Xie Ming

Chapter 27 River Crossing Plan
"Well, according to what you said, the two deserters have been captured by the bandits."

"Since they know there's something wrong with the fishing village, then our location will also be revealed! It's just a matter of time!"

Xiao Jingchuan followed Gu Changting's thoughts.

"Yes, General! This is exactly what I am worried about!" Gu Changting said.

Thinking of this, Xiao Jingchuan turned around and gave an order.

"Wang Chuanwu!"

"exist!"

"Quickly send out some scouts to guard the area 500 steps to the east and west of our current position. If you see any traces of bandits, fire your guns to warn them!"

"Yes!" Wang Chuanwu took the order and did it quickly.

After giving the order, Xiao Lang took out a monocular telescope from his arms and looked south towards the east bank of the Hun River.

"Assuming that the deserter has indeed been caught, we cannot say that we are completely passive now."

"The enemy doesn't know that we already know about this, which is a good thing!"

"Chang Ting, come here, help me keep an eye on the east bank of the Hun River!"

As he said that, Xiao Jingchuan threw the telescope into Gu Changting's arms, and Changting took over the shift.

"Fei Yu (Qiu Zhizhong), what are the results of the investigation in the fishing village?" Xiao Lang turned the conversation to Qiu Zhizhong.

"Oh, that's it."

"After we entered the small fishing village, we picked the largest house and started to inquire. We found out that the resident in the inner room was the village chief."

"According to his detailed explanation, at present, there should be no troops stationed on the west bank of the Hun River."

"It is now late March, and the temperature has warmed up a lot. The ice in the shallow water near the river bank has almost melted. Fishermen in the village have started to go down to the river to pull nets to catch fish, and they often need to go to the west bank."

"So what he said, in my opinion, should be true!"

"Also, many of their fishing boats and rafts have been seized by bandits in the past two days. I think they are targeting our army."

“However, I inquired and learned that there are still some old rafts left in the village.”

"These rafts were no longer used and were piled up in a reed marsh half a mile west of the fishing village. Because no one was using them, no one remembered to report when the enemy troops went to collect the boats."

"Oh? Is this old raft still usable for crossing the water?" Xiao Jingchuan asked immediately.

"The clan leader said that it should be usable!" Qiu Zhizhong replied.

"Approximately how many are there?" Xiao Lang asked again.

"About twenty or so, and some may be damaged."

"Old Xiao, do you want to cross the river from the west side of this small fishing village?" Qiu Zhizhong asked back.

Hearing this, Xiao Jingchuan stroked his chin and thought carefully.

"Our northern rafts can carry about ten people at a time. Considering the water conditions and width of this section of the Hun River, it would take at least a quarter of an hour to paddle back and forth."

"If that's the case, five hundred soldiers would need about twenty-five rafts to cross the river within half an hour."

"Feiyu (Qiu Zhizhong), look westwards in the mountains near that fishing village. Do you see any other small fishing villages like this?"

"No! I paid special attention to it." Qiu Zhizhong replied.

"Well, that's it. Actually, when we crossed the mountain and arrived here yesterday, I sent scouts to the west. This is the only fishing village within 20 miles to the west!"

After he finished speaking, Xiao Jingchuan suddenly let out a long sigh.

"Old Xiao, didn't you say before that we don't have to cross the river from here? It's also feasible to go west and take a detour to Sanpo?" Qiu Zhizhong didn't understand why Xiao Lang was so persistent in forcing a crossing here.

"Haha, time is coming!"

"The situation is changing rapidly right now. In the north, there will be a bigger catastrophe in the near future. It's brewing!"

"So, every point we can get is a point!"

"Haha, let's not talk about this anymore, otherwise the mayor will call me a charlatan again!" Xiao Jingchuan joked.

"Okay, Lao Xiao, I don't know where your premonition comes from, but we don't have the equipment to cross the river. What are you going to do?"

