In Baisha Town, Li Cheng looked at the night outside and remained silent for a long time. The failure of Zhongmou actually declared that Liu Yu's military operation had failed. In all the years he has been in the army, he has never fought such a useless battle. Tens of thousands of troops rushed headlong into the enemy's encirclement, unable to even fight back.
Liu Lin is in a daze. Since you escaped from Zhongmou, why did you come here? It is good to turn east and flee halfway, even to the south. As long as he escapes from the Song Army's encirclement, it is better than being surrounded here in Baisha. With Liu Lin around, his actions were greatly restricted.
Deputy General Cao Jin came over and said: "General, please rest early. Looking at this posture, the Song army is afraid that it will arrive outside Baisha Town early tomorrow morning. It will be a fierce battle!"
Li Cheng sighed. Said: "Zhengzhou in the front and Zhongmou in the rear have fallen into the hands of the Song army. We have no place to escape even if we want to. The Song army has 30,000 to 40,000 people. Judging from today's attack on Zhongmou, our combat power is not weak. We will With tens of thousands of people, it would be difficult to defeat them."
Cao Jin said: "The general is a famous general for a while, no matter how many Song troops there are, he will not take it lightly!"
Li Cheng smiled and said nothing, just looking at the vast night.
In Guancheng County, Cao Zhiyan got up and stretched. I lit a candle, washed my face, and put on my military uniform.
The soldiers came in and said, "General, breakfast is ready."
Cao Zhiyan said: "There is a big battle today, so the soldiers must eat enough! Also, each person has two eggs. Only their commander can ask which one is missing!"
The soldier bowed his promise and went out to bring breakfast over.
Today's breakfast was very rich. Five steamed buns, a large bowl of millet porridge, two eggs, and a portion of pickles. This is Cao Zhiyan's habit. The meals he eats in the military camp are the same as those of the soldiers. Even if the officers have their own ministerial money, nothing will change.
After eating, Cao Zhiyan left the commander's tent and inspected the military camp.
Although it was only midnight, the military camp was already busy. People shouting and neighing everywhere, it’s very lively. Some soldiers were preparing their military uniforms, some were installing horse gear, and others were preparing carts. Everyone has their own work and everything is in order.
Returning to the commander's tent, he saw that all the main officers in the army were there. Cao Zhiyan said: "We have agreed with Du Yuhou to arrive at Baisha Town before Chen time today. There are some clouds in the sky tonight and the moonlight is not good. You order the cavalry to send people ahead and light torches every fifty steps by the roadside to give the army Light the way.”
Ni Qing, the deputy capital commander, promised and hurried out.
Sitting down in his seat, Cao Zhiyan checked today's battle plan again. Seeing that it was getting late, he ordered the army to set off.
Under the weak moonlight, the Jinshui River was glowing with ripples. The wind blows from the river, bringing with it a fresh breath.
Niu Gao rode on his horse and moved forward with the troops. The dew wetted my hair, there were insects chirping in the grass, and the night was quiet and beautiful.
With more than 20,000 troops, the forwards have arrived outside Baisha Town, and the rearguards are still in Zhongmou City. It takes more than an hour to march on the road, and another hour to form a formation. Niu Gao was in the middle of the army and had walked a few miles by himself. The vanguard should have reached Baisha Town.
In the past, I read that hundreds of thousands of troops from both sides often encountered each other suddenly and quickly engaged in battle. I didn’t think it was anything when I watched it, but it’s actually quite funny when I think about it. It is impossible for an army of tens of thousands to engage in battle quickly. The number of people who can encounter and engage in battle is only a few thousand at most.
Although the cavalry regiment was transferred away, the Jie Li Peasant Army still had its own cavalry, but the number was smaller. However, Li Cheng did not have many cavalry, and their training was far inferior to Wang Xiaolie's army. The area between Zhongmou and Baisha Town is still controlled by Niu Gao's troops. More than 20,000 troops marched, but Li Cheng received no news.
In the early morning, when the sun had not yet cast its shadow, Niu Gao finally arrived outside Baisha Town. The troops who arrived first stood in the night, forming a formation. They were arranged very sparsely, and the gaps between each unit were left for the following troops. As time passed, the formation became closer and closer.
Li Cheng was still sleeping when he was suddenly awakened by his own soldiers. He stood up abruptly and was about to scold the soldiers when he suddenly remembered the current situation. He said in a deep voice: "Has the Song army arrived? How many people are there?"
