Chengwu, Caozhou.

Tiny raindrops fall from the sky, and the cool breeze carries the autumn mood. The swallow wet its wings, flew over the treetops, and soon disappeared into the distance, leaving only a few crunching chirps.

It has been raining for two days, and although it is not very heavy, it has long moistened the ground and accumulated in the low-lying areas. A hare cautiously poked its head out of the grass and looked left and right, observing the environment. It was quiet near and far, drizzling and misty, as if there was no danger. It hesitated for a long time, but at last it mustered up its courage and rushed to a waterlogged low-lying place, and poked its head into it impatiently.

But after two sips, it suddenly raised its head, and looked into the distance.

The faint sound of horses' hooves came in the wind; After a while, it gradually became clear; Not long after, the ground is shaken. Soon, a group of knights ran through the trees, through the grass, through the wind, rain, and mud. The horses' hooves rumbled like thunder. The hare was so frightened that he could no longer drink any more water, so he turned around and ran.

After running two steps, a sharp arrow arrived through the air, striking it in the head and nailing it to the ground.

Among the cavalry, several people cheered in unison.

One of the black-armored knights whistled, ran diagonally out of the ranks, and went straight to the place where the hare had fallen, and without slowing down, cast a "hide in the stirrup", and picked it up with his hand; Then he turned over and saddled, sat upright, held the rabbit in one hand and controlled the reins of the horse with the other, turned inward sharply, circled around, and re-entered the team.

- It is fast to go and fast to return; What's more, the black armor he wears and the black horse he rides are running like flying in the wind and rain, just like a black dragon that is rolling waves.

The person at the front of the team laughed and said, "The little general is amazing, and Liu Saburo is unparalleled." Good! Then he turned his head and said to the people, "Roast this rabbit in the evening, and make two more jars of wine!" ”

Everyone laughed and responded: "What the little prince said is true!" ”

- This group of knights, but not ordinary cavalry. "Little Wangye" is Deng Chengzhi; "Little General" Koyonsei; "Liu Saburo" is Liu San. All of them are generals and colonels in the Haidong Army.

Most of them were originally in Yidu, and some were even far away in Xuzhou and Suzhou, but why and when did they gather on the front lines of Chengwu and Caozhou? But it turned out that after receiving the military report that Chen Hu had entered the customs, Deng She sent them.

- Not only did they come, but they were accompanied by thousands of riders. He is currently stationed in Shanxian.

Deng She sent them for two purposes, one was to train Deng Chengzhi again; One is to replenish Zhao Guo's troops. After all, Zhao Guo led his troops to fight continuously on Jining Road for a long time, and although the current situation could be dealt with temporarily, in the upcoming decisive battle, it was definitely insufficient, and some new forces needed to be replenished.

——The thousands of people brought by Deng Chengzhi are all newly formed and trained new troops; There are also some "Xu and Su" who have descended. In contrast, the combat effectiveness is still relatively strong.

……

But it is funny to say that although the main purpose of Deng She sending them here was to enhance the strength of the "Zhao Guobu", on the day of arrival, before the decisive battle with Chakhan Timur, they had already made a mistake by mistake.

The day they arrived happened to be when Timur of Chakhan sent light cavalry to attack Shanzhou at night.

The two armies met and were under the city.

On the one hand, it traveled more than 100 miles in one night; On one side is to sneak thousands of miles for several days. It was raining lightly and the morning breeze was blowing. After a moment of consternation, Gao Yanshi, the vanguard of the Haidong Army, was the first to react, and without waiting for the enemy to set up the formation, he brought dozens of personal soldiers, urged the horses, shouted wildly, and crashed into the Yuan army.

Liu San was the vanguard deputy general, and after rectifying the formation and arranging the order, he also took more than 100 horsemen and rushed into the Yuan army from the side. Echoing Gao Yanshi from afar, he entered and exited three times in the enemy formation. In an instant, the Yuan army was thrown into chaos. Immediately, Haidong Pioneer pressed on the whole line.

In less than half an hour, the Yuan army was completely chaotic and began to retreat.

