Han Dang is stronger

Chapter 66

It is also Chao Zhi who should come to take care of him, and Chao Zuowei will be suspected. After the prisoner of the Qin Army who was released by Xiang Kang on his own initiative was escorted back to his camp, County Magistrate Gu immediately interrogated the unlucky prisoner in person at the first time. How many gifts did he bring to Chao Zhi for Xiang Kang?And although the hapless prisoner of war didn't talk nonsense, he didn't say anything for Chao Zhi, he just said truthfully: "To the county lord, Xiang Kang's traitor just asked the villain to bring a package of gifts to Chao Zuowei. The villain didn't know what it was at first, but after Chao Zuowei opened the package in front of the villain, the villain knew it was a bag of gold."

"It's really just a bag of gold?" County Magistrate Gu asked suspiciously, "Is there anything else in the bag besides gold?"

"It should be just a bag of gold." The unlucky prisoner of war continued to answer truthfully, "When Captain Chao Zuo opened the bag, the little one only saw the gold and nothing else."

"Is there really nothing else?" County magistrate Gu couldn't rest assured, and asked again: "Have you seen it clearly? Apart from gold, have you seen any jewelry or jade?"

"The villain only sees gold and nothing else." The unlucky prisoner still told the truth.

"How did you see it? Did you see it while kneeling? Or stood up? How far was the distance between you and Captain Chao Zuo at that time?" County magistrate Gu continued to ask while deducing what he saw in his heart. road.

"The villain saw it on his knees." The unlucky prisoner of war continued to answer honestly, "The distance is about five or six steps away."

After deducing it carefully in his heart, he found that it was impossible for this unlucky prisoner of war to see all the items in the package at that time. The county magistrate inevitably became more vigilant, and hurriedly asked Chao Zhi what he did to hide things after the incident, or to leave the tent temporarily. After receiving negative answers to all his actions, County Magistrate Gu still refused to be completely relieved, still suspecting that Chao Zhi might have secretly embezzled Xiang Kang to give him a precious gift, so he simply asked the hapless prisoner: "What are you doing?" Just now in Chao Zhi's big tent, did you see him smearing a letter?"

It was fine for Chao Zhi, the unlucky prisoner of war was quite loyal, he immediately shook his head to express that he didn't see it, and refused to change his words no matter how the magistrate Gu asked him.However, County Magistrate Gu refused to believe it, and even couldn't help but began to suspect that this unlucky prisoner of war was also with Chao Zhi, and that he might have betrayed him after being captured. torture."

"You are wronged, county lord, the villain is really wronged!" The unlucky prisoner shouted his injustice loudly: "The villain didn't dare to lie to you, what the villain said is all the truth!"

"Punishment!" The impatient Magistrate Gu yelled the order unbearably, and then he followed the unlucky prisoner in the tent to take off his clothes and hit him with a bamboo board on the back. Magistrate Gu suddenly remembered that he had promised Chao Straight, promised not to torture this prisoner of war.But the boards had already been beaten and could not be taken back, County Magistrate Gu could only make mistakes, and shouted sharply: "Keep playing, hit [-] boards first, and then ask again!"

After being subjected to twenty bamboo boards, the unlucky prisoner finally became a little smarter. Although he didn't dare to frame Chao Zhi, he changed his words and said that he was kneeling on the ground, and he didn't dare to raise his head to see Chao Zhi's movements, so I'm not sure whether Chao Zhi took the action of smearing the letter.Gu County magistrate also hummed and let it go for the time being, and he became more suspicious of Chao Zhi in his heart, secretly said: "You have to be careful about this idiot, he lost so badly in the battle yesterday, he will definitely be punished when he goes back, even though he is because of this It may not be very likely to be a bit of a traitor, but we have to guard against him really jumping over the wall in a hurry."

Amidst the magistrate Gu's doubts, one night passed quickly, and in the early morning of the next day, according to the plan for crossing the river drawn up by the county magistrate the previous day, three thousand Qin troops got up again, carrying food, grass and military supplies to Shaji Ten miles downstream of the crossing was ready to cross the river, and the young commander on the other side also sent five hundred infantry to go south, and hurriedly rushed to the place where the Qin army crossed the river to intercept, block and delay the Qin army's crossing operation.

