It was already November when Li Jing returned to the capital. After meeting Yang Ming, he went directly to Youxiaowei.
The march to Zhuojun via Chi Road would take at least two and a half months, so he would leave early now.
However, before leaving, he needed half a month to arrange the combat sequence of his army.
He has 67,000 men under his command. Counting the Hedong Army, there are only 17,000 cavalry, 5,000 heavy cavalry and 12,000 light cavalry, all of which are refined armors and weapons.
During these days traveling between Youxiaowei and Youwuwei, Li Jing was intensively making final preparations.
Mai Tiezhang came back with him. It would be impossible if he didn't come back. What would Li Jing do if he wasn't here?
At the Youxiaowei Camp, nearly a hundred generals, big and small, convened a meeting under the chairmanship of Li Jing. Shi Wansui and Han Sengshou, as strategic advisors, also participated in the military affairs discussion.
Among the cavalry, there were two thousand heavy cavalry and four thousand light cavalry, which were directly commanded by Li Jing.
"Yang Yuanqing and Pei Xingyan each lead a thousand armored cavalry and are generals. Xiao Shilian leads four thousand light cavalry and is a sub-general. Han Xiaoji (Han Sengshou's son) is a deputy general. Follow me!"
Li Jing used Han Xiaoji because he knew what his cousin was capable of. As the saying goes, one's family background tells one thing. Han Sengshou's son didn't know how to lead an army, and no one would believe him if he told him.
Of course, there is another layer of nepotism.
As soon as the words fell, the four of them stood up at the same time and took the token from Li Jing's hand.
Li Jing continued: "Xin Shixiong is the general manager of Beishe Road. He leads the first armor, with 3,000 people, and the general Shi Wanshou; the second armor, with 3,500 people, and the general Linghu Chang; the third armor, with 4,500 people. General Yang Wanshi; two light cavalry, 5,000 men, general Guo Siben (son of Guo Yan), deputy general Li Chengxiao; two heavy cavalry, 2,000 men, general Pang Ben; one bow and arrow, 3,000 men, general Pang Tao; bow and arrow Two, two thousand men, the general Zhao Kun; one, two thousand three hundred men, the general Chen Zhuang; two, two thousand eight hundred men, the general Zhou Zhongan; one, three hundred men, the general Zhou Qing; There are one cymbal and two hundred men under the command of General Zhou Tian; a total of 28,600 men are under the control of General Xin. After capturing Liaodong City, he will lead his army westward and surround the Liaodong Peninsula."
"The last general takes the order!" Xin Shixiong came with a group of generals to receive the order.
After Li Jing issued the order, he looked at Xin Shixiong and said:
"Destroying the city is only the next best thing. We must suppress the rebel army on the peninsula so that it cannot interact with Wugu City."
Xin Shixiong said sternly: "General manager, don't worry, we will work hard to build a defense line so that the main force can move south smoothly."
Li Jing nodded and looked at the other generals: "You all belong to General Xin. Anyone who disobeys military orders will be killed without mercy."
"Yes!" All the generals responded in unison.
Next, Li Jing handed over the arrangements for Xin Shixiong's troops to Yang Wei, the consolation envoy. The consolation envoy had the responsibility of military governor, and he would keep files here and report them to the emperor.
Yang Wei was the second son of Yang Xiong, a member of the Sui Dynasty clan. He was originally a prefect in Huainan County. After working there for several years, he was transferred back to Beijing and took up the post of Sili Biejia.
This man didn't need Yang Ming to say hello, he knew what to do. After all, his father, Yang Xiong, was the prince's tutor, and his eldest brother, Yang Gongren, was Zuopushe of Southwest Xingtai, and they were all very close to the prince.
Li Jing picked up another file and opened it, saying:
"Mai Tiezhang is the general manager of Wugu Road. He leads the first step with 3,000 people and the general Zhou Shaofan; the second step with 3,500 people and the general Mai Mengcai; the third step with 3,500 people and the army. General Mai Zhongcai; three light cavalry, three thousand people, general Mai Jicai, deputy general Hulu Chun; three heavy cavalry, one thousand people, the general Ten Thousand Jaws; three bows and arrows, two thousand people, general Duan Rui; bow and arrow Four, three thousand people, the general Pei Nong; three, two thousand and five hundred people, the sub-general Pei Minzhi; four, two thousand and five hundred people, the sub-general Pei Shaoying; two, two hundred people, the army general Cui Yuan; two, two hundred people, the general Cui Yuan; Second, two hundred men, General Dou Sanbao; in addition, Xue Zuo led 8,000 infantrymen as the vanguard to cross the river, totaling 32,400 men, and returned to General Mai for control."
