Chapter 129: Preparation

Zhang Xuan suddenly got up and said: "Convene the generals to discuss the matter, send it to General Cao, and ask him to come over quickly." Without further ado. ”

"Yes."

It will also take a while to come back from the Yongzhou front. Therefore, when Zhang Xuan saw Cao Zongyu, it was already two days later.

Before Cao Zongyu had washed the dust, he had already come to Zhang Xuan to discuss matters.

By this time, all the people who should have come have already arrived. Even Gao Yigong's side sent representatives to participate, and the person who came was none other than him. It was Liu Tichun.

Liu Tichun only came with his ears this time.

When the others came, they only heard a shout: "The general has arrived." ”

The civil and military officials stood up one after another, bowed and saluted, and said, "Meet the general." ”

The higher Zhang Xuan's status, even if he doesn't care about it, but the people below can't help it, the big man is not informal, but he is approachable. But the people below can't be pampered and arrogant, which is called etiquette and can't be wasted.

Slowly, Zhang Xuan got used to it.

Habit is a great power.

"General Xie." Civil and military officials sat down one after another.

Zhang Xuan still had the old rules, and waved his hand to let Zheng Lian explain the situation first. Zheng Lian immediately stepped forward and explained the situation in Liangguang, and finally said: "Nanming destroyed the land of the two provinces, and also made a farce of two emperors standing side by side. but self-destruction. ”

"Not bad." Zhang Xuan said: "Nanming is naturally a godsend to do things like this. But I can't wait for them to kill themselves. There are no two days in the sky, there are no two lords in the country, and there will be a battle between Yongli and Shaowu. When the two sides fought, it was when our army went south, and the so-called Bian Zhuang stabbed the tiger, killing two birds with one stone. But before I do that, I have to think about how many troops we can send to the south. ”

After all, Hunan is a newly settled place, and the change of dynasty, the ground is actually not too peaceful, at least without the pressure of the army, what will be the situation, Zhang Xuan is not sure.

The enemy is lenient, with Zhang Xuan's temperament, Liangguang may not be able to swallow it in one bite, but he can take his time. But I don't want to say a word about Hunan that can't listen to the stomach, and there will be no repetition.

"Cao Zongyu, you say it first." Zhang Xuan said.

Cao Zongyu got up and said, "Yes." He seemed to be straightening out his thoughts, and after thinking about it, he said: "After the last general captures Hengyang." Sitting in Hengyang Mansion, he sent General Zhang Xianbi and General Huang Chaoxuan respectively to divide their troops to capture Yongzhou and Chenzhou City. The two generals, conquering several counties, could not conquer the city, so they led their troops back dozens of miles to confront it. ”

Zhang Xuan nodded, he understood that the reason for this situation was also Cao Zongyu's obedience to Zhang Xuan's orders. Only two newly surrendered armies were sent as the lead, attacking but not overcoming, and immediately retreating. It has already been explained that Cao Zongyu fully adheres to Zhang Xuan's order to be proportionate in attacking the south.

It's not that Cao Zongyu really doesn't have the ability to break through a road that crosses the Five Mountains.

Wuling is the five mountains that are separated in the north of Liangguang, which are called Yuecheng Ridge, Du Pang Ridge, Mengzhu Ridge, Qitian Ridge and Da Yu Ridge respectively

The reason why Wuling is called Wuling is that there is a saying in the Tang Dynasty that it is not a big mountain between Liangguang and Hunan and Jiangxi, but can be specifically divided into five mountain ranges. Rather, there are five roads that cross the ridge. This is the Yueling Mountain Road, that is, along the Xiangjiang River upstream, through the famous Ling Canal, connected to Guilin, connecting the two Guangxi water systems. That is, from Yongzhou to Quanzhou, and then to Guilin. Because this road is a waterway, later generations attach great importance to it, and Qin repaired the spiritual canal, and later generations have repaired it.

Mengzhuling Road also starts from Yongzhou, goes south along the Xiaoshui River Valley, crosses Wuling to Hexian County, Guangxi, but it is a land route. It was only after arriving in Hexian that the waterway could be reconnected.

Riding the Ridge Road. It is to start from Chenzhou and go south by land, cross the Qitianling, and arrive at Lianxian County, Guangdong, from which you can enter the Liangguang water system by boat. There are two or three levels along the way, though. But most of the place is still a smooth road.

Lingling, Guiyang Qiao Road, this road, is also Chenzhou to Lian County, however, the road is different, here is between Meng Zhuling and Jiuzhi Mountain. This road coincides with a section of Qitianling Road.

The last one is Da Yuling Road.

