Qi County, Shan Chiutou City.

Shanchi City is located on the east bank of Zhongchuan River, more than 100 miles away from the capital of Qi County. During the three-level administrative division period, Shanchi was once the capital of a county. After being changed to the two-level administrative division of county, Shanchi's status plummeted and was reduced from the county capital to a township town. This "small" does not mean that its city is small, but its status is low, and it does not even have an administrative level. It is similar to the fort built by local nobles. However, due to its geographical location, Qi County still attaches great importance to it, especially since the rebels of Qi and Lu and the battles in southwest Shandong are densely covered with clouds, Zhang Xutuo even regarded it as a key pass in the southern part of Qi County, with a village group of thousands of garrison troops.

Meng Haigong led five troops from the right side to cross Mount Tai, suddenly rushed to the foot of Shanzi City, and tried his best to attack fiercely, trying to seize the city before Zhang Xutuo's support to establish the advantage of worry-free advance and retreat.

The Qi army officer stationed in Shanchi City was named Tang Wanren, who was a member of the history of the Licheng Rural Regiment. After the expansion of the Qi army, he led 500 veterans and 500 new soldiers to guard Shanchi. His combat effectiveness was limited, but fortunately, the city was quite large and had strong defense, which to some extent made up for the lack of combat effectiveness of the rural regiment.

After the battle started, the sixth, seventh army, Shuai Rentai's ninth, tenth army, and Xu Shiren's thirteenth army, with five armies of 20,000 people pounced on the city. Their strength was twenty times that of Tang Wanren, and it can be said that they had an absolute advantage. However, the amount of troops was only one of the factors that determine the outcome of the battle. Twenty times of the force did not mean that they had twenty times combat power. In addition, this was a tough battle, and the requirements for the attacking side were very high. The attacking side not only had rich experience in siege, but also had sufficient siege equipment. What the five armies in the alliance lacked was the experience of siege.

Since the establishment of the alliance, although there have been many wars, whether it is advancing westward to the Central Plains or going south to Xuzhou, the main combat troops are Li Fengyun's direct subordinates. Several heroic coaches enjoy the fruits. Their team has been expanded, but their combat effectiveness has not been fundamentally improved. This is also the reason why they dare not confront Li Fengyun head-on when facing him when facing him, and they lack confidence.

After fighting for a day, there was no result. Fortunately, the heroes and coaches have always been very enthusiastic about training soldiers under the urging and coercion of Li Fengyun. After solving the problem of food and clothing, the soldiers should not do anything and be idle. They should do their best to train them. They not only need to practice offensive and defensive battle formations, practice attacks, but also practice actual combat. Therefore, the soldiers' combat qualities have improved. At least they will not be at a loss after they arrive on the battlefield, and they will not be at a loss when they attack and defense. They will not be confused when they have the advantage. The first day of the attack and battle proves that diligent training during this period is very fruitful. The most obvious thing is that there are very few casualties, which means that the soldiers already know how to protect themselves. This is very important. If they fall down on the battlefield, what else can they fight?

At dusk, Meng Haigong, Shuai Rentai and Xu Shiren discussed whether to attack overnight? Shanchi City is only more than a hundred miles away from Licheng. If Zhang Xutuo rushed to help, reinforcements would arrive in Shanchi tomorrow morning. In this way, the rebel army would lose the opportunity, the difficulty of siege increased greatly, and casualties would increase rapidly.

Meng Haigong meant an attack overnight. It had been a day since he fought. The defenders in the city must be exhausted and could not be sustained. However, because the alliance army was crowded, they attacked in batches in batches. The soldiers had enough rest time and had an absolute advantage in physical strength. It was no problem to attack overnight.

Shuai Rentai objected that the right-wing army was a feint attack, and cooperated with Li Fengyun's frontal attack on the left. As long as it could restrain some of the official troops, it would be considered as completing the task, so there was no need to attack Shanchi at all costs.

