Guazhou is located less than 30 miles south of Yangzhou City. It is an important transportation town and waterway hub in the north of the Yangtze River. Yangzijin is directly connected to the river.
This is a sandbar formed by alluvial quicksand, surrounded by water and shaped like a melon, hence its name. However, after hundreds of years of changes, Guazhou has become connected with the north bank of the Yangtze River, narrowing the distance between the north and south banks. .
As a thoroughfare, it has always been an important economic town in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River due to its excellent transportation conditions. However, after the Han Dynasty captured Huainan and captured all of Jiangbei, it also assumed more military roles. Starting from the fifth year of Qianyou, Its garrison gradually increased from 500 to 2000, and it attached great importance to monitoring Runzhou on the south bank.
It is late autumn, with the cool breeze blowing, and on the river, there are surging waves and the endless sound of waves. In previous years, the river would have been crowded with travelers, and the river boats would have flowed incessantly. This is the time of year when economic exchanges between the north and the south are most frequent.
However, as the relationship between the north and the south became tense, the imperial court sent troops to Jiangbei. After feeling the atmosphere of war, most people chose to retreat. It is human instinct to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages, but for merchants, it is even more sensitive. Although the imperial edict for the southern expedition has not yet been sent, even the common people in the south and north of the Yangtze River know that the army's southward march is inevitable. In fact, many people are looking forward to it, especially those merchants traveling from north to south.
In addition, the blockade of the waterway by the north and the south made the front of Guazhou very desolate at this time. There were only a few patrolling gondolas cruising on the river.
Of course, if you move your sight north, you will find that before the war, Yangzhou was more prosperous and lively than in previous years. On the canal, there were boats like clouds, and a large number of official ships, merchant ships, and civilian ships were fighting for the crossing, transporting various goods. Some of the quasi-military supplies were officially transferred, some were conscripted and mobilized, and many were brought for profit.
During the years of war, the imperial court had consciously given full play to the enthusiasm of private merchants. In addition to controlled materials such as ordnance and armor, other items of clothing, shoes and socks, gloves, jade utensils, water containers and even military rations were gradually tried to be sold by private merchants. The team is responsible for transportation and even purchasing and shipping.
Interests move people's hearts and can indeed stimulate people's enthusiasm. After the baptism of the Northern Expedition, the implementation of this policy has reached a new level. Although overall, the proportion is not large, it is improving, and it has indeed saved the court a lot of trouble.
Of course, many problems occurred, some experiences were summed up, and certain rules were formulated. Therefore, when it comes to Pingnan this time, it is even more convenient. War is an unparalleled test and exercise for a country's organizational capabilities. And the Han Dynasty court, which has been tested by wars of the same scale as the Northern Expedition, is in "small battles" such as the Southern Expedition. In terms of organization, it can also be said to be handy.
At the Guazhou Ferry, wearing a thick, dark black cloak, Li Gu stood at the ferry, facing the river and looking south. The cloak on his body is embroidered with gold dragon patterns, which is very noble. The emperor specially sent people from Tokyo to Yangzhou. He also has a pair of knee pads and leggings, thinking that the weather is getting colder and Li Gu is suffering from wind paralysis. disease.
Li Gu could only repay the emperor's care and consideration by swearing to death, devoting all his enthusiasm to the great cause of Pingnan, and taking the final step for the Han Dynasty to unify the world.
Above the river, the cold fog is sparse. Looking from north to south, you can see the overlapping mountains on the south bank, as well as the enemy's water and land camps and other military facilities that rely on the formation of victory.
Although Li Gu was a scholar, he always possessed a kind of heroism and courage. This is why Liu Chengyou was willing and dared to let his leader Pingnan. If it was just to satisfy his wish, it would be impossible to give him great power. of.
Looking at Jingkou on the other side, Li Gu's old face revealed a sense of confidence and a complacent attitude.
“The great river spans thousands of miles, and it has traveled thousands of miles in ancient times.
The sound of the vast waves is dangerous, and the blue sky is sad.
Three sides belong to Han Ding, and one water limits Wuzhou.
Where is the hegemonic country now? The clear spring flows naturally. "
On a whim, Li Gu whispered a poem by Dai Shulun, with some emotion in his tone. Next to him is a general who is not burly in physique but has a heroic demeanor. He looks like a general at first glance. It is Shi Shouxin, the deputy commander of Pingnan this time. This is Liu Chengyou's deputy to Li Gu, and it is also a kind of insurance. It has been a month since he arrived in Yangzhou to prepare for the southern expedition.
Shi Shouxin still respected Li Gu very much, not only for his reputation, but also for being impressed by his talent and virtue after getting in contact with him. On the other hand, it seems that the demeanor of a Confucian general like Li Gu, who is both civilized and military-minded, is very contagious, especially for an open-minded general like Shi Shouxin.
"How come Mr. Li is so interested in reciting a poem?" Listening to his recitation, Shi Shouxin couldn't help but said curiously: "The description is just the scene in front of me! Although it is suitable for the occasion, it is definitely not generous, which is not suitable for the Southern Expedition!"
"It's just picking up people's wits!" After hearing what he said, Li Gu couldn't help but chuckled and said, "Shou Xin also studies poetry?"
Shi Shouxin shook his head: "I'm just a rough man, not an elegant person. Leading troops in battle is my strength. Poems and articles are not what I want to study!"
"The general is obviously self-effacing. Your Majesty has said that Shi Shouxin, with his appearance as a famous general and his talent as a commander, can be trusted with great things!" Li Gugan said, looking at Shi Shouxin with admiration in his eyes. After all, this is Relying on a series of solid military exploits, he gradually became a high-ranking general of the Han Dynasty.
