Zhao Tai stroked his beard and asked, "Why did you say this, sir?"
Wang Bin said solemnly: "The difficulty of this battle is that if our army can win quickly and greatly, it will definitely attract the attention of Mongolia and affect the commander-in-chief's plan to seize Shandong. If our army cannot win quickly and greatly, it will be difficult for us in the long run." Fighting with the enemy will make the soldiers tired of fighting and the people will suffer. If our army is defeated, the enemy will definitely take advantage of the victory to pursue and seize the prefectures and counties in Shandong. Therefore, victory is also worrying, failure is also worrying, and defeat is even more worrying!"
Zhao Tai nodded slightly. Zhao Tai's plan was to capture Shandong when the Mongols attacked Kaifeng.
At that time, the main Mongolian forces were gathered in Kaifeng. The Mongolian troops in Shandong and Hebei were insufficient, and there were no reinforcements on the grasslands. This was Zhao Tai's only opportunity to take over Shandong.
In order to realize this plan, Zhao Tai must now keep a low profile and not let the Mongolian army pay attention to Shandong.
Now Tasi sent the three-town Han army to attack him. If he defeated the three-town Han army until they lost their armor and armor, Mongolia would definitely pay attention.
At that time, Mongolia will definitely send troops and horses into Shandong, which will make Zhao Tai's plan to seize Shandong unable to be implemented.
Therefore, if you defeat them quickly, you will only lose a small amount. However, if you do not defeat them, Tasi will succeed in his goal of exhausting Zhongyi Town and affecting people's production.
Zhao Tai said in a deep voice: "What you said makes sense! Sir, do you have any solution?"
Wang Bin thought for a while and asked: "Commander, where does this news come from?"
Zhao Tai glanced at Wang Bin and hesitated for a moment, "It was the information provided by Li Fen of Mongolia's Yidu Province."
Wang Bin nodded, "Sure enough! Apart from doing business, do the Marshal and Li Fen have any secret agreements?"
Li Fen was Zhao Tai's key chess piece in seizing Shandong. Only a few people knew about the secret agreement between Zhao Tai and Li Fen.
Although many people in Zhao Tai knew that Zhongyi Town was engaged in smuggling trade with Li Fen's subordinates, few people knew what the relationship between the two parties was.
Wang Bin knew that there was a connection between Zhao Tai and Li Fen, but he, a newcomer, didn't know what the relationship was.
Zhao Tai thought for a while, "There is a certain tacit understanding between me and Li Fen, and we agree that the water in the well will not violate the water in the river."
Wang Bin muttered: "If the commander-in-chief feels that he can maintain a tacit understanding with Li Fen, then he is humble enough to have a plan!"
"Oh?" Zhao Tai said with a serious face, "Sir, please speak, I am all ears."
Wang Bin stroked his beard and said, "Better than Zhang and Shi, but defeated by Li Fen."
Zhao Tai pondered Wang Bin's words thoughtfully, and his eyes suddenly lit up, "Sir, what you want is for me to beat up Zhang Rou and Shi Tianze, and deliberately lose to Li Fen."
Wang Bin nodded: "Since Li Fen has an agreement with the commander-in-chief, he is not a threat to the commander-in-chief for the time being. Shi Tianze and Zhang Rou are Hebei warlords, and the commander-in-chief can take the opportunity to hit them hard again. In this way, when the commander-in-chief takes Shandong, The Mongolian army will be unable to mobilize troops and horses from Hebei for reinforcements."
After hearing this, Zhao Tai felt that this plan was good. By defeating Zhang Rou and Shi Tianze, he could continue to attack Mongolia's power in Hebei.
Losing to Li Fen can show weakness to Mongolia and make Mongolia feel that the situation in Shandong is controllable.
At this time, Wang Bin said again: "However, if the commander wants to seize Shandong, Li Fen will always be an obstacle."
Zhao Tai smiled and waved: "Sir, come forward."
