Just after dawn, Chen Qing received a report from the scouts that the Xixia army had indeed withdrawn northward, and the camp became an empty camp.
Chen Qing immediately led his men to the enemy's camp. The board-walled camp was very roughly built and covered with large flags. There were more flags than usual. On the high observation deck, there was actually a straw-covered camp.
The dummy was wearing armor, holding a crossbow, and staring at the city wall seriously.
The large tent was not taken away, probably because there were not enough large carts to carry it. There were nearly 10,000 shi of grain in the warehouse tent but not taken away either.
On the one hand, the Xixia army could not carry them, and on the other hand, they kept the food and tents intact for themselves, hoping that they would not pursue them and let them leave safely.
But there is no such good thing in the world. If you want to leave safely, you can sit down and talk, show enough sincerity, such as withdrawing from Lintao Prefecture, etc., and you may let them go.
What's the difference between throwing something that you can't take away to Song Jun and giving some leftovers to a beggar?
More importantly, Chen Qing still struggled to find a chance to defeat Xixia's 70,000 troops. Now that they had sent 20,000 troops to their doorstep, how could he let it go?
Chen Qingdang immediately ordered: "Send the order, 10,000 cavalry are assembled and prepare enough dry food for six days!"
Ten thousand cavalry quickly gathered, and the logistics battalion also quickly prepared six days' worth of dry food. The Song army had standard dry food, one serving a day, and one serving included two kilograms of flour cakes. The flour cakes contained sesame oil, minced green onions and salt, and the taste was not good.
It would be too bad.
In addition, each portion of dry food also contains a piece of pickled dried meat, mainly mutton and venison, about three to four taels. This is one portion of dry food, and six days of dry food is six portions. It is kept in a large bag with the soldier.
inside the dry food bag.
If the cavalry was marching in winter, they would still have to carry fodder, but now they don't need to. There are usually large grasslands along the river.
The 10,000 cavalry were quickly assembled, packed with dry food, and began to set off in a mighty manner. Chen Qing personally led them and chased north along the central official road.
At this time, the 20,000 Xixia Army had left Longxi County for more than 40 miles. The 20,000 Xixia Army consisted of 5,000 cavalry and 15,000 infantry. The team also carried a small number of large vehicles, mainly food and meat consumed on the road.
wait.
Cao Baozong was indeed worried that Chen Qing would lead his army to pursue him, so he did not dare to extend his team too long, lest it be cut off by the opponent and defeated one by one.
Although many generals believed that Chen Qing would stop pursuing him after getting tents and food, Cao Baozong believed that Chen Qing would definitely continue to pursue him. From the two duels, he could see that Chen Qing wanted to seize the initiative.
The person in his hands cannot watch him escape.
Military advisor Li Taiyue also agreed with Cao Baozong's judgment. More than 2,000 tents and 10,000 shi of grain could not buy Chen Qing. Chen Qing has never been a soft-hearted person. This can be seen in several battles with Xixia and his previous dealings with the puppet Qi army.
, he killed them all, how could he easily let go of the 20,000 Xixia troops.
Soon they got the news that Chen Qing personally led 10,000 cavalry to pursue them.
Li Taiyue immediately said anxiously: "General, there is no other way now but to survive with a broken arm. I suggest you throw away the baggage and then use 5,000 cavalry to ambush the enemy. Our infantry will run and march with dry food on our backs. We may be able to save most of the main force."
This is undoubtedly the most traditional and wisest plan, sacrificing a small number of soldiers in exchange for the successful evacuation of most soldiers.
But Cao Baozong did not agree with Li Taiyue's plan to survive after losing his arm. He knew that the Song army only had 10,000 cavalry, and they had 20,000 elite troops. Why not confront the Song army? Instead, they should separate the armies and let the Song army defeat them one by one.
"General, once the soldiers retreat, their morale will be exhausted. Unless it is a last-ditch battle, there will never be a chance to recover. I hope you will be careful, General!"
Cao Baozong laughed and said: "The military advisor is overly concerned. Soldiers are always deceitful and the soldiers do not know the truth. If I tell the entire army that I am just pretending to retreat and draw the enemy troops to fight with them, the morale will be completely different. What does the military advisor think?"
"this....."
Li Taiyue was speechless for a moment. Isn't this a deception?
If you retreat, just retreat, but if you have to use your retreat to make a fuss, I'm afraid the gains will outweigh the losses in the end.
Li Taiyue finally understood that this Cao Baozong was the second Zhao Kuo. He thought he was so powerful, but it turned out that he was just talking on paper.
