The art of war is cloudy: the first army is to fight, the second is to fight, then the army is again, and the city is attacked.

The meaning is clear: it refers to the superior military action, the use of strategy to thwart the enemy's strategic intentions or acts of war, followed by the use of diplomacy to defeat the enemy, and the third is to defeat the enemy army by force, and the last strategy is to attack the enemy's city.

On the premise of avoiding casualties, the final victory is achieved.

The armies of Gan Ning, Wei Yan, and Zhang Liao have occupied almost the entire Qingzhou. Behind them were Mu Guiying's Danyang soldiers, stationed in the Chongshan camp in Beihai County, providing them with food, grass, and ordnance.

To the north is the king's more than 30,000 naval troops, holding Linzi, Donglai, and Le'an.

They have more than 50,000 elites in their hands, and they can't drain the water around Dongpingling. Even if Yuan Tan plugs in his wings, he can't fly.

In this case, Gan Ning is no longer worried about winning.

Instead, it is necessary to reduce casualties as much as possible, and even occupy Dongpingling without bloodshed. After all, the soldiers under his command are not good at attacking cities, and most of the people brought by Zhang Liao are light horses. Wei Yan is no more than 10,000 foot soldiers.

If you forcibly attack the city, it will not be good.

The three led the army and garrisoned it outside the Dongping Mausoleum.

Until the end of winter.

Gan Ning's lieutenant general, Wang Fang, sent news that there were 200,000 Jizhou troops approaching the Yellow River with the intention of aiding Qingzhou.

Gan Ning immediately found Zhang Liao and Wei Yan.

After informing the military intelligence.

Gan Ning said: "I must lead the naval army to meet the battle and repel the Jizhou army. This is my duty, and it is also the most important step for us to occupy Qingzhou. After I leave, I'll leave the matter here to you. ”

Zhang Liao said: "Yuan Tan was besieged in Dongpingling, and it was difficult to escape with wings. We're worried about you."

"yes."

Wei Yan continued: "Zhao and Jiang Yiqu, there are 200,000 troops, and you are only 30,000 or 40,000, how can you win?" It is better to leave a suspicious army and contain Yuan Tan, we will travel day and night, rush to the Yellow River, and first repel the Jizhou army. ”

"It's a water war, and it's useless to have a lot of people."

Gan Ning slowly stood up and said with a smile: "The sailor I trained in Jingjiao is extremely elite, and I am confident that I can defeat any strong enemy. Yuan Shaoben had no water division, and his 200,000 Jizhou army was just a decoration. ”

"General Gan, don't underestimate Yuan Jun." Wei Yan said.

"Yuan's land war is acceptable, but water war is not enough. You don't have to worry about me. ”

Zhang Liao and Wei Yan glanced at each other, and after reaching a consensus, they said: "Since you have made up your mind and are full of confidence, we will not persuade you, I wish you success and repel the attacking enemy." ”

"Okay."

Gan Ning poured three bottles of wine and drank it with Zhang Liao and Wei Yan.

"Even if you do it for me. When I repel the enemy and return, I will drink with you. ”

"Haha good!" Wei Changchang smiled.

After drinking, Gan Ning's tens of thousands of sailors left the camp to the north.

Zhang Liao and Wei Yan were extremely worried. Because during the Battle of Tanxian, they saw the strength of Yuan's army, and even 200,000 Yangzhou troops besieged Yuan Shao on all sides, but they didn't pick up any cheapness. Can Gan Ning's tens of thousands of sailors make contributions?

If you can't make a contribution.

In Qingzhou, there is another strong enemy.

It was the beginning of the lunar month.

The 40,000 sailors led by Gan Ning set sail. From Donglai Huang County, all the way to the north.

The Jizhou army from afar was stationed on the north bank of the Yellow River.

They had already prepared their ships and were just waiting to cross the river.

"Newspaper"

The soldier entered the cabin: "Governor, the enemy is still on the north bank of the Yellow River, and there is no movement. ”

"Got it."

