Chapter 293 The Road to the South (Eight)

As Shi Yilang, commander of the Unity Army, expected, the 500 cavalry led by Luo Qingsong crossed the Zhangshui River and walked all the way north. They soon disappeared into the vast battlefield, like mud entering the sea, and it was difficult to find traces.

The war in Cizhou was quickly dragged into December. The offensive and defensive battles around Cizhou City were still fierce. The river water of the moat outside the city had been discharged, several trenches outside the city gate were filled, and the Luzhou army used fire attacks, tunnels, flying stones, cloud ladders and other tricks. Cizhou City was like a small Zhoushan floating in the ocean, with danger of capsizing at any time.

Because the city walls are strong and there is no shortage of food, and because there are Dazhou reinforcements stationed on the south bank of the Zhangshui River, the military and civilians in the city have hope of survival, the resistance is extremely resolute. Although the city is as dangerous as a hangover, it is always in the hands of Zhang Yongde.

As December began, several heavy snowfalls fell one after another, and the siege battle temporarily stopped. The severe cold was coming, which was a great test for all the troops, especially the attacking side, which was greatly hindered.

Outside the city, several fast horses walked past the snow, and their horses flew over, leaving a string of footprints on the snow. When they arrived in front of the Luzhou military camp, the soldiers guarding the camp gate had already recognized the person and hurriedly opened the camp gate. The few fast horses did not slow down at all, and brought a sensation of snowflakes and drove straight into the camp gate.

"When you hear such a rapid sound of horse hooves, you know that General Liu is coming." Li Yun, the leader of the Luzhou Army, had a slightly gray hair. He was very disgusted with Liu Jiye, who had been running wildly in his camp for a long time. Li Yun served as the governor for many years and was a very cunning veteran. His strengths were under the control of his expression. Looking at Liu Jiye, he always smiled, as if he admired Liu Jiye's riding skills.

Liu Jiye turned over and got off the horse with an unpleasant look, and walked quickly to Li Yun. He complained: "The heavy snow is getting tighter and tighter. If there are a few more snow, it will be ice and snowy, and the battle will not be fought."

Li Yun was extremely thin, and when he didn't speak, he was like a knife, but in front of Liu Jiye, he looked up at the sky and smiled and said, "It's going to snow. I can't do anything about it."

While speaking, the two walked towards the big tent. After entering the big tent, Liu Jiye rubbed his cold and numb hands hard and said, "Before sending troops, we said good land, and the Luzhou army was responsible for the food and supplies. Why are there less and less food these days? If there is not enough food, I will lead my army back to Taiyuan tomorrow."

"Recently, a cavalry team of Zhou troops appeared by Zhuozhang Water. They attacked the food route specifically and were very cunning. We sent troops to encircle and suppress them several times, but they escaped and injured many of our soldiers." Li Yun became more and more excited as he spoke. He became angry and slapped his chest with a "bang, chuckling" sound. "If you catch these bastards, you must cut them into pieces. Only then can you vent the hatred in my heart."

When Liu Jiye saw Li Yun's expression, he knew that he was the same trick again. When Liu Jiye first dealt with Li Yun, he encountered difficulties several times to find Li Yun. Li Yun quickly beat the scapegoat, and then began to scold these scapegoats angrily. His speaking speed was so fast that Liu Jiye could only stare at him. However, when Liu Jiye finally returned to the camp, he recalled that Li Yun had not solved any practical problems except for a scolding.

Liu Jiye is a pure soldier with no such colorful intestines in his stomach. He interrupted bluntly: "The severe cold is coming, General Li must make a decision. If he delays for a long time, I will definitely withdraw my troops."

Li Yun smiled bitterly and said, "The resistance of the Cizhou army has not stopped. The main reason is that there are Zhou army reinforcements stationed on the south bank of the Zhang River. If the Zhou army is defeated, the Cizhou army will naturally collapse. However, although the number of Zhou army reinforcements is not large, they are leaning against the rear. Even if we defeat them, the Zhou army can still rely on several dangerous links such as Horsehead Fortress and Gui Jianchou to resist. It will be difficult for us to completely eliminate them, and we will fall into a situation of fighting on both sides. This is a taboo for military strategists."

Li Yun raised his voice and said, "What's more, it was Hou Dayong who led the reinforcements of Zhou army. Hou Dayong defeated the Khitan army repeatedly and was a famous general in the Zhou Dynasty. I have no confidence in the battle with him. Even if General Liu is in Shenwu, he may not be able to gain the upper hand."

Liu Jiye has always been known for his bravery among the Northern Han army. He is known as Liu Wudi in Taiyuan City. He has never looked at the Great Zhou army. When he heard Li Yun’s words, he showed a clear look of disdain on his face. Liu Jiye sneered several times, "Hmph, it's just 30,000 Great Zhou army. I will definitely kill him without leaving any armor."

After hearing Liu Jiye's words, Li Yun showed an excited expression on his face and said, "General Liu is brave and invincible. You will definitely be able to defeat the Zhou army on the south bank of the Zhangshui River. When you cross the river, I will let my men attack Cizhou day and night. Even if you take a ladder, you will still take down Cizhou City." He also promised: "I immediately ordered the quarantine officer to replenish the food and supplies of General Liu's troops. Even if we don't eat, we must ensure the supply of food and grass from the Northern Han army."

Liu Jiye whispered loudly: "Okay, just like that, I will cross the river and attack. General Li stepped up his attack to attack the city, and completely attack the Zhou army in half a month, and end the war when the cold winter comes." After saying this, Liu Jiye bowed and said, "Go away."

