Erdaosha is an inconspicuous little place dozens of miles away from Youtun City.
The reason why it is called Erdaosha is because there are two raised soil slopes, with rolling sand dunes in all directions. The road passes between the two soil slopes.
The Liang army's forts were built on the slopes on both sides, commanding the troops and guarding their throats.
With these two forts stuck here, the road in the middle is really difficult.
If the Yan army attacks any of the fortresses, the reinforcements on the opposite side can attack the Yan army's front and back, forming a horn-like formation to reinforce each other.
The so-called fortress has more functions than a pure warning point like a beacon, and often also plays a defensive role.
A small fortress was built with rocks and bricks on the top of the slope, surrounded by brick walls on all sides, with battlements on the top and observation towers on both wings, just like a small city.
As long as the gate of the village is closed, the enemy troops have to climb up the wall if they want to enter, just like attacking a city.
Although the walls of the fortress are not as tall and wide as the city walls, the terrible thing is that outside the walls there are basically sand dunes and the geology is sparse.
Let alone siege vehicles, even bamboo ladders are difficult for you to hold up, they are very slippery.
"My dear, we are really in a dangerous place. We can still take advantage of this place. The people who built the fortress in the first place have a vicious vision."
Gu Sinian was already standing on the tower, looking into the distance and having a panoramic view of the surrounding situation.
There is almost no place to hide outside the wall unless you crawl into the sand.
In other words, if the Yan army attacks, it will be exposed under their noses and there will be no concealment at all.
Zeng Lingchuan pursed his lips toward the distance:
"That's Xibao Village, and Chen Baihu and the others are all in place."
From this perspective, looking at the hilltop opposite, one can vaguely see the outline of Xibao Village. If either party is attacked, they can send a warning signal and call for reinforcements.
There was a busy scene inside the fort, with soldiers carrying food, grass and weapons and setting up defense lines.
This fortress had just been repaired a while ago, so they didn't need to worry about its sturdiness.
The fortress has a total of three floors. The first floor is for storing supplies, the second floor is for people to live in, and the third floor is the top floor, which is a small circular city wall used to station soldiers for defense.
The place was not big, and it was almost full even if a hundred people came in. No wonder Zhang Jingyuan only asked them to bring a hundred people.
Gu Sinian glanced around and said:
"Tell brothers, the water source and food are well hidden. Not even a well can be drilled in this damn place. If there is no water to drink, you will die in the hot weather.
Also, all the archers and crossbowmen were arranged against the wall stacks, and more arrows were moved on the wall, so that if the Yan army attacked, they would not be in a hurry.
Didn't he bring two powerful crossbows with him? Pick a few brothers with good arm strength and set them up in the tower, where the view is good and the crossbow can come in handy. "
Gu Sinian rambled on, exhorting the key points of defense.
"Don't worry, Lao Wu and Brother Lin have already taken people to arrange it."
Zeng Lingchuan smiled, he and Wu Xiang were already very good at this kind of thing.
"Hmm~"
Gu Sinian responded: "Around you, have you found Yan Jun?"
"Not yet. Brother Xiaohu has already taken people out to explore the situation of Yan Jun. He is familiar with the terrain here."
"All right."
Gu Sinian raised a finger and reminded:
"Although we are guarding a dangerous position, we cannot take it lightly. Yan soldiers are very cunning."
"Brother, don't worry so much, right?"
Zeng Lingchuan said disapprovingly:
"The main force of the Yan army is not here. At most, a few small teams will be sent to attack us. This place is easy to defend!
To put it bluntly, we can still hold on even if 200 people come. "
"I can't tell~"
Ever since Chu Beizhan's solemn instructions, Gu Sinian always felt uneasy in his heart.
"Guard Baihu, Gu Baihu!"
Before the two of them finished speaking, Yan Hu rushed up to the top of the city and said breathlessly:
"Come on, something happened, there are Yan soldiers!"
Gu Sinian's eyes were shocked:
"Where! How many people are there?"
"Ten miles north."
Yan Hu looked nervous and said:
"There are at least several hundred troops, including cavalry and infantry, and they are marching towards us!"
"What, how is that possible!"
Zeng Lingchuan exclaimed: "Hundreds of people? Why did Yan Jun send so many people here so coldly?"
The Yan soldiers arrived too quickly, far beyond everyone's expectations, and they were even more powerful.
Gu Sinian analyzed with a calm face:
"It's broken. Maybe they realized the importance of Erdaosha and sent people to occupy it, but we got there first.
If it were half a day later, these two forts would have fallen into the hands of the Yan soldiers. "
"Your analysis is reasonable. Yan Jun must have realized the importance of Erdaosha!"
Yan Hu said in a deep voice:
"The enemy is approaching, what should we do now?"
"there is always a solution to a problem."
Gu Sinian looked at the Huangsha Tunnel in the distance, which was still quiet for the time being, and said:
"Arrange your defenses and prepare for battle!"
"promise!"
…
There were many corpses scattered on the sand dune outside the village wall. The scarlet blood seeped into the sand and was particularly dazzling.
The Yan army came much faster than the Liang army expected, and the Liang army occupied two forts in advance, which the Yan army did not expect.
Therefore, the Yan army launched an attack as soon as they arrived. In just two days, the Yan army attacked six or seven times. It was obvious that they wanted to take advantage of the Liang army's unsteady foothold to capture the fortress.
Fortunately, the terrain of the two forts was difficult, easy to defend and difficult to attack. The Yan army lost many people and gained nothing, so they had to temporarily camp outside the forts.
