Guo Ning turned to look at Xu Jin behind him.
Regarding all the details of this incident, apart from Yelu Chucai, who had been falsifying accounts for two years in Zhongdu, and Monk Luo, who arrived in Pizhou early, only Xu Jin knew the best. On the way Guo Ning and others came from Haizhou, he continued to use the copper whistle as a signal to summon secret agents along the way for questioning.
The number of people behind the scenes was so large that Hao Ding, who was following them all the time, was stunned.
Half a year ago, Pu San Duan caused chaos in Zhongdu, which led to Guo Ning's capital marshal's palace being attacked. Guo Ning himself had to fight with his iron bone flower to protect his wife who was separated by a wall. As a result of the chaos, the emperor fell from the gate tower and died, causing an uproar in the world. Although it may not have much negative impact on Guo Ning, the situation of the two points in the world of Dajin has suddenly accelerated, and it is inevitable that some confusion will arise.
Because of this chaos, Guo Ning's reorganization of the naval fleet was triggered. After he took office as the Duke of Zhou, he was obviously worried about the many Jurchens in the central capital who were about to become the remnants of the previous dynasty, so he spent a huge amount of manpower and material resources to build the Tianjin Palace, so that someone secretly moved Guo Ning and Hai to the government and the public. The mausoleum king's appearance was compared.
After the incident passed, the two people in Guo Ning's inner circle who were mainly responsible for it were Yelu Chucai and Xu Jin. Yelu Chucai's problem was that he was too tolerant of Jurchens' noble stomachs, and Xu Jin, as a member of the Recording Department, was bound to be guilty of negligence.
All of this left two clear impressions on everyone who paid attention to Guo Ning and Ding Haijun: Ding Haijun was running out of financial and material resources, and Guo Ning was also trying his best to subdue the complex forces within the Jin Kingdom. Prepare for your family to ascend to the highest point of power step by step.
This is not the case. Although financial and material resources are scarce, it is certain that the naval family has a great cause. If you save a little here and dig a little there, you can always make up some. For example, under the leadership of Xu Ding, a two-generation practical bureaucrat, the Tianjin government's expenses were less than outsiders imagined.
Yelu Chucai, who was left in Zhongdu by Guo Ning, seemed to be less valued than before. With Du Shisheng's cooperation, he was able to safely allocate Shandong's supplies. Thousands of miles away, this civil servant who was extremely talented in government affairs could still remotely direct the direction of grain and materials south of Shandong, quietly moving out of the sight of the Kaifeng court.
He spent less than half a year hoarding supplies sufficient to support military operations in the area controlled by the remaining Red Coat Army.
As for Xu Jin, to outsiders, it seems that he suddenly withdrew his hands and handed over many things to the newly established left and right departments. In fact, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to his new mission and brought this force that was beyond the sight of the Kaifeng court into the control of Zhongdu.
At this time, Guo Ning did not need to ask any more questions. Xu Jin said loudly:
"The Nanjing imperial court set up the Shanxi East and West Road General Administration Office in Guide Prefecture, and also established a Privy Council to oversee the military and administration of Shanzhou, Caozhou, Xuzhou, and Guide Prefecture. The Privy Council was Wanyan Bi, who had previously served as the Xuanfu envoy of Shaanxi. In Guide Mansion, there were originally 4,500 people from the old army who came from Shaanxi. The deputy general manager of troops and horses was stationed in Xuzhou. He was Xie Lie Mingding who was transferred from Haozhou. He had 2,770 soldiers and horses under his command. Hundreds. In addition, Shanzhou garrison Nian Getelin, following Wanyan Bi's order last year, set up thirty-four Lianzhu villages in Shanzhou and Caozhou, with a total of 3,100 people stationed."
"To put it this way, it is indeed quite empty. In the land of three states and one government, 600 miles up and down the river, there are only more than 10,000 soldiers and horses."
"Yes. As Marshal Liu just said, because the Kaifeng court tried to overwhelm the Song people in western Beijing, Huainan and other places for profit, the troops of the Thirteen Captains near Kaifeng gradually went south to join the war, and the garrison of Guide Mansion was transferred to Hao, Ying, Shou, Su and other prefectures serve as follow-up support for the southern battlefield."
"Where are our troops? Have they been arranged?"
"According to our predetermined plan, troops from Damoguan and Baodu Mountain will be dispatched tonight, which is Marshal Liu's headquarters, with a total of 4,000 people. Tomorrow at noon, the troops from Xiong'er Mountain, Yiyang Mountain, Qingshi Mountain, and Aishan will be dispatched The soldiers set off together, including the elites of generals Shi, Peng, and Hao, as well as the knights brought by generals Huo Yi and Xia Quan, plus the soldiers left here by Master Huifeng, the total should be... …”
Xu Jin counted with his fingers: "There are 1,800 cavalry and 12,350 infantry."