Listening to Li Gu's words, Shi Shouxin couldn't help but smile a little. After all, everyone likes to hear good things.
"Guazhou and Jingkou, a thousand-year-old ferry, are separated by a river. Since the Wei and Jin Dynasties, in the past six or seven hundred years, there have been many iron horses and heroic heroes. Now, it is our turn!" The not-so-sharp eyes became extraordinarily sharp. Firmly, Li Gu said in a deep voice.
After hearing this, his eyes also turned to the south, pointing to the Jingkou on the south bank. Shi Shouxin said: "Li Gong has been watching here several times. Could it be that he wants to use this place as a breakthrough target for the southern crossing?"
"What do you think of Shouxin?" Without answering, Li Gu asked Shi Shouxin what he thought.
Shi Shouxin was obviously thinking about it. He pondered for a moment and then spoke fluently: "Jingkou has always been an important place for military strategists and an important pass for river defense. It is bordered by the river in the north and the solid mountains in the south. It can be said that it is a strategically successful place. The Southern Army has been operating for many years and has complete strongholds. , there are sufficient ordnance, the defenders have been trained for a long time and are familiar with the terrain, and the defender Lin Renzhao is quite talented. If you want to break through head-on, I'm afraid it will not be easy, and the casualties will be high!
Moreover, we have heavily concentrated troops in Yangzhou, and the Southern Army is also gathering military strength. This also adds considerable risks and difficulties to the forced crossing.
However, if we cross the river from here, defeat Lin Renzhao's army and occupy Runzhou, we can go straight to Jinling and penetrate into its heart. Among the Southern Army, only the Runzhou Town Navy had the strength to fight. If they were destroyed, the other armies would be insignificant.
This is the simplest and most direct strategy for entering the army, but it is the most difficult. If it goes well, it may be possible to secure Jinling in one month, and the states in the south of the Yangtze River can even be decided by a message..."
"Keeping one's word is worthy of a general, and he has a clear view of the war situation!" Hearing his words, Li Gu's old face showed a little excitement, and he said: "In your opinion, should we cross the river from now on?"
Shi Shouxin thought for a while and then said: "General Shu Mo will bluntly say that it is not a wise move to choose to force the crossing when the Southern Army is well prepared and the defense is solid.
In this southern expedition, the only main target was lower Jinling. The defenses of Jinling were located at Jingkou in the lower reaches and Dangtu and Caishiji in the upper reaches. The Southern Army concentrated heavy troops at Jingkou, which would inevitably weaken the defenses in other places. Lin Renzhao could not take care of both the upstream and downstream, and a suppressing navy could not cross the river and block our approach.
In my opinion, we can continue to deploy troops on the north bank to attract their attention, and at the same time send elite troops to cross the river from Hezhou. Then go eastward along the river and head towards Jinling. When the troops threaten Jinling, no matter how strong the entrance of Jingkou is, it will be useless! "
Hearing this, Li Gu said: "It's just that the southern army may not be defenseless if we just dangtu important territory! It's not easy to cross the river easily!"
Facing Li Gu's gaze, Shi Shouxin pretended to be surprised and said: "Could it be that Mr. Li really couldn't see the flaws of the Southern Army? Their national power is weak. Although there are 100,000 troops, most of them are not useful. Furthermore, their army is weak. More than 100,000 troops were deployed on the river defense, but they were still stretched thin.
In the direction of Ezhou, there is Cao Bin's army, which is enough to contain tens of thousands of troops. There are heavy troops in Runzhou Tun. Jinling needs adequate defense. How can Dangtu deploy sufficient defense?
Furthermore, when General Guo Tingwei moves north from Wuyue, how will the Southern Army resist? As long as our army mobilizes from all sides and attacks steadily, the Confederate army will inevitably collapse, and there is absolutely no possibility of victory! "
Shi Shouxin's eyes were filled with strong self-confidence, and Li Gu was filled with admiration for his strategy and said with a smile: "General, I told you everything I thought in my heart!"
In fact, although the war has not yet started, the strategic situation between the north and the south is already very clear. The imperial court holds two kings and four twos, leaving a bunch of consecutive cards. It depends on how you play to win.
"However, the first thing we need to do is to wipe out the navy in the south of the Yangtze River and completely control the Yangtze River waterway!" Li Gu said.
"Water warfare is not my specialty. I still need to rely on General Zhang Yanqing. However, the southerners are good at boating. In the Huainan War, they failed to exert their effectiveness. I wonder if their navy will still retain some combat power ten years later. ?" Shi Shouxin said.
"We are still in Runzhou Navy, but it is difficult to support a single tree, let alone its unbearable weight!" Li Gu said in a faint tone.
The waves hit the shore under his feet, and a gust of air hit him, rolling up his clothes and causing Li Gu's figure to sway. A middle-aged man beside him quickly supported him and advised: "Father, the wind on the river is very cold. If you don’t feel well, you’d better go back to the city and don’t stay any longer!”
This middle-aged man was Li Gu's eldest son. He had been promoted by Liu Chengyou and was specially arranged to take care of Li Gu. He was also accompanied by an imperial doctor who was good at typhoid fever and wind paralysis.
At this time, the pain in the joints on his body became more intense due to the cool breeze. Li Gu did not hold on, but accepted his suggestion and returned.
As soon as he returned to the Guazhou military camp, he received a notice from Zhao Yanjin that the emperor had issued an edict and that troops could be mobilized.
