The large area east of Feishui has received little development and is separated by hills, so the population has always been sparse. Since the Northern Han Dynasty invaded the south, Shouzhou has become a battlefield with scattered villages and scattered villages. Most of the people fled south to the areas along the river with their families to avoid the war. Therefore, when the Tang army set out from Hefei to the north, it was almost impossible to see people along the way.
Chen Juezhi's advance was already slow enough, but Xu Wenzhen's army had to be even slower. First, Chen Jue's military orders were in front, and second, there were too many heavy weapons. About fifty miles away, after a whole day's march, they marched steadily forward for twenty-five miles. Seeing that it was getting late, Xu Wenzhen ordered to suspend the march, set up camp on the spot, set up tents, and bury pots to make rice.
Unfortunately, Chen Jue's hope of flying pigeons did not work. The pigeons that escaped from Ma Renyu and other Fengchen soldiers did not know where they flew.
Because the chosen path was too primitive, the civilian men accompanying the Tang army also spent a long day driving their cars and livestock. As soon as he heard the order to set up camp and rest, he felt like he was being pardoned, but he didn't take any immediate action, but rested on the spot.
Upon seeing this, the commander, Zhu Yuan, was furious and quickly sent his subordinates to urge them, using whips, fists and kicks to reason with the servants. He was cursing: "These lazy guys are so lazy and slow. If the Han army attacks, they will cry!"
When the Tang army's marching force shrank and started to move slowly, Zhu Yuanfang, exhausted both physically and mentally, went to Xu Wenzhen and said, "The supplies we carry are enough for three months. We can carry so much at one time... ..”
After listening to his words, Xu Wenzhen said: "Our army goes north to aid Shou. If we don't prepare more food, grass and weapons, and if the Han army cuts off our food route, how can we fight against it if we don't have enough food and fodder! It can be seen that Chen Jue's attack , are ready for a protracted confrontation with the Han army!"
As he spoke, he pointed to the northeast again and sighed in a low voice: "The loss of the Huai River has made our situation very difficult. Even the transportation of grain and equipment has been so restricted! I only hope that Huangfu Shijun and Yao Dujian can Re-open the Huai River channel as soon as possible, otherwise, if this battle continues like this, it won’t last long!”
Zhu Yuan was silent after hearing this, and could only sigh. He raised his head and noticed Xu Wenzhen's face covered with bitterness. He couldn't help but ask: "Mr. Xu, I noticed that you have a solemn look on your face. You seem to be worried?"
After hearing the question, he pulled Zhu Yuan aside and said, "To tell you the truth, the further north I go, the more frightened I am. Chen Jueyan, facing our army heading north, the Han army is still trapped in the city and there is no movement. This book It’s doubtful!”
The two palace army envoys found a family carrying a carriage, and sat down to discuss the military situation again. Zhu Yuan guessed with a serious expression: "Could it be that the Han army wants to repeat its old tricks and lure our army to go north?"
As he spoke, Zhu Yuan shook his head: "This time, we are not like Liu Yanzhen who underestimated the enemy and rushed forward. With this military strength, if Shouchun comes, we may not be able to win. But if the Han army wants to defeat us, I'm afraid it will be difficult." It’s not that easy!”
Xu Wenzhen was also thinking hard, frowning, and said worriedly: "No matter what the Han army's plan is, what I am deeply worried about right now is that it has been almost a day and a half, and I have not received the order from the Chinese army's camp!"
"Xu Gong is afraid that something will happen to Chen Jue?" Zhu Yuan was surprised.
"It's very possible!" Xu Wenzhen touched his chest and said cautiously: "I feel like I can't breathe! No matter what happens in the north, we have to be careful! Set up camp as soon as possible and send people to the Chinese Army to check the situation !”
"How long has it been since our waiting knight returned to camp?" Xu Wenzhen asked suddenly.
"Almost two hours!" Zhu Yuan was surprised.
...
While Xu and Zhu were still sitting in the unfinished camp, discussing the military situation, the army sent by Liu Chengyou to rob and kill them had already covered their flags and picked up their bells, and came at a light gallop with great efficiency.
