Traveling through the early Tang Dynasty starts with hanging

Chapter 1247 Raiders
September 25th was slightly overcast, and the sky seemed to be covered with dark clouds.

Zhang Zhongjian raised his head and looked at the dark clouds in the sky. He looked far to the east and saw no Turkic cavalry. This was normal. Since Duan Zhixuan defeated thousands of Turks that day, the war had actually ceased. Dub Khan just The Turkic cavalry squads went back and forth from time to time to frighten the Tang army.

However, Zhang Zhongjian also sent scouts to investigate, and after paying a certain price, they learned that the Turks were now divided into two groups. Dubu Khan led the main force to be stationed in the lower reaches of Shanshui River and Anle River to remotely control Anle Prefecture. This made Zhang Zhongjian a little suspicious. He was not sure about Jihu leader Liu Nv Nicheng's thoughts.

However, Zhang Zhongjian still had great confidence in Zhang Shigui, the governor of Yuanzhou. He was talented in both civil and military affairs and was cautious by nature. Even if Jihu surrendered to the Turks, it would be difficult for him to steal Xiao Pass and enter Yuanzhou.

Another part of the Turkic troops was deployed on the north side, about six or seven miles away from the Mingsha Camp. They set up camp on the mountain, with about [-] to [-] troops.

"Dubu Khan's main force is at least fifty miles away from the Mingsha Camp." Tang Jian appeared beside him, "It should be too late."

Seeing the complicated expression on Zhang Zhongjian's face, Tang Jian added: "Zhongning has already set off. Guo Xiaoke personally leads the troops, with Hou Hongtao and Feng Li as the vanguard, and Hou Junji as the backing."

"Yes." Zhang Zhongjian responded, "If we can win this battle, let's see what Dubu Khan does, but if we lose this battle..."

Such an adventure made Zhang Zhongjian's palms wet at this moment. If defeated, not only would the lives of many generals be ruined, Mingsha Camp could only shrink its defense line and defend desperately, waiting for the war to end elsewhere.

In fact, after receiving the letter from Li Shan, and after noticing the strangeness of Dubu Khan, Zhang Zhongjian made up his mind that he could not just sit back and watch this war... I want to be the protagonist of this war, at least one of the protagonists. one.

Next to Li Shan, Zhang Zhongjian is the one who is most eager to climb up... All this stems from the contrast between his ambition and being ignored for more than ten years.

Tang Jian smiled and said: "The King Si of Wei also used surprise to defeat the enemy in Shandong, Daidi, and even Jingzhou and Yuanzhou. Since it was a surprise attack, there was naturally some risk."

Zhang Zhongjian shook his head slightly, "Alang seems to be taking the wrong approach, but in fact he has a plan. He recruited Yuan Junzhang back then, and went to Xiaoguan on a snowy night last year. It seemed like a risk, but in fact he was sure of victory."

After compiling his mood, Zhang Zhongjian turned to look at Liu Rengui, who was striding forward, and said softly: "In the battle of Jingzhou, you held the Chinese army's flag and followed Alang into the battle. The battle was successful. In this battle, you also carried the flag in a certain place. At your side, the flag falls, and I will chop off your head."

Liu Rengui shouted excitedly.

At this moment, five or six miles south of Mingsha Camp, a group of Turkic horsemen was resting behind the hillside. With a surprised cry, everyone turned their heads and saw a fleet slowly appearing in the Yellow River. In the middle, the fleet of boats moving down the river is like galloping horses.

"So many ships?" The leading Turkic general was a little surprised. There are also fleets on the Yellow River these days. Because there are many cities in Zhongning and Zhongwei in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, and they also lead directly to Huizhou, there are many fleets carrying food and ordnance support. Mingsha camp.

But usually there are only five or six ships, but today there are dozens of ships.

Zhao Deyan, a counselor around Dubu Khan, once suspected that it was against the law of war for Lingzhou Army commander Zhang Zhongjian to establish a stronghold along the Yellow River. However, ships often arrived at Mingsha Camp from Huizhou and Zhongning. This was a bit like hundreds of soldiers. A variant of Queyue Formation created by Liu Jinu years ago.

