Yang Mingzhuo asked for three replacements for the nine-way manager, but Yang Guang only replaced one.
Zhao Cai, also known as Xiaocai, was replaced not because the emperor no longer valued him, but because he was older, he is sixty-five this year.
This person has always been Yang Guang's confidant. Historically, after Yang Guang was killed by Yu Wenhuaji, Zhao Xiaocai was dissatisfied. At a banquet, he once said to Yu Wenhuaji and others: You eighteen people can only be loyal to one master. Why are you working elsewhere?
Then he was demoted away by Yu Wenhuaji.
In fact, in history, there were many people loyal to Yang Guang. If Yu Wenhuaji did not kill Yang Guang, there would probably be a split between the north and the south. Yang Guang would sit in the Jiangdu and dominate the south, competing with the northern heroes for the world.
But the premise is that Yang Guang has to appease the Xiaoguo Army under his command. After all, the Yuhuahuaji Rebellion was a mutiny caused by the Xiaoguo soldiers' homesickness. The defeat of Yuhuahuaji was also because of Xiaoguo.
After he killed Yang Guang, he returned north with 100,000 warriors. He had to leave. Yang Guang could secure Jiangdu, but he didn't have the ability, so he went head-on with Li Mi. The regicide had already destabilized the army, and they were defeated. As expected, he was captured by Dou Jiande and beheaded as a gift to the Turkic princess Kehe Dunyicheng.
Throughout Chinese history, regicide cannot be tolerated, and it never ends well.
No matter who kills Yang Guang, he will be the target of public criticism. Yang Jian didn't dare to kill Chen Shubao. How dare you kill Yang Guang? What kind of brain could do this? This is exactly the same as Xuangan's Crouching Dragon and Phoenix.
During the Zhenguan period, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty ordered that the descendants of Yu Wenhua, his brothers, Sima Dekan, Pei Qantong, Meng Jing, Yuan Li, Yang Lan, Tang Fengyi and other traitorous ministers should be imprisoned without talking about them, which meant that they should stay there honestly. You’re not allowed to go anywhere in your hometown, and you won’t even think about becoming an official for eternity.
After Li Jing arrived at the Ministry of War, Duan Wenzhen was waiting for the distinguished guests, invited them to the minister's study room, and said with a smile:
"Since Your Majesty intends to let the pharmacist lead the west route, then the main west wing barrier will be entrusted to you."
Li Jing hurriedly said: "I came here because I was ordered to negotiate with the minister. There are two fortified cities of Wugu and Beishe on the west road, and there are fifty-one mountain fortresses. I need to sort out the weapons and equipment, and I should also arrange with others." See you, General."
His west route was originally arranged with two general managers, namely Xin Shixiong and Zhao Xiaocai, and a Mai Tiezhang. However, the Mai Tiezhang was under the direct control of the emperor and was not counted as a marching general, but only as a vanguard general.
Li Jing replaced Zhao Xiaocai and commanded the West Road, and was named the commander-in-chief of the Pyongyang West Road March. Mai Tiezhang was good at attacking fortresses. The earlier decision was for Mai Tiezhang to attack Beishe City on the Liaodong Peninsula.
The reason why Mai Tiezhang was not beaten in history is because he died when crossing the river.
Mai Tiezhang has 15,000 men and Xin Shixiong has 16,000 men. After Li Jing allocated it to Xin Shixiong, there are still 50,000 men and 34,000 men. In addition to the 2,000 Hedong Army given by Yang Ming, Pyongyang West Road The flank strength will be 67,000 people.
The main force of Yu Wenshu and Yu Zhongwen was 72,000 people.
Li Jing's side did not need many cavalry troops, because he was a coolie, and his main focus was to attack the mountain cities along the way, and open up a southward passage for the main force. However, Goguryeo's mountain cities were all on the mountains, and none of the siege equipment was needed. You have to climb mountains to fight.
