On October 13, Sheng Yong's army and Qu Neng's army rode more than 200,000 feet and arrived at the shore of Fuyi River; They and Zhu Gaoxu's nearly 90,000 people finally rendezvous. After the main force of the Han Dynasty completed the concentration of troops, the number was nearly 300,000! In addition to this, more than 30,000 prisoners were taken.

More than a dozen pontoon bridges were built on the Fuyi water, and countless soldiers, horses, and vehicles crossed the river to the east bank like a long dragon.

There was a fishy smell wafting through the air. In winter, the bottom of the river was stirred by sand boats, and in the last two days, some soldiers have taken nets to fish in the river, and the smell of fish is still permeating the north wind.

Zhu Gaoxu and his party sat on horseback and stood on the east bank, waiting for the generals who came to rendezvous.

After waiting for a long time, I saw a team of men and horses rushing towards this side, and a big flag with the word "Sheng" fluttering in the wind. After a while, Sheng Yong, Qu Neng, Ping'an, Wang Bin and other generals rushed over.

They turned over and dismounted one after another, and greeted Zhu Gaochu with their fists, and Zhu Gaochu also returned the salute on horseback. Sheng Yong took the lead and stepped forward and arched his hand: "The last general failed to cut off He Fujun, please surrender the prince!" ”

Zhu Gaoxu nodded noncommittally, and he suddenly asked, "Do you smell fishy?" ”

Everyone sniffed vigorously and echoed it.

Zhu Gaoxu said: "In the past two days, the soldiers have replenished some fish in Fuyishui. Tonight, I will cook with fish to wash the dust for the generals. ”

The atmosphere immediately relaxed, and Qu Neng said: "The prince loves to eat fish, everyone knows it." Zhu Gaoxu emphasized: "I love to eat sea fish. ”

The generals smiled and said a few words. At this time, Sheng Yong clenched his fists again and said to Miao Jin behind Zhu Gaoxu's side: "I've seen Chi Yue's real person." ”

Miaojin was stunned for a moment, when the ordinary Han King talked to the generals, she would not be silent. At this time, Sheng Yong took the initiative to see the ceremony, and everyone was also an old friend, and a few people such as Wushan Taoyuan and Sheng Yong received Miaojin; At this time, her expression was cold, but she also clasped her hands and said, "General Sheng is polite." ”

Most of the officers and soldiers in the army, whether they are generals or soldiers, regard Miaojin as Zhu Gaoxu's concubine, and when they see her, everyone is at most polite and respectful, and they will not take care of Miaojin very much. And Sheng Yong was obviously keenly aware of something, so he called Miaojin a real person.

Miaojin was wearing a Taoist priest's wide robe at this time, but she was not born a monk, no matter how she dressed, the skin of her face and neck and the contours of her body had the charm of a woman. Although her expression was cold, after being stunned for a moment, Zhu Gaoxu felt that her demeanor and demeanor were more generous...... Her identity does make it a little difficult for her to show people, and she would rather be treated by others as a Taoist.

Zhu Gaoxu felt in his heart: Among the several generals present, the ability to fight does not know how high or low; But if you want to say that the most sophisticated person, it should still be Sheng Yong.

"Back to the Chinese army, let's drink two teas and rest for a while, and wait for the dinner." Zhu Gaoxu said.

The generals answered.

So Zhu Gaoxu and others turned around one after another, and the group ran to the village not far from the riverbank.

People came to the small courtyard of the Chinese army, a tiled house with mud walls. When everyone entered the hall, they sat down around a square table. Miao Jin went to the kitchen to make tea herself.

The people who brought tea and water at the front were Zhu Gaoxu's personal guards, and those guards had been repeatedly inspected by the North Division of the Imperial Mansion, which was more reassuring; But most of the former personal guards have been appointed to the army as a hundred households. The newly selected guards have been by Zhu Gaoxu's side for a short time.

Zhu Gaoxu said that he was coming back to rest, but the generals soon talked about military affairs.

