After coming out of the Jiugong Mountains, there is still a distance of about fifty miles from Fushui, although there are no reckless mountains, but it does not mean that the plains are coming, here is still a rolling hilly area, dense forests, many small rivers, until it is about ten miles close to Fushui, the terrain is completely flattened. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

That is to say, if the Sui and Tang armies want to set up a decisive battle on the battlefield, it can only be carried out on both sides of the river, which is the conclusion made by Zhang Xuan after inspecting Fushui for two days, in fact, if the battlefield is moved to the north, it is okay, but Zhang Xuan does not want the Tang army to cross Fushui.

The Sui army on the north bank of Fushui has been deployed in place, and the 80,000 Sui army is deployed at 17 key points to cross the river.

Fushui is a medium-sized small tributary, originating in the majestic Jiugong Mountains, formed by the convergence of countless small rivers, flowing through Chuyang County and Jiangxia County, and finally flowing into the Yangtze River, the total length is only more than 350 li, the upstream and middle reaches of the riverbed is slightly narrower, the narrowest place is less than 30 zhang, but it coincides with the spring flood, the river water is very turbulent, to the downstream river water begins to slow down, the riverbed also widens, the average is more than 80 zhang wide, the bow and crossbow can not shoot the opposite bank, but with the rhubarb crossbow can shoot to the opposite bank.

In addition to the Sui army deployed 80,000 troops on the north bank, more than 200 worm boats were also deployed in the river, this kind of boat is fast, the impact is strong, is a sharp weapon to deal with rafts across the river, this time the Sui army is fully prepared, to completely block the Tang army in the south of Fushui.

At this time, Luo Shixin galloped in with more than a dozen of his subordinates, and he immediately hugged his fists and reported: "Qiqi Dashuai, the scout has sent news that the Tang army has gotten up and is coming towards Fushui, and it is the eastern front that is taken, and it is estimated that it will reach the south bank of Fushui in the afternoon." ”

Zhang Xuan sneered and said, "After only resting for half a day and a night, set off, could it be that Tang Jun's physical strength recovered so quickly?" ”

Fang Xuanling said: "This shows that the food problem of the Tang army is already very serious, and we can't wait for the army's physical strength to fully recover. ”

Zhang Xuan nodded, and said to Luo Shixin: "Closely monitor every move of the Tang army, and at the same time deploy crossbow soldiers, once the Tang army moves, the army can attack immediately, without waiting for my order." ”

"Obey the order!"

Luo Shixin saluted, turned the horse's head and left, and Zhang Xuan said lightly to Fang Xuanling: "Does the military advisor think that Li Shenfu will send troops?" ”

Fang Xuanling shook his head, "This person is too selfish, even if he sends troops, he will not do his best, with General Luo's cavalry, it is enough to deal with it, His Highness doesn't have to take him to heart." ”

"That being said, it's important to think a little bit more thoroughly, at least we don't have loopholes."

"Your Highness can send more scouts north to monitor Li Shenrune's army, especially to prevent Li Shenfu from launching a sneak attack on our fleet."

The Sui army's fleet full of food and military supplies was anchored at the mouth of the Fushui River, and if Li Shenfu's army succeeded in sneaking up on the fleet, the Sui army would also face a food problem.

Zhang Xuan nodded, "The military advisor's reminder is very timely. ”

.........

As Fang Xuanling expected, the vanguard of the 5,000 Tang Army, under the leadership of General Shi Huaiyi, was the first to arrive at the south bank of Fushui in the afternoon, and they began to build a large camp on the south bank of Fushui, and two hours later, Li Xiaogong led an army of 80,000 troops to the south bank of Fushui.

Due to the shortage of food, Li Xiaogong couldn't wait for the army to fully recover his strength before setting off, his idea also made sense, anyway, the Sui army was stationed on the north bank of Fushui, so their stationing on the south bank was also a kind of rest.

But not all the news is depressing, Li Xiaogong still got two encouraging news, one is that the two banks of the rich water are full of alfalfa, which is an excellent pasture, at this time it is in the flowering period, the two sides of the rich water are full of purple and red, extremely enchanting, which solves the problem of forage for more than 1,000 war horses in the whole army, so that Li Xiaogong breathes a sigh of relief, the horse material crisis comes before the army, if you can't find the forage, more than 1,000 war horses will become the food of the army again.

And another news also made Li Xiaogong full of expectations, two personal soldiers who went to Wuchang County brought back Li Shenfu's promise, and would pour troops to rescue the army of the Eastern Expedition, and 50,000 stone emergency food aid has been on the way.

This news made Li Xiaogong overjoyed, and completely swept away Li Xiaogong's previous resentment against Li Shenfu, if Li Shenfu could really lead an army of 40,000 to the south, it would form a north-south attack on the Sui army.

