The decision to let Xiang You lead the division south was finalized, and only the next day, Xiang Bo couldn't wait to pull Zhang Liang to leave, rushed to Ling County by car, and personally discussed with Qin Jia the specific affairs of joining hands in the southern expedition. Out of courtesy, Xiang Kang personally went to the city gate to see off Xiang Bo, and very readily agreed to let Xiang You lead half of the Lingxian soldiers and horses to launch a southern expedition, and was also equipped with one hundred and fifty war horses and forty chariots.

Xiang Bo left happily, and after watching the carriage that Xiang Bo and Zhang Liang were riding disappear into the distance of the road with a smile on his face, Xiang Kang immediately instructed Zhou Zeng and Xiang Guan next to him: "Uncle Ya, Brother A, let the news out, just say that Uncle He went to Ling County in person this time to discuss with Qin Jia about joining forces with the Northern Expedition." If it goes well, in a few days, our Lingxian army will join forces with Qin Jia to go north and directly attack the county of Tancheng in the East China Sea, and spread the news as widely as possible. ”

"Why?" Xiang Guan was stunned, and said suspiciously: "Brother, aren't the third uncle and Xiang You planning to join forces with Qin Jia to go south to attack Huaiyin and Xutai?" How do you get us to spread the exact opposite? ”

"The young marshal wants to transfer the tiger away from the mountain? deceived Gongsun Qingpifu with fake news and hurried back to the division to defend Tancheng, so as to relieve the pressure on our main force to go north to attack Xiapi? ”

Since his surrender, he has been helping Xiang Kang plan military aircraft, Zhou Zeng quickly guessed Xiang Kang's intentions, and then said suspiciously: "But if you do this, I'm afraid it will be difficult to get results?" On Gongsun Qingpifu's side, it is impossible that he did not arrange eyeliner in Ling County, once his meticulous work hears that our partial division is preparing to join forces with Qin Jia to go south, then our plan to divert the tiger from the mountain will not be immediately recognized by him? ”

"All I want is to be seen by him." Xiang Kang smiled and said: "Before this, I also thought about using the strategy of diverting the tiger from the mountain to deceive Gongsun Qingpifu from Xiapi, so as to relieve the pressure on us to attack Xiapi. However, after carefully weighing the pros and cons, I found that this would actually do more harm than good to us, because once Gongsun Qing's puppet retreated to Tancheng, he could not only quickly replenish his troops and expand his army, but also possibly use his county guard authority to ask for help from the neighboring Xue County and Langya County. ”

"So for us, it is much more advantageous to stabilize Gongsun Qingpifu in Xiapi and force him to fight us to the death on the battlefield of Xiapi." Xiang Kang continued: "Although doing this will increase a lot of difficulties for us to attack Xiapi, if we can kill the remnants of Gongsun Qing's main force on the Xiapi battlefield, or even directly kill him himself, then of course we can continue to go north much more smoothly, and we can eat the entire northern part of the East China Sea in one go, and we can be much more sure." ”

Zhou Zeng suddenly realized, nodded hurriedly and said: "Young Marshal Gaojian, yes, if Gongsun Qing Pifu retreats to Tancheng first, it will indeed be beneficial to us in the short term, but in the long run, we will be even more unfavorable. ”

After listening to Xiang Kang and Zhou Zeng's careful explanations, Xiang Guan next to him suddenly realized, and quickly praised Xiang Kang for his long-term vision and clever calculations, but Xiang Kang was unmoved, just urged: "Go and spread the news, this is just foreshadowing, you have laid the foreshadowing, so that I can continue to find a way to stabilize Gongsun Qingpifu in Xiapi and wait for death." ”

According to Xiang Kang's instructions, the civilian officials of the Young Marshal Army headed by Zhou Tong immediately worked together, and soon spread the false news fabricated by Xiang Kang to the people, and soon made it known to everyone in the streets and alleys. After the Qin army who was lurking in the area of Xia Xiang learned the news through both military and civilian channels, he quickly sent the news to Xiapi through underground channels and reported it to Sun Qing, the warden of Donghai County, who was still in Xiapi City.

