[Pinging down Jingxiang]
After stabilizing the situation in the rear, Zhu Wen launched an attack on Zhao Kuangning in Xiangzhou, sending Yang Shihou as the vanguard, and he himself led the main force to follow closely.
Yang Shihou was unstoppable and defeated the seven states of Tang, Deng, Fu, Ying, Sui, Jun, and Fang, sweeping across the entire Xiangzhou Zhongyi Army. Zhu Wen led the main force to station on the north bank of the Han River, facing Xiangzhou across the Han River. Zhao Kuangning was beaten until he was unable to fight back.
Zhu Wen did not give him time to breathe and ordered Yang Shihou to build a pontoon bridge. In less than two days, the pontoon bridge was built, and then Zhu Wen personally led the main force to cross the Han River and go south.
Zhao Kuangning led an army of 20,000 people to form a formation on the south bank to block the attack. Yang Shihou defeated him in one fell swoop, and the Bian army took advantage of the situation and advanced to Xiangzhou City.
That night, Zhao Kuangning set fire to the Xiangzhou headquarters, led the entire clan and his guards officers and soldiers, fled eastward along the river, fled to Yangzhou, and defected to Yang Xingmi.
Early the next morning, Yang Shihou entered Xiangzhou.
Zhao Kuangning's younger brother, Zhao Kuangming, the military governor of Jingnan, did not even have the courage to resist. He simply abandoned the city and led his 20,000 troops to flee westward to Chengdu and defected to Wang Jian.
Zhu Wen abolished the "Loyalty Army" and restored the former name of "Shannan East Road". He appointed Yang Shihou as the post of Shannan East Road, and soon after he was officially appointed as the governor of Shannan East Road; he ordered General He Gui to be the post of Jingnan.
At this point, it only took Zhu Wen a month to annex two important towns in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, once again showing the world the formidable combat effectiveness of the Bian Army.
Let’s talk about the exiled Zhao brothers.
When Zhao Kuangning arrived in Yangzhou, Yang Xingmi joked with him in a slightly sarcastic tone, saying that when you were in Xiangzhou, you supported the enemy and thieves for many years. Now that you have been defeated by the thieves, you have come to take refuge with me?
Zhao Kuangning said seriously: "The princes pay tribute to the imperial court. It is their duty. How can it be said that they are supporting the enemy and assisting thieves? It is precisely because they are incompatible with the thieves that they come to surrender."
Being able to put his feet in two boats and being capricious was so fresh and refined, which really impressed Yang Xingmi.
At that time, the Tang Dynasty was in decline, and the various vassal towns often failed to pay tribute. "Only Kuang Ning Kun Zhong... tributes were endless." It is an indisputable fact that the Zhao brothers actively paid tribute to the court. It is also true that Zhu Wen completely controlled the court, and all the so-called court tribute fell into Zhu Wen's pocket.
Based on this, Yang Xingmi accused him of "funding the enemy and assisting thieves", while Zhao Kuangning adopted a strategy of avoiding the important and ignoring the important, emphasizing that he was a good citizen who abided by the law.
The fact is that Zhao Kuangning stepped on the two boats of Zhu Wen and Yang Xingmi. On the one hand, in the name of fulfilling the tribute obligation of the feudal town, he paid "protection fees" to Zhu Wen openly. Zhu Wen praised Zhao Kuangning's loyalty to the emperor in the court. It was a tacit understanding between him and Zhu Wen that the imperial court gave Comrade Zhao Kuangning an official title as a reward. On the other hand, Zhao Kuangning went to Huainan in the east and had a close friendship with Yang Xing.
The Xiangzhou Loyalty Army where Zhao Kuangning was located was an important strategic location, so he became the target of Zhu Wen and Yang Xingmi's vying to win over, and he was able to play both sides between the two bosses.
The only thing I personally like about him is his status as a "bibliophile". Zhao Kuangning likes to collect books (I don't know if he also likes to read), and has thousands of volumes. When he evacuated Xiangzhou, he set a fire to burn down the military and government. Headquarters, but did not burn these books. After Yang Shihou entered the city, he transferred thousands of volumes of books to Bianzhou.
