The next day, Liu Juntao led a total of 6,000 troops from the three escort teams of Yushan Town to the north and began to attack Mengyin County.

The army marched north along the official road, and it took only three days to advance all the way to the south bank of Wenshui.

This Wenshui River is a big river in Qingzhou Prefecture, but the flow is relatively gentle, the river surface can be a big boat, want to go north to Mengyin County, the nearest route is to cross the river to the north, otherwise it will be detoured, and the army will have to walk more than 200 miles.

Seeing that it was not early, Liu Juntao ordered to set up camp on the south bank of the Wenshui River, and at the same time sent Zhang Xiaojun's young men to collect boats everywhere to prepare for the army to cross the river.

At the same time, Liu Zi'an had already sent a horse from the Investigation Department to cross the river north on a raft first, preparing to find out the detailed deployment of the thieves of Ye Zongliu's department before the war.

In this way, the 6,000 troops of the Yushan Town Escort were stationed on the south bank of the Wenshui River for two days, but they only collected more than 20 boats despite their best efforts, and most of them were small ferries, so they could not transport the 6,000 troops across the river in a short time.

For this reason, Liu Juntao, Zhang Xiaojun, Zhou Zongsheng, and Liu Zi'an were all very anxious, worried that the army being blocked by the Wenshui River would allow Ye Zongliu's thieves to gain valuable time, and even make the situation in Qingzhou Mansion more severe.

"Mr. Lian, the villages and towns around us have basically been burned, killed and looted by Ye Zongliu, and I really can't find other ships, what should I do? Otherwise, let's take a detour! ”

Zhang Xiaojun said very anxiously.

Liu Juntao said in a deep voice: "It's not the worst thing if there are no boats, I'm worried that even if we cross the river to the north smoothly, Ye Zongliu will destroy the villages and towns in the north!" If you take a detour to the north, not only will it take longer, but the grain and grass we bring will not be able to withstand consumption! ”

Liu Zi'an exclaimed, "Lian is always worried that Ye Zong will stay in the intentional strong wall Qingye!" ”

"Exactly!"

Zhang Xiaojun and Zhou Zongsheng were also taken aback when they heard this, and they both said with some uncertainty: "Then Ye Zongliu shouldn't have such courage and means, right?" ”

"I hope so!"

At the same time, the county seat of Mengyin County.

Ye Zongliu and Wang Neng stood side by side at the head of the city in Mengyin County, and there was a team of very strong guards behind them, all of whom were wearing armor and holding sharp blades.

I saw that the two of them looked around, and there were corpses and blood stains everywhere outside Mengyin County, obviously they had just experienced a big battle. At this time, about hundreds of thieves were cleaning the battlefield outside the city, moving the scattered armor and equipment into the city, and hastily burying the corpses on the battlefield.

"King, the officials and troops of Qingzhou Mansion really can't help fighting, and they are not even as good as the officials and troops in Zhejiang! Just like this, you still dare to attack? ”

Ye Zongliu smiled and said to Wang Neng: "This is nature! The soldiers and horses that can fight in Shandong have already gone north to the border, and the remaining soldiers and horses are either old and weak soldiers, or temporarily recruited farmers, how can they be the opponents of our army! ”

Wang Neng looked at the messy battlefield outside the city, and said with a sneer: "These officers and soldiers should die, the Yushan Town Escort led by Liu Juntao has arrived at the Bauhinia Pass, these officers and soldiers are not waiting for Liu Juntao's troops to go north, they have to come to death first, they are really tired of being crooked!" ”

"Humph!"

Ye Zongliu snorted coldly and said: "Now our righteous army is not what it used to be, not only successfully occupied this Mengyin City, but also annihilated the soldiers and horses of Qingzhou Mansion, it is already offensive and defensible, and it is invincible first." As long as we make persistent efforts to defeat the Yushan Town Guards in one fell swoop, this Qingzhou Mansion will be our world, and our great cause will be established! ”

After speaking, Ye Zongliu and Wang Neng's hearts were full of pride, as if they had become the god of war who commanded millions of troops and was rampant in the world, and seemed to have forgotten the powerful combat power of the Yushan Town Guard, thinking that they could compete with it by relying on the advantage of numbers alone.

