As the last light on the horizon disappeared, the battlefield in front of Rouge Mountain became peaceful again. The simple camp built on the hillside was not strong, but it became an insurmountable barrier for the Uighurs. During the continuous days of marching, fighting, raids, evacuation, and fierce battles, the stubborn Han army had already reached its limit, but like a flexible string, it kept going.
Under the hill, there were still more than 20,000 Uighur horse infantry troops, densely packed and scattered around. They still maintained their offensive formation and began to rest on the spot.
However, it is obvious that the Uighurs are also exhausted, and in terms of fighting will, they are completely unable to compare with the Han army. In fact, after leaving the flat ground and facing the situation of attacking from the rear, although the Uighurs had a large number of people, their offensives became weaker and weaker. After all, it was difficult to crack this hard nut.
At the foot of the hillocks, people set up cooking fires to prepare for dinner. The Uighurs also prepared thousands of bonfires, which almost lit up the surrounding darkness. Under the night, they looked gorgeous and spectacular, as if they wanted to use this to frighten the enemies. The surrounding Han army.
Standing on the top of the mountain, Guo Jin stood with his sword in his hand. His face looked particularly cold and he looked tired, but his eyes were still as sharp as a knife. However, there seemed to be a kind of violence hidden under his stern face. He was really angered by the actions of the Uighurs. Although one man was like five barbarians, when they really fought and fell into a fierce battle, that kind of crisis, that kind of crisis, etc. How can the danger be concealed by a passionate and inspiring word? The price of blood has just created the reputation.
In addition to adapting to the situation, Guo Jin has done everything he can, whether it is dispatching in times of crisis, commanding on the spot, or even leading the crowd to fight, he has tried his best.
At this moment, the remaining officers and soldiers of the Han army were also resting silently, relieving their fatigue. The long-lasting and cruel battle left the officers and soldiers with no other emotions. At most, they were looking forward to the food being cooked, having a good meal, and regaining their strength. Then he continued to fight for his life against the Uighurs.
"General!" A military officer walked up to Guo Jin. Seeing his serious expression, he couldn't help but said: "The Uighurs' soldiers have become blunt and their morale has declined. It's already dark now, so they shouldn't dare to attack! You've learned from yesterday I haven’t been able to sleep since I got up in the morning, so let’s take this opportunity to take a rest!”
The load on his body reflected that he really needed to rest, but Guo Jin did not nod in agreement. His bloodshot eyes were still staring at the surrounding Uighurs, and he said decisively: "If you give me an elite force at this time, it won't take much more." , with only two thousand people, we can definitely defeat the enemy army!"
Of course, for Guo Jin at the moment, this can only be said to him. The Han army following him is already a tired army, more than defensive but not aggressive enough. The Han cavalry wandering outside also showed signs of fatigue and lost their edge in the fight with the Uighur cavalry.
"I can only hope that the reinforcements from Duke Ying will arrive soon. Depending on the time, they should arrive. It would be a pity if we miss this great opportunity to defeat the enemy!" Seeing Guo Jin muttering there, the officers and soldiers around him couldn't help but feel A moment of relief.
Although he was surrounded by heavy siege, Guo Jin still showed an attitude of treating the enemy as nothing. This was not arrogance. After being attacked by the Uighurs, he had already put away his contempt. It's just that in this dangerous situation, as the backbone of the entire army, Guo Jin needs to show this kind of confidence and this kind of demeanor to give confidence to his officers and soldiers.
After giving instructions to the officer in charge of the sentry, Guo Jin returned to the simple but well-organized camp, found a random place to sit down, and asked about the situation in the army: "How many more people do we have?"
"After counting, including the lightly and seriously injured soldiers, we still have 1,723 people left, half of whom are injured, and nearly two hundred people are seriously injured." Earthly nature said.
Upon hearing this, Guo Jin's eyes flashed with frightening ferocity, and he said coldly: "The Uighurs have severely damaged our army so far, and they have harmed me so much. They must pay for it ten times!"
Feeling the killing intent in Guo Jin's tone, the chief clerk couldn't help but shrink his neck. The General Guo in front of him was famous for his cruelty and ease of killing. He was not only a military and legal soldier, but also showed no mercy to his enemies. When he was in the middle of Shu, he massacred the rebels.
"How is the food and drinking situation?" Guo Jin asked again.
"Killing the camels, horses and livestock accompanying the army, plus the rations carried by the soldiers, is enough for the soldiers to have a full meal. There is a stream behind the post where you can get water for drinking!" the chief clerk replied.
