Outside the Nanxun Gate of the outer city of Bianliang, a large group of people rushed to the city gate in the dark night. The city gate suspension bridge had already been lowered, and the Nanxun Gate that had been repaired not long ago was wide open, and the three city gates were dark like one after another. After opening the big mouths, the large army of soldiers and horses filed into the city through the three big mouths.
On the square in the city, Shen Tan, Chen Fang, Liu Sheng, Huang Jiang and others stood facing the city gate, watching the Xiang army troops enter the city and separate on the left and right, lining up on the east and west sides. Everyone's expressions were excited and nervous.
Shen Tan looked at the soldiers and horses entering the city with a stern expression, but his eyes flickered, giving people a strange feeling.
Several Xiang army generals rushed over and saluted in front of Shen Fang and Liu Sheng.
"How many soldiers and horses are there outside? The movement is too slow." Shen Fang frowned and shouted.
"Reporting to your lord, there are still more than 5,000 people, and they will all enter the city soon. In compliance with your order, we gave up the horses and walked all the way, so the speed is slower." A general reported hurriedly.
It was Shen Tan's suggestion to all walk. Although the cavalry in the Xiang army only had less than 3,000 troops, Shen Tan believed that the cavalry was too noisy, especially in this quiet night, and the rumble of horse hooves would be heard far away. Alert the people and the Luoyan Army soldiers and horses. Therefore, walking is the best way. Although the movement speed is slower, it is still worth it.
"Speed up and pass on the order. They must all enter the city within one stick of incense." Shen Fang shouted.
"Yes!" The general followed the order and left.
Shen Fang breathed a sigh of relief, looked at Shen Tan and said: "Commander, I think we can organize the army and set off. The follow-up troops will follow soon, so there is no need to wait. With so many troops gathered here, there is no movement. No, I'm worried that the news will be leaked."
Shen Tan nodded and said: "That's what I have in mind. It's time for us to take action. Sirs, let's divide our troops into two groups. Sir Shen and I will lead an army of 16,000 and my 1,500 palace guards to attack." Xiying. Huangjiang, you lead a thousand men and Lord Liu’s 15,000 troops to attack Dongying. Without further ado, let’s set off.”
This was a division of labor that had been arranged long ago. Naturally, everyone had no objections. At that moment, everyone went their separate ways and gave orders. The more than 20,000 soldiers and horses gathered in the square headed north separately, then turned onto the east and west side streets and went straight to the east and west camps. go.
The target of the attack by Shen Tan and Shen Fang's soldiers and horses was the West Camp. According to Shen Tan, there were 8,000 Luoyan troops in the West Camp and 7,000 troops in the East Camp. Therefore, the actual comparison of the strength of the two sides was two to one. . Shen Fang and Shen Tan led more than 17,000 troops to attack Xiying. As long as no mistakes were made, victory was basically guaranteed.
The West Camp of the Outer City is located in the southwest corner of the outer city to the west of the martial arts school, across the Cai River from the martial arts school. The West Camp is an independent military camp, an independent camp with a radius of about 100 square meters. The important area of the military camp is naturally a high-walled arrow tower. , the defense is tight. In order to facilitate management and defense, there is only one camp gate on the east side, and it is surrounded by high walls.
The army quickly advanced eastward along the side street. Even if they were as careful as possible, the sound made by the large group of people running down the street was still extremely noisy. This caused the people on both sides of the street to open their doors and windows and peek outside, looking at the soldiers all over the street. The horse was so frightened that he didn't know what had happened.
When passing the street on the north side of Wu Xuetang,
Alarmed, a small group of soldiers from the martial arts school rushed out of the door to ask what happened. Shen Tan gave the order to kill, and a hail of arrows shot out. More than 20 soldiers were shot dead on the spot without even a grunt. Seeing this, Shen Fang's last bit of distrust towards Shen Tan disappeared.
In less than half an hour, the soldiers and horses had arrived at Caihe Bridge. When the soldiers and horses swarmed across the bridge, Shen Tan said to Shen Fang: "Master Shen, after crossing the bridge and bypassing the building on the opposite side, there is the military camp. In order to successfully attack the Western Camp, I want to take the first step and clear the obstacles for Lord Shen."
Shen Fang said hurriedly: "Why don't you, Commander-in-Chief, attack with us?"
Shen Tan shook his head and said: "With my small manpower, I can't really help much if I attack with you. But I and the soldiers and horses in front of the palace have special identities, so they will be of great use. The gate of the West Camp is tall, and the inner side of the gate There are ten arrow towers and there are defenders on the camp wall. If we attack forcefully, the losses will be considerable, and it will also give the soldiers and horses in the camp time to prepare. So I must solve this matter. I am the commander of the front department of the palace. I also have prestige in the Luoyan Army. If I enter the camp in the name of surveying the camp, the soldiers and horses on duty will not be suspicious. My people can enter the camp, control the arrow tower and the soldiers and horses on the camp wall in the name of survey, and open the Camp gate. After Master Shen leads his army to arrive, I will use the torch as a signal, and then Master Shen can lead his army to rush into the camp."
Shen Zhang said happily: "This plan is very good. The palace commander has thought it carefully. If the palace commander comes to the camp to check the night, they will naturally not doubt it. Then the palace commander will be troubled."
