: Break out of the siege

Donghua Mountain entered a brief calm, but from the news reported by the horse, the officers and soldiers continued to mobilize their troops on the periphery, stationed heavy troops at key passes, built fortifications, and set up defense zones. They were obviously preparing for the battle in full swing. Zhao Crazy continued to sway between accepting the recruitment and breaking through the siege and fleeing to Jiangnan.

Yang Ling's words were like guns and halberds, deeply hitting his vitals. After thinking about it, Zhao Crazy's original resolute rebellion, and even the ambition that he had developed disappeared. His backbone of his troops came from Liu Liuyi's faction, and Liu Liu's actions did not have any great ambitions, and how could he be like a person who could achieve great things?

However, since the main force in his own troops tends to Liu Xiang, he cannot cut off his connection with Liu Liu at all. Among the several roads, the only option seems to be to accept recruitment. But, Xing Laohu, Feng Lei and the others are willing?

It was getting dark, and crickets were "weaving" and chirping. Occasionally, fireflies were flying in the shadows of trees, forming blurred halos. The red lady stared at Liuying in a daze, and her eyes were a little blurred.

Li Hua's eyes were also a little "difficult", but the pair of fierce and sunny under his thick eyebrows were a little silly when they were blurred, but it was not as beautiful as Cui Ying'er's eyes were flowing and her pretty eyes were flying.

The negotiations at the bridgehead ended safely, and there was no trouble at all. He knew that something was wrong with the third brother. He wanted to go back and ask him clearly, but the golden-eyed eagle disappeared, and then disappeared. Li Hua was panicked and ordered his second brother Zhou Pan to lead someone to patrol the mountain quietly and search for his whereabouts everywhere. However, it was the next night and there was still no news.

He secretly observed the expressions of Xing Laohu, Zhao Sui and others, but could not see any abnormality. He should have no idea about this. Moreover, today he still invited him as the leader of the party. He did not scold him at all, nor did he know that he was secretly tampering with him.

Li Hua couldn't figure out where the third brother went, and he couldn't help but feel a little dazed. Where can people go? He couldn't use the third brother's skills to hunt in the mountains since childhood, and he would accidentally fall off the cliff by himself, right?

And what Yang Ling said made Li Hua play a trick: Liu Liu and Yang Hu are not like those who have accomplished great things. If you can't follow them to Jiangnan, it's a way to die. But it's impossible to break up the gang openly. Xing Laohu and Zhao Crazy don't have any fuel-efficient lamps. If they want to leave, I have to find a way to escape halfway. There are mountains everywhere in Shanxi, and there is a place where I can be free and happy.

Zhao Sui looked at the two people who were tranced and frowned slightly. Hong Madam had already picked up the Golden Eye Eagle matter and told him that it was important. After hearing this, Zhao Fengzi immediately asked his second brother Zhao Pan to take a few confidants to deal with the body, and strictly told Hong Madam not to tell the matter.

Once peace talks are not completed, there will be a big war. At this time, we must not be able to make internal peace and disputes again. This matter can only be confused for a while. What he doesn’t understand is that at the critical moment of life and death, why is Hong Niang absent-minded? Is this the famous Yang Kuohu?

Zhao Sui shook his head and looked at Xing Laohu again. Xing Laohu stroked his chest and was coughing constantly. After a long time, he gasped and said, "Deputy Marshal Zhao, what if you think? Do you want to choose to accept the amnesty?"

Zhao Sui said sincerely: "No, leave, hold hard, or accept the amnesty, are all to find a way out for the brothers. Those words just now are just my analysis. I will listen to you, how to choose, I will listen to you."

Xing Laohu was silent for a while and then sighed softly: "Brother Zhao, you are a scholar, you have a good land and a beautiful wife in your family. Brother Liu forced you to join the gang. I guess you were a little reluctant at the beginning, but... Old Liu treated you well, since you joined the gang, he trusted you very much. Let you lead the army alone. If you propose to divide the troops to develop, he did not hesitate. I... just ask you one question. We really have no hope? Liu Liu is really not worthy of your assistance?"

Zhao Sui looked at Xing Laohu and said nothing for a while.

Xing Laohu said again: "Yang Ling's words may make sense. I have read some books, but I am not skilled. I only know that if we are really so... so vulnerable, his dignified prince, why should he surrender to the nobles and run to Zhongtiao Mountain to recruit you?