Not to mention, because the rear is relatively empty, after receiving this fake news, Gongsun Qing was really taken aback, and once really thought that the young marshal army planned to go north in two ways, and attacked his old nest Tancheng with a partial division, and subconsciously gave birth to the idea of returning to the division to save Tancheng. However, considering Xiang Kang's tricks, and the fact that Xiapi is located in the north of Xia Xiang, even if it is confirmed that the young marshal's army will send troops from Ling County to the north and then return to Tancheng, Gongsun Qing has calmed down, in addition to being ready to return to Tancheng at any time, he has also sent more detailed personnel to closely monitor the movements of Ling County, and is ready to confirm the specific movements of the Ling County Young Marshal Army and Qin Jiayi's army before making a decision.

Gongsun Qing's composure saved Xiapi City, which was about to be regarded as an abandoned son by him, on the side of Ling County, although Xiang Bo wanted to promote the joint plan of the young marshal army and Qin Jiajun with great sincerity, but Qin Jia was too shrewd and reluctant to suffer, even if he initially agreed to the plan to join forces to go south, he was still careful about the specific details, in addition to forcing Xiang Bo to agree to let him occupy half of the southern city, he also bargained repeatedly on the issue of the distribution of the people's money, grain, and population that he had robbed, and he would rather die than suffer a loss. Desperately just want to take advantage.

Xiang Kang looked down on him even more, and also made the children of the Xiang family complain, Xiang Bo, who likes to eat inside and out, is majestic inside the Xiang family, relying on the identity of the elder to be aggressive at every turn, but when negotiating with Qin Jia to join forces, in order to give himself the opportunity to master the military power, Xiang Bo is quite patient and makes great concessions, not only agreeing to let Qin Jiajun occupy the two cities of Tangyi and Xutai, but also agreeing to Qin Jia's proposal to divide and attack together and obtain the money and food and population along the way. In addition, on the issue of dealing with Dongyang Chen Ying's righteous army, Xiang Bo also promised to come forward with Qin Jia to recruit Chen Ying separately, and Chen Ying would belong to whoever he wanted, and if he was unwilling, he would discuss how to deal with it specifically.

Of course, Xiang Bo is not blindly betraying the old Xiang family without limits, the reason why he made so many concessions, in addition to hoping to take this opportunity to master the army, Xiang Bo also made up his mind early on to weaken Qin Jia and eventually annex it with the Huainan Qin army, and never had any good intentions towards the so-called friendly Qin Jia. However, of course, what Xiang Bo didn't know was that the greedy and cunning Qin Jia was actually playing almost the same idea, and the so-called cooperation between the young marshal army and Qin Jiajun was also destined to have their own ghosts, and each of them was uneasy and kind.

The bargaining between Xiang Bo and Qin Jia directly helped Xiang Kang, who wanted to temporarily stabilize the main force of the Qin army in the East China Sea, because the negotiation took much longer than expected, and finally reached an agreement Before Xiang Bo and Qin Jia could join forces to launch the southern expedition, Qin Jun Xizuo had already sent the accurate news that the Ling County Young Marshal's army was preparing to go south with Qin Jia's troops back to Xiapi, and reported it to Gongsun Qing - no way, the composition of the rebel army team that Qin Jia pulled up by himself was too complicated, and Qin Jun Xizuo wanted to hear some news from Qin Jia's army. It's just too easy.

"What a traitor, he actually wanted to bluff and deceive the official to quickly withdraw to Tancheng, and create an opportunity for you to easily take down Xiapi, but fortunately the official was not fooled! Otherwise, Xiapi, a place of heavy money and food, is destined to not be able to keep it! ”

After finally seeing through Xiang Kang's despicable tricks, Gongsun Qing of course became more and more determined to guard Xiapi and wait for changes. At the same time, more than 1,000 handsome troops led by Xiang Bo and Xiang You's father and son also set off with Qin Jia's more than 6,000 rabble, and the soldiers were divided into two ways to kill Huaiyin County, which is located on the south bank of the Huai River. As a result, as soon as Xiang Bo and Xiang You's father and son left, Xiang Kang also immediately made adjustments to the young marshal army of Ling County, and transferred back Xiang Zhuang and Zheng Bu, two fierce generals and elite soldiers and horses under their command, to prepare to launch the Northern Expedition, leaving only 500 troops from the old and new to defend the city, and appointed Huang Huan, the county commander of Xu County, who had surrendered voluntarily before, to serve as the county commander of Ling County and preside over various affairs in the county.