Gao Yanshi pursued for a while, in the end, because of the long march, he was worried that if the soldiers were too tired, they might turn the Yuan army into victory; Therefore, he did not kill them all, and after chasing them for more than 20 miles, he withdrew to Shanzhou.

- A rush battle, which turned into a fierce encounter; And the Shanzhou defenders who were supposed to be on the field just watched from the wall; In the end, it became a guest army from afar. I really don't know whether to say that the Yuan army is unlucky, or whether to say that the luck of the Shanzhou defenders or Gao Yanshi is too good.

……

Still, local good luck; It doesn't represent good luck overall.

After the news reached Chengwu, Zhao didn't speak for a while, and after ordering Gao Yanshi's merits to be recorded, he retreated into the back hall and said to Ju Sheng: "Yin, yin and yang. If Yonsei did not have this victory, then Monk Li would not have to feign defeat. ”

Not only does it not need to be "feigned", but the "defeated" will be more realistic. It's just that Gao Yanshi and others are coming, although Zhao Guo knows; Chakhan Timur attacked Shanzhou at night, but he didn't know it, so these words were just words at most. There is no regret medicine to sell in this world, and no one can predict the prophet.

- Monk Li still has to "return from defeat".

On the morning of the same day, under the banner of "making persistent efforts" and "pursuing while victory", Monk Li went out of Chengwu City with gongs and drums; Arrive outside Caozhou in the afternoon.

He put on a smug and high morale look, and as last time, he did not even set up camp and did not give the soldiers time to rest, and launched an offensive at that time.

After the onslaught was forced, needless to say, the ending was naturally the same as the last time, and he "returned home" again.

Not only did he "return home", but he also deliberately dropped a lot of baggage, and even the artillery took the initiative to pull down two guns. The frightened and scattered war horses did not chase after them, but let them run wildly. The bodies of the dead were left on the ground, and some of the seriously wounded were left unattended. The wolves rushed and the whole army was defeated; Throw away the armor and abandon the armor, and the flag is in chaos. Either way, at least on the surface, this is an even worse defeat than the last one.

He pretended to be too similar, and Chakhan Timur sent his army out of the city and pursued him endlessly. Even in the end, the soldiers were really frightened, and the command of the upper and lower levels was in chaos. The team does not form a team, and the team does not become a team. From the generals to the soldiers, they all spread their feet and ran for their lives.

If it weren't for Zhao Guo specially sending a military horse to respond, the "feint defeat" would have been almost "really defeated".

……

There is a saying in the art of war: "It is easy to win a battle, but it is difficult to defeat a war." "If you win the battle, you can beat the water dogs; After losing the battle, the army is defeated like a mountain, and it is difficult to evacuate safely and steadily.

Therefore, to look at an officer's command art, we must not only see whether he can win the battle, but also whether he can defeat the battle. Monk Li is obviously the former, not the latter, and a "feint" almost becomes a "real defeat". But that's fine, at least it's really "fake and real".

- Chakhan Timur was completely convinced.

……

"The swallow thief attacked twice and lost twice, and washed away the frustration of my defeat in Shanzhou; The morale of the whole army was very high. The minister heard that Xiao Deng once wrote a poem, saying: 'It is advisable to chase the poor with the remaining bravery, and not to become famous and learn from the overlord'. Xiao Deng thief, although his person is not desirable; But there is something merit in his poem.

"......, my lord, the confrontation between the enemy and us has been going on for a long time, and the soldiers urgently need a big victory to boost their fighting spirit. In the humble opinion of the ministers, it is better to take this opportunity to chase after the enemy, challenge Chengwu City, and force Zhao Thief to go out of the city to fight with me. victory, you can sweep away this trouble; Even if you can't win, you will never be defeated if you come with your subordinates. ”

The long confrontation wore out Li Weixin's patience little by little, and he said to Chahan so impassionedly. He was a wise strategist, and so he was; The impatience of the generals and sharp soldiers in the Chahan army with the current situation and the desire to fight can be imagined.

