Han Shizu

Chapter 691 The Soldier Without Fighting

Facing the gazes of the generals, Murong Yanzhao paused for a while, and said solemnly: "In recent days, this commander has collected discussions from all groups to determine the strategy of Huxiang, and now he has considered it.

The land of Hunan has been war-torn, dilapidated and weak.However, in order to fight against the imperial court, Zhou Xingfeng expanded his army and prepared for war. He was aggressive and had more than [-] troops under his command.It is really embarrassing to support it with the strength of Hunan.

In addition, there was a great famine in Hunan last year, and the food reserves were almost exhausted. Now Zhou Ni has not received new food, and the military supplies are in short supply. Almost even the combat rations have to be exhausted, and they have to buy from the Southern Tang Dynasty and the Puppet Liu.

Therefore, I decided to settle on Hunan, not seeking a quick battle, but a slow plan.In the stalemate, it was Zhou Ni who was in a hurry. According to the investigation of Wude and Military Intelligence, with the current situation in Hunan, Zhou Xingfeng would not be able to last for a month at all. By then, the Ni army would be defeated without a fight.

And within this month, we only need to be on guard, that is, Zhou Ni will fight against trapped beasts.At that time, you can drive straight in, go straight down to Lang and Tan, take all of Huxiang, and completely calm Jinghu! "

Originally, Murong Yanzhao's plan was to fight a battle at Sanjiangkou and strive to win the first battle before going down to Hunan.However, after learning about the reality of Hunan from the intelligence system, they changed their minds.

The only reason is that Zhou Xingfeng's preparations for the war in Hunan can be described as frenzied.With a current population of less than 9 households in Hunan, there are [-] troops gathered. Even if thousands of barbarians are removed, there are still some local troops behind to maintain the ruling order and the manpower needed to transport them.

And Zhou Xingfeng's [-] soldiers stationed at the front for combat also lacked all weapons and armor was scarce, and many of the strong men captured could only use primitive bamboo and wood as weapons.The only ones who really have a certain combat power are those who followed him and fought out in the civil war. After the expansion, the combat ability will inevitably decline.Furthermore, the intensity of the internal melee in Hunan was very low before. Even with less than [-] teeth soldiers as the backbone, it is still doubtful how well they can perform in the face of the strong soldiers in the Central Plains.

Leaving aside the comparison of military power, if the two groups add up, even if there are [-] pigs, it will take some effort to wipe out and catch them all.What made Murong Yanzhao most optimistic about the situation of the war was the dire situation in the inner counties of Hunan.

Against the backdrop of vigorous preparations for war, it is always the grassroots people who suffer and suffer. During the famine last year, Zhou Xingfeng was still their benefactor, but now he has become their enemy.In order to raise funds for military use, Zhou Xingfeng's military government expropriated and extorted violently. The people in Hunan have already complained, and there have been repeated incidents of resistance to conquest, which is also a bloody massacre.

Under Zhou Xingfeng's high-pressure policy, the few landlords and wealthy businessmen in Hunan also lost their blood.Under the circumstances that Zhou Xingfeng did not have the hearts of the scholars and the people, his rule over Hunan was already on the verge of crumbling.

Therefore, as long as Zhou Xingfeng failed to make progress in dealing with the imperial army, even a little bad news could cause the Chu army to collapse.As for its internal situation, it is conservatively estimated for a month. It is uncertain when it will be a big turmoil. The scholars and people of various states welcome Wang Shi to enter Hunan.

As a world-renowned general who is familiar with the art of war and understands strategic strategies, Murong Yanzhao has his own way of using troops, and it is also his pursuit to be able to defeat others without fighting.And Jing Nan's successful victory in advance also gave him more time, space and money to implement this strategy.

Observing the situation in Hunan, he even had a premonition that this southern expedition would eventually turn into a political issue to be resolved. As for the military struggle, it was secondary.

Of course, the primary issue before the imperial court was still the army armed by Zhou Xingfeng.It's just that Murong Yanzhao's plan to drag Zhou Xingfeng down is not so good for the generals and academies of the Han army who are enlisting.

Once the generals are successful, if there is no sacrifice of soldiers and fierce fighting, their achievements will also be discounted.

"Du Shuai, if it's as you said, then our southward trip will be just a march, and we won't fight any more!" Shi Yanchao was a little unhappy.

Among the senior generals of the Imperial Guard of the Han Dynasty, Shi Yanchao was the kind of militant, with a rough temper, a tough style, and a brave and brave fighter.This trip south, he also completed the achievement of rushing to Jiangling for a hundred miles, but under Cao Bin's persuasion, he did not fight, and was quite depressed.

