In any case, Meng Jiucheng also knew that cavalry was crucial to future wars, and he had been cultivating cavalry and accumulating war horses. Even fodder such as alfalfa began to be cultivated and hoarded.

Liaodong, Liaodong! Although Meng Jiucheng is in Shandong, he has been paying attention to the changes in the situation in Liaodong, and has been vigorously developing the navy, which is to solve the problem of war horses through Liaodong, or trade, or raiding.

Although the strength of the army was not enough to conquer Liaodong, Meng Jiucheng had already sent a merchant envoy to Liaodong to test Kaiyu City.

Of course, if the navy develops rapidly, the combat power of the army can increase quickly, and Meng Jiucheng is not afraid to take advantage of the chaos in Liaodong to intervene.

Meng Jiucheng stayed in Laiwu for three days, contacting Huo Yi on the one hand, and paying attention to the movements of the Jin army in Zizhou on the other.

With the easy capture of Laiwu, there is almost no need to worry about the reinforcements of the Zizhou Jin army. However, the Zizhou Jin army did not know that Laiwu had fallen, but still carried out reinforcements and dispatched 2,000 flower hat troops.

Two thousand cavalry can be called elite, enough to defeat the rebel army several times its size. The Flower Hat Army faced the deep trenches of the Red Turban Army and the fierce artillery fire.

Although the cavalry is powerful, the Red Turban Army does not fight with you in the field, and only sets up fortifications on roads, mountain passes, woods and other places that are not suitable for war horses to gallop.

When the cavalry turned into infantry and attacked the fortified positions, the Red Turban Army used hierarchical firepower to inflict heavy casualties on the Jin Army.

Meteor cannon - seven or eight hundred meters; Flying Thunder Cannon - more than 200 meters; Tiger squat cannon - within 100 meters; Coupled with the obstacles and blows of crossbow arrows, Wuhan Iron and Steel Vehicles, horse rejection, horse traps, thistles and other obstacles, the Flower Hat Army experienced a nightmare battle.

In Jingshanwa and Cuijiazhuang, north of Anqiu, a part of the Flower Hat Army had a battle with the Red Turban Army, and the Red Turban Army at that time also adopted the tactics of fortifying the village and attrition one by one.

But in the battle again, the Flower Hat Army found that the weapons and equipment of the Red Turban Army had been improved, the firepower was more fierce, and the damage brought was also greater.

When the battle lasted for three days one after another, and the casualties of his army exceeded 400, Guo Zhongyuan reluctantly chose to withdraw his troops.

As a famous general, Guo Zhongyuan did not fail to use strategies, deceitful and feints, side detours, etc. But the Red Turban Army is firmly guarding the main roads and passes, neither fighting nor pursuing.

If he was ruthless, regardless of the cost of casualties, Guo Zhongyuan felt that he could break through and occupy one or two enemy camps. But the thought of the casualties to be paid made him dismiss this thought.

After all, in the process of consuming all the troops in this continuous attack and advance, even if they reach Laiwu, how many thousand cavalry are left? At the end of the strong crossbow, what role does it play in relieving Laiwu?

"This kind of turtle-like play is really a headache. The Red Turban Army is a group of damn squirrels. Zhang Hui gently slapped his leather boots with a horsewhip, still resentful of the withdrawal of troops and their return.

Guo Zhongyuan glanced at Li Ting unhappily and reprimanded: "The enemy is very smart, and riding the enemy on foot is already the best tactic." ”

After a pause, Guo Zhongyuan sighed and said in a deep voice: "The Red Turban Army is more powerful than before, and if you rely on it, I can't think of a way to win." Unless you don't count casualties, you fight with human lives. ”

"If this is the case, even if our army breaks through the resistance and enters the city of Laiwu, the exhausted division will be attacked by more enemies." Guo Zhongyuan shook his head and said the bitterness of withdrawing troops.

Only then did Zhang Hui understand why the master gave up halfway, and after thinking about it seriously, it was indeed the case.

Cavalry becomes infantry, and it is originally a matter of giving up the long and the short. Risking artillery fire to attack the fortifications, inflicting losses in vain, and the suspicion of falling for the enemy's tricks.

"If there is a field war, the Red Turban Army is not to be afraid." Zhang Hui said forcefully: "Sooner or later, they will know how powerful our Flower Hat Army is." ”

Guo Zhongyuan smiled bitterly, not optimistic about this.

Although the cavalry was superior in the field battle, the artillery of the Red Turban Army was still a big threat. And judging from the battle with the Red Turban Army, the opponent is very cautious in the use of troops, and it may not be so easy to give full play to the strengths of the cavalry.

"General, let's just go back and wait for the Red Turban Army to come and attack?" Zhang Hui was still a little unwilling.

Guo Zhongyuan shook his head and said, "Return to Zizhou, dispatch most of the troops, and storm Li Quan." ”

Attack Li Quan? Ignore the Red Turban Army? Zhang Hui was a little puzzled and looked at Guo Zhongyuan suspiciously.