Tsakhan Timur groaned and said, "Treat others with yourself." I've been fighting the thieves for a long time, and our army is eager for a fight, but I expect the Red Thieves to do the same. ......, Zhao Thief refused to fight a decisive battle, and refused to retreat, what was his intention? You and I still can't figure it out! Although he suffered two defeats in a row, before he was sure of his intentions, he rashly went out of the city to challenge and urge him to fight in the field, I am afraid that it would be a bit reckless. ”

In the end, it was Chakhan Timur, a veteran soldier. "Know yourself and know your opponent, and you will not be defeated in a hundred battles." Now that he "doesn't know the other", he rushes to war, which is indeed a bit reckless. What if you fall into the trap of the enemy? Don't you regret it?

Li Weixin said: "What is the opinion of the lord? ”

Tsakhan Timur got up and paced around the room with his hands in his hands.

While he was pondering, someone outside the door came to report: "The envoy of the capital has arrived, please take the holy decree." ”

Chakhan Timur was stunned for a moment, turned his head unconsciously, and glanced at Li Weixin. Li Weixin also had a blank expression. The decree came too suddenly. Inexplicably, why did the Holy Decree come at this time?

Chakhan Timur settled down and said, "Quickly put the incense case and gather the generals." ......, sir, please join the old man to welcome the messenger and receive the holy decree. ”

……

Most of the envoys came, and there is no need to say much about the content of the holy decree sent, it is clear. Naturally, it was Emperor Yuan's request for help and the order of the princes in various places.

Take the messenger and read the decree. Tsakhan Timur respectfully and politely asked the messenger to rest first, smiled and said that he would receive the wind in the evening; turned around, his face was covered with frost, and he entered the study with Li Weixin and others.

There was a feeling of being deceived, and with a "snap", Chakhan Timur threw a teacup on the table on the ground, was very angry, and said: "'I have been beating geese all my life, but I was pecked blind by sparrows. 'I fell for the Deng thief and fell for the Zhao thief's plan! The old man said that why did he refuse to fight, and he refused to retreat? But it turns out that the mechanism is calculated here! Do one thing as a front for another. Facing the old man in the open, but secretly he intends to do the capital! ......, hehe, haha, this Deng thief is really bold! ”

"It's no use throwing tantrums now. ......, lord, the emperor has summoned you to the aid of King Qin. Is this 'aid' galloping or not? Is this 'king' diligent or not? ”

According to the holy decree, he should immediately go north to King Qin. Why did Li Weixin say this? And after he said it, there were more than a dozen people in the room, including advisers and generals, and none of them were surprised.

Why? As Hong Jixun and Deng She's analysis before, although Chakhan Timur was named Yuanchen, he actually divided one side and became a prince. For him, Emperor Yuan's holy decree has actually become a chicken rib, dispensable. If it's good for him and he wants to hear it, listen to it. If you feel that it is not good for him and you don't want to listen to it, you don't listen. He has strong enough strength, between listening and not listening, who can help it?

Li Weixin's voice landed, and Wang Baobao said: "Most of them are surrounded, and the emperor is in danger. If you don't help at this time, my father will be despised by the heroes of the world! ”

Li Weixin shook her head and said disapprerovingly: "Zhao thieves have tens of thousands of soldiers, blocking our way. Even if you don't rush to help, it makes sense. ”

"The Zhao thief is newly defeated, and our army has won consecutive victories; It's not that our army has lost in a row, and Zhao thieves have won in a row. How can it be said that he is blocking the way of our army? In terms of the current situation, Monk Li has just returned from a great defeat, and almost his entire army has been wiped out under the city of Caozhou. If our army goes out of the city and goes north, Zhao Thief will not dare to stop it. ”

The young marshal has a point. ......, but what is the benefit of rushing to the aid of King Qin? ”

"You!"

Wang Baobao didn't have a good impression of Li Weixin, and when he heard this, he was furious, raised his sleeves, and said loudly: "The lord is worried about the humiliation of the ministers, and the lord is humiliated by the death of the ministers." Now that the emperor is in trouble, how can we, as courtiers, stand idly by? The father did not hesitate to fight hardships, rose up in cloth, fell into the land of life and death, and fought in the north and south, what did he do? Isn't it just to conquer chaos and violence, clear the universe, and level the world for the Son of Heaven? ......, it is precisely because of this that the heroes of the world all take their fathers as models. Li Weixin! But you are here, now, here, bewitching your father and not saving Dadu, and sitting back and watching the Son of Heaven fall into death and ignore it. What is your heart? ”

