Like what Zhou Zeng introduced to Xiang Kang, more than ten years ago, as a disciple of the school, Gu Bi, who once joined the county commander of Rong, did serve as a 500 commander in the Qin army, and made military merits. However, what Zhou Zeng didn't know and didn't tell Xiang Kang was that when Gu Bi Gu County Ling joined the army, he also participated in the battle of Qi County where the Qin army attacked and destroyed the Chu State, so strictly speaking, Gu County Ling of Gu County can barely be regarded as one of the old opponents of the old Xiang family, and there must be an old account worth settling with each other.

Interestingly, although Xiang Kang didn't know that Gu County Ling and the old Xiang family had an old feud, Gu County Ling knew very well the details of Xiang Kang, the remnant of the Chu State - this is also because Xiang Kang was already well-known in Xiaxiang County before the rebellion, and Xiang Kang did not hide his name, identity and background after the army, so the detailed work sent by Gu County Ling to the lower minister had just sent the news back to Yu County, and Gu County Ling knew what it meant to not be a rival, and he immediately swore in front of several cronies. vowed to be like Wang Qian, the famous general of the Qin State who he once followed, to once again defeat and wipe out the last stubborn family of the Chu State, the Lao Xiang family, and completely cut the grass and eradicate the roots.

There are two reasons why Gu Xianling swore like this, the first is to be loyal to his duties and to serve Qin II; The second is that Gu Xianling looks down on Xiang Kang at all, looks down on the children of the Xiang family, and even looks down on Xiang Kang's eldest father Xiang Yan, who was forced to commit suicide by Wang Jian, and feels that Xiang Yan's ability is not enough, and he also believes that the reason why Xiang Kang was able to quickly occupy Xiaxiang County was all because he suddenly killed Xiaxiang County by surprise, in fact, there was no real material, so Gu Xianling dared to swear so confidently, and he was also full of absolute confidence in his annihilation of Xiang Kang's rebellious army and the recovery of Xiaxiang County.

Of course, self-confidence is self-confidence, and Gu County, who is familiar with military books, still knows very well the truth that arrogant soldiers will be defeated, so in the case that it is too late to gather more troops to form a larger-scale county army in Yuxian County, Gu County, in addition to preparing for war, decisively took the initiative to make a joint request to the neighboring county commanders, proposing that the county and the county should join forces to exterminate Xiang Kang's rebels, recover the county seat, and promise to share the credit equally after success.

The county commander, who had some friendship, agreed to Gu County's request, not only agreed to do his best to help Gu County's order quell the rebellion, but also promised to let the army he sent accept Gu County's command. At the same time, Zhou Zeng, who had had several faces, also sent his family to send a letter of surrender to Gu County's order, although Gu County's order was not fully believed, but he was still excited and proud, and he believed that the day his soldiers came to the city was the time when Xiang Kang's bandit was destroyed.

Finally, after some intensive preparations, on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the continuous autumn rain, Gu Xian Ling personally led the Qin army of Yu County, which totaled more than 1,800 people, set off, first taking the Tanzhi official road to the north, planning to go to Gaozuoting in the west of Xiaxiang County to meet with the Qin army, and then join forces to march eastward, break through Surabaya, and land in Xiaxiang County. And because Xiang Kang's army, which was weak and weak, did not dare to take the initiative to attack and stop it, the Qin army of Yuxian County rushed to Gaozuoting very smoothly in the afternoon of the same day, and joined forces with the more than 1,500 Qin troops led by Chao Zhi, the commander of the left lieutenant, and the momentum also increased greatly.