It has already received reinforcements from the Fleet of Responsibility. Under the condition of ensuring the mobility of the ships, the fleet of the Qin Army is also sure to send 600 people to the other side of Surabaya at one time. It can pose a fatal threat to his fleet of crossing the river, but for the sake of caution, the magistrate Gu still followed the original plan and asked his confidant Hao Ce to lead [-] elite soldiers as the vanguard of crossing the river, killing chickens to ensure the control of the ferry. .

The performance of the Young Marshal Army was also as usual. Seeing the Qin Army fleet approaching the shallows on the east bank, the soldiers of the Young Marshal Army formed a dense horizontal line under the command of the leading general Xiang Sheng, and shot at the Qin Army with bows and crossbows. The fleet has also achieved some results.However, as some of the Qin army's fast boats rushed to the shoal first without risking their lives, and after the desperate melee combat began, the young marshals who were seriously lacking in actual combat experience gradually began to panic, and the crossbow arrows threatened the Qin army's fleet. The main force of the Qin army's troop transport fleet also took the opportunity to rush to land on the beach one after another, and invested more combat troops on the opposite bank. After a fierce battle, they still succeeded in killing off the rookies of the Young Marshal Army and successfully captured the land. A large beachhead.

However, Xiang Sheng's young commander did not give up. After retreating for several miles, Xiang Sheng tried his best to gather the soldiers and rearranged them into a team. Then he quickly made a comeback and boarded a high ground near the ferry to form a charge formation. , Putting on a posture ready to attack the Qin army's ferry at any time.In this situation, although the elite Qin army who had successfully seized the beachhead was not afraid, in order to ensure the safety of the ferry, they still lined up with high vigilance. Let the troop transport fleet only transport [-] soldiers across the river at a time, and be careful not to reveal any flaws.

Going back three times in this way, it was only after carrying half of the army across the river that Magistrate Gu ordered the soldiers who crossed the river in the fourth round to repair the simple pier so that they could carry chariots, horses, food and supplies across the river.At the same time, the young commander-in-chief army led by Xiang Sheng did not dare to confront a powerful enemy several times his own for a long time. The Qin army had just crossed half of the river, and Xiang Sheng immediately retreated slowly with the young commander-in-chief army, although he did not directly retreat to Xiaxiang City. , but also tried to stay away from the Qin Jun Ferry, ready to run for his life at any time.

No one knew Xiang Kang's real intention of sending troops to intercept but not allowing the young generals to stop Qin's army from crossing the river with all their strength. County magistrate Gu, who had quite a lot of experience in the battlefield, didn't know what kind of medicine was sold in Xiang Kang's gourd. I can only choose to cross the river step by step carefully, not daring to seize the time to do my best to cross the river, and then at noon, after the fourth Qin army crossing the river temporarily built a few simple docks, the county magistrate Gu ordered the troop carrier The team loaded the accompanying chariot and some horses and prepared to cross the river.

As a result, it was at this time that the Young Marshal’s side suddenly made a new move—the West Gate of Xiaxiang next to Surabaya suddenly opened, and some Xiang Kang soldiers rushed out of the city with a dozen small boats. Put the boat into the fire and quickly pile firewood on top of it.After the scout Kuai Ma reported the news to Magistrate Gu, Magistrate Gu also immediately understood that the Young Marshal was planning to use fire to attack his transport fleet from the water.In order to be cautious, Gu County Magistrate made a decisive decision and quickly ordered the transport fleet to suspend crossing the river, and took out [-] small boats to transport troops to the north to destroy the fire attack fleet of the Young Marshal Army.

