The sun in the western sky sets over the mountain, casting sunset glow all over the sky. Red dragonflies fly in the sunset, poetic and picturesque.
Xue Cheng rubbed his hands and said to Pan Lu: "You don't have to wait for the ferry to come back. When you see me setting off a cannon on the river, take people across the river immediately. If you only use these ferries tonight, the speed will be too slow. Rely on other boats." , your people can also cross the river!"
Pan Lu said yes. Said to Xue Cheng: "It's not completely dark now, you have to be careful!"
Xue Chengdao: "I understand. This afternoon, twenty people have crossed over, and the other side has been cleared. - Remember, you have to come over immediately after I cross the river!"
The two said goodbye reluctantly. Pan Lu stood on the shore and watched the first batch of eight large ferries rowing toward the other shore.
It wasn't until the shadow blurred that Pan Lu turned around and checked the arranged batches and the boats ready to cross the river.
In more than half an hour, Xue Cheng and others arrived at the bank of the Yellow River. The soldiers on the shore who had crossed the river in the afternoon saw the boat coming and waved hurriedly.
After stepping ashore, Xue Cheng asked anxiously: "How is it here? Are there any patrolling troops?"
An officer said: "Zhi Zhi, there is nothing abnormal. There are fifty soldiers on patrol. They went to the ferry for a circle yesterday and returned to Yigu Town at noon today. There are more than a dozen fishermen around. To prevent accidents, we concentrated We arrived at a small village nearby.”
Xue Chengdao: "Okay, okay, you are doing a good job! Send ten people to guard the small village and wait for the army to come."
The officer said yes and ordered his men to check out the village.
Xue Cheng took out the prepared fireworks, lit them with fire, and set them off toward the Yellow River. The night has darkened, and the fireworks bloom over the Yellow River, which is particularly conspicuous.
Pan Lu saw the fireworks and hurriedly ordered his soldiers to get on the boat. Take advantage of the fact that it is not completely dark and quickly cross the Yellow River.
It wasn't until Haishi that Wang Xiaolie arrived at the river. Asked Shao Xing, "How is it? Is everything going well?"
Shao Xing said: "Good luck! Xue Cheng's army has all crossed the river, and now Wei Yang's army is on the way."
Wang Xiaolie nodded and stood on the bank, looking at the surging river.
The evening wind blew in my face, with a slight fishy smell, and it was particularly cool. The river water gently laps the embankment, like the Yellow River whispering.
Suddenly, a burst of fire rushed into the air and disappeared instantly. Then suddenly there was a flash of fire in the air, followed by a crisp sound.
Shao Xing said happily: "Wei Yang has arrived on the other side too! Xuanfu, let's get on the boat."
Wang Xiao asked curiously: "The ferry hasn't come back yet, how can we leave?"
Shao Xing said: "The ferry can carry more than two thousand people at a time? When Wei Yang left, there was enough boat left for us to pass."
"I see. Come on, let's cross the river!"
Chaoyi is located at the foot of Chaoban plateau and is the main route from Hezhongfu pontoon to Chang'an. In the past, it was a prosperous place with a large number of people and merchants. Since the Jin army broke through Guanzhong, it has quickly declined. The city walls that were damaged in the wars in previous years have not been repaired, giving people a sense of vicissitudes of life.
Xue Cheng led the army to the gate of Chaoyi City, but saw that the city gate was closed tightly and there was no movement.
After looking around the city, Xue Cheng pointed to the front and said: "The wall in the front section has collapsed and has not been repaired. Let's enter the city from here! Order Feng Chengye to lead his troops into the city through the collapsed wall, and The city gate is open!"
On the other hand, Feng Chengye promised and hurried away.
Generally speaking, rulers are not familiar with all of their subordinates. But there are a few outstanding ones, and there are some particularly ineffective ones, they will remember them. Xue Cheng's subordinates, Feng Chengye, are particularly good at attacking difficulties, especially good at fighting tough battles, which Xue Cheng is familiar with. They are usually sent on tasks like this.
Feng Chengye briefly explained a few words, then led his troops and rushed towards Chaoyi City.
In the night, Chaoyi County was quiet. Even the soldiers on the tower have fallen asleep.
When they arrived at Haogou, Feng Chengye sent someone to set up a simple ladder on the ditch, and all the people quickly passed by and reached the bottom of the city.
Pulling out the waist knife, Feng Chengye took a deep breath. He waved his hand and said: "Kill!"
The first one rushed to the gap in the city wall and climbed onto the wall. His officers followed closely and came to kill him.
This section of the city wall fell down, but no one was defending it, so it was quiet. After entering the city, Feng Chengye was a little startled when he saw that there was no movement around him.
Seeing that there was no army to stop him, Feng Chengye led his men and went straight to the east gate next to him. Not far away, someone on the city wall finally noticed the movement of these people. Loudly said: "Who is it? Don't you know the curfew? They are running around in the city!"
Feng Chengye said nothing. He led his men to the east city gate, raised his sword and felled it, knocking down the city defenders who woke up from their sleep.
It was only then that the soldiers on the city realized something was wrong and shouted.
Feng Chengye ignored the soldiers on the tower and ordered his men to kill all the soldiers guarding the gates below the city, and then opened the gate of Chaoyi City.
Amidst the astonishment of the soldiers on the city tower, Xue Cheng commanded his men to rush into Chaoyi County. The 600 soldiers sent by Zhao Bin here could not figure out what was going on. When they formed a commotion, they were already surrounded by Xue Cheng's army.
It only took less than half an hour to conquer the imperial court. Xue Cheng stood in front of the county government office, a little dazed, and couldn't believe what was happening.
A whole army of troops was sent to guard Chaoyi County. Xue Cheng was arranging troops outside the city. Wei Yang from behind had already arrived with his troops.
After sorting out the army, the two came together.
Glancing at Chaoyi County, Wei Yang said: "You captured this county before I even got here. Why is this Zhao Bin so incompetent?"
Xue Chengdao: "Not only was it ineffective, but I didn't realize it. The county wall was already in decline and had never been repaired. I sent people to enter the city without any effort. Zhao Bin's troops defending the city were surrounded before they could react. . This fight is like an adult beating a child, it’s not interesting.”
Wei Yang smiled and said: "Indeed, if the opponent is too useless, this battle will be useless. I don't know how well Zhao Bin defends Tongzhou City. If it is like Chaoyi County, this battle will be too easy. .”
Xue Cheng shook his head: "It is too relaxed, and it is easy for our army to develop arrogance. Alas, if the previous armies of the imperial court were like this and were easily defeated by the Jin army, there would be nothing to say. The soldiers took the imperial salary and Don’t they have any sense of shame when the army is led like this?”
Wei Yang said: "When the country was destroyed and the family was in ruins, they became surrendered generals and acted as collaborators. How could they have any sense of shame? The Jin army in Shaanxi now has less than 10,000 people, and they are all guarded by these surrendered generals. What can people say? Xuanfu wants to fight Tongzhou is also to set an example for these demoted generals and let them know what to do."
Xue Cheng nodded, looked up at the crescent moon in the sky, and said nothing.
