In the early morning of November 29, the eighth year of Chongzhen, Li Xiaojun and the troops of the Zu Dale Department marched south, preparing to cross Funiu Mountain, and then pass through Nanzhao County, and then arrived at the destination of this trip, Nanyang Mansion. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

After careful consideration, Chen Biqian, the governor of Henan, and his soldiers and horses, Li Xiao decided to let them temporarily stay in Song County, and did not have to go out together, so as to guard against possible small groups of thieves and ensure that the main road from Henan to Ruzhou would not be occupied by thieves.

Half a day after the whole army went south, a slight snow began to fall in the sky, and the vast ground began to be covered with a thin layer of crystal white.

An army of more than 10,000 people, with iron armor and flying flags, like a long black snake with a metallic luster, meandered southward in a vast white environment.

In this bleak environment, Li Xiaojun's soldiers took turns shouting slogans and singing military songs, so that the whole team always maintained a high-spirited and vigorous atmosphere. Under the infection of Li Xiaojun, the soldiers of the Zuda Music Club also cheered up, and many people sang or shouted quietly with Li Xiaojun's soldiers.

"Virtuous son-in-law, I can't imagine that in such a snowy and cold weather, it is rare for your soldiers to have such high morale."

Zu Dale, who had padded thick cotton and velvet in the mountain pattern armor, said to Li Xiao with a look of appreciation while wrapping the clothes on his body.

"Hehe, the soldiers under the son-in-law are basically composed of homeless people and a small number of surrendered rogues, these soldiers from a hard background, if they can get sufficient food and good pension treatment, their morale is high, and they are dedicated to the war." Li Xiao said with a smile.

In fact, Li Xiao only said half of it, the reason why his soldiers are so morale-strong and can serve loyally is that in addition to the above two points, Li Xiao's powerful ideological brainwashing methods and the military merit system with clear rewards and punishments are also indispensable.

It's just that Li Xiao doesn't plan to say these things to Zu Dale, after all, the generals who can implement these relevant systems that belong to the modern army to the army are the only ones in the entire Ming Dynasty.

"Virtuous son-in-law, in fact, until now, the old man is still thinking, how could the bandit leader Gao Yingxiang, with more than 100,000 soldiers under his command, be so defeated in just a few hours?" Zu Dale stroked his beard with a thoughtful expression.

"Father-in-law, I think that Gao Yingxiang's defeat will account for 30% of our army's factors, but his own factors can account for 70%. And in the final analysis, it was Gao Yingxiang who underestimated the enemy's rash advance and despised our army, which led to this great defeat. Li Xiao replied lightly.

"Oh? Son-in-law, please elaborate. ”

"Father-in-law, in fact, in my opinion, if Gao Yingxiang can pay attention to the following two points, it is absolutely impossible for our army to defeat him quickly." Li Xiaokan said eloquently.

"The first point is that Gao Yingxiang was too arrogant and confident when he marched to Song County. In fact, he has more than 10,000 cavalry under his command, and if he can send a wide range of sentry cavalry to investigate from afar, then our army will not be able to harass him. If the number of sentry cavalry sent by him is large enough, even the deployment of our army on the other side of the Yi River to the foot of Jiugao Mountain may be exposed. In this way, Gao Yingxiang will not fall into the trap of our army, so that he can form a long-term confrontation with our army. In this way, it is actually difficult to say whether the winner will be defeated. ”

"Oh, the virtuous son-in-law is right, but what is the reason for the second point?"

"The second point is that Gao Yingxiang himself is irritable and irritable. Therefore, after being harassed by our cavalry, he failed to judge the situation calmly in a timely manner. Gao Yingxiang's army, a long-distance attack, most of the soldiers were tired, could have taken Song County as a foothold first, in order to rest and recuperate. But after he was attacked by more than 1,000 cavalry of our army, he immediately changed his original plan, which was really unwise. ”

Li Xiao paused and said: "In fact, the more than 1,000 cavalry of our army threw bows and arrows from a distance, and for the army of more than 100,000 rogues, the damage that could be caused was very limited. But Gao Yingxiang, who was carried away by victory all the way, was easily provoked by our cavalry, and was hot-headed and bent on revenge, so he pursued the lure all the way and rashly entered the ambush position of our army, which led to the 50,000 Liukou soldiers who crossed the river and fought, and was finally wiped out by our army, and let our army take advantage of the situation to destroy the entire Zhonglu Liukou army. ”

"Yes, this Gao Yingxiang, who wants to swallow our army's lure soldiers in one bite, but can't see the plan behind our army, is indeed lamentable." Zu Dale nodded and sighed.

