After the Northern Han army officially launched an attack on Shouchun City, the Southern Tang Dynasty really reacted. Tang lord Li Jing issued an edict, with Huainan to aid the deputy envoy Chen Jue, led the Luzhou troops, raised 40,000 troops, went north to Shouchun to rescue, and ordered the aid to make Huang Fuhui lead the troops out of Qingliu Pass, and aid the capital supervisor Yao Feng led the army out of Gaoyou, three ways to advance, and mobilized 20,000 sailors, and went north to fight in Huai, with great momentum.

A winter of preparations, so that the Southern Tang Dynasty monarchs and ministers temporarily got rid of the impact of the winter defeat, coupled with the exhaustive army, complete combat preparations, and by the Han army's "division veteran fatigue" bewildered, then heard that the Han army moved, courageous, and led to send troops.

Of course, Song Qiqiu, the privy envoy of the Southern Tang Dynasty, was opposed to the edict of sending troops, and suggested that Li Jing continue to maintain a prudent military strategy and not send troops recklessly. As a result, Li Jing refused, and instead asked Song Qiqiu: Hao and Chu have been lost, and Shou and Si are trapped in the lonely cities, if they don't move their troops, do you have to abandon the loyalty of the city and sit back and watch the Han army break the city? If the four states are lost, there is no water to follow, how to guard the river? The Han army rode like a long drive south, and at that time, could Song Gong guarantee to retreat?

Li Jing questioned and made Song Qiqiu silent, when the battle came to this point, he had the confidence to hold off the Han army, but if he really wanted to retreat, where could he win the package ticket.

In the face of Li Jing's insistence, Song Qiqiu could only sigh silently: "If you don't listen to me, you will regret it one day!" ”

Of course, Song Qiqiu was very clear about Li Jing's forcible recovery from the loss of his son, his return to power, and his very different attitudes towards himself. In this winter, in Jinling City, the praise of his Song Gong and the news from Jiangbei almost roasted him on the stove.

But it is precisely because of the clear reason that Song Qiqiu became more and more resentful in his heart, such a superficial praise and killing, Li Jing couldn't see it? It's a pity that no matter how strategically Song Qiqiu is, he is only a minister after all, and Li Jing is slow, he is also the emperor, and the emperor has always been complicated.

Of course, Li Jing is not completely brainless, although the edict ordered the troops, but the lesson of Liu Yanzhen's defeat in the previous time, specially instructed the army, fight steadily, advance cautiously, focus on rescue strategies, and try to avoid fighting head-on with the Han army.

Obviously, Li Jing still listened to Song Qiqiu's "stable" defense strategy, but his choice of strategic attack was obviously a little contradictory, and the whole seemed nondescript.

Luzhou, Hefei.

The last wave of more than 20,000 Tang troops, starting from the city, was the commander of the army, Xu Wenzhen, who was appointed as the palace army by the chief general Chen Jue. Among the 20,000 people, there are only 8,000 soldiers, and the rest are auxiliary soldiers and people, who are responsible for the transportation of food and ordnance while the queen of the palace.

Earlier, the Hunan Tang Army, under the leadership of Bian Hao, paid a great price to get rid of the entanglement of the Lang soldiers and the Han army and return to Jiangdong. was directly transferred to Hefei by Tang Ting to recuperate, and the goal was directly aimed at Shouzhou. As a result, the Hefei reinforcement army swelled to more than 40,000 people at once, and the naval army exceeded 50,000, accounting for almost half of the military strength of the northern aid Tang army.

In this case, the qualifications and trust of Deputy Envoy Xu Wenzhen were somewhat insufficient, so Chen Jue, who was training as a soldier, was entrusted with an important task and replaced him by virtue of Song Qiqiu's relationship.

Bian Ho returned in embarrassment, Tang Ting regained and lost Chu land, and Bian Ho had the responsibility of being ineffective and wanted to discuss his crimes. However, due to the loss of Chudi, there was an improper policy, and the Tang court misjudged the situation, and because of the southern invasion of the Northern Han Dynasty, the country encountered great difficulties.

