When Zhi Tingxiao left Yingzhou City, he called his deputy Wei Qing as soon as possible and said: "Take a team of troops to search for the enemy's traces, and report as soon as there is any news."
Guo Chongyue's stupidity made this one of the few loyal ministers and good generals in the Southern Han Dynasty so angry that his lungs exploded, but he was helpless.
As Guo Chongyue said, he is the recruiting envoy and the commander-in-chief of the 50,000-strong army.
I am just the commander of a regiment training army, so how can I make irresponsible remarks?
Looking at Wei Qing's leaving figure, Zhi Tingxiao's eyes revealed a trace of determination to die.
The current situation is very clear. Those who can really fight have no soldiers, but those who cannot fight have 50,000 elites.
Pan Chongche of Shaozhou was able to protect himself and was incapable of defeating the enemy.
Guo Chongyue is a fool who doesn't know how to fight... As long as the Central Plains are aware that Yingzhou has a large army, the coach is a rat and bypasses Shaozhou to attack Yingzhou.
Guo Chongyue's method of repelling the enemy by begging Buddha and Bodhisattva to punish the Central Plains is tantamount to self-destruction.
Instead of waiting for death, it is better to take the initiative and weaken the enemy's energy. Let the Central Plains know that Yingzhou is also a hard nut to crack, so don't dwell on it. Even if it doesn't work, you will only die a few days prematurely.
Zhi Tingxiao went to fight with a death wish. He had not left Yingzhou City five miles away when he saw his deputy Wei Qing coming hastily. He shouted in horror: "Commander Zhi, the traitors are coming and they are just one mile away.
"
Zhi Tingxiao's expression suddenly changed. He really didn't expect the Central Plains Army to be so cowardly.
You are less than five miles away from the city, so the other party dares to attack you head on?
"Arrogant and arrogant, bullying no one in Lingnan?"
Zhi Tingxiao was filled with indignation and immediately asked Wei Qing to go to Yingzhou City to ask Guo Chongyue for help, while he lined up and stood by.
Flags are flying and drums are beating.
Under the clear blue sky and clear sunshine, eight thousand Nanhan regiments formed a square formation with a radius of one mile.
Tian Renlang stood on a higher hillside and looked at the troops in front of him who were neatly arrayed and had good morale but were in disarray. Without any hesitation, he shouted directly: "Sword and shield soldiers are ahead,
The spearmen are behind me, and the cavalry is on standby with me to attack..."
Before setting off for the expedition, Tian Renlang had already obtained all the information about Yingzhou from Pan Mei.
Although he didn't know where the news about Pan Mei came from, it came all the way. As a coach, he seemed to know everything, and he knew everything about the situation in Lingnan.
The topography of Lingnan, down to the names and abilities of local officials, and even the conditions of their soldiers, were all under his control.
If Pan Mei hadn't followed Luo Youdu early in the morning, Tian Renlang would even suspect that he was an authentic Lingnan native.
Zhi Tingxiao was a little shocked when faced with Tian Renlang's somewhat unreasonable tactics, but the situation no longer allowed him to think too much, so he shouted directly: "It's just the right time!"
"Archer, shoot!"
The arrow flew through the air and hit the shield of the sword and shield soldier, making a crackling sound like raindrops falling to the ground.
With the expansion of the territory of the Central Plains imperial court and the overall improvement of the population and economy, the self-sufficiency rate of materials has become increasingly abundant.
The armor wearing rate of soldiers has reached a very impressive level.
Each of these powerful soldiers who charge into battle is equipped with armor inlaid with iron plates.
With shields protecting their vital points, it is difficult for arrows to cause damage to them.
Only those who were unlucky were shot in the knee and thigh, and lost combat effectiveness for a short time, falling behind. This did not affect the team's sprint speed at all.
When Zhi Tingxiao saw this, he cursed secretly: Thinking of the crossbowmen under Guo Chongyue, he thought angrily: "If I had a crossbowman in my hand, how could the traitors in the Central Plains dare to be so rampant!"
