"I don't know, Mr. Chen, why are you looking for me?" Zhao Kuangyin asked as he led Chen Sirang into the account.
When asked, Chen Sirang replied: "Zhao Shijun came to the east to defeat the Huai thieves. Yao Feng retreated temporarily so that Shanyang could not be lost and our army was in danger. I wonder what Zhao Shijun's plan is next?"
"Mr. Chen is a veteran general with a strong military, and his experience and experience are far ahead of the younger generation. I don't know, Mr. Chen, do you have any advice?" Zhao Kuangyin still kept his attitude low and asked.
Looking at each other with Zhao Kuangyin, Chen Sirang thought more conservatively: "Guo Jinglue asked me to guard Shanyang and block the Huai River pass to prevent the Tang Army's navy from taking advantage of it. Now that we have experienced a war, the soldiers have suffered heavy casualties, and food and equipment also need to be replenished. With my See, Mo Ruo should guard Shanyang firmly, watch the battle situation over there with His Majesty and Guo Jinglue, wait for changes, and look for plans!"
"Chen Gong's policy is mature and prudent, and it is based on the advice of the country!" Zhao Kuangyin said.
Chen Sirang was relaxed and said calmly: "As I get older, I have lost all my energy. I am not as sharp as you young people. Zhao Shijun fought twice in a row in one day and night. He ran back and forth for nearly a hundred miles and dared to fight with two thousand soldiers. , attacking ten times the enemy at night, I’m afraid I have other ideas!”
"Dissatisfied with Mr. Chen." Zhao Kuangyin stood up and took out a map and pointed on it: "After Yao Feng's defeat, he can either camp in Baoying and reorganize his army, or retreat directly to Gaoyou. I intend to join forces with Mr. Chen, select the best troops to go south, and take the initiative to attack !”
Chen Sirang was still a little surprised and said: "Although Yao Feng was defeated, the army that retreated with him, plus the navy, and some defeated soldiers were gathered, and it is roughly estimated that there are still nearly 30,000 soldiers. Even if you and I join forces, we can still The maximum number of people who can be used is four thousand. If you want to take the initiative to fight against them, I'm afraid it won't be easy!"
"Although the enemy army is numerous, their ambition has been taken away. There is nothing to fear from a frightened army!" Zhao Kuangyin waved his hand and said proudly: "Since our army entered Huaihe, we have won consecutive battles and victories. The Tang army is as afraid of me as a tiger! Although our army is small, but with a large army The momentum of victory can be broken. Furthermore, from yesterday's battle, we know that Yao Feng is not a good general."
As he spoke, Zhao Kuangyin said with a hint of contempt in his tone: "According to the situation last night, if I take over the Tang army, I will choose to fight hard. The dry stronghold is broken, even if the navy is used as infantry, it can still turn the tide. But Yao Feng, He actually chose to gather his soldiers and retreat. Although his losses were reduced, the overall situation was lost. From this, it can be seen that Yao Feng is definitely no match for our army!"
"Zhao Shijun, your ambition is commendable!" Chen Sirang stroked his beard and praised.
However, without expressing his position, he heard that Zhao Kuangyin wanted to use his Yizhou soldiers. Zhao Kuangyin is young and energetic, he is older, but for him, there is really no need to take risks. After all, Tang Jun is not a piece of paper. He can be broken with just one poke. If it succeeds, that's it. If there is a slight mistake, causing Shan Yang to suffer and affecting the overall situation, then his reputation will be ruined and he may even be accused.
Zhao Kuangyin was quick-thinking and could detect Chen Sirang's attitude and more or less guess his mentality and concerns. With his face as usual, he followed the canal on the map southward with his finger and said: "In order to cope with the attack of our Han army, it is roughly estimated that nearly 300,000 soldiers and civilians were mobilized before and after the Puppet Tang Dynasty, and no less than 100,000 troops were lost before and after. Now the hospital is providing reinforcements. The main force is on the western front, with His Majesty leading a large army to deal with it. On Huangfuhui's side, there is also Guo Shijun to resist. On the canal line, except for Yao Feng's army, it is already very empty, and Yao Fengxin has been defeated. As long as we can find opportunities to defeat it again, we can go south along the river. ....."
Following the direction of Zhao Kuangyin's index finger, Chen Sirang said in surprise: "You want to attack Yangzhou!"
"What do Mr. Chen think?" Zhao Kuangyin looked at Chen Sirang with sparkle in his eyes: "Yangzhou is the eastern capital of the Puppet Tang Dynasty. It is also the Dingkou of Huainan and the place where wealth gathers. As long as it is captured, not only can the Puppet Tang Dynasty be severely damaged, but also the South Conquer, in the military merit book, we will surely be at the forefront!"
This time, Chen Sirang's expression calmed down, he even stood up, thought carefully for a while, and said, "How sure are you?"
Zhao Kuangyin shook his head: "I can't guarantee this. I have already sent people south to investigate the situation. There will be news within two days. But before that, His Majesty informed the troops in Huainan about the military situation of the puppet Tang army. The land of Yang and Tai must be empty. I can only say that once Yao Feng is defeated again, the chances of winning Yangzhou are very high!"
