However, at this time, the four of them were confused by Li Zicheng's behavior, and they didn't know what the boss meant, why he nodded first, and then shook his head, which made everyone's hearts go up and down, and they didn't respond to Liu Fangliang's words.

However, even so, although their hearts were full of doubts and incomprehension, the four of them stood there honestly, and none of them asked, just because Li Zicheng fell into deep thought again. At this time, the four of them knew very well that the boss was thinking about things, and no one could disturb him.

Therefore, Xu Xiake and the others were holding their breath and waiting quietly.

Soon, Li Zicheng woke up from his contemplation, and immediately said firmly: "Jianxiu, you guys prepare, five days later, I will lead five thousand Li family troops to attack Huaiqing City." Seven days later, Ru Yi and Fang Liang led 5,000 men and horses out of Wuzhi County and took them down to me. Especially those boats at the crossing of the Yellow River, you must keep them for me. ”

In an instant, everyone understood that the boss was preparing to cross the Yellow River, and Wuzhi County was a springboard. However, everyone was puzzled, and new doubts arose, and Liu Fangliang couldn't help but ask: "Boss, since we are going to attack Wuzhi County and cross the Yellow River in the south, why do you want to attack Huaiqing City again?" ”

At the same time, Xu Xiake was also anxious and persuaded him.

"Yes, boss, why did you attack Huaiqing City? The battle on the side of Xiuwu City, Huaiqing City's side must have gotten the news, and it is bound to step up the city defense. Moreover, the silver grain captured from Xiuwu City was enough for the army to consume for a month. ”

Although Li Zicheng was unmoved, he had to explain when he saw everyone's expressions.

"You misunderstood. The reason why I attacked Huaiqing City and insisted on doing so was just my plan to attack the east and the west, and the purpose was to take Wuzhi County more smoothly for Ruyi and Fangliang. As for Jianxiu and Mr. Xu, you will stay in Xiuwu City, appease the people, and completely eliminate those minions of the imperial court and those who are unkind to the rich. Once Ruyi and Fangliang capture Wuzhi County and control the crossing of the Yellow River, you immediately lead all the people out to repair Wucheng and rush to Wuzhi County, without any stops, and cross the Yellow River quickly. ”

"Boss, if I don't attack Huaiqing City, you ......"

Before Wu Ruyi finished speaking, he was interrupted by Li Zicheng's wave, Liu Fangliang wanted to speak and stopped, and swallowed back the words that came to his mouth.

"Ruyi, Fang Liang, I understand your good intentions, for my safety. However, if you go to attack Huaiqing City and create an illusion, the effect is far less effective than if I personally led my troops there. ”

Wu Ruyi and Liu Fangliang were still unwilling to give up, Tian Jianxiu and Xu Xiake also had the same idea, and just wanted to persuade together, Li Zicheng further added: "Moreover, since it is a sound attack on the west, it is not a real fight." I just waved a shot in Huaiqing City, as much as possible to attract the main force of the official army to the surroundings of Huaiqing City, and minimize the defensive heart of the Wuzhi County guards. When the time comes, as soon as the goal is achieved, I will immediately retreat with my troops and join you. ”

Hearing this, the hearts of the four of them breathed a long sigh of relief, as long as it was not a forcible attack on Xiuwu City, the boss would not have any risk?

What's more, the imperial court's defense in Henan was already weak, and almost all the troops were transferred, either in Liaodong to prevent trouble and Houjin; or be transferred to Shandong to suppress Kong Youde's rebellion; Or in Shaanxi, the rebel army.

At this time, Xu Xiake did not persuade again, but pondered for a while, and then reminded: "Boss, since we are going to cross the Yellow River from Wuzhi County. Then, before crossing the Yellow River, it is best to let Captain Wu and Captain Liu take the first step and lead their troops to capture Guangwu Mountain on the opposite side. ”

Li Zicheng paused for a moment, and then asked puzzledly: "Mr. Xu, the Yellow River is so big, it can be used as a landing point everywhere, why do you have to capture Guangwu Mountain in advance?" ”

"Boss, it's like this, since ancient times, Guangwu Mountain has been a battleground for soldiers, and the geography is extremely dangerous. Like the dispute between Chu and Han in ancient times, it was in Guangwu Mountain, and that chasm refers to the huge gully on Guangwu Mountain from south to northeast. Although it is also known as Pi Mountain, it is far different from Pi Mountain in Henan Province. ”

"It's important for three reasons. First, its north side is the rolling Yellow River, if we want to cross the Yellow River, every move on the Yellow River cannot be hidden from the officials and troops on Guangwu Mountain. Therefore, if we want to cross the Yellow River more safely and securely, it is best to take it. ”

