Chapter 199 The Great War Begins
It was night and Zhao Tai was standing in the town, looking at the brightly lit Mongolian army camp a few miles away.
In the past few days, Zhao Tai looked confident in front of his subordinates, but he was actually quite nervous inside.
Although he used iron caltrops to temporarily hold Kuoduan back, Zhao Tai knew very well that his subordinates had not been baptized by the fire of war. Once they were in close combat, the test would come.
Kaifeng's reinforcements and Wuxian's army should be rushing here now. Zhao Tai's more than 20,000 people must hold on until the reinforcements arrive to have a chance to win.
Zhao Tai had a lot of new soldiers at his disposal and was not sure about the field battle, so he brought a lot of equipment this time, hoping that these equipment would be effective.
At this time, under the cover of darkness, a group of loyal soldiers came out carrying sacks and boxes, preparing to re-lay the caltrops under the cover of darkness.
Suddenly, a group of figures emerged from the darkness, bows drawn and ready to shoot. The soldiers who were preparing to spread the caltrops immediately screamed and several people fell down.
Standing in the camp, Zhao Tai heard the movement and knew that Kuo Duan had anticipated his actions. "It seems that Kuo Duan already knows something about me after fighting with me several times."
Seeing that Kuo Duan was on guard against his attack, Zhao Tai quickly waved his hand: "Ming Jin, tell the brothers to withdraw."
The Mongolian army is more elite than the Zhongyi army and has more combat experience. Since they have an ambush, if Zhao Tai sends people out again, it will be equivalent to death.
As the golden sound rang out, the soldiers who went out to spread the iron caltrops quickly retreated to the camp.
"Ms. sir, there is an ambush by the Mongolian army outside. As soon as we went out, we were attacked by enemy arrows. The brothers were shot down before they could see clearly!" the returning officer reported in shock.
Zhao Tai smiled easily and said: "It's okay! You go back and rest, recharge your batteries and prepare for tomorrow's decisive battle!"
"Yes! Sir!" The officer saluted with lingering fear, and then took his subordinates back to rest.
Wang Wentong said worriedly: "My lord, the Mongols are ambushing people outside to prevent us from spreading caltrops. In this way, they will be able to attack directly tomorrow."
"It's normal for Kuo Duan to think of it and take precautions. If he doesn't think of it, then he is a fool!" Zhao Tai clenched his fists. He looked at the Meng camp from a distance, knowing that there would definitely be a fierce battle tomorrow, and said in a deep voice: "We have already
We have been dragging Kuaduan for two days with iron caltrops. Reinforcements should arrive tomorrow. Sir, don’t worry, victory will definitely belong to us!"
In the Mongolian camp, Kuo Duan listened to the report from his subordinates and learned that Zhao Tai had indeed sent someone out. He couldn't help but smile proudly.
"Your Majesty is really good at predicting things!" Zhang Rou said with a smile.
Kuo Duan snorted coldly, "Then Zhao Tai will also do these sneaky things. You have people to keep a close eye on you tonight, and you will never let Zhao Tai sow the caltrops again. Tomorrow morning, I will launch an attack and destroy Zhao Tai."
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Zhang Rou said with a smile: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will arrange an ambush for the elites. As many as they come out, I will kill as many as I am humble!"
Kuo Duan nodded with satisfaction: "Well, except for the night patrol and sentries, the rest of the troops should take a rest and prepare for tomorrow's battle!"
The next morning, it was just dawn.
In the Mongolian camp, pots were made early to make meals. The well-fed Mongolian army filed out of the camp and took up positions on the western outskirts of the town.
The 40,000 Mongolian army spread out in the wilderness. The Mongolian infantry moved their bodies, the heavy infantry put on heavy armor, and the archers moved their tibias and plucked their bowstrings, preparing to take down the town in front of them in one breath.
At this time, in the town, 20,000 loyal troops relied on fortifications to defend themselves. The recruits faced the Mongolian army. They were a little timid when they first entered the battlefield.
Seemingly knowing that the loyal soldiers were terrified, the Mongolians lined up in formation, howled loudly, and struck their shields with their weapons, making bursts of noise and intimidating the new recruits in the town.
At this time, Zhao Tai was wearing armor and stood among the soldiers. He suddenly drew his sword and shouted loudly: "Soldiers, our reinforcements are coming quickly. You are fighting on the basis of fortifications, so why fear the enemy! Besides, the two armies are facing each other today.
There is no point in being afraid of the enemy. On the battlefield, either we will kill them or they will destroy us! Do you want to be beheaded by the enemy? Do you want to make your parents, wives and children sad?"
Beside Zhao Tai, many soldiers heard the words and were silent for a while. Some of them blushed and shouted: "We don't want to die! We don't want the enemy to chop off our heads!"
Zhao Tai raised his weapon high and roared loudly, "If you don't want to die, pick up your weapons and kill the enemies who want to chop off your heads!"
"Ouch!" The surrounding soldiers couldn't help raising their weapons and roared angrily.
"Sirs, when we meet on a narrow road, the brave one wins!" Zhao Tai screamed loudly, "Today, I will join you in a decisive battle with the Mongolian army!"
"Fight to the death!" The town suddenly erupted with shouts. The soldiers used shouts to vent their fears and boost each other's morale.
Seeing this, Zhao Tai realized that his morale had been mobilized, and then waved his hand, "Arrange defenses!"
The spearmen of the loyal army grasped their spears one after another, while the crossbowmen raised their crossbows and aimed them at the Mongolian army.
At this time, Kuaduan rode on horseback and walked through the various formations of the Mongolian army, then returned to the banner of the Great Banner and was about to give the order to attack.
Suddenly, a group of cavalry galloped over and dismounted in front of him, "Report!"
Kuo Duan frowned slightly, "What are you reporting?"
The cavalry stepped forward and saluted, "Your Majesty, I have an urgent military report! As soon as your Majesty led his troops south, the defenders in Xuzhou City suddenly came out of the city and stormed our camp!"
Kuo Duan was a little surprised and frowned, "What if the Xuzhou garrison also left the city?"
Zhang Rou's brows were knitted into the character "Chuan". He had long discovered that the Jin Army's scouting horses were frequently traveling between the cities, and he suspected that the Jin Army was carrying out some kind of conspiracy.
Now that Heda has also come out of the city, he must have something up his sleeve.
Zhang Rou couldn't help but remind: "Your Majesty, it would be extremely disadvantageous for us if Heda leaves the city at this time!"
Kuo Duan finally managed to clear away the iron caltrops outside the town, and the army also set up their formations, preparing to attack the town. They could not give up halfway before their lifelong enemy Zhao Tai was reached.
"No problem!" Kuo Duan waved his hand, "Shi Tianze has ten thousand elite soldiers, and relying on the camp to hold on, it will not be a problem to resist Heda for a period of time. I will defeat Zhao Tai first, and then go back to deal with them!"
Zhang Rou felt a little uneasy, but Zhao Tai was already trapped in the town. It would be a pity not to kill this guy.
Heda went out of the city to attack the Mongolian troops who stayed in the camp, leaving Kuo Duan little time to eliminate Zhao Tai.
At this time, Kuo Duan didn't want to waste any more time. He looked at Zhang Rou and ordered in a deep voice, "Zhang Wanhu, you immediately lead your army to attack fiercely and open a gap for me. I will charge in with my cavalry and finish before dark."
fighting!"
Chapter completed!