The messenger was killed!
The news reached the Jinling Martial Arts Hall as soon as possible, and Zhao Hong, who was meeting with the generals, was shocked, and his face instantly darkened.
"I...you are so stupid..."
The word "Master" finally didn't come out of his mouth. Zhao Hong's face was livid, he slapped the table and stood up. He walked to the window and looked at the teaching field outside, motionless.
Where did this Li Quan come from with such murderous intent?
Why did he kill the envoy of the Song Dynasty?
Could it be that the Song Dynasty court cut off its food and salary supply, which led to civil strife in the Chuzhou Loyalty Army and his two sons were killed?
"Your Majesty, Li Quan defected to the Tatars and recruited troops. Now his troops are strong and his intention to go south is very obvious. I think that in the next few days, Li Quan will invade south and a war will break out in Yangzhou."
Du Gao took a few steps forward and whispered behind Zhao Hong.
Zhao Hong turned around, glanced at Du Gao, and patted his shoulder affectionately, which was meaningful.
"Du Qing, you are a master of defensive warfare. I am asking you to defend Yangzhou. You are overqualified and underused. I am wronging you!"
"Your Majesty has given you too much praise, but I dare not live up to it."
Du Gao's face turned red and he quickly became humble.
There is no one in Huaixi who is more handsome than Du Gao. This is the best evaluation of Du Gao by people at that time.
In history, Mongolia destroyed the Jin Dynasty and overpowered the Song Dynasty. The two famous generals of the Southern Song Dynasty, Meng Gong, were able to conquer the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers and recapture the cities in Dengzhou, Xiangyang, and became famous all over the world. In the siege of Luzhou, Du Gao used thousands of Song troops to resist hundreds of thousands of Mongol troops, preventing them from advancing at all. He fought several battles with the Mongol army and found it difficult to lose.
What's more, this man is also an "invention madman". He invents all kinds of enemy equipment on the battlefield, which makes the Mongolian army suffer a lot. He can be called the "Edison" of the Southern Song Dynasty.
There is no strength or weakness in a country, only people do it. Talent is the fundamental determinant of war. Unfortunately, the Southern Song Dynasty was politically corrupt, inherently deficient, and had too many shortcomings. It finally killed itself.
"Your Majesty, Li Quan wants to capture Yangzhou and control the north of the Yangtze River before winter. Once the Tatar army moves south, it can directly enter the Jianghuai River and threaten the south of the Yangtze River. I ask your majesty to issue an order for our army to attack from the north and south and use both land and water to destroy Li Quan. This bitch!"
Another fierce general, Meng Gong, came up to ask for orders and had another opinion.
This historical war god of the Southern Song Dynasty made immortal contributions to the Southern Song Dynasty. He faced off with the Mongolian army between Jinghu and Sichuan with a lone army, and became the mainstay of the Southern Song Dynasty. Meng Gong died and the Song Dynasty became unstoppable.
Coupled with Yu Jie, there are so many strong men. It is a pity that the Southern Song Dynasty destroyed the Great Wall and wasted it in vain.
"Your Majesty, Li Quan has been causing harm to our Huainan border area in the Song Dynasty for a long time. Your Majesty, please issue an order to destroy this thief immediately. Our Navy of the Coastal Rearrangement Department is willing to be the vanguard!"
Wu Qian was the same and asked for orders generously.
Li Quan had tens of thousands of troops and hundreds of naval warships. To defeat Li Quan, we must advance both by land and water.
Attack from the north and south, use both water and land, and succeed with one blow.
It seems that these generals coincide with what they want. Huainan cannot continue to be in chaos, and Li Quan cannot be allowed to continue to be in chaos.
"The upper class defends Sichuan, and the river must defend the Huaihe River. I have tried my best, but it is a pity that people's hearts are unpredictable."
Zhao Hong sighed helplessly.
He was sincere and kept his attitude very low. He wanted Huaidong to avoid a war. It seemed to be a whim. He gave Li Quan a chance. Since the other party didn't cherish it and cut himself off from the people, they could only fight each other.
