The elite soldiers that had left Gui Chang City a few days ago had been severely injured by the two groups of bandits at Panlong Mountain. This was naturally great news for the rebel army who wanted to take over the city. If the elite soldiers really had more than seven thousand men, then there would only be three or four thousand men left in the city. Therefore, it was naturally easier for the rebel army to take over the city. It should be known that the rebel army and the bandits had eight thousand men on one side, and the two groups of bandits in the south had another eight thousand men. After the three groups of men joined forces, they would be five times the number of soldiers in Gui Chang City. It seemed that there would be no difficulty in taking over the city.
"Pang Gui is indeed a valiant general! He did not disappoint me. Since the main army is trapped at Pan Long Mountain, our army only needs to travel day and night to besiege Gui Chang City. Once the two forces from the south arrive, we can begin the attack. "
Zhao Changkong said happily.
This was clearly the aura of a king. He had not yet become a king, but he already regarded himself as one because he saw great hope. Among the generals in Gui Chang City, the one he feared the most was Zhao Wufu. Now that Zhao Wufu and his elite soldiers were trapped at Pan Long Mountain, he naturally had nothing to fear. As an old general, he did not put the younger generals in his eyes.
"Haha! Then congratulations General Zhao. You will soon become a king. At that time, Pang Gui will be your general. "
Duan Jianwei said with a smile.
Zhao Changkong quickly said, "If I become the king, then Mister Duan will be the Imperial Teacher, the Imperial Teacher of Zhao Country. Hahaha!"
Obviously, Zhao Changkong's ego was inflated. His self-confidence had reached its peak. He had even thought of the name of the country. He felt that the name 'East Woman Kingdom' was too unpleasant. He had long had enough of the fact that women were in charge. The first thing he would do after becoming king was to change the name of the country to the country of Zhao. He would be the king, and in the future, the throne would be passed down to his son, not his daughter. From then on, the country of Zhao would be like the other countries, walking the path of men in charge.
Duan Jianwei was happy, but suddenly a trace of vigilance appeared in his heart. He quickly said, "Is Pang Gui's letter real? Could it be fake? "
Obviously, the Duan Jianwei was still vigilant. If this was an enemy's plot, then it would be over.
Zhao Changkong smiled and said, "Mr. Duan, don't worry. It's real. I personally checked it and it's really Pang Gui's handwritten letter. How could it be fake?"
After spending so much time together, Zhao Changkong was very familiar with Pang Gui's handwriting and writing style. These mountain bandits were very uncultured, and their words were rather rude. Typos were even more common. It was abnormal for every line to have less than three typos. It wouldn't be strange if a third of a hundred-word letter were typos.
However, in order to convince the Duan Jianwei, Zhao Changkong still handed Pang Gui's letter over.
Duan Jianwei took the letter and looked at it carefully. He was very sure that this was Pang Gui's handwriting. The crooked handwriting, the crude language, and the large number of missing strokes were too obvious. Even if someone wanted to imitate it, they would definitely not be able to do so.
"Haha! It really is Pang Gui's handwriting. Yes, Pang Gui is indeed a talented general. He actually knew how to feign weakness to lure the enemy. He attacked from the front and back with Zhao Yong and dealt a heavy blow to Zhao Wufu's troops. Talent, as expected of a talent! "
Duan Jianwei said in high spirits.
Although he didn't see it with his own eyes, Pang Gui's description of the battle in the letter was very exciting. In the letter, he described Zhao Wufu's troops as very brave and fierce. As soon as the vanguard came into contact, he lost three hundred elites. In desperation, he could only retreat and ask for help from Zhao Yong, who was nearby.
Pang Gui lost three battles and retreated all the way to the south of the east-west mountain path of Pang Long Mountain. He retreated for a full thirty li and was prepared to fight to the death. However, at this time, Zhao Yong's troops arrived from the east-west mountain path and blocked Zhao Wufu's retreat. They also wiped out the two thousand people behind Zhao Wufu's troops who were responsible for escorting the supplies, seizing a large amount of supplies.
When Zhao Wufu's troops saw that something had happened to their supplies, their morale was shaken. He could only turn back and attack Zhao Yong. At this time, Pang Gui's troops charged over and formed a pincer attack with Zhao Yong's troops.
