In a battle of ten thousand armies, military sentiment comes first.
The Zhenjiang Army and the rebels set up their positions in the Huzhou area, preparing for a full-scale battle. The first thing to appear is an all-weather, multi-level military intelligence contest.
All of a sudden, the Zhenjiang Intelligence Department and the Pegasus Scout Battalion were all dispatched. From the front line to the rear, from the city to the villages, from the vanguard battalion to the transport team, from the generals and captains to the cooks and grooms, all information was continuously contacted, obtained, and transmitted back. ,analyze.
Finally, it was delivered to Li Jiangyao and Xu Youchang.
The rebels were also not idle. Almost all of the elite Huben Battalion of spies built by Lao Jianhua personally mobilized to inquire about news and spy on intelligence in Yixing, Guangde, and further back in Xuancheng, Changzhou and other places.
The brutal battle between infiltration and counter-infiltration on both sides occurs one after another every day.
Since the confrontation on the front line, in just ten months, the Pegasus Scout Battalion and the rebel Huben Battalion have fought on the vast battlefield more than thirty times, with each suffering nearly two thousand casualties. In the face of this kind of high-intensity military investigation, the armies of both sides have almost no secrets left. Any movement and deployment cannot be guaranteed to be discovered by the spies on the opposite side.
Li Jiangyao felt a little annoyed about this.
150,000 versus 300,000. No matter how powerful the Suppressing Army is, a direct confrontation will inevitably entail huge casualties. Moreover, this cannot guarantee a sure victory. In a battle with a small number of enemies, only by using strategies and deceiving the enemy can we seize the opportunity and defeat the opponent.
However, the Huben battalion formed by Lao Jianhua was also an expert in military intelligence, and his martial arts quality was no weaker than that of the Pegasus scouts. The opponent faced each other head-on and refused to give in. It was clear that they wanted to neutralize the threat of Li Jiangyao's military strategy to the greatest extent and force the Xinjiang Army to fight head-on.
Several times, he couldn't help but go into battle himself, leading the white robe army and Pegasus scouts to completely kill the rebel Huben and regain the intelligence advantage on the battlefield.
However, military commanders including Xu Youchang expressed their opposition.
In this battle, all the elite rebels came out, and there were many powerful martial arts masters. Once the Imperial Guard accidentally ambushed and fell into a tight siege, the situation would be too dangerous.
In the words of Xu Youchang, if you fight with open arms, fight with open arms, and you are not afraid of the opponent with open swords and guns. There is no need to hook up the coach just for the sake of a few spies. The deal will be a huge loss.
Li Jiangyao couldn't win over everyone, so he reluctantly agreed and no longer thought of participating in the scout war personally.
In this way, the enemy's and our scouts competed for a long time, and there was no winner or loser. In the end, Li Zhang felt that the time was ripe and began to make further new moves.
On the first day of autumn, the rebels dispatched 250,000 troops and horses, starting from Huzhou City and advancing westward. When the army reached thirty miles, 50,000 people were separated from the team and set up blocking positions to the north along Fangshan, Badujie, Wutoujie, Zhangzishan and Dahualing lines.
The remaining 200,000 main troops continued westward, approaching Guangde.
Li Zhang's idea has not changed. He will first defeat Xu Youchang's troops in the west, and then turn around to face Li Jiangyao.
The enemy's strategic intention was very clear, and the Zhenjiang Army responded immediately.
Guangde County is small in size, has low city walls, and has no defensive advantages. Therefore, Xu Youchang directly led his troops out of the city to meet the enemy based on the strategy he had previously discussed with Li Jiangyao, and prepared for battle at the Cishan Hill in the east of Guangde.
At the same time, the Zhenjiang army in Yixing was divided into two groups. Xiong Yunjie's Fifth Army went straight to the rebels' mountain defense line, while Duan Jun's Ninth Army went south along Taihu Lake and attacked the enemy's headquarters in Huzhou.
In addition, Li Jiangyao also issued an order to the Eighth Army, which had been prepared for a long time, and ordered it to quickly set off from Changzhou and march 160 miles to reinforce the Fifth Army.
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"Daduhu, let's eat something first," Han Wenhao whispered: "The food has been heated twice and now it's cold again."
Li Jiangyao stared at the map and asked, "Where are Xiong Yunjie's 12th and 13th Battalions?"
Han Wenhao was stunned and turned to look to the side. Sima, who joined the army, responded quickly: "The battle report just came in said that the right wing of the Fifth Army has captured Dahualing and is making a detour towards the main peak of Zhangzi Mountain."
"Where is the Eighth Army? When will they be able to go into battle?"
"The forward of the Eighth Army has just arrived at Wutoujie, and it is estimated that the attack will not be launched until sunrise tomorrow. The follow-up troops are still on the way, and they will all arrive at the designated location by tomorrow evening at the latest to take over from Xiong Yunjie's troops."
Li Jiangyao muttered, "It's too slow," and then asked, "What's going on with Marshal Xu? Is there anything new?"
Sima, who joined the army, shook his head: "The latest news came in the afternoon. The First Army suffered more than 5,700 casualties, and the Sixth Army suffered more than 10,000 casualties. The battle situation is very stalemate..."
"Did Xu Youchang say, how long can he last?" Li Jiangyao said in a deep voice.
"Shuai Xu didn't say anything. He just asked the messenger to tell the Imperial Guard that the First Army and the Sixth Army would hold the defense line until the main force arrived."
Li Jiangyao stood up, walked back and forth in the tent, and then returned to the map. While thinking about it, he asked: "Is there no movement in the direction of Huzhou?"
