(Author's note: Regarding the climate of the Southern Song Dynasty, Mr. Yi Maoke's "The Retreat of the Elephant - A History of China's Environment" recorded that "cold, capricious, and the Taihu Lake froze", so I thought that the Han River was frozen and the snow in the north of the Yangtze River was a possible occurrence.) ）

In the wind and snow, the sentinel riders come and go.

The Great Song Jinghu system made Lu Wende stand at the head of Xiangyang City with a frown. The Jinghu envoy, including the entire Jingnan Road and Jinghu Nanbei Road of the Great Song Dynasty, almost included all the territory of the Southern Song Dynasty in the middle section, and it can be said that the person who held this post was definitely an important minister and the most trusted person in the imperial court.

This is the case with Lu Wende. This general in the late Southern Song Dynasty, who relied on his own career, is now a dying old man, but no one has been able to challenge his position. As long as he is still in the day, the position of the Great Song Jinghu envoy has always been the old Lu family, and even if he is gone, those cronies who have been cultivated over the years will not hesitate to put their most trusted and relied on brother Lu Wenhuan in this position related to the foundation of the Lu family.

Although the sixth (Lu Wenhuan ranks sixth, known as Lu Liu) is indeed a rare fierce general, he is weaker than himself in terms of endurance and overall situation, which is obvious to all, but Lu Wende also has to admit that Lu Wenhuan still has his uniqueness in the judgment of some details.

For example, at the beginning, Lu Wenhuan strongly asked to stop the Mongol troops from Lumen Mountain on the north bank of Hanshui, but Lu Wende hesitated and refused, which led to the unhurried assembly of the Mongolian army of 150,000 in Lumen Mountain, and used it as a backing to gradually encroach on the Song army camps outside Xiangyang City, and finally led to the fact that the Mongolian Tatars have become a climate on the south bank of the Han River, and can even repel Lu Wenhuan's sneak attack.

If there are a few camps outside the city, it is fine, but the current situation is even worse, the Han River is frozen, and the Mongolian army of 150,000 has survived the natural danger without hindrance, which means that there is no danger to defend in Xiangyang except for the thick and tall city walls.

Lu Wende smiled bitterly and stepped on his feet, Xiangyang City is tall and sturdy, looking at Shenzhou, there is really no one who can compare with it. From Meng Heng to Gundam to himself, generations of new and old celebrities run this city. This makes it a fish bone stuck in Mongolia's throat.

Diaoyu City is already a sad place for the Mongols, and this Xiangyang might as well become the second.

Lu Wende looked up into the distance, and there were constantly self-army scouts coming and going in the snowstorm. The Mongols have set up camp in three directions of Xiangyang City, which means that they are trapped in the city, but it is strange that there is no camp in Yingzhou, south of the city, and what is even more strange is that after the main force of the Mongol army crossed the Han River. But it went straight south.

Going south is Yingzhou, although we all know that Yingzhou is the throat road from Xiangyang to the south, but now Xiangyang is not in the hands of your Ashu, so it is clear that the back is exposed to the defenders of Xiangyang. This is also where Lu Wende is most confused.

Ashu, what do you want to do?

The footsteps sounded hurriedly, Lu Wende didn't have to think about it to know that it was Lu Wenhuan coming, although this guy was forty or fifty years old, but he always had this feeling of urgency, Lu Wende didn't know if Lu Wenhuan could defend this Xiangyang City if he didn't have himself. But there is no way around it. Although there are many capable relatives around him, there is really no one who can compare to Lu Wenhuan.

"Sixth, what's wrong?" Lu Wende asked softly, his health is not good, it is good to be able to stand in this snowstorm for so long, if he speaks loudly, I am afraid he will have to cough.

