"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Rushing to the south of the city and back to the foot of Yanfeng Peak, Pu Zitong was furious in the barracks inside the village: "There are sentries and cavalry everywhere. There is no sign of the army crossing the border within 70 miles south of Hengyang City. How can there be tens of thousands of people besieging Changning County?"
After struggling for so long, why didn't Pu Zitong get up and stare at the movements of the Fifth Army Camp?
The reward from Guiyang Prefecture has not come yet, but Pu Zitong is very sure that there is no large army between Changning and Leiyang.
But Zhaonian was disgraced. After taking a look at Zhan Huabi, he gritted his teeth and said: "Every word of the general is true, and all his subordinates can testify. The general doesn't know where they came from, and none of the sentry detectives in the pond outside the city came back." After hearing the news, the army suddenly approached from the north of the Xiang River to the north and west of Changning City. To the south, there were more than a thousand Jin Yiwei surrounding them. The west city gate was suddenly exploded by the craftsmen in the city. If the general moves slowly, I am afraid that the whole army will Overturned."
Pu Zitong's expression was extremely ugly. How could Xizuo blow open the west city gate so easily?
He glanced at Zhan Huabi, but Zhaonian was Zhan Huabi's old subordinate after all.
"There are 1,500 defenders in Changning County. You just ran away and only brought back more than 300 people?" Zhan Huabi also felt incredible, "Less than half an hour after the battle, you ran away from the east gate? "
But Zhaonian looked very embarrassed and ashamed, but he said: "The west gate has been broken, and enemy troops are pouring into the city like a tide. Everyone in the Jinyi Guards is well-equipped, and the final general is really..."
Pu Zitong really wanted to kill him like this.
Not only was he defeated, but he also dragged the remaining troops back to exaggerate the enemy's elusiveness and strength, disrupting his military morale.
But he had to worry about Zhan Huabi's feelings.
Zhan Huabi could read the killing intent in Pu Zitong's eyes. This was his request. He was asking Zhan Huabi for his opinion.
Changning County was lost and Hengyang City lost its southwest barrier. Pu Zitong had reason to kill Dan Zhaonian.
But the situation suddenly changed, and there could no longer be a conflict between Pu Zitong and Zhan Huabi.
Pu Zitong had expressed some doubts before, and Zhan Huabi should give him an explanation now.
"The enemy troops coming from the Xiang River are probably the Baoqing Guards after their rest, or the Yongding Guards and Chenzhou Guards who rushed to Hengzhou." Zhan Huabi first gave Dan Zhaonian a step, and then said to Pu Zitong, " Gu Shilong has been waiting for them for nearly a month. I am afraid that all the counties in the south are in danger at this moment. We have two guards and two bases. After all, it is still difficult to secure the entire territory of Hengzhou and Chenzhou. The governors of Chenzhou, Yongxing, and Leiyang Have to keep it!”
It sounds like he is just analyzing the situation, but Pu Zitong understands that Zhan Huabi wants to protect his life.
Now that the army from the south has arrived, Hengyang City must make a decision. Shrink the defense and survive this winter. As long as Hengyang City and Leishui don't lose, there is still a chance for a turn.
But at this time, you must not kill the defeated general in front of the formation, nor must you divide your troops to rescue him. Otherwise, the morale of the army will be unstable and the army will be defeated like a mountain.
The return of the more than 300 remnant troops will also strengthen the defense strength of Hengyang City. Moreover, he, Zhan Huabi, had already lost more than a thousand officers and soldiers in one battle.
Pu Zitong stared at Zhan Huabi for a while, and then said: "Captain Zhan, if the enemy troops are allowed to easily gather in the south of Hengyang City and occupy the upper reaches of the Xiang River and Laishui River, it will be really difficult to defend Hengyang! At least, the Shuikou Castle can't make any mistakes. You Don’t worry, Gu Shilong doesn’t dare to attack rashly, and the west gate of Hengyang City is not that easy to break!”
After saying that, he turned around and walked into the city: "Instruct the Guang'an Institute and the garrison of Guiyang Prefecture to return to defend Chenzhou, and order the Ningxi Station to Linwu Chenzhou to send more troops to Leiyang!"
Looking at Pu Zitong's back, Zhan Huabi turned around and looked at Dan Zhaonian with a stern face after a while.
At least he didn't surrender, but at least he escaped with more than 300 people.
Shuikou Mountain is the intersection of Chunling River and Xiang River, only more than thirty miles away from Hengyang City.
The troops are so fast that the imperial army that captured Changning County will probably set off tomorrow to advance to Shuikou Shanzhai Fort and peek back to Yanfeng and the Leishui camp on the bank of Yan Lake in the southeast of the city.
