The current Lu Bu camp is indeed much richer than before. When Xu Sheng returned to Pengcheng, he took away 60,000 troops in one breath.
Even so, there are only 140,000 people that can be mobilized in the entire Northern Kingdom. Of course, Liyang City is an important gateway to the Northern Kingdom, and the 50,000 troops inside cannot be mobilized easily.
However, as long as Lu Bu and Lin Mo are willing to lobby the aristocratic families in the North, they can immediately add tens of thousands of troops.
Lin Mo did not intend to do this. The soldiers and horses gathered by Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang previously included 170,000 or 80,000 soldiers. They were the remaining 120,000 troops after streamlining. The purpose was to maintain the combat effectiveness of the troops.
Most of the serfs sent by the aristocratic families had little combat experience, and their combat capabilities varied greatly. There were actually great disadvantages in putting such an army on the battlefield.
The most important thing about a team is never its combat power, but its morale. Once morale collapses, even if you have a million troops, it will be meaningless.
And often the collapse of morale always starts with the excessive death of soldiers and horses, and panic will spread like a plague. At this time, you will dislike those who are too weak in the army. Not only can they not help, but they also delay the battle. your hind legs.
The only advantage of having more people is that they look very powerful in terms of momentum, just like Yuan Shao's original army of 700,000 people. It sounds really scary, but the effect is not that great.
Moreover, Xiahou Dun's troops in Bingzhou in the entire northern country now only number more than 40,000, and including Yuan Xi's troops, they only number 100,000.
And even if Lu Bu excludes the 50,000 troops stationed in Liyang City, he still has 80,000 men at his disposal, which is enough to control them.
In fact, we can take action directly now, but considering that the old father-in-law's concubine life is only half a month away, I thought of waiting until this matter is settled.
Moreover, if Cao Cao takes his people to Jingzhou and takes action himself, it will have the effect of attacking first.
This was Lin Mo's initial plan, but after receiving a letter, Lin Mo was immediately shaken.
It's an urgent report sent by Guo Zhao on a fast horse. Cui Xian, there may really be a problem!
Guo Zhao had two skills. She was able to find some important clues in just ten days without entering the Cui Mansion.
The methods she used were also much smarter than ordinary people. After she arrived in Qinghe, she did nothing but please an old woman who worked in the Cui Mansion.
Then, when he heard that he was asking about Cui Xian, he actually returned the fifty gold coins he received and waved his hands to show that he didn't know anything.
This matter was a bit contrary to common sense. Later, when I was planning to investigate Cui Xian's wet nurse and personal maid, strange things happened. These people all died of illness for no reason in the past few months.
In other words, of those who knew Cui Xian best, except for their family members, there was not a single one left.
Guo Zhao felt that there must be someone here who was deliberately cutting off all outsiders who had anything to do with Cui Xian.
At this stage of the investigation, all the clues had been cut off. Guo Zhao still had a way to continue. She started investigating again from the nursing home in the mansion. This time, she finally made substantial gains.
The nursing home that received Guo Zhao's huge sum of money revealed that most of the people who interacted with Cui Yan during this period were the heads of the northern aristocratic families. Only two people with mysterious identities came here a few months ago. He only knew that one of them was Cui Yan's classmate. There is another old friend who is wearing a cloak, and you can’t even tell whether he is a boy or a girl.
The two people did not reveal their names, but Cui Yan personally went out to pick them up when they entered the city, so these two people could not be found in the city gate officials' traffic records.
Judging from the time, after these two people met Cui Yan, the Autumn Harvest Festival happened within a few days, and then they took the initiative to get married.
To sum up, firstly, the Cui family deliberately concealed Cui Xian’s identity, and all outsiders related to it were dead; secondly, an unidentified person met Cui Yan, and the marriage came about only after the meeting. .
Just by combining these two points, Guo Zhao was able to conclude that there must be something wrong with Cui Xian's identity. The problem was that she couldn't verify her identity in such a short time. Also, the two unidentified people Visitors are also the target of Guo Zhao's investigation.
This will take time. She suggested that Lin Mo should let Cui Xian marry him first. When they leave the Cui Mansion, the Cui family's guardedness will relax. When she investigates again, she will definitely be able to find out some clues.
"This dark little hooves is really good at it." Lin Mo smiled and put the silk cloth away.
Apart from anything else, just these two doubts discovered by Guo Zhao were enough to make Lin Mo feel certain in his heart that the Cui family's marriage was definitely not out of his original intention and must have some other purpose.
And this Cui Xian is very likely to have his identity whitewashed just like the hidden clues drawn by Hongxiu.
Of course, all of this is based on suspicion. After all, there is no substantial evidence, and you cannot go to Cui Yan to settle accounts based on these two points.
