Zheng Lang and Han Qi were really besieged in a lonely city by the Tanguts.

But Han Qi likes it very much, the defeat of Haoshuichuan and Qinzhou's crying and mourning have always become a thorn in his heart that cannot be removed. will not be masochistic like Zhao Zhen, but he has always wanted to correct his name. Being in a lonely city, no matter what the arrangement, is also to prove his courage to the world, and of course, his merits...... However, at this time, the people and soldiers in the village were a little confused.

Without water, who is not in a hurry, Zheng Lang and Han Qi can't do it here, they must drink water.

Zheng Lang sent people to gather the elders of the people and the generals together and brought them to the northwest corner of Dingchuan Village. There is a courtyard here, which has been strictly guarded by soldiers. But the courtyard itself is very ordinary, with a high earthen wall for one person, and a row of thatched houses behind it. Someone was curious and secretly attached to the wall to watch, but saw nothing, only a square open space, the area of the open space is not small, about five zhang long. It doesn't matter if the army of the Song Dynasty didn't enter Dingchuan Village, it seems to be more luxurious to enter Dingchuan Village at this time and keep this vacant land.

I don't know what it's used for, and many people have made private guesses. Some people even mustered up the courage to look at the row of thatched huts, but they saw nothing but a few empty houses. This time, this courtyard covering an area of nearly 400 square meters is full of suspicion.

Today, Zheng Lang finally unveiled its true face.

After everyone entered, Zheng Lang nodded his mouth, and Guo Lun, the owner of Dingchuan Village, understood that no matter what happened here, it could be spread in the village, but not outside the village. Then he ordered the soldiers to stand on the head of the fortress and keep a close watch, not only defending, but also monitoring the movements in the wall.

Seeing the dense number of soldiers on the west side of the city, Zheng Lang led them to the corner of the house in the west, and slowly uncovered the soil covering it, revealing the secret, and there was a dark ditch at the corner of the house, leading to the city wall. There is a little moss on it, and it doesn't look like it's been very long. It's just because it's closed and doesn't see sunlight for a long time that some subtle moss is produced. Someone's brain is smart and already knows what's underneath.

Han Qi smiled and looked at everyone.

Zheng Lang once again picked up the mud from the ground by hand, on the surface it was the ground, but in fact there was only a thin layer of loess, and then there was a wooden plank, and the wooden board was uncovered, and everyone cheered together. Below is a huge water storage tank, more than three feet deep, and it seems that the bottom of the pool is not visible. A large expanse of green water ripples through the sunlight of the window.

A thick wall of bricks and lime was built around it to prevent water from escaping under the ground. The whole yard is an illusion, and the real thing is this large cistern below. It can hold more than 4,000 cubic meters of drinking water.

This is to block the ditch in advance, so that the ditch water overflows, and then through the small culvert in the corner of the wall, so that the water flows into the reservoir. When it is full, the earthen mounds of the ditch are opened again, and it will not take long, only one night. It took a lot of effort to build this pool. Now I see that although it takes a lot of effort, it is worth it. It's still not enough, at this time, Dingchuan Village is crowded with nearly 40,000 soldiers and civilians, and there are thousands of war horses, no matter how much water is saved, it will only be eaten for more than ten days. But ten days is enough!

Zheng Lang instructed: "I ordered to send people over to carry water and distribute it to the army and civilians, but to control the amount, and in addition, to slaughter all livestock except war horses, and give compensation after the war." ”

If there is water, it is also necessary to conserve water, and the water used by livestock is much higher than that of humans. The horses must not be killed, but the other animals must be slaughtered.

When the news spread, many people jumped with joy. The generals and their soldiers did not allow the people to give any cheers. It's okay to be happy, and it's okay to make noise, so that the enemy on the other side of the river can hear it.

Ge Huaimin was locked up and confined without much fear. Knowing that Zheng Lang would not do anything to him, it was a big deal to make a command error, according to the Song Dynasty system, degrading officials would be. In fact, at this time, he calmed down, thought about it, and felt that many things were incredible, how could Zheng Lang and Han Qi know that they would be ambushed and finally trapped in Dingchuan Village?

