In the early morning of the eighth day of January in the ninth year of Chongzhen, Pang Yu was awakened by the sound of the car frame being chopped and smashed around him.
There was a slight wind blowing around me. My face was almost numb. My hands and feet were cold. When I opened my eyes, they were white. I reached out and touched my eyes, and my eyelashes and eyebrows were covered with ice.
The bonfire next to it was not very big, but it was still burning. Since there were no walls to store and reflect the heat, a lot of the heat energy was lost in the cold air.
Pang Yu tried to move, and the quilt on his body made a crunching sound. He twisted and sat up, and the ice edges on the quilt fell down.
Guo Fengyou next to him heard the sound and quickly sat up. Pang Yu saw that there was also a thin layer of ice on his quilt, and there were ice crystals hanging on his eyebrows and beard, making him look like an old man.
"Send someone to call the general to come over for a military discussion, as well as Mr. Hou and the guide."
Guo Fengyou immediately called up several soldiers and asked them to go to various ministries to inform them.
Pang Yu tried to remove the ice on his eyebrows, but failed. He had to pat the dirt and ice chips off his body, squatted by the fire and waited for the ice to melt, looking at the firewood inside.
A lot of firewood has been burned, and several layers of ashes have accumulated.
The camp was very small, and after a while the chief officers of each department arrived. Guo Fengyou asked the surrounding soldiers to keep a distance.
Everyone stood at the edge of the fire so they could absorb more heat.
The officers all had the same image, with their bodies huddled together and their hands in their sleeves. The cloth hat used by Chiang Kai-shek was thrown away somewhere, so he randomly wrapped it with a piece of cloth on his head to minimize the exposed skin.
Lose less heat.
Pang Yu picked up the firewood pile with a wooden board to make the fire a little brighter, then threw the wooden board in his hand into the fire, stood up and said to everyone, "Yesterday Wang Zenglu said that the food and grass for the horses would be enough for twenty days. I also agreed at the time.
But we didn’t count firewood, which is also one of the factors for survival in winter.
It is not only used for cooking and boiling water, but also for making fire at night. These frames will burn out in at most two days. By then, you can only eat raw meat and water. You will be frozen in the wild at night. In this kind of weather, injuries will increase rapidly.
, the whole army’s physical strength and morale will definitely not last for three days.”
Everyone looked at each other in shock. After the torture for most of the night, they all believed that Pang Yu's statement was correct. This was the first time they had completely camped in the wild in winter, and this winter was particularly cold. After leaving Jiangpu, they all lived in the ruins of villages and towns.
With walls to block wind and retain heat, it was far less difficult than it is today.
The victories of Puzikou and Shucheng made them look down upon the bandits, and they accidentally fell into the situation they were in now.
Wang Zenglu said in a low voice, "I really can't think about it, but when the time comes, the whole battalion can break out to Wuyi Town. Even if the bandits occupy the bridge, the river outside Wuyi Town is not deep, so we can ford it.
It will be much better to hold on there then.”
A few drops of ice water flowed from Pang Yu's eyebrows. He wiped it and said, "We can't escape danger even in Wuyi Town. Under the attack of Luo Rucai's cavalry, we can't take much food with us. There is also no firewood in Wuyi Town, and the bandits are rogues."
The cavalry can continue to intercept along the way. Judging from yesterday's situation, we can walk up to ten miles a day. If we don't enter the mountainous area for a day, we will not be able to escape the danger. With the current physical strength and morale of the march, it is more likely that we will have to march before entering the mountainous area north of Jiangpu.
They were wiped out by Luo Rucai's cavalry."
Wang Zenglu lowered his head to think about it and said no more.
"So we have no choice. We must give up any stubborn ideas of luck and focus on defeating the bandits. The only thing we need to think about is when is the most appropriate time to attack Baijiaqiao."
Everyone nodded silently, and Pang Yu was slightly relieved. He felt that the officers had no desire to attack last night, which was very detrimental to today's offensive operation. He had to make these officers understand the situation at hand and unify everyone's thoughts in order to make the whole army ignore it.
After death comes life.
At this time, Yao Dongshan raised his hand and said, "I have an idea. If the main force of the bandits and the official army are fighting at Wuli Bridge, why should we attack Baijiaqiao? We can just wade across the river and go to Wuli Bridge to fuck him."
