Prince of Song Dynasty

Chapter 992 Lead the snake out of the hole

As the Tubo army and the Azure Dragon Army entered the country, there was a sudden rush of chaos wherever they passed.But neither the Tubo people nor the Azure Dragon Army paid any attention to Pingliang Village and the three county towns, and chased and fled until they approached the main city of Xizhou.

In the second year of Tianding, on September 1th, Zheri Shimu's [-] Tubo army "fleeed" outside Xizhou City in embarrassment, and asked Zhang Baifa, the guard of Xizhou City, for help. Zhang Baifa, like Kong Lingwu, the guard of Minzhou, had previously After receiving instructions from Zhao Pu and Cao Bin, we should try our best to support and assist the Tubo army to escape from the Xiangfu army.Although the [-] Tubo troops were chased by the more than [-] Xiangfu army and fled to the foot of Xizhou City, Zhang Baifa was shocked, but he was relieved when he thought about the combat power of the legendary Xiangfu army.

Now, since there are instructions from the Prime Minister who controls the government and the Privy Council envoy Mr. Cao who controls the army, although Zhang Baifa is the same as Kong Lingwu, he is unwilling to rescue the Tibetans, but the Tibetans have already arrived at the city. If he does not take any action, then the Prime Minister and The privy envoy will definitely not let him go, and the commander of this party will also be the end, not to mention that Zhu Zhengxi, the magistrate of Xizhou, is the direct descendant of the prime minister Zhao Pu, and Zhu Zhengxi will definitely report to the prime minister after his every move.

However, the defenders of Xizhou and Minzhou have fought intermittently with the Hehuang Tibetans over the years. Compared with the Xiangfu Kingdom, both Zhang Baifa and his soldiers are somewhat hostile, vigilant and disgusted.Therefore, after Zhang Baifa and Xizhou Zhizhou received the envoy of Zheri Shimu together, they finally did not agree to let the Tubo people enter the city, but allowed the Tubo people to be stationed within the attack range of Xizhou defenders' bows, crossbows, and catapults. Inside, and dropped some food and grass from the city.As for the more than 1 troops of the Qinglong Legion of the Xiangfu Kingdom, in the eyes of Zhang Baifa and Zhu Zhengxi, they were obviously chasing after them hastily, not to mention that there were no reinforcements behind, and they didn't even have food and grass supplies.Presumably he will retire soon.After all, Xiangfu Kingdom has fought battles spanning spring, summer and autumn since the beginning of spring.

In this way, Zhang Dawei led the Qinglong Army to approach Xizhou. More than 1 troops were stationed about ten miles north of Xizhou, and sent envoys to let the Xizhou guards drive away the Tubo people with long-range attacks, let alone provide food and grass for the Tubo people. It is time to start a war against Song Dynasty.

Faced with the threat of the Xiangfu army that has been suppressing the Song army for more than a year, although Zhu Zhengxi and Zhang Baifa were a little nervous, they immediately sent a fast horse to report to Zhao Pu and Cao Bin in Qinzhou and Kaifeng, Qinfeng Road Prefecture, However, I don't think that the more than 1 troops of the Qinglong Army, which has no siege equipment and is obviously not ready for the siege, can do anything to Xizhou City, which has [-] defenders and [-] Tubo friendly troops outside the city.After all, there are five times the iron law of besieging the city and ten times the siege. Although the army of the Xiangfu Kingdom is powerful, it is a dream to try to capture Xizhou under such circumstances.

Of course, Zhu Zhengxi and Zhang Baifa hadn't thought about going out of the city to fight with the army of Xiangfu Kingdom.

But then Zhang Dawei's next move made Zhu Zhengxi and Zhang Baifa very nervous. Zhang Dawei first sent 1 infantry to attack Mawu County, which is west of Xizhou City. After being transported, in the eyes of Zhu Zhengxi and Zhang Baifa, it was clearly a plan to attack Xizhou.If they were not afraid of Zhao Pu and Cao Bin, Zhu Zhengxi and Zhang Baifa really wanted to drive the Tubo people away with various long-range attacks from the top of the city, so as to eliminate this innocent disaster.But now that there is no choice under the power of Zhao Pu and Cao Bin, we have to consider how to drive the more than [-] troops of Xiangfu Kingdom out of Xizhou, or even defeat them.

To achieve this goal, Zhu Zhengxi and Zhang Baifa believed that although it was definitely not easy, it was not impossible. After all, there were 2000 garrisons in Xizhou, the main city of Xizhou, and [-] garrisons in each of the three county towns and Pingliangzhai. There are already [-] people. Although the combat power cannot be compared with the Imperial Army of the Song Dynasty or even the Northwest Frontier Army, it is still a regular army that has fought.What's more, there are still [-] Tubo troops!No matter how powerful Xiangfu's army is, how many times three or four times stronger can't defeat you?
After such a calculation, Zhu Zhengxi and Zhang Baifa not only no longer feared Zhang Dawei's subordinates, but also had the idea of ​​taking this opportunity to take down this daring army of more than 1 Xiangfu Kingdom and make great contributions.

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Zhang Dawei camped his army on a flat ground only more than ten miles away from Xizhou, and his logistics supply line was completely exposed to the attack range of Zhao Zhongqing, the guard of Pingliang Village. In order to protect the fragile supply line, Xiangfu Kingdom At least two to 3000 troops are required to escort the food and supplies to the Qinglong Army camp outside the northern city of Xizhou to ensure that it is difficult for Zhao Zhongqing to successfully attack.

