National color raw owl

Qiao Mingtang sneered and said, "Since you have arrived at the Northwest Military Camp, when you left the camp, did you ever see traces of a fight under the walls?"

Master Pang shook his head and said, "I didn't see any traces of fighting. On the way, I was still wondering why there was no trace of attacking the city after the soldiers of the Northwest Army had been approaching the city for several days?"

"The governor only became aware of Chu Huan's intentions after he arrived." Qiao Mingtang sighed: "Although Chu Huan is young, their plan this time is very cunning. Their goal is not just Tongzhou, they I want to swallow Liangzhou together, and the soldiers and horses under the city are just a cover-up. If the governor guesses correctly, the main force of the Northwest Army has been secretly transferred to Liangzhou."

Master Pang suddenly realized, and said in surprise: "No wonder Wei Tongzhi's reinforcements haven't appeared yet, then... Qiao Du, Wei Tongzhi's reinforcements along the way, it shouldn't be...!"

Qiao Mingtang also had a trace of worry in his eyes, but then shook his head and said: "Wei Tianqing is a veteran on the battlefield, and he has made great progress in studying military books these years, and in addition to Liangzhou's large number of soldiers, horses and horses, the Northwest Army is even more powerful. It may not be possible to take advantage of the battle. As long as Wei Tianqing holds back the main force of the Northwest Army, they will not be able to return for reinforcements. There will never be too many soldiers and horses in Tongzhou City as suspects, otherwise Chu Huan will not set up today's war. I want to avoid fighting with our army.”

Master Pang nodded slightly, but still worried: "Qiao Du, our soldiers are mainly infantry, and thousands of them are recruited temporarily. Okay, let's go to battle...!"

Qiao Mingtang stroked his black beard lightly, and said softly: "We have two thousand elite imperial guards, of which there are three hundred elite cavalry. As for the mob, there must be brave men under heavy rewards, and as long as they are given heavy rewards, they can naturally be used by the governor."

"What Qiao Du said is very true."

Qiao Mingtang's military order was conveyed, and the Xishan Army immediately ate. At this time, it was already dark. Qiao Mingtang was worried that the rangers of the Northwest Army would wander around to inquire about the military situation, so he sent out the cavalry under his command to roam around the camp.

The soldiers ate to replenish their physical strength and prepare for the upcoming battle. Qiao Mingtang managed to eat two mouthfuls, but he really lost his appetite. Of course he knew what the next battle meant.

All the generals under his command had already gathered, and there was a simple map on Qiao Mingtang's case, which was drawn by Qiao Mingtang himself with the help of the topographic map of the West Mountain Road.

On the map paper, the positions of the enemy and the enemy and the surrounding geographical environment are roughly outlined.

"Everyone, as far as I know, the Northwest Army under the city of Tongzhou is weak, and their main force is not under the city." Qiao Mingtang looked serious: "This governor expected that Chu Huan's plot was to encircle a point to fight for reinforcements. Tongzhou, the purpose is to attack Wei Tianqing's reinforcements. Wei Tianqing has nearly [-] soldiers in his hands. It will not be easy for Chu Huan to swallow the reinforcements. Arriving in time was blocked by the main force of the Northwest Army, and the enemy and our armies have already started fighting."

"Qiao Du, it is said that the Northwest Army has dispatched thousands of cavalry this time. If they really ambushed Wei Tianqing's reinforcements, it must be very difficult for Wei Tong to control." Xiao Moyun, the head of the Ministry of War, frowned.

Qiao Mingtang nodded and said: "This governor also knows that once a battle is fought, it will not be easy for Wei Tianqing to win, but this governor believes that he can hold back the main force of the Northwest Army. The key to the victory of this battle is not on Liangzhou's side. And under the city of Tongzhou." With his hands behind his back, he said, "Chu Huan stayed behind the city of Tongzhou in order to deceive others. This is our best chance. As long as we fight with all our strength, we can defeat Chu Huan or even capture this person alive. , it will be resolved.”

When the generals heard the words, they said one after another: "Your Excellency really has a clever plan."

Qiao Mingtang said in a deep voice: "The generals listen to the order. At three quarters of the garrison time, the whole army will attack, and the whole army will be ordered to take a Northwest soldier's head and reward 100 taels of silver. If Chu Huan is killed, he will be rewarded with 1000 taels of gold and be promoted. Two levels, if you can capture Chu Huan alive, the reward will be 3000 taels, and you will be promoted to three levels, can you hear clearly?"

Everyone said in unison: "Follow the order!"

The small hill was still very quiet, covered with a veil by the night, but the army of Xishan was already fully armored and ready to march.

The night cannot stop the excitement in the hearts of the soldiers. The Governor said that the main force of the Northwest Army has been transferred to other places. There is only a weak and lonely army under the city of Tongzhou, and the Governor has already issued a reward order. As long as you make military exploits, not only You can get real gold and silver, and you can be promoted regardless of your background or status.

In this world, what one seeks is to get promoted, make a fortune, and honor one's ancestors. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Although the Xishan Guards are full of blood, the thousands of strong men who have been recruited are also full of energy. Next, the whole army rushed towards the Northwest Army under the city like tigers and wolves.

The whole army is ready to go, assembled into teams.

Qiao Mingtang was on the horse, and the ear protectors of his helmet almost covered half of his face, but his eyes couldn't stop the cold light. His imposing manner was unstoppable. Facing the soldiers, he drew his waist knife and made a loud beeping sound.

The whole army was in awe, without the slightest sound.

Qiao Mingtang swung the saber down decisively, and said in a deep voice, "Attack!"

