Updated: 2012-12-22

Yuzhou, at the foot of Songshan Mountain, Yangdi City, Yingchuan Prefecture.

Hundreds of thousands of troops gathered here in a mighty manner, which was shocking the sky. Even if it was dozens of miles apart, you could hear the drums and training sounds from the coalition camp that stretched dozens of miles north of the city.

Although Murong Cheng led more than 200,000 troops, he managed these more than 200,000 people in an orderly manner and without any confusion. Not only that, he also conducted daily training every day.

The first coalition army to arrive was the Xuzhou army. It passed by the Wuwei Army in Yanzhou, directly into the Yuzhou area, and finally entered Yangdi City to station. The second was the Shanyang Army, and finally the Tang Army. In fact, the opportunity of the Shanyang Army and the Tang Army arrived at the same time. Of course, this is also why the Shanyang Army can wait. Therefore, when the Xuzhou Army entered Yuzhou, the Shanyang Army and the Tang Army were advancing towards Yuzhou together. However, the coalition army's attack did not limit the date, so it was the same as early to late.

The commander of the Shanyang Army was Tang Bin. This time, the right guard of the Shanyang Army went on an expedition, and Tang Bin was fully responsible. The chief general of the Tang Army was Meng Zhao, an old acquaintance of the Shanyang Army. This time, there were 50,000 people, and they were also rushing to Yangdi. When passing by the Shanyang Army, they joined forces with the Shanyang Army and acted together.

It is naturally false to say that Meng Zhao does not hate the Shanyang Army. However, now he can only greet him with a smile. Of course, this is just a formulaic smile and has no meaning. The current Shanyang Army is no longer the Shanyang Army's former Shanyang Army. After the expansion of the army, the total strength of the Shanyang Army is not much different from that of the Tang Army. Although it may be inferior to that of combat effectiveness, it may also be inferior to that of local governance.

However, there is one thing that the Tang army cannot match in the Shanyang army, that is, the new policy of the Shanyang army. There are not many policies of the Shanyang army in the short term. One is great efforts and small gains, and the other is the support of the people. This can be seen from the soldiers of the Shanyang army. Unlike other princes, the Shanyang army's recruitment relies entirely on voluntary conscription, and the soldiers will not complain about being tired when trained. In addition, they are not afraid of sacrifice.

But Tang Xian and Meng Zhaodu, who entered the Shanyang Army's jurisdiction, knew that as time went by, this new policy would bring great benefits to the Shanyang Army. Because the northern overlord Xiaoguo Army is a very obvious example. Of course, it is not that the Tang army has not changed, but it is not as thorough as the Shanyang Army. Like other princes, the Tang army adopted a means of quick results. They directly bribed and appeased those gentry and wealthy families, and would not restrict or attack them. Of course, the premise is that the local government will not bring disaster to their major events.

Many princes were using this method of the Tang army. Because this method can be supported by the great clans and gentry, quickly raise a large number of food and supplies, and recruit the needed civil officials to govern the territory for themselves. Of course, the princes who just occupied a place will also be aware of the people who did not cooperate and will impose restrictions on these great clans. In this way, these princes can quickly gain a foothold in the local area without leaving or not entering. Of course, in order to prevent the strong rebound of these great clans and gentry. In the Xiaoguo Army, the repetition in the southern part of Youzhou in the past is an extremely distinctive example. These great clans and gentry cannot be underestimated.

The reason why the Xiaoguo Army was successfully reorganized was because the rise of the Xiaoguo Army was a lost land occupied by the Marine Army. The imperial court could no longer control it, and most of the real gentry and wealthy families had already evacuated. Therefore, the Xiaoguo Army was able to reorganize the five prefectures at the beginning of its rise.

After having the five prefectures, the soldiers under the Xiaoguo Army gained real benefits and the people began to support them. Then the tribes began to move southward. With the support of these soldiers and the support of the people, the Youzhou Land was forcibly changed. Of course, the most critical reason was not because of the strength of the Xiaoguo Army, but because of the massive invasion of the Minghe Army. After capturing the northern prefectures of Youzhou, a large number of large gentry in the rest of the places felt that Youzhou was not very safe, so they evacuated a lot, which opened a channel for the new policy of the Xiaoguo Army.

