The reinforcements from the rear were not only the Wu army in Hunan, but also several local armies in Guizhou that had been incorporated by the Wu army because of their outstanding performance in the Yunnan-Guizhou Bandit Rebellion, including the Zhao Dechang Department of the Guizhou Xingyi General Army, which had been relied on by Liu Yuanhao, the governor of Guizhou, and the Pingyuan regimental training of the famous foodie Ding Baozhen in the late Qing Dynasty. Pen | fun | pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

Wu Chaoyue recruited Wu troops in these places for two purposes: the first was that the large number of thieves in Yunnan and Guizhou had basically been pacified, and continuing to leave too many troops in the notoriously poor territory of Guizhou was not only not economically cost-effective, but also easy to become hidden dangers, and pulling them out to continue to be cannon fodder was undoubtedly a good way to get the best of both worlds. The second is that the price is cheap and good, the hard-working and hard-working military salary is low, and the will to fight is still relatively tenacious, and after the reinforcement is equipped, it is not impossible to fight some high-intensity and tough battles, so as to share the combat pressure for the main force.

By the way, Zhao Liewen and Yan Jingming and other henchmen had previously suggested that some local Wu troops should also be transferred from Sichuan to the east to participate in the war, but Wu Chaoyue, whose history has not been sparse to the extreme, categorically rejected this proposal, and at the same time, Duxing'a and Duolong'a and other banner generals were also dispatched to Sichuan by Wu Chaoyue early on, ready to let them go north to rescue and fight under the leadership of Zuo Zongtang.

When the troop transport fleet docked at the Jiujiang wharf under the protection of the Hunan Navy Division led by Peng Yulin, the army had just basically landed, and the generals of the Wu army had just met with Wu Chaoyue under the leadership of Feng Sanbao, and Zhao Dechang, Wu Zifa, Ding Baozhen, and other newcomers to the Wu army could not wait to take the initiative to ask for battle, and unanimously requested that they immediately lead the army to fight and kill the enemy and make meritorious contributions.

It was also a coincidence, just as Wu Chaoyue smiled and encouraged Zhao Dechang and other generals, the scout happened to report that the Taiping army that cut the cable was defeated by the Daye Wu army, and the defeated brigade under the leadership of Hong Ronghai fled into the mountains and forests around the Changyuan Temple in the southwest of the Jiujiang River. ”

Hearing that Wu Chaoyue had the intention of sending the Guizhou army to pursue, Zhao Dechang, Wu Zifa and Ding Baozhen and other Guizhou generals of course enthusiastically asked for battle again, and Wu Chaoyue, in order to cultivate reserve forces, of course, quickly smiled at Ding Baozhen, who had the most promising development, and said: "Zhihuang, take your headquarters soldiers and bring back the head of the long-haired leader Hong Ronghai for this king." ”

Ding Baozhen was overjoyed, and hurriedly organized the men and horses of his headquarters to fight under the envious eyes of the generals of the same province, and rushed to the mountainous area of Changyuan Temple for reinforcements. Wu Chaoyue pointed to the east and said with a smile to Zhao Dechang and the other generals: "Don't be in a hurry to kill Changmao and make meritorious contributions, there are still more than 20,000 long hairs waiting for you to cut them in Meijiazhou, hurry up and organize the army, follow this king to Meijiazhou to kill Changmao, and see which of you has the luck and ability to capture the long-haired puppet king Shi Da Kaisheng alive and hand it over to me!" ”

Zhao Dechang and Wu spontaneously sang a promise and hurriedly organized their own armies to prepare for departure. Before that, Wu Chaoyue had sent Qian Wei to lead three battalions of elite descendants to Guanzhou Village to intercept the road, and ordered Liu Mingchuan to lead the men and horses of the headquarters to immediately rush to Wu Heiwa to establish a blocking position, and join forces with Qian Wei to cut off Shi Dakai's eastward escape road, and guard against the Taiping army from fleeing east and south, rushing into the hinterland of Jiangxi, where the Wu army was empty. Therefore, Wu Chaoyue was not in a hurry, but just patiently waited for the rear army to prepare for departure.

