Warships gathered in Xuanwu Lake. More than a thousand warships turned the lake into a water village, with flags flying and horns blaring. More than 50,000 soldiers from Beifu are ready to go. Food, grass and baggage have already begun to head to Xiapi City by water.
Liu Yu, the Minister of Records, led his army to conquer Yan personally. The court was led by Shangshu Zuopu She Meng Chang and right servant She Xi Hui, who ensured the stability of the court and logistics supplies. The army was on the northern expedition and the capital was empty. King Langya proposed that Liu Yijun, the governor of Yuzhou, sit in Gushu to ensure the safety of the capital.
In the lobby of the governor's office in Xizhou City, Liu Yu summoned the generals who accompanied him on the expedition to discuss matters. This expedition against Yan is of great importance. If it succeeds, Liu Yu's reputation will grow. Needless to say, if it fails, combined with the hidden dangers of Liu Jingxuan's failure in the previous expedition to Shu, the attack will be overwhelming, and Liu Yu's status will be difficult to protect.
Liu Yu's face was solemn, and he knew that conquering Yan this time was like a gamble on the gambling table. If he won, no one in the court would dare to criticize him. If he failed, he would be replaced by Liu Yi. When the end came, he could only fight with all his strength.
His eyes swept over the civil and military figures on both sides of the hall. Liu Muzhi, the most important adviser to the army, accompanied him on the expedition this time. Liu Jingxuan, the newly revived advisory army general and champion general; brothers Shen Linzi and Shen Tianzi of the town army; Changsha County Duke Tao Yanshou, Ningshuo general Liu Yu, Ningyuan general Suo Miao, Qijun prefect Wang Dan, Zuomin minister Xie Pu and others.
His eyes paused for a moment on Liu Fan, the counselor of General Wei's Mansion. Liu Fan was Liu Yi's younger brother. He accompanied him to defeat Yan simply because he wanted to share the credit. Liu Yu secretly thought that if Liu Fan obeyed his orders, he would not erase his achievements, otherwise he would use the Yan army to eliminate this hidden danger.
In addition to the people in the hall, Guangling Liu Daolian, Xiapi Meng Huaiyu, Pengcheng Yang Muzhi and others will accompany the army at the station. By then, the number of troops attacking Nanyan will exceed 70,000. At that time, Xie Xianwu defeated the 800,000 former Qin troops with 80,000 troops from the Northern Prefecture. Liu Yu was ambitious to defeat Nan Yan with 70,000 troops and behead Murong Chao.
On April 11, Langya King Sima Dewen led the court to see off Zhongwenwu. Liu Yu boarded a ship and led his army to set off from Huai River to Surabaya. He first went to Guangling to meet Liu Daolian, and then went to Xiapi City.
On May 13, the warship arrived at Xiapi, and originally planned to continue from Xiapi to Pengcheng along the waterway. Huan Wen's Northern Expedition also followed this route, carrying baggage with military warships, allowing them to advance and retreat freely.
However, after arriving at Xiapi, they found that the waterway to Pengcheng had not been dredged for many years and was blocked, making it impossible for warships to sail. Liu Yu had no choice but to order the three armies to disembark at Xiapi and rest for two days.
Meng Huaiyu welcomed Liu Yu and others into Xiapi City. Liu Yu sat down and asked the first thing he said: "Where is Yang Anxuan?"
"According to detailed reports, Yang Anxuan is in Wuyang City. Wuyang City has 20,000 Yong Yan soldiers and horses, but has not yet launched an offensive." Meng Huaiyu reported.
Liu Yu sneered and said: "Yang Anxuan was waiting for Yu to attack first so that he could reap the benefits. He thought better of it and sent people to spread the word that the imperial court and Yong Yan's troops would work together to seize Guanggu City and let the Yan army stop him."
After asking Yang Anxuan, Liu Yufang asked again: "How should Yan State respond?"
Meng Huaiyu said with a strange expression: "Yan Guo didn't respond."
Liu Yu couldn't believe his ears. He led an army of 70,000 men in the Northern Expedition. For the Yan State, it was a battle to destroy the country. He was so numb that he didn't react.
"According to Xi Zuo and visiting merchants, Murong Chao, the leader of the Yan Kingdom, believed that our country's Northern Expedition was just a bluff. There were only more than 10,000 garrison troops left in Wuyuan, Lanling, Tan County and other cities, and there were 20,000 Yan troops in Kaiyang, the headquarters of Langya County." Meng Huaiyu pointed to the map and said: "The main military forces are still stationed in the Linzi, Linqu, and Yidu areas to defend Yandu Guanggu."
Liu Yu asked people to hang up the map and said: "To destroy the Yan Kingdom, its capital Guanggu must be captured. There are two east and west routes to attack Guanggu. The east route is from the north by land, along the Yishui River to capture Donghai County, Langya County to Dongguan County, and then Pass through Daxian Mountain and attack Guanggu City."
"On the western front, we ordered people to dig the river channel, and the fleet went to Pengcheng, then passed through Lu County of Yanzhou, attacked Taishan County from Lu County, took Mou County to the west towards Linqu, and then captured Guanggu City."