The cunning of the young marshal's attacking fleet exceeded the county magistrate Gu's expectations. He just saw the Qin army's fleet come to block it, and the weak young marshal's fleet immediately docked. The troops of Xiang Sheng gathered together, and the infantry of the Young Marshal under Xiang Sheng immediately used bows and crossbows to cover the attacking fleet of the own army, and did not give the Qin army fleet a chance to approach the own army fleet.But fortunately, 2000 infantrymen of the Qin army have already crossed the river. The county magistrate just gave an order, and a thousand Qin troops immediately strode northward to kill Xiang Sheng's army. The young commander under Xiang Sheng's command was attacked on both sides. The troops were weak, so they had to quickly abandon the fleet and move down the city. The sailors of the young marshal who were manipulating the fireboat also abandoned the ship and fled northward, allowing the Qin army to easily destroy a dozen fireboats of its own army.

"Sure enough, it's a bunch of rabble."

After laughing at the poor performance of the Young Marshal Army on the field battlefield again, Gu County Magistrate gave an order to continue commanding the Qin Army to cross Surabaya. When crossing the river with food and supplies, when the number of ships was quite sufficient, they still adopted a small number of methods to cross Surabaya multiple times. Therefore, even if the young marshal did not come to make any trouble later, the Qin army's fleet continued until around Shen time in the afternoon. It was only then that all the soldiers and military supplies, horses and chariots were transported across the river, ending this long time-consuming river crossing operation.

It was getting late, and it was unrealistic to launch an immediate siege. Magistrate Gu had no choice but to decide to set up a camp outside the south gate of Xiaxiang first, and then launch the siege the next day.However, when looking for a suitable highland to set up a camp, Gu County Magistrate discovered that although there are several highlands on the east bank of Surabaya, they are not too large. The county magistrate had no choice but to find Chao Zhi, who was in command of the Qin army, to discuss whether to squeeze together on a high ground or set up separate camps.

"Let's set up separate camps." Chao Zhi's tone was obviously a little stiff, and said: "Crowded together, if there is any conflict between the soldiers below, things will be difficult to handle, so it's best to set up separate camps."

Knowing why Chao Zhi suddenly became estranged with him, the county magistrate Gu didn't point it out, and considering that if the camps were too close together, it would be difficult for him to guard against Chao Zhi if he had any ulterior motives, so the county magistrate Gu also ordered it immediately. Nodding, he agreed with Chao Zhi's suggestion, and pointed to a highland in the southeast of Xiaxiang, "Lieutenant Chao Zuo, why don't you take your army to set up camp there?"

Looking at the high ground far away from the water point, Chao Zhi felt more and more furious, but he nodded immediately and said: "Okay, I will lead the army there."

County magistrate Gu nodded with a smile. Just as he was about to remind Chao Zhi to strengthen the defense of the camp as a long-term plan, he never thought that a few scouts from the Qin army would suddenly escort a thin man with a white flag to him and Chao Zhi, reporting : "Reporting to the county lord, just now this person came out from Xiaxiang City with a white flag, saying that there is a letter of war written by the leader of the thief, Xiang Kang, to be presented to the county lord. He has already escorted him, please send it to the county lord."

"War letter? Xiang Kang, that rebel, dares to challenge me to a fight?" County magistrate Gu was a little surprised, and without thinking, he quickly ordered: "Hurry up, bring that rebel envoy here."

The envoy of the Young Marshal Army in the distance was quickly brought in front of County Magistrate Gu, and he nodded and bowed as soon as they met, and said with a smile on his face: "Little envoy Wei Shan, I have met Gu Xianzun of Tong County, and the county zun is blessed and Jin'an. Your blessings are like the long flowing water of the East Sea, and your life is not as old as Nanshan. I wish the county lord..."

"The traitor Xiang Kang sent you here? What's the matter?" County magistrate Gu ignored the flattery that Wei Shan learned from Xiang Kang, and directly interrupted the arrogant question.

"Report to the county lord, make an appointment to fight." Wei Shan said tremblingly: "My young marshal Xiang said, since you have already commanded the army to cross the river, Gu Xianzun, he is too lazy to stand still with you, and wants to make an appointment with you. Fight to the death in an upright manner, lest the flames of war will continue, and the lives of people will be burned, and the innocent people in the head of Guizhou who are inferior to the prime minister will be hurt."

"Hehe." County magistrate Gu laughed outright, and said mockingly, "Just you mobs who dare to fight to the death with my army in an upright manner, that thief Xiang Kang, doesn't he know how to write death?"

