While Zhu Pingjin, Liao Daheng, Song Zhenzong, He Zengshan, Shu Guoping, Sun Hong, and others were making every effort to plan the battle, more than 6,000 people from Wang Xingjian and Zhao Ronggui's troops finally dismantled their tents, buried pots, and began to march towards Guang'an City, arriving at the south bank of the Xixi River on the night of 21 July. The two lords, Wang and Zhao, have already promised a reward to all the officers and soldiers of the reinforcement camp: a local tyrant will be rewarded with five taels of silver for the first rank, and they promise to cash it out immediately and never be in arrears!

The head of the thug is the most worthless head. If you can reward ten cents, that is to burn high incense. Since the seventh year of Chongzhen, in the battle between the Sichuan official army and the local tyrants, this kind of high reward has never been seen. Therefore, when the soldiers of the Zhao battalion set out for the battle, their morale was high and their confidence was full of confidence. When they left the camp, the camp was still thirty miles away from Luodu, and Luodu was also thirty miles away from the Xixi River in the south of Guang'an City, but the officers and soldiers of the Zhao battalion went against the normal state of slow swallowing on weekdays, and walked these sixty miles in one day, which is equivalent to a two-day trip on weekdays.

The commander-in-chief, Zhao Ronggui, with his usual shrewd and prudent style, planned to first set up a strong camp south of the mouth of the Xixi River, and then send a small army to cross the river. After finding out that the Guang'an bandits were not ambushed, they crossed the Xixi River with a large army. After crossing the river, another barracks were built on the north bank of the Xixi River, and the north and south bases were connected by pontoon bridges to form a complete defense system in the shape of dumbbells. Zhao Ronggui predicted that he would not be able to formally attack Guang'an City until four days later, that is, on the 25th day of the lunar month.

During his inspection of Zhao's camp, Liao Daheng, the governor of Sichuan, praised the prudent plan of Chongqing prefect Wang Xingjian and general Zhao Ronggui to camp in the middle of the river and then fight, and used a famous sentence from Sun Tzu's Art of War to describe it:

"Therefore, those who are good at fighting are invincible, and they will not lose the defeat of the enemy."

Liao Daheng also represented Zhu Pingjin, a well-known boy who scattered wealth, and rewarded the officers and soldiers of Zhao Ying with 1,000 taels of silver and three carts of meat on the spot, so that the group of Huazi soldiers who were grabbing food everywhere in Zhao Ying were thunderous.

……

Zhu Pingjin had no time or interest in inspecting Zhaoying.

On the 22nd of the lunar month, he left Tan Sigui's 4th Battalion, 1 company of the 2nd Tianquan Tusi Cavalry Battalion, and Dong Kezhi's regiment around Luodu, an important logistics base, with a total of about 3,000 troops to garrison. The Qiu family's grain ship led by his cousin Qiu Ruhui and the sailors of Yu Dajiang and He Gui also stayed in Luodu for the time being. He personally led more than 2,000 people, including the headquarters of the Third Regiment and the infantry cavalry and artillery baggage, to march to the Sanhepu in the west of Guang'an City.

Zhu Pingjin did not take the straight line from Luodu to Sanhepu, but made a short detour, first drove to the foot of Xiuping Mountain, which was occupied by the local rioters, and then turned west, arriving at Sanhepu in the afternoon of the same day.

He Zengshan, the commander of the first regiment, did not go to Sanhepu to meet Zhu Pingjin, but only asked Li Cunliang, the superintendent, to report to Sanhepu to report to the world: Wang Gao and Wang Guangxing, the local tyrants entrenched in Yuechi County, had launched a counterattack against Guangmenpu with more than 1,000 troops after noon.

He Zengshan judged that the local tyrants Black Tiger Chaotian Star Wang Gao and Wang Guangxing were determined to counterattack Guangmenpu, not because they were interested in maintaining contact with Guang'an City, but because behind Guangmenpu was the official road from Yuechi City to Qu County. If you march from Yuechi City and Guangmenpu to Qu County at the same speed at the same time, Guangmen Pu will arrive at Qu County first due to the benefits of the official road. Therefore, Yuechi's hostile counterattack against Guangmenpu was a last resort to open up a retreat.

