"At present, the Xiang family can mobilize at least about 500,000 troops, not counting the local garrison and navy."
"According to the emperor's previous arrangements, our military department has formulated such a set of tactics."
After finishing speaking, Li Qi took the command pole and started pointing: "First, gather the main forces of the Yuzhou, Qingzhou, and Haizhou naval forces, sweep away all the naval forces in the eastern border of Yan State, and fully control the sea control in the eastern border of Yan State."
"Nanzhou Navy and Shuozhou Navy remain stationary and serve as reserves, focusing on defense and mobile support."
"As long as we control the sea, our army can carry out landing operations at any point on the southeastern border of Dayan."
Then he pointed to the land: "At the same time, use a powerful force to attack the enemy from Dongzhou, and send a force to attack from the south of Yuzhou to sweep across the southern border of Great Yan."
"The two armies cooperated with each other to attract the main force of Xiang's army to the southwest, and ordered the Lin brothers in Yingzhou to lead their troops to sweep the northeastern areas and contain Xiang's army from the side."
"And our army will make the following arrangements based on the direction of the war situation, including but not limited to surprise troop assaults from the Qinglian Mountains and landing operations from any point on the east coast of Yan State."
"Sending troops from Liangzhou, Yuanzhou, and Shuozhou in the north to contain the enemy can be done in a variety of ways, depending on the situation."
After a brief introduction, Li Qi turned to Nan Yanxi and said with a smile: "Actually, this battle is not very difficult. Not to mention that our army is several times better than the enemy in terms of numbers, but in terms of equipment, it is stronger than the enemy."
Xiang Jun."
"The continuous rifles now equipped by our main force have long range, great power, and good accuracy. They are several times more powerful than the original muskets."
"And its rate of fire is extremely fast. Every time you fire a shot, you only need to pull the bolt to eject the cartridge case and put a new cartridge in. The whole process only takes one or two breaths to complete."
"A rapid-fire rifle is loaded into a magazine, with six rounds at a time. You only need to pull the trigger six times to shoot six times in a row. It is also easy to change ammunition."
"Although the range and power are not as good as the continuous rifle, it is shorter and has a higher rate of fire. It is very effective against enemies charging in groups."
"Both spears are equipped with bayonets. When the enemy approaches, they can also be used as short spears for hand-to-hand combat."
"There are various types of artillery, including heavy artillery, medium artillery, light artillery, and ultra-light artillery deployed to the squad."
"It can provide soldiers with three types of firepower: far, medium and near, as well as ultra-light accompanying firepower."
"Except for the ultra-light accompanying small cannon, which is muzzle-loading due to design requirements, all other artillery pieces are rear-chamber loading, and all use heavy-duty explosive shells."
"Its power is so powerful that it can tear apart mountains and rocks wherever it goes."
"As for the navy, all our ships have been equipped with new and improved steam engines, and their speed is several times faster than the enemy's old sailing ships."
"We have installed iron armor on important parts of the ship. It is theoretically impossible for the enemy's old-fashioned guns to pose a threat to us."
"But our cannon is a specially improved and developed naval gun. It has a longer barrel, high power, fast rate of fire, long range and high accuracy."
"And for various unfamiliar combat environments, it is equipped with three different calibers: large, medium and small, divided into main guns and secondary guns."
After saying that, Li Qi smiled proudly: "I am not boasting, but the old-fashioned warships we had in the past probably couldn't defeat our current main guns."
Hearing this, Nan Yanxi nodded: "Okay, very good, but don't underestimate the enemy. A lion must fight a rabbit with all its strength. We are facing that cunning guy Xiang Tianxing, so naturally we cannot take it lightly."
"I have received many secret reports from the black guards. Since Xiang Tianxing took control of Dayan, he has devoted all his efforts to researching firearms. I heard that it has been quite effective."
"And the Xiang family guys must have been prepared for our military operation."
"That's what the emperor said!" Li Qi nodded: "Please rest assured, your emperor, I will never take it lightly after a lifetime of fighting."
"This operation will be jointly conducted by multiple departments and will be presided over by the minister to form a joint command headquarters, which will be arranged in Dongzhou."
"In terms of logistics and food, Prince Dai Qin personally arranged it, and several empresses also made many suggestions, so there will be no accidents."
"Okay..." Nan Yanxi was still very relieved about Li Qi. After all, he had been fighting for a lifetime and it was such a favorable situation. There would definitely be no problems.
"Father-in-law, this is what I think. For this battle, I want to go to Dongzhou with you."
Then he hurriedly said: "Of course, you are still in charge, I will only be a counselor in the tent."
"It's okay..." Li Qi nodded: "With the Emperor here, the morale of the sergeants will definitely be high!"
"Then what date should we set out?"
Regarding this, Nan Yanxi waved her hand: "Any day will do. Let the military department decide this. Just let us know when the time comes."
"Yes!" The officials agreed and withdrew one after another.
In the days that followed, Nan Yanxi stayed with Li Jingmo and her children.
Anyway, there are many experts in the military and a cabinet in the state affairs, so he doesn't need to worry too much.
It was not until more than ten days later that the date set by the military department finally arrived.
Nan Yanxi brought Li Qi and other joint command officials to Dongzhou early.
Two armies marched into the territory of Dayan from Dongzhou and Yuzhou from two directions, each with 300,000 men.
At the same time, the combined fleet set off and began to head to the east coast of Dayan to sweep the Dayan Navy and create conditions for future landing operations.
It seems that the Xiang family had already made preparations and stationed large armies in Jingzhou, which borders Dongzhou, and Tanzhou, which borders Yuzhou.
They tried to keep the Ming army out of the country by relying on a complete defense system and various fortifications prepared in advance.
At this time, in Xiang Jun's headquarters, the generals were discussing tactics to fight against the Ming army.
Regarding the Ming army's attack, Xiang Jun had actually expected it.
Early in the morning, the main force was divided into three corps. This time the Ming army attacked in two ways. Xiang Tianxing sent two legions to Jingzhou and Tanzhou to defend against the enemy, and the remaining one corps was dispatched from them as a reserve legion.
However, Xiang Jun's generals were still a little nervous about the Ming army's powerful offensive.
I am not very confident about future wars either.
A general in charge of Jingzhou was reporting to Xiang Tianxing: "My lord, the Ming army this time is 300,000 strong."
"The enemy troops are fierce and well-equipped. As soon as they entered Jingzhou, they attacked several of our troops and built a city."
"Especially the enemy's firepower is too strong. Our army only has 150,000 troops. Lord... please send reinforcements quickly, otherwise... we will not be able to withstand it!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Tanzhou's guard also rushed to say: "It's the same here, my lord!"
"The enemy's attack is too fierce. We don't have the advantage in numbers or equipment. Please, my lord, think of a way quickly, otherwise... I'm afraid it will be dangerous!"