Chapter 31 life and death battle

The reason why Temujin fled from the old camp was because the three princes Altan, Kuchar, and Talitai took many people with them when they fled, weakening his strength.Wang Khan's cavalry has fought many battles in recent years, and their combat effectiveness has improved rapidly. His retreat across the board is just a psychological expression of uncertainty. Although it was a hasty retreat, it was in an orderly manner. Temujin divided several troops to serve as the rear guard, and retreated safely to Helan Zhenshatuo on the slope of Xing'an Mountains (now north of East Ujumqin Banner, Inner Mongolia), and then retreated eastward. It is the primeval forest of Xing'an Mountains.Temujin ordered to dismount and rest, waiting for information.

The intelligence personnel had already been dispatched when he retreated, and people came back to report the situation one after another, and the critical information was sent quickly: a huge cavalry was advancing here along the "red willow forest". Temujin looked at the tall and straight poplars and the beautiful birches, then saw the graceful willows and the lively young elms, and suddenly his mind became disturbed. He didn't know where to put the battlefield now, and he passed by on the retreat road Salt marshes, or in the forest.No matter where it is placed, there is no certainty of victory in this battle.He and Wang Khan's cavalry have cooperated many times, and they know each other's details.Wang Khan knew what kind of fighting method Temujin liked to use, and Temujin knew what kind of fighting method Wang Khan liked to use.Therefore, it is impossible to win by surprise. It can only be head-to-head. Whoever is strong will have a high chance of winning.

His loyal comrades all said, let's fight, if we retreat further, we will go to the primeval forest to join wolves, insects, tigers and leopards.Temujin closed his eyes and meditated under a poplar tree. It took him a long time to open his eyes and look at the blue sky.People noticed that his anxiety was gradually disappearing. He gathered his comrades together and said in a very calm and serious tone: "This battle is very different from the past. We are at an extreme disadvantage. To win, everyone must work together. Hit and dash." The crowd said: "It goes without saying, we risked our lives!"

Temujin went on to say: "They think that we have few men and horses and thin horses, so we can only take a defensive position. We must catch him by surprise and give him a quality charge first. You see, who is capable of taking on this important task?" As soon as the words fell, the chief of the Ulu-U tribe, Zhu'er Chabai, stood up from the crowd and said, "There is no one more suitable than us in the Ulu-U tribe!" Temujin smiled, and the master was telling the truth. Since Temujin fought, the Ulu-U tribe has always been at the forefront, and the record is gratifying.He was about to appoint the vanguard officer when he heard a loud shout: "Wait!"

Everyone followed the sound and saw that the shouter was squeezing out from the crowd, murmuring as he squeezed: "How can this kind of work be done without me!" Temujin saw that the person who was pushing over was the chief of the Manubu tribe, Kuyi Le Da'er.Kuyilda'er's short and fat body stood there like a bronze bell. He looked around the crowd, and then said to Temujin, "Is our Ulu-Ubu worse than their Ulu-Ubu?" Temujin smiled and shook his head, "Not bad, not bad." "Bronze Bell" raised his voice: "I should be the pioneer officer!"

The master was in a hurry, and bumped the "bronze bell" aside with his shoulder, and said: "It's agreed that I will come, don't make a fuss!" The "Bronze Bell" also responded to the master with his shoulders, stood in the center and said: "I will plant our military flag on the high ground behind the enemy. In order to show my determination to die if I win, I ask Temujin to die in battle." I will take care of my family in the end!" Temujin was greatly moved when he saw the two Mongolian princes vying for the first place, and took advantage of the situation to educate everyone: "Look, we grassland people should be like this!"

Everyone was about to applaud and applaud, but the master immediately realized that the vanguard officer can't do it alone, it's better to be a favor, so he said: "Then let me and Kuyi Le Da'er be the vanguard together!" Temujin nodded: "Very well, you two hurry up and get ready." The two men trotted along, mustered their cavalry and went.Temujin fell into deep thought, because this was only the first step of his plan, whether he could take this step well and how far he could go, he had no idea.It would be perfect if he could know Wang Khan's deployment and attack plan.But his intelligence network suddenly failed at this critical moment, and no one came to deliver the news.There was a strong wind in the sky, and the poplars, willows, birches, and elms danced like a demon.