Wang Baobao's words were righteous and awe-inspiring. Actually, did he really think so? Not necessarily. He paused slightly, then continued, "Besides, 'there are no eggs under the nest'. If most of them fall and the Son of Heaven becomes a prisoner, where will you and I go? ”

Chakhan Timur muttered to himself: "You and I, where do we go? ”

"Yes, father, if you sit idly by, once the Son of Heaven is imprisoned, Datong Polo Timur, the hundred-legged insect will die and not stiffen; Guanzhong Zhang Liangbi generals, this fashion is not convinced by his father, let alone at that time? Lingbei and Guanwai have rebelled in front of King Yangzhai, if there is no more Son of Heaven? ......, father, if you don't save Dadu, the child dares to assert that there will be two situations, one or the other. ”

"What two cases?"

One of them is as the child said. The generals of Guanzhong, Lingbei, and Datong will be divided or divided from the king; Or support the clan as the emperor. They disobey each other and attack each other. Father will also be involved. ......, then the Haidong Deng thieves and the Jiangnan Zhukou will not be able to control it from now on! ”

"Second?"

"Second, if the Deng thief can't capture Dadu, he will return in vain; If the father does not save him, he will lose the hearts and hopes of the people in the world. ”

Chakhan Timur was silent.

Li Weixin said: "The young marshal's worries are inherent in the truth. But now the Liaoyang thief has just entered the belly, and the momentum is strong and sharp; On the other hand, our army has been confronting Zhao Thief for a long time, and the soldiers are tired, and if they drive north for a long time, they will be even more overwhelmed. If you rush to the aid at this time, it will be my shortness and the strength of the enemy. If we rush north, I am afraid that not only will we not be able to save Dadu, but our army will also fall into death. This wise man does not take it. ”

"When you meet on a narrow road, the brave wins! Since ancient times, there has been no talk of saving the country, only warriors who kill the enemy and open up the territory. Scholars talk emptyly, and the country is misguided. ......, father, you once taught your children: 'It's a pity to do great things'! At this time, too, when I am doing great things.

"If I am short, I will strike the enemy long. The holy decree is clear, the Liaoyang thief enters the belly from Liaoyang, and the road is thousands of miles; And before entering the customs, he first fought a big battle with Shijiabao in western Liaoning; In the abdomen, and a fierce battle on Yongping Road for several days, it is 'the end of the strong crossbow can not wear Lu Minye'. And the thief Chen Hu, who has been in Liaodong for a long time, does not know the truth in his belly, does not know the situation in the Central Plains, has the name of brutality, and has no reputation for being good at fighting, he is just a butcher, and he can't even be called a brave general, so why be afraid?

"On the other hand, looking at our army, although it has confronted Zhao Thief for many days, it has won two victories in a row, and the new defeat of Li Thief is just when morale is high. And the king of diligence rescues the driver, which is unusual, and everyone must strive to be the first.

"To sum up, no matter what aspect our army is, it has an advantage. How can this be said that 'the wise do not take'? ”

"Even if, as the young marshal said, our army has the upper hand. But after going north, the Zhao thief will inevitably pursue at the tail end, and when the time comes, there are Liaoyang thieves in front of our army and Zhao thieves in the back; It is also very likely that the Deng thief will lead the army westward and strike me in the waist and abdomen. ......, how is it good to be attacked on three sides? ”

"At the end of the Liaoyang thief's strong crossbow, the army of the Zhao thief was repeatedly defeated, even if the Deng thief went west, how many people could he bring with him? I have garrisons in all the states and roads of the Tang Dynasty, and the strong soldiers and brave generals are enough to resist them. ”

The two argued fiercely. Some of the people in the room agreed with Li Weixin and some agreed with Wang Baobao. The two opinions were deadlocked, and neither had the upper hand. After debating for a while, there was still a stalemate, so they all stopped, turned their eyes together, looked at Chakhan Timur, and asked him to decide.

Chakhan Timur has not spoken, and Fang Cai's anger has long been gone, the person has calmed down, pondered, and after a while, he smiled and said: "My family's Qianli horse has grown!" ”