At this time, Wang Neng said: "Great King, then Liu Juntao led the crowd to kill from the Bauhinia Pass, the Wenshui River is the only place they must pass through on their way north, we can divide the troops and horses, and station on the north bank of the Wenshui River, and use the Wenshui River as a line of defense, so as to consume the strength of the Yushan Town Guard." ”

Ye Zongliu thought for a moment, but said, "There's no need!" There are no more people in the area of the Wenshui River, so Liu Juntao can't cross the river for a while. I think so, Wang Shuai still commanded 20,000 troops to attack Yishui County, and then captured Yinan County, threatening the back road of Liu Juntao's troops, how about it? ”

Wang Neng frowned slightly, and said, "The king's plan is very good, but is it a little less to go south with 20,000 horses?" ”

Ye Zongliu glanced at Wang Neng, and then said: "If Wang Shuai thinks that there are not many people, he can recruit troops along the way!" ”

Wang Neng laughed, and immediately clasped his fists and said, "The last general will be ordered!" ”

The next day, Wang Neng led 20,000 thieves to kill Yishui County in the east, and it took only four days to reach the city.

At this time, Yishui County can be said to have no soldiers and no generals, only more than 100 officials in the county government, and there are no other troops available.

Seeing that 20,000 thieves suddenly came to the city, the entire Yishui County was in chaos, and the more than 100 officials and catchers were all broken, and many people secretly took off their official uniforms and fled directly!

Wang Neng did not delay time, and immediately launched troops and horses to attack the city, and Yishui County, which had no troops to defend, was basically an undefended city, and it was captured by the army of thieves without even holding on for half an hour.

Immediately, Wang Neng led 20,000 thieves into Yishui County, and plundered in the city, not only plundering a large amount of money, grain, and baggage, but also coercing 40,000 young people in the city, and in just a few days, the army was expanded to 60,000 people!

After that, Wang Neng left another 10,000 thieves to garrison Yishui County, and he led 50,000 troops south to Yinan County, preparing to threaten the back of the Yushan Town Guard.

Just when Wang Neng was marching forward, the Investigation Department also transmitted these news back to the Yushan Town Guard Battalion.

Liu Juntao and others were shocked when they heard that the thieves had greatly increased their power, not only occupying Mengyin County, but also defeating Yishui County and threatening Yinan County.

"Mr. Lian! What to do? ”

Liu Juntao looked at everyone, pondered for a moment, and said: "Since this Wenshui River can't be crossed in a hurry, then let's use a trick!" ”

"Tricks?"

Liu Juntao said with a smile: "Leave the hundreds of young men in the camp to guard the camp, and continue to collect ships with great fanfare, and make a posture that our main force has never mobilized, and confuse the thieves." ”

Zhang Xiaojun and Zhou Zongsheng both asked, "What about us?" ”

"After that, Mr. Zhou Qian immediately led his troops to aid Yinan County, as long as it was ensured that the thief leader Wang Neng's department could not move in Yinan County."

Zhou Zongsheng nodded, this task is very easy to do, as long as he is not a raider, he doesn't even have to be tough, as long as he makes the thief restless day and night, he will not continue to march.

After that, Liu Juntao said to Zhang Xiaojun: "While the cavalry brothers are delaying the army of the thief leader Wang Neng, let's go straight to Yishui County, recover Yishui County, cut off the back road of the thief leader Wang Neng's department, and give him a counter-encirclement!" ”

Everyone applauded loudly when they heard this, as long as Yishui County was recovered by everyone, the thief leader would definitely retreat in panic, and then everyone could act at will, first eliminate this group of thieves, and then attack Mengyin County, and the thieves will definitely collapse!

At this time, Liu Zi'an said hatefully: "I hate the two thousand officers and soldiers of Qingzhou Mansion, and they actually went to Mengyin County to die, and almost completely ruined the situation in Qingzhou Mansion, what a bastard!" ”

Liu Juntao also sneered and said: "Those officials are afraid that the war exploits will be obtained by our militia groups, and they will lose face when the time comes, thinking that the thieves in Ye Zongliu's department are just ordinary thieves, and the two thousand officers and soldiers are completely enough." ”

Speaking of this, Liu Juntao said: "Hmph! Those generals don't want to think about it, can the little thief gather more than 100,000 people and coerce 200,000 people? What a mess! Pingbai gave Ye Zongliu two thousand heads! ”

The people are angry and angry, and the battle will still be fought.

After nightfall the next day, Zhou Zongsheng led the cavalry to set off quietly and went straight to Yinan County.

Subsequently, Liu Juntao and Zhang Xiaojun also led two Qingzhuang to set off, and the four thousand escort Qingzhuang marched towards Yishui County.

After dawn, the Yushan Town Escort Battalion was still waving flags, and many young guards were "in and out" looking for ships.

On the north bank of the Wenshui River, a team of fierce men and horses stopped on the embankment, observing the situation of the guard camp of Yushan Town from a distance.

"Hurry up and report to the king! The Yushan Town Guards are stepping up to collect ships, and there is nothing abnormal! ”