Bai Qige didn't know much about the new country. What they knew and heard was from the two deputy generals Ai and Peng who were accompanying them. And they indirectly heard about it from General Xiao Baishan. The ultimate source was Princess Yanhu Ruan Yanluo .
"The new country has not yet decided on a national name. It cannot be considered a country. The person in charge has never appeared in public. Since the year before last, they began to search for civil and military talents. Now they have about tens of thousands of scattered ethnic groups as subjects. There are still seven , eight thousand elite soldiers. I heard that they are all gangsters who have committed serious crimes from various countries. They fight fiercely. Recently, their scope of activities has gradually shifted from Monan and Moxi to Zhongzhou. I don’t think it will take long. There is an uprising on the southern border of Zhongzhou."
Ruan Yanluo only introduced these few words to the new country. It was after listening to these that Emperor Yao decided to send troops to judge and quell the rebellion. According to Bai Qige's point of view, this decision was a bit hasty.
Who is the leader of the enemy? What ability does he have to subdue so many subjects and use his troops for his own use? In just three years, his power has grown so much. He actually established a country and became king in the face of his eager neighbors. There is no one who can really rely on strength. Is it possible for people to do this?
Seven or eight thousand elite soldiers faced Dayao's 40,000 border guards. It seemed that Dayao had an absolute advantage. However, she didn't know why. Bai Qige always felt uneasy in her heart. It seemed that what was waiting for her in the southern border was not victory, but a huge net.
"General Bai, there are people following behind. Do you want to 'clean up'?" After a few days of walking, Vice General Peng was very concerned about the two cavalry following the three of them not far or close behind.
"No need. They are my friends." Bai Qige smiled, with a hint of tenderness in her tone. "They are just businessmen. General Peng can rest assured."
It's not surprising that Ning Xizui followed Bai Qige. With his character, it would be strange if he stayed in the imperial capital peacefully. What Bai Qige didn't expect was that it was Su Buqi and not Feng Wujiang who accompanied Ning Xizui. She always thought that Feng Wujiang was like a housekeeper and nanny. He looked cold and stubborn, but in fact he was an old man who cared about Ning Xizui very much. Speaking of which... he was quite cute.
The further south you go, the hotter the weather becomes. Even after taking off your cotton-padded clothes, you will still be exposed to the blazing sun and you will sweat. When you arrive at the Monan Border Guard Camp, Bai Qige's skin color has become significantly darker, and her complexion is actually better than before. Perhaps she is far away from the imperial capital. , stay away from the turbulent relationships. My originally complicated mood became much calmer. During the day, I was busy arranging military affairs in the military camp. At night, I either took an early rest or had a brief discussion with Ning Xizui, who was living in a tent outside the camp. The initial stage of getting familiar with the situation was very long. Fast forward. Ten days later, Bai Qige has already started planning to go south to fight against the rebellion.
"Miss Bai, why don't you watch for a while? We've been here for many days. We haven't even seen each other's shadow. It's easy to suffer losses when fighting an opponent you don't understand at all." I heard that Bai Qige planned to fight quickly. Ning Xizui Quite worried.
"We can't wait any longer. Time is limited." Bai Qige made a firm decision, with a hint of helplessness. "In one month, it will be the rainy season in Monan. Marching in the rain will greatly increase the burden on our army. I asked the garrison commander. It is not a problem to assemble the surrounding 40,000 Guangdong troops within three days. But the food and grass will definitely not be able to keep up. If it catches up with the consumption during the rainy season, the available troops will be greatly reduced."
"It is always dangerous to rush into battle. Think twice." Ning Xizui just shook his head. He seemed to disagree with Bai Qige's urgency.
Bai Qige also found herself a little impatient. However, the forces of the new country seemed to know that the distant country was preparing to suppress them. Six scout battalions searched at the same time but could not find any trace. If she wanted to quell the rebellion and return to the imperial capital as soon as possible, she could only Take risks and take the initiative.
Return early. Get together early.
