"General Qiyu, there are Mongol Tatars in front." Wu Chucai hurriedly ran to Wang Jin's side, "Yang Du has already sent someone to inform him." ”

Wang Jin was slightly stunned, and the wind and snow blew on his face, but Wang Jin couldn't care about covering it anymore: "Mongolian Tartar? In which direction? ”

"In the northeast, there are quite a few people, tens of thousands, mixed foot, and they are advancing in the northeast direction. Even further ahead of them, a faint sound of fighting could be heard. Wu Chucai said with some urgency, "A certain has already sent elite sentinels to continue to go forward, and it is estimated that it will not be long before the specific news can be sent back." ”

"Fighting?" Wang Jin couldn't help but repeat, "We all know where the Ezhou garrison soldiers and the middle army of the Tianwu Army are, and there are no other Song troops in this vicinity. ”

"In addition to the Xiangyang defenders, if the Xiangyang defenders go south, it is very likely. I wanted it to be in our northeast. Tang Zhen said softly on the side, there are already guards who have brought the maps of Yingzhou and Xiangyang.

Wang Jin stretched out his hand and gently crossed the south of Xiangyang: "The Mongolian Tatars have a camp on the north side of Hutou Mountain in the south of Xiangyang City, and they have been found in the south of Hutou Mountain. From Xiangyang to Yingzhou, you need to pass through the west of Hutou Mountain. ”

"In other words, it is very likely that the defenders of Xiangyang wanted to sneak attack Ashu's back road, and they were surrounded by Ashu's counter-plan." Tang Zhen said softly, "Just as General Yang guessed at the beginning. In fact, it would be best if this was the case. ”

"At least everything is under control." Wang Jin couldn't help but smile bitterly, "But our two armies are only more than 20,000 people, and it is indeed a bit overwhelming to break through the encirclement of 100,000 Mongolian infantry cavalry." ”

Tang Zhen shook his head: "You can't just rush forward, otherwise it will be easy to be involved, and it will be as difficult to get out as the Xiangyang defenders at that time." ”

"Didn't we hear from the Xiangyang defenders before they left the city?" Wang Jin looked at Wu Chucai.

Wu Chucai explained: "Our sentinels are not large in number, and it is impossible to extend north to the outside of Xiangyang City. The wind and snow are so big, even if the six gates and Jinyi guards in Xiangyang City find something, it is impossible to send the news out in time. Now that they want to come to Xiangyang, they are already on strict alert, and it is more difficult to get out of the city than to climb to the sky. ”

This is not unexpected. After all, there has been no small posture in the wind and snow now, and it is good to be able to find traces of Mongolian foot riding.

"Isn't there any news from the envoy?" Tang Zhen couldn't help but ask.

Wu Chucai still shook his head, almost all the two hundred cavalry in the hundred battles had already been deployed in front, and no one cared about the situation behind at this time. If Ye Yingwu had an order to convey it. Naturally, another sentry would be sent.

"It's freezing, we don't have to look behind us at all." Wang Jin said softly, "Someone, go to the Right Wing Central Army Office to ask General Yang's opinion." And Old Tang, let's think carefully about how to make the Mongolian Tatars suffer greater losses. ”

Snowflakes fall on the map one by one. The soldier next to him carefully lit the torches. The sky was getting darker and darker, and even the sentry cavalry looming in the wind and snow could no longer be seen, and the Song soldiers of the brigade moved forward with difficulty.

"If you want to rescue the defenders of Xiangyang, it's really a bit wishful thinking." Tang Zhen frowned and looked at Wang Jin, "It doesn't matter how long it has been before, but now that we rush over, I'm afraid it's almost over." The wind and snow were so strong that even if the soldiers used all their strength, it was difficult for them to walk too fast. With Ashu's ability, since the defenders of Xiangyang have already crashed into the net. Naturally, they won't be tossed for too long. ”

Wang Jin looked at Tang Zhen, and after a long time, he said softly: "We are actually not without a way. Although at this speed, it may be too late to rush over, but the Mongol Tatars swallowed so many Xiangyang defenders in one bite, including picking up and seizing and cleaning the battlefield, it will take some time, and although their cavalry is strong, they are tired from a long battle, and the wind and snow interfere with the speed of the horses moving forward・・・・・・"

"This also means that it takes a lot of effort for them to retract the foot riders who are ambushed on all sides." Tang Zhen's eyes lit up. "Then there is no need for us to have a hard fight with the Mongolian infantry in this snowy wasteland, if we can take advantage of the emptiness of their troops to take the nearest Hutou Mountain camp, we can cut off the return of the Mongolian infantry cavalry!"

