On the eighth day of August, there were inexplicably more boats on the Huaihe River just north of Huai'an Prefecture.
Some of these ships looked like merchant ships, some looked like fishing boats, but there was no big ship that looked like a warship.
At this time, in the cabin of a merchant ship, two people were sitting on the deck drinking.
One of these two people was dressed in green and the other in white. They both looked to be in their mid-twenties, extremely young.
The young man in white clothes is stronger, while the one in blue clothes looks a little thinner.
After having a few drinks together, the young man in Tsing Yi looked at the young man in white across from him and said with a smile: "In recent years, the imperial court's attitude towards the Southern Dynasty has become softer and softer. As long as the Southern Dynasty gives some pocket money, the whole court will be happy." There is no sound of going south anymore. What happened this time? Why is there suddenly a southward expedition from above?"
The young man smiled hoarsely: "Is it really because the little emperor of the Southern Dynasty didn't give him pocket money this year?"
The young man in white clothes opposite looked up, took a sip of wine, and snorted: "Bullshit!"
"Those people have been able to get their hands on no matter what kind of money it is for so many years. It can be said that they have lived a good life. How can they still have the desire to fight?"
"Don't say that the little emperor of the Southern Dynasty didn't give him any money. The little emperor of the Southern Dynasty beat the envoy Zhu Man from the Ministry of Rites. What did the whole court say?"
The young man in white squinted his eyes and said coldly: "As a court official, my cousin died inexplicably on the way back. Has anyone in the court spoken for him in the past year?"
"understood."
The young man in green clothes took a sip of wine and said with a smile: "Brother Zhou is here to avenge Brother Yuan Chui."
"Can't talk about it."
This young man in white clothes named Zhou was named Zhou Yuanhu, and he was the cousin of Zhou Yuanchui, the envoy who visited Jiankang.
Both of them are the grandsons of the famous Northern Qi general Zhou Jinan.
Zhou Yuanhu is twenty-five years old this year. He has been in the army since he was a child. Although he is not very old, at this time, he is already the commander of the Northern Qi army in the southern expedition.
The so-called Southern Army was the army that Northern Qi used to march south of the Yangtze River.
It's just that for more than sixty years, this army has been firmly blocked north of the Huaihe River, and has never been able to enter the south on a large scale. Now, it has become the de facto Huaihe River garrison of the Northern Qi Dynasty.
And this Huaihe garrison was led by Northern Qi general Zhou Jinan more than ten years ago. It defeated the Northern Expeditionary Army of Nanchen in Huaibei, shattering the Northern Expedition dream of Nanchen for decades.
And Zhou Yuanhu's ability to sit in the position of commanding officer at this age is naturally inseparable from his family background.
Zhou Yuanhu narrowed his eyes, snorted, and said: "He is willing to go to Yandu to seek an official position without waiting for the Conquest of the Southern Army, and to engage in those dirty tricks with the Purity Department. He deserves to die."
"but…"
Zhou Yuanhu looked towards the south and said solemnly: "However, these southerners have become more and more arrogant in recent years relying on the kindness of our court. They even dared to kill our envoys from Da Qi without knowing why!"
Having said this, he looked at the young man in white opposite him and said calmly: "Aren't you supposed to be in the army in the north? Why did you come to the south?"
"I returned to Yandu at the beginning of the year."
The young man in white is surnamed Tong and given the name Tong Sheng. He is also a member of the generals of the Northern Qi Dynasty. His family is a hero who entered the customs at that time. Moreover, unlike the Zhou family, the Tong family is a real person of Zhu Li, which is now the so-called "nobles" of the Northern Qi Dynasty.
Tong Sheng raised his head and took a sip of wine, then shook his head happily, exhaled the breath of alcohol, looked at Zhou Yuanhu, sighed and said: "Brother, you don't know, it's getting harder and harder to get along in the north, those barbarians in the north Over the years, I have become more and more restless, and when I fight, I feel like I am risking my life, and I can press forward with artillery!"
"We fought a few battles in the north and suffered some losses, so we just went back to Yandu to rest."
"Last month, my family arranged for me to join the Southern Conquest Army. They said they would give me a few years of experience and then they would arrange a military position for me back in Yandu."
As he said that, he shrugged his shoulders and said, "No, I will become a thousand households under your hands, Brother Zhou."
Speaking of this, Tong Sheng glanced at Henan with some curiosity, and then said with a smile: "By the way, Brother Zhou didn't say anything just now, why did the fight suddenly start?"
