Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 596: The end of Marshal Baochen?
Upon learning that the Xuanwu Army had launched a full-scale attack, Li Baochen immediately led his troops to Xingyang to resist.

Li Baochen placed his troops on the west bank of the Sishui River.

The Xuanwu Army was located near a small hill not far from the east bank of the Sishui River, and there were woods around it for hiding troops.

Marshal Baochen had to admit that Fang Zhongyong was a good choice of location for camping. The hill was the only high point nearby, and the crossbow was installed there, which could increase the range of the shot.

It adds a lot of advantages when defending.

Moreover, the enemy had taken the lead in earthworks, and when Li Baochen arrived with his troops, the camp and trenches had already taken shape. After much hesitation, Li Baochen decided to camp on the spot, dig deep trenches and build fortifications, rather than going all in.

It is obvious that the Xuanwu Army is well prepared and is prepared to fight the war until next year's spring plowing season or even next year's autumn harvest!

Li Baochen also knew very well that Bianzhou's water transport was extremely developed and it was also very prosperous, so there was no shortage of food at all.

Of course, there is also grain in Luoyang Hanjia Granary.

Therefore, if this continues, it will be a battle in which both sides will suffer losses.

After three days of confrontation, the scouts had also investigated the situation on the other side of the Sishui River. After repeated investigations, they drew a rough map of the defense deployment outside the camp. Li Baochen then called Li Shiyu to discuss countermeasures.

In the military tent, Li Baochen looked at the defense map on the table, frowned slightly and said nothing.

I have a bad feeling in my heart.

"General, Fang Qing has an expert by his side. The defense is watertight and there are no loopholes."

Li Shiyu sighed.

From site selection to defense deployment, everything was impeccable. Not all famous generals have such defensive skills. This shows that there are generals who are good at this in Fang Zhongyong's camp.

Because fighting a defensive battle is a technical job, it tests the commander's knowledge and solid basic skills. On the contrary, when fighting an offensive battle, a reckless move can often turn the tide of the battle, and the requirements for skills and tactics are not so high.

In other words, a ruffian can attack as long as he is brave enough.

But you must never fight a defensive battle, no matter how much strength you use. A defensive battle requires the commander to have brains!

“I think so too, but fortunately Fang Qing only has over 10,000 soldiers under his command, so there is no need to worry too much.

I am worried about the other side.”

Li Baochen smiled bitterly helplessly.

Li Shiyu also knew what the other party was worried about, so he whispered: "General, let Wu Lingxun withdraw from Shanzhou to Xin'an County. Shanzhou is too far away, and I'm afraid it will be too late to send reinforcements from Luoyang. At least retreat closer so that it is easier to defend."

This is the truth, but Li Baochen doesn’t think there is any significance in Li Shiyu’s fine-tuning.

He picked up a firewood branch and drew a sketch on the ground, circling Tongguan in the west, Shanzhou in the middle, Xin'an County further east, Luoyang, and Sishui County.

"Look, this is Tongguan, this is Shanzhou, this is Xin'an County, this is Luoyang, this is Sishui County, and the one on the far east is Fang Qing's camp."

Li Baochen and Li Shiyu continued to explain: "Fang Qing's camp and trenches are well defended. In addition, he has more than 10,000 people. Even if we attack quickly, it will be difficult to defeat them within ten days or half a month. Right?"

Li Baochen looked at Li Shiyu and asked.

Marshal Baochen usually looks silly and stupid, until he talks about military affairs, then he reveals his genius side.

It can be said that Marshal Baochen is not good at dealing with people, but he is very good at dealing with knives.

Li Shiyu also had to admit that Li Baochen was very clear-headed when preparing for war.

"Indeed, the Marshal is right."

Li Shiyu saluted Li Baochen with his arms crossed.

"Then look at Tongguan. If the troops from Guanzhong attack Luoyang, should I go back to defend it?

You think we should divide the troops, but what if there are many soldiers in Guanzhong and Fang Qing's troops are just feinting? Dividing the troops is equivalent to leaving no defenses everywhere. Only by concentrating the troops can we hold on.

Is this true? "

Li Baochen asked in a deep voice.

Li Shiyu nodded. Marshal Baochen’s idea was correct and his prediction was also correct.

"So, when the time comes, should we retreat to Luoyang and wait to be surrounded, or should we choose Xin'an County as the place for the decisive battle?
What if Fang Qing leads his troops to pursue us? Even if he doesn't pursue us, he can still harass us when we retreat.

How to deal with it then? "

Li Baochen asked.

Li Shiyu was speechless. If this situation happened, they would really have to start the Battle to Defend Luoyang.

"It's even worse. The Chenguan Road is not safe either. Starting from Puzhou, we can take the Chenguan Road and directly attack Beizhong City on the north bank of the three cities of Heyang.