Meng Huaiyu said: "Although the distance to attack Guanggu from the land is short, it is not easy to attack. The land route must pass through Daxian Mountain. To the east of Daxian Mountain, there are Wulian Mountains blocking the road. During the Warring States Period, we built the Great Wall to defend it. If the Yan army blocked Daxian Mountain, Xian Mountain is naturally dangerous and it is difficult for the army to pass through. Yu suggested going north via Pengcheng to attack Taishan County, and bypassing Da Xian Mountain to take Linqu to attack Guanggu City."
Liu Jingxuan said: "To attack Taishan County, we must pass through Lu County. Lu County is the land of Yanzhou and Yang Anxuan is stationed here. If we take this route, our back road will be in the hands of Yang Anxuan. Once Yang Anxuan cuts off the food route, the army will have no choice. Supplies, there is no way to advance or retreat. When he foolishly attacked Shu, Yang Siping deliberately delayed the supply of food and grass, causing the attack on Shu to fail."
Everyone was silent. Liu Yu had brought out most of the Beifu army this time. Once defeated, there would be no chance of a comeback. He really could not leave his fate in Yang Anxuan's hands.
Liu Muzhi came to the map and said, "I heard what Huaiyu said just now. The Yan army despises us. The heavy troops are defending around Guanggu City. There are not many soldiers and horses along the city. I guess the Yan army thinks that we will attack most of the time." We will attack Taishan County through Daolu County, and our troops will be deployed on the Linqu line, and will never block the Daxian Mountains based on danger, so the resistance to attacking from the east will be even smaller."
After looking at the crowd, Liu Muzhi continued: "Soldiers are valuable and quick. If dredging the river through the western front takes too long, things may change easily. Therefore, after discussing with the lord, Yu decided to attack from the eastern front."
Liu Yu said: "You are worried that if we attack from Daxian Mountain, the Yan people will resist the danger and defend. You have already considered it carefully, but the Xianbei people are short-sighted and greedy for small profits. They think that our army alone will not be able to penetrate deep for long, and they are unwilling to strengthen the wall and clear the country. By June, the crops in the fields will be mature, so there is no need to worry about the supply of grain and grass."
Liu Muzhi said with a smile: "My lord is entrusted by the imperial court to supervise the Northern Expedition. Since Yang Anxuan, the governor of Yongyan, is stationed in Wuyuan City, we might as well let him lead the army to attack Taishan County, and then attack Linqu City to attract the main force of the Yan army." So as to reduce the pressure on our army."
In Wuyang City, Yang Anxuan received an order from Liu Yu, asking him to lead his army north to attack Taishan County and arrive at Linqu City. At the same time, he ordered the prefect of Jinan County to march towards Jingdong and make an offensive move to attract the attention of the Yan army.
General Yang Anxuan passed the order to everyone and said with a smile: "Liu Yuzhang threw a hard nut here, but he wanted to take the Yan people's internal organs directly. It was a good calculation."
Yang Zijing asked for orders: "I would like to lead the army to seize Taishan County."
Yang Anxuan nodded and said: "Uncle Jiu can lead Lu Gui, Zhang Feng, and Shen Qingzhi to capture Taishan County with 10,000 infantry and 4,000 light cavalry. After occupying Taishan County, stand still and wait for orders."
Yang Zijing promised in a loud voice, and led Lu Gui and others to mobilize troops for the expedition. When Wang Huilong heard that Yang Anxuan did not ask him to accompany him on the expedition, he was not in a hurry and sat still. Wang Qiang secretly tugged on his sleeve.
After Wang Qiang came to Xiangyang from the capital, Yang Anxuan gave him two choices. One was to serve as a county magistrate, and the other was to help Wang Huilong. Wang Qiang chose the latter without hesitation.
Wang Huilong followed Xi Pijiang to Yanzhou. Instead of serving in the government office, he asked to train in the Sima Mansion in Yanzhou. Yanzhou Sima was initially awarded to Yu Fei, but Yu Fei had an arrogant temperament and did not like the hassle of writing documents, so he resigned from Yang Anxuan soon after. Yang Anxuan had no choice but to call him back to Xiangyang to serve as the leader of the personal guard, and let Hu Fan concurrently hold the post of Sima of the state.
Hu Fan was the governor of Xingyang, so Wang Huilong bid farewell to Xi Pijiang and went to Xingyang to listen to him. Hu Fan saw that Wang Huilong did not have the arrogance of a son of aristocratic family, but humbly studied military affairs and drilled with the sergeants every day. He liked him very much and was willing to teach him.
Wang Qiang followed Wang Huilong and took care of him. After getting along for a period of time, Wang Qiang felt that compared to Wang Xu and even Wang Guobao brothers, Wang Huilong was smarter, studious, diligent and motivated. After experiencing family disaster, it was Wang Huilong who relied on Wang Huilong to revive the Wang family in Taiyuan.
