One morning two days later, Yang Xuan set out with 3,000 cavalry and 5,000 infantry.
Zhang Huan personally sent him outside the city, "report something urgent."
"yes."
Shi Zhongtang also came out with his men.
"Beat the drum to see off the athletes of the Tang Dynasty!"
Zhang Huan raised his hand.
Twelve burly men stood at the top of the city with their upper bodies naked.
In front of them are twelve large drums.
Twelve people waved drumsticks in unison.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
The powerful drum sound makes people's blood boil.
"Be careful!" Zhou Zun warned: "You just have to fight, for other things, I'm here, so you can rest assured!"
Yang Xuan nodded, "My father-in-law, please be more careful."
Zhou Zun stroked his beard with a smile, his hand touched his bare chin, and then took it back awkwardly, "I hope someone will jump out."
Staff Chang Mu said with a smile: "Southern Xinjiang officials have tested it several times recently, and they are disgraced."
My father-in-law is mighty!
Yang Xuan cupped his hands.
Weng's son-in-law smiled at each other without saying a word.
You go out to fight, and I will guard your retreat.
The two armies assemble.
Zhang Huan asked people to serve him fine wine.
"Done!"
Yang Xuan raised his head, drank the wine, and threw it hard!
Boom!
Everyone was stunned.
Someone said: "Isn't this unlucky?"
Yang Xuan learned the rules in the scroll, drank wine and threw bowls. Seeing everyone's astonishment, he explained: "Drinking makes a hero brave, and throwing bowls with the flow makes the momentum as powerful as a rainbow."
Zhang Huan nodded and slammed the bowl, "It's really fun!"
Yang Xuan cupped his hands and said, "See you in Nanzhou!"
"See you in Nanzhou!"
Everyone bowed their hands.
At this moment, everyone was in awe.
The wind blew the flag, and Zhang Huan sighed: "There is a poem that says, "How many people have fought in ancient times? We, the warriors, defend the country and guard the borders, and serve your majesty. Why should we fear death?"
The general is very tired.
Taking charge of an army is just as tiring as the military governor of a local emperor.
He didn't know how many pairs of eyes around him belonged to the emperor of Chang'an.
Therefore, he must be cautious in his words and actions, even in his acting.
Even if they are actors in another world, they only act while working. But Zhang Huan is different. He probably acts all the time except sleeping time.
Perform a hymn of loyalty with all your heart.
"Set off!"
After giving the order, Yang Xuan and Shi Zhongtang looked at each other.
Once Shi Zhongtang was looking for a thigh in Chang'an, and Yang Xuan could overlook him at that time.
As time passed, Shi Zhongtang successfully hugged the imperial concubine's lap and even took a bath in the palace, becoming famous for a while.
But Yang Xuan became more and more low-key.
"Take care of yourself!"
"Take care of yourself!"
The two held hands.
Chunyu stood beside Shi Zhongtang and couldn't help but said: "It is said that Yang Shijun offended the imperial concubine?"
This is exciting!
In recent years, the most famous among the young generation in northern Xinjiang is Yang Xuan.
And in southern Xinjiang is Shi Zhongtang.
Nanjian and Beijiang are enemies, so naturally there is no harmony between them.
How the two perform in this battle will affect the outside world's judgment of their abilities.
Therefore, Chunyu stabbed Yang Xuan.
He felt that Yang Xuan should refute.
Even scolding.
Shi Zhongtang is also waiting.
Han Ji watched this scene with a smile not far away, thinking that my new boss was quite capable, but how would he respond if he was provoked at this moment?
Furious, this is the reaction of a young man, but it is too shallow.
Argue based on reason... What is there to argue about? Holding a thigh is not a glorious thing. Shi Zhongtang is a general and is not afraid of being criticized, but Yang Xuan cannot.
If someone likes to be in a quagmire, you can't jump in and wrestle with them, right?
Yang Xuan didn't look at Chun Yu, but at Shi Zhongtang.
Asked slowly:
"who is he?"
In an instant, Chunyu's face turned the color of pig liver.
Yang Xuan rode his horse, "Let's go!"
Shi Zhongtang looked at his back and said with a smile: "It's interesting!"
"He's hitting you in the face!" Chunyu was still embarrassed and had difficulty sheathing the knife.
"It doesn't matter." Shi Zhongtang said calmly: "Lei Qi is waiting for him."