"Gu Xianzun, my Young Commander Xiang is definitely not joking." According to Xiang Kang's prior guidance, Wei Shan said cautiously: "And my Young Commander Xiang can guarantee that when the decisive battle comes, he will let you see us The true strength of the Young Marshal’s Army. My Young Marshal Xiang also said that Gu Xianzun is just bullying the last ranks of our Young Marshal’s Army in the past two days. You will understand when the real main force of our Young Marshal’s Army takes action. How powerful is our Young Marshal Army?"

"Really? The officer really wants to see." Gu County magistrate sneered again and again, and then ordered casually: "Where is the contract? Bring it to the officer to have a look."

Wei Shan agreed, quickly took out a piece of yellow silk from his bosom and presented it with both hands, and then handed the yellow silk over to Gu County Magistrate. The wording, the content is also very simple, just a short sentence - at noon tomorrow, I will go to the south of the city and fight to the death, do you have the guts?
Smiling contemptuously, County Magistrate Gu ordered someone to fetch a brush, and wrote a sentence on the yellow silk——Fight, fight!Afraid you won't succeed?

After finishing writing, County Magistrate Gu threw the yellow silk to Wei Shan casually. Wei Shan took it and read the reply, and immediately thanked him repeatedly, and then asked very carefully: "Master Gu, that villain, is he now?" Can't we go?"

"Take it back and give it to that traitor Xiang Kang." County Magistrate Gu waved his hand generously, then said with a sneer: "By the way, tell him to wash his neck clean, and kill him when he gets his neck out."

Wei Shan repeatedly agreed, quickly cupped his hands and said goodbye, and rushed back to the direction of Xiaxiang County, wiping off his sweat.Gu County Magistrate also said to Chao Zhi with a big face: "Chao Zuowei, did you see that? Tomorrow noon, we will fight to the death with Xiang Kang's rebels in the south of Xiaxiang City. Hurry up and set up camp to prepare for tomorrow's decisive battle."

"That rebel Xiang Kang has few soldiers, how could he have the guts to fight us to the death?" Chao Zhi was a little suspicious.

"Didn't you hear that just now? They said that their main force hasn't been dispatched yet, and they will show us how powerful they are on the battlefield tomorrow." County magistrate Gu smiled, and then said: "Don't worry, it was the rebel who initiated the decisive battle." Well, if he dares not leave the city tomorrow, it will hurt his army's morale, and we won't lose anything."

Although he was still a little worried, because he was dissatisfied with the magistrate Gu's unreasonable suspicion of accepting bribes from Xiang Kang, and even more dissatisfied with the magistrate Gu's dishonesty and punishment of the captured soldiers of his own army, Chao Zhi still didn't say much. Soon, he took his army to set up camp in the southeast corner of Xiaxiang.As soon as Chao Zhi left, County Magistrate Gu ordered his Tongxian army to set up camp on a high ground close to the river where water could be easily obtained. It's good to rest, and tomorrow I will send troops to fight to the death with the young commander's army.

…………

On Wei Shan's side, after returning to Xiaxiang City with Gu County Magistrate's reply, it was only after entering the city that Wei Shan found that his whole body was soaked in sweat, and then entered the county temple to meet Xiang Kang , and immediately said with a mournful face: "Young commander, can you send someone else to do this kind of thing in the future? Don't always ask the little one to take such risks, okay? You know, young commander, as long as the surname Gu just got off With one order, the head of the little one will fall to the ground."

"All right, all right, if there is such an adventure in the future, I will arrange for someone else." Xiang Kang smiled and made a promise that he never intends to keep, and asked impatiently: "How is it? That Gu, promise Is there a decisive battle?"

"accepted."

Wei Shan answered truthfully, and quickly took out the letter of challenge approved by the county magistrate Gu and handed it to Xiang Kang. Calligraphy, you are so determined, it seems that you are really ready to fight us to the death tomorrow."

