A thousand-year-old family that began with the Battle of Makino

Chapter 957: Juancheng Army Agrees to Aid from the East, Xiaowen River Battle at Xiaqiu Falls

September 28, the second year of Qianning
Puzhou Juancheng
It has been three months since Guo Huilong marched to Weijuancheng.

During these three months, the Xuanwu Army only launched small-scale invasions and did not launch a large-scale attack on the three cities of Juancheng as it did last year.

Instead, he set up a large camp in Zhangzhuang, south of Juancheng, and lined up the troops in a row. He also established nine camps, connecting Juye Lake and the Yellow River, making the entire area south of Juancheng airtight.

Apart from the occasional incidents between the two armies, they could really be considered friendly.

On this day, Zhu Xuan arrived in Juancheng from Yunzhou as usual to inspect military affairs.

Because no major war took place, Zhu Xuan did not stay in Juancheng for long, but returned to Yuncheng, not far from Juancheng.

After all, Yuncheng is his capital.

However, his absence does not mean that Juancheng's defense will be relaxed.

Juancheng and Yuncheng are only sixty miles apart and can be reached within a day by horseback riding.

After inspecting the defense line of Juancheng, he saw that the Xuanwu Army camp was still the same as usual, so he returned to the government office in Juancheng to rest with peace of mind.

Before I could sit down, someone came to report that someone from Yanzhou had arrived.

Zhu Xuan immediately asked someone to bring the messenger up.

A Yanhai cavalryman who was in a depressed state and needed help to walk was dragged in.

"Yan, Yan navy, cavalry, left, left Dujia team, team leader Zhao Er, greets the Grand Marshal, the Sub-Marshal has a letter here."

Zhu Xuan asked someone to take the letter. The envelope was covered in blood, but fortunately no blood had penetrated inside. Zhu Jin's handwriting was still very clear.

"Is the situation in Yanzhou really so serious?"

Zhu Xuan asked Zhao Er in detail about the recent situation in Xia Qiu City. After getting what he wanted, he took the people downstairs to rest.

After a moment's silence, Zhu Xuan beat the drum to gather his troops.

"Guo Huilong is very close and may attack the city at any time. Where will we get the troops to rescue Zhu Yanhai?"

"Not necessarily. Tianping and Yanhai are inseparable. If Yanhai is defeated, Bai Yi will definitely target us next. When he joins forces with Guo Huilong, it will be difficult for us to resist alone."

"I agree. Juancheng is strong. Guo Huilong alone cannot take it in a short time. Only 20,000 men will be enough. Marshal Jie still has 30,000 men. That's enough."

"That's right. If Bai Yi's army is defeated, it will be easy for Guo Huilong."

In the end, the majority supported sending troops, the military meeting passed, and Zhu Xuan decided to send troops.

October rd
Zhu Xuan mobilized 10,000 people from Juancheng to return to Yuncheng, preparing to head east from Yuncheng, cross Liangshan Lake, bypass the northern bank of Juye Lake, and pass through Pinglu County of Yanzhou to rush to the rescue of Xiaqiu City.

At this time, Pinglu County was still in the hands of the Yanhai Army.

"Order Puzhou Governor Zhu Yu to replace me in guarding Juancheng, and order Zhu Han to lead his troops out of the city to form a battle array, prepare for a counterattack, and cover the main army's advance."

Because of Zhu Han's large-scale actions, Guo Huilong's attention was successfully attracted. Most of the scouts originally scattered between Juancheng and Yuncheng withdrew to monitor Zhu Han's every move.

Zhu Xuan took the opportunity to lead 10,000 veteran soldiers in Juancheng out of the north gate of Juancheng, and returned to Yuncheng under the guidance of the moonlight.

Afterwards, they joined up with 20,000 new soldiers who were already training in Juancheng, and quickly headed north, passing through Liangshan Lake, crossing the Ji River, and then heading east to Pinglu.

October th
After a long journey, the Tianping Army arrived in Pinglu County under the personal leadership of Zhu Xuan.

When Pinglu County Magistrate Luo Shaohong learned that the army was passing through the country, he respectfully led the county officials out of the city and came to pay a visit to Zhu Xuan.

"Stop talking nonsense and quickly prepare three days' expenses for my army. If you don't finish it before sunset, my army will leave with your heads chopped off."

After hearing this, Luo Shaohong's face turned pale, but he dared not refute. He could only hurried back to the county town to summon the gentry and powerful people to raise food and money.

October
At daybreak, Zhu Xuan led his troops to march out and soon arrived at Xiaowenshui, southeast of Pinglu.

When the army had passed two-thirds of the way, suddenly dust rose up in front of them and dense flags rose on the horizon.

Zhu Xuan's heart stopped when he saw this, and he knew he had fallen into a trap.

But now that most of the army had passed, it was no longer realistic to return by the original route, so he immediately ordered to form a battle array on the spot and fight with his back to the water.

And let the troops on the west bank that have not yet crossed the river speed up to increase their confidence.

However, before the formation was completed, a large group of cavalry suddenly appeared on the west bank and rushed into the Tianping Army that was lining up to cross the river like wolves and tigers.

