Regarding the Forbidden Army's initiative to withdraw from Shizhou, Yuan Song believed that this was Yang Chongqing's strategic contraction, but he did not realize that Yang Chongqing had any special meaning... ··············In the last battle of Pingyang, Yang Chongqing led the main force of the Forbidden Army to encircle Pingyang, leaving Shizhou with only two battalions of more than 7,000 troops.
Although the strength of 7,000 men is not a lot, it is still enough to guard a city like Shizhou. If guarded properly, it can cause a lot of trouble to the Fengwu Army.
Of course, trouble is trouble. It is still impossible to stop the Fengwu Army from attacking Shizhou with only 7,000 people!
Yuan Song's original battle plan was to arrange Ye Tao's 8th and 9th divisions to attack Shizhou with heavy artillery.
Although the Eighth Division and the Ninth Division had some casualties in previous battles, the casualties were generally not very large. The two divisions combined had 35,000 men, which was five times the number of Shizhou's enemies. Coupled with the heavy artillery of the Fengwu Army, Yuan Song was still very confident in capturing Shizhou and felt that he could capture Shizhou within half a month.
Now it seems that Yang Chongqing also understands that it is difficult to defend Shizhou with 7,000 forbidden troops, so he chose the latter between defending Shizhou and relying on the city to cause damage to the Fengwu Army, or giving up Shizhou to retain its effective strength!
Although he gave up Shizhou, this does not mean that Yang Chongqing has become weak and afraid of war. Based on his understanding of Yang Chongqing's style, Yang Chongqing's deep-seated purpose of this move should be to better concentrate the power of the Forbidden Army and defend Pingyang. Region... The hilly area is not a very conducive place for defense. If Eryang Mountain is captured by the enemy, the attacking army can attack the defenders in the city from a high position on Eryang Mountain, and may even use the Eryang River to launch a water attack.
Shizhou is surrounded by plains, which is relatively easier to defend than Pingyang! Although the natural conditions are like this, as the saying goes, military is a continuation of politics, and political factors must be considered in fighting a war!
Behind Pingyang is Wei Pass, and three hundred miles west of Wei Pass is Luo'an. Therefore, if Pingyang is not defended, the Fengwu Army will face Wei Pass. Although Wei Pass is an indestructible city in the world, it is Luo'an's last barrier after all!
Once the Fengwu Army storms Wei Pass, even if Wei Pass is not lost, it will make Luo'an, which is already tense, even more panic-stricken. There may even be dignitaries in Luo'an who, in order to avoid the Fengwu Army's offensive, plan to head toward Sichuan and Shu. escape!
But Shizhou is different. Behind Shizhou is the vast Yongliang. Although the area is vast, it is very barren, and it is also facing the threat of the Kipchaks. The political and economic significance is very average. Therefore, considering the overall situation, the value of Pingyang Much bigger than Shizhou!
If Yuan Song guessed correctly, Yang Chongqing abandoned Shizhou and withdrew his troops in order to strengthen Pingyang's defense... ··Although Yang Chongqing won two consecutive battles in Shizhou and Pingyang, the impact of the fall of Jinyang was huge. Therefore, according to the news from the Coordination Office, the Luo'an court even announced that Ma Chongyang, the commander of the Xuanwu Army, would succeed Yang Chongqing. information.
Although the Luo'an court has recently released a lot of signals that it continues to trust Yang Chongqing, the Luo'an court must have asked him not to give up Pingyang anymore, and to keep Pingyang intact and prevent the Fengwu army from facing Weiguan!
Therefore, Yang Chongqing is also burdened with huge political pressure. He cannot give up Pingyang like he gave up Jinyang. He must fight head-on with the Fengwu Army in Pingyang!
Realizing this, Yuan Song felt a lot more at ease. To be honest, after experiencing a false shot by Yang Chongqing, Yuan Song was really worried about Yang Chongqing who was not playing according to common sense. He was worried that he was playing some tricks and doing things behind his back. Some intrigues!
Although in the Pingyang area, Yang Chongqing can rely on city fortifications and has geographical advantages. However, as the defender, the strategic situation is quite passive, which leaves Yang Chongqing with little room for maneuver to make surprise attacks.
