Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 71 Send Troops
The Cao family naturally agreed with the idea of ​​sending troops, as they had also suffered greatly from it in recent years.

However, we have to wait until after spring plowing, as we cannot delay the farming season.

"The bandits thought our army was going to spring plowing, so they let down their guard. Your Cao family will send 500 strong men, my men will be the vanguard, and your men will assist with bows and crossbows."

Cao Ji hesitated for a moment and then said, "I still need to report this matter to my father."

As soon as Liu Daogui heard that Cao Tengyun had to agree, he knew there was no hope.

Speed ​​is of the essence in war. The longer it takes, the more likely it is that the news will leak out.

After the spring plowing, the bandits in the mountains will know that everything is fine down there and will become alert.

Liu Daogui gritted his teeth and said, "One hundred people, just pick one hundred capable disciples and add a few guides!"

The battle of Chishan Village gave us a basic understanding of the combat capability of the bandits.

Thieves are always thieves and cannot be compared with the Northern Army.

Moreover, many of Liu Daogui's veteran soldiers had experienced the Battle of Feishui. It was a bit exaggerated to say that he could fight one against a hundred, but fighting one against five was definitely no problem.

If we delay until after the spring plowing, the thieves will come down the mountain without restraint and we will be put in a passive position.

"What are the chances of winning?" Cao Ji hesitated.

This question is really unprofessional. Anything can happen on the battlefield. Who can guarantee victory?

However, those who dare not take the initiative have no chance of winning.

“Marching and fighting is like cutting through the Gordian knot. If you look ahead and behind, you will accomplish nothing.”

Liu Daogui felt a little helpless. He was so poor that he dared to risk his life. But Cao Ji lived a good life, so it was understandable that he was unwilling to take risks.

After thinking for a long time, Cao Ji gritted his teeth and said, "One hundred men is one hundred men. I can make the decision. I can also add twenty armored soldiers and fifteen cavalrymen! Although the descendants of my Cao family are not as good as the Northern Palace Army, they are also experienced in hundreds of battles!"

Liu Daogui bowed and said, "Thank you, Brother Cao!"

The two sides together had sixty-seven armored soldiers and twenty-four cavalrymen, greatly enhancing their strength.

The troops were assembled the next afternoon. Cao Ji also thoughtfully prepared food and fodder, loading three wooden carts.

The 421 soldiers among the conquered troops were happy to hear about the war. Liu Guangzhi, Liu Zun, Liu Heibin, Zhou Zheng, Zhao Lunzhi and other elite generals were among them, and the other soldiers were also ready to move.

The Cao family members were not as active. The atmosphere was a bit heavy, and there was a hint of suspicion and fear on their faces.

Liu Daogui glanced at Cao Ji. A man who had experienced many battles shouldn't have such an expression when hearing about the war...

"I won't say more. If you want to eat meat, just follow me!"

"Kill!" The Northern Army soldiers howled like wild beasts.

The Cao family members were so frightened that their faces changed.

At this time, Gao Xun came over and whispered, "Daozhe, our military farming order has been posted for a whole day, and few people have come."

Military farming was originally a good thing, but it has been ruined over the past hundred years and has lost all its credibility.

Many refugees who moved south were from the same clan and were extremely united. They certainly did not want to jump into the fire pit and become slaves for generations.

The General's Office of the Conquering the Enemy originally planned to implement a military farming policy in the counties north of the Huai River, but no one responded and the plan was abandoned.

Liu Daogui was mentally prepared. "This matter requires further consideration. Let me think it over. You and Zhao Yuan should first organize the refugees in the city and plant the fields in Lushui Pond."

Gao Xun said helplessly, "That's the only way."

"Don't worry, as long as I win this battle and make a name for myself, the refugees will surrender!"

Most of the refugees in the city are lonely and helpless, so the problem should not be too big.

The difficult part is those people who live in clans outside the city.

Killing a chicken to scare the monkey, the monkey will not be afraid if the knife is not stained with blood.

No matter what you do these days, if you don’t resort to violence, it won’t be convincing and others won’t be afraid.

First establish authority, then establish credibility, and finally you can get things done.

"Let's go!" Liu Daogui waved his hand.

The soldiers cheered and their eyes were full of desires.

The battle of Chishan Village was won, but the spoils were not much, just a few women.

