After the fifteenth division and the third division conquered De'an, they crossed the Boyang River with victory, and made persistent efforts to launch an attack on Xingzi, Xingzi is the capital city of Nankang Mansion, and the city defense is relatively stable.

At this time, the area of Jiujiang Prefecture was very unfavorable to the Qing army, although their forces were superior, they were divided into seven counties of Jiujiang and Nankang, and the mobile forces suffered heavy losses in this battle, and they were temporarily unable to launch a counteroffensive. What's even worse is that because the Yangtze River waterway was controlled by the Ming army, Shi Fu's sailors were blocked in the sailors' camp and did not dare to take the lead, and Jiujiang Mansion could not get support and supplies from the rear.

The 15th Division immediately retreated to De'an County to rest, and the 3rd Division left a garrison in Zhuxi Town, and the main force returned to Nanchang for the time being.

The good news came to Nanjing, the people and civil officials did not feel anything, the capture of small De'an County, it seems to be an insignificant victory, and the news of recovering the capital and provincial capital is not worth mentioning, but the military experts know the meaning, the Chu army captured De'an County, and burned the war to the territory of Jiujiang Prefecture, this battle wiped out more than 10,000 Qing troops in total, and also swept the peripheral strongholds of Jiujiang and Nankang, and the time was ripe to recover Jiujiang.

"In the south of the Yangtze River, Jiujiang and Nankang are the last territory of the Qing Dynasty, pull out this nail, Jiangxi will become a big rear, Nanchang and Shogunate Mountain no longer need to send heavy troops to defend, but also cut off the connection between Wuchang Mansion and Anqing Mansion, and the next step is to eat it in one bite." After Zhu Ji, Li Runniang, and Fu Shihua came to Nanjing one after another, Wang Kefan's family life was very harmonious, and the whole person looked refreshed and energetic.

"Yes, after capturing Jiujiang Mansion, it is much easier to fight Wuchang Mansion and Anqing Mansion, Kong Youde and Tun Buer are surrounded on three sides, and there are Li Laiheng and Yuyuan Army harassing them behind, if they run fast, they can still slip across the Huai River, if they dare to stay where they are, they will have to be dumplings by us." Tian Jianxiu's First Army of the Northern Expedition had just withdrawn to Nanjing, and during the rest of the troops, he was not too busy, and often discussed military situations with Wang Kefan.

"There is another advantage to capturing Jiujiang Mansion, our cargo ships can go straight down to Nanjing from Poyang Lake, and the sailors of Tunbur have been exhausted, as long as a few warships are sent to keep an eye on Anqing Mansion, he will not dare to come out to make trouble, whether the cargo ship is transporting grain or transporting troops, it will pass under the nose of Anqing Mansion, and he can only stare dryly." Cheng Wen was in charge of logistics, and he was most looking forward to capturing Jiujiang Prefecture and opening up the waterway from the Ganjiang River to Nanjing, which would connect the whole of Jiangxi at once, which would be of great benefit in the economic, political, and military aspects.

"The Zheng family water division and the Chu army water division hold the Yangtze River, and the tartar of Jiujiang Mansion is the turtle in the urn, and the third brother has to go to the battle to ensure that the war is resolved before the year and make enough time for the battle of Wuchang and Anqing." Wang Kefan pointed to the map and said: "The key to using troops along the Yangtze River lies in the water division, the third brother should not rush to attack the city and conquer the territory, but first attack the Tartar water division camp and end the old nest of Shi Fu." ”

"Understand, after defeating the camp of the sailors, Shi Fu will have no place to hide, either surrender or fight to the death, and there will be no more Tartar warships on the Yangtze River." Wang Sheng nodded in response, and said: "As for the two cities of Jiujiang and Nankang, I consider the principle of easy first and then difficult, first hit Nankang's Xingzi, Jiujiang is an important town on the Yangtze River, the city is strong, it can be called a heroic city, Xingzi is much easier to fight, and after capturing Xingzi, there is no big barrier south of Jiujiang, and he is surrounded to death." ”

Wang Kefan nodded, and reminded: "After arriving in Jiangxi, we must be decisive when launching an attack, and do not give the Tartars any time to react, which can not only prevent them from shrinking back in defense and increasing the difficulty of attacking Jiujiang, but also prevent the Tartar dogs from jumping off the wall and forcibly breaking through the city. In addition, don't forget the peripheral strongholds of Ruichang County and Qingshan Town, if you pull out these strongholds, Jiujiang will become a lonely city at your fingertips......"

In addition to the more than 20,000 troops brought by Wang Sheng from Zhejiang, the Chu army near Nanjing is also constantly opening up to Jiangxi, and the final total strength should be more than 60,000 people, but the Qing army in Jiujiang and Nankang is only 145,000, and the Chu army has an absolute superiority in strength, and the initiative on the battlefield is also in their hands, and there is no suspense in victory.

"The Third Army of the Northern Expedition has crossed the river, and I have taken another 50,000 or 60,000 people, isn't Nanjing singing about an empty city plan?" Wang Sheng groaned and said: "In case Tunbul crosses the river to attack, it will be too dangerous at that time, so it is better for me to leave a division to defend Nanjing." ”

"Tunbul? Where did he come from to cross the river? It doesn't matter, as long as the sailor keeps an eye on it, he won't grow a team of wings and fly over. Taking a step back, even if Tunbuer finds a way to cross the river, isn't there still the first army in Nanjing! I'll close the city gates and defend it, don't try to break the city. Wang Kefan smiled and pointed at Tian Jianxiu with his hand...... In the first Northern Expedition, the First Army was almost crippled, and was resting in the vicinity of Nanjing, and although the new recruits had not yet completed basic training, they were already full in number, and it may not be possible to destroy the enemy, but it was more than enough for self-preservation.

"The second army is attacking Jianghuai, where is the third army going to attack?" Tian Jianxiu's Battle of Hefei went through all kinds of difficulties, and the first army itself suffered heavy casualties, but the Qing army also paid a heavy price, and in general, the Chu army took advantage...... This battle is also a very memorable work for Tian Jianxiu, and he is even very concerned about the later Northern Expedition to cross the river.

"This time I changed places, the main direction of the Third Army is Sizhou, and if the battle goes well, I will go to Fengyang Mansion for a turn." Wang Kefan said with a smile: "Every Northern Expedition has a different goal, let Kong Youde and Tan Tai run with our rhythm, the fat ones drag the thin, and the thin ones drag to death." ”

Sizhou, located east of Fengyang, on the west bank of Hongze Lake, on the bank of the Huai River, is a very important ferry.

The Third Army of the Northern Expedition was nominally an army, but in fact it had only one division, and the reason why it had a small head and a big hat was mainly to confuse the Qing army and enhance the momentum of the Third Army. This army also does not have a commander, and is temporarily represented by the division commander Jiao Lian, and the main force of the army comes from Jiao Lian's Yangshuo soldiers, and the others are all recruits.

In order to make up for the lack of troops, the 10,000 horses sent by Jin Shenghuan participated in the Third Northern Expedition, which was no weaker than the first two Northern Expeditions of Tian Jianxiu and Wang Jincai. R1152