The four counties outside the gate of Yanmen County are all located in the Datong Basin. Relatively speaking, the topography of this area is much better, after all, the ups and downs of the terrain have eased all of a sudden from the extent of Yanmen Taihang Mountain. After leaving Yanmen Pass, in addition to Mayi County, the nearest county seat is also a county seat called Vain Tao to the northeast. The distance between this county seat and Yanmen Pass is basically the same as that of Mayi County, so for Li Xin, it was included in his first wave of attacks.

Previously, the Tang army and the Yan army fought for Yanmen County in this place, and if you go west from the Mayi Ancient Road, you can enter the territory of Shengle City in Daiguo, and you can enter the grassland desert of Saibei in the north.

Therefore, both armies have gathered a lot of soldiers and horses in this place. Li Xin put Liao Chuan, the general, in Yanmen Pass, and correspondingly, the Yan army sent Murong Qian, the general of the Chinese army, to sit outside Yanmen Pass and be responsible for monitoring the movements of the Tang army.

At the beginning, Murong Qian was stationed in the two counties of Mayi and Vatao, and from time to time he would run over to attack Yanmen Pass and Loufu Pass, wanting to take down the two places.

But later, the situation between the two armies eased, especially when he saw that Liao Chuan was well defended and he didn't have much chance, so he put his Chinese army tent in Lao County.

And the 30,000 troops in his hands are also distributed in the four county towns outside the city. Among them, there are 6,000 soldiers and horses in Mayi County, 4,000 people and horses in Vatao County, and the remaining 20,000 people are concentrated in the remaining two county seats, the most important of which is concentrated around Lao County.

The reason why this is the case, in fact, there is another consideration, that is, to monitor the head of the Xiongnu He Lai, who previously returned to the Yan State in the vicinity. After all, after they returned to obedience, they were arranged by Murong Jun in Pingshu City, Daijun.

And this Pingshu City is actually located on the east side of the mountain pass, not far from the east of Lao County, in the territory of Pingshu County. Therefore, Murong Qian's garrison in Lao County can play a role in not only deterring He Lai's head, but also taking into account the war in Yanmen Pass and Loufu Pass at the same time.

Of course, if it is usual, such an arrangement will not be too much of a problem. But when it comes to the critical moment, the manager only needs to be a little further away from the front line, and it is very likely to lead to the defeat of a big war.

Obviously, this is the case now.

Li Xin led the army out of Yanmen Pass at night, and after the 20,000 troops left the pass, they were immediately divided into two parts, of which 10,000 horses were led by Liao Chuan to the northwest and went straight to Mayi County. And he himself led the remaining 10,000 troops to kill Tao County.

Because the distance was not particularly far, and the Tang army moved quickly, the defenders in the two county towns did not react at all. By the time they discovered the movement of the Tang army, the Tang army had already killed the city and surrounded it on all sides.

In this case, not even a messenger can be sent. There was no way, the defenders in the two counties had to use beacons to send messages to Murong Qian's side, and at the same time hold on to help.

After Li Xin and Liao Chuan were killed under the two county seats, they began to attack the city without a moment's delay. Compared with the city of Mayi County, the defenders of Vatao County are even less, and the city is also weaker.

Therefore, after Li Xin sent Zhang Hao and Deng Qiang, two fierce generals, to go into battle in person, the entire city was taken down without even holding out for a day. In this way, the whole war can be regarded as the first victory.

After taking the county seat of Vatao, Li Xin did not pay attention to the situation in Mayi County. Now he has put all his attention on the side of Lao County. If the expectation is good, Murong Qian should lead the remaining 20,000 people to rescue the second county soon!

Li Xin naturally expected this situation. Therefore, according to the previous plan, he asked Deng Qiang to lead 5,000 men and horses, and after the battle, he hurried to the east.

There is a distance of about 150 miles from the county seat of Laoxian County to the county seat of Vatao, and this section of the journey is relatively easy to walk. Therefore, after Murong Qian got the news, he should be able to rush outside the city of Vain Tao County within two days.

The land of Laoxian is located between two mountain ranges, the south and east are the Huanshan mountain range, and the north is the Liuling Mountain range. Not to mention the south one, this is part of the Taihang Mountain Range, which extends from Shanggu County to the edge of the Yellow River.

The Liuling Mountain in the north stretches out from the north of Lao County to the southwest, and is also more than 200 miles long. And because of this kind of terrain, if the army led by Murong Qian wanted to rush to Yanmen Pass and other places, it must first march in the large valley between the two mountains for a period of time.

Li Xin sent Deng Qiang to the east, and the purpose was the mountains and forests at the southwest foot of Liuling Mountain in the north.

