The news that the Zhenjiang Army had captured Changzhou spread throughout the country overnight.
This result, which is both reasonable and unexpected, makes many outsiders find it incredible.
The main force of the defenders, a total of more than 32,000 infantry and cavalry troops, did not die in battle at the top of Changzhou City, but were completely annihilated in the water network area outside the city. Anyone who heard this would call it an exaggeration.
Sun Chuanshu originally planned to destroy the Xinjiang Army who was building blockade fortifications in one fell swoop, but he did not expect that the opponent accurately predicted the direction and time of the attack, and then laid a dragnet and ambush from all directions.
More than 100,000 soldiers and horses from both sides chased each other outside the city and fought fiercely. The brave Zhenjiang Army had an absolute advantage.
When Li Jiangyao's flag finally appeared on the battlefield, the rebel leader Sun Chuanshu, who was bent on revenge, could only sigh to the sky and kill himself in despair to avoid falling into the hands of the imperial court and suffering further humiliation.
And his carefully planned plan of Zhurong to burn the city was ruined because of the timely action of Leiyu, the second son of Perak Hall.
The eagle flag of the Zhenjiang Army finally flew over the city of Changzhou.
The news of the fall of Changzhou spread back to Hangzhou, which immediately caused a violent shock. The rebels are in panic, and many officials have begun to seriously consider the issue of evacuation.
Li Zhang looked at Lao Jianhua with a sad face and didn't say a word for a long time.
"Your Highness, Prime Minister, I'd like to see the following officials... We should make plans in advance." Palace Chief Shi Huowen said softly: "Should we call General Ye back to defend the capital?"
Li Zhang glanced at him, then turned to Lao Jianhua and asked, "Master, what do you mean?"
Lao Jianhua stroked his beard and said in a deep voice: "Returning to defend Hangzhou is the last step, and it is not the time yet."
Huo Wen frowned and said hesitantly: "However, Li Jiangyao has already captured Changzhou. The main force is only more than three hundred miles away from us. There are only Taihu Lake, Suzhou, Huzhou, Jiaxing and other cities in between. There is almost no danger. Defend. Yesterday, the military report came back, saying that Huzhou was being threatened by the Sixth Army of the First Zhenjiang Army, Yueyang City was attacked by Murong Xue Qinglong Army, and on General Xie Bao's side, the previously frustrated Suzaku Army was also preparing to regroup. Crossing the river to join the war. In this case, I'm afraid there will be a loss."
Li Zhang nodded and said in a deep voice: "The troops are too dispersed, and it is indeed easy for the enemy to defeat them one by one, and they will lose sight of the other. Why not gather the troops together, form a fist, and then..."
"And then have a decisive battle with them?" Lao Jianhua asked.
Li Zhang was stunned for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said: "Yes, a decisive battle!"
Lao Jianhua counted on his fingers: "Hangzhou is fully equipped with about 120,000 troops. Ye Rongcheng has 150,000 or 60,000 troops left. Xie Bao and his troops from the upper reaches cannot exceed 80,000 troops. Bao Yuchun, um, He still has more than 20,000 troops. Taken together, the total is close to 400,000 troops, which is all our strength."
He paused and continued: "And what about the enemies? Zhenjiang, Qinglong, and Zhuque, the three armies, the total strength is estimated to be around 500,000 to 550,000, and most of them are elite veterans who are good at fighting. The decisive battle... I’m afraid it’s too risky.”
"Master, it is better to take a risk than to wait for death slowly." Li Zhang couldn't help but said anxiously: "What happened in Changzhou will happen in Suzhou, Huzhou, and Yueyang one after another. Such cities are being destroyed one after another. If it goes on, all the power will be exhausted in the end, and only an isolated city in Hangzhou will be left, and everything will be over. Instead of sitting back and waiting for death, it is better to have a hearty battle with the court, 400,000 vs. 500,000, we may not lose! "
Lao Jianhua pondered for a moment, then looked up at Li Zhang: "Has your highness thought it through?"
Li Zhang nodded: "Think clearly! I will personally lead the army, with Bao Yuchun and Ye Rong as assistants, to defeat Li Jiangyao and the others! Master, if God favors us, we can defeat the enemy in one fell swoop and Li Bing's three If all the main forces on the road are destroyed south of the river, then the situation in the world will suddenly change, and Shengtang will still be ours!"
Perhaps because he was infected by Li Zhang's heroic spirit, Lao Jianhua couldn't help but be tempted: "What does His Highness plan to do? Do you have any specific strategies?"
Li Zhang had obviously thought about it before, so he responded without hesitation: "I want to call Bao Yuchun back, and then lead the 100,000 Guards to go north, join Ye Rongcheng's army at Taihu Lake, and fight Li Jiangyao head-on. At the same time, let Xie Bao lead the army The troops maneuvered around to contain Murong Xue's Qinglong Army and Ma Hongjie's Suzaku Army, preventing them from successfully joining forces with the Zhenjiang Army. Use this time difference to defeat Li Jiangyao first, and then turn around to deal with the other two enemies."
Lao Jianhua thought: "A total of six main forces of the Zhenjiang Army came over, and their strength is about the same as that of you and Ye Rongcheng combined. But Li Jiangyao himself is not easy to deal with. Even Ashina Zhijin and Luonia were defeated by him... …”
Li Zhang waved his hand and said excitedly: "He is not a god. He may not be so lucky every time! I don't believe it. Li Jiangyao will never be defeated? Master, please believe me for once and let me use Li Jiangyao's Blood, sacrifice the flag for the Jin army!"