Guo Zhongyuan sneered and said: "The Red Turban Army will attack Laiwu, and may also attack Tai'an; Then, they will attack Zizhou with Li Quannan in the north and south. Let's take advantage of the future of the Red Turban Army to attack Li Quan first and break its strategy of attacking. ”

Zhang Hui suddenly nodded again and again.

It was a headache for the Red Turban Army, and if it was to attack other rebels, Zhang Hui felt that it would be easier.

Since the Flower Hat Army entered Shandong, it first broke Yang An'er, then defeated Li Quan, and then defeated Liu Erzu, with good achievements and suppressed the Yellow Crane Sleeve Army.

Guo Zhongyuan is also called "Guo Daxianggong", and Guo Alin can only be condescended to "Guo Xiaoxianggong".

Now, Guo Alin's Yellow Crane Army is about to participate in the battle against Hao Ding, and the meritorious service is certain; If Guo Zhongyuan didn't show some merits, he would be defeated by the Red Turban Army and Li Quan, and the status and reputation of the two armies or the two would probably be easy to win.

Guo Zhongyuan made such a choice, I am afraid that even Meng Jiucheng did not expect it, and he also hoped that Li Quan would be able to contain the Flower Hat Army!

After getting the news from Huo Yi's department, he also knew that the Jin army of Zizhou had retreated, and Meng Jiucheng left a group of men and horses to guard Laiwu, and asked Yan Tong to assist Wang Min to ensure that he had no worries.

Subsequently, Meng Jiucheng led a mixed army of 6,000 infantry and artillery to the west and attacked Tai'an with Huo Yi.

Two days later, the two armies met under the city of Tai'an, with a total strength of more than 30,000.

Although Huo Yi's organizational skills are very strong, the way he and Liu Erzu lead, as well as the way the rebel army is formed, have not changed much.

Shi Si, Shi Qing, Xia Quan and other leaders of the rebel army that Meng Jiucheng did not like were attached to Huo Yi, and Peng Yibin became the second person under Huo Yi.

Although Huo Yi inherited the Tai'an Red Jacket Army, the men and horses grew stronger. But Meng Jiucheng still has a traditional attitude and does not appreciate this organizational model.

I'd rather meet a god opponent than a pig teammate.

When Liu Erzu was defeated by the Jin army, the drawbacks of this model were already shown.

When you win, you rush up, when you lose, you scatter and flee, or even if you suffer a little more casualties, you may avoid the battle and let you be stabbed in the back.

In the case of a group like the Red Turbans, there is no question of preserving strength at all. Because the generals are concerned about how to complete the task better, so as to be rewarded for their exploits, or not to be punished for defeat.

But in that era, or for a long period of time, the number of people was the measure of strength for many people.

Although Meng Jiucheng has always fought with superior troops, he has also paid attention to training, the army's weapons and equipment, logistics support, and the treatment of military dependents.

The other rebels were a lot worse, and if they were strong and had weapons in their hands, they were soldiers. The forces thus formed are called rabble, and they are not divided.

Even more fatal was the quality of the leaders of the rebels, who did not consider their troops to be a rabble. With thousands or tens of thousands of horses, they became arrogant, attacking states and plundering counties at every turn, fighting in array with the Jin army, and even having an addiction to being an emperor.

According to Meng Jiucheng's words, he just has no self-knowledge, he doesn't know how many bowls of dry rice he eats, and he doesn't know what his surname is.

With the combat power of the Jin army, how could the peasants who put down their hoes and pick up their knives and guns face the battle head-on?

If you can't hit it head-on, just go into the mountains and forests, and you can dodge flexibly! The Jin army's strength is insufficient, so you let him occupy the state and county, and when his troops are scattered, then take the opportunity to gather and break them one by one!

Even if you don't have the weapons and equipment to attack and break through the city like the Red Turban Army, if you use this style of play, it will be enough for the Jin Army to be exhausted.

Despite all kinds of slander and dissatisfaction, Meng Jiucheng personally led his troops to Tai'an City on schedule and met with Huo Yi, Peng Yibin and other leaders of the rebel army.

Unconsciously, the Red Turban Army has become the most powerful rebel army in Shandong. According to most of the land of Shandong East Road, the soldiers are full of food and food, and they have won many battles.

Therefore, although Meng Jiucheng is too young and has always been very low-key, and he has not made any domineering moves, Huo Yi and others dare not look down on him.

It is an immutable truth that value needs to be decided.

This time the Red Turban Army was invited to participate in the war, and Huo Yi and others wanted to rely on the Red Turban Army's ability to attack fortifications and recapture the prefectures and counties in the area of Tai'an, the old base area.

Therefore, as soon as Meng Jiucheng arrived at the city of Tai'an, Huo Yi served a wine to entertain him, and other leaders of the rebel army also called to accompany him.

Although the Red Turban Army was late and Meng Jiucheng was the last to arrive, it captured Laiwu and rejected the Zizhou Jin Army in the north. Calculated up, this speed has exceeded the expectations of Huo Yi and others.

