North of Taizhou, southwest of Gaoyou.Zhao Minglema was stationed on a hill, looking down at the various units of the Ming army marching in a leading formation.At night, the Ming army advanced one army after another, the road was wide and divided into two rows and multiple lines, and the road was narrow and marched in one row, and more than 30,000 people and horses marched through.In the marching procession, the chief flag officer planted a recognition flag on his back, followed by 36 people, for every 112 people, 100 household officials played a bureau flag, 337 people had a deputy 1,000 households to play a division flag, 1,0011 people had a 1,000 households to play a face flag, and 3,0036 people had a command to play a battalion flag.In the darkness, battalion after battalion of soldiers marched in a leading formation, and once there was an encounter, the head and tail were bent and hooked, and they gathered in an instant to form a circle to resist the enemy soldiers.In order to intercept the Qing army's northward retreat, Zhao Ming led 30,000 people and marched lightly, leaving his henchman Wang Yi to lead 10,000 soldiers to garrison Taizhou, and respond later.At this time, the 30,000 Ming army had entered the Gaoyou territory, and Zhao Ming originally thought that he would be blocked by the Qing army, and a vicious battle was indispensable, but the army marched all the way, but did not meet the resistance of the Qing army.Taizhou is not on the road of the Qing army's retreat, but Gaoyou is located in the north of Yangzhou, on the side of the canal, which is the only way for the Qing army to retreat north, and counting the time, there must be a large number of Qing troops in Yangzhou at this time, not withdrawn, the Qing army in order to retreat smoothly, must send troops and horses to block Zhao Ming close to Gaoyou.Now that he is close to Gaoyou, but he has not encountered the Qing army's resistance, could it be that all the Qing army units fled in a hurry, with no one to cover, and they all only cared about fleeing for their lives?
Or because it was dark, the arrival of the Ming army was not detected.The march of the Ming army was too smooth, which made Zhao Ming feel a little unsure, and his sharp eyes swept over Siye."
Dashuai, walk another fifteen miles, and you will arrive at Sanduo Town!"
Wang Deshun came to Zhao Ming's side and whispered.Zhao Ming didn't speak, his heart was always hanging, and his years of experience in battle formations made him feel that the current situation was a little suspicious."
Let's go, go ahead!"
Zhao Ming was silent for a while, and suddenly pulled out his horse and said.After finishing speaking, Zhao Ming urged the horse down the hill and galloped away in the direction of the soldiers.After a while, Zhao Ming came to the front of the team, but found that the forward team suddenly stopped advancing."
What's the situation?"
Zhao Ming came over and asked.The forward general was Li Benshen, and when he saw Zhao Ming coming, he hurriedly stepped forward and explained: "Dashuai, the terrain ahead is a little dangerous!"
Zhao Ming said, "What's the problem?"
”"On one side of the official road ahead is Deshengze and Centipede Lake, and on the other side is hills and woods, if the Qing army sets up an ambush here, the army marches at night, and it is easy for the Qing army to be driven into the swamp!"
Li Benshen opened his mouth to explain.The Yellow River rushes south and flows into the sea from the Huai River, causing the water volume of the Huai River system to increase, often bursting and flooding, forming many lakes on both banks, as well as a swamp.Zhao Ming frowned, "It's not a way for the army to stop like this, whether the scouts have been sent to investigate." ”"Just dispatched, it will take time to come back!"
Li Benshen said.Wang Deshun looked at the sky, and if he delayed, it would be dawn, so he took the initiative to ask Ying: "Marshal, if you don't throw stones to ask for directions, take a battalion of soldiers over first, and kill them in Sanduo Town." ”It is not an easy task for the 30,000 Ming army to outflank the back road of hundreds of thousands of Qing troops, and it is necessary to quickly occupy a dangerous place or a city and village that can be relied on, and hold the main road, in order to withstand the fierce counterattack of the Qing army next.Zhao Ming nodded with a deep groan, "That's fine."
Wang Deshun, you lead 3,000 men to march in front, remember not to go too fast, this commander is behind you!
”Wang Deshun immediately clenched his fists, and then immediately ordered a battalion of soldiers, as the vanguard of the army, and continued to march forward.The soldiers of the 3,000 Ming Army wore saucer helmets on their heads, wore red placket cotton armor, carried muskets on their shoulders, and spurs on their waists, while the melee killer team carried cold weapons such as shields, knives, and spears, and walked on the official road.The official road is dark with trees on one side and sparkling lakes and swamps on the other, and there is no sound in the night, except for the footsteps of the Ming army and the sound of weapons and armor clashing and rubbing.Wang Deshun rode in front of the team, looking around from time to time, and the reflection of the claws in the western woods made him feel a trace of fear in his heart.Suddenly, at this moment, there was a commotion among the soldiers in front, which immediately caused a reaction from the Ming army behind, and the marching team immediately stopped, and the soldiers grabbed their muskets and squatted on the ground, ready to shoot the enemy."
It's okay, I'm stepping into the swamp!"
Just as he was panicking, the soldiers in front whispered.The voices came from the front, word of mouth one after another, and the soldiers breathed a sigh of relief, it turned out that the soldiers in front accidentally stepped into the edge of the swamp, and some soldiers fell into it and were pulled out by their comrades.Wang Deshun gritted his teeth and shouted in a low voice: "Don't panic, cheer up and keep walking." ”A battalion of Ming troops marched in front and did not suffer an attack, Li Benshen said: "Marshal, there should be no problem!"
”Zhao Ming had a calm face, and said with his cheeks encouraged: "Go to another battalion!"
”Li Benshen understood what Zhao Ming meant, and was worried that if there was an ambush, he would let go of the striker first, and then hit the main force behind, so he waved his hand and said: "Gao Yuanzhao, you take the Shanzi battalion away!"
”Gao Yuanzhao's battalion, mainly the Green Battalion, had more than 3,000 people, and after receiving the order, he followed behind the vanguard and marched forward.In the woods in the distance, Azig's eyes were like hungry wolves watching the Ming army marching in the distance."
Lord Wang, Zhao Zamao is really leaky, and he is a battalion of soldiers!"
Fan Wencheng frowned and said.The muscles on Azig's face twitched, "Let it go, give this king a calm breath, this time you must trap Zhao Zamao, the others are just shrimp soldiers and crab generals." ”Fan Wencheng said worriedly: "Lord Wang, Zhao Zamao's gang won't pass camp by battalion, right?"
”Azig grimaced and shook his head, "No, he doesn't have that much time to waste. ”Wang Deshun led a battalion of soldiers to pass smoothly, and the first battalion led by Gao Yuanzhao behind him was much easier, and his pace was much faster, and he soon disappeared from Zhao Ming's field of vision."
Send another battalion of soldiers!"
Zhao Ming continued to drink the order.In the woods, Azig and Fan Wencheng went crazy in an instant, and Fan Wencheng hurriedly said: "Another battalion of soldiers!"
Lord Wang, if this continues, Zhao Zamao's people will be half over!
Hurry up and attack!
”The muscles on Azig's face twitched, his teeth clenched, and he said word by word with hatred, "Let them go!"
”In a short time, the Ming army had already passed through three battalions smoothly, and it seemed that the Ming army was too cautious and did not encounter any problems at all."
Dashuai, are we thinking too much!"
The front was still calm, and there was no gunfire, Li Benshen couldn't help but ask.Zhao Ming said in a deep voice: "When marching and fighting, it's always right to be careful. ”After speaking, Zhao Ming pondered for a moment before he spoke: "Command the army, march forward!"
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