You can't do it without fighting. If you don't fight, people will go out of the city to fight against your main force. So Li Jing thought from the beginning that it would be safe to take down all these mountain cities. Otherwise, if you can't surround them one by one, they will go out to fight against Yu Wenshu, the main force. Will be overwhelmed.
After all, the Sui Dynasty only knew the general distribution of mountain cities, and the specific locations were not clear at all. They all relied on adapting to changes during war, and the difficulty can be imagined.
Duan Wenzhen is also one of the nine-route vanguard general managers. His mission is to transfer his troops northward after capturing Liaodong City, besiege Fuyu City, and prevent the enemy troops from Fuyu City from going south for support.
Therefore, Yu Wenshu's entire strategic policy is to pave the way for him with other armies, so that he can attack Pyongyang directly, join up with Lai Huer, and form a decisive battle.
Once this strategy is successful, only he and Yu Zhongwen will take the greatest credit. This is also a consistent tradition in the military.
After a while, Mai Tiezhang and Xin Shixiong were called, and Li Jing hurriedly stood up to greet them:
"Li Jing of Longxi has met two generals."
Mai Tiezhang is a cheerful person. He laughed when he heard this: "Pharmacist, please sit down. I already know the matter. This time you and I should work together to take care of each other."
"Naturally," Li Jing walked over and invited the two of them to sit down in a friendly manner. Mai Tiezhang let him pull him to sit down, but Xin Shixiong didn't give him any face. He moved his arm away and sat down on his own.
Both of them were from the emperor, and Li Jing was from the prince. Duan Wenzhen saw this in his eyes and knew that the West Route Army was difficult to manage.
Li Jing climbed so fast, many people thought he was flattering the prince. There was only one battle at Pujing Pass, so his military prowess was indeed weak.
"I heard that His Majesty has handed over all the Right Guards to you?" Xin Shixiong said with a smile.
General You Xiaowei is Li Hun, Yu Wenshu's brother-in-law. He is also too old to lead the army himself, so the two generals below, Xin Shixiong and Zhao Xiaocai, can take the lead.
Li Jing smiled bitterly and said: "With such a small talent, I will make everyone laugh at me if I take on such a big responsibility."
Xin Shixiong said angrily: "How can you say that he is a mediocre talent when the prince recommends him? After all, everyone still knows the prince's vision."
Li Jing knew in his heart that the other party was mocking him for catering to the prince. At other times, he would have laughed it off. But now, the other party was under his control. If he could not suppress the other party, there would be problems with the dispatch and command when he got to the front line.
But he is the emperor's man, what can he do to suppress him?
Then you can only please.
Li Jing smiled and said: "This time Jing has won the favor of His Majesty the Crown Prince. I will control the West Road. I have to ask you two for advice on many things. General Xin is an old man in the army. If you have any suggestions, just tell me. Li Jing is happy to accept your advice."
Although Xin Shixiong despises Li Jing, he is quite good at talking, so he said:
"You will lead the West Road. General Mai and I will of course obey your orders. We will fight as you say."
"There are no jokes in the army, so we've settled on it," Li Jing said with a smile.
Haha, you really know how to climb up the pole? Xin Shixiong nodded and said nothing.
Instead, Mai Tiezhang said: "The most taboo thing about marching is to fight alone. Before we set off, we all discussed it. We can say anything now. But when we get to the front line, the pharmacist can decide with one word. There will be no problem on my side."
Li Jing was very grateful: "Brother loves me so much, Jing is flattered."
Mai Tiezhang smiled and waved his hand and said: "I heard Su Lie say that the prince values the pharmacist the most among military strategists. It can be seen that the talent of the pharmacist is definitely above us. I am a rough man and only know how to be loyal. I will serve your Majesty to the best of my ability, but my understanding of how to fight is actually very superficial. Medicine Master, you can rest assured that I will recognize your military orders."
