Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 307 Movement

As always, Shen Qingzhi easily breached Liyang. When he retreated earlier, most of the city walls at Fangtou in Liyang were destroyed.

The Wei army did not leave many troops here, and it was defeated in one attack.

After capturing Liyang, Shen Qingzhi proceeded to attack Fangtou step by step.

However, the Wei Kingdom was also rapidly mobilizing its troops: Tuoba He's 10,000 elite cavalry to the west, Changsun Fei's 20,000 infantry and cavalry to the southwest, Yu Lidi to the south, and Gongsun Biao to the east.

"Has Tuoba Gui made a move?" Liu Daogui asked, looking at the positions of various forces on the map.

In fact, Shen Qingzhi's escape route had already been cut off by Yu Lidi and Changsun Fei.

With the Yellow River frozen, the Wei cavalry could move quickly.

Meng Gan said, "The siege of Luoyang is still ongoing."

Gao Xun said, "The Wei army has 60,000 troops, most of whom are elite cavalry. Right now, we can only attack Huatai."

Liu Daogui shook his head, "Huatai is useless. Now is not the time to worry about the gains and losses of a single city or place."

Even if they take down the platform, it won't change the overall situation. After the Wei army annihilates Shen Qing, they will return to besiege the city, and Liu Daogui will still be unable to hold it.

People are the key to war.

With Shen Qingzhi's 30,000 troops gone, Liu Daogui was severely weakened and essentially lost; holding onto more cities would be useless.

Although I'm at the gambling table this time, I don't have enough chips.

Tuoba Gui was wealthy and powerful, and had too many bargaining chips to use.

"What should we do?" A rare look of worry appeared on Liu Zun's face.

The others also looked at Liu Daogui.

"Wait a little longer."

The more urgent the situation, the calmer Liu Daogui became.

He only has one trump card left: his more than 10,000 elite troops, which he will use at the most critical moment.

Although the situation is dire, it is not without opportunity.

Tuoba Gui did not come in person, and the Wei army's forces were scattered.

However, if the troops are dispersed, there will inevitably be gaps in their coordination.

It's already February. If we can hold out for another month, the Yellow River will be unblocked, and our navy will be put to use. At that time, the situation will be reversed.

As expected, two days later, Shen Qingzhi broke through Fangtou and set up camp there, building fortifications with ice and sand in preparation for the four Wei armies.

To the south, Mao Dezhu and Zhao Yuan led 8,000 infantry and cavalry behind Changsun Fei, slowing down his march.

At this time, Murong De from the east also joined in the fun, stationing 40,000 troops in Tai County, eyeing the sparsely armed Licheng with covetous intent.

Licheng is the gateway to Qingzhou, and Murong De could not possibly ignore this place.

Although he hasn't made a move yet, if Liu Daogui shows the slightest sign of fatigue on the battlefield, he will pounce on him without hesitation and tear off a piece of flesh.

This battle is no longer just a matter for Liu Daogui alone. Its success or failure will not only determine the fate of the Central Plains, but may even affect the course of the world.

The legitimacy of the Jin dynasty vanished with Huan Xuan's usurpation.

Given the ambition shown by Tuoba Gui, after conquering the Central Plains, he will definitely head south without stopping...

"Report! Changsun Fei has personally led 7,000 cavalry south to pursue and kill Mao Dezhu!" The scout quickly sent back the new information.

Liu Daogui couldn't help but feel a pang of worry for Mao Dezhu.

Changsun Fei's cavalry is completely different from the cavalry that raided southwards before. The time has come to test Mao Dezhu.

Between the two groups, one from the north and one from the south, Liu Daogui was most worried not about Shen Qingzhi, but about Mao Dezhu.

A day later, the scout came again to report, "Commander, General Shen has already engaged in battle with Yulidi and Tuoba Hena."

"How is the battle going?" Liu Daogui asked hurriedly.

