Chapter 773 Military Song
Yuan Shao was having breakfast, and Zhang Chong was also having breakfast with a group of Taishan generals. However, unlike Yuan Shao and the others who mobilized troops, Zhang Chong had breakfast with the military chiefs on the north bank.
But breakfast was not simple. Zhang Chong and the others did not just have porridge like Yuan Shao, but started eating beef early in the morning.
At this time, Zhang Chong was cutting the beef ribs with a meat cleaver while listening to a feather rider's report:
"The total enemy strength is approximately 140,000 to 50,000."
Hearing this number, the generals around Zhang Chong slowed down in eating meat. It was obvious that this was a huge number.
Zhang Chong shrugged and made no judgment, while Li Hu beside him had already cursed:
"You have no idea about the strength of the army. Even if the enemy army wipes out all of Yuzhou, they still can't estimate the strength of 150,000. Is this how you do it?"
The flying knight's face turned pale. Although he judged from the number of flags that the opponent must have this number of troops, he did not dare to refute what the general said.
Zhang Chong pinched his chin, thought for a while, and asked again:
"The number of people does not determine anything, it still depends on the fighting spirit and military strategy."
All the generals nodded.
This would penetrate the Ma Chao tribe on the north bank of Yishui River and ride back. After cruising the bandits on the south bank, they sent Zhang Chong a new piece of data:
"The number of enemy troops on the south bank of Yishui is one hundred thousand."
One hundred thousand? Although it was already 50,000 less than what Yu Qi had discovered just now, it was still a huge army.
At this time, the generals actually felt that this number might be the real enemy number. After all, Ma Chao and others were closer to the enemy, so they were naturally more credible.
But Zhang Chong shook his head and said to Meng Ju who was approaching:
"Ask your Yuqi to explore again. This time, don't just count flags and smoke. Choose capable and careful ones. Let me infiltrate them. I want Yuan Jun's most authentic numbers."
Meng Ju nodded, and then went to assign the task without eating any meat.
But at this moment, several Yuqi came running from the pontoon, one of them was Tai Shici who had lurked to the south bank of Yishui last night.
Taishi Ci was a general who was favored by Zhang Chong. Originally, Taishi Ci was no longer responsible for the specific sentinel operations, but this time the battle was too important, so Zhang Chong decided to let Taishi Ci go out as a sentinel.
And sure enough, Taishi Ci lived up to Zhang Chong's expectations. After falling off his horse and running over, he gave Zhang Chong a new number:
"Yuan Shao's army is 50,000, and Yuan Shu's army is 10,000. The total strength is about 60,000."
This is the number Taishi Ci got after walking around Yuan's camp last night.
Unlike ordinary Yuqi who only observe from the outside, Taishi Ci directly disguised himself as Yuan Jun and lurked inside Yuan Jun. Through careful observation, interviews, and even captured students, he came up with such a number.
After Taishi Ci finished speaking, the generals looked at each other in shock. They felt that the number of enemy troops was like a leaky pig bubble, which deflated in a moment.
From the beginning there were 150,000 people, to hundreds of thousands, and now there are only 60,000 people.
Therefore, as Taishi Ci’s direct superior, Meng Ju asked very seriously:
"Before, Yu Qi and Ma Chao from the south bank both sent out sentries to detect the number of enemy troops. The number of troops they reported was twice as large as yours. How did you get the 60,000?"
Taishi Ci loudly replied:
"If we just visually count the number of enemy flags, we can infer based on common sense that the number of enemy troops is 150,000. But in fact, when I visited the camp, I found that the enemy actually had multiple flags, and in some places even the tents were empty. It is empty. If we look at the number of enemy smoke, it is around 100,000. But unfortunately, this is also the enemy's method to intimidate our army."
Taishi Ci's words caused an uproar among the generals. They didn't expect that Yuan Shao, a man with thick eyebrows and big eyes, would also use the strategy of increasing troops.
Then Taishi Ci added a message:
"Previously, our army estimated that the reinforcements from Yuan Shu were around 40,000. However, I tortured a general of Yuan Shu's army in the prison camp. He told me that they came this time based on the scale of three Ding to one soldier. In fact, The actual number of soldiers is about 10,000.”
Zhang Chong's eyes were full of joy. He liked people who were not confused by illusions and public opinions, who could explore the truth on their own and stick to themselves.
At this moment, Taishi Ci greatly impressed him.
He patted his legs and praised:
"A great achievement deserves a reward."
He first touched his body and found that the belt on his body was somewhat symbolic, but he couldn't give it to him. Then Zhang Chong saw the meat cleaver on the table.
Because he is a carnivore, he often wears this carving knife, so there is an inscription on the knife that reads:
"Meat-eaters are brave and fierce."
Then Zhang Chong gave the meat cleaver to Tai Shici and said with a smile:
"Take this knife."
Taishi Ci was so excited that he quickly took the meat cleaver with both hands to thank him.