Gu Sinian was standing behind a stone wall, looking at Yan Jun's camp.
Because there were two forts built on the hillside, the Yan army did not dare to surround them. They could only set up all their tents right in front of the hillside. The large and small tents were connected together on the sand dunes.
A cursory glance showed that the Yan army that attacked separately on both sides totaled at least six to seven hundred men. This number was much more than Gu Sinian and the others expected.
"Alas, the captain unfortunately got it right."
Yan Hu, who was seconded, said with a bitter face:
"The Yan army is indeed not stupid. They sent heavy troops to protect their food routes. It seems that our battle is not that easy to win~"
The two days of offensive and defensive battles have shown everyone Yan Hu's ability. Even though he only has ten people, he can firmly guard the entire west wall.
Gu Sinian murmured:
“The soldiers and horses have not moved yet, but the food and grass go first.
Yan Jun has a good mind~"
Zeng Lingchuan muttered:
"I saw a few fast horses leaving the military camp early this morning. I guess they couldn't capture the fort and moved reinforcements."
"These offal." The blacksmith said solemnly:
"Is it possible that you still want to transfer all the main forces here? That's not the case, right?"
"The battlefield situation is changing rapidly, and every step is not planned."
Gu Sinian narrowed his eyes and said:
"You have to think about it the other way around. If the Yan army concentrates its forces here, although we are in danger, Youtun City will be safe.
As long as we delay a little bit, the city wall will be repaired and our goal will be achieved. "
"That's what I say, but we have to hold on~"
"So far so good anyway."
The blacksmith touched the handle of the knife at his waist and said: "This place is not easy to attack. Our two forts echo each other and we can defend it for a while.
I didn’t say anything, now that I’m here, I’ll do it with the barbarian! "
Gu Sinian turned his head and looked at the Xibao Village on the opposite hill:
"I just don't know what the situation is like over there. If we can't defend Chen Baihu's place, we will be in danger~"
…
As night fell slowly, firelight flickered on several towers of Xibao Village, and the faint smell of blood filled the air.
The attack they encountered here was even more fierce than that of Dongbao Village, and they lost more than 20 brothers in just two days.
A large group of men surrounded the fort, and the atmosphere was extremely gloomy.
There was a cold corpse in the center of the crowd, which was their head:
Chen Baihu.
In the fierce battle this afternoon, Chen Baihu was unfortunately shot by a cold arrow while commanding the operation. He hit his throat and died on the spot.
This was undoubtedly a fatal blow to the defenders' confidence.
Bai Yan, who was holding a machete, stared at the corpse in confusion, as if he had seen his own end.
"What, what should I do?"
A soldier said blankly:
"Didn't you say that this mission was easy?
Why is Yan Bing's offensive so fierce? Rush with all your might.
Us, how long are we going to keep it? How long can we hold on? "
"I don't know, I don't know why the main force of the Yan army is gathered here.
Now that all the adults from hundreds of households are dead, how long can we hold on with our few people? "
"We can't hold it, we can't hold it! We will all die, and we will all die here!"
"No, I don't want to die yet! My mother is still waiting for me at home.
Let's go, let's go, okay? Stop guarding! "
The soldiers spoke to each other, and many of them looked desperate and helpless.
This mission was much more cruel than they imagined, and some of the timid ones were already crying.
"Mr. Bai, please say something!
Now that Lord Baihu is dead in battle, you have to make a decision! "
Everyone looked at Bai Yan and regarded him as the backbone.
With Chen Baihu's death, Bai Yan naturally became the supreme commander.
Bai Yan was silent for a long time, and almost said in a trembling voice:
"Withdraw, let's withdraw!"
"Brother!"
Wan Feng, who was standing aside, that is, Feng Yazi who helped attack Baozigou beacon, exclaimed:
"We can't withdraw. The military order from above is to hold on for half a month. If we withdraw now, wouldn't we be disobeying the military order?"
"Must go!"
Bai Yan shouted coldly:
"Can't you see? So many people died in two days, how could we possibly guard it for fifteen days?
Yan Bing's reinforcements will come at any time, and we won't be able to withstand it for even half a day!
Withdraw, think of ways to intercede with the Captain, and there may be a way to survive.
If you stay here, you will definitely die! "
"Yes, yes! Withdraw! Let's withdraw!"
"Listen to Mr. Bai, let's all withdraw!"
Bai Yan’s decision was supported by most people for a simple reason:
No one wants to die.
Wan Feng looked embarrassed:
"Even if we want to evacuate, we have to give a message to Gu Baihu and ask them to evacuate with us.
Otherwise, if we withdraw, they will never be able to hold on. "
Bai Yan was silent, a trace of madness flashed in his eyes.
"Brother?"
Wan Feng asked: "Should I send the signal now?"
"No, we can't notify them!"
Bai Yan gritted his teeth and said:
"Leaving the fortress is a vast plain. There is no place to hide. There are so many of us making too much noise, and we will definitely not be able to outrun the Yan army's horses.
They have to be cut off, otherwise everyone will die! "
The whole place was dead silent.
They understood that Bai Yan wanted to let the people in Dongbao Village hold on and buy them time to evacuate.
People like Bai Yan will be able to survive by then, but Gu Sinian's side...
This hand is so cruel~
Feng Yaozi's face was full of shock:
"Brother! If you do this, none of Gu Baihu and the others will survive!"
"Shut up!"
Bai Yan's face turned red and he shouted almost madly:
“Shut up if you still think I’m your big brother!
I'm not doing it for myself, I'm doing it to keep my brothers alive!
Follow my orders, everyone travel lightly.
Evacuate! "
