Hearing this, Li Zicheng seemed to be slightly relieved. He looked at Song Xiance and said with confidence: "Indeed, that Duke Xingguo originally only had tens of thousands of troops? If I remember correctly, he should only have about thirty thousand." ?”
"Yes, about 30,000!" After hearing this, Song Xiance immediately counted his fingers and echoed, "After recruiting Xiao Yuan's camp, defeating Zuo Liangyu's troops, and recruiting some troops, we have the Kaifeng side. More than 50,000 troops.”
In fact, he didn't mention it specifically. In fact, Xingguo Gong's army in Kaifeng had already included Yuan Zongdi's troops.
At this time, after a pause, he continued to count his fingers and calculated for Li Zicheng: "After Kaifeng, he probably organized about 100,000 troops to go south. According to what the Gezuo Fifth Battalion said, the situation over the Eight Kings was not good. Wonderful, after the defeat, Mao estimates that he will recruit another 50,000 troops, making a total of about 150,000 troops."
Putting down his fingers after counting, Song Xianzhi frowned slightly and continued his analysis: "According to the past situation of Duke Xingguo, after he defeats the Eight Kings, he will settle in Huguang, even Xiangyang Mansion, Jingzhou Mansion, Xunyang Mansion and other places. , there will be a considerable amount of troops left. After knowing that we are heavily guarding Kuizhou, we will detour to Qin and enter Sichuan. It is estimated that we will not reach Shu until the middle of next year."
Because of the inconvenience of information communication, in many cases, the military situation in distant places can only be guessed.
In particular, Li Zicheng's troops have taken refuge in Sichuan and are heavily guarding Kuizhou, although they can prevent the imperial army from invading from here. However, it is also difficult for Li Zicheng's troops to get out.
At this time, seeing Li Zicheng shaking his head after hearing this, Song Xiance quickly added: "Of course, this is extrapolated from past situations. That Xingguo Gong was not an incompetent person. After receiving the urgent military report from Shu, he was very He may leave the infantry to guard the outskirts of Kuizhou to prevent our army from breaking into the Central Plains again. Then he will lead the cavalry to quickly reinforce. But even so, he will only reach Qin at most..."
When Li Zicheng heard this, he didn't want to hear any more, so he waved his hand and interrupted Song Xiance, saying: "We can't rely on Duke Xingguo for this matter, just estimate it according to his best ability. I estimate that he should be able to Rush to Hanzhong around the Chinese New Year. This is the limit, it can’t be faster!”
"The general is wise!" Song Xiance was overtaken by Li Zicheng, so he said no more and just nodded in agreement.
Li Zicheng continued to follow his own train of thought and said: "The weather has been very cold these years, and the northern part of Shu has been covered by heavy snow. The road to Shu is inherently difficult. If you want to come here in the snow..."
At this point, he curled his lips slightly and smiled coldly, and then continued: "Even if his own troops obey his orders, how can he work so hard for him and risk so many newly recruited soldiers in his army? The big risk is crossing the Shu road in the snow! Therefore, I concluded that Duke Xingguo will come to Shu at least until the next spring and the ice and snow melt."
Hearing this, Song Xiance couldn't help but suddenly realized that when the general analyzed the troops of Duke Xingguo just now, he didn't mean to see how many troops he had, but to see how many of his men were recruiting troops!
The general's analysis is based on the people's hearts, or the military morale of Xingguo Gong's headquarters.
Even if a small number of the leaders among those who were recruited may risk their lives to please Duke Xing, how could the ordinary people, most of whom were recruited, go to Tiger Mountain knowing that there are tigers in the mountains!
You know, the vast majority of the troops in Duke Xingguo's army were recruited, and the reason why those people were recruited was because they were afraid of death! If Duke Xingguo wanted to force them to cross the Shu Road in the snow, he would probably force them to rebel again!
Seeing Song Xiance's expression, Li Zicheng became more proud, and his voice became louder as he continued: "So, based on the worst case scenario, our time is before the spring of next year. Going forward After that, with every extra day, the reinforcements led by Duke Xingguo will be more likely to enter Shu!"
In fact, his guess was similar to that of Sun Chuanting and Qin Liangyu. In their opinion, Duke Xingguo's troops will arrive in Shu, at least until the beginning of the next spring. This is why Sun Chuanting replied to Chen Shiqi and asked Chengdu to insist on the beginning of next spring.
"General, you are wise!" After Song Xiance heard this, he flattered Li Zicheng, and then reminded him, "General, the Chinese New Year will be the day after tomorrow. The time to leave Chun is not short, but it is long. It’s not much, we still have to step up!”
"Yes, you don't have much time for the old fox Sun Chuanting!" After hearing this, Li Zicheng felt a little better just now, but suddenly it disappeared again, and he sighed.
Nowadays, his men are considered to be strong soldiers and horses. They are no longer as afraid of Sun Chuanting as they were back then, and they are no longer likely to be chased and chased by Sun Chuanting. However, Sun Chuanting did understand the art of war and could fight. This was something Li Zicheng knew best.
