Yangtou Mountain stretches for tens of miles from east to west, perfectly separating Ze and Lu prefectures. It has been the state and county boundary between the two places since ancient times. The mountains and dense pine forests make it a beautiful place, but this mountain is the most beautiful.
It is also famous for its grottoes of various sizes, as well as Buddha statues, temple monuments, and stone pagodas. This is a place with a very profound cultural heritage.
At the foot of the mountain, there is Shennong Tuanchi Village, but at this time it was occupied by the Khitan army heading north, and the general station was located in the village. It is said that twenty or thirty miles to the southwest is the site of the Battle of Changping.
The Khitan military camp was set up according to dangers and obstacles, and was very strict. However, due to the terrain, the dangers were not extraordinary and the obstacles were not absolute, so it was not possible for one man to guard the pass.
In the evening, after inspecting the military camp, Geng Chongmei became interested and climbed up the high slope behind the village to overlook the foot of the North Mountain. The dusk was heavy and the sky was dark. Scattered lights were already lit up in the small villages. In comparison, the surrounding
The Khitan military camp is dotted with dense fortresses.
The scene at the foot of the mountain should have been quiet and peaceful, but the smell of gunpowder smoke has long been permeated by the iron horses and fierce swords. In fact, if it weren't for Geng Chongmei's strict military discipline, the village at the foot of the mountain would have been razed to the ground long ago.
.
A gust of night wind blew by, stirring the surrounding vegetation and making a rustling sound. It was obviously spring, but there was a sense of desolation. Geng Chongmei couldn't help but shiver as the wind blew on his body.
He had already reached the age when he knew his destiny. He had been marching hard and had no time to rest. Adding to the pressure of his shoulders, Geng Chongmei was now exhausted physically and mentally. If he was not careful, he was almost blown down by this breeze.
The tooth soldiers guarding him hurriedly called for support.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Geng Chongmei greeted: "Go back to camp!"
"Jie Shuai." After returning to camp, it was completely dark. A broad-shouldered general walked into the tent and saluted Geng Chongmei respectfully.
This is General Jiedu Ya, who is also a descendant of his Geng clan. He waved his hand and Geng Chongmei asked: "How is the morale of the army?"
"I have been appeased, but you strictly ordered me to stop clearing the grass in the valley and killed the two sergeants who raped Han women. There are many dissatisfied officers and soldiers in each battalion..." General Ya said truthfully.
Geng Chongmei frowned and said in a cold voice: "Violating military discipline and ignoring general orders is not worthy of death!"
Seeing this, General Ya said somewhat disapprovingly: "Commander Jie, since the troops of the Liao Dynasty went south, they have been raiding grass and valleys and looting property. This is what the emperor has clearly stated. Why should you be soft-hearted and damage the morale of the army?"
Unstable."
From the attitude of General Ya, we can see the current situation of the Khitan army. Whether they are Khitan people, Hu people or Han people, their minds are full of rape, robbery and robbery. Military discipline is loose. No matter how many people there are in such an army, there is nothing to fear.
Hearing what he said, Geng Chongmei became angry and scolded: "We are here to fight!"
General Ya suddenly muttered: "Writing does not prevent us from hunting grass and grain..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Geng Chongmei smashed the marching table with all his strength, and then stared at the tooth general so hard that he felt his hair grow cold.
"That's all! What's going on over there with the Shangdang? Can the scouts find out the news?" Geng Chongmei asked after taking a deep breath.
"The Hedong Army has indeed arrived at Shangdang City. There are quite a few of them, probably more than our army. The four gates of Shangdang City are tightly closed, and they should be waiting for our rescue!" When it comes to business, Ya Jiang is about to detect the scouts.
military intelligence report.
"Are you really still there?" Geng Chongmei's face was thoughtful, and her tone seemed to be a little surprised.
"Commander Jie, since the party is asking for help, our army should go north and defeat the troops in Hedong together first. But the general looks at you and hesitates. Why is this?" General Ya said with serious curiosity.