…
Lei Qi led thousands of riders into Huangzhou City like a whirlwind.
Qian Nan, the magistrate of Huangzhou, did not go out of the city to greet him.
He didn't even leave the state capital.
There is no way, the status of the Southern Zhou warriors is low, even if they are a county magistrate, they can still put on a show of defiance when meeting famous generals like Lei Qi.
In a word: A thief is worthy of an army, right?
"I've seen Inspector Lei!"
Lei Qi is the commander of the capital, which is an official position in the army. He also has the title of governor... The Southern Zhou Dynasty emphasized civility over military affairs, so naturally the title was biased towards civilians.
Lei Qi dismounted, with a smile on his dark face, "I have met Qian Zhizhou. By the way, how is Tang Jun?"
"Go in and talk!" Qian Nan turned sideways and said reservedly.
A general behind Lei Qi said: "The military situation is like a fire..."
"Shut up!" Lei Qi shouted to the general.
Qian Nan said calmly: "The military situation is like a fire, but it didn't burn your rotten crotch!"
This is humiliating!
It is not easy to bathe in the army. During the rainy season, many sergeants will have rotten crotches. When word spread, everyone laughs at them.
The general looked ashamed and annoyed, but he lowered his head, cupped his hands and said, "I have lost my composure."
If he doesn't bow his head, Qian Nan will send a memorandum or letter back to Bianjing, which will make him walk around without food.
Lei Qi blocked him, "I was rushing along this way, and I was a little angry."
When everyone entered the lobby, Qian Nan nodded and called Zhang Shao and said: "Two days ago, news came that a large army was gathering in southern Xinjiang, and scouts were coming and going."
"Wait!" Lei Qi raised his hand and asked, "How are our scouts doing?"
"The Tang army's scouts intercepted them fiercely, and few could get close."
Qian Nan raised his tea cup and took a slow sip.
“Great tea!”
"This is a cover!" Lei Qi squinted, "I have people go to Songcheng, Shangnan and other places to warn you, be careful, the enemy... I'm afraid they are already on the road."
Zhang Shao said calmly: "Isn't that the case?"
Lei Qi said: "I have been fighting for many years, and I still know these methods."
Qian Nan coughed dryly and said, "In this war, I will be under the command of Inspector Lei, and I will do my best to help you."
Lei Qi stood up and said, "If this is the case, I will be offended."
Qian Nan nodded, looking calm.
"The scouts want to find out about the left flank of the Tang army at all costs, who is leading the army, how many troops there are...the sooner the better."
"yes."
"Besides, are the generals guarding the various places senior generals?"
Qian Nan looked at Zhang Shao.
This is just showing off and disdainful of dealing with warriors.
Zhang Shao said: "They are all veteran generals."
"Have you ever fought in a battle?"
Zhang Shao: "..."
Lei Qi took a deep breath and said, "I have sent orders everywhere. I have brought your Majesty's decree. If any civil and military officials neglect the war and neglect their duties, I will kill them for speaking!"
…
Songcheng is the front line facing Datang.
But there has been peace between the Tang Dynasty and the Southern Zhou Dynasty for decades. The last time there was a serious war... I guess even the old man can't remember it.
Guard Zhan Wentao came to Songcheng less than half a year ago.
Early in the morning, Zhan Wentao and his deputy Xiang Lin stood at the top of the city and looked into the distance, just like looking at the husband's stone.
The scout is back
I went out for more than a hundred people and came back for more than thirty people.
Most of the remaining people were injured.
"How?" Zhan Wentao asked.
The scout knelt down and said, "Commander Zhan, the Tang army's scouts are fierce, and the brothers are fighting bloody battles..."
Zhan Wentao interrupted him and asked rudely: "I'm asking about the results!"
The scout was startled, with a sad look on his face, "Thousands of Tang troops are already heading towards Songcheng."
The previous words not only explained the specific situation of the Tang army, but also expressed merit for the brothers who died in the battle. But Zhan Wentao was obviously not interested in knowing this.
Xiang Lin said: "It seems that a war is inevitable. Who is commanding the Tang army?"
"We can't see clearly." The scout shook his head, "We just took a look from a distance, and the Tang Army's scouts pounced on us like wild wolves. We almost lost them all there."
"How many cavalry?"