Yes, Yang Hu was indeed defeated in Shandong, and more than half of the 100,000 troops were damaged, but the casualties of officers and soldiers were minimal. However, what I heard later was that it was said that the accidental explosion of gunpowder in the army caused the war horses to trample on each other, and countless casualties were injured, but it was not the achievements of the officers and soldiers. Otherwise, I don’t know what the outcome of the war in Shandong was. With this battle, can we judge success or failure and heroes?”

He raised his thick eyebrows, and although his face was full of illness, he still showed a sense of arrogant and unruly heroism: "Since ancient times, there have been no smooth sailing for those who have achieved hegemony. When they failed, they beat only a hundred people left by their side. In the end, they regrouped and made a comeback? I don't believe that there are 50,000 elite soldiers on Donghua Mountain, and Liu Liu and Yang Hu also have 50,000 or 60,000 in Jiangnan, which will be as unbearable as Yang Ling said!"

Zhao Sui closed his eyes and sighed in his heart: Xing Laohu still insisted on seeing him, and the idea of ​​peace talks was given up!

He suddenly opened his eyes and said in a deep voice: "So should the Grand Marshal stick to Zhongtiao Mountain, or break through the southward direction and head straight to the Central Plains?"

Xing Laohu said, "You are right. If we defend 50,000 troops, if we defend according to natural danger, the officers and soldiers may not be able to attack, but natural danger can help us, and the power of heaven can kill us. What we fear most is that in winter, we are short of food and grass now. If Yangling seals the mountain, we will die of more than one-third of the cold and hungry in this winter. Then the remaining people do not need to fight and can only tie them up. Therefore, guarding can only save lives for a while, but in fact it is a dead end."

Xing Laohu said such a long sentence and gasped for a few breaths, saying, "When I, Xing Laohu, Liu Liu, Liu Qi and others formed a Jinlan, I once said that I could not be born on the same day of the same year, month of the same year, but I wanted to die on the same day of the same month of the same year, and they went to Jiangnan, but I defected to the government to wear a black gauze on my head. I can't do such a thing.

So I decided to go to Jiangnan and fight with my good brothers to the death. The Jiangshan was appointed as the surname Zhu? Hey! I don’t believe it! Lao Zhao, since you joined the rebel army, you have tried your best to reorganize the army and train the army. I, Xing Laohu, see it in my eyes and remember it in my heart. Your two brothers are determined to leave. I have heard of this.

Let me be the leader of Lao Liu. Brother Zhao, if you want to leave, you can take your gold, silver and soft materials. I will send someone to send you away from the mountains and stay freely, and never stop them. Everyone has their own ambitions. But you must not take away one soldier and one soldier to disrupt our morale. How about it, are you willing?"

Zhao Shuixin said in his heart: "Since he followed Xiangma thieves, attacked cities and plundered the land, smashed prisoners and released prisoners, punished corrupt officials, and executed gentry, what is the matter missing me? Isn't it a big joke if he doesn't bring one soldier and one soldier to accept the recruitment? What's the use of the court? How could he forgive me?"

Xing Laohu said again: "I have been healthy since I was a healthy person, and I have never been sick. But this disease has never been cured. I have never done much effort in marching and fighting. The great marshal is really not true, and you always have a level of difference when you command the team. Brother Zhao is only ten times better than me, but he cannot fully demonstrate it. This is not mine.

If Brother Zhao, you are willing to follow us, I am willing to give up the position of Marshal. Our team will be united and obey your command. As for who is the emperor, ha! There is no sign of the eight characters, what should he do? A real man fucks his mother vigorously, and overthrow Zhu Ming and his own people first and then discuss. If you have the ability, you will do the world at that time. Anyway, I will not fight for land, what do you think?"

Zhao Shui felt a fever in his heart, and his heart was filled with blood. There was no need to guess that Xing Laohu's words were a bit sincere. He knew clearly that this was the best time to seize military power. Although Xing Laohu said that he was a heroic horse, he was a thief who killed people without blinking. If he really chose to leave Zhongtiao Mountain and surrender to the government, it would be strange if he didn't turn his back on his head immediately.

However, the times are forced by the times. If he chooses to stay, in exchange, he has to hand over all the military power. As for whether he will be annexed by Yang Hu and others in Jiangnan, he doesn’t care about it now and has no choice. Let’s talk about it later when he arrives in Jiangnan. As long as he is determined, I, Madman Zhao, can’t beat those mud legs?

Thinking of this, Zhao Sui gritted his teeth and said with a stern voice: "Brother Xing, stop talking, I am ashamed of my brother. A good horse will not eat the grass back. Even if I enter this path, I don't want to have a day to look back. If you say you can do whatever you want, only Brother Xing is here, you will always be my elder brother."