Apart from anything else, for now, ordinary court officials will never stand still if they receive urgent calls from the Chengdu government one after another. However, the old fox still stood still.
"General, maybe Sun Chuanting saw our intention." Song Xiance suddenly raised his eyebrows and said to Li Zicheng, "Why don't we let Kuizhou Prefecture start the attack? As for Shunqing Prefecture, use bluffing tactics , not attacking with all our strength. Just let Sun Chuanting feel that we have tried our best, and the offensive can only be so strong!"
Hearing this, Li Zicheng was delighted with the new policy, and continued what Song Xiance said: "In this way, Sun Chuanting, an old fox, thinks that he has a complete understanding of the situation in Shu. Then he forces the Chengdu government to urgently ask for help from him. If he thinks he has enough strength, he will definitely send troops to rescue Chengdu!"
"That's it!" Song Xiance was also excited and immediately agreed, then continued, "Whether it's ambushing Sun Chuanting's troops on the way or raiding several Shu road checkpoints in Baoning Prefecture, we have a lot to do."
"That's right!" Li Zicheng was obviously a little happy, "As long as a brave general leads the army and launches an offensive with lightning speed, I believe Sun Chuanting will definitely be fooled. As long as he takes down a few levels such as Jianmen Pass, he will be stuck. If we find the way into Shu, great things will come true!"
As soon as he said this, his expression suddenly changed again, as if he hated iron for not being able to become steel, and he even let out a "hum".
When Song Xiance saw him, he knew that he was familiar with Li Zicheng. He guessed it right away and asked tentatively: "General, why don't I go talk to General Li Guo and ask him to admit his mistakes to the general? In this way, wouldn't the general With one more brave general, we are more sure of winning Baonyeong Mansion!"
When Li Zicheng heard this, he cursed: "That bitch, he was so determined after eating the weight, he just wants to see my joke, you still want him to lead the troops? Believe it or not, he directly led the troops to the other side!" "
"Isn't that true?" Song Xiance said with some disbelief after hearing this, "He is the nephew of the general after all!"
When Li Zicheng heard this, he ordered Song Xiance to act like Li Guo, stared at him, and asked bitterly: "Then let me ask you, when he led the army on the expedition, what if the other party told him that damn Li Laiheng is now a member of the imperial court? Uncle Liaodong, what do you think he will think?"
After he finished speaking, he seemed to remember something and looked around like a thief.
Li Zicheng immediately blocked the fact that Li Laiheng had defected to the imperial court and was named Liaodong Bo. He must not spread the news among the army.
Song Xiance was speechless after hearing what Li Zicheng said.
Originally, he wanted to take the opportunity to intercede with Li Guo and uncover the difficulties between Li Zicheng and Li Guo. Otherwise, it would be such a waste for such a brave general to be locked up all the time.
But at this time, he was afraid and gave up the idea.
Otherwise, if he really had to guarantee Li Guo, but Li Guo led his army to defect to the court, then he would be in big trouble.
After the two discussed for a while, they decided to adjust the current deployment according to the previously agreed upon strategy. Military orders were sent to all armies, requiring them to mobilize Sun Chuanting's troops.
As for celebrating the New Year and so on, naturally I won’t consider it.
………………
Li Zicheng had such a plan. As an ally of Li Zicheng, Zuo Liangyu's subordinates actually had their own plans.
After receiving the news that Li Zicheng's men had captured Yang'an Pass, Zuo Liangyu became anxious because he was still blocked in Meizhou.
Now Li Zicheng has occupied Chongqing, one of the two most important cities in Shu. If he takes Chengdu again, although Li Zicheng promised that Chengdu will be given to him, if Li Zicheng takes Chengdu first, even if it is given to him, Then the price he will pay will not be less.
No, Zuo Liangyu, at the suggestion of military advisor Hou Xun, convened a military meeting and called in allies, that is, chieftains from all walks of life to discuss the military situation.
The alliance between these chieftains and Zuo Liangyu does not mean that they will just listen to Zuo Liangyu. With Zuo Liangyu as the leader, he will do whatever he says. As long as Zuo Liangyu dissatisfied them, they would not tolerate Zuo Liangyu.
It is true that Zuo Liangyu is nominally the leader. This is also because he used to be the chief soldier of the imperial court and is very famous. He is also assisted by the former governor of the imperial court. This makes the chieftains of various factions feel that he is more powerful, at least compared to other factions. Toast wants to convince them.
At this time, the chieftains from all walks of life took their seats, and then served the clay Buddha one by one.
They are not stupid, so they naturally know that Zuo Liangyu summoned them to fight against Meizhou.
Seeing them like this, Zuo Liangyu felt angry and winked at Hou Xun.
These chieftains, relatively speaking, believed what Hou Xun said. Therefore, Zuo Liangyu asked Hou Xun to speak and deceive them.
Seeing Zuo Liangyu's eyes, Hou Xun coughed, and then said to the many chieftains: "Everyone, I have good news here."
