In the evening, the Chinese army's heavy troops and horses led by Gao Muqing, Guo Caiwei and other daughters arrived at the camp at the southwest slope of Fangcheng Mountain Pass. The previously arrived troops and horses had already completed setting up the general camp, and the soldiers were doing the final work of organizing the camp. Some soldiers had already
The pots have been buried to make rice, and the bonfire has been lit.
Gao Muqing didn't waste any time. After entering the big tent, he immediately summoned the generals to discuss the battle.
In the large tent, Gao Muqing and Guo Caiwei were sitting at the top, and a dozen generals were sitting at attention on both sides of the bottom. Fang Huanqiu and Xie Yingying Qianqian were not interested in the military meeting, so the three women took the initiative to attend the meeting.
The woman arranged the place to stay and prepared meals, so she did not participate in the meeting of the big account.
Gao Muqing got straight to the point and asked Lin Hu first: "General Lin Hu, I ordered you to send someone to find out where the enemy is. Do you have any news?"
Lin Hu hurriedly stood up and cupped his hands and said: "For the information, General Gao, after arriving with his army at the end of the afternoon, he sent out light cavalry to detect the enemy. Not long ago, a group of scouts sent back news that they found a woman on the bank of Lishui River north of Ye County.
The real forward cavalry is about sixty miles away. Reports say that they are building a pontoon bridge across the Li River. The location of the enemy's main force is currently unknown. But it is not too far away, as their forward cavalry is less than two meters behind.
A distance of ten miles."
"Sixty miles away?" Gao Muqing was startled and frowned: "You came so fast?"
The generals also expressed their astonishment. It only took Bai Bing three days to rush back to the stronghold from Shili Changgan. She still traveled day and night without much delay. Today is the fourth day, which means that the Jurchen army broke through Bai Bing's front foot.
They started to march on the back foot, and it seemed that they were marching day and night without too much delay. It took them four days to cover a distance of more than 600 miles, from Bianliang to Ye County. If it were not blocked by the Lishui River, they would probably be there tonight.
We are about to reach Fangcheng Mountain Pass. This speed is really surprising.
"If it's sixty miles, it's a one-day trip. They can build the ferry bridge tonight and they will arrive here tomorrow evening. We don't have much time." Gao Muqing said thoughtfully.
"Master of the Dazhai, Lao Li and I looked at the hillsides on both sides of the pass. We can actually ambush troops and horses. The hillsides are rugged and rocky. It would be difficult for their cavalry to attack from both sides unless they dismount and attack on foot. We are confident.
Guard the mountain ridges on both sides, but the location of the pass is a bit troublesome. The slope of the pass is gentle and long, and the cavalry can charge. And the width is more than a mile. If they rush to the pass, it will be very troublesome. The subordinates believe that it must be
Be prepared." Gao Songlin, the leading general of the left army, said solemnly.
"Lao Gao is right. My subordinates suggested digging trenches and laying out spikes. It would be best to build some defensive horses or build stone wall fortifications to hinder the opponent's charge. The location of this pass is key. Otherwise, we can dispatch the left and right armies separately.
How about five thousand soldiers and horses to help guard the pass?" Li Muzhu also said loudly.
Gao Muqing shook his head and said: "There is no room for failure on the mountain ridges on both sides. If they sneak across, we will be made dumplings. Your responsibilities
That is to protect the two wings and attack them from the flanks with bows and arrows. If they attack the mountain ridges on both sides, you must defend them to the death. Otherwise, you are the only one asking. As for the location of the pass, I will do a good job of fortifications. The pass will not be there.
When it is two miles wide, it is useless if there are too many men and horses. Our central army and the front army are responsible for the defense of the pass. We have many means, so you two don't have to worry about it. However, the fortifications and pits you mentioned can be built and dug as auxiliary defense. Time.
It’s urgent, I’m afraid tonight will have to be carried out overnight.”
Gao Songlin said: "That's natural. Don't worry, Master of the village. We will organize manpower after we return to the camp. After dinner, we will prepare to build fortifications overnight."
Gao Muqing said: "The idea is not to overwork the soldiers. It is better to use the method of rotating five teams every hour, so that the soldiers can get several hours of rest, so that they will not be tired and consume physical strength and affect the battle. The construction of fortifications should be adapted to local conditions.
, just go with the flow. There are rocks everywhere on this hillside, and the ground is full of gravel. Don’t think about digging a big or deep hole. We don’t have time to do that, and the gain outweighs the loss.”
Gao Songlin and Li Muzhu cupped their hands and said, "Follow the orders of the leader of the village."
Gao Muqing nodded, turned to Bai Bing and said, "Bing'er, Master Ma is going to move the reinforcements...According to your estimate, can they arrive before tomorrow evening?"
