Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, tragedies caused by the incongruity of the command of various troops are everywhere. Don’t mention anything else. Just talk about the example of Emperor Zhezong using the remnant power of Wang Anshi’s reform to launch the four-way attack on the Western Xia and ending the defeat in the end, we can see the consequences of a large-scale battle lacking a commander with absolute authority.

Of course, Meng Gong is not without authority among the generals of Jinghu. Among the generals above the commander level who holds military power in Jinghu, his authority may be greater than Zhao Kui, the highest military and political chief in Jinghu. After all, Zhao Kui's suppression of Li Quan's rebellion was a few years ago. Since Meng Gong defeated the Jin Dynasty, he has been fighting against the battlefield against the Mongolian army and has always had great achievements. Although Zheng Yunming rose very quickly in the past two years, he is still a newcomer after all, and his prestige in the army is not as good as the two famous generals Meng and Zhao. If anyone in the domain can control these different units, Meng Gong must be the first choice.

But Zheng Yunming was still worried. He knew that the generals were incompatible with each other. The Song Dynasty had this sad tradition. Many people were there to wait for friendly troops to be trapped but worried that their army would suffer losses and hesitate. Not to mention other people, once Zheng Yunming left Yingzhou, it is an unknown whether Li Boyuan would honestly lead his army to the powerful Mongolian Empire army.

"This is a decisive battle that determines whether Jinghu will have an unevent situation in the next five or ten years. For the Mongolians and the Song Dynasty, it is a big bet that blocks the future of the country. At this time, anyone's idea of ​​stagnating may become an irreversible mistake." He said to Meng Gong: "This cannot help but worry me."

Meng Gong's expression suddenly showed a trace of fierceness. He stroked the cowhide scabbard around his waist with his hand and said in a deep voice: "You don't need to worry about this. This sword will not only drink the neck blood of Hu people, but also welcome the neck blood of those who are greedy and afraid of death who stay without their orders."

Zheng Yunming felt a stern heart. This was the unique temperament of famous generals who had been rolling in blood for many years. The gap between him and Meng Gong, Zhao Kui, and even Shi Tianze, Liu Heima and Zhang Rou may be here.

He bowed to Meng Gong and said, "In this way, I will ask the general in Yingzhou to take up the general. I will lead my army to set off tomorrow. The lives of tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Xiangyang will be held in the general's hands."

Meng Gong also bowed his hand and said, "As long as Meng Gong has his life, I will swear to lift the siege of Xiangyang."

More than ten miles down the river from Xiangyang City, it is a pass of the Han River. There is a ridge of mountains on the adjacent shore. The locals call it Guimen Mountain. Naturally, this place with a narrow river is called Guimen Pass by the local people. *Spoke *From the Love *From the Love *From the Love *From the Love *From the Love *From the

But the Mongolians did not know this. They renamed the terrain near Xiangyang according to their own understanding according to their usual habits on the grassland. Because Guimen Mountain looks like a sheep lying cross-legged, it is called Sheep Mountain. Guimen Pass is informally called Sheep Horse Mouth.

There were dense ships here, and the troops and horses were running back and forth on the shore, which seemed to have become a front position for the Mongolian army to block the Song Dynasty reinforcements to support Xiangyang. It was also very powerful? Suddenly, the water defense system on the surface of the Han River in Yingzhou was completely copied over on the surface of the Hell Gate Pass and strengthened it. This time, the Han River was full of vigilant cavalry teams, and Zheng Yunming wanted to use a land sneak attack to insult himself.

Five miles downstream of the Ghost Gate, two hundred fishing boats were deployed with soldiers. They were not carrying Mongolian soldiers who were not good at water warfare, but archers recruited from Yunzhou and Caozhou. There were countless lakes here, and the Liangshan naval army, which had been nurtured by Dongting water thieves. The soldiers were accustomed to wind and waves and were proficient in shooting skills. Shandong's wealth made them mostly equipped with simple fish scale armor and slings. Compared with the water-impaired Mongolian cavalry, they were more capable of the mission of the first blocking line.

A little further upwards, about 4,000 troops were gathered to ambush on both sides of the Han River. Some of them were the Tatar tribe soldiers from Tass headquarters, but the main one was the Uygur infantry who had first defeated under Xiangyang City. Although they might not have fought hard at Xiangyang City, they would be much more willing to let them be archers who fire arrows from the shore to block the Song Dynasty ships. This may be the easiest job on the battlefield. Unless the Song people can go ashore to fight with them closely, they will be destined to be the passive side. As long as they are trapped in a cross-fire network composed of precise Uygur archers, not to mention the entire Song army being wiped out, at least they will suffer enough casualties.

