Just when the Mongolian coalition forces were forced to divide their forces for the second time to support Zhenning Acropolis, Zhao Junchen had already led the main force of more than 30,000 border troops to Chengxian County of Gongchang Prefecture.
If the Mongolian army wants to rush to Zhenning Acropolis in the shortest time, this is the only way to go.
Chengxian County is located in the remnants of the West Qinling Mountains. There are many mountains and valleys in the territory, and the Qingni River and its tributaries run through it. Such complex terrain is also the easiest place for troops to ambush.
In the southwest of Cheng County, there is an inconspicuous branch of the Qingni River named Xiaochuan River.
Due to successive years of drought, the water depth of the Xiaochuan River is only the waist depth of an adult, and the river surface is not wide. The narrowest part of the river is only more than ten meters apart.
After discussing with his generals and staff, Zhao Junchen believed that the Mongolian army would most likely pass through here when they rushed to Zhenning Acropolis!
Therefore, after Zhao Junchen led his army to Chengxian County, he divided his troops into two parts. One part was hidden in Yunluan Mountain south of Xiaochuan River, and the other part was hidden in an unnamed valley north of Xiaochuan River.
*
On this day, as the sun rose in the east, Zhao Junchen stood on Yunluan Mountain, quietly gazing at the scenery of Xiaochuan River in the distance.
There was a hint of regret on his slightly pale face.
"It's a pity that this small river is narrow and shallow. At most, it will only slightly delay the Mongols' marching speed. It cannot form the conditions for a half-crossed attack, nor can it create the greatest advantage for the soldiers. Otherwise, this battle will be
Much more relaxed…”
Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but laugh at himself and shook his head slightly, feeling that he was too greedy.
After all, as the war approached, Zhao Junchen was worried about gains and losses, and wished he could have all the advantages, so as to ensure the greatest chance of victory.
And just as Zhao Junchen was thinking deeply, there was a sudden sound of footsteps behind him.
Zhao Junchen turned around and saw Wu Qifan, the prefect of Xi'an, Zhou Bo, the inspector general of Shaanxi, Ma Hancheng, the deputy general of Guyuan, and others.
Zhao Junchen nodded slightly to everyone, and then asked: "Thank you, everyone, but have everything been arranged?"
Ma Hancheng replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Envoy, all arrangements have been made! All 20,000 of our army's troops have been hidden in Yunluan Mountain and can be dispatched at any time! In addition, the two generals Qian Bao and Liu Manniu have also
Leading 13,000 soldiers and horses, we hid in the nameless valley north of the Xiaochuan River. When the Mongolian reinforcements arrived to cross the river, our army could launch a surprise attack and attack them from both front and rear. We would definitely be able to catch them off guard!"
Zhao Junchen asked again: "There are no flaws left, right?"
This time, it was Zhou Bo who replied: "Xiaguan has sent people to clear the marching traces near Yunluan Mountain overnight. Xiaguan has also personally checked and discussed it. The Mongolian coalition forces will definitely not find any flaws!"
Zhao Junchen nodded lightly and said: "That's good! Now everything is ready, just waiting for the Mongols to take the bait! This Tianshui Rebellion can be regarded as a blessing and a disaster! In an accidental collision, the Mongolian coalition forces
The more than 50,000 soldiers and horses have now been divided into three parts, which just gives us the opportunity to defeat them one by one!
... The 10,000 Mongolian troops attacking Zhenning Acropolis will naturally have General Fang and Old General He Zhang to deal with them. Even if they cannot be completely defeated, they can still maintain a stalemate for a while... The main force of the Mongolian coalition attacking Jiezhou City consists of about two men.
There are more than 10,000 people, and Guan Wuyuan is naturally responsible for the delay... and the Mongolian reinforcements that are about to pass here now, according to the intelligence, are about 15,000 people, and they are our opponents this time!"
After a pause, Zhao Junchen looked solemn, looked around at the civil and military officials in front of him, and said: "Among these three battlefields, our place is the most important! We also have the most advantages.
Obviously! Our military strength is more than twice that of the Mongols. We have the advantage of being overt and covert with the enemy, and we have the advantage of the Xiaochuan River to delay the march of the Mongols. The weather, location, and people are all on our side! Therefore, here
There is no chance of losing the battle!
However, although our advantage is obvious, the task is also the most severe. Even if the enemy cannot be severely damaged in the other two battlefields, we can still try to delay the time and wait for our support, but we must work hard to win the battle.
