Traveling through the mountains, everyone realizes the danger of Helan Mountain. Although the peaks at the southern foot are generally lower than the peaks in the north, the mountains are still steep and deep valleys and ravines can be seen everywhere. The dangerous cliffs are shocking.
Above the trees on the mountain peaks, you can see the white snow. There is no sunlight deep in the forest, and the wind in the mountain forest is biting and cold, just like in the middle of winter. All of this reminds everyone that this is a bitter cold place in the northwest, even though it is almost the end of April.
But spring here has not yet arrived.
In fact, I am afraid that it is precisely because of the deep forests and dangerous mountains here and the steep and complex terrain that Helan Mountain can become a barrier to prevent the invasion of foreign enemies.
The more they marched, the more fortunate Zhang Yanling felt in her heart. Because although the Ma family and his son took everyone on a narrow path between mountains and trees, the road was extremely difficult to travel, but it was indeed extremely secretive and could also be passed by horses.
.
This trail is hidden among the mountains, and it seems that few people walk on it. But it is actually a trail for hunters. Hunters sometimes catch large prey in the mountains and cannot carry it home, so they opened this trail so that they can
Mules and horses were used to carry game home.
In recent years, the Ma family's father and son have always hunted together as three people, and the two sons are very strong, so they do not take this road. Therefore, when Zhang Yanling asked, Ma Fusheng did not think of this road for a while. Facts
On the road, Ma Fusheng was also a little worried. This road was too steep. If an army man or horse was injured, fell into a deep ravine, or had other accidents, he might not be able to survive the trip. So he would stop it. But his son
Now that it's said out loud, there's nothing you can do about it.
Zhang Yanling was wary at first and sent a group of cavalry to follow the Ma family and his son in front. He also asked Zhao Yuancheng to be prepared to shoot the three of them at any time. If the father and son played tricks, they would be killed in the deep mountains and old forests.
If they try to escape, they will be shot without hesitation.
But as the journey continued, Zhang Yanling became completely relieved. It was lucky to meet the Ma family father and son today. Otherwise, just groping for the road would have taken a long time. Zhang Yanling had even made a plan to change the path from now on.
We know that we are prepared to march into the mountain pass guarded by soldiers and horses. But if we do that, we have to take the risk of attacking the enemy's stronghold first. Not only is the error tolerance rate low, but most importantly, we are afraid of losing time.
The pressure of time is increasing on Zhang Yanling. It is already the fourth day since he set off from Lingzhou. There are still six or seven days left, and Yang Yiqing's plan to cross the river will probably be launched, and his time is too tight.
It got dark very early in the mountains, and the soldiers and horses had to spend the night in the mountains. Although he was anxious, it was definitely not wise to walk on the mountain road in the dark. Zhang Yanling would not risk the lives of his soldiers just to make up for the night.
That night, when they camped in the valley, the Ma family, father and son, and Zhang Yanling and others had gained absolute trust in each other. During dinner in the evening, Zhang Yanling specially called the Ma family, father and son to chat with them by the campfire and asked questions.
The basic situation of Ningxia Town on the other side of the mountain.
Zhang Yanling learned from them that the exit of this trail is still sixty or seventy miles away from Ningxia City. Moreover, there are two fortresses outside the mountain, where many soldiers and horses are stationed. One is called Pingqiang Fort, where the garrison is located.
There are more than a thousand soldiers and horses, mainly to defend several mountain passes on the south side. There is a small village called Ninghua Fort more than ten miles to the north, and there are also more than a thousand soldiers and horses stationed to defend the Chimukou Pass, the largest east-west passage.
of soldiers and horses.
The two forts are located in the south and north, and the patrol and defense area happens to cover the exit of this secret mountain road, which is quite tricky.
According to the Ma family and his son, the defenders of the two forts often patrolled the official roads during the day. They patrolled the roads along the mountainside non-stop. When encountering situations, they would light beacon fires to notify each other. They would also use beacon fires to relay
Enemy information can be quickly conveyed to the city of Ningxia.
Ma Fusheng had seen the Tatar attack from the mountain pass. It only took less than half a day for reinforcements from all over the country to arrive here and repulse the Tatar attack.
Zhang Yanling felt quite troubled when he heard this situation. If this is the case, when the soldiers and horses arrive outside the mountain tomorrow, they will probably be discovered immediately. Three thousand cavalry are inescapable in the plains. If the news passes through the beacon fire
When it was passed to Ningxia City, the plan was completely ruined.
Zhang Yanling quickly studied and judged the countermeasures. After questioning Ma Fusheng and his son, he learned that the soldiers and horses in the two forts were not dispatched at night, and only relied on the lookout posts and checkpoint soldiers inside the mountain passes to observe the enemy's situation. After learning this news, Zhang Yanling
Decide immediately to make adjustments to your plan.
Zhang Yanling summoned a meeting of senior generals in the army, and all the generals quickly gathered around the campfire.
After Zhang Yanling told everyone the situation provided by the Ma family and his son, he announced in a deep voice: "Everyone, I am announcing an adjustment to the plan. Tonight, I will set off overnight to go to the city of Ningxia. The army will set off after dawn tomorrow.