After successfully meeting with the Qin army, and meeting with Chao Zhi, the chief general of the Qin army, did not say a few polite words, Gu Xianling immediately asked Chao Zhi: "Captain Chao Zuo, how is the preparation of the river crossing boat that this official asked your county honorable to prepare?" When will it be delivered to the front line? ”

"Please rest assured that Gu Xianzun is ready." Chao Zhi replied with a relaxed expression: "The ships have all been moored at the Suishui Wharf outside the north gate, and the sailors have been recruited in place. ”

"That's good." Gu Xianling nodded with satisfaction, and said confidently: "The difficult thing for us to recover the battle of the lower prime minister is not to attack the city, let alone to fight in the field, the only difficult thing is how to break through the Surabaya defense line of the thieves and pull the army under the lower prime minister's city." Since your county has prepared enough boats to cross the river, the official can be much more relieved, otherwise, if the thieves burn all the civilian boats on the west bank of Surabaya, it will be troublesome. ”

As soon as he finished speaking, Hao Ce, the left lieutenant of Yu County, who had just hurried in front of Gu County Ling, immediately slapped his face, and said with a smile that D County Zun doesn't have to worry, guess what? The traitor Xiang Kang sent an order to the heads of the pavilions on the west bank of Surabaya, telling them to quickly move to the east bank of Surabaya with their ships to take refuge, and said that if they did not transfer the ships quickly, their ships would be forcibly requisitioned by us. ”

"Is there such a thing?" When Gu Xianling heard this, he hurriedly asked: "Xiang Kang, that traitor, just asked the people of Qianshou to transfer the ships by themselves, so he didn't think of a way to burn all the civilian boats on the west bank of Surabaya?" ”

"Absolutely." Hao Zuowei smiled more and more happily and said: "Our detailed report says that the capital of Guizhou along the west bank of Surabaya has been in chaos, but only a small number of Qianshou drove their boats to the east bank of Surabaya to hide, and the rest remained on the west bank. ”

"Then the official can be more assured." Gu Xianling was even more overjoyed when he heard this, and he looked down on Xiang Kang's ability to use soldiers, and sneered: "The yellow-haired child is the yellow-haired child, the situation has reached this point, and he doesn't even know how to burn the ship quickly, seeing that he is so confused, his talent in using soldiers can be imagined." ”

What made Gu Xianling even more happy was still behind, and he temporarily stayed overnight near Gao Zuoting, and after continuing to advance eastward the next day, before noon, Zhou Zeng, who had already had secret contact with Gu County's order, sent a secret letter from his family to send a secret letter to Gu County's order, and offered to give Gu County's order to take charge of the internal response, and try to respond to Gu's county's order to attack the city to atone for his sins. However, there are joys and sorrows, at the end of the letter, Zhou Zeng wanted Gu County Commander to issue a warning, saying that Xiang Kang was preparing to use money to buy despicable means to divide the county and the coalition army, as a result, Zhou County Commander couldn't laugh a little, and it was inevitable that he was a little worried that Chao Zhi, the deputy sent to him by the county order, was really bought by Xiang Kang, and deliberately dragged himself back on the battlefield.

On the contrary, Hao Ce was more open-minded under his heart, and after reading Zhou Zeng's handwritten letter with the permission of Gu County's order, Hao Ce immediately said that D County Zun is assured, the enemy is outnumbered, the enemy is weak and I am strong, even if Xiang Kang's traitor really buys that Chao Zhi with money, as long as that Chao Zhi is still a little smart, he will definitely not be fooled. After all, once we defeat Xiang Kang's rebel thief and get the ironclad evidence that he accepted bribes from Xiang Kang's rebel thief, he will immediately end up dead without a place to be buried, and I believe he will not ignore this consequence. ”

After thinking about it carefully, he found that this was also the case, and Gu Xianling also let go of a lot of his heart, but when Hao Ce proposed to ask Chao Zhi to come over and read the letter together, so that Chao Zhi knew in advance about Xiang Kang's despicable methods, Gu Xianling shook his head after only a little calculation, and said: "There is no need for that, Zhou Zeng's matter, it's better not to let him know for the time being." Otherwise, if he is not strict and spreads the news, not only will Zhou Zeng's life be difficult to protect, but we will also lose our internal help in the siege. ”

knew in his heart that his boss was holding back his bad and preparing to devour the city alone, and Hao Ce didn't break it, but quickly nodded in agreement. Gu Xianling carefully hid Zhou County's handwritten letter, and asked casually: "Is there a new report ahead, is there any new movement on Xiang Kang's side of the thief?" ”

"Back to the county, no." Hao Ce replied: "It's the same as before, the main force of Xiang Kang's rebels is cowering in Xiaxiang City, and there is only an army of about five hundred thieves led by a rebel called Xiang Guan, stationed on the east bank of Shajidu. ”

