When Liu Cong left, he selected five thousand strong men to go north to Puzi.
It's not that we don't want to deploy more troops, it's just that there are objective difficulties.
The Huns have moved many core tribes westward in recent years, and they themselves have been defeated in consecutive battles. Where can they find many troops?
Liu Cong only had 6,000 imperial troops at his disposal.
So in this expedition, he really made a desperate move and took away all the soldiers who could fight.
At this point, there are only a few hundred Imperial Guards left in Pingyang City, plus guards, city gate captains, and miscellaneous people managed by the Pingyang Order - these people are good at suppressing the ground, but they are really not good at fighting.
There are still guards in the palace, but these people can catch thieves and arrange ceremonial guards, but fighting is very difficult.
On the morning of the 19th, Liu Cong felt a chill in his heart when he saw Pingyang Dingzhuang and other herdsmen arriving one after another.
I usually stay aloof, but I don't know that the local area is already like this.
The people who came upon orders were old and young, young and young, but not many young.
Liu Cong suddenly looked at Chariot and Cavalry General Wang Teng, he was the one who did this.
Wang Teng did not panic and reported: "Your Majesty, we have been recruiting elites since the beginning of the year, and now there are not many of them. The number of people crossing the west is increasing day by day, and a lot of elites have gone. Yesterday, Your Majesty issued an edict,
I selected five thousand strong men to go north to Puzi, and I did as I was told."
A clever woman cannot make a meal without rice.
That's what it is. I've made it clear and you can do what you want.
Among the five tribes of the Xiongnu, there were many nobles.
The Liu family and the Huyan family basically wear the same pair of trousers. They have been married for generations, and they both prosper and lose.
There are other surnames such as Wang, Bu, Qiao, Jin, and Ma, each with its own tribe.
Wang Teng was born in the Wang family. Before him, there were Wang Zhang and Wang Hun who followed Liu Yuan and served in the Sima Ying shogunate, and later returned to the Huns as officials. Overall, the Wang family actually has a close relationship with the Liu family, and they are relatively loyal.
of nobility.
Wang Teng tried his best on the tasks assigned by Liu Cong.
Young men are not stupid, they have long legs and can hide and run.
Clan leaders and tribal leaders also have selfish motives, coupled with the short time, various factors combine to create the current situation——
There are a lot of old people in their forties or fifties with gray beards.
There were a lot of teenagers with runny noses and childish faces.
Of course, there are still some strong and strong people, but they are relatively rare.
Liu Cong thought for a while, but couldn't bear to be harshly criticized, so he sighed silently and said: "Now that the troops and horses are ready, let's send troops here."
After that, he got into the royal chariot.
The civil and military courtiers followed around in a mighty manner.
General Guanwei Bu Tuo was ordered to stay in Pingyang.
At this moment, he stood at the top of the city, looking at the more than 20,000 troops marching tragically south, and couldn't help but hide his tears and sigh.
He knew about the recruitment of young men and felt very sad.
We need troops in Luliang Mountain, Guanjuejin, Zhiguan, Hongnong, and Wuling Road. By the way, there are still thousands of strong men on the north and south roads of Wuling. They should have been ordered to do so.
The contraction retraced.
Soldiers are needed everywhere, and people are dying everywhere. Now, is the Han Dynasty about to lose its country and destroy its species?
He turned and looked north again.
In the vast mountains, bloody fighting continues, but no one knows how many days they can resist.
I really hope the snow falls a little heavier to slow down Shao Thief's advance and buy the emperor more time.
He looked to the west again.
The weather is getting colder and colder, and the river is about to freeze. What is the prince's plan?
In fact, he didn't want the prince to come because Hedong had rebelled, and the army passed through here, and all the logistics and food routes were exposed to the wealthy people in Hedong.
I heard that the prince had appeared in Feng Yi, and the vanguard had even crossed the river, which might be able to help the emperor.
****
After Liu Cong went south, he advanced very quickly and went straight to Wenxi.
But Wenxi was not the first battle, but Jiexian was: on the 20th, the Xiongnu marched eastward with more than ten thousand people on foot and cavalry, and defeated the young men recruited by the Liu family.
On the 22nd, after Shao Shen and Yang Hui cleared away the remaining enemies, they arrived at Anyi to discuss their next move.
