On the cliff, there was an old pine tree sticking out of the cliff. Its branches were strong and as thick as a human's leg.
Yang Fan was overjoyed to see it. Without taking a breath, he untied the rope tied around his waist and tested the strength of the pine tree. The roots of the pine tree were deeply rooted in the crevice of the rock. He stepped on it a few times, but it didn't move at all. Yang Fan climbed up the pine tree, put the rope on the trunk, and went down the cliff.
When he climbed up the cliff, he felt that the original plan was somewhat difficult. The cliff was uneven, and it was difficult to see far at night. Even with the help of the flying hook, it took him a lot of effort to climb up.
And because the cliff was uneven, there were many sharp and protruding rocks in many places, and the mountain wind was fast, if he used his hands to carry the barrels of tung oil up, he was afraid that they would either be scraped by the protruding cliff, or smashed by the strong wind on the cliff. Now that he had this old pine tree, it was much more convenient.
Almost at the same time, A 'Nu and Gu Zhuting also climbed to the top of the cliff, standing beside him and looking into the valley. In the valley, the three thousand Khitan people were already moving, the torches were like stars in the sky. A 'Nu stuck out her tongue and said, "The cliff here is really high, no wonder it took us so long to climb."
At this time, Yang Fan had already brought the rope to the top of the cliff. At the end of the rope was an iron hook. The people at the bottom of the cliff hung a barrel of tung oil on the iron hook. Yang Fan used the trunk of the pine tree as an axis to quickly lift up a barrel of oil, followed by a second barrel, a third barrel, while A 'Nu and Gu Zhuting moved the oil barrels to the top of the cliff and arranged them more evenly on the top of the cliff.
This cliff was rugged, perhaps no one had climbed up since ancient times, especially in the dark. If one was not careful, it was very easy to lose one's footing and fall. Only with their skills could they walk like it was flat ground.
The rope used the trunk of the pine tree as an axis to avoid scratching, but the constant friction made the rope a little hot. Fortunately, this was a rope used in the supply camp. The hemp rope was mixed with metal threads, so it was extremely tough. After about fifty barrels of tung oil were lifted up, there was no movement at the bottom.
Yang Fan returned to the cliff from the pine tree like a spirit ape. He said to Ah Nu and Gu Zhuting, "Get ready!"
The two women were very happy, as if this was a game. Indeed, although what they were doing was dangerous, to them, standing on the cliff was the greatest guarantee of safety. This was indeed like a game to them.
Yang Fan peered into the valley. The torches in the valley had already gathered together and became extremely dense. Following which, the rows of torches in front of them began to move outwards. It seemed like they were about to leave the valley.
Yang Fan's heart was stirred. First he found a fist-sized rock and placed it by his side, and then he picked up a barrel of tung oil. Aiming at the densely packed torches, he suddenly threw it with all his might. Immediately after that, he picked up the rock and ruthlessly struck the barrel of oil.
The torches in the valley became a very recognizable background, allowing the rock to accurately hit the barrel of tung oil. The hardwood barrel of oil was struck by Yang Fan with all his might and instantly shattered. The tung oil turned into rain that filled the sky and drifted towards the valley.
Standing on the right side of Yang Fan, A Nu and Gu Zhuting, who were more than a hundred feet away from him, raised the oil barrel in a standard manner. Using all the strength in their bodies, they smashed it towards the vaguely recognizable supply wagons in the valley.
The oil barrel that A Nu and Gu Zhuting threw away landed on the ground before Yang Fan. Standing on the cliff top, they only heard a very light sound of impact. Following that, they saw the densely packed torches shake. It seemed like the Khitan soldiers in the valley heard the sound and subconsciously turned their heads to look. Then, the torches suddenly burst into flames. As if blown by the wind, they suddenly emitted the brightest light and heat.
With a 'boom', a group of people on fire appeared. Their shrill howls reached the top of the cliff and they could hear them clearly.
The people on fire couldn't even open their eyes. They could only close their eyes and stumble. As a result, some people who were splashed with oil, but luckily did not become people on fire, also became one of them.
Seeing this, A Nu and Gu Zhuting were overjoyed. They hurriedly followed Yang Fan's example and threw out the oil barrels, then smashed them in mid-air with stones. More and more people on fire were bumping around in the valley.
Yang Fan called out: "Focus on burning the grain, it's good that they're in a mess."
A Nu was having fun, so how could she bear to let go? She said innocently: "You burn the grain, you have more strength."
Yang Fan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He could only pick up the oil barrels and try his best to throw them at the grain wagons. Meanwhile, A Nu and Gu Zhuting kept splashing oil on the Khitan soldiers in the valley. Because the Khitan soldiers were gathering to rush to the front mountain to rescue the people who were ambushed, they had nowhere to hide under the attack of the oil rain.
Even if some clever soldiers threw their torches far away in time, it was useless. They were splashed with oil, and when they were touched by the people on fire who were bumping around, they immediately became a moving torch. Soon, someone bumped into a grain wagon that was splashed with oil. The fire was ignited, and the whole valley was burning. Standing on the top of the cliff, one's face was illuminated by the fire.
Chu Yi, who was lying in ambush outside the valley, was stunned by the situation in the valley.
He only brought eight hundred people and quietly sneaked to the front of the mountain to ambush. If there were more people, it would be easy to be discovered by the Khitan people patrolling the mountain pass.
