Last year, these Qi people would also play some tricks, such as sneak attacks at night, surprise attacks in foggy weather, and relying on intelligence advantages to attack the weak points of the Huai'an defenders.
But now, these Qi people, relying on their huge military superiority, have completely made no secret of it.
Without a large number of people, only 10,000 or 20,000 people are needed to land on the south bank to gain a foothold on the south bank. If another 30,000 to 40,000 people are forced to come over later, Shen Yi will have no possibility of holding on to the Huaihe River, even if the reinforcements of the Forbidden Army follow up.
He could only retreat to Huai'an City.
Although retreating to Huai'an is a way, Shen Yi is not very willing to take it, because after he retreats to Huai'an, a large number of people in Huai'an will definitely die in this military disaster.
Hearing what Shen Yi said, Xue Wei's eyes lit up and he said, "Does Mr. Shen want to strike first? When Mr. Shen didn't arrive at the Xiangshui camp two days ago, the general discussed with General Su that it could be done
Send warships to attack the Qi people's ships on the north bank at night, and set fire to their ships."
Having said this, Xue Wei sighed slightly and said: "Unfortunately, although these Qi people's ships are numerous, they are not densely packed. Even if they are burned, just one or two ships will not be of much use."
Shen Yi rubbed his head, reached out and knocked on the table and said: "Looking at the actions of others, they may invest more than 50,000 or even more troops on the Huai'an front line."
"Once all these people are allowed to cross the river, our Huaihe River defense line will be finished."
"Now, first, we need to send the navy to harass the ships gathering on the north shore. I will find a way to send you more gunpowder and rockets. After nightfall, we will have a dozen warships and some medium-sized ships go to the north shore.
, Burn if you can, and explode if you can, but remember, you can’t go head-to-head with Qi people.”
"As soon as Qi Ren's ships start to pursue us, we will withdraw."
"Although it may not be possible to achieve success, we cannot allow them to gather so smoothly, and then..."
Shen Yi took a deep breath and said: "The remaining ships must go west along the Huaihe River to the territory of the Huaihe Navy!"
"We can't let the Huaihe Navy Master watch like this!"
Mr. Shen said angrily: "No matter what, we must make a mess in their place..."
Su Ding frowned and said: "Mr. Shen, this is indeed a method, but the Huaihe Navy and the Qi people are watching us. Even if our ship goes to the west, we may not be able to provoke them."
Mr. Shen sneered: "Then let them bring artillery and fire one on the north bank and one on the south bank!"
"If neither the Qi people nor the Huaihe Navy men can fight back, then go ashore and attack Qi people's outpost!"
Su Ding sighed, feeling helpless: "Even so, as long as General Zhao remains motionless and does not attack the north bank, it will still be of no help to us in Huai'an."
Su Ding lowered his head slightly and said: "Mr. Shen, if we really can't do it, we can only consider retreating to Huai'an. We have a lot of artillery. Although it is not enough to defend the 300-mile Huaihe River, there is absolutely no problem in defending Huai'an City, even if Qi people come.
It is impossible for one hundred thousand people to attack Huai'an."
Since last year, there have been craftsmen specializing in the production of artillery in Huai'an. With Xu Fu's ability, a steady stream of raw materials has been sent to Huai'an City. Up to now, the number of artillery in Huai'an has been considerable.
As Su Ding said, these artillery may suffer losses if they defend the Huaihe River that is hundreds of miles long, but if they defend the city of Huai'an...
As long as the shells and gunpowder are sufficient, no one can break into Huai'an.
"We have no choice but to retreat to Huai'an, but we still have to defend the Huaihe defense line."
Shen Yi took a deep breath and said: "The first batch of warships from the Ministry of War have all arrived in Huai'an. Starting tonight, send warships to the north bank and use artillery to bombard the ships on the north bank!"
"I'll take care of enough cannonballs and gunpowder for you!"
Hearing this, Xue Wei grinned: "I obey my orders! Tonight, I will personally lead ten warships to blast these Qi people!"
Shen Yi nodded and told: "The Qi army on the north bank must also have warships and artillery. Be careful and don't suffer a loss."
Xue Wei stood up directly, clasped his fists at Shen Yi and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Shen, I will go down right away to make arrangements."
After Xue Wei left, Su Ding sighed silently and said: "Mr. Shen, there is a huge disparity in military strength. The general's intention is to abandon the defense line along the Huaihe River when necessary and retreat directly to Huai'an City to preserve the strength..."
"Mr. Shen, you also know in your heart that no matter whether you send ships to attack or disrupt the Western Front battlefield of the Huaihe Navy, you will not be able to solve the fundamental problem."
Shen Yi glanced at Su Ding and suddenly smiled: "General Su still has a keen eye."
Su Ding lowered his head respectfully: "I don't dare. The final general is far behind Mr. Shen."
