Chapter 2353 The Veteran Sings Old Songs

The catapults were in place.

Fire oil bomb equipment.

Zhang Liao squinted his eyes and looked at the soldiers running around Yangping Gate like ants on a hot pot with a calm expression.

The current war is no longer what it was ten years ago.

Zhang Ze, Zhang Yuanxiu, haha, you must know that times have changed.

Speaking of which, Zhang Liao also followed the senior generals of the Hussars earlier, from Bingbei to Guanzhong, and then fought all the way to the present. Zhang Liao was particularly touched by the changes in the war over the years.

Saddles, stirrups, and horseshoes enhance the cavalry's ability to fight and drive long distances. Not to mention combat power, but in terms of mobility, the new equipment allows the cavalry to pass through previously difficult places. They no longer have to worry about gravel cutting the horses' hooves, and they don't have to worry too much about the wear and tear on the horses' hooves caused by long-distance running. As long as the war horses have the same physical strength. Yes, after the cavalry has a high-bridge saddle, its endurance is enhanced and it becomes more comfortable. It is no longer impossible to run all the way from the Western Regions to Qingzhou.

The armor and weapons of the soldiers and generals improve the survivability and combat effectiveness of the personnel. Improvements in smelting and forging technology have made all-steel armor no longer a dream. Stronger and tougher steel sheets have replaced the original Han-style cast iron sheets, which can be thinner, lighter, and tougher.

Just like the armor Zhang Liao is currently wearing, although it looks dark and unremarkable on the outside, its internal support system can also transfer part of the weight originally placed on the shoulders to the waist, lowering the center of gravity and allowing Zhang Liao to Being more stable on horseback also further reduces Zhang Liao's fatigue accumulation during the battle, allowing him to fight for a longer time...

There are also logistical reserves, carrying dry food, etc.

There are also things like these catapults and kerosene bombs.

There is also the "artillery" that the Cavalry General said may be installed on a small scale in the next step...

All of this originated from the Cavalry General Fei Qian.

Once upon a time, Zhang Liao was also worried that General Fei Qian would be like Dong Zhuo, like Lu Bu, like those who had been in power in Guanzhong before, indulging in the peak of power, and then declining all the way, and finally panicking. When defeated, the power was scattered and scattered.

But now it seems that such worries are unnecessary.

Because the Cavalry General Fei Qian is really like an abyss and a sea, with endless things emerging all the time, and when these things become reality, they appear unparalleled and even change all their original forms. strength!

As for Zhang Ze in Hanzhong, you are just a frog at the bottom of a well, how dare you croak with your lord?

Zhang Liao slowly raised his hands and shouted, "The great man will be victorious!" The hussar is victorious! 』

Soon there were more people, and all the soldiers in the formation were shouting together, "The great Han is victorious!" The hussar is victorious! 』

Amidst the shouts that resounded throughout the world, Zhang Liao waved his arms and ordered the catapult to attack!

When the huge fireball soared into the sky and hit the Yangping Pass, no matter how brave and powerful these Zhang soldiers had boasted before, when they really saw the roar of the God of Fire, they still couldn't help but feel sad in their hearts. The most terrifying roar came from the depths of the body!

In fact, Zhang Liao's catapults are not in the most perfect condition. After all, they are temporarily built. There are always problems with this or that. However, the slight tolerance only reduces the range and loses the accuracy, but the burning power It is not determined by the catapult, but given by the kerosene, so the strength of the attack is still considerable.

Although kerosene will not directly burn down the masonry city of Yangpingguan, the wooden structure of Yangpingguan other than the masonry will become moldy. For example, if the huge gate arch of Yangpingguan is contaminated, it will become moldy. The flames are blazing, and if they are caught on fire, they will spread even more. Coupled with the dryness of autumn and winter, it will be like purgatory!

No matter how many times they fought in battle formations, they might not be able to face the sea of ​​fire calmly, let alone these relatively ordinary soldiers of the Zhang family at Yangping Pass. Almost as soon as the fire started burning, they fell into an uncontrollable situation. In the chaos and fear, he ran around crazily, and even jumped under the city wall without caring!

