Volume 5 Chapter 60: Lighting up the flames
The sky was gloomy, the moonlight was blocked, and although there was no excessive cold wind, it was a winter night, so the chill was needless to say. And in such a situation, a battle was going on on both sides of the southern fork of the Yellow River North Road, with nearly 100,000 soldiers on both sides.
However, the entire battlefield appeared in a strange state in the dim night.
Daming City on the east side of the river and Yuan City on the west side of the river were undoubtedly the core focus of the battlefield. The two commanders, their actual command centers, and their central military camps were facing each other across the river. The straight-line distance between the two fronts might be only six or seven hundred steps, but they had to maintain a confrontation because of the existence of a big river.
What is even more disturbing is that although the river's channel will not shrink easily, the water in it is becoming shallower and shallower, and it is increasingly likely to freeze over completely, turning it into a smooth road and becoming the key to reversing the situation on the battlefield at any time and anywhere.
Going south from the two cities, the Song army had no less than 10,000 troops, led by several commanders. They suddenly crossed the river under the command of Tang Huai, causing extraordinary bustle and great momentum... There were noises of drums and shouts, as well as fires of all sizes that spread for more than ten miles, forming the loudest and most chaotic place on the entire battlefield, and it was also the brightest place after Yuancheng.
However, the commanders of both sides knew very well that this was the least important place. For the time being, Tang Huai's main task when crossing the river was to make some noise.
Going north, although there are also stars twinkling with fire, the overall scene is quiet and silent.
The commanders of both sides knew that this was the ultimate root of the battle and a place full of murderous intent, because further north in Guantao, a large main force of the Jin army was stationed. They were ready to move southward to sweep the area and support Yuancheng at any time. If the Song army wanted to attack the city, they had to seize the initiative in this open area and block the Jin army reinforcements.
This gap is actually a trap and bait.
Going west, in the Jin-occupied area further west of Yuancheng, the firelight gradually dimmed. When you reached the Yongji Canal, or the west fork of the Yellow River North Road, there was no movement or fire at all, just like a thick black background.
It is conceivable that in the originally densely populated town, after most of the young men were taken away to serve as conscripts, they would be very cautious facing the war in the east.
However, perhaps in the near future, there will be a huge main combat force that is enough to go down in history in any era, and an unprecedented cavalry and infantry army will gather there.
Going eastward, that is, the area where the main force of the Song army was stationed behind Daming City, although there was no deliberate noise or unbridled behavior, the lights in various strongholds, the constant coming and going of soldiers and people, the movement and overall light caused by them could not be concealed at all.
The final success or failure of tonight's operation is brewing here. Ships are crossing the land, civilians are doing their best to prepare planks for fortifications, pull ropes for transportation, and even cook. A large elite main force is also waiting for orders.
However, the strangest place was ultimately the central node of the battlefield. The huge Yuan City where Gao Jingshan, the commander-in-chief of the Jin army's Damingfu Marching Division, lived was brightly lit, with strict orders inside and outside the city and in good order. At the same time, the smaller Daming City where Yue Fei, the marshal of the Song army's Hebei Front Army, was located was dark and terribly silent except for the necessary lights.
There is no other way. This is a "smuggling" and it should have been launched in the early part of this month when there is no moonlight. Now it has been launched in the middle of the month, and we have to choose a night when the sky is gloomy and the moon is obscured. In this case, Daimyo Castle "must" reduce the light as much as possible.
It is also because of this that the light on the increasingly narrow river between the two cities appears particularly dim and difficult to define.
However, on the river where light and darkness coexist, there are some things whose strong presence cannot be easily ignored just because there is not enough light.
Tian Shizhong was waiting for orders in the north of the city, Wang Gui was commanding land ships in Gucheng Town, Zhang Rong was nowhere to be seen, and the rest of the officers had received their missions and had gone elsewhere early. At this time, in Daming City, Yue Fei was sitting alone on a chair next to the high platform for hot air balloons near the west water gate. Even within a few dozen steps, there was only one counselor of the Imperial Camp Navy, You Xuejiu, and a commander in charge of hot air balloons, Bei Yan, accompanying him.