Hearing his words, Murong Yanzhao showed a smile on the contrary, raised his finger and said emphatically: "The general's words are accurate, you can temporarily refrain from killing your heart, or treat this battle as a long-distance marching training! Since ancient times, there have been no outstanding fighters If we can win without fighting, why waste the lives of our soldiers? How can the generals have the heart to use the flesh and blood of our brothers to accumulate our merits?"

"When did the handsome man become so merciful!" Shi Yanchao became even more depressed when he heard it, and couldn't help saying: "I have thousands of cavalry going south, and I was supposed to cross Jinghu Lake, but so far, I haven't had a battle, I haven't made a move yet. One arrow. As the commander-in-chief said, if the fighting spirit is calmed down and the soldiers relax, if there is another change, how should we deal with it?"

"General Shi reminded me again!" Murong Yanzhao's expression became serious, he looked around, and said in a warning tone: "Slowing off the war or avoiding the war is not a truce. Under the overall strategy of the camp, all the soldiers The maintenance of morale still needs to be strengthened. If there is any slack, it will be dealt with by military law!"

After Murong Dushuai said this, the generals of the Han army present felt even more uncomfortable, but they all responded loudly to his stern eyes.In any case, the strict military laws of the Han army are never a joke, especially during the war.

"Commander, since Sanjiangkou needs support, Zhou Xingfeng is also there, if he transfers the cavalry army, the general is willing to help in the battle!" Shi Yanchao said with his eyes rolled.

"Sanjiangkou is densely covered with lakes and lakes, and the water veins are vertical and horizontal. It is a place for water warfare and infantry warfare. Can the cavalry fight on board, or can they fly across the rivers and lakes?" Murong Yanzhao asked rhetorically.

Shi Yanchao fell silent.Sun Li took the opportunity to say: "My little soldiers are all infantry!"

Seeing that the two men seemed to be entangled endlessly, Murong Yanzhao waved his hand forcefully, and said: "The deployment of troops, I have my own calculations, the generals don't need to say anything, just organize the army and prepare for war!"

He probably felt that he couldn't blindly suppress the fighting spirit of these generals. After thinking about it for a while, Murong Yanzhao said again: "The battle at the Sanjiangkou, I'm afraid there will be no results within three to five days. In comparison, The enemy of Lizhou can make plans!"

This remark aroused Shi Yanchao and others' desire to fight. Regardless of the quality and strength of the Liyang Chu army, there are still [-] people.However, before Shi Yanchao opened his mouth, Sun Li said: "I would like to lead the army to defeat the bandit army, break the siege of Liyang, capture and kill that Yang Shifan!"

Sun Li's consideration was also simple, meritorious service in combat was one reason, and avoiding Murong Yanzhao was also the reason.It's a pity that Murong Yanzhao was obviously reluctant to part with Sun Dujiang and wanted to keep him by his side.Looking directly at Shi Yanchao, he ordered: "The general can lead [-] riders across the river, join Li Yun's army of Public Security, and go south to break the siege of Liyang!"

"Yes!" Shi Yanchao glanced at Sun Li proudly, full of enthusiasm.

Being swept away by this look, Sun Li felt even more uncomfortable, his face was gloomy, dissatisfaction was almost written on his face.

A military meeting ended smoothly under Murong Yanzhao's strong auspices.Afterwards, the inside and outside of Jiangling became tense again. The Han army, which had been resting for a whole day, mobilized intensively. A large number of ships loaded with soldiers, food, and ordnance, under the protection of the navy, set off from Jiangling and went down the river until To Dongting Lake.

Although Murong Yanzhao has set the overall combat strategy, it does not mean conservative and passive. The development of the war should change with the times and adjust in time.The Sanjiangkou side is delaying, but for Liyang, it is planning to attack.If it can be broken, it can also make his strategy better implemented.The collapse of Hunan also required the active pressure of the Han army.

No matter how Murong Dushuai thinks about it, for the titan Shi Yanchao, he doesn't need to think too much.Having said so much, it's not like letting him attack, but since he was given the opportunity to attack, he had to seize it.

From the time the military order was received, the selection of soldiers and the preparation of food and equipment were all strictly ordered to seek speed, and they crossed the river south on the same day.In order to compete for the ships for transporting troops and horses, Shi Yanchao even bullied Gao Baoxu, adding a stain to his resume of the Southern Expedition.
And in the public security, Li Yun, who led the army here early, couldn't hold back anymore.The two generals who were eager to fight got together and hit it off immediately.

Li Yun welcomed Shi Yanchao's arrival very much. With the help of these three thousand cavalry, he could let go of his scruples and boldly march south to win over the Chu army in Liyang.

(End of this chapter)