Gu Xianxiong was shocked when he heard Zhao Gou's murderous words.
Kill the prisoners!
How can this work?
Gu Xianxiong was also a son of a wealthy family in Yangzhou. He was of noble birth, had a high vision, and was proud of himself. He did not take untouchables seriously. As Zhao Gou's counselor, Gu Xianxiong also knew that Zhao Gou didn't care about ordinary untouchables.
If killing the untouchables can achieve great things and win victory, Zhao Gou will definitely choose to suffer these untouchables. After all, the burden of the six counties of Yangzhou rests on Zhao Gou's shoulders.
But, not now!
Killing the escaped prisoners would have too great an impact and be very bad, and it would not do any good at the expense of oneself or others.
Gu Xianxiong looked serious and advised: "Your Majesty, you can't kill people, it will affect the morale of the army. If you kill the people who have escaped, it will make the rabbits die and the foxes will be sad. The army that followed the retreat will definitely be affected."
Zhao Gou looked doubtful and asked, "Is it that serious?"
Gu Xianxiong said quickly: "If you report back to the king, it will only be more serious. You killed the prisoners, and you played into Zhao Shan's hands. Because Zhao Shan arranged this, he actually wanted to kill people with a borrowed knife, and used us to kill the prisoners, which chilled the hearts of the soldiers."
"We were defeated for a while in Xiaji County. We suffered heavy losses and low morale. The officers and men in the army were afraid of Zhao Shan and did not dare to fight with him."
"Killing one of our own at this moment is equivalent to causing the soldiers to turn to Zhao Shan or collapse on their own."
Gu Xianxiong solemnly said: "No matter what, you cannot kill the escaped prisoners. This is the bottom line. Once you do, it will be difficult for the king to restore the defeated situation after people's hearts are broken."
After Zhao Gou heard this, his originally good mood collapsed again.
Fleeing back to the ferry during the day, Zhao Hua couldn't hide his anger when he saw that his army was defeated. Because of Gu Xianxiong's suggestion, Zhao Gou felt better when he saw a chance to win.
At least we can withdraw to Chaisang and implement the plan to lure the enemy deeper.
Now, Zhao Shan has done this again.
It's really disgusting.
Zhao Gou got angry and stood up, walked back and forth a few times, drew his sword from its sheath with a clang, cut off a corner of the desk in front of him, and cursed: "Zhao Shan has deceived people too much, I will kill him."
Gu Xianxiong said: "The king will definitely kill Zhao Shan."
Zhao Gou vented his anger and asked: "Tell me, what should we do? We can't kill the prisoners, but there may be Zhao Shan's people hiding among these prisoners. They want to inquire about our information and disturb our hearts. We How to solve it."
Gu Xianxiong smiled and said: "Your Majesty, this matter is actually not difficult, because the soldiers are private soldiers of each family. We don't need to take care of it. We only need to arrange for the generals at the grassroots level to investigate."
"in spite of?"
Zhao Gou said in a deep voice: "Are you sure you can do it?"
Gu Xianxiong said: "It will definitely work!"
Zhao Gou asked: "Why?"
In order to win Zhao Gou's trust, Gu Xianxiong explained: "The reason why it is possible is very simple. Our next plan is to retreat from Chaisang and lure Zhao Shan deeper. Regardless of whether there is an informant from Zhao Shan in our army or not. , it will not affect the overall situation."
"Even if there is, what information can be investigated? Even if there is, can it affect the war?"
"It has no impact."
"As long as Zhao Shan's army enters Yangzhou and reaches Chaisang Water Village, the situation will be reversed, and our advantage in large numbers will be transformed into a real trump card."
"For example, during the battle in Xiazhi County, we went to attack Xiazhi County and encountered the resistance of Modao Camp. It is undeniable that Modao Camp is brutal and domineering, invincible, and can be said to be unrivaled."
"But we have many soldiers, enough to block the other side. Without the support of Zhao Shan's Xuanjia Army, even if Modao Camp is powerful, under the human sea tactics, the people of Modao Camp can be completely wiped out."
Gu Xianxiong said: "When we arrived at Chaisang, Zhao Shan's cavalry was like a tiger without its claws and fangs. It was completely blind. At that time, we can counterattack. Don't think about the strategy, just defeat the attack of the ten societies with one force. Zhao Shan What effect can a little bit of eyeliner from Shan do? Of course, I will also notify people from each family to conduct a strict investigation."
Zhao Gou thought carefully.
It seems so.
That's doable.
Zhao Gou no longer had any doubts in his mind and ordered: "Gu Qing's suggestion is very reasonable, so we have arranged it. You should arrange it as soon as possible, clean up all the prisoners properly, and also conduct careful investigation and identification."
"I accept your order!"
Gu Xianxiong answered with his hands raised.
He was relieved in his heart. He finally solved a problem and would not kill the soldiers who had escaped indiscriminately.
Gu Xianxiong stood up and walked out, but as soon as he reached the door, Zhao Gou's voice came back from behind him: "Wait a minute!"