Due to the shortage of food and baggage, the Guang garrison army that could finally cross the river and march south to attack the new country at the same time did not exceed 1,900 people. The stored food and wages could last the army more than ten days. If the force to be faced is as Ruan Yanluo said Only seven or eight thousand is not a problem. If the situation does not match the situation, if the opponent's number of troops is doubled and the distant army is defeated, Bai Qige will send people to several nearby cities and counties to mobilize food and grass. At the same time, he will ask for the 1,900 soldiers who are about to go to war. Work hard and make the final decision even after searching for enemy information to no avail.
On the seventh day of the second lunar month, that is, four days later, the Guang garrison of Yaoguo crossed the Huanshui River south and marched straight into the Monan area.
The two deputy generals, Peng and Ai, had long heard about Bai Qige's name as the war concubine. Seeing her decision not to be sloppy, they both admired her. Although they felt that she was hasty and hasty, they were overshadowed by excitement and excitement. Don't say any objections. Not even a word of questioning was raised. In the past, the Guang garrison army, which was trained by Ou Suiliang himself, totaled 19,000 people. They hurriedly embarked on the journey.
Things were so unreasonable from the beginning. It was vaguely destined that the subsequent battles would not be a smooth victory.
"Monan is an area we are not familiar with. We must march carefully after entering. The infantry battalion will open the way. The cavalry and shooting battalion will follow. The Hanqiang battalion will allocate another four teams of people to guard the food, grass and baggage. No matter day or night, we must ensure that there are at least ten people in the team. Inspect the surrounding area." Bai Qige had the experience of being attacked by a sneak attack on the grain and grass troops during the Northern Expedition. Bai Qige was very cautious about protecting the baggage. In addition to mobilizing elite soldiers to protect her, she also chose to ride near the grain and grass troops.
She has limited knowledge about war in the cold weapon era. Most of her command and dispatch relies on past experience. It's really like rushing a duck to the top. It makes people laugh or cry.
On the third day when the Guanggong Army set out from Ninggu, an important border town in Dayao, the Huanshui River, which serves as the dividing line between Zhongzhou and Monan, appeared in front of us.
The Huanshui River is not very wide, with a north-south span of about six to seven feet. However, the water flow is unusually fast. In addition, the water volume of the Huanshui River changes greatly throughout the year. This season happens to be at the end of the dry season, so the water level is not high. The two banks are as high as a person above the river. It looks really dangerous.
Crossing the Huanshui River is the Monan area. Ruan Yanluo said that the New Kingdom forces were operating across the river in Monan and Zhongzhou. The strange thing is that the army has not seen any suspicious figures since they reached this point. Some people have begun to doubt the authenticity of the news. As a general, even though Bai Qige is also full of doubts, he still has to bite the bullet and march forward... What if he doesn't move forward? Should he just go back and tell Emperor Yao that there are no rebel factions? Who believes it? Even the wily Emperor Yao won't believe it. .
Looking at the wooden bridge erected between the two banks, Bai Qige took a deep breath: "General Peng, send someone to check the bridge first to see if it has been tampered with."
Vice General Peng nodded and accepted the order. After about a cup of tea, he came back and said: "General Bingbai, we have sent people to check it thoroughly. The bridge is very strong. There will be no problem for my army to pass through."
"That's good." Bai Qige lost her vigilance and raised her hand towards the vanguard. "Stand up in line and pass one by one."
A team of 19,000 people was not much, but it was spectacular to line up in a few lines. The endless team walked for a long time before it was the turn of the grain and grass and baggage troops to cross the bridge and cross the river. Bai Qige followed closely, for fear that someone would come from behind. A sneak attack from behind.
It’s just that things in the world often don’t go as one wishes. The more worried you are, the more nervous you will be. The more accidents tend to happen suddenly.
A sharp whistle sounded from nowhere. Just when Bai Qige and others were tensed by the whistle, a ray of fire flew out from the side and shot straight towards the bridge.
