The guard who came to report the situation to Li Congjing said: "There are two or three thousand defenders in the city, except for the sergeant on duty guarding the city wall and acting as the city defense force, the main force is in the military camp in the west of the city. When the Fifth Commander and I went to inspect the military camp in the city, we saw Khitan soldiers practicing in the camp. ”

Li Congjing nodded, indicating that he had understood what the guard said, he waved his hand to let the guard go down to rest, and then said to Zhang Daqian and other Datong generals beside him: "Most of the Khitan barbarians in the city are in the military camp, which is indeed good news for us, and we have a great chance of winning by attacking the city tonight." He said to Chen Li again: "General Chen, what Ben Shuai said before, tonight's attack on Shengzhou is not focused on breaking through the city defense, now do you know what Ben Shuai means?" ”

The situation was already clear, Chen Li could naturally guess Li Congjing's plan, he said: "With the elite under General Li and the soldiers of our Datong Army from the city, plus we were taken by surprise and attacked the city in the middle of the night, if things go well, it will not be difficult to take the city wall in one fell swoop." In tonight's battle, the focus should be on dealing with the Khitan barbarians in the military camp in the west of the city. ”

Li Congjing gave Chen Li an appreciative look, and then said, "In this way, does General Chen still intend to be the vanguard of the siege tonight?" ”

Chen Li only groaned slightly, and then said decisively: "The last general is willing to be a pioneer!" ”

Zhang Daqian said with a smile on the side: "General Chen, tonight's fierce battle is in the military camp west of the city, why don't you go to grab this credit, and you are still willing to be the siege vanguard of the army?" ”

Chen Li glanced at Zhang Daqian, and the old god was saying: "The one who breaks the city first will also be able to kill the barbarian military camp in the city first, so that the battle to destroy the Khitan barbarians in the military camp in the west of the city is still the vanguard of the last general." How could the last general not know such a simple truth? ”

Zhang Daqian was happy, "You are a good Chen member, but you have a good calculation!" "Before Chen Li joined the army, his family was quite wealthy, and he was a well-known rich family.

Chen Li smiled, glanced at Li Congjing, and said to Zhang Daqian: "Although the last general has not been with General Li for a long time, he has already been known by General Li that in order to win on the battlefield, he must not only rely on bravery, but also have a thorough view of the battlefield situation and a far-reaching view of the war. Such a trivial matter, naturally, is not a problem! ”

Time passed minute by minute, Li Congjing didn't give the generals too much time to gag, and said: "Tonight's attack on the battle of Shengzhou is of great significance, it is not only related to the food and other logistical supply issues of our 4,000 soldiers, but also related to whether we have the initiative in future actions, in other words, whether the Sang Qian Pass can be held in the end, and whether the ambition of the Yelu enemy to plot against Youyun is successful or broken, it is all in the battle tonight!" The key to today's war lies in two points: first, whether the city should be able to open the city gate smoothly for us; Second, after we enter the city, can we successfully exterminate the Khitan barbarians in the military camp west of the city? The two are indispensable, and there is no difference in the responsibility, do you all know it? ”

"I'll understand!" The Lord will respond awe-inspiringly.

Li Congjing bowed slightly, and began to arrange the action of the army, "In this battle, with General Chen Li as the vanguard, cooperate with the internal response in the city, and attack the city as quickly as possible; If it is done, there is no need to take over the city defense, just rush to the Khitan military camp in the west of the city, and kill all the Khitan barbarians in it without asking. General Zhang Daqian followed closely behind and controlled the city gate for the army; The main force of the Datong Army, divided into an elite group, went straight to the military palace in the city, took down the defenders in the city, and the rest supported General Chen Li to destroy the thieves in the military camp in the west of the city! ”

All the generals had no objection to this military order and agreed in unison.