What Pu Zi meant during the phone call was that he, Zhan Huabi, should go to the front line in person to resist the army that took over Changning County, or at least contain them and prevent the most critical Lei River in the south of Hengzhou Prefecture from being cut off.
The garrison in Hengyang City must also have a completely unified command. Pu Zitong cannot always worry about Zhan Huabi's existence.
They were all grasshoppers on the same rope, and Zhan Huabi made a decision quickly.
"You should rest for a while and lead your troops to follow me overnight." Zhan Huabi told Dan Zhaonian, and then went to chase Pu Zitong.
Outside Huiyan Gate, Zhan Huabi knelt down and bowed: "General, please take orders to lead 500 personal soldiers and Dan Zhaonian's troops to reinforce Shuikou Mountain, and we will not make any mistakes!"
Pu Zitong stood with his back to him for a while, then turned around to help him up with both hands, and said solemnly: "Brother Zhan, Hengyang South, please!"
After Zhan Huabi stood up, he said frankly again: "But under Zhaonian, Brother Zhan still has to investigate and be careful to be careful of fraud!"
"You will finally understand."
Pu Zitong had not been able to say anything before, so he couldn't doubt it in front of so many people, but Zhaonian surrendered first and then fled with his troops. Was it really a trick?
Just one reason: How could Changning County lose so quickly?
…
But the "remnants of the defeated generals" brought back by Zhao Nian can only temporarily stay outside the village gate on Huiyan Peak.
The torch flickered. Although they were defeated comrades, they were still comrades after all. Hengyang City prepared some hot porridge for them.
Zhan Huabi was waiting for his five hundred soldiers to gather together. He glanced at Dan Zhaonian and then asked him to form his team.
They were officers and soldiers of Changde Guard. Although he could not recognize them all, he at least had a roster in hand.
But when Zhaonian saw that Zhan Huabi had brought several people out and identified the people he brought back with him, he already understood what was going on.
He acted a little shy and angry, but didn't dare to say anything.
Zhan Huabi recognized some of the deputy Qianhu, Baihu, and flag officials under Dan Zhaonian's command. Most of the people these people brought back were people they usually trusted.
Except for the twenty or so people gathered together.
"Is he Jin Yihua?"
But when Zhaonian heard the question, he quickly answered: "After the final general arrived in Changning, the leader of the rural warriors recruited was Jin Yihua. Thanks to the grace of the governor and the governor, he was Jin Yihua who was awarded the position of 100 households."
Zhan Huabi looked at the somewhat restrained Jin Yihua, and then at the twenty or so people behind him who were equally timid: "Tell me about the Battle of Changning."
"...The little one is not very good at talking, but..."
It seems that Jin Yihua has not left the mentality of a commoner in the past, or maybe he is too frightened in front of Zhan Huabi at this moment, so he said "little" when he spoke.
But the battle process he told was no different from what Dan Zhaonian reported, except that there were some more details after escaping from the east gate.
The only people who had time to escape were the more than 300 people in the east of the city and the more than 200 people Dan Zhaonian brought with him.
Afterwards, a group of 300 cavalry led by Captain Jinyi chased him. For this reason, another deputy Qianhu died in the battle.
"...I have chased the little ones for more than ten miles. If they continue to chase us, we may not survive in Hengyang City."
How can a person run away with his legs and escape the cavalry chasing him all the way?
Zhan Huabi narrowed his eyes and looked at Dan Zhaonian: "Since there are more than 10,000 troops as you said, even if it is to pacify Changning City, why would you care about the lack of 300 people? Why didn't they chase you all the way?"
"At that time, General Mo and others had already arrived near Shuikou Castle." But Zhaonian could only say this.
Zhan Huabi stopped asking questions. He knew most of the people. This was one of them.
Secondly, at a time when Hengyang City is extremely vigilant, since these people will not be arranged to enter the city, they will not be able to harm Hengyang City.
Thirdly, the more than 300 remnant soldiers who had abandoned their helmets and armor could not make any trouble in front of his 500 personal soldiers.
"Set off!"
Seeing that all the people he wanted had come over, Zhan Huabi acted vigorously and resolutely.
Along the way south, we can naturally see if what this remnant army said is true. When he arrives at Shuikou Mountain, the rewards of first going to Changning County to investigate the battlefield conditions will come.
In the dark of night, more than a thousand people left Huiyan Peak and walked south along the bank of the Xiang River.
The torches were clustered into a long dragon, and the Tangqi on the front, rear and two wings were spread out for about three miles as a warning for the march.
What Zhan Huabi needs now is to march urgently and get to Shuikou Castle as soon as possible.
For more than thirty miles, if we march normally, it would take a day to ensure that everyone can follow the team.
Zhan Huabi came here to supervise the battle at the front line. In addition to the 500 personal soldiers and the more than 300 remnants of Dan Zhaonian, there were also civilians transporting baggage in the team.