It's amazing.

Not only is he thinking, but some people are smart and aware of this problem.

As I saw many people carrying water, I was even more puzzled, where did this water come from?

It was only at this time that he realized how naïve his so-called proficient military book and war strategy was.

Zheng Lang won't ask what kind of mood he is in, as long as he doesn't cause trouble to Zheng Lang. Fortunately, there is also Han Qi, who can't be suppressed by one person, and two people are enough to suppress him. said to Han Qi: "Brother Zhigui, let's go up and have a look." ”

Pointing to the head of the city.

"Okay."

"Don't worry, put on your armor." At this time, the city was full of armor soldiers, and two men in civilian clothes ascended to the top of the city, which would inevitably attract the attention of the enemy. In the battle of Shimenchuan, the two dangled on the wall many times, and some Tangut people knew them. At this time, it is inconvenient to reveal the identity. I could only wear armor to cover up, and I didn't dare to bring the step armor, but took the vest and put it on Han Qi, and Han Qi's two calves trembled.

Zheng Lang laughed. At the beginning, I was like this, the real Song Dynasty armor was too heavy, and even this vest was more than forty catties. Not the Jin of the Song Dynasty, but the Jin of the later Dynasty. He asked, "Brother Zhigui, do you want me to help you?" ”

"No," Han Qi said stubbornly. After walking two steps, he said, "Xingzhi, you should help me." ”

It's better to let Zheng Lang help than to let others help you.

The two climbed to the top of the city and looked into the distance. The Xixia people densely surrounded Dingchuan Village, and many people continued to build pontoon bridges on the Nikou River. I saw the Tanguts divide their troops and gallop to the southeast. Zheng Lang frowned, and Han Qi said, "It's a little bad." ”

Before the army formed a heavy encirclement, the strength of Jingyuan Road was very empty. Qin Fenglu could still support a group of troops, but it was of other use, and he didn't dare to use them at this time. He also asked Ge Huaimin to transfer a group of troops, and from Zhenrong Village to the west of the first line of Langgan City, all the troops of the walled fort were very empty.

Zheng Lang said: "I'm worried about Weizhou City. ”

But there is no way, if you want to send the news out at this time, there is nothing you can do.

The next day, the bad news came, Yuan Hao broke the Lotus Fort, and also cut off many heads, and brought them to the front of Dingchuan Village, showing off his might and asking the people in the village to surrender.

Han Qi said, "Let's rush." ”

"The north wind is not strong." Zheng Lang gritted his teeth in anger, but still said calmly.

Han Qi looked at the sky and asked puzzledly, "Why doesn't it wind?" ”

"I know," Zheng Lang smiled bitterly, I am not Zhuge Liang, I can borrow the east wind. Then look at the mountains in the northeast, this wind plays a role in the northwest battlefield, because the northwest has a lot of sand and dust, which is very important. First of all, there was a battle between Zhang Kang and Ningzhai, and the wind played a role. In history, this Ge Huaimin was even more miserable, trying to break through from the East City Gate, and the two armies fought, and it was rare that the northeast wind blew. Northeast winds are in the northwest after autumn, there are, but rare. And this wind was very strong, blowing all the dust on the dirt and mountains in the northeast, and the Song army was standing downwind, so they returned defeated. This is the black wind in the history books. Very natural weather conditions, but at this time, often infinitely exaggerated. A black wind blew, the morale of the 70,000 Song troops was completely lost, and finally the Fan soldiers mutinied, the 70,000 troops were defeated, and only a few escaped.

I don't know if it's the black wind, but after coming to Dingchuan Village, there have been several strong winds, there are northeast winds, there are northwest winds, once the wind is raised, the wind and sand are blowing, and it is extremely unfavorable to fight in the downwind. I don't know, I know, Dingchuan Village has an east gate, a south gate, a west gate, and a north gate. As long as it is windy, strong enough, it is the time of World War I.

The two sat in the village and waited for the wind.