When he went out, Liu Jiye sneered in his heart: "When he defeated the Zhou army, he can take your life at any time." The choice to cross the river and attack was not entirely inspired by Li Yun. He also proposed a countermeasure proposed by the army. He led 30,000 troops and horses, all of whom were talented taxmen who had fought with the Khitan army for a long time. These soldiers were good at fighting in the field, but were not bad at siege cities. As a general, Liu Jiye was really unwilling to let these talented taxmen attack strong cities like Cizhou. He had the confidence to defeat any Zhou army in the field.

Moreover, this is also in line with the interests of the Northern Han Dynasty. The Northern Han Dynasty and the Great Zhou Dynasty are enemies. Helping the enemy is to help oneself. This is a long-standing national policy.

When Liu Jiye sneered at the gate, Li Yun's expression that had been smiling suddenly disappeared, and he showed a cold expression like a knife.

Over the past few years, the Great Zhou army fought south and north. In order to prevent the Northern Han army from taking advantage of the situation, they specially strengthened the Luzhou army. The Luzhou army has made great progress. The most elite Iron Du Guard under Li Yun had a total of 30,000 people, and 60,000 united soldiers who had completed basic training. It was precisely because of this strength that after Chai Rong, Fan Zhi and Zhao Kuangyin died one after another, Li Yun became determined to win the championship.

Li Yun and Li Chongjin contacted each other many times, and almost at the same time launched a military army under the name of "clearing the king's side". If the war could last for a period of time, Li Yun believed that at least three or four military governors would raise the banner of "clearing the king's side", so that the situation would be chaotic.

Chaos is an excellent opportunity, so Li Yun is not afraid of the long delay in the war.

From another perspective, the Northern Han and the Great Zhou were both Li Yun's opponents. The Northern Han was weak and the Great Zhou was strong. Li Yun chose to alliance with the Northern Han. Now, Northern Liu Jiye and Hou Dayong are going to fight to the death, and the cranes and clams are fighting, and the fisherman will benefit. This is the situation Li Yun is most willing to see.

In the evening, the Northern Han military camp quietly opened, and a group of people drove upstream along the Zhangshui River and soon disappeared into the vast dark night.

On the south bank of Zhangshui River, the 30,000 Zhou army was divided into three groups with mutual support. The rear army led by Wang Tengxiang had many grain transport trucks, which were all concentrated together, together with fences and deer antlers, forming the Zhou army defense line on the south bank of Zhangshui River.

The front army led by Shi Shouxin was mainly infantry, located at a few-shaped bend about one mile upstream of the Zhangshui River. The water here is shallow and can be used as a ferry for infantry assaults at any time. Shi Shouxin's troops attack the infantry and are equipped with a large number of ground-step crossbows.

Hou Dayong personally led about 4,000 cavalry, stationed one mile from the rear of the rear army group. This was an important passage to retreat into the Great Zhou, where Hou Dayong built a solid position.

In this way, the Pin-shaped positions can maintain a high degree of mobility and support each other. At the same time, the Great Zhou army controlled dangerous passes such as Matou Fort, and had no worries about food, supplies and retreat, and sealed the Northern Han army and Luzhou army on the north bank of the Zhangshui River.

In the early morning of December 5, Shi Shouxin's troops were raided by the Northern Han army. As two sky-storming cannons burst into beautiful sparks in the sky, the Zhou army on the south bank knew about the enemy's attack. One sky-storming cannon said that the enemy was just harassing, and two sky-storming cannons mean that the enemy was attacking on the spot.

Liu Jiye was covered in armor and holding a spear in his hand, looking calmly at Zhou Jun's temporary camp.

There was a circle of trenches outside the Zhou army camp. There were crossbows behind the trenches, and some crossbowmen were scattered. The Northern Han army attacked several times and were easily repelled by the Zhou army's crossbowmen.

After Liu Jicheng returned to the Northern Han Army Camp, he was removed from his position as commander of the vanguard battalion by Liu Jiye and continued to serve as Liu Jiye's personal guard. After the Northern Han Army retreated again, Liu Jiye asked again: "If it is a field battle, how strong is the Great Zhou imperial guard?" Although Liu Jicheng was captured by the Zhou army, he was captured not a battle, but a huge gap in the number of people. He still disdained the combat effectiveness of the Zhou army and said: "Our army has 10,000 people, and we can defeat 30,000 people in the field battle."

Hou Dayong was also awakened by the sky-storming cannon. He went to the lookout set up in the camp and observed the situation of Shi Shouxin Camp. Suddenly, a fire dragon appeared in Shi Shouxin Camp. The fire dragon was burning very violently, and there were countless screams in between.

The fire dragon is caused by the burning of dry firewood in the trench. All these dry firewood are sprinkled with turbulent oil. As long as the enemy forces attack the camp and ignite the dry firewood, they can block the enemy's attack.

Feng Sha stood beside Hou Dayong, and he said, "It seems that the enemy is attacking the Shi General's camp with all his strength. I don't know if it is the Northern Han army or Li Yun's rebels."

The 30,000 troops from Dazhou came from different troops, and Hou Dayong did not have much confidence in his combat effectiveness. This is also one of the reasons why the Dazhou army has not launched an attack for a long time. Of course, the more important reason is only known by him and Feng Sha.

Hou Dayong looked at the Fire Dragon and said, "The Great Zhou army is also a army of battles. Whether it is the Northern Han army or the Luzhou army, it is difficult for them to eat the 30,000 people gathered together." He slowly walked down the observation deck and ordered, "This battle is worry-free, and the officers on duty will observe the war. If there is no urgent matter, don't disturb me."
Chapter completed!