After Xiang Zhuang and Zheng Bu, who were very competitive, led the army back to Xiaxiang, Xiang Kang not only personally went out of the city to welcome their triumphant return, but of course set up a banquet in the temple of Xiaxiang County to wash the dust for them. During the banquet, when Xiang Zhuang asked Xiang Kang what he planned to do next, Xiang Kang replied calmly: "Of course, it is Xiapi, and the main remnants of Gongsun Qingpifu, and we must not only take Xiapi City this time, but also destroy Gongsun Qingpifu in Xiapi, so that he will never have a chance to regroup, and jump out to make trouble for us." ”

Xiang Zhuang nodded hurriedly, and said with some worry: "Brother, although Gongsun Qingpifu is still in Xiapi now, what should I do if I find that after we go north, Gongsun Qingpifu ran away first?" Although it is not far from Xia Xiang to Xia Pi, the road is either a mountain road or a small road, if Gongsun Qing Pifu runs first, it will be difficult for us to catch up with him? ”

"I can't rule it out." Xiang Kang nodded, and said: "But as long as we find a way to let Gongsun Qingpifu see the hope of winning, we will have a chance to continue to stabilize him and give us time to completely encircle him." ”

"So what should we do?" Xiang Zhuang asked.

"It's very simple, let Gongsun Qingpifu feel that we are weak-hearted, and we are not sure that we can directly take Picheng." Xiang Kang replied: "Xiapi City is surrounded by water on three sides, it is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and the city has abundant food, so it can be held for a long time, and Gongsun Qingpifu will not fail to see this." So as long as we set up an illusion to make Gongsun Pifu feel that we are afraid of attacking fortifications and have hope of holding Xiapi City for a long time, he should not be in a hurry to slip away. ”

"As for the specific method, of course, it is a continuation of my previous plan to attack the north and the south." Xiang Kang said: "At the same time as sending troops, I am going to send an envoy to contact Gongsun Qing again, preach our military prestige to him, persuade him to sacrifice Xiapi City and take the initiative to surrender to us, and emphasize that no matter how strong Xiapi City is, it is definitely not impregnable, and after we break the city, he will definitely be in trouble." In this way, Gongsun Qingpifu will definitely suspect that I am deliberately bluffing, in fact, I am not sure to take Xiapi City at all, I just want to scare him away, and in turn strengthen his determination to defend Xiapi. ”

After finishing speaking, Xiang Kang took the initiative to say: "Of course, this is only hopeful, not completely certain. After all, the initiative is on the side of Gongsun Qing Pifu, if he insists on fleeing for his life first, we can't help it, fortunately, Xia Pi City is the first money and grain in the East China Sea, even if we miss the opportunity to wipe out Gongsun Qing Pifu, as long as we take advantage of the void to take Xia Pi City, then we will not run in vain this time. ”

Xiang Zhuang nodded as if he didn't understand, but Zhou Zeng next to him was a little worried, and hurriedly reminded: "Young marshal, what if Gongsun Qing's puppet is really determined to defend and not fight?" Just like you said, Xiapi is surrounded by water on three sides, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and the autumn grain has just been harvested, and the grain in the city is conservatively estimated to last for a year, and our army is not particularly good at attacking fortifications. Gongsun Qing's puppet strengthened his determination to defend the city under our hints, and we couldn't take Xiapi City, wouldn't it be in vain? We can't just leave Xiapi alone and send troops directly to fight Tancheng, right? ”

"Huh." Xiang Kang smiled, smiling with great ease and confidence, and said with a smile: "It's okay, now I'm only afraid that Gongsun Qing will run away, and I'm not afraid that he will defend the city." If he chooses to stick to the fight, I only need another one more to want to be captured, he will be cornered immediately, except for the dog jumping over the wall and being forced out of the city to fight a decisive battle, there is only one option left to break through and flee for his life, and then we will adapt to the situation and adapt measures to local conditions, and it is not difficult to break the enemy. ”

"Want to get away with it? Want to get caught? Zhou Zeng, Xiang Zhuang and others who were present looked at each other, and hurriedly asked how they wanted to indulge in the capture, but Xiang Kang smiled and said nothing, refused to answer, and sold Guan Zi to the fullest.