This time was different. The Taishan bandits had been stationed there for at least twenty years, burning, killing, and looting, accumulating a considerable amount of wealth. Xiao Tingzhi had previously mentioned that they would provide the Taishan bandits with food every year in exchange for them not harassing the Xiao family.

There is more than just Lanling County around Mount Niu. There are also Rencheng, Gaoping, Langya, and Taishan counties scattered around. The more chaotic the world is, the richer the bandits become.

Those who are stronger can capture cities and territories.

Under the guidance of the guide, the troops hid during the day and moved at night. Along the way, Liu Daogui kept encouraging the troops, saying, "You can take as much gold, silver, and silk as you like from the stronghold!"

"Hahaha, just the words 'join the army' are enough!"

"Aren't they just a bunch of bandits? We fought alongside Commander Xie at the Battle of Feishui, hundreds of thousands of barbarians, and we didn't even blink an eye!"

Morale became increasingly high.

He even tried to comfort Liu Daogui...

In less than two days, they arrived at the foot of the mountain.

But as they rushed along, many people fell behind. Zhou Zheng and Liu Guangzhi counted the number of people and found that seven soldiers had fallen behind, which was still within a reasonable range. Two of them had sprained their ankles and one had diarrhea. The remaining four people took care of them.

A lot of Cao family members were left behind. Out of a hundred and thirty-five people, sixty-two were missing, and even two of the guides had run away...

Cao Ji always claimed to be a "battle-hardened elite", but I didn't expect him to look like this.

But if you think about it carefully, you can understand that those who have the same desire will win. It was Cao Ji who was willing to send troops, and these "elite soldiers who have experienced hundreds of battles" might have been forced to join.

The Taishan bandits are notorious. The Cao family has lived in peace with them for so many years, so of course they don't want to risk their lives.

The soldiers brought by Liu Daogui were different. They were so poor that their eyes were green with greed, and they all hoped to make a fortune.

Poverty is the driving force. Only those who are poor are willing to risk their lives. This is human nature.

Just like the high-ranking families of overseas Chinese in Jiangzuo, in the Central Dynasty, except for Wang, Xun and Chen, most of the others were second-rate aristocrats. After arriving in Jiangzuo, they became top-tier families, living a life of luxury, eating and drinking the best food, and living a life of drunkenness and dreams. How could they be willing to go to the north to fight a bloody battle with the Hu people?
Mount Niqiu is one hundred and twenty miles in circumference, stretching between Yan and Xu. The mountain is lush and green, covered with towering ancient trees. The morning mist has not yet dissipated, and the mountain road is a bit rugged, but not steep.

There were bursts of voices coming from the mountainside.

They must be thieves on patrol, still discussing the woman they robbed last night...

A large flag with the word "Zhang" on it was faintly visible in the mountain wind. The bandit camp was stuck at the mountain pass. It was quite large. Arrow towers of various sizes stood on the cliffs, and they were made of bluestone. If there was a normal attack, there would inevitably be heavy casualties.

There were a few sounds of women sobbing, and the thief's impatient scolding: "Why are you howling so early in the morning? I'll cook you first!"

The woman's cries grew more terrified, but soon turned into a sharp scream.

Peace returned to the mountain.

"Drag it away and wash and peel it clean!"

Liu Daogui originally planned to let the soldiers rest for two hours to replenish their mental and physical strength, but when he heard these voices, a murderous intent suddenly surged in his heart.

Those who are called "thieves" in this era are all extremely cruel and capable of doing anything.

The soldiers could no longer hold back, "Let's take advantage of the fog and kill these beasts by surprise!"

"We have the right time, right place, and right people. What are we afraid of?"

Seeing that the morale was high, Liu Daogui waved his hand and shouted, "Attack!"

The soldiers climbed up like monkeys.

The Cao family's children fell behind and were obviously inferior to these old soldiers.

The Northern Army’s reputation as the best army in the world is not earned for nothing. The soldiers’ fighting spirit, physical strength, and willpower are among the best.

Liu Guangzhi, who was climbing in the front, was almost touching the wall of the bandits' camp.

But the thief still didn't make any movement.

"Ah——" At this moment, a scream came from behind.

Liu Daogui looked behind him and saw a soldier from the Cao family slipping and rolling down the mountain path, screaming miserably.

call out--

A dozen birds flew into the sky, singing loudly.

The whole mountain suddenly became quiet.

(End of this chapter)