Kai Fu Han

Chapter 135 The decisive battle with Zhishan 1
"The latest information from the Military Intelligence Department in the afternoon is that the coalition forces from the three counties have set up camp in Zhishan, ten miles south of the city. They should be waiting for the troops from Mouping and Wendeng counties to converge." Liu Xinanghui reported.

"How many troops do they have? Do they have enough people to rob the surrounding villages?" Liu Xinqi asked again.

"They had more than 3000 troops at the beginning." Liu Xin'ang replied: "As soon as they arrived in Zhishan this morning, they sent small groups of troops to "recruit food", but they were annihilated by our cavalry battalions scattered around in advance. Some sentinels cost them more than 400 people, and now they should have less than 3000 people left."

"After that, the three-county coalition forces stayed dormant in the camp, and even sentry detectives were no longer sent out."

"Very well done." Liu Xinqi praised everyone.

It seems that everyone is gradually beginning to understand and implement Liu Xinqi's ideas, starting to put the people first, and slowly beginning to have some "disciple soldiers" nature.

"This time we went out to fight, the people in the countryside were very supportive of our cavalry battalion. They not only provided food and drinking water, but also provided intelligence." Liu Xinang responded to Liu Xinqi's praise: "Leader, I understand more and more about your policies. Really intentional.”

"Water can carry a boat." Zhou Xinyuan also sighed.

"Now let's discuss tomorrow's battle plan." Liu Xinqi said.

……

June 28
Zhishan Allied Forces Camp, Central Tent.

Tongzhi of Laizhou sat on the seat in the middle of the tent. Yexian, Huangxian and Laiyang were all led by county captains. These three county captains are now sitting on the seats on the left side of the tent.

In addition to these four civil officials, there were also some civil and military officials sitting on both sides.

"None of the spies sent out have returned, and Mouping Wendeng's troops have not arrived on time." Laizhou Tongzhi spoke first.

"I think they may be in danger."

"The attack on Penglai was relatively hasty this time. No detailed pre-battle exploration was done before. I didn't expect that they actually had an elite cavalry unit."

Huangxian County Lieutenant then said: "It's really strange. When they migrated through Huangxian before, the total population was only more than 1000 people. Now there are at least seven or eight hundred cavalry patrolling outside the camp."

"It's really unbelievable. How could this thief develop so fast? Where did his horses come from?"

Laizhou Tongzhi replied: "Previous intelligence showed that they originally had nearly [-] horses. After capturing Penglai, they took all the horses from the Dengzhou Prefecture Infantry Battalion, Dengzhou Prefecture Government Office, and Penglai County Government Office as their own. They bought a large number of horses in the Penglai market, and even bought most of the horses in the market in Ye County, Laizhou, and transported them to Penglai, Dengzhou, by sea ship."

"That abominable 'Liu Xingang' should have killed this traitor long ago." Laizhou Zhizhou gritted his teeth when he said this.

Liu Xingang was previously assigned to Qinglinpu next to Ye County, Fuguo County, Laizhou. During that time, he went shopping in Ye County like crazy. Everything that could be used or sold by someone was bought and shipped back to Penglai.

But if Liu Xingang were here, he would probably have different opinions. You, Laizhou Tongzhi, didn't see you being so upright when you collected the money.

"Are we trapped here?" Laiyang County Lieutenant asked. Laiyang is the farthest from Penglai among the three counties, and he knows Penglai least.If it weren't for the orders of Chun Han Te Su and Laizhou Zhizhou, Laiyang would not have participated in the attack on Penglai.

"How is it possible? We still have three thousand soldiers and horses. If we want to leave, who can stop us?" said the lieutenant of Ye County.

"Indeed, although the start was unfavorable and the troops who went out to collect food were attacked by surprise, our main force is still there and the losses are not many. If we fight steadily, we can still win." Laizhou Tongzhi said. "Do we still want to continue fighting? Now that we know that there are [-] cavalry roaming outside the city, do we still dare to attack the city?" The Laiyang County Lieutenant was still somewhat sensible and raised his objection again.

"If we don't fight this time? If we allow Penglai's bandit army to grow bigger, we will have no chance in the future. Then we will have no choice but to be slaughtered by others." Huangxian County Lieutenant said.Huang County is the closest to Penglai, and the officials in Huang County feel it the most, and their desire to eliminate Penglai and revitalize the Han League is the most urgent.

"You all have already seen the Land Law and Debt Law of the 'Xinghan League'. If this harmful policy continues to spread outwards and is implemented in our territory, then I guess there will be no need for the Xinghan League to send troops themselves. The mud-legged people below You can cut our heads off."

"What Huang County Lieutenant said is true. Even if all 3000 men and horses are used this time, we will still take a bite of flesh from these bandits." Laizhou Tongzhi said.

"I did it knowing that I couldn't do it. Now I'm at a disadvantage, but I still attack recklessly." The Laiyang County Lieutenant was still a little reluctant: "The green mountains left behind are still there, so I'm not afraid of running out of firewood. I sent a thousand troops to Jinan before. If this time If we lose another eight hundred in Penglai, we will really have no strength to resist the evil policies of the Xinghan League."

Seeing that no one could convince the Laiyang County Lieutenant, but that he would influence the morale of the army, Laizhou Tongzhi stood up and said loudly: "Don't think about it anymore. Before coming, Laizhou Zhizhou has told me that if I win this battle, I won't say anything." , if he fails to win, let Penglai know that we gentry are not weak lambs that can be bullied."

"After we sent out troops, the magistrate and the gentry have already organized a second wave of offensive. How many people can there be in his small Xinghan Alliance? We have so many gentry in Qi that one of them can drown him with just a spit of spit."

"We will definitely win, and the Xinghan Alliance traitors will definitely fail. Therefore, we cannot care about temporary gains and losses. We must fight the traitors to the end this time. I will be with you."

"It's my lord." Your civil servants and generals below stood up and responded together.

Seeing that the morale of the troops was available, Laizhou Tongzhi was preparing to strike while the iron was hot and lay out a battle plan.

"Report!..."

Reports came from outside.

Without waiting for a reply from the Laizhou colleague, the reporter rushed into the tent, bent down, clenched his fists, and saluted before reporting:

"An enemy force has arrived from the north of the camp, with more than [-] troops."

"What!!!" Laizhou Tongzhi shouted in surprise.

……

"I didn't expect you to be able to recruit so many militiamen." Liu Xinqi rode on his horse and said to Luo Cheng next to him.

On June 26, after Liu Xinang led the cavalry out of the city, Luo Cheng began to post recruitment notices in the city and arranged for officials to go to surrounding villages to promote the campaign.

This time the conscription was not compulsory and was voluntary, but the notice explained the importance of challenging the five-county coalition and also clearly stated the consequences of defeat.

In addition, military recruitment also includes settlement expenses and military pay.

After the notice was posted, there were many applicants, and in less than half a day, [-] strong men were selected.

(End of this chapter)