…………

Wu Chaoyue annihilated the main force of the Taiping Army on the western front in the Meijiazhou battlefield with a resolute attitude, but Shi Dakai was still still indecisive, after receiving the news of the arrival of the Wu army's reinforcement brigade, the shocked Zhang Suimou once again suggested that Shi Dakai quickly retreat west and flee to the hinterland of Jiangxi, and withdraw to Raozhou by land, bypassing Poyang Lake. However, Shi Dakai said that he couldn't make up his mind, and still decided to go all out to repair the pontoon bridge, and at the same time sent someone to cross the lake to contact Lin Qirong, asking Lin Qirong to immediately organize a fleet and prepare to meet the self-army to break through and cross the lake.

It can't be said that Shi Dakai made a mistake in decision-making, Zhang Suimou's suggestion is not much hope of escaping in addition to being able to disgust Wu and contain part of the main force of the Wu army, and at the same time, the main force of the Taiping army will definitely suffer heavy losses, even if he can barely keep some men and horses to escape back to Raozhou, he will definitely have no strength to return to Anqing and stop the eastward advance of the Wu army.

Resolutely rushing to the mouth of Poyang Lake is different, there are Lin Qirong's Hukou defenders on the opposite bank can respond, there are pontoon bridges on the lake that can be repaired, and at the same time, the Taiping Army sailors in the depths of Poyang Lake also hope to rush to the rescue and escort, the Taiping Army's eastward retreat is not only convenient and fast, but also the hope of keeping the main force still exists. Therefore, Shi Dakai would rather give up the opportunity to disgust Wu Chaoyue, and insisted on retreating at the mouth of Poyang Lake no matter what.

When the Wu army Qian Wei and Liu Mingchuan successively blocked the westward escape road of the main force of the Taiping army, the accurate news finally came from the depths of Poyang Lake, the Taiping army sailors who were pinned on Shi Dakai were defeated, one of the three steam gunboats was sunk, one was seriously injured and then captured by the Wu army's sailors, only one escaped back to the Pojiang River waterway with injuries, and the sailing fleet was also heavily damaged, and there was no strength to rush to the mouth of Poyang Lake to cover the main force crossing the lake.

Shi Dakai was still behind, and just after confirming the fiasco of the naval division, the scarred fleet of the Wu army's naval division had already appeared on the lake in the south of Meijiazhou, although it was not in a hurry to attack, but just by existing, it had already made the Taiping army who were nervously rushing to repair the pontoon bridge tremble and fall into despair.

Looking at the Wu Army's sailors who were standing still in the south of Meijiazhou with a telescope, Shi Dakai fell into complete despair, Shi Dakai knew what the Wu Army's sailors were waiting for, and he also knew that even if the pontoon bridge could be repaired, it would be impossible for the main force of the army to rush across Poyang Lake and escape back to the east bank. Shi Dakai also regretted it very much, regretted that he didn't listen to Zhang Suimou's unspoken advice, and didn't make up his mind to flee to the hinterland of Jiangxi earlier, and brought the main force of nearly 20,000 Taiping troops to the Jedi of Meijiazhou, but what is the use of regretting it now?

Huang Zaizhong, the official of the pro-military battalion, quietly came to the side, and whispered beside Shi Dakai: "The Wing King is eight thousand years old, Zhentianhou sent someone to say that he has already counted, and the current boat in his hand can only take about 1,600 people to cross the lake at a time, please decide who to take to cross the lake earlier." ”

Shi Dakai didn't speak, his heart just hurt one after another, and said secretly: "Who did you decide to take to cross the lake?" Tell me to leave so many soldiers and take more than 1,000 people across the lake, I can bear this heart? ”

"And." Huang Zaizhong said in a low voice: "Zhentianhou said, please ask the Wing King Eight Thousand Years Old to change into soldier clothes before getting on the ship, so as not to be targeted by demon soldiers." ”

Huang Zaizhong's words only had the opposite effect, his face was gloomy and after thinking for a long time, Shi Dakai suddenly said loudly: "Order all armies to set up camp on the spot and establish defensive positions!" Without the king's order, those who cross the lake without permission will be beheaded! ”

Jiwei is still there, although the whole army is very unaware of why Shi Dakai still wants to build a strong camp at the moment of burning eyebrows, but Shi Dakai's order is still quickly implemented, under the personal command of Shi Dakai, the Taiping army immediately began to build a camp in Meijiazhou, digging deep trenches and building earth walls, erecting wood fences and laying mines, and posing a posture to be held in Meijiazhou for a long time.

