The Song Dynasty has been deliberate for 16 years, only to know that it is the Water Margin

Although the vanguard troops on Zhang Xian's side were all cavalry, there were only a thousand.

Xixia had two thousand cavalry and three to four thousand infantry, not counting those who were chasing them from the mountains behind.

But the horses, armor, and weapons of Zhang Xian's cavalry are not comparable to those of the other side.

The neck and belly of the war horse are wrapped with tanned leather, and the armor of the soldiers is not the style of ordinary light cavalry, but more like that of military envoys. According to the Song Dynasty system, military envoys are leaders of a hundred people. An infantry of a hundred people is called a dutou, and a cavalry of a hundred people is called a military envoy. .

The most important thing is the skill of these cavalry. Although these 1000 people are not the first and second guards of the Third Army, but the original [-]th ​​command of the Dragon Guard Army, they were really well trained by Xu Ning and Du Bo for a while.

Xu Ning was a master of marksmanship, and Du Bo was a master. They were especially good at horseback martial arts, so the saber and carbine skills of these cavalrymen were very cunning.

This kind of martial arts cannot be compensated by experience. After all, Ma Wu is simpler and more crude than Bu Ke. Even if your strength and experience are not as good as the opponent, you can often kill him directly with a cunning move.

For example, the legendary Cheng Yaojin's Three-Blade Axe. This demon king had no rules in his martial arts before and only relied on strength to be arrogant. However, he suddenly acquired the skill in a dream. There are three and a half moves in total. Not to mention ordinary masters, even heroes who have ranked in the rankings can fight. Take a fight.

Some of the young generals who had just come out of the mountains had never even killed anyone before, but with their sinister skills, they were able to take advantage of veteran generals who had been on the battlefield for a long time.

Xu Ning and Du Bo spared no effort to teach these cavalrymen, but they did not actually start from the basics. After all, if they did not learn martial arts simultaneously, they would practice three-volts in the summer and three-nine in the winter. It would take two years to practice horseback riding.

As long as you are familiar with the horse, you can directly teach the underhand moves, poisonous moves, and desperate moves.

Three or two hits are enough. It will definitely not work against a powerful general, but against ordinary light cavalry, the difference will be immediately apparent!
There must be some masters in the Xixia army, but no one would teach the soldiers their unique skills. If so many people are taught to them, what will they do to themselves?Not to mention the big-headed soldiers, none of the disciples would spend their money to teach it.

What's more, even if there is a master in the Xixia army, how can he be willing to hold the position of instructor? It is too late to be popular on weekdays, so how can he lower his status to teach ordinary soldiers.

Therefore, although the Xixia cavalry in front of them all have some martial arts skills, they are mostly the kind of military guns, sabers, and fists that are common in the army. In the end, they will compete in strength and proficiency, and those who are inferior will die.

But at this moment, these Qingqi under Zhang Xian's command all have unique skills in their hands. They are vicious and vicious, and they were taught by the golden gunner Xu Ning and the master Du Bo.

In one-on-one, the opponent may not be able to advance in one or two rounds. If you charge in a melee and break out, you will suffer some losses when there are many enemies and you are outnumbered. But this loss is just the difference in numbers. If you really charge into battle, But he immediately killed the opponent and knocked him off his feet.

It was like a straight javelin that pierced the opponent's formation!

The opponent's more than 1000 or [-] cavalrymen were not good at this kind of direct and hard-hitting battle, and their martial arts skills were far inferior.

This is not how light cavalry is used, this is how heavy cavalry is used!

Before the pursuers from the rear arrived, Zhang Xian led this team and had already penetrated the Xixia cavalry on the opposite side.

The Xixia cavalry had the advantage in numbers and had been well prepared, but they could not withstand even a wave of attacks.

People were lying on the ground, blood was splattered, and screams could be heard endlessly.

The Xixia army was stunned. It was impossible. When did the Song army become so powerful?
The strength of the Song army is actually the infantry, and the cavalry has always been inferior, especially in the mountains. With the same number of people and equipment, they are no match for the Xixia cavalry.

But in just a short moment, the cavalry, which was nearly twice their number, was defeated and defeated!

The Xixia army didn't believe it, but the fact was right in front of them. Now this vanguard team, which looked like the Song army, had already entered the advancing soldiers.

"Stop! Stop!" the leading officer of the Xixia army shouted loudly. He did not expect such a situation to happen. Normally, even if the opponent's number is doubled, with two thousand riders, they can still stop it. At least The army horses dragged into the ambush in the mountains can come out to attack them without any problem.

But now, it is clear that there are only 1000 people on the other side, let alone blocking them, they can't even delay them.

No matter how loud he shouted, it would not help. He could only watch the Song army cut a passage through the infantry thicket like a hot knife cutting oil, and successfully break through...

Zhang Xian's eyes were blood red at this moment and his heart was heavy. Although he escaped from the Xixia army in a short time, he was not happy at all.

Because my subordinates are damaged!
It is absolutely impossible for 1000 people to escape from nearly [-] cavalry and [-] to [-] infantry.