…………

On the second day after Xiang Zhuang and Zheng Bu led the army back to the next prime minister, Gongsun Qing had also received a report from Lingxian and grasped the latest movements of the young marshal's army. At the same time, the young marshal's army gathered troops and horses in the lower minister, which also immediately aroused Gongsun Qing's vigilance, knowing that once the main force of the young marshal army was dispatched, nine times out of ten it would only attack Xiapicheng, which was close at hand and had abundant money and food, and he would also bear the brunt of it, but fortunately, the road was more difficult to walk, and the Qin army had enough time to respond, and Gongsun Qing was not in a hurry, but just calmed down and waited for the changes.

was expected by Gongsun Qing, and after more than two days, the prime minister sent a report that Xiang Kang had personally led an army of more than 6,000 people to the north, and took the road on the side of Maling Mountain to kill Xiapi. Gongsun Qing was not surprised or panicked when he heard the news, but he hurriedly calculated whether to fight to the death in the city, or quickly retreat to Tancheng with only half of the main force left, where he regrouped and welcomed the further northward march of the young marshal's army. - Of course, the money and food base of Xiapi is placed here, and it is not very easy to make Gongsun Qing make up his mind to discard Xiapi immediately.

Xiang Kang was very accurate in terms of time and distance, just when Gongsun Qing was still hesitating about whether to retreat first, the full-time young marshal army diplomatic liar Xu Shu had been escorted into Xiapi City by the Qin army scouts, and presented Gongsun Qing with a threatening letter showing off the military might of the young marshal's army, urging Gongsun Qing to obey the people, abandon the tyrannical Qin to join the young marshal army, and also promised an official reward, and at the same time repeatedly Gongsun Qing said that although the city of Xiapi is strong, it is certainly not unbreakable, if Gongsun Qing is obsessed with defending Xiapi, When the young marshal's army broke through Xiapi, Gongsun Qing was too late to regret it.

"Xiang Kang's little vertical son must be bluffing, trying to force me to quickly retreat, abandon Xiapi City, and give him the opportunity to calmly take down Xiapi Chongdi."

Combined with the young marshal's previous lame plan to attack the north and the south, Gongsun Qing quickly came to the conclusion that Xiang Kang was continuing to bluff. And then, under the hint and reminder in the letter of the young marshal, Gongsun Qing quickly found that in fact, it is also a pretty good choice for him to choose to stick to Xiapi, first of all, of course, Xiapi City is surrounded by water on three sides, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and the city has abundant grain and grass, even if it is guarded for a year, there is no need to worry about food and grass. The second is the key to the position of Xiapi, firmly stuck in the throat of the young marshal's army entering the northern part of the East China Sea, unless Xiang Kang is risking the danger of being attacked by his own army in the emptiness of the rear, bypassing Xiapi and going north, he must first take Xiapi, and then it is possible to continue north.

Thinking about these key points, Gongsun Qing gradually made up his mind, first sneered and let out the wild words of letting Xiang Kang let the horse come over, sent Xu Shu away, and then immediately took the case and shouted: "Order the whole army, pull out the camp and set up the village, and enter the city to garrison!" This official wants to take a look, what is the way for Xiang Kang's traitors to take this Xiapi City! It also depends on whether he has the courage to throw down Xiapi and go north to fight Tancheng directly! ”

Or after confirming the news that Gongsun Qing led the army to retreat to Xiapi City, Xiang Kang breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that the army had a great deal of confidence in buying chickens and cages this time, and at the same time taking Xiapi City, he killed Gongsun Qing's main force, but because Maling Road was easy to be ambushed by the enemy, Xiang Kang still calmed down, and did not dare to rush north with the army at full speed, and took the army to go north at a cautious and uniform speed, and it took nearly two days to get out of Maling Road, and then immediately turned around and went west, directly to Xia Pi.

After arriving at the eastern outskirts of Xiapi, Xiang Kang first roughly explored the terrain, and then quickly pointed to a nearby piece of high ground and said, "Set up camp there." ”

"Condescending, not far away, next to a small river to get water, good place." Zhou Zeng praised it, and said regretfully: "It's just a little more empty, there is no place to shelter from the wind, it's early winter, and you have to suffer some cold when you are stationed there." ”

"Don't worry, if Gongsun Qingpifu doesn't come out to fight us in a decisive battle, or run for his life quickly." Xiang Kang sneered and said, "He will only be colder and more cold than us." ”