~~~~~~

By evening, the flood had receded quite a bit.

Although there is still a vast land as far as the eye can see, it no longer poses a danger to human life.

After a simple dinner, Xu Heizi took more than 200 engineers and set foot on the road to the south.

If the situation goes well, the large group of people will set off overnight in half an hour, trying to get back to Gaizhou in the shortest possible time.

At this time, for Li Yuanqing and the Ming army, the Jin army was not the biggest threat.

The land was so muddy that the two sides had to be at least thirty or forty miles apart. It was basically impossible for the Jin army to come over quietly.

Not to mention, according to their ignorant and backward scientific understanding, a series of big troubles in the post-flood era will inevitably occur at this time.

But even though Li Yuanqing had the knowledge to transcend this world for five hundred years, this series of big troubles gave him a huge headache.

The key is that ‘it’s hard for a clever woman to make a meal without rice’.

There is insufficient food and grass, insufficient charcoal fire, and insufficient medicine.

Even if Li Yuanqing could rely on his wrists to hold on for a while, he would never be able to hold on for the rest of his life.

Therefore, even if there will be unnecessary casualties on the way of retreat, even if he has to face the possible pursuit, interception, or even siege by the Jin army, Li Yuanqing can only stand up and protect the lives of more people to the greatest extent possible.

.

On the south side of the Majiapuzi hillside, Li Yuanqing and Chen Zhong stood side by side, quietly watching Xu Heizi and his group disappear from sight.

Chen Zhong also felt very uncomfortable.

Although more than 200 Tatar heads were recorded in this battle, a large amount of baggage and ordnance were abandoned in Haizhou City in embarrassment.

Since the first year of Tianqi, have he and Li Yuanqing ever been so wronged?

Thinking about it, Chen Zhong couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Yuan Qing, this is the first time in many years that we have engaged in such a loss-making business! In this battle, I'm afraid that not only will we not be able to make any money, but we will also have to make a lot of money."

Li Yuanqing couldn't help but smile, "Brother, in buying and selling, there must be profits and losses. It's just like winning or losing. It's impossible for a person to win a battle in his lifetime. What's more, this time, we didn't lose to the dog Tatars, but to God.

Don’t give us face! What’s more, don’t we still have such a large population? This is all money!”

Chen Zhong naturally understood what Li Yuanqing meant. Although the results of this battle were not great, a lot of people were brought into the account. If these people could be converted into labor, it would really not be a loss.

However, it will definitely not work this year.

The spring plowing season has passed, and these people still have to rely on their own money to support them.

Chen Zhong sighed slowly and said: "Yuan Qing, I wonder what's going on with the Marshal? The intensity of the rain is really worrying."

Li Yuanqing smiled and said, "The commander-in-chief is wise and powerful. I must have made careful preparations. Brother, we still have to take care of the present first. Arrive in Gaizhou safely first, and then think about the next step!"

Chen Zhong nodded heavily, "Yes, Yuan Qing. We still have to take care of the present first. Just keep an eye here while I go to see how their water is prepared. As soon as Brother Heizi sends back the news, we will set off right away.

.”

Chen Zhong went to check the water boiling situation in a hurry. Li Yuanqing narrowed his eyes slightly and quietly looked at the somewhat vast land in front of him.

Originally, according to Li Yuanqing's prediction, he wanted to fight for the sharp edge in Haizhou that could defeat Lao Nu and the main force of Hou Jin, approach the Liaozhong Plain, capture more people and wealth, and further weaken the overall national power of Hou Jin.

.

But looking at it now, this is still a bit too naive.

With the strength of him and Chen Zhong, it is still too weak to fight against the entire Houjin.

In terms of military strength, although the two are not too far behind, overall, especially on land, in terms of logistical supplies and transportation, they are still far behind.

However, only by clearly understanding your own shortcomings can you make greater progress in the future.

Although the harvest from this battle was not as pleasant as expected, Li Yuanqing was not too frustrated. The key was that this battle made him understand a lot and he could grasp the pulse of the war more accurately.

Summer is definitely not a good time to start a war, especially when you are far away from home.

Haizhou is about 150 to 60 miles away from Gaizhou.

According to the foot power of the Changsheng Battalion, if we march urgently, we can arrive in two days.

The reason why it took nearly ten days to arrive was mainly to gather the surrounding population and materials, as well as to use big weapons such as kerosene, which required a lot of manpower.

But at this time, it was all about escaping for one's life, so he had to keep everything simple.

During the two days at Ma's shop, Li Yuanqing had ordered the fire soldiers to bake all the grain and grass into dry cakes, which were as hard as pot cakes in later generations.

Minimizing the size of the dry biscuits will not be very delicious, but it will satisfy your hunger.

On the other hand, it was boiling water. All the kerosene carried by the army was used for cooking and boiling water.

Every soldier filled the kettle with boiling water. Even if the kettle was not enough, these Han slaves used various containers to fill it with hot water.

Li Yuanqing has emphasized this death order many times. Anyone who dares to drink raw water will be beheaded on the spot.

