After the battle, Song Jingang came to inspect the battlefield. Zhang Da was escorted over by several soldiers. His helmet was missing, his hair was scattered, and his face was covered with dust. Song Jingang stared at him, snorted coldly, and said

: "You dare to fight against my army with five hundred infantry. What's the point of keeping such a reckless man? Pull him down and chop him down!"

The reason why Song Jingang wanted to kill Zhang Da was not because he thought Zhang Da was a reckless man as he said on the surface, but because he had just read the battle report. Although the 500 Tang troops were all wiped out, his cavalry was broken.

More than 600 people used cavalry to fight infantry, and they occupied a favorable location. The losses were so heavy that he couldn't help but become angry and murderous.

When the soldiers heard this, they pulled Zhang Da and wanted to leave. Zhang Da broke free from the soldiers' hands and shouted to Song Jingang who turned to leave: "Wait a minute, General Song, I can help you capture Jiexiu."

When Song Jinjiang heard this, he turned around and looked at him, doubtful: "Really?" Zhang Da looked directly at him and nodded seriously. Song Jinjiang raised his hand and ordered: "Untie!" After the soldiers heard this,

He immediately took off the prison sentence on Zhang Da.

Zhang Da suffered several injuries, two of which were still bleeding, and he tried his best. He was not willing to betray the Tang Dynasty, but for the sake of his wife and children, he had to live. Therefore, he had no choice. Song

King Kong asked the military doctor to bandage his wounds, and then took him to the military tent.

After Zhang Da revealed his plan, Song Jingang was overjoyed and immediately dispatched 500 soldiers to put on Tang army uniforms. Led by Zhang Da, they rushed to Jiexiu City, while Song Jingang led an army to follow him.

back.

After a night of marching, Zhang Da led his team to the gate of Jiexiu City at midnight the next day. He took out his token from his arms and said that he was sent by the King of Qi to lead the troops to defend Jiexiu City. The city gate guard happened to know him.

Believing it to be true, they opened the city gate and let them in. The soldiers quickly occupied the city gate and welcomed Song Jingang's army into the city. In this way, Song Jingang easily captured Jiexiu City.

That day, Li Zhiyun and his fourth brother were discussing the military situation in the lobby. Liu Dewei walked in, cupped his fists and said, "Report to the two princes that Jiexiu has been lost." When the fourth brother heard this, he was horrified: "What's going on?"

"Zhang Da surrendered after his defeat at Huangsheling. The men leading Song Jingang disguised themselves as our troops and fraudulently opened the city gate."

When the fourth brother heard this, he stood up, slapped the case, and gritted his teeth: "This bastard, if he falls into my hands, he will be cut into pieces!" Li Zhiyun looked up at the fourth brother, "What should we do?"

Brother thought for a moment and said: "We must take back Jiexiu City! I will personally go out and lead the troops to attack Jiexiu." After hearing this, Li Zhiyun said quickly: "Then I will go with you too!" Fourth brother looked at him and nodded.

nodded.

The next day, the fourth brother gathered more than 10,000 soldiers and horses at the military training ground in the suburbs, burned incense and worshiped, and beat drums to swear an oath. After a lot of trouble, he gave an order, and the army immediately moved to the front line. Li Zhiyun let

Scarface took two thousand men from the "Women's Army" and went out with the army.

After two days and one night of rapid march, the Tang army arrived outside Jiexiu City three days later and stationed themselves at Dusuoyuan outside the city.

The terrain of Dusuoyuan is relatively high, and it is an open land with a flat surface. It is backed by Jiexiu Mountain, and Jiexiu City is only three or four miles away. Looking from Dusuoyuan, you can have a panoramic view of everything in Jiexiu City.

After the army set up camp, Li Zhiyun followed his fourth brother out of the barracks and came to a place with a wide view to observe the situation in Jiexiu City. He saw flags on the city wall fluttering and soldiers lined up neatly. The armor on their bodies and the weapons in their hands shone brightly in the sunlight.

