Chapter 36: The nations are shaken
At this time, this land with many gangs is about to become the main battlefield of a big war. Many gangs have either been lurking or disbanded, and have disappeared. Only a few gangs who wanted to tie up with the Northern Yan military stayed behind and acted as spies.
Most people are not optimistic about Murong Ming's side. The Wenren family is also paying attention to this battle. Although it is impossible to openly support Murong Ming, from the bottom of their hearts, they hope that Murong Ming's side will win.
Duan Qiu, Liu Xuan, and Fu Hui continued to lead the Xuan Gang to sweep away the rest of the gangs that were enemies of their own, and Dongfang Ye, Cheng Yin, Mo Fei, and Xue Wuxian led the Northern Yan people to fight with Murong Ming.
Nominally, the four of them were generals under Murong Ming. They divided the 200,000 troops into three routes, of which Dongfang Ye Mofei led 80,000 horses, Xue Wuxian led 60,000 horses, and Mo Fei led 60,000 horses. Murong Ming followed Dongfang Ye's army, which was also to protect Murong Ming.
The actual commander of this battle was Dongfangye.
The three-way soldiers and horses are distributed in a triangular shape, relying on favorable terrain and occupying the initiative. This was the situation when the charter army arrived. When he saw the terrain of this place and the distribution of the three armies, he knew that Murong Ming's army was not a rabble at all as he had thought before, but an elite army. If nothing else, let's just talk about the presence of the army like this. The leader knows how to use the army.
No matter what kind of art of war, the most important thing is to adapt measures to local conditions, guide according to the situation, not stick to form, and adapt to changes. Relying on the mountains and hills of this place, the three-way soldiers and horses are in a three-legged position, and the soldiers and horses owned by each team are also very cleverly arranged. Although the total number of men was only 200,000, if the 300,000 soldiers and horses of the charter attacked with all their might, it would certainly be eaten all the way, but as long as the other two armies attacked from the flank and the rear, then the army of the charter would be defeated.
If the charter divides the forces to attack, it is impossible to capture them if the forces are evenly divided. If one is strong and two are weak, then any two other armies on Murong Ming's side will attack, and the result will also be defeated.
This awkward situation is very distressing to the charter. For a while, there was no way but to gather 300,000 people in one place and confront Murong Ming. On the one hand, the charter used the power of the local gangs to try to find a feasible solution, and on the other hand, he sent people to ask Emperor Yu for help and ask for more troops.
This made Emperor Yu extremely annoyed in his heart. He could never have imagined that this would be the case. However, he is not a fool, although he does not understand military affairs, after reading the detailed analysis of the charter, he also understands that with the current strength of the charter army, it is impossible to successfully defeat Murong Ming's army. After some careful consideration, Emperor Yu decided to increase his troops to help. Among them, the Wenren family gave him a lesson and asked if he could go to support. It was quickly vetoed by him.
He was very wary of the Wenren family in his heart, how dare he let the Wenren family go. It's not that he didn't want to let the Wenren family go to support, so as to test the loyalty of the Wenren family. However, this idea was quickly dismissed by him. He knew very well in his heart that once the Wenren family led the troops to the battlefield, there would be countless ways to defeat the charter army. There are countless plausible excuses to shirk responsibility after the fact. He knew very well in his heart what kind of attitude the Wenren family would have towards Murong Ming. Murong Ming is the grandson of the Wenren family.
Emperor Yu didn't believe that Murong Qing was able to take Murong Ming to escape from Yandu back then, and there was no secret help from the Wenren family. Otherwise, after this incident, why did the Wenren family move out of Yandu. Lead the army to guard the border passes. It's not that I'm afraid of doing something to them. It's not the same with a family leading an army on a campaign. Although it is far away from the Northern Yan Dynasty and the center of power, after all, it has a million army in his hands, and the mountain is high and the emperor is far away. There is simply no way to take them yourself. This is the safest way to do so.
Murong Qing, Murong Ming's sister and brother have been active so close to the Wenren family for so many years, and their power has developed to such a large size, if there is no secret help from the Wenren family, Emperor Yu can be killed and killed.
In this way, Emperor Yu sent Pingnan General Ren Xia to lead an army of 300,000 to aid the charter. After receiving the news, the charter's heart was settled. However, he did not waste time and food in vain, but took advantage of this gap to clean up the gangs in this area. A small force was sent to continue to harass the three battalions. This caused the gangs in this area to either defect to the Northern Yan army or submit to the Xuan Gang. There is no other way out. This has also completely wiped out the countless gangs that have been active in the area for many years.
