It is said that Yuan Tan raised 30,000 troops and went straight to Yingling.
Zhao Chen summoned everyone to discuss countermeasures hurriedly. Bu Zhi and Cheng Yu suggested that Zhao Chen not risk a cavalry raid.
After all, the cavalry is good at raiding but not at attacking the city. Even if a hundred-mile raid can reach the city gate, it will not be able to break the city. It is better to advance steadily with the army.
But Zhao Chen knew in his heart that in history, Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shu in just two months, starting in September and ending in November. Although history had changed because of him, the strength of both sides had not changed by the time Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shu. The time, place and people were favorable. Nothing has changed, and the time required will certainly not change significantly.
In addition, Liu Zhengli would be defeated by Sun Ce and lose Qu'a at the beginning of the second year of Jian'an. Now, although Sun Ce has been silent for several months, no matter what, Liu Zhengli is not Sun Ce's opponent, and he will not last until the end of the year at most.
Zhao Chen must capture most of Qingzhou before the above two things happen, otherwise he will face the dual pressure of Cao Cao to the west and Sun Ce to the south and have no intention of taking Qingzhou.
He looked at the map, pondered for a long time, and had other plans in mind.
That night.
The stars shine brightly.
Outside Gumu City, a group of people were heading towards the border area of Qingzhou.
Yuan Tan's scouts who were originally arranged near this place retreated one after another upon seeing this, and those who were unable to retreat in time were beheaded.
After cleaning up the scene, the team sent a messenger quietly back to Gumu City.
After a while, another group of people quietly left the city under the cover of night.
There are five thousand people in this team, and the leader is Zhao Chen, followed closely by Zhang Liao, Xu Sheng and Lu Xun.
The men and horses did not go to Yingling via Anqiu, but chose to go along the north side of Jiwu Mountain towards Laiwu, Taishan County.
The most powerful force in Taishan County was Sun Guan of the Taishan Group. Zhao Chen wrote a letter in advance and asked the messenger to hurry up and send it to Mou County. He asked Sun Guan to help clean up Yuan Tan's scouts near Laiwu so that Zhao Chen could conceal the movements of the army.
On the other side, in Gumu City.
Zhang Fei led the army back slowly, and Cheng Yuzheng was calculating the specific location of Yuan Tan's army and tomorrow's attack plan.
Bu Zhi asked Cheng Yu softly: "Zhongde, is the military advisor's trip too risky?"
Cheng Yu took a look at the map, and finally placed his finger on Linzi of Qi State, and then said: "The power of Qingzhou is not crucial to Yuan Shao. Now his focus is in the north, so there are not many troops stationed in Qingzhou. According to spies, There are only 50,000 people to report. Yuan Tan led an army of 30,000 on this trip. In other words, he only left 20,000 in Linzi. Such a force is not large for a military advisor."
"Twenty thousand versus five thousand is already four times. Moreover, the military advisors have traveled a long distance, and Yuan Tan's army is waiting for work. It may be difficult to win."
Cheng Yu smiled and said: "Zishan, don't worry. The real purpose of the military advisor's trip is not to break the city, but to let Yuan Tan ignore the head and tail and mess up the position, which will help our army take the opportunity to capture Beihai. Therefore, five thousand people are enough." .”
After saying this, Bu Zhao felt a little relieved.
On the other hand, Zhuge Jin on the side broke into a cold sweat. He had never seen Zhao Chen use soldiers before, and this was the first time he had seen such a dangerous move today.
Bu Zhao left the camp and went to Master Bu's camp. Before leaving, Zhao Chen specifically told him that he must take good care of the young master and wait for him to come back.
In the camp, the infantry trainer is arranging various herbs so that they can be used to stop the bleeding of the soldiers in time.
During the past few days of the march, the infantry trainer summarized some rules. The most important thing in treating soldiers during the march is not to use medicine to maintain their health, but to have the most effective and fastest hemostasis and analgesic that can relieve the injured soldiers as soon as possible. No more bleeding, lest you lose too much blood and become unable to heal.
Bu Zhao looked at Master Bu, whose belly was slightly swollen, and asked softly: "Does the military advisor know about this?"
Trainer Bu shook his head: "Hou De is concentrating on going to Beihai at this time, how can he be distracted by this matter. Uncle, don't let Houde know about it, wait until Houde captures Beihai before making plans."