But even so, the southern part of Youzhou still broke out with the repetition of the great clans and gentry. It can be imagined that the strength of these local tribes and gentry was so strong. However, after the Xiaoguo Army captured the entire territory of Youzhou, the troops were strong, and after the Jizhou and Qingzhou were taken over, the Qizhou and Qingzhou were reorganized, these big clans and gentry found that the people were waiting for the implementation of the new policy of the Xiaoguo Army, and the powerful Xiaoguo Army made them dare not act rashly.

The Xiaoguo Army dared, but at that time, because the Xiaoguo Army started from scratch, they fought little by little. However, other princes could not, or rather, they were unwilling to spend so much energy to risk reform.

Looking at the people busy with the fields and in the water along the way, looking at their smiling faces full of hope for life, and looking at their heartfelt love for the Shanyang Army. Meng Zhao felt heavy and anxious. At this moment, he felt a little regretful, regretting that he was unable to take the lead in taking the action and attacking directly into the Shanyang Palace when the Shanyang Prefecture Army supported the two southern counties of Liangzhou Prefecture. Regretted why he had to follow the plan and put the Shanyang Prefecture Army into the two southern counties of Liangzhou Prefecture before starting the attack.

Meng Zhao now understood that the current Shanyang Army was no longer easy for the Tang army to control. As time goes by, the Shanyang Army will only become stronger and stronger.

"The general shouldn't have stopped attacking the Shanyang Army, but instead attacked Xuzhou." At this moment, Meng Zhao couldn't help but think. Of course, this was just thinking about it, and nothing could be changed.

"General Tang, your army is very popular here!" Meng Zhao said with a smile to Tang Bin, the commander of the Shanyang Army who was riding on the horse and walking side by side with him.

Tang Bin responded with a smile: "My governor said that the needs of the people are very simple. Just food and clothing. As long as you meet these, you will naturally win the hearts of the people. However, our Shanyang Army has also paid a lot for this."

"Governor Li said it very reasonably. The reason is very simple, but it is not easy to achieve it. By the way, General Tang, why did I never see Governor Li's staying place along the way from north to south?"

"Our Shanyang Army took back Jiyin Prefecture from Xu Jie. Songzhou Prefecture and Luzhou Prefecture have only been a few months, and there are many things that need to be handled. The governor went to the city to serialize with local townships, supervise local officials, arrange the livelihoods of local people. At the same time, he was also responsible for local water conservancy projects and completed the irrigation requirements for various local fields. After all, only after the people can be self-sufficient can the surplus grain be handed over to the government, and our Shanyang Army can ensure the logistics."

"Governor Li is really a good official who loves the people as much as his son, but this should actually be responsible for civil servants. Governor should be in charge of military affairs in a state. If he is busy with government affairs, then..." Meng Zhao said hesitantly.

Tang Bin said in a deep voice: "General Meng's words make sense, but our Shanyang Army lacks food and supplies, and the army is just a pioneering task. Therefore, now all armies have simply completed basic training and cannot do anything else. The Governor thought that after the local area resumes production and the people can be self-sufficient, the army can carry out intensive training."

Meng Zhao looked at the Shanyang Army who was moving forward in a mighty manner and was walking side by side with his soldiers, frowned and said, "I think your army is not bad, how could it be..." Obviously, he expressed doubts about Tang Bin's words.

Tang Bin could naturally see the other party's meaning and said, "This is just the elite of my Shanyang Army's two guards. In fact, most of them have not experienced actual combat. General Meng should be able to discover these, right?"

Meng Zhao did not continue to speak, and he naturally saw this. However, not to mention the Shanyang Army, there were not many newly recruited soldiers in the Right Army under his command. They were still young and strong civilians a few months ago. However, although many of the Shanyang Army had insufficient murderous aura on their faces, it could still be seen that their military appearance was not as strong as the old soldiers. However, what surprised him was that the other party's 30,000 civilians were also strong men, and they were not much different from the soldiers in the army. The only difference was murderous aura and armored weapons.