Yes, together with the officers and soldiers, we killed the old bandits of the cavalry, and the rest of the bandits were just chopping melons and vegetables."
Everyone looked sideways, Yao Dongshan was stunned for a moment and said angrily, "Look what I'm doing, what kind of battle was it like yesterday? The thieves and horse soldiers traveled east and west, the infantry dared not chase after them, and they couldn't fight.
Now that the bandits are gathered at Wuli Bridge, they have less room to move around. Let’s fight like Tiger Bridge, rush in and kill them to the death. It’s a serious matter.”
Mr. Blacksmith hadn't set out to go to the other side yet. He listened and said, "If Premier Lu is really leading the army, those habitual bandits and old thieves will definitely gather at Wuli Bridge for a decisive battle. If they are defeated, all the bandits will be defeated."
Your Excellency ordered your subordinates last night to send people to deliver messages today, and in the evening they found a ford by the river. The water is only knee-deep, and the infantry can ford it."
Pang Yu frowned for a moment and looked at Wang Zenglu, "What do Mr. Wang think of Mr. Yao's idea?"
Wang Zenglu hesitated for a moment and said, "My subordinates think it is a good idea. We are surrounded by Cao Cao on three sides and attack Baijiaqiao on the west bank. We are harassed by his cavalry along the way. The march must be extremely slow. It doesn't matter whether there are rogue infantry on the other side of the bridge.
We know clearly that if we suddenly cross the river and take the east bank, and Cao Cao rushes his horsemen across the river, his troops will be scattered and the attack will be ineffective. We take advantage of the chaos and march to Wuli Bridge to directly participate in the battle. Attacking the right wing of the bandits will be more effective.
.”
Pang Yu frowned. Their location was three miles below Baijia Bridge, eleven miles away from Chuzhou, and six miles away from Wuli Bridge.
The Qingliu River is in the dry season in winter, and each section has different depths. According to last night's investigation, the flow around Wuli Bridge is almost dry, but there is water from Langya Mountain flowing into Baili Bridge, so the water level is relatively deep where the garrison camp is located.
Some, there are many unpredictable factors in the process of crossing the river.
The water is as deep as the knees, and even if the trouser legs are rolled up, the trousers will easily get soaked. To attack across the river, you need to abandon all the baggage and only carry dry food with you, without any logistical support. The army lacks the ability to fight for a long time.
If there is no victory after exhaustion, the whole army will be defeated, which is actually a one-shot deal.
Guo Fengyou hesitated for a moment and said, "Crossing the Qingliu River is not only about wading, but also going up and down the river bank. If we don't attack, we will be in trouble. Attacking Baili Bridge can also defeat the right wing of the bandits."
Pang Yu looked at Chen Rulie, "Can you tell me?"
Chen Rulie lowered his head and said, "There are a lot of muddy areas on the banks of the Qingliu River, and the hoofs of horses are sunk deeper than people. It may not be easy for Cao Cao's cavalry to pursue them. Now we are surrounded by thieves on three sides. As long as we cross the river, we will be safe."
After getting rid of the siege, my subordinates agreed to cross the Qingliu River to Wuli Bridge."
Pang Yu touched his chin, and the other officers did not speak. It was quiet for a while, except for the occasional crackling sound of firewood exploding in the fire.
Mr. Hou was breathing slightly heavily. Pang Yu's decision at this time was not only the outcome of this battle, but also the lives of more than a thousand people. He was not a veteran here, and he had only led the army a few times. Faced with
This kind of difficult decision makes everyone very nervous.
After a while, Pang Yu raised his head and said, "I decided to cross the Qingliu River and attack Wuli Bridge directly. If the attack failed, I fought my way to Chuzhou. This is eighty miles closer than retreating to Jiangpu.
As long as we storm to the foot of Chuzhou City and have the city head to provide food supplies, that is a way out."
Everyone nodded in agreement. None of them thought that Chuzhou was also a way out. After Pang Yu pointed this out, their attack tomorrow would have two meanings: victory and life-saving.
Pang Yu paused for a moment and said, "After my camp crosses the river, Cao Cao's cavalry may follow and harass me. I want a general to stay at the fording point and lead a bureau of troops to stop the thieves and cavalry from crossing the river."
