Ten miles to the northwest outside Youzhou City, the temporary Chinese army in Baoguang Temple on the bank of Sanggan River was enveloped in a rather heavy and suffocating atmosphere for a while.
Because of an unexpected incident, most of the main generals of the Pinglu Army as foreign aid gathered here, discussing in low voices the next step and staying, and from time to time looking at the large silk scroll hanging on the wall.
As the convener of both armies, Liu Menglong, the commander of both armies, watched confidently and calmly as his fellow army officer introduced the latest situation and briefings in public.
In fact, before this, he had already found himself in a dilemma; first, he had suffered a setback in the first battle the day before yesterday, and almost lost the most elite group of troops in front of firearms.
Then, yesterday, after converging with the Pinglu Army from the other two groups who had arrived one after another, and after a short consultation and negotiation, they selected capable men who dared to die and launched another overnight attack. However, they were hit by the Huai Army again in the camp under the city. empty city strategy;
Nearly 3,000 cavalrymen were attacked on the spot, and almost no one survived under the siege of four ambushes and firearms. Then, during the contact and separation from the battle, more than 1,000 cavalrymen were killed one after another, most of which were the more precious cavalry under his command.
Reaching this step is enough for Liu Menglong to have the corresponding intention to retire, and to rest and recuperate elsewhere before making plans;
After all, except for the Governor Han Zhongyan who is trapped in the city, he has become the most powerful existence among the only remaining military orders in Pinglu Road. If it were in the past, he would have been at least one of the remaining four towns. Even the deputy governor-general who was given the title of Jiedu Envoy was also considered.
To be more serious, if something unexpected happens to Han Zhongyan, the governor of the city, he will take over the banner and be the first senior official of the vassal towns in Pingludao.
Even if things get really bad in the end and make it difficult to do anything, he can still rely on the military power at hand to go to the land behind the mountains or retreat to the border between Hebei and Pinglu, and continue to separate dozens of local states. The city is not a way to retreat to protect oneself and wait for a price between surrounding forces.
However, most of the generals under his command believed that the other party was waiting for him to rescue them because their families and relatives were all in Youzhou City. The turbulent public sentiment they initiated because of this actually subverted the wishes of most of the army, and It made him somewhat hesitant to retreat lightly.
Especially after the two men and horses were reunited with the entire division from Hebei Province at great cost and conditions, it became even more impossible for this idea to appear on the table;
Although, according to his rank and seniority, he is still regarded as the most respected person and is responsible for coordinating the joint advancement and retreat of the three groups; but the other two generals are obviously not fuel-efficient lamps, although they swear by foreign enemies. We must work together to overcome difficulties, but we will not mind any opportunity to replace the leadership of these troops.
What's more, even after the initial losses of troops and generals, the two groups of troops returning one after another, as well as the local soldiers and archers who were coerced and recruited along the way, have included the last few defense soldiers and military households along the border. The number of available soldiers under his command once again reached the so-called 60,000, of which there were at least 40,000 capable soldiers.
This inevitably gave many Pinglu generals, including him, some illusion and confidence that they might not be able to fight the Huai army temporarily, or argue with them;
After all, no matter how sharp and capable the opponent's firearms are, it is hard to say how much fighting spirit and combat power is left after the fatigue of the teacher after the siege and street fighting, as well as the exhaustion of the fierce battle.
Especially after the Huai Army voluntarily gave up and demolished the opposing camps outside the city overnight, they gave them such encouragement and hints. The other side obviously had insufficient troops and needed to shrink its defense lines and concentrate resources to maintain the city. on the defensive.
After all, judging from their exploration and observation, it was obvious that the defenders under the command of the Metropolitan Governor in the city were still resisting, and most of the Huai Army had never been able to resolve the battle and was still trapped in the city, unable to divide more troops. For them, this series of news will inevitably make people more optimistic and confident.
Of course, compared to the middle- and lower-class soldiers who had been angered and dizzy by the bad news of their family's suffering and the fall of their hometown, Liu Menglong, as a relatively clear-headed and far-sighted senior general, had fully learned the lesson. After the Huai Army was "number one in field defense", it certainly wouldn't think that things were that simple.
To be able to defeat the Huai Army and break its myth and reputation of being "invincible" is certainly a great thing and a rare achievement and great achievement. It is enough to push oneself to a more worthy of the name; but it also lacks a big enough possibility. Sex and opportunity, after all, the other party has already taken advantage of the city defense;
After seeing the power and strength of the Huai Army in battle, he did not want to easily consume the effective force in his hands and lose his voice and dominant position in the army.
Therefore, his purpose is more to contain and harass the opponent's effective forces through constant probing military attacks, divide his troops to harass and cut off his food routes and escape routes; and even the internal and external forces work together to form a pressure and trend that is difficult to ignore. Achieve the basic purpose of promoting peace through war;
After all, after this attack, the long-standing settlement of Pinglu Road was once again wiped out. From the vassal town to the local area, it was also ruined and withered, and its vitality was greatly weakened. There was no capital and support to continue the war against the four parties, and all it could do was to find a way to survive. Gou An settled down to a draw.
Therefore, being able to prevent the other party from being able to gain a foothold on Pinglu Road and having to retreat from Youzhou City despite the difficulties, as well as the rescue and preservation efforts gained from this, is already the most important thing he can achieve. Good psychological expectations;
And at the worst, we have to rely on these strengths to reach some kind of alliance-like agreement with the Huai army that is occupying Pinglu Road;
For example, through a secret agreement in private, he could sacrifice the governor and his followers who were still fighting in the city in exchange for better conditions for these powerful factions under his command; or seek a wider space and retreat, and obtain more realistic benefits. Compensation, instead of being held hostage by military sentiment and public opinion, and facing a long-term dilemma.
But no matter what, he must first obtain a sufficient upper hand against the enemy within a short period of time to inspire people and serve as the basis and confidence for subsequent negotiations with the Huai Army.
However, as if God heard his voice, such an opportunity suddenly appeared in front of him;
A small group of cross-dressing sergeants carried the seal and blood letter of Governor Han and broke out to ask for help. After going through all kinds of hardships and being hunted and killed by the Huai Army cavalry outside the city, they finally encountered his patrolmen and were brought The last few survivors came back scarred and dying.
Although the news and seals brought by the other party, apart from symbolic supervision and encouragement, had little practical significance to them, the news and inside information unintentionally given by one of the captains made him pay special attention to it. .
For example, in addition to the military strength to guard and patrol the gates, most of the Huai army is now engaged in street fighting and looting in the inner city, and the control over the outer city is relatively empty;
Another example is the hidden danger of several places on the outer city wall being in disrepair and causing serious internal collapse; the location of several large prisoner camps and management areas in the city,
So the reasons and names he wanted, as well as the corresponding mature conditions, seemed to be available all at once.
Therefore, no matter how cautious and suspicious Liu Menglong is, he can only put aside his relatively stable and conservative style for the time being, and take a little risk to seize this opportunity.
On the other hand, it is because of realistic needs and compulsions that he no longer has to make a decision;
In order to rush back to Pinglu Daolai in time, they almost gave up most of the loot and people captured from Hebei, and did not take care of the territory they had already occupied, but only brought the most basic baggage and half a month. Just rations.
Although there were supplements from looting along the way and local aid, for the various soldiers and horses gathered outside Youzhou City, it was a drop in the bucket and not enough to sustain the long-term.