Zhang Liao squinted his eyes and looked at the soldiers running around Yangping Gate like ants on a hot pot with a calm expression.
The current war is no longer what it was ten years ago.
Zhang Ze, Zhang Yuanxiu, haha, you must know that times have changed.
Speaking of which, Zhang Liao also followed the senior generals of the Hussars earlier, from Bingbei to Guanzhong, and then fought all the way to the present. Zhang Liao was particularly deeply touched by the changes in the war over the years.
Saddles, stirrups, and horseshoes have strengthened the cavalry's combat and long-distance driving capabilities. Not to mention combat power, but in terms of mobility, the new equipment allows the cavalry to pass through previously difficult places, and is no longer afraid that gravel will cut the horse's hooves.
There is no need to worry too much about the wear and tear of horses' hooves caused by long-distance running. As long as the physical strength of the war horses can keep up, the cavalry's endurance will be enhanced and they will be more comfortable after having a high-bridge saddle. It is no longer impossible to run all the way from the Western Regions to Qingzhou.
The armored weapons of the soldiers and soldiers have improved the survivability and combat effectiveness of personnel. Improvements in smelting and forging technology have made all-steel armor no longer a dream. Stronger and tougher steel sheets have replaced the original Han-style cast iron sheets.
, can be thinner, which means lighter, but stronger.
Just like the armor Zhang Liao is currently wearing, although it looks dark and unremarkable on the outside, its internal support system can also transfer part of the weight originally placed on the shoulders to the waist, lowering the center of gravity and allowing Zhang Liao to
Being more stable on horseback also further reduces Zhang Liao's fatigue accumulation during the battle, allowing him to fight for a longer time...
There are also logistical reserves, carrying dry food, etc.
There are also things like these catapults and kerosene bombs.
There is also the "artillery" that the Cavalry General said may be installed on a small scale in the next step...
All of this stems from the cavalry general Fei Qian.
Once upon a time, Zhang Liao was also worried about whether General Fei Qian would be like Dong Zhuo, like Lu Bu, like those who were in power in Guanzhong before, indulging in the peak of power, and then declining all the way, and finally panicking.
When defeated, the power was scattered and scattered.
But now it seems that such worries are unnecessary.
Because the Cavalry General Fei Qian is really like an abyss and a sea, with endless things emerging all the time, and when these things become reality, they appear unparalleled and even change all their original forms.
strength!
As for Zhang Ze in Hanzhong, you are just a frog at the bottom of a well, how dare you croak with your lord?
Zhang Liao slowly raised his hand and shouted loudly, "The great man will be victorious! The cavalry will be victorious!"
Soon there were more people, and all the soldiers in the formation were shouting together, "The great Han will be victorious! The hussars will be victorious!"
Amidst the shouts that resounded throughout the world, Zhang Liao waved his arms and ordered the catapult to attack!
When the huge fireball soared into the sky and hit the Yangping Pass, no matter how brave and powerful these Zhang soldiers had boasted before, when they really saw the roar of the God of Fire, they still couldn't help but feel deep in their hearts.
The most terrifying roar came from the depths of the body!
In fact, Zhang Liao's catapults are not in the most perfect condition. After all, they are temporarily built. There are always problems with this or that. However, the slight tolerance only reduces the range and loses the accuracy, but the burning power
It is not determined by the catapult, but given by the kerosene, so the strength of the attack is still considerable.
Although kerosene will not directly burn down the masonry city of Yangpingguan, the wooden structure of Yangpingguan other than the masonry will become moldy. For example, if the huge gate arch of Yangpingguan is contaminated, it will become moldy.
The flames are blazing, and if they are caught on fire, they will spread even more. Coupled with the dryness of autumn and winter, it will be like purgatory!
No matter how many times they fight in battle formations, they may not be able to face the sea of fire calmly, let alone these relatively ordinary soldiers of the Zhang family at Yangping Pass. Almost as soon as the fire started burning, they fell into an uncontrollable situation.
In the chaos and fear, he ran around crazily, and even jumped under the city wall without caring!
