On the Tokyo side, the emperor has not yet set off, and the victory of Xia Cai, together with the battle report of the Battle of Ukou, was transmitted to Kaifeng by Yiqi Pegasus.
After hearing this, the emperor and the Manchu ministers were overjoyed and couldn't help but congratulate Liu Chengyou. Liu Chengyou also killed Tao Gu, a scholar from Shushe. The results reported by the general were slightly processed and beautified, and then made into an official list, which was then announced to the whole city in Kaifeng Mansion to improve people's hearts.
According to official reports, in the Battle of Xia Cai, the Tang army's main force of 100,000 reinforcements in Huaihe was wiped out, and the general Liu Yanzhen was awarded the head. In the Battle of Wukou, Haozhou's 30,000 land and water army was defeated, and more than half of its troops were lost. As for the Han army, the damage was almost negligible, and countless prisoners and seizures were made.
In the Privy Council, it was more solemn than in the past. The officials and principals in charge of the chambers inevitably had some discussions about the great victory at Xia Cai and the great victory at Uokou. Wang Jun's side won a big victory. Although it was a surprise, it was not surprising. After all, the main force was there and there were many elite soldiers and generals. It can only be said that he used his troops well.
But on the Wokou side, with the help of two or three thousand regiments and navy troops, they were several times more powerful than the enemy and actually achieved a complete victory. Zhao Kuangyin's name was sung in the court for the first time.
Guo Wei was in his official case, reviewing documents and issuing military orders. Two great victories were achieved on the Huainan front line, and there would be a considerable adjustment reaction on the central side of the imperial court.
"Prime Minister, someone has come from the palace to deliver an edict. Your Majesty has summoned you!" Deputy envoy Zheng Renjie came in and reported.
Guo Wei's figure passed by the offices of the government office, and the surroundings immediately became solemn as usual. There is a kind of power that does not require force, and the crowd is solemn.
In the Chongzheng Hall, a group of young people and rising stars are speaking freely and giving advice.
"In the battle at Xia Cai, 30,000 elite Tang troops were destroyed in one blow. The situation in Huainan has changed drastically. Our victory has been confirmed. Next, Huainan will have no remaining strength to resist our heavenly troops!" Zhao Yanjin's voice was loud.
"Otherwise!" An Shouzhong objected: "The Tang army should not be underestimated. It is reported that in Shouchun City, He Jingzhu and Zhang Quanyue sheltered nearly 10,000 soldiers and civilians. The garrison strength exceeded 20,000, and they had enough food and grass. If he insists on holding on, I'm afraid he won't be able to let go!"
Hearing this, Zhao Yanjin immediately retorted: "What threat does a defeated army who are frightened by the news have? I am afraid that they will affect other defenders who have not participated in the war! How can they stop my victorious army?"
"I heard that He Jingzhu is a veteran of the Tang Army. He has been a soldier all his life. He has a lot of experience and is famous for his good defense! It should not be underestimated. As far as this report is concerned, he is very calm in the face of our army!" Zhang Yongde said: "Of course, after all, it is How long can I hold on for a long time in my sixties?"
"That's what the generals said!" Li Fang, the new champion, also joined in at this time and said: "The Shaoliang generals of the pseudo-Tang Dynasty have elite soldiers, and the monarch has no idea of the ability of people to use generals. It is indeed difficult to stop my strategy of the Han Dynasty. However, under Cai Cai In the first battle, although we showed off our army's majesty, it greatly defeated the Tang army and reduced its strength."
"However, given the national power of the puppet Tang Dynasty, it cannot be conquered in just one battle. In the opinion of the lower officials, it will take several more battles to weaken its national power. However, now, the situation in Hunan is corrupt and has trapped tens of thousands of Tang troops. This time, another After losing 30,000 forbidden troops, all the towns in Huainan can only sit and defend, the weather is getting colder, and it may be difficult for Jinling to mobilize a sufficient army to cross north to support in a short time!"
"However, now that winter has entered, the weather will only get colder and colder, which is really not conducive to our army's operations, especially the siege battle. For example, the guards of the Tang Army in Huainan Prefecture are all stubbornly resisting. Our army wants to expand Victory, no matter how big the results are, it’s not that easy!”
After listening to Li Fang's words, several people looked around at the handsome champion. Zhao Yanjin blinked and said, "I never thought that our champion would be so knowledgeable!"
Li Fang touched his short beard, smiled gently, and said modestly: "The official's words are casual, but the scholar's opinion."
Zhang Yongde nodded and said seriously: "The words of the Number One Scholar are indeed reasonable. Especially the season, it is only early winter, you can still persist in overcoming it. Once it reaches the depth of winter, the battle will be unfavorable, and the transfer of food, grass, ordnance, and cold protection materials will be difficult." The difficulty and loss will be greatly increased..."
"In this way, it is not as easy as we imagined to take advantage of the situation and swallow up the land of Huainan!" Zhao Yanjin couldn't help but said: "The imperial court chose to launch troops in late autumn, which is really not a good time!"
"There is nothing we can do!" An Shouzhong said: "After all, the situation between the north and the south cannot be decided by me in one day. After all, it is controlled by others! However, in the cold winter, although my soldiers fight hard, they can avoid the disturbance of the barbarians from the north!"
Zhao Yanjin and others were chatting happily, and Wang Zhu was also among them. Although he was not familiar with military strategy, he listened with great interest.
Liu Chengyou was on the imperial court, still studying the good news from the Shouzhou front, and listening to the discussions of the talented men of the Han Dynasty, he felt relatively relaxed.