"There is still Guo Tingwei's army in Sizhou behind us. If the nail in Xuyi is not removed, why can we go south with confidence! Otherwise, even if we can capture Yangzhou, we will lose the rear and face the counterattack of the puppet Tang Dynasty. It will be difficult to defend!" After thinking about it, Chen Sirang He raised his finger and said: "In the past two days, we will go to Shanyang to reorganize the army and wait for the battle situation on Guo Shijun's side! I know you have a brave strategy, but you have to bear the responsibility and have to act cautiously!"
Although he still didn't agree, a hint of intention could be heard from Chen Sirang's words. However, Zhao Kuangyin was inevitably disappointed. After all, good opportunities were rare and soldiers were expensive and fast. He didn't say anything more and expressed his understanding.
But there was some emotion in his heart. If he had more available soldiers, just one thousand more, he would dare to go south.
"First report to Ambassador Guo about the situation of the war here, so that he can feel at ease..." Zhao Kuangyin said.
When the two were "collaborating on big things", soldiers came to report that there was an attack by the Tang Army's navy on the canal. Chen and Zhao were both surprised. They thought it was Yao Feng who led the army and killed them, but they were even more surprised when they learned that the enemy troops came from the Huai River in the north.
Hurrying back to the city, they boarded the head of the west city together and looked northwest. It was clearly visible that on the canal, there was a navy flying the flag of the Tang army, coming south along the river. It was not a large scale, with only fifty or sixty warships.
"It's the Sizhou Tang Army!"
"It must be Guo Tingwei's army!"
Zhao Kuangyin and Chen Sirang said in unison.
"How come the Sizhou Tang Army is here!" Chen Sirang looked at Zhao Kuangyin with surprise in his tone rather than fear.
Zhao Kuangyin frowned deeply, took a deep breath, and said: "Guo Shijun and I are marching on both sides. Outside Xuyi City, there are Xuzhou Jiedu Wu Xingde and Duliangshan's more than 10,000 troops to defend and control the garrison. But the Tang Army's navy was still ordered Yeah, obviously there’s something wrong with Xuyi City!”
"Fortunately, Zhao Shijun responded in time, and Yao Feng retreated in fear of fighting. Otherwise, if such a Tang army came from upstream to help, Shanyang would be lost!" Chen Sirang breathed a sigh of relief, looking scared.
He turned his head and looked at Zhao Kuangyin with a solemn expression, and said, "Mr. Zhao, the plan to go south can be put on hold for the time being!"
Zhao Kuangyin quickly adjusted his mentality and said with a wry smile: "If something happens in Sizhou, how can I ignore the overall situation and take risks! I'd better report it to Ambassador Guo and take a look at the situation in Sizhou!"
The Tang army on the canal naturally came from Sizhou, and was led by guard Guo Tingwei himself with 3,000 soldiers. However, it was Guo Tingwei who took advantage of Guo Rong and Zhao Kuangyin to lead the army to take action. Facing the Xuzhou Army who was marching south to break the city, he adopted a decisive attack strategy and raided the Han Army.
In the north of Xuyi City, the Han army commander Xuzhou Jiedu Wu Xingde, plus the troops he commanded under the imperial edict, had a total of 7,000 people under Xuyi City to guard and contain Guo Tingwei. There were also 2,000 Longqi troops from Duliang Mountain. Thousands of guards for the Lord. From this arrangement, it can be seen that Guo Rong valued Guo Tingwei more than Huangfuhui and Yao Feng who came to help.
Even so, something went wrong. The chief general of the Han army, Wu Xingde, was just an ordinary military academy in the Jin army a few years ago, with no more than 500 generals. He became successful and jumped to Dazhou Jiezhen because he seized the opportunity and served the Northern Han Dynasty.
However, his ability to unite the army in battle and make decisions on the fly is still questionable, even inferior to that of deputy envoy Cheng Deqin. When the Han army came north, it was basically undefeated. Arrogance was inevitable among the Han army, and Xuzhou's soldiers and horses were not as capable as Suzhou's. Therefore, when faced with the surprise attack led by Guo Tingwei himself, they were completely caught off guard and suffered a huge defeat. More than half of the troops were lost, and even Wu Xingde almost died in the battle.
After defeating the Xuzhou army, Guo Tingwei guarded the city with General Pi and monitored the Han army in Duliang Mountain. Later, he personally led the boat division eastward along the Huai River and entered the canal, intending to support Yao Feng and help him break Shanyang. It can be seen that Guo Tingwei is a visionary general, and opening up the Huai River is his purpose.
However, when the excitement comes, there is no sound of killing in Shanyang...
Standing on the bank and looking into the distance, traces of war can be seen everywhere, but Shanyang City still stands on the edge of the canal, the Han flag is flying, and there is no Tang army soldier around...
"Your Majesty, the reinforcements seem to have withdrawn. Could it be that they were defeated by the Han army?" The navy commander subconsciously looked at the general who led them to a great victory against the Han.
He let out a heavy breath, his mood couldn't help but feel a little depressed, and there was a hint of desolation in his tone. Guo Tingwei said: "The sun is hard to set, please pass on my order and return to Xuyi!"
The boatman turned around and headed back against the current. Guo Tingwei knew that his efforts were in vain again. There will be a fierce battle on the Xuyi side. No matter what the problem is with the reinforcements, at least on the Sizhou side, there will be less room for him to move.
After the Tang Navy's navy withdrew northward, Chen Sirang and Guo Tingwei were temporarily relieved in Shanyang. And that night, Zhao Kuangyin received Guo Rong's war report and a military order.