Xu Shiren was worried that if he didn't work hard, he would be settled by Li Fengyunqiu. After hesitating for a long time, he asked Shuai Rentai, "If Shan Chi is captured, can he restrain more official troops?"

Shuai Rentai asked without hesitation, "What if Zhang Xutuo kills himself when he captures Shanchi? Can you resist Zhang Xutuo's attack?"

Xu Shiren sneered, "If you capture Shanchi and hold the city, you can withstand Zhang Xutuo's attack. Once Zhang Xutuo is dragged by us, the white-haired coach will definitely come over and attack Zhang Xutuo with us. The purpose of the alliance's attack is to defeat Zhang Xutuo and kill the living forces of the Qi army. Only in this way can you sweep the Qi County and grab the territory. From this goal, you will capture Shanchi, let Zhang Xutuo make a misjudgment, and then lure Zhang Xutuo out and beat him. Of course it is correct."

Shuai Rentai sneered, "Don't be impulsive, okay? If Baihaishou is sure to defeat Zhang Xutuo, it is necessary for him to go out to ask the Hebei rebel army to contact Meng Rang and other Changbaishan heroes to implement a three-way attack strategy? I can tell you with certainty that Baihaishou's attack on Qi County this time is to change the situation of Qi County. Once the situation of Qi County is beneficial to the rebel army, the people of Hebei will most likely go south when they see it profitable. In this way, the three-way attack strategy can be achieved."

Xu Shiren shook his head and asked, "How much does it have to do with our attack on Shanchi? From our standpoint, capturing Shanchi is equivalent to seizing the opportunity. We can attack and retreat and defend. We are very proactive. Not only can we restrain Zhang Xutuo, but we can also give the white-haired coach a combination. Why not do things that can win multiple goals in one fell swoop?"

Shuai Rentai insisted on his own opinion and refused to give in.

Meng Haigong was a little annoyed. I am the head coach. I discussed with you that I would give you face. Don’t be shameless and insist on facing me. So Meng Haigong threatened that you can not fight, but after conquering Shanzi, the spoils will not be your share.

Shuai Intai became angry when he heard this. I worked hard to beat him for a day, but because I disagree with you, you will take revenge. You villain's face is too disgusting, right? In anger, Shuai Intai said harshly, "Okay, I don't want the spoils anymore. You go and fight, I'll just watch the fun."

Shuai Rentai didn't even miss Mr. Meng Hai. He retreated halfway and left. Mr. Meng Hai's lungs were so angry that he wanted to kill him. It turned out that his brothers were doing well, but he didn't expect that he would be strong now, his wings were hard, and he was not afraid of the heavens and the earth, and he was blind and didn't even talk about brotherly feelings. If this continues, it would be great. I'm afraid that even Li Fengyun will not be able to suppress him in the future.

Xu Shiren didn't expect that he would turn against him and couldn't help but be stunned. Can you fight this battle?

"Beat" Meng Haigong gritted his teeth and took down Shanchi City at all costs, otherwise what would he do to suppress Shuai Rentai? Do you want this old face?

Meng Haigong and Xu Shiren were led by Shuai Rentai. There was no way out and had to go to the front line in person to fight to the death.

That night, the lights were brightly lit in Licheng County. Zhang Xutuo, Jia Wuben, Yang Qian, Wu Heita and others repeatedly analyzed and deduced, but because they could not determine the main attack direction of the thief, they could not come up with a countermeasure.

Qin Qiong's reply was that he determined that the main attack direction of the white-haired thief was Changqing City, while Tang Wanren's report was that there were at least 30,000 to 40,000 rebels outside the Shanzi City, and they were well-equipped, with a rainbow of morale and an offensive like a tide. He must be the main force of the white-haired thief.

