mtlumby2d Chapter 738 They've all laid their cards on the table.
Chapter 738 They've all laid their cards on the table.
As time went on, rebel forces from various places arrived in Shangcai one after another, and soon the troop strength in Shangcai reached an astonishing 15,000, with only a few thousand people yet to arrive.
This number startled Tian Yu, who was lying in ambush fifty miles away. He dared not delay any longer and immediately summoned the secret agents of the School Affairs Office to inquire about the situation.
The spy replied, "General, the city is heavily guarded. The soldiers take turns on night watch in three shifts, and they even keep several large black dogs that bark incessantly. There is simply no way to launch a nighttime attack on the city."
Tian Yu clenched his fist and cursed, "Damn it, those damned Han spies are far too cautious. At this rate, it's probably impossible to launch a night raid on the Han army. It seems we can only try to find a way along their advance route. By the way, where is General Xiahou Chong?"
The spy replied, "General Xiahou Chong has led an army of five thousand to Dingying, which is only sixty or seventy li away from Shangcai."
Tian Yu pondered, "Write a letter to General Xiahou and ask him to wait in Dingying for a while, and not to rush over, especially not to reveal his whereabouts, so as not to disturb the rebel army."
The spies bowed and took their leave. Tian Yu began to look forward to the future. With Xiahou Chong's support, the rebel rabble was no longer a threat, no matter how large their numbers were.
The idea was good, but little did Xiahou Chong know that there was a traitor named Li Gousheng by his side.
After distributing pensions to the fallen soldiers, Li Gousheng returned to Xudu. When he passed through Dingying, he discovered that Xiahou Chong was also there. He was so frightened that he was stunned. After regaining his senses, he immediately sent someone to Shangcai to deliver a message to Sun Lang.
The situation is bad, we need to find a way to evacuate!
Inside Shangcai City.
After waiting for many days, the various rebel armies finally gathered. Sun Lang completed the reorganization but did not rush to set off. Instead, he sent someone to contact his brothers in Pingyu to inquire about the situation in the city. Upon learning that Tian Yu had returned to the city, he immediately had second thoughts.
That noon, Sun Lang summoned all his generals to the county government for a meeting. Once everyone was present, he got straight to the point: "Pingyu cannot go because Tian Yu has returned."
“Pingyu is a prefectural city with walls that are two zhang high. The city has ample troops and supplies, and we lack siege equipment. Given that Tian Yu is prepared, we cannot take it in a short time. Therefore, my suggestion is to attack Yingchuan. What do you all think?”
Their operational strategy was guerrilla warfare, focused on preserving strength and developing steadily, rather than attacking large cities, so no one objected.
Seeing this, Sun Lang said directly, "Then let's go back and rest. We'll set off for Yingchuan first thing tomorrow morning."
Just as the generals were about to take their leave after bowing, a messenger rushed into the hall and said urgently, "General, Panda has sent an urgent message, saying it's extremely urgent."
Sun Lang immediately took the letter, unfolded it, and was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat. Looking at the generals in astonishment, he said, "Xiahou Chong has led five thousand troops to Dingying?"
what?
These words shocked everyone present. They quickly gathered around Sun Lang to examine the letter. After reading it, they were all stunned and asked in unison, "Why is Xiahou Chong in Dingying? What is he doing in Dingying?"
Sun Lang bit his tongue, forcing himself to calm down, and said nonchalantly, "Wait, let's sort this out. Xiahou Chong is definitely targeting us by coming to Dingying instead of enjoying himself in Xudu. He was probably specially invited by Tian Yu. If that's the case, where is Tian Yu? Could he have really retreated to Pingyu?"
Hu Kun immediately retorted, "Impossible. Xiahou Chong, as his superior, has come to Dingying to quell the rebellion. How could Tian Yu, as his subordinate, possibly return to Pingyu City to enjoy a life of luxury?"
"In that case, isn't it highly likely that Tian Yu is lurking among us, like a venomous snake hiding in the shadows, waiting to deliver a fatal blow?"
Sun Lang said, "It's very likely. Immediately mobilize the masses to search. Take Shangcai City as the center and search within a hundred miles. We must find Tian Yu. Remember, don't let Tian Yu find us. We might be able to give Tian Yu a good beating before he meets with Xiahou Chong."
