Pan Dan wanted to make war merits and was unwilling to report to Xin Er about the enemy situation of "the arrival of the front of the Northern Captives", but he didn't need to report it, Xin Er knew about it.

Knowing oneself and knowing one's opponent and not being defeated in a hundred battles is the basic common sense of soldiers.

Xin Er also sent scouts outside.

Before and after Pan Dan was interrogated, Xin Er's scouts also reported Wen Shilan's situation to Xin Er.

Xin Er summoned Du Ya, Beigong Yue, Koji Qiu, Fu Qiao, Yang Fu, Zhang Gui and others to discuss.

Everyone had the same judgment as Su Qing, the chief secretary of the Dan Dynasty, and they all believed that this Hu cavalry should be the vanguard of the main force of the western town commander Pitan of Rouran.

Zhang Gui offered two strategies as usual.

Xin Er asked, "What's the best policy?" ”

Zhang Gu replied: "Rouran is a little deceitful, and he ambushed General Beigong before, but now the main force of Pi Tan is unknown, this Rouran captivity may be a bait for them." There are many cavalry, and it is not easy to cross the river to attack, and Pi Tan may want to use this to lure our army out of Xihai County, and then fight with me in the field. ”

Xin Er nodded and said, "Yes, there is this possibility." ”

"Therefore, in the shallow view of the turtle, the best strategy should be to keep me the same, respond to the ever-changing enemy, and defend myself first, and then discuss the battle strategy after discovering the position of the main force of Pitan."

"What's next?"

"Take advantage of its unpreparedness, choose the elite to rush to attack it. If it wins, the morale of our army will be greatly boosted, and the enemy will be frustrated; If it is unfavorable, relying on the east and west rivers to defend it, Xihai County will still be able to do so. This is the next step. ”

Xin Er said in his heart: "Linghu Fengru is at this time, what strategy will he choose?" ”

Recalling the battle of Zebian where Linghu Feng defeated Guo Baiju and Suo Chong, although he was bold, he was very delicate in military deployment. In the words of later generations, it is strategically bold and tactically cautious. I don't think he will choose the next strategy, and nine times out of ten he will accept the best strategy.

Xin Er also agreed with Zhang Gui's best strategy, stroked his beard, and said to Duya, Koji Qiu and others: "'All battles, Zhiya. Fight, brave also. Array, Qiaoye', the teaching of this "Sima Law". Now we haven't fought with Rouran, and it's not time to be brave. Again, 'Knowing oneself without knowing the other, one wins and one loses; I don't know who I am, I don't know myself, I will die in every battle', this "Sun Tzu" teaches. Today's enemy situation, as Zhang Senjun said, is indeed not clear, if you go out of the battle recklessly, the victory or defeat is in the middle. I thought it was better to join the army. Why do you wait? ”

Du Ya and Fu Qiao did not understand the art of war and did not speak.

Koji Qiu said: "It's a good idea. ”

Xin Er asked Beigong Yue: "What does the general think?" ”

Beigong Yue replied: "That's exactly how it should be. ”

The opinions of the people were unanimous, so they decided to wait and observe the enemy's situation before making a plan.

Xin Er pondered for a moment and said: "Outside the river, I don't know if he knows about this enemy. We must inform him immediately and ask him to be on guard in case the enemy cavalry attacks his camp. ”

It is one thing to not deal with the Dan, but it is another thing to share the same hatred and hatred for the enemy and unite with the outside world.

Between public and private, there is a clear distinction between Xin Er.

Du Ya has always been faintly worried about the "discord between the generals", and after listening to Xin Er's words, he put down his previous worries a little, and said in his heart: "The governor is worried about the safety of the king, which shows a public heart. My earlier worries seem to have been overwhelmed. ”

Duya's "worries" are not too much to worry about.

The military officials sent to deliver the letter to Pandan went out of the city overnight and crossed the river to the camp of Pandan; The next morning, I turned back, eager to see Xiner.

Xin Er is inspecting the defenses at the head of the city.

The official rushed to the city, and when he saw Xin Er, his expression was panicked, and his tone was hurried, and he reported and said: "Governor, the king of Fanfu has led the troops to battle!" ”

"What?"