Several generals who came back successively described the process before and after the Battle of Nanyue Township. Sheng Yong said: "The first merit of this battle should be the king's general!" If it weren't for the king's timely detour to the east bank of the Huangbei River, the men and horses of Qu Dudu would have delayed the crossing of the river. In this way, the Slayer Army will still be able to break through Zhang Fu's two lines of defense in the end, but because they can't be taken by surprise, I'm afraid that the number of people captured will not be too much, and the weakening of the enemy army will be very different! ”

"Hmm......" Zhu Gaoxu habitually made a voice and nodded.

Sheng Yong said again: "Qu Dudu was able to reach Zishui because of his exquisite use of soldiers. Governor Qu Du made great contributions, allowing the sin army to complete the convergence in a short period of time. Then there was General Ping, the first battle between the two armies began with a horse battle, General Ping's cavalry was outnumbered by the enemy, but he quickly broke through the resistance of the enemy's cavalry......"

Zhu Gaoxu listened patiently, and from time to time he gave a short voice in response.

At this time, Ping'an smiled and said: "Wang 'put the general' (heavy tone), I told you that it was a great achievement, right?" Tell you to hurry up and think about patting my ass, but it's been a few days, and the king has not moved, like a stubborn donkey! I was still muttering that people like you would suffer, but I didn't expect you to run away to pat Sheng Dudu's ass, which is really impressive. That's right, too! The Governor of Shengdu is the commander of this battle, and he will be more effective in talking to you. ”

Wang Bin's black and rough round face suddenly became rich in color, and the kind of appearance that wanted to be angry but couldn't get angry was like an itchy nose but couldn't sneeze. Zhu Gaoxu saw it in his eyes and felt uncomfortable for him.

"I didn't shoot anyone's ass!" Wang Bin said, "The prince asked me to be the president, for my own reasons." I think it's always good to be a handle, worry-free. ”

Ping An didn't insist and said: "Even if you shoot quietly, will you admit it?" ”

Wang Bin's anger was a little more intense.

Zhu Gaoxu raised his hand to Ping'an and said, "That's it, don't say a word." ”

Qu Neng is still very serious, not smiling, and not talking nonsense.

Zhu Gaoxu and the others said almost enough, and then they talked about it: "The first merit of this battle should be the governor of Qu Du." From the overall consideration of the Battle of Huguang, Qu Dudu's decision-making has a very global view; In the major choice of victory or defeat, Qu Dudu's army took the risk of the whole army. It can be determined that Qu Dudu's choice in Chenxi County directly affected the entire Huguang Battle! ”

Qu Neng hurriedly hugged his fists and said: "The last general will not dare to be." ”

Zhu Gaoxu said: "This king is on the matter, and he will never favor you...... The second is the governor of Shengdu. After Zhang Fu changed his strategy, our army failed to gather and annihilate He Fubu, and we can't blame Sheng Dudu; On the contrary, as the commander of this campaign, the governor of Shengdu made the whole army achieve great results. When he finally decided to withdraw from the army, he was also very thoughtful and calm.

The credit of peace is not small, the cavalry is small in numbers, in the key battlefield, for the whole army to gain a huge advantage. ”

At this time, Sheng Yong's face was a little relieved and grateful, and he hurriedly said: "The last general will thank the prince!" ”

Then Zhu Gaoxu turned his head to look at Wang Bin and said: "As the governor of Shengdu said, Wang Bin should have a great contribution to breaking through in key places. In the past, you didn't listen to military orders and fought lightly against the enemy, but because of the generals interceding for you, I made you a general and meritorious service. Now the merits of this battle are enough to offset the guilt of Luorong County; This king decided not to punish or reward, and let you be reinstated, and you will still be the governor of the Han Dynasty. ”

Wang Bin hurriedly bowed and said: "The last general thanks the prince for his grace!" ”

Ping'an's voice said, "The whip is in vain." ”

Wang Bin tilted his head slightly and glared at Ping'an: "The prince rewarded the medicine!" ”

"Ha, the king's 'Dudu' is really interesting!" Peace Road.