Among Tang Bin's right guards, only five thousand were old soldiers who had experienced bloody battles, and they came south from Boping. Among the remaining 20,000, ten thousand soldiers who had experienced the battle of suppressing bandits and breaking the city, and ten thousand were new soldiers who had undergone rigorous training and met dead people.

Of course, on the same day, the surrendered soldiers from the bandits in various prefectures were wiped out, and the new soldiers were 70,000 to 80,000. But in the end, after Zhao Xun formed a special guard army, most of the rest became county soldiers and patrol officers. Because the Shanyang Army had to guard against the Tang army in the north, Wu Guard army in the south, and Xuzhou army in the east. Therefore, Zhao Xun, who had logistics support on the flank Jizhou, directly formed the four guards, with a total of 100,000 troops.

The other three guards did not change and were directly expanded on the original basis. As for the guards, they were directly selected from half of the soldiers of the guards stranded in the northern Youzhou area, and arranged them as in the guards. The main generals were Ye Xuan, who had fought against each other in the past, took over.

Nowadays, the officers in the guards are basically their own people. In addition, Ye Xuan has no intention of fighting with him now, so Zhao Xun decided to let him serve as the general of the guards. Of course, this is related to Ye Xuan's ability. More importantly, when he was betrayed in Shanyang Prefecture, he could resist the Tang army without hesitation and not be afraid of life and death as his first choice.

"Your Governor Li didn't think about taking back the entire territory of Yanzhou?" Meng Zhao asked in a low voice after a while.

Tang Bin looked ahead, looked at Meng Zhao, and smiled and said, "Recover the entire territory of Yanzhou? Don't mention the idea of ​​this, even the soldiers of the Shanyang Army, all of them have thought about it. By the way, General Meng and Governor Tang had thought about it. It's not just you, Wuwei Army, Xuzhou Army, who have never thought about it? Of course, my Governor is willing to take back the entire territory of Yanzhou. Only by commanding the entire territory of Yanzhou can you be called the General of Yanzhou. What do you think? Besides, your Governor and Tang Army will not willingly return the three prefectures that seized my Yanzhou land."

Meng Zhao's eyes narrowed slightly and said, "General Tang was joking. My Tang army occupied the three palaces of Yanzhou, which were taken from Xu Jie, or Xu Jie gave in. This is nothing to do with you Shanyang Army. Moreover, my Tang army has no intention of fighting against the Shanyang Army. Of course, if your army insists on taking action against my territory, our Tang army will naturally use their lives to guard the Tang army's territory."

Tang Bin smiled faintly and said, "I will do the same with my Shanyang Army. What does the governor of Yanzhou mean? In the end, we will still achieve this title. What we want is to be true, not false."

After the two of them secretly threatened Hu Xiang, they did not continue to discuss this issue with him, because they both knew that the Tang army and the Shanyang army had no possibility of peaceful coexistence. Although nothing broke out now, a war would sooner or later. Meng Zhao was not worried that their army would be intercepted or attacked by the Shanyang army after attacking Situ Lei. After all, both sides only had a small part of the troops, and they were just to respond to the righteousness and gain some benefits in the war.

Just like Murong Cheng did not expect that all the princes could really dispatch their entire army to attack Situ Lei. He needed great righteousness and power to seek Situ Lei's title and put himself at the highest point of morality. Let everyone in the world see that Murong Cheng was right, while Situ Lei was a rebellious person, and everyone was able to kill him.

Fengwei County, Meng Zhao looked at the city flanking behind him and said to Tang Bin beside him with a heavy face: "General Tang, after passing this place, he will enter the jurisdiction of the Wuwei Army, and then the land of Yuzhou. In other words, from now on, we will enter the command of Murong Cheng. What solutions does General Tang have?"

Meng Zhao's question has a certain basis. Whether it is the Tang army or the Shanyang army, they are all hostile to Murong Cheng. Naturally, they do not want to be suppressed by Murong Cheng after entering the Qi army, and will be regarded as an abandoned son by Murong Cheng.

Tang Bin's face tightened slightly and said, "Let's take a step by step. The situation is stronger than others. What can we do if we are about to arrive at the jurisdiction of the Qi army? By the way, what suggestions do General Meng have? The Tang army is not a new force like our Shanyang army, but he is a dignified guard. Logically speaking, your Tang army is still the old subordinate of King Murong Cheng of Qi. This time he arrived in Yuzhou, the King of Qi should not make things difficult."

