Li Yan set up dozens of cauldrons in his army to collect some of the soldiers' water, and it was a pleasure to be able to drink a sip of hot water in the field in the winter. The soldiers who went to eat first warmed their bread over the fire and began to eat lunch to fill their stomachs.

At this time, it was just noon, so Li Zicheng's troops had not yet eaten, and they could only watch Li Yan's troops drink hot water and eat cakes from a distance.

The soldiers ate quickly, dipped the sauce in hot water, and in a short time the three cakes were eaten, and then, under the guidance of the officer, went to take over the other comrades. It wasn't yet noon, and all the soldiers had finished eating.

At the same time, the thieves also began to light the stove and prepare to cook. They ate much better, with wine and meat, and hot soup. But these have to be freshly made, and when they can be eaten, I'm afraid they will have to wait for another half an hour.

Li Yan instructed Li Mu: "You go back first, let the troops prepare, and let's act when they start eating." ”

"It's really good when the fourth brother was chosen." Li Mu said with a smile: "Let them fight with us hungry, even if they are angry, they are powerless." Hahaha. ”

The soldiers were ready, the crossbowmen filled both quivers, and the gunners filled their ammunition trucks to ensure that they could get their ammunition quickly after the battle.

Li Yan's soldiers were waiting to attack and break the enemy's encirclement. The soldiers of the thieves were waiting to eat and fill their bellies. The officials and soldiers at the head of the city were served hot steamed buns and vegetable soup, which were rewarded by the gentry and merchants in the city and the royal palace.

Li Yan saw that the soldiers of the thieves were constantly looking back to see their food, and they could also smell the aroma of barbecue. He commanded, "Beat the drums and go forward." ”

The drums of "Dong" and "Dong" suddenly sounded, and the soldiers of the two formations began to advance step by step to the beat of the drums.

The sound of the drum also alarmed the thieves who were preparing to eat, and they all picked up their weapons in a panic, but they were still reluctant to look at their meals.

"The defense officer is coming," the leaders commanded loudly.

"Beat this shameless guy and won't let us eat," the thieves shouted angrily. This time, they were enraged and determined to have a good encounter with the officers and soldiers.

But after Li Yan advanced to a distance of two hundred paces from them and began to fire artillery, they had no intention of insisting on defense. With each firing of artillery, they suffered forty or fifty casualties, and they no longer had the heart to hold on to seeing their companions fall to the ground dead or seriously wounded. They began to retreat, completely ignoring the leaders' shouts. Some soldiers would also grab some meat or steamed buns from the fire and run backwards while eating.

The troops on both sides, although Li Guo and Tian Jianxiu both ordered to attack the official army, but the thieves on both sides did not dare to approach the distance of 300 steps, but only shouted and shouted in the distance, trying to scare the official army.

The thieves in the back began to attack under Li Guo's personal orders. However, Li Guo did not send cavalry, but let the infantry attack. He didn't dare to let the cavalry lose any more, their total cavalry was less than seven thousand, which was less than Luo Rucai's cavalry.

If the cavalry attacked, it could still make Li Mou, who was dragging behind, a little nervous, but let the infantry pursue, there was no pressure at all. He waited for the enemy's infantry to enter two hundred paces, then stopped the phalanx, and came first with a salvo.

"Boom", "boom", "boom" three cannon shots, three shotguns shot out, and the scattered projectiles crashed into the ranks of thieves who caught up. In an instant, forty or fifty people were knocked down, and screams and wails immediately rang out in the ranks.

Although the thieves had heard from others that Li Yan's artillery fire was powerful, they didn't know how terrifying it was when it really happened to them. They hesitated, but moved slowly. When they had advanced one hundred and fifty paces, another round of artillery came at them, causing them more casualties.

Dozens of projectiles fell and exploded before they could react. The impact of the explosion made them unsteady on their feet, the flying projectiles pierced their armor, and the deformed projectiles dug a fist-sized hole in their bodies, and if it hit their torsos, it was basically dead. If you are lucky enough to wear cotton armor, the explosive projectile may not penetrate the cotton armor, but it is like being hit by a heavy hammer, and the injury is not light.

The explosions of "boom", "boom" continued one after another, leaving them in extreme fear. Coupled with the occasional shelling of artillery, their casualties were indeed significant.

The thieves couldn't hold on any longer, and directly began to run backwards, and Li Guo, who was in the rear, could only watch helplessly. He knew that Li Yan's artillery fire was powerful, but he didn't expect it to be so fierce. Even if his men could get closer, there would be powerful crossbow bolts waiting for them. So he didn't continue to insist, and let his subordinates retreat.

Li Yan also stopped in front and waited for Li Mu's team to catch up before continuing to advance. They marched slowly to the beat of drums. When the thieves stop and give them a few shells to knock them back.

After coming like this a few times, the thieves in the south also understood that they were no longer retreating, but retreating to both sides, completely opening the way for the officers and soldiers.

Tian Jianxiu immediately ordered: "The cavalry is ready to wait for the officers and soldiers to start fleeing, and then rush forward"

But the result disappointed them, Li Yan's army formation had always been moving so unhurriedly, and there was no action at all to accelerate and flee after breaking out of the encirclement. He could only lead his troops to follow slowly behind. I didn't dare to get too close, just like seeing off the officers and soldiers.

The prince and Chen Yongfu and others on the tower of the city gate were also watching. Although the soldiers were eating, they were not eating, and it was not safe or easy to eat. So their banquet was in the evening, in the palace of the king of Zhou.

"The powerhouse" Shizi said excitedly: "Come and go as you like, the thief has no way at all"

Chen Yongfu said: "This Li Yan's heart can be punished"

"Well, what do you say," Shiko asked.

"He has such a strong army, but he only showed his face and left, isn't this disloyal to the imperial court, isn't it disrespectful to the royal family" Chen Yongfu said angrily: "I waited in the city for more than 20 days, and there were countless casualties. But he stood still and sat back and watched the thieves besiege the city, isn't this ill-intentioned?"

A few officials also felt that Li Yan was too inauthentic, and he had such strength but did not come to the rescue earlier. Even if they can't repel the thieves, it's good to come in Kaifeng to help defend them, and they don't have to be so frightened all day long. So they all helped: "What Mr. Chen said is reasonable, this Li Yan is indeed a suspicious person"

Only Gao Mingheng and Wang Xie did not speak.

Shizi just listened, but did not make a clear statement. He had to go back to report these things to his father, and his father would judge Li Yan's loyalty, treachery, good and evil.

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