He raised his eyes and coughed slightly. The people immediately became quiet and looked towards Liu Chengyou. Baiyue
Liu Chengyou's eyes fell on a handsome young general next to Zhang Yongde and asked: "Zhongxun, everyone is talking about the army in full swing. Why are you sitting here without saying a word?"
The young general whose name was named was Pan Mei. For some reason, Liu Chengyou had some inexplicable affection for this young man who was overly vilified in "The Yang Family General", so he promoted him to the Imperial Army and served as a minister in front of the palace. official.
Pan Mei had great ambitions and was well-known in her hometown when she was young. She was raised from a humble position by Guo Rong. She was trained for two years and recommended to Tokyo. She served as a military academy in the Forbidden Army for more than two years. She has always performed well and has been rated top every year. At the forefront of its class.
Since this year, I have been promoted to the front of the palace by Liu Chengyou. Although I am excited, I am also a little cautious. In order to avoid making mistakes, I am more humble and cautious in everything I do.
At this time, when Liu Chengyou asked, he couldn't help but said: "Your Majesty, this general has limited knowledge and dare not speak nonsense!"
"Eh..." Liu Chengyou waved his hand and said: "I called you here to let you express your opinions freely. There is no right or wrong opinion. The key is to speak it out! Tell me, what do you think about the Huainan Front? , what do you think?"
Hearing what the emperor said and meeting Liu Chengyou's encouraging eyes, Pan Mei said: "Your Majesty, the general thinks that although the army has crossed the Huai River and won the great victory at Xia Cai, there are still many battles in Huainan. There is no solid foothold yet. From the perspective of the last general, the next step is to seize Shouzhou, capture Luzhou, or attack Haozhou, occupy Chuzhou or even Yangzhou, and completely cut the land of Huainan into two parts, the east and the west, then the Tang army will definitely It’s hard to defend.”
"After several battles, our army has suffered a lot of damage. It needs to be reorganized and ready to replenish the army. Your Majesty will go on a personal expedition. Fortunately, after Huainan, it will be the time to launch the next offensive. However, our country must prepare for hard operations in winter. Prepare! Of course, if you want to be safe, it is best to wait until next spring before launching a large-scale attack!"
After listening to Pan Mei's words, Liu Chengyou pointed at him and praised to the left and right: "Did you see it? How could my vision be wrong? How many people of this age are there in the Han army who have such insight?"
"Congratulations, Your Majesty, for getting another good general!" Seeing Liu Chengyou in a good mood, Wang Zhu congratulated him cleverly.
Before long, Zhang Dejun came to report, and Guo Wei and Wei Renpu were ordered to come to pay homage. Liu Chengyou asked the heroes in the palace to step aside and receive them alone.
"I summoned the Second Minister here for two reasons. I want to ask your opinions!" Liu Chengyou said directly after sitting down and looking at Guo Wei and Wei Renpu.
"Your Majesty, please speak!" Guo Wei asked after their eyes briefly touched each other.
There was no expression on Liu Chengyou's face, and he had lost Cai Dajie's joy. He just said calmly: "Wang Jun gave me a secret report, blaming Suzhou regiment commander Zhao Kuangyin for making his own decisions and attacking without permission. Let me Ask him for his crime!"
Hearing this, Guo Wei and Wei Renpu frowned immediately. Guo Wei said: "Zhao Kuangyin defeated the Tang army with a small number of enemies and eliminated the threat of the Huainan Navy. It is a great achievement! Wang Xiufeng, why are you doing this?"
Thinking about Wang Jun's personality, Guo Wei made some guesses, wondering whether Wang Jun blamed Zhao Kuangyin for stealing his limelight. But I just thought about it in my heart and didn't say it out loud.
Liu Chengyou said: "Our king is handsome, but he is very convincing and well-founded. The order he gave to the Suzhou army was to guard the mouth of the vortex. When Zhao Kuangyin attacked, the battle at Xiacai was about to break out, and the Tang army was trapped. Although Wukou gained a lot, Zhao Kuangyin attacked rashly. If the time had been earlier and the news had spread southward, Liu Yanzhen might have been frightened away!"
"According to Wang Jun, if the timing is not right, the battle at Uokou will definitely affect the war in Shouzhou, and the army will have to prepare so hard that it will be wasted..."
After listening to Liu Chengyou's description, Wei Renpu couldn't help but said: "The king's commander-in-chief has gone too far for himself. Zhao Kuangyin clearly analyzed the enemy's situation, was courageous and decisive, and was able to win at the mouth of the vortex. And the results were fruitful. Successfully prevented the Tang army in Haozhou from advancing westward! Such a great achievement deserves a reward, how can we not deny the merits and turn against the crime!"
"What do Guo Qing think?" Liu Chengyou asked: "How should I reply to Wang Jun!"
Guo Wei didn't want to look at Liu Chengyou's face, and couldn't see anything from the left and right sides. He just thought about it and said, "Your Majesty, don't ignore this matter for the time being, treat it as unheard, and say nothing. In addition, you can issue an edict to praise Wang Jun and give him a generous reward." Then, send a special person to the frontline camp first to reward the meritorious soldiers on behalf of Your Majesty!"
Liu Chengyou agreed to the matter without thinking: "That's it, let Wang Pu go there in person and see the situation on the front line for me first!"
"In addition!" Wei Renpu also handed over his hand and said to Liu Chengyou: "Your Majesty, you are lucky enough to be in Huainan, so we can't wait any longer!"
