Tang Dynasty Mingyue Song Dynasty Pass

Chapter 864 Everyone takes action

The Song army's infantry surged forward like a tide, but were hit head-on by the Wu army's chariots, causing some casualties. However, the chariots were gradually blocked because they could not turn around flexibly on the battlefield, and eventually fell into the siege of the Song army and died on the battlefield.

Thousands of chariot warriors, after killing many Song cavalry and infantry, died one after another. When the remaining survivors returned to the barracks, the number of chariots was less than one-fifth of the original, but the number of enemies they killed was several times their own, which was considered a worthwhile sacrifice.

The Song army did not stop their attack and launched another fierce attack on the Wu army's camp. The Wu army began to switch to defense, using firearms and bows and arrows to successfully repel several rounds of Song army's attacks. However, the camp was already riddled with holes. In order to preserve its strength, the Wu army decided to abandon it and retreat to the second line of defense in the rear.

"The Wu army is retreating, kill them!"

"We're going to win."

"The Wu army was finally repelled." The soldiers of the Song Dynasty shouted loudly, and many people had excitement in their eyes, as if they had seen the dawn of victory.

However, as more and more Song soldiers rushed into the Wu army camp, they suddenly found that a lot of firewood and pine oil had been laid out in the camp.

At this moment, arrows with torches flew from the sky and fell into the camp like meteors, instantly igniting a raging fire.

"what--"

"Oh no, there's a fire."

"This is a trap set by the Wu army. There are flammable objects everywhere in the camp."

The Song army soldiers began to panic and tried to turn around and retreat in the chaos, but many of them were ignited by the flames and soon turned into firemen. The fire spread rapidly, turning the victory that seemed to be within reach into a tragic disaster in an instant.

At this time, thousands of Song soldiers were set on fire in the barracks, and the situation was out of control in an instant. Flames raged, smoke billowed, soldiers screamed in fear, and the scene was in chaos.

Fire and water are merciless, and humans are made of flesh and blood, and ultimately cannot resist such natural forces. Under the engulfing of the sea of ​​fire, the Song soldiers could only desperately try to escape, but many were mercilessly devoured by the flames in the chaos.

When the Song army finally withdrew from the camp, nearly 10,000 soldiers were killed and wounded, and these people were the elite troops of the Song Dynasty.

Zhao Kuangyin, Cao Bin and other Song army generals witnessed all this in the rear, and they couldn't help but feel distressed. They watched helplessly as the elite soldiers they had carefully trained turned into ashes in this unexpected disaster, and the pain pierced their hearts like a knife.

"This Wu army is so despicable." Zhao Kuangyin couldn't help but snorted coldly, his face turned ashen, and he was obviously very angry.

Today, they had fought against the Wu army twice. The first time was when the chariots attacked, which was a bit unexpected. They blocked the charge of the Song cavalry, and killed several times more Song soldiers with fewer soldiers. This time, the fire attack trap in the camp once again caused a large number of casualties in the Song army, which made Zhao Kuangyin's anger burn.

"Sir, the fire is currently so fierce that we have no choice but to bypass the camp and pursue Wu's army," Dang Jin suggested.

"Okay, bypass the Wu army camp and send troops to pursue the Wu army." Zhao Kuangyin made a quick decision, his eyes flashing with determination: "They can't resist and will retreat to the Huai River. Try to drive the Wu army into the encirclement we designate and annihilate this 100,000-strong army."

Zhao Kuangyin was not discouraged, but felt that everything was still under control. He knew that as long as he continued to pursue the Wu army, he would make the Wu army feel a strong sense of crisis. In panic, they would inevitably be full of loopholes and fall into the encirclement carefully arranged by the Song army. The Song army continued to pursue, and the generals' evaluation of Lu Jiang also changed. They felt that Lu Jiang's ability to lead troops was average, and there would be no more accidents this time.

