At noon, a large group of officers and soldiers appeared on the mountain road on the west side. They were neatly organized. After entering the basin, they were divided into four teams. Three teams formed a Zigzag formation to surround Changle Village, and the other team deployed defenses everywhere in the basin.

They set up camp and dug a stove, and after lunch, three tall horses walked out of the formation and slowly looked around Shixiong Mountain, seemingly looking for weak points in the village's defense. Then, the three men went to each team to inspect and lecture.

Zhou Meier had sharp eyes and said: "That's sister!" Chen Ziang also recognized that the three people were Li Chang, Li Qingshan, and Ji Si. Chen Ziang said: "These three people are not weak in martial arts. It's better for Brother Zhao to be careful."

Zhao Xu laughed again: "The war is not a simple competition. As long as Li Guyan burns the food and supplies, I will protect the stronghold for ten days." Chen Ziang nodded and said: "Well, we must hold on for ten days before they starve to death."

The trees around the stronghold had been cut down long ago, and every move of the officers and soldiers was within sight. Li Chang dismounted his horse and sat on the ground, raising his finger to point at the stronghold, as if arranging defense and attack matters. At about dusk, Li Qingshan rode his horse to each military camp, and met with all the troops.

The team officer explained it.

The night passed without incident. The next morning, the officers and soldiers indeed formed a formation to attack the stronghold. Several war drums rang through Shixiong Mountain. Li Chang, Li Qingshan, and Ji Si stood in front of the team on the east side. However, they saw two cavalry rushing towards the mountain pass on the east side, and disappeared in a hurry.

Then he came to Li Chang and got off his horse.

The cavalryman pointed to the east and reported. Li Chang seemed a little nervous and exchanged words with Li Qingshan. Li Qingshan clasped his fists and left, leading two thousand officers and soldiers out of the mountain pass.

In the stronghold, Zhao Xu and Chen Ziang also sweated, and prepared to face the enemy. When they saw Li Qingshan leading half of the people away, they looked at each other and smiled. Zhao Xu said: "Haha, Li Guyan is here!"

Looking up, he saw a cloud of black smoke rising from the mountains to the east. He held his fat fist and said, "Okay! Beat them hard! Burn them all!" Chen Zi'ang laughed and said, "Brother Zhao's oil arrows are just right for the grain and grass team.

.I hope that Li Gusan will not be reluctant to fight, and leave as soon as possible after burning the food and grass."

Zhao Xu said: "Don't worry, Master Chen, Gu San will never violate military orders." Chen Zi'ang muttered: "The number of our troops is far less than the officers and soldiers, and their combat effectiveness is not as good as this elite. We must not fight recklessly."

As he spoke, the black smoke became thicker and thicker, and only Zhao Xu and Chen Ziang could be seen nodding their heads repeatedly. Zhao Xu smiled and said: "The fire burned at the right time. It was too late for Li Qingshan to flatter him, haha!" Chen Ziang nodded and said:

"Well, I guess the reinforcements haven't arrived at Pomegranate Valley yet, and Li Gusan has a good grasp of the time."

***

The officers and soldiers' original plan to attack the mountain stronghold had to be postponed. At the foot of the mountain, Li Chang and Ji Si looked eastward eagerly, waiting for news from Li Qingshan. It was not until the afternoon that groups of officers and soldiers came out from behind the mountain pass.

Behind the team of officers and soldiers who rushed to the rescue, there were hundreds of disheveled and embarrassed grain transport teams, with dozens of empty carts dragged behind the horses. Li Chang said angrily: "Tell them not to come! Get the captain of the grain and fodder team."

Pull him out and kill him!"

Li Qingshan came over and reported: "Master Li, the bandits smeared their arrows with black oil and burned the grain and grass baggage, but the soldiers suffered few casualties." Li Chang cursed: "Before the battle started, seven hundred people were killed. All the grain and grass were lost.

, tell us how to fight!"

Li Qingshan cupped his hands and said: "Master Li, there are more than 4,000 people, which is enough. After tomorrow's dry food, I will send people to dig wild vegetables, hunt, and slaughter soldiers and horses. As long as we capture the stronghold within three days, everything will be easy."

Li Chang waved his hand and said: "Okay, we must launch an attack tomorrow." Li Qingshan nodded and said: "Don't worry, Mr. Li, our Dongting Army is well-trained, and it will be easy to deal with a group of bandits."

Li Chang was furious and sneered: "I want to see you take Changle Village!" Li Qingshan bowed and responded: "Yes."

On the third day, Li Qingshan prepared to attack the village from the north to test the firepower of Changle Village. The war drums were beating loudly, and the 200 people in the front group holding shields and the 300 spearmen in the rear group rushed towards the mountain stronghold with shouts.

The gate of the mountain village on the north side was guarded by Zhao Xu. Seeing that the officers and soldiers of the front team were still 200 feet away, he shouted: "Qiu Jian Tower——"

Five wooden buildings slowly rise from the trees behind the huge wooden fence of the cottage, about five feet high. There are ten archers on each wooden building. Standing on the wooden buildings, the archers not only have a wide field of vision, but also have a higher shooting range.
Chapter completed!