"Exactly. In fact, Gao Yingxiang still has a chance to win until he engages our army. Li Xiao continued; He could have quickly ordered all the cavalry on the other side of the river to rush to support when his troops were fighting fiercely with our army, so that the enemy army, in addition to the cavalry that was blown up by our army's earth-shaking thunder, had more than 6,000 elite cavalry, whether it was to charge our infantry on their backs or to pursue our army's 3,000 cavalry, they all had a great chance of victory. ”

"It's just a sigh that Gao Yingxiang, maybe he was scared of his cavalry by our army with earth-shaking thunder, so at such an urgent juncture, the measures were inappropriate, the tactics were single, and he only knew how to use the infantry to fight to the death with our army, and wanted to win with the advantage of troops, but he didn't know that our army was waiting for work, and it was well-equipped, the battle was strictly organized, and there were firearms to help, he wanted to defeat me so easily, but how could it be." Speaking of this, Li Xiao shook his head gently.

"What the virtuous son-in-law said is that this person's heart is not enough to swallow the elephant, this Gao Yingxiang has won all the way down, and it is estimated that he has already despised the Henan Ming army very much, so arrogant and rash, he may never have thought that under the general trend of successive defeats of the Henan official army, there would be such an elite official and army as the virtuous son-in-law would set up an ambush here. The old man was thinking, if Gao Yingxiang had a spirit in the sky, he was afraid that he would regret it. ”

When Zu Dale said this, a happy smile appeared on his face.

"Actually, I think that even when our army has gained a clear advantage in the battle with the rogue infantry, Gao Yingxiang still has a chance to at least draw with our army."

Li Xiao was not satisfied, he continued; "If Ben would have been Gao Yingxiang, seeing that his own army had been in decline, and he was unwilling to make a desperate bet, he would have completely abandoned the car to protect the commander, and regarded the remnants of tens of thousands of rogue soldiers as outcasts, so as to immediately lead the nearly 2,000 cavalry to retreat from the pontoon bridge to the opposite bank, because it was the initiative to retreat, so the team would not be scattered and disorderly, and our cavalry did not dare to pursue it easily. After crossing the river and joining the other 50,000 liukou, they can hold the three pontoon bridges by the river. In this way, if our army wants to seize the pontoon bridge and attack westward, it will also pay a considerable price, and it is very likely that it will be a draw with it, and there will be no victory or defeat. ”

"In this way, although the Liukou has lost 50,000 infantry and thousands of cavalry, but because he still retains the remaining 60,000 infantry and nearly 6,000 cavalry, the initiative in this war can still be firmly in his own hands.

Li Xiao sighed lightly, brushed the snowflakes splashed on his face, and said with deep eyes: "Gao Yingxiang, the leader of the Liukou Communists, has gone through several years since the rise, crisscrossing several provinces, and is invincible, but he led more than 100,000 troops, but once he died at the foot of this Jiugao Mountain, it is really sighing. ”

When Li Xiao said this, a faint smile appeared on his face: "However, it is precisely because of the capture and death of this person that the morale of the Liukou has been greatly reduced, the dragons are leaderless, and they are out of control. ”

Zu Dale laughed, and he said to Li Xiao with a look of appreciation; "Li Xiao, Li Xiao, I really didn't expect that you are so young, this use of soldiers, you are so familiar with the command of the chest, you are really my Ming Dynasty's unborn talent. Today's talk about the military really opened the old man's eyes. ”

Li Xiao also laughed and replied; "Li's shallow opinion, how dare he be a father-in-law. But the road is lonely, just talk about your feelings. ”

The wind and snow were bleak, and the army marched all the way south, and gradually disappeared.