In general, there are far more gangs that have taken refuge in the Xuan Gang than in the charter. The main thing is that the system of the Xuan Gang is more beneficial to them, and the Xuan Gang is a gang after all, far more free than the army. It also makes it easier for gang forces to accept.
The news that Ren Xia led the army to help was quickly transmitted by Xiao Che to Dongfang Ye. In the letter, Xiao Che gave his analysis of the situation, as well as a complete coping strategy. In the document, Xiao Che wrote: "In view of the fact that the overall strength of the two armies of the Ren Xia Army and the Charter Army is far stronger than our army, it is recommended to secretly let the people of the Xuan Gang replace the current 200,000 army and continue to confront the Charter." Then the 200,000 troops were secretly withdrawn and gathered in the necessary place of the Ren Xia army, Qingdang Mountain. Ambush Ren Xia from here, and then rush to the Charter's army from the rear. In this way, we will win. ”
In addition, the back of the letter also attached the marching route planned by Xiao Che and the way to change the day. According to Xiao Che's meaning, the 200,000 army could not be withdrawn at once, but in batches. And it is strictly confidential through queue control. Prevent someone inside the Xuan Gang from betraying the information.
Seeing Xiao Che's letter, after carefully studying its feasibility, Dongfang Ye decided to act according to Xiao Che's strategy. If it was according to Xiao Che's plan, Murong Ming would need to stay here to contain the Chartered Army. And from time to time, he has to show his face, so that the charter army will not arouse suspicion. This is the only thing that worries Dongfangye. After all, his own cultivation is strong, and it is safest for Murong Ming to follow him, but in order to quickly defeat Ren Xiajun, it is the best choice to personally command. This made Dongfang Ye very embarrassed.
No matter what, Murong Ming's life is the most important thing, even if this battle fails, Murong Ming must be preserved, after all, Murong Ming is here, they can occupy the righteousness, only when Murong Ming becomes the Emperor of Northern Yan can the alliance of the northern countries be fundamentally disintegrated. Only then can the Qingxuan Empire fundamentally solve the crisis.
Murong Ming firmly told Dongfang Ye to stay here, so that Dongfang Ye could lead his troops with peace of mind. This made Dongfang Ye pay more respect to Murong Ming. After all, not everyone has the courage to defy danger.
In this way, they began to lay out according to Xiao Che's strategy. From Dongfang Ye, the snow is without a trace, and Duan Qiu led an army of 200,000 to ambush the Ren Xia army that came to support in Qingdang Mountain. Murong Ming, Mo Fei, Cheng Yin, Liu Xuan, and Fu Hui led the Xuan Gang to disguise themselves as the previous 200,000 troops to confront the charter army here.
Ren Xia's army galloped all the way, in order to round with the charter army as soon as possible, Ren Xia knew that dragging it out too long would hit the morale of the charter army. Soon they arrived at Qingdang Mountain.
Qingdang Mountain is a mountain range that spans many countries. After Qingdang Mountain, it is an area under no people's jurisdiction. It was less than three days away from the Chartered Army garrison. Seeing this, this made Ren Xia's heart feel a little relaxed. After all, after this mountain, it won't be long before you can join forces with the charter army.
It's still early, Ren Xia calculated, he can pass through this place in the evening, and he plans to pass through this place quickly and camp in the evening.
When passing through Qingdang Mountain, Ren Xiajun was very cautious, although it was during the day, although it was almost impossible to encounter any ambush, but Ren Xia's cautious character still made him cautious. After half a day's rapid march, the army passed through Qingdang Mountain smoothly under tension, and nothing happened. This made Ren Xia breathe a sigh of relief. Soon the army began to set up camp and make fires and make food. After most of the day's stressful march, the sergeants were very tired. This is the time when everyone is at their most relaxed.
At this moment, the sound of shaking the mountains burst out, no need to ask, naturally Dongfang Ye, who had been in ambush here for a long time, led an army of 200,000 and swooped down from the mountain towards the Renxia army. When Ren Xia's army was marching in Qingdang Mountain, Dongfang Ye and they were secretly observing all this, and at that time, someone suggested launching an attack. However, Dongfang Ye said that the time was not yet ripe. When Ren Xiajun was in Qingdang Mountain, he was cautious and extremely cautious. Even if the Dongfang Ye army launched an attack with leisure and waiting, even if it succeeded in annihilating Ren Xia's army, I am afraid that it would suffer heavy losses.
