The river meanders and the water is clear. The cavalry are scattered along the river to feed and water their horses.
A few miles away is a valley, and many cavalry have entered the valley to rest.
As expected by the Shence Army, Qin Xiao's cavalry team included many local Xuzhou cavalry, and several of them were even born in Pengcheng County.
These cavalrymen are extremely familiar with the geographical conditions of Pengcheng.
Qin Xiao also had a detailed understanding of this area beforehand and knew that it would be very advantageous for a thousand cavalry to be hidden in this area.
"General, it's such a pleasure to follow you and kill the enemy." A cavalry captain was standing next to Qin Xiao, looking at Qin Xiao with awe: "It has never been so pleasurable for me to cut off two heads."
Qin Xiao knew that this man's name was Wu Chong, who was born in Pengcheng County. He was not only a cavalry captain, but also a military guide.
This valley was exactly what Wu Chong recommended. The valley is not only hidden, but also has many exits, so there is no need to worry about being besieged.
Qin Xiao shook his head and sighed: "The Shence Army is also a strong man of the Tang Dynasty. The Tang army is killing each other, which is not a good thing for the Tang Dynasty. If it is not a last resort, I don't want to see the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty facing each other on the battlefield."
Wu Chong was in awe.
"General, I have a question that I don't know whether to ask or not?"
"you say!"
"At that time, our army had divided its forces and attacked from both wings of the enemy. Why not take the opportunity to outflank the middle?" Wu Chong said: "Everyone's morale was high at that time. If we attack in one go, it is very possible to defeat them."
Qin Xiao shook his head and said: "Don't underestimate the Shence Army. You have also seen that most of their sergeants can wake up in a very short time and quickly assemble into a team. This is not what any
Both soldiers and horses can do it. We used cavalry against infantry and launched a surprise attack. Although we injured a lot of enemies, we also suffered losses. Although we did not lose many brothers, logically speaking, there should not be such casualties.
." His face became serious and he said: "Actually, as I estimated, everyone is inexperienced on the battlefield, and the Shence Army they faced was also very powerful. If they attacked the middle at that time, their team had already organized a defensive formation. Once the battle broke out,
If we cause damage to the enemy in time, our army will also suffer heavy losses."
When Wu Chong heard this, he couldn't help but nodded and said: "The Shence Army is an elite division of the Tang Dynasty and should not be underestimated."
"We, a thousand brothers, went out to raid the city not to kill the enemy. The real purpose was to disturb the enemy." Qin Xiao said with a smile: "As long as we can make the enemy restless day and night and unable to march towards Xuzhou City with all our strength, we will have completed our mission.
, and made great achievements. There is no need to confront them head-on and cause losses to yourself." He raised his hand and patted Wu Chong on the shoulder, saying: "If you want to kill the enemy and make great achievements, don't worry, I will give you the opportunity soon."
Wu Chong said with a smile: "The general was famous before, and everyone has heard of it. But everyone also knows that the general is very young, and they all feel that it is an exaggeration to say that the general is extremely brave. But now my subordinates know that the general is really brave.
Horse." Then he frowned and said: "General, we attacked the enemy, and they will definitely send troops to chase us. General, why didn't you withdraw to Xuzhou City, instead of going west?"
"If we withdraw and cannot harass their rear, they can march straight in and attack Xuzhou City with all our strength." Qin Xiao filled his water bag.
Shui said with a smile: "As long as we are here, we can use a small number of troops to contain them and prevent them from advancing. Before Tantai Xuanye finds us, he will not continue to advance eastward, but will only delay."
Wu Chong said: "General, although my subordinates are very familiar with this area, it is suitable for us to hide. However, if the enemy pursues our traces with all their strength, they will find us sooner or later. They have tens of thousands of troops and many cavalry. If they pursue us with all their strength,
We are just afraid!"
"They will look for us at all costs. You are right, our whereabouts will be exposed sooner or later." Qin Xiao said: "But we must try our best to delay their advance and buy some time for Xuzhou City."
"Buying time?" Wu Chong said in surprise: "General, the defenses of Xuzhou City have been completed and the defenders are ready, why do we still need to buy time?"
Qin Xiao had already stood up, and went to lead the horse to the river to feed water. He said with a smile: "Because if we fight for one more day, Tantai Xuanye will take one more step towards the gate of hell. Whether we can defeat the Shence Army depends on us."
Can a group of cavalry hold them back?" Without further explanation, he looked across the valley and said, "I'm going to rest here for a day, and I have to move to another place tomorrow. I can't stay in one place for a long time. By the way, School Wu.
Lieutenant, have the rangers been sent out?"
"Don't worry, general, my subordinates have sent out twenty rangers to roam within thirty miles of the surrounding area." Wu Chong said: "They have all changed into civilian clothes, and they are riding the fastest horses. Whenever there is someone,
We will report the situation immediately."
Qin Xiao nodded and asked: "How many days can everyone's food rations last?
"
"The food we each have in reserve can last at least five days." Wu Chong said: "There are many water sources in Pengcheng County, so replenishing water is not a problem. The main thing is to replenish dry food. My subordinates know the distribution of villages in this area and know where to buy them.
food."
"Qianqi said it's not too much, but it's not too much. Even the people and horses need a lot of food." Qin Xiao said: "The people in the village don't have much surplus food. If a dozen villages put it together, it may be able to supplement it.
