As the main force of the West Route Army moved south, among the Du Marshal's Mansion and the Zong Prince's Mansion where generals once gathered, now only Deputy Marshal Na Yan Muchi, Yunzhou Governor Xiao Xinhan and a few others stayed behind to take charge.
For the first time, Mo Lihu, Kuo Ti, Hu Lejian and others led their troops and horse guards to go south with the surrendered auxiliary army. This time, as the left-behind generals in the capital marshal's mansion, they did not follow the main force south again.
They thought they could have a good rest by staying in Yunzhou (Datong) this time, and they would not encounter the evil star Xu Huai again in a short time. Who would have thought that this evil star did not stay in Hehuai to participate in Bianliang at this time? Defensive war, coming north again?
How is this going?
The letter sent by Cao Shixiong was not only severely delayed, but also had too many confusing and unclear explanations.
Prior to this, Cao Shixiong had sent a message saying that Minglu Village in the northwest of Langu City was attacked three days ago. However, it was not clear at the time whether the soldiers and horses that attacked were from the remnants of the Khitan tribe or how large the scale was. I didn't make it clear every time.
There was an attack in Lanzhou and the defenders of Lanzhou City were annihilated. It is not clear whether Fuzhou and the remnants of the Khitan tribe sent troops to participate in the war.
The reason why everyone in Lanzhou speculated that Xu Huai was going north to Taiyuan this time was not clearly stated in the brief letter. The only basis was that after Cao Shili and his troops encountered an ambush west of Huanglongpo, hundreds of Chushan cavalry had Cross the Fen River and enter the Luliang Mountains eastwards.
However, it is entirely possible that Xu Huai first seized the west pass of Yang Guang's old route in order to prevent Taiyuan soldiers and horses from rushing to aid Lanzhou.
"Perhaps Cao Shixiong was careless and lost his troops. In order to avoid punishment, he exaggerated?"
Mo Lihu and others were puzzled. Some people in the hall directly suspected that the message sent by Cao Shixiong had other secrets and was not a true report of the enemy situation in Lanzhou.
"Not to mention how Chu Shanqi quietly transferred to Fuzhou. No matter how stupid the Southern Dynasty was, they should have expected that our army would move south again in mid-to-late September. How could they increase their troops in Fuzhou and harass our flanks? Is that difficult? Do they think they can delay the main force of our army in this way?"
The Chihu soldiers pointed south, relying on their absolute military strength.
Although they also focus on collecting intelligence, they mainly focus on collecting whether there are threats to the direction of the main advance.
It took less than two years for Wang Zhang to finally make up his mind to send troops south.
In just two years, they have not established a complete intelligence spying system on the Southern Dynasties.
They were in Yunzhou, and they could not see through many things by just guessing.
"Don't speculate too much, it will confuse our eyes,"
Yan Muchi said in a low voice,
"The facts before us now: First, the Qing Shun Army was defeated in Lanzhou. Generals Cao Shili, Zhou Huan and others were killed in the battle. General Meng Pingping led the Qing Shun Army's cavalry to accompany the second prince on the southern expedition. Cao Shixiong was in Ningwu. Although he could still gather eight or nine thousand soldiers and horses, his ability to conduct field battles with the enemy troops who entered Kou Lanzhou was lost; the second fact is that Xu Huai did lead thousands of soldiers and horses from the Chushan camp into Lanzhou, and before that Many clues indicate that the Gu family in Fuzhou and the remnant Khitan tribe are actively cooperating; the third fact is that Xu Huai entered Lanzhou and repeatedly won military exploits against the Qingshun army. It is difficult to imagine that the Gu family and the remnant Khitan tribe They will not send troops and horses to coordinate operations. At least outside Lanzhou City, Xu Huai led his troops to defeat the 5,000 defenders of Lanzhou, and their own casualties were extremely limited. They were able to catch Taiyuan by surprise, but Taiyuan was at this time We still don’t know the news about Lanzhou being invaded!”
Yan Muchi didn't want to speculate on Xu Huai's intentions in leading his troops north. They lacked too much information and didn't understand the internal factions in the Southern Dynasties thoroughly enough. However, Xu Huai led his troops into Lanzhou and made the Qing Shun army abandon their helmets.
A. It is certain that he has lost his morale and ability to fight again.
In a short period of time, Xu Huai is unstoppable in Lanzhou. The Gu family and Xiao Linshi are likely to send troops eastward. No matter what Xu Huai's original intention is to go north, in such a situation, Xu Huai will most likely choose to lead the way.
The troops raided Taiyuan to expand the victory.
The soldiers and horses guarding them outside Taiyuan City were most likely unaware at this time.
What they have to do now is not to speculate about whether there is something or not, but to decide what they should do and what they can do based on the clear situation.
Thinking of this, Nayan Muchi, who prided himself on having rich combat experience, was filled with bitterness.
Although the attitude of the Gu family and the remnants of the Khitan clan has always been ambiguous and they have always refrained from showing any intention of attacking, Yan Muchi has always been wary of the flanks. It was he who originally advocated leaving all the Qingshun troops in Lanzhou.
.
However, when going south this time, most people expected to capture Bianliang. The Qing Shun army was unwilling to lag behind. The second prince weighed it again and again, and finally agreed that Meng Ping would lead a cavalry unit of the Qing Shun army to accompany the expedition.
In addition to balancing the relationship between the surrendering forces, more Han cavalry is indeed needed to cover the flanks and occupy the flanking cities.
The Qing Shun army suffered heavy losses, and the Gu family and the remnants of the Khitan clan were ready to make a move. What they faced now was not only the possibility of Xu Huai's raid on Taiyuan, but the collapse of the entire flank defense line.