Liu Cong retreated to Pingyang, so instead of worrying about taking care of him, Shao Shen proposed to attack Pujin Pass to cut off the Xiongnu's retreat.
At this moment, the river will be frozen, but if it is delayed for a while, it will be frozen. The ice of the newly frozen Yellow River is thin and brittle, and it is not strong enough, so people and horses cannot cross it, so they have to wait for a while.
These days when the ice is thin and brittle are hard to endure.
Unable to sail, unable to leave, we can only stare. However, there are pontoons in the three cities of Pujin Pass, but they can pass people and horses. As long as this place is captured, Liu Cong will not be able to escape.
Yang Hui was a little hesitant.
The soldiers he brought were mostly Puyang, Chenliu, Gaoping, and Dongping soldiers, and their combat effectiveness varied. Especially the soldiers from Puyang and Chenliu were originally Dingzhuang soldiers, and their combat effectiveness was not as good as that of the Xiongnu regular army.
After a few years, there was some improvement, but it was only slightly stronger, which was a bit risky.
Shao Shen saw through his thoughts and was a little unhappy, saying: "How can there be a sure win in a war? You are so timid, you might as well go back and continue to be a supervisor. What kind of soldiers will you bring?"
Yang Hui was born in Yanggongwu, Yiyang, and was an old acquaintance with Shao Shen. He felt a little ashamed after hearing this, so he stopped arguing and just muttered: "The defenders of Pujin Pass may not go to war."
Shao Shen was about to say something when he saw the messenger hurrying in and reported: "Two governors, Liu Cong led his army southward three days ago and rushed directly to the east of the river. His vanguard's elite cavalry had arrived outside Wenxi City, intercepted and killed the messenger, and massacred them.
People, we still don’t know where Liu Cong is.”
Shao Shen and Yang Hui looked at each other after hearing this.
The argument is over.
No matter when, Liu Cong is more worthy of attention. After all, he is the emperor and more valuable.
Shao Shen cleared his throat and wanted to say something else, but was interrupted again.
Another messenger came in and reported: "The Marquis has asked the two governors to attack Pujin Pass to block Liu Can's reinforcements."
"Damn it, you're trying to steal credit!" Shao Shen said angrily.
But he just got angry.
He was in Anyi, and Hou Feihu had just left Wangwu Mountain. Logically speaking, it was up to them to stop Liu Can.
If he competes with Hou Feihu for credit, causing his flank to be exposed and the entire army to collapse, his uncle will definitely not be able to spare him.
Not to mention the nephew, the son must be beheaded.
After thinking about it, he sighed and was about to accept it, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw that the messenger hadn't left yet, and said displeasedly: "What else is there?"
"Marquis Du Shang borrowed the troops from Xialou, Liangqiu, and Jiafu Sanlongxiang Mansion and their tribes," the messenger said.
"My maidservant!" Shao Shen finally couldn't hold back his anger and cursed loudly.
Even Yang Hui, who always had a good temper, looked worried.
Hou Feihu is also shrewd. Among the soldiers from the various prefectures, these three men from Longxiang Prefecture are the most capable. They are all the foundation of the Laoyamen Army. Are they going to borrow them?
The messenger lowered his head and did not dare to say anything.
After being quiet for a long time, Shao Shen suppressed his anger and said: "Lend it! Lend it to him! If he can't bring Liu Cong's head back, I will scold him when I see him in the future."
After saying that, he glanced at Yang Hui and said: "Let's go to Yishi, solve the county, and push Liu Can to the west."
****
On the 24th, more than 20,000 Xiongnu troops set up camp outside Pei's manor, waiting for orders.
Liu Cong regretted it a little.
Since going south, I haven't been able to capture the enemy.
There were Wubao everywhere, and Zhuangke Buqu was hiding inside, looking at them with indifferent eyes.
The attack can certainly be captured, but at what cost?
The Pei family's manor is quite large and has a large number of villagers. On the border of Hedong, it may not be as good at fighting as the Fenyin Xue family, but it still has a certain fighting ability, otherwise it would have been dealt with by the imperial court.
Now everyone is looking at him, waiting for him to make a decision.
Liu Cong suddenly had some enlightenment.
The civil and military courtiers were willing to follow him on his personal expedition, wasn't it because he wanted to leave Pingyang?
