On the watchtower at the top of Jingmen City, Wang Xiaolie, Xie Qian, Chen and Yi gathered together to watch the Jin army camp outside the city.
After a long time, Jie Qian said: "The Jin Army camped in one place, very cautiously. In the past few days, all the Jin Army's reconnaissance cavalry were wiped out outside the city. It seems that they were quite frightened. Although the Jin Army arranged this way, it did not pose a small threat to our army. It’s a lot, but it’s also difficult to deal with.”
Wang Xiaolie said: "Don't underestimate the Jin army! Last year when the Jin army crossed the river, these Jin generals first fought in Yangzhou and defeated Du Chong's 60,000 troops. Then they defeated Guangzhou and crossed the river from Huangzhou. They defeated Hongzhou and Tan. There is no enemy in the cities such as Zhouzhou and Dingzhou. Even though they are arrogant, their troops are really capable of fighting. We must be prepared to fight hard with the Jin army for a few days. We will wait until their morale is weakened before we can think of a way."
Chen Yuyi said: "Looking at the Jin army outside the city, the formation is not neat and the camp is also scattered. It is not a very strong army."
Wang Xiaolie said: "The Jin army started in a remote area and gathered and dispersed during the war. It is like this and cannot be judged by common sense. The camp is strict and the formations are neat. It looks like a regular army, not the Jin army. This kind of arrangement is suitable Jin Army, there is no need to underestimate them. What is important now is to find out the layout of the Jin Army, especially where the rear army is."
The Jin army numbered less than 10,000 people, but they brought nearly 20,000 slave porters. These people brought great convenience to the Jin Army, but in wartime, they were a time bomb. If used well, it will have miraculous effects.
Pointing to the outside of the city, Jie Qian said: "Look at the largest camp in the south. It is separated from the other camps. I think it is the porters' camp."
Wang Xiaolie said: "This is the territory of the Zhijun. I can only trouble you about this matter. At night, send a few locals out to find the porters in the Jin army. One is to understand the layout of the Jin army, and the other is to understand the porters' thoughts. "
The solution is latent. Said: "These porters are ordinary people from the southern states. They were forcibly recruited into the army by the Jin army, so they are naturally very resentful. If we get their help, this matter will be done with twice the result with half the effort!"
Wang Xiaolie said: "They are all poor people! At this time, the morale of the Jin Army is still strong and the control is still tight. There is no need to provoke the porters to cause trouble. We will wait until the Jin Army's morale has been exhausted after fighting for a few days, and then we can think of a solution."
After watching the Jin army's deployment and considering how to deal with the enemy, Wang Xiaolie and Chen Yuyi returned to the military camp.
Calling Niugao over, Wang Xiaolie said: "The Jin Army has arrived in front of the city. If my prediction is correct, the battle will begin tomorrow! Although we had the upper hand before, we cannot underestimate the Jin Army's combat power. Let's see the Jin Army's layout today. , Tomorrow we should use the Chinese army to attack our army."
Niu Gao said: "If that's the case, why not come to the Central Army! Although the Jin Army is strong, our army may not be weak after so many days of training."
Wang Xiaolie shook his head: "No need. The Jin Army is different from other armies. It is particularly tenacious. When attacking, waves retreat and come again, and the day goes by without stopping. You must be prepared to fight the Jin Army for several days. Niu Commander, the three thousand cavalry in your army are of special use. When the Jin army came, in addition to the main army, they also captured 10,000 to 20,000 porters to carry the load. These people were not well fed and clothed, and they were full of complaints. After fighting with the Jin army for a few days, they spent their time The morale of the Jin army was damaged, so he became less strict in his camp. At that time, you used cavalry to attack the porters' station, causing chaos——"
Speaking of which, Niu Gao still doesn't know what it means? He hurriedly crossed his hands and said yes.
Wang Xiaolie nodded. After a moment of silence, he said: "This rescue of Shaanzhou, although we won a great victory in the end, our army suffered a lot of losses. Especially the generals who led the army, a total of seven died. Think about it, how hard it is for us to train a general in the past two years. Difficult! In this battle, we have the upper hand completely, we can’t do it like last time. Okay, you go back and make arrangements."
Niu Gao accepted the order, said goodbye and left.
Wang Xiaolie said to Chen Yuyi: "Consultant, go and get some wine. Tonight I will drink two drinks with several commanders and deputy commanders. Tomorrow we will have to fight with all their might. The strength of the Jin army is truly unprecedented. Although its strategic planning and battle command have its shortcomings, the battle formation cannot be underestimated. Even if the plan is good, if the two armies meet and are attacked, they will collapse and the battle will not be fought."
Chen Yuyi went to get the wine, and Wang Xiaolie ordered his soldiers to call the four commanders and deputy commanders of the Chinese army to his headquarters.
After hearing about drinking, the eight generals entered Wang Xiao's hunting camp, all feeling uneasy. Whenever there is a war, no one in Wang Xiaolie's army is allowed to drink, even Wang Xiaolie himself is no exception. The Jin army arrived today, and Wang Xiaolie invited him for a drink, but it didn't feel right no matter how he thought about it.
Seeing the eight people tied up, Wang Xiaolie said: "I like to speak clearly. You don't have to guess. The Jin army has arrived in front of the city today and will attack tomorrow. I estimate that the direction of the Jin army's attack should be It’s the Central Army. You are the commander of the Central Army, and you will fight with your life against the Jin Army tomorrow. I have prepared a small amount of wine tonight, please drink two cups."
Xue Cheng, who has a cheerful personality, said: "The defense said so, do you want us to drink guillotine tonight?"