There are also those who jump outside Yangpingguan...
Less than ten flaming stone bombs directly or indirectly devoured more lives than a normal whole-day war!
In Zhang Kai's eyes, this was a scene like purgatory.
Amid the steaming flames and the swaying air, the hussars outside Yangping Pass were silent, like the black cavalry coming out of hell, waiting to harvest their lives...
Zhang Kai let out a howl of fear, and then found that his scream was drowned in the screams from up and down Yang Pingguan, making it appear so weak and pale.
This is the power of the hussar, this is a brand new war!
What can I do?
Besides being burned and beaten in vain here, he could also rush out of the city and have a life-or-death showdown with Zhang Liao!
"Uncle..."
Zhang Kai huddled under the battlements, watching the soldiers around him rolling in the sea of fire, and then let out heart-piercing screams and finally turned into twitching pieces of coke, "Uncle, you have done a lot."
ah……"
……(╥╯^╰╥)……
On an unnamed mountain far away from Yangping Pass, several Di people were looking in the direction of Yangping Pass.
It is impossible to see the specific situation of Yangping Pass from here. Even if the weather is clear and the view is extremely clear, Yangping Pass is like a stone as big as a fingernail, and the people who pass it are smaller than grains of sand.
Can't tell who is who at all.
As for why we can only observe from such a long distance, we have to ask Zhang Liao's scouts during this period...
However, when Yang Ping turned off such a big fire and the black smoke burned, he clearly told these people a clear message!
The fight started!
And the beating was so brutal that maybe even the pig’s brains were ripped out of the dog’s head!
Several Di people looked at each other, and then ran down the mountain happily to bring the news to the seven Lei brothers...
There are actually ten Lei brothers. This is common sense.
Because the Di people like the number seven and think this number has magical power.
Because the seven Lei brothers have similar bloodlines and similar ages, the tribe is an alliance and has become the third most powerful group among the Di people. They also have the intention to compete for the position of king of the Di people.
In this battle, the mission of the seven Lei brothers is to deal with Zhang Liao...
"Well done! Let them keep fighting..."
Lei Zong, one of the seven brothers, was wearing a slightly shabby leather robe. He squinted slightly and looked in the direction of Yangping Pass. He seemed to want to see the tragic battle at Yangping Pass through the mountain. "Wait until they can fight."
When we are exhausted, it is the best time for us to take action..."
Siege warfare has always been a grinding millstone of flesh and blood.
Anyone with some military experience knows this, and the seven Lei brothers are no exception.
Lei Han squatted aside and agreed, then frowned and said: "By the way, I heard that Brother Nan... was ambushed when he went to Yinping? He suffered heavy casualties?"
"Huh?" Lei Zong turned around and looked at Lei Han up and down, "Who did you listen to?"
Lei Han chuckled, "Who else is there to say this? I can't hide it... I'm just curious about what prompted Lei Nan to go to Yinping... and he was ambushed..."
Lei Zong exhaled slowly, then squatted down next to Lei Han and said: "This matter... it's a long story..."
Lei Zong laughed again, "What's the matter? It's probably Lei Tong who asked him to go there? Are you stupid? He's still following that kid from Lei Tong... I said, could it be that guy from Lei Tong?"
Sell him?"
Lei Han looked at Lei Zong, as if to say you already knew everything and still asked. After a while, he shook his head and said, "It shouldn't be..."
"What's not to say, that kid Lei Tong was originally a loser! In the early years, he followed that man named Liu for that reason, and then what? What happened next?" Lei Zong grabbed a handful of withered grass next to him, and then
He pinched the roots of the grass and threw them into his mouth, biting them with some sand, then spit out a mouthful of gray-black mixed saliva and cursed, "Trash! How many of us have been killed!"
But I don’t know whether Lei Zong was scolding Lei Tong, Lei Nan, or both.
Generally no one takes the Yinping Road because it is too easy to be ambushed there.
Lei Han opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but quickly shook his head and said, "You can tell yourself after Brother Nan comes back..."