The soldiers obeyed Dongfangye's order, and waited until Ren Xia's army was tired after a day, set up camp at dusk, made food and made a fire, and suddenly killed when he let go of all precautions. This move really made Ren Xia Jun defenseless. When Dongfang Ye led an army of 200,000 to attack with all his might, Ren Xia knew that they were finished. After a night of fierce fighting, the 300,000 Ren Xia army was wiped out, and Ren Xia was also killed by Dongfang Ye.
The battlefield was quickly cleaned up, and after a short period of repair, Dongfang Ye led the army to the garrison of the Chartered Army non-stop. He didn't dare to delay time, for fear that the charter army would learn the news of the annihilation of Ren Xia's army, and take the initiative to attack Murong Ming's Xuan Gang disguised as a large army.
With Murong Ming's strength, even if they don't wipe out the entire army all at once, I'm afraid they won't be able to last long. After all, although the members of the Xuan Gang are extraordinary, they are not good at army combat. They are also not familiar with each other. This also made Dongfang Ye discover the shortcomings of the Xuan Gang itself. After this battle, he will set out to solve the problems exposed by the Xuan Gang this time.
Although the Ren Xia army was completely wiped out, there were still scattered soldiers who fled the battlefield. On the third night of the fall of Ren Xia's army, the charter got the news of the destruction of Ren Xia's army. It was the local gang that defected to the charter and caught the fleeing soldiers in Ren Xia's army, and then got the news that shocked the charter.
The charter met the soldier and quickly learned what was going on. The root of the annihilation of Ren Xia's army was the 200,000 troops under the command of Murong Ming, who originally confronted him. According to the intelligence summary, he quickly guessed that it was the Xuan Gang who replaced the 200,000 army here. This made him extremely angry. I was tricked unconsciously.
In this way, the fall of Ren Xiajun is inseparable from himself. If it weren't for the fact that he let people successfully complete the stealing of beams and changing pillars under their noses, Ren Xia Jun would not have been wiped out. Strictly speaking, it is still their own responsibility that is the greatest.
This made the charter angry and anxious. Soon he ordered a fierce attack at all costs against the positions of the three armies, which had been replaced by the Xuan Gang.
The charter launched a crazy attack, so that Murong Ming, who was guarding here, knew that Dongfang Ye and they had succeeded, but they didn't know what the result of the battle was. They didn't have to wait long, and the secret agent sent by Dongfang Ye returned to this place through the unknown secret path to report the news to them. And said that Dongfang Ye and they would arrive tomorrow morning, so that they would hold on all night no matter what. Wait for the army to arrive, and annihilate the charter army in one fell swoop.
Without the slightest hesitation, Murong Ming ordered to hold on to this place and wait for the army to come back.
He gathered 200,000 soldiers and horses to attack Murong Ming's position with all his might, and he knew that this was his only chance. Now the tide of battle doesn't allow him to make any other choice. There is only one way, and that is to catch Murong Ming. When he learned that Ren Xia's army was destroyed, his generals also suggested that they withdraw from the battlefield and flee. The general was immediately killed by him.
He knew very well that if he really led the army to withdraw from the battlefield, if Murong Ming dared to take the initiative to attack, it would be enough for him, and besides, the Dongfang Ye army could arrive at any time, and then he would be completely annihilated. If the news reaches the ears of Emperor Yu, he will never have a way to live, not to mention that his family is still in Yandu. These were all things he had to consider. So he didn't have any way back.
Murong Ming personally went to the battlefield and joined forces with the Xuan Gang to repel attack after attack.
The other two camps were led by Duan Qiu and Cheng Yin respectively. They saw that the charter had gone crazy and attacked Murong Ming's camp. They were also anxious. The charter used 200,000 troops and horses to attack Murong Ming's camp, and the other 100,000 troops defended Duan Qiu and Cheng Yin respectively. The two of them each led 60,000 horses, which could not compete with the 100,000 horses of the charter. If you really rush to attack, you will only end up in failure, and if you don't do it, you will be surrounded and eliminated by the charter.
However, if they were to watch Murong Ming's 80,000 troops resist the 200,000 army of the charter alone, it would not be realistic to even watch Murong Ming's 80,000 people annihilate. Although Duan Qiu and Cheng Yin were anxious, they also forcibly calmed down. Soon Duan Qiu found a feasible solution.
