(2-in-1)

Chang Yuantu happily led Yan Zhuang and his party into the camp. After entering the account, he ordered someone to serve tea and snacks, and at the same time greeted Yan Zhuang and the others to sit down. In the big tent, everyone sat down one after another, Yan Zhuang was naturally the main seat in the middle, and Chang Yuantu sat on the side. After the tea came up, Yan Zhuang was indeed a little hungry and thirsty, and asked about the situation while drinking tea and eating snacks. Chang Yuantu didn't dare to hide it at all, and he led the army all the way to pursue him, and he talked in detail and solemnly about the situation of fighting with the enemy in Qishui and leading the army to attack three days ago.

"Hey, the lower official is ashamed and has no land, but the advantage of troops has been defeated by the other party repeatedly, and the lower official is inescapable. If it weren't for looking at the other party, not letting the other party slip away under his nose, and waiting for the arrival of Yan Dashuai's army, Xia Guan would have died a long time ago and apologized. Now that Yan Dashuai has finally arrived, and the stone in the heart of the lower official has also landed, he asked Yan Dashuai to surrender his guilt, and the lower official will never deny it, and he must honestly admit his guilt. ”

Yan Zhuang ended his narrative with these few words, of course he didn't really want to plead guilty, but at this time he could only win sympathy with a low profile, stretching out his head is a knife and shrinking his head is also a knife, it is better to take the initiative to admit guilt, maybe this knife is lighter.

Yan Zhuang finished eating a piece of dim sum in his mouth, clapped his hands, took out a cloth towel and wiped his mouth, looked at Chang Yuantu and said, "Chang Taishou, you are indeed at fault, you are too careless." Nothing that happened before made you pay attention to this enemy force, and that was indeed a dereliction of duty. ”

Chang Yuantu hung his head and claimed to be. Yan Zhuang continued: "When you led your troops to come for reinforcements, you should know about the attack on the three cities of Yecheng, Xiangzhou and Weizhou. The three cities were attacked in one day, and the defenders were killed and wounded more than 10,000 people. How can we take it lightly? When you arrived at Plains City, and General Kang Nobo's nearly 20,000 soldiers and horses were defeated, you should be more cautious. But you still take it lightly, and I can't help but say that your two defeats are the result of your arrogance. ”

"When Marshal Yan taught a lesson, the lower officials were too incompetent and stupid." Chang Yuantu blamed himself repeatedly.

"You are a civilian official, and it is indeed a bit difficult to let you lead the army to fight. But there are some basic common sense that you don't know, and it makes me feel inappropriate. For example, in the Battle of Qishui, when you arrived at the Qishui River, you found that the river was dry, so you decided to wade across the river. This is because of common sense. It had rained heavily a few days ago, and the river should have skyrocketed, and even if it didn't skyrocket, there was no reason to dry up. You should be wary of unusual situations when the river is dry. If the commander leads the army, the first thing is to send troops and horses upstream to see the situation. You didn't do that at all, and you have to say that you are incapable of fighting on the march. The military is treacherous and complicated, and you have encountered extremely tricky opponents, so you are defeated. ”

Chang Yuantu was sweating, and nodded again and again: "Yes, yes, Xiaguan is really not the material for leading the army to fight, Xiaguan is too stupid." ”

Yan Zhuang looked at Chang Yuantu, who was ashamed and unspeakable, with a look of disdain in his eyes, but soon changed to a smiling face, and said lightly: "You are a civilian official, it is difficult for you to lead the troops." At that time, the three cities were attacked, and the imperial court ordered you to lead the army to come for reinforcements, and you could not shirk it. If you talk about it, it is not you who is really at fault, but the one who ordered you to lead the army. The imperial court should apply it according to its aptitude. Therefore, in Ben Shuai's opinion, the fault is not you. ”

Chang Yuantu looked at Yan Zhuang in surprise and said, "This ...... Yan Dashuai...... Xiaguan ...... Xiaguan ......"

Yan Zhuang waved his hand and smiled: "Chang Taishou, sit down and talk, Ben Shuai will not ask you about your sin." I said, it's not a sin, it's the guilt of those who let you lead the army. Moreover, your opponent is not an ordinary person, I believe that Yan Zhenqing does not have this ability, otherwise how could he be trapped in Plains City for nine months and unable to break through? The soldiers and horses that raided into the rear are the real strong hands, just now you said that they can crush your 10,000 soldiers and horses with thousands of cavalry, and the means are sophisticated and vicious, which fully shows that it is the elite cavalry in the **, and the people who lead the army must be very human. ”

Chang Yuantu thanked him repeatedly, grateful. I thought I would definitely be punished, but I didn't expect Yan Zhuang to be so reasonable and excuse himself so easily.