The military system of the Southern Han Dynasty was different from that of the Central Plains. They were divided into four organizations in order of status: town army, regiment training army, left and right street army, and local army.
The town armies are relatively elite and are regional forces commanded by their respective military governors. They are mainly responsible for guarding important border towns or transportation hubs. The remaining armies are similar to the escorts and militia of local towns.
Of the 50,000 soldiers and horses in Guo Chongyue's hands, 30,000 are well-equipped town troops, while the regiment training troops in his hands are like those raised by his stepmother, without decent equipment, let alone money-burning things like crossbows.
Zhi Tingxiao gritted his teeth and waved the command flag vigorously, and his spearmen quickly formed a spear formation.
The sword and shield soldiers of the Central Plains have fearlessly rushed into the center of the spear array with their long shields and spears.
The two armies were fighting in one place instantly.
Blood splattered everywhere.
Seeing this, Tian Renlang raised his spear high and shouted: "Brothers, crush them!"
Naturally, the movements of Tian Renlang's cavalry could not be hidden from Zhi Tingxiao.
But he had absolutely no way to deal with it.
As a stepmother, the regiment training army does not have units such as cavalry, so it can only rely on spearmen to resist.
Order the pikemen in the rear army to turn to the right, trying to protect the archers and avoid being directly attacked by the cavalry.
Shield soldiers assault, spears sweep the formation, and cavalry flank assault.
Tian Renlang used the simplest infantry and cavalry tactics, but this simple tactic made Zhi Tingxiao feel powerless.
Simple means quick results.
The Central Plains soldiers' experience, equipment, personal enemy-killing skills, morale and even the types of soldiers were all superior to those of the Southern Han army.
Zhi Tingxiao has no idea how to reverse the pros and cons of this kind of frontal strength.
Zhi Tingxiao did not underestimate the Central Plains, but he did not expect that the gap between the two sides would be so huge that he felt vulnerable.
"Brothers, hold on, the reinforcements are right behind us. Guo Shuai's 40,000 troops will arrive in a blink of an eye. As long as we hold on for half an hour, we can let these thieves who invaded my home know how powerful we are!"
Zhi Tingxiao loudly encouraged his morale. Although he was at a disadvantage, he could still do it if he persisted for an hour.
As long as Guo Chongyue comes to help, the balance of victory will tip to them.
There is no reason why we cannot win if we fight 50,000 against 10,000.
Time passed by minute by minute, and half an hour had passed.
Zhi Tingxiao was sweating profusely, and his resistance became more and more difficult, but the reinforcements he was waiting for were nowhere to be seen.
Until Lieutenant General Wei Qing came to him with tears on his face.
Only then did Zhi Tingxiao react, opened his mouth and said, "Guo Chongyue didn't send reinforcements?"
Wei Qing cried and cursed: "That goddamn bastard said that the commander did not listen to dissuasion and went to war without authorization. He deserved this end. He was unwilling to dispatch even a single soldier...Commander, withdraw, we can't hold on any longer."
"
Zhi Tingxiao's face turned pale and he said blankly: "Withdraw? Where else can we evacuate?"
He smiled miserably, suddenly got on his horse, and roared: "Now that the matter has come to this, the only option is to die for the country. If you are afraid of death, surrender on your own. If you are not afraid of death, come after me!"
He roared loudly, as if there was a thunderbolt in mid-air, then rode forward and attacked at the risk of his life.
Zhi Tingxiao was well versed in military strategy, and although the regiment in his hands was not the main force of the Southern Han Dynasty, it was well-trained and he trusted his superiors very much.
Infected by his tragic spirit, many soldiers followed him and risked their lives to fight.
Zhi Tingxiao's charge like a mad tiger really caused a lot of trouble to the Central Plains soldiers who had always been at an advantage.
But as Zhi Tingxiao collapsed from exhaustion, this Southern Han regiment training army could no longer make any waves.
Tian Renlang wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling lingering fear: Zhi Tingxiao's last blow really put a lot of pressure on him.
"Clean up the battlefield!"