According to his agreement with Yang Fan, Yang Fan would throw the oil barrels into the valley and ignite the grain wagons. There were many livestock in the valley, so once the fire started, it would be a great shock and bring the whole valley into chaos. Then he would lead these eight hundred carefully selected warriors who were skilled in martial arts to kill their way into the valley.
But looking at the situation in the valley, the people on fire were like headless flies, and the frightened livestock were bumping around. Even if there were a few dozen people killing their way into the valley, they would most likely be able to win easily. This battle … wasn't it too easy to win?
Chu Langjiang calmed himself down and came to his senses. He suddenly pulled out his saber and shouted: "Attack! Charge! "
Eight hundred warriors rushed into the valley like a whirlwind. The group of people on fire who bore the brunt of the attack were freed by their sabers. As for those Khitan soldiers who were not on fire, they completely lost the ability to fight in their panic and were chopped into meat paste by the ferocious generals and soldiers.
…
Seeing that Yang Fan wanted to say something but did not dare to, Li Duozuo was a little afraid. But when Yang Fan spoke of his plan, he was stunned.
The reason why Yang Fan was hesitant was not because he was deliberately putting on an act, but because he really did not understand some of the general knowledge of commanding troops in battle. For example, how many li a soldier could march in a day, how many days of food they could carry, how many arrows each person could carry, what kind of terrain should the troops choose to set up camp in, how many layers of defense should be set up inside and outside, and what use should they have …
He did not understand all of these. How could someone who did not understand these things lead troops?
When it came to his plan, what he wasn't clear about was whether there was a place between the Sunset River and Ping Jia Ao where he could set up an ambush. If he set up an ambush there, would he be able to annihilate such a powerful cavalry unit with only slightly more troops than the other side?
In the process of battle, would the Khitan attacking Ma City be able to gather their troops and return in time to help, so that they could form a counter-encirclement? He was not sure about these things, but Li Duozuo was very clear about them. So when Yang Fan fantasized about lighting a fire to lure the Khitan soldiers back to help, Li Duozuo immediately thought that this plan would work.
Using a false alarm to lure the Khitan soldiers lying in ambush to return and then killing them along the way was completely different from engaging the Khitan army in the same mountain head-on and luring back reinforcements to join the battle in the middle of the battle.
Moreover, with the limited troops he had at his disposal, especially with the army's low morale after repeated defeats, the effect of fighting an enemy ambush and fighting them head-on was completely different.
As for the Khitan army attacking Ma City, it was impossible for them to see fire from a distance of fifty li. Even if they did see it, it would take at least an hour for even the most well-trained army to assemble an attacking force under the cover of night and return to help, much less the Khitans.
This plan was completely feasible, so Yang Fan came up with ideas and Li Duozuo supplemented and perfected the specific operational plan. Thus, it became a perfect counter-ambush tonight.
The battle lasted until the fourth watch. When the sky was just beginning to brighten, it finally ended.
The fire in the valley had mostly been extinguished, turning into wisps of smoke that rose into the air. Countless charred or blood-stained corpses were strewn all over the valley.
The battle in front of the mountain had also ended. The scene was extremely tragic. Countless corpses from both sides were mixed together. Many were still in the state of battle, gouging out each other's eyeballs, biting each other's throats, their eyes wide open, and tangled together. But in general, the Zhou army had the advantage of the ambush, and the Khitans were unable to use their best mounted archery, so their casualties were several times that of the Zhou army.
"Great General, the battle on my side has ended!"
Maqiao, Chu Yi, Li Mulan, and the other generals excitedly gathered around Li Duozuo. Everyone was covered in blood, some from the enemy, some from themselves. Chu Yi's face was even blackened by the thick smoke in the valley. Even Li Duozuo himself had used his saber to kill the enemy in the chaotic battle. His robes were stained with blood, and his armor was slightly crooked.
Only Yang Fan, who probably only had some dirt on his sleeves, stood out from the rest.
"Haha! Delightful! Delightful! This battle, I fought really delightfully. The resentment of Yellow Deer Valley has finally been vented a little! "
Although Li Duozuo was over fifty years old, he was in high spirits like a young man. A night of killing did not make him feel the slightest bit tired. Instead, he was full of energy, but the murderous aura between his brows had intensified.
"All soldiers who can fight, gather immediately. We will attack Horse City immediately!"
Yang Fan was slightly shocked. He did not want to suffer another defeat immediately after a great victory. He hurriedly advised, "Great General, the soldiers have fought for half a night and have lost a lot of strength. Moreover, I'm afraid the news here has already been reported back by the Khitans. If we attack Horse City now, I'm afraid it will be difficult to achieve the effect of a surprise attack!"
Li Duozuo said, "Don't worry, Colonel Yang. I have not forgotten myself because of this battle. We have fought for a night. Didn't the Khitans also fight for a night in Horse City? Our morale is high, but it is far from what they can compare. In terms of the strength of both sides, there is not much difference. Maybe they have already received the news that a surprise attack will not be effective. But in the next battle, I want to defeat the Khitans fair and square! "
Li Duozuo's broad hand landed heavily on Yang Fan's shoulder. "Colonel Yang, this is a good opportunity. We must win this battle fair and square. The significance of this battle is far greater than eliminating this enemy. Do you understand?"
Yang Fan understood and nodded vigorously.
Maqiao said, "Great General, what about the surrendered soldiers over there?"
Li Duozuo's eyes sharpened. He said coldly, "In this battle, do not take any prisoners! After dealing with them, we will move out immediately! "
… …
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