Time flies, always passing by inadvertently. Inadvertently, the sunset has already hung on the top of the mountain, and with only the last breath left, he is about to fall into the abyss, and the city gradually regains its tranquility.
The military order of the curfew was implemented a quarter of an hour ago. The lively carnival last night has become a thing of the past. All that is left is the solemnity brought by the curfew and the infinite depression on the eve of the war.
In the military camp in the south of the city, the soldiers had packed their gear, and the sound of sharpening knives became the main theme of the entire military camp.
Everyone knows that they are about to embark on a new journey! But it was obvious that although the air pressure in the military camp was still low, there was no sadness as before before the expedition.
The reason is simple: two complete victories have given them enough confidence. As long as the general is there, they have no fear of any enemy.
Although until now, they only know that the enemy on the opposite side is from Yan State. As for the number of people, weapons and equipment, morale, etc., they knew nothing about it.
Maybe they don't need to know. As long as they remember to follow the general closely and charge in the direction pointed by the blade in the general's hand, that's enough!
Of course, as the lowest level soldiers, this can be done, but the generals, who are the specific executors of military orders, cannot do this, especially the senior commanders.
Before embarking on the journey, it was necessary for Zhao Kuo to explain his plan to his generals, well, at least the two generals Li Mu and Zhou Qi.
So, in the impenetrable Chinese military tent surrounded by soldiers, in front of a simple sand table, Zhao Kuozheng made the final strategic deployment.
"In this battle with the Yan army, the total force invested by our army is Daijun's troops going south, about 30,000 cavalry, 3,000 infantry to defend the city and 400 of our own generals, in addition to Handan City The defenders have about 30,000 infantry, totaling about 63,400 people." As usual, Zhao Kuo first began to analyze the strength of the enemy and ourselves.
"As for the Yan army, according to the investigation, it almost overturned the country." Zhao Kuo paused for a moment, then looked at Li Mu and Zhou Qi, and slowly said an almost desperate figure: "Their total strength is about 160,000."
"What?!" Both of them said in shock.
"Where did Yan State get so many soldiers?" Li Mu then continued to ask. Li Mu had obviously paid attention to this neighboring country. Even when dealing with the Hu people, the border soldiers of the two countries would cooperate with each other. Therefore, although he did not dare to say how much he knew about the Yan State, he did not know much about the Yan State. Li Mu still understands the basics.
Since the failure to destroy Qi and being pushed back by Tian Dan, the Yan Kingdom can be said to have been in ruins. Although it still has a certain advantage over the Hu people in the north, it is still facing the Hu people.
When facing the various countries in the Central Plains, they were firmly in the last echelon with the country of Korea. What is the situation of the country of Han? Qin and Zhao fought a vigorous battle on his territory. He didn't even dare to fart. Even with this large piece of land with a very strategic position, it was divided between Qin and Zhao. No one thought to ask its owner, Han Zhiguo, what he thought.
Today, the Kingdom of Han only has one county left. If it were not for the need for a buffer zone between Qin and Zhao, the Kingdom of Han would have been destroyed long ago.
What about Yan State? Not much better. A battle to destroy Qi wiped out a hundred years of continuation. The following Yan State failed to change its policy, let alone have any intention of recuperating. It still dreamed of becoming a great country, but had no strategy to strengthen it, let alone implemented it. Any act of great power.
In such a situation, the state of Yan is almost deteriorating. Under the huge financial pressure and the reduction of land area, it is impossible for the Yan army to greatly expand its military strength.
With tens of thousands of border troops and tens of thousands in the capital, the total force should be no more than 100,000, which should be the limit of Yan State.
But now the one hundred and sixty thousand that the general said was impossible to achieve from Li Mu's point of view. Zhao Kuo naturally understood where Li Mu's doubts came from.
He immediately explained briefly: "Judging from the intelligence sent back so far, when the Yan army invaded our Zhao country, they lost troops when they captured Anping City, which was not an important town and was guarded by less than a thousand people. Thousands, although it may be suspected of underestimating the enemy, but its combat power is indeed worrying. Therefore, these 160,000 people should be improvised by the King of Yan who was aggressive in military affairs." This makes sense, after all, it is within the territory of Yan State There are still hundreds of thousands of farmers in the country, and it is not a problem to raise 160,000.
Li Mu also nodded when he heard this. Sixty thousand elites, against a makeshift 160,000 people, it seems that they are not incapable of fighting!
There is even a good chance of winning! However, another question randomly came to mind! This makeshift 160,000 people, whether it is the coordination of the battle formation or the ability to adapt to the situation, will definitely be much weaker than the original army due to the addition of civilians.
In other words, the extra 60,000 men may not only fail to improve the overall combat effectiveness of the Yan Army, but may actually reduce the Yan Army's combat effectiveness?
Why did King Yan do such a useless thing? Zhao Kuo's next words seemed to explain this question.
Of course, it is explained by another bigger question.