Lu Wenhuan naturally knew that his eldest brother's body had been difficult to support for a few years, so he soothed his breath at the moment and replied softly: "Big brother, you must have seen the news." The Yingzhou Navy Division has been completely annihilated, and more than 30,000 people from the two compartments of the Tianwu Army and the Ezhou garrison have retreated to Yingzhou, but after the Mongolian Tatars crossed the Han River, the main force went straight to Yingzhou. ”

"I know." Lu Wende nodded. "What's the deal here? The sentinels sent out are all people you and I trust, not to mention that there is also news delivered from Yingzhou, so there will be nothing wrong with this. ”

"It's not the news itself, it's why Ah Shu did it." Lu Wenhuan couldn't help but say, his eyes were blazing. Even through the wind and snow, Lu Wende could feel his heat, "If Ah Shu does this, won't he expose his back road to us?" Could it be that he thought that a battle on Chinese New Year's Eve would be able to beat our Xiangyang garrison soldiers into shrinking turtles? ”

Lu Wende was stunned, he knew that the sneak attack on Chinese New Year's Eve failed, so that Lu Wende has always been obsessed, and he really wanted to get the field back, but then Mongolia has been strictly defending, and the wind and snow for days are difficult to drive large equipment forward, resulting in Lu Wenhuan has not been able to find the right time to go out of the city to fight again.

This younger brother of his own, is really a little anxious for quick success, how can it be so simple to defend the city, and the most cruel stage is still far away! Lu Wende couldn't help but sigh secretly in his heart, but he also knew that his physical condition was not as good as before, so he didn't want to teach his stubborn brother any more lessons.

After he returns, all these rights and wrongs can be let go, let the sixth child do it well, even if he doesn't do it well, it can only be his destiny.

"Sixth, what do you think?" Lu Wende asked softly, not so much that the boss was asking for the opinions of his subordinates, but that the two brothers were doing a family affair.

Lu Wenhuan hurriedly said: "Of course, let's chase it out directly." Since Ah Shu dared to spy on us this time, he couldn't let him have a good time. Only sixty or seventy thousand soldiers are needed, please rest assured that Ah Shu will inevitably be defeated, and even if there are still a few camps outside the city, what is the use. ”

Lu Wende frowned: "Sixth, are you really so sure that this is a secret enemy, not a trap deliberately laid for us?" ”

After hesitating for a moment, Lu Wenhuan gritted his teeth fiercely: "Definitely, please ask my brother for permission." ”

Lu Wende said softly: "There are a total of 150,000 soldiers and horses in the two cities of Xiangfan, 50,000 in Fancheng, 100,000 in Xiangyang, plus the people who defend the city, it is 200,000. But with these people alone, a certain does not dare to bet on this, 60,000 is too much, at most 50,000, but a certain can send 2,000 cavalry to you, and even if it is a medium plan, it can also play a cover. ”

Lu Wenhuan was suddenly a little anxious, with 50,000 people attacking Ashu's 100,000 army, he really didn't have much certainty, after all, Ashu's ability is well known, even if it is a sneak attack, it is a little difficult to defeat the 100,000 people with a lot of cavalry with 50,000 people.

"Sixth. You also know that being able to take out 50,000 people now is already the last strength to squeeze out. Lu Wende frowned and said, "If it weren't for the Chinese New Year's Eve battle." I'm afraid that I can still give you more than 10,000 people, but it is difficult to do this now. You also know very well that although the walls of Xiangyang are tall and strong, easy to defend and difficult to attack, because of the huge city, there are many soldiers who need to defend the city・・・・・・"

Lu Wenhuan didn't say anything more. He also knew that the sneak attack on Chinese New Year's Eve was his own fault, and now that Lu Wende had said this, it was obvious that there was no room for negotiation. 50,000 people is 50,000 people, as long as you use it properly, with the wind and snow outside, you can still be caught off guard. No longer hesitating at the moment, Lu Wenhuan gritted his teeth:

"Okay, 50,000 horses, the little brother will definitely live up to his mission."

Lu Wende looked at the howling wind and snow, and let the snowflakes lap on his beard. The dark gray beards were also dyed white, as if this was the color they were supposed to have. I'm old after all, no matter what, let Lu Wenhuan let go.