Prince Shen, the minister of the Central Government, had already secretly told him that the ministers of the court had sent some of their nephews to the west of Guanzhong, and some even sent their wives away, leaving only concubines with them.
As long as their son is gone, these people won't be afraid. Now I may have a chance to leave, isn't it wonderful?
To go south to Hedong to quell the chaos, you have to catch the enemy!
What should we do now that everyone is huddled in the Wubao? Moreover, the Pei family has more than one manor. If we conquer this one and kill some of the Pei family's children, we will not be able to dig out their roots.
Fan Long glanced at Liu Cong quietly and sighed secretly.
Why are aristocratic families so disgusting? There is a perfect explanation right in front of you.
Just hit them, the damage will be too great.
Don't fight them, they will jump out as soon as you leave and cut off your food path.
Use coercion and inducement to lure them. Now that the Jin army has entered the country in large numbers, this trick is useless.
He who wins the hearts of the nobles wins the world, this is not an empty lie.
Isn't there a reason why Shao Xun's harem is full of women from aristocratic families?
"Your Majesty." Fan Long stood up and said, "Pei is determined to join Shao and will not surrender. If we capture this garden, we may lose no less than 5,000 yuan, and the gain is not worth the loss. For the current plan, we must search for the Jin army."
Instead of fighting a decisive battle, the situation may change if his army is defeated. The scouts have discovered that the bandit general Hou Feihu's troops are only dozens of miles away, so it is better to form a field battle and defeat them in one fell swoop."
"Your Majesty, you can't." Situ Majing stood up and said: "For the current plan, we must stand firm and wait for reinforcements. The prince's army has crossed the river to the east and will arrive in a moment. It is better to gather these more than ten thousand soldiers and horses and then make a calculation."
"Your Majesty." Zhu Dan, the chief minister, said: "I heard that King Ruyin has withdrawn his troops from Wuling. There are more than 8,000 of them. Along the way, we must gather the mountain shepherds, maybe more than 10,000, to wait for their reinforcements."
"Your Majesty, Lengquanshui still has more than 10,000 cavalry. Please withdraw and fight to the death with Shao Thief."
"The soldiers in Luliang Mountain should just withdraw together. Let's face the Shao thieves in this wilderness and have a good fight. Whoever wins will take the east side of the river."
The Art of War goes like this: "Be prepared in front, and the rear will be few; be prepared in the rear, and the front will be few; prepare the left, and the right will be few; be prepared with the right, and the left will be few; if you are prepared for everything, you will be few."
Before, we were prepared everywhere, so we were outnumbered everywhere. After being broken through by Shao Thief, everything collapsed.
But you can’t do it if you’re not prepared.
You have also seen the rebellion of the big families in Hedong. People's hearts are not with you. Once the Shao thieves are allowed in, they do not necessarily need to fight you. They can send light cavalry to loot, and the main force will occupy various favorable terrains and build cities and fortifications.
When you come to attack, he will not be able to come out.
After you left, Qingqi went down the mountain and burned, killed and looted everywhere.
Over time, you will be defeated if you don’t fight.
But things are different now.
The bandit army crossed from Dayang to the north and entered from Zhiguan. The defense line has been broken. So, is it necessary to defend places like Lengquanshui, Wuling North and South Road, and Luliang Mountain?
In fact, it doesn't mean much anymore.
When Liu Cong heard this, he pondered for a long time and said, "The Duke of Xihe County is too far away, so let's forget about it. We have sent an order to General Bu Tai and Ruyin King Liu Jing to hear the news."
After the order was given, Liu Cong no longer hesitated.
On the 25th, the vanguard of Hou Feihu's troops and the Luoyang Chinese Army's 1,500 cavalry troops arrived more than ten miles east of the Xiongnu camp.
On the 26th, the cavalry from both sides started fighting.
On the 27th, Hou Feihu and his troops arrived and set up camp a few miles east of Liu Cong's camp.
On the 28th, Shao Xun made a breakthrough on the northern front. Liu Chang, Duke of Xihe County of the Xiongnu, led his troops to break through and ran south to Shilou Mountain. Hou Feihu selected the elite and formed a large formation to invite the battle.
The war is about to break out.
(The third update is completed, all soldiers vote quickly.)
Chapter completed!