It emits a dazzling light under the irradiation. It seems that Song Jingang is ready to defend the city. Li Zhiyun said with a smile: "If a dozen cannons are set up here, in less than an hour, Jiexiu City will turn into a

ruins".

"Cannon? What is a cannon?" Fourth Brother asked inexplicably.

"It's a long-range weapon."

"Oh, I see, is it a trebuchet?"

"It's a bit like a trebuchet. However, the cannon has a longer range than the trebuchet. The projectiles will explode when they hit the ground, damaging buildings and killing people."

"Wow, so powerful?" Fourth Brother said in surprise, "Then hurry up and make the cannon. Once you have the cannon, it will be much easier for us to fight in the future."

After the Tang army rested for a day, the next day, Fourth Brother ordered three thousand soldiers and horses, came to the east gate of Jiexiu City, arranged in formation, and then asked the soldiers to call for formation. The soldiers called for a while, but they were slow to see the city gate.

When they refused to open it, they began to talk obscenely and curse endlessly. Finally, the city gate opened, and three thousand soldiers and horses rushed out from the city, lined up in a row, in a showdown posture.

The fourth brother held a horse in his hand and drove his horse forward. A general also rushed out from the opponent's formation, wearing bright armor and holding a bright broadsword in his hand.

"Who is coming? Tell me your name." The fourth brother called.

"Yan is a general under Emperor Tianxing, and so is Ma Tai."

"Unknown rat, let Song Jingang come out and answer."

"The King of Song Dynasty is a noble man, how can he be moved lightly? Who are you?"

"I, Li Yuanji, will first take the head of an unknown young man like you, and then go to settle the account with Song Jingang!" After the fourth brother said this, he stepped forward on horseback, raised his horse's bag and struck at it. The enemy general hurriedly raised his sword to resist. Fourth brother

His strength was overwhelming and he was extremely brave. The two sides fought for only seven or eight rounds before his opponent was easily knocked off his horse by a single move.

When Li Zhiyun saw the opportunity, he immediately ordered the drums to be beaten. As soon as the drums sounded, three thousand soldiers rushed forward with shouts, and the enemy and we fought together. After a short battle, the enemy army could not hold on anymore, and retreated into the city in defeat, closing the city gate.

.

The next day, the Tang army went to challenge again, but Song Jingang stayed behind closed doors and hung up the no-war card. The fourth brother had no choice but to order an attack on the city. However, the Tang army did not have much advantage in strength. After attacking for several days, little progress was made.

The war fell into a stalemate.

At dusk that day, Li Zhiyun followed his fourth brother to inspect the barracks. The group walked to the east of the camp, which is close to Jieshan Mountain. He saw a dozen soldiers walking out of the valley carrying buckets. The fourth brother also saw it and used a horse whip to

One pointed and asked: "What's going on?" A general next to him replied: "The terrain in Dusuoyuan is too high, so we can't dig wells to get water, so we can only go to the mountain streams to fetch water."

The fourth brother suddenly became interested and turned to Li Zhiyun and said: "Fifth brother, let's go over and take a look." The group of people walked up the hillside along the path where the soldiers carried water. They walked about two miles when they heard

The sound of "ding dong" from the spring water.

When everyone came forward, they saw a mountain stream flowing down the mountain. The spring water rushed to a huge pebble, forming a pool. The water swirled here and flowed to the lower place...

The forest here is lush, the birds are singing and the flowers are fragrant, and the environment is beautiful. The fourth brother walked to the pool, squatted down and took a sip of water with both hands. The spring water was clear, and the sand and stones at the bottom were clearly visible.

"Fifth brother, the water in this mountain stream is very cool. Why don't you come over and have a taste?"