To plan for war, to think about defeat before thinking about victory, it is necessary to plan the retreat of the large army thoroughly, so that when the war is unfavorable, the large army will not panic and suffer too many losses, but can calmly evacuate. Li Congjing said again: "After General Zhang controls the city gate, he will be stationed in place, no matter what the war in the city is, he shall not leave his post without the personal order of the commander, so as to ensure the smooth back road for the army!" General Zhang, remember, no matter what the war is in the city, no matter whether we are waiting for the war to go smoothly or at a disadvantage, your troops cannot move a single soldier! ”

Zhang Daqian knew the stakes, clenched his fists awe-inspiringly, and assured Li Congjing: "General Li rest assured, the last general will save the stakes, and he must ensure that the city gate is not lost, and not a single soldier is moved!" ”

Li Congjing nodded, and planned with everyone one by one on the details of the battle.

The plan was decided, Li Congjing, Zhang Daqian and others retreated to the hidden places of the Datong Army, and the generals and colonels of each department also returned to their original positions, went to convey military orders to their own subordinates, and sat in their respective command posts.

At this time, it was not long before the fifth move in the city, and Li Congjing led the Datong army to quietly approach Shengzhou City under the cover of night. After approaching a certain distance, the army stopped, and Li Congjing gave Chen Li an order, ordering him to lead the elite of his headquarters to approach only a charge away from the city gate.

Chen Li led the order out of the battle, and the elite soldiers under his command risked themselves and silently touched Shengzhou City. When passing by Li Congjing's side, Chen Li gave him a military salute, with a look of "come to see him if nothing happens". Li Congjing nodded slightly at him as a sign of encouragement.

Although there are many similarities between this battle and Li Congjing's capture of Qimen that day, there are many differences.

First of all, the fighting was going on at different times. At that time, it was a daytime march, and Li Congjing put on a momentum of capturing Qimen in a dignified manner, and the battle lasted for a long time; But today's battle was fought in the middle of the night, and compared with the previous battle to capture the city, today's battle is more like stealing the city.

Secondly, the way in which the internal response is received is different. When attacking Qimen, Li Congjing led his troops to storm the city head-on, attracting the attention of the Liang army with his flesh and blood, thus creating an opportunity for Li Shaocheng to kill the defenders of the city and successfully attack the city head of the city; And today, it is not the soldiers of the Datong Army who take the lead, but the fifth class of people in the city, and only when they open the city gate, the Datong Army will act and take the opportunity to rush to the city.

In the end, there are different ways to win. In the battle of the past, Li Congjing and others wanted to conquer Qimen, mainly relying on capturing the city wall, and connecting with the Liang army on the city wall, defeating it, so as to capture the city; Today's battle is to steal the city, while controlling the city defense, while rushing into the city barracks, the city defenders are annihilated in the barracks.

After Chen Li arrived at the designated location, it was half an hour away from the ugly fashion.

Li Congjing and Zhang Daqian stood together, quietly looking at Shengzhou City at night with their hands lit up, and their eyes focused on the rock-solid city gate. This city gate separates the two worlds inside and outside the city, and its opening or closing determines whether the Datong army can rush into the city and win this battle.

Time seemed to flow slowly at this time, Zhang Daqian looked up at the night several times, looking at his appearance, but he wished that there was a moondial in front of him, so that he could know exactly what moment the hour was.

It is easy to say that the fifth-class people want to open the gates, but it is extremely difficult to do. They managed to sneak into the city during the day, and found out the strength of the defenders of the city and the location of the barracks, although these things were also dangerous, but as long as they were acted carefully, they were not very difficult to execute.

But opening the gates for the great army is different. Although it was late at night, it was much easier for the fifth class and others to act, but the city gate was not a door after all, and it was impossible to rush out and push it open by force. Their actions should be carried out under the noses of the defenders of Shengzhou, and the slightest mistake, one carelessness, may be discovered by the soldiers guarding the city wall, and at that time, not to mention that they only have a hundred people, or two hundred, to seize the city gate in the hands of the defenders, it is also a fool's dream.

Zhang Daqian looked at the quiet city head and city gate, although he tried his best to restrain his inner concern, nervousness, and uneasiness, but as time approached the ugly time step by step, there was still silence at the city gate, and he couldn't help but show a deep sense of worry.

