The soldier handed Li Ye a roll of imperial edict wrapped in yellow silk. Li Ye looked at it briefly and couldn't help laughing. Shi Siming appointed Zhou Zhi as prime minister and handed all the general power to himself.
Li Ye handed the imperial edict to Wei Boyu, "What does General Wei think?"
Wei Boyu read the imperial edict and sneered: "Shi Siming also knew about the conflict between the two and was afraid of affecting the war, so he transferred Zhou Zhi back to Luoyang and came to take charge in person. This timing was really well grasped!"
Li Ye said thoughtfully: "It seems that Shi Siming is coming to Mianchi County!"
"Your Highness needs to seize the opportunity!"
Li Ye understood what Wei Boyu meant, he nodded and said: "Let's wait until the information is gathered!"
Li Ye looked at Wu Liang, the Minister of War of the State of Yan, and said, "Tell me everything you know honestly. If you are sincere, I will consider releasing you back to your hometown!"
Intelligence began to gather from all directions, and the six intelligence counselors nervously sorted and analyzed it, and the outline of the enemy's army became increasingly clear.
Li Ye stood in front of the sand table and watched the enemy's situation. The counselor continued to add content to the sand table. Shi Siming led an army of 30,000 people and had already set off. His intention was obvious. He personally led an army of 80,000 people to fight against him.
Of course, Li Ye was not Song Xianggong. He had to wait for the arrival of 80,000 troops before fighting the Yan army. That would be stupid. With 50,000 troops facing off against 80,000 elite troops, the probability of his victory was very low.
The time has come to attack, and Li Ye will not wait any longer.
In the afternoon of that day, Li Ye issued an order to march eastward. Before dawn the next day, 50,000 troops set off. Li Ye left Yu Changyang to lead 5,000 troops to guard Shaanxi County, while the army marched towards Mianchi County in great numbers.
After the Tang army crossed the border and appeared in Henan Prefecture, Li Guiren's spies immediately discovered it. They rushed back to the camp and reported to Li Guiren the news that the main force of the Tang army had come to Mianchi.
Li Guiren was shocked and immediately sent someone to invite his deputy Zhou Zhi to the camp for discussion.
By some mistake, Shi Siming's imperial edict was intercepted by Tang army scouts. Zhou Zhi did not get Shi Siming's order. When he heard that Li Guiren invited him to the camp for discussion, he put on his inner armor and took three hundred elite troops with him.
Zhou Zhi supported Shi Chaoqing, while Li Guiren had a close relationship with Shi Chaoyi. In fact, An Lushan's surrender troops basically supported Shi Chaoyi.
It is precisely the different lords that the two sides support that make their positions seriously divided. It is a fundamental opposition and even hostility.
The failure of the Battle of Heyang was largely due to Li Guiren's inactive attitude towards rescue, which caused Shi Siming's confidant General Li Riyue to be defeated by Li Guangbi's army without reinforcements.
Zhou Zhi came to the camp outside the city and was invited into the tent by Li Guiren. The two sat down and Zhou Zhi asked: "The Helong army is coming, how does General Li plan to respond?"
Li Guiren said slowly: "We must deal with it head-on. The terrain of Mianchi is flat. There is neither the advantage of Hangu Pass nor the danger of Sanmen Gorge. There is basically no danger to defend. Li Ye and I have dealt with each other in Chang'an. Their firearms
It's very powerful. Once thousands of firebirds fly into the camp and the county seat, the military camp and the county seat will turn into a sea of fire, and we will inevitably collapse without a fight, so there is no point in defending, we must either fight or retreat!"
Zhou Zhi nodded, "I agree with the general's view, so I would like to ask, does the general want to fight or retreat?"
"Of course it's a battle. I asked General Zhou to come over to discuss how to fight this battle?"
A coldness flashed across Zhou Zhi's face. The other party had no sincerity at all. He didn't ask himself whether he wanted to fight or retreat? He just made the decision to fight for himself. He really thought that he was the commander in chief and everything was up to him.
Has the final say?