"Good brother!" Xing Laohu's face turned red with excitement. He stood up, held Zhao Sui's shoulder, and said, "Then we brothers will fight across the Yellow River side by side, and the soldiers will point straight to Jiangnan, causing him to turn upside down. When we meet with Liu Liu and Yang Hu, we will discuss where to occupy, Xu Tu develops, and fight for the world!"

"Since you have selfish intentions, don't blame me Xing Laohu for turning against me. As long as I cross the Yellow River, I will kill you immediately!" Xing Laohu sneered in his heart, but his face was passionate. The two "good brothers" held each other excitedly, and then they turned to Hongniangzi and Li Hua together.

"Mistress Cui's family, Brother Li, what do you think?"

"Deputy Marshal Cui, General Li, what do you think?"

“…”

"Mr. Matchmaker?"

"Ah? OK, OK, I agree. Just do it!"

"Ah! Brother, I didn't say anything. Sir Xing said, we will do whatever we said. I, Li Hua, went up the sword and fell into the sea of ​​fire, and didn't frown. Let's do that! Uh... Brother Xing, what did you say?"

“…”

The imperial envoy moved from Puzhou City to the military camp at the foot of Donghua Mountain.

Tomorrow is the three-day period. If Zhao Fengzi doesn't respond, the officers and soldiers will launch an offensive. Even if they cannot defeat the thieves in Zhongtiao Mountain in one go, at least they must capture some of the outer mountain passes to lay a solid foundation for the closure of the mountain or launch the second offensive next.

If the battle in Zhongtiaoshan cannot be decided quickly, then he has to dispatch the army, consume countless money and food, and trap them here. According to the deployment of other places in the Jiangnan battlefield, officers and soldiers from all prefectures and roads are forcing each other to defend themselves, step by step, gradually narrowing the encirclement, intending to force Yang Hu's white-clothed army to death and force him to fight head-on. Under that communication conditions, the fighter planes change rapidly, and he cannot send orders far away from Shanxi. There, he needs to go to the center to coordinate and command in a comprehensive manner.

The curtains were tall and the tents were brightly lit. Yang Ling, Miao Kui and others were planning a comprehensive attack after the failure of recruitment. Yang Ling held a baton, and Xu Tai held an oil lamp and shining near. Someone suddenly shouted from afar: "Report~~~! Emergency military information!"

With the sound of horse hooves, a soldier wearing leather armor rushed over with a small red flag on his shoulder. The horse rushed to the tent to pull his saddle and dismount. The man hurriedly rushed to the tent and was immediately stopped by several personal soldiers. After a while, the identity of the person was confirmed, and the four personal soldiers hurriedly brought him in.

The man saw Yang Ling and bowed and said anxiously: "Your Majesty, the bandits in Dongtiao Mountain broke through from the southeast."

Yang Ling moved and said, "Breakthrough? How many people?"

The military force reported: "More than 400 people escaped, all of whom are brave and good at fighting. They took advantage of the night to raid, rushed out of the encirclement and fled to Sanchakou first, and then fled to the Yellow River along the Yanggan and Yangzu. Puzhou Guards have sent Sun Qianhu to lead their troops to chase them."

"Only more than 400 people?" Yang Ling was a little surprised. If Zhao Sui didn't want to accept the pleading, he would naturally break through before the army was encircled, but he only sent 400 people to break through the small road. What is this? Is it a doubt about the plan?"

Xu Tai hurriedly walked back to the front of the case and looked down at the map, and said suspiciously: "They fled to the Yellow River. Do you want to cross the river to the south?"

Miao Kui said sharply: "Duke, it seems that Zhao Sui doesn't want to eat and toast anymore. They walked along Yang Gan and Yang Zu, and must have attacked Fenglingdu and fled to Shaanxi or Henan from there."

Yang Ling calmed down and thought carefully for a moment and asked, "Apart from these four hundred people, are there anyone else going down the mountain?"

The messenger shook his head and said, "Only these 400 people broke through. There was no movement or any other thing."

Jiang Bin walked up carelessly and said, "Duke, with his humble opinion, this group of men might be scattered soldiers who escaped privately when the situation is not good. Otherwise, what would he mean to send such an isolated army? Seize the ferry and cover the army to cross the river?"

Yang Ling shook his head with a serious expression and said, "If the timid soldiers fled privately, they would not have such strong combat power. Once they broke through the siege, they would inevitably flee themselves. They would not act at the same time in such an organized manner. I have not guessed Zhao Sui's intention, but he sent such an isolated army and must have a purpose."

