Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

Zhong Shidao said, "The terrain here is narrow."

"Our army's fortifications are strong,"

"And there's a river in the way,"

"It's very difficult for Richard to break through."

"We must guard against him crossing mountains and valleys,"

"Escape via the Bitter Water River on the east side!"

The Bitter Water River is what later became known as the Saltwater River.

It flows parallel to the lower reaches of the Karo River.

Considering only the straight-line distance between the two river valleys,

The shortest distance is less than four miles.

The longest section is sixteen li.

However, the two river valleys are separated by mountains.

It is a place less than four miles away.

It's actually a very long walk.

Moreover, the entire journey involves traversing mountains and valleys.

Even if Richard successfully evacuates from the Bitterwater Valley,

We must also abandon the baggage train.

Moreover, to get to the north, one has to cross mountains and valleys.

Only then could they reach the vicinity of what would later become Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport.

Zhong Shidao said, "I have already sent the brothers Liu Xi and Liu Qi to intercept them at the Bitter Water River."

"But they have too few troops,"

"You should lead your troops across the river to join them."

"Can't I stay here and hold them off?" Yao Pingzhong was quite disappointed.

Zhong Shidao said, "They are blocked from the north and south, unable to advance or retreat."

"Richard is very likely to abandon the baggage train,"

"They fled across mountains and valleys to escape the Bitter Water River."

"If you lead troops there,"

"Maybe we can capture him alive."

This big pie made Yao Pingzhong very happy.

He crossed his arms in the newly learned Ming Dynasty military salute.

"I will definitely capture Richard!"

It's no longer a two-pronged attack.

Instead, it blocked them from three sides.

.....

When the Karuo River is about to flow into the Yellow River,

It first flows along the eastern cliff.

It then flowed southwest.

Then follow the western cliff into the Yellow River.

At the bend in the river,

The alluvial deposits created two flat areas facing each other across the river.

Flat land to the north,

It was the 10,000 troops left behind by Richard.

Flat land to the south,

It was the Ming army led by Zhong Shidao.

The two sides set up camp on opposite sides of the river.

They are digging trenches every day.

The excavated soil was used to build walls.

Richard personally led the cavalry.

They provided cover for the infantry's retreat.

They successfully brought the supplies and provisions to the mouth of the valley.

Then immediately have the army set up camp.

The camp was set up for seven or eight miles.

He rode his horse to the mouth of the valley.

Observe the camp of the Zhongshidao on the opposite bank of the river.

He looked almost hopeless.

It would be better if there were no river to block the way.

Relying on their superior numbers of soldiers

We can launch a full-scale attack regardless of casualties.

But the river lies in the middle.

It is impossible to break through in a short period of time.

Yang Zhi's army, however, would not give him enough time.

This is not the Karo River in its middle and upper reaches.

During the dry season, you can simply wade through the water.

Several tributaries flow into it along the way.

By the time they reached the mouth of the valley, the water volume had increased significantly.

Moreover, the dry season is far from over.

Richard convened a meeting of his generals and said...

"It's not advisable to launch a direct assault here."

“There are pursuers behind us.”

"You all must hold your positions,"

"We will bombard the enemy camp across the river daily with whirlwind cannons,"

"I will personally lead the Iron Falcon and the Step-Walker,"

"Crossing the mountains to reach the Bitter Water River,"

"Flank around to the rear and launch a surprise attack on the enemy camp!"

"The exit of the Bitterwater Valley,"

"It's only a few miles from the enemy camp,"

"A pincer attack will surely result in a great victory!"

The generals were filled with surprise and doubt upon hearing this.

Some people suspect that Richard wants to run away.

Some people also believe that Richard could actually succeed in the raid.

As for whether to flee or launch a surprise attack

Richard himself didn't know.

It depends on the situation.

If you can launch a raid, then launch a raid.

Unable to launch a full-scale attack, they must simply run away.

Chapter 1733 Let's Escape

Moreover, it's not necessary to run north along the Bitter Water River.

That road was too long and too difficult to walk.

You can go south along the Bitter Water River.

Once you leave the valley, you'll be on the north bank of the Yellow River.

The location is between Jingyuguan and Xiguanbao.

Richard climbed the mountain on the east side of his camp.

The straight-line distance is about four miles.

Then you can cross over to the Bitter Water Valley.

However, the mountains stretch endlessly...

It would probably be dozens of miles of mountain road to actually walk it.

Some of the steeper mountains,

A person can grit their teeth and climb over it.

The horses, however, had to go around the mountain.

Richard must take the horse with him.

Because they didn't have enough food with them.

In critical moments, you still have to kill the horse and eat its meat.

Otherwise, they would starve to death in the narrow river valley while trying to escape.

Iron Falcon gave horses to Steppa.

The armor was all carried by the horses.

More than 8,000 people followed the contours of the mountain.

For several consecutive days,

They haven't even left yet.

I'm eating less and less of the dry food I carry with me.

Due to the lack of local guides

Richard knew roughly how to get there.

But the winding mountain road still left people bewildered.

Many times there are no mountain roads at all.

We simply forced our way over the mountain.

This guy is already showing signs of getting lost.

Occasionally, I took the wrong turn.

We also need to use the sun and stars to adjust the direction.

The armies of Yao Pingzhong, Liu Xi, and Liu Qi,

There are a total of 13,000 people.