Han Dang is stronger

Chapter 64

As Zhou once introduced to Xiang Kang, more than ten years ago, Gu Bi, the county magistrate of Tong County, who once joined the army as a student of the school, had indeed served as a five hundred commander in the Qin army and had made military achievements.However, what Zhou Zeng didn't know and didn't tell Xiang Kang was that when Gu Bi, the magistrate of Gu County, joined the army, he also participated in the battle of Qi County when the Qin army attacked Chu State. One of the old opponents of Shanglao Xiang's family, there must be an old debt worth liquidating with each other.

Interestingly, although Xiang Kang didn't know that Gu County Magistrate had an old feud with the old Xiang family, Gu County Magistrate knew very well the details of Xiang Kang, the remnant of the Chu State - this is also because Xiang Kang was in Xiaxiang County before the rebellion. He was already well-known in the territory, and Xiang Kang did not hide his name, identity and background after the war, so the emissary sent by the county magistrate to the prime minister had just sent the news of the investigation back to Tong County, and the magistrate Gu knew what it meant to be wrong Enemies stopped meeting, and immediately swore in front of several cronies and subordinates, vowing to defeat and wipe out the last stubborn family of Chu, Lao Xiang, once again like Wang Jian, the famous general of Qin who he once followed, and completely wiped out the roots.

There are two reasons why County Magistrate Gu made such an oath. The first is to be loyal to his duty and to be loyal to Emperor Qin II; Xiang Kang's eldest father, Xiang Yan, who was forced to commit suicide in the defeat, felt that Xiang Yan's ability was mediocre, and also believed that the reason why Xiang Kang was able to quickly seize Xiaxiang County was because he suddenly killed Xiaxiang County by surprise. In fact, there is no real material, so the magistrate Gu dared to swear so confidently, and he was also full of absolute confidence in annihilating Xiangkang's rebellious army and restoring Xiaxiang county in one fell swoop.

Of course, self-confidence is self-confidence. Gu County Magistrate, who is familiar with military books, still knows the truth that arrogant soldiers must be defeated. In addition to preparing for the war, he resolutely and proactively proposed a joint request to the neighboring Qulu county magistrate, suggesting that Tong County and Qulu join forces to exterminate the rebels like Xiangkang, recover Xiaxiang County, and promise to share the credit equally after success.

The county magistrate, who was somewhat friendly, agreed to the magistrate Gu's request, not only agreed to do his best to help magistrate Gu counter the rebellion, but also agreed to let the troops he sent be under the magistrate Gu's command and dispatch.At the same time, Zhou Zeng, who had met several times, also sent his family members to send a letter of surrender to the county magistrate Gu. The day before Xia Xiangcheng falls, it is the time when Xiang Kang's gangsters are destroyed.

Finally, after intensive preparations, on the tenth day of the seventh lunar month, in the youthful, continuous autumn rain, County Magistrate Gu personally led the Tongxian Qin Army with a total of more than 800 people to set off, first taking the straight official road to the north , The plan is to go to Gaozuoting in the west of Xiaxiang County to join the Qulu Qin Army, and then join forces to advance eastward, break through Surabaya, and approach Xiaxiang County.And because Xiang Kangjun, who was weak and weak, did not dare to take the initiative to attack and stop him, the Tongxian Qin Army arrived at Gaozuoting very smoothly that afternoon, and joined forces with more than 500 Qin troops led by Zuo Wei Chaozhi. In one place, the momentum also increased greatly.

After successfully joining forces with the Qulu Qin Army, he met Chao Zhi, the chief general of the Qulu Qin Army, and said a few words without courtesy. The County Magistrate immediately asked Chao Zhi: "Chao Zuowei, I would like to ask your county magistrate to prepare for it on your behalf. How are the river-crossing boats prepared? When will they be sent to the front line for use?"

"Please rest assured, Gu Xianzun, the tools are ready." Chao Zhi replied with a relaxed expression: "The ships have already moored at the Suishui Wharf outside the north gate of Qusi, and the sailors have been recruited. All you need is an order from Gu Xianzun. Next, within one day at most, the river-crossing fleet will be able to arrive at the front line for use.”

