At the same time, in the direction of Fuzhou.
Although the logistics supply line was cut off, it did not stop the Shu army.
In other words, there was no stopping Zhang Xiao.
Less than five days after the supplies of Fuzhou City were cut off, Zhang Xiao led his soldiers to capture Fuzhou City with lightning speed.
Gao Zhixing, on the other hand, led a group of Xiangyang troops to retreat to the south bank of the Yangtze River, building ships and building forts at the same time.
Looking at it, it seems that he wants to build a boat and run away.
When the messengers conveyed the news to the Shu army camp, Zhang Xiao and other Shu generals were discussing the next tactics and strategies.
When they heard the news, they all showed blank expressions.
One of the generals asked the messenger directly: "Is this news true?"
Hearing this, the messenger bowed even lower: "This is what I saw with my own eyes. I would never dare to deceive you generals."
Hearing this, there was also a sound of inhalation in the venue.
Obviously, they didn't understand what Gao Zhixing did.
Did this guy really give up resistance?
This is obviously impossible.
One of the generals looked up at Zhang Xiao and said, "General, what kind of medicine do you think is sold in this high-end gourd?"
"It's not a good medicine anyway."
Zhang Xiao rubbed his chin and said: "Based on my understanding of Gao Zhixing, this guy's operation is definitely not as simple as running away."
While speaking, Zhang Xiao's eyes couldn't help but narrow.
As I said before, among the younger generation of generals in the Tang Dynasty, Zhang Xiao is the absolute leader.
It was this time that he met Gao Zhixing, an equally outstanding young general.
Otherwise, now, he might be able to push all the way to Suzhou City.
But now, Gao Zhixing actually gave up on confronting him, and even pretended to retreat.
You know, if Gao Zhixing gives up resistance, he can directly lead the army into the hinterland of Jiangnan Road.
Even if Li Chengqian and his party run fast by then, people like him will not be able to catch up.
However, they can also occupy several key cities in Jiangnan Road and make themselves invincible.
For example, by occupying Yuezhou, they could cut off the Yangtze River and use the natural dangers of the Yangtze River to enter a stage of confrontation between the north and the south with the imperial officials and troops in the north.
By occupying Tanzhou, they can open another channel to Shu, allowing Shu to travel by land instead of by water.
However, how could Gao Zhixing not know this?
But since he knew, why did he do it?
Zhang Xiao looked up at the map, his eyes bright and dark, and he didn't know what he was thinking.
After a long time, Zhang Xiao slowly spoke: "The entire army has given up advancing eastward, and immediately sends troops to the south bank of the Yangtze River to destroy Gao Zhixing and his troops!"
Hearing this, the generals looked puzzled.
He said: "General, what does this mean?"
"Because Gao Zhixing doesn't want to retreat."
Zhang Xiao slapped the map with his palm and said: "But I want to block our army just like Li Chengqian blocked the rebels in the east..."
Although Zhang Xiao did not participate in the Battle of Runzhou.
But the news over there was also conveyed to them verbatim.
Zhang Xiao also knew very well how Li Chengqian defeated the eastern rebels.
Isn't it just to cut the rebels into two ends, so that the eastern rebels from the north to the south cannot care about each other?
Nowadays, Gao Zhixing's behavior is naturally very rare.
From the current strategic perspective.
The location occupied by Gaozhixing is really an excellent place.
Advance can threaten the Shu army's logistics supply line, and at the same time block the rebels' retreat at critical moments, leaving the rebels who have left Shu with no way back.
If they retreat, they can also cross the Yangtze River and return to Shannan Road when their own side is at a disadvantage, ensuring the safety of their own personnel to the greatest extent.
Zhang Xiao narrowed his eyes and said, "Gao Zhixing is indeed a good opponent..."
…
the other side.
Xiangyang Army Camp.
Gao Zhixing was also flipping through the map.
The capture of Fuzhou City was actually planned by Gao Zhixing.
After all, defending Fuzhou City had not been his goal from the beginning.
Gao Zhixing is a smart general, and he is also very aware of the strength gap between the two sides.
Although his own Xiangyang army also had Zhenguan cannons, they could not be compared with the Shu army at all.
In a firearms war, whoever has more Zhenguan guns and has rich experience has the right to speak.
In the early years, the Shu army fought with the southern countries, and its experience in using Zhenguan cannons and the number of Zhenguan cannons in reserve in the army was almost as good as that of the Liangzhou army.
Under such a premise, if we engage in a city-defending war with the Shu army, what is the difference between that and seeking death?
What's more, Li Chengqian's original request to Gao Zhixing was not to let him defend Fuzhou City.
Li Chengqian asked him to cut off the Shu army's logistical supplies.
At the same time, he delayed the Shu army's offensive as much as possible, giving him time to destroy the eastern rebels.
But now, Gao Zhixing's first step has been considered a success, and the Shu army has been successfully delayed by him.
However, just when Gao Zhixing was preparing to lead his army to move east along the way, Li Chengqian's second order came over.
And Li Chengqian's order was also very simple.
Just as Zhang Xiao expected, let him cut the Shu army in half and use everything he could use to stop the Shu army.
After hearing this order, Gao Zhixing didn't think it was anything.
But the generals who joined the army under his account were really panicked.
In the previous wars, they had seen how powerful the Shu army was.
Letting them fight against the Shu army would be tantamount to committing suicide.
No one in this world is not afraid of death, even the generals and marshals who are marching and fighting.
They have watched the soldiers under their command grow up, and they are all like brothers.
Who can bear to let his brother die?
Xu Lang, the marching director of the Xiangyang Army, couldn't help but said: "General Gao, if you say anything else, just do it."
"We brothers are not afraid to accompany you on adventures."
"But we have to let the brothers rely on the fortress built with these wooden planks to withstand the fierce attack of the Shu army."
"This is really a bit of a joke..."
Xu Lang said: "You also know that our Xiangyang Army has been a reserve army for many years, and has only been on the battlefield a handful of times."
"And the Shu army has been fighting with the southern countries for three years."
"Our combat effectiveness is not at the same level as theirs."
"Furthermore, the Shu army has been his own son for many years, and the equipment and weapons of the imperial court have been given priority to them."
"We can't compare to them even in terms of weapons..."
Although Xu Lang's words were unpleasant to listen to, they were all true.
Gao Zhixing also knows.
But now that Li Chengqian's order has been issued, what can he say?
"To tell you the truth, I don't want to fight this battle either."
"But this is an order from His Royal Highness, what can I do?"
Gao Zhixing looked straight at Xu Lang and said, "If not, can you talk to His Highness the Crown Prince?"
Talk to His Highness the Crown Prince?
How could Xu Lang have the courage?
For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
Gao Zhixing smiled slightly.
He said: "Don't worry, His Highness didn't ask us to die."
"His Highness naturally has his reasons for arranging us here."
"And there is not that big a gap between the Shu army and the Xiangyang army."
"The soldiers of the Xiangyang Army are not necessarily any worse than the Shu Army."
Gao Zhixing looked straight at Xu Lang and said quietly: "Furthermore, we are all soldiers. It is our duty to be loyal to the country and fight to the death for the people..."