"The Taiyuan soldiers and horses are likely to be caught off guard. Gu Jiqian and Xiao Linshi are in Fuzhou. Xishan may have transported 20,000 soldiers and horses and will march eastward at any time. The situation is critical. We will send envoys to Huaizhou immediately.
State, Zhenzhou, please help!"
Xiao Xinhan turned pale when he heard that Yan Muchi analyzed the current situation. He was worried that Xiao Linshi would lead his troops to enter Datong City at any time, so he advised Yan Muchi to immediately send people to the second prince for help, even if it was already
Chen Bing's soldiers and horses on the north bank of the Yellow River cannot be transferred back, but it is extremely necessary to transfer back Yue Hailou and other troops who are attacking the city in central Hebei.
Otherwise, he could not imagine how they could defend such a vast area as Yunshuo and Xinlan with just a few soldiers and horses.
"Why are you panicking?"
Yan Muchi glanced at Xiao Xinhan displeasedly.
Yun Shuo surrendered to the forces, and Xiao Xinhan had the highest status, but Yan Muchi also disliked him the most, but now he still needed to win over the Khitan nobles and Tibetan people who had surrendered to Yun Shuo, so he could not be kicked aside.
Yan Muchi saw that the generals and officials in the hall were also a little impetuous, so he explained patiently,
"Regardless of whether the Southern Dynasty is making changes on the northern front at this time, or whether they have the intention to encircle Wei and rescue Zhao, we must understand that capturing Bianliang is the top priority at the moment. If you send an envoy to Huaizhou to see His Highness, His Highness will not pay attention to it.
In addition, the Yingzhou Han army and other troops attacked the city in Zhenzhou to ensure that while our main force captured Bianliang, they could also completely open up the connection between Youji and Hehuai as quickly as possible, ensuring that our main force could not only
If you capture Bianliang, you can still gain a foothold in Bianliang. Compared with this, even if Taiyuan, Datong, Lanzhou, Xinzhou, etc. are temporarily taken away by the Southern Dynasty, it is insignificant! Let us think about it, with the troops we currently have,
Let’s resolve the current crisis!”
"According to my plan, regardless of other powers, gather troops and horses and immediately go south from Yanmen Pass to rush to Taiyuan." Mo Li suddenly stood up and suggested, "Xu Huai is the best at taking the wrong edge with his sword. He led his troops to raid Taiyuan. I have no idea at all."
Unexpectedly, even if the Gu family and Xiao Linshi send troops to march eastward, they may not risk being surrounded by our army and go deep into Taiyuan to fight. As long as we rush to Taiyuan to help in time, we will definitely be able to attack them head-on in the north of Taiyuan."
"Where's the time?!"
In the past two years, Mo Lihu has been campaigning here and there, and he is much more mature than before. However, Na Yan Muchi disagreed with his suggestion and said,
"Xu Huai may have led his troops to the outskirts of Taiyuan at this time, and the journey from Yunzhou (Datong) to Taiyuan is 460 miles, and there is light snow on the road. Three thousand cavalry traveled all night, and will arrive in Taiyuan as early as the day after tomorrow.
, we are also tired soldiers, how can we defeat Chushan soldiers and horses?"
"Xu Huai led his troops to the east. He fought several battles in Lanzhou and attacked Taiyuan, but his troops were also exhausted. However, His Highness has always praised Li Chulin and Yin Chao as a prudent person, so he left them to lead his troops to guard Taiyuan. Not so
It's easy for Xu Huai and his men to steal the camp - they should be able to hold back Chushan's soldiers and horses, waiting for us to go to rescue." Mo Lihu said.
"Li Chulin, Yin Chao can hold the camp. If the reinforcements arrive two or three days later, they won't be in the way." Yan Muchi still shook his head and said, "We still have to consider the worst case scenario. Li Chulin is in the north of Taiyuan and cannot hold the camp.
, ask Xu Huai to open up contact with Taiyuan City, how to deal with it?"
Nayan Muchi thought for a long time and then said to Mo Lihu: "Immediately order all your troops and horses to go south through Yanmen Pass, but remember, you will stop when you reach Xinzhou; before the follow-up reinforcements arrive, you must not easily
Go south, let alone try to fight alone! I will also send people to order Li Chulin and Yin Chao to guard the city. You must not instigate them to send troops to fight! If you disobey my order, you will win by luck.
After one or two games, I will also punish you!"
"I can save this!" Mo Li said in a low voice.
Yan Muchi ordered another general to lead a thousand elite cavalry, and immediately rushed to Ningwu to accept Cao Shixiong's control.
"Cao Shixiong is so incompetent, how can we still place our hope in him at this time?" Mo Li said angrily.
When Lanzhou City was raided by Xu Huai for the first time, Mo Lihu served as the supervisor of the Qing Shun Army. He shared the responsibility for forcing the battle too hastily and was severely reprimanded.
He had no way to defend himself at the time, but this time the Qingshun Army suffered another heavy blow, which completely proved that Cao Shixiong was incompetent. Of course, Mo Lihu had to vent all the resentment he had been holding back in his heart.
"Mind your own business. After I gather my troops, I may go to Ningwu in person to take charge. Whether Cao Shixiong is really incompetent or not, I will be able to tell when the time comes!" Na Yan Muchi said, "But you have to be clear.
The temporary fall of Taiyuan, Xinzhou, and Daizhou is of no consequence. The key is that we send troops southward from Ningwu in time to block their westward escape route. You must not be greedy for credit and rush forward..."