Seeing a large number of ships quickly disappearing from sight, the Turkic generals were a little frustrated. They really couldn't understand why the Great Khan still lingered in Lingzhou. Although it was impossible for Huizhou to support the troops, the continuous supply of food made the Turkic army Besieging Mingsha Camp has no practical effect.

At the height of Mingsha Camp, Zhang Zhongjian also saw the fleet and ordered his men to fly the red flag. The fleet did not stop, but sailed straight downstream and disappeared among the winding mountains.Zhang Zhongjian returned to the Chinese army tent and glanced at the slightly excited generals. "In this battle, cavalry will be used. Duan Zhixuan led [-] heavy cavalry, with [-] light cavalry as the vanguard. Shi Danai and He Liu led [-] heavy cavalry. Two Qian Qingqi followed."

"I am leading the remaining cavalry behind. The banner of the Chinese army will not retreat. All generals should move forward bravely."

The generals accepted the order in excitement and marched out to gather troops and horses one after another. Zhang Zhongjian held Tang Jian's hands and said, "Once the war breaks out, it may be difficult for Dubu Khan to come to the rescue in time, but he may directly attack the Mingsha camp. Please ask Mao for help." The public is in charge."

"We must live up to our trust." Tang Jian exerted his strength with both hands, "This battle is not about killing, it requires decisive action, Sanlang, we must retreat unscathed."

Zhang Zhongjian took a deep breath, said nothing more, called his guards, put on his armor, and brought his mount, with the horse's girdle in hand and the long sword hanging on his side.

In fact, Zhang Zhongjian didn't have to worry too much about Dubu Khan. The Great Khan, who had been bored waiting for the news, got interested today and led thousands of cavalry south to Anle Prefecture to win the victory as an envoy. Jihu leader Liu Nu was successful. If he didn't surrender early, , chickens and dogs are not left behind.

Just as the envoy threatened the frightened Liu Nu into hiding, the fleet of boats, faster than galloping horses, went down the river and passed through the long canyon.

Guo Xiaoke, who was on the deck, looked around. Although there were many hills on the bank of the Yellow River, there were no traces of human beings as far as the eye could see. He slammed the bow of the boat and shouted sternly: "This battle will be won!"

The fleet slowly docked at the dock on the shore. Hou Junji, who was the first to disembark, looked around and couldn't help but look back at the dock. He found that the dock was obviously higher, allowing the soldiers and horses on the ship to easily Getting off the boat... I guess this can't be a coincidence. It's possible that Zhang Zhongjian had a plan.

Three thousand cavalry disembarked in an orderly manner and gathered outside the dock. The scouts sent in advance had also reported that there were no Turks within five or six miles. Obviously, the Turks did not notice that a fleet was coming behind them.

This can’t be blamed on the Turks for not thinking of this. On the one hand, the grassland tribes were originally afraid of rivers. Even if scouts were out, they rarely approached the Yellow River. On the other hand, there were groups of people two miles away from Mingsha Camp. High mountains cover the Yellow River. In fact, not only the east bank of the Yellow River, but also the west bank also have high mountains, making this section of the river known as the "Qingtong Gorge".

With the cover of Qingtong Gorge, the Turkic army stationed on the north side of the Mingsha Camp could not notice that a fleet of boats came around behind them and showed a ferocious face.

"About fifteen or six miles." Feng Li, who had participated in the Lingzhou War, quickly made a judgment, "Six or seven miles south is the Turkic camp."

Hou Hongtao added: "The number of troops is approximately between [-] and [-]."

After a pause, Hou Hongtao emphasized his tone, "Once the enemy is defeated, Mingsha Camp will definitely send troops."

Guo Xiaoke sneered, "If you dare not send troops, here are the confidants of the King of Qin and the favorite generals of the King of Wei. Even if Zhang Zhongjian finally defeats the Turks, he will not escape death!"

Without delay, Guo Xiaoke stopped talking nonsense and said, "Hou Hongtao and Feng Li are the vanguards. When someone comes, the second group will come. Hou Jun gathers at the rear and immediately goes south."

"In this battle, we only need to defeat the enemy, no pursuit, just keep going south, keep going south!"

(End of this chapter)