"That's good." County magistrate Gu nodded with satisfaction, and said confidently: "The difficulty in our battle to regain the prime minister is not the siege of the city, let alone a field battle. The only difficulty is how to break through the Surabaya defense line of the rebels and drive the army out. Go to Xiaxiang City. Since your county has prepared enough boats to cross the river, I can rest assured now, otherwise, if the rebels burn all the civilian boats on the west bank of Sishui, it will be troublesome."

As soon as the words were finished, Hao Ce, the Tongxian Zuowei who had just rushed to the county magistrate Gu, immediately slapped his face, and said with a smile: "You don't have to worry about the county magistrate, guess what? The spy report just received, Xiang Kang's The rebels actually sent people to order the heads of various pavilions on the west bank of Surabaya, telling them to take their boats to the east bank of Surabaya to take refuge, and said that if they didn't move their boats quickly, their boats would be forcibly commandeered by us."

"Is there such a thing?" County magistrate Gu was surprised when he heard this, and quickly asked: "That rebel Xiang Kang just asked the people in Qianshou to move the boats by themselves, so he didn't think of a way to burn all the civilian boats on the west bank of Surabaya?"

"It's absolutely true." Hao Zuowei smiled more and more happily, and said: "Our detailed report said that the Guizhou capital on the west bank of Surabaya was in chaos, but only a small number of Guizhou capitals sailed to the east bank of Surabaya to hide. , the rest remained on the west bank, and the pavilion chiefs and lidians on the west bank of Surabaya were still secretly encouraging Qianshou to leave the boats on the west bank of Surabaya, preparing to help our officers and troops cross the river and recover Xiaxiang County."

"Then the official can feel more at ease." The magistrate Gu was overjoyed when he heard that, and even more despised Xiang Kang's ability to use troops, and laughed: "The yellow-haired boy is the yellow-haired boy, and the situation has reached such a critical point He didn't even know how to burn the ship quickly, his knowledge is so muddled, one can only imagine his military talent."

What made Gu county magistrate even more happy was that he stayed behind for a night near Gaozuoting. After continuing eastward the next day, before noon, Zhou Zeng, who had already had secret contact with Gu county magistrate, sent home again. The servants sent a secret letter, offering to serve as an internal response to County Magistrate Gu, trying to help County Magistrate Gu attack the city in order to make meritorious atonement.However, there are joys and worries. At the end of the letter, Zhou Zeng wanted to issue a warning to the magistrate Gu, saying that it was Xiang Kang's despicable means of buying with money to drive apart Tong County and the allied forces. As a result, Magistrate Zhou I couldn't laugh anymore, and I couldn't help worrying that Chao Zhi, the deputy sent by the county magistrate, was really bought by Xiang Kang and deliberately dragged me down on the battlefield.

On the contrary, Hao Ce, his confidant, was more open-minded. After reading Zhou Zeng's personal letter with the permission of the county magistrate, Hao Ce immediately said: "Don't worry, the county magistrate, the enemy is few and we are many, the enemy is weak and we are strong. Even if Xiang Kang's traitor really bought that Chao Zhi with money, as long as that Chao Zhi has some brains, he will definitely not be fooled. After all, once we break down Xiang Kang's traitor, we will get the ironclad evidence that he accepted bribes from Xiang Kang's traitor , he will end up dead without a place to bury him, I believe he will not ignore the consequences."

Thinking about it carefully, I found out that this is also the reason, and the magistrate Gu also let go of his heart a lot. However, when Hao Ce proposed to ask Chao Zhi to come and read the letter together, and let Chao Zhi know in advance the despicable methods that Xiang Kang was about to use, the magistrate Gu After thinking for a while, he shook his head and said, "That's not necessary. It's better not to let him know about Zhou Zeng's affairs for the time being. Otherwise, if he spreads the news laxly, not only Zhou Zeng's life will be lost, but we will also die." In the siege, you will also lose the help of internal support."

Knowing in his heart that his boss was suffocating and preparing to take the great achievement of destroying the city, Hao Ce didn't point it out, but just nodded in agreement.Gu County Magistrate carefully hid Zhou County Magistrate's autographed letter, and asked casually: "Is there any new spy report ahead? Is there any new news from Xiang Kang's rebel side?"