Meng Zhao's face froze. How could he not know what the other party said? It's not that he would say it again. Although the Shanyang Army and the King of Qi have resentment, the same is true for your Tang army. Compared with the two, your Tang army is even more serious. As the old subordinate of the King of Qi Murong Cheng, he betrayed and helped him and rose up. This time he met the former master, the Tang army was Murong Cheng's main goal. As for our Shanyang Army, it was secondary. As long as the Shanyang Army stood behind the Tang army, the danger would be much smaller. Therefore, the one that urgently needs to solve the problem is your Tang army, not my Shanyang Army.

Meng Zhao said in a deep voice: "Although my Tang army is the old subordinate of King Murong Cheng of Qi, it is precisely because of this that the King of Qi will have some concerns and will not make too many difficulties. However, your Shanyang army defeated the hope of the Wuwei Army going north and seized several counties from the Wuwei Army. General Tang, aren't you worried that Murong Cheng would be angry with this and let the Shanyang Army suffer the loss in this battle of attack? Of course, if it was just a simple loss, it would be fine. But if it was for the Wuwei Army going north and to cut off the strength of the Shanyang Army, it would not only be allowed to be the cannon fodder under General Tang, but also... General Tang, I am also Murong Cheng's old subordinate. I have some understanding of Murong Cheng, so I must be prepared! Otherwise, it would be too late to regret it at that time."

Tang Bin smiled faintly and said, "When it comes to the Wuwei Army, in fact, Murong Cheng should be the most cruel thing about Xu Jie and Li Chi, not us. Before the New Year, Xu Jie and Li Chi jointly attacked and defeated the Wuwei Army. If it weren't for my Shanyang Army replacing Xu Jie and instead led the army south, I'm afraid that the Wuwei Army in the southern part of Yanzhou would not exist now. Speaking of which, my Shanyang Army is still kind to the Wuwei Army in the Yanzhou region. Besides, what Murong Cheng wants to solve the most now is the Xuzhou Army, not my Shanyang Army. Having said that, if I really have to attack my Shanyang Army, my governor would turn to the Xiaoguo Army without mind. After all, rather than being annexed, it would be better to find a better force to surrender. General Meng, what do you think?"

"Terror to the Xiaoguo Army? General Tang, aren't you joking?" Meng Zhao's eyes leapt straight when he heard Tang Xian's words. This is not ordinary news and the impact is extraordinary. If this is true, then it would be a disaster for the Tang army. Now, the northern part of the Tang army is the Xiaoguo Army and the southwest part of the Shanyang Army. If the Shanyang Army also becomes the Xiaoguo Army, then half of the Tang army's sphere of influence will be surrounded by the Xiaoguo Army. Except for the Xuzhou side, the several prefectures in the Yanzhou area are basically over.

Seeing Meng Zhao's panicked expression, Tang Bin secretly laughed and said, "Of course, I would rather be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. Unless I had to force it, my Shanyang Army would naturally not change the flag easily."

"Oh, so that's it. This is the coercive method of your Shanyang Army." Meng Zhao breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this. But he also knew that this coercive method could become a reality at any time. After all, he knew that the Shanyang Army and the Xiaoguo Army had frequent transactions and frequent communications, and the relationship between them was very deep.

"By the way, General Meng, the food and grass we need are only prepared for three months. So, if the attack lasts for more than three months, what should we do? Why can the soldiers in the army not eat or drink!" Tang Bin asked in a narrow voice.

Meng Zhao said: "Responding to Murong Cheng and attacking Situ Lei is just a righteous act. But this does not mean that the soldiers have no right to eat and drink. If the Qi army prepares, it is naturally the best, or it is seized from the spoils, which is also good. If the Qi army does not give it to them, or they cannot win, then my Tang army can only withdraw. We can't let the soldiers starve to death on the front line. General Tang, what do you think?"

