In the calm, it grew dark.

Li Yan asked the soldiers to take the oil and brush it on the belts of the corpses that were thrown out. That's right, it's just a slow brush, they don't have much oil, if they spill it, it won't be enough. Although there was no reaction from the thieves' side, their side was still on strict guard, so that their companions outside had absolute safety.

After it was completely dark, Li Yan asked the soldiers to light the fire. Several heads of fire were thrown over, and the flames quickly expanded to both sides, forming a circle of fire at a distance of eighty paces from the periphery of the phalanx, encircling the phalanx. Leave a few gaps in the middle for easy observation and counterattack. But soon black smoke rose from the flames, accompanied by a sizzling sound and the smell of roasted meat.

The corpses on the periphery of the phalanx were covered with a thick layer of earth. It's spring, and it's very likely that these corpses will form a plague. But Li Yan and the others had no place to get lime, so they had to cover it with soil first. At this time, on the pile of corpses, except for the guards, everyone else is on standby from a distance to reduce the possibility of being infected.

In the distance, the camp of Yuan Laoshan.

At this time, the banquet of Yuan Laoshan, Shi Qian, and Yuan Shizhong was not over. When they were briefed, they all came out of the tent.

Seeing that circle of flames, Shi Qian said hesitantly: "I'm afraid it's not easy to sneak attack." ”

Yuan Shizhong covered his mouth and nose at this time, frowned, and said, "It's all our brother's corpse, it's all burnt!" ”

"What then?" Yuan Laoshan asked, "You can't let them sleep in peace." ”

The two of them were so close, if there was a big disturbance, it would not only affect the rest of Li Yan's team, but also make it difficult for their own team to sleep.

Shi Qian thought for a moment and said, "Let the archers take turns to release the arrows." At this distance, there should be no problem. Let the archers disperse, and even if they hit with cannons, there will not be a few casualties. ”

Yuan Laoshan and Yuan Shizhong both nodded and said, "This method is good." There were several dead and injured people in the middle of the night, and they didn't want to sleep well all night! ”

The three of them decided, stopped eating and drinking, and went back to arrange.

There was no movement in the first half of the night. After waiting for the hour, Li Yan suddenly heard the sound of "knock" and "knock" on the roof of the headquarters. He immediately came to the edge of the shed, and saw a feathered arrow falling and sticking @ into the ground.

"Let the soldiers find cover and dodge the rain of arrows!" Li Yan immediately commanded.

His own soldiers ran out with shields in hand, giving orders everywhere. After a while, some of the soldiers hid in small sheds in the four corners, and some hid behind the corpse wall outside. The troops on guard also raised their shields, and then everyone should sleep, rest, and rest, and the impact was not great.

After the feather arrows stopped, the soldiers who went out brought back five wounded crossbowmen, none of whom were seriously injured, as long as they pulled out the arrows and stopped the bleeding and rested. Each soldier wore a satin undergarment, and as long as the arrow did not puncture the satin, it was simple to pull the arrow. Otherwise, you will have to suffer two sins, enlarge the wound, and then take the arrow out.

The thieves shot nearly 2,000 arrows at Li Yan's phalanx in one night, that is, less than ten people were injured in Li Yan's team, and none of them died.

It took some time for the light to go out of the fire. And the whole battlefield is filled with a smell of burning, disgusting. Li Yan's soldiers used towels and cloths to cover their mouths and noses, so that the unpleasant smell could be slightly weakened.

Li Yan went up to the top of the shed again and observed the situation of the thieves. For the whole morning, the thieves did not launch a substantial attack. It only assembles at a distance, stops as soon as it gets close to three hundred steps, and then retreats. Their tricks naturally couldn't hide from Li Yan's eyes, their shouts had no strength, and when they impacted, they were slow and leisurely, but their retreat was extremely fast.

He still let the soldiers continue to rest behind the corpse wall, conserving their strength, and not being mobilized by the feints of the thieves.

In the distance, Yuan Laoshan frowned and asked, "This Li Yan is really, he didn't pay attention to us at all." ”

Shi Qian and Yuan Shizhong did not answer, but their soldiers were demoralized, and no one wanted to launch another assault. Their subordinates were all forced by life to rebel as thieves and wanted to come out and survive in death. But to attack is to send them to death, and naturally they will not do it.

Shi Qian suddenly said: "Is it that they don't have enough ammunition for their artillery?" ”

Yuan Laoshan thought for a moment, nodded and said, "It makes sense, we have to attack again." He glanced at the two of them and added, "Let's attack together!" As long as one side can attack it, Li Yan will be solved. ”

Yuan Shizhong thought for a while before he said: "If you want to attack together, you have to retreat together." ”

Shi Qian echoed: "Yes, this is right. ”

Yuan Laoshan can't help it, they are in a cooperative relationship, although he is the leader of the alliance, but this kind of risky attack, he said it, but it doesn't count. So he nodded with a cold face and said, "That's it!" After lunch, let's attack together with the sound of drums! ”

Shi Qian and Yuan Shizhong both agreed, and then returned to their camp with their own soldiers.

Li Yan also noticed the movements of the bandit leaders, so he ordered: "Let everyone strengthen their vigilance, it seems that this time it is really coming." ”

Li Mu frowned and said, "If there is another all-out attack this time, can you still stop it?" ”

"Don't worry," Li Yan said with a smile, "We have enough ammunition and crossbow arrows." When they see so many corpses on the ground, they will definitely be passive and slack off. ”

"I hope so." Li Mu was still a little worried. They only have 700 troops now, 200 fewer than yesterday, and the pressure will be even greater. If they show that they are inadequate, the thieves will be full of confidence. Thieves are like this, when it is easy, it is to meet the gods and kill the gods, and see the Buddha to destroy the Buddha, so you must press them to fight.

Li Yan said lightly: "Take the step bow in a while, let's compare the two of us to see who shoots the leader of the thieves, how about it?" ”

"Okay, let's move my hands and feet." Li Mu didn't care about agreeing. He reminded that the army can only have one head, and Li Yan can make a decision.

After lunch, the thieves' camp began to beat the drums of war. Then began to assemble the team, this time it looked like it was going to really attack, the depressing atmosphere in the team was very strong, and the thieves were all stiff faces, holding weapons, standing silently in the team.

Li Yan instructed: "Let the troops prepare, and the artillery will be arranged in the northeast and southwest corners, taking into account both directions." After the order, he did not continue to observe the enemy situation here, but went down to the roof of the shed and went to have an archery competition with Li Mou.

...