Tian Renlang not only wanted to defeat Zhiting Xiaobu under the nose of Yingzhou Guo Chongyue, but also cleaned up the battlefield under his nose.
Naked contempt!
The reason why this battle was fought so aggressively was that Tian Renlang learned about the situation of Guo Chongyue and Zhi Tingxiao from Pan Mei early in the morning.
Regarding whether Guo Chongyue will attack, Tian Renlang made three assumptions.
Guo Chongyue is timid and fearful. If Zhi Tingxiao fights him back and forth, Guo Chongyue may come to support him; if Zhi Tingxiao has the upper hand, Guo Chongyue will support him 100%; but on the contrary, Zhi Tingxiao will be at a disadvantage and may be defeated.
There are signs that Guo Chongyue will most likely not dare to come to help.
Although Zhi Tingxiao had the weapons of a famous general, his troops and horses were not the elite of the Southern Han Dynasty, and his equipment and equipment were not as good as those of the Central Plains.
Tian Renlang was fully confident that he would have the upper hand, so Guo Chongyue did not dare to come to his aid.
The result was just as he assumed.
**********
Xingwangfu, royal palace.
Liu Yuan looked at Lu Qiongxian, Fan Huzi, Chen Yanshou, Li Tuo, and Gong Chengshu, with blazing anger burning in his eyes. With a livid face, he took the battle report from Guo Chongyue on the table and said word by word with a chill:
"Zhi Tingxiao disobeyed the general's orders and sent out troops without authorization, resulting in a disastrous defeat. Eight thousand soldiers were almost destroyed! Do you think so too?"
Several important officials of the Southern Han Dynasty, who were colluding with each other, heard the unusual meaning and did not dare to speak up.
Liu Yuan stood up and said: "Zhi Tingxiao may not have listened to the general's order, but what did Guo Chongyue do in Yingzhou? Pray to God and worship Buddha? I gave him an army of 50,000, not to sacrifice to Buddha. The result is good, let people
Returning with a great victory right under their noses, with no army in hand, and no courage to go into battle? Such idiots actually have the nerve to claim that they have "practiced martial arts since childhood, are familiar with military books, are well versed in the art of war, and are rich in strategic strategies"?
Bragging about being able to withstand the Central Plains army?"
"Come here, kill Liang Luanzhen for me..."
Liu Yuan had no idea that he was wrong. He did not believe in a good general who had fought for his country for half his life, but he chose to believe the words of an old palace maid. After the incident failed, he blamed everything on Liang Luanzhen, an old palace maid, and ordered the general to be executed.
Lu Qiongxian, Fan Huzi, Chen Yanshou, Li Tuo, and Gong Chengshu were really angry when they saw Liu Yuan, who had always been kind, and they all shrank their heads.
"One and a half of you all say that the Central Plains is nothing to fear. Now they are about to attack Prince Xing's Mansion. What else can you say?"
"What's wrong? Are you mute?"
Liu Yuan was in a state of confusion. Yingzhou was the gateway and the last barrier to Prince Xing's palace.
If Yingzhou is really going to fall, the enemy will come to the city.
"Li Tuo, tell me!"
Liu Yun had no choice but to ask Li Tuo for advice.
Compared with Lu Qiongxian and Fan Huzi, two women in charge of internal affairs, as well as Chen Yanshou and Gong Chengshu, two people who have never been on the battlefield.
Li Tuo was the only one who had seen the scene.
Li Tuo was born as a general and liked to ride horses and shoot arrows when he was a child. Later, he became a eunuch in his family. He was highly appreciated by Liu Sheng, the first emperor of the Southern Han Dynasty. He followed him on the battlefield and was appointed as an eunuch.
After Liu Sheng's death, Li Tuo sent his two adopted daughters into the harem in order to further gain favor. The eldest daughter was a noble concubine, and the second daughter was a beauty. They got everything they wanted.
Li Tuo is now an official in the Kaifu Yitong Third Division, the military envoy of the Sixth Army, the general of the hussars, and the grand master of the inner palace. He is the first person in the military except the prince.