Sima Ying, who joined the army, said: "Bao Yuchun was left by Li Zhang to guard Huzhou, with about 50,000 troops. In response to General Duan's surprise attack, he never stood firm. He would rather abandon the strongholds and fortresses outside the city than send any troops. People are fighting. The Ninth Army is all light cavalry and lacks siege equipment. There is nothing they can do with the rebels' tortoise tactics."
Li Jiangyao took a picture of the map: "Immediately send someone to inform Duan Jun to change the strategy! Don't rush around Huzhou, go west, go around behind the rebels' mountain defense line, and harass their supply and troop transport lines!"
"Yes, I am humble enough to go and deliver the order right now." Sima, who joined the army, agreed, turned around and left quickly.
Han Wenhao glanced at Li Jiangyao cautiously, and was about to remind the guardian to eat again, but he didn't expect the curtain to be raised, and two people walked in from outside.
"Brother Jiang Yao, you are fine."
"In this humble position, please see the Great Protector!"
Li Jiangyao looked up and was surprised and happy: "Brother Shen! Yuan Bin! Are you back?"
With that said, he quickly stepped forward, stretched out his hand and held it with Shen Lie.
Shen Lie apologized: "Jiang Yao, I didn't complete the task well, I'm ashamed."
"Who said that?" Li Jiangyao pulled Shen Lie to sit down and said with a smile: "Brother Shen first balanced the forces in the court and prevented the spy Wei Zixuan from causing trouble in the court, and then completely destroyed the conspiracy of the rebel spy, and finally successfully captured It's been a great harvest to have important people like Wu Ling and Rui Ji, and I can't thank you enough."
Shen Lie shook his head and asked, "Have you heard about the situation in the Imperial Capital?"
Li Jiangyao signaled Han Wenhao to pour water for the two of them, and at the same time responded: "I heard something. What? You also know it?"
"Yuan Bin and I heard some gossip on the road, and it was very strange." Shen Lie sighed: "Oh, if I had known better, I wouldn't have been in a hurry to leave the imperial capital. That way I would have had the opportunity to grasp first-hand information and help you. . It seems that I am getting really old, becoming more and more cherishing my life, and becoming more and more timid."
Li Jiangyao waved his hand: "You can't say that. I feel relieved that you and Yuan Bin left the place of right and wrong in time. Otherwise, I would have to worry about your safety. What are you afraid of if the capital is turned upside down? You are fine, that is the most important thing to me. important."
These heartfelt words moved Shen Lie and Yuan Bin greatly. Shen Lie couldn't help but sigh: "Shen has been lonely, cold and arrogant all his life. I didn't expect that at nearly fifty years old, I would be lucky enough to have a good brother like you. God is so kind to me." Thin!"
Yuan Bin also said: "Thank you to the Protector for caring about me. Life and death are small things in a humble position. I will go through fire and water for the Protector of the Protector, no matter what!"
Li Jiangyao nodded solemnly and turned to ask: "Brother Shen, what do you think about the matter in the Imperial Capital?"
"If half of the rumors from the outside are true, then Shen is enough to conclude that a coup has indeed occurred in the imperial capital!" Shen Lie analyzed seriously: "I have been in charge of the Beiya Nilin Division for more than 20 years, and I am known as the Living King of Hell. , but they did not dare to sweep away nearly one-third of the court ministers within a month, and did so without any evidence. Obviously, this was a complete political strangulation, targeting all ministers except the Queen's family. Can threaten their important officials!"
Li Jiangyao thought deeply: "What do you mean, is Cheng Wen conspiring to usurp power?"
Shen Lie nodded: "It's almost the same. The emperor was suddenly plotted and could not go to the court to manage the affairs. According to the rules of the Holy Tang Dynasty, the courtiers should come forward, cooperate with the royal family, and temporarily handle the government affairs on the emperor's behalf. However, this situation does not did not appear. On the contrary, the emperor's will is still being promulgated to the outside world, but he himself is isolated from the world and rarely meets with foreign ministers. This cannot but make us suspect that someone has controlled Li Bing and used his name Manipulating the political situation.”
Yuan Bin continued: "The so-called person is of course the queen."
Li Jiangyao nodded slightly: "In this case, the situation in the Imperial City is serious. What a coincidence, the Imperial City Branch of the Intelligence Department had to evacuate or go into hibernation due to various previous crises, so it was unable to understand the specific situation there in time, and also There is no way to provide assistance to the old Dong and Princess."
Shen Lie said solemnly: "I am also worried about them. Especially Mr. Dong. He is in charge of the Ministry of War, holds real power, and has always been close to us. He can easily become Cheng Wen's target. By the way, Jiang Yao, the military Have you been affected in any way?"
"Currently, the main problem is that the Suzaku Army has encountered problems." Li Jiangyao said: "Gong Chengze was ordered to take over half of Ma Hongjie's troops and go west to conquer Bashu, making the war against Xie Bao increasingly difficult."
Shen Lie frowned and said worriedly: "Since Cheng Wen dares to attack the Suzaku Army, it will definitely be difficult for the Qinglong Army and the Xuanwu Army to escape. Once Li Xi is taken as a hostage, Murong Xue will be in trouble."
Li Jiangyao was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help but ask: "Eh? Why isn't Brother Shen worried about the Zhenjiang Army being affected?"
"You are asking knowingly," Shen Lie said with a bitter smile: "Not to mention a mere queen, not even the emperor himself can touch your direct legion. Jiang Yao, let's discuss how to help your good brother Murong. Snow.”