How can you allow others to snore and sleep on the side of the couch? Li Quan was domineering, and he might be able to turn a blind eye, but he couldn't bear it when Li Quan defected to Mongolia.
Just because Li Quangan served as a pawn for the Mongolian army and conquered the south of the Yangtze River, he deserved his death. He still wanted to cross the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers and wait for an opportunity to go south. Did he really think that the Song Dynasty was the coward of the past?
"Your Majesty, Chuzhou is our territory of the Song Dynasty. How can we tolerate Li Quan occupying it and poisoning the people? Your Majesty, please send troops to destroy Li Quan, take back Chuzhou, and restore peace to Huaidong!"
Meng Gong asked for orders again.
In his opinion, it was completely unnecessary for the imperial court to send envoys to Chuzhou. How could Li Quan's ambition be dismissed with just a show of glory and wealth? Just send troops to start the work.
"I just want the people to avoid the devastation of war and preserve some vitality for Huaidong. Chuzhou is under my rule in the Song Dynasty. Once the swords and soldiers meet, the people will be in dire straits. Li Quan, Li Quan, I will get rid of him!"
Such a "cancer" created by the Southern Song Dynasty court and the current situation can only be solved with fists.
"Bring in the sand table from Huainan East Road."
The sand table was brought in, and after the splicing was completed, the topographic map of Huainan East Road came alive and appeared in front of everyone.
"Du Gao, if Li Quan kills the envoy, he will definitely move south. Yangzhou and Taizhou are already the front lines. With tens of thousands of elites on the Huainan East Road, can they hold the front line of Yangzhou and Taizhou?"
Zhao Hong pointed to the line from Yangzhou to Taizhou on the sand table and said to Du Gao, the envoy of Huainan East Road.
Li Quan went south and faced Yangzhou. Du Gao's Huaidong Frontier Army was the main force in the battle.
"Your Majesty, I still don't look down on the mere tens of thousands of enemy troops. I am willing to issue a military order to ensure that the front line in Yangzhou and Taizhou is safe and sound."
Du Gao looked at the sand table and pointed at the coastline, never forgetting to remind him.
"Your Majesty, all of Li's navy, including hundreds of large and small warships, are concentrated on the Yancheng line. My navy can only fight in the inland rivers. If Li's navy goes south from the sea, it will need the assistance of the navy of the Coastal Warfare Department to protect the sea. Security of Yangzhou flank."
"Du Gao, you have thought carefully."
Zhao Hong nodded with satisfaction and pointed to the Yangzhou line.
"Du Gao, how do you plan to arrange Yangzhou City's defense line?"
An inch is longer and a ruler is shorter. You decide your strategy yourself, but leave it to these more professional generals to decide on tactics.
"Your Majesty, I plan to set up defenses in the north of Yangzhou City and fight the Mongolian army in the field. Let Du Shu and Xiang Shibi serve as infantry and cavalry commanders. They will command 20,000 infantry, 8,000 cavalry, 2,000 artillery, and 30,000 troops to hold back Li The whole army. Let Nie Bin lead the Yangzhou Navy to snipe Li Quan's westward-moving navy at a section of the Yangzhou East Canal."
Du Gao pointed to the west of the Grand Canal on the sand table and continued:
"Once the two armies are in a stalemate, I will lead my troops to deploy defenses west of the canal in the section from Yangzhou to Gaoyou, and wait and see. With General Meng cutting off the Huaihe River, I will definitely be able to kill the Mongolian army this time."
The loyal army has become the Mongolian army, and there is no need to show any mercy to the enemy or ourselves.
"Du Gao, you are the commander-in-chief, and the Yangzhou front will be arranged as you said. Du Shu, obey Shibi's orders, and you must repel Li Quan!"
Zhao Hong looked at Du Shu and Xiang Shibi who were eager to try. The two graduates of Jinling Martial Arts Hall clasped their fists and saluted together.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to issue a military order to repel Li's entire Yuan army, otherwise I will accept military law!"
"Your Majesty, I am also willing to issue a military order to prevent Li Quan from taking another step south, otherwise I will come to see you!"
Du Shu and Xiang Shibi stood up one after another and asked for a fight.