Bu Zhi had no choice but to agree: "It's very dangerous to go to Beihai. I'd better stay at Gumu. This place is not far from Chang'an and Anqiu, and it's convenient for soldiers to go back and forth."
Trainer Bu nodded in agreement.
Early the next morning, Zhang Fei led the crowd and led the remaining five thousand soldiers to slowly advance towards Anqiu and Chang'an.
The army fought under Zhao Chen's banner.
Zhang Fei and Chen Dao made a bet. Whoever could capture the city first would win a jug of wine.
Zhang Fei drew Anqiu, and naturally it was Chen's turn in Chang'an.
As soon as they entered the territory of Qingzhou, the two men each led 2,500 troops and attacked separately.
The Anqiu garrison had no time to run to Yingling to report, so he was stabbed to death by Zhang Fei. The Chang'an City garrison was no exception. He was stabbed to death after less than one round with Chen Dao.
The two men easily controlled two small counties in Beihai Kingdom, but these two counties were crucial for Zhao Chen's army to march into Beihai.
Only in the hands of Zhao Chen's army can the two counties ensure that the food route from Langya to Beihai is not cut off.
Eighty miles away from Yingling, Yuan Tan was leading his army slowly, already knowing that Zhao Chen's army could not reach Yingling before him.
A scout hurriedly ran up not far away and immediately knelt down to report: "General, Zhao Chen divided his troops into two groups. Zhang Fei defeated Anqiu along the way, and Chen Dao led the army to defeat Chang'an. Now Zhao Chen's army is heading towards Yingling. go."
Yuan Tan was slightly startled and said: "It came quite quickly. Send the order and move forward quickly. We will advance to Yingling City tonight."
The next day, Zhang Fei continued to cross the Wenshui River under Zhao Chen's banner and set up camp twenty miles away from Yingling.
This place is backed by Wenshui River, with Fuzhen Mountain to the east and Yingling to the west.
Zhang Fei and Cheng Yu went to the village to establish the village, and the gate of the village was closed tightly.
The stronghold here is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Choosing this place has won the true legend of military strategists.
Yuan Tan entered Yingling City last night. He heard that Zhao Chen's army had arrived in the east of Yingling City early this morning, so he led his soldiers to explore the camp.
Sure enough, there was a big "Zhao" flag on the camp, and all parties in the camp were interconnected and reasonable. It was indeed a good camp.
Yuan Tan couldn't help but sigh: "Zhao Chen is really handsome!"
How could Yuan Tan know that there was no Zhao Chen in the camp in front of him, it was all arranged by Zhang Fei based on Zhao Chen's request.
The real Zhao Chen had already led an army of 5,000 people from Laiwu up the Zi River to the edge of Guishan Mountain, only thirty miles away from Linzi.
Zhao Chen called Zhang Liao, Xu Sheng and Lu Xun to his side and said: "At this time, Yide should have led the army to confront Yuan Tan in Yingling. It is the time for our army to send troops to attack Linzi."
As soon as the words fell, Zhang Liao and Xu Sheng's eyes burned, as this moment finally arrived.
For the past two days, they had stopped their troops and were cautious all the way, just for fear that their whereabouts would be exposed in advance and they would not be able to successfully attack Qi State.
Until this moment, the army remained silent.
It's afternoon.
Zhao Chen said to Zhang Liao: "Wenyuan is high in the city of Linzi. According to the spies, there are about 20,000 people guarding it. However, there are only 3,000 people in Dong'anping on the east side of the ferry. You will lead a thousand cavalry and set off immediately to capture Dong'anping quickly." . Then wait for the Linzi army to come out of the city to rescue. When the Linzi army approaches, you can fight and retreat. After luring the Linzi army to the Wenshui River, you can lead your army to charge and kill them."
"Our cavalry moves quickly and comes and goes without a trace. We must take advantage of this advantage."
Zhang Liao said: "Military advisor, don't worry, I will definitely honor the military order."
Zhao Chen then said to Xu Sheng: "Wen Xiang listened to the order and ordered you to lead three thousand soldiers and approach Linzi from the west during the night. Seeing the fire in the east, he led his army to attack Linzi quickly. The important thing about this trip is to surprise him. We must capture Linzi quickly. If we wait for daybreak and fail to capture it, we must evacuate immediately and return to Guishan."
Xu Sheng replied excitedly: "Xu Sheng accepts the order."
This was his first time leading an army in battle. From a small centurion, he suddenly became a general. Being able to lead an army in battle gave him a sense of accomplishment.