The Fengwu Army has a great advantage in firearms. With perfect logistical support, the Fengwu Army can use wave after wave of artillery strikes to offset the geographical advantage of the Forbidden Army. Therefore, Yuan Song is willing to fight Yang Chongqing in this kind of battle. The battle of overcoming difficulties and the war of attrition... Because the entire system of the Fengwu Army is the backing, facing Yang Chongqing's As a famous general in the world, Yuan Song is more willing to seek stability. Even if he pays a little more, he is not willing to take risks, giving Yang Chongqing a chance to make a comeback!
Looking at the sand table, Yuan Song pondered for a while and then told Zheng Chuang beside him: "Stop the plan of the 8th and 9th Divisions to attack Shizhou, and let the 9th Division send a battalion to Shizhou to take over some territory!"
"In addition, let Feihuying sneak into the Pingyang area to investigate the situation in the Pingyang area, and let Ye Tao's 8th Division prepare for a tentative attack on Shuanghu County." After hearing Yuan Song's instructions, Zheng Chuang, a general, He nodded subconsciously, but he quickly realized the problem. After hesitating, he still reported to Yuan Song: "Sir, the Third Army has been preparing for war. The brothers in the Second Division and the Fourth Division are very angry. Gao, especially Commander Xun has always wanted to be the vanguard of the army. I don't think Commander Xun would have any objections to this task being assigned to the Eighth Division." In response to Zheng Chuang's words, Yuan Song shook his head and said: "Because of this, I can't hand it over to the Third Army. Pingyang is a tough guy and can't be rushed. I can understand Commander Xun's mood, but what I want now is just a tentative attack. If I hand it over to the Third Army, Xun Ke will definitely do it. Seriously attack Shuanghu County..." Hearing what Yuan Song said, Zheng Chuang suddenly realized that he was a little embarrassed. He said: "My lord, you are very thoughtful, but I am overthinking it!" Yuan Song waved his hand and said: "As you can imagine, this relationship is very good. As a commander, you must not only study your opponents, but also study your own internal affairs and unite your colleagues around you. Only in this way can we know ourselves and the enemy and be victorious in every battle!" At this point, Yuan Song patted Zheng Chuang on the shoulder and said: "You are a good young man, do your best! Your merits are all seen by the commander, and he will wait until the enemy is completely defeated. Yun Bing, it's time for you to carry more burdens!" Zheng Chuang's eyes suddenly lit up when he heard this, and he immediately bowed and said, "Thank you for your appreciation!" Yuan Song nodded slightly when he heard the words, and saw that Yuan Song had nothing to explain. Zheng Chuang just bowed and retreated.
When Zheng Chuang left, Yuan Song, who was alone in the room, couldn't help but sigh. Although what he just said was calm and gentle, he was really worried about Xun Ke's reaction. After conquering Jinyang, Xun Ke was persuaded to come back by him with a personal letter.
After returning to Jinyang, Yuan Song also talked to him, and Xun Ke also promised that in the next battle, he would stay rational and not act out of emotion.
However, since the half-month break, the Third Army led by Xun Ke has been preparing for war. Privately, Xun Ke has repeatedly said that he wants blood debts to be paid with blood, and that the Third Army should take revenge on Yang Chongqing and the Forbidden Army.
Therefore, Yuan Song was also a little worried about whether Xun Ke would keep his promise. Considering this aspect, he gave the task of exploratory attack to the third division.
Although he thinks he has made the right choice, Yuan Song is also a little worried whether Xun Ke will make some emotional moves after hearing the news... ··············································· ·····························Yi Jing, at three quarters in the morning in Ye Mansion’s study room, Ye Mingsheng was studying the documents sent by the Government Affairs Bureau When reporting on Qilu's economic development expectations, there was a familiar knock on the door.
"Come in!" With Ye Mingsheng's permission, Ye Cheng walked in and reported to Ye Mingsheng: "Sir, Su Yi, the deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Bureau, has something to report!" Because Su Yi had just sent him an email about it a few days ago. Jing Chu's memorial, so Ye Mingsheng also preconceived it at this time that there was something new happening in Jing Chu. Su Yi, the deputy director, might be paying attention and wanted to ask him for instructions, so he nodded and said: "Let him in. !”