In the North Country, the Cui family is still a super wealthy family that is at its peak. It has made things embarrassing. With the energy of the Cui family, the North Country can still be plunged into temporary chaos.
If the trouble gets bigger, it is not impossible to unite with foreign enemies.
Therefore, Lin Mo was not enough to stop this marriage.
However, the idea of the shady little hoof is very good. You can let Cui Xian marry him first. When she investigates, she should be able to get more valuable clues.
You can get married, but you can't be careless about things that you should be careful about.
Of course the old father-in-law is invincible in the world, even though he is now in his forties, if he acts violently, even Zilong will be frightened, let alone other people.
But this man is often the least defensive when in bed. If he encounters a dead soldier like Hongxiuzhao, who comes out with some moth, assassination, poisoned wine, etc., it will be impossible to prevent him. .
Do you want to tell your old father-in-law?
Lin Mo thought about it for a while and felt that it was not necessary. Firstly, his old father-in-law was too impulsive. If he knew that he was being used for this purpose, he would definitely not be able to help but attack the Cui family. Secondly, Lin Mo did not want to alert the snake.
After much deliberation, the only option was to use troops against Bingzhou and Youzhou in advance, so that Cui Xian could be kept in Yecheng without disturbing the Cui family, and at the same time, she would not be given a chance to die.
In fact, just being a member of the Cui family would not make Lin Mo afraid to this extent, but he had to find out who was behind it.
If it is Cao Cao, then he must at least investigate thoroughly and collect evidence. Even if he takes down the Cui family, he will have an explanation for other aristocratic families. At the same time, he will be able to scare the monkeys, and he may be able to pull off the trick.
Therefore, Lin Mo was unwilling to pierce the window paper immediately before everything came to light.
"Didn't you say that we should wait until the spring comes and the flowers bloom before using troops?"
Lu Bu paced back and forth in the hall, his expression a little ugly, "Yunwen, you know it's snowing heavily in many places in the North, and Youzhou may be covered in ice for thousands of miles. This kind of weather is not good for the transportation of grain and grass, the garrison of armies, and cavalry operations. , are you really in such a hurry?"
"We think so, and Cao Cao thinks so too. There is nothing wrong with taking things by surprise."
Of course, Lin Mo knew that if he used troops during this season, his expenses would increase greatly. After all, in the middle of winter, the weather was cold and the soldiers would have a greater appetite.
These are of course detrimental to one's own side.
However, the situation has been laid, and Lin Mo feels that if he takes action now, it will not be said that he will suffer a loss, but he will be able to catch them off guard.
"Actually, the soldiers in the Northern Kingdom are used to this kind of weather. If we send troops at this time, it will not have any impact on the morale of the troops."
Xin Ping, who was standing aside, said, "But should we call Gongze back first? He is still in Youzhou."
Lin Mo couldn't help but snorted after hearing this.
Isn't Guo Tu supposed to be as sophisticated an egoist as Zuo Rong? Why is he so stupid about this matter? He has been to Youzhou for half a year. If he can't do it, he will come back. He doesn't blame him. He is probably reluctant to be too conservative. position, still trying to resist.
"What Mr. Zhongzhi said is true. Most of the Northern Army are used to this kind of weather, so there won't be any problems. As for Gongze's safety, we can now order the horse to go to Youzhou to recall him."
Lin Mo, who was wearing a big cloak, put his hands on top of the brazier and turned it over and over, "Anyway, it will take some time for us to mobilize the army. By the time we set off, Yuan Xi must have not received the battle report, and Guo Gong must have walked out of Youzhou territory. .”
After saying this, Xin Ping nodded with relief. Of course, he didn't have deep feelings for Guo Tuye, he was purely thinking about the interests of the family.
Although the Hebei Family alliance has been broken now, during the days when they formed the alliance, the Henan Gang was severely suppressed.
Coupled with the fact that Li Zan from Zhaojun has won the right to distribute fertilizers, Henan Family becomes even more vulnerable.
At this time, Guo Tu can no longer die innocently, otherwise the Henan Gang will be even more untenable in the North.
"Decided?" Lu Bu asked again.
Lin Mo nodded, "Now is a good time."
Seeing this, Lu Bu let out a long breath and said nothing more. He had always followed his son-in-law's arrangements when it came to using troops.
It’s okay not to listen. Aren’t the lessons of Wei Xu and Hou Cheng not cruel enough?
Then he walked up to Yan Liang Wen Chou and looked at the two brothers, "What do you say?"
The two of them bowed their hands and said firmly at the same time: "I am willing to listen to Marquis Wen's orders!"
During this period of time, the two brothers have thought clearly. Zhao Yun is right. Regardless of whether they are willing to join this war or not, the war must be fought.
