Chapter 62: Leave the city and fight to the death!
What is Ji Ling doing at this time?
He was preparing to attack Chen Guo.
Ruyang is the county with the largest military force among the three places, with more than 20,000 soldiers and horses.
This is obviously in sharp contrast to the total number of people in West Southwaranton, which only has more than 10,000 people.
Then why did Yuan Shu deploy a large number of heavy troops in Ruyang alone?
Because this is not only the bridgehead against the Chen State, but also the foundation of the world-famous Runan Yuan family.
In the entire Runan County, the Yuan family is one of the leading aristocratic families, and their aspirations are deeply rooted in people's hearts.
Ruyang was the birthplace of the Yuan family, so Yuan Shu naturally had to send heavy troops to garrison it.
Now that Xihua is being attacked, does Ji Ling want to save him?
You want to save, but you can't go head-on.
With the troops and horses in his hand, plus Nanton's troops, there was still no problem in gathering 30,000 men.
But in this case, Ruyang would not have the troops to defend it, so a maximum of 20,000 people would be sent, and some people would have to be left in Ruyang and even Nanton.
However, even if he sent 20,000 reinforcements, plus the defenders in Xihua City, the total strength was only 27,800, less than 30,000, which was equivalent to the strength of Sun Jian and Zhao Yun.
What's more, they were rushing to help from the wild. If people gathered around to call for help, it would definitely not be good news for Ji Ling.
certainly.
With Ji Ling's level, he wouldn't be able to come up with such a clever tactic as encircling a point for reinforcements.
He was just worried that if he transferred the soldiers and horses from Ruyang and Nandun, and the enemy suddenly attacked Ruyang, causing Ruyang to be breached, Yuan Shu would be furious.
Ruyang is the foundation of the Yuan family, and Yuan Shu still has many relatives living here. Once Ruyang is destroyed, Ji Ling will not be able to get anything good.
So he could only think of other ways.
So when our military strength is not much different from the enemy's military strength, and we still have to defend three cities, our forces are severely dispersed, and we cannot fully guarantee that the point can be defended, what should our defender do?
Yuan Shu is personally leading an army to confront Liu Biao's army, and for the time being he cannot send troops to help him.
If we were to lead troops to help Xihua, Ruyang would be behind us, and Pingyu would be directly below Nanton. The entire eastern Henan Plain would be almost undefendable, and there would be a risk of being breached and circumvented on all sides.
So after thinking for two days, Ji Ling came up with a solution, which was to steal the house.
This is an easy question to think about.
Attack is the best defense!
Since Ruyang cannot be lost, we must at least think of a strategy to retreat from the enemy while ensuring the safety of Ruyang.
Attack Chen County!
Chen County and Ruyang were close at hand, and Sun Jian's army was dispatched. According to detailed reports, Chen County was very empty at this time, with only about four to five thousand people.
Moreover, the Sun family members are all in the city. If he can capture Chen County, Sun Jian will definitely be in chaos and find it difficult to maintain.
Even if Chen County is not captured for the time being, encircling Wei and rescuing Zhao is like no one can do it.
Whatever he wanted to do, he did it. After Ji Ling confirmed this idea, almost on the third day after receiving Lei Bo's request for help, he left 5,000 men in the city, led 15,000 men out of the city, and sent people to Nanton.
He asked Chen Jian, the defender of Nanton, to send 5,000 men to assist him.
Because Yuan Shu's territory was too large and there were too many enemies to defend, and he was surrounded by enemies on all sides, he had less than 40,000 soldiers and horses defending Chen in Ruyang in the north, 7000 to 8000 in Xihua, 20,000 in Ruyang, and 20,000 in Ruyang in the south.
Ten thousand for a meal.
But such a force is already very strong. The combined land of Sun and Jian's two counties only has 30,000 people. In addition to the 15,000 people he led, 5,000 people were left behind in Chen County, and the other 5,000 people had to be scattered among the ten states of Chen and Liang.
In many counties, the average number of troops left behind in each county was less than 500, which shows how stretched Sun Jian's troops were.
However, Sun Jian's military strength is only relative to Yuan Shu. You must know that before the troubled times, the military strength of each county was basically around four to five thousand, and the average number of soldiers in each county was only a few hundred. Therefore, it is not so much that Sun Jian
If his strength is not good, it is better to say that Yuan Shu is a big dog.
However, there were times when the landlord's family had no food left. The poor people around him swarmed to tear Yuan Shu into pieces. Liu Biao, Sun Jian, and Zhao Yun had a total of 50,000 or 60,000 soldiers and horses, and they were already stirring up trouble in the hinterland of Runan, making it difficult for him to live in peace.