"Beyond the little demon, I know you're going to annihilate me! Come on, see if you have to crack your teeth to eat the main force of my last fight! ”

This is Shi Da's real thought in his heart, "As long as you consider the casualties, I will have a chance, after a long time, a miracle may not be impossible!" ”

…………

After dealing with Wu Chaoyue for such a long time, Shi Dakai finally expected Wu Chaoyue's thoughts, and when the news that the Taiping army chose to set up camp on the spot was sent to Wu Chaoyue, Wu Chaoyue really frowned, and his first reaction was to consider the casualties of forcibly attacking the fortification. -- Although Ci is not in charge of the army, if the casualties are too large, it will have a certain impact on the morale of the army in any case.

"King Zhennan, we have to hurry, we can't give Longhair time to set up a strong camp."

The temper of the old father-in-law Feng Sanbao has never changed, not only has he never put on a father-in-law with Wu Chaoyue, but he has always behaved more respectful than others to Wu Chaoyue, and said: "The last general is willing to lead an army to raid the long-haired camp, and not give the long-haired a chance to establish a camp." ”

Not giving the Taiping Army a chance to set up camp is of course a good way to reduce the main force of the attack, Wu Chaoyue is also a little tempted, but without waiting for Wu Chaoyue to think about it carefully, Dai Wenjie next to him said: "General Feng, it's better not to be in such a hurry, right?" Longhair has no way out, and if we attack them at this time, they will fight the trapped beasts, and even if we can break their camp, the casualties will certainly not be small. ”

Feng Sanbao's temper has indeed not changed at all, even if he has been the acting governor of Hunan for a while, he still respects the scholar very much, so he didn't get angry when he heard Dai Wenjie's objection, and took the initiative to ask: "Mr. Wenjie, what should we do in your opinion?" ”

"Break down the morale of the long-haired army first, and then attack calmly." Dai Wenjie proposed: "King Zhennan, anyway, Shi Dakai has become a turtle in the urn, and it is difficult to fly with wings, and the progress on General Cao Yanzhong's side is also quite smooth, we can completely surround the long-haired in Meijiazhou first, and cut off their grain route at the same time, and wait for their grain and grass to run out, and the army's morale is chaotic, and then we can launch an attack, we can easily take Meijiazhou and annihilate the main force of Longhair on the west bank of Poyang Lake." ”

Of course, Dai Wenjie's method is much more secure than Feng Sanbao, and it is of course easy to do this with Wu Jun's current strength, but after carefully deducing for a while, Wu Chaoyue shook his head and said: "Although Mr. Wenjie's method is safe, I am sure that we will not only do this in Shi Dakai's expectations, but maybe it will also fall into Shi Dakai's hands and give him a chance to turn over." ”

"What chance does Longhair have to turn over now?" Dai Wenjie asked with some confusion: "The long hairs on the water and land are at a disadvantage, what chance can they have?" ”

"If I were Shi Dakai, I would use any means to make a fuss about the small broken boats left at the mouth of the lake, or secretly transport troops in batches, or use boats as pontoons, and grab a number of pontoon bridges at the mouth of Poyang Lake overnight, and even attack the west, ostensibly preparing to cross the lake, but in fact suddenly broke through and killed the hinterland of Jiangxi."

Wu Chaoyue took his own life and pointed out: "In short, the longer the time drags on, the more opportunities there are for long hair, and the easier it is for us to expose flaws to longhair." Taking 10,000 steps back, even if we can do it without giving Changmao any chance, wasting too much time at the mouth of Jiujiang Lake is still very bad for us. Therefore, we must not dream too much at night, and we must start to solve Meijiazhou's long hair as soon as possible. ”

"So, you can only use General Feng's method and hurry up?" Devingjie asked.

Wu Chaoyue nodded, and said: "But just like this, we will definitely not have small casualties, and we still have to use some small means to kill Changmao by surprise." ”

"What's the trick of King Zhennan?" Devin asked with a smile.

Wu Chaoyue smiled, first asked the soldiers to bring the four treasures of the study, and instructed Feng Sanbao: "Father-in-law, remember that you can also read and write, and write a handwritten letter to Shi Dakai with hard work, saying that I have handed over the Jiujiang battlefield to you, and also handed over the power to dispose of the long-haired subordinates and other people, and persuade Shi Dakai to take the long-haired army to lay down their arms and surrender to you in your identity, you promise not to kill a single soldier, and also promise to recommend him to me, and ask me to give him an official knight." ”

"...... Xian, King Zhennan, recruit Shi Dakai that long-haired leader, why don't you come forward in person?" Feng Sanbao asked confusedly, "If you come forward to surrender in person, the effect will definitely be better?" ”

"No, it's better for you to come forward this time." Wu Chaoyue replied with a smile.

