Under such an unfavorable situation with frequent bad news, Pang Wanchun decisively ordered the withdrawal of troops. However, before the withdrawal of the army on 13 February, he still sent troops to storm Changshu City during the day, and it was not until after dark that the army slowly retreated, but it was also in a neat and orderly formation.

Although it was dark night, such a large-scale withdrawal of the Wu army certainly could not hide the eyes of the Song army in the city. After watching their continuous retreat, the soldiers immediately guessed that the enemy was planning to leave completely, which made them breathe a sigh of relief and let out bursts of cheers.

It was too difficult for them to stay in Changshu during this time, and they paid too much price. Sun Tu's departure made the soldiers unable to be completely united, and many people were pessimistic before. Now, watching the enemy retreat, they only felt that the big stone pressing on their bodies suddenly moved, and the mental state of the whole person improved a lot.

Of course, there were also people who had other ideas, and Song Jiang and other Liangshan brothers came to see Dong Ping, who was entrusted with the decision in the army by Sun Tu, as soon as possible, and asked him to fight, hoping to take this opportunity to chase him out of the city and avenge the continuous attack by the enemy during this time.

Looking at the eager appearance of this cadre general with red eyes, Dong Ping could certainly understand their feelings. In this bloody battle to defend the city, the casualties of the generals of Liangshan were the heaviest, and the hatred in their hearts was naturally the deepest.

But he didn't agree with the other party's thoughts: "Brother Gongming, brothers, I Dong Ping also sympathize with your thoughts, but now that the enemy's new retreat is not defeated by us, it is difficult to say that they will not lay any traps and ambushes outside the city, so in my opinion, we must not attack rashly, otherwise we will only fall into the enemy's plan and increase casualties." ”

"Dong Dujian, are we just watching them go away? This is a great opportunity to defeat this rebel army, how can it be let go because of some concerns? Song Jiang said with a frown.

Wu Yong also followed: "Yes, Dong Dujian, according to me, it must have been Sun Chan's success in Suzhou that forced them to retreat in a hurry, how could they lay any ambush traps at this time?" And we do this not only to kill the enemy to vent their anger, but also to reduce the burden on the brothers in front, if we let the 100,000 rebels retreat, there are only a few hundred people there, can he really hold Suzhou? ”

"Yes, Dong Dujian, let me wait for the troops to pursue."

"If you still have concerns, our Liangshan brothers are willing to take on this matter with all their might, and we will send troops to save it ourselves!"

The others also echoed his words, forcing him to nod. Being targeted by these dozen or twenty generals, Dong Ping hesitated for a while, although reason told him that it was the wisest choice to stay on this matter, but the pressure on these people on him was really not small.

Li Kui, who was the most irritable, shouted even more at this time: "Dong Ping, what are you thinking?" It wasn't you Qingzhou soldiers who died together, so you don't feel distressed, but it made my Liangshan brothers die in vain? ”

"Iron Bull must not talk nonsense!" Song Jiang's heart was also tense when he heard Li Kui say such words, and he scolded urgently. Although he said that, looking at his expression, he was obviously a little dissatisfied with this, after all, he really wanted to avenge those brothers who had followed him for many years.

But Li Kui's rude scolding woke up Dong Ping, making his originally hesitant face suddenly cold, and he immediately said solemnly: "I have made up my mind, all soldiers and horses in Changshu City are not allowed to act rashly, and those who dare to disobey orders will be dealt with by military law!" ”

"...... you" Song Jiang was in a hurry when he heard this, and wanted to say something, but after facing Dong Ping's firm gaze, his heart tightened, and he couldn't speak. At this time, Dong Ping's momentum had steadily overpowered Song Jiang and others, and he had the demeanor of a leading general.

Li Kui's words made Dong Ping easily remember the scene when he had a conflict with the Huainan Army and lacked winter clothes in his own army. At that time, he was too hesitant and listened to some suggestions from the other party so that he did not directly snatch the supplies, but as a result, many soldiers froze to death from the cold, and in the end, they were severely punished by Sun Tu.

Today, a similar situation is happening again, and this time he has learned his lesson. Since Sun Tu put the power of commanding the whole army into his own hands, he should be responsible for it, and he should not be influenced by others at will. As the main general, he has already made a plan, how can he allow his subordinates to question it?

At this time, Dong Ping seemed to be a different person, and his eyes swept over the generals of Liangshan in front of him: "Don't forget your identity, now you are my Shandong army soldiers, not some thieves who fall into the grass and put righteousness first!" I am also very saddened by the death of those brothers, but this is a public vendetta rather than a personal vendetta, and it is not your turn to disobey the military order and go out of the city to take revenge! Someone—"

As soon as he greeted him, several of his own soldiers had already entered, waiting for orders. Dong Ping immediately ordered: "Pass on my military order, the whole army is in the city to recuperate, and no one is allowed to leave the city without authorization, otherwise it will be punished for the crime of collaborating with the enemy, and it will be killed!" ”

After several pro-soldiers were ordered to go out and issue orders, Song Jiang and the others all looked at Dong Ping with surprised eyes, as if they were looking at a stranger. Because the impact he brought them this time was too great, is this still the hesitant and humble Dong Dujian?

