In the Confucius Temple in Mangdang Mountain, Zhou Qingzheng convened all the leaders to discuss the matter of attacking Xiao County and seizing materials.

Although Mangdang Mountain is not high, but the strategic position is very important, as the only mountain range on the East Henan Plain, the Hu people look down on it, but it is the best hiding place for the rebel army, and it is more convenient to attack the surrounding county towns from all sides.

The rebel army under Zhou Qing has grown to seven or eight thousand people, especially Yao Liu, who came from Huaidong, bringing nearly three thousand people.

Zhou Qing didn't know why Yao Liu would bring so many people to defect to Sun Zhengyi, and it was not without suspicion, but they had been together for so long, and they had been born and died together several times, if it was really a spy of the Hu people, Zhou Qing would have been destroyed a long time ago, and slowly regarded Yao Liu as a real brother.

"Brother Yao, there are more than 30,000 Hu cavalry in Xuzhou City, and more than 20,000 foot soldiers, let's go to Xiao County, which is very close to Xuzhou, if one is not good, you will be trapped and die in Xiao County, I think it is still too risky, it is better to go to Yongcheng in Huaidong, where is Sun Zhengyi's territory, there is no cavalry, the defenders are only three or two thousand, even if Sun Zhengyi's army comes, we will have time to retreat to Mangdang Mountain."

Yao Liu said with a smile: "Yongcheng has few people, but there are few people and materials, which is not enough for our nearly 10,000 people to eat, we are all Han people, so we can't rob our compatriots!" Xuzhou is the most important hub of Jingdong Road, I have inquired, Xiao County's materials are not Yongcheng can be compared, as long as it is successful, it is enough for us to use it for several years. Great Commander, you have a lot of brothers in Xuzhou City, as long as the news is timely, it shouldn't be a big problem. What's more, there is still an internal response in Xiao County, let's solve it quickly. ”

Zhou Qing frowned and said: "The Hu people's eagle hunters are very active in Jingdong Road, and it is said that many Han people have joined in as traitors, resulting in the recent loss of many brothers. Mangdang Mountain to Xiao County more than 100 miles, our army is easy to be found, once the cavalry of Xuzhou comes out, it is likely to be intercepted and killed on the road, or wait and see, it is said that Pu Jinzhong of Yangzhou has an attempt to attack the north, and the cavalry of Xuzhou will move, and then there will be a big certainty. Let's insist on it in Mangdang Mountain. ”

Seeing that Zhou Qing still disagreed, Yao Liu lowered his head and thought for a while, before he said to the other commanders present with a serious face: "I have some confidential matters that need to be reported to the Grand Commander separately, you should avoid them first." ”

Yao Liu is the second master, with outstanding military achievements and high prestige, and seeing that Zhou Qing has no intention of objecting, he went out obediently, and there are only two Zhou Yao left in the temple, the temple is big and empty, and he is not afraid of someone eavesdropping.

"Grand Commander, let me say in advance, my real name is Yao Dingshan, I am the deputy commander of the Zhenfu Division Huaidong under King Yan, the Grand Commander LinkedIn is heroic, quite strategic and brave, is a real anti-Hu hero, the upper echelons of the Zhenfu Division's Enemy Intelligence Division are extremely valued, specially sent me over to contact the Grand Commander, and I hope that the Grand Commander will not be surprised if I conceal it."

Zhou Qing was silent for a moment and said: "Today, His Royal Highness King Yan is the leader of the world who really expels the Tartars, and it is my honor for Zhou Qing to be valued by King Yan." I also know the decree of King Yan, it is indeed the greatest and last hope of our Han people, and I also know and love our Han people the most, everyone can rest assured that I admire and admire His Royal Highness King Yan very much in my heart. Since Brother Yao has explained his identity today, I understand that I, Zhou Qing and thousands of my brothers, are willing to serve His Highness. Brother Yao, we've been together for so long, you know I'm not a liar. ”

Yao Dingshan relaxed and said with a smile: "If I didn't understand this, I wouldn't say these words today, Yanwangfu has a military order, appointing the commander as the deputy commander of the Xinyang Army, the commander of the Xuzhou regiment and battalion, and I am the deputy commander, and a large number of ordnance, grain and grass soldiers will come from Yongcheng in Suzhou, and the Xuzhou regimental camp will be rapidly expanded to more than 20,000 people." Commander Zhou, our Xuzhou regimental battalion has a heavy responsibility and will play an extremely important role in the near future, and I hope that the commander will not live up to His Highness's trust. ”