There were only two or three torches around the platform, so it was impossible to see Yue Fei's expression. You Xuejiu was no longer as calm and unrestrained as he was before in front of his own governor. He just squatted under the platform with his hands clasped together in frustration, not daring to move. As for Bei Yan, he was obviously a little panicked and at a loss, but he didn't dare to move easily, so he could only stand there and accompany the two people to endure the boredom.
That’s right, they just endured it. All three of them were enduring it.
Standing in this place, although the shouts and screams from the south were clearly audible, they could not cover up the whistling sound of the Jin Dynasty's stone cannons fired hundreds of steps away, nor the dull plop of the cannonballs hitting the water, nor the crisp impact sound when they hit some wood... The last sound was the most unbearable, even more unbearable than the occasional screams.
Because no one knows whether behind this crisp sound, the Song army is unharmed or suffers more massive losses.
And this is exactly why what Xiao En and his subordinates did seemed so unacceptable, why Zhang Rong was so entangled, and why You Xuejiu almost collapsed at this time, but did not dare to escape at all.
This was not an honorable sacrifice on the battlefield, nor was it the indiscriminate use of weapons in large-scale combat. Rather, the lives of such a group of heroes were wasted from an intuitive perspective. This kind of surprise attack, which was doomed to incur huge casualties, was illusory, and no one dared to guarantee that it would be absolutely effective. It was just a necessary feint from the highest level and from a strategic point of view.
But the problem is that its usefulness or uselessness seems to be completely based on the level and judgment of the opposing commander Gao Jingshan. At the same time, although everyone may understand it in their hearts, Song Jun's commander Yue Pengju cannot provide clear evidence that these people's actions are critical and necessary.
They couldn't give it to their superiors, they couldn't give it to their subordinates, they couldn't give it to Xiao En and his subordinates, and they couldn't give it to the other soldiers who might be dissatisfied because Xiao En and his subordinates took the credit later. But in order to ensure the success of the overall battle plan, so many brave men had to sacrifice their lives in vain.
There is no way. The so-called Imperial Camp Army is just a force that was only established and integrated eight years ago. Although it is already a complex system with mature routines, such as the secret letter system, the commanding officer system, the pro-military culture, etc., it still has not formed specific military terminology based on this specific tactic to make people generally recognize the value of this sacrifice, just like everyone recognizes the necessity of scouts without saying anything.
Of course, Yue Fei on the city and Xiao En in the river are undoubtedly establishing this mechanism now... because when Yue Fei issued this military order, Xiao En executed it without hesitation.
Yue Fei sat there dully, not knowing what Xiao En was thinking, nor what You Xuejiu was thinking, but for him who was good at thinking, he couldn't help feeling a little dazed at this moment… Kindness does not command the army, and righteousness does not command wealth. Words can be said lightly and military orders can be written with gritted teeth, but when he really sits here and forces himself to listen to the sounds of cannonballs flying into the air and ships hitting and injuring people, then he will realize what he has done.
The Northern Expedition is just, recovering the two rivers is necessary, and national reunification is great. No one can deny this, just as Emperor Zhao said in the latest issue of the court bulletin... At this point, no one can deny that the Song Dynasty and this era are jointly writing their own grand chapters... This somewhat convoluted and strange statement, when read for the first time, inevitably makes people suspect that it was written by Emperor Zhao after he was overjoyed and drunk after breaking through Yangliang South Pass at the southern end of Queshu Valley in the east direction of the river.
How to write articles in the Song Dynasty?
Era means period. How can we write an article about a period of time?
Still writing together?
However, when I read it carefully, I find it has a unique charm.
The last issue published an old poem that Prince Han recited when he asked for battle, which shook the roof tiles of Tieling Pass on the spot. After it was published in the newspaper, it shocked the world. However, he only said "to complete the affairs of the king and the world, and win a good reputation in life and after death" . Those who strive for it are just to leave their names in history. People can leave their names in history, countries are made by people, and times are created by people. Countries and times write articles together, which makes people feel that the metaphor is wonderful.