About seven miles away, the horses were temporarily reined in. Although the Han cavalry was less than ten thousand, there were eight thousand war cavalry. The scene of gathering in formation was very rare in Jianghuai. The silence and power were astonishing.
"Informing the Duke of Yu, more than 20,000 Tang troops are six or seven miles away. They have stopped marching and are adjusting their formations and setting up camp!" The commander of Ma Jun, who was in charge of the detective, rushed to the central army and reported to Murong Yanzhao in person.
"It's still early, but you're not leaving?" After hearing the report, Murong Yanzhao immediately asked: "Have the Tang Army's waiting cavalry been wiped out? Have they alerted the Tang Army? Are they prepared?"
"The enemy sentries along the road were all shot and killed by the generals. Looking at the situation of the Tang camp, there was no warning!"
"Very good!" Murong Yanzhao looked very cold and began to give orders directly: "Guo Chongwei!"
"Here!" The commander of Long Jie's left wing immediately gave the order.
"You lead two thousand soldiers and go to the Tang camp first. When it is not backed up and the base of the camp is not solid, you can cruise around its side, gallop in all directions, and strike with mounted fire to disturb its military morale and disrupt its position!" Murong Yanzhao ordered! : "Remember, I didn't ask you to charge the camp, be smart and shoot all the soldiers' quivers empty!"
"Yes!" After receiving the order, Guo Chongwei immediately ordered four battalions of horse troops and rushed to the south.
"The remaining soldiers will follow me slowly south to eat dry food and restore their physical strength and horsepower!" Murong Yanzhao continued: "In three quarters of an hour, we will launch an attack on the Tang army. Before dark, we will defeat this Tang army!" Meng Yanzhao continued. island library
"Yes!" including Han Tong, all responded in unison.
Murong Yanzhao led the main force and calmly headed south. Before he could get close, he heard the noise of killing. Among the generals of the Han Dynasty, Guo Chongwei was a general. He had been in the army for more than 20 years and had rich combat experience. The key was that he was loyal, obedient in battle, and never acted on his own.
As a general with strong understanding and execution ability, Murong Yanzhao carried out his military orders very well. The two thousand cavalry were divided into two groups, staggered in front of the Tang army, and fired continuously.
On the Tang army's side, before the Han cavalry attacked, Xu Wenzhen had already realized that something was wrong, and together with Zhu Yuan, he stepped up his efforts to urge the soldiers and civilians to shrink the stronghold. However, there were more than 20,000 people, soldiers and civilians were mixed, and they were tired all the way. The execution ability of the Tang army was not high, and no matter how hard it was urged, the effect was little.
When the Han cavalry attacked, they moved faster due to nervousness, but more often than not, they were unable to react in time and were in a hurry and confusion. There were many vehicles in the Tang army, and their strongholds were built on vehicle shields. Faced with the missiles from the Han cavalry, many were at a loss in panic.
Most of the people with their heads covered huddled behind the cars, looking for cover. Some people with their heads covered and fled actually messed up their positions. The soldiers and civilians were particularly mixed between the strongholds, which caused chaos in the Tang army.
At the critical moment, Xu Wenzhen was calm enough and worked with Zhu Yuan to attack the front camp and the middle camp. Faced with the movements of Guo Chongwei's army and aware of its purpose, he made a determined command, gathered his troops and horses, separated them behind the caboose, erected a large shield, and ordered the soldiers, seemingly setting up horseback around to prevent the Han cavalry from charging.
However, the Tang army had too many supplies, and it was impossible to complete them in such a chaotic situation. So Xu Wenzhen cut off his strength, chose to give up the extra supplies, and chose to use elite troops to consolidate a core defensive area in the central vehicle camp.
After a little stabilization, Xu Wenzhen even organized a team of hundreds of soldiers to counterattack the Han cavalry with crossbows and shoot at them. Of course, the Han cavalry was agile and much more flexible than the Tang army who was passively beaten. Even so, Guo Chongwei really lost some of his men after several rounds of shooting.