Apart from annihilating the enemy, there is no more choice!
According to the plan, as long as we defeat the Mongolian reinforcements cleanly and neatly, we can send our troops to Zhenning Acropolis, and together with the two generals He Zhang and Fang Zhenshan, we can encircle and suppress the Mongolian army in Zhenning Acropolis. By that time, the strength of the Mongolian coalition forces will be lost.
Most of the time, our strategic advantage can be completely consolidated. When we engage in a decisive battle with the main force of the Mongolian coalition, we are sure to win!
If everything goes as planned, the Mongols will be severely weakened after this battle and will be unable to invade the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu in the next few decades. At that time, you and I will definitely leave our names in the history books! Everyone, life
How many times can we fight? Victory or failure depends on this one move!"
Zhao Junchen's long speech was both clear and impassioned. It not only explained the seriousness of the task, but also described the bright prospects for the future.
As Zhao Junchen finished speaking, all the civil and military officials were aroused. Even Ma Hancheng, Guyuan's deputy commander-in-chief, who had always been timid, also showed a courageous attitude. Civil servants such as Wu Qifan, Zhou Bo, etc.
At this time, he was even more excited and wanted to go into battle to kill the enemy with his sword!
As Zhao Junchen said, as long as they win this battle, they can rise to the top and leave their names in history. All the glory in life can be achieved here!
Under Zhao Junchen's plan, they already have the greatest advantage. If they are still as timid as before, not daring to give it a try, and let the opportunity miss, they themselves will not be able to forgive themselves!
Then, all the civil and military people said in unison: "We must follow the imperial envoy and kill the enemy bravely! Exterminate the enemy invaders! Make great achievements and leave a name in history!"
After seeing everyone's determination, Zhao Junchen looked satisfied and said: "Everyone, this battle will depend on your performance!"
*
Next, Zhao Junchen asked everyone for some details. After making sure everything was safe, he asked the civil and military officials to return to their respective positions and stand by.
According to intelligence, the Mongolian army will appear at any time, and everyone must be on standby at any time.
However, when the civil and military officials left one after another, Wu Qifan hesitated for a moment and then stopped.
After everyone had gone away, Wu Qifan said to Zhao Junchen: "Your Majesty, after the Mongols appear, there will definitely be a hard battle here! I think you can just sit in the rear and command the overall situation, and there is no need to take risks yourself.
! Yongbyon Fort is only more than ten miles away from here, and you can receive battlefield updates at any time. It is the most suitable place. Before the Mongols appear, I request the imperial envoy to move to Yongbyon Fort to take command!"
Zhao Junchen glanced at Wu Qifan and said: "I have said this several times. This battle is too important. If I can't observe it personally, I really won't be worried! As for my safety, Mr. Wu, you don't have to worry.
If thousands of troops cannot protect me, it will be even less possible to destroy the Mongolian coalition. If the Mongolian reinforcements cannot be destroyed in this battle, the Shaanxi-Gansu border army will be severely weakened, and the situation in the northwest will be completely corrupted. All this is because of my
If you are arrogant, then I deserve to be robbed!"
Wu Qifan hesitated for a moment and said, "But your body, Imperial Envoy... I'm afraid..."
Wu Qifan had always been the most attentive and had already been vaguely aware of Zhao Junchen's physical condition.
In the past few days, Zhao Junchen's complexion has gradually become pale and bloodless, and he often talks secretly with military doctor Gan Shun. What Zhao Junchen said just now is really exciting, but Zhao Junchen was just emotional when he spoke.
Some of them just broke out in a sweat...
After hearing what Wu Qifan said, Zhao Junchen took a deep look at Wu Qifan and simply said: "My imperial envoy's body can still hold on, and he must hold on!"
Seeing that Zhao Junchen stood firm, Wu Qifan did not offer any more advice. He just sighed lightly, bowed to Zhao Junchen again, and then turned and left.
After Wu Qifan walked away, Zhao Junchen suddenly asked the guard leader Zhao Dali beside him: "Have you completed the matter that I secretly told you?"
Zhao Dali nodded quickly and said: "We have found a suitable candidate. The villain has hidden him and is on standby at any time!"
Zhao Junchen nodded and said, "That's good!"
After saying that, Zhao Junchen turned around again and looked at the Xiaochuan River in the distance, his expression changed slightly, but he didn't know what he was thinking.
*
Then, about half an hour later, Zhao Junchen received a report from the detective.