Guiyi Fei Tang

Chapter 158 Crossing the Huangtao River (asking for monthly tickets at the beginning of the month)
"Wow—"

In July, as fall arrives, many animals begin to store heat for the winter.

In the sky, eagles are circling, and among the mountains, wild beasts are looking for food...

It’s a pity that the mountains in Longxi are still green this year, with dead trees in large areas, and the water level of the Yellow River is a foot shallower than last year.

Under such circumstances, the armies of each state were struggling, and no one was thinking of taking the opportunity to annex another.

In their view, taking the initiative in such a severe drought would undoubtedly be a very stupid thing to do.

However, what seemed foolish to them was the opportunity that Liu Jilong had been waiting for nearly a year!

"Sorry..."

"Be careful of falling rocks, everyone, be careful!"

"Give me a hand and fill these holes!"

"Ten miles ahead, take a rest. Everyone, work harder..."

In the river valley, a team of thousands of people was advancing along the Yellow River, and the flags fluttering in the wind had words such as "Longxi" and "Guiyi" written on the front and back respectively.

Of course, compared to this kind of flag, the more conspicuous flag in the team is the "Liu" flag.

To go from Wuquan to Fenglin Pass in Hezhou, one needs to pass through Longzhi City in Shanzhou, and Longzhi City is the base of Shang Moyan.

This means that under normal circumstances, if Liu Jilian wanted to attack Hezhou, he had to pass through Shang Bibi's territory, and this road was 280 miles long.

In this regard, Liu Jilong did not choose to take the official road, but chose the dangerous Yellow River valley road.

From Wuquan to Henan Ferry, and then from Guangwuliang into the Yellow River Valley, the total distance is 170 miles, of which only 70 miles are dangerous in the valley.

Once you pass it, you will appear behind Fenglin Pass like a god descending from the sky. You can choose to attack Fenglin Pass from behind, or you can directly attack Baohan City.

In previous years, the Yellow River was turbulent and the sides of the valley were relatively soft and slippery, so no one ever thought of taking this route.

However, with the advent of drought, the once soft and slippery Yellow River valley road has now become extremely hard. Even carriages weighing hundreds of pounds can run on it without any problems, not to mention cavalry and infantry.

The two-zhang-wide valley is close to the Yellow River, but due to severe drought, the water level of the Yellow River has dropped sharply, and an exposed riverbed of more than two zhang has appeared in the river channel. There is no need to worry about falling into the Yellow River.

The troops led by Liu Jilian were now advancing along the valley beside the river. Various flags were planted on the mountains ahead, conveying the message that there were no ambush ahead.

The team consisting of 1,500 elite cavalry, 1,000 armored soldiers and 2,000 civilian laborers stretched for nearly ten miles across the valley, and it was difficult to speed up.

"At this rate, it will take us at least two days to reach Fenglin Pass. If we are discovered by Shang Yanxin's scouts, it will be terrible."

On horseback, Shang Duoluo walked side by side with Liu Jilong. While guarding against possible falling rocks from the mountain, he reported his concerns to Liu Jilong.

Before this, when they were walking through hills and mountains, they could walk sixty miles a day, but after entering the dangerous Yellow River valley, they could only walk thirty miles a day.

This speed is already the best among ordinary marching speeds.

Even so, Shang Duoluo was still not satisfied, because whether the Yellow River Valley Road could be traveled depended on whether the Yellow River flooded.

Even though there was a severe drought at the moment, if it rained heavily, their team of 4,500 people would be swallowed up in an instant.

"What do you think?"

Liu Jilong calmly asked Shang Duoluo, after all, he had more experience in Longxi.

"The elite cavalry will leave the valley first and head to the fork in the river to cross the Tao River, a tributary, and set up ferry ropes so that Shang Yanxin will not have time to send troops to defend the Tao River!"

"it is good!"

Liu Jilong agreed without hesitation, took out the fish token and gave half to Shang Duoluo: "You lead 1,500 elite cavalry out of the valley, cross the Tao River, and meet our army on the south bank!"

"I obey your command!" Shang Duoluo bowed happily, took the fish token, and immediately reined in his horse and headed for the front army.

Soon, all the elite cavalry in the front army were taken away by Shang Duoluo.

There are still more than fifty miles to go. If the elite cavalry gallops recklessly, they will most likely reach the north bank of the Tao River before dark, or even cross the Tao River.

As long as they crossed the Tao River, even if Shang Yanxin reacted, he would be unable to do anything to the Longxi Guiyi Army.

Thinking this way, Liu Jilong moved forward calmly.

This was the second day since they set out from Wuquan. They had already walked eighty miles. If they walked another ninety miles, they would reach Fenglin Pass.