At this time, Zhang Chong started to test teaching again and asked Taishi Ci:
"There was a report from the south bank of Luoshui River just now, saying that there was a large-scale mobilization of enemy troops on the south bank of Yishui River. How did you judge it?"
Taishi Ci asserted with absolute certainty:
"This must be the time when the enemy is about to cross the river for a decisive battle. If it is just a matter of changing formations, it is impossible to make such a big move in the morning, most likely after midnight. In addition, I passed by the Yiluo battlefield At that time, I saw that the Yuan army there had already set up their swords and looked like they were ready to fight. If the native dog dares to show his teeth, it must be that the master is coming. "
Zhang Chong laughed loudly and said to Xun You beside him:
"Gongda, look at what Tai Shici said is so appropriate. You are still too elegant."
It turns out that Xun You had analyzed it for Zhang Chong before and was sure that today must be the decisive day for Yuan Shao. At this moment, being teased by Zhang Chong, Xun You also smiled awkwardly.
After teasing Xun You, Zhang Chong couldn't help but said to everyone:
"I don't like to defeat Yuan's army, but I like to have talents like Taishi Ziyi. Because as long as our army has many such talents, no matter whether it is Yuan Shao or Cao Cao, the final result will be no exception. That is, they will be defeated. Our army was smashed to pieces.”
Zhang Chong's words caused the generals to shout. They patted the case and shouted:
"Tai Shi Ziyi."
"Tai Shi Ziyi."
At this moment, Taishi Ci's face was flushed, enjoying his moment of glory.
Zhang Chong is like this. He not only rewards his subordinates with gifts, but also provides them with emotional value. And the latter even satisfied his subordinates even more.
After that, Taishi Ci will retire. But at this time, Zhang Chong called out to Tai Shici again, and then handed over the beef ribs on his dining table:
"Ziyi, take this piece of beef and eat it here."
Taishi Ci nodded excitedly, then took the lunch box handed over by Cai Que and retreated behind Zhang Chong. Because he understood that the king allowed him to observe the military meeting here.
Sure enough, when Zhang Chong saw that everyone had almost eaten, he spoke the first sentence, and this sentence directly set the entire tone:
"To be honest, I am not worried about this battle. In yesterday's battle, although our army only gathered and wiped out ten thousand enemies, the two Li who stayed on the Yiluo battlefield at this moment were actually already timid and had nothing to fear. And just now Ziyi was sent away The information coming in can be said to add a few more chances of victory.”
After speaking, Zhang Chong laid out his military strategy:
"As soon as the enemy army crossed the river, our army let go of Li Zheng, Li Tong, and Yuan Shu's positions, and pursued Yuan Shao's direct troops. Do you understand?"
The truth is that the battle-hardened generals present didn't know this, and they all obeyed.
And in the heated atmosphere, another rider ran over and shouted:
"Your Majesty, Yuan Shao's banner was discovered on the Yiluo battlefield." Zhang Chong laughed, and the desire to fight that he had endured for two days was finally released, and he shouted:
"Put up the banner of our army as well."
A dozen generals hurriedly ran behind the curtain and put up the apricot-yellow banner, and then the remaining ones removed the curtain one after another, took away the tables, and revealed thousands of cavalry behind the curtain.
Behind them there were more, all armored and ready.
When the apricot-yellow banner hung down and stood in the wind, all the armies deployed for more than ten miles on the north bank of Luoshui responded to the banner one after another, and each army erected military banners and battle flags.
Finally, Yu Jin, the commander of the Fourth Army on the Western Front, led Zhao Jian, the leader of the Tiance Army, Duan Xiu, the leader of the Zhenwu Army, Xu Zhong, the leader of the Longxiang Army, and Luo Gang, the leader of the Weiwei Army, and bid farewell to Zhang Chong with fists in his hands.
The position of the five of them was the furthest away from here, so the first wave set off.
After them, Zhao Yun, the commander of the Crane Army, Xu Huang, the commander of the Flying Tiger Army, Guo Song, the commander of the Flying Bear Army, Wang Han, the commander of the Xiaoqi Army, Chen Huan, the leader of the Shesheng Army, and the three generals Zhang Zhen, Zhu Ling, and Gao Shun came to Zhang Chong. Farewell.
Zhang Chong nodded to everyone and sent them out of the tent one by one.
After all the military leaders were sent away, Zhang Chong was half empty, and his feelings were still a little empty.
After secretly cursing him for being a coward, Zhang Chong shouted:
"Shout the slogan!"
What number? But listen:
"From Lutai, Wenshuipei. The soldiers were angry and rushed through the armor."
"The battle is not over yet, so we move to the Central Plains. Three thousand cavalry are rushing, and the trenches are leveled."
"The soldiers and horses are about to go up the river to Shuo. We have tens of thousands of troops and we are trying to persuade them."