"Two to three thousand, and about five or six thousand infantry."
"Good job!" Xiang Lin nodded, "Get up!"
The scout stood up and said eagerly: "The corpses of the brothers are still on the opposite side. Should we... send someone to negotiate?"
"Continue to scout and find out who the enemy general is!"
Zhan Wentao said with a straight face.
After the scouts left, he held on to the city wall and gasped: "The army is coming! The army is coming!"
Xiang Lin walked over and looked at him with disdain and anger in his eyes.
"Commander Zhan, it's time to make a decision."
Zhan Wentao turned around and said with a sad smile: "I know you look down on me, the powerful son who came to Songcheng to be gilded, but there has been no war between the Tang Dynasty and the Southern Zhou Dynasty for many years, who could have predicted that?"
Xiang Lin bowed his head and said, "I don't dare to do this."
Zhan Wentao's ancestor was a military general, and he later received a title... Although he could not get into the circle of civil servants, he was like a fish in water in the circle of military men.
Songcheng faces the Tang Dynasty. If you hang out here for a year or two and then go back, you will be known as a good soldier.
Then it was easy to get promoted and make a fortune.
But who could have imagined that Tang Jun would come.
"You watch." Zhan Wentao hurried back to his residence and found his confidants.
"Just say that I am ill. I am acutely ill. Songcheng cannot treat me. I have to go back to Bianjing. Go quickly. The sooner the better!"
After the entourage left, Zhan Wentao looked at his white and tender hands blankly, "If it's too late, I'm afraid I won't be able to leave!"
He got up and said, "Come here, prepare the carriage, let's go to Huangzhou City!"
The entourage hurried to the county government office and found Zhang Wen, the county magistrate.
"I... am seriously ill."
Zhang Wen's breath weakened, "Let Zhan Wentao defend the city safely, I will go now..."
The attendant blinked his eyes and said, "My husband is no longer able to do it either."
"What a coincidence!" The doctor whispered outside the door.
"Hurry up!" Zhang Wen asked someone to help him stand up, and walked to the door without touching the ground.
The doctor follows behind and will accompany him all the way.
There was a carriage outside. Zhang Wen lay on it and said, "Let's go to Huangzhou!"
Ta-ta-ta!
A carriage is coming.
Lying on it was Zhan Wentao.
"Hey! Magistrate Zhang!"
Zhan Wentao lay down and held his hands.
"Hey! Commander Zhan, what a coincidence!"
"Yes! What a coincidence!"
Two carriages are traveling side by side.
"Did you tell Xiang Lin?"
"Said."
"You are a military commander and it is your duty to defend the territory!"
"You are the county magistrate and you are absent from your post without permission!"
"Lei Qi can chop you up!"
"Qian Zhizhou could eat you alive!"
"No, no matter how angry Qian Zhizhou is, he will be directed at the head of a thief like you."
Civil servants are so noble!
At the top of the city, Xiang Lin looked into the distance and said to the people around him: "They are gone, but I feel relieved!"
All the soldiers at the top of the city were like this.
Two carriages arrived.
In front were more than ten riders clearing the way, and behind were several large carts, all covered with boxes and cages... Judging from the heavy posture, they were probably money.
"Open the door!"
Zhang Wen's man shouted.
Xiang Lin nodded.
Squeak...
The city gate slowly opened.
"Keep an eye on the city!" Zhang Wen gasped: "I went to Huangzhou to seek treatment from a famous doctor. I will come back when I feel better."
He bowed his hand to Lin Moran.
Zhan Wentao was lying on the carriage, staring at the city head with bright eyes, biting his lower lip with his teeth, and choked silently.
"I... don't want to leave!"
Ta-ta-ta!
The sound of horse hooves came from outside the city.
Someone at the top of the city shouted: "It's people from Huangzhou!"
More than twenty riders rushed outside the city gate and blocked Zhang Wen's carriage.
"I'm seriously ill!" Zhang Wen said with a breathless voice.
The leading official said coldly: "Your Majesty ordered Inspector Lei to take charge of this battle. Inspector Lei's military order...Songcheng and other places' garrison officials are not allowed to retreat."
"I have an old illness..." Zhang Wen coughed a few times.
The official said: "Chief Lei said that even if he dies, he must die where he is!"
Evacuate!
Go ahead and dream!
At the top of the city, Xiang Lin sighed, "Isn't it good to let them go?"