There are also those who jump outside Yangpingguan...

Less than ten flaming stone bombs directly or indirectly devoured more lives than a normal whole-day war!

In Zhang Kai's eyes, this was a scene like purgatory.

Amid the steaming flames and the swaying air, the hussars and horses outside Yangping Pass were silent, like the black cavalry coming out of hell, waiting to harvest their lives...

Zhang Kai let out a howl of fear, and then found that his scream was drowned in the screams from up and down Yang Pingguan, and seemed so weak and pale.

This is the power of the hussar, this is a brand new war!

What can I do?

Besides being burned and beaten in vain here, he could also rush out of the city and have a life-or-death showdown with Zhang Liao!

"Uncle..."

Zhang Kai huddled under the battlements, watching the soldiers around him rolling in the sea of ​​​​fire, and then let out heart-piercing screams and finally turned into twitching pieces of charcoal, "Uncle, you have done a lot." ah……"

……(╥╯^╰╥)……

On an unknown mountain far away from Yangping Pass, several Di people were looking in the direction of Yangping Pass.

It is impossible to see the specific situation of Yangping Pass from here. Even if the weather is clear and the view is extremely clear, Yangping Pass is like a stone as big as a fingernail, and the people who pass it are smaller than grains of sand. Can't tell who is who at all.

As for why it can only be observed from such a long distance, we have to ask Zhang Liao's scouts during this period...

However, when Yang Ping turned off such a big fire and the black smoke burned, he clearly told these people a clear message!

The fight started!

And the beating was so brutal that maybe even the dog's brains were ripped out of the pig's head!

Several Di people looked at each other, and then ran down the mountain happily to bring the news to the seven Lei brothers...

There are actually ten people in the Lei family. This is common sense.

Because the Di people like the number seven and think that this number has magical power.

The seven Lei brothers have similar bloodlines and similar ages, so the tribe is an alliance. It has become the third most powerful group among the Di people, and they also have the intention to compete for the position of king of the Di people.

In this battle, the mission of the seven Lei brothers is to deal with Zhang Liao...

"Well done!" Let them continue fighting..."

Lei Zong, one of the seven brothers, was wearing a slightly shabby leather robe and looked in the direction of Yang Pingguan with slightly squinted eyes. It seems that he wants to see the tragic battle at Yangping Pass through the mountain, "When they are exhausted from fighting, that is the best time for us to take action..."

Siege warfare has always been a grinding millstone of flesh and blood.

Anyone with some military experience knows this, and the seven Lei brothers are no exception.

Lei Han squatted aside and agreed, then frowned and said, "By the way, I heard that Brother Nan... was ambushed when he went to Yinping?" Heavy casualties? 』

"Um? ” Lei Zong turned around and looked at Lei Han up and down, “Who did you listen to? 』

Lei Han chuckled, "Who else can say that?" I can’t hide it... I’m just curious about what prompted Lei Nan to go to Yinping... and he was ambushed..."

Lei Zong exhaled slowly, then squatted down next to Lei Han and said, "This matter... it's a long story..."

Lei Zong laughed again, "What's not going to last? It was probably Lei Tong who asked him to go?" Are you stupid? You're still following that kid from Thunder Copper... I said, could it be that kid from Thunder Copper sold him out? 』

Lei Han looked at Lei Zong, as if to say you already knew everything and still asked. After a moment, he shook his head and said, "It shouldn't be..."

"What's not to say, that kid Lei Tong is just a bastard!" In the early years, I followed that man named Liu for that reason, and then what? And then what? ” Lei Zong grabbed a handful of withered grass around him, pinched the roots, and threw it into his mouth, biting it with some sand, and then spit out a mouthful of gray and black spit, and cursed, “Trash! How many of us have been killed! 』

It’s just that I don’t know if Lei Zong is scolding Lei Tong, Lei Nan, or both.

Generally no one takes the Yinping Road because it is too easy to be ambushed there.

Lei Han opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but quickly shook his head and said, "You can tell yourself when Brother Nan comes back..."