He also asked Zhu Pingjin to give him some artillery and cavalry, so that he could take advantage of the enemy's counterattack and rely on the fortifications to kill and wound the enemy in large numbers and break the enemy's morale.

Zhu Pingjin readily agreed to He Zengshan's request for artillery reinforcements, and the remaining half of He Chengjun's second artillery company quickly received an order to return to Guangmenpu. The 1st Baggage Company, which also carried a large amount of shells and gunpowder, followed the 2nd Artillery Company to the west. But Zhu Pingjin vetoed the request for cavalry reinforcements. He asked Li Cunliang to clearly convey to He Zengzhi that the focus of the whole army's operations is still Guang'an City, not Yuechi County.

This is not only because Guang'an is a state city, but also because Guang'an City can control and use the canal and river waterways, and is at the axis of the combat line, and its role is irreplaceable.

For this reason, not only will the cavalry not be able to give Zhu Pingjin for the time being, but the first battalion remaining in Sanhepu will also be assigned to the third regiment. The 1st Regiment must rely on the 10th, 12th, and 13th Battalions, a total of three infantry battalions, to hold on to Guangmenpu, block all the roads of the Black Tiger Mixed Sky Star Wang Gao and Wang Guangxing back north to Bashan, and trap them south of Bashan and annihilate them!

……

A little snow fell in the gloomy sky.

Small snowflakes are like ice needles, which melt when they land, making Guang'an City wet everywhere.

Bai Wuchang Zhang Guangpei, dressed in a fur jacket and wearing a leather hat with ear protection, came down from the West Gate with a few of his subordinates and walked towards the state government not far away. As soon as he walked to the gate of the state government, he saw a group of jubilant people coming out of the Chenghuang Temple, with several disheveled women inside. A thug was drunk, and he was wearing the black gauze hat of the old man of the city god on his head.

It seems that in front of this group of local tyrants who don't believe in gods and don't believe in evil, the city god is also a mud bodhisattva crossing the river - it is difficult to protect himself.

Seeing Bai Ye, who was very well treated, the group of thieves greeted Zhang Guangpei enthusiastically. Zhang Guangpei also smiled and asked them to continue to eat and play well. Then he waved his hand and led his men into the state office.

Jiang Chengren, who had learned of Bai Wuchang's arrival in advance, had already descended to greet him and stood under the lobby. greeted Zhang Guangpei, and the two talked and laughed and walked to the second hall, where there was a warm stove. Without waiting to sit still, Jiang Chengren praised Zhang Guangpei:

"Brother Bai is really a clever plan! The day before yesterday, you said that Zhao Ronggui was likely to covet the city's property, squeeze out the royal army, and attack Guang'an City alone. At that time, I didn't believe it: how many catties and taels Zhao Ronggui had, others didn't know, and he didn't know it himself? A single battalion dared to challenge us, and he was impatient?

The day before yesterday, the Tang Ma of the Wangfu soldiers was intercepted and killed, and the letter was searched, and the general named He Zengzhi proposed to the Zhu family boy to go to Guangmenpu, I can't believe it, I am worried that it is a deliberate trick by the Wangfu soldiers.

Today, Jiang Wan can see clearly on Xiuping Mountain: the infantry, cavalry, and artillery of the royal army, thousands of people, all drove to Guangmenpu! The flag of the Protector Army and the flag of the prince of the world are also sandwiched in the middle of the team! With the addition of Naga Zengshan, the strength of the Wangfu soldiers in Guangmenpu is estimated to be six or seven thousand!

Guangmenpu is on the edge of Yuechi Gate, which is enough for the Black Tiger to drink a pot of Tianxing, and see how the two kings of his dog day pick up the cheap! ”

Jiang Chengren's face was baked by the heating in the house, and he suddenly turned rosy. He waved his rough palms, looking excited. It is no wonder that if the royal soldiers drove to the west to face the second king of Fu, it would definitely be a great benefit to Jiang Chengren in Guang'an City.