Zhu Gaoxu said in a deep voice: "The previous merits and demerits are over here." The key is to win the battle in the end! Otherwise, your military exploits are not only useless, but also criminal responsibility. ”

Everyone nodded, and the hall was quiet for a while.

At this time, Miaojin came up with a wooden plate, although she was doing the business of serving tea and water, but the generals all saluted and thanked her. The atmosphere eased slightly.

"Bang!" Zhu Gaoxu slapped lightly on the map on the table, and Miaojin also glanced sideways in surprise.

Zhu Gaoxu said: "Zhang Fu must be allowed to fight a decisive battle with our army, otherwise the supply of more than 300,000 people will let us drag ourselves down!" ”

Sheng Yong moved over with the bench, pointed to the picture on the table, and said: "There is a strategy in the end, our department can march to the northeast, as long as it comes to the east of Baoqing Mansion, it can threaten Zhang Fujun's various grain routes." At that time, our army could obtain some military supplies in the direction of Yongzhou Prefecture along the Danjiang River and expediently; And Zhang Fujun has more soldiers than us, and the distance of grain and ammunition transported from the Xiangjiang River is not closer than ours. Therefore, when maneuvering, our army will not suffer.

While we march, Zhang Fujun should also move eastward. When the two armies were circling in the southeast of Baoqing Mansion, if Zhang Fujun wanted to leave the battlefield, he could only retreat in the direction of Tanzhou in the northeast.

At that time, our army took advantage of the road to march to the southeast and captured Hengzhou (Hengyang). Subsequently, all the territory west of the Xiangjiang River was occupied, and the political envoy of Xiangxi was established as the strategy previously agreed. ”

At this time, the two armies were more than 100 miles apart, and it would take time for the Qu Neng Department here to fully recover its combat strength and equip the whole army; If Zhang Fu is bent on avoiding the war, there is every chance to escape.

Zhu Gaoxu knew in his heart that a battle usually occurs because both sides have decided to fight; Otherwise, it will often be difficult to break out into a large-scale decisive battle in which troops are concentrated, and one side will run away.

Qu Neng said: "This is a little good, but in the future, the two armies will have to face each other across the Xiangjiang River." The Sichuan side is empty of troops and is in danger of losing territory. After we occupy Xiangxi, we can support the military salary and grain for several months, but it is still not a long-term solution if we continue like this. ”

Sheng Yong said: "General Qu has a good plan? ”

Zhu Gaoxu finally said: "I don't think Zhang Fu will necessarily hide. ”

Sheng Yong pondered for a moment and said, "The last general fought with Zhang Fu, and I feel that this person is not a mediocre general. He had previously dispatched a large army to Xiangxi in order to block General Qu's men and horses and to break our army. Now that our army has gathered all the way, Zhang Fu immediately retreated to the east of the Xiangjiang River at this time, and it must be too late; The confrontation across the river seems to be beneficial to Zhang Fu......"

Zhu Gaoxu shook his head and said: "Zhang Fu is indeed not a mediocre general, but everyone has a different temperament. This king is looking at it, and the governor of Shengdu is calm, few people can compare, and Zhang Fu is no exception; In addition, the troops in Zhang Fu's hands still have a lot of advantages. A war is difficult to win by defense alone; Zhang Fu still has a chance now, and he is very likely to try. Let's think of some more ways to stimulate Zhang Fu and let him take the initiative in the decisive battle, wouldn't it be more convenient? ”

The generals nodded in agreement one after another, but everyone's expressions were a little solemn.

At this moment, although the Han army won the first battle, the situation was still not optimistic: if there was no battle, the bad situation would not be reversed; Even if all wishes come true and the two armies fight a decisive battle, the Han army may not necessarily win, and there is still a gap of about 100,000 troops between the two sides!

(Tianjin https://)