When he was worried to the limit, someone suddenly came to report that two intelligence agents had come from the opposing camp. Temujin almost jumped up, pushed away from the crowd and rushed towards the two intelligence agents.The two intelligence agents were sneaky, shrinking their necks. Seeing Temujin rushing, they took two steps back unnaturally.Temujin stood firm three steps away from them, and asked, "Which ministry are you from, and what did you send?" One of them boldly said: "We are sent by Lord Jamuka, and Lord Jamuka wants us to tell you the deployment and attack plan of the Kret's Ministry!"

Temujin's comrades had already followed up, and when they heard what the other party said, they shouted: "The two are here to deliver false information, kill them!" Temujin suppressed the excitement of the crowd, and asked them calmly: "Zamuka and I are at odds with each other, why do you want to help me?" The two looked at each other, shook their heads, and said, "I don't know." What the two of them didn't know happened when Temujin chose the vanguard officer.When he selected the vanguard officer, Wang Khan was selecting the commander. Wang Khan came with the army this time, and in his words, he was serving his son.He had said to his son Sangkun that he did not want to be an enemy of Temujin. This was a paradox. Those who did not want to be an enemy of Temujin became Temujin’s greatest enemy. Even he himself could not explain this clearly. What is the purpose of the line.He may hope that his own son can defeat his godson, and because he has a vow with his godson, he has a psychological burden.So, he tried to solve this psychological obstacle with advanced wisdom, so he asked Jamuka to be the commander.

Wang Khan’s idea was that if Jamuka was the commander in chief, he would be able to stay out of the matter. The soldiers were indeed soldiers from his Klei tribe, but borrowing soldiers on the grassland was common. As long as the commander was not Wang Khan or his son Sang Kun, he would There was no swordsmanship with Temujin, and the oath was not violated, so he felt much better in his heart. Jamuhe's scheming was ten times higher than his. He saw through Wang Khan's tricks at a glance, so he resolutely shied away.He said to Sangkun: "I am no longer in the same heavyweight class as Temujin. To ask me to be the commander-in-chief is to tarnish the prestige of the Kret. Besides, the traditions on our grasslands should not be challenged. I You and Temujin are brothers, and there should be no conflicts between brothers." Sang Kun was simple-minded, so he passed on Jamuka's words to Wang Khan.Wang Khan sneered and said, "Zamuka, that bastard, wants to stay out of the matter. He obviously started this battle, and now he wants to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight. You bring him to me!"