.
As the most loyal servant of the landlord's family, Ji Ling naturally had to share his master's worries.
On the vast plains of eastern Henan, the 3,000 vanguard troops at the front opened the way, the 8,000 Chinese troops were in the middle, and the 4,000 rear troops plus thousands of baggage troops marched toward Chen County, a hundred miles away.
Generally speaking, if you want to support a 10,000-strong army for a long-term campaign, you need at least several times as many baggage troops as combat troops. But Ji Ling originally only planned to conquer Chen County as soon as possible, so he didn't bring much food and grass baggage, only 10,000 troops.
There are many rocks, and it is enough to support the army for ten days.
After two days of march, at the end of the day and the beginning of dusk on the fifth day, the clouds were dark and the sun was hazy. The spring rain that had been falling for several days suddenly stopped, and a few long-lost sunset rays shone through the thick dark clouds.
On rain-soaked ground.
At the end of the horizon, Ji Ling rode on his horse and saw Chen County, the seat of the Chen Kingdom, from a distance. The city was not tall, as small as a sand castle, but everyone knew clearly that from a distance,
I can't make any reference. If you want to check the actual situation, you have to go and see it in person.
"Command the three armies to stop and rest first, I will find the camp."
When he arrived outside Chen County, about four or five miles away from the city, Ji Ling gave instructions to his lieutenants, and he led dozens of followers, rode horses up a hill, and looked around.
Army garrisoning is very particular. First, it must be open, second, it must have water sources, and third, it must have forests. For example, Sun Jian and Zhao Yun's camp is stationed in an open area by the Yingshui River. It is convenient to observe the enemy's situation, and trees can be cut down to create camps.
At the same time, it will not cause water shortage and make soldiers unable to survive.
People can starve for many days without eating, but if they don't drink water, they will die in a few days. Except for Ma Su, most ancient people knew this very well.
The largest river in Chen County is Langtang Canal, which is Honggou.
This water flows from Xingyang to Chenliu, then southeast to the state of Chen and enters the Yingshui River. It passes through four counties and travels for 780 miles, where it becomes the Chu River and the Han boundary.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Ji Ling stood on the hills, taking advantage of the afterglow of the setting sun at one o'clock in the evening, looking for a place for the army to be stationed.
At this moment, on top of the city tower in Chen County, Sun Ce was looking over here.
The distance from Ruyang to Chen County is very short. In later generations, it would have taken an hour to drive. But at this time, with a marching speed of fifty or sixty miles per day, it would take two days to walk.
Therefore, Ji Ling set out on the third day after receiving Lei Bo's request for help, which was also the fourth day when Sun Jian and Zhao Yun besieged Xihua. It was not until two days later that he arrived at the Chen County downstairs in the evening and prepared to set up camp.
We will attack the city tomorrow.
But when they came, they had to pass through some Xiangting villages along the way. In these Xiangting villages, there were not only common people, but also rural elders, pavilion chiefs and other grassroots officials from all over Chen State. The common people were moving nearby and saw Ji Ling's army marching towards Chen State.
If they head towards the county, they will naturally inform the township pavilion chief. While leading them to escape, the township pavilion chief will also send someone to report the news to Chen County.
Therefore, almost at the same time that Ji Ling arrived outside the city, Sun Ce and Liu Chong and Luo Jun had also learned the news, mobilized the entire city's troops, and established security on the city wall.
Generally speaking, it is difficult for the ancients to hide their marches. After all, even if you want to move forward quickly and not plunder the people along the way, as long as there are grassroots officials in the village pavilion who have not rebelled, you can still ride a horse and want to report the news. This is
Almost as soon as Ji Ling arrived outside the city, preparations had already been made in the city.
However, Ji Ling had no intention of attacking directly. He marched for two days and it was already dark when he arrived outside the city. Although he brought a lot of siege equipment from Ruyang, it was too dark for soldiers with night blindness.
First of all, it was very difficult, and secondly, the soldiers were also quite tired.
So he is preparing to start fighting tomorrow.
But Sun Ce didn't think so. In the breeze of sunset, with the afterglow of the evening sun after the clouds dispersed, he could see from a distance that there were only a few thousand vanguard troops outside the city, and there were a large number of people coming from the rear.
The enemy's formation is a little messy and not very neat.
Under the increasingly dark night, one could still see that the vanguard was slowly approaching the riverside of Langtang Canal, apparently intending to set up camp by the river.