Qiu Zhizhong did not comment and continued to ask questions.

Hearing this, Xiao Jingchuan took a deep breath and stood up from the big rock he had just sat on.

Not far away, Wang Chuanwu, who had just finished his work, was trotting back to report. "General! The scouts have been arranged!" Wang Chuanwu said.

"Well, don't rest. Go and call Sun Peizhong from the team over. I have to arrange the next battle plan!"

When Wang Chuanwu heard that there was going to be another battle soon, he became more spirited.

"Yes, hey, I'll go right away!"

In a short while, Sun Peizhong also came jogging excitedly.

"General, you called me!"

"Well, come on, come and talk!"

As he said this, Xiao Lang waved his hand and called Sun Peizhong to his side.

"How is it? We have been delayed here for a while. Have the brothers had enough rest?" Xiao Jingchuan said.

"Don't worry, General. We've put in our best efforts and are waiting for your instructions!" Sun Peizhong gave a very nice answer.

"Okay, that's good!"

"It's like this. I called you here to tell you about our next plan of advance."

"Half an hour ago, Feiyu (Qiu Zhizhong) led a group to investigate the small fishing village and brought back two very useful pieces of information."

"First, there is a high probability that there are no troops stationed in ambush on the west bank of the Hun River."

"Second, there are about twenty broken rafts half a mile west of the fishing village that might be used to cross the river."

"I mentioned this when I was about to kill the general. Some of the servants who came with us defected. Logically, since the bandits knew they were going to attack the fishing village, there is no reason why they would not know our current location."

"The enemy troops on the east bank of the river are still quiet because they are probably still deploying troops. It is unknown whether they will attack with heavy troops in the near future."

"I plan to have the main force follow me and set off immediately, marching quickly to the mountain ridge north of the fishing village to wait for orders."

"Sun Peizhong, you will lead the 100 soldiers of the Shenji Camp to stay here and wait for the enemy army to make further moves!"

"If the enemy troops enter the mountain, your troops will immediately fight back with great force, but you don't have to fight head-on. You can just draw the main force of the bandits into the mountain and contain their front!"

"As soon as you start firing gunfire, I will lead my men to forcefully cross the Hun River!"

"Half an hour!"

"At least buy me half an hour!"

"Once the main force has crossed the river, we will fire a signal shot on the other side of the river!"

"By then, the enemy will see that our main force has crossed the river, and the pressure on you will be less."

"Once you receive the news that we have crossed the river, you will immediately march westward into the mountains, escape from the battle, and get rid of the pursuers!"

As he spoke, Xiao Jingchuan took out the portable map again.

"Pei Zhong, look!"

"From here to the west, there are only dense mountains."

"No matter how many bandits are blocking us, they can't surround the entire upper and lower reaches of the Hun River in a short time."

"After investigating the area, I think only that fishing village has the equipment to cross the river."

"After we pass by, you should not leave from that fishing village anymore. Just head west. It doesn't matter if you are delayed for a few days."

"If you put in more effort, you'll have a better chance of crossing the river safely."

"You lead your troops upstream, several dozen miles to the west, and look for an opportunity to cross the river again."

"After we enter Sanpo, we will take the route of Tietuo Mountain - Yuhu Peak - Dahu Valley - Bairui Valley - Jiulong Town."

While speaking, Xiao Lang pointed out the specific location on the map.

"When we get to Deyuhu Peak, I will order the troops to rest for two days and wait for you. If you don't have enough time, we will set out again. Then you can remember the route we just took and catch up with us along the way!"

After he finished speaking, Xiao Jingchuan straightened up, put away the map, and patted Sun Peizhong on the shoulder.

"This method of crossing the river is very hard on you. The overall focus and pressure are all on you!"

"Pei Zhong, if you have any questions or needs, ask now!"

Peizhong said sternly: "General, what if the bandits don't attack the mountain?"

(End of this chapter)