The scout reported, "General Shen repelled Li Di's attacks three times, but Tuoba He's elite cavalry cut off our army's supplies, preventing them from being delivered."

This is the cavalry's greatest advantage: if they can't deal with the elite vanguard, they can turn around and harass the supply lines.

In the Battle of Chaibi, the Wei army also cut off the Qin army's supplies, and 40,000 soldiers surrendered without resistance. Their commander, Yao Ping, committed suicide by drowning himself in the river.

However, when the soldiers of the garrison go into battle, they usually bring their own food and fodder. They brought a lot of livestock with them when they went north, so Shen Qingzhi should be able to hold out for a few more days.

Liu Daogui originally intended to hold out until the Yellow River was unblocked, but Tuoba He's move made it impossible for Liu Daogui to remain inactive.

"Issue the order: send troops out tonight, bringing all the mules, donkeys, camels, horses, and carts to reinforce Fangtou."

"We obey!" the generals responded in unison.

Previously, they had looted and burned in Jizhou, bringing back a lot of livestock and wooden carts belonging to the Dingling people, which were all piled up in Puyang City.

The Dingling people are a branch of the Gaoche people, and what they have in abundance is "Gaoche".

When they lived a nomadic life, following the water and pastures, the whole family would live in the cart.

In such cold weather, and marching at night, without wooden carts or livestock, half the people could freeze to death.

Twelve thousand elite troops and over five hundred and thirty large carts were all mobilized. They didn't even bother to defend Puyang City anymore. If they won, they would have everything; if they lost, they would have no chance of returning under the pursuit of the Wei cavalry.

The Gaoche and Dingling people have long lived in the northern desert, where the climate is even harsher than in the Yellow River basin. Their carts are covered with cowhide on the outside, looking rough and tattered, lacking any aesthetic appeal, and are incomparable to the oxcarts of the Jiangnan gentry. However, the interior is lined with sheepskin, and a dozen or so people can squeeze into the cart, making it quite warm.

Strong liquor to ward off the cold was also kept inside the car.

The grassland tribes' horses follow the water and grass, and the people rely on Tongluo, which is actually a wine made from fermented mare's milk and sheep's milk. It is refreshing when it enters the mouth, and after a few breaths, a warm feeling arises from the stomach.

Each vehicle was pulled by three animals, with five or six soldiers taking turns following behind to speed up the journey.

More than two thousand donkeys and mules followed behind, all carrying crossbows.

Against cavalry, relying solely on infantry formations without crossbows puts one in a position of near-defeat.

After marching all night, the soldiers were in high spirits, but the weather was gloomy, the cold wind howled all day, and the sky and earth were dim, as if another heavy snow was about to fall.

This kind of weather actually helped Liu Daogui, making it easier to conceal his marching tracks.

More than 300 livestock have frozen to death or died from exhaustion; this is not the time to worry about them.

After marching for two days, they finally arrived in Liyang.

The corpses of Wei soldiers littered the ground, and no one came to collect them.

Upon entering this area, which was within the scouting range of the Wei army, Liu Daogui did not linger for a moment and ordered his troops to speed up their journey, heading straight for Fangtou...

Xingyang Prefecture.

Bolangsha, south of the Bian River.

During the Qin Dynasty, Zhang Liang became famous after his failed assassination attempt on Qin Shi Huang here.

Now it is the place where Mao Dezhu and Zhao Yuan stationed their troops.

Changsun Fei's eight thousand elite cavalry turned and pursued, and the infantry had no way to escape, so they had no choice but to fight a decisive battle here.

“In the past few years, I have married five daughters and had four sons and six wives. The Zhao family has grown and multiplied. They have been granted five hundred acres of land and a house in Pengcheng, which is enough for them to live on. The governor will also take care of them in the future.”

Zhao Yuan had a simple, honest smile on his face.

Mao Dezhu remained silent, while Mao Yi and Mao Bian behind him watched him quietly.

