If Taihang is a wall between Hanoi and Hedong, then Qiziling is the doorknob. But the doorknob cannot be opened just because it wants to be opened.
Several Feng subordinates stationed at Qiziling have sufficient troops and horses, and plenty of food and grass. Not to mention Qiziling is not an isolated mountain, but a general name for several mountains that together form this barrier. Up and down the mountain, the Northern Zhou army has built a complete defense.
Fortifications, especially trenches, stone walls, etc. for the Han army's firearms are all available.
Therefore, it may be feasible to hold back a few phoenixes like Xiao Shilue did, but it is not that easy to break through Qiziling.
Baipao also pointed out in the report submitted to the Taiwei Mansion that the attack on Qiziling should be "concentrated and cautious."
Therefore, Li Xingchen was still hesitant about whether to concentrate his forces to attack Qiziling now.
The more I am above the overall situation and overlook the battle situation, the more I feel that there are flaws in every place, and the less I know where to focus.
The Chinese army's tent and the imperial tent where Li Xingchen was stationed have been set up.
Li Xingchen insisted on building these two separately. Firstly, he wanted to minimize the interference to Lu Quangda's military command. Otherwise, if Li Xingchen was sitting in the Chinese army's tent, the generals would not dare to ask Lu Guangda for instructions if they had anything to do.
Quangda, go directly to meet His Majesty. Isn’t it true that the commander-in-chief of Quangda is in name only?
Secondly, Li Xingchen did not come alone. There were a large number of accompanying officials from the outer court and the inner government. In fact, it was equivalent to a small court that was still functioning and even had all the internal organs. If Li Xingchen went to the Chinese army's tent,
Sit down, are you commanding the battle or commanding the six departments to work? I'm afraid Li Xingchen himself won't be able to change his mind by then.
Therefore, separation is not a bad thing. It is enough for Li Xinchen to know what is happening on the front line when the war is urgent.
The Imperial Guards have already begun to build a sentry tower and another layer of fence around it, so that the construction of a column is completed.
However, Li Xingchen was not in a hurry to go directly to the imperial tent, because he had just crossed the river and there were no important civil affairs matters for Li Xingchen to worry about. He wanted to know how Lu Guangda, as the coach, planned to direct this battle.
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Neither Xiao Shilue nor Du Fuwei would have thought that the Han's first head-on confrontation with the enemy in his last vigorous Northern Expedition would actually happen in front of him at Qiziling, which was originally just a battlefield for the division.
Prior to this, the Han army had taken great action and crossed the river in a mighty manner. However, the Northern Zhou army did not organize to resist. It can even be said that when the Han army began to cross the river, they were shrinking their defense lines backwards, while the Han army was shrinking back.
After the army landed, most of the Northern Zhou army had retreated to the city far away from the shore, with no intention of confronting the Han army on the river bank.
As for the attacks launched by the Northern Zhou Navy, which had no way to retreat, in front of the huge Han Navy, it was no different from scratching an itch. Everyone was not even willing to count this as a battle. Even the Navy
I also maintain this attitude.
This kind of completely crushing battle will not bring any glory to the face. If the defense is not saved, Master Lu will laugh at him.
Therefore, according to statistics from the Taiwei Mansion and the military after the war, the first real fierce battle broke out at the foot of Qiziling.
The strategic intentions of both sides are very obvious. One is to give the enemy a hard lesson before returning to the army for rescue, and the other is to hold back the enemy's troops as much as possible, making it difficult for them to have an impact on the situation in Hanoi.
Du Fuwei stood in the wind and looked at the Xianbei cavalry getting closer and closer.
The musketeers held their breath. The narrow valley in front of them would be their only chance to stop the enemy.
Behind them, the Han army soldiers were nervously building barriers with sandbags to block the roads in the valley.
Xiao Shilue's response method was equally simple. He had no intention of conquering Qiziling with these troops. Now that you have arrived, I will defend the camp honestly so that you can't drive me away.
As long as I stand here like a nail, you won't dare to act rashly.
The only task of the musketeers and the crossbowmen standing behind the musketeers is to buy as much time as possible for the brothers behind them.
"Let go!" Du Fuwei ordered loudly.
The musketeers and crossbowmen came forward. He did not complain that Xiao Shilue was putting them in danger, because Du Fuwei himself would have made the same choice. And Xiao Shilue was not watching from behind. He had already brought
The few Mo Daomen in the army are arrayed under the barrier, which means that once the musketeers and crossbowmen are unable to suppress the enemy, the Mo Dao team will serve as the last line of defense to buy time for the Paoze.
This is true for all commanders and generals. How can soldiers not sacrifice their lives?
The sound of the muskets echoed in the valley, which was very dull.
Rows of Northern Zhou cavalry fell down screaming, but soon both sides gave orders to release arrows, and the Northern Zhou cavalry also began to draw their bows and set arrows. Unfortunately, compared to the Han army guarding the entrance of the valley, they rushed out of the valley.
It was more like a living target. The formation of the Han army was much looser in comparison, so the Northern Zhou cavalry dropped a large number of corpses.
The corners of Du Fuwei's mouth raised slightly, these guys are overestimating their abilities.
The last time they died tragically under the muskets and crossbows of the Han army, but now they still don't learn a lesson. It would be great if there were thunderbolt chariots here. If they smashed into the valley, some Phoenixes would probably die again.
I don't have the courage to go down the mountain anymore.
Just when Du Fuwei ordered to load the gun again, the ground suddenly began to tremble violently.
Du Fuwei couldn't help but frown.
This feeling seems familiar?
"This is?"
Ming Jin's voice came from behind, and Du Fuwei hurriedly looked back. Not far away, Xiao Shilue waved to him and shouted something.
Ming Jin's voice was so loud, and the earth was shaking so loudly, that Du Fuwei couldn't hear clearly what Xiao Shilue was shouting, but his mouth shape still reminded Du Fuwei, who had been on the battlefield for many years, that Du Fuwei
Wei shouted almost subconsciously:
"Armor Cavalry!"
That's right, it's an armored cavalry rarely seen in battles with the Northern Zhou army!
The reason why Du Fuwei feels familiar is that in the previous internal military exercises of the Han army, the newly trained armored cavalry of Yu Linqi once defeated many participating teams of the Han army, including Du Fuwei.
The Guards Musketeers brought with them. The current muskets are not enough to pose a sufficient threat to the armored cavalry wearing thick armor. The musket bullets can only leave craters on the thick armor, but there is no way to stop the armored cavalry from advancing.
pace of.
No wonder Shuofeng had the courage to attack the Han army in turn.
With armored cavalry, it is indeed difficult to deal with.
Of course, it's not impossible to deal with.
On the fortress that has not yet been completely built, an artillery piece has been erected.