Just after Zhang Fu had directed his troops to complete the basic defenses.
Across from the Tushubao camp, an endless army suddenly appeared.
In this particular group, banners filled the sky, and many of the soldiers still had bloodstains on their armor that they hadn't had time to wipe away.
It brought a sense of solemnity to the troops.
The banner bearing the character "Li" in the middle of this army is particularly eye-catching.
Zhang Fu knew that the target he was leading the army on this expedition had finally appeared before him.
This time, however, the roles of prey and hunter have been reversed.
His original goal in leading the army on this expedition was to annihilate Li Qin.
However, his mission this time was simply to avoid being wiped out by Li Qin.
This makes one sigh at the capriciousness of fate.
Although he had initially constructed defensive fortifications at Tushubao.
However, breaking out is basically impossible; once you leave this place, the surrounding area is flat and open.
They would become easy prey for the Liaodong cavalry.
Li Qin, clad in armor and mounted on a warhorse, gazed at the imperial army's camp in the distance, and the soldiers already clad in armor, ready for battle.
Although the defensive fortifications were rudimentary, this proved that the opposing imperial army had already developed a certain level of organization.
And seeing those armored soldiers proved that they were ready.
Moreover, the other party had no intention of coming out to fight him, but instead planned to stay there and hide.
He had already written to Wanyan Jian, asking him to cut off the army's supply lines to the south and help him hold off the enemy in the west.
Based on the intelligence he had gathered, as well as what he had learned from the officers who were prisoners of war during this period.
This time, the army from the capital not only mobilized all the troops in the surrounding areas, but also because the emperor was eager to lead the expedition in person.
The preparations were inadequate, and the army did not carry much baggage.
The army's provisions and supplies all depended on requisitioning later and being transported to the army through supply lines.
Their supply lines have now been cut off by Wanyan Jian and his Jurchen cavalry.
Moreover, according to what I just learned from the prisoners of war, they lost a lot of supplies during their rapid march due to the chaos within the army.
Even Wang Zhen's own hundreds of cartloads of gold, silver, and valuables were left behind.
It can be said that at this moment, they had very little food supply in the main camp of Tushubao in front of them.
Most importantly, because the emperor personally led the expedition, he had taken away all the powerful troops in the vicinity.
This resulted in the absence of large-scale reinforcements in the vicinity of the capital.
If they want reinforcements, they'll have to transfer troops from Shandong and other places, which will take a long time.
There are approximately 150,000 troops in the opposite military camp.
150,000 people would eat a small mountain in a day, not even counting the dung horses and mules used to transport the goods.
However, those horses and mules will probably soon be turned into food.
But how long can this last?
Most importantly, during the battle with Qin Yong, a high-ranking nobleman who was captured revealed information in order to save his life.
That means the army's reserves will only last for about two days.
That's why they stopped at Tushubao to wait for their food and supplies.
Based on the officer's intelligence, Li Qin estimated that they would have five days.
There is absolutely no way those guys in the capital could mobilize troops from Xuanfu and Shandong within five days.
Looking at the distant camp, Li Qin decided to besiege it for five days.
Five days later, even if he could still hold on, he would no longer have the strength to fight.
As for them coming out to fight against him, that's even better. This vast plain is perfect for his Liaodong cavalry to gallop across.
Li Qin then began to build his own camp outside the imperial earthen fortress.
They were prepared to wear down the imperial army of 150,000.
He also ordered Li Xuanshang to lead his troops to garrison in the south of Tushubao, while Liu Chenghui and Wang Taihe, together with his trusted advisor Gu Deyuan, camped in the north of Tushubao.
He himself set up camp in the east, surrounding the army in Tushu Fortress from three sides.
By leaving one side open to the west, which faces the capital, the encirclement was left open, giving them a glimmer of hope.
Otherwise, they would really have to hold out to the death.
At the same time, the cavalry will be integrated, and as long as the army inside Tushu Fort dares to come out, they will be able to conquer this flat plain.
It was practically his cavalry's hunting ground.
It should be noted that the main force of the enemy's cavalry had already been wiped out by him.
As long as they run west, they will never be able to outrun his cavalry.
Even if some scattered defeated soldiers break through his cavalry blockade and escape, don't forget...
Further west, Wanyan Jian's Jurchen cavalry were waiting for them.
They were currently roaming between Tushubao and the capital, cutting off the army's supply lines.
Seeing that Li Qin had surrounded them but did not order his troops to launch a forced attack, Zhang Fu, inside the Tushubao camp, breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, Li Qin on the other side did not risk an attack.
Otherwise, I really don't have absolute confidence that I can stop them with the troops that I just coordinated and whose morale is low.
But Zhang Fu will soon face another problem.
What about the army's food supply?
Although Li Qin conservatively refrained from launching a rash attack, he temporarily relieved his immediate crisis.
However, the army's food supplies would only last for two more days.
If this standoff with Li Qin continues, I'm sure I'll collapse first due to lack of food.
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