Sang Kun went to get Jamuka, but was in vain.Jamuka had already escaped from the barracks.Before escaping from the barracks, he sent two men to Temujin's barracks to report the news. The two told Temujin about Wang Khan's combat deployment, and at the end they also included Jamuka's own words to Temujin: "Wang Khan's ability is not as good as mine, so I firmly believe that you can win, and you must hold on! " Temujin's subordinates firmly did not believe in Jamuka, and they even did not believe in Jamuka's intelligence.Temujin glanced at everyone and said firmly, "I believe it." Everyone was surprised, and Temujin analyzed: "Jamuka wanted to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight. He told me to stand up, because he wanted me to fight Wang Khan to the death, and he took advantage of the fisherman. So I believe the information given by Jamuka it is true." Jamuka's intelligence pointed out that Wang Khan came here in full force this time, and the main attack was divided into four echelons. Surround from four directions and fight a war of annihilation. Temujin applauded this plan and said: "Khan is not in vain!" Everyone also thought the plan was flawless, and asked Temujin if he would change the plan.Temujin thought for a while, and said to the two vanguard officers who were scrambling to get ahead, don't charge yet, and resist their first and second echelons with all their strength, and attack his third echelon.The tribes of the third echelon are good at attacking in a horizontal line, and it is easier to break through. Once they break through, they must spare no effort to attack the fourth echelon. As long as Wang Khan's guard is broken, the morale of the Kelie people will be greatly reduced. , so that you can beat them in one go. It's a good plan, but it's only a plan, and there are many obstacles to implementing it.Therefore, after the two vanguard officers left, Temujin said to his comrades: "At any time, pay attention to the situation on the battlefield. If there is any change, we can only retreat." Bo Ershu said slowly: "We should withdraw to the north, but before withdrawing, we must severely attack Wang Khan's strength so that he will not dare to pursue us." Temujin nodded approvingly, pounded his fist on the table, and said, "Let's get started!" The Kelei people had already started, and the first echelon had already rushed forward. Their speed was astonishing, and they quickly rushed to the defensive positions of the Wuluwu Division and the Mangwu Division. "Attack to defend", he ordered his tribe to charge, and the two sides started a tragic fight a few hundred meters outside Temujin's tent.The entire battlefield was full of smoke and dust, and you couldn't see your fingers. Everyone relied on their senses, brandishing sabers, and shooting arrows indiscriminately. Looking at the battlefield covered by smoke and dust, Wang Khan slashed his hand in the air, and the second echelon rushed forward impatiently.Temujin ordered Zhu'er to withdraw from the battlefield.The master was very disappointed, but he had to obey the order and began to retreat.Temujin also ordered the commander of the Mangwu Department "Bronze Bell" to advance the defensive position to meet the master. The cavalry of the two men merged to form a new defensive position.Wang Khan's first echelon and second echelon attacked fiercely, paying a heavy price for every step forward.Seeing that the time had come, Wang Han made a gesture, the first and second echelons retreated in an orderly manner, and the third echelon rolled over like a blanket. Temujin shouted at this moment: "Come on!" The Wuluwu tribe and the Mangwu tribe thumped their horses buttocks, and all the cavalry on the position rushed towards the first and second echelons of Wang Khan, who were retreating in an orderly manner, and the third echelon that was rolling over. The impact force was extremely strong. Wang Khan’s first and second echelons retreated again and again. Fortunately, the third echelon came up. According to Temujin’s plan, they should not fight at this time, but through the rapid maneuver of the cavalry, Quickly interspersed and went straight to the fourth echelon.But the situation on the battlefield is changing rapidly, and the plan will never keep up with the changes. Of course, the Ulu-U and Mangwu tribes want to realize this perfect plan, but Wang Khan has seen through Temujin's abacus from a high place. Order the fourth echelon to charge.The four echelons not only stopped Temujin's vanguard, but also surrounded them like iron barrels. When Temujin saw that something was wrong, he immediately put all his strength into the battlefield.This reserve force was divided into two groups, one to rescue the two forward troops that were besieged, and the other to avoid the battlefield in a detour and go straight to Wang Khan. Wang Khan really didn't think that Temujin would still have the mind to use his strength to attack him when the main force was surrounded.His fourth echelon was his guard, and when they found that Temu was really running towards his master, he hurriedly retreated to protect him.This retreat doesn't matter, the third echelon thought that there was a change and began to be distracted.The third echelon slipped away, as did the first and second echelons. Zhu'er Chaai and "Bronze Bell" seized this opportunity and attacked vigorously. Wang Han's three echelons retreated again and again, and were about to enter their position. In Chinese military terminology, Temujin's strategy of