Zhou Zhi asked quietly: "What is General Li's battle strategy?"
Li Guiren spread out a map, pointed to a small town about 20 miles away from Mianchi County on the map and said: "This is Gushui Town. The terrain here is open and suitable for a battle between the two armies. I will lead 30,000 troops to fight here.
The main force of the Tang Army!"
Li Guiren pointed to the road again, "This is Bailong Ridge, about ten miles away from Gushui Town. The general can lead an army of 20,000 to ambush here. When the fighting between the two sides is at its fiercest, the general can lead an army of 20,000 to attack the Tang army from behind.
The Tang army will be defeated!"
Zhou Zhi nodded, "This plan is good, you can give it a try!"
Li Guiren was in high spirits and said quickly: "That's it, let's set off tomorrow at five o'clock!"
"What about the county?" Zhou Zhi asked.
Li Guiren shook his head, "There is no point in defending the county seat. If we win, we can certainly keep it. If we lose, we can't keep it either!"
Zhou Zhi said goodbye and left. Zhou Gong, Li Guiren's clerk who joined the army, worried: "Zhou Zhi and the general have different positions, and they support different lords. I am a little worried about this humble position!"
Li Guiren waved his hand, "The different positions between him and me are just internal issues, which can be coordinated by the Holy Spirit. However, facing the Tang Army is a matter of life and death for both sides. I believe he is also aware of this!"
Near dawn, a light rain began to fall from the sky. The light rain in early spring showed its gentle side. The raindrops were thin and dense, and the clouds in the sky became thinner and lighter, showing a gray smoky blue color.
In the wilderness about twenty miles west of Mianchi County, two armies were confronting each other.
Li Ye's 50,000 troops faced Li Guiren's 30,000 troops. Li Ye sneered and said to everyone: "Is Zhou Zhi's 20,000 troops lying in ambush in the south, preparing to attack when the two armies are in a stalemate?"
Wei Boyu clasped his fists and said: "I would like to lead five thousand people in my headquarters to ambush in the south. Once the enemy comes, I will ambush them halfway and buy time for Your Highness!"
Li Ye nodded, "Okay!"
Wei Boyu immediately led his five thousand troops to detour to the south and found a forest to ambush.
The 30,000 troops led by Li Guiren were composed of 10,000 cavalry and 20,000 infantry. The 10,000 cavalry were commanded by deputy general Tian Qianzhen.
Tian Qianzhen urged his horse forward and said to Li Guiren: "It's raining and the strings of bows and arrows are too soft to use. I am willing to lead 10,000 cavalry to attack the enemy's center formation."
Li Guiren nodded. His style is to take the initiative and does not like to be passive.
"Accurate! The cavalry attacks!"
"Woo——" the horn from the lower level sounded.
Ten thousand Yan army cavalry suddenly launched into action. Tian Ganzhen waved his sword and shouted: "Behead Li Ye and make ten thousand households a marquis!"
"Kill!"
Among the thousands of horses galloping, the shouts of killing were like thunder.
Although bows and arrows cannot be used in the rain, it does not mean that the Helong Army only has bows and arrows.
Li Ye stared at the opponent and ordered coldly: "Spear throwers prepare!"
Five thousand spear throwers hid behind the cavalry and stood ready.
Three hundred steps.
．
．
．
Two hundred steps.
．
．
．
One hundred steps.
．
．
Fifty steps.
．
．
Li Ye gave the order, "Project!"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!" The drums sounded like thunder.
Five thousand spear throwers rushed out from the team, throwing the short steel spears in their hands with all their strength. The sound of breaking through the air sounded sharply in the dense drizzle. Thousands of short spears formed a rain of spears, charging towards the head in a dark mass. The incoming Yan army cavalry shot away.
The Yan army cavalry were caught off guard and were shot through their bodies with short spears one after another. Unlike arrows, which could be blocked with shields, the sharp short spears shot through everything like a torrent.
Two thousand Yan Army cavalry were shot dead on the spot, and the powerful momentum of the Yan Army cavalry was instantly shattered.