of Chu also quickly realized the anomaly in the main camp.
After a brief inspection, he almost fainted on the spot. In the originally huge main camp, only he and more than ten thousand Wei troops were left holding on for dear life.
In an instant, the entire Chu army fell into chaos.
Of course the general of Chu State knew that there was no way to defend it!
Looking up at the stronghold towers to the south and closer to the west, we can see that the Qin army has gradually gained a firm foothold. Without its general, the Wei army, which was already weak in fighting spirit, faced an enemy ten times more powerful than itself. Without a strong organization and no general order to retreat, many troops were directly led by their respective commanders and commanders.
He simply put down his weapons and immediately knelt down to surrender!
Fortunately, if there are those who surrender, there will naturally be those who fight to the death.
Although the Qin army gradually gained a firm foothold, it did not completely capture the two sides of the village for a while.
The Chu army, which had a bloody feud with the Qin army, naturally did not want to surrender. However, even the Chu army with its full strength was still defeated by the Qin army, let alone at this time.
With only one army, as the Qin army continued to attack, the Chu army's strength and morale reached a desperate moment.
Seeing that the Qin army has gradually occupied the upper peak of Nanzhai, I am afraid that it will not be long before they attack the camp. Those with sharp ears can even hear the clatter of the Qin army's cavalry.
"Hey!" General Qu also sighed softly. Looking at the decadent troops under his command and the open village gate behind him, everyone knew that this battle had been completely lost.
It doesn't matter if the battle is defeated, what matters is what to do next?
If you keep it, you are determined not to keep it! Escape? I’m afraid it’s not easy either! Looking at the clattering iron hooves of the Qin army in the north, it was simply impossible for the infantry under his command to outrun the Qin army on this plain.
Even if he abandons the army and returns to Chu State alone, he is afraid that there will be no good results, and even the stigma of abandoning the army and living alone will be branded on himself.
Or, it fell!
If you are fighting other countries and facing such a situation, surrendering means surrendering. The worst thing you can do is let your family spend more money and grain to buy back yourself and your troops after the war.
But the problem is, the one we are fighting now is Qin!
Not to mention the feud between Qin and Chu, if the Qin State has the heart of a tiger and a wolf, once it surrenders, I am afraid that it will not be a prison, but a sword and ax!
The Qin State killed and surrendered not once or twice!
The general of Chu State quickly judged the situation and immediately decided to accept the advice of Zhao Jun's General Lian Po - to escape before the Qin army completely occupied the city tower.
Just when the general of the Chu State made up his mind to escape, a fire suddenly broke out in the Zhao army camp further north. It was the flames of the Zhao army's attempt to block the Qin army.
The huge flames instantly ignited the dark sky, but at the same time, the Chu army saw the hope of breaking out - almost all the Qin army's cavalry were concentrated on the side of the pursuit of the Zhao army.
What else is there to say? Get out quickly!
Without saying a word, the Chu army decisively left 3,000 troops to block the Qin army while the west and south city walls had not yet completely fallen. Its main force, about 20,000 people, turned to the southwest corner and knocked down a wall. Then he ran away.
And the direction they were traveling in was no other place, but the important place occupied by the Qin army - Negoshu City.
Yes, the general of the Chu State was not as smart as Lian Po, and he did not take any detours. In his mind, the main force of the Qin Army's cavalry was chasing the Zhao Army, and the main force of the infantry would definitely not let go of the more powerful troops. Wei Jun, he is naturally safe.
Negoshu City, which is almost in the middle of Zhou Wangji, is obviously a good choice. If we want to bypass Negoshu City and go west, we have to enter South Korea, which is obviously not possible. If we continue to the east, the distance will be far. Under the current situation, the general of Chu State is naturally not happy.
As far as the Chu army is concerned, as long as they can successfully reach Negoshu City, they will be able to return to the Chu Kingdom in a few hours. The general of Chu State was willing to take this risk.
It should be said that the general of Chu State has a good idea, but it is a pity that he still does not understand Qin State very well!
The Qin State has never been afraid of overstretching itself. Although the Chu State only has 20,000 horses left, no matter how small the mosquitoes are, they are still meat in the eyes of the Qin army!
Since it is meat, the Qin army cannot let it go.
Seeing that the main camp of the coalition forces was broken and the armies of the Three Kingdoms dispersed and fled, King Lu of the Qin Army immediately divided his troops and pursued them.
Although Wang Hao's arrangement was generally similar to what the general of Chu had guessed: Meng Ao led almost all the cavalry to pursue the Zhao army, and he personally led the main infantry force to prepare to encircle and annihilate the main force of the Wei army.
The only thing is that the Qin army is not short of troops. Naturally, it also sent 20,000 troops to the Chu state.
The horse follows and strikes.
In this way, the armies of the Three Kingdoms fled in front, and the Qin army chased behind.
It was just that Meng Ao's troops were chasing Zhao Jun. The scouts found out that Zhao Jun was preparing to cross the river in the east. Later, they reported that traces of Zhao Jun crossing the river were also found in the west of Heyong City. Not long after, another scout returned the order. , the main force of Zhao Jun is in front!
Meng Ao, who was riding on the war horse, was really dizzy!
There were not only two roads before him, but at least four or five. If you make the right choice, it is very likely that the main force of the Zhao army will be blocked on the south bank of Jishui. If you make the wrong choice, you will have no choice but to return with regret.
This is undoubtedly the most difficult moment for a general.
Of course, it is also the only way for a general to reach glory or perish.
Meng Ao will obviously be the former. Very quickly, Meng Ao realized that this was Zhao Jun's strategy of dividing his troops.
However, a touch of helplessness quietly climbed onto Meng Ao's face.
The paths in front of us are undoubtedly correct, but they are also all wrong.
No matter which one, I might be able to catch Zhao Jun's tail, but no matter which one, I can't catch Zhao Jun's main force.
If you can’t catch it, then don’t catch it!
Find the easiest and most reliable crossing and cut off Zhao Jun's arm as much as possible! Perhaps it is Meng Ao's best choice.
However, even with this idea, Meng Ao couldn't do it.
The reason is very simple. If Meng Ao's homework is more detailed and he can get a clearer picture of the ferry along Jishui, he may be able to find the ferry that is most likely to annihilate the Zhao army.
Unfortunately, the choice is right in front of you, and it is obviously too late to make up your homework now.
"Then don't choose!" Meng Ao quickly made a decision: "It's better to have ten sheep in sight than one sheep in hand!"
"The army continues to pursue the Zhao army in front of us!" Meng Ao decisively gave the order to the army.
"Yes." The messenger immediately accepted the order and conveyed the order.
It should be said that Meng Ao's decision is already the best choice at present. Instead of fighting the Zhao army in other directions, it is better to keep an eye on the Zhao army in front of you. Not to mention anything else, Lian Po alone is worth several thousand troops. Wan Zhaojun is here.
If this army can be retained, it will be worthwhile even if the Zhao armies in other places have crossed Jishui.
Soon, under Meng Ao's order, tens of thousands of Qin army cavalry accelerated again and rushed towards Lian Po's troops.
However, Meng Ao seemed to have forgotten: How could General Lian Po be annihilated so easily? !