"Exactly, Xia Guan also thinks that the opponent is very powerful. It's not that other people's morale will destroy their prestige, and I kept looking for a few moments to raid along the way, but there was no chance at all. They're well guarded. Chang Yuantu said continuously.

Yan Zhuang smiled and nodded, he knew that Chang Yuantu was talking nonsense, 20,000 soldiers and horses followed behind the slow-moving people's team, if they wanted to attack, they could attack at any time, and what else did they say that there was no chance? The only possibility is that Chang Yuantu was frightened and didn't dare to do it at all. But fortunately, this gentleman did not turn around and left, at least he watched the opponent here, and he also knew how to try to attack when the opponent crossed the river, this person was not too cunning.

"Alright, we're almost done with tea and snacks, I think it's time for us to see what our opponents are doing. Today is the fourth day of their crossing of the river, and it is also our last chance, we have to work harder, or we will really let them slip away. ”

"Yes, yes, Marshal Yan, please." Chang Yuantu hurriedly got up and said.

The two got out of the tent and got on their horses, and surrounded by hundreds of cavalry, they approached the hillside in front of Wagangzhai and looked at the hiding place in front of them. When he saw the terrain where a large area of reeds separated the flat land and the mountain pack into more than a dozen passages leading to the distance, Yan Zhuang couldn't help but sigh: "I really know how to choose a place to defend, there is no steep terrain to defend on the bank of the Yellow River, but they actually chose Wagangzhai here, and used the reeds to ambush, which can be described as the best place to defend here." It is obvious that the leader of the other party is very experienced in combat, but I don't know who he is? ”

Chang Yuantu said: "Yes, Yan Dashuai, you don't know how much suffering we suffered there three days ago, it's miserable." There is really no way to do it, and there is no other way than to force the attack. ”

Yan Zhuang frowned and looked ahead and said, "With this kind of terrain, no matter how many soldiers and horses there are, it won't help. Rushing through these trails can only be in a situation of passive beating. The archers were in an absolutely advantageous position to shoot, and the losses from the assault were huge. You see, it only takes 3,000 archers to block all the passages perfectly. If you want to rush, it is not strange that 20,000 or 30,000 people will die. For the sake of such an opponent to kill and wound tens of thousands of soldiers, it is not a victory, but a big defeat. ”

"Yes, yes, Yan Dashuai has a clever plan?"

Yan Zhuang frowned for a while and said, "Since you have already said that there are large areas of reeds in the north and east, and there is no passage to attack, then we can only start from the west." The method of attacking by force will not work, and there is no good idea to outwit them for the time being, so I think we should give full play to the advantage of our forces and use stupid methods to deal with them. ”

"Stupid way? What stupid way? Chang Yuantu was surprised.

Yan Zhuang said: "Didn't they just attack by hiding in the reeds? Due to the narrow passage between the reeds, our soldiers could only fight in three or two in parallel, so they could not form a strong counterattack, which is why they were so unscrupulous. However, what needs to be done is to make their advantage disappear, so that our soldiers can move unhindered and then force them to the point where they have no way out. ”

"Forgive the official for being stupid, can Yan Dashuai say it more clearly." Chang Yuan Tudao.

Yan Zhuang smiled and said, "It's very simple, go to these reeds, so that they have nowhere to hide." At the same time, these roads are widened so that soldiers can charge quickly and in large numbers. ”

Chang Yuantu was stunned and said, "This ...... How can the reeds go? The fire couldn't be burned, and the lower officials tried, but these green reeds couldn't burn at all. ”

Yan Zhuang said with a smile: "Fire attack is a light method, but you need to wait until the reeds wither in late autumn, and it is not time yet." I'm talking about stupid methods. If the fire can't be burned, we can cut them all down. ”

"Cut off?" Chang Yuantu opened his mouth wide and was stunned, this method is indeed a stupid method, not only stupid, but also too stupid. However, since it was Yan Zhuang's method, although Chang Yuantu slandered in his heart, he didn't dare to say anything unusual.

"Yes, cut it directly. and cut off all the reeds in the middle. Let their ambushes have nowhere to hide. After that, the middle passage is widened with mud and sandbags, and you can advance to the opposite ** camp in one fell swoop, leaving no piece of armor left behind for them to kill. Yan said solemnly.