"Return to the county, no." Hao Ce replied: "It's the same as before. The main force of Xiang Kang's rebels is huddled in Xiaxiang City. There is only a rebel army of about 500 people led by a rebel named Xiang Guan." , stationed on the east bank of Shajidu.”

"Incompetent boy." County magistrate Gu said contemptuously: "I thought that I would not be able to cross the river if I guarded Shajidu, which is the most suitable for crossing the river? Surabaya is slow and suitable for crossing everywhere. Why must I be at Shajidu?" Crossing the river? Besides, Shajidu is too close to Xiaxiang County, so crossing the river there is the most dangerous, and this official is the least willing to cross the river there."

After finishing speaking contemptuously, County Magistrate Gu ordered again: "Order the whole army to speed up their pace and make sure to arrive at the west bank of Surabaya before Shenshi, and then send an order to the front team to advance at full speed. When they arrive at the west bank of Surabaya, immediately call for coastal civilian ships. And the boat man for backup."

When the order was conveyed, Tongxian and the allied forces of Qulu immediately stepped up their pace. At the same time, the Tongxian Qin army, who was the vanguard, also marched eastward at the fastest speed, and rushed to the west bank of Surabaya to forcibly recruit civilian ships and sailors.Not to mention, without encountering any resistance, the Tongqu Allied Forces arrived on the west bank of Surabaya on time before Shenshi in the afternoon. At the same time, the front team of the Qin Army in Tongxian County, which arrived first, also successfully recruited more than 40 soldiers. A civilian boat and some sailors were in reserve, while Xiang Kang's army, who was only across the river from here, remained on hold, and did not dare to send a single soldier across the river to stop it.

After successfully arriving at the destination, although he had no intention of crossing Surabaya at Shajidu, which is too close to Xiaxiang County, in order to get a better grasp of the movement of Xiang Kang's army, while the army was setting up camp, they sent fast horses back to retrieve them. After thinking about letting the fleet set off to meet up, Gu County magistrate, Chao Zhi and others still brought a group of people to the west bank ferry of Shajidu. They looked at the situation of Xiang Kang's army on the other side from a distance, and soon saw the military uniform. Xiang Kang's army, who is in a mess by tying a red cloth around his head to distinguish himself from the enemy, also has Xiang Kang's new flag - the Young Marshal Army!

The distance is a bit far away, and the county magistrate Gu, who has been reading under the lamp for many years and is a little short-sighted, can't see the words on the flag of the Young Marshal Army, but fortunately, some secret work has found out the news, and the change of Xiang Kangjun's army name is directly When the report came to Magistrate Gu, Magistrate Gu, Chao Zhi and others were very disdainful when they heard it. They looked down on Xiang Kang's grandstanding and playing tricks.What made Gu Xianling, Chao Zhi and the others laugh even more was that after seeing their flags appearing on the west bank, the so-called young commanders and soldiers at the ferry on the east bank left their positions one after another and ran to the bank to point at their flags. Pointing to points, the military discipline is horribly lax, and the essence of the mob is fully revealed.

"Bah! I didn't expect such a mob to beat Xia Xiangcheng." After spitting heavily, Chao Zhi said to Gu County Magistrate: "Gu county magistrate, this gang of thieves are messy and have no military discipline. It is not as strong as that on the battlefield. The officials suggested that it is better to take advantage of our army's newcomers and high morale, and send an army to charge there. Can we take this ferry, if we can succeed, we can cross the river here tomorrow and move the army directly to Xiaxiang City."

"Don't rush, don't rush, don't be careless." County magistrate Gu shook his head, and said cautiously: "A detailed investigation revealed that when the rebel Xiang Kang attacked Xiaxiang County, in addition to setting fire to the city in a whimsical way, he also Playing a trick, killing the garrison of the next minister by surprise, this shows that the traitor named Xiang Kang is still a bit treacherous, we can't take risks casually, otherwise our spirit will be frustrated, and this battle will not be easy to fight."