"The villain went to the camp of the king of the province last night. Fan Fujun has gone to bed, and the villain has not been able to enter the meeting. This morning, the villain will report the military intelligence of the captive cavalry to the king. The king of the palace said: He knows the situation, please wait for his good news. ”

"Waiting for his good news?"

"Yes. The king of the palace poured out of the camp and rode to the captive! ”

Xin Er was taken aback, and subconsciously repeated the last sentence of the military officer, saying, "Riding to the captive?" ”

"yes. The villain couldn't persuade him, so he had to come back quickly and tell the governor! ”

Xin Er turned his head to look east.

I saw the river in the distance like a belt, and to the east of the river, a grayish yellow color, it was an endless desert. Not long before Beigong Echi, he was lying in this desert. The blood of the fallen soldiers under his tent had not yet dried up, and Yan Dan led his troops into this desert again.

"Quickly invite Du Fujun and General Beigong to come."

Koji Qiu and Fu Qiao followed Xin Er in the city.

Koji Qiu said: "Governor, please Du Fujun and General Beigong to come, but do you want to send troops to help Fan Fujun?" ”

Xin Er looked back at the koji ball and said, "Mingzong, Qing really knows what I mean!" With a deep sadness on his face, he said, "If that captive ride is bait, this trip is in danger!" Troops must be dispatched immediately to meet them. ”

"Du Fujun, Wenchen also; General Beigong's arm wound did not heal. Neither of them could bring troops to help. Governor, let me take it. ”

"You?"

Koji Qiu smiled: "What, can't the governor trust me?" ”

Xin Er is already very familiar with Koji Qiu, and he already knows his ability better, and it is completely trustworthy for him to answer Yan Dan. Xin Er's only concern is that if that captive horse is really a bait, if the koji ball fails to respond, it will also fall into the middle? It's bound to be dangerous. Since coming to this world, Kojiqiu's words and deeds are the most thoughtful person, and he can't help but hesitate.

Koji Qiu guessed Xin Er's thoughts, and said with a smile: "Don't worry, the ball won't fight, and when you get to the palace, you will go back to the city." He indulges in bait, even if there is an ambush, if I don't fight him and escape, can't I escape? ”

Xin Er smiled and said, "Okay! Then it's up to Qing to go! "Remember, don't fight rashly!" Don't be greedy for small profits, and the enemy is ambushed! ”

"Governor, please relax!"

"Your department's Hu cavalry has just been trained, and the combat power may not be enough, so I will allocate 100 armor cavalry from the strict attack department to you, and you will take it with you."

Koji Qiu was quite moved and said, "Thank you for your love!" ”

Koji Qiu came down from the city, entered the camp, did not choose Hu Cai, did not choose Hu Cai, as many as the headquarters of the elite cavalry 500, plus the Yan Raid Department of 100 ironclad cavalry, a total of 600 cavalry, the rest, there are 100 ironclad cavalry from the cavalry 200, a total of 800 cavalry, out of the city to cross the river.

Crossing the river, Koji Qiu said to Bing Bo, Qu Nanhu and other officers and other officers: "It has been more than half a day since the king of Fan Fu left the camp. The desert is vast, and it is difficult to find his traces. Let's go to the captive's hideout, where we will meet him. ”

The officers all said, "Yes." ”

Koji Ball galloped as a pioneer, led the horse north, ran to the near dusk, and arrived at the hiding place of the Wenshilan Department.

Koji balls are immediately on the horizon and look at it.

Seeing that the hiding place of the Rouran cavalry was quiet, there was no sign of battle at all.

Suspicious, he sent a sentry to investigate.

The sentry soon returned, and the report said: "The hills are empty. On the desert outside the mound, there were traces left by a large group of cavalry. ”

Bing Bo and other officers looked at each other, puzzled.

Qu Nanhu said: "It's weird. Where did the captives go? Do you dare to know that our soldiers are coming, so they fled? ”

Koji Qiu asked the sentry horseman, and said, "In which direction did the traces of the cavalry you see go?" ”

"To the south."

