Song Dynasty

Chapter 319 All Come (Part [-])

Yingzhou, the gateway to Jianghan.

A not-so-wide plain connects the Jianghan Plain and the Nanyang Basin.

If the weather is good, you can even see Zhangshan Mountain in the west, Tianmen Mountain in the west and Hengmu Mountain in the east.In ancient times when transportation was underdeveloped, this was the only way for the northern army to go south and the southern army to go north.

Also because of this, in this wild land, the past dynasties do not know how many people died.In the dark, starless and moonless night, a little bit of phosphorous fire floated in the distance, but it was taken away by the gust of wind in an instant.

It was a team of light cavalry scouts who blew up the gust of wind, and their horseshoes won. Among the 20 people, Wo Rong took the lead and led the way.

As a general in command of the army, before coming to Yingzhou, he had already memorized all the maps he could get.After arriving at the ground, he rode his horse all over the mountains and rivers in Jingshan County every day.The familiarity with geography surpasses that of locals.

Today, he personally led the team out to spy on the enemy.In fact, in the past today, he has never slept peacefully in the barracks.The situation is already so urgent. As a careful person, you have to see everything with your own eyes before you can feel at ease.

Sitting on the saddle for a long time, even though Fang Worong had a pair of bowed legs suitable for riding a horse, the inner thighs were still worn out, and the slightest movement would cause excruciating pain.

However, as the leader of an army, no matter how painful it is, he has to suffer deeply.He knew that the main reason why he became Marquis of Du Yu in the White Army was because he was supported by Wang Daosi.It is an open secret that Wang Junshi likes scholars. As long as soldiers in the army can read a few words and can make meritorious service on the battlefield, they will be promoted exceptionally.

Because of this, Fang Worong suddenly gained a high position, and this time he even led an army alone, which naturally made the three armies dissatisfied.Tabai received the best treatment in Sizhou, and the soldiers were proud and arrogant, and they couldn't be restrained if they weren't personalities.

Because of this, he still straightened his waist, for fear of being underestimated by his subordinates.

"Yuhou, we have been running in the wild for four days. You said that the Jurchens would come, but why haven't we seen even a hair yet. The fighting in our hometown is in full swing. As the main force of the Sizhou army, we were killed Sent here to drink the northwest wind, just thinking about it makes people suffocate. In my opinion, the Jurchens may not have arrived in Xiangyang, and even if they went to Xiangyang, they may not have gone south. Yuhou, you are too timid, and you send a large team of scouts all day long Search around. If this continues, we may be exhausted before the Tartars arrive."

Another cavalryman shouted: "Fourth, what are you complaining about? Since Marquis Yu has given the order, let's carry it out. Is it possible that you dare to disobey orders and feel impatient to live?"

The fourth cavalryman was scolded by his companion, and said: "Yes, yes, Brother Tong is right. We soldiers naturally take obedience as our duty. However, running around like this is not an option. Since the first day of the army, there has been nothing but attack. It is so suspicious that it is too much trouble to spread the warning circle for sixty miles. If you spread it again, you will spread it to Changshou County, the state capital. According to me, longevity is simply taken away. It's easy. If you continue to toss like this, everyone will almost have no strength."

The boy soldier didn't bother to pay attention to the fourth child, so Wo Rong apologized and said with a smile: "Yu Hou, the fourth child has such a temperament, please bear with me." Although the words were polite, there was a hint of disapproval in the words.

This was Fang Worong's first time leading an army. Although he was a stepping officer before, Lao Guo did the training, and Wang Shen personally led the troops.He is only responsible for charging forward with his head down, but his prestige is not established, and everyone does not give him much respect.

At this moment, I didn't know what to say, so I just said in a low voice: "It is the order of my wife and Deputy Lu to be stationed in Yingzhou to prevent the Jurchens from invading south."

All the cavalrymen smiled slightly: "Yes, yes, we naturally obey Madam's order. Her old man said that the Jurchen Tartars are coming, so naturally they will come. Let's cheer up."

In the words, it is obvious that Fang Worong is not taken seriously.

Fang Worong had no choice but to walk in silence for a long time before asking: "How many teams of scouts shall we send out tonight?"

The cavalryman called the fourth replied: "Reporting to Marquis Yu, there are a total of six teams taking alternate shifts. Now it's time for the handover. Let's go back?"

Fang Worong: "Wait, wait until the handover person arrives."

Just as he was talking, there was another rumble of horseshoes in front of him.Hearing this movement, Fang Worong heaved a long sigh of relief for some reason. It should be that the scouts on duty have arrived, and now they can finally go back to the camp for a short rest.

"who?"

Three long whistles and two short whistles sounded. Unlike the expected scouting team of 20 people, only three people came; "Is Fang Yuhou in front?"

"Exactly, Shi Dutou, aren't you in the barracks? Why are you here?" Fang Worong recognized him, and rode over to ask, "What happened?"

In the middle of the night, a senior military officer came to look for him in person, making him feel that something was wrong.

Shi Dutou said in a low voice: "Reporting to Marquis Yu, there are people from Li Xianggong's side."

"Li Xianggong?" Fang Worong was taken aback.

Shi Dutou said: "Yes, Li Yanping and Li Xianggong sent people over, saying that there is an urgent military matter, and they are waiting in the barracks."

All the cavalry scolded in a low voice: "It turns out that Mr. Li Heng sent people here. What are they doing here? The night owls must have no good intentions to enter the house."

Fang Worong nodded: "Okay, I'll go back to the camp to see him right away."

