I

It's already the second watch.

Shi Yongen walked hard towards the outside of the camp. As he walked, he suddenly heard footsteps and saw two civilians running away quickly.

He immediately ran over and headed straight for Zhao Han's camp.

Not long after, several more civilians escaped from nearby.

what's the situation?

How could Zhang Xianzhong neglect his supervision, let the civilians run away, and expose the news that he was retreating at night and setting up an ambush?

Could it be that there were too many civilians running away and Zhang Xianzhong was busy withdrawing his troops, so he really couldn't control them?

It's extremely possible, and it's part of the normal state of war.

Shi Yongen was extremely confused, and Zhao Han was equally confused.

There were two civilians kneeling in front of Zhao Han. He didn't know if they were spies, so he didn't bother to make them stand up and speak.

"Zhang Xianzhong really wanted to withdraw his troops overnight, but you discovered it and asked you to escape and report to me?" Zhao Han asked with a frown.

A citizen said: "King Zhao, we really didn't lie."

Another civilian husband said: "The eight thieves asked us to move food and grass to the ravine in the northwest before it got dark. They must have planned to lead the troops to escape at night."

Zhao Han asked many more details and waved people to take them down.

Li Zheng still had his cautious character and asked, "Do we want to be interrogated separately?"

Zhao Han shook his head and said: "No need. These two are real civilian husbands, and no further trial will yield results. What can be considered now is whether Zhang Xianzhong deliberately let them go to lure us into the camp, but then set up an ambush in the camp for a surprise attack." Or they may lead us to chase them into the ravine and set up an ambush in the ravine to attack."

Lu Xiangsheng said: "First attack the camp with hundreds of elite infantry and cavalry to test whether there is an ambush in the enemy's camp. In any case, we must first occupy the rebel camp."

"Yes, play it slow and steady, don't chase into the mountains for the time being." Li Zheng said.

Xiao Zongxian held a candle, put the candlelight close to the map of Huangzhou Mansion, and asked: "Will Zhang Xianzhong not flee to the northwest?"

"He either leaves the mountain to the northwest or climbs over the mountain to the north. No matter which way he goes, he will be surrounded by us step by step." Li Zheng said.

Xiao Zongxian pointed to a map and said, "Isn't there a large gap here?"

Wang Hui, who has returned to the team, explained: "There is a swamp there, and it is impossible for the army to pass through. Even if it can pass here, it will take tens of thousands of troops two or three days to cross the swamp. Besides the swamp, it is not far from the main force of our army. , he can catch up easily, he might as well flee to the northwest."

Zhao Han looked at the map again and felt something was wrong.

If Zhang Xianzhong stays in the camp, he will defend it to the death. Fleeing to the northwest, fleeing to the north, and eventually crossing the river to the west, he fell into Zhao Han's trap and mobilized various armies to encircle and annihilate him step by step.

If you were Zhang Xianzhong, what would you choose?

There seems to be no choice, no matter what choice you choose, it will lead to a dead end.

There is indeed a valley to the west. After passing through the valley to the southwest, you will face a large swamp. It was very close to Zhao Han's main force, and it was impossible to escape from the swamp for a while. If it was discovered, it would be more deadly than attacking halfway across. People who know how to fight would simply not be able to walk through the swamp.

But Zhao Han just felt something was wrong, because Zhang Xianzhong couldn't be dealt with so easily!

While everyone was discussing the military situation, several more civilians were brought.

Some people say that Zhang Xianzhong's elite infantry entered the mountains in advance and may set up an ambush in the ravine.

Some people say that Zhang Xianzhong's elite went north, probably to cross Henggang Mountain by force.

The three pieces of information before and after all corroborated each other, but made everyone even more puzzled.

Li Zheng said: "I suggest that we capture the enemy's camp first, and then divide our forces to pursue them after dawn. The infantry enters the mountain and advances carefully, while the cavalry goes around the passage out of the mountain to intercept and respond."

Wang Hui reminded: "If the enemy's elite troops advance northward into Henggang Mountain, Guangji City cannot relax its vigilance. Zhang Xianzhong may come back and attack the city at any time."

Lu Xiangsheng also felt that it was a bit tricky: "Zhang Xianzhong was forcing us to divide our troops, and he also deliberately leaked the news to prevent us from going into the mountains to pursue, so as to buy time for him to withdraw. He retreated at night and took a lot of food and grass with him. Even if he set up an ambush, as long as we Chasing him may cause his army to flee."

"But we don't dare to bet. Who knows what is going on in the mountains? If we run into an ambush, we will be in trouble." Li Zheng added.

Zhao Han's brain was somewhat insufficient. Not only did the generals lack experience in commanding large battles, but he himself was not as good as the generals under his command.

Zhao Han could only ask Lu Xiangsheng: "If General Lu were Zhang Xianzhong, how would he choose to fight?"

Lu Xiangsheng thought to himself: "This is the only way we can do it. Set up an ambush, divide our troops and go north, and deliberately leak the news so that we don't dare to chase. Even if we chase, we have to be careful about stealing the city."

Zhao Han didn't think about it for the time being and ordered: "Send hundreds of people to attack the camp immediately. If there is an ambush in the invincible camp, immediately block the access to the mountain after occupying it."

The night attack troops rushed into Zhang Xianzhong's camp and found that the outside of the camp was completely empty, but there were a large number of civilians inside. Moreover, more and more civilians discovered that Zhang Xianzhong's army had left, so they desperately fled towards Zhao Han's camp.

It was noisy and chaotic. Even if Zhao Han wanted to go into the mountains to pursue him, he was temporarily blocked by civilians.

"The world is unified!"

Shi Yongen shouted weakly and reached out to grab the ankle of the person passing by.

