Tang has been paying attention to the situation in the Central Plains and waiting for variables to emerge.

When Murong Ke died, someone proposed to send troops, but at that time they were not ready for war and had to let go of this opportunity.

Chen Xiu said: "Actually, this is not a particularly good opportunity, although Murong Ke is dead, the strength of the Yan Kingdom is still there, and our dispatch of troops at this time will only make them put aside the fight and unite with the outside world." ”

"The real opportunity is the Huanwen Northern Expedition, he has been preparing for so many years, and the next time he sends troops, even if it is not the strength of the country, it will not be much worse."

"At that time, not only will the Yan State fall into chaos, but the Qin State may also be implicated. The three-country melee is a good time for us to intervene. ”

Will Huan Wen continue the Northern Expedition? Anyone with a little insight knows the answer, it's just a matter of time or time, and it's not hard to guess.

Liu Meng said: "I speculate that he can't wait to send troops as soon as the two-year period arrives." ”

He Fangdao: "In other words, we still have about a year and a half to prepare. ”

Wen Yi said: "That's enough, the Wei Wei Division always pays attention to Huan Wen's movements, and all departments begin to prepare for the war." ”

Then the whole country was mobilized, and the expansion of the army was indispensable, and another 100,000 people were recruited, and the total number of troops in the Tang State exceeded 400,000.

Then there is the material reserve, and countless large warehouses have been built on Penglai (Kyushu) Island to stock up on logistics materials such as grain, grass, and clothing.

The mules and horses were transferred in batches, and a large number of muskets, cannons, etc. were also transferred there, and it can be said that Penglai Island has completely become a large military base.

Half a year later, they began to make all kinds of canned food in batches, and they were loaded and shipped to Penglai for hoarding as soon as they came off the production line.

In short, the machine of the Tang State was in full swing, and its production capacity crushed the sum of the countries on the mainland, and it hoarded enough materials for the 300,000 army to use for more than half a year.

Don't think it's less, the main thing is that the standards of the Tang Kingdom are very high. Taking food as an example, in non-wartime situations, it is necessary to ensure that there is meat for three meals a day.

Of course, there are usually fewer beef and mutton based on fish, after all, do you eat the sea by the sea?

In wartime, food rations were even higher, with a pound of canned meat and a box per person per meal. There is also a nutritional powder made from a mixture of milk powder and sesame powder, which can be drunk by shaking it in a kettle.

This alone can compare all the countries on the earth at this time, not to mention ordinary soldiers, and the living conditions of the ordinary small landlord class are not so good.

If the standard is lowered, they will have enough reserves for two or three years.

Moreover, they have stockpiled so many materials that they have not had much impact on the lives of the people in the country.

At most, the state will buy cattle, sheep, pigs and other livestock at a high price this year, and we can make more money.

At the same time, a large supply depot was built on Tamna Island, and a brigade of soldiers was stationed.

It scared Baekje a lot, and thought that Tang Guo was going to attack them. It was only later that he saw that Tang Guo had no other actions, so he relaxed a little.

They also found a remote island in the Zhoushan Islands and the Changshan Islands, and built camps and warehouses on them.

Thanks to the fact that people of this era did not attach importance to sea power, their actions were not discovered.

When the news of Huan Wen's dispatch of troops came, Wen Yi immediately held a combat meeting.

Looking at the people who were generally in a state of excitement, Wen Yi smiled and said, "It seems that everyone is looking forward to this day." ”

Chai Ben said: "That's ...... I can't wait. ”

Everyone expressed their stance to fight.

After the joke, Wen Yi Zhengse said: "The latest information, Huan Wen unsurprisingly used the armies of Shudi, Jingzhou, Jiangzhou, Xuzhou, and Yuzhou for the Northern Expedition, and most of the Jin Kingdom's family background." ”

And they all sat upright, listening to him.

"You might as well think about how this battle should be fought, and how Yan and Qin will deal with it."

Hearing this, everyone fell into deep thought, especially several generals of the military who were even more serious.

After waiting for about a cup of tea, Liu Meng got up and came to the sand table and said: "Huan Wen's army is strong in the water division, and this battle will inevitably rely on the waterway to advance, so his marching route can be basically determined." ”

"First hit the lake and land, then take Jinxiang, and take the clear water into the Yellow River. As long as this line is opened, he can fully grasp the initiative in the war. ”

"And it can also pass through the tributaries on the north bank of the Yellow River and go deep into the heart of the Yan Kingdom...... As long as he doesn't rush forward, he can be said to be invincible. ”

"Unless Yan Guo can form a naval division and drive the Huan Wen army ashore, it can only be passively defended."

Li Zhong added: "But the waterway leading to the Yellow River in Jinxiang is narrow and often dries up, so it is better to send troops to take the Shimen Thoroughfare for the sake of insurance." ”

"In this way, even if the Qingshui River in Jinxiang dries up, grain and grass can be transported from here."

Lin Xingzhu said: "I agree with what the two said, and when the waterway to the Yellow River is opened, the Huan Wen army will be able to grasp the initiative on the battlefield." ”

"But the next offensive target is very important, although there are many points that can be attacked, but if it is I, I will go straight to Yecheng. If this can be conquered, the Northern Expedition will be half of the cause. ”

Lu Yan said: "I also think that it is best to raid Yecheng and fight quickly. ”

In addition, several generals also supported the surprise attack on Yecheng, but Yecheng was too close to the Yellow River, and it was enough to walk more than 100 places ashore.

Liu Meng denied it: "It's not proper, there is also a military town between Yecheng and the Yellow River, Fangtou, and with it, the sailors of the Jin Kingdom in the middle will not be able to pass." ”

"If you go straight to Yecheng, you can only take the land route, but the Jin army lacks cavalry, and the strongest cavalry in the Yan State is precisely the cavalry."

"And the walls of Yecheng are strong, and Huan Wen is difficult to attack in a short time without artillery, and it will definitely fall into a confrontation."

"At that time, as long as the Yan army harasses the supply lines of the Jin army with superior cavalry, it will be able to drag them to death."

"Taking the land route is tantamount to striking a long shot with a short blow, but it is the way to death. I believe that Huan Wen will definitely not do this, but choose to fight the Yan army in Fangtou. ”

Although Wen Yi did not express his position, he had the same opinion as Liu Meng in his heart. The surprise attack on Yecheng looked very good, but it was actually no different from Wei Yan's Meridian Valley conspiracy.

He Fang also supported: "I also thought that Huan Wen would put the decisive battle on the head, but the outcome was unpredictable. Although Huan Wen has a strong army, the Yan Kingdom should not be underestimated. ”

"Although Murong Ping is mediocre in politics, he is also a general with great achievements, and he will inevitably gather the strength of the whole country to resist.

"With a handsome talent like Murong Chui here, it's not easy for Huan Wen to get a bargain."

"And Qin Guofu Jian and Wang Meng are both eloquent and strategic people, they will not sit idly by, and will inevitably send reinforcements."

"If Huan Wen wants to win, he can only defeat the main force of the Yan army before the Qin army arrives, otherwise when the Qin army arrives, his chances of winning are slim."

"But he has the advantage of being a sailor, as long as he doesn't advance lightly, he can still withdraw if he can't win."

Everyone looked at the map and deduced the situation on the battlefield, and felt more and more that what they said made sense, and the key to this battle was whether Huan Wen could quickly break through the Fangtou defense line.

At this time, Wu Heng, who rarely spoke, opened his mouth to say a problem that no one noticed:

"Have you ever thought that the dry season of the Yellow River is from May to July and from December to February every year?"