(Author's note: The map around the Battle of Xiangyang refers to the "History of Chinese Wars - Attached Map of the Song, Jin, and Yuan Chapters", of which the area around Hutou Mountain is quite large.) It should refer to the southern part of Xiangyang City, including the large and small mountains such as Hutou Mountain, Jianshan Mountain, and Bianshan Mountain from north to south. Another note, Song Zhiyingzhou is now Zhongxiang. ）

Wang Jin nodded: "But this is still very dangerous, it is very likely that before we take the Hutou Mountain camp, the Mongolian Tartars have already returned, and then they will really be attacked on their backs." ”

"Then give it a try." There was a voice behind him, but he didn't know when Yang Bao had already rushed over in person. "Now there is no choice, can't the main force of the martial army for more than 20,000 days turn aimlessly in this wind and snow, and then return to Yingzhou, isn't this just in the hands of Ashu?"

A sentry returned from the snow and reported softly: "Qi several generals, the Mongolian infantry cavalry in front is besieging the defenders of Xiangyang. The defenders of Xiangyang have been completely defeated, but their commander's banner is still faintly visible, and it seems that they are trying to break through to the southwest. ”

"Who is Shuai Qi?" Wang Jin asked subconsciously.

"I can't see clearly, it seems to be Lu Ziqi." The sentry hesitated for a moment before replying, "There are many Mongolian foot riders, and there are even more sentry riders surrounding the left and right, so they dare not approach. ”

Yang Bao said softly: "Lu Ziqi, then it can only be the Lu family brothers." And Lu Wende is old, so it is naturally impossible to lead the team to the expedition, so it is Lu Wenhuan who is the best in ten. This General Lu is really not successful enough and has more than enough failures. ”

Wang Jin smiled bitterly: "Ah Shu has laid such a net, even if we lead the troops, I am afraid it will be difficult to extricate ourselves." Can you see the approximate number of the defenders of Xiangyang? ”

The sentry hesitated for a moment and then recalled, "I can't see it clearly, but it should be around thirty or forty thousand, and it is not clear how many people have died in the battle before." However, the subordinates estimated that according to the posture of the Mongolian infantry cavalry encirclement, I am afraid that it will not last for half an hour. ”

"Thank God for being able to last half an hour." Yang Bao couldn't help but sigh with emotion, "It's not like I haven't experienced such a rout, basically at this point, I have no fighting spirit, and the soldiers have become fish and meat that can be completely slaughtered." ”

Before Yang Bao's words fell, another sentry came back to report: "Qi generals, the Mongolian Tartars are desperately driving the defeated troops of Xiangyang to retreat in the direction of Hutou Mountain in Northeast China. The cavalry in the Xiangyang army seemed to be trying to break through. But he was carried by his own foot soldiers and couldn't move. ”

Wang Jin and Tang Zhen couldn't help but take a light breath, to be honest, they hadn't tasted what defeat was like, and they didn't know what kind of frightened and desperate state of mind people would be when they faced a real rout. Now I feel the horror of the rout of the defenders of Xiangyang so closely. Naturally, I can't help but feel a chill in my heart.