Chang Yuantu swallowed and foamed: "But it is very dangerous to enter the reeds and cut the reeds." They hid themselves in the reeds, and our soldiers entered them, and they would not be attacked. ”

Yan Zhuang frowned and said, "What are you afraid of?" It's all in the reeds, they can attack us, won't we fight back? Besides, there are many of us, and we may not suffer if we encounter them. The big deal is to exchange life for life, what are you afraid of? ”

Chang Yuantu hurriedly smiled: "That's right, this method is really wonderful, and it will be directly drawn from the bottom of the kettle." It's just that the marshal's brothers are going to suffer, although the water in this reed swing is not too deep, but it is very entangled. And the water is cold, and your brothers are going to scold their mother. ”

Yan Zhuang smiled and looked at Chang Yuantu and said, "Chang Taishou, you are mistaken, you and your brothers did a good job of cutting reeds and digging soil and filling the road." My men have just arrived, and they are all tired, how can I not let them rest? I will send up to 5,000 archers to guard you, and my archers will protect you as the road advances. ”

Chang Yuantu was stunned and speechless, and smacked his lips for a while: "Okay, the lower official will obey the order." ”

……

While Yan Zhuang and Chang Yuantu were discussing the attack strategy, Wang Yuan and the others, who had observed the enemy's situation, were also quickly returning to the camp to discuss countermeasures. Faced with such a situation, everyone's hearts are heavy, and they don't know how to deal with it. More than ten times the enemy, how can you fight? I thought that things would end smoothly today, and I could quickly escape from the north bank of the Yellow River, but I didn't expect to encounter the biggest trouble on the last day. If you don't deal with it this time, you won't be able to explain it here.

On the grass in front of the Juyi Hall, Wang Yuan summoned more than a dozen generals to gather here to discuss countermeasures. Faced with such a situation, everyone's face was clouded and their expressions were grim and heavy.

Wang Yuan sat on a big rock, his eyes swept over everyone's faces, looking at the gloomy appearance of everyone in front of him, Wang Yuan smiled and said, "Everyone, what's wrong?" Why are you so sad, the sky hasn't fallen yet? Tell us what you have in mind. ”

Yan Zhenqing frowned and said, "Xiangguo, the lower official has a request." ”

Wang Yuan smiled and said, "Please speak." ”

Yan Zhenqing said: "Xia Guan wants to ask Xiangguo to cross the river with a few ladies immediately, the situation is critical, and you can't stay here for a long time." ”

Wang Yuan was stunned for a moment, and then smiled: "Yan Taishou thinks the same as me." ”

Yan Zhenqing was slightly stunned, and then nodded and smiled: "It turns out that Xiangguo also thinks so, that's good, the ferry will return in half an hour, Xiangguo please get on the boat and cross the river immediately." ”

Wang Yuan smiled and said: "I think the same as you, but it is not me who crosses the river on the boat, but you Yan Taishou and my ladies." ”

Yan Zhenqing was stunned and said, "How can this be done?" Yan will never leave. ”

Wang Yuan smiled: "Why don't you leave?" Can Yan Taishou bend his bow to shoot the enemy or can he raise a knife in hand-to-hand combat? At this moment, all the people have been evacuated, there is no need for Yan Taishou to stay here, Yan Taishou should go to the south bank to take care of the people. ”

Yan Zhenqing frowned and said, "Wang Xiangguo, what are these words?" Is it impossible to treat me Yan Zhenqing as a person who is greedy for life and afraid of death? You brought someone to save Yan and tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Pingyuan City, but now when it is critical, Yan has to escape first? Even if I, Yan Zhenqing, have no power to restrain the chicken, but even if I bite with my teeth and pick with my hands, I will never run away. ”

Wang Yuan waved his hand and smiled: "Yan Taishou must not be excited, who said that you are greedy for life and afraid of death?" It's just that at the moment, Yan Taishou really needs to go to the other side to settle the people, and you really can't help with the things here. We already have a division of labor, and if these 50,000 enemy troops do not arrive, according to the normal order of crossing the river, you should cross the river first. ”

Yan Zhenqing shook his head and said: "It's different now, the enemy is now, I must not leave." I can't cross the river at this time, otherwise I, Yan, will still have the face to live in the world. Xiangguo, it's you who should go, you are my Tang Xiangguo, the head of the three armies, once you have three long and two short, my Datang loses the pillars and pillars, and the consequences will be unimaginable. Therefore, Xia Guan hopes that Xiangguo can cross the river and leave with all the wives immediately, so that Yan and everyone can rest assured. ”