Under the city, Zhan Wentao and Zhang Wen watched in despair as the officials turned around...
However, the two of them were still lying on the carriage after performing the entire scene.
Someone screamed at the top of the city.
"Enemy attack!"
moment.
"Come here!" Zhang Wen jumped out of the carriage.
"Save me!" Zhan Wentao rolled off the carriage and shouted: "Quick, prepare your horse!"
Smoke and dust billowed in the distance.
More than a hundred cavalry appeared in sight!
"Morale is gone." Xiang Lin smiled bitterly, "Look at who is leading the army. If something goes wrong, attack!"
"I hope it's not that gangster Shi Zhongtang!" someone said.
Shi Zhongtang had a reputation for killing so many people that the rebels in southern Xinjiang were afraid of him even mentioning him.
"Attack!"
A general advised, "Morale has hit rock bottom. If we stay behind closed doors and don't fight, we may not be able to hold on!"
Xiang Lin looked back and saw Zhang Wen and Zhan Wentao standing under the city with livid faces. He couldn't help but sigh, "Send people out of the city to report to Huangzhou. This battle will be difficult, but we can hold on for at least half a month."
Chenzhou has sufficient food, sufficient weapons and equipment to defend the city, and there are still 2,000 soldiers... If ten are surrounded, the enemy army will not exceed 10,000. It will not be easy to encircle and annihilate the Songcheng defenders.
Squeak!
The south gate was opened, and the officials and more than twenty riders who had just arrived to deliver the order, plus the women and children of more than ten officials in the city... those who could ride, quietly sent out.
Zhan Wentao and Zhang Wen wanted to redeem their previous bad impression and personally escorted the officials out of the south gate.
"If you go to Huangzhou, please tell Qian Zhizhou that I am sick... I will live and die with Songcheng!"
Zhang Wen had tears in his eyes.
Zhan Wentao was thinking about how to express his position, but he couldn't come up with an idea.
"Farewell!"
The official had a cold face and obviously told the truth.
Zhang Wen and Zhan Wentao were anxious and could only watch them go away.
"Enemy attack!"
Someone at the top of the city shouted.
"More than twenty riders! They seem to be enemy generals!"
The corners of Zhang Wen's mouth slowly turned upward, "Zhan Wentao! Commander Zhan!"
Zhan Wentao trembled with excitement, "Only twenty riders?"
The sergeant at the top of the city shouted: "Sure, just twenty riders!"
"Opportunity!" Zhang Wen stamped his feet, "I am sure that the enemy general wants to find out something and kill him! No, capture him alive, capture him alive, the enemy army will retreat without a fight!"
Seeing that Zhan Wentao was still in a daze, he grabbed his collar and spitted all over his face, "What are you waiting for? Our chance to make a contribution has arrived!"
Zhan Wentao was ecstatic, his face flushed and he shouted: "Attack! Attack!"
More than two hundred cavalrymen gathered together, and someone advised: "Wait a little longer?"
"We are surrounded by ten, what are you waiting for? Attack!"
Ahead, officials, women and children fled back in confusion.
The cavalry galloped away.
Zhang and Wen were watching the battle at the top of the city.
"They didn't run away!"
"The general is still pointing fingers at us!"
"Isn't he stupid?" Zhang Wen asked.
Zhan Wentao: "..."
General Tang suddenly pointed forward, and more than ten riders rushed over.
The shadow of a gun suddenly appeared.
The iron rod swept across the army!
The screams could be heard even from the top of the city!
Zhang Wen was frightened.
"He's a good player!" Zhan Wentao cursed with foam at the mouth: "Close the door! Close the city gate!"
More than two hundred cavalry were defeated, and most of them escaped.
"Hurry up!"
The sergeant at Guanchengmen deliberately slowed down to receive the cavalry into the city.
But the pursuers came.
The leading man threw out the iron rod in his hand!
"close the door!"
There were still more than seventy riders outside the gate, and the city gate was forcibly closed.
"Let me in!"
The cavalry outside the door is howling!
Woo!
The iron rod hit the city gate hard, bounced back with a bang, and knocked down two cavalrymen.
There was a loud sound of hoofbeats, and three thousand horsemen appeared in front, slowly coming surrounded by General Tang.
Tang Jiang gently waved his hand, "Raise my flag!"