"Young commander, can you tell me the answer now?" Zhou Zeng couldn't bear it anymore, and hurriedly asked: "Why did you let our main force take time to rest today? And why did you send Xiang Sheng to lead a team of 500 people?" Pretentiously harassing the enemy to cross the river, but telling Mr. Xiang Sheng that he can't really fight the enemy? Also, our strength is still far from the enemy's, why do you still send a letter to fight?"

Xiang Kang smiled, and did not answer Zhou Zeng's series of questions, but instead asked, "Uncle Ya, if you were County Magistrate Gu, what would you do now?"

Zhou Zeng thought about it, and replied: "Of course, we must seize the time to set up camp, and then let the soldiers have a good rest. Get up early tomorrow morning and prepare for the decisive battle with all your strength."

"Why take the time to set up camp?" Xiang Kang asked again.

"Of course it's because it's getting late." Zhou Zeng replied almost without any consideration: "Otherwise, how would the army rest tonight? How can they wake up tomorrow morning and prepare for the decisive battle?"

Xiang Kang smiled, and his smile gradually became treacherous. He said with a treacherous smile, "Uncle Ya, why don't you understand? This is the answer to why I sent Xiang Sheng to lead the army to harass the Tyrant Qin army to cross the river today."

Zhou Zeng's eyes widened, and it took him a while to wake up, and he exclaimed: "Young commander, you deliberately sent Xiang Sheng to harass the enemy to cross the river, is it because you want to slow down the enemy's crossing speed, so that the enemy can only cross Surabaya in the afternoon? Not much camp time?"

"Uncle Ya is really smart, he guessed right." Xiang Kang applauded, then smiled and said: "There is not enough time to set up the camp, and we know that we will go out of the city to fight them tomorrow. Uncle Ya, tell me, the camp of the Tyrant Qin army will still be there." Will it be built particularly strong?"

Zhou Zeng opened his mouth wide, and Xiang Kang smiled again: "Also, it's not without reason that I asked Gu to have a decisive battle at noon tomorrow. I just want him to feel that he has enough time to prepare for the battle. The Tyrant Qin army under his command can rest and sleep at ease tonight, and then we will have a chance."

Receiving Xiang Kang's reminder, and suddenly thinking of Xiang Kang's decision to let the main force of the Young Marshal take the time to rest during the day, Zhou Zeng finally came to his senses, and exclaimed again: "Young Marshal, don't tell me you have an appointment with Gu Bi tomorrow at noon?" The upright decisive battle in the south of the city is fake, but it is true that troops were sent to attack his camp tonight?"

"I said that I would have a decisive battle with him at noon tomorrow, but I never said that I would not sneak up on him tonight." Xiang Kang's hooligan face was fully revealed, and he said with a smirk: "It is not a lie that I asked him to a decisive battle." , but I didn’t say how many troops I would dispatch to fight him. So if the sneak attack tonight doesn’t succeed, I will send someone out tomorrow and ask him to fight one-on-one on the battlefield with his surname Gu. If he does not dare to accept the challenge, then he broke his promise and it has nothing to do with me."

"Young Marshal, this is what you call an upright fight to the death?!"

When Zhou Zeng, Wei Shan and others were stunned in disbelief, Xiang Kang said to himself again: "But tonight's surprise attack, I must do my best to succeed no matter what. I only have one city, and the food in the city is scarce." Not much, if this battle becomes a stalemate, I will be in big trouble."

Before the matter was over, when Xiang Kang was talking to himself, there was another announcement from Feng Zhong asking for an interview outside the door. After Xiang Kang ordered an interview, Feng Zhong also strode up to the hall very quickly. As soon as they met, he couldn't wait to yell: "Brother Xiang... oh no, young commander, the matter is done, one hundred sets of soldiers' clothes for the Tyrant Qin army, and the flag of the Centuries for the Tyrant Qin army are all ready."

Xiang Kang smiled and nodded in satisfaction. Zhou Zeng, Wei Shan and the others in the hall looked at each other in blank dismay. Although they didn't understand why Xiang Kang asked his cronies Feng Zhong to prepare the clothes and flags of the soldiers of the Qin army, they still had an ominous premonition , Knowing that Qin Jun outside the city will never have a better life tonight.

(End of this chapter)