Bai Bing frowned and thought for a while and said: "Taiyuan is too far from here. It will take at least three or four days to get here from Taiyuan. Calculating the time, Brother Ma may have just set off with the reinforcements for a day. If they don't stay overnight at Xiaoxing
If we stay and rest, we may arrive at Sakon before dark tomorrow. If not, I'm afraid it won't be until the day after tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. The Jurchens arrived too fast, and everything is not as planned."
Gao Muqing and everyone in the tent were silent. Part of the plan was to ensure victory only when reinforcements arrived. If the reinforcements could not arrive in time, the 40,000 Luoyan troops would have to stand up to the 70,000 enemy troops here. Time.
The longer it goes, the greater the pressure. Things will get tricky.
Gao Muqing muttered: "Actually, as long as we can arrive, it's a good thing. We desperately hold on to the pass and delay, even if it costs us some money. As long as we can wait until the reinforcements arrive, it doesn't matter. Annihilating the Jurchen army is the best reward. But I'm most worried about it.
In fact, there is another possibility, that is...if Lord Ma fails to persuade the Northwest Army to come for reinforcements, what will happen?"
Everyone's scalps were numb, and a layer of cold sweat broke out on the backs of their spines. Gao Muqing said this was the most extreme situation. All plans were based on the situation that reinforcements would come. If there were no reinforcements, they would have to use these 40,000 troops and the opponent's seven soldiers.
If thousands of cavalrymen are fighting for their lives, the outcome may be disastrous.
"Mu Qing, don't have no confidence in Mr. Ma. Besides, since your husband has made this plan, how could you not take this situation into consideration? Maybe he knows that the situation you are worried about will not happen. You must believe that your husband is. You are so
When you say that, what do the soldiers think?" Guo Caiwei said softly. In fact, her words were not so sure, and there was a trace of uncertainty in her tone.
She was mainly worried that Gao Muqing's words would demoralize her, but she actually had no confidence in her heart.
Gao Muqing hurriedly said: "Yes, yes, I was overthinking it. This kind of situation will not happen. You guys, don't overthink it, and don't talk nonsense when you go back and make your brothers feel uneasy."
Gao Songlin, Li Muzhu and others hurriedly said: "We understand and will not talk nonsense. However... the leader of the village must also consider the worst possibility. We are not saying that we don't trust Military Advisor Lin's plan, but... everything
There are exceptions. For example, if the Jurchens arrive so quickly, they are beyond our control. Therefore, it is right to give more consideration."
Before Gao Muqing could speak, Lu Wu, who was sitting beside him, suddenly said: "You don't have to doubt your husband's plan. I believe everything is within your husband's plan. Your husband must have considered all possibilities before making such a plan, otherwise
Do you think my husband will let us fall into danger? Absolutely impossible, he would rather die than ignore us. I can guarantee that Brother Ma will come with reinforcements. You should not question him
plan."
Gao Muqing and Guo Caiwei were both a little ashamed when they heard this. In terms of absolute trust in Lin Jue, no one can be more pure than Lu Wu. It is a kind of trust from the heart, without any reason. At this point, Gao Muqing and Guo Caiwei even
Everyone else thinks they are not good enough. Sometimes, they still have to question Lin Jue's words.
"Okay, okay, I believe it. Of course I believe it. How could I not believe in my husband?" Gao Muqing said hurriedly.
Lu Wu nodded and said, "That's good. I don't know much about military affairs. I'm just telling you that my husband said reinforcements are coming, so they are bound to come. You don't have to consider what happens if the reinforcements don't come."
Gao Muqing nodded and said with a smile: "Okay, okay, reinforcements will definitely arrive. I firmly believe this."
Lu Wu smiled and stopped talking.
Gao Muqing turned around and said to the generals: "Let's stop here for the time being. Everyone will prepare after returning to camp. We are afraid that we will have to work all night to set up defense lines tonight. Don't relax, do everything carefully and think about it.
Be more thoughtful."
Gao Songlin and others all stood up and cupped their hands and said: "In compliance with the order of the leader of the stronghold, the master of the stronghold, ladies and gentlemen, I have resigned."
Gao Muqing returned the gift with her hand, Guo Caiwei and the other three women also returned the gift with their skirts gathered, Gao Songlin and others turned around and exited the tent, leaving cleanly.
Lin Hu didn't leave. He stood there like a wooden post with his brows furrowed in a daze.
Gao Muqing wanted to hold Lu Wu's hand and say a few words, but when he saw Lin Hu lingering beside him, he frowned and asked, "Xiaohu, why don't you go back to the camp to prepare?"
Lin Hu frowned and said, "You haven't assigned me a task yet. Gao Songlin, Li Muzhu and the others are guarding the ridges on both sides. What about me?"
Gao Muqing said: "Didn't I tell you? You will guard the pass with me. Why, didn't you hear it?"
Lin Hu smacked his lips and was speechless. Gao Muqing scolded in a deep voice: "What's going on? Just say what you have to say, why are you hesitating?"