"Du Shu, Xiang Shibi, I'm waiting to see your performance. Don't care about the level of your position, or personal gains and losses. I work hard to restore the former glory of the Central Plains Dynasty, and make the country strong and the people prosperous. You are all I, the pillar of the Song Dynasty, have many opportunities to make contributions."
Du Shu is the son of Du Gao. He is calm and bold, with the air of a general. Xiang Shibi is a man of eight talents. Both of them are famous generals in history. They are both arrogant and worthy of use.
"Thank you for your teaching, Your Majesty!"
Du Shu and Xiang Shibi saluted together, both with great enthusiasm.
The war in the northwest continued, and all the credit went to Cao Youwen and Yu Jie. Finally it was Huaidong's turn, so of course he had to seize the opportunity.
Zhao Hong nodded slightly and looked at Wu Qian, deputy envoy for coastal affairs.
"Wu Qian, this naval battle is indispensable for you!"
This man, the number one scholar of his father, Ning Zong Dynasty, was suddenly promoted by him to the deputy envoy of the coastal system. He exercised great naval power, was shrewd and capable, and had the ability to travel far and wide. The sea along the southeast coast was peaceful, and the navy of the Song Dynasty was all over the world. This person works hard and can be called the Minister of Humerus.
Who says that scholar-bureaucrats cannot command armies? As long as their minds are right and selfishness is lessened, everyone will be a good general.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured that the tens of thousands of naval officers and soldiers of the Coastal Rearrangement Department are fully prepared and are entirely at your Majesty's disposal."
As expected, the Coastal Planning Department will send its troops northward.
"Wu Qian, tell me what you think!"
Zhao Hong nodded and asked appreciatively.
"Your Majesty, please look!"
Wu Qian pointed to the sand table and walked north along the coastline, slowly coming.
"Your Majesty, the Coastal Rearrangement Department can send 20,000 naval troops to garrison at Jinghai, Tongzhou. Once the war between Yangzhou and Taizhou begins, I will immediately order a group of naval officers to go north, destroy Li Quan's maritime power, and go to the outlet of the Huai River. The sea route for all Li's escape to the sea was cut off. Another navy officer could go directly north and occupy Haizhou and Mizhou. The two harbors are deep and spacious, and large sea ships can be berthed without digging, and then coastal forts can be built. The military camp can be used for transportation in the future Northern Expedition."
Wu Qian's words made Zhao Hong laugh involuntarily.
Talents that dare to speak and act are rare. Many times, these generals helped him solve problems or make decisions for him without any effort on his part.
"The Yangzhou front line will be moved first. The navy will patrol two sections of the canal and enter Tongzhou first to be on guard against all Li Quan going south and poisoning the place. After Li Quan's navy is destroyed, they will then go directly north to occupy Haizhou and Mizhou!"
Zhao Hong immediately agreed to Du Gao and Wu Qian's advice, and his mind immediately became alive.
"Occupying Haeju and Miju is closer to Tamna and Hepo, and there are more supply areas along the coast. We will be more confident in using troops against Japan in the future."
Tamna is Jeju Island in later generations, 400 miles away from Japan. Hepu is the Busan area in South Korea, and is far away from Hakata Port in Kitakyushu, Japan. It is only more than 300 miles away. There are Tsushima Island and Isaki Island between the straits, which are all springboards to Hakata Port.
First it was Li Quan, then the Northwest, and the Northern Expedition, Japan, and even Europe. There will be no shortage of wars in the future.
"I obey the decree!"
"I obey the decree!"
All the generals in the room clasped their fists together to receive the order.
Use troops against Japan! It seems that there will be many wars in the future.
Zhao Hong glanced at Meng Gong, returned to the sand table, pointed to the line of Surabaya, and directly issued a military order.
"Meng Gong, when the Yangzhou war started, you led the Jingnan capital commander with 30,000 troops and a navy of 5,000 troops. They marched eastward from Si River, isolated the north and south of Huaihe River, attacked Chuzhou, and cut off Li Quan's retreat to Shandong and Henan. "
Meng Gong received the order and was secretly frightened.