Every county in Runan has undercover special forces members. It shouldn't be difficult for them to contact the masses and find Tian Yu. After all, Tian Yu came with troops. A target of several thousand people can't just disappear on the spot.
Thanks to the efforts of the undercover agents over the past six months, Sun Lang located Tian Yu's hiding place in just one day, fifty miles northeast of Shangcai City.
Having ascertained the location, Sun Lang decided not to wait any longer. That very night, he led his entire army out and headed straight for Tian Yu's hiding place.
This time he had a full 18,000 men. Dealing with Tian Yu's mere 4,000 or 5,000 men was a piece of cake for him.
Unfortunately, Sun Lang miscalculated this time. While Sun Lang was searching for Tian Yu, Tian Yu also sent people to keep a close eye on Shangcai City. Therefore, Tian Yu knew as soon as Sun Lang's army left the city.
Moreover, Tian Yu quickly deduced from Sun Lang's marching direction that Sun Lang's target was him, and immediately sent a fast horse to Xiahou Chong to ask him to come and provide support.
This place is only fifty or sixty li away from Dingying. If nothing goes wrong along the way, Xiahou Chong should be able to arrive by tomorrow morning at the latest.
After sending out the messenger, Tian Yu immediately mustered his troops and waited, while sending scouts to closely investigate Sun Lang's marching speed and distance from him.
When Sun Lang was only ten miles away, he decisively mounted his horse and led his three thousand troops to attack Sun Lang.
Of his three thousand men, one thousand were cavalry, and the remaining two thousand were semi-cavalrymen who used mules and donkeys as mounts. They were quite formidable against infantry.
Sun Lang was also very cautious. Knowing that Tian Yu had cavalry, he became more careful as they got closer to their destination. In addition, his army carried many long spears and bamboo poles to defend against the cavalry.
Moreover, the movement of thousands of cavalry at night was very noisy, so as soon as Tian Yu charged, Sun Lang judged from the sound of hooves that he had been exposed and decisively shouted: "Stop advancing and form ranks immediately."
Under Sun Lang's command, the spearmen stepped forward while the archers retreated, quickly forming a defensive formation and waiting for Tian Yu to attack.
Tian Yu arrived quickly, and once both sides were within range, they immediately raised their bows and fired at each other. The Wei army's target was the front-line spearmen, while the Han army had no target and simply fired into the Wei army's ranks.
As a result, the Wei army managed to disrupt the formation of the spearmen despite the casualties. Then, Tian Yu took the lead and charged into the formation, killing anyone he saw.
The Han army also launched a counterattack. Although they had no advantage against cavalry, they could cut the horses' legs. Fearless of death, they managed to take down an enemy soldier by sacrificing two or three men.
Therefore, although Tian Yu's cavalry was formidable, they could not withstand the overwhelming strength of the Han army, and both sides quickly found themselves locked in a bitter battle, utilizing their respective advantages.
After several attempts, Tian Yu tragically discovered that he seemed to be trapped in a vast ocean of the enemy's numerical advantage, and if he continued, his own troops would definitely be exhausted first.
The main reason is that both sides were prepared this time, and the cavalry lost its surprise attack capability.
Therefore, Tian Yu decisively withdrew from the battle and followed Sun Lang at a distance, looking for an opportunity. Sun Lang was capable of staying in one place and never moving. As long as he moved, Tian Yu would have an opportunity. He was a cavalryman and could run faster than Sun Lang, so what was there to be afraid of? Besides, he had Xiahou Chong as reinforcements. As long as Xiahou Chong arrived, all problems would be solved.
I'm waiting for Xiahou Chong, but who are you, Sun Lang, waiting for?
Seeing that Tian Yu had given up the attack and was now sticking to him like a leech, Sun Lang knew he was in big trouble.
He had no cavalry, and if he won against Tian Yu's cavalry, he couldn't catch up; if he lost, he couldn't escape. That was quite tragic.
What's worse is that Xiahou Chong is nearby and may have already received the news and is rushing here. Once Xiahou Chong arrives, I will have no chance of winning.
How to do?