On the north bank of the river, materials are transported non-stop. The Yongji Canal is the main artery and has the advantages of large transportation volume, low cost and fast speed.
Without this canal, like Guangshen in Liaodong, who carried human flesh on their backs and transported them on small carts, hundreds of thousands of troops would have collapsed.
Logistics has always been an important factor restricting military operations.
After late September, the amount of supplies heading north via the Yongji Canal suddenly increased. First, because the number of people heading north increased day by day, the consumption of supplies surged. The second reason was also inseparable from the acceleration of military operations.
On September 22, the army outside Dezhou City was divided into two groups. Huo Liangsi led the Jie army to march westward, and cooperated with the Dingnan Army Fu Yanchao's troops to break into Jizhou again and fight the Chengde army; Fu Zangjieming led the Yi army.
, the Gongchen Army and a large number of native Tutuan peasants went north along the Yongji Canal and reached the foot of Nanpi City.
"Geshuai!" Wu Zang Jie Ming bowed and saluted.
No matter how many thoughts he has in mind, respect on the scene must still be maintained. Besides, there is actually nothing wrong with Ge Congzhou. This battle is not so much fought by him, but in fact, it is carried out completely according to the strategy formulated by the sage. Meticulous, well-behaved, almost
I asked the saint for a troop formation chart - of course, this is nonsense. The saint is sober and only dares to formulate strategies. Troop formation diagrams belong to the tactical category and he will not interfere.
"Coming?" Ge Congzhou said casually while riding on his horse, looking at Nanpi County from a distance.
Wu Zang Jie Ming's anger surged for a moment. How dare you, a descendant, to show off like this to me? Do you know who I am? How many party members shed their blood for the saint? How many Wu Zang women serve in the palace day and night? You
What is it?
"After the last general conquered Dezhou, he led his troops northward. If Commander Ge has military orders, just give them." Mu Zangjieming replied.
"Maybe Lu Yanwei doesn't want to fight." Ge Congzhou said slowly.
"Huh?" Bu Zang Jie Ming was stunned.
"Your troops should take a good rest first." Ge Congzhou ordered: "There will be a chance to fight soon, soon."
Having said that, he galloped forward, and under the protection of his own soldiers, he arrived at a place two arrows outside the city.
A group of prisoners gathered from all over the country were crowding outside the trench wall in tears, shouting loudly - Shao Sheng's old routine, talking about the key training content in the martial arts hall, and discussing strategies to disintegrate the enemy's morale.
"Lu Shuai, Texas is over, it's all over."
"Wang Shijun died in battle, his family property was confiscated, and his wife and daughter were carried away by Xia soldiers."
"The brothers died miserably, there are not many left."
"If we continue to fight, no one will end well. Even if we fail to fight and surrender, it's not worth it for the whole family to be sent far away."
"Damn it, I'm so verbose, and I can't get to the point for a long time. You want face, I don't have shame. Listen carefully, whoever surrenders immediately will have meritorious service. Anyone who kills an official and surrenders will have three levels of merit added."
"Fuck! Li Dalang is still ruthless. Let me just say this: Li Keyong was defeated in Xiangzhou, and the people of Jin can no longer count on him."
The noise rang outside the city for a long time, until Lu Yanwei went to the city in person and shot and killed the one who yelled the loudest, and then silenced them.
The capture of Dezhou was undoubtedly a heavy blow to the defenders of Nanpi and Cangzhou.
If this is not nothing, then the rumors from Cangzhou are even more terrifying - it is rumored that Li Cunzhang mobilized a large number of troops and horses to pursue them northward. It is said that a troop went around to their rear and attacked the city in all directions.
Cangzhou was not completely surrounded, and the same was true for Nanpi. There was some contact between them, so they were not completely ignorant of the outside world.
Of course, military officers will choose to prohibit the spread of "rumors", but over time, they will eventually leak out. No matter how strict the military discipline is and how bloody the killings are, under the overall pessimistic overall situation, what should be leaked will still be leaked, without any reason.
Human will is transferred.
Now that the Xia army has massively increased its troops in Nanpi, a siege battle that will be several times more fierce than before is about to begin. It is inevitable that the defenders will be shaken and their morale will be dampened.
This city cannot be defended!
This was the realization that came to Lu Yanwei's mind, even though he had just shot and killed a man who was trying to persuade him to surrender.
"Keep an eye on Li Cunzhang's movements." After leaving the city, Lu Yanwei called for his generals and staff and whispered.
The general and his staff have been with him for many years and know their lord very well. As soon as these words came out, it was clear that he was not determined to fight and wanted to run away.
But he just ran away, and he seemed unwilling to do so, and wanted to keep an eye on the Jin army's movements. If the Jin army still wanted to fight, he might continue to insist. If the Jin army didn't want to fight, then Cangjing would definitely be defeated, so he
It's time to consider your options.
"Commander, the yamen is still clearing the pond." The general reminded him. It was obvious that he was hesitant and did not want to abandon his wife and run away like Lu Yanwei did.
"Confused!" Lu Yanwei glared at the general and scolded: "What time is it? A man should not stick to trivial matters. Let's retreat to Youzhou and take a breath first. After the rectification is completed, there will be a chance to fight back.
"
The general was forced to blush by his gaze and could only respond in reply.
"Besides, how can Cangzhou's majestic city be defeated so easily?" Lu Yanwei thought for a while and then added: "Don't worry, even if the King of Jin wants to leave, it will only be a temporary retreat. Cangzhou will hold on for a few months and wait until the Yongji Canal is frozen.
, the Xia people cannot transport food through waterways, how can they still support so many armies in battle? Impossible. At that time, it may be a good opportunity for us to return to Cangjing."
"The commander is indeed mature and prudent." The general breathed a sigh of relief and praised.