After Yan Zhenqing finished speaking, he got up, suddenly lifted his robe and knelt down in front of Wang Yuan, and made a big salute. Wang Yuan was startled, and hurriedly stepped forward to help: "What is this doing?" Yan Taishou, how can you do this great gift when you talk well? ”

Yan Zhenqing refused to get up, struggled and said: "If Xiangguo doesn't agree, the lower officials won't get up, and Xiangguo must promise the lower officials to cross the river immediately." ”

Wang Yuan couldn't smile bitterly, pulled Yan Zhenqing's arm and said, "Yan Taishou, what do you say?" Do you think it's a matter of life and death at this moment? Do you think that those who stay here will surely die? Hey, you have been messing with me for a long time before I finish speaking, you have to tell me to finish talking. ”

Yan Zhenqing looked up in surprise and said, "What?" Does the other country have a plan to retreat from the enemy? How can it be? Sixty or seventy thousand enemy troops are here, and we only have a few thousand people, how can we retreat from the enemy? ”

Wang Yuan smiled and shook his head: "Yan Taishou thinks too highly of me, we only have less than 5,000 people, and the other party has an army of more than 60,000, how can we compete with it?" In the face of absolute strength, any scheme is futile. I don't have a good way to retreat."

Yan Zhenqing's eyes showed disappointment, and he smacked his lips and said, "That's right, there is really no way to fight against it this time." It is difficult for the gods to save the situation. ”

Wang Yuan said softly: "But since we know that we can't fight against it, why should we fight against it?" We don't have to do the egg touching the stone. The reason why I want you to cross the river immediately is because I do not intend to engage the enemy head-on, so I hope that the non-combatants will cross the river and evacuate as soon as possible, so as to relieve my worries. ”

"But...... We still have tens of thousands of people here, how can we evacuate them all? If nothing else, they will soon launch an attack, and more than half of our people here may not be able to cross the river in time to evacuate, how can Yan take care of his own life and let Xiangguo suffer here? Yan Zhenqing shouted.

Wang Yuan shook his head and smiled: "Yan Taishou, but please rest assured, I won't die here, don't worry, I already have a plan to get out." ”

Yan Zhenqing was pleasantly surprised: "Oh? What's the way to get out? ”

Wang Yuan said with a smile: "The sound of the east strikes the west, and the golden cicada comes out of its shell." ”

Yan Zhenqing was surprised: "What do you mean?" ”

Wang Yuan said with a smile: "Time is pressing, I don't have time to explain to you more, I just need you to cross the river to the south bank immediately and send a ferry to cooperate with us to cross the river." ”

Yan Zhenqing said suddenly: "Does Xiangguo want me to lead a ferry boat downstream to find a suitable place to cross the river to meet you?" ”

Wang Yuan shook his head and said, "It's not downstream, but the upstream Baima Ferry." ”

Yan Zhenqing was stunned again and said, "This ...... How is Hakuba Ferry? Xia Guan was really puzzled. ”

Wang Yuan said: "Afterwards, you naturally know that I need you to mobilize all the ships to arrive at the Baima Ferry in the second half of the night tonight." They were asked to control the lights and cross the river in the dark, so as not to attract the attention of the enemy. ”

Yan Zhenqing nodded and said, "Okay, obey the orders of the marshal." I hope that the handsome plan will succeed. ”

Wang Yuan smiled and said: "I can't pack the ticket, if I don't see us at the ferry, let the ferry return before dawn and leave us alone." After you settle down the people, you and Prince Feng will inspect the south bank, and rush back to Chang'an as soon as possible to meet Gao Xianzhi and Gao Xianzhi. Don't bother to save us. ”

Yan Zhenqing shook his head slowly when he heard this: "If Xiangguo can't get out of trouble tonight, I, Yan Zhenqing, will have no face to live." Yan swears here, if there are three long and two short in the prime minister's country, I, Yan Zhenqing, will commit suicide to thank him, if I violate this oath, heaven and earth will hate it. ”

Wang Yuan was speechless, but he was also moved by Yan Zhenqing's actions, and he didn't have time to persuade Yan Zhenqing not to do it at this moment, because crossing the river was already far away, and it was time to cross the river. At that moment, Yan Zhenqing went to prepare for crossing the river, and Wang Yuan took the opportunity to say goodbye to Li Xin'er, Qingyun'er, Ziyun'er, A Luo and others