[This week's Qidian History VIP novel recommendation, this is the first official recommendation of this book in one million words. I hope everyone can support it. Thank you! In addition, thank you for the monthly tickets given by the book friend "Sloppy Monk Li Laoniu"!]

On March 29, Han Tong, Dong Zunhui and others led the vanguard troops to leave Kaifeng Prefecture and marched forward through the Yongji Canal. In the pre-war predictions, the Zhou army navy, baptized by the southern expedition, could completely rush to the sea with the assistance of the army. However, there were always more changes than plans!

The navy led by Dong Zunhui had just left Cangzhou City and found that the waterway ahead suddenly became narrower. Although it was suitable for small wide-bottom cargo ships with smaller drafts, it was not suitable for large warships, and it was even less suitable for the subsequent imperial camp giant ships. There was no way, Dong Zunhui could only temporarily stop moving forward and lead the troops to urgently clear the river.

Fortunately, the Dingyuan Army stationed in the local area had already recruited a large number of civilians in advance, saving a lot of time for Dong Zunhui. Moreover, the local defenders had also performed similar dredging tasks. Although the scale was relatively small, they had some experience.

In order to save time and improve efficiency, after listening to the reports of several local water conservancy experts, Dong Zunhui immediately directed his soldiers to set up water barriers at the southern end of the interface between Hulu River and Yongji Canal, artificially causing the water level to rise and the water flow to accelerate. After the water level rises, some of the mud and sand in the Yongji Canal were washed away. Anyway, Dong Zunhui had no intention of carrying out large-scale renovation of the entire Yongji Canal. He just temporarily dredged the river channel and washed away some mud and sand, which would allow the subsequent fleet to pass.

On April 10, the Yongji Canal was roughly dredged. Han Tong led more than 10,000 soldiers to stay and continue to expand the river, while Dong Zunhui led 5,000 navy troops to continue north to spy on military information and obtain information. Anyway, there were no large-scale navy troops in the north. As long as Dong Zunhui's five thousand navy officers and soldiers did not go ashore and did not get ambushed, no enemy could threaten them under normal circumstances. For safety reasons, Dong Zunhui specially sent 100 people to take several small boats with strong maneuverability to deploy in front to reconnaissance military information and provide early warning to the army.

On April 15, the main force of the fleet successfully headed north and arrived near the Qianning Army's headquarters. At this time, the reconnaissance boat deployed in front reported. It encountered the water level of the Qianning Army. Although they attacked decisively, several people still rode their horses to escape, and it was likely to be going to Ningzhou to report the news!

After receiving the information, Dong Zunhui immediately discussed with the generals. Some people suggested retreating immediately and getting closer to the main force as soon as possible. This view may have a certain rationality, but who can afford to be accused of being cowardly before fighting?! This is a national battle. If you retreat first, you may be dealt with by military law!

可如果忽视宁州城的辽军继续北上,当地守军很可能会攻击周军的侧翼.让周军蒙受重大损失.但如果贸然进攻宁州,董遵诲的兵力却实在是有限.他现在手中只有五千水军,能够登陆作战的不过四千人,指望他们攻下乾宁军据守的宁州城.无疑是白日做梦!不过董遵诲恰恰就有做梦的勇气,而且他也有做梦的底气.打不过,也可以乘船逃嘛!

In Ningzhou City, Wang Hong frowned and listened to the report of the checkpoint commander: "What, you said that the large fleet of Zhou's army was found on Yongji Canal, which is simply nonsense! The Yongji Canal has been silted over the years, and now it is a dry season. According to the scale of the Zhou army fleet you described, they have already been stranded. How could they run to the edge of Ningzhou?! Did you offend someone you shouldn't offend? The checkpoint was smashed by someone?"

The whistle leader kowtowed repeatedly and kept shouting injustice: "Sir, I can see clearly that there is indeed a fleet of Zhou army! If I don't believe it, you can send someone to check it out! Everything I said is true. Their vanguard will destroy our ward card with just one charge! If the Zhou army hadn't come, wouldn't they dare to be so arrogant? Moreover, the Yongji Canal unexpectedly rose in the past few days, and the large ships were unobstructed. Maybe it was the cause of these Zhou troops!"

Wang Hong knew about the news of the rising water in Yongji Canal. When he contacted the sudden appearance of the Zhou army's fleet, he couldn't help but shivered. He had just thrown into the arms of the Liao army. Could it be that the Zhou army's siege troops rushed over? This was too fast!

Wang Hong stood up, took a few steps, and said to the whistleblower: "Your information is very important. Let's do this. You can go to the Liao army garrison in the city to inform them first, so that they can prepare! When you get there, your reward is indispensable!"

Seeing the chief of whistle leaving with a bitter face, Wang Hong frowned, hoping that the Liao army could go out of the city to test it, so as to explore the way for himself. Ningzhou is very close to the Zhou army, Xiao Siwen recently sent 3,000 elite cavalry to garrison here. If the Liao soldiers could quickly defeat these Zhou troops after they were dispatched, Wang Hong would naturally hold the thicker legs of the Liao army; but if the Zhou army could defeat these elite Liao soldiers, Wang Hong would not mind hugging the Zhou army's thicker elephant legs! Moreover, Wang Hong thought he was a Chinese (Central Plains) man. If it were not necessary, how could he be willing to join the barbarians?!

