Time flies, and the New Year has passed in the blink of an eye. Although the north wind is still howling and the snow is white, in the land of Yuzhou and Yangzhou, the ice and snow have melted and everything has revived.
In the past two months, Gongsun Zan was indeed defeated in Youzhou. Yuan Shao's general Qu Yi led Yuan Shao's ace army "Senior Soldiers" to defeat Gongsun Zan's "white horse loyal followers". Seeing that Youzhou was not protected, Gongsun Zan followed the instructions
On Qin Yang's suggestion, he led the remaining soldiers to the desert north and then came to Runan to join Qin Yang.
At this time, Gongsun Zan no longer had the ambitions of the previous princes. He was willing to hand over all his military power and serve as a general under Qin Yang. Naturally, Qin Yang did not treat him badly, so he appointed Gongsun Zan as the governor of Runan and garrisoned Runan City.
When Qin Yang saw that the spring was warm and the flowers were blooming, he also began to discuss with Yan Yan about continuing to march into Shouchun. He also sent Zhang Yan to lead the Black Mountain heavy cavalry as a vanguard to go out first.
In the Runan City Lord's Mansion, the generals of the Yellow Turban Army and the Yizhou Army gathered together. The vanguard of the coalition forces has been dispatched, and tomorrow will be the time for the army to head straight to Shouchun.
"Report——! Report to Your Highness, General Zhang Yan of the Black Mountain Army urgently reports!"
The generals who were discussing the march and deployment in the hall suddenly fell silent. Zhang Yan's Black Mountain Army had just set out less than two days ago, so why did an emergency report suddenly come?!
"Speak quickly!" Qin Yang also put down the map in his hand and looked at the scout who came to convey the message.
"Yes! General Zhang Yan urgently reported that Yuan Shu's bandit army had set up a large formation at Gepo southeast of Runan City to block the advance of our army. General Zhang led the Black Mountain heavy armor to charge the formation several times in a row and suffered heavy losses, so he did not dare to rush again
Zhan. We have set up camp in the west of Gepo and are waiting for His Highness’ instructions.”
"What kind of formation?!"
"I don't know this humble position..."
Even the Black Mountain heavy cavalry couldn't attack the large formation?! Qin Yang's heart moved, and he couldn't help but think of the camp he was trapped in when he was at Shenyuan Mountain. Could it be that Yuan Shu also had a formation master of Gao Shun's level under his command?!
Yan Yan said: "Leader, our army happens to be preparing to set off. Why don't we set off to the front line immediately to see what happens before we make a decision."
Qin Yang pondered for a moment, then nodded and said: "That's fine! Pass on my military order, and the three armies will set off and rush to the front line of Gepo!"
Gepo is located on the main road from Runan City to Shouchun. Now the spring is warm and the flowers are blooming and the ice and snow are melting. The surrounding mountains and forests are also dyed with a hint of green.
The majestic golden-domed tent has been erected high, but Qin Yang and others are not in the tent at this time, but are led by Zhang Yan to a high hill.
"Look, Your Highness, that's where the enemy's formation is." Zhang Yan pointed to the plain ahead and said.
Qin Yang and others looked up and saw that the place Zhang Yan was pointing to was a plain area. In the refreshing weather of early spring, the plain seemed to be surrounded by clouds and mist, making it difficult to see the reality inside.
, only the scattered flags could be vaguely seen. A huge flag stood out among the flags, and even Qin Yang and others in the distance could vaguely see the patterns embroidered on the flag.
This pattern is neither a battle flag with a name written on it nor a large banner marking a party's power. The flag that is constantly fluttering is embroidered with a green evil ghost with a green body and red eyes. As the flag continues to flutter, this
The evil ghost seems to be alive, showing its teeth and claws, making it very ferocious and terrifying even when viewed from a distance.
On the high hill on the other side of the plain, there was also a troop stationed. According to Zhang Yan's report, it was an army of 30,000 men led by Zhang Xun. Although Zhang Xun was defeated in Runan, Yuan Shu did not punish him with death.
, but only cut off Zhang Xun's official salary and gave him a chance to make meritorious deeds, and let him lead his troops to garrison at Gepo to echo this strange formation and jointly resist the Allied attack.
"Alliance leader, I recognize this flag!" After watching for a moment, Yizhou Army Commander Yan Yan suddenly shouted, his eyes flickering.
"Oh? General Yan knows the origin of this flag?!" Qin Yang said in surprise.
Yan Yan nodded solemnly and said, "Reporting to the leader of the alliance, this flag is not only familiar to the general, but also the soldiers of our Yizhou Army must be familiar with it."
"You mean..." Qin Yang and other Yellow Turban generals were startled. Yizhou is located in Xichuan. With the dangerous mountains and rivers in the Bashu region, it can be said that there are almost no foreign enemies. If there is a campaign...
Yan Yan nodded and said: "Alliance Leader Mingjian, this flag is indeed the flag of the Southwest Barbarian Army. Judging from the color of the evil ghost, it should be the army of the Little Barbarian King Meng You among the Southwest Barbarians. Unexpectedly, he actually participated in the campaign in the Central Plains.
I was hit, and I set up a coiled snake formation here."
"Little Barbarian King Meng You? The snake formation?" Qin Yang's eyes flashed. Could it be that the Barbarian King Yan Yan was talking about was the legendary Meng Huo who was captured and manipulated seven times by Zhuge Liang?!
Yan Yan nodded and said: "Well, the southwest barbarians have lived in the mountains for a long time. Although they are far from our soldiers in the Central Plains in terms of marching equipment and strategies and tactics. But this also trained the barbarians to be extremely strong and strong and to drive the snakes, insects and beasts in the wild mountains.
