Xianzi Pass, the strategic point in the southeastern sea and land of Annan Kingdom, was established in the early years to defend the south from the Champa Kingdom. Later, the Champa Kingdom was destroyed by Hu Jili, so Xianzi Pass lost its great military value.

At this time, the garrison at Xianzi Pass was less than 2,000 men, and the garrison would never have imagined that Qinghua's army had just left Xianzi Pass in the north, and more than 15,000 Ming troops would take advantage of it.

Arriving at Xianzi Pass at night, the guard lost his life in confusion.

In fact, not long after the Qinghua army left Xianzi Pass, there were already several hundred households hiding near Xianzi Pass. Only because of the high walls of Xianzi Pass, they gave up the idea of ​​forcibly attacking the pass.

Thinking about it, the mountain army is not a Shenji battalion and has no cannons. It is simply unrealistic to expect to break through Xianzi Pass with a few hundred muskets.

Fortunately, more and more Baihu Stations arrived one after another. They all worked together and took advantage of the darkness to pick out sharpshooters to pull out the defenders guarding the gate. Then they concentrated a large amount of gunpowder to blow up the doors and finally captured them.

That night, nearly two hundred people from one hundred households gathered together and had a red-faced quarrel about the southward attack on Thanh Hoa. This time the mountain army went deep into the hinterland of Annam, and there was not a single battalion commander-level official. This was Zhu Yunwen's instruction, because with him,

During Zhu Di's exchange, the latter believed that this plan would very likely lead to the dismantling of the Mountain Army's organizational structure, so the battalion-level chief officers should not leave, but would leave some seeds so that the rebuilding of the Mountain Army would be smoother in the future.

A situation like this without a commander is a blessing because it happened here. After all, in the process of forming the Mountain Army, everyone was a comrade who shared the joys and sorrows, and the relationship between everyone was relatively strong. Otherwise, they would have dispersed all at once.

Even communication is omitted.

"Is there anything else to discuss? Let's have a rest tonight and set out with the army early tomorrow morning."

A hundred households waved their hands and shouted, "Soldiers are valuable and quick. Let's make a surprise attack to Thanh Hoa City and strive to complete the victory in one battle."

His suggestion aroused a chorus of agreement, and many people in the lobby were smiling.

Less than a hundred miles to the south of Xianzi Pass is Qinghua. It can be reached in one day at the same pace as the mountain camp. The bright future is so close before our eyes. Who wouldn't be excited?

"Do you all think this is a guaranteed military achievement?"

In the lobby, a hundred households stood up and asked loudly, "Have you forgotten the information given by the prisoners?"

Thanh Hoa is Hu Ji Li's hometown, and Annan is a place with heavy supplies. There are 100,000 troops stationed all year round. Although they are all old, weak, sick and disabled, 50,000 troops have been transferred this time, so there are 50,000 people left. 50,000 troops are guarding the city.

, where is it so easy to fight?

"The Annan army is looking for us everywhere. Let's go to Qinghua now. As soon as we leave, the Annan people hiding in Xianzi Pass will go and report the news.

Thanh Hoa was unable to be defeated within two days. The Annan army, having received the letter, returned and joined forces with Thanh Hoa's defenders to attack from inside and outside. More than 10,000 of our brothers will be buried here."

This shows the importance of the Nanjing Training Group. The training group selected by Xu Huizu to form the Mountain Army from the Nanjing New Army were all literate and educated officers, otherwise they would not be able to understand the military training manual written by Zhu Yunwen.

Therefore, in the process of forming the Mountain Army, in addition to necessary military skills training, cultural knowledge training is also a daily compulsory course. Although most of the Mountain Army are mountain households, it does not mean that they are all fools. After more than a year of training, there are also some smart ones.

He already looks a bit like an officer.

"Tinghua must be defeated, but Xianziguan cannot be lost!"

This man's name is Liu Zheng. Although he looks dark and tough, his temperament is not as rough and arrogant as other comrades in arms. He is full of poetry and calligraphy. He likes to go to the instructor to ask for reading and reading. Liu Zheng's mental outlook

There is a sense of tranquility in the room.

As soon as he opened his mouth, everyone was still willing to sit down and listen carefully, "I propose that we leave three thousand people to guard the pass, and the rest carry all the gunpowder and projectiles to attack Qinghua."

Suddenly, many people in the lobby took a breath when they heard this.

On the Red River Plain, there are hundreds of thousands of Annan troops searching for their traces everywhere. Once they get the news and return to the division, the three thousand people who stayed at Xianzi Pass will face dozens of times the enemy.

Those who go to Thanh Hoa will make meritorious deeds, while those who stay behind will escape death!

"I know everyone wants to make meritorious deeds."

Liu Zheng looked around at everyone, "But if they all die under Qinghua City, it won't matter how great their achievements are. There will be no time to receive the reward."