"It is estimated that Lu Wenhuan will not be able to support it for too long, so we must speed up our actions." Yang Bao frowned and said, stretched out his hand and pointed lightly on the map, "You see, Hutou Mountain is located in the south of Xiangyang. In addition, there is a lake in the south of the mountain, and although it is frozen, it is probably difficult to pass. Therefore, the best way to attack is from Hutou Mountain, which is long and narrow, between Hutou Mountain and Hanshui, and the Mongol Tatars will be more lax. ”

"Let's attack from the southeast, so that we can reach it in two hours." Wang Jin looked at the road on the map, which was not very crooked, "It's just that I don't know if Ah Shu can still leave us two hours." ”

Tang Zhen said softly: "It's not Ah Shu, it's Lu Wenhuan." As long as we can make this general Lu, who is always dragging his feet and looking for trouble, do his best to hold back the Mongol Tatars, then we will be able to have enough time. The Mongolian 100,000 cavalry has already been dispatched. So if you want to conquer Hutou Mountain, I'm afraid it won't be too difficult. ”

Yang Bao nodded and looked at Wu Chucai: "Quickly dispatch elite manpower, say anything, and fight into the Mongolian encirclement, so that General Lu can hold on, but it's not ・・・・・・"

Looking at the knowing smile on the corner of Yang Bao's mouth, Wu Chucai nodded: "Please rest assured, the subordinates will not let General Lu know our true purpose." I just told him that the wind and snow were very heavy, and that it would take a while for reinforcements to arrive. ”

Wang Jin nodded appreciatively and turned to look at Yang Bao.

"Close to Zhu Zhechi. The one who is close to the ink is black, and the commander of Wu and the envoy have been staying for a long time, and they are very clear. Tang Zhen couldn't help but smile bitterly, the top and bottom of the Tianwu Army were really full of scheming led by Ye Yingwu. It's just that I pity Lu Wenhuan, this time I'm afraid I'm going to be cannon fodder for the Tianwu Army.

――――――――――-

Lu Wenhuan didn't have time to care about whether he would become innocent cannon fodder, he was more concerned about whether he could escape from here.

The defenders of Xiangyang are in a rout, an irrepressible rout. All the soldiers no longer had the enthusiasm that once burned the wind and snow in front of them, and were replaced by a horror that could not be concealed. They are deeply concerned about their future and destiny.

Even the cavalry of the Song Army behind Lu Wenhuan were already a little overwhelmed. The horses in their hands were stained with blood, and some of them had been broken, so they could only pull out the sabers at their waists.

"General, what should we do?" A commander hurriedly stepped forward, "Obviously, there are still many ambushes in the northeast of the Mongolian Tartars, and this is to drive us to death!" ”

Lu Wenhuan said with a wry smile: "But look at the fact that now, the 50,000 army is already in chaos, and I am afraid that more people will be killed by their own people than by the Mongol Tatars." We can't control the whole situation now. ”

An arrow whistled past Lu Wenhuan's cheek, leaving a clear line of blood. Lu Wenhuan took a slight breath, and the guards next to him were even more frightened. And the chaotic Song soldiers in front of him were still desperately fleeing in the northeast direction.

Even the crossbowmen pulled the trigger in no direction. As long as there are Mongolian foot riders, they will shoot wherever they are, regardless of whether there are their own soldiers nearby.

"Go, to the north. I can't care so much about it. Lu Wenhuan said with a wry smile, "You can only take one step at a time." It's best to be able to rush out, but if you can't, you can't just sit here and wait. ”

Several cronies responded, and the cavalry, which was still nearly a thousand people, slowly turned their horses and moved with the flow of people rolling forward in the brigade.

Tens of thousands of Mongol infantry appeared from the northeast, with infantry shieldbearers holding shields in the forefront, like a hard wall that could not be broken through, followed by crossbowmen and spearmen advancing slowly and in unison.

The Mongol cavalry had already swept out of the flanks, their sabers unsheathed, reflecting the light of the snow. The horse's hooves are not fast in the snow, but they can still give people a serious killing atmosphere. For Song Jun, who was already heartbroken, this was enough!

The Song soldiers, who discovered that there was still an ambush in Mongolia, finally realized that they had been deceived, but by the time they planned to turn back, it was too late. On the flanks, behind him, and above the wasteland, there were Mongolian cavalry, Mongolian Han family foot soldiers, and every face was so hideous and so ferocious. It seems that they are going to completely tear these stubborn Song troops in front of them to pieces!