Look for a secret place to hide at the mountain pass. Two days later, you set off overnight without disturbing the defenders in the fort, and head to Ningxia City as quickly as possible."
Everyone was shocked and angry.
Zhang Yin frowned and said: "Master Hou, why do you arrange it like this? How can you go to Ningxia City to take risks? What's the point?"
"Yeah, how can this happen? It can't be done. Didn't we agree before that the army would rush out and kill Ningxia City? Why do we have to do this again?" Feng Mazi and others also asked in confusion.
Zhang Yanling said in a deep voice: "Everyone, be patient and listen to me. The previous plan was to attack Ningxia City directly after leaving the mountain pass. But the current situation is not what I expected. We must act according to the situation. Once the army is dispatched, we must
Alert the fortress defenders. Provided by Mr. Ma and his son
Judging from the situation, there are more than 2,000 soldiers and horses in the two forts. We cannot quickly deal with them. We will definitely let them light the beacon fire and pass the news out. The defenders in Ningxia City will get the news, and we will not be able to launch a surprise attack.
We may even be trapped here by the incoming troops."
"Master Hou, even so, we can still march in the dark. Master Hou doesn't have to take risks first, right?" Zhang Yin frowned.
"That's right, Lord Marquis, there's no need for that." Liu Tan and others shouted.
Zhang Yanling said: "Of course I am not afraid of taking risks. We cannot make mistakes in this raid plan. We must quickly attack Ningxia City and control the situation. You tell me that Ningxia City is the seat of an important town in the northwest. It has high walls and strong walls.
At least five thousand soldiers and horses defend the city. We only have three thousand men and no heavy siege equipment. How can we attack the city? How can we ensure success?"
The generals were speechless. In fact, they had asked this question before, but Zhang Yanling said that he had his own way, so they didn't ask any more questions. Now that the Marquis raised this matter, everyone's minds were empty and they didn't know how to answer for a while.
"We must work together from the inside out, capture a city gate, open the city gate, and then rush into the city and occupy the city. This is also the plan I made from the beginning. I must send people to sneak into the city beforehand." Zhang Yanling gave the answer.
"However, there is no need for the Marquis to take the risk himself. In his humble position, he can lead people to sneak into the city to do things." Zhang Yin said.
"You can do it even if you are the last general. The Marquis does not need to take risks." Others also said one after another.
Zhang Yanling shook his head and said: "You can't do it, not because you are not capable, but because I have to find someone in the city. Only by getting in touch with him can the plan go smoothly. We can't have too many people in, Ningxia City must be heavily guarded
, we can’t scare the snake away. So seizing the city gate requires manpower in the city. I’m going to the city to find helpers. And this person won’t believe you, so I can only do it if I go.”
Everyone was still waiting to talk. Zhang Yanling waved his hand and said: "No need to say more, now there is no other choice but this. Your responsibility is much greater than mine. You lurk for two days and attack Ningxia City at night. Three days later
, you must not be discovered
Arrive at the edge of Ningxia City under certain conditions. When the time comes, raise fire as a signal, cooperate inside and outside, and conquer the city in one fell swoop. You must remember that you must wait for my signal, otherwise you cannot launch. If the city gate is not opened, you will definitely not be able to enter, and you will only be ruined.
The lives of my brothers.”
The generals frowned and fell silent, knowing that there was no point in arguing about this matter. The Marquis had already decided.
"...If...if you can't wait for my signal in three days, then...you don't need to attack Ningxia City. Immediately rush to the bank of the Yellow River and attack the Tatars guarding the Lingzhou Ferry. Accompany Yang Yiqing
Your Excellency's operation to cross the river. If it really comes to that situation, everyone should be prepared to shed blood on the battlefield." Zhang Yanling said solemnly.
The generals were silent and looked at Zhang Yanling quietly.
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "What I'm talking about is if. Everything has variables. Naturally, I don't want variables to happen, but man's calculations are harder than God's calculations, and all kinds of situations must be taken into consideration. Okay, everyone, that's how it goes.
It’s settled. After I leave, the troops and horses will be commanded by General Zhang Yin. There’s no need to look down on everyone, we’ll see you in Ningxia City in three days.”
Zhang Yin breathed a sigh of relief and said: "Now that Lord Marquis has made his decision, I will not say anything else. I will only say one sentence. In three days, no matter whether there is a signal or not, whether the city gate is open or not, I will order an attack on the city."
For a humble job, you must find the Marquis. If you are alive, you must see the person, if you die... you must see the corpse."
Zhang Yanling smiled bitterly and said: "What are you doing? Don't you obey military orders? You will lose your head."
Zhang Yin said: "Either the Marquis cuts off the humble post first. The humble post will definitely disobey the order this time."
Zhang Yanling glared at Zhang Yin, sighed and said, "Well, I'm afraid I won't be able to control you by then. You can do whatever you want. Chen Shiyi, choose ten brothers, and we have to go."
Chen Shiyi was shocked and said: "Only ten brothers?"
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Eleven to be exact, Mr. Ma, the three of you, father and son, have to send one person to be my guide."