Zhao Shan and Fang Weihu exchanged simple greetings, and then invited Fang Weihu to sit down in the Chinese army's tent.
Zhao Shan looked curious, with a soft expression, and asked with a smile: "Mr. Fang said there is a strategy to defeat the enemy, what is it?"
Fang Weihu said neither humble nor arrogantly: "The key to Xianbei's tyranny in the Northern Wei Dynasty is the cavalry. If the cavalry can be defeated, the remaining infantry will not be a concern, and the war will become easy."
Zhao Shan nodded and said, "So, how to defeat the cavalry?"
Fang Weihu said confidently: "The cavalry of the Northern Wei Dynasty depends on the war horses. If the war horses run wild and no longer stay in the pasture, the problem will be solved. According to the news I heard, Tuoba Shao brought almost all male horses and all the females. Breed in the rear.”
"really?"
Zhao Shan had a look of surprise in his eyes.
Fang Weihu explained: "The Fang family has business channels between Youzhou and the Northern Wei Dynasty, and they happened to buy horses from the Northern Wei Dynasty. This year, the shopkeeper of the Fang family purchased mare horses from the Northern Wei Dynasty, intending to use them to breed horses."
"Unexpectedly, those who have agreed to sell mares in the past have refused this year."
"The news given by the Northern Wei Dynasty is that there are more wars and there is a great demand for war horses. All the mares this year will be kept in the Northern Wei Dynasty, and only male horses can be sold."
Fang Weihu said confidently: "Although the news is ordinary, it also reveals a lot of information."
Zhao Shan admired: "Mr. Fang's plan is to attract the stallions of the Northern Wei Dynasty?"
Fang Weihu said with a smile: "After the spring begins in March, the yang energy grows and all things revive. This is true for humans, and it is the same for animals. Now that we have entered April, the war horses are naturally still restless, and they are all about to be bred during the estrus period."
"At this time, the war horses of the Northern Wei Dynasty can easily stir up emotions."
"His Majesty arranged for countless mares and ponies to approach the Northern Wei camp and beat the mares and ponies continuously, forcing the mares to neigh, which would inevitably arouse the restlessness of the Northern Wei war horses."
"The horses have collapsed, and the Northern Wei Dynasty has no cavalry available. Your Majesty will go all out and mobilize all the troops to destroy the Northern Wei camp. You can win this battle and even cover up the opponent."
Fang Weihu said loudly: "Poor information is the key to victory."
"Wonderful!"
Zhao Shan also had a look of admiration in his eyes.
As expected of Fang Weihu.
There is such a different strategy.
Zhao Shan looked at Wei Polu and asked, "Mr. Wei, can you make arrangements?"
"Promise it's okay!"
Wei Polu answered without hesitation.
As a military general, especially a veteran who has experienced hundreds of battles, Wei Polu was also amazed by the strategy proposed by Fang Weihu. It was indeed ingenious, and there were multiple reasons for it to be implemented.
Wei Polu got up and went to make arrangements.
Zhao Shan looked at Fang Weihu, stopped talking in circles, and said straight to the point: "Mr. Fang, I lack a military advisor by my side. I don't know, Mr. Fang, would you be willing to deign to stay?"
"I am willing to serve His Majesty."
Fang Weihu saluted without any hesitation.
This has been planned for a long time.
In front of the emperor, there is no need to put on airs, let alone any scheming?
Zhao Shan was happy in his heart and immediately said: "According to the military advisor's plan, it is not difficult to defeat the Northern Wei Dynasty. What does the military advisor think about the next situation with the Northern Wei Dynasty and the domestic situation?"
Fang Weihu's eyes were calm, and he said calmly: "The battle between His Majesty and Tuoba Shao, I suggest that it be done in moderation. In one sentence, the Northern Wei was beaten painfully, and the stability of the Northern Wei was destroyed for several years."
"In the next few years, the Northern Wei Dynasty will not dare to use weapons again."
"War is not the ultimate goal. War is just a process and an extension of politics. So wars today are not fought for meritorious service. They are fought to protect the homeland and the country, to enable the people to live a good life and make the country stable."
"After your Majesty wins, he will temporarily cease fighting with the Northern Wei Dynasty, and then turn to deal with the people in the country."
"Only when the country is unified can we have the possibility of conquering foreign countries and destroy the surrounding barbarians."
“Without domestic stability, we cannot expand.”