Ordered to obey the command of Gu County Magistrate, Chao Zhi could only keep his mouth shut helplessly.However, an annoying thing happened. Seeing that there was no movement on the west bank, the soldiers of the young commander on the other side became more and more courageous. The soldiers even raised eyebrows, revealing that the job had urinated at Gu County Magistrate and others, which made the other soldiers of the Young Marshal Army laugh out loud, insulting and wantonly laughing at the Tong and Allied Army on the West Bank, and bullying the Qin Army The arrogance of not daring to cross the river immediately is beyond words.

Seeing this scene, Chao Zhi, who was so angry, couldn't help calling for a fight again, requesting to send a team of one hundred people across the river to make a charge, to combat the arrogance of the Young Marshal's army.Although County Magistrate Gu doubted that this was a trick by the young commander to lure the enemy, he also wanted to test the real quality of the young commander. In addition, Chao Zhi took the initiative to ask for a fight, and the one who took the risk must be taking care of Qin Army, besides, it was still early and there was still no time for a contact battle. County magistrate Gu couldn't help but nodded and said, "Okay, you send a hundred-man team to charge and tell your soldiers, If the situation is wrong, withdraw it to me immediately."

According to the county magistrate Gu, a centurion from the Qin army quickly boarded [-] civilian boats and began to launch a tentative attack on the east bank of Surabaya. It was only at this time that the young commanders and soldiers on the other side were in a mess. They began to line up to prepare for the battle. Before the Qin fleet approached the west bank, they couldn't wait to release crossbow arrows at the Qin fleet. As a result, due to the distance, almost all the first round of crossbow arrows sent by the young marshal fell into the water. None of them hit the Qin fleet.Chao Zhi laughed out loud when he saw it, but County Magistrate Gu remained calm and continued to observe every move of the Young Marshal carefully.

The fleet gradually approached the east bank, and the crossbow arrows released by the young commander finally managed to hit the Qin army's ship, but because the number of bows and crossbows of the young commander was too small, they did not have much effect on blocking the enemy. The army's fleet advanced unrelentingly, and soon a few ships approached the east bank. The young marshal quickly waved the flag and launched a group charge in a chaotic manner, trying to kill the Qin army who was starting to land and return to the ship. .

The fierce battle started, and the Qin soldiers who had been hastily recruited but had all received military training in normal times bravely jumped out of the ship and landed to seize the position on the east bank. No one really dared to charge forward at all, but turned around the periphery of the Qin Army, almost watching the Qin Army Centuries board the east bank, and then the Qin Army Centuries just launched a countercharge, which had already The soldiers of the Young Commander who were out of formation immediately dispersed, one by one running faster and faster, almost giving way to the ferry crossing in the blink of an eye.

Seeing this scene, Chao Zhi laughed out loud, and couldn't wait to ask for another soldier to cross the river and completely control the ferry crossing.County magistrate Gu's face was gloomy, and he couldn't help but think of all the deceitful statements in the military book, and also subconsciously thought of quickly withdrawing the Qin army that had crossed the river, so as not to fall into the trap of the young commander.

As expected by County Magistrate Gu, at this time, the war drum on the west gate of Xiaxiang suddenly rang, and the city gate was wide open. Sure enough, a young commander army suddenly shouted and rushed out, and the young commander soldiers who had fled before also turned around and shouted Shouting to launch a counterattack to the ferry, the Qin army who had already crossed the river hurriedly formed a formation and formed an formation to face the battle. The magistrate Gu immediately sent an order to the east bank to tell the east bank Qin army to retreat immediately if the situation was not right.

Another fierce battle unfolded on the east bank again. The Young Commander Xiang Guan, who had fled before, was the first to fight in front of the Qin army. Towards the friendly army brigade that had just been killed from the city, the barely organized friendly army column rushed into chaos in the blink of an eye. The young commander who had just left the city was afraid of being caught by the enemy and took advantage of the momentum to charge, so he simply turned around and fled. In a mess, he fled directly to Xiaxiang Ximen. The fearful Qin army won two consecutive battles and successfully defended the ferry.

Seeing such a situation, Chao Zhi, who was so high-spirited and had enough of the limelight, of course once again asked for more troops on the east bank, and guarded the ferry with heavy troops so that the main force could cross the river.The county magistrate Gu also gradually felt relieved because of the two victories in the two battles. He nodded and said, "Okay, you send two more centurions over there, and then I also send two centurions over to defend the ferry. Our main force crosses the river."

