Wang Xiaolie sat in the yard, bathing in the sunshine, reading Jiang Min's letter. After a while, he put down the letter and said to Wang Ruohai on the side: "I made two suggestions to Jiang Min. One is to center the Yangjiao Mountain in the south of the sacred mountain, station the army in the mountain, and develop slowly. It can prevent the Jin army from advancing and suppress it, and it can control Shenshan and Yicheng counties at the same time, so it has a larger territory. Either the army can be stationed in Shenshan County, and the entire county can be fortified, so that the army can farm and fight, and wait for the weather. Alas, In my heart, I hoped he would choose the first option, but in the end he chose the second option."
Wang Ruohai said: "Jiang Min is still a young man. He dispersed his troops into the mountains. I'm afraid there is no certainty. The county is fortified, which is relatively easy to manage. The Jin Army on Hedong Road only has 10,000 troops. Even if they send troops, they can still It can be blocked."
Wang Xiaolie sighed: "So what if we can block it? There are not many people left in Shenshan County, and he can't even recruit troops. Even if he blocked the Jin army's attack for a while, the force cannot develop and it will not be of great use. No The only way is to send troops from the rear."
After saying that, Wang Xiaolie looked at the sun in the east and was silent for a while. He said: "Yes, Jiang Min is a young man after all, and he is still a little too cautious in doing things. I can't blame him. After this winter, wait until he settles down in Shenshan County before sending him troops. In the land of Shenshan County, According to Jiang Min, it can support five thousand people. With two thousand people farming and three thousand fighting, the scale is not small."
With three thousand soldiers and horses in hand and a base, Jiang Min is a powerful force on Hedong Road and can make moves when the time comes. Once Wang Xiaolie goes north to attack Luoyang, Jiang Min can attack Jiangzhou and Jinzhou, which is a big help. If the Jin Army aids Luoyang from Hedong Road, Jiang Min can cut off the Jin Army's retreat at any time. If Jiang Min is not eliminated, the Jin Army will be greatly affected.
At this time, the Jin army on Hedong Road was not strong enough, so it was a very good opportunity. Wang Xiaolie was unwilling to miss it. But Jiang Min is young after all, and it’s hard for him to gain a firm foothold. How can he ask for more?
At this moment, a soldier came in, crossed his hands and said, "Commander Jie, Zhai Zhenfu's envoy has arrived outside the city."
Wang Xiaolie said: "Oh, since he is Zhai Zhenfu's envoy, I should welcome him out of the city——"
Wang Ruohai hurriedly stopped him. Said: "The status of Commander-in-Chief is extraordinary now, and is not comparable to that of ordinary vassal towns. If we don't say whether the envoys who come are worthy of being welcomed out of the city, where should we put our faces? It's better for me to go out of the city to welcome him."
Wang Xiaolie thought for a while and had no choice but to agree. I am now the envoy of South Jingxi Road and have established a festival. It is indeed no better than before. Even if Zhai Xing came in person, Wang Xiaolie should not welcome him out, let alone just an envoy.
Wang Ruohai changed into his official uniform and brought his soldiers out of the city to greet him. Not long after, they entered the Zhizhi Department together.
It was Cui Xin, Zhai Xing's cousin, and Ren Zhiqing, the office manager, who came to salute Wang Xiaolie.
Wang Xiaolie was tired, and the guests and hosts sat down and served tea.
After inviting tea, Wang Xiaoxing said: "Sheren has worked hard on the journey, so you might as well rest for a day."
Cui Xin is Zhai Xing's cousin. According to the custom at this time, the children of military generals and prefecture and county officials were generally called yamen, and the children of mid- to high-level civil servants were called sheren. Although Zhai Xing was a military commander, he had a civil service, and people at that time were always inferior to those who were high. Cui Xin was called Cui Sanshe. In Zhai Xing's army, Cui Sanshe was responsible for the army's food and grass, as well as civilian work, and had an important position.
After hearing Wang Xiaolie's words, Cui Sanshe raised his hands and said, "I am here on the orders of the governor to have important matters, so I am not in a hurry to rest."
Wang Xiaolie said: "I wonder what important matters Zhai Zhenfu has?"
Cui Sanshe said: "The guard of the puppet Qi in Luoyang is Meng Bangxiong. Does Commander Ji know how many troops he has?"
