The four thousand cavalry of the Yi Congjun who acted as the vanguard moved very quickly.

On the 27th, the unit arrived in Wu'an, obtained supplies, and continued to move forward.

At noon on the 29th, we entered Fukou Xingshan District, only one step away from Shexian County.

At this time, the Heijian army also left the Gushan camp. Taking advantage of the path opened by the cavalry, they no longer advanced at a snail's pace with chariot formations, but instead advanced with light troops.

This was beyond everyone's expectations because it was a very risky move.

That night, when they learned that there were not many enemy troops in Shexian County, they gave up their adventurous advance and stationed themselves on the spot, waiting for the supply troops to catch up.

On the night of the 29th, when the rumble of horse hooves echoed through the south of Shexian County, the entire battlefield came alive.

In fact, Xi Jian, who took over the defense, did not order the city to be opened. Instead, he lowered himself from the top of the city with several followers to join the reinforcements.

"How many people are there in the city?" Qiao Hong, deputy governor of the Yicong Army, asked.

"Less than four thousand." Xi Jian also felt a little emotional when he said this.

Fifty days and nights, a purgatory of blood and fire.

The three thousand people outside the city had been destroyed. After all, there was no city wall to protect them. In addition, Shi Le's troops could not hold on until the end. Most of them collapsed, and a small number of them fought back. It was a pity that these three thousand people died.

Two thousand people were also killed in the city.

Many of the city walls were damaged, so many houses had to be demolished to repair them.

Arrows, swords, guns, armor, guards, etc., were all used at the end of the battle. They even had to go out of the city at night to collect arrows and weapons and try their best to replenish them.

Under normal circumstances, they can still fight for a month. If they bite the bullet, threaten the people, and recruit strong men and women to go to the city, they may be able to last for two months. Any longer will be enough.

After experiencing this battle, Xi Jian was also filled with emotions.

No one is born to fight. Before the Battle of Gaoping, he had been paying attention to Shao Xun and learned his military tactics. During the Battle of Gaoping, he led the Yanzhou wealthy soldiers and horses to fight against the Xiongnu.

This time, we stayed in Shexian County for another fifty days and experienced a battle to defend the city.

Later, if you find an opportunity to learn siege warfare or manage logistics, you will be more comprehensive.

"Is it possible to fight again?" Qiao Hong pointed to the Qingzhang River in the west of the city and asked.

There were no more Huns soldiers under the Shexian city. The moment they launched a large-scale attack, the Huns cavalry in Wu'an and Gushan areas fought and retreated, and then the Huns under the Shexian city also withdrew completely.

But they did not go far, but camped on the west bank of Qingzhang River, destroyed the bridges on the river, and took away all the boats.

The camp was set up on the opposite bank where the water was shallow and easily fordable, blocking the river.

It should be said that Liu Yao is very capable.

Even if they want to fight Shao Xun, they have to find a battlefield that is conducive to fighting. The best way is for the two sides to face each other across the river and attack each other.

"One or two thousand people can still be squeezed out to cross the river to kill the thieves." Xi Jian said.

"That's all, there aren't enough people." Qiao Hong smiled.

During this Northern Expedition, they won consecutive battles and lost only one general, Yin Qi, the deputy governor of the Yi Congjun.

Compared with the cavalry, the infantry is much more comfortable. Many middle- and lower-level officers may have died in battle, but all high-level generals are still alive.

"Find me some guides." Qiao Hong said: "Tomorrow I will find a place to cross the river and feel out the strength of the Huns. Don't leave me with only an empty camp, and let me wait as if I are facing a formidable enemy."

"Okay." Xi Jian cupped his hands and turned back to Shexian County.

Even if it is confirmed that reinforcements are coming, the city gate will not be opened tonight. This is the rule.

Xi Jian will not break this rule, and Qiao Hong will not force them to violate it.

Four thousand riders used the trenches and earthen walls outside the city to set up simple tents.

People kept descending from the top of the city, bringing many things to keep out the cold.

It was a very quiet night, friend or foe alike.

****

On the west bank of the clear Zhang River, the north wind is howling and snow is falling all over the sky.

After Liu Yao finished inspecting the camp, he stood in the snow, silent and speechless.

He had read Shao Xun's appeal several times carefully.

To be honest, there was no fluctuation in his heart, but he was not sure what Emperor Liu Cong would think.

In short, he lost this time.

He didn't lose on the battlefield, but he lost too much elsewhere. He didn't even dare to think about the punishment he would receive after returning to Pingyang.

There are some treacherous people in the court who always say that he is ambitious.

In this regard, Liu Yao was also helpless. At first, he defended himself in every possible way, worrying that the emperor would have opinions about him. Later, he finally figured it out and was too lazy to defend himself. In the end, there seemed to be no difference.