This road was opened up by Zhang Jiuling in the Tang Dynasty. From Ganzhou over the Great Yuling, to Nanxiong, Shaozhou. All the way by water before Ganzhou, after arriving in Shaozhou. You can also go directly to the Beijiang waterway, which can be said to be the most convenient passage in modern times, since the Tang Dynasty, the city has replaced the mountain road over the mountains, and has become the main channel of Lingnan traffic.

However, it is a pity that Ganzhou City is already in the hands of the Ming army, and Zhang Xuan can only give up the Great Yuling Road. I can only choose from the other four mountain roads, because the four mountain roads are in two starting places, that is, Yongzhou and Chenzhou.

It depends on Zhang Xuan's focus on going south, if he focuses on Guangxi, he will attack Yongzhou, and if he focuses on Guangdong, he will go down to Chenzhou.

Zhang Xuan secretly wrote down this matter and said to Liu Tichun: "How is General Gao's side?" ”

"To the General." Liu Tichun said: "The vicinity of Changde Mansion and even the area of Shimen have arrived. The prefect of the imperial court has arrived. ”

Zhang Xuan suddenly thought of something and said, "How is the situation in Xiangxi?" What is the situation in Baoqing Mansion and Chenzhou Mansion? ”

Zheng Lian's face was a little ugly, and he said: "Originally, the two governments could be decided, but as a result, Qu Shiyun sent a messenger to oversee Xiangxi affairs and drive out our envoys. ”

Zhang Xuan said: "Who is it? ”

"Xia Guan only knows that this person's name is Zhang Tongchang, and the specific situation has not yet been clarified." Zheng Lian said. This is the first time Zheng Lian has said something unclear to Zhang Xuan.

Zhang Xuan said sharply: "Now go and check immediately, there are so many demoted officials in Changsha City, isn't there even a single person who knows this person?" ”

"Yes." Zheng Lian said: "Xiaguan will do it." ”

Zhang Xuan got up and thought about it, although he hadn't really fought yet, in fact, he had already exchanged hands with Qu Shiyun at this moment, and he didn't dare to say that Qu Shiyun was cheap. But Zhang Xuan didn't fight cheaply, Zhang Xuan's biggest feeling when he came to this era is not to underestimate anyone. There are only a small number of people who have left a reputation in history, and most of them have not left their names, not because they are incapable, and they are probably just a little unlucky. What's more, Zhang Xuan can't even remember things in history clearly. It is even more impossible to distinguish who is capable and who is not.

It can only be taken lightly by everyone.

"If I am Qu Shiyun or Ding Chukui, before you want to start the fire, you must pay attention to my movements, the hundreds of thousands of troops in Hunan are placed here, even if you are a fool, you will not be invisible. I have to find a way to alleviate their doubts. Zhang Xuan thought: "How to alleviate their doubts, that is, to start a war." ”

Zhang Xuan immediately made a decision and said, "General Liu, go back and tell General Gao." Let him immediately lead his troops south from now on, attack Chenzhou Mansion, conquer Chenzhou, sweep Xiangxi, and then turn the road into Guizhou. ”

"General." Liu Tichun said: "The general's order, we dare not disobey it." It's just that the city of Changde is empty. It simply can't support a campaign. ”

Zhang Xuan nodded and said, "Yao Qisheng." ”

"The lower official is here." Yao Qisheng also had a premonition in his heart, and he could probably guess what Zhang Xuan was going to tell him. For a while, he secretly said in his heart: "When can I stop fighting." "When there is a war, the money is spent like running water, and there is not enough food to spend.

"General Gao Yigong's logistical supply, can Changsha supply it?" Zhang Xuan asked.

"After the autumn harvest, you can." Yao Qisheng said. The implication is not today. However, Zhang Xuan didn't care about this, after all, it would take time for the army to be dispatched, probably in the late autumn.

Zhang Xuan said: "Who is the prefect of Changde? ”

Yao Qisheng said: "The prefect of Changde is Tian Pi, a jinshi during the Chongzhen period, and was captured by General Zhang Yingyuan. Surrendered to our dynasty, the ministry instructed the original post to be retained, and was sent to Changde as the prefect, he is also from Henan. ”

"Oh." I didn't know that it was from Henan, but Zhang Xuan paid special attention to it, and said: "I ordered the Governor of Tianpi to serve the grain and grass of the West Road Army." The supply of the Western Route Army was absolutely indispensable. ”

Zhang Xuan still has reservations about Gao Yigong. At the very least, the grain and grass must be controlled by people.

"Xia Guan understands." Yao Qisheng said.