After saying that, Li Jing stood up and handed over the order.
In this part of Mai Tiezhang, Mai Mengcai, Mai Zhongcai, and Mai Jicai are all the biological sons of Mai Tiezhang. It can be said that they are father and son soldiers. Historically, Mai Tiezhang took the initiative to volunteer as a pioneer to cross the river. Before setting off, , once said to several of his sons: My country is so kind to me. Today is the day of death. I will be killed well, and you will be rich and honorable.
The battles across the river have always been difficult to fight, and they were really fought with human lives. Mai Tiezhang also knew that he would have a narrow escape from death, but he was a die-hard loyal to Yang Guang, and felt that at this juncture, he would be grateful. After many years, it was the time to show results, but the results failed.
It was not his fault, it was Yu Wenkai's fault. Fortunately, Yu Wenkai died first this time.
His three sons were also die-hard loyalists of Yang Guang. Among them, the eldest Mai Mengcai conspired to assassinate Yu Wenhuaji after Yang Guang was killed, and was killed after the incident was revealed.
But in their family, they were iron-blooded loyal ministers, so they were very popular in the Tang Dynasty. Which emperor wouldn't like such a person?
Therefore, in history, people with the surname Mai belong to the Mai Tiezhang family. If there is a person named Mai in Guangdong, then your ancestor is probably Mai Tiezhang, and he is from Lingnan.
So Mai Tiezhang had a great-granddaughter who married Feng Ang's grandson and gave birth to Gao Lishi, also known as Feng Yuanyi.
As for Zhou Shaofan, he is the son of Zhou Fashang, Duan Rui is the nephew of Duan Wenzhen, and Tu Wanzha is the son of Tu Wanxu. One is named Pei and the other is Xue. They are both from Hedong.
In the Sui army, anyone who could be a leader had a good background.
After arranging all this, the file was handed over to the two consolation envoys, Yu Wen Jingli and Gao Yixian, as usual.
"Pharmacist is too risky. You lead 6,000 people as the flank of the main force. There is no food and baggage. Once the army rations are exhausted, it will be difficult to march. I am afraid that it will be difficult to return. Why try to cover the main force of the Chinese army?" Han Sengshou suggested: "If you want more, it will be difficult to march." Five thousand horses carrying a heavy load of grain and fodder is the best strategy.”
Li Jing nodded and said: "It's not that I haven't thought about it this way, but the grain horses delay the march, which is not conducive to my guerrilla strategy. Taking care of two horses for one person is really a burden."
"That's right, what kind of horse do you want? As I see it, you can eat wherever you hunt," Shi Wansui said: "This is not in our Sui Dynasty, so we can't rob the people. Goguryeo is not from our clan, so we can rob as much as we want. "
This is really what Li Jing planned.
War is very cruel. Why do we say that prosperity means the people suffer, and death means the people suffer? A cavalry unit like Li Jing that focuses on guerrilla warfare relies on its elusiveness. If they carry too much food and grass, their march will be delayed and their whereabouts will be exposed early.
Then the best way is to rob along the road, shoot and change places, have food and drink, and you still can't catch me.
Historically, in response to such a situation, there was actually a countermeasure, which was to confiscate all the people's food in advance, leaving only some for subsistence, so as not to fall into the hands of the enemy.
But ordinary people also have countermeasures, which is to hide food.
There are also people who poison water sources, but it is not easy to poison people to death because running water does not rot.
Therefore, once the Sui Dynasty invaded Goguryeo, the private grain reserves were very small. Li Jing could not rob much, but he would definitely rob them.
As a result, many Goguryeo people would starve to death, but this was not something a Sui person would consider.
War is so bloody.
Han Sengshou couldn't persuade his nephew, so he couldn't persuade him anymore. After all, he knew that his nephew was very independent and cautious, and he was already better than his predecessor.