"Incompetent child." Gu Xianling said contemptuously: "I think that if I hold the most suitable Shajidu for crossing the river, this official will not be able to cross the river?" The water in Surabaya is gentle, and everywhere is suitable for crossing, why does this official have to cross the river in Shajidu? Besides, Shajidu is too close to Xiaxiang County, where it is most dangerous to cross the river, and the official is the least willing to cross the river there. ”

After saying it contemptuously, Gu Xianling instructed again: "Order the whole army, speed up the pace of advance, be sure to rush to the west bank of Surabaya before Shen Shi, and then send an order to the front team, telling them to advance at full speed, and after arriving at the west bank of Surabaya, immediately recruit the coastal civilian boats and boat operators for backup." ”

When the order was delivered, the Su County and the concerned coalition forces immediately accelerated their pace, and at the same time, the Qin army of Yu County, which was in the vanguard, also advanced eastward at the fastest speed, and hurried to the west bank of Surabaya to forcibly recruit civilian ships and sailors. And then not to mention, without encountering any resistance, the army really arrived on time to the west bank of Surabaya before the afternoon Shen hour, and at the same time, the front team of the Qin army in Su County, which arrived first, also successfully recruited more than 40 civilian boats and some sailors for backup, while Xiang Kang's army, which was only one river away, remained unmoved and did not dare to send a soldier to cross the river to block it for a while.

After successfully arriving at the destination, although he did not plan to force the crossing of Surabaya in Shajidu, which was too close to Xiaxiang County, in order to grasp the movements of Xiang Kangjun's army one step closer, while the army set up camp, he also sent fast horses to rush back to take care of the fleet and set off to rendezvous, Gu Xianling and Chao Zhi and others still led a team of people to the west bank of Shajidu Ferry, looking at the situation of Xiang Kang's army on the other side, and soon saw that the military uniform was messy, and Xiang Kangjun was separated from the enemy by tying a red cloth on his head, as well as the new banner of Xiang Kangjun's army-Young Marshal Army!

It was a little far away, and Gu County, who had been reading under the lamp for many years and was a little short-sighted, couldn't see the words of the banner of the young marshal's army clearly, but fortunately, there was already a detailed work that had already found out the news, and reported the change in Xiang Kangjun's military name directly in front of Gu County's order. What made Gu Xianling, Chao Zhi and others even more laugh was that after seeing their flags appear on the west bank, the so-called young marshal sergeants at the ferry on the east bank actually broke away from their positions one after another, ran to the shore and pointed at their flags, the military discipline was outrageously lax, and the nature of the rabble was completely revealed.

"Phew! I didn't expect such a rabble to be able to beat Xia Xiangcheng. After spitting heavily, Chao Zhi said to Gu County's order: "Gu County, this chaotic thief has no military discipline, and it is not strong on the battlefield, the subordinate proposes, it is better to take advantage of the new arrival of our army, the morale is high, send an army to rush over, one is to test the true quality of this chaotic thief, and the other is to see if we can take this ferry, if we can succeed, we can cross the river here tomorrow, and pull the army directly to the city of Xiaxiang." ”

"Don't be in a hurry, don't be in a hurry, don't be careless." Gu Xianling shook his head and said very cautiously: "Make a detailed report, saying that when Xiang Kang's rebel attacked Xiaxiang County, in addition to whimsically burning the city with fire, he also played a sound and attacked the west, killing the defenders of Xia Xiang by surprise, which shows that the traitor called Xiang Kang is still a bit treacherous, we can't take risks casually, otherwise we will be frustrated and this battle will not be easy to fight." ”

Ordered to obey the dispatch and command of Gu County's order, Chao Zhi could only keep his mouth shut helplessly. However, an annoying thing happened, after the young marshal sergeant on the other side saw that there was no movement on the west bank, the thief grew emboldened, and even sang the military song of Chu to stimulate the nerves of the coalition army, and several of the young marshal soldiers actually set off a straight line, revealing that work to urinate on Gu Xianling and others, which made the other soldiers of the young marshal army laugh, insulting the coalition army on the west bank in every way, wantonly ridiculing, bullying the Qin army's arrogant face that did not dare to cross the river immediately, overflowing.