.”
There was silence for a moment. The remaining commander only led one round of guarding and was separated from the main force. Moreover, no one knew the hydrological conditions on the Qingliu River. The reconnaissance of the marines was very hasty. The thieves and horsemen might have crossed the river from other places.
This game will be heavily surrounded. In fact, this game is really about crossing the river to buy time for the main force, so that the garrison battalion can successfully reach Wuli Bridge and attack the right wing of the bandits. Even all losses are acceptable.
If the battle fails or is stalemate, the main force of the garrison battalion has one way to survive, which is to break through to Chuzhou City. However, this situation cannot be reached under heavy siege. The only chance of survival is for the garrison battalion and the officers and soldiers to defeat the rogue bandits. Relatively speaking, hope
It's a lot slimmer.
No one spoke, and Pang Yu did not urge him. He decided to wait for a moment. The candidate in his mind was Yao Dongshan, because the team led by Yao Dongshan had the most aggressive style, but Yao Dongshan did not speak.
Just as he was about to call Yao Dongshan's name, he heard Zhuang Chaozheng's voice from across the fire, "I am willing to stay."
Everyone was stunned for a moment, including Pang Yu. He and Zhuang Chaozheng were just across the fire, and Zhuang Chaozheng's face flickered in the light of the fire.
Although he is the boss, he seldom talks and has no special personality. Just now, Pang Yu didn't even think of asking him for his opinion. But now, this six-character sentence seems to make Pang Yu more excited than the previous year's relationship.
vivid memory.
"Very good. The manager of the village will make a plan first and let you decide which round to choose. I will personally speak to them after dawn."
Pang Yu looked at him and then said to Mr. Hou next to him, "Give the promised money to the recruited horsemen and let them bring some dry food to escape across the river before dawn. They are not allowed to follow the army.
Later, you and I will go to Chen Shoubei's place. I will tell him about today's plan and ask him to help."
Mr. Hou was so nervous that he could not speak, so he could only bow to express his understanding.
Pang Yu turned to Mr. Bai, the blacksmith, and said, "I will go and visit the crossing point in person when it gets dark now.
You ask all the marines to explore the route along the river to determine if there is a better fording point within two miles nearby."
When the blacksmith responded, Pang Yu said to everyone, "Chop the frame into pieces and cook three meals. Let each soldier carry two meals with him, fill the kettle, and sprinkle the rest of the food on the ground.
Don't make them in piles, as this will make it difficult for the bandits to rob and burn them."
The faces of all the officers were pale, but they could not tell whether they were excited or nervous.
Pang Yu has made up his mind. It will be very dangerous after dawn, but at least there is a plan and everyone has a goal.
, "The bandits mobilized at Wuli Bridge at night. It is very likely that the officers and soldiers approached on their own initiative, which shows that the officers and soldiers took the initiative. If the officers and soldiers only assisted in defending the city, they would not leave the camp outside the east city. Today, as long as the officers and soldiers take the initiative to attack the bandits,
This shows that they think they can defeat the rogue bandits, or at least they are evenly matched. Our garrison battalion will first stabilize the defense line, prepare meals and carry them with us. If the two sides are indeed evenly matched and come to a stalemate, the whole battalion will cross the river and attack."
Pang Yu glanced at the officers in front of him and said, "Tell all the soldiers that Chuzhou is the only way to survive. Once they cross the river, they must attack Chuzhou. They are only allowed to advance but not retreat."
...When it was daylight, Tang Ershuan lurked here with Mr. Bai, the blacksmith, among the remaining reed poles on the east bank of the Qingliu River, observing the battle situation in the north with a telescope.
Thousands of bandits are leaving camp. The formation of the infantry is chaotic, and the weapons are various, but the number is large. They follow their respective red flags and almost cover the entire Wuliqiao area. The sound of spirals is heard from time to time in the array.
I don't know which troops and horses were mobilizing, but the buzzing noise of the crowd could be clearly heard two or three miles away.
"The bandits are bandits, they don't have many flags."
Mr. Blacksmith looked at them and said, "You see, they can't even tell them apart. They are running around with them. There are piles of them. It's no use having too many people."
Tang Ershuan couldn't see clearly, he could only see a squirming carpet.