Shen Yi reached out and knocked on the table and said quietly: "General Su can clearly see that whether it is to harass the ships on the north coast or to send people to provoke the western front, it is fundamentally useless."
"General Su can tell, then Zhou Shizhong in the north, Zhao Lu in the south..."
"You can probably tell."
Mr. Shen said in a leisurely tone: "It's just to make them feel that I, Huaihe, have nothing to do, and then make the final struggle."
Su Ding looked up at Shen Yi and asked, "Does Mr. Shen have any backup plans?"
Shen Yi smiled and said, "Don't worry about this. Just trust me, General Su, and fight according to my method. When the time comes, I will naturally make it clear to General Su."
Su Ding quickly lowered his head: "My subordinates naturally believe in Duke Shen. As long as Duke Shen says a word, my subordinates will immediately lead people to attack the Qi people's camp without blinking an eyelid!"
When Shen Yi heard this, he smiled dumbly.
He reached out and patted Su Ding on the shoulder, and said with a smile: "Okay, let's stop talking about the war for now. I will stay at Xiangshui Camp these days. We will talk about the rest tomorrow."
"Documents from the Ministry of War have been sent to the army one after another in the past few days. Does General Su know what official he has been promoted to?"
Su Ding lowered his head and said: "My subordinate's contribution is meager and I have never thought about these things..."
Shen Yi smiled, took out an official document from his sleeve, handed it to Su Ding, and said, "I intercepted it when it was delivered this morning."
Su Ding took it with both hands.
Because he was wearing armor and had no sleeves, he put it into his arms and respectfully clasped his fists at Shen Yi: "Thank you, Mr. Shen!"
"Don't you want to take a look?"
Shen Yi asked.
Su Ding hesitated for a moment, then took out the document from his arms, opened it and read it again.
This is a document from the Ministry of War. It is stamped with the official seal of the Ministry of War and the seal of the Minister of War. It is an appointment document.
Su Ding was appointed as the commander of the Guangzhou Guard.
From the third grade.
Xue Wei was the commander of the Guangzhou Guard, and he was promoted to the third rank. He was not promoted this time. Su Ding was promoted from the fourth rank to the commander of Qianshi, and was promoted to Xue Wei's deputy.
However, although Xue Wei's position was only the commander of one guard, with the expansion of the Huai'an army, he had 15,000 people under his command, which was a full establishment of three guard posts, and his authority was far greater than his position.
And Su Ding, the "deputy", often acted as the commander of the entire Eastern Front.
Su Ding took a deep breath, lowered his head and said, "Thank you very much, Mr. Shen, for your cultivation. I will never forget Mr. Shen's kindness in knowing you!"
Mr. Shen shook his head slightly: "General Su is wrong. You should thank the court for the cultivation."
"yes."
Su Ding quickly lowered his head, and now a smile appeared on his face: "It's just that if it weren't for Duke Shen, the court might not be able to cultivate the best general."
Mr. Shen then smiled.
Although Su Ding has good business skills, he has no sense of humor. This time he made a rare joke with Shen Yi.
After Master Shen took a sip of tea, he said calmly: "I originally wanted to report you to the commander of the Wenzhou Guard. After all, except for the Fuzhou Guard and the Guangzhou Guard, the other three guards are acting in vain. The authority of those three people
, they are not as tall as General Su, but..."
Shen Yi shook his head slightly and said, "I was afraid that you would have a hard time, so I didn't repay you."
Su Ding breathed a sigh of relief, lowered his head and said with a smile: "Mr. Shen is wise, the positions of the two commanders and commanders of the Guangzhou Guard are both vacant. It doesn't matter if the last general takes them. If the positions of the other three commanders are taken by the last commander, the position will be occupied by the last one."
He occupied this person who was not from the anti-Japanese army and squeezed out the three guardsmen..."
He smiled bitterly and said: "Then the days ahead will be really difficult."
Mr. Shen frowned slightly and sighed: "Actually, I don't like them either. They talk about their background and seniority all the time, but they are always like this whether in the court or in the military."
"I have no way."
He looked at Su Ding.
"Based on General Su's contribution last year, he is actually worthy of the position of commander. However, we have no choice but to take our time."
Su Ding lowered his head slightly and said: "The last general became a monk on the way. He can be trusted by Duke Shen and trusted by General Xue. The last general is already very satisfied. As for whether he will be promoted or not."
He looked up at Shen Yi and said slowly: "General, now I just want to win the battle in Huai'an and don't think about it."
Mr. Shen nodded, then smiled.
"Speaking of which, Xue Wei cares about your official position very much. He has asked me many times these days. He is probably not satisfied with your appointment as commander."
"General Xue has a pure heart, and the general will be extremely grateful."
Su Ding bowed his head deeply.
"The last general is willing to serve General Xue for the rest of his life."