Wang Xiaolie said with a smile: "What nonsense are you talking about! I'm going to have to do your best tomorrow, so you can relax tonight. Everyone, sit down. Don't be restrained."
Everyone took their seats. Chen Yuyi took the wine pot and poured wine for everyone.
Several generals hurriedly said: "How dare you ask the counselor to pour wine! You are not a bad general!"
Wang Xiaolie said: "I will go to the battlefield tomorrow, but you will enjoy it tonight. We are just talking, so we can't let the soldiers come in. The counselor will pour the wine."
How many people in the military don't like wine? Starting from Xiangyang, we went to Jingmen City for many days without even drinking a drop of wine. Smelling the smell of wine in the cup, several generals were ready to make a move, and some couldn't help it.
Wang Xiaolie raised his glass: "Have a drink. Let's talk slowly."
Thanks to all the generals. Raise your glass and drink it down.
The soldiers outside roasted a lamb and brought the meat in. Served with nearby fruits and vegetables, everyone drank several glasses of it.
After three rounds of drinking. Wang Xiaolie said: "After arriving in Dengzhou, you are all new generals. I remember that Xue Cheng, Ma Chengzhong and Wei Yang were former members of King Qin's army, and the rest were selected after arriving in Xinye."
Zhong Ci said: "I remember defense well. Those three brothers have been on defense for a long time, but we have been on defense for less than two years."
Except for three people who were originally members of Wang Xiao's hunting army, the others were all former officers and soldiers who joined Wang Xiao's hunting army for various reasons. During the training in Xinye, they stood out and were promoted to commanders and deputy commanders.
Wang Xiao's hunting army controls about 3,000 people and is a basic combat unit. In wartime, one must charge forward and command on the spot. In small-scale battles, the commander can lead troops to fight. Any further down, and it's not a formal battle.
Wang Xiaolie said: "Calculating the time, it has been nearly two years since I arrived in Dengzhou and Xiangyang. I have been training soldiers in Xinye for a year, and everyone has worked hard, and finally we have a fighting army this year. We assisted Shaanzhou at the beginning of the year, You have all made great contributions. Now we will face the Beilai Jin Army again, and I hope you will fight with your lives."
Several people crossed their hands and said yes.
Wang Xiaolie said: "I invite you to drink tonight because I have something to say. Although we have aided Shaanxi Province, we have all fought with the Jin people. But to be honest, in Shaanxi Province, the main ones who fought with us were Zhe Keqiu. The Fuzhou soldiers and the Jurchen soldiers in Lousu withdrew too quickly and suffered little loss. The Jurchen soldiers are different from other armies. Everyone has heard this point many times and cannot take it seriously."
Xue Chengdao: "Jurchen soldiers are particularly good at fighting. We have all heard a lot. However, do the Jurchens have three heads and six arms? If not, how are they better than others? They can use knives and guns just like them, so they are better than others!"
Wang Xiaolie said: "The Jurchens may not be any stronger than other people, but they are particularly powerful in fighting. This is a fact. When the two armies intersect, once the Jurchens start to attack, they will take turns to attack one team at a time and never look back. One person dies. If one team dies, the next team will be on top, and they will never give up until they win! Jurchen soldiers are particularly able to endure hardships, are particularly perseverant, especially obey orders, and are not afraid of death. Don't think these words are legends, women This is true for real people! Once a war breaks out, it’s nothing to fight for a day, and it’s not unusual to fight for several days!”
After hearing this, the generals were silent for a moment. After a while, Zhong Ci asked: "Defense, the Jurchens are fighting, just like what the defense said, our ears are ringing. But are they really like this? I always think it is too exaggerated. How can there be an army in the world? Fight like this?"
Wang Xiaolie nodded solemnly: "That's true! Others just heard that when saving Shaanzhou at the beginning of the year, Shao Ling fought against a group of Jurchens. They attacked repeatedly and never stopped! If my army hadn't arrived, Shao Ling would have only Can be entangled!”
Shao Ling is still in the Shaanzhou area, and none of the generals here in Jingmen have started a war with the real Jurchens. Many people disagree with the legend of the Jurchens. It was felt that the Jurchens had won too much, and the Song army exaggerated them.
Wang Xiaolie knew that he was not exaggerating. It is true that the Jurchens have poor strategic and combat capabilities, but on the battlefield, the Jurchens are the kings at this time. Once the attack begins, it comes like a tidal wave, regardless of life or death.
The Jurchens have strict military laws and their soldiers are brave and fearless of death, which has many advantages. This is a typical aggressive force that cannot be underestimated. To some extent, the characteristics of the Jurchens are similar to those of later German and Japanese armies, especially the Japanese army. The same lack of strategic vision, the same strong strength on the battlefield, and the same aggressive nature. When it first rises, it is like a gust of wind and rain, unstoppable. There is a kind of animality in them, and they take this animality to the extreme.
Wang Xiaolie didn't like such an army, but he would not underestimate such an army. If your own army is not tempered and cannot give full play to the subjective initiative of its soldiers, it will be very difficult to face such an army.
In the final analysis, it is still the same sentence. No matter how good the marshal's strategy is and the general's command is appropriate, if his army collapses on the battlefield, it is impossible to win the battle. All kinds of planning and commanding ultimately require an army that is good at fighting.
Seeing Wang Xiaolie speaking extremely seriously, the generals finally understood why they were being invited to drink tonight. Because tomorrow, we will face a fierce battle. Even though the Song Army now has all the advantages, and even though the Jin Army is attacking over a long distance, tomorrow's battle will still not be easy.