Li Kui was a little anxious, and wanted to shout a few words, but Song Jiang stopped him in time: "Since Dong Dujian has decided so, the last general will not dare to disobey." But if I really let me wait for the unfortunate words, because our troops will not move and sit back and watch the rebels enter the city of Suzhou......"

"Then the responsibility is on my own!" Dong Ping replied without hesitation. Then he softened his tone: "Brother Gongming, everyone, why are you in a hurry if you want revenge?" As long as we can win this time, we will have a chance to go south to kill the enemy after taking Suzhou. At that time, let alone killing Pang Wanchun, even that Fang La will definitely be captured alive by us and others. Don't you even have the patience for that? ”

When it came to this, Song Jiang and the others had nothing else to say, so they could only clench their fists and answer the order, and then withdraw from the room. It wasn't until they left that Dong Fang let out a long sigh of relief. Don't look at how tough he was just now, in fact, he was quite apprehensive in his heart, after all, this was the first time he forcibly suppressed Song Jiang and them.

At this time, Lin Chong and Yang Zhi walked in with a smile, and they all sighed sincerely: "Brother Dong really has a hand, this time we are convinced." ”

"Yes, we were worried that you would be moved by them, but now it seems that we are too worried."

"The two of you also feel that it is not appropriate to pursue the rebels at this time?"

"Don't chase after the poor, let alone at night." Yang Zhiluo frowned and said, "Pang Wanchun has always known the art of war, how could he withdraw his troops under our noses without preparation?" No matter how urgent the rear is, we should wait until the dead of night before leaving, instead of being a genius to wipe the darkness, and leave as soon as the war between the two sides ends, isn't this a clear attempt to lead us to pursue? ”

"I'm sure he must have arranged for the men and horses to be sent down early, just waiting for us to get out of the city." Lin Chong also smiled and said: "But it's one thing to know, it's another thing to be able to withstand the pressure of Song Jiang and others, and refuse to send troops." Therefore, Sun Chan is still extremely accurate in seeing people, and you are much more reliable than us people. ”

Dong Ping also smiled on his face, but said modestly: "The two of you are falsely praised, I am also just eating a trench and growing wise." The mistakes I made are still fresh in the past, and I dare to let others call the shots. Since the army has been handed over to me, I should do my best and not dare to be negligent. ”

After dawn, everyone was finally convinced that Dong Ping's judgment was true. Because not long after the sun rose, an army of tens of thousands of people came out of the forest a few miles ahead, and just looking at the banner it played, it was actually Pang Wanchun, the chief general of the Wu army. He not only laid down an ambush, but also personally led the army to the rear of the palace, obviously planning to make a final move, hoping to turn the situation around and destroy the Song army along the way.

After seeing this scene, even Song Jiang and the others didn't dare to have any complaints, because they knew very well that if they really insisted on leading the army to pursue, they would inevitably fall into the trap, and it was difficult to say what the end would be.

As a result, Dong Ping's prestige in the Shandong army has also been greatly improved, and he is regarded by the soldiers as another commander in the army outside the jurisdiction of Sun Xuan.

At this time, outside the city, Pang Wanchun, who was slowly leading the army to retreat south, turned back several times, looking at the Changshu City that had been battered and could collapse at any time, but still stood there. After a long time, Fang sighed: "Sun Tu is really a great enemy, he can actually see through my mind and can't help but send a single soldier." This time, I couldn't even cooperate with Zhu Mian to kill him, and I'm afraid I won't have a chance in the future. Until now, he didn't know that it was not Sun Tu who led the army to defend the city in the past few days, but had already been replaced by a cadre of generals under him.

Soon, he led his army to catch up with the main force that was one step ahead, and after learning that the Song army was not in the pursuit, his subordinates also sighed. Subsequently, someone worried: "Pang Shuai, what should we do next?" Is it to attack Suzhou directly? ”

"Of course!" Pang Wanchun replied categorically: "I always feel that this time things are too strange, and the number of Song troops who can slip away from under the noses of my army will definitely not be too much, in this case, our 100,000 army will be able to recapture Suzhou in one battle." ”

For both the Song and Wu armies, Suzhou was a crucial city in the Jiangnan Campaign. So even if the situation is getting more and more unfavorable at this time, Pang Wanchun must try his best to recapture it.

At this time in the city of Suzhou, Sun Tu was looking at the wall, silently looking forward to the arrival of the enemy: "Pang Wanchun, you and I have failed to distinguish the winner in Changshu, I don't know if we can see each other in Suzhou this time?" ”

Behind him, there were countless soldiers and horses, nearly 10,000 scattered in various gates of Suzhou......