In this chaotic battle, a large number of Zhao Wufu's troops were wiped out. However, Zhao Wufu's troops were truly elite. Pang Gui and Pang Gui's troops were unable to completely wipe out Zhao Wufu's troops. They also suffered heavy losses, each losing more than a thousand people. They could only retreat and set up camp. On the other hand, Zhao Wufu's troops had suffered heavy losses. Not only were the two thousand logistics troops wiped out, a thousand of the main force of five thousand had died. Half of the remaining four thousand were injured. There were no less than five hundred people who were seriously injured. However, with the help of the formation, they were able to barely hold on. The two sides could not break through Zhao Wufu's formation and could only face Zhao Wufu from two sides. Pang Gui's intention was to have Zhao Changkong provide reinforcements. This way, they would be able to completely wipe out Zhao Wufu's troops.
After reading the description in Pang Gui's letter, the last trace of doubt in Duan Jianwei's heart disappeared. From his point of view, the contents of Pang Gui's letter did not seem to be a lie at all. Furthermore, the location of the battle between Pang Gui and Zhao Wufu basically matched the location that his confidant had sent back. However, since two days ago, his confidant had not sent back any news. This made him very nervous. However, when he thought about how Pang Gui and Zhao Yong's troops had both lost more than a thousand people, it could be said that their losses were not small. In that case, it was very likely that his confidant had also died in the chaos. This was not impossible.
In the face of Pang Gui's request for reinforcements, Zhao Changkong and Duan Jianwei naturally had no intention of providing reinforcements. Although they judged from the contents of the letter that Zhao Yong and Pang Gui could not do anything to Zhao Wufu, Zhao Wufu's troops had already run out of food. As such, they would not be able to last for more than a few days.
In addition, even if Zhao Wufu's troops were to take the risk and charge in, under the encirclement of two groups of bandits, there was no hope of escaping. In other words, it was possible that all three groups of troops would suffer heavy losses.
For Zhao Changkong, Pang Gui and Zhao Yong were both bandits and were not his confidants. The more losses they suffered, the better it would be for him. Otherwise, when he established the State of Zhao, most of his subordinates would be bandits. This would not be a good thing.
"En, Pang Gui and Zhao Yong can completely pin down Zhao Wufu. It seems like there won't be any difficulty in taking Guichang City. As such, we need to change our previous slow marching pattern and quickly attack Guichang City. At the same time, we need to send a message to the other two groups of troops to speed up and converge at Guichang City."
Duan Jianwei said.
Zhao Changkong and Duan Jianwei looked at each other and smiled, nodding in tacit understanding.
At this point, Duan Jianwei and Zhao Changkong completely believed Pang Gui's words. They immediately gave the order for the eight thousand troops to speed up their march. At the same time, they told the two groups of bandits in the south to speed up and converge at Guichang City. In order to motivate the bandits, they also gave many tempting promises that the bandits could not refuse.
The Rebel Army had been completely fooled. This made Ang Lee very happy. As such, annihilating the Rebel Army would not be difficult. As long as they followed the previous arrangements, they would be able to completely solve the problem of the Rebel Army.
The thirty or so elites that had set off in advance had already entered the Rebel Army's path of retreat. Their mission was very important, which was to find all the hidden sentries and prevent the Rebel Army from finding out that the Rebel Army had taken a detour. If such a thing happened, Ang Lee's plan would be ruined.
However, Ang Lee seemed to be worrying too much. The thirty or so elites that had set off in advance did not find any hidden sentries along the way. It was very obvious that Zhao Changkong and Duan Jianwei did not think that there would be any problems behind them. There was no need to place hidden sentries behind them.
Previously, the Rebel Army had only traveled a maximum of thirty miles per day. However, after knowing that Zhao Wufu was trapped in Panlong Mountain, the Rebel Army had traveled a terrifying distance of sixty miles per day. It was not easy to travel so fast on the mountain roads. It was definitely considered a rapid march. They had traveled so fast because they wanted to reach Gui Chang City as soon as possible. From there, they would be able to take over the city and sit on the top.
After traveling for two days, the Rebel Army had set up camp less than fifteen miles away from the exit. They were already exhausted. All the soldiers were very tired. Traveling sixty miles per day was not a small distance for an army. They could not walk any further. Originally, Zhao Changkong had planned to grit his teeth and walk another fifteen miles until they reached the exit of the valley. However, his subordinates were no longer willing to continue. Or rather, they could not walk any further. As such, Zhao Changkong had no choice but to agree to set up camp here.