Zhao Yuan continued, "Hey, I don't have your skills, I only know how to farm, but today something has happened, so it's my turn to step up."

Mao Dezhu finally spoke up, "Second brother, you stay here and lend Brother Zhao a hand."

Mao Yi cupped his hands and said, "Your subordinate obeys!"

Zhao Yuan waved his hand, "No need, I can handle it by myself. You have a greater responsibility, dealing with more than 10,000 people! Among the various armies, Changsun Fei has the largest and most powerful force. To die on one's homeland is to return to one's roots. In the future, I will need you to take good care of my children."

He and Mao Dezhu are both from Xingyang, and they have a special affection for this place.

Mao Dezhu nodded, "Brother Zhao, there's no need for further words. Your children are my children!"

Zhao Yuan led over a warhorse and handed it to Mao Dezhu. "Then it's settled. Go, kill more barbarians, and avenge our elders."

Mao Dezhu mounted his horse, paused briefly, but did not turn back. With a wave of his hand, he and his two thousand-plus riders rode against the wind, heading northwest without looking back.

Zhao Yuan watched them disappear into the distance before turning back to shout to the more than six thousand infantrymen behind him: "Those who are not afraid to die, stay; those who are afraid to die, go back!"

Not a single soldier turned around.

They were soldiers of Yingchuan Zhechong Prefecture, and were responsible for defending the territory. After leaving the city, they never thought of retreating.

The leader of the group said, "Sima, what makes you say that? Back then, Commander Xie's seven thousand Northern Army soldiers were able to defeat hundreds of thousands of barbarians. We also have seven thousand men. Do you think we are afraid of Changsun Fei's eight thousand cavalry?"

"Hahaha, absolutely! Killing Changsun Fei will make us famous throughout the land. Who will dare to look down on our Yingchuan General's Office then!"

Each Zhechong Prefecture was mainly composed of local Jin people, either from the same clan or neighboring families, exhibiting a strong regional character. Liu Daogui, under the pretext of driving out the barbarians and restoring our land, united them to fight against the barbarians together.

Yingchuan Zhechong Prefecture was newly established three years ago, and it cannot compare with established Zhechong Prefectures such as Lanling and Lujun, so its presence has always been weak.

So the soldiers were all holding their breath, wanting to stand out.

Yingchuan is the heart of the Central Plains. Since the Yongjia Rebellion, war has never stopped, and it is one of the most fiercely contested areas. Therefore, the people here are fierce and the young and strong are brave and good at fighting.

The soldiers chatted amongst themselves, their morale soaring.

"Very well, it is my great fortune to be able to fight alongside you all!" Zhao Yuan said, his face full of emotion.

As soon as the soldiers lined up, the ground to the northeast began to tremble rhythmically.

A long, gray-black snake appeared on the horizon, and banners bearing the character "Wei" stood tall in the cold wind.

Although it was dark, the iron gleam of the armor on the warhorses could be seen. Each man rode two horses and carried a spear about two zhang long. The heavy killing intent enveloped the world like the twilight.

The iron horse gallops across the icy river, moving slowly but with even greater force.

The soldiers spoke with great enthusiasm, but when they actually faced the iron cavalry of Wei, it was a completely different story. No one laughed or joked anymore, but no one ran away either.

An ordinary army would have collapsed long ago due to its overwhelming momentum.

These were not the Wei herdsmen they had encountered before, but true elite warriors who had fought countless battles. Their aura was completely different; they were like a group of iron beasts, ready to cause rivers of blood to flow in an instant.

Zhao Yuan's expression turned serious. He picked up a spear and stood at the front. "Archers, prepare."

With a "whoosh," the two thousand soldiers in the back row drew their bows and nocked their arrows.

At a distance of about a hundred paces, the opposing cavalry suddenly stopped. They lined up in a row, long spears raised, and a bloodthirsty glint appeared in their eyes, like wild beasts scrutinizing their prey...

(End of this chapter)