Seeing this scene, Chao Zhi, who was furious, couldn't help but ask for battle again, and asked to send a team of 100 people across the river to rush and rush to strike a blow at the arrogance of the young marshal's army. And although Gu Xianling was very suspicious that this was a trick by the young marshal's army to lure the enemy, he also wanted to test the true quality of the young marshal's army, plus Chao Zhi took the initiative to ask for battle, and it must be the Qin army who took the risk, and it was still early, so it was too late to fight a contact battle, Gu Xianling couldn't help but nodded, and said: "Okay, you send a team of 100 people to rush over and tell your subordinates, if the situation is not right, withdraw it to me immediately." ”

According to Gu County's order, a team of 100 people who took care of the Qin army quickly boarded twenty civilian ships and began to launch a tentative attack on the east bank of Surabaya, and then at this time, the young marshal sergeants on the opposite bank began to line up in a mess to prepare for the battle, and before the Qin army fleet approached the west bank, they couldn't wait to release crossbow arrows at the Qin army fleet, but because the distance was too far, the first round of crossbow arrows sent by the young marshal army almost all fell into the water, and none of them hit the Qin army fleet. Chao Zhi laughed when he saw it, but Gu Xianling remained silent, just carefully continued to observe the young marshal's every move.

The fleet gradually approached the east coast, and the crossbow arrows released by the young marshal army finally had some success on the Qin army's ships, but because the number of bows and crossbows of the young marshal's army was too small, and it did not get much to block the enemy, the Qin army's fleet advanced unrelentingly, and soon a few ships docked on the east bank, and the young marshal army also hurriedly waved the flag and launched a cluster charge in a chaotic manner, in a vain attempt to kill the Qin army that was beginning to land back on the ship.

The fierce battle began, and the Qin soldiers, who were hastily recruited but had received all military training in peacetime, fought bravely, desperately jumped ship and landed, and seized the position on the east coast, and the young marshal sergeants and soldiers of the pure rabble were just shouting louder than one another, and none of them really dared to charge forward, but they just turned around on the periphery of the Qin army, and almost watched the Qin army hundred people all land on the east bank, and then the Qin army hundred people only launched a counter-charge, and the young marshal soldiers who had long been out of formation immediately dispersed, Fleeing faster than the other, almost in the blink of an eye, he gave way to the crossing.

Seeing this scene, Chao Zhi of course laughed, and couldn't wait to ask for another soldier to cross the river and completely control the ferry. Gu Xianling's face was gloomy, and he couldn't help but think of all kinds of deceitful sentences in the military book, and subconsciously thought of quickly withdrawing the Qin army that had already crossed the river, so as not to fall into the trap of the young marshal's army.

was expected by Gu County's order, at this time, the war drum on the west gate of the prime minister suddenly sounded, the city gate was wide open, and sure enough, there was a young marshal army suddenly shouted to kill, and the young marshal sergeants who had fled before also turned around, shouting and shouting to launch a counterattack on the ferry, and the Qin army that had already crossed the river hurriedly lined up in formation and formed a formation to meet the battle, and Gu County's order also immediately sent an order to the east bank, telling the Qin army on the east bank to retreat immediately when they saw that the situation was wrong, and they must not be in danger of fighting.

Another fierce battle unfolded on the east bank again, the young marshal army Xiang Guanbu who had fled before took the lead in front of the Qin army, but not long after the battle, Xiang Guan's department fled again in embarrassment, and rushed directly to the friendly army brigade that had just been killed from the city, and in the blink of an eye, the barely neat friendly army column rushed into chaos, and the young marshal army who had just escaped from the city was afraid that the enemy would catch the fighter and take advantage of the situation to charge, so he simply turned around and fled, and fled directly to the west gate of the lower prime minister in a mess, and the Qin army won two consecutive battles and successfully held the ferry port.