Soon, Wang Hong heard the sound of horns in the city. He had been a minor official in Liao **, and naturally knew that this was the order of the Liao army's emergency assembly. Wang Hong counted secretly, and soon the order of departure came from the Liao army camp. In less than thirty breaths, it seemed that these 3,000 Liao soldiers were really elite soldiers, and it took such a little time from gathering to departure!

Wang Hong had a conflict in his heart. He hoped that the Liao army could quickly defeat the Zhou army and prove that his previous move to rebel Zhou and surrender to Liao with great siege. But he also hoped that the Zhou army could tie the Liao army, so that the Liao army would not dare to go south rashly, and that the Central Plains would still retain a pure land. Three thousand miles of clouds and moons should not be filthed by the smell of the north!

Turn your attention to Dong Zunhui. At this time, Dong Zunhui's five thousand naval divisions had already landed. After sending dozens of scout cavalry, they were digging a flood discharge outlet under the guidance of the sailors to introduce the river water from the Yongji Canal into nearby rivers, so that the navy warships could drive directly to Yingzhou and Mozhou.

Under the guidance of those white-bearded water workers, the navy officers and soldiers quickly dug thirty-six flood discharge outlets, but they did not completely drill the embankment. According to the water workers, they must choose auspicious days of zodiac and sacrifice their lives with blood, otherwise it would be detrimental to the army.

After listening to the water workers' reports, Dong Zunhui looked at the scout cavalry who were racing in the distance. He smiled slightly and said to the water workers: "Maybe today is auspicious day. Please get on board first, don't make any losses."

这些水工,都是跟永济渠打了一辈子交道的老头子,对永济渠可以说了如指掌,堪称是定远军的宝贝.如果不是这次北伐过于重要,如果不是董遵诲拿出了大笔钱财贿赂定远军相关人员,这些个水工哪里会有董遵诲的份,可能早就被留下来配伍给御营水师了!这样的宝贝人才,董遵诲岂会让他们处于危险之地,一定要护得他们周全!

After the water workers boarded the ship, the scout team sent by Dong Zunhui rushed over quickly, almost everyone was injured. Han Chongyunxing, who personally led the team out for reconnaissance, Dong Zunhui hurriedly saluted and said loudly: "The general led his army to observe and found that all the Liao soldiers stationed in Ningzhou City had been dispatched, and there were no Liao soldiers in Ningzhou City. Moreover, according to the general's calculations, the Liao army had about 3,000 cavalry, and its combat effectiveness was extraordinary. The general led fifty people to reconnaissance this time, and only more than 30 people returned smoothly with the general!"

Dong Zunhui nodded slightly, "Thank you for your hard work, hurry up and get the wound. There will be a big battle later! The enemy is only three thousand cavalry. Our warships are equipped with crossbows and occupy favorable terrain. I believe that Dong Zunhui's command is all elite, with five thousand enemies of three thousand, this battle can be fought!"

Dong Zunhui immediately ordered the crossbow on the battleship to start loading immediately and aim the shooting coordinates at half the range. Although the range is low, the accuracy and density can be greatly improved. At present, when fighting against enemy cavalry, what is most needed is high-density long-range attack.

很快,小步快跑的辽军骑兵就来到了永济渠边上,看到了正在沟渠上列阵的三千余名周军水兵.辽军主将正是前段时间反水的萧德利,萧思温将他派到抵抗周军的最前线,虽然有着借刀杀人的目的,但更重要的是,萧思温知道萧德利绝对不会投向周军,肯定会拼死作战.毕竟,那萧海真的头颅乃是萧德利被迫亲手砍下的!

Xiao Deli looked at the Zhou army soldiers arranged in the distance and couldn't help laughing. One of them was smart and immediately stepped forward and asked, "Why is the general laughing?"

Xiao Deli secretly praised this guy for his cleverness. He smiled and said, "There are warships behind the enemy. If they board the ship and evacuate, we have no choice, but they chose to fight us head-on, which is simply seeking death! If you pass the order, the whole army will charge!"

Hearing his orders, the three thousand Liao troops began to rode forward and slowly began to accelerate. Xiao Deli initially maintained a relatively evacuated formation. After the speed of the cavalry in his troops gradually accelerated, he also began to command the army to gather quietly, twisting into a big fist, ready to smash the Zhou army soldiers into the river in one go.

The Liao soldiers were getting faster and faster. At this time, Dong Zunhui suddenly shouted loudly: "Shoot the crossbow! Raise my Dong-like battle flag and open the flood discharge mouth!"

Hearing the order, more than a thousand sailors left on the ship immediately launched an attack on the Liao army on the shore. The sound of hundreds of crossbows fired volleys made everyone feel pain! The Liao army on the opposite side suffered a great loss and suffered a great disaster. They, with the dense charge formation, suddenly became the living targets of Zhou Jun's crossbows and were nailed to death on the way to charge! (To be continued...)


Chapter completed!