The sound of the clay pot breaking was clear and crisp. Several firelights followed in succession. Then there was the firelight that shot up into the sky. The raging fire engulfed the bridge in an instant. Someone close to him could see clearly. The flying firelight was actually tied to a small The iron arrow of the clay pot. The clay pot probably contains something like grease. After the clay pot breaks, it flows outside. When it encounters sparks, it immediately burns wildly. The ferry bridge is made entirely of wood. The most feared thing is fire.
Seeing that the suspension bridge was about to break under the erosion of the fire, Bai Qige was anxious and annoyed. She shouted loudly for the soldiers in front to retreat. But how many people could calmly obey the command in the chaos? The cavalry and shooting battalion in front tried to escape the fire We hurriedly crossed the bridge. Those who failed to cross fell into the Huanshui River. It was impossible to climb up the river bank, which was as high as a person. We could only grab some things randomly to prevent them from being washed away. On the other side of the bridge, all that was left was the weight and quantity of food and grass. Apart from the very few soldiers in the Cold Spear Battalion, there were only Bai Qige and one other soldier.
"Don't be chaotic. Don't be chaotic. Protect the food and grass. Protect General Bai." The black and thin soldier shouted at the top of his lungs. But there was panic in his eyes.
In this way, it is clear that the enemy's plan fell into the enemy's trap. The combat soldiers and the food, grass and baggage were forcibly separated.
The fire startled the horses. Bai Qige turned over and dismounted and ran to the bridge and looked around. As the sound of crashing trees got closer, countless figures jumped out from behind the grass and rocks and from the ditch. They appeared in front of Bai Qige holding swords.
Bai Qige raised her lips and smiled. The smile was bitter and cold. The situation was clear at a glance. She and the soldiers behind her were surrounded.
The bridge was destroyed. The soldiers who had crossed the bridge were blocked by the rushing river and could not return to help. The cavalry archers drew their long bows tightly but did not dare to fire arrows. They were afraid that the arrows would kill the enemy and also injure their own comrades. This situation can be said to be a failure. It was no different. Moreover, it was defeated without a fight. After all, Bai Qige was captured as the general. The nineteen thousand Guang garrison army had no one to lead them anymore. It was like a pile of scattered sand.
The encirclement was getting smaller and smaller. A team of about 500 people surrounded the group of people who had not crossed the river. There were expressions of joy and pride on their faces.
"Lu Feidu, the second-rank general of the Anling Kingdom, has met General Bai." One of them was dressed slightly differently from the others. He wore green clothes and bronze armor. He also had a dark scarf on his head. He looked to be only thirty years old. That man Her words were quite polite. She even bowed slightly when she stopped not far from Bai Qige: "I've heard about Zhongzhou War Concubine for a long time. When I saw her today, she really is a dashing woman. Lu Feidu is deeply impressed by her."
Anling Country. This name seems to have never been heard before. It should be the new small country that Ruan Yanluo mentioned. Being besieged is a foregone conclusion. Bai Qige gradually calmed down and touched the Cuihuang Sword on the back of her waist with one hand. No. He said animatedly: "General Lu has a good plan. A sudden attack. Unexpected. Just rely on a bridge and a few arrows to defeat the enemy without a fight. Bai Qige is resigned to defeat. But I am very curious. General Lu's people have not been seen in the past few days. .How do you know that our Dayao Army will arrive here today?"
The two sides were at war, and the most taboo thing was for the enemy to find out their movements. Anlinguo's actions had to make Bai Qige suspect that there were traitors in the Guang garrison who were liaising with foreign enemies.
Lu Feidu smiled. He did not answer Bai Qige's question. Instead, he bowed his hands respectfully again. His tone was sincere and serious: "Lu came here today firstly to receive this batch of food and grass supplies, and secondly to forward questions for me, Lord Anling." A word from General Bai... Emperor Yao is aggressive in his military affairs and persecutes good generals. It is not worth sacrificing his life for him. General Bai is willing to submit to me in Anling and become the first-class general of our Anling Kingdom. My lord, he will wait for you."