On this side, after receiving the news, Deng Yu immediately sent troops to ask for help from Liu Xiu. After all, after losing Nanxiang and Pheasant County, Nanyang's original 50,000 troops also shrunk to 40,000.
There are more than thirty counties in Nanyang. In addition to Wancheng, Nanxiang, Pheasant County, and Ye County are the most important. They are important areas for Nanyang's defense in the west, north, and east directions. Therefore, there may only be a few hundred soldiers and horses stationed in other counties, but these three counties each have thousands of soldiers and horses stationed.
However, the loss of two important county towns means that the 10,000 troops will be wasted.
On the other side, although Yue Fei and Chang Yuchun were attacking from both sides and advancing towards Wancheng, Yue Fei also had his own plan.
Few people knew that at this time, Yue Fei's real target was not Wancheng, and among the mighty army marching towards Wancheng, the people stationed there were only Yue Fei's substitutes, not Yue Fei himself.
Xinye County is to the north of Xiangyang City. There is a Han River between the two cities. It can be said that Xinye is the vassal screen of Xiangyang.
If the enemy in the north attacks, they must first attack Xinye, and then use Xinye as a platform to cross the Han River south and take Xiangyang directly. From here we can see the importance of Xinye. In fact, Xinye is no different from the military fortress of Xiangyang.
Fancheng is only about forty miles away from Xinye. Like Xinye, it is also the throat of Jingzhou and the southern barrier of Nanyang.
Fancheng is connected with Xiangyang. The two cities stand between the Han River and control the traffic of the Han River. Moreover, in terms of China's geographical situation, Xiangfan controls the important north-south thoroughfare. Starting from central China, regardless of whether it is a southern or northern expedition, it must pass through Xiangfan, so Xiangfan's strategic location is very important.
In this battle, Yue Fei's target was placed in Xinye and Fancheng. As long as we capture this place, we can directly threaten Xiangyang and make Liu Xiuru choke.
Fancheng.
Due to the extremely important geographical location here, although Nanyang served as a barrier in front of it to resist the surrounding princes, 15,000 troops were still stationed as a precaution.
With these 15,000 people, plus the 5,000 people in Xinye who are in close contact with each other, even if they really encounter any problems, they can still support them until reinforcements arrive.
There are countless rivers around Fancheng, and these rivers serve as diversions. Therefore, Liu Xiu built the moat of Fancheng wide and deep. If he really wanted to attack Fancheng, he would have to sacrifice a lot of lives just for these moats.
Secondly, the city is high. The three Liu brothers will not despise Fancheng as a barrier. From Liu Biao to Liu Xiu, Fancheng has been revised three times inside and out. It can be said that the city is high and the walls are thick.
"Come here, bring him up here!" Yue Fei said sonorously and forcefully under the cover of night.
At this time, Yue Fei and his men had changed into the clothes of the Chu army and lurked near Fancheng. However, even though they put on the Chu army's clothes, they could not move forward.
The reason why they changed into the clothes of the Chu army was because they had not yet captured the counties along the way. They bypassed these counties directly to prevent their whereabouts from being exposed.
But if they continue to move forward, even if they are wearing the clothes of the Chu army, it will not work. Wancheng is in a critical moment, and it is impossible for the Chu army to march towards Fancheng from the direction of Nanyang at this time. As long as the Chu generals in Fancheng are not stupid, it is impossible to fall into their scheme.
Regarding Fancheng, Yue Fei had already done some understanding at Floating Water House beforehand. Only by knowing yourself and the enemy can you win every battle.
According to Fushui Fang's investigation, there are a total of 15,000 troops in Fan City, led by the guard general Kou Xun, followed by Liu Tianxiao, Zhuomao, Cai Xun, Cai You, Liu Anshi, Kou Zhun, Zhang Yun, and Zhu Chaoshi. Civil and military.
Among them, Kou Zhun is a character who came out of the last balance and was implanted into Kou Xun's clan uncle. However, Kou Zhun was new here and was only a minor official for the time being.
Zhu Chaoshi is a subordinate of Liu Yu's faction. Liu Yu had many talents under his command, and these were also the strength of Jingbei. After Liu Yu was suppressed by Liu Xiu, these talents were divided into various places by Liu Xiu.
First, these talents can be put to use. The two places can also take the opportunity to further disperse Liu Yu's power.
Sending so many generals to guard it is enough to show that Liu Xiu attaches great importance to Fancheng.
Fortunately, Yue Fei had a certain degree of confidence when he dared to come to Fancheng, and this certainty was a prisoner he obtained when he attacked Pheasant County.
Speaking of which, that man's luck was also bad. He was not the guard of Pheasant County, but just a man escorting grain and grass. However, he happened to encounter Huang Feihu's surprise attack on Pheasant County and was directly caught.
"Mr. Yuan Changgong, this time I have to work with you. When this Jingxiang land is captured by the king's army, Yuan Changgong will be the biggest contributor!" He waved his hand and dismissed the two pawns escorting Cai Jing. Yue Fei showed a He said with an amiable smile.
Although many generals in the army disliked Cai Jing, a weakling like him, Yue Fei didn't care about him. The more people like this on the enemy side, the easier it will be for them to fight.
If all the enemies are hard-core people who regard death as their own, no doubt such people are admirable, but the difficulty of conquering the world for them will also increase by several levels.
"Don't worry, Commander-in-Chief, the King of Jin is the wise master of the world. It is my blessing to have the opportunity to serve the King of Jin!" Cai Jing said with a hunched waist.
"Hahaha, my lord has always cherished talents, and if he is as talented as Yuan Changgong, if he can make a contribution this time, he will be reused by my lord in the future!" Yue Fei patted Cai Jing on the shoulder and said.
The identity implanted by Cai Jing turned out to be a descendant of the Cai family, the top family in Jingbei. With this identity, Yue Fei believed that his plan had at least an 80% chance of success this time.
"Thank you, Commander-in-Chief!" After hearing what Yue Fei said, Cai Jing became more determined to take refuge in Yue Fei's current affairs.
If he can really make great contributions and be appreciated by the King of Jin, maybe after this battle, he will have a chance to kick Cai Mao out and take charge of the Cai family himself.
"Yuan Changgong, in order to ensure your safety, I have specially invited General Li Cunxiao to come to help. With General Li here, Yuan Changgong will be even more powerful!" Yue Fei pointed to Li Shisan beside him.
After all, there were many civil and military officials in Jingbei, so Li Xiang handed over many generals under Li Jing, the governor of Sizhou, to Yue Fei, and among them, Li Shisan was the strongest.
"It turns out to be General Li. General Li's name is famous all over the world!" Cai Jing said in surprise. He didn't know how strong Li Cunxiao was, but he knew how strong Xiang Yu was. Back then, Xiang Yu had single-handedly fought against the four powerful generals Zhuge Kunlong, Wu Zhiqi, Deng Xia, and Wen Zhong in northern Jingbei.