"The eldest brother knows that the official army has this virtue of eating soft and fearing hard! Zhao Ronggui is a wise man. The soldiers raised by He Jia before were not fought, and after a few battles, half of them were defeated by the royal soldiers. Zhao Ronggui was angry at the heads and seizures of the Wangfu soldiers, and he didn't know that we had entered the city, thinking that there were only a few thousand divine soldiers left in the city, and he had a chance to take advantage of it, so he naturally had to come up with ideas! ”

Jiang Chengren sighed sincerely: "Exactly! The white brothers have read books, but they are different! Fuck, Lao Tzu's team is full of illiterate idiots! I only know how to fight, kill, rob, and engage women, and there is no fucking promising! ”

Jiang Chengren handed over the high hat, and Zhang Guangpei only sneered in his heart. Zhao Ronggui is indeed dizzy, but he has been in battle for a long time and has a very sensitive sense of the battlefield. Now Zhao Ronggui's army is camped on the right bank of the Xixi River estuary outside the south gate, some of the exploration horses have crossed the river, and pontoon bridges are still being erected on the river, showing a steady and steady posture. Jiang Chengren's plan to ambush the city fell through, and then he remembered himself again.

Although he saw through Jiang Chengren's thoughts, Zhang Guangpei still patted Jiang Chengren's chest very boldly: "Now that the younger brother and the eldest brother are jointly camping, the younger brother naturally has to do his part!" The younger brother saw the formation of the official army today, so he came up with a plan to discipline Zhao Ronggui if he came back or not! ”

As soon as Zhang Guang's words fell, Jiang Chengren's eyes really lit up.

"In the art of war, it is said that one blow, then decline, and three exhaustions. The younger brother knows this, and presumably Zhao Ronggui also knows it. We might as well tease Zhao Ronggui first......"

"Brother Bai, please speak!" Jiang Chengren had already arched up a stinky mouth that exuded a woman's anger, "As long as we don't touch the royal soldiers!" ”

……

Soon after Zhu Pingjin arrived at Sanhepu, he took the guard battalion to Guangmenpu. He was eager to know what the 10th Battalion would look like after the defeat of the hereditary soldiers of the Royal Palace. The sound of Koron's cannon drew him to the forefront of the western line of defense in Guangmenpu.

At the end of the month, this is often the coldest day of the year.

The howling cold wind squeezed through the narrow mountain pass with ice needles, and the faces of people were painful. Field warfare in such bad weather places the highest demands on the army's training, morale, and logistical supply capabilities. Wu Tai, deputy director of the General Logistics Department, relied on the two supply lines of the Jialing River and the Qujiang River to finally transport the three major supplies of food, ordnance, and clothing to the front line and distribute them to every soldier.

However, even though the soldiers and soldiers of the Protector of the Nation each had cotton jackets, cotton pants, cotton shoes, cotton vests, cotton gloves, and cotton masks on their faces, they were still choked by the cold in this weather.

On the high lookout platform behind the western defense line of Guangmenpu, Zhu Pingjin and He Zengshan, Li Cunliang, Shu Guoping, Sun Hong and others looked out at the enemy camp.

He Zengzhi pointed to the defensive line made of traps, trenches, deer barriths and breastwork, and then pointed to the artillery positions on both flanks, and said with confidence: "The local tyrants do not know whether they are alive or dead, and use archers and a few rotten fire guns to shoot at our cannons and fire guns. Prince, please see: This is the result of the shooting! ”

In the dim wilderness, one hundred and ten corpses were scattered at the front of the position. The snow was falling heavier and heavier, and patches of white patches grew on the corpses, as if they were moldy. Zhu Pingjin slowly retracted his binoculars, sighed lightly and said, "I heard that the resistance of the local rioters in Guangmenpu is extremely tenacious, do you know why?" ”