In the county seat of Laoxian County, Yan General Murong Qian is now thinking about the affairs of Yedu. Since the Tang army in the south has not made much movement in the past half a year, the meaning of leaving the fortress has not been revealed at all. So, he doesn't pay much attention to the situation over there now.

In contrast, the Yedu side who changed the owner made him more concerned. There is a way that once the son of heaven and a courtier, now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, should he show his loyalty and let his official position be promoted to another level!

Just as he was thinking about his private affairs, several generals under his command hurriedly ran in from outside the door, shouting as they ran: "General, things are not good! Wolf smoke ignited from the direction of Vatao County and Mayi County, I'm afraid that the Tang Army went out to attack us! Please make a quick decision! ”

Murong Qian, who was originally contemplating, stood up suddenly after hearing this. Surprised, he asked, "Are you mistaken?" Is it really a wolf smoke? ”

"The last general and others can see it very true, it is indeed the wolf smoke that ignited from Vatao County and Mayi County!" Several people hurriedly replied.

"Before, Dazai-sama asked me to pay more attention to the movements of the Tang army in the pass, and strictly prevent them from taking advantage of the chaos to get out of the pass. Unexpectedly, it's really here now! That's fine, when they passed, they shrank in the gate, and we can't do anything about them. Now that they've run out on their own, it's just what we want! Immediately gather the soldiers and horses, and follow me to rescue the second county! After getting the confirmed news, Murong Qian couldn't help but ponder for a while, and immediately said.

I'm still thinking about how to get promoted and make a fortune, and now I've given such a good opportunity, how can I let it go! However, he didn't seem to think about it, since Tang Jun dared to go out, he must have been ready for a decisive battle with himself!

After the general received the order, he hurriedly went down to prepare. An hour later, Murong Qian, who was neatly dressed, led an army of 15,000 to kill in the direction of Vain Tao County. As he hurried, he sent scouts to inquire about the situation over there.

Judging from the news reported by the scouts, Vain Tao County had actually fallen into the hands of the Tang Army, which made him very surprised. After all, there were 4,000 men and horses placed in the county, and they couldn't hold out until they arrived, so they were defeated too quickly.

When he first heard the news, he thought that the Tang Army had dispatched a lot of soldiers and horses this time, but when he got the news that there were only thousands of people, he felt incredible again. Fortunately, after hearing that Mayi County has not fallen into the hands of the enemy now, but has been surrounded by the Tang army, he was a lot more relieved.

As long as Mayi County is still in hand, he should be able to break the siege after he arrives. At that time, the first battle in Mayi County said that it would be impossible to completely wipe out the Tang army that went out of the customs this time, in that case, wouldn't it be a sure thing to add an official to the knighthood!

In the county town of Vatao, Li Xin is already in charge of everything in this city. After taking this county, he did not take any new action, but only reorganized the city, and at the same time, sent the captives back to the pass.

"Your Highness, Murong Qianqin is rapidly approaching with an army of 15,000, if nothing else, he should be able to reach the outside of the city in the afternoon!" On the morning of the second day, Tu Qi came to report.

"Fifteen thousand! In this way, there are only 5,000 men and horses left in the two counties of Lao County and Fanqi County? After hearing this, Li Xin gently tapped the table and said as if talking to himself.

"Exactly! Shall we inform General Liao Chuan's side and ask him to send some men and horses over first to prepare for war with the enemy! Tu Qi nodded and asked.

"No need! There is no need for him to divide troops to save such a few people! Just follow the plan you've made! Li Xin shook his head and vetoed.

"However, there are only 5,000 soldiers and horses left here, and facing an enemy army twice as large as ours, I am afraid that Your Highness will face a security threat!" Tu Qi said worriedly.

"Don't worry! There are 5,000 soldiers and horses, and there are cities to rely on, and it is enough to deal with them. Have you never been to the battlefield before? Don't forget, we did all this today, but we played it step by step! Knowing his worries, Li Xin smiled and comforted.

Tu Qi had no choice but to go down and prepare. But he still specially told the sixth son that he must protect Li Xin's safety during the war.

In the afternoon of the same day, the Yan army led by Murong Qian appeared ten miles east of the county seat. At this time, Murong Qian already knew that it was Li Xin who led the soldiers and horses to take the county seat of Vatao, but this not only did not make him cautious, but made him feel happy to see the hunt.

"Wang Qi is above the city, it seems that Li Xin has indeed arrived! Very good, if General Ben can capture him in one fell swoop, maybe this time he will be able to be crowned the king!! Looking at the fluttering yellow flag on the top of the city from a distance, Murong Qian said excitedly.

The next moment, he passed down a military order, ordering the army to spread out and surround the entire county seat of Vatao County. Obviously, he was determined to trap Li Xin in this city, and not give him the slightest chance of escape.