"Then, who is going and who is staying?"

Someone hesitated and said, "On one side is a bright future, on the other side is a desperate situation. Who can face this choice calmly?"

"This proposal was made by me, so of course I will stay."

Liu Zheng smiled calmly on his face, "As for the three thousand brothers, let them choose by themselves. If they can't recruit three thousand people, they can count as many as they can."

Everyone's faces were moved, and dozens of people suddenly stood up in the lobby, "I'm staying!"

Death is not terrible, choosing to die requires great courage.

The feelings of the comrades who have endured hardship for more than a year are strong. The hall quickly became filled with responses, and even a few who were unwilling to do so gritted their teeth and stood up.

"Who the hell is left to go to Thanh Hoa!"

Liu Zheng shouted loudly, and then laughed easily and said, "The first person to ascend Qinghua will be promoted to battalion commander, you all go, I will lead three thousand troops here by myself, and I can feel the majesty of the battalion commander in advance, so don't compete with me.

"

Then Liu Zheng turned around and walked out of the lobby, "Have a good sleep tonight and organize the army tomorrow morning!"

The so-called soldiers only die a hundred times.

At the first ideological conference of the formation of the army, the instructor's words were deafening, "The blood of our fathers stained the sky, so that the rivers and mountains were restored, and we, the Han people, were reborn through blood. The souls of heroes are not far away. If we see future generations fearing death on the battlefield, we will lose the face of the Ming Dynasty warriors."

Liu Zheng's father was a veteran who retired from the Yunnan and Mongolian expeditions with Mu Ying. The soldiers of his father's generation were afraid of dying because of one sentence, "Although you are afraid of death, don't be a slave."

Therefore, in the Ming Dynasty at this time, there were many warriors.

Early the next morning, the entire army assembled. Liu Zheng faced the entire army in the school field and said loudly, "Brothers, Qinghua City is ahead of us. You are all good!"

No one shouted excitedly. Like the new army, the mountain army's sense of discipline had long been iron-clad under the whipping of the teaching team. Although they were praised, there was no commotion, and they still looked away with serious faces.

"The one who ascends Qinghua first will be promoted to battalion commander!"

Liu Zheng nodded with satisfaction and continued, "The day we broke out from the Luchuan Camp was promised by the Duke himself. Now, a bright future is in front of us, but! I can't let each of you fight for this.

What an honor!”

Liu Zheng pointed to his feet and shouted loudly, "This is Xianzi Pass, which is the only way to go south to Qinghua. And on the Red River Plain outside Xianzi Pass, there are more than 100,000 Nannan barbarians who are looking for us everywhere.

Once they know that we are going to attack Thanh Hoa, they will swarm in. By then, we may all die under Thanh Hoa City!

Therefore, someone must stay here and be firmly nailed here to block the troops of Annan Barbarians who return to rescue!"

There was a commotion in the military formation, and everyone understood the meaning of Liu Zheng's words. Xianzi Pass, this is a desperate place.

"I know, some brothers may want to ask why it is necessary to fight against the Qing Dynasty. At worst, I don't deserve this credit!"

Liu Zheng roared, "Let me tell you, in Qinghua City, the military rations of the entire Annan Kingdom are stored. Qinghua is the heart of Annan. As long as Qinghua is defeated by us, the rebel coalition forces stuck on the Luchuan front line will be completely destroyed."

Therefore, Qinghua must be defeated. Even if it cannot be defeated, it must attract all the attention of Annan Barbarian!

The longer Xianzi Pass is guarded, the more panicked and anxious the barbarians will become. They will use the coalition forces from Luchuan to come back. I plan to leave three thousand brothers behind, and what these three thousand brothers are about to face is a steady stream of people.

The barbarian army may be one hundred thousand, two hundred thousand, or even three hundred thousand!"

Speaking of this, Liu Zheng faced the entire army and shouted loudly, "If you stay, you will be dead, so let me think about it carefully, and then tell me who has the guts to stay!"

The army of more than 10,000 was silent for nearly half a quarter of an hour before a dozen soldiers roared in response, "I dare you!"

One thing leads to another. Soldiers are a group that is easily infected by hot blood. After these dozen people, more people gave up on life and death and shouted that they were willing to stay.

"I only want three thousand people."

Liu Zheng's eyes were red. He took a deep breath and ordered three thousand people to come out. Then he lifted up his skirt and armor and knelt down. This was a military salute that had been abolished long ago.

"You all died because of me. I kowtow this head not to you, but to your parents."

Liu Zheng raised his head, letting the blood flow from his forehead, stood up, raised his arms and roared, "The Ming army is mighty!"

"The Ming army is mighty!"

Liu Zheng shouted again, "The Ming army is mighty!"

"The Ming Dynasty is mighty!"
Chapter completed!