Guchang County.
Liu Chan sat in the county government office and smiled as he looked at the battle report in his hand.
Ma Su and Guan Xing successfully captured Fan County, opened the northern gate of Zangqi County, and obtained an important stronghold for conquering Zangqi County.
Dalou Mountain, Loushanguan, Zunyi... these familiar places are not called by those names now.
After breaking through the initial level, Zanggao was basically undefended for them.
As long as Ma Su doesn't do any more crazy things, Zangqi County is basically a sure thing.
Thinking that Guan Xing, who is thoughtful and considerate, is by his side, Ma Su will not overturn this situation.
The army under the command of Zhu Bao, the prefect of Xanggan, already had very low rations and wages. The lower the rations and wages, the more severe the strife at all levels became, resulting in soldiers who did not have enough to eat, let alone practice.
The difficult government finances are already stretched thin to support corrupt officials. Where can they find the money and food to support a large army? Therefore, despite the large territory of Zanggao County, there are less than 10,000 soldiers to fight, and victory is expected.
If Comrade Ma Su can overturn when facing this kind of opponent, coupled with the support of Guan Xing, he can say goodbye to the front line and go home to sleep.
Liu Chan gave Ma Su a chance to practice, but he never really expected him to take up the banner of supporting the Han Dynasty and become a mainstay.
I really want to get a flag bearer from the Ma family. That is his brother Ma Liang who is alone in pacifying the Wuxi barbarians and convincing Samoko to send out an army to help.
But for things like talent, the more the better.
Let Ma Su get some training. Even if he can't fight a decisive battle in the future, it would be good to send a county out to protect the country and the people.
There was another thing that caught Liu Chan's attention.
"Ma Zhong... remember to ask the old man for a promotion later."
Liu Chan was deeply impressed by this name.
One is Ma Zhong from Soochow, who was the person who killed his second uncle Guan in history. Of course, he has now become the soul of his second uncle...
Another one is Ma Zhong from Basi County in Jihan. This man also served as the governor of Gaijiang in history, and he seemed to have done a good job. He was later awarded the title of marquis and general.
This person should be a talented person, and he also showed his prominence in the first battle into Zanggan this time.
"Needless to say Zhuge's military advisor, the war between Ma Di and Guan Xing in Xianggao County is also progressing smoothly." Liu Chan put down the battle report with a smile, "We just have to capture Dianchi, kill Yongkai, and capture Menghuo. The overall situation in Nanzhong can be determined. How is the situation at the rear? ?”
Zhang Yi cupped his hands and said: "Every place is peaceful, and there were no riots after our army left. There were even large households in Cunjiang County who funded the organization of the 'Hongyi Army'. The young men and women actively participated and volunteered to be dispatched by our defenders to help defend the city and maintain order." "
"Oh? I ordered the guard to write down the situation of this large family and present it to me later."
"yes."
Such "activists" could develop into "grassroots cadres" to manage Nanjing Middle School after the war.
The pressure of the Northern Expedition was huge. Facing a behemoth like Cao Wei, it was impossible for him to station a large army in the south for a long time. After all, he had to rely on "southerns to rule the south." This is why attacking the heart is so important.
"What's the status of our army?" Liu Chan looked at Li Er again.
"Prince, the morale of the soldiers is high. Just wait for the prince's order to go south and take Dianchi Lake!" Li Er stood up and clasped his fists.
Cuan Xi also came out and said: "I am willing to lead my troops as the vanguard and open the way for the prince."
He was familiar with Dianchi Lake. The last time he went to see Bo Nuannuan, he had long been holding back his shame.
"Okay, that's it, the whole army is ready for war, and the army will be strong tomorrow morning..."
Liu Chan was waiting for the order when a guard suddenly shouted outside the door: "Prince, Colonel Wang Meng wants to see you!"
"Oh? Let him in quickly."
"yes!"
Later, Wang Meng pushed open the door and entered, bowing and clasping his fists in salute: "Wang Meng pays homage to the prince."
"No need to be polite, you can come in person, but what's the situation over there in Dian Lake?"
Wang Meng was personally responsible for the "underground work" there in Dianchi Lake. The theory that Liu Chan had his destiny became more and more intense under the promotion of the shadow guards. In addition, Liu Chan's army was indeed advancing with great success, which further confirmed this theory.
This has brought tangible benefits to Wang Meng's work.
The originally difficult infiltration work into Dianchi Lake gradually became smoother, and even people within the Yong family in Dianchi Lake were instigated to rebel under coercion and inducement.
Now Yong Kai's two thousand defenders have been secretly instigated by his people to rebel against three Yong family generals. As long as Liu Chan's army approaches the city, Wang Meng is sure to order at least 500 people to defect directly.