"Second, there is a millet of Aocang in the northeast of Guangwu Mountain. If we take Guangwu Mountain as a springboard and take Aocang, after we enter the hinterland of Henan, we will be able to recruit troops and buy horses, and we don't have to worry about food and grass anymore. ”

"Finally, and most crucially, to the south of Guangwu Mountain is the military town of Xingyang. After capturing Guangwu Mountain, and then occupying Xingyang, the certainty will be greater. ”

Li Zicheng nodded frequently when he heard this, his brows furrowed, and he thought of it deeper and farther, as soon as Xu Xiake finished speaking, he couldn't wait to ask: "Hmm... Since it is a military place, it must be heavily guarded. Mr. Xu, do you think that how many troops should be sent to take Guangwu Mountain? ”

"Boss, there are two cities on Guangwu Mountain, Han King City and Overlord City, and the two are fighting each other to protect the safety of Guangwu Mountain. The former is located at the top of the west mountain of Guangwu Mountain, with a length of more than two miles and more than 60 zhang, and a height of about two zhang; The latter is located at the top of the eastern mountain of Guangwu, two miles long, the wall is more than eight zhang wide, less than nine zhang, and the highest part of the city wall is also five zhang. ”

Hearing this, Li Zicheng couldn't help but sigh: "It is worthy of being the overlord of Western Chu, and his strength is far from being comparable to Liu Bang, which can be seen by the scale and quality of the city established on this Guangwu Mountain." ”

Just when Li Zicheng was secretly sighing in his heart, Xu Xiake was still continuing.

"Therefore, boss, the last general thinks that if you want to capture Guangwu Mountain as quickly and smoothly as possible and occupy the Overlord City and the Han King City, you need at least 4,000 people, and the soldiers will be divided into two ways to attack the Overlord City and the Han King City at the same time."

Li Zicheng was silent, thinking secretly in his heart, making a calculation, taking away 5,000 people and besieging Huaiqing City; To capture Guangwu Mountain, at least 4,000 people are needed. However, for the sake of safety, Li Zicheng must give more soldiers, at least 6,000 soldiers.

As a result, Xu Xiake and Tian Jianxiu only had three or four thousand men and horses left, and they had to guard the safety of the wharf, occupy Wuzhi County, and transport people across the Yellow River, so the personnel seemed to be stretched.

Thinking of this, Li Zicheng's brows furrowed and wrinkled, there was still no good countermeasure, this time the battle line was stretched too long, and within ten days, three targets were attacked in a row.

In the end, Li Zicheng secretly gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice: "Mr. Xu, according to what you said, if you only give Ruyi and Fang Liang 4,000 people, it is too risky. In this way, when Ruyi, Jianxiu, and attack Guangwu Mountain, I will allocate 6,000 men to you. ”

Hearing this, everyone was shocked, thinking of the same problem that Li Zicheng was worried about, the lack of troops.

Thinking of this, Tian Jianxiu suddenly became anxious, and couldn't help but say, "Boss, how can this be done?" If you allocate 6,000 men to Ruyi and Fang Liang, it means that either a thousand people will be drawn from me and Mr. Xu, or a thousand people will be drawn from you. In this way, no matter where a thousand people are drawn, the corresponding responsible actions can be dangerous. The most important thing is that you don't take risks alone! ”

Others wanted to express the same opinion, but Li Zicheng waved his hand to stop them.

"I know what you're worried about, and I know the dangers that come with it. Since this is done, I must have made arrangements accordingly to ensure that everything is in order. Rest assured, I will not risk my brothers' lives lightly. ”

However, hearing such words, the attitude of the four Xu Xiake did not relax in the slightest.

At the same time, seeing the four of them like this, Li Zicheng also knew in his heart that if he couldn't give a suitable reason, the four of them would never carry out this plan and risk their lives.

Thinking of this, Li Zicheng had to make a slight adjustment, and had to explain: "In this way, after Ruyi and Fangliang occupied Wuzhi County, they first sent 3,000 people to cross the Yellow River, led by Ruyi, and lurked near Guangwu Mountain. It must be remembered that the operation of crossing the Yellow River must be carried out at night, so as not to be discovered by the officers and troops on Guangwu Mountain. ”

Secondly, after Mr. Xu and Jianxiu quickly accepted Wuzhi County, they allocated another 1,000 people to Fang Liang and Ruyi. Then, Fang Liang led the remaining 3,000 men to cross the Yellow River at night, rendezvous with Ruyi, and jointly attack Guangwu Mountain. ”

"At the same time, I will make a ladder evacuation here in Huaiqing City and go to Wuzhi County to meet Mr. Xu and Jianxiu."

Hearing this, the four of them showed a look of relief, did not say anything against it, and left one after another.