"Yes!" After a cup of tea, the handsome Su Yi came to Ye Mingsheng and bowed in front of him. In order to save time, Ye Mingsheng said straight to the point: "What is Sun Chenggong up to?" Seeing Ye Mingsheng ask this , Su Yi looked startled and then quickly reported: "Sir, since you asked Dadongsheng to stop the supply of firearms to Jingchu, Sun Chenggong has relented and not only released several clerks from our Foreign Affairs Bureau in Jingchu , and also lied that this was all done by the people below, and killed a few people as scapegoats, with a very good attitude!" After hearing this result, Ye Mingsheng also nodded with satisfaction, and he knew that Sun Chenggong, this guy, has no courage and no Capital has nothing to do with itself.
But this kind of matter is just a report. Why do you have to come to see me and report? Your time is very precious. I still have to study the report sent by the Government Affairs Bureau, and I will also listen to Chen Changgui's report later. , there are a lot of things waiting for him to deal with... Just when Ye Mingsheng was a little dissatisfied, Su Yi continued to speak: "Sir, I am not here because of Jingchu's affairs, but because I have something very important to report to you!" After saying this, Su Yi took out a letter and said very seriously He introduced to Ye Mingsheng: "Your Excellency, Shafkat, the envoy of the Kipchak Khanate, has just arrived in Yijing. He has brought a personal letter written by Esdogan, the new Khan of the Kipchak Khanate, to your Excellency!" Ide Ye Mingsheng was also a little surprised, and realized that he had misunderstood Su Yi, so he immediately took the autographed letter from Su Yi.
Ye Mingsheng opened the letter and looked at the dense Kipchak writing on it. He also felt helpless. He didn't know the Kipchak writing and couldn't understand what Esdogan wrote to him.
After putting down the letter, Ye Mingsheng asked Su Yi: "Just tell me directly what he wrote in this letter!" After hearing this, Su Yi organized her language and said: "Sir, Esdogan's letter first comes Asked how you and your family were, and said some nice words!”
"The rest is the main content of this letter, which I mainly classify into three points!"
"The first point is that Esdogan believes that their war with the Luobei people is a matter for the grassland people. As a powerful force of the Great Zhou Dynasty, you are not allowed to interfere in any form. He asks you to stop selling firearms and food to the Luobei people. , cloth and other materials..."
"The second point is that Esdogan tells you that he does not want to participate in the internal struggle of the Great Zhou Dynasty, but the Astai area is the sphere of influence of their Kipchak Khanate, and he does not want any Fengwu army officers to enter the Astai area. Area, if the Fengwu Army enters Astai, there will be consequences at your own risk!"
"The third point is that Esdogan hopes to do business with us, so we hope that we can provide tariff concessions and other conveniences!" Esdogan said that if you and Fengwu Army can complete these three points, you will He will gain friendship with the Kipchak Khanate, and war will never happen!
After Su Yi said this, she looked at Ye Mingsheng with some worry. He was also very shocked and angry after knowing the content of the letter, but as the deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Bureau, he still wanted to truthfully report the content of the letter to Ye Mingsheng. Ming Sheng.
At this time, under Su Yi's gaze, Ye Mingsheng did not show any anger in his expression. On the contrary, a playful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. Although he didn't know what gave Esdogan such courage to let him He wrote such a letter to himself, but if Ye Mingsheng remembers correctly, no one has dared to speak to him like this since he led the Fengwu Army into the Pass to compete in the Central Plains... …… That’s the second one.
The Astai area mentioned by Esdogan is called Yongliang according to the Kipchak people. According to the Da Zhou, this area is the border between the Da Zhou and the Kipchak Khanate. The two sides have launched many wars around this area. The bloody battle is currently under the actual control of the Luo'an court.
However, because Shangguan Hongyuan wanted to mobilize the Liang army and concentrate his forces to conquer the Fengwu army in the east, he also reached a secret agreement with the Kipchak Khanate, tacitly approving the Kipchak Khanate's occupation of some grasslands on the Yongliang border, and also Some preferential policies were given to some Kipchak Khanates.
And now it can be seen from the letter of Esdogan, the new Kipchak Khan, that the Kipchak Khanate has regarded the territory of Yongliang that belongs to the Great Zhou as their sphere of influence, and does not allow the Fengwu Army to interfere. ···························
