"The entire camp is empty? Are you sure?" Han Du asked nervously.
Guo Ying nodded desperately, with an excited look on his face: "Yes, there is no one left."
Suddenly he noticed that Duke Zhenguo looked wrong, and asked blankly: "What's the matter, Marshal?"
Han Du shouted sternly: "Go quickly to find out the movements of Yan Jun and report back immediately!"
After Guo Ying ran out in a hurry, Geng Bingwen said in a low voice: "Are you worried that Yan Jun will bypass us directly?"
Han Du glanced at him and nodded solemnly: "Although luckily his gunpowder exploded, I don't believe Zhu Di can't even bear this loss."
After a pause, Han Du said meaningfully to Geng Bingwen: "Even if there is no gunpowder, Zhu Di has not yet reached the point of withdrawing his troops."
Geng Bingwen nodded slowly, but said: "The Yan army was blocked here and has suffered heavy losses in the past two months. Perhaps gunpowder has become the last withered grass to overwhelm them. Is it not impossible to retreat?"
Han Du noticed that there was something wrong in Geng Bingwen's words and asked in confusion: "What does Marquis Changxing mean?"
Geng Bingwen looked excited, "Yan Ni now controls six places in the north. If he is allowed to return to Peiping, he may be able to make a comeback soon. Now is the best time. If you have the opportunity to take advantage of the retreat of the Yan army and pursue them one after another, you will definitely be able to inflict heavy losses on the Yan army."
Han Du was also moved. If Zhu Di could be eliminated in one fell swoop, then this rebellion could be suppressed.
The war caused great harm to the Ming Dynasty and its people. Ending it one day earlier would save the Ming Dynasty and its people from suffering for one day.
After hesitating for a moment, Han Du nodded: "If the Yan army really retreats, they can pursue it."
After noon, Guo Ying came to see Han Du with a happy face.
"Commander, I'm here to report that the Yan army is retreating towards Pei County."
Geng Bingwen's eyes burst out with light, and he shouted in a deep voice: "This opportunity must not be missed before it comes back, Commander!"
Han Du pondered for a moment and nodded sharply: "Guo Ying, Xu Chengfei!"
Looking at the two people with focused eyes, they both shook their bodies and clasped their fists together.
"The general is here!"
Taking a deep breath, Han Du ordered: "Reorganize the cavalry immediately and pursue the Yan army early tomorrow morning."
"yes."
If you want to pursue Zhu Di, the best thing to use is cavalry. The cavalry was fast and could pursue Zhu Di even if they set off one day late. After all, there are a large number of infantry in his army, and these people will slow down the march.
...
That night, Han Du tossed and turned and couldn't sleep.
It wasn't that I couldn't sleep due to the noise outside, but I was thinking about Zhu Di's retreat, which always made me feel a little weird.
Pacing back and forth in the room, but still unable to resolve his anxiety, Han Du shouted out the door: "Come here, go find the three princes to discuss the matter."
Han Du then put on his clothes and simply came to sit in the lobby.
"Commander..."
"Commander."
The three of them walked in one after another.
Han Du quickly stood up and stretched out his hand to signal: "Everyone, please sit down."
After the three of them sat down, Han Du slowly sat on the chair and sighed heavily.
Seeing that Han Du didn't speak, Geng Bingwen glanced at the other two people and suddenly asked: "What is the commander worried about?"
Han Du lowered his head and nodded twice, "I always feel that Zhu Di's move is a bit strange. He should know very well that even if he retreats to Peiping and relies on the six northern lands to resist the imperial court, he will not be able to resist for long, and he will inevitably die in the end."
After listening to this, Geng Bingwen thought for a moment and said: "The commander-in-chief's worries are reasonable. We have been thinking carefully just now. Yan Jun's move is indeed a bit of a fuss."
"However, Tang Ding led the navy to attack Peiping. Could it be that he succeeded?"
If Peiping is captured, or even if it has not been captured yet, as long as Peiping asks Zhu Di for help, Zhu Di will probably withdraw his troops and return reinforcements at all costs.
"This is indeed a possibility, but I think it is unlikely." Han Du pondered and shook his head slightly.
"Oh, why?" Geng Bingwen was puzzled.
Han Du raised his eyes to look at him and said in a deep voice: "Zhu Di is not stupid. He knows that the imperial navy is strong and can easily raid Beiping. He will definitely ensure the stability of Beiping before he can safely lead his troops south."
"If he was still worried about Peiping when he went south, why would he fight?"
"Then what method did he use to ensure that Peiping would not be captured by the navy?" Guo Ying asked curiously.
Han Du shook his head slightly, "I don't know either."
Then he put his hands on the table and looked at the terrain map in front of him.
"???????????????So, Zhu Di's withdrawal this time is a bit weird..."
Geng Bingwen and the other three looked at each other in confusion, and in the end they all looked puzzled.
Han Du turned his back to the three of them and asked: "Wu Dinghou, if you lead troops to pursue the Yan army, where will you go?"
After hearing this, Guo Ying quickly stepped forward, looked at the topographic map, and drew his finger on the map without hesitation.
"Judging from the current movements of the Yan army, they have taken this road. This is also the best way to Pei County."
Han Du was noncommittal and turned to look at Xu Chengfei.
"what you think?"