Yang Anxuan caught a glimpse of Wang Qiang's little move and asked with a smile: "Huilong, Yu Wei asked you to go out with the army, do you have any complaints?"
Wang Huilong said respectfully: "My lord has his own arrangements, Huilong just follows his orders."
Yang Anxuan nodded and said: "The Yan people will station heavy troops around Guanggu. Liu Yuzhang will lead his army to advance from Daxian Mountain. They may drive straight in."
Wang Qiang was surprised and said: "Why didn't the Yan army blockade Daxian Mountain? If so, the Northern Expedition would be in vain."
Yang Anxuan said with a smile: "I guess Emperor Yan intends to let the enemy go deeper, so that he can wipe out the king's army in the Northern Expedition in one fell swoop."
Wang Huilong said coldly: "Murong Chao is dreaming, and Liu Yu is certainly a match for him. If the Yan army lets Liu Yu enter Daxian Mountain, his country will perish."
Wang Qiang asked urgently: "In that case, why didn't my lord attack Linqu first, seize Guanggu City, and destroy the country?"
Wang Huilong shook his head and said: "Uncle Qiang, there are 40,000 to 50,000 light cavalry and nearly 100,000 infantry around Guanggu City of the Yan people. If we attack Linqu first, we will not be able to defeat the enemy with so few enemies. My lord ordered Governor Yang to take Taishan County and stand still." , I’m afraid I have other plans.”
Yang Anxuan laughed heartily and said: "The wisdom of Huilong can compete with that of Suppressing Evil."
Wang Huilong said in a humble voice: "How dare a servant with such stupid talent be compared to Wang Biejia?"
Yang Anxuan said in his examination: "Huilong thinks, how should a fool behave?"
Wang Huilong got up and came to the map to think about it. Yang Anxuan did not rush him and just drank tea quietly and waited.
Looking over the map of Nanyan, Wang Huilong thought about the possible attack routes. Suddenly, an idea came to his mind. He remembered Hu Fan's words before leaving, pointed at Xingyang Hulao Pass and said with a smile: "I know it."
When Yang Anxuan saw Wang Huilong's hand sweeping across the Yellow River, he laughed loudly and said: "Okay, okay, okay. Don't say anything to others before the time comes."
…………
Nanyan Guanggu City, Dongyang Palace.
Gongsun Wulou reported, "On May 13th, Liu Yu, the Secretary of the State of Jin, led an army to Xiapi; on May 18th, Liu Daolian and Meng Huaiyu led 20,000 troops to conquer Tan County, Donghai County; on May 2nd On the 13th, 30,000 Jin troops besieged Kaiyang City in Langya County; on the 19th of May, Jin general Yang Siping led 14,000 troops from Wuyang City to the north to attack Xintai City..."
Murong Chao asked with some confusion: "I just destroyed Jin's Suyu City, does Jin really want to fight to the death with me, Dayan? A mere 80,000 soldiers and horses want to compete with our hundreds of thousands of Yan's troops for supremacy." ?"
Murong Zhendao: "It is clear that the Jin State is determined to destroy Yan. Your Majesty should send troops as soon as possible to rescue Langya and Taishan counties."
Murong Chao looked at Gongsun Wulou blankly and said, "Do you have any good ideas?"
Gongsun Wulou raised his hands confidently and said: "Your Majesty, I have three strategies to retreat the Jin army."
Murong Chao came back to his senses, sat down and said, "Please, please come."
Gongsun Wulou ordered people to hang up the map and said: "The Jin army divided into two groups to attack Yan, all the way from Langya to Dongguan and across Daxian Mountain. There were as many as 70,000 soldiers and horses on this road. The army was led by Shangshu Shi of the State of Jin. Liu Yu; the other group was led by Yang Siping, governor of Lu County of Jin State and Jibei Province, who attacked Taishan County with no more than 10,000 troops."
Murong Chao stood up and came to the map and said: "So Liu Yu is leading the main force, and Yang Siping is just feinting to contain it."
"Your Majesty is wise," Gongsun Wulou said: "The Jin army is exhausted from the expedition and lacks supplies, so it is intended to fight quickly. I thought that I would send troops to block Daxian Mountain. When the Jin army loses its vigor, I only need to send thousands of elite cavalry to cut off its food routes. , the Jin army established an enemy; then let Duan Hui, the governor of Yanzhou, lead his army out of Liangfu to pursue him. The Jin army will be attacked from both sides and will be defeated. This is the best policy."
Murong Chao looked at the map with his hands behind his back and said, "You continue to talk about the middle and lower strategies."
"The central strategy ordered all areas to defend according to danger, fortify the walls and clear the fields, and burn the crops. If the Jin army cannot get supplies, it will inevitably retreat. At that time, troops will be sent to pursue them and they can be destroyed."
Seeing Murong Chao's expressionless face, Gongsun Wulou said, "The lower strategy is to let the Jin army cross Daxian Mountain. To the north of Daxian Mountain is an open plain, which is suitable for light cavalry to recruit. Most of them are infantry and can be defeated by light cavalry.”
Some people died, but not completely...
