When the news was received, the South Guangdong reinforcements had arrived in Yingzhou, south of Shaozhou. However, their final arrival date in Shaozhou was later than Pan Mei expected. It was not until the eighth day of October that they slowly appeared. In the south of Qujiang City. The Guangdong army was slow along the way, marching no more than fifty miles a day. This was not due to caution, but to a lack of morale. In addition, Xu Yanzhen, who was worshiped as the envoy to the north, was "not in a hurry".
It is said that Xu Yanzhen led the army on this expedition. It was not like marching north to defend the enemy, but more like a parade or a demonstration. Along the way, he showed off his power, asked for bribes, and asked local officials and people to donate gifts. He also indulged his son and looted everywhere, saying that it was to supply the army to resist the Han army, but in fact most of the property went into the official pockets of their father and son. At the same time, he loudly announced that he would lead the army north and be able to defeat the Han army and invade Hunan. Sometimes, many people's brain circuits are unusual, and they can do even the most ridiculous and stupid things, and they are beyond the reach of human beings.
In addition, this man neither rode a horse nor rode in a car. Instead, he ordered someone to build a large sedan chair, which was carried by thirty-six strong men. He was so grand and swaggering that tens of thousands of Cantonese soldiers actually became the background of a eunuch. foil.
A series of factors not only affected the speed of its advance, but also foreshadowed the final outcome of this army. Along the way, even the most ordinary people did not think that such an army could win the battle and would be a match for the wolf-like and tiger-like Han army. In fact, it is not surprising that the emperor appointed eunuchs as commanders. After all, there was precedent. But if it was Wu Huai'en, it would be fine. The use of people by the Lord of Guangdong can be seen. How could such a monarch and such a country not perish? It would be unnatural if it did not perish.
In Qujiang, after Pan Mei received the exact situation and status of the reinforcements, he once reflected on whether he was overestimating the enemy's army by being so cautious and calculating in the face of such an enemy.
When Xu Yanzhen led the army belatedly arrived, Pan Mei also slightly changed the battle plan. In order to give Xu Yanzhen confidence and boost his arrogance, he also sent an army to attack Qujiang City in a swaggering manner. It was also a tentative attack. Facts have proved that when relying solely on the defense of the governor Lu Guangtu and the general Zhi Tingxiao, the defenders of Shaozhou were able to demonstrate certain defensive capabilities, especially the will to resist.
A strong attack, with the powerful soldiers and sharp weapons of the Han army, can break through, but it is a matter of casualties. Qujiang is built between two rivers, and the terrain problem also severely restricted the deployment of the Han army's strength. This was also the reason for Pan Mei's concerns. Of course, it was also because he looked at the overall situation and wanted to fight a complete victory. After learning that the leader of Guangdong, led by Xu Yanzhen, would go north to rescue, he had already planned a way to defeat the enemy.
This gave Xu Yanzhen enough face. After his army approached Qujiang, he withdrew the troops who were pretending to attack and returned the camp with gold. Then, Xu Yanzhen got the situation that as soon as his army arrived, the Han army took the initiative to give up the attack because of fear.
Therefore, when the reinforcements arrived, the governor Lu Guangtu and a group of defenders opened the city to greet them. What they faced was Xu Yanzhen's arrogant face. During an entry ceremony, Lu Guangtu and Zhi Tingxiao were standing together. Looking at Xu Yanzhen's pomp, both of them looked very ugly. When they looked at each other, Lu Guangtu was worried and Zhi Tingxiao was angry.
Among the bureaucrats of the Southern Han Dynasty, Lu Guangtu was regarded as a rare loyal and good minister, and he never concealed anything from the witches and officials. After Liu Yu succeeded to the throne, he was debauched, brutal, and the government was in chaos. Zhou came to be the governor. Because he had a virtuous reputation and won the hearts of the people, after taking office, he also administered good governance, tolerated the people, trained soldiers, strengthened defense, and resisted the Northern Army. He has always been very effective.
As for Zhi Tingxiao, he was one of the few generals left in the Southern Han army and was quite mediocre. However, compared to Lu Guangtu, he was very dissatisfied with Nanyue and Liu Yuan. He had long wanted to resign and return to his hometown. If not for Lu Guangtu's persuasion, he would have resigned long ago and watched Nanyue's defeat.
Therefore, the reason why Shaozhou was able to stop the Han army was not only because Pan Mei did not show his true intentions, but also because of the presence of these two people: Lu Guangtu could pacify the people, Zhi Tingxiao could control the troops, and the soldiers and civilians of Shaozhou could obey his orders and serve them. Serve his orders and deal with the Han army.
Compared with Lu Guangtu's worries, Zhi Tingxiao's attitude was clear. On the way to the government office, his voice was low but extremely angry: "How can Shaozhou be defended if Prince Xing's palace uses this eunuch as a commander? Can Lingnan be saved? Huh?" Mr. Lu, if you continue to hold on, you and I will eventually be captured by the Han army!"
If it were normal, Lu Guangtu might have said words of comfort and comfort to Zhi Tingxiao's remarks, but now, his expression changed several times, and finally turned into a sigh. Lu Guangtu's eyes showed a trace of fatigue, and said: "Eat The emperor's salary and loyalty to the emperor are just that. If the country cannot be protected, it is not until we do our best!"
In the Shaozhou official office, Xu Yanzhen was sitting there, while other military and political officials were waiting in two rows below. When it comes to showing off, perhaps no one here can compare to him. Looking around, Xu Yanzhen said: "I have been ordered by the king to lead a large army to the north to defend the Han army. I would like to thank you all for your full support. To the south of Shaozhou is our great Guangdong province. Thousands of miles of rivers and mountains cannot be crossed by the Han army. Our shoulders should be like carrying a huge burden to defend the country and protect the people! I will encourage you all!"