"Marshal Liu, everyone, are these numbers quite different?"
The generals were looking at each other, and Liu Erzu had already nodded: "That's right!"
Guo Ning raised his thumb and said with a smile, "Old Xu, keep talking."
"These more than 14,000 people are divided into four groups and head westward at the same time. If everything goes well, we will reach Weishan in Peixian County in one day. Master Huifeng is already there to catch the grain fleet on the Nanqing River. And we will start from Jinan. , passing through Dongping Prefecture, and turning into Liangshan Po, a group of elite soldiers going south along the river will also arrive at this time. If there is nothing wrong with Yin Chang, he can bring Fang Guosan and Zhan Hui from Dongping Prefecture with him. In addition, , Zhang Rong has already settled in Liangshan, and most of the local water bandit leaders are life-and-death friends with him, or they may also have followers."
"How many people are coming south from this waterway?"
"Master Huifeng led 600 elite cavalry, Jinan Prefecture sent 2,000 troops, and Dongping Prefecture and Liangshanbo had about 3,500 to 5,000 capable warriors."
As a result, the two groups totaled 20,000 troops, of which nearly 5,000 were the elite of the Ding Navy.
For the generals of the Red Coat Army present, they were too lazy to pay attention to what Guo Ning mentioned about Kaifeng earlier. It was too far-fetched and too beautiful, and seemed unreal.
Who among the generals of the Red Coat Army is not a veteran? More than half of them had seen Guo Ning come to the house for peace talks in Moqi Mountain, and then immediately turned against him. Even if the times change and the two families want to join hands again, at least they will not trust Guo Ning's pie.
But if we just use 20,000 people to raid a Xuzhou garrisoned by 2,700 people, even if it is not a sure thing, it is still very certain. Continue westward and attack Guide Mansion... That is also a four to one advantage!
This dispatch of troops was driven by others. Even if Guo Ning made a clear promise about what they would gain after the war, these people would inevitably feel uneasy. In this case, everyone is paying special attention to whether this trip can ensure victory in the war, and whether it can ensure victory in the premise of paying as little cost as possible.
Liu Erzu had secretly informed the leaders who should participate in the entire plan half a month ago, and the marching route was planned by Monk Luo and everyone else. For this purpose, he drank several drinks and tried several methods. But at this moment, everyone knew that the arrow was on the line, and some people were still hesitant.
"Xuzhou has been an important meeting place from ancient times to the present. Pengcheng is surrounded by hills and mountains, and a place where Biansi and Biansi communicate. The city is blocked by water on three sides, with Biansi as a pool. The city is ten feet high and extremely strong. If I were in the city, I would Thousands of people are here to defend it and build war and defense equipment. Even if the enemy comes to a hundred thousand, I will not be afraid."
Huo Yi frowned and asked: "Xie Lie is famous for being a powerful general. Marshal Yang suffered losses from him back then. With 20,000 people, can we really capture Xuzhou easily? Don't blame me, Duke Zhou. I am not timid. I just want to ask I understand."
Guo Ning chuckled a few times: "The gunpowder weapons that blew down the city wall of Yidu were already prepared in Weishan."
"I see!"
On that day, Guo Ning swept across Shandong and captured Yidu in just one day. It is said that he used powerful weapons similar to iron artillery. Later, he also benefited from this when fighting Genghis Khan outside Zhongdu City. Now that Guo Ning had taken out this good thing from the bottom of the box, Huo Yi showed a look of enlightenment and was satisfied.
"In addition..." Guo Ning glanced at Liu Erzu: "Marshal Liu should also be prepared."
Liu Erzu's words were concise and concise: "Pengcheng County Captain is my person."
At that moment, all the generals felt relieved and gave a somewhat chaotic military salute to Guo Ning to express their determination.
Liu Erzu said: "Don't worry, Duke Zhou. I will restrain my troops when I go and follow Master Huifeng's command... Guide and Xuzhou will be captured in this battle."
His face, which was wrinkled like an old farmer, showed an extremely cautious attitude. Because he knew better than anyone else that this battle was related to what kind of status the rest of the Red Coat Army could gain under Guo Ning's command. There were tens of thousands of soldiers and hundreds of thousands of common people. They no longer had the strength to continue to rebel, but Liu Erzu would not see so many old guys end up if he had a chance.
】
Guo Ning stared at Liu Erzu, the appreciation and trust in his eyes were very obvious.
But a proud smile soon appeared on his lips, with a hint of youthful cunning.
"You don't have to think too much, Master Huifeng won't tell you what to do, just listen to me... Of course I will personally lead the troops in this battle! Our target is not just Guide Mansion and Xuzhou. Our The plan is very clear, to capture Kaifeng Mansion and destroy this small court!"
