Feng Yi and Wen Ruilin did not have the right to interfere too much with the specific military defense command, so they did not have the patience to participate in the formulation of specific combat plans, and climbed onto the Shiliang County Gate Tower in the cold wind.

Except for the undulating mountains in the west, the edge of Wujianshan Mountain in the northwest and the remaining mountains, most of the territory in Shiliang County is plain. Standing on the city tower and looking to the east, it is even more flat.

Although there is a flat plain to the east of Shiliang County with almost no terrain undulations, it does not mean that the Chu army can rush towards the west like a violent storm without any hindrance.

Standing on the tower, the weather was clear and green, as if blown white by the cold wind. Without the help of a copper telescope, one could have a panoramic view of the terrain covering a radius of thirty or forty miles.

Between the intersecting streams and rivers, there are dense woods everywhere, the wind blows through the undulating grass waves, and a few rare earthen ridge roads extend as far as the eye can see, connecting several defensive forts on the Liang-Chu border line.

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The eastern area of ​​Shiliang County, sandwiched between Hongzepu and Fanliang Lake, has been surrounded by dense water networks for thousands of years.

The cruel and long-lasting war destroyed this ancient city with a history of thousands of years and the attached land. When Han Qian took over Shiliang County from Huaidong, the number of registered households was less than 10,000. In this situation,

As a result, a large area of ​​land in Shiliang County was abandoned decades ago, and a large number of trees and shrubs grew like wildfire.

The ditch has been in disrepair for many years. Especially in recent years, the Yu River has diverted the Huai River into the sea and floods along the Hongzepu coast have turned the area east of Shiliang County into an area of ​​dense forests, swamps, and streams.

Although the population of Huaixi has more than tripled in recent years compared with the lowest level, the three core industrial and mining areas of Huaixi East Lake, Huaiyang and Yongyang mainly utilize the distribution of rich water resources in the low hills and hilly areas, making the newly moved farmers in Huaixi

The population is mainly resettled on the periphery of these industrial and mining areas, rather than directly in the plain areas.

This special industrial, mining and farming pattern means that the traditional farming area in Huaixi may not be fully developed even after the population increases significantly.

In the case of Shiliang County, the population has increased rapidly from a minimum of less than 10,000 to 50,000 people, but four-fifths of the population mainly lives in the west of the county near the mountainous area in the northern section of Wujianshan Mountain.

The eastern area of ​​the county, and even the area at the junction of the eastern part of Tangyi County and Yangzhou, served as a buffer zone for Liang and Chu, and even intentionally remained abandoned.

Shiliang and Dongyang seemed to be separated only by the Fanchuan River, but Yang Yuanyan led the Chuzhou army to attack, and there were only a few passages for marching through swamps, streams and dense forests.

On these limited passages, strong military fortresses were also built on the beams.

The soldiers and horses of various ministries will mainly concentrate on these passages to meet the invading Chuzhou Army.

Of course, the Chuzhou Army had a large number of scouts infiltrated from early September, and in late September they recruited a large number of civilians to cut down trees on the east bank of the Fanchuan River to widen the channels for sending troops.

On the eighth day of October, Feng Yi and Wen Ruilin followed Zhao Wuji to the forward line. They saw rows of high and low fences, stacked in layers among dense forests and swamps. Camps were built next to dirt roads and opened up in dense forests.

Out on the open field.

Although both sides have not officially declared war at this time, scouts from both sides have started to operate.

Dozens of severed heads were hung on the simple gate of the camp. Some of them had been blown dry by the wind, and the ferocious expressions on their faces when they were about to die could still be discerned - this was Cao Ba's usual style.

"Yang Yuanyan has managed to save eight thousand cavalry over the years. These cavalry should not come directly from the direction of Fanchuan River. There are too many dense forests and swamps for the cavalry to exert their combat effectiveness, but Yang Yuanyan will not fail to use the most of his men.

The elite combat force is devoted to what may be the last fight in his life,"

Cao Ba saw Zhao Wuji and shouted,

"Looking at the situation in front of us, he is very likely to send the main force of infantry across the Fanchuan River to fight us in a stalemate and entangle us. However, his eight thousand cavalry borrowed a passage from Yangzhou and killed them directly behind us! You only left Lu Ze.

Two thousand cavalry are in reserve at the back, but I'm afraid it won't be enough. According to my wish, the troops and horses from the reserve brigade will be transferred to the front. Li Qi and I will move back and wait for Yang Yuan to perform this in the south of Shiliang County.

The grandson is in trouble!"

"Yang Yuanyan has been watching our every move." Zhao Wuji grabbed the scarlet cloak and said.

Ye Feiying rides a white horse and wears red robes and armor, like a bunch of flames leaping among the bleak woods.

Cao Ba curled his lips and couldn't stand it, but he couldn't say anything and could only pretend not to see it.

Zhao Wuji looked at the dense forest outside the camp.

Although the leaves of many trees fall off after autumn, there are still many evergreen shrubs growing tangled in the forest.

It is hard to imagine that this woodland was fertile fields decades ago, and you can still vaguely see many dilapidated village houses scattered among them.

After winter, the water level in Hongzepu dropped, but there was abundant rainfall in the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers. Even in autumn and winter, the land washed by floods was still full of water, becoming a swamp that could trap people and horses at any time.

In the border buffer zone, the two armies cut down more trees.

This can not only carve out enough space from the dense forest, but also fill the trees into the swampy land for people and horses to pass through.

Most of the time, battles are not simple. Both sides just pull their soldiers into an open field and rush to kill each other; the outcome of the war cannot be determined after a few charges.

Cao Ba, who is in charge here, is assisted by the staff department. Although he handles all aspects well, he still prefers simple and clear battle formations by nature.

Cao Ba hopes to lure the main cavalry force of the Chuzhou Army into an ambush deep between Shiliang and Tangyi. This idea is naturally good - even if Yang Yuan's performance fails, the situation will not get worse.

It's just that Zhao Wuji has to consider the problem from a higher level. He discussed with Gao Shao and Yang Qin that they still need to strive to inflict heavy damage on the Chuzhou Army in the shortest possible time.

If the situation drags on, it will actually be quite unfavorable for Daliang.

The return of Feng Yi and Wen Ruilin from the south bank shows that the main battle atmosphere in Jinling City is becoming more and more fanatical. If cold water is not poured in time, the longer the delay, not only the Sima family will send elites to participate in the war, but Du Chongtao, Zhou Bingwu, Gu Zhilong and others may join the main battle at any time.

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At that time, they will not only have to face the Chuzhou Army and the Yangzhou Army.

"Why do we want to lure the Chuzhou army into a trap in the hinterland of Shiliang?" Zhao Wuji pursed his lips, his expression became more resolute, and he held the sword at his waist and said, "The Chu army has crossed the Fanchuan River, and they have started a war.

What we have to do now is to launch a counterattack and directly cross the Fanchuan River, forcing Yang Yuanyan's eight thousand cavalry to stay in the south of Chuzhou to intercept our fierce front that is sweeping eastward..."

"This is a good idea!" As long as he doesn't hide behind a simple fence, Cao Ba doesn't care how he chooses to fight.

What does it matter if the terrain in front of us is not conducive to cavalry combat? The cavalry can't dismount and fight?

His son-in-law is not so pretentious!

Besides, Yang Yuanyan has been preparing for battle east of the Fanchuan River for more than a day or two. There are few decent roads in the eastern part of Shiliang County west of the Fanchuan River. But as long as he crosses the Fanchuan River and enters Dongyang County, the road conditions are much better, and the cavalry can
Chapter completed!