It wasn't until the night of the third day that Zheng Lang was shouted by the guards and reported that the wind was blowing.

Zheng Lang hurriedly got dressed and came to the courtyard, and on the other side, Han Qi was also woken up by the guards, standing in the courtyard and looking at the sky.

It was windy, but the wind was not strong, four or five levels, and the flag was barely fluttered and straightened.

"It's a little windy." Han Qi sighed.

"Small must also be executed," Zheng Lang said: "If you don't execute it, Yuan Hao will be suspicious." ”

"Okay."

The two dressed neatly and began to mobilize generals, at this time there were many troops in the village, and there were many generals, and there were many generals who could use them, including Wang Ji and Zhao Xun, whose command skills were outstanding. There are also some brave generals of the three armies, such as Xiang Jin and others.

These three people are also used.

Open the warehouse in the north of the wall, bring out some utensils, not only weapons, but also materials, and prepare a large number of materials in advance, not much, as long as it is enough for more than ten days to consume, then the war will be over long ago.

Looking at these utensils, Wang Jihu asked suspiciously, "What is this?" ”

Zheng Lang said: "Look. ”

took out a handful of things from the sack in the back, put it on a certain utensil, and pulled it gently, Wang Ji happened to stand downwind, and immediately covered his eyes. Zheng Lang said: "In this battle, not only will we defeat Yuan Hao, but we will also teach him this apprentice and let him learn to consciously use the wind." "Whether it is the battle between Jianning Village and Dingchuan Village or Jiuqu, the wind plays a major role, but no matter which side, it is unconsciously used. Including Yuan Hao in the battle of Jiuqu.

If this battle is not successful, if it succeeds, the Tangut people will be beaten very badly. We must give them a glimmer of life so that they will not give in to the Khitans.

It's a super difficult mission.

Han Qi didn't listen, and he frowned when he heard it. Sure enough, it's the head that is easy to call, and if you change to someone else, if you hollow out your head like this, you will be tired to death. Sometimes he was thinking about Zheng Lang's front and back arrangement, and he didn't want to be okay, and he felt big when he thought about it.

It's the existence of bugs, but it's also the value of historical knowledge. After the First Battle of Jiuqu, if he wanted to fight with the Western Xia people, Zheng Lang would probably find it difficult to find any historical knowledge to draw on. But that's exactly what he was looking forward to.

At this time, seeing Wang Ji's military talent, after rubbing his eyes desperately for a while, he rushed over excitedly, grabbed Zheng Lang's hand and shook it, and said: "Zheng Xianggong, I am obedient to you, accept me as an apprentice in the future." ”

"Go, don't mess around," Zhao Xun pushed him away.

Who can be a student of Zheng Lang? Especially at this time, the status of the generals is low, Di Qing doesn't dare to open this mouth, how can you be embarrassed to say it.

But it's hard to say, Zheng Lang accepted the Shi family in Weizhou, and let the little lady blackmail the calligraphy, so he was willing to agree. The world is so big that there are no surprises. Zheng Lang himself was not wary, and said: "It's just some knowledge of Gewuxue, and I am not above you in military talent." The reason why I was lucky enough to have not made a mistake so far is the result of our collective efforts after consulting with you. ”

What he said was from his heart, he only used historical knowledge, and put forward some ideas, and the specific implementation plan was decided only after careful consultation with the generals, including Lao Chong, Di Qing, Zhang Qi, Zhao Xun, Wang Ji, and even Zhang Fangping's suggestions.

But no one thinks so.

I think he is pretending to be modest.

Humility is a virtue, and no one cares.

A few people stood in front of the warehouse to discuss and start recruiting and transferring generals.

It is not very far, in order to monitor the movement in the village, the Xixia people also built a tall tower on the other side of the river, and watched at night. The distribution of supplies and drinking water in the village must be carried out quietly at night, with the help of night.

The deployment of troops in the village has long been known to the Tangut people.

Yuan Hao and the ministers clapped their hands, and the Song army finally couldn't help it and wanted to forcibly break through.