After reading it, Yue Fei indeed had a feeling that "a real man should be like this" - I, Yue Fei, also want to write a grand chapter of my own.
Moreover, combined with the previous ten years of hard work and experience, Yue Fei had enough confidence and courage to tell everyone, just as it was said in the official article, that this chapter was just, necessary, great, and unquestionable, and it clearly distinguished between friend and foe.
However, between light and shadow, in brightness and darkness, while listening to the sounds in the river ahead, Yue Fei had to admit that this chapter was too big, huge enough to crush anyone.
The decade-long despair of the people of the two rivers, the years of desolation in the Central Plains, and the heavy taxes borne by the people of the southeast for many years are all footnotes to this chapter.
This is not helplessness or selfishness, nor is it a complete lack of self-awareness and greatness. It is just the sheer insignificance of the individual and his insignificance in the tide of the times.
It was as if at this moment, the lives of countless heroes were easily wiped out by the sounds of the night.
"marshal."
The one who broke the silence was Bei Yan, who had been in a state of panic. He suddenly stepped forward and shouted hurriedly.
"What?"
Yue Fei responded in a deep voice.
"The sound of cannonballs hitting the water was half as loud," Bei Yan explained hastily. "Either half of the boat was lost, or half of it made it through, or the boats were broken down and couldn't move, so they were squeezed together..."
Yue Fei glanced at this familiar man and suddenly realized that the other party was reminding him that no matter it was a real surprise attack on the river or a feint attack, the battle was either successful or failed, and there was no need to continue.
I just don't know if Bei Yan, as a low-ranking officer, can guess that it is a feint attack.
Of course, this thought lasted only a moment. Yue Fei immediately forced himself to calm down and listen carefully to the unbearable sound of cannonballs. And sure enough, just as the meticulous and cautious Bei Yan said, there were obviously many more dull plops of Jin army's cannonballs hitting the water.
However, Yue Fei still found it difficult to give orders because he only knew that a dozen ships had landed before the war, and Wang Gui had not yet told him how many ships had successfully arrived at the river behind Yuancheng.
What's more, tonight is more than just a ferry.
As if seeing through Yue Fei's thoughts, Bei Yan hurriedly said carefully: "Marshal, if we feint and make the Jin army pay attention to other places, our high-profile rescue itself can actually delay time... If we don't retreat after suffering so many losses, I'm afraid it will make the enemy suspicious."
Yue Fei was finally stunned for a moment, and then he looked up and down at this old friend who was less than two or three steps away from him, as if he was meeting him for the first time... But after just a moment, he put away his extra thoughts and made a decision on the spot:
"In this case, light the fire immediately and rush down to the river to rescue!"
After the military order was issued, You Xuejiu and Bei Yan felt relieved, but they ran hastily to pass the order. After a moment, the soldiers on standby in the city swarmed up, and instantly the entire Daming City was as bright as Yuan City on the opposite bank. The whole city seemed to have suddenly come alive.
Then the Song army went down the river bank, shouting at the navy brothers in the river to abandon their boats and armor and flee directly back to the shore.
Seeing this scene and hearing the sounds of abandoning ships, the Jin army on the opposite side cheered and leaped for joy, feeling that they had won a great victory. The imperial navy, who had been suffering in the river without even knowing the extent of their casualties, were also relieved.
But soon, new problems arose.
"Marshal, there are many sunken ships in the river, but the light is not enough. Many of our wounded can't find the way." You Xuejiu, sweating profusely, hurriedly reported again. "We are bumping, banging, and freezing in the river. It's fatal to stay there for a while."
It turned out that the situation was different at this time. Originally, the Song army should have tried to avoid lights as much as possible when "raiding the river", but now they had to retreat, and the Jin army's artillery vehicles were all in fixed positions. In any case, this "firepower" was fixed. At this time, they needed enough light.
The brighter the river, the greater the chance that Sean and his men would survive after abandoning the boat, and the greater the chance that the wounded would be rescued.