taking Wang Khan directly from his side is called "surrounding Wei and saving Zhao". "Encircling Wei" is not the goal, but "saving Zhao" is the goal.This trick worked quickly, and the situation on the main battlefield changed drastically. His two forward tribes almost broke through the enemy's defensive position.But he also discovered that Zhu'er Tiebai and "Bronze Bell" were already very reluctant to attack.In particular, "Bronze Bell" had been shot down by random arrows, and was finally rescued and mounted on the horse, lying on the horse without moving. Here Temujin ordered the withdrawal of troops, but Sangkun tried to attack again.He watched the change of the battlefield situation from good to bad from a height, and he was very anxious.If this battle could not be won, he would not be able to explain to his father, it was he who used his wailing to obtain his father's consent, and this battle took place.Before the war, he swore that he would bring Temujin's head to see the old man.But now, he didn't even get a single hair from Temujin. On the contrary, he found that the situation on the battlefield was no longer favorable to him, so he rushed to his heart and spit out a mouthful of blood. He rushed from a high place without issuing any orders to the army behind go down. Many people were impressed by his bravery, because judging from his posture, it seemed that he wanted to take the head of Temujin among the ten thousand troops.But he was only halfway through when a cold arrow shot into his neck, and the inertia of the arrow pushed him off the horse.He clutched his neck, rolling and screaming, his demeanor suddenly lost, and the demeanor of standing on a high hill overlooking the battlefield disappeared. The guards quickly carried him to a high place. Wang Khan was sad and angry. Facing the messy battlefield, he forgot that the main force was still missing, and ordered to enter the defense.Temujin was faster than him, and had already withdrawn his troops. The two sides were evenly tied, however, Wang Khan had many generals and recovered quickly, but Temujin did not have this speed.That night, he discussed with everyone and decided that if there was another fight tomorrow, it would be bad luck.So taking advantage of the night, he withdrew north. When retreating, he was worried that Wang Khan would pursue him, so he divided his troops into several echelons, and retreated echelon by echelon.Wang Khan did not pursue, but seeing that Temujin's situation was over, several echelons left Temujin and fled without authorization. If Wang Khan sent troops to pursue him at this time, Temujin would undoubtedly die.But God took care of him, Wang Han loved his son dearly, and was very worried that Sang Kun would die in another country, so he withdrew to the old camp the next day. Great men always have a fluke on their way to success.Temujin's luck was so enviable that the opponent he met was Wang Khan, an old man who loved his son, not the cold-blooded and ruthless Jamuka. That night of retreat, Temujin involuntarily fell into the muddy pond of memories.He groped forward in the forest, there were people all around, but he couldn't see them, and could only faintly hear the sound of deep breathing.He remembered the scene of hiding in the mountains and forests many years ago to avoid the searches of the Taichiwu people and the Mierqi people. The foundation that had been built up through so much pains seemed to collapse overnight. Although he didn't know how many people had left him, he knew that there must be many.He didn't think about the issue of authority, because the loyalty of grassland people is very strange. They only follow you when they have meat to eat. If they don't have meat, and they can't even eat bark, they will go their separate ways. In the early morning of the next day, he reviewed his troops and found that there were only 2,600 men left, which was only one-tenth of his troops. "Damn it!" Bili Gutai cursed.Temujin's face was ashen, and he asked people to check the luggage, and soon someone told him that there were almost none.Either it was thrown on the battlefield, or it was taken away by some people. Temujin's face was like a piece of iron, without any expression.He convened a meeting and said: "Firstly, there is a lack of food and grass, and secondly, if Wang Khan pursues us, our entire army will be wiped out. Therefore, we are divided into two groups. Zhu'er Chaai and Kuyiledaer led 1,300 people along the Hele River. (Today’s Halaha River) advance on the east bank, and I will lead 1,300 people to advance along the west bank. We can only rely on hunting for a living. If the Longevity God blesses us, we will meet again when the weather is calm.” There was no other way, and everyone agreed. After making arrangements, Temujin walked into the temporary tent. His comrades surrounded him and heard him sigh sadly.The battle of Helanzhen Shatuo was Temujin's worst battle since he entered the battlefield. After all, the enemy he faced was King Khan, the overlord of the grassland world. It is lucky that he is still alive. After he sighed, the tent was as quiet as a tomb, and it seemed that everyone was not breathing.After a long time, Temujin seemed to be full of strength, stood up and said to his comrades: "We must fight back, we cannot run around like dogs in the water!" The comrades-in-arms were astonished: "Use what, use saliva?" "Yes!" Temujin looked at the ground, emitting a faint blue light, "Just use spittle, I will counterattack Wang Khan with my saliva!"