"The defenders of Laiwu abandoned the city and fled, and it was not too difficult for our army to occupy it." Meng Jiucheng expressed humility in Huo Yi's praise, "The Jin Army of Zizhou, I don't want to pay too many casualties, I heard that Laiwu was broken, so I knew the opportunity to retreat, and I didn't go through any hard fighting." ”

Peng Yibin and Meng Jiucheng have fought together several times, and they have the best relationship, and they also understand some of Meng Jiucheng's temperament, so they smiled and said: "Meng Shuai is modest." Which rebel army it is, I'm afraid it will be very difficult to complete such a task. This time to attack Tai'an, you still have to rely on the divine power of your army! ”

Meng Jiucheng smiled and said, "Brother Peng said that it was a bit too much to rely on. Since our army came, it naturally obeyed the order, fully cooperated, and took Tai'an as soon as possible. ”

Huo Yi nodded and said, "It's inevitable as soon as possible." Taking advantage of Jin Jun's care, this is a good opportunity. Take Tai'an, divide the troops in all directions, and there will be no one. Around Jinan, even Jinan, you can also try to capture it. ”

Meng Jiucheng smiled silently, but in his heart he didn't think so.

If he is replaced, it will be based on the mountainous situation in Tai'an, focusing on Mount Tai in the north, Culai Mountain in the middle, and Lotus Mountain in the east.

Tai'an City can be guarded, and if it can't be kept, it will be abandoned. Most of the supplies, grain and grass were also transported into the mountainous areas, and they were not hoarded in the city, and even if they were abandoned, the loss would not be large.

In fact, the weakness of the Jin army has become more obvious, and it can concentrate its forces to strike at the group's rebel army. However, due to the lack of stamina and troops, it is difficult for military operations to last, and defending places is also a burden.

As long as you avoid the attack of the main force of the Jin army, so that the men and horses of the headquarters do not suffer heavy losses, and when the Jin army is tired, you can try to recover again, or launch a counterattack.

This situation is very similar to the situation behind enemy lines during the Anti-Japanese War, when the Japanese army lacked mobile troops, so they could only borrow men and horses from everywhere, keep a minimum number of defenders in large and medium-sized towns, and then carry out a sweep like a gust of wind against the Japanese forces.

The anti-Japanese armed forces, on the other hand, mostly adopted the tactics of delaying, evading, and attrition to avoid engaging the enemy head-on, and used various means of attack and harassment to wear down the enemy. When the devil's food is exhausted, he naturally retreats to rest.

Of course, similar is not the same. The method of dealing with the Jin army cannot be copied and copied, but the principle should remain the same. That is, try to save yourself and consume the enemy.

But listening to Huo Yi's arrangement, Meng Jiucheng could not be satisfied. But he can't say it clearly, they belong to two families, and they don't point fingers, this is the bottom line.

"Who is the Jin Army guard in Tai'an City? How many troops are there? Meng Jiucheng cautiously asked about the enemy situation during the banquet.

Huo Yi said: "The guard will be the general of Anzhen, and the strength is 5,000. ”

After a pause, Huo Yi continued: "This is the guy who finally broke through the big moke and caused Liu Shuai to die heroically." Although there are many defenders in Tai'an, most of them are newly recruited generals, and the military spirit is not stable. ”

Newly recruited? As soon as Meng Jiucheng thought about it, he knew that it was the Red Jacket Army under Liu Erzu, and he was also Huo Yi's subordinate.

In this way, the defenders are indeed unstable. It was not unusual for people to rebel again at that time.

If the situation is critical, the rebellion may come sooner.

"Meng Shuai-" Peng Yibin turned to Meng Jiucheng and said, "Over there in Yizhou, I still need you to take care of it." If the Jin army attacks in a big way, our army is estimated to be unable to resist. ”

Meng Jiucheng nodded and said, "Brother Peng, don't worry, junior brother will do his best to help." In addition, I have something I want to say, I hope Brother Peng doesn't mind. ”

"So outside?" Peng Yibin said with a smile: "Meng Shuai, please speak." ”

Meng Jiucheng smiled and said: "Yizhou is centered on the Yi and Shuhe rivers, surrounded by mountains in the west, north and east, and the mountains and hills account for sixty percent of the total area of the state. In my opinion, the cavalry of the Jin army is the most guarded against, and if the infantry is against the infantry, the rebels have a numerical advantage, and they still have to fight. ”

"So, I think we can not list the state city as a must-defend place." Meng Jiucheng paused and continued: "It's also best not to concentrate your forces and engage in a dignified battle with the Jin army. As long as the centaurs are not severely damaged, although the city may be lost, it is also a matter of re-emergence very quickly. ”

Peng Yibin lowered his head in contemplation and did not speak immediately.

Huo Yi blinked, seemed thoughtful, and did not express an opinion.

In fact, Meng Jiucheng seemed to be talking to Peng Yibin, but he also wanted Huo Yi to be touched and not make the mistakes of defeat in history. Or you can hold on for a longer time and consume more of the strength of the Jin Army.

If the land is lost, the people and the land are lost; If you lose land, you will save people, and people and land will survive. This sentence was slightly changed by Meng Jiu, and he did not say it as such.

Of course, Meng Jiucheng considered the equipment, combat strength and other comprehensive factors of the other rebel armies. For the Red Turban Army, defense is a strong point, and it will not easily adopt the tactics of losing ground and saving people.