The last fight of Cao's soldiers and horses disintegrated with the sudden arrival of the Feijie Battalion's iron cavalry. Wang Guangen's expected orderly evacuation was irretrievably turned into a rout. First of all, the soldiers of Liu Xiyao's army, who were attacked by Xiong Wanjian's sentry and Ming Jiacai officials, were scattered in an uproar, and the chaotic troops counterattacked, and then affected the Hu Keshou troops that followed, thus triggering a series of defeats, and finally even the Wang brothers could not suppress the restless and frightened troops collapsed like a landslide, leaving countless corpses behind and retreating in a hurry. Yang Youxian, who was on the east bank of the Shahe River, was coerced by Wang Guangen, and successively sent several squads to symbolically rush to cross the tidal flats, all of which were hit back by Chang Guoan's half-crossing, and his will was further depressed.

The night closed, and the sky and the earth melted into darkness. Xu Hui ordered all the armies to prohibit pursuit, but instead gathered their troops and horses, and all entered the camp standing in the buffer zone between the two fortifications in the north and south of Fangyuan to stand by.

Xu Hui, Han Gon, Guo Ruke, Qin Jinxiao, Xiong Wanjian, Fan Jiwei, Chang Guoan and other stubborn generals gathered together, everyone was fighting day after day, but at this time, their hearts were very happy and tired. Although they haven't seen each other for a day, they can't help but feel like they are in the next three autumns. Xu Hui smiled and listened to the generals' reports on the battle situation of the headquarters in the past two days, and finally broke up the military council ahead of schedule.

In the past, whenever they participated in the military discussion initiated by Xu Hui, the generals would be a little afraid of it, for no other reason, just because Xu Hui was too harsh. Even if he has made some achievements, he can always count some nos in his mouth. It will also frequently prolong military discussions, repeatedly emphasizing warnings or criticism and reprimands. However, today, even "Xu Lingguan" frowned, and a long-lost smile appeared. Needless to say, the generals also knew that the success or failure of this battle against Cao Ying had basically been decided by night.

Unlike when dealing with the return to the camp, the Zhao camp faced the main force of the Cao battalion that had triumphed all the way, and in terms of troops, it was stretched no matter what. And Zhao Dangshi wanted to win a stable situation in northern Chu that could fully suppress Cao Ying in northern Chu. Compared with partial victories, achieving this goal will inevitably deal a heavy blow to Cao Ying's vital forces, and the difficulty will undoubtedly increase several times. Therefore, after repeated discussions, the basic policy of "making up for tactical disadvantages with strategic superiority" was finally decided.

Specifically, it was to first hold the key points of Tianjin with the fortifications of Qianzhuang Village and Fangyuan in the north and south, and pinch the main forces of Cao Ying's many field operations, including the Wang brothers. Although it is unrealistic for Ma Pingchuan, one of the northern parts of Zaoyang County, to completely trap the Cao battalion soldiers, as long as it can buy time for the next task of the surprise soldiers rushing to the front line of the Maozi Chong Cao battalion and the grain storage point. Once Maozichong is captured, the camp is destroyed, the grain and grass are cut off, and then the square is retreated, it can rely on the north and south fortifications of the square to resist the attack of the Cao battalion soldiers and horses on both sides at the same time in a short period of time. As long as the connection between the Cao battalion soldiers on both sides is cut off, the variables in it will be great, and it will also establish a realistic foundation for the realization of the ultimate strategic goal of Zhao Ying's battle.

The so-called variables, one comes from Wang Guangen and other departments, and the other comes from Luo Rucai's headquarters.

Wang Guangen and other departments supplied grain and grass from the Caoying headquarters in Zaoyang County, which was a situation that Zhao Ying had investigated and understood from the beginning. When Xu Hui led his troops to conquer Maozichong and cut off the north-south traffic with Fang Yuan as a block, Wang Guangen and other troops immediately fell into the predicament of running out of food, and it was definitely difficult to continue. Although Wang Guangen and other troops were defeated, the number of troops still reached thousands of troops, and the need was very large, but the road to the south was blocked by the Fangyuan fortifications, and to the north would also face the Qianzhuang Zhai fortifications, to the west was the vast and difficult to travel reckless dense forest, and to the east was the surging and flowing Sand River, which could be described as embattled. There were few opportunities left for Wang Guangen and other troops, and if they wanted to escape, they could either force themselves across the Shahe River and continue to try their luck at the risk of starving for several days and being chased by the official army, or break through the Fangyuan fortifications and join up with the main force of Cao Ying. No matter which path you choose, it is not easy to walk, although there are many of them, they can be placed in the current situation, and there is no threat to Zhao Ying.