He roughly estimated that at least dozens of cavalry had just been killed on the battlefield. Each cavalry was a valuable asset, not to mention that these cavalry were different from those of the opponent. A few dozen people could equal one or two hundred to the opponent.

Zhao Tong does not have many soldiers and horses in his hands. Even if he has high combat power, having few soldiers is his weakness. Every one of them must be cherished. Now that he had just arrived in Fuchuan, he was injured by the enemy's sneak attack before he had made any achievements. Zhang Xian felt that he had made a mistake. Greater than.

Just as he was running forward along Dulan Lake with his men and horses, he suddenly saw what seemed to be a team coming from a distance, and he hurriedly grabbed the binoculars to take a look.

When he saw the word "Yang" vaguely written on the flag that appeared in the mirror, he felt relieved. It was Yang Zhi who had brought people there.

Zhang Xian looked back and saw that the Xixia army behind them was not pursuing them. After all, the previous battle had shocked the opponent, and the opponent's infantry accounted for the majority and could not follow him in pursuit.

The two teams met each other in a moment. Yang Zhi from the opposite side could see something was wrong and shouted: "General Zhang, what happened?"

Zhang Xian felt shameless, but he couldn't help but refuse to answer, saying: "When I met the Xixia ambush, I fought my way out of the siege..."

Yang Zhi was immediately shocked and said hurriedly: "Where are the Xixia soldiers? Your Majesty was worried, so he sent me to pick them up. Unexpectedly, I actually met them."

Zhang Xian shook his head and said: "It's right behind, but I'm not chasing him. Now he's either continuing to lurk in the mountains or forests, or he's taking a detour back to Shikawa River!"

Yang Zhidao: "Since you are so quick, come with me to meet the prince's team, and report the military situation by the way."

Half an hour later, in a temporary tent fifteen miles away from Fuchuan City, Zhao Tong listened to Zhang Xian's report expressionlessly.

Zhang Xian knelt on the ground, recounted what happened to him, and then lowered his head and said: "My subordinates were reckless and even suffered losses in the army. Please forgive me and punish me." Zhao Tong looked at him expressionlessly and said calmly. : "You have to be punished, but you have to know where you made the mistake, otherwise what's the point of being punished? You might as well do it again next time!"

Zhang Xian said: "I will listen to the prince's teachings."

Zhao Tong said: "I told you in my letter that there is a Xixia military force in Lingbo Mountain, and I asked you to investigate carefully, right?"

Zhang Xian said: "The prince indeed said so in his letter, my subordinate..."

"And you did what the letter said?"

"Yes, before my subordinates went to Shikawa, they first went to Lingbo Mountain to check if there was any ambush..."

Zhao Tong snorted coldly: "Let's check it out, but what are you doing by bringing all the people into the mountain? No one is left outside to keep an eye on Shichuan. The surrounding area of ​​Dulan Lake is flat and the view is excellent, but there is You can see any signs of trouble immediately, but if you take them all into the mountain, it would be weird if you don't get ambushed!"

"Yes, the prince has taught you a lesson!" Zhang Xian replied slowly. He also thought about this reason on the way back, but he was so eager to make contributions at the time that he didn't think about Xixia's strategies. Ever since the army sent troops to Qin Wangchuan, everything was too much. It went well, but I felt paralyzed and careless.

Zhao Tong looked at him and said slowly: "Even robbers and thieves know how to leave a few people to keep an eye on the situation before going about their business. When they see that the situation is not good, they immediately go to report the news, and then they all work together. , Your marching, fighting, and robbing the city are not a hundred times more serious than those of thieves? But you don’t have the slightest detail of thieves, and are not as good as those green forests."

"Subordinate, subordinate..." Zhang Xian wanted to plunge into the ground. He really didn't have the shame to face the prince. He understood these principles and was usually calm enough, but this time he was really too impatient.

Zhao Tong shook his head: "I have read so many military books. Not only must I remember them in my heart, but I must also learn to use them. Never underestimate the opponent at any time. This time it is a small matter and I can still escape. If I encounter an ambush of 1 people next time , 3 people, how can you run away? You are afraid that you will be wrapped in horse leather and return!"

"I understand, I know that I am guilty, and I ask the prince to punish me." Zhang Xian murmured.

"The punishment will naturally be imposed. I asked Yang Zhi just now, you took away 1000 people and came back with 940, 54, a total loss of 180 cavalry, and [-], [-] injured..." Zhao Tong muttered: "Approximately how much loss did the other party suffer?"

"This..." Zhang Xian thought deeply: "The opponent's cavalry is always injured between four and five hundred. As for the number of casualties, it is difficult to calculate. The infantry is also afraid of having this number, only a lot more."

Zhao Tong thought for a while: "Go out and get three whips by yourself, then go back to the camp and think about your mistakes."

Zhang Xian responded, went out and called his bodyguards, took the riding whip, took off his armor and stood down in the field, and then asked his bodyguards to beat him hard.