During the fierce debate, Yang Qian insisted on his strategy of sticking to the aid. If he formulated a countermeasure according to this strategy, it would be to allow the rebels to enter directly and allow the situation in Qi County to deteriorate. The official army would only stick to the city. In other words, no matter where the white-haired thieves were in the main attack direction, the official army would not need to pay attention. He just needed to withdraw the army and ensure the safety of the army.

Perhaps it was because of the old army's self-esteem that Zhang Xutuo never expressed his opinion on this negative strategy. It can be seen that he was more inclined to Qin Qiong's active strategy of concentrating superior forces to defeat each other. As for soldiers, they must dare to fight, especially in the face of the attacks of a group of thieves, who insisted on waiting for assistance. Wouldn't it be embarrassing to be left home?

"Ming Gong, I would like to ask you, if the thieves in three places attack our Qi County in three groups, with the strength of our Qi army, can we defeat the thieves?" Yang Qian asked.

"I have the confidence to defeat them." Zhang Xutuo answered firmly.

"How many troops can Ming Gong have left after this battle? Can it stop the King of Qi from controlling Qilu?"

This sentence shocked everyone, and Zhang Xutuo was speechless for a while. If Qi Lu was controlled by the King of Qi, he would be hated by the Holy Lord, and the fate could be imagined.

Yang Qianyu was not shocking and never stopped. He said again, "Is the defeat of Liang Dezhong in Xuzhou defeated by the white-haired thief or the King of Qi? The eastern expedition is imminent, and the white-haired thief suddenly entered Qi County, deteriorating the situation in Qilu and endangering the navy's expedition. What is the real purpose? It is really to plunder money and grain? If the purpose of the white-haired thief is so simple, why did the Holy Lord re-enlist Li Zixiong into the Wei Mansion after Liang De's serious defeat? Why did he appoint Li Min as the prefect of Lu County?"

"How to solve it?" Wu Heita couldn't help asking.

"Ming Gong was the only obstacle for King Qi to control Qilu."

Zhang Xutuo, Jia Wuben and others looked at each other. The high-level political struggle was far away for them, but suddenly they found that they were being dragged in. They couldn't help but feel frightened and chilled.

"Since the Holy Lord knows that the King of Qi has the will to control Qilu, why do he still transfer Li Zixiong and his son to Qilu?" Wu Heita asked in confusion.

Yang Qian smiled and shook his head, saying in a pun, "This is the answer in itself."

Wu Heita was stunned for a moment? Isn’t the Holy Lord raising a tiger for trouble? Or is it digging a pit for the King of Qi? But who can stop the King of Qi? Zhang Xutuo definitely can’t do it. His power is too small. The mantis blocked the car and overestimated his ability, so... Wu Heita suddenly realized.

Zhang Xutuo could not stop the King of Qi from entering Qilu, but Zhou Fashang could come to Hu'er, so this was obviously digging a pit and digging a pit for the King of Qi. If the white-haired thief was the King of Qi's sword, Lai Hu'er and Zhou Fashang were the Saint Lord's sword. Compared with the two swords, the King of Qi's sword was much worse. The result was imagined that once the King of Qi's sword was broken, he would not even control Qilu, and even lose the excuse of living outside to suppress the thieves. In the end, he had to return to the capital under the pressure of the Saint Lord.

At this point, why Yang Qian insisted on sticking to the strategy of waiting for assistance was clear at a glance, which was to cooperate with the Holy Lord, Lai Hu'er and Zhou Fashang to kill the King of Qi. Once the rebels attacked the city in large numbers, the situation in Qi County deteriorated to the extreme, Lai Hu'er and Zhou Fashang would definitely take action. At that moment, they had already returned to Donglai from Jianghuai and Jiangnan with their troops. They were strong, and the white-haired thieves and even other rebels were dragged outside the city by Zhang Xutuo, giving them the opportunity to surround and annihilate them in one battle.

Zhang Xutuo weighed the pros and cons, no longer insisted on his own opinion, and ordered Tang Wanren from Shanchi City to retreat immediately and withdraw back to Licheng.
Chapter completed!