"Yeah." Lei Zong nodded,
In a word, Lei Nan basically wanted to take advantage of something, but he didn't expect to be ambushed halfway, and he almost died.
Such a matter naturally requires Lei Nan himself to give an explanation to the brothers. If the explanation is not clear enough, or if there are any new problems, the seven Lei brothers may become nine.
"So and so, go and get a few more people to go to the top of the mountain and watch!" Lei Zong ordered loudly, "Also, go kill two sheep! Bring two lamb legs over and divide the rest among everyone! Let's celebrate!
The damn Han people are finally fighting with themselves! Victory must belong to us!"
"Oh oh oh..."
The Di people cheered, as if they felt that victory was just around the corner.
……··*··*……
The one who felt that victory was just around the corner was Zhang Xiao who was biting Wei Yan's butt.
When Shangyong was attacked, no matter how he excused himself, tried to evade it, or acted like a rogue, Zhang Xiao had the greatest responsibility. Now, Zhang Xiao must be responsible for sealing the gap that should have been blocked long ago.
!
Shangyong is surrounded, Hanzhong is in danger!
Following Wei Yan's trail for more than a hundred miles, the physical exertion was not small. Although the bones and muscles were not weak, many people were covered in mud and dust and panting.
The reason is very simple. If Shangyong is captured, it is almost equivalent to losing a leg!
At that time, how long can Hanzhong Zhang, who has only one leg, be able to stand?
Judging from the traces left along the way, as well as the fragmented information obtained from the mouths of some villagers, Zhang Xiao generally sketched an overview of Wei Yan's actions.
It turns out that Wei Yan has been constantly wandering around him these days!
This made Zhang Xiao feel unusually angry, and also felt a bit of fear.
Suddenly, the queue in front suddenly stopped. Zhang Xiao's heart skipped a beat and he immediately moved forward. The guards following him were also awe-inspiring and closely guarding him.
Zhang Xiao moved very carefully and divided the team into three parts. The forwards were responsible for sentinels, and the back troops were also surveying the surrounding situation. After all, they were facing Wei Yan. A little carelessness could lead to irreversible serious consequences.
.
"Report!"
The vanguard messenger from the front ran over and said, "I met some villagers..."
"Huh..." Zhang Xiao exhaled slightly, then thought for a moment, "Send it here! Someone wants to ask in person."
The soldier responded, turned around and ordered, "Pass it here! Raise your hands! Raise them high! If there is any slight movement, be careful of your life!"
Not long after, I saw a large group of people, including old, weak, women and children. Everyone looked tired and had packages and other items on their bodies, just like refugees on the run.
"Where did you escape from? Did you see other people?" Zhang Xiao asked face to face.
An old man seemed to be the recommended speaker. He held his hand in front and replied: "So that the general can know that we are all from the villages around Shangyong... We escaped a few days ago. I didn't expect to meet the general here."
...』
"Shangyong...what happened to Shangyong?" Zhang Xiao asked.
"The little old man doesn't know..." the old man said, "The little old man was originally going to be...to go to Shangyong City, but then the hussars and horses came, and everyone was in panic, so he had to struggle to escape.
...』
Zhang Xiao was silent for a moment, and he suddenly realized that these people were also victims. But since Wei Yan showed his body, and he was definitely in Shangyong, it means that the route he pursued was correct.
Zhang Xiao's face was livid, and he asked again: "Did you see the Hussars and horses when you came? There is a Honggu military camp in front of you, has there been any change?"
The old man smiled bitterly and said: "I haven't seen it, I just heard that some people have seen it... We don't dare to stop... As for the Honggu Army Stronghold, the little old man doesn't dare to approach it. There seems to be flags and other things."
, I didn’t see anything unusual from a distance...』
Zhang Xiao nodded.
This is a normal reaction. Refugees are at the lowest level. They may be raped and robbed at any time. It is a normal reaction to stay away from them.
Zhang Xiao looked back, and then said to his guards: "Forget it, there is no need for strong men, more mouths will cost more military rations... let them all get out!"
If it were normal, Zhang Xiao might have other thoughts, but now that he was about to fight Wei Yan, he didn't want to pay any attention to these refugees.
