"Reinforcements?"
“Yes, the importance of Liangzhou to Longyou and to Zhao Muyun is self-evident!” Yang Yan nodded emphatically. “Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come to Liangzhou’s rescue twice!”
The first time, Zhao Muyun personally led two thousand cavalry and one thousand Shenji Battalion soldiers. They first subjugated the Qiang Rong tribe, and then, under the cover of the Qiang Rong, they launched surprise attacks on Yang Yi and Li Hu's troops.
The second time, Zhao Muyun assembled 6,000 elite cavalry and launched a long-distance raid, attacking the logistics and supplies of the Xijing army, forcing Yang Yi and Li Hu's army to retreat once again.
The two rescues are enough to demonstrate the importance of Liangzhou!
Similarly, Liangzhou was equally important to Yang Yan.
"Then, Uncle, what should we do now?"
Inside the tent, the candlelight crackled, and Yang Yan's fingertips repeatedly caressed the sand table, carving deep ravines into the Chiling Gorge next to the Liangzhou City model with bamboo strips.
He looked up at Yang Yi and Li Hu, but instead of answering their questions, he asked in return, "Do you know why I am not in a hurry to attack the city?"
Yang Yi frowned and stepped forward: "Uncle, do you intend to wait for Zhao Muyun to come back as reinforcements so that you can annihilate him in one fell swoop?"
"You're not entirely stupid."
Yang Yan picked up the black terracotta figurines and divided them into three piles. "The encirclement of Liangzhou is bait; the real target is the reinforcements sent by Zhao Muyun."
"He has just fought a fierce battle with the Northern Di, and his troops are exhausted. If he were to return to reinforce them now, it would be like a spent arrow."
He pointed to the middle of the canyon, "Li Hu, you take five thousand men and ambush them there. Remember, your mission is not to kill, but to block the road. Even if you have to build a wall of corpses, you must trap the reinforcements at the bottom of the valley, understand?"
Li Hu clenched his fists, his voice trembling: "The Hedong army's offensive power is too strong, and they seem to have weapons like fire-oil bombs and detonators. Are five thousand infantrymen enough...?"
"powerful?"
Yang Yan sneered and threw an arrow. "No matter how fast their horses are, can they jump over rolling stones? Can they break through barricades?"
"You just need to prepare rolling stones and logs on both sides of the canyon. When they come in, first smash their vanguard, then use chevaux-de-frise to block their retreat. At that time, their thunderbolts will be powerless, and they will be trapped like turtles in a jar."
Yang Yi suddenly interjected, "Uncle, what if the reinforcements sent by Zhao Muyun take a detour through the swamp east of Chiling?"
"swamp?"
Yang Yan pulled out a map, and the charcoal-faced man circled the swamp. "Even infantry would have a hard time traversing that place; cavalry would simply sink. It's still Tangut territory..."
He pulled a secret letter from his sleeve. “I have sent the Dangxiang leaders a hundred bolts of silk and a thousand taels of silver, ordering them to stay in their stronghold. If Zhao Muyun wants to get there quickly, he can only go through Chiling.”
"Order the scouts to expand their reconnaissance area and make sure they find out everything the troops coming from Ganzhou are doing!"
"Yes, sir!"
......
The smoke of battle still lingers on the ruins of Langshan.
The army that participated in the battle slowly retreated with their spoils.
Inside Ganzhou City.
Shen Qian rushed in: "Grand Commander, Captain Wu and Captain Guo have sent a letter saying that they have forced the Xijing army back thirty miles away."
"However, the Xijing army is still reinforcing its troops and building more fortifications outside Liangzhou City. They have also increased the number of patrols. It seems that they are determined to take Liangzhou."
Zhao Muyun unfolded the letter, pondered for a moment, and looked up at Pei Lun and Guo Xiaoti: "What do you two think?"
Guo Xiaoti stepped forward and said, "Grand Commander, we only have 10,000 troops now, mostly infantry! And the cavalry combined only number 4,000. The enemy forces in Liangzhou are increasing, and our strength is severely insufficient!"
Pei Lun also said, "Although the Tartars have retreated, we must leave troops to defend Guazhou and Heidushan. Otherwise, if the Tartars see that we are vulnerable, they will come back again."
“I know all this!” Zhao Muyun frowned. “We have rescued Liangzhou twice, and we cannot afford to give up now. We must send reinforcements to Liangzhou. We must have a decisive battle with Yang Yan!”
“Alright, Lord Pei Lun!” Zhao Muyun looked at Pei Lun, “You leave five thousand troops to garrison Guazhou. If the Tartars come again, make sure to hold out for a month!”
"Rest assured, Grand Commander, this precious land of Longyou was developed by me and Commandant Tang together, and I will never let it be lost!" Pei Lun's eyes were filled with determination.
"Yes, with Lord Pei guarding Guazhou, our army has no worries about its rear!" Zhao Muyun nodded, then gave the order, "Shi Yong, you lead three thousand soldiers as the vanguard, Tang Yanhai and I will lead the central army, and Colonel Guo will cover the rear!"
"We have a total of 7,000 troops supporting Liangzhou. Together with the 6,000 cavalry we had before, as well as the troops of Lord Zhang and Liu Yi in Liangzhou City, we should be able to fight a decisive battle against Yang Yan's 50,000 troops!"
Just as Shi Yong was about to step forward to receive the order, Guo Xiaoti interjected, "Grand Commander, I am familiar with the route, please allow me to be the vanguard!"
“Hmm! That works too!” Zhao Muyun thought about it and agreed. Guo Xiaoti had served as a military commander in Ganzhou for many years and was naturally familiar with the routes.
"However, I urge Commander Guo to be careful on the march. Yang Yan is more shrewd than Li Hu and Yang Yi, and is the most intelligent strategist under Li Jingang. He should have anticipated that we would come to our aid," Zhao Muyun reminded him again.
"Rest assured, Grand Commander!" Guo Xiaoti nodded.
"Liu, Deputy Commander, go to Ganzhou to gather grain and supplies, and work with the Western Region merchant An Dehai to provide logistical support for our army!" Zhao Muyun then ordered Liu Hui.
"Yes, sir!"
The next morning, three thousand soldiers set off first.
Guo Xiaoti walked at the front of the troops, occasionally looking back at the formation.
The soldiers, who had just fought a bloody battle, still had the blood of the Northern Barbarians on their armor.
Some warhorses had strips of cloth wrapped around their legs, but no one complained; only the sound of their footsteps echoed across the wasteland.
......
At the entrance to the Red Ridge Canyon, Li Hu stood behind a large rock on the mountain ridge, gripping his long sword tightly.
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