In fact, Li Yan had long known that the Fifth Battalion of Ge Zuo was coming, but he couldn't announce it to the outside world, and he couldn't expose Tian Yong. He still has to count on Tian Yong to keep sending out information, so he can only prepare in a low-key manner.

However, Tian Yong didn't know where the 5th Battalion of Gezuo came from, so he had to transfer 5,000 troops to Dancheng and Luyi counties little by little. The first thing he had to make sure was the safety of his territory, and he couldn't take care of the rest of the place.

Qian Er mobilized 1,000 troops, but he had not yet taken action against the thieves in Bozhou, so Li Yan asked Qian Er to take charge of the 6,000 troops, plus 500 cavalry, and five artillery teams (three three-inch guns per team).

Through the report, it was learned that two tens of thousands of horses and horses, Ge Li Yan and the Reincarnated King, may advance west along the Yinghe River and enter Henan from Shenqiu. And the tens of thousands of troops such as King Zuojin, Lao Huihui, and King Reincarnation are leaving Linquan County. Li Yan and Li Mu discussed it, and finally decided to block it.

These new thieves have not yet comprehended their power, so they will not be as concerned as Li Zicheng and Cao Cao. And such an opponent is the most terrifying, as soon as he comes up and collides, he will be left and right. Therefore, it is still necessary to let the Fifth Battalion of Gezuo know from the beginning that he, Li Yan, is strong enough, so that they will not dare to attack easily.

As long as there is a certain buffer time, it is fine. The development of Li Zicheng and others depends on chaos, and when there is chaos, there will be people, food, and weapons. But Li Yan is the opposite, what he wants is stability, and only after settling down will his strength continue to grow. So even if he hasn't included Shen Qiu in his territory now, he has to send troops to stop the thieves.

After Qian Er received the order, he immediately reorganized his team and prepared to enter Shenqiu County. In Shenqiu County, Li Zicheng's troops were looted, and the city wall was also demolished according to custom, and only the three-foot-high wall foundation was demolished. After Li Zicheng's troops retreated, this place was occupied by a gang of thieves and made a nest, and hundreds of people were also taken to the county seat, and they were given land outside the county seat.

Qian Er had a clear understanding of the situation there, and in order not to reveal the news, he sent a cavalry unit and five hundred cavalry infantry.

Previously, in order to form a fast army, Li Yan asked the infantry of each department to start training infantry cavalry. These mounted infantry do not need to master the skills of cavalry combat like cavalry, as long as they can march quickly on horseback, so there are many infantry who can ride horses in each unit. As for the mules and horses, they were directly used for the mules and horses of the baggage troops. After the thieves in the county town are eliminated, they will come back and continue to pull the baggage and advance with the large army.

On the 4th day of the first month of August, this 1,000-strong force set out from Caihe, and after a rapid march of more than 30 miles, it suddenly appeared outside the county seat of Shenqiu in the morning. They divided 200 cavalry to block around the county seat, and after leaving the people to watch the horses, the other 600 troops immediately rushed into the city from the four gates to clear out the thieves in the city.

At this time, the bandits didn't know what was going on, and most of the leaders continued to sleep in their respective rooms. No way, they have too much nightlife, and they always sleep until three o'clock in the day before they can rest. And those little minions were all panicked when they saw the officials and soldiers who suddenly appeared. And there was no command from the leader, so everyone was frightened and immediately ran to the city.

After Li Yan's troops entered the city, they formed a small military formation, with shields and spears in front and crossbow arrows in the back, while the cavalry followed behind, protecting the back and wings of the infantry.

"We are the troops of Commander Li of Guide, the people don't go out, the thieves surrender to avoid death!" After Li Yan's troops entered the city, they shouted loudly as they advanced forward.

And, of course, the sound of crossbow strings being released, the screams of the wounded, and the muffled thud of corpses falling to the ground. There will be a few handcuffs in between, and the cavalry is also doing their best to protect the backs of the infantry.

Among the dead and wounded were panicked civilians, bandits who fled or resisted, and a few who tried to run to guide them. Although a few guides were injured by mistake, many people still came out to lead Li Yan's team and lead them directly to the bandits' camp.

The battle was over in only two quarters of an hour, and the bandits were no match for the well-trained soldiers, and even if some of them were considered to have practiced kung fu, they could not get close to the formation in the continuous barrage of crossbow arrows. Even if he got close to the military formation, he couldn't do much damage to Li Yan's soldiers, he had to guard against spears, long knives, and dodge powerful crossbow arrows, and he would be killed on the spot in a few clicks.

More than 400 thieves were killed or wounded, and some directly threw away their weapons and surrendered, after all, they had heard of Li Yan's name. And those thieves who were hidden among the people were attacked by the angry people, not only were all killed, but also a few small leaders were divided by the people.

The battle outside the city continued for some time, and there were always people jumping out of the low walls and running into the distance. However, the cavalry on the periphery could not let them succeed, and whether it was the people or the thieves who fled, they chased after them as fast as they could, and ended the opponent's life with long knives or steel whips.

They have no choice, there are only fifty horses on each side, they have to solve it quickly, and then they have to chase the next target. Moreover, the thieves are no different from the common people, and there are not many thieves wearing armor, but the turbans on their heads are yellow or red, and they are obviously just pulling up the team. And their task is to prevent the news of the arrival of the army from being known to outsiders, which means that no one can leave here.

In the evening, Qian Er came to Shenqiu County with a large army, and began to clean up and repair the county seat, at least to be able to become a strong camp. and reported the situation to Li Yan.

Li Yan, who was in Kaifeng, received a report the next day, after all, the speed of carrier pigeons is much faster. The detailed report was received two days later.

"This money is really good, our fast army hasn't been formed yet, so he used it first." Li Mu said with a smile. Qian Er is the old man he brought, and he is naturally willing to let these people get higher positions.

Li Yan shook his head and said, "It's a pity, it's just an infantry on horseback, and there is no artillery to accompany it." And it's also dealing with a group of bandits who have just gathered, which is not the same as the fast troops. ”

"And when will our fast troops be formed?" Li Mu asked: "Now I have also got some mules and horses from Kaifeng City, there are more than 4,000, it should be about the same, right?" ”

Li Yan explained: "Fast troops are not only fast, but also important to be able to fight. Without 4,000 troops, more than 12 cannons, and the corresponding food and ammunition, how could they withstand the siege of tens of thousands of thieves? Moreover, our troops consume a lot of crossbow arrows and ammunition, and the supply is the majority, and the corresponding mules and horses are also more, so it is enough to raise some more mules and horses. But now the infantry is ready, only the artillery units and the baggage units are left. ”

"I think, let Qian Er lead this army, doesn't he already have a little experience." Li Mu suggested with a smile. This is the position of the first ** unit commander other than the three brothers, so he just proposed it as if he was joking.

Li Yan nodded and said, "Well, it's a choice, but I have to look at it again." ”

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