Since the decision had already been made to abandon the fight and rescue the people, Yue Fei had no choice but to give another military order, gathering torches and braziers from the surrounding areas, and piling fuel on the river bank to start a fire.
But once again, very quickly, after only illuminating the devastated river for a moment, the Jin army on the other side also realized the problem. While they continued to bombard the river, they gradually extinguished all unnecessary light sources except the artillery positions.
The river channel once again became bright on one side and dark on the other. Coupled with the light mist that had drifted in at some point during the night, the river channel became dim again.
This time, Yue Fei, You Xuejiu, and the hastily mobilized Song army were truly helpless for a moment... They could only decide the light and darkness on one side, how could they control the light source of the Jin army on the other side?
At the same time, the artillery on the other side continued to fire.
In this situation, even Yue Fei was a little flustered inside, but he was trying to remain calm... This was truly an unexpected sudden demand and emergency.
"Marshal, I have an idea!"
At this moment, Bei Yan rushed to Yue Fei again. "It can not only light up the river, but also show that we are really defeated and not pretending, so that the opponent will continue to be paralyzed..."
"What method?" You Xuejiu grabbed the other person, his hands were shaking.
"It depends on whether the Marshal is willing to let go!" Bei Yan dragged You Xuejiu and tried to see Yue Fei. "There is no wind tonight."
Yue Fei wanted to scold him, but he realized his opponent's plan in an instant, and then he said with a sigh: "If you are willing to do it, why can't I be willing to do it? Hurry and do it!"
Although You Xuejiu didn't understand what the two were talking about, he immediately let go of their hands. After only an incense stick of time, he knew what the method was... In the dark night, there were still continuous shells and rocks in the river, and the Song army was still trying their best to rescue and save themselves. At the same time, a huge hot air balloon was carefully and quickly placed on the launching platform, and then the furnace was ignited, and wax was stuffed into the furnace at all costs, and the bellows were inflated with unprecedented effort.
With this effort, and the fact that cold winter nights are suitable for the use of hot air balloons, after about a quarter of an hour, the balloon inflated slightly, which then moved the surrounding ropes and roughly revealed a tiger pattern... However, at this time, the tiger was a little listless, as if it had just woken up, which made Yue Fei and You Xuejiu both feel that it was a little unreliable and they were just trying to give it a try.
As for Bei Yan, he was sweating profusely, holding the basket, estimating the strength, and giving orders non-stop, asking people to pour charcoal and firewood into the four sides of the basket continuously, while constantly reducing the sandbags outside, and then paying attention to the fire and the inflation degree of the balloon to maintain balance.
Gradually, the tiger finally opened his eyes. At this time, the hot air balloon was still unstable and had not been completely inflated. However, for the purpose of this operation, it seemed to be enough.
After he thought it was almost done, Bei Yan gave the last order, which was to pour some lard into the four corners of the frame, and finally to throw four torches in at the same time. After doing all this, he quickly left the vicinity of the basket, shouted orders, and cut all the ropes on the four sides, leaving only an extra-long tow rope, which he and dozens of soldiers dragged together.
Then, the hot air balloon, which was freed from its restraints but still able to maintain stability at the beginning, floated into the air at a slow but steady speed. At the same time, with the efforts of dozens of soldiers including Bei Yan, it slowly but steadily changed its direction slightly and floated towards the other side of the river.
During this time, the fire in the basket grew bigger and bigger, and the long rope soon spread out, but this did not stop it from attracting the attention of everyone in the two cities and the two armies from the beginning. In the end, when it turned into a blazing torch in front of everyone in the two armies on both sides of the river, like a burning moon, it burned itself above the river. I am afraid that tens of thousands of people on both sides were attracted by its magnificence and heat.
Obviously, even the rhythm of the Jin army's artillery was disrupted. At the same time, the river was suddenly as bright as day, illuminating dozens of ships or ship wreckages in the river clearly. After the initial trance, many soldiers in the front line of the imperial camp began to rush into the river regardless of everything to rescue people.
Many of the imperial navy soldiers also mustered up their courage again, some shouted loudly, and some tried to head eastward.
