Jiuxi

Chapter 924 922 [The Blood Is Still Hot]

In the west of Jingzhou, there is a majestic pass called Xiling.

There are roughly three routes from north to south in Jingzhou. The first is to go south from Gaotang City in the west and pass Xiling Pass. The second is to go south from Yongqiu City in the middle and pass Baimaqiao. The third is to go south from Xinchang City in the northeast corner and go down along Xunyang, Jianghua and other places west of the Shuangfeng Mountains.

All three roads can lead to the outside of Pingyang City.

From a geographical point of view, it is easiest for Jing's army to break through the situation from the east. After all, the terrain is flat and there are no obstacles like Xiling Pass and Baimaqiao. The cities along the way can also be trapped without attacking.

However, with Qing Yugong's rich experience in leading troops, he could naturally see at a glance the danger of this road. That is, the troops from the three states of Ding, Jing and Huai of the Southern Qi could appear directly on this road, and Lu Chen did not need to expend too much energy to surround Jing's army.

This was the reason why Qing Yugong launched the offensive from the west. Even though the Jing army was attacking cities and strongholds all the way south and there was a risk of being alone in the deep, Lu Chen could not transfer troops from other places quietly. And even if he had this idea, the journey was long and would take time.

The city of Xileng Pass is winding along the mountainous terrain, with Queshan, Dingyunshan and Gushan in the southeast, and Jiashan and Cuifengshan in the southwest, like a shackle that traps Jing's army on its way south.

On top of a city wall more than three meters high, Jingzhou Deputy Governor Fan Wendi stared at the endless camps of the Jing army in the north with a slightly gloomy expression.

He was helpless about the loss of Gaotang City. Under normal circumstances, he could have led the Guangji Army to hold out for a long time. However, facing Qing Yugong's tactics of almost disregarding losses and sending elite troops into battle in turns, he could only abandon the city and leave.

We can't just wait until our troops are insufficient and then be wiped out by Jing's army.

Fortunately, he had completed the task assigned by Lu Chen.

"Deputy Commander, victory and defeat are common in the military, so don't let it become a knot in your heart."

An old veteran next to him saw that he looked gloomy and spoke to comfort him.

Fan Wending sighed, "The Guangji Army was built by Duke Wei, and has defeated powerful enemies over the past decade. Now, most of the veterans have been lost at my hands. How can I not feel guilty?"

The old general's expression remained unchanged, but his tone was a little more high-spirited: "To die on the battlefield is our fate, and dying for the country is the glory of a soldier. Of course, it would be best if no one died in a war, but the problem is that it is impossible. You led the Guangji Army to first stop the Jing Army's heavy cavalry tiger and leopard camp, and then blocked Qing Yugong's army for eleven days, completing the prince's tactical arrangement, which is enough to make you have a clear conscience!"

After all, Fan Wendi was not a person who was easily sad about the passing of time. He only revealed his feelings a little when he was alone with the old general, and would not show his frustration in front of the soldiers at other times.

He nodded and said, "Thank you, General Kang, for your enlightenment."

The old general was Kang Yanxiao, the commander of the Taixing Army. He waved his hand and said, "No need to be polite between you and me."

Fan Wending suppressed his worries, thought about the current situation, and said slowly: "Old General, what do you think Qing Yugong is planning?"

Kang Yanxiao pondered and said, "In fact, he doesn't have many choices. If he takes the eastern route, he will definitely be trapped by our prince. Yongqiu and Taikang are connected in the middle, and there is Baima Pass in the south, which is as easy to defend as Xiling Pass. With this calculation, he can only take the western route, so the prince asked you to defend Gaotang City."

Fan Wending frowned slightly and said, "Qing Yugong is not someone who will stick to one path until the end."

The reason he said this was because the Jing army had launched five offensives on Xileng Pass.

The strength of the Taixing Army is actually slightly inferior to that of the Guangji Army after the Taikang Battle, because when the border army was reorganized a few years ago, the Taixing Army was adjusted by Lu Chen to the Huaizhou Wing Army. This is enough to prove their strength level in the border army. Kang Yanxiao was depressed for a while because of this.

However, facing the equally ferocious Jing Army led by Qing Yugong, it was relatively easy for the Taixing Army to defend. This was because the Xiling Pass was in steep terrain, with only one side facing the enemy, the city walls were tall and solid, and there was an extremely complete defense system. The Jing Army could not even climb up the city walls, and several attacks were easily repelled by the Taixing Army.

Kang Yanxiao naturally understood this truth, and without any complacency on his face, he said: "Jing Jun didn't give his all. I think Qing Yugong is waiting."

"wait?"

"If we take Xileng Pass too quickly, it won't be a good thing for him. Emperor Jing will definitely force him to continue southward and approach Pingyang City. In that case, Qing Yugong will be alone and the risk will be great. After all, Jingzhou is so far from north to south, and it will be difficult for the Jing army to supply logistics. It will also take time to retreat in time. Once he is surrounded by our army outside Pingyang City, he will be in trouble!"

Fan Wending's eyes flashed with surprise, and he said admiringly: "So he wants to wait until the Jing army makes progress in other battlefields, forcing the prince to replenish his troops everywhere, so that he will have no worries."

"Yeah, this old fox."

Kang Yanxiao sneered and said sarcastically, "He has a good idea in his mind, but he doesn't know that the prince just wants him to wait a little longer, otherwise our army will not have time to dig a trap for him."

