Dust clouds were rolling over Handan. As soon as Zhao Yong arrived at the school grounds, it began to rain heavily. Thunder and lightning flashed in the clouds. Big raindrops poured on the earthen dam. The splashing water was intertwined with the dust that had not yet subsided. Together, with the sound of uniform footsteps, they merged into a beautiful note.
Zhao Yong's robe and bun were instantly wet by the rain. He looked at the scene around him. The soldiers who were about to go on an expedition maintained an orderly formation in the wind and rain. There was no confusion at all under the rain.
Zhao Yong believed that this army had undergone severe military training for several months, and even if they encountered worse things on the battlefield, they would not be affected, let alone a burst of rain.
At this time, the soldiers' eyes were burning, as if they were expecting something.
These 15,000 new infantry and cavalry troops were the last troops to rush to the front line.
The news that Qi's army was surrounded was like a signal.
However, Zhao Guo's plan had been set long ago, and the progress of things suddenly accelerated.
In addition to Xing Xiang's army who was on guard against Zhongshan's change of heart, the main battle force dispatched by Zhao in this battle exceeded 100,000. If the civilian men recruited to transport the baggage were added in, the total was about 300,000!
The scale was so large that it even exceeded the total number of troops that participated in the Battle of Hangu a few years ago. But the Battle of Hangu was a joint battle between the three Jins, and only the Zhao army fought against the main force of Qi in this battle.
In order to win this crucial battle, the troops and horses in several counties in the southeast of Zhao State were almost completely wiped out! Zhao Yong ordered Lian Cheng that in the event of the Zhongshan Incident, he would rely on the Hutuo River and dangerous terrain for defense; if he encountered an attack in Zhongshan, he would delay as much time as possible to gain an opportunity for a decisive battle with the main force.
Fortunately, there was only one incident at this time: Zhongshan.
After spending such a price and even risking the fate of the country, Zhao had only one purpose, which was to completely destroy Qi's dream of becoming a hegemon and eliminate the biggest stumbling block for Zhao's army to move south.
Looking at the current battle situation, the Gaotang Qi army led by Tian Ji on the Jishui front line has been surrounded by Wei, Han, and Qin; the Qi armies in Jimo and Pinglu are restrained by Yue and Song Dynasty and dare not move lightly; and the only ally, The main force of the Chu army was thousands of miles away on the Western Front battlefield.
If the State of Qi does not want to lose all the territory in the southwest to its enemies, it has no choice but to send the Qi army from Yan State back for reinforcements. Especially when Qi State didn't know that Zhao State was targeting itself, it became inevitable to give up the land of Yan.
When Zhao Yong was discussing with Zhu Wenwu, roughly speaking, the advantage now lies with his own side. Zhao should try to avoid changes, invest as much force as possible in the battle, and annihilate the main force of Qi's returning reinforcements as soon as possible. However, considering the issues of marching and supply, we should avoid elongating the front line and at the same time force the Qi army to take the lead in launching a general offensive.
Therefore, he roughly adopted the strategy formulated by Su Qin. An army of hundreds of thousands divided into two armies by waterway. He divided 30,000 troops across the river from Guanjin to Rao'an (Yanshan County, Hebei Province) to cut off the retreat of the Qi army. 30,000 infantry and cavalry were temporarily dealt with. Scattered Qi army reinforcements were enough; the main force took advantage of Gaotang's emptiness, captured Gaotang, and pushed straight to Linzi, forcing the main force of the Qi army led by Kuang Zhang to fight decisively with our own side.
If everything goes well, Zhao Jun has chosen the final burial place of the Qi army, Maiqiu (Shanghe County, Shandong Province)!
After inspecting the army, Zhao Yong stood on the high platform, watching the crowd and slowly running towards the distant battlefield.
He seemed to see the cruel war in the distance, mercilessly devouring his people; he seemed to see his mother and newlywed wife looking forward to it on the window sill. How many good men will be wiped out in this war, and how many will be able to return safely? Can relatives at home look forward to the return of their old friend?
Siluke
Maybe it's because he became a father and had a new identity. Whenever he was separated from life or death, he would always express some emotion...