Zhao Zhongqing's past experience and personality have long been compiled into a book by the spies of the Ministry of Security and sent to Zhang Dawei. Zhao Zhongqing is Zhao Pu's nephew. The safer places are gold-plated, and they will be reused when the time is right.Zhao Zhongqing is conceited and eager to make contributions, and attaches great importance to fame.Therefore, it can be easily judged that Zhao Zhongqing will definitely aim at the logistics line of Xiangfu country's army in this situation.Moreover, Zhao Zhongqing was familiar with the terrain, and compared to escorting the food and grass army, they had recharged their energy and stored up their energy, and even if they were unsuccessful, they could easily retreat to Pingliang Village.

Therefore, since the spies sent by Zhao Zhongqing reported the discovery of Xiangfu country's food and grass supply team, Zhao Zhongqing had already started planning to find opportunities to rob and kill Xiangfu country's food and grass.Although Xiangfu State has an army of 2000 escorts, and he himself has only 3000, according to Zhao Zhongqing, who has never fought against the army of Xiangfu State, as long as he seizes the opportunity, it is not impossible to win a big battle, and even more so. The most important thing is that, in his view, if the opponent's logistics supplies are destroyed, the Xiangfu army under the city of Xizhou will surely collapse without a fight. It is also very possible for the army to completely wipe out Zhang Dawei's troops. If successful, he will be the first to destroy the enemy.

Thinking of this great feat, Zhao Zhongqing's heart itched as he took it for granted that he was dreaming his own dream.

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On September 3000th, under the watchful eyes of Zhang Baifa, the guard at the head of Xizhou City, Zhang Dawei sent another [-] troops to the north. The [-] troops could not attack the county town and the army stronghold. Afterwards, I suddenly thought of Zhao Zhongqing from Pingliang Village, and broke out in a cold sweat. Xiang Zhuang danced his sword, aiming at Pei Gong. Zhang Dawei was able to find out some information through the security department and judge Zhao Zhongqing's character and habits. How could Zhang Baifa, Zhao Zhongqing's boss? Can you not know Zhao Zhongqing's character.Now it seems that Zhang Dawei's siege of Xizhou is only a fake, and it is true to lure Zhao Zhongqing out of Pingliang village, surround and kill him, and even take advantage of the emptiness of Pingliang village. Zhang Dawei must have arranged a big trap waiting for Zhao Zhongqing.

"Come, come!" Zhang Baifa shouted with a gloomy expression.

It’s not too late to make up for it, but the problem is that Xizhou is now surrounded by Zhang Dawei. Although the army of Xiangfu Kingdom is limited, it cannot be surrounded like an iron barrel, but he sent his own messenger to break out. ?Zhang Baifa thought anxiously, now he doesn't care so much, he can only send more people out, as long as one can stand out, it will be considered a success.

His message to Zhao Zhongqing was only one: "Never leave Pingliang Village."

Among the several groups Zhang Baifa sent out, one of the teams was led by his nephew Zhang Xingqiang. Zhang Xingqiang was in his prime of life. If he wasn't Zhao Pu's direct relative, Zhang Baifa would definitely not send him out to die, but Zhang Baifa watched all the generals around him, and only Zhang Xingqiang could break out of the encirclement and report to Zhao Zhongqing.And if Zhao Zhongqing was really killed by Zhang Dawei, Zhang Baifa believed that Prime Minister Zhao Pu would definitely take his anger out on him. Although he was considered his confidant, he couldn't be more close than his direct relative!
Four groups of people broke out in four different directions. Zhang Xingqiang lived up to Zhang Baifa's entrustment. While the other three teams were wiped out, Zhang Xingqiang, who was bloodied and heavily armored, finally managed to stand out after destroying most of the accompanying elite soldiers. Surrounded by the siege, he ran wildly for more than ten miles. After getting rid of the pursuers, he quickly turned towards Pingliang Village.

Zhang Xingqiang knew that he was fighting for time with Zhang Dawei's army in Xiangfu Kingdom.At dawn, Zhang Xingqiang's war horse fell dead outside Pingliang village. Zhang Xingqiang followed him for several years regardless of heartache.

But what made him feel cold was that Zhao Zhongqing had already led the army to attack in the second half of last night, and there were only [-] soldiers left behind in Pingliang Village.

The frightened Zhang Xingqiang didn't care about explaining anything, and loudly ordered 300 of the remaining soldiers to prepare their horses and attack with him. He hoped to stop Zhao Zhongqing before he was caught in a trap.

Three hundred cavalry galloped out of Pingliang village like the wind, and rushed to the direction where Zhao Zhongqing left.

Two hours later, Zhang Xingqiang stopped on top of a hill. Looking down from the hill, the fierce battlefield was just around the corner. Zhao Zhongqing's [-] troops were surrounded and surrounded by the [-] troops of Xiangfu Kingdom. Usually, the coats are removed layer by layer, but in the formation, Zhao Zhongqing's figure stands out.

"Commander Zhang, let's kill and rescue General Zhao!" A confidant of Zhao Zhongqing who stayed behind in Pingliangzhai said loudly.

Zhang Xingqiang closed his eyes in pain, and said: "The other party has six to seven thousand people. Our little manpower will be of no use if we go away. It will only add to the other party's merits. Let's go, let's kill!" Go back to Xizhou and ask General Zhang for help."

(End of this chapter)