Zhou Qing was overjoyed, but said suspiciously: "With such a big move, I'm afraid Son Zhengyi will make a move!" Could it be that he just watched the Xuzhou regimental camp grow so strong and threaten him? ”

At this time, Yao Dingshan's face became solemn and said: "Commander, now you are also the general of the first army fighting independently, I have obtained the consent of the two commanders of the Enemy Intelligence Division of the Zhenfu Division, and some top-secret things can now be told to the commander, but there are some things that have to be said in the front, and the things I said later can no longer be known to others except you and me, because the impact is significant, if it is leaked, it will have very serious consequences against Hu Daye, and it is even possible to lead to a major defeat, and the Zhenfu Division has special means to prevent it, I hope the commander understands. ”

Zhou Qing also became nervous and nodded hurriedly.

"At the end of this year, Chief Hu Li Chongshan will lead a large army south to Kaifeng and concentrate the main force to deal with King Yan. And General Sun Zhengyi's true identity is the commander of the Xinyang Military Capital and the champion general who was personally canonized by His Royal Highness, and he is the secret son of His Highness who has been planning for several years, ready to strike a fatal blow to Li Chongshan at a critical time and completely recover the Central Plains and Han land south of the Yellow River, so General Sun Zhengyi cannot be exposed now. But it is necessary to let the enemy of Jingdong Road know that there is a powerful rebel army of ours, and disperse the enemy's military strength, not only to reduce the frontal pressure on His Highness in the west, but also to focus on us, and the heart of guard against General Sun Zhengyi will decline, and at a critical time, the Xinyang army will make every effort to solve the main force of Jingdong Road at one time, attack Li Chongshan from the east, and drive the Hu people across the Yellow River. This is also the real reason why I have insisted on attacking Xiao County, which is close to Xuzhou. ”

Zhou Qing was shocked at first, and then his face was flushed with excitement, and he clenched his fists and said excitedly: "I see, Your Highness is really a great hero who is not born in the world, and he is far-sighted, and the restoration of the Central Plains will be just around the corner." Long live His Royal Highness King Yan! ”

Yao Dingshan still said solemnly: "Don't be too happy too early for the commander, so that our pressure will be very great, and we will face nearly 100,000 people from all walks of life to encircle and suppress on all sides, and there is a possibility that the whole army will be wiped out at any time. ”

Zhou Qing calmed down, but still said firmly: "I still have a lot of old ones in the counties around Xuzhou, including Xuzhou City, which were originally used at a special time, of course, I don't need it now, the implementation of His Highness's strategy is the most important and urgent thing, I will immediately call them together, and then with the support of General Sun Zhengyi, we will fight a few big battles during this time, not focusing on one city and one place, guerrilla warfare around Xuzhou, threatening Xuzhou, Mangdang Mountain will be used as the last base and refuge place, and strengthen the defensive fortifications." Brother Yao, since His Royal Highness's decree came, the confidence of the Han people in Jingdong Road has been high, and before the end of the year, I am also confident that we will expand our Xuzhou regimental camp to more than 30,000, and then we will have the strength to cooperate with His Royal Highness and General Sun Zhengyi. ”

"It's good for the commander to have confidence, after the defeat of Xiao County, we will immediately go west to fight Yongcheng, and I will coordinate with General Sun Zhengyi, so that there will be a lot of maneuver space around Mangdang Mountain, and it can even pose a certain threat to Kaifeng Mansion, which can not only train the army, but also mobilize the enemy to achieve strategic goals."

The two clasped hands and laughed loudly, both full of confidence.

In June 245, Zhou Qing's righteous army raided Xiao County, seized a large number of materials, quickly evacuated and disappeared, Xuzhou was shaken, and when the army of Jingxi Road came out to encircle and suppress on all sides, Zhou Qing appeared on Huaidong Road again, and easily defeated Yongcheng County.

By August 245, according to the Eagle Hunter Guard, Zhou Qing's army had reached more than 30,000 people, and it moved to Pei County, north of Xuzhou.

Hachi was extremely furious, and mobilized 30,000 cavalry from Kaifeng Mansion to supervise the battle in Tianfu, demanding that Zhou Qing must be completely exterminated within 2 months.