Koji Ball reacted quickly, immediately understood the situation, took a breath, and said, "Not good! ”

Bing Bo and the other officers asked, "What's wrong?" ”

"I'm afraid that this captive horse is thinking of going with the king of the house! Their trail went south, and to the south, wasn't it the barracks of the king of Fanfu? "Koji Ball immediately ordered," Follow the traces of the captive horse, and immediately turn south! ”

Eight hundred horsemen rode non-stop, following the trail until nightfall, chased to the vicinity of a poplar forest, and across the distance, they saw the firelight, heard the neighing of war horses and the sound of Tang and Hu shouting and killing in different languages.

This poplar forest is one of the more famous scenes in the area. There was originally a spring here, because of the growth of so many poplars, and the spring water dried up, most of these poplars have died, but still standing, strange shape, jagged.

Kojiqiu and the others walked closer, and with the help of the firelight of the battlefield, they could see clearly.

Outside the poplar forest, there are all bearded horsemen, about one or two thousand people.

In the poplar forest, there are Tang soldiers in costumes, and there are also mustaches, needless to say, they must be the trilogy of the Dan.

Because of the cover of the forest, it is not possible to see how much of the tribe of Fan Dan still exists for the time being, but it must be far inferior to Hu Qi, otherwise, he would not have retreated to the forest here, relying on the forest and the base made of dead horses, blocking Hu Qi's vertical and horizontal, and making a stubborn resistance.

Bing Bo said: "It's urgent! General, give the order to attack! ”

Kojiqiu said calmly, "Don't worry. As he spoke, he continued to observe the battle.

The Hu cavalry outside the poplar forest was the Wen Shilan Division, and they discovered the arrival of the Koji Ball Division, and after a short pause, hundreds of Hu cavalry were separated from the battlefield besieging the forest and came up to fight. Wen Shilan's Hu cavalry is mostly light cavalry, few armored cavalry, these hundreds of Hu cavalry galloped to an arrow away, spread out the formation, draw the bow and shoot arrows. Arrows rained down. The soldiers of the Koji Ball Division retreated slightly.

Bing Bo asked for war again, and this time Qu Nanhu's father and son were added.

Koji Ball still doesn't give orders.

Bing Bo anxiously asked for battle for the third time: "General! If you don't attack, you won't be able to defend it! ”

In the night, in the firelight, it can be seen that more than 1,000 Hu cavalry are charging in turn, and the position of the Fan Dan Department in the poplar forest is indeed precarious.

Kojiqiu observed the battle situation clearly, and finally issued a military order.

"The right flank of the captives is the most aggressive, and the left flank is weak. Lao Bing, you lead my four hundred horsemen and ironclad cavalry to attack its left flank! ”

Bing Bo responded: "No! ”

"The captival flag is on its right flank. I'll lead a hundred horsemen to attack it personally! Lao Qu, Xiao Qu, you two from me, smell me where I shoot! ”

Qu Nanhu's father and son responded: "Yes! ”

Bing Bo received the order, and he was already driving the cavalry to fight, but when he heard Koji Qiu's words, Le Ma paused, and said discoloredly: "General, how can you go and capture the right flank!" Or I'll go! ”

Koji Qiu smiled: "Do you want to compete with me?" ”

"This ......!"

"My military order has been issued, and you still don't obey the order?"

Bing Bo had no choice but to obey the order, leading his troops around the hundreds of Hu cavalry who were coming up, and attacking the right flank of the Rouran cavalry.

The koji ball rate is 100 horses, and the first to go straight to the hundreds of horses.

The headquarters he brought was mostly the peony ride given to him by Koji Shuo, although it was more with fewer hits, and the morale was uplifted.

The koji ball is unparalleled, the strings must be hit, the Hu cavalry has fallen off the horse, from the hundred cavalry behind him to fight bravely, the hundreds of Hu cavalry did not dare to pick up its edge, scattered away. Seeing that at the beginning of the battle, they were about to win a battle first, but they saw several Hu cavalry officers rushing from the banner, capturing the two retreating Hu cavalry soldiers, killing them with iron mallets, blowing the whistle with their lips, and regrouping the scattered Hu cavalry to meet the battle.