。。。。。。

Three days later, when Li Xiaojun had just arrived at Funiu Mountain, the soldiers who went to Kaifeng to report the victory were received by Lu Xiangsheng.

"What? Li Xiao has already defeated the middle lane rogue, and killed the bandit leader Gao Yingxiang?! ”

In the spacious official hall, Lu Xiangsheng, who was dressed in a thick cotton suit and was sitting by the Baiyun copper brazier to warm himself, couldn't believe his ears when he heard Li Xiao's report on the victory of the soldiers.

He hurriedly took Li Xiao's recital from the hands of the soldiers, unfolded it and looked at it carefully, and a smile of surprise immediately appeared on his face.

"What a Li Xiao, he really lives up to the high expectations of the governor for him!" Lu Xiangsheng patted the letter with joy on his face and laughed: "Li Xiao, in the battle of Jiugao Mountain, killed the bandit leader Gao Yingxiang, and defeated the 100,000 army of the middle road, he is really a rare good general of my Ming Dynasty!" ”

Lu Xiangsheng then read the letter carefully from beginning to end, then stroked his hair and sighed: "Li Xiao can have this victory, in addition to the life of our army's officers and men, it is also because the high welcome is too light on the enemy, and he is stubborn and self-serving, so the death of this person is appropriate." ”

He turned around and asked the soldiers who were returning to the ceremony, "Did you bring Yingxiang's corpse back to Kaifeng?" ”

"Governor, the box containing Gao Ying's head has been brought back by us, can Lord Lu watch it?"

"Bring it up quickly and show it to Inspector Ben." Lu Xiangsheng said loudly.

A lacquered wooden box was immediately presented, and Lu Xiangsheng opened the lid of the box to see that Gao Yingxiang's head had been nitrated with lime and placed in it, and his eyes were slightly closed, as if he was asleep.

"Dong Weng, this head may not be Gao Yingshen, but it may also be Li Xiao's meritorious move?" On the side, Lu Xiangsheng personally followed his staff member Liu Zijing and carefully admonished.

"Oh?"

When the soldier who reported heard Liu Zijing's words, he hurriedly said: "Lord Lu, there is still the seal on Gao Yingxiang's body here, as well as his engraved waist knife here, and please take a look at it with Lord Lu." ”

Lu Xiangsheng took a cursory look at what the soldiers presented, then shook his head and said to Liu Zijing with a smile: "Zijing, you are too worried. Although the governor and Li Xiao do not have much contact, they know that he is an honest gentleman and will not deceive me. Moreover, there is also the joint verification of Governor Chen and General Zu, Li Xiao has no reason to lie to me. ”

Liu Zijing said with a smile: "But the student is too careful, this Li Xiao, who is young, has made such a great achievement, according to the student, this person's future future is unlimited." ”

Lu Xiangsheng said proudly: "As a general, it is rare to be able to have the ambition to forge ahead. In my Ming Dynasty, there are too many generals who live in a mess and wait for death, and now I can get a Li Xiao, which is really a blessing for my Ming Dynasty! He can make such a feat, but I, Lu Xiangsheng, will never bury him, nor will I covet his military exploits, this governor will definitely report it according to the truth, so that the emperor will reward him heavily, and it will never chill the hearts of loyal ministers and righteous soldiers! ”

Lu Xiangsheng suddenly thought about something again, and asked the soldier who played the gift: "Then what are the plans of General Li now, but he wants to take advantage of the situation to move west and recover the lost territory?" ”

"Governor, it is reported that Lord Li has led his troops south to rescue the South Road after defeating the thieves in the middle road."

"Oh, Li Xiao's move is a piece of benevolence and righteousness." Lu Xiangsheng let out an exclamation.

"Lord Lu, it seems inappropriate for this Li Xiao to change his plan to fight south without reporting." Liu Zijing whispered his objections on the side.