On the other hand, Luo Rucai's headquarters, which can be called the pillar of the five generals of the horse army, Yang Chengen and Yang Jinshan were all killed in battle, Li Rugui and Wang Kehuai fled in a hurry with their tails between their legs, only Zhu Yangmin was still complete, and there were few of the 3,000 elite cavalry. In addition, in the embarrassing situation of being out of touch with the main field forces of Wang Guangen and other troops, and the defenders of Qingtan City and Chungling City in the south were difficult to retract for a while, there were only five or six thousand troops at the disposal of Luo Rucai in Zaoyang County. Recalling that a few days ago, there were still 20,000 or 30,000 people in Caoying, which was entrenched in Zaoyang County, but in the blink of an eye, there were seventy or eighty percent less, and the loss of troops was as fast as flowing water. Judging from past experience, in the face of such a disadvantage, Luo Rucai, who is cautious and suspicious and has long been interested in going, may not continue to stay in Zaoyang.

"The plate is spread too fast and too big. If you want to become a fat man in one bite, you can only end up with bad teeth. Zhao Dangshi, who was sitting in Dahegang and received Xu Hui's report, finally commented on the reason for Cao Ying's failure. Although Cao Ying is large, it still lacks a high degree of organization and strong centripetal force, and is essentially the old rogue model. Relying solely on this model, it is difficult to maintain large-scale joint operations and coordinated and effective joint operations for a long time, and the larger the board, the more flaws there will be. It is no accident that Zhao Ying was able to win.

On the fourth day of the ninth lunar month, Zhao Yingyuan and Zhu Yangmin, who had been empty, returned to the Cao Ying headquarters, and Luo Rucai immediately held a "pledge meeting" in Zaoyang County, announcing the mobilization of the "Northern Expedition". After the Cao battalion gathered its troops, it withdrew overnight and went north, and the Cao battalion units occupying Qingtan and Chungling were also scattered one after another. A day later, Xu Hui left Xiong Wanjian and Chang Guoan to stick to the Fangyuan defense line, and led the rest of his troops to enter Zaoyang County. Another day, Wang Guangen, who also swallowed defeat and was desperate to attack Qianzhuang Village, secretly contacted Li Bi, the deputy envoy of the Foreign Affairs Department sent by Zhao Ying, and Wang Guangen's brothers set up a Hongmen banquet that night, and captured Liu Xiyao alive, and took it as a gift, together with Hu Keshou and Xu Bian's second battalion to submit the surrender table to Zhao Dangshi. On the seventh day of the first month, Guo Zhuang Wang Guoning and Tianjiayao Yang Youxian also expressed their willingness to surrender through Wang Guangen. On the eighth day of the first month, Zhao Dangshi entered Zaoyang County.

"Gongming and incorruptible."

Zhao Dangshi, dressed in casual clothes, stood in front of the Zaoyang County Yatang, standing and staring at the plaque hanging high above the lobby for a long time. Qin Qigong walked out after sounding the drum on the side of the hall, looked up and glanced at it, and recited silently. Zhao Dangshi turned his eyes to him and said with a wry smile: "The plaque is still there, and the face of the person is unknown." ”

Qin Qigong said indifferently: "Zhu Yunchen, the incompetent are also." There are four words on the plaque, none of which is desirable. Occupy their positions and do not fulfill their duties. is ruined, and the blame is self-inflicted. "With that, hand over a letter," Fan Hecheng's message. ”

Zhao Dangshi read the signature on the letter, the corners of his mouth raised, but he didn't open it but stuffed it into the placket, and asked, "What is the progress of Lao Xu?" Wang Guangen and other Cao Ying's miscellaneous departments asked for surrender, which was expected, and Zhao Dangshi also intended to accept them. It was because when he himself arrived in Zaoyang to take over the military affairs in the city, Xu Hui was sent to take charge of the surrender. There were a lot of troops, and there were more than 2,000 people in the first battalion of the Wang brothers alone, plus Wang Guoning, Yang Youxian, Xu Chang, Hu Keshou and other troops and the remnants of Liu Xiyao, the total number should be around 8,000. Although Zhao Ying's family background has improved a little recently, it is impossible to absorb so many soldiers and horses into soldiers. Xu Hui's task is called "recruitment", and what he actually undertakes is the task of discussing the details of "incorporation" with Wang Guangen and others. At present, Zhao Ying occupies an absolutely strong position, and is backed by the official army, Zhao Dangshi's idea is to directly forcibly absorb it. In a word, tell all the leaders that it is okay to surrender, and Zhao Ying is willing to give way, but the premise must be to follow Zhao Ying's reorganization and give up the privatization of the army. Chang Guoan, who had returned to Shun earlier, had already accepted this, and after Xu Hui had completed the matter, together with the Ministry of Chang Guosecurity, a military reform focusing on the reorganization of more than 10,000 rogues was imperative.