Li Tuo hesitated and said, "If you want to defeat the enemy, only King Zhen can do so."
Liu Yun gritted his teeth and said, "This is what we have to do."
King Zhen's name is Liu Baoxing, who is his younger brother.
The military system of the Southern Han Dynasty was based on the prince's code for the imperial army, and the imperial army of the Southern Han Dynasty was divided into six armies and twelve guards. But Liu Sheng was a brother-killing maniac, and almost killed all his brothers. Especially the one who commanded the six armies and twelve guards.
Younger brother, he kills most vigorously.
So much so that after Liu Yuan ascended the throne, several of his brothers did not dare to take power and only held positions.
Although Liu Baoxing had the title of sentencing the Twelve Guards of the Sixth Army, he actually never led a soldier for a day. He only spent his days eating, drinking and having fun.
Li Tuo knew in his heart that the most suitable choice to defeat the enemy was Pan Chongche.
However, he and Gong Chengshu worked in collusion, often using torture to oppress the people, and even flattered Liu Yuan, causing trouble and framing the veteran generals, so that many veteran generals were killed.
Pan Chongche did not die because he was too famous, and he was afraid of triggering a mutiny if he was killed.
Pan Chongche could not be made to get up under any circumstances, so he could only talk to one person casually.
Liu Yuan ordered people to call Liu Baoxing.
Liu Baoxing was tall and thin, but compared to Liu Yuan, who was fat and round, he had a heroic air.
"Brother Wang, our country in Lingnan is in a state of life and death, and our ancestral family property cannot be lost. After much thought, I have concluded that only Brother Wang is suitable to lead the army to defeat the enemy."
Liu Yuan looked pitifully at his younger brother who he didn't usually have much contact with.
Liu Baoxing bowed and said: "Your Majesty, you think too highly of my brother. The only one who can save me in Lingnan is Pan Shuai. My brother is willing to lead the troops to cooperate with Pan Shuai to defeat the enemy. I can let my brother lead the troops to fight in the Central Plains.
I wonder if I don’t have this ability.”
When Liu Yu heard the name Pan Chongche, he felt a fire in his heart, but after thinking about it carefully, he had to admit that Pan Chongche really had the strength to fight Pan Mei.
Pan Mei's words, "Pan Chongche is indeed the best general in Lingnan. With him here, Shaozhou will not be easy to capture" also reached Liu Yuan's ears.
It's just that he doesn't want to admit it.
Li Tuo looked horrified. If Pan Chongche really rises up, he will die without a burial place. This wave is just shooting himself in the foot. He hurriedly said: "King Zhen, Pan Chongche is standing still in Shaozhou. His heart may not be trustworthy."
Liu Baoxing had long disliked Li Tuo and the others, but he had no power and could not help them.
Now that the country is about to disappear, there is no scruple and we can directly start fighting.
"There are 100,000 soldiers in the Central Plains, but Pan Shuai only has 20,000. What do you want him to use to fight against the Central Plains? Pan Shuai only used 20,000 soldiers, and he forced Pan Mei to be helpless. This shows Pan Shuai's ability."
As he spoke, he bowed to Liu Yuan and said: "Your Majesty, if Pan Shuai has one hundred thousand elites, why worry about being unable to defeat the enemy? My brother thought that if he wanted to completely defeat the Central Plains, he should bear the brunt of using Pan Shuai and send reinforcements northward to let Pan Shuai.
We have enough troops to fight the Central Plains. My younger brother will go to Yingzhou in person to cooperate with Pan Shuai to defeat the enemy."
Liu Yuan's face was gloomy and uncertain. Although Wu Yanrou in Hezhou was defeated miserably, and now he had lost Zhi Tingxiao and lost his troops and generals. However, the main force of the Southern Han Army was still there.
Prince Xing's Mansion still gathered 100,000 troops of King Qin, including the most elite heavy-armored elephant array that had dominated Lingnan for decades.
These 100,000 were the last members of the Southern Han Dynasty. If Pan Chongche was asked to collect 100,000, wouldn't it mean that he would allocate 80,000 to his army?