――――――――――

In the wind and snow, more than a dozen cavalrymen desperately urged the war horses under their crotches, but fortunately, it was all fresh snow, and it was still soft, so the horses' hooves would not slip when they stepped on it. If the snow freezes over in a few days, it will really be a nightmare for the cavalry.

Of course, in a place like this, which is already a war zone, most of the snow will melt away instead of freezing. After all, there are no people who come and go to trample.

Hundreds of foot soldiers braved the wind and snow to meet them, and a small red flag stood out under the gloomy sky and in the raging wind and snow. The cavalry breathed a sigh of relief, turned over and dismounted, only to find that his legs were frozen and almost unconscious. But the foot soldiers who were waiting for their return had barely lit a fire, and the light of the fire danced under the gloomy sky, and the red flags not far away.

"I'm afraid this storm will stop soon." Du Tou, who led the footmen, said lightly, "It has been raining for a short time, even on the south bank of Hanshui in Jiangbei, there is rarely such heavy snow. ”

A few of the ten generals looked up at the gloomy sky. Compared to some time ago, the sky is much brighter now. And several horsemen were stepping on the soft snow, and they were meeting the head of the foot soldiers. They are all people in the Tianwu Army, and naturally they are all inheriting the capable style of the Tianwu Army, and when a few people meet, regardless of their status, everyone bowing their hands is equivalent to recognizing the identity of the other party's battlefield robes.

"Brother, the wind and snow are so big, how far have you go?" They all turned their heads against the wind and said with a smile.

The ten generals of the cavalry of the Hundred Battles smiled bitterly and shook his head: "There are no four or five miles, the wind and snow are too big, and I can't see anything clearly. It's just that it's difficult for a good woman to cook without rice, and it's difficult to find a trace of the tartar. ”

Du Tou sighed softly, and he took the one hundred and ten brothers here to answer, and he had already come and gone with five or six sentry teams, but he did not find anything. Mongolia's 100,000 steps are like disappearing into the wind and snow, which makes people worry.

"It's because we're incompetent." The ten cavalry generals couldn't help but smile bitterly, "There are more than two hundred people, and I can't even find such a big guy." ”

Stretched out his hand and patted the shoulder of the ten generals of the hundred battles, and said softly: "Brother, you have worked hard for such a big snowstorm." You can't find it, let alone us. Less than a mile or two south from here, ginger soup is already boiling and waiting for you, go quickly, the Mongolian Tartars can't run away, and the brothers will have to clean them up sooner or later! ”

The ten cavalry generals nodded heavily, turned around and got on their horses, solemnly bowed their hands to the capital head they met for the first time, and rushed into the wind and snow again with their sons and daughters. Seeing their figures go away, they all gritted their teeth fiercely, Mongolian Tatars, 100,000 troops, where are you?

"Where the hell is the 100,000 army of the Tartars?!" Wang Jin stretched out his hand and slammed the map, and the snowflakes smashed the camp tent above his head, thumping. Yang Bao beside him also frowned and didn't say a word. Tang Zhen and the others held their breath even more, not daring to say a word.

Everyone could hear the thumping of their hearts around them.

"It's been an hour, hasn't it?" Wang Jin suddenly remembered something.

Tang Zhen said with a bitter face: "It's been an hour and a half, and there has been no news from the envoy's side, and the most important thing is that the scouts in front have not found any trace of the Mongolian army so far, and even the Mongolian Tartars' usual sentry cavalry is not there, and the 100,000 army seems to have disappeared out of thin air." ”

Yang Bao stretched out his hand to support the table: "I can't wait so much anymore." ”

"But the wind and snow are so heavy outside, it's too risky for the foot soldiers to go out rashly." Wang Jin retorted without hesitation, "If the Mongol army suddenly appears, we won't even be able to prepare." ”