Since the enemy troops have appeared in Changning, they must always be prepared for sneak attacks.
Fortunately, the size of this army is not large, and it is close enough to Hengyang City. There are also many fortresses along the Xiang River, so Zhan Huabi can speed up appropriately.
When we arrived at Shuikou Cottage, it was already slightly bright.
In advance, some soldiers arrived at Shuikou Shanzhai Fort with Zhan Huabi's military orders and talismans. At this moment, seeing Zhan Huabi personally leading his troops to help, the guard in Shuikou Shanzhai Fort was very happy.
Seeing him opening the gate of the village, Zhan Huabi's face darkened: "The enemy is nearby, why are you so slack?"
Although they are his old subordinates, even if they want to welcome him, how can they not bring some soldiers out to guard them?
"Don't worry, Commander. After the general received the military order from Hengyang City, Tangqi dispersed for fifteen miles, and there was no trace of the enemy all night."
Zhan Huabi could only remind him to be careful, and then entered Shuikou Castle.
He was also very tired after marching all night.
However, at this moment, it is still necessary to supervise the men, horses, food, grass and baggage to enter the camp.
Then there is a bit of a thorny issue: in terms of official position, Zhaonian is a garrison and guerrilla general in Changning, which is already higher than the garrison general of Shuikou Shanzhai Fort who was promoted to Zhengqianhu.
Now that I am sitting here, I can naturally command with no problem. But how to arrange the soldiers below, especially Dan Zhaonian?
In one day, they first fled to Hengyang and then marched here overnight. Looking at Dan Zhaonian's men who were exhausted, Zhan Huabi decided to let them rest for three hours, and then redo the defense and personnel arrangements for Shuikou Castle. layout.
He only rested for more than an hour, and then got up to inspect the various parts of the fortress.
Not far away is the intersection of Xiang River and Chunling River. The fort is located on a hillside on the north bank of the river. Whether the enemy comes from the south or the west, they need to cross the Xiang River to the north bank.
If you can win, that's fine. If you can't, then the transportation of grain and grass will always be troublesome.
If you want to encircle the south of Hengyang City, you can't bypass the Xiang River. You can't bypass the several fortresses along the Xiang River in the south of Hengyang City.
Originally, there were only 300 officers and soldiers and 500 civilians stationed in the Shuikou Castle. Now the number of personnel has rapidly expanded to nearly three times, and they began to work hard after dawn.
The simple barracks and the construction of a wall around the perimeter are all things that need to be completed before the enemy attacks.
Fortunately, with the Xiang River at our back, the transportation of many supplies has not stopped in the past few months. Pu Zitong was not stingy for this "life passage" to the south. Both the direction of Hengyang City and Chenzhou Prefecture in the south continued to transport wood, food, and military supplies here.
Zhan Huabi's attention was always on the west and south, and he was also waiting for reports on the investigation.
After a while, he couldn't help but call the original guard of Shuikou Castle.
"Is this what you said last night when you traveled fifteen miles without seeing any trace of the enemy?" Zhan Huabi's face was as dark as water. "The rangers I sent out on the road last night to investigate have not come here yet!"
"...I will be wronged. If the governor doesn't believe it, I will ask those who went out to investigate last night to come and report!"
Zhan Huabi was too lazy to listen.
It's unclear whether they really went far to investigate, or whether they heard that Changning County had been defeated and found a closer place to hide and then come back.
In the dark night, who knows if they have investigated carefully?
On the contrary, Zhan Huabi can trust the people among his own soldiers.
Nowadays, none of the twenty-five people in the five groups has come back. This fact makes Zhan Huabi feel terrible.
But I'm afraid Zhaonian is really not afraid of crime. To catch every ranger who searches for intelligence in a vast place, how many people must be scattered in the direction of Chang Ning?
Unable to detect the direction of their next attack, this is a very passive situation.
At 15:00, Zhan Huabi finally waited for someone, but it was not the sentinel he sent out.
On both sides of the Xiang River, more than a mile away from Shuikou Castle, more than a hundred riders appeared on each side.
On the wall of the village, Zhan Huabi heard the heavy and suppressed breathing of his subordinates.
In the distance, the more than two hundred horses did not move.
Some are sitting steadily on their horses and looking here; some are holding their horses and drinking water by the river.
But their leisurely attitude created a heavy sense of oppression.
Because they were all wearing Feiyu uniforms.
It's so far away that you can't see the details, just blurry little dots.
But the uniform attire, which was very different from the uniforms of ordinary officers and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty, could still be recognized by Zhan Huabi and other high-ranking generals of the Ming Dynasty at a glance.
"...Captain, maybe Luo An is among them."
Hearing someone speak cautiously, Zhan Huabi heard his fear.