This is not a Mongolian Tartar anymore, this is the devil. It's a man-eating demon!

At this moment, several inconspicuous arrows suddenly burst out of the darkness and disappeared into a team of 100 Mongolian foot soldiers, only to exchange for a few screams, which did not attract too many people's attention. Whether it was the centurion who took the lead in rushing to the front or Ah Shu, who commanded in the northeast direction, he would not be moved by the fall of these people.

There are no immortals in war, let alone a few of the most despicable foot soldiers.

However, immediately following these arrows, a cavalry contingent of fifty or sixty men suddenly appeared, without flags, and covered in snow. Faintly indistinguishable faces. Apparently, several Mongol hundred-man detachments did not notice at first what the cavalry was coming from, which was slightly different from the Mongol cavalry.

Knowing that the arrows that were about to melt into the wind and snow were whistling and sweeping the back road, the Mongolian Han family foot soldiers, who were bent on rushing forward to snatch more loot, only to find that this cavalry that had been unknowingly mixed into the team was not a Mongol, but a Han like himself, but their enemy, the Southern Barbarians, the Song army!

Wu Chucai sneered, it was too late to understand!

The saber in his hand crossed a beautiful arc, like a Mongolian cavalry slashing at the foot soldiers of the Song army. Hundreds of battles were like cavalry, and they were rampant among the Mongol infantry. Although there were only fifty or sixty people, it was enough to completely disrupt a Mongol hundred-man team with considerable losses.

Wu Chucai cut off the head of the Mongolian centurion in front of him with a knife, and looked at the head in his hand that was staring wide-eyed in panic, Wu Chucai smiled coldly. Let it go into the already bright red snow next to it, and then move forward.

The Mongolian infantry in front still did not find this small Song cavalry, and Wu Chucai did not want to attack the back road of tens of thousands of troops with more than 50 people, so he went around in a circle and found a place where only a few Mongolian Han infantry soldiers were guarded by a hundred people, and easily broke through the defense line again. The Mongolian Han infantry obviously did not expect the Song cavalry to come from behind, and they were holding not the horse lance of the Song cavalry, but the sber of the Mongolian cavalry.

By the time the surrounding Mongolian cavalry hundred-man teams found out that something was wrong, Wu Chucai had already rushed to the Song army with the cavalry!

Looking at the chaotic and panicked robe in front of him, Wu Chucai felt a pain in his heart for no reason. Every soldier, whether it is a commander or a soldier, has a hollow look in his eyes, and it is more of an unconcealable fear, they have been killed by the Mongol Tatars, and they also know very well that in this snowstorm, there are no reinforcements!

War is cruel, what is the use of such a vulnerable army? Instead, it was not bad that the Weitian Wu Army sneak attacked Hutou Mountain and died. Wu Chucai's mind gradually stabilized, and he glanced at several cavalrymen beside him.

The horses' hooves were flying, the snow was splashing, and all the cavalry of the hundred battles shouted: "The reinforcements from Yingzhou will arrive in another hour, and the brothers must hold on!" ”

"There is still an hour for reinforcements from Yingzhou to arrive, and the brothers must hold on!"

One after another, it was heard in the wind and snow.

Sergeant Song, who was originally panicked, looked at this fast-galloping cavalry in surprise; Lu Wenhuan, who was already desperate, looked at this own cavalry that was getting closer and closer・・・・・・

In an instant, a cheer erupted in the wasteland! This was followed by a shout like a wave!

"Da Song! Great Song! ”

Encountering life in a desperate situation is like meeting the light in the darkest time!

Countless soldiers stopped retreating almost at the same time, and instead chose to stand up straight and clench their blades once again. They know very well that if they persist for an hour, they may be able to see the sun tomorrow, but if they continue to run like this, I am afraid that there is only a dead end.

Lu Wenhuan was also overjoyed, and he couldn't care about what the Song cavalry came from, he only knew that the retreating and chaotic Xiangyang army had finally stabilized, and he saw the hope of surviving again.

Happiness came too suddenly. (To be continued.) )xh:.74.240.212