A month after the victorious reconquest of the imperial capital, the world-famous Zhenjiang Army began a new operation.

A small number of troops continued to stay in the city, preparing to change the defense with the imperial army; The Third, Fourth, and Seventh Armies marched westward and returned to the west to recuperate; The 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, and 8th armies marched eastward, joined up with the Ninth Army, which had seized Tongguan one step ahead of schedule, and exited the pass to quell the rebellion.

300,000 elite soldiers and strong generals, holding the eagle banner of the Zhenjiang Army and the handsome banner of the Dadu Protector, appeared on the battlefield of the Central Plains with high morale.

Their first target was Lushi County, located 300 miles southeast of Tongguan.

In that place, a battalion of rebels was stationed.

As a vanguard assault force, the First Army of the Wind took the initiative to invite Ying to attack the Lu family, hoping to make a good start for the whole army.

However, what everyone didn't expect was that the first army, which was rushing forward, actually pounced in Lushi County. The more than 1,000 rebels who originally occupied the Lu clan actually rushed ahead of the first army and slipped away early. Unable to succeed in the surprise attack, the vanguard troops were very unwilling, so they continued to rush to Luanchuan County, two hundred miles away.

It's a pity that they were busy again in vain.

The 3,000 enemies entrenched in Luanchuan also withdrew first, and they were still the county seat that left half an hour before the arrival of the First Army.

The rebels are planning to shrink and retreat!

Sensing that the situation was wrong, the vanguard commander with rich combat experience immediately ordered his troops to stop blindly pursuing and defend on the spot. At the same time, report the situation to Xu Shuai.

Xu Youchang was on his way to Lu at this time, and received a military report from the front, he also thought that the rebels' actions were very strange, so while asking the marching team to be vigilant, he turned his horse's head and went to Li Jiangyao to discuss.

At this time, the main force of Daduhu had just left Tongguan, and seeing Xu Youchang coming in a hurry, Li Jiangyao ordered the commander's battalion to stop and rest, and he found a flat place on the side of the road to study the enemy situation with Xu Youchang and other generals.

"My lord, Bao Yuchun is playing a routine with us." Xu Youchang took off his heavy helmet and said with a smile: "Deliberately retreating, it looks like it is trying to lure the enemy deeper, and then it makes us suspicious and dare not move forward easily." ”

Du Jian frowned: "Is that luring the enemy to go deeper?" ”

Xu Youchang waved his hand: "Lao Du, it's not important. The important thing is that Bao Yuchun didn't spend a single soldier, and he just played us with simple actions, so that we could start walking at his pace. This is a psychological warfare technique, once the succession is successful, the opponent will slowly enter a habitual thinking, becoming more and more passive. ”

Du Jian realized: "I understand." What do you mean is that if we react accordingly every time we follow Bao Yuchun's small movements, after a long time, we will form a fixed trajectory and be led by his nose everywhere, right? ”

"That's right, that's the truth." Xu Youchang smiled bitterly: "Lao Bao is an expert in this kind of tactics, and he is very famous in Yanwutang. ”

Du Jian scratched his head and asked, "Then why don't we follow his coming, why don't we just chase him up and beat him up?" ”

Xu Youchang replied helplessly: "But if he is false and real, he really lays an ambush circle, and does something to lure the enemy in, won't we fall for the trick?" ”

Seeing that Li Jiangyao hadn't spoken, Du Jian couldn't help but be curious: "Boss, what are you thinking?" ”

Li Jiangyao didn't answer him, but turned to the side and asked, "Where is Bao Yuchun now?" Did you get the information? ”

Yudra, who was squatting on the side, hurriedly responded: "According to the secret agent, I saw him in Nanyang five days ago, and then ...... I can't be sure, I'm still waiting for a new report. ”

"Nanyang?" Li Jiangyao pondered for a moment and muttered: "Bao Yuchun is a veteran of war, and he will never sit in Nanyang in a daze at this time, but move around and catch our flaws at any time." ”

He raised his head and asked everyone: "Our agreement with the Vermilion Bird Legion is to meet in Nanzhao County, north of Nanyang, you say, will he know about this plan in advance?" ”

"That's for sure," Xiong Yunjie said without hesitation: "The Eastern Capital Imperial Court has long been fully infiltrated by the rebels, and now it is about to become a sieve, and there are no secrets to speak of. ”

Dong Tianxing nodded embarrassedly: "Indeed, as General Xiong said, Lao Jianhua's eyeliner is too much, and it is very likely that our plan will be leaked out." ”

Li Jiangyao smiled: "Well, if Bao Yuchun knows that we are going to meet in Nanzhao County, and then go to kill him together, how will he deal with it?" ”

The commander of the Sixth Army, Jigriz, tried to say: "There are three options. First, defend Nanyang to the death and engage in a large-scale battle with our army. However, according to the adults, the surname Bao is very clever and definitely does not want to do this. Second, before we rushed forward, they retreated in full force and hid further south. Although this can avoid our edge, it is too passive, and it is not the work of a famous general. Thirdly, as Daido just said, the mobile wandering tactic, choose one of us or the Suzaku Legion, try to inflict heavy damage, and then turn around to deal with the other. ”

Xiong Yunjie continued: "From Luanchuan County to Nanzhao County, the terrain along the way is complicated, there are tributaries of the Baihe River in the east, and vast mountains in the west, whether it is to transport troops or hide troops, it is very convenient. I estimate that Bao Yuchun will probably have to do something here. ”

Hearing this, Li Jiangyao nodded with satisfaction.