Soon, Guo Chongwei tested out the hard-to-gnaw "bones" in the long Tang Army chariot formation, so he decisively took refuge, conveyed the order, and attacked the weak points of the Tang Army's formation.
There were few officers in Bi Tang's army who had Xu Wenzhen's qualities. In a hurry, Xu Wenzhen's methods and strategies for defending against the enemy were difficult to apply to the entire army. The most important thing was the servants who accompanied the army. They were the most uncontrollable and were Guo Chongwei's key targets. They soon collapsed.
When Murong Yanzhao led the army to approach, Guo Chongwei's arrows had been exhausted, the short spears had been thrown, and the soldiers were also exhausted. When Xu Wenzhen saw the second Han army coming from the north, the huge cavalry formation was so murderous that Xu Wenzhen's heart sank to the bottom.
Looking at the battlefield situation, the Tang Army's vehicle formation was like a long winding dragon, but it was riddled with scars and numerous damages. Although Guo Chongwei's attack did not cause too many direct casualties, this long dragon was in chaos.
While observing the enemy formation, Murong Yanzhao also listened to Guo Chongwei's talk about the attack and the Tang army's response to the attack. His eyes swept across the battlefield. Murong Yanzhao pointed in the distance and directly ordered: "Han Tong leads the cavalry army to attack the tail of the Tang army's formation!"
Murong Yanzhao wanted to cut off the dragon's tail first. It was the most chaotic place with the most civilians and the most broken formation.
"The remaining Long Jie troops will be commanded by each battalion. They will use the battalions as formations to continue riding around and shooting, suppressing the Tang army and giving it no chance to breathe!"
"yes!"
The order was given, and six thousand Han cavalry were divided into two main roads, raising dust and smoke, and headed towards the Tang army with great momentum. Guo Chongwei led his men to guard Murong Yanzhao's side, resting and eating solid food to restore their physical strength and fighting strength.
With the coordinated attack of this large group of Han cavalry, the already chaotic Tang formation came under great pressure. In terms of commanding skills on the battlefield, Xu Wenzhen was not even inferior to Murong Yanzhao by a hair. Murong Yanzhao did an excellent job in taking advantage of the cavalry's advantages, finding loopholes, and making command adjustments on the fly.
Coupled with the Han army's already much higher combat power and the three-quarters of an hour's rest, the Tang army, which was tired and frightened, could not resist the explosion.
Soon, the Tang army in the rear camp couldn't stand it anymore and collapsed, some fled and some surrendered. After cutting off the dragon's tail and then its head, Zhu Yuan struggled to lead the army to resist, but in the end it was difficult to regain control of the scattered and fearful army and was captured alive.
Taking advantage of his defeat, the Han army concentrated its forces to attack Xu Wenzhen, who was holding on for the last time, but hit a wall. He was completely huddled within the dense formation of vehicles, and supervised the battle with his own soldiers, leading nearly 3,000 remaining soldiers to resist.
Several attacks were carried out, but to no avail, and the casualties increased. Seeing this, Murong Yanzhao directly ordered Guo Chongwei to order thousands of captured prisoners to carry large shields and planks and attack the car formation.
Things are often so wonderful, and they are also threats of life and death. These soldiers and civilians of the Southern Tang Dynasty would rather be driven like dogs and cattle to be cannon fodder than fight to the death with the Han army. Of course, perhaps these people still have a simple consciousness. Resisting the Han army will only lead to death. If they help the Han army defeat their own army, they will still have a chance to survive...
At dusk, prisoners attacked, and Xu Wenzhen's defense quickly failed. The car formation was forced to disperse and was completely defeated.
On the huge battlefield, although there were many flames, the situation was decided. Seeing that the Tang army could no longer form an organized resistance, Murong Yanzhao breathed a sigh of relief. As a leading general, he could not rest assured until the final word was reached.
Overall, Xu Wenzhenjun is not difficult to defeat. Looking at the swarms of military supplies, Murong Yanzhao cheered up and made arrangements to deal with the aftermath, clean the battlefield, and sort out the seizures.
One thing is for sure, the results of this battle will be great!