Fan Wendi thought about Lu Chen's arrangements and couldn't help but laugh.

Kang Yanxiao looked at the deputy governor who was more than ten years younger than him and said frankly: "Deputy governor, I know what you are worried about, so please rest assured that even if I die on this city wall, I will definitely complete the task assigned by the prince."

Fan Wendi said quickly: "Old General, please don't misunderstand me. I just want to take a closer look at the Jing army's offensive tactics and learn from the previous lessons in Gaotang City."

At present, the surviving soldiers of the Guangji Army have retreated to Pingyang City in the south to rest, while he continues to stay in Xileng Pass with dozens of his personal soldiers.

As the deputy governor of Jingzhou, Fan Wendi certainly had this power, and he never interfered with the command.

Kang Yanxiao said: "How could I misunderstand? It's just that the deputy governor also knows the prince's arrangement. Pingyang City needs you to prepare the city defense. There may be a fierce battle there in the future." "Okay, I will go back today."

Fan Wendi was not a suspicious person, and he said earnestly: "Old General, if it really comes to that time, please retreat in time, I will meet you in Pingyang City."

Kang Yanxiao was silent for a moment, then suddenly changed the subject and asked, "Deputy Commander, do you know when was the darkest time in my life?"

Fan Wending pondered, "It should be the time when he was guarding Huaizhou?"

"Yes."

Kang Yanxiao nodded and said, "It's my own fault. I misunderstood that the prince was a penny-pinching person. I didn't fight hard enough in the governor's office, and eventually my soldiers became soldiers, and were inevitably laughed at by others. I thought I would never stand up again in this life, but I didn't expect that the prince was willing to give the Taixing Army a chance. The day I received the military order, I felt like I was alive again."

Fan Wendi naturally knew what that opportunity meant.

Three years ago, the Qi army suffered a major defeat in Kaocheng, and the situation suddenly became critical. Kang Yanxiao was ordered to lead the Taixing army to Feiniao Pass in Shazhou. With his fearless spirit, he forced the Jing army to retreat step by step, and finally successfully completed the encirclement at Feiniao Pass.

After this battle, the Taixing Army returned to the border army.

Kang Yanxiao, who is already 54 years old this year, showed a carefree smile and continued, "I have asked every soldier of the Taixing Army. We will be nailed to Xiling Pass. Even if Qing Yugong can really cross it, he will no longer doubt the prince's strategy and will definitely go south firmly. When that time comes, it will be your turn to add the final fuel to the fire and keep this Jingguo military god and his soldiers in Jingzhou forever."

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Just at this moment, the sound of war drums of Jing army was heard in the north.

Kang Yanxiao raised his hand and patted Fan Wendi on the shoulder, saying with a smile: "Let's go to Pingyang. If there is a chance in the future, take my ashes to the capital of Jingguo to have a look."

Fan Wendi pursed his lips, raised his hands to clasp his fists, and then bowed.

Finally speechless.

Kang Yanxiao watched his back gradually go away, then turned to look at the Jing army coming back from the north, and said loudly: "Brothers, let the beasts of Jing country see how powerful we are!"

"Follow the order!"

Countless loud voices rang out, full of majestic and magnificent meaning.

The battle lasted for more than an hour. The offensive of the Jing army was not fierce. After all, there was only one city wall in the attack area. Even though they had far more troops than the Taixing Army, it was difficult for them to deploy their forces. Moreover, because there were cliffs on both sides of the Xileng Pass, it was very difficult to even threaten the city wall. At most, they could only use their flesh and blood to consume the Taixing Army's city defense equipment.

The atmosphere inside General Jing's tent was a little depressing.

Generals such as Gulijia were all frowning, because Xileng Pass was a real tough nut to crack. Ordinary strategies were completely useless, and even if someone came up with a brilliant idea, it would be quickly refuted by others.

Qing Yugong looked around at everyone and said calmly, "This kind of strong pass is easy to defend but difficult to attack. It is normal even if it takes several months. You don't have to be impatient. Zhongwang, you will lead the troops to attack the city tomorrow."

Qing Yuzhongwang quickly stood up and said, "I will obey your orders!"

Qing Yugong said to the others, "Let's go back to the camp. You can take this time to rest."

All the generals withdrew after receiving the order, and only Qing Yu and his son were left in the tent.

Qing Yu Zhongwang said cautiously: "Father, in fact, failing to take down Xiling Pass may not be a bad thing."

Qing Yugong turned his head and looked at him calmly.

Qing Yu Zhongwang continued, "If Xiling Pass is breached, His Majesty will definitely order our army to continue to advance southwards. There are no passes blocking us ahead, so our army will definitely reach Pingyang City. By that time, our army will be more than 600 miles away from Tongbai City, and advancing alone is a taboo in military strategy."

Qing Yugong asked noncommittally, "Do you want me to hold back on my strength?"

Qing Yuzhong hesitated and said, "That's not what I meant. I just think Lu Chen might have set up a trap outside Pingyang City. If he transfers his mobile forces here, it will be difficult for our army to retreat."

Qing Yugong suddenly laughed softly.

Qing Yuzhongwang looked puzzled.

After a moment, his father narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone revealed a clear sense of desolation, and he said softly: "This was originally a conspiracy between your majesty and Lu Chen to put me to death."

Qing Yuzhong was shocked.

(End of this chapter)