The night attack warrior was startled and was about to slash with his sword. When he heard "The Great Harmony of the World", he took it back and squatted down and said, "Let go of my foot first. Someone will come to rescue you later."

Shi Yongen smiled miserably: "Comrade, I can't wait any longer. I have an urgent military intelligence report."

"Are you from Datong Society?" the night attack warrior asked in surprise.

Shi Yongen's head became more and more confused, and he pulled himself together and said: "Go back and tell Mr. Zhao that Zhang Xianzhong will probably go through the swamp. I have been there, and there are farmers and paddy fields on the edge of the swamp. It is not easy for tens of thousands of troops to carry food and grass." It's easy to pass with only cavalry and horse teams."

How could the night attack soldiers dare to neglect themselves? They called for help from their companions. One of them carried Shi Yongen back, and the other quickly ran to report the military situation.

Shi Yongen said to the soldier carrying him: "I can't hold on any longer. Please tell the doctor to have my arm amputated as soon as possible."

"I know, don't fall asleep." The soldier warned.

Shi Yongen thought he would be in a coma, but he didn't expect to be awake all the way. He even admired his own willpower.

If you can survive, you may be able to become an official. After such great achievements, why should you arrange for a small official to do it?

Shi Yongen is a scholar, but it is a pity that he did not pass the exam.

When Zhao Han got the news, even Lu Xiangsheng was confused.

Lu Xiangsheng was puzzled: "If we only take the cavalry and cavalry and leave through the swamp, Zhang Xianzhong will not need the tens of thousands of elite infantry and food?"

"Yes, how can there be such a war?" Li Zheng was even more confused. With his character, even if the entire army died in battle, he would not leave tens of thousands of his troops behind.

"Can he do such a thing?" Zhao Han asked.

"It was possible before, but now that he has territory, how can he..." Lu Xiangsheng said, suddenly an idea flashed, "Zhang Xianzhong must have set up an ambush in the northwest ravine, which can delay our army and keep as much food and grass as possible. He The elite soldiers who crossed the Henggang Mountains in the north were actually sent. Depending on the situation, they could fight back at Guangji City, or they could also circle to the northwest. Even if our army killed them, all those elite infantrymen could escape through the ravine and escape to the north. It will take at least several days for our army to completely surround these people."

Wang Hui said in confusion: "But if he escaped directly through the northwest mountain pass, wouldn't it have the same effect? ​​And he could escape faster. What is the purpose of his cavalry and horse teams crossing the swamp?"

"Is it possible to attack us from behind?" Xiao Zongxian also couldn't figure it out.

Lu Xiangsheng stared at the map and thought for a while, then suddenly clenched his fist and said: "He wants to lead the cavalry and attack for dozens of miles overnight to raid our troops besieging Qizhou. If he succeeds in the attack, the next target will be the Wujia Point. There are If he gets into trouble with our army's food and grass, our army's food and grass may be burned to nothing."

Everyone suddenly realized that Zhang Xianzhong was really cruel.

Zhang Xianzhong must have made arrangements. Once the infantry in the mountains could not hold out, they would probably burn their own food before fleeing through the mountains, while he would rush to attack and burn Zhao Han's food and grass.

This type of play will most likely hurt both sides, and everyone will lose food and grass together.

Moreover, Zhang Xianzhong's cavalry and horse teams would probably not go back to join the infantry after burning the food and grass in Wujiaxue. He will continue to fight eastward, burning, killing and looting in Zhao Han's hinterland, using war to support and coerce the people. The elite infantry went all the way over the mountains and ridges, not crossing the river at all. They would definitely starve to death on the way, but as much as they could get back was better than being attacked halfway across the river.

Lu Xiangsheng gritted his teeth: "This guy has become a bandit again. This is the usual way of fighting for bandits!"

Zhao Han quickly made a decision: "Li Zheng led the troops and rode mules to Chilong Lake and returned to Qizhou by boat for rescue. Lu Xiangsheng led the cavalry and ran straight south to the Yangtze River, blocking the road from Qizhou to Wujia Point. Send another Quickly inform the mayor of Wujiaxue and the peasants and soldiers to alert them to the attack of thieves and cavalry."

Zhao Han wanted to surround Zhang Xianzhong step by step, but Zhang Xianzhong took the initiative to divide them into several parts.

Most of the civilians threw it to Zhao Han, and the remaining half were ready to throw it away at any time. Tens of thousands of elite infantry were divided into two parts, and they were always ready to flee into the mountains or fight guerrillas during the ambush. As for Zhang Xianzhong's food and grass, it is estimated that the ignition materials have been prepared, and they will be burned without leaving Zhao Han.

Zhang Xianzhong himself led more than 10,000 cavalry and horse teams, and led thousands of empty mules. First, they passed through the ravine due west, then marched from the edge of the swamp. After passing through the swamp, they quickly rushed around Chilong Lake to attack Qizhou!

Qizhou City is Zhang Xianzhong's territory. Under attack from the front and back by the defenders, and it is a night attack, Zhao Han's siege force is likely to collapse.

Li Zheng led the entire army on mules and rushed towards Chilong Lake.

Really fighting for the life of the mule.

Mules have great endurance, but are not good at running fast. If they forcefully accelerate their march, they will die even if they reach their destination.

Before the mule team, there were several Wari horses running as messengers to Chilong Lake, and then changed boats to report to the friendly forces outside Qizhou City.

Zhang Xianzhong set out when it was dark, but he needed to cross the edge of the swamp and run around Chilong Lake. However, the messenger sent by Zhao Han delayed his departure until the second watch, but he could move forward in a straight line by horseback or boat.

It's hard to say who arrived at Qizhou first.

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