At this moment, the sound of horseshoes was heard, and the soldiers and horses that were about to set off immediately looked over, but they saw a galloping horse approaching, and they waved and shouted: "My lord governor... Your Excellency Governor, you can't... you can't send troops...!"

Qiao Mingtang didn't see the man's appearance clearly for a while, but the whole army was about to attack in an instant. At such a moment, words that affect the morale of the army were most taboo, and his expression suddenly became ugly.

But the man had already rolled off the horse, almost crawling towards Qiao Mingtang's side, looking extremely embarrassed, the Xishan soldiers who were all ready to go looked at each other, not knowing what happened for a while.

Xiao Moyun, the head of the Ministry of War, has already stepped forward, and said sharply: "Who told him to come? The attack is imminent, disturbing the morale of the army, what should be the crime?"

The man had already knelt down on the ground and said loudly: "The last general... The last general is sent by the Wei Tongzhi to report...!"

Qiao Mingtang, Xiao Moyun and others all changed their colors. Xiao Moyun took a few glances, then turned around and said, "My lord, this is Gan Lu, a general under the command of the guard!"

Qiao Mingtang raised his hand and said, "Let him come over."

Wei Jiang Gan Lu's armor was messy, his face was covered with sweat, he looked very embarrassed, he panted heavily, stepped forward, cupped his hands and said, "Qiao Du, it's a big deal... a big deal is not good... The Liangzhou reinforcements have... been defeated, and the Northwest Army attacked Liangzhou...!"

Qiao Mingtang's whole body shook, and he asked sharply, "How is Liangzhou?"

"The last general...the last general is still unclear." Gan Lu didn't care to wipe the sweat off his face, and said: "Wei Tongzhi learned that Tongzhou was trapped, and immediately mobilized [-] soldiers and horses to help Tongzhou. , but when they arrived at Liuzihe, they were ambushed...!"

Qiao Mingtang was taken aback, and couldn't help but glance at Chief Pang not far away, only to hear Gan Lu continue: "The Northwest Army took advantage of our crossing and broke the embankment to release the flood, and the flood filled the river bed, cutting our army into two sections. Can't look after each other...they are...!"

Qiao Mingtang didn't wait for Gan Lu to finish, and said sharply, "Shut up!"

Gan Lu was taken aback, Qiao Mingtang had already dismounted from his horse, and without looking at Gan Lu, he walked towards him not far away. Gan Lu immediately realized that the whole army was ready to go, and at this moment he reported the defeat of the Liangzhou reinforcements in front of the soldiers. The blow to morale can be said to be fatal, so he hurriedly followed. The soldiers who were about to attack looked at each other with different expressions.

Xiao Moyun and the others followed closely, and when they got to the side, Qiao Mingtang said in a deep voice, "What happened, let me tell you in detail!"

"Your Excellency, the Northwest Army has ambushed heavy soldiers in Liuzihe." Gan Lu said, "They had a plan long ago, we were caught off guard, and the troops were all scattered...!"

"Where's Wei Tianqing?"

"Wei Tongzhi has already rushed to Liangzhou. On the way, Ling Mo will fly to report the details to the governor." Gan Lu bowed his body, "Pei Ji is full of tricks, and Wei Tongzhi is sure that he must go to absorb Liangzhou city... ...!"

"Wait." Qiao Mingtang frowned and said, "Pei Ji? You mean, it was Pei Ji who set up an ambush in Liuzi River?"

"Exactly, and we met Pei Ji on the way to break through." Gan Lu said: "Pei Ji pretended to ask Wei Tongzhi to drink, got drunk, and took away Wei Tongzhi's armor... .!"

Qiao Mingtang's face became extremely ugly, and he said in a deep voice, "What did you say? Drinking? Pei Ji invited Wei Tianqing to drink?" His eyes were sharp, "Why did he invite Wei Tianqing to drink?"

Gan Lu didn't dare to hide anything, so he explained what happened to Pei Ji in detail, and then said: "Pei Ji claimed that he was toasting Wei Tongzhi on behalf of Chu Huan, and said that although each was his own master, Chu Huan always regarded Wei Tongzhi as his own. Brother...!"

Xiao Moyun and the others looked at each other, Qiao Mingtang's eyes twitched, and he didn't speak for a while.

Seeing this, Xiao Moyun finally said cautiously: "My lord, it seems... Liangzhou is probably in danger, and they must have ulterior motives in planning to take away Wei Tianqing's armor... .!"

"I'm afraid it's going to be disguised as Wei Tianqing to earn the Liangzhou city gate." Chief Pang frowned and said, "Qiao Du, the defeat of Liangzhou's reinforcements seems to be true, it's not...it's not Chu Huan's bluff. ...!"

Qiao Mingtang was silent for a moment, and finally said: "The order will continue, and the plan will not change. The whole army will attack and take down Chu Huan!"

Master Pang said anxiously: "Qiao Du, since Chu Huan is not bluffing, let's...!"

"Pei Ji led the main force of the Northwest Army to attack Liangzhou, and it will be difficult to return for a while." Qiao Mingtang's face turned blue, but he still tried his best to keep calm, "If we withdraw our troops at this time, the southern part of Xishan Road will all fall into the hands of Chu Huan ...!" With a cold snort, he said, "He wants to swallow me in the south of Xishan Mountain easily, but I'm afraid it won't be that easy...!"

Without further words, he turned around and left, with everyone following behind him, Qiao Mingtang mounted his horse, turned the horse's head, drew out his saber, and said loudly: "The whole army goes out, kill the enemy and make meritorious deeds!"

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