Wang Xiaolie said: "About ten thousand people. Luoyang has been severely damaged in recent years, and we can't afford to support more people."
Cui Sanshe clapped his hands: "Yes, that's right! How important is Luoyang? The Puppet Qi only put less than 10,000 people there, wouldn't they look down on our world's heroes! The governor deliberately took advantage of the cold winter and the frozen rivers. At that time, the Northern Expedition to Luoyang! The commander-in-chief and the army are well-prepared, why not join in this matter together! If we occupy Luoyang, our situation in the Central Plains will be completely different! At that time, please return to Luan, and try to recover!"
Wang Xiaolie was stunned for a moment. The imperial court asked itself to hand over Yinque Town to Zhai Xing, thinking that Zhai Xing might not be able to resist the Northern Expedition. I just didn't expect that Zhai Xing would move so quickly and would take action this year.
After thinking for a while, Wang Xiaolie said: "To be honest, Meng Bangxiong is just a local tycoon. During the turmoil of the Jingkang period, he became the chief official of Xijing. He is not very strong. It is not difficult to attack Luoyang. It is difficult. It is to capture Luoyang and then hold it. Luoyang is located in the heart of the Central Plains, connected to Hedong to the north and controlling Shaanxi to the west. It is incomparable to other places. After losing Luoyang, how can the Jin army be willing to do so?"
Cui Sanshe said: "Luoyang is guarded by eight passes, Hulao in the east, Hangu in the west, a big river in the north, and a large army of commanders in the south. Even if the Jin army comes with an overwhelming force, why be afraid of him!"
Wang Xiaolie was stunned for a while. After a moment of silence, he said: "Sheren, what's the use of talking big words? Zhai Zhenfu and I, even if we join forces, how can we be the opponent of the Jin army? We have been safe in the past few years because we did not have the Northern Expedition, not the Jin army. The goal of the army. If we really occupy Luoyang, we must face the counterattack of the Jin army. Not only that, Liu Yu's attack direction was originally the Lianghuai area. After we occupied Luoyang, he would definitely send troops to attack. At that time, I thought Defending Luoyang is not an easy task."
Cui Sanshe was a little disappointed. He said: "So, does Commander Jie not support my family's Northern Expedition?"
Wang Xiaolie said: "Of course we have to go to the Northern Expedition, but we can't be so rash. We should plan carefully and make sufficient preparations before sending out troops. Otherwise, if we occupy Luoyang and then be beaten back by the enemy, it will affect the morale of the army."
Cui Sanshe was silent. Look at Ren Zhiqing on one side and don't look away.
Ren Zhiqing said: "Commander Jie, at this time of national calamity, we should work hard and be proactive to repay the imperial court. Meng Bangxiong in Luoyang has less than 10,000 troops and takes over the big city. Is it God's will? The so-called God does not take, but suffers. It’s your fault!”
Wang Xiaolie said: "Commander, marching and fighting is not a child's play! You must plan carefully and think about various possibilities before you can raise an army! How many days have it been since I gave Yinque Town to you? Are you ready in such a short time? Already? According to me, wait for one or two years, and when the plans are in place, it will not be too late to raise troops at that time. Luoyang is not an ordinary city, and if you occupy it, you will have to fight to the death with the Jin army in the Central Plains!"
Ren Zhiqing said: "Now that we have enough troops and food, Zhenfu cannot wait for a moment in Fengniushan Village, let alone one or two years. To be honest, it would be best for Commander Jies to join us in the Northern Expedition. If Commander Jies does not send troops, Zhenfu will not be able to wait for a moment, let alone one or two years." Fu Bian then mobilized all his troops for the Northern Expedition!"
Wang Xiaolie thought for a while and said: "If Zhai Zhenfu is determined to make the Northern Expedition, I can't stop him. I will send soldiers and horses from Ruzhou to the north, along Dengfeng and Mi County and out of Songshan Mountain. If Zhai Zhenfu captures Luoyang City, I will Attack Zhengzhou. Liu Yu comes to attack, just block it for him. The Jin army coming from Shaanxi and Hedong directions can only rely on pacifying itself. I think there will not only be a few thousand troops, but probably tens of thousands."
Cui Sanshe was overjoyed when he heard this. Said: "If so, Luoyang City is already in our hands!"
Wang Xiaolie looked at Cui Sanshe and sighed secretly in his heart. If Luoyang was so easy to capture, I would have gone north long ago.
