Half in the river wind, half in the clouds

Chapter 210 Turks

If the Turks had been approaching before the blizzard, the situation would have been even more critical.

Nearly twenty days have passed since the snow began.

The Turks were cut off from food and supplies, so they had only one option left: looting!

The town of Anping where they were located was the western gate of Liangzhou. When the Turks invaded from the east, this place was the first to bear the brunt.

There are still two villages and towns to the east. The Turks marched straight in, and the villagers in these three towns suffered.

Moreover, the three villages and towns are located in remote areas, about a hundred miles away from the nearest garrison.

Guan Shanyun thought for a long time, called the county magistrate, and expressed his concerns.

The county magistrate's face changed drastically after hearing this, and he said bitterly: "We have only had a few days of peace! Four years ago, the Turks suddenly launched a large-scale attack on Liangzhou. They were short of food and grass, so they looted the three towns of Anping, Andong and Annan to meet their military needs. Almost all the able-bodied men in the town were slaughtered. The young son they swore to protect at the time has just grown up. If..."

As he spoke, tears actually fell from his eyes.

Jiang Feng remembered the Turkic invasion! It was also because of the heavy snow that most of their cattle and sheep froze to death or starved to death, and they began to harass Liangzhou in the spring.

The Jiedushi at that time first made a mistake in prediction and missed the opportunity. Later, he commanded the army improperly, led his troops deep into the enemy's territory, suffered heavy casualties, and was defeated miserably by the Turks.

The "lone army" that went deep into the enemy's territory was the team led by Uncle Shen Guxing.

That's why Shen Guxing brought the imperial physician to Liangzhou.

This led to Jiang Shen's first meeting under the apricot tree.

At that time, Liangzhou was in danger. At the critical moment, General Guo stepped in with the "Three Tigers" and turned the tide of the battle.

But in the end, more than a thousand people were looted by the Turks, along with countless amounts of food and livestock.

Anping Town was the first town they robbed.

Guan Shanyun and Jiang Feng, one is traveling outside, the other is staying at home, but they are not unfamiliar with the tragic scene.

After that incident, almost nine out of ten houses west of Weiwu were empty, and every family was in mourning.

Guan Shanyun said: "The Turkic invasion is just our guess. But if they really come again, we should be prepared early. So, I asked you to come here to discuss a countermeasure with you."

The county magistrate bowed respectfully to Guan Shanyun and said, "I have heard of General Guan's reputation. And Master Guan went into battle at the age of sixteen, and defeated the Turkic leader with one sword amidst thousands of troops! As expected, a tiger father will have a dog son! If you let me govern this Anping Town, I will have no choice but to do it. But I know nothing about strategizing and commanding battles. What should I do? I will follow Master Guan's instructions."

Guan Shanyun heard him say this and did not refuse. He said, "My lord, send two people who are familiar with the terrain to go out with me overnight to find out the truth. My lord, you need to check the population, weapons and food situation in the town overnight, and make plans after I come back."

After hearing this, the county magistrate immediately agreed.

Soon they found two hunters, and together with Feng Changqing, they followed Guan Shanyun and went out in the dark.

Jiang Feng was originally very tired, but with a powerful enemy at hand, he lost all desire to sleep.

The county magistrate took people to take inventory of personnel and food supplies. Jiang Feng called a yamen runner and asked him in detail about the geographical environment around Anping. Based on his description, he drew a simple battle map of Anping.

She had studied hard for 19 years in her previous life. Now, as a professional who made a living with her paintbrush, this was the first time she used her paintbrush to do a life-saving job.

It can be said that all the learning was not in vain.

When Jiang Feng finished painting, it was already the end of the hour of Hai.

Guan Shanyun hadn't come back yet. She was so tired that she couldn't hold on any longer and fell asleep on the table.

She was awakened by the sound of light voices in the front hall.

He was wearing Guan Shanyun's cloak.

She knew that Guan Shanyun had returned, so she hurried to the front hall.

A group of people were discussing something around the table.

Jiang Feng listened for a while and finally gave up his hopeful fantasy.

The truth is so cruel: the Turks are coming!

And it comes very quickly!

We can reach Anping Town as early as tomorrow afternoon!

Guan Shanyun looked up and saw Jiang Feng standing beside the screen.

The screen was a picture of a lady with a fairy bun, a pomegranate skirt, jingling rings and bracelets, and a water-like pendant and a wind-blown dress. She was a beautiful and elegant lady in the world.

Jiang Feng, wearing a grey coarse cloth dress with her hair tied up behind her head, without any jewelry, represents the liveliness and tenderness of this mundane world.

This is the daughter that a father should protect, and the lover that a husband should protect.

Guan Shanyun was very excited for a moment.

He waved to Jiang Feng, motioning her to come over.

Jiang Feng walked over and saw that they were surrounding the Anping battle map that she had drawn.

Now, on that picture, a battle between two armies is being simulated. The two armies are played by various daily necessities: tea cups, finger rings, vases...

Victory is achieved bit by bit.

Guan Shanyun and his men continued to arrange their tactics, and Jiang Feng got the general idea:

Our troops were much weaker than the others. There were less than 150 young and strong men capable of fighting, and most of them had never been on a battlefield, let alone killed anyone.

Not to mention weapons, only a dozen hunters and yamen runners had weapons.

As for the others, if hoes and axes can be considered weapons, then everyone should have one.

The Turks had an elite force of nearly a thousand people, each of whom was a veteran soldier.

Guan Shanyun and Jiang Feng had the same idea: the military strength was too disparate, so they could only defeat him through wits.

The key is how to win by wits.

The person who was going to report the news has already set out. If all goes well, it might take three to five days for reinforcements to arrive.

How do they last these five days?

There are mountains on both sides of Anping Town, connecting to Turkic in the west and Weiwu in the east.

The west side is wide open, but the east side is narrow. If the enemy comes from a powerful direction, it may be easier to defend.

On the east side, there is a wide and flat land, which is not suitable for defense.

Therefore, this defensive battle seemed even more difficult.

Guan Shanyun's countermeasures were all made with the help of the terrain and topography, and then made in a targeted manner according to his own strengths and weaknesses. He assigned the tasks one by one, with the demeanor of a great general who could "destroy the masts and oars in the midst of laughter and conversation".

Among those who accepted the task, in addition to Feng Changqing and Li Zan, there was also a hunter, a village chief and a yamen runner.

A total makeshift team.

Everyone took orders and went to make arrangements without saying anything else.

The county magistrate also withdrew and was responsible for the evacuation and transfer of women and children.

The original plan was to bring the elderly, women and children in the village to the mountains overnight.

But Jiang Feng and his friends came down from the mountain and realized that this was not an easy task.

Fortunately, due to previous tragic experiences, many farmers built shelters when rebuilding their homes.

It could be a cellar, it could be a secret door, or it could be a cave.

This was one of the few good news Jiang Feng had heard.

Of course, some people repaired it, while others did not. Even those who repaired it might not be able to deceive the Turks.

The county magistrate had a gloomy face and scratched his head as he went to solve these problems.