Those brought out by the commander of the Jinyiwei were naturally the best among the best in the Jinyiwei.
It sounded as if he was encouraging Zhan Huabi to send people to hunt him down, but in fact he was afraid.
The commander of the Jin Yiwei has arrived. Where is the army in the direction of Chang Ning now?
"...Speed up the construction of the wall, distribute dry food, and let everyone eat first!"
On the one hand, he was urging the civilian workers to work, and on the other hand, he was asking his subordinates to fill their bellies. Zhan Huabi did not know when the fierce battle would begin.
But Zhaonian and the people under him were also shouted out, and they started to cook with their eyes bloodshot from not sleeping well.
Not far away, Luo An was indeed there.
Unlike Zhan Huabi, Luo An had a telescope.
Although the effect was very poor, he could vaguely see the situation on the wall of Shuikou Village.
"Look, is that Zhan Huabi?"
Luo An handed the binoculars to a subordinate.
He has never seen Zhan Huabi, but someone has.
The person holding the telescope was He Quanan, whom Yan Chunsheng called his second brother.
And now, Jin Yiwei Hu Guangzhong, Huang Yanzhong, and Si Cong are all here.
"It's him."
He Quan'an nodded affirmatively.
"I didn't see Dan Zhaonian." Luo An said calmly and then ordered him, "You continue to stare. If you see Dan Zhaonian, speak again."
"Commander, don't worry, but if Zhaonian goes to Hengyang, he will definitely not be able to enter the city. Since Zhan Huabi is here, he wants to protect Zhaonian and personally guard the south."
He Quan'an's tone was very confident, and Si Cong looked at the boss of the newly established special service unit in Jinyiwei with some awe.
A really scary character.
Among the many leaders of Jin Yiwei, Wang Zuo is probably the most terrifying in terms of fear, followed by He Quan'an.
In terms of talent, Luo An is far inferior to these two people, and may not even be as good as Liu Zhenyuan and others.
After leaving Changsha with He Quan'an, Si Cong felt He Quan'an's every operation at close range.
He was sure that Pu Zitong would not let them enter the city to confuse others. He was sure that Pu Zitong would only kill them to establish his power at the Heshui River in the north of the city or the Xiang River in the east of the city. He was sure that Yan Chunsheng would definitely take action if he succeeded.
He was so courageous that even if Yan Chunsheng hadn't taken action on the Qingye Bridge, he would have been confident of escaping.
That was under siege by the rebels!
Si Cong was risking his life every day he followed him.
But He Quan'an was always successful. After landing in Leijiabu, they also escaped into Hengshan City and then went to Tang Peiyu's camp under the cover of the fleeing people formed by Gu Shilong's attack on Hengshan City.
Later, when Tang Peiyu heard that the "Commander of the Jinyi Guards" had come to recruit him in person, he couldn't help but meet He Quan'an.
During this meeting, Tang Peiyu was fully armed and left behind ten soldiers. He Quan'an and the other three were unarmed, but He Quan'an made Tang Peiyu despair with just one word, three addresses and two special names.
Those three addresses were the secluded places that Tang Peiyu had arranged for his family to avoid disaster as early as the beginning of the year when King Chu passed away.
There are two names, one is Yan Chunsheng and the other is Dan Zhaonian.
Now, He Quan'an arrived in Changning with Tang Peiyu's autographed letter. Luo An personally read the emperor's handwritten decree to Dan Zhaonian, who was actually Tang Peiyu's illegitimate son, and finally dared to surrender to Kaicheng with confidence.
This arrangement has been arranged one after another, and now it is time to reap the big fruits.
The three hundred captains of Jinyiwei are here, and Luo An and He Quanan are visiting the front line in person. Can Shuikou Village give Pu Zitong a big surprise from the south?
"Commander, but Zhaonian also came out, and he is indeed here!"
Luo An perked up and took a telescope to look over.
"No need to wait! Let the brothers on the other side cross the river!"
In Zhan Huabi's sight, he could only see the more than a hundred Jinyi guards on the south bank of the Xiangshui River heading towards Ningcheng along the Xiangshui River first, but the more than a hundred Jinyiwei guards on the north bank of the Xiangshui River still stayed where they were.
"We have one day!" Zhan Huabi said decisively, "Send a message to Hengyang City that the enemy troops from Changning should come today and start to pull out our Shuikou Village tonight. I will serve as bait, and the governor can divide his troops at least three thousand. Come and defeat Chang Ning’s enemy! The defenders of the forts along the coast can be mobilized to encircle them. Tell the Governor that even if the army really exceeds 10,000, I can hold it for at least seven days!"
The more than a hundred Jinyi guards in the distance were like a pack of wolves staring at their prey. They were waiting for more people to come.
But Zhaonian stood behind Zhan Huabi without saying a word.
(End of chapter)
