Zheng Kaiyuan hurriedly handed over his hand: "The craftsmen in the army have cooperated to build ten boats. In addition, the army has built thirty-six bamboo rafts and wooden rafts, which can transport 500 people to the other side at a time. If we speed up the construction now, it will take two hours
Maybe we can add twenty more within this period..."
"Too few." Pei Zilie gritted his teeth.
However, he also knew that this was almost the limit for his soldiers who were tired from long battles. Especially if they went through this kind of battle tonight, I am afraid that very few of them would be strong enough.
"But transporting 500 people would be too dangerous if the enemy discovered and counterattacked!" Li Xun couldn't help but say.
Chen Zhishen took a step forward and said, "General, five hundred people are five hundred people. The last general will ask himself to lead five hundred of his men to cross the river first!"
Li Xun and Zheng Kaiyuan were both a little surprised. Anyway, there were three to four thousand people under Yuchishun's command. Including those who were already here, the total number was six to seven thousand. It would be a bit of an overstatement to only send five hundred people.
Once something unexpected happens, it will not be so easy for Pei Zilie to cross Tanxi in a short time.
But Pei Zilie did not want to watch Yuchishun mobilize so many soldiers and horses to retreat to Xiangyang City, because this would undoubtedly mean that the difficulty of attacking Xiangyang would be greatly increased, which Pei Zilie did not want to see.
In an instant, Pei Zilie thought of what Li Xingchen said to him outside Fangling City.
Not to be missed.
Do I have to watch this opportunity fly by before my eyes this time?
"Chen Zhishen listens to the order and will lead you to lead five hundred soldiers and horses across Tanxi River. All the ships in the army are at your disposal. In addition, all the soldiers who can swim have been selected to cooperate with the ships to swim across!" Pei Zilie said loudly.
Chen Zhishen was immediately overjoyed and solemnly raised his hand: "No!"
Pei Zilie then said in a deep voice: "The rest of the troops, restrain the soldiers, rectify the troops and horses, and prepare to cross the river!"
"promise!"
Seeing Chen Zhishen and others leaving quickly, Pei Zilie breathed out softly.
It's worth spending five hundred troops and horses in exchange for a possible big victory.
——————————-
I walked through the busy crowd first.
He is the Bashu general who was on the hillside just now. Now he has changed into a suit of Northern Zhou armor. With his chest raised and his head raised, he looks a bit cool. Several soldiers behind him are following him closely, obviously a little nervous.
"You guys, come here and help!" A general obviously noticed these "idle" guys.
Zeng Xian responded hurriedly and helped the Northern Zhou generals to move several bags of grain into the car. While moving, Zeng Xian asked curiously: "Boss, are we really planning to return to the city? This Tanxi
Can’t hold on any longer?”
"Where did all the gossip come from!" Zhuang Jiang immediately raised his eyebrows and scolded, "It's your turn to figure out Shangguan's thoughts?!"
Zeng Xian immediately stuck out his tongue and did not dare to speak. However, General Zhuang obviously did not put this problem directly behind his mind, but turned back to look at the tent not far away with some worry. The lights in the Chinese army tent were still bright.
, obviously Yuchishun had no intention of leaving in a hurry at this time.
Zeng Xian also noticed his expression, and while winking at his men, he squeezed in. At this time, the general in the building also noticed that not only Zeng Xian was waiting for someone, but also the other busy soldiers beside him.
He cast his gaze over curiously.
Obviously, they were also surprised by the sudden order to retreat.
Although the previous battle on the other side of Tanxi was definitely a defeat, the defense line on Tanxi's side has been built for more than half a month. The camp is strong and there is plenty of food and fodder. It is not difficult to rely on Tanxi to hold on. I don't know how to put it.
Retreat, retreat.
One soldier couldn't help but said: "I heard that the Xianshan side is almost unable to hold up. We are asked to leave at this time because we are afraid that if Xianshan is lost, we will be outflanked."
"They are also outflanking our retreat. Haven't you heard that Fancheng has been surrounded by Li Xingchen? We have no escape route now!"
"Is this true?"
"My brother-in-law is in Xiangyang City. Yesterday he saw with his own eyes that the surrounding area of Fancheng was surrounded by Li Xingchen's military stronghold!"
"It seems that Fancheng cannot be defended. Once Fancheng is lost, we will really be alone!"
Zeng Xian also looked worried at this time: "The imperial court's reinforcements are far away, and I don't know if Xiangyang City can be defended."
"Everyone be quiet!" General Zhuang interrupted in a cold voice, "Now is an important time. Shut your mouths. Don't say anything that disturbs the morale of the army. Otherwise, I will take advantage of you!"
The soldiers immediately fell into silence. "Disturbing the morale of the army" would result in beheading, a crime they could not afford.
Just as General Zhuang continued to direct the soldiers to carry grain and grass, a messenger quickly ran over and said in a low voice: "The general has an order, take away the grain and grass that can be taken away, and leave what cannot be taken away."
"But..." Zhuang Jiang was a little surprised.
"We will be back soon," the orderer added, "Just follow the arrangements!"
General Zhuang nodded hurriedly, but he did not notice that Zeng Xian had already moved next to him just now and heard everything the messenger said, but at this time Zeng Xian left with the grain bag on his shoulders.
There were crowds of figures, and there were busy soldiers all around. The general didn't realize that the few cussing soldiers had left just now. Now everyone in the entire camp was busy transferring food and grass and organizing things. The departure of a few soldiers was obviously
It was not enough to attract their attention. The general was preoccupied and just asked his men to work, but little did he know that the most important news had already reached the ears of the enemy.
"There's something deceitful about it," Zeng Xian said in a low voice while placing the grain bags in the car.
Several soldiers behind him were a little nervous.
"Don't panic, the enemy won't be able to finish them off in a moment. Xiao Wang, you are always smart. Follow the way we came in and go back the way we came in. Go to the other side to report the news and tell the general that this retreat may be a fraud. Also tell the people on the mountain,
Be careful." Zeng Xian arranged in a low voice, "The others, follow me."
Seeing Xiao Wang turn around and leave quickly, Zeng exhaled, picked up another grain bag, and walked towards a carriage closer to the Chinese army camp.
A battle leader next to the carriage saw these soldiers and laughed and cursed: "You guys, are you in the wrong place?"
"Oh, no!" Zeng Xian suddenly looked annoyed.
The leader of the battle waved his hand: "Okay, don't bother, just leave it here. Things have to be moved anyway, so you can come and help. Several of a certain person's men have disappeared, and I don't know which one got the advantage."
"
Seeing that the battle leader had no intention of going into details, Zeng Xian breathed a sigh of relief. The place was very close to the Chinese military camp. More soldiers were helping to dismantle the camp. With the help of the firelight, Zeng Xian saw a few figures walking out of the camp.