Shen Tan said in a deep voice: "We are all our own people, why should we be polite? In the future, you and I will be ministers in the same palace, and we should take care of each other."
Shen Fang was even more happy. If he could join forces with Shen Tan in the future, who else could rival him in the Zhou court?
Shen Tan turned around and left, but turned back and warned: "Master Shen must wait for my signal before attacking. After rushing in, he rushed directly to the school field. There are barracks on the north and south sides of the school field, and the Luoyan Army soldiers rested in the barracks. .Just deal with them quickly.”
Shen Fang cupped his hands and said, "Don't worry, Commander-in-Chief, just act according to the plan."
Shen Tan nodded, turned around and led 1,500 palace guards into the dark crowd of soldiers and horses and crossed the bridge.
The army soon crossed the Caihe Bridge, and after bypassing a block in front, they saw the wind lanterns swaying hundreds of steps away, the camp walls towering, and the towers lined with arrows. Shen Tan was right, at the gate of the Xiying camp The defense is tight. If we attack by force, the opponent may not be able to defend it in a hurry, but as long as time is delayed, the Luoyan army in the camp will be alert and organized, and it will be a melee. And this is what Shen Fang does not want to see. Yes, what he hopes is to quickly defeat his opponent while he is sleeping.
All the soldiers and horses were hidden in the darkness outside the camp gate. Shen Fang stared in the direction of the camp. There was no one there. According to reports from his subordinates, Shen Tan had led his soldiers and horses into the military camp unimpeded not long ago. With Shen Fang, Tan's official position and status in the Luoyan Army are not surprising.
Not long after, a general beside him whispered a reminder: "It seems that we have taken action, Mr. Shen. The wind lantern of the arrow tower in the north has gone out."
Shen Fang hurriedly opened his eyes and looked, and sure enough, the wind lantern hanging on an arrow tower on the north side of the camp gate had been extinguished at some point. Then, more than ten arrows appeared near the camp gate.
The wind lanterns on the tower were extinguished one after another. The lights on both sides of the camp gate wall were also extinguished one after another. From a distance, people seemed to be shaking, as if they were fighting.
Shen Fang stared nervously at the camp gate defense line, feeling both nervous and expectant in his heart. The entire camp gate was already dark. Although the lights in the distance were still flickering, the light was so dim that it was impossible to see what was going on there.
The tense wait did not last long. Finally, Shen Fang saw a torch being lit. The figure holding the torch was holding the torch high and shaking it. Under the light of the torch, dozens of soldiers were struggling to push open the tall and solid door of the military camp.
Shen Zhang was overjoyed and shouted in a deep voice: "Attack!"
The soldiers and horses of the Xiang Army rushed towards the gate of the Western Camp like a tide. The distance of several hundred steps was quickly reached. The soldiers and horses rushed into the camp unimpeded. At this moment, they broke out with a loud shout. All the soldiers and horses They poured into the military camp and went straight to the large campus in the middle. According to Shen Tan's instructions, the Xiang army's goal was the rows of military camp buildings on the north and south sides of the campus. At this moment, there were scattered lights there, and a large number of Luoyan Army soldiers He must have been woken up from his sleep, so he must be in a panic.
"Kill them all, leaving no one behind." Shen Fang roared.
The officers and soldiers of the Luoyan Army cannot be retained. If they remain, it will be a disaster. This is the consensus between Shen Fang and Liu Sheng. These people have been soldiers who have followed Lin Jue for many years, and it is of little significance to keep them. And he and Liu Sheng led the army to Beijing. , to use a bloody massacre to tell the officials and people of the capital that they will show no mercy to the enemy, will be ruthless, and will never tolerate it. This is a stern warning.
A Xiang army general led more than 2,000 soldiers and horses and rushed to the south barracks area. He kicked in the door first and rushed into a barracks with dozens of thin men. There were lights in the barracks. He was originally Thinking that there must be a group of panicked Luoyan Army soldiers inside, he was already ready to kill them, but what he saw in front of him left him stunned.
A few candles flickered in the camp, and the wooden beds on the main floor were empty. The room was also empty. The general of the army did not give up. Although the entire barracks could be seen clearly at a glance, he still ordered his men to overturn ten buildings. I checked a few bed boards to see if the enemy was hiding. But there was no such thing. There was not even a ghost in the entire barracks.
"There's no one there, it's empty."
"I don't have anyone here, the barracks are all empty."
The shocked voices of other soldiers and generals and lieutenants were heard outside. The general of the army rushed out of the room and saw a group of soldiers and generals looking at each other in shock.
"What's going on? Everyone ran away?" someone said.
"I'm afraid... I'm afraid I've fallen into a trap." Someone else trembled.
The man hadn't finished speaking, but the shouts of killing were heard all around. Countless arrows were shot from the air, and the arrows whizzed like rain. Suddenly, screams were heard all over the sky, and countless soldiers fell. Countless figures were in the tall barracks. He stood up on the roof, holding a crossbow in his hand. He lowered his bow and arrows and fired at close range among the crowd of Xiang soldiers crowded between the barracks. The Luoyan soldiers did not run away, but all hid on the roof, occupying favorable terrain and waiting for the enemy. Wait for them to come.
"It's over, there was an ambush." This thought flashed through everyone's mind, and their hearts suddenly became cold.