Hearing this question, Zhou Yuanhu also looked to the south, narrowed his eyes, and sneered slightly: "Because the people of the Southern Dynasty are fighting among themselves!"
“That was true more than sixty years ago, and it’s still true today.”
Having said this, Zhou Yuanhu's mood obviously improved. He looked towards the south and said slowly: "The little emperor of the Southern Dynasty had an internal conflict with the Zhao family who guarded the Huaihe River!"
"The little emperor forced the Zhao family to give up more than 200 miles and nearly 300 miles of Huai'an Prefecture's defense line to a civil servant in the Southern Dynasty."
"A civil servant!"
"Take 20,000 local bandit-suppressing recruits to defend a 200-mile defense line!"
Zhou Yuanhu said "ha" and looked at Tong Sheng: "Brother Tong, this is God's blessing."
"The Southern Dynasty lingered for a long time, but now its luck is finally over!"
Tong Sheng frowned, shook his head slightly and said, "Brother Zhou, I'm afraid it won't work. Even if we break through Huai'an Mansion this time, the Southern Dynasty will be able to cover this gap."
"It can't be beaten in."
"Of course I can't get in this time."
Zhou Yuanhu whispered: "But as long as a gap is opened this time, those old men in the court will no longer be timid!"
"Brother Tong, you came at the right time this time."
Zhou Yuanhu smiled heartily, raised his head and took a sip of wine.
"Just in time, follow us to conquer the South and do something great!"
"Perhaps, Brother Tong, you will be able to become a marquis from home, and you won't have to fight with dozens of brothers for the marquis in your family!"
Hearing this, Tong Sheng's eyes lit up. He looked at Zhou Yuanhu and asked, "Brother Zhou, when will we take action?"
Zhou Yuanhu glanced around to make sure there was no one waiting on the deck, then he moved slightly closer and lowered his voice.
"My father said it."
His voice was hoarse: "Tonight!"
"Huai'an Mansion in the Southern Dynasties is a big city. If we attack Huai'an Mansion, all the rich women in the city will be waiting for me!"
Zhou Yuanhu’s eyes were blazing.
"Reproduce the glory of your and my ancestors sixty years ago!"
Tong Sheng laughed and raised his glass.
"Well said, I'd like to toast Brother Zhou!"
………………
That night.
Today's night is darker than usual.
Because in the sky tonight, the moon was covered by thick clouds, and there were not even a few stars in the sky.
It can almost be said that you can't see your fingers.
Dozens of ships from the Northern Qi Dynasty slowly approached the south following an order from Zhou Ping, the general of the Southern Army.
Zhou Yuanhu, a fellow commander, stood on the deck of a merchant ship. While looking at the situation on the south side of the river, he ordered: "After a while, when the people in the south find out, if they ask, just say..."
He looked up at the sky and said, "Let's just say there are no stars or moon today. We can't see our fingers at all. We merchant ships have lost our way."
"understand?"
As all the subordinates responded, Zhou Yuanhu ordered again: "Try to start the war after landing, and don't be blocked by those southerners on the river!"
At this moment, Zhou Jin'an's direct grandson had eager eyes.
Because this time, although he is not the commander-in-chief, he is the vanguard officer.
As long as this battle is fought well enough, he, the pioneer officer, will be full of credit!
Tonight, his goal is to break through the southerners' defense line along the Huaihe River!
The troops are approaching Huai'an City!
Scared that Southern civil servant out of his wits!
At this moment, Zhou Yuanhu stood on the deck, the evening breeze blowing on his armor, making this young and promising "young general" feel high-spirited.
At this moment, he seemed to have seen the scene when he returned to Yandu to receive the title.
Dozens of boats took advantage of the darkness and slowly sailed to the other side of the river.
As long as this group of people successfully approaches and occupies the other side of the river, they can take their time and cover the remaining people of the Southern Conquest Army to land on the south bank of the Huaihe River!
By then, their goal will be more than half achieved!
Just when Zhou Yuanhu was thinking about it.
A huge gunshot sounded!
A violent explosion sounded in his ears!
Then, a stream of river water splashed on his face!
The ship also began to shake slightly!
Before he could react, another cannon shot came, the shell hit the hull, and the merchant ship under him began to shake violently!
Zhou Yuanhu's eyes widened with anger and he asked: "What happened!"
"few…"
"Major General!"
Someone stumbled over and said through gritted teeth.
"Nan'an, there's someone..."
"No, there is a boat!"
"They're shelling us!"