The discussions in the camp lasted for many days. During this period, Li Jing would personally go to each barracks to motivate the guards and set standards for rewards and punishments.
To be a soldier is to sacrifice one's life, and to sacrifice one's life for money. If your reward and punishment system is not clearly explained, everyone will not have a sure idea. Once they have a certain idea, they will be more courageous when risking their lives.
When everything was ready, Li Jing took three comfort envoys to the East Palace, not only to state the battle plan, but also to say goodbye, and to let Yang Ming beat these three people.
"Your Majesty has said that if Goryeo surrenders, it should be appeased without sending troops." Yang Ming looked at the three people and said: "But I still suggest that when you see the enemy, please surrender and kill them directly."
The three of them looked at each other and nodded.
The emperor gave them an imperial edict, and the prince gave it to him secretly. Both of them had to listen, but both of them had to take care of them. That would be simple.
I didn't see the enemy's envoy asking for surrender?
This is Li Jing's business. Anyone who comes with a white flag will be killed. Then these three will turn a blind eye and pretend they didn't see anything.
"The matter is of great importance. I have devoted all the strength of the country to the conquest and mobilized the troops. Do you want to surrender? It is not up to you," Yang Ming said in a serious tone: "I can't control other people's ways, but you three are favored by me. Do it with caution.”
Yu Wen Jingli took the lead in nodding and said: "Your Highness, don't worry, I will live up to my trust."
The remaining two also quickly agreed.
The father should accept the surrender, but the son should not. This is a matter between the father and the son. We can just balance it and not interfere.
In addition, Comrade Yang Guang also has a cool operation: whenever the military advances or ends, it must be reported and reported, and no specialization is allowed.
The 24th Road Manager had received this sentence in advance, and each one was more confused than the last.
What the emperor means is that you must first report to me how to fight in front of you. After I pass it, you can fight, and you are not allowed to make your own decisions.
This is the most annoying thing. The battlefield situation is changing rapidly. I will report to you again and again. How good a fighter plane has been delayed.
The reason for this decision was that after Yang Guang planned to capture Liaodong, he would personally command the army in Liaodong City. He felt that Liaodong was not too far from Pyongyang, so he could fully coordinate the army.
Yes, Liaodong is only 700 miles away from Pyongyang, but that is a straight-line distance.
Did you take a straight line to Pyongyang? It has already been thousands of miles in a winding and winding way.
Li Jing almost vomited blood after receiving this order.
The person responsible for conveying military information to the emperor in the army is the comfort envoy, so these three people are really too important. If they mess up, the battle will not be fought.
But it's not that there are no solutions. It's okay to delay reporting military intelligence or lie about military intelligence.
Just tying his head to his belt.
The interaction between the comfort envoy and Yang Guang is a very profound knowledge. You have to let the emperor know that the marching commander is right to do this.
You must not let the emperor reject your report, so how to write the report is a huge test.
But there is a little trick, which is to report the good news but not the bad news. If everything goes well in your battle and you are devastated, will Yang Guang go crazy and change your combat deployment?
Therefore, any defeat cannot appear in the military intelligence report. This will make Yang Guang feel that you are really incompetent, look at me.
Once the control of the army belongs to Yang Guang, it will be over.
Yang Ming also knew that the secret instructions he gave to the three of them this time were overstepping their bounds, but there was nothing he could do about it. This was an attack on Goguryeo. Don’t talk about the Sui Dynasty’s death because of the river. The Sui Dynasty’s death had nothing to do with the Grand Canal. It was Goguryeo. .
If you fail once, there will be a second and third time.
Therefore, in Yang Ming's view, even if he takes some risks this time, he must succeed in one fell swoop, and his hope mainly lies in Li Jing.
In early November, Li Jing's vanguard army took the lead in setting off.
Prior to this, Yang Ming ordered the deployment of 40,000 civilians, 10,000 mules, 5,000 oxen, and 3,000 donkeys as the vanguard army's logistics and transportation troops. This is why the generals of the first, second, third, and fourth generals are Ya General, because the four of them are responsible for leading the 40,000 people and livestock to escort the grain and grass.
General > Sub-general > General > Vice-general > Sub-in-charge > Custodian (general of hussars) > Brigadier > Brigade Commander > Fire Commander.
