Nie Shicheng said, turned around and shouted to the pro-soldiers who gave the order: "Quickly pass the order, except for Li Gang, all battalion managers will come to the meeting quickly." ”

The commanders of all families also heard that they had encountered deserters from the Beida Battalion, and when they heard Nie Shicheng's summons, they hurriedly urged their horses to come to Nie Shicheng to inquire about the military situation. Nie Shicheng told everyone about the attack on Ivory Ridge.

Zhang Yi was secretly amused in his heart, and said in his heart, this group of wastes, in the blink of an eye, was so frightened by more than a dozen scouts that they didn't know the ambush situation until now.

Suddenly, Zhang Yi's face changed, and he remembered something. Hurriedly said to Nie Shicheng: "Lord Junmen, the situation is a little bad. ”

Nie Shicheng was shocked in his heart and asked, "Zhang Yi, what's wrong, you can tell me in detail." ”

Zhang Yi replied: "Lord Junmen, at first we only thought that the Japanese army would come and pursue us, so we retreated in turn from behind the deputy middle camp and several other large battalions. However, after the first battle the day before yesterday, our cavalry suffered too many casualties and lost all the cavalry, while the Japanese cavalry squadron still maintained considerable combat strength, if the Japanese army sent a large group of cavalry to bypass us, attack and harass us in front of us, delay our movements, and send a large army to pursue in the rear, then if we cannot get rid of the interference of the Japanese cavalry in a short period of time, we will be in danger of being besieged by the Japanese army......"

When Nie Shicheng heard this, his heart trembled, and the leaders of all the families also changed color. Now that his Nanda battalion is not full of weapons and baggage, and the Japanese army has doubled its strength, once it is surrounded on the way, there is no food and grass inside, and there are no rescuers outside, then these two thousand brothers will be really dangerous.

Nie Shicheng said slowly: "The current plan is to scatter all the scouts in front of us, put out the reconnaissance range from afar, and prevent the Japanese cavalry from attacking and harassing, once we encounter the Japanese cavalry." Strive to get rid of them in the shortest possible time, and at the same time order the troops to advance at full speed, now that it is less than a hundred miles away from Kaesong, we march at full speed, believing that tomorrow at noon, we should be able to reach Kaesong, even if we do not reach it, it is a little far from Kaesong, and when the time comes, there are still some garrisons in Kaesong, which can meet us. ”

Zhang Yi smiled bitterly and said: "Lord Junmen, the Japanese army has two cavalry squadrons, about eight hundred people, the former fought a battle, some casualties, but did not hurt the bones, there are still five or six hundred people who can be put into battle at any time." Such a cavalry comes and goes like the wind, and most of our army are infantry, so they can't shake off the opponent's attack at all. As long as they can drag us for half a day, I believe that the main force of the Japanese army behind will definitely outflank us, and it is estimated that the deputy middle battalion of Brother Li Gang will not be able to withstand it for a long time before it will be dispersed. At that time, I am afraid that we will not be able to build effective fortifications, and it will be difficult for us to get rid of the pursuit of the Japanese army, and I am afraid that if we do not reach Kaesong, we will be in danger of being completely annihilated. ”

Nie Shicheng pondered for a long time, and there was no good way.

Zhao Shixiao on the side said: "Lord Junmen, it's really not good, let's find a nearby mountain, step up the construction of fortifications, fight against the water, fight with the Oriental devils, maybe there is a glimmer of life." ”

Nie Shicheng shook his head and said: "Now our department is only more than 2,000 people, and at the same time, there is a shortage of ammunition, and in a hurry, it is difficult to prepare the fortifications. At that time, there will be no more troops in Korea to resist the Japanese army, but I am afraid that not only will the entire territory of Korea fall into the hands of the Japanese army, but even the three provinces outside the country will face a huge threat at that time. ”

Zhao Shixiao saw that Nie Shicheng did not agree to fight to the death, so he retreated to the side, and everyone was silent.