"Shizi, I asked the little ones to interrogate the captives, and I also went to look at the corpses." Li Cunliang replied before He Zengshan, "The local thugs have burned the thief's name on the forehead or face of the captive and strong. The black tiger king is tall and the person is branded with a black letter; Mixed Star Wang Guangxing's branding is a mixed word. Those Jingzhuang said that since they had branded words on their faces, they would also be exchanged for silver if they fell into the hands of the officials and soldiers, so it was better to fight to the death to survive! ”

"That's it! Sun Tzu said: Attacking the heart is the top, and attacking the city is the bottom. If we don't untie the knots in the hearts of the captives, they will fight to the death with us! Two overseers, what do you two think? ”

"Don't worry, Jinyiwei has old methods!" Li Cunliang replied before Sun Hong, "That is to spread rumors and mess with the morale of his army." Let the local tyrants think that not only will we not kill them, but we will also release them to their homes! Silver, field, house, mother-in-law, whatever is easy to use will be released! I don't believe those poor thieves don't move! ”

"How do I get out of the way?"

"There are dozens of captives in Guangmenpu, and we haven't killed them yet. These people are not old bandits from Bashan, but Ding Zhuang who is coerced by the local tyrant in Yuechi! ”

It's rare to be serious about doing things this way. It seems that he got into the role very quickly.

Zhu Pingjin held back a smile and said, "Deputy Director Li's idea is very good!" It's just that it's not a rumor, it's true!

Zi said: Words must be believed, and deeds must be fruitful. It's a man too! The rhetoric of the captives is very policy-oriented. You can't just make promises! You can't lose faith in the thousands of people in Shu for the sake of a few thieves in front of you!

We fight the local rioters, not to cut off their heads for silver, but to make the people's lives too peaceful and healthy. Our policy of captivity is that the first evil will be punished, and the coercion will not be asked. As long as you put down your swords and guns and surrender, and sincerely repent, you can not blame the past, and you can divide the fields for them to cultivate! Mr. Sun, please go with Deputy Chief Li to meet the prisoners. Let them believe in the palace and believe in the son of this world! We must strive to make these dozens of captives become free propagandists for our Protector Army! ”

Sun Hong and Li Cunliang took the order and left. Zhu Pingjin gave Shu Guoping a look, and Shu Guoping hurriedly said that he wanted to go to the defense line to have a look. Only Zhu Pingjin and He Zengzhi were left on the lookout.

Zhu Pingjin stomped his frozen feet, ripped off his mask and breathed in the cold air. He smiled and said, "General He, do you know that Mr. Sun is investigating your disobedience to military orders?" ”

The minister knew, and when the Qin sent back, he told the minister. He said he had saved his ministers. ”

"He's got you! He said that you have great righteousness in your heart, and that you have indeed retribution. Somehow, this messenger did not return to the Chinese army. ”

"The minister estimated that the road was stopped by a thug."

"Preparation is slack, common is not doubtful. Yin is within the yang, not in the yang pair. The sun and the sun (Note 1). Now that we have shown ourselves to the enemy, how will our army behave next, and I will ask General He to teach me! ”

"The prince has a great strategy in his heart. The minister does not dare to speak falsely! ”

"How so?"

"The tenth battalion of the prince was reorganized in Guangmenpu, and it was supplemented and strengthened by the elite of the guard battalion, which is self-evident. The twelfth battalion of Wang Huaide was not moved, and its intention was the same. If the Black Tiger Mixed Sky Star did not attack Guangmenpu in a big way the day after tomorrow, the minister ordered the 10th Battalion to move westward. ”

Zhu Pingjin laughed: "Don't move too early!" Hide from the sky and cross the sea, we make it, and the black tiger and the sky star also make it! We're going to beat the rabbit with grass and have a pot of serving! This time, you have to obey the order, and the first and third regiments will act in unison! ”

"The minister will not dare to resist the decree!"

"General, don't blame Mr. Sun, he is the chief of the army, and he is acting on the orders of this prince!" Zhu Pingjin added.

"Don't dare!"

Note 1: The first of the thirty-six plans: Hide from the sky and cross the sea