Chapter 348 Pan Shuai welcomes enemy reinforcements
In the fifteenth year of Qianyou's reign, in the tenth month of winter, on the fourth day of the lunar month, the Han army camp was in Shaozhou. Several pieces of news from the south made Pan Mei, the commander-in-chief of the Han army in Pingyue, overjoyed, and he immediately raised his account to discuss matters.
There are three sources of this information. One is the intelligence of the Wude Division, the other is the spies of the Military Intelligence Division, and the third is the secret work of some dead soldiers recruited by Pan Mei. But regardless of the source of the intelligence, they all point to one thing, Nanyue from Panyu
The reinforcements finally moved north, and the leader was Xu Yanzhen, the chamberlain supervisor.
"Nan Yue Lord has indeed lived up to my expectations!" Pan Mei felt very happy after learning about the reinforcements.
Twenty days have passed since the emperor ordered Hunan to send troops to Pan Meitun to station troops at the foot of Qujiang City and Shaozhou was in danger. However, it took twenty days for reinforcements from southern Guangdong to arrive, which was considered too slow.
Of course, there are reasons for being slow. The most important issue is that in the southern Guangdong court, there has long been a smog, with witches wielding power and eunuchs dictatorship. It may be possible to let these people cause harm to the country and chaos, but when facing a real crisis, but
There was no effective countermeasure at all. As for Liu Yuan, the leader of Southern Guangdong, when he learned that the Han army was going south, his first reaction was that he couldn't believe it. He had previously reduced his imperial title and confessed to the court and asked for peace.
Why would they send troops to conquer him?
The Han Emperor's Pingnan Edict, after time fermented, has also been spread to the Lingnan states. People are in panic, but most of the scholars and people are actually full of expectations. There is no undercurrent, and they are silently waiting for the arrival of the heavenly soldiers.
When the news of the Han army's southern expedition was confirmed, Liu Yu panicked. After being severely beaten by the court three years ago, this young and dissolute monarch had become much more honest and no longer dared to do anything to disobey the court. Now, even more
It is about the change of color of Han masters.
Of course, in order to deal with the Han army's attack, Nanyue still did some work, such as recruiting troops from various states, which was a time-consuming matter. Speaking of which, for the imperial court in Pingnan, Jiangnan was still prepared from top to bottom.
, but Nanyue was not mentally prepared at all. In other words, no one listened to the knowledgeable voice when it was released, and it was difficult to stop the general trend.
In a hurry, the discussion alone took three days. Later, as news of the battle situation ahead came, the main force of the Han army in the north was blocked in Shaozhou, and Hezhou in the west was still in his hands, so Liu Yuan was not in a hurry again.
The Han army failed to break through once, but this time as long as they defend well, they may be able to block it.
After deliberation, it was decided to increase the number of troops to support, but the first problem faced was who should be the commander-in-chief to lead the rescue. Because in the past few years, Liu Yuan had massacred the heroes and old generals, and there were not many generals in Southern Guangdong.
In the end, the ministers jointly recommended General Pan Chongche, who was known as the first general in the South Guangdong Army. When Ma Chu was in civil strife, he and Wu Huai'en worked together to capture all the Lingnan states and even invaded Hunan. However, after Liu Yu succeeded to the throne, he
He was jealous, and because of the eunuch's slander, he was dismissed from his position.
Now that they are in a critical situation, the court thinks of Pan Chongche again. However, Pan Chongche is also discouraged at this time. He has a clear view of the situation where the Southern Guangdong Kingdom is being tortured by the ignorant master and the slave. At this time, he is not willing to serve for him anymore.
, so he resigned due to illness and refused to be the commander.
Liu Yuan, who was also young and vigorous, was very angry about this. Without you, Pan Chongche, he could not resist the Han army. So, on the recommendation of the witches around him, he sent two "generals", one of whom was Wu Yanrou, the defense envoy of Wuzhou. , one is the chamberlain Xu Yanzhen, and the two lead armies to rescue Hezhou and Shaozhou respectively. Needless to say, the importance of Shaozhou, but the reason for assisting Hezhou is to fear that it will fall and the Han army will come from the east and attack from both sides.
Although Wu Yanrou is not a famous general, he is from the army after all and has experience in leading troops. As for Xu Yanzhen, he is an out-and-out eunuch who is good at courting superiors and wielding power. Fighting is his strength, but he was chosen. , and also gave him the main army in Panyu to lead. Most likely, Liu Yuan used him as Wu Huaien, the great eunuch who was known for his good fighting skills in opening up the territory of southern Guangdong.
In the commander's tent of the Chinese Army, more than 20 generals of the Han army from the Southern Expedition gathered together. The army that attacked Nanyue this time was the one with the least use of the Forbidden Army among all the Pingnan armies. It was also the first time in the history of the expedition. Where is Cui Yanjin? , mainly composed of soldiers and horses from eastern Sichuan, supplemented by Yao people, formed the Pingqian Army. Pan Mei's army was mainly composed of Jinghu soldiers and horses, supplemented by barbarians. It can be said that they were the southerners who invaded the south and participated in military discussions. There are also several military academies from Miao Yao.
