Jiuxi

Chapter 228 226 [The first snow falls on the green mountains]

"Now the Yan army is defending the city passes and has made it clear that it will not fight with our army in the wild. Although a forceful attack is an option, the progress will be very slow, and our army will inevitably suffer large-scale casualties."

In the meeting hall of the Governor's Mansion, Duan Zuozhang, the commander of Lai'an Army, spoke solemnly.

There were not many people in the hall. Apart from the Grand Governor Xiao Wangzhi and the Sima Huang Xianfeng who was in charge of recording, there were only the chief generals of the various armies and the Captain of the Rui Shi Camp, Lu Chen.

This was the highest-level military meeting in the Huaizhou Governor's Mansion, and the discussions were naturally about all the details of the Northern Expedition.

Similar military conferences have been held many times in recent times and most of the problems have been resolved. However, on the most important strategic goals, everyone still cannot reach a consensus.

War is not a child's play, and the enemy will not surrender. There seems to be only one way in front of the Huaizhou Army, and that is to choose the main direction of attack, and then fight all the way through with hard bridges and hard horses.

Duan Zuozhang's concerns represent the attitude of some generals, because the Huaizhou Army's enemies are not only Beiyan, but the Jingchao in the far north is the real serious concern. If in the early days of the Northern Expedition, the Huaizhou Army was too focused on gains and losses in one city and one place, and used its precious troops to conquer pass after pass, how would the already exhausted Huaizhou Army respond when the Jing Dynasty finished packing up Zhao and sent its troops south?

Of course, a general cannot only consider temporary gains and losses. Under the training of Xiao Wangzhi, these generals in the hall do not lack strategic vision at this level.

Pei Sui, the commander of the Zhenbei Army, asked: "According to General Duan's wishes, should our army continue to tolerate this?"

Duan Zuozhang glanced at Xiao Wangzhi and considered: "I have an immature idea. Please correct it with the governor and generals. Since the Yan army will not leave the city during this period of time, can we form a force? A surprise force, passing through the Yan army's defense line from Panlong Pass, deep into the territory of the puppet Yan, and maneuvering across a large area, thereby causing chaos in the territory of the puppet Yan and forcing the enemy's main force to fight me decisively?"

Xiao Wangzhi was silent.

Song Shifei was very interested in this proposal. He had always been known for his bravery in the Huaizhou army. He always wanted to fight for the vanguard role in every war.
  At the beginning, Chen Lanyu, who was older than him and had more military achievements than him, was suppressing him. He could only endure his temper and wait for the Zhenbei Army to pick him first. Now the commander-in-chief of the Zhenbei Army is Pei Sui. Although he has guarded Panlong Pass for many years without merit but with hard work, in Song Shifei's view, he is naturally not as good as Chen Lanyu.

Seeing that everyone else fell into silence, Song Shifei took the initiative to ask for orders: "Grand Governor, I am willing to lead the Feiyun Army deep into the enemy's territory, which will definitely turn the Puppet Yan's internal affairs upside down!"

Pei Sui immediately shook his head and said, "That's inappropriate."

Song Shifei frowned and said, "What's wrong?"

Pei Sui was not afraid of him, and replied bluntly: "It is a taboo for military strategists to go deep into the enemy's territory alone. Although the Yan army is on the defensive, it does not mean that their troops are empty. General Song led more than [-] soldiers and horses deep into the enemy's territory, in case he was ambushed. What to do if we are surrounded?”

Although Song Shifei was fierce in nature, he did not lack the military qualities of an excellent general. He retorted: "General Pei, I will not be easily cornered. If the Yan army wants to mobilize the main force to pursue and intercept our troops, they will at least Five times more troops need to be mobilized. How can the current Puppet Yan mobilize so many elites to pursue them without weakening the border defense line? Well, even if they really have such ability, wouldn’t the Governor deploy troops and generals? Prepare a good response? There is no absolute way to win the war, how can you not even take any risks if you want to win? "

Pei Sui said coldly: "How do you ensure that the main force of our army can respond in time? Of course you have to dare to take risks on the battlefield, but you don't make decisions with a slap on the forehead like you!"