"Uncle, I think they have just arrived outside the city and are probably planning to find a place to camp. At this time, their soldiers have no fighting spirit. If we take this opportunity to attack, they will definitely not think of it. How about I lead the troops out of the city?"
war?"
Seeing this scene, Sun Ce suddenly had a wonderful idea and came up with an idea.
Luo Jun quickly said: "No, the enemy has tens of thousands of troops and we only have a few thousand people. How can we fight with them outside the city? It is better to hold on to the city and defend it."
Unexpectedly, Sun Ce's words were very appealing to Liu Chong, and he was dissatisfied with Luo Jun and said: "A man dares to be the first. Even Bo Fu had the courage to go out of the city to attack before he was twenty years old. As the leader of a place, how can Xiaoyuan be as fearful of the enemy as a tiger?"
?”
"It's not fear, it's Bo Fu's words, it's just a child's opinion. Zu Rong was also a veteran general who raised his sword and mounted his horse to fight the Yellow Turban to the death in the Chen Kingdom. He should also understand that the enemy is outnumbered and defending the city is the right way."
Luo Jun firmly disagreed.
Liu Chong thought for a while and said: "Why don't we send a thousand people to try it? If the enemy's command is good, we won't force it. If the enemy is in disarray, we will take advantage of the situation and attack fiercely. It will get dark soon anyway, even if it is a surprise attack
No, it’s easy to withdraw.”
"this......"
Luo Jun hesitated for a moment because Liu Chong was right.
It was already evening, and it was about to be dusk. Most of the setting sun had already set below the horizon, and it was going to be dark soon. Even if the surprise attack failed, there was still no problem in escaping back under the cover of darkness.
Thinking of this, Luo Jun hesitated and said: "It's not impossible, but Bo Fu can't go."
"Why?"
Sun Ce's eyes widened. He had long wanted to fight on the battlefield. Now this opportunity was about to come. Why not let him go?
Luo Jun said: "There are no weapons or weapons on the battlefield. If something happens to you, how will we explain it to the state pastor?"
"Forehead......"
Liu Chong originally supported Sun Ce in the battle, but Luo Jun's words made him hesitate.
really.
The battlefield is blind. If Sun Ce dies in battle, will they still have the face to face Sun Jian when Sun Jian comes back?
Therefore, even Liu Chong stopped supporting and said instead: "Xiao Yuan is right. In that case, Bo Fu, just wait in the city and watch from the tower. I will personally lead the army out of the city to fight!"
"What?"
"no!"
Sun Ce and Luo Jun responded almost at the same time. Sun Ce was shocked, while Luo Jun was opposed.
Luo Jun said without hesitation: "Even if you send someone to conduct a surprise attack and test it, let one general attack with hundreds of people, and then let the other general respond. How can you do it yourself? If something goes wrong, wouldn't Chen Guo lose it?"
An arm?"
"Yes, my uncle is Chen Guozhushi. How can I put myself in danger? I'd better go for it."
Sun Ce also shouted.
Unexpectedly, Liu Chong grinned: "What you say doesn't count. Zhou Mu said before he left that I am now the commander-in-chief of the city, and everything in the army must obey my orders. Where is Sun Ce, the incisor general?"
Sun Ce lowered his head and handed his hands almost reflexively: "The end is here!"
"I order you to stay in the city to provide support!"
"Um...only..."
Sun Ce reluctantly agreed.
Liu Chong said to Luo Jun again: "I can't order the Prime Minister, but you can't order me now. Where is Zhu Zhi?"
The military governor Zhu Zhi, who was left by Sun Jian to assist Liu Chong, was already the second-highest-ranking military officer in Chen County. However, because Liu Chong was the commander-in-chief, Zhu Zhi now had to take orders from him.
When Liu Chong ordered the general, Zhu Zhi stood up and said, "The last general is here!"
"Gather a thousand people and follow me out of the city!"
"only!"
Zhu Zhi took the order and left.
Luo Jun was speechless.
He now regrets why he did not persuade Sun Jian to withdraw his order to appoint Liu Chong as the remaining general.
Ever since the Yellow Turban Rebellion, he had known that Liu Chong was a thoroughly reckless man.
He likes to practice martial arts and is extremely brave. He once personally led his troops to kill seven in and seven out in the Yellow Turban.
Now an old man in his fifties, he thought he could change his personality, but he still refused to accept it and insisted on going out of the city to fight.
If I had known this was the case, I should have opposed it to the end.
