"Nanyang?"
Li Zicheng was stunned for a moment when he heard the place name, but the reality quickly brought his thoughts back.
He stared at the scout's face and asked, "What happened in Nanyang? Aren't Mr. Li and Lady Hong stationed in Nanyang?"
"Your Majesty, Qin Liangyu led her troops north to attack Nanyang. Mr. Li and Lady Hong were defeated and fled to Runan."
"After Qin Liangyu captured Nanyang, she did not continue to advance into Henan, but instead marched westwards towards Wuguan."
Wuguan!
One of the four major passes in Guanzhong.
The four major passes are Xiaoguan in the northwest, Dasanguan in the southwest, Hanguguan in the east and Wuguguan in the southeast.
This plain is named Guanzhong because it is located in the middle of four passes.
(These were the four major passes before the end of the Han Dynasty. After the Han Dynasty, the eastern pass of Guanzhong changed from Hangu Pass to Tong Pass. The reason was that due to lateral invasion, the Yellow River channel north of Hangu Pass shifted northward, and the silt carried by the Yellow River accumulated, eventually forming a shallow beach for marching in the north of Hangu Pass.
The shallows made Hangu Pass lose its status as a natural barrier, so Tongguan, a hundred miles west of Hangu Pass, became a barrier to Guanzhong. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Tongguan was forced to move north because the Yellow River moved north again. Those who are interested can check it out by themselves.)
Wugu Pass is a fortress connecting Guanzhong to Huguang.
As long as Wuguan is captured, troops can be sent out from Xiangyang, all the way northwest to take Shangluo, attack Lantian, and reach the outskirts of Xi'an.
Xi'an is the base camp of the Shun army, and its importance is self-evident.
After hearing the news, Song Xiance's eyes widened: "Are you... are you telling the truth?"
"It is absolutely true. I dare not speak nonsense." The scout said seriously.
Niu Jinxing also looked panicked and kept pacing where he was.
The others were also distracted and looked at Li Zicheng.
Most of the Shun army's families were in Guanzhong, and the city of Xi'an was home to a large number of families of middle and senior generals.
If Qin Liangyu stole his hometown, the Shun army would collapse without a fight.
As the backbone of the Shun army, Li Zicheng quickly regained his composure.
He turned to the crowd and said, "Don't panic, everyone. Since the news of Qin Liangyu's attack on Wuguan has been delivered here, it must have also been delivered to Xi'an. Zehou (Tian Jianxiu) has 20,000 troops left in Xi'an, and Li Guo has 30,000 troops in Tongguan, 200 miles away from Xi'an."
"We can reach Xi'an in one day and one night. Xi'an will be safe."
"Besides," Li Zicheng raised his eyebrows when he said this, "Wuguan Pass is easy to defend but difficult to attack. It is not easy for Qin Liangyu to conquer Wuguan Pass."
Although Li Zicheng's words made everyone feel much more at ease, they had lost their fighting spirit.
"Your Majesty," Song Xiance stepped out and bowed deeply to Li Zicheng, "I think the most urgent task is to withdraw the troops as soon as possible, otherwise our army will be in danger of being wiped out."
Li Zicheng nodded and asked, "Military Advisor, what you said is absolutely right."
Gu Kecheng in the east had been defeated, Ma Shiying in the west took the opportunity to attack here, and Liu Zongmin in the north was also ambushed.
If he delays any further, it is only a matter of time before his central army is defeated.
"It's time to withdraw our troops. Immediately pass the order to retreat westward to Huainan." Li Zicheng ordered.
"Your Majesty is wise!" Niu Jinxing did not forget to flatter him even at this time.
"No," Song Xiance said to stop him, "Huainan is only a hundred miles away from Fengyang. The Ming army will reach the city of Huainan in one day and one night."
"I think we should retreat to Huainan first, replenish our food and supplies, and then quickly retreat to Fuyang!"
Li Zicheng thought about it and thought it made sense, so he changed his words and said, "Immediately retreat to Huainan and inform the Huainan garrison to immediately build a pontoon bridge so that they can cross the river as soon as the army arrives."
As the military order was issued, the Shun army's central army began to move.
By this time the sky had completely darkened, and countless torches were lit in the darkness.
The first to retreat were Li Zicheng's central army.
He led his soldiers to abandon their positions on the banks of the Huai River, first moved westward to join Liu Tichun, and then continued to retreat westward to Huainan.
Gu Kecheng followed closely behind, and the last to retreat was Liu Tichun.
After paying a huge price, the Shun army finally left Fengyang.
In the darkness of the night, the Ming army did not dare to pursue rashly.
First, most people suffer from night blindness and need the help of light to see the road and the enemy clearly.
Second, the enemy can easily ambush and attack under the cover of night.
On the Huai River.
Lu Daqi stood on the bow with his hands behind his back, looking at the torches that looked like dragons swimming in the darkness, and felt a little relieved.
Fortunately, this victory was won.
The Nanjing court was saved, and Lu Daqi's reputation was also preserved.
"Governor," Gao Jie shouted at him from the shore, "Governor, please give me a military order. I will kill them all."
Lu Daqi laughed and said, "No hurry, let's talk about it tomorrow."
"The thief Li Chuang will run far away tomorrow!" Gao Jie said anxiously.
He was born a bandit, and he knew that in order to truly defeat Li Zicheng, he needed to pursue him relentlessly.
Once the opponent gets a chance to catch his breath, you will have to go through the same old path to defeat him again.
Lu Daqi sighed and shook his head to refuse.
The battle lasted until midnight. The Ming army simply cleaned up the battlefield and set up camp on the spot.
The next morning, Lu Daqi held a meeting outside the city.
Gao Jie, Liu Liangzuo, Ma Shiying, Lu Jiude, Zhu Guobi, Liu Kongzhao, Pu Congshan, Li Jiyu, Wang Zhigang, Liu Zhaoji, Li Shiyuan and others were all present.
Everyone had a happy smile on their face.
In this battle, they not only lifted the siege of Fengyang, but also defeated the bandits. It can be said to be a complete victory.
Lu Daqi sat in the middle of the military tent with his hands on the desk.
His eyes swept across everyone one by one, and after briefly lingering on Zhu Guobi's face, he withdrew his gaze.
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