In any case, Yang Xingmi showed due tolerance and generosity to Zhao Kuangning. After all, Yang Xingmi, who was talented and resourceful, also wanted to set an example for the world, so he treated Zhao Kuangning favorably.
His younger brother Zhao Kuangming also planned to go east to Yang Xingmi. His son Zhao Chenggui used the story of the Zhuge Liang brothers to persuade him, saying that Zhuge Liang and his brother Zhuge Jin were divided between two countries, which has been passed down through the ages. Now if we all go to Huainan, we are afraid that Huainan will be suspicious.
Zhao Kuangming suddenly realized this, so he changed his route to the west, and finally defected to Wang Jian of Xichuan.
The Zhao brothers did not pay tribute to the Zhuge brothers forcibly, but out of practical considerations. Because of the huge difference in strength between Zhu Wen and Zhao Kuangning, Zhao Kuangning was defeated simply and quickly, and his strength was still intact, but his military morale and public opinion were still intact; while Zhao Kuangming escaped without fighting, and although his strength was weak, he was able to preserve all of it.
Let’s look at the internal situation of the Huainan Group: Yang Xingmi’s strength was originally not as good as Zhu Wen’s, but it has been weakened recently (Tian Kai, An Renyi, and Zhu Yanshou rebelled; Li Shenfu and Tai Meng died of illness); Yang Xingmi has been infected and is in poor health (only two He died of illness a month later); all of Yang Xingmi's disciples were ineffective and had no successors.
In this case, the Zhao brothers organized themselves into Huainan, saying they were seeking refuge, just in case... Chao Gai and others took advantage of the "Jie Shengchengang" to escape Wang Lun and robbed Liangshan.
Of course, Zhao Chenggui did not have the opportunity to read "Water Margin", but since he knew the Zhuge brothers, he should also know the story of Yuan Shao's two sons: Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi who defected to Liaodong Gongsun Kang.
A large-scale influx will only arouse the host's doubts. The result is either a dove occupying a magpie's nest or a sheep entering a tiger's mouth.
Later, Yang Xingmi's successor killed Zhao Kuangning, and Zhao Kuangming died a good death in Shu.
History is always surprisingly similar. Historical stories will not repeat themselves, but historical laws will repeat themselves again and again.
The great leader's comments about Zhu Wen hit the nail on the head and went deep into the bone marrow. They were "similar to Cao Cao." Zhu Wen paid tribute to Cao Cao in all aspects.
After Cao Cao destroyed Liu Biao in Jingzhou and pacified Jingxiang, he immediately went eastward and launched an attack on Sun Quan. He started the famous "Battle of Chibi" and was completely defeated. From then on, he did not dare to venture south of the Yangtze River;
Zhu Wen annexed the land of Jingxiang, and also coveted the land of Jianghuai to the east. He fought against everyone's opinions and marched eastward to Huainan, but finally returned in defeat.
[Three expeditions to Huainan]
Zhu Wen assembled a large army in Xiangzhou. The original plan was to conduct a military parade and then march to Bianzhou.
Zhu Wen wore a gorgeous military uniform, rode on a tall horse, and inspected his victorious army. I saw flags fluttering, covering the sky and the sun; helmets and armor shining brightly, dazzling and shining, as if they had great pride in their chests; their morale was high, and they were as angry as a tiger swallowing thousands of miles.
This scene made Zhu Wen intoxicated, his youthful hormones were infinitely stimulated, and the grand ambition in his chest seemed to be close before his eyes. Zhu Wen couldn't help shouting and going crazy.
"Expedition to Huainan!"
The wise man Jingxiang was one of the few people who was not dazzled by the victory. He quickly dissuaded him, saying that in less than a month, we had flattened two major towns, opened up thousands of miles of territory, and were powerful all over the world. We should cherish it. And use this prestige to defeat others at the negotiation table without fighting, thereby reaping greater political benefits instead of being aggressive and aggressive.
Jingxiang's words reflect his superb political wisdom and are in line with Zhu Wen's consistent opinions. It is in this way that the Zhu Wen Group gradually grows bigger.
But although Jingxiang is still the same Jingxiang, Zhu Wen is no longer the same Zhu Wen. It is true that great powers do not rely on power and tactics. In the past, it was a helpless move for the weak to fight vertically and horizontally. But now, who can stop me, Zhu Wen, from my iron hoof? What kind of political maneuvering and conspiracy... just do it!
As soon as the army set off from Xiangzhou, it encountered heavy rain. Winter had already entered at that time, the roads were muddy and the wind was biting. Because this Eastern Expedition was a temporary plan, we did not change into winter clothes in time. The logistics supplies were seriously insufficient. The army marched in the rain and suffered terribly. Before entering the territory of Huainan, A large number of soldiers fled within the Bian Army.
When he arrived at Guangzhou, the westernmost part of Huainan's power, Zhu Wen sent someone to tell Chai Zaiyong, the governor of Guangzhou, that as long as you surrender the city, he would appoint you as the governor of Caizhou, otherwise, he would massacre the city!
Caizhou is a prosperous and prosperous state, and it once served as the military headquarters of the Fengguo Army. At that time, Guangzhou was still a subordinate state of Caizhou, so the governor of Caizhou was promoted compared to the governor of Guangzhou.
On the one hand, Chai Zaiyong strengthened the alert, increased the number of guards, and prepared for battle. On the other hand, he personally climbed onto the city wall and talked sweetly as a delaying strategy.
He knelt down and kowtowed to Zhu Wen, respectfully, and begged: "Our Guangzhou city is small and our soldiers are few. We are really insignificant. It is not worth your troubles and troubles. If your Majesty conquers Shouzhou first, how dare I not do it?" Will you obediently open the city and surrender?"
Shouzhou is located east of Guangzhou and in the middle section of the Huaihe River. It is indeed a very important strategic location and one of the breakthrough points for the north to enter the Huaihe River. Zhu Wen had previously attacked Shouzhou with heavy troops, but Zhu Yanshou defeated the greater number with less.
Guangzhou is still far away from Shouzhou, almost crossing half of the Huainan war zone, so Zhu Wen will not fall into the trap of using firewood again. You're not surrendering, are you? Just wait to be massacred!
Chai Zaiyong closed the city gate tightly and defended the city. Zhu Wen had no choice but to adopt the most traditional method: siege.
In a war of attrition, those with fewer people consume less.
Zhu Wen led a large army deep into the enemy's territory, and encountered continuous winter rains. Naturally, he did not want to be hindered by a small Guangzhou. He picked up sesame seeds and lost the watermelons, which was not worth the gain. So after being besieged and intimidated for half a month, seeing that Guangzhou still had no intention of surrendering, he relieved the siege and headed east, really heading towards Shouzhou.
Just like this continuous winter rain, Zhu Wen's bad luck happened one after another.
Not far from Guangzhou, Zhu and Wen's army lost its way and "lost its way for more than a hundred miles." I don't know whether it was off course for more than a hundred miles or on the wrong road for more than a hundred miles. In short, love in the land of Huainan The magic power went around and around, and finally arrived at the foot of Shouzhou City.
Soldiers are valuable and quick.
Getting lost and rainy days seriously slowed down Zhu Wen's advance, and more than half a month of precious time was wasted in Guangzhou. When Zhu Wen finally found Shouzhou, the Huainan Army was fully prepared for battle, waiting for work and facing the battle. The result of Zhu Wen's army, which was exhausted by the division's old soldiers, was predictable.
Zhu Wen planned to build a camp around Shouzhou City, but found that there was not a single tree for miles around. The Huainan Army had already used this time to cut down the trees. Not only trees, houses and houses, food and drinking water... the so-called strong walls and clear fields will never leave any materials for the enemy to use. Back then, Yang Xingmi defeated Sun Ru through this move and thus captured Huainan. This was Yang Xingmi's special skill. , specifically dealing with foreign invaders.
It is difficult for a clever woman to cook without rice, so Zhu Wen had no choice but to temporarily retreat to the west.
After calming down, Zhu Wen also felt that this eastern expedition was too reckless, so he planned to cross Huaibei and return.
But when the army was crossing the Huaihe River, the insignificant Guangzhou Chai Zaiyong actually sent a death squad to "attack the thieves halfway across the river" and killed three thousand Bian troops. The captured military supplies were measured in tens of thousands. This made Zhu Wen furious and irritable.
Zhu Wen left Huainan in disgrace, declaring the failure of his third conquest of Huainan.