Liu Chan was also aware of the latest developments in Dianchi Lake, so when he saw Wang Meng leaving Dianchi Lake and coming in person, he instinctively felt that something had happened over there.
Could it be that Wu Laoer sent troops directly from Jiaozhou?
No way, stabbing someone in the back is a sinister person. He believes that Wu Laoer is a good player.
But we just lost troops and generals, now we dare to unilaterally tear up the agreement and directly send troops to help Yong Kai rebel? He really didn't believe that Wu Laoer would do such a thing.
Even if Wu Laoer had the courage to ride a horse and shoot a tiger, a person like him who puts his interests first would probably not rashly send troops directly when the outcome of Nanzhong is still uncertain.
"Prince, reinforcements from the Yong family have arrived at Dianchi Lake. Even if the scale is less than ten thousand, it's not too far off."
Liu Chan frowned and asked, "But the Soochow soldiers and horses in Jiaozhou?"
Li Hui, Zhang Yi and others were also nervous. If Soochow directly sent troops, things would be in trouble.
Wang Meng shook his head: "No, it's Meng Huo's own people and five barbarian soldiers from the Kunming clan."
Liu Chan breathed a sigh of relief. During this period of strategic opportunities for Jingyi's great development, Nanzhong needed to make quick decisions.
Cao Pi, who had newly ascended the throne, needed to reorganize his internal affairs and prepare to usurp the Han Dynasty. However, once he completed the internal integration, he would urgently need a victory to consolidate his rule.
Whether it is war victory or diplomatic victory.
He did not want to pursue Jiangdong fiercely under this situation. Even if he won all the way, it would inevitably lead to Wu Laoer surrendering to Cao Wei in despair, which Liu Chan did not want to see.
What's more, Jiaozhou is barren, vast and sparsely populated. Even if Liu Chan has the foresight of future generations, he knows that there are many unique resources there.
But at the moment, nothing is as important as food and population, and we cannot afford to lose the big for the small.
Otherwise, there won’t be enough people to farm the land, so why talk about anything else.
"It turns out they are just barbarian soldiers. Why should Captain Wang worry about it?" Cuan Xi said with a smile, "Don't say that the troops are not as powerful as our army. Even if there are one hundred and eighty thousand soldiers, and the prince is in charge, they will not be able to make a big splash."
After Cuan Xi's previous rash advances, he is now able to view his own combat power objectively and calmly.
But it doesn't mean that he can look at Liu Chan's combat power objectively and calmly. In his eyes, Liu Chan is a person blessed by God, and it's useless for anyone to come.
Although Zhang Yi and others were not like this, they looked much more relaxed when they heard that there were only less than 10,000 Yi soldiers.
Only Wang Meng was not the same. He said in a deep voice: "King Kunming and Meng Yan have gone south since the war started. It is said that they are preparing some 'big gift'. Moreover, outsiders are not allowed to approach within ten miles of the camp where they are stationed. It is so secret, there must be something eccentric."
Big gift?
Liu Chan rubbed his chin. In addition to the Qingqiang soldiers, he had the impression that the Yi people could also compete with high-end combat capabilities, namely the vine armor soldiers and the elephant soldiers.
But I don’t know which one it will be.
But no matter what, he was bound to win the Dianchi Lake. Whether it was a mule or a horse, he would know it just by taking him out for a walk.
"I know that I have made my own decision. You have worked hard all the way, so go down and rest first."
"yes."
Then Liu Chan said seriously to the others: "Although our army has been victorious all the way here, the Yi people have survived here for thousands of years and cannot be underestimated. As far as I know, they use secret methods to make armor, which is difficult to break with ordinary arrows." There are soldiers who are good at driving wild beasts, so you should proceed with caution."
"I obey my orders."
"Tomorrow morning, the whole army's plan to march to Dian Lake remains unchanged, Cuan Xi, Zhang Yi!"
"My subordinate is here!"
"You two are ordered to each lead your own troops as the front army. If you encounter enemy troops, you must adapt to the situation and must not be reckless."
"As you command!"
Then Liu Chan looked at the next person: "Hu Li."
"The end will be here."
"You lead the Red Star cavalry to accompany the front army's flanks, and send more scouts to investigate."
"yes!"
Liu Chan stood up and said: "Gu Qin will lead the central army, Li Hui will be the deputy general, and Li Er will lead the Red Star Army to protect the Lei Gong Pao as the rear army. Li Yitong will stay with thousands of people to guard Guchang. You all should perform your duties without any mistakes."
Everyone bowed and cupped their hands: "I obey."
Yong Kai and Meng Huo have exhausted their cards. As long as they win this battle, Nanzhong can be determined!
(End of chapter)