"Um. ” Lei Zong nodded,

In a word, Lei Nan basically wanted to take advantage of something, but he didn't expect to be ambushed halfway, and he almost died.

Such matters naturally require Lei Nan himself to give an explanation to his brothers. If the explanation is not clear enough, or if there are any new problems, the seven Lei brothers may become nine.

"Then so-and-so, let a few more people go to the top of the mountain and watch!" ” Lei Zong ordered loudly, “Also, go kill two sheep!” Bring over two legs of lamb and divide the rest among us! Let’s celebrate! The damn Han people are finally fighting with themselves! Victory must belong to us! 』

"Oh oh oh..."

The Di people cheered, as if they felt that victory was just around the corner.

……··*··*……

The one who felt that victory was just around the corner was Zhang Xiao who was biting Wei Yan's butt.

When Shangyong was attacked, no matter how he excused himself, tried to evade it, or acted like a rogue, Zhang Xiao had the greatest responsibility, and now, Zhang Xiao must be responsible for sealing the gap that should have been blocked long ago. !

Shangyong is surrounded, Hanzhong is in danger!

Following Wei Yan's trail for more than a hundred miles, the physical exertion was not small. Although the bones and muscles were not weak, many people were covered in mud and dust and panting.

The reason is simple. If Shangyong is captured, it is almost equivalent to losing a leg!

At that time, how long can Hanzhong Zhang, who has only one leg, be able to stand?

Judging from the traces left along the way, as well as the fragmented information obtained from the mouths of some villagers, Zhang Xiao generally sketched an overview of Wei Yan's actions.

It turned out that Wei Yan was almost constantly cruising around him these days!

This made Zhang Xiao feel unusually angry, and also felt a bit of fear.

Suddenly, the queue in front suddenly stopped. Zhang Xiao's heart skipped a beat and he immediately moved forward. The guards following him were also awe-inspiring and tightly guarding him.

Zhang Xiao moved very carefully and divided the team into three parts. The forwards were responsible for sentinel inspections, and the back formations were also surveying the surrounding situation. After all, they were facing Wei Yan. A little carelessness could lead to irreversible serious consequences. .

"Report!" 』

The vanguard messenger from the front ran over and said, "I met some villagers..."

"Huh..." Zhang Xiao exhaled slightly, then thought for a moment, "Pass it here!" Someone wants to ask in person. 』

The soldier responded, turned around and ordered, "Pass it here!" Everybody raise their hands! Lift it high! If there is any slight movement, be careful about your life! 』

Not long after, I saw a large group of people, including old, weak, women and children. Everyone looked tired and had packages and other items on their bodies, just like refugees on the run.

"Where did you escape from?" Have you seen any other people? ” Zhang Xiao asked face to face.

An old man seemed to be the recommended speaker. He held his hand in front and replied: "So that the general will know that we are all from the villages around Shangyong... We escaped a few days ago. I didn't expect to meet the general here." ...』

"Shangyong...what happened to Shangyong?" ” Zhang Xiao asked.

"The little old man doesn't know..." the old man said, "The little old man was originally going to be...to go to Shangyong City, but then the hussars and horses came, and everyone was in panic, so he could only struggle to escape. ...』

Zhang Xiao was silent for a moment, and he suddenly realized that these people were also victims. However, since Wei Yan showed his figure and it can be determined that he is in Shangyong, it means that the route he pursued is correct.

Zhang Xiao's face turned pale and he asked again: "When you came, did you see the Qiao cavalry?" There is a Honggu military camp ahead, but what has changed? 』

The old man smiled bitterly and said: "I haven't seen it, I just heard that someone has seen it... We don't dare to stop... As for the Honggu Army Stronghold, the little old man doesn't dare to approach it. There seems to be flags and so on." , I didn’t see anything unusual from a distance..."

Zhang Xiao nodded.

This is a normal reaction. Refugees are the lowest class. They may be raped and robbed at any time. It is a normal reaction to stay away from them.

Zhang Xiao looked back, and then said to his guards: "Forget it, there is no need for strong men, more mouths will cost more military food... let them all get out!" 』

If it were normal, Zhang Xiao might have other thoughts, but now that he was about to fight Wei Yan, he didn't want to pay any attention to these refugees.