Xu Yanzhen was still very good at speaking, but the boost to morale was obviously not great. How could he hide his performance from others? No one would take his high-sounding words seriously.
Seeing that the response was not big, Xu Yanzhen was a little unhappy. His eyes swept over and landed on Lu Guangtu: "Lu Shijun, how is the city defense? How is the situation of the Han army?"
"In the past two days, the Han army tried to attack the city, but was repulsed. When the envoys came and led the army, they returned the camp with gold!" Lu Guangtu responded calmly.
With a slight snort, Xu Yanzhen said: "I heard that the Han army only has 30,000 troops. How can I dare to attack again when I know that my reinforcements are coming? Otherwise, if my army launches a surprise attack, the Han army will not be able to stop it!"
"The recruiting envoy seems to have taken the Han army too lightly!" Seeing his arrogance, Zhi Tingxiao couldn't help but retort.
"General Zhi thinks highly of the Han army, so he always fears the enemy like a tiger, huddles in the city and allows the Han army to humiliate him?" Xu Yanzhen glanced at Zhi Tingxiao.
Hearing this, Zhi Tingxiao had an angry look on his face. He was about to argue, but was gently pulled back by Lu Guangtu, and then he gave up. Xu Yanzhen said: "I am here not only to defend Shaozhou, but also to find ways to defeat the Han army and solve the problem in the north. Send more manpower to detect the movements of the Han army, and seize the opportunity to attack decisively... .”
Next, Xu Yanzhen almost kept talking and did not allow others to interrupt. He waited until he had finished his talk before breaking up. Xu Zhaozong was tired from the journey and wanted to take a rest.
"Lang Bo, you must never offend a villain! If you offend him and slander the imperial court, it will also hinder the important matter of conquering the Han Dynasty. You should put the overall situation first!" After retreating, Lu Guangtu said to the unhappy Zhi Tingxiao.
"Mr. Lu is right, why should I care about the eunuch!" Zhi Tingxiao saluted Lu Guangtu and said, "Hey, I'll go check the city defense!"
"Thanks for your hard work!"
Faced with this, Zhi Tingxiao's mood was very complicated. Lu Gong was an upright man, and he was willing to die for that foolish king and for this troubled country, but Zhi Tingxiao was not willing to do so. Lu Guangtu didn't notice the danger because he didn't know much about military affairs, but Zhi Tingxiao heard the meaning of Xu Yanzhen's words and took the initiative to fight against the Han army? Isn't that seeking death?
Early the next morning, Xu Yanzhen received an urgent military report, and the Han army broke out of camp and retreated north. After hearing the news, Xu Yanzhen was immediately overjoyed, thinking that the Han army had learned about the soldiers in the city and was afraid of the power of his army and did not dare to attack the city again. So he gathered everyone and immediately announced that he would lead his army to pursue him.
This proposal immediately aroused opposition from many people. The defenders of Shaozhou felt that it was risky to go out of the city to chase the enemy because the enemy's situation was unclear. The benefits were small, but the risks were not small. This was a wise suggestion, but Xu Yanzhen criticized it as fearful. enemy.
Following him, he led the generals northward. As reinforcements had just arrived, the soldiers were exhausted and had not yet rested and recovered, so it was not appropriate to attack. Xu Yanzhen felt that the daily marching was less than fifty miles, so it was not hard work. To talk about fatigue was to be timid.
During the discussion, the scouts once again brought the latest news. The Han army stopped after retreating twenty miles north, and was stationed on the spot, setting up camp. After hearing the news, Xu Yanzhen was overjoyed and said bluntly that this was a fighter opportunity and he could take advantage of the Han army's encampment to launch a surprise attack. Afterwards, despite dissuasion, they decided to march.
After Xu Yanzhen decided to attack, one person in the Nanyue Army breathed a sigh of relief. Chen Yanshou, the accompanying chamberlain, had a "mission". Xu Yanzhen took the initiative, but he also influenced and promoted it behind the scenes.
Since returning from Kaifeng as an envoy, Chen Yanshou has become a secret spy of the Han Dynasty. Later, due to the recommendation of the eunuch Lin Yanyu, his power gradually grew, which made him want to ignore the imperial court.
However, after Liu Yu succeeded to the throne, the situation changed. In the country of witches and eunuchs, the shaman gradually became Fan Huzi, the eunuch was Gong Chengshu, and Chen Yanshou gradually lost power. As time went by, he had to loyally loyal to the court and report espionage information.
Of course, there are also struggles among the eunuch groups in southern Guangdong. For example, there is a struggle for power and profit between Gong Chengshu and Xu Yanzhen. Therefore, Xu Yanzhen was sent to lead the army for his own considerations. Gong Chengshu felt that if Xu Yanzhen lost, he could use this opportunity to manipulate him. Xu Yanzhen hoped to defeat the Han army, then return to the court with the power of victory and control power...
It sounds ridiculous, but it's always there.
The role Chen Yanshou played in this was to encourage the South Guangdong Army to make mistakes at critical moments. This is where Pan Mei is confident. During those years in Pan Meinan Town, Liu Chengyou specifically asked Zhang Dejun to contact Pan Mei and Chen Yanshou to facilitate communication.
While Xu Yanzhen was urging the army to leave the city and attack the Han army, the news reached Pan Mei early. During the whole process, Lu Guangtu was worried and Zhi Tingxiao remained silent.
