Unlike Fang Xuanling, who was surprised, Zhang Xuan was not surprised by the collusion between the Guanlong nobles and the Jiangnan Society, at least a few years ago, he knew that Zhang Zhongjian, who taught him martial arts, was lent to the Wuchuan Mansion by the Jiangnan Society, and some kind of condition must have been reached during this period.

There is also a continuous rebellion in the Jiangnan area, which wiped out Liu Yuanjin and Shen Faxing, behind which is the Jiangnan Society, and behind the Jiangnan Society, there is a Guanlong nobleman.

The Dou family actually secretly transported weapons to the Jiangnan Society, which really made Zhang Xuan a little embarrassed, if he meddled in this matter, it seemed to be meaningless, and Dou Qing treated him well, and once this kind of thing is revealed, the Dou family is afraid that it will be the consequence of raiding the family and destroying the clan.

But if he doesn't care, these thousands of armor will be traded under his nose, not to mention his own face, once he loses, he Zhang Xuan will also be charged with conniving at banditry.

Zhang Xuan thought about it and decided to write a letter to Dou Qing, suggesting that Dou Qing temporarily stop trading weapons with the Jiangnan Society, at least not under his nose.

Zhang Xuan immediately wrote a letter that was obscure, but Dou Qing could understand it, he found a personal soldier, handed the letter to him, and told him a few words to let him go to Beijing to send a letter to Dou Qing.

Just as Zhang Xuan sent his soldiers away, a person came from outside the hall to report: "General Qiyu, Wei Changshi has an urgent matter to see!" ”

Zhang Xuan nodded, "Please let him in!" ”

Not long after, Shi Weizheng, the chief of Jiangdu, hurriedly walked in, and said as soon as he entered the door: "The Sui army was defeated in the Central Plains, does the general know?" ”

"What's going on?" Jang Hyun asked puzzled, he didn't have the slightest news about this.

Without waiting for Wei Zheng to answer, Zhang Xuan invited him to sit down again, and ordered his soldiers to serve tea, Wei Zheng took a sip of tea and said: "I also just got a message from the flying pigeon, General Zhang died in Pengcheng County. Meng Haigong attacked with all his might, and the Sui army could not resist at noon yesterday, losing most of the troops and retreating in the direction of Liangjun. ”

Zhang Xuan was taken aback, the general Zhang Jin was actually killed, and he asked urgently: "How did General Zhang die?" ”

Wei Zheng sighed. "I heard that during the battle for Fuli County, General Zhang Da was shot in the forehead by a stray arrow, and the army was defeated and retreated to Pengcheng County, but because of his advanced age, he was not able to be cured in the end, and unfortunately died, and the Sui army lost its backbone, and the army was disheartened, and was defeated by Meng Haigong. The situation in the Central Plains is very critical. ”

Zhang Xuan took a few steps with his hands down, he had already realized that Wei Zheng came to find him, and he must have another deep meaning, he asked quietly: "The defeat of the Sui army, is it what happened yesterday?" ”

Wei Zheng nodded, "Half a day is enough for the pigeon letter to come to me from Pengcheng County, it must have happened yesterday." ”

He whispered again: "General Zhang is dead." The crushing defeat of the Sui army will inevitably shake the government and the opposition. If we join forces to rescue Xuzhou, I think this is an opportunity. ”

Zhang Xuan secretly sneered in his heart, Wei Zheng didn't have any troops in his hands at all, and he had to rely on himself to send troops, and he actually said that he would send troops together.

However, as soon as Zhang Xuan changed his mind, this Wei Zheng had quite a lot of connections in the court. is another former soldier of the military department, if he can save the situation, then after Wei Zheng to ferment, the credit will be multiplied.

As the saying goes, it's good to share. I really didn't do well enough in this area in the past, and I should consider improving, and this is really an opportunity for myself to get through Tokai County.

Thinking of this, Zhang Xuan glanced at Wei Zheng, who was full of anticipation, and smiled slightly: "How can I not give Wei Changshi a face?" ”

Wei Zheng was overjoyed, and hurriedly said: "I'll explain to the imperial court, please send troops as soon as possible." ”

Zhang Xuan nodded, "I'll prepare, and I can send troops as soon as tomorrow." ”

．．．．．．．．．

The battle situation in the Central Plains was very severe for the Sui army, as Wei Zheng said, Zhang Jin was unfortunately killed in the battle of Fuli County, which had a serious impact on the Sui army, the morale of the Sui army was low, the army was discouraged, and then suffered a heavy defeat in the battle of Pengcheng and was forced to retreat to Liang County.

At this time, Meng Haigong's army had grown to more than 100,000 people, and the momentum swept through the four counties of Xuzhou, including Donghai, Pengcheng, Xiapi and Qian, and Meng Haigong immediately proclaimed himself King of Peng and set the capital at Pengcheng County.