In their view, Lu Jiang was just a general who relied on seniority and connections to rise to power, lacking real military talent and adaptability. Therefore, the Song army generals were full of confidence, believing that the next battle would be a one-sided pursuit and encirclement, and the defeat of the Wu army was inevitable.

At the same time, Su Chen in Suqian received information that the Song army was launching a large-scale attack on the camps of Pan Mei and Lu Jiang. He quickly analyzed the strategic intentions of Zhao Kuangyin and Cao Bin.

"The fish has taken the bait." Su Chen smiled slightly, with a gleam in his eyes. Now that Zhao Kuangyin's main force has gone to attack Lu Jiang, tying down the main force of the Song army, he can free up his hands to deal with the reinforcements of the Song Dynasty.

The vanguard of the reinforcements from Bian Jing had already arrived in Xiapi, not far from Suqian. Su Chen had already mobilized Lin Renzhao to lead a large army to quickly cross over, attempting to intercept the rear of the Song reinforcements in the northwest of Xiapi, burn the food and grass, and intercept the troops in the rear.

He could lead the army to attack Xiapi and block the reinforcements head-on. Su Chen decisively ordered: "Pass the order down, leave 10,000 soldiers to guard Suqian City, and the rest of the soldiers will follow me to Xiapi to block the reinforcements from the Song Dynasty."

"Yes!" The generals accepted the order in loud and firm voices.

Soon, the Wu army attacked with great force, like a slowly flowing dragon, heading straight for Xia Pi City.

Xiapi is a small town. Previously, the Huaiyang Army of the Song Dynasty was stationed nearby, but Zhao Kuangyin summoned it to the south half a month ago. Now there are only 5,000 garrisons here, plus 20,000 new reinforcements and vanguard troops, a total of only 25,000 people. In front of the 100,000 Wu troops, it seems insignificant.

During the siege that day, the Wu army, with its sophisticated firearms and tacit cooperation, successfully blew open the city gate and entered the city. Before the Song reinforcements could adapt to the rhythm of the front-line battle, they were slaughtered wildly in the city by the well-trained Wu army's Modao soldiers, suffering heavy losses.

The Song army that broke out was also surrounded and annihilated by the army outside the city. Like fish caught in a huge net, they had nowhere to escape and suffered heavy losses.

Su Chen stood on the top of the city wall, overlooking the battlefield that had just ended, and was quite satisfied. The quick end of this battle not only showed the strong combat effectiveness and high efficiency of his elite Wu army, but also made him see the results of the rigorous training over the past three years.

Today, Wu Jun’s morale is high and he has the confidence and fighting spirit of an ever-victorious army, which makes him full of expectations for the future.

"Li Saidong, you take 5,000 troops to defend the city, and the rest of the army will continue to march north!" Su Chen issued a new order, his tone full of firmness and courage.

"Yes!" The generals accepted the order with loud and uniform voices, demonstrating the strict discipline and high morale of the Wu army.

The next day, the army continued to march north, this time heading northwest, because the main force of the Song Dynasty reinforcements had arrived in Pengcheng. Pengcheng has been a strategic location since ancient times. Many important battles and stories have taken place here during historical events such as the Chu-Han Contention and the Three Kingdoms War, carrying a heavy historical heritage.

However, the reinforcements did not come to defend Pengcheng, but came with a specific mission. Therefore, two days after the Wu army left Xiapi and marched northwest, they finally met the main force of the Song reinforcements. The two armies confronted each other, and the atmosphere was tense and solemn.

The commander of the Song Dynasty reinforcements this time was Li Chugeng, deputy envoy of the Privy Council. The three deputy commanders were Zhang Yongde, Zhang Hui and Fu Yanqing, three generals of the imperial guards. They were all famous generals of the Northern Song Dynasty, with rich experience and many battles.

When they learned that the Wu army in front was coming to block them and was led by Su Chen himself, Li Chugeng, Zhang Yongde, Zhang Hui, Fu Yanqing and others were a little surprised. They did not expect to meet them here.