Qin Qigong replied: "Wang Guangen and the others have no land and no food, and they are newly defeated and have lost their fighting spirit, so they are not qualified to bargain with our battalion. Xu is the old man, and as soon as he goes, he will naturally succeed. ”

Zhao Dangshi nodded, and said: "Shicai Lao Pang said that the evidence of Chu Xidi's collusion with Cao Thief was pried out from Wang Long's mouth, and many letters exchanged between Chu Xi and Cao Thief were also found in the city. This time, the human and material evidence is there, and the ironclad evidence is like a mountain, and it is difficult for Chu Xi to turn over. ”

Qin Qigong said with a radiant face: "This battle broke through the Cao thief and cut the thief canal countless times, and captured Wang Long, Liu Xiyao and other fierce thieves and the traitor, and collected countless groups. Coupled with the previous achievements of breaking back the thief, as long as Lord Xiong's side and the princes in Beijing are in place, the lord will be a great success. This side is in the public interest. He continued, "After several battles, the two thieves from Zihui and Cao captured horses, gold and silver, and captured 10,000 strong people, which is enough to be the foundation for the revitalization of our army." On this side, it is self-interested. Finally, he made a gesture to Zhao Dangshichang, "Both public and private sides have great benefits, and I Zhao Ying has come to Huguang, so I can speak of a firm foothold from now on." This depends not only on the master's strategy, but also on God's blessing of my Zhao Ying. There are people at all times, how fortunate it is! As he spoke, he sighed again and again, looking very excited.

"The time of day, people and ......," Zhao Dangshi muttered, and at the same time asked, "How did Qing'an ignore the location?" ”

Qin Qigong was stunned for a moment and said, "Location? ”

Zhao Dangshi smiled heartily and said: "The country cannot be without a king for a day, and the people cannot be without officials for a day." You see that this county government is empty, there is a little less fireworks, and if the position is vacant for too long, it will make the young people stupid. ”

Qin Qigong's heart tightened, and he guessed what he meant, but he stopped talking.

Zhao Dangshi sighed: "People can't stand without faith, and soldiers can't do without land." I have been raising troops for many years, and I have always regarded myself as a thief in the eyes of the world, and I abandoned a thief to become an official overnight, not out of anger, nor out of self-will, but more for the long-term consideration of my Zhao Ying. After a pause, he continued, "The time and people are important, but without geographical advantages, there is no foundation, and you can only go with the flow." Emperor Zhaolie occupied Sichuan and Shu to be able to stand on his feet, and Taizu had the capital to enter the world according to Jiqing, which shows that the geographical advantage is the basis for advancing and retreating. With land, there are people, food, and materials, which can provide an inexhaustible source of help for the development of our Zhaoying. ”

Qin Qigong asked in a low voice at this time: "The meaning of the lord, this Zaoyang is exactly where my camp is located?" ”

Zhao Dangshi's expression was straight: "Not bad." He continued, "There is no need to repeat the danger of Zaoyang-shaped victory, and Xiangyang to the west, Jingzhou to the south, and Nanyang to the north are all densely populated and prosperous areas, and the water and land are convenient. In addition, the land is fertile and abundant, which is enough for the foundation. "Originally, there was a Chu family in the county, and it was difficult for my camp to show its strengths, and now Chu Xidi and the Chu family are all gone, except for my camp, who else can intervene in the county one or two?" In addition, as soon as Zhu Yuncheng died, knowing that the county seat was vacant, everything up and down could be attributed to me, even if the court sent someone to replace it, the wood has been completed, what is the husband? "Between the words, look forward to self-pride.

When Qin Qigong heard this, he thought it was true. I can't help but think of Xiying in Gucheng County. At the beginning of the year, the magistrate of Gucheng County died of illness, only to be recruited Zhang Xianzhong seized the opportunity to immediately enter the county, forcibly controlled the affairs of the county, although a few months ago the new magistrate Ruan Zhitian arrived, and also made a lot of efforts to regain his power, but single-handedly where can shake the huge Xiying half of the point, in the end can only be resigned, helpless. Not to mention Zhang Xianzhong, let's just say that a court general like Zuo Liangyu can achieve a certain scale and raise troops far beyond his own battalion, and he will more or less be involved in local military and political affairs. Zhao Dangshi's words were not explained, but he also wanted to take this path. Those who follow this path are called separatist forces when the dynasty is unified, and warlords when the dynasty is not lost.

"With Zaoyang County, our army has been revitalized since then. And the layers of defense formed by Fanhe, Zaoyang, Cen Peng, Qingtan, Chungling and other cities and Lutoudian Inspection Divisions are the foundation of my Zhao camp from now on! Zhao Dangshi stood upright and said loudly. At this moment, Qin Qigong looked at him, as if he had seen the majesty that swallowed thousands of miles like a tiger.