Thousands of troops were crushed to pieces in an instant.

Zhu Xuan closed his eyes, unable to bear to watch, and when he opened them again, he was determined.

Soon, the Tianping army was deployed, with more than 20,000 soldiers forming a battle formation with their backs to the Xiaowen River.

It's just that some places are not very strict, because most of them are newly recruited soldiers this year. The one who led the attack on the Xuanwu Army was Chen Daniu, with 20,000 troops, in a strict formation, with swords and spears like a forest, giving people a full sense of oppression.

Without any hesitation, Chen Daniu led his entire army forward, ready to sweep the enemy with lightning speed.

After a while, the two sides engaged in battle, holding up shields and stabbing each other with spears and lances.

However, the Xuanwu Army is composed of veteran soldiers with steady hands and accurate guns.

In less than half an hour, the Tianping Army's defense line was riddled with holes by the Xuanwu Army.

When it comes to field battles, the Tianping Army is still far behind.

"We've lost, we've lost." Pessimism instantly spread throughout the army. Many soldiers turned around and left, and Zhu Xuan was unable to stop them.

But behind them is the Xiaowen River, where can they escape to?

Even if the current of Xiaowen River was not fast and he managed to reach the shore by chance, what was waiting for them would be the roaming Xuanwu cavalry, and they would not escape death in the end.

Then the sound of weapons falling to the ground continued to be heard, and the Tianping soldiers began to surrender on a large scale.

"Marshal Jie, hurry up!"

With the protection of his left and right personal guards, Zhu Xuan successfully crossed the Xiaowen River and broke out of the siege, but the price he paid was that hundreds of his most elite personal soldiers were killed or wounded.

In this battle, the Xuanwu Army beheaded more than five people and captured 23,000 people.

October 8
Chen Daniu led 20,000 troops to Pinglu County.

Pinglu County Magistrate Luo Shaohong personally went out of the city to surrender. Chen Daniu ordered him to provide three days' expenses for the army, and anyone who disobeyed the order would be executed.

Luo Shaohong had no choice but to gather the local gentry again and work hard to raise enough money for three days for 20,000 people to send the army out of the country.

October th
Zhu Xuan fled back to Yuncheng and learned that Chen Daniu had entered Liangshanpo and would arrive in Yuncheng soon.

Thirty thousand men died in the Xiaowen River, and only a thousand soldiers remained to defend Yuncheng.

After considering the pros and cons, Zhu Xuan believed that Yuncheng was more important. It was a small place for the army to gather and the military grain warehouses were all here.

Although Juancheng is strong, it is short of food and grass. Without the support of Yunzhou, it will become an isolated city, and then there will be no way to escape.

He then ordered Zhu Yu and Zhu Han to immediately abandon Juancheng and return to Yuncheng.

October 11

Upon receiving the order, the brothers Zhu Yu and Zhu Han did not dare to hesitate. They abandoned the burdens in Juancheng and fled from the north gate that night.

It was not until the next day that the Xuanwu Army learned that Juancheng had become an empty city.

Guo Huilong entered the fortified city that had blocked his way for years without a fight.

October 13

It took Chen Daniu several days to arrive at the foot of Yuncheng.

Because they were unfamiliar with the water conditions at Liangshan Lake, it took them two full days to reach the north of Yuncheng, a place that could have been crossed in half a day, coupled with the harassment by the Tianping Army.

However, he had not yet established his footing and was exhausted from traveling for several days.

Zhu Xuan took the opportunity to send Zhu Han to lead 10,000 men to attack. The Xuanwu army was defeated slightly, and Chen Daniu retreated five miles to set up camp.

Fortunately, even if Guo Huilong led his troops to the south of Yuncheng, Zhu Xuan was afraid of losing another 10,000 men, so he strictly prohibited the pursuit and returned to the city to defend it.

As for the brothers An Fuqing, a foreign general, they had been captured by the enemy in the Battle of Xiaowen River. He had no one to use and could only use his relatives.

On that day, Chen Daniu's troops and Guo Huilong's troops crossed the river, and nearly 100,000 soldiers of the Xuanwu Army gathered under Yuncheng, blocking the four gates and making it impossible for anyone to get out.

Zhu Xuan had less than 20,000 men in the city, and only enough food and fodder for three months.

October 15th

Bai Yi ordered the captured An Fuqing brothers to surrender outside Xia Qiu City and spread the news of Zhu Xuan's defeat. The morale of the Xia Qiu army was shaken, and Yuan Qing took the opportunity to seize the south city wall.

Fortunately, night fell and the fighting stopped.

But everyone knows that the fall of the city tomorrow is a foregone conclusion.

On the morning of the 16th, Zhu Jin escaped from the east gate with only his trusted generals Zhu Yongzhen, Yu Li and three thousand others.

Encountering an encirclement and suppression by the cavalry led by Meng Peiwu, Yu Li was killed in the battle, Zhu Yongzhen was captured, and only Zhu Jin fought desperately to break out of the encirclement and fled towards Haizhou.

That day, the first rays of light appeared and the city of Xia Qiu fell.

(End of this chapter)