Investing hundreds of thousands of troops at a time, not including the navy, the emperor wanted to destroy Li Quan in one go.
"Your Majesty, do you want to go all-out and go directly north to occupy Shandong? The iron-producing land of Xuzhou can provide inexhaustible iron and stone. Dengzhou is a natural harbor and the navy can be used as a supply station. It is very convenient to go north, and it is also the way to enter Japan eastward. springboard."
Meng Gong's idea seems to be more radical.
The northwest frontier army attacked the city and captured the territory, fighting vigorously, and almost restored the entire Xixia homeland. On the other hand, the southeastern front has not made any achievements, and the generals in the southeast are holding their breath in their hearts.
Zhao Hong smiled slightly and did not express his position immediately.
After defeating Li Quan's navy, the navy of the Coastal Defense Department can go north to occupy Haizhou, Mizhou, and Dengzhou as the naval base.
As for the iron-producing land of Xuzhou, he was indeed attracted by it, but it is no longer as needed as before. The iron ore in Australia alone was enough for the Song Dynasty to smelt iron.
After defeating all Li's navy, the maritime power of the Mongolian army was not worth mentioning. The Song navy could go directly north and occupy a good port in Shandong, which would serve as a base for the future Northern Expedition, restore the two rivers, or march eastward to Goryeo and Japan.
Winter is about to begin now, Wokuotai is the seat of the Great Khan, and the army's march south is probably just around the corner. The southern soldiers are not used to the cold in the north. When the Bohai Sea freezes, winter does not seem to be an ideal time for the Northern Expedition.
Before the troops and horses move, the food and grass go first. Just the transportation of food and grass seems to take several months to prepare.
It seems that even if the northern expedition is to be carried out, it will have to wait until spring at the earliest.
"Although Xuzhou is a strategic location on the thoroughfare to the five provinces, the terrain is flat and there is no danger to defend. The Mongolian army may go south again in the autumn and occupy Xuzhou. I am afraid it is not the right time. Let's wait until Li Quan is defeated."
Zhao Hong hesitated for a moment before speaking.
Once they go north, it is not as simple as capturing Xuzhou and Dengzhou. The goal is to capture Shandong, or even Lianghe and Yanyun Sixteen Prefectures. And by conquering Shandong, the good coastal ports can be used as a transfer station for grain, grass, baggage, and troops for the Northern Expedition.
It is more than 2,000 miles from Jiangnan to Lianghe, and water transportation is impassable. Going by sea is too risky, and it is difficult to travel in winter.
Meng Gong's idea is good, and so far, it seems to be a bit aggressive.
"Your Majesty, keep the enemy outside the country's gates, otherwise Huaidong will become a battlefield."
Meng Gong was still a little unwilling to give up.
"Not only Huaidong, the northwest will also be the main battlefield. Kill Li Quan first, and then there will be a big battle."
Zhao Hong warned the generals and did not choose to take risks in the end.
"Strike preemptively, gentlemen, go down and prepare. Soldiers are valuable and quick. As for how to fight, you can act according to the opportunity and decide on your own. There is no need to report to me!"
As the king of a country, he only provides strategic reference. As for tactics, it is up to the generals to decide on their own, and he will never interfere.
The supervisory troops will be sent to guard the central government. These rules and regulations imposed on the commanding generals will never happen under his rule.
"Your Majesty, if Li Quan surrenders to the Tatars, what will happen to the loyal army and his followers? What will happen to Li Quan and his wife?"
Meng Gong said one more word.
There are many brave men in the loyal army, and the emperor needs to make clear how to deal with them.
"Only get rid of the first culprit, and the rest will be pardoned. For a capricious person like Li Quan, no life will be spared. Anyone who can kill Li Quan will be rewarded with thousands of dollars and a "soldier soul" dagger! As for Yang Miaozhen, watching Do it. If you resist, we will kill you without mercy."
Zhao Hong finally added another sentence.
The "Soldier Soul" dagger is a symbol of the military and the most courageous soldier. Of course it is worth owning.
As for Yang Miaozhen, although she is a beauty with long legs, in the face of national affairs, no matter how long her legs are, she will not give her face.