"You said that the grain is on the road, which line do they take to deliver it to us, and how many carts do they have to deliver it?" Li Xiaogong asked with concern again.

The leader of the soldiers shook his head, "The prince said that he can't collect so many carts, and he will send a cargo ship to transport it to us by water." ”

"Waterway!"

These two words made Li Xiaogong's heart chill, and the ecstasy that had just risen in his heart suddenly disappeared without a trace.

The next few generals also looked at each other, verbally promised, water transportation, and poured troops south, they all felt very unreliable, Li Xiaogong gradually calmed down, and he also began to doubt Li Shenfu's sincerity, if he was really willing to send troops south, then why didn't he stop the Sui army from landing in Jiangxia County before?

"Humph! Who wouldn't say that he was so obedient, and then withdrew his troops halfway, saying that he was ambushed by the Sui army, who knows whether it's true or not? Huang Junhan's extremely dissatisfied voice came from behind.

Li Xiaogong sighed in his heart, he didn't want to reprimand Huang Junhan, why didn't he think so.

At this time, Lu Zushang said in a low voice: "Your Highness, we can't count on the army on the Wuchang side, we must break through by ourselves." ”

Li Xiaogong nodded, the guide told them that Fushui has a bridge near the county seat, if it has been demolished by the Sui army, it can only be crossed by raft, and the scouts have not found the so-called wooden bridge so far, which has obviously been demolished by the Sui army.

Li Xiaogong immediately said to Lu Zushang: "General Lu can lead 20,000 troops into the forest to cut wood, and we are going to use rafts to build pontoon bridges." ”

.......

Before the construction of the barracks was completed, the Tang army worked regardless of fatigue, and the south bank of Fushui showed a scene in full swing.

This is also because the food is in the hands of every soldier, every soldier knows his fate, it is impossible to retreat, thousands of fleeing soldiers are estimated to have fed wild beasts in the deep mountains, to the east is the Yangtze River, to the west is also reckless mountains, they only have to cross the river to the north of the road, rich water is so long, as long as the river is crossed to the north bank, there is always a place for them to break through.

When night fell, the south bank of Fushui was lit with torches, illuminating both sides of the camp on the shore as if it were day, tens of thousands of soldiers started to weave rafts together, the atmosphere was in full swing, in the hearts of all soldiers, it seemed that as long as the raft was tied, they could cross the river and go north, completely ignoring the Sui army on the other bank.

On the north bank, on the contrary, the shore was dark under the cover of night, but the 30,000 Sui crossbowmen were in full array, distributed on the banks of the river for several miles, each soldier spread a blanket under him, curled up and slept, the bow and crossbow were placed beside him, and as soon as the bell rang, they would immediately enter the battle.

And two hundred five-hundred-stone worm boats also retreated to the east to three miles away, ready to squat and pounce, ready to attack the Tang army at any time to cross the river, the night was extremely dark, the atmosphere of the war was also extremely tense, Li Xiaogong stood alone by the river and stared at the opposite bank, he knew very well that the Sui army had been waiting for it, but the arrow had been wound, no matter what, it would be difficult to avoid crossing the river tomorrow.

.......

Just when the battle of Fushui was about to break out, on the river about 100 miles south of Wuchang County, a fleet of 80 cargo ships was quietly going down the river.

This fleet was under the banner of a private trading house, but in fact they were a Tang army cargo fleet from Wuchang, carrying 30,000 stone of grain, which was the life-saving food that Li Shenfu supported Li Xiaogong's army in order to explain to the imperial court.

Although Li Shenfu did not want to send troops to support Li Xiaogong, he was not stingy with food support, and he also hoped that this food team could successfully reach the south bank of Fushui and send life-saving food to Li Xiaogong's poor army.

The convoy was escorted by 800 soldiers, and they went south along the shore as much as possible, day and night, and although they were not discovered by the Sui sentry boats, they also walked very slowly, and it took them more than 100 miles in two days, and they had to walk at least 200 miles to reach the mouth of the Fushui River.

"Slow down now!"

General Lang on the first boat noticed that there was an abnormality on the river in front of him, and immediately ordered the ship to stop, the first boat stopped, and the ships behind also stopped one after another.

"General, it's a little bad, it seems to be a Sui warship."

The captain of the ship also found out about the situation in front of them, and it turned out that three warships of 2,000 stones were blocking their way.

"General, what shall we do?" The boat boss asked in horror.

"Turn around and run for your life now, quick!"

General Tang Junlang finally realized that they had been discovered, and that the Sui warships had intercepted them, and he shouted one after another, "Let the ships behind also turn around." ”

But it was too late, and I saw that there were dozens of warships of the Sui army in front and behind, and there were dozens of them, surrounding their fleet.

Tang Junlang sat on the deck with his legs weak and his buttocks, they were finished, and in the end they still did not escape the interception of the Sui army. (To be continued.) )