Some." Then he frowned and said: "But Tantai Xuanye is very cunning, I believe he will definitely send someone to bribe the villagers. If we appear in the village, our whereabouts will be exposed soon."
Wu Chong said: "What the general said is absolutely true. Even if you send a small group of troops to buy food, the enemy will soon find out."
Qin Xiao looked up at the sky, thoughtfully, and said after a moment: "There is no need to go to Xuzhou to get food. With the strength of a thousand cavalry, where can there be no food?"
In the dark night of Xuzhou City, She Yue stood in the courtyard, looking at the moonlit sky with few stars, her beautiful eyebrows furrowed.
"Princess, General Qin is both wise and brave. Don't worry too much." Changsun Meier stood behind her and said softly: "It's already very late. You haven't eaten anything since noon. If you continue like this, it will hurt your body."
The battle of Xuzhou City was imminent, and the funeral of the eldest grandson Yuanxin could not be held.
Changsun Meier stayed with her eldest son Yuanxin for several days, showing her affection as a brother and sister. She knew that Sheyue could not live without her, so she returned to Sheyue.
Qin Xiao led Qianqi out of the city, and Changsun Meier naturally knew about it.
However, She Yue had just ordered Qin Xiao to serve as the commander-in-chief of the Xuzhou garrison, and Qin Xiao immediately led his troops out of the city, which made many people confused as to what Qin Xiao wanted.
like
If Qin Xiao wanted to reinforce Taishan or Pengcheng, then going there with only Qianqi would undoubtedly be asking for death.
No one knows what Qin Xiao can do with Qianqi.
Even Changsun Meier couldn't understand it.
Last night, the military report from Taishan was sent. The Taishan defenders were unable to stop the Shence Army's offensive, and Taishan City was captured by the enemy in one day.
When the news came, She Yue was also shocked.
Although she had already guessed that Taishan would not be able to defend it, She Yue could not have imagined that it would fall so quickly.
This proves at least two points.
The Shence Army is indeed very strong, but the Xuzhou garrison is indeed very weak.
Except for a few generals, no one else in the garrison knew the news of the fall of Mount Tai. After all, once this military report spread among the garrison, it would be another blow to the morale of the garrison.
Qin Xiao had already emphasized before that the morale of the defenders was very low. It would be a disaster to fight the Shence Army with such morale.
Therefore, She Yue really did not dare to let the sergeants know about this military report again.
Although there was no battle report from Pengcheng, She Yue knew that it was only a matter of time before Pengcheng fell.
What she is most worried about now is Qin Xiao.
Before Qin Xiao left, he naturally had some explanations for She Yue, but they were not detailed.
Qin Xiao only said that he would lead Qianqi to harass the enemy's logistics line and delay the advance of the Shence Army. He also asked that someone would come to support Xuzhou soon, but Qin Xiao did not explain clearly who would come to support Xuzhou.
Several days had passed since Qin Xiao left the city, and She Yue was always on tenterhooks.
He knew that Qin Xiao's troops were too weak, and if he wanted to disrupt the enemy's logistics, he would have to go deep behind the enemy's rear. This would put him in danger.
If the general of the Shence Army is someone else, Musk
Yue may not be so worried.
But the enemy general is Tantai Xuanye.
She Yue has a deep feeling of fear towards Tantai Xuanye.
She knew that Tantai Xuanye was not good at fighting, and he was also very good at leading troops in battle. If Qin Xiao broke into the enemy's rear, Tantai Xuanye would definitely not give up, so Qin Xiao would always face Tantai Xuanye's pursuit.
Although Qin Xiao laughed and said before leaving that nothing would happen and he would definitely come back unscathed, She Yue couldn't let go of her hanging heart after not seeing Qin Xiao come back for a day.
"Do you think he has eaten?" She Yue sighed softly: "They don't have any logistical supplies and they all rely on themselves. Do you think they can find food?"
Changsun Meier was naturally worried, but she couldn't show it. Instead, she could only comfort her: "Princess, you know General Qin. If he is not sure, he will not take risks easily. Since he dares to lead troops out of the city, he is confident. Others.
You don’t have to trust General Qin, but you still don’t trust him? He has never let you down."
"That's right." She Yue seemed to be encouraging herself, nodded and smiled: "He has never let me down, and he will definitely not let me down this time."
Suddenly I heard someone coming in a hurry and saying, "Princess, Commander Dong wants to see you!"
"Dong Cheng?" She Yue was a little surprised. It was already midnight. What did Dong Cheng want to see at this time?
She suddenly thought, could it be that there was news from Qin Xiao?
"Let him come quickly!"
Soon, she saw Dong Cheng, who was in charge of Beicheng's defense, coming in a hurry. She Yue didn't wait for him to salute and asked, "Is there any news about General Qin?"
"No." Dong Cheng bowed in salute, shook his head and said, "There is no news about General Qin yet."
She Yue couldn't help but frown.
"Princess, there is a group of people coming from outside Beicheng." Dong Cheng said: "They claim to be under the orders of General Qin and came to reinforce Xuzhou."
She Yue immediately thought of what Qin Xiao had left before leaving, saying that reinforcements would come, and asked quickly: "Where did they come from? How many people are there?"
"The number is not large, only three or four hundred people." Dong Cheng said: "But they have many carriages and seem to have brought a lot of weapons and equipment. The subordinates do not know their details and do not let them into the city easily. They are now waiting outside the North City. Princess
, should we let them into the city?"
"Let them enter the city immediately and treat them well." She Yue said, "Bring their leader to see me."