Lao Jianhua stood up, paced with his hands behind his hands, and then stopped for a long time and said: "Okay, since His Highness is determined to do so, and is willing to use the power of a chariot to inspire the soldiers to fight bravely, it might not be a bad idea to give it a try. I think back then, your My father, His Highness the Flying General Wang, is the famous God of War of the Holy Tang Dynasty and is highly respected by the armed forces. If His Highness can personally defeat the invading enemy, it will be an unparalleled feat!"
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"Sir, is it really okay for His Highness to go on an expedition?"
As soon as he left Jin Prince's Mansion, Huo Wen asked in a low voice, with a look of worry on his face.
Lao Jianhua responded calmly: "He should also bear some responsibility. As the king of Jin, you can't hide in the palace all the time singing and dancing. Don't you know what the soldiers outside are talking about?"
Huo Wen nodded, first sighed helplessly, and then said: "But after all, His Highness has not been on the battlefield for a long time, and his opponent is the world-famous Li Jiangyao..."
"Don't worry, His Highness is only the commander-in-chief on the surface. The real ones responsible for commanding are Bao Yuchun and Ye Rongcheng." Lao Jianhua said: "I have already written to Commander Bao, he is probably arriving in Hangzhou soon. And Ye Rongcheng's side is also ready for the battle at this moment."
Hearing this, Huo Wen couldn't help but be stunned. Only then did he realize that Lao Jianhua had actually planned to join forces for a decisive battle, and even letting Jin Wang Li Zhang go to the front line in person was part of his plan. However, this idea has always been hidden in Lao Jianhua's heart, and he has not made it clear to the outside world. Instead, Li Yan took the initiative to propose it.
Huo Wen pondered for a moment and asked, "Aren't you going to report to His Highness what happened in the Imperial Capital?"
Lao Jianhua glanced at him coldly: "There are some things that you don't need to let His Highness know. It is useless if you know them. It will only increase your worries. The most important thing now is the frontline war. There is no need for Your Highness to interfere with anything else."
Huo Wen nodded in understanding: "I understand what you mean, but His Highness asked about Mrs. Rui again the day before yesterday. I'm afraid...it won't be easy to delay it any longer."
"You can push it to me, I have my own way to deal with it." Lao Jianhua turned around and asked: "How are you preparing for Kuo Hai's matter?"
Huo Wen looked around and lowered his voice: "It's really not easy to avoid Commander Bao's eyes and ears and contact the Japanese pirates directly. But please don't worry, sir, I have already teamed up with a powerful Japanese bandit army. Line, their leader promised that as long as the conditions promised by Mr. can be fulfilled, they are willing to provide protection and even serve as your subordinates."
Lao Jianhua nodded slightly and warned: "After that, His Highness will go on a personal expedition, so you will not go with him. You will stay in Hangzhou and keep in touch with Kuohai in case of emergencies."
"It all depends on Mr. Huo Wen's arrangement." Huo Wen promised, "I know it well."
Lao Jianhua was not in a hurry to get on the sedan. He walked slowly with his hands behind his back and asked, "Huo Wen, are you optimistic about the future situation?"
Huo Wen followed Lao Jianhua and responded cautiously: "Before uncle and nephew Bao Yuchun were defeated by Li Jiangyao, I was still very optimistic. But now... Sir, to be honest, there is no danger in the south. , and the military strength is far inferior to that of the imperial court, I'm afraid it really won't be able to hold on. Unless..."
"Unless what?" Lao Jianhua didn't look at him and just asked to himself.
"Unless a big mess suddenly breaks out in the imperial capital and the position is completely broken," Huo Wen said, "Only when the enemy has problems can we have a chance. Otherwise, complete defeat will be a matter of time."
Lao Jianhua smiled coldly: "Complete defeat? If His Highness hears this, he will definitely chop off your head."
Huo Wen responded flatteringly: "As long as you don't chop me, it will be fine. Who doesn't know that you are the one who really controls everything?"
Lao Jianhua said quietly: "You said those depressing words just now, how could you know that I wouldn't kill you?"
"A wise man does not refuse to speak dangerously," Huo Wen said step by step: "Sir, you are a man of great wisdom. You have already understood the world situation. How can you not see the reason for the crisis in Jiangnan? I am just saying something in front of you, no. You dare to deceive and pretend."
Lao Jianhua sneered and asked: "What do you mean when you say there is a big chaos in the imperial capital?"
Huo Wen responded: "Of course it is the kind of incident that can directly disrupt the army. As long as the emperor Li Bing makes a little noise and drags down Li Jiangyao and Murong Xue, we will have a chance."
He paused for a moment and then continued: "For example, the discussion about the reward of nine tins that suddenly popped up before is now getting heated. I heard that Li Bing is very angry."
Lao Jianhua stopped and turned to look at Huo Wen: "Have you heard about it too?"
"I heard some rumors." Huo Wen replied seriously: "It is said that someone deliberately incited the government and the opposition to force the emperor to reward Li Jiangyao with nine tins. This is not intended to provoke a conflict between Li Bing and Li Jiangyao. But now Li Bing is still doing it It’s unclear whether this was Li Jiangyao’s original intention or whether he was just a meddlesome person causing trouble for no reason.”
Lao Jianhua said with a smile: "What's the point? Although our eyes in the imperial capital are all cut off, I am fully confident that this is being manipulated by Li Jiangyao's enemies."
Huo Wen's eyes lit up: "Li Jiangyao's enemy? You mean... the harem?"