Gu Xianxiong turned around and saluted: "What else does your Majesty have to say?"
Zhao Gou said: "Gu Qing, I have forgotten one thing. We are stationed at the ferry. Could you please tell me, how long will we stay at the ferry? What kind of protection will we take during this period? During the day, what kind of protection will we have? However, I didn’t think about it carefully, so I just thought about it now.”
Gu Xianxiong said without hesitation: "Your Majesty, we adopt a strategy of defense and attack. We must stay for at least five or six days, or more. During the defense period, we arrange horses, antlers, or sprinkle more caltrops. , to prevent Zhao Shan’s army from coming.”
"This is a defensive strategy."
"If Zhao Shan comes to attack in advance and the opportunity is right, we can also take advantage of the situation to retreat, and it will be a logical retreat."
"In short, just adapt to circumstances."
"In order for us to retreat smoothly, we must prepare enough warships in advance to ensure a smooth retreat, and warn the rear that no more food is needed. In addition, the stored food must be sent away one after another."
"We are evacuating. We don't need much food at the Xiaji County Ferry. If we don't transport it, it will be easier for Zhao Shan. In addition, the armor and equipment stored in the army must be sent away in advance."
Gu Xianxiong talked eloquently and said quickly: "Let all these things be arranged properly. Once the opportunity and time come, and the king gives the order, we can retreat in one go."
"Yeah!"
Zhao Gou nodded one after another.
His mood improved again, and he waved his hand and said: "Gu Qing will handle the matter of the prisoners with full authority on my behalf."
"I accept your order!"
Gu Xianxiong turned around and left.
He left the flagship where Zhao Gou lived, and went to convene the generals of each clan to discuss matters overnight. He ordered the generals of each clan to fly their own flags, absorb all the escaped prisoners, and at the same time check whether there were any spies who had sneaked in.
Gu Xianxiong only had time to rest after all arrangements were made.
Now Zhao Gou is on the defensive side. There are many rivers nearby and the cavalry cannot attack them. In addition, sentries have been deployed to keep an eye on them. Gu Xianxiong has nothing to worry about.
Over the course of one night, people from various families in Yangzhou were absorbing the escaped prisoners. After checking them all, they all matched up, and there were no soldiers mixed in.
The generals of each family gathered the news to Gu Xianxiong's ears, and Gu Xianxiong was also a little surprised.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Shan actually released the prisoners.
Gu Xianxiong ignored it and summoned his generals to arrange blockades along the way and arrange the defense of the camp.
The Yangzhou soldiers acted quickly, spreading caltrops in the area leading to the ferry in Xiazhi County, and deployed horses and antlers to block the way of the army.
Zhao Shan must clear these if he wants to attack.
Just clearing these obstacles on the official road would take a lot of time, leaving enough time for Zhao Gou to evacuate.
After Zhao Gou made adjustments, Zhao Shan's sentinels also discovered the situation and sent the news back to Xiazhi County.
After Zhao Shan figured out Zhao Gou's arrangement, he called Fang Weihu and told him about Zhao Gou's arrangement of horses, deer antlers, etc., and said in a deep voice: "Fang Qing, you said that Zhao Gou is now fully defensive and has not evacuated. Is that right?" What does that mean?"
Fang Weihu thought for a while and said: "Your Majesty, without knowing clearly the specific arrangements of Zhao Gou, I cannot make a conclusion. Should we go to the vicinity of the ferry in Xiaji County and take a look at the distance from a high place?"
"Just what I wanted!"
Zhao Shan had a smile on his face.
Only by exploring at close range can we understand the situation clearly.
After Zhao Shan changed his disguise, he took more than ten Xuanjia troops with him, and then left Xiaji County on horseback, heading out of the city towards the ferry.
More than ten miles away from the ferry in Xiaji County, there are a large number of horses, antlers, and caltrops. However, Zhao Shan and his party were only about ten people, and there were not too many people, so the journey was easy and they could easily avoid most of the obstacles.
Horses and deer antlers are placed on the official road, not in a dense arrangement. To span more than ten miles, it is impossible to be too dense and sparsely arranged, specifically to block the movement of large-scale cavalry.
There are few people in Zhao Shan, so you can pass slowly by pulling over.
The group of people walked a certain distance and came to a hill near the ferry in Xiaji County.
Looking from a distance, you can see the ferry in the distance.
I couldn't see the people clearly, but I could see the boats coming in and out, and I could see the nearby camps.
Zhao Shan and Fang Weihu observed carefully.
The two of them kept staring. After observing for a long time, Zhao Shan suddenly said: "Fang Qing, you stared at Zhao Gou's camp and the fortress at the crossing. Did you find any problem?"
Fang Weihu smiled and said: "Your Majesty, I have indeed discovered a problem."
Zhao Shanxiao asked: "What's the problem?"
Fang Weihu replied: "At the Shuizhai Ferry on the Linjiang River in Zhao Gou, warships kept leaving one after another. This is strange."