"Good advice, Commander." The staff member cupped his hands and said weakly.
Several vassal towns joined forces, but they were unable to stop the Xia thieves. When the Jin troops withdrew and Wang Rong withdrew, do you still want to fight back? What a dream.
But then again, people, sometimes you need to lie to yourself and give yourself a reason to run away with peace of mind.
It’s boring to be tight, ugh!
"Dong dong dong..."
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
Outside the city, the murderous intent of the Xia army soared into the sky. If they failed to persuade them to surrender, they would resort to force, and a bloody fight would break out soon.
Lu Yanwei's heart trembled subconsciously.
******
Outside Cangzhou City, a neat phalanx was marching forward.
War horses were galloping on both sides, arrows were flying in the air, and under the sound of drums, whether they were elites who had survived a hundred battles or newcomers who were just starting out, they all roared, straightened up, and strangled the enemy.
There were about three to four thousand men on each side. They were well-equipped and skilled. It was difficult to tell the winner for a while.
But when it comes to fighting, who says there must be a fair duel?
Zang Dubao, the recruiting envoy of the Eastern Route Army, waved his hand and the flags changed continuously. Soon, thousands more soldiers stood up and advanced slowly.
The Jin army on the opposite side also threw a square formation and faced them head on.
Well, it's a bit like the Battle of Xiangji Temple. A phalanx of both sides collapsed. The defeated troops slipped away from the passage between the formations, and the fresh army formation behind came up. The defeated troops were contained in the rear formation.
After some reorganization, it will be used as a new reserve team.
Since ancient times, cold weapons have been used in battles. Most of the winners and losers can be decided quickly after a close encounter. But the battle of Xiangji Temple was a long and cruel meat grinder-style battle. I don’t know how many sides were defeated by both sides.
Every time there was a gap in the battle line, the reserve troops would come forward and push the enemy back.
As a result, a miracle occurred in the history of war. During the cold weapons field battle, more people died in frontal combat than those who were pursued and killed after the rout. The casualty rate of both sides far exceeded the legendary 5%
, 10%, 20%, or even higher, it is a completely exciting rhythm.
From a military principle, such a battle should not be fought. Although the Tang army won the battle of Xiangji Temple, their elite soldiers and generals were wiped out. It was a pure and tragic victory. Although the Anshi rebels were defeated,
Even with the help of many elite soldiers from the Tang army, we did not lose much, and the rest of the war continued to be a stalemate.
Today's battle between Shanxi and Shanxi is far from that thrilling battle.
The Xia army had great morale and a large number of troops. The Jin army had already learned of the changes in the rear, its morale was low, and its strength was somewhat insufficient. After Zang Dubao invested the third group of men, the Jin army stopped following...
Looking down from the air, the dark warriors were fighting repeatedly in the wilderness, with blood flowing everywhere until they died.
A vassal town spends many years training a soldier who is proficient in multiple weapons, equips him with a full set of equipment, pays him a reward of more than 20 yuan a year, fights many large and small battles, and is lucky enough to survive until now. This kind of
A man with proficient martial arts and rich experience is a living fossil on the battlefield. He dares to change formations when the cavalry charges, dares to raise his sword to chase and kill when the cavalry retreats, and talks and laughs calmly when he is surrounded by cavalry. You will be reimbursed for everything today.
And such battles, in the history of the late Tang and Five Dynasties, were not one or two, nor ten or twenty, but probably no less than a hundred.
Fortunately, the whole battle was not as cruel as the battle of Xiangji Temple. The Jin army could not break through the front and was threatened on the flanks, so it was quickly defeated.
The Xia army pursued them bravely until they reached the enemy's camp before withdrawing their troops and returning to the camp.
At this point, the battle ended. From beginning to end, the defenders in Cangzhou City were like dead people, without any movement.
Cangjing Wufu, nothing more than that!
In the Jin army camp, Li Cunzhang looked at the defeated generals with a livid face, intending to kill people, but thinking about the heads of Pingzhou governor Li Cunshi and Linyuguan envoy Li Cunhao who were hung on the flagpole by the Xia people, he sighed deeply.
After taking a breath, he didn't make a move after all.
Li Si'en, Li Siben, and Li Cunju secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Today's fight was not everyone's intention. It was really a stalemate for a long time, fighting but not fighting, retreating but not retreating, so it was better to fight. In addition, Li Cunzhang also had the idea of defeating the Xia people and then retreating while winning.
Helpless, they lost the battle today, and the next retreat may not be smooth, unless they stop running and hide directly in Cangzhou City, but how is that different from seeking death?
"Stay behind, what do you mean by your Majesty's side?" After a long silence, Li Si'en bravely asked.
He was the governor of Jizhou, but Jizhou had been raided by the Xia people, and his family was trapped in the city. He really wanted to leave, and rushed back to regain the territory. But the King of Jin did not give the order, and he refused to take any responsibility if he stayed behind.
But he couldn't just leave. But he still felt sad in his heart, so he asked.
"You ask me, who am I asking?" Li Cunzhang choked directly.
Li Cunju shook his head helplessly. He was the envoy of the Lulong Army, but the Lulong Army's headquarters in Pingzhou was also lost, and the morale of the army was a little unstable, otherwise they would not have been defeated by the Xia people in a single battle.
Li Siben said nothing, his face showing disappointment and confusion.
Li Cunzhang looked at these defeated generals, and became more and more angry. He immediately waved his hands and left the camp, and sent several groups of envoys to meet Li Keyong. There was only one thing to do, which was to request the withdrawal of troops.
He knew very well that the further he delayed, the lower his morale would be. Today he could still have a few field battles with the Xia army, but in ten days and a half, he might be defeated as soon as he went into battle. Obviously, the battle could not be fought like this.