When encountering a battle, the army can arrange twelve sets of military formations according to local conditions, and its skeleton is seven armies: You Yuhou (vanguard), Youjun (side vanguard), Zuoyuhou (rear of the palace), Zuojun (ce of the palace), Zuoxiangye (left assistant general), Youxiangye (right assistant general), the central army.
To assist the general is to support the troops.
The mighty army could not be seen ending, passing through Guanzhong and heading north, passing Yulin, entering Chidao, and then headed for Zhuojun.
Except for Li Jing who went first, there are seven other routes that also go from Guanzhong. The children of Guanzhong will shoulder a big responsibility this time. The elite of the Sui Dynasty leave Guanzhong. This is not just a casual talk.
Along the official road, family members were crowded and crying to see off their sons, husbands and brothers.
There has always been a custom during the Sui Dynasty when marching. When soldiers go out on an expedition, they will carry a small cloth bag with a handful of soil from their hometown inside.
There is a saying that no one can be buried in the loess of my hometown. No, only the soil of my hometown can bury me. I carry the soil of my hometown with me. Once I die in battle, I will be buried by the soil of my hometown and my soul can return to my hometown.
All armies wear their own unique military emblems, which are called military badges. Those who leave the army without authorization must have their military badges inspected. If they do not belong to the army, whoever catches them will be responsible for killing them.
Official titles are not allowed in the military. I don’t care what official position you usually hold. I will call you whatever position you hold in the army.
For example, those comfort envoys have very high official positions, but they are all called envoys in the military.
Envoys are those who, under the orders of the Emperor, go to all directions.
Princess Yang Wenjin of Guangping also left with her husband. A total of 380,000 people from Guanzhong including guards, civilian husbands, family members, and monks left.
Yang Ming personally went out of the city to support the various general managers. He rode on his horse and looked at the mighty army. Yang Ming said to Yu Zhongwen who came from Luoyang to lead the army beside him:
"You have a big responsibility on your shoulders. You should make a decision when it's time to make a decision. Don't listen to Liu Shilong. If it doesn't work, just kill him."
Yu Zhongwen's mouth twitched: "Who gets killed?"
As the commander-in-chief of the march, what he hated the most was the supervisor. It was easy to be obedient, but if he was disobedient, he really wanted the other party to die. Besides, he was not familiar with Liu Shilong at all.
"You can't count it as mine?" Yang Ming said in surprise: "You can't kill someone, can you?"
Yu Zhongwen chuckled: "That's a point. How many of the people His Majesty sends to me do I have the guts to kill? I'm afraid only Your Highness dares."
"For example," Yang Ming said: "If Goguryeo asks for surrender, and Liu Shilong wants to surrender, will you accept it?"
"It depends on the situation," Yu Zhongwen said: "If the enemy's strong crossbows are exhausted, I will accept the surrender. If there is still the strength to fight, it may be a false surrender, so I cannot accept the surrender."
Yang Ming chuckled and said: "There is no way to distinguish between true surrender and false surrender. It is also impossible to judge the remaining strength of the enemy. To be on the safe side, you can only choose one?"
Yu Zhongwen frowned and said: "I do understand what Your Highness means. You hope that I will not surrender, but His Majesty has a decree: accept the imperial edict to comfort me, and will not be controlled by the general. In the end, it is not me who has the final say whether I accept the surrender or not." "
"So I hope you make your own decision and don't listen to a civil servant. What does he know?" Yang Ming said.
Yu Zhongwen was silent for a long time and shook his head: "I dare not disobey your orders."
You are really cautious. Yang Ming sighed helplessly:
"Then please remember Duke Yanshou's words. If you lose this battle, I will kill you if my father doesn't kill you."
Yu Zhongwen was shocked and looked at Yang Ming dumbfounded.
Yang Ming turned his horse around and said coldly: "It's getting late, Lord Yanshou, have a good journey."
Yu Zhongwen quickly saluted: "I understand."
There is only this chapter today. Brothers, I wish you all a happy Dragon Boat Festival. I also want to be happy, so I made an appointment for a game in the afternoon. Hehe, it’s football. I am a football lover. Here, people give me the nickname Xiao Ibrahimovic, this shows my strength
(End of chapter)
