Standalone Northern and Southern Dynasties

Chapter 555 You chase me and run away

In Su Ze's military camp, Yu Jin had already joined forces with him, so he naturally handed over his seal of command and served under Su Ze.

The northern battle line had also advanced to the vicinity of Jinyang. Dugu Xin was originally going to join forces with Su Ze, but was stopped by Su Ze, who told him to continue to hold his ground and to retreat immediately if Erzhu Rong broke out to the north.

Originally, Yu Jin didn't even understand Su Ze's caution.

Logically speaking, the game of dragon fighting has reached this point, so all we need to do is put the whole army on the line.

But after seeing Erzhu Rong personally leading his troops to charge today, Yu Jin realized that he had still underestimated Erzhu Rong.

If it weren't for Su Ze's caution, Erzhu Rong might have really seized the opportunity to turn the tables in one battle.

If Erzhu Rong wins a great victory, the situation in Bingzhou will change again.

But today, Erzhu Rong only occupied a camp and suffered heavy casualties. Although it seemed that he had won, he was actually completely trapped to death by Duke Su.

It can only be said that it was both Erzhu Rong's luck and misfortune to meet an opponent like Su Ze.

It is a great fortune to meet a worthy opponent.

But such an opponent who never makes mistakes is the nightmare of all chess players.

At today's military meeting, Su Ze's arrangement was the same as yesterday. The second level of the camp could also be abandoned, but the fortifications should be used to consume Erzhu Rong's morale and elite soldiers.

After all the generals took orders and left, Yu Jin was kept by Su Ze.

There were only two of them left, and Yu Jin suddenly felt nervous.

Over the years, he had almost no chance to discuss matters with Su Ze alone.

I’m afraid there will be no more opportunities like this in the future.

That seat on the throne must be a lonely one.

Yu Jin felt a little sad, and he suddenly thought of his daughter.

The last time my wife wrote to me, she said that her mistress, Princess Chenliu, loved her daughter very much and had visited her home many times.

But Yu Jin's heart was full of worries.

Yu Jin knew very well that in terms of merit, the only person who could compete with him was Hou Jing who was now in Jiangling.

But Hou Jing’s military achievements probably ended here.

The war in the north is almost over, so Su Ze must go personally to take the military credit for destroying Southern Liang.

This is not to take away Hou Jing's credit, but to protect Hou Jing.

Since ancient times, what was the fate of generals who destroyed a country?
There was Han Xin in the Han Dynasty and Deng Ai and Zhong Hui in the Jin Dynasty.

The final war to unify the world and annihilate other countries will either be fought by the founding monarch himself or handed over to his successor to fight and accumulate military merit.

Hou Jing was now well-educated and understood the logic, so after arriving in Jiangling, he asked for instructions on everything and kept his troops in place, only occupying Jingzhou. He had absolutely no intention of continuing to attack Jiankang.

In the future, when discussing meritorious officials, Yu Jin would be one of the best. In this case, marrying into the royal family would only increase the risk for his own family.

Becoming the prince's father-in-law naturally makes him the crown prince.

Who can guarantee that Su Ze’s eldest son will be able to succeed to the throne?

Yu Zhong of the Yu family was once a relative of the emperor, but after Empress Dowager Hu took power, he stood on the wrong side and quickly lost power.

Yu Jin naturally understood the hardships of being a relative by marriage. Since he was already a founding hero, who would want to be a relative by marriage?

Just when Yu Jin was daydreaming, a personal soldier suddenly came to report:
"Lord! Something terrible is happening! Erzhu Rong is leading his troops to break through and head south!"

"what!"

Yu Jin stood up first. He was in charge of the defense zone south of Taiyuan, and his camp was more solid than Su Ze’s.

Moreover, Erzhu Rong had always shown that he was ready to fight Su Ze to the death, so Yu Jin was merged into Su Ze's army and usually left to the deputy general to guard.