Questions in mind.
"Don't you notice anything wrong?"
"What?"
Geng Chongmei's purple-black face was filled with complicated doubts: "According to the messenger sent by Zhao Xingqian a few days ago, the Hedong Army was stationed at Huiting, a hundred miles north of Shangdang, and there was no movement southward. Why are we here?
The military was approaching Luzhou and suddenly moved south. In the intervening days, why didn't we receive any more letters for help from Zhao Xingqian? But yesterday, a messenger suddenly came south and heard that the Hedong Army generals were approaching the city!"
After a pause, Geng Chongmei continued: "The actions of the Hedong Army are also somewhat suspicious. If I lead the army, I should take advantage of the unrest within the party and attack the city. Even if I hear that our army is coming, I should send a partial army south to occupy Sheep Head.
Mountain to block and delay our army, so as not to affect their ability to capture Shangdang. Although this Yangtou Mountain is not a natural danger, it is still a place to rely on. And the small group of Hedong cavalry is not so much harassing our army.
, more like monitoring..."
Geng Chongmei's words made the tooth general stunned for a long time, and then he reacted slowly and said in surprise: "You mean, there was something wrong with the messenger yesterday? If so, why did you let him go?"
Go back together and let Zhao Xingqian break out of the encirclement?"
"Soon, I will be able to confirm my suspicions. Are they justified?" Geng Chongmei said quietly.
There was silence in the tent for a while, and General Ya suddenly muttered: "This is all your guess. If Shangdang's situation is true, if you let Zhao Xingqian abandon the city, wouldn't you be handing over Luzhou to the Hedong Army?"
Hearing this, Geng Chongmei replied calmly: "A Shangdang City is no match for our thousands of troops!"
"The emperor asked you to control Luzhou and prevent the Hedong Army from going south. If you suspect that you are wrong and lose Luzhou, how will you explain to the emperor?"
Faced with General Ya's question, Geng Chongmei said with great tact: "If we can capture Luzhou and seize the danger, it would be the best to be the Hedong Army. If things don't work, we can only choose another state or county to contain it."
..."
Seeing Geng Chongmei's cautious expression, General Ya always felt that he was making a fuss out of a molehill: "I heard that the commander-in-chief of the Hedong Army is a child with a yellow mouth and is still young. Are you too cautious?"
"What kind of person is Liu Zhiyuan? He can entrust a large army to a small man?" Geng Chongmei waved his hand a little irritably: "Go ahead and send someone to keep an eye on the movements in the north. Don't let up!"
"yes."
...
"If it were you, how would you fight this battle?" To the north, in the camp under Shangdang City, Liu Chengyou asked Xiang Xun's opinion straightforwardly. Liu Chengyou had already regarded this close guard as a confidant.
Xiang Xun did not answer directly, but asked calmly: "Then it depends on whether His Highness wants to securely defend Luzhou, or whether he wants to defeat the enemy army in the south!"
"Of course it's defeat, it's better to annihilate them all!" This time, Liu Chengyou replied very firmly and waved his hand.
"Your Highness, judging from Geng Chongmei's actions, this is a very suspicious and cautious person. He can be described as wily and scheming. He will never march rashly before he understands the specific situation of the Shangdang!" Xiang Xun
Then he analyzed Liu Chengyou: "As for Shangdang's situation, it is impossible to keep it secret forever. He sent Li Chongju back to pass this letter to test. I'm afraid he is waiting for our response in Sheep Head Mountain..."
Liu Chengyou nodded, but said directly: "Geng Chongmei is difficult to deal with, and I have no intention of fighting with him anymore. Please tell me how to fight this battle!"
"Just as I galloped to the party that night, I will rush to Yangtou Mountain tonight!" Hearing this, Xiang Xun said.
"Night attack?" Liu Chengyou asked with raised eyebrows.