Lu Xiangsheng groaned for a moment, shook his head and said, "No, Li Xiao's approach also has its last resort. The land of Song County, far away from Feng, if you wait for Tangma to report back and forth, you are afraid that the relocation will be delayed and the fighter plane will be missed. ”

Lu Xiangsheng said with emotion: "If I am a general of the Ming Dynasty, everyone can be like Li Xiao, brave and resourceful, and regain the ability of the Duke to be selfless and mindful of the overall situation, those who have to be rogues have long been wiped out, how can they still become momentum!" ”

Lu Xiangsheng sighed, and Liu Zijing on the side also sighed.

After receiving Li Xiao's report, only one day later, Lu Xiangsheng, who was in a good mood, received another report that made him very depressed.

That is, the situation on the north road is already critical.

The Ming army on the north road, although there were many troops, but because of the demolition of each other, a plate of scattered sand, the result was broken by Zhang Miaoshou and Guo Tianxing, the two rogue troops were defeated, and they were defeated all the way. Now the important town of Jiyuan in the northwest of Henan has been lost, and the surrounding counties and towns have also been occupied by the Liukou, and the enemy army is attacking the city of Huaiqing with all its might, and the situation is very critical.

Zuo Liangyu, the head of the leading army of the North Road, hurriedly sent a letter asking for help to Kaifeng Mansion, in which he begged that if Lu Xiangsheng did not send reinforcements quickly, he was afraid that Huaiqingfu City would also be difficult to hold. If the city of Huaiqing Mansion is lost, the situation in the entire northwest of Henan will be eroded.

"You are useless, what is the use of the court raising you!" Lu Xiangsheng read the urgent letter, his chest suddenly turned red, he angrily crumpled the letter into a ball and slammed it on the ground.

"Zuo Liangyu, Tang Jiuzhou, Liu Zeqing, Luo Ju, you who have lost the army and lost the land, this governor must engage in your military law!" Lu Xiangsheng was extremely angry and paced back and forth in the room.

"Lord Lu, the generals of the North Road, the defeated army and the loss of land, should be severely punished, but now the situation on the North Road is critical, but it is important to urgently find a way to rescue." Liu Zijing reminded on the side.

"Reinforcements, reinforcements, where can I send reinforcements in Henan!" Lu Xiangsheng shouted anxiously: "If you want to send reinforcements again, you can only draw troops from Nanzhili, but the land of Nanzhili is thousands of miles away from Huaiqing Mansion, and it is difficult to quench your thirst from far away when you send troops over." I'm afraid that by the time Nanzhili's soldiers and horses are assembled and sent to Huaiqing, all daylilies will be cold! ”

"Master Lu, the student has a suggestion." Liu Zijing hurriedly said: "It's better to urgently send someone to catch up with Li Xiao's troops who are going south, and let them immediately stop going south, and go north quickly, and rescue the officers and soldiers on the north road!" ”

Lu Xiangsheng was silent for a long time, and finally gritted his teeth and said: "Let's go, the situation is already like this, and the only feasible plan is to send Li Xiao's troops north." After the governor wrote a letter to Li Xiao and asked him to see the letter, he immediately went north to try to defeat the Liukou and regain the lost territory as soon as possible. ”

After Lu Xiangsheng finished speaking, he immediately ordered someone to lay out the paper and study the ink, and he wanted to write with a wave.

At this time, the two dusty Tangma soldiers hurriedly followed the door inside, and immediately knelt on the ground to play.

"Report! Li Bei, the leader of the South Road, sent an urgent message, because of the great situation of the Liukou, our army is not supported, and has now lost the two counties of Neixiang and Zhenping, the Scorpion Block and the Lao Hui Department, and is planning to attack Nanyang Mansion, the situation is critical, and I implore the Governor to send reinforcements to rescue the South Road, so as not to fall into the hands of the Liukou in the entire Nanyang Mansion! ”

Lu Xiangsheng was holding his right hand with a brush and shook violently.

The wolf jade tube pen in his hand did not hold it for a moment, and slid down on the stationery on the table, staining the white letter paper black.

(Thank you for the monthly pass of the Shadow Coldwind, Ding Ding Ding, and Hunlincj brothers, thank you for your support) (To be continued.) )