Koji Qiu smiled and said to Qu Nanhu's father and son: "The thief doesn't know whether he is alive or dead, and he still dares to fight again." Thou shalt and thy father and son be terrified for me! ”

Qu Nanhu and Qu Nan responded when they saw the day: "Please hear the general's Mingdi!" ”

The koji ball was exchanged for arrows, and the Ming Di was taken to inspect the hundreds of Hu horsemen who had returned to the battle, and found the position of a Hu military officer who was supervising the battle, and shot with the bow, and the Ming Di roared vigorously. Qu Nanhu's father and son shook their armor and stood up, led four or five warriors of their own clan, followed the direction of Mingdi, broke through the formation of dozens of horsemen, breathed hard, and killed the military officer in his formation.

The koji ball shot again. Qu Nanhu waited for the battle and killed another officer.

If it is the fourth, the koji ball calmly observes the enemy, looks for the other side and is sharp, and the sound is everywhere, Qu Nanhu and his son blow their lips and fight first, all of them are killed.

The hundreds of horsemen were terrified, and even the harsh military law could not be restrained, and they fled everywhere.

The koji ball is retracted, holding a long lance, and Qu Nanhu's father and son are closed, leading the horse to chase and kill.

In the poplar forest, Pan Dan knew that reinforcements from Koji Ball had arrived.

When the mountains and rivers were exhausted, they suddenly saw the arrival of reinforcements, and the hearts of the remnants of the Fen Dan troops were shocked.

From despair, the hope of victory was born.

Although the sky is at night, the fire shines brightly from far and near.

Pan Dan climbed high and looked at it, and found the koji ball, but saw that he took the lead, a hundred horses followed, the horse's hooves galloped, stepped on the yellow sand and curled, the armor rode like a spear, the attack was like wind and rain, and the Hu cavalry was invincible; Seeing the general flag of the right wing of the Hu cavalry, more than 100 Hu cavalry elite galloped to meet the battle, the koji ball was not afraid, the more the battle became more and more courageous, the mount was hit by an arrow, the horse was still fighting, breaking into its formation, killing the person who shot its horse and came out.

Pan Dan and Koji Qiu didn't know that the general Hu who shot the Koji Ball mount was the general under Wen Shilan's tent who shot Beigong Heng, Beigong Yue's nephew. Wen Shilan's subordinates only had two generals, these were senior officers, and they died for a while, their morale was greatly depressed, and the more than 100 elite horsemen also retreated.

Thinking of the scene when he met Wen Shilan halfway through at noon today, Wen Shilan personally rushed into battle with a spear, majestic, invincible in the headquarters, and Ashina was seriously injured.

He thought regretfully: "I didn't expect that the commander of this captive cavalry is Wen Shilan, who is a crying child!" If I had known that it was him, I would not have used Tian Ning's strategy to attack his subordinates no matter what. ”

Hu Qi's general.

Wen Shilan's officers on the left and right said eagerly: "My lord, General Tang is fierce, rush to my left formation, my right wing will be broken, withdraw the army first!" ”

Wen Shilan stood still, and said angrily: "The Tang Er who came to help are all cavalry, if we retreat now, we will be attacked by him, and the whole army will be annihilated!" In this battle, there is no enemy and no self! Those who dare to retreat, I will kill them with my own hands! ”

In the midst of the crisis, there was a handsome man with rich imagination, and a thought suddenly came to mind, and he said in his heart: "Being killed by the hands of adults is in line with military law." Wen Shilan means "stone", and Rouran's military law stipulates that "those who retreat will be killed with stones", both of which are stones. Wen Shilan killed the retreating people with her own hands, which is really in line with military law.

One of the officers said, "If you don't retreat, your lordship, divide your forces and gallop to the right flank!" ”

"Yan Dan is on my left flank, and the main force of the Tang soldiers in the forest is also here on my left flank, so you can't divide your troops to help the right!" Wen Shilan turned over on her horse, called her soldiers to follow, and said, "It's nothing more than a Tang boy, I don't know whether I live or die!" Dare to rush me. I'll take it personally! "Order the officers, "Intensify the attack on the forest, and make sure that you can get the Dan!" "Personally lead the troops to fight the koji ball.