On the surface of the Ghost Gate River, more than 100 small warships were stationed. These warships were not civilian ships plundered from all over the country, but were regulated warships built urgently in the north. Among them, forty-four water whistle horses and more than sixty oars were all driven by sailors from Shandong and Hebei. They can be regarded as the first regular naval army used by the Mongols in the war of the Southern Expedition.

In addition to these warships, there were ten water raft artillery towers of similar sizes to those near Yingzhou. After the Mongolian army gathered, they could call on a large number of people who had looted from Jinghu Lake as laborers, so a large number of wooden raft artillery towers could be used to intercept the Song Dynasty navy, which had more advantages on the water.

The water defense of the Ghost Gate Pass was quite solid and complete even in the eyes of the Song Dynasty. It was obvious that Qu Chu was very satisfied with the defense of the Ghost Gate Pass. Upon this, no special defense facilities were set up, and all the troops were devoted to besieging Xiangyang.

As long as Zheng Yunming breaks through this gate of hell, there will be no major obstacles when he returns to Xiangyang City.

The question is what tactics to use to break through these three levels that seem more solid and reliable than in Yingzhou.

Meng Gong did not ask Zheng Yunming this question before leaving, because Zheng Yunming's actual actions had already answered. He transferred all the naval ships under the command of the Deputy Chief Commander of Jing and E, and then seconded 100 warships under the Chief Commander of Jiangzhou, and set out to break through the enemy's water blockade with a dignified formation.

"The key is to be fast!" Before leaving, Zheng Yunming gave the final lecture to the generals of the navy, repeatedly emphasizing the differences in this battle: "Don't be greedy for me, don't be fond of fighting, remember our purpose, to let me lead the three thousand infantry brothers back to Xiangyang City. Only by achieving this goal can our action be called a success."

"The navy in this battle is commanded by Peng Man. All ships must obey the orders of the Peng commander. Those who violate the order will be taken down on the spot and will not be lenient." Zheng Yunming made a gesture to Peng Man: "You can explain the navy's formation."

Peng Man agreed and merged with small wooden blocks in front of everyone: "This battle is mainly about escorting the troop transport fleet. Zheng Dutong and Yang General led 3,000 infantry brothers to Xiangyang on 100 fast-alt boats. The center of our battle will focus on safely escorting the hundred fast-alt boats."

He placed three black wooden blocks in front: "The vanguard of the formation, we must arrange strong firepower and strive to break through the interception of enemy boats. Pioneer, you lead thirty water-sentry horse gunboats in front and spread into a geese formation. Once you find enemy ships intercepting on the water, you do not ask for orders, attack yourself first, fire a round of artillery and then retreat to the back row. Do you understand?"

Zhang Weixiao coldly said yes and took the order.

Peng Man said again: "The Mongols will inevitably follow their previous tactics to hang archers on the shore, use bows and arrows to intercept our army's advance and kill the people on the ship. I led the four four-vehicle ships on the left and right wing teams, and led fifty oar boats protected by shields on the side of the side, and arranged more archers and powerful crossbowmen. While advancing, shoot arrows and flanking Mongolian archers. As long as I can effectively resist them for a period of time and ensure the smooth passage of the fleet, it will be completed."

"The next is the most important thing. The Central Army fleet, which will be responsible for breaking through the enemy's blockade, will lead two eight-carriage ships in front, eleven Luofu ships, and then a large force composed of Iron Harrier ships and oars, and finally ten two-carriage ships are responsible for attacking the enemy's main force."

"The deputy commander's troop transport fleet followed us, and waited for our army to sweep the enemy and protected them back to Xiangyang safely."

"This is the arrangement of the formation for this expedition. Do you understand it?"

Everyone responded in unison and said, "Everyone must obey the command of the command!"

Zheng Yunming watched Peng Man give orders and there was a law to dispatch it. A few months ago, he was just a taciturn commander in the Tulong Army. Now he has trained a real courage in the navy. It is enough to make Zheng Yunming feel relieved.

He secretly asked Yang Fei, "Look at how Peng Man set up a formation?"

Yang Xuan nodded slightly: "Although I don't quite understand water war, there are actually just a few principles in the army. As long as there is a law in the dispatch, each performs its own duties, and commands effectively, there will be no mistakes in the battle."

He changed his subject and continued, "But this just establishes my invincibility. If you want to win this battle, you must also expect the enemy to be able to win. And this is not something we can master."

Thousands of Mongolian ships were gathered in front of him. Although there were not many warships, in the war of bows, arrows, swords and guns, the warships were originally just tools to carry soldiers. It would not be as easy as expected to break through the gates of hell.
Chapter completed!