Wang Bin left his seat in confusion and walked to Zhao Tai. Zhao Tai immediately whispered in his ear and told him his plan to force Li Fen to rebel.
After hearing this, Wang Bin looked surprised and exclaimed: "The commander's skills are really brilliant!"
~~~~~~
At the end of May, after Tasi issued orders to Zhang Rou, Shi Tianze, and Li Fen, the three major warlords successively led their armies to Jinan.
Zhang Rou and Shi Tianze had just suffered heavy losses. They each brought 10,000 troops. Li Fen, who was in better condition, brought 15,000 troops.
The three groups of troops totaled 35,000 people, plus a thousand cavalry led by Tasi, and entered Yanzhou in a mighty manner.
At the same time, Zhao Tai contacted Wuxian and decided to keep the Mongolian army out of the territory. Wuxian led 5,000 troops and occupied Qugao first. Zhao Tai led 15,000 troops and then entered Yanzhou territory.
On the sixth day of June, about 20,000 people set up camp on the south bank of the Sishui River in Zhongyi and Wuwei towns.
At this time, Zhao Tai and Wuxian were stationed on the shore on horseback, watching the cavalry burn the outposts on the north bank, and then returned to the south bank by boat.
Wuxian rode on his horse and said coldly: "The Mongols sent Zhang Rou, Shi Tianze, and Li Fen, three of their defeated generals, to attack us. Aren't they here to deliver food?"
Zhao Tai glanced at Wu Xian and said with a smile: "Brother, please don't beat them too badly this time."
Wu Xian looked at Zhao Tai in confusion, "Why? They came here to fight, but they didn't kill them in one fell swoop?"
In Wuxian's view, the Han warlords from the three towns who came were all defeated by his men, and the elites of these three towns had suffered heavy losses. Now that their strength has not been restored, it was the time to beat them up.
Zhao Tai explained: "If we destroy them, the Mongols will definitely send their elite troops south. Therefore, it is better to defeat them without killing them. In this way, the Mongols will not feel threatened and will continue to use them to attack us." .Isn’t this easier to deal with than the Mongolian army coming in person?”
Wu Xian raised his eyebrows and couldn't help but smile: "Guorui, you have so many ideas. Mongolia is unlucky to have an opponent like you!"
Zhang Rou and Shi Tianze were both Han warlords. They chose to defect to Mongolia for at least two reasons.
Mongolia was too powerful, and they turned to Mongolia for their own survival. Second, taking refuge in Mongolia can bring them benefits.
Zhao Tai's plan in mind was to defeat Zhang Rou and Shi Tianze, beating them painfully but not killing them. It was best to show that they were evenly matched and win by chance.
In this way, as long as they survive, the Mongols will have to rely on them to guard Hebei, and feel that they will be able to defeat Zhao Tai next time.
In this case, Zhao Tai did not have to face the Mongolian cavalry directly and could develop rapidly, while the hearts of warlords such as Zhang Rou and Shi Tianze would gradually collapse.
Because Zhao Tai pretends to win by chance every time, the Mongols will urge them to attack again when they recover a little. If things go on like this, they will definitely collapse and may even turn their backs on Mongolia, or, like Li Fen, maintain a tacit understanding with Zhao Tai.
Zhao Tai smiled slightly and suddenly saw yellow dust rising in the distance, so he said in a deep voice: "They are coming."
On the north bank of the Sishui River, Tasi came galloping on a war horse. He galloped to the Sishui River and saw that the Jin army had set up camp on the other side. He was a little surprised, "The gold thief was actually prepared."
Zhang Rou, Shi Tianze, and Li Fen reined in their horses and looked at the Jin army camp on the south bank. They glanced at each other and Zhang Rou said: "Marshal, the gold thieves are already on guard. I think we should take a long-term approach."
Tasi squinted his eyes and observed for a while, then said in a deep voice: "Give me the order, the army will go down to the camp, and officers from more than a thousand households will come to the big tent to obey orders!"
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