The only difference is that if they are willing to take action, the casualties will be much less.
Moreover, in front of Lu Bu, it is good to beg for mercy when it is time to beg for mercy.
After getting the affirmative answer, Lu Bu waved his red robe of flowers, sat back on the handsome chair, and raised his forehead towards Lin Mo, "Then what are you waiting for? Let's use our troops."
Lin Mo moistened his throat and said in a deep voice: "The 20,000 vanguard army will set off for Youzhou in three days. Bai Xin will be the supervisor of the army and will lead the 60,000 Chinese army to escort the formation with Lord Yuezhang. They will set off in five days. Mr. Xinpi will also be asked to stay in Yecheng. .”
It is not a big problem to let Xin Pi stay in Yecheng. During these days, the Xin brothers have indeed given full support to Lu Lin and Weng's son-in-law's great cause. He is still loyal, so he can watch Yuan Shang and not make trouble.
Moreover, for the sake of safety, those left behind in the city were all old subordinates transferred from Pengcheng, and the several captains were all trusted brothers, so Yuan Shang had no chance to make an attack.
However, what puzzled everyone was that Lin Mo arranged for Xin Ping to join Lu Bu as a supervisor to suppress the 60,000-strong Chinese army. What does this mean? Does the vanguard camp need Zhao Yun, Yan Liang and Wen Chou together? It is difficult to allocate official positions.
Seeing the confused looks on their faces, Lin Mocai added: "Zilong is the pioneer officer."
"Marquis Lanling, what about us?" Yan Liang asked, cupping his hands.
"Your brothers are the vanguard lieutenants."
Ah this.
All three people were integrated into the vanguard army. What kind of magical operation was this? It seemed that it was not necessary.
"Yunwen, what are you going to do?" The old father-in-law turned his head and looked at Lin Mo. He had been fighting for a lifetime and couldn't understand what Lin Mo was singing this time.
"Before the army can join together, we must first capture Zhang Yan on the Taihang Mountains. To this end, two generals, Zilong and Yan Liangwen Chou, will go together."
After Lin Mo finished speaking, his old father-in-law frowned and said disdainfully: "Do you think too highly of Zhang Yan?"
Zhao Yun also said suspiciously: "Yunwen, it's actually not difficult to deal with Zhang Yan. He is from the same county as me, and I know his details. In the past, Black Mountain bandits also caused trouble in the Changshan area. The biggest problem is that after they retreated to the Taihang Mountains, With our familiarity with the mountains, we have no idea where to start.”
In the final analysis, Zhang Yan's guerrilla warfare style of fighting was to fight if he could win, and if he couldn't, he lost his temper.
Lin Mo smiled knowingly, "Because of this, Zilong and generals Yan and Wen must be included in the vanguard army, because we only have one chance to take action, and we must kill him with one blow, not giving him a chance to take advantage of the terrain." .”
Several people still don't understand that among the four people standing in this hall, whether they are old father-in-law Lu Bu, Changshan Zhao Zilong, or Northern General Yan Liang Wen Chou, none of them are famous.
As for any of them, there is no way that Zhang Yan would dare to run down the mountain and cause trouble.
If he led his troops up the mountain, he would immediately retreat after getting the news. Yan Liang Wenchou knew this already, because they also followed Yuan Shao to fight the Black Mountain bandits. These guys had average combat effectiveness and were too familiar with the terrain of Taihang Mountain. They could not even chase him when they ran. Not on.
Moreover, if the war horse cannot climb the mountain, it will be fatal.
"That's all, you always have your own ideas. You all go and prepare quickly. Zhongzhi and George prepare the food and grass. Zilong, go and appoint 20,000 vanguard troops. Yan Liangwenchou will pass on the battle order!"
Lu Bu had long been accustomed to Lin Mo's various unconventional military strategies, sometimes even more bizarre.
What's more, now it's just changing the vanguard officer from one strong general to three, and the rest is still a step-by-step routine, and Lu Bu has no reason not to support it.
"Here!"
After everyone retreated, Lin Mocai smiled and asked, "I'm afraid it will delay my father-in-law from taking a concubine."
Lu Bu sneered, "What are you talking about? If it weren't for the sake of stabilizing the overall situation of the Northern Kingdom, why would I have any thoughts about Cui Xian? She is far worse than your little mother."
Tsk tsk, my old father-in-law is really being treated obediently by his wife, and he always makes trouble with her.
Lin Mo chuckled lightly and said nothing, just quietly looking at the sparks jumping in the brazier in front of him.
Yuan Xi, Zhang Yan, Xiahou Dun.
Xiaoguan, Anfeng, Baima City
Cao Cao, it's always been you who takes action and I take action. It's finally my turn.
(End of chapter)