Li Taiyue was originally an official of the Song Dynasty. He was born with the Jinshi and served in the Shaanxi Road Transportation Department. Tong Guan was defeated in his attack on Xixia. Countless baggage of the Song army was captured by the Xixia army, and he was also captured.
However, his talent was noticed by Cao Jie, the Xixia Prime Minister, and he was used as an aide. After Cao Jie's death, he continued to serve as Cao Baozong's aide, and made great contributions to Cao Baozong's step by step becoming the confidant of Li Qianshun, the prince of Xixia.
.
This time Cao Baozong was appointed by Li Qianshun as the commander-in-chief of the Southern Conquest Army. Li Taiyue also joined the army as an aide and became Cao Baozong's military advisor.
What needs to be explained here is that Li Taiyue is not the military advisor of the Xixia Army. The Xixia Army does not have the position of military advisor. At most, it has a national advisor. The so-called military advisor is the chief staff of the general. Secondly, there are military staff and clerical staff. They have different levels and powers.
.
Li Taiyue has been with the Cao family for ten years, and of course he knows Cao Baozong well. Cao Baozong is very talented, has learned a lot of military skills, and has good martial arts skills. Coupled with his father's prestige, he is valued by the emperor Li Qianshun and has been serving as a general in the court. Finally,
Assumed the post of general.
But in fact, he has never commanded a real war. Even if the most glorious thing in his resume is that he participated in the Battle of Song Dynasty and defeated Song Dynasty Taiwei Tong Guan, he also participated in the war as a rear support general. How could his father let his son
Enter the front line of combat.
Li Taiyue originally thought that Cao Baozong was a genius general and had high hopes for him, but now he slowly realized that Cao Baozong had no actual combat experience at all and took everything for granted.
It was unwise to advance the army in a hurry without establishing good contact with the Qi army; it was careless to send troops south for a childish duel; it was unwise to not listen to his own persuasion and cut off his arm to survive, but instead changed the order day and night to fight the Song army decisively.
It is unclear whether it is careless or unwise. With such a coach, the Xixia Army is in danger this time.
Li Taiyue stopped persuading him and arranged the luggage himself.
Cao Baozong was determined. He summoned hundreds of generals and said to them: "We did not carry siege weapons and could not attack Longxi County. So I decided to use a trick to lure the Song army northward by pretending to retreat. Chen Qing was indeed successful.
Counted.
Dear brothers, the Song army only has 10,000 cavalry, and we have 20,000 elite troops. This is an opportunity to completely annihilate the Song army and capture Chen Qing alive. If I can capture Chen Qing alive, I will definitely ask the emperor for credit, and all generals will be promoted.
class."
Cao Baozong gave an impassioned speech. Except for some low-level generals who were moved by his promise, most of the generals were relatively calm. They knew in their hearts that the Song army was catching up and had to fight. There was no need to pretend to retreat or lure troops.
The plan is just nice to say.
Now that the coach has made up his mind, everyone can only wave their arms and follow the oath listlessly.
Cao Baozong was really proud of himself. He turned his passivity into initiative and pitted 20,000 troops against 10,000 troops. This move was indeed extremely clever.
...........
In the afternoon of the next day, Cao Baozong set up a large formation of 20,000 people on the wasteland to fight the Song army's pursuing troops.
Chen Qing looked at the large formation set up in the distance on a hillside more than ten miles away, and sneered, "The defeated general actually wants to fight me, what is he thinking?"
Chen Qingdang immediately ordered: "Where is General Liu Cui?"
Liu Cui stepped out and cupped his fists and said: "I'm here to serve you!"
Chen Qing took out an order arrow and said: "General Liu led the 2,000 cavalrymen of the 9th and 10th battalions to attack the opponent's logistics equipment in a detour. Be sure to burn all the enemy's rations and grain trucks without any mistakes!"
"I humbly obey orders!"
Liu Cui took the order arrow and left. Chen Qing said to Yang Zaixing: "General Yang led the 3,000 cavalrymen of the 6783rd Battalion to ambush here. I will go to fight the enemy. You disguise yourself as an army of 5,000. You must let the enemy
The spies saw it and had to make a mistake!"
Yang Zaixing was a little confused and said: "Du Tong, why do you want the enemy to see it?"
Chen Qing smiled lightly, "The so-called true and false, false and true, everything we do is to buy time for General Liu!"
Yang Zaixing suddenly realized, and immediately bowed and said: "I humbly obey the order!"
Chen Qing then shouted loudly: "Brothers from the first to fifth battalions come with me to fight!"
"Woo--Woo--"
The deep horn of the Song army sounded, and the five thousand cavalrymen, led by Chen Qing, rushed like a torrent towards the 20,000 enemy troops more than ten miles away.