"Geng Ming is leading more than 400 people to guard Wuquan. There shouldn't be any problem, right?"

"Old Geng, are you still worried?"

"The governor has prepared so many defensive devices. You have seen their power. If I were to attack, I would not be able to take it without 5,000 armored soldiers."

"When Lao Geng was in Shandan, he guarded Qilian City on and off for more than half a year. Who wouldn't be worried about leaving him to look after the house?"

In the team, Chen Jingchong, Zhang Chang, Ma Cheng and Cuoben made jokes one after another, while Shang Duoluo had already taken Li Ji and the elite cavalry to Tao River.

Huke Siguang was guarding beside Liu Jilong, and Zheng Chu was in the rear army guarding the civilians, so the two did not participate in their conversation.

Even so, the four people's eyes were always on Liu Jilong's back in front of them.

"Alas..." Zhang Chang suddenly sighed, which made Ma Cheng glance at him:

"Why, you haven't been in battle for a long time, are you scared to death?"

"Bullshit!" Zhang Chang responded, "I just feel sorry for Envoy Zhang!"

Since Zhang Yichao was promoted to the Jiedushi of Hexi and Zhang Huaishen was promoted to the Defense Commissioner of Hexi, the army called Zhang Yichao the Jiedushi and Zhang Huaishen the Shijun.

The reason why Zhang Chang felt sorry for Zhang Huai was that before the army set out, the news that Li Yi's Lieutenant General Zhang Zhifang led the Chishui Army to station in Guzang was sent to Wuquan.

More than a month has passed since Zhang Zhifang entered the Guzang garrison, and Li Yizhong only sent someone to deliver the news three days ago.

The news he sent was already old news from half a month ago.

Zhang Zhifang changed the garrison city to Chishui City, and in the first month he demanded 2,000 dan of grain, 300 sheep, three old cows and various spices from Zhang Huaishen.

It would be fine if these cattle and sheep fell into the mouths of the Chishui Army soldiers. After all, Chishui City is to the north of Guzang City. If the Uighurs and Emu go south, they can still help resist for a while.

Unfortunately, most of these cattle and sheep fell into Zhang Zhifang's mouth.

Zhang Zhifang only ate lamb legs and beef shoulders, and the rest of the meat was given to the five hundred old soldiers, while the remaining new soldiers could only eat the leftovers of the five hundred old soldiers.

The atmosphere of the Chishui Army made Li Yizhong shout "the army of prisoners" and he specially wrote a letter to tell Liu Jilong about the Chishui Army.

Liu Jilian knew that this was an awkwardness caused by the collision between the Hexi and mid-to-late Tang Dynasty's Yabing culture, but he didn't think it was a big deal. After all, this army, formerly the Pinglu Army, was still considered a relatively "honest" army in Shandong.

However, compared to Liu Jilian's calmness, Zhang Chang and others couldn't stand it.

Although they were generals, they were also "vested interests" in the Hexi Army and the Chishui Army.

But after getting used to the culture of the army led by Liu Jilian, it was difficult for them to accept other cultures.

Perhaps it is because they are still young and not so easily corrupted. In any case, for them at the moment, they still prefer the feeling of unity between the military and the people.

As they continued to talk, the sky gradually darkened.

The soldiers and civilians set up their tents close to the mountain, fearing that the rising water at night would sweep them away.

Compared with them, Shang Duoluo led his elite cavalry to rush out of the valley and arrived at the north bank of the Tao River before nightfall.

The north bank of the Tao River is uneven and cannot accommodate too many people to camp.

Because of this, Shang Duoluo did not stop, but asked Li Ji to send people to cross the river with torches to see if they could cross the river overnight.

"Susu..."

The Tao River and the Yellow River were making a lot of noise at night. Even though it was already mid-to-late July, the cold wind still kept blowing into people's robes.

The Tao River, which was more than fifty feet wide, has narrowed to more than twenty feet due to the drought.

The army held torches on the south bank of the Tao River and watched a elite cavalryman dismount and walk into the river.

With a rope around his waist and a torch in his hand, he moved deeper into the center of the river step by step.

The people on the shore held their breath and looked at the faint fire nervously.

Suddenly, the fire disappeared, and Li Ji's face changed drastically: "Pull him back!"

More than a dozen elite cavalrymen guarding the river bank hurriedly pulled the rope in their hands, but then a voice came from the other end of the rope: "Don't pull!!"

As the sound came, everyone stopped what they were doing and the rope began to slide.

After a while, the rope stopped sliding, and the soldiers who crossed the river pulled the rope back to the south bank.

He was soaked all over and couldn't help shivering after getting ashore.

"Chen Ying, what's wrong?!"

