Chapter 2517: Retreat even if you are unwilling to do so
Huang Hunan, Beifu Army Camp.
In the handsome tent, there was a sound of coughing one after another. Even among the generals and commanders in the tent, they could not hide their yellow faces and absent-minded eyes. In the corner of the tent, there was a small stove.
Above, medicine was being fried, and the strong smell of the medicine stimulated the sense of smell of everyone in the tent, making them cough non-stop.
Liu Jingxuan had a medicine belt tied on his forehead, and his whole body exuded the smell of herbal medicine. He was originally a big man like a bear and tiger, but now his face is sallow and his eye sockets are sunken. The coach is like this, not to mention the rest.
Anyone who takes one look at him will be filled with emotion and become deeply worried about the fate of the army.
Liu Jingxuan's eyes swept over the faces of the generals under the tent one by one, Shi Yanzu, Wen Chumao, Bao Chou, and finally fell on Mao Xiuzhi's face. He sighed: "Xiuzhi, are you still unable to defeat the enemy today?
?”
Mao Xiuzhi gritted his teeth: "Brothers have tried their best, but the number of soldiers who can still stand up to fight today is less than three hundred. The enemy dug three trenches overnight. We only filled in the outermost trench, and then we were attacked by random arrows."
If you are forced back, please ask the commander to punish you."
Liu Jingxuan sighed: "It's time and fate. I thought that this time Wen Zuo's suspected soldiers were out of the water and the main force of our army was out of the water, we could conquer Chengdu in one go. But I didn't expect that there were traitors who reported carefully and let the enemy attack early."
We need to be on guard. It seems that God doesn’t want us to make meritorious deeds!”
Bao Hou then let out a long sigh: "I have said before that the expedition to Western Shu cannot be rushed. We must be fully prepared and attack steadily. General Xiao Mao was eager for revenge and rushed all the way, but he did not pay attention to the secrets in the army and took the opportunity to leak us.
At first, you always blamed me for not helping you to send troops for revenge, saying that I was old and useless, but you didn't know that it was because my son was just like you, he wanted to make meritorious deeds, and ended up being ambushed and almost destroyed the army.
If you don’t listen to the old man’s words for your great cause, you will suffer the consequences in front of you.”
Mao Xiuzhi's face was filled with shame. He immediately knelt on the ground, took off his helmet, and choked out: "Commander, all the responsibility this time lies with the general. He was lax in guarding, failed to guard against spies, and attacked too fast.
The intentions of the army have been exposed, so please enforce our military law to thank the whole army!"
Liu Jingxuan shook his head: "At this point, it is useless to punish you. Among the enemy troops, it seems that there are powerful people who are giving guidance. With the ability of the Shu army, it is definitely not possible to set up such a company camp here in Huanghu. If there is this
The ability is no longer that of the Shu people who have always been weak in combat power."
Liu Daogui, who had been silent all this time, seemed to be the most cheerful one among these people. He nodded and said: "Yes, usually the water defense will be in Pengmo, but although Pengmo has a fortress, there are large areas of fertile land around it.
, we are sending troops this time and are well prepared for the battle in Pengmo. Even if we cannot defeat the enemy in one fell swoop, we can at least harvest nearby food and camp on the spot to wait for the follow-up. But this yellow tiger is surrounded by mountains and rivers.
There is no human habitation, even if we want to collect food on the spot, it is impossible. The Shu people have always pursued comfort and are unwilling to fight in such a difficult place, not to mention coming in advance to set up company camps. This time, we must have underestimated our opponents.
"
Wen Chumao, the prefect of Badong, also said: "Yes, and this time there are actually troops from the Later Qin Dynasty coming to our aid. If it weren't for the cavalry charge, we would have been able to break the enemy's camp a few days ago."
Suo Miao curled up his lips: "There isn't even a pasture in this damn place. Our army has just disembarked and lacks grass. Otherwise, with the three hundred cavalry under my command, we will definitely be able to defeat those Qiu Chi cavalry. Commander,
How about we bypass the enemy company camp in the front, go behind the enemy lines, and then try to see if we can move to the Pengmo area?"
Liu Daogui shook his head: "This is no longer possible now. The enemy's reinforcements are constantly flowing in, and there is sufficient food and grass. Even Qiu Chi's troops and horses are increasing day by day. It cannot be solved by your three hundred cavalry. Commander, be careful.
If we drag it out any longer, I'm afraid the enemy will attack our fleet again and cut off our fleet's retreat, and it will be a luxury for us to even retreat."
Liu Jingxuan's eyes shone with light, and a look of reluctance flashed across his face: "Your elder brother has so much trust in us, and even when the country is in such difficulty, he allocates a large army for us to conquer Shu, and gives us the opportunity to make meritorious deeds. That's it."
Returning halfway, what face do you and I have to go back to see him? What face do we have to go back to see the people of Jin Dynasty!"
Liu Daogui gritted his teeth: "If there is still a possibility of victory, even if there is only a slight chance, we must persevere to the end. But the current situation is that there is not even a trace of possibility. If we don't withdraw, everyone will die here. Now it is not only the lack of food.
, there is an epidemic, and the weather is getting hotter and hotter. People eat less, are in poor health, and are more likely to get sick. Only by withdrawing the troops early and returning to Baidi can we save our lives and have a chance to come back!"
Liu Jingxuan gritted his teeth: "At this point, this is the only way. So, the withdrawal of troops is related to the overall situation. What will happen if the Shu army pursues and who will stop the rear? This needs to be carefully arranged by us."
Liu Daogui said calmly: "A general withdrawal is to use elite troops to break up the rear and let the old, weak, sick and disabled go first. But this time we came by water. Although the Shu army is large, it does not have a large number of ships. There is no need for this. We only need to prevent
Just stay in pursuit of the Qiuchi cavalry. I want to leave the baggage and part of the ordnance that cannot be taken away in the camp to lure the enemy to rob it. I personally lead 300 elite soldiers to ambush in the surrounding mountains and forests, waiting for the enemy to enter the camp.
During the robbery, if we suddenly attack and the enemy is unprepared, they will definitely think that our army is ambushed and will panic and retreat. When the time comes, I will lead the rear army to board the ship and leave. Within a few days, I am afraid that the enemy will also
Don't dare to come to our army's empty camp again. In this way, our army can be preserved."
Liu Jingxuan nodded with satisfaction: "Very good, Qiu Chi's soldiers and horses are all barbarians. When they see the treasures and ordnance, they will plunder a lot and no longer form an army. However, the Shu army only wants to protect itself and lacks horses, so it is difficult to
As long as the Qiuchi cavalry does not come to pursue us, we will be safe. If I hadn't gotten this damn disease and am so weak now, I would have wanted to cut off the rear with you, Daogui."
Liu Daogui smiled slightly: "The commander-in-chief is the commander-in-chief of the three armies. It is not appropriate to take risks. If there is a mistake, the morale of the soldiers will be low or even dispersed. Leave this mission to me. Xiuzhi, are you willing to help me?
Woolen cloth?"
Mao Xiuzhi said loudly: "I am willing to lead the troops and obey orders, and make meritorious deeds!"
Liu Jingxuan stood up and said in a deep voice: "Generals, listen to the order and quickly return to each camp to count the men, horses and weapons. Let's go home tonight at the second watch!"