But it's useless now. Liu Chong is currently the highest military commander and controls the entire city's military power. Luo Jun can only watch and do nothing.
At the moment, with Luo Jun and Sun Ce watching eagerly, Liu Chong returned to the house, put on his armor, took out the sword that had been polished all day long, and was still extremely sharp, and gently stroked the shining silver sword like a lover.
The back of the knife.
"Old friend, how many years has it been since we fought side by side? Ten years, probably."
Liu Chong murmured to himself.
Flicking the blade, the thin blade made a sound like a dragon's roar, as if responding to its owner.
Come on, I will take you out to kill you today!
Liu Chong inserted his sword into the scabbard, put his bow and arrow on his back, and, surrounded by his family, walked out of his house, mounted his horse, slapped the horse's butt, and with more than twenty riders beside him, he ran towards the city gate.
Zhu Zhi was already waiting for him at the city gate. Seeing Liu Chong's arrival, all the soldiers around him slowly made way for Liu Chong to reach the city gate.
"Open the door!"
Liu Chong said loudly.
The city gate slowly opened, with more than twenty cavalry at the front, and then all the soldiers filed out and arrived outside the city.
Under the watchful eyes of Sun Ce and Luo Jun, they saw Liu Chong ordering the soldiers to arrange themselves in a cone formation, with his own cavalry in front, acting as the head of the cone, and then giving the order, more than a thousand soldiers brazenly attacked the enemy several miles away.
go.
At this moment, Ji Ling was commanding the soldiers to set up camp outside the city. At the same time, he ordered the soldiers to cut down the trees by the river and prepare to build the camp fence.
No one expected that the city would actually dare to take the initiative and rush towards him.
When he saw this scene from a distance on the hillside, he was stunned for the first time, and then he burst into laughter and said to his left and right: "Is this city guard crazy? He actually dares to go out of the city to fight?"
"I'm afraid they thought the general was ordering the soldiers to set up camp and they were unprepared," said Zuo Zuo.
"hehe."
Ji Ling smiled. He really didn't take much precautions, but all fools knew that it was impossible to let all the soldiers do their work.
So after he selected the location, he asked 3,000 people from the front army to guard the perimeter, and asked the remaining 12,000 people plus thousands of auxiliary troops, a total of 20,000 people, to prepare the camp by the river.
If he made a stupid mistake and let all the soldiers set up camp, he might indeed be raided. But Ji Ling was not stupid. He still had basic common sense and there were still troops around him who could fight.
This is a very fatal problem for Liu Chong.
Therefore, almost as soon as Liu Chong rushed to the bank of Langtangqu River, Ji Ling had already gathered all the soldiers and horses. These soldiers and horses were either resting by the river or stopping beside them, but now they all moved closer to form a defense.
Circle array.
"Oops, the enemy is on guard!"
With the last ray of light between heaven and earth, Luo Jun vaguely saw enemies quickly surrounding him from several miles away, and was shocked.
Sun Ce supported the city wall, clenched his hands into fists and said, "I will take people out of the city to help my uncle."
"No!"
Luo Jun immediately stopped him: "Zurong will make his own judgment."
Does Liu Chong have his own judgment?
have.
But he is very old.
This battle may be the last battle in his life.
History books record that he was extremely brave and good at using bows and crossbows, but little did he know that the throne had restricted him for too long.
If he were not a member of the clan, Liu Chong would prefer to be a general on the battlefield.
Wrapped in horse leather, this is the ending he most hopes to see.
So when he saw that the enemy reacted quickly and formed a formation in advance, Liu Chong still grinned, raised the knife in his hand, and shouted: "Kill!"
"kill!"
The soldiers rushed into the formation bravely.
Then Sun Ce on the city saw Liu Chong rushing into the enemy formation, and soon several enemy generals surrounded him and fought together.
If it were Liu Chong when he was young, he might not be afraid, but he is in his fifties and is too old.
After a while, he was exhausted.
Luo Jun opened his eyes wide and shouted: "Zurong, you are crazy!"
Several miles away, Liu Chong could no longer hear him.
Sun Ce just stared blankly, because before he could react, he saw Liu Chong being knocked off his horse and disappearing into the sea of people.
The sharpest cone-shaped formation encountered the most defensive circular formation and almost collapsed at the first touch.
Hundreds of people who rushed into the formation were strangled in an instant.
The remaining people, led by Zhu Zhi, were already preparing to retreat.
And at this time.
Sun Ce leaned against the city wall softly, as if he was paralyzed.
The tears kept flowing.
He has forever and ever lost an elder who loved and loved him.