Xu Chengfei stood next to the topographic map, pondered for a moment and said: "If I lead the troops to retreat, I will also take this official road. This road is not only solid, but also spacious, which is very convenient for marching."
"No matter which other route it is, marching is not as convenient as this one. Since the Yan army is retreating, the sooner they arrive at Pei County, the better. The more they are delayed for one day, the more danger they will be in."
Han Du touched his chin and nodded slightly, placing his finger heavily on the topographic map, marking the spot of Jiuli Mountain.
"If you take this road, this is the place you must pass, right?"
Guo Ying and Xu Chengfei nodded at the same time.
Han Du continued: "Do you think this place is suitable for what to do?"
Jiuli Mountain is composed of two arc-shaped hills on the left and right, with an official road running through the north and south in the middle.
"This..." Guo Ying hesitated as if he had discovered something.
Xu Chengfei said in a low voice: "This kind of terrain...is the most suitable for setting up an ambush!"
ambush!
The expressions of Guo Ying and Geng Bingwen both changed.
Guo Ying asked nervously: "What do you mean, Commander-in-Chief, is Zhu Di's retreat a trick? He wants to ambush us in Jiuli Mountain?"
Geng Bingwen glanced at Han Du and said quickly: "Until you reminded us, we thought Zhu Di was really defeated. Now it seems that he is simply trying to lure us away from Xuzhou City! Forget it, we can hold Xuzhou Just stay in the city, there is no need to leave the city and be tricked by Zhu Di."
The Ming army was hiding in Xuzhou City, and Zhu Di had no choice. But once the Ming army leaves the city, Zhu Di's opportunity will come.
Han Du glanced at the three of them and saw that they all had expressions that required caution in this matter.
Shaking his head firmly: "No! This is also our best chance to eliminate Zhu Di!"
"Commander, you must be careful!" Geng Bingwen stared at Han Du with wide eyes.
Han Du didn't want to take risks and wanted to kill Zhu Di safely.
But don't forget, if you want to kill Zhu Di, the battle will inevitably take a long time. The longer the time goes on, the more the people will suffer from the war.
Han Du wanted to finish his work in one battle and end Zhu Di's rebellion as soon as possible. It was okay if there was no chance in the past, but now that there is an opportunity, Han Du doesn't want to let it go.
Facing the gazes of the three people, Han Du pointed towards Jiuli Mountain and said, "He Zhu Di can ambush, then I can also ambush..."
...
In addition to ordering some old, weak, sick and disabled people to carry unimportant baggage, Zhu Di followed the official road through Jiuli Mountain and continued towards Peixian County.
He himself, along with Feng Sheng, Monk Dao Yan and all his soldiers, ambushed on both sides of Jiuli Mountain, using the ups and downs of the hills to hide himself tightly.
There are many traces left by the old, weak and sick. Even if Han Du sends a detective horse to check, he will think that the Yan army has really retreated towards Peixian.
"Song Guogong, do you think Han Du will come after him?"
Feng Sheng sat on the ground, not minding the wet grass at all.
He chuckled and said, "Han Du has a shortcoming."
"What's the disadvantage?" Although Zhu Di had met Han Du several times, his understanding of Han Du was very limited because he didn't have many opportunities to go to the capital.
If we can really grasp Han Du's weaknesses, it will be much easier to compete with him in the future.
Feng Sheng smiled lightly and stroked his beard: "Han Du values the people the most and can't stand the suffering of the people the most."
"So as long as Han Du has a chance, he will definitely want to defeat this king as soon as possible so that the people can live a peaceful and contented life again?" Zhu Di was very smart. He just heard Feng Sheng mention the beginning, and he guessed the answer by inference.
Feng Sheng was very satisfied with Zhu Di's wisdom and nodded: "That's right! Therefore, Han Du will definitely chase after him!"
"Hahaha!" Zhu Di laughed loudly after hearing this and nodded sharply: "Okay! Then I, the king, will be waiting for him here!"
Waiting for Han Du to come to Jiuli Mountain, waiting for the Ming army to be completely defeated this time!
After waiting for another whole day, Zhu Di's eyes became dry when he looked at the end of the official road, but he still did not see a shadow of the Ming army.
"It's been three whole days. If Han Du was coming, he should have come long ago!" Zhu Di muttered and looked back at Feng Sheng: "Song Guogong, is Han Du not coming?"
Feng Sheng also felt that there was little hope that Han Du would come, and sighed helplessly: "We just think that Han Du might chase him out, but if he doesn't come, there is nothing we can do. After all, staying in Xuzhou City is safe and comfortable, as long as If we can't conquer Xuzhou in one day, we won't be able to go south in one day, and Han Du's goal has been achieved!"
"Damn Han Du, why is he so cowardly as a mouse that he doesn't even have the guts to go out of the city to pursue me?"
In his heyday, Zhu Di could understand that Han Du was hiding in Xuzhou City and could not come out. But now that he has lost a lot of strength and has been defeated, why doesn't Handu even have this courage?
Just when Zhu Di was crestfallen and despairing, Zhu Neng trotted over.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."
"What's wrong?" Zhu Di was in a irritable mood, and of course his words were rude.
Zhu Neng gasped for air and pointed his thick finger towards the south: "The Ming army is chasing us!"