Fang Weihu's eyes were bright and he said loudly: "In a word, to deal with foreign affairs, we must first settle the domestic affairs. This is the basis for what Your Majesty wants to do."
Zhao Shan praised and said: "I also deeply believe in the military advisor's plan. It's a pity that I just met you sir."
Fang Weihu felt Zhao Shan's importance and further said: "It is foreseeable that your Majesty will start a war with the Northern Wei Dynasty. People with ulterior motives in the country will definitely take advantage of the situation to cause chaos. Will your Majesty respond?"
Zhao Shan talked about the court's response, as well as the arrangements for Qin Zhong to guard Chencang, Wei Fengqing to guard Hulao, and Yue Feipeng's march north from Xingyang to garrison the border of Jizhou, and said: "Does the military advisor think this arrangement is appropriate?"
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
Fang Weihu said with emotion: "Your Majesty has thought carefully. Qin Zhong and Yue Feipeng are good generals of the country. I have heard of their names for a long time. It is a pity that these two generals have not been reused before. With your Majesty, they can shine."
"With them at the rear, at least in the imperial capital of Luoyang, safety should not be a problem."
"Although Tuoba Shao is powerful, he was actually able to defeat Da Gan once, only when he encountered a group of losers. When Tuoba Shao met General Wei, he was beaten and fled in panic."
"There were no heroes at that time, so Zhuzi became famous, and only Tuoba Shao became the military god of the Northern Wei Dynasty."
"Tuoba Shao is good at defense and forbearance, but not good at offense, unlike General Wei who invades like fire. Your Majesty's eyes cannot be limited to the Northern Wei Dynasty, but must further fall on Zhao Fan, the King of Wei in Jizhou."
"After the truce with the Northern Wei Dynasty, he quickly sent his army south and destroyed Zhao Fan with thunderous force."
A flash of light flashed across Fang Weihu's eyes, and he said loudly: "After destroying Zhao Fan, Your Majesty will have the wealth of Jizhou and the strong soldiers of Youzhou. Moreover, Jizhou, Youzhou and Sili areas are united together, and the foundation is solid, so that we can make further progress." Destroy other independent kings."
Zhao Shan nodded and said: "The strategic direction of the military advisor is excellent. If we want to deploy our troops in Jizhou in advance, what direction do we have?"
Fang Weihu said quickly: "There are also loyal ministers in Jizhou. For example, Jizhou Biejia Wang Chengzhong, Jizhou Zuo General Hou Yong, are all loyal to the court. The premise is that your majesty wins the battle with the Northern Wei Dynasty, so that these people can see the hope of your majesty's holy king coming to the court. "
Zhao Shan agreed: "The military advisor is right. We must be strong. We have won the battle and let others see the hope of victory. Otherwise, there is no basic chance of winning, so what else can we talk about?"
Fang Weihu said: "Your Majesty is wise!"
After Zhao Shan and Fang Weihu decided on their strategy, they calmed down and prepared.
Three days passed in a blink of an eye.
In the morning of this day, Wei Polu hurried to the Chinese army's tent and urgently reported: "Your Majesty, I have gathered many mares and ponies, a total of three thousand."
"Next, you can mobilize all the soldiers and horses to attack Tuoba Shao head-on to attract Tuoba Shao's attention. Then, bring the war horses from the side and approach the Northern Wei camp, forcing the mares and ponies to neigh and attract the attention of the Northern Wei Dynasty. The war horses are restless."
Wei Polu looked forward to it: "Everything is ready."
Zhao Shan's eyes flashed and he ordered: "Send the order to assemble the army and send troops to defeat Tuoba Shao."
"As you command!"
Wei Polu immediately went to make arrangements.
The army moved quickly. Under the leadership of Zhao Shan, all the troops including Xuanjia Army and Wei Polu headed towards Tuoba Shao's camp. In addition, Wei Polu arranged for Jin Wuwei to be responsible for the three thousand mares and ponies alone.
The army arrived outside Tuoba Shao's camp. Tuoba Shao had already received the news and was waiting in person at the gate of the camp.
Tuoba Shao looked at Zhao Shan who was coming to kill him, waited for Zhao Shan's army to form an array, and said provocatively: "Zhao Shan, I have been waiting for you for a long time. I have more than 80,000 elite soldiers, strong soldiers and horses, and tight guards. No matter the weather or the weather, I have been waiting for you for a long time. The geographical advantage, the people and the people are all on my side. In this battle, no matter how you say it, the advantage is mine!"
