Seeing that Fang Xuanling agreed to her first condition without hesitation, Mu Guiying couldn't help but look happy, and slowly put forward her second condition: "Master Fang, my second condition is that we After the brothers in Muke Village surrender, the court will not allow us to pursue our previous mistakes. In addition, we brothers in Muke Village have shared weal and woe together for many years and have deep feelings. Can we form an army of our own and let me continue to lead the soldiers in Muke Village? ?”
"This..." Fang Xuanling was stunned when he heard this, and said with some embarrassment: "There is no problem in not investigating the past crimes of brothers in Muke Village. Before Fang left, His Majesty made it clear that the common people would become a bandit. It was caused by the poor governance of the imperial court. The blame lies not with the people but with the officials. It was his fault. Therefore, as long as the people are willing to submit to the Sui Dynasty again, the previous sins will be wiped out."
"But!" Fang Xuanling changed the topic, "The big boss wants to take over the old department, but Fang has no right to make the decision on this matter. He still needs to inform His Majesty that His Majesty will decide."
When Mu Guiying heard this, a trace of disappointment flashed across her face, but she still nodded slowly and said: "Actually, I also know that this matter is a bit embarrassing for Master Fang. How can I, a newcomer, be qualified to lead an army alone? But I really can’t bear to be separated from the brothers in Muke Village, so I ask Master Fang for your help in this matter!”
"The relationship between Master Mu and the brothers in Mukezhai is understandable."
Fang Xuanling nodded to express his understanding of Mu Guiying's approach and said: "In fact, with Mu Da's ability and temperament, there is nothing wrong with leading the old army to form his own army. But after all, only a few people such as Xiaguan understand Mu Da Master, if your Majesty promotes Master Mu without any reason, it will definitely arouse the dissatisfaction of other military generals. However, if Master Mu can play a decisive role in the Qingzhou Campaign, I think your Majesty will most likely agree to Master Mu’s request. .”
Mu Guiying's eyes suddenly lit up when she heard this and asked: "Master Fang, are you serious about what you said?"
Fang Xuanling smiled slightly and said: "Master Mu, the emperor of the Sui Dynasty employs people well and has clear rewards and punishments. Look at the generals in my Sui army, Xue Rengui, Chang Yuchun, Yue Fei, Qin Qiong, which one does not rely on military merit? Step by step to get to where you are today?”
Mu Guiying thought about it for a moment, and when he looked up again, the disappointment on his face was wiped away, and he said in a deep voice: "In that case, Master Fang, if Guiying can help the Sui army quickly defeat the Goguryeo and Tang coalition forces, in one fell swoop, Capturing the entire Qingzhou, can such a contribution allow Guiying to continue to command the old troops in Mukezhai?"
"Does Master Mu have a clever plan to quickly defeat the Gaotang coalition?" Fang Xuanling stood up with a "Teng" sound and looked at Mu Guiying with some disbelief.
The corners of Mu Guiying's mouth turned up slightly. Although she didn't say it clearly, the expression on her face told Fang Xuanling the answer.
Fang Xuanling immediately said: "If Master Mu can really help the Sui Dynasty to expel the Goguryeo barbarians and the Tang army from Qingzhou, I, Fang Xuanling, dare to guarantee with my head that I will let the great master continue to lead the old army. But I don't know who the great master is. Any clever ideas?”
Mu Guiying chuckled and said: "I have heard for a long time that Mr. Fang has outstanding resourcefulness and is an important minister in front of the emperor. Guiying boldly asks Mr. Fang, what will be the lifeblood of the Tang army and the Goguryeo barbarians in their expedition to Qingzhou?"
Fang Xuanling lowered his head and thought for a moment, then suddenly realized something, and said with certainty: "Forage, Qingzhou has been in war for a long time, and the people's livelihood is in decline. The supply lines of the Tang Army and the Goguryeo Army are long, and they cannot collect food on the spot. If we want to keep our army in Qingzhou for a long time, During the confrontation, they are looking for a safe place in the rear to stock up on food and grass. Mr. Mu, I believe you already know the location of the logistics center of the Gaotang coalition."
Mu Guiying laughed, "Lord Fang is really powerful! Yes, Guiying does know where the Gaotang Allied Forces store grain, which is in Yucheng not far from Zhu'a County where the Tang Army is stationed."
"Yucheng?"
Fang Xuanling couldn't help frowning when he heard the place name, and said with some worry: "Is this place too close to Zhu'a County? Li Jiancheng and Yuan Gaisuwen are not drunkards, so it is impossible that they don't know the importance of food and grass. , there are at least three to four thousand defenders in the city. It’s not that I underestimate the brothers in Muke Village, it’s just...”
"No need to say anything, Mr. Fang, I understand what you mean." Mu Guiying waved her hands lightly and said, "Guiying is not an arrogant person. With just the few soldiers and horses in our Muke village, we want to attack by force." The next city with thousands of soldiers and horses garrisoned is undoubtedly a fantasy, and the final result must be that the entire army will be attacked and annihilated by the defenders in the city and the Tang army coming to help!"
When Fang Xuanling heard what Mu Guiying said, he couldn't help but secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but then he said a little discouraged: "But if the soldiers and horses from Licheng County are mobilized to help, it will definitely arouse the vigilance of the Tang army. Muke Village alone Our troops and horses cannot capture Yucheng, so even knowing the logistical power of the Gaotang Allied Forces is meaningless!"
"Master Fang, Guiying only said that Yucheng cannot be conquered by force, but did he not say that Yucheng cannot be taken by the soldiers and horses of Muke Village alone?" Looking at Fang Xuanling who suddenly became discouraged, Mu Guiying smiled and said: "Master Fang, don't you wonder how Guiying knew that Yucheng was the place where the Tang army and Goguryeo gathered grain."
"Master Mu has an internal agent in Yucheng!" Fang Xuanling suddenly woke up.
Mu Guiying nodded slowly and said: "Master Fang, I'm telling you the truth. Guiying's spy was Du Bu, the fierce general under Song Jiang in the past. He is now the deputy general of Yucheng, with about a thousand men under his command. There are many soldiers and horses, all of whom were Du Bo's old troops in Liangshan."
Fang Xuanling asked cautiously: "This Du Chuo had no contact with Master Mu before under Song Jiang's tent. Why is he willing to be the internal agent of Master Mu now?"
Mu Guiying immediately replied: "After the Battle of Licheng more than a year ago, almost all the generals under Song Jiang's command died in the battle. Only Du Bo escaped with his life and returned to Li Jiancheng's account. Unexpectedly, Li Jiancheng disliked his rude background and treated the Sui Dynasty In the end, he suffered successive defeats and was not prepared to fulfill the conditions offered when he recruited Song Jiang that day. He only gave Du Bo the position of partial general. Du Bo deeply resented Li Jiancheng's betrayal and ruthlessness.
Li Daoming, the general in charge of Yu City, was Li Jiancheng's younger brother. He had great ambitions but little talent, and believed in his noble blood. He was even more contemptuous of Du Bo, and the two had constant conflicts for several months. Li Jiancheng also protected Li Daoming and suppressed Du Bo, so Du Bo had made up his mind to rebel against the Tang Dynasty. He was willing to be my internal agent just because he wanted to return to the green forest! "
"God bless the Sui Dynasty." Fang Xuanling sighed, and asked Mu Guiying to raise his hand and said: "Master Mu, if it weren't for you, how long would the Qingzhou war have lasted? Xuanling replaced Qingzhou's tens of thousands of soldiers. Thanks in advance!”