Li Ji asked hurriedly, but Chen Ying, who was about sixteen or seventeen years old, also explained quickly: "There is no one on the south bank. I took a rope and drove stakes on the south bank. Everyone can cross the river by feeling their way."

"The river is uneven, and I just missed a step and the torch was submerged."

Chen Ying explained why he suddenly disappeared just now, and Li Ji and Shang Duoluo breathed a sigh of relief. After recovering from the shock, Shang Duoluo quickly ordered: "Ride horses across the river, stake the ropes, and hold on to the ferry ropes to cross the river, so that the horses will not be washed away by the river!"

No one responded to Shandor. They just started looking for tools and driving stakes with bright eyes.

The crossing of the river started at 11:00 p.m. and lasted until 12:00 p.m., when the army's 1,500 elite cavalrymen finally crossed the river safely.

Considering that the army in the rear needed to cross the river and they would be exposed tomorrow, he ordered his men to set up more ferry ropes to speed up the army's crossing of the river.

"Pass the order, horses stay outside, people stay inside, keep your armor on, and rest on the spot!"

Under the cover of night, after Shang Duoluo and Li Ji discussed the matter, they immediately ordered the army to rest on the spot.

Since there is no official road here, the army can rest safely as long as they seize the high ground on the mountains on the south bank.

Li Ji had already sent soldiers to guard the mountains and set fire to alert the army.

Because of this, the elite cavalry in the front army also dismounted and began to rest. When they were hungry, they ate dried meat and bread, and were not allowed to make a fire to cook.

The next day, Shang Duoluo and his companions were not discovered crossing the river because Shang Yanxin had never thought that they would cross the river in this place.

There is only one way for Lanzhou to attack Hezhou, and that is the Lanhe Official Road passing through Longzhi City in Shanzhou.

Shang Yanxin needed to defend, and he had to defend in that direction. He never thought that someone would risk drowning by walking through the Yellow River valley and crossing the Tao River.

Before this, the Yellow River and the Tao River were natural barriers, and no one had ever walked along this road.

Liu Jilong was indeed bold enough to take a path that no one had ever taken before.

From early morning to dusk, Shang Duoluo and his companions had been waiting for news from Liu Jilong and his companions.

If the Tao River and the Yellow River had not yet risen in water, they would have been worried that Liu Jilong and his men would have been swallowed up by the Yellow River.

Fortunately, their worries were unnecessary. Before nightfall, the Longxi army appeared on the river in the distance and came to the other side of the Tao River along the mountain wall.

Four ferry ropes provided protection for the army to cross the river. The Longxi army used the sheepskins they had eaten before setting out to make a pontoon bridge, and then pushed the baggage carts across the river first.

"How is it, did Shang Yanxin and Zhe Buhui find out?"

After crossing the river at night, Liu Jilong hurriedly asked Shang Duoluo.

Shang Yanxin was stationed in Hezhou, Zhe Buhui was stationed in Linzhou, and Lu Ruyue was stationed in Weizhou.

Among these three people, Lu Ruyue is the farthest away from Hezhou. It will take at least six days for him to rush to Hezhou for assistance.

Didao, the capital of Linzhou where Zhe Buhui was stationed, was located in the middle reaches of the Tao River, about 150 miles away from where Liu Jilian and his men crossed the river.

Fortunately, the official road from Lanzhou to Linzhou had long been abandoned. In addition, there were mountains on both sides of the Tao River before it merged into the Yellow River. Zhe Buhui's Tangqi would at most patrol in the river valley plain and it was impossible for them to come to Hezhou.

As for Shang Yanxin's Tangqi headquarters in Hezhou, they are probably all staring at the official road in the west, and have not noticed that a large army has already crossed the river in the east.

"They didn't find it, but it's not easy to get to Fenglin Pass from here. We need to clear the way ourselves."

Although the river valley road is passable, it only goes to the fork where the Tao River and the Yellow River meet.

Now if they want to go to Fenglin Pass, they can only dig a 30-mile path along the river to see Fenglin Pass.

"The military and civilians will be divided into three teams and take turns. Be careful to dig the road."

Upon hearing this, Liu Jilong immediately ordered the army units to rest and work in three shifts to dig a road forward.

At the same time, inside Fenglin Pass, which stands on the bank of the Yellow River and leans against the mountains, many armored soldiers were sleeping soundly.

If they were to take a boat north along the Yellow River at this time, they would be able to easily see a streak of fire across the river on the mountains behind them.

Unfortunately, the Fenglinjin ferry behind Fenglin Pass was completely abandoned by Shang Yanxin after the loss of Lanzhou and Huizhou.

There was no one guarding the ferry except for a few broken boats.

As time passed, the sky gradually brightened.