Jiang Bin touched his chin and said, "Duke, I have an idea. They can send small groups of people to avoid our army's eyes and ears. By taking a small path, we can also send small groups of people to climb up the mountain and break into their hinterland. Donghua Mountain is 300 miles in a radius of 300 miles, so there must be roads up the mountain. How many people can they take care of? The Duke might as well give me a team of people and I will commit suicide and go to Yuzhu Peak."

Yang Ling snorted and said, "There are 50,000 people on the mountain, not 500 people. They sent 400 people to break through. Why do you lead a few hundred people to do? Are you shortlisted? They defended the danger. It is extremely difficult for our army to attack the mountain and cannot echo you at all. You lead an isolated army deep into the encirclement. No matter how good your martial arts are, you will have to be eaten by them. What is the benefit of our army's actions?"

Jiang Bin was speechless, Yang Ling pondered for a moment and said decisively: "Send the order and attack the mountain immediately as planned! Since Madman Zhao sent troops to break through, it is impossible to recruit him, so we don't have to wait for tomorrow."

Xu Tai asked: "Duke, should this lonely army fleeing northwest along the river send people to surround and intercept?"

Yang Ling shook his head and said, "It's enough to pursue the troops from Sun Qianhu all the way. Fengling Ferry and Pujin Ferry are all guarded by heavy troops. Once they cross the Hetong Pass, there are many troops gathered. They will stop just after the river, otherwise they will be seeking death. We concentrate our troops to eliminate the horse thieves in Donghua Mountain. Now we will strive to seize the strongholds of the important mountain passes. All the ferries along the river on the southern foot are in a state of alert, and we are already guarding for the enemy."

"Abide by the general's order!" Xu Tai and Jiang Bin bowed their hands and walked out quickly.

The war drums roared, and the battle at Zhongtiao Mountain finally started. The shouts of killing were endless all night, and wars ignited one after another within a radius of three hundred miles. Small groups of people escaped from the mountain and became the fuse for the battle. The officers and soldiers began to attack the mountain with all their strength according to the planned plan.

The battle reports were sent to Yangling's central army. On the sand table, various flags were constantly alternating, sometimes red flags were planted, and sometimes blue flags were replaced. This was caused by the constant change of hands in the desperate battle between officers and soldiers and horse thieves.

The peripheral attacks continued to gain and lose, and some hills were firmly controlled by the officers and soldiers. This attack speed was a little beyond Yang Ling's expectations. He frowned and stared at the sand table for a while. Yang Ling pointed to several places and said: "These canyon-piercing areas must first seize the commanding heights before they can make progress. The progress is too fast now."

Miao Kui said happily: "Hehe, I think it's our army that has led to the spirit of the bandits and the army has been lost, and the army from all walks of life is progressing rapidly."

Yang Ling looked at the one after another and planted the Red Flag Mountains one after another. He was still puzzled: "It's too fast, the progress is too fast, and the generals from all walks of life are too greedy for merit. Once the mountain is captured, the position will be unstable. He must immediately order them to make steady progress and be careful of the counterattack of Crazy Zhao."

Xu Tai shook his head and said, "Duke, it's too late. It's just that I don't know how long it will take to convey this order. Now the enemy and our forces in the mountains are intertwined, and bloody battles are everywhere. Once the war begins, you have to count on the frontier generals to play their own way. We don't have time to issue orders and dispatch them at any time."

Yang Ling sighed and walked back and forth nervously in the tent: Did he really overestimate his opponent? Or did the urge to pacify and divide play such a big role? The mountains paved the way with blood, and the fierce war was absolutely true. The thief of the horse did not seem to have intentionally given up his position and lured me into deep.

And it is unlikely that the enemy ambush the enemy counterattack. The mountains of Donghua Mountain are crisscrossing and undulating, making it easy to ambush people, and it is difficult to call people out to form an attack formation. Besides, the imperial army attacked from all walks at the same time, although the progress is fast and slow, it can still take care of each other. It is unlikely that the Xiangma Army wants to concentrate its forces to eat them all the way.

Jiang Bin was happy to see the battle and was eager to try it out. He said anxiously: "As soon as the Duke of the Kingdom arrived, the people's hearts were separated. In addition, this time, the Duke of the Kingdom mobilized a large number of troops from Shanxi to start wars from all directions at the same time. The power of the Rising Horse of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the People of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the People of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the People of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the People of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the People of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the People of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the People of the Kingdom of the People of the Kingdom of the People of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of the People of the Kingdom of the People of the Kingdom of the

Yang Ling smiled and said, "Don't be anxious. If you fight, you and General Xu's people cannot move. In the mountains, it is impossible to annihilate them all. When Zhao Fengzi saw that the situation was not good, he would definitely break through..."