With his legs caught by a wooden board, Xiao En struggled several times and failed several times. He stared at the fireball above his head and suddenly laughed. However, he mustered up his courage again amid the noise and shouted for help.
Outside the river, countless people were also stunned.
Yue Pengju stared at the huge fireball that kept burning itself. He had never imagined that a military weapon that he was so familiar with could actually gain such a powerful self-worth in such a way.
Even when the flames soared into the sky, the tiger head image on the hot air balloon, which had completely swelled up and would soon disappear, seemed to be responding to Yue Pengju who looked down on him, and was also showing its fangs and claws.
In the attic of Yuancheng, Gao Jingshan, who had personally ordered the extinguishing of the fire in the southeast of the city and the non-stop firing of the artillery, completely lost his composure. He no longer sat there eating fish, drinking, chatting, and reading newspapers. The fish soup was overturned to the ground by him the moment the fireball rose, the official newspaper was also soaked by the fish soup, the wine was spilled, and the servants were busy dealing with the remaining charcoal in the stove.
At this time, Gao Jingshan was just leaning against the window in shock, with the same expression as Gao Qingyi next to him, staring at the fireball in a daze.
There is no way, this scene is too spectacular and too bizarre.
Of course Zhang Rong also noticed the fireball, and his reaction was the most decisive - he threw down the tow rope, and without even bothering to put on his cotton-padded jacket, he jumped on his horse and galloped towards Daming City.
The fireball attracted everyone's attention, but it did not last long, and it could not pierce the increasingly thick fog to spread its light all over the battlefield. In just two quarters of an hour, the flames burned from the outer layer to the tiger's paws, and then the entire balloon twisted and swayed, and fell to the ground in the southwest direction.
Then, as if for fear of unsafe conditions, the second hot air balloon took off soon after, continuing the journey of the former and continuing to attract everyone's attention.
This is a good opportunity.
"How much time has passed?"
It was late three o'clock in the morning. As the fireball gradually disappeared from sight, Tian Shizhong, who was squatting by the river south of the city eating bread and drinking soup, looked back.
"Before the fireball started, there were 17 small ships and 8 large ships." Zhang Zigai replied without hesitation. "There were also two broken ones lying on the shore."
"So now there are probably twenty small ships and ten large ships...right?" Tian Shizhong tightly grasped the biscuit in his hand and looked at them calmly.
"Yes." Zhang Zigai answered with gritted teeth.
"Is the floating bridge ready?" Tian Shizhong asked again in a deep voice, ignoring the dense floating bridges that had already been built in front of him.
This time, Zhang Zigai did not reply.
"Then let's go!" Lieutenant General Tian stuffed the crumbed biscuit in his hand into his mouth, swallowed it in one gulp, and then stood up and said in a slightly puffy tone. "After crossing the river, you will lead the Beiwei Army to continue to rest and recuperate. You don't have to work, and you don't have to carry the board!"
Zhang Zigai nodded heavily, then stood up with the other party and bowed to say goodbye.
After Zhang Zigai left, he saw in the dim light that Tian Shizhong and one of his personal guards picked up an object that looked like a shield, but was much larger and longer than a shield, from the ground where they were sitting before. Then they carried it up with all their strength, took the lead, carefully walked onto the floating bridge, and went to the other side.
Seeing this, the surrounding soldiers, starting from the commanding officer, followed suit. Then countless soldiers waiting for orders in the front of the imperial camp and the conscripted civilians also acted together. Soon, in the dark night, a tide surged from the east bank of the river to the west bank. The Song army began to cross the river in large numbers in the southern part of Daming City, and headed towards the Jin cavalry sweep area, which was almost a death trap, that is, the narrow area south of Yuancheng.
As for what Master Tian was carrying, it was actually a thing made up of three pieces of wood, fixed with ropes and horizontal boards, and with sharpened ends.
This is one of the most common things in the army, used for setting up camp. Whenever they arrive at a place, the civilians first cut wood, then build these things, and finally dig holes in the ground and put them together to form a fortress.
These boards, which only needed to be buried in the final step of digging a hole, were piled up like mountains on the east bank of the river.