Ever since Wang Shen led the army to crusade against the Manichaeism in Hunan, Li Heng was the nominally the highest military and political official in the entire Jianghan region, although no one in the Sizhou Army took him seriously.

However, Fang Worong is a standard scholar of this era, the concept of monarch and minister, the concept of family, family and country is deeply rooted in the bone marrow, and he attaches great importance to etiquette.Immediately, he led his men all the way to the barracks, and he was also wondering why Mr. Li Heng suddenly sent people to Yingzhou. Did something happen in Anlu's hometown?

Thinking of this, he felt a little worried, but he forgot to wait for the scouts from the post to come over before leaving.

Just as he was leaving for a pot of tea, a group of cavalrymen in leather armor and ermine caps came tiptoing over leading their horses.

There were about ten people, and the leader probably had the heat of walking, took off his hat, and let out a long breath: "Zhi Niang, it's the end of autumn, and the weather is still hot, this southerner The land really does not support people, I feel that my bones are almost soaked by this moisture."

He speaks a standard northern Han accent. If he hadn't had the braids of money and rat tails on his head, and the top of his head was shaved green, he would really be regarded as a southerner.

This man was extremely strong, his face was dark and weather-beaten, and he exuded a powerful aura.

After walking a few steps, he stopped with a cry of surprise, and squatted on the ground to watch carefully.

Behind him, a cavalryman smiled and said, "General Ma Wu, you should be a little more careful, right? Song cavalry, who are less than a thousand, why worry?"

That's right, the leader is General Jinwuwei of the Jin Kingdom, Wushu's confidant, Yelu Mawu, the general of the Liao Kingdom who searched the mountains and seas to capture Zhao Gou last year.

Yelu Mawu withdrew from Jiangnan to the Yangtze River, but was ambushed by Niu Gao on the way.He was not beaten to death by Niu Gao as in the real history, but he used Ji to defeat Henan Xiangyong who was gathered by Niu Gao.According to the arrangement of the Jin Army, he should lead his troops to garrison in Shanxi.

However, just as his troops were resting in the Henan Mansion of Xijing, Wushu suddenly ordered him to take three thousand elite troops to Xiangyang and wait for the opportunity to attack the Sizhou Army in Anlu, accompanied by Wanyan Xiyin's three thousand cavalry.

Ma Wu snorted: "Soldiers, the place of life and death, the way of life and death, you must not be careless. The Sizhou Army is our old opponent. The last time we were in Jiankang Mansion, we didn't suffer under Wang Shen's hands. In front of him is his most elite cavalry unit, how could he not be careful?"

Speaking of this, the bloody storm of that night came to mind again.Those brave fighters fell one after another in a pool of blood, screaming for days, and the flickering knife light sent a chill down the spine.

Yes, I have never encountered such a strong army. How could those cowardly Song people become so fierce?

Hearing him mention the battle of Jiankang, resentment appeared on the faces of the scouts behind him, and someone whispered: "General Ma Wu, we didn't have a boat that day, and we didn't have a few people passing by at a time. We are dissatisfied with the defeat."

"Yes, we are not convinced. When we meet them this time, we have to teach those southerners a lesson." The others roared in a low voice.

"Everyone be quiet!" Ma Wu suddenly shouted: "The enemy's scouts have come." As he spoke, he pointed to a piece of fallen weeds on the ground.

After all his subordinates closed their mouths, Ma Wu sneered in a low voice: "It seems that the general of the enemy's white army is a careful person, and the scouts are so open. It's a pity, it's a pity..."

A scout from Liao said with a smile: "It's a pity that they still didn't expect our main force to circle such a big circle and come behind them."

Ma Wu's expression froze: "This time our army cut off the way back to Baibai, and the main force of Gushen gave the enemy a closed door to beat the dog. The disaster of 81 was over, and the last trembling was over. The Fuhe Ferry is ahead. It is the main traffic road of Yingcheng County, De'an Prefecture, the base camp of Tabai and Wang Shen. If they stay there, the enemy cavalry will have nowhere to escape. It is strange today, that such an important place has not encountered Wang Shen's scouts. It's our luck."

A scout from Liao said in a low voice: "General Ma Wu, could it be that we just happened to encounter an enemy scout changing his guard?"

Yeluma nodded five times: "This may be very big. Give me an order to release all the far barriers and closely monitor the movement of Tabai. The main force behind will pass quickly to hold the official road and the ferry."

"Yes!" Several distant cavalry responded, jumped on their horses and rushed out quickly.

Someone put a bone whistle in his mouth and blew, and the sharp whistling echoed in the wilderness.

In the night light, sparkling waves flickered in the distance, like a raging ocean tide.

Looking intently, there are countless Khitan troops in iron armor and holding weapons, galloping on horseback.

They came so fast that they filled their eyes in a blink of an eye, showing extremely high tactical literacy and strong physical fitness.

"Let's go, seize the Fuhe wharf before Tabai arrives, and seal the big passage." Yeluma jumped on his horse five times, and rushed out like a gust of wind.

He gritted his teeth and prayed silently on the heaving horse: Bodhisattva bless, Bodhisattva bless me, Khitan, to avenge my great revenge!

Yes, it's truly blessed by the Bodhisattva, the army came here today and didn't come across a white ranger.However, this opportunity is lost, so we must seize it.

He was also beating drums in his heart: "Must, please get to the ferry before our army passes through this wilderness!"

The Bodhisattva in the sky probably heard his prayer, or the Tabai army was negligent. For more than half an hour, there was not a single Tabai scout in this wilderness. Arrived at Fuhe Ferry.

(End of this chapter)