Chao Zhi happily agreed, and quickly dispatched two centurions to cross the river in forty civilian boats. County Magistrate Gu also hurriedly dispatched two centurions to cross the river in the third round. I couldn't help laughing in my heart that I was too cautious, and I would be so trembling with a typical mob like the Young Marshal Army.

About 20 minutes later, 500 civilian boats carrying [-] Qin troops gradually approached the east bank, and the Xiangxiang Ximen City also hurriedly beat the drums for dispatching troops again, and the city gate opened again. The two [-]-man teams of the Young Marshals hurried out of the city, and quickly lined up on the opposite side of the moat.However, because of the two victories in the previous two battles, the Qin army no longer had any fear, and the Qin army on the ship just disembarked quickly in an unsteady manner, and the Qin army ships that successfully transported troops across the river also quickly returned to the west bank. Prepare to continue transporting troops across the river.Gu Xianling, Chao Zhi and others who had seen the skills of the young marshal's army were even more relaxed, full of confidence in their own army defeating the enemy and holding the ferry.

The confident smiles quickly froze on the faces of Gu County Magistrate, Chao Zhi and the others, because the ranks of young commanders who went out of the city again were no longer as ridiculously chaotic as before, and they were as regular as ordinary troops. ——By the way, the officers and soldiers of the Young Marshal Army have also received certain military training before, thanks to the service of the Qin Dynasty. array.

What made Gu County Magistrate, Chao Zhi and others even more frightened was that they were still behind. After the two teams of 500 people left the city, thirty chariots drove out from Xiaxiang County, and they quickly drove to the front of the formation and lined up. It poses a fatal threat to the strict formation of the Qin army!

"It's a trick! This is the real military appearance of the rebels!" Chao Zhi screamed like a pig, and hurriedly asked Gu County Magistrate: "Gu Xianzun, my three centurions have already passed, what should I do? They Without chariots, I'm afraid they can't stop the chariots of the thieves from attacking?"

Sweat appeared on Gu County Magistrate's forehead, and while he was quietly yelling at Chao Zhi for being greedy, County Magistrate Gu was really embarrassed and ordered to retreat. At this time, Ming Jin withdrew his troops, and the three hundred Qin troops who had already crossed the river could not It's not surprising that it will collapse immediately.Continue to increase the number of troops on the east bank, and it may be used as a refueling tactic, and the soldiers who cross the river will be eaten by the young commander's army one by one, and the loss is likely to be even more severe.But when things got to this point, County Magistrate Gu couldn't help but make a quick decision. As soon as he stomped his feet, County Magistrate Gu shouted: "Hurry up and cross the river! You and I each send two more centurions over to continue to increase troops to the east bank ! Tell the Daqin soldiers on the east bank to hold on firmly, reinforcements will arrive soon!"

After saying that, County Magistrate Gu added another sentence viciously in his heart, cursing secretly: "You dog thief! I want to see what kind of situation your mob can achieve even if you beat more and less!"

At this time, the marching drums were already beating rhythmically on Ximen City of Xiaxiang. The chariots of the Young Marshals in the lead slowly moved forward, and the infantry of the Young Marshals behind them also marched slowly in a strict formation stepping on the beat of the drums. And as the marching drums beat faster and faster, the advance speed of the Young Marshal's chariot and infantry team also became faster and faster.Finally, with the waving of the command flag, all the chariots of the Young Marshal's army whipped and urged their horses, and charged directly at the already guilty Qin army array, and the infantry behind shouted and strode to keep up, like a Like the tide, it rushed towards the three centurions of the Qin army, and with an absolute superiority in strength, they crushed the enemy who was behind the water.

At the same time, Xiang Kang also crossed his hands and fingers on the Ximen City where he was in the prime minister, trembling slightly in a ball, praying repeatedly in his heart, and secretly said: "Don't have any strong generals like Xiang Yu and Lu Bu in the enemy team. Most of the capital, if I encounter fierce generals and cannot break through, I will be in big trouble."

(End of this chapter)