The Song army is dispatching troops, and Yuan Hao is also dispatching troops. did not underestimate the Song army, and saw the strength and bravery of the Song army in Sanchuankou, Haoshuichuan and Fulin Road. It is also said that the luck of the Song Dynasty is really good, if it were not for the Khitan people in history, since the battle of Dingchuan Village, Yuan Hao looked down on the Song army, and he didn't know what kind of attack would be launched.

The north wind blows, which is the northwest wind and the most common wind direction in the northwest in winter.

The Song army opened the two gates in the southeast, and tens of thousands of Song troops came out.

It's just that there are some strange utensils in the back, and below is a bellows, bellows appeared relatively early in China, and the Tangut people also had it, and it was necessary to use it when casting iron to raise the temperature of the furnace.

Mainly on top. At the exit of the bellows is a leather bag, below which is a small cart with four small pulleys, on which the bellows are laid flat, behind which is a very high wooden frame, on which the leather is suspended, and then a large funnel-shaped tube stands on the top of the wooden frame. There's also a big funnel underneath. A total of nearly 100 such strange appliances were launched.

Yuan Hao and Song Jun fought many times, and the most difficult one was Peng Yangcheng, who suffered enough. Therefore, I was very suspicious when I looked at him, and I didn't know what it was for. Just as he was guessing, Song Jun approached the pontoon bridge step by step.

Yuan Hao didn't care what it was for, and said, "Prepare the arrows." ”

At this moment, Zheng Lang blew the horn.

Some soldiers dragged out the sacks from the rear, and some soldiers were desperately pulling the bellows, and the soldiers poured the powder in the sacks into the funnel, and these fine powders made the wind from the bellows immediately blow into the sky. The powder was very fine, not only the wind was blowing in the bellows, but also the northwest wind was blowing, and it quickly flew towards the Western Xia military camp.

It was the night of the end of the month, and many Western Xia people didn't know what the Song army was doing. It wasn't until the hundred bellows all puffed out the powder and the sky filled the sky with smoke that I felt something was wrong. But the powder had already blown over.

These powders have sun-dried dust, as well as Shaoli mustard, Qin pepper, and no chili peppers, but at this time there are some spicy flavors in China, such as pepper, ginger, dogwood, Fuliu vine, cinnamon, pepper, and mustard, which can be used as a substitute for chili peppers and used as seasonings. Some are expensive, some are cheap, such as dogwood. It is dried beforehand and then ground into a secondary powder, which is lighter in mass than dust and also flies faster.

Hit the trick all of a sudden, including Yuan Hao, and let these dust dust fly into his eyes, and he couldn't help covering his eyes and rubbing them desperately with his hands.

Zheng Lang beat the drum again.

The charge begins.

Divided into three roads, Zhao Xun is in the center, Wang Ji is on the left, and Xiang Jin is on the right. The Tangut people built twelve pontoon bridges and used them every day to show off their might under the walled city, but the Song army only chose three of them. The 15,000 troops carefully selected quickly rushed across the pontoon bridge and rushed into the Western Xia army.

In the blink of an eye, the Western Xia camp was in chaos.

Regardless of the pain in his eyes, Yuan Hao kept giving orders with flags to stabilize all the soldiers. Until now, he still wants to eat all the Song troops in Dingchuan Village and prevent them from breaking out. Even if they don't attack, as long as they are trapped for a few more days and have no water to eat, the Song army will be in chaos without a fight.

The Song army had no intention of preparing for a breakthrough at all. In fact, if you want to break through at this time, it is a good time, at least half of the Song army will take the opportunity to break through the encirclement and escape. But why did Song Jun escape? Wang Ji, Zhao Xun and Xiang Jin were invincible in the enemy army. In particular, Wang Ji has the strongest lethality, and from him you can see some of the later Mongolian iron horses. Before the war, he refused to wear clumsy vests and only wore light armor to battle, so the burden of the war horse was very light, and he charged and was the fastest.