When he said this, his pupils suddenly shrank: "Break through...break through..., did Crazy Zhao not fight a tough battle and just want to break through?"

Yang Ling immediately turned around, stared at the sand table for a while, and said slowly: "Everyone, could it be that Crazy Zhao didn't want to continue trying to defend the mountain, but instead gave up this natural barrier and took the initiative to break through?"

Miao Kui said suspiciously: "They have been defending and retreating. If you want to break through, why should you send a small group of troops to start a attack first? Isn't it easier to directly concentrate your troops and choose a little unexpectedly to break through the siege?"

Yang Ling laughed dryly and said, "It is easy to break through the siege like that, but it is easy to encircle and block the siege of various imperial troops in the area. If they lose the natural danger of Dongshanhua as a basis, how can they resist our more than 100,000 troops?

If Zhao Crazy decided to break through at the beginning, but used his defensive momentum to lure my troops into the mountain? Take the initiative to break through, collect and then exit, and after leading officers and soldiers into the mountain, decisively give up the dangerous stronghold and jump out of the siege and escape. The troops from all walks of life should get news, rectify the ranks, and then withdraw from the mountain, can they have a quick action of the horse thief that is prepared?"

"What a crazy man Zhao!" Xu Tai gasped: "From the past few fights, I also think that the combat power of the thief should not have made my army succeed in this way. The Duke of the State analyzed it well, and I also think this may be great."

Yang Ling's eyes flashed and he was patrolling the entire sand table: "Then... they should have a secret passage that can allow the army to pass through, so that they can quickly jump out of the encirclement that gathers into the mountains, and use the empty outer line to spread their distance. Which direction would he choose?"

His and Xu Tai's eyes moved to the Yellow River on the sand table at the same time.

Since Feilingdu, the lower reaches of the Yellow River have become narrower, so there are many river crossing docks in this large area. What does it mean to have a small army dispatched by Zhao Fengzi to go south along the river? If Zhao Fengzi was indeed ingenious and led his army into the mountain and then jumped out of the encirclement, then his purpose is self-evident, and he should have chosen the Yellow River Ferry to cross the Yellow River.

This should be his only choice. Chen from Hebei and Henan were on the border, and cities in Shanxi were kept in seclusion and defended themselves, and large armies gathered in Donghua Mountain. If you take a dry road, where can you live under the siege of officers and soldiers?

Yang Ling straightened up, looked at Xu Tai, and nodded slightly.

General Xu Shen's offensive was slow. Seeing the fires appearing on other hills, the army was obviously progressing rapidly. General Xu Shen couldn't help but feel anxious. The promotion of a military general was no longer faster than making military achievements. This time, Duke Wei personally directed the battle. If this battle was beautiful, it would have a bright future. But now he is obviously behind the other officers and soldiers.

General Xu Shen stood on a rock with a single knife, pointing to the dense jungle in front of him and said, "Damn it, you must take it down for me. Liu Qianhu, cover it with the bow and arrow. Yan Qianhu rushed me again."

Before the two generals could answer, a fine wind breaking through the sky suddenly sounded in the night sky. The night sky was deep, but the sky suddenly darkened, and people immediately realized what was going on. General Xu Shen was shocked. He jumped off the stone quickly and avoided it, and shouted: "Shield player...ah!"

A eagle feather shot his shoulder, and the chain buckle of the chain mail prevented the arrows from continuing to penetrate deeper, but it still hurt the skin. Thousands of feather arrows fell down with the sound of the wind. Swipe out the unexpected life, and a shrill scream came from all over the place.

General Xu Shen didn't expect that there were so many archers on the road. He had just charged for three rounds, but he had never seen the opponent reveal his strength. He was shocked and angry, and pulled out the arrow, and was about to call on the officers and soldiers to fight back. Suddenly, in the forest ahead, shouting for killing sounds, and with the help of the mountain, countless people rushed out of the jungle and charged towards his troops.

"Woo!" Although he was attacked by the rain of arrows, the archers who emerged from behind the shield still responded very quickly. Qianyudian Hanxing rushed towards the murderous aura in the darkness and shouted at the place where the sound of the horses held the wooden shield, and the sound of "tuk tuk" was heard. The group of people paused for a moment, and some of them fell down by the arrow, but the others rushed forward at a faster speed.
To be continued...