People are not born with ambition, it depends on the current situation.

You ask Shi Le if he still has ambitions now? He doesn't dare to have them, he can't afford them.

He, Liu Yao, has no ambitions now and has no chance. Where does the ambition come from?

Since last year, the war in Guanzhong has been presided over by the King of Hanoi.

The King of Hanoi had won and suffered defeats, but the Emperor supported him unconditionally, and the reason was very simple: national policy.

The situation in the eastern half of Guanzhong has stabilized. The two counties of Jingzhao and Fengyi are in control and have been under control for more than half a year.

The King of Hanoi gathered troops in Chang'an and was full of ambition. If there had not been an accident in Hebei, he would have launched a large-scale attack on Beidi, Fufeng and other counties.

In such a situation, what ambition could he have?

Besides, he didn't want to see the Liu family's foundation decline due to internal strife. This was the late emperor's request to him before his death, and he agreed. Unless the Liu family's descendants really behaved badly and acted against the will, or were betrayed by the Huyan family

, nobles like Jin usurped the throne, otherwise he would be too lazy to do those messy things, which would be boring.

He just wants to maintain the Han Dynasty's foundation, which is the source of his power and wealth.

Now this source is under a huge threat. Shao Xun is rising day by day. From the beginning, he fought on his territory, with left and right handicapped, and slowly moved the battlefield north to the north bank of the Yellow River, achieving unparalleled success.

This year, a series of wars broke out in Hebei, such as Anyang, Yecheng, Anping, Shexian, etc. With the support of Hebei's wealthy families, Shao Xun became more and more courageous in fighting and finally won a complete victory.

Liu Yao couldn't imagine what the future would be like if Shao Xun was allowed to digest Hebei with peace of mind.

People of insight from all over Pingyang saw this, so they put aside their past grievances and resolutely sent troops to reinforce Shi Le. However, they suffered a bloody blow at Fukou Xing, which was very disappointing.

Liu Yao has decided that even if he fails this year, he will start a campaign next year to continue waging war against Hebei, support Shi Le in regaining lost territory, and restrict Shao Xun's development.

He believed that the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty would support him, except Wang Can of Hanoi.

The King of Hanoi was obsessed with the title of Lord of Chang'an, and repeatedly asked Shan Yutai to transfer some Hu and Han tribes and people to Chang'an as his basic management.

The emperor agreed, but he did not fully agree - this winter, more than ten thousand Xiongnu tribes and six barbarian tribes will march westward and camp in Jingzhao. As direct subordinates of the King of Hanoi, no matter how many there are, there will be none.

Liu Yao was very dissatisfied with this.

To put it bluntly, it was still a dispute over the route. The King of Hanoi and he were both right, but their priorities were different.

"Xilulu..." On the post road that was gradually covered by wind and snow, the carriages and horses were like dragons.

Some of the baggage that was inconvenient to carry began to be transported ahead of schedule.

The wounded left even earlier.

The four Xianbei tribes, who were exhausted after long battles, and the Hexi tribes who had traveled far away also left.

There are only 20,000 horsemen and cavalry left in Qingzhangshui camp now.

It is not a disaster to admit that Shexian cannot be captured and that the reinforcement has failed.

There are only more than 40,000 people, of which the infantry does not exceed 30,000, and the defenders of Shexian County are as high as 9,000. If the enemy defends resolutely, it will almost take more than 20,000 of these 30,000 infantry to break through. Luck

If it's even close, you may not be able to win even if you fight them all.

He wouldn't do such a stupid thing.

After learning that Anping had been defeated and that nearly 10,000 casualties had been suffered, he decisively issued an order to cease the war.

There is only one reason why I haven’t left now——

Liu Yao climbed the high slope and wanted to meet that person for a while.

****

Shao Xun arrived at Shexian County on the seventh day of November.

The wind and snow were getting worse, and it was especially cold in the mountains. When I was wearing iron clothes, it felt like there was a biting cold wind in my bones.

Above the snow-capped fields, the Huns only had their last camp left.

The gray-black Hun cavalry, wearing felt hats and furs, were grouped on the left and right, with their heads lowered in the cold wind, squinting, and staring at the big "Shao" character that had just been erected on the east bank of the Qingzhang River.

flag.

The pro-army, silver spear army, righteous army, black army, loyal army, loyalty army, etc., tens of thousands of people were arrayed on the snowy field.

Liu Yao did not avoid the severe cold and once again climbed the high slope where he had stationed his horse a few days ago to look out for the enemy.

On the vast snowfield, more than a hundred cavalry appeared.
To be continued...