Ability... Take this snake formation as an example. Meng You's soldiers only number more than ten thousand, but every soldier among ten thousand can drive away snakes, ranging from more than ten to two or three.
This snake formation alone is composed of 50,000 to 60,000 venomous snakes."
Five or sixty thousand venomous snakes?! The Yellow Turban soldiers couldn't help but burst into an uproar when they heard this. There were five or sixty thousand venomous snakes. No wonder even Zhang Yan's Black Mountain heavy cavalry couldn't rush in. These venomous snakes were just entrenched there, and I'm afraid they would
Let ordinary war horses dare not approach, let alone charge.
After Qin Yang thought for a moment, he suddenly smiled and said: "What's so difficult about this? Snakes, insects and beasts have always been the most afraid of flames. Can't we just burn them with fire and roast all these snakes?"
When the generals heard this and were waiting to second their opinions, Yan Yan shook his head and said: "Leader Rong, I have already used the strategy mentioned just now. However, the fire attack can only stop the advancement of Meng You's army, but it is
It is impossible to break through this snake formation."
"Why is this?" Qin Yang was startled.
Yan Yan said: "Although snakes, insects and beasts are afraid of the power of fire, this snake formation has been prepared for a long time. It is said that Meng You received the guidance of an expert in the wild mountains and learned this formation.
I wonder if you have noticed that there are clouds and mist in the sky above the formation. Those clouds and mist are formed by the condensation of water vapor. This water vapor is different from ordinary water vapor. Not only does it contain highly toxic substances, but it also has the effect of extinguishing fires."
"So that's it!" Zhang Yan said in a loss of voice: "No wonder when I led the army into the formation, many soldiers fell from their horses before they even reached the formation. It turns out that it was caused by this poison!"
Yan Yan said: "It is true. General Zhang is a fighter. With fighting spirit to protect his body, he is not afraid of the poisonous gas. But the soldiers of your army do not have such ability. Moreover, according to our understanding, the formation of this formation
At the eye are six snake kings and a two-headed snake king that Meng You found in the wild mountains. The six snake kings respectively guard the six formation eyes of the formation, and the poisonous gas is exhaled extremely fiercely. The two-headed snake king even occupies the central position of the formation, giving orders.
A group of snakes. Unless a strong man with fighting spirit transforms into a beast, I am afraid that no one can be its opponent."
The more Qin Yang listened, the more surprised he became. He couldn't help but ask: "General Yan, don't you have any way to deal with this snake formation?"
Yan Yan shook his head and said: "I am ashamed to say that although there are many capable people and strangers in Shu, we are unable to break through this coiled snake formation. As long as we encounter Meng You's coiled snake army, we can only rely on
We use fire to block their advance by following the city and the terrain. However, these poisonous snakes can only fight in spring, summer and autumn, and they all hibernate in caves when winter comes. Therefore, our army's counterattacks are usually launched in winter."
Qin Yang suddenly understood, no wonder Yuan Shu did not ask Meng You to lead his troops until now. It turns out that the snake needs to hibernate! It is conceivable that if the Battle of Runan had not been carried out in winter, Zhang Xun's 150,000 troops plus these Pan
The snake army will cause much trouble to the Allies.
"It's a pity that Lao Xi has been sent to Xuchang by me. Otherwise, Lao Xi is a master at breaking formations..." Qin Yang frowned and muttered to himself.
Now that the enemy's details and situation had been clearly understood, Qin Yang was not in the mood to stay any longer. He immediately ordered everyone to return to the Golden Summit to discuss matters.
Just as the generals were turning their horses and turning to leave, Qin Yang suddenly caught a glimpse of Jia Xu and Guo Jia, still facing the snake formation, muttering something out of the corner of his eye.
Qin Yang asked curiously: "Two military advisors, aren't you leaving?"
Guo Jia turned around, smiled at Qin Yang, and saluted, "Your Highness, please take a step forward. Commander Jia and I will observe here for a while."
Qin Yang didn't think much about it, but after all, this place was too close to Runan's army. He was worried about the safety of the two of them, so he simply asked Zhao Yun to lead five hundred personal guards to protect Guo Jia and the others. Then Qin Yang led the generals
Hit the horse and leave.
After Qin Yang and others left, Guo Jiacai said to Jia Xu with a smile: "Speaking of Military Advisor Jia, just now I saw you looking at the snake formation with covetous expression. Do you have any clever plan to defeat the enemy?
Already?"
Jia Xu chuckled and said, "I really can't hide anything from you..."
Guo Jia smiled disapprovingly and said: "Forget it, don't I know you well? If it's something you don't want others to know, how can it be seen by others? You must have deliberately let me discover it so that I can
Just stay."
Jia Xu laughed heartily, "It's easy to talk to smart people. To tell you the truth, I really think so. In fact, when I saw this formation, I already had an idea in my mind..."
"Oh? You really have a way to break the formation? Then why didn't you tell His Highness Prince Ming just now?" Guo Jia said with his eyes shining.
Jia Xu shook his head and said: "I am good at using poison, and this guy..."
As he spoke, Jia Xu pointed to Xiaodu, who had a little tail exposed in his arms and was sleeping with his head covered, and said: "Xiaodu can be said to be the nemesis of almost all poisons in the world. If we were to walk in this snake formation, I would
I'm pretty sure, but when it comes to breaking through a large formation and beheading the enemy, the two of us alone don't have this ability."
Guo Jia asked doubtfully: "Then I don't know what Military Master Jia means?"
Jia Xu chuckled, looked at Guo Jia and said, "I've thought about it a lot. If I want to break this snake formation, I'm afraid you are the only one in our army who can help me. But I'm still a little unsure.
It’s a matter of my own, so I don’t want to say too much in front of everyone..."