Erzhu Rong did not attack Su Ze's camp west of Jinyang, but suddenly turned around and broke through the southern defense line and fled towards southern Shanxi?
Su Ze quickly picked up the map, raised his head and said, "I still underestimated my brother. He wants to cut off our military food supply."

Yu Jin said doubtfully:
"Cut off the food supply? Does that make sense? Now our army can transfer food from Jiding Youzhou."

Su Ze had understood Erzhu Rong's strategic intentions. He said:
"It makes sense. Erzhu Rong's army is short of food. He wants to eat his fill and fight a decisive battle with our army."

Erzhu Rong was truly a respectable opponent. Even when the situation had come to this, all he wanted was to have a big battle with Su Ze.

If Erzhu Rong really managed to seize the food, these elite cavalrymen under his command might really become a serious threat to Su Ze, greatly slowing down the pace of unifying the world.

"Chase!"

Su Ze stood up and said firmly:

Yu Jin immediately said:

"My Lord, let me chase him. As long as Erzhu Rong cannot get any food, it will be fine. It will only take a few days to trap him to death."

Su Ze shook his head and said:

"You can't. My brother is as good as a god in commanding troops. If you chase him, you might be ambushed by him."

"Right now, Erzhu Rong's army is extremely exhausted. If we exert any more strength, it will collapse."

"Bring all your elite troops and follow me in pursuit!"

In the next few days, Su Ze and Erzhu Rong staged a textbook offensive and defensive battle.

First, Erzhu Rong advanced towards Su Ze's rear food supply route.

Part of the grain transferred from Guanzhong had to be pulled across the Yellow River via the Pubanjin floating bridge, while the other part was directly transported across the river by boat from the Longmen ferry.

No matter which route the food comes from, it will be gathered in Huoyi first and then sent to the front line.

Therefore, Huoyi was Su Ze’s grain transportation center in the southern part of Bingzhou, and Erzhu Rong was heading here.

However, there were many cities along the way. Erzhu Rong led his troops to Yuci, south of Jinyang. This city had been occupied by Yu Jin's troops. Erzhu Rong didn't even look at it and directly bypassed Yuci.

But after bypassing Yuci, Erzhu Rong ambushed at the nearby Huangshe Ridge, intending to ambush Su Ze's pursuers in turn.

Su Ze had already known about Erzhu Rong's ambush, and he did not give Erzhu Rong a chance to ambush.

Seeing that there was no chance, Erzhu Rong could only sigh. His sworn brother was cautious in battle and never made mistakes. It was too difficult to ambush him.

Erzhu Rong continued to move south, and this time Pingyao was standing in his way.

Pingyao is an ancient city. It is said that it was built in the Western Zhou Dynasty. It was originally called Pingtao. Later, because of the homonym of Emperor Taiwu Tuoba Tao, the name was changed to Pingyao. It has always been an important defensive town in Bingzhou.

Pingyao could not be avoided, so Erzhu Rong led his troops in a fierce attack and captured the city of Pingyao.

But before they could even think of robbing, Su Ze and his soldiers had already caught up with them.

After Pingyao City fell, Erzhu Rong realized that he could not defend the city.

Erzhu Rong's soldiers had just attacked the city and were very tired, but they had no choice but to keep their spirits up and follow Erzhu Rong south.

Su Ze always kept a distance that was neither too far nor too close. If he was too far, Erzhu Rong would not feel the pressure; if he was too close, Erzhu Rong might attack him in return.

They chased each other all the way, and Erzhu Rong bypassed Jiexiu City and came to a valley.

At this time, he had run out of ammunition and food, a large number of war horses had died of exhaustion, and the soldiers had abandoned their armor.

Erzhu Rong also realized that he was at the end of his strength, so he decided to have a decisive battle with Su Ze here.

He called Heba Yun and asked:

"What is this place called?"

Heba Yun said:
"Reporting to General Tianzhu, this place is Guanjuejin."

(End of this chapter)