The soldiers and horses of the brigade did not pay attention to this group of panic-stricken refugees, and went straight forward through the mountains and ravines, and soon they arrived at the side of a river valley.
Zhang Xiao raised his head and looked forward, and saw a military camp on the other side of the river valley, standing on the side of the road ahead.
Normally, this military stronghold in the Red Earth Valley has a complete defense system. The Fenghou stronghold should have been equipped originally, but it was in disrepair for a long time. In addition, when Zhang Ze controlled Hanzhong, he was busy with his own affairs.
How can they care about the daily repairs of these small military villages if they want to gain power and benefits?
Therefore, it became inevitable that the small military stronghold in front of us was in dilapidated condition.
Zhang Xiao didn't know why, but suddenly felt like he was being stared at. He shuddered, and then looked around, but saw nothing.
The beacon that was supposed to stand tall has long since been abandoned, and there must be no bonfires that can provide smoke. Even though the wall of the main village is still very towering, it can only be seen from a distance. When you get up close, you can also see the main village.
There are many cracks in the village wall, some of which are so large that even three or two soldiers can walk in side by side.
There are even some reclaimed fields around Honggu Military Village, but of course they have all been harvested now. There seems to be a brick-burning cave dwelling on the other side of the mountain far away from the military village, which seems to be a by-product of this military village.
Zhang Xiao and others finally arrived in front of the military stronghold after a long journey, and what they saw was this peaceful scene. The flags of Zhang's soldiers were still flying on the wall of the stronghold, feebly fluttering in the air.
Above, there are vaguely a few figures, sitting or standing, looking idle and lazy. You can see it even from such a distance.
The refugees were running around before, but these people didn't notice them?
Or maybe Wei Yan didn't pass by here either, so these guys can still survive?
"Something is wrong..."
Zhang Xiao frowned and said.
Although Zhang Xiao and others are not considered to be a large army, the smoke and dust coming along the way are enough to distinguish ordinary refugees, and the military camp is still so lazy, and it seems that nothing unusual is seen at all?
"Come here! Let's go to a small team and explore the reality!"
Zhang Xiao ordered, and then added, "Put on your shield!"
A team leader under his command responded, then raised their shields in front of them, greeted a dozen soldiers, and looked up along the mountain path of the river valley.
"Form up, be alert!"
Zhang Xiao shouted, and then stared at the valley army camp.
Suddenly, just as the team led a dozen soldiers to approach the military stronghold, dozens of figures suddenly appeared above the military stronghold, holding bows and shooting downwards!
On the wall of the military village, the original military flag of the Zhang family was also brought down. What was re-erected was the three-color battle flag, and a flag of "General Conquering Shu" was flying wantonly in the air!
Suddenly, whether it was the abandoned beacon tower or the houses and caves behind the military stronghold, many hussar soldiers suddenly emerged. They were all well-equipped. Under the light of the sun, they even
You can see the blood stains and marks of sword and gun battles in their armor!
Although the momentum is majestic, the number of people is obviously small.
After Zhang Xiao was startled, he reacted, made a quick estimate, and found that there were only about three or four hundred hussar soldiers in the military camp!
Only three or four hundred!
Three or four hundred!
Is this an opportunity or a trap?
The water in the Red River is neither too much nor too little, reaching up to the ankles, flowing slowly.
It's winter, and if water is stored upstream, the flow should be dead now...
Moreover, the water flow is not turbid, indicating that there is no sediment mixed in it.
Red River, no danger.
The surrounding area was quiet, without any smoke or dust, and no flags were seen.
There seems to be no abnormality within the surrounding visual range...
Looking at Wei Yan's figure on the wall of the military village, Zhang Xiao felt new and old hatreds in his heart, rolling in like a tide!
"Wei Yan Wei Wen Chang!"
Zhang Xiao gritted his teeth, even if it was a trap, so many people rushed towards it and it was crushed to pieces!
"I finally caught you! Give the order and let the rear army catch up! I want to kill this beast right here!"