Chapter 1596: War Letter
Zhu Tianpeng had no choice but to make such an arrangement. After all, after the Qi army encountered the water attack, although there were still 25,000 troops left, their morale had dropped to the bottom and they were unable to exert their due combat power.
The Qi army in this state, even if it continues to march north, is definitely no match for the Qin army. Rather than running over and losing their lives, it is better to go back and repair to restore combat effectiveness.
The reason why the navy army was left behind was because it was the only navy army that was not severely damaged by the water attack, and its morale was basically not affected much. It was the only army left in Zhu Tianpeng's hands that could fight a tough battle.
Li Jing, who returned to Beihai, thought that Zhu Tianpeng would retreat in the face of difficulties, but he was extremely surprised when he learned that the Qi army did not all retreat, but instead left behind 10,000 naval troops.
At this point in the war, the Qi army was actually completely defeated. After all, even if Wang Mang and Wang Mang defeated Li Jing, Qi would not be able to monopolize Beihai. What's more, even if the two sides joined forces, they would not necessarily capture Beihai, so they had to retreat in time. It is the best way to stop loss.
But Zhu Tianpeng not only did not retreat, but left behind 10,000 naval troops, but did not continue to go north to provoke the Qin army. Even Li Jing did not figure out his intentions for a while.
After Li Jing pondered for a long time, he felt that the reason why Zhu Tianpeng did not retreat was probably because the Qi army was too frustrated by the defeat in this battle. It would be too shameful to retreat in such a dejected manner, and how would he let his subordinates do it in the future? Are you convinced?
Therefore, leaving 10,000 sailors behind is just a show of force, just to save the last bit of face.
At this thought, Li Jing couldn't help but feel relieved. Zhu Tianpeng didn't come to provoke him, so naturally he wouldn't just sit around and take the initiative to offend the other party.
"The Qi army is nothing to worry about, but we must not be careless about this ten thousand water army."
Li Jing was as cautious as ever, and immediately ordered: "Send more spies in the direction of the Yellow River. We must ensure that the movements of these thousands of water troops are under the control of our army."
"promise."
Seeing this, Li Jing nodded and asked to the left and right: "Have Wang Mang and Shajuanyan met?"
Jintai stood up and reported: "Reporting to the prefect, just one day before the prefect returned, Shajuanlian's army had arrived in Liang State and merged with Wang Mang."
"Okay, in that case, let's directly declare a challenge to Wang Mang."
A glint flashed in Li Jing's eyes and he sneered: "Seven days later, I will lead the entire army to fight Wang Mang's army head-on at the junction of Liangshan and Beihai. The victory will be determined in one battle."
As soon as these words came out, all the generals looked shocked. Taishi Ci stood up and asked: "Master Taishou? Is this a decisive battle? Don't you make more preparations?"
The generals all nodded upon hearing this. After all, although the Qin army had won two games in a row, its overall strength was still weaker than Wang Mang's Hebei United Army. Such a decisive battle would be a bit too hasty.
"Prepare? What preparations do you need?"
Li Jing laughed, and then explained: "The 80,000-strong army in Wang Mang's hands is just a patchwork of troops, with uneven overall quality. How much combat power can it exert?
Although our army only has 60,000 troops, more than 20,000 of which have surrendered, we have been defeated by Liangshan and Qi. Now our morale has reached its peak. Even if we face a head-on confrontation, we will never lose. So how long will it take to avoid a decisive battle at this time? ? "
Hearing what Li Jing said, all the generals looked surprised. It turned out that before they knew it, the balance of strength between the enemy and ourselves had been reversed. Even if they were to confront the Qin army head-on, they were not afraid at all.
"But Governor, will Wang Mang accept the challenge?" Ran Min asked.
"Will do."
A strange look flashed in Li Jing's eyes, and he said firmly: "This is Wang Mang's only chance. If our army insists on defending, it is absolutely impossible to capture Beihai City with only the 80,000 troops assembled by Wang Mang. Therefore, this is Wang Mang's only chance. He will definitely fight it.
What's more, Wang Mang has an army of 80,000, which is 20,000 more than our army. If he is afraid of war, he will be laughed at by the people of the Northern Han Dynasty in the future. This is also a good thing for our army. "
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Liangshanbo, inside the camp of the Northern Han Dynasty United Army.
Looking at Li Jing's letter of challenge in his hand, Wang Mang's expression was wonderful.
Half a month ago, the coalition forces were crushing Li Jing, but while Wang Mang and other troops were waiting, Li Jing used a superb strategy to defeat Zhu Tianpeng with a water attack. Only two of the 70,000 Qi troops were left. More than 50,000 people.
Although Wang Mang has 80,000 combined troops, the comprehensive combat strength of the army he has put together is definitely not as good as Zhu Tianpeng's 70,000 elite Qi troops.
Therefore, among the anti-Qin coalition forces, Zhu Tianpeng was undoubtedly the toughest one, while Wang Mang was relatively weak.
According to common sense, even if Li Jing wanted to deal with him, he would definitely deal with Wang Mang first, and then deal with the stronger Qi army.
However, Li Jing did not take the usual path and left the weaker Wang Mang alone. Instead, he went to deal with the stronger Zhu Tianpeng first, crossed the Yellow River four times, flooded the Qi army, and defeated the stronger Qi army.
In this regard, Wang Mang only had one thing to say: This is too fierce.
In just one month, Li Jing first used 30,000 troops to fight against Liangshan's 40,000 troops, annihilating the main force of Liangshan and killing Song Jiang. Then he used 5,000 naval troops to fight against 70,000 Qi troops, crossed the Yellow River four times, and flooded Qi. , and finally defeated Zhu Tianpeng.
This record is simply formidable!
Li Jing simply brought the war sect to its extreme. Even Bai Qi and Han Xin probably couldn't do it as well as he did.
Facing Li Jing's active challenge, Wang Mang was still a little uneasy. After all, he had already lost to Bai Qi before, and now he was certainly afraid that he would lose to Li Jing again.
And if he loses again this time, Wang Mang may really have no chance to rise, so of course he must be cautious and cautious again.
"Qingzhi, you said Li Jing's letter of challenge, should we accept it or not?" Wang Mang asked solemnly.
"catch."
Chen Qingzhi nodded helplessly and said solemnly: "This is the only chance for our army to defeat Li Jing. If we are weak and do not accept it, once Li Jing defends Beihai, I am afraid he will not be able to defeat Beihai even if all his troops are exhausted."
"But if you accept it, can you win the fight?"
"This... although there are 30,000 new soldiers among our 80,000-strong army, there are also 20,000 surrendered troops among the 60,000-strong Qin army. If there is a decisive battle, our army's chance of winning is 60%."
"But the Qin army has defeated the Liangshan and Qi armies in a row. Now its morale may have reached its peak. I am afraid that a decisive battle with the Qin army will suffer at this time."
Hearing this, Chen Qingzhi didn't know what to say. After all, he was definitely going to suffer a loss.
"Report... to inform my lord, there is an urgent message from the King of Qi coming from the State of Qi."
"Send it over quickly."
After taking it apart and taking a look, Wang Mang's expression suddenly changed, and then he showed a look of ecstasy and said, "Why didn't I think of that?"
"Lord, what didn't you expect?" Chen Qingzhi asked.
Wang Mang did not answer, but smiled mysteriously and said: "I, Wang Mang, took over Li Jing's tactics and passed on the order. Seven days later, the entire army will attack and fight Li Jing to the death."