"But!" He stopped and glanced at Guo Jin. Seeing that he had no reaction, he continued to report: "A lot of baggage was lost during the evacuation. Coupled with the battle losses, the consumption of arrows and weapons was very serious. At present, the entire army's bows and crossbows have been exhausted. There are less than three thousand, and many of the weapons are damaged. If the fierce fighting continues, the soldiers may have to fight the Uighurs with their fists and feet!"
"There won't be that kind of moment!" Guo Jin waved his hand firmly.
"In addition, there is a medical problem. There are too many injured soldiers, and the military doctors are too busy. Secondly, the main reason is that the loss of medicine stones is serious. Many seriously injured soldiers can only hold on for the moment. If they cannot get timely treatment, they will not be able to hold on. It won’t be long!”
Guo Jin finally couldn't help but sigh and ordered: "Let the soldiers hold on! The Uighurs won't be able to support it for long!"
However, after saying that, he got up again and went to inspect the officers and soldiers to soothe the soldiers and boost their morale. Guo Jin has always been strict in running the army and loves to kill. However, if he is just a cruel and easy-to-kill general, it will be difficult for him to be recognized by the officers and soldiers. All he can do is to share the joys and sorrows with Pao Ze outside the military law.
After a round of inspection and sitting down again, my tired body no longer wanted to move. However, although the piece of roasted horse meat presented by the soldiers was not carefully cooked, the hungry belly still regarded it as a delicacy.
After enjoying it, under the scattered starlight, wrapped in military robes, with grass and trees as mats and rocks as pillows, Guo Jin and the Han soldiers gradually fell asleep. As soon as I closed my eyes, exhaustion surged up like a tide. In my drowsiness, I could only feel the smell of nopal lingering in my nose...
At the same time, Jingqiong, the Uighur Khan who was off duty, could not sleep. Compared with Guo Jin, who was in turbulent waves, but always full of confidence and perseverance. Faced with the anxious battle situation, the Han army that could not be defeated, and the heavy casualties in the counterattack, the Uighur Khan Jingqiong, after risking everything, only What remains is panic.
The combat effectiveness and fighting will of the Han army were beyond the imagination of the Uighurs. They could not even defeat a forward army, let alone others. In fact, from beginning to end, only three thousand Han infantry were besieged. Therefore, it was not one against five, but one against seven.
After continuous siege operations, they were never defeated and suffered heavy losses. The morale of the Uyghurs had dropped sharply. Many of them were no longer willing to go up, even if they were forced. This was also the reason why Jing Qiong had to order a halt to the attack before sunset and forcefully drove his troops, fearing that it would lead to a collapse.
A huge sweat tent was set up in the Uighur army. Inside, facing several nobles who had been the main camp, they were still furious: "You are the ones who want to raise troops, rebel against the Han, and attack the Han army. Now that the war has broken out, you will die." So many people have been killed, the war has reached its most critical moment, and the Han army is at the end of its rope, yet you are shrinking from the battle..."
Jing Qiong looked like a standard Uighur strongman, but he was very sharp-tongued and kept squirting at his noble generals. However, judging from his performance, it was more like venting. Behind the hysteria, it was difficult to hide the fear.
"Khan, the soldiers have suffered too much and need to rest and recuperate. You have also seen the results of last night's battle. If we force them again, I am afraid it will cause a mutiny..." One of them said softly.
"More than half of the Han army on the opposite side has been lost, and we are ten times more powerful than them!" Jing Qiong roared.
"The Han army resisted resolutely, and the soldiers were very tired. A night battle and a forceful attack would only cause terrible casualties. And the Han army's cavalry was always roaming outside and intruding, making us unable to concentrate..."
According to Jing Qiong's idea, when the battle reached this point, he should fight to the end and kill the surrounded Guo Jin in one fell swoop. However, what made him feel angry and disappointed was that the nobles and generals who had been clamoring for troops had lost their control. After two days and one night of bloody battles, their hostility and fanaticism dissipated, and people woke up. , began to cower and wanted to preserve his strength...
Facts have proved that the Han army is really not easy to mess with.
The argument in the tent lasted for a long time, but no matter what, it was impossible for them to continue their attack. Some people even suggested withdrawing the troops, and the reason was prescient. After such a fierce battle, reinforcements from the Han army were bound to be on the way. If they did not retreat in time, they might be in danger.
However, driven by anger, the Uighur Khan Jingqiong only regarded this matter as the reason for their fear of war, and refused to listen at all, insisting on not withdrawing his troops.
At this time, Jing Qiong was like a gambler on the gambling table. He no longer considered the danger. He focused on the besieged Han army and refused to leave the table before the cards were played.