The soldiers and horses of the brigade did not pay attention to this group of panic-stricken refugees, and went straight forward, moving between the mountains and ravines, and soon they arrived at the side of a river valley.

Zhang Xiao raised his head and looked forward, and saw a military camp on the other side of the river valley, standing on the side of the road ahead.

Normally, this military stronghold in the Red Earth River Valley has a complete defense system. The Fenghou stronghold should have been equipped originally, but it has been in disrepair for a long time. In addition, when Zhang Ze controlled Hanzhong, he was busy with his own affairs. How can they care about the daily repairs of these small military villages when they absorb power and benefits?

Therefore, it became inevitable that the small military village in front of us was in dilapidated condition.

Zhang Xiao didn't know why, but suddenly felt like he was being stared at. He shuddered, and then looked around, but saw nothing.

The beacon that was supposed to stand tall has been abandoned long ago, and there must be no bonfires that can provide smoke. Even if the main wall is still towering, it can only be viewed from a distance. When you get really close, you can see that there are quite a few cracks in the wall of the main village, some of which are so big that even three or two soldiers can walk in side by side.

There are even some reclaimed fields around Honggu Military Village, and of course they have all been harvested now. There seems to be a brick-burning cave dwelling on the other side of the mountain far away from the military village, which seems to be a by-product of this military village.

Zhang Xiao and others finally arrived at the military camp after a long journey, and what they saw was this peaceful scene. The flags of Zhang's soldiers were still flying on the wall of the village, fluttering feebly in the air. On the wall of the village, there were still a few vague figures, sitting or standing, looking lazy and lazy. It can be seen from such a distance.

The refugees were running around before, but these people didn't notice them?

Or maybe Wei Yan didn't pass by here either, so these guys can still survive?

"Something is wrong..."

Zhang Xiao said with a frown.

Although Zhang Xiao and others are not considered to be a large army, the smoke and dust coming along the way are enough to distinguish ordinary refugees, and the military camp is still so lazy, and it seems that nothing unusual is seen at all?

"Someone is coming!" Go to a small team and explore the reality! 』

Zhang Xiao ordered, and then added, "Bring on your shield!" 』

One of his subordinates responded with a shout, then raised their shields in front of them, beckoning a dozen soldiers to look up along the mountain path of the river valley.

"Form up, be on guard!" 』

Zhang Xiao shouted, and then stared at the valley army camp.

Suddenly, just as the team led a dozen soldiers to approach the military stronghold, dozens of figures suddenly appeared above the military stronghold, holding bows and shooting down!

On the wall of the military village, the original Zhang family's military flag was also brought down. What was re-erected was the three-color war flag, and a flag of "General Conquering Shu" was flying wantonly in the air!

Suddenly, whether it was the abandoned beacon tower or the houses and caves behind the military stronghold, many hussar soldiers suddenly emerged. They were all fully equipped. Under the light of the sun, they even You can see the blood stains and marks of sword and gun battles in their armor!

Although the momentum is majestic, the number of people is obviously small.

After Zhang Xiao was startled, he reacted, made a quick estimate, and found that there were only about three or four hundred hussar soldiers in the military camp!

Only three or four hundred!

Three or four hundred!

Is this an opportunity or a trap?

The water in the Red River is neither too much nor too little. It reaches the ankles and flows slowly.

It's winter, and if water is stored upstream, the flow should be dead now...

And the water flow is not turbid, indicating that there is no sediment mixed in it.

Red River, no danger.

The surrounding area was quiet, without any smoke or dust, and no flags were seen.

There seems to be no abnormality within the surrounding visual range...

Looking at Wei Yan's figure on the wall of the military village, Zhang Xiao felt new and old hatreds in his heart, rolling in like a tidal wave!

"Wei Yan Wei Wen Chang!" 』

Zhang Xiao gritted his teeth. Even if it was a trap, so many people rushed forward and crushed it to pieces!

"Finally I caught you!" Give the order and let the rear army catch up! I want to kill this beast right here! 』