Han Qi looked at his fierce appearance among the enemies and said, "Xingzhi, this person is really a tiger general. ”

"That is, in the battle of Tumaochuan, it was he who fought hard and was the first to jump out of the car formation and break the iron harrier."

"I don't know how Zhang Qi is?" ”

"You'll see it right away." Zheng Lang was very happy, the Song Dynasty was very contemptuous of military generals, especially this Mr. Han Da. Zhang Qi and Wang Ji are treated the most unfairly in history, if they are favored by this Mr. Han, the two of them will be prosperous. It doesn't work to speak alone, plus Han Qi, can the court not reuse these two brave generals?

But then Zheng Lang fell into deep thought.

"Xingzhi, what are you thinking?"

"Brother Zhigui, I'm thinking about building a light cavalry."

"Hussars?"

"That is, use light armor, or leather armor instead of bulky vests, reduce the weight of the war horses, and select a batch of war horses, then at least this cavalry will maintain the advantage of speed."

"So what?"

"It's a big use," Zheng Lang sighed. This idea didn't come to mind for a day, but when I saw Wang Ji's appearance tonight, this ** was so strong. But when I think about it, I think it's very difficult. Mongolia's iron hooves roam the world, and they have their natural geographical conditions, and they have been living in the unrestrained steppes, and they are accustomed to galloping across the country. There are grasslands in the northwest, but they are some small plains, so can they be compared with those prairies in the north? Without this natural geographical condition, it would be impossible to train light horsemen like the Mongols.

"What is it for?"

"Don't say it, let's watch the battle," Zheng Lang couldn't answer. It cannot be said that there was a cavalry in later generations that could sweep most of Europe with 20,000 men. You have to boil it slowly, after boiling up the Western Xia, and the Khitan, the Khitan has no hope of destroying it at all, at most the sixteen states of Youyun will be recovered, then the entire Song Dynasty will be happy to go home.

Han Qi stared at the battlefield and said again: "This time, Yuan Hao's lesson is very profound. ”

Zheng Lang also laughed.

The Song army did not raise that kind of insidious spicy dust, Yuan Hao's eyes opened, and he began to command the army with full concentration. Zheng Lang despised Yuan Hao, thinking that he was a bandit and underestimating Yuan Hao. Yuan Hao still has some command talents, if it weren't for the use of conspiracy, or these dust machines, and gunpowder, just in terms of the art of commanding, Yuan Hao was stronger than anyone in Dingchuan Village at this time.

Under his command, the Western Xia army was functioning in an orderly manner.

Zheng Lang said: "It's time. ”

The drums beat again, and the Song army slowly retreated.

After more than an hour of fighting, both sides suffered losses, and the Song army sacrificed more than 1,000 soldiers, but the Western Xia people were even worse, at least 3,000 or 4,000 people were buried on the other side of the Nikou River.

Although there were casualties, for both sides, there were no injuries. As long as this Song army is eaten, Yuan Hao will be worth it even if he sacrifices twice as many soldiers. The Song army did not expect an immediate defeat of the Tanguts. Although the Western Xia people divided their troops, there were too many large numbers of troops, and there were more than 80,000 people left here, and Zhang Qi and Zhang Kang came in person, and they could not overwhelm so many troops. But this battle was beneficial to the Song army, because of the battle of Xiangjiaxia, the declining morale would rise again because of this battle.

Zheng Lang began to discuss the reward for meritorious deeds.

Xiang Jin Dale said: "Zheng Xianggong, it's still comfortable to fight with Zheng Xianggong, that's like that Ge ......."

Didn't dare to say.

This also speaks to the hearts of most soldiers.

Zheng Lang turned his head to look at the northeast corner, and there was a house in the northeast corner, which was where Ge Huaimin was held. said: "General Xiang, don't talk nonsense, prepare to rest." The soldiers who did not participate in the battle prepared to defend the city to prevent the enemy from becoming angry and attack Dingchuan Village tomorrow morning. ”

Then returned to the courtyard with Han Qi, Han Qi said, "About a few days?" ”

"Soon," Zheng Lang replied. But he still had a faint worry, worried about the Western Xia army that had been separated......