At this time, Song Lin stood up and said seriously: "General Li, give me 30,000 soldiers and horses. I will take this mountain and hold it for two days. If I can hold it, please immediately take 90,000 soldiers and horses and evacuate Songling City. Follow Xiuxiu's instructions and deploy the people to the location she specifies."
"Husband." Shen Xu called out softly. She had taken a risky move by sending 30,000 men. The worst-case scenario was that the entire army would be wiped out if they defended to the death.
But now Song Lin stood up and said that he would personally lead the troops to defend the mountain, which immediately made her anxious, "Husband, you can't do this. You have never fought in a war, how can you do such a dangerous thing!"
"Don't worry, my uncle taught me how to deploy troops before." Song Lin nodded slightly to her and said softly, "Your husband believes in you."
"Brother Song." Pei Zhiyuan immediately said, "I will guard it with you."
Shen Xu was stunned. Seeing that the two men had no choice but to defend the mountain, and the generals in the tent were full of expectations and morale was high, if he said at this moment that defending the mountain with 30,000 soldiers was a life-and-death struggle, it would inevitably cause unrest. By then, morale would be difficult to maintain, and it would be even more difficult to hold on to the place.
She thought for a long time, and seemed to have made up her mind. She said, "No, Master Pei, we have more important things to do. Let my husband lead the troops to guard the mountain alone."
Pei Zhiyuan saw her serious expression and nodded seriously.
Shen Xu walked up to Song Lin, his eyes firm yet gentle as he said, "My dear husband, please be careful. No matter what, save your life and wait for me to take down the Northern Command Camp!"
When the soldiers heard that she was really going to take the headquarters camp of the Northern Xue Army, they immediately started talking about it.
"Using the mountains to block the main force of Xue's army might actually work."
"Thirty thousand is too little. Five days is too long. It's too difficult."
"I will stay behind to defend Xiangyang Ridge. I will stop them even if I die. Every last one I can hold back is a thousand times the best!"
Shen Xu turned to Li Fei and asked, "General Li, how is it?"
Li Fei was slightly stunned, then nodded hesitantly, "If we can hold on in two days, I will order the 90,000 soldiers and civilians in the city to evacuate Xiangyangling."
The mountains and rivers outside Xiangyangling Pass are covered with dense forests, and the mountains are almost all covered with balsam poplar trees, so the entire mountain range is called Xiangyangling.
The fragrant poplar has a unique fragrance, which is especially strong after rain. Walking in the forest, the fragrance makes people feel relaxed and happy.
These aromas are also non-toxic, and in peacetime, dignitaries like to use this wood to make furniture.
It is said that furniture made from this tree has a pleasant fragrance, but the furniture made from it is very fragile and will be scrapped within one or two years. Therefore, fragrant poplar wood did not become popular among the nobles.
The road leading directly to Xiangyangling Pass is right between two high mountains.
"After we feint and capture these two hilltops, we'll cut off the two main roads and line them with spikes and traps to prevent the cavalry from passing through. We'll then deploy troops on the hilltops to prevent them from building a bridge across the trench."
"Then how should we deal with them attacking from the mountain road?"
"Build a fortress on the top of the mountain overnight. The two mountains are surrounded by cliffs on both sides, so we must set traps and troops on the other two sides to stop the enemy's troops with all our strength."
Chen Xu told Song Lin the specific details of the deployment, including where to set traps, where to use rolling stones and wooden planks, and where to deploy decoy troops, without leaving any detail.
Song Lin listened carefully and wrote down everything.
Li Fei immediately sent out a large group of elite cavalry to feint an attack on the main camp of Xue’s army on the other side of the mountain and eliminate all the enemy’s outposts in the mountain.
The enemy had just suffered a setback in their Queyue Formation and was still in great chaos, so they had to close their camp and avoid fighting. It did not take much effort for them to capture the two hills of Xiangyangling.
After the cavalry retreated to the defense line, the engineering corps immediately began digging trenches, laying traps, building fortresses on the hilltops, setting traps, etc.
Almost all the members were mobilized. In just half a day, the two mountains were filled with traps and mechanisms. Song Lin and 20,000 people stayed on the top of the mountain.
Shen Xu stood on the city wall, looking solemnly at the seemingly peaceful mountaintop, his eyes filled with unconcealable worry.
It is too dangerous for 20,000 people to rely on two hills to block an army of over 100,000.
Pei Zhiyuan stood behind her, his hawk-like eyes following her gaze to stare at the two hills. He asked, "Miss Shen, you left me here, what do you want me to do?"
"We have to go to the Xue Army camp in the north in person."
Pei Zhiyuan's breathing stagnated. He thought Song Lin's situation was already extremely dangerous, but he didn't expect that she would actually enter the wolf's den herself!
He exclaimed softly: "Miss, are you going to assassinate Xue Yan?"
Shen Xu shook his head: "Sending an envoy to persuade them to surrender."
"It's too dangerous. You're a woman, and if you fall into the Northern Army camp, I, I can't guarantee that I can get you out safely!"
"I can protect myself." Shen Xu frowned slightly, feeling deeply uneasy. She raised her hand to press her throbbing eyelids and asked, "Are the soldiers in the rear ready with their blue armor?"
A general stepped forward and said, "Everything has been distributed. The main force is also marching towards the checkpoints indicated by the young lady. Currently, there are less than 5,000 soldiers and horses left at the headquarters, all of whom are veterans and remnants."
Shen Xu nodded and said to Li Fei, "In two days, we must march at full speed. All 90,000 soldiers and horses must be equipped with the equipment of the Royal Army's Iron Cavalry, and all horses must be covered with iron armor. We must appear at these checkpoints within five days."
Li Fei nodded carefully and said, "Let's hold on for the next two days."
"Report, General! The rear armory has delivered another 30,000 feathered arrows. All have had their tail feathers shortened as requested by the female chancellor. Five thousand improved hand crossbows have also been delivered."
Shen Xu ordered: "Send everything to the top of the mountain and equip the soldiers there."
Although the range and power of the improved crossbow are not as effective as the powered spring crossbow, it can at least be used to defend against the enemy. In addition, the troops distributed on the mountain are infantry and swordsmen, who also need weapons such as hand crossbows for defense.
She raised her eyes and looked at the two hills for a long time, pursed her lips and thought to herself,
My dear husband, you must not retreat even a single step in the next two days!
if……
Shen Xu shook his head, trying hard not to think about those bad things.
"Master Pei, pack up, it's time for us to set off."
She turned around resolutely, had the carriages and horses prepared, and set off towards the Xue army camp north of the northern defense line.
The carriage passed through the mountains and ridges, walked on the dusty ancient road, headed north, and gradually became smaller.
Pei Zhiyuan sat outside the carriage without saying a word, the setting sun covering his face with a layer of golden sand.
Even though he was worried, he was no longer confused and had complete faith in her decision.
During this period, this young woman has created too many miracles. He firmly believes that they can overcome the difficulties again and that she can lead the entire Haoyue Kingdom through the difficulties.
The premise is that he must protect her.
Even if it costs my life.
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