After several years of fighting, Western Xinjiang not only forged a brave and warlike army, but also cultivated a large number of outstanding young generals, among whom Jigriz and Xiong Yunjie are representatives. Looking at the analysis of the two, it is not difficult to know that they are no longer the rude men who only know how to fight in battle, but have become qualified commanders who are good at using their brains and thinking clearly.

"You're right." Li Jiangyao said: "Since it is clear that Bao Yuchun is likely to be on the front line of Luanchuan Nanzhao to make ghosts and monsters, do we still have to follow his wishes?" ”

Xu Youchang smiled: "You mean, find another way to surprise Lao Bao?" ”

Li Jiangyao laughed: "Those who know me, friends are also." You look at the map, as soon as the army leaves Luanchuan County, the southeast direction is directly Laojun Mountain, Baiyun Mountain and Erlong Mountain, after walking dozens of miles of mountain roads, out of the mountain pass, followed by the White River. This terrain is really beneficial to Bao Yuchun, unless I am crazy, I will follow his wishes. My idea is that when the army arrives in Luanchuan County, it will all stop, creating a false impression of hesitation on the other side. ”

Xu Youchang immediately understood what the good brother meant: "Are you trying to drag Lao Bao and then force him to find trouble with Ma Hongjie?" ”

"It's not to force him, but to take advantage of the situation." Li Jiangyao smiled: "Let Bao Yuchun think that he has succeeded in scaring us, just wave his army north, first give the Vermilion Bird Legion a hard blow, and then calmly come back and continue to deal with us." ”

Dong Tianxing hesitated: "This ...... Doesn't it mean that Ma Hongjie was trapped? ”

Li Jiangyao patted the old man on the shoulder: "Look at what you said, am I that kind of person?" You, Lord Dong, inform Lao Ma of my plan, and they will cooperate to prevent the rebels from getting the slightest advantage. ”

Xu Youchang bowed slightly: "That's right." The Vermilion Bird Legion only needs to play the role of diverting the tiger from the mountain, while we act secretly, detouring from Laojun Mountain to Xixia County in the south, and then advancing quickly to Dengzhou. It is located in the south of Nanyang, which is the rear of Bao Yuchun, once lost, it is equivalent to being cut off from Xiangcheng! ”

"Let's just say you're a roundworm in my stomach, that's exactly what I planned." Li Jiangyao said with a smile: "However, such a large range of detours is interspersed, and the road is at least more than 500 miles, and half of it is a rugged mountain road, which is not easy to walk. ”

Du Jian added: "We have to try to avoid the eyes of the enemy scouts. Bao Yuchun is a famous general of the Holy Tang Dynasty, and the ability of his spies is probably no worse than our Pegasus scout battalion. Once they are allowed to sniff out any wind and grass, it is difficult to run long distances. ”

Li Jiangyao's gaze fell on a person: "Lao Du is right, sneaking and running for a long distance must be foolproof. So, this mission is only for you. ”

The object of his speech was Duan Jun, the commander of the Ninth Army.

The Ninth Army of the Wild Sands, like the Fourth Army of Montenegro, was a pure light cavalry corps. This unit moves quickly, comes and goes, and is best at carrying out long-range raids, specifically striking enemy rear. Some time ago, they captured Tongguan and made great contributions.

Seeing that Dadu Hu was named, Duan Jun suddenly got up and said loudly: "Don't worry, my lord, our army will go all out to ensure the completion of the task!" ”

Li Jiangyao beckoned him to sit down, and carefully instructed: "Du Jian just said that Bao Yuchun's scouts are no worse than the Zhenjiang Pegasus scouts, which is not an exaggeration. When Xu Shuai and I were studying in the Imperial Capital Yanwutang, the course 'Enemy Exploration and Reconnaissance' was compiled by Lao Bao. Among them, he is a well-deserved connoisseur. You have to be prepared to avoid each other's eyeliner completely, and don't let people know through it as soon as you go out. ”

Duan Jun nodded solemnly: "My lord, I have remembered your words!" I am a veteran of the Pegasus Scout Battalion, and when you were a lieutenant, I followed you all over the Western Frontier. I have some experience in how to confuse and evade enemy detection, and I will take it seriously. ”

Li Jiangyao, the old subordinate of the Pegasus Scout, really didn't say big things. After analyzing the enemy situation in detail, Duan Jun put forward a new proposal: the Ninth Army did not follow the main force to Luanchuan County, but turned south before reaching Lushi County, and interspersed Xixia County along the Shangyu Mountain.

In this way, although it will take an extra 200 miles of detour, it can avoid Bao Yuchun's scout investigation to the greatest extent.

Moreover, the road of Shangyu Mountain is more difficult to walk than that of Laojun Mountain, which is completely unfavorable for the march of a large cavalry army, so Bao Yuchun would never have imagined that the light cavalry of the Zhenjiang Army would go around behind him from this direction.