Zhang Yi pondered for a moment and said, "My lord, for today's plan, there is only one way to take risks. I am willing to lead the Blue Wolf Brigade scattered in the rear, attack and harass the main Japanese force behind the enemy, not seeking to annihilate the enemy, but only to be able to hold back the main force of the Japanese army and buy time for our troops to withdraw to Kaesong. ”

Nie Shicheng's face changed, and he said: "No, hundreds of people in Li Gang's deputy middle battalion can't stop the attack of the main force of the Japanese army, you only have a blue wolf brigade of only eighty people, how can you block the main force of the Japanese army, I am afraid that the other party will charge, and you dozens of men and horses will all be there!" ”

Zhang Yi smiled slightly and replied: "Lord Junmen, the pro-guard battalion blocking the Japanese army is a positional battle, and there is no danger to defend, so it is naturally difficult to resist the advance of the Japanese army. The subordinate blue wolf is different, we don't have to confront the enemy, the blue wolf brigade has been trained by me, everyone has a masterpiece, we take turns to harass the main force of the Japanese army along the way, as soon as the battle is engaged, immediately retreat, do not leave the other side a chance to besiege. The enemy fought and retreated, and the enemy advanced and disturbed, only for the purpose of attacking and killing Japanese officers and delaying the opponent's time, and came and went without a trace. On the contrary, the deputy lieutenant battalion has a large number of people, the target is too large, and it is not good at attacking and killing, so such a task is not suitable for them to do. I don't dare to say more, my subordinates guarantee that once the Japanese army is discovered, the Japanese army will be delayed for three hours, and the adults only need to equip the blue wolf brigade with enough ammunition. ”

Nie Shicheng frowned, the other commanders were also in a heavy mood, this battle was extremely dangerous, from here to Kaesong, there were mostly hills, woodlands, there was no danger to defend, if you want to fight a decisive battle with the Japanese army, it will definitely be the end of the annihilation of the whole army. However, can you really let the dozens of people in the blue wolf brigade fight and block the attack? There is no bottom in the hearts of the people.

Nie Shicheng replied slowly: "Zhang Yi, I believe you can do it." However, I would rather be defeated all the way back to Pyongyang, than let you take the risk yourself, you are the pillar of the future of the Qing Dynasty, now Zeng and Zuo have passed away, Li Zhongtang is old, and there is no successor to the major events of the imperial court, in the next few decades, the future of the Qing Dynasty will also be borne on a talent like you, looking around the entire Huai Army, the entire Qing Dynasty, and there are no more geniuses like you who are proficient in the West and proficient in military affairs. ”

Zhang Yi's face was resolute, and he said: "My lord, now we are now facing the opponent's resistance and siege at any time, the army is in danger, if we are not careful, there is a risk of overturning, and now we can't care so much." Besides, it's not a subordinate to say a big thing, at least the Japanese army in front of him has not been able to leave the ability of the blue wolf brigade. I led the blue wolf to follow the mountains and forests to block the Japanese army, and when the adults retreated to Kaesong, they would inevitably face a siege by the Japanese army. The Blue Wolf Brigade will not join the main force, and will launch a sabotage battle around Kaesong to disrupt the Japanese army's war deployment as much as possible. If we stick to it, the situation will be too unfavorable! ”

Nie Shicheng was ruthless and said, "Okay, Zhang Yi, I order you to lead the Blue Wolf Brigade to block the main force of the Japanese army and delay its pursuit as much as possible." The order was given to Li Gang, and he was asked to move forward quickly, and the deputy middle battalion was changed from the rear of the hall to the front, and all the scouts were scattered, and the front and the two flanks were closely monitored to see if there was any movement of the Japanese army, especially the Japanese cavalry, and the other battalions were advancing at full speed, striving to enter Kaesong before making contact with the main force of the Japanese army! ”

Zhang Yi didn't answer, he bowed his hand to Nie Shicheng and the other commanders, jumped the horse's head, and ran back to the blue wolf brigade.

Zhang Yi called Tan Feng, Xu Huaijin, Zhang Yihu, and Bagen to him, with a solemn face.

When the four of them saw Zhang Yi's face, they knew that things must be tricky, otherwise the commander who had never had a more colored face would not be so solemn. Tan Feng asked, "Commander, what's wrong, do you have any tasks?" ”

Zhang Yi said in a deep voice: "Today, the main force of our battalion is still a hundred miles away from Kaesong, but the main force of the Japanese army is only more than 30 miles away from us. After I asked Nie Junmen for orders, Nie Junmen ordered our Blue Wolf Brigade to go to stop the pursuing Japanese troops, and be sure to contain the pace of the Japanese army's advance before the main force entered Kaesong. I decided to divide the Blue Wolf Brigade into two parts, the first part is led by Bagen and the third and fourth detachments, assisted by Zhang Yihu, your cavalry is the best to command, remember, you can't be greedy for war, choose the weakest area of the Japanese army, launch a blitzkrieg, and retreat at one touch, as long as you can delay the advance of the Japanese army. After the two raids were over, quickly retreat to the round with me, ready for the second raid. In the second part, I personally led the first and second detachments, Tan Feng and Xu Huaijin followed me, ready to sneak attack the enemy at any time! ”