The brothers Guo Xing and Guo Ying deserve to be ranked among the twenty-four generals of Huaixi. They are strong and strong, and they are good at charging into battle at first glance.
"Haha, you two heroes, I have heard about you a long time ago. From now on, we are our own brothers, killing the Tatars together to earn military merit!" Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile.
After all, Guo Zixing was still in front of him, so it was inconvenient to say anything too warm.
"My subordinate, Marshal Xiedu!"
Guo Xing and Guo Ying also clasped their fists and saluted. The two brothers had long been in Guo Zixing's army, and they had long admired Zhu Yuanzhang's reputation for military discipline. Now that he has switched to his command, they are simply overjoyed.
The two brothers couldn't wait to go into battle to kill the enemy immediately and show their abilities to Marshal Zhu Yuanzhang!
After arrangements were made for Guo Xing and Guo Ying, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately said to Guo Zixing.
"Father-in-law, we already have enough troops and horses. We have just discussed it with my younger brother and plan to leave Haozhou for the battle in five days. I will ask my father-in-law to bring the troops and horses tomorrow and prepare to take over the city defense of Haozhou!" Zhu Yuanzhang said seriously.
"Five days is too... too urgent!"
Guo Zixing looked happy and almost blurted out the words "That's great" but held it back.
"It's not a rush. Now the rebel armies from all over the country are attacking cities and territories. If we don't leave early, we might not even be able to drink soup!" Zhu Yuanzhang said seriously.
This is not to deceive Guo Zixing, it is actually the case.
The leader of the Red Turban Army, Liu Futong, has prepared a three-pronged northern expedition to Mongolia, Xuzhou, Guide, Ruyang and other important towns. All of them have been captured by the Red Turban Army. Even in Huainan and other places, there are already a large number of rebels under the banner of the Red Turban Army.
Zhu Yuanzhang felt that if he did not send troops south quickly, Dingyuan, Chuzhou and other places might be occupied by some Red Turban troops.
At that time, I will be in a dilemma. I can't attack the friendly forces of the Red Turban Army just to seize territory.
In that case, I would have no place to stand.
"Okay, then I'll go back and prepare!" Guo Zixing quickly agreed.
He didn't dare to be polite anymore. It would be bad if Zhu Yuanzhang delayed for another two days.
After Guo Zixing returned, he asked his three sons Guo Tianci, Guo Tianxu and Guo Tianjue to command troops respectively, ready to take over the city defense and the territory left by Zhu Yuanzhang at any time.
And he took out the commander's seal of 'Marshal Guo of Haozhou' that he had prepared a long time ago.
He kept it in his arms at all times, preparing to issue an order to calm the people as soon as possible after Zhu Yuanzhang led his army to leave.
The purpose of keeping the people in peace is secondary, and the main reason is to show off the "Marshal Guo of Haozhou".
In Haozhou City, Zhu Han was making final preparations to leave Haozhou City.
Hu Yiba ran in with a hurried expression.
"Sir, I have bought all the gunpowder in the city, and none of it has been left behind!" Hu Yiba said excitedly.
For Zhu Han, nothing is more useful than gunpowder.
The next step is to attack Dingyuan and Chuzhou. A quick victory will depend on gunpowder.
"What about the fire, saltpeter, sulfur, sugar and spirits in the city?" Zhu Han asked again.
Fire saltpeter and sulfur are the raw materials for making gunpowder. Another raw material, charcoal, is very easy to obtain, so there is no need to hoard it.
As for sugar and spirits, they are another big killer that Zhu Han is preparing to test.
Distilled and purified high-concentration alcohol, plus viscous sugar to support combustion, is definitely the most powerful incendiary bomb.
The infantry array used to deal with the Yuan army will be effective.
"Sir, my subordinates have bought up all the shops and pharmacies in the city with these things!" Hu Yiba said.
After getting everything ready.
Zhu Yuanzhang finally led his army to leave Haozhou. Guo Zixing, Sun Deya and other five great commanders and their men came out of the city to see him off.
"Marshal Zhu has been victorious all the way and will defeat the thieves as soon as possible!"
"If Marshal Zhu needs anything, just ask, Sun will definitely help!"
Guo Zixing and Sun Deya sent the wine to each other, hoping that Zhu Yuanzhang would leave immediately.
Whether it is Guo Zixing or Sun Deya, they both feel that after Zhu Yuanzhang leaves Haozhou, they will win the new battle.
After all, Guo Zixing has the title of marshal of the capital, and Sun Deya and others have the numerical advantage by joining forces.
"Zhu is in Haozhou. Thanks to everyone's help, I am really reluctant to leave this time!" Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile while holding the wine glass.
As soon as he said this, Zhu Han saw Guo Zixing, Sun Deya and others looking embarrassed.
He laughed in his heart, these people were afraid that his brother Zhu Yuanzhang would not leave.
At this time, he saw Guo Tianxu, the second son behind Guo Zixing, staring directly at Zhu Yuanzhang's army.
Zhu Han followed his gaze and saw that there was the team of Zhu Yuanzhang's family members in the army. Among them, his sister-in-law Ma Xiuying was directing everyone to line up and prepare to set off.
Guo Tianxu's eyes fell on his sister-in-law Ma Xiuying.
"Guo Tianxu, a toad wants to eat swan meat. My brother is already married, but he still doesn't give up. Fortunately, he has to leave Haozhou City, otherwise this guy will definitely cause trouble!" Zhu Han thought to himself.
Soon, after a polite greeting, Zhu Yuanzhang mounted his horse and waved, and the entire army officially set off. Ten thousand sergeants and almost the same number of family members marched toward the front in a mighty manner.
At Zhu Han's suggestion, the entire army was divided into two armies, the front and rear.
The front army consisted of three thousand Longxing soldiers and most of the recruited soldiers, while the rear army consisted of a small number of recruited soldiers and all their family members.
The former army was led by Zhu Yuanzhang himself.
The rear army was led by Tang He, and Marshal's wife Ma Xiuying was also in the rear army.
Zhu Yuanzhang had never understood the reason for this arrangement. Now that the army was marching, he asked Zhu Han next to him.
Zhu Yuanzhang now feels that if he doesn't ask Zhu Han some questions every day, he will miss a lot of progress.
"Brother, why do you insist on dividing the army into two armies?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.
"Brother, the distance we are marching this time is very far, hundreds of miles. If the soldiers are with their families, once there is a battle, the soldiers will first protect the family members around them, and then let them quickly
It is very difficult to form a formation to meet the enemy, after all, it is human nature to protect your loved ones." Zhu Han said.
Hearing this statement, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in agreement.
In particular, the three thousand Longxing soldiers have never abandoned their loved ones despite many hardships. If a crisis occurs, they will definitely protect their families.
"If this is the case, can't they be allowed to get together once in a while? For example, after conquering Dingyuan City, let them get together once. Why do they have to prepare to conquer the entire Chuzhou before letting them get together?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked again.
.
This time when they go south to attack, Dingyuan and Chuzhou are two important nodes, and the other dozen counties and cities must also be captured.
After this battle, there is no need to think about the end for two or three months.