"Gong Xu, why are you unhappy? Is it because of Chen Jue's arrogance, such villains, once they have power, they become arrogant, and I don't know why the court uses him! In the marching ranks, a young military academy followed Xu Wenzhen and asked.

The name of the military academy is Zhu Yuan, a former member of the driving department, and this time he was appointed to the army as a general. just listened to his tone, and was quite unconvinced by the main general Chen Jue.

Hearing this, Xu Wenzhen shook his head and sighed: "My personal honor and disgrace are nothing compared to the affairs of the military state." That Chen Jue's exclusion, for me, is just phlegm and spittle, and I can let it do it on its own. What I sigh is that this time I went north, the blessing and misfortune are unpredictable! ”

"Xu Gong is not optimistic about the prospects of this aid?" Zhu Yuan asked.

Still shaking his head, Xu Wenzhen was silent for a while, and said: "The land of Shouzhou must not be lost, and if it is lost, the entire Huainan will be difficult to defend, save, of course." However, it is not appropriate to be so impatient! In the past, he adhered to the policy of stabilizing the defense of the river, but now he is in a hurry to enter the army, and the military strategy is so disordered, it must be improper! ”

Listening to his explanation, Zhu Yuan said: "The imperial court should consider it separately!" The siege of Shouchun has been more than two months, the grain route has been cut off, and the morale of the army may be difficult to shake. ”

"It's just that the imperial court uses Chen Jue as the main general, but it is not considered!" Zhu Yuan muttered again.

Seeing that Zhu Yuan was repeatedly disrespectful to Chen Jue between his words, Xu Wenzhen couldn't help but remind him: "I know that you have a gap with Chen Jue, but no matter what, Chen Jue is the main general after all, and he is also loyal to the imperial court. The army has been sent, and we should work with one heart and one mind to resist the Han army! ”

Hearing Xu Wenzhen say this, Zhu Yuan was a little unhappy, but seeing his righteous face, he couldn't help but lose his momentum, and arched his hand: "Xu Gong is righteous, takes into account the overall situation, and endures small humiliations, it is better to be taught!" ”

"It's just that I still think that I should lead the army with Xu Gong!"

People praise themselves like this, Xu Wenzhen is not too harsh, thought about it, and said: "Although the Han army is strong, if it is military, it is still our army that has the advantage. He is also familiar with the favorable geographical climate, and after a winter of rest, while the Han army is stationed in the fortified city, the morale of the army will be dampened. As long as you follow the edict, fight steadily and steadily, and do not rush to fight waves, even if you can't retreat from the Han army, you still have a chance to open up the Shouchun grain road and get in touch with the defenders! ”

"I hope so!"

In Shouchun, Liu Chengyou's strategy of attacking the enemy was exhausted, and the morale was also mobilized to the highest, and they were all planning to issue a military order to break through the city, and the news of the Southern Tang march came.

Smell it, and be overjoyed. Shouchun City can be broken sooner or later, after all, it is a hard bone, but the opportunity to gather and annihilate the Tang Army is rare. Originally, Liu Chengyou was ready to take down Huai Sizhou, and then went south to touch the defense line along the river in the Southern Tang Dynasty.

In the face of the Tang army's actions, Liu Chengyou was still a little surprised, but according to the news from Jinling about the Southern Tang Dynasty, it was not so difficult to understand.

In the imperial tent, after listening to Li Shaoyou's report, Liu Chengyou brought the news and said with a slight sigh: "Originally, it was just a piece of chess, and I didn't expect much good results, and it was surprising that I didn't expect to gain anything." The so-called killing, the so-called words are like knives, although this 'knife' has not killed people, but it has been punished! ”

Li Shaoyou couldn't help but echo: "The pseudo-Tang lord Li Jing is known for his leniency and kindness to his ministers, but he is really jealous and jealous, his eyes and ears are dizzy, and he is suspicious just by rumors. It can be seen from this that Li Jing is not His Majesty's enemy, and the Han will take his country! ”

"In this way, Li Jing is considered to be back in power, and when it comes to the military, Song Qiqiu has no real power?" Liu Chengyou asked again.