"Today's promotion is just for one thing!" Pan Mei, dressed in military armor, sat behind the commander's desk, looked around the generals, and said directly: "The Lord of South Guangdong has sent 40,000 troops to the north to assist Shaozhou. Their troops will arrive in three or two days. Qujiang!"
Hearing this news, most of the generals looked solemn and surprised, because Pan Mei seemed very happy to hear that enemy reinforcements were coming. Murong Chengtai, the governor of the capital, asked everyone's doubts: "Dare I ask? Commander-in-Chief, if reinforcements from the Cantonese army arrive, their military strength will be greater than ours. If they continue to occupy the fortified city, how can they defeat it?"
Murong Chengtai can be regarded as a son of the clan. After many years of military career, he has been fully trained. He is a rare general among the close relatives of the royal family. Before Pingnan, Pan Mei asked the court to support some cavalry troops, so Liu Chengyou named Murong Chengtai Tai led 3,000 cavalry troops south to assist in the battle, and was appointed governor of the capital.
"Since ancient times, the way to use troops has not been based on the number of troops. Even if the enemy army is large, how can it be the opponent of our elite soldiers!" Pan Mei was proud and very confident: "As you know, the leader of this reinforcement army is Xu Yanzhen, the chamberlain of the Southern Guangdong Palace. , one general is incompetent, and the three armies are exhausted, and what's more, he is incompetent to flatter the eunuch? The eunuchs in the court and the public in Southern Guangdong have been suffering for a long time, and the soldiers in Southern Guangdong are also full of resentment. Why should such an enemy army be troubled? "
After listening to Pan Mei's analysis, the generals couldn't help but show contempt, and their dignity dissipated a bit. Thinking about it carefully, what is there to be afraid of such an opponent?
Murong Chengtai also nodded, with a look of contemplation on his dark face, and he cupped his hands and said: "Dushuai, the enemy is deserted in Qujiang. They did not rush to attack the city because it is difficult to break. Tens of thousands of reinforcements are coming now, Dushuai." Did you already have a plan when you realized that it was easy to attack? Otherwise, if the Guangdong army still chooses to hold on and fight fiercely, how will it be broken? By then, even if it is a strong attack, it will be too late!"
There was a hint of doubt in Murong Chengtai's words. Pan Mei looked at him and gave some face to this clan warrior. She chuckled and said: "What General Murong said is reasonable, but it is just as you said, I fear a fortified city with few soldiers but united forces, but I rejoice in an enemy army with many soldiers but inconsistent orders!"
"Listen to the order!" After saying that, Pan Mei stood up and shouted loudly, and the generals immediately listened. However, Pan Mei gave a shocking order: "Let the whole army pack up and retreat when reinforcements from the Cantonese army arrive.
Set up camp at Baixing Mountain! Be prepared first, don’t be in a hurry when the time comes!”
Although they were shocked and filled with doubts, no one raised any objections due to the overwhelming military orders and Pan Mei's usual toughness. However, after the accounts were dismissed, Murong Chengtai came up to him, and Liu Fang also followed, although this boy was unwilling to do anything.
Special, but his privileges are always there.
"The commander-in-chief wants to retreat, maybe because he wants to induce the Cantonese army to take the initiative to leave the city and pursue them!" Murong Chengtai frowned and asked directly.
Looking at Murong Chengtai, Pan Mei smiled faintly and nodded: "That's exactly it!"
Noticing Pan Mei's relaxed expression, Murong Chengtai's face became even more serious and said: "With all due respect, the Guangdong army may not go out of the city to pursue us. Even if we feint to retreat, they may not be fooled!"
"General, don't worry, the Cantonese army will definitely come out of the city to pursue us!" Pan Mei said calmly.
"Why is the Commander-in-Chief so sure?" Murong Chengtai was puzzled: "If we place our hope in the enemy's judgment, then this military and national event would be taken too much for granted and would be too much of a child's play!"
"How can I, the commander, dare to regard this important military matter as child's play!" Pan Mei's expression became serious, staring at Murong Chengtai with a stern gaze, and said: "This is a pretense of retreat to lure the enemy, even if it is just an attempt, even if it fails, it will not hurt me.
Soldiers, the overall situation will not be harmed!"
"But it will delay time, delay the opportunity to fight, and affect the morale of the army!" Murong Chengtai finally became stern in his tone, and he met Pan Mei's eyes and said: "I was ordered to Pingnan. If I stay here for a long time and cannot move forward, how can I explain to the court?"
Previously, among the generals, there were those who wanted to fight urgently, and Murong Chengtai was one of them. According to his judgment, Qujiang could be captured by force, but Pan Mei suppressed the voice of fighting urgently.
"Regardless of success or failure, Pan will bear all the blame if he deserves it!" Seeing his attitude, Pan Mei's voice became a little colder.
Seeing his toughness, Murong Chengtai took a deep breath, his face trembled a few times, and he cupped his fists and saluted him: "I have no intention of quarreling with Pan Dushuai. I hope your majesty has not hired the wrong person! Farewell!"
After saying that, she retreated. Looking at Murong Chengtai's back, Pan Mei secretly said: "How dare I betray His Majesty's trust!"