"Currently, Yan State's 160,000-strong army is divided into two groups. One group of 100,000 people goes south from Anping and goes straight to Handan. The other group of 60,000 people goes west from Anping City and goes straight to our city. . At present, there is still about one and a half days' journey from Laiwolan to the city's headquarters, and there are still two days' journey from Handan's headquarters." Zhao Kuo calmly fiddled with the position of Yan's army on the sand table.
"Ah?" Two incredible voices came out of Li Mu and Zhou Qi's mouths. Obviously, the two of them also saw the flaws in Yan Jun's move.
"Doesn't this division of troops give our army the opportunity to defeat each one?" Zhou Qi seemed a little unconvinced that this was the Yan army's layout.
"Isn't Lejian so unwise?" Li Mu, who had dealt with Lejian's troops, was even more unconvinced that the Yan army would arrange it like this.
But it is what it is. Zhao Kuo could only reluctantly speculate and said: "The scouts came to report that there was no flag with the word Le in the march. I'm afraid Le Jian did not accompany him."
"Huh?" Li Mu frowned in confusion when he heard this, and continued: "Lejian may be the number one general in the Yan Kingdom. How can he not use the courtesy in such a battle that will overwhelm the country?"
"That's not necessarily the case." Before Zhao Kuo could answer, Zhou Qi on the side said first: "If you don't see me, it is my king who gave the tiger talisman to Pingyang Jun. Why can't King Yan abandon Lejian? No need?" Li Mu was silent for a moment after hearing this.
"In any case, five groups of scouts have learned about the division of the Yan army from different channels. This is an indisputable fact. Whether King Yan underestimates the enemy or is unwise, it is none of your business. It's something that needs to be considered." Zhao Kuo said immediately, which brought an end to the argument.
"Yes." They both replied in unison.
"Then the enemy's situation is clear. The next step is how we should deal with it." Zhao Kuo continued immediately.
The two people present immediately pricked up their ears.
"It stands to reason that our army should guard Yanyu City and Handan City tightly, and use more than 10,000 cavalry to attack the Yan army's food routes. In less than a month, the cold winter will come, and the Yan army will be short of food and clothing. They will not fight unless they fight. Retreat. This is the plan with the least loss of troops and the least danger. In the coming year, we will slowly mobilize troops from Shangdang and Hanoi, and then enter the Kou Yan Kingdom to avenge this." Zhao Kuo then used his first set The plan was put on the table.
After hearing this, the two of them naturally nodded frequently. Although 60,000 vs. 160,000 is not completely impossible to win, after all, the difference in strength is more than twice that of more than twice. Even if they win, they will probably lose a lot of troops. Holding tight and waiting for the right time is obviously the best way.
But apparently the two of them also suddenly realized that before the general made this move, he seemed to have said something
"It stands to reason." Is there anything else wrong with this battle?
Is it "reasonable"? Sure enough, the general's voice immediately sounded again: "It's just that Lord Pingyang is holding the tiger talisman by his side. If the army does not turn back to Handan, I am afraid that he will have the desire to seize power."
"He dares?" Zhou Qi, who had a hot temper, suddenly became unhappy. Zhao Kuo waved his hand and said: "It doesn't matter whether he dares or not. What's important is that once he chooses to stick to it, it will be easier for him to defend the city. We can defend it ourselves. It is said that the Yan army has 60,000 troops, but 160,000 troops will arrive together. It doesn't matter if we guard it for a few months. But what about Handan City?"
"The city of Handan is high and deep, and there are 30,000 elites and hundreds of thousands of civilians inside. How can the Yan army defeat it?" Zhou Qi immediately replied.
"There are no generals in Handan!" Li Mu replied from the side.
"Then, General, I will personally lead 10,000 cavalry to reinforce Handan, and eventually I will have 20,000 troops to defend Yanyu City, which will be enough." Zhou Qi once again took charge.
This is really not Zhou Qi's arrogance. Although the strength of the 20,000-strong army is not large, only one-third of the Yan army's 60,000 troops, in terms of military morale and elite level, the Zhao army is far superior to the Yan army. Don't think it's a problem.
Li Mu also nodded when he heard this, obviously he also approved of this strategy. But Zhao Kuo, who heard this, shook his head: "These 60,000 Yan troops are not here for Daijun, but to block this general. If this general leads his army out, how can the Yan army continue?" The principle of staying at Yan and the city." Then Zhao Kuo continued to deduce: "If the partial division of the Yan army follows the general and goes south to fight with the main force, it will be difficult for our army to divide and attack it. And the troops at Yan and the city, We will also be in a dilemma - if we advance, the Yan army, which has been prepared, will be wary of its retreat; if we retreat, the 40,000 men in Handan City will be left to carry the Yan army alone, which is difficult."
"What's more, Lord Pingyang will not sit back and watch us divide our troops, and what my king wants is not just that I will lead an army of 10,000 people to the south. Even if I can suppress Lord Pingyang, there is nothing I can do to my king. If there are only 10,000 troops Lift the siege, I'm afraid I will be in jail before the siege is lifted." Zhao Kuo sighed softly.
For a moment, the Chinese military tent was filled with helpless silence...