"Yes, Song Qiqiu has become an advisor, in the Jinling court, stabilize people's hearts!" Li Shaoyou said: "Li Jing is the emperor's younger brother Li Jingsui and the king of Qi Li Jingda to assist in the military and politics!" ”

"God help me!" Liu Chengyou said.

The commander of the camp, Liu Chengyou only summoned Wang Jun and Murong Yanzhao to discuss the matter. Standing in front of the map, Liu Chengyou pondered the route of the Tang Army's march for a while, and said casually: "The Tang Army doesn't have a long lesson!" Still moving in unison, attacking separately, and providing comprehensive assistance? ”

Murong Yanzhao said: "Your Majesty, as soon as the Tang Army's reinforcements move, our army should also be adjusted, and Shouchun has to be put behind to solve it!" ”

"The pseudo-Tang has taken the initiative to bring this fat to his mouth, how can I not laugh at it!" Nodding in agreement, Liu Chengyou said easily: "First send someone to keep an eye on Chen Juejun, closely monitor his movements, confirm the enemy's situation, and then deal with it again!" ”

"Did you send the advance cavalry south, harassing along the way?" Wang Jun, who had not spoken, made a suggestion.

Liu Chengyou thought about it for a while and waved his hand: "No!" With Liu Yanzhen's lesson in front and Li Jing's warning in the back, Tang Jun will definitely be more careful this time. If our army moves too much and scares Chen Jue away, it will be such a good opportunity in vain! ”

"Wait!" Liu Chengyou made up his mind and said confidently: "When it is far away from Hefei and closer to Shouchun, the initiative will be completely in the hands of our army!" ”

Seeing that Liu Chengyou had a clear mind, Murong Yanzhao couldn't help but say: "Your Majesty is wise! ”

"The Tang army of Chuzhou and Taizhou, the two roads combined, there are also fifty or sixty thousand Tang troops, especially the water division, Guo Rong's side has less than 15,000 soldiers, not only to trap Sizhou, but also to guard the Tang army, the strength is insufficient!" Wang Jun said suddenly.

Listening to Wang Jun's reminder, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but look at him and asked, "What advice does Wang Qing have?" ”

"Please lead a group of soldiers and horses to the east to help him, so as not to recover Huaishui by the Tang army!" Facing Liu Chengyou's gaze, Wang Jun explained his purpose.

Almost at a glance, he saw Wang Jun's thoughts, his face was silent, and after making serious considerations, Liu Chengyou said: "On the side of the camp, the soldiers are also insufficient, and if you want to eliminate Chen Juejun, you can't divide the military strength!" Besides, Wang Qing has deployed for the camp, and I can't do without you here! ”

Seeing that Liu Chengyou rejected his suggestion again, although his words were tactful, Wang Jun's face couldn't help but change and became ugly, but he didn't say anything more.

"Proposed edict!" Liu Chengyou pointed to Li Fang and instructed: "Tell Guo Rong that I have entrusted him with the right to conquer in Huaidong, and the Tang army of Chu and Tai, so that he must be blocked by me!" Draw up another edict, take the Wuning army to make Wu Xingde, lead the remaining Xuzhou soldiers, and go south to help the war! ”

"In this way, my first-tier states and counties in Huaibei are completely empty!" Murong Yanzhao said.

"It doesn't matter, if it was the early days of the war, I still have some scruples. Now, our army has gained a firm foothold in Huainan! Liu Chengyou said confidently: "Moreover, now that the Tang army is tired of dealing with our army's offensive, is there still any strength left to invade our Huaibei?" ”

"That's it!"

"Yes!"