Song Shifei's face suddenly turned angry. As the initiator, Duan Zuozhang smiled bitterly and quickly came out to smooth things over: "Two generals, please don't get angry. Let's talk things over."

Xiao Wangzhi coughed lightly and suppressed the conflict between the two. He raised his eyes and looked at Song Shifei and asked, "If the governor allows you to lead troops deep into enemy territory, how much food and grass can you carry? How will you replenish it during the march?"

Song Shifei was slightly startled, and then subconsciously replied: "Back to the Governor, since we are in enemy territory, of course we must fight to support war. The Yan army has strong walls and clear fields on the border, and it is impossible for all the people in the territory to hide in the heavily guarded city. inside."

Xiao Wangzhi said slightly disappointed: "Idiot."

Song Shifei didn't dare to contradict him and looked a little aggrieved.

Xiao Wangzhi said to Lu Chen, who was sitting at the bottom, "Come and tell him the reason."

Lu Chen smiled apologetically at Song Shifei, and then said calmly: "Brother Song, the purpose of our army's Northern Expedition is to regain our homeland. Capturing the city passes and defeating the enemy are just means. The most important thing is to appease the people and make the people in the north accept our army." The arrival of the Northern Expedition will lay the foundation for the continued Northern Expedition. If you lead your soldiers to plunder and support war in the North, it will inevitably make the people in the North hate our army, lose the support of the majority of the people, and our army will be unable to move forward in the future."

"Look at my pig brain."

Song Shifei raised his hand to touch his forehead and said with shame, "I thought too simply. Thank you Brother Lu for clearing up the confusion."

Lu Chen smiled and said, "I don't dare to take it seriously."

Xiao Wangzhi looked around at the generals, then turned to the topic and said: "During this period, you have offered your opinions and suggestions, which have greatly supplemented the planning of the Northern Expedition. Next, Lu Chen will briefly explain to you the key points of this battle. How to fight.”

Everyone has not forgotten that in addition to being the captain of Ruishi Camp, Lu Chen also has the official position of prosecutor of the governor's office. He is already one of Xiao Wangzhi's core staff.

Lu Chen did not refuse. He stood up and walked to the map hanging on the wall next to him. He said unhurriedly: "Generals, our army must first clarify its strategic goals in this battle. Is it to capture Qingtian City and Yongquan Pass? Or to take advantage of the situation to regain the entire Dongyang Road? Or attack across the board and hit wherever you go? Or directly conquer and restore the old capital Heluo City? In more than ten previous military discussions, our army has not determined this issue, and the word Northern Expedition is more like an empty phrase. slogan."

The generals listened attentively. Lu Chen glanced at Xiao Wangzhi and continued: "After the Governor secretly requested your Majesty's instructions, our army's goals for this battle have been determined. The first is to recover Dongyang Road and Moyang Road, and the second is to inflict heavy damage on the Yan army as much as possible. Main force."

"it is good!"

Kang Yanxiao, the commander of the Taixing Army, held up his palms and praised angrily, and the others also echoed, and everyone's eyes glowed with enthusiasm.

The Huaizhou army had been struggling for more than ten years, and last year they defeated the Yan army in front of them one after another. It was a time when morale was high, and these generals naturally wanted to go further.

Joining the army is not only to protect the country and the people, but also to make meritorious deeds and become a general. This is the truest thought in every soldier's heart.

"On this basis, the Northern Expedition will be divided into three stages."

Lu Chen calmed down and turned around to point to the two marks to the north of Huaizhou on the map: "In the first stage, our army will target Qingtian City and Yongquan Pass. There is a difference. We will take Yongquan Pass first and then go down. Qingtian City, and then use this as a transit point, the troops will be divided into two groups to carry out peripheral raids on the Dongyang Road of the pseudo-Yan Dynasty, and gradually eliminate the Yan army forces around Ruyin City, the capital of Dongyang Road."