The soldier said: "Back to Lieutenant, I can't see clearly in the night. But judging from their formation, there should be tens of thousands of people."
Li Cheng nodded and said: "Please come to my commander's tent, prince and generals."
After saying that, he slowly got up from the bed. Just wash up, put on military uniform, and leave the handsome tent.
The moon has set, the stars are covered by clouds, and the sky and earth are pitch black. The sky in the east has already revealed a touch of fish belly white, and it is almost dawn.
Not long after, Liu Lin and the generals arrived, and Li Cheng returned to his tent.
Seeing Li Cheng, Liu Lin asked nervously: "General, the Song army has arrived? It came so fast!"
Li Chengdao: "Yes, the Song army has already formed a formation outside the town. According to my estimate, tens of thousands of troops will have to wait for the sun to rise before they are ready. Prince, today will definitely be a fierce battle. If the battle situation is unfavorable, the prince should go first Walk."
Liu Lin said: "Where can I go?"
Li Chengdao: "I arranged for some people with good water skills to protect the prince and wade across the Jinshui River. I checked yesterday and found that there are no ferries in this area. Although the Song Army occupied Zhongmou, Banqiao Town on the other side of the river is still there. In our hands. As long as we reach Banqiao, the prince will be safe."
Liu Lin looked at Li Cheng, thought over and over again, and finally nodded.
Around Baisha, the only safe place now is across the river. The Song army arrived suddenly and did not find the means to cross the river, so they did not cross the river. Upon reaching the other side, Liu Lin escaped. Of course, only God knows whether the Song Army will make corresponding arrangements.
After Liu Lin was arranged, Li Cheng looked at the generals and said: "What needs to be said was said yesterday. Today we can only fight to the death! It's getting late. Everyone, go back to your headquarters and organize a meal immediately! When the sun rises, we will go out of town to fight! "
As soon as he finished speaking, a soldier came in, crossed his hands and said: "Lieutenant, the Song army from the direction of Zhengzhou has also arrived, forming an array in the west of the town!"
Li Cheng felt his head buzzing after hearing this. It was very difficult to deal with the Song army coming from Zhongmou alone. Another group of Song troops came to Zhengzhou. How should I deal with it? Baisha Town has no city walls, so he can only divide his troops. With the troops divided, which side is the Song army's opponent?
Outside the town, Cao Zhiyan commanded his troops to form an array. In addition to the conventional arms, the most important thing is the choice of gun positions. Once the gun position is selected, the enemy's military formation can be ignored. When the time comes, the artillery will disrupt the enemy's formation and the army will cover them up.
While he was busy, several fast horses came over. Soon they arrived, and the knight on horseback said: "I'm Gu Yuan, I've seen Du Tong!"
After saying that, he jumped off the horse and saluted Cao Zhiyan with his hands crossed.
Cao Zhiyan hurriedly returned the gift. He said: "It turns out to be the deputy capital commander. You guys arrived earlier than me. Have you already formed your formation?"
Gu Yuandao: "It has just been arranged. Du Yuhou and Du Tong asked me to come, and we will fight together!"
"Okay, okay, I think so too." Cao Zhiyan nodded repeatedly. "Li Cheng only has more than 10,000 people. If we divide the troops, there will only be 5,000 or 6,000 people on each side."
Gu Yuandao: "Du Yuhou believes that Li Cheng will not divide the troops equally. There will be less on one side, and he will lead the main force himself. The fighting method is not magical. In this case, one side can only hold back, and the other side can quickly Solve the battle. I just don’t know whether it is us who Li Cheng will fight in person, or whether we are all here."
Cao Zhiyan smiled and said: "We are surrounded by tens of thousands of troops. It doesn't matter how Li Cheng divides his troops. Which side he attacks, he just sends himself there. I am in formation one mile away from the town. I wonder how your side is doing?"
Gu Yuandao: "What Du Yu thought was the same as that of Du Yu and us. When Li Cheng formed the formation a mile away, he would be within the range of the artillery no matter what. Du Yu's order was to wait for Li Cheng to form the formation. After the formation, after waiting for a stick of incense, he suddenly opened fire and shot directly at Li Chengzhong's army!"
Cao Zhiyan said: "This is the best. Let's see who is lucky today and gets this credit!"