Soon Duan Qiu gave the order to attack and defend the troops on Cheng Yin's side. The decision he made was simple, abandon the place and wipe out the living forces of the Chartered Army. To put it bluntly, it is guerrilla tactics. He believes that Cheng Yin will see his offensive direction, understand his intentions, and cooperate with him.
Although this move is risky, once it is successful, it will solve the current dilemma.
When Duan Qiu's army attacked Cheng Yin's 50,000 troops from the flank, they didn't know what was going on, and when they learned that Duan Qiu had abandoned his position and attacked the army defending himself, Cheng Yin immediately understood Duan Qiu's intentions. Immediately afterwards, she also gave up her position and cooperated with Duan Qiu to attack with all her might. Under the attack of the two armies, the 50,000 army here was quickly defeated, but the army defending Duan Qiu on the other side foolishly captured an empty and worthless position. This made the charter who learned the news very angry, and dismissed the leader of the army on the spot.
After Duan Qiu and Cheng Yin successfully defeated the 50,000 troops of the charter, they immediately turned back and attacked the other 50,000 troops who had just entered Duan Qiu's position and were replaced by the charter. After all, Duan Qiu had occupied this place for a while, and he was extremely familiar with the terrain here, and under Duan Qiu's command, he quickly defeated the 50,000 troops. This made the charter go crazy with anger.
After this battle, he could only withdraw part of the troops attacking Murong Ming to defend against Duan Qiuchengyin, who had been merged into one. The remnants of the army that were defeated by Duan Qiu Chengyin were quickly collected back by the charter. According to statistics, 50,000 of the 100,000 men and horses were lost, and more than 80,000 people lost their combat strength with the addition of the wounded. This is almost equivalent to crippling the 100,000 troops.
Mu Mingming's side obviously felt that the offense of the charter was not as good as before, which made him breathe a sigh of relief. Soon he knew the results of Duan Qiu and Cheng Yin's battle. This made him know that he would win this time.
By now, the charter knew that it was impossible to defeat and capture Murong Ming. He also has the intention of withdrawing from the battlefield, as for Emperor Yu's anger, he has no way to take care of it, staying here, not only will he not be able to live, but these more than 200,000 soldiers will also die here. But just as he gave the order to withdraw from the battlefield, it was too late. The sky was still gray, and the night was creeping away. The first rays of morning light have not yet appeared, but there are earth-shattering shouts of killing around them, and at this moment, the charter knows that he is finished.
Dongfang Ye led the army back ahead of schedule. Murong Ming and Duan Qiu Chengyin also knew for the first time that at this moment, Murong Ming, Duan Qiu Chengyin and Dongfang Ye's army would besiege the 200,000 remnants of the charter army to the death, and just wait for an order, the charter army would completely disappear from the world. However, just as the three armies were preparing for a final assault. To everyone's surprise, the charter ordered 200,000 men, all disarmed, to surrender on the spot. Seeing this, Dongfang Ye and the others did not completely wipe out the charter army. When ordering the army to surrender, the charter himself committed suicide on the spot, only to be saved by the quick-eyed Dongfang Ye.
Seeing this, the charter's face turned pale. The reason why he chose to surrender was because he knew that he had completely lost this battle, and for the lives of 200,000 soldiers, this was the best choice. And the reason why he chose to commit suicide was for Yandu's family. He hoped that as long as he committed suicide, Emperor Yu would let his family go because of his actions. But God didn't let him die, and Dongfang Ye rescued him. He knew that at this moment, with Emperor Yu's character and means, his family in Yandu was over.
At this moment, he wanted to hate, but the next moment he was confused, he didn't know who to hate, did he hate Dongfang Ye, did he hate Murong Ming, did he hate Emperor Yu, did he hate himself? He hated everyone, and he couldn't hate it.
In this way, a battle in which both sides invested millions of men and horses came to an end. In this battle, the two sides dispatched a total of 1 million military horses. The Xuan Gang dispatched 200,000 regular troops and 200,000 Jianghu forces, a total of 400,000, and less than 100,000 were killed in battle. The Northern Yan Empire dispatched 300,000 military horses and 300,000 Xia Ministries, a total of 600,000, and nearly 400,000 were killed in battle.
In fact, many small countries, with a combined regular army of less than one million, were shocked by the fact that the battle that did not attract much attention at the beginning eventually evolved into a million-level battle. For the first time, the Xuan Gang showed their combat power to the world.
The Northern Yan Dynasty, as the center, has also become stormy because of Murong Ming and this battle.