"Zhao Xiangqi, Zhongrenting. He shed blood and conquered clothes, and established Yejing."
"Come to Youping and go up to Luojing. After three thousand miles, you will be dyed in apricot yellow clothes."
"Thanks to me, King Zhang, for peace."
"Thanks to me, King Zhang, for peace."
……
This is the military song of the Taishan Army, which praises the glory of the Taishan Army since its founding. Amidst the singing, Zhang Chong and his powerful generals mounted their horses one after another.
At this time, Zhang Chong could already see thousands of troops racing across the pontoon in the distance. Seeing this huge military momentum, he was so proud that he waved his riding whip and shouted:
"Cross the river!"
Behind them, Cai Que, Guo Zu, Dian Wei, and Li Damu puffed out their chests and shouted:
"Cross the river!"
As a result, the Chinese army's main formation spread toward the south bank of Luoshui River like a tide.
Afterwards, the towering apricot-yellow scroll moved slowly, pointing straight to the direction.
……
When Yu Jin and other thirteen generals bid farewell to Zhang Chong, they gathered together on the horse racing track, which ran from north to south. These people were about to march towards their own army here.
Yu Jin and the thirteen people looked at each other. At this time, the military song of the Taishan Army was heard not far away, so they also sang loudly, and while singing, tears filled their clothes.
Among them, Gao Shun was the last one to join in. Logically speaking, he didn't have much sense of participation. Even most people would be a little embarrassed here. But at this moment, like Yu Jin and others, he sang loudly and his heart was surging.
This is not the fanaticism of the converts, but the noble ideals, passionate robes, and warm friendship, which deeply affect everyone.
No one knows how long it will take for this ideal and relationship to deteriorate, but at this moment, everyone is unswervingly determined under the apricot-yellow banner.
After singing, Yu Jin couldn't control himself for a long time like everyone else, but he was a commander after all. He quickly stabilized and said to everyone:
"After destroying Yuan Shao, we are still here, by the Luoshui River, and we continue to drink and sing."
All the generals shouted.
Everyone's hearts were filled with blood. They looked at each other's faces, then left with fists in their hands.
The horses galloped towards their respective armies. All the officers and soldiers in the army had already assembled and were ready to go, so they could only give the order.
Then, with the sound of "crossing the river", the 50,000 Taishan Army stationed on the north bank of Luoshui stretched across the river and headed for the Yiluo battlefield in the south.
……
The Taishan Army of ten armies on the north bank of Luoshui was marching very fast. Before Si hour, the army had already appeared on the battlefield.
At this time, Yuan Jun on the opposite side seemed to have just formed his formation. When he saw the apricot-yellow banner on Zhang Chong's side, there was still a little commotion.
As in all wars, Zhang Chong took the Hengchang generals to the battlefield to observe the arrangement of Yuan's army's front line in person.
This time, Yuan Jun formed a line of more than ten miles from east to west four or five miles north of the Yishui River.
Of course, Zhang Chong couldn't run all the more than ten miles, but he could almost understand Yuan Jun's arrangement by running only half of it.
On the front of the battlefield are Yuan Jun's infantry, and Yuan Shao's cavalry team can't be seen clearly. They are probably either behind the formation or on the left and right wings, and they should not join the formation with the infantry.
Then on this ten-mile front line, Yuan Jun was lined up with people almost every meter. Even if it was only calculated based on the depth of 20 people, Yuan Jun's military strength was at least about 100,000.
It seems that the number copied by Taishi Ci is not very accurate. Of course, it may be Taishi Ci. After all, he does not know how many people Yuan Jun has in depth.
But no matter what, from Zhang Chong's point of view, Yuan Shao's military formation was too thin.
Of course, he would not think that this was a blind arrangement by Yuan Shao. After all, such a big decisive battle must be coordinated by generals and counselors who are proficient in military tactics. Therefore, Zhang Chong only looked at this formation and guessed that Yuan Shao's tactical intention might be as follows:
Yuan Jun used his troops on both wings to spread his momentum and look out to move forward. Before the battle, the left and right wings will be divided into two groups. Then when our army engages Yuan Jun in the front, and all the soldiers on my side stand still, Yuan Jun will poke my ribs from both sides, and then fight with the front. The enemies surrounded me.
This tactic is not complicated, but it is indeed suitable to take advantage of Yuan Shao's advantage of having many soldiers and generals.
Yuan Jun dared to set up this military formation, and it seemed that he was quite confident in the quality of his officers. After all, it was quite demanding to keep the troops together when they were pulled from the two wings.
However, this also raised a problem, that is, Yuan Jun's current front line was too long, and he could not see where Yuan Shao's cavalry troops were deployed.
Although he has a large number of assault cavalry, it is certainly impossible to spread them all over such a long front, so finding the location of the enemy's cavalry and carrying out targeted countermeasures has become a top priority.
At this time, a chariot drove out from Yuan Shao's army.