The officers and soldiers from the north appeared in the field of vision, with flags flying in the array. The main color of the entire array was red, with black tones interspersed. They may be cavalry wearing armor.
"You can't defeat the rogue bandits, you definitely can't defeat them."
Mr. Bai said something, then turned to a subordinate on the right and said, "Run back and tell your Excellency that the officers and soldiers are in good order, and the number of cavalry is about...approximately."
Mr. Bai strained his eyes hard, hesitated for a moment and then handed the telescope to Tang Ershuan on the left, "You have good eyesight, count it and see if there is a Lu character."
Tang Ershuan quickly held it in both hands, imitating Mr. Bai and raising it carefully in front of his eyes.
"Inverted!"
Tang Ershuan turned the telescope away in embarrassment and took a closer look. It was actually much magnified.
He was so surprised that he couldn't speak. After a while, he was punched on the shoulder. Tang Erchuan quickly looked carefully.
There are many cavalry on the side of the officers and soldiers in the lens. Many rangers are distributed in front of the array, roaring back and forth to drive away the rogue horse soldiers who are rushing forward. Afterwards, there are some large groups of cavalry roaming around, attacking the rogue horse soldiers from time to time.
Small-scale impact.
The cavalry in front of the bandits continued to retreat, and the control area of the official cavalry became wider and wider, gradually controlling the front of the bandit formation. From time to time, white smoke sprayed out from the hands of the cavalry, and faint banging sounds were heard in the wind.
There were many infantrymen behind, forming arrays, but they had not yet reached the fighting position.
Tang Ershuan had never imagined that a battle between large armies would be like this. The camera was filled with layers of figures of men and horses, and it was impossible to count them at the moment.
He turned to the blacksmith and smiled blankly, "I don't know the word 'Lu'."
The blacksmith snatched it back and cursed, "You can't read it, and you can't count it, so what's the use of it! Go and talk to Pang Pang first, and tell him that the army's cavalry can fight, and I guess you won't be afraid of bandits."
...When Tang Ershuan crossed the river and returned, Cao Cao's cavalry was already moving on the west bank. King Chen Yu made a rescue, and Tang Ershuan successfully returned to the camp.
When those rangers saw Tang Ershuan, they did not suspect that the people running across the river might be refugees. They would not have thought that the garrison camp would be crossing in this weather.
Pang Yu paced anxiously in the camp. The surrounding area was very lively. The troops had almost split the frame of the carriage, leaving nothing for the bandits. The meals had been cooked. In addition to being full, many people had already found ways to make ends meet.
Everyone took them with them. Everything was ready. Cao Cao's cavalry on the opposite side hadn't appeared many yet, so the situation was relatively calm.
He personally walked to the ford before dawn. The ice water was also quite powerful. Pang Yu came back and warmed himself up by the fire. At this time, his feet still felt cold.
The Qingliu River is not wide. Most of the river bed is exposed in winter. The distance that needs to be waded is only twenty or thirty steps. The deepest point is indeed only a little above the knees. There is a small area of silt along the river, but it is not a problem for the army to cross the river.
What Pang Yu needs most urgently is to confirm whether the officers and soldiers are really capable.
Although a decision has been made, when it comes to implementation, there are always concerns about gains and losses, especially when the lives of so many people are at stake. The waiting at this time is very painful.
What Tang Ershuan brought back was a bit too simple. Pang Yu asked a few more questions to confirm that the officers and soldiers were taking the initiative to attack, and both sides had entered the battlefield, so that the bandits would not be able to retreat even if they wanted to.
The same is true for the garrison camp. Unlike Jiangpu, here there is no way for Pangding to lead a ship to support him. If he loses the battle, he really cannot escape.
Pang Yu closed his eyes and calmed his mind. The time to attack was the same as making a deal. With his current ability to obtain intelligence, it was impossible to choose the most suitable time. Since Chuzhou was determined to be the only way out, any time was appropriate to attack. He could only
All chips need to be put on the table.
After taking a deep breath, Pang Yu loudly shouted to several officers, "The whole battalion assembled in five columns and prepared to cross the river. The order of action was the first division, the second division, the personal division, the marines, the cavalry, the third division.
Division, the Seventh Bureau of the Third Division will stay at the ferry."
...Note: According to records before liberation, the Qingliu River stopped flowing for four months every year in drought years.