Zhao Shan nodded, with a smile on his face: "Fang Qing is right, I have also discovered this problem. Zhao Gou's army is coming to the ferry, thousands of sails are racing, tens of thousands of ships are coming, some are transporting armor and equipment. Some were transporting food, some were transporting soldiers, and they were very loud."
"Now, we have started to go back."
"Are you going to retreat?"
"We are in Xiaji County and have not pursued or attacked Zhao Gou for the time being. Why would he suddenly retreat? Of course, it is reasonable to say that Zhao Gou was afraid and wanted to retreat in advance."
"The problem is that he seems to be retreating, but he also adopts a defensive posture and hides. If he really wants to retreat, we will not pursue him, and we will not be able to cover him up. He can leave with his soldiers calmly, so why do he arrange a retreat secretly?"
Zhao Shan said in a deep voice: "Does Zhao Gou have any other ideas? Or is there any conspiracy?"
Fang Weihu's eyes were thinking, and he was thinking quickly about countermeasures.
Zhao Shan said in a deep voice: "There is definitely a reason for Zhao Gou's change. Maybe this is the problem."
Fang Weihu thought for a while and said: "Your Majesty, we started a battle with Zhao Gou yesterday and chased him all the way to the ferry in Xiazhi County. Because of the extensive water network and too many paddy fields, we did not pursue him, which resulted in missing the opportunity to annihilate Zhao Gou. "
"This is our weakness."
"If we fight head-on, especially in open areas, no matter how many troops Zhao Gou has, there will be nothing we can do against us. We will only be defeated."
"If Zhao Gou wants to defeat us, he must find another way."
"It just so happens that there are many rivers and paddy fields that are not conducive to cavalry and Modao camp's formation. This is Zhao Gou's only chance."
Fang Weihu analyzed it carefully. The more he analyzed it, the more his eyes sparkled.
Suddenly, a flash of light flashed across Fang Weihu's mind, a bright smile appeared on his face, and he said, "Your Majesty, I may understand."
Zhao Shan asked: "What does Fang Qing mean?"
Fang Weihu explained: "Zhao Gou has understood our weaknesses through the retreat. Even if Zhao Gou is not clear about it, Zhao Gou's advisers must also be aware of it."
"With this discovery, Zhao Gou was unwilling to fail and wanted to fight back."
"Zhao Gou's only chance to counterattack His Majesty is to weaken the Xuanjia Army and Modao Camp, and then he can use the human sea tactic to win."
"To reach this point, we cannot fight outside Xiazhi County. We must move the battlefield to the territory of Yangzhou. If Zhao Gou retreats directly and we do not catch up for the time being, Zhao Gou will not be able to achieve the effect of luring the enemy in depth and then counterattack."
"I concluded that Zhao Gou temporarily stayed at the ferry in Xiaji County and deliberately arranged such things as horses and antlers to deliberately block us, provoke us, and prompt us to attack."
Fang Weihu said: "When we move away the blocking equipment and the army arrives at the ferry to attack, Zhao Gou will most likely take advantage of the situation and pretend failure to evacuate Xiaji County to lure our army into Yangzhou. Your Majesty wants to recapture Yangzhou again. We will definitely not let go of such an offensive opportunity.”
Zhao Shan praised: "Fang Qing said it well."
Fang Weihu continued: "Of course, the current analysis is just a judgment after I discovered that many ships have left. To really finalize it, we need to arrange another naval investigation. If it is determined that what Zhao Gou sent away was materials and equipment, Zhao Gou will Definitely waiting for us to attack.”
Zhao Shan said in a deep voice: "Leave this matter to Qi Yuanjing and ask him to mobilize troops to investigate."
Fang Weihu said: "I hope so."
Zhao Shan continued to ask: "If Zhao Gou chooses the strategy of pretending to retreat and luring the enemy deeper, is there a strategy to defeat the enemy?"
"Of course!"
Fang Weihu replied without hesitation: "If Zhao Gou is really like this, I think your Majesty should win in one go. Our chance to completely annihilate Zhao Gou has appeared."
Zhao Shan asked: "Fang Qing's plan to make peace?"
"Fire attack!"
Fang Weihu answered decisively.
The pupils in Zhao Shan's eyes shrank slightly, and he instantly thought of the fire attack, and praised: "Fang Qing's strategy is indeed brilliant!"
Fang Weihu said: "First, Zhao Gou has too many troops and horses, which means too many warships are needed. Once they retreat, they will be densely packed across the river."
"This is a basic condition for fire attack."
"Second, the weather is getting warmer and warmer, and the wind is strong on the river. Once the wind direction is right, our ships will catch fire and take advantage of the wind. Once the fire goes down, Zhao Gou's warships will be set on fire one after another, and there will be no way to escape."
Fang Weihu said solemnly: "These two conditions alone are enough to use the fire attack."
Zhao Shan became anxious and stopped staying. He ordered: "Fang Qing, we will return immediately and let Qi Yuanjing arrange for people to quickly find out the news. At the same time, prepare for the fire attack."
Fang Weihu nodded.
The group of people quickly left the hill, disappeared on the official road, and headed straight to the county seat of Xiazhi County.