Fortunately, the wisdom of the working people is infinite. Many military tents were directly divided and made into skins to hold water. In addition, Li Yuanqing's army also had many animal skins. A family could barely cope with one skin.

.

It quickly became dark, and less than half an hour later, Xu Heizi in front sent back the news that although the land was muddy, he had found the direction and could march.

How could Li Yuanqing still be so lazy? With a wave of his hand, the large group of people who had already been prepared quickly drove into the vast darkness.

…………

Although marching in the muddy ground was difficult, these Han slaves had gradually begun to accept Li Yuanqing's style of conduct during these days.

Although Li Yuanqing was "cruel", he would not take their lives rashly, nor would he abuse them without reason. Even when supplies were in short supply, Li Yuanqing could at least ensure that they could eat to their fullest.

These Han slaves did not dare to be negligent in the slightest, and they exerted all their strength, fearing that they would fall behind.

In this kind of weather, if they fall behind, they know without thinking that they will definitely die.

After a arduous journey night and day, by the evening of May 23, the large group of troops had passed Yaozhou and successfully found the official road.

That night and day, the team traveled more than forty miles, nearly fifty miles.

These Han slaves did not expect that they had such great potential, and they were all a bit incredible.

At the same time, ahead, the vanguard has already connected with Gaizhou City.

As expected, before noon tomorrow, Gaizhou's advance supplies will meet up with the army on the official road twenty miles to the south.

Li Yuanqing also breathed a long sigh of relief. As long as Gaizhou could keep up with the urgently needed supplies, even if the main force of the Hou Jin came to chase him, he would be in vain.

At night, the army rested around a lush forest.

More than a day has passed, the dark clouds have dispersed, and the land has dried up a lot, no longer so deep and shallow mud.

The soldiers and slaves cut down a lot of wood together, burned strong bonfires, dried clothes and shoes, and heated water to quench their thirst.

Seeing the familiar firelight again, Li Yuanqing relaxed a lot.

Although it was midsummer, the fire was a bit hot, but with fire, there was life. Both soldiers and slaves gathered around the fire, with smiles on their faces.

Li Yuanqing was also in a very good mood. He drank a large pot of hot water and sweated a lot. He felt very relaxed all of a sudden.

But when Li Yuanqing was about to go to Liu Qiao and Shu Murong to see the situation, some soldiers came to report hurriedly: "General, Tatar sentry cavalry were found not far behind, there were almost hundreds of them. On the 5th,

Resting on the hillside six miles away."

Li Yuanqing's brows couldn't help but frown tightly. He nodded slowly, "I understand. Tonight, we will just follow the normal duty arrangements."

"Yes." The soldiers did not dare to neglect and hurried to deliver the order.

Li Yuanqing clenched his fists tightly. He had known for a long time that the Dog Tartars were determined to be evil, but Li Yuanqing did not expect that they would arrive so quickly!

This matter obviously cannot be improved.

Not long after, Chen Zhong, Wei Liang, and Zhang Qiliang also got the news and quickly came to Li Yuanqing's side.

Wei Liang was obviously a little anxious, "Li Shuai, Chen Shuai, are you afraid that the Tatar army is about to catch up? Well, we don't have the advantage of the city, and we don't have the same firepower. What should we do?"

Zhang Qiliang also looked at Li Yuanqing eagerly, but did not dare to say anything.

Chen Zhong glanced at Wei Liang unhappily and said coldly: "Eunuch Wei, are you panicking? Are the Tatars coming? Those are just a few sentry riders. Is their main force coming? Even if their main force is here,

, come one me and kill one, come two me and kill a pair!"

"this……"

Wei Liang was speechless, but at this time, he did not dare to touch Chen Zhong's brow easily.

Southern Liaoning is different from other places. Although they supervise the army, they are far from having the actual power to supervise the army.

Li Yuanqing smiled: "Eunuch Wei, don't be anxious first. Although the land has dried up a bit today, it is far from easy for the main force of the Hou Jin to come over. Tomorrow, the sons of the Changsheng Camp and I will stay to break up the rear. Brother

, you take the slaves and leave first. We will meet up in Gaizhou City in three days at the latest!"

Chen Zhong couldn't help being shocked: "Yuan Qing, what's happening? If you want to stay, we must stay together. How can I leave alone? No, no, this is definitely not possible."

Li Yuanqing smiled, but his expression became more solemn: "Brother, you don't need to say anything about this, I have already made up my mind. Don't worry. If there is anything to gain, we brothers will still follow the old rules."

Zhang Qiliang said hurriedly: "Chen Shuai, since Li Shuai said so, he must have already had a way to deal with it. You still have to put the overall situation first! These slaves are, after all, Li Shuai's hard work!"

Wei Liang suddenly realized that he had said the wrong thing. If Chen Zhong and Zhang Qiliang left, wouldn't he want to stay? He hurriedly looked at Li Yuanqing.

Li Yuanqing understood Wei Liang's intentions, and said with a faint smile: "Eunuch Wei, tomorrow you will go with Chen Shuai and the others. I will leave it to you to handle the affairs of Changsheng Camp in Gaizhou City."
To be continued...