Seeing such a situation, Chao Zhi, who was full of spirits, of course asked for more troops on the east bank again, and held the ferry with heavy troops so that the main force could cross the river. And Gu Xianling was gradually relieved because of the two battles and two victories, nodded and said: "Okay, you send two more teams of 100 people over, and then this official will also send two teams of 100 people over, and make every effort to hold the ferry, and let our main force cross the river tomorrow." ”

Chao Zhi happily agreed, and hurriedly transferred two hundred-man teams to let them cross the river in forty civilian boats, and Gu Xianling also hurriedly transferred two hundred-man teams to prepare to cross the river in the third round, and at the same time, Gu Xianling couldn't help but laugh in his heart that he was too careful, and he would be so afraid of a typical rabble like the young marshal army.

About 20 minutes later, 40 civilian boats carrying 200 Qin troops gradually approached the east bank, and the city of Ximen also hurriedly sounded the war drum again, and the city gate was opened again, and the two 500-strong teams of the young marshal army who had fled into the city before quickly walked out of the city and quickly arrived at the opposite side of the moat to line up. However, because of the two previous battles and two victories, the Qin army was no longer afraid, and the Qin army on the ship only disembarked quickly and unsteadily to form a formation, and the Qin army ships that successfully transported troops across the river also quickly returned to the west bank, preparing to continue to transport troops across the river. Gu Xianling and Chao Zhi, who had already seen the skills of the young marshal's army, looked even more relaxed, full of confidence in their own army defeating the enemy and holding the ferry.

The confident smile quickly froze on the faces of Gu Xianling, Chao Zhi and the others, because the young marshal army column that went out of the city again was not only no longer as ridiculously chaotic as before, but also had the same eyes as ordinary troops - by the way, thanks to the Qin Dynasty's service and military service, the officers and men of the young marshal army had also received a certain amount of military training before, although they were not elite soldiers, but at least they knew how to line up.

Even more frightened Gu Xianling and Chao Zhi and others were still behind, after the two teams of five hundred people left the city, thirty chariots actually drove out of Xiaxiang County, and quickly drove to the front of the formation, forming a fatal threat to the strict formation of the Qin army!

"Hit the mark! This is the true appearance of the thief! Chao Zhi screamed like a pig, and hurriedly asked Gu Xianling: "Gu Xianzun, my three hundred-person team has passed, what should I do?" They don't have chariots, so I'm afraid they won't be able to stop the chariot of thieves? ”

Sweat appeared on Gu County's forehead, and while quietly scolding Chao Zhi for being greedy, Gu County's order was also embarrassed in his heart, and he had the heart to order a retreat. Continue to increase troops on the east bank, and it is possible to fight into a refueling tactic, and the young marshal's army will eat their own soldiers crossing the river one by one, and the losses are likely to be even heavier. But when things came to this point, Gu County Ling couldn't help but make a decision quickly, just stomped his feet, Gu County Ling shouted: "Hurry up and cross the river!" You and I will each transfer two more teams of 100 people to continue to increase the troops on the east coast! Tell the Great Qin soldiers on the east bank to hold on resolutely, and the reinforcements will arrive soon! ”

After that, Gu Xianling also added viciously in his heart, and secretly scolded: "Dog thief! I want to see what your rabble can do even if you fight more and less! ”

At this time, the march drum was already rhythmically sounded on the west gate of the lower prime minister, the chariot of the young marshal army in the lead slowly moved forward, and the infantry of the young marshal army behind also lined up in a strict formation and stepped on the drum to advance slowly, and as the drum beat faster and faster, the chariot and infantry of the young marshal army advanced faster and faster. Finally, with the waving of the order flag, all the chariots of the young marshal's army whipped their horses and rushed straight towards the Qin army array, which was already a little weak-hearted, and the infantry team behind shouted and strode to follow, like a tide, surging towards the three hundred-man teams of the Qin army, crushing the enemy who was in formation with absolute superiority in strength.

At the same time, on the West Gate City of the Prime Minister, Xiang Kang also crossed his hands and ten fingers, hugged him into a ball and trembled slightly, prayed again and again in his heart, and said secretly: "There must be no fierce generals like Xiang Yu Lu Bu in the enemy team, this is more than half of my capital, if I encounter a fierce general who can't break through, I will be in big trouble." ”