Yang Bao said softly: "I can't find any trace of the Mongolian army, so it means that there is only one situation, if we can't grasp it, I'm afraid the defenders of Xiangyang will be in trouble." ”

"You mean that Ah Shu took the Mongolian army of 100,000 to turn around to deal with the pursuers sent by the Lu brothers?" Tang Zhen said a little anxiously, "In this case, if we sit idly by in Yingzhou, I'm afraid the Xiangyang defenders will suffer a lot of losses." ”

The tent was violently opened, and the wind and snow poured in frantically. Zhang Cheng still had white snowflakes on his armor that had not yet melted, took out a short command from his arms and slapped it on the table, panting and leaning against the pillar of the tent, unable to say a word that was already tired.

"If you give the order, you can go north to pursue, and you will lead the Tianwu army to rush forward." Wang Jin read it out loud, and after reading it, he couldn't help but take a light breath, "Is the back compartment of the Tianwu Army finally going north?" ”

"Commander Zhang, there is no news of the scouts in the north?" Yang Bao looked straight at Zhang Cheng.

Zhang Cheng smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"Go north." Yang Bao spit out two words and looked at Wang Jin.

"Go north." Wang Jin smiled, "I'm not afraid of him." ”

Almost subconsciously, Tang Zhen violently opened the camp tent, and shouted loudly against the howling wind and snow: "Herald, order the left wing of the Tianwu Army and all departments of the Chinese Army to march north according to the original arrangement without delay!" ”

"You're fast." Wang Jin couldn't laugh or cry.

Tang Zhen still looked like a half-literati at this time, and his face was full of murderous energy: "The soldiers are fast, since it has been decided, there is nothing to delay over there." ”

Wang Jin and Yang Bao both nodded, Yang Bao glanced at Tang Zhen appreciatively, and then said, "Then let's get ready to go." The original arrangement was that the left wing of the Tianwu Army was on the left flank, and the middle army of the Tianwu Army was on the right flank, and someone was sent to tell Wang Anfu that if there were still three points of male blood, he would be asked to follow behind with the soldiers stationed in Ezhou, and if not, please prepare a celebration wine. ”

"You're crazy in this way of talking, be careful of capsizing in the gutter." Wang Jin teased with a smile, "After all, it's 100,000 Mongolian tartars, in case anything is bad, but it's really impossible to eat and go around." ”

Yang Bao smiled coldly: "The envoy has already come up with the back compartment, obviously planning to fight with the Mongolian Tatars in the next few days, so we have nothing to hesitate." ”

Wang Jin didn't say anything more, and walked straight out of the tent. The wind and snow were howling all over the sky, and the red flags were dancing in the wind, and the soldiers of the Tianwu Army of the brigade walked out of the camp against the wind and snow and walked towards the vast wilderness full of unknowns.

"Hundred generals, follow a certain front to start a sentry horse." Wu Chucai shouted loudly, and the horse galloped in front of Wang Jin. Dozens of cavalrymen who returned to the camp to repair roared through the wind and snow, splashing countless snow powders and dancing all over the sky.

Wang Jin rolled his eyes, these cavalry were really rampant.

Yang Bao glanced back at Yingzhou City with some concern, and Wang Jin immediately understood what he meant: "Worried about Yingzhou? ”

"Although I know that Wang Xianggong is not that kind of person, it is inevitable that there will be despicable villains who instigate him." Yang Bao said softly, "Yingzhou is very important to Xiangyang, not to mention that the envoy is still on the way north, if there is any change in Yingzhou, it will be fatal to us in terms of morale and layout." ”

Wang Jin smiled lightly: "So the envoy has to move Uncle Ye out, after all, there is such a famous court here, even if Wang Lixin wants to turn out any tricks, he has to weigh his own ability." When Uncle Ye was playing tricks in the officialdom, Wang Lixin was probably still breastfeeding. What's more, since the envoy dares to let us go north, he must be prepared. ”

"I hope so." Yang Bao frowned and took a long breath of cold air. (To be continued.) )