Before dawn, a fleet of more than 100 large grain ships was heading north along the ditch, and thousands of slender men dragged these large ships full of grain and military supplies, and on the east bank of the canal, 15,000 Sui troops marched in a procession.

Zhang Xuan, the commander of the Sui army, stood in the flotilla of large ships, staring deeply at the northern sky, the sky had turned blue, and he could clearly see the endless rice fields and woods on both sides.

This time, the army went north as a joint operation of Zhang Xuan and Wei Zheng, Wei Zheng was responsible for logistics grain, grass, military weapons, and requisitioning of civilian husbands, and Zhang Xuan was responsible for army operations.

Since Du Fuwei had been severely injured and fled to Huainan County, Jiangdu would not be any threat for the time being, so Zhang Xuan led his army to the north to meet Meng Haigong.

Of course, Zhang Xuan has his own strategic purpose, he mainly wants to take Donghai County and open up the passage between Jiangdu County and the six counties of Qingzhou, which is very important to him.

Moreover, Meng Haigong's momentum is too strong, once he is unable to march west, he will inevitably turn to the north and march to the Qingzhou region, which is empty of troops, seriously threatening Zhang Xuan's vital interests.

"Is the general worried about the strength of the thief army?" Fang Xuanling asked while standing behind Zhang Xuan.

Zhang Xuan nodded, "After all, it's ten times that of me, and it's self-deception to say that I'm not worried." ”

"And how does the general plan to deal with it?"

"I don't know now, I can only take one step at a time."

Speaking of this, Zhang Xuan glanced back at Fang Xuanling and asked with a smile, "Does the military advisor have a good strategy?" ”

"There is no strategy yet, but there are two suggestions."

"I want to hear about it!"

"The advantage of the general is the warship, I suggest that Shanyang County be the foundation, first control the Huai River, win to the north, and if it is unfavorable, cross the river and retreat south, so that there are rules for advancing and retreating, so as not to mess up."

"And next?" Zhang Xuan asked again.

"The second is intelligence, knowing oneself and knowing one's opponent, a hundred battles will not be defeated, and the general must strengthen intelligence."

Zhang Xuan nodded silently, he had also considered this issue, Wei Zheng suggested that he use the official intelligence points and transmit information to various post stations along the way, but Zhang Xuan didn't believe in the official information very much, after all, the post station had been controlled by the thief army, and whether he could transmit the real information was one thing.

"The two suggestions of the military division are very good, I will hand over the intelligence deployment to the military division, and I will arrange the Huai River garrison."

……….

Shanyang County is a county located on the south bank of the Huai River, Tongji Canal will turn into Hangou from here, Shanyang County is prosperous because it is located in the traffic artery, the population is gradually gathered, there are more than 100,000 people here at present, half of the young and strong live by the ditch to and fro.

Zhang Xuan's army arrived in Shanyang County two days after traveling north, and the army immediately set up a large camp in the west of the county seat.

At the head of the city, Zhang Xuan inspected the city with a circumference of nearly 20 miles surrounded by generals, and the county order introduced Zhang Xuan: "General, this county was rebuilt five years ago, the city is two feet high and eight feet high, and the moat below is three feet wide, which is very strong and strong. ”

"How deep is the moat?" Jang Hyun looked at the moat and asked.

"The south side is a little deeper, more than one foot and five feet, and the north side is one foot deeper."

Zhang Xuan nodded, pointed to the Water City Gate and asked, "Where does the Water City Gate lead?" ”

"General, please look outside the East City!"

The county magistrate took Zhang Xuan to the east city wall, pointed to a lake outside the east city and said: "That lake is called Wild Duck Lake, which is actually formed by a depression, connecting the ditch in the east and the moat in the west. ”

Cui Yuanhan, who joined the army next to Cangcao, asked: "The river is too narrow, I'm afraid our big boats won't be able to get in, and we can't unload grain, may I ask the county order, I don't know if there are any small boats in the county?" ”

The county magistrate showed a look of embarrassment on his face, "It's not a secret, the boats in the county have been requisitioned by Miao Haichao, and there is not even a boat." ”

"Yuan Han, the ship is not a problem!"

Zhang Xuan said on the side: "We have seized a lot of boats from Miao Haichao, all of them are parked in Xuyi County, and I will send someone to send them over tomorrow." ”

Cui Yuanhan hurriedly saluted, "Thank you, general, if you have a small boat, you can unload grain into the city." ”

"Then the matter of unloading grain will be annoying to Yuan Han, and he will do a lot of his best."

Zhang Xuan turned back to several soldiers and said: "I'm afraid that this time I need the assistance of the people to fight against the thief army, you discuss with the county commander, and try to organize as many people as possible to be in good case." ”

Several soldiers and the county commander agreed, and Zhang Xuan turned around and went down to the barracks.

.......... (To be continued.) )