Originally, the three of them worked together this time on a temporary basis. After finishing this job, they would each return to their headquarters, and no one would criticize anyone. Li Jing was very pleased that Mai Tiezhang was willing to obey, and he knew in his heart that the other party was targeting the prince. After all, Mai Tiezhang was once a subordinate of the prince.
"Brother is too self-effacing," Li Jing quickly praised the other party.
The world of people in the military is very involved. If you don't build a good relationship with others, it will be very detrimental to yourself.
Xin Shixiong's self-deprecating words to Mai Tiezhang were very disdainful. You are His Majesty's servant, why are you so inferior in front of a junior and you include me?
"There are many mountainous cities on the west road with strong fortifications. I make good use of the cavalry. Why not assign the cavalry to me, and I will be responsible for exploring the location of the enemy's camp and traveling to all directions as a cover for attacking the city," Xin Shixiong said.
He is good at cavalry, just because he used to lead cavalry. Following Yang Guang's Chinese army, he took over Jiankang who was defeated by He Ruobi and Han Qinhu. Is this called making good use of the cavalry?
It's just a way to save your life.
Because the main elite force of Goguryeo was the heavy cavalry with men and horses wearing armor, and the heavy cavalry specialized in large infantry formations.
Li Jing suddenly frowned. As for the cavalry, he planned to command it himself and divide it into five groups. He would lead one of the main forces and leave the rest to Linghu Chang, Pei Xingyan, Guo Siben, and Yang Wanshi.
Yang Wanshi was originally serving as Zuo Yuhou in the East Palace, but Yang Xuangan had already informed Yang Ming that his brother was leaving, because Yang Wanshi had been in Hejian County before, knew Goguryeo well, and knew how to lead troops, so he was suitable to make contributions.
Duan Wenzhen saw Li Jing's expression, so he took advantage of Li Jing's dilemma and came out to resolve it:
"To be honest with you three, there is an explanation from the prince's side. The pharmacist is also the leader of the left guard of the East Palace and is going out on behalf of the prince. Since His Majesty uses the pharmacist to control the west road, the two of them should work together."
"What? Can't we discuss important military matters?" Xin Shixiong said: "When I followed His Majesty in the north and south, the prince was not born yet."
When Yang Ming wanted to replace him, Xin Shixiong was already very angry. Now that he was asked to restrain him by a young man, he felt even more unhappy.
Duan Wenzhen and Mai Tiezhang frowned at the same time.
Mai Tiezhang knows the prince's tricks. If you provoke others now, be careful that you won't be able to eat them in the future.
Duan Wenzhen said in a deep voice: "General Xin speaks carefully."
Xin Shixiong chuckled and turned his face to one side.
After Li Jing pondered for a moment, he said: "Since the old general is interested, why not do this? I will allocate you 5,000 light cavalry, plus 16,000 elite troops from your own headquarters, for a total of 21,000 people, to attack Beishe City and nearby areas." There are twelve cities in total, including Haichengying, Baiyan City, Qingshiling, Wuguling, Daheishan, Deli Temple, Hailongchuan, Zhuanghe, Jian'an City, Qinglong Mountain, and Yantong Mountain. What does the general think?"
He could finally see that this person was relying on His Majesty's trust, relying on his elders and selling them out. He refused to accept the assignment, so as not to drag himself down. The best way was to throw him to the Liaodong Peninsula to attack Beishe City.
The obedient Mai Tiezhang should be entrusted with important tasks, which is equivalent to letting Xin Shixiong do Mai Tiezhang's original work.
I want a cavalry army, and you want me to fight in a mountain city? Do you think I can climb up a mountain at my age?
Xin Shixiong shook his head and said: "That's inappropriate."
Li Jing sighed: "Then let me think about it carefully."
In fact, he will not change again. Such a drag must be arranged properly, otherwise big trouble will happen.
So Li Jing approached Pei Ju that night, hoping that Pei Ju could help him with Xin Shixiong's ideological work.
He could make Xin Shixiong happily accept Li Jing's arrangement.
(End of chapter)