The terrain of Yongquan Pass is steep, and it is not easy to win. The generals have been mentally prepared for this. At the same time, they also know that the road to the Northern Expedition is not a smooth road, and there are always some tough battles to overcome.

The calm reaction of everyone made Lu Chen nodded slightly, and then said: "In the second stage, our army will besiege Ruyin City without attacking. This place is extremely important to the Puppet Yan. It is the most important town in the southeast, and it controls the east and west. On the main road between the north and the south, Puppet Yan will never allow Ruyin City to be recaptured by our army. At that time, they can only deploy troops from elsewhere for rescue."

Pei Sui narrowed his eyes slightly and continued: "Lieutenant Lu wants to surround the place for reinforcements?"

This is a new word. It was brought up by Lu Chen during last year's war, and the generals learned this tactics.

Lu Chen smiled and said: "It can be said that it is, but our goal is not these reinforcements, but to tear apart the Yan army's defense line from the overall strategy. The enemy's strength has an upper limit after all, and it is impossible to replenish it infinitely. The increase of troops here means that Moving to the side will inevitably weaken the strength of the guards. In the second stage, the Jingzhou Governor's Office will cooperate with the actions of our Huaizhou Army and launch an offensive on the northern part of the Puppet Yanmoyang Road to further squeeze the enemy's mobile strength."

Song Shifei asked curiously: "What about the third stage?"

Lu Chen did not answer, but Xiao Wangzhi took over and said: "Lu Chen has made four plans for the third stage. In order to avoid the disunity of will in the army, the plans for this stage will not be announced for the time being and will depend on the progress of the war. All in all, for our Huaizhou Army, the first battle at the beginning of the mountain is to pull out the two nails that hinder our army from going north, and then direct our troops to the Dongyang Road of the Puppet Yan."

All the generals took orders in unison.

Xiao Wangzhi then ordered: "In the first stage, the Feiyun Army is responsible for coming out of the security line and approaching Qingtian City. They cannot attack the city by force. They only need to frighten the defenders in the city and eliminate the enemy's ranger scouts arranged in the battlefield area. .”

Song Shifei stood up and said: "The last general takes orders!"

Xiao Wangzhi continued: "The Zhenbei Army and Lai'an Army are heading northeast. After Yongquan Pass is captured, they will immediately go to support them. At the same time, you will be responsible for forcing back the puppet Yan Dongyang Road's backup reinforcements."

Pei Sui and Duan Zuozhang accepted the order in unison.

"The Taixing Army, Pingshan Army and Guangling Army were ready for the battle. After receiving the general order from the governor, they immediately rushed to the north of the Lai'an Defense Line and cooperated with the Feiyun Army to capture Qingtian City."

All the generals stood up and responded.

At this time, they couldn't help but have deep doubts in their hearts. Xiao Wangzhi had arrangements for each army. The question was who would attack Yongquan Pass?
  Pei Sui was the first to react. He looked meaningfully at Lu Chen, who looked calm, and secretly thought that the governor seemed to be placing his treasure on Rui Shiying. He just wondered whether this army, which had been practicing for nearly a year, could bring surprises?

As expected, Xiao Wangzhi immediately said: "Let the Rui Shi Camp attack Yongquan Pass."

Lu Chen took a deep breath, cupped his hands and said, "The general will take your orders."

Xiao Wangzhi looked around at everyone and said in a serious tone: "Before I order the Northern Expedition to start, you must not leak any rumors. You only need to train the soldiers as usual. The officials of the Governor's Mansion will assist you with the logistics work. Remember. We must create an illusion to the outside world that our army will not attack during the year."

"Follow the order!"

The generals responded solemnly.

Xiao Wangzhi and Lu Chen looked at each other, the expectation in their eyes was obvious, and Lu Chen nodded solemnly.

After this military meeting, there were no obvious changes in Huaizhou. It seemed that everyone was waiting for the arrival of cold winter.

On November [-], the first snow fell on the earth, whitening the vast world between Lai'an City and Dongyang Road in Beiyan.

(End of this chapter)