Li Zhiyun smiled and shook his head. He looked up and saw the surrounding mountains and beautiful scenery. It was a good place for travel and leisure. The fourth brother washed his face with water again, stood up and shook off the water drops on his hands, saying:

"If there is no war, I will lead my people to set up camp in the mountains and have a good hunting time." They left the pool and returned to the military camp, continuing to inspect the camp's defenses.

Two days later, Li Zhiyun was discussing the military situation with his fourth brother in the central military tent. The general hurriedly walked in, cupped his fists and said, "I am telling you two princes that the water in the mountain stream that I saw that day has stopped flowing." Fourth brother.

Upon hearing this, he was surprised: "What's going on?"

"It's probably Song Jingang who cut off the water source."

"This bastard!" Fourth brother cursed and turned to Li Zhiyun, "Fifth brother, let's go over and take a look."

They took people to the pool and saw that the water in the mountain stream was gone. The pool was originally very shallow and did not contain much spring water. At this moment, there was only a layer of black mud. The fourth brother raised his head and looked around.

Looking at the mountains, he asked: "Are there any other water sources nearby?"

"We have sent people to search and found no other water sources."

"What can an army of more than 10,000 people do without water? Find it farther away."

"yes!"

The next day, the general came to report that there was a river twenty or thirty miles away from here, named Jiehe. There was a large beach beside the river with flat terrain, which could be used for garrisoning. The fourth brother was overjoyed when he heard this and said: "

We will break camp early tomorrow morning and go to Jiehe." Upon hearing this, Li Zhiyun was a little worried: "Let's camp there. Is it too far from Jiexiu City?"

"No," the general said, "the King of Chu didn't know that Dusuo was originally located in the northeast of Jiexiu, and Jiehe was in the southwest of Jiexiu. The distance between the two from Jiexiu City is actually not much different.

"

Li Zhiyun felt relieved after hearing his explanation.

Early the next morning, the army set up camp and marched along a dirt road in the direction of Jiehe River. After walking for about a stick of incense, they came to a valley. Li Zhiyun took a look while riding on his horse, oh, the terrain here is too high.

It was extremely dangerous. The valley was about ten feet wide, with mountains on both sides. The mountains were rugged, with steep peaks. The mountains were densely wooded and overgrown with weeds.

Li Zhiyun tightened the reins, reined in the horse and asked, "Where is this place?" Cai Hu on the side said, "I checked the map and found that this place is called Hulukou."

Hulukou? An unknown place name! Li Zhiyun asked again: "How long is this valley?"

"About seven or eight miles."

At this time, the fourth brother led people to catch up from behind. He drove his horse to the front: "What's the matter, fifth brother? Why did you stop?" Li Zhiyun looked at the mountains on both sides of the valley and frowned: "Fourth brother, the terrain here is

If it's not good for me, can I go around it?"

"There are mountains all around, how to get around?"

"Then, send soldiers to search the mountains on both sides to make sure there is no ambush. It won't be too late to pass through."

"This is unnecessary. Song Jingang is trapped in Jiexiu City. How to set up an ambush here?"

Li Zhiyun wanted to say something else, but the fourth brother said without any doubt: "I will lead the army first, and you lead the troops to the rear!" After saying that, he rode away. Li Zhiyun looked at the back of the fourth brother in a daze, and saw his brows furrowed.

Feeling uneasy, he drove his horse over and said, "Yes, King Chu, Song Jingang is surrounded in Jiexiu City, how can he escape and set up an ambush here? Are you too careful?"

However, Li Zhiyun was still uneasy. He had watched many war movies in his previous life, and the terrain here was very suitable for an ambush. As the saying goes, it is better to be cautious than to be afraid of 10,000. He thought for a moment and turned to face

Scarface said: "

Let's not enter the valley yet. Divide your people into two groups and guard both sides of the valley entrance. If Fourth Brother successfully passes the valley, it won't be too late for us to go there. If they encounter an ambush, you must guard the valley entrance and let me

Fourth brother can come out."
Chapter completed!