Li Congjing's expression was as usual, as if his emotions were hidden behind the inky night, Zhang Daqian glanced at him several times, but he couldn't see the slightest abnormality, which made him feel a little relieved, but it was only a little reassuring.

The night breeze is a little, jumping over the deep forest and over the treetops, like willows blowing on the face. In the summer festival, this is supposed to be a cool time, but Zhang Daqian's forehead is covered with dense beads of sweat.

The officers and men of the Datong Army, who were silent all around, tried their best to restrain their restless minds and try to make their breathing as stable as possible, but even so, the breathing sound of the 4,000 people was still clearly audible in this night when the needle dropped.

It may be that he has not moved for a long time, his legs and feet are a little sore, I don't know who moved his feet, stepped on a dry branch, and the originally small sound immediately came into everyone's ears, among which there were unstable minds, and they couldn't help but be shocked, and subconsciously looked back to find the source of the sound.

The officers and men of the Datong Army have not eaten for two days and two nights, and they have run for two hundred miles, and the hunger in their stomachs can be imagined, not only that, but most of the officers and men of the whole army have not rested well in the past two days, because they have been running for their lives, after fleeing for their lives and being pursued, the mental consumption is huge, and they are also very tired at this time. The reason why military discipline can be guaranteed at the moment and there is no restlessness is because he knows that hope is in front of him, as long as he endures it a little longer, and when he captures Shengzhou City, he can open his belly to eat and rest.

Shengzhou City is all their hopes, and it is the most beautiful hometown in their hearts.

Zhang Daqian really didn't dare to think about what would become of the group of soldiers who were suffering from hunger and fatigue behind him if he couldn't take Shengzhou City today. There can be chaos, it can be scattered, it can be desperate to hunt for food. And now, although they temporarily got rid of the pursuit of the Khitan army, but at the same time, they also went deep into the enemy territory, a little careless, discovered by the Khitan army, they will be surrounded by the Khitan army from all sides, and by that time, the Datong army, which has been hungry and exhausted, is absolutely unable to resist the Khitan barbarians' rush, the only remaining possibility is to be annihilated here.

When it's ugly, it's almost there.

The head of Shengzhou City and the city gate still did not have the slightest movement.

This silent night, the silent wilderness, actually made Zhang Daqian shiver.

He looked at Li Congjing, "General Li, the hour has come, there is no movement in the city, will it be ......?"

Li Congjing didn't make a sound, and his posture standing quietly was still as motionless as a mountain.

Zhang Daqian's heart was anxious, and there were thousands of thoughts in his mind for a while, thinking of the terrible consequences that might occur if the army could not take Shengzhou City, and he said with difficulty: "General Li, the fifth commander has not opened the city gate yet, will they miss?" ”

Li Congjing kept looking ahead, so he saw Chen Li, who was waiting quietly outside the city gate, ready to attack at any time, also looked back at him at this time. Although it was impossible to see the other party's face and expression, Li Congjing also knew what it meant for Chen Li to turn around at this time, what he wanted to ask, or what he was worried about.

Zhang Daqian asked twice, and Li Congjing finally spoke, but his tone was still steady and calm, "Fifth, they won't miss, wait a while." ”

Zhang Daqian was stunned, hesitated, suspicious, and puzzled: "Why is General Li so sure that they will definitely be able to open the city gate for our army?" ”

Li Congjing showed a faint, but indescribably confident smile, and he said: "Because they are all soldiers brought out by Ben Shuai!" ”

Zhang Daqian was stunned.

At this moment, Zhang Daqian noticed a slight but obvious agitation in the military array behind him.

He saw Li Congjing, who was staring ahead, raise his hand.

Zhang Daqian turned his head in surprise and joy, and sure enough, he saw the scene that made him the most excited: the gate of Shengzhou was quietly opened, and Chen Li's department, who was waiting outside the city gate, had rushed out and poured into the city gate like an arrow from the string!

Li Congjing waved his raised arm, "Fight!" ”