By that time, I will have to divide my troops into at least three routes, not counting those left behind to defend Luoyang.

You will follow me all the way to block the main force of Guanzhong in Xin'an County, all the way to fight against Puzhou troops in the three cities of Heyang, and finally to have a bloody battle with Fang Qing in Sishui.

Luoyang had to keep some troops to prevent any sneak attacks from happening.

In such a desperate situation, how can I win? "

Li Baochen spread his hands to Li Shiyu, looking helpless.

It is true that he is proficient in military affairs, but he is just an ordinary person. He is not Xiang Yu who burned his boats and crossed the river, nor is he the King of Western Chu who defeated 600,000 Han troops with 30,000 cavalrymen.

Li Baochen is just an ordinary person!

"You mean, withdraw to Luoyang?"

Li Shiyu finally figured out what Li Baochen was trying to say after going through so much trouble.

The situation is so dangerous, do we still have to stay in Sishui and wait for death?
Fang Chongyong was waiting for reinforcements from Tongguan, so of course he could keep his troops in place.

What can Li Baochen wait for here?

"Yes, we are setting up a false front here and withdrawing the main force to Luoyang."

Li Baochen said in a low voice.

He actually got scared!

Li Shiyu never expected that Li Baochen would run away with his army without even firing a single arrow!

Seeing Li Shiyu's expression, Li Baochen emphasized: "We will return to Luoyang first. As soon as we see troops coming out of Tongguan, we will immediately fight them and annihilate them before returning to the three cities of Heyang."

Li Baochen guessed that the Chinese army would provide support through the camp set up by Fang Zhongyong, but this was always just his guess.

Li Shiyu thought about it and finally felt that this method was safer.

If they retreated, at most they would not fight Fang Zhongyong, and there wouldn't be much loss. But if the main force from Guanzhong came out, it would be like a landslide!

"Marshal, are we going to withdraw tonight?"

"Yes, we will withdraw tonight. March as fast as possible and retreat back to Luoyang!"

Li Baochen said firmly that he had made up his mind.

Fang Zhongyong was putting up a turtle shell here, obviously preparing himself for a strong attack.

Haha, who is more stupid than who?

He won't be fooled!
Li Baochen had already thought of a strategy. As long as the reinforcements from Guanzhong were eliminated, Fang Chongyong would have to hide in this turtle shell and wait for death, unable to retreat even a single step.

As long as Fang Zhong retreats bravely, his next step will be to return to Bianzhou to fight in the defense of Bianzhou!
Li Baochen sneered, with a cold light flashing in his eyes.

Fang Chongyong treated him like a fool at first, but he actually believed it!

After this humiliation, Li Baochen secretly made up his mind to get back at his own game on the battlefield!
……

Late at night, snowflakes hit the top of the tent, making a crackling sound, which disturbed everyone. On the table in the tent was a detailed topographic map that Jia Dan had drawn before. Because there was no field investigation, it was not very accurate and could only be seen roughly. But all the place names, mountains, rivers, and rivers were marked without omission.

After looking around, Fang Chongyong couldn't see where Li Baochen had a chance of winning.

"General Baochen wants to march west first, defeat the Guanzhong troops coming out of Tongguan, and then turn around and attack this camp.

The elite soldiers in Guanzhong are not made of mud. They can advance step by step, little by little, and even retreat to Tongguan.

Who would be so foolish as to wait for death?"

Fang Zhongyong held up his chin and talked to himself. He thought from Li Baochen's perspective, and then found that no matter how he played this battle, he would lose!

It was simply a question of whether Li Baochen could retreat from the three cities of Heyang to the north bank of the Yellow River with some of his troops.

If they could retreat successfully, they could still preserve the last bit of their vitality, but Luoyang City and the three cities of Heyang would definitely not be able to be saved.

If they retreated to Yecheng, joined forces with Li Guiren, and then continued to develop towards eastern Hebei, there might be a possibility of revival.

But even so, he was still defeated. And during this escape, there was no guarantee that Li Wan, Wei Jian and others would run with him.

There are huge risks along the way.

"How is Li Baochen going to win? Marshal Baochen, you are going through a tribulation this time!"

After Fang Chongyong thought hard for a while, he gave up struggling.

It is certain and certain that Li Baochen will not win this time.

Fang Chongyong racked his brains but couldn't figure out how Marshal Baochen was going to defeat these two attacks.

The Silver Spear Xiejie Army has the ability to pursue! Not to mention that they have newly equipped a thousand good horses shipped from the Bohai Kingdom!

As long as Li Baochen dared to retreat, Fang Chongyong would let him know what it meant to "when the enemy retreats, I advance; when the enemy is tired, I attack."