Riding whips were made of tendon bristles, which were both tough and hard. After three whips, blood stains immediately appeared on his clothes. Then the soldiers hurriedly stepped forward to support him and carried him to the tent.

Zhao Tong sat on a chair and listened to the silence outside, so he called Du Bo and said: "The situation in Shichuan is different from what we expected before. There are actually soldiers guarding it. It seems that the commander-in-chief of the Xishou Baotai Military Division is trying to prevent our army from advancing eastward. , all the garrisons originally from Huizhou, Yingli and other places were transferred here, just to defend the line of Roulang Mountain, and now they have set up an ambush in Lingbo Mountain, do you have a plan to break it?"

Du Bo thought for a while: "Your Majesty, it seems that if you want to destroy Shikigawa, you must first clear Lingbo Mountain. Otherwise, if we attack the city here, there will be a sneak attack from the mountain over there, which will be bad."

Zhao Tong nodded: "That's true, but although there are maps from the outside world, where are they in the mountain? The other party is familiar with the terrain in the mountain, but our eyes are completely dark. If we forcefully enter the mountain, we will be ambushed. Even if we are cleared by then, I'm afraid The losses are unbearable.”

Du Bo thought for a while and said: "If you want to level the mountain, you must have detailed intelligence. I am willing to take a few people into the mountain to investigate. Even if we are discovered there, there is nothing the other party can do to me because of the mountains and forests. "

Zhao Tong said: "You are the master, so I can rest assured. As long as you are not trapped in a small room on the plains, you will have a chance to escape. There is more freedom in the mountains and forests. However, the investigation cannot be completed by one person. Who are you going to take with you?"

Du Bo thought for a while: "It is enough for me to lead Shi Qian, Lu Da and Han."

Zhao Tong nodded and said: "Although these three people are not very skilled in martial arts, their footwork and body skills are a bit faster."

Du Bo said: "Shi Qian can fly over walls and walls, Lu Da is good at climbing poles and trees, and Han Er can move rocks through soil. With the three of them here, things will be done."

Zhao Tong said: "Then you go find the three of them and come up with the charter. The sooner the better. After all, we are already approaching Shichuan at this moment. If we delay it, it will not be good for us."

Du Bo stood up and clasped his fists and said, "My subordinates, go right away. After we have discussed the matter properly, we will report back to the prince."

Watching Du Bu go out and leave, Zhao Tao touched his chin and thought, since the Xishou Baotai Military Division has mobilized all the troops to defend here, then once they get to Shichuan, Huizhou and other places will definitely be empty, isn't it okay? Drive straight in and kill them?

In the blink of an eye, the next morning, after dinner, Zhao Tuo was sitting in the big tent watching the military report sent by the scouts. Du Bu brought Shi Qian, Lu Da, and Han Er over to ask for orders to go to Lingbo Mountain.

Zhao Tong immediately agreed, and Du Bo didn't say much. The four of them did not wear armor, but rode in light clothes, and left the camp in a moment.

At this moment, the camping place is fifteen miles away from Shichuan and about the same distance from Lingbo Mountain. However, the four of them could not go up the mountain from Dulan Lake. They were afraid of encountering a Xixia ambush, so they took a detour and walked farther to the northwest. But he traveled two or three miles more.

Before reaching the foot of the mountain, the four of them abandoned their horses and walked to the foot of the mountain.

This side is not as good as the other side of Dulan Lake. There is no path, but this does not trouble them. Du Bo said: "It is better to have no path. It is not easy to be discovered. We don't need to open a mountain path. We can just go up the mountain with our martial arts." yes."

The three of them nodded and didn't think it was too difficult. After all, Lingbo Mountain was not a densely forested place that required climbing through thorns. There were just some places where the rocks were steep and difficult to climb, but with their light skills, they could get over it.

It didn't take long for the four of them to enter the mountain. Looking around, Lingbo Mountain was not as desolate and majestic as those other mountains, but rather had a small family atmosphere. This was also the reason why there were many hills in the mountain, but they were not tall.

Du Bo judged the direction and was going to the place where Zhang Xian met the ambush before. He looked at the three of them and said: "Let's separate and move forward together. You must not be rash. Once you are discovered by the other party, you will immediately fire an arrow to report the news. All Retreat from the mountain, don’t delay!”

The three of them nodded and went their separate ways. Shi Qian was happy in his heart. He had not made any great achievements since he joined Zhao Yu. Although Fang La was with the army before, he only pretended to be a Ming follower to deceive Fang Qifu and did not actually fight on the battlefield. , this time when I came to Longyou, I felt that my luck was about to come, and I couldn't say that this was the time to make great achievements.

He saw that Du Bo and others were nowhere to be seen, and he also used the ability of a hundred ghosts to walk at night, walking through the gaps in the forest. He didn't know how far he had gone, when he suddenly heard a faint movement from ahead, and he couldn't help but hurriedly hid under a big tree. Behind the tree, I listened carefully.

(End of this chapter)