Even so, the defenders of Fenglin Pass still placed scouts on the only official road leading to Hezhou.

The scouts left Fenglin Pass and continued to explore the official road to the west.

At the same time, Liu Jilian and Zhang Chang abandoned their horses, and more than a dozen people crossed the mountains for more than ten miles and lay on the hill.

"Damn it, there is a ferry at Fenglin Pass. If the foreign bandits send a few boats to patrol, won't we have to return empty-handed this time?"

Zhang Chang looked at the Fenglinjin Ferry several miles below the mountain and couldn't help feeling scared.

Liu Jilong was very calm. He observed the location of Fenglin Pass and the situation behind it.

Fenglin Pass is in a good location, and Shang Yanxin intended to reinforce it, so it is indeed difficult to attack.

Fortunately, Liu Jilong chose to go around and successfully avoided Fenglin Pass and came to the back of the pass.

Coming down from this mountain range that was less than a hundred meters high, what lay before them was a hilly area that was two or three miles wide.

As long as they take the small path, the army doesn't have to worry about Fenglin Pass at all and can directly attack Baohan City.

Given the current situation, they only need two or three days to open a path for the laborers and baggage carts to pass through.

Until then, just make sure they aren't discovered.

Thinking of this, Liu Jilong waited here quietly.

More than ten of them waited from day to night. When they were cold, they covered themselves with felt. When they were hungry, they ate dried meat and Hu cakes.

Simply eating cold rice is indeed not enough to fill you up, but in order not to expose their target, the entire Longxi Army can only live this way.

Three days and nights passed quickly, and the trail was almost dug.

After three days, everyone became very embarrassed, but they were already very close to their goal.

Liu Jilong was not in a hurry to leave the mountain, but let the entire army rest overnight.

In the dark night, only the fire at Fenglin Pass at the foot of the mountain was lit, and the rest were eyes hidden in the darkness.

"Send me military orders..."

Liu Jilong's eyes glowed as he stared at Fenglin Pass while whispering orders to Shang Duoluo, Zhang Chang and others on his left and right.

"Shang Duoluo and Li Ji led a thousand elite cavalry as the vanguard, Zhang Chang and Zheng Chu led five hundred elite cavalry as the center, and Ma Cheng and Chen Jingchong led a thousand armored soldiers and civilians as the rear."

"After daybreak, the elite cavalry will be the first to leave the mountains and advance towards Baohan. Don't let Shang Yanxin have the opportunity to harvest the grain outside the city!"

"After the central and rear armies leave the mountains, they will immediately move towards Fenglin Pass. Do not let the bandits easily get out of the pass and form a battle array. Do not let go of any Tang cavalry who want to report to Baohan."

As Liu Jilong issued military orders slowly, Zhang Chang and Shang Duoluo climbed down the mountain in the dark.

After observing for two hours, Liu Jilong also climbed down the mountain in the dark.

The mountains behind Fenglin Pass are not very steep, and the riverbed is ten feet wide due to the drop in the water level of the Yellow River. Therefore, the Longxi army only needs to dig the riverbed flat to dig out a small path.

Otherwise, they would not have been able to dig a path in three days and nights.

They simply dug the river channel to make it more flat.

At present, the baggage carriages, horses, civilians and soldiers are all leaning against the mountain, facing the Yellow River.

After Liu Jilong came down the mountain, he first observed the situation of the Yellow River.

It has not rained in the past few days, and the water level of the Yellow River is still eight or nine feet away from the road they dug. The difference between the water level and the road is also four or five feet, which is safe enough.

The sky was slowly getting darker, which was normal before dawn.

After feeling that the surroundings had become completely dark, in less than a quarter of an hour, the surroundings began to gradually become brighter.

"Buzz rumbling..."

The sound of dense horse hooves began to be heard, which was the sound made by the front army setting off.

"Little brother, wake up... wake up..."

Liu Jilian followed the crowd and began to wake up the tired soldiers and civilians.

They were very alert. Liu Jilong and the others shook them slightly, and they climbed up, holding their weapons and tools tightly in their hands.

Seeing them stand up, Liu Jilong also looked at Zhang Chang, Ma Cheng and others beside him.

"In this battle to recapture Hezhou, the army left the small road and immediately headed south to the official road, encircling Baohan."

"The last general takes orders!!"

Liu Jilong took the trouble to explain the military orders to everyone, and the generals also became more alert.

Seeing that they all understood the mission, Liu Jilong also took out his whip and said, "Move!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the generals mounted their horses one after another, the soldiers began to put on their armor, and the laborers fed the draft horses and secured the food and siege equipment on the carriages.

A quarter of an hour later, 4,500 soldiers and civilians set out and rushed out of the mountains along the trail...

(End of this chapter)