As for the other united soldiers, they are responsible for guarding the city walls and the trenches, and will not participate in field battles unless it comes to a matter of life and death.

"General Jie, there is an envoy from Chang'an."

He Changqi reported outside the military tent.

"it is good!"

Fang Chongyong was overjoyed. He had just been worried about the poor communication between the two sides, but he didn't expect Yan Zhenqing to be so considerate. It could be considered a sincere cooperation.

After the person was brought in, Fang Chongyong discovered that this person was Bai Xiaode, one of the Ten Generals of the Anxi Army whom he had met in the Western Regions that year!

"It's actually you!"

Fang Zhongyong quickly grabbed the other person's arm and shook it violently a few times!

Lao Bai is an honest man.

"Marshal Fang, I am here to deliver a letter on behalf of Lord Yan. As for what happened to Marshal Wang back then... I can only take him back to his hometown in Hua County for burial. Please forgive me."

Bai Xiaode apologized to Chongyong in a low voice.

"It's okay. With you as the liaison officer, I feel more at ease."

Fang Chongyong waved his hands gently and sighed. When the time comes, he will go to Hexi An to settle the score for Wang Zhongsi's suicide. Bai Xiaode is innocent, he is just an outsider involved.

"How is the situation in Chang'an?"

Fang Chongyong asked curiously.

"Prime Minister Yan sent his cousin Yan Gaoqing to ask for military rations from the wealthy families in Chang'an.

Finally, a large part of the problem has been solved. It shouldn't be a big problem.

On the day of heavy snow in the twenty-fourth solar term, the government troops would set out, with the Control Crane Army of Fengxiang Prefecture as the main force.

Gao Xianzhi's Tongguan troops will also join the punitive army.

Li Guangbi took the Chenguan Road and launched a surprise attack on the Beizhong City of the Three Cities in Heyang.

This time, we will attack from all directions, and not a single one of Li Baochen's subordinates will escape!"

Bai Xiaode said this with his fists clenched, obviously full of confidence.

This time, two powerful armies that are considered to be among the best in the world, the Silver Spear Xiejie Army and the Control Crane Army, both came to join the battle to attack Li Baochen.

I think Marshal Baochen would feel honored if he knew about this in the afterlife.

After all, Huangfu Weiming didn’t even have this treatment.

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly, ordered people to prepare a sheltered tent for Bai Xiaode, and also provided him with wine and meat.

Only after he left did Fang Chongyong breathe a sigh of relief.

War is risky. No matter how powerful an army is, it must face war with caution. No one dares to say that he is invincible.

However, fighting a war is not about relying on bravery, nor is it about recklessly gambling on luck.

War can increase the chance of winning by constantly creating favorable conditions for one's side and causing trouble for the enemy.

And when there are more and more favorable conditions, your winning rate will become higher and higher, and finally it will be close to a sure win!

The right time, right place and right people are all on Fang Chongyong's side.

Moreover, Yan Zhenqing also specially sent people to be responsible for communication and liaison (not just Bai Xiaode, but he was the only one leading the team).

In this way, when both parties cooperate, the probability of error becomes much smaller!
It doesn't look like they are going to lose!

Fang Chongyong suddenly felt that he had been the head coach for too long and might have become a little nervous.

In fact, judging from Yin Ziqi's situation, Li Baochen's troops did not have strong cohesion. Originally, his troops were forcibly brought together by Huangfu Weiming using military orders.

Instead of being like Shi Siming, who were all his old subordinates.

Li Baochen's situation is that everything is easy when the battle is going well. Once he encounters adversity, Marshal Baochen has to consider the issue of "loyalty and betrayal".

"It doesn't matter even if the troops in Guanzhong are defeated. The Silver Spear Xiaojie Army will help them."

Fang Zhongyong muttered to himself.

He lay somewhat tiredly on the simple camp bed made of wooden boards and a thick mattress, always feeling uneasy.

It seems like something big is going to happen.

Fang Zhongyong got up from the bed again. He asked his personal guard to call He Changqi over, and then asked doubtfully, "Is there any movement from Li Baochen's troops tonight?"

"Yes, retreat in batches. I was just about to report this."

He Changqi had an indifferent attitude.

Even if Li Baochen's troops retreated now, they would not be able to pursue them because there were too many new recruits in the army and they could not withstand the torture.

Therefore, He Changqi believed that there was no need to report it urgently.

"Got it. Send more people to patrol at night."

Fang Zhongyong waved his hand.

In this situation, all he could do was watch. Chasing at night was extremely risky. Moreover, a rash pursuit would change the established plan. Fang Zhongyong could only give up.

There was nothing wrong with He Changqi's response.

(End of this chapter)