In Zhao Changkong's tent, Duan Jianwei and Zhao Changtian accompanied him on both sides. The three of them were a small group that trusted each other the most. All the more important decisions were made by the three of them. They were the central nerves of the Rebel Army. Without them, the Rebel Army could only disband.
"Haha! We can leave the valley tomorrow. Once we reach the flat ground, we can travel eighty miles per day. At most, we will reach Gui Chang City in three days. At that time, we will take Gui Chang City in one fell swoop and that little girl will give up her throne. "
Zhao Changtian said happily.
Zhao Changkong replied with a smile, "Brother, don't worry. We are a family. As long as I sit on the throne, you will be the Minister of Zhao. Of course, Duan Jiansheng is the King's Army. Naturally, he will be above you. Haha!"
Duan Jianwei heard this and smiled slightly. He was very satisfied. Zhao Changtian did not mind. After all, without Duan Jianwei's help, they would not have been able to gather such a large army. The Duan Jianwei had provided them with so much food and gave them so many ideas. Naturally, his contribution was great. It was only right that he be treated as the King's Army.
"Brother, after we take Gui Chang City, what should we do with the girls in the palace?"
Zhao Changtian was already thinking about what to do after the victory. After all, these questions had to be considered sooner or later. At this moment, it seemed that it was time to think about it.
Zhao Changkong frowned and thought for a moment. He said, "Ordinary female officials can be rewarded to the meritorious soldiers. As for Zhao Yefu and the others, if we keep them, I'm afraid …"
Obviously, Zhao Changkong was worried that if Zhao Yefu was kept alive, it would bring disaster to him in the future. The best way was to make this person disappear from this world forever. Only then could he sleep peacefully. Otherwise, he would not be able to sleep at all.
Since ancient times, when a new ruler replaced an old ruler, they would always be killed. This was the only way to make themselves feel at ease. Even if the other party surrendered, they couldn't be left alive. For example, Gou Jian was a good example. Fu Chai had been killed because he left the previous ruler alive. Leaving the previous ruler alive was too dangerous.
Since we are going to do big things, we cannot be soft-hearted. Zhao Yefu must be killed. He cannot be left alive. Otherwise, there will be endless trouble. Also, those confidants around him, none of them can be left alive. We must eliminate all threats. Only then can we have a stable footing. "
Duan Jianwei suddenly said.
Obviously, Duan Jianwei was a ruthless person. Without ruthless means, it would be difficult to survive in this world. In order to achieve his goal, he did not mind instigating Zhao Changkong to kill Zhao Yefu.
Zhao Changkong hesitated for a moment. Then, he looked at Duan Jianwei and said, "A great man is ruthless. I will listen to Master Wang."
"Haha! King Zhao, then I should change my name to King Zhao. "
Duan Jianwei said tactfully. After all, Zhao Changkong had already called him Master Wang. How could he still call him General? Since he would have to change his name sooner or later, there was nothing wrong with changing it a few days earlier.
"Brother Wang, let me propose a toast to you."
Zhao Changtian also stood up and proposed a toast to Zhao Changkong.
"Hahaha! Good, good, good, good. "
Zhao Changkong laughed excitedly. It was as if he had really sat on the throne.
Since ancient times, there was an old saying, "Extreme joy begets sorrow." Zhao Changkong and the others' actions were exactly that. They were still celebrating in their tents. However, Zhao Wufu's troops had already arrived at the entrance of the valley and blocked them inside.
Zhao Wufu's troops abandoned their useless heavy equipment and traveled day and night. They traveled seventy miles in a day, which was even faster than the rebel army. They continued to travel even when the sky was dark. They only set up camp and rested when they could no longer see anything.
Now, Zhao Changkong's troops were still resting fifteen miles away. However, Zhao Wufu's troops were busy. They were tightening their deployment and all the troops were busy. They had set up an ambush and were ready to deal a fatal blow to Zhao Changkong.
In order to prevent Zhao Changkong from seeing through his ambush, Zhao Wufu purposely set up a small number of troops as a bluff. There were only a hundred of them. The group blocking the road had fifty men. There were twenty-five men on each side. There were also many flags. He purposely used a clumsy disguise to tell Zhao Changkong that he was bluffing. In fact, the main force had already been lying in ambush.
Of course, Zhao Wufu could not reveal himself too early. Otherwise, all his previous plans would be wasted. Zhao Changkong would see through his plan and the outcome of the battle would be greatly affected.
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