Gan Ning said to the generals under his command: "Yuan Shao's elite Jizhou army was wiped out by us in Yanzhou as early as three years ago, and the current Jizhou army is extremely weak, not as good as Yuan Tan's Qingzhou army. We have to be patient and fight him well. ”

"What do you mean?"

Everyone didn't understand, how could the battle be fought if the Jizhou army didn't come?

Gan Ning smiled and said: "Order, the whole army retreats to the Yellow River and lurks." Don't let us scare the enemy with our arrival. When they sail across the river, we'll kill them again and destroy them in one fell swoop! ”

Wang Fanghan said with a smile: "The Metropolitan Governor is reluctant to take this great credit, right?" ”

"That's right."

Gan Ning did not shy away from saying: "If the Jizhou army does not come, we must also try our best to force him to come." You think about it, the lord named me the governor of Jiaozhou, and commanded all the naval armies. How can I, Ganning, not repay? In the past, when I faced Zhou Yu in the South China Sea, I was defeated. Now the lord ordered me to rush to the aid of Xuzhou and intercept the Yuan army who intended to cross the river, I must show my real skills and be ashamed! ”

The generals stood up and said, "The last general is willing to help the governor of the capital and eliminate the Jizhou army." ”

"You may be seated."

Gan Ning asked the king, "How many artillery do we have?" ”

"Back to the Metropolitan Governor, there are still two thousand, all of which are hoarded in the No. 115 fighting ship of the left camp." Wang Fang replied.

"Well, there are so many."

Gan Ning's heart was a little excited.

With the help of artillery, he was more sure of the Jizhou army.

Two days later.

The Jizhou army, which led the recruitment and Jiang Yiqu, crossed the river by boat.

Until now, they did not know that Ganning was lying on the surface of the river, waiting to engage them.

Most of the warships on which the 200,000 Jizhou troops rode were fishing boats and ships.

There weren't even a few fighting ships.

The ability to fight in the water, needless to say

The scout boat sent by Gan Ning found out the news and returned to the camp to report.

Gan Ning didn't say a word, summoned the generals, and ordered: "Lu Zhi." ”

"Yes."

"Take ten ships and five fighting ships to attack from the south."

"No."

"Shawxun."

"Yes."

Gan Ning pointed to the map behind him and said, "Ten miles to the east, the lower reaches of the Yellow River, the water is turbulent, and the warships of the Jizhou army cannot maintain their balance. With you, lead five large building ships and ten fighting ships to ambush. See enemy ships passing by and sink them all! ”

"Order."

"The rest of the generals, carry artillery with me, and line up on the west flank to attack the enemy's flank. Be sure to drive their ships to the lower reaches of the Yellow River. We're going to be there, and we're going to wipe them all out! ”

"No."

After Gan Ning finished speaking, he waved his hand and said, "Let's go and prepare."

"Wait."

Wang Fang hurriedly stood up and said, "Governor, what about me?" ”

"Oh, I almost forgot." Gan Ning said: "I have sent you an important task. With you, lead twenty fighting ships to the north bank of the Yellow River and attack their water village. Remember, you must defend yourself without my commands. Neither can we let Zhao and Jiang Yiqu retreat to Hebei, nor can we let the garrisons in the plains come to help. Do you understand? ”

"The last general understands!"

Wang Fang hugged his fists.

From the plain to the Huangxian ferry, the river is forty miles wide. It is the widest place in the entire Yellow River, and the water surface is relatively calm, which is suitable for the sneaking of large armies and large-scale battles between the two armies.

Neither Zhao nor Jiang Yiqu expected Gan Ning to come, so they were defenseless.

An army of 200,000 crossed the river.

Halfway through.

Inadvertently, five fighting ships came from the upper reaches of the Yellow River. The mast was waving the flag of the Jiaozhou Army, and it was very fast, like a whale in the sea, and it was close in the blink of an eye.

When he saw the banner of the word 'Gan', he immediately exclaimed: "It's Gan Ning!" Ganning's sailor! ”

(End of chapter)