Looking at Meng Zhao's meaningful eyes, Tang Bin smiled and said, "Of course, the strategy of my Shanyang Army is naturally the same as that of the Tang Army. I just don't know what the Xuzhou Army thinks."

Meng Zhao paused slightly and said, "Li Chi sent people to enter the Yuzhou area early, somehow?"

"Do you still want to have a good relationship with the Qi army? The Xuzhou army and the Qi army are a life-and-death enemy. The two armies have been fighting each other for more than several years. Whether it is against the Xuzhou army or against the Qi army, they do not want a strong enemy beside them. The Xuzhou army does not want a great enemy to be eyed by them in the south, and Murong Cheng does not want anyone to pay attention to his wallet. This time Li Chi did not inform us and directly led the army to enter the Yuzhou area first. When did this mean? By General Meng, what is the battle between you and the Xuzhou army in the north of Xuzhou?" Tang Bin asked in a narrow voice.

Meng Zhao looked solemn and said, "The two sides had a good relationship? It shouldn't be, whether it was Li Chi or Murong Cheng, they didn't want to have too strong hostile forces beside him. Regardless of whether they were good friends or not, the two had fought each other for many years, had a lot of hatred and were too close to each other, so it was unbelievable to say that they had a good relationship. However, Li Chi asked the Xuzhou army to put aside us and entered the Yuzhou area first, and they must have other ideas. No matter what, you and I cannot be careless. If the Xuzhou army wants to expand out, they can only attack the two sides."

"As for the battle between our Tang army and the Xuzhou army at the northern end of Xuzhou, in a word, chaos. The Xuzhou army is indeed not a force that has been rooted in Xuzhou for many years. It has a great influence on the local area. Although we have occupied the two prefectures for several months, the people in the local area not only do not buy it, but also cause trouble. In just three months, more than a thousand people were found to be in trouble, involving more than 30,000 people. It is not easy to take down the Xuzhou land. My Tang army has only captured the two prefectures and still so, it is really difficult to capture more land." Meng Zhao said worriedly. In the original plan of the Tang army, it was not only to capture two places. However, it was because the place was difficult to calm down, so the best opportunity was delayed and the reinforcements of the Xuzhou army arrived, and the two sides were in a stalemate.

Tang Bin also knew the Tang army's actions in Xuzhou, so he said in a deep voice: "Individual uprisings, most of them are large clans, gentry and wealthy families, and lured the people into their ranks. As long as they deal with these large clans, gentry and wealthy families, there should be no such difficulties. General Meng, although your Tang army captured the two prefectures, they also accepted the support of the large clans, gentry and wealthy families in the two prefectures in order to quickly stabilize the place. However, I don't know how many of them are Li Chi's people, and how many of them are in power Li Chi's affairs. Therefore, they serve you on the surface, but in fact, they serve Li Chi."

Meng Zhao frowned and said, "This is unlikely. These gentry and wealthy families have always focused on protecting their wealth and lives, but they will never work hard for a certain prince. Now the two northern prefectures in Xuzhou have fallen into the hands of our Tang army. How dare they do this? Are they not afraid of joining the entire clan?"

Tang Bin sneered: "With the whole clan? I'm afraid that these gentry and wealthy families have already had an indivisible connection with the Xuzhou army. In other words, if you are turning to you, you will save your life for the time being, but you may be exposed by the Xuzhou army at any time and execute them with your hands."

"You mean, what are the key points they have been pinched by the Xuzhou army?" Meng Zhao said in a narrow voice.

"Not only that, I think that among these great tribes and wealthy families, some important people have been taken to Xuzhou City, and many of these great tribes are from the Xuzhou Army. Don't forget that the history of the Xuzhou Army is much longer than that of our Shanyang Army and your Tang Army. They have occupied Xuzhou for many years and are not vegetarians." Tang Bin said coldly. Some of these were investigations by the Hawkeye Department, and more were speculations, or rather, Tang Bin said casually. The purpose was just to make Tang Xian even more messy in the two prefectures. The Xuzhou Army occupied this place for seven or eight years, and it was not so simple to be intact under the siege of the imperial army. Of course, if the Tang army and the Xuzhou Army become more ruthless as they become, it is naturally what the Shanyang Army hopes to see more.
Chapter completed!