At this time, outside the military camp, a rider suddenly came running in the rain from the direction of Handan.
As the knight approached, he immediately got off his horse, knelt in front of Zhao Yong, and said, "Your Majesty, Dr. Su Dai has returned from Yandi, and is waiting outside the palace."
When Zhao Yong heard this, his expression changed slightly, and he immediately ordered: "Go back to the palace!" He then took the reins from his entourage and took the lead in riding towards Handan City.
The other guards also shouted and chased after him.
Not long after Su Dai entered Handan with the Yan clan, he was sent to Yan again by Zhao Yong.
After Su Qin returned to Zhao, his younger brother Su Dai indirectly provided Zhao with a lot of news about Yan.
It was not until later that things changed in Yan. Ji Hui may also know Su Dai's position, so he made a desperate plan to support him.
Today's Su Dai, although on the surface he is still the most important minister of King Yan, he has actually become a minister of Zhao.
Queen Yan Boying may have known Su Dai's position for a long time. It is not difficult to see from her gradual alienation from Su Dai.
But this was all tacit and no one could say it out loud. After all, mother and son still relied on Zhao Yong. If the Yan State wants to revive the country, it will undoubtedly be a foolish dream without the support of the Zhao State.
Zhao Yong rode his horse and ran straight towards Longtai Palace. The group of people rode horses in the rain for a long time. When they returned to Longtai, they were all soaked, like a drowned rat.
"Hey!" He stopped his horse, moved his body to the ground vigorously, and walked into the palace. He first asked the palace attendants to change his clothes. After changing into fresh clothes, he felt much more comfortable. Then he summoned Su Dai in the assembly hall. When I met Su Dai, he was still very dry. It must not have rained yet when he arrived in Handan.
When Su Dai saw Zhao Yong entering the palace, he quickly stood up and bowed: "My lord, I'd like to pay my respects to the king."
Zhao Yong waved his hand, motioning for the other party to sit down, and then said first: "How is Yandi?"
Su Dai bowed and said: "Before I returned, the Qi army led by Kuang Zhang had withdrawn from Jidu. Guo Wei led the nobles to seize control of Jidu and Dukang. Now they are discussing to welcome the return of Queen Yan and Prince Yan. country."
Zhao Yong secretly breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this.
The activities of the Su Dynasty in the Yan region were to gather anti-Qi forces in the name of Queen Yan, and Zhao Guolai was naturally responsible for providing money and food behind the scenes.
Now that Kuang Zhang has withdrawn his troops, it means that Zhao Guo's plan has been completed. He couldn't help but feel a wave of anticipation in his heart. Counting the time, the Qi army has now begun to forcefully cross the Yellow River.
What was a little bit beyond his expectation was that the remnants of Yandi's army captured Dukang in one fell swoop after Kuangzhang's main force retreated. There is also Guo Wei. According to the intelligence from the Metropolitan Procuratorate, this Guo family is the mainstay of the loyal Yan royal family.
It seems that he has to re-examine the country of Yan, which is about to put things right.
After Zhao Yong pondered for a moment, he said: "Doctor, you have had a hard time on this trip. Soon I will summon Queen Yan and Prince Ping, and then I will recommend you to be the Prime Minister of Yan."
Su Dai's face remained unchanged and he bowed respectfully: "I will obey the king's order."
Zhao Yong nodded slightly: "Doctor, please go down and rest first. I will discuss matters with you later."
"Here." Su Dai said goodbye immediately and walked out of the meeting hall.
After Su Dai left, Zhao Yong sat on the king's couch and meditated for a while. After feeling a little chill on his body, he got up and walked out of the palace. Although summer has arrived, the temperature difference in Handan is still a bit big after the rain.
He left the Deyi Hall and headed towards the Greenhouse Hall where Queen Ji Yao was.
Zhao Yong did not plan to go to the front line in person during this battle, but in order to prevent changes in Zhongshan, he was still prepared to rush to Guanjin to respond better and faster. The war is about to begin, so he still has to be gentle with his wife and children.