"Zhennan Wang's clever plan." Dai Wenjie gave a thumbs up and asked again, "King Zhennan, when will you do it?" ”

"At night, of course." Wu Chaoyue smiled and said: "Changmao didn't sleep last night, and if he works hard for a day today, he will definitely not be able to support it at night." Meijiazhou is not far from the Lion Rock, there are mountains and forests, it is easy for long hair to run, and it will definitely not be particularly resolute to resist, and you can temporarily survive if you escape into the mountains and forests, no one wants to do such a good thing? ”

"Wonderful!" Dai Wenjie stretched out his thumb again and said with a smile: "Although the mountains and forests around Lion Rock are complicated, in the eyes of our southwestern soldiers, such a small hill and small forest are afraid that they are three points wider than the plains. ”

"Those who know me, Mr. Wenjie too!"

Wu Chaoyue and Dai Wenjie looked at each other and smiled, but Feng Sanbao, who was holding a brush next to him, became more and more confused the more he listened, and said in his heart: "Mr. Wenjie, what's wrong?" Why did he become as mysterious as my son-in-law, and he didn't look like a good person when he smiled? Remember he wasn't like that before, huh? God forbid, my daughter must not learn like this. ”

…………

After some busy preparations, the main force of the Hunan Wu army under Feng Sanbao's department of more than 16,000 people quickly marched towards the Meijiazhou battlefield, and calmly rushed to Jiangjiawan to set up a camp along the main road of Guanzhou Village, which was preemptively controlled by the Qian Wei Department of the Wu army, and erected the banner of the Hunan governor. At the same time, Wu Chaoyue's big banner of Wu characters with teeth and claws is still floating on Jiujiang City.

Then, escorted by a team of Wu soldiers, a Taiping soldier who had been captured last night quickly returned to the Taiping army camp with Feng Sanbao's handwritten letter of persuasion, and the letter was quickly delivered to Shi Dakai.

"Phew!"

This time Shi Dakai was expected by Wu Chaoyue again, after reading Feng Sanbao's letter of persuasion, Shi Dakai expelled his extreme disdain, and quickly found an important problem from Feng Sanbao's letter, and said with some surprise: "How did the little demon beyond give the Jiujiang battlefield to his father-in-law?" He won't personally direct the rest of the war? ”

"I think I think Jiujiang has a solid chance of winning, so I want to give this credit to his father-in-law." Zhang Suimou analyzed: "Not only to please his favorite concubine, but also to accumulate prestige for Feng Sanbao, so that his father-in-law can share more military affairs for him in the future, and he can also free up his hands to do other important things, killing multiple birds with one stone." ”

"In addition, Meijiazhou and Jiujiang are close at hand, even if Feng Sanbao makes any mistakes, he can calmly adjust beyond the little demon." Zeng Jinqian added for Zhang Suimou.

"No wonder the demon soldier camp over there in Jiangjiawan didn't see the handsome banner that surpassed the little demon."

Shi Da woke up, and felt a little humiliated, and couldn't help but snort coldly: "Beyond the little demon really looks down on this king more and more, first under the nose of this king, he took the main force in a big way, and now he gives this king as a gift to his father-in-law, and he really sees this king as a fish on the anvil." ”

"The Winged King is eight thousand years old, don't fall for the trick of surpassing the little demon again." Zhang Suimou persuaded and said: "To prevent transcendence is to deliberately pretend to despise you, induce you to take the initiative, and take the initiative to seize the battlefield with the main guest." ”

Shi Dakai snorted again and said, "Of course this king will not fall for him, send an order to go down, step up the camp, and be sure to dig the trench and build the wall before sunset." Give Lin Qirong another order, as soon as it gets dark, immediately use a small boat to send food to Meijiazhou, as much as you can send, the more the better! ”

Although he didn't say it, subconsciously, the decision-makers of the Taiping Army headed by Shi Dakai had already come to a conclusion that Wu Chaoyue would definitely adopt the